How to Live without You

In this heart-wrenching coming-of-age story about family, grief, and second chances, seventeen-year-old Emmy returns home for the summer to uncover the truth behind her sister Rose’s disappearance—only to learn that Rose had many secrets, ones that have Emmy questioning herself and the sister Emmy thought she knew.

When her sister Rose disappeared, seventeen-year-old Emmy lost a part of herself. Everyone else seems convinced she ran away and will reappear when she’s ready, but Emmy isn’t so sure. That doesn’t make sense for the Rose she knew: effervescent, caring, and strong-willed. So Emmy returns to their Ohio hometown for a summer, determined to uncover clues that can lead her back to Rose once and for all.

But what Emmy finds is a string of secrets and lies that she never thought possible, casting the person she thought she knew best in a whole new light. Reeling with confusion, Emmy decides to step into Rose’s life. She reconnects with their childhood best friend and follows in Rose’s last known footsteps with heart-wrenching consequences.

An honest and intimate look at sisterhood and the dark side of growing up, Sarah Everett’s latest novel is a stunning portrayal of how you can never truly know the ones you love.

How far would you go to find a sister who may not want to be found?

• A Summer Mystery: When everyone else is ready to move on, Emmy is the only one who believes her sister didn’t just run away. She’ll spend her summer chasing Rose’s ghost through their hometown.
• Childhood Friends Reunited: To find Rose, Emmy must reconnect with the boy they left behind, forcing them both to confront the past they tried to escape.
• Uncovering Dark Truths: The deeper Emmy digs, the more she realizes Rose’s life was a carefully constructed lie. The truth is darker than she ever could have imagined.
• Powerful Mental Health Representation: An honest and unflinching exploration of grief, depression, and the hidden struggles that can hide behind the brightest smiles.

“A riveting, thought-provoking read that examines the effects of mental health on familial bonds.”  - Kirkus Reviews

“Everett displays prowess in conveying immediate emotion…making this novel hard to put down. An excellent choice for fans of Nina LaCour, Katie Cotugno, and John Green.”

“A compelling exploration of mental illness and family dynamics.” - Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“Comprising equal parts mystery and tender coming-of-age story, this work adeptly pulls readers into Emmy’s journey as she considers the many facets of growing up and knowing the ones you love.” - School Library Journal