What We Left Behind

‘A moving YA book. And an important one’ – The Telegraph on Lies We Tell Ourselves

What if discovering who you really are means letting go of who you've been?

Toni and Gretchen are the couple everyone envied in high school. They've been together forever. They never fight. They're hopelessly in love.

When they separate for their first year at college they're sure their relationship will stay rock solid.

The reality of being apart, however, is very different. Toni's discovering a new world – and a new gender identity – but Gretchen struggles to remember who she is outside of their relationship.

While Toni worries that Gretchen won’t understand Toni's shifting identity, Gretchen begins to wonder where she fits in this puzzle. Now they must decide if their love is strong enough to last.

A powerful new novel from the acclaimed author of Lies We Tell Ourselves.

Praise for Robin Talley

‘This is so thought-provoking it almost hurts to read it, yet every word is needed, is necessary and consequently this is a novel that lingers long after you've finished it' – Lovereading

‘This is an emotional and compelling read that I did not want to put down. It is […] beautifully written and the tension just simmers on the pages.’ – Bookbabblers

‘This book packs a very powerful punch’ – Historical Novel Society

‘With great characterisation, tough issues covered, and a plot which had me guessing right up until the last pages, this is a must-read. Massively recommended!’ – The Bookbag

‘This exceptional novel of first love and sexual awakenings is set against a backdrop of shocking racism and prejudice. It is incredibly well written as the tense, riveting story seamlessly combines fiction with historical fact.’ – Booktrust

‘Every now and then a Young Adult book comes along that I want to push into every reader's hands, both young and old, and Lies We Tell Ourselves is that book for 2014’ – Jess Hearts Books

‘Talley has mixed two controversial topics together to create a firecracker of a story’ – Cheryl M-M's Book Blog

*A Goodreads Choice Awards semi-finalist 2014

Reviews
‘This exceptional novel of first love and sexual awakenings…is incredibly well written as the tense, riveting story seamlessly combines fiction with historical fact.’ – Booktrust on Lies We Tell Ourselves.This is so thought-provoking it almost hurts to read it, yet every word is needed, is necessary and consequently this is a novel that lingers long after you've finished it' – Lovereading on Lies We Tell Ourselves
About the author

Robin Talley is the New York Times bestselling author of the highly acclaimed novels Pulp, Our Own Private Universe, As I Descended, What We Left Behind and Lies We Tell Ourselves. Her books have won accolades including the Amnesty CILIP Honour and have also been shortlisted for the CILIP Carnegie Medal.

She worked in digital communications for LGBTQ rights, women’s rights, educational equity, and other progressive causes for fifteen years before she turned to writing full-time. Robin lives in Washington, DC with her wife and their daughter. You can find her online at www.robintalley.com or on Twitter @robin_talley.