Before I Met You by Lisa Jewel Review

Reviewed by Delphi Ellis

This 456 page novel written by established author Lisa Jewell takes you on a journey between 1919 and 1995. Separated by generations of different cultures and lifestyles, the story follows Arlette and Betty (Arlette’s grand-daughter), two young women setting out to take London by storm.

In her familiar style, Jewell writes in such a captivating, entertaining and intriguing way that the reader is immediately hooked – this book took me just days to read. With occasional references to actual historical data combined with nostalgia for days gone by Jewell draws you in to the excitement, the chaos, the frivolity and tragedy of living in two different societies 70 years apart which, even so, seem to have striking similarities.

We join both women at significant turning points in their lives which leads Arlette towards the controversial man of her dreams and Betty into a mysterious but heart-warming discovery. Will Arlette get to keep her forbidden love and will Betty find out why her grandmother kept him secret for all this time? Read this wonderfully entertaining and soulful story to find out.

Rating: 5/5

Available to buy from Amazon here.