When We Were Bright and Beautiful

"Jillian Medoff has written a hell of a book, one bound to captivate readers and ignite conversations." - Grant Ginder, author of Let's Not Do That Again and The People We Hate at the Wedding

"Like a magician pulling scarves from a sleeve. . . . Medoff's greatest feat in this novel is not the twisty plotting but rather Cassie's evolving relationship with the reader, with storytelling itself, as she moves from suspiciously naïve to clearly unreliable. . . . A layered and compelling peek into the darkest consequences of privilege." - Kirkus Reviews

"Both satisfying and heartbreaking." - Publishers Weekly

"Explores the complexities of teenage girls' sexuality and agency. . . . Medoff's clear sense of Cassie's voice carries the novel throughout." - Booklist

"Jillian Medoff's latest novel is an intricately crafted page turner with characters so flawed and fascinating, there's absolutely no looking away from them. Smart, challenging, and deeply unsettling, WHEN WE WERE BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL will test your assumptions about guilt and innocence, and subvert your expectations until the very end." - Jung Yun, author of Shelter and O Beautiful

"When We Were Bright and Beautiful blew me away. Jillian Medoff's gripping exploration of wealth, consent, and complicity tells the story of a loving family's unraveling with the propulsive pace of the best thrillers. A masterful achievement." - Aimee Molloy, New York Times bestselling author of The Perfect Mother and Goodnight Beautiful

"When We Were Bright and Beautiful is a beautifully written and expertly paced examination of a privileged defendant and his family in the wake of a sexual assault allegation. Narrated by the defendant's sister Cassie, whose sharp voice is equal parts incisive and naive, the story covers much ground in American rape culture. Jillian Medoff's latest offers plenty for discussion and is perfect for book clubs." - Caitlin Wahrer, author of The Damage

"This transfixing slow burn of a novel kept me up hours past my bedtime, bewitched by Medoff's ingenious storytelling, gorgeous prose, and complicated, fascinating characters. I loved it." - Joanna Rakoff, author of My Salinger Year and A Fortunate Age

"This is Jillian Medoff's best-deepest, wisest, most complex-work. Medoff dares to touch third rails in this novel, and doesn't flinch when the sparks fly." - Darin Strauss, award-winning author of The Queen of Tuesday

Praise for Jillian Medoff: "As smart as Medoff's critique of corporate inanity is, it's tempered by compassion for these people, who are ultimately tender with each other, too. . . . Through the subterranean strata of this failing office run alliances and feuds, love affairs and betrayals that influence raises, promotions and dismissals. And when Rosa herself gets in trouble, how far will her beloved staff go to protect her from the rigid mechanics of the corporation? The answer to that question becomes the story's central problem, its funniest routine and its most moving element." - Ron Charles in the Washington Post on This Could Hurt

"A smart, sympathetic dramedy. . . . It's like a New York novelization of The Office-with less winky, fourth wall-breaking satire and more heart." - Entertainment Weekly on This Could Hurt

"This bighearted dramedy of manners stars Rosa, one of the most intriguing characters ever to walk the halls of an HR department, and her supporting cast of flawed but devoted employees, who set aside their differences to rescue their leader-for once, the one who needs help." - O, the Oprah Magazine on This Could Hurt

"An incredibly funny, incredibly human book. . . . the best book I've ever read about what work means, about how to do it better, about how to manage people, about how to be a good colleague, about the intra-personal relationships of an office. . . . I haven't read something with as much pleasure in six months." - Slate on This Could Hurt

"A refreshingly authentic portrait of corporate America and the varied souls that dream, conspire, flounder and triumph there, and this she does with a great deal of affection and charm. A very enjoyable book." - Joshua Ferris on This Could Hurt

"Four stars. Dazzling . . . hilarious and heart-wrenching." - People on I Couldn't Love You More