Everything We Might Have Been

The Extra

by Megan Walker, Janci Patterson

Felix and Jenna have the perfect love story in EVERYTHING WE ARE, but what would happen if they’d met in high school, when their lives are worlds apart?

In this reimagining, read about what would have happened if Jenna had attended Felix’s high school in Los Angeles, and they met before rock bands or heroin addictions entered the picture.

High school students Felix and Jenna are opposites in every way. Felix is a Juilliard-bound straight-A student, while Jenna’s a teen mom who’s out partying and sleeping with a different guy every weekend. But when they’re partnered together on a parenting assignment in sex-ed, their worlds collide, and their lives will never be the same.

EVERYTHING WE MIGHT HAVE BEEN is a standalone romance with no cliffhanger, no cheating, and a swoon-worthy Happily Ever After. It is a reimagining of the love story between Felix and Jenna from EVERYTHING WE ARE, and can be read independently of any of the books in the series. There is some R-rated sexual content, swearing, and references to partying and drug use.

"Packed with outrageous drama, family turmoil, and the tease of a love triangle, THE EXTRA sweeps the reader into the tumultuous life of a soap opera set." –Kelly Siskind, author of NEW ORLEANS RUSH

"[THE EXTRA is] Delightful, spunky, and deliciously well-written" –Bestselling Author Jen Greyson

Genres: Romance

Paperback

Expected publication September 16, 2109

About the author

Megan Walker lives in Utah with her husband, two kids, and two dogs-all of whom are incredibly supportive of the time she spends writing about romance and crazy Hollywood hijinks. She loves making Barbie dioramas and reading trashy gossip magazines (and, okay, lots of other books and magazines, as well.) Megan has also written several published fantasy and science-fiction stories under the name Megan Grey.

For more on The Extra series, or to sign up to receive bonus content and all the latest series news, visit www.extraseriesbooks.com

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wasn't sure I would enjoy this as it not my usual kind of read, young love starting out, adversity and bias, but glad I did read it.

[Amorina Carlton · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love instant attraction and tales of opposites attract, this is the story for you. While the charayare teenagers, there is quite a bit of drugs, sex, and adult behavior, so I'm not sure if this is a YA novel, per se.

"Everything We Might Have Been," by Megan Walker and Janci Patterson isn't my typical read, but I received a copy from the authors through Voracious Readers Only and it sounded like a fun read. It was, and it was quick and easy. It also hooked me, and I'll definitely be checking out the series from which these characters originate.

This is an alternate reality in which two characters from the authors' "The Extra" series met in high school instead of as adults. This is fine as a standalone, but I did feel a little like I was playing catch up.

Jenna is a "bad girl." As a senior in high school, she is already a mom to a toddler. And, she's blessed to have such good parents because they still let her party, go to school when she feels like it, and do basically whatever she wants while they raise her kid, all while they tentatively sit back and hope that she will step up and be the kids mom.

Felix Mays Is a brilliant student and a shoo-in for Julliard on the cello. He had a respectable girlfriend, but it ended badly.

Somehow, the pair have been secretly pining for each other when they get thrown together in a class project. As you can imagine, craziness ensues.

As a mom, I was shocked and a little bothered by the behavior of the two teens and also the permissiveness of the parents. But, it was also a fast-paced, sultry read about two people that want what most of us want - to be loved for who they really are and not what they can do.

That said, I couldn't put it down. I cared about the characters and wanted to see what happened to them even beyond these pages. Alas, since this is an alternate history, I'll have to go see what their "real" life was like instead.

I gave it five stars because even though I found the lifestyle enjoyed by both main characters a little unbelievable, but I enjoyed the book immensely. If you enjoy sweet, mildly steamy romances with hopeful endings, this is a great read for you.

Content warning: Underage sex and extensive drug use, mention of sexual assault, teen pregnancy, sexism(slut-shaming), body image, mild child endangerment, slight profanity

[Janci Patterson]

Hey all! Just wanted to tell you a little about this book, since it's a little different. You can read it without reading any of the other books in our series, as it stands alone. Everything We Might Have Been is an alternate version of the third book in The Extra series, Everything We Are, which asks the question, what if Felix and Jenna had met in high school? Their story goes very differently here than it does in their canon story in the series, since they're much older there and have been through a lot more life stuff. But we believe that love isn't situational--it rises to the challenge no matter when you meet or what you're going through. (And in both stories, they're going through a lot!) We had so much fun exploring this alternate version of Felix and Jenna's story, so we hope you'll enjoy this unconventional book, and both of their love stories.

You can get the ebook for free if you sign up for our newsletter at extraseries.com, so if you don't have a copy, you can grab there.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received a free copy though Voracious Readers Only. This is the story of two high school students who are complete opposites. They’re paired up for a health class assignment, and suddenly fall in love with each other.

While this was a quick-reading shorter fiction novel, I found it to be somewhat unrealistic. High school students don’t dress like she does and they sure don’t act like, and say the things, Jenna and Felix do. It felt like the authors were having them act more like adults than high school students.

I didn’t really care for Jenna’s lack of responsibility concerning her son. And her parents seem totally okay with her not parenting. But I was glad that she got a happy ending and finding love and acceptance.

This isn’t the style/genre I normally read, but thank you to the authors for the opportunity to read and review.

[Csplaeseliste · Rating 5 out of 5]

ELSKER DEN!!! - Sådan, kunne læse den øjeblikkeligt igen! Perfekt YA romance. Skolens bad Girl bliver sat sammen med Skolens vidunder cellist. Felix har ingen ønske om at hun trækker hans gennemsnit ned, så han tilbyder at betale for at skolens “lette date og har en søn” pige passer deres robot baby. Ja, typisk amerikansk. Helt perfekt. Hun acceptere, kan jo altid bruge pengene og ja, hun er faktisk ret pjattet med ham, hvis hun skal være ærlig.
Deres møde og samtaler er i top og karakterende er tydelige. Jeg devils med den.

Jeg vil dog sige at der er lidt hænge parti omkring fremtid og hendes evner.🤔 så godt dette er en ekstra bog - ellers har bogen lidt løse ender.
En fantastisk dejlig kærlighedshistorie, perfekt til ferier og bare når man trænger til ren underholdning med lidt drama naturligvis.😉

Varme anbefalinger herfra.

[Leesa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book in a way is so different than anything else I’ve ever read. It’s raw and real and takes in realistic content but at the same time wraps everything up nicely in the end. I appreciate how it’s realistic even if the ending is not. Jenna’s parents are who we all wish to be but rarely are. It also had the M.O. of all romances where everything moves quickly and in a few days everyone is madly in love and going to be together forever, even if the characters are still in high school. I don’t know of any boy who would want to take on a 3 year old but more power to him. Either way, it was well written and easy to read but might remind you of a lifetime movie.

[Shawna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the story in "Everything We Might Have Been" by Megan Walker and Janci Patterson. I was rooting for the main characters from the first page. I was so happy to see everything work out in the end, although, as usual, maybe not the way I first thought it might.

Great story! I'll be looking for the rest of the Extra series.

I was introduced to this book and the authors by Voracious Readers Only, a fantastic resource for those of us who love to lose ourselves in a great book.

Shawna Wright

[Marcie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great "What if" story of Felix and Jenna.

I truly enjoyed this brief glimpse into a possibility, and how things could have turned out. And I like it.

But, like life, I love their actual story. Their struggles, what they overcame, the paths they took to fight to become who they are now. Because it makes them more them, and what they found together, all that more special.

So, thank you, Janci and Megan, for this fun little "What if they met earlier" but I think you were both right the first time.

🥰

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book absolutely took my breath away. I've yet to read the two previous books, so my knowledge of Felix and Jenna's relationship is limited to this book. Knowing this book is a story of what if, I eagerly look forward to reading the other installments in The Extra Series. I was lucky enough to receive a free copy of this book via Voracious Readers Only and i'm leaving this review completely voluntarily.

[Casey Parrott · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book through Voracious Readers. Being a mom of kids not too far out of the teen years, I was a little shocked by the behavior. However, once I got over my initial reaction, I enjoyed the story. I'm glad I read this first. I am curious to go back and read the others to see the adult side of the story. I thought it was well written. I was hooked. I needed to see what would happen next.

[Shelly Lindsley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story. Jenna is certainly a girl in Trouble. I liked the contrast in the parents and family lives of the main characters. It was sadly intense for such young people. Daniel was also an interesting contrast and I wished Felix would have shown more respect for him. If they were real I wouldn’t hold much hope for their future together. Thank you Voracious Readers Only and Megan Walker and Janci Patterson for my free copy.

[Mya · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. I wasn't able to fully engage with the story as I found the characters' narratives & voices too frustrating to read. I found the thickly-lain idea of Jenna being a "slut" for having and enjoying sex, and the continuous mentions of this, so frustrating & outdated - even damaging perhaps for teens/young adults reading the book. I was uncomfortable & annoyed with the characters' victimisation, shame and criticism of themselves.

[Linda Rea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Felix is the typical high school music nerd and Jenna is the school bad girl, seriously bad but Felix has always liked her. When they are assigned homework together each of them finds that labels are just that. I enjoyed this book even though I don’t usually read high school romance but it wasn’t strictly that.

[Robbo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two people that can’t believe they deserve each other

They are distrustful and worried and uncertain. Also not great at communicating much of that. Angsty and passionate, ultimately fabulous, but you have to make up your own HEA, I’m sure there is one, but the story stops a bit abruptly with so much to still be decided!

[Abi · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want a quick read a book with no cliffhanger and the perfect happy ending this is the book for you. You get to see what is happening in both Jenna, the female characters mind, and Felix, the male main characters mind.

[Sherraine Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love these kind of YA novels. Perfect amount of conflict and character development. It displayed real problems that young people face and the right amount of romance without being too mushy. Great book!

[Pina Mangion]

I didn't think I would enjoy this book, but I was wrong. After receiving my complimentary copy from
Voracious Readers only, I started reading. I enjoyed the individual thoughts - it was easier to understand the character. I can't wait to read what happens next.

[Jennifer Barned · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written. Made me want to keep reading to find out what happens next. Would love to read from this series and see what other adventures occur.

[Lizzie Killeen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute! A little more risque than I expected for a teen novel. It made me want to read the original series though.

[Jacquie · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I enjoyed this book, I preferred Everything We Are.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers, this doesn’t affect my opinion of the book, all my thoughts are my own and honest.

High school students Felix and Jenna are opposites in every way.

This book is a standalone high school romance, with a happy ending and no cliffhangers.

I am only starting to get into romance and only just starting to realise what type of romance tropes are my favourite. Which are slow burns or hate to love relationships, which this is not. Felix is a straight-A student, who is very good at the cello. Jenna is a teen mum, who goes out partying every weekend and hooking up with different guys.

I liked Felix, he was a good guy, he had a lot of pressure from his parents and feels like people only like him because of his music.

I didn’t have many strong feelings towards Jenna, but I did like her character development, she has no self-worth.

The characters were very relatable and realistic, they both had a lot of insecurities which I felt was done very well. The plot was good, it had a happy ending which I appreciated, I liked the problems that were addressed in the book. But the thing that let this book down for me was how quick the romance happened.

Overall it was 3 stars for me. I liked the book well enough. I would still recommend this book if someone was looking for a very fast romance with a guaranteed happy ending and I will read more from this series when I feel like it.

Thank you to Megan Walker and Janci Patterson for the chance to review this book.

[A_MOTUS · Rating 5 out of 5]

In an alternate story... Felix and Jenna in High School as they were but with the possibility of their meeting long before the A&J. This feels so tangible that it gives not only credibility to this alternate story but make the main story deeper. A must read if you loved the other books.

[lf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Destiny is still destiny

Everything We Might Have Been by Janci Patterson and Megan Walker is an interesting book in that it is a different take on Jenna and Felix's relationship. Instead of them meeting when they are adults it transports their stories to having met when they are in high school. They both have very different lives from each other but yet still find their way together. It sort of reminded me of the Back to the Future movies where destiny is still destiny, even if you get to it on a different route.
The author's have written an interesting book but I am not sure exactly what to make of this alternate history. I guess I will have to see what the next story in the series is and then maybe it will make a bit more sense when I look back at it.

I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. My opinions are all my own.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so sweet, sad, romantic, funny . . . I think outside The Extra, this is my favorite in the series.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a curve ball thrown to the reader by these 2 authors & is definitely an alternate tale. This time the major focus is on Jenna & her past transgressions including Ty. We are spared Felix's drug use & Julliard aspirations. There is a lol moment when Felix supposedly indulges in drugs.

This is more your Hallmark YA romance than the grief & drama we experienced in previous books. Definitely something different.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Melanie Durrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! This book blew my mind! you don't have to have read the two previous books with Felix and Jenna to enjoy it. But having read them, in the back of my mind, I was thinking of sooooo many things which would be different under this scenario. It was a great book on its own, but for those who have read the rest of the series, it was such fun to go back and have a complete what if. I loved it!

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a what if story, they have met and loved after rock band and addiction. Would life have been better if they had met in high school? Would they have turned to drug? Would their lives be better? Would it be worse? This story asks so many what if questions which we all ask see what their its are

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.