I absolutely loved this short novella. It's only 44 pages long but I enjoyed the story about Lucy and Elle. They meet by chance and become very good friends fast. Lucy introduces Elle to her friends and this is when she sees a different side to her friend. Can the friendship survive the test?

The perfect book to read when you are between books. A solid book about friendship and well written characters. I could have definitely read more of this story.

I surprised myself by really enjoying this novella by Jane Green, When We Were Friends. Short, yet concise, this book takes a friendship from beginning to end in no time flat, and doesn’t miss a beat. Great story, full of big surprises and entertainment, in just 44 pages.

A quick short read by Jane Green, whom I have never read. The story itself was good, the plot was predictable. I think it had potential to be a full length novel. I wanted more.

When We Were Friends is a short story by Jane Green. It can easily be read in under thirty minutes as it is only 44 pages in length.
Lucy is divorced and is enjoying the simple things in life. Elle is young and hip and when Lucy and Elle has a chance meeting they become quick friends. The type of friendship that is forged fast and hard. Lucy introduces Elle to some of her friends and she sees a new side of Elle. Can their friendship survive this?

This is a well developed story with interesting characters. I would have liked more story simply because I enjoy Jane Green as an author.

A short story about friendship between two women. One woman is surprised to find a friend so well matched to her. It is a fast and easy friendship that is not what it seems.
Well written with the right tones to create a friendship that might be the best.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. Even though it’s a short story it has a great message underneath it all.

Recent divorcee Lucy is doing okay. She and her twelve year old daughter are managing well but she’s lonely. When she moved to the US from England, she left her lifelong best friend behind and although they talk often, it’s not the same as having her close. On a night out with a boring group of divorcees intent only on flirting with any half-way good looking man, married or not, Lucy meets Elle, a friendly younger woman in the restroom. They discover they have so much in common and instantly click. Arranging to meet for a coffee they are soon BFFs and Lucy’s life is once again filled with fun and companionship.

Is this too good to be true? Well ,you’ll have to read this entertaining Amazon Original story to find out. Short and sharp it deals with themes of trust, betrayal and self respect.

Thank you Amazon Original Stories and NetGalley for the digital ARC.

After a chance meeting at a bar, Lucy and Elle become best friends almost overnight. But, it’s not long before their friendship is faced with some hard truths.

A great short story about friendship, trust, and finding yourself. Perfect if you’re looking for a quick read.

Jane Green's When We Were Friends is a captivating exploration of the complexities of female friendship. Lucy, newly divorced, finds solace in her unexpected bond with the younger, vibrant Elle. Their connection is immediate and all-consuming, filling Lucy's days with joy and companionship. However, as their friendship deepens, Lucy begins to uncover a darker side to Elle, leading to a shocking betrayal that tests the limits of trust and loyalty.

While the story is relatively short, Green manages to craft a compelling narrative that delves into themes of friendship, betrayal, and the vulnerability that comes with opening oneself up to another person. The characters are well-developed, making it easy to connect with their emotions and experiences. While the ending may leave some readers wanting more, it serves as a powerful reminder that even the closest friendships can be fragile and subject to unexpected twists.

Overall, When We Were Friends is a thought-provoking and enjoyable read that offers a poignant exploration of the complexities of human relationships. It's a quick read that packs a powerful punch.

My first read by Jane Green but definitely not my last. I’ve heard great things about her writing and this novella was the perfect introduction to this author. I loved the characters and could easily relate. This tugged on my heartstrings, how tender yet strong women can be.
Thank you NetGalley and Jane Green for the opportunity to read and review this novella.

This gripped me from the start! Loved the premise, the pacing, the characters and the setting. This book had so much potential, however things got less and less enticing as the story unfolded. The big reveal wasn't all that shocking and from there, the story just devolved into sadness. I think the reader is meant to walk away with a positive, uplifting message but I felt it ended on a super-depressing note.

This would've made a great full-blown novel but as a short story, it fell flat.

3.8 rounded up to 4.

Can I say awful. I usually love Jane Green books. Not this one. Not up to par. Disappointed in this one.

I just loved this book! I’ve already recommended it to all my friends. Jane Green is such a wonderful writer that really gets women. She writes them so believably. I know women (and men) just like all the characters.

A really great short story; I totally identified with the intensity that a close female friendship can bring; but didn’t see the twist in Lucy and Elles friendship coming. I’d have loved this to have been a longer book.

I’ve been gravitating towards books with female characters for about a year now.

I especially enjoy books with female protagonists written by women.

Often I find myself identifying with one of the characters or seeing a friend or family member as one of the characters. Part way through reading I’ll have an insight about something in my life I hadn't thought about.

Jane Green includes the insights one should pick up on in conversations between characters. The insights she shares have been highlighted by many readers so you don't feel like you’re the only one who might have felt the shared sentiments.

I’m not giving the story a 5 because I had trouble starting it. I’m glad I stuck with the story.

When We Were Friends by Jane Green was a great short from Amazon Original. I got it for Kindle First Reads in September, and I read it in one sitting. This story was quick and had a twist I didn't see coming, and I was fully invested in the characters and their plot.

Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories and Jane Green for the free digital copy.

I rarely read short stories. I find myself wanting to get immersed in a world for a while, to take a journey with characters for at least 300 pages.

So, I must admit I was surprised to see myself downloading this 44 page short story. First of all, Jane Green is the author and that alone would have been enough for me.

Throw in the themes of female friendship, female identity and female roles and I was in.

I was immediately drawn into the first scene where we meet Lucy who is reluctantly out with other divorcees blowing off steam at a bar when she finds herself in need of lip gloss happily supplied by a younger woman named Elle that leads to a fast friendship.

The story moves quickly and the plot twist does give a bit of whiplash but more than the actual details of the fate of the friendship of Lucy and Elle, I will remember how Green was able to conjure my own nostalgia for early friendships with girl friends and how they are like no other. I also resonated with excavating one's relationship with oneself before one can be wholly available to relationships with others.

Overall, worth reading as it is a quick ride and for the feeling it will leave with you even after the details are gone.

a good story about knowing what you need and not letting people that don’t accept that stay in your life.


but this story itself wasn’t that great.

it all feels too rushed to be believable -or i am just a person that could never share personal things with a stranger - and not because of the age difference or even because both women clearly had some issues they should work through by themselves before pushing their stuff on others but the overall how it all came to be and how fast it all build was utterly unbelievable and unrealistic for me.

it maybe i just didn’t like the characters and because of that i had issues.

i don’t know.

i do think it’s not a bad story, but it wasn’t for me.

A short story about friendship that illustrates that female friendships can be every bit as intense and emotional as any romantic relationship. There is a lot of story packed into a short number of pages, and as a result it feels a bit rushed - and characters a bit under-developed. I would have loved more time with the characters and their shared experiences. (So when things start to turn it feels less abrupt and out of character.) Still, the emotional ride throughout this relationship feels very real and relatable. And the messages of true friendship, trust and self-love are delivered with tenderness and heart.
Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for the opportunity to read this ARC .

An easy and entertaining short read about friendships gained and lost.
I enjoyed it as a quick story to read before bed.