You Were Always There

by Heidi Dischler

What do you do when your dead best friend's last wish is for you to go on dates with her boyfriend?

Jessie Hill knows two things: Addy Taylor is her best friend and she’s the only family Jessie has ever had. They know each other better than anyone else. So, when Addy dies from an ongoing illness that Jessie knew nothing about, Jessie is left heartbroken and confused. That’s when Jessie receives a letter from Addy telling her to go to their favorite café. When Jessie gets there, though, she meets Andrew, Addy’s boyfriend and another secret that Addy kept from her.

Together, Andrew and Jessie receive an emailed video from Addy telling them that she has adventures planned for them. As an added bonus, Addy explains that she'll have letters for both of them after each outing telling them one secret she's never shared with them before. The catch? They have to be together to solve the password riddles for Addy's videos, so Jessie can't exactly do it by herself. Reluctant to go out with Addy's boyfriend but terrified to let go of the only family she's ever known, Jessie agrees—if only to keep getting letters and videos from Addy. How hard can it be to pretend to date Addy's boyfriend if only for a little while?

The more she goes out with Andrew, though, the harder it gets to separate what Addy felt for Andrew and what Jessie is beginning to feel for him. With Addy’s secrets piling up and Jessie’s feelings for Andrew getting more complicated than ever, Jessie can’t help but feel like Addy’s games are threatening the very fragile foundation that Jessie stands on. Can Jessie even consider Addy family if there were so many secrets she didn’t know about? Does that mean that she has no one left? Not even a memory?

Genres: Romance

360 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 16, 2026

Reviews

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

This book broke my heart in numerous places, and I'm surprised it still beats. I cried throughout, from the first chapter to the last, so be prepared with tissues. The book boasts likable characters, including a grumpy old man who's a favorite of mine. It will captivate you, holding your attention until the end. I highly recommend it, but remember to have tissues handy.

Thanks to Book Sirens for sending me an advanced copy to read and review

[Michelle Kimber · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It had heartbreaking moments that made me just sob. It was a wonderful exploration of grief and family. I felt the characters were well written and the plot did not drag. I will be rereading this.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3 stars)
You Were Always There by Heidi Dischler 🌧️💔💌

This emotionally driven novel takes a unique approach to grief, love, and the complicated bonds we call family. You Were Always There is both heartbreaking and hopeful, unfolding with quiet intensity and a lot of heart.

Jessie Hill is reeling after the loss of Addy—her best friend, her chosen family, her constant 🕊️. Learning that Addy hid both a serious illness and a boyfriend leaves Jessie questioning how well she truly knew the person she loved most. Andrew, grieving and gentle, becomes an unexpected mirror to Jessie’s pain, and their shared loss creates an uneasy but deeply human connection 🤍.

After Addy’s death Andrew and Jessie receive letters, videos, and planned “adventures” which are the emotional backbone of the story 📹📜. They’re bittersweet reminders of love and loss, forcing Jessie and Andrew to confront their grief together while unraveling secrets that complicate their memories of Addy. The fake-dating premise adds tension and vulnerability, as pretending slowly turns into something much harder to deny 💞.

What stands out most is the way the story explores the fear of being truly alone—and the courage it takes to let someone new in when your heart is still breaking 🌙. The pacing is reflective and emotional, allowing space for Jessie’s confusion, guilt, and growth.

A poignant, thoughtful read that balances sorrow and healing, You Were Always There will resonate with readers who enjoy emotionally rich stories about love, loss, and finding connection after heartbreak 📖✨.

[Chris Benetti · Rating 5 out of 5]

You Were Always There by Heidi Dischler is an emotionally layered romance centered on grief, friendship, and the complicated aftermath of loss.

The story begins with the death of Addy, whose final wishes create an unusual and emotionally charged situation for her best friend Jessie and her boyfriend Andrew. The structured “letters and videos” format introduces a guided journey through secrets, forcing both characters to re-examine their relationships with Addy and with each other.
At its core, the novel explores how grief reshapes identity and connection. Jessie’s emotional conflict is particularly strong, as she navigates loyalty to a lost friend while confronting unexpected and evolving feelings in the present. The tension between memory, obligation, and emerging affection gives the story its emotional weight.
Overall, You Were Always There is positioned as a heartfelt, emotionally complex romance that will appeal to readers who enjoy grief-tinged love stories, character-driven emotional arcs, and narratives about uncovering hidden truths within close relationships.

[k's.bookshelf. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ugh. Tears. Lots and lots of tears. Snot too. I was not even slightly prepared for this story.

The synopsis intriuged me. Then almost had buyers remorse when I saw it listed as a YA novel. But then I started reading....

This is one of those books that just takes over. You loose track of time and you let the story swallow you whole.

This was such an incredible story that had tears just pouring out, practically the entire time, I read. Loss, grief, love, friendship, family, its a hard topic to be able to encapsulate with such impact, but Heidi absolutely did.

I really don't know what to say for reviewing this one. I'm truly just at a loss for words.

Yes, this book is written in third person POV. Do NOT let it stop you. (Coming from a reader that absolutely has bailed on books the second I see third person POV on the first page...)

Yes, its a YA novel. No, it 100% did not matter.

Incredibly thankful this book exists.

[Charlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

If I could give this book an eternity of stars I would, it broke my heart and fixed it at the same time.

This book follows Jessie and Andrew through grief and how they move forward with their life.

Through half of the book I thought that even though Addy was full of love for Jessie, she also was a bit selfish for keeping all the secrets she did and making Jessie feel like she she wasn’t trusted enough to know them, however the ending did a 360 on my opinions and made me love the characters even more!

I love how this book showed the love between the two sisters. ❤️

Thank you to BookSirens and Heidi Dischler for letting me read this ARC for free and I’m leaving this review voluntarily.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Thank you to HD Publications LLC for giving me an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review!**

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were compelling, and the romance was cute but not super in-your-face. I was so touched by all the emotion in the book, and it's safe to say there were tears shed. I found the adventure plot to be slightly hard to believe due to the intricacy, but it was still really fun to follow Jessie and Andrew through their grief journeys.

My only qualm with the book is the writing style. A lot of the descriptions of how characters were feeling were recycled in multiple chapters, so they got repetitive. Overall, though, I really enjoyed reading this book. I would recommend reading it.

[Jessica-Lynn Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a perfect, fast-paced, “clean” YA romance that I would confidently recommend for ages 13+. The friendship between Addy and Jessie is beautifully developed, offering a meaningful reminder that even those who appear to have it all may be facing unseen struggles. While the story centers on their relationship, I found myself wishing for more insight into Andrew’s backstory. The reader understands he experienced profound loss before the age of 18, but the details remain largely unexplored. One of my favorite elements was “Old Man Murphy,” the grumpy bookstore owner, who adds both humor and heart as a memorable secondary character.

I am grateful to Book Sirens and Heidi Dischler for the advanced reader copy. This review reflects my honest thoughts and opinions.

[Lupita_333 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emotional and beautiful story about grief, longing for a place to belong, friendship, and healing. I loved this story so much that I didn’t want it to end.

I loved the writing style and the emotional depth the story and writing style had. There were a few typos in the arc. The letters were such a lovely touch to the story. They were very emotion filled and added a lot of depth to the story.

I loved the main characters Jessie, Addy, Andrew, and Old Man Murphy. They had a wonderful and powerful bond. They were resilient and very well developed characters. Andrew’s characters trauma was brought up a few times but it never delved deeply enough to know his past well enough.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[OneMadReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty good story. I really liked the main characters. I especially enjoyed seeing Jessie's growth in trusting and letting other people in. The book did deal with some tougher topics, but they were written about in beautiful and careful ways.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️
Language: Very little to none (I don't really remember)
Drug/Alcohol Content: 🍻 (The main characters drink wine in one scene and mentions of other character getting high/doing drugs/getting drunk)

*I received an advanced review copy for free from Net Gallery and the publisher, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Brenda Orozco · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a departure from my usual reading material. I found it challenging to connect with the story because it was not something I typically read. I struggled to empathize with Jessie; she was incredibly complex, but I understand her struggles. On the other hand, I adored Drew; he was a sweetheart. I was deeply moved by Addy’s plight, and I couldn’t help but shed a few tears at times. Overall, it was a poignant and sad story that left me pondering the “what ifs.”

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Anjanette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book from a goodreads giveaway so thanks to them, the author & publisher

This is the story of Addy & Jessie, best friends since they were 11. Jessie had a rough childhood and Addy's family takes her in. But when Addy dies suddenly, Jessie feels lost & alone. Until she gets a letter from Addy, setting her on an adventure with Drew, the boyfriend Jessie never knew Addy had. Complicated feelings ensue.

This is a love story, but not the kind I was expecting. Jessie finds the love she never knew she had, the love that was always there. It was beautiful watching her find it.

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited to read this book, and it absolutely blew me away. I havent cried this hard while reading a book in a long time, and this was so beautifully written. I wanted to give Jessie a hug. Addy, though frustrating, truly knew the people she loved, and it showed in the amount of work she put into her letters and actions before she died. Andrew was a sweet boy, and I was so glad that he was written so perfectly. This book was amazing!

[Caleb O'Connell · Rating 5 out of 5]

You Were Always There is a touching romance about grief, friendship, secrets, and finding an unexpected path forward after loss.

What I appreciated most is Addy's unusual final gift to Jessie and Andrew. The dates, videos, letters, and riddles create an engaging mystery while Jessie's growing feelings make every revelation more complicated. A heartfelt read for anyone who enjoys emotional romance, unconventional love stories, and stories about healing after loss.

[Francesca · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

This was a cute book with heavy themes. Her best friend dies and the main girl is having a hard time dealing with grief which is understandable.

Pretty simple plot line but sometimes I felt like the author decided to just add lots of things onto the main girl just because.

It didn’t have too saccharine of an ending. It was a clean with just a bit of swearing and a little bit of violence. Nothing graphic.

If you like contemporary novels, you’ll probably like this.

[Kayla Mikel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such a heartfelt book. Loved the character connections and how everyone had a good part in the plot. Addy may have had her selfish reasons for doing what she did, but I think most people would give anything to have even a little part of the person that they loved back; so for Jessie and Andrew to get this extra part of Addy was amazing and heartbreaking all at once. My only flaw is that I wish we knew what the last letter Addy wrote had said.

[Hannah Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH MY GOODNESS!! I HAVE NOT STOPPED CRYING SINCE I READ THIS BOOK. It was brilliantly written and will have you crying non stop through out the whole entire book. I will recommend this book to anyone. Have your tissues ready!! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley + the author for an ARC of this story.
I will say as soon as I read "What do you do when your dead best friend's last wish is for you to go on dates with her boyfriend?" I knew I had to read this one!
I absolutely devoured this story and plan to check out other titles by this author.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh wow. This one really just sent me on a roller coaster of emotions. I was locked in from start to finish. It had me wondering what i would do in Jessie's situation. This really tugged at my heart and I loved every minute. Heidi Dischler really went all out with this book, definately check this out!

[thechattychapter · Rating 5 out of 5]

BRB WITH A REVIEW AFTER SOBBING AND RECOVERING FROM THIS MASTERPIECE.

⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ 𝘦-𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 — 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘺!

[Kyla Azer of the hollow · Rating 4 out of 5]

First and foremost, THANK YOU SO MUCH NetGally and the author for approving this ARC for me! It's my second one ever, and I actually really enjoyed it!

Review
--------------
Age Rating: 13+
Language: 1.5/10 (I think it said H*ll a few times, d*mn, PPOSSIBLY some other mild ones? Not bad at all)
Romance: 2/10
Violence: 2/10 abusive step dad but there is very little description and nothing graphic at all.

Trigger warnings: Story revolves around the death of a close friend, and the main character has an abusive stepdad and submissive mother. However nothing in it is too graphic at all whatsoever.

It's very funny that this is listed as new adult. I feel like even some 12 year olds could read it, enjoy it, and be fine! It definitely gave off YA vibes and had YA characteristics.

This was a VERY bitter sweet short-story. It's only 142 pages long. I've been very busy lately with college classes starting, but normally I would have finished it in a day, maybe 2. It was not absolutely 100% perfect in every single way, however it was HIGHLY enjoyable. And it was very entertaining.

PLOT:
Imagine your bestest friend who knows everything about you and you know everything about her suddenly died from a sickness you did not know about one day? You'd be devastated, right? What if you received an email from her mere days later, setting you up with a boy who happens to be her boyfriend you had no idea existed? While your best friend isn't back from the dead, she planned a game for you pre-death where if you continue going on dates with her boyfriend, you'll learn secrets about her you never would have guessed and that could change everything. And wat if along the way, your best friend's boyfriend who you insisted you hated was, well... kind of attractive? That is the plot of this book! Jessie is in this position, and this story takes you through her dead best friend, Addy,'s game post-death.

CHARACTERS:
- Jessie: The main character. She honestly reminds me of myself. I used to have a friend who was the popular, pretty, perfect, pink perfevt girl (we don't talk about how that's past tense lol), and se was just like Addy (Jessie's friend). Jessie on te other hand is slightly an underdog. She wears normal T shirts, worn clothes, the same white sneakers, doesn't do much, is introverted, socially awkward... you know. The description of a REALISTIC HUMAN BEING (TYSM Heidi for making a FMC who is actually realistic!). She's cool. Has anger issues and daddy issues but vald reasons and has a tough past.
- Addy: miss perfect, pink popular girl who could not be any more flawless. though as the story goes on, will her image of being so perfect remain as secrets are revealed?
- Andrew: Addy's secret boyfriend. he's kind, pretty chill, and very caring. He isn't like the typical book bf which is great!
- Old Man Humphrey (I apologize if I screwed up his name I already forget the spelling): MY FAV CHARACTER BY FAR! It was really funny though because whilst I was reading this ARC, I've been watching Stranger Things as well, and in Season 2 Episode 1 they mention this EXACT name. Old man Humphrey. So tat was funny lol. Anyways e's a grumpy old man who works at a library who 'likes to read nonfiction books only.' (lol does he really though? ;) )

- There are more characters like the Taylors and Richard and her mother and other people but they're not as important and they're kind of boring lol. So Imma skip them.

WRITING:
I loved the writing! It was easy to follow along, and there wasn't an overwhelming amount of detail, but also enough to picture everything going on. The only critique I have is that there were some typos and very few grammar issues, but overall I love the writing style!

OTHER THINGS:
I think my fav part of this entire book was te carnival. If You read it you shall understand lol. But yess. Considering the vat majority of what I read is fantasy, and this book had zero fantasy elements at all whatsoever, I thought it was amazing.
Oh yeah and also- for readers who tend to find books sad, this book should probably have you requiring tissues? I personally don't really cry whilst reading books. The only book I have ever TRULY bawled my eyes out crying over is Fearless by Lauren Roberts, and I've read LOTS of books. So yeah- maybe have some tissues on hand!

CONCLUSION:
This book was really good! It's a nice short story for if you want a short standalone to read in between big series or something as something to reset your mind with while being highly entertained! Some parts of it very insignificantly felt sort of pick-me, like when Jessie repeated some of the same stuff about her past and interrupted with anger issues, bit it's okay haha. It's not that bad. So yeah!

Thank you again NetGally and the author, and this is my honest review! :) BYEEE!

[Lana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was super good! I cried when reading it because of how heartfelt the book was. I did not read the description of the book before I read it so everything came as a shock; however, it was a pleasant surprise!

[Laura Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

You Were Always There follows 18-year-old Jessie, who is grieving over the recent death of her best friend, Addy. When a series of letters, emails, and videos follow in the wake of Addy’s death, Jessie finds herself learning some shocking secrets about her friend and realizing just how much she relied on Addy for support throughout her very rocky adolescence.

Part scavenger hunt, part coming of age, and part drama, this story is heavy without feeling overdramatic. The characters are flawed while still being relatable. And the plot is filled with interesting side plots without losing its central focus.

You can read my full review and interview with the author here: https://laurasbooksandblogs.com/you-w...

[Ganna Kolaib ♡ · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ I really enjoyed this book, it was pretty sad and had a lot of trauma in it, I really loved the writing style and enjoyed the dialogue. My favorite part of this book was the letters that she wrote, she did such a good job with them. This book discovers grief, pain and sadness all in one book, I wish that this book had more tense and more of a powerful writing to grip me into it so much but, I really enjoyed and I would recommend if you want a sad, grief and painful book. Thank you to BookSirens for the opportunity to read the ARC and as usual all opinions are my own. 🩷