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Then We Became
Not yet published
Expected 22 Jan 26A year ago, everything fell apart.
Now, a summer in Eden could either piece them back together-or destroy them completely.
Nora
London was supposed to be my fresh start-a writing scholarship, new opportunities, a chance to move forward. But no amount of distance could erase the ghost of Nate Sullivan. When a twist of fate lands me in Spain for a week, the last person I expect to see is him. Older, quieter, and still holding all the pieces of my heart.
Nate
I left Eden to get clean, to escape the wreckage I'd left behind. A year in Spain has taught me how to breathe again, how to face my demons without letting them devour me. But nothing could prepare me for seeing her again-the girl I let down, the girl who made walking away feel like losing everything.
Eight months of silence.
One unexpected reunion.
And a wedding back in Eden that neither of us can avoid.
Can two people who've lost their way find their way back to each other? Or will this summer in Eden become the final chapter of their story?
A heartfelt and deeply emotional sequel about redemption, second chances, and the kind of love that's worth fighting for-even when it feels like the fight has already been lost.
Now, a summer in Eden could either piece them back together-or destroy them completely.
Nora
London was supposed to be my fresh start-a writing scholarship, new opportunities, a chance to move forward. But no amount of distance could erase the ghost of Nate Sullivan. When a twist of fate lands me in Spain for a week, the last person I expect to see is him. Older, quieter, and still holding all the pieces of my heart.
Nate
I left Eden to get clean, to escape the wreckage I'd left behind. A year in Spain has taught me how to breathe again, how to face my demons without letting them devour me. But nothing could prepare me for seeing her again-the girl I let down, the girl who made walking away feel like losing everything.
Eight months of silence.
One unexpected reunion.
And a wedding back in Eden that neither of us can avoid.
Can two people who've lost their way find their way back to each other? Or will this summer in Eden become the final chapter of their story?
A heartfelt and deeply emotional sequel about redemption, second chances, and the kind of love that's worth fighting for-even when it feels like the fight has already been lost.
378 pages, Paperback
Expected publication January 22, 2026
37 people want to read
About the author
Monique Medved
3 books202 followersMonique writes stories about following your gut and figuring life out along the way (spoiler: she's still figuring it out.)
She'd almost always rather have her nose in a book than do just about anything else. When she's not creating her own fictional worlds and characters, she's totally lost in someone else's.
And on those rare occasions when she's not reading or writing? She's either jumping out of perfectly good airplanes, exploring ocean depths, or nursing a massive coffee addiction while her dog Bobbi gives her judgmental looks from across the room.
Want to know what Mon's up to?
If you don't want to miss her next book drop, hit the Follow button.
Or follow her on socials:
Tiktok: @monnwrites
Instagram: @authormoniquemedved
She'd almost always rather have her nose in a book than do just about anything else. When she's not creating her own fictional worlds and characters, she's totally lost in someone else's.
And on those rare occasions when she's not reading or writing? She's either jumping out of perfectly good airplanes, exploring ocean depths, or nursing a massive coffee addiction while her dog Bobbi gives her judgmental looks from across the room.
Want to know what Mon's up to?
If you don't want to miss her next book drop, hit the Follow button.
Or follow her on socials:
Tiktok: @monnwrites
Instagram: @authormoniquemedved
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
December 24, 2025
Monique can literally write anything and it would be 5 star. I don’t even know where to begin with this one.
I loved being back into the world of Nate and Nora, their story resonated with me so much in book one. I loved being inside their heads, it was complex it was full of so much emotion.
This book, WOW. The pacing was perfect, it wasn’t rushed. I still connected so deeply with the characters. There were moments when my heart ached for them, when it was excited for them, and tried my best to hold back the tears for them. Even if this book was 1000 pages I still would have been locked in from page one. There’s just something so comforting about Mon’s writing, I will never get sick of it. It takes real talent to be able to put so much emotion into words without going into too much detail and I think she has perfected it in the most beautiful way.
This book also broke me, and healed me in many ways. The characters have gone through hell and back and I just want a dang win for them in the end. I’m so excited for book 3! Let’s freakin gooooo! 🩷
I loved being back into the world of Nate and Nora, their story resonated with me so much in book one. I loved being inside their heads, it was complex it was full of so much emotion.
This book, WOW. The pacing was perfect, it wasn’t rushed. I still connected so deeply with the characters. There were moments when my heart ached for them, when it was excited for them, and tried my best to hold back the tears for them. Even if this book was 1000 pages I still would have been locked in from page one. There’s just something so comforting about Mon’s writing, I will never get sick of it. It takes real talent to be able to put so much emotion into words without going into too much detail and I think she has perfected it in the most beautiful way.
This book also broke me, and healed me in many ways. The characters have gone through hell and back and I just want a dang win for them in the end. I’m so excited for book 3! Let’s freakin gooooo! 🩷
Review of advance copy received from Author
Ahhhhhhh!! This book, man 😭🥰
Obviously, I had expectations after book one, and they were exceeded! I was so desperate to go back to Eden and spend time with Nate and Nora that I reread Before We Were and followed it straight up with Then We Became - it was perfection 🤌🏻
The characters are so beautifully written, and I feel like I'm living alongside them. This is rare for me to find in a book, but I love it so much when I do. It's not often that I am dying to read a book because it's so good and I want to know what happens, but also trying not to read it because I'm not ready to leave the world, but this book does it!
The storyline broke me and put me back together... and broke me again and then somewhat put me back together... enough that I think I can survive waiting for book 3, but it'll be tough!!
Obviously, I had expectations after book one, and they were exceeded! I was so desperate to go back to Eden and spend time with Nate and Nora that I reread Before We Were and followed it straight up with Then We Became - it was perfection 🤌🏻
The characters are so beautifully written, and I feel like I'm living alongside them. This is rare for me to find in a book, but I love it so much when I do. It's not often that I am dying to read a book because it's so good and I want to know what happens, but also trying not to read it because I'm not ready to leave the world, but this book does it!
The storyline broke me and put me back together... and broke me again and then somewhat put me back together... enough that I think I can survive waiting for book 3, but it'll be tough!!
December 23, 2025
i don’t think anyone will ever do it for me the way that monique does it because wow … ! before we were meant so much to me that i think when a second book you always become nervous to see what is going to happen next for the characters you love so deeply but i was not left disappointed at all ! the way monique writes is just so beautiful and real , when i read the things nora was dealing with at the beginning of the book and ofcourse still during i just saw so much of myself in her it has been a while since i found a character that is so close to me in so many ways like going through the same things she had to just felt so comforting to me because it made me feel seen. seeing her and nate trying to navigate things together after everything was beautiful and i truly do feel like they are meant for one another. the complexity in these characters is something i love so much because it is real. they are human and they make mistakes. jake and nate absolutely tore me to pieces this book and all i wanted was for them to be okay. this book definitely felt like it took a darker turn which i loved ! the twists at the end and the utter heartbreak god i felt empty finishing this book but in the best feeling because monique took all my emotions and just ripped them to pieces :’) i feel like i could keep going on but i think you should just go read it for yourself and see :) but wow what a amazing amazing book !!! ❤️🩹
monique thank you so so much for the arc i’m forever grateful!
monique thank you so so much for the arc i’m forever grateful!
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ARC READ Review 💕
Firstly before I break, I want to thank Monique for the opportunity to ARC read this beautiful story. I really appreciate you 🩷 xxx
Wow...🥲 I Just finished this earlier today and I had to have a real moment to myself. I feel lost, sad, I'm staring numb and emotionally heartbroken. I've cried tears. But all that said, you've ruined me in the best possible way.
I'm trying to keep majority spoiler free so I want to say, I'm so proud of each and every character in this story. How much they have all developed, the growth, the acknowledgement of past and future decisions.
This beautiful story shows that loving support and family does not always come from blood. It comes from those who love you unconditionally and will always have you, they show up and believe in you, they give you their trust.
I knew this was going to be another five star read for me following the first book 'Before We Were'. Monique has this beautiful, poetic writing style that I feel deep with understanding. The descriptive emotions and situations in the storyline make me really feel the raw account of Monique's portraying process. I absolutely love it!
The love between Nate and Nora is so beautiful and I'll be thinking of this story everyday to come until we get to see the outcome in book three. I can't wait, Just wow.....
Thankyou so much for another 5⭐ read.🩷
Firstly before I break, I want to thank Monique for the opportunity to ARC read this beautiful story. I really appreciate you 🩷 xxx
Wow...🥲 I Just finished this earlier today and I had to have a real moment to myself. I feel lost, sad, I'm staring numb and emotionally heartbroken. I've cried tears. But all that said, you've ruined me in the best possible way.
I'm trying to keep majority spoiler free so I want to say, I'm so proud of each and every character in this story. How much they have all developed, the growth, the acknowledgement of past and future decisions.
This beautiful story shows that loving support and family does not always come from blood. It comes from those who love you unconditionally and will always have you, they show up and believe in you, they give you their trust.
I knew this was going to be another five star read for me following the first book 'Before We Were'. Monique has this beautiful, poetic writing style that I feel deep with understanding. The descriptive emotions and situations in the storyline make me really feel the raw account of Monique's portraying process. I absolutely love it!
The love between Nate and Nora is so beautiful and I'll be thinking of this story everyday to come until we get to see the outcome in book three. I can't wait, Just wow.....
Thankyou so much for another 5⭐ read.🩷
December 26, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ALL-THE-FERAL-FUCKING-STARS.
I went into this book terrified.
Monique Mendev has an uncanny ability to gut you like a fish on dry land, and deep down I knew it was coming. I tried to prepare myself. I braced for the pain. I knew it would be brutal. And let me tell you, not a single one of those assessments was wrong.
I am, needless to say, unwell. I want to scream. I want to cry. But I am far too angry for tears right now.
I don’t understand how it’s possible for an author to make me this feral over fictional characters, but once again she has succeeded. Her writing is beautiful, soul-crushing, raw, and deeply emotional. Every word felt intentional, every moment heavy, and I was completely enamored from start to finish.
My soul may be in pieces, but I am utterly obsessed with these characters and hopelessly invested in their journey. I will be counting the days until the next and final book.
I went into this book terrified.
Monique Mendev has an uncanny ability to gut you like a fish on dry land, and deep down I knew it was coming. I tried to prepare myself. I braced for the pain. I knew it would be brutal. And let me tell you, not a single one of those assessments was wrong.
I am, needless to say, unwell. I want to scream. I want to cry. But I am far too angry for tears right now.
I don’t understand how it’s possible for an author to make me this feral over fictional characters, but once again she has succeeded. Her writing is beautiful, soul-crushing, raw, and deeply emotional. Every word felt intentional, every moment heavy, and I was completely enamored from start to finish.
My soul may be in pieces, but I am utterly obsessed with these characters and hopelessly invested in their journey. I will be counting the days until the next and final book.
December 21, 2025
Book Review: Then We Became by Monique Medved
Then We Became is one of those quietly powerful novels that sneaks up on you. it unfolds in a poetic way with tenderness, inviting you to sit with the characters as they grow, break, and slowly piece themselves back together.
What stands out most is how human the characters feel. Their flaws are real, their emotions raw, and Medved doesn’t romanticise pain but she shows us all how hardship can shape who we become without defining us entirely.
No words can summarize this book for me.. I was on the edge of my seats. Also I finished this within two days?! Not only was I sleep deprived but like I had to know what was next. I don’t want to spoil anything so I’ll just state that this book aka my kindle never left my side in those two days it was just that good and gripping. I had to know what happened
Then We Became is one of those quietly powerful novels that sneaks up on you. it unfolds in a poetic way with tenderness, inviting you to sit with the characters as they grow, break, and slowly piece themselves back together.
What stands out most is how human the characters feel. Their flaws are real, their emotions raw, and Medved doesn’t romanticise pain but she shows us all how hardship can shape who we become without defining us entirely.
No words can summarize this book for me.. I was on the edge of my seats. Also I finished this within two days?! Not only was I sleep deprived but like I had to know what was next. I don’t want to spoil anything so I’ll just state that this book aka my kindle never left my side in those two days it was just that good and gripping. I had to know what happened
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
That's it. Then we became is how im finishing the year up on a very high note. And I feel like I'm going to need a few weeks to recover from all the emotional damage in this one. This book had me sobbing, a blubbering mess at 5.30am in the morning because I just had to finish it, I had too. But I think the book finished me. The way Monique writes and describes how people can feel. It honestly hits you in all the right places. It hits home. If you do anything please pick up this series. it'll be one of your best reads for the year.
Review of advance copy received from Author
My heart can’t handle all that is Nate and Nora ♥️
I loved every part of this book, so much so, I read it in less than 24 hours! I couldn’t put it down! I needed to know what happened next, I was captivated by all of it!
I’m in awe of Monique’s storytelling ability, the way she is able to make you feel like you’re right there, part of the story, feeling every emotion, so raw and so beautiful.
Nate and Nora’s story is etched into my heart, I’ve honestly thought about them every day since I finished it Please don’t make us wait too long for Book 3!
I loved every part of this book, so much so, I read it in less than 24 hours! I couldn’t put it down! I needed to know what happened next, I was captivated by all of it!
I’m in awe of Monique’s storytelling ability, the way she is able to make you feel like you’re right there, part of the story, feeling every emotion, so raw and so beautiful.
Nate and Nora’s story is etched into my heart, I’ve honestly thought about them every day since I finished it Please don’t make us wait too long for Book 3!
December 28, 2025
What the heck 😭😭
I don’t think Mon will ever not write a 5 star book! Then We Became exceeded all of my expectations!! This book was seriously devastating.. it will rip your heart out and then patch it back together 😭
Monique has a way of writing emotions that make reading feel so special and poetic, it really does pull you in!
I could not put this book down honestly and I’m gonna need 5 business days to recover 😭
I don’t think Mon will ever not write a 5 star book! Then We Became exceeded all of my expectations!! This book was seriously devastating.. it will rip your heart out and then patch it back together 😭
Monique has a way of writing emotions that make reading feel so special and poetic, it really does pull you in!
I could not put this book down honestly and I’m gonna need 5 business days to recover 😭
Review of advance copy received from Author
SOBBBBINGGG. Another heart-wrenching masterpiece from Monique. Thought Book 1 was a wild ride? This one is an emotional rollercoaster and then some. Be sure to strap yourself in!
With it's almost poetic writing and beautifully pieced together story, I absolutely devoured this book within a day. I could not put it down, and I cannot wait for the next one!
With it's almost poetic writing and beautifully pieced together story, I absolutely devoured this book within a day. I could not put it down, and I cannot wait for the next one!
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
This book is unreal, I read this arc is 12 hrs I could not put it down. Monique is a fabulous story teller and has you gripped and routing for the characters. I was an emotional mess reading this but it was worth it. I can’t wait for the next one to come out and this hasn’t even been released yet 😂. You definitely need to read before we were if you haven’t already so this makes sense.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was fast paced but in the best way. Monique, what are you doing to my poor little heart 😩 again, so profound.
This series isn’t just a love story, it encompasses every single relationship you have through your life and how they impact and shape you.
I need more, like right now
This series isn’t just a love story, it encompasses every single relationship you have through your life and how they impact and shape you.
I need more, like right now
Review of advance copy received from Author
I loved everything about this book. I didn’t think this book would top the first one but it did. I wanted to reread the first book first before diving back into it. But I couldn’t wait especially when I was given an arc of the book. I can’t wait for book 3 even though book 2 still hasn’t came out.
December 27, 2025
If you like the character development of The Boys of Tommen series you’ll LOVE "Then We Became." This book for me was a GAME-CHANGER!! I fell in love with “Before we were” (every summer after series). Nora & Nate WILL be end-game. 🤍🤍 best book of 2025/2026!!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Rec’d an advanced copy from the author. The book had me in tears so many times. ( for Nate, Nora, and Jake )
I am a little miffed that I have to wait to see Scott get what he deserves. I was hoping that would have been resolved in this book.
I am a little miffed that I have to wait to see Scott get what he deserves. I was hoping that would have been resolved in this book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I have cried and cried and cried… Loved this book and can’t wait for this story to finish
Review of advance copy received from Author
I'm still processing but I am destroyed right now, in the best way, of course 😭😭😭
Review of advance copy received from Author
If you want to have a good cry definitely read this book.
The characters are written so well and it is the perfect second book.
The characters are written so well and it is the perfect second book.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews