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Who We Were in the Dark
For fans of Suicide Notes from Beautiful Girls and Genuine Fraud, this coming-of-age story with a dash of mystery/thriller asks, How do you find someone you never really knew?
Donner Lake is famous for its dazzling waters, dramatic mountains, and the travelers trapped there long ago who did unspeakable things to survive. But for lonely Nora Sharpe, Donner was where a girl named Grace glided into her life one night and exploded her world.
After that, every summer, winter, and spring break, Nora, her brother Wesley, the enigmatic Grace, and their friend Rand left behind their real lives and reunited at Donner Lake. There, they traded truth and lies. They fell in love. They pushed each other too far. They came to know each other better than anyone in some ways, and not at all in others.
But two years later, something has happened to blow their world apart. Grace is missing. And Nora must find her way through the unspoken hurts and betrayals of the last two years—and find her way back to Wesley and Rand—to figure out what exactly happened to Grace, the girl she thought she knew.
Donner Lake is famous for its dazzling waters, dramatic mountains, and the travelers trapped there long ago who did unspeakable things to survive. But for lonely Nora Sharpe, Donner was where a girl named Grace glided into her life one night and exploded her world.
After that, every summer, winter, and spring break, Nora, her brother Wesley, the enigmatic Grace, and their friend Rand left behind their real lives and reunited at Donner Lake. There, they traded truth and lies. They fell in love. They pushed each other too far. They came to know each other better than anyone in some ways, and not at all in others.
But two years later, something has happened to blow their world apart. Grace is missing. And Nora must find her way through the unspoken hurts and betrayals of the last two years—and find her way back to Wesley and Rand—to figure out what exactly happened to Grace, the girl she thought she knew.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published July 5, 2022
43 people are currently reading
4486 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Taylor
5 books234 followersJessica Taylor adores atmospheric settings, dangerous girls, and characters who sneak out late at night. She lives in Northern California, not far from San Francisco, with a law degree she isn’t using, one dog, and many teetering towers of books.
A MAP FOR WRECKED GIRLS, her first young adult contemporary thriller and a Junior Library Guild Selection, will be published August 15, 2017 by Dial Books for Young Readers/Penguin Random House.
Represented by Melissa Sarver White at Folio Literary Management.
Follow Jessica on Twitter at @JessicaTaylorYA, on Instagram at @jessicataylorwrites, and check out her website at www.jessicataylorwrites.com
A MAP FOR WRECKED GIRLS, her first young adult contemporary thriller and a Junior Library Guild Selection, will be published August 15, 2017 by Dial Books for Young Readers/Penguin Random House.
Represented by Melissa Sarver White at Folio Literary Management.
Follow Jessica on Twitter at @JessicaTaylorYA, on Instagram at @jessicataylorwrites, and check out her website at www.jessicataylorwrites.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
July 18, 2022
"It's like death by a hundred thousand paper cuts- like I'm bleeding out so slowly, and if I stay, everything I like about me is going to die."
We all have those fond memories of things that happened in our youth, especially things that happened during the summer break. I remember that one spot in Wildwood, NJ. We would book a certain hotel that overlooked the Atlantic Ocean, walk the boardwalk, play in the sand, and just enjoy the sunshine on the beach. It's memories like those that we keep close to our hearts. Not only is it the places we keep in our memories but also who we shared them with.
There was a lot going on in this book all at once and it took me a few chapters to get used to it. Once we got there, things started to fully open up like a blooming flower. There were so many layers we had to peel back before we got it all down. This was so much more than a simple mystery book. It brought deep bonding friendships, heartbreaking family trauma, and the love of the lake house that brought everyone together. It was more than just a simple mystery, it was a story with a lot of heart and soul. One you really won't want to miss.
Nora, Wesley, Rand, and Grace were all flawed characters with a lot of love to share with one another. They all had secrets and definitely weren't perfect but they never let that destroy the time they had spent together. Grace was quite the intriguing character. She never shied away and made everyone feel welcome. She had this personality that you couldn't help but love and she's one character that I would love to have coffee with. Grace kind of reminded me of Alaska from Looking for Alaska. The way she spoke to others as if they were the most important person in the entire room and how she made everything fun. They were both cut from the same cloth.
The overall story was really good. With each season came a break at the lake house. No matter the weather, they all sowed up and made memories to last a lifetime. Not all of us can say we have those memories but this book makes you want to create some. The more I thought about this book the more I like it. There were so many things to explore and discover that you never become bored by this. It was a great piece of literature.
Who We Were in the Dark was a really great book. It made me reminisce about my childhood and brought tears to my eyes. The end wasn't one that I saw coming and it broke my heart. Prepare yourself for laughter and tears. Just keep those tissues handy because you're going to need them.
We all have those fond memories of things that happened in our youth, especially things that happened during the summer break. I remember that one spot in Wildwood, NJ. We would book a certain hotel that overlooked the Atlantic Ocean, walk the boardwalk, play in the sand, and just enjoy the sunshine on the beach. It's memories like those that we keep close to our hearts. Not only is it the places we keep in our memories but also who we shared them with.
There was a lot going on in this book all at once and it took me a few chapters to get used to it. Once we got there, things started to fully open up like a blooming flower. There were so many layers we had to peel back before we got it all down. This was so much more than a simple mystery book. It brought deep bonding friendships, heartbreaking family trauma, and the love of the lake house that brought everyone together. It was more than just a simple mystery, it was a story with a lot of heart and soul. One you really won't want to miss.
Nora, Wesley, Rand, and Grace were all flawed characters with a lot of love to share with one another. They all had secrets and definitely weren't perfect but they never let that destroy the time they had spent together. Grace was quite the intriguing character. She never shied away and made everyone feel welcome. She had this personality that you couldn't help but love and she's one character that I would love to have coffee with. Grace kind of reminded me of Alaska from Looking for Alaska. The way she spoke to others as if they were the most important person in the entire room and how she made everything fun. They were both cut from the same cloth.
The overall story was really good. With each season came a break at the lake house. No matter the weather, they all sowed up and made memories to last a lifetime. Not all of us can say we have those memories but this book makes you want to create some. The more I thought about this book the more I like it. There were so many things to explore and discover that you never become bored by this. It was a great piece of literature.
Who We Were in the Dark was a really great book. It made me reminisce about my childhood and brought tears to my eyes. The end wasn't one that I saw coming and it broke my heart. Prepare yourself for laughter and tears. Just keep those tissues handy because you're going to need them.
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July 20, 2022Thank you to Dial Press and Jessica Taylor for my copy of Who We Were in the Dark! Donner Lake is famous for its dazzling waters, dramatic mountains, and the travelers trapped there long ago who did unspeakable things to survive. But for Nora, Donner was where a girl named Grace glided into her life one night and exploded her world. Every break Nora, her brother Wesley, and Grace met at Donner Lake, but now Grace is missing and Nora is determined to find out what happened to her.
Thoughts: This setting is so much fun! I was immediately drawn to this book after hearing the plot, especially the idea of Donner Lake. This book uses alternating timelines to tell the story of what is going on. It is a coming of age mystery, not a thriller, so keep that in mind. This story is about friendship and is a VERY SLOW BURN. Like, very slow. Not that much happens, so unfortunately this was a DNF for me at around 40%
Thoughts: This setting is so much fun! I was immediately drawn to this book after hearing the plot, especially the idea of Donner Lake. This book uses alternating timelines to tell the story of what is going on. It is a coming of age mystery, not a thriller, so keep that in mind. This story is about friendship and is a VERY SLOW BURN. Like, very slow. Not that much happens, so unfortunately this was a DNF for me at around 40%
July 25, 2022
TITLE: WHO WE WERE IN THE DARK
AUTHOR: Jessica Taylor @jessicataylorwrites
PUB DATE: 07.05.2022 Now Available
The story is about Nora and her brother Wesley, along with their friends Grace and Rand. It’s about their friendship and Donner Lake, where they have forged strong friendships and memories. The story is told in alternating timeline during the two years that the friends reunited during their school breaks and their tight bond, and then the mystery of their fractured friendship and where Grace is.
The story had a lot of heart, and I enjoyed the characterization and the way Taylor revealed the story. I appreciated the atmospheric and tense read that added to this mystery read.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to Jessica Taylor’s future works.
AUTHOR: Jessica Taylor @jessicataylorwrites
PUB DATE: 07.05.2022 Now Available
The story is about Nora and her brother Wesley, along with their friends Grace and Rand. It’s about their friendship and Donner Lake, where they have forged strong friendships and memories. The story is told in alternating timeline during the two years that the friends reunited during their school breaks and their tight bond, and then the mystery of their fractured friendship and where Grace is.
The story had a lot of heart, and I enjoyed the characterization and the way Taylor revealed the story. I appreciated the atmospheric and tense read that added to this mystery read.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to Jessica Taylor’s future works.
March 1, 2023
For anyone who's ever considered being someone else when meeting new people in a new place, or anyone who struggled with the realities of life at a young age, forced into being the adult when those in your life couldn't be, this one's for you.
Not all YAs are routed in sunshine and rainbows, and I think it's important to have books like this one on the shelf. Taylor wrote a beautiful slow burn about friendship, love and what one will do to save themselves and their secrets, and how the bonds formed from a single season of life can last forever.
The story focuses on 4 characters, Nora and her brother Wesley who meet Grace and Rand at the lake when they're forced to spend time with the dad they never knew. Within the story we have the past and present, in a unique coming of age story that makes you think about the relationships in your own life, and how everything can seem so big, and so small all at once. Each character had their own flaws that seemed to make their time together even more precious, to store up those cherished moments from the seasons together before returning to home and the world outside their friend group.
“There are places you know, and then there are places that know you.”
I listened to the audiobook thanks to @prhaudio and was impressed at what a quick read it seemed like. As someone who cannot listen at a super fast speed, I struggle with staying caught up and focused, and with multiple characters + constant flashbacks I was a bit worried as the story started, but I quickly fell into the rhythm of the book and really enjoyed listening to it.
Thank you to NetGalley + Penguin Teen / Dial press for the advance copy to read and review, I gave this one 3.5 stars.
Not all YAs are routed in sunshine and rainbows, and I think it's important to have books like this one on the shelf. Taylor wrote a beautiful slow burn about friendship, love and what one will do to save themselves and their secrets, and how the bonds formed from a single season of life can last forever.
The story focuses on 4 characters, Nora and her brother Wesley who meet Grace and Rand at the lake when they're forced to spend time with the dad they never knew. Within the story we have the past and present, in a unique coming of age story that makes you think about the relationships in your own life, and how everything can seem so big, and so small all at once. Each character had their own flaws that seemed to make their time together even more precious, to store up those cherished moments from the seasons together before returning to home and the world outside their friend group.
“There are places you know, and then there are places that know you.”
I listened to the audiobook thanks to @prhaudio and was impressed at what a quick read it seemed like. As someone who cannot listen at a super fast speed, I struggle with staying caught up and focused, and with multiple characters + constant flashbacks I was a bit worried as the story started, but I quickly fell into the rhythm of the book and really enjoyed listening to it.
Thank you to NetGalley + Penguin Teen / Dial press for the advance copy to read and review, I gave this one 3.5 stars.
December 1, 2022
WHO WE WERE IN THE DARK
Jessica Taylor
Well, I should have known where this was going based on the burp, but I didn't read it until I was about halfway. I stuck it out despite taking a huge break in the middle. I really wanted to DNF it, but was afraid it would become a habit.
The story is about four teens who strike me as spoiled 20-year-olds, because of the reasons I listed below. The only thing that Donner Lake has to do with it is to provide an outdoor environment for the ice cave.
Nora Sharpe, her brother Wesley, their friend Rand and Grace who is mostly out of control and is clearly self-destructive and a bit out there. This group of friends meets every summer, winter, and spring break to reunite at Donner Lake. But now, two years later they can't find Grace and everyone is blaming everyone and it turns into a mess.
So, you have four teens drawn to each other because of missing relationships and turmoil in their lives. They play a great deal at being someone else during the time they are together.
Here is what I didn't care for about this book:
1. You have teens that are 14 to 16 and they overplayed. There is a huge lack of parental control or care at this young age. I am not sure how this group is getting from one place to the other...
2. the book covers a time span and there is no growth in the characters because they were having existential discussions at 14.
3. The book moves very, very slowly
4. there are many moving parts and is often difficult to keep things straight
5. lots of unnecessary punches
Personally, I didn't care for it and wondered the whole time I was reading it, "WHY?"
2 stars
Happy Reading!
Jessica Taylor
Well, I should have known where this was going based on the burp, but I didn't read it until I was about halfway. I stuck it out despite taking a huge break in the middle. I really wanted to DNF it, but was afraid it would become a habit.
The story is about four teens who strike me as spoiled 20-year-olds, because of the reasons I listed below. The only thing that Donner Lake has to do with it is to provide an outdoor environment for the ice cave.
Nora Sharpe, her brother Wesley, their friend Rand and Grace who is mostly out of control and is clearly self-destructive and a bit out there. This group of friends meets every summer, winter, and spring break to reunite at Donner Lake. But now, two years later they can't find Grace and everyone is blaming everyone and it turns into a mess.
So, you have four teens drawn to each other because of missing relationships and turmoil in their lives. They play a great deal at being someone else during the time they are together.
Here is what I didn't care for about this book:
1. You have teens that are 14 to 16 and they overplayed. There is a huge lack of parental control or care at this young age. I am not sure how this group is getting from one place to the other...
2. the book covers a time span and there is no growth in the characters because they were having existential discussions at 14.
3. The book moves very, very slowly
4. there are many moving parts and is often difficult to keep things straight
5. lots of unnecessary punches
Personally, I didn't care for it and wondered the whole time I was reading it, "WHY?"
2 stars
Happy Reading!
July 7, 2022
DNF at 8%
It’s a huge disappointment when none of our teens act like teens. We have a 14, 15, and two 16 year olds having an existential discussion where they all sound like they’re in their late teens/early 20s.
Two are pointed out as “you seem older” but the other two, our leads, seemed older in the earlier scenes before we even meet the second set of characters.
It’s a huge disappointment when none of our teens act like teens. We have a 14, 15, and two 16 year olds having an existential discussion where they all sound like they’re in their late teens/early 20s.
Two are pointed out as “you seem older” but the other two, our leads, seemed older in the earlier scenes before we even meet the second set of characters.
July 11, 2022
I went to Goodreads to grab the book info for this post, and I see this book getting positively lambasted, and I don't really know why? I mean, I get that everyone has opinions obviously, but I am here to provide you with a different one, because I really liked this book!
We first meet Nora and her brother Wesley when they are quite young, Nora not even in high school if memory serves. They've been told their whole lives that their biological dad was dead, only surprise, he's not. And he wants to hang out! He has a family cabin at Donner Lake, which is obviously cool, but Nora is understandably hesitant. Her mom is in poor health, and she certainly doesn't trust this father that was suddenly thrown into the picture. But since she's like fourteen, she has no choice.
While she and Wesley are there, they meet Grace and Rand. We know from the start that something has happened to disrupt this foursome, since they are no longer the happy group they once were. At the present, Nora, Wesley, and Rand are cold to each other, but accounted for. Grace, however, is not.
So we switch between the past summers and winters and springs that the group had spent together, and the present time when they are seemingly fractured beyond repair. There are several mysteries happening, though. The obvious being Grace's whereabouts, but the less obvious being what happened over the past few years that lead to this once close-knit group to now be unable to stand the sight of each other. Also, what has lead to the point where Nora is packing up their cabin, never to return?
While I found the book a bit slow to start, I became really invested in the story once it did get started. Grace's actions were so off the wall from the beginning, that I figured it would be even more difficult to discern when or how things went off the rails. Grace was always trying to be a little... extra, for lack of a better word, but her intentions seemed to be for the benefit of her friends, always. So yeah, I did find myself really invested in the outcome of all of the stories.
And all the while Nora is focusing on the big mysteries around her, she is coping with a lot in her own life. Her first love, her mother's illness, having a father appear in her life, and her ever changing relationship with her brother all play huge roles in the story. Also, I'm legit never going to turn down Donner lore being part of a story, so added bonus there.
Bottom Line: I became quite invested in all of the mysteries of this story, both the huge and the subtle, and the growth and changes all its characters underwent.
You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight
We first meet Nora and her brother Wesley when they are quite young, Nora not even in high school if memory serves. They've been told their whole lives that their biological dad was dead, only surprise, he's not. And he wants to hang out! He has a family cabin at Donner Lake, which is obviously cool, but Nora is understandably hesitant. Her mom is in poor health, and she certainly doesn't trust this father that was suddenly thrown into the picture. But since she's like fourteen, she has no choice.
While she and Wesley are there, they meet Grace and Rand. We know from the start that something has happened to disrupt this foursome, since they are no longer the happy group they once were. At the present, Nora, Wesley, and Rand are cold to each other, but accounted for. Grace, however, is not.
So we switch between the past summers and winters and springs that the group had spent together, and the present time when they are seemingly fractured beyond repair. There are several mysteries happening, though. The obvious being Grace's whereabouts, but the less obvious being what happened over the past few years that lead to this once close-knit group to now be unable to stand the sight of each other. Also, what has lead to the point where Nora is packing up their cabin, never to return?
While I found the book a bit slow to start, I became really invested in the story once it did get started. Grace's actions were so off the wall from the beginning, that I figured it would be even more difficult to discern when or how things went off the rails. Grace was always trying to be a little... extra, for lack of a better word, but her intentions seemed to be for the benefit of her friends, always. So yeah, I did find myself really invested in the outcome of all of the stories.
And all the while Nora is focusing on the big mysteries around her, she is coping with a lot in her own life. Her first love, her mother's illness, having a father appear in her life, and her ever changing relationship with her brother all play huge roles in the story. Also, I'm legit never going to turn down Donner lore being part of a story, so added bonus there.
Bottom Line: I became quite invested in all of the mysteries of this story, both the huge and the subtle, and the growth and changes all its characters underwent.
You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight
July 24, 2022
So this one is NOT a thriller and I’m not sure if I made that assumption myself, from the cover or if it was marketed that way honestly. I did initially think it was a thriller and although there is some mystery, it’s not a thriller.
That being said, I really did enjoy this book and read it in less than 24 hours. It’s a really slow, bittersweet coming of age story with some really sad and heartwarming moments.
I think it just hit me the right way at the right time and I love when that happens. I’ve seen mixed reviews, but I think it’s totally worth the read. For me, it was good and so atmospheric. I love the cabin and lake setting and the way it’s a seasonal storyline. Fun - sad at times and predictable but fun.
I really enjoyed it. It’s not my normal type of read but I’m so glad I read it. ♥️
That being said, I really did enjoy this book and read it in less than 24 hours. It’s a really slow, bittersweet coming of age story with some really sad and heartwarming moments.
I think it just hit me the right way at the right time and I love when that happens. I’ve seen mixed reviews, but I think it’s totally worth the read. For me, it was good and so atmospheric. I love the cabin and lake setting and the way it’s a seasonal storyline. Fun - sad at times and predictable but fun.
I really enjoyed it. It’s not my normal type of read but I’m so glad I read it. ♥️
February 4, 2023
Dang this book was pretty good! I’m glad the ending wasn’t a let down but man these characters are stupid I caught on to things really easy like how did these people not think of these things ? Why the lies ? Huh??
June 11, 2022
I wanted to love this book.
I’ll say this—it was interesting! It started off slowly, but it really picked up. I was more invested in it about halfway through and I knew I had to see it to the end rather than DNF it.
Now, I’ll explain why I didn’t *love* it—the structure. It drove me nuts. I understand we needed to know the past to figure out what was going on, but I don’t know if switching every other chapter back and forth was the way to do it. I could see there being an intro chapter of the present and then starting at the beginning when they all first met. Then, following the series of events in chronological order until the present. The way it was set up was honestly a little confusing and hard to understand at first. It made the pacing feel sort of all over the place. That’s why it took me about halfway to start to enjoy what I was reading. Maybe that’s just me though! You might love the way it’s set up. I thought that it tried to add an element of mystery but the execution wasn’t quite there.
Another thing I didn’t love was how Nora felt so responsible for what happened to Grace. Honestly, how they all did. Grace was manipulative and in need of some serious therapy. I understand that her home life was less than ideal. However, Nora kept saying she should have/could have been a better friend to her. Sorry, Nora, but even being a better friend to her wouldn’t have solved Grace’s problems. And Rand? With all the secret keeping? I get that he was respecting her privacy but all of her risky behavior is a huge red flag. Sure, teenagers mess up and make mistakes and whatnot but Grace is on another level. It’s not fair to put that burden on the other’s shoulders. They’re kids, too.
Gah. I am probably reading too much into this. Like I said, I wanted to love this but I didn’t. Ultimately, it’s more coming of age than it is mystery/suspense. Don’t go into it with a “thriller” mindset but more of a teenagers-figuring-out-communication mindset.
Thank you PenguinTeen for this ARC!
I’ll say this—it was interesting! It started off slowly, but it really picked up. I was more invested in it about halfway through and I knew I had to see it to the end rather than DNF it.
Now, I’ll explain why I didn’t *love* it—the structure. It drove me nuts. I understand we needed to know the past to figure out what was going on, but I don’t know if switching every other chapter back and forth was the way to do it. I could see there being an intro chapter of the present and then starting at the beginning when they all first met. Then, following the series of events in chronological order until the present. The way it was set up was honestly a little confusing and hard to understand at first. It made the pacing feel sort of all over the place. That’s why it took me about halfway to start to enjoy what I was reading. Maybe that’s just me though! You might love the way it’s set up. I thought that it tried to add an element of mystery but the execution wasn’t quite there.
Another thing I didn’t love was how Nora felt so responsible for what happened to Grace. Honestly, how they all did. Grace was manipulative and in need of some serious therapy. I understand that her home life was less than ideal. However, Nora kept saying she should have/could have been a better friend to her. Sorry, Nora, but even being a better friend to her wouldn’t have solved Grace’s problems. And Rand? With all the secret keeping? I get that he was respecting her privacy but all of her risky behavior is a huge red flag. Sure, teenagers mess up and make mistakes and whatnot but Grace is on another level. It’s not fair to put that burden on the other’s shoulders. They’re kids, too.
Gah. I am probably reading too much into this. Like I said, I wanted to love this but I didn’t. Ultimately, it’s more coming of age than it is mystery/suspense. Don’t go into it with a “thriller” mindset but more of a teenagers-figuring-out-communication mindset.
Thank you PenguinTeen for this ARC!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2023
the first book of 2023 ahh i couldn’t decide what to rate this book i bought it bc i loved the cover but the description of the setttings confused me a lot and it was a rlly rlly sad ending that i was not expecting but overall it was pretty good
March 5, 2023
Listened as an audio book. A pretty average storyline, felt repetitive without much of a plot until the end.
July 29, 2025
2.5 ⭐️ glad it’s over
May 25, 2022
Who We Were in the Dark hooked me when I read the premise - giving me vibes similar to that of A Simple Favor and I had to know the bigger story. Unfortunately, where A Simple Favor grabbed me was the characters and this one didn't really achieve that. I felt the characters weren't relatable and honestly felt a little boring. The setting and plot were generally okay but nothing I would obsess over. I felt like I was waiting on the edge of my seat for some big reveal that just... never came?
This one is less thriller and more mystery, which maybe if I knew that going in I would have expected less and probably not have been left wanting more.
This one is less thriller and more mystery, which maybe if I knew that going in I would have expected less and probably not have been left wanting more.
July 16, 2023
Based on reviews I really didn’t think I would enjoy it. Now I’m questioning why so many people negatively reviewed it. I really liked this book, it’s for sure a YA and I think some people were expecting adult or thriller. But regardless still great!! The ending broke my heart, to have to find your friend like that. 😭
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 10, 2023
I hated everyone in this book
August 30, 2022
ORIGINAL POST: http://www.nerdprobs.com/books/book-r...
**A copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
The first thing that caught my eye about this book was the cover. Then the synopsis hooked me. I love a good Teen and YA Fiction novel and I was excited to read this one. The story follows Nora and her brother Wesley as the go to a cabin in the mountains at Donner Lake and meet Grace and Rand and a friendship blossoms.
These characters could be my friends when I was a teen. I loved Nora’s personality. She was usually torn between having a good time and not sure if they should break the rules. That reminded me a lot of myself. Grace annoyed me a bit because it was almost like she was trying too hard a lot and she expected people to live up to a certain expectation that didn’t include herself doing the same. I also really enjoyed watching Nora’s personality and self develop over the course of this book. I felt out of all of them that she had the most personal growth and we got to witness it step by step.
I think the jumping back and forth between the current time and now was almost not needed. It didn’t add to the suspense of things aside from the fact that we knew Grace was missing. That could have easily been introduced as a prologue and then all those chapters about Nora and her brother coming back to the cabin could have been at the end. I feel it would have almost flowed a little better. I really enjoyed the ending though. I think as readers we build up an expectation while reading the book and you almost expect what is going to happen, but Taylor threw us that last shock at the end (no spoilers). It made me question if you should hold out hope in books or expect the worse. You never know which way the author will take you.
Overall this was a great read. It’s a well-written coming of age story about kids from all different paths coming together in a place that makes them almost the same with a bit of a twist at the end.
**A copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
The first thing that caught my eye about this book was the cover. Then the synopsis hooked me. I love a good Teen and YA Fiction novel and I was excited to read this one. The story follows Nora and her brother Wesley as the go to a cabin in the mountains at Donner Lake and meet Grace and Rand and a friendship blossoms.
These characters could be my friends when I was a teen. I loved Nora’s personality. She was usually torn between having a good time and not sure if they should break the rules. That reminded me a lot of myself. Grace annoyed me a bit because it was almost like she was trying too hard a lot and she expected people to live up to a certain expectation that didn’t include herself doing the same. I also really enjoyed watching Nora’s personality and self develop over the course of this book. I felt out of all of them that she had the most personal growth and we got to witness it step by step.
I think the jumping back and forth between the current time and now was almost not needed. It didn’t add to the suspense of things aside from the fact that we knew Grace was missing. That could have easily been introduced as a prologue and then all those chapters about Nora and her brother coming back to the cabin could have been at the end. I feel it would have almost flowed a little better. I really enjoyed the ending though. I think as readers we build up an expectation while reading the book and you almost expect what is going to happen, but Taylor threw us that last shock at the end (no spoilers). It made me question if you should hold out hope in books or expect the worse. You never know which way the author will take you.
Overall this was a great read. It’s a well-written coming of age story about kids from all different paths coming together in a place that makes them almost the same with a bit of a twist at the end.
August 9, 2022
“There are places you know, and then there are places that know you.”
Nora has never had much in her life, but now she has Donner Lake with a father she never knew, a brother who is actually there instead of anywhere but, and friends in the form of Rand and Grace. She has adventures during school breaks instead of fictional stories written on paper. Until Grace goes missing & it all comes crashing down.
"We had joy, we had fun, we had seasons in the sun…" 🎶
This song was playing in my head on repeat as I made my way through this slow, slow build of a coming-of-age story. When I say slow, I'm not kidding. Not much happens at all in the entire book. If you like slow burn, you'll be fine. I struggle with it a bit & kept falling asleep while reading this.
The writing style, while slow to reveal any plot, was absolutely beautiful with so many gorgeous pull quotes to choose from. The author really captured what it feels like to be a teenager & I appreciated that insight.
I wish I connected with any of the characters more - that probably would have changed my entire view of this book that, in my opinion, had so much potential but just fell short.
I'm of the minority in terms of not falling in love with this book, so check it out & decide for yourself. I can absolutely see why people adore it, but it just wasn't for me.
Those pull quotes though...
"Eat an oyster. Wait for the sunrise. Have another oyster. They're ours, the oysters. Like the world
Nora has never had much in her life, but now she has Donner Lake with a father she never knew, a brother who is actually there instead of anywhere but, and friends in the form of Rand and Grace. She has adventures during school breaks instead of fictional stories written on paper. Until Grace goes missing & it all comes crashing down.
"We had joy, we had fun, we had seasons in the sun…" 🎶
This song was playing in my head on repeat as I made my way through this slow, slow build of a coming-of-age story. When I say slow, I'm not kidding. Not much happens at all in the entire book. If you like slow burn, you'll be fine. I struggle with it a bit & kept falling asleep while reading this.
The writing style, while slow to reveal any plot, was absolutely beautiful with so many gorgeous pull quotes to choose from. The author really captured what it feels like to be a teenager & I appreciated that insight.
I wish I connected with any of the characters more - that probably would have changed my entire view of this book that, in my opinion, had so much potential but just fell short.
I'm of the minority in terms of not falling in love with this book, so check it out & decide for yourself. I can absolutely see why people adore it, but it just wasn't for me.
Those pull quotes though...
"Eat an oyster. Wait for the sunrise. Have another oyster. They're ours, the oysters. Like the world
February 7, 2025
Who We Were in the Dark takes place at Donner Lake in Northern California. The story follows Nora Sharpe, her brother Wesley, a girl named Grace, and another friend named Rand. The four of them had a great time at the lake, but the world goes upside down when two years later it is discovered that Grace is missing. The story switches between the past and present through multiple different seasons. The characters are in their teens, but, similar to a lot of other novels with characters of similar ages, they lack a lot of oversight by parents or other adults.
The story starts slow and due to the timeline switching between past and present, it does take a bit to get used to the story. I found myself trying to piece it all together rather than getting immersed in the story. While I believe that the timeline set up was to attempt to increase suspense, for me, it just didn’t work. The timeline was the main issue with this story as it affected character development and plot development. I was expecting more thriller in the story, but, again, the timeline seemed to be the issue. I would have preferred it to begin at the end and then work its way from the past to lead up to the reveal. Instead, the back and forth at the beginning makes it difficult to connect to the characters and their individual journeys. Overall, this story had a lot of potential and the pieces of writing were decent. While this story did not quite work out
The story starts slow and due to the timeline switching between past and present, it does take a bit to get used to the story. I found myself trying to piece it all together rather than getting immersed in the story. While I believe that the timeline set up was to attempt to increase suspense, for me, it just didn’t work. The timeline was the main issue with this story as it affected character development and plot development. I was expecting more thriller in the story, but, again, the timeline seemed to be the issue. I would have preferred it to begin at the end and then work its way from the past to lead up to the reveal. Instead, the back and forth at the beginning makes it difficult to connect to the characters and their individual journeys. Overall, this story had a lot of potential and the pieces of writing were decent. While this story did not quite work out
December 16, 2022
I actually had an audiobook version of this title and it's not an option on goodreads. In any event, it wasn't the kind of story I expected, but it was quite good.
Nora and her brother Wesley have found out from their mother, (who is always quite ill with migraines) that their father isn't dead as she once told them, but quite alive and wants to try and have a relationship with them. Nora (14) and Wesley (16) are going to go to their Dad's (Kevin) cabin for every school break and for the summer from then on.
It's at the cabin they meet Grace. She's so much fun, always making up stories and little adventures for them to take. Alone with Grace's friend Rand, the 4 of them spend all their cabin time with eachother, with Grace as the leader, she takes them to the rooftop of one of the nearby resorts, they take hikes and just live it up while they're there. But Grace is also very mysterious, not wanting to talk to Nora unless they're at the cabin. She doesn't do social media and doesn't care to take pictures to remember their adventures either. Rand knows more about Grace than anyone since he met her at the cabin a few years before Nora and Wesley. It seems no one tells the truth to each other in this foursome of friends.
Definitely worth the read. A little mystery, a little romance and more.
Nora and her brother Wesley have found out from their mother, (who is always quite ill with migraines) that their father isn't dead as she once told them, but quite alive and wants to try and have a relationship with them. Nora (14) and Wesley (16) are going to go to their Dad's (Kevin) cabin for every school break and for the summer from then on.
It's at the cabin they meet Grace. She's so much fun, always making up stories and little adventures for them to take. Alone with Grace's friend Rand, the 4 of them spend all their cabin time with eachother, with Grace as the leader, she takes them to the rooftop of one of the nearby resorts, they take hikes and just live it up while they're there. But Grace is also very mysterious, not wanting to talk to Nora unless they're at the cabin. She doesn't do social media and doesn't care to take pictures to remember their adventures either. Rand knows more about Grace than anyone since he met her at the cabin a few years before Nora and Wesley. It seems no one tells the truth to each other in this foursome of friends.
Definitely worth the read. A little mystery, a little romance and more.
December 24, 2022
Who We Were in the Dark is a coming-of-age story of friendship, love and family. Some of the marketing pitched this as a thriller (or I interpreted it as such)- it is not. Knowing this in advance is important.
Donnor Lake is famous for dazzling waters, mountains and of course the infamous Donnor Party. It's here, on summer break, where Nora and her brother Wesley meet Grace and Rand. The foursome forges friendships, fall in love and go back to their "real lives" at the end of each summer to return again the following year.
The story is told in alternating timelines- we see the friendships being formed in the past and see in the present that something has fractured the group. The book is a slow burn. It's atmospheric and character-focused. It is interested in the nuances and different perspectives and takes its time getting from a to z.
This format won't be for everyone, but I enjoy a slow burn. While Grace's character had a predicable arc, I was still drawn to her. I look forward to reading more of Jessica Taylor's work.
Donnor Lake is famous for dazzling waters, mountains and of course the infamous Donnor Party. It's here, on summer break, where Nora and her brother Wesley meet Grace and Rand. The foursome forges friendships, fall in love and go back to their "real lives" at the end of each summer to return again the following year.
The story is told in alternating timelines- we see the friendships being formed in the past and see in the present that something has fractured the group. The book is a slow burn. It's atmospheric and character-focused. It is interested in the nuances and different perspectives and takes its time getting from a to z.
This format won't be for everyone, but I enjoy a slow burn. While Grace's character had a predicable arc, I was still drawn to her. I look forward to reading more of Jessica Taylor's work.
Read
June 15, 2022I'd probably give this a 3.5, but bumping it up to 4 as it was a fun, quick read. The writing is great and I was really invested in the characters and plot. My only real complaint is that sometimes it was hard to keep track of when things were happening. I'm not sure if that's just because I was reading an ARC or if there needs to be a bit more obvious clues to which time period the book was in.
The characters were well developed, even when they weren't very developed. The character of Grace is a mystery to the other characters and the author keeps her a mystery from the reader for most of the book. While this was kind of frustrating, it was done well and it was less annoying and more that I wanted to know more about her.
This is pretty sad overall, so be warned of that. Lots of coming of age angst and heartbreak.
The characters were well developed, even when they weren't very developed. The character of Grace is a mystery to the other characters and the author keeps her a mystery from the reader for most of the book. While this was kind of frustrating, it was done well and it was less annoying and more that I wanted to know more about her.
This is pretty sad overall, so be warned of that. Lots of coming of age angst and heartbreak.
July 18, 2022
Read if you like
🌊 being at the lake
🌲 coming-of-age stories
🔍 mystery
⏰ alternating timelines
💔 reading about difficult family dynamics
I love friendship stories that span over multiple years. While Nora and her brother Wesley spend time at Donner Lake with their biological dad, they meet Grace and Rand. A lot of the story revolves around Grace — and while she was an intriguing character, her actions bothered me quite a bit. But it is easy to emphasize with her when you learn more about her.
It took a little bit for me to catch my footing with this book — there is a lot going on and a lot of talk about things that have yet to be revealed. For most of the book I was waiting for something to happen that would •wow• me, but it never really got to that point. This is partly my fault because I was expecting it to be more of a thriller.
🌊 being at the lake
🌲 coming-of-age stories
🔍 mystery
⏰ alternating timelines
💔 reading about difficult family dynamics
I love friendship stories that span over multiple years. While Nora and her brother Wesley spend time at Donner Lake with their biological dad, they meet Grace and Rand. A lot of the story revolves around Grace — and while she was an intriguing character, her actions bothered me quite a bit. But it is easy to emphasize with her when you learn more about her.
It took a little bit for me to catch my footing with this book — there is a lot going on and a lot of talk about things that have yet to be revealed. For most of the book I was waiting for something to happen that would •wow• me, but it never really got to that point. This is partly my fault because I was expecting it to be more of a thriller.
January 21, 2024
Grace doesn’t seem very likable. She’s just seems kind of manipulative and controlling but disguises it in a weird whimsy. Like trying to get Rand to overcome his phobia by forcing him to go near ledges or on ski lifts, not cool. And creating this belief in Wesley that he can’t talk to her or really even acknowledge her existence outside of Donner, not cool girl, he’s in love with you. I’m didn’t finding myself super invested in the story and during the winter climax parts I simply detached, like how many things need to go wrong? All of the characters say that they “wronged Grace” but Grace created a world in which none of them felt they could let the uglier parts of their lives be known, a group shielded from the truth. The last 13 pages were very good (crazy, but good), but the rest was fairly lukewarm. Nora is also a very plain character, not overly engaging.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 28, 2025
Really a 3.5. I enjoyed it! Many complaints of this book state that the teenagers don’t “act” or “talk” like teenagers, but I didn’t find that to be bothersome at all. I liked how the book was laid out- switching back and forth between the past and the present. It helped build the story in a way that kept you intrigued. I thought that the theme of the book was interesting- how we show up in our friendships, honesty, dishonesty, and how being disingenuous can affect your life, relationships, and mental health. The characters were secretive and interesting, and it really drove home the idea that real connections can really only be made when you are being your true self. This is something that many teenagers could learn from. The ending wasn’t what I would have hoped, but it was to be expected. Probably couldn’t have ended any other way…
January 6, 2025
Let me start by saying that I never write reviews, but I felt compelled to after seeing the other 5 star reviews with hardly any context. The people giving this book 3 stars or less all seem to have the same complaint- the teens don't seem like teens. They are having existential crises and talk about things bigger than pimples, crushes, and god knows what else people think teens should stick to. If your childhood and/or teenhood were less than ideal, you will resonate with this story. There wasn't anything that I felt was unrealistic for young teens to talk about because they were all things I found myself dealing with during my formative years. I loved this book! It was the perfect mix of mystery, longing for a place for yourself, and romance.
June 24, 2022
I found it very hard to keep reading this one. The characters were such stereotypical teenagers that think they're "old souls". I found myself brought out of the story over and over by their attempts at philosophy. There was a moment when they acted as if it was a profound thing for them to carve their names on a cave wall to mark it as "theirs". It just felt very cringy. Besides the characters the story was okay, but it did not drive me to keep going. Also, the setup was a little confusing with the timeline. Overall just not one of my favorites, a 1.5/5 for me.
I received a digital copy of this book free from Penguin Young Readers Group and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received a digital copy of this book free from Penguin Young Readers Group and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 2, 2022
I wanted to love this book and I did like the characters and the setting in No. California but I didn't love that the fbomb was used frequently, more than necessary. The story is a good one and fulfilling, full of adventure and intrigue. It covers many family dynamics and what is really friendship? Do you ever really know a person?
I don't understand why many YA authors think that it's needed in their stories. I work in a public library which serves all but in recent years it has become very hard to give readers advisory to patrons of all ages because so many titles aren't "clean". May we please just have some good stories without agendas or the perceived want of colorful language throughout?
Sorry for a rant about this but I think authors need to know that they may not need to rely on questionable language to create an engaging story for readers.
I don't understand why many YA authors think that it's needed in their stories. I work in a public library which serves all but in recent years it has become very hard to give readers advisory to patrons of all ages because so many titles aren't "clean". May we please just have some good stories without agendas or the perceived want of colorful language throughout?
Sorry for a rant about this but I think authors need to know that they may not need to rely on questionable language to create an engaging story for readers.
November 16, 2022
YA
The book is narrated by Nora, but really the book is about Grace. Nora and he brotherWesley, spend spring vacation with their Dad, the first time they have met him, apparently. Enter Grace who seems to almost be magic, as she comes up with scheme after scheme to make the vacation note worthy. Grace has stories, and wants everyone to have their own stories. But they don't have to be real. Each spring, summer vacation and winter break are spent at the Lake, where Grace amps up her antics.
Nora starts to wonder what is real and what is made up. Maybe that is where the trouble begins....
If you liked "We Were Liars" you will like this one.
The book is narrated by Nora, but really the book is about Grace. Nora and he brotherWesley, spend spring vacation with their Dad, the first time they have met him, apparently. Enter Grace who seems to almost be magic, as she comes up with scheme after scheme to make the vacation note worthy. Grace has stories, and wants everyone to have their own stories. But they don't have to be real. Each spring, summer vacation and winter break are spent at the Lake, where Grace amps up her antics.
Nora starts to wonder what is real and what is made up. Maybe that is where the trouble begins....
If you liked "We Were Liars" you will like this one.
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