When You Were Mine

Product Information

Oh, we will,” Charlie says, slinging my book bag over her shoulder. “Don’t wait up.” She blows my mom a kiss and marches me outside. Rosaline's support network also differs greatly in the film. She often turns to advice from her childhood nurse Janet ( Minnie Driver) as well as her lifelong friend Paris ( Spencer Stevenson). In fact, the subplot of Paris marrying Juliet takes on a new dimension thanks to the fact that 1) Rosaline is the one who suggests it and 2) Paris is gay. It's this support network that helps Rosaline through the tough time in her life, and eventally leads to her starting a relationship with Dario. When You Were Mine is a Uplifting, Fun, Heart Warming Story of Family, Relationships, Secrets and plenty of Drama. What an absolute gem! This was such a delightful story full of family, love, friendship, second chances, and forgiveness. The story starts off jumping between two seemingly separate stories. Maggie and Ibby are best friends and coparents to their teenage daughter Amelia. The two have been roommates since university, but never romanticly involved. Ibby is gay and Amelia is the product of a drunken one night stand. Jordan is a super famous drug using lead singer for one of the UK’s most famous bands. At first it is not clear how these two stories are related, but as the book progresses things begin to fall into place. A non-traditional love story about love in all its many forms. This book also took on many social issues including homophobia and drug use, I think this was done well and not heavy handed.

Jordan Nash was also a very fascinating character, in which he started life as a normal teen, enjoying his university life with Maggie, Ibby and the rest of their friends, to becoming a worldwide superstar! Although we all wish of a life in the spotlight, Lisa wrote Jordan's story with a whole new perspective - one that doesn't get shown to the public half as much as it should. Jordan's story consists on a bad childhood, but a loving upbringing, a life everybody dreams of, but consumed with loneliness, drugs and alcohol. Lisa really delves deep in to the life of an addict and it was amazing to see the progression Jordan made throughout. Sometimes the Superstar life really isn't for everyone. It can just take time to realise all of the people and experiences you've missed out on to do a job you no longer love. This book had so many wonderful characters in it. Maggie, Ibby, and Jordan were all well-developed likable characters who I was definitely rooting for. The secondary characters Other Max, Nikki, and Nat were great. Can I just say I loved how they called there other BFF Other max! But for me the shining star of the book was Amelia, the girl had some major spirit and fierce determination, and yet she still was sweet and vulnerable. This was an engaging and sweet story with a few unexpected twists. I really enjoyed spending time with these characters and was sad when it ended. This is my first book from Lisa Swift (with any name) but it certainly will be my last. This is a story about family, an unconventional but solid little family and their friends who are every bit as beloved. It's a story about losing yourself and finding yourself. A story about what makes a home and finding your home. It's a story about standing up for others and standing up for yourself. It's a story about acceptance and it is wonderfully written. Consider Olivia’s question: “If you could know your entire life now . . . would you?” How would each character answer this question? Would his or her response change from the beginning to the end of the book? How would you decide? Would your answer have been different in your past? Maybe, maybe not.” She links her arm through mine as we step into the kitchen. “But you know I always like to err on the side of caution.”It’s been eight weeks, which I guess is a long time, although I refuse to see it that way. In the general scheme of things, what’s two months? Like, a millisecond. Okay, so it’s the longest we’ve ever been apart and, yeah, I’ve missed him, but I’ve known Rob my whole life. It’s really not a big deal seeing him again. It’s been a busy summer, and it’s not like Robert Monteg is my boyfriend or anything. God, even his name flashing through my mind like that makes me nauseous. I don’t get it. It shouldn’t. We’re friends. He’s just the next-door neighbor. Even with its light hearted tone, the novel discusses some weighty issues like homophobia, coming of age and drug addiction. This is the story of a family wading through the storm and also that of a friendship beating the odds. The characters are likable, good hearted (a rare breed indeed) even with the human frailities and . . . ya, they are going to stay with me for a very long time. Lisa Swift has produced an absolutely wonderful story, with twists which I honestly couldn’t predict. This is one of those books you won’t want to put down. Although, when you finish it- the decision of what to read next will be difficult; purely because this is so wonderful.

I loved the main characters but I also really loved the supporting characters especially one because I have a thing for paramedics!Ibby is gay and on the look out for a man, but he has to fit in and accept Maggie and daughter Amelia. Which doesn't always go down too well when he tells them that he lives with Maggie and has a Teenage Daughter. I just completely loved this book and how these seemly completely different peoples lives were all connected and woven together.