Before I Met You (by Lisa Jewell)
I enjoyed meeting Arlette and Betty in Lisa Jewell’s fantastic novel, Before I Met You. The story opens with Betty meeting her step grandmother, Arlette, for the first time when her mom and step dad move in to look after Arlette following an injury. The two become very close and Betty gives up the typical opportunities for young adults when Arlette experiences health complications related to a stroke. The two women live together in Arlette’s aging home until Arlette’s death.
During the reading of Arlette’s will, the family learns she has left a large portion of her inheritance to a woman named Clara Pickle, who presumably lives in London. Betty, ever so compassionate and selfless, jumps at the chance to move to London’s Soho in search of this mysterious woman. Facing the excitement of independence and an opportunity to live the life of a typical 22-year-old, Betty begins her new life by finding an apartment and a job in Soho.
The novel kept me on the edge of my seat as the story alternated between Betty’s life in 1995 and Arlette’s time in London in the early 1920’s. Arlette’s arrival in London and the time she spent with her swanky friends was fascinating. She met and became close friends with an artist who introduced her to more friends. The two years she lived in London were certainly life changing. Ironically, Betty’s life somewhat parallels her grandmother’s time in London. She meets unique people and is faced with important life changing decisions too, all while being a detective in search of Clara Pickle.
As I hoped, Lisa took me on an interesting journey of two different time periods with two very similar women. This novel is full of secrets, romantic relationships, curiosity, and life development. There are many moments of excitement and hope while also moments of sadness and devastation. The ending was very satisfying and left me feeling sad the story was over.
I purchased the audiobook of Before I Met You through my Audible subscription. A good narrator is an important component to the listening experience. Helen Duff did an excellent job making this a wonderful reading experience.
You’re welcome to check out my reviews of other novels by Lisa Jewell linked below.
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