Before We Were Innocent

Reese's Book Club

By: Ella Berman

Narrated by: Jennifer Jill Araya

Length: 11 hrs

Publisher's summary

Reese’s Book Club Pick December 2023

A summer in Greece for three best friends ends in the unthinkable when only two return home. . . .

Ten years ago, after a sun-soaked summer spent in Greece, best friends Bess and Joni were cleared of having any involvement in their friend Evangeline’s death. But that didn’t stop the media from ripping apart their teenage lives like vultures.

While the girls were never convicted, Joni, ever the opportunist, capitalized on her newfound infamy to become a motivational speaker. Bess, on the other hand, resolved to make her life as small and controlled as possible so she wouldn’t risk losing everything all over again. And it almost worked. . . .

Except now Joni needs a favor, and when she turns up at her old friend's doorstep asking for an alibi, Bess has no choice but to say yes. She still owes her. But as the two friends try desperately to shake off their past, they have to face reality.

Can you ever be an innocent woman when everyone wants you to be guilty?

©2023 Ella Berman (P)2023 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Two BFFs are accused of murder in this novel that feels like true crime.” —Cosmopolitan

“Ella Berman reveals a teenage girl’s heart of darkness in her absorbing new novel. . . . Written with the urgency and thrill of an illicit secret, Before We Were Innocent captures the pleasures and perils of American girlhood.” —Jillian Medoff, bestselling author of When We Were Bright and Beautiful

“With evocative and astute prose, Berman’s sophomore effort is a…searing portrayal of the intoxicating power of privilege, youth, and female friendship.” —Booklist

The Ending

If there was 4.5 I would give it. Binged it through a whole day of work, couldn’t stop listening. The only real issue I had was the ending felt a little undone . Maybe the point was we don’t know if a certain character is alive still, but it felt unfinished. Like I even looked for a sequel.

Addictive

The beginning seemed slow. It took a while to grow on me. I wasn’t very fond of the characters they didn’t seem likable but they slowly started to earn a place in my mind. Wish the ending offered more closure

Wonderful narration

The story was great, I was hooked from the beginning. The voice given to these characters really came through. I wanted a better conclusion, but a great book nonetheless.

Amazingly addictive

Love how the dynamics between 3 teenagers is explained and how they grow to become wonderful women!

Just tell the truth…

The angst these characters go through could have been totally alleviated if they had simply told the truth. It was kind of irritating and made the book feel 30 hours long. Almost didn’t finish it…but I’m not a quitter. Also, when you have a main character that grew up in England, they will never have an American accent. It bothered me the entire book that both Bess and her brother spoke as if they had been born in the US.

Good coming of age story that captures what those long term female friendships can be like…

This book really captures what those best female friendships through middle and high school can be like and how painful it can be when you outgrow each other at different times. However, the book drags on and repeats itself a bit and the ending left something to be desired. I can’t tell if it’s being left open for a sequel or just…idk. It wrapped up neatly but just one weird thing at the end wasn’t satisfying.

Disappointing

Wanted to love this story, as I usually do with Reese’s picks, but found it underwhelming. Narrator was good but characters were shallow, spoiled rich teenagers. Grew tired of hearing about their selfish behavior and then their outrage at being held accountable. Ending was unremarkable.

Just ok

story took too long. it could have been told in less than an hour. Too repetitive.

Engrossing and hard to put down

Very engrossing and beautifully written story of the complexity of high school female friendships. The narration is fantastic. Hard to put down.

Three friends coming of age

Though it may be a typical coming of age story, this one gripped me with the immediate death of main character and how that will impact lies for years, decades after.