Books like Before I met you by Lisa Jewell

In Jazz Age London, Betty De La Mare has devoted her youth to her grandmother Arlette, a charismatic ex‑Bright Young Person whose past hides a mysterious beneficiary. After Arlette’s death, Betty discovers a will that names an unknown woman, Clara Pickle, and feels compelled to find her while navigating the bustle of 1990s Soho. Alongside her search, Betty becomes a nanny for a growing rock‑star’s family, drawing her into the modern music scene and rekindling the bonds with Arlette’s forgotten world. The novel contrasts the hedonistic freedom of 1920s London with the challenges of contemporary life, offering insight into generational secrets, artistic ambition, and unexpected romance. Through its dual timelines, the story explores how the past shapes present identities, inviting readers to consider the persistence of memory, family ties, and the search for self‑fulfillment across decades.

First publish date: 2013