I really enjoyed that this book spoke about a friendship break up and how it is just as hard, if not harder, to break up with a friend than it is to break up with a romantic interest. I love the growth of our main character, Cleo, throughout this book and the strength she finds in herself through this hardship.

Ashley Woodfolk’s writing is just so engaging and I’m definitely going to pick up more books from her in the future!

*I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.*

I was a big fan of Ashley Woodfolk's first book, The Beauty That Remains, so I had pretty high hopes for When You Were Everything. I am happy to say that my hopes were realized :) This was a great contemporary novel about friendship and learning who you are. There aren't that many YA books out there that center on friendship rather than romantic relationships, so this was a huge breath of fresh air. 

The main character of this story, Cleo, was wonderfully complex. There were moments I really liked her, and moments that I was incredibly frustrated with her. She had such a big heart, but she was also quick to anger. She loved Layla, but she was also kind of jealous of her too. She wanted people to love her, but she also didn't want to tell them what she needed or wanted. I think she reminded me of me a little too much for comfort, which is probably why she frustrated me at times.

If you have ever had a friendship that went awry, either for reasons you can't quite determine or that you really, really can, this book will hit home for you. Friendships, especially in our formative years, have a huge impact on who we become as a person. When a friendship that you cherish changes and/or ends, it can be really difficult to deal with. I feel like this book encapsulates that struggle perfectly. 

As far as the other relationships in the book go, I really loved seeing Cleo's friendship with both Sydney and Willa develop. They came into her life at just the right moment. Sometimes making new friends can be weirdly difficult, but if you let them in it can be beautiful; I feel like this was illustrated perfectly in this trio's friendship. Also, Dom is such a great book boyfriend! He has his flaws, but so does Cleo. They both acknowledge their flaws and their communication is on point, which is also somewhat rare in YA. 

There are so many other things I could talk about, but I don't want to ramble on for forever. Suffice it to say, this is a great book about friendship, both losing an old friend and making new ones. 

Here are a couple of quotes that I loved from this book:

"I will choose them everyday that they choose me back, and I'll be the best friend that I can."

"Somehow I am a girl who makes all the wrong choices, but I am also a girl who aches in every way to be wanted despite my mistakes." 




My Rating:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I gave When You Were Everything 4 STARS!

“An incredibly personal and emotional story about friendship, loss, and love.”
Cecelia Beckman, Sheaf & Ink

The Story

Cleo and Layla have been friends since middle school. A bond made from the love of music and during a time where Cleo’s deepest sorrow, a void inside she thought seemed impossible to fill after the death of her grandmother.

But it’s their sophomore year of High School and Cleo and Layla’s friendship unravels over the course of the year to nothing resembling friendship at all.

My Thoughts

In the Author’s note, Ashley Woodfolk mentioned how difficult this book was to write. She noted it wasn’t only the challenge of writing a second novel, but the subject matter the second novel would shape into as well.

And you can feel it in the writing. That it’s personal. It’s painful like a thick splinter puncturing the skin driven in deep where it becomes difficult to remove without scars. It was as though Woodfolk took the sharp edged pieces of her own story of lost friendships and aligned those pieces perfectly with Cleo’s and Layla’s.

There were so many aspects of this novel that will have readers feeling, recalling and understanding Cleo’s story. From her ruined friendship to her own family falling apart, readers will instinctively be able to recognize the myriad of feelings packed into this novel like a gut wrenching punch.

Friendships can be tricky. There’s no roadmap or instructions on how to navigate the people we take into our inner circle. And sometimes, friendships are not always rooted in fertile soil. What is at times so agonizingly painful, yet so familiar is how Cleo comes to these crucial realizations that over the course of a friendship, people can change without us really knowing it until it’s too late. Even though one friendship is left in ruins, it doesn’t mean that there is no hope in finding new ones.

This book is a rare dark beauty that has no qualms of showing the ugly, unwanted, and earth shattering truths of ourselves and the people we once called friends.

Happy Reading Cece

"When You Were Everything" places the tumultuous friendship between Cleo and Layla up front, providing readers a refreshing alternative to the romantic relationship-centered the sub-genre is known for. i enjoyed this book so much and felt right alongside the characters as they attempted to move forward after a very emotionally intense friend breakup. I also loved that Cleo was obsessed with Shakespeare and that showed up in everything from her halloween costume to her flirting with a love interest. I loved that the characters were the right amount of smart/school-focused and rebellious. It was also lovely to watch Cleo and Dom dream about their immediate goals and implement plans to achieve them. Their goals come at a price, which i think is helpful for young readers to recognize.

"The thing I didn't realize about having a best friend while I still had one is just how wrapped up she is in everything. Every outfit I wear or song I listen to. Every place I go. Losing someone can leave you haunted."

When You Were Everything by Ashley Woodfolk gave me all the feels. It is very rare to see friendship break-ups be the main plot in books. so I have been anxious to read about the one between main character Cleo and her ex-best friend Layla since I first heard about it last year. Because as much as I've read about romantic breakups over the years, I'd had yet to read a book about breaking up with a best friend. And this one felt so realistic to me.

With the timeline moving between then and now, readers see the actions that led up to the inevitable demise of Cleo and Layla's friendship, as well as how Cleo is dealing with the fallout. Weaving through the background is a sub-plot showing the blossoming of a potential love thang between Cleo and the cute new guy Dom as well as a new friendship with Syndney and Willa, but I love that the friendship between Cleo and Layla is the main focus.

Woodfolk's beautiful writing within this book explored Cleo's innermost feelings so raw and realistically. Maybe she did crappy things that caused a rift in the relationship between her and her best friend, Layla. Perhaps Layla had gained the attention of a new crew and it made Cleo feel threatened. And maybe Cleo didn't always say or do the right things. But her feelings were valid throughout the story and I was able to sympathize with her because I've had a couple of bff breakups in my life as well. There's always miscommunications, unclear intentions, and boundaries we aren't even sure we're crossing until it's too late.

Woodfolk walks us through the story of Cleo and Layla's friendship in a way that many young adults will be able to relate to. While there were times I felt the pacing was slow, Woodfolk's three-dimensional characters who jumped off the page making themselves seen and felt more than made up it. I recommend this book to anyone interested in reading about the downside of friendship and what happens when best friendships fall apart and fail us.

Major thanks to Netgalley and Delacorte Press for the ARC of When You Were Everything in exchange for an honest review.

This is a beautiful story about the ending to a long-lasting friendship. This is a story about forgiveness, love, loss, and new beginnings. I didn’t think I would stay hooked but I really really wanted to know what happened between Cleo and Layla. There was a lot of pettiness and typical high school banter, but the back and forth time line was a little much for me. I was impatiently trying to figure out what happened between the forever friends, and it looks like they are both at fault for many horrible things. Cleo is constantly saying she’s done Layla wrong, but an apology doesn’t come until later. After they both apologize to each other, Layla seems like the mature one. She even tells Cleo “thank you” for helping with her paper. But Cleo is still upset and lashes out at her again. They don’t have to be friends, I don't think anyone expects them to, but I wish they could be in the same space without animosity. I wish they could both be cordial with each other. The ending wasn’t clear enough for me to be at peace with how they’re going to be, but I guess that’s how life is, you never really know.

I love that Ashley Woodfolk showed new friendships and a love interest without them being the focus of the story. Cleo's new friends are so supportive and I'm happy she learns to be open and honest about her feelings and actions going forward. Cleo was trying to figure out how to move on in life with so many woes hitting her at once. She lost people in different ways: her grandmother passing, her father being kicked out the house, and her best friend finding new friends (etc.). Things were changing and her world seemed like it was falling apart. But Cleo pushed through, did some things she's not proud of, and found new lights at the end.

I would definitely recommend this book to any lost teen trying to navigate losing someone, especially a friend. Sometimes people grow apart. Sometimes things change. And sometimes it's best to move forward because there is always a group of new opportunities (friendships) waiting for you.

This book hits so close to home. I’m honestly having anxiety while reading how their friendship falls apart. The way Woodfolk talks about the subtly of how Cleo and Layla are drifting apart is superb. The fact the Cleo is aware of it is heart wrenching because then she questions if she could have done something differently. I have no finished the book because of my own friendship falling apart in high school, I think I basically have PTSD from it and this book it drudging it all up again. I will finish this book but probably not before the publishing date but I am loving this and will most likely recommend it. I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

When You Were Everything was a heartfelt exploration of the heartbreak of losing your best friend. Cleo was a sympathetic protagonist but also realistically flawed. Although she wasn't completely blameless in the falling out between her and Layla, she still had just reasons to feel hurt and betrayed by Layla's actions. The romantic subplot with Dom was well done, and the new friendships Cleo made with Sydney and Willa and her insecurities surrounding developing those connections felt realistic. There aren't very many books that deal with the grief of losing a friend because friendships are often seen as less important and intimate than romantic ones, but this book really delivered a compelling exploration of those feelings and how friendship breakups can hurt just as much as romantic ones.

What I appreciated about this book is that it reminds us that not all love stories are romantic. The ending of a friendship can be just as, if not more, devastating. This story tells about Cleo and Layla through varying timelines.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

High school friendships can be difficult to maintain and Woodfolk illustrates this well in he heartbreaking, yet very realistic novel.

This book was beautifully written though the pacing was a little slow at times. Cleo and Layla have been best friends for years. But once Layla starts hanging out with the chorus girls she gains a little more confidence and starts hanging out with Cleo less, Not to mention Layla's new friend Sloane doesn't seem to like Cleo at all and turns the other chorus girls against her.

While reading it I wanted to judge Cleo for how selfish she could be at times but then reminded myself that sometimes I have those same feelings of jealousy. I recognize that urge to not want to share a friend with everyone else. To feel a little possessive over them. But at the same time it seemed like Cleo wanted to hold Layla back. Like she couldn't handle Layla rising above her stutter and being the shining star for once.

I think this books does a great job exploring all different types of loss and the building of different relationships.

I received this book from Netgalley and Random House Children/Delacorte Press in exchange for an hoenst review.

Thank you Netgalley and publishers for sending me this arc. I will be reviewing this book.properly in the near future with an honest teview.

When You Were Everything by Ashley Woodfork brought me back to my high school days. It brought out all the feels that those days gave me. When Cleo starts realizing that she might be losing her best friend she begins having a hard time dealing with life. Not only is she losing her best friend but her parents are also separating. This books deals with alternating dates "Then" and "Now" Then talks about how her friendship ended and Now deals with the present day Cleo. I also enjoyed the diversity in this book and a great story line.

Thank you Netgalley and Delcorte Press for providing an ARC of this book for an honest review.

4.5 stars! This was so good. Sometimes I struggle with multiple timelines, but this one was done well and was easy to follow. I loved seeing a book centered on female friends, instead of focusing heavy on relationships (though there are some) and this was just the kind of contemporary that I would love to see more of.

I really enjoyed this book about a painful friendship breakup. I liked the way the structure of the book, with some parts labeled "Then" and some labeled "Now' allows us to see the slow unraveling of the relationship as well as the aftermath. The characters felt real and relatable. These friendship breakups are such a common part of growing up, especially for girls, that I'm surprised we don't see more books like this one. This is a much-needed addition to my high school library.

It’s refreshing to read a contemporary YA novel where romance takes a backseat. In When You Were Everything, the focus is on friendship — or more specifically, on the end of friendship.

Few things are more traumatic for teen girls that losing a best friend. In When You Were Everything, we witness the pain and sorrow and rage that occurs when besties forever, Cleo and Layla, fall apart.

It can beard to read at times, specifically because it’s so relatable. The scenes of bullying are quite uncomfortable and disturing, and Cleo’s feelings as she’s isolated and tormented ring very true, in a sadly timeless sort of way.

I enjoyed seeing how Cleo opens herself up to new friendships and learns to see what’s in front of her instead of living inside her own head so much. There’s a sweet romance too, but it’s less important than what Cleo learns about herself and about friendship.

The cast of characters is nicely diverse, and I liked the way the story includes the importance of family and the impact of parents’ and grandparents’ support, love, and involvement. Despite the sadness of the end of a friendship, the book ends on a hopeful note.

Definitely a recommended read!

I had the privilege of hearing Ashley Woodfolk speak at PLA 2 years ago and absolutely loved her first novel. I was thrilled to get a chance to read her second novel early. It did not disappoint. Ashley Woodfolk manages to capture the heartbreak and heartache that comes with teenage friendships. These friendships can be just as intense as romantic relationships and that comes through in When You Were Everything. I think it's important that Cleo is not portrayed as an innocent bystander in the dissolution of her friendship. She is not perfect and eventual ly accepts responsibility for her part in the end of one of the most important relationships in her young life. Solid YA title.

Thanks so much to NetGalley for this ARC.
I had to finish this book and ended up reading the whole thing in a day--I just had to know how it all turned out. This back-and-forth-in-time train wreck of a friendship breakup was that compelling. I found this story of love, loss, hurting each other and then moving on to be a great story for teens and middle-aged ladies. Recommended.

It's so rare that you come across a heartbreaking book that's about a friendship ending. When you hear "breakup" it's normal to think of a romantic relationship, but friends break up too. In many ways, losing a friend is more devastating than a romantic breakup could ever be.

When You Were Everything is about Cleo and Layla and the end of their friendship. I don't like to discuss plot in my reviews to avoid spoilers, so I'm just going to talk about how this one made me feel.

We've all had friendships end. I've had many end but one in particular was sadly very similar to Cleo and Layla's. I cried so many times reading this because of how real it felt. The bullying, the lying, the sheer heartache of it all. Woodfolk weaves a beautiful story that is as realistic as it gets.

There was also a lot of positivity in the book, which is so important. I think this is a novel every female should read.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my copy. All opinions are my own.

This was a beautifully crafted story of a friendship coming to an end. That's what happens as you get older and move through high school. Getting to see how the friendship became fractured alternating to the aftermath was really well done. 

The other positive to having alternating time lines was seeing the blossoming of other, new relationships. The journey that these characters go through was wild, especially with the protagonist Cleo. She has her moments when she is very unlikable, you just want to scream. The awful things she says to her classmates, friends, and family, You would never think she could redeem herself. Her development is what makes this such a relatable and incredible story about not being afraid to let others into your heart.