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We Were Beautiful
It's been a year since fifteen-year-old Mia Hopkins was in the car crash that killed her older sister and left her terribly scarred. The doctors tell her she was lucky to survive. Her therapist says it will take time to heal. The police reports claim there were trace amounts of alcohol in her bloodstream. But no matter how much she tries to reconstruct the events of that fateful night, Mia's memory is spotty at best. She's left with accusations, rumors, and guilt so powerful it could consume her.
As the rest of Mia's family struggles with their own grief, Mia is sent to New York City to spend the summer with a grandmother she's never met. All Mia wants to do is hide from the world, but instead she's stuck with a summer job in the bustling kitchens of the cafe down the street. There she meets Fig--blue-haired, friendly, and vivacious--who takes Mia under her wing. As Mia gets to know Fig and her friends--including Cooper, the artistic boy who is always on Mia's mind--she realizes that she's not the only one with a painful past.
Over the summer, Mia begins to learn that redemption isn't as impossible as she once thought, but her scars inside run deep and aren't nearly so simple to heal ... especially when Mia finally pieces together her memories of the night Rachel died.
As the rest of Mia's family struggles with their own grief, Mia is sent to New York City to spend the summer with a grandmother she's never met. All Mia wants to do is hide from the world, but instead she's stuck with a summer job in the bustling kitchens of the cafe down the street. There she meets Fig--blue-haired, friendly, and vivacious--who takes Mia under her wing. As Mia gets to know Fig and her friends--including Cooper, the artistic boy who is always on Mia's mind--she realizes that she's not the only one with a painful past.
Over the summer, Mia begins to learn that redemption isn't as impossible as she once thought, but her scars inside run deep and aren't nearly so simple to heal ... especially when Mia finally pieces together her memories of the night Rachel died.
299 pages, Paperback
First published April 2, 2019
55 people are currently reading
1592 people want to read
About the author
Heather Hepler
12 books273 followersI was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, which I think is one of the cooler places to be born, because initially people think I’m being funny—like I’m saying I was born on the moon, but then they see I’m actually being serious. It feels like since then I’ve lived nearly everywhere (well, only in the US—which is a bummer because I want to travel so much). In high school, I was in band and honors society and science club and worked on the school newspaper. All this in Texas where football was king and cheerleaders were the school royalty. When people ask me what I remember about middle school and high school, I stand there for several seconds not saying anything. This isn’t because I can’t remember anything, but because I remember too many things and I can’t figure out what to say out loud.
I spent the first part of college in Alaska, which was amazing. The first time I saw Northern Lights, I thought I was imagining it. I just couldn’t get my head around the idea that something so beautiful existed in the real world. That’s when I first started writing. This was my bad poetry phase. I think it was the combination of living there with long very cold winters and being in love with a guy that barely knew I existed that made me do it. People ask me all the time if I write poetry. I wish I could and maybe I will someday, but for now I am firmly a fiction writer.
I spent the first part of college in Alaska, which was amazing. The first time I saw Northern Lights, I thought I was imagining it. I just couldn’t get my head around the idea that something so beautiful existed in the real world. That’s when I first started writing. This was my bad poetry phase. I think it was the combination of living there with long very cold winters and being in love with a guy that barely knew I existed that made me do it. People ask me all the time if I write poetry. I wish I could and maybe I will someday, but for now I am firmly a fiction writer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 186 reviews
April 5, 2019
This was such a sweet read! I really enjoyed seeing Mia's journey and the friends (Fig specifically!) that she met along the way during her stay at New York City. I loved the emphasis the author placed on not judging people based on their looks, because that's something I'm very passionate about and am constantly striving to work on.
I did find the book to be... slow and a bit boring in some places? It was basically a diary of Mia's healing process from the traumatic accident--which I do think that we need more of in books (in other words, I think it's good & important that the author showcased healing in this book). However, it did make the book slow and rather plot-less. The romance did liven up the book a bit and I did enjoy seeing that. I didn't like the first person style of writing--I personally just prefer third person in general, but those who do enjoy first person will probably like it a lot.
Overall I enjoyed this book and would recommend it!
I did find the book to be... slow and a bit boring in some places? It was basically a diary of Mia's healing process from the traumatic accident--which I do think that we need more of in books (in other words, I think it's good & important that the author showcased healing in this book). However, it did make the book slow and rather plot-less. The romance did liven up the book a bit and I did enjoy seeing that. I didn't like the first person style of writing--I personally just prefer third person in general, but those who do enjoy first person will probably like it a lot.
Overall I enjoyed this book and would recommend it!
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October 9, 2018While the writing quality is good, i found the book moved on very slowly, at last for me, and that sometimes I found myself not really caring for what happened. We begin the book with Mia talking with her father about her going to spend some time with a grandmother she never has met in person, and the relation with his father is somewhat stranded as a result of a car accident that killed her sister, left her face scarred and destroyed the family unit.
Mia doesn't remember much about the accident, but she holds herself guilty for what happened, and the major interest in the novel is the reason why she thinks this way, which will be revealed towards the end of the book.
As the summary points out, this is a book about people who have had a hard life, and also for those who want a chance at redemption. Other than that, the book falls flat for me. The only part that got me intrigued was what happened and why, because the characters seemed to me to be put in the book with no other reason than to suport the main character an show her that there is more people who has had it rough. I mean, I don't find it to be a bad thing per se, it's just that maybe some variety would have been nice, but if all of them had to have issues, maybe they could have gone to rec group together or something (I know some of them did, but it bugs me no new blood entered the group).
While I enjoyed the book as a light read, it didn't surprise me or made me overly emotional, because I felt like everything was really put in place/prepared to get a response from the reader. It could be just me, of course. I have to say that the book shows promise and that I'm probably gonna check this author again if another one of her books calls my atenttion.
Mia doesn't remember much about the accident, but she holds herself guilty for what happened, and the major interest in the novel is the reason why she thinks this way, which will be revealed towards the end of the book.
As the summary points out, this is a book about people who have had a hard life, and also for those who want a chance at redemption. Other than that, the book falls flat for me. The only part that got me intrigued was what happened and why, because the characters seemed to me to be put in the book with no other reason than to suport the main character an show her that there is more people who has had it rough. I mean, I don't find it to be a bad thing per se, it's just that maybe some variety would have been nice, but if all of them had to have issues, maybe they could have gone to rec group together or something (I know some of them did, but it bugs me no new blood entered the group).
While I enjoyed the book as a light read, it didn't surprise me or made me overly emotional, because I felt like everything was really put in place/prepared to get a response from the reader. It could be just me, of course. I have to say that the book shows promise and that I'm probably gonna check this author again if another one of her books calls my atenttion.
April 26, 2019
This book was a little different than some contemporaries, but definitely had all the angst as well as humor that makes a teen story work. I liked all the characters, loved Fig's Italian family especially. It was also great to see that even as Mia struggled with her own demons of losing her sister, she still made the same mistake of assuming others hadn't been through things anywhere near what she had. Cooper was adorable, loved the idea of the mural he was making with the tiles. It was also fun to be experiencing New York City from a teen's perspective, made me want to take a trip out there again myself. A lot of food that sounded delicious at the restaurant, and then I loved one part where the character even pointed out something that has bothered me for a while now, the fact that fortune cookies rarely actually contain a fortune anymore. I say they are now just kind of proverb type of sayings, or as this character said, pithy sayings. A great book for a good spring read.
Review first appeared on Lisa Loves Literature.
Review first appeared on Lisa Loves Literature.
March 8, 2019
This book was so adorable and I loved it so much. 😍
April 7, 2019
Received a copy for review from the publisher.
This was a phenomenal read!! I thought it was going to be a 4🌟 read, but I've honestly enjoyed this story in its entirety. I'm debating between a full 5🌟 or a 4.75🌟 rating.
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After some time deliberating and going through my thoughts I've decided to just go with a 4.75🌟 rating because that ending left me hurt and wanting to know more.
This was a beautifully written contemporary that grips the heart. The writing was seamless. Each character had their own unique thing about them. None of the characters are similar which I liked because I could tell each character apart. I loved the family drama and hurt. This touches on physical looks, emotional hurt and death in such a perfect way. I did love that both Mia and Cooper had a facial "deformity" because it really teaches you to love yourself, friend true friends (like Fig, Sarah and Sebastian) and find someone to love you for your personality and not your looks.
Mia is being sent to NY to stay with her grandmother after the death of her older sister. Mia is scarred both physically, emotionally and mentally. Mia has to deal with distant parents and her own guilt. I adored Mia. She was a bit annoying with pointing out her scar to everyone, but she was also strong because she was able to handle her mental breakdowns. Mia may have been quiet and shy since the accident, but I loved how funny and bold she became while in NY.
Cooper is a closed off person since he dealt with physical abuse in his family. He prefers to be by himself. However, when Mia shows up he begins to open up. Cooper was a very funny guy, but he hardly allowed himself to have fun unless Mia was around. He was more so serious so seeing his humorous and sweet side made me so happy. He was guarded, but learned to at least leave the gate unlocked and open.
The romance was freaking adorable!!! I loved it so much. I totally shipped Mia and Cooper so much. They were able to relate to each other without sharing their experiences. They both helped one another get out of their box. They helped each other find "love" in a sense. I just loved the way they meshed together. They were cute, funny and knew how to be themselves. My favorite scenes between them were the Coney Island trip and the dog walks -- sooooo cute!
Grandma Victoria was the BEST. She seemed a bit cold at first, but I loved seeing her warm up, make an effort and become vulnerable. She was used to a structured life, but Mia taught her how to have fun. I love that she wasn't overbearing -- she allowed Mia to have her space and enjoy her time.
Mia's parents irritated me to no end. I hated the way her father treated her, but as the story progressed I understood that I was just misunderstanding him. As for her mother, I hate that woman. She's selfish. I love that her father made an effort to fix things. Her mother, on the other hand, just did her own thing not really caring about anyone else's feelings.
Fig was such an awesome friend. She was spunky, loud, funny and a true friend. Same thing goes for Sarah and Sebastian. They may have been a rag-tag team, but they were all connected through hurt and guilt. I loved their bond and how real they were with one another.
I enjoyed from beginning to end. I just wish there was more on the romance. I'm glad the romance wasn't central in the story, but more of the a stepping stone for the development of Mia and Cooper. However, I shipped them! That ending left me wanting to know what would happen next between them.
Totally would recommend this.
This was a phenomenal read!! I thought it was going to be a 4🌟 read, but I've honestly enjoyed this story in its entirety. I'm debating between a full 5🌟 or a 4.75🌟 rating.
-------------------------------------------
After some time deliberating and going through my thoughts I've decided to just go with a 4.75🌟 rating because that ending left me hurt and wanting to know more.
This was a beautifully written contemporary that grips the heart. The writing was seamless. Each character had their own unique thing about them. None of the characters are similar which I liked because I could tell each character apart. I loved the family drama and hurt. This touches on physical looks, emotional hurt and death in such a perfect way. I did love that both Mia and Cooper had a facial "deformity" because it really teaches you to love yourself, friend true friends (like Fig, Sarah and Sebastian) and find someone to love you for your personality and not your looks.
Mia is being sent to NY to stay with her grandmother after the death of her older sister. Mia is scarred both physically, emotionally and mentally. Mia has to deal with distant parents and her own guilt. I adored Mia. She was a bit annoying with pointing out her scar to everyone, but she was also strong because she was able to handle her mental breakdowns. Mia may have been quiet and shy since the accident, but I loved how funny and bold she became while in NY.
Cooper is a closed off person since he dealt with physical abuse in his family. He prefers to be by himself. However, when Mia shows up he begins to open up. Cooper was a very funny guy, but he hardly allowed himself to have fun unless Mia was around. He was more so serious so seeing his humorous and sweet side made me so happy. He was guarded, but learned to at least leave the gate unlocked and open.
The romance was freaking adorable!!! I loved it so much. I totally shipped Mia and Cooper so much. They were able to relate to each other without sharing their experiences. They both helped one another get out of their box. They helped each other find "love" in a sense. I just loved the way they meshed together. They were cute, funny and knew how to be themselves. My favorite scenes between them were the Coney Island trip and the dog walks -- sooooo cute!
Grandma Victoria was the BEST. She seemed a bit cold at first, but I loved seeing her warm up, make an effort and become vulnerable. She was used to a structured life, but Mia taught her how to have fun. I love that she wasn't overbearing -- she allowed Mia to have her space and enjoy her time.
Mia's parents irritated me to no end. I hated the way her father treated her, but as the story progressed I understood that I was just misunderstanding him. As for her mother, I hate that woman. She's selfish. I love that her father made an effort to fix things. Her mother, on the other hand, just did her own thing not really caring about anyone else's feelings.
Fig was such an awesome friend. She was spunky, loud, funny and a true friend. Same thing goes for Sarah and Sebastian. They may have been a rag-tag team, but they were all connected through hurt and guilt. I loved their bond and how real they were with one another.
I enjoyed from beginning to end. I just wish there was more on the romance. I'm glad the romance wasn't central in the story, but more of the a stepping stone for the development of Mia and Cooper. However, I shipped them! That ending left me wanting to know what would happen next between them.
Totally would recommend this.
April 15, 2021
I'm undecided if I want to give this 3.5 or 4 stars. It had a happy ending and it's sweet moments, but it was also sad.
April 6, 2019
We Were Beautiful by Heather Hepler was...well, BEAUTIFUL!!! I seriously loved this fun, sweet, and emotionally tugging YA romance! I laughed and cried, and now I am angry that this beautiful (I did it again, LOL!) story is over!
We meet Mia almost a year after her family falls apart when her sister died in a car accident that everyone says is her fault. And I don't want to give away any spoilers, but when Mia remembers what happens, it's clear that it was an impossible situation with mistakes that resulted in a horrible accident with terrible ramifications. I enjoyed how the author laid this out, allowing the discovery to feel natural while also maintaining that I-need-to-keep-reading suspense.
Mia was such an endearing character. When the story started, she was so closed off and broken, believing that she deserved to feel that way. The author wrote Mia's heart opening up to the world around her in such a poignant way that it felt like my heart was opening up, too! But in case you think this is strictly a sad and heavy tale, let me assure you that the eccentric secondary characters and their antics had me laughing out loud and smiling throughout the entire story! And the romance between Mia and Cooper will make you grin like everyone's favorite dwarf. (Not Grumpy!)
This coming-of-age story tugs on the heartstrings of loss, grief, injustice, abuse, and regret and gently steers the narrative towards hope, life, forgiveness, and love. Rather than losing oneself in the alluring beauty of life before trauma, We Were Beautiful shows readers that there IS beauty in life after heartache steals your breath away.
Five Stars ~ We Were Beautiful by Heather Hepler is a must-read for anyone who loves a good YA romance with the perfect balance of lightheartedness and emotional depth! We Were Beautiful is a standalone, but I will definitely be checking out the author's previous books!
Disclaimer ~ In accordance with FTC regulations, I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not compensated, nor was a positive review required. All opinions expressed are my own.
We meet Mia almost a year after her family falls apart when her sister died in a car accident that everyone says is her fault. And I don't want to give away any spoilers, but when Mia remembers what happens, it's clear that it was an impossible situation with mistakes that resulted in a horrible accident with terrible ramifications. I enjoyed how the author laid this out, allowing the discovery to feel natural while also maintaining that I-need-to-keep-reading suspense.
Mia was such an endearing character. When the story started, she was so closed off and broken, believing that she deserved to feel that way. The author wrote Mia's heart opening up to the world around her in such a poignant way that it felt like my heart was opening up, too! But in case you think this is strictly a sad and heavy tale, let me assure you that the eccentric secondary characters and their antics had me laughing out loud and smiling throughout the entire story! And the romance between Mia and Cooper will make you grin like everyone's favorite dwarf. (Not Grumpy!)
This coming-of-age story tugs on the heartstrings of loss, grief, injustice, abuse, and regret and gently steers the narrative towards hope, life, forgiveness, and love. Rather than losing oneself in the alluring beauty of life before trauma, We Were Beautiful shows readers that there IS beauty in life after heartache steals your breath away.
Five Stars ~ We Were Beautiful by Heather Hepler is a must-read for anyone who loves a good YA romance with the perfect balance of lightheartedness and emotional depth! We Were Beautiful is a standalone, but I will definitely be checking out the author's previous books!
Disclaimer ~ In accordance with FTC regulations, I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not compensated, nor was a positive review required. All opinions expressed are my own.
March 30, 2019
***Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a complimentary copy of WE WERE BEAUTIFUL by Heather Hepler in exchange for my honest review.***
Mia, mourning the death of her sister Rachel in an accident that scarred her face, spends the summer in New York City with the strict, cold grandmother she’s only just met. Working at a family diner Mia makes friends and maybe a boyfriend as she heals from grief and guilt.
Mia begins the narration of WE WERE BEAUTIFUL with palpable pain that drips off the pages. Guilt. Longing. Abandonment. Her entire life is consumed with sadness. Heather Hepler gave Mia an authentic voice of a teen struggling.
The romance between Mia and Cooper didn’t cure her life, instead as she healed she opened herself up to relationships with friends, coworkers, her grandmother and eventually her father. I wish Hepler had addressed Rachel’s sexual assault on the night of the accident. Not mentioning it again normalizes what should never be considered okay. The rape isn’t something that should be thrown into books just to make characters interesting or as a plot device then never addressed again.
WE WERE BEAUTIFUL is a worthwhile read about forgiving oneself and healing from trauma.
Mia, mourning the death of her sister Rachel in an accident that scarred her face, spends the summer in New York City with the strict, cold grandmother she’s only just met. Working at a family diner Mia makes friends and maybe a boyfriend as she heals from grief and guilt.
Mia begins the narration of WE WERE BEAUTIFUL with palpable pain that drips off the pages. Guilt. Longing. Abandonment. Her entire life is consumed with sadness. Heather Hepler gave Mia an authentic voice of a teen struggling.
The romance between Mia and Cooper didn’t cure her life, instead as she healed she opened herself up to relationships with friends, coworkers, her grandmother and eventually her father. I wish Hepler had addressed Rachel’s sexual assault on the night of the accident. Not mentioning it again normalizes what should never be considered okay. The rape isn’t something that should be thrown into books just to make characters interesting or as a plot device then never addressed again.
WE WERE BEAUTIFUL is a worthwhile read about forgiving oneself and healing from trauma.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 4, 2019
*Thanks to Netgally for a copy of this book in exchange for a review!*
I didn't expect to tear through this novel in a matter of hours, but here we are. It was THAT good.
First, I was utterly charmed with the characters here - the dramatic Brunelli family, the eclectic group of friends, the complicated family of the main character, all of them! It was impossible not to get attached to each of them and not laugh along with the witty banter between them. Watching the way these characters took a hollowed-out girl and filled her with so much love and peace was really beautiful.
The romance was ADORABLE. My only complaint is I wanted a little more - I know the novel was mostly about Mia's development, but I felt Cooper was a little on the under-developed side, compared with other supporting characters like Fig. There were definitely "awww" moments, but a little more depth probably would have gotten some tears out of me.
This was a very, very enjoyable YA novel that I highly recommend to lovers of YA, coming-of-age stories about overcoming grief.
I didn't expect to tear through this novel in a matter of hours, but here we are. It was THAT good.
First, I was utterly charmed with the characters here - the dramatic Brunelli family, the eclectic group of friends, the complicated family of the main character, all of them! It was impossible not to get attached to each of them and not laugh along with the witty banter between them. Watching the way these characters took a hollowed-out girl and filled her with so much love and peace was really beautiful.
The romance was ADORABLE. My only complaint is I wanted a little more - I know the novel was mostly about Mia's development, but I felt Cooper was a little on the under-developed side, compared with other supporting characters like Fig. There were definitely "awww" moments, but a little more depth probably would have gotten some tears out of me.
This was a very, very enjoyable YA novel that I highly recommend to lovers of YA, coming-of-age stories about overcoming grief.
April 25, 2019
Rating: 4.5 Stars
It had been almost a year since an accident claimed Mia's sister's life, and fractured her family. Her mother left physically, while her father left emotionally. Initially, Mia was resistant to spending the summer with her estranged grandmother, but it turned out to be one of the best things to happen to her since the accident.
I have a penchant for grief books, and this one was dripping with it. Mia's family had been dealing with the loss of her older sister by ignoring it and disconnecting. I was happy Mia was sent to be with her grandmother, because it put her in a new environment, with new people, who pushed her to share her feelings, and whoa! Mia had a lot of feelings. The biggest one being guilt. Though it took most of the book for Mia to remember everything that happened that night, I did know that she blamed herself. Through sharing her pain, she learned to deal with her feelings and forgive herself. I was really pleased with the progress both she and her father made regarding her sister's death, and liked that Helper gave them the opportunity to heal together.
This book was filled with great characters, who brought this story to life. Among my favorites were the Brunelli family. My mother is the oldest of nine children, and when I was younger, living in Brooklyn, I was surrounded by a HUGE extended family, who share quite a few similarities with the Brunellis. That clan was loud and chaotic, but they immediately saw that Mia needed somewhere to belong, and they took her into their fold as one of their own. I loved all the familial interactions, and I also really enjoyed spending time at their diner. Aside from all the hijinks, there was a lot of quality food prepared, and I had fun being a part of it.
The Brunellis weren't the only ones to adopt Mia, she was also pulled into the tight-knit Art Attack group via Fig (of the Brunelli family). This was one interesting group of kids. They all seemed to share a love of art, but there was also a musician and a competitive eater in the mix. And, yes, I did get to attend an eating event. Each of these characters had a lot more going on behind the scenes, and helped Mia see that there were other people out there also dealing with pain, loss, and abandonment.
There are a lot of parts in this book that broke my heart, but there were way more that touched me and filled me with joy.
Overall: A beautiful and touching story of loss, healing, and forgiveness with an ending that left me smiling and shedding lots of happy tears.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
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It had been almost a year since an accident claimed Mia's sister's life, and fractured her family. Her mother left physically, while her father left emotionally. Initially, Mia was resistant to spending the summer with her estranged grandmother, but it turned out to be one of the best things to happen to her since the accident.
I have a penchant for grief books, and this one was dripping with it. Mia's family had been dealing with the loss of her older sister by ignoring it and disconnecting. I was happy Mia was sent to be with her grandmother, because it put her in a new environment, with new people, who pushed her to share her feelings, and whoa! Mia had a lot of feelings. The biggest one being guilt. Though it took most of the book for Mia to remember everything that happened that night, I did know that she blamed herself. Through sharing her pain, she learned to deal with her feelings and forgive herself. I was really pleased with the progress both she and her father made regarding her sister's death, and liked that Helper gave them the opportunity to heal together.
This book was filled with great characters, who brought this story to life. Among my favorites were the Brunelli family. My mother is the oldest of nine children, and when I was younger, living in Brooklyn, I was surrounded by a HUGE extended family, who share quite a few similarities with the Brunellis. That clan was loud and chaotic, but they immediately saw that Mia needed somewhere to belong, and they took her into their fold as one of their own. I loved all the familial interactions, and I also really enjoyed spending time at their diner. Aside from all the hijinks, there was a lot of quality food prepared, and I had fun being a part of it.
The Brunellis weren't the only ones to adopt Mia, she was also pulled into the tight-knit Art Attack group via Fig (of the Brunelli family). This was one interesting group of kids. They all seemed to share a love of art, but there was also a musician and a competitive eater in the mix. And, yes, I did get to attend an eating event. Each of these characters had a lot more going on behind the scenes, and helped Mia see that there were other people out there also dealing with pain, loss, and abandonment.
There are a lot of parts in this book that broke my heart, but there were way more that touched me and filled me with joy.
Overall: A beautiful and touching story of loss, healing, and forgiveness with an ending that left me smiling and shedding lots of happy tears.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
BLOG | INSTAGRAM |TWITTER | BLOGLOVIN | FRIEND ME ON GOODREADS
August 18, 2021
at first i didn’t really think i was going to like this book considering how similar it was to “we were liars” but i actually ended up really liking it! i loved the pace throughout the book and never felt like it was being dragged on or going to fast. i love how supportive Fig is and absolutely adore Sebastian and Joey. i love the ending and seeing how Mia and Cooper relate to each other.
April 15, 2019
Such an amazing book that examines loss, grief, and guilt with my favorite found family trope! Fantastic characters and character development.
May 10, 2019
**Disclamer: I did received this book via NetGalley. This had in no way, shape or form affected my opinion on it.**
See the full review on the blog
The friendship between Mia & Fig’s friends, aswell as the Relationship between the Brunelli family is really well made! Every one within the circle of friends are all broken in their own way, while always supporting each other! Wether it’s through a bad news, or just sharing their love of art. As for the Brunelli’s, they strongly believe that family is family no matter what happens, and are truly a sign of unconditional love; going as far as adopting Mia as one of theirs.
Though the novel in itself isn’t about the abuse or trauma in itself, it is about how each person may grieve differently; Not only Mia, but all of Fig’s friends have something to grieve of… And how it’s okay to keep on living, aswell as open up to others and turning towards the future.
See the full review on the blog
The friendship between Mia & Fig’s friends, aswell as the Relationship between the Brunelli family is really well made! Every one within the circle of friends are all broken in their own way, while always supporting each other! Wether it’s through a bad news, or just sharing their love of art. As for the Brunelli’s, they strongly believe that family is family no matter what happens, and are truly a sign of unconditional love; going as far as adopting Mia as one of theirs.
Though the novel in itself isn’t about the abuse or trauma in itself, it is about how each person may grieve differently; Not only Mia, but all of Fig’s friends have something to grieve of… And how it’s okay to keep on living, aswell as open up to others and turning towards the future.
April 2, 2019
This book was full of emotion, much more then I expected. It brought my back to my teenage years. I didn’t have an accident which scarred my face like Mia, but I did know what it was like to live with a messed up family, and had a body that people tended to stare and comment on (I was a pudgy kid). I also didn’t lose a sister, but Hepler still manages to make you feel what Mia feels. I connected with Mia in a way I didn’t think possible, especially with a YA book.
Hepler created such vivid characters, and I found myself wanting to go to the city to visit them. I wanted to see the art, I wanted to taste a cannoli, and I really wanted to meet Mia’s grandmother. She reminds me a lot of my own grandmother – proper, not full of a lot of emotion, and yet fiercely loves her granddaughter. Mia’s new friends are wonderfully written. The theme here – acceptance. If we’ve got some deformity, whether it’s our face, arm, leg, whatever, it should not define us. There was one part in the book where Fig tells Mia that she noticed her face for about 30 seconds, and that was it. From then on out, she saw Mia. Just Mia. That’s a powerful message for our teenage kids today who are so worried about body shame, image, and fitting in. It’s not about fitting in. It’s about being comfortable in your own skin, and being who God made you to be.
I thought this was a beautifully written, fully engaging story that left me wanting more. I want to see the characters today and how they are doing. When I reached the end, I almost felt as if my circle of friends was moving away. You know it’s a good book when you can say that! This is the first book I’ve read by Heather Hepler, but I know it will not be the last!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Hepler created such vivid characters, and I found myself wanting to go to the city to visit them. I wanted to see the art, I wanted to taste a cannoli, and I really wanted to meet Mia’s grandmother. She reminds me a lot of my own grandmother – proper, not full of a lot of emotion, and yet fiercely loves her granddaughter. Mia’s new friends are wonderfully written. The theme here – acceptance. If we’ve got some deformity, whether it’s our face, arm, leg, whatever, it should not define us. There was one part in the book where Fig tells Mia that she noticed her face for about 30 seconds, and that was it. From then on out, she saw Mia. Just Mia. That’s a powerful message for our teenage kids today who are so worried about body shame, image, and fitting in. It’s not about fitting in. It’s about being comfortable in your own skin, and being who God made you to be.
I thought this was a beautifully written, fully engaging story that left me wanting more. I want to see the characters today and how they are doing. When I reached the end, I almost felt as if my circle of friends was moving away. You know it’s a good book when you can say that! This is the first book I’ve read by Heather Hepler, but I know it will not be the last!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 21, 2019
We Were Beautiful by Heather Hepler, 283 pages. Blink, 2019. $12.99
Language: PG (1 swear, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13 (alcohol consumption); Violence: PG13 (child abuse)
BUYING ADVISORY: HS – ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Mia’s family has fallen apart, and she doesn’t know what can be done to fix it. Living with a grandmother she has never met for a few weeks isn’t ideal, but Mia’s father insists that it’s for the best. With the irreversible past following her, can Mia find a future?
Tragedy is part of life, though it may come in many different forms for each of us, and, as readers work through Mia’s pain with her, we see that we all have scars. How we got those scars may always affect our lives, but we get to choose how those scars—if those scars—change our future. I loved reading about the healing and forgiveness that does come with time.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2019...
Language: PG (1 swear, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13 (alcohol consumption); Violence: PG13 (child abuse)
BUYING ADVISORY: HS – ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Mia’s family has fallen apart, and she doesn’t know what can be done to fix it. Living with a grandmother she has never met for a few weeks isn’t ideal, but Mia’s father insists that it’s for the best. With the irreversible past following her, can Mia find a future?
Tragedy is part of life, though it may come in many different forms for each of us, and, as readers work through Mia’s pain with her, we see that we all have scars. How we got those scars may always affect our lives, but we get to choose how those scars—if those scars—change our future. I loved reading about the healing and forgiveness that does come with time.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2019...
December 5, 2020
Eh, a bit boring, but not awful.
April 24, 2019
It's been a year since fifteen-year-old Mia Hopkins was in the car crash that killed her older sister and left her terribly scarred. The doctors tell her she was lucky to survive. Her therapist says it will take time to heal. The police reports claim there were trace amounts of alcohol in her bloodstream. But no matter how much she tries to reconstruct the events of that fateful night, Mia's memory is spotty at best. She's left with accusations, rumors, and guilt so powerful it could consume her.
As the rest of Mia's family struggles with their own grief, Mia is sent to New York City to spend the summer with a grandmother she's never met. All Mia wants to do is hide from the world, but instead she's stuck with a summer job in the bustling kitchens of the cafe down the street. There she meets Fig--blue-haired, friendly, and vivacious--who takes Mia under her wing. As Mia gets to know Fig and her friends--including Cooper, the artistic boy who is always on Mia's mind--she realizes that she's not the only one with a painful past.
Over the summer, Mia begins to learn that redemption isn't as impossible as she once thought, but her scars inside run deep and aren't nearly so simple to heal ... especially when Mia finally pieces together her memories of the night Rachel died.
Rating: 4/5 Penguins
Quick Reasons: poignant, heavy-hitting subjects; well-written, believable amnesia; Heather Hepler explores PTSD, depression, and shifting family dynamics in the midst of trauma and loss; well-rounded, quirky characters; this journey unraveled like a fraying ribbon, in a beautiful way
HUGE thanks to Heather Hepler, Blink Publishing, the Fantastic Flying Book Club, and Netgalley for sending a complimentary egalley of this novel my way! This in no way altered my read of or opinions on this title.
Once again this year, I found myself exploring the world in a new way with this read. Because I go into most novels "blind" (I don't really ever fully READ the synopsis, but instead skim over it and base my judgments on key words/the cover/the title/the author.......), I went into this book with no clear expectations. I didn't remember what the synopsis said the book was about...so finding myself looking at the world through Mia's eyes, in the midst of loss and trauma, was as new to me as to Mia herself.
I stood on the porch, my arms wrapped around myself, trying to stop the shivering. It wasn't the cold--the weather was unseasonably warm for May. It was the remaining loon calling from across the lake. They mate for life. I remember my mother telling Rachel and me that when we were young. That night, after my father went to sleep, I sat on the deck, listening as I had ever since my mother left. Listening to the loon call again and again. Every night, I sat out there, listening. The long, mournful sound would echo across the lake and raise goose bumps on my arms.
But one night I sat until all the color had faded from the sky, until the bats stopped swooping toward the water trying to catch their fill of mosquitoes. I sat there long after my father came out to tuck a blanket around me, pausing for a moment with his hand on my shoulder before stepping back inside and pulling the screen door shut behind him. I sat there until I could see my breath, and the only noises were the sounds of the leaves rustling in the wind and the distant sound of a dog barking. But no call ever came. I'm not sure which was worse: the sorrowful calls or the silence. As long as she was calling, she had hope. The silence was heavy with despair.
Heather Hepler explores some poignant, heavy subjects in this book--some of which I won't even mention, because #spoilers. Included, however, are depression and PTSD in the aftermath of trauma. Survivor's guilt, and the ways that losses can wreak havoc on a family, are also touched upon. There is a beautifully smooth transition for Mia's character arc; we start the journey knowing just as much as she does, and come out the other side with all the details laid bare. I feel like Heather Hepler did a glorious job of making her readers WANT to relate to Mia, number one...and then following through by opening her character up like a fraying ribbon. By the end of the read, I felt like I knew Mia almost as well as I know myself--which is saying a lot, as it's not so easy a feat to accomplish in writing.
I really appreciate the lengths that the author went to, to bring this story more fully to life for her readers. It is obvious that Heather Hepler has a passion--and a knack--for the art of wordsmithing. I'd recommend this read to lovers of contemporary fiction, well-rounded characters, and stories that don't give away all their secrets at once. We Were Beautiful is bound to make waves in the ways you view the world, Penguins, if you let it.
May 21, 2019
We Were Beautiful, by Heather Hepler is a novel about a young teen named Mia and her journey to survive the overwhelming and debilitating guilt from being the only one to survive the car crash involving her and her sister Rachel. Mia is still dealing with physical trauma a year later, the injuries she suffered from the crash include damage to her face which left it disfigured. She describes her scar as a “rope of licorice” (pg 10) stuck to the side of her face.
After her parents essentially abandon her, Mia is forced to spend the summer with her grandma whom she has never met. Grandma Victoria already has a summer job lined up for her which leads Mia to have rising anxiety levels as she is thrown into a giant social ring. Luckily, a girl her age by the name of Fig is apart of the family that owns the cafe Mia now works at. Fig doesn’t even flinch when she sees Mia’s face and is eager to introduce Mia to her group of friends. Mia navigates these new friendships and grows her confidence along the way.
My favorite part of this book was the moment Mia met Cooper. Cooper has what Mia thinks is a cleft lip, therefore, his face isn't 100% normal either. She is quick to make a mental judgment and immediately regrets it and feels bad. This is the first mental conflict Mia has unrelated the crash. This was an interesting scene to read because she feels so distraught due to the judgment she receives daily and is confused about how she could be so quick to judge someone else.
Later Mia finds out some heart-wrenching news about what actually happened to Cooper. Finding this information out from Sarah, Cooper's sister is a very crucial part of the book because it begins to develop Hepler's theme which later comes to light. Mia feels selfish for having previously taken out her anger at Cooper and claiming that he would never understand looking perfectly normal one minute and having your face completely disfigured the next. This was an eye-opening moment for Mia because she finally realizes that she is not the only person in the world that has gone through or is dealing with trauma.
Hepler is also known for writing the books, The Cupcake Queen, Frosted Kisses, and Love? Maybe. I am very interested to read these books because I enjoy the way Hepler writes. She got this book published on April 2, 2019, making this her most recent book. Hepler wrote this book in a very interesting format. Without warning, she will insert a flashback and over time we can gradually keep piecing together what happened the night of the accident which happened to fall on Mia’s birthday.
This is very unique and I can't think of a book I've read that is comparable to this. I really enjoyed this book and how Hepler told Mia's story, and how she strategically chose to add the characters that she did. Each person in the book had importance. If there were fewer characters, I think they could’ve been more developed and contributed more to Mia’s story which I would’ve enjoyed more. The plot twist of what actually happened to Cooper is shocking and kept the story interesting. The idea of having another character with a facial deformity is a really cool aspect because I have never read a book like this.
The story includes flashbacks dealing with rape, domestic abuse, pedophilia, and child abuse. It covered a lot of topics which is unique since books are usually just centered around one of those issues. The plot of this book seems predictable at first especially if you have read the book Wonder by R. J. Palacio since we are lead to believe Cooper has a cleft lip. However, Hepler added an unexpected plot twist that made the rest of the story very original.
I would say the audience that would most enjoy this book are teen girls. The story again touches on many mature subjects I don’t think are appropriate for a younger audience. Since this story is being told completely through Mia’s perspective, I think boys would have a harder time investing in the book and enjoying it. I would also put this book in the romance genre which usually is a genre boys tend to stay away from. I think the plot when summarized would interest everyone, however, for boys I think that is as far as it would keep their interest.
An author that writes in the same genre is Jennifer L. Armentrout who happens to be my favorite author. Armentrout tends to narrow in on one topic and write exceptionally about it. Although Hepler was less predictable in this story, I would recommend an Armentrout book before I would recommend this one.
Throughout this book, Mia will teach you the importance of loving yourself and others, as well as the importance of listening and acknowledging every individual’s story.
After her parents essentially abandon her, Mia is forced to spend the summer with her grandma whom she has never met. Grandma Victoria already has a summer job lined up for her which leads Mia to have rising anxiety levels as she is thrown into a giant social ring. Luckily, a girl her age by the name of Fig is apart of the family that owns the cafe Mia now works at. Fig doesn’t even flinch when she sees Mia’s face and is eager to introduce Mia to her group of friends. Mia navigates these new friendships and grows her confidence along the way.
My favorite part of this book was the moment Mia met Cooper. Cooper has what Mia thinks is a cleft lip, therefore, his face isn't 100% normal either. She is quick to make a mental judgment and immediately regrets it and feels bad. This is the first mental conflict Mia has unrelated the crash. This was an interesting scene to read because she feels so distraught due to the judgment she receives daily and is confused about how she could be so quick to judge someone else.
Later Mia finds out some heart-wrenching news about what actually happened to Cooper. Finding this information out from Sarah, Cooper's sister is a very crucial part of the book because it begins to develop Hepler's theme which later comes to light. Mia feels selfish for having previously taken out her anger at Cooper and claiming that he would never understand looking perfectly normal one minute and having your face completely disfigured the next. This was an eye-opening moment for Mia because she finally realizes that she is not the only person in the world that has gone through or is dealing with trauma.
Hepler is also known for writing the books, The Cupcake Queen, Frosted Kisses, and Love? Maybe. I am very interested to read these books because I enjoy the way Hepler writes. She got this book published on April 2, 2019, making this her most recent book. Hepler wrote this book in a very interesting format. Without warning, she will insert a flashback and over time we can gradually keep piecing together what happened the night of the accident which happened to fall on Mia’s birthday.
This is very unique and I can't think of a book I've read that is comparable to this. I really enjoyed this book and how Hepler told Mia's story, and how she strategically chose to add the characters that she did. Each person in the book had importance. If there were fewer characters, I think they could’ve been more developed and contributed more to Mia’s story which I would’ve enjoyed more. The plot twist of what actually happened to Cooper is shocking and kept the story interesting. The idea of having another character with a facial deformity is a really cool aspect because I have never read a book like this.
The story includes flashbacks dealing with rape, domestic abuse, pedophilia, and child abuse. It covered a lot of topics which is unique since books are usually just centered around one of those issues. The plot of this book seems predictable at first especially if you have read the book Wonder by R. J. Palacio since we are lead to believe Cooper has a cleft lip. However, Hepler added an unexpected plot twist that made the rest of the story very original.
I would say the audience that would most enjoy this book are teen girls. The story again touches on many mature subjects I don’t think are appropriate for a younger audience. Since this story is being told completely through Mia’s perspective, I think boys would have a harder time investing in the book and enjoying it. I would also put this book in the romance genre which usually is a genre boys tend to stay away from. I think the plot when summarized would interest everyone, however, for boys I think that is as far as it would keep their interest.
An author that writes in the same genre is Jennifer L. Armentrout who happens to be my favorite author. Armentrout tends to narrow in on one topic and write exceptionally about it. Although Hepler was less predictable in this story, I would recommend an Armentrout book before I would recommend this one.
Throughout this book, Mia will teach you the importance of loving yourself and others, as well as the importance of listening and acknowledging every individual’s story.
April 27, 2019
We Were Beautiful is a truly beautiful story of grief, family, friendship and learning to love yourself. Mia is still dealing with all the scars of losing her sister a few years before the story starts. It's clear that it had a big impact on their family and Mia feels that she's to blame for everything. That's why she's not in the least surprised she's being sent off to live with her grandmother who she never met.
Mia didn't only lose her sister that day, but her face was scarred pretty bad after the accident. In a way she feels she deserves this, because the accident is her fault, but it's also really hard for her. People stare and look at her like the scar is all she is! That's why she's hoping to lay low while with her grandmother. Only her grandmother has different plans.
Mia has a job at a family diner and it really changes her life. They welcome her with open arms and Fig (the owner's granddaughter) connects with her from the start. I loved seeing Mia welcomed so easily into someone's life, including all of Fig's friends. Mia is the only one who doesn't realize that after getting to know her a bit, no one notices the scars!
This journey is a hard one for Mia. On top of the grief and regret she feels, it's also hard dealing with parents who have kind of gone off the radar. That's why I loved the role her grandmother played. In the beginning, she's very distant, but they slowly become closer and I feel the love. This unconditional love is something Mia really needed.
We Were Beautiful isn't a fast and fluffy read. This story is actually pretty slow and in many ways it's Mia's diary. Her journey of dealing with all of her feelings, accepting them and even learning to talk about them. For Mia to realize that the accident doesn't define her and neither do the scars on her face. She's her own kind of beautiful!
Besides Mia's grandmother, her group of friends really play a big part in this. Fig takes the lead wither her family and then add the other members of the group. Each friend is unique and has their own history. All of them have dealt with abuse (it can be hard to read at times, but it's such a beautiful book) and have found each other to lean on and have fun with. Family isn't always blood!
Like most contemporary stories, there is a bit of romance, but it doesn't take over the story. It takes time to develop and I think in the end it helps both Cooper and Mia. Without even realizing it, they help the other in many ways! I honestly wouldn't have minded seeing them interact a bit more.
I definitely recommend reading this book, maybe only for the fact that it shows that everybody is beautiful in their own way. This is the first book I have read by Heather Hepler, but it definitely won't be the last!
Mia didn't only lose her sister that day, but her face was scarred pretty bad after the accident. In a way she feels she deserves this, because the accident is her fault, but it's also really hard for her. People stare and look at her like the scar is all she is! That's why she's hoping to lay low while with her grandmother. Only her grandmother has different plans.
Mia has a job at a family diner and it really changes her life. They welcome her with open arms and Fig (the owner's granddaughter) connects with her from the start. I loved seeing Mia welcomed so easily into someone's life, including all of Fig's friends. Mia is the only one who doesn't realize that after getting to know her a bit, no one notices the scars!
This journey is a hard one for Mia. On top of the grief and regret she feels, it's also hard dealing with parents who have kind of gone off the radar. That's why I loved the role her grandmother played. In the beginning, she's very distant, but they slowly become closer and I feel the love. This unconditional love is something Mia really needed.
We Were Beautiful isn't a fast and fluffy read. This story is actually pretty slow and in many ways it's Mia's diary. Her journey of dealing with all of her feelings, accepting them and even learning to talk about them. For Mia to realize that the accident doesn't define her and neither do the scars on her face. She's her own kind of beautiful!
Besides Mia's grandmother, her group of friends really play a big part in this. Fig takes the lead wither her family and then add the other members of the group. Each friend is unique and has their own history. All of them have dealt with abuse (it can be hard to read at times, but it's such a beautiful book) and have found each other to lean on and have fun with. Family isn't always blood!
Like most contemporary stories, there is a bit of romance, but it doesn't take over the story. It takes time to develop and I think in the end it helps both Cooper and Mia. Without even realizing it, they help the other in many ways! I honestly wouldn't have minded seeing them interact a bit more.
I definitely recommend reading this book, maybe only for the fact that it shows that everybody is beautiful in their own way. This is the first book I have read by Heather Hepler, but it definitely won't be the last!
April 11, 2019
Initial thoughts: This really did get me. And it read like a Sarah Dessen novel which was nice! The main character was well done and I honestly like the way it wrapped up.
FULL REVIEW (also on starisallbookedup.wordpress.com)
3.5-3.75/5
FULL REVIEW (also on starisallbookedup.wordpress.com)
3.5-3.75/5
Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with this e-ARC for an honest review.
I didn't really know what to expect when I started reading this book but I was pleasantly surprised! In the beginning, I was a bit confused because it felt like I was just thrown into the middle of a story, but once I got oriented it was a breeze!
Mia was a really relatable character and I really felt her pain and her insecurity and guilt radiate off the page. Mixed with her new and almost polar opposite friend Fig, it made for quite some entertaining conversations and fun! It was refreshing to see a friendship that wasn't completely about Mia feeling left out because she was new. And it was nice to see Fig including her and just being so nice and bubbly!
I really enjoyed the incorporation of art and food! While the elements of the YA contemporary remained the same, it became unique with the fun art related things and with the interesting characters in the restaurant Mia had to work in.
I also really loved the family dynamics. Mia's family was strange and heartbroken and difficult. And Mia had to live with a grandmother she never knew... but seeing their growing relationship just made me so happy! And on top of that, there was lots of fun drama and antics with Fig's family at the restaurant! They were loud and sort of gossipy and hilarious! The interactions between all the different characters really gave this story a bump up!
There's one part in particular, where Mia gets to really know her new friends and understand that she doesn't have to feel guilty or alone in her tragedy that really got me. It was really touching to see that kind of realization and that solidarity in friendships and family.
This book read like a Sarah Dessen novel (and if you don't know me, I love Sarah Dessen!). It was happy and sad with a sprinkle of drama and romance! I loved the characters' stories and (of course) the character development!
I would recommend this to anyone who likes to read about tragedies and what follows them, guilt and resurfacing memories, friendship and romance, photography and art, really delicious pastries, and family drama.
A trigger warning to readers: Mia does suffer from some PTSD (as she has to deal with her sister's death and the guilt that comes with it). There's also mentions of domestic abuse.
April 23, 2019
We Were Beautiful by Heather Hepler is a gorgeous contemporary novel, full of heart and emotion. We meet our main character, Mia, as her father takes her to the train station to go stay in New York City with the maternal grandmother she’s never met. We learn that Mia was in a car accident, one resulting in disfiguring scars on half of her face; that her mother left sometime thereafter; that her father can’t seem to look at her; and that her beloved older sister, Rachel, died in the same accident. But Mia can’t remember what happened that evening, except for the fact that she was driving the car -- a fact for which she cannot forgive herself.
I love all of the characters in this book. Seriously, ALL of them! From Mia’s prickly, stickler-for-manners grandmother; to her new boss, Nonna, and the entire (huge) Brunelli family; to the new group of friends she meets in Fig, Sebastian, Sarah and Cooper -- all of the characters are imbued with life and personality. Each of them also plays a vital role in helping Mia come to terms with the accident that resulted in the scars to her face and the loss of her sister, as well as helping her redefine what family truly means.
I absolutely love this book, a searing exploration of ableism, trauma and recovery, grief and the grieving process, and the importance of friends and family. There are so many emotions I went through while reading this book, from crying for Mia’s loss to having butterflies with Cooper to wishing Fig were my friend and the Brunelli family my own. This book is truly a delight and will even be, for some, a life-changing read. I encourage everyone to pick it up, treasure it, and take your time getting to know these incredible characters.
Rating: 5 beautiful stars!
**Disclosure: I received an early e-copy of this book from the publisher for purposes of this blog tour. This review is voluntary on my part and reflects my honest rating and review.
I love all of the characters in this book. Seriously, ALL of them! From Mia’s prickly, stickler-for-manners grandmother; to her new boss, Nonna, and the entire (huge) Brunelli family; to the new group of friends she meets in Fig, Sebastian, Sarah and Cooper -- all of the characters are imbued with life and personality. Each of them also plays a vital role in helping Mia come to terms with the accident that resulted in the scars to her face and the loss of her sister, as well as helping her redefine what family truly means.
I absolutely love this book, a searing exploration of ableism, trauma and recovery, grief and the grieving process, and the importance of friends and family. There are so many emotions I went through while reading this book, from crying for Mia’s loss to having butterflies with Cooper to wishing Fig were my friend and the Brunelli family my own. This book is truly a delight and will even be, for some, a life-changing read. I encourage everyone to pick it up, treasure it, and take your time getting to know these incredible characters.
Rating: 5 beautiful stars!
**Disclosure: I received an early e-copy of this book from the publisher for purposes of this blog tour. This review is voluntary on my part and reflects my honest rating and review.
April 19, 2019
Just less than a year after her older sister's death, Mia's world shifts again when her dad sends her to spend the summer with her grandmother in New York City ... the grandmother she's never met. The accident that led to her sister's death also left Mia scarred, both externally and internally, but she can only remember bits and pieces of what happened. As the summer progresses, her memories return, and healing begins.
This is such a beautiful novel! While it does contain romance (and a cute one at that), it's much more about self-acceptance, family, and friendship than romance. When Mia arrives in NYC, she's very closed off to everyone. She blames herself for her sister's death, her mother has abandoned the family, and her father doesn't know how to relate to her. Then Fig sweeps into her life and pulls her into the loud, crazy, loving Brunelli family and into a tight-knit group of friends, all of whom are dealing with their own trauma.
I loved watching Mia open up to people and finally embrace herself! I also loved watching her relationships with her father and grandmother grow and change. And then there are the Brunellis ... I would love to read more about them!
This book deals with weighty issues like domestic violence (described after the fact), parental abandonment, sexual assault, teenage drinking, disfigurement, and death, but it never goes too dark. It's a compelling novel that will stick with you for a long time, and it would be the perfect read for teens.
Disclosure of material connection: I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and the opinions expressed are my own.
This is such a beautiful novel! While it does contain romance (and a cute one at that), it's much more about self-acceptance, family, and friendship than romance. When Mia arrives in NYC, she's very closed off to everyone. She blames herself for her sister's death, her mother has abandoned the family, and her father doesn't know how to relate to her. Then Fig sweeps into her life and pulls her into the loud, crazy, loving Brunelli family and into a tight-knit group of friends, all of whom are dealing with their own trauma.
I loved watching Mia open up to people and finally embrace herself! I also loved watching her relationships with her father and grandmother grow and change. And then there are the Brunellis ... I would love to read more about them!
This book deals with weighty issues like domestic violence (described after the fact), parental abandonment, sexual assault, teenage drinking, disfigurement, and death, but it never goes too dark. It's a compelling novel that will stick with you for a long time, and it would be the perfect read for teens.
Disclosure of material connection: I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and the opinions expressed are my own.
June 21, 2019
3.5/5
This book, like many other books, has a common sypnosis: healing after loss. I can't count how many books I've read about this topic.
The first part of this story was pretty boring, nothing really happened and it was all about the main character is basically shunned by her dad and then shipped off to her grandmother whom she has never met. Then she gets a job and the story really starts picking up.
People deal with loss differently – they run and hide, they back off, they try to be invisible.
We all have scars. “Deep down, everyone has something ugly or dark or painful.” Some are visible, others not. We think we deserve to keep our scars on show to remind us of what we will never forget.
The male character left a deeper impression on me than the female one. The story about him was touching and relatable. When he told Mia: "I hope someday, you let someone in.”, it was so painful and sad. Mia thought she was the most pitiful one, but in fact, her new group of friends, all of whom brought scars and had a painful past . When they opened up about their stories with each other, they reflected themselves and had courage to piece things up, to live free and let the past behind. The friendship of them warmed hearts and left the reader smiling.
P/s: The interview with the author at the end of the book is detailed and interesting, you should read it since it will help you understand better about the characters and the meaning of We were beautiful. However, what bother me most is that the entire mystery of how her sister died wasn't all that revealing either. The side characters sometimes feel too shallow. I wish this one would have had more depth.
This book, like many other books, has a common sypnosis: healing after loss. I can't count how many books I've read about this topic.
The first part of this story was pretty boring, nothing really happened and it was all about the main character is basically shunned by her dad and then shipped off to her grandmother whom she has never met. Then she gets a job and the story really starts picking up.
People deal with loss differently – they run and hide, they back off, they try to be invisible.
We all have scars. “Deep down, everyone has something ugly or dark or painful.” Some are visible, others not. We think we deserve to keep our scars on show to remind us of what we will never forget.
The male character left a deeper impression on me than the female one. The story about him was touching and relatable. When he told Mia: "I hope someday, you let someone in.”, it was so painful and sad. Mia thought she was the most pitiful one, but in fact, her new group of friends, all of whom brought scars and had a painful past . When they opened up about their stories with each other, they reflected themselves and had courage to piece things up, to live free and let the past behind. The friendship of them warmed hearts and left the reader smiling.
P/s: The interview with the author at the end of the book is detailed and interesting, you should read it since it will help you understand better about the characters and the meaning of We were beautiful. However, what bother me most is that the entire mystery of how her sister died wasn't all that revealing either. The side characters sometimes feel too shallow. I wish this one would have had more depth.
May 25, 2019
Mia is stuck in a cycle of grief. She can’t quite remember what happened the night that her sister died – her mother has pretty much abandoned her and her father can’t even look at her anymore. She feels alone and wishes that she could have died in her sister’s place. She has given up on the passions she had before the accident and just wants to be invisible. She wears a constant reminder of the night that she cannot remember (or forget) on her face in the form of a disfiguring scar.
Mia goes to live with her estranged grandmother for the summer. There she is forced to step out and live life. Through friendships that she forms with other teens who have struggled with various traumas – she learns to let people in again and starts to remember the worst night of her life.
This is a wonderful book that I think teens and adults of all ages will love. There are traumatic events in each of the characters’ pasts that are discussed and could be triggering for some readers. For example abuse, sexual assault, fatal accidents.
Mia goes to live with her estranged grandmother for the summer. There she is forced to step out and live life. Through friendships that she forms with other teens who have struggled with various traumas – she learns to let people in again and starts to remember the worst night of her life.
This is a wonderful book that I think teens and adults of all ages will love. There are traumatic events in each of the characters’ pasts that are discussed and could be triggering for some readers. For example abuse, sexual assault, fatal accidents.
March 22, 2021
“Don’t worry...we’re all a little messy.”
5 stars is saying A LOT, considering I listened to this as an audio book! I generally can’t listen to audio books, they become background noise. Only times I’ve been able to was by driving on long road trips. This one I listened to while walking with my 12y daughter, who also loved this book!
So good!! I like that there’s a touch of romance, but it’s not the central theme of this book. It’s more about overcoming, starting again, believing in yourself and others, all those good things. I just loved the banter and it made me laugh out loud many times. Love love loved the characters, even the minor side characters. I need to get this on my shelves.
5 stars is saying A LOT, considering I listened to this as an audio book! I generally can’t listen to audio books, they become background noise. Only times I’ve been able to was by driving on long road trips. This one I listened to while walking with my 12y daughter, who also loved this book!
So good!! I like that there’s a touch of romance, but it’s not the central theme of this book. It’s more about overcoming, starting again, believing in yourself and others, all those good things. I just loved the banter and it made me laugh out loud many times. Love love loved the characters, even the minor side characters. I need to get this on my shelves.
April 2, 2019
There is a genre of YA where a character deals with grief. While the actual process of dealing with hardship is slow-moving, the books, ideally, are not. We were beautiful is sadly a bit too slow to keep me interested. The main character's challenges don't help the pacing much. The rest of the characters are somewhat flat. The writing however is strong. I would say this is probably good for the die-hards of the sad teens genre but a pass for people who just like a variety of YA books.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 17, 2021
Cried more than I've ever cried while reading a book. The background story of all the friend group characters is deep and makes us realize that we really don't know what people have been through until the minute we meet them. The fact that they meet under tragic circumstances and find strength in their friendship gives me hope. He were beautiful is about moving on without letting go, remembering that we can't change our past, but we can make amends with it.
Even when life is ugly, we can still be beautiful.
Even when life is ugly, we can still be beautiful.
March 9, 2021
Another great book! I’ve really been hitting the jackpot recently.
I love that everyone looks fine at first but once you really get to know characters in the book you see inside their lives and what they’re struggling with. You become close to them and begin to relate.
Eventually you see them grow and start a new life, this has been something that’s very inspiring to me in the past few months as I’ve been dealing with some of my own things that I’ve been needing to work through and move.
Definitely another book I recommend
I love that everyone looks fine at first but once you really get to know characters in the book you see inside their lives and what they’re struggling with. You become close to them and begin to relate.
Eventually you see them grow and start a new life, this has been something that’s very inspiring to me in the past few months as I’ve been dealing with some of my own things that I’ve been needing to work through and move.
Definitely another book I recommend
November 16, 2021
Mia can't forgive herself for what happened on her last birthday. It's her fault her sister's gone and her family is falling apart and she deserves her scars. When she's sent to stay with the grandmother she doesn't know for the summer, she makes friends and begins to learn the meaning of friendship and forgiveness.
I particularly enjoyed Mia's inner dialog and how she works through her trauma. The secondary characters were well-written and fun. Overall, this book was entertaining and enjoyable and I definitely recommend it.
I particularly enjoyed Mia's inner dialog and how she works through her trauma. The secondary characters were well-written and fun. Overall, this book was entertaining and enjoyable and I definitely recommend it.
May 8, 2019
We Were Beautiful is about Mia who has lost her older sister Rachel in a car accident, and has left her with a scar on the side of her face. The death of her sister has sharply divided her family. Her mother has left leaving Mia in custody of her father, annulled her marriage and now lives in a convent. This plays heavily on Mia who blames herself for the death of Rachel as she was driving the car when she tried to avoid hitting the deer that eventually lead to her sister's death.
Most of the story plays out with Veronica (her grandmother) Fig, Sebastien, Sarah, Cooper, and the Burnelli Family. She learns through learning their stories, spending time baking, and making art that time will heal her physical and emotional wounds. She heals with the love and acceptance that she receives through friendship with first Fig, who just takes on Mia as if she has always been around
Most of the story plays out with Veronica (her grandmother) Fig, Sebastien, Sarah, Cooper, and the Burnelli Family. She learns through learning their stories, spending time baking, and making art that time will heal her physical and emotional wounds. She heals with the love and acceptance that she receives through friendship with first Fig, who just takes on Mia as if she has always been around
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