Who We Might’ve Been (Billie Dixon Series, #3)

Oh wow! So first book I’ve read in the series!! It’s soooo…. good! I’ve fallen in love with the written style of this book. The author has a great way to tell a story! The characters are amazing and it’s like I can see them in my head as I’m reading. It’s a good book and you can tell the passion the author has as she writes. Since I have not read the first two books in the series I definitely will have to go back and read them to see what I have missed in the previous books. It was a quick read for me. It was a lazy day read that ended up into a late night because I couldn’t put it down. Off to read the rest of these books!!!

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.

A great read about second chances. Billie Dixon’s world has been turned upside down but she tries to keep going with her art class. When her professor partners her with an old friend Dahlia, Billie soon realises Dahlia wants to be more than friends. Can Billie trust her and give her a second chance or will her fear rule her heart instead?
A great read. Well developed plot with twists and turns. Well developed characters like Billie trying to keep going despite changing situations or Dahlia going for what she wants regardless of what others say. Great cast of fun supporting friends like Prue as a caring best friend or Jimmy providing humour the book needed or her dad as ear to listen.
I loved the depiction of a college/uni style life which was perfect and realistic. I also loved the use of visual detail throughout the novel in Billie’s art full of colour in the studio with the bright colours in beauty and love. Her passion for art despite it all was emotive and beautifully written. Or the detail of the bridge and the party full of life and contrasting colours whoch was perfectly written. Overall, a great read and I would give it four stars.

Who We Might’ve Been: A College Coming-of-Age Story (Billie Dixon Book 3) By D. L. Pitchford. Let me start by saying this series definitely needs to be read in order to get the entire story. This story is just as good as the first two books. Billie’s character is just one that people can connect with and understand as she grows and learns who she is in the world of being an adult. The author has a great way of showing the troubles people face as they take on the world as their own. I got so invested in the characters, I’ve laughed, I’ve teared up and I’ve definitely wanted to reach out a smack something. But that’s what makes a great story to me, having all the real everyday emotion. The characters are complex and believable. Storyline is well written and paced nicely, never feeling like it was lacking anything. Im giving this book a five star review and highly recommend it to everyone.

Who We Might’ve Been: A College Coming of Age Story by D.L. Pitchford is the first and final book in the Billie Dixon series. Showing the adult side of growing up while exploring issues with relationships, family, friendship, good and bad choices and learning how to be okay with yourself. Getting to meet Billie is the first book and seeing her progress through the series has been a great evolution, watching her grow and those around her evolve around her as well makes for a great read. In book three, Billie will have to negotiate some tough situations, forcing her to grow up allot faster than she is prepared for. From book one, the reader sees Billie as insecure, introverted, artistic and mathematically minded to the grown woman who is just trying to find her place in the ever changing world around her. In Who We Might’ve Been, Pitchford brings Dahlia into the picture, a girl from Billie’s past that takes the story in a route that I was not prepared for. This leg of the series is very much character driven instead of storyline driven. Getting to see the characters is their true light really made this story a diamond in the rough. Each character brings a unique and enduring quality to the story that made this a story that will stay with you for a long time. Pitchford is a newer to me author, having found her with the Billie Dixon series, and I am so happy that I picked this one up. If you are looking for a great author that will pull you in from the first page and not let go until the last one than this is one that you need to add to your TBR list. I highly recommend that you pick up this series as a whole, as the story flows from one book to the next. I can’t wait to see what Pitchford brings to her readers next!

This was honestly a wonderful novel. I did make a mistake though, and read this book before I read the first two in The Billie Dixon Trilogy. I wish I hadn’t and had started with the first and read in order. Now that I am aware, and enjoyed this I will reread this after I go back and devour the first two. I really enjoyed Billie as a character so I need to go back and follow everything that Billie has been through that has brought her to where she is in this book.

With all that said, I really enjoyed several aspects of this novel. It was relatable for one, even at the age of 33. It is geared toward young adults, but the issues that the characters face are issues that are rampant in our society, no matter your age. Everything from adulating, family and friend relationships, and self-discovery during overcoming difficult situations. There is a complexity to the characters that draws you in as reader and fully grasps you from the very first page to the last. I can’t wait to go back and read the first, and I hope that the way this ended is a hint at maybe a spin-off series with these characters a part of it somehow??? (*hint *hint DL Pitchford) Make sure you one-click the entire series today!!

Who We Might’ve Been- D.L. Pitchford

5-stars

Who We Might’ve Been by D.L. Pitchford is a must read!! It’s the third book in the Billie Dixon series, I would recommend reading this series in order as each new book follows the last. I honestly can never get enough of this author’s incredible writing style, it always pulls me right in as if I was right there with the characters. From the very start I was so captivated by Billie as I once again got the chance to read about her incredible transformation, her character is one that I connected with from the first book as she struggles with real life issues that are so relatable.

I always look forward to every new release by this author as she always, without fail, takes me on an emotional roller coaster ride. From sadness, shock, sympathy, hurt, understanding and so much more, Billie’s story is simply unforgettable! This book and series has a special place in my heart and I can’t wait to continue with this series with book 4 once released! This is one that should not be missed and one that I’ll always recommend to others!

Who we might’ve been by D L Pitchford is the third book in the Billie Dixon Series, following the story of Billie who has gone through alot through the last two books and this is a book is no different than the others.

Billie now has to navigate life even more than before, her best friend has replaced her with someone else but reading into the story she realises that she has made a mistake and try and rekindle the relationship that has been abandoned over the course of the book.

Billie also has other ups and downs but she has grown over the three books, you have seen her develop into the character she is now. The characters with in these stories are rich and full of life within the story.

I would recommend that you read the first two books first before as you need to understand the road Billie has gone through to get her to this point. I have loved this series and can’t wait to read more by this author in the future.

Who We Might’ve Been: A College Coming-of-Age Story (Billie Dixon Book 3)
By: D.L. Pitchford
5 out of 5 stars

The story Who We Might’ve Been: A College Coming-of-Age Story (Billie Dixon Book 3) by D.L. Pitchford is a new adult/coming of age book. It is part of a series that should be read in order as each story picks up from the last. It is a book that once I started reading I didn’t want to put down until I had read the final page. I really enjoy reading about Billie Dixon. She is a young woman who is a wonderful artist. She is compassionate and caring. There are times when I would get frustrated with actions that Billie took or conclusions that she would come to. She is one to sometimes overthink the situation that she finds herself in. Her life at times seems to have more drama than a soap opera. She is a character that I have grown to love and was always rooting for her to be happy. Sometimes giving others or yourself a second chance is hard to do. Will Billie give herself a second chance with a relationship that has been broken? One of the other characters I also enjoyed reading about is Xander. He is a young man who is on his own without support from those who should be there for him. He is not someone who easily confides in others. This story has times where there is jealousy, guilt, self-doubt, and manipulation. There are also times of self-discovery. There are heartwarming moments and also heartbreaking ones. This book had me on an emotional rollercoaster the whole time. There are steamy scenes that have the temperature in the room rising and other scenes where the atmosphere between some characters goes cold. This is a well-written book that I loved reading and would recommend.

Who We Might’ve Been: A College Coming-of-Age Story, book 3 in the Billie Dixon Story by DL Pitchford
4 out of 5 stars

I have loved this series the whole way through. These characters have sass, depth, drama and extreme emotions. Let me first advise that you must read books one and two if you wish to get the full effect of this story. This is the third and final book in the Billie Dixon trilogy and while I am sad to see such a great group of characters final see their conclusion, I am happy to see some major resolution with the main group of characters. I have adored Xander from the first book when we first met him and he never fails to amuse or suprise me and this book was no different.
This book, and this series in general, touches on a lot of tough young adult issues that many deal with today. There are many coming of age issues that are broached, some with finesse, others, not so much.
Billie, our main character, has grown up in so many, many ways. It is interesting to see both the internal and external development of her as a person and how those changes impact both her and the relationship of those around her. This book is very independently driven, meaning that there is no major plot to the story, more that the development of the characters is the plot, and that is not a failure on the part of the author.
I adored this book and series. It was an absolute pleasure to read!