Next Time You Leave by Andrea Gonzalez
4.5
Next Time You Leave Book Cover Next Time You Leave
Flat Caps and Wheels
Andrea Gonzalez
Romance
Self Publish
November 30, 2023
Ebook, Paperback
360

Oliver: Making a move on my best friend's little sister wasn't supposed to end in tragedy but it did: A car crash I should've prevented, a shattered dream of becoming a pro-BMX rider and a broken heart after losing the only girl I've ever loved. I thought leaving was the only option after the mess I made. Ten years later, as the owner of one of the biggest BMX brands in the country, I had no plans to ever see her again. She's moved on and so have I. But a devastating phone call sends me back to my hometown in a heartbeat. Back to her. She's the same selfless, kind-hearted, joyful girl I fell in love with all those years ago. The glue that holds our tight-knit friend group together. The strong, determined woman who became the Sports Photographer I always knew she was destined to be. My heart breaks when I learn about the pain she's been through. How I failed her by leaving her when she most needed me. Still, she welcomes me with open arms, offering me the friendship I've missed so much but I don't deserve. I should listen to our friends and settle for that. But I'm not a dumb kid anymore. I refuse to accept friends is all Carmen Morales and I are destined to be. No matter the doubts or the weight of our past. Last time I left like a coward. Next time, I'm not going anywhere unless she goes with me. Next Time You Leave is a full length romance novel with open door intimate scenes, explicit language, no cliffhanger and a guaranteed happy ending. Trigger Warnings: This book includes mentions of physical and emotional abuse from a past relationship, death of a relative and survivor's guilt. Unhealthy and abusive family relationship. Parent with undiagnosed mental illness. Alzheimer's disease and heart attack in a parent. On page abduction, violence and attempted rape.

Next Time You Leave by Andrea Gonzalez

Next Time You Leave is a profoundly moving and deeply romantic debut novel by Andrea Gonzalez.

As I have wiped the tears from my fluffy and red eyes, I think I am finally ready to talk about Next Time You Leave by Andrea Gonzalez.

The Plot

Next Time You Leave is a second chance romance of childhood best friends. Carmen and Oliver grew up in the same friend group of BMX biker friends. As they reached early adulthood they caved (for a second) into their attraction and made a move. Only for there to be a catastrophic accident that drove a deep wedge between both Oliver and Carmen.

The distance between them included Oliver leaving town cutting contact with Carmen, and becoming a very successful BMX Bike entrepreneur. It was a bit of 10 year torture for each Oliver AND Carmen, as they still belonged to the same friend-group. So avoiding updates on each other was very tricky.

Fast forward to NOW

Fate and BMX Bike championship games has forced these two back into force proximity. The way that Carmen first, avoids, then reaches out to make amends (because she is the purest soul.) To the way that Oliver cannot stay away, or keep any jealousy at bay when it comes to her. Makes for the yummiest back and forth, back-to-love shenanigans I have read in a while.

Where the magic of this story lies.

The magic of Next Time You Leave by Andrea Gonzalez lies in the heartfelt moments with each and every character. Whether it’s Carmen and Oliver rebuilding their bond, or if it’s the beautiful friend group supporting each other. There is comfort and found family on every page. There is both complicated yet relatable mental health and dealing with toxic family members that is met with equal intensity of care from the said friend group. With each trauma or new realization you learn from either Oliver or Carmen, you instantly feel a comforting hug from the friend that is listening, or the sibling that is supporting them over the phone.

Next Time You Leave is a warm hug to many that have suffered and are still going through domestic abuse, extremely toxic family members, and loss of a loved one. Despite all the harsh real-world elements characters are exposed to, there is a very beautiful and grounding counter weight of deeply loving friends and soulmates.

Next Time You Leave is Andrea Gonzalez’s debut romance novel. It is easy to see she packs a punch on emotions, take great care of mental health in her characters, and gives us some swoony as HECK love declarations. I cannot wait to see how the rest in this series melts my heart into a puddle.

Andrea Gonzalez’s debut, Next Time You Leave is out November 30th and if the holiday season calls for cozy yet beautifully heart-wrenching books, then this is for you. Grab your copy now. Please note this is an affiliate link.

This book was provided in exchance for an honest review graphic