[arc review]
Thank you to NetGalley and Inkyard Press for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Every Time You Go Away releases December 5, 2023

<i>“You can’t wait until life isn’t hard anymore to be happy.”

“I know better than most people that the real scars, the deep ones, are always on the inside.”</I>

- dual pov
- then/now
- childhood friends/coming of age/neighbours
- grief + guilt
- loss of a parent
- addiction/alcoholism
- disability rep (wheelchair)

Rebecca and Ethan are both two teens who were dealt adult-sized problems and had to grow up faster than they should’ve.
The addiction plotlines and less than stellar parenting on both fronts was really difficult to read and it pained me that characters were continually let down by others not staying for them when they needed them to.

It’s gut wrenching in a sense, but I wanted so much more from this. More connection, better communication — something!

Every Time You Go Away is an interesting read. Why? Because it is often labeled as a romance, and while there is a romance between the two main characters, I don’t feel that is the focal point of their story. Rebecca and Ethan are broken, trying to figure out who they are as they reach adulthood. When I say they are broken, I don’t mean they are actually broken. I mean that they feel they have been pigeonholed into their traditional roles.

Ethan and Rebecca grow and develop throughout the book as they learn to use their voice and advocate for themselves with their loved ones. The journey is challenging for both of them, but it is needed.

Every Time You Go Away is told through dual POV and multiple timelines. This could be a mess if done incorrectly. But Johnson does a fantastic job of keeping everything sorted and understandable.

Overall, Every Time You Go Away is a fantastic contemporary YA read that anyone can relate to as they read.

First and foremost, I am always happy to see accurate and thoughtful disability representation in books, and I hope that we continue to see more representation in the future. Prose and character-wise, I did not personally enjoy this book. I didn't feel attached to the characters and the story didn't feel propulsive.

Thank you to Inkyard Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was a heartwarming story of true love fighting through the darkness that is life and all its shortcomings. There were a few moments where I felt the main male character was slightly toxic and my feelings were hurt several times by the decisions of the characters of this book, but overall it was a beautiful story of love and loss and how we pick up the pieces to find the light again

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Told in the voices of young Ethan and Rebecca in two different time frames (Before - eight years ago, and Now), the author does an excellent job of capturing the nuances of a relationship that serves as a lifeline for the two young main characters, and a friendship which begs to become more.

I love that:
- the characters are realistic, flawed, and complicated,
- that each has heavy personal and family situations that they're trying their best to handle,
- that the emotions ring true,
- that the author tackles hard topics (addiction, death, disability, grief, guilt, mistakes, regrets, reconciling the truth vs what is longed for),
- that there are no easy, trite answers/resolutions.

Very well done and highly recommended.

My thanks to Inkyard Press for allowing me to access a DRC via NetGalley. Publication is set for 12/5/23. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and are freely given.

Abigail Johnson is one of my favorite YA authors for realistic fiction, so I was beyond thrilled when I found out she was writing this book. To be clear, it’s not a memoir and it’s not a disability story, but I so loved that Abigail used her own experiences as someone who uses a wheelchair to inspire a dynamic protagonist. My only not-even-a-complaint is that I wish I the book was longer or even multiple books to better explore all the tough issues it took on, but overall, it was excellent and I will definitely be buying it for our high school library and recommending it.

A sweet story about 2 teenagers who are finding their way through adolescence with family drama pulling against them. Repetitive at parts, I found myself skimming to the dialogue.

Pub Date: December 5, 2023
Author: Abigail Johnson
Publisher: Inkyard Press @inkyardpress
Genre: Romance/Teens/YA

“Sometimes I don’t know what’s worse, mourning the past or the future I’ll never get to have.”

Thank you to NetGalley @netgalley and Inkpress for allowing me to read this arc for an honest review.

If I could give this book a million stars I 100% would! This book was absolutely heartbreaking and so evocative of what’s it like to be disabled and to take care of a parent with substance abuse issues. As someone with multiple disabilities I connected on so many levels with the FMC Rebecca because just like her I know what’s it like to be able bodied one day and then wake up disabled the next. The relationship between Rebecca and Ethan felt so real and I rooted for them the whole book! This book is definitely not for the faint of heart or someone looking for a gushy love story! If you are looking to bawl your eyes out and have your heart wrenched out of your body then most definitely pick up this book!

Comes out December 5, 2023!

RATING: 3/5 STARS

I have enjoyed some of Abigail Johnson's previous books but sadly could not get into this one. The topic is very important, but I didn't connect with Ethan or Rebecca. I would still try her future books, though!

Let me start by saying I'm not the target audience for this book. This book was promising. I wanted to know the outcome, but as the story went on I just couldn't seem to care anymore or stay focused on the story. I would still recommend this book.

I am a sucker for an emotional story, and this was definitely one of those! This story was emotional and angsty and just so so moving. The representation was incredible and so powerful. Honestly the only comment I have is that I wish there was more in terms of Ethan and Rebecca’s relationship, as I felt like the story ended too quickly for them. Otherwise J really enjoyed this.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

3.5 stars

Thank you NetGalley, Inkyard Press, and Abigail Johnson for providing me with a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book drew me in with the comparison to Jennifer Nevin, so I was ready for a tear-jerker. I wasn’t prepared for the depth of Ethan and Rebecca’s story. Everytime You Go Away is more than a YA novel.

Ethan and Rebecca are childhood friends who reconnect each time Ethan returns to his grandparents’ house. Each visit brings them closer but it usually ends abruptly with a note, leaving Rebecca feeling empty, never understanding why he leaves. What neither Ethan nor Rebecca share is the trauma both carry. Ethan struggles to care for his drug addict mother and Rebecca has grief over losing her father. The story is emotional as each character explores their feelings for each other while also trying to make sense of their own trauma.

There were parts of the novel that felt slow and subplots that extended the storyline. It was good!

I received a free copy from NetGalley. Coming of age from two points of view plus lots of back story and trauma. So much pain could have been stopped by having better communication.

I'd like to thank NetGalley and Inkyard press for providing me with a copy of this egalley to read and give an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
For years, Ethan's life has been tearing him and Rebecca apart. Growing up together in short spurts has never been ideal, but it's been all they had. Can they whether the breaks in their friendship? Can they deal with their own tragedies that happen in between? Can they open up to each other and truly become the one each of them can lean on?
I loved the idea of this book. Two friends who share short spurts of being together only to be torn apart by poor circumstances. There was so much potential for character growth and development. So much room for fleshing them out and making them relatable.
Ethan has spent his life as a captive of his mother's drug abuse. His need to keep his mom safe has always been his top priority. But it has him putting aside his own needs. He's always dropped everything to make sure she's safe never thinking of the impact that may have on those around him who just want him to be happy. I wanted to really like Ethan but his penchant for just up and running really got on my nerves. He had zero thought for anyone else, especially Rebecca. Part of me connected with him because of my own past and understand of drug and alcohol abuse. And I really wanted to that be the case for the entire book. But I just could not bring myself to feel any empathy for him.
Rebecca's circumstances were much more understandable. Tragedy struck her in the form of a car accident that left her paralyzed, And she has tremendous guilt over it. I was happy to see the inclusion of disability in this book. I thought it was well done, showing me exactly how difficult the life of a wheelchair bound person can be when. Showing me exactly how much thought needs to go into living the daily life we all take for granted. At the same time, Rebecca has a bit of a found family in her boss, while she struggles with trying to connect with her mother after the tragedy they have both endured. I enjoyed her character much more than Ethan's.
For the most part, the book had a good theme but the pacing was just off for me. I felt like it was running in circles with the same things happening over and over again. The definition of insanity! It just turned me off and really took away from what could have been an enjoyable. book.
Did I enjoy it, for the most part I did. But. I really felt the conflict was overdone without creating a true empathy for the characters.
2.5 stars rounded to 3.

Thank you Netgalley and Inkyard Press for the opportunity to read Every Time You Go Away by Abigail Johnson.

This book is a compelling story that dives deep into the intricacies of life, hardship, and love. The story is woven together beautifully as it is told from two perspectives, each character burdened with their unique challenges. This story is both heavy and needed.

Rebecca, a teenager paralyzed from the waist down following a tragic car accident grapples with survivor's guilt and navigates her new reality. She was so raw and real, like a real person would be when faced with her circumstances. Johnson presents an honest representation of being a wheelchair user and coming to terms with grief. On the other side, Ethan, comes and goes from Rebecca's life. One moment he's being dropped off by his addict mother at his grandparents, who live right next door to Rebecca, and a while later she's back for him. Ethan struggles to do much besides worry about his mother, taking on the role of protector. Despite his hardened exterior, Rebecca becomes his sanctuary.

Told in chapters from the past and present Rebecca and Ethan's stories intertwine as they both face their challenges head-on. The story is heavy and hard to stomach at some points which makes it brutally beautiful. Johnson did a wonderful job of capturing grief and addiction.

Wow. This book was beautiful. The story is real, raw, and very heavy at times. This was my first book by Abigail Johnson and I will definitely be reading more of her work. Huge thanks to NetGalley and Abigail Johnson for my copy of this.

Rebecca is learning to navigate her new life being paralyzed and the loss of her father while Ethan is trying to take care of his substance abusing mother. They meet when Ethan is dropped off with his grandparents while his mom fixes herself. They grow close during Ethan's time at his grandparents and continued to do so each time he was dropped off.

Rebecca and Ethan are both going through trauma and trying their best to come out on top. There's death, grief, substance abuse, paralyzed from an accident, and more.

I loved that Johnson gave us a FMC who is in a wheelchair. I can't thank authors enough for this type of representation. I also loved how authentic Rebecca's story was with her being paralyzed.

Both Rebecca and Ethan are relatable characters, living through real life trauma and learning through it. Abigail wrote their grief in a believable manner.

Please check CW and TW before reading this. If you can handle them, I'd highly recommend this one.

Such a wonderfully written book about hard topics. Not only are the main characters growing up, but they are both also dealing with some heavy trauma.

Within this book you read about how two troubled people can lean on one another and heal together. This book is written very realistic, not like how some other authors make it hard to believe just for that emotional attachments that keep readers invested. It covers addiction, grief, trauma, disabilities, among others as well. This isnt your typical light and fluffy read, so make sure to check the trigger warnings prior to reading the book.

This book is for anyone who needs to feel something after reading. Its for the people who want to reach in and hug the characters and help them navigate their problems. its for the people who believe in second chances. But honestly, this should be a book that everyone reads as its the perfect coming of age book.

4/5 ⭐

I got an ARC from netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley for granting me an ARC of this!

4.5/5 Stars

General Description: One day, Rebecca saw a young Ethan get dropped off at her neighbors'. They've been friends for years. However, Ethan's mom always comes back for him, and then brings him back every few months. however, after years pass, Ethan's back and Rebecca is not the same person she was. Rebecca has suffered a traumatic event related to a car crash, and Ethan is handling the trauma of living in a drug-riddled home. The two try to reconnect on their old friendship, but nothing is the same. Can they come together, accept their pasts, and attempt to move forward in the future? Will they do this together, or as their own people?

The good:
- The reasoning for going back and forth between timeframes was justified and I think it was necessary context to enjoy the book.
- I feel like you fully got to understand the complexities of both Ethan and Rebecca. My heart broke and was put back together multiple times with the descriptions of both their current and past lives.
- This standalone wrapped up at a perfect spot for a YA book for me (I would. not be against a sequel either, but it wraps up extremely well)
- The side characters are absolutely gorgeous and the side characters you're meant to dislike are also done extremely well. They add plot twists as well, which I enjoyed.

The loss of a half-star:
For me, sometimes the perspective switched too quickly or I'd get lost on the timeline. It happened maybe five times but it left me disengaged for a bit while trying to read.

Overall: If you're looking for a deeper, contemporary YA romance book, this is it. If you need a happier read with less trauma, this book may not be for you right now.

Wow, this book covered some truly heavy but relevant topics while still giving those of us who believe in second (or maybe even third) chances hope throughout the dark parts.

Throughout this book we get to see the different ways in which two people, who are both young, struggle with anger, guilt, and grief. Johnson took two unique to me experiences but portrayed them in a way that allowed me to feel the anguish that these two characters go through.

While there is a small romance subplot weaved throughout this, I would not classify this as a romance book. I expect you would be slightly let down if that is all that you are looking for. If you are looking for something that will have your stomach in knots and shatter your heart repeatedly while slowly letting it heal alongside our characters, then I think this if for you.

This book gave me all the emotions--from anger, guilt, and fear to happiness, joy, and swoon--and I loved the emotional rollercoaster ride the entire novel. The characters pop from the pages as if they were real people in my life. This book tackles tough life issues including addiction, abuse, and death of a parent and it all felt so real and authentic.