Take Me with You

by Steven Rowley

A poignant, hilarious, and wholly original love story, from the New York Times bestselling author of The Celebrants and winner of the Thurber Prize for American Humor.

College professor Jesse del Ruth has been abandoned. Thirty years into their relationship, Jesse witnesses his husband Norman get out of bed late one night, walk into their Joshua Tree backyard, step into a strange beam of light and . . . disappear. How could Norman desert him after a lifetime together? Where did he go? And, most confoundingly . . . will he ever return? Jesse knew they were longing for something, both feeling stuck. But had Norman been so stuck that his only option was to leave Jesse behind?

As Jesse struggles to understand Norman’s disappearance, he tries to piece together his new reality. Is he expected to wait patiently for a partner who may never come back? Or is this an opportunity for reinvention? He is, after all, alone for the first time in his adult life. Should he return to the classroom? Put in a pool? Get a dog? Call his estranged mother? What does it mean to be alone when you’ve always been one half of a whole?

When Norman’s sister Lally lands on Jesse’s doorstep with an urgent request, Norman’s absence becomes even more profound. Add to Jesse’s grief and confusion a conspiracy-theorist neighbor, a strange man following him, and suspicions that he may have had a hand in Norman’s disappearance, and Jesse starts to crack under the pressure. With his husband missing and the world closing in, all eyes are on Jesse. Before he can understand how Norman could leave it all behind, Jesse must confront what it means to stay.

In Take Me With You, Steven Rowley brings his resonant wit and emotional insight to an epic love story–an exploration of the forces that draw two people into the same orbit and the gravity that threatens to pull them apart.

Genres: Fiction, Romance, Magical Realism, LGBT, Contemporary, Queer, Audiobook

Audible Audio

First published May 19, 2026

About the author

Steven Rowley is the bestselling author of Lily and the Octopus, a Washington Post Notable Book of 2016, The Editor, named by NPR and Esquire Magazine as one of the Best Books of 2019, and The Guncle, a Goodreads Choice Awards finalist for 2021 Novel of the Year and semi-finalist for The Thurber Prize in American Humor. His fiction has been published in twenty languages. Rowley lives in Palm Springs, CA with his husband, the writer Byron Lane.

Reviews

[Marieke (mariekes_mesmerizing_books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life can go so fast. And the older you get, the faster it feels. Before you know it, another year has passed. Take Me With You is about that feeling, that life slips away. About three people in their forties and fifties who think their lives are fulfilling, yet still carry this itch that something is stuck. Their feeling is so recognizable.

Jesse and Norman had an impossibly cute meet-cute. And from that moment, Jesse said, “I go where you go.” And he did. For thirty years he has been in the passenger seat, in Joshua Tree, the desert. In the house Norman built, or actually rebuilt. Stuck in his life as a writer.

Norman’s sister Lally is scared. Scared to love anyone fully again after their brother died. Her whole adult life she has been running from commitment. And now another brother is gone, and maybe she wants a kid, and…

And then Norman just disappears from the face of the earth. Literally. He steps into a beam of light and poof, he is gone.

This story is about living. About listening to your heart. About not losing yourself. About how relationships grow and change, how we grow and change. About finding our way back to ourselves and to each other, even when it feels impossible.

It is never too late to adjust. To say, “I would like to drive sometimes too.” To surrender to love. To change, even though you think you can’t anymore at a certain age. And as someone who got all those pop-culture references because well, yeah… age I loved the U2 titles for the different parts of the story. They fit so well!

Thank you, Putnam Books and NetGalley, for this wonderful ARC!

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[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’ve ever read any of Steven Rowley’s past books, with The Guncle being the most popular, you know he blends his signature wit, rapid fire pop culture references that readers under 40 may miss, and genuine heartbreak into unique storylines.

*Take Me With You*, releasing on 5.19.26, is no different in that regard. However, in terms of plot, it stands apart from anything he has written before. Jesse del Ruth, a community college professor and former award-winning author, has been with his husband Norman, an architect, for more than thirty years. One night, in their distinctive Joshua Tree home, a home that becomes a character in its own right, Jesse feels a tremor, sees a bright light, and watches Norman disappear into a mysterious beam. Was it aliens? Was it an unconventional way of ending a marriage? Jesse has no idea, but he sets out to discover what happened to his husband.

Along the way, we meet a variety of memorable characters, including Jesse’s students, affectionately referred to as Snickers and Mountain Dew, Randall the conspiracy theorist who urges Jesse to dig deep, quite literally, to uncover the truth, Norman’s flight attendant sister Lally, who carries her own secrets, and Jesse’s distant mother. Each character showcases Rowley’s talent for weaving humor into everyday conversations.

“I’m not a tuna,” Norman objected.
“Obviously,” Jesse said. “But we’re going to get you checked out to your albacore.”

“He was graying in his beard and carried a briefcase, looking not unlike one of the accountants they drag onstage at the Oscars.”

*Take Me With You* is not simply a story about the possible alien abduction of a loved one. It is a thoughtful exploration of how relationships evolve with age. Is a long partnership still worth fighting for? How happy are we after decades together? Through Jesse and Norman’s past, Lally’s true connection to the couple, and the reckoning of parental relationships and long-held truths, Rowley digs into these questions with heart and nuance.

There are a few clear opinions expressed about the current political climate, which I felt was neither here nor there and it will be interesting to see how audiences interpret the abduction storyline.

“I saw on TV now it’s trendy for liberals to cut family members out of their lives for having a difference of opinion.”

By the end, I appreciated how Rowley reinforces the idea that love, no matter how long it takes to grow or how long it lasts, has a way of bringing us back to one another if we are truly meant to be.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steven Rowley and his husband, Byron Lane are both auto-read authors for me, so I was excited to receive this ARC.

This book is a lot different from other Steven Rowley books, but that isn’t a bad thing.
I think that it says something when an author leaves their comfort zone and incorporates other genres into their writing.
We have three main characters in the book:
Jesse, who is an author and college professor
Norman, an architect
Lally, a flight attendant and Norman’s sister
Jesse and Norman have been together for three decades and recently bought and remodeled a house in Joshua Tree.
Norman had been talking about an app (no, not one of the typical apps you’d probably think about in a gay novel) and the light associated with it.
Suddenly one night he walks into their backyard and disappears into this bright light from above.

First off, I love the cover of this book that shows a beautiful desert sunset.

I also loved that one of the main characters was a flight attendant.
Based on small details that I picked up on in Lally’s chapters, I could tell that Rowley definitely interviewed a real FA prior to writing the book.

While I don’t know that I’d put this into the mystery category, it definitely had a mysterious feel.
Where the heck is Norman, and will he ever return?!
Like all of his novels, this one had both funny and poignant moments.

I found all of the characters to be likable (I even warmed up to Gail towards the end).
There were some parts of this book where I briefly wondered where things were going, but it always got back on track, and most importantly, I was happy with the ending.

I haven’t read anything by Steven Rowley that I didn’t consider to be an enjoyable read.
This was definitely enjoyable, but I just didn’t enjoy it as much as The Guncle and The Celebrants.

Pub Date: May 19, 2026

Thanks to NetGalley, Putnam, and especially Steven Rowley for providing me with an eARC to review!

[Fernanda (ivyfer_isreading) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5
Take me with you is a very charming book, it is different from everything I've read from Steven Rowley while maintaining his writing that I simply adore.
This book is about a man that wakes up to his husband leaving him, not in the traditional sense but he just vanished in a beam of light. We see how that changed him, he needs to relearn how to live his life without his partner of 30 years, which is a very difficult thing to do when he was the center of it.
We also see Norman's(the disappearing man) sister, who is trying to find him and also maybe discovered she wants to be a mother and the time is running for her too.
Going in I was bewitched, this is such a cool concept and as it went on and I caught what the meaning actually was it became even better. This is a book about change and living your life to the fullest, choosing your own happiness because in the end that's all you have.
I absolutely loved it, it's definitely worth your time and I would recommend it to everyone.

Thank you Netgalley and Putnam for this ARC.

[Dee (short hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars - love the Joshua Tree references, and what this book said about long-term relationships

[Melissa (Alaska Bound) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Not sure what I thought about this book to be honest. I will think about it for a bit. RTC

[Mai H.]

Pride TBR

Valentine's Day TBR

📱 Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons

[Angie Miale · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quietly humorous, self-deprecating contemporary story of a long term relationship, being abandoned, and finding your spirit. Part “Same As It Ever Was” [Claire Lombardo] and part “Then She Was Gone” [Lisa Jewell] and part “Emperor of Gladness” [Ocean Vuong]

Jesse and Norman have been together for decades; they’ve settled into their privileged life, and suffer from the general malaise of late capitalism. Jesse is a semi-celebrated writer, teaching at university, whose most celebrated work may be behind him. His husband Norman goes to the backyard to investigate a soft but encompassing light in the backyard one night, then disappears.

Jesse needs to grieve the loss, learn who he is without Norman by his side, and come to terms with feeling abandoned by his father before he was born and his emotionally distant mother. He is joined by his sister-in-law Lally, who is also grieving the disappearance of her brother, figuring out what middle age is going to look like for her, and figuring out how to get close to people who might leave.

This is beautiful writing, surprising in its simplicity, and with deep themes. The writing is clever, not laugh-out-loud funny, but specific to really develop the characters into being endearing. It all builds up to a heartwarming scene. With Steven Rowley, you always know he’ll make you think, laugh, and cry. This one fits the bill.

4.25/5 stars “I loved it”

Thanks to NetGalley and Putnam for the ARC. Book to be published May 18, 2026.

[Book Riot Community]

Book Riot’s Most Anticipated Books of 2026:

I reach for Steven Rowley's books when I need something that will mend my heart. His characters tend to stay on my mind after I've finished reading their stories. I'm excited to get to know the ones in Take Me With You. It follows Jesse, a college professor who seeks to not just investigate but understand his husband Norman's disappearance. As far as Jesse remembers, Norman stepped into a beam of light and was gone. Even if that really happened and it not a product of his stress-addled spiral, why did he leave Jesse behind? —Andy Minshew

[Lisa Leone-campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Take Me with You is such a beautiful story about how sometimes spouses, siblings and family can get lost in all the minutia life throws at them and forget that once upon a time before life became difficult, it was the strength of leaning on those who we love which can somehow help solve any problems. But sometimes it just might take a problem out of this world to put life back into perspective.

Jesse is a college professor and Norman an architect. Married, they met and fell in love over thirty years ago. Norman is a bit older than Jesse. Married and living in Joshua Tree they seem to have gotten into a rut. Both are bored, snippy and a bit sarcastic towards each other. And Jesse is now beginning to feel Norman's age from all those years ago.

And then Norman leaves.

In the most peculiar way. One night Jesse wakes up to find Norman in the backyard staring up at a bright light. Jesse yells to Norman to not go. But Norman looks back at Jesse and goes into the light leaving Jesse alone.

Bewildered and knowing he can't tell anyone what he saw as they would put him in a hospital, he must now handle all the responsibility in their lives as he waits and hopes for Norman's return. In the meantime, Norman's sister Lally a flight attendant comes around not only looking for Norman, but also to ask them for a favor. As Jesse tries to hide the fact that Norman is clearly nowhere to be found, he begins to become angrier at Norman for going to...well he doesn't know.

Jesse begins to change while he waits for Norman's (hopeful) return. He becomes friends with their neighbor who lives in a camper, gets close to the students in his class and in his own way begins to search for answers as to where and why Norman left. Oh, and he begins to dig up his backyard.

As time goes by and chaos ensues Jesse misses Norman but realizes life must go on. And so, it does until the inevitable happens. What is it that happens? Well, you must read this extraordinary story, Take Me with You to discover how sometimes the secrets to happiness and love and forgiving may be closer than a light year away.

Thank you #NetGalley #GPPutnam'sSons #StevenRowley #TakeMewithYou for the advanced copy.

[Cassie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Because he did not want to be a visitor in this strange and curious life. It no longer exhausted him like it once had. He wanted desperately what attracted him to the light in the first place. He wanted to be part of a larger world.

Let’s get this out of the way up front: Jesse del Ruth’s husband of 30 years, Norman, may be sucked up into a beam of light and disappear in the early pages of this book – but this isn’t a book about aliens. Instead, it’s a story about how we can both lose and find ourselves, and our partners, in our relationships, using a possible alien abduction as a metaphor…which certainly gives new meaning to the phrase “needing space.” It’s a strange way to frame the book, and probably only a writer as talented as Steven Rowley could even attempt to pull it off, especially considering no real answers or explanations are provided.

Something was missing for me with this story, even aside from the lack of resolution re: the aliens. I liked Take Me With You well enough when I was reading it, but I never had the urge to rush back to it when I wasn’t – which is why it took me more than a week to finish it. The characters didn’t grab me, the structure was choppy, and it didn’t feel as witty and warm as Rowley’s previous novels. The relationship insights felt obvious and superficial; although I certainly appreciated the book's themes, I didn’t come away moved or with the urge to think more deeply about my own relationships.

But still, there is an undeniable magic to Rowley’s writing, and that will always keep me coming back to his books. Thank you to G. P. Putnam’s Sons for the early reading opportunity.

[Brennan Chamberlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having recently laughed my way through both Guncle books and sobbed through Lily and the Octopus, I was thrilled to snag an advanced copy of Steven Rowley’s latest. It does not disappoint. Thank you so much to Putnam for this ARC!

The premise is fascinating and hits you with a heavy hypothetical: What would you do if your spouse disappeared tomorrow? What would your life look like after? Rowley explores this with his signature blend of snarky, fast-paced prose and deeply descriptive storytelling. I found myself laughing out loud on one page and getting misty-eyed the next. While the Rowley voice I love is still front and center, the cast of characters in this version of Palm Springs feels fresh, unique, and entirely new.

If you want a story that has as much heart as it does comedy, I cannot recommend this enough!

[Amy Voelker · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think I have read and loved all of Steven Rowley’s books and was really looking forward to this one. Super sad to say that I did not connect with this one. I finished it last night and 24 hours later I am still trying to figure it out.

Jesse and Norman are a midlife married couple. Their initial passions have long since simmered down and daily annoyances seem to take over their relationship. Then one night Norman disappears into a bright light in the sky and Jesse is left to pick up the pieces.

At first I wondered if the alien abduction was a metaphor for death (much like Lily’s octopus). But it later became apparent this was not the case. Then I wondered if this was all just about how relationships change and how we can’t afford to lose ourselves to a relationship.

In the year after Norman’s departure Jesse seems to figure out more of who he is (as opposed to being Norman’s husband) which leads to a few turning points in the months after.

The story line with the neighbor and the sister falling for the private investigator never seemed to be fully developed and honestly the whole thing required too much suspension of disbelief for me.

I am sure I am just not the intended audience for this book and will still read everything Mr. Rowley writes. Many thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for this ARC.

[MrsHarvieReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Take Me With You by Steven Rowley is a quiet exploration of midlife, long term relationships, grief, and identity.
Jesse, a middle aged married man, is left to process his grief and discover his own identity after the strange disappearance of Norman, his husband of 30 years. Norman’s sister, Lally, also shows up during this time, looking for her brother, as well as her own sense of self. Over the course of the story the two men have to figure out how to grow individually and together, and to repeatedly choose each other.

After reading several of Mr. Rowley’s previous novels, I knew to expect a story that is at turns hilarious and cuts right to the heart. In this book he delivers a sharp and touching look at what it truly means to navigate a committed relationship over the years. The characters are refreshingly flawed, but watching them work through their own messy lives to reach a happy ending is so satisfying. And the shoutouts to local Palm Springs hot spots was an added bonus for me. Overall this is a unique read that will resonate most with mature audiences navigating the ups and downs of midlife and lasting relationships 3.75/5⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and GP Putnam Sons for a gifted ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love said forever, and then—without warning—walked naked into a beam of light and left me emotionally unemployed. Steven Rowley’s Take Me with You grabbed me by the soul and said, “Hey… let’s unpack your entire belief system about love, identity, and what it means to stay.” Thank you to G.P. Putnam’s Sons and NetGalley for the gifted ARC—because this one? It’s not just a read, it’s an experience.

At its core, this isn’t about aliens, even though yes, there is a full-on glowing-sky, Joshua Tree, what-in-the-actual-hell moment. This is about Jesse and Norman—thirty years into a relationship that has settled into something comfortable, predictable… maybe even a little too quiet. Jesse has built his life around Norman, orbiting him, following him, loving him in that steady, familiar way that long-term couples do. Until one night, Norman quite literally disappears, and Jesse is left standing in the desert with nothing but questions and a life he suddenly doesn’t recognize.

What unfolds is less a mystery and more a slow, aching unraveling. Jesse isn’t just grieving a missing husband—he’s confronting the terrifying realization that he doesn’t know who he is without him. And honestly? That hit hard. Watching him stumble through loneliness, awkward reinvention, and reluctant self-reflection felt painfully honest. He’s messy. He’s sometimes selfish. He’s also deeply human. And then there’s Lally—Norman’s sister—who storms in with her own urgency, her own fears about time slipping away, motherhood, and whether it’s ever too late to rewrite your life. She adds this beautiful, chaotic layer to the story that makes everything feel bigger, heavier, more real.

Rowley does what he always does best—he balances humor and heartbreak like a pro. One minute I was laughing at Jesse’s dry, slightly unhinged commentary, and the next I was sitting there like… oh. OH. This is about all of us, isn’t it? About the quiet ways we lose ourselves in relationships. About the routines we mistake for happiness. About how easy it is to wake up one day and realize you’ve been living on autopilot.

“I was tired of everything being the dumbest way to do anything.”

That line? It’s funny, yes—but it also carries this undercurrent of exhaustion that perfectly captures the emotional tone of the book. It’s that feeling of being stuck, of knowing something needs to change but not knowing how—or if—you’re brave enough to do it.

The desert setting is practically a character itself—wide, still, a little eerie—mirroring Jesse’s internal landscape. And the side characters? Quirky, endearing, slightly chaotic in the best way. A conspiracy-obsessed neighbor, a suspicious outsider, students who reflect Jesse’s own unraveling… it all builds this world that feels both grounded and just a little off-kilter, like reality tilted a few degrees to the left.

This book is for readers who love character-driven stories that dig deep. If you’re into emotional, slightly weird, quietly profound narratives that explore long-term love, identity, and second chances—this is absolutely your vibe. It’s not fast-paced, and it’s not meant to be. It lingers. It asks questions it doesn’t fully answer. And honestly, that’s kind of the point.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

By the end, I wasn’t thinking about aliens or answers—I was thinking about choice. About whether love means staying no matter what, or whether sometimes the bravest thing you can do is step out of the life you’ve built and figure out who you are without it.

So let me ask you this… if your person disappeared tomorrow—no explanation, no closure—would you wait for them to come back, or would you finally learn how to choose yourself?

#TakeMeWithYou #StevenRowley #BookReview #NetGalleyReads #LGBTQReads #GeneralFiction #LiteraryFiction #Bookstagram #CozyReads #EmotionalReads #CharacterDriven #MidlifeReads #BookLovers #ARCReview #ReadMoreBooks

[Debbie Sanders · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took me a tiny bit to get into this book, but I love this author so knew he’d deliver. It’s the dry humor and sarcasm while still being touching that gets me every time.

[Scott Garrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been a huge fan of Steven Rowley since I read The Guncle in 2022, so when I had the opportunity to read an advanced reader copy of Take Me with You, I jumped at the opportunity. This book did not disappoint! The navigation of a long-lasting relationship can be extremely difficult as years and years go by. One person can start to feel like the passenger to the other's driver, and both can feel like they are not appreciated by the other. Communication begins to fail over the years, and harsh comments are thrown around as jokes but hit their targets harder than intended. That's the main focus of Take Me with You; however, Rowley takes it to a whole new level. Norman is abducted by aliens, and Jesse is given the opportunity to figure out who he is. He has lived as a passenger for 30 years in his relationship, but now, he gets to be the driver. The book spans an entire year as Jesse comes to terms with his new life and new found freedom.

Of course there is a lot more to the story, but I don't want spoil anything. I will say that this book really made me think about my own relationships and look at them in a new light because I want to make sure that the lines of communication are always open, so both parties feel loved and valued, which is what is really at the core of Rowley's novel. This book is something special! I think the only negative thing I have to say about it is that the beginning is a little slow, but keep with it because it is definitely worth the full experience.

Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!

[Courtney sharpe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Have you ever read finished a book and have no idea what the book is about? Yup, that’s me with this one.

College professor Jesse del Ruth has been abandoned. Thirty years into their relationship, Jesse witnesses his husband, Norman, get out of bed late one night, walk into their Joshua Tree backyard, step into a strange beam of light and . . . disappear. How could Norman desert him after a lifetime together? Where did he go? And, most confoundingly . . . will he ever return? Jesse knew they were both feeling stuck, longing for something they couldn’t quite name. But was their rut so deep that Norman’s only option was to leave Jesse behind?


I was definitely intrigued where this was going and had full faith in Rowley since I have loved his other books. However this book made me feel dumb. Idk how to explain it but I feel like this was too smart for me. I KNOW there was a deep message in there somewhere but I honestly don’t know what it is.

It really bothered me how calm everybody was when lights appeared and someone just disappeared???? Dude I’d be freaking the heck out and they’re just like “oh well he left, guess I should probablyyyy do some self reflection?” I didn’t love the POV of the sister and was really confused (well I was constantly confused) even more so with why it was even added.

Not only was this too smart it was incredibly boring. Thank goodness the audio was only 10 hours and I listen at 2x the speed because NOTHING happened.

My favourite part about this book? The cover

[Brendi Zapata | bookishbrendiboo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excited to check off my first read book of 2026! ✔️

SPOILER-FREE SYNOPSIS:
Jesse and his husband Norman have been together for 30 years when one night, Jesse witnesses Norman walk into their Joshua Tree backyard and mysteriously disappear into a bright beam of light. As Jesse struggles to process what happened that night, where Norman went, and when/if he'll return, he also has to decide what to tell Norman's sister Lally when she visits unexpectedly with a pressing request.

I'll preface my review by saying I LOVED The Guncle (one of my favorite books ever) and moderately enjoyed The Guncle Abroad and The Celebrants, so I was psyched to be approved for this ARC and had high hopes for it. Though Rowley delivered with his signature humor and wit, the story felt very choppy. The first 2/3 focused on the time Norman was missing and the last 1/3 took place a year after he disappeared. I feel like we lost a lot of Jesse's character development and relationship growth between him and Lally in that time skip which made me feel disconnected from their characters and subsequently less interested in where their futures were headed. Joshua Tree was a great setting for this unique "otherworldly"/UFO-type plot and the story was thought-provoking in terms of aging, self-discovery, and finding your happiness, but the pacing felt slow and the execution of Jesse's and Norman's love story made me feel like the ending wasn't really earned at all. I did enjoy the side characters though.

Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for this ARC, releasing May 19th!

Review: ⭐⭐⭐
Genre: literary fiction, LGBTQ+ fiction, (unofficially) cozy sci-fi mystery (aliens??)
Trigger warnings: general relationship problems (not abusive), death of a sibling, missing persons reported, complicated family dynamics, use of IVF

🚨 SPOILERS BELOW 🚨
I understand that space can sometimes be exactly what a couple needs to work through their issues, but I feel like Norman not remembering anything about his time away kind of sends the wrong message and defeats the purpose? I wish he was able to remember what happened by the end of the book and reflect on that experience with Jesse instead of just showing up again saying "omg I'm back from the gym and I feel great and I love you so much" with no accountability or healthy communication (on the page) that results in them solving their issues???

[Krista H · Rating 3 out of 5]

In Take Me With You, we follow along as Jesse struggles with what to do after witnessing his husband, Norman’s, disappearance into a strange light. Jesse is unsure how he should explain Norman’s absence. Should he report Norman as missing? Does he wait for Norman to return or take the opportunity to make some changes? What should he tell Norman’s sister, Lally, who comes to visit with an unexpected request?

The story is split into thirds, with the first 2/3 of the book focusing on the initial ninety days after Norman’s disappearance from Jesse and then Lally’s perspective. The final third takes place one year after his disappearance. Because of this large gap, many of the decisions Jesse and Lally initially grapple with are made off the page. We see how the decisions play out, but miss the exploration and nuance that led the characters to those decisions. Overall, this made the story feel choppy and disconnected.

I appreciate Rowley’s ability to write humor in everyday situations and felt the exploration of that topic with Jesse’s students was interesting. I liked that Jesse’s self-discovery led to a found family and a newfound confidence in himself. Lally initially came off as a little bit desperate, but like Jesse, she developed strength of character as time progressed. I just wish we could have seen their progress unfold on the page.

This is a quick, quirky read. The cover is gorgeous, and the character-driven story is thought-provoking. Fans of Steven Rowley will be satisfied with this emotional read.

Thanks to #NetGalley and Putnam for the ARC.

[Jessica Lewis ☔️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was a remarkable book courtesy of netgalley as an ARC. i adored it. i will read anything steven writes and i was so excited to enjoy this early. i will still await my signed preordered copy and will read it again!

it starts with a question… if a bright light comes beckoning you… would you go?

an interesting thought. as norman and jesse are experiencing a rut in their relationship… something happens that shakes everything up and challenges their very core… it transforms them in more than they realize helping to bolster jesse in ways he wasn’t aware he needed as well as challenge norman’s way of approaching life.

a sweet story of coming around to see things differently through the lens of compassion. i loved this book!!

+++++
read again in anticipation of going to his author night.

what a concept that proves who we are independently and together… loved this book. in pure steven rowley writing… there is so much heart and depth to each character and not a word is wasted to tell the story. would you go?!

[Carlos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Putnam for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

After loving some of Mr. Rowley’s previous books, I was delighted when I was approved for a copy of his latest novel, Take Me With You. I was sure I was going to love it as well, but sadly, this one didn’t work for me at all. That doesn’t mean it’s a bad book by any means, but I couldn’t connect with the characters, and thematically, it just wasn’t for me.

My main issue was that I never really understood the two main characters. We initially meet them right at the beginning of their relationship (and I loved their meet-cute), but after that, the story fast-forwards thirty years. They’ve moved to the desert, and their relationship seems to be going through a rough patch. They feel more like roommates than lovers—and roommates who don’t even seem to like each other very much. When Norman disappears one night in a mysterious beam of light (alien abduction?), Jesse has to relearn who he is without him in his life.

I don’t mind slow-paced books or stories with very little plot, but in this case, the fact that I didn’t like any of the characters meant I was incredibly bored for most of the novel. All the New Age-y stuff was definitely not for me, and I could never understand how someone could disappear and yet most people in his life would be so cavalier about it instead of genuinely alarmed. I also couldn’t see the point of the two of them getting back together when they didn’t even seem to like each other anymore.

I understand that the disappearance is mostly a MacGuffin to get the story moving, but the fact that we never get any clear answers about it is another strike against the book for me.

Although the story itself wasn’t for me, the writing was beautiful, as always with this author. I can only hope his next novel is more The Guncle and less sound baths and the meaning of the universe.

[readwithmichele · Rating 4 out of 5]

BOOK: 𝚃𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝙼𝚎 𝚆𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚈𝚘𝚞
AUTHOR: @mrstevenrowley
PUB DATE: May 19, 2026 by @putnambooks
PAGES: 368 pages
RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
GENRE: Literary Fiction, LGBTQ+

🫶 THANK YOU to @putnambooks and @netgalley for gifting me an advanced copy of this book!
Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

📖 QUICK SYNOPSIS: College professor, Jesse del Ruth is left reeling when his husband suddenly vanishes under bizarre circumstances, leaving behind more questions than answers. As Jesse struggles with grief & loneliness, and the strange attention surrounding the disappearance, he starts to wonder what life looks like on his own & whether starting over is even possible. It’s an emotional, quirky story about love & loss, and figuring out what comes next.

✍️ QUICK & SPOILER-FREE REVIEW: I really enjoy Steven Rowley’s writing, and this was another reminder of why. His stories always balance humor & heart, this one carries so much meaning beneath the surface. While there’s a light sci-fi thread running through the story, this is really about growth & grief. Jesse is trying to figure out who he is & what gives his life meaning. The journey matters as much as the destination here, & you really have to follow Jesse through all the messy, thoughtful moments to appreciate where the story lands. A thoughtful & emotional read that stayed with me!

[Amy Brown (amylikestoreadalot) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book-the characters, the humor, the desert setting. I didn't love one of the plot points near the end, though I did like the ending a lot. I think this is more like 4.25 stars.

[Andi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only Steven Rowley can take a genre I don’t usually read, and make it both comforting and enjoyable.

Couple Norman and Jesse met many years ago after colliding on the beach, and have been inseparable ever since. They left LA for the quieter Joshua Tree—Norman the primary breadwinner and architect, and Jesse a college teacher and occasional author.

When Norman—the older of the two by six years—is suddenly taken by a strange beam of light one eventful night (was it aliens?!), Jesse is left to cope on his own, not knowing if Norman will ever return.

TAKE ME WITH YOU is less about Norman’s disappearance, and more about how Jesse gets along without him. Jesse’s favorite saying was always, “Where you go, I go.” Without Norman to lead him, Jesse is a bit aimless at first.

Then Norman’s younger sister, Lally, enters the picture. Jesse has to maneuver around her questions of Norman’s absence, while trying to maintain the household alone. It was interesting getting Lally’s perspective on the disappearance.

The ending was as unexpected as you can imagine. While not another GUNCLE (one of my all-time favorite books), I enjoyed TAKE ME WITH YOU very much.

🌟Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.🌟

[Bethany Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Steven Rowley gem of a book. He always writes the most interesting characters and I always have a great time. I have to admit some of the UFO stuff went over my head, but I loved the central conflict and the novel itself written in multiple parts/POVs was really fun. I always love Steven Rowley and I wasn’t disappointed. Just confused sometimes, haha. But I think if you like his brand of humor and genuine connection in his books, you’ll like this one!

[Vito · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steven Rowley, acclaimed author of the Guncle series and other fun and witty books like The Celebrants, is back with his most interesting book yet. It’s out of this world… or is it?

“Take Me with You” is as charming as the aforementioned books from Rowley, but it also does something new — we follow three characters across this nearly 400 page novel with time jumps sprinkled throughout. Our first pov, Jesse, is at a crossroads in his life, behind on his novel and in a marriage that may have reached its breaking point. His husband, Norman, is seemingly unhappy and downloads the apps™️, except one is more stargazing than bear-chase (if you catch my drift). One evening, something from the stars (maybe!) shines on a light on Norman and he’s gone. Jesse and his family and cast a of weirdos (but endearing) are left to pick up the pieces.

I’m unsure where the literal ends and the metaphoric begins here — are we to believe there’s a sci-fi element here or is someone gone “gone” theoretical speaking. I guess that’s where it’s up to the reader to build that story for themselves.

This may be the author’s most “divisive” work yet, both puzzling and exciting. I’m just glad to have gone on the adventure with this cast, even if the GPS acted up and sent me in the wrong direction once or twice. But, life is sometimes like that! Thanks to Netgalley and Putnam for the ARC.

[Kristin Kurek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 5.0/5 Stars

Another foray into perfection by Steven Rowley! Once again, Steven Rowley weaves a story with equal parts humor and heart. I laughed, cried, and will keep these characters near to my heart for the rest of my days. Don’t let the unique premise fool you. This is not a novel for the weak.
Take Me With You follows Jesse del Ruth as he deals with the aftermath of his husband, Norman, walking out of their house into a strange beam of light and disappearing. How can Jesse explain the disappearance? Will he be blamed? Has Jesse caused this abandonment? Does he deserve it?
Jesse is left wondering what to do with himself now that his husband is gone. He has been a part of a relationship so long, that he has to redevelop his sense of self from scratch. This novel explores themes of abandonment. As a relationship develops, does the loss of self occur commensurately?
I greatly enjoyed this book and found myself wondering about who I am in reference to the relationships that I have formed around myself. I love books that explore the “self” in a vacuum of external influence. How does a novel about alien abduction leave me staring out the window of my office and contemplating codependence and self-discovery? The author has a specific voice that pervades all his novels. He excels at infusing horrific situations with a sense of humor. His characters feel real: flawed yet relatable. How does Steven Rowley make me laugh so uproariously but make my heart absolutely ache for his characters? For sure, I will continue to read (and re-read) all of his works for that exact replication of the human experience. This is a masterful work by a true artist!

[Michelle Herzing · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved The Guncle and rank The Celebrants among my favorite novels, so when I was given the opportunity to read and review Take Me With You, I was so excited! Sadly, Take Me With You did not reach the adoration levels that Rowley's previous reads have with me. Take Me With You stretched into magical realism, and I struggled to connect with a story that felt alternately aimless and reaching to find meaning.

Stephen Rowley brings characters to life masterfully, and in this case, Jesse and Norman's love story is like that of many long-term relationships--they have become more roommates than lovers. I'm still not sure what exactly happened to Norman when he took leave of the relationship, but that is probably irrelevant, albeit important to the story (IFYKYK). Jesse's personal growth while he was gone, as well as after he returns is what makes the plot interesting, but just didn't seem to pull me in.

The minor characters were the stars of the show, and I truly enjoyed the interactions between Lally, Harlon, and Russell, as well. Jesse's mother was fun, too, and I wish Gail had been in the story more.

Fans of Steven Rowley will miss the heart-tugging that many of his earlier novels have included. I just didn't feel as much for the characters in this one.

Thank you to Netgalley and Putnam for the digital ARC of Take Me With You by Steven Rowley. The opinions in this review are my own.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jesse and his husband, Norman, have been together a long time, and like many middle-aged couples, they are finding some aspects of their life together a little disappointing. But it's a shock to Jesse when he wakes up in their Joshua Tree home in the middle of night to bright lights outside and then to see Norman step into that light and disappear. Was it a dream? An alien abduction? Or did Norman simply leave him? Whatever happened, Jesse realizes that Norman is gone and he has to get his life back on track. Meanwhile, Norman's younger sister, Lally, has realized that she's not getting any younger and wants to be a mother, but to do that, she needs the embryos created from her eggs and Jesse's sperm back when Jesse and Norman thought they wanted to be parents, but she needs to find Norman to get him to sign off on releasing the embryos to her. Throw in a private investigator and a conspiracy theorist living next door in an Airstream camper and it seems like one of Steven Rowley's typically outrageous and hilarious books. But that's not what this book is. Yes, it is funny, but it's more touching and thoughtful than laugh-out-loud. This new novel speaks to those moments in life when you're on autopilot, or so you think, and suddenly everything changes, forcing you to correct your course and perhaps even question if it's a course you want to stay on.

Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for providing me with a digital ARC of this book in return for an honest review. This book will be published May 19, 2026.