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When We Were Young
Preorder this gorgeous debut novel about love and loss, perfect for fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid and David Nicholls now!'Elaine Hastings’ stunning debut will keep you turning the pages until you close the book and either reach for someone you love, or get on the move and create something!’ Jessica Anya Blau
Spring, 1994. Will, a talented busker, falls for Emily, a quirky art student. By 1997, Will is playing Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage, and Emily is unveiling her first gallery show. They spend a whirlwind summer touring with Will's band, caught up in their love for their art and each other.
But within two years, Will is dead.
Spring, 2016. Emily remains single. Her art is long forgotten. Now, life revolves around her 16-year-old daughter, Liv. But when Emily accidentally reveals she once knew Will, Liv is stunned. How could her ordinary, predictable mother have known someone like Will Bailey?
And why does Emily blame herself for his death?
Interweaving dual timelines, When We Were Young explores what it means to have loved and lost, and reminds you that the ones you love can set you free.
Spring, 1994. Will, a talented busker, falls for Emily, a quirky art student. By 1997, Will is playing Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage, and Emily is unveiling her first gallery show. They spend a whirlwind summer touring with Will's band, caught up in their love for their art and each other.
But within two years, Will is dead.
Spring, 2016. Emily remains single. Her art is long forgotten. Now, life revolves around her 16-year-old daughter, Liv. But when Emily accidentally reveals she once knew Will, Liv is stunned. How could her ordinary, predictable mother have known someone like Will Bailey?
And why does Emily blame herself for his death?
Interweaving dual timelines, When We Were Young explores what it means to have loved and lost, and reminds you that the ones you love can set you free.
- GenresRomance
430 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 17, 2025
6 people are currently reading
203 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
June 12, 2025
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)
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)
May 15, 2025
A bit of a whirlwind for me from start to finish. The vibrant colors and male and female silhouettes on the cover drew me straight away. The narration is split into 3 narrators and the chapters between vary to past and present. At first this old lady brain had trouble following who was narrating and where we were in time, but that didn’t last long. I was swept up and invested 100%. Mother and daughter are 2 of the narrators and the relationship dynamic between the two was complicated as is with any mom and teenage girl. But I loved each of their journeys, and they were both on their own individual journeys, but their come together at the end was tear worthy. There are 2 love stories unfolding through time, past and present. I loved, loved, loved this and the feelings it stirred up. The writing and pacing were beautiful and spot on. First published work by author and she’s definitely one I’ll watch for.
Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC copy in exchange for my thoughts.
Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC copy in exchange for my thoughts.
May 9, 2025
This was beautiful, poignant, heartfelt and an absolute joy to read.
I was struggling to put into words how this book made me feel, it’s just so well written and incredibly hard to put down.
This story follows Will, a young musician, a promising career ahead of him and Emily, a very talented artist who falls in love with him. But just years later Will is dead and Emily must navigate life without him.
I love how this book is told from different perspectives and also the different time lines. I especially liked hearing from Liv’s point of view.
The characters were just so well written and developed, you really feel you know them. They felt so real and I came to love them all as I understood their thoughts and feelings. The events which they go through are told with sensitivity and care.
It is a beautiful tale of friendships and family, of love and of loss. It shows how passing time doesn’t always heal old wounds and how many people shoulder responsibility that is not theirs to carry.
It shows how things can be misinterpreted, how not knowing all the facts can seriously affect someone’s judgment, even years after an event.
I can’t believe that this is the authors debut novel, the way the story is put together and comes to life is a magical thing.
So in conclusion, read it! I’ve not been pulled so fully into the emotion of a book in a long time and this just resonated with me.
I was struggling to put into words how this book made me feel, it’s just so well written and incredibly hard to put down.
This story follows Will, a young musician, a promising career ahead of him and Emily, a very talented artist who falls in love with him. But just years later Will is dead and Emily must navigate life without him.
I love how this book is told from different perspectives and also the different time lines. I especially liked hearing from Liv’s point of view.
The characters were just so well written and developed, you really feel you know them. They felt so real and I came to love them all as I understood their thoughts and feelings. The events which they go through are told with sensitivity and care.
It is a beautiful tale of friendships and family, of love and of loss. It shows how passing time doesn’t always heal old wounds and how many people shoulder responsibility that is not theirs to carry.
It shows how things can be misinterpreted, how not knowing all the facts can seriously affect someone’s judgment, even years after an event.
I can’t believe that this is the authors debut novel, the way the story is put together and comes to life is a magical thing.
So in conclusion, read it! I’ve not been pulled so fully into the emotion of a book in a long time and this just resonated with me.
April 21, 2025
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.
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.
May 12, 2025
A story of love and loss. Great read! 4 stars!
Thanks to NetGalley for the early read.
Thanks to NetGalley for the early read.
September 12, 2025
the different timelines. multiple povs. the bittersweet and heartbreaking storyline. if you’re a bit of a music/gig nerd then this is a super fun read (if you look past the sad moments). the reality of being a musician under the public eye and how fame doesn’t always turn out how you expect it to be. i could NOT put down when we were young!!
when i first received this one i saw that it’s being marketed as FFO: daisy jones and the six, and it absolutely did not disappoint. the vibes are absolutely there and i completely agree with the comparison.
my only issue was that i found the last quarter of the book to be rushed. this was where the storyline came to a conclusion, new beginnings were coming into play and the characters were finally growing and i just wanted more of it! i feel like it was all summarised very quickly.
thank you to harper collins for sending me this one to read and review!!
when i first received this one i saw that it’s being marketed as FFO: daisy jones and the six, and it absolutely did not disappoint. the vibes are absolutely there and i completely agree with the comparison.
my only issue was that i found the last quarter of the book to be rushed. this was where the storyline came to a conclusion, new beginnings were coming into play and the characters were finally growing and i just wanted more of it! i feel like it was all summarised very quickly.
thank you to harper collins for sending me this one to read and review!!
July 22, 2025
Owwwww my HEART. I wasn’t expecting to cry in this at allll but tell me why I had the tears flowin down the cheeks. The ending also made my heart ache…
I went into this thinking it was going to be a light summer romance but it was a lot deeper and complex than that. It delves into heavy themes and had some really heart wrenching moments but there was respite, there was respite!
The plot was original and it kept me wondering where it was going to go and I reallllly enjoyed the different timelines and perspectives. I usually am a fan of this format anyway but in this instance it really made a difference. It made the story more well-rounded because you were truly able to understand and empathise with the main characters which was pivotal!!!
I could see this being a film fooooo shizzle.
I went into this thinking it was going to be a light summer romance but it was a lot deeper and complex than that. It delves into heavy themes and had some really heart wrenching moments but there was respite, there was respite!
The plot was original and it kept me wondering where it was going to go and I reallllly enjoyed the different timelines and perspectives. I usually am a fan of this format anyway but in this instance it really made a difference. It made the story more well-rounded because you were truly able to understand and empathise with the main characters which was pivotal!!!
I could see this being a film fooooo shizzle.
June 16, 2025
I was lucky enough to get the ARC via NetGalley for this one.
This is a very good story as the reader follows Emily on a dual timeline throughout her life and love with Will, a musician.
Olivia, Emily's daughter, initiates the revelation of Emily and Will's relationship as she comes across Will's music some 20 years later.
I couldn't give it 5 stars as it was too similar to the scandal of Daisy Jones and The Six by Taylor Jenkins-Reid, and the relationships and lost time of Mayluna by Kelley McNeil.
If I had read this first I would have given it 5 stars; it's easy to read and you get drawn in by the plot and the characters lives. At times I did forget I was reading and binged it 24 hours
This is a very good story as the reader follows Emily on a dual timeline throughout her life and love with Will, a musician.
Olivia, Emily's daughter, initiates the revelation of Emily and Will's relationship as she comes across Will's music some 20 years later.
I couldn't give it 5 stars as it was too similar to the scandal of Daisy Jones and The Six by Taylor Jenkins-Reid, and the relationships and lost time of Mayluna by Kelley McNeil.
If I had read this first I would have given it 5 stars; it's easy to read and you get drawn in by the plot and the characters lives. At times I did forget I was reading and binged it 24 hours
August 16, 2025
4.5 rounded up ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was such a beautiful yet heartbreaking read about love, loss, family, fame, music and art.
It is described as one love story over two decades, but I see three beautiful love stories intertwined - it follows daughter Liv, Mum Emily and her lost love Will. But there is so much more to the story!
I really loved the different POV’s and the dual timeline, it really kept things both nostalgic and gripping. Each storyline was written beautifully and left you wanting to keep reading to get the full story.
The writing style definitely made me connect to the characters in different ways, and although I loved the FMC’s, I was so intrigued by Scott and was rooting for him throughout - brilliant character development!
Go read it!!!
This was such a beautiful yet heartbreaking read about love, loss, family, fame, music and art.
It is described as one love story over two decades, but I see three beautiful love stories intertwined - it follows daughter Liv, Mum Emily and her lost love Will. But there is so much more to the story!
I really loved the different POV’s and the dual timeline, it really kept things both nostalgic and gripping. Each storyline was written beautifully and left you wanting to keep reading to get the full story.
The writing style definitely made me connect to the characters in different ways, and although I loved the FMC’s, I was so intrigued by Scott and was rooting for him throughout - brilliant character development!
Go read it!!!
September 13, 2025
Thank you Harper Collins for kindly sending me a copy of this book for an honest review.
I loved this so so much😭😭 this book was perfectly set out & I loved the time line cross overs. The emotional ride it takes you on is very deep. It was really hard to grip with some parts & I wish we had more on this as I feel it could have made the emotional connection more strong for me personally, but over all.. a fantastic read & one I will remember!🫶🏽
Highly recommend for Daisy Jones & The Six fans!!!
I loved this so so much😭😭 this book was perfectly set out & I loved the time line cross overs. The emotional ride it takes you on is very deep. It was really hard to grip with some parts & I wish we had more on this as I feel it could have made the emotional connection more strong for me personally, but over all.. a fantastic read & one I will remember!🫶🏽
Highly recommend for Daisy Jones & The Six fans!!!
July 4, 2025
4-4.5/5
A really beautiful story that I finished with a tear in my eye.
This story flashes back and forth in time as we learn about a woman, her teenage daughter, and the musician she loved twenty years ago. It was uniquely written and depicted grief in I thought a poignant way. Parts of it were a bit slow, others seemed rushed, but that’s a minor complaint to an otherwise very good book.
Thank you NetGalley for this arc, due out this month.
A really beautiful story that I finished with a tear in my eye.
This story flashes back and forth in time as we learn about a woman, her teenage daughter, and the musician she loved twenty years ago. It was uniquely written and depicted grief in I thought a poignant way. Parts of it were a bit slow, others seemed rushed, but that’s a minor complaint to an otherwise very good book.
Thank you NetGalley for this arc, due out this month.
April 27, 2025
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.
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.
July 17, 2025
An exploration of love and loss. This beautifully written novel in not like your average rockstar romance. This book explores what it was like to love creative people and how the loss of that person effects your life and the life of your friends and family too. A daughter finds her mum has a connection in her past to a famous musician from the 90s and wants to find out more as her mum will not talk about it. The story, told in a very effective dual timeline, unravels the past and reveals secrets hidden for 20 years.
I loved the characters in this book, and in parts it reminded me of a film I loved watching when I was at Uni, called Rockstar. its not the same but the theme did take you backstage, describing what it was like to be an up and coming musician trying to make it in the industry.
An enjoyable read.
I loved the characters in this book, and in parts it reminded me of a film I loved watching when I was at Uni, called Rockstar. its not the same but the theme did take you backstage, describing what it was like to be an up and coming musician trying to make it in the industry.
An enjoyable read.
July 17, 2025
*Thank you to NetGally and Avon Books UK (Publishing Group) for granting me free access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own*
When We Were Young by Elaine Hastings
4.5/5 Stars - Amazing! Rounding up for you, Will.
Read May 2025
What We Left Behind is a breathtaking, heartbreaking, tear-jerking read that you will not be able to put down.
Positive messages: 3.5/5
Hold onto what you love. Never give up. Reach for the stars and when your dream is in front of you, take the chance. Those who truly care for you will encourage you to pursue these things if they make you happy. Don’t focus on the what-ifs. Forgive yourself and move on from the things in the past that grip onto you. Strong family and friend bonds are displayed. Lots of grief…but amidst it…a glimmer of hope.
Positive role models: 2.5/5
Emily, is the love of his life. She is compassionate, smart, and strong-willed. She’s relatable and has been through deep loss, grief, and resentment.
Liv, Emily’s daughter, is passionate about life in a typical teenager way. At first, she resents her mother and wants to be free from the boundaries set in place before her (like any teenager). She goes through her ups and downs and is probably one of the most real characters in the book. She learns to love and appreciate her mother and forgive others’ who may have done her wrong.
Will, the main character and the person who the entire plot of the book revolves around, is by far my favorite character. From the start, readers know what his fate will be. They want to hope for him—hope that what the synopsis says may not be the case. Through and through, he demonstrates love and kindness, but also struggles with his mental health and makes some poor choices. He’s not without his flaws, like everyone. He was raw…real…and I appreciated him greatly.
Scott, Liv’s father, loves his daughter in a deep, steadfast way. Although his choices aren’t the greatest, you can see that his heart has improved and he has come a long way. Readers may appreciate him for this…or may resent him.
Chloe, a friend of Liv’s, is supportive of her and super sweet-natured. They have their ups and downs in their relationship, but learn that forgiveness is key to happiness. Unforgiviness will only lead to grief and bondage.
Aiden, Will’s older brother, was a character I hated at the beginning. However, toward the end, I felt for him. You may feel the same way...or may not.
Matty, Mitch, Reu, and Rob are in Will’s band. Reu and Matty are the most prominent, so I will give further detail on them. Matty’s sweet and funny with a kind heart. Reu, my favorite of Will’s friends, is loved by everyone who knows him. Throughout the novel, he struggles with alcoholism. Readers may connect with this trait.
Nathan, Liv’s crush at the beginning of the novel, may seem like a decent guy at first look.
Drinking, Drugs, and Smoking: 3.5/5
Characters drink throughout the novel, getting drunk at bars and parties. Some hangovers are intense. Some characters struggle with alcoholism.
Language: 4.5/5
‘S—t,’ ‘f—k,’ ‘twat’ (once), ‘bloody,’ ‘arse,’ ‘bastard,’ and ‘hell’ are used frequently.
Violence, Gore, and Scariness: 3.5/5
A car crash Brothers punch each other multiple times, causing blood and serious bruising. Suicide present. A character is in a coma, almost dying.
Sex, Romance, and Nudity: 4/5
Flirting, kissing, touching, and premarital sex present (some of it more intense). The intimate scenes are somewhat graphic but most can be skipped. Affairs and other complex situations are very prevalent and important to the plot. Pregnancy out of wedlock is present
What You Should Know:
Wow. Wow. Wow.
I can’t say enough about this book. This is one of the books that you read and can’t put down. One of the books that you wish you wrote first. One of the books that you wish you could own a million copies of.
First of all, the characters are so real. Probably the most relatable, raw characters I’ve ever read about. I felt like I knew them. Like if I blinked they would show up right next to me. Will…you will always have a place in my heart. ♥️😭
If you are looking for a clean read, this isn’t it. If you’re looking for a REAL, TEAR-JERKING, HEART WRENCHING read, this is FOR YOU. I completely, wholeheartedly, 100% recommend. Go read this now (actually…as soon as it comes out…🏃)
For content, as I said before, it isn’t clean. The sex scenes are mostly fade-to-black, but some are graphic. I skipped them, as I recommend you do as well. The implications are definitely there, which is why I recommend this only to mature teens. If you’ve ever read If He’d Been With Me, this is that but just with more sex, drinking, language, and…suicide 😭💔
If you have any questions, please reach out.
Just want to warn you that this book is heavy and will be heavy on your heart. It’s SO GOOD, but PLEASE read the trigger warnings below before buying.
💔Thank you again to Avon Books UK for this absolutely incredible read.
Age Range Recommendation: 17+ A Fiction/Romance
TRIGGER WARNINGS/ADULT CONTENT: MENTAL HEALTH STRUGGLES, SUICIDE, PREGNANCY OUT OF WEDLOCK, ALCOHOLISM, PREMARITAL SEX, AFFAIRS, AGGRESSION, CAR CRASH (MINOR)
I AM NOT PERMITTED TO ADD QUOTES UNTIL ARCHIVE DATE
Note: this is the same review as published in May but in order to switch the edition I had to re-post. Thank you for understanding!
When We Were Young by Elaine Hastings
4.5/5 Stars - Amazing! Rounding up for you, Will.
Read May 2025
What We Left Behind is a breathtaking, heartbreaking, tear-jerking read that you will not be able to put down.
Positive messages: 3.5/5
Hold onto what you love. Never give up. Reach for the stars and when your dream is in front of you, take the chance. Those who truly care for you will encourage you to pursue these things if they make you happy. Don’t focus on the what-ifs. Forgive yourself and move on from the things in the past that grip onto you. Strong family and friend bonds are displayed. Lots of grief…but amidst it…a glimmer of hope.
Positive role models: 2.5/5
Emily, is the love of his life. She is compassionate, smart, and strong-willed. She’s relatable and has been through deep loss, grief, and resentment.
Liv, Emily’s daughter, is passionate about life in a typical teenager way. At first, she resents her mother and wants to be free from the boundaries set in place before her (like any teenager). She goes through her ups and downs and is probably one of the most real characters in the book. She learns to love and appreciate her mother and forgive others’ who may have done her wrong.
Will, the main character and the person who the entire plot of the book revolves around, is by far my favorite character. From the start, readers know what his fate will be. They want to hope for him—hope that what the synopsis says may not be the case. Through and through, he demonstrates love and kindness, but also struggles with his mental health and makes some poor choices. He’s not without his flaws, like everyone. He was raw…real…and I appreciated him greatly.
Scott, Liv’s father, loves his daughter in a deep, steadfast way. Although his choices aren’t the greatest, you can see that his heart has improved and he has come a long way. Readers may appreciate him for this…or may resent him.
Chloe, a friend of Liv’s, is supportive of her and super sweet-natured. They have their ups and downs in their relationship, but learn that forgiveness is key to happiness. Unforgiviness will only lead to grief and bondage.
Aiden, Will’s older brother, was a character I hated at the beginning. However, toward the end, I felt for him. You may feel the same way...or may not.
Matty, Mitch, Reu, and Rob are in Will’s band. Reu and Matty are the most prominent, so I will give further detail on them. Matty’s sweet and funny with a kind heart. Reu, my favorite of Will’s friends, is loved by everyone who knows him. Throughout the novel, he struggles with alcoholism. Readers may connect with this trait.
Nathan, Liv’s crush at the beginning of the novel, may seem like a decent guy at first look.
Drinking, Drugs, and Smoking: 3.5/5
Characters drink throughout the novel, getting drunk at bars and parties. Some hangovers are intense. Some characters struggle with alcoholism.
Language: 4.5/5
‘S—t,’ ‘f—k,’ ‘twat’ (once), ‘bloody,’ ‘arse,’ ‘bastard,’ and ‘hell’ are used frequently.
Violence, Gore, and Scariness: 3.5/5
A car crash Brothers punch each other multiple times, causing blood and serious bruising. Suicide present. A character is in a coma, almost dying.
Sex, Romance, and Nudity: 4/5
Flirting, kissing, touching, and premarital sex present (some of it more intense). The intimate scenes are somewhat graphic but most can be skipped. Affairs and other complex situations are very prevalent and important to the plot. Pregnancy out of wedlock is present
What You Should Know:
Wow. Wow. Wow.
I can’t say enough about this book. This is one of the books that you read and can’t put down. One of the books that you wish you wrote first. One of the books that you wish you could own a million copies of.
First of all, the characters are so real. Probably the most relatable, raw characters I’ve ever read about. I felt like I knew them. Like if I blinked they would show up right next to me. Will…you will always have a place in my heart. ♥️😭
If you are looking for a clean read, this isn’t it. If you’re looking for a REAL, TEAR-JERKING, HEART WRENCHING read, this is FOR YOU. I completely, wholeheartedly, 100% recommend. Go read this now (actually…as soon as it comes out…🏃)
For content, as I said before, it isn’t clean. The sex scenes are mostly fade-to-black, but some are graphic. I skipped them, as I recommend you do as well. The implications are definitely there, which is why I recommend this only to mature teens. If you’ve ever read If He’d Been With Me, this is that but just with more sex, drinking, language, and…suicide 😭💔
If you have any questions, please reach out.
Just want to warn you that this book is heavy and will be heavy on your heart. It’s SO GOOD, but PLEASE read the trigger warnings below before buying.
💔Thank you again to Avon Books UK for this absolutely incredible read.
Age Range Recommendation: 17+ A Fiction/Romance
TRIGGER WARNINGS/ADULT CONTENT: MENTAL HEALTH STRUGGLES, SUICIDE, PREGNANCY OUT OF WEDLOCK, ALCOHOLISM, PREMARITAL SEX, AFFAIRS, AGGRESSION, CAR CRASH (MINOR)
I AM NOT PERMITTED TO ADD QUOTES UNTIL ARCHIVE DATE
Note: this is the same review as published in May but in order to switch the edition I had to re-post. Thank you for understanding!
June 5, 2025
Thank you again to Avon Books UK for allowing me access to this ARC through Netgalley.
This dual timeline book takes us into the lives of up-and-coming musician Will Bailey and the love of his life Emily.
By 1999, Will and his band are the next big thing, with record execs putting on the pressure for the all-important 2nd album, but a loved-up Will is struggling with writer's block, and with Emily needing to focus on her own dream of being an artist, the whirlwind romance seems to be running its course.
Will's dreams are tragically cut short though when he suddenly passes away late that summer...
16 years later, Emily has never gotten over Will's death and the guilt that she harbours. Her only focus in life is her 16-year-old daughter, Liv.
When Liv accidentally discovers her mum knew *the* Will Bailey, she can't let it drop, despite her mum's pleas. She is determined to delve into the past and find out what really happened that fateful summer.
Elaine Hastings' debut novel is a fantastic story of young love, devastating loss, mental health struggles, and how allowing yourself to let go can set your soul free.
•
Before reading this, I'd heard that if you loved Daisy Jones and The Six, then this was the book for you. That's quite a recommendation to live up to!
Whilst I see the comparisons, this book is very different.
Not only is it dual timeline, it's also multi-PoV, so there's a fair amount of jumping back & forth. I found it easy to keep up with though.
I loved Will, my heart ached for him. Liv, whilst at times a slightly frustrating teen, meant well.
And Emily? I went back and forth over her, but by the end, I liked her a lot.
It was an emotional story and one I would agree that if you love TJR, you will likely enjoy this.
Published on 17th July, keep an eye out for this one!Thank you again to Avon Books UK for allowing me access to this ARC through Netgalley.
This dual timeline book takes us into the lives of up and coming musician Will Bailey and the love of his life Emily.
By 1999, Will and his band are the next big thing, with record execs putting on the pressure for the all-important 2nd album, but a loved-up Will is struggling with writer's block, and with Emily needing to focus on her own dream of being an artist, the whirlwind romance seems to be running its course.
Will's dreams are tragically cut short though when he suddenly passes away late that summer...
16 years later, Emily has never gotten over Will's death and the guilt that she harbours. Her only focus in life is her 16-year-old daughter, Liv.
When Liv accidentally discovers her mum knew *the* Will Bailey, she can't let it drop, despite her mum's pleas. She is determined to delve into the past and find out what really happened that fated summer.
Elaine Hastings debut novel is a fantastic story of young love, devastating loss, mental health struggles, and how allowing yourself to let go can set your soul free.
•
Before reading this, I'd heard that if you loved Daisy Jones and The Six, then this was the book for you. That's quite a recommendation to live up to!
Whilst I see the comparisons, this book is very different.
Not only is it dual timeline, it's also multi-PoV, so there's a fair amount of jumping back & forth. I found it easy to keep up with though.
I loved Will, my heart ached for him. Liv, whilst at times a slightly frustrating teen, meant well.
And Emily? I went back and forth over her, but by the end, I liked her a lot.
It was an emotional story and one I would agree that if you love TJR, you will likely enjoy this.
Published on 17th July, keep an eye out for this one!
This dual timeline book takes us into the lives of up-and-coming musician Will Bailey and the love of his life Emily.
By 1999, Will and his band are the next big thing, with record execs putting on the pressure for the all-important 2nd album, but a loved-up Will is struggling with writer's block, and with Emily needing to focus on her own dream of being an artist, the whirlwind romance seems to be running its course.
Will's dreams are tragically cut short though when he suddenly passes away late that summer...
16 years later, Emily has never gotten over Will's death and the guilt that she harbours. Her only focus in life is her 16-year-old daughter, Liv.
When Liv accidentally discovers her mum knew *the* Will Bailey, she can't let it drop, despite her mum's pleas. She is determined to delve into the past and find out what really happened that fateful summer.
Elaine Hastings' debut novel is a fantastic story of young love, devastating loss, mental health struggles, and how allowing yourself to let go can set your soul free.
•
Before reading this, I'd heard that if you loved Daisy Jones and The Six, then this was the book for you. That's quite a recommendation to live up to!
Whilst I see the comparisons, this book is very different.
Not only is it dual timeline, it's also multi-PoV, so there's a fair amount of jumping back & forth. I found it easy to keep up with though.
I loved Will, my heart ached for him. Liv, whilst at times a slightly frustrating teen, meant well.
And Emily? I went back and forth over her, but by the end, I liked her a lot.
It was an emotional story and one I would agree that if you love TJR, you will likely enjoy this.
Published on 17th July, keep an eye out for this one!Thank you again to Avon Books UK for allowing me access to this ARC through Netgalley.
This dual timeline book takes us into the lives of up and coming musician Will Bailey and the love of his life Emily.
By 1999, Will and his band are the next big thing, with record execs putting on the pressure for the all-important 2nd album, but a loved-up Will is struggling with writer's block, and with Emily needing to focus on her own dream of being an artist, the whirlwind romance seems to be running its course.
Will's dreams are tragically cut short though when he suddenly passes away late that summer...
16 years later, Emily has never gotten over Will's death and the guilt that she harbours. Her only focus in life is her 16-year-old daughter, Liv.
When Liv accidentally discovers her mum knew *the* Will Bailey, she can't let it drop, despite her mum's pleas. She is determined to delve into the past and find out what really happened that fated summer.
Elaine Hastings debut novel is a fantastic story of young love, devastating loss, mental health struggles, and how allowing yourself to let go can set your soul free.
•
Before reading this, I'd heard that if you loved Daisy Jones and The Six, then this was the book for you. That's quite a recommendation to live up to!
Whilst I see the comparisons, this book is very different.
Not only is it dual timeline, it's also multi-PoV, so there's a fair amount of jumping back & forth. I found it easy to keep up with though.
I loved Will, my heart ached for him. Liv, whilst at times a slightly frustrating teen, meant well.
And Emily? I went back and forth over her, but by the end, I liked her a lot.
It was an emotional story and one I would agree that if you love TJR, you will likely enjoy this.
Published on 17th July, keep an eye out for this one!
May 19, 2025
Thank you so much NetGalley and Avon Books for the eARC of When We Were Young. I was initially drawn in by the cover, it caught my eye right away and peaked my interest. When I read the description this sounded so similar to my favorite book of all time, Mayluna by Kelley McNeill. I have been chasing the feeling that that specific book gave me for over a year now and I definitely thought this book would be the one to do it for me. Especially since this was described as being good for fans of Daisy Jones and the Six byTaylor Jenkins Reid, another of my favorite authors, I couldn't wait to dive into this one!
Two Decades, One Love Story and a song that changed everything. With a tag line like that, how could you go wrong? I am such a music lover, any romance that centers around music, bands, song writing, or a connection through music is always going to draw me in. Connections through music are not something that all people will get to experience in their lifetimes so when you meet someone, or read about two people who connect through music on such a deep level it is awe inspiring.
The story is told across dual time lines, Emily and Will's story when they meet in 1994 and everything that unfolds to get to where we are in present day, 2016, when Emily is just a "boring mom" to her 16 year old daughter, Liv, who could never imagine that her mom lived such an interesting life in the past.
The story is easy to follow, and the multiple POVs give a much broader picture and make you feel more connected to the character's and their stories. You are provided with a lot of background information, as well as being able to see our main character through the eyes of another person.
This makes characters feel so much more complex and fleshed out in my opinion. This was such an easy read to get lost in, I was gripped from the very beginning.
Elaine Hastings did a great job with her character development and creating characters that the reader can feel fully invested in. If you don't have a strong connection to the characters, it can be hard to get lost in a book, and I think the way that the author executed the character development to further the plot along and connect the two time lines was done flawlessly.
This is such a sorrowful, heartfelt, and hopeful novel that will pull at your heart strings from chapter 1. You want to root so badly for the romance in the past timeline even though you already know how the present time line will end (for the most part). This was such a beautiful story that dealt with topics such as grief, guilt, and I loved the healing journey that Emily went on.
This book definitely broke my heart but ultimately put it right back together at the end. As someone who keeps my past memories and relationships near and dear to my heart, I could really relate to the themes of coming to terms with your past and forgiving yourself. To me, this felt like such a cathartic read and I absolutely adored this. I would definitely read other works by this author in the future. I recommend When We Were Young to music lovers, to those who dwell on the past, to those who may be harboring guilt over a past situation, to those that are on a healing journey, and especially to those that love to see how the connections we make throughout our lives influence our current relationships.
Two Decades, One Love Story and a song that changed everything. With a tag line like that, how could you go wrong? I am such a music lover, any romance that centers around music, bands, song writing, or a connection through music is always going to draw me in. Connections through music are not something that all people will get to experience in their lifetimes so when you meet someone, or read about two people who connect through music on such a deep level it is awe inspiring.
The story is told across dual time lines, Emily and Will's story when they meet in 1994 and everything that unfolds to get to where we are in present day, 2016, when Emily is just a "boring mom" to her 16 year old daughter, Liv, who could never imagine that her mom lived such an interesting life in the past.
The story is easy to follow, and the multiple POVs give a much broader picture and make you feel more connected to the character's and their stories. You are provided with a lot of background information, as well as being able to see our main character through the eyes of another person.
This makes characters feel so much more complex and fleshed out in my opinion. This was such an easy read to get lost in, I was gripped from the very beginning.
Elaine Hastings did a great job with her character development and creating characters that the reader can feel fully invested in. If you don't have a strong connection to the characters, it can be hard to get lost in a book, and I think the way that the author executed the character development to further the plot along and connect the two time lines was done flawlessly.
This is such a sorrowful, heartfelt, and hopeful novel that will pull at your heart strings from chapter 1. You want to root so badly for the romance in the past timeline even though you already know how the present time line will end (for the most part). This was such a beautiful story that dealt with topics such as grief, guilt, and I loved the healing journey that Emily went on.
This book definitely broke my heart but ultimately put it right back together at the end. As someone who keeps my past memories and relationships near and dear to my heart, I could really relate to the themes of coming to terms with your past and forgiving yourself. To me, this felt like such a cathartic read and I absolutely adored this. I would definitely read other works by this author in the future. I recommend When We Were Young to music lovers, to those who dwell on the past, to those who may be harboring guilt over a past situation, to those that are on a healing journey, and especially to those that love to see how the connections we make throughout our lives influence our current relationships.
June 5, 2025
This is just the best book on so many levels! Firstly, the cover is just stunning and is the perfect cover design to encapsulate the novel. And this is just the most spectacular debut from Elaine Hastings and I am so looking forward to reading her next book! But first … When We Were Young!
Love, music, and loss come together in a beautiful story that spans past and present. I loved the dual timeline. I found it engaging and very easy to follow, seamlessly intertwining the past and the present.
In 1994, busker Will and art student Emily fall hopelessly in love. They share an immense passion for music and being creative in their own ways, dreaming of a future full of possibilities. They are so happy and love their world that they have composed together. This is a book about love but also a book about loss …
Just when everything is falling into place and their future feels certain, tragedy changes everything.
By 2016, Emily is a single mother. Her love for creativity is buried deep inside. I found myself rooting so much for Emily to rediscover her creative spark and do what she loves. I wanted her to shine again – she deserved this so much.
When Emily’s daughter Liv uncovers the truth about Will and the secrets her mum kept, she’s desperate to understand why. And what did actually happen to Will? Liv is determined to find out. Liv thought she knew everything about her ordinary Mum, but discovering her secrets leaves her feeling very hurt and confused.
I loved seeing Liv and her mum’s relationship evolve, strengthening their bond and bringing them closer than ever.
The characters were absolutely brilliant. We got such a deep insight into each of them that I felt like we really knew them so well. There were heartbreaking moments that deeply touched me.
If you love books and music, this book is a perfect match – such a heartfelt story. I absolutely loved it. Challenging themes are thoughtfully explored with depth and great care. Although they are very hard topics, it is so important that they are included in novels. When We Were Young highlights the vital importance of why talking is so important and when you ask your friends if they are okay, ask twice. Even brief conversations can have a big impact and make such a difference.
Losing loved ones tragically is deeply painful, and self-blame often follows. When We Were Young powerfully highlights the importance of accepting your past and embracing self-forgiveness, freeing you from any guilt you may feel, opening the door to new beginnings. Our past shapes our future, and accepting it helps us move forward, one day at a time.
A deeply touching and emotionally powerful story. When We Were Young is beautifully written, moved me so much but also brought a smile to my face. Most importantly it left a lasting impact and a very clear pivotal message. I will never forget this book.
Thank you very much Avon Books UK for my advanced copy. This review is based on a NetGalley ARC provided in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.
Love, music, and loss come together in a beautiful story that spans past and present. I loved the dual timeline. I found it engaging and very easy to follow, seamlessly intertwining the past and the present.
In 1994, busker Will and art student Emily fall hopelessly in love. They share an immense passion for music and being creative in their own ways, dreaming of a future full of possibilities. They are so happy and love their world that they have composed together. This is a book about love but also a book about loss …
Just when everything is falling into place and their future feels certain, tragedy changes everything.
By 2016, Emily is a single mother. Her love for creativity is buried deep inside. I found myself rooting so much for Emily to rediscover her creative spark and do what she loves. I wanted her to shine again – she deserved this so much.
When Emily’s daughter Liv uncovers the truth about Will and the secrets her mum kept, she’s desperate to understand why. And what did actually happen to Will? Liv is determined to find out. Liv thought she knew everything about her ordinary Mum, but discovering her secrets leaves her feeling very hurt and confused.
I loved seeing Liv and her mum’s relationship evolve, strengthening their bond and bringing them closer than ever.
The characters were absolutely brilliant. We got such a deep insight into each of them that I felt like we really knew them so well. There were heartbreaking moments that deeply touched me.
If you love books and music, this book is a perfect match – such a heartfelt story. I absolutely loved it. Challenging themes are thoughtfully explored with depth and great care. Although they are very hard topics, it is so important that they are included in novels. When We Were Young highlights the vital importance of why talking is so important and when you ask your friends if they are okay, ask twice. Even brief conversations can have a big impact and make such a difference.
Losing loved ones tragically is deeply painful, and self-blame often follows. When We Were Young powerfully highlights the importance of accepting your past and embracing self-forgiveness, freeing you from any guilt you may feel, opening the door to new beginnings. Our past shapes our future, and accepting it helps us move forward, one day at a time.
A deeply touching and emotionally powerful story. When We Were Young is beautifully written, moved me so much but also brought a smile to my face. Most importantly it left a lasting impact and a very clear pivotal message. I will never forget this book.
Thank you very much Avon Books UK for my advanced copy. This review is based on a NetGalley ARC provided in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.
July 21, 2025
When We Were Young was a heartbreakingly beautiful book reminiscent of Talking at Night by Claire Daverly. Both books took a few chapters to get into their groove, but drew me in, and made me anxious to put them down. I didn’t have high expectations for this book, because of its cover. I was expecting more of a teenage, fast-paced, slick, superficial book. Boy, was I wrong. This novel has multiple points of view and chapters from different perspectives, with daughter Liv, surprisingly (to me), being the main point of view. A car accident changes Liv’s life when her mom, Emily, reveals that she had a relationship with 90’s musician, Will, a talented artist who died before making his second album. The perspectives shift mainly between Will, Emily, Liv, and jump in time from the early 90s to present day.
Emily is living such a punishingly small life. She is disconnected from herself and her teenage daughter; sleepwalking through her existence. As a therapist, I thought that was an accurate portrayal of unresolved, complicated grief. Emily was so stuck in blame and fantasy. Her perspective of Will, so colored by her grief, gave her a child-like view of him. This perspective, shared by Emily and Will, is so strong that it takes the reader time to see Will accurately, and not like some romantic hero. In fact, I was swept up in the tragic romance of it all, sitting in Will and 20 year old Emily’s perspective, that it took time for me to take a step back and see who Will really was. As someone who lived through the Kurt Cobain 90s, and was a teen when he killed himself, it was so easy to be transported to that perspective of a Kurt being a fractured-romantic-genius-artist, and discount his substance use and the pain he must have caused to the people in his life, both at that time and also what his daughter must feel like today, living with that legacy. Thanks Scott, for giving me permission to see Will more accurately. I wish Emily could have done so sooner as well.
Hastings captures a teenage perspective so well; the feeling that everything is so meaningful and so fragile at the same time. The details about the music festivals and concerts were so vivid. I loved the supporting characters (Rue!), they all felt real. It was so beautiful to see both Liv and Emily develop and grow up through the course of the book. And Scott, oh Scott, I was so glad to see more of him as the book progressed. The epilogue killed me; I was crying in bed as I finished. I loved this book! I hope it gets recognized for how special it is. 4.5 stars. Thanks to Net Galley and Avon Books UK for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Emily is living such a punishingly small life. She is disconnected from herself and her teenage daughter; sleepwalking through her existence. As a therapist, I thought that was an accurate portrayal of unresolved, complicated grief. Emily was so stuck in blame and fantasy. Her perspective of Will, so colored by her grief, gave her a child-like view of him. This perspective, shared by Emily and Will, is so strong that it takes the reader time to see Will accurately, and not like some romantic hero. In fact, I was swept up in the tragic romance of it all, sitting in Will and 20 year old Emily’s perspective, that it took time for me to take a step back and see who Will really was. As someone who lived through the Kurt Cobain 90s, and was a teen when he killed himself, it was so easy to be transported to that perspective of a Kurt being a fractured-romantic-genius-artist, and discount his substance use and the pain he must have caused to the people in his life, both at that time and also what his daughter must feel like today, living with that legacy. Thanks Scott, for giving me permission to see Will more accurately. I wish Emily could have done so sooner as well.
Hastings captures a teenage perspective so well; the feeling that everything is so meaningful and so fragile at the same time. The details about the music festivals and concerts were so vivid. I loved the supporting characters (Rue!), they all felt real. It was so beautiful to see both Liv and Emily develop and grow up through the course of the book. And Scott, oh Scott, I was so glad to see more of him as the book progressed. The epilogue killed me; I was crying in bed as I finished. I loved this book! I hope it gets recognized for how special it is. 4.5 stars. Thanks to Net Galley and Avon Books UK for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
July 31, 2025
When We Were Young has a lovely cover and is the sad tale of a 1990s musician and his great love, Emily. The novel alternates between flashbacks to Will’s life in the 90s and present day, with multiple narrators. Will finds great success as a musician, but is overwhelmed by the pressures to create, perform and tour. He commits suicide, and crushes his lover Emily in the process.
Cue to present day, and the story alternates between the point of view of Emily, her ex-partner Scott, and their daughter Liv. I found this part of the story to be very difficult to get through. Emily hates her job and her life overall, and seems to be living in a fog, unable to move on from Will’s suicide decades prior. Liv is extremely manipulative, lies to her friends and parents in order to sneak around with her boyfriend. She does many things to pry into Emily’s past, even though her mother asks her multiple times to stop doing this. Her selfish nature and disrespect shown to her mother was particularly cruel.
This novel felt really grey to me. The mood of the book is very depressing until the last two chapters. Will’s suicide, Emily’s unhappiness, Liv’s selfish and duplicitious nature are all very negative. I assume that the author is trying to show us the difficulties and pain of complex grief, but as a reader, the content felt very heavy and the characters very sad. I had a hard time feeling connected with any of the characters, or the story, other than feeling sorry for all of them.
I think this novel will appeal to a reader who enjoys emotional stories about painful loss and grief. A reader who is interested in 1990s rock and musicians would find this novel interesting. The tone and subject matter were too sad and intense for me, but I’m sure there are many other readers who would love this book.
Thanks to Elaine Hastings, Avon Books UK, and NetGalley for providing an advance reader’s copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Cue to present day, and the story alternates between the point of view of Emily, her ex-partner Scott, and their daughter Liv. I found this part of the story to be very difficult to get through. Emily hates her job and her life overall, and seems to be living in a fog, unable to move on from Will’s suicide decades prior. Liv is extremely manipulative, lies to her friends and parents in order to sneak around with her boyfriend. She does many things to pry into Emily’s past, even though her mother asks her multiple times to stop doing this. Her selfish nature and disrespect shown to her mother was particularly cruel.
This novel felt really grey to me. The mood of the book is very depressing until the last two chapters. Will’s suicide, Emily’s unhappiness, Liv’s selfish and duplicitious nature are all very negative. I assume that the author is trying to show us the difficulties and pain of complex grief, but as a reader, the content felt very heavy and the characters very sad. I had a hard time feeling connected with any of the characters, or the story, other than feeling sorry for all of them.
I think this novel will appeal to a reader who enjoys emotional stories about painful loss and grief. A reader who is interested in 1990s rock and musicians would find this novel interesting. The tone and subject matter were too sad and intense for me, but I’m sure there are many other readers who would love this book.
Thanks to Elaine Hastings, Avon Books UK, and NetGalley for providing an advance reader’s copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
May 9, 2025
When we were young by @ehastingswrites her debut novel coming July 17th 2025, thanks you @netgalley for giving me the chance to read this book, it represents so much and puts a message that we all need to understand better of each others feeling and self awareness.
The way Elaine wrote so beautiful and sensitively about the love story of Will and Emily's. How they were both trying to navigate their creative careers. Him being a singer songwriter and making work and a rock star ⭐ and her being an artist making her way through university and creating art for exhibitions. Their struggles , communication and obstacles of trying to make their relationship work or whether it could help work. They loved each other so much but sometimes it's not enough or your dreams just don't align with the others.
But the heartbreak 💔 and sense of loss. she takes the blame and guilt on to herself through out the book. It changes her and how she behave like a mum to her daughter. Which I love about this book going into different POV and the timeline from the present to the past. How it shows everyone's thoughts process.
I literally cried so much with this book but also had big smiles on my face with the lighter moments which were needed.
5✨✨✨✨✨
Spiciness 🔥🔥.5
But I loved it more for the mental health representation which was spot on and handled with the upmost care
The way Elaine wrote so beautiful and sensitively about the love story of Will and Emily's. How they were both trying to navigate their creative careers. Him being a singer songwriter and making work and a rock star ⭐ and her being an artist making her way through university and creating art for exhibitions. Their struggles , communication and obstacles of trying to make their relationship work or whether it could help work. They loved each other so much but sometimes it's not enough or your dreams just don't align with the others.
But the heartbreak 💔 and sense of loss. she takes the blame and guilt on to herself through out the book. It changes her and how she behave like a mum to her daughter. Which I love about this book going into different POV and the timeline from the present to the past. How it shows everyone's thoughts process.
I literally cried so much with this book but also had big smiles on my face with the lighter moments which were needed.
5✨✨✨✨✨
Spiciness 🔥🔥.5
But I loved it more for the mental health representation which was spot on and handled with the upmost care
July 1, 2025
Let me start by saying this debut wrecked me in the best way.
When We Were Young is like if Taylor Jenkins Reid wrote a love letter to '90s romance, Britpop dreams, and all the moments that shape us and then ripped your heart out and handed it back tenderly with a cup of tea.
In 1994, Emily and Will are the kind of couple you root for: scrappy, creative, intense. They're the definition of young love burning bright—equal parts passionate and messy. By the time Glastonbury and gallery openings roll around, you're already bracing for the fall.
Flash to 2016, and Emily is… not who she used to be. She's a mom now. She’s settled. She’s haunted. And her daughter Liv is just now finding out about this big, beautiful, tragic chapter in her mom’s life. The unraveling that follows? So good. So tender. So perfectly devastating.
🖋️ What I Loved:
* It gives One Day meets Daisy Jones vibes (but quieter, more grounded)
* Emotional slow-burn revelations that sneak up on you
* A perfect blend of nostalgia, grief, and the reminder that we all carry versions of our past selves
This book is for the romantics, the creatives, the former indie kids who still think about the one that got awaynand maybe for the moms who once danced barefoot in muddy festival fields.
4 stars. Beautifully written. Bittersweet in the best way. Bring tissues and a playlist.
July 3, 2025
Elaine Hastings’ debut, When We Were Young, is a nostalgic and emotionally layered novel that moves between two timelines. The story shifts from the vibrant buzz of the 1990s to the quieter and more reflective present of 2016. It follows Emily and Will, two young creatives who fall deeply in love and find themselves swept up in a whirlwind of music, art, and eventual fame. Their connection is passionate but ultimately tragic. Years later, Emily’s teenage daughter Liv uncovers clues about her mother’s past, forcing long-hidden secrets and unresolved grief into the open.
The characters feel genuine and well developed. Emily’s guarded nature, Will’s emotional vulnerability, and Liv’s growing curiosity are all portrayed with care. The novel explores themes of love, loss, ambition, and the complicated ways the past continues to shape the present, particularly through the lens of a mother and daughter navigating truth and identity.
Although the writing is evocative and the emotional core is strong, the pacing does falter at times. Some sections feel a little slow, especially when switching between timelines.
Overall, When We Were Young is a poignant and thoughtful debut. While not without its flaws, it offers heartfelt storytelling and compelling characters. A solid 3.75 stars.
The characters feel genuine and well developed. Emily’s guarded nature, Will’s emotional vulnerability, and Liv’s growing curiosity are all portrayed with care. The novel explores themes of love, loss, ambition, and the complicated ways the past continues to shape the present, particularly through the lens of a mother and daughter navigating truth and identity.
Although the writing is evocative and the emotional core is strong, the pacing does falter at times. Some sections feel a little slow, especially when switching between timelines.
Overall, When We Were Young is a poignant and thoughtful debut. While not without its flaws, it offers heartfelt storytelling and compelling characters. A solid 3.75 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 18, 2025
From Will Bailey’s early days in the 1990s, busking at the train station with dreams of becoming a rock star, When We Were Young is a story of both light and darkness. Of hopes and aspirations, tragedy and despair.
Art student Emily comes into Will’s life, passing through on her way to catch a train. She becomes both his obsession and muse as he regularly looks out for her, writing songs of unrequited love. But when dreams come true and Will and his band become famous, and he captures the heart of the young woman he has always wanted, predictably things don’t go to plan.
Fast forward to 2016 and Emily has a teenage daughter, Olivia (Liv). Her dramatic reaction to a track playing on her daughter’s phone in the car, sets Liv on a quest to find out more about deceased rock star Will Bailey and his connection to her mother.
This is a wonderful debut. I loved the writer’s ‘voice’, the characters and a story that at times held so much hope and yet contained so much sorrow. It’s one of the best books I’ve read so far this year - an impressive and thought provoking read - and can’t wait to see what Elaine Hastings does next.
I would like to thank Harper Collins, the author and Netgalley for an ARC of When We Were Young in exchange for an honest review.
Art student Emily comes into Will’s life, passing through on her way to catch a train. She becomes both his obsession and muse as he regularly looks out for her, writing songs of unrequited love. But when dreams come true and Will and his band become famous, and he captures the heart of the young woman he has always wanted, predictably things don’t go to plan.
Fast forward to 2016 and Emily has a teenage daughter, Olivia (Liv). Her dramatic reaction to a track playing on her daughter’s phone in the car, sets Liv on a quest to find out more about deceased rock star Will Bailey and his connection to her mother.
This is a wonderful debut. I loved the writer’s ‘voice’, the characters and a story that at times held so much hope and yet contained so much sorrow. It’s one of the best books I’ve read so far this year - an impressive and thought provoking read - and can’t wait to see what Elaine Hastings does next.
I would like to thank Harper Collins, the author and Netgalley for an ARC of When We Were Young in exchange for an honest review.
July 28, 2025
This was a lovely emotional read, perfect to lose yourself in and connect with the characters as they face love and heartbreak over the years.
Told from the viewpoint of multiple characters, over different timelines, it really centres around the love story between Will and Emily. He's a busker on the underground when they first meet, she an aspiring art student, and there's an instant connection. Fast forward to the time when he's appearing at Glastonbury, and she's showing her art at her own show and they are living young loves dream! And then disaster strikes and Emily retreats back to a very quiet life, sharing no details of her past especially not to her daughter, Liv.
In the present timeline, Liv is 16 and starting to question what happened to her mum in the past after a shocking incident in the car. And this leads to some intriguing discoveries and I thought the author did a really good job in the way that she handled the different threads and timelines.
It's a story of grief, young love and secret pasts and it was one of those books that you get totally lost in, so makes for a perfect summer read!
Told from the viewpoint of multiple characters, over different timelines, it really centres around the love story between Will and Emily. He's a busker on the underground when they first meet, she an aspiring art student, and there's an instant connection. Fast forward to the time when he's appearing at Glastonbury, and she's showing her art at her own show and they are living young loves dream! And then disaster strikes and Emily retreats back to a very quiet life, sharing no details of her past especially not to her daughter, Liv.
In the present timeline, Liv is 16 and starting to question what happened to her mum in the past after a shocking incident in the car. And this leads to some intriguing discoveries and I thought the author did a really good job in the way that she handled the different threads and timelines.
It's a story of grief, young love and secret pasts and it was one of those books that you get totally lost in, so makes for a perfect summer read!
April 28, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book.
This is a story about a woman coming to terms with her past, love, family (Child/Parent Relationship), and friendship. The daughter brings up a name from her mother’s past, which sets this story in motion. The story goes back and forth between the daughter looking into her mom’s past, the mom reflecting on the past, the father figuring out his part and the past. Part of what I enjoyed about this book is the portrayal of an ordinary every day mom and the daughter discovering her mother’s relationship with a lead singer of a famous band. We sometimes forget parents lived full lives before us. I also liked how the story had a couple love stories in it but didn’t diminish the feelings involved in either relation- the love stories shared similarities and differences and it did not portray either love right or wrong, just different.
I gave it four stars because it was a great book but I reserve five stars for books I think have a more general mass appeal or really touch me to the core. This was a really good book in it’s genre.
This is a story about a woman coming to terms with her past, love, family (Child/Parent Relationship), and friendship. The daughter brings up a name from her mother’s past, which sets this story in motion. The story goes back and forth between the daughter looking into her mom’s past, the mom reflecting on the past, the father figuring out his part and the past. Part of what I enjoyed about this book is the portrayal of an ordinary every day mom and the daughter discovering her mother’s relationship with a lead singer of a famous band. We sometimes forget parents lived full lives before us. I also liked how the story had a couple love stories in it but didn’t diminish the feelings involved in either relation- the love stories shared similarities and differences and it did not portray either love right or wrong, just different.
I gave it four stars because it was a great book but I reserve five stars for books I think have a more general mass appeal or really touch me to the core. This was a really good book in it’s genre.
July 30, 2025
When We Were Young is a fast moving, easy to read debut novel. It has a dual timeline and three different POV’s which keeps the story interesting and entertaining. It’s relatable and funny at times, with a unique storyline about a young musician and a young artist who fall hard for one another. Fast forward 16 years and we explore what happened to Will and Emily back in the late 90’s through Emily’s daughter Liv exploring her mum’s history she has never shared with her.
It deals with themes of suicide, drug use and mental health problems whilst ultimately being a story about love, friendship and family.
It was an enjoyable read and an interesting storyline. However I was hoping for more character depth. The book deals with some very serious topics but unfortunately I felt they weren’t explored in any great detail and there was a focus on the fast-paced storyline over emotional depth. A fair few times I was left frustrated at end of a chapter as I just wanted to hear a bit more. Could it have just been a me problem or bad timing, quite possibly. 🤷♀️
It deals with themes of suicide, drug use and mental health problems whilst ultimately being a story about love, friendship and family.
It was an enjoyable read and an interesting storyline. However I was hoping for more character depth. The book deals with some very serious topics but unfortunately I felt they weren’t explored in any great detail and there was a focus on the fast-paced storyline over emotional depth. A fair few times I was left frustrated at end of a chapter as I just wanted to hear a bit more. Could it have just been a me problem or bad timing, quite possibly. 🤷♀️
August 16, 2025
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.
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.
July 23, 2025
‘Emily and Will enjoy a magical summer when they go on tour with Will’s band. All encompassed in their love, the last thing they expect is that Will would be dead within two years...’
If you only purchase one book this year, I implore it to be this one.
I don’t think I’ll ever be over this story; as soon as I read the last page, I wanted to start it all over again. ‘When We Were Young’ is an ode to the nostalgic 90s, true love, gut wrenching heartbreak and grief.
A dual timeline novel, the story is told through Emily and her daughter, Liv, from the 90s to 2016. I wish I could put into words just how much this story has touched my heart. Tears were shed on multiple occasions throughout; Elaine Hastings has written an absolute masterpiece and I’m PRAYING that she releases more books in the future.
A massive thank you to both Avon Books and Elaine for my finished copy of this book, it’s going to be pride of place on my bookshelf.
If you only purchase one book this year, I implore it to be this one.
I don’t think I’ll ever be over this story; as soon as I read the last page, I wanted to start it all over again. ‘When We Were Young’ is an ode to the nostalgic 90s, true love, gut wrenching heartbreak and grief.
A dual timeline novel, the story is told through Emily and her daughter, Liv, from the 90s to 2016. I wish I could put into words just how much this story has touched my heart. Tears were shed on multiple occasions throughout; Elaine Hastings has written an absolute masterpiece and I’m PRAYING that she releases more books in the future.
A massive thank you to both Avon Books and Elaine for my finished copy of this book, it’s going to be pride of place on my bookshelf.
July 25, 2025
I really enjoyed this one. It was definitely an emotional read from start to finish. I love music so watching Will's career grow during 90s and seeing the positive and negative impacts it had on him was really interesting!
I loved the multiple POV and the dual timeline. Emily, Will and Liv's POVs all felt important to the overall story. There's so many themes explored through those three narratives - love, loss, grief, guilt, acceptance. Relationship struggles with Emily and her daughter and also Will and Emily and his family.
It's very messy and complicated but that's what makes it feel real. I felt like each character went on a journey.
Only thing I wasn't sure about was Scott. The romance storyline with him at the end felt a bit rushed and unrealistic.
That being said, it is a really beautiful story that I would fully recommend.
I loved the multiple POV and the dual timeline. Emily, Will and Liv's POVs all felt important to the overall story. There's so many themes explored through those three narratives - love, loss, grief, guilt, acceptance. Relationship struggles with Emily and her daughter and also Will and Emily and his family.
It's very messy and complicated but that's what makes it feel real. I felt like each character went on a journey.
Only thing I wasn't sure about was Scott. The romance storyline with him at the end felt a bit rushed and unrealistic.
That being said, it is a really beautiful story that I would fully recommend.
September 12, 2025
When We Were Young is a dual timeline romance, bouncing between 1994 and 2016. In 2016 Emily’s daughter is obsessed with a musician from the 90’s. She discovers her “boring” mother had a relationship with said musician. The two spent an amazing summer together when then student Emily and then busker Will met and Emily went on tour with Will’s band sometime later. For fans of “Daisy Jones and the Six”, this is a story of the past, the present, love, loss and music. This is not what I would call a “contemporary romance” as some of it is set in the past and its has more of a golden hour love and loss vibe compared to more the popular romance novels today. This book was a far cry from what I usually prefer to read so it did take some time to hook me into the story.
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