My Review of “Every Time You Go Away” by Beth Harbison

My Review of “Every Time You Go Away” by Beth Harbison  St. Martin’s Press  July 2018

“Every Time You Go Away” by Beth Harbison is an emotional and intense novel. The Genres for this novel are Fiction, Women’s Fiction with a touch of Para-Normal. The timeline of the story is within three years of the present, and goes back to the past when it pertains to the characters or events in the story.

The author honestly describes some of her characters as depressed, lost, overwhelmed and conflicted.  Willa, is a young widow with a teenage son Jamie. Their relationship is strained and dysfunctional due to the tragic death of Ben, three years earlier.  Ben died in the family summer home which once had wonderful and happy memories. Willa is very lucky to have a loyal and concerned friend Kristin.

Willa is determined with a heavy heart to go to the summer home, and fix it so it can be sold. As soon as she and the family dog arrive, she has a strange feeling  that Ben is there. Literally Ben’s ghost seems to be there encouraging her to move on with her life.

Jaime reluctantly goes to help his mother  at the summer home, when he senses there is something off with her. Jaime is getting by in school, and doesn’t seem motivated. He ends a relationship with an over-bearing and demanding girlfriend.

Is this a special summer that both Willa and Jaime can overcome their feeling of loss, and become close. Will Willa be able to move on?  I would recommend this novel for those readers that enjoy a book that deals with family grief and healing. I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.