A review by akacya
Every Time You Go Away by Abigail Johnson

4.0

2024 reads: 200/250

content warnings: addiction, death of parent, abandonment, grief, car accident

eight years ago, ethan and rebecca met and immediately became close. then, ethan’s mom returned to take him away. every time he visits, ethan’s only goodbye is a flower on rebecca’s windowsill. three years ago, ethan left for the last time to take care of his mother, who struggles with addiction. two years ago, rebecca was in an accident that led to her father dying and her becoming a wheelchair user. now, they meet again, and discover whether their hardships have torn them apart or will bring them closer together.

this was such an emotional roller coaster. as i mentioned above, ethan and rebecca have both been through difficult things while apart from each other: ethan feeling responsible for caring for his mother, and rebecca feeling responsible for her father’s death, in addition to learning to navigate the world as a wheelchair user.

i also loved the whole premise of ethan and rebecca continuously being torn apart but still, for the most part, picking their friendship back up once together again. i really enjoyed this book, and i want to read more of abigail johnson’s books!