Every. Single. Time.

On the next to last chapter, the gusher begins. And I have to swab my eyes and cheeks and noses almost continually until the last line!!! Every single time. I might cry a tear or two throughout the book. I might have a gasping moment here and there. But the end as I read them?! Sobbing. Sigh. Loved this read. Loved. 💜📚

Ethan and Rebecca find themselves together as children, each looking for something but not knowing quite what it could be. Each time they meet, something pulls them apart, yet they find themselves together again and again. Through heartache and loss, growing up and growing apart, will this time when they find themselves together be the last?

A truly poignant look at friendship, life, family, and love from a YA perspective anyone can enjoy.

This is my first of Abigail's books, and I don't think it will be the last! She has a way with writing about everyday struggles that teenagers face-divorce, physical disability, facing the repercussions of the actions of others, etc. It is realistic and raw, and I appreciated the way that she handled writing about sensitive topics. The characters of Ethan and Rebecca are well written and easy to relate to, and they had great chemistry whilst keeping the book clean, which is uncommon for a lot of YA novels.

Great read and one that I will definitely recommend!

Thanks for the opportunity to read and review this book! My review will appear on episode 37 of my podcast as well as my website/blog. The episode drops Monday, December 4, 2023. My review will be added to Goodreads and I'll feature a partial review on Instagram.

Review:
First off, it's not lost on me that I, as a gay, white, middle-aged man, am not the intended audience for this book. That said, I still enjoyed it. When I was a teen, I would often dip my toe into Sweet Dreams Romance books, so now and then, I like to pick up a YA romance and settle back into my 16-year-old self. I gotta say, YA romances are much less cheesy than they were in the 80s and 90s.

What I loved most about this book was how heartwarming and inclusive it is. I also loved how it explored themes of loss, addiction, and the power of friendship, and I am happy to say I really enjoyed the story of Ethan and Rebecca. It's an emotional journey filled with ups and downs.

Ethan and Rebecca's friendship begins in childhood when his addict mother leaves him with his grandparents, who live next door to Rebecca and her parents. The two become fast friends, but their friendship is abruptly cut short when Ethan's mom takes him away again. A few years later, Ethan returns but is once again ripped away, leaving nothing but a flower on Rebecca's windowsill. Several years later, Ethan's mother is once again in rehab, and he is back living with his grandparents. A lot has changed, though. Ethan is no longer a scared little boy, having had to take care of his mother for years as she battled her addiction. Rebecca has also changed following a tragic car accident that took her father's life and left her in a wheelchair. When Ethan and Rebecca are reunited, their connection is put to the test. Will their hardships bring them closer together, or have they grown too far apart?

One of the standout aspects of this book is its inclusivity. I was thrilled to see a wheelchair user as a main character rather than just a side character. Abigail Johnson has done a phenomenal job of portraying Rebecca's experiences as a wheelchair user with authenticity and sensitivity, which makes sense since the author is a wheelchair user herself.

The author's handling of loss and addiction in this book is also incredibly well done. Ethan and Rebecca both carry the weight of their pasts, and it is through their shared experiences that they find solace and healing. I appreciated how the author portrayed their struggles with honesty and care, shedding light on the emotional turmoil that comes with loss and addiction. It was a reminder that our past does not define us; it is our choices and actions in the present that shape our future.

The book is told through alternating viewpoints of Ethan and Rebecca, occasionally flashing back to before Rebecca's accident and the present moment. Despite jumping around in time, I never felt lost.

The characters are all well-rounded and relatable. The relationship between Rebecca and Ethan is solid, but I also liked watching the relationship that Ethan had with his grandparents as it evolved. I was especially touched by the relationship that Rebecca has with her mother and how it evolved as well.

Another thing this book does well is that it reminds us of the importance of cherishing the present moment and the people in our lives. It is all too easy to get caught up in our own struggles and forget about the impact we have on others. This book serves as a poignant reminder to appreciate the relationships we have, as they can provide us with the strength and support we need to face life's challenges.

In the end, I thought this was a beautifully written novel perfect for teens and adults alike. It offers a heartwarming and empowering story that will resonate with readers of all ages. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a touching and uplifting read.

Thank you very much, NetGalley and Inkyard Press for the ARC of "Every Time You Go Away" in exchange for an honest review.
For all of us readers who embrace a compelling story of broken young souls, this one's guaranteed to put your heart through the wringer........many times over.
You'll know from the start that this is no ordinary childhood-to-adolescence coming of age for next door best friends and neighbors Ethan and Rebecca. It's Ethan's grandparents' house he lives in, because he's regularly abandoned there by his drug addict mother as she endures perpetual in-and-out rehabs. When she bounces back into Ethan's life to reclaim him, Rebecca suffers from watching her childhood best friend constantly taken in and out of her life.
Reunited again as 17 year olds, the separate tragedies of their lives serve to overwhelm and thwart their obvious, aching attraction for each other. Ethan's spent an unbearably sad childhood still devoted to his wayward mom, even while inflicted with abuse and neglect by her and and her string of lowlife boyfriends. And on his latest return, he finds Rebecca how permanently wheelchair bound, the result of a tragic accident that also took her father's life.
It takes a truly skilled author to bring such characters to life, to make them so real and vivid that your hopes soar every time you sense they're edging ever closer to what they feel for each other..........and then crush you to pieces when their troubles and long suppressed anger and hurt drive them apart. Abigail Johnson most definitely has the skills required.....and anyone with a heartbeat will find themselves hard pressed to finish this book with dry eyes.
If you positively live for 5 star emotional reads, I'd bump this one to the top of any TBR list.

Everything You Go Away" by Abigail Johnson is a captivating and lyrical novel that explores the profound themes of grief, forgiveness, and the transformative power of love. Reminiscent of the works of Jennifer Niven, this book weaves a heartfelt and searing portrait of two individuals whose lives have been marked by adversity.

The story unfolds through the intertwined lives of Ethan and Rebecca, whose fateful meeting as young troublemaking kids leaves an indelible mark on their hearts. Johnson skillfully paints a vivid picture of their blossoming connection, filled with shared secrets and tender first kisses in the sanctuary of a treehouse. However, their idyllic bond is abruptly shattered when Ethan's mother returns and abruptly takes him away, leaving behind only a flower as a bittersweet symbol of their connection.

Years pass, and both Ethan and Rebecca face their own separate trials. Ethan becomes his mother's sole caregiver, navigating the challenges and heartache that come with her lifelong battle with addiction. Rebecca, on the other hand, must learn to navigate life as a wheelchair user following a devastating car accident that took her father's life.

As the narrative unfolds, Johnson masterfully explores the impact of these hardships on the characters' lives and their potential to either drive them further apart or bring them closer together. Through her poignant and eloquent prose, she delves deep into the emotional journey of grief, forgiveness, and resilience, showcasing the immense strength and growth that can emerge from even the darkest of circumstances.

"Everything You Go Away" is a testament to Johnson's ability to create rich, multidimensional characters. Readers will find themselves fully invested in Ethan and Rebecca's lives, sharing in their hopes, fears, and moments of vulnerability. The depth of their individual struggles and the complexity of their relationship make for a truly immersive reading experience.

In conclusion, Abigail Johnson's "Everything You Go Away" is a compelling and deeply moving novel that explores the complexities of grief, forgiveness, and the transformative power of love. With its beautifully crafted narrative and well-drawn characters, this book is sure to captivate fans of Jennifer Niven and anyone seeking a poignant and emotionally resonant story.

This was amazing! So cute and sweet, everything I want in a contemporary romance, I would have preferred a more advanced writing style but it didn’t take away from the story at all.

I started out not interested in the book and not caring about the characters, but by the end of the novel, I was staying up WAY too late to find out what would happen between Rebecca and Ethan. And I did cry. There was a lot of emotional pain and growth from both of them.

Apologies for the late review, I've been in autistic burnout and catching up with things now. The representation is much needed in YA. Although a heavy read, I think that it will be impactful for many.

Every time you go away by Abigail Johnson
Thank you NetGalley and thank you Inkyard Press for the opportunity to read this one early.
Ethan and Rebecca grew up together off and on as each time his mom who was an addict dropped him off to stay with his grandparents.
He and Rebecca forged a friendship friendship, sweet young love. But each time she’d find a flower on her windowsill she knew he was gone yet again.
Sweet story of young love, loss, heartbreak with throwing in family dynamics , drama, addiction, abuse. Which made this story a mixture of sweet and salty.

I will admit every time I think of the title of this book this book the song instantly forms in my mind.
🎶 “Every time you go away (you take a piece of me with you)” 🎶
so thanks or not thanks to the author for that. lol 😂
I hope others enjoy the book as much as I did.

Ethan comes and goes from Rebecca's life as his mother continually checks in and out of rehab. Rebecca lives for the times that Ethan is living next door with his grandparents. This is a sweet story about friendship and young love amidst the heartbreaking events of life. I recommend reading this novel. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book made me a little sad! Well I suppose it's supposed to make you sad but I was truly devastated by the story and the characters. It was incredible and heartbreaking and so worth the read.

This was incredible. I read this in maybe 3 days? I love when a book teaches you life lessons and I thought that this book did such a good job doing that. I related to the main character on a whole new level. I’m really looking forward to more books from the author. Thank you so much for my copy!

A cute love story with some hard hitting topics including love, loss, disability, family. The characters were real, honest, and trustworthy and I enjoyed the alternating perspectives between the main female and male characters.

Publication Date: December 5, 2023

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

#Every Time You Go Away #NetGalley
Ethan and Rebecca met eight years ago when he came to stay with his grandparents. They became close friends during those visits over the years sharing secrets, adventures, and first kisses in a tree house. Every time Ethan’s mom returned to take him away, his only goodbye was a flower left on Rebecca’s windowsill. Four years ago, Ethan left for the last time to take care of his mother, who has struggled with addiction his whole life.
Two years ago, Rebecca was in a car accident that killed her father. She’s been learning to navigate life as a wheelchair user ever since.
Now, Ethan is back and they both struggle with their feelings for each other and their own hardships.
I highly recommend Every Time You Go Away to all YA readers for its authenticity and deft handling of all the emotions tied up in Ethan’s and Rebecca’s stories. They are genuine in their impulses and in their reactions to living with a parent with addiction, with dealing with guilt and the accidental twists that life takes.

Rebecca and Ethan are best friends... at least when Ethan is staying with his grandparents. Periodically, Ethan will stay with his grandparents when his mom sorts through her issues with addiction. However, its always for a temporary amount of time, always leaving abruptly when his Mom returns for him. This time, though feels different. Not just because of the amount of time that has elapsed, but also the fact that both Rebecca and Ethan have changed and are no longer the kids they used to be.

Despite the fun and easy-going cover, I found this book to read a bit heavier in the emotions than I was anticipating. There are topics of addiction, trauma, family tension, and disabilities to name a few, discussed throughout this novel. Rebecca and Ethan both have their own demons they must face, and figure out what that means for their future. Ultimately, they both have to learn how to communicate with their loved ones, and explain their own needs, even when it hurts them to hear them.

I enjoyed this novel, and thought the topics were done in an interesting and reflective way. The book read well, and I was a fan of the plot and story-line finding the story to be unique, and enjoyable.

This book was full of emotions and heartbreak, but in the the best kind of way. Similar to 'All the Bright Places' without the heart wrenching plot twist. Both characters went through tremendous trauma and had a lot to learn about themselves and each other as they fell in love. I love the idea of falling in love over many years, through many changes and life events. The coming back together and resuming a friendship, it was was all really cute to me. I think the characters communication skills grew throughout the text, which I also really enjoyed. Overall a really good story, though it definitely brought me to tears a few times.

It’s been a hot minute since I’ve read any YA. But this wasn’t just a great YA book. It was a great book period. I knew the writing was going to be amazing when I got emotional reading the dedication. I’m usually annoyed at dual timeline stories, but this was seamless. It was character driven with enough plot action to hold my interest. I will say, this was not a light or easy read. It addresses heavy topics, and I sometimes had to put the book down for a bit. But it is very much worth picking back up!

It can’t be easy to write about grief in all its forms, especially for two teenage characters wracked with it in all its profound ways, but Johnson captures it poignantly and beautifully. Rebecca is enduring the grief of losing her father, the grief of what remains of an already tenuous relationship with her mother, and the grief of losing her ability to walk and becoming wheelchair-bound at such a young age. Ethan is enduring the grief of slowly losing his mother to addiction and the grief of being moved and relocated over and over again. Meanwhile, these two young people see their lives intertwined past to present, before and now, as they deal with their grief, each other’s grief, and their changing relationship.

a heart wrenching read that hits close to home right now


thank you to the author, netgalley, and the publisher for this advanced copy to review!