This book comes with a number of trigger warnings, but it tells a beautiful and powerful story through the eyes of teenagers, capturing their voices with authenticity and emotional depth. While it tackles some difficult topics, it does so with sensitivity and care, making it a meaningful read for young adults navigating similar challenges. I would absolutely recommend it to my teenaged students for its relevance and relatability. As an adult reader, however, it’s not something I would have gravitated toward on my own, and I likely wouldn’t have picked it up if it hadn’t been an advanced reader copy (ARC).

This book really surprised me in the best way. It’s emotional, raw, and incredibly heartfelt without feeling overdone. The story centers around grief, healing, and reconnection, and Abigail Johnson handles all of it with so much care and honesty. The main characters—Rebecca and Eli—have such a deep, complicated history, and watching them navigate their pain while trying to figure out who they are now was both heartbreaking and hopeful.

This was a YA romance that was heavy on real life struggles such as grief, anger, and childhood trauma. I enjoyed seeing the characters and their flaws as they navigated life and loved watching the growth they each experienced. Overall, it was enjoyable and interesting and I believe it will resonate with a lot of people who have/are experiencing the things Ethan and Abigail do throughout this story.

This last half of this YA novel had me so tightly in its grip I couldn't let go.

Ethan's mom is an addict. He spends his life bouncing between his grandparents' house when she's in rehab, and with her when she's not. It's an uncertain life for a young boy to grow up in, and his responsibilities toward his mother feel huge. Rebecca lives next door to Ethan's grandparents. They become great friends, then crush on each other. Rebecca gets in an accident that causes her to be wheelchair bound at 17, which puts a huge strain on her relationship with her mother. Both of Ethan and Rebecca need and trust each other as friends, while wanting more. What really struck me was Rebecca's story as a disabled person trying to navigate a world that's not built for her. She feels invisible at home, invisible in the world, and lately, not so visible to Ethan, either. Her struggles were eye-opening and so very sad, at times. Her character arc was the strongest and I loved watching her find her voice.

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

Abigail Johnson’s Every Time You Go Away is an emotional, heartfelt novel about love, loss, and second chances. The story follows Rebecca and Ethan, childhood best friends reconnecting after years apart, each carrying the weight of their own struggles. Johnson’s writing is raw and poignant, capturing the depth of grief and the hope of healing. The characters feel authentic, and their relationship develops beautifully. While the pacing slows at times, the emotional depth keeps readers engaged. Fans of contemporary YA will appreciate the realistic portrayal of love and resilience. A touching read that lingers long after the final page. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

OMG…This book this book brought me tears. It was such a powerful book. The first chapter alone hooked me. The first chapter was set in the past which kind of gave the vibe of what the book is going to be like. I had an idea it might be going to the past and present which I was correct.

Rebecca (the main character) witnessed a boy getting dropped off at his grandparents. Ethan life was going to completely change because it wasn’t going to be his first nor his last.

The present for these two was a little spotty but they both knew the relationship was still there and strong. However a lot had changed Rebecca was in a wheel chair and Ethan had grown as well but his attitude was completely different.

Both characters had something to bring to the table even though they came from a broken family. Ethan’s mom had a substance addiction while Rebecca lost her dad in an accident which was also the one that put her in the wheel chair. Her mom distant herself after the accident and their relationship wasn't the greatest after that.

Both of them had so much on their shoulders. Their journey throughout the book was extremely emotional. The twists were unexpected. This book alone amazing. 10/10 recommend.

Beautiful, important, devastating, the list goes on and on. Thank you so much to the publisher and Netgalley for letting me read this early!

I picked this book up to start so many times and when it would begin getting a little emotional I would put it down. After so many starts and stops, I finally was in a good place that I sat down and began again. I read it cover to cover in that sitting. There were so many emotions experienced, it had a touch of humor, a touch of sadness, a touch of frustration, and love. It was so well written with well rounded and likeable characters. The last few books I've read have been decent, but the characters were unlikeable, so this was refreshing. If you are in the mood to feel all of your feelings then you must read this book!
Thank you NetGalley for the advanced preview.

Unfortunately, I did not finish this one. I kept trying to get into it but couldn't. Eventually, I gave up. So disappointing as I really enjoy this author. Sadly, something just didn't connect with me here.

I received this as a ARC. Thank you for the opportunity! This book was actually really good. I enjoyed the read! Great character development and story line.

This book is emotional and heavy but so so good! Think - John Green but without the manic pixie dream girl complex.

Every Time You Go Away is extremely YA with a whole lot of teen angst and trauma. There's a second-chance romance throughout the story but it's truly more about family and friends and pain and substance abuse and disabilities. There's a lot to unpack but it's beautifully written and I enjoyed the journey.

I found the book to be somehow both a quick and tough. I felt like I was along for a wild ride and I just couldn't put it down but so many of the events of the story made me want to scream or cry or find a way to hug these poor souls.

The story is told in a dual timeline but the past timeline isn't linear, it's more like relevant flashbacks. Both past and present were continuously breaking my heart in the best way.

I really loved Every Time You Go Away and I can't believe I put off reading it this long! I highly recommend this book for those who love an emotional and tragic read.

(I put some TWs in my review but loss of a parent and child neglect/abuse are also important ones to include)

*I voluntarily read a free copy in exchange for a review, all thoughts and opinions are my own*

Did not finish this book. When I started reading it, I did not realize it was not going to be something I enjoyed because of how one of my triggers wells portrayed.

Johnson created a compelling coming of age story. Both Rebecca and Ethan have a lifetime of tragedy on their shoulders. As they try to navigate their adult problems, they find comfort with each other, despite the years apart. The emotions run high in the novel.

Every Time You Go Away by Abigail Johnson is a poignant and lovely story of loss and love and friendship, and how it can all be lost. And then, found again.

Ethan and Rebecca meet as kids verging on teenagers. They are kindred spirits and slight trouble makers who share secrets, jokes, and first kisses. While Rebecca has a solid home life, Ethan’s mom struggles with addiction and so his stays at his grandparents (next door to Rebecca) means he can leave at anytime. But the joy the two share when together keeps those absences bearable. That is until Rebecca is in a car accident, leaving her wheelchair bound and the moment she needs her friend, Ethan, the most- he abandons her.

Returning to his grandparents’ house, Ethan and Rebecca slowly work to reform their old bounds and rebuild what was broken in both of them over the past 8 years. And maybe find out that when wounds heal, you can be stronger for it.

Johnson has created a sweet, vulnerable, and endearing cast of characters, and you are immediately invested in the outcome. I was completely engaged in the story and the ending left me satisfied. I recommend this book if you are looking for a bit of young romance, a bit of coming-of-age, a bit of teen angst. Random rating 3.75/5.

This book was fabulous. I have recommended it to many friends and family, and appreciated the way that Abigail kept me wanting to read more.

"Every Time You Go Away" is an intense story. If you get emotional about books, there are times in this book that your emotions will be triggered. The story revolves around some difficult topics/events — substance abuse, neglect, partial paralysis, death of a parent, feelings of abandonment. However, there is also a lot of beauty in the story in the various relationships between some of characters, and the way they care for each other and support each other, even if and though they make mistakes and don’t always do the best job of showing they care.

3.5 stars

I really wanted to like this one more. I mean, look at that gorgeous cover! I like the author, the premise was great, the storyline was compelling and unique. Unfortunately, I didn’t find myself connecting with the characters. This is a story with very little plot so character is everything. There were plenty of details to build the characters, but it lacked depth somehow.

So many parts of the story felt overly dramatic in a Lifetime movie kind of way. I wanted to know what mental illness Rebecca’s mother was dealing with because nothing about her was normal.

It wasn’t a bad book, I was just hoping for better.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC to review!

I really liked Every Time You Go Away. It was great for a young adult romance. The characters were mature but still had issues that made sense for a younger adult.

I did love the characters. I felt everything they were going through which was definitely a lot for 17/18 year olds.

It’s not often that a MC is disabled so I liked that Rebecca was paralyzed and heard about some of the struggles a person goes through when adjusting to their new life.

TW ⚠️: Parent death (not depicted) and drug abuse (discussed but not depicted)

Thanks to Netgalley and Inkyard Press for a copy of Every Time You Go Away in exchange of an honest review.

This book wasn’t my favorite and I don’t think it was meant for me. The writing style was good but I didn’t love the story. I will try more by this author in the future.

This book follows Ethan and Rebecca, childhood friends facing significant challenges. Ethan lives with his grandparents due to his mom's addiction, while Rebecca became paralyzed after an accident that killed her dad. Determined to find his mom, who left rehab, Ethan enlists Rebecca's help. Meanwhile, they navigate their growing feelings for each other.

The book is intense, with complex character dynamics. I found the relationship between Rebecca and her mom particularly difficult, as Rebecca's mom unfairly distanced herself. It was a relief when they finally talked. Ethan's inability to save his mom was heartbreaking.

The trauma bonding Ethan and Rebecca together makes their future uncertain, but I'm glad they chose to try. I highlighted many passages and am definitely glad I read this one.