3.5 Stars
After having spent an embarrassingly long time being totally confused by this story I re-read the blurb and realised I somehow missed the very significant detail that this story is told in two different timelines going in different directions. I hadn't paid attention to the dates at the beginning at each chapter either. Yay me and my astute observation skills. I had to start again with fresh eyes and now I am sad. I am sure everyone who has been through a friendship break up knows it can be like losing a part of your identity, especially if you are 'do everything together friends'. You are left to establish a new version of yourself without your bestie and there can be quite an adjustment period. We are not talking about the slowly drifting apart breakups by the way. We are talking about the increasing 'tension and division, lost and bewildered, then shouting and ugly snot crying argument' breakups that leave your immediate future in disarray because you had quite a few things you were meant to be doing together in the near future. I thought the timeline and reverse timeline format was genius because it meant by the time the story ended we were left with a chapter showing how incredibly close and happy they had been, which brought clarity to how devastating the break up actually was.

Now I will say that I found Kat to be an incredibly self-centred and entitled person and she may be the cause of some DNFing. However, I encourage Readers to push through because she does have a journey of self discovery that may ease your dislike of her somewhat.

A cleverly told story that actually left me feeling emotional and in need of a long phone call with my bestie. ( )

This book shattered my heart. It's a love story about a life long friendship that somewhere takes a turn, causing a breakup. Told from two different POV, in two different timelines, James, who is stoic at times, keeps her thoughts to herself and Kat, wild child who always wants to be in the spotlight. I think the ultimate demise of this friendship was that one always wanted to be the center of attention, without actually "Seeing and hearing" what the other had to say. The story also focused on LGBTQ storyline, as well as the breakup of a love story, along the same lines as the friendship breakup. The ending had me questioning some things, however, I think this would be a great book for high schoolers to read, showing them that it's ok if those life long friendships fade away, it's inevitable. People move on, it's a part of life. ( )

Friendships can be intense in adolescence, when young people are struggling to define themselves. Friendships can be a tool for one defining themselves in relation to their close friends, but it can also turn into a barrier to struggle against. This book explores a best friendship that is struggling to accommodate the changes two young women are experiencing. Using the alternating chapter perspective that's really popular in YA romance was an interesting and insightful choice. ( )

This is a lot better than Spalding's other books. The emotional resonance and realism are all there, mostly, except Amy Spalding manages to write another queer YA book without the words 'lesbian' or 'homophobia.' This book could benefit from an editor; the time jumps and non-linear format were confusing for about 3/4 the book before they coalesced. Also, James is a little too stiff and unlikable and uncharitable and unkind for us to want good things for her. Other than that, this is pretty good. ( )

We Used to be Friends tracks the unraveling of Kat and James (both girls) friendship during their senior year in high school. James tells her story in reverse, beginning in August after graduation and Kat tells her story in chronological order beginning September of senior year. The story is told in alternating chapters.

It is a sad but true story. A new love (Kat and Quinn) can take time out of long time friendships (Kat and James). Family breakups (James') can cause stress and a usually silent person becomes more silent. With Kat preoccupied with Quinn, James has no outlet for her feelings and feelings get hurt, on both sides.

While the book ends on a hopeful note, it is sad how 10 years of friendship can be strained and fall apart. But, as I said, it ends on a hopeful note. ( )