From the New York Times bestselling author of Girl in Pieces comes a breathtaking contemporary YA about addiction, family and finding your voice.
Emmy is the good one. Not strong-willed like her beautiful older sister, Maddie, and not difficult like her brother, Joey. She takes up as little space as possible. When Joey returns from rehab, her parents ask her to act as his guardian. She’s also expected to keep on top of her grades and hold everything together after the tragic events of that summer. The only person who makes her feel seen is her secret lover, Gage, but no one can find out about that …
How long can Emmy keep up her careful balancing act before it topples?
Buy a copy of You’d Be Home Now here.
Read some great reviews from our Preview readers here:
A thought-provoking, heartfelt novel. Really made me reflect on my adolescence, and my own relationships with family and friends. The narrative being written from the perspective of the addict’s sister rather than the addict themself was unique. Glasgow succinctly encapsulated the turbulence of growing up, gaining self-identity and the acceptance for others. Alexandra, TAS, 5 Stars
I loved the writing in this novel, the storytelling was amazing, it truly captured my imagination and took me away. Jessica, NSW, 5 Stars
This is a beautifully written novel, which will certainly pull at the reader’s heartstrings. So much pressure is placed on young Emory from her “perfect parents” from looking after her brother Joey who has returned home after a stay in rehab for drug and alcohol addiction after a tragic car accident, to doing well at school keeping her grades up, such a huge responsibility for a young girl. Emory tries hard to do the right thing. This is certainly a book I would recommend to readers. Deborah, NSW, 5 Stars
Before I even began to read this book my husband read the blurb on the back and laughed, saying “Is this book about you?” The middle child of two siblings both suffering the effects of addictions and I’ve never felt more seen than reading all about Emory being unseen. This is a beautifully accurate and real description into the life of all of those touched by addiction and not always an addiction to drugs. Emory, feeling responsible for inadvertently aiding in her brother’s drug addiction does what she (as a child) perceives to be the right thing in order to help protect and cover for her brother and maintain peace at home until a serious accident changes everything and everyone in their quiet small town. I was not surprised to read the author’s note and see that Kathleen is in recovery (well done to you Kathleen!) as this book speaks from first-hand experience. It’ll make you laugh and make you cry. I could not put it down even the parts that hurt to read and that is what makes for an excellent story. One that makes you feel intense emotions whether they’re good or bad. Mercury, NSW, 5 Stars
A heart-rending exploration of addiction and its effects in a small town. Glasgow is a master at pulling on the heartstrings and making the reader feel every poignant emotion, hitting you harder than you’d expect. A thoroughly enjoyable read that I couldn’t put down. Definitely recommend. Emily, WA, 4 Stars
Thank you Better Reading for a review copy of You’d Be Home by Now by Kathleen Glasgow. I highly recommend this moving story of Emory and Joey and how drug addiction affects not the user, but all those around that person. This is a YA book that captures the essence of the issue, told by, and being faced by Emory as she tries to save her brother Joey from himself. Well written with characters that are true to life and believable that pull you in and makes you care. Pamela, QLD, 4 Stars
You’d Be Home Now is the latest heart wrenching contemporary YA novel from Kathleen Glasgow. Focusing on Emory and her brother Joey, who is struggling with drug addiction, the book explores the feelings of invisibility that siblings of addicts experience and how this affects their lives and relationships. Emory’s parents are often absent and a huge amount of the responsibility for Joey is placed on her. Emmy’s life is like a huge balancing act, caring for Joey, keeping her school grades up and trying to have something just for herself after the tragic events that occurred over the past summer. You’d Be Home Now was such a thought-provoking and emotional insight into substance abuse and its effects on family and friends. It was beautifully written and I devoured it in a couple of sittings. Although it does explore some pretty heavy themes, it didn’t feel too overwhelming to read. This is one I would recommend to teens and adults alike and I now look forward to reading Kathleen Glasgow’s previous books. Brooke, VIC, 4 Stars
I was a bit hesitant at first when I realised this was Young Adult fiction, but there were some very serious adult issues in this book – addiction, depression & mental health, family drama – which were dealt with in a mature way. This book centres around Emory and her brother Joey who struggles with addiction. Although only a teenager, Emory is in a position where she feels responsible for her brother and keeping him safe and clean. I really liked the character of Emory and enjoyed watching her learn and grow throughout the story and come to the realisation that she can’t control her brother or his situation. Emory’s group of friends are also very likeable. They all have their issues and their quirks but they stick by Emory and support her when she needs them most. There were other issues in the book which the author didn’t dive into – the parents’ drug and alcohol issues as well as their relationship problems. She skimmed over these and I felt there was an opportunity to dig a bit deeper. Overall this was a great book for all adults, young and old. Thank you to the publisher for a free copy of this book to review. Belinda, NSW, 4 Stars
A moving story of life and how things can change overnight. A simple trip and devastating consequences, an emotional book that tackles mental issues, drug abuse and grief, guilt and trying to understand the world and lives when things change and life is lost. Very moving and complex through the eyes of Joey and Emory and their family. Anita, NSW, 4 Stars
A well-written story touching on some very sensitive topics. A dysfunctional family with poor coping mechanisms, drugs and their effects on not just the user but those around them, expectations and how they shape you. I empathised very strongly with Em and felt her embarrassment, as I am also very quiet and introverted. Kerrie, NSW, 4 Stars
You’d Be Home Now is a beautifully moving book. It’s deep and heart-wrenching and covers a lot of sensitive subjects. A story about families, addictions, parenting, bullying and friendship, it really has it all. Although in places this was a tough story to read, there was always fundamental underlying love and hope built into the story. The author is so kind, caring and honest about those suffering the grip of addictions and the struggles families face. The characters are rich and flawed as we all are, this made the story feel so genuine. If you choose to read this beautiful book, make sure that you also read the Author’s Notes at the end. Powerful & Hopeful. Debra, NSW, 4 Stars
A storey about a well to do family, mum, dad and their two daughters Maddie, Emmy and their drug-addicted son Joey. This family seems to have it all — a beautiful home, successful parents with high profile jobs in their chosen careers. But the dynamic in this family is far from perfect or normal. Maddie the eldest daughter is a beautiful, smart, strong-willed high achieving girl who sets the bar way too high for her other siblings. Unlike her elder sister, Emmy struggles with self-esteem issues, she feels totally awkward and out of place at school and at home, she is never in any trouble and most of the time she feels invisible. Unfairly placed upon her by her parents, Emmy has been given the role of caretaker for her drug-addicted brother Joey. Emmy loves her brother dearly and does everything she possibly can to keep him off drugs and safe. It is heartbreaking to see the effects and struggles she has in doing this. It’s as if the world has been put on hold, it’s all about keeping Joey straight. Emmy feels overwhelmed and invisible most of the time. The only time Emmy feels alive and visible is when she is with her secret lover Gage. Jacqueline, NSW, 4 Stars
You’d Be Home Now by Kathleen Glasgow covered a lot of relevant issues for today’s teenagers. It was an interesting way to view the effects of addiction through the sister, Emory, rather than the person addicted, Joey. I think this helps to create empathy for Joey as you learn he is a person that is loved and cared for which is often forgotten in those for who drugs have ruined lives. I’m not sure it left a lot of hope for the reader and perhaps young adults and teens reading this might get them down. Whilst Covid-19 is not the topic of this novel, I found it really odd it didn’t make a mention. This novel is clearly set in 2020 and it seemed too glaring an omission considering the impact it had on the lives of absolutely everybody on earth. Overall it was a good read. Alice, NSW, 3 Stars
A very moving story about how teen problems such as drug addiction and sexting really affect the whole family deep down and are real issues, not just salacious headlines. Leanne, SA, 3 Stars
You’d Be Home Now is interesting from the beginning, describing the challenges, ups and downs of growing up in the world of today with all its technology. It shows the vagaries of teen friendships and loves. It encourages and challenges the younger generation but personally, l found it depressing. Julie, NSW, 3 Stars
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