Before I Knew You tells the unsettling story of what happens when two very different families swap houses across the Atlantic one August. William and Beth, newly-weds from Connecticut, need to visit London so that William can spend time with his three sons from his first marriage, while Sophie and Andrew, who have two teenage daughters, are looking for a holiday that might rescue them both from the daily grind and a gradual disintegration of their relationship. Neither family finds what they expect. Strangers when they borrow each other's respective homes, their lives then start to intertwine in unexpected ways, throwing them at the mercy of their pasts and each other.
“A thoughtful, gripping and interesting read. ”
— Irish Times
“No one gets to the heart of human relationships quite so perceptively as Brookfield. ”
— The Mirror
“An intriguing and at times tragic tale. ”
— Sussex Society
“Unputdownable. Perceptive. Poignant. I loved it. ”
— Patricia Scanlan
“This acute and seductive novel twists and turns, delighting as it surprises. ”
— Jonathan Hourigan (City-AM)
“There should have been a trumpet fanfare when this book was launched, for Amanda Brookfield is, surely, the queen of the relationship novel. I have read (and enjoyed) all her previous books but this one is - in my opinion - the best. It is the story of how apparently even secure relationships can fall apart. Is there a happy ending? I am not going to spoil your enjoyment...just buy and read and enjoy this splendid book. ”
— Amazon 5 Star Review