Review Card & Book Review – When We Were Young By Elaine Hastings

Spring, 1994. Will, a talented busker, falls for Emily, a quirky art student. By 1997, Will is playing Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage, and Emily is unveiling her first gallery show. They spend a whirlwind summer touring with Will’s band, caught up in their love for their art and each other.

But within two years, Will is dead.

Spring, 2016. Emily remains single. Her art is long forgotten. Now, life revolves around her 16-year-old daughter, Liv. But when Emily accidentally reveals she once knew Will, Liv is stunned. How could her ordinary, predictable mother have known someone like Will Bailey?

And why does Emily blame herself for his death?

About The Author

My Review

This book is a beautifully crafted dual-timeline novel that explores the weight of the past and the quiet, powerful moments of connection between generations. Told across two timelines—1994 and 2016—it follows 16-year-old Liv, a music-obsessed teenager who idolizes the late Will Bailey, a tragic musical figure from the ’90s. Her world is turned upside down when she discovers that her seemingly ordinary mum, Emily, once knew Will intimately—and may have been part of the mystery surrounding his untimely death. The time transitions are smooth, the pacing tight, and the emotional pull immediate. The alternating POVs give a layered understanding of both Liv and Emily, as well as the people who orbit their lives. One of the standout characters is Magda—vibrant, honest, and memorable in her own right.

What sets this novel apart is its emotional authenticity. Themes of grief, guilt, lost dreams, and the fragility of mental health are woven in with care and insight. The inclusion of the “ask twice” campaign is subtle yet impactful, reinforcing the novel’s message about listening, understanding, and compassion. This is a novel that lingers—both for its nostalgic brush with the ’90s music scene and its deeply human story of love, loss, and second chances. Overall, it is a moving, multi-layered coming-of-age story with emotional depth and lyrical heart.

My Rating