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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book might just be what I needed after a friendship breakup. I love how Cleo’s character has grown throughout the book, where she realised her own mistakes and how she was written as flawed as she is. Because that’s how we all are - flawed.
It was nice to see how they somehow had a closure - one of their own - at the end.
It was nice to see how they somehow had a closure - one of their own - at the end.
sorry just, the jumpy ness, the way the characters interact, the slowwwwww pace.... i really tried to like it.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was sweet, and sad, and I loved it. Anyone who has ever loved and lost a friendship will enjoy this one.
When You Were Everything is a story about two girls, Cleo and Layla, and how they went from best friends to enemies, told from Cleo's point of view in 3 different timelines.
I'm having issues rating this book. On one hand, I enjoyed reading it. I think it's a fresh take on a YA contemporary and a story that has not been written to death. I was invested in it and it was an emotional read, as I really felt for the characters and their hardships. But on the other hand, I'm not sure how to feel about the ending and the clear divide between the "mean girls" and the main character. I didn't much like how the author managed to vilify one character while simultaneously making a victim out of the main character for the same exact kind of behaviour. It seemed like the message of this book is that girls will be bitches, especially the popular ones and it's just something that doesn't sit right with me. In the end, both sides were nasty to each other and did things that were horrible, but while we could see Cleo's motives clearly, because she was the one telling the story, Layla's new friends managed to be there just to hate on Cleo, for no absolute reason. After the absolute whirlwind of petty jabs and dirty actions, the story has zero resolution. I refuse to believe the ending of the book solved anything or managed to give anyone closure and it's clearly what both of those girls needed.
I'm having issues rating this book. On one hand, I enjoyed reading it. I think it's a fresh take on a YA contemporary and a story that has not been written to death. I was invested in it and it was an emotional read, as I really felt for the characters and their hardships. But on the other hand, I'm not sure how to feel about the ending and the clear divide between the "mean girls" and the main character. I didn't much like how the author managed to vilify one character while simultaneously making a victim out of the main character for the same exact kind of behaviour. It seemed like the message of this book is that girls will be bitches, especially the popular ones and it's just something that doesn't sit right with me. In the end, both sides were nasty to each other and did things that were horrible, but while we could see Cleo's motives clearly, because she was the one telling the story, Layla's new friends managed to be there just to hate on Cleo, for no absolute reason. After the absolute whirlwind of petty jabs and dirty actions, the story has zero resolution. I refuse to believe the ending of the book solved anything or managed to give anyone closure and it's clearly what both of those girls needed.
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Definitely a young adult read, but a very good one. I enjoyed the characters - all of them where well-rounded, relatable, and real. Good storyline, and well-written. I really enjoyed this book!
It has been twenty-seven days since Cleo and her best friend, Layla, stopped being best friends. And now, all Cleo wants is to erase the memories with her ex-bestie and create a new life without the person she never thought she’d be without. But high school is hard, and it’s even harder when you have to tutor the person who used to be best friends with.
This YA novel alternates between “Then” — the lead up to the implosion — and “Now”, as Cleo tries to navigate a new crush, new friends, new enemies, and her parent’s new divorce. I loved this book, and my heart ached for Cleo and Layla, both of whom were hurting and hurtful. This book was fascinating to read after reading “Big Friendship”, as I could see the parallels of how friendship can slowly slip away and how warning signs are often missed or ignored. The pain of losing a friend was so real, and the story of a friend breakup was beautifully and heart-wrenchingly laid out in this book. It was refreshing to read a book about friendship and what it means when one falls apart. It was a quick read but a wonderful one, and I would highly recommend.
This YA novel alternates between “Then” — the lead up to the implosion — and “Now”, as Cleo tries to navigate a new crush, new friends, new enemies, and her parent’s new divorce. I loved this book, and my heart ached for Cleo and Layla, both of whom were hurting and hurtful. This book was fascinating to read after reading “Big Friendship”, as I could see the parallels of how friendship can slowly slip away and how warning signs are often missed or ignored. The pain of losing a friend was so real, and the story of a friend breakup was beautifully and heart-wrenchingly laid out in this book. It was refreshing to read a book about friendship and what it means when one falls apart. It was a quick read but a wonderful one, and I would highly recommend.
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes