PRAISE FOR Everything Comes Back To You
“Grounded in astute emotional insight, this intelligent work offers a memorable portrayal of first love.” —STARRED REVIEW, Publishers Weekly
“Khalilieh’s depiction of how autism complicates Lennon’s relationships feels painfully authentic. . . . Lennon’s gradual understanding of her immigrant parents’ traumatic experiences adds nuance, and her hard-won growth culminates in a thought-provoking ending. Poignant and insightful.” —Kirkus Reviews
“An introspective novel with flawed, authentic characters, this high-school tale is a great choice for fans of Osongco’s Midnights with You.” —Booklist
“Heartbreaking. Healing. Hilarious. This book is everything I want in a coming-of-age novel. Lennon is one of my favorite main characters in recent memory, and reading her journey with her own identity, and each person in her life over four years, was so touching, so entertaining, so rewarding. Taking full ownership of your own future requires courage—a reality Khalilieh masterfully presents here. A thousand stars!” —JESMEEN KAUR DEO, author of Reasons We Break
“A beautiful and achingly emotional story filled with raw yearning and perfect storytelling that deftly captures so many ways a heart can be broken and healed. I adored getting lost in Lennon’s world. Jackie Khalilieh continues to write some of the most genuine, vulnerable, and incredibly loveable autistic characters I’ve ever read. A perfect read!” —CG DREWS, NYT bestselling author of Don’t Let the Forest In
“A sweet coming-of-age story of falling in love but also falling in love with yourself. The world can feel too big and demanding when you’re a teenager and Khalilieh’s depiction of what it feels like as an autistic teenager navigating family, love, and dreams is raw and unapologetic.” —ZOULFA KATOUH, bestselling author of As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow
“An exceptionally honest unfolding of teenage girlhood over the course of four years. The particularly nuanced depictions of intimacy and romance that don’t shy away from the realities of shame, pressure, and judgment facing young women are standout elements, only elevating the ways in which readers might relate to Lennon’s highs and lows with love. Khalilieh has crafted a timeless narrative through this authentic exploration of all the ecstasy, embarrassment, introspection, and messiness that comes with growing up and into oneself.” —RACQUEL MARIE, award-winning author of Ophelia After All
“With deft prose and a sensitive touch, Khalilieh delves into the weight of parental and cultural expectations, autism, and identity. Lennon’s emotional world is beautifully rendered, and it’s profoundly rewarding when Lennon finds her truest self. A gorgeous bildungsroman.” —ALENA BRUZAS, award-winning author of Ever Since and To the Bone
