We Were Never Here by Andrea Bartz (304 pages)
Adventure Awaits Amongst These Pages
Summer is for adventures and reconnecting with friends and family, especially after living through COVID for the last year and a half. I know I’ve thoroughly enjoyed hugging my pals and exploring new sights, but I’ve yet to go on any wild adventures. With summer 2021 coming to a close, the only way I’ll get to do that is through the perfect end-of-summer read (thank goodness for books, am I right?).
My choice? We Were Never Here by Andrea Bartz. This one is How to Get Away With Murder meets Pretty Little Liars, with vivid descriptions not only of the destinations main characters and best friends Kristen and Emily travel to, but also of the pairs murky past sucked me right in until the very end. I felt like I was along for the adventure.
About We Were Never Here by Andrea Bartz
It’s not often that you meet a special person, the kind who instantly causes you to pause and think, “my life will never be the same”. This kind of person becomes more than your best friend; they become the family you choose. They make life better because they know what to do in any situation; they’re there to pick up the pieces when things fall apart and offer support in times of need. That’s how Emily feels about Kristen, her best friend for over a decade.
Every year, Emily and Kristen embark on a reunion trip. This year, they’re heading to Chile. After that hideous night in Cambodia last year, Emily is finally starting to feel like herself again. Chile with Kristen makes it seem like Sebastian, a vacation fling gone wrong, never happened…until Paolo.
The scene Emily finds when she returns to her hotel suite on their last night of their vacation is eerily similar to Cambodia. Broken glass, blood on the floor, the body of a fellow vacationer. What are they going to do this time?
Returning home from Chile, Emily jumps into a new relationship with Aaron, a barista from the local coffee shop, and throws herself into her work at Kibble, a fancy cat food delivery service. While she’s been struggling to bury her trauma, Kristen shows up for a surprise visit and Emily is forced to reckon with the truth. Ultimately, the question to be answered is: will the secrets Emily shares with Kristen destroy her life or can she shake them off?
The Bottom Line: 4/5 Brookie Stars
Captivated by the narrative, this was the adventure I needed without having to leave my couch.
What is your end of summer reading recommendation? Let us know here or DM us on our socials at @booknbrunch.
Favourite book: Purple, Green & Yellow by Robert Munsch
Favourite brunch item: waffles, fresh berries, maple syrup and, if she’s getting extra fancy, a little bit of coconut whipped cream to top it off
