LET YOU GO

by Emily Bean

LET YOU GO is the story of three women’s shattered hearts yearning to heal, two best friends growing apart, and one final chance to get everything they ever wanted.

Ally Arlington has a five-year plan to travel the world, and having a baby isn’t part of it. As a highly sensitive person, she doesn’t have any interest in being responsible for a tiny human. Sticky toddler fingers, constant germ exposure, and an unpredictable person to look after? No thank you!

But when Ally finds out she is pregnant, all that she has ever known is turned upside down. She is determined to keep her pregnancy a secret from everyone, especially Julie, her best friend, who is struggling with infertility.

Nancy, a grieving widow and Julie’s mother, will do anything to save her daughter’s marriage- including keeping her recent diagnosis a secret so she doesn’t add more to Julie’s plate. As Nancy’s symptoms worsen, her life becomes unmanageable and things start to unravel.

At a crossroads, Nancy must decide whether to continue risking her safety by keeping her illness hidden or come clean and risk losing her independence forever.

Torn between putting herself first or hurting her best friend, Ally is forced to decide what it is that she really wants. On the brink of an emotional breakdown, Julie must decide if her marriage is worth saving, even if that means letting go of the mother she always wanted to be.

📚 PERFECT FOR FANS
Britt Marie Was Here by Fredrik Backman - Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman - Still Alice by Lisa Genova - The Wedding People by Allison Espach - The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth

📖 BOOK CLUB Neurodivergence - Multi POV - Mother daughter drama - Friendship - Motherhood

CONTENT
Dementia - Infertility - Grief - Death (off page)

330 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 7, 2026

Reviews

[Meg Brower · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a 10/10 for me. I highly recommend. I felt like it totally captures a neurodivergent character to a T. The characters were so well developed and complicated, flawed and lovable. The story had so many twists and turns it was a real page turner. Truly appreciated the authors writing style and her use of quick witted metaphors that shines through the characters voice. Run don't walk to get yourself a copy of this book in your hands to read.

[Gabrielle Borden · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing debut! The characters are dynamic, relatable, and feel incredibly real. I was immediately invested in their stories and couldn’t wait to learn more about each of them. Anxious for the next book!

[Courtney Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

The debut from this author is a decent launch. It could have used another round of editing, several grammatical errors / typos. But it didn’t take away from what the author was saying. And I loved the story concept. It was different than what I generally read, it flowed well from the very beginning - never boring. A little predictable from about the 65 or 70% mark but not in a bad way. But, overall the book fell flat for me . I think the premise could have really had me in my feels if I connected with the characters more.

The problem is that I struggled with two of the three main characters. It could be that I just don’t relate to what either of them are going through but I found Julie to be pretty awful and the worst part was that she recognized it and never changed. Specifically her irrational annoyance toward her mother who seemingly only ever tried to be a loving mother and a friend. Also, I have never really understood women that can allow everything in their lives to implode over the want to have a child so badly. But that’s just me! Surrogacy wasn’t ever mentioned, adoption was thrown out there but pushed aside. I don’t know. I just feel like Julie was extremely selfish. And I’m not saying that what she was feeling was not normal. I would have just loved if the author compensated and made her someone easier to empathize with by focusing on some more endearing attributes. Instead all we saw was a woman bitching the entire time about how she isn’t pregnant, never seems to be sympathetic to how her husband might be feeling on this same struggle (hello?! The dad is also greatly impacted by a fertility struggle and what it means for his family), and how her mom annoys her so badly
Also- I feel completely perplexed over Greg… did he or did he not cheat? I thought Nancy saw him and yet during the confrontation he was adamant he was not cheating. Was he lying? If he was cheating- why was he sleeping in his office? Surely he had someplace else to go. I felt like that was a plot hole I couldn’t get past.

I found Ally mostly insufferable. No redeeming qualities. She was judgmental and rude and abrasive and selfish, and I just couldn’t understand what about her attracted a guy who seemed as sweet as Cade. I’d like to think there could have been more to her character that might have restored balance but this book didn’t elaborate at all. So instead I am just left with a bad taste in my mouth. She was a sour grape. Oh and I would have loved to see more elaborations on her relationship with her own mom. Lorrie’s presence is known and she seems to have SOME sort of relationship with Ally but we know that Ally basically moved in as a teen with her best friend and her well-to-do family. Poor Lorrie. How was she coping with that and how did it impact who Ally is now? The fact that we just braise over the complexity of that relationship is wild. Especially when you see Ally is being giving a third of an inheritance from a family she isn’t even blood related to. Not to say that wouldn’t happen but I need to know more. How did we get there? Because I don’t like Ally so I have a hard time believing it. I wanted more from the author that allows me to really feel for her and root for her. All we saw were the selfish and judgmental sides of Ally with very little explanation as to why she is the way she is. Seriously, she hardly anything nice to say about anyone she came into contact with. Making fun of nurses throughout various scenes for their earrings, the gum chewing, the unkempt hair, the over perfuming, the excessive chatting.
Her only redeeming quality that shows up in the book was the gesture she made in the end for Julie and yet even that was also done with a hint of selfishness all so she could move forward with her 5 year plan. Which honestly didn’t seem like a believable plan anyway because what hardcore germaphobe and claustrophobic who can’t even sleep on a hotel bed is to be believed to travel the world? lol. Anyway, I can’t believe this woman even waited as long as she did to decide to terminate or not. The way this character was written had me pulled completely out of the book because it just was not believable at all to me. And the fact that Cade could see a life with her if this was who she truly was as a person…wow. Not believable. I mean unless it was just that Ally was never remotely honest with him about what she actually wanted in life. And if that was the case, poor Cade. Because I think he would have deserved better.
So yeah I just really hoped the author would have added more positive character depth really allowing me to feel FOR them and their current respective struggles.

Nancy was my favorite through the whole book. She’s the mom every daughter wants, giving all she can to her kids, including the patience of a saint. And to have had a marriage she clearly poured her heart and soul into. THAT made it so hard to watch her struggle in her new diagnosis. I genuinely felt heart-wrenched for her every time the disease worked against her. The beach. Ohhh the beach. How blessed she was to come in contact with a man like Jack even for a minute. I love a Jack. Gives me faith in humanity to know people like Jack exist. Even if he’s only around for a few pages, he’s so needed. ❤️ I LOVE Nancy. I already miss Nancy.

Would I read another book from Emily Bean? For sure. She was great with her pacing, flow, and her insights and metaphors. She was not redundant or repetitive. She tells a good story. I would just hope for stronger character development next time so I can actually connect and FEEL what they are feeling or at least empathize better when they are going through their conflicts and having these moments of utter selfishness. Like I said, I haven’t been through their struggles so maybe it’s just that I didn’t relate but I can still empathize IF the characters are likeable. Julie and Ally just weren’t likeable to me. So sorry. But Nancy has my whole heart in this read!

[SamLyfo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adore Emily’s first book! I can’t wait to dive into more of her writing.

The characters are incredibly relatable, even though they may come across as a bit extra, quirky, and perhaps a bit guarded. We all know someone like Ally, Nancy, and Julie.

Emily Bean’s ability to weave in the tiniest details transports us into her world, allowing us to experience the moment alongside the characters.

It’s one of those books that lingers in your mind when you have to put it down. You can’t help but think about what happens next, eagerly anticipating the next chapter, only to be left feeling a bit sad when it ends.

Thank you, Emily Bean! I loved your first book! Can’t wait for the next.

[Maryjanek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome debut book by a local author! The book has a few twists and turns that I didn’t expect and enjoyed going along for the ride. Definitely could relate with these female characters, the author did a great job with the flow of the story telling. Support local and check her out, I am in awe of the details and hard work it takes to write a book like this, well done! ❤️

[Genevieve Lyons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emily’s debut novel! I enjoyed this so much. The three main characters had different wants and needs that created tension and drove the plot. Their voices were unique and distinctive and I empathized with each of them. I genuinely cared about these characters. The pacing and structure kept me turning the pages. I look forward to reading more of Emily’s books!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVED this book by Emily Bean. I couldn’t put it down. I found the characters both relatable and funny. I love this style or writing where it starts off with a couple different story lines and comes together beautifully in the end. I can’t wait to read more of her books!

[Marissa Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emily is so good at writing characters that make you think and she stretches your compassion and empathy for others. Let You Go was a great debut filled with a story that pulled my emotions all over the place, in a good way! Cannot wait for more from her!

[meredith viano-carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Congratulations Emily!

Grabbed me from the beginning. Such interesting people in this book. The ending was perfect. Can't wait for your next book.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE CRY THAT I CRIED. This is a love letter to motherhood, and female friendships, and family that spoke so deeply to me.