We Used to Be Friends

Started reading this book because i was experiencing a weird friendship breakup and just wanted to feel like i'll have something to relate to. How this book is written is made for teens which isnt bad but the descriptions were just made for young teens which some just didnt click for me. The chronology was a bit confusing which bothered me throughout reading. But i give this a four star because it just helped me through this phase and im not mad about this book. Overall a light simple read!

I really liked this book even though it took me forever to read (though that has been my reading schedule during the pandemic!). A good and unique look at an end of a friendship.

4.5

4.5

read a rlly long time ago but it was so boring lmao i only chose it based on the cover

3.5 stars High school is a time where there are a lot of new things. New school, friends, relationships, thinking about college. It isn't an easy time in a teenager's life. Our main characters James and Kat have been best friends for as long as they can remember, but their friendship is definitely on the rocks their senior year. I loved how this story was told. The chapters switch between James and Kat and the time of year. I have to say I did have to get used to the fact the books jumps from past and future. The story still did flow, but I had to pay attention to this. We Used To Be Friends felt realistic. High school is a big time of change and friendships don't always survive. James sees Kat as a popular girl and she's along for the ride with the other girls. Her life is turned upside down with her parents' divorce and the world doesn't seem fair. The only thing is she doesn't know how to tell her best friend this story. Kat is still dealing with the aftermath of her mother's death and her father opening himself to new love. Add exploring a side of her sexuality she hadn't thought of yet. This doesn't always leave much room for friendship. This was a nice change in books that always end happily ever after. Friendship isn't always pretty and doesn't always survive high school. I think it's a good book for people going through this type of situation. Relationships can take over the time you normally give your best friend, things can happen that you don't feel comfortable telling your best friend and sometimes you just change. That doesn't mean the friendship didn't mean anything, but sometimes you just grow apart! I didn't give this book five stars, because there were some things that just didn't do well with me. The ending, while I understand doesn't always have to be one I like, felt really abrupt and not really fitting in this story. Also, at times, Kat did annoy me. It's good that the characters weren't perfect, but she did rub me the wrong way at times. That being said, I really still think this is a good book. Kat was really open about her sexuality and it was nice to see her proud. The parents felt realistic in this story and I like the way they were a part of this book. Even if I did need a little more character growth. All in all, a good story about friendship. And even if you grow apart, it doesn't make the friendship any less special while it lasted!

I don't usually read YA that isn't a fantasy one but I loved this. From the moment I picked this book up, I felt a warm familiar feeling. I've gone through a lot of friendship breakups recently and it's hurtful. They are far worse than relationship breakups, I think. When you end a relationship, you have your best friend to hold onto but when you lose your best friend, who do you have? James and Kat had a really special place in my heart while reading. I felt like looking at the mirror or reading my mind. Especially James; her actions, reactions, words were all relatable. I kept sending quotes to my friends saying "LOOK! THIS WAS ME!". Amy put everything I've felt in words, even the ones I couldn't find the words to describe.