The Leaving Room

by Amber McBride

"Achingly tender."
"Intimate and astonishing."

"[Amber] McBride's lyrical narration weaves together love, loss, grief, and the liminal space between life and death." — Kirkus

For fans of You've Reached Sam and If I Stay, a hauntingly beautiful, ultimately hopeful novel-in-verse about a girl in between life and death, by National Book Award Finalist Amber McBride, who also narrates.

Gospel is the Keeper of the Leaving Room—a place all young people must phase through when they die. The young are never ready to leave; they need a moment to remember and a Keeper to help their wispy souls along.

When a random door opens and a Keeper named Melodee arrives, their souls become entangled. Gospel's seriousness melts and Melodee’s fear of connection fades, but still—are Keepers allowed to fall in love? Now they must find a way out of the Leaving Room and be unafraid of their love. In a novel that takes place over four minutes, National Book Award finalist Amber McBride explores connection, memory, and hope in ways that are unforgettable and poignant.

"[Amber] McBride brings a special gift to this production by narrating her own material. Skillfully, her pacing reflects the verse format of her novel, providing the rhythms she intends to her words." —AudioFile on We Are All So Good at Smiling

A Macmillan Audio production from Feiwel & Friends

Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Poetry, Romance, LGBT, Novel In Verse, Audiobook

Audible Audio

First published October 14, 2025

Reviews

[Bookishrealm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a difficult one for me to rate and it's an even more difficult title to review.

What Worked: The Leaving Room is poetic magic and an interesting take on what happens when we "pass on." It's about confusion, loss, fear, comfort, and most importantly love. Even as an adult, there were some "ah hah" moments that really made me think about my own feelings and thoughts about the afterlife and the afterlife as it pertains to the loss of children. Though we don't know what comes next, there is comfort in the way in which McBride chooses to characterize this "waiting room" of sorts.

What Didn't Work: I found the beginning of this to be really slow and somewhat confusing. While I adored the writing and the connections that were made at the end, it took a while for the story to hook me.

Overall, this was a beautiful reading experience that had some high emotional, beautiful moments that McBride is known for in her writing.

[Stitching Ghost · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a gorgeous, gorgeous read that was. The stream of consciousness novel in verse form was perfect to convey the flowing and changing nature of Gospel's understanding or her situation. It's a stunning and tender little read which I can't recommend enough.

I'm kind of stoked to see that McBride has a little bit of a back catalogue because I'm really looking forward to reading more of her work after reading this one!

Also, can we get some commotion for that cover?

[Grace Quan · Rating 5 out of 5]

**arc review**
I think this might be the most powerful and beautiful story I’ve ever had the privilege of reading.

Have you ever wondered what really hovers between life and death? Living and the afterlife?

This in-verse novel uses vivid imagination to describe what’s really between life and death.

I have to admit, I really struggle getting into this book. The first 40 pages really dragged for me. I considered dnf’ing more times than I would like to admit. But after that point, I flew through the rest of the novel in one sitting and was left speechless by the end.

My advice, go in blind and persevere through the slow and slightly confusing beginning. You won’t regret it, I promise.

5/5 stars 🌟

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for this arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Bethany (Beautifully Bookish Bethany) · Rating 4 out of 5]

What happens in the space between life and death? The Leaving Room explores this through a novel in verse about a girl caught in that in-between, helping children work through their grief and pass on. It's divided into the different stages of grief and is about memory, loss, and how we cope with our past and an uncertain future. It's moving and not quite what I expected, in a good way. I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher, all opinions are my own.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imagine all kids having 4 minutes between life and death. 4 minutes to spend with Gospel in The Leaving Room to make their transition easier, the “in between.” This story was deep and emotional, putting things on your mind that you wouldn’t normally think about. Gospel helps these young people deal with the 5 stages, denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.

Overall, The Leaving Room is a deeply moving, thought-provoking read. I enjoyed the narration in the audiobook, I love when authors do well narrating their own work. This was simply a beautifully written story on what it means to live & love, accepting what cannot be changed. Thank you NetGalley, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for an advanced reader copy and Macmillan Audio for an advanced listening copy. All opinions are my own.

Publication 🗓️ : 10.14.25

[Book Riot Community]

This is one of Book Riot’s Best Books of 2025:

This novel in verse offered such a thoughtful and unique take on the afterlife. It reminded me of how I felt reading Gabrielle Zevin's Elsewhere as a teenager but for today's generation. It stars Gospel, a Keeper who guides recently deceased souls from life to what comes next. But when she meets another Keeper named Melody, they work together to find a way out of the Leaving Room.

- Andy Minshew

[Renee Godding]

Amber McBride is in good favour with the Cover Gods. This one is even better than her last ones. 🩵

[Frida · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[Esmay Rosalyne · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars

Okay so I fell head over heels in love with McBride's storytelling in We Are All So Good at Smiling, but somehow I was not prepared for how awe-struck I would be after reading The Leaving Room. It's a beautifully haunting and casually queer novel in verse that explores the complexities of the liminal space between life and death, and it's honestly transcendant in its quiet power.

Gospel is just the most effortlessly loveable character, and it really touched me to see how she did her duties as a Keeper in helping young people move on after they have passed. The journey that we go on with her throughout this short novel really tugged on my heartstrings, and I was totally caught off-guard by all the revelations that we make together with her.

I did feel like the sapphic love story between Gospel and Melody developed a bit too quickly, but at the same time I also adored their soul-deep connection. The way that they connect and help each other grow and heal was so beautiful to witness, and I was rooting for their happy ending from the moment they met.

Also, I was not expecting this book to make me so hungry, but I was truly eating up all the delicious recipes and vivid memories linked to food. Especially with McBride's deeply immersive writing, I felt like I could smell and taste everything that was described, which truly had me salivating.

The Leaving Room might be a quick one-sitting read, but it doesn't forget to pack a big punch and leave a lasting mark on you. Highly recommend this one on audio, narrated by McBride herself, as that just makes the poetry of this novel even more magical. Such a beautifully tender exploration of life, death, grief, loss, memory, and love in all its complicated beauty.

[Desiree · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s a moment, between life and death. Or four, to be precise. Four minutes.

I want to describe my love for this novel-in-verse, but it’s really best to go in blind. I’ve read We Are All So Good at Smiling and Me (Moth), both of which ere immaculately written with beautiful prose and imagery. The Leaving Room is no different and just further solidifies my love for Amber McBride.

Thank you NetGalley and Feiwel & Friends for an advance copy of this beautiful work of art (literally, that cover too!).

[Glenna Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gospel is the Keeper of the Leaving Room, a place where children younger than 17 pass through after they die. Gospel's story is told through the stages of grief as increasingly older children pass through the room. Gospel is clear about the rules and about the answers she is allowed to give. However, when Gospel begins to break the rules, astonishing things begin to happen, things that leave Gospel uncertain about the future and even about her identity. As with anyone telling a story of trauma, the first, second, and even third tellings probably are not the whole truth. While Gospel is not telling a story about her own trauma, Gospel's story also moves through many iterations, changes, additions, and deletions or twists. The ending will come as a surprise to readers who miss the clues along the subtleties along the way. This is a compelling story told with beautiful language and warmth that encompasses the span of four minutes.

[Marybeth Buskirk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual Rating: 3.5

I thought the prose of this book was just so beautifully done and I definitely want to read more books by this author for her writing style alone, however this book fell a little flat for me. It felt like the entire time right up until the end you had no idea what was going on and then BAM plot twist, which isn’t a bad thing for most books, but I don’t think it worked for this one quite as well! I loved how it used the ways of grief to tell a story though!

[emma charlton · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Leaving Room follows Gospel, a Keeper who hosts children in her leaving room until they are ready to move on completely. The novel in verse begins with effective worldbuilding, establishing a strong setting of the leaving room as "an elsewhere place." Sections are organized by the stages of grief, with one child leaving per stage. The strong association we have with food and taste is emphasized as passing children share recipes and Gospel soothes them with familiar food. Gospel knows nothing of before or after the room, for the children or for herself. Eventually, she is forced to question her world and existence. McBride is skilled at writing verse that both conveys a powerful message and remains readable for young audiences. Gospel's unfamiliarity with her own world can make it difficult to ground and invest in the story. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

[Kara Cecchi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think it’s best to go into this book unknowing. All you need to know is it’s beautiful, poetic prose will not let you put this down. Read this in one sitting. I teared up at the end. Memory is funny and you don’t always know what’s going to stick and what gets forgotten. I’ll be rereading this periodically for the rest of my life. I’ll be recommending this book to everyone I know.

The Leaving Room releases 10.14.25

Thank you to NetGalley & Feiwel & Friends for an e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

[Sarah Bennett · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first read of 2026 being just okay is NOT an omen, okay? (I am telling myself that, at least.) Did I do this book a disservice by reading it immediately after sobbing through the whole Stranger Things series finale? Probably. Have I read other books by this author and found them to be just okay as well? Well, yes. However, I had high hopes for this book! That cover! The premise! It just left something to be desired in how it all shook out. It was worth the read and the narration was well done. If you want a quick read that you will like but will not change your life, I recommend this one. It was entertaining enough on my (below freezing) hot girl walk. Thank you to NetGalley and Libro.fm for the ALC!

[Maddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Feiwei and Friends for the ARC!

Holy shit. This is truly something remarkable. The connections to each girl entering the leaving room is something truly remarkable. I love the writing in this piece, it reminds me of The Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds. This was also very reminiscent of Silent Hill 2, and specifically “Born from a Wish”.

Melodee and Gospel’s love story was so beautifully done, and the way that Amber writes about Death in such a transcendent way??? I also want to cook every dessert that was recommended in this story.

The characters were fantastic, the story was FANTASTIC! I just loved this all around. And the PLOT TWIST??? WELL FUCKING DONE!

[Janereads10 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book truly surprised me. The format leaned more toward poetry than prose, and yet it pulled me in right away. The writing captures that strange, delicate space of the “in between” and holds you there.

It’s a short story, but it carries weight. While it touches on themes of death and memory, at its heart it’s also about something deeper and universal — love.

The whole reading experience felt short and sweet, but also thought-provoking. A little story that lingers and tickles the mind.

Thanks Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group and NetGalley for the advance reader’s copy.

[Izzys_Internet_Bookshelf · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5

This was my book clubs book of the month for January and I had some pleasant surprises with this one. I really enjoyed the poetry in the book and it was all very well written andI loved how descriptive it was. That being said, I had a hard time connecting with the actual characters. Though I did like how the book was fast paced and the ending.

[Toni Sorensen · Rating 3 out of 5]

lovely

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amber McBride does not disappoint in her latest novel in verse, The Leaving Room. The storytelling is so beautiful and emotional. Once I started this book I could not stop until I finished it.

[Haylee Perry · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a really interesting book and I think could be interpreted in a lot of different ways. I, however, feel like it fell short and I wanted the author to explain it a little bit more. I am really intrigued by the idea of this in-between life and death space though. 3.5 stars rounded down.
Thank you Libro.fm for the ALC!

[Jenna]

Besides the cover!!! I will read any and everything by Amber McBride. So, save the date, I’ll be looking forward to this as I work on completing the rest of what she has published

[Gabby Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read so many books a month that often the last one flows into the next, making it hard to fully immerse myself in a new story. But that was not the case with “The Leaving Room”. From the first page I was hooked, written like poetry, the author takes the reader on a beautiful journey of what happens once someone passes.

The author uses two main themes to carry out the plot; the five stages of grief and seasonal change. The main protagonist, Gospel, meets a cast of six characters, all of which are hoping to leave the leaving room, and 5 of which symbolize a new stage of grief. They share memories with Gospel and she loves each one in return as they leave on to whatever comes next. As time passes, the four seasons also come and go. Something Gospel can remember happening, but she is unsure why. In death the brain can only live for four minutes without oxygen, each minute is reflected in these four seasons of change.

Above all, this is a beautiful tale of love and not just romantic love. Gospel loves each person who enters her leaving room and she lives the people she seems in the memories that they leave behind. Because grief is not something that should be taken on alone. Some of the most powerful moments being when Gospel discovers Melodee, a true depiction of what it feels like for two souls to remember one another, to truly know each other.

And to round out the tear jerking experience you discover that the author herself was inspired by a near death experience her father encountered and each recipe Gospel uses to comfort or share love while in the Leaving Room are actual recipes from her family, passed down with love.

[Sacha · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

Amber McBride has such a unique style, and reading these books is so comforting as a result, even when the motifs are incredibly challenging (which is often the case). This is another great example of what makes McBride's verse novels special. There's smart structuring, intriguing character and plot development (especially in such a small package), and utter efficiency. Still, McBride manages to pull off a novel concept and imbue the entire text with so much deep emotion.

Gospel and Melodee meet under remarkable circumstances, and it's clear immediately that their relationship has the capacity to expand far beyond its initial possibilities. While their interactions are powerful, the introduction of each new character helps keep the text feeling layered and emotionally heightened. This is an unexplored setting for most, but the descriptions and depth make the content feel not only possible but probable.

Incoming fans and those who are entirely new to McBride's work will all find an aesthetically pleasing and rich view of a challenging series of topics. I enjoyed the concept and execution and look forward to reading much more from this author. I also recommend the audio version when and where accessible.

*Special thanks to NetGalley, Feiwel & Friends, and Macmillan Audio for this arc and alc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

[ChristineReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, this was breathtakingly beautiful and I definitely teared up as I read it. I loved the concept of a Leaving Room, a place where you go before you die, a warm meal, a good song, and love, above all love. This book found me this week on the anniversary of a loved one's death and reading it was cathartic, imaging my loved one in a place before the end warmed my heart.


This is a beautiful story that follows Gospel and Melodee, each the keeper of their very own leaving room, helping those that come through pass onto the next stage. Gospel can't remember what happened before this but she knows there are rules. However, she begins to skirt around the rules and ultimately ends up finding Melodee and sharing space with her. The two work together to help each other and those that come through. As they come closer together they have to decide which way to go from their leaving room.


This story was filled with beautiful prose, warm memories, recipies, sadness, and joy. It is beautifully read by its author whose voice is fills this story with love and compassion.


Hands down, if you love prose, storys that make you feel feelings, and love stories, I would highly recommend you pick this book up! Thank you to the publisher for providing an ALC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.


4.5 Stars

[its_just_christin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is beautiful. It’s a quick listen or read but the story is so well told and it sucks you in. This book was deep and thought provoking and really makes you think about what happens between life and death. At the same time it’s also a lesson in love and living your life to the fullest. It’s about being true to yourself no matter what anyone else thinks. There is such a beautiful message in this book and I feel blessed to have experienced it.

I listened to an ALC of this book narrated by the author Amber McBride. She did an excellent job tackling some heavy subject matter. I was especially thankful for the author note at the end of the book which was such a touching story about her father’s near death experience. Thank you Macmillan Audio and Amber Mcbride for providing this audiobook for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a moving speculative fiction, YA novel in verse about girl caught in the in-between world of life and death who believes it is her job to help usher young souls across to the beyond. She does this with care, understanding and lots of delicious food (recipes included)!!

This book is told in a stream of consciousness style (which isn't my fav) but I loved that the author narrates the book and the way it gave me the very best The giver vibes (for anyone who hasn't read Lois Lowry's masterpiece, you NEED to!). Don't skip the author's note at the end and just enjoy the ride that is this thought-provoking, sweet and quick read. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

[Laura (crofteereader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was ready to get wrecked. Amber McBride always finds a way to wreck you - quietly, beautifully, suddenly. And yet, somehow, I wasn’t ready for the wrecking force to be a soft but unshakeable hope (ie Melody). I loved the inserts of recipes (and the scavenger hunt to find them all, as mentioned in the Author’s Note). I loved the concept of the leaving room as a quiet, warm, beautiful place to pause and rest before turning back or charging on. I loved Gospel’s aversion to the mirrors and reflective surfaces, and how all that collapsed in the end.

{Thank you Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review}

[Morgan 📚 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Characters: 4⭐️
Setting: 4⭐️
Plot: 4⭐️
Themes: 4⭐️
Personal enjoyment: 4⭐️
Emotional Impact: 5⭐️
Overall rating: 4.25/5⭐️

💙YA Speculative Fiction
💐Novel in Verse
💙Between life and death
💐Thought provoking & moving

Gospel is the keeper of the leaving room. A place similar to limbo. One day a door opens and another keeper, Melody arrives and their souls become intertwined.

I thought I knew where this was going but man. I bawled like a baby. If you’re wanting a short but impactful book to read. This is it.

Thank you to Storygram Tours & Fierce Reads for providing me with a physical book in exchange for an honest review.

[Kristin Rose ˚ʚ♡ɞ˚ · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you decide to read this beautiful book, set aside an hour or two and read it from start to finish in one sitting. I feel that this is the best way to experience this book that’s more than just a book. It is a poem that pulls you in immediately, and the words intertwine with your soul. This book is deep in a simple way, and it felt like a love letter to grief, life, and death. Being in the Leaving Room felt like a warm hug of nostalgia and late summer afternoons. It felt like the best moments of childhood. It was magical and comforting and I know I will return again and again to experience it.