I stopped listening at the 25% mark. I did not like the narrator. I was enjoying the story, but just could not get past the narration. I will probably pick this book back up in either print or ebook format to finish and find out what happens.

What is the literary equivalent of photorealism? This book is searingly believable. I found it very effective, in this post #metoo world, to experience a story of sexual assault/abuse/harassment/ that takes place in the proverbial “it was a different time” that is so often used an excuse disguised as defense. Heartbreaking, tragic and hopeful with a very human main character.

Compassionately, beautifully narrated.

MY WHOLE BEING WANTS TO BROADCAST THIS BOOK TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH! This tangled web of sexual deception that predators weave over their prey is getting much more attention to justice than it did in the 80's. We still have a ways to go, though. This web is so subtle, friendly, and even flattering at first, often accompanied by promises. It gradually becomes more and more confusing and manipulative until the prey is trapped in the web and ultimatums are given if the tangled mess is exposed.

TRIGGER WARNING: Sexual assault, suicide, death
Meet Louise Manson. It's 1986 and She has just become a student at the wealthy privileged Highfield Manor. She is on a mission to uncover a dark secret held there. Her best friend, Tina, was on the elite swim team before she became pregnant and committed suicide. Tina tried to tell Lou all about what was happening, but Lou didn't listen until it was too late. The well-respected swim coach, Morris McQueen, is to blame. He was sexually abusing Tina, promising her Olympic medals and prestigious awards. Now, Louise is secretly here to expose him. It's not as easy as she thought it would be. It requires proof and she doesn't have the wealth and prestige these students have. Soon, she befriends the beautiful and wealthy Shauna Power and learns that Shauna is caught up in McQueen's web. Her time at Highfield soon comes to an end when a dead body ends up at her feet. Thirty years later, after years of dealing with these events, Lou has rebuilt her life. Shauna's brother, Ronan, is a lawyer bringing a lawsuit against the school. He wants Lou to testify. The last thing she wants to do is relive her past, but in order for justice to prevail, shie's willing to do what it takes.

I wish I could say this story ties up in a nice neat bow. It doesn't. Most stories like this don't. I guess that's why I respect this book so much. On the heels of the trial of the untouchable Olympic gymnastics coach, Larry Nassar, we need to keep broadcasting stories like this. We need to have stricter laws in regards to accountability of male coaches with minors. Fiona McPhillips had me believing this story was absolutely real. And it is a GOOD story. These characters were created with the utmost care and depth. The dynamics between friendships were complex and highly complicated. I think that any great writing which brings about greater awareness for human dignity is praiseworthy. This one checks all the boxes. It's heavy, but it needs to be. I hope this book receives the attention it deserves.

India Mullen's narration is completely spot on. Macmillan Audio is genius with choosing their narrators. India's instincts toward the emotions of each character , her genuine voicing choices, and her glorious Irish accent reeled me in completely. I was lost in this story from beginning to end.

Thank you Macmillan Audio, India Mullen, Fiona McPhillips, and NetGalley for allowing me to walk alongside these characters in this audio read in exchange for my very honest opinion.

Recently I read a dark, academia book that missed the mark. This one was spot on and exactly what I was looking for when reading this type of book. This is a heavy read as it tackles a lot of different issues. Where I struggled was present day. I just couldn't seem to connect or get into those chapters as well as the story of the past. While reading the past storyline, I was totally enthralled and couldn't put the book down. The narrator did a great job with this one. The tone fit perfectly with the subject matter.

4/5 stars
Prior to listening to this audiobook I only heard good things about When We Were Silent.
The narration of this book was great. I found it easy to listen to and it kept me hooked. All too often I get bored listening to audiobooks but this was not the case.
The chilling tale of what happened at Highfield Manor was gripping and full of tension. It was unsettling and made me reflect on how the past always comes full circle.
I highly recommend When We Were Silent by Fiona McPhillips.
I'd like to thank Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC in return for my honest opinion.

This book can be triggering to some; be aware of the themes before reading.

I loved the complicated characters and felt I could relate to everyone in the story. I found myself so sad and hopeless at one point in the book but feel that no matter what, someone will back you up, it just might take time.

Highly recommend!

I was really intrigued by the premise of this book. However after about 8-10 chapters and not feeling very drawn to the characters or the story I decided to dnf.

What a fantastic book. The storyline was an amazing mystery and the ending was unexpected. Having the two timelines made it a bit confusing at times but it really made to pay attention. I listened to the book and the reader was extremely impressive with the different characters.

DNF @ 23% ...

The premise of this book was really interesting and I thought I would love it but I don't myself really caring about the characters or plot. I feel at this point in the book, we have spent too much time in the past timeline instead of going back and forth. I basically have no connection to the beginning because of the amount of time we have spent in the past storyline, it almost feels like a different book than the beginning. I liked the dark academia vibes of the past timeline but not enough to keep me going right now. I may circle back around at a later time to try to finish it, but for now it is a solid dnf.

I love the narrator for this audiobook! Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for this ARC.

4.5 stars.

When We Were Silent is a gripping, atmospheric, and important novel about how school systems can enable and perpetuate abuse. Fiona McPhillips draws rich characters, captures two dual timelines and an Irish setting, and handles many timely and complex subjects -- classism, poverty, alcoholism, media sensationalism -- with delicacy and insight. The story grabbed me and never let go, and its larger messages (and warnings!) resonate today. I highly recommend this work to anyone looking for a meaningful modern story, and especially to fans of Dark Academia tales, campus thrillers, or feminist coming-of-age mysteries.

The audiobook is excellent! The narrator captures the accents, voices, and nuances of the characters beautifully. While I am sure I would have enjoyed reading the book anyway, the audio version greatly enhanced my experience of the story.

The novel is different from, but in conversation with, other books I've also appreciated such as I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai and Don't Forget the Girl by Rebecca McKanna. If you enjoyed these or other related works, I suggest checking out this gem.

Thank you to NetGalley and Flatiron Books for the opportunity to enjoy this book before it was published. My opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I tried, but I could not get into this book at all. Many people enjoyed it, but it was just not my type of book.

Thank you so much to @netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the chance to review When We Were Silent by Fiona McPhillips. Louise Manson was new to Highfield Manor - and she did not quite fit in since she was from a working-class family. 30 years following the “Highfield Affair” Lou now has a daughter of her own, and the story is resurfacing. She is asked to testify in a lawsuit being brought against the school.

The reader moves back-and-forth between now and then. The high school angst is so brilliantly written, and the fear that parents have that their children might be in trouble was so well drawn out.

This book was excellently narrated by India Mullen. McPhillips was a masterful writer and I am so excited to see what else she puts out!

Dark academia is so hit or miss with me, but I was really excited to read Fiona McPhillips' upcoming release, WHEN WE WERE SILENT. I mean, look at this cover alone!! The story focuses on Louise (Lou) Manson at her new school, Highfield Manor. Lou comes from a working-class background, which makes her feeling distant from her other, upper class peers. However, (without going into details) Lou has secrets of her own that could affect the prestige of Highfield Manor, specifically secrets that could bring everything crashing down.

This is a mini review, but I had fun with this book, even though it wasn't very unique for a book in the #MeToo era. It's a bit slow and took awhile for me to really get invested. I listened to the audio and the narrator was hauntingly telling the story, so I think that helped me going. If you liked My Dark Vanessa and enjoy Irish mysteries, WHEN WE WERE SILENT will be a winner for you!

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.