Dana and Padma have been friends and neighbors since their children were small. When 17 year old Izzy ends up in the hospital, both families are torn apart. Unfortunately, their is much more going on in each families life and without each other to lean on, Dana and Padma have a tough time. The book reads easily, making it a good weekend read. Solid women's fiction reminding us that what doesn't kill us, makes us stronger. Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the complementary digital ARC. This review is written honestly and without coercion.

Who We Used to Be is such a great mystery thriller filled with family drama. I found this story to be really emotional and as a mother, it was also thought provoking. I kept finding myself looking at things from Dana and Padma's perspective to see how I would have handled or reacted to the situations. Dana and Padma are neighbors are best friends. Their 17 yr old daughters Izzy and Maeve are also best friends. When Izzy get injured and is sent to the hospital, Padma rushes to treat her. Izzy is then sent home, but later collapses and ends up in a coma. This causes such a riff in the friendship between Padma and Dana, as Dana begins to question whether Padma was thorough enough, gave the right treatments, missed something, just doubting everything, as she should because her daughters life is on the line. The story is beautiful but also heartbreaking. The characters in this book are so well detailed and provide some vital purpose in the story. The writing is in dual pov but isn't hard to follow at all. The writing is very easy to follow and flows so well. I'd never read anything by this author before but it really liked this and will be looking into other books as well. I recommend giving this one a read, but prepared to feel all the emotions!

3⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an advanced copy of Who We Used To Be.

Dana and Padma have been best friends for years. Padma is an er physician and is married and has a teenage daughter. Dana owns her own business and is married and has twin teenagers one boy and one girl. When Dana’s daughter is hurt and taken to the hospital she is happy to know Padma will take care of her. But when Dana’s daughter ends up in a coma she is confused and distraught. She starts to wonder if Padma made a mistake.

This was a very emotional gripping book but the two female main characters came across as immature and whiny. I also wanted more from the ending. It was just okay.

☆𝔸ℝℂ ℝ𝔼𝕍𝕀𝔼𝕎☆
Publication date: Available now!!


Caitlin Weaver knocked it out of the park again with another page-turning domestic thriller that I could not put down! What I loved about '𝘞𝘩𝘰 𝘞𝘦 𝘜𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘛𝘰 𝘉𝘦' was how unlike most other thrillers, the author dove deeper into the complicated dynamics of relationships; family, friends, and marriages. Caitlin Weaver had me on edge just waiting to see how all of these relationships played out!

I mean, can you imagine your best friend suing you for malpractice for something you really couldn't have prevented?! Damn!

𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙉𝙚𝙩𝙜𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙮, 𝘾𝙖𝙞𝙩𝙡𝙞𝙣 𝙒𝙚𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙧, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙎𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙢 𝙋𝙪𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙖𝙣 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙤𝙥𝙮 𝙞𝙣 𝙚𝙭𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙖 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬!!

Who We Used To Be by Caitlin Weaver is one of those books that hooks you from the jump and keeps you fully entertained throughout. The plot was great making it a fascinating, yet thrilling read. The characters were dynamic and relatable….. well depending on which ones.
The writing is engaging which also only adds to the addictiveness that is this book. Each chapter left you wanting more and more and you didn’t want it to end.
It is really clever, ultimately gripping. I was hooked right to the end.

Who We Used To Be by Caitlin Weaver is a book you'll be thinking about long after you finish it. The book is beautifully written, thought-provoking, and packs a powerful punch. Dana Blair is a woman who has given everything to everyone else and her tank is running low. Her marriage is on the rocks, her son is struggling, and the career she has is about to go under. Her daughter is doing very well in high school and will have her pick of colleges. Dana is lucky to have a best friend who also happens to live next door with her family. Padma Paulsen is the best friend and ER doctor at the local hospital. She's married and has one daughter, Maeve, who is best friends with Dana's daughter, Izzy. Life is very busy for her, but good. Dana and Padma have told each other things that no one else knows. They have a very close friendship that keeps them both grounded.

One night there's an incident in the ER and Padma makes a decision for treatment of Izzy, Dana's daughter. The treatment leaves Izzy in critical condition and the bond between Dana and Padma begins to come undone. As close as sisters until this incident. Will Izzy be okay? Will Padma find out what went wrong? Will Dana blame Padma? Will their friendship survive this incident? How will both families react? Life is fragile and you have to hang on tightly to your family and friends. You also have to find time for yourself to balance out everything else. Who We Used To Be is an incredible story of the fragile lives we lead and the friendships and relationships that seem like they will last forever. I just finished the book and can't stop thinking about it. Don't wait to read this magnificent book. It is out on July 29 and should not be missed! I rate Who We Used To Be 5 stars and warn you that once you start this book you won't be able to put it down! I'd like to thank NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an advanced copy of Who We Used To Be in exchange for a fair review. #WhoWeUsedToBe

4/5 stars

What I loved:
- How each chapter provided a different POV from a lot of different characters.
- The nuanced and complex relationships between the characters and family dynamics.
- How many of the characters are multi-dimensional. They have their own backstories, flaws, and secrets.

Though the ending was open ended and hopeful, I would've loved to see the aftermath of Dana & Padma's friendship because seeing how they navigate and possibly heal from that would've also been really interesting!

Thank you to NetGalley & Storm Publishing for the eArc in exchange for an honest review.

BOOK: WHO WE USED TO BE
AUTHOR: CAITLIN WEAVER
PUB DATE: 29TH JULY, 2025
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REVIEW
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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I read this book in a couple of hours! Once I fell into Dana and Padma's lives, I didn't want to leave until I finished the book. We have best friends of over twenty years, Dana and Padma, whose friendship came to a standstill after Izzy, Dana's daughter, got into a coma. Dana had issues with her marriage and her business and was barely keeping it all together. While Padma's personal life was okay, she subsequently had issues with her professional life as a doctor and her addiction, too.
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I don't want to be judgemental or insensitive, but I was on Padma's side throughout the book. She didn't even go lower when Dana did. I understand that Dana was heartbroken and going through a lot with her daughter's condition, and I also admit that Padma made a huge mistake, but she admitted it and apologised. There was no need for a lawsuit considering their past and their long friendship. She went over the top. I felt sorry for her, but Padma didn't deserve all that. However, as this was going on, they both had personal issues with their lives, careers, and children. I could feel the stress, the positive and negative changes they were making in their lives, and how they were both re- discovering themselves. It was nice to see.
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Then we have Ian, Izzy's twin, and Dana's son and Maeve, Padma's daughter. They were Izzy's besties, and I could see them unravelling from their own lives and coping with Izzy's coma. I liked where the book ended with them, especially with Ian. The husbands, Eric (Dana's) and Lars (Padma's), were at the periphery of the book, but Lars was such an amazing guy. He was P's rock throughout the book. I didn't really like Eric.
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I liked this book. It was emotional and deep and will make you question some things in life. What would you have done if you were in Dana's position? It ended in a kind of HEA considering the situation, and I liked the ambiguity of Dana and Padma's friendship. If it were me, I don't think I'll make an effort for the friendship anymore.
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4.5 ⭐️

Some books just grab you and don't let go. Who We Used to Be by Caitlin Weaver is absolutely one of them.

This story of Padma and Dana, two friends whose daughters are inseparable, delves deep into the complexities of motherhood, friendship, and the unimaginable choices we face when life throws a curveball. An event involving their girls shatters their world, forcing them to navigate their personal demons while their bond is tested to its limits. I found myself constantly questioning: "What would I do?"

Prepare for an emotionally charged, utterly compelling read. If you're looking for a gripping, thought-provoking read that will stay with you long after you've turned the last page, ADD THIS TO YOUR TBR! You won't regret picking this one up!

Grateful for the e-ARC from NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and the brilliant Caitlin Weaver!

I picked up Who We Used to Be really intrigued by the premise, two lifelong best friends, Dana and Padma, whose bond gets ripped apart by tragedy, and I came away impressed even if it wasn’t a flawless read. I enjoyed reading from multiple perspectives: Dana, Padma, Ian, and Maeve. It gave me a well-rounded emotional experience. I particularly connected with Ian’s storyline, watching him navigate sibling rivalry, parental expectations, and ultimately addiction felt raw and relatable. His arc stood out as one of the more moving threads in the story.

The core of the novel, friendship, motherhood, grief, and the fallout from a medical crisis, felt deeply real. It wasn’t gratuitous drama, but rather authentic emotional tension grounded in ordinary lives suddenly thrown into chaos. Reviewers loved how Caitlin Weaver makes you feel everything: vulnerability, rage, loyalty, heartbreak. It’s clear why they call it page‑turning and emotionally gripping.

Dana’s character, in particular, was polarizing in me. Sometimes I found her emotionally overwhelmed but empathetic; others times I'd describe her family dynamics as frustrating. Especially the husband Eric, whose self‑centered new‑age phase grated on me. Still, the fact that he evoked emotion at all showed how vivid these characters are.

I finished this one in one sitting. It pulled me in deeply with its emotional resonance and character complexity. Weaver earns praise for creating a private‑life drama that feels anything but ordinary. The writing hums with tension and intimacy, holding attention even when scenes repeated or characters veered into borderline caricature.

Who We Used to Be is powerful domestic fiction. It's not a thriller in the traditional sense, but a nuanced and emotionally rich story about how a single event can fracture lives and test bonds. If you enjoy books like those by Sally Hepworth or Laura Dave, where friendship, ethics, grief, and motherhood intermingle in beautifully flawed lives, this one deserves a spot

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 4/5 ⭐️

Who We Used to Be by Caitlin Weaver follows two families as they deal with a tragedy that tears them both apart. Dana and Padma are the closest of friends and neighbors. When an unexpected event throws both families into turmoil can they move past it.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for an eARC!

This was super emotional. Following through Ian’s perspective was so hard. Watching him struggle, how his dad treated him, and then when the accident happens to Izzy. Definitely enjoyed his POV the most and how it showcases how he overcomes!

Since this was told through a few different POV’s we get a bit of each piece. Lots of family drama, relationship drama, personal struggles, and financial dilemmas. I am really not sure if I would categorize this as a mystery but I would definitely say literary fiction with an emphasis on complex family dynamics and suspenseful relationships.

I think if you enjoy emotionally charged books, with relatable characters, and how people overcome personal struggles you will enjoy them!

I thought this book was a thriller, so that was my mistake, but this is about 2 middle-aged women, best friends, who are going through life, and then they are put in front of an incident that would change their friendship. So this explores themes of addiction, grief, friendship, and motherhood.

I will preface this by saying that I absolutely 100% hated Dana, and the only character I hated more than Dana was Eric, her husband. Their whole family, besides Ian, annoyed me. Dana and Eric's relationship with their kids was awful, they are the kind of parents I would never want to be. While they praised Izzy (who, in my opinion, became a brat because of it), they chastised Ian, who was a normal teenager.

I think that this book is meant to show these parts of a family, but it annoyed me nevertheless. HOWEVER, it was interesting enough that it kept me hooked, and I finished it in one sitting. It has been some time since I finished a book this quickly.

I would've rated this book 2 stars, but because I was very hooked and invested in it, I will add one more star.

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion! Needless to say, as always, all thoughts are my own and I have not been influenced in any way.

This engrossing psychological suspense novel by Caitlin Weaver delivered a compelling and thought-provoking experience. I was immediately drawn into its intricate premise, exploring how deep-seated secrets from the past resurface to shatter present lives, particularly within the context of complex friendships.

The narrative skillfully delves into the intertwined histories of Naomi and Liv, childhood friends whose bond is tested by revelations from a shared past that refuses to stay buried. As I read, I felt the palpable tension building, wondering what hidden truths would emerge to redefine who these characters once were and who they are now. The story masterfully alternates between different time periods, slowly unveiling crucial pieces of information that make the full picture increasingly chilling.

The book excels at maintaining a taut atmosphere and a steady unraveling of its central mystery. It kept me consistently engaged, trying to piece together the events and the betrayals that shaped the characters' lives. While some aspects of the unfolding plot might resonate with seasoned readers of the genre, the overall execution of the twists and the emotional depth made for a very satisfying read.

I appreciated the author's ability to craft a story that is both a thrilling mystery and a poignant exploration of friendship, loyalty, and the lasting impact of buried secrets. It's a strong and resonant addition to the psychological suspense genre.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC.

Thank you to Caitlin Weaver, Storm Publishing, and NetGalley for an eARC of Who We Used To Be in exchange for an honest review.

Who We Used To Be is Caitlin Weaver at her best - weaving a delicate yet powerful story of family dynamics, deep female friendships, grief, loss, and addiction. This book is a masterful example of how one mistake has the potential to snowball into a disaster that threatens to tear two families to shreds in its wake. I am so impressed by how Caitlin can put so much emotion into her books - at different times while reading this novel, I laughed, I cried, and I wanted to strangle some of the characters out of pure frustration for how they were acting. This might be my favorite of Caitlin’s novels yet, and I cannot wait to see what she brings us next!

An emotionally gripping rollercoaster read, told through multiple perspectives.

This story follows the long-term friendship of Padma and Dana, who live in the same neighborhood and have daughters who are best friends. Dana is managing her own personal struggles, until an unexpected event involving Padma and Dana's daughter, which deeply impacts all of their lives.

I enjoyed how Caitlin Weaver wrote frighteningly realistic situations that we hope we do not have to experience. This story packs an emotional punch, with plenty of relationship drama and exploration of the characters struggles and personal dilemmas.

Thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced reading copy, in exchange for an honest review.

Rounded up to 4.5!!!

I really liked "Such A Good Family", so when I was offered the opportunity to read this, I jumped on it. I was not disappointed.

Dana and Padma have been best friends for years. They live across the street from each other. Their daughters, Izzy and Maeve, are best friends. The family's get along and do everything together. Then one day, a tragedy happens that rips all these relationships apart.

Dana is barely holding everything together- her shop, family and her marriage. She is the one to take care of everything, while her husband, Eric, is on a self awareness journey. Her son, Ian, is struggling to find who he is in the shadow of his brilliant, type A twin sister Izzy. When the tragedy occurs, these characters are not in a strong place emotionally

Padma is a physician. She is very good at her job. She has a loving, supportive husband and beautiful, shy daughter, Maeve, who is struggling to figure out who she is and what she likes. Padma is a work junkie, and can only see herself fully when she is at work. Like Dana's family, this family is struggling emotionally.

I really love how Caitlin Weaver writes authentic portrayals of characters in situations that we hope to never find ourselves in. We experience all the emotions with the characters as the story is told through multiple POV's. It is raw and real- from their insecurities, anger, confusion, and even the happy moments. We understand their hesitations and decisions, even when we are yelling from the chair, "NO!!!!, and sometimes, "YES!!!", You experience so many feelings while reading, and even question what you would do in this scenario. The true talent of Weaver's is how she effectively fleshes out all the characters so that after the struggle we see the growth. It is not a fix-all, the author understands human relationships and frailty, and deftly writes authentic paths for her characters.

This is an emotional, yet suspenseful drama that is at times bittersweet. Yet the ending! Perfection- there is always hope! I really cannot wait to read another by this author. She always hits me in the right spots!

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Everyone tends to have that friend that you can turn to when everything around you is falling apart. Well, that was the friendship between Dana and Padma. They say each other when things were getting out of control. Padma was an ER Doctor who constantly worked and waited to hear if she was getting that next big promotion. Is not only a mother but a business owner who realizes that maybe running a business for her plus she and her husband all losing touch with each other. Her son seems to be spiraling and can’t find his footing in life and he his father just do not get along. Does he have an addiction? Is that the problem? The really shining star in that family is their daughter Izzy, who is an all-around good student and good person. So with her family, life and business falling apart, Dana would turn to Padma until she couldn’t. How do you forgive your best friend when something she does affects your child? Can your friendship survive.

This is the first book I’ve read by Caitlin Weaver and I hope it’s not the last. I loved the story. I was so involved in every page of this book. It left me so emotional that it took me some time to write this review. The relationships in each family were so different. Even though they were all involved in each other‘s life somehow the chain of events affected each of them in so many ways. The emotions that each family expressed and showed during this difficult time really came out with the way the book was written

Here you had one strong and determined woman who made her work her life. Her husband and daughter just follow suit because they knew that Padma was who she is and was not going to change. I loved the love in that family. It took a serious accident to make her come to her senses. Her journey was long, but in a way I felt she grew from what happened. She changed her life for the better yet. She didn’t know if Dana and she could ever get back what they want. Dana on the other hand, her whole life was just falling apart. I could not stand her husband, even though he was well written I just did not like him. He was a very selfish person who always thought he was right and made everybody else feel foolish except for his daughter. I feel the smartest person in this whole story out of the kids was Maeve Padmas daughter. She was more grown-up than. some of the grown-ups. I loved our relationship with Ian is his brother. The relationship with Izzy and her brother was also very emotional. I truly enjoyed this book from start to finish and I would highly recommend this to anybody. I give this a five star review.

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC. THANK YOU Ms. Weaver for an emotionally charged roller coaster of the book. I look forward to reading more by her..

Who We Used To Be sounded like just the book I wanted to read. I needed a change in the genre of books I had been reading. But it was a lot more family drama and not a lot of characters that I cared much about what happened to them. The roller coaster of emotions was just too much for me while I was reading this book.
This book would be an excellent choice for a Book Club.
Thank you NetGalley, Caitlin Weaver and Storm Publishing for the ARC of the book Who We Used To Be. This is my personal review.

After reading Such A Good Family and now Who We Used To Be, I am convinced Caitlin Weaver knows how to write a good domestic drama. This is by no means a thriller, so don't expect a cheating husband or murdering wife or anything of that sort. There are no crazy twists - what's written in the synopsis is exactly what you get, just more chaotic.
In this book, we have two families, the Blairs and the Paulsens, and everyone's life is falling apart, except for Lars Paulsen's.
Dana Blair's business is failing and she's tight on money. Her daughter, Izzy, is in a coma the entire book. Her son, Ian, is struggling with his place in his family and feeling like he'll never be good enough, so he's turns to drugs and now he's addicted. Eric Blair is Dana's husband-turnt-hippie/health enthusiast and wants a divorce because Dana won't conform to his ways.
Padma is a doctor and Dana's best friend until Dana accuses her of negligence, blaming her for her daughter falling into a coma. Maeve is Padma's daughter, and she struggles with finding herself and getting out of her bestie's (Izzy) shadow. And then there's Lars, the calming voice of reason. He's the only one without any drama.
To be completely honest, at first I felt like this book was a huge pity party. Everyone seemed to be piggy-backing off of everyone else's problems. It really gave "woe is me" while trying to one-up each other with their issues ans trauma. But as I kept reading, I started to feel for the characters, especially Ian. He was going through a lot and most of it stemmed from him constantly being compared to his sister and ultimately feeling invisible and useless to his family. His story is the most touching.
As far as the pacing, I felt it was steadily-paced, however, I wasn't too fond of how some chapters retold the same events but from another character's POV. The story felt stagnant during those moments. The ending was just alright. It's the generic happy ending you'd hope for after reading a 400-page book and just wishing everyone would just get their life back on track. If you enjoy reading family dramas with lots of chaos and instability, this would definitely be the book for you.
Thank you NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and Caitlin Weaver for this ARC!

I gave 4 stars to Caitlin Weavers other book Such a Good Family. The premise of this book is very thought- provoking. Unfortunately something is missing. I think the pacing is off. I wound up scanning so much dialogue and recaps. It made me think of Best of Friends by Lucinda Berry but that book kept my attention much more. I did enjoy around part 73%. The ending was better than the first half. There was so many valuable points including trying to figure out the elusive work/life balance. The pitfalls of being a Type A perfectionist. Struggles of those with addiction issues. And most importantly the lesson that you can't change anyone but yourself. The writing was a bit basic and the ending was very predictable too. I give this book 3 stars.