Title: We Are the Goldens
Author: Dana Reinhardt
Pages: 208
Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books
Pub Date: May 27th 2014
Source: Netgalley
Rating: 3.5
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.
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.
“ As you went back to Layla,
the girl with the world on a string, I went back to playing Nell, adoring
sister, keeper of the peace.
The sister who lies
for you.”
As someone who has an older sibling whose only 13.5 months
older than me this book hit pretty close to home. I’ve never blindly adored my
brother but one word from him can change my whole mood and I’ve covered for him
a lot. Although I’ve never had to cover up something as bad as Nell had too.
I liked Nell, she was strong and we were able to see how she
started to rely on more on herself than she did on her sister. Layla on the
other hand was a basket case, maybe because we had such a limited view of her
but she didn’t seem like the popular goody two-shoes. It would be great to get
a second book or a novella with her point of view. I mean how do you drop a
bombshell of a secret on your little sister and then go “ By the way you can’t
tell anybody and if you do you’ll ruin my life”. Not exactly the kindest older
sister...
As for supporting characters, Nell’s best friend Felix has
become one of my favorite besties! He was sensitive, sassy, and funny. The trifecta
that all best friends should have.
“Jesus, Felix.”
“It’s Hey-soos. Don’t
go forgetting your Spanish.”
One of my favorite things about their relationship was that
it wasn’t just one sided. It wasn’t Nell complaining endlessly about her
problems and Felix having a perfect life. Instead they supported each other and
shared their problems so they wouldn’t have to carry them alone.
What I hated the most about this book was the ending. It
just stopped. Just when we were getting to the juicy big blow up scene it was
over. I mean none of our questions were
answered and it ended up in a limbo.
Overall it’s a great story, especially if you have a sibling
and even if you don’t theres still enough mystery and romance to keep you
interested.
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