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Two BFFs are accused of murder in this novel that feels like true crime.
— Cosmopolitan
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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
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Berman's an expert at the small moment, the Austen-esque tragicomedy of unspoken human desire that compounds into something too big to name, too awful to ignore.
— Sarah Langan, author of Good Neighbors
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It’s a compulsive thriller, and you won’t want to put down Berman’s second book.
— Shondaland
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Slices to the core of a fraught friendship on the brink of disaster.
— PopSugar
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Brilliantly illustrates the vulnerability and cruelty of teenage girls—and how the judgments placed on them create the perfect environment for both to flourish. It brought me right back to my teenage years and cracked my heart open.
— Rachel Kapelke-Dale, author of The Ballerinas
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Berman expertly weaves together the past and the present to create a suspenseful, spellbinding story about lies, betrayal, and what happens when the truth catches up with you.
— Elissa R. Sloan, author of The Unraveling of Cassidy Holmes
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“With evocative and astute prose, Berman’s sophomore effort is a…searing portrayal of the intoxicating power of privilege, youth, and female friendship.
— Booklist
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“This tale of how the emotional bonds forged in youth can define people’s lives long afterward will resonate with many.
— Publishers Weekly
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“Captivating - a rich exploration of the complexity of female friendships with a compelling mystery at its heart.
— T. Greenwood, author of Such a Pretty Girl
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“A page-turning thriller, with twists and turns, to keep you on the edge of your seat. This is a perfect spring novel for fans of this genre.
— Red Carpet Crash