Diana Elliot Graham

When We Were

grayson gruber

“So it doesn’t matter how we choose to remember what happened between us. I know two things. One. I loved you. Two. Not enough.”

This is not a romance. But this is the perfect book for typical romance readers who like to hurt their own feelings. This has aspects of new adult and college days that is written in a way that felt so familiar. And not even invoking nostalgia which is my favorite kind of reflection, when I can look back in my past similar to the character but not wish I was there. I feel that everyone can pull aspects they either experienced or saw their friends through that are in this story. 

This is not without some (minor) flaws. I felt that the middle went a little long and we got stuck in the past too much. It’s a credit to present Arden because I genuinely wanted more of her current self! Same goes for “him”. Also, unfortunately there is grammatical confusion, I don’t want to call them errors cause I don’t feel qualified enough to do so. If they were purposeful I personally did not like them. Things like where quotations within paragraph breaks were put I was frequently pulled out of the story trying to figure out who was speaking. 

I desperately need this author to write actual HEA romance because the spice was so good. I recommend this book but with the CW of SA and it may cause you to ugly cry in a way you can’t fully comprehend or explain. 

Abigail

This is not a romance. But this is the perfect book for typical romance readers who like to hurt their own feelings. This has aspects of new adult and college days that is written in a way that felt so familiar. And not even invoking nostalgia which is my favorite kind of reflection, when I can look back in my past similar to the character but not wish I was there. I feel that everyone can pull aspects they either experienced or saw their friends through that are in this story. 

This is not without some (minor) flaws. I felt that the middle went a little long and we got stuck in the past too much. It’s a credit to present Arden because I genuinely wanted more of her current self! Same goes for “him”. Also, unfortunately there is grammatical confusion, I don’t want to call them errors cause I don’t feel qualified enough to do so. If they were purposeful I personally did not like them. Things like where quotations within paragraph breaks were put I was frequently pulled out of the story trying to figure out who was speaking. 

I desperately need this author to write actual HEA romance because the spice was so good. I recommend this book but with the CW of SA and it may cause you to ugly cry in a way you can’t fully comprehend or explain. 

There were 3 moments that really threw me for a loop: 1. Finding out that the alternate perspective from the beginning was Reid and not Josh, 2. Realizing that Josh was an asshole and not a good friend at all, and 3. Realizing that both Reid and AB had lives and families outside of each other since they had moved on. 

Being able to see the break up from both perspectives really showed how important it is to listen to what the other person is saying, not just what you think they're saying. I was so heartbroken that the whole thing could have been avoided. While I'm glad they both reached their own happy endings, I spent so much of the book wishing their happy endings were together that I found myself heartbroken when they weren't. 

Paige Carter 

There were 3 moments that really threw me for a loop: 1. Finding out that the alternate perspective from the beginning was Reid and not Josh, 2. Realizing that Josh was an asshole and not a good friend at all, and 3. Realizing that both Reid and AB had lives and families outside of each other since they had moved on. 

Being able to see the break up from both perspectives really showed how important it is to listen to what the other person is saying, not just what you think they're saying. I was so heartbroken that the whole thing could have been avoided. While I'm glad they both reached their own happy endings, I spent so much of the book wishing their happy endings were together that I found myself heartbroken when they weren't. 

A beautifully written and unique read. 

The way this book is written is truly a unique experience. Not uncommon to flash back into time for a first hand experience, but how that ties into the future is so well done that you’ll feel like you’re there, living out these pages. Prepare to cuddle up inside of 2007 and experience your first year of college all over again. 

The twist was an absolute mind f—-. I did not see it coming. I reread the page half a dozen times because I was so taken aback and just did not see it happening. Honestly, days later and I’m still shook about it. Please someone read this so I can empty the thoughts from my mind without spoiling it for someone. 

The way this book is written is truly a unique experience. Not uncommon to flash back into time for a first hand experience, but how that ties into the future is so well done that you’ll feel like you’re there, living out these pages. Prepare to cuddle up inside of 2007 and experience your first year of college all over again. 

The twist was an absolute mind f—-. I did not see it coming. I reread the page half a dozen times because I was so taken aback and just did not see it happening. Honestly, days later and I’m still shook about it. Please someone read this so I can empty the thoughts from my mind without spoiling it for someone. 

 ⚠️ tw tw ⚠️

(Non descriptive) Rape 

the troubled miscommunication trope 🤦🏻‍♀️

I know two things... One. I loved you. Two. Not enough. 

Happily ever afters have been so repeated over tales of lovers and romanticizers that we occasionally fall victim to the loss of the ending we thought was the finale. 

Diana Elliot Graham (or, ABH, for those who read to the end), beautifully rips apart the heartbreak that comes from losing a lifelong love and the (dreaded) miscommunication trope. While the story between Reid and Arden is touchingly tragic, they serve as figureheads for the readers who can see their own emotions mirrored back on the pages - if they are from a year ago, or twenty (closure has no expiration date, my friends). 

I won't lie. At times this book was... difficult to get through. Not for lack of interesting reading material and engaging character dynamics, but because ABH was so vividly able to put their hearts on the page. 

 heart on the page. Relationships are hard. Friendships are hard. Life is hard. But the beauty of growing up is finding your own story between the pages, and the lessons that come with it. 

To those who found the love of their life too soon, or perhaps had to say goodbye before the chapter finished, 

never let losing a great love prevent you from loving greatly

Cassie Burke

I know two things... One. I loved you. Two. Not enough. 

Happily ever afters have been so repeated over tales of lovers and romanticizers that we occasionally fall victim to the loss of the ending we thought was the finale. 

Diana Elliot Graham (or, ABH, for those who read to the end), beautifully rips apart the heartbreak that comes from losing a lifelong love and the (dreaded) miscommunication trope. While the story between Reid and Arden is touchingly tragic, they serve as figureheads for the readers who can see their own emotions mirrored back on the pages - if they are from a year ago, or twenty (closure has no expiration date, my friends). 

I won't lie. At times this book was... difficult to get through. Not for lack of interesting reading material and engaging character dynamics, but because ABH was so vividly able to put their hearts on the page. My heart on the page. Relationships are hard. Friendships are hard. Life is hard. But the beauty of growing up is finding your own story between the pages, and the lessons that come with it. 

To those who found the love of their life too soon, or perhaps had to say goodbye before the chapter finished, never let losing a great love prevent you from loving greatly. 

When We Were

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