ARC-Book Review! One Blogging Reader’s Review after reading ‘We Are The Goldens’ by Dana Reinhardt.

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(This review will also be posted on Amazon.com and Goodreads.com)

⭐★⭐★⭐★⭐

Title: WE ARE THE GOLDENS
Author: Dana Reinhardt
(Review based on ARC copy – early review)
Publishing date: May 27th, 2014

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(Click the image below to place an order for ‘We Are The Goldens’)

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The Synopsis for ‘We Are The Goldens’:

Nell knows a secret about her perfect, beautiful sister Layla. If she tells, it could blow their world apart.

When Nell and Layla were little, Nell used to call them Nellaya. Because to Nell, there was no difference between where she started and her adored big sister ended. They’re a unit; divorce made them rely on each other early on, so when one pulls away, what is the other to do? But now, Nell’s a freshman in high school and Layla is changing, secretive. And then Nell discovers why. Layla is involved with one of their teachers. And even though Nell tries to support Layla, to understand that she’s happy and in love, Nell struggles with her true feelings: it’s wrong, and she must do something about it.

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My ‘Blogging Reader’s Review’ after reading an ARC-Early Copy of ‘WE ARE THE GOLDENS’:

I was invited to read and review an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) of ‘We Are The Goldens’ by Author Dana Reinhardt. This story follows the close bond shared between two sisters and a moment in their relationship that tests that bond. You will read the story through the main character’s P.O.V.(point of view), Nell Golden.

Nell Golden is a freshman in high school, who has a special and close relationship with her big-sister, Layla Golden, who is a well-liked junior at their high school, City Day. They’ve always been close, shared secrets and have supported each other in the ways that close siblings and best friends do. In Nell’s eyes, her sister Layla is the most beautiful person, perfect in every way and can do no wrong. But this year brings changes and a bite of reality to Nell’s life. With Nell experiencing changes in her own life stemming from her friendship with her best friend Felix, dealing with her sister being secretive and experiencing her first high-school crush, Nell has so much to deal with.

Layla’s been acting strange and distant. She has become uninterested in most of the things that that her classmates seem excited about like parties, high-school boys and hasn’t been hanging out with her friends as much as she use to. Nell has her suspicions about what might be the reason behind the changes she’s seen in her sister but she continues to deny it and cover for her big-sister, in hopes that her sister will open up to her about what is actually causing these changes. When Nell finds out that Layla has been having a secret-relationship with their young, attractive art-teacher, she is torn about what to do.

Nell knows it’s not right but she can’t help but do like she always has, and that is to cover for her sister and try to support her. But can she keep hiding her sisters huge secret? This story has a steady paced storyline, with a few interesting and climactic moments. I enjoyed it for the most-part but I do wish that the ending lasted a little longer in order to give a more solid conclusion. It almost felt like there were a few points that left the storyline mildly-vague between ‘Nell and Sam’ and left me asking three questions: Did the entire truth come out? And how will things go with Felix and Nell’s friendship? Is there a follow-up novel planned, which would explain the ending better? If you enjoy a nice story that seems relate-able in a ‘real-life’ sense, give this one a read. 🙂

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MY BLOGGING READER’S STAR SCORE FOR ‘WE ARE THE GOLDENS’ 3 1/2 out of 5 stars:

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How I imagined Nell, Layla, Mr. B and Felix while reading ‘We Are The Goldens’:

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★★★MEMORABLE QUOTES & LINES FROM ‘WE ARE THE GOLDENS’★★★

Nell’s thoughts: When things are right between us, that’s when I feel like me. It’s always been this way; we know the family joke. When I first learned to talk I called myself Nellayla. Nellayla. You were so much a part of me I thought we shared a name until you told me: “I am Layla,” and you tapped your chest, then reached out to touch mine. “You are Nell.” I can’t remember, but I’m sure this rattled my tiny universe.

Nell’s thoughts on Layla: Somehow I think the story begins with that self-portrait from school, the one with your faraway eyes. If I could go back to the moment I saw it, and if I had known what I was looking at, I’d have pulled you aside and said: No. Stop. Don’t.

Nell’s thoughts: We are the Goldens, but we aren’t perfect. We’re going to have some hard times, and I wanted to calmly and wisely say some version of this to you: I am your sister, I’m here to help, we’re close, our lives are intertwined, you can trust me. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen.

Felix to Nell: “What if I only have one chance? Wouldn’t I want to make the most of that? And if I only have one chance” -he locked his eyes on mine- “I really want that chance to be with you.”

Nell’s thoughts on Layla: It’s like that quote you like. Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.

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AUTHORS-If you have a book you would like me to review, please email me at: BooksMoviesFandoms@yahoo.com. Thank You!

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