Liv is 16, music-obsessed, and currently captivated by the late Will Bailey, a talented musician whose life was cut tragically short in the 90s. So when she discovers that her own "boring" mum actually knew him (and more than just “knew” him), everything shifts. Her mum, whom she’s always seen as ordinary, suddenly has this past that Liv never expected and a connection to Will that she refuses to talk about, blaming herself for his death.

Back in 1994, Emily was an art student and Will was a busker. Now, in 2016, she’s a single mum working in a school office, quietly carrying the weight of the past, focusing on raising her daughter.

Told across dual timelines (1994 and 2016), the story moves between past and present with a rhythm that’s easy to follow and compelling. Multiple POVs give a fuller, richer picture of the characters’ lives, and far from being confusing, they pull you in. I was completely hooked by the end of the first chapter.

The characters are well developed, and the secondary characters are surprisingly strong too (Magda deserves a special mention, loved her!) The book deals with themes of grief, guilt, and healing with sensitivity. I appreciated the mention of the "ask twice" campaign, a subtle but powerful reminder woven into the narrative.

This was one of those books I flew through in a couple of sittings it flowed really well. It’s heartfelt, haunting, and hopeful, with an ending that wraps things up just right.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books for the ARC.

Thank you Avon Books UK for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own

These book is set in two timelines spring 1996 and spring 2016, this book also has multiple points of view but it’s very easy to follow what is going on. Will is an aspiring musician and he comes across Emily an art student while he is busking. By 1997 Will’s band is playing at Glastonbury and Emily is preparing for her first gallery show. Emily ultimately ends up going on tour with Will and they spend an unforgettable summer together.

In 2016 in the present timeline Emily’s life mostly resolves around her 16 year old daughter Liv, Liv digs into her mums past and finds out her mum knew Will. Bailey and does not know how her mum came to know someone like Will Bailey.

This book broke my heart in places and then stitched it back together at the end, it was a story about coming to terms with your past and forgiving yourself. It was quite a cathartic read and I thoroughly enjoyed and would not hesitate to recommend.

You know it took a while to get into this book but it ended up being so beautiful!

I personally would have changed how some of the reveals were done… but overall it was beautiful!

This is perfect for fans of Daisy Jones and the Six.

A beautiful story of loss and love.

Thank you for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

this was a really beautiful story of love, music, fame and family 🩷 i LOVED the two different timelines and the different POVs, especially Emily's. it took a while to grip me, but from about 40%, i was hooked.

it's pitched as perfect for fans of Taylor Jenkins-Reid and to be honest i don't see that, but not in a bad way. i think this story is its own style and should be credited as such - i've never read anything exactly like it and i'll definitely pick up this author again!!

(gifted - arc)

When We Were Young is a love story for anyone that has fallen in love, got caught up along the way, and made mistakes…this book is for all of us! If you loved Daisy Jones & The Six, you will really enjoy this book. Will dreamed of making it big in the music industry. When his song he wrote about Emily leads him to stardom, and brings them together, Will feels on top of the world. However, with fame comes distance and pressure that Will and his bandmates all grapple with. When We Were Young weaves a story of love entwined with the heaviness of mental health struggles. It is a story of moving through grief and finding forgiveness. When We Were Young releases July 17, 2025, add it to your summer TBR!
Thank you to Netgalley & Avon Books UK for sending me this book. All opinions are my own.