While We're Young

By Author / Illustrator

K.L Walther

Genre

Romance & Relationships

Age range(s)

14+

Publisher

Farshore

ISBN

9780008688455

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

13-03-2025

Synopsis

An epic road-trip romance from NYT-bestselling author of TikTok sensation The Summer of Broken Rules, inspired by the 80s classic, Ferris Bueller's Day Off.

Grace, Isa, and Everett used to be an inseparable trio before their love lives became a tangled mess. For starters, Grace is secretly in love with Everett, who used to go out with Isa before breaking her heart in the infamous Freshman Year Fracture. And, oh yeah, no one knows that Isa has been hanging out with James, Grace's brother - and if Grace finds out, it could ruin their friendship.

With graduation fast approaching, Grace decides an unsanctioned senior skip day in Philadelphia might be just what they need to fix things. All she has to do is convince Isa to help her kidnap Everett and outmaneuver James, who's certain his sister is up to something.

In an epic day that includes racing up the famous Rocky steps, taste-testing Philly's finest cheesesteaks, and even crashing a wedding, their secrets are bound to collide. But can their hearts withstand the wreckage?

Four friends. One day off. A whole heap of trouble - this is the perfect love story for readers to escape with this summer and ticks all the boxes for fans of Carley Fortune, Lynn Painter and Emily Henry.

Praise for While We're Young: "A sweeping, swoony romance that'll take your breath away." Elle Gonzalez Rose, 10 Things I Hate About Prom. "Equal parts delicious romantic longing, hilarious hijinks, and a tribute to the power of friendship." Becky Dean, Love & Other Great Expectations. "K. L. Walther delivers her signature blend of humor, heart, and swoony romance." Robin Reul, My Kind of Crazy and Where the Road Leads Us.

Download Extract

Reviews

Clare

With graduation looming and the prospect of leaving home provoking both fear and excitement, school president and all round Grade A student Grace Barbour decides a day of skipping school is just the tonic she and her friends need. The only problems being the schism between her two best friends, Isa and Everett, and her secret, long-held feelings for Everett.

Faking illness, and duping her laid-back brother James, Grace persuades Isa to go along with her carefully arranged plans. With Everett soon on board the trio head to their childhood haunt of Philadelphia, unaware that sleuthing James is onto them and about join the road trip.

This is a feel-good read replete with likeable, relatable characters. Borrowing a narrative from the iconic Ferris Bueller's Day Off the books hums along, taking in teen friendships, first love and imperfect family relationships. Bright, breezy, hopeful and fun, this is a book that will make you long for lazy days and inspire dreams of new horizons.

384 pages / Reviewed by Clare Wilkins, school librarian

Clair

While We're Young is a contemporary road-trip romance, inspired by the classic 80s film Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Grace plans to skip school with her best friend Isa and Isa's ex-boyfriend, Everett. The three friends used to be inseparable but since Everett rather abruptly split up with Isa, the two haven't really repaired their friendship. To make matters more complicated, Grace is secretly head over heels in love with Everett and she has no idea whether he feels the same. If things did work out between them, would this ruin the trio's friendship completely?

The characters in this book are authentically written. The main character, Grace, is the student body president, who up until now has 100% attendance. There's also Isa, who is under pressure from her parents to achieve top grades and perform well so that she can get into an Ivy League School; James, Grace's brother, who is a bit of a known troublemaker (my favourite character in the book!); and Everett, who has recently suffered the loss of his father.

Each chapter is written from the point of view of one of the friends. This gives a better insight into each of their lives but with four characters, I felt that the story lost its momentum a little as it skipped from one character's perspective to the next.

This book didn't grab me straight away. However, once the pace picked up this was a light, fun read which touched on mental health issues that are relevant to teenagers' lives. The road trip through Philadelphia took in the sights and there are plenty of pop culture references sprinkled throughout. This would be a great summer holiday read.

Content of note: Grief, depression, anxiety, sex

384 pages / Reviewed by Clair Bossons, school librarian