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When We Were Monsters

£9.99

Eight students walk into an exclusive writers’ retreat, but only one will walk out with a life-changing opportunity to realise their creative dreams.

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ISBN: 9780241772492 Category: Children's - Young Readers Tags: Children's / Teenage fiction: Romance & relationships stories, Children's / Teenage fiction: Thrillers, Children's / Teenage personal & social issues: death & bereavement, Children's / Teenage personal & social issues: Sexuality & relationships
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Description

The compulsive new thriller from multimillion-copy bestselling author Jennifer Niven.

Eight students walk into an exclusive writers’ retreat, but only one will walk out with a life-changing opportunity to realize their creative dreams.

Effy is piecing together a story about the tragic betrayal that led to her mother’s death. Arlo hopes to publish a novel – but he’s also trying to start a new chapter with Effy after he broke her heart and ghosted her three years earlier.

Their mentor is Meredith Graffam, enigmatic writer, director and actress, whose compelling accounts of her own near-death experience on the same retreat decades before continue to spark controversy.

But this celebrated teacher is not all she seems, and her students gradually realize they are fighting for something much more primal than academic advantage. As Graffam’s unorthodox teaching methods push them past breaking point, they reveal their darkest secrets, take unthinkable risks and slowly start to turn on one another. But Graffam never expected they would turn on her . . .

The Secret History meets One of Us is Lying in the most gripping thriller of the year.

Read a sample here

Additional information

Weight 0.281 kg
Dimensions 19.7 × 12.8 × 2.4 cm
Author

Niven, Jennifer

Publisher

Penguin Books

Imprint

Penguin Books

Cover

Paperback

Pages

384

Language

English

Edition

Paperback original

Dewey

813.6 (edition:23)

Readership

Children – juvenile / Code: J

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ITS GAME DAY!!! âš½

MATCHA the day you could say 😉

England vs Argentina - who are you rooting for?!

Here are some of our booksellers favourite drinks and English/Argentinian lit combos - what do you think the boys are reading?

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We are so excited to celebrate 50 Years of Punk with John Robb and Russ Bestley! Join us on 22nd July at 6pm - tickets and info available on our website!💚

John will be discussing his memoir, Punk Rock Ruined my Life: and other stories, while Russ discusses his new title, Turning Revolt into Style: The process and practice of punk graphic design.

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The republication of books has a multitude of reasons, sometimes publishing houses want to highlight forgotten voices of literature, and sometimes they want to bring back formerly popularized writers for newer generations. These are some republished titles we stock at House of Books and Friends we think are worth checking out!

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🎭HOBAF Goes to the Theatre! 🎭
On Thursday our lovely booksellers got the chance to see FUN HOME at the Royal Exchange - a witty, emotional and deep tale of family, queerness and acceptance versus judgement. A recommended watch and read; pick up a book in store!

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Join us this summer for a magical mix of music, stories, and imagination!
As part of the Summer Reading Challenge 2026, we're hosting an interactive music & storytelling workshop specially designed for children aged 6–11 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their families.
Enjoy a fun, inclusive session filled with music, storytelling, creativity, and shared experiences that bring books to life in a welcoming and supportive environment. 
We can't wait to see you there! 💛

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House of Books & Friends is thrilled to welcome Seren Hawley-Plows to the store on 7th September at 6pm to discuss their book, The Ancient Ways: A Year of Folklore, Traditions and Rituals to Reconnect with Nature. 

As well as a discussion on their book, there will also be a Q&A, plus the chance to get your books signed by Seren.


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