Who We Were by Melissa Collins: Release Day Review

Who We Were…

Two awkward teenagers – the loner and the nerd, trying to find our place in the world. Paired in wood shop, we knew nothing of each other, except that we wanted to know everything. Then one life altering moment changed it all and we were left with shattered dreams and broken hearts.

Who We Are…

Two grown men – braver and smarter than we used to be, trying to heal the damage from that irrevocable moment. Even though the past was behind us, dead and buried long ago, we found it impossible to move on without ripping open the scars of our deep wounds.

With twelve years of unanswered questions fueling our desperate need for the truth, we must figure out if who we were will destroy who we are.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

I am a pretty big fan of Melissa Collins. I will admit that her last book kind of fell flat for me. But, one flat book doesn’t keep me away. So I went in with eyes wide open on Who We Were. And…a lot of the old storyteller I liked so much seems to be back.

Ryan and Quinn were the typical awkward teenagers. Ryan who totally kept to himself and had no friends was now navigating a friendship with Quinn. Who he might definitely have a crush on.

Ryan and Quinn were the opposite in so many ways- from personality to family life. Ryan wanted the happy family life that Quinn had. But instead he had miserable parents who only paid attention to his jock twin brother.

There were a lot of painful family dynamics here that were well written. And being that the first half of the book takes place when they are 17, there was quite a bit. Because Ryan’s family life is the catalyst of who he becomes in the second half of the book.

Flash forward about 10 years (I think?). Ryan’s twin brother is getting married to Quinn’s sister. And even though Ryan left home as a teen, he has never returned. But his mother guilts him into it. And Quinn.

Their chemistry is off the charts. But when confronted about what happened 10 years ago, Ryan runs away. AGAIN. Ugh, I hate runners. So Quinn chases him. And Ryan wants to run again, but Quinn won’t let him.

Ryan and Quinn getting back together and finding their happy place was fairly angsty. And Ryan had no reason to be upset with Quinn, so it was a little odd to me.

Throughout the book there is a BIG SECRET. I won’t tell you I figured it out (mostly) even though I did. But it still left a lot hanging for me. But since I don’t spoil, sorry, can’t explain.

I feel like we are on the road back to the author of Let Love Live, the book that got me hooked on her work. And that’s a good thing.

3.5 Pieces of Candy