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Before I Knew You
What would you do to fulfill the greatest desire of your heart?
Joanna was brought up to believe life is meant to follow a certain path. You meet a wonderful man, get married, have children—all in that order. Maybe, if you’re really ambitious, you have a career too. But a career isn’t what Joanna wants. She wants a family.
In the early 1970s, at nineteen-years-old, Joanna was the first of her friends to complete steps one and two of the plan. She thought she’d be the first to complete step three as well. Now, thirteen years later, she’s still holding onto her dream of having a child.
Of course, life sometimes offers us our dreams in ways we never would have imagined.
Can Joanna let go of her expectations, even if it means estranging herself from the family who raised her and, perhaps, the man she loves? What will she do to fulfill the strongest desire of her heart?
This novella is a spin-off of the A New Start Series, Women's Fiction that covers the stories of four female friends through loss, family, friendship, love and the struggle to navigate their lives.
Books in the A New Start Series:
Skinny Me (Book 1)
Where There Is Life (Book 2)
By What We Love (Book 3)
Forever in My Heart (Book 4)
Whispers of Hope (Book 5)
Joanna was brought up to believe life is meant to follow a certain path. You meet a wonderful man, get married, have children—all in that order. Maybe, if you’re really ambitious, you have a career too. But a career isn’t what Joanna wants. She wants a family.
In the early 1970s, at nineteen-years-old, Joanna was the first of her friends to complete steps one and two of the plan. She thought she’d be the first to complete step three as well. Now, thirteen years later, she’s still holding onto her dream of having a child.
Of course, life sometimes offers us our dreams in ways we never would have imagined.
Can Joanna let go of her expectations, even if it means estranging herself from the family who raised her and, perhaps, the man she loves? What will she do to fulfill the strongest desire of her heart?
This novella is a spin-off of the A New Start Series, Women's Fiction that covers the stories of four female friends through loss, family, friendship, love and the struggle to navigate their lives.
Books in the A New Start Series:
Skinny Me (Book 1)
Where There Is Life (Book 2)
By What We Love (Book 3)
Forever in My Heart (Book 4)
Whispers of Hope (Book 5)
- GenresFiction
125 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 8, 2016
7 people are currently reading
72 people want to read
About the author
Charlene Carr
18 books432 followersCharlene Carr is the youngest of four children and the only girl. Living in a house full of boys taught her to fight for what she wants and to always reach higher (you have to when everyone in your family towers above you).
She spent much of her childhood creating elaborate, multi-faceted storylines for her dolls and reading under the blankets with a flashlight when she was supposed to be asleep.
A bit of a nomad, she’s lived in four countries and seven Canadian provinces. After travelling the globe for several years and working an array of mostly writing related jobs, she decided the time had come to focus exclusively on her true love—crafting stories.
Charlene is a novelist and stay-at-home mom: her two dream jobs. She lives in Nova Scotia, Canada and loves exploring the coastline of her harbour town with her husband and young daughter.
Her upcoming novel Hold My Girl, "a tense and emotional dual narrative novel about motherhood, racial identity, loss and betrayal," perfect for "Fans of Celeste Ng and Liane Moriarty" will release Winter 2023 from HarperCollins Canada and Welbeck Publishing (UK).
She spent much of her childhood creating elaborate, multi-faceted storylines for her dolls and reading under the blankets with a flashlight when she was supposed to be asleep.
A bit of a nomad, she’s lived in four countries and seven Canadian provinces. After travelling the globe for several years and working an array of mostly writing related jobs, she decided the time had come to focus exclusively on her true love—crafting stories.
Charlene is a novelist and stay-at-home mom: her two dream jobs. She lives in Nova Scotia, Canada and loves exploring the coastline of her harbour town with her husband and young daughter.
Her upcoming novel Hold My Girl, "a tense and emotional dual narrative novel about motherhood, racial identity, loss and betrayal," perfect for "Fans of Celeste Ng and Liane Moriarty" will release Winter 2023 from HarperCollins Canada and Welbeck Publishing (UK).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
July 6, 2016
Before I Knew You is a prequel novella to Forever in My Heart, book 4 in Charlene Carr's A New Start series. Childless after thirteen years of marriage and a number of miscarriages, Joanna Sampson is finally persuaded by her husband Henry to consider adoption. This is not an easy decision for Joanna who has always dreamed of holding her newborn baby in her arms. The initial meeting with the head of an adoption agency is not very reassuring when Henry and Joanna find out they have several strikes against them, including their age and Joanna's medical history, which will put them at the end of a long list of prospective adoptive parents. Henry and Joanna are determined to proceed, despite the odds. Shortly after their home visit, Henry hears about a four year old little girl living in a group home, who has been rejected in the adoption process and is about to be transferred to an orphanage. He convinces Joanna to meet Tracey, and thus begins their journey to make this child their own.
Although it is a ninety page novella, Charleen Carr manages to create enough backstory and develop her characters sufficiently so that the reader is thoroughly engaged in this emotional story of struggle, pain, and hope. As each challenge presented itself to Henry and Joanna, I was right there rooting for them to succeed. Having read Forever in My Heart, I found this story an enjoyable one that adds to the understanding of the characters and story presented in that book. Charlene Carr is a masterful writer of contemporay women's fiction that touches the heart and emotions of her readers. She writes with depth and understanding of the real life challenges that many people face.
I received an advanced reader's copy of this novella in exchange for an honest review.
Although it is a ninety page novella, Charleen Carr manages to create enough backstory and develop her characters sufficiently so that the reader is thoroughly engaged in this emotional story of struggle, pain, and hope. As each challenge presented itself to Henry and Joanna, I was right there rooting for them to succeed. Having read Forever in My Heart, I found this story an enjoyable one that adds to the understanding of the characters and story presented in that book. Charlene Carr is a masterful writer of contemporay women's fiction that touches the heart and emotions of her readers. She writes with depth and understanding of the real life challenges that many people face.
I received an advanced reader's copy of this novella in exchange for an honest review.
July 20, 2016
I really liked this book! Charlene Carr did a great job of creating believable characters that had me rooting for them. I appreciated how there wasn’t unnecessary drawn out drama in this book and the pages just flew because the story was smooth and kept my attention. I have not yet read the story of Tracy (Forever in my heart) and I really look forward to reading it now.
I received a free copy of this book to preview and I was very pleased. I look forward to reading more of her work.
I received a free copy of this book to preview and I was very pleased. I look forward to reading more of her work.
December 12, 2022
‘Hopeful but cautious’
As a woman with one child from one pregnancy, I cannot fathom childlessness or miscarriages. The physical and emotional pain that both parents go through must be excruciating. And what it could do to a marriage when the spouses have contradictory ways to deal with the pain.
I appreciate how the author explored various aspects and opinions about adoption such as the child’s family background, waiting time, birth mothers changing their minds, etc. Psychological tests for the prospective parents being a condition, as well. There are many things to consider when choosing a child and not all variables can be known beforehand.
Adopting an older child from the foster system might even be trickier than going through an adoption agency. These poor children get traumatized after being sent from one place to another.
As a sibling of a special needs child (one who is still in & out of the system), I can attest to one of the character’s statements that you get what you get, even as biological parents. I think the author provided a balanced perspective of various issues.
Some sage advice for us all:
‘As her mother had taught her, it was easier to express resolve with a cup of tea in your hand.’
I have ‘Behind Our Lives (#1)’ and 'Beneath the Silence' to read as 'Hold my Girl' comes out in Jan.
Totally recommend this book and this author. And I *rarely* give 5 stars for fiction.
As a woman with one child from one pregnancy, I cannot fathom childlessness or miscarriages. The physical and emotional pain that both parents go through must be excruciating. And what it could do to a marriage when the spouses have contradictory ways to deal with the pain.
I appreciate how the author explored various aspects and opinions about adoption such as the child’s family background, waiting time, birth mothers changing their minds, etc. Psychological tests for the prospective parents being a condition, as well. There are many things to consider when choosing a child and not all variables can be known beforehand.
Adopting an older child from the foster system might even be trickier than going through an adoption agency. These poor children get traumatized after being sent from one place to another.
As a sibling of a special needs child (one who is still in & out of the system), I can attest to one of the character’s statements that you get what you get, even as biological parents. I think the author provided a balanced perspective of various issues.
Some sage advice for us all:
‘As her mother had taught her, it was easier to express resolve with a cup of tea in your hand.’
I have ‘Behind Our Lives (#1)’ and 'Beneath the Silence' to read as 'Hold my Girl' comes out in Jan.
Totally recommend this book and this author. And I *rarely* give 5 stars for fiction.
June 26, 2016
Let me start this review of "Before I Knew You" by Charlene Carr by saying that I received a free copy of this book to preview. I have read a couple of other books by this author and enjoyed them very much, finding her to be skilled at creating believable characters and story lines and realistic dialogue. "Before I Knew You" is a short novella- written as a sort of introduction/back story for several characters (or at least that is my impression). Despite being moved by the main topics of the book, issues of infertility, adoption, as well as marriage and family relationships, I wasn't able to relate to Joanna, the main character, on a deep level, and found much of the language in the book to somehow feel stiff, and the interactions and dialogue felt contrived. I think this was due to the author's choice to tell much of the story in the 3rd person, creating emotional distance, and in a story that revolves around very personal issues, that distance makes it more challenging for the reader to slip into the story. I never felt like I was in the room with the characters- let alone in their shoes. That said, I still finished the book wanting to find out what happens next- and look forward to reading more about Joanna and her family.
July 6, 2016
I received a free advanced copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.
This book was an easy read and told the story of a man and a woman who after several years of marriage and numerous miscarriages decide to look into adoption; initially for an infant as most couples do and then they fell in love with a four year old girl.
After several hurtles and numerous objection from her family members ...well I wont give it away you will have to read it yourself.
Having worked for Children Services and been involved with adoptions this story is of particular interest to me.
The adoption process has been abbreviate in the story but the basics are there and I particularly liked the choice of an older child.
More people should consider this option after reading this book perhaps they will.
Linda
This book was an easy read and told the story of a man and a woman who after several years of marriage and numerous miscarriages decide to look into adoption; initially for an infant as most couples do and then they fell in love with a four year old girl.
After several hurtles and numerous objection from her family members ...well I wont give it away you will have to read it yourself.
Having worked for Children Services and been involved with adoptions this story is of particular interest to me.
The adoption process has been abbreviate in the story but the basics are there and I particularly liked the choice of an older child.
More people should consider this option after reading this book perhaps they will.
Linda
July 5, 2016
I loved this story, it held such emotion and gave a really good insight into the struggles of infertility. The two main characters were very believable and people anyone would be honored to call a friend. Joanna's mom, on the other hand, was a despicable excuse for a mom. I would have liked to have seen a softer side of her shown at the end. But, in life there are moms like her and so she was most definitely a believable character. I would recommend highly recommend this book. It's a quick read that will tug at your heartstrings.
** I was provided an ARC of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review. **
** I was provided an ARC of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review. **
September 5, 2016
Tragic yet hopeful- this novella shows you the back story of Tracy (Forever in my heart) and her parents (Joanna and Henry) who struggled for many years to call a child their own.
Heart wrenching we watch the characters grow, fight for what they believe in and finally achieve success (defined by their own standards). We learn through them that dreams don't need to be set in stone and if we lay down our expectations long enough we will receive what we were always meant to have.
Recommended to read if you enjoyed Forever in my heart or any other of Charlene Carr's stories- surely you won't be disappointed.
Heart wrenching we watch the characters grow, fight for what they believe in and finally achieve success (defined by their own standards). We learn through them that dreams don't need to be set in stone and if we lay down our expectations long enough we will receive what we were always meant to have.
Recommended to read if you enjoyed Forever in my heart or any other of Charlene Carr's stories- surely you won't be disappointed.
June 30, 2016
I received a copy of this book for an honest review.
This was an emotional book, Charlene did a wonderful job showing what a couple can go through when they want a child. The feelings they experience, the highs & lows, disappointments and joys, all had me rooting for them on their journey. My only complaint is I wish the story was longer.
This was an emotional book, Charlene did a wonderful job showing what a couple can go through when they want a child. The feelings they experience, the highs & lows, disappointments and joys, all had me rooting for them on their journey. My only complaint is I wish the story was longer.
September 4, 2017
I really liked this story. It helped us to understand the difference between birth and adoption and that parents love all their children, whether they choose them by adoption, whether they are born naturally, whether they are a medical procedure or whether they "are miracle children" - totally unexpected. All children are gifts from God and are Miracles.
June 27, 2016
This author is absolutely amazing. Out of all the books I've read by her they are realistic and have raw emotions. I really liked this book!! She does a great job of shinning light on true events that could happen in a person's life
September 21, 2019
This little books is intense, emotive, heartbreaking and heartwarming all at the same time. I’ve read the Behind Our Lives series (which is incredible) but after this novella I’m keen to begin the A New Start series ... this is the prequel to book 4 I think. This author is an amazing story teller
June 28, 2016
I received this book as a free, advance copy.
I loved it!
I found the characters to be believable and relatable.
The only disappointment was that it was too short.
I hope that there will be a sequel.
I loved it!
I found the characters to be believable and relatable.
The only disappointment was that it was too short.
I hope that there will be a sequel.
Read
October 13, 2017I wish it didn't have to end. I love how all these stories tied into each other. I look forward to reading everything Charlene writes.
May 30, 2023
My Notes:
Now I need to read all her books 😆
Add to Goodreads
Now I need to read all her books 😆
Add to Goodreads
June 16, 2021
Before I Knew You by Charlene Carr is a tender story about a loving couple’s 13-year journey to parenthood. I’m child-free by choice, yet this novella makes me care about a woman with an obsessive drive to be a parent. The story, and Charlene Carr’s writing, is so captivating, I read it in one sitting then bought her box set of five books, which includes a character I fell in love with in this novella. Before I Knew You is free if you visit Charlene’s website. She’s self-published but recently signed with an agent. This is an author to follow!
April 9, 2025
Captivating story about wanting a child and problems of getting one, about other options, hopes and despair. It was easy to relate to the characters and their lifes, to hope for the happy ending for them.
June 26, 2023
Once again Charlene Carr has written a beautiful, heart-wrenching story set in an era where family life was rather formal, especially in the homes of the elite. Orphanages were common, children were moved from foster home to foster home, and when adoptions did happen, they were generally closed. Adopting a newborn was not all that easy, as families who were open to adoption always wanted a baby. Adoptions, in general, were not discussed 'in the open' and certainly not among the elite families.
As in any era, some women have difficulty getting pregnant and maintaining a pregnancy. Joanna, one of the main characters in this story, is one of those women. This story will follow the life of Joanna and Henry as they go through heart-breaking struggles trying to build their family. You will root for them each step of the way as this very talented author takes you on their journey making you feel their heartaches, their disappointments, their goals, their challenges and their joys. There was one point in this story where my heart was racing and tears were flowing down my face as I "felt" so strongly for one of the characters as they explained their feelings. I cried and I smiled and I highly recommend this as a great read.
This is a Novella and if you are like me, you will probably want to read it in one or two sittings. It is a hard story to put down. Well done, Charlene Carr! Looking forward to your next story.
I read this Novella 'Before I Knew You' as an ARC reader and I received it free from the author.
As in any era, some women have difficulty getting pregnant and maintaining a pregnancy. Joanna, one of the main characters in this story, is one of those women. This story will follow the life of Joanna and Henry as they go through heart-breaking struggles trying to build their family. You will root for them each step of the way as this very talented author takes you on their journey making you feel their heartaches, their disappointments, their goals, their challenges and their joys. There was one point in this story where my heart was racing and tears were flowing down my face as I "felt" so strongly for one of the characters as they explained their feelings. I cried and I smiled and I highly recommend this as a great read.
This is a Novella and if you are like me, you will probably want to read it in one or two sittings. It is a hard story to put down. Well done, Charlene Carr! Looking forward to your next story.
I read this Novella 'Before I Knew You' as an ARC reader and I received it free from the author.
June 30, 2021
This book was very touching and heart warming. Child permanency is critical and infertility issues within women is devastating. This was a true “ happily ever after”story.
April 8, 2022
Before I Knew You is a novella provided as a welcome gift to new newsletter subscribers of the author Charlene Carr. It is also available for purchase. I am very familiar with this author via bookstagram but this is shamefully my very first time reading her work. Needless to say, it WILL NOT be my last. Carr describes this as a story full of thought, heart and hope and I could not say it better myself. This novella deals with painful topics related to invisible illness and pregnancy loss, and Carr uses her characters to educate with sensitivity and raw emotion. I also learned so much about the adoption process, and all the many obstacles that lay in the unknown. Carr's obvious research for this book is phenomenal which allows me to trust her dedication to delivering a well-rounded story that benefits the reader in more ways than just entertainment. Highly recommend!
February 24, 2022
The author appears to have a natural empathy for other women (and their partners) face some of life's hardest disappointments, yearn for an answer to their misery and has obviously engaged in learning more about the legal processes involved.
Well crafted but imperfect characters are more true to life than you would find in other books and a lot of care has been taken to allow the reader to empathise with their predicaments, overbearing parents but still achieve what they believe to be the answer to their prayers and resolve much anguish from the past.
The book finishes with an expectation of problems to come but that is for another read.
Loved the author's style of writing, mixing a variety of characters all mainly decent people but each with their own flaws. Was kept glued to the story and managed to finish the book in one sitting which I don't normally do but I was totally caught up in an interesting and clever tale
Well crafted but imperfect characters are more true to life than you would find in other books and a lot of care has been taken to allow the reader to empathise with their predicaments, overbearing parents but still achieve what they believe to be the answer to their prayers and resolve much anguish from the past.
The book finishes with an expectation of problems to come but that is for another read.
Loved the author's style of writing, mixing a variety of characters all mainly decent people but each with their own flaws. Was kept glued to the story and managed to finish the book in one sitting which I don't normally do but I was totally caught up in an interesting and clever tale
March 1, 2023
What an amazing story! Happily married couple Joanna and Henry have as perfect a life as possible with one exception.For 13 years they have struggled with infertility. Joanna is initially resistant to Henry’s suggestion of adoption as she is hell bent on adopting an infant. The adoption agency suggests they consider adopting an older child which Joanna isn’t thrilled with. Seeing how thrilled Henry is with that idea Joanna relents and agrees. They visit the agency and meet Tracey who’s had a hellacious life . Joanna immediately falls in love and the adoption process begins. The author writes with so much heart and passion that the reader gets swept along with Joanna and Henry’s journey. I’d love to see this grow into a series initially focusing on the new family’s adjusting to each other
July 28, 2023
A glowing review of Hold My Girl led me to Charlene Carr's newsletter.....which got me a copy of this novella. Before I Knew You follows Joanna's story of infertility and her desire to be a mother after years of trying. I was so drawn in to the way the characters were written. Sometimes the dream that you have for your life doesn't come true, but the reality can sometimes be just as or even more sweet. I am going to read the A New Start series on the strength of this book and I am anxiously awaiting the U.S. release of Hold My Girl.
September 14, 2019
A heart-wrenching story of Joanna and Henry, who have been trying for 13 years to have a baby. Each miscarriage was awful, and the last one almost killed her. They had discarded the idea of adoption, but now decide to try it. But their ages and Joanna’s health are drawbacks. Especially for a baby, which they want. But when they meet 4 year old Tracey, something clicks inside, and they go all out to make her theirs. I liked this short story.
November 1, 2020
Imagine yourself getting married and then wanting to start a family. This is a story of hope, hurt, confusion, tears, trauma and eventually a dream come true. A dream being fulfilled in a very different way and nowhere near the one planned. Every child deserves a home where love, security and joy is experienced..... A book worth reading.
July 11, 2022
Book Review
Before I Knew You
Novella Written By Charlene Cook
Fiction - Family
90 Pages
Published 2016
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is a sweet story about a couple who desperately want a family. Being a novella, it is a very quick read. This novella is part of the author’s A New Start Series. I am definitely interested in reading the rest of the books in this series and other books by this author. This book is available to download for free on the author’s website.
Before I Knew You is set in the early 1970’s. After 13 years of marriage, Henry and Joanna Sampson’s dream of a family has not been fulfilled. They make the decision to try adoption. Henry finds out about a four year old girl in need of a family. Joanna has concerns because she has always wanted a baby. This book explores their journey to have a family.
I really fell in love with these two characters who overcome many obstacles to fulfill their dream.
Before I Knew You
Novella Written By Charlene Cook
Fiction - Family
90 Pages
Published 2016
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is a sweet story about a couple who desperately want a family. Being a novella, it is a very quick read. This novella is part of the author’s A New Start Series. I am definitely interested in reading the rest of the books in this series and other books by this author. This book is available to download for free on the author’s website.
Before I Knew You is set in the early 1970’s. After 13 years of marriage, Henry and Joanna Sampson’s dream of a family has not been fulfilled. They make the decision to try adoption. Henry finds out about a four year old girl in need of a family. Joanna has concerns because she has always wanted a baby. This book explores their journey to have a family.
I really fell in love with these two characters who overcome many obstacles to fulfill their dream.
October 11, 2023
A very sweet - some might say sentimental story - about family and love. Infertility seems to be a big theme for Carr, but her stories still work for me (childless by choice). I read this just before starting her New Starts series. You can get this story free on Carr's website, and it seems quite representative of her style. Recommend.
December 29, 2018
This was an interesting story. I read it every night before bed on my tablet and am so glad it had a happy ending given what the main characters had to go through.
April 4, 2021
I didn't like this much. The other book I read in this series made me cry because it was so realistic, but this was just the opposite.
February 25, 2025
This book was filled with the hope of someone seeking their own dreams only to realize that dreaming for others is a more precious and rewarding experience. I enjoyed reading it.
February 9, 2020
A beautifully written story about motherhood and adoption. It touches our souls. Looking forward to read the next book in the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews