Before I Met You

A Novel

By: Lisa Jewell

Narrated by: Helen Duff

After her grandmother Arlette's death, Betty is finally ready to begin her life. She had forfeited university, parties, boyfriends, summer jobs - all the usual preoccupations of a woman her age - in order to care for Arlette. Now she's ready for whatever life throws at her, and, since the will included a beneficiary unknown to her who lives in the city, she heads there to find the mysterious woman....

In 1920s London, Arlette is starting her new life in a time of postwar change. Beautiful and charismatic, she's drawn into a hedonistic world, but then tragedy strikes, and she flees back to her childhood home....

When Betty's search leads her to a man - someone who meant the world to her grandmother - the secrets of Arlette's past may help Betty find her own way to happiness in the present....

A rich detective story and a captivating look at London then and now, Before I Met You is an unforgettable novel about two very different women, separated by 70 years but united by big hearts and even bigger dreams.

©2013 Lisa Jewell (P)2018 Dreamscape Media, LLC

One of the best books I've ever read

Honestly I loved everything about this story. The characters, the plot, the variety. The performance by Helen Duff was spectacular. I literally laughed out loud, and was brought to tears. I have waited a while before listening to anything else because this book was so moving. I still think about it. Excellent in every way.

Beautiful!

I loved every minute! I drive a lot, and listen in the car. I found myself listening even when I wasn’t driving!!!

Step back in time

The 1920s come alive in this story. You get such a sense of the joie de vivre of the time. You want to go back there and experience it yourself. and the mystery so intense! I usually listen to book to and from work but I lay in bed listening to this one bc I was dying to find out how it ends!

Another Wonderful Lisa Jewell Novel

I think I’ve read 7 of Lisa Jewell’s books and while I enjoyed some story lines more than others, each novel shares certain elements. Jewell’s writing is atmospheric; her elegant descriptions of people and place draw in the reader. Overlapping stories are woven together subtly and sometimes surprisingly. In “Before I Met You” Jewell takes the reader into two interesting stories occurring 75 years apart. While this is not an unusual stylistic device, Jewell does this so much better than anyone else.

In the past we come to know Arlette and in the near present Arlette’s step-granddaughter is the main character. Both stories are rich with vivid portrayals of people and place; both stories make you care about the heroines, and both heroines are exceptional women, especially within the context of their eras. While I believe nothing could spoil your enjoyment of this novel, I won’t paraphrase the publisher’s description or reveal any of Betty’s discoveries about Arlette. Suffice it to say that there are no contrived coincidences. Even when your throat aches with the knowledge of inevitable tragedy, you will remain committed to these women, this novel, this author.

A final comment on the narration. Helen Duff brings the story to life and does what the very best narrators do—provide an authentic voice that never distracts the reader from the narrative.

Lovely story. Easy listen

I loved the back and forth from present day (1995) to the 1920’s in London. Good character development and some twists but nothing over the top. I gave it 5 stars all around because I was happy to just listen to a lovely story with perfect narration.

Wonderful Story

I loved this book. You're not going to be sorry you bought it. But it, Love it.

movie please!

loved it and it would make a terrific movie! please make it you producers out there!

Best Book this year...

Although it's only March this is the Best book that I've listened to this year. The characters are so close to real life. Great job Lisa Jewell!

Just a great read!

After listening to so many psychological thrillers, I needed a break. This was the perfect break!!!

Excellence!!

I adore this story and the narration is stunning. I never wanted it to end.