Everything Comes Back to You by Jackie Khalilieh: Book Review

Everything Comes Back to You is the latest release from Canadian author Jackie Khalilieh. Released on August 4, 2026, this contemporary young adult novel discusses love, acceptance, and familial beliefs. Lennon has been raised to be a good girl; as she starts high school, she finds herself wondering what that means.

I want to thank Tundra Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Everything Comes Back to You. However, all opinions expressed here are solely mine.

Synopsis from Goodreads

Lennon is excited and apprehensive about starting high school, where her older sister is going to be a senior. Then her sister drops a bombshell: she is pregnant. Her Palestinian Canadian parents are devastated, and Lennon finds herself under even more pressure to be a “good girl” – a role autistic Lennon has always played well. But after a chance encounter with John, a white boy in the grade above, Lennon finds herself nursing a crush on someone her parents would definitely not approve of—which only seems to intrigue her more.

As Lennon and John are drawn together and pulled apart throughout her four years of high school, Lennon wrestles with feelings of shame and yearning, obedience and rebellion through the lens of her autism, trying to both please her parents and herself. When a relationship with a different boy challenges her notions of family and happiness, her way forward becomes clear, even if it might mean losing everything and everyone she loves.

My Opinions

Everything Comes Back to You was added to my TBR for a couple of reasons. The first being that I love reading and supporting Canadian authors. The second reason was that I’ve enjoyed the other books I’ve read by Jackie Khalilieh.

One thing that surprised me while reading this book was that I found myself connecting with Lennon. I say that it’s surprising because when we first meet Lennon, she’s 14 years old. And well, that age was a long time ago for me. So why was I able to connect with her? Because I was a lot like her when I was that age. And also, as the mother of two girls, I can see them in her at that age.

The main topic of Everything Comes Back to You is love in its many forms. Lennon is learning to love herself. She also tries to reconcile her feelings and emotions with those she was raised to have. She has to learn to stand up for herself and to allow herself to grow.

My biggest issues with the book are two characters: George and Theo. One is her father, the other is the “perfect” boy for Lennon. While they both claim to love and care for Lennon, they both bring her heartache and heartbreak. If you love someone, why do you hurt them? Why do you ignore them?

Overall, I feel as though Everything Comes Back to You is a book that can be used to open discussions of love and intimacy. As such, it’s one that everyone who has kids in their life should read.

Are you looking for some more books to read? Check out my bookish lists, book reviews, and monthly reading wrap-ups.