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pucksandpaperbacks 's review for:
When You Were Everything
by Ashley Woodfolk
I received an ARC of this novel through Net Galley for an honest review from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
4.5/5 stars
CW: divorce, loss of a loved one, grief, death, bullying
Rep: POC mc, Mulsim sc, Korean sc's queer sc's, stutter disability rep
"Why should he decide when he wants to be my friend? Why does everyone else get to pick when they want to be close to me and when they don't? I'm sick of it"
I feel so grateful to be given the chance to review this book early as Ashley Woodfolk is an author I adore. In her sophomore novel, she tackles the topics of divorce and platonic relationships. Friendship heartbreak and break-ups are such a common topic that happens to anyone of any age. Personally, I've had my fair share of friendships ending in the worst ways especially throughout my time in high school. So, I'm thankful for the story of Cleo and Layla.
Told through Then & Now, we follow Cleo's perspective as she is trying to make new memories in place of her old ones to seal the wound her ex-best friend, Layla has given her. Cleo learns a lot about herself while she grieves the loss of her childhood friend who she parts ways with from an unexpected turn of events. I was cheering for her, tbh.
I just love Ashley's writing and her characters. You will swoon over Dominick Grey and his smoothness. You'll want to eat a Dolly's diner just to see Lolly and Pop. Woodfolk writes their stories with such depth. I devoured this book! I wanted to punch Sloan as much as Cleo. Sloane made Cleo's life a living hell, which is the case for those who are bullied during their high school career. Layla's comments and her language toward Cleo, her once best-friend made me RAGE. But, Cleo stood tall and was so brave throughout the hardships she faced. Cleo was such a complex character to read about. I loved how passionate she was about London, her collection of snow globes and her love for Shakespeare. I loved reading about her daily subway routine and the places she visited in her hometown of New York. As well as the jazz artists she would listen to through her headphones.
As I already mentioned, I devoured this book and I recommend it to everyone. At times it felt like a Brandy Colbert novel, so I would recommend it to fans of Brandy Colbert. But, as someone who loves grief in their stories, Ashley Woodfolk nailed it again.
4.5/5 stars
CW: divorce, loss of a loved one, grief, death, bullying
Rep: POC mc, Mulsim sc, Korean sc's queer sc's, stutter disability rep
"Why should he decide when he wants to be my friend? Why does everyone else get to pick when they want to be close to me and when they don't? I'm sick of it"
I feel so grateful to be given the chance to review this book early as Ashley Woodfolk is an author I adore. In her sophomore novel, she tackles the topics of divorce and platonic relationships. Friendship heartbreak and break-ups are such a common topic that happens to anyone of any age. Personally, I've had my fair share of friendships ending in the worst ways especially throughout my time in high school. So, I'm thankful for the story of Cleo and Layla.
Told through Then & Now, we follow Cleo's perspective as she is trying to make new memories in place of her old ones to seal the wound her ex-best friend, Layla has given her. Cleo learns a lot about herself while she grieves the loss of her childhood friend who she parts ways with from an unexpected turn of events. I was cheering for her, tbh.
I just love Ashley's writing and her characters. You will swoon over Dominick Grey and his smoothness. You'll want to eat a Dolly's diner just to see Lolly and Pop. Woodfolk writes their stories with such depth. I devoured this book! I wanted to punch Sloan as much as Cleo. Sloane made Cleo's life a living hell, which is the case for those who are bullied during their high school career. Layla's comments and her language toward Cleo, her once best-friend made me RAGE. But, Cleo stood tall and was so brave throughout the hardships she faced. Cleo was such a complex character to read about. I loved how passionate she was about London, her collection of snow globes and her love for Shakespeare. I loved reading about her daily subway routine and the places she visited in her hometown of New York. As well as the jazz artists she would listen to through her headphones.
As I already mentioned, I devoured this book and I recommend it to everyone. At times it felt like a Brandy Colbert novel, so I would recommend it to fans of Brandy Colbert. But, as someone who loves grief in their stories, Ashley Woodfolk nailed it again.