Book Review: We Are The Goldens

Book: We Are The Goldens by Dana Reinhardt

Source: Borrowed from Publisher/NetGalley for an honest review

Publication: May 27, 2014

Description:

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 Nellaya. 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.



Rating: 4 stars

Review:

This is one of those books where I was immediately sucked into the story. We Are The Goldens is told from Nell's point of view.

The story unfolds as Nell describes how things are starting to change between her and her sister Layla as they experience the highs and lows of high school and romance. Nell's love interest may be a jerk but it's Layla's love life that is causing the real problem.

The sisters have always confided in each other but now Layla was pushing Nell away or having her lie for her. She doesn't see the problem that this relationship is sure to bring.

In the beginning of the story, I thought Nell was a little too envious of her older sister and needed to start forming her own life. She placed Layla on a pedestal and sometimes felt like she wasn't quite as perfect as her big sister. But I like as the story progressed you got to see Nell change she wasn't seeing her sister through rose colored glasses anymore and she was starting to branch out. I also like her best Felix, he was a really good friend and maybe even more.

Their parents were a little oblivious to what was going on. Most likely it was because Layla is seen as being perfect and after their parents divorce the girls were always seen as being mature and responsible so they didn't have to worry as much about them. But that's probably why it was so easy for Layla to hide what she was doing from them.

I found it interesting the way the story was told almost as if Nell was either writing a letter to her sister or speaking to her.

The ending left me wondering what was going to happen afterwards but I'm sure I can figure it out. This was a good read.