Overall I thought this was a good read, but I think it's for a very specific audience. If a reader isn't a fan of age-gap romances then All That We Never Were is not for them.

There is no right way to grieve a loss and our FMC Leah is in the deepest depths of it after surviving an accident that killed her parents. When her brother, who is her guardian, needs to move for work Leah stays with Axel her brother's best friend and long-time crush. When Leah retreats into her room (and herself), Axel decides it's time to pull her out of her grief and start to get colour back in her life. As Axel and Leah spend more and more time together, Leah's feelings for Axel (10 years her senior) return and Axel's feelings for Leah awaken.

Here's what I liked:
🏄‍♀️Alice Kellen, did a good job of tackling a main character who is deep in the stages of grief. Leah's reactions to different situations felt real and my heart went out to her.
🏄‍♀️Leah's vulnerable honesty, but willingness to try to move out of grief.
🏄‍♀️ The interactions between Axel and his brother/family were great and made me laugh (his crazy nephews were hilarious).
🏄‍♀️ The spicier scenes were well-written, though occasionally they felt out of place.
🏄‍♀️ The narrators were great!

Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media and Alice Kellen for an advanced copy. These are my honest thoughts.

Quick Summary: Five tearful, heartbreaking, hope-filled stars of first love goodness

My Review: All That We Never Were by Alice Kellen is part one of two in the Let It Be novels.

About the Book: After a traumatic accident stole away the lives of her parents, nineteen year old Leah Jones was never the same. Her life had lost its meaning and she was void of feeling anything. When her brother’s best friend offered to step in and help care for her, little did either of them know what they were setting themselves up for.

About the Love: Although Axel and Leah had practically grown up together, they were off with their timing. While one person fought against what was happening, the other could not contain the feelings that existed. One night the fight was knocked out of both. From there, all the emotions came out. What they shared was intense and life altering.

About the Conflict: The relationship that Leah and Axel tried so hard to keep private was outed. Multiple relationships were impacted, as a result. Who knew that falling on a sword could hurt so deeply? (I cannot say anything else lest it spoil things for other readers.)

My Final Say: Not only does this book get 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️, but it also gets a💎 rating. All I have to say is READ THIS BOOK! Just know going in that the heart wants what it wants.

Other: I am utterly ruined after finishing part 1. 🥹 I cannot wait to get to the next installment. Please…I have to find out what comes next in this star-crossed romance.

Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: NA to A
Re-read: Yes
Keeper: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes
Besties-of-All-Time: Yes
Note: Novel is part 1 of 2
Extra: This was an older male/younger female matchup. It was atypical and yet it was also realistic. These types of age gap scenarios do happen, even if it makes some people uncomfortable.

Sincere appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Dreamscape Media), and to NetGalley, who provided access to this title in exchange for an honest review. The words I have shared are my own and have been voluntarily submitted.

This story dealt with grief and PTSD in such a real way! Leah shutting everyone out, and Oliver refusing to give up on her was amazing! I loved their chemistry together! I wish I had known that this was going to leave off on a cliffhanger! I am so looking forward to the next book coming out January 2024!

Thank you NetGalley for this audio ARC. Oof, this book was just bad. I found it creepy and gross. Maybe I'm the wrong person for this book, but I just found it unsettling.

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape media for the free ALC in exchange for my honest review. Man oh man did i want to LOVE this only made it 13% before having to DNF it as i fpumd the narrators far too distracting and not able.to concentrate on the story at all. I will pick up a ebook or physical book and see if that helps.