"Every Time You Go Away" is a great story about choosing to move forward during times of struggle and learning how to accept people for who they are, but not letting that stop you from asking for what you deserve. I wasn't sure if I was going to like this book because sometimes YA books are a miss for me since I am a little past the genre age range. But I was really impressed by the story. The depth in which Abigail Johnson was able to go with her characters was really impressive. I appreciated her note at the end the book discussing her own journey as a person who uses a wheelchair.

For some reason, I really struggled to get into this one. I've enjoyed Abigail Johnson's previous books, but this one didn't quite hit the mark with me.

Every Time You Go Away by Abigail Johnson, 368 pages. Inkyard Press, 2023. $20. Centering me
Language: R (53 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13
BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
Rebecca lives next door to Ethan’s grandparents, and all she’s ever wanted is for Ethan to stay, but his mom keeps taking him away. After this longest period of separation, Rebecca (17yo) and Ethan (17yo) are coming back together changed by the lives they’ve lived apart. This last reunion might be their last—for better or ill.
Life is not always kind, and Rebecca and Ethan suffer in different ways—different from each other and different from readers—but the underlying insecurities and questions about trust are the same. Through their story, readers see how no one can talk us out of our dark places. We have to choose to turn away from the pain, knowing that it will probably always be there, and that’s okay. Moving forward is still possible. It’s always still possible.
Rebecca is described as having “light” skin, Ethan is depicted on the cover as White, Neel is at least half Indian, and Amelie is Latina. The mature content rating is for partial nudity, innuendo, underage drinking, and drug use. The violence rating is for mentions of domestic violence.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this book.

Rebecca and Ethan have been best friends since childhood. They are bonded by the hijinks they get up to and the joy of being young. The one constant thing in their relationship, however, is that Ethan will always leave. Raised by a troubled mother, Ethan is torn between staying with her to protect her and the safety and comfort he finds at his grandparents' house...and Rebecca.

I thought this was a beautiful book. It's sad and a little dark, but the growth of the characters is something special. Rebecca and Ethan both have troubled relationships with their mothers and are searching for a way to find what it is they want. The one thing they know for sure is that they want to be with each other, but will it be a good thing or a bad thing? I like how this book isn't just fluffy. It deals with deep emotions and isn't a clear cut happily ever after, let's bypass all our trauma book. It delves in, and it's better for it.

Have you ever wanted to snap your fingers and go back to a different time in your life? An easier time? A time two seconds before you make a mistake that changes the trajectory of your life? Do you believe everything happens for a reason? In this story you are taken back to when friends Rebecca and Ethan are 12. It is also mixed in with their present day happenings. They both have VERY complicated lives with their parents and learn to eventually lean on each other in order to go on for themselves and to stop living their lives for other people. I could actually FEEL the struggles that they were both having during the book. This is a quick read...well, it has to be...you want to find out what happens!!! So good!

Every Time You Go away by Abigail Johnson ⭐⭐⭐

Dual Pov YA fiction.

The chapters change from character to character's pov and both past and present. It leaves ya lost. DNF

Lots happen drugs, abuse, grief, forgiveness, acceptance

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

There are so many raw emotions wrapped up in this book I hardly know how to review it! The writing is incredibly immersive and by the last page I had come to fiercely, fiercely love both Ethan and Rebecca.

They’re both messy and unlikeable at times but they felt like real people stuck in quagmires of trauma and hurt. I really loved that their romance was primarily about learning to communicate with each other and dealing with their own issues. Their history felt believable and understandable.

This is my first book by Abigail Johnson but I appreciated how easy and seamless her writing is. It’s easy to get lost in this book and forget you’re even reading.

My one issue with the book is regarding one of the side characters, Neel. I think the author attempted to make him a fully fleshed, human character but unfortunately I felt like certain aspects of his character and identity as an Indian-American man were a bit stereotypical. Of course, I’m not an authority on this so I will defer to other own voice reviewers and share any thoughts I see, but it didn’t sit quite right to me.

It’s obvious that the disability rep comes from a very personal place for the author. I feel like it blended grief, frustration, and hope in a powerful way. The end made me a little teary, but it felt realistic and hopeful at the same time.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I will be thinking about it for a long time. I highly recommend you check it out if you’re looking for an emotional story about healing and recovery!

Trigger/content warnings: child abuse, child neglect, grief, substance abuse, addiction, death of a parent.

Ethan comes to stay with his grandparents when his mother needs help. Rebecca is the neighbor who decides she is his best friend when he visits. Ethan loves his time with Rebecca but his concern over his mom keeps him with her, even when he'd much prefer the stability and friendship of being with his grandparents and Rebecca. Rebecca is always waiting for Ethan to leave, even when he's determined that this is the time he'll stay. But the many years between the last time he visited and this one, now that they're nearly adults, has come with some big changes and some hefty maneuvering around what they want, what they need, what has happened, and how it's changed them.
This book was so good I wanted to stay with these characters and read slower. I actually read it twice because I wanted to make sure I took it in fully. Coming of age with a disability, coming of age with a parent with addictions, coming of age after a parent death, and repairing relationships are all themes throughout. Both Ethan and Rebecca grew up entirely too fast because of their circumstances and the delicacy and respect that they were given is evident.

#arc
#netgalley
#everytimeyougoaway

This was definitely not a light-hearted YA romcom, but rather this #ownvoices wheelchair user story features a second chance romance between two friends turned more teens who are reunited after several years apart only to have to navigate Rebecca's new status as a paralyzed wheelchair user and Ethan's abandonment by his drug and alcohol addicted mother.

The complicated parental relationships seemed to trump the romantic relationship between the two leads in this book which was fine - those relationships are sure to be relatable to many teens but I wasn't a fan of how much underage drinking as a way to cope with life problems there were in this one (a personal preference).

Good on audio with a note by the author included at the end and recommended for fans of books like Where you see yourself by Claire Forrest. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest opinions.

I think I still need some time to process exactly how this book made me feel. And maybe that's just it, this book makes you FEEL. Your heart breaks for Ethan, for everything that he has had to endure throughout his life and what it has turned him into. You rage with him, you hurt with him, and then you hope with him. On the other side of the coin is Rebecca, who had such a happy and carefree childhood on the surface. Who was always his bit of acceptance and sunshine when he was in Arizona because his Mom was in rehab. Until the accident that changed EVERYTHING, not just physically, but way beyond emotionally as well.

This book put you on such an emotional roller coaster as Ethan and Rebecca struggled to find not only where they fit together as best friends, but also where they fit in their own lives. As they struggled to find their own voices on the cusp of adulthood, to figure out how they would live moving forward. As they both came to terms with the relationships they had with their mothers. The emotions were so RAW and powerful.

If you are looking for a sappy, cute romance, this is definitely not for you. This is real and messy and eye-opening honest, and way better for the telling. This is about accepting your own place in life before you can find your place in love and this was an amazing story.

Cute story, but the plot was incredibly repetitive. It took me months to read because there was nothing urgent to make me want to turn the page.

Every Time You Go Away is an emotionally charged and captivating novel that will resonate with fans of Jennifer Niven. With a deft hand, Johnson paints a searing and lyrical portrait of grief, forgiveness, and the extraordinary power of love that blossoms amidst tragedy. The story centers around two characters, Ethan and Rebecca, who first crossed paths eight years ago as mischievous young kids, forming an instant connection in a treehouse where they shared secrets and their first kisses. However, their budding friendship was abruptly severed when Ethan's mother reclaimed him, bidding farewell with a single flower placed on Rebecca's windowsill. Fast forward four years and Ethan disappears from Rebecca's life once again, this time to care for his mother, who has battled addiction throughout his existence. The weight of their separation looms large, as both characters navigate their individual struggles and find solace in memories of their shared past. Tragedy strikes again when Rebecca's father dies in a devastating car accident, leaving her bound to a wheelchair. As she learns to navigate life with this new reality, the question lingers: will her hardships and Ethan's absence tear them apart, or will their experiences ultimately serve to bring them closer together? Johnson expertly weaves together the intricate threads of grief, loss, and resilience, creating a powerful narrative that tugs at the heartstrings. Through her skillful prose and deeply empathetic storytelling, she delves into the complexities of human emotions, exploring the depths of sorrow, the nuances of forgiveness, and the transformative power of love. Every Time You Go Away is not merely a tale of tragedy and heartache, but also a celebration of perseverance, hope, and the indomitable human spirit. Johnson's characters are multi-dimensional and relatable, their struggles and triumphs providing readers with a raw and authentic portrayal of the human experience. In this poignant novel, Johnson masterfully tackles sensitive topics with sensitivity and grace. She invites readers into a world where love and loss intertwine, leaving an indelible mark on the reader's heart. Every Time You Go Away is a compelling and thought-provoking read that will leave you contemplating the resilience of the human soul long after you turn the final page.

Very interesting read! The book pulled me in from the start and I wanted to see how it ended. Try it and see if this book is for you!

This was a beautifully written story about guilt, family, childhood trauma and friendship starring characters who feel extremely real and vulnerable. The progression of Ethan and Rebecca's relationship was understated in a way that a lot of YA relationships aren't, and I truly appreciated the development that happened. There were definitely parts of the plot that lagged, making the pacing of the book a bit odd because the chapters were short, which usually quickens the pace. For the majority of the book, I also just wanted to scream at the characters to actually talk to each other because the lack of communication was astounding. Overall, this was a heartfelt, authentic story that I really enjoyed.

This is a beautiful book. There is so much emotion wrapped up in Ethan and Rebecca’s lives and they both have had their fair share of adversity. This book touches on some pretty intense topics (i.e., addiction, neglect, death of a parent). Ethan and Rebecca are soon-to-be adults trying to navigate how they fit into each other’s lives, as it came so easily when they were kids. I really enjoyed watching them grow and finally advocate for their wants/needs. I am very happy I read this one!

Thank you NetGalley and Inkyard Press for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I loved this book! I devoured it in only a few sittings and wish there was more to read. The story line was paced very well and the characters were easy to love!

This was a beautiful and emotional rollercoaster of a novel. We follow a dual perspective with Rebecca and Ethan. They meet as young children and the main portion of the story takes place eight years later when they are in their late teens.

The story deals with grief, addiction, abuse, disability, family, friendship, and so much more. Ethan and Rebecca both carry heavy baggage and we watch them navigating not only their own challenges, but try to help each other as well.
I love that this beautiful story is clean and romantic and demonstrates that happiness is obtainable even in the wake of trauma.
Some potential TW: substances abuse, child neglect, death of a parent,

This is another title to add to Abigail Johnson's list of top tier books. I think this would appeal to a wide range of readers!!

Can love win against all odds? Rebecca and Ethan work so had to figure that out. This YA book deals with many hard topics including drug/alcohol abuse, abandonment, child abuse and parent death, to name a few.

Ethan was the boy next door until he wasn’t time after time. Rebecca is the girl next door who always seems to be there to pick up the pieces. After watching his mom be abused by drugs and men his whole life, he finally decides that he can’t keep fighting for her unless she wants to fight. Rebecca is a normal girl whose world crumbles after one night of drinking at an underage party. She feel resentment towards Ethan for not being there on that faithful night. She needed someone but he wasn’t there. Finally in their late teens, they come together. They both realize that they need each other and to let the past go in many ways.

Now my thoughts: Honestly I’m all over the place. The story kept me somewhat engaged. I felt that it dragged in many areas. The only reason I stuck around was to see if there was a HEA. There was a HEA but there wasn’t magic/spark. I needed some fireworks. With this being a very young YA book (characters are late high school age), I didn’t expect there to be spice so I wasn’t surprised when there wasn’t any. Overall, was a great second, third, fourth, fifth, etc chance, boy/girl next door young love romance with a side of adult crap that no teenager or younger should have to deal with.

Thank you to Abigail Johnson, Inkyard Press and NetGalley for giving me a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Rebecca and Ethan meet as children and become fast friends. Ethan is staying with his grandparents while his mother gets her act together. Ethan comes and goes as his mother relapses and needs help again. Rebecca is heart broken every time Ethan leaves.

Great characters. I didn't always agree with their decisions, but they did what they felt was right at the time.

Over the years the two friends have many things happen in their lives in between the times they are reunited.

I liked the representation of life in a wheelchair. It felt realistic and true to the character.

I also particularly enjoyed Rebecca's boss and husband and how supportive they were.

Thanks to netgalley and Inkyard Press for the arc.