We Were Kings by Courtney Stevens is a powerful and evocative exploration of friendship, identity, and the complexities of growing up. Stevens' compelling narrative and richly drawn characters delve deep into the challenges of adolescence, leaving readers with a poignant and thought-provoking story that lingers long after the final page.

I adore Court Stevens. She is a master storyteller. This one was a great thriller with some fun Knives Out vibes.

I’m not sure how I feel about this one still. I liked it while I was reading it but I found it very forgettable. I did really like the characters and the story line.

"We Were Kings" by Court Stevens is a gripping and emotionally resonant novel that explores the complexities of friendship, loyalty, and the enduring bonds of brotherhood. Set against the backdrop of a small Southern town, the story follows best friends Chip and Christy as they navigate the challenges of adolescence and the weight of family expectations. Stevens' writing is raw and honest, delving deep into the hearts and minds of her characters to reveal their innermost struggles and desires.

At its core, "We Were Kings" is a story about the power of forgiveness and redemption. As Chip and Christy grapple with the consequences of their choices and the secrets they hold close, they must confront the past in order to find a way forward. With its richly drawn characters and compelling narrative, Stevens' novel is a poignant and thought-provoking exploration of identity, sacrifice, and the enduring power of friendship.

Court Stevens will always be my favorite. I loved We Were Kings. It was a complete *chef's kiss*. Always look forward to a Court Stevens novel.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for giving me a free eARC of this book to read in exchange for my review!

I didn't like this one as well as I'd hoped. I liked the set up fine. The fact of accelerated death penalty creates a solid time frame and ratchets up the tension. And I liked how the protagonist gets involved in the mystery, first as a ploy for attention but gradually becoming engrossed. It starts out fairly compelling. As the reality of the case is teased out, though, it stretched my willing suspension of disbelief. It pushes ideas too far and the truths are too extreme.

Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson for sending me a copy of this book! All opinions are my own!

This was a really intriguing book that had the perfect amount of spookiness mixed with mystery. My main issues was that it started out so abruptly, it felt like there was hardly any intro to the characters or any reason that I should start to care about the story and where it was going to go. It felt like being thrown into the action and then never going back to actually learn why it all mattered.

I did really like the way that this was unique but felt similar to other stories of this genre, enough so that it was still intriguing but felt like coming home to another thriller. I liked the small town vibe of it and the way that it was unique from other smalltown thrillers. The town felt wholly new and unlike anything experienced before. There was an eeriness to it from the start that really drew you into the town and made you want to uncover all of the dirty secrets.

I just really wish I had gotten more from this book all around. But I did think it was the perfect little thriller to kick off spooky season with!

3 stars. I wasn't enjoying the book for the first 20%. The middle was pretty decent and then the end was a tad better. Overall, not a bad book, just not for me.

With only days to save her mom’s best friend from the death penalty, Nyla decides to investigate the murder she was convicted for herself. The clues just keep coming and when it all is revealed… whoa!

Honestly I don’t even remember why I was interested in this book other than I think I have read a book that I liked from the author before. But that one had been more of a happy coming of age plot and YA mystery thriller not usually my jam anymore.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

'We Were Kings' is the epitome of if you think your family is problematic, chaotic or just down right filled to the brim with drama - you should problem think twice, because the King Family surely takes the cake.

Court Stevens has created a world that has you questioning every character and contemplating their ability to commit murder. The tantalising suspense that readers who love a good murder mystery/thriller seek can be found within the pages, however is not completely vision proof. There were a few twists and turns that weren't completely surprising but compensates with an absolutely wild turn of events. Keeping in mind this is a YA novel so may not suit the tastes of mature/prolific readers. A few plot holes, with some scenes needing a second glance to bring meaning to the scene, overall this didn't "wow" me. As always, I would have loved to take a deeper dive into these characters. If there is any advice I can warn readers going into this, it's DO NOT read any spoilers! Go into it blind and let it take you on the ride, this may be the perfect way to start your entry into the YA/Thriller genre.

Nyla and her mother have always moved around a lot, following her mother's best friend Francis Quick, who is currently on death row for the murder of Cora King. Despire everything, Nyla's mother keeps believing in Frankie's innocence. When a new law speeds up the execution of Frankie, Nyla and her mother do everything they can to prove Frankie's innocence. In doing so, Nyla learns a lot more about her own past...

We Were Kings is a captivating story. I'll be honest, I struggled with the e-book at first. I couldn't follow the story because I was constantly distracted, which usually doesn't happen if I'm completely sucked in a book. However, the audio copy of We Were Kings is PERFECT. The short chapters make for the perfect audiobook and the narrator did an excellent job. What I'm trying to say with this is: if the e-book or physical copy doesn't captivate you but you like the story itself, try the audiobook and don't give up! The twists are WORTH IT.

As I said, the book is captivating (in audiobook format). However, I wouldn't classify it as a book that is GOOD. I feel like there are quite a lot of plotholes that aren't explained properly. We Were Kings is a perfect book to listen to while driving the car daily, but you shouldn't expect it to be the perfect mystery.

A controversial new death penalty law speeds up Frankie Quick's execution in this small town, powerful family murder mystery. With more twists and turns than there are reliable leads, this novel is sure to spark lively discussion on the death penalty, small town politics, and who really did kill Cora King? This is another FANTASTIC fast-paced, gritty mystery from Court Stevens. A must-read for all.

While I'm sure there are students that will enjoy this mystery, I am not one of them. I didn't like the main character. It felt like she was written from and adult POV instead of a teen. I didn't like the ending. Just not a fan overall.

You can't go wrong with a murder mystery and this had me guessing! I found the plot fascinating and fresh, highly recommend.

While this book didn't end up being for me, I do think there is an audience for this. I found the mystery and the investigation quite gripping however the characters didn't feel well developed and the pacing was off at times. I also thought that some parts were a little over exaggerated to the point that it distracted from the book. Would likely suit someone who is looking to ease into thrillers or wants a quick read.

I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

After devouring The June Boys, I was very excited to get my hands on We Were Kings. Unfortunately, I ended up taking my sweet time before finally diving into it. Now I'm a little disappointed in myself for waiting so long but I'm so happy that I read it today. Seriously, this was so freaking good.

The overall mystery kept me on the edge of my seat. Did I think I would somehow figure it all out before the big reveal? No, seriously no. The number of clues that I tried to keep track of just confused me. Mostly because I would almost zero in on a suspect and then bam - something sparkly would catch my eyes and I would be suspicious of someone completely different. I am definitely the worst detective/cop ever invented. In my mind that is.

Since I'm sticking with my day job (for now), I'll just let you know that the family drama was completely entertaining. The King family is just something special and hard to look away from. It's definitely hard to see who you should or shouldn't trust. Spoiler alert: No one in the King family should be trustworthy. Just saying.

In the end, I really did enjoy the mystery being unfolded before my eyes. Nothing felt super predictable to me. Or predictable at all since I was suspicious of every single person. Loved the Knies Out vibes I got from this and can't wait for the next book that Courtney writes! Seriously, the murder mystery books are amazing!

An interesting read, the book keeps you guessing until the end. I enjoyed this and would recommend to any crime/mystery fans

Whoo! This book was a rollercoaster of twists and turns and constantly had me on the edge of my seat. I love a good murder mystery story because I like not knowing what's going to happen and who did what, so this book was right up my alley and once I started, I just couldn't stop! I had to know what would happen next!
I liked how this story was told, the main characters, and how I really was never sure about what would happen next, who was truly innocent, and I never knew how it would end until the end. I really loved these characters, their back stories, and their motives. I appreciated the layers of family secrets that added to the atmosphere of this story, and I liked learning everything. I love how Nyla was determined to expose the truth, and how this book showed how messy exposing the guilty is.
This was a truly amazing story that I loved reading and will recommend to everyone. Plus, the cover is beautiful. The writing was woven so well, the twists kept me on the edge of my seat, and I was constantly confused on who was guilty and who was innocent.