When We Were Four

by Jonie Nikole, Joni Woodard (Editor)

Wayward Sisters - Olivia, Claire, Jules, and Drew had childhoods they wouldn’t wish on their worst enemy —each one got through it in survival mode and bonded through trauma. Now, as adults...Olivia is a self-proclaimed town queen who has clawed out a life for herself by all means necessary, has children, and is married to a doctor who would do anything for her.

Claire left home and has remained distant from her sisters. She’s a lifelong wanderer, choosing a career that provides the outlet she needs to navigate life, while taking her anger out on the world.

Jules has a sensitive soul and is a self-medicator. She’s doing her best to be the mom she never had, while everyone, including her sisters judge her from the sidelines.

Drew is the youngest and the brightest. And maybe the least traumatized by their upbringing. She has a promising future ahead of her, and she’ll marry—with or without a family blessing.

When their mother is murdered in their hometown of Deadend, OK, they must come together and confront the secrets that drove them apart. In a town where loyalty is bound by blood and memories are a luxury, each sister must decide how far she’ll go to protect her truth… and one another. As old wounds reopen and old betrayals resurface, the bonds that once united them may be the very thing that keeps them apart forever. When you think you know your family—think again.

Genres: Fiction

307 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 13, 2026

Reviews

[Nɪᴋᴋɪ❤️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy of When We Were Four, for my honest review.

•• The first 1/4 of the book I was like oh no, maybe this is not the book for me🥴 ….but I pushed through and then about 1/2 through the whole book did a complete 360 for me.
—-(ahhhhh okay, so a very slow build up, I see you Jonie🤭)
Anyways - after the half way point it just got better and better. Secrets, lies, family drama, just one after another. I sat there with my finger on my kindle and couldn’t read fast enough!

••••••The ending 😚….oh like WHAT?! I mean I had an idea, but I didn’t think it was like that….🫣


Needless to say - yes, read this book, stick through it and you’ll be very satisfied! 🧚🏼‍♂️

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was able to read an ARC of this book thanks to the author. I really enjoyed this book!! I loved the characters and their points of view. really couldn't put it down. cannot wait to see if there will be another!!

[Renita Cohill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very good! The family dysfunction and the outcome of the darkness that surrounds each character! The buildup was great and the entire book was well put together!

[Donna McMullen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review is based on an Advance Reader Copy provided by the author for an honest review.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It is a fast paced page turner with well developed characters. There are lies and more lies with plenty of twists that will keep you guessing! I went through a range of emotions: sadness, disgust, empathy and so much anger!
It is about four sisters who return home after their mother’s death. Their father is in jail for her murder. The girls have not been close since moving away, but they are keeping a secret they have promised never to tell anyone. By the second half of the book, it was hard to put down because I needed to know what was going to happen! I give this book 4.5 stars! It will be released in February so preorder your copy now!

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow just when you think you have it all figured out more secrets coming pouring out and you start back at square one. Four girls who have lived though trauma together comeback to their town, Deadend to face their truths and their Mamas death wsxh one having their own reasons for being the murderer. Deadend will never be the same once the Wayward Secrets are out in the open. Amazing read!

[Christian Domenicci · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Heartfelt Thank You
​I feel incredibly fortunate to have had the chance to read this captivating story early. A huge thank you to the author, Jonie Nikole, for the opportunity. This is a book that stays with you long after the final page.
​Personal Reflection: A Mirror to the Past
​This book honestly left me speechless. It’s one of those rare stories that made me reflect deeply on my own childhood. There are things in life you simply cannot forget, and reading this brought so much of the past back to the surface for me. It’s "Dios mío" good—the kind of writing that feels less like fiction and more like a lived experience.
​The Wayward Sisters & Claire
​The journey of the Wayward sisters is gut-wrenching. Seeing what they endured as children was hard enough, but watching them face those demons again as adults was even more intense. I was particularly surprised by Claire and the way she chose to distance herself from the family.
The atmosphere of this book is undeniably crude and creepy. It gave me genuine chills—not just because of the plot, but because of the realization that while this is a work of fiction, these tragedies happen in the real world every day. That connection to reality is what makes it so haunting.Quick Breakdown
The Vibe: Raw, emotional, and chillingly realistic.
Standout Element: The complex relationship between the sisters and the haunting nostalgia.
Why it’s a 5-Star Read: It’s rare for a book to be this captivating while also being so deeply personal.
Final Verdict: 5/5 Stars ★★★★★
Congratulations to Jonie Nikole on a masterpiece.

[Erin Ellison · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I’m not here to put flowers on her grave. Maybe some gasoline,”

This book has a strong opening and captivated me from the very beginning. I immediately was hooked because I had to know who did it. 

With 4 different POVs of each sister they all gather in the small town of Deadend (their hometown) after their mother's been murdered. All the betrayal and memories resurface.. This is filled with a whole lot of trauma, lies, and secrets. The build up of the foundation and everything is fantastic and I found the pace to be perfect. While navigating through the present getting snipits of the past.  Bread crumbs being dropped along that way of things that have happened that I absolutely needed more information on... Real page turner! This kept my attention and I couldn't put it down. 

As the secrets unfolded and lies surfaced my heart absolutely broke reading this. This is a very emotional journey and covers some heavy abuse (physical and sexual), the toxicity..... This gets heavy. The twists and turns! There were definitely some things in this that I did not see coming! As for the who did it.... My guess was wrong! Was yours?

✔️ Psychological Thriller
✔️Sisters
✔️Secrets/lies
✔️Drama
✔️Trauma bonded 
✔️Who did it?

Thank you for my ARC! I'm leaving this review voluntarily. 

[Jessica Bradford · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book broke me. Literally tore me into a million pieces and emotionally destroyed me. The way I felt for these girls throughout the entire story made me sad, angry, hurt, words cannot fully describe what I truly felt. Disgusted that there are children in the world that endure this sort of treatment in our world. But I also felt a connection because deep down I know their pain. I have felt some of what they went through and it pissed me off. However, it also shows not only how broken the system is but how victims are silenced by the actions of the system. They feel powerless like they have to take matters into their own hands and that is exactly what they do in this book. They go into survival mode and do what they have to do make sure they get out of the hell they’ve been stuck in. I was so angry with the mother but I understand the girls’ emotional turmoil and feelings for their mother. It’s something you can never understand unless you’ve been there.

[The Book Ssirren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book wrecked me emotionally. This was so deep with everything that it brought to the surface. These four girls went through hell and more as children. The traumas they suffered through. Without anyone caring about the impact it would have on them later in life. I felt for these girls throughout the book. When I sat down to read this, I didn’t expect this kind of depth. I didn’t expect to feel so emotional while I was reading it. It hurt. My heart hurt.
Then these grown women all had to go back home because someone had murdered their mom. I can’t imagine everything that came flooding back. This is definitely a book that you don’t read lightly. It pulls you in and doesn’t let go, especially of your heart.
So well written. When an author can pull so many emotions from their readers, then they’ve done their job. I feel blessed to have been on Jonie’s ARC team for this story. It was a heartbreakingly beautiful story.

[Esmée · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of an advanced reader copy 📖

When We Were Four is a gripping and emotionally layered thriller about four sisters forced to confront their past after their mother’s murder brings them back to their hometown.

What stood out most to me was the depth of the characters. Each sister feels distinct, flawed, and real, which makes the emotional tension hit even harder. The story builds steadily, focusing more on psychological depth and family dynamics than constant shock twists — and that balance worked beautifully.

This is a character-driven thriller that lingers long after the final page. A compelling and heartfelt read.

Will definitely read more of this author! Thankyou for the ARC.

[Rachelle Whynott · Rating 5 out of 5]

The emotions I felt while reading this book were strong. I can’t imagine going through what these girls did as children. I wasn’t prepared for such an emotionally deep read but I don’t regret it at all. This book does just what it’s supposed to, make you feel something.

The family element of this book with the secrets, trauma and lies makes this all the more interesting and had me turning pages quickly. If you’re looking for a book to drag you in, this is it.

I received this book as an arc and I’m leaving my honest review.

[Melissa Grose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Four sisters. One murder. And a past that refuses to stay buried…I feel that last one in a personal level!

This book hooked me from the very beginning. Told through four POVs, each sister returns to their small hometown of Deadend after their mother is murdered, and buried truths immediately begin to surface. Betrayal, trauma, lies, and long-held secrets unravel as the past and present collide.

The pacing is spot on, with just enough glimpses of the past to keep the suspense and the mystery pulling you forward. The breadcrumbs are perfection. I couldn’t put this book down…it’s a good thing we are in the middle of snowmageddon 🥰!!

Every reveal hits, and none of the damage is undone.

[Regina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of being an ARC reader for this book. Jonie Nikole is a great storyteller - she is detailed and gives you just enough suspense to want more. This is a long read but worth it and you won’t be able to put it down!

[rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

The things these 4 sisters went thru is heartbreaking. Its shaped them into who they are though.
This book starts off introducing us to each sister with multiple points of view.
Twist and turns, secrets and murder. This book is a recipe for a bestseller

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enthralling

Jonie continues to captivate her readers with her grasp of the written word. Through twists and turns, hairpins and roundabouts, this weaves the reader through an emotional expedition of each character's mind. A truly enjoyable read sure to become a re-read.

[Alex S · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an arc of this book and it was so well written and had a great plot and character development.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! The slow build up was definitely worth the wait. Excellent read and characters! This was my first book from this author and definitely won’t be my last! Add this to your TBR now!

[Kerin Aspinall · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book surprised me! Took me a little while to become invested in the characters but once they grabbed hold I could not put this book down. Twists, turns and surprises keep you intrigued right to the very end.

[Rachel Browning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. “When We Were Four” by Jonie Nikole is dark, heavy, and emotionally devastating in the best way. This story is packed with secrets, betrayal, grief, hatred, and love, all the emotions, all at once. The trauma these sisters endure is heartbreaking, and watching their lives unfold as buried secrets slowly surface is both painful and suspenseful.

The story does start off a bit slow, but once it sinks its hooks in, it does not let go. I found myself completely absorbed. Jonie Nikole does an incredible job making you feel every moment, every loss, every crack, every complicated bond between the sisters. This is a raw, emotional read that lingers long after the final page.

[DeeAnne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Debut That Speaks to the Silent Wounds We Carry --

Jonie Nikole’s debut novel, When We Were Four, is a gripping psychological thriller that dives deep into the long‑lasting impact of childhood trauma. The story follows four women—Olivia, Claire, Jules, and Drew—who share similar histories of family abuse, including sexual, emotional, and physical harm, and how they each have processed and carried those experiences into adulthood in profoundly different ways.

This novel explores not only the trauma itself, but the emotional aftermath: jealousy, rage, anger, depression, grief, revenge, and the complicated relationships that form in the wake of survival. The psychological tension is constant, and the realism behind each woman’s coping mechanisms makes the story both painful and powerful.

The book opens with a critical trigger‑warnings page, and it should be taken seriously. The themes are raw, deeply personal, and portrayed with an honesty that reflects real‑life situations Jonie Nikole drew from as inspiration.

I’ll admit I was hesitant at first. The trigger warnings made me pause, and I knew reading this meant confronting some of my own history. But after careful consideration, I chose to go forward—and I’m grateful I did. This story took me on an emotional ride that resonated with me in ways I didn’t expect. I connected with these characters on multiple levels, and I appreciated the care with which their trauma and emotional landscapes were portrayed. It’s rare to find a debut that handles such heavy topics with this much authenticity and respect.

I rated this book 5 stars. Not because it was easy to read, but because it was honest, necessary, and beautifully written.

Thank you, Jonie Nikole, for speaking for a population that has hidden behind our demons for far too long. Many of us cannot share our experiences publicly, but you’ve captured them with courage and compassion. I’m genuinely excited to read whatever you write next.

Disclosure: I was provided an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Desirae L · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortunate enough to be given an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review .

When We Were Four by Jonie Nikole was a compelling and emotional read that kept me engaged from beginning to end. The suspense and mystery surrounding who was responsible unfolded at a steady pace, and I found myself constantly questioning motives and piecing together clues alongside the story.

One of the book’s strongest elements was its use of multiple viewpoints. Even with several perspectives, the writing remained clear and well structured, making it easy to stay grounded in the story. Each sister felt distinct and fully developed, and I was genuinely interested in all of them, their pasts, their relationships with one another, and how their shared history shaped who they became.

The tension between the sisters, combined with the lingering trauma of their childhood, added emotional depth to the mystery and made the story feel layered rather than just plot driven. Overall, this was a well written, engaging novel that balanced suspense with strong character development, and I really enjoyed the experience of reading it.

[Laura W · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy of When We Were Four in exchange for my honest review. After finishing this heartbreaking story, I actually needed a few days to sit with it and absorb everything before I could put my thoughts into words.

This book tackles some very heavy topics, including child abuse, substance use, and murder, but I felt it was handled thoughtfully and written with care. The story follows four sisters, each carrying their own dysfunction and trauma into adulthood. Despite the lies, resentment, and constant tension between them, there’s an underlying loyalty that keeps them standing beside one another no matter what.

The secrets that come to light were shocking, and I genuinely did not see the ending coming. If you’re able to work through the triggering content, I highly recommend picking this one up. It’s an emotional read that absolutely pulls at your heart, but it’s worth it.

[Charity Ragland · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC from the author.

When We Were Four is a heartbreaking tale of four sisters as they navigate life after abuse and their mother’s murder. The trauma the girls walked through forever shaped and changed their lives. I loved the first person and third person switches between the chapters. This was a new format to me, but I found it interesting. I was captivated by each sister and who they became even after their childhood was ruined. The author’s word choices painted a picture for the reader and made the story come to life. The plot kept me guessing what would come next! I would highly recommend this book for a buddy or book club read as there are many discussion topics!

[Nikki B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four sisters endure a life of hardship and abuse under their mother Candace and her husband Richard. Now full grown adults, they have to return to their home town after they find out that someone has murdered their mother. Everyone has a motive and as they work to solve the case, secrets that have been long been buried are resurfaced.
The story is full of twists and is intriguing but I did find that the pacing slowed down quite a bit by the middle. I did really enjoy the issues that were brought up and talked about though, as they are things that many abuse survivors face and is a pretty heavy topic. For being a heavy topic though, I think the story was done well. It was raw and emotional but the plot keeps you intrigued.
Definitely recommend giving this one a read.

[S. Ricks · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is full of shocking twists and turns. When We Were Four had my full attention—I couldn’t put it down and finished it in a single day. Some parts were difficult to read because of the heavy topics, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. The book is really good. The issues explored in this story deserve more discussion in our society since they happen more often than we realize. I’m grateful the author chose to shed light on them. I felt a deep connection to every character, and I can easily see this book being adapted into a movie one day!

[Nina D · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was absolutely hooked! This story is a total rollercoaster of emotions that truly tugs at the heartstrings. I found myself so invested in the characters' growth that their triumphs and setbacks felt entirely my own. The level of detail in the storytelling is stunning, creating a world so vivid it feels like stepping through the pages. I finished this in one sitting and am already counting down the days until the next book. Thank you, thank you for allowing me the privilege of reading this ❤️

[Amber Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not much for words myself but this was a really good book. Very well thought out good characters and very decent story line. It was a heartbreaker and very beautiful. Glad I got to be on her ARC team. Im not really one to read a book about 4 different people at once but the author did this one so well I had no problems keeping up with who was whom and where we were at in the story lines.

[tina huddleson · Rating 5 out of 5]

when we were Four

WOW!!!
This is one of the best books I've ever read. This book has everything. Pain love betrayal.
If you have ever suffered abuse as a child you will suffer with the characters of this book and at the end you will celebrate with them.
This story will be hard to forget.

[Denise Cobb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so good. Unraveling all the secrets as the family dealt with death in an unconventional way. This book had me sitting with my mouth wide open as I found out a new secret. An amazing yet heartbreaking book.

[Crystal Parr · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first ARC and let me say this book was amazing. The build up and the ending....just wow. The emotional wreckage for these sisters. It is a little bit different from what I normally read but this had me wanting to know more. Highly recommend this book!