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When You Were Everything

Ashley Woodfolk (Goodreads Author)

4.26 · Rating details · 163 ratings · 83 reviews

You can't rewrite the past, but you can always choose to start again.

Its been twenty-seven days since Cleo and Laylas friendship imploded.

Nearly a month since Cleo realized theyll never be besties again.

Now, Cleo wants to erase every memory, good or bad, that tethers her to her exbest friend. But pretending Layla doesnt exist isnt as easy as Cleo hoped, especially after ...more

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Hardcover, 400 pages

Published March 10th 2020 by Delacorte Press

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Mar 17, 2020 Thomas rated it it was amazing

Shelves: five-stars, 2nd-favorites, own-electronic, young-adult, realistic-fiction

My favorite fiction book of 2020 so far, thank goodness for the year of novels that focus on friendship! We Used to be Friends validated my heartbreak over the close friendships I lost in 2019, and When You Were Everything both validated that heartbreak and pushed me to believe in the power of opening my heart again despite past friendship pains. I feel grateful to Ashley Woodfolk for writing such a nuanced and realistic portrayal of friendship. As someone who has had quite a few intense My favorite fiction book of 2020 so far, thank goodness for the year of novels that focus on friendship! We Used to be Friends validated my heartbreak over the close friendships I lost in 2019, and When You Were Everything both validated that heartbreak and pushed me to believe in the power of opening my heart again despite past friendship pains. I feel grateful to Ashley Woodfolk for writing such a nuanced and realistic portrayal of friendship. As someone who has had quite a few intense friendships that either still exist today or have ended, I often feel unseen because fiction, including YA, focuses so much on romance. This book, however, gives voice to the type of close relationship that has both sustained me and hurt me throughout my life: best friendship.

The novel follows Cleo Imani Baker and Layla Hassan, two best friends who met at age 12 and have prioritized each other over everything ever since. Their friendship starts to shift when Layla begins to spend more time with the “Chorus Girls,” who make an explicit point not to include Cleo in their friend group. Cleo’s initial hurt at Layla valuing her new friends over their friendship triggers a painful cycle of name-calling, misunderstandings, and betrayals that sends their friendship lurching toward the end. Afterward, Cleo is left to pick up the pieces of her broken heart, all while dealing with her parents’ separation too. While a new friend and a potential romantic flame show interest in Cleo, she has to decide whether to trust them with her heart, especially after Layla bruised and battered it in the fallout of their friendship.

I loved this book for its complex and relatable portrayal of friendship. Almost everything Cleo experienced, I’ve experienced. Seeing a best friend deprioritize you for someone else yet not having the language to describe it in the moment? Yep. Hurting your friend after your friend hurt you in a way you’re unproud of, yet felt cathartic at the time? Been there. Seeing someone you care about change to the point where you no longer really know or love them, and taking a long time to accept that? So me in 2019 and even now. Through the dissolution of Cleo and Layla’s friendship, Woodfolk creates a narrative that feels so, so validating for me and I’m hoping for others who have lost a best friend or a close friend who they loved. With accessible and clear writing, she highlights how much losing a friend can hurt, especially a friend who you trusted with everything.

At the same time, Woodfolk shares the healing process in When You Were Everything. I loved seeing Cleo learn to trust Sydney, another girl she befriends. Woodfolk shows how it takes Cleo time to trust Sydney after Layla broke her heart, and even though it takes time, Cleo learns to open up again and share herself, her joys and her pains. Watching Cleo’s healing process gave me hope for my own healing process and motivated me to celebrate the close friendships I do have right now, despite some of my past ones that have burned me. Woodfolk includes some additional subtle yet brilliant insights throughout the novel too, such as how sometimes you just have to go through your pain instead of trying to erase it, as well as how sometimes you idealize someone and have to learn to see them for who they really are, instead of who you want them to be.

Overall, a fantastic novel I’d recommend for all fans of young-adult fiction. While the book’s pacing felt a little slow for the first 50-100 pages, it does pick up, especially for me when I started to get invested in Cleo’s various relationships and her healing process. While there is a romantic relationship in this novel, it never overtakes the importance of friendship, thank goodness. I’m loving all these novels on friendship so please continue to send any friendship-related book recommendations my way. Props for the inclusion of an almost entirely, if not actually entirely cast of characters of color as well as queer representation too. In her author’s note, Woodfolk shares how she wanted to write this book in part because of the close friendships she’s lost in her life – so I’m grateful for her vulnerability and for her creation of this friendship-focused, beautiful, sad, and hopeful piece of art. ...more

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Apr 22, 2019 Eric Smith rated it it was amazing

Shelves: young-adult

This book destroyed me and I thanked it for doing so.

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Feb 23, 2020 Lisa Wolf rated it really liked it

Shelves: young-adult, high-school-setting, friendship

Its refreshing to read a contemporary YA novel where romance takes a backseat. In When You Were Everything, the focus is on friendship or more specifically, on the end of friendship.

Few things are more traumatic for teen girls that losing a best friend. In When You Were Everything, we witness the pain and sorrow and rage that occurs when besties forever, Cleo and Layla, fall apart.

It happens the way these things do. Friends since age twelve, the girls start moving in different directions at the It’s refreshing to read a contemporary YA novel where romance takes a backseat. In When You Were Everything, the focus is on friendship — or more specifically, on the end of friendship.

Few things are more traumatic for teen girls that losing a best friend. In When You Were Everything, we witness the pain and sorrow and rage that occurs when besties forever, Cleo and Layla, fall apart.

It happens the way these things do. Friends since age twelve, the girls start moving in different directions at the start of their sophomore year of high school. Layla wants more than anything to join the school chorus, and while the “Chorus Girls” adopt her right away, they have no interest in including Cleo in their elite circle.

Cleo’s feeling are hurt over and over again as Layla spends more time with her new friends than with Cleo, and small slights turn into bigger and bigger betrayals, until there’s a final and irreparable break.

Cleo is also dealing with her parents’ separation, and her new friendless status is made even worse by a stream of bullying and harassment she endures from the Chorus Girls while Layla stands by and does nothing.

Cleo is smart and driven, but she also makes some poor choices, lashing out in hurtful ways when her own feelings are hurt. And while I felt that Layla was more to blame for the friendship break-up, Cleo isn’t blameless either.

When You Were Everything is hard to read at times, specifically because it’s so relatable. My own high school years are way in the past, but Cleo’s feelings as she’s isolated and tormented ring very true, in a sadly timeless sort of way.

I enjoyed seeing how Cleo opens herself up to new friendships and learns to see what’s in front of her instead of living inside her own head so much. There’s a sweet romance too, but it’s less important than what Cleo learns about herself and about friendship.

The cast of characters is nicely diverse, and I liked the way the story includes the importance of family and the impact of parents’ and grandparents’ support, love, and involvement. Despite the sadness of the end of a friendship, the book ends on a hopeful note.

Definitely a recommended read!

Review copy courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley. Full review at Bookshelf Fantasies. ...more

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Feb 26, 2020 Mandi1082 rated it it was amazing

When You Were Everything by Ashley Woodfork brought me back to my high school days. It brought out all the feels that those days gave me. When Cleo starts realizing that she might be losing her best friend she begins having a hard time dealing with life. Not only is she losing her best friend but her parents are also separating. This books deals with alternating dates "Then" and "Now" Then talks about how her friendship ended and Now deals with the present day Cleo. I also enjoyed the diversity ...more

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Apr 19, 2018 Warda marked it as to-read

Yup! Give it to me!

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Jan 16, 2020 Justin A Reynolds rated it it was amazing

This book has everything I want and gave me a few things I didnt understand I needed. Wise and melancholic, gorgeously nostalgic, Woodfolks stories pummel your heart and make you stronger for it. ...more

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Mar 01, 2020 Ms. Woc Reader rated it liked it

Shelves: poc-ya

This book was beautifully written though the pacing was a little slow at times. Cleo and Layla have been best friends for years. But once Layla starts hanging out with the chorus girls she gains a little more confidence and starts hanging out with Cleo less; Not to mention Layla's new friend Sloane doesn't seem to like Cleo at all and turns the other chorus girls against her. And Sloane ends up starting a rumor which really hurts Cleo and her family.

While reading it I wanted to judge Cleo for ...more

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Nov 27, 2019 PinkAmy loves books, cats and naps rated it really liked it

***Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a complimentary copy of WHEN YOU WERE EVERYTHING by Ashley Woodfolk in exchange for my honest review.***

4.5 STARS

Cleo and Layla are best friends. Until they arent. Cleo, jealous when Laylas world expanding with new friends and opportunities, sees her friends growth as rejection. She strikes out and Laylas friends strike back. Cleo escalates with a cruel comment about Laylas stuttering and things go from bad to worse.

Friendships are complicated. Friends don ...more

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Oct 14, 2019 Rec-It Rachel rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2019-reads, 2020-releases

told in dual timelines of then and now, ashley woodfolk's newest masterpiece is about what happens when both sides of a friendship implode and how you can't put the pieces back together but you can make two new puzzles

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Mar 15, 2020 Giulia rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: the-underwhelming, the-average

"Losing you wounded me. Probably more than you know. If I hurt you just as deeply, Im sorry."

This was a somewhat refreshing story to read.
Refreshing but not memorable, if I have to be honest.

It does not happen that often that the focus point of a YA contemporary is not romance, and so when it actually happens you just gotta jump at the occasion and read the damn book.

This was indeed a YA contemporary which heavily centered around friendship and what it means to stop being friend with your BFF ...more

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Mar 23, 2018 Melanie (bookswritinghappiness) marked it as to-read

Shelves: most-anticipated-2020

03-23-18 | I havent even read The Beauty That Remains yet and Im already super hype for another Ashley Woodfolk book : )
04-29-18 | I just finished The Beauty That Remains and wow I can't wait to read more of Ashley Woodfolk's writing!! Also, I just realized how much this synopsis reminds me of I'll Give You the Sun, and I freaking love that book, so I have high hopes for When You Were Everything. Is it 2019 yet?? ...more

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Feb 12, 2020 Samantha (WLABB) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arcs, ya, contemporary, 2020, 2020diverseread

Layla entered her life at time when Cleo really needed her, and now, as her family was falling apart, she was gone. Once she was Cleo's everything, but now, they were veritable strangers.

I am so happy to be seeing more and more of these friend breakup stories. I bet many people have experienced a painful end to what they thought was a lifelong relationship, and therefore, many will be able to relate to what Cleo was going through. In fact, my heart ached, often, as I read this book, because I Layla entered her life at time when Cleo really needed her, and now, as her family was falling apart, she was gone. Once she was Cleo's everything, but now, they were veritable strangers.

I am so happy to be seeing more and more of these friend breakup stories. I bet many people have experienced a painful end to what they thought was a lifelong relationship, and therefore, many will be able to relate to what Cleo was going through. In fact, my heart ached, often, as I read this book, because I have been there, and it wasn't any easier watching it happen to someone else.

Cleo was this "old soul", who I instantly loved. She adored The Bard, and was often found listening to classic jazz due to the influence of her beloved grandmother. Cleo was happy living in her bubble with Layla, but unfortunately, Layla was changing, and wanted to expand her social circle. This was a case of two people growing apart, and though there's no crime in that, both Layla and Cleo committed quite a few missteps, until their friendship reached a rather irreparable point.

I loved the way Woodfolk took me back and forth, between the past and the present. I watched as, bit by bit, this once solid friendship unraveled until the bond was lost forever. Present Cleo spent a lot of time reflecting on what had happened, and what she did wrong, as she tried to rebuild her life without Layla. I felt like I was going through the stages of grief with her, which seemed really appropriate, as the death of a friendship can be such a profound loss for many.

I found myself more sympathetic towards Cleo, since I was always the one left behind, but I also understood Layla's need to stretch her wings. Needless to say, Cleo's loss was deep, but it also led to some wonderful new things for her.

Without Layla to rely on, Cleo began forming new friendships. She found people, who shared her passions, and appreciated her view of the world. She began to push herself, to put herself out there, working in the diner, and even finding some romance. This was not a smooth journey for Cleo. She was wounded and gun-shy. She was struggling with trusting and understanding why these people would want to be her friend. It was parts like these that pained me, but I understood her need for self preservation.

I read another friend breakup story, not too long ago, and I feel like Woodfolk's was more successful for me, because of the amount of time spent on the post mortem part of the relationship. It was also more hopeful, and acknowledged that, though, a relationship had ended, it could still be an important part of your life.

Overall: A relatable story of the demise of a relationship, which was painfully honest, but hopeful.

*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

BLOG | INSTAGRAM |TWITTER | BLOGLOVIN | FRIEND ME ON GOODREADS ...more

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Jan 06, 2020 Emily Murray rated it really liked it

Shelves: diverse-reads, contemporary, poc, 2020-reads

Thanks to Random House Children's & NetGalley for the e-ARC!

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Feb 25, 2020 USOM rated it it was amazing

(Disclaimer: I received this book from the author. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)

When You Were Everything is a heart wrenching story about mistakes, friendship, and loss. The friendships and loss which hits us harder than any other relationship. When someone was a part of you - a piece of your soul - and they begin drifting away, they break apart. I knew from the beginning that When You Were Everything was going to be emotional, but it's also a love letter to ...more

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Feb 06, 2020 Jeannette rated it really liked it

Shelves: ya, arc, book-bingo-2020

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. What do you do when your best friend, the person who has always been there through everything, suddenly... isn't?

That's the premise of Woodfolk's latest: Cleo, a teen girl with a love of Shakespeare, finds herself growing apart from her best friend Layla. At the same time, she's dealing with the dissolution of her parents' marriage, overtures from the new guy in school, and the possibility of achieving her deepest dream.

This book hit me in the heart. Just like most, I've had those experiences of ...more

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Feb 08, 2020 Cat rated it it was ok

Shelves: lgbtq, read-in-2020

I'm sorry, but that was so weak.

I loved Beauty that remains - emotions, characters having distinct voices, story line... But where The Beauty that remains was emotional and easy to feel, When You Were Everything is dull and distant. Yeah, I get it, it's about friendship - losing one, finding other. But why no one is talking about how Cleo deserved that? Girl. People grow apart, people change. You couldn't handle that, did something terrible, and even though you did apologize - Layla doesn't ...more

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Mar 17, 2020 Julie Jaeger rated it it was amazing

"That's the thing about words: they can leave you both unscathed and completely gutted. Girls wage endless wars with their voices, tearing you apart without touching you at all (250)."

In When You Were Everything, Ashley Woodfolk captures all that is girl friendship. The way girls can feed each others' souls; the way girls can tear each other into pieces.

Cleo and Layla's friendship is at the core of the story, moving between the then and now timelines seamlessly. Teens will identify with the way ...more

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Dec 22, 2019 Heather rated it it was amazing

Oh my lord Jesus this book was absolutely brilliant! The main character goes through trials of losing friends and gaining more. She goes through her family being separated but, it was written so beautiful! Ashley Woodfolk knew what she was doing when she wrote this book and it was absolutely amazing. Its honestly leaving me speechless! ...more

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Dec 13, 2019 Cristy rated it it was amazing

Full offense but how dare Ashley Woodfolk make me cry on my morning commute today!! If I had to read this and cry over having my friendship breakups reflected back at me then so do you. Thank you to the author for this extremely relatable story and for the unexpected ARC after our chat at a YA book event last month, I can't wait to read the published version ♥

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Sep 25, 2018 Sidney Ropp marked it as to-read

Shelves: 2019-releases

This gives me complete I'll Give You the Sun vibes, and I've determined I need this book immediately.

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Mar 10, 2020 Alex added it

Recommends it for: fans of Brandy Colbert, books w/ Shakespeare references

Shelves: contemporary, net-galley, lgbtqia, own-voices, most-anticipated

I received an ARC of this novel through Net Galley for an honest review from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

4.5/5 stars
CW: divorce, loss of a loved one, grief, death, bullying
Rep: POC mc, Mulsim sc, Korean sc's queer sc's, stutter disability rep
"Why should he decide when he wants to be my friend? Why does everyone else get to pick when they want to be close to me and when they don't? I'm sick of it"

I feel so grateful to be given the chance to review this book early as Ashley I received an ARC of this novel through Net Galley for an honest review from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

4.5/5 stars
CW: divorce, loss of a loved one, grief, death, bullying
Rep: POC mc, Mulsim sc, Korean sc's queer sc's, stutter disability rep
"Why should he decide when he wants to be my friend? Why does everyone else get to pick when they want to be close to me and when they don't? I'm sick of it"

I feel so grateful to be given the chance to review this book early as Ashley Woodfolk is an author I adore. In her sophomore novel, she tackles the topics of divorce and platonic relationships. Friendship heartbreak and break-ups are such a common topic that happens to anyone of any age. Personally, I've had my fair share of friendships ending in the worst ways especially throughout my time in high school. So, I'm thankful for the story of Cleo and Layla.

Told through Then & Now, we follow Cleo's perspective as she is trying to make new memories in place of her old ones to seal the wound her ex-best friend, Layla has given her. Cleo learns a lot about herself while she grieves the loss of her childhood friend who she parts ways with from an unexpected turn of events. I was cheering for her, tbh.

I just love Ashley's writing and her characters. You will swoon over Dominick Grey and his smoothness. You'll want to eat a Dolly's diner just to see Lolly and Pop. Woodfolk writes their stories with such depth. I devoured this book! I wanted to punch Sloan as much as Cleo. Sloane made Cleo's life a living hell, which is the case for those who are bullied during their high school career. Layla's comments and her language toward Cleo, her once best-friend made me RAGE. But, Cleo stood tall and was so brave throughout the hardships she faced. Cleo was such a complex character to read about. I loved how passionate she was about London, her collection of snow globes and her love for Shakespeare. I loved reading about her daily subway routine and the places she visited in her hometown of New York. As well as the jazz artists she would listen to through her headphones.

As I already mentioned, I devoured this book and I recommend it to everyone. At times it felt like a Brandy Colbert novel, so I would recommend it to fans of Brandy Colbert. But, as someone who loves grief in their stories, Ashley Woodfolk nailed it again. ...more

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Mar 14, 2020 Teresa McWaters rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2020-releases, contemporary

Reading a book like this, a book that focuses on the ups and downs of friendship, was so refreshing to me. I feel like we don't get to see friendship-focused books nearly enough. Yes, there was a romance, but it took the backseat and allowed room for Cleo and Layla's story. I think friendship drama is something that everyone goes through in high school, but it isn't talked about nearly enough in YA literature so I'm glad this story is out in the world for people to read.

Another thing I really Reading a book like this, a book that focuses on the ups and downs of friendship, was so refreshing to me. I feel like we don't get to see friendship-focused books nearly enough. Yes, there was a romance, but it took the backseat and allowed room for Cleo and Layla's story. I think friendship drama is something that everyone goes through in high school, but it isn't talked about nearly enough in YA literature so I'm glad this story is out in the world for people to read.

Another thing I really liked about this book was the fact that Cleo wasn't written to be a perfect protagonist and Layla wasn't the only one in the wrong. When I first started reading I didn't like Layla at all and I couldn't believe that she would be so mean to her best friend. But as the story progressed I realized that both Cleo and Layla made mistakes in their friendship. They both did some horrible things to each other. That made for a much more realistic and human story. They were both very flawed and that's what made me sympathize with them. And I loved all of the side characters as well. Sydney and Willa were the best, Dom and Jase were both great, and I loved seeing Cleo's relationship with her parents as well.

I won't give any spoilers about the ending but I will say that it wasn't what I expected it to be (in a good way). The ending that I was picturing was kind of clique and predictable but I was so satisfied and happy with the way that it actually turned out.

I do have to say that this book had some John Green vibes to it at times. Cleo often quoted Shakespeare and carried around Othello with her at all times. There was even a flashback scene were Cleo was twelve and was quoting Hamlet in her head. I know for a fact that no twelve years old would be doing that. That didn't bother me too much but I now that type of teenage story can bother some people. I actually kind of enjoyed how Cleo took everything as a sign of something.

With all that being said I highly recommend this book! It was a thoroughly enjoyable and important story about teenage friendship. I will definitely check out anything from Ashley Woodfolk in the future!

*I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review* ...more

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Mar 17, 2020 Shannon (It Starts At Midnight) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read-for-review, 2020, march-2020

You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight

4.5*

What happens when a friendship you thought you'd have forever breaks up? That is what When You Were Everything explores in brutal honesty and fabulous realism. And it's something that I imagine everyone can relate to. The loss of someone important to you, the grief of moving on without them. Cleo never thought she'd have to move on from Layla. Layla had been like a sister to Cleo You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight

4.5*

What happens when a friendship you thought you'd have forever breaks up? That is what When You Were Everything explores in brutal honesty and fabulous realism. And it's something that I imagine everyone can relate to. The loss of someone important to you, the grief of moving on without them. Cleo never thought she'd have to move on from Layla. Layla had been like a sister to Cleo ever since Cleo lost her beloved grandmother.

The author tells the story through dual timelines. We're with Cleo in the present, as she tries to rebuild her life without Layla, and we get glimpses of what lead to the demise of their friendship. The whole story felt so honest. Layla started hanging out with a new group of girls who, frankly, aren't very nice. Cleo is hurt, and acts out a bit. And it all devolves from there, in ways I won't tell you because I don't want to spoil it.

But the gist is, Cleo has to find out who Cleo is. Without a person she thought would always be there for her, but on her own. She needs to figure out what sort of friend she wants to be, what sort of daughter she wants to be, and perhaps what kind of partner she wants to be. At first, Cleo tries to rewrite her memories- literally make new ones of the places and things she enjoys without Layla in them. But we know this is unsustainable, but Cleo must figure that out.

As she continues her journey, she has the love and support of her parents, and there are a lot of family elements in the book as well. She also will meet a lot of new people who could be potential friends (or maybe more!) but Cleo needs to relearn how to let people in. That is so hard, and it's a lesson we all need to hear once in a while.

Bottom Line: Cleo's story is a powerful tale of love and loss and finding oneself again. When You Were Everything is perfect for anyone who has ever experienced a loss- that is to say, every one of us. ...more

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Mar 04, 2020 Ciera ( bubblynbookish ) rated it really liked it

Shelves: well-read-black-girl

*Contains a few spoilers*
Overall: A quick and heart pulling read for teens. I took a breathe at the end. This story set off a few memories with old friends I tucked away years ago.

This is a beautiful story about the ending to a long-lasting friendship. This is a story about forgiveness, love, loss, and new beginnings. I didnt think I would stay hooked but I really really wanted to know what happened between Cleo and Layla. There was a lot of pettiness and typical high school banter, but the back *Contains a few spoilers*
Overall: A quick and heart pulling read for teens. I took a breathe at the end. This story set off a few memories with old friends I tucked away years ago.

This is a beautiful story about the ending to a long-lasting friendship. This is a story about forgiveness, love, loss, and new beginnings. I didn’t think I would stay hooked but I really really wanted to know what happened between Cleo and Layla. There was a lot of pettiness and typical high school banter, but the back and forth time line was a little much for me. I was impatiently trying to figure out what happened between the forever friends, and it looks like they are both at fault for many horrible things. Cleo is constantly saying she’s done Layla wrong, but an apology doesn’t come until later. After they both apologize to each other, Layla seems like the mature one. She even tells Cleo “thank you” for helping with her paper. But Cleo is still upset and lashes out at her again. They don’t have to be friends, I don't think anyone expects them to, but I wish they could be in the same space without animosity. I wish they could both be cordial with each other. The ending wasn’t clear enough for me to be at peace with how they’re going to be, but I guess that’s how life is, you never really know.

I love that Ashley Woodfolk showed new friendships and a love interest without them being the focus of the story. Cleo's new friends are so supportive and I'm happy she learns to be open and honest about her feelings and actions going forward. Cleo was trying to figure out how to move on in life with so many woes hitting her at once. She lost people in different ways: her grandmother passing, her father being kicked out the house, and her best friend finding new friends (etc.). Things were changing and her world seemed like it was falling apart. But Cleo pushed through, did some things she's not proud of, and found new lights at the end.

I would definitely recommend this book to any lost teen trying to navigate losing someone, especially a friend. Sometimes people grow apart. Sometimes things change. And sometimes it's best to move forward because there is always a group of new opportunities (friendships) waiting for you.

I received this arc from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review* ...more

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Feb 03, 2020 meghana rated it really liked it

When You Were Everything

( Arc received from Net Galley)

"Somehow I'm the girl who makes all the wrong choices, but I am also a girl who aches in every way to be wanted despite my mistakes "

I requested this arc on a whim and it turned out to be something that came to me in the perfect time in my life. If you have been through a friendship breakup, toxic friendship, or even questioning whether you should cut someone out of your life, definitely check this book out.

The story follows our main ...more

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Mar 11, 2020 Smileitsjoy (JoyMelody) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: young-adult-reads, 2020-anticipated-books-reads

This book broke me!
For once a book that addresses the complexities of friendships. Across cultures. During high school.
Where romance isnt the main focus, although can we get a sequel cause i want to know more about Dom and Cleo lol!
Anyway, the writing of this book is amazing. Its also a book that i would pair with reading of Shakespeare. It really highlights the main themes of the plays.

I related so much to Cleo. I too hid away in books. Wore thick glasses. Didnt really have friends. Was left ...more

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Jan 28, 2020 Kennedy rated it really liked it

Shelves: 4-stars, netgalley, 2020-reading-challenge

Amazing book about losing a best friend and moving on. I really related to the main character. She handled losing a friend the way I imagine most teens would.

This book is told in dual timelines of then and now, and I think it works perfectly for the book. The then is when the MC Cleo and her ex-best friend Layla were still close but starting to drift. The now is Cleo moving on and trying to start a new life with Layla. I love the dual timelines and I love that you dont find out everything that ...more

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Feb 26, 2020 Elizabeth Mellen rated it it was amazing

4.5 stars! This was so good. Sometimes I struggle with multiple timelines, but this one was done well and was easy to follow. I loved seeing a book centered on female friends, instead of focusing heavy on relationships (though there are some) and this was just the kind of contemporary that I would love to see more of. Plus I really enjoyed the diverse cast of characters.

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Mar 09, 2020 Jennifer rated it it was amazing

Shelves: contemporary-fiction, young-adult, losing-friendship

If you ever lost a friendship that you swore you would have forever, this is the book for you. I've lost my share and while the process has never been as dramatic as this, it was cathartic to read.

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Feb 16, 2020 Grayson rated it liked it

Just about everyone has gone through an awful friend breakup, but no one ever talks about it. Reading this book felt so validating and it was so fresh to read about these feelings that are so rarely spoken about. The writing and story was so realistic and emotional and was way too relatable. Also it was so nice to see that the main character could admit that she did wrong too. I was ready to have to read an annoying, can-do-no-wrong MC, so I was relieved that this book went deeper than that. ...more

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About Ashley Woodfolk

Ashley Woodfolk

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Ashley Woodfolk graduated from Rutgers University with a BA in English and her life-long love of books led her straight to the publishing industry. She's a member of the CBC Diversity Committee and markets books for children and teens. In her abundance of "spare" time, she writes contemporary YA. Indie movies, beer, books, and burgers are a few of her favorite things. She lives in Brooklyn with ...more