I really liked this story. Lucy is a single mom trying to rebuild her life after her divorce. She meets Elle in a restroom and the two bond pretty quickly. Their friendship gets tight pretty quickly and the two become best friends. Lucy shares a lot about herself and her old life with her husband with Elle. Is easy to relate to someone like Lucy who is lonely and wants to please everyone. Then, Elle does something that disturbs Lucy and the friendship falls apart. Will the two be able to find their way back to the close friendship they had?

I thought the character development was good. The story of the friendship started very sweet but it seemed like it got a little too codependent and creepy very quickly. There's a twist that I did not see coming. I was glad we got to wrap up the story at the end. Overall, this was a wonderful, quick read.

Story of my life 😨😨

I loved how relatable this novelette was. For some reason, I kept expecting something explosive and completely awful to happen. But it was more a slice-of-life story that explores issues I struggle and resonate with. Not only was this an enjoyable read, it was also just what I needed after my own turbulent year.

When We Were Friends is an absorbing tale of friendship, trust, and the secrets that lurk beneath even the closest bonds. Jane Green masterfully weaves a story that starts with the warmth of newfound companionship and slowly unravels into a gripping exploration of doubt and betrayal.

Lucy, the protagonist, is easy to root for—a relatable mix of hopefulness and vulnerability as she rebuilds her life post-divorce. Her connection with Elle feels almost magical at first: the perfect antidote to loneliness, an instant and seemingly unshakable bond. Green captures this stage beautifully, evoking the joy of a friendship that feels like it was meant to be. But as Elle’s true colors start to emerge, Lucy’s journey shifts from one of connection to a darker, more introspective struggle.

What makes this book shine is its ability to keep you on edge. Green peels back the layers of Elle’s character at just the right pace, keeping the reader hooked as Lucy wrestles with her growing suspicions. The tension builds quietly but steadily, culminating in a few twists that feel both surprising and inevitable.

While the novel is undeniably compelling, it occasionally feels like it holds back when it could delve deeper into the why behind Elle’s behavior. Some aspects of her character are hinted at but not fully explored, leaving questions that linger after the final page. That said, the story’s emotional depth and the authenticity of Lucy’s voice more than make up for it.

4 stars for a compelling, slow-burn drama that asks us to consider how well we really know the people we let into our lives. When We Were Friends is a must-read for anyone who’s ever had a friendship that wasn’t quite what it seemed.

I’m always eager to pick up a Jane Green book, and this short story was a delightful treat. It’s a quick, engaging read that delves into the dynamics of friendship, showcasing the heartbreak that comes from poor decisions and the strength it takes to stand by your beliefs. This story truly emphasizes something I believe—losing a best friend can hurt more than losing a romantic partner. Best friends are soul mates in their own way, a bond that runs deeper than love. I highly recommend this one.

This is a short story that is indeed very short. It didn't work for me, as I felt no connection with Lucy or Elle, and so had a rough time with this. If they book had been longer, perhaps I could have warmed to these women but as it stands, it wasn't for me.

I will never turn down a Jane Green book. This being a short story is even better. A short quick read that goes through a group of friends and shows you the heartbreak of bad choices and standing your ground on what you believe is right. I firmly believe and this book highlights that losing a best friend is more painful than losing a significant other. Best friends are true soul mates and deeper than love. Highly recommend. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The only thing wrong with a really good short story is that you want it to last longer. This little gem had everything: friendship; love; family; and the challenge of maintaining all three as we get older. Get to know Lucy and Elle in this quick read that packs a punch.

Lucy is newly divorced and believes she's well-adjusted. Unfortunately, she doesn't seem to have a lot in common with many of the other divorcees because they all seem focused on meeting the next man when she wants anything but another man to be bothered with. So, when she meets Elle and they hit it off, she's thrilled to have found a friend with similar interests. Their friendship takes off and Lucy finds that it all seems too easy.

The author does a good job of developing characters and providing a quick storyline in a short time with this novella. It's an enjoyable read even if I found it a bit predictable.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to read and review it.

Thank you Netgalley for the copy! Those book was just OK for me. I liked it at first, but then just really didn't like the dynamic between the two women, and then inevitably how it turned out. It just fell flat for me.

Cute little short story to remind even the lonliest of people that you are your own best friend. When you take care of you, and know what's best for you, only good things will come.
The thought of being love bombed and constantly validated by someone more exciting than you is definitely desirable. Especially when you think you are at your lowest. And that doesn't just have to be with a love interest, it can be with someone with best friend potential too.
I like that about this story. It doesn't have to be someone who you date to make you realize that you deserve better.

I’ve read nearly every Jane Green book and will continue to do so. She sticks to a formula, which sometimes hits better than others.

In this short story, she explores the complexities of friendships, which is always a good place to center a story. This read felt like a gossip sesh over espresso martinis about the betrayal of a friend rather than a super in-depth look at how those types of betrayals often stick with us most.

I beautiful short story about friendship, loss, and finding yourself. I loved it.

I was immediately invested in the characters and their arc. The story developed quickly and beautifully.

Funny and witty. This book is an exploration of friendship and the power we can give others to be the source of our Hapiness and fullfillment.

"Lucy feels Happy Again.Elle is back..All is right in the world."

First we see Lucy doing her best not to need her husband just to finding someone else to fill the void he has left.


We see Lucy find herself in this short story and we see her realise that the power of her happiness is in her own hands.

' I will never again look to another person to try and make me whole.'

A thought provoking story, we all would benefit from reading.

A very easy read but not as good as Jane Green’s longer books. I loved ‘love you, bear’, that resonated with me since it’s what I say to my mum :)

A short story about adult female friendship. Written with authenticity and emotion, it was an enjoyable quick read.

Great little book about women's friendships. How they start and how intense they become and sometimes very quickly die.out. Although the book is short it is very interesting and will definitely hold your interest.
Thanks to Net Galley and the author for allowing me to read this book.

When We Were Friends is a short story about Lucy moving on with her life after divorce. She is out with single friends at a bar when she meets Elle. Lucy and Elle hit it off immediately. Elle seems to be the perfect new friend. Lucy soon finds herself spending all her time with, calling, or texting Elle. But when Lucy finds out who the “real” Elle is, her new found confidence is shaken. I thought I figured things out before the ending but was still surprised at how things worked out. All in all, When We Were Friends is worth your time.

This was a lovely, short read. It was kind of nice to be able to read an entire book in one sitting – I've never done this before. I was surprised at how the story played out, I wasn't sure from the blurb what would happen.
It turned out to be a very relatable subject for me. Without making a spoiler, I think many women have been in a similar position.
Jane Green did a great job, her writing was spot on. And I was glad she didn't stretch this out to try and make it a full-length book, it was perfect just the way it was.

When We Were Friends by Jane Green was a great novella and beautifully written.
A wonderful story on friendship and secrets.
I really enjoyed reading this book. I found it to be a great book and the characters were just amazing.

Thank You NetGalley and Publisher for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Thank you NetGalley, Amazon original Stories and the author Jane Green.
When We Were Friends is a Novella of two women who are become friends almost instantaneously.
Quick read. I personally did not like the younger woman
3 stars.