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We Were Never Here: An Emotional YA Novel About Love, Illness, and Acceptance
In this exquisitely written, emotionally charged young adult debut, Jennifer Gilmore explores the bond that is formed between a hospitalized girl and the secretly troubled boy she falls in love with.
Did you know your entire life can change in an instant?
For sixteen-year-old Lizzie Stoller that moment is when she collapses, out of the blue. The next thing she knows she’s in a hospital with an illness she’s never heard of.
But that isn’t the only life-changing moment for Lizzie. The other is when Connor and his dog, Verlaine, walk into her hospital room. Lizzie has never connected with anyone the way she does with the handsome, teenage volunteer. However, the more time she spends with him, and the deeper in love she falls, the more she realizes that Connor has secrets and a deep pain of his own . . . and that while being with him has the power to make Lizzie forget about her illness, being with her might tear Connor apart.
Did you know your entire life can change in an instant?
For sixteen-year-old Lizzie Stoller that moment is when she collapses, out of the blue. The next thing she knows she’s in a hospital with an illness she’s never heard of.
But that isn’t the only life-changing moment for Lizzie. The other is when Connor and his dog, Verlaine, walk into her hospital room. Lizzie has never connected with anyone the way she does with the handsome, teenage volunteer. However, the more time she spends with him, and the deeper in love she falls, the more she realizes that Connor has secrets and a deep pain of his own . . . and that while being with him has the power to make Lizzie forget about her illness, being with her might tear Connor apart.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published June 14, 2016
107 people are currently reading
3217 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Gilmore
7 books155 followersJennifer Gilmore's second novel for teens, If Only, was published by Harper Teen in July 2018. She is also the author the YA novel, We Were Never Here, and the adult novels, The Mothers, which is currently being adapted for film, Something Red and Golden Country, a New York Times Notable Book, a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, the National Jewish Book Award.
Her work has appeared in magazines and journals including The Atlantic, Bomb, BookForum, the Los Angeles Times, the New York Times, the New York Times Book Review, Real Simple, Salon, Tin House, Vogue and the Washington Post.
She has been a MacDowell Colony fellow and has taught writing and literature at Barnard College, Cornell University, Fordham University, Harvard University, the New School, New York University, and Princeton University.
Stop in and visit her facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jennife...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 180 reviews
May 12, 2017
Did you know your entire life can change in an instant?
For sixteen-year-old Lizzie Stoller that moment is when she collapses, out of the blue. The next thing she knows she’s in a hospital with an illness she’s never heard of.
But that isn’t the only life-changing moment for Lizzie. The other is when Connor and his dog, Verlaine, walk into her hospital room. Lizzie has never connected with anyone the way she does with the handsome, teenage volunteer. However, the more time she spends with him, and the deeper in love she falls, the more she realizes that Connor has secrets and a deep pain of his own . . . and that while being with him has the power to make Lizzie forget about her illness, being with her might tear Connor apart.
We Were Never Here or as I like to call it A Fault In Our Stars Without All The Good Parts. It's histrionic and over the top and yet somehow not enough of a story to be believable. Basically, take any teen-with-a-health-issue story, remove the poignancy, and replace it with DARK SECRETS and HOT BOYS WITH CUTE PUPPIES. This book just felt dated, it missed the FIOS trend and we've all moved on.
The main character, Lizzie Stoller, is a self-absorbed twit (if you don't like teens, that may be how you describe them, but I assure you that they are also funny, smart, incisive, and giving). One day, she collapses at camp with severe abdominal pain, vomiting--basically everything humiliating about having your digestive system turn on you like Benedict Arnold. Bizarrely, they keep her in the camp infirmary for a few days before, you know, calling a doctor or her family or someone trained to deal with serious medical issues. Bad camp. Bad.
It turns out that she has ulcerative colitis, and she's in the hospital refusing to walk or talk or eat and generally being excessively dramatic. Even when a cute guy and his cute dog show up in her room, she doesn't want to talk to them, even though he's sooooo dreamy and the doggie is soooooo cute. Obviously, Lizzie and Connor, the hot guy, end up having A Connection and then A Relationship, but alas! Lizzie has to have a partial colostomy, which makes her think that she can never be loved agaiiiiiin. But Connor and Verlaine, the dog, still love her, but then she finds out a Horrible Secret about Connor and doesn't know if she can trust him anymore. After that, Lizzie finds purpose and a new best friend and hopes that she will see Connor, her love, sometime in the future, because they looooove each other. The end. Literally I cant make myself care about this book.
For sixteen-year-old Lizzie Stoller that moment is when she collapses, out of the blue. The next thing she knows she’s in a hospital with an illness she’s never heard of.
But that isn’t the only life-changing moment for Lizzie. The other is when Connor and his dog, Verlaine, walk into her hospital room. Lizzie has never connected with anyone the way she does with the handsome, teenage volunteer. However, the more time she spends with him, and the deeper in love she falls, the more she realizes that Connor has secrets and a deep pain of his own . . . and that while being with him has the power to make Lizzie forget about her illness, being with her might tear Connor apart.
We Were Never Here or as I like to call it A Fault In Our Stars Without All The Good Parts. It's histrionic and over the top and yet somehow not enough of a story to be believable. Basically, take any teen-with-a-health-issue story, remove the poignancy, and replace it with DARK SECRETS and HOT BOYS WITH CUTE PUPPIES. This book just felt dated, it missed the FIOS trend and we've all moved on.
The main character, Lizzie Stoller, is a self-absorbed twit (if you don't like teens, that may be how you describe them, but I assure you that they are also funny, smart, incisive, and giving). One day, she collapses at camp with severe abdominal pain, vomiting--basically everything humiliating about having your digestive system turn on you like Benedict Arnold. Bizarrely, they keep her in the camp infirmary for a few days before, you know, calling a doctor or her family or someone trained to deal with serious medical issues. Bad camp. Bad.
It turns out that she has ulcerative colitis, and she's in the hospital refusing to walk or talk or eat and generally being excessively dramatic. Even when a cute guy and his cute dog show up in her room, she doesn't want to talk to them, even though he's sooooo dreamy and the doggie is soooooo cute. Obviously, Lizzie and Connor, the hot guy, end up having A Connection and then A Relationship, but alas! Lizzie has to have a partial colostomy, which makes her think that she can never be loved agaiiiiiin. But Connor and Verlaine, the dog, still love her, but then she finds out a Horrible Secret about Connor and doesn't know if she can trust him anymore. After that, Lizzie finds purpose and a new best friend and hopes that she will see Connor, her love, sometime in the future, because they looooove each other. The end. Literally I cant make myself care about this book.
June 10, 2016
When I first saw this book on Goodreads, I really thought that it would be one of those books where my opinions would differ with everyone else's. So despite seeing the not-so-high ratings in Goodreads, I still requested this. However, I have to say that the others were right about this book from the start.
The premise of this book just seemed so interesting to me when I first read the synopsis. According to the synopsis, it's about a romance between a hospitalized girl and a troubled boy, which just sounded so interesting! I also saw a review that mentioned that this has mental illness in it, so of course I was interested. However, this book is more about pining away for someone who is not there rather than a romance that would make you feel the feels.
Let me just say this - I hated Connor's character. He's a chronic liar who thinks that the world revolves around him. I get that he's depressed but I don't think that's an excuse for being pathetic. Speaking of depression, I hate the way it was portrayed in this book. I know that it's not the center of the story, but seriously. Connor was not given the help that he needed, which just resulted to him being worse. He was continuously sent away, but not to get help. Ugh!
Also, there was no chemistry whatsoever between Connor and Lizzie. I didn't feel anything, which might also be caused by how few the time they spent with each other were. Which brings me to the point of insta-love because they've only seen each other a few times and they were already in love with each other. Nope, I just couldn't stand it.
Another thing I didn't like was how the characters interacted with each other. The conversations between Stella B. and Lizzie felt so awkward and chopped, and I just really didn't like it. It was also the case sometimes with Connor. Sometimes there would be one-word replies, which were just weird and awkward in my opinion.
Overall, I really didn't enjoy this book. In fact, it took me almost a week just to finish reading this because there was just nothing to hold me onto the book. In this case, I should have listened to what everyone else was saying.
The premise of this book just seemed so interesting to me when I first read the synopsis. According to the synopsis, it's about a romance between a hospitalized girl and a troubled boy, which just sounded so interesting! I also saw a review that mentioned that this has mental illness in it, so of course I was interested. However, this book is more about pining away for someone who is not there rather than a romance that would make you feel the feels.
Let me just say this - I hated Connor's character. He's a chronic liar who thinks that the world revolves around him. I get that he's depressed but I don't think that's an excuse for being pathetic. Speaking of depression, I hate the way it was portrayed in this book. I know that it's not the center of the story, but seriously. Connor was not given the help that he needed, which just resulted to him being worse. He was continuously sent away, but not to get help. Ugh!
Also, there was no chemistry whatsoever between Connor and Lizzie. I didn't feel anything, which might also be caused by how few the time they spent with each other were. Which brings me to the point of insta-love because they've only seen each other a few times and they were already in love with each other. Nope, I just couldn't stand it.
Another thing I didn't like was how the characters interacted with each other. The conversations between Stella B. and Lizzie felt so awkward and chopped, and I just really didn't like it. It was also the case sometimes with Connor. Sometimes there would be one-word replies, which were just weird and awkward in my opinion.
Overall, I really didn't enjoy this book. In fact, it took me almost a week just to finish reading this because there was just nothing to hold me onto the book. In this case, I should have listened to what everyone else was saying.
June 28, 2016
DNF at 16%
WAIT, WHATTTTT???
WHATTTTTT????
Good luck telling THAT to the Puerto Ricans, you ignorant twat.
I know I'm being narrow-minded. DNF at 16%? Who the hell does that? Well, me obviously. I mean, if I have to put up with this clueless, oblivious, ignorant, unlikable, extremely annoying teenager for another 84% I think I'd be, you know, dead. A bit melodramatic, I know. But that's the card our main character was going for, so don't blame me.
WOW CANT'T SET THE iPAD ON YOUR TUMMY IS YOUR IDEA OF 'WORST THING'???? Are you fucking kidding me right now???? HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF FAMINE OR POVERTY OR SYRIAN ASYLUM SEEKERS YOU DUMBASS ENTITLED PRINCESS?
Shit. I'm so pissed off right now. Why did I even think reviewing/ recapping this book was a good idea anyway.
So yeah Lizzie Stoller was sick (with something I really don't care to find out anymore). She was a boring, brooding, melodramatic teen who was taking everything for granted. Being a privileged 1st world teen as she was, all she could think about on her death bed was jealousy over her friend's hook-ups and whether she'd ever be pretty enough to draw attention from just about any random boys on the planet.
Speaking of random boys, she became insta-obsessed over a guy with his therapy dog right from the first encounter. And I skimmed through and found out she claimed she was in love with him after meeting the guy for like 3 times. Hormones could be so cruel sometimes.
I don't think you gonna miss anything much by not reading this book. I mean, if you're into sneak-peaking into the head of an evidently self-absorb girl who was all brooding by day and hungrying for attention from boys by night, then be my guest. She's one-dimensional, boring and vain. I'm proud to say I do not care about her. Worst main character I've come across in a while.
Find out more at:
https://thebleedingeyes.wordpress.com
She’s smiling. Her hair doesn’t smile with her, and she scratches under it.
Thelma has a wig.
She’s going to tell me I’m dying, I think. I will never see my friends again. I will never cuddle with Mabel and fall asleep to her snoring. I will never go to Spain or any Spanish-speaking country, not Mexico or Venezuela or Costa Rica or Puerto Rico, which I know is not a country.
WAIT, WHATTTTT???
WHATTTTTT????
Good luck telling THAT to the Puerto Ricans, you ignorant twat.
I know I'm being narrow-minded. DNF at 16%? Who the hell does that? Well, me obviously. I mean, if I have to put up with this clueless, oblivious, ignorant, unlikable, extremely annoying teenager for another 84% I think I'd be, you know, dead. A bit melodramatic, I know. But that's the card our main character was going for, so don't blame me.
So I settle back, and then the worst thing happens. I can’t set the iPad on my belly. I can’t sit up to watch it. And for the brief moment that I do this anyway, looking at the screen makes me sick to my stomach.
WOW CANT'T SET THE iPAD ON YOUR TUMMY IS YOUR IDEA OF 'WORST THING'???? Are you fucking kidding me right now???? HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF FAMINE OR POVERTY OR SYRIAN ASYLUM SEEKERS YOU DUMBASS ENTITLED PRINCESS?
Shit. I'm so pissed off right now. Why did I even think reviewing/ recapping this book was a good idea anyway.
So yeah Lizzie Stoller was sick (with something I really don't care to find out anymore). She was a boring, brooding, melodramatic teen who was taking everything for granted. Being a privileged 1st world teen as she was, all she could think about on her death bed was jealousy over her friend's hook-ups and whether she'd ever be pretty enough to draw attention from just about any random boys on the planet.
Speaking of random boys, she became insta-obsessed over a guy with his therapy dog right from the first encounter. And I skimmed through and found out she claimed she was in love with him after meeting the guy for like 3 times. Hormones could be so cruel sometimes.
How lucky am I, I think, that this guy works here, now? The crazy unlucky part comes back quickly, though, because here he is standing up and I am lying here, a mess, a mess who fell on her face in front of him.
Who is Connor? He is incredibly cute, but I can see he also bites his nails really, really short. Like he hardly has any nails. That is never a good quality in a boy, I think,
I don't think you gonna miss anything much by not reading this book. I mean, if you're into sneak-peaking into the head of an evidently self-absorb girl who was all brooding by day and hungrying for attention from boys by night, then be my guest. She's one-dimensional, boring and vain. I'm proud to say I do not care about her. Worst main character I've come across in a while.
Find out more at:
https://thebleedingeyes.wordpress.com
September 5, 2016
Have you ever read a book where all you really want is for the heroine to run as far away from the love interest as she can possibly get?
This is that book.
This is that book.
April 9, 2016
(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to HarperCollins and Edelweiss.)
This was an okay story, but it wasn’t quite what I was expecting.
Lizzie was put in a difficult position in this book, being stuck in hospital and having no idea what was wrong with her was really hard, and I totally got why she worried that she was going to die.
The storyline in this wasn’t quite what I expected as it was more about Connor and Lizzie being apart than being together, and I was looking for romance really. I will admit that I didn’t guess the little twist that we got, so that was a bit of a surprise, but I just wanted Connor and Lizzie to actually get some time together rather than missing each other and writing letters.
The ending to this was quite bittersweet, and not really the happily ever after I was hoping for.
6 out of 10
“Am I going to die?”
This was an okay story, but it wasn’t quite what I was expecting.
Lizzie was put in a difficult position in this book, being stuck in hospital and having no idea what was wrong with her was really hard, and I totally got why she worried that she was going to die.
The storyline in this wasn’t quite what I expected as it was more about Connor and Lizzie being apart than being together, and I was looking for romance really. I will admit that I didn’t guess the little twist that we got, so that was a bit of a surprise, but I just wanted Connor and Lizzie to actually get some time together rather than missing each other and writing letters.
The ending to this was quite bittersweet, and not really the happily ever after I was hoping for.
6 out of 10
March 5, 2016
I was able to read an ARC copy of this book from Around The WOrld ARC Tours and I have to say thank you thank you so much for introducing this book for tour. I love a good story that has it's regular ups and downs but this story took it to a new level that had me hooked right from the start. It took me a few days to read it because I had been sick but every second I could read I was reading it.
We get to meet Lizzie Stoller who is at summer camp when she gets sick. She is not sure what is wrong with her but she keeps getting a stomach ache and vomiting. So she goes to the camp infirmary to rest and wait for her mother to come and get her. As she is there she goes in and out of consciousness and ends up going to the top notch hospital for tests. Her mother is right by her side and she could not be any happier.
It is there at the hospital she meets Connor and his dog Verlaine. When she first meets him she sends him away because she is in pain and has not showered or washed her hair so she sends him out because in her words she is disgusting. But soon the two have a friendship and are doing things together. Then something happens to Connor and Lizzie doesn't know what happened to him and when she finds out she is both mad and sad because she isn't sure she knows who this boy is.
Once Connor had it all and one night changed that for him and since then he has been living a lie. Once his truth comes out he has no choice but to tell Lizzie the truth and hope for the best. Will Lizzie forgive Connor or will she turn her back on him?
We get to meet Lizzie Stoller who is at summer camp when she gets sick. She is not sure what is wrong with her but she keeps getting a stomach ache and vomiting. So she goes to the camp infirmary to rest and wait for her mother to come and get her. As she is there she goes in and out of consciousness and ends up going to the top notch hospital for tests. Her mother is right by her side and she could not be any happier.
It is there at the hospital she meets Connor and his dog Verlaine. When she first meets him she sends him away because she is in pain and has not showered or washed her hair so she sends him out because in her words she is disgusting. But soon the two have a friendship and are doing things together. Then something happens to Connor and Lizzie doesn't know what happened to him and when she finds out she is both mad and sad because she isn't sure she knows who this boy is.
Once Connor had it all and one night changed that for him and since then he has been living a lie. Once his truth comes out he has no choice but to tell Lizzie the truth and hope for the best. Will Lizzie forgive Connor or will she turn her back on him?
August 10, 2016
So I gave this book about 100 pages before I decided to put it down. The main character was pretty annoying. I didn't like how she claimed to suddenly be in love with the guy who came to her room maybe three times? The characters were flat, the plot line was flat and I felt no connection to the story whatsoever.
The summary of the book seemed interesting and that's why I wanted to read it, but the book isn't what you expect. It's also definitely middle grade reading level, way way under what I'm used to be reading yet it's listed under YA.
Maybe one day I'll give it another try, but I feel like this book was too....easy and boring for me.
The summary of the book seemed interesting and that's why I wanted to read it, but the book isn't what you expect. It's also definitely middle grade reading level, way way under what I'm used to be reading yet it's listed under YA.
Maybe one day I'll give it another try, but I feel like this book was too....easy and boring for me.
April 6, 2016
Jennifer Gilmore's writing is so sharp, clear and empathetic. Don't read the summary, just read the book! I couldn't put it down, wept several times, and was truly captivated by her suspenseful storytelling and incredible wit. There's nothing predictable about these characters or their challenges. Suffering collides with excellent humor and genuine romance. We Were Never Here creates an immersive world that I still think about often. What a spectacular book.
November 9, 2015
I'm recommending this book to everyone!
March 19, 2019
touching
March 16, 2016
My Thoughts: I really did like this one! But I just never really connected much to Lizzie or Connor.
We are introduced to Lizzie. She’s just a normal girl with a normal family. She lives with her mom and dad and older sister. She’s pretty ordinary. One day at camp she starts to feel sick. It only gets worse and she’s admitted to the hospital. She gets put in the Colon Cancer ward basically. This scared me a little bit as I’m dealing with my own problems right now with having anemia and being tested for stomach related issues. I thought oh crap, is this book going to scare the crap out of me?
Lizzie ends up getting diagnosed with a colon disorder and her life changes completely. She has so much to face and so many new challenges. Than in comes a boy named Connor when Lizzie sure isn’t at her best.
I liked Connor but he had so many issues of his own. And that’s the point. We learn more about him as the story progresses. I liked him. I especially liked his cute dog.
Connor is just what Lizzie needed rather they both knew it or not. She needed someone she could lean on even if he wasn’t always around. He brightened her days while in the hospital.
I liked this one, I really did but it just wasn’t the happy go lucky book I needed right than. It was sad, it was raw, it was emotional. I also liked seeing that Lizzie and Connor weren’t perfect. Their lives weren’t perfect and they had so many obstacles to overcome.
Overall: I really did enjoy this one but it wasn’t one of my favorites of the year. I did race right through it and finished it pretty quickly. I’d still recommend this one though. I’d say it’s probably more of a 3.5 cupcake rating than a 3. I read a lot of contemps and it’s hard to please me on those!
Cover: Love it! I love the colors and the way they are holding hands. Cute!
What I’d Give It: 3/5 Cupcakes
_________
Taken From Princess Bookie
www.princessbookie.com
We are introduced to Lizzie. She’s just a normal girl with a normal family. She lives with her mom and dad and older sister. She’s pretty ordinary. One day at camp she starts to feel sick. It only gets worse and she’s admitted to the hospital. She gets put in the Colon Cancer ward basically. This scared me a little bit as I’m dealing with my own problems right now with having anemia and being tested for stomach related issues. I thought oh crap, is this book going to scare the crap out of me?
Lizzie ends up getting diagnosed with a colon disorder and her life changes completely. She has so much to face and so many new challenges. Than in comes a boy named Connor when Lizzie sure isn’t at her best.
I liked Connor but he had so many issues of his own. And that’s the point. We learn more about him as the story progresses. I liked him. I especially liked his cute dog.
Connor is just what Lizzie needed rather they both knew it or not. She needed someone she could lean on even if he wasn’t always around. He brightened her days while in the hospital.
I liked this one, I really did but it just wasn’t the happy go lucky book I needed right than. It was sad, it was raw, it was emotional. I also liked seeing that Lizzie and Connor weren’t perfect. Their lives weren’t perfect and they had so many obstacles to overcome.
Overall: I really did enjoy this one but it wasn’t one of my favorites of the year. I did race right through it and finished it pretty quickly. I’d still recommend this one though. I’d say it’s probably more of a 3.5 cupcake rating than a 3. I read a lot of contemps and it’s hard to please me on those!
Cover: Love it! I love the colors and the way they are holding hands. Cute!
What I’d Give It: 3/5 Cupcakes
_________
Taken From Princess Bookie
www.princessbookie.com
July 3, 2016
Where is the majestic character development when you need one?
Like seriously?
I'm feeling soooooo frustrated right now. I really could've loved this book, but that wishful thinking was over before it even started. Everything felt so tedious right from the very beginning. Lizzie's inner monologues drilled a gaping hole in my head.
I felt no connection. At all. Not with the story, and definitely not with the characters. I was wrong to think that this book will hit all the right spots, when in reality, it missed all.
I don't know, maybe it was just me or something. Just...this book wasn't for me. Nope.
2 stars for this!
Like seriously?
I'm feeling soooooo frustrated right now. I really could've loved this book, but that wishful thinking was over before it even started. Everything felt so tedious right from the very beginning. Lizzie's inner monologues drilled a gaping hole in my head.
I felt no connection. At all. Not with the story, and definitely not with the characters. I was wrong to think that this book will hit all the right spots, when in reality, it missed all.
I don't know, maybe it was just me or something. Just...this book wasn't for me. Nope.
2 stars for this!
July 26, 2016
The really ironic thing is that The Mess I Made by Parachute was playing on my phone while I was reading the last couple of pages and I'm pretty sure I read the word "mess" at least ten times. Ha.
But that's what this book was. A mess.
It was all over the place; I didn't get the point of this book, I mean what happened in the beginning and what happened at the end and what changed from the beginning to the ending?
The themes were all jumbled: it was girl power at some point and then grief and them acceptance and then love and then pity and then realisation and I wasn't sure I was keeping up with the plot anymore.
I didn't understand Lizzie and Connor's relationship, I didn't understand what they were doing or what exactly they were trying to do.
In conclusion, I didn't understand the book. There were some meaningful quotes that I underlined but other than that, it felt like the space between two quotes was just trying to be filled.
I admit, I judged the book by its cover when I saw it on the shelf, but what can I do? It had a really pretty cover... *grimaces* :(
But that's what this book was. A mess.
It was all over the place; I didn't get the point of this book, I mean what happened in the beginning and what happened at the end and what changed from the beginning to the ending?
The themes were all jumbled: it was girl power at some point and then grief and them acceptance and then love and then pity and then realisation and I wasn't sure I was keeping up with the plot anymore.
I didn't understand Lizzie and Connor's relationship, I didn't understand what they were doing or what exactly they were trying to do.
In conclusion, I didn't understand the book. There were some meaningful quotes that I underlined but other than that, it felt like the space between two quotes was just trying to be filled.
I admit, I judged the book by its cover when I saw it on the shelf, but what can I do? It had a really pretty cover... *grimaces* :(
September 29, 2017
DNF at 26%.
This book makes me feel so many things, most of them angry. I was so excited when the main character turned out to have ulcerative colitis because Crohn's (which I have) and Colitis are such underrepresented illnesses in the media because, lets face it, there's no romantic suffering surrounding your intestines.
BUT.
Let me just name a few of the things that made me quit this book:
1. The GOD AWFUL bedside manner at the damn hospital. There is NO WAY that a doctor just marches in and says, completely callously, "tsk, it's going to have to go" when talking about a serious surgery. Just. ALL THE RAGE FOR THE HORRIBLE DOCTOR PORTRAYAL IN THIS BOOK.
2. Instaluv--gag.
3. Really shallow, choppy writing. The mind space of the main character is just not that interesting. I don't blame her for being upset or (as other reviews described) whiny because, guess what, chronic illnesses suck, but the writing style/ her overall voice just didn't work for me.
So. Won't be finishing this.
This book makes me feel so many things, most of them angry. I was so excited when the main character turned out to have ulcerative colitis because Crohn's (which I have) and Colitis are such underrepresented illnesses in the media because, lets face it, there's no romantic suffering surrounding your intestines.
BUT.
Let me just name a few of the things that made me quit this book:
1. The GOD AWFUL bedside manner at the damn hospital. There is NO WAY that a doctor just marches in and says, completely callously, "tsk, it's going to have to go" when talking about a serious surgery. Just. ALL THE RAGE FOR THE HORRIBLE DOCTOR PORTRAYAL IN THIS BOOK.
2. Instaluv--gag.
3. Really shallow, choppy writing. The mind space of the main character is just not that interesting. I don't blame her for being upset or (as other reviews described) whiny because, guess what, chronic illnesses suck, but the writing style/ her overall voice just didn't work for me.
So. Won't be finishing this.
June 16, 2016
Full review over at The Bookaholic Blurbs!
We Were Never Here is the perfect break from all the soul-wrecking and mind-blowing genres we are surrounded by lately. It warms your cheeks and leaves pinches to the heart. What a truly really enjoyable read.
Thank you so much HarperCollins International for the review copy!
We Were Never Here is the perfect break from all the soul-wrecking and mind-blowing genres we are surrounded by lately. It warms your cheeks and leaves pinches to the heart. What a truly really enjoyable read.
Thank you so much HarperCollins International for the review copy!
Read
March 31, 2016Hmmm... I have mixed feelings about this one. I had a had time mustering any sympathy for the love interest and the vagueness around the main character's medical condition led me to Wikipedia more than seemed reasonable, which is kind of annoying when you're reading. (I have no idea if that makes sense.)
April 13, 2015
Even if the characters weren't bad I just couldn't find chemistry with them.
The idea may have been interesting, I didn't enjoy the outcome.
The idea may have been interesting, I didn't enjoy the outcome.
June 15, 2016
FULL REVIEW SOON.
July 1, 2020
Yeah. Just don't. It's not worth it.
July 24, 2018
This book was soooo problematic.
Lizzie gets really sick at summer camp and ends up at the hospital with a mysterious illness that no one can figure out. Connor shows up with his therapy dog and they fall in love. In about 8 days. Even though she can't get out of bed for more than 20 min and everyone thinks she might be dying. (She's a little happy that's she's so skinny from losing so much weight though). Priorities, anyone? Connor confesses he started volunteering at the hospital because he saw a little girl die after being hit by a car. So sad.
Lizzie has surgery to "fix" her and she leaves the hospital. Connor disappears and leaves no word on where he's going. There's a lot of pining at this point. She's also lowkey upset she's gaining back the weight from the hospital because she can finally eat without throwing up. Connor finally writes a letter to say he's in boarding and sorry for not saying goodbye and also he was the one driving and he hit and killed the little girl and he was stoned at the time.
I should have stopped there. I really really should have. There are so many things wrong with this narrative, most namely using an actual sickness that actual people have to justify this fucked up relationship/love. But I kept reading.
They sneak away to have sex at Connor's parents cabin, although he lies again and says he's allowed to leave campus on the weekend. The whole setting is a little creepy and Lizzie loses her virginity and I'm not entirely convinced as the reader that she wanted to. Doesn't matter in the long run, because they part ways and Connor never calls her again. He gets kicked out of boarding school for leaving campus ("I did it for love.") and then his mom wont' let the two of them communicate. Two months later, he calls and is like hey lizzie drop everything and meet me and she's like no you tricked me into having sex and then didn't call. But she does ending up meeting him and he says he's going to a rehab place (except it's not called that) across the country. And she's still in love with him and basically that she'll wait for him and the entire thing is disgusting.
Do not romanticize physical illness and being in a hospital for three weeks. Do not romanticize PTSD. Do not romanticize broken, dangerous boys.
Start romanticizing the fact that girls can feel validated without a guy. Romanticize getting stronger after illness. Romanticize finding yourself, not each other.
I hope you have enjoyed this non-review.
Lizzie gets really sick at summer camp and ends up at the hospital with a mysterious illness that no one can figure out. Connor shows up with his therapy dog and they fall in love. In about 8 days. Even though she can't get out of bed for more than 20 min and everyone thinks she might be dying. (She's a little happy that's she's so skinny from losing so much weight though). Priorities, anyone? Connor confesses he started volunteering at the hospital because he saw a little girl die after being hit by a car. So sad.
Lizzie has surgery to "fix" her and she leaves the hospital. Connor disappears and leaves no word on where he's going. There's a lot of pining at this point. She's also lowkey upset she's gaining back the weight from the hospital because she can finally eat without throwing up. Connor finally writes a letter to say he's in boarding and sorry for not saying goodbye and also he was the one driving and he hit and killed the little girl and he was stoned at the time.
I should have stopped there. I really really should have. There are so many things wrong with this narrative, most namely using an actual sickness that actual people have to justify this fucked up relationship/love. But I kept reading.
They sneak away to have sex at Connor's parents cabin, although he lies again and says he's allowed to leave campus on the weekend. The whole setting is a little creepy and Lizzie loses her virginity and I'm not entirely convinced as the reader that she wanted to. Doesn't matter in the long run, because they part ways and Connor never calls her again. He gets kicked out of boarding school for leaving campus ("I did it for love.") and then his mom wont' let the two of them communicate. Two months later, he calls and is like hey lizzie drop everything and meet me and she's like no you tricked me into having sex and then didn't call. But she does ending up meeting him and he says he's going to a rehab place (except it's not called that) across the country. And she's still in love with him and basically that she'll wait for him and the entire thing is disgusting.
Do not romanticize physical illness and being in a hospital for three weeks. Do not romanticize PTSD. Do not romanticize broken, dangerous boys.
Start romanticizing the fact that girls can feel validated without a guy. Romanticize getting stronger after illness. Romanticize finding yourself, not each other.
I hope you have enjoyed this non-review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 16, 2017
This is a novel about a girl named Lizzie who gets very sick and meets a boy named Connor in the hospital where he volunteers with his dog. They end up falling for each other and becoming close, but they have a lot of issues and make a lot of bad decisions which affect their relationship.
I think the plot had a very sweet premise but it just didn't deliver. The novel could have used some editing, and I wish we got a little more from the secondary characters. I really liked Conner and all of his character flaws - he was very romantic but also had many demons in him. I think many of the scenes could really have been special, but many points were just too abrupt and they sizzled out.
I think the plot had a very sweet premise but it just didn't deliver. The novel could have used some editing, and I wish we got a little more from the secondary characters. I really liked Conner and all of his character flaws - he was very romantic but also had many demons in him. I think many of the scenes could really have been special, but many points were just too abrupt and they sizzled out.
August 24, 2021
Overall a thought-provoking, bittersweet story about recovery and healing. It’s not a thrill ride. Nor is it the greatest love story ever told. But, it is very real and meaningful. I didn’t absolutely hate it, but I wasn’t completely in love with it either.
June 16, 2018
I’m confused. What is the point of this book exactly?
May 18, 2021
I really enjoyed this book, but it totally took me in a different direction than I expected. It is full of ups, downs, and teenage romance.
January 6, 2022
2⭐️
Meh. Too young adult for me.
Reminder to myself - don’t let K read this book - demonstrates unhealthy relationship.
Meh. Too young adult for me.
Reminder to myself - don’t let K read this book - demonstrates unhealthy relationship.
June 5, 2020
It was tolerable, and I think explored the experience of youth in a fresh way but ultimately the male character was flat and the final chapters did not suit all the previous ones. The transitions from the books 3 stages did not seem like enough attention to how a characters personality would stay consistent.
There was lots of interesting short stories, but the character development did not quite match the circumstances.
There was lots of interesting short stories, but the character development did not quite match the circumstances.
October 3, 2020
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes reading about people who have illnesses. If you read and liked 5 Feet Apart, you’d probably enjoy reading this book as well. I gave it a 3.5/5.
July 17, 2022
I love this author, but this is not her best work.
September 16, 2016
Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales
Quick & Dirty: A colon disorder, teenage romance and many lessons.
Opening Sentence: It’s a single moment: It’s on the archery field on the third-to-last day of my first year as a CIT-counselor in training.
The Review:
The story begins with a normal, healthy Lizzie whose life turns upside down in an instant. In the blink of an eye she’s in the hospital being poked and prodded to find out what unknown illness she’s suffering from. At first I thought, ‘here’s another teenage cancer story’ but turns out that Lizzie doesn’t have cancer but her colon is diseased (a very long titled illness that I cannot remember) and if it’s not removed it could explode inside her and all the toxins could kill her! What a picture that paints?!! It’s probably one of the most embarrassing illnesses for a teenage girl, having a bag attached to you so that every time you need to ‘go’ you end up using a kind of mobile bed pan, for all to see.
But how do you know? Who’s to say? What makes anyone connect, click click, and what makes that connection stick?
Lizzie’s character was written beautifully. She’s mortified by what’s happened to her and begins with a lot of self pity. She’s not pretending to be thankful she’s not dead or seeing a new light in the world, it’s just so real. Her emotions were clearly explained but I enjoyed her bluntness because without meaning to Lizzie could be quite funny in her sarcastic sort of way. Lizzie feels isolated from friends and family because clearly no one has gone through the same sort of ordeal and she feels like she can’t be normal or loved ever again, slowly pushing everyone away. Until Connor arrives.
I want to believe Connor with every cell of me. That he could want me, now, later. But buried deep is also this: why is it always the girl waiting for the boy to tell her she’s beautiful? Connor is lovely everywhere. I imagine even his blood is sun-kissed and windblown. And it seems like he might need to know that too.
But I don’t say it. Because that’s how it is: the girl waiting for the boy to tell her.
Connor is this sweet golden boy who visits the hospital patients with his dog and appears to be the perfect kind of guy that will help Lizzie because he sees more to her than her sickness. Soon we realise that Connor has his own demons and although he doesn’t have scars to show for them, his wounds might be harder to heal.
You think the worst is behind you, but it’s never behind you. In fact, saying something is the worst does not leave room for all the bad stuff that can follow it.
I enjoyed this story for a lot of reasons: it centred around an unusual illness, emphasised how important it is to never give up but most importantly it highlighted that everyone has their own battles to fight. It’s not always the person in the hospital suffering the most. Some people hurt quietly. Lizzie’s character develops as the story progresses from a giggly teenager swooning over the cute guy at school, to this mature young lady who is beginning to take control of her life.
“Is this you being vulnerable?”
I have to laugh. “No. It’s all just coming out angry. That’s what I’m saying. I’m tired of that. It takes a lot of energy to be pissed off all the time.”
We Were Never Here leaves a bittersweet taste. It’s not a sad ending per se but it’s not a Disney fairytale ending either, which is fitting because it makes it more real. A story about two teenagers helping each other in more ways than they ever realise. I haven’t mentioned much about the romance but I’m hoping you will read and find out for yourself :)
Notable Scene:
I think of a cheesy television movie, the one with the determined patient who gets out of bed and struggles for life, and despite the odds, and due to all that strength, he wins. But can I just say about strength? It’s only an expression. You either become healthy again or you don’t. Just because a person is sick and isn’t dead yet, it doesn’t mean she’s strong. I don’t feel strong. In fact I’d be happy-if that’s what you want to call it-to just give up and lie here. I am the opposite of strong.
FTC Advisory: HarperTeen provided me with a copy We Were Never Here. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
Quick & Dirty: A colon disorder, teenage romance and many lessons.
Opening Sentence: It’s a single moment: It’s on the archery field on the third-to-last day of my first year as a CIT-counselor in training.
The Review:
The story begins with a normal, healthy Lizzie whose life turns upside down in an instant. In the blink of an eye she’s in the hospital being poked and prodded to find out what unknown illness she’s suffering from. At first I thought, ‘here’s another teenage cancer story’ but turns out that Lizzie doesn’t have cancer but her colon is diseased (a very long titled illness that I cannot remember) and if it’s not removed it could explode inside her and all the toxins could kill her! What a picture that paints?!! It’s probably one of the most embarrassing illnesses for a teenage girl, having a bag attached to you so that every time you need to ‘go’ you end up using a kind of mobile bed pan, for all to see.
But how do you know? Who’s to say? What makes anyone connect, click click, and what makes that connection stick?
Lizzie’s character was written beautifully. She’s mortified by what’s happened to her and begins with a lot of self pity. She’s not pretending to be thankful she’s not dead or seeing a new light in the world, it’s just so real. Her emotions were clearly explained but I enjoyed her bluntness because without meaning to Lizzie could be quite funny in her sarcastic sort of way. Lizzie feels isolated from friends and family because clearly no one has gone through the same sort of ordeal and she feels like she can’t be normal or loved ever again, slowly pushing everyone away. Until Connor arrives.
I want to believe Connor with every cell of me. That he could want me, now, later. But buried deep is also this: why is it always the girl waiting for the boy to tell her she’s beautiful? Connor is lovely everywhere. I imagine even his blood is sun-kissed and windblown. And it seems like he might need to know that too.
But I don’t say it. Because that’s how it is: the girl waiting for the boy to tell her.
Connor is this sweet golden boy who visits the hospital patients with his dog and appears to be the perfect kind of guy that will help Lizzie because he sees more to her than her sickness. Soon we realise that Connor has his own demons and although he doesn’t have scars to show for them, his wounds might be harder to heal.
You think the worst is behind you, but it’s never behind you. In fact, saying something is the worst does not leave room for all the bad stuff that can follow it.
I enjoyed this story for a lot of reasons: it centred around an unusual illness, emphasised how important it is to never give up but most importantly it highlighted that everyone has their own battles to fight. It’s not always the person in the hospital suffering the most. Some people hurt quietly. Lizzie’s character develops as the story progresses from a giggly teenager swooning over the cute guy at school, to this mature young lady who is beginning to take control of her life.
“Is this you being vulnerable?”
I have to laugh. “No. It’s all just coming out angry. That’s what I’m saying. I’m tired of that. It takes a lot of energy to be pissed off all the time.”
We Were Never Here leaves a bittersweet taste. It’s not a sad ending per se but it’s not a Disney fairytale ending either, which is fitting because it makes it more real. A story about two teenagers helping each other in more ways than they ever realise. I haven’t mentioned much about the romance but I’m hoping you will read and find out for yourself :)
Notable Scene:
I think of a cheesy television movie, the one with the determined patient who gets out of bed and struggles for life, and despite the odds, and due to all that strength, he wins. But can I just say about strength? It’s only an expression. You either become healthy again or you don’t. Just because a person is sick and isn’t dead yet, it doesn’t mean she’s strong. I don’t feel strong. In fact I’d be happy-if that’s what you want to call it-to just give up and lie here. I am the opposite of strong.
FTC Advisory: HarperTeen provided me with a copy We Were Never Here. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
September 28, 2016
This is a book report for my teacher, Mrs.Orona, who teaches English IV. The book I decided to read, We Were Never Here, was written by Jennifer Gilmore. This novel has three hundred pages and was published by HarperTeen. The reason why I decided to read this book was because I wanted to try reading romance for the first time and this novel made a good first impression.
Elizabeth “Lizzie” Stoller begins her story in summer camp, moments before she suffers an accident that will change her life drastically. Lizzie is taken to the hospital and finds out she has ulcerative colitis, an illness that deals with her colon, a colon that couldn't be saved. While in the hospital, Lizzie meets Connor, a boy who volunteers to visit patients with his dog, a boy who becomes the light to Lizzie’s dark world. Yet soon enough Lizzie gains the strength to go back home but not as the same person she was before.
Coming from a wealthy family, Connor once had an accident, a car accident that he was never punished for even though it was all his fault. With his terrifying past, Connor changes for the better hence why he volunteers at the hospital. Who knew Connor would find love in a hospital? Not Lizzie but the two end up making a deep connection with all they've gone through. Although Lizzie makes it home after surgery, the distance between her and Connor doesn’t stop Connor from seeing her.
This romantic novel is set in Washington D.C., in what can be said as present-day America. Lizzie was first at summer camp enjoying life then she was in the hospital hating life and finally at home wanting more of a life with Connor. Lizzie gets to enjoy a whole weekend with Connor as they set sea on an adventure to a house that was once Connor’s great-grandparents place. After spending an amazing weekend together, the couple head back home and shortly Connor’s past comes back to haunt him even worse than before. The drama continues leading to a separation between the two and this fast paced novel details how there is no distance far enough that can break the love of two hearts.
In conclusion, We Were Never Here, left me wanting to read more novels just like it. This great piece of work by Jennifer Gilmore showed me that even through an illness and even through a tragic past, people can love each for who they are, it's amazing really. The author does a great job of relating to teens in this day in age but what I didn't really get was how the main character went through her accident in the beginning, too much was going on for me to comprehend. What I learned from reading this novel is that maybe I should read more teen romance because this novel was fun to read and was pretty heart-touching. Honestly, I’d go out and recommend this novel to anyone wanting to read teen romance, it's a great story.
Elizabeth “Lizzie” Stoller begins her story in summer camp, moments before she suffers an accident that will change her life drastically. Lizzie is taken to the hospital and finds out she has ulcerative colitis, an illness that deals with her colon, a colon that couldn't be saved. While in the hospital, Lizzie meets Connor, a boy who volunteers to visit patients with his dog, a boy who becomes the light to Lizzie’s dark world. Yet soon enough Lizzie gains the strength to go back home but not as the same person she was before.
Coming from a wealthy family, Connor once had an accident, a car accident that he was never punished for even though it was all his fault. With his terrifying past, Connor changes for the better hence why he volunteers at the hospital. Who knew Connor would find love in a hospital? Not Lizzie but the two end up making a deep connection with all they've gone through. Although Lizzie makes it home after surgery, the distance between her and Connor doesn’t stop Connor from seeing her.
This romantic novel is set in Washington D.C., in what can be said as present-day America. Lizzie was first at summer camp enjoying life then she was in the hospital hating life and finally at home wanting more of a life with Connor. Lizzie gets to enjoy a whole weekend with Connor as they set sea on an adventure to a house that was once Connor’s great-grandparents place. After spending an amazing weekend together, the couple head back home and shortly Connor’s past comes back to haunt him even worse than before. The drama continues leading to a separation between the two and this fast paced novel details how there is no distance far enough that can break the love of two hearts.
In conclusion, We Were Never Here, left me wanting to read more novels just like it. This great piece of work by Jennifer Gilmore showed me that even through an illness and even through a tragic past, people can love each for who they are, it's amazing really. The author does a great job of relating to teens in this day in age but what I didn't really get was how the main character went through her accident in the beginning, too much was going on for me to comprehend. What I learned from reading this novel is that maybe I should read more teen romance because this novel was fun to read and was pretty heart-touching. Honestly, I’d go out and recommend this novel to anyone wanting to read teen romance, it's a great story.
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