Reviews with content warning for Child abuse - We Were Never Here

Emily and Kristen are traveling in Chile, when there is an incident between Kristen and a backpacker.. an incident which is eerily similar to what happened the previous year in Cambodia.

I didn’t like this book. Wasn’t a fan of the characters and it was completely predictable. The ending was written completely different than the rest of the book, although there isn’t really a distinctive reason for why the tone shifts when it does.

Also, I know the last sentence was supposed to be surprising and thought provoking but it just doesn’t make sense.

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logikitty's review against another edition

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dark mysterious medium-paced

1.5

Too predictable and obvious. Gave *trying too hard to be my sister, the serial killer* vibes but with a white girl's whiny voice.

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rachaelreads92's review

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

3.5

Oh my goodness!
This book started out so strong! I have seen so many reviews about this book who talk about the amazing premise, the so-so middle, and the luck-luster ending- and this is so on point!

The first half dozen chapters or so were super fast paced and action pact, then it starts to slow, and then it starts to get ~~boring~~ dull.

This book follows two besties: Emily and Kristen. They are spending a well deserved week in the beautiful landscape that is Chile.

On the last night of their trip, Emily enters their hotel room to find the room, and Kristen, covered in blood. Kristen claims that she was attacked by a backpacker she had bought back to her room and she had no choice but to kill him. Only problem? There is no evidence of an attack, and Kristen invited to her room...

After hearing horror stories about tourists being charged with crimes due to language barriers, Kristen and Emily decide to hide the body.

Back at home, Emily tries to move on with her life. New boyfriend, steady job, good friends... Until one day out of the blue Kristen turns up on Emily's door step unannounced. And maybe... unwelcome ?

I think this book went a little OTT. It was difficult believing that Emily was only just now, after 10 years of friendship , was seeing Kristen's flaws...

Also, so many unanswered questions...

1. Did Kristen actually quit her job?
2. What was her reasoning for killing Paolo? Was it just to 'lock Emily down'? Why had she never done anything like this in the past ?
3. If she is loving in Aus, how did she get the Rhohypnol? She claims not to have seen her grandfather in years ? Why would she plan to take it if she didn't yet know about Aaron?
4. Why did nana try to save Emily? According to her god mother, Kristen had never really done anything wrong..

So weird...!

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archaicrobin's review against another edition

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challenging dark reflective tense slow-paced

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

1.0

We Were Never Here is going to be a hard pass for me; for a thriller this was one of the most boring books I’ve read in awhile. We Were Never Here is another book that was on my radar from Reese’s book club and like many of her book club picks so far that I’ve encountered, this one was very underwhelming.

Emily and Kristin are best friends that get together once a year to catch up and travel to some exotic locale. Unfortunately, on their most recent trips each gals night has ended with an assault and MURDER. After the most recent trip, Emily is trying to forget what happened and move on from the deadly secret the two girls once again share, reminding herself that it was self defense. However, as Kristin’s weird behavior escalates Emily starts to wonder if either murder was an accident, or if Kristin has more to hide then she does.

This sounded like such a good premise and I was ready for some strong female relationships and what I got was dull, boring, characters and an even more boring plot where all the action is in the first few and last few chapters. I had to switch from the physical book to the audio version, and listen to it at 2x the speed just to finish this book. There was nothing original here, and the writing was so awkward. Andrea Bartz has the strangest metaphors I’ve ever had the misfortune of hearing and it took me out of the story because I’d be sitting there trying to figure out wtf she even meant!

I love thrillers, I read a ton of thrillers, and I say pass this one up. It’s not worth the time, it’s not worth being a book club pick, and it does not deserve the ratings it has.

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