Before We Were Blue by E.J. Schwartz is the story of the powerful and at times dysfunctional friendship between two girls at a recovery centre for teens with an eating disorder. Rowan and Shoshana are very different but both are struggling with anorexia and have come to rely on each other , something than threatens to sabotage both their chances of recovery. Shoshana developed her disorder in an attempt to stunt a growth spurt that she is worried might cost her her place on an elite cheer team , and the reality show that features them. Rowan seems to have inherited her body image issues from her mother, who taught her the "chew and spit" technique before she even hit puberty, and she has been in and out of treatment facilities for years.
This is not an easy book to read, it tackles numerous difficult and sensitive subjects, as well as the obvious eating disorders, the author also includes sexual assault and suicide. I appreciated the inclusion of trigger warnings for these at the start of the book. I thought the description of living with an eating disorder was very well handled, and was impressed with how carefully the author avoided including specific weights etc so as not to provide information or inspiration for readers who might be struggling with a similar issue.
While the character of Shoshana felt quite relatable and easy to empathize with , I struggled much more with Rowan. However I thought having her point of view chapters written like a letter to Shoshanna was very effective in terms of giving an insight into her thought process and I really did warm to her more as the book went on. I also thought the ending was very apt for the book as a whole.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

2.75 stars.

I have mixed opinions on this book because although I thought the message this author was trying to portray is an important one, there was something about the book - or perhaps the characters - I just couldn't get on with.
For one, I should mention I have not personally suffered from an eating disorder but I have experience with people who have so for the most part, I feel this author did a good job in portraying a realistic picture of what it's like to have an ED.
I also think the writing was decent which is why I think it has something to do with how unlikeable both our main characters are. I didn't care for either them - Rowan was particularly horrible and although I liked Shoshana more, she was also not a likeable character. I also think I found it hard to connect with both of them a lot of the time. Just as I would think I was about to, either girl would do something or say something ridiculous.
I also didn't appreciate how much Rowan constantly goes on about Shosh being Jewish. It didn't add anything to the plot so to speak so I couldn't understand why it was constantly being brought up. It kind of felt weird.
I think the development of their friendship was good for the most part and I think if I was in a different mood or time in my life, I might have enjoyed this more.

I received this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I think this book is definitely not for everyone; it covers a lot of difficult topics that might be triggering or too mature for some YA readers. However, I think the perspectives and ideas represented in this book were well done and the characters were well developed

𝟜.𝟝/𝟝 𝕊𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕤
Tʀᴜɢɢᴇʀ Wᴀʀɴɪɴɢs: eating disorders, sexual assault, su!cide, negative thoughts

Iɴ ᴀ Nᴜᴛsʜᴇʟʟ: a realistic book about the highs and lows of how one views themselves

Rᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ: At a recovery clinic, Shoshanna and Rowan instantly connect. Both having undergone the trials of the same eating disorder, they become fast friends and rely on one another to make it through each day.
But sometimes, putting too much faith in one person can be your downfall.

Honestly, when I first started this book I was not a fan. While I enjoyed the dual POV offered, I found Rowan toxic and unashamed at all the people that she may hurt. But Soshanna was relatable, and the only reason why I pushed myself so hard to continue it in the beginning.
And I am SO glad that I did.

This isn’t a happy book. It’s not a world where your thoughts are carefree and dragons are flying in the sky. Instead, it’s a real book. One where you see your own struggles represented, or understand the struggles that others may go through.
It doesn’t shy away from the damage that society does, nor does it try and hide that eating disorders are a common thing, that is often hidden from the world.
As someone who had struggled with one myself, I understood. The way your mind works when your body is too sick to function is harsh. Everything sucks and all the people in the world are the reason for it (so your conscious whispers.)
I found Rowan abrasive in the beginning, but as the book moved on, I got it.
When you get sick like that, it’s hard to find a reason for hope every day, and you can get so lost in your own despair that you mix up who you are versus who the disease has made you to be. And instead of letting that control her, the author allows our MCs to grow and start to figure out a way to understand themselves.
Though it was a bit of a slow start, I slowly feel in love with this book. The trouble of understanding yourself and trying to piece together a functioning human when the disease tells you you are anything but.
It’s really hard.
But the author conveyed this so perfectly.
So to the author: thank you for making me feel heard.

*thank you to the publisher,author and Netgalet for an EARC of "Before We Were Blue" in exchange for an honest review*

Rowan and Shoshana are two teen at "RR", a recovery center for teens with Eating Disorders. They have a Co-dependant relationship that messes with their recovery. Shoshana and Rowan were authenticly written. I could definitely see how defining their relationship was, it was heartbreaking to read. I do appreciate the Trigger Warnings that the author put at the beginning of the book.

As someone who went to eating disorder treatment, parts of this rang true for me. I am not sure of Schwartz's experience, but as someone who is Jewish I felt very understood by Shoshanna's perspective. I have never read a book regarding eating disorders and treatment that was told from the point of view by someone who was Jewish.
I liked the LGBTQIA+ exploration (we need more representation of this in mental health books!). The sports aspect was great as well. Rowan, while prickly to like in the beginning, I understood as a character.
But still...this book felt like an updated Girl Interrupted mixed with Wintergirls and I'd find it hard to give it to a teen..

This is unlike anything I've read before, but I also liked it a lot after I got into it more. A setting in a treatment center for eating disorders, plus the growing and messy relationship between the girls that challenges their recovery. The dual POV played well off each other, Shoshana is a likable and relatable character, especially since my daughter is also a cheerleader, so I enjoyed reading those references. Rowan is not my favorite in the beginning and her narrative is written as if she's addressing Shoshana, which I found unique and fitting. I enjoyed the character development and the representation of the eating disorders. Thank you to @NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC!

BEFORE WE WERE BLUE: 2.5 rounded up ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Two girls (Rowan and Shoshana) are in a treatment center for eating disorder and develop a co-dependent relationship. It’s hard to describe this style of writing. Rowan is almost a bully even though she is so very damaged. Her chapters are written as if they are letters to Shoshana. Alternatively, Shoshana’s chapters are more traditional first person narrative.

I like it but it took me a REALLY long time to read it.

NOTE: I was provided an arc in exchange for an honest review. Thanks Netgalley and Flux!

Such a touching, hard to read, realistic book. I say it is hard to read because it perfectly describes the reality and hell that is an eating disorder.

This book rang absolutely true and the two main characters are sometimes likeable and often not - pretty much the way real life is.

Written with respect of a difficult subject to tackle.

Before We Were Blue is a frank and honest account of two girls with eating disorders in a treatment facility.
While I found the pacing a little slow in the first half, as you learn about each of the girls from alternating points of view, the story eventually builds up to some raw and heartbreaking moments that left me thinking long after I turned the last page.
I loved that these girls had their own unique stories, not cookie-cutter ideas of what having an eating disorder is like, and the ending was unexpected.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this book.

Rowan and Shoshanna are both Gray girls at a rehab facility for eating disorders. They know how to get out of the facility...go from Gray to Blue, and then home. The girls are close, almost too close as they try to fight the inner demons that brought them to RR.

This book touches on several different things over the course of the story, and none of them are easy. Eating disorders, depression, anxiety, social media, fame, and sexual assault are just a few of those things. The subject matter is heavy and ever present, but it's presented in a way that isn't too heavy or hard to read.

I received an eARC of Before We Were Blue by E.J. Schwartz from NetGalley for review.

This is a YA novel, set primarily in a recovery centre for young girls with eating disorders. The story is told from the alternating points of view of two of girls who became fast friends in the centre when they were in the same phase of their recovery.

The two girls telling the story are not in a good place, and their obsessive friendship is holding back their recovery. Can two people who are dealing with such serious issues within themselves support each other to get better? I don’t think their relationship was supportive so much as dependent, and it is only when they are separated and truly start focusing on themselves that they begin to improve.

I appreciated what this book tried to do, and I think it was successful. People need to deal with their own issues, and can’t help each other if they don’t. You can’t recover from something if you don’t work on the reasons that led to needing recovery in the first place.

Because the story is told from the points of view of the girls, you get a raw look at the way they view their bodies, which can be really hard to take in. There are a lot of triggers in this story, including the disordered eating, rape, emotional abuse and suicide.

I recommend this book to anyone who wants a better understanding of eating disorders and recovery, who won’t be triggered by the topics discussed. There is queer representation, though sexuality is not the main focus of the story. It is also a good look at relationships and how codependency may offer comfort but ultimately holds us back.

Do yourself a favor and read this book! No matter how old are you, you need to tead this book. This story is brilliant, wonderful and amazing. I love each word, each letter on this book. And I don't exaggerate, believe me. This story is a jewel.
Here we have two pints of view, thanks to the author, because this way I could to understand the feelings and the thoughts of thwo main characters. It was a great experience, really.
The story takes place in the Rehabilitation center for girls with eating disorder. In one hand, we have Shoshana, the perfect, nice and lovely girl that is beloved by everyone. In the other hand, we have Rowan, the wild, incomphomist and a bit rude girl. These two girls they build a friendship between them. This relationship is supportive and very solid. I can't tell you more about them, only than we see how their relationship develops. The author lead us through their journey in the RR and how they change.
Seems pretty simple and even can be a bit boring, right? Nope! Far away from this. The book hooks you since the first page. If you start it, you won't put it down until the end. I loved how Rowan tells us about how the society works, how people try to being accepted by the others, how we get angry and how we can change and be better. I loved how the author tell us that have sex without saying NO directly, is a rape. (Thanks for that). I loved that concept of 'asexual' was included. And I loved a lot of things. I can't tell to all of you things I have enjoyed because it would be a huge spoiler. But I want you to read this book, because it's wonderful. It's amazingly beautiful written, it's well paced, it's very interesting and I'm in love with it.
You need to read it!

A realistic story with sime hard truths that make you thing about things in life. Being a teenager is never easy, trying to find your own way in life. Its hard to let go of the you, you know and become toe you,you really want to be. This story is about 2 wonderful and strong girls who havr been on the wrong path in live and are trying to find there own way. I really enjoyed this story because it feels so real. You feel so much with the characters because sometimes you went through the same thing.

This book left me super uncomfortable with the Jewish terms used that readers could possibly interpret as being anti-semitic so that right there is enough for me not to support or continue reading this story.

This one covers such important topics and does so in a well written way. I really liked Rowan's character and definitely recommend this one- but make sure to check the TWs

Any health issues are not supposed to be taken lightly. They have stages and one might be
struggling and others might not. And in this story, we have protagonists who are in a treatment
center for having Eating Disorders. Rowan, a young woman who had it rough because of her
mother`s chew and spit guidance, and Shoshana, a young cheerleader wanting perfection
because of the expectations of her coach. They are labeled in the center as Grey for they are
still a lot to be treated and change. They will be labeled as Blue if they are better and just days
before going out. But the two had a relationship they never expected and now they are
clung to each other but eventually, they will have to choose, be better or just stick
together. A story consists of two beautiful perspectives towards each other. And if I have to
choose one perspective I like the most I would never hesitate to choose Rowan`s. She
experienced trauma but yet she chooses to love. That is why I chose and loved her.
The story got some gray areas that I can not understand like the author is referring to Jewish of
some sort but I don’t want to confirm it as I am not sure. but some topics are tackled well and in
shades. Like it even tackles about weight but not actually telling numbers for it can affect
others and be seen as the standards or appropriate.

"Forget being multiple things at once. You're a human being. Inhale as one human. Exhale as one human. Screw the rest".

This book was gifted to me via net galley in exchange for an honest review.

I have not read a book with such a good character development as this one. This book is heartfelt, deeply emotional, and touching. This book peels apart the mystery rehab doors and eating disorders. This book has shown me what's in the mind of the patients and why does someone goes into rehab in the first place. It could happen to any of us, you know? We don't realize it but, the toxic environment we have and the platform that we all praise and call social media could harm us.

This book starts with the lives of 2 girls who are in an eating disorder rehab. Rowan, the outspoken, strong-willed girl, despises everything and hates how society shapes us. Shoshana, the girl who seems perfect at first yet was there too for some reason.

It was hard reading and following the lives of these 2 girls. Struggling to eat. Struggling to keep their head above waters and become better and go back to their lives again.

Yet, I admire the strength of these two girls. Fighting to become better and finding the true meaning of friendship despite it all. I admire their tenacity to keep going.

If you enjoy a deeply emotional book and have great character building, you will love this book. For those of you who love to learn more about mental health, this book is for you too but, for me, I have learned so much from this book, and I really hope that you can read this book too.

First, I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The book follows two young women, Shoshana and Rowan through their time at an eating disorder treatment facility. Shoshana, a member of a cheerleading reality TV show with an overbearing mother. Rowan, a victim of sexual assault and thrives on being rude and manipulative to others. During the story you watch the development of Shoshana and Rowan’s friendship unfold. You are brought through the ups and downs of Rowan’s treatment and her trauma from her past. Shoshana is tested by her mothers constant berating behavior of insisting she stay “thin” and to not listen to the guidance of the treatment facility, R&R.

I would like to start by saying I think that Schwartz did an amazing job with the depictions of eating disorders and struggles of getting better. As someone who has overcome an eating disorder in my younger years, I found it very relatable. While I have never been to a treatment facility, from research, I believe that she did a well written depiction of what they are like. I enjoyed the story that was consistently laid out on every page and the development especially throughout Rowan’s time. Watching Rowan grow stronger and open about her past was beautiful and traumatic all in one.

I will say there is one thing that I did not enjoy about the book, and that was the constant push downs on Shoshana about her being Jewish. While I understand that Schwartz herself is Jewish, so there were no ill intentions, it got to be uncomfortable with the terms of “Jew curls” and “Bagel and Lox.” This was the reason as to why I did not give the book a 5-star rating.

Before reading this book please note that there is a trigger warning for ED and suicide and if reading this book is something which might affect you negatively please avoid it or ask for support to those close to you.

The book is written from the point of view of the two main characters – Shoshana and Rowan who are both currently in at Recovery and Relief centre (RR) for treatment for their eating disorders. The book follows them through their recovery and how their different point of views affect them and each other without them knowing. The book takes us for a ride with their friendship were they find solace in each other and we see if they will stay sick or get better together.

Getting to know these characters and the other girls who are also in RR for treatment can be a bit heart-breaking seeing what they went through and all the difficulties they go through to start their recovery. It definitely made me realize how little knowledge there is about eating disorders in our society and how deep the issue really is.

For me the book is a 3.5 star read, I wish we got more detail rather then the final chapter being one year later from Rowan’s perspective. I would have loved to have a couple of chapters getting more information about what happened and how they ended up where they are now.