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Who We Might’ve Been (Billie Dixon, #3) by D.L. Pitchford – Review by Cynthia Ayala

Who We Might've Been (Billie Dixon, #3)Who We Might’ve Been by D.L. Pitchford
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Who We Might’ve Been is an exceptional novel because it is so realistic, and the characters are so relatable. The series of novels follows one Billy Dixon as she embarks on her junior year at college. Many of the ups and downs she has encountered throughout the series are brought back through context clues and scene structure, establishing history. It is that established history that makes the story so gripping because the author does not spend time recounting everything, she delivers the history in essential scenes with the minimalist of details give the scenes depth and power. The history between the characters adds context to the story, the characters, and their dynamics with one another, creating an excellent story for the readers. This history serves to make the character very relatable because it defines her actions and her feelings, recounting her struggles and accomplishments in achieving her happiness. That is such a relatable and realistic concept to bring to life, and Pitchford does that beautifully in her style of writing. Her style of writing is incredibly easy to understand while it presents a complex narrative. Who We Might’ve Been is more than just some story about a girl trying to navigate through her decisions and struggles in college; it is about her journey and her health.

Billie suffers from a form of depression and alcohol abuse, and her struggle to take care of herself is impressive. Just because she is on medication and in therapy does not make everything 100% better, it is a struggle, a struggle for her to maintain that health and take care of herself. Moreover, with the complications in her life, it is not easy. For Pitchford to address that and show the struggle is beautiful. It is not only well done, but it is well done with justice, highlighting how medication, while helpful, isn’t a 100% cure like many people think. People need to want to get help, they need to want to be happy, and healthy, but that is not always easy. Billie highlights one end of the spectrum regarding that while Dahlia highlights the other end.

Dahlia is a significant character regarding this because she serves as a foil for Billie. It makes their relationship resonate with the reader because when it comes to the two characters and the development of their relationship, the reader has to be able to believe that the nature of this growth. Dahlia is a toxic individual because she does not want help and has a very warped idea of love. Dahlia does not know what it means to love and be loved, and while Billie wants to stay away, this goodness in her wants to help as well. She understands, she can resonate with Dahlia, thus helping the reader understand her, but this serves as a teaching lesson. Again, someone can only help someone who wants help; one cannot help someone otherwise and the way the story and author both show that is impactful. It can generate empathy on the side of the reader and serve as a powerful teaching moment as well. Billie’s internal narrative is compelling, it is easy to understand, and it helps the reader get a sense through description and tone, of what the author is trying to get at understanding mental illness. Billie may want to help her friend, but by trying to help someone who does not want it, she puts her wellbeing at risk. That is a red alert to readers to look at their own lives. Again, it is a teaching moment that no one should ever sacrifice his or her wellbeing for another’s happiness.

Pitchford also uses Dahlia to address consent, another important topic. With the #MeToo movement on the rise, consent is a hot topic, so addressing it is risky. However, the way the Pitchford does that is by using a female as a violator of consent. Consent goes both ways and women are more than capable of violating this as much as men, so for the author to address that within the confines of a complicated relationship is essential. To see it play out in the novel is incredible and creates great tension in the plot.

The complexity of the novel and the character dynamics adds dimension and depth to the novel. The realism and thought process that went into developing this story was incredible and served to make a grounded story. There’s a freshness to that will make readers love these characters because they can relate to them and addresses essential topics without dragging them down with over the top drama, making every scene as impactful and compelling as the last.

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Who We Might’ve Been (Billie Dixon Series Book #3) by D.L. Pitchford – Review by Angela Hayes

Who We Might've Been (Billie Dixon, #3)Who We Might’ve Been by D.L. Pitchford
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

 

Who We Might Have Been is the third and final book in the Billie Dixon trilogy series by D.L. Pitchford. It is a wonderful new adult story that explores some of the issues that come with early adulthood, relationships, family, friendship, choices, and learning more about one’s self.
We met Billie Dixon in the first book and have followed her through her journey. So, if you haven’t read the first two books in this series yet, I strongly suggest that you do- as this series is a continuation of a storyline that you need to have all the facts for, in order to fully enjoy this book.
In three books Billie has been through quite a lot and had to negotiate some tough situations. But what I like most about this series is the Billie has grown and developed as the story has progressed- she is not quite the same insecure, introverted, artistic, and mathematically minded first year college student we met in book one. That’s not to say that everything has been smooth sailing since then, far from it- I am just impressed by how far she’s come. I have mentioned in the past that I didn’t really like her much to begin with, but Ms. Pitchford and Billie have won me over since then. This book took me completely unawares, by bringing Dahlia onto the scene- I do remember her from the previous book and I was so surprised with the direction the story took by her addition. I am most definitely #teamXander, so I had mixed feelings about this part of the storyline.
I feel that this book is very much a character driven story- that’s not to say the story is lacking, because it is quite interesting- but the characters are the real gems in this story- they are very authentic, complex, believable and over-all quite endearing.
This is the final book in the trilogy, and my favourite of the series….. but I hope this isn’t the last we see of Billie- the author did a great job tying up the threads of the storyline and giving me some closure, but the way the story ended, leaving an opening to add more at a later date, gives me hope that we may get the chance to revisit again some day!
I wonder what Ms. Pitchford has in store for us next?

Thank-you, Ms. Pitchford!

 

Reviewed by @angelahayes

 

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The Longer We Dwell by D.L. Pitchford – Review by Carrie Reed

The Longer We Dwell (Billie Dixon, #2)The Longer We Dwell by D.L. Pitchford
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Longer We Dwell by D.L. Pitchford is a fantastic, 5-star second book for the Billie Dixon series. More of Billie’s story and life are revealed and the characters are even more relatable and explained.

Billie in the second book really made me so mad! There were so many times I wanted to smack her to wake up and come to her senses. I can understand why she is acting the way she is, due to her past demons, but even with going to her therapist it seems like she isn’t improving at all.

Imogen, Billie’s sister, also gets on my nerves in this book. I know she is just concerned for her sister, as she had to grow up fast and look after her mom and Billie, but the way she over reacts to the whole wedding for her mom is too much. I kind of think maybe she lashes out because she is just overwhelmed and done with being the responsible one.

I love Xander! I think he is a fantastic character. I love that he loves Billie so much, and in this book, you can really tell his feelings for Billie. I was super excited when Billie finally accepts and gives in to her feelings for Xander, but was left disappointed when she gets in the way of her own love.

The secondary characters such as Dahlia and Brent are kind of shady to me. The way Dahlia comes off seems like she is kind of in love with Billie herself and doesn’t want Xander to come in between their relationship. She just seems like a really controlling kind of friend. Brent comes off as a nice guy at first but later in the book he seems to be the type that would treat Billie like her first boyfriend Zane treated her.

Overall this is a great second book, there was a lot of drama and a more in depth look into Billie’s mind. I am so excited and looking forward to the next book in this series. I am hoping for good things, because I do want to see Billie finally overcome all her demons and fears, and I hope to see her and Xander happy.

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If We Had No Winter by D.L. Pitchford – Review by Carrie Reed

If We Had No Winter (Billie Dixon, #1)If We Had No Winter by D.L. Pitchford
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

If We Had No Winter by D.L. Pitchford is just WOW! I loved this book! The story was fantastic and I never wanted it to end. This is most definitely a 5 star read!

At first, just based on the synopsis, I didn’t think I would really get into this book or even enjoy it a little, but after reading the first chapter I was hooked. The story is so intriguing and it will pull you right in. I could not put this book down; I wanted to know what was going to happen next. I thought I could anticipate some of the outcomes of the issues and relationships but I was dead wrong. The author kept me on my toes.

There is a lot going on in this story, Billie trying to rekindle a relationship with her dad, as well as dealing with school work and the boys in her life. Throughout the whole book I felt as though Billie’s relationship with Xander would have ended up to be more than it did. They become friends in the end but with the way he would pick on her and tease her I thought he had feelings for her, and I still do.

At one point Billie kind of got on my nerves because she sounded like a whiney brat and it was getting a little annoying, but I did feel bad for her on different levels relating to her relationship with her father, and how she viewed herself.
Overall a FANTASTIC book, I really really REALLY hope there is a second book, I would love to follow along with Billie’s journey through college and also hope for a relationship to happen between Xander and Billie.

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