Remember When

Remember Trilogy #1

by T. Torrest

** Author's Note: Remember When is the first book in a trilogy series but there is NO CLIFFHANGER. This romantic comedy novel is intended for mature teen readers and immature adult readers due to some high school sex scenes, underage drinking, questionable language and 1980s flashbacks. **
Years before Trip Wiley could be seen on movie screens all over the world, he could be seen sitting in the desk behind me in my high school English class.
This was back in 1990, and I cite the year only to avoid dumbfounding you when references to big hair or stretch pants are mentioned. Although, come to think of it, I am from Northern New Jersey, which may serve as explanation enough. We were teenagers then, way back in a time before anyone, himself included, could even dream he’d turn into the Hollywood commodity that he is today.

Genres: Romance, New Adult, Young Adult, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Friends To Lovers, High School

ebook

First published December 29, 2012

About the author

T. Torrest is a romance and chick-lit author from the U.S.; her alter ego writes eroticomedy under the name T. Torrid. Her stories are geared toward readers of any age that know how to enjoy a good laugh and a dreamy romance.

Ms. Torrest was a child of the eighties, but has since traded in her Rubik's cube for a laptop and her Catholic school uniform for a comfy pair of yoga pants. She's a pop-culture junkie, a movie aficionado, and an enthusiast of talking about herself in the third person. A lifelong Jersey girl, she currently resides there with her husband and two sons.

She also really digs it when she hears from readers, and is known to use words like "dig" in a non-sarcastic way. You can find out more about her books at her website: www.ttorrest.com


She also LOVES to get friend requests on goodreads and facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/TTorres... and personal messages from readers via email ttorrest@optonline.net.

Reviews

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Layla ♥’s Trip Stars!



I’ve been meaning to get to this book for a long time. It’s been recommended to me by many of my trusted book buddies. Now that the whole series is out, I figure it’s a good time to read, right? YES! I can’t imagine not being able to jump straight into book 2, then 3 from here! I am so happy I waited. This book was so fun! Made me nostalgic for my high school days...

Oh to be young again... Layla Warren is getting ready to start her senior year of high school. With her best friend Lisa by her side, she’s ready to embark on this adventure. What she isn’t ready for is Terrance C. Wilmington III to sit behind her in English class. The new guy, also know as Trip, is the most beautiful guy she has ever seen. She has it bad for Trip the moment she first sees him. Trip and Layla develop a friendship. It’s pretty apparent that Layla has a giant crush on Trip, but he is harder to read.

The school year was full of misunderstandings and a little angst. But then came that glorious summer of 1991.



Lets talk about the characters. Layla. Layla was so lovable. I felt like she was talking right to me throughout the entire book. And she was so damn funny!

“Are you there, God? It's me, Layla. I know I just jerked off some guy who is not even my boyfriend in the bathroom of this crappy, brown house. But if you could find a way to kill me quickly and painlessly within the next ten seconds, I promise to never touch another penis again. Well, I'll be dead, so, I guess I promise not to whore it up in heaven. Which, of course is where you'll be sending me, right? I mean I'd hate to think you'd deny me an eternity behind your pearly gates just because of one impetuous handjob. Thank you. Sincerely, Layla Warren. Amen.”

Then there is Trip. I adored everything about Trip. By the end of the book he had me swooning so hard! THAT LETTER! Ah! I died!

You're beautiful. The kind of beautiful that doesn't go away. Do you even know how beautiful you are?

You know from the blurb that Trip becomes big and famous. Trip Wilmington becomes Trip Wiley, big Hollywood heart throb. So what happens between Layla and Trip? How do things turn out for these two? You just have to read the second book to find out!

There is nothing better than reading a book that keeps a big fat smile on my face the entire time! Funny, sweet, sexy, entertaining and amazing story with lovable characters. I highly recommend this one!

[SueBee★bring me an alpha!★]

IT’S FREE & IT’S TIME! I’ve been meaning to read for years.

Book 1 of 3.
FREE! (limited time) | AMZ US | AMZ UK
Blurb:
Years before Trip Wiley could be seen on movie screens all over the world, he could be seen sitting in the desk behind me in my high school English class.
This was back in 1990, and I cite the year only to avoid dumbfounding you when references to big hair or stretch pants are mentioned. Although, come to think of it, I am from New Jersey, which may serve as explanation enough. We were teenagers then, way back in a time before anyone could even dream he’d turn into the Hollywood commodity that he is today.
In case you live under a rock and don't know who Trip Wiley is, just know that these days, he’s the actor found at the top of every casting director’s wish list. He’s incredibly talented and insanely gorgeous, the combination of which has made him very rich, very famous and very desirable.
And not just to casting directors, either.
I can’t confirm any of the gossip from his early years out in Tinseltown, but based on what I knew of his life before he was famous, I can tell you that the idea of Girls-Throwing-Themselves-At-Trip is not a new concept.
I should know. I was one of them.
And my life hasn’t been the same since.


FREEBIES are often good for MORE than one day. I have gathered all my FREEBIES on a special shelf: Kindle-freebies (currently over 700 books)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

[Rosalinda *KRASNORADA* · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, you wanna read something sweet that takes you back to the silly girl you were in high school??? READ THIS BOOK!


This is the story of Trip and Layla, two teens who attend the same high school in the 90’s. Trip is the ‘new kid’ in school and he happens to be intelligent, funny and also gorgeous in a cute kinda way. And Lay, she’s just a great heroine. A smart ass that will make you pee with all her inner thoughts and her crazy sentences.

Do you want to remember the first time you look into the eyes of that special guy in high school? READ THIS.

Do you want to feel butterflies again remember how he touched your arm when you were seated close? READ THIS

Do you want to feel the heartache of seeing him with the hottest girl in high school? Well, maybe you don’t want this…

Do you want to remember the first time you spent time together with all your buddies on holidays??? READ THIS

Do you want to remember how nervous you where every day before getting into class with him? READ THIS

Do you want to remember how it felt to kiss him for the very first time? READ THIS!!!

This is not only a love story about Trip & Lay, this is also a story about friendship! That’s what I loved the most about this book. Lisa was the best friend EVER!



And this was also a story about a father raising his children and giving them the best education. I loved Lay’s dad, he reminded me of mine, even when he used to embarrass me as Lay’s dad…

”Layla! Trip’s here. Please put some clothes on before coming down"

And yeah, it was a very romantic in a swooning way LOVE STORY between two kids that think they’re love will conquer all. Come on! You’ve also been a teen and we all thought the same!!!



And the end??? Yes, if you guys have read this book you know what I’m talking about. I loved that LETTER!!!

And this is what I put in my pre-review after I finished: Loved it!!! OMG! I feel like I want to call my high school boyfriend, who happens to be my best friend, and tell him to read this book! So many good memories! I don't think his wife is a fan of my idea so I'll just drop it hehe.

[Poppyflowerjj · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/ 5⭐
1/5 🌶️

🤩 MY FIRST REVIEW OF 2024 🤩

Remember When, the first book in the Remember Trilogy by T. Torrest, is a nostalgic journey back to the early '90s, drenched in high school experiences that will make you laugh, swoon, and reminisce about the good ol' days. The author, T. Torrest, weaves a captivating tale centered around the charming Jersey Girl, Layla Warren, and her whirlwind senior year romance with the now-world-famous Trip Wiley.

Layla is the perfect blend of humor and sweetness, making her a character that readers can't help but adore. Torrest skillfully captures the essence of high school life, delivering the right dose of innocence, humor, and chemistry to induce swoons from any reader. The story's ending is a masterpiece in itself, leaving a lasting impression and making a strong case for it being a standalone gem.The last 30% of the book is a standout, where the story gains momentum, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.

Quotes: 💖
"Maybe we were just better able to laugh at ourselves and not take any negative comments so seriously. Maybe that was the only line separating the people who enjoyed their school years from the ones who were scarred by them."

"That’s the thing about popularity that no one ever tells you. It’s all about confidence."

“No, Layla. I won’t stop.” He moved closer, cradling my head to his chest before continuing. “I know you’re leaving and I would never try to keep you from going, and I guess I have my own path to follow as well. But don’t ever ask me to stop loving you, because I can’t. Don’t ever think I’ll be able to forget you, because I won’t.”

💖💖💖💖💖💖💖

[Brandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet and funny, Remember When was an entertaining story about crushes, friendship, first love and growing up. I really enjoyed it, and loved all the 90s references!

[• Lisa • · Rating 5 out of 5]

FIVE PERFECTLY PERFECT STARS.



I feel dreamy oh so dreamy, my heart might stop, I have fluttery butterflies, I don't want to stop thinking about you, will you be mine forever? hold my hand, kiss me please, first love is the sweetest, I won't forget you, I think I'm in love ... Just some of my thoughts upon finishing this lovely tale of love. I feel like I have been waiting for what seems like forever to start this series and readers it was well worth the wait. T Torrest has taken me on a beautiful journey of first love and it's a book that I'm sure will stay in my heart, here are my 'Remember when' book thoughts ...

What's it all about?
Layla Warren is a senior high school student with her whole life ahead of her. As part of the popular crowd she has it all, the best friend, the grades and a future full of promise, what she is yet to obtain is the love of her friend Trip Wilmington. 'Remember when' is the nostalgic tale of finding your first love, learning to find yourself, friendship and the beginning of Trip and Layla's journey.





What did I love?
Everything from the characters to the writing was perfection. I loved the nostalgic feel of the story line and the comical references to the 80's/90's era. The story swept me away, it had the perfect blend of everything to make it a special NA novel. Trip and Layla are a couple that I will never forget, the slow burn connection, friendship and coming of age feel to the book all came together to deliver a sweet and at times heart clenching novel. The book is told from Layla's POV her inner dialogue and true to life insecurities were both comical and endearing, I immediately fell in love with this character and I'm excited to follow her journey. Trip was a great package, popular, talented and to top it off he has a heart of gold. The friendship between the characters was heart warming, I loved not only Layla and Trip but also the supporting characters. Overall the book won me over I wanted nothing more than to escape into the world that T Torrest has created and I loved every last nostalgic page. Bravo author you have created a loveable couple and a story which will stay in our hearts for time to come.





Final thoughts ...
I am blown away by this novel, I knew within the first 50% of the book that it would hit my 'love you forever and ever' shelf, I already feel invested into the lives of Trip and Layla and assuredly will continue on with the series with a heart to see this couple pass the finishing line to a (hopefully) happy ending. If you are a fan of YA/NA and like your stories to pull at the heart strings then don't delay go grab this book. Enjoy, kisses.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are you there, God? It’s me, Layla. I know I just jerked off some guy who is not even my boyfriend in the bathroom of this crappy, brown house. But if you could find a way to kill me quickly and painlessly within the next ten seconds, I promise never to touch another penis again. Well, I’ll be dead, so, I guess I promise not to whore it up in heaven. Which, of course is where you’ll be sending me, right? I mean, I’d hate to think you’d deny me an eternity behind your pearly gates just because of one impetuous handjob. Thank you. Sincerely, Layla Warren. Amen.

It’s the fall of 1990 and Layla Warren has just started her senior year of high school when new kid and god among high school boys, Trip, gets assigned the desk right behind her. The two immediately embark on a witty, playful and sexually tense dance around each other that comes to define their “friendship”.

He was funny in the way you can crack up watching your little brother try to win a battle with a bag of gumballs, seeing how many he can fit in his mouth, laughing while grey gum juice runs down his chin. He was funny like that. Unexpectedly goofy. And silly. And dare I say it, even a little dorky.

Damn if this book didn’t bring back so many memories from high school. Does your best guy friend and secret crush want to be more than friends? Was he just flirting with you? Why the hell did he bring her to the party? These are universal things every high school girl seems to experience and it was so much fun waiting to see how Layla and Trip were going to handle it all. The book’s told entirely from Layla’s point of view and sometimes I just wanted to shake her and say “Nooooo! Don’t make the same mistakes I did!” Though the book takes place in ’90-’91 New Jersey, the author never used that as a gimmick. I was expecting a ton of aqua net, spandex and big hair references for the sake of humor but with the exception of the beginning of the book, those references never really came. The story could’ve easily taken place today and the book’s that much stronger because it didn’t rely on those clichéd images.

Remember When isn’t just a book about a teenage girl falling for a beautiful, funny boy. Layla’s still dealing with the aftermath of her mother abandoning her family five years earlier. She also has to admit to the fact she’s no longer the most important person in her best friend’s life and coming to the realization that every single relationship in her life is going to drastically change once she takes off for college. Normal experiences for a girl her age, but it worked for me because they're experiences I can vividly remember going through as well.

I loved every minute I spent reading this book. As funny and down to earth as both Layla and Trip’s characters are written and as well done as this story is, I can’t imagine any female over the age of 18 not relating to it somehow. The next book in the trilogy picks up Layla and Trip’s story ten years later and I can’t wait!

[Jennifer Kyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emma & Evan,
Kat & Daemon,
Will & Layken,
Sunshine & Josh,
Augusta & Hazel,
please make room for… Layla and Trip!



T. Torrest brilliantly tells the story of Jersey Girl, Layla Warren’s relationship with the now world famous Trip Wiley back in the day of their senior year of high school.

"While I was picturing who was going to play me in the movie version of my life story (Alyssa Milano, maybe?)"

"Are you there, God? It's me, Layla..."

Remember When is told in the main character Layla’ pov. I think any reader will be able to relate to Layla, I know I did. She is the perfect combination of funny and sweet. Needless to say, we aren’t privy to the feelings of Trip. A reader experiences all the insecurities and doubts as well as all the highs right along with Layla.

"It doesn't have to mean something when two people are really truly just platonic friends. What doesn't work is when one of you has a big, fat crush on the other."~Lisa

“You’re beautiful. The kind of beautiful that doesn’t go away. Do you even know how beautiful you are?”~Trip

The story had the right amount of innocence, humor and chemistry to make any reader swoon. The ending was so well done and the story could definitely be a standalone.

The best news is that readers should mark their calendars because the next installment is due out this week.

I could “ramble” for hours on how much I thoroughly enjoyed this book. But, I leave you with this...How the story was told, how it was wrapped up, and how the nostalgia on each and every page just stuck with you, made for an absolutely compelling read. "Love" is one of the many words to describe my feelings for this book and I would definitely recommend!

"Stay gold, Ponyboy”~Layla

[Jess-i-ca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh....I don't even know where to begin...This book was just so freaking cute!



As a child of the 80's I cracked up at many of the old sayings because yes I have called someone cuckoo-for-cocoa puffs.


The story follows Layla Warren who recounting her senior year of high school. It starts off with her going to school and in walks new boy, Terrance C. Wilmington the third, who sits behind her in Ms. Mason's class. They become instant best friends.



You go through senior year with the ups and downs between the two of them and their close group of friends. I found myself cracking up throughout this book.

Dear God, It's me Layla. I know I just jerked off some guy who is not even my boyfriend in the bathroom of this crappy brown house but if you could find a way to kill me quickly and painlessly within the next ten seconds, I promise never to touch another penis again. Well, I'll be dead so, I guess I promise not to whore it up in heaven. Which of course is where you'll be sending me, right?

I had to be careful not to overdo it, because too much brushing would cause that armor of Aqua Net to start flaking, making me look like I was the Dandruff Queen.

Oh and the end!! It made me want so much more! And I totally had forgotten that one part so I loved when it came full circle!

[Jacqueline's Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 High School Experiences Stars

I’ve seen T.Torrest around a bit and I never picked up one of her books. I finally saw Remember When 1 on audio and well you know I was all over that. It really is the best way to experience books (in my opinion).
Remember When 1 is part of trilogy. Remember When 1 is a full novel, so don’t think it is a mini book. The ending will leave you satisfied, so don’t think it’s an epic cliffy.

I didn’t know anything about this book, I think I remember reading the Hero is a famous actor, but other than that I went into this book blindly. I will be honest, the tone was something I had to get use to. It’s a book where the Heroine retells her relationship with the Hero when they were in high school. So everything is in past tense.

The time frame is set in the early 90’s. This was also something I had to get use to. I grew up in the late 90’s, so I got some of the references, but some of them, not so much. I did like that it was set in New Jersey and some of the accents were very cute to listen. I consider this more a YA novel, than NA. There are some steamy parts, but overall, it reads as a very sweet, YA book.

So, Trip is the main guy and he is a famous actor. This is the story of Layla’s relationship with Trip before he got famous. I loved that it was in high school! I did think the book would fast forward a bit, like towards the middle or end, but I never got that. The whole book is in high school, which is fine, but I wished I got a little teaser to book 2.

Trip is the new guy in school and Layla thinks he is all kinds of yummy. Layla is a typical girl. She is living it up on her last year in High school and she just wants to go to college and well have fun. Unexpectedly Trip and Layla form this crazy tight friendship, which I found very very very cute. I loved the innocence of Trip and Layla’s relationship. The relationship was pure friendship, but of course Layla starts to develop feelings, but she can never Trip that.

There was a bit of angst mixed in the story because Layla has many opportunities to tell Trip her feelings towards him, but she keeps on chickening out. I was screaming at her to tell him! Trip is your typical high school boy. He’s kind of in his own head. I liked that he liked Layla as a friend, but I sometimes found he JUST liked her as a friend, if that makes sense. I wanted to see him have more feelings towards her. Layla and Trip do steal some moments, but I wanted more.

The book is fairly descriptive and I usually have a problem with that, but in audio format, it was fine for me. Torrest really set the tone and pace of the book. I was very much consumed with the story. My favorite part was the last 30% because that is where I felt the story picked up a lot.
Overall, I had some highs and some lows with this one, but I liked it. The last bit really hooked me and it’s got me curious on how the story will progress.

Audio

What made the experience of listening to Remember When the most enjoyable?

I thought the length of the book was kind of perfect. It wasn’t too long and it wasn’t too short. I found the relationship between the Hero and Heroine very sweet and innocent. Something I enjoy listening to. I got really into the story.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Remember When?
The most remember parts to me are when the Hero and Heroine progress their relationship. The relationship between Trip and Layla is very slow and sweet, so I was very happy with anything that kind of kicked the relationship up a notch.

Have you listened to any of Allyson Ryan’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is my first Allyson narration. I would say she has a deep voice, but since the story is retold (so it’s in past tense), she fit Layla perfectly. She read at a perfect pace and I thought the bits of New Jersey accent was cute (note the Heroine doesn’t have a NJ accent). I’m not a fan of her impersonation of Trip’s voice, but I did like that she made her voice deeper for his parts.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I was all over the place with this book. I found it starting out fairly sweet and innocent and then I got caught up in the angst and I wanted to yell and scream and then I was listening like crazy when it picked up towards the end. It will make you feel an array of emotions, but in a good way.




Remember When 1 AMAZON --- > FREE
Remember When 2 AMAZON
Remember When 3 AMAZON

[Aestas Book Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Years before Trip Wiley could be seen on movie screens all over the world, he could be seen in the desk behind me in my high school English class."

A light-hearted quick read that took me right back to high school and that whole first crush/first love feeling! Of course, my high school crush didn't grow up to be the next Brad Pitt, but I digress.

This book had me smiling, swooning and chucking to myself from the first chapter. There were a few moments so that were so funny that when I tried to read them aloud to my husband, I was laughing and crying to hard to get the words out!

"Are you there, God? It's me, Layla. I know I just jerked off some guy who is not even my boyfriend in the bathroom of this crappy, brown house. But if you could find a way to kill me quickly and painlessly within the next ten seconds, I promise to never touch another penis again. Well, I'll be dead so, I guess I promise not to whore it up in heaven. Which, of course is where you'll be sending me, right? I mean, I'd hate to think you'd deny me an eternity behind your pearly gates just because of one impetuous hang job. Thank you. Sincerely, Layla Warren. Amen."

LOL! See what I mean? ;)

The trilogy is a second-chance romance. The hero, Trip, and the heroine, Layla, met in high school and fell in love. But, at the end of the year, their lives took them in opposite directions and it was years before they reconnected. This entire book is a flashback showing us how they met and taking us through their year together in school and is told from Layla's POV, as though she's looking back and directly telling the story to the reader.

It's all total high school fun. There are crushes and jealousies and miscommunications but I found everything really endearing. The characters were quite lovable and I really  just enjoyed my read.

Most of the time, the purposes of a high school party were to socialize, drink and hook up. The latter of which I was reminded of while waiting in line for the bathroom as Coop Benedict tried to stick his tongue in my ear...

"He your boyfriend?"

I stammered out, "Uh, no. God, no. Why'd you think that?"

Trip raised an eyebrow. "I don't know... Maybe because I saw him tonsil-deep in your ear a few minutes ago and yet he still has his balls."

I absolutely adored all the parts of the book which were focused on Trip and Layla. I do wish their romance had developed a little further though. They certainly had feelings for each other from the start but a part of me wished that there was more time in the book spent on "them" but I'm sure we'll see more of that when they reconnect in the next book.

“No, Layla. I won't stop." He moved closer, cradling my head to his chest before continuing. "I know you're leaving and I would never try to keep you from going, and I guess I have my own path to follow as well. But don't ever ask me to stop loving you, because I can't. Don't ever think I'll be able to forget you, because I won't.”

I read it in one quick sitting but I do wish that I had waited because this book does end on a cliffhanger. Well, technically it wasn't a surprising cliffhanger ('cuz we all know they get separated after high school) but still... I wish I had the rest of the story ready to go because fucking hell, I hate goodbyes :(

"Is there anything so powerful as the love of two teenagers bring ripped apart?"

I heard book #2 has a cliffhanger that's even bigger than this one so I'm going to wait til the third and final book is released and then read 2 & 3 back to back but I will definitely be reading on in the series. The little snippet I saw from book #2 had me intrigued so I'm looking forward to seeing where their story goes from here :)

****************************


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[A_Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

6 First Love is Forever stars!!!!

I ABSOLUTELY ADORED this sweet, nostalgic, heart-warming introduction to Layla and Trip's love story. In fact, I loved it so much that I am currently an incoherent heap of melted mess trying to write a "mind ramble" about Torrest's exquisite tale of young love.

The story begins with the present-day, adult Layla taking a trip down memory lane,back to 1991 when she first met and fell in love with Trip Wilmington.

And suddenly you're transported back to a time of scrunchies and boomboxes and video stores. And to an age when you could analyse the way a boy looked at you for hours, when holding hands was electrifying, and when whole evenings could be spent on the magic of just making out.

This is only the first part in the trilogy and focuses primarily on the young-adult phase of Trip and Layla's love story. And to be honest, it's currently 3a.m., I've just finished it and seriously can't wait to start on part 2!!

Best bits: Okay, so here is some stuff that is totally awesome about this book:

1. The 80's references are 'simply irresistable' (see what I did there? Robert Palmer anyone? No? Okay, I'll stop.) Each chapter is named after a film from the era, but the whole narrative is littered with enough 80's nostalgia to make you rethink the use of scrunchies. (The only thing missing was a reference to The Cure...but that would have just been too much. I probably would have lost it altogether and even incoherent mind rambles would not be possible).

2. Trip is to awesome what velcro is to sneakers. He is every bit deserving of Layla's complete love and devotion. He is the personification of THAT guy... the one you had an endless crush on in high school. The perfect, dreamy, Brad Pitt of cool.

3. Layla. Beautiful, in-denial, insecure, confident Layla. Observant and blind. She was perfect. And in my opinion, soooo much better than any of the heroines in ANY of the John Hughes films, (which, while awesome films in and of themselves, always seemed to miss the mark with the alter-egos of Ringwald and Sheedy.)

4. Cooper. I loved Cooper. Unconditional. Unrequited. Unforgetable Cooper.

5. The very real friendship between Lisa and Layla. High school friendships were NEVER perfect. Girls are complex and I loved that Torrest wrote about the rough times as well as the good. Lisa wasn't always easy to like, but then again, that's what made her more real.

6. The note. Oh my god, the note!!!

7. The very subtle Shakespeare references and parallels: The meet-cute. The balcony scene. The tent. You'll figure it out.

8. The teen angst and drama. Love it!! "Oh, the drama! Is there anything so powerful as the love of two teenagers being ripped apart?" (Another nod to Shakespeare. Well done, Ms Torrest).

9. The 80's speak:
'You snooze, you lose.'
'Are you there God? Its me, Layla.'
'Up your nose with a rubber hose. Up your ass with a piece of glass!'

(just some of my faves!)

10. The slow, sweet torture of falling in love as a teenager. You just have to let yourself savour every moment. Let it wrap itself around you and let's just not rush it. Trip and Layla's chemistry is evident on every page, with every laugh and tackle and with all the things left unsaid.

Recommended for: An absolute must-read for fans of second chance love stories and 80s nostalgia!

Beautiful. Funny. Poignant
Love, Love, LOVED IT.

[Amy | Foxy Blogs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Remember When is a walk down memory lane for those who were teens in the late 80's early 90's. Back before cell phones, facebook and goodreads.

Layla has a crush on the new boy in town, Trip. He ends up sitting directly behind her in class and she immediately sets her sights on him.

If you are looking for a sweet romantic comedy than this book is for you.

SERIES:

Continuing Story with cliffhanger.

[CeCe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This 5 star book is $.99 on Amazon today - 08/22/13.

http://www.amazon.com/Remember-When-T...

I just finished one the my most favorite kind of love stories. I still have some tears in my eyes from that awesome ending/cliffy. That ending is my FAVORITE kind of cliffy. I have only read one other book that had an ending that made me feel the way this one did.

I cannot believe I have not read this book earlier. I cannot believe that more people are not talking about this book. Let’s see what adjectives can I use to describe this book…amazing, funny, beautiful, heartbreaking. UGH. I can’t say enough.

Some parts made me laugh. Some made me *sigh.* I loved every word, every sentence, everything.

When I finished this book, I immediately called my friends and told them about this awesome book.

The clothes, the music, the hair, the parties, and the friends. All brought back so many awesome memories.

“And that, ladies and gentlemen, even to this day, is why I completely fall apart whenever I hear a single note from “Paradise City.”

Layla was everything I love in a heroine. Smart, witty, feisty, and funny. Layla has had her own tragedy happen in her life, but that does not leave her bitter. You will love her!

The first day Trip walks into Layla’s English class, it starts this awesome story. This awesome everything! A true friendship develops and something so much more happens!
And that letter …my eyes are still watering thinking about how beautiful that letter was. I highlighted that letter and then reread it twice!!!

“You’re beautiful. The kind of beautiful that doesn’t go away. Do you even know how beautiful you are?”

I knew very little about this book. I saw a few reviews that said it was good read, but I had no idea just how WONDERFUL it would be. One of my top favorites of this year. 5+++ brilliant stars.
This is especially for anyone who grew up in the late 80s/early 90s. Layla and Trip are the high school graduating class of 1991. What a couple.

Gun N Roses, Sixteen Candles, New Kids on the Block, “Comfortable Numb”, boom boxes, cassette players, high school parties, passing actual notes in class, perms, banana clips. Read this book!

Did I feel connected to the characters? Yes to all of them. I loved Layla and Lisa’s friendship. I loved Trip. I loved them all.

“I’m in love with you.”

Pace of the Story: Perfect. I did not skim. This story did not drag.
Positives: EVERYTHING! This book was AWESOME! The writing, the story, the characters.

“No, probably not. But only because I can’t imagine ever wanting to be with anyone else ever again.”

Negatives: NOTHING!

Do I recommend? Yes. Drop what you are reading and start this book.

“Be happy. Wherever you wind up. And know that I’ll be thinking of you, wherever I am.”

Bottom Line: I had no idea what I was going to read when I started this book. I was hoping that there would be a decent story and what I got was an amazing story. The author gave readers the first chapter in the sequel. OMG!!! That first chapter ALONE in the sequel was awesome! Cannot wait to read Remember When 2. Comes out June 20th. Already marked my calendar. Days after finishing this one, still thinking about the characters.

[Patty ~ Wrapped Up In Reading Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to thank the lovely ladies of Totallybooked for introducing me to this fabulous book!!!
It had me sucked in from the first page. I love that it takes place during the time of my youth.
I found myself feeling a bit nostalgic while reading it.
Remember When has it all....humor, angst, a lovable heroine, and an extremely swoon worthy leading man.
Trip will have you hooked the minute he walks into that English Lit class!!
Layla is also such a very lovable character! I loved her freaking sense of humor.
Her prayer to god after the incident in the bathroom with Trip was hysterical!!
She had a bit of a rough deal as a child but still she just manages to be this amazing person!
I love how this series has been set up.
The first book is entirely about their time in high school together, so we experience the relationship between Trip & Layla from the beginning.
Other books usually will provide short flashbacks from the past to give the reader a background into the history of the relationship between the main characters.
Having an entire book based on their earlier years, I feel gives the story and characters more depth.
That letter that we finally get to read at the end of he book was just so perfect!!
I literally found myself sighing...oh my!!!
It was just perfect and yet I wanted to cry as well for Layla!!

The little teaser at the end for the second book was pretty fantastic as well.
June can't get here soon enough!!
I can't wait to see what happens next for Trip & Layla!

This is definitely a 5 star read and I highly recommend it. :)

[~♡AB♡~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't describe how great this book is and my review could never do it justice.

Remember When is set in 1990 - 1991 and tells the tale of Layla and Trip's senior year in high school and how they become fast friends before spending a wonderful last summer together before going their separate ways.

I loved all the 90's references which reminded me of my teenage years but most of all I loved how the author really made you feel like you were right there in the story, in New Jersey. There were so many butterflies in my tummy reading this and I was bawling like a baby at the end. My god!

I've just started book 2 and that doesn't disappoint either.

READ THIS, it's the ultimate first love high school story.

[Nina]

09.07.2018: The ebook is currently free on Amazon!

[*J* Too Many Books Too Little Time · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars! LOVED it!





What a great story. Really took me back in time...which was fun. Brought back a lot of memories of my time in high school. I really fell in love with Trip and Layla and their story.

I was a little worried at first. It's very descriptive writing so it didn't read really quick and I was afraid it was going to drag a bit. But the more I got in to the story the more I was hooked.

We begin the story, knowing that Trip is now a famous movie star, wanted and had by all of the ladies. But Remember When is about when Layla and Trip first meet. Layla is a senior in high school. Trip is new to her school and they meet in English class....Trip sits right behind Layla. They start out passing notes when the teacher requests that they do a mind ramble. Trip writes a whole page but Layla never gets to read it.

Trip and Layla first become friends, working together at the movie store and working on an English project together. But Layla harbors a mad crush on Trip. (Don't worry Layla, I did too). But she doesn't think Trip feels the same way, so she keeps things in the friends zone. Over time, Trip gives Layla glimpses that he might look at her as more then a friend. I thought the development of their relationship was fantastic. Since this is told strictly from Layla's POV, Trip and his feelings really remain a mystery. Which I think keeps the reader even more interested in the story.

Trip and Layla eventually suffer the classic mis-communication "break-up" and they don't talk for several months. It takes seeing Trip in the school play to bring them back together. It's then that Layla sees that maybe Trip does like as her more then a friend....Layla falls in love with Trip but doesn't believe that Trip could ever fall in love with her too. They spend the remainder of their senior year inseparable. Not thinking about the future and what will happen to them.

The day before Layla is to leave for NY (Trip plans to take a year off and travel the world), Trip gives Layla the mind ramble from that first day in English class. As upset as I was, that Trip and Layla's story was coming to an end....I aboslutely loved the ending of this book. Thank the lord the author gave us a peek at the next book...because Trip and Layla's story is only just beginning.

Book 2 is out Thursday!!! And it takes place 9 years later. Trip and Layla see each other for the first time since parting ways that summer. I can't wait to read more about Trip and Layla!

[[~Ami~]♥Sexy Dexy♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Remember back in school when you had your first crush?

first love??

well...

you can re-live all of it through this book.


Wow, the emotions and butterlifes in my stomach this book gave me!!!




Exactly my type of book. But...I was expecting a completely different ending to what the blurb said.

Layla has a crush on the new boy, Trip. The book spans over the whole senior years of high school and I found it very relatable and realistic. It is a sweet book and the ending awwww!!!!

“Be happy. Wherever you wind up. And know that I'll be thinking of you, wherever I am.”

Last thoughts:
Im dying to find out what happened to Trip and Layla throughout the years.

[TeriLyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 "Took you long enough to get here." Stars

There are those books we read to feel light and happy. You know the ones - they make us laugh and just feel really good while reminding us of a care free times in our lives when crushes on boys, high school parties, and the significance of our popularity were our biggest concerns. Well, Remember When hails as this kind of book. And coming off of a highly emotional, dark read Trip Wilmington and Layla Warren were just what I needed.

Remember When reminded me a lot of my high school days and there was something really comforting in reading the thoughts of the undeniably cute and funny Layla Warren. Through the first person narrative, T. Torrest tells us a racier YA story of students attending a private school in New Jersey. Trip Wilmington moves to the area and joins Layla's "in crowd". They become fast friends as Layla quickly develops a crush on Trip. The angst and story arc is plot device I'm not in love with, the ole' - I'm going to make an assumption and just roll with it instead of talking about it - but since I feel like it totally fits into the high school YA time in our lives it was a lot easier to swallow.

Bottom line of the review is - I enjoyed the book. I enjoyed the characters both main and secondary. I absolutely loved all the 80's and 90's references this author presented as well as the creative chapter titles being 90's throwbacks as well. And while the end wasn't really a kindle-throwing-cliffie it definitely made me want more. I want to know where Trip and Layla went from the end of Remember When and look forward to finding out in Part Two.

[Anne OK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jeez Louise! I can't believe I've had this book downloaded on my Kindle for months and have pushed it aside in favor of others. Today was just a supercalifragilistic day of reading! T. Torrest has given readers a meticulously well-crafted story from beginning to end. Hold on though - there's a bit of a cliffhanger. You won't have to wait long because the second installment should be released on June 20, 2013. Thanks goodness because I don't think I could wait much longer. I'm counting on it being well-worth the wait!

We all can remember our final year of high school, parties, first loves, loss of innocence, and saying good-bye to friends as graduation approaches. Everyone goes their separate ways and even though you promise to stay in touch, things just happen and years go by without a word. So it goes for Layla and a boy named Trip who stole her heart.

This story gripped me from the first few sentences and I knew without a doubt that I had found a true gem. "Remember When" has all the best elements a story could hold. It was as if I was walking right beside Layla every step of her senior year. The dialogue is extremely realistic and true to the ages of these characters. And Trip -- well let's just say he's quite the young heart throb guaranteed to make you breathless. Both these characters, along with their friends, will steal your heart, make you sigh, and frankly, just keep you wanting more.

[T. Torrest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Remember When is the first story in an NA romance trilogy. It will take you back to that time before the real world kicked in, that limbo between adolescence and adulthood, that trial of hanging onto the past while figuring out where the future will lie.

With heart-shredding romance, steamy love scenes and hilarious eighties references, readers of all ages will find themselves rooting for Layla and dreaming about Trip for years to come. It's an endearing journey through the tumultuous world of friendship, family and high school…

…and the memory of that one incredible guy your heart just can't seem to forget.

[Dee Montoya · Rating 5 out of 5]

*****5 Giddy Stars*****

Who thought that going back to high school would be so fun? And that's exactly how I felt reading Remember When. This book was a very happy and fun read, but not to be mistaken by fluff, it had a healthy dose of drama and tension and it was written in a witty and sentimental way. So ladies please dust off your New Kids On The Block cassettes, the hair spray and neon color attire because we are going to the Garden State to meet a group of friends and most importantly the super cute Terrence C. Wilmington III * sigh

Layla Warren is a born and raise Jersey girl, her mother left when she was young leaving a void inside her heart but this doesn't define who she is. Layla is fun, smart and very loyal to her friends, who are all in their senior year of high school. On their first day walks in the super Hot new kid, Trip Wilmington, and so happens that he's sitting right behind her and the attraction was instant. They become really close friends, and Trip is a wonderful new addition to the already awesome group of friends.

What I loved about this story is that it wasn't just about the romance between Trip and Layla, but about this group of kids and what is like to be in high school and how confusing those years can be when you are not longer a child but not yet and adult either. Every single character plays an interesting part in the development of this story, and it made feel so nostalgic of my own experiences. The author was very good at describing all the different aspects of her beloved New Jersey and it made me fall in love with the place. Every detail of this story was brilliantly crafted to take you a place where friendship, love, and family play an important part in the decisions made for the future of this kids, and haven't we all been there? scared to death of all the changes that might come with adulthood.

Trip and Layla's love is about the one got away, that first experience that you never forget, they were best friends and partners in crime, and I have to admit I got a little teary eye in the end. The ending doesn't have a cliffhanger, we get a emotional conclusion and a look into the future of this two people and the endless possibilities, and I can't wait for the next book. Remember When was lovely and I will recommend this book to absolutely everyone.

[Cath · Rating 5 out of 5]

On my God. Loved it!! I can't wait for book 2.....ten days can't some quick enough! Totally surprised how much I fell in love with Trip and Layla. I was crying buckets at the end!! Fab writing. I'm so glad I picked this up. X

[Jessica *The Lovely Books* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Update 2017
Still one of my faves.

***

I can't believe I'm saying this... But after years of Kellan Kyle being my main "man"...and after years of nothing ever coming close to being my number one favorite book ever...I finally have a new favorite book.


Sorry, Kellan.

****

[Jenny - TotallybookedBlog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jenny: 4.5 stars

GITTE: There are so many things I loved about this sweet and funny book. The writing was flawless, the story was addictive; I cried, I laughed out loud and I swooned. I also really connected with all the characters and felt so very nostalgic as the 90s time frame it was set in and the clothes, music and movies all sparked memories for me as I was about *cough* 16 back then…This is one of those books you’ll want to just read cover to cover and pause life until you are done.

JENNY: First off….I am NOT telling you how old I was haha! And like you, I just spent a day in the 90′s with this book and I LOVED every minute!!! What a different and delightful read this was Gitte.
I loved everything about it.
I read it with a huge grin on my face, I laughed out loud at times and I finished it with tears streaming down my cheeks….sorry about the snotty phone call when I finished, but I really found that last chapter unbelievably moving. Yep, this book ticked all the boxes for me. It was funny, very funny in fact, great characters…all of them! I certainly did press pause on life with this one and it was exactly what I needed at the time.

GITTE: Layla was a great heroine. She was adorable, funny, sweet but feisty and so down to earth and real. The whole tomboy image and hanging out playing sports with boys…yeah that was me too, as I said; I completely got this girl! Growing up amongst boys really does give you thicker skin and less prone to dramatics. Oh and she is a big reader too!

“I always liked to read…I consumed books. Two or three entire novels over a weekend. Bleary eyed and exhausted, bypassing sleep in order to just finish one more chapter, and then break down and read just one more after that.” – Layla

Her home life has seen real emotional upheaval but this girl was so strong and I have to say that despite him not featuring much I *heart* her Dad she was a credit to him. And Layla, missing out on that important person in her life to experience her ever milestones with, she really was an inspiration.

I loved the friendship between Layla and Lisa. It was funny and real. All friendships go through ups and downs but a true friend knows how to protect, love and admit when they are in the wrong.

As for Trip, no wonder Layla started crushing on him the minute he walked into class as the new boy in senior year.

“Trip was like a one man beautification committee just by existing” – Layla

Trip comes into her life and she immediately falls…deeply. At first it’s the typical speechless and blushing kind, then as they become friends she loses her inhibitions, relaxes into their friendship and from there the love becomes cemented. I do love the friends to lover’s stories; they just have that added sweetness and believability to them.

It all started with the passing of notes…the mind ramble that both Layla and I were dying to read…and when we did…my heart both melted and broke….

Oh and who can forget the importance of that first song hey Jenny, so funny?!

JENNY: Hehe! You just made me giggle again thinking of that first song? Too funny! Layla was a crack up. I adored this girl. She was ballsy, funny, beautiful, sweet and one of the boys, yet gentle and loyal as well. Yep, totally adored this girl! She was completely awesome! No hysterics from Layla. She said what she felt, but she was also soft underneath – she had a big heart and she stole mine!
I loved her voice, her take on life was refreshing to say the least and there were so many scenes I highlighted while reading this book because I wanted to remember them all. And the ramble? No words there! You know how I felt about that.

” I even let him put his hands into the back pockets of my jeans! It was quite a memorable afternoon” Layla

You’re so right Gitte. The friendship between Layla and Lisa was real. Everything about them took you back. The first loves, the ups the downs. It was all there. Two best friends going through so much together.

“It’s just that you wish everything would never change. You wish someone could tie up your life with a neat little bow and have it presented to you all tidy and prepared so you’d never have to think about getting your hands dirty trying to figure anything out on your own” Lisa

The perm story……gave me a giggle and I was right there, in the 90′s hanging out with them. These girls really did look out for one another.

“I was trying to keep a mental log of the twelve different topics my friend had just brought up in order to respond accordingly once she finally broke for air” Layla

The friends to lovers in this story between Trip and Layla completely won me over. These two bounced off each other so well and provided many lighthearted, wonderful moments.

“Do you even know how beautiful you are?” Trip

I devoured every single minute. The friendship and relationship between Layla and “be still my beating heart” Trip started at the back of an English class in High School, and we went on every high and every low and every funny moment in between with these two.
Their friendship and relationship was a slow burner and so very believable, so entertaining and gave the reader so much insight into the pair and allowed you to go along with them at a steady pace and learn right along with them.

“At the time, I was trying to convince myself that all I cared about was an improvement to the scenery of boring old Norman. Trip was like a one man beautification committee just by existing” Layla

GITTE: The whole array of characters was spot on in this story of adolescents joining adulthood on the edge of having to grow up and begin a new era in their lives. This huge step that is both an exciting new adventure but also an emotional change tinged with sadness of what is left behind quickly becoming memories. The memory of that first love; you never forget.

Remember When is the first book in a trilogy and whilst it doesn’t really have a cliff-hanger as such, I am dying to read the next one as I need more Trip and Layla.

What makes this even more special is that we join them 9 years later in book #2, yet we have the sweet memories from Remember When.

“You’re beautiful…The kind of beautiful that doesn’t go away……I really think I could be in love with you….” – Trip

JENNY: What I loved about this story was that we knew eight years on that Trip Wiley had become a very successful movie star, a hot Hollywood commodity. An insanely gorgeous, talented and handsome man, he was always slated for something special.
A perfect combination for a movie star. In most cases this is where we come into a book, but this one took us right back to the beginning so we didn’t just read about it, we actually lived it. And I loved it.

We went back to the time when Trip was in high school with Layla. Through first love, through friendships, growing up, cutting ties and moving on. To a carefree time when the biggest decision you made was what to wear to a party.
You partied with these characters, you laughed with them, you loved with them and you felt the emotion of having to grow up and make adult decisions, but all the way through it was handled with so much love and a huge dash of humor. You felt it all and it was such a wonderful experience.

“Be happy. And know that I’ll be thinking of you.” At that he bent his face to mine and I let him kiss me.

I agree Gitte. Even though it wasn’t a cliffhanger of sorts it definitely did end in a way made me want book two yesterday!!. I have to say that the next book in this series is up there as one of my most anticipated sequels this year. I can’t wait to follow the journey with Trip and Layla. Remember When was fun, it was sexy, it was a giggle a minute, it was beautiful….yep, it was perfect. The ending….oh…the ending! Loved it.

“Stay gold, Ponyboy”

[Lacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

only read this one to get to book two, which has the one-of-them-is-famous romance trope i love so much. sue me

[Chelsea ✨Arielle’s Nebular Ally and Team Acrux✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5 Stars*

After my recent desire to start reading NA/YA more again, I decided to try this book that everyone seems to love. What I thought to be a quick, light weekend read turned out to be so much more-and a lot quicker. I picked this up Friday night hoping to spread this throughout the weekend and found that I was able to finish that night. I still to this day don't know how I feel about this series as a whole (yes, I finished essentially the whole series aside from the last 25% in the third book, shut up) but book three has to be by far my favorite.

I realized I didn't want to have power over Trip. The only thing I ever wanted was him.

There were so many things that happened that I can't quite wrap my head around, and then even more that I actually resonated with...but it doesn't mean I liked that they happened. It reminded me so much of what went on in HS for me, so these things brought both good and bad memories up (i.e.-miscommunication after miscommunication, inevitably falling for a guy that was undoubtedly taken, flirting and falling for guys in my classes, etc.). So I don't know if I loved or hated bringing up old feelings from my High School days-I guess it depends on how I'm feeling in that particular moment. No, this wasn't the most angst-ridden book I've ever read, but it did have way more problems and prolonged gratification than I was prepared for, despite my great friend's warnings. I like conflict in a story, but the conflict in this book broke my heart because things could have been...so simple. I think that was probably my biggest problem throughout the series (by series I mean book one and two). I just wanted so much more for these two and it broke my heart every time something horrible happened to them or misunderstandings occured between them....which happened quite frequently.

I had purged Trip Wilmington out of my system and gone on with my life. After all that, would I really even consider putting myself in a position to go down that same road all over again?
You'd better fucking believe it.

I guess my only other complaint was the writing...it was in past tense (which I NEVER love) and it was chick lit. You know, that overly cutesy writing with lots of exclamation points?!!! That's just me being picky, though, so ignore annoying 'ol me.

Trip dropped the handful of pebbles he was still holding into the shrubs and wiped his hands off on his pants. "Hey, did I guess the wrong window? I thought that one was your room."
"Hey Psycho," I jeered, "Instead of throwing boulders at my house, why didn't you just knock on the front door like a normal human?"
That made a wide grin spread across his face before he answered, "Now what would be the fun in that?"

I know it's so odd and this has almost never happened to me, but I had a SERIOUS love/hate relationship with this book. One minute I was so excited and giddy and then the next I just got so sad that they couldn't figure things out. I know this is literally the definition of angst, but on top of the writing it just bothered me and effected my mood negatively.

In a nut shell...everything that bothered me was minute, and the moments that I enjoyed stood out like a shining beacon. I clearly read it very fast and found Trip to be extremely fun to swoon over in the areas where he got a chance to shine. I immediately started book two and finished that Saturday night late-I know, I'm so awesome right? So obviously there was something about this that spoke to me enough to make me pursue book two to find out what happens to these guys despite my reservations concerning book one...Spoiler alert: It ain't all sunshine and rainbows. What an angst-fest >.< .


For more of my reviews visit

[AJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those books that reminds me of why I love to read YA. It’s sweet and funny, with lots of hilarious teenage insights as our characters navigate their way through new feelings and experiences. It also has a great sense of nostalgia and a beautiful story of first love that had me grinning like a fool the whole time I was reading.

It’s 1990, and 17 year old Layla is entering her senior year in high school. Part of the popular crowd, she is a good student, has a close group of friends, a BFF that lives three houses down from her, and despite the fact her mother took off some years ago, she is living a happy life. And then Terrance C. Wilmington III walks into her English class and turns her life upside down.

Trip, as he likes to be known as, is the most gorgeous guy she has ever known, but he is also kind, funny, and all of those things that make him teenage heart-throb perfection! Quickly becoming a part of her ‘group’, Layla’s crush on Trip deepens as the two of them develop a friendship that is full of teasing, joking, and the odd bit of flirting. There’s a bit of angst as Layla isn’t sure about how Trip feels, and she’s not sure how to handle her feelings, but that sort of behaviour is all part of her growing up. And they do manage to sort themselves out in time to have one glorious summer before life pulls Layla and her friends in all different directions.

The story is told entirely from the POV of Layla, and I love her narrative! She is witty and intelligent, but she’s also a 16/17 year old girl with all of the naivety, inexperience and hormones that go along with that. She is struggling with growing up – of letting go of life as she knows it and heading off into the world, but at the same time she’s excited to spread her wings. And her storytelling cleverly captures that spirit of what are (at the age of 17, at least) lifelong friendships, as well as the anguish and excitement of first love, and the trauma of everything changing. She’s such a genuine character, and it gives the whole story a sense of realism.

Oh, the drama! Is there anything so powerful as the love of two teenagers being ripped apart?

I loved this book! Firstly, being set in 1990, there are tons of references which had me flashing back to my own high school days and secondly, it’s just fun! I smiled so much while reading, completely caught up in Layla’s life and the beautifully blossoming love story between her and Trip.

“Don’t ever ask me to stop loving you, because I can’t. Don’t ever think I’ll be able to forget you, because I won’t.”

It does end on a bit of a cliffhanger, and those last few pages made my heart hurt (that letter!!! *clutches heart*), but I thought the ending was really well done. It’s sad but hopeful, and the book as a whole does a great job of setting up the rest of the series, and what is sure to be an epic love story. From the Prologue, and from comments dropped throughout the book, we know that Trip goes on to become the hottest thing in Hollywood, and I can’t wait to see how their story plays out over the next two books.

4 stars.


A copy of this book was generously provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book for everyone who grew up in the 80's and even if you didn't, you will still enjoy this book. Set in New Jersey in 1990/1991 it is told in the POV of Layla who is in her senior year, and has a crush on new boy Trip.
We know from the prologue that Trip is now a famous actor, and Layla narrates at the beginning of the book, explaining her history with Trip is similar to imagining what would it have been like to have gone to school with a young Brad Pitt or George Clooney and known them before they were famous?
They meet when Trip is assigned to the seat behind Layla in English class on his first day at her school. Layla & Trip soon become work mates out of school and class partners in school, and their relationship develops to a comfortable friendship where Layla is treated as one of the guys by Trip, but she is slowly falling in love with him, and then she has her best friend telling her that she's setting herself up for heartbreak.
I was the one who was heartbroken at the end of this book. When the group of friends start breaking up at the end of summer to go off to college, it was gut wrenching. Remembering what its like to feel your childhood officially come to an end as you move off in to the unknown. With the setting of the book and the references to Bon Jovi, I was singing in my head 'Never say Goodbye' from their SWW album. It seemed very apt! I loved the nod to NKOTB, and finding out the inspiration behind her brothers name was funny!

This book will have you laughing out loud and then crying - and those are my kind of books!

Even though I am not American, have never been to America, and yes, my opinions of New Jersey are basically of the stereotypes T Torrest mentions at the beginning of the book, I still felt a connection to the book because people, I too am a child of the 80's! I left school in 1991, the year that this is set/when the characters graduate, I remember going to the video store to hire video tapes, the days where we had no mobile phones, mp3 players, Facebook etc, those were happy times!

I loved this book, and the best part for me is that I didn't even know that it was a trilogy until the end, so I have the next book to look forward too. I ordered this from Amazon when it was highlighted as a free book on Aestas book blog on FB. It was billed as a flash back to the late 80's/early 90's and that sold me so I didn't notice the title on amazon stating it was book 1. It has sat on my kindle for a while (so many books, too little time!) and I picked it up a few days ago because I thought it would be a lighthearted stand alone read, which was what i felt like reading at the time. Well now I'm glad it isn't a stand alone, seeing as when I was about 80% in, I started worrying, thinking this isn't going to have a HEA because there wasn't enough book left! PHEW! wipes brow, panic over now, Now I can get to find out what happens to Layla & Trip in the next part, and I cant wait!