Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc! I simply could not put this one down, I was too enamored by the stylistic choice, the novel-in-prose being something I’d never read before. Interestingly enough, it was incredibly easy to follow along, and the emotions conveyed throughout really hit home.

The story itself follows two boys in their senior year, best friends, who veer into wildly different paths, yet remain close to one another. One becomes increasingly wrapped up in selling drugs while the other looks toward his future, every day hoping for things to get better for the two of them. It accurately portrays the lengths we go for our friends, for our selves, and for our families.

I am one of those people who believes the less said the more feeling is behind it and this one, while sparse in prose or description, was able to show me everything I needed. I thought this book was simply beautiful.

This book was short and sweet and definitely emotional. One the main themes in this book is loyalty, it makes you think and want to examine the relationships that you have. Will you allow toxic relationships to ruin your life? This book gives new meaning to the phrase "loyal to a fault"- beautifully written and definitely recommend.

This is unlike any novel I’ve read before. The unique formatting really enhanced different parts of the story. I believe this book could resonate with teens around the world. Benny is caught between trying to do what’s right and being there for his friend Lawson. His mom, a recovering alcoholic who works two jobs to make ends meet, just wants him to be better than she was. This is a beautifully tragic story.

-- This is a glimpse of my original review. Please take a read of the whole thing on my blog!

This book made me sad. It just fell into this stereotypical American trope of young men getting sucked into a life they never wanted for themselves and the colored-kid (in this case Mexican) only seems to achieve something because of the home life they come from.

Good book. Would I call it poetry, no maybe not — although I’m awful judge of modern poetry, so maybe I’ll stay away from that aspect. I liked the way it was written. I think if a teacher wanted to introduce the way things can go from bad to worse in a short period of time, this book could definitely introduce it.

I came into this book knowing that Rex Ogle is a wonderful writer, and this one did not disappoint. In this book we meet a boy with some similarities to Rex' own life in terms of the financial struggle and Latino heritage, but at the point where the story begins, his mother has become fully supportive of Diego (Benny) and believes that he will be able to make a change in his life through education. No father is present.

The tension in this story is the hope that Benny will live up to this opportunity (and he is actively following this dream by working hard for his grades as well as working in a diner to save for it) while worrying about his friendship with Lawson, his neighbor/best friend/"brother" who feels he is responsible for his mother and himself and turns to making "real money" by selling marijuana, and eventually more dangerous substances. The worry is present for the whole story as Benny continually tries to maintain his friendship with Lawson and help him try to find a different path while also protecting his own future.. The ending was both disheartening and hopeful.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC of this book!

As a reader and an educator, I am a huge fan of Rex Ogle's work. His own stories and the way he tells the stories of others are so needed by young people today. When We Ride is a beautiful novel in verse about two best friends who are seemingly headed in very different directions after high school. Teen readers will be able to relate to at least of the struggles the boys face in their friendship and though it is a tough story, I think it's an important one. I will absolutely be ordering a copy for my classroom library!

This is a huge compliment to the author, but this book ripped my heart out in a way that typically only Jeff Zentner has been able to do. If you know, you know.

When We Ride explores themes of friendship, society, loyalty and family. Beautifully written novel in verse, it is both approachable and motivating for the YA audience it is intended for.

Diego and Lawson have been friends since Grade 3, and that means a lot to both of them, even if one is sinking deeper into drug dealing, and one is looking for a way out of town via college. SO MUCH for kids to grapple with and discuss, making this perfect for a teen book club. This author doesn’t shy away from tough topics, and I am so glad.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the eARC of this amazing story.

When We Ride is a verse novel that is, at times, overwhelming. The storyline is so bleak, but with moments of hope, that it keeps you engaged. The relationship between the two young men is heart wrenching. Diego and Lawson are truly "ride or die" friends. The further you sink into their world, the more you become invested in their futures. The language can sometimes be rough and there are multiple references to drinking, drugs and violence. It is not an easy read, but well worth it for any young adult living in a similar environment
This book exceeded my expectations.

**Book Review: *When We Ride* by Rex Ogle**

Rex Ogle’s *When We Ride* is a poignant and gripping tale of friendship, loyalty, and the consequences of hard choices. Diego Benevides, a hardworking teenager with big dreams, finds himself caught between his determination to escape the hardships of his neighborhood and his loyalty to his best friend, Lawson.

The story is raw and unflinching, painting a vivid picture of the struggles faced by teens growing up in difficult environments. Ogle’s portrayal of Diego’s internal conflict feels authentic and relatable. Diego’s single mother’s encouragement to prioritize school and his future adds an emotional layer to the narrative, making his moral dilemmas even more heart-wrenching.

The book's exploration of peer pressure, the allure of easy money, and the dangerous world of drug dealing resonates deeply with the challenges many teens face. As Lawson’s decisions spiral out of control, the tension builds, culminating in an ending that is as heartbreaking as it is powerful.

*When We Ride* is more than just a cautionary tale; it’s a story about choices, consequences, and the strength it takes to forge your own path. Ogle’s writing is vivid and compelling, making it easy for readers to empathize with Diego’s struggles.

This is a must-read for teens and adults alike, offering valuable lessons wrapped in a deeply emotional story. Be prepared for a thought-provoking journey and an ending that lingers long after the last page.

What happens when the friend who has always had your back and been your “ride or die” starts making self-destructive decisions that jeopardize everything for both their future and yours?
Once again Rex Ogle has written a beautifully crafted, emotionally impactful book that shines a spotlight on the impossible decisions some of our teens face in our world today. He has used his gift for poetry to write his first novel in verse & I am certain this masterpiece of style and substance will resonate with me for a very long time.
Diego and Lawson have been “brothers from another mother” since 3rd grade, but now that they’re seniors in high school both struggling to finish school and help support single-mother households. While Diego gets an honest job busing tables making minimum wage, Lawson sees a path to fast money and gets caught up in the local drug scene.
From very early on, I could sense that this book may not end with a “happily ever after” but it’s so engaging and gripping that I couldn’t look away. Diego is struggling so hard to save everyone in his life that he often sacrifices his own time and convictions in the hopes that he will be there to prevent disaster. When reading I got so angry at everyone- at Lawson for sure but also there were moments I was mad at Diego for being stupid or his mom for not being stronger or even Rex for making me care about these self-destructive characters. But through the anger, I could still see the beauty of friendship and the hope that you could love someone enough to save them from themselves.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC & thanks to my friend Rex for writing beautiful, painful truths once again!

Ogle's first work of fiction is a masterpiece. It was a heartbreaking read but so true to what high school is these days. Diego comes from a single home family and his mom's dream is for him to graduate and go to college. His best friend, Lawson, lives across the street and sells drugs. At first it is only weed and it bumps up to harder drugs. Diego does his best to stay away from it but Lawson is constantly asking for a ride. He doesn't partake in drugs or alcohol but finds himself around it constantly. Diego's mom also struggled with alcoholism and doesn't like his friendship with Lawson.

Oh…. Wow.
Rex is an auto-read for me. Everything I’ve read that he has written moves me and brings forward emotions that are difficult to elicit with a book. But he does it. I’m not huge on novels in-verse, but the ones I love, I really love - and I really really loved this one. I found that I was so tense during some parts, relaxed and smiling during others. I felt dread, anxiety, anger, and hopefulness for the characters. Outstanding writing.

I typically don't read YA novels- but this novel in verse was recommended by a person I follow on Instagram. It was a sit down and read from beginning to end. And you realize that the end isn't going to be what you hoped it would be. I can see this being a highly impactful novel for YA.

Thank you to @netgalley and @w.w.norton for the ARC.
With special thanks to the author.

I went to a Title I district high school. In my law class, I remember my teacher telling us, "Once you graduate, never move back to this city unless you're going to make it better."

This is why the main character of "When We Ride", a novel-in-verse, written by Rex Ogle, strikes me as so relatable. With a plot that feels so much like a memoir paired with masterful use of poetic devices, this novel is one I could never put down.

Writing Style: 5/5
Plot: 4.5/5
Characters: 5/5
Pacing: 5/5
Overall Enjoyment: 5/5

Final Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

My favorite lines in verse were on pages 26 and 27.

“When we ride” is another fantastic Rex Ogle title. Sadly, I cannot purchase for my junior high library to share with my students. Despite it’s reality, the topic and language are too mature for my students. I regularly recommend “Free Lunch”, “Four Eyes”, and “Meg, Jo, Bech & Amy”, etc to my students. It is my hope that they see his name in their public or high school library to find on their own. Books like this open people’s eyes to the realities outside our suburban communities. Please keep writing the truth and sharing it with us. One day the bans and censorship will ease and libraries will fill their shelves with relatable books for today’s kids.

Benny and Lawson are more than best friends--they're family. Lawson has had Benny's back since elementary school when he defended him against a bully, and Benny has been looking out for Lawson too. Despite being on drastically different high school paths, their friendship and bond remains. But as Benny moves closer to applying for colleges and Lawson gets more and more caught up in selling drugs, can they still remain friends?

When We Ride is a gritty novel in verse that will absolutely appeal to reluctant boy readers. It's a little darker than Jason Reynolds, but will have a similar fan base. I think some may question the blunt nature of some of what happens in the book, but I definitely have readers who will find every bit of the book relatable. I wish the ending went a little bit further, but it also fits the story being told all along.

Wow, what a read! This is a true, raw story about friendship, loss, identity, addiction, and poverty. Diego's story is an important reminder that everyone is much more complex with a deeper backstory than we realize; life isn't always back and white, and sometimes the "best" choice doesn't really feel like much of a choice to begin with. The prose style of this novel tells the story beautifully, making it a quick and enjoyable read that I completed in one sitting. While a little mature for many of my middle-grade readers, I think this is going to be an impactful and relatable story for students and adults alike.

Rex Ogle can do no wrong. He is an auto-buy author for me. Unfortunately, this book is not appropriate for the middle school demographic that I teach. However, I can see many older readers learning a lot from this text.

When We Ride is raw and pulls no punches. It is a well written story that chronicles the senior year of two high school students and a friendship tested time and again by poverty and addiction. How much can a friendship tolerate? How much is too much to ask?
I would not hesitate to hand this to older high school students or students struggling with the idea of letting go of a toxic friendship.

It’s been a while since I’ve read a YA book that hasn’t been of the fantasy genre, and I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it.

When We Ride is a brief and beautiful journey looking at the complexities of unhealthy friendships and class imbalances in a coming of age story. Following our protagonist Diego, the story looks at how he is unwillingly thrust into a world of drugs and violence by his best friend Lawson. It poses some very interesting concepts of loyalty and if you can ever save someone who doesn’t want to save themself, as Diego gets dragged deeper and deeper whilst trying to save Lawson from drowning.
Told in free verse, the writing style was not one that I am accustomed to, but I found it surprisingly easy to sink into, even if at times the rhythm caused it to feel vaguely melodramatic, although for the most part it remained very grounded.

An important novel about difficult circumstances leading to difficult choices, When We Ride is an important and well crafted story for teenage readers.