When We Drifted Back

The Seasons of Us #2

by Cassandra Whitmore

Please read the trigger warning and disclaimer at the front of the book. FAQ is at the back.

Years later, Ashley is forced to confront the past she never truly left behind. Old friendships resurface, buried emotions reignite, and the choices she made back then still echo in the present. As she navigates love, regret, and the weight of what was left unsaid, she’ll have to ask can you ever go back to the way things were, or is growing up about learning to move forward?

A poignant, emotional story about friendship, long lost loves, and the moments that define us.

Parental discretion is advised due to mature themes.

340 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 24, 2025

Reviews

[Wendy Hart · Rating 3 out of 5]

rekindled childhood romance.

A very easy read about a childhood romance that rekindled in adulthood. The characters are realistic and the dialogue seems natural. I found the pacing slow due to the excessive introspection. The novel could have been significantly shorter.

[Fantasylover87 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a lot better than the last one, but it was still a little repetitive. I get that it’s about a reunion, so of course, there will be nostalgia, but there was too much of it, and it kept interrupting the flow of the story. It’s the first time in years since Ashley and Brandon saw each other, so there should have been more problems between them during their engagement.

The book follows their nine-month engagement, which would have given them plenty of time to work on things. No matter how much they claim to love each other, it’s unrealistic that they wouldn’t have anything to work through. From the start, Brandon comes across as controlling, making decisions that she just goes along with. That could have created real tension, but everything went too smoothly. I think a lot of the nostalgia scenes could have been cut to make room for actual conflict.

The author even mentions at the end that she considered adding more tension, but worried about making the book too long. If that was the concern, the repetitive discussions of the past could have been trimmed instead. Easily 100 pages could have been shaved off to make space for real problems in their relationship.

It’s not a bad book, and it’s more polished than the first one, but stories need tension. The first book at least had drama, even if the writing was rough. This one felt like a perfect reunion with a perfect ending. I’ll probably check out the next book since it sounds like it will be more tense, but if everything is perfect again and they just keep living in the past, I’ll probably DNF. They’re in their 30s. Most people in their mid-thirties aren’t this fixated on high school. I get that it might be there to fill in gaps for readers who didn’t read the first book, but it doesn’t feel natural.

I considered giving this four stars because it's better than the last one, and I see the author's potential, but the lack of conflict and too much nostalgia made me deduct a star.

[Anahit Arustamyan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have finished reading “When We Drifted Back” by Cassandra Whitmore. It’s a sentimental story that is typical for most romance novels. After ten years of separation Ashley and Brandon ran into each other. Their feelings woke up again after they had graduated from school. The characters are natural with their realistic plans of their future. However, Ashley doesn’t want to go back to the past as her feelings and emotions have changed within ten years. This story speaks of love and friendship and the path between present and past. It’s a realistic life story and an interesting read. I recommend this book to those who like exploring love and emotions and changes of life situations. It is a deeply expressed psychological novel.

[Hayley Rader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trigger Warnings: past substance abuse and addiction, relapse/recovery, loss of parents due to alcohol poisoning, child neglect, underage drinking, emotional manipulation, sexual content between consenting adults, emotionally complicated relationships

Cassandra Whitmore’s When We Drifted Back is a heartfelt and engaging story that pulled me in from the very beginning. One of the highlights for me was the way the characters grew throughout the book. Getting to hear each of their backstories added real depth and made me feel connected to them on a personal level.
I will say that I would have liked to see a bit more tension woven into the narrative, but I appreciated that Whitmore herself addressed this in the end notes, which made me feel she was aware of the balance she was striking.
There were a couple of small editing and spelling errors here and there, but nothing that distracted from the overall experience. The story itself was strong, and I was very happy with how it all came together in the end, especially with Ashley and Brandon ending up together, which felt like the perfect conclusion to their journey.
Overall, this was a satisfying and enjoyable read, and I’m glad I picked it up. Whitmore’s ability to craft characters with such relatable growth makes me excited to see what she writes next.
#bookloungereviewteam

[Kristyn G · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I thought the store was cute, I had a lot of trouble connecting to and even liking both the FMC and MMC. Brandon seemed very controlling throughout the book and it felt like Ashley was so insecure everyone else decided things for her for the most part. There was no character development on her end around that.

The dialogue was a mess and I couldn’t feel any emotions towards what they were talking about. One friend had drug problems in the past however the way it was executed and talked about with his friends did not seem genuine. A lot of the dialogue was either there just for the sake of dialogue or very repetitive. I lost track of how many times someone mentioned “felt it was a talk the two of us needed to have later on” or similar. It also seemed like a majority of their conversations were very immature for their ages as well. There were times they kept going on and on about who and who slept together in high school or who was flirting with who or who had a crush from 20+ years before.
The body image obsession was a bit weird too with the FMC wanting to get down to the same size she was at 17, when she was almost 33 in the present day. I think this story had a lot of potential but the way it was written really threw things off.

[Jamie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received a free ARC of this book through the LibraryThing Early Reviewers and am leaving this review voluntarily.

I HATE HATE HATE writing bad reviews. I don't like crapping all over someone's hard work or making them feel bad. I usually only request books I think I'll like. I chose poorly this time.

Maybe it was because the original book was divided into two parts and this was the latter half, but within the first chapter the main characters run into each other on the street. Within minutes of meeting, the male character, Brandon, decides that they are getting back together while on the way to see an apartment. It seems Ashley, the female character has no say in the matter. By the second chapter they are in bed. There was no build up, no drawing out the pacing or plot. The characters were flat with no personality. I think the part that really put me off was after Ashley offered Brandon to stay at her apartment until he finds something, he says "But if I end up staying with you, just know- I'm banging you." It seems like teenage fan fiction. I gave 2 stars because I couldn't bring myself to finish reading and it's possible it gets better.

[Kelly Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

“When We Drifted Back” by Cassandra Whitmore is a sentimental tale of love and friendship. Teenaged lovers Ashley and Brandon reunite in their early thirties. The story is told in first person, past tense, in Ashley’s Point of View. After ten years apart, Ashley and Brandon quickly get engaged. For Ashley, Brandon was her first love, although they never officially dated in the past. Over the years, Brandon married and divorced and Ashley had other relationships. There is a great of reminiscing between the couple and their friends from high school (who are still in their lives). and they discuss their prior relationships. This talk of the past is the main thrust of the story, and it gets repetitive. There is little to no angst in this story with regard to the romance between Ashley and Brandon. The portrayal of the friendships feel authentic. If you are fond of stories with a lot of introspection, you may enjoy this book.

[Melissa Cantrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Childhood Romance Blossoms in Adulthood

Ashley and Brandon had a school crush. After 10 years of separation, they ran into each other later in life. Reunited, they decided they already knew what they wanted out of life, and that was to get married and stay together. Brandon is determined to get Ashley to stay and proposes immediately to which Ashley says, "Yes." They start to plan their dream wedding, nd then realize there were still some unresolved childhood issues. Other people that they considered friends, ow are trying to break them apart, particularly an old flame named, ake.

As the marriage day gets closer, Brandon and Ashley are trying to align and agree on where they are going to live, how many children they are going to have, what kinds of careers they are going to pursue. Both Ashley and Brandon are holding off on the sex until marriage and are pledging to be responsible adults, but will they make it to the alter?

[Shahzaib Shaikh · Rating 5 out of 5]

When We Drifted Back is a touching and emotional story that tugged at my heart. Ashley’s unexpected reunion with Brandon, her first love, after ten years apart, brings back memories and feelings she thought she had moved past. The promise they made as teens, to marry if still single at thirty—hangs over them, and now, ten years later, Brandon is determined to make that promise a reality. But as Ashley reconnects with her old friends and faces unresolved issues, she has to ask herself if it’s possible to truly go back to the past. Can love and old friendships be revived, or is it time to move on? This story beautifully explores love, growth, and the complex emotions that come with returning to your roots. When We Drifted Back is a must-read for anyone who believes in second chances and the power of love and self-discovery.

[Tania · Rating 2 out of 5]

When We Drifted Back is a dual timeline book - switching between past and present - told from the main character's point of view. Ashley grew up in a close friends group. Her, Brandon, Erin and Matthew were nearly inseparable during middle school and high school. As adults they drifted apart, until one day Brandon reappears in Ashley's life as her long-fated true love.

This is a Happily Ever After Tale. Unfortunately, it's one that could have been shortened dramatically and still been complete. Though the back and forth from past to present was worked out well, there was a lot of repetition throughout the book. Dialog between characters was heavy-handed and there was a bigger emphasis on teen sex than on teen romance. Perhaps the story is realistic, but it was not as fun to read as it should have been.

[Linda Sanchez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bittersweet, emotional, and beautifully nostalgic

This story brought back all the emotions of first love and what it means to reconnect with your past. I felt for Ashley right away. Her journey of returning to a place filled with old memories and unresolved feelings really struck a chord. Brandon was such a genuine and steady presence, and I loved how their bond never truly faded even after so many years apart.

The book explores not just romance but also friendship, healing, and the messiness of growing up. It felt raw in places and tender in others. Some parts were tough, so I appreciated the author’s note at the beginning.

If you’ve ever wondered what might have been or had a friendship that shaped who you are, this story will speak to you. It’s not just about falling back in love. It’s about finding your way back to yourself.

[BookWithAView · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to Cassandra Whitmore for allowing me to read this book for an honest review.

I really struggled with this book. I truly wanted to like it. I really did. It was easy to read apart from the fact I couldn’t switch my head voice off from the get go.
Met high school sweetheart after years in street. Marrying him and declaring undying love for each other by the time they got to the front door, living together by the time they’ve sat down…. It just didn’t ring right.
I also found the book very very repetitive. If I had a pound every time Ashley and Erin touched their rings and twiddled them, I’d be rich. Conversations repeated six different ways in every chapter. The book could have been a lot shorter.
However, if you like a happy ending, this book certainly has one. If you like a cosy read, without too much happening to distract from the plot, you will like it.

[Jazz Mercado · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was emotionally moved by this novel, though not necessarily in the way I had anticipated. There were times when I hoped for a more in-depth examination of particular people or significant emotional moments, and other parts of the plot did felt a little slow or erratic. However, I valued that the book didn't attempt to tie everything up in a tidy ribbon. Life rarely operates that way, particularly when we are looking back at the past. It's best suited for adult readers because it's not a light read and touches on some deep and emotionally charged topics. However, this will give you a lot to ponder if you like contemplative tales about love, grief, and second chances.

[Andres · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s a lot to like here: a love story, old friends, second chances. But it didn’t fully click for me. The constant jumping from past to present made it confusing at times, and the emotional moments didn’t always feel earned.

I liked the overall message, and I think it’s cool how the book touches on growth and change. But the pacing was uneven, and some of the side characters felt like distractions.

The writing is clear and easy, which was nice. I just think it needed a little more spark to really keep me turning the pages. Still 4 stars to encourage the author as it seems to be one of her first book , keep pushing !

[Lizz Bramble · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to Cassandra Whitmore and the Booklounge Review Team for allowing me to read this book! Ashley and Brandon have always been in love with each other…it just took them twenty-three years to embrace it. I loved cheering for Ashley and Brandon as they finally found their happily ever after. This was a little hard to read as I didn’t have a whole lot of knowledge about their past and their past with their friends Erin and Matthew plays a starring roll in the story. Apparently that is a separate book that I haven’t read, and would recommend reading first so you have that foundation. Overall I loved the storyline of a second chance romance and the found family of the friend group!

[Alicia Gustafson · Rating 4 out of 5]

When We Drifted Back by Cassandra Whitmore is exactly the kind of slow burn, “cheering-for-them-the-entire-time” story I love. Watching Ashley and Brandon take over twenty years to finally realize they’ve been in love all along was both frustrating (in the best way 😅) and completely satisfying. I’m such a sucker for a good friends-to-lovers romance, and this one delivered.

I also love that there are other books connected to this one. After finishing it, I’m genuinely excited to dive into the rest of the series and spend more time in this world. Definitely a memorable read for any fellow friends-to-lovers fan!

[Ellis McCormick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I would have liked this book more if I had read the first book first. It's a pretty basic "relationship" book about teenage relationships that reignite years later. I would have liked to see more conflict or events. Whitmore is a good writer. I'd like to see her write a more complex plot with more complicated characters.

Spoilers:
Basically, the main characters meet up in their early 30s. They dated a decade before (and maybe in their teens?) and after one night, they got engaged. The book then toggles between past and events leading up to the wedding. Not much else.

[Rick Fifield · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute story about couple finding themselves after being apart for 10 years. Simple story that is the second book of the series. I did not find that to be a problem, yet I probably won't read the 1st book.
Since the couple rekindles their relationship it allows their group of friends to rekindle their friendships.

Nice story, fun easy read.

[Clare San Miguel · Rating 3 out of 5]

When We Drifted Back was originally written to have flashbacks. I think the flashbacks would have helped tremendously with the pacing and plot. Many moments allude to the past without giving much context. The characters are realistic. The dialogue is easy to follow. However, the introspection often feels repetitive and drawn out.

[Briana Przybyszewski · Rating 2 out of 5]

Such a repetitive book. Wished there were twists or something surprising. Everything was so predictable

[°˗ˏˋ ★ 𝓢𝓱 ★ ˎˊ˗° · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my style, why did they get engaged within the first day of seeing each other in like ten years??

First DNF book of the year 🙃🫡