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Back When We Were Friends

When We Were Friends

Holly Bourne
Chapters (52)
  1. Cover
  2. Praise
  3. Dedication
  4. About the Author
  5. 31
  6. 14
  7. 31
  8. 14
  9. 31
  10. 14
  11. 31
  12. 14
  13. 31
  14. 15
  15. 31
  16. 16
  17. 32
  18. 16
  19. 32
  20. 17
  21. 32
  22. 17
  23. 32
  24. 17
  25. 32
  26. 17
  27. 32
  28. 18
  29. 32
  30. 18
  31. 32
  32. 18
  33. 32
  34. 18
  35. 32
  36. 18
  37. 32
  38. 18
  39. 32
  40. 18
  41. 32
  42. 18
  43. 32
  44. 18
  45. 32
  46. 32
  47. 33
  48. 33
  49. 33
  50. Acknowledgments
  51. Discussion Questions
  52. Booklist

Cover

Cover image

Praise

Praise for When We Were Friends

“A blistering, confronting, and utterly compelling read. It’s laugh-out-loud funny and disquieting in equal measures. This is Holly Bourne at her very best.”

—Louise O’Neill

“I will never, ever forget this book… It’s more than a page turner—it’s the sort of story you inhale. Fern is one of the most real, most loveable heroines I’ve met. This book will leave its readers kinder and wiser, and it will inspire us all to forgive ourselves for our complicated pasts.”

—Daisy Buchanan

“A total tour de force…all at once shocking, validating, shrewd and sharp-witted. I didn’t even know female friendship could be altered by the male gaze until I read this! And that is what is so astounding about Holly’s work: she makes you understand what you didn’t know you needed to examine… Buy it for every friend you have, and then hold a book club to discuss immediately.”

—Laura Jane Williams

Praise for Pretending

“I love this book! YOU MUST READ IT! It’s beautifully written and completely engrossing but also a really important, timely book. Sheer brilliance.”

—Lucy Foley

“MAGNIFICENT. The whole sorry mess of gender and sexual politics wrapped up in a compelling story told by an ADORABLE heroine.”

—Marian Keyes

“Bourne is searingly honest about the trials and tribulations of modern dating and unafraid to examine the dark side of human relationships.”

—Sunday Express

“Pretending [is] a brilliant takedown of the rules and expectations of the dating game, with a spot-on analysis of the falseness and contradictions within. It is insightful and relatable and excruciatingly honest, with a serious heart.”

—Caroline Hulse

Dedication

For my girls.

About the Author

Holly Bourne is a UK bestselling author and is an Ambassador for Women’s Aid. Inspired by her work with young people, and her own experiences of everyday sexism, Holly is a passionate mental health advocate and proud feminist. She lives in London but dreams of the day she has a garden, dog, chickens and a beehive.

31

now.

If I’d known Jessica was going to turn up unexpectedly after all this time, I would’ve worn a different outfit.

Though it’s not as if that would’ve stopped her looking better than me, and no outfit could rescue my general limp appearance that day. I’d woken up to a vibrating notification from my period tracking app. “Warning—you may be experiencing PMS symptoms today.”

“What is it?” Ben had asked, in a voice thick with sleep.

I’d kissed his creased face and handed over my phone.

He read the screen and smiled. “Thanks for the heads-up. I’ll get my panic room ready.” He cradled my head and kissed me quickly on the lips, before returning my phone and rolling out of bed to get ready for work.