The Last Time We Were Us

A passionate summer love story about a girl, her childhood best friend, and the small town lies that have kept them apart. Leah Konen’s The Last Time We Were Us is perfect for fans of Jenny Han, Sara Zarr, and Gayle Forman.

Liz Grant is about to have the summer of her life. She and her friend MacKenzie are finally getting invited to all the best parties, and, with any luck, Innis Taylor, the most gorgeous guy in Bonneville, will be her boyfriend before the Fourth of July.

Then Jason Sullivan comes back to town. A million years ago, he was her best friend, but that was before he ditched her for a different crowd . . . and before he attacked Innis’s older brother and got sent away to juvie. All of Bonneville still thinks he’s dangerous, but Liz finds it hard to believe what people say about her childhood friend. If word gets out she’s seeing him, she could lose everything.

But what if there’s more to that horrible night than she knows? And how many more people will get hurt when the truth finally comes out? Liz will have to decide if she can trust herself—and her heart—before it’s too late.

• Childhood Friends to Lovers: He was her best friend before he was the boy everyone feared. Now that Jason’s back in Bonneville, Liz must decide if their connection is worth risking her heart for.
• A Small Town Romance: Between summer parties and Fourth of July fireworks, Liz is torn between the popular boy she thinks she wants and the childhood friend she was never supposed to fall for.
• Forbidden Love: Everyone sees Jason as a dangerous delinquent after he was sent away for a brutal attack. Being with him could cost Liz her reputation, her friends, and her relationship with Innis.
• A Secret Past: Liz starts to question the official story of what happened the night of the attack. Uncovering the truth might be more dangerous than anyone imagines.

“Leah Konen beautifully captures the complexity of friendship, love, loyalty, and trust, and reminds us that sometimes things that seem so simple are anything but.” - Jennifer Brown, award-winning author of the Hate List

“Reading Leah Konen’s southern debut reminded me that every time we seek out answers, we are amazed by what we find within ourselves. A sexy, intriguing novel about inner strength and following your own arrow.” - Alecia Whitaker, author of the Wallflower series

“Totally absorbing! The perfect summer read!” - Leila Howland, author of Nantucket Blue

“This book is brimming with intrigue, romance, betrayal and redemption. In short, a very satisfying read.” - Melissa Walker, author of Unbreak My Heart

“She describes alcohol, sex, love, and loss frankly and realistically…an easy, intelligent coming-of-age tale.” - Kirkus Reviews

“A thoughtful coming-of-age novel about trusting yourself.” - Booklist Online