Title: Who We Were
Author: B.M. Carroll
Publisher: Viper Books
Genre: crime fiction
Date of publication: May 7th 2020
Number of pages: 416 pages
Rating: 5 stars
A KILLER TWENTY-YEAR REUNION.
AND YOU’RE INVITED…
Twenty years after they went their separate ways, friends and enemies are coming together for their school reunion. Katy, who is desperate to show that she’s no longer the shy wallflower. Annabel, who ruled the school until a spectacular fall from grace. Zach, popular and cruel, but who says he’s a changed man. And Robbie, always the victim, who never stood a chance.
As the reunion nears, a terrible event that binds the group together will resurface. Because someone is still holding a grudge, and will stop at nothing to reveal their darkest secrets…
Once in a while, a novel hits close to home. So close that your heart wraps itself around the words and keeps them warm. The chapters ignite something in you that you thought was gone. I didn’t just relate to some elements of Who We Were. I clutched the book as a survivor medal. I am grateful that B.M. Carroll found the perfect way to capture those teenage years and the scars they leave.
High school doesn’t define you. Katy was once shy, and now she is beaming, at the top of her career. Annabel had won the Prom Queen title and tiara, but the shine didn’t last forever. Zach’s behavior and words were mean and sharp, far from the caring GP he has become. Twenty years ago, a high school year graduated. Twenty years later, Katy wants to reunite them. What better way to reconnect, see what everyone has become, compare their old aspirations to reality?
One chapter, one point of view. We get to compare the characters to the profile on their yearbook. I wish France had this kind of things. Or maybe not. As my profile (see above) shows, I was unpopular, different, not interested in dating, or partying, or anything deemed remotely ‘fun’ by teens I do not miss and would not agree to see again. I was the shy, top of the class girl who loved books more than guys. I was bullied and up to this day, never had a novel made me open my eyes to different stereotypes of high schools, nor talked to my heart in such as soothing way as did Who We Were. We only get to see the world through our own pair of eyes. B.M. Carroll opened my eyes to different sights, not as pretty as I would have thought.
So, back to the matter. The high school reunion planned by Katy takes a surprising turn when nasty messages find their way to several former students. Copying the profile they filed up in their yearbook, a mysterious person reveals mean and harsh facts, causing ripples in the lives of the adults they have all become. I like to think of Who We Were as a coming of age story. Why? Because life is an eternal coming of age story itself. We grow up until we die, nothing is set in marbles, but our experiences shape the person we become. Some find a brighter path, others peak at school, but we never truly shake the insecurities and traumas we go through. We learnt to live with them. And sometimes, we hold a grudge…
Twenty years is a long time and the novel is inhabited by many characters, so my radar was going crazy, and I couldn’t figure out who wanted revenge. Weirdly, it didn’t matter. What truly kept me engaged was the characterization, and the different angles with which the author handled many difficulties we are faced as youngsters, then adults. I like to think adults are kids who have eaten their spinach. We don’t know better, we just go along and pretend. The depth of this novel is outstanding and equals the tension ratcheting up with every chapter.
Who We Were is a cracking read. I was absorbed from the first to the final page. B.M. Carroll’s novel is stunning and addictive in every way.
Pub date is tomorrow May 7th! Get that pre-order going! This way!
My biggest thanks to the biting Viper team for inviting me to read and review such a fabulous novel. This post is my unbiased opinion.
B.M. Carroll was born in Ireland, and spent her early career working in finance. She is the author of eight novels, her most recent being The Missing Pieces of Sophie McCarthy. She lives in Sydney.
I need to add this one to my TBR because you made it sound so good! I love when an author can capture the teenage years. And adults are totally kids who have eaten their spinach!
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It’s all due to the author’s magnificent work! Reviewing this kind of books is hard as you can’t say much but you love them so hard!
Haha, right?? We don’t understand life much more as adults! xx
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‘Time heals all wounds’
Not always.
Sometimes, wounds fester over time… I can see how old grudges could resurface.
Nice review, Meggy!
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Thank you! I agree to disagree about time healing all wounds. Nope! Not always!
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This sounds great. We remember our difficult times most. I’m glad it didn’t stop you from being You. It’s great this touched your heart in soothing way. I loved your quote worthy line- “We grow up until we die, nothing is set in marbles, but our experiences shape the person we become.” Amazing review!
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Thank you so much ❤️ This is a very personal review, I’d say. It makes this book even more special x
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Fantastic review! I shudder when I think about school and reunions, it gives me the creeps! xxx
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Me too!! It’s nightmarish! xx
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Outstanding review, Meggy💜 It’s wonderful that the story connected so closely to you.
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Oh thank you 💕💕💕 It is such a powerful novel in terms of emotion.
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Great review Meggy and glad you found it cathartic. You’re in good company now though, you’ve found your tribe! xx
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Yes! I think that helped me keep a step back from the story. I made it and I’m much happier now 🙂 xxx
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Fab review of a fab book! School days are so hard aren’t they?
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I wouldn’t want to relive those years!!!! Xx
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Me neither!
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Fab review, Meggy! And I love that pic! This book brought back so many high school memories, some brilliant ones and some I’d rather forget forever 😳😂
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Thank you ❤️❤️❤️ It took me forever to find a picture from that time! 😂 I prefer to leave it all in the past! I’ve got my tribe now xxx
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Exactly how I feel 💜
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Great review ! The pic remembered for “ not fit in” remind so many things !! Added this to my TBR !
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Fab news, I’m so happy! It’s just so real and the author nailed everything!
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Fantastic review! You definitely convinced me I need to add this title to my wishlist straight away… Although I wouldn’t really want to think about my high school memories haha. *shudders* xx
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Oh you’ll be too immersed in the characters’ high school memories to think too much of yours :p I’m sure you’ll enjoy this one! xxx
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That does sound better; I doubt they are worse than mine haha. It’s on my wishlist! 😉 xx
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Ah I wouldn’t want to go back to that time but it is great to see she captured it so well. Wonderful review Meggy!
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Thank you, doll ❤ It was strikingly real and just a brilliant read! There is not enough money in the world to make me go to one of those reunions, though, haha! xx
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I loved this cover before I read anything else.
The idea of a school reunion repells me. Like you, many awful memories and no people I would like to see again. Primary school, college and uni were different, but high school! No thanks. How much harder would it be now with social media.
Anyway, amazing review. Love the way you describe adults as kids with spinach. ☺
Amanda xx
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Haha, I admit I’m proud of the spinach thing!
For me, it all got better at university, so it took a looooong time! xx
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