From Goodreads: Nell knows a secret about her perfect, beautiful sister Layla. If she tells, it could blow their world apart.
When Nell and Layla were little, Nell used to call them Nellayla. Because to Nell, there was no difference between where she started and her adored big sister ended. They’re a unit; divorce made them rely on each other early on, so when one pulls away, what is the other to do? But now, Nell’s a freshman in high school and Layla is changing, secretive. And then Nell discovers why. Layla is involved with one of their teachers. And even though Nell tries to support Layla, to understand that she’s happy and in love, Nell struggles with her true feelings: it’s wrong, and she must do something about it.
Review…
There’s something I need to tell you. Don’t be mad. Please don’t be mad. I hate it when you’re mad at me.
Layla and Nell are the Goldens, their parents are divorced, they’re only 9 months apart and Nell knows a secret about her sister. Her sister is involve with their art teacher!! THIS IS NOT A SPOILER. It’s written in the Blurb already, the real question here is what will Nell do about this information? Will she tell it? Keep it to herself? Maybe just share it to her bestfriend, Felix?
We Are The Goldens is shorter than I expected. But even though it left me wanting more, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I don’t have a sister, and this book made me long for one. It made me emotional.. I was sad and happy and my chest ached a little after I finished it. I know, my feelings doesn’t really makes sense.. But that’s what I loved about the book. Even though it’s too short for my liking, it made an impact.
The story is written in second person tense. Nell is narrating and me (you) as a reader will feel like you’re Nell. Usually, this bothers me. But I’m totally immersed at Layla’s storytelling that I am willing to overlook it. It’s so easy to be invested which is really surprising for me because it’s usually hard for a First Chapter to caught my attention. But Nell is an awesome character. I can see her as one of my best friends, her words are easy to get into and the way she narrates her story will make you feel for her. Even though we’re not getting into the other character’s head, I feel like I know them all deeply! In other words, the book is well written.
We are the Goldens, but we aren’t perfect. We’re going to have some hard times, and I wanted to calmly and wisely say some version of this to you: I’m here to help, we’re close, our lives are intertwined, you can trust me.
Does this remind you of Elsa and Anna feels? Because this book really is about sisterhood. Layla, the big sister, has some issues and Nell, the little sis, who loves her unconditionally, struggles to help her. Layla got on my nerves a lot of times, for being the first child and older than Nell, she’s pretty stupid. And she’s kind of cruel. I mean, you can see the love there. You can feel that she loves Nell, but there’s manipulations and she’s making Nell feel guilty a lot of times. There’s no romance here, except maybe the relationship between Layla and the art professor, but no, let’s not count that. But there IS an awesome friendship here. Awesome and epic that I envy it.
”Is this what it’s like?”
“What?”
“Being a boy. Do you just sit around all the time thinking about naked girls? Isn’t there more to it?”
“Of course there is. We care about things like your intellect and your sense of humor and your capacity for kindness, but we also really like how you look naked.”
Did I mention Felix already? Because you’ll love him. I do believe that we all need a Felix in our life, he’s one of the most awesome character I’ve ever encountered. I love how his relationship with Nell shifted from super-duper-mega-ultra-bestfriend to.. something more.
I feel pretty sad about this review, I feel like I didn’t do the book justice. It’s well written, the characters are real and everything is realistic. From the plot to the relationships to the conclusion. It is short, yes, but it has a story that will really play at your heartstrings and it has a message. I absolutely recommend this. Now go hug your sisters!
I love the sound of this book but I know that one reviewer said that the shortness can become a problem at times? I am also a little iffy about the whole romance between the Arts teacher and Layla.. I mean forbidden relationships are fun to read about but the fact that (I think) Layla is a minor is pretty much turning me off .-.
I am so glad you enjoyed this though, Paula!
Lovely review!
Rashika recently posted…Reviews: Sweet Peril and Sweet Reckoning by Wendy Higgins
I agree with you at the student-teacher relationship. I love some of them, but this one is just a big no for me. I think I have this weird face on whenever Layla is talking about their ‘true love’ for each other. Bleh. Hahaha.
Thanks for stopping by, Rashika. <3
I have THREE sisters, but I can’t hug them b/c they don’t live near me
Next time I’m in that kind of mood, I’ll know what to grab. Lovely review, Paula!
Jessica @ Rabid Reads recently posted…Review: The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson
Yay! hahaha. Glad my review convinced you, Jessica. I really think this is something that everyone will enjoy. Be warned about the shortness though, some people don’t like it =))
Thank youu <3
I can foresee the FEELS from this book. I feel like I will love Felix, too! Don’t worry about not having a sister, you can find sisters in friends! I have 2 sisters and it’s awesome when all of you have grown up, not so much when you were all young and immature, because you tend to fight!
Fantastic review, Paula!
Dre @ Sporadic Reads recently posted…Blog Tour + Review 183 : All Four Stars by Tara Dairman
You’ll love Felix! Asdfgghjjsjsixh!!! Hahaha, YOU’LL LOVE HIM. And I do agree with what you said about having a sister in friends <3 I treat you girls as sisters too. Haha!
Thank you for stopping by, Dre. Your comments is always appreciated.
I actually have two sisters and no brother. But I love them to bits! I’m so far away from them right now, I miss them
I’m not a big fan of student-teacher relationships but this is definitely different from the norm! It also helps that Nell is a really likable character and since she’s the narrator you are looking at the relationship from the outside, like her. And I recently read a second person narrative and it’s actually very engaging. It can’t work for all books but I can see that in this one, it really did! Definitely checking this out now
Lovely review Paula!
Amir recently posted…Review: Welcome to the Dark House by Laurie Faria Stolarz
I have a feeling that you’ll like this, Amir. Nell is just so sweet and so so real. She’s like a sister I never had :))
The book is really well written too so I don’t think you’ll have a problem getting into it. Just reminding you about the ending though, it’s kind of open.
Thank you, Amir!!
I don’t have any siblings, but I’m pretty sure that this book would make me want to have one xD I have a feeling that I’d really like this book. Wonderful review, Paula. Adding it to my TBR as we speak
This book sounds really interesting. Great review! BTW – I don’t have any sisters either (just an older brother)! I enjoy reading about sisters though, probably because I always wanted a sister, LOL! I did end up with 2 daughters & I keep telling them that one day they’ll really appreciate each other!!
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