A review by minimicropup
Before We Were Innocent by Ella Berman

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Tragic, energetic, resentful

Three high school friends go on a graduation trip to the Greek islands before beginning their new adult life.
We're following one of the friends in present day after a surprise visit from the past, and reading back to ~10 years ago when their family moved to California from England, how they found their friend group, the Greek island vacation where they stayed at one of their rustic family homes  to celebrate graduation. 
Set in various regions of California, USA and a few islands in Greece.

Growls, Howls, and Tail Wags πŸΊπŸ•:
  • πŸ‘ These characters are all mostly unlikeable, almost insufferable at times, but they also can have sympathetic moments and the drama/tea kept me hanging on.
  • πŸ€·β€β™€οΈ Ambiguous/open-ended ending wasn't terrible or lazy, but felt a bit vapid.

Cred Rating: Realistic/Plausible. Amanda Knox true crime realism.

Mood Reading Match Up:
  • Destination/vacation plots with summer vibes
  • Coming of age "besties" verging on "frenemies" drama and romance
  • Contemporary fiction with true crime energy (deaths and disappearances)
  • Rich teens behaving badly
 
Content Head-Up: Unhealthy friendships. Drugs and alcohol (partying). 

Format: Library Digital via Libby

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