When You Were Everything

Overall this book had so many good components in it and I would recommend it to so many people. Here's why:
1. The representation is amazing! Not only do we have diversity in terms of race, but also LBGTQIA+ characters and disability rep also. What makes it even better is that for the most part, they aren't statements. They don't have to be included with an exclamation point. Life is this diverse and we shouldn't even blink in the face of it in literature.
2. Its relatable! So many books focus on romance and heartbreak and not enough about how much friendship is valued, and more importantly, how devastating losing that someone is. I personally related to it in many ways, not all because this is a story of its own, but enough to make this book great. I know that most people reading it would relate also.
3. The main character is not perfect. It was annoying at times but it reflects how we are human.
4. I love how family, romance and long-term grief are explored alongside the main crux of the story. It was so eloquently done and mirrors how complex life can be.
So why isn't it five stars?
1. She was annoying. She was imperfect which sometimes makes you wanna shake the book. The ex-best friend was flawed and that made me made too, even though that was the point.
2. It leaned into the cringy at times, specifically in the romance, to where I once felt it unbelievable.
4.5/5 stars!

This book hits close to home.

I lost a bestfriend of 7 years in 2019. It was an internet friendship that started on twitter and we had never really met. It ended badly, because of me. I was bad to her. Way more than what went down between cleo and layla.

Although I've apologized to her now countless times and she has forgiven me. I am still deep in remorse and guilt. We're on civil terms now but we don't really talk. Its over for real. Its been 5 years since it's over. I miss her. She has moved on.

This book really made me relive my ups and downs with her. And along with cleo, it helped me understand the hurt that must've caused my ex-bestie from her POV and finally come to terms with the breakup and find closure as well.

Absolutely beautiful job at respecting the hurt that comes with a female friendship breakup instead of downplaying it.

I loved the timeline setting and how we went back and forth. Both Then and Now parts were perfectly in sync with eachother.

I'm not forgetting about this book in a long time.