The Way You Say Goodbye

THE WAY YOU SAY GOODBYE

A deeply moving YA novel about identity, self-acceptance, and the hardest goodbye of all—the one to the person you thought you had to be.

Hugo Green has always felt like an outsider in his own life. In a family where perfection is expected, he’s the one who never quite measures up. He’s used to hiding—his thoughts, his struggles, and especially the growing feelings he can’t explain for his new classmate, Noah Wilson.

Noah is everything Hugo isn’t: confident, open about being gay, effortlessly charismatic. He’s the kind of person who seems to belong anywhere, while Hugo feels like he’s always catching up. But when they’re paired together for a school project, Hugo quickly realizes that Noah isn’t as put-together as he seems. Beneath his easygoing charm lies something raw, something uncertain—something that draws Hugo in.

As their friendship deepens, so does the tension between them. A glance held too long. A touch that lingers. An almost-kiss that neither of them dares to talk about. Hugo finds himself standing at a crossroads: stay safe in the life he’s always known, or risk everything by admitting what he really feels.

But Noah has his own battles. After losing his mother and transferring schools, he’s desperate for a fresh start—one where he doesn’t have to justify who he is. Falling for a boy who isn’t ready to be seen isn’t part of the plan.

Then comes the night that changes everything. A party. A confrontation. A moment of truth that neither of them is ready for. And suddenly, Hugo and Noah are forced to face the reality they’ve both been avoiding.

Because sometimes, the hardest goodbye isn’t to a person, but to the version of yourself you thought you had to be.

🌟 A must-read for lovers of: Slow-burn LGBTQ+ romance, first love, self-discovery, emotional coming-of-age stories, and the quiet tension of falling for someone who feels just out of reach.

✨ Key themes include:

• LGBTQ+ coming-of-age and self-acceptance
• Friends-to-lovers tension and unspoken attraction
• Coming out, family expectations, and identity struggles
• Fear of rejection vs. the hope of being truly seen
• Heartfelt, emotional storytelling with raw and real moments

THE WAY YOU SAY GOODBYE is a powerful, deeply resonant story about friendship, longing, courage, and the bittersweet reality of loving someone who may never be yours.

Kevin van Breugel is a YA author who writes about identity, self-acceptance, and love. His debut novel explores the emotional journey of a boy navigating his sexuality, family expectations, and his feelings for another boy-feelings that bring both hope and uncertainty. As a teacher and student counselor, he values representation and creates stories that reflect the complexities of growing up. Beyond writing, he has a passion for music, dance, and soccer.