Before We Were Innocent: A Reflection on Friendship, Trust, and the Fragility of Youth
Ever find yourself drawn to a book because it promises to peel back the layers of complex friendships? That was my exact feeling when I picked up Ella Berman’s Before We Were Innocent. With its cover art teasing a sun-soaked summer in Greece and whispers of mystery surrounding a night gone wrong, I couldn’t resist diving into the lives of Bess, Joni, and Evangeline. And I’m really grateful to Shelf Awareness, NetGalley, Berkley, and of course, Ella Berman for granting me an ARC of this bewitching story, now available as of April 4th!
At its core, Before We Were Innocent investigates the turbulence of teenage friendships—the kind that can both ignite your spirit and threaten to unravel your entire world. Berman introduces us to the vastly different trio: the privileged Evangeline, the intense Joni, and the more level-headed Bess. Their friendship, forged in the flames of youth, is nearly unbreakable—until it crumbles one fateful night on a cliff in Mykonos. The plot thickens when Evangeline’s tragic death sends Bess and Joni spiraling into a chasm of secrets and guilt.
Navigating the complexities of their lives post-tragedy, we see Joni morph into a motivational speaker while Bess strives for a quieter existence, forever haunted by the shadows of that disastrous night. Berman deftly explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the struggle for self-discovery in a narrative that, while at times verbose, carries an undeniable reflective quality. Yet, I couldn’t help but feel that the pacing often lagged; the story, sprawling across two timelines, occasionally lost focus. I found myself wishing for a more streamlined approach—fewer flashbacks could have made the revelations feel sharper and more impactful.
One of the most poignant moments is when Joni implores Bess to provide her an alibi when her lover, Willa, goes missing. It’s a clear echo of the past that leaves Bess questioning the trustworthiness of her old friend. The tension is palpable, and I found myself leaning forward in my seat, eager to uncover the truth. However, the inherent pacing issues made it challenging to maintain that sense of urgency throughout the entirety of the novel.
Berman’s prose, while occasionally lengthy, sparkles with imagery—her descriptions of Greece are vividly lush and transportive. However, I found myself grappling with sentences that could easily have been trimmed down to provide a more compelling narrative flow. At times, it felt as if the book had the potential for a gripping, heart-pounding drama but lost momentum in its pursuit of literary elegance.
For those seeking a story steeped in the complicated web of female friendships alongside a healthy dose of nostalgic reckoning, Before We Were Innocent might just resonate. Although I felt the narrative meander too often, there were moments of genuine connection and relatability buried within—a reminder of the innocence lost in youth and the importance of knowing when to cut ties with a toxic friendship.
In conclusion, while this book didn’t fully meet my expectations as a suspenseful coming-of-age story, it definitely left its mark. I’d recommend it to readers who appreciate explorations of the darker side of friendship and those who adore atmospheric settings—but don’t mind a leisurely pace. Ultimately, it’s a reflective journey that might have you questioning the very foundation upon which friendships are built, perfectly encapsulated in Sean Covey’s wisdom: “Make as many friends as you can, but don’t build your life on them alone.” And if anything, that’s a lesson worth taking to heart. Happy reading!
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