She’s lost in her heartache.He blames himself. Is their love strong enough to survive their greatest hurt?Christy has built her entire life around the dream of being a mother and raising a family with the love of her life. After years of infertility, doctors, treatments and heartbreaking disappointments, that dream seems further away than ever. Without her dream of motherhood, Christy no longer … dream of motherhood, Christy no longer knows know who she is or what she wants.
Mark loves his wife unconditionally but can’t bear knowing that he failed to give her the family she so desperately wants.
At the very time when they should be coming together, their pain is pulling them apart. Is this challenge more than their marriage can withstand? Or will they be able to see past their individual hurts and come together again to have their own second chance at love—together?
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Amazing! Elena Aitken has written a book that has all the feels with When We Were Us! This book made me laugh and cry with all of its real life living and all of the drama that comes with it.
Mark and Christy have spent so much time trying to start their family that in the process they’ve lost themselves and what it means to be a couple without tests, procedures and calendar dates that controlled their daily lives. Now with that at a standstill they have to find out where they fit into this this world possibly without children and without losing each other in the process.
I’m looking forward to reading more books in this wonderful series!
I was given and ARC from the author/publisher. All conclusions are mine and mine alone.
I went into this book nervous I wouldn’t be able to finish since I had a journey similar to Christy’s. Books like can sometimes amplify your worst fears because the fiction is so close to reality. Infertility can be such a delicate subject but this book treated it with sensitivity, dignity, and respect.
I love books about the life after the traditional HEA. This story showed that marriage can be hard work that comes with ups and downs and it requires a strong commitment to keep it going. Even though Christy and Mark have been together since 8th grade, they still have to put a lot into salvaging their relationship after having one of their dreams dashed. The only word I can think of that does this book any justice is perfection, absolute perfection. It had me laughing and crying and every emotion in between. This series is fantastic and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for this group of friends.
*This is my voluntary review of an advanced reader copy*
This is an achingly sweet story about disappointment, heartbreak and renewal. I enjoy this author. A really great vacation read. The second book in this new series and am looking forward to the next. There is romance, dysfunction, loss and a sweet ending. Good read.
A heart warming story that grabs you. What happens when Christy can’t take things anymore. She’s given up. When the one thing she can’t give her husband was the most important. She finally breaks. What will she do?
Mark is pulling away. She can feel it. So she tells him she needs space. He doesn’t know what to do. He does know he loves his wife so much.
But when she keeps something from him it hurts.
So what will happen? Will they see each other again? Can they heal?
A touching story about true love, lost dreams, and finding hope. I can’t say enough about Elena Aitken’s work other than to say – if you don’t read it, you’re missing out on a great story. I’m totally in love with Timber Creek and all the people who live there. I can’t wait to see what’s next.
High school sweethearts Christy and Mark Thomas had what appeared the perfect marriage. However, these two were dealing with way too much: fertility problems, lack of communication, pain, fear, disappointment, and raw emotion all taking a toll on their marriage. When We Were Us by Elena Aitken, book two in her Timber Creek series is an emotional tale of a married couple who allowed themselves to be torn apart and what they went through in order to get back to each other.
This story definitely took the reader on an emotional rollercoaster ride. Ms. Aitken creates a story so that you feel like you are right there with the characters and through every up and down. Have tissues nearby while reading this story as I cried while reading Mark and Christy’s story, it really touched my heart. I loved reading this book and had trouble putting this book down. Her words and stories make me want to befriend her characters and live in their small town. This beautiful, loving cast of characters, except for Cam and Evan, need to have their stories told and I cannot wait. I am looking forward to the next book in this series and highly recommend this book to other readers.
A perfect marriage on the surface. Fertility problems. Difficulty communicating. Pain. Fear. Disappointment. Raw emotion. A perfect story to illustrate the cracks that appear with difficulties. Elena Aitken has written an emotional tale of a married couple that allowed themselves to be torn apart & what they went through to try to get back to each other. Did they make it or did they call it quits? I enjoy a story that pulls me in to a depth that I feel the character’s emotions with them. The anguish from Christy & Mark when the IVF didn’t work. The fear & sympathy from the pregnant friend that’s afraid to celebrate in front of Christy. This story had me crying, smiling & feeling every emotion in between. Be prepared with tissues & time when you sit down to read this one.
I am leaving an honest review of this book that I received an advanced copy of.
I opened this book first thing Monday morning before getting out of bed and I was SOOOOO thankful that it was the first day of summer break!!! I could not put this book down. I don’t believe in giving away any details of the book, but all I can say is buckle up and prepare for the roller coaster ride of emotions!!!
I worried about how dark the book was going to get but of course I only read those books that end with a happily ever after- this book did not disappoint!
This series centers around a group of long time childhood friends, in a small town. The friendship has continued into adulthood, especially that of the 4 female characters.
I loved Evan’s and Cam’s story in book one of this series, and couldn’t wait to see what else the author had in store for us.
This one, is just as touching, engaging , and at times heartbreaking . Book 2 belongs to Christy and Mark. Both are complex , imperfect and facing situations some of us deal with on a daily basis. Mark and Christy are facing infertility after many unsuccessful attempts. Will this finality destroy their marriage or will it make them stronger? Will one door close while another opens? And in reality , what really makes a family if they have each other’s love and support?
A story that will stay will you for a long time.
I voluntarily read this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
A story of a couple so in love and focused on having a family they almost lost what they had.