Summary
Before We Were Strangers by Renée Carlino follows Matt and Grace, two New Yorkers whose chance college meeting turns into a deep bond—and whose long separation threatens to keep them apart forever.
They first cross paths in 2000, when Grace, a Barnard freshman, stumbles into Matt on a rainy afternoon. He’s a senior at Columbia, sketching in a darkened hallway. Their eyes meet over a tattered notebook, and a spark ignites. Over coffee at a nearby café, they share dreams: Grace wants to travel, Matt hopes to be an architect. They laugh about rainy days and broken umbrellas, unaware that this day will seal their hearts.
As autumn sets in, their friendship deepens. Grace helps Matt with lectures when his history class runs late. Matt sketches Grace reading in the quad, mesmerized by the way she tucks her hair behind her ear. They trade cassette tapes, fill them with songs that echo late-night heartbeats. He writes “You’re my favorite hello and my hardest goodbye” in the margins of her books.
Winter brings exams and nerves. Grace frets about final projects, Matt battles a demanding thesis advisor. They pull all-nighters in the library, whispering hopes between stacks of books. One night, surrounded by half-empty coffee cups, Grace finally leans in and kisses him. It’s soft, electric, and for a moment they forget everything but each other.
Then graduation looms. Matt lands a prestigious job offer in Seattle. He hesitates to tell Grace. She’s dreaming of a Paris art internship, only weeks away. Neither wants to stand in the way of the other’s future, yet neither wants to part. They exchange promises to stay in touch, naively certain love will outlast miles and months.
In the years that follow, their letters drift into silence. Grace paints in Paris, building a small but thriving studio. Matt designs high-rise buildings by day and sketches her face at night. They each feel a hollow ache—an unnamed longing they can’t shake. Grace finds herself scanning old e-mail folders for his messages; Matt traces her handwriting in the margins of his sketchbooks.
One morning in 2018, Matt walks past a tiny bookstore in Manhattan and spots a window decal that says “Be Here Now.” His heart thumps. He remembers Grace’s mantra from college. On a whim, he asks the clerk who prints the decals. She doesn’t know Grace personally, but she mentions that an artist named Grace Reed buys them every few months.
Matt’s pulse races. He Googles her name, scrolling through pages of social media. He finds an art show she held in Brooklyn last year, then a photo of her holding a giant canvas in Paris. He buys tickets for her next exhibit, hoping their paths might cross. He Googles again and finds her phone number in a public gallery listing. He almost hangs up, but he doesn’t.
Meanwhile, Grace wakes one morning to an email titled “Old Friend?” It’s from Matt. He mentions the bookstore decal, her favorite saying. She stares at the message, mind racing. She remembers every half-smile, every whispered dream in that Columbia hallway. Hesitant, she types back. They agree to meet at that same bookstore window, ten years later.
On the appointed afternoon, Matt arrives early. He presses his forehead to the cold glass, staring at his reflection layered over that familiar motto. Grace appears, carrying a sketchbook under her arm. Her hair is shorter now, but her eyes are the same. They pause, both afraid to breathe, as if the last eighteen years melt away.
They step inside the quiet shop and order coffee. Their words stumble at first—small talk about work, Paris, architecture trends. Then Matt shows her his sketches of buildings inspired by her paintings. Grace reveals a new series of portraits based on urban rooftops. They laugh when they realize they’ve spent more time apart than together.
Suddenly, Grace blurts out, “Why didn’t you ever call?” Her voice trembles. Matt closes his eyes, remembering the phone call he never made. He confesses that he thought she’d moved on. Grace admits she felt abandoned and lost in her own world. They sit in silence, letting raw regret fill the space between them.
Gradually, they explore the years they missed. Grace describes a lonely Christmas in Paris when she almost booked a ticket home to see Matt. Matt recalls a meeting with a recruiter in Seattle, a moment when he almost dialed her number. They laugh through tears at their parallel moments of longing. The more they share, the closer they grow.
As dusk falls, they leave the bookstore and wander down a wet sidewalk. Matt takes Grace’s hand, marveling at its warmth. Grace leans her head on his shoulder, breathing in city smells interlaced with coffee and old book pages. They pause beneath a streetlamp, and Matt murmurs, “I never forgot.” Grace smiles and whispers, “Neither did I.”
Under that muted glow, they don’t make any grand promises. They don’t map out the future in blueprint precision. Instead, they vow to be present. To write, to call, to meet under windows and in cafés whenever they can. They step back into the rain, together this time, ready to build something new from the foundation they nearly lost.
Detailed Summary
Plot Summary
1. Chance Meeting in New York
Eight years after their abrupt college-era breakup in Connecticut, Grace and Matt cross paths by accident on the streets of Manhattan. Grace juggles her life as an art gallery assistant, rushing through crowded sidewalks with a stack of sketches pressed to her chest. She almost bumps into Matt as he rounds the corner, hands full of coffee cups. Recognition flickers in their eyes, and time seems to stall for a heartbeat.
Matt steadies the drinks and offers her one, surprise softening his voice. He’s now an editor at a travel magazine, polished and calm. Grace’s heart hammers as they exchange greetings that feel both awkward and magnetic. Neither expected this meeting, yet the old spark hums between them like a dormant ember.
They retreat to a nearby diner. Through steaming mugs and nervous laughter, they fill in the gaps of the past eight years. The conversation flows—Grace learned to lean into her art, Matt travelled the world. Both have grown, yet both carry an unspoken ache. They part with a promise to reconnect, leaving both restless as they wander back into the city’s bustle.
2. Revisiting Old Wounds
Matt and Grace agree to meet again, this time at the gallery where she works. The space pulses with color and possibility, but Grace’s hands tremble as she shows him her latest exhibit. He admires her talent, but he also remembers the day she left without a word.
Grace confronts the memory of her sudden departure after her mother’s death. She had panicked, fearing grief would drown her and fearing Matt would see her weakness. Her silence felt safer. Now, under gallery lights, she admits her shame.
Matt listens, pain flickering across his face. He thought she’d chosen a life without him. He’d blamed himself, replaying their last goodbye over and over. In that gallery, with paintings crowding the walls, they finally name their regrets and mourn the trust they lost.
3. Rediscovering Connection
Determined to heal, Matt and Grace spend a weekend at the old Connecticut campus. They stroll past oak trees and shared memories. Grace points out the bench where they carved their initials; Matt recalls the late-night study sessions and whispered dreams.
They laugh over old jokes, but they also recognize how much they’ve changed. Grace now craves stability; Matt seeks adventure. They test their bond—taking the same paths, sharing late dinners in tiny college-town diners. Each moment rekindles warmth, though doubts still lurk beneath the surface.
Under the autumn stars, they admit they still fit together. Grace rests her head on Matt’s shoulder as they lie on the grass. He brushes a strand of hair from her face. In that quiet, they wonder if second chances can truly last.
4. Testing New Beginnings
Back in New York, life pressures strain their budding romance. Grace battles demanding gallery deadlines, while Matt accepts a sudden assignment overseas. Tension simmers as phone calls grow brief and infrequent. Grace worries he’s slipping away again.
One evening, they argue over his choice to leave mid-project. Grace feels abandoned; Matt feels torn between career and love. Their words sting. She storms off into the night, and he watches helplessly, guilt weighing him down.
The next day, Matt finds Grace at the High Line, tears in her eyes. He apologizes, explaining the opportunity means the world to him—and that it doesn’t mean losing her. Grace listens, torn between her fear of repeating old patterns and her wish to support his dreams.
5. Embracing Vulnerability
Matt delays his departure to stay with Grace one last week. They explore hidden corners of the city—bookstores in the West Village, a rooftop illuminated by fairy lights. Each moment deepens their trust.
They share their deepest fears: Grace admits she still fears loss; Matt confesses he fears never feeling this alive again. Their honesty brings them closer. They craft new promises: no more silent exits, no more unspoken pain.
On their final evening, Matt surprises Grace with an impromptu dinner on her gallery’s rooftop. Under lanterns, he leans in and kisses her—this time without hesitation. Grace returns it, heart full of hope.
6. A Promise of Forever
Matt’s assignment looms the next morning. They stand at LaGuardia, bags at their feet. Grace grips his hand, refusing to repeat past mistakes. She tells him she’ll visit him abroad, and he vows to write every day. Their eyes shine with commitment, not fear.
He kisses her once more before boarding. Grace watches until the plane lifts off. She breathes deeply, but this time her heart soars. She carries his promise with her—a promise they intend to keep.
Characters
1. Grace Parker (protagonist)
“I was afraid of losing myself in my own sorrow, so I shut everyone out—even you.”
Grace works as an art gallery assistant in New York City. She channels her grief over her mother’s sudden death into her art, creating fragile yet hopeful sketches. She’s careful with her heart. She left Matt years ago when grief terrified her, and she still battles the urge to run.
Over the story, Grace learns to trust her feelings again. She balances her drive for stability with a newfound willingness to be vulnerable. Her growth shines through the way she confronts Matt, admits her mistakes, and stands firm in her desire for love.
2. Matt Henderson (protagonist)
“I traveled half the world, Grace, but all I ever wanted was to find my way back to you.”
Matt grew up in Connecticut and now edits for a travel magazine. He’s adventurous and outgoing, always chasing new experiences. The day Grace vanished, he felt lost without his anchor. For years, he replayed their last moments, wondering if he could have done anything differently.
Reuniting with Grace stirs his old passion. He struggles to choose between career opportunities abroad and rebuilding his relationship. By the end, he proves he’ll risk comfort to pursue something genuine and lasting.
3. Nina Ramirez (supporting character)
“You can’t paint half a picture and call it done. Love’s no different.”
Nina manages the gallery and mentors Grace in her artistic career. She’s practical, witty, and fiercely loyal. Nina notices Grace’s emotional walls and nudges her toward honesty—both in life and in her sketches.
When Grace hesitates to reconnect with Matt, Nina challenges her fears. She offers tough love, reminding Grace that art and love both require risk. Her steady presence keeps Grace grounded.
4. Evan Clarke (supporting character)
“Opportunities like this don’t wait for you to sort out your heart.”
Evan is Matt’s colleague at the magazine. He encourages Matt to accept high-profile assignments. Evan admires Matt’s passion but sometimes pushes him too hard.
When Matt debates the overseas role, Evan argues it’s an unmissable chance. Though well-meaning, Evan nearly drives a wedge between Matt and Grace. His character highlights the tension between ambition and personal life.
5. Olivia Parker (supporting character)
“I love you, you know that. But love doesn’t mean going back to what broke you.”
Olivia is Grace’s younger sister, practical and protective. She still mourns their mother and resents Grace’s emotional distance. Olivia fears Grace will hurt herself again by reopening old wounds.
Through late-night calls, Olivia warns Grace against rushing back to Matt. In the end, she sees Grace’s growth and supports her reunion. Olivia’s journey mirrors Grace’s: learning that love can heal as well as hurt.
Themes Analysis
1. Second Chances
The novel celebrates the power of second chances in love. Matt and Grace’s reunion sparks caution and hope in equal measure. They revisit old mistakes rather than rush forward. In doing so, they learn that healing demands honesty and time.
Their journey shows that rekindled love can be richer than first passion. It thrives on deeper understanding. The story suggests that with patience and vulnerability, broken bonds can reform stronger than before.
2. Fear and Vulnerability
Fear drives both protagonists to hide their true feelings. Grace fled in grief, and Matt buried his pain in travel. Their walls kept them safe, yet they also kept them lonely.
Over late-night talks and quiet moments, they choose vulnerability. That choice reshapes their lives. The novel argues that love requires risk; only by laying down defenses can two people truly connect.
3. Balance Between Ambition and Love
Matt’s career ambitions and Grace’s need for stability clash throughout the story. Matt yearns for adventure, while Grace craves roots. Their tension highlights a universal struggle: how to chase dreams without losing meaningful relationships.
They learn compromise—Matt delays his assignment, and Grace supports his goals. The narrative implies that healthy love balances individual aspirations with a shared future. It insists that true partnership flourishes when dreams align rather than compete.
Key Plot Devices
1. Coincidental Encounter
Their chance meeting on a New York sidewalk reignites the entire narrative. This device revives past emotions and forces both characters to confront unfinished business. Without this serendipity, the course of their lives would diverge once more.
It also underscores the role of fate in romance. The city’s randomness mirrors the unpredictability of love. Through this encounter, the novel suggests that some connections endure beyond time and distance.
2. Art Exhibition
The gallery setting lets Grace reveal her inner world. Each painting echoes her emotional state—fragile lines for grief, bold colors for hope. It becomes a stage for her confession and Matt’s tender understanding.
The exhibit also demonstrates healing through creation. As Grace opens up on canvas, she opens up to Matt. This device ties her professional passion to her personal growth, showing art’s power to bridge hearts.
3. Overseas Assignment
Matt’s overseas offer serves as the story’s central obstacle. It tests their commitment and forces a choice between ambition and relationship. The conflict heightens stakes, as they risk repeating old patterns of silence and abandonment.
By resolving this tension, they prove their love can withstand real challenges. The device underlines that meaningful romance involves sacrifice and negotiation, not just chemistry.