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The Moments Series #1
Those Were the Days
Don't fall in love in high school.
Don't fall in love with your best friend.
Don't fall in love. At all.
When Claudia Lake's sister Wendy moves back home, everything changes. The boy next door wants to be more than just friends. Her best friend nurses a broken heart with revenge. When it comes to love, Claudia has learned that it's better to be safe than sorry... or has she?
Those Were the Days is a prequel to Jenny Bravo's debut novel, These Are the Moments, that explores what it means to be in love in high school, the excitement and fear of a first love, and how to survive broken hearts.
Don't fall in love with your best friend.
Don't fall in love. At all.
When Claudia Lake's sister Wendy moves back home, everything changes. The boy next door wants to be more than just friends. Her best friend nurses a broken heart with revenge. When it comes to love, Claudia has learned that it's better to be safe than sorry... or has she?
Those Were the Days is a prequel to Jenny Bravo's debut novel, These Are the Moments, that explores what it means to be in love in high school, the excitement and fear of a first love, and how to survive broken hearts.
Unknown Binding
Published December 10, 2015
175 people are currently reading
250 people want to read
About the author
Jenny Bravo
11 books145 followersJENNY BRAVO spent her childhood in Disney princess nightgowns and climbing trees barefooted. These days, she usually wears shoes. As a part-time writer, she drinks too much coffee and writes feverishly in the fringe hours. Otherwise, she blogs at jennybravobooks.com and plays on Twitter. While she calls New Orleans home, she also considers herself a resident of Narnia, Hogwarts and Neverland.
Twitter: @jennybravobooks
Instagram: @jennybravobooks
Facebook: @jennybravobooks
Twitter: @jennybravobooks
Instagram: @jennybravobooks
Facebook: @jennybravobooks
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
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March 10, 2019Wow!
I hadn't expected it to be this good for a short story, especially since it is a prequel.
The story is about family and friendship and romance and feelings - so many feelings
I think I should read the other books in the series now.
I hadn't expected it to be this good for a short story, especially since it is a prequel.
The story is about family and friendship and romance and feelings - so many feelings
I think I should read the other books in the series now.
December 31, 2017
I really feel like this could have been a lot more fleshed out. I even think it might have been a good story for an entire book if there had been a bigger event. However, I found it hard to follow the story because it was just so short and fast. I really wish there had been more about the characters’ feelings.
March 12, 2019
Will definitely NOT be continuing with this series...EVER!
February 25, 2017
Those Were The Days is a short story prequel to These Are The Moments by Jenny Bravo. I loved These Are The Moments because it detailed the realistic relationship between Wendy and Simon, as well as portrayed a realistic transition from college to post-college life. The situation just felt very familiar to me and while I didn't necessarily relate to the characters (because friends, Wendy and Simon are a troubled couple from the start) I enjoyed reading about their lives and their interactions with each other.
While TATM focused mainly on Wendy, Those Were The Days focuses on her younger sister Claudia, who I LOVE! She's so cute and I love how in this prequel, you get to learn about her friendship with Casey and the way their relationship slowly progresses.
The dynamic between Claudia and Wendy is so different in the two books, so that was interesting to me as well. It's funny how time can change things.
Would I recommend both of these books? Yes! Which one should you read first? I don't know. But I read TATM first and TWTD second and that seems like a good way to go.
Take care,
Marian
While TATM focused mainly on Wendy, Those Were The Days focuses on her younger sister Claudia, who I LOVE! She's so cute and I love how in this prequel, you get to learn about her friendship with Casey and the way their relationship slowly progresses.
The dynamic between Claudia and Wendy is so different in the two books, so that was interesting to me as well. It's funny how time can change things.
Would I recommend both of these books? Yes! Which one should you read first? I don't know. But I read TATM first and TWTD second and that seems like a good way to go.
Take care,
Marian
January 3, 2018
A very sweet, age appropriate tween romance.
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April 26, 2019Personal Response: I thought Those Were the Days by Jenny Bravo was a little boring because this book was not my type. When I read the summary on it I thought it was more of a book with male characters, but it turned out to be a book with mostly female characters. I bought it on my phone before I realized it was a high school love story.
Plot: Claudia was in high school and her sister, Wendy, was moving back home after she just graduated college. Her sister was named Wendy. Claudia did not know how to be a good sister because Wendy was six years older than Claudia. Claudia’s parents thought that Wendy was the better daughter because Claudia failed her driver's test five times. Casey was Claudia's next door neighbor and he kept asking Claudia out. She did not agree to go out with him because she thought he was just kidding. She was also afraid to admit she loved him. Claudia went to a party with Casey and she got drunk. Casey took her home and seriously asked her out. Instead of saying anything she puked in the bushes. A week later, Claudia snuck out with her friend at three in the morning. Her friend was named Ava. They put plastic pink flamingos all over Ava’s ex-boyfriend's house. Wendy was a painter but she had not been inspired to paint since her boyfriend broke up with her. Casey came over to Claudia's house and told her that he was going to stop asking her out. She was more afraid of losing him than admitting she loved him. She told Casey to ask again and they went on a date. They went mini golfing then he took her home. She asked Casey if he wanted to go on another date. Claudia and Casey told each other they loved one another. Claudia went home and talked to Wendy. She told Wendy to be brave to start painting again.
Characterization: Claudia was the main character. Claudia was afraid to love at the beginning of the book. When she thought she might lose Casey, she admitted she loved him.
Wendy was Claudia's older sister and she also changed throughout the book. She was heartbroken because her boyfriend broke up with her so she quit painting. At the end of the book, she decided to start painting again. She let her broken heart disappear.
Claudia and Wendy’s relationship as sisters changed in the book. In the beginning, they were not close and did not talk to each other. In the end, they became close and gave each other advice.
Setting: The book took place in a small town name Covington near New Orleans. It was important to the plot because it was a small town so everyone knew everyone. This book took place in modern times because the kids had cell phones and modern cars.
Recommendation: I would recommend this book to only women because this book was about love and was directed toward women characters. I would recommend this to women ages 16 to 20 because there were a few graphic scenes in this book.
Plot: Claudia was in high school and her sister, Wendy, was moving back home after she just graduated college. Her sister was named Wendy. Claudia did not know how to be a good sister because Wendy was six years older than Claudia. Claudia’s parents thought that Wendy was the better daughter because Claudia failed her driver's test five times. Casey was Claudia's next door neighbor and he kept asking Claudia out. She did not agree to go out with him because she thought he was just kidding. She was also afraid to admit she loved him. Claudia went to a party with Casey and she got drunk. Casey took her home and seriously asked her out. Instead of saying anything she puked in the bushes. A week later, Claudia snuck out with her friend at three in the morning. Her friend was named Ava. They put plastic pink flamingos all over Ava’s ex-boyfriend's house. Wendy was a painter but she had not been inspired to paint since her boyfriend broke up with her. Casey came over to Claudia's house and told her that he was going to stop asking her out. She was more afraid of losing him than admitting she loved him. She told Casey to ask again and they went on a date. They went mini golfing then he took her home. She asked Casey if he wanted to go on another date. Claudia and Casey told each other they loved one another. Claudia went home and talked to Wendy. She told Wendy to be brave to start painting again.
Characterization: Claudia was the main character. Claudia was afraid to love at the beginning of the book. When she thought she might lose Casey, she admitted she loved him.
Wendy was Claudia's older sister and she also changed throughout the book. She was heartbroken because her boyfriend broke up with her so she quit painting. At the end of the book, she decided to start painting again. She let her broken heart disappear.
Claudia and Wendy’s relationship as sisters changed in the book. In the beginning, they were not close and did not talk to each other. In the end, they became close and gave each other advice.
Setting: The book took place in a small town name Covington near New Orleans. It was important to the plot because it was a small town so everyone knew everyone. This book took place in modern times because the kids had cell phones and modern cars.
Recommendation: I would recommend this book to only women because this book was about love and was directed toward women characters. I would recommend this to women ages 16 to 20 because there were a few graphic scenes in this book.
April 2, 2023
I hate third person but also it felt rushed and weird
October 18, 2021
This book is a good book. I recommend it 💯 if u love romance books. This book is appropriate for teenagers but teenagers of course have romance. The book was absolutely adorable between the main character and her best friend. They fell in love at the end and the main character didn’t expect it. It’s so good
November 5, 2018
Personal Response:
I, personally, think Those Were The Days was a never ending book in my opinion. I thought the book was based on what Claudia went through in high school in Claudia’s love life, but the overall plot summary of the book kept leaning towards a romantic setting, which I unfortunately didn’t enjoy reading about.
Plot:
When Claudia's sister, Wendy, showed up one summer at their house everything changed for her. Their neighbor across the street just so happened to be a boy who wanted to be loved. Weeks past by and school had begun, and on Wendy's and Claudia's way back home they took the trail back home they took for the past 17 years after everyday of the school day, that's where they met Simon. Simon was an understanding and loyal type of guy. School had been in session for almost three months when Simon could not leave Wendy alone. All Wendy wanted was to be friends just like the old days when nobody had crushes, and everybody liked each other, and got along fine without dating. The next day during school Wendy finally built up enough courage to say no to Simon. At first, Simon was not happy at receiving the dreaded news, but then days past along, and Simon soon began to find out that Wendy wanted what the old days had entailed. On the other hand, Claudia was the one who wanted to stay on the safe side when it came to dating. For weeks guys kept asking Claudia if she would be interested in dating. Did Claudia just break the ''old days'' rule?
Characterization:
Claudia regrets the chances she had with Simon, and what she never had the chance to accomplish while dating him. Claudia fit into her friend group, but when it came to hanging out together they had the chance to go on dates, which she felt left out and wanted nothing to do with it. Claudia's personality had everyone wondering who she really was as a person, due to the fact that she didn't talk to anyone during the group hangouts and dates they had attended. Lastly to describe Claudia personality, she was an adventurous, loyal, and hard-headed type of girl in her own mind of her world!
Simon, the antagonist, left Claudia feeling as if she needed to feel loved and he wanted to create a life for Claudia that's worth living. Simon was always creating a stress involved life for Claudia, and while doing that he said that there was no one Claudia was allowed to hang out with. Claudia in her right mind was not impressed, which caused Simon and Claudia to quit talking. Simon was an individual who was street smart and always took love situations seriously. When something went wrong, he would start to deteriorate in mood and his attitude towards others was always disrespectful, causing him to lose friends over the school year.
Setting:
The main setting of Those Were The Days, was at Robert’s High School. Most of the book’s settings took place at the high school delivering the messages of when the characters were communicating their romantic lives while at school. When the days came to an end, Wendy, Claudia, and the group of boys were heading back home and went their separate ways. Another setting was a barn in the back of the woods where each of Claudia’s friends would have meetings to discuss the dating life of each friend. It was October, which meant that leaves were falling and the temperatures were changing.
Recommendations :
I recommend Those Were The Days to a teenage and adult leveled reader due to the climatic occurrence of love and profound language taking place throughout. If people enjoy romantic thrillers, I'd recommend this book to them to read because of the non stop action of the book’s setting. Lastly, I’d recommend this book to people who enjoy realistic fiction, because throughout the book Claudia explains true situations that connects readers to their own personal lives.
I, personally, think Those Were The Days was a never ending book in my opinion. I thought the book was based on what Claudia went through in high school in Claudia’s love life, but the overall plot summary of the book kept leaning towards a romantic setting, which I unfortunately didn’t enjoy reading about.
Plot:
When Claudia's sister, Wendy, showed up one summer at their house everything changed for her. Their neighbor across the street just so happened to be a boy who wanted to be loved. Weeks past by and school had begun, and on Wendy's and Claudia's way back home they took the trail back home they took for the past 17 years after everyday of the school day, that's where they met Simon. Simon was an understanding and loyal type of guy. School had been in session for almost three months when Simon could not leave Wendy alone. All Wendy wanted was to be friends just like the old days when nobody had crushes, and everybody liked each other, and got along fine without dating. The next day during school Wendy finally built up enough courage to say no to Simon. At first, Simon was not happy at receiving the dreaded news, but then days past along, and Simon soon began to find out that Wendy wanted what the old days had entailed. On the other hand, Claudia was the one who wanted to stay on the safe side when it came to dating. For weeks guys kept asking Claudia if she would be interested in dating. Did Claudia just break the ''old days'' rule?
Characterization:
Claudia regrets the chances she had with Simon, and what she never had the chance to accomplish while dating him. Claudia fit into her friend group, but when it came to hanging out together they had the chance to go on dates, which she felt left out and wanted nothing to do with it. Claudia's personality had everyone wondering who she really was as a person, due to the fact that she didn't talk to anyone during the group hangouts and dates they had attended. Lastly to describe Claudia personality, she was an adventurous, loyal, and hard-headed type of girl in her own mind of her world!
Simon, the antagonist, left Claudia feeling as if she needed to feel loved and he wanted to create a life for Claudia that's worth living. Simon was always creating a stress involved life for Claudia, and while doing that he said that there was no one Claudia was allowed to hang out with. Claudia in her right mind was not impressed, which caused Simon and Claudia to quit talking. Simon was an individual who was street smart and always took love situations seriously. When something went wrong, he would start to deteriorate in mood and his attitude towards others was always disrespectful, causing him to lose friends over the school year.
Setting:
The main setting of Those Were The Days, was at Robert’s High School. Most of the book’s settings took place at the high school delivering the messages of when the characters were communicating their romantic lives while at school. When the days came to an end, Wendy, Claudia, and the group of boys were heading back home and went their separate ways. Another setting was a barn in the back of the woods where each of Claudia’s friends would have meetings to discuss the dating life of each friend. It was October, which meant that leaves were falling and the temperatures were changing.
Recommendations :
I recommend Those Were The Days to a teenage and adult leveled reader due to the climatic occurrence of love and profound language taking place throughout. If people enjoy romantic thrillers, I'd recommend this book to them to read because of the non stop action of the book’s setting. Lastly, I’d recommend this book to people who enjoy realistic fiction, because throughout the book Claudia explains true situations that connects readers to their own personal lives.
February 25, 2016
A sweet, sentimental and short story. With a simpel plot and a pretty obnoxious main character, she came to grow on me though. For being such a short tale, the character arch was a descent one.
October 23, 2016
SUPER FREAKING CUTE!!
BEST LOVE STORY EVER!!!! <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 CLAUDIA AND CASEY ARE REALLY CUTE.
BEST LOVE STORY EVER!!!! <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 CLAUDIA AND CASEY ARE REALLY CUTE.
December 27, 2017
Short. Simple. Rushed. But cute. Loved the cover of the ebook.
January 19, 2018
I wish the book was just a little bit long, and talked about the characters more, but other than that it was good.
March 9, 2018
Those Were The Days
High school friends turned more, or so you think. This is the question kept lingering in the readers head when reading Jenny Bravo’s Those Were The Days. Where the image of a “normal” high schoolers life takes a not so normal turn.
SECTION HEADER
Claudia lives a normal highschool life, until wendy her sister comes home from college. then her best friend wants to be more than friends. She doesn’t know what to do when her other friend goes through a breakup on top of that she still has to get up and go to school every week
Life is always changing for claudia in this short story by jenny bravo a tale of highschool romance. Mixing with confusion with who your friends are. Life can take an unexpected turn at an unexpected time as shown by bravo in her story
You should read those were the days by jenny bravo to get an insight on the life of a highschool kid with so many decisions to make that could change her life forever. The normal highschool life you think of will be completely changed when you read this story.
High school friends turned more, or so you think. This is the question kept lingering in the readers head when reading Jenny Bravo’s Those Were The Days. Where the image of a “normal” high schoolers life takes a not so normal turn.
SECTION HEADER
Claudia lives a normal highschool life, until wendy her sister comes home from college. then her best friend wants to be more than friends. She doesn’t know what to do when her other friend goes through a breakup on top of that she still has to get up and go to school every week
Life is always changing for claudia in this short story by jenny bravo a tale of highschool romance. Mixing with confusion with who your friends are. Life can take an unexpected turn at an unexpected time as shown by bravo in her story
You should read those were the days by jenny bravo to get an insight on the life of a highschool kid with so many decisions to make that could change her life forever. The normal highschool life you think of will be completely changed when you read this story.
March 6, 2021
‘Those Were the Days is a book that tells the story of the main character Claudia and her fear of falling in love because of how she has seen other relationships fail, especially her sister’s. She has been friends with a boy named Casey since she was young and he has asked her out on a date but she has refused telling him she only wants to be friends. After realizing that she has feelings for Casey but she was just afraid of having her heartbroken she agrees to go out on a date with him. In the end she gives into her feelings thinking the risk is worth it and they visit their favorite place, Lake Pontchartrain, where Claudia and Casey kiss and realize that they are more than friends. This book was short and had a very simple story which was easy to follow but there wasn’t much of a plot. I also felt like you didn’t really get to know all of the characters very well since the story was so focused on Casey and Claudia’s relationship. I would not recommend this book to other readers since it was a story that could have been in a lot less pages and was too simple!
October 13, 2017
I really liked how this book was written in a realistic tone. I liked how there was this relationship between claudia and casey. Casey always liked claudia and she knew it too. But she knew the power of there relationship as friends. I also liked how realistic the relationship was between the two sisters wendy and claudia. Made them like sisters are in real life. Always there for eachother but they still have arguments. I would have liked it to be so much longer but overal the short story was great!
July 16, 2018
Claudia doesn‘t want to fall in love. Especially not with her best friend Casey, who have (not so) secretly had a crush on her for years. But when she realizes that she also might feel something more than just friendship, she finally agrees to go out on a date.
I loved the prequel! The book sounds very promising. Will Claudia and Casey end up like Wendy and Simon? I‘d also love to learn Wendy‘s full story. And I do hope she‘ll keep on painting, I‘m a fan of art.
I loved the prequel! The book sounds very promising. Will Claudia and Casey end up like Wendy and Simon? I‘d also love to learn Wendy‘s full story. And I do hope she‘ll keep on painting, I‘m a fan of art.
August 13, 2017
Sweet, short story of life. Claudia is a young woman and as such, has all the normal problems with boys, family and friends that we all go through. The author takes readers into Claudia's life and all the problems faced. The author also gives readers a sweet read as Claudia slowly learns how to solve the problems. Great little story of life, love and heartache.
March 5, 2018
Love this book
I chose this rating because the book was a really good book for teens like me and I love how it turned out. I love the part when the 2 girls put flamingos in one of the girls ex boyfriend's house😂. I definitely recommend this book to you, it is funny at times, romantic at times, and as I read it I felt more and more feelings reading on.
I chose this rating because the book was a really good book for teens like me and I love how it turned out. I love the part when the 2 girls put flamingos in one of the girls ex boyfriend's house😂. I definitely recommend this book to you, it is funny at times, romantic at times, and as I read it I felt more and more feelings reading on.
June 1, 2018
A little too fast for me, love a good short story but this seemed confusingly fast at times. It took a while to realise who all the characters were, from the perspective it was written from.
Improved as the story evolved, though I feel we were introduced to the characters in quite a confusing and unappealing way.
Improved as the story evolved, though I feel we were introduced to the characters in quite a confusing and unappealing way.
December 19, 2018
Enough to spike my curiosity, but not enough to make me jump on the next book. The characters were introduced correctly. The book gave me an idea about what they are like and about what they will be but maybe it didn't give me enough trouble for me to be curious about what will happen. I would appreciate more if this is a bit longer too.
October 13, 2019
This book was SO cute! Well, more like a novella really, but still adorable nonetheless. I got this as a free book on the Apple store because, well, it was free. BUT, it made me want to read the rest of the books in the series so bad! This book, although short, seriously hooked me on this storyline! I give it a 10/10.
September 18, 2017
The plot in the story was very fast, and many times in 2 pages the entire scene changed without a direct transition. This caused me to be confused and to have to read it again to understand where the characters were. I would suggest putting more details and descriptions next time.
January 2, 2018
Even though it was pretty short, the story is decent. She could had described more in between the scenes, she changed one situation from another very fast and it was a bit hard to follow.
However, it's good for a younger audience.
However, it's good for a younger audience.
August 3, 2019
4.5 stars ~ Another round of proofreading and editing would have been highly beneficial (the setting changes and dialogue were confusing at times), but other than that, this is such an adorable and quick read. I would read this author again.
January 29, 2022
I absolutely loved this short story! The writing style fits more YA, but it still has those elements of romance and sisterhood. I also enjoyed the realism of the book, it let me relate to the characters and the story.
November 13, 2024
Literally read this within an hour and now I want to get the debut novel that this one prequels. I felt like we could have explored the sister’s relationship more, but that may all be done in the next book. Not a bad read - it was short but easy to read and written well.
November 15, 2016
Relatable and grabbing
I Love this book! It's a good pilot for a high school series, also; it's relatable to experience and inexperiences.
I Love this book! It's a good pilot for a high school series, also; it's relatable to experience and inexperiences.
October 21, 2017
👌
It was good but I wish we could see it from Casey's point of view and learn more about Simon
It was good but I wish we could see it from Casey's point of view and learn more about Simon
November 9, 2017
Cute for younger audience.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews