Review: When You Were Mine

    

Title: When You Were Mine
Author: Rebecca Serle

Series: None
Pages: 352

Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Release Date: April 26th 2012 (UK)
Source: For Review
Rating: 4 stars
100 Book challenge: #28

Rosie knows that she and Rob are destined to be together. They are best friends, next door neighbors, and the soon-to-be cutest couple in their senior class. Rosie has been waiting for years for Rob to kiss her--and when he finally does, it's perfect. But just before their relationship becomes completely official, Rosie's cousin Juliet moves back into town. Juliet, who used to be Rosie's best friend. Juliet, who now inexplicably hates her. Juliet, who is gorgeous, vindictive, and a little bit crazy...and who has set her sights on Rob. He doesn't even stand a chance. 

Rosie is devastated over losing Rob to Juliet. This is not how the story was supposed to go. And when rumors start swirling about Juliet's instability, her neediness, and her threats of suicide, Rosie starts to fear not only for Rob's heart, but also for his life. Because Shakespeare may have gotten the story wrong, but we all still know how it ends.

When You Were Mine is a fresh, interesting take on the classic that is Romeo and Juliet. It was the perfect balance of romance, conflict, heartbreak and self discovery.

I liked Rosaline as a character. Some people have described her as annoying but I really like her. At the start of the novel, yes, she only has eyes for Rob and she constantly thinks about him and what that touch meant and whether they were just friends BUT that is how teenagers are sometimes. There is all that awkwardness and the not knowing what the only person is thinking and it KILLING you because you wonder if it is all in your head. Totally happens (at least to me!). I found it to be a very realistic portrayal of young 'love'.

GRRRR. Rob. Juliet. Anger. Dislike. Fury. Anger. Hate. This is how I feel about them. SO MUCH ANGER. This did not ease for me in the way that it may do for  some others. Nope. It definitely made me feel closer to Rosaline though so yay!

The romance aspect was really lovely and definitely a favourite part of the book but her friends stole the show for me. SO MUCH LOVE THERE. I want her friends. Charlie and Olivia (but especially Charlie). They have so much compassion in their hearts that, and despite their seemingly shallow and preconscious ways, I couldn't help but love them. Props to the love interest though, he definitely melted my heart a little.

The ending surprised me, though it probably shouldn't have. Sometimes I can be so dense. Alas, I really enjoyed When You Were Mine. It was a nice, quick romance that is a really fun retelling. Not all hearts and daisies though, quite a bit of sadness within the pages so beware.