Title: When You Were Mine
Author: Rebecca Serle
Release date: May 1, 2012
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 334
Source: ALA

In this intensely romantic, modern recounting of the greatest love story ever told, Romeo’s original intended—Juliet’s cousin Rosaline—tells her side of the tale.

What’s in a name, Shakespeare? I’ll tell you: Everything.

Rosaline knows that she and Rob are destined to be together. Rose has been waiting for years for Rob to kiss her—and when he finally does, it’s perfect. But then Juliet moves back to town. Juliet, who used to be Rose’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. Rose 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, Rose 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….

Rebecca Serle’s debut novel completely blew me away.  When You Were Mine may be a retelling but you have never read this story before.

Rose is a sweet, kind of quiet girl who is in love with her best friend Rob.  Rob is in love with Rose too.  All that changes when Juliet enters the picture.  And I’m pretty sure you all think you know how the story ends.  Except you don’t.  You don’t know how Rose’s story ends.  Not until now.

Rose is kind, caring, sensitive, and just really wonderful.  She is such a sweet person and she cares so much for her friends.  Rob is a great guy at first.  He’s nice, funny, and super charming.  However he becomes a completely different person when Juliet returns to town.  He basically becomes a complete asshole and it’s not hard to hate him.  As for Juliet, she was a bitch from the start.  Not once during the book does she redeem herself.  She and Rob brought out the worst in each other and they deserved each other.

The cast of secondary characters was surprisingly well-developed and really spectacular.  Rose’s friends Olivia and Charlie were the best kind of friends a girl could have.  They clearly loved Rose and they were always there for her.  The boys, Jake and Ben, were quite funny.  Jake was a bit dumb but he had his good moments.  Ben was 100% sweetheart.  Len was a surprise.  He was sarcastic and a bit of a rebel but also a really smart, wise guy.  He may have been the best character in the book.

The plot is a bit predictable. It is a retelling after all.  However you see things in a different light and the story comes across completely fresh.  The story doesn’t end with the deaths of Rob and Juliet though.  That’s only the beginning for Rose and her growth really starts after that.  It is a story of love, loss, and moving on and Rebecca Serle did an amazing job with it.  When You Were Mine takes you through every emotion: jealousy, love, joy, grief.  Heck even at times when there were tears running down my cheeks there was a smile on my face.  This is a truly emotional book.

Overall, When You Were Mine is a must-read.  Rebecca Serle’s sophomore novel is already high on my wishlist and I don’t even have a clue what it will be about!

Looking for more reviews of When You Were Mine?
Willa’s Ramblings’ Review
Midnight Book Girl’s Review