A review by dpageteach00
When We Were Bright and Beautiful by Jillian Medoff

dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Loved this completely unreliable narrator and storyline!   Please be aware so many trigger warnings and controversial issues.   A wealthy family takes in a young girl after her father died and her mother is unable to care for her.  After a few years, the mother dies as well, and the family never adopts Cassie but treats her like her own.  She has two brothers, one of whom she is so close in age that they are referred to as the "twins".  The story begins with the older brother calling Cassie and telling her that their brother has been accused of rape and she must come home. Cassie navigates back and forth trying to determine if her brother is innocent or actually committed the crime.  Much courtroom drama, but an even larger storyline is Cassie's life and her own secrets, which come out in bits and pieces but eventually come together. I really enjoyed this gripping read and could not put it down! If you like a character-driven, controversial and of course messy read (with tons of trigger warnings, be warned!) this may be for you!