☆ Every Time You Go Away by Abigail Johnson

About

Eight years ago, Ethan and Rebecca met, two trouble-making kids sharing secrets and first kisses in a treehouse, until Ethan’s mom returned to take him away. Each and every visit, his only goodbye was a flower on Rebecca’s windowsill.

Three years ago, Ethan left for the last time to take care of his mother, who’s 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.

Thoughts

Every Time You Go Away is a new favorite book. Rebecca and Ethan are two of the most relatable and realistic characters I’ve ever read—both in personality and how they talk/interact with each other and everyone around them. Their circumstances might not be relatable to everyone, but their reactions can be.

There is a little bit of content in this one, but not too much, and it all made sense to the story as well. This is one I plan to continually recommend.

Content

Romance

Alcohol/drugs

• Undetailed kissing (multiple times)

• Inappropriate comment from adult man to teenage FMC

• Implies that Ethan’s mom sleeps with lots of different men

• Underaged drinking

• Ethan's mom struggles with drug addiction

• Navigating grief

• Parental neglect

Other

Language

• “h*ll” (used 12 times)

• “d*ck” (used 8 times)

• “a**” (used 7 times)

• “d*mn” (used 7 times)

• “sh*t” (used 25+ times)