When We Were Young
- Author Elaine Hastings, Elaine Hastings, Reader to be announced
- Narrator Mary Woodvine, to be announced
- Publisher HarperCollins Publishers
- Publish Date 17 July 2025
- Run Time 11 hours and 2 minutes
- Format Audio
- Genre Contemporary romance, Family life fiction, Modern and contemporary fiction, Narrative theme: Coming of age, Narrative theme: Death, grief, loss, Narrative theme: Identity / belonging.
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Listen to a sample
What to expect
A sweeping tale of love and loss, perfect for fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid and David Nicholls
'Gloriously nostalgic and beautifully emotional..' The Sun
'Elaine Hastings’ stunning debut will keep you turning the pages until you close the book and either reach for someone you love, or get on the move and create something!’ Jessica Anya Blau
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?
Interweaving dual timelines, When We Were Young explores what it means to have loved and lost, and reminds you that the ones you love can set you free.
Critics Review
PRAISE FOR WHEN WE WERE YOUNG
'Gloriously nostalgic and beautifully emotional, this is a great read'. The Sun
'Elaine Hastings' stunning debut will keep you turning the pages until you close the book and either reach for someone you love, or get on the move and create something!' Jessica Anya Blau
'When We Were Young is a powerful love story about how our past can stand in the way of our present, but also about how we can overcome anything and find new beginnings. The 90s music scene was vividly drawn.' Ally Zetterberg
'Heartbreakingly beautiful. Daisy Jones & the Six meets The Idea of You. When We Were Young is a sweeping love story with characters you fall in love with. I absolutely loved it!' Natalie Cooper
'Full of tantalising what-ifs and what-might-have-beens, this beautiful story of love, loss and learning to love yourself is the perfect summer read.' Claire Frost
READERS ARE LOVING WHEN WE WERE YOUNG
'Will and Emily will break your heart, but you'll come out the other end as a better person. I loved this book, and I have a feeling it's going to conquer a lot of hearts.'
'A beautiful story of loss and love.'
'This book broke my heart in places and then stitched it back together at the end. It was a story about coming to terms with your past and forgiving yourself.'
'This is perfect for fans of Daisy Jones & the Six. A beautiful story of loss and love.'
'Heartfelt, haunting and hopeful. With an ending that wraps things up just right.'
'When We Were Young is a love story for anyone that has fallen in love, got caught up along the way and made mistakes... this book is for all of us!'
'Bittersweet, evocative and quietly devastating. When We Were Young is a beautifully told story about love, loss, and the enduring grip of the past.'
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