Every Time You Go Away

by Abigail Johnson Narrated by Ferdelle Capistrano, Graham Halstead

Overview

Perfect for fans of Jennifer Niven, Abigail Johnson draws a searing and lyrical portrait of grief, forgiveness, and the kind of love that blooms in the aftermath.
Eight years ago, Ethan and Rebecca met, two troublemaking kids sharing secrets and first kisses in a tree house, until Ethan's mom returned to take him away. Each and every visit, his only goodbye was a flower 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, they discover if their hardships have torn them apart...or will bring them closer than ever.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Praise for Every Time You Go Away

“Emotionally rich and thought-provoking. Johnson’s skilled storytelling drops readers directly into Ethan and Rebecca’s experiences, both the painful and the beautiful, and I, for one, was changed by the journey.” —Lynn Painter, New York Times bestselling author of Better Than the Movies


“A perfect blend of heartache, healing, and hope. Every Time You Go Away tackles tricky topics with candor and care while bringing to life characters that work their way into your heart and never let go.” —Erin Stewart, author of The Words We Keep and Scars Like Wings


Praise for Every Other Weekend

"This is a coming-of-age story with real heart and authenticity. A must read!" —Samantha Young, New York Times bestselling author of The Fragile Ordinary and On Dublin Street

"A poignant, painful, and stirring story about two kids trying to navigate divorce, first love, and finding your dreams." —Kathleen Glasgow, author of Girl in Pieces and How to Make Friends with the Dark

"Every Other Weekend handles sensitive family issues with honesty, amidst the fresh, emotive backdrop of Johnson's stunning prose. Adam and Jolene spark the page with their wit. And they'll slide into your heart as they discover each other's." —Laura Taylor Namey, New York Times bestselling author of A Cuban Girl's Guide to Tea and Tomorrow

"Johnson beautifully evokes the tender romance that eventually builds between [Adam and Jolene] after their first encounters, offering readers access to the two teens' inner thoughts and fragile psyches. Jolene's loneliness, especially, will break hearts... The positive, not overly simplistic resolution to the complicated story will touch readers." —Booklist

"A complex and emotionally charged character-driven story that explores a variety of painfully human themes, including loss and emotional abuse. Adam's and Jolene's struggles will draw readers in, and the slow-burning romance will touch readers' hearts... Heart-wrenching and hopeful—a reminder that we can change our stories." —Kirkus Reviews

"In addition to the tender love story, the book takes on a number of important issues for young adults including divorce, loss, grief, family dynamics, relationship control, and sexual assault... Romance fans will especially enjoy this title." —School Library Journal

author of The Words We Keep Erin Stewart

A perfect blend of heartache, healing, and hope. Every Time You Go Away tackles tricky topics with candor and care while bringing to life characters that work their way into your heart and never let go.”

Aprilynne Pike

A heartrending story about life not being what you hoped for…and being okay anyway.”

Kirkus Reviews

2024-01-05
As a teen navigates his mother’s substance abuse, he comes in and out of the life of a girl who’s dealing with the death of her father.

Ethan and Rebecca met as children the first time Ethan’s mom dropped him off at his grandparents’ house so she could focus on battling addiction. Over the next few years, Ethan would often stay with his grandparents (Rebecca’s neighbors), and the kids became close friends, sharing their first kiss as 13-year-olds. But whenever Ethan’s mother showed up and whisked him away, their communication would stop. After four years away, 17-year-old Ethan is back. During his absence, Rebecca was in an accident that killed her father and left her a paraplegic. She’s carried a burden of guilt over her father’s death and has also felt abandoned by Ethan. Rebecca experiences pressure from her mom to go away to college, which would mean leaving a job she loves making jewelry at a studio where her boss is another wheelchair user. The romantic tension builds as the two renew their trust in each other. The coming-of-age milestones feel earned as Ethan has to let go of the idea that he can be his mother’s savior, and Rebecca must accept that she wasn’t responsible for the accident. Ethan and Rebecca are coded white.

A heartfelt story of two well-developed characters who are much more than their challenging circumstances. (content note) (Fiction. 13-18)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940175714723
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	12/05/2023
Edition description:	Unabridged

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