Lee’s Review of We Are the Old Souls
We Are the Old Souls: A Guidebook to the Worlds We Wish to Discover
By Ella Marshall (cover by her sister Chloe Marshall)
Back Cover Synopsis:
Aurora James is an idealist in the most pure form. She doesn't believe in bad days, despite how many she's had. She's a sucker for cliches and she really truly believes that romance novels are the best form of literature in the world.
Eric Meridian is the opposite. He's a realist who verges on cynicism. He doesn't believe in good people. He doesn't believe that his best friend's little sister could possibly ever take care of herself in a college as big as Weston University- and he definitely doesn't want to be stuck taking care of her while his best friend spends two months in New York City. All he wants to do is take photos and finish his degree. And he most definitely doesn't want to fall for her.
Not in the slightest.
But in true romance novel fashion, he doesn't have any control over that. Aurora James was never meant to love Eric Meridian, and Eric Meridian was never meant to throw away everything for his best friend's little sister.
Lee’s Review: As soulful as soul food and as addictive as Cherry Coke, Ella Marshall’s debut story is a page-turning Young Adult romance novel.
What I liked:
This book got me hooked. After a long workday, the only time I had to read the novel was late at night. I told myself, OK, only one chapter, it’s late. Every night: Five, six, seven chapters later, I had to force myself to stop because I had an early start the next day. Such an enthralling story and characters!
The central conflict was very well developed. Aurora and Eric are definitely attracted to each other, but they feel terrible because they believe Caleb, Aurora’s brother and Eric’s best friend, will be devastated and feel the relationship will be a violation of trust by Eric. This creates a strong push and pull in Aurora and Eric’s relationship - they want to be together but feel terrible and guilty for hiding from someone they both care about. Also, I loved the progression from attraction to deeper love as the two get to know each other better.
The relationship is not without its conflicts, however, Aurora’s idealized view of Eric as her childhood crush and hero juts up against Eric’s view of Aurora as a naive little girl who still needs to be protected - and they have huge fights based on those preconceived notions. Eric is not perfect - his jealousy rears its ugly head at times. Another time he ignores her when she needs him the most. I appreciated reading about a real guy and not a larger-than-life romantic hero, who genuinely loves our heroine but is not without his flaws.
While Eric is three years older, the story makes three things clear: first, Eric didn’t feel an attraction to Aurora until she came to college as an adult; second, it’s Aurora who makes the first move, and third, Eric is a gentleman, not pushing the relationship farther before Aurora is ready. Partway through the story, Aurora stays over at Eric’s apartment, but she sleeps in his bed while he stays on the couch. I appreciated that detail.
The book itself nicely balances the idealism of Aurora with the cynicism of Eric. Later in the story, there is a scene at a party that is both realistic and horrifying, providing a stark contrast from the lighter scenes at the beginning of the novel.
I liked Aurora’s interaction with Dee, her roommate, and confidant. Dee genuinely cares for Aurora and helps her many times process her feelings or pick out the right outfit when Aurora is going out.
Because the central conflict of the book is Aurora and Eric’s anticipated reaction from Caleb, I personally don’t think a spoiler that he finds out and it blows up in their faces. What I won’t reveal is how it blows up, you’ll need to read to find out for yourself. The only word I will use is brutal.
This is also a spoiler, so I’m trying to be as vague as possible: Aurora and Eric make a heat-of-the-moment decision together that I think they shouldn’t have done. I think they should have avoided making that choice. However, Aurora and Eric also have to face the awful, devastating consequences of their decision, and if they had not done it, things could have played out differently. Kudos to the author for showing that a decision that seems right at that moment can also have terrible consequences.
And finally, I thought it was really cool that the cover was done by Ella Marshall’s sister Chloe. Good job on the cover, Chloe!
A Favorite Quote:
Do you ever wonder what it would be like to fully and completely fall in love? Like, real, true love. Like what you see in the movies when the actors have more chemistry than you could ever imagine. Like what you read about in the best of romance books.
I wonder all the time. Today especially, I wonder.
“Movie” rating: The equivalent of an R due to liberal cursing throughout; a sex act is implied but not shown; a scene of violence where one character beats up another character, sexual references throughout; some drug references.
Overall Recommendation: If you're an older teenager and into Young Adult romance novels, you should check this one out! One thing is for sure: Ella Marshall poured her heart and soul into this book. Thank you for letting me into your world and allowing me to discover it!
Disclaimer: *Our reviews are solely our opinions and not swayed by any outside factors. The reviews are for fun and not meant to be taken as a professional book endorsement, review, or advice.