You Were Always There
by Heidi Dischler
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Pub Date Apr 16 2026 | Archive Date Mar 19 2026
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Description
What do you do when your dead best friend's last wish is for you to go on dates with her boyfriend?
Jessie Hill knows two things: Addy Taylor is her best friend and she’s the only family Jessie has ever had. They know each other better than anyone else. So, when Addy dies from an ongoing illness that Jessie knew nothing about, Jessie is left heartbroken and confused. That’s when Jessie receives a letter from Addy telling her to go to their favorite café. When Jessie gets there, though, she meets Andrew, Addy’s boyfriend and another secret that Addy kept from her.
Together, Andrew and Jessie receive an emailed video from Addy telling them that she has adventures planned for them. As an added bonus, Addy explains that she'll have letters for both of them after each outing telling them one secret she's never shared with them before. The catch? They have to be together to solve the password riddles for Addy's videos, so Jessie can't exactly do it by herself. Reluctant to go out with Addy's boyfriend but terrified to let go of the only family she's ever known, Jessie agrees—if only to keep getting letters and videos from Addy. How hard can it be to pretend to date Addy's boyfriend if only for a little while?
The more she goes out with Andrew, though, the harder it gets to separate what Addy felt for Andrew and what Jessie is beginning to feel for him. With Addy’s secrets piling up and Jessie’s feelings for Andrew getting more complicated than ever, Jessie can’t help but feel like Addy’s games are threatening the very fragile foundation that Jessie stands on. Can Jessie even consider Addy family if there were so many secrets she didn’t know about? Does that mean that she has no one left? Not even a memory?
Advance Praise
"...a touching novel that reminds readers of the importance of love, friendship, and finding strength in the face of loss." -Readers' Favorite
"...a touching novel that reminds readers of the importance of love, friendship, and finding strength in the face of loss." -Readers' Favorite
Available Editions
| EDITION | Ebook |
| ISBN | 9122006601235 |
| PRICE | $4.99 (USD) |
| PAGES | 348 |
Available on NetGalley
Average rating from 9 members
Featured Reviews
Ugh. Tears. Lots and lots of tears. Snot too. I was not even slightly prepared for this story.
The synopsis intriuged me. Then almost had buyers remorse when I saw it listed as a YA novel. But then I started reading....
This is one of those books that just takes over. You loose track of time and you let the story swallow you whole.
This was such an incredible story that had tears just pouring out, practically the entire time, I read. Loss, grief, love, friendship, family, its a hard topic to be able to encapsulate with such impact, but Heidi absolutely did.
I really don't know what to say for reviewing this one. I'm truly just at a loss for words.
Yes, this book is written in third person POV. Do NOT let it stop you. (Coming from a reader that absolutely has bailed on books the second I see third person POV on the first page...)
Yes, its a YA novel. No, it 100% did not matter.
Incredibly thankful this book exists.
Shannon S, Reviewer
I really enjoyed this book. It definitely was a depressing book! It had its moments of joy though!! I really loved how she showed how everyone was processing grief their own way! The book store guy was my favorite!! I was really involved to see what the next thing would be for them to do!! I hope you make a sequel to this one!!