Book Review: When We Were Strangers

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When We Were Strangers

Author: Alex Richards 

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When We Were Strangers is the story of Evie, who is navigating life in the aftermath of the sudden death of her father. Shortly after her father dies, Evie also discovers that he was having an affair with his receptionist (Bree), the receptionist is now 6 months pregnant, and he was planning to leave her mother. To help her cope, Evie signs up for a photography class and meets a new group of friends, but also uses the opportunity to find out more about Bree.

When We Were Strangers is the kind of book where the hits just keep coming. Losing her father? Hard enough. Finding out he was having an affair and was about to leave? Unbearable. But wait, the receptionist is also pregnant???? How much is 17 year old Evie supposed to handle? Evie's story is easy to engage with, and the reader will feel her multitude of emotions and struggles with each page. Her grief process is not linear, and she goes through conflicts with her mom, Bree, her friends, and her potential love interest while dealing with her hurt. I thought the book also did a good job conveying the difficulties felt by Evie's mother and Bree, and the reader will see all sides to this story. When We Were Strangers is a thoughtful YA read that shows the many different sides to dealing with the loss of a loved one, and is very worth picking up. 

Thanks to Netgalley and Bloomsbury USA Children's Books for this ARC; this is my honest and voluntary review.

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