Every Other Weekend by Abigail Johnson is an emotional and heartfelt story about love, family, and healing. Adam and Jolene’s connection feels raw and real as they navigate their messy lives. It’s equal parts funny and gut-wrenching, and I couldn’t put it down. Perfect for fans of deep, character-driven contemporary YA.

This was such a sweet read and definitely the first of many I will be reading by this author. I found all the characters relatable in their own way. The romance aspect was written so well.

Every Other Weekend brought a lot of intense topics together in one story. There was separation, death, grief, abuse, and finding your self-worth. I found myself hoping Jolene and Adam would have all the problems in their lives work out. There was always hope for a better tomorrow and for things to become more manageable for both of them. I loved their friendship and how it grew throughout the book.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC of Every Other Weekend by Abigail Johnson.

Ah, this was so sweet, I would have loved it as a teen. Adam and Jolene are both spending every other weekend with parents that they are frustrated with, in apartments that they would never choose. But the silver lining is that they have found each other, and even through separate romantic relationships, disappointments, and even danger, they keep finding refuge in each other's care and love for each other.

I loved this for a lot of reasons. It addresses a lot of difficult things that young people experience growing up, divorce, loss, death, even assault. I felt like the author touched on all of those things with care. I also liked that even though the relationship between the two was romantic, it spent the majority of story in a deep friendship first. They genuinely cared for each other, even during times of distance and grumpy moods. The love was deep before it got romantic, which I thought added so much to the story.

Every Other Weekend
By Abigail Johnson
January 7, 2020

Adam’s life changed when his older brother died. His family is falling apart, his father has left the family and he and his other brother can’t go a day without fighting.

Jolene has been imagining her life as a film ever since childhood, but it is not a happy movie in real life. Her parents are divorced and have been using her as a pawn to get their ways.

Soon Adam and Jolene form a friendship that ends up as something more. Forced to spend every other weekend at the apartment building, they only have each other, their relationship soon blooms into a beautiful romance.

So emotional, I highly recommend this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Inkyard Press for this copy to read and review in exchange for an honest review.

While Every Other Weekend is certainly a book that will appeal to a variety of readers, unfortunately, I had to DNF this book around 50 or so pages through it. I was having a hard time connecting with the characters, and it failed to really grab my attention. It also is definitely more of an emotional read, so I would definitely keep that in mind when considering whether or not to pick this book up!! (not that emotional books are bad, by any stretch, but just that I sometimes prefer fluffier/lighter reads!)

However, I will definitely consider picking this book up again if I ever happen to be in the mood for it! Again, I think this was simply a case of "it's not you, it's me" and believe that this book will definitely resonate with many people (teen readers included!)

I really enjoyed this alternating perspectives novel; the story flowed smoothly between Adam and Jolene revealing all the heart on sleeve emotions and teenage coming of age drama in a poignant way.

Trigger warnings, this story deals with sexual assault, parent abandonment, and loss of a sibling.

Adam used to have it all, but when his older brother tragically dies, his family is ripped apart by grief. While each member copes in their own way, Adam retracts from them and lets anger rule his dealings with his family. His dad temporarily moves out and Adam and his remaining brother go live with him every other weekend.

Which is where he meets Jolene. She's the sassy, but heartbroken daughter dealing with the nasty divorce of her parents. Her dad left her mom for someone not much older than Jolene herself. Her mom copes by trying to find fault in everything her dad or Shelley do or don't do. So Jo is just a pawn to both sides.

They are both lonely and when they find each other on the balconies, an unlikely friendship strikes up. What happens next is a tender and heartfelt friendship that will make you cheer for them, but also cry.

This was so vividly realistic that I wanted to cheer for Adam and Jolene out loud the whole novel.

I don't know why but Jolene (especially) and Adam bugged me. They were so immature and I didn't like their relationship at all.
I felt sorry for Jolene and all the crap she goes through but she was just mean.

I won't rate it as I DNF after 100 pages.

I received this free eARC novel from NetGalley. This is my honest review.

This has been on my TBR pile for so long, and I'm glad I finally got around to it. I really enjoyed the storyline and seeing the characters change throughout the story was a great character development. The plot was great and kept my attention. I'm glad I got the chance to read this and will be on the lookout for more in the future!

I have elected not to read and review this book due to time constraints. Thank you for the opportunity.

A couple of years ago I discovered Abigail Johnson. I really enjoyed her book If I Fix you. I like that she writes contemporaries with some intense topics in the story. So I knew there was going to be more to this story than just a romance. However I didn't end up really liking the characters.

The two main characters are Adam and Jolene. We get both of their perspectives in this book. Adam's Dad recently moved out of the house. So every other weekend he spends it with his Dad and brother. Jolene parents are divorced after her Dad cheated on their Mom. Adam is okay. He's pissed at his Dad for leaving especially when his Mom isn't fully over the death of his older brother. Jolene sadly has two crappy parents. Her Mom and her Mom's boyfriend constantly beg her to spy on her Dad. They believe he has more money than he lets on. Her Dad is never around while also dating someone almost the same age as Jolene. I honestly get these characters have and are going through a lot especially Jolene. I just constantly was annoyed by there actions and how they acted towards people. Sometimes even towards each other. I really would sit there and be like why is happening right now. There was just constantly conflict going on. I do wish if maybe these characters were a bit different I would have liked the book more.

Honestly, thinking of having a romance set at a time where you're parents are divorced or separated is something different. I'm sure other books have done it but right now I can't think of many. I just wish these character's weren't themselves. There were certain times in the book when Jolene would be cold to Adam. I get why she was acting but it upset me to treat Adam that way. Adam has always been good to her throughout this book. So, to see her acting the way she was made me upset. I at times thought Adam could do better.

I do have to say I did enjoy Adam's relationship with his brother. It was a bit rocky at first but once things came together, I really liked reading about the two of them. I almost wish this book was focused on their relationship instead of it being about two people falling in love. I think I would have enjoyed that more.

Overall I found this book okay. I gave it 3 years. I was thinking about it for a while and asking myself if it should be less. I think 3 stars is decent. It had it's moments. I don't think I'd ever read again though. I do plan to read more from Abigail Johnson. She even wrote a thriller which I need to pick up and read. Hopefully, I like that.

*Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for my complete and honest opinion.

I tried really hard to like this book, but I could not stick through until the end. I grew up spending every other weekend at my dad's so this should have been something I can relate to but the book was just way too long.

I received an arc from NetGalley for an honest review. I tried to get into this book, even have a copy at my library that I have tried to read and I just couldn't get into it.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed this book. I thought the story was engaging and made me want to keep turning the pages.

This was a lot heavier than I was initially expecting but this book did a great job at putting together an emotional story dealing with very real topics that are sometimes glossed over in YA books. I felt that the grief was handled in a very respectful way, and what also stood out for me was the relationships in the story and how they evolved as the story progressed. Despite this book dealing with a lot of heavy and complex topics, I think this was handled in an appropriate manner for YA readers.

I love this author’s style and her books, but I think I’ve grown out of YA. It takes a lot to impress me anymore because I’ve just read so much. In this instance, it’s definitely more of a “it’s not you it’s me” situation.

Every Other Weekend is hidden gem, YA perfection. Touchingly poignant explorations of grief, loss, and self-doubt combine with the heady, swoony feelings of first love to create a story that, while addressing heavy topics, still leaves you with an uplifting sense of hope at the conclusion. It takes a deft hand to keep this balance in check and Ms. Johnson shows that she's more than capable of meeting this challenge. The characters' journeys are flawed but empowering, creating a relatability that resonates with readers of any age. This one is definitely going on the re-read shelf!

A well-developed story about two teens from broken homes, “Every Other Weekend” tackles diffucult topics including abuse, grief, and neglect. There is much that could be triggering for some readers but author Abigail Johnson makes effort to address these topics in an authentic yet sensitive manner. Readers are certain to care for main characters Adam and Jolene but may find, like this reader, that the journey is more believable as friends rather than romantic partners.

Thank you so much for allowing me to read and review your titles.
I do appreciate it and continue to review books that I get the chance to read.
Thanks again!

I went into Every Other Weekend expecting a simple, easy YA contemporary, but that's not at all what this is. Instead, it's a heartfelt and relatable look into the lives of two teens who meet when their lives and families seem to be falling apart around them. It's rare for a YA contemporary to touch me so significantly, but I was genuinely moved.

I loved Adam and how much he loved Jolene, unconditionally. He was such a sweetheart, even when things were tough for him. And even when Jolene was not so easily loveable. Reading this book made me feel that there really is someone out there for everyone. They just fit together so perfectly.

I always enjoy mixed-media elements in books, so I particularly loved the inclusion of texts, which helped set the story firmly and believably in the present. As someone who works with teens, it would be wildly unbelievable for their relationship to develop without technology ever present.

I can't wait to share this book with the teens at my library, as an example of a relationship they should strive for and an example of how to handle life when it isn't quite what you hope for.