I enjoyed the twists of this book. I felt the tension almost immediately and the stakes were high. There were multiple pieces to keep track of but it never felt like too much. It was full of morally grey moments but I found myself thinking “he had it coming” which make you wonder how you would react in any of those situations.

This harrowing novel emotionally details the sexual abuse of teenage athletes at a prestigious school, and what both the school and society had done to make these young women (and young men) voiceless and vulnerable and nulling out their futures. And though this is a very well done fiction, unfortunately for many, this is their lives. That being said, the main character’s voice is superb in the first person. The narrator’s voice is truly lovely and captures Lou’s character and her determination.
When Lou’s friend commits suicide, she wants to find out why. She suspects someone at the Highfield School had something to do with it. The whole mystery takes her nearly a half of a lifetime to solve.
An excellent mystery/thriller set in Ireland.

I'm a big fan of books about elite schools or boarding schools. I just really like that setting. The book blurb for WHEN WE WERE SILENT sounded interesting, like a mystery thriller I would enjoy. Every time I try to listen to this audiobook, I fall asleep. I've tried all sorts of times throughout the day (and evening) doing different things - coloring, playing on my switch, I've been active, but I get so tired - and I still can't tell you what happens past 10%ish of the book. If India Mullen could read one of those sleep sounds for me, I would fall asleep so quickly every night.

Although the first bit is creative writing, I can't tell you about the book. But the narrator, India Mullen, is super relaxing, lol.

Thanks, Macmillan Audio, for the ALC.

WHEN WE WERE SILENT is a tense, emotional, and suspenseful read. McPhillips expertly constructed a story filled with twists, turns, and secrets bubbling to the surface. Each element of the plot and all the characters met within these pages worked hand in hand to deliver an addictively thrilling and dynamic book.

In a story like this, there has to be reverence for the subject matter. The author should develop the characters and move the narrative forward through honesty while honoring all emotions that can be experienced. And, McPhillips did this perfectly. She created a thriller centering around abuse and murder in a way that did not exploit the topic. It didn’t shy away from any aspect. The author brought the reader into Louise’s past and present with eloquence and candor. It was quite a touching and compelling read.

WHEN WE WERE SILENT is one of those books that stays with you. Reading Louise’s experience brought to mind all those accounts we don’t hear about. The ones that were silent or silenced. There is power in telling this type of story and I am certainly glad I was able to read it.

Audiobook Note: India Mullen narrated this book brilliantly. I did need a moment to adjust to her accent, but after the first few chapters, I was right in the thick of it with our characters. Mullen brought to life Louise and enhanced the story through her diction and pace. Having spent about half of the time with this book in audio format, it was a great way to continue reading it.

Lou was a student on a swimming scholarship to the prestigious Highfield Manor. Most of the students treated her terribly because she was clearly beneath their high-class snobbery. She does have a few friends until the night a teacher is found dead and Lou is the main suspect. Many years later and Lou has a daughter of her own and she is attending Highfield Manor for their swimming program and is also on a scholarship. This is bringing up Lou's past and the fact that people still suspect her for the murder. Lou is adamant about clearing her name so that her daughter is not affected by it.

I really enjoyed this book and the mystery of not knowing what exactly happened in the past. This was well-written and I was anxiously awaiting the results. I loved the thrill of it. The ending was spectacular as well.

An elite private school's secrets are threatened by an outsider. Red bricked, oak libraries, are dark secrets in Lou's new world she enters as the newest student at Highfield Manor. And things unfold from here with mysteries, secrets to a dead body. Then thirty years later Lou gets a call from a lawyer who has a lawsuit against the school. He needs Lou to testify which means Lou must confront her past and uncover what really happened at Highfield Manor.

I listened to the audiobook and felt that the Narrator, India Mullen, did a good job of using tone and emotions to set the vibe and mood of the mysteries and dramatics of this book.

A mystery of exploring the privileged life of the elite private school of Dublin in this gripping debut novel.

Man that was a hard and enraging read! And this could be and IS still happening today, how disgraceful for our society. I am glad that in the end the truth came and Louise was vindicated but it really was too little, too late. The best thing that could happen was that her daughter and all the other students were protected from a predator! This was my 1st read by Fiona McPhillips but will definitely not be my last, all of her books are going on my TBR!

Narrated by India Mullen, 'When We Were Silent' is a gripping exploration of trauma, friendship, and the haunting legacy of abuse. Mullen's skillful narration brings the characters to life, immersing listeners in Lou's emotional journey as she grapples with the dark secrets of her past. While not your typical mystery or thriller, the audiobook delivers a powerful narrative that delves deep into the complexities of trauma and survival.

Fiona McPhillips' debut novel is a gut-wrenching tale that tackles heavy topics with sensitivity and depth. Set in the 1980s, the story unfolds through dual timelines, offering a poignant glimpse into Lou's past and present struggles. As she confronts the traumatic events of her youth while testifying in a sexual abuse case, Lou's journey is both heart-wrenching and cathartic. 'When We Were Silent' is a haunting and unforgettable listen that will leave a lasting impact on listeners.

As a student at Highfield Manor, Louise discovers that her friend, Tina, was being sexually abused by a teacher/coach, and Tina killed herself after finding out she was pregnant. Lou is determined to prove this and prevent other girls from suffering the same fate, even if she has to put herself in harm’s way. 30 years later new information about the school and situation comes to light, threatening to unveil Lou’s darkest secrets.

I listened to the audiobook, and I think I would have enjoyed reading it more. This story is told from alternating timelines between Lou’s days at Highfield and 30 years later, which wasn’t always easy to distinguish just from listening. Chapters only list numbers instead of indicating past or present. Eventually I caught on, but it was hard to keep track early in the book. Overall I thought the story was interesting, but nothing shocked or surprised me. I was invested in Lou and Shauna’s story, and although the events unfolded in frustrating ways at times, it was a realistic portrayal of abuse and power. I’d rate this closer to 3.5, but I’m leaving it at 3 stars because I’m a snob and 4’s have to wow me. Thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Fiona McPhillps for this free ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was a powerful book. I felt nearly overwhelmed by the way the story unfolded and the themes McPhillips explored. This is a complex novel written with delicate prose and a surprisingly emotional plot. In the world of Dark Academia, When We Were Silent is a unique and profound entry into a genre filled with great works.

Set at Dublin’s most exclusive private school, Highfield Manor, the beautifully drawn setting with tall pillars, lilacs, intricate gates, well-manicured grounds, and a dimly lit library full of well-worn books hides a dark undercurrent. It’s hard to believe that somewhere so beautiful and historic could be riddled with secrets, but appearances are deceiving.

Lou Manson arrives at Highfield Manor as a scholarship student. Coming from a humble background, Lou is quite different from her wealthy and privileged peers. Lou struggles to find her place among the students, often snubbed and disregarded by those who look down their noses at her. The times they are kind to her are often part of their power struggle with the other top students in the class. Lou does find a friend in Shauna, whose sunny smile hides deep-seeded pain.

It's impossible to attend Highfield Manor and not know who Maurice McQueen is. A PE teacher and the head of the prestigious swimming club at Highfield Manor, he’s already produced to Olympic athletes and is hoping to coach a third. He also wants to recruit Lou to the swim club, though she does her best to get out of it. Lou has a different reason for attending Highfield Manor—she is seeking justice for her friend Tina, who tragically died.

Several decades after Lou’s time at Highfield Manor, she is working as a literature professor and raising a teenage daughter. When Shauna’s brother reaches out asking Lou to testify in an abuse case linked to Highfield Manor, Lou resists, fearing that everything she’s worked to bury in her past will resurface. Facing her past and the consequences it will bring may mean saving the students from an abuser, if she’s able to let herself go back there.

Dark, intense, and haunting. This is a thought-provoking and gripping story that draws the reader in and doesn’t let up until the final pages. Tina’s suicide looms over the story from the beginning. Lou is seeking justice for what happened to Tina, planning to expose the authority figure who abused her. In the present, Lou is struggling with her teenage daughter who wants to join the very same swim club that Lou tried to avoid. The stories mirror each other at times, and diverge at others.

An emotional, shocking, and suspenseful novel about privilege, justice, power, and class.

I’ve always loved reading books written by authors from a different country or culture and set in a different place. In particular as an American, books set in other countries come to life when narrated by someone with the local accent. It is a constant reminder and mental cue to transport myself to that place. When We Were Silent is set in Ireland at a preparatory school. Narrated by India Mullen, the story is told in the soft, lilting cadence that is uniquely Irish. Mullen’s voice also spans the younger timeline well, something that doesn’t always work when a single narrator does a then-and-now.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for my copy. Opinions are my own.

This audio was on of my faves of the last few weeks! A solid 5⭐️ read and listen! Dark and Surreal Academia with dual timelines decades apart! Also I loved the Irish narrator’s accent and inflections while reading. It really kept me fully in the story at all times and added an extra layer that I couldn’t fully get reading it physically.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the review ALC

When Louise Manson is a young woman, she changes high schools to a high powered exclusive school so she can try to uncover what made her best friend commit suicide. Present day Lou is required to testify against the school and finally uncovers what really happened in the past.

As this is a debut novel, this is my first experience with a book written by Fiona McPhillips. Although the topic was pretty heavy (sexual assault and rape), I found the book to be very well written. The characters were well defined and the storyline was intriguing. I liked how the author goes between the past and the present so you can fully understand the events that took place in the past.

I think the narrator, India Mullen, did a great job with the characters, they really came to life and were easy to define.

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

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6549347448

This book. Oh my days, what a debut.
The narrator, India Mullen, is absolutely superb. I do like Irish narrators, and this one was perfectly cast.
The writing is almost poetic and the trauma experienced by the characters is made all the more powerful by Mullen's performance.
The book is seriously impressive, and I cannot wait to read more from McPhillips and listen to more narrations by Mullen.
Highly recommended, and thanks to Macmillan Audio for the copy for review.

When We Were Silent is told from 2 timelines. In the past Louise is a new student at Highfield Manor. She’s trying to fit in while trying to expose a dark secret about the school. In the present Louise, Lou, is called upon to testify against the school that once hurt her and the people she loved.

The back and forth timelines was really interesting, it was like trying to piece together a puzzle. The only issue I had with the 2 timelines is that sometimes it was hard to follow along while listening to the audiobook. I’d really have to pay attention to know if it was the past or present.

When We Were Silent was an interesting mystery novel with a few twists and turns. The book kept me hooked from start to finish. While I can’t say that I liked the characters (you’re not necessarily meant to), I did find them intriguing. The book was well written and it’s certainly a heavy read.

TW: rape of minors, sexual abuse of minors, alcoholism, suicide

When Louise Manson joins the student body of Highfield Manor School in Ireland in 1986, she is there for two things: to swim, and to get revenge on the school's predatory swim coach. Almost 40 years later in the present day, she is still reckoning with what happened and trying to stop it from continuing.

This thriller is dark and tautly woven, with all the characters you would expect from such a tale...the rebellious students and the popular ones, the sanctimonious nuns, the unstable mom, and more. It's full of 1980s nostalgia, teen angst, regret. I thought the main character, Lou, was so brave and ballsy. I loved that this book kept me guessing right up until the last page. And the narrator of the audiobook has a beautiful accent to match the equally beautiful and brutal writing.

This book contains graphic descriptions of SA, so I would skip this one if that kind of content is triggering for you.

"When We Were Silent " by Fiona McPhillips is a very good book about an important topic. I couldn't put it down. I got invested, and I had to listen to it straight through.

This book is told in two time periods, the present (approx. 2016) and the past, about 30 years earlier, in 1986. In the past, Louise was in high school in Dublin, Ireland, and got into Highfield Manor, a prestigious private school for her final year. Her best friend, Tina, had died suspiciously the year before, and Louise knew it had to do with the swim coach, McQueen.

This book is about sexual predators and tells it from the POV of young women going through it. Some of it is hard to read. Then, when one of them tries to get help.. well, you just have to read it. In the present, have things gotten any better? In the book, not so much.. but the "Me, too" movement has helped.

Characters - 5/5
Writing - 5/5
Plot - 4/5
Pacing - 4/5
Unputdownability - 5/5
Enjoyment - 4/5
Narration - 5/5 by India Mullen
Cover - 3/5
Overall - 35/8= 4 3/8, rounded to 4 stars

Thank you to Netgalley, Macmillan Audio, and Fiona McPhillips for providing this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

<b>TW/CW: Language, drinking, smoking, cutting, teenage pregnancy, abortion (mention), sexual assault, cheating, loss of sibling, bullying, family drama, toxic family relationships, alcoholism, poverty, classism, eating disorder</b>

<b><big>*****SPOILERS*****</b></big>
<b>About the book:</b>
Louise Manson is the newest student at Highfield Manor, Dublin’s most exclusive private school. Behind its granite walls are high-arched alcoves, an oak-lined library...and the dark secret Lou has come to expose.

Lou’s working-class status makes her the consummate outsider, until she is befriended by some of her beautiful and wealthy classmates. But after Lou attempts to bring the school’s secret to light, her time at Highfield ends with a lifeless body sprawled at her feet.

Thirty years later, Lou gets a shocking phone call. A high-profile lawyer is bringing a lawsuit against the school—and he needs Lou to testify.
<b>Release Date:</b> May 2nd, 2024
<b>Genre:</b> Thriller
<b>Pages:</b> 320
<b>Rating:</b> ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

<b>What I Liked:</b>
1. Writing style
2. Healthy queer relationship
3. The actions of the school are believable
4. The characters
5. 80s setting

<b>What I Didn't Like:</b>
1. Some parts dragged on
2. Story lost its motivation in the middle of the book

<b>Overall Thoughts:</b>
<b><i><small>{{Disclaimer: I write my review as I read}}</small></i></b>

I just finished Being Lolita with mentions Lolita so many times and then this book mentions it.

I just didn't understand all she would go to the headmistress and tell her what happened with the teacher but she never mentioned it to her own mother? I just found that really weird. Just because you would have to be super Brave to approach the headmistress by yourself so wouldn't it be easier to already talk to your mother? And I would have told my mother at that point when she was going on a date with him. I do know it's super hard to tell someone you love that you're being abused but like I said she already went to the Head Mistress of

Okay so she finally decides to tell her mother that he was raping women, but then her mother ends up siding with him because her daughter just doesn't want her to be happy. Seriously her mother is garbage.

There are some heavy stuff happening. Not only is Sasha being sexually abused but she is also dealing with an eating disorder. It makes sense because it's the only thing she feels she has control of in her life.

Lou is a better person than me to forgive Melissa. Melissa is the one that really set in motion all this crossed lines stuff. I kept thinking she must be in love with Sasha do bé this jealous of Lou.

When Lou finally has the change to meet up with Sasha she is dying from long term effects of her eating disorder. It's kind of this sad moment but gives Lou the closure she needs.

Omg and then we find out that Lou wasn't the one that actually killed him it was really Sasha who did that. This whole time I 100% believed Lou did kill him. Imagine carrying that secret for 30 years.


<b>Final Thoughts:</b>
I thoroughly enjoyed the story. I feel like it was a great story that described perfectly how a school would deal with this subject matter. The fact that the whole school pretty much turned a blind eye to the teachers behavior all while telling the students that they where wrong is so believable. It happens every day.

I did find my attention kind of dropping off as we were in the middle of the book. There's a lot of repetitive things that happen that drew my attention away. It did make up for it at the ending.

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<b><small>Thanks to Netgalley and Flatiron Books for this advanced ebook. Thanks to Macmillan Audio for the advanced audiobook. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Story – 4.5 stars
Audio – 4.5 stars
I really enjoyed this story. The story follows Louise Manson, whose best friend has passed away, she decides to attend the school where her friend was a member of the swim club to see if she can find out what happened to her friend. She is accepted and transfers schools to the prestigious Highfield Manor. However, in attempts to confront her best friend’s attacker, and the swim coach, she stumbles upon more trouble.

This was really well written, and such a good/sad story that depicts the abuse some endure. I was so engrossed in the story line and how it was all going to end for Louise and her new friends and if she could ever escape the trauma she endured.

Thank you, Flatiron Books, for the gifted copy of When We Were Silent {partner}

Genre: Fiction
Format: 🎧📖
Audiobook Narration: ☆☆☆☆.5
Pub Date: 5.21.2024
Star Rating: ☆☆☆

"We all have them, our secrets and half-truths, the memories that rage in the delirium of night. Some of us will take them to our graves. Some of us already have."

I can't say I didn't know what I was getting into when I picked up When We Were Silent, but I must remember that these stories are not for me. I understand the importance of sharing them with the world, but they aren't for me. 

There was so much about this book that made it difficult to pick up—from the unsettling storyline to the overall pacing. I'm so thankful I received When We Were Silent in audio as well as the physical book because the narrator, India Mullen, made the story easier to read. 

If you do decide to read When We Were Silent, please know that the premise of the story is about a school covering up their coach's grooming, sexually assaulting, and raping their athletes.  

👏🏼 Debut novel
✌🏼 Dual timelines
🐌 Pacing was off
👌🏼 Audiobook narration

I recommend reading  When We Were Silent if you enjoyed reading  My Dark Vanessa.

If you told me this was Fiona McPhillips' first novel, I wouldn't believe you. It being narrated by India Mullen added to the overall magic of this title.

I love a story that beautifully transitions from the present and past revealing just enough to keep you hooked to see if what you predict comes to fruition. McPhillips' story is a beautiful mix of real-life family dynamics, coming-of-age friendships and relationships, and justice.


Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Fiona McPhillips for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.