WHEN WE WERE
They promised they would be friends forever…
No one messes with Whitney Blaire or her friends, which is why she can’t help but let it slip that someone spotted Tara’s boyfriend making out with one of the guy cheerleaders.
Even after spending hours training for her marathon, down-to-earth Tara can’t outrun the rumors about the boyfriend she thought was perfect.
Pinkie, the rock and “Big Sister” of their inseparable group, just wants things to stay exactly the way they are…
…but that’s not possible when new-girl Riley arrives in school and changes everything.
Suddenly Tara starts to feel things she’s never felt before—for anyone—while Whitney Blaire tries to convince her that this new girl is Trouble. Meanwhile, Pinkie’s world begins to crumble as she begins to suspect that the friends she depends on are not the girls she thought she knew.
Can friendship survive when all the rules are broken?
Author Alexandra Diaz 
About the Author:
Alexandra Diaz grew up bilingual in Puerto Rico and various U.S. states. Thanks to an over-active imagination, she’s always loved creating stories and “what-if” scenarios. She got her MA in Writing for Young People from Bath Spa University in Bath, England and is the author of five young adult and middle grade novels. When she is not writing, she gets paid to walk dogs, teach creative writing, web edit, and parade in costume on stilts; sadly, other things she enjoys—traveling, eating ice cream, and circus aerials—don’t pay. Yet. Visit her on Twitter @alexandratdiaz, on Facebook, or at: www.alexandra-diaz.com.
My Review:
The book is written in the alternating viewpoints of three high school friends: the rich, but lonely, Whitney Blaire, the smart “mother hen” Pinkie and athlete Tara. Each girl has her own distinct personality and voice. At the beginning of the book, Whitney Blaire shows Tara a photo she was texted that appears to show Tara’s boyfriend making out with Chris Sanchez, a male cheerleader. Tara tries to get past it, but they end up breaking up. When a new girl named Riley moves to town it disrupts all three of their lives and their friendship. I think the author handled the situation in a realistic way. Pinkie’s reaction is probably how some people really feel when they find out that their female best friend likes girls. “Does she like me like that? Will things be different now?” etc.
Each character has her own issues that she’s dealing with outside of the main issue of the book. Whitney Blaire may have everything, but her parents barely acknowledge her.
Pinkie really finds herself and realizes that she can’t let people use her and rely on her for everything. She needs to be her own person.
Tara is trying to figure out her new relationship with Riley and see where she stands with her friends when she encounters some family issues. I felt bad for her.
The supporting characters are well written too. David is a great, supportive friend to all three of them during everything since he grew up with them. He’s a great guy and seemed like someone I would be friends with. He didn’t even freak out over Tara’s new relationship. He was like “Ok. Our friend’s dating a girl. So what?” I love Tara’s mom! She’s very understanding and accepting. I wish more gay teens had parents like her. She just wants her daughter to be happy.
I like how everything leads up to the big marathon that Tara will be running. I think the ending was nice, but it was a little abrupt. I’m hoping there will be a second book but, if there isn’t that’s ok too.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Tanie's Reviews 