Leaving Us

by Julie Lowman

Outwardly confident, but inwardly a mess, sixteen-year-old Sydney attempts to numb her grief from the loss of her mother with the ecstasy of first love. Desperate for love and a sense of belonging, she relishes being Tyler’s girlfriend. However, with Tyler’s love comes his temper, a minefield she navigates daily. When Hasan Ozan, a loner who spends more time vaping than attending class, accidentally witnesses Tyler’s abuse, Sydney finally has someone who knows the truth and will challenge her devotion to Tyler. When Sydney finally breaks up with Tyler, he sets his sights on Hasan in revenge, forcing Sydney to choose between Hasan’s welfare, and her own.

292 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 25, 2023

Reviews

[Tess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh. This was a whirlwind read. I am so glad I grew up before social media became the norm.
But even social media aside, I know what it's like to have the bad boyfriend. The one you can't tell if you LOVE or are being abused by. Or are you just both angst-filled teens raging with hormones?
Julie Lowman grips you right away in Sydney's life. You feel the same highs and lows of a girl navigating freshman year. And everything is amped up in this post-covid world. My heart literally raced in a few scenes and I wondered what would happen next.
"Leaving Us" is a fantastic first novel. I'm so glad I picked it up.

[Ann Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sydney’s story of emotional abuse in a young relationship is an important one to tell. And this one was so well written. I enjoyed getting to know these characters and being in their world for a bit. While I wish this story’s ending resulted in more romantic independence for Sydney, her growth and path to emotional wellness provides the reader with hope for her future.

A wonderful debut novel. I cannot wait to see what else Julie chooses to put in the universe!

[Kate line · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this! It was a quick and enjoyable read, definitely recommend.