Before We Were

by Monique Medved

Some love stories are written in the stars.
Ours was etched in missed chances and almosts.

A girl searching for herself...
After seventeen summers in Eden, I knew I loved the boy with the fractured heart. But time changes everything—and Nate Sullivan is no longer just a boy. He’s a storm in human form. Loving him feels like standing in the eye of a hurricane—breathtaking and devastating.
Now I’m faced with a choice that could shatter us for good...
Because some love stories aren’t fairytales—they’re survival stories.

A boy haunted by his past...
She was my calm in the chaos, the only light I ever saw in the dark. But I messed it up. I let the past define me, and I broke her heart in the process.
Now, Lenora Wells is back—and she’s not the same girl I knew.
And me? I’m still a mess pretending I’ve moved on.

We’ve made too many mistakes.
Hurt each other in ways we can’t take back.
But walking away from the one person who feels like home?
That might be the one thing I can’t do.

What if our ending... was always meant to be our beginning?

Before We Were is an emotionally charged, slow-burn New Adult romance about soul-deep first love, second chances, and healing in the ruins of heartbreak. Perfect for fans of angsty, heartfelt stories with protective boys, summer nostalgia, and love that refuses to quit.

Tropes you’ll find in the book
✔️ Childhood friends to lovers
✔️ Broody boy, soft for her
✔️ Small town summer romance
✔️ Found family
✔️ Emotional and messy, but worth the fight

Genres: Romance, Summer Reads, Contemporary Romance, Second Chance, Fiction, Contemporary, Summer

582 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 22, 2025

About the author

Monique writes stories about following your gut and figuring life out along the way (spoiler: she's still figuring it out.)

She'd almost always rather have her nose in a book than do just about anything else. When she's not creating her own fictional worlds and characters, she's totally lost in someone else's.
And on those rare occasions when she's not reading or writing? She's either jumping out of perfectly good airplanes, exploring ocean depths, or nursing a massive coffee addiction while her dog Bobbi gives her judgmental looks from across the room.
Want to know what Mon's up to?
If you don't want to miss her next book drop, hit the Follow button.

Or follow her on socials:
Tiktok: @monnwrites
Instagram: @authormoniquemedved

Reviews

[Madison Kait · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5! this story & these characters left suchhhh an impression on me. but it felt longgggg & a touch repetitive. but some of those quotes …. 🔪❤️

[Emily Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

♾️⭐️ if you’re looking for a book to fill the void of the boys of tommen series this is PERFECT!! this is truly my favourite read of the year so far, I already know this book and Monique will go so far because it was truly incredible🥰 I cannot WAIT for the next book in the series

[Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book became my love letter to life itself - all the messy, beautiful, contradictory parts of being human. As I wrote, I poured everything into these characters - not just single emotions, but the swirling mix of feelings we navigate every day.

I wanted to capture how we laugh through our tears, find healing in our hurt, and discover love in the most imperfect moments. Because that's what being alive is really about, isn't it? It's complicated, it's a bit of a mess, and it's absolutely everything all at once.

My hope is that when you read this story, you'll feel it all alongside these characters - their heart-pounding excitement, gut-wrenching setbacks, quiet victories, and those rare perfect moments when everything clicks into place.

I wrote this for anyone who's ever felt too much at once and wondered if they were alone in that experience. (Spoiler: you're not.)
So, I hope you don't just read this story - you feel it.

[Chris ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dnf! In theory, I should have loved this, because it has everything I like in a good book: best friend’s brother, rich bad boy with an abusing parent who also struggles with substance abuse, and a beautiful, kind fmc who struggles a lot as well because of some major event that disrupted her entire life. A recipe for success, if you ask me.
However, there were a few things that made it impossible for me to immerse myself in the story or to connect with the main characters.

First, I want to acknowledge the fact that it is quite obvious that Monique has some serious talent when it comes to writing. She knows how to play with words and how to make you feel things. Also, I follow her recommendations on Tiktok and we have quite the similar tastes in books, so I GET what she was going for when she wrote this book. Truly I do, but there were some things that could have been executed differently, better.


1. Metaphors and flowery descriptions are fine and all, but they shouldn’t be used in almost every single paragraph to describe mundane, unnecessary situations in a poetic way! It was just too much for me, to the point where I couldn’t enjoy the story anymore because I kept rolling my eyes every time I came across yet another over the top metaphor that almost made me laugh.

2. Similar to point nr.1, the constant (dramatic, philosophical) inner monologues felt unrealistic. I am sorry, but that’s the truth. Regardless if the main characters went through heartbreak and abuse, people their age don’t think poetic thoughts all the time. 😂 It felt kind of unrealistic to see young people talk as if they were contemplating “the meaning of life” 24/7. Chloe Walsh in BOT also described the traumatic life of young people who went through a lot, helping us understand their struggles, but she did it in a way that it was still obvious they were teenagers. When it comes to this book, the main characters are 16-20 years old on paper, but the way they think and speak sometimes, it’s giving 67 year old philosopher contemplating the mysteries of life.

3. The age gap didn’t work for me even though it wasn’t thaaaaat big. It bothered me that she was 14 when he was 18. If he had been a a minor as well, 2 years older than her, I wouldn’t have said anything, but given that she is 16 now and he is 19/20…it’s kindaaaa…idk… I almost feel like she is a young girl and he is in a totally different place than her in life. That’s the best way I can describe it.

I will insert some excerpts so you can understand why I said that the flowery prose was too much for me.

"I'm hanging up now." I end the call with enough force to crack my screen, watching as notifications flood the display like vultures circling prey. Missed calls, texts, demands piling up like bodies in a mass grave.

This was Nate describing his never ending phone notifications. He is comparing them to “vultures circling prey”. Alrighty! 😅

Time warps as I hold her, everything slowing to a crawl like honey dripping from a spoon.

Nate, the grand philosopher strikes again.😂

The moon hangs overhead like a silent witness to everything we are and aren't. Funny how we're just these insignificant specks with our colossal problems while that rock has watched empires rise and fall. There's a strange comfort in that cosmic perspective—knowing we're all just trying to navigate this chaotic existence, brief flashes in an endless narrative that everyone forgets.

This was Nate describing God knows what…

Her eyes carried a depth of pain that mirrored my own, an infinite cosmos of unspoken words. She used to burn with fire, and now she's cloaked in ice, but beneath it, the embers still smolder.

But in all seriousness, what 20 year old guy thinks like this? Especially one in the context he is in. It’s just so unrealistic.🙈


Anyway, you get the point! I like beautiful prose, but when you use metaphors, the context has to make sense. I am disappointed that I didn’t enjoy this as much as I had hoped. :(

Ps: English is not my first language, so I apologize for any errors

[Abhilasha]

dnf

Disrespectfully, because respectfully isn’t an option—what the actual fuckkkk? What fanfiction.net reject did I just waste my time on?

ִֶָ 𓂃⊹ ִֶָ pre read

I might give this book 2 stars even if I end up despising the story, because just look at that gorgeous cover—it makes my bookshelf look beautiful 😭🤭

[Bre Cash · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have almost TOO much to say about this book. But let me just start with this - I don’t think I could ever write a book. As much as I’ve always loved writing, and have been an avid reader all of my life, I’ve never had a story that I felt so strongly about that I had to put my pen to paper. To do so is to bare your soul in many ways, and I commend anyone who has the courage to do so. For that alone, I’m impressed with this debut from Monique Medved.

I saw this book on TikTok and it was being marketed as the next book for those who love the Boys of Tommen and The Summer I Turned Pretty. While it may share themes with BOT (Drug Addiction, Domestic Violence, Sexual Assualt), the comparison isn’t warranted. Many books have these themes. However, the TSITP comparisons are spot on, just with added trauma.

Each summer Nora and her brother Ollie go to Eden to stay at the vacation home of their mother’s affluent best friend, who has two sons, Nate and Jake. Just like in TSITP there is a long withstanding connection between Nora and Nate that goes beyond just friends who might as well be siblings, but they’ve never crossed the line into something more, despite both of their feelings. Then you have Jake who also has feelings for Nora though she has never seen him as more than best friend and “brother” and is oblivious to this fact until it’s repeatedly pointed out to her by others. Jake is also a bit of a dick when it comes to the relationship between Nora and Nate. Sound familiar?

Lenora/Nora/Leni = Belly (age 16/17)
Ollie = Steven (age 18 or 19??)
Nate = Conrad (age 20 I think)
Jake = Jeremiah (age 17/18)

——————————————————

Overall I don’t really have any major issues with the story itself. It has good bones. It needs some tightening up, to focus in on the plot points that actually matter. It is lacking some originality and needs something that will make it really stand out from its contemporaries on the market. With a good editor to help guide the story I think this book could be amazing.

My biggest issue is timeline, inconsistencies, and plot holes. It took me an entire day longer than it normally would to get through a book of this size as I kept going back to re-read pages, because things were consistently not adding up.

Let’s start with Eden. What is this place? At the beginning it’s written as a beach town, the boys go surfing, they take the boat out on the ocean, etc. Later on, there’s mention of a lake, the house is referred to as the Lake House, and there’s also a dock. I’m not saying that a city can’t and/or doesn’t have both. But because we are never given a proper description or background on our story’s setting, I was left confused. I don’t think Eden needs both a lake and the beach/ocean. It only adds to the confusion, and honestly, the lake of it all barely played a role in the story. Also, where is Eden even located?

One of my bigger frustrations was the ages of our characters and where they were at in their schooling. When we meet Nora in the “present day” of 2007 she is 16, on the cusp of turning 17. Jake is 17 about to turn 18. It gets a bit foggier from there about the ages of Ollie and Nate but I believe at one point it is mentioned that Nate turned 20. It is also mentioned that there was a new addition to each family in alternating years, spacing each character a year apart, starting with Nate, Ollie, Jake and finally Nora. There are a bunch of reasons why this is frustrating throughout the story. When we get to Jake’s birthday in the story, Nate says it’s his 17th birthday, not 18th, when we know Jake is in fact turning 18. We are also led to believe that he would be going to college at the end of the summer as he has a scholarship at Duke for swimming. His father also offers him an opportunity to join the family company instead of going to college. So, my perception was that this meant he just graduated from high school. Okay. Then we have Nora. She is applying for some kind of writers program scholarship in London. We know nothing about this scholarship. I don’t think I realized it was even in London until close to the end of the book. When Nora’s mom asks about the scholarship, Nora says that she planned on telling her but with Ollie getting ready to leave for college, she was worried. But shouldn’t Ollie already have completed his Freshman year of college if the kids are all spaced out by a year? Anyway, back to Nora. She wins the scholarship and at the end of the summer, we see her leaving for London. Um, is she not still in high school? Wouldn’t this be her senior year? Is this program in lieu of her final year of school? It just doesn’t make sense. Also, the age gap between Nate and Nora. If Nora is going into her senior year of high school, I guess I can let it fly. But if she’s about to be a junior, it’s gross. Either way, I would have much preferred her having just finished high school instead. The age gap also made it weird when they were kids in the flashbacks. Finally, there’s Nate. By my estimate, if he’d gone to college, he should have just completed his sophomore year. However, in one of Nate’s flashback chapters marked February 2005 Age 18, he doesn’t think he can go off to college and leave his mom and brother behind. (Sidebar: He also mentions football season and his coach, but high school football isn’t played in February). So what’s his solution? Go buy drugs, get addicted, lose his scholarship. Which by the way, this chapter actively reads as if this was the logical solution for him, and was the only option. Insane. Back to the point, he runs off to the lake house, falls deeper into drugs and his life falls apart. We find out that this is when he meets Farrah and she answers his phone for him. We know from previous chapters and from a future chapter that it was Nora who was calling him, in need of help after being assaulted. However, the assault took place in June 2006, an entire year later. The years don’t line up. Not to mention that at some point in the book it’s skirted around that Nate’s absence at the funeral has to do with recent troubles and issues he’s been having, and having just lost school and football, which also lines up with the timeline of 2006.

Our summer in Eden begins in June 2007. No specific date, just month and year. We know that Jake’s birthday is June 12th, Nora’s is June 14th and the one year anniversary of her father’s funeral is June 13th. His passing happened 8 days prior to the funeral, so June 5th. There’s a mention on our first night in Eden that a few days prior, Nate went on a 3-day bender due to the anniversary of Nora’s dad’s passing. So based on this information, let’s just say, for arguments sake, that our first day in Eden is June 9th at the earliest. There are still 22 chapters between that first day and Jake’s birthday on the 12th. 22 chapters to cover the span of 3 days? Not to mention there’s a chapter where Nora mentions it’s the anniversary of her father’s passing, and she’s in Eden when this occurs. Plus, in those 22 chapters, at least almost 2 weeks of time and events have actually passed based on the story. I realize, some may look at this and say I’m overthinking it, but I’m not. It should make sense and it doesn’t. The timelines don’t track. And there are multiple other instances, most are minor in comparison, throughout the book. There was a good chunk in the back half of the book where everything was going good. And then we get to the accident. Nora is in an induced coma for 3+ weeks. On the same night of the accident Nate runs off and ends up on a drug binge, that seems to take place over days if not weeks, even though a timeline isn’t clear due to his, well, being high out of his mind. But based on the chapters and how they are laid out, it seems that Nate is in a stupor throughout Nora’s entire coma at minimum and Nick backs this up by saying they were trying to give him space over the past few weeks. Which is honestly insane. He’s a drug addict, what did they think he was doing, writing in his journal? I digress. Upon Nora finally coming to, she is told she’s a few days away from discharge where they will then have her moved to a rehab facility which I would imagine she would spend a little time at. At some point Nick and Jay finally go and find Nate in Monty’s drug den, and pull him out of there. Nick presents Nate with an option to get away and get his head on straight. Next thing we know, Nora is coming home, and apparently Nate has submitted her story and scholarship application to the writing program, which she’s already been accepted to, all before running off to Spain. Then cut to Nora on a bike?? I’m sorry, wasn’t she just in a major accident? Then she’s leaving for London. Once again, wasn’t she just in a horrific accident? No sense of timing between all of these things happening is provided. They might as well all have happened in the same day or even within three consecutive days. We don’t know. Then we get the epilogue which is all of the sudden from Nicks POV. Odd. It’s marked as 2 months later. 2 months from when though? Well according to the chapter, 2 months since Nora’s accident and since he dragged Nate out of the drug den and saved him from an overdose (news to me on the overdose) because apparently these happened on the same night except for no they didn’t according to the prior chapters. At this point in the story, Nate is in Spain, and Nora is off in London. So you are telling me the following happened in 2 months: Nora was in a car accident and then in a 3-4 week coma, woke up from coma, went to rehab, rode a bike, and moved to London. Nate went on a weeks long bender, was saved, sent in Nora’s application just under deadline, Nora won the scholarship, and he ran off to Spain? Insane.

My next big issue was some of the writing and dialogue. First, this book could be condensed in size tremendously just with some heavy editing. Many chapters would start somewhere in the final scene of the previous chapter. But instead of just picking up where we left off, we would relive it, almost entirely, just from the opposite POV. 9 times out of 10 this was unnecessary and a distraction. A lot of the time, the scenes wouldn’t even match with what I just read, and occasionally there was even extra dialogue added that didn’t occur in the previous chapter. There were also instances where there would be a sentence that would allude to something that had just been said or done, but whatever was said or done wasn’t on the page or told to us. Almost as if the dialogue or moment had been written, then the author decided to delete it from the pages, but the follow up line remained. I’m not sure I’ve ever read more metaphors and similes. Ever. Are these teenagers all philosophers? Are the adults all prophets? Both in dialogue and in internal monologues, the characters waxed poetic to a mind numbing degree. No one just spoke plainly. It didn’t feel authentic, and I often thought to myself that it’s trying too hard to be something it’s not. Sometimes simple is better. At certain points I found myself skimming through sections because I couldn’t handle reading through the repetitive thought patterns repackaged in flowery verse. It was too much. The scenes when the teenage characters would get into verbal spats were so unbearably cringe. The insults were so…embarrassing. It didn’t even sound like teenagers. There’s also one line in the epilogue that I can’t let go of. “But as I stand here, the warm breeze carrying the scent of impending summer…” Impending? It’s at minimum September 27th. Summer is over, not impending. Yes, I’m being particular, but I genuinely read that and had to ask myself if I misread the timeline.

Other thoughts:
- i really struggled with the amount of external approval Nate and Nora’s relationship received. Parents and siblings alike tell each character about how much the one loves the other, how they are only this specific way for the other. Nate has literally crashed and burned his life, but we’re all just okay with the idea of him being with Nora because we see the good in him? Also, Nora’s dad giving Nate (aged 18 in the scene) permission to essentially marry his daughter (14/15 years old at this point) in the future before the two have even broached a romantic relationship? This was after the dad asked Nate if he wanted kids and a family one day. And Nate had just been beaten by his father to the point of being hospitalized days prior. Odd timing to have that convo. Very uncomfy overall.
- the summer bucket list between Jake and Nora either needed to play a larger role in the story or be cut. We never even got to see what all was on either of their lists.
- Nora’s friendships with Camilla and Mia did not feel earned for how “deep” they were. They only knew her for a few weeks, supposedly, and they got her a brand new laptop for her birthday? Calling each other best friends. They’d spent like all of 5 seconds together since Nora had to dip out of every activity early due to drama.
- Nora being tipsy at her birthday pool party after a sip of alcohol.
- Both Kat and Lydia. Just everything about them. They were absent almost entirely from everything happening with these kids (yes, 3 out of the 4 are over 18, but still they are all under the same roof). Is Kat oblivious to Lydia’s drinking problem? We are supposed to believe that Kat and Lydia are best friends of the soulmate variety and Kat doesn’t know about the abuse happening in the Sullivan household? Kat and Lydia both saying things like, I know everything, I see everything, I know when my kid is lying to me, but also having no fucking clue what’s actually happening. Kat being a doctor and never tending to or examining Nate any of the times he came home brutally beaten up. As if she wouldn’t have noticed. Also, how is Kat off work for months at a time every summer. She’s a medical doctor. Is this a thing I don’t know about? Kat and Nick, period. I could go on. I know they are both not main characters but either bring them further into the story or distance them further.
- Weird that there was no family acknowledgement of the one year anniversary of David’s passing. They shopped, went to brunch and got drunk and Lydia tried to match make Kat and Nick. Odd timing.
- Alfie. Such a sweet character but not sure he’s necessary to the story. We never go back with Nora to hear more about him and his wife’s love story. We never learn more about the story Nora is writing. Unnecessary plot line. Felt like it was started and then just dropped.
- Who is Nick? The epilogue made it feel like all of a sudden there’s a suspense plot line to the story. It seems like he maybe has a deeper connection to the Sullivans than is let on. He owns wineries in Spain? He has money? He also acts like a detective. All very weird. Also, similar to Nora and her friends, Nick and Nate’s relationship is just deep over night, with not a lot of insight into the development. And in such a short amount of time.
- The 7 minutes in heaven chapter. Holy shit. Nate is 7 so Nora is what 3? Fucking weird. In fact, every flash back chapter where they are under the age of 10 felt weird. The writing and tone did not match the ages of the characters in those chapters.
- I also just didn’t feel the connection between Nate and Nora that much. We could have used more flashback chapters from their pre-teen and teen years to show the depth of their relationship and build the yearning!!
- I have more but I’ve already written too much.

Okay. That was a lot. And while 99% of what I wrote was a less than positive critique of this book, I am truly rooting for Monique and for this series. I would love to see this picked up for traditional publishing. It just needs a lot of work between here and there. Monique, if you are out there and reading this, I hope this was constructive more than anything and I wish you good luck in your writing!

[Elisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute masterpiece!! The Notebook of our generation!! This is the book you didn't know you needed until you read it.

I don't feel like my words will truly honour how incredible this book is… Sometimes in life there are things you can't put into words, you just have to experience it for yourself… this is one of them!

Before We Were is so beautifully written.. the characters, their stories, heartaches and triumphs. Each character is so well developed, their personalities weaved into a tapestry that has you ride along on their journeys of self discovery.

Mon has this amazing ability to describe people and places, making you feel like you're right there in Eden with them. I felt all of the emotions reading this book - goosebumps, gasping, belly laughing and tears streaming down my face (yes, have your tissues ready!).

There are not enough ways to describe my love for Nat and Nora, you are instantly drawn to them and quickly recognise they are inseparable; their souls always finding a way back to each other. There is such softness and vulnerability between them, which becomes their shared strength for all that life puts in front of them. There are many remarkable realizations and moments shared by Nora and Nate, I think I highlighted half of the book!

I absolutely adore Kat and Lydia’s friendship, real best friend goals! And Nick, he needs a book of his own! That man is a knight in shining armour, he arrives in town and everyone is better for him being there. He takes Nate under his wing and there is nothing that man wouldn't do for him. Special mention to Jay and David, who also provide endless support for Nate.

So many important themes are covered in this book; domestic violence, sexual assault, substance abuse and each of them is done so carefully and thoughtfully as you witness the characters face their demons. Most of us have been touched by these issues in some way (or know someone who has), so you find yourself relating to these parts of the book in such a unique way.

It's easy to see Mon is wise beyond her years, the life lessons she shares through the characters and the depth in her writing is truly remarkable. I am left wanting more, please hurry up and write the next book, my heart can't take it!

[Cristiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️

[Reviews.with.Bianca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Before We Were by Monique Medved is a gorgeous story full of heart, hope, and authenticity. Medved perfectly captures the highs and lows of growing up, exploring identity, love, and loss with so much care and tenderness. The characters feel incredibly real — flawed but lovable — and their journeys are raw in the best way.

Medved’s writing is gentle yet impactful, and the emotional moments land beautifully without ever feeling forced. I loved how the story balances heavier themes with warmth, humour, and a genuine sense of hope. While it did feel a little long for me in parts, the emotional payoff made it so worth it.

A strong, moving debut — and I’m excited to see what she writes next! Thank you Monique for allowing me the privilege to be both a BETA and ARC reader for you. I am beyond proud of you girl! 🫶🏻🩵

[Kimberley 📖 · Rating 4 out of 5]

BEAUTIFUL. HEARTFELT. EMOTIONAL.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️.5

“I’m struck again by how much I want her. How much I need her. Every inch of me is screaming to pull her back into my arms, to let everything I’m holding back pour out into one kiss, one touch.”

✨Childhood friends to lovers
✨Protector MMC
✨Girl next door FMC
✨Dual POV
✨Past/present timelines
✨DEBUT INDIE AUTHOR ✍️

What I LOVED:
♾️ Mon’s voice is so distinct, there’s something really special about the way she writes that made this feel personal and real.
♾️ The pining, the yearning, the slow burn, the ANGST? Fuck I was HOOKED! The number of Kindle highlights I have is actually wild 👀
♾️ I absolutely adored the side characters, specifically Nick, Kat, Jake (yes even Jake), Ollie, and Camilla. Their characters and their stories added so much depth, and I found myself just as invested in them as I was in the main storyline.
♾️ The way Mon handled the heavier themes in this story was so respectful and thoughtful. You can tell how much care went into writing those moments.

What I didn’t love:
♾️ I did feel like the book ran a bit long in places. Eg. I don’t think the drama with Farrah was needed to progress the story, given EVERYTHING else Nate and Nora were going through 😭
♾️ There were a few small inconsistencies in some of the alternative POV dialogue that did pull me out of the moment.

Overall, THIS WAS AN INCREDIBLE DEBUT! I am so excited to continue Nate and Nora’s story and I honestly can’t wait to see what else Mon does.

WOULD I RECOMMEND? Yes ✅
WILL I CONTINUE THE SERIES? Yes ✅

[Emily Van Eeken · Rating 5 out of 5]

I now finally understand what people mean when they say a book literally altered their brain chemistry 🤯

I really took my time with this book as I wanted to savour every single minute of it. Mon, for a debut novel I am in absolute awe of your writing. The story you created was nothing short of incredible. I was captivated by Nate and Nora from get go. I’ve never highlighted and annotated so much on my life.

The character development in Nate and Nora was absolutely incredible. Nick, was a sweetheart, Camilla was a bad ass, Oliver and Mia were the cutest, Jake I loved him and hated him at the same time. Just pure perfection in ever single page!

There is just so much I want to say about this book but I honestly need more time to process hahaha!!
Thank you Mon for allowing me to Arc read, it was an absolute privilege! Can’t wait to get my hands on the physics when it releases soon 😍😭💘

[Amanda N. · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 // I opened this book just to get a feel for it… and suddenly I’d read 100 pages. It pulled me in right away. The story is heavy but beautiful, and both characters carry so much pain. They’re broken in different ways, but the way their connection slowly builds? Ugh… The writing is emotional, almost poetic at times, and just really good.

This is for all my fellow angsty, slow burn, trauma-loving readers. You’re gonna feel things. Big time.
It’s such a strong debut, and I’ll 100% keep reading the series.

If I had to be a little picky: it does get a bit repetitive now and then, and some parts dragged a little. But honestly? I didn’t even care. The story, the characters, the emotions - so worth it 🥺

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️
This actually pains me to write because I was loving things up until the 15% mark.
It started off so beautiful and then I genuinely don’t know what happened along the way that made me feel so disconnected. I did enjoy the poetic descriptions and the writing. You can tell that the author poured her heart and soul into this, so she can be very proud that that shone through.

For me, the biggest issue was the pacing. Things moved so slowly and the changing timelines between past and present meant that certain events or experiences were revisited multiple times. Add in the dual pov and we were reading about the same scene twice for everything that happened. I usually have no problem with the latter, so I’m not sure whether I just didn’t particularly connect to these characters?? The dialogue also felt contrived at times or unnatural; I’m not really sure what it was about it that felt inauthentic or unrealistic when considering how these characters may communicate as teenagers (and even as mothers), but certain words felt off. There were also sections of wording that appeared to be missing/ where a scene would cut to something without showing us how they got there, which gave the impression of missing time or feeling like it jumped around without flowing from one thing to the next.

Overall, there was also a lot of fluff that could have been cut and I found myself skimming towards the end to try to prevent fatigue from taking in so many unnecessary words. That sounds absolutely ridiculous, but when there are so many pages (500+) and the plot moves so slowly, unless there are twists keeping you invested or you’re loving the characters, it’s hard to stay engaged.

I think that the ending set things up nicely for the next book (I’ve heard it’s going to be a series??). Still incredibly impressive for a debut and I can see how it would appeal to many readers!

[Tiff Hills · Rating 5 out of 5]

oh Mon, your words are absolutely bloody, beautifully descriptive. And a 760-page book for me is chunky. But it didn't feel that long at all to me. This book devoured me whole. It felt like I was in the book and felt every emotion with them. I fell in love with Nor and Nate. I can't wait to see where the series goes. You've hooked me. And oh my gosh, the bloody side characters. I think I fell in love with absolutely nearly everyone of them Alfie, Jay, Nick, and my gosh Camilla. I loved everything about this series.

[Fsdigitaldiary · Rating 2 out of 5]

What I liked

-the writing is so easy to get into and you are immediately thrown into the story
-the family dynamics are done well
-i loved how music was incorporated

What I didn’t like


-With a book that heavily revolves around it being from a certain era and focusing heavily on the years it’s in (in this case 2006) , I personally prefer more accuracy than purely songs . Things like “The fault in our stars “ and the word “selfie” or “slow burn” (when referring to romance), “living in my head rent- free “ ( a whole chapter was named that)were used despite none of them being a thing for at least 7 years ( in some cases more than decade )AFTER the time frame we are in in this story . While it’s effortful in the music, I wish more caution was taken to anything other than that. I found that it took me out of the experience for brief moments.

-The dialogue was unnatural with monologues that i just don’t see being said in casual conversation
examples like : “It's to remind you that magic's real, that no matter how old we get, we're surrounded by infinite possibilities. They're everywhere—you just have to be open to seeing them. Even when they're right in front of you.”
or
“But I think that's the thing about life—just like a puzzle, we can't force pieces to fit just because we think they should, and sometimes the picture we're trying to create isn't even the one we're meant to make. Maybe the missing pieces aren't really missing at all; they're just not part of our puzzle.”when they are doing a puzzle
or
“Dreams matter, you know? They can turn real when you least expect it. Like stories—they start and end, but you get to shape everything in between. And sometimes," she adds, still continuing on with her thoughts. “You have to trust that the universe will surprise you, usually when you least expect it. That's where the magic happens.”
“I've always found joy in cheering others on and watching the people I love succeed and thrive.”
This sounds more like something you would say in a job interview, impersonal and unnatural .
“You know what I think the devil is?" she asks, surprising me.
"What?"
"I think he's just a fallen angel in pain," she whispers. "A lost boy trying to find his place in the world. His home.”
If someone told me that while i’m having a breakdown , i would have laughed in their face

“You don't just look at each other with butterflies and sparkles. It's deeper. It's messy and complicated, kinda like a fairytale that hasn't been written yet, but one that's going to be worth the read.”
Said by a girl she just met . Cmon … no one talks like this …..

I think instead of trusting the reader to find the depth , it was forced onto us with monologues and sometime overly cheesy platitudes that bear any actual depth or long flowery writing every chapter that I saw as completely unnecessary and dragging on. It’s okay to give a metaphor here and there but every single sentence was some long paragraph about their love and her and life .It gets exhausting and too unsubtle for me. Every one was wise and poetic to the point where even the bookstore owner would say things like
““It's fascinating how this book is really about healing hidden spaces. Like something locked away, forgotten—but not dead. Just waiting for the right kind of care.You know, Grace believed all great love stories shared one thing—they beat the odds. Just like Mary in the garden, some connections need patience. You have to believe in what you can't immediately see. Restore what others might consider beyond saving.”

-It was also really repetitive to the point that it all felt like filler . They have two sentence conversations with some form of “ you mean alot to me “ and then they go their separate ways , they always see each other and bump into each other .

-The age gap wasn’t my favorite. It’s four years. And with all the mmc’s talk of always loving her , it got weird especially when it was his POV of being 18 which would make her 14…. I think either the age gap needs to be less or the whole “she’s always been the one “ talk that is in every single chapter needs to be erased . Because why is a 18 year old relying on a 14 year old like that . Even in the now POV , i find 20 and 16( for 50% of the book) and freshly 17 iffy. She didn’t even graduate high school yet. There was no need to make it that large when a simple two year gap would have worked . There were times when he was 17 which would have made her 13 and he says he wishes he can call her so she can makes things better . 13?? Also what 13 year old has a phone number to even call in the first place ?? in 2004?And then her dad tells him he has his blessing to get with his daughter one day: His 13 year old daughter and a 17 year old boy. I don’t get this choice of ages . At all. I think even the author forgets it with lines like these .

“We were twelve and you missed my mouth. And we weren’t even in a closet.”
“ We” couldn’t have possibly been twelve .

- Tiny things like wanting the mom to be with someone else in this story to perhaps give side romance but it’s been less than a year since the fmc’s father passed who the mom called her soulmate and yet everyone is encouraging her and saying enough time has past… Everyone grieves differently sure but 11 months ? They are so obviously still reeling from the death like it was yesterday. And again, no caution was takne with it . The convo went like this “ I like him. You should date him. “ “ But your dad .” “ Oh , it’s been almost a year. You should date the new guy.” “ Okay.”
Like hello??
- I don’t know the logistics obviously but I find it hard to believe that the mmc’s brother wasn’t aware of the abuse going on in his own house????? It tried to be like “ Oh well , the dad only abuses the mom when the son is asleep .” But abuse is more than that and I find it incredibly hard to believe he wouldn’t recognize his mom being abused despite being home 24/7 and close to her . Even hinting at it was too much for the brother to consider. Even his brother was abused constantly and you’re telling me he didn’t notice anything??? Hear anything???

Over all , I think a once over ( or more like a ten over ) should have been done to this book before it was released because things should have been noticed more . I know the author put a lot of effort into the promotion around this book which is always nice to see but perhaps more caution should have been taken and someone needed to heed about the details .

[Laura Doyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

First thing I will say about this book is how the hell is it a debut??
Monique Medved was born to be a writer!

This book has everything! It has made me giggle and cry and made me angry and feel love and it's so thought provoking.

I adore Nate and Nora and so many other characters in this book, I did not want it to end. The writing style of this book was just amazing and I could not put it down.

A 5 star read and definitely going on my reread pile.👏

I can't wait to see what's next from Monique 😍

[Sanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

Where do I begin? First of all, I received this as an arc and I’m really happy that you trusted me with being one of the first to read your debut novel. This was absolut devastating and beautiful at the same time. I got so immersed in the book that I physically couldn’t put it down for hours. I needed to know where the story was heading, and oh boy did it only get better with each pages.

This story is about Nora and Nate, two childhood best friends. Nora and Nate’s moms are very close friends so growing up they always spent the summers together in their beach house. This is the summer that Nora turns seventeen and it’s been a year since her father suddenly pasted away, Nate is dealing with his own monsters and demons and promises himself to stay away from Nora, the girl that’s been occupying his mind since he was eight years old, to save her from his own misery. Easier said than done, since they both seem drawn to each other like magnets.

That this is a debut novel is beyond me, the story and the character development? AMAZING. The found family? IMMACULATE. The writing? INCREDIBLE. I’m going to have a hard time letting go of this book in the near future because it’s all I’ve thought about since starting it.

Even though this book is about a bunch of teenagers I never got the typical feeling of ”feeling to old” to read it that I sometimes get when I read something similar, this felt like the right age but also the right amount of mature and that in my eyes is hard to achieve.

If you like books like Say you Swear or Boys of Tommen (have not read boys of tommen though so don’t quote me on this), you are going to LOVE this book.

The only reason this didn’t get a five star for me is because I some times felt like Mon described things too well and it added extra context that didn’t feel necessary. It’s already a thick book (with all it’s right!!) but I think it would’ve save a few pages from that alone. I didn’t think about it later in the book though so I think it was only in the beginning that it was noticeable for me.

I think I’ve said this a hundred times by now but Mon, I’m SO PROUD of you and you should be SO PROUD of this book. I’m beyond excited for the world to read Nora and Nate’s story and get lost in your words like I did.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I almost gave this book 2 stars because of what happens around the 90% mark.

Overall, I think this is a good/ok book. It's sort of well-written, with some beautiful, poetic moments that really make you feel. But... here’s the problem: it’s coming from the minds of a 17-year-old girl and a 19-year-old boy. It just doesn’t work. The way they speak is far too mature, like college students, or even older adults. It feels unrealistic. Even in flashbacks, they talk like Socrates and Aristotle, discussing love and life with this almost philosophical, pretentious tone that doesn’t quite fit WHEN THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE LIKE 7 YEARS OLD. I really think every character should have been aged up to college age to match the depth of their conversations.

And yes, for those who say it feels a lot like Boys of Tommen, I do agree a little, but it feels like BOT fanfiction. It has found family ( but it's just for the summer so doesn't really work well), abuse and drug problems.

The drug subplot? Way too glossed over, barely relevant to the story, and He explains how he's going through withdrawls but thats really all you get ( until like the end of the book, but I won't go into details). It doesn't show how much of an impact the drugs have on those around you well enough I think. Or how eas it is to fall back into bad shit. The character kind of just goes "for her I'll be better" and then everything is fine ( until the end but i just can not go into that)

Lastly, the main characters never seem to catch a break. Every sweet moment is undercut by so much relentless pain that those moments don’t feel satisfying enough. Some people might like that, but it actually got to a point where every outing was shaped by drama that I didn't care anymore, I had to LAUGH, ITS TO ABSURD.

All in all, I’m tired.

[Emma-Louise McGill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before We Were is the debut novel from Monique Medved. It’s a coming of age story about two childhood lovers, Nate and Nora, who are navigating life’s traumas and tribulations but are trying to find their way back to each other.

This book isn’t just a love story, it’s a raw heartfelt story of healing, courage and feeling.

I loved every single character introduced in this book. I felt a connection with each one and I don’t think the story would have been the same without them. Nate in particular I absolutely loved how flawed and realistic he was. I loved learning about the journey of Nate and Nora and how their rollercoaster relationship developed over the course of the Summer of which this book is centered around.

I think the book captured you from the beginning, it flowed really well throughout and I think the ending of the story can make or break a book, and this ending absolutely blew it out the park. I am genuinely shook.

The writing in this book was one of the most beautiful bits of writing I have ever read. Monique’s ability to throw in a metaphors, similes and analogies to deepen the emotional connection and understanding of the situation was incredible. There wasn’t a chapter in which I didn’t highlight a line or quote that resonated with me and didn’t leave me utterly speechless at how Monique was just able to capture everything you’ve ever wanted to explain but never found the words yourself to do it.

The ending of this book had me in floods of tears and personally that is usually like getting blood from a stone with me. I think the thing that got me most were the healing parts of this story and like I said, just how much this book just seemed to just “get it”.

It’s clear how much love and devotion has been poured into this book, Monique even admitting that a lot of the story has derived from her own personal experiences, it clearly shows at how well represented a lot of the topics were - especially the mental health aspects of the story.

I could probably go on and on about this book but really it’s one you need to experience yourself. Get your copy on 22nd May and you can pre order your kindle copy on Amazon now.

Thank you Monique for shattering my heart.

[Lex Mak · Rating 5 out of 5]

∞ ⭐️ AND THIS IS A DEBUT? Stop it right now Monique, I’m floored. Absolutely floored.

This was equal parts beautiful and heartbreaking. I can’t begin to tell you how much I loved every single page, and every word of this book. The writing was poetic, pulling every emotion out of me, with mere words. How was it I felt every single emotion of every character, it was like I was watching a movie the entire time, & holding on for dear life. I didn’t want this to end. It could have been 1500 pages and I would read it until my eyes bled 😅.

Nora + Nate

A love story I literally swoon over. The push and pull of these two wasn’t as frustrating as I would have thought. It was respectful, and beautiful. Nora was dealing with a tragic loss, and Nate had many of his own demons. But it was clear that these two had unconditional love for one another since they were kids. It’s the kind of love story people hope for, and I’m so grateful I was able to experience their story. I also, need more. The amount of times I was laughing, then almost on the verge of tears is almost embarrassing. I resonated with each part of their lives, and it felt like I was getting my own therapy session while reading this. Thanks gf!

Can we get a round of applause and a standing ovation for Nick? Even I want to jump into this book and just give him the biggest hug for being the most honourable man. He is so selfless, and kind - would literally bend over backwards for anyone. I feel like everyone needs a Nick in their lives, or just honestly take some pointers from this man on how to be a good fucking human.

Each character was written with so much thought, they each had unique personalities, struggles, and I fell in love with every single one- except you Scott, Farrah and Evan. You can all rot in whatever toxic waste you rolled out of. All in all I will defend these characters with my life, I felt at home with each and every single one, and I held on for as long as I could. This was incredibly well written and well done. My top read of 2025, without a doubt!!!

Thank you Mon, for the e-arc. You truly have quite the talent, you’re going places gf! Prepare to be sick of me recommending your book. I can’t wait to continue this story, but please don’t make me wait too long 😅 🤣

[Caitlin Belic · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is so much I want to say about this *chefs kiss* masterpiece of writing…but I will try and keep it short-ish.

From the very first sentence, I was completely hooked. I don’t usually enjoy dual perspectives or books that jump back in time, but Before We Were was the perfect exception. The shifts between Nate and Nora’s voices and between timelines only deepened my connection to the story—it was so well done and felt completely natural.

Monique Medved’s writing is to put it simply…poetry. It’s emotional, lyrical, and powerful. My Kindle is absolutely full of highlights—I couldn’t stop marking quotes and lines that hit me right in the heart. I need the physical copy now, just to hold this masterpiece in my hands and relive it all over again.

This book is perfect for fans of Boys of Tommen and The Summer I Turned Pretty. It has that same raw emotion, complex characters, and deeply heartfelt relationships. Nate and Nora’s journey is full of pain, healing, growing, and love—and I felt every single moment. Thank you, Monique, for letting me into their story. I laughed, I cried, I felt seen.

And now I’m on the edge of my seat for book two. No pressure, but I need it like immediately, I need to go back to Eden right now.

Thank you for trusting me with an ARC of this novel. Before We Were is hands down the best book I’ve read in 2025 so far. An unforgettable debut from an author we all need to keep our eyes on.

Preorder is available now on kindle and you can get your physical copy on May 22! So what are you doing still reading this!!?? Hurry up and purchase a preorder now!

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow. okay. i don’t even know where to start with this review because i feel like my heart has been shattered and put back together and then shattered again but in the most beautiful way. it’s one of those books i would give a 6 stars if i could !

when i read the beta for this a little ago i knew i would absolutely adore this book , now having read the arc i couldn’t imagine how much i would actually love this. i feel like i got to see a piece of myself in both nate and nora the things they have gone through and how they deal with them are so close to home and i just can’t describe the feeling of just feeling so seen in that even to the little moon quotes and mentions as that is something personal to myself too. i feel like this book is exactly what i needed and more to just feel that bit less alone with all i struggle with and i think it’s so beautiful when a book can do that. the way monique writes and captures these feeling is something so raw and real, you can tell she poured her heart out in this. this book has truly left it’s mark on me in the most beautiful way.

reading about these characters felt like i got to create my little home in eden with them, the unconditional love they carry for each other even though stuff isn’t all sunshine and rainbows is just something i admire so much. they aren’t perfect but they care and love for each other anyways that is some unconditional love. the friendships too !!! the moment between camilla and farrah was very satisfying lol but no all the relationships whether platonic or not or the new formed family type (nate and nick!!! ) hold so much meaning to them. i feel like i wanna hug the entire group , they all deserve better but that’s the thing about life i love how real this book was. i could actually genuinely write more and more about this but i think everyone should just go and read this book because it’s a beautiful love letter to life and monique did the most beautiful job to expressing all these emotions and i felt every single one of them.

thank you monique for trusting me with this arc and letting me read this early. i feel eternally grateful. i already desperately need more because that ending.. what the hell !!! i feel grateful to have come across you and followed you on the journey to this book you did a beautiful job. this is a book i’ll turn to at any minor inconvenience so thank you. 💙

[lifeandbookswithtay · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an absolute privilege it was reading Before We Were by Mon. After finishing this book I found myself in the biggest slum, not sure what to pick up next because I’m worried nothing will make me feel the way this novel has! I laughed, and cried, and at some points had to put my kindle down because I just wanted to scream at the characters and make them realise what is going on!!!
Absolutely incredible and so so thankful to have been able to read this book as an ARC.

[Brontie Hendry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before We Were by Monique Medved Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Wow, just WOW!!.

This book gripped me from the start. Mons writing could only be described as absolutely captivating poetry. I was immersed into the world of Nate and Nora, theres no way you couldnt be.

Mon is a born storyteller, her descriptiveness, how she weaved life lessons and the quotes I highlighted (for a non highlighing girlie) were next level.

This book was a cross between the Summer I Turned Pretty and Boys of Tommen, and to think this was a debut novel, absolutely knocks my socks off.

I cried in the first chapter and multiple chapters throughout the book, my stomach was twisted in knots, I laughed, i had warm fuzzies, my pulse was racing, I was proud and I lost time and space reading this.

The quality of this book, is top tier! I love a book with trauma and this delivered 100%. The character development, the side characters, the side plots were on point. Gosh everyone needs a friend like Camilla!!!! Nick was also a stand out, what a guy!!!

110% recommend this book and have no hesitation giving it 5 stars. I'd give it 6 if I could.

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully written and emotional debut!

“Sometimes we get second chances not just for ourselves, but for all the people who need us in their story.”

This book shines with gorgeous prose and a thoughtful approach to some heavy themes. Nora and Nate go through A LOT in this book but Mon treats their story with such care.

If you love angst and yearning in your romance, this one’s for you. It has the vibe of a more grown-up The Summer I Turned Pretty with a hint of Boys of Tommen.

At 760 pages, it’s definitely a long read, and the dual POV—while enjoyable—sometimes felt a little repetitive.

That said, I was so impressed by the depth of feeling and can’t wait to see what Mon writes next!

Thank you Mon for an ARC of this book!

[Hayley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg… omg… omg!! I’m in love!!!

This book had me feeling all the emotions. Honestly, Nora is more relatable than I ever expected her to be & Nate I adore him - them together.

I need to do a re-read & annotate this book because holy shit have I not stopped thinking about it since chapter one.

Just going to be living in this world till the next book comes out!!

[Emma Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

6 star read! Stuff the 5 stars, this deserves more!

OH. MY. GOD.

This read was devastatingly amazing. This is the next 'Boys of Tommen'. If I don't see this on the shelves of my local bookstores, I am going to cry. Everybody needs to be able to pick this up off the shelf, read the blurb, take it home in their hot little hands and read it.

The 2000's nostalgia was top tier, I felt like I was reliving my One Tree Hill / The OC days 🥹 The references to so many amazing songs of that era and beyond, that resignate with the story SO well, but also my own memories and experiences attached to those songs.

I cried, I laughed, I swooned. This book is just so many emotions bundled up into an amazing story, I never want it to end. I cannot WAIT for the next book, I just want to keep reading this book over and over and over again 💕

[Emma · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at 26% ☹️

I want to firstly say that I’ve followed Mon on TikTok for a long time, I love her content and support her and her writing journey wholeheartedly. I think she will be an absolute superstar author for the right people.

I unfortunately couldn’t make it through this one.
The writing style—metaphors and poetic thoughts/descriptions—was too excessive for me.

Towards the 26% mark I decided to put this one down for now as I wasn’t enjoying it. I think this could’ve been a fab read if we weren’t trying to be so philosophical and complex.

Still keen to read whatever Mon puts out next!

[Lara Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I still can’t believe Before We Were is Mon’s first novel! It’s such an incredible way to kick off her journey as an author.

Nate and Nora’s story completely captivated me from start to finish. I didn’t want it to end, and now that it’s over, I’m left heartbroken, deeply moved and wanting more. I neeeeed that next book! 🥲

Mon’s writing is both vivid and immersive. Her descriptive style allowed me to fully visualise each scene, and I genuinely felt as though I was right there beside the characters, experiencing their highs and lows. I really struggle with visualising the books I read and somehow, Mon managed to show me everything. I still can’t believe these people aren’t right in front of me!

The story does an amazing job of balancing heartbreak and hope. It’s full of emotion, personal growth, and vulnerability, and somehow it all feels really real and relatable.

What stood out to me the most was how deeply this book hit me emotionally. It gave me little lessons and reminders I didn’t even realise I needed, and I saw parts of myself in so many of the characters’ experiences. It’s the kind of story that really sticks with you after you’ve finished it. This story found me at a hard time as well and genuinely helped me through some of my grief.

Before We Were is hands down one of my favourite reads of the year. It’s the most emotional and touching book I’ve read in 2025 so far. Huge thanks to Mon for sharing such a beautiful story with the world. 🫶🥹

[Abbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beta/Arc review
♾️

I don’t think any words will be able to encapsulate just how much I loved this book. Before We Were was an emotional experience for me, it’s been so long since a book has captivated and thrown me on such a rollercoaster of a journey. The way these characters have taken over my mind since February, I’m so excited that release day is almost here so everyone else can experience them.

I was hooked right from the Prologue and was able to connect instantly to the MC’s and their story. Mon’s writing is absolutely beautiful and so poetic. The way these characters describe eachother oh my gosh it had me feeling so many emotions all at once. The way I felt everything Nate and Nora were going through to my soul was just something I hadn’t experienced since reading BOT.
To not only be able to take readers on a journey through the characters and their lives but to also make the reader feel seen and heard through her writing I just couldn’t explain what that felt for me.
Some people just have the incredibly special gift of putting words onto paper and help transport you into a completely new world and I can honestly say Mon is one of those people.

Before We Were was a beautiful and raw story that was filled with so many heavy and hard topics but Mon has written them extremely well and you can feel the love and care she has put into this book. It definitely felt so nostalgic filled with so many of my favourite things, it took me back to being a teenager and everything you go through while trying to find your place in the world.

I will forever be greatful to be apart of your journey Mon Thankyou so much for letting me beta/arc read this story it’s an experience i will never forget. You should be so proud of yourself for creating something so out of this world. I think it’s safe to say Nate and Nora will be living in my heart forever!

I know I have already found my favourite read of 2025 and the fact that it is a debut novel just makes it even more exciting! Please add this to your tbr and check it out on release day you will not regret it 😍