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When We Were Strangers
Seventeen-year-old Evie Parker is devastated in the wake of her father’s sudden death. But she knows something her mother doesn’t: the day of his heart attack, her dad was planning to move out. After finding his packed bags, an impulsive Evie puts everything away, desperate to spare her mom more heartache.
To make matters worse, Evie soon learns the reason her father was going to leave: he had been dating his twenty-two-year-old receptionist, Bree, who is now six months pregnant. Desperate to distract herself, Evie signs up for a summer photography class where she meets a motley crew of students, including quirky and adorable Declan. Still, Evie can’t stop thinking about her father’s mistress. Armed with a telephoto lens, she caves to her curiosity, and what starts as a little bit of spying on Bree quickly becomes full-blown stalking. And when an emergency forces Evie to help Bree, she learns there’s more to the story than she ever knew…
Alex Richards crafts an addicting and compelling new story about betrayal, complicated family secrets, and getting to the heart of what matters — ultimately asking readers how far they’d be willing to go to unravel the truth.
To make matters worse, Evie soon learns the reason her father was going to leave: he had been dating his twenty-two-year-old receptionist, Bree, who is now six months pregnant. Desperate to distract herself, Evie signs up for a summer photography class where she meets a motley crew of students, including quirky and adorable Declan. Still, Evie can’t stop thinking about her father’s mistress. Armed with a telephoto lens, she caves to her curiosity, and what starts as a little bit of spying on Bree quickly becomes full-blown stalking. And when an emergency forces Evie to help Bree, she learns there’s more to the story than she ever knew…
Alex Richards crafts an addicting and compelling new story about betrayal, complicated family secrets, and getting to the heart of what matters — ultimately asking readers how far they’d be willing to go to unravel the truth.
359 pages, Hardcover
First published July 13, 2021
25 people are currently reading
3711 people want to read
About the author
Alex Richards
3 books135 followersAlex Richards has been writing young adult fiction since the age of ten, with stacks of spiral notebooks to prove it. Also a freelance magazine contributor, Alex enjoys making no-budget horror movies, taking photographs, and crafting. Raised in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Alex lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two very silly kids.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
September 6, 2021
Hey! Thank you for checking out my book!
June 10, 2021
I am a massive fan of Accidental, so I was eager to pick up the author’s latest novel, When We Are Strangers. Again, Alex Richards delivers a novel that is full of emotional tension.
Evie Parker is distraught to learn of her father’s death. But when she finds his bags packed, ready to leave her and her mum for his pregnant mistress, Evie decides to unpack them and hide the truth from her mother. As she carries the weight of both the secret and her grief, Evie finds herself turned towards photography and entered into a photography course by her uncle. The course and her eclectic classmates give Evie the outlet she needs, but when she happens upon her father’s mistress and begins to capture images of her, Evie learns there is so much she didn’t know and so much she has still to learn.
When We Were Strangers is both gut-wrenching but also uplifting. For all the grief and emotional baggage Evie is carrying, there are moments of light, humour and human connection. I very much enjoyed Evie’s voice. She narrates the story and her teenage-ness just shines through so authentically and uniquely. She is sad, lonely and grieving and that comes through in her words and thoughts. At times she seems whiney or sulky, but that is so perfectly real. She has the right to be snarky and she uses that to the best effect.
The photography course provides the perfect backdrop to this story and introduces some fantastic characters. It also provides our romantic interest.
Evie is pushed to the very edge to challenge what she believes in and what she knows to be truly important. She doesn’t get everything right, in fact she makes a lots of judgements and mistakes, but she learns and grows so much as a character.
When We Were Strangers is a book about grief, family secrets and healing and has so much heart.
The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.
Find more reviews, reading age guides, content advisory, and recommendations on my blog Madison's Library
Evie Parker is distraught to learn of her father’s death. But when she finds his bags packed, ready to leave her and her mum for his pregnant mistress, Evie decides to unpack them and hide the truth from her mother. As she carries the weight of both the secret and her grief, Evie finds herself turned towards photography and entered into a photography course by her uncle. The course and her eclectic classmates give Evie the outlet she needs, but when she happens upon her father’s mistress and begins to capture images of her, Evie learns there is so much she didn’t know and so much she has still to learn.
When We Were Strangers is both gut-wrenching but also uplifting. For all the grief and emotional baggage Evie is carrying, there are moments of light, humour and human connection. I very much enjoyed Evie’s voice. She narrates the story and her teenage-ness just shines through so authentically and uniquely. She is sad, lonely and grieving and that comes through in her words and thoughts. At times she seems whiney or sulky, but that is so perfectly real. She has the right to be snarky and she uses that to the best effect.
The photography course provides the perfect backdrop to this story and introduces some fantastic characters. It also provides our romantic interest.
Evie is pushed to the very edge to challenge what she believes in and what she knows to be truly important. She doesn’t get everything right, in fact she makes a lots of judgements and mistakes, but she learns and grows so much as a character.
When We Were Strangers is a book about grief, family secrets and healing and has so much heart.
The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.
Find more reviews, reading age guides, content advisory, and recommendations on my blog Madison's Library
February 1, 2022
When We Were Strangers is a roller-coaster of emotions for both the main character, Evie, and the reader. The same day her dad dies, Evie finds out that he had been planning to move out, if his packed suitcases are any indication. Covering it up as to not upset her mom any more than she is, Evie thinks she’s doing the right thing. But then she overhears her mom talking about her dad having had an affair with his young receptionist. Now Evie has no idea what to think or even how to process her grief.
Through Evie’s narration I felt like I could really feel her struggle with dealing with the grief and other emotions. I mean, not only is she grieving her dad and trying to process his affair, but then she also has to deal with her mom – who isn’t making any of this easier – and channel her anger when she realizes exactly who her dad was having an affair with. Evie makes decisions that surprise herself as she copes and learns how to process her emotions, which she does via a photography course.
The photography course plotline was a great way to have Evie get out and not spend her summer along and in misery. It got her away from her mother, who was falling apart for most of the story, and she got to meet a group of eccentric characters, including the cute and interesting Declan.
Because a summer romance is exactly what Evie needs right now, right?
Despite Evie wanting to protect her heart, she quickly finds herself falling for Declan and can’t help but want to spend time with him. I totally get her reluctance, not only because Declan was leaving at the end of summer anyway, but also due to the fact that she no longer trusts if romance really lasts.
Declan was adorable, plain and simple. I love his mixed Japanese and Irish nationality and how he was with his grandparents. He was just an easy-going guy and pushed Evie to do the right thing, without being a jerk about it. Then there was Evie’s best friend, Juana, who was a great addition to the story. She also pushed her bestie to do the right thing, but also understood Evie’s side of things and cared about how Evie’s interest in knowing more about Bree would affect both Evie and Evie’s mom.
Overall, this book goes through much more than I can really fit into a review. It deals with family, grief, relationships, forgiveness, and healing with a great cast of characters and a story that won’t be easily forgotten.
Through Evie’s narration I felt like I could really feel her struggle with dealing with the grief and other emotions. I mean, not only is she grieving her dad and trying to process his affair, but then she also has to deal with her mom – who isn’t making any of this easier – and channel her anger when she realizes exactly who her dad was having an affair with. Evie makes decisions that surprise herself as she copes and learns how to process her emotions, which she does via a photography course.
The photography course plotline was a great way to have Evie get out and not spend her summer along and in misery. It got her away from her mother, who was falling apart for most of the story, and she got to meet a group of eccentric characters, including the cute and interesting Declan.
Because a summer romance is exactly what Evie needs right now, right?
Despite Evie wanting to protect her heart, she quickly finds herself falling for Declan and can’t help but want to spend time with him. I totally get her reluctance, not only because Declan was leaving at the end of summer anyway, but also due to the fact that she no longer trusts if romance really lasts.
Declan was adorable, plain and simple. I love his mixed Japanese and Irish nationality and how he was with his grandparents. He was just an easy-going guy and pushed Evie to do the right thing, without being a jerk about it. Then there was Evie’s best friend, Juana, who was a great addition to the story. She also pushed her bestie to do the right thing, but also understood Evie’s side of things and cared about how Evie’s interest in knowing more about Bree would affect both Evie and Evie’s mom.
Overall, this book goes through much more than I can really fit into a review. It deals with family, grief, relationships, forgiveness, and healing with a great cast of characters and a story that won’t be easily forgotten.
July 31, 2021
Full Review: https://rueisreadingcorner.blogspot.c...
3.5
Evie Park is still getting over her father's sudden death when she returns home to find her father's packed bags. As if returning from the hospital wasn't enough, she discovers that her father had planned to move out earlier that day.
On an impulse decision, Evie unpacks the bags and hides everything from her mother, including the reason why he left. Turns out, his receptionist is already 6 months pregnant! Evie soon takes up photography class to spy on her father's mistress, but soon discovers that there was a lot more to it than she initially thought.
This book was engaging because I couldn't put it down after I started it. I was really curious about what would happen next, but I found it to be a little predictable.
The interactions between Evie and the rest of the characters were touching and honest. I felt the same pain and sadness Evie did but also anger towards her dad for the way he treated his family.
Overall, When We Were Strangers was a book about grief, pain, and healing. It felt real and not everything was perfect which I liked.
3.5
Evie Park is still getting over her father's sudden death when she returns home to find her father's packed bags. As if returning from the hospital wasn't enough, she discovers that her father had planned to move out earlier that day.
On an impulse decision, Evie unpacks the bags and hides everything from her mother, including the reason why he left. Turns out, his receptionist is already 6 months pregnant! Evie soon takes up photography class to spy on her father's mistress, but soon discovers that there was a lot more to it than she initially thought.
This book was engaging because I couldn't put it down after I started it. I was really curious about what would happen next, but I found it to be a little predictable.
The interactions between Evie and the rest of the characters were touching and honest. I felt the same pain and sadness Evie did but also anger towards her dad for the way he treated his family.
Overall, When We Were Strangers was a book about grief, pain, and healing. It felt real and not everything was perfect which I liked.
August 2, 2021
This book was very good.
July 13, 2021
if you ever listened to any of my reviews and thought “hey, maybe i should buy this book” pls believe me when i say THIS ONE IS WORTH EVERY PENNY.
i was lucky enough to receive a physical arc from the author after winning her giveaway and OH MY GOD.
5/5 ⭐️ for SURE. this book was simply stunning. it felt like it was somehow written for me, and i loved every second of it. i was in a reading slump when i started it and this book single handedly YANKED ME OUT OF IT. i binged like 200 pages of it just today bc it was simply SO ADDICTIVE.
this book deals with grief in such a beautiful way, and nothing about it felt forced or un relatable. i dont even know how to properly describe this book, all i know is that this book deserves every single preorder. this book is sweet, sad, relatable and simply stunning. definitely a new favorite.
i was lucky enough to receive a physical arc from the author after winning her giveaway and OH MY GOD.
5/5 ⭐️ for SURE. this book was simply stunning. it felt like it was somehow written for me, and i loved every second of it. i was in a reading slump when i started it and this book single handedly YANKED ME OUT OF IT. i binged like 200 pages of it just today bc it was simply SO ADDICTIVE.
this book deals with grief in such a beautiful way, and nothing about it felt forced or un relatable. i dont even know how to properly describe this book, all i know is that this book deserves every single preorder. this book is sweet, sad, relatable and simply stunning. definitely a new favorite.
October 2, 2021
The first line grabbed me, and by page three I was a goner. I would have finished it in a few days if it hadn't been September (teacher nightmare month). Evie's story threads grief, anger, love, friendship, and acceptance through a literal and figurative lens of personal growth. Oh, and I LOVE the mom-daughter dynamic. Yes, yes, yes.
For the classroom, 8th grade and up, but most mature 7th graders would love it, too.
For the classroom, 8th grade and up, but most mature 7th graders would love it, too.
dnf
July 22, 2021Unfortunately, this book just wasn't for me.
The premise really drew me in--Evie's father's passes away unexpectedly and when she gets home from the hospital, she finds all of his belongings packed up. She then goes on to learn that not only was he going to leave her and her mother, but he was having an affair with a much younger woman who was also pregnant. Evie takes it upon herself to investigate and try to keep the truth from her mother.
The story started off on the wrong foot right off the bat. It immediately begins with Evie getting home and finding her father's suitcases packed up and ready to leave. We don't get any introduction into Evie, her father, her relationship with her father--nothing. So while we're supposed to be grieving the loss of this girl's father and feel this betrayal along with her, we can't because we don't even know who these characters are yet.
Instead, this book should've started at the beginning of the day, which ends up being glossed over in a brief flashback, where Evie went to school thinking it was a normal day, hears her father had a heart attack, and moves forward from there. That way we would have an understanding of her "normal life" before it was disrupted by her father's death.
Not to mention, the writing was very immature. Evie's 17 but her voice reads like someone much younger because of how she's written. The dialogue was very awkward, and Evie kept picking fights with everyone over literally nothing at all just to--create conflict? establish that she's "edgy"? I'm not even sure, but it wasn't effective--it was just incredibly frustrating.
I wish I'd liked this story, but alas, I just couldn't put myself through finishing it.
The premise really drew me in--Evie's father's passes away unexpectedly and when she gets home from the hospital, she finds all of his belongings packed up. She then goes on to learn that not only was he going to leave her and her mother, but he was having an affair with a much younger woman who was also pregnant. Evie takes it upon herself to investigate and try to keep the truth from her mother.
The story started off on the wrong foot right off the bat. It immediately begins with Evie getting home and finding her father's suitcases packed up and ready to leave. We don't get any introduction into Evie, her father, her relationship with her father--nothing. So while we're supposed to be grieving the loss of this girl's father and feel this betrayal along with her, we can't because we don't even know who these characters are yet.
Instead, this book should've started at the beginning of the day, which ends up being glossed over in a brief flashback, where Evie went to school thinking it was a normal day, hears her father had a heart attack, and moves forward from there. That way we would have an understanding of her "normal life" before it was disrupted by her father's death.
Not to mention, the writing was very immature. Evie's 17 but her voice reads like someone much younger because of how she's written. The dialogue was very awkward, and Evie kept picking fights with everyone over literally nothing at all just to--create conflict? establish that she's "edgy"? I'm not even sure, but it wasn't effective--it was just incredibly frustrating.
I wish I'd liked this story, but alas, I just couldn't put myself through finishing it.
December 4, 2025
1.5 STARS
When Evie’s father dies suddenly, she discovers her was leaving her mother for his pregnant mistress, a young woman only five years older than she is.
WHEN WE WERE STRANGERS wasn’t an enjoyable read for me. Seventeen-year-old Evie had the maturity of a twelve-year-old. She makes a lot of assumptions without fact-checking and though most turned out to be true, the leaps seemed too convenient. Much of the story is predictable. Evie gets into a coveted photography program and guess what, she’s a prodigy.
The strongest part of WHEN WE WERE STRANGERS is the strength of the writing. Alex Richards is a terrific word builder. The quality of her word building sometimes made me stop and reread the sentence for its beauty.
Younger YA readers who like realistic fiction may enjoy WHEN WE WERE STRANGERS. It’s not a terrible book. Richards set the bar very high with ACCIDENTAL, hopefully her next book will bounce back.
When Evie’s father dies suddenly, she discovers her was leaving her mother for his pregnant mistress, a young woman only five years older than she is.
WHEN WE WERE STRANGERS wasn’t an enjoyable read for me. Seventeen-year-old Evie had the maturity of a twelve-year-old. She makes a lot of assumptions without fact-checking and though most turned out to be true, the leaps seemed too convenient. Much of the story is predictable. Evie gets into a coveted photography program and guess what, she’s a prodigy.
The strongest part of WHEN WE WERE STRANGERS is the strength of the writing. Alex Richards is a terrific word builder. The quality of her word building sometimes made me stop and reread the sentence for its beauty.
Younger YA readers who like realistic fiction may enjoy WHEN WE WERE STRANGERS. It’s not a terrible book. Richards set the bar very high with ACCIDENTAL, hopefully her next book will bounce back.
April 22, 2021
When We Were Strangers is a poignant, beautifully crafted story about grief, forgiveness, art, finding yourself and learning to love the people in your life for who they really are – flaws and all. At the beginning of this novel, Evie is lost and devastated over the loss of her father and a discovery that has shaken her to her core. A summer photography class that she reluctantly joins in on at first provides a distraction, but it soon becomes more: a path to new and unexpected connections, a path to self-discovery and a path to finding a way through her grief. Don't miss this one - it's a lovely mix of sad, funny and life-affirming.
April 2, 2021
Evie is understandably distraught when her father dies suddenly. But when she comes home from the hospital, she finds all her dad's things packed. He was going to leave them. To protect her mom, she puts it all away, but now she has a secret to keep. Alex Richards weaves another funny, yet heartbreaking story in this amazing read. I really liked that Evie was flawed and we get her growth as a person in this story. Plus the fun side characters were hilarious.
February 4, 2023
This broke my heart a little bit. It's one thing for your parents to be on the verge of divorce, but to find out you dad was cheating with a girl only a few years older than you AND that she's pregnant would be devastating. Then add that your dad died suddenly before you got to confront him. All that pent up emotion has to go somewhere and why not to the affair partner? Bree definitely knew she was a mistress, but she's so young that you can see how an older man, especially a superior at work, could have influence over her. What a mess.
I could see how Evie got wrapped up in all of this, she wanted answers. I think I'm too much of a grudge holder to have ever helped Bree, but Evie is a good person and I thought the way she and Bree started this sort of friendship made sense.
The romance was really secondary to all of this and not my favorite part. It could have been left out and the story would be the same.
I could see how Evie got wrapped up in all of this, she wanted answers. I think I'm too much of a grudge holder to have ever helped Bree, but Evie is a good person and I thought the way she and Bree started this sort of friendship made sense.
The romance was really secondary to all of this and not my favorite part. It could have been left out and the story would be the same.
December 25, 2021
super good! pretty different than what i normally read, so it was very intriguing! definitely recommend
January 13, 2023
3 ish stars?
July 18, 2021
My full review can be found on the Epilie Aspie Chick blog!
Thank you to Bloomsbury YA for providing the ARC for an honest review.
Life is complicated and death has this really fun way of highlighting that. Very rarely do we leave this world with all of our affairs perfectly wrapped up and easily taken care of. Alex Richards is easily one of my favorite authors because of how excellent she is at capturing the complex emotions a person has in difficult situations. This release only continues to show just how fantastic she is creating realistic characters who truly struggle like any one of us would in uncomfortable circumstances (at best).
Thank you to Bloomsbury YA for providing the ARC for an honest review.
Life is complicated and death has this really fun way of highlighting that. Very rarely do we leave this world with all of our affairs perfectly wrapped up and easily taken care of. Alex Richards is easily one of my favorite authors because of how excellent she is at capturing the complex emotions a person has in difficult situations. This release only continues to show just how fantastic she is creating realistic characters who truly struggle like any one of us would in uncomfortable circumstances (at best).
May 21, 2024
Genre(s): YA. contemporary fiction, romance
Theme(s): loss, grief
Recommended for ages: 15+
Summary: Evie Parker father's death comes as a shock. Equally shocking is her discovery that on the morning of her father's heart attack she finds his bags all packed and ready to go. In an attempt to spare her mother even more grief, Evie unpacks all this things and puts them back where they belong. Soon Evie discovers her father's reason for leaving is his affair with his young receptionist-who is 6 months pregnant. Evie becomes obsessed with learning all she can about her father's mistress, using the skills she's learning in her summer photography class to aid her.
Review: A very interesting storyline. It had too much cursing for my taste, but the story was very compelling. A great look into what it means to be human and seeing ALL of someone else: the good and bad. A great look at exploring grief and the interchangeability of the different stages and coping mechanisms among different people.
Recommended for fans of: The Sun is Also a Star, Looking for Alaska
If you loved this book then you should try.... The Tenth Circle, The Impossible Knife of Memory
Star Rating: ✮✮✩✩✩
Theme(s): loss, grief
Recommended for ages: 15+
Summary: Evie Parker father's death comes as a shock. Equally shocking is her discovery that on the morning of her father's heart attack she finds his bags all packed and ready to go. In an attempt to spare her mother even more grief, Evie unpacks all this things and puts them back where they belong. Soon Evie discovers her father's reason for leaving is his affair with his young receptionist-who is 6 months pregnant. Evie becomes obsessed with learning all she can about her father's mistress, using the skills she's learning in her summer photography class to aid her.
Review: A very interesting storyline. It had too much cursing for my taste, but the story was very compelling. A great look into what it means to be human and seeing ALL of someone else: the good and bad. A great look at exploring grief and the interchangeability of the different stages and coping mechanisms among different people.
Recommended for fans of: The Sun is Also a Star, Looking for Alaska
If you loved this book then you should try.... The Tenth Circle, The Impossible Knife of Memory
Star Rating: ✮✮✩✩✩
June 2, 2022
I had high hopes for this book but ended up disappointed. I thought some of the things several of the characters did were ridiculous and implausible. I also could have done without all the f-words (yes, I know some teenagers probably speak like that, but not all) and repeated use of the term "aka."
July 29, 2021
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Thank you to Netgalley and Bloomsbury YA for the chance to read and review an early copy of Alex Richards new novel, out now!
T/w: death of a parent, grief, alcoholism
This was a GREAT story showcasing grief and how everyone grieves differently.
This is more of a dark YA that is both moving and inspiring. Losing someone is never easy, and watching Evie go through that and the different stages of grief while immersing herself into a new hobby of photography, was beautifully done.
We have a misfit of characters who started off as strangers to Evie and eventually became like family. I loved all of their different personalities and how they protected Evie, despite only meeting her weeks prior in this class. I think it showcased well how we can bond with others, no matter how different they are than us, through a shared love of an activity.
Evie was definitely selfish at times and at times a terrible friend to Juana, so that was frustrating, but then again she was only 17 and what teenager isnt selfish at times? Juana was amazing though. What a freaking amazing friend! She was devoted and non-judgmental and able to call Evie out on her BS when needed.
It was also interesting to see Evie connect with the “villain” of the story as they processed the same characters death together, and how connecting with her helped Evie in so many ways.
Overall, a beautiful story that I highly recommend. This is my first read but Richards but I will be picking up her other book on my shelf very soon.
September 10, 2021
While Evie and Bree might have attended high school together, albeit with several years of age between them, their re-connection, following the death of Evie's dad and her seismic discover when she returns home before her mother from the hospital where he died, is unplanned, at first unpleasant, and uncomfortable for both. It comes about after her uncle shows up too late to attend the funeral and attempts to make up for it by calling in a favor to get her enrolled in a challenging photography class.
Evie's trying to hide too much to be able to deal gracefully with everything coming at her. Things like learning to take good pictures, deal with her mother's crawl into self pity and wine bottles, her best friend's drama, now that she's back in a relationship with the girl who cheated on her the previous summer, and the hot guy in her class.
She could easily turn into a hot mess rivaling her mother, and while she has several awkward moments on her way back to emotional equilibrium, her growth and insight in the process make for an extremely satisfying read.
Evie's trying to hide too much to be able to deal gracefully with everything coming at her. Things like learning to take good pictures, deal with her mother's crawl into self pity and wine bottles, her best friend's drama, now that she's back in a relationship with the girl who cheated on her the previous summer, and the hot guy in her class.
She could easily turn into a hot mess rivaling her mother, and while she has several awkward moments on her way back to emotional equilibrium, her growth and insight in the process make for an extremely satisfying read.
March 20, 2022
Imagine your parent dies, and the day they die, you find out they were about to leave your family for someone else, you hide the evidence they were going, and it leads you to find the person they were leaving for.
IT IS A WILD RIDE WITH NO STOPS, FOLKS!
Thank you, Bloomsbury YA and NetGalley, for allowing me to read, review and honestly review this title!
TW: adultery, stalking, body image issues, death, grieving
I enjoyed this book, and it left me thinking about forgiveness -although please don't stalk your dad's mistress.
I felt for Evie, and I could understand and be on her side for the rage for losing her dad and his choice to have an affair and wanting to leave her family. But like Evie, I went on a journey of anger and forgiving but not forgetting as she came to know and be there for Bree.
The understanding was a strong emotion in this book for the reader; you can understand the feelings and paths of Bree, Evie and Evie's mum as we see their reactions and choices and regrets.
BONUS: Supernatural reference had me happy and cringe, but I was like that as a teen.
IT IS A WILD RIDE WITH NO STOPS, FOLKS!
Thank you, Bloomsbury YA and NetGalley, for allowing me to read, review and honestly review this title!
TW: adultery, stalking, body image issues, death, grieving
I enjoyed this book, and it left me thinking about forgiveness -although please don't stalk your dad's mistress.
I felt for Evie, and I could understand and be on her side for the rage for losing her dad and his choice to have an affair and wanting to leave her family. But like Evie, I went on a journey of anger and forgiving but not forgetting as she came to know and be there for Bree.
The understanding was a strong emotion in this book for the reader; you can understand the feelings and paths of Bree, Evie and Evie's mum as we see their reactions and choices and regrets.
BONUS: Supernatural reference had me happy and cringe, but I was like that as a teen.
April 3, 2021
I read the ARC of When We Were Strangers by Alex Richards and I loved it! I ate this book up. It had everything: drama, humor, grief, art, awkwardness, a little cutesy romance, complex feelings & relationships.
The description of this book alone was enough to peak my interest. After a teen girl, Evie Parker, learns of her dad's unexpected death, she comes home to discover that her dad was planning on leaving her mom...for his 22-year old receptionist who...is 6 months pregnant!
Of course, I had to know how this was going to play out. It is not a situation that is unheard of but it is also like a total nightmare to imagine. The way Richards wrote how Evie deals with the grief of losing her father and trying to protect her mom from her dad's secrets while also being an ordinary 17- year old girl made it so relatable in the most unbelievable of situations. This is the first book by Richards that I have read, and I love her writing style.
The description of this book alone was enough to peak my interest. After a teen girl, Evie Parker, learns of her dad's unexpected death, she comes home to discover that her dad was planning on leaving her mom...for his 22-year old receptionist who...is 6 months pregnant!
Of course, I had to know how this was going to play out. It is not a situation that is unheard of but it is also like a total nightmare to imagine. The way Richards wrote how Evie deals with the grief of losing her father and trying to protect her mom from her dad's secrets while also being an ordinary 17- year old girl made it so relatable in the most unbelievable of situations. This is the first book by Richards that I have read, and I love her writing style.
July 25, 2021
When Evie's father suddenly dies of a heart attack, she and her mom are devastated. But Evie realizes that things aren't always as they seem, when she comes home from the hospital to find all of her dad's things packed. Was he leaving them? Why? A good story about grief and complicated family situations.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 8, 2022
idk man… it was cute and all but also she took her gut feeling as fact and acted solely off of that which really pissed me off. like she saw one suitcase and assumed that some girl from her high school was pregnant with her dead dads baby. also the ending felt somewhat unresolved for some reason. for a quick read it was pretty good; 3.5/5
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April 13, 2021This YA novel has quite a set-up - 17 year old Evie Parker's dad dies of a sudden heart attack. When Evie arrives home from the hospital before her mom, she discovers her Dad had been in the process of moving out. To protect her mother, Evie unpacks his bags and hides the evidence. But of course more complications come to light. Evie and her mom have to process grief, anger and confusion to make their way back to love. A young adult novel for the older teen coming in July 2021.
November 9, 2021
14+
Thoroughly enjoyed this
RTC
Thoroughly enjoyed this
RTC
September 14, 2022
Forgettable. Everyone is always “smirking” and “flashing” each other smiles. This book could have benefited from an editor who owned a thesaurus. Also, the plot seemed inconceivable. One of the most famous photographers in the US is teaching an intro class at a photography school, and some random teen who had never picked up a camera and doesn’t even want to be there gets a spot in the class a week before it starts, and then is an incredible photographer? Hm…
July 8, 2025
I loved all the supernatural references!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 11, 2021
The book was really good. Once I got started, I couldn’t put it down
because I wanted to see what else was going to happen. It opens up with a death and it just goes on from there. Poor Evie thought she was doing the right thing but later realized that she lived in the same house but didn’t know what was happening and blamed her mom for lots of
things. This is a good book for both mothers and daughters to read.
Evie’s dad dies, and she finds out the same day that he died that he was moving out. So, in order to protect her mom from finding
out she puts all his stuff back. Evie and her mom don’t get along. She was more of a daddy’s girl. She enrolls in this photography class and through this class she learns to see what she had been missing. That her father had the affair, he got his mistress pregnant and the mom had been trying to cover this up in order to protect Evie. Evie starts spying on the mistress that went to her High school and she ends up helping in the birth of the mistress child. It is very entertaining.
because I wanted to see what else was going to happen. It opens up with a death and it just goes on from there. Poor Evie thought she was doing the right thing but later realized that she lived in the same house but didn’t know what was happening and blamed her mom for lots of
things. This is a good book for both mothers and daughters to read.
Evie’s dad dies, and she finds out the same day that he died that he was moving out. So, in order to protect her mom from finding
out she puts all his stuff back. Evie and her mom don’t get along. She was more of a daddy’s girl. She enrolls in this photography class and through this class she learns to see what she had been missing. That her father had the affair, he got his mistress pregnant and the mom had been trying to cover this up in order to protect Evie. Evie starts spying on the mistress that went to her High school and she ends up helping in the birth of the mistress child. It is very entertaining.
March 17, 2021
With vivid prose and a unique, engaging voice, Alex Richards explores the messy realities of love and loss in this complex, unflinchingly honest glimpse beneath the façade of public grief. When We Were Strangers is a genuine and gutting story that never fails to infuse even its bleakest moments with beauty, empathy, and steadfast hope.
August 29, 2021
I had so much expectations from this book, but sadly it didn't meet them.
Writing was REALLY repetitive.
I think the author wanted the writing to be humorous. It may seem a little funny, if you didn't know that her (MC's) father died just fifteen hours ago 💀
And this is just from chapter one.
Then there is this:
The phrase "but, like" is used 12 times in the book, "just, like" used 10 times. There is "are, like", " if, like" , "blah, like". And to say I never used to hate the word "like".
It seemed like the author wanted to make her seem like a normal, quirky teen, but teens do not talk like that; in grief or normally. MC just seems like a nut-job.
Writing issues aside, I didn't relate with the characters at all. The main character, Evie, is just that. A character. She does not seem like a real person, dealing with real grief about her dad's death, who is supposed to be very close to her.
This became really apparent since the whole book is about the impact of her dad's death and his secrets.
It's like someone trying to fake their emotions, except their acting skills are that of a third grade kid.
Then there is her mother. Wow.
Alex Richards is still relatively new, so I would really look forward to their future work, but this book was not it for me. 😶
Edit: Added blockquotes.
Writing was REALLY repetitive.
I want to cry all over again but I force a swallow, hauling the suitcase toward me. I’ve barely unzipped it when I spot an even bigger suitcase on the floor. And then a garment bag and a box by the door.That last line was really weird. No one can have internal monologues that wierd.
Hold on, what?
I think the author wanted the writing to be humorous. It may seem a little funny, if you didn't know that her (MC's) father died just fifteen hours ago 💀
And this is just from chapter one.
Then there is this:
The last of about twenty grieving guests finally stumbles out of our bereavement cave—aka Dad’s funeral reception, aka home—and....All these three paras were within the same chapter, which is only chapter 2. And this writing continues on and on, the word "aka" is used 20 times!! To say I was frustrated is an understatement.
Juana Lujan—aka our only remaining guest, aka my best friend—stands at..
Juana—aka Dean, aka my steadfast protector—cups her hands....
And, sorry for the realness but, like, what would this truth...Who talks like that? Who thinks like that? I am not kidding when I say the writing is BAD.
The phrase "but, like" is used 12 times in the book, "just, like" used 10 times. There is "are, like", " if, like" , "blah, like". And to say I never used to hate the word "like".
It seemed like the author wanted to make her seem like a normal, quirky teen, but teens do not talk like that; in grief or normally. MC just seems like a nut-job.
Writing issues aside, I didn't relate with the characters at all. The main character, Evie, is just that. A character. She does not seem like a real person, dealing with real grief about her dad's death, who is supposed to be very close to her.
This became really apparent since the whole book is about the impact of her dad's death and his secrets.
It's like someone trying to fake their emotions, except their acting skills are that of a third grade kid.
Then there is her mother. Wow.
Alex Richards is still relatively new, so I would really look forward to their future work, but this book was not it for me. 😶
Edit: Added blockquotes.
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