When We Were Silent was a bit of a roller coaster for me. I really enjoyed the beginning then the middle bored me, but by the end I was hooked again. Big trigger warnings for SA. This story centers around Louise and her predator teacher. Parts of this story were really hard to get through and other parts were so frustrating. This story shines a light on what it's like to be a victim of abuse as a woman today.
The story shifts back and forth from the past to present day. I enjoyed the timeline in the past far more than present day. I think those chapters are what lost me a bit and brought the rating down.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ARC.

This is an important "read". It is painful and real. It is also relatable. People do not want to believe the victims. We had a photographer in town and we all knew he was molesting young women but no one stopped him until I was 40. I started hearing about his crimes when I was a teenager. We will never know how many victims there are.
It seems to be a thing in schools as well, although I missed out on most of that by not attending a traditional high school.
This is also common in church environments.
I know people do not listen to young women.
I hurt while listening to this but I could not put it down.

Also the narrator is perfect for this role.

I really enjoyed listening to this novel. The narrator is fantastic and was the perfect choice. Although there were parts that flowed much more smoothly than others, the book was definitely well-written and surprising. The level of discomfort I felt listening to certain sections is a testament to that.

This is definitely worth the time.

Thank you NetGalley, Fiona McPhillips, Flatiron Books, and Macmillan Auto for granting me access to this book AND the audiobook as well in exchange for an honest review. I deeply appreciate the opportunity to experience India Mullen's narration. Her exquisite Irish accent and captivating voice truly enhanced the authenticity of the story, elevating my enjoyment of the novel beyond what I could have experienced through reading it in print.

What an intense, unsettling, and profoundly thought-provoking dark academia psychological debut novel!! It powerfully examines the impact of #MeToo, alongside themes of trauma, mental health, eating disorders, alcohol abuse, suicide, and class divisions with emotionally heartbreaking and hauntingly disturbing prose. This gripping and evocative work is empathetically written, delving deeply into the complexities of its subjects. With a narrative alternating between the past and the present, both infused with intrigue, the suspense was undeniably most palpable in the "then" storyline. While the ending wasn't necessarily what I anticipated or wished for, it did leave me breathless and contributed to the story's realism.

Let me clarify that this is far from a delightfully enjoyable read. Instead, it's tremendously painful and difficult to stomach. Even though stories like these can be heavy, I believe they are important because they shed light on the harsh realities that occur every day. While they may be fiction, it still carries powerful messages about standing up for what's right and refusing to remain silent.

When We Were Silent is about an outsider who threatens to unveil the secrets lurking within an elite private school. Louise Manson, the newest student at Highfield Manor, Dublin's most prestigious institution, discovers more than just high-arched alcoves and an oak-lined library behind its granite walls. With a dark, festering secret to expose, Lou's working-class background initially marks her as an outsider until she finds friendship among her beautiful and affluent classmates. However, her attempts to reveal the truth about Highfield lead to disaster and a shocking discovery -a dead body. Thirty years later, Lou receives a jolting phone call. A high-profile lawyer is bringing a case against the school and requires Lou's testimony. She must confront her past and uncover, once and for all, the truth behind the mysteries of Highfield.

I am throughly impressed with how the author adeptly illustrates the profound impact of trauma on the protagonist's life and relationships, emphasizing the necessity of undergoing the healing process to truly overcome the past. This portrayal underscores the idea that one cannot simply leave the past behind without actively engaging in the work required for healing. However, that we all have the capacity to move forward from our past!

In conclusion, this is a compelling, emotional and unputdownable dark academia thriller that compels readers to contemplate the ramifications of unbridled power and the extremes to which people will go to safeguard their hidden truths. I wholeheartedly recommend this book and look forward to read other books by this author!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

When We Were Silent is a psychological fiction with dark themes and a sadly familiar story dealing with power dynamics, coverups, and how trauma can affect us in the future.

Lou is a high school student who enrolls in an elite private Catholic school with the intention of uncovering the abuse happening within the school after she loses her friend. She’s keeping dark secrets. Lou is able to make a connection over shared trauma and we are jumping 30 years in the future to reveal these held secrets. This was a wild and intense ride watching the story unfold and the ending had my heart pounding!

This audiobook was narrated by India Mullen who did an amazing job portraying all characters.

Thank you so much to Netgalley, Fiona McPhillips, and Flatiron Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review. This will be a great read for everyone on May 21st.

I have posted my review on Goodreads, in my Facebook book club, and will post a Tiktok review within the week before it releases.

This book is narrated by Narrated by India Mullen, and she does a wonderful job. I found her voice to be the reason I finished the book. I never connected with the characters in this book which would have helped me. They came across as being flat. I know this subject needs to be addressed and I hope this book does that for some.
Thank you to Netgalley, Fiona McPhillips, and Flatiron Books for the ARC. This is my honest review.

wowowowow…TW for SA and EDs (towards the very end) but this book was incredible. It was intriguing, it felt realistic, the main character was someone to root for, the narrator was great. Highly recommend.

This is a gripping and compelling yet unsettling story about grooming and abuse. And as hard as it is to read, it is even harder when you realize how many people in power take advantage of those who look up to them and trust them. I found this novel to be deeply disturbing and heartbreaking, but loved having the predators and those who covered up for them exposed as the monsters they are. The narrator did an outstanding job bringing these characters to life. A huge thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an ALC in exchange for my honest review.

I received a free audiobook from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.

When we were silent is a gripping, unsettling story of abuse, trust, teenage bonding, and how trauma affects our lives long after it takes place. Set in an elite girl’s school in Ireland in the 80s and today, this book follows Louise and several other students and their lives during their school days and years later.

A horrific incident happens at Highfield Manor that affects Lou’s life forever. She’s confused and upset about how her fellow students react to the event, but moves on with her life, or so she thinks. When a lawsuit threatens to take her back to confront her trauma, Lou must decide how she can navigate her past and future.

This is an excellent debut novel, full of great characters, current affairs, and unsettling moments. It’s not for the faint of heart however, and there are graphic descriptions of sexual assault, violence, and other terrible betrayals. It’s a very good book, but it is definitely not for every reader.

I do not like referring to other books that are similar or to quote them. For this one I am making an exception as Lolita was referenced several times. This book had similar vibes of grooming and sexual abuse. Not as disturbing but still left me with mixed feelings about it.

The story line was very captivating alternating between Louise's past and present, hinting at a past that could change everything. With a really good run up and intensely structured, I could look past the horrible acts and still feel captivated enough to carry on. We are reminded of how fickle the legal system can be. I think it takes a lot for an author to delve into such hard topics and Fiona really pulled it off. My dark mind enjoyed this story and it will stay on my mind for a couple of days.

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to review this Audiobook.

This was a hard read. I didn’t enjoy it very much due to the details involving these girls being molested by their coach. There was also some graphic sex scenes between students I didn’t care for.
Wish this could have been different for me, but I just wanted to finish this book, not in a good way.
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan audio for the AAC.

Thank you MacMillan for the audio review copy of When We Were Silent by Fiona McPhillips, expertly narrated by India Mullen. This is a rightfully moody story, compelling in how it weaves the past and present (because the past is very much still informing the present day characters and still a present day topic) in examining how Lou, who fought for righting a wrong against her friend and was harmed by trying to stand up for what was right, is handling a return to this very past, to a night when things went wrong, and facing the person and spaces that caused harm. This book is a tough read because of the topics but important because grooming, assault, abuse, privilege, power... all of these themes matter and intersect powerfully in the story.

I know with dual timelines a lot of people like the background story more but I really liked moving towards the present day plot, it was important to think about how past events mattered. It was harder to listen to because I felt Lou was really lost and struggling and it was impacting her and others in a lot of ways BUT isn't that also true to the story?

This is a deftly told story and well narrated that give the story depth and connection as I listened.

You know how you finish a book and it’s really good but you forget everything within a day? This one has stuck with me. Going on 24 hours since I finished and I could still give you the storyline.
Definitely check your triggers.
As the book opened, I felt a bit lost. Current day Lou was discussing something tragic and monumental that she experienced when she was in school pre-cellphone and social media era. Because it’s still happening, she is going to have to testify about her past. The story unfolds allowing us a look into the events that haunt Lou to this day.

I’m conflicted. This book would spark some discussion on how rape/assault victims were treated and are currently treated. It’s also interesting to consider whether she responsible for becoming a victim as she had gotten accepted into the school to seek revenge for the assault of her friend.

This book would make a great book club read. I know I would like to chat with someone about it.

WOW ! This book was phenomenal. I devoured this audiobook so fast. The narrator was so good. The story was so intriguing and really makes you think about what victims have to go through to have their voices heard. The characters are very well written and you really get drawn into their lives and feelings. I loved the setting being in a private exclusive Irish school, giving off very dark academia vibes. I highly recommend this book. I am looking forward to reading whatever Fiona McPhillips writes next.

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

Although I loved the narrator (what a fantastic accent and ability to narrate) the story was too slow and “familiar” to me. I think I’ve read too many stories like this one and am a little tired of the genre

This book had me at first but then it lost me and it didn’t get me back. At one point in the middle, I just stopped caring because it got a bit boring and I just couldn’t get back into it.

I did like the dark academia vibes and I think it explores interesting themes, but it ultimately didn’t work for me.

I received a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book is a solid 3.5 star for me, mainly because I had a hard time getting into it at first. Once the book was set in the past with Louise and her story was unfolding, I found it more interesting. Throughout the book, I found myself cheering Louise on, who was trying desperately to get justice for her friends Tina and Shauna. How Louise was treated for doing just that throughout was pretty disheartening, especially considering her claims were factual. I'd like to think that Highfield Manor gets shut down sometime in the future after this book ends.

Overall, I enjoyed the parts of this story set in the past more than the present tense. I wish Louise would have stood up to Shauna. I am glad the sexual abuse wasn't overly described, as that could be triggering.

I didn't know what I was getting myself into reading "When We Were Silent", part of me wishes there was a trigger warning, and the other part of me is glad it didn't have one, because I might not have read it.

This book was so beautifully written and handles such a horrible subject so well that I couldn't stop thinking about it. I appreciate the depth that was written into each of the characters. Going back and forth in the timeline was a really great way to handle this story.

I am so glad that I read this book and think that it could open so many important conversations. Especially in a culture that seems to act like abuse, cover up and vilification of the survivor(s) like this doesn't happen anymore.

Dark, gritty, and compelling, this is not your typical private school drama, and is not for the faint of heart. At times deeply disturbing and heartbreaking, it addresses grooming, sexual abuse, and elitist/bureaucratic nonsense that predators too often use to their advantage. The setting in Dublin, Ireland, was atmospheric and the narrator of the audio version was perfect.

Book Title: When We Were Silent
Author: Fiona McPhillips
Format: 🎧
Narrator: India Mullen
Publisher: Macmillan Audio/ Flatiron Books
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Pub Date: May 21, 2024
My Rating: 4 Stars
Pages: 304
Louise Manson is from a working class family and earns a scholarship to Highfield Manor, Dublin’s most exclusive private school.
Lou is befriended by Shauna one of the most popular girls in school who is from one of the most prominent families in the area.

Lou knows that there are secrets at Highfield.; she is there for revenge and wants to reveal the truth of what happened to her friend Tina Forester. Tina was an outstanding swimmer on her way to national competition; only it doesn't happen as she takes her own life. Louise believes Tina was pregnant and had been abused by one of the teachers

Story is told past and present day which is thirty years later.
Present day Lou gets a phone call from a lawyer as he is bringing a case against the school, and he needs Lou to testify.
Lou is aware she must connect with Shauna; as Lou is sure Shauna knows what really happened that fateful night
. Although this type of a story has been told many times; it was an emotional read that kept me engaged.
The ending was a surprise.

Want to thank NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for granting me this early audio Galley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for May 21, 2024.