Item: Like it Never Happened
Rating: 4
Author: The Candid Cover

✼ We may earn an affiliate commission if you make a purchase through links on our site.

Last Updated on March 24, 2025

Like It Never Happened by Emily Adrian is an original novel with characters who are actors. The main character is relatable and strong and has a great bond with her older sister. This book is so different from anything I’ve ever read!

Review: Like It Never Happened by Emily Adrian

Title: Like it Never Happened
Author: Emily Adrian
Publisher: Dial Books
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult Fiction
Publication Date: June 2, 2015
Rating: four-stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

When Rebecca Rivers lands the lead in her school’s production of The Crucible, she gets to change roles in real life, too. She casts off her old reputation, grows close with her four rowdy cast-mates, and kisses the extremely handsome Charlie Lamb onstage. Even Mr. McFadden, the play’s critical director, can find no fault with Rebecca.

Though “The Essential Five” vow never to date each other, Rebecca can’t help her feelings for Charlie, leaving her both conflicted and lovestruck. But the on and off-stage drama of the cast is eclipsed by a life-altering accusation that threatens to destroy everything…even if some of it is just make believe.

❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃

Book Review: Like it Never Happened by Emily Adrian

I love the use of drama in Like It Never Happened. The main characters are all actors and love performing together. They never let what happens on stage bleed into their personal lives and vow never to date each other. However, this is where the true drama begins. I have only read a handful of theatre books, so this one was definitely a big change for me. I’m glad I picked this one up and went out of my comfort zone a bit.

❀ A Perfect Main Character

Rebecca is the perfect main character for Like It Never Happened. She is relatable to anyone who is a fellow actor and she is quite flawed. She has a bad reputation at school due to a false rumour, but doesn’t let it bring her down. Rebecca is a very strong character who demonstrates what it’s like to be a teenager very well.

❀ Theme of Family

One of the themes in Like It Never Happened is family. I actually found there was more family in the book than romance. Rebecca’s sister, Mary, comes to visit and announces that she is getting married. The sisters bond more and it’s very sweet reading about them. Who doesn’t enjoy a good sister book?

❀ An Enjoyable Novel

Like It Never Happened by Emily Adrian is an enjoyable theatrical novel. It stars a relatable main character and contains a bond between sisters. I definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a unique summer read.

Playlist: Like It Never Happened by Emily Adrian

About Emily Adrian

Emily Adrian was born in 1989 in the suburbs of Portland, Oregon. After graduating from Portland State University, she moved to Toronto, Ontario, where she worked as a receptionist while secretly writing books.

Emily currently lives in Toronto with her husband and their dog named Hank. Like It Never Happened is her debut novel.

Website | Goodreads