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All We Once Had
An emotional and heartfelt contemporary YA romance from the author of Everything I Promised You, exploring the complicated nature of grief, family, growing up, and the beauty of second chances.
Piper and her older sister could not be more different. Tati assumed guardianship when their parents were killed by a drunk driver, and some days Piper feels more kinship with her best friend and her family. Except Gabi isn't speaking to Piper, just when Piper could really use a friend. Which is not how she expected to start the summer before senior year.
Escaping to their apartment complex's pool for some space, Piper is stunned to see Henry. Her Henry. The boy who, three years ago, sat next to her at this same pool and offered the kind, calming presence she needed while she was deep in her grief. Together, they walked the beach, talked about their passions, and ultimately, shared a kiss. It was a perfect night. Except Piper hasn't seen him since.
Henry is back in Florida to spend time with his dad and escape the relationship drama he left at home. Fate has brought Piper and Henry back together when their lives are most complicated with devastating secrets. With no one to confide in but each other, Piper and Henry must confront their painful pasts and the tumultuous present. Is this the start of another goodbye or a second chance at love?
Piper and her older sister could not be more different. Tati assumed guardianship when their parents were killed by a drunk driver, and some days Piper feels more kinship with her best friend and her family. Except Gabi isn't speaking to Piper, just when Piper could really use a friend. Which is not how she expected to start the summer before senior year.
Escaping to their apartment complex's pool for some space, Piper is stunned to see Henry. Her Henry. The boy who, three years ago, sat next to her at this same pool and offered the kind, calming presence she needed while she was deep in her grief. Together, they walked the beach, talked about their passions, and ultimately, shared a kiss. It was a perfect night. Except Piper hasn't seen him since.
Henry is back in Florida to spend time with his dad and escape the relationship drama he left at home. Fate has brought Piper and Henry back together when their lives are most complicated with devastating secrets. With no one to confide in but each other, Piper and Henry must confront their painful pasts and the tumultuous present. Is this the start of another goodbye or a second chance at love?
416 pages, Paperback
First published February 3, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
February 19, 2026
YAYAYA finished another book!! i am actually reading so slowly this year this one took me almost a month😝
i thought this was cute!! there were a few times that i was really annoyed because of miscommunication (aka the most unbearable and annoying trope because JUST TALK TO EACH OTHER) but other than that i really liked this! i always enjoy a summer romance in a beach town, and i think this one was a good mix of romance and plot to keep it interesting. i am also glad that piper eventually worked out mostly everything in her life and it really turned around for the better!!
overall very cute and i enjoyed!
i thought this was cute!! there were a few times that i was really annoyed because of miscommunication (aka the most unbearable and annoying trope because JUST TALK TO EACH OTHER) but other than that i really liked this! i always enjoy a summer romance in a beach town, and i think this one was a good mix of romance and plot to keep it interesting. i am also glad that piper eventually worked out mostly everything in her life and it really turned around for the better!!
overall very cute and i enjoyed!
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February 4, 2026Another Katy Upperman novel that made me swoon and cry! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
February 3, 2026
4.5⭐
All We Once Had is a standalone YA second chance romance that absolutely took my breath away. Usually YA romances are a hit or miss for me, I can confidently say that this one was a hit. I was completely hooked with Piper & Henry. I really enjoyed the depth of the storyline, the way the story progressed and the pacing. It didn't feel overly lengthy or that there were unnecessary parts to their story. What tends to happen in YA romances is the immaturity of the characters. I can tell you that this is highly refreshing, the characters are so mature, act and react in a way that is not annoying or obnoxious, they actually speak to each other. Obviously there's conflict and certain things that cause friction, but it gets resolved and actually makes sense! This is not all sunshine and lollipops but it is so worth the journey.
Piper & Henry were the absolute cutest. I loved their relationship, their chemistry, and their friendship. I loved that they communicated, how they both grew so much as individuals, the emotional maturity and the fact they both had a lot of baggage coming into the relationship and were both open to one another. I loved Tati & Davis as side characters, they really brought on a totally different dimension to the storyline. I just feel like everything meshed together made for a really emotional journey to self discovery for all the characters as well finding love.
Overall, this was such a beautifully written YA romance which I haven't come across in a while. The level of maturity truly makes this book that more enjoyable. If you're looking to dive into YA romance, I highly recommend this one. I loved it from start to finish, such a beautiful story!
✨️ Thank you to @sourcebooksfire & @katyupperman for my gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.
All We Once Had is a standalone YA second chance romance that absolutely took my breath away. Usually YA romances are a hit or miss for me, I can confidently say that this one was a hit. I was completely hooked with Piper & Henry. I really enjoyed the depth of the storyline, the way the story progressed and the pacing. It didn't feel overly lengthy or that there were unnecessary parts to their story. What tends to happen in YA romances is the immaturity of the characters. I can tell you that this is highly refreshing, the characters are so mature, act and react in a way that is not annoying or obnoxious, they actually speak to each other. Obviously there's conflict and certain things that cause friction, but it gets resolved and actually makes sense! This is not all sunshine and lollipops but it is so worth the journey.
Piper & Henry were the absolute cutest. I loved their relationship, their chemistry, and their friendship. I loved that they communicated, how they both grew so much as individuals, the emotional maturity and the fact they both had a lot of baggage coming into the relationship and were both open to one another. I loved Tati & Davis as side characters, they really brought on a totally different dimension to the storyline. I just feel like everything meshed together made for a really emotional journey to self discovery for all the characters as well finding love.
Overall, this was such a beautifully written YA romance which I haven't come across in a while. The level of maturity truly makes this book that more enjoyable. If you're looking to dive into YA romance, I highly recommend this one. I loved it from start to finish, such a beautiful story!
✨️ Thank you to @sourcebooksfire & @katyupperman for my gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 2, 2025
Wonderful book! Upperman is definitely a gifted storyteller. Piper has dreams of becoming a marine biologist following in her parent's footsteps. That is if she can escape her dictator of a sister, her guardian, who thinks Piper can't do anything right. A chance encounter that happens not once but twice brings her and Henry together. Henry, a dreamboat, arrives at his dad's apartment complex to spend the summer with him. He needed to get away from his problems back home and has his eyes set on being accepted to Westpoint. Can the spontaneous and carefree Piper and Henry the disciplined rule follower set aside their differences and fall in love? Set in beautiful Florida this epic love story is raw and gritty. Grief, assault, lost friendships, teen pregnancy, and alcoholism also impact the two throughout the story. A coming-of-age story that will give you all the feels! Read it you won't be sorry.
February 10, 2026
4.5 stars
Katy's writing is just so beautiful and draws you right in. Even being just over 400 pages it flies by and you can't help but to keep reading, I read this in two afternoons just because I HAD to stop and get things done the first day. The family dynamics and development of the characters is great and I fought to not shed a tear at the end. I hope to see another novel from Katy soon!
Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for access to an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Katy's writing is just so beautiful and draws you right in. Even being just over 400 pages it flies by and you can't help but to keep reading, I read this in two afternoons just because I HAD to stop and get things done the first day. The family dynamics and development of the characters is great and I fought to not shed a tear at the end. I hope to see another novel from Katy soon!
Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for access to an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
January 26, 2026
What a sweet sweet story! I absolutely enjoyed diving into Piper and Henry’s story, that is not just all sunshine and rainbows- despite being set in Florida. Everyone has so much going on behind the scenes that you will never know about and show why it’s so important to just be kind and compassionate to everyone!
Also after reading the Author Acknowledgements, I loved seeing the names of her team that she’s thanking pop in and out throughout her different books ❤️
Also after reading the Author Acknowledgements, I loved seeing the names of her team that she’s thanking pop in and out throughout her different books ❤️
January 22, 2026
Dear Katy Upperman— I love you. Please never stop writing books. They are everything to me. They are always the perfect balance of romance, comedy, and angst. With the occasional heartbreak.. and I love it. All We Wants Had is so good I’m gonna hug it every and tuck into bed! It’s so charming! Henry and Piper are so sweet and they make such good friends before anything else! They don’t shy away from sharing big things with each and that allows them to grow deeper! Love! so darn cute!!
January 27, 2026
Started this at work, finished it at home.
I forgot how much I loved a simple teen romance novel. You feel all the emotions like you’re in the relationship with the characters. Piper is a tough cookie who found her way and Henry is a thoughtful and wise young man.
I honestly don’t know what to say about this book other than the rating and length of time it took me to read should say it all.
I forgot how much I loved a simple teen romance novel. You feel all the emotions like you’re in the relationship with the characters. Piper is a tough cookie who found her way and Henry is a thoughtful and wise young man.
I honestly don’t know what to say about this book other than the rating and length of time it took me to read should say it all.
April 18, 2026
This book is much more a coming-of-age story than a romance. The back stories of the main characters and their family members are really pretty heavy and kind of overshadow the romance. I didn't feel the typical longing and angst between the main characters that you'd expect in a romance... it was like their romance was glossed over to make room for the family issues they were dealing with. I wish the book were structured differently so we didn't have dual POVs and instead focused on one character's perspective. There was just a lot going on here.
May 3, 2026
This was such a good story! I’m happy I found it on Libby
December 8, 2025
3.5 stars!! Really beautiful story between Piper and Henry whose relationship feels authentic. I particularly loved the relationship between Piper and Tati — it’s wonderful to see sister relationships given the space and seriousness they deserve.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC of this novel!
This. This!!! Where do I even begin?
All We Once Had is an emotional, heartfelt YA contemporary that dives into grief, family, growing up, and the quiet hope of second chances. We follow Piper, who is still figuring out how to exist after losing her parents in an accident. Her older sister, Tati, has stepped into the role of guardian, and while she’s truly trying her best, their relationship is complicated, messy, and heavy in a way that feels painfully real. On top of that, Piper is dealing with the sudden loss of her best friend, Gabi, right at the start of the summer before senior year. Already overwhelmed and feeling alone, she escapes to the apartment complex pool, only to unexpectedly run into Henry. The boy who, three years ago, helped her survive one of the hardest nights of her life.
I love books like this. The ones that aren’t afraid to sit in the heaviness, that feel raw, honest, and deeply human. This story has so much emotional depth, especially in the way it slowly builds Piper and Henry’s connection. Their relationship doesn’t feel rushed or idealized; it grows through shared vulnerability, quiet moments, and the safety of being understood.
The themes are heavy, but they’re handled with so much care. Grief, guilt, family responsibility, and complicated love are explored openly, without trying to sugarcoat how hard life can be. The pacing felt just right, and I loved the dual POVs (dual POVs always have my heart!). Being inside both Piper’s and Henry’s heads made everything feel more intimate, like I was right there with them as they tried to navigate loss, healing, and growing up.
And Tati! Oh, I really grew fond of her. Her character added so much nuance to the story. I appreciated how her role as a guardian, and as a sister trying to navigate her own life and future, was portrayed with empathy and complexity. It really highlighted how no one in this story has it all figured out, and that’s kind of the point.
One of my favourite quotes from the book perfectly captures why this story hit so hard:
“Henry, do you think we’re defined by our experiences?”
I ponder that for a minute. “Shaped, maybe, but not defined. At least, I’m trying not to let hard stuff from my past shit all over the good stuff in my present.”
That line alone says so much about this book. The characters are written beautifully. They are flawed, hurting, and hopeful. And they show that life isn’t perfect, healing isn’t linear, and growth often comes from sitting with the hard stuff instead of avoiding it.
Overall, All We Once Had is a beautiful coming-of-age story filled with romance, family, and themes that aren’t afraid to be examined in the open. Raw, real, and deeply memorable. This one is going to stay with me for a long time.
⭐ 4.5/5
This. This!!! Where do I even begin?
All We Once Had is an emotional, heartfelt YA contemporary that dives into grief, family, growing up, and the quiet hope of second chances. We follow Piper, who is still figuring out how to exist after losing her parents in an accident. Her older sister, Tati, has stepped into the role of guardian, and while she’s truly trying her best, their relationship is complicated, messy, and heavy in a way that feels painfully real. On top of that, Piper is dealing with the sudden loss of her best friend, Gabi, right at the start of the summer before senior year. Already overwhelmed and feeling alone, she escapes to the apartment complex pool, only to unexpectedly run into Henry. The boy who, three years ago, helped her survive one of the hardest nights of her life.
I love books like this. The ones that aren’t afraid to sit in the heaviness, that feel raw, honest, and deeply human. This story has so much emotional depth, especially in the way it slowly builds Piper and Henry’s connection. Their relationship doesn’t feel rushed or idealized; it grows through shared vulnerability, quiet moments, and the safety of being understood.
The themes are heavy, but they’re handled with so much care. Grief, guilt, family responsibility, and complicated love are explored openly, without trying to sugarcoat how hard life can be. The pacing felt just right, and I loved the dual POVs (dual POVs always have my heart!). Being inside both Piper’s and Henry’s heads made everything feel more intimate, like I was right there with them as they tried to navigate loss, healing, and growing up.
And Tati! Oh, I really grew fond of her. Her character added so much nuance to the story. I appreciated how her role as a guardian, and as a sister trying to navigate her own life and future, was portrayed with empathy and complexity. It really highlighted how no one in this story has it all figured out, and that’s kind of the point.
One of my favourite quotes from the book perfectly captures why this story hit so hard:
“Henry, do you think we’re defined by our experiences?”
I ponder that for a minute. “Shaped, maybe, but not defined. At least, I’m trying not to let hard stuff from my past shit all over the good stuff in my present.”
That line alone says so much about this book. The characters are written beautifully. They are flawed, hurting, and hopeful. And they show that life isn’t perfect, healing isn’t linear, and growth often comes from sitting with the hard stuff instead of avoiding it.
Overall, All We Once Had is a beautiful coming-of-age story filled with romance, family, and themes that aren’t afraid to be examined in the open. Raw, real, and deeply memorable. This one is going to stay with me for a long time.
⭐ 4.5/5
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I don’t usually pick up teen romance. I often find the characters immature and the dialogue unrealistic for their age. But every once in a while, a truly exceptional story comes along, and All We Once Had is one of those rare finds.
Set during summer break, the story follows two teenagers navigating deeply personal struggles. Their maturity and emotional intelligence feel authentic, shaped by their hobbies, interests, and lived experiences rather than forced dialogue. Piper has an older sister she cannot truly confide in. Since their parents’ death and her sister Tati becoming her legal guardian, Piper struggles under the weight of impossibly high expectations. On top of that, she is dealing with the fallout of an estranged friendship. Her best friend believes Piper tried to seduce her boyfriend while drunk at a party.
Feeling isolated, Piper finds solace in quiet, familiar places, one of them being her apartment pool, where she unexpectedly runs into Henry. He was her first kiss at fourteen and the standard she has held every boy to since. The problem is that Henry disappeared from her life without explanation. Now he is back from Spokane, WA (S/O from a Washingtonian), visiting his dad in Florida, and dealing with an ex who refuses to let go. Running into Piper again opens the door to a second chance neither of them expected.
This book has real depth and excels at slowly building their relationship, with Piper and Henry finding comfort in each other as they open up about painful pasts. Piper projects a devil-may-care attitude, but beneath the surface she is deeply wounded, especially by the events that led to her friendship falling apart. There is plenty of drama here, and the themes are anything but lighthearted.
While the pacing was not particularly fast or riveting, I never struggled to pick it back up whenever I had time to read. This is not a sugar-coated romance. It is a coming-of-age story filled with growth, emotional weight, and hard-earned healing. The strong character development and emotional depth make this a great read for ages 14+ and deliver meaningful growth through difficult hardships.
I received a gifted copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Set during summer break, the story follows two teenagers navigating deeply personal struggles. Their maturity and emotional intelligence feel authentic, shaped by their hobbies, interests, and lived experiences rather than forced dialogue. Piper has an older sister she cannot truly confide in. Since their parents’ death and her sister Tati becoming her legal guardian, Piper struggles under the weight of impossibly high expectations. On top of that, she is dealing with the fallout of an estranged friendship. Her best friend believes Piper tried to seduce her boyfriend while drunk at a party.
Feeling isolated, Piper finds solace in quiet, familiar places, one of them being her apartment pool, where she unexpectedly runs into Henry. He was her first kiss at fourteen and the standard she has held every boy to since. The problem is that Henry disappeared from her life without explanation. Now he is back from Spokane, WA (S/O from a Washingtonian), visiting his dad in Florida, and dealing with an ex who refuses to let go. Running into Piper again opens the door to a second chance neither of them expected.
This book has real depth and excels at slowly building their relationship, with Piper and Henry finding comfort in each other as they open up about painful pasts. Piper projects a devil-may-care attitude, but beneath the surface she is deeply wounded, especially by the events that led to her friendship falling apart. There is plenty of drama here, and the themes are anything but lighthearted.
While the pacing was not particularly fast or riveting, I never struggled to pick it back up whenever I had time to read. This is not a sugar-coated romance. It is a coming-of-age story filled with growth, emotional weight, and hard-earned healing. The strong character development and emotional depth make this a great read for ages 14+ and deliver meaningful growth through difficult hardships.
I received a gifted copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 8, 2026
I don’t read a lot of YA so the fact that this kept me engaged till the end speaks to itself. I enjoyed the story and there’s a lot of life lessons throughout for us all even though it’s YA.
Piper had lost both her parents and is staying with her beautiful yet rather uptight and controlling elder sister. They have opposite personalities which ends up in clashes and exchanges leaving both of them sad and hurt. Piper had also lost her best friend over an incident with her friend’s boyfriend leaving her alone without anyone to emotionally rely on. Henry, who Piper had first met a couple of years ago, decides to spend summer with his dad and returns to town. He is quite the gentleman, thoughtful, responsible and a bit uptight. However, he’s bringing his own baggage. Piper and Henry connects again and the story moves on with how they face their insecurities, grief, past, and future together.
This story is very well written. The writing flows effortlessly and you can feel the sweet innocence of young love and hopes. The plot is well executed as well and the characters and their emotions are believable and very realistic. There’s a lot of emotions running high which are complicated and messy and the author manages to convey these very well. I was annoyed with Piper and Henry on occasions but then, these are young adults who are trying to understand who they are and what they want at an age when they are just beginning to get real life experiences.
I do however did not like how there’s an incident of unplanned pregnancy and abortion with Henry’s ex girlfriend. I admit it’s well situated into the plot and I appreciate how it was delivered but pregnancy plots in any form aren’t something I enjoy especially when it’s involving young characters. It would have been better if this plot point was changed but that’s just my personal opinion.
However, I did enjoy the story and it is really well written. Thank you Sourcebooks fire for the galley. All thoughts my own.
Piper had lost both her parents and is staying with her beautiful yet rather uptight and controlling elder sister. They have opposite personalities which ends up in clashes and exchanges leaving both of them sad and hurt. Piper had also lost her best friend over an incident with her friend’s boyfriend leaving her alone without anyone to emotionally rely on. Henry, who Piper had first met a couple of years ago, decides to spend summer with his dad and returns to town. He is quite the gentleman, thoughtful, responsible and a bit uptight. However, he’s bringing his own baggage. Piper and Henry connects again and the story moves on with how they face their insecurities, grief, past, and future together.
This story is very well written. The writing flows effortlessly and you can feel the sweet innocence of young love and hopes. The plot is well executed as well and the characters and their emotions are believable and very realistic. There’s a lot of emotions running high which are complicated and messy and the author manages to convey these very well. I was annoyed with Piper and Henry on occasions but then, these are young adults who are trying to understand who they are and what they want at an age when they are just beginning to get real life experiences.
I do however did not like how there’s an incident of unplanned pregnancy and abortion with Henry’s ex girlfriend. I admit it’s well situated into the plot and I appreciate how it was delivered but pregnancy plots in any form aren’t something I enjoy especially when it’s involving young characters. It would have been better if this plot point was changed but that’s just my personal opinion.
However, I did enjoy the story and it is really well written. Thank you Sourcebooks fire for the galley. All thoughts my own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
this was SO GOOD!!! I'm usually not a fan of romances, especially contemporary ones. they try too hard to be modern instead of timeless, the dialogue gets corny, and there is always unnecessary smut. this book, however, was perfect for me. I thought the characters and dialogue were believable. their interests like Percy jackson dated them yes, as Gen z, but I can't even be mad cuz it's a subtle reference and I too love Percy jackson and grew up with it.
these characters felt relatable and real. normally in contemporary romances the female main character is cliche or insufferable or both. Piper wasn't. I saw much of myself in her. she was brash, girly, smart, ambitious, and had a lifelong love for mermaids. she was the "meaner" one in the relationship. henry was a breath of fresh air too in a fiction surplus of morally gray bad boys. Henry was simply a good, respectful boy who had flaws yes but actively worked on them. maybe I'm biased though because he shared traits with my boyfriend, and I see similaries between our relationship and Henry and Piper's.
the story was a simple one but good nonetheless. it wasnt high stakes or adrenaline inducing, but a good coming of age teenage summer romance. I did think it odd that Piper and Henry were so willing to set up their guardians but I grew to like them and liked the ambiguity of their relationship at the end. this story is good because not all of the mistakes have happy endings. it's realistic instead. Piper doesn't get her job back but finds a new one. tati and davis don't end up together. the book had a happy ending but not every plot line did, and I really liked that.
I'm so glad I won this in a giveaway. it was a wonderful read that I would have never known about or given a chance to read if I hadn't won it.
these characters felt relatable and real. normally in contemporary romances the female main character is cliche or insufferable or both. Piper wasn't. I saw much of myself in her. she was brash, girly, smart, ambitious, and had a lifelong love for mermaids. she was the "meaner" one in the relationship. henry was a breath of fresh air too in a fiction surplus of morally gray bad boys. Henry was simply a good, respectful boy who had flaws yes but actively worked on them. maybe I'm biased though because he shared traits with my boyfriend, and I see similaries between our relationship and Henry and Piper's.
the story was a simple one but good nonetheless. it wasnt high stakes or adrenaline inducing, but a good coming of age teenage summer romance. I did think it odd that Piper and Henry were so willing to set up their guardians but I grew to like them and liked the ambiguity of their relationship at the end. this story is good because not all of the mistakes have happy endings. it's realistic instead. Piper doesn't get her job back but finds a new one. tati and davis don't end up together. the book had a happy ending but not every plot line did, and I really liked that.
I'm so glad I won this in a giveaway. it was a wonderful read that I would have never known about or given a chance to read if I hadn't won it.
March 17, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Piper's mom and dad were killed in a car accident when she was young, and since then her much older sister, Tati, has been Piper's guardian. Piper likes to have fun, be a little messy, and loves marine biology, just like her parents did. Henry wants to go to West Point after high school, following in his grandfather's shoes, is studious, careful, and focused. Henry has come to the small town on the Gulf Coast of Florida where Piper lives just for the summer between junior and senior year. He's trying to get some space from his ex-girlfriend back in Spokane and also let his mom focus on nursing school. Plus his dad, Davis, is looking forward to spending some time with his son.
This is definitely YA, but I liked it a lot overall. The second chance romance between Piper and Henry is very cute, supportive, and sweet. I also like Piper as a character - she is clearly smart, but is messy at times. Her sister seems to give her grief for partying and underage drinking and dressing a little provocatively at times. However, Piper is just trying to figure out being a teen and growing up. Henry seems like he has everything figured out, but Piper helps him have more fun.
But besides the YA romance plot, this book as a lot of heavy subject matter in it too. Alcoholism of a parent, death of parents, teenage abortion, financial troubles, assault, losing friends, lies, theft, breaking and entering, and probably more I am forgetting. Piper and Henry go through a lot in this book, and it only takes place over 1 summer. I found this engaging, interesting, and a good read. Solid 4 stars.
Piper's mom and dad were killed in a car accident when she was young, and since then her much older sister, Tati, has been Piper's guardian. Piper likes to have fun, be a little messy, and loves marine biology, just like her parents did. Henry wants to go to West Point after high school, following in his grandfather's shoes, is studious, careful, and focused. Henry has come to the small town on the Gulf Coast of Florida where Piper lives just for the summer between junior and senior year. He's trying to get some space from his ex-girlfriend back in Spokane and also let his mom focus on nursing school. Plus his dad, Davis, is looking forward to spending some time with his son.
This is definitely YA, but I liked it a lot overall. The second chance romance between Piper and Henry is very cute, supportive, and sweet. I also like Piper as a character - she is clearly smart, but is messy at times. Her sister seems to give her grief for partying and underage drinking and dressing a little provocatively at times. However, Piper is just trying to figure out being a teen and growing up. Henry seems like he has everything figured out, but Piper helps him have more fun.
But besides the YA romance plot, this book as a lot of heavy subject matter in it too. Alcoholism of a parent, death of parents, teenage abortion, financial troubles, assault, losing friends, lies, theft, breaking and entering, and probably more I am forgetting. Piper and Henry go through a lot in this book, and it only takes place over 1 summer. I found this engaging, interesting, and a good read. Solid 4 stars.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I just finished All We Once Had by Katy Upperman and here are my musings.
Piper and Tati could not be more different, Tati thinks Piper is a troublemaker but really Piper is just a free spirit. Not having her best friend to talk to, Piper goes to the apartment complex pool for some peace and she cannot believe her eyes when she sees Henry.. The boy she kissed 3 years ago and then he disappeared.
Has fate brought them back together? Is this their second chance?
I am not a massive fan of second chance YA romance but this one really drew me in and I couldn’t help being charmed by Henry and Piper. Normally teens have this tendency to be immature and whining and I can’t cope with it but wow oh wow this was a diamond of a book!
Tati has taken on legal guardianship of her sister after their parents death and the content was done with such tender care I couldn’t help being sucked into the story. It felt so real. Tati has over the top expectations of Piper but it's because she knows that she could crumple under grief and she doesn’t want that for her. Piper also has no best friend right now after she thought Piper had tried it on with her boyfriend so she is truly alone at this point. Well, she feels alone.
There is real emotional depth in this book. I was expecting it and the writing was exceptionally good. The topics are heavy and are done with real care too. It's not a cute romance. It's raw and volatile and full of complex hardship that I am sure readers will connect to.
4 stars
Thank you @sourcebooks for my gifted copy.
Out Feb 3rd 2026
Piper and Tati could not be more different, Tati thinks Piper is a troublemaker but really Piper is just a free spirit. Not having her best friend to talk to, Piper goes to the apartment complex pool for some peace and she cannot believe her eyes when she sees Henry.. The boy she kissed 3 years ago and then he disappeared.
Has fate brought them back together? Is this their second chance?
I am not a massive fan of second chance YA romance but this one really drew me in and I couldn’t help being charmed by Henry and Piper. Normally teens have this tendency to be immature and whining and I can’t cope with it but wow oh wow this was a diamond of a book!
Tati has taken on legal guardianship of her sister after their parents death and the content was done with such tender care I couldn’t help being sucked into the story. It felt so real. Tati has over the top expectations of Piper but it's because she knows that she could crumple under grief and she doesn’t want that for her. Piper also has no best friend right now after she thought Piper had tried it on with her boyfriend so she is truly alone at this point. Well, she feels alone.
There is real emotional depth in this book. I was expecting it and the writing was exceptionally good. The topics are heavy and are done with real care too. It's not a cute romance. It's raw and volatile and full of complex hardship that I am sure readers will connect to.
4 stars
Thank you @sourcebooks for my gifted copy.
Out Feb 3rd 2026
February 8, 2026
3.75 ⭐
This was a book filled with flawed characters, which I did appreciate... but here's my critique on a few of them
Starting with our main character, Piper. It was frustrating watching her constantly make bad decisions, I got so mad when she was fired for sneaking into the Conservation Park. But on the other hand, I felt for her with all the emotional stress she was juggling. All the acting out was from her not knowing how to process what she was feeling
Tati- I'm sorry, I found it very hard to sympathise with her. While I do understand how difficult it must have been to suddenly be a guardian of a teenager, her manner of approach was absolutely horrid. She never came across as a caring sister, even till the very end. She showed more compassion for Davis than her own sister. Her explanation at the end didn't do it for me. Even after finding out what happened with Damon, we're never given a proper resolution of that situation. Did she apologize for judging her sister?
Gabi - Terrible friend. I hate books where characters dump their best friend of YEARS just like that. No benefit of doubt for your so-called best friend over your sleazy boyfriend?
Piper forgave her too easily. Maybe I'm vindictive, but she'd have to WORK to gain my trust back after acting so despicable.
Henry- I don't really have much to say about him. He was a cutie. I wish his relationship with Whitney didn't end so messily. I felt more for her in that situation. The poor girl was going through a lot.
Overall, I enjoyed this but I thought it could have been a bit shorter
This was a book filled with flawed characters, which I did appreciate... but here's my critique on a few of them
Starting with our main character, Piper. It was frustrating watching her constantly make bad decisions, I got so mad when she was fired for sneaking into the Conservation Park. But on the other hand, I felt for her with all the emotional stress she was juggling. All the acting out was from her not knowing how to process what she was feeling
Tati- I'm sorry, I found it very hard to sympathise with her. While I do understand how difficult it must have been to suddenly be a guardian of a teenager, her manner of approach was absolutely horrid. She never came across as a caring sister, even till the very end. She showed more compassion for Davis than her own sister. Her explanation at the end didn't do it for me. Even after finding out what happened with Damon, we're never given a proper resolution of that situation. Did she apologize for judging her sister?
Gabi - Terrible friend. I hate books where characters dump their best friend of YEARS just like that. No benefit of doubt for your so-called best friend over your sleazy boyfriend?
Piper forgave her too easily. Maybe I'm vindictive, but she'd have to WORK to gain my trust back after acting so despicable.
Henry- I don't really have much to say about him. He was a cutie. I wish his relationship with Whitney didn't end so messily. I felt more for her in that situation. The poor girl was going through a lot.
Overall, I enjoyed this but I thought it could have been a bit shorter
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 9, 2026
All We Once Had was a contemporary YA novel set against an appealing beach backdrop. I went into this one with high expectations because I loved Everything I Promised You but unfortunately, this one wasn’t quite as good for me. While the emotional depth and character focus were still very much Upperman’s style, the story felt heavier and more frustrating overall.
One of my biggest struggles was Piper herself. She constantly made the wrong choices, even when she knew better, and it became increasingly annoying to watch her repeat patterns that hurt both herself and others. I understood that she was a teenager dealing with intense grief and confusion, but some of her decisions made it hard to fully like her.
On the other hand, Henry was an absolute sweetie. He was considerate, mature and steady - the kind of grounding presence Piper needed. Tati, Piper’s sister, actually grew on me as the story progressed. At first she was difficult to connect with, but as more layers were revealed, I appreciated her complexity and the way grief shaped her differently than Piper.
This novel took on a lot of heavy themes: teenage angst, alcohol abuse, the death of parents, teenage pregnancy and abortion, unwanted male advances, and deep, lingering grief. While each topic was handled thoughtfully, the sheer number of serious issues packed into one story made it feel emotionally overwhelming at times.
Overall, this was an emotionally charged read with strong character work, but it didn’t quite reach the same impact for me as Upperman’s previous novel.
One of my biggest struggles was Piper herself. She constantly made the wrong choices, even when she knew better, and it became increasingly annoying to watch her repeat patterns that hurt both herself and others. I understood that she was a teenager dealing with intense grief and confusion, but some of her decisions made it hard to fully like her.
On the other hand, Henry was an absolute sweetie. He was considerate, mature and steady - the kind of grounding presence Piper needed. Tati, Piper’s sister, actually grew on me as the story progressed. At first she was difficult to connect with, but as more layers were revealed, I appreciated her complexity and the way grief shaped her differently than Piper.
This novel took on a lot of heavy themes: teenage angst, alcohol abuse, the death of parents, teenage pregnancy and abortion, unwanted male advances, and deep, lingering grief. While each topic was handled thoughtfully, the sheer number of serious issues packed into one story made it feel emotionally overwhelming at times.
Overall, this was an emotionally charged read with strong character work, but it didn’t quite reach the same impact for me as Upperman’s previous novel.
September 16, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
ALL WE ONCE HAD by Katy Upperman (Feb 3, 2026)
Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the earc
Piper's sister is her guardian, raising piper after their parents died. To Tati, Piper is a troublemaker with no direction...but Piper knows what she wants. Without her best friend to lean on---because of a falling out---Piper looks elsewhere for escape: the complex's pool. There, she see Henry, the boy she met three years ago...the boy who made things seem perfect. Henry is back in Florida looking for his own escape. Will they be what each other needs, or will their pasts come back to haunt them?
ALL WE ONCE HAD is a YA contemporary romance built on grief and second chances. Going into this, I had high hope---I read another of Upperman's books previously, and it crushed me before putting me back together. This book was a bit of a turnaround from that one---less soul crushing---but it still pulled me onto an emotional rollercoaster.
I'm a nosey person, so I binged this quickly. The short chapters helped, but my need to know what the "tumultuous past" was kept me hooked...not to mention Piper and Henry were likeable as characters despite their flaws.
I loved this book. It's a cutesy romance but with more at stake. It didn't leave me wanting more. I felt like Upperman gave these characters justice.
ALL WE ONCE HAD by Katy Upperman (Feb 3, 2026)
Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the earc
Piper's sister is her guardian, raising piper after their parents died. To Tati, Piper is a troublemaker with no direction...but Piper knows what she wants. Without her best friend to lean on---because of a falling out---Piper looks elsewhere for escape: the complex's pool. There, she see Henry, the boy she met three years ago...the boy who made things seem perfect. Henry is back in Florida looking for his own escape. Will they be what each other needs, or will their pasts come back to haunt them?
ALL WE ONCE HAD is a YA contemporary romance built on grief and second chances. Going into this, I had high hope---I read another of Upperman's books previously, and it crushed me before putting me back together. This book was a bit of a turnaround from that one---less soul crushing---but it still pulled me onto an emotional rollercoaster.
I'm a nosey person, so I binged this quickly. The short chapters helped, but my need to know what the "tumultuous past" was kept me hooked...not to mention Piper and Henry were likeable as characters despite their flaws.
I loved this book. It's a cutesy romance but with more at stake. It didn't leave me wanting more. I felt like Upperman gave these characters justice.
February 10, 2026
2.5 stars rounded up
Piper is being raised by her older sister after their parents die in an accident. She believes her older sister hates and resents her and they have a very continuous relationship. Piper can't keep a part time job and is irresponsible, the opposite of her sister. Piper's best friend now hates her because of something she thinks Piper did with her boyfriend. Henry a boy she met & kissed years ago then disappeared shows up again. He had been visiting his dad who lives in the same buildings the sisters live in, and is back again for the summer. They start hanging out and decide to fix up his dad & her sister, who have already hooked up. Henry is trying to escape a heartbreaking & messy situation with his ex girlfriend back home and Piper is just trying to survive living with her sister until she can graduate and get away, hopefully to study marine biology.
MF - friends to lovers - the teens do have sex (so technically not a YA book IMO)
Triggers - SA
Teen pregnancy & abortion, almost dying because of complications with abortion.
Alcohol abuse
Piper is being raised by her older sister after their parents die in an accident. She believes her older sister hates and resents her and they have a very continuous relationship. Piper can't keep a part time job and is irresponsible, the opposite of her sister. Piper's best friend now hates her because of something she thinks Piper did with her boyfriend. Henry a boy she met & kissed years ago then disappeared shows up again. He had been visiting his dad who lives in the same buildings the sisters live in, and is back again for the summer. They start hanging out and decide to fix up his dad & her sister, who have already hooked up. Henry is trying to escape a heartbreaking & messy situation with his ex girlfriend back home and Piper is just trying to survive living with her sister until she can graduate and get away, hopefully to study marine biology.
MF - friends to lovers - the teens do have sex (so technically not a YA book IMO)
Triggers - SA
Teen pregnancy & abortion, almost dying because of complications with abortion.
Alcohol abuse
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
It’s All We Once Had by Katy Upperman is a very readable YA novel with a beach setting that clearly does a lot of the heavy lifting. The seaside atmosphere is the strongest part of the book and makes it feel like something that should be read by the ocean, which adds to its emotional appeal.
Piper’s character arc had potential, and I appreciated seeing her finally stand up to her sister and fight to be seen as her own person rather than an afterthought. However, much of that growth is stalled by how dismissive Tati is toward her. While I understand the pressure of taking on guardianship at a young age, the lack of emotional consideration for Piper felt overly harsh and made their dynamic more frustrating than compelling.
The romance was another weak point for me. Henry moves on from Whitney to Piper far too quickly, which made the relationship feel rushed and emotionally underdeveloped. Instead of a satisfying slow burn, it felt like he needed time to process his own grief and identity before being part of a new relationship.
Overall, the book has a strong setting and relatable themes of grief and self-discovery, but uneven character dynamics and a rushed romance held it back for me. Enjoyable as a beach read, but not as emotionally grounded as it could have been.
Piper’s character arc had potential, and I appreciated seeing her finally stand up to her sister and fight to be seen as her own person rather than an afterthought. However, much of that growth is stalled by how dismissive Tati is toward her. While I understand the pressure of taking on guardianship at a young age, the lack of emotional consideration for Piper felt overly harsh and made their dynamic more frustrating than compelling.
The romance was another weak point for me. Henry moves on from Whitney to Piper far too quickly, which made the relationship feel rushed and emotionally underdeveloped. Instead of a satisfying slow burn, it felt like he needed time to process his own grief and identity before being part of a new relationship.
Overall, the book has a strong setting and relatable themes of grief and self-discovery, but uneven character dynamics and a rushed romance held it back for me. Enjoyable as a beach read, but not as emotionally grounded as it could have been.
December 4, 2025
Piper has had to shoulder far too much already in her young life: the loss of both of her parents, a straight-laced uptight sister who believes Piper will never amount to anything, and the absence of her best friend. Piper wants to follow in her parents' footsteps and be a marine biologist, but her sister does not believe she is serious enough. There is one bright spot among the relentless stress. Henry, a dreamboat who left to live with his mother, has returned to spend the summer with his father in the apartment complex.
This book will appeal to both the reluctant reader and the die-hard romantic! Upperman has created characters who will appeal to any reader's heart. Piper and Henry are young, flawed, struggling with aspects of their lives, but full of hope. Any teenager will be able to find a piece of themselves among the complex list of topics covered, including grief, loss of friendship, young love, future dreams, assault, pregnancy, and alcoholism. Upperman has created an unusual mix of love and lightheartedness with the hard realities of life. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
This book will appeal to both the reluctant reader and the die-hard romantic! Upperman has created characters who will appeal to any reader's heart. Piper and Henry are young, flawed, struggling with aspects of their lives, but full of hope. Any teenager will be able to find a piece of themselves among the complex list of topics covered, including grief, loss of friendship, young love, future dreams, assault, pregnancy, and alcoholism. Upperman has created an unusual mix of love and lightheartedness with the hard realities of life. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
February 8, 2026
All We Once Had is an emotional coming-of-age story that doesn’t shy away from heavy themes that feel relevant in this day and age. At first glance, it feels like the perfect beach read, filled with sun-soaked days and summer mischief, but it carries a lot of emotional depth underneath. Scattered throughout are moments of genuinely beautiful, poetic prose.
It did take me a while to fully settle into the narrative, and even more effort to stay in it. Where the book fell short for me was in its pacing. A setup subplot is introduced out of nowhere and with a genuinely unnecessary reason, only to be resolved almost as quickly. Then, in the middle section, there’s an extended stretch where everything seems almost too perfect. The characters fall into a repetitive pattern of doing nothing all day but discussing how she’s reckless and he’s responsible, and as a reader, I found myself waiting for that larger conflict to come up and add some excitement to the story.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All in all, it was a bit of a mixed bag for me. I also might just be growing out of YA.
It did take me a while to fully settle into the narrative, and even more effort to stay in it. Where the book fell short for me was in its pacing. A setup subplot is introduced out of nowhere and with a genuinely unnecessary reason, only to be resolved almost as quickly. Then, in the middle section, there’s an extended stretch where everything seems almost too perfect. The characters fall into a repetitive pattern of doing nothing all day but discussing how she’s reckless and he’s responsible, and as a reader, I found myself waiting for that larger conflict to come up and add some excitement to the story.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All in all, it was a bit of a mixed bag for me. I also might just be growing out of YA.
December 3, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Katy Upperman’s All We Once Had is a poignant and heartfelt story about love, family, and second chances.
Piper feels stuck—caught between her sister’s expectations, a fractured friendship, and the grief that still lingers after losing her parents. Then Henry, the boy she once shared an unforgettable night with, suddenly reappears. Their reunion is filled with sparks, but also complicated by family struggles and the fear of repeating old heartbreak.
Katy beautifully balances tender romance with the challenges of growing up and learning to face the past. Piper’s honesty and stubborn strength make her an unforgettable heroine, while Henry’s vulnerability and quiet determination bring depth to their relationship. Together, they navigate pain, hope, and the courage it takes to trust again.
All We Once Had is an emotional, captivating read that blends swoon-worthy romance with authentic family drama. It’s the kind of story that stays with you long after the last page.
Piper feels stuck—caught between her sister’s expectations, a fractured friendship, and the grief that still lingers after losing her parents. Then Henry, the boy she once shared an unforgettable night with, suddenly reappears. Their reunion is filled with sparks, but also complicated by family struggles and the fear of repeating old heartbreak.
Katy beautifully balances tender romance with the challenges of growing up and learning to face the past. Piper’s honesty and stubborn strength make her an unforgettable heroine, while Henry’s vulnerability and quiet determination bring depth to their relationship. Together, they navigate pain, hope, and the courage it takes to trust again.
All We Once Had is an emotional, captivating read that blends swoon-worthy romance with authentic family drama. It’s the kind of story that stays with you long after the last page.
February 7, 2026
Thank you to Sourcebooks Fire for this E-ARC!
3.5/5
This is a YA, second chance novel about grief, family, and first loves.
Henry and Piper meet on a fateful summer night talking into the early morning and giving each other their first kiss. Years later they are reunited and both shouldering the confusion of being a teenager with strong emotions. Both are harboring secrets from their years apart, and the reveal is a bit anticlimactic in comparison to the build up
I appreciated the messy family dynamic that are weaved throughout the story, but it did feel like we just brushed the surface with these characters and their flaws.
I think this book will be a hit for its intended target audience. 8th grade-high school but will miss the mark for older adults who enjoy heavier reads in this genre.
3.5/5
This is a YA, second chance novel about grief, family, and first loves.
Henry and Piper meet on a fateful summer night talking into the early morning and giving each other their first kiss. Years later they are reunited and both shouldering the confusion of being a teenager with strong emotions. Both are harboring secrets from their years apart, and the reveal is a bit anticlimactic in comparison to the build up
I appreciated the messy family dynamic that are weaved throughout the story, but it did feel like we just brushed the surface with these characters and their flaws.
I think this book will be a hit for its intended target audience. 8th grade-high school but will miss the mark for older adults who enjoy heavier reads in this genre.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I have been a huge Katy Upperman fan for years so I was ecstatic to receive this ARC. I truly thought this was a great YA - the romance was cute and heartwarming but more than that, I loved the characters' authenticity and vulnerability. The character development and growth for Henry and Piper (but especially Piper) was a standout for me, as her emotional journey felt realistic. Seeing her confront her fears and past and grow into a version of herself that finally believed in a bright future made the story even more impactful
If you love a cute YA summer read, this book is for you - 4.5 stars!
Thank you to Katy Upperman, SOURCEBOOKS Fire | Sourcebooks Fire, and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book.
If you love a cute YA summer read, this book is for you - 4.5 stars!
Thank you to Katy Upperman, SOURCEBOOKS Fire | Sourcebooks Fire, and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Katy Upperman is my go to author for my YA novels. She always manages to write an endearing and heartfelt story with just enough angst and teenage romance to transport me back to my younger years.
One of my favorite things about this book would definitely be the relationship between Piper and her older sister, Tati. They have been through so much and they certainly there moments, but bond between the sisters is unbreakable. Not to mention how adorable Henry is and his interactions with Piper.
Katy takes the reader on Piper’s journey of grief, heartache, second chances and new beginnings. All We Once Had definitely hit the mark for me and I can’t wait to see what she writes next.
One of my favorite things about this book would definitely be the relationship between Piper and her older sister, Tati. They have been through so much and they certainly there moments, but bond between the sisters is unbreakable. Not to mention how adorable Henry is and his interactions with Piper.
Katy takes the reader on Piper’s journey of grief, heartache, second chances and new beginnings. All We Once Had definitely hit the mark for me and I can’t wait to see what she writes next.
February 7, 2026
A deeply heartfelt story between 2 sisters who have lost their parents in an accident. The oldest is doing her best trying to raise her younger sister. They can't be more opposite in their thinking about life and that has a tendency to pull them apart. One sister goes one way and the other goes another with relationships, thoughts, blame, life choices, etc. All of that is what makes this book so incredible to read. There is so much more to this book than the sisters, but I believe they make the decisions they make because of each other. Start a journey with these 2 sisters, you will love it.
February 20, 2026
Seventeen-year-old Piper has been raised by her overbearing and much older sister, Tati, for the past 7 years after their parents were killed by a drunk driver. Tati always thinks the worst of Piper, and treats her as such, making Piper’s life miserable. Enter Henry, who has come to Florida for the summer to spend time with his dad and escape a bad relationship. The two reacquaint themselves and decide to play matchmaker with Piper’s sister and Henry’s father. There is so much more that could be said about this complex, quick read–Upperman does a fantastic job of drawing readers in based on our emotions.
Trigger warnings: alcoholism, sexual assault trauma
Trigger warnings: alcoholism, sexual assault trauma
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