Reviews

Before We Were Innocent by Ella Berman

samanthalynn22's review

slow-paced

2.75

destined_333's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

beatevar's review

mysterious tense fast-paced

3.5

alannahjoymcq's review

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

The main character had no real personality. The premise of the book was interesting but could definitely have been a lit shorter, as many chapters seemed to repeat Besses thoughts

cjb1027's review

4.0

i absolutely loved this book. it was not at all what i was expecting, but its unlike anything i have ever read. i still think about this book a month later and its perspective on "toxic" female friendships we have in high school and what its like the keep them around years later.

brittanyluntz's review

emotional reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

angelaz3221's review

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

emmareads013's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

sennabk's review

3.0

(3.5) I thought the book dragged for a while, and there was never a definite ending which seems to be what the author wanted but yet seems as though too many loose ends. Just a light read, nothing to write home about.

zaracolley's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

toxic female friendships and morally ambiguous characters and the reflection on growing up and facing the future will do it for me every time, especially when it’s as nuanced and thought provoking as the situations in this book were. I really enjoyed the past/present timelines and the straightforward but mysterious writing style. however the ending (with joni) was annoying and I’m still team bess and theo sorry