This forbidden romance novel revolves around two families trying to move forward after a tragic accident. The story weaves in elements of music, surfing, and painting, though I felt that focusing more deeply on one of these themes could have added greater depth to the book. If you're in the mood for a slow burn, this might be a good pick, but I found myself waiting for the pace to pick up. Given the weight of the story’s themes—sudden and tragic loss—I wanted to feel more emotionally invested. Something always felt a little out of reach. The ending clearly sets the stage for a sequel, so perhaps the next installment will fill in the gaps I felt were missing in this one.

REVIEW: All That We Never Were by Alice Kellen

All That We Never Were by Alice Kellen is a beautifully written story that explores the complexities of grief, love, and healing. The author’s poetic prose effortlessly draws you into the lives of Leah and Axel, two characters deeply scarred by their pasts yet bound together by an undeniable connection.

Kellen does a remarkable job of portraying her characters' raw emotions and inner turmoil. Leah's journey of finding herself again after losing her brother is heartbreaking and inspiring, while Axel's quiet strength and patience make him an endearing counterpart. Their slow-burn romance is realistic, tender, and full of bittersweet moments that tug at your heartstrings.

The novel's setting, with its picturesque descriptions of the Spanish coast, adds a layer of beauty to the narrative, making you feel like you’re alongside the characters, experiencing their world.

While the pacing can be a bit slow at times, and some plot points feel predictable, the depth of emotion and the authenticity of the characters more than makeup for it. All That We Never Were is a touching, emotional read that will linger with you long after you turn the last page. If you enjoy stories about healing and finding love after loss, this one is worth your time.

Thank you, Netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca, for the free advanced copy for my honest review!

If you enjoyed Ann Napolitano's DEAR EDWARD, there's a 90% chance you will fall in love with Kellen's ALL THAT WE NEVER WERE.

Leah Jones is a young woman who loses her parents and carves a new life for herself, as she grapples with her new reality of being parentless. It's not a coming-of-age novel but the mood and voice are of that genre.

This is novel is a love letter for anyone who's experienced loss and grief. The prose is accessible and deeply moving. As emotional and bereaving as this story is, it is also one of romance and love.

Dnf, I really thought I’d enjoy this more. I was looking for high angst and high emotion and it just fell somewhat flat while the book dragged on for me.

Alice Kellen's "All That We Never Were" transports readers to the serene landscapes of small-town Australia, where Leah Jones grapples with the sudden loss of her parents in a tragic accident. Struggling to navigate the darkness that shrouds her world, Leah finds solace under the care of Axel, her brother's best friend and a man she's harbored a secret crush on for years. As Axel steps in to support Leah, their relationship deepens, blurring the lines between friendship and something more.

This novel explores themes of love, loss, grief, and the healing power of connection. Kellen's prose is imbued with sincerity and grace, effortlessly drawing readers into the characters' lives. Leah and Axel are portrayed with raw authenticity, their inner struggles and vulnerabilities evident against the backdrop of life's tumultuous journey. With a narrative brimming with emotion, "All That We Never Were" delivers a poignant exploration of life's complexities. From the gripping tension of PTSD to the tender moments of solace and companionship, the story weaves a tapestry of human experiences. This novel is Intriguing and immersive, leaving an indelible mark on readers and culminating in a cliffhanger ending that promises an unforgettable conclusion in the upcoming sequel.

I couldn't finish this book. I gave up 20% in because I couldn't handle how insensitive Axel was. It had been one year since Leah's parents died, and he kept telling her to get over it. I just couldn't continue reading the book because I didn't want to watch her fall madly in love with someone who wouldn't allow her her feelings. Also it seemed a little groom-y. It did not sit well with me at all. I liked hearing about Byron Bay, and the bits about surfing were interesting. Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for this ARC!

I had a hard time reading this, I wanted more of an emotional connection to the characters that just didn't happen. I liked the premise, let them go and all that but I needed more burn or something.

**I would like to thank NetGalley, SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca, and Alice Kellen for an ARC of this book! This is available as of 8/29/2023.**

"That was how I found out that there are hearts that break a little at a time on eternal nights to be forgotten, during years of invisibility, days of imagining the impossible."

Was this the best book I've read? No.
Did I devour it in one day? Yes.

It's hard to explain how I feel about this other than that it reminded me of Wattpad-fic.

"In life there are some things you see coming and others that catch you by surprise, and those words I'd just said in her ear...those words would be my perdition."

Here's our trope list:
- brother's best friend
- age gap
- guardian
- forbidden

This book was just one big ball of tropes, but it also navigated grief in a very delicate way. Leah had so much growth and healing in this book (now book 2 better have Axel’s healing!!!!)

When I started this, I had no idea it was a duology. Beware you absolutely have to read the second book (which I'm currently reading) due to the way it ends.

My only complaint is that it was a little boring, mainly due to how long it was. I think this could've been shaved down be about 100 pages. There was also a bit too many Beatles references. It was cute at first because of how meaningful it was to her family, but it was a little annoying by the end.

Spoiler quotes:
“She was everything I had never managed to be, and when I kissed her, I realized I had spent half a lifetime being wrong.”

“I walked on the beach, away from that house that was turning into a place almost more hers, more ours, than mine. With every month that passed, more and more stones seemed to be bearing down on the roof.”

“My heart skipped a beat. And I realized we were a puzzle that had been put together with the passage of years. The difference was that Leah had always had all the pieces, and I had taken years to find them.”

Now for “spot the title”:
“What were all these months, Axel?”
“Lots of things. That’s not the problem, the problem is all that we never were.”

All That We Never Were by Alice Kellen is a debut novel that dives into emotional territory. The story follows Leah, a young woman grappling with grief after losing her parents. Struggling to find the light again, she leans on her brother's best friend, Axel, who becomes her guardian. As they navigate their new normal, a deeper connection sparks between them. This romance is set against the backdrop of loss and healing. Readers can expect a rollercoaster of emotions with characters who are both fragile and endearing. If you're looking for a contemporary romance with a touch of angst and a cliffhanger ending, then All That We Never Were might be the book for you.

Me gusto mucho 😭❤️

I love the cover, the characters, the story! I love this duet with all my heart!!

DNFed - I requested this before I was an influencer and familiar with NG and how it works. I didn't get a chance to read it, and it's no longer downloaded on my Kindle.

I didn't realize this was part of a series, but with that being said I was able to read and enjoy it still!

The writing is solid, creating a vivid atmosphere, but the plot is a mix of captivating moments and predictability. Characters are well-developed, though some lack depth. Pacing fluctuates, making it a decent but not outstanding read.

I really liked it, both the voice that the author uses to explain the story and the plot and the characters. The only thing, and this is a personal opinion, is that it seemed too long for how little it happens.

🩷💜 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 💙💛

𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: All That We Never Were
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Alice Kellen
𝗣𝘂𝗯 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲: August 29, 2023

💛 Thank you so much @sourcebookscasa and @netgalley for an advance copy of this book!

🧡 𝙈𝙮 𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 🩵
Nineteen year old Leah is having trouble coping with grief after losing both her parents in a car accident. Her brother Oliver transfers to Sydney for work to make more money to send Leah to college, so Oliver asks his best friend Axel to house Leah for the time he is away.

Axel and his family were super close to Leah and Oliver’s family. They are all struggling with the grief in different ways. Axel sees how depressed Leah is and wants to help her break out of that. Soon enough, we learn Leah has been in love with a long time, and due to a lot of time together, both of them are questioning feelings they may have for each other.

This book has a lot of angst, sadness, grief, and mixed up feelings. I had a hard time connecting with the main characters and wish there was a little more upbeat storyline mixed in with it to even the overall mood of the story out. The book ended on a sort of cliffhanger, where there is a second book continuing Axel and Leah’s story. The second books sounds like it could be a little more upbeat moving the storyline forward, so I look forward to that!

🌈 This book and the second book may be one of the prettiest book covers I’ve seen! If you lay them by each other they are gorgeous! 😍

💜 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚:
🩷 Age Gap
💚 Forced Proximity
💛 Grief - Mourning - Loss
💙 Found Family
🩵 Brother’s Best Friend

DNA unfortunately, I couldnt get into this one and put it down at about 35% - I couldnt connect to the characters or the story

Best friend's sister (Angst ver.)
Or so I thought.
At the beginning, I was super irritated with both characters, and it wasn't even their fault! The writing just bored the hell out of me, it was long and lyrical with lots of metaphors, which is okay for a chapter or two, not the whole first half.
I tried to think of how to describe Axel as a character, and only one description fit; a man-child. He is superficial, and just so limited as a character, even his dialogues and thoughts contained the same set of vocabulary and expressions.
I truly thought Leah deserved better, not because of the age gap, or the grooming speculations, or her emotional trauma, no, she deserved better because she was better than him.
After I reached the half point, the pace started getting faster, finally some progress is happening in their relationship. But, you could see it from a mile that things would be awkward because of Leah's brother.
Although the book isn't my favorite, it made me invested in their story, so I'd definitely read the sequel.
*I received an ARC of this book through netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

"All That We Never Were" by Alice Kellen takes you on an emotional ride as Leah navigates loss and love. Living with her brother's best friend, Axel, the story unfolds with real emotions and forbidden feelings. Short chapters and dual perspectives keep it engaging. Some may find it a slow burn, but if you love a good friend-to-lovers trope and vivid descriptions that make you feel everything, this one's for you. Be ready for a rollercoaster of grief, determination, and a hint of laughter. Just a heads up, there's an age gap, and Leah's finishing high school. Overall, a compelling read that left me eager for the sequel.

I swithered over giving this 4 or 5 stars but at the end of the day, I couldn’t put it down so it has be a 5 star rating. Leah is 18 and struggling to recover from the sudden loss of her parents. Her brother leaves his best friend, Axel, to care for him to when he has to go away for work. Leah had always been besotted with Axel when she was younger, despite their age gap, and being around him again forces her to wake up from her grief. I was pretty gripped by this. It was the sloooooowest of slow burns and then it went OFF. It has all the inevitable drama that comes from a brother’s best friend romance but it was bit darker than usual. It’s ending was also pretty bold. I appreciated the narrative structure of this as well - it wasn’t your standard dual narrative! I liked that Leah’s chapters started to get longer and have more of a clear voice as she emerged from her fog of denial. I’m kind of looking forward to reading the sequel - I’m pleased there’s more to the story, but the premise of it doesn’t sound plausible!

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book. I was really expecting a great romance read but this book fell short. It was a very slow burn. I liked the writing and the short chapters and will be looking forward to more from this author.