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The Other Side of Disappearing
Hairstylist Jess Greene has spent the last decade raising her younger half-sister, Tegan—and keeping a shocking secret. Ever since their reckless mother ran off with a boyfriend she’d known only a few months, Jess has been aware that he’s the same accomplished con man who was the subject of a wildly popular podcast, The Last Con of Lynton Baltimore.
Now thirty-one, Jess didn’t bargain on Tegan eventually piecing together the connection for herself. But Tegan plans to do exactly what Jess has always feared—leave their safe, stable home to search for their mother—and she’ll be accompanied by the prying podcast host and her watchful, handsome producer, Adam Hawkins. Unwilling to let the sister she’s spent so much of her life protecting go it alone, Jess reluctantly joins them.
Together, the four make their way across the country, unraveling the mystery of where the couple disappeared to and why. But soon Jess is discovering other things too. Like a renewed sense of vulnerability and curiosity, and a willingness to expand beyond the walls she’s so carefully built. And in Adam, she finds an unexpected connection she didn’t even know was missing, if only she can let go and let him in . . .
Now thirty-one, Jess didn’t bargain on Tegan eventually piecing together the connection for herself. But Tegan plans to do exactly what Jess has always feared—leave their safe, stable home to search for their mother—and she’ll be accompanied by the prying podcast host and her watchful, handsome producer, Adam Hawkins. Unwilling to let the sister she’s spent so much of her life protecting go it alone, Jess reluctantly joins them.
Together, the four make their way across the country, unraveling the mystery of where the couple disappeared to and why. But soon Jess is discovering other things too. Like a renewed sense of vulnerability and curiosity, and a willingness to expand beyond the walls she’s so carefully built. And in Adam, she finds an unexpected connection she didn’t even know was missing, if only she can let go and let him in . . .
385 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 26, 2024
About the author
Kate Clayborn
14 books3,785 followersKate Clayborn is the critically acclaimed author of six novels. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Oprah Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, Bookpage, and more. By day she works in education, and by night (and sometimes, by very early morning) she writes contemporary romances about smart, strong, modern heroines who face the world alongside true friends and complicated families. She resides in Virginia with her husband and their dog.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,503 reviews
May 4, 2024
i have marked 1,865 books as read on goodreads. i have reviewed 1,813 of them. of those, i would say at least 1,727 had at least one complaint. and STILL, i just discovered a whole new negative thing to say:
this book is all feelings. the characters don't really have personality traits, they have emotions. they don't have development, they have new feelings. there is no romance, just instalove. there isn't really a plot, just people going through feelings together (for a podcast) and people going through feelings together (that will eventually lead to them being together).
it makes it all feel shallow, like there's no actual connection between these people or their story, and that means there's no connection between the reader and the book.
for this reader, at least.
bottom line: you learn something new every day. i already knew i was a soulless void, but today i learned a new effect of that.
------------------------
tbr review
what's your favorite niche book trope? mine is road trips.
unfortunately this is not really a road trip book. my bad.
(thanks to the publisher for the e-arc)
this book is all feelings. the characters don't really have personality traits, they have emotions. they don't have development, they have new feelings. there is no romance, just instalove. there isn't really a plot, just people going through feelings together (for a podcast) and people going through feelings together (that will eventually lead to them being together).
it makes it all feel shallow, like there's no actual connection between these people or their story, and that means there's no connection between the reader and the book.
for this reader, at least.
bottom line: you learn something new every day. i already knew i was a soulless void, but today i learned a new effect of that.
------------------------
tbr review
what's your favorite niche book trope? mine is road trips.
unfortunately this is not really a road trip book. my bad.
(thanks to the publisher for the e-arc)
April 1, 2024
Kate Clayborn has done it again, composing a symphony by playing the strings of readers' devoted hearts. This heartwarming, genuine, and inspirational story delves into the lives of people who disappear from our lives, taking parts of us with them and leaving us feeling like half-empty shelves.
The narrative beautifully explores realistic dysfunctional family dynamics, sisterhood, self-discovery, and healing wounds, all blended into a poignant love story. The unique and complex bond between sisters is particularly moving, bringing forth torrents of emotion that had me shedding tears.
Let's meet hairstylist Jess Greene, who hides behind thick emotional barriers, having no intention of letting anyone in. She harbors secrets about her mother, who left her and her stepsister Tegan ten years ago when Jess was only 8. This event shattered her trust in people, forcing her to live like a shell of herself. Jess becomes Tegan's guardian when their mother, Charlotte, is lured away by a conman named Lynton Baltimore. Despite sending five postcards to inform Jess about her journey, Charlotte shows no interest in hearing from her daughters.
Although Jess never discusses the postcards with her sister, she discovers one day that Tegan has packed her bags without telling her. Tegan becomes enamored with Salem Durant, a popular podcaster whose show, "The Last Con of Lynton Baltimore," becomes a viral sensation. Jess realizes that Salem is investigating the same conman who promised her a one-on-one interview that never materialized. The journey reveals that Tegan has been imitating Jess to join a road trip with Salem and his charismatic, giant, ex-NFL star journalist, Adam Hawkins, to follow the traces of their mother and her grifter boyfriend.
Jess is startled by Tegan's betrayal but reluctantly agrees to join the road trip to protect her sister from the emotional crush she may have to face. Along the way, she slowly lets down her emotional barriers to allow Adam in. He demonstrates patience in earning her trust, revealing his own vulnerable parts and sharing his grief about a teammate who lost the battle against mental illness.
The four of them traverse the country to unravel the mystery of the conman and his lover, the girls' mother. This journey becomes an inner exploration, forcing them to confront lost parts and fears that have prevented them from living their lives fully.
Overall, this is an amazing self-exploration journey, a genuine sisterhood story, and a blossoming romance between Jess and Adam that warms the heart. Adam, with his cinnamon bun demeanor disguised under a giant facade, possesses all the qualities of the best book boyfriend. I recommend this book to anyone seeking something inspirational, soul-healing, and positive to lighten their mood.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for sharing this lovely book's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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The narrative beautifully explores realistic dysfunctional family dynamics, sisterhood, self-discovery, and healing wounds, all blended into a poignant love story. The unique and complex bond between sisters is particularly moving, bringing forth torrents of emotion that had me shedding tears.
Let's meet hairstylist Jess Greene, who hides behind thick emotional barriers, having no intention of letting anyone in. She harbors secrets about her mother, who left her and her stepsister Tegan ten years ago when Jess was only 8. This event shattered her trust in people, forcing her to live like a shell of herself. Jess becomes Tegan's guardian when their mother, Charlotte, is lured away by a conman named Lynton Baltimore. Despite sending five postcards to inform Jess about her journey, Charlotte shows no interest in hearing from her daughters.
Although Jess never discusses the postcards with her sister, she discovers one day that Tegan has packed her bags without telling her. Tegan becomes enamored with Salem Durant, a popular podcaster whose show, "The Last Con of Lynton Baltimore," becomes a viral sensation. Jess realizes that Salem is investigating the same conman who promised her a one-on-one interview that never materialized. The journey reveals that Tegan has been imitating Jess to join a road trip with Salem and his charismatic, giant, ex-NFL star journalist, Adam Hawkins, to follow the traces of their mother and her grifter boyfriend.
Jess is startled by Tegan's betrayal but reluctantly agrees to join the road trip to protect her sister from the emotional crush she may have to face. Along the way, she slowly lets down her emotional barriers to allow Adam in. He demonstrates patience in earning her trust, revealing his own vulnerable parts and sharing his grief about a teammate who lost the battle against mental illness.
The four of them traverse the country to unravel the mystery of the conman and his lover, the girls' mother. This journey becomes an inner exploration, forcing them to confront lost parts and fears that have prevented them from living their lives fully.
Overall, this is an amazing self-exploration journey, a genuine sisterhood story, and a blossoming romance between Jess and Adam that warms the heart. Adam, with his cinnamon bun demeanor disguised under a giant facade, possesses all the qualities of the best book boyfriend. I recommend this book to anyone seeking something inspirational, soul-healing, and positive to lighten their mood.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for sharing this lovely book's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
medium.com
March 29, 2024
This book was more than your usual romance novel. The focus was on the journey of self-discovery and trauma-processing. There was also a road trip to take and a mystery to solve.
It sounds like a lot but the themes were interwoven in a perfect way. The topic was not easy but the author approached it with her usual wisdom and respect for human emotions. I loved Jess and the bond she had with her sister. Their relationship was complex but wonderful and maybe even more important than the romance.
The romance itself was good but it wasn’t a magical, butterflies-in-your-belly, I-want-this-for-myself sort of thing. Both MCs were working through some heavy stuff and it was a lot to take at times. It was however wholesome how they found each other. I loved how Adam got Jess to trust him and how he protected her, and how Jess got out of her comfort zone for him.
Four stars and I can’t wait to read more from this author.
Thanks Kensington Books and NetGalley for the arc 💗
It sounds like a lot but the themes were interwoven in a perfect way. The topic was not easy but the author approached it with her usual wisdom and respect for human emotions. I loved Jess and the bond she had with her sister. Their relationship was complex but wonderful and maybe even more important than the romance.
The romance itself was good but it wasn’t a magical, butterflies-in-your-belly, I-want-this-for-myself sort of thing. Both MCs were working through some heavy stuff and it was a lot to take at times. It was however wholesome how they found each other. I loved how Adam got Jess to trust him and how he protected her, and how Jess got out of her comfort zone for him.
Four stars and I can’t wait to read more from this author.
Thanks Kensington Books and NetGalley for the arc 💗
February 25, 2024
I've made this joke before but I don't know how to describe it - ✨ and the ironic thing is that Kate would ✨ - but her books sneak up on me in the most delicious way. The prose makes me achey and her characters are complex, but I love being in their heads every single time. They never fail to burrow into my psyche. I go about my days long after I've reached The End and feel like these characters are out existing somewhere in the world around me.
I think this pivot into a new subgenre is flawlessly done. The combination of the mystery and romance had me turning the pages breathlessly. Like all of Kate's work, this one is going to stick with me.
I think this pivot into a new subgenre is flawlessly done. The combination of the mystery and romance had me turning the pages breathlessly. Like all of Kate's work, this one is going to stick with me.
May 10, 2024
re-read via audiobook - professional review for LJ to come
i read this ARC in a fever dream; I need a re-read to fully form my incoherent thoughts. True Crime things are not my oeuvre, so the concept of two sisters going on a podcast road trip to try to find their estranged mother who may or may not be connected to a serial con artist (thank goodness not unaliver) was a bit of a stretch for me, but but but kate clayborn never disappoints me, and wow the romance in this is so luscious when it starts paying off.
ALSO the mother//daughter dynamic between older sister Jess to her little sister Tegan was so lovingly explored in all of its messiness.
more to come, but definitely a must-read by my beloved fav author (i am biased and pals with kate)
thank you to Kensington for the very early copy
i read this ARC in a fever dream; I need a re-read to fully form my incoherent thoughts. True Crime things are not my oeuvre, so the concept of two sisters going on a podcast road trip to try to find their estranged mother who may or may not be connected to a serial con artist (thank goodness not unaliver) was a bit of a stretch for me, but but but kate clayborn never disappoints me, and wow the romance in this is so luscious when it starts paying off.
ALSO the mother//daughter dynamic between older sister Jess to her little sister Tegan was so lovingly explored in all of its messiness.
more to come, but definitely a must-read by my beloved fav author (i am biased and pals with kate)
thank you to Kensington for the very early copy
April 15, 2024
Total miss for me. Couldn’t get into the characters - primary or secondary, the story, the romance or the conclusion. Oddly, it’s like everything felt underdeveloped and S L O W but also was happening too fast.
I never thought I could or would dislike a Clayborn book, but reading this one was a total slog. I didn’t inhale this…I suffered through it and couldn’t wait to finish it.
Also, WTF is this cover?
I never thought I could or would dislike a Clayborn book, but reading this one was a total slog. I didn’t inhale this…I suffered through it and couldn’t wait to finish it.
Also, WTF is this cover?
April 17, 2024
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books for this arc in exchange for an honest review!
This was a heavier romance book than I usually read but I still enjoyed it. There were a lot of weighted mental health issues in this one, which sort of lead me to slow down in my reading, so this took a little longer than usual but I enjoyed experiencing the journey of all the different characters.
Adam was such a big teddy bear and my heart broke for him on multiple occasions, but I loved his dynamic and eventual relationship with Jess. He was so in tune with her from the start, one of the perks imo of the more silent and observant MMC's.
Jess was a pretty good FMC, though I did have some frustrations with her, but admittedly she had the most to work through emotionally. I enjoyed seeing her slowly start to trust Adam and remove some of her walls.
And the communication! I was such a fan and hoped there wouldn't be a third act breakup (no such luck), but I did enjoy what they were able to do for themselves during that break, so it honestly felt like it was for the best. You can't be there for someone else if you haven't taken care of yourself first. At least not in a healthy way.
Would recommend for any romance readers who like a side of mystery ❤️
This was a heavier romance book than I usually read but I still enjoyed it. There were a lot of weighted mental health issues in this one, which sort of lead me to slow down in my reading, so this took a little longer than usual but I enjoyed experiencing the journey of all the different characters.
Adam was such a big teddy bear and my heart broke for him on multiple occasions, but I loved his dynamic and eventual relationship with Jess. He was so in tune with her from the start, one of the perks imo of the more silent and observant MMC's.
Jess was a pretty good FMC, though I did have some frustrations with her, but admittedly she had the most to work through emotionally. I enjoyed seeing her slowly start to trust Adam and remove some of her walls.
And the communication! I was such a fan and hoped there wouldn't be a third act breakup (no such luck), but I did enjoy what they were able to do for themselves during that break, so it honestly felt like it was for the best. You can't be there for someone else if you haven't taken care of yourself first. At least not in a healthy way.
Would recommend for any romance readers who like a side of mystery ❤️
March 6, 2024
MY HEART
Will writing a review of The Other Side of Disappearing cure my book hangover? Let's find out.
This will be a review of two halves, with non-spoilery bits at the beginning, and then a bit more in-depth discussion that people may or may not want to skip based on their tolerance for advance knowledge of a romance's themes and emotional beats.
Non-spoilery version: The Other Side of Disappearing opens with Jess Greene, who has been raising her sister Tegan alone since their mother disappeared with a con man, receiving two unwanted guests on her doorstep: a podcaster who produced the wildly successful show about the man Jess's mother disappeared with, and said podcaster's assistant Adam, who is getting into journalism to tell a deeply personal and important story of his own. As Jess and Adam fall for each other, complicated questions - of journalistic ethics, of privacy, and of how much you can let other people in without losing yourself - form the external-plot scaffolding for what is still one of the deeply interior, deeply swoony, character-driven romances for which Kate Clayborn is rightly known and celebrated.
I would argue that of all of Clayborn's romances, this is the one with the most going on "outside" of the romance story: the true-crime podcasting plot, while deftly woven into the character development and around the romance, really does constitute its own journey. It could have become too much for one book, but I felt all the different elements of the story only enriched each other. In some ways, The Other Side of Disappearing felt like a mirror image of Georgie, All Along. Georgie, as a heroine, is open and "expansive," spilling all over the page with actions and emotions that propel what is otherwise a small and localized plot; Jess is quite closed down and tightly locked and, at the beginning of the book, adrift in the waters of a very large and overwhelming story that sprawls over several states and around a lot of characters. The fact that I loved both books equally, and that they both bear all the hallmarks of what makes Clayborn's writing so great, is a true tour de force. Committed fans will love this, new readers will be immediately hooked.
Perhaps slightly spoilery version:
As I said in my review of Georgie if there's one thing Kate Clayborn is going to do, it's have an overarching thematic question that gets explored from every possible angle in a way that always feels organic and not at all lecture-y. I definitely thought I had this one figured out from the title: it's all about visibility, invisibility, and the "other side" of disappearing- how people are affected by and have to deal with the absence that results from loved ones leaving. Jess and Tegan are obviously dealing with their mother's disappearance, Jess worries about her privacy disappearing due to the podcast, she's also worried about Tegan "disappearing" off to college, Adam is coping with his friend's death but also the invisibility of mental health issues among professional athletes, and so on, and so forth. And don't get me wrong, this is some FASCINATING thematic work for a book that already has a lot going on.
But what struck me by the end, is that alongside all of these, there's also a broader thematic questioning of the ways that women often get asked to, or compelled to, disappear into roles of... I want to say wife and mother, but I think a lot of this exploration is done through the character of Jess, who is technically neither. But into caregiving and romantic relationships, I suppose. I spent a lot of time trying to figure out why I was supposed to be invested in the side-plot with Salem and her daughter, but I actually think it all came together REALLY nicely at the end: the way Charlotte so thoroughly disappears into her romantic relationship that she becomes an awful mother, and the way Salem so very nearly disappears into motherhood - and then her job - that she becomes an absent romantic partner... these twin models both really help set up why it is hard for Jess to mother Tegan and to partner Adam without losing herself. And does some really astute social commentary on gender and caregiving expectations and the myth of "having it all" in the process.
I do think that this theme had some interesting consequences for Adam as a character, though. On the one hand, I really enjoyed seeing a "traditionally masculine" hero (he is almost aggressively coded as such - I went back and forth a lot between being bothered by the focus on Adam's GIANT SIZE DIFFERENCE with Jess, and wondering if it was a commentary on the prevalence of that dynamic in romance) who just desperately wants to do both emotional and domestic labor for the heroine:
I think it's rare, in mf romance, for a hero to so clearly realize that he can fulfill needs that are not just sexual and emotional, but also logistical, and that the presence of those needs is, for many couples, down to a deeply gendered hierarchy of household logistics.
But at the same time, I think by design, the need for Adam to not be the kind of man Jess is going to "disappear" into means that he's a little more of a supporting character in the romance. He is there for Jess, both in the sense that he's "there for her" emotionally and, metatextually, he seems to exist for her to go on the journey she needs to as a character. This isn't a complaint - not at all - but more of an observation about why he maybe landed a little differently than the other Clayborn Heros (TM), who have felt a bit more memorable to me?
Anyway, I think ultimately the fact that I was perhaps more moved by Jess and Tegan's final emotional heart-to-heart than I was by Jess and Adam's - but also the fact that I didn't mind that disparity at all - is the best testament to how this book is doing something a bit different than the rest of Kate Clayborn's backlist, but something absolutely deeply moving and fully worth reading.
Disclosure: I received an ARC from the author, with whom I am friendly online
Will writing a review of The Other Side of Disappearing cure my book hangover? Let's find out.
This will be a review of two halves, with non-spoilery bits at the beginning, and then a bit more in-depth discussion that people may or may not want to skip based on their tolerance for advance knowledge of a romance's themes and emotional beats.
Non-spoilery version: The Other Side of Disappearing opens with Jess Greene, who has been raising her sister Tegan alone since their mother disappeared with a con man, receiving two unwanted guests on her doorstep: a podcaster who produced the wildly successful show about the man Jess's mother disappeared with, and said podcaster's assistant Adam, who is getting into journalism to tell a deeply personal and important story of his own. As Jess and Adam fall for each other, complicated questions - of journalistic ethics, of privacy, and of how much you can let other people in without losing yourself - form the external-plot scaffolding for what is still one of the deeply interior, deeply swoony, character-driven romances for which Kate Clayborn is rightly known and celebrated.
I would argue that of all of Clayborn's romances, this is the one with the most going on "outside" of the romance story: the true-crime podcasting plot, while deftly woven into the character development and around the romance, really does constitute its own journey. It could have become too much for one book, but I felt all the different elements of the story only enriched each other. In some ways, The Other Side of Disappearing felt like a mirror image of Georgie, All Along. Georgie, as a heroine, is open and "expansive," spilling all over the page with actions and emotions that propel what is otherwise a small and localized plot; Jess is quite closed down and tightly locked and, at the beginning of the book, adrift in the waters of a very large and overwhelming story that sprawls over several states and around a lot of characters. The fact that I loved both books equally, and that they both bear all the hallmarks of what makes Clayborn's writing so great, is a true tour de force. Committed fans will love this, new readers will be immediately hooked.
Perhaps slightly spoilery version:
As I said in my review of Georgie if there's one thing Kate Clayborn is going to do, it's have an overarching thematic question that gets explored from every possible angle in a way that always feels organic and not at all lecture-y. I definitely thought I had this one figured out from the title: it's all about visibility, invisibility, and the "other side" of disappearing- how people are affected by and have to deal with the absence that results from loved ones leaving. Jess and Tegan are obviously dealing with their mother's disappearance, Jess worries about her privacy disappearing due to the podcast, she's also worried about Tegan "disappearing" off to college, Adam is coping with his friend's death but also the invisibility of mental health issues among professional athletes, and so on, and so forth. And don't get me wrong, this is some FASCINATING thematic work for a book that already has a lot going on.
But what struck me by the end, is that alongside all of these, there's also a broader thematic questioning of the ways that women often get asked to, or compelled to, disappear into roles of... I want to say wife and mother, but I think a lot of this exploration is done through the character of Jess, who is technically neither. But into caregiving and romantic relationships, I suppose. I spent a lot of time trying to figure out why I was supposed to be invested in the side-plot with Salem and her daughter, but I actually think it all came together REALLY nicely at the end: the way Charlotte so thoroughly disappears into her romantic relationship that she becomes an awful mother, and the way Salem so very nearly disappears into motherhood - and then her job - that she becomes an absent romantic partner... these twin models both really help set up why it is hard for Jess to mother Tegan and to partner Adam without losing herself. And does some really astute social commentary on gender and caregiving expectations and the myth of "having it all" in the process.
I do think that this theme had some interesting consequences for Adam as a character, though. On the one hand, I really enjoyed seeing a "traditionally masculine" hero (he is almost aggressively coded as such - I went back and forth a lot between being bothered by the focus on Adam's GIANT SIZE DIFFERENCE with Jess, and wondering if it was a commentary on the prevalence of that dynamic in romance) who just desperately wants to do both emotional and domestic labor for the heroine:
"... I've had this thought in my head all along - how I'd be, if I got to know Jess outside of this shitty story that defined her life against her will. I'd take her out, let her talk or not talk. Plan trips that have nothing to do with family secrets. Let her sleep late. Make her pancakes, any day she wanted them, every morning an opportunity to celebrate. I'd do all the things for her I bet she's spent the last ten years doing for someone else. Laundry, meals for the whole week, the shitty, boring errands that wreck your entire Saturday. I could be that."
I think it's rare, in mf romance, for a hero to so clearly realize that he can fulfill needs that are not just sexual and emotional, but also logistical, and that the presence of those needs is, for many couples, down to a deeply gendered hierarchy of household logistics.
But at the same time, I think by design, the need for Adam to not be the kind of man Jess is going to "disappear" into means that he's a little more of a supporting character in the romance. He is there for Jess, both in the sense that he's "there for her" emotionally and, metatextually, he seems to exist for her to go on the journey she needs to as a character. This isn't a complaint - not at all - but more of an observation about why he maybe landed a little differently than the other Clayborn Heros (TM), who have felt a bit more memorable to me?
Anyway, I think ultimately the fact that I was perhaps more moved by Jess and Tegan's final emotional heart-to-heart than I was by Jess and Adam's - but also the fact that I didn't mind that disparity at all - is the best testament to how this book is doing something a bit different than the rest of Kate Clayborn's backlist, but something absolutely deeply moving and fully worth reading.
Disclosure: I received an ARC from the author, with whom I am friendly online
April 7, 2024
3.5 stars
As has probably been evident from the sparseness of my postings in recent weeks, I’ve been a bit behind on my leisure reading lately. Don’t get me wrong — I’ve definitely been reading a lot, everyday in fact, it’s just that most of it is stuff I need to read for class so that I can complete my assignments. With that said however, in not wanting to sacrifice my leisure reading too much, I’ve been trying to find a better balance between work, family, and grad school obligations so that I can get to as many of the books on my teetering TBR as possible (albeit at a slower pace than usual).
One of the books on my list from last month is Kate Clayborn’s newest romance The Other Side of Disappearing . Since I don’t read a lot of romance overall, I usually go off recommendations from friends when it comes to this genre and Clayborn came highly recommended. I can definitely see why, as Clayborn’s romance feels different from ones that I’ve read in the past — it’s written in a way that leaves much food for thought. The story is narrated in the first person and alternates between the perspectives of the main couple, Jess Greene and Adam Hawkins. Adam is employed by Broadside Media, where he is assigned to work with veteran journalist Salem Durant, whose popular podcast about con artist Lynton Baltimore catapulted her to fame over a decade ago. That podcast resulted in some unfinished business and Salem wants nothing more than to track Baltimore down in order to tie up that particular loose end. The opportunity arises when they are contacted by Tegan Caulfield, whose mother Charlotte abandoned her 10 years ago when she ran away with her then-boyfriend (whom Tegan finds out is actually con man Baltimore). With some clues Tegan provides, they arrange to go on a search for Charlotte, which they hope will also lead them to Baltimore. When Tegan’s half-sister Jess finds out about the plans, she insists on going along so she can protect the sister whom she has raised since their mother’s abandonment. On this road trip “adventure,” all four characters end up discovering things about themselves that ultimately change the course of their lives.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read and a fun way to take a break from so much heavy academic reading. One of the things that stood out to me with this story is the interesting angle that Clayborn took with the main theme of “disappearing” — she goes beyond the literal definition of the word and instead goes deeper to explore the various forms that “disappearing” can take (not just the physical, but also the emotional, mental, spiritual, etc). The nuanced way that some of the themes were explored added a little bit of a philosophical bent to the story, which I appreciated.
My one complaint would be that I found it difficult to connect with the characters for some reason. I liked the characters for the most part and Adam and Jess as a couple was one I could stand behind and root for (which I did, of course), but I didn’t feel as much of an emotional connection as I was expecting. Regardless though, I would definitely read more by this author if the opportunity were to arise.
Received ARC from Kensington via NetGalley.
As has probably been evident from the sparseness of my postings in recent weeks, I’ve been a bit behind on my leisure reading lately. Don’t get me wrong — I’ve definitely been reading a lot, everyday in fact, it’s just that most of it is stuff I need to read for class so that I can complete my assignments. With that said however, in not wanting to sacrifice my leisure reading too much, I’ve been trying to find a better balance between work, family, and grad school obligations so that I can get to as many of the books on my teetering TBR as possible (albeit at a slower pace than usual).
One of the books on my list from last month is Kate Clayborn’s newest romance The Other Side of Disappearing . Since I don’t read a lot of romance overall, I usually go off recommendations from friends when it comes to this genre and Clayborn came highly recommended. I can definitely see why, as Clayborn’s romance feels different from ones that I’ve read in the past — it’s written in a way that leaves much food for thought. The story is narrated in the first person and alternates between the perspectives of the main couple, Jess Greene and Adam Hawkins. Adam is employed by Broadside Media, where he is assigned to work with veteran journalist Salem Durant, whose popular podcast about con artist Lynton Baltimore catapulted her to fame over a decade ago. That podcast resulted in some unfinished business and Salem wants nothing more than to track Baltimore down in order to tie up that particular loose end. The opportunity arises when they are contacted by Tegan Caulfield, whose mother Charlotte abandoned her 10 years ago when she ran away with her then-boyfriend (whom Tegan finds out is actually con man Baltimore). With some clues Tegan provides, they arrange to go on a search for Charlotte, which they hope will also lead them to Baltimore. When Tegan’s half-sister Jess finds out about the plans, she insists on going along so she can protect the sister whom she has raised since their mother’s abandonment. On this road trip “adventure,” all four characters end up discovering things about themselves that ultimately change the course of their lives.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read and a fun way to take a break from so much heavy academic reading. One of the things that stood out to me with this story is the interesting angle that Clayborn took with the main theme of “disappearing” — she goes beyond the literal definition of the word and instead goes deeper to explore the various forms that “disappearing” can take (not just the physical, but also the emotional, mental, spiritual, etc). The nuanced way that some of the themes were explored added a little bit of a philosophical bent to the story, which I appreciated.
My one complaint would be that I found it difficult to connect with the characters for some reason. I liked the characters for the most part and Adam and Jess as a couple was one I could stand behind and root for (which I did, of course), but I didn’t feel as much of an emotional connection as I was expecting. Regardless though, I would definitely read more by this author if the opportunity were to arise.
Received ARC from Kensington via NetGalley.
March 27, 2024
I don't know why I had plans to save this one for closer to the release date (as I write this it's the first weekend in March) but I did. And instead I had to shatter the "break in case of emergency" glass and dive into my stash of guaranteed slump-busters after a string of disappointments. Though it's not really that I'm in a slump, I'm just trying to love books again so as to avoid a slump because hooboy, it's been rough out here.
And I did. Love this. I knew I would. Because it's Clayborn.
Surprising no one, I cried. A few times. But I've come to expect that from this author, who even in her romcoms has achingly tender passages, but I was doubly prepared after seeing her mention this was going to be an angsty ride. And it was. And it was also a departure from her last few reads because of who, and how, Jess was. But to sum up? Complicated. Closed off. Careful. And more.
Adam, too, had his own baggage along for the journey but his overall self was so considerate. Conscientious. And, I'm breaking the alliterative game here, but.. soft.
They were such a complimentary couple even in the earlier interactions where they didn't quite get on (well, at least, one side of the equation didn't) but the foundation was still being laid for the later intimacy and understanding of each other. And this is another thing that Clayborn always does so so well.
But just as important, if not more so, were the complex dynamics of the relationship Jess had with her sister and pseudo-daughter, Tegan. It was one of their scenes that had me crying the most -- and I especially loved having Adam's POV as he watched them interact, as he saw them, so well -- and it was one of those perfect moments that breaks your heart even as it mends it.
There is a lot of hurt and vulnerability and anger that plays out in how this story unfolds outside of the romance and the whole podcast investigative element was a really interesting setting as it provided both momentum and slower introspective pauses as things are revealed along the way. It also worked as a vehicle to work through some of said emotions.
The whole concept of disappearing had so many layers I didn't expect, too, and that was so beautifully done.
Everything felt pretty pitch perfect to me, with no one element overriding the others, but at the same time we didn't have too many things going on at once. So if you're into stories full of tenderness and vulnerability, with sharp-edged protective female leads and soft giant cinnamon roll protector male leads, and enjoy a podcast element or mystery, and more!, you should absolutely pick this one up.
4.5 stars
** I received an ARC from the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
---
This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
And I did. Love this. I knew I would. Because it's Clayborn.
Surprising no one, I cried. A few times. But I've come to expect that from this author, who even in her romcoms has achingly tender passages, but I was doubly prepared after seeing her mention this was going to be an angsty ride. And it was. And it was also a departure from her last few reads because of who, and how, Jess was. But to sum up? Complicated. Closed off. Careful. And more.
Adam, too, had his own baggage along for the journey but his overall self was so considerate. Conscientious. And, I'm breaking the alliterative game here, but.. soft.
They were such a complimentary couple even in the earlier interactions where they didn't quite get on (well, at least, one side of the equation didn't) but the foundation was still being laid for the later intimacy and understanding of each other. And this is another thing that Clayborn always does so so well.
But just as important, if not more so, were the complex dynamics of the relationship Jess had with her sister and pseudo-daughter, Tegan. It was one of their scenes that had me crying the most -- and I especially loved having Adam's POV as he watched them interact, as he saw them, so well -- and it was one of those perfect moments that breaks your heart even as it mends it.
There is a lot of hurt and vulnerability and anger that plays out in how this story unfolds outside of the romance and the whole podcast investigative element was a really interesting setting as it provided both momentum and slower introspective pauses as things are revealed along the way. It also worked as a vehicle to work through some of said emotions.
The whole concept of disappearing had so many layers I didn't expect, too, and that was so beautifully done.
Everything felt pretty pitch perfect to me, with no one element overriding the others, but at the same time we didn't have too many things going on at once. So if you're into stories full of tenderness and vulnerability, with sharp-edged protective female leads and soft giant cinnamon roll protector male leads, and enjoy a podcast element or mystery, and more!, you should absolutely pick this one up.
4.5 stars
** I received an ARC from the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
---
This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
March 18, 2024
'I think I've probably figured out some truths about myself...a good story can do that for you'.
When someone unexpectedly disappears, are they really erased from your life? Jess's mom disappeared years ago with a known con artist and left her to raise her half-sister, Teagan. She put her dreams on hold to ensure Teagan never experienced the hurt of being abandoned again. But Teagan has grown up now, she's about to leave for college, and she's just found a clue that their mother might be able to be found. Teagan knows just the people to help: true-crime podcaster Salem Durant and her assistant Adam. Following a trail of possible clues, finding their mother may mean they actually find themselves.
'The Otherside of Disappearing' is a contemporary mystery and insta-love romance. I enjoyed trying to unravel the mystery and personally would have enjoyed even more focus on this. The romance, however, is sweet and is sure to give readers an aching heart. Overall, a good, easy read.
When someone unexpectedly disappears, are they really erased from your life? Jess's mom disappeared years ago with a known con artist and left her to raise her half-sister, Teagan. She put her dreams on hold to ensure Teagan never experienced the hurt of being abandoned again. But Teagan has grown up now, she's about to leave for college, and she's just found a clue that their mother might be able to be found. Teagan knows just the people to help: true-crime podcaster Salem Durant and her assistant Adam. Following a trail of possible clues, finding their mother may mean they actually find themselves.
'The Otherside of Disappearing' is a contemporary mystery and insta-love romance. I enjoyed trying to unravel the mystery and personally would have enjoyed even more focus on this. The romance, however, is sweet and is sure to give readers an aching heart. Overall, a good, easy read.
May 5, 2024
The Other Side of Disappearing by Kate Clayborn
Contemporary romance, chick lit.
Years ago, Jess Greene’s mother disappeared with her new boyfriend, leaving Jess to raise her younger half-sister Tegan. Jess has known who the man was, but Tegan just found out and she’s determined to track the couple down with the help of a famous podcast host. The group sets out on the trail of the known cons of Lyndon Baltimore hoping to find their mother and why she left them.
As the group travels the country, Jess tries to protect Tegan, but realizes she has a right to know the facts. Jess is also discovering that staying protected behind carefully built walls has left her alone and disconnected. Adam is more than willing to help Jess experience the world if she can only lower her shields a bit. He knows the good comes with the bad, but sharing the experience is always better.
Jess has spent her life protecting her sister and herself. Closed off. In this story, she is forced to confront her fears and boundaries. Jess and Tegan must face the past as well as self assess their current relationship with each other and how they move forward.
Adam has a problem with his celebrity and he knows the public can be cruel and relentless. But there is also a chance to be better.
Heart wrenching emotions as they all make self discoveries and reconnect their past and futures.
Ultimately a romance with a lot of life thrown into middle.
Way more self analysis and angst than I’m comfortable with. Get me to the hea which fortunately was included.
Contemporary romance, chick lit.
Years ago, Jess Greene’s mother disappeared with her new boyfriend, leaving Jess to raise her younger half-sister Tegan. Jess has known who the man was, but Tegan just found out and she’s determined to track the couple down with the help of a famous podcast host. The group sets out on the trail of the known cons of Lyndon Baltimore hoping to find their mother and why she left them.
As the group travels the country, Jess tries to protect Tegan, but realizes she has a right to know the facts. Jess is also discovering that staying protected behind carefully built walls has left her alone and disconnected. Adam is more than willing to help Jess experience the world if she can only lower her shields a bit. He knows the good comes with the bad, but sharing the experience is always better.
Jess has spent her life protecting her sister and herself. Closed off. In this story, she is forced to confront her fears and boundaries. Jess and Tegan must face the past as well as self assess their current relationship with each other and how they move forward.
Adam has a problem with his celebrity and he knows the public can be cruel and relentless. But there is also a chance to be better.
Heart wrenching emotions as they all make self discoveries and reconnect their past and futures.
Ultimately a romance with a lot of life thrown into middle.
Way more self analysis and angst than I’m comfortable with. Get me to the hea which fortunately was included.
March 22, 2024
This book recites the story of two young women, abandoned by their mother, tracing clues to find her. The trip to discovery includes a driven podcast host and a handsome former athlete. This is a good story but it does include some characters that were hard to identify with. Definitely worth your time.
My thanks to the author, Kate Clayborn, and the publisher, Kensington, for my copy of this book. #Goodreads Giveaway
My thanks to the author, Kate Clayborn, and the publisher, Kensington, for my copy of this book. #Goodreads Giveaway
April 25, 2024
"I realize with a startling sort of clarity that I'd cut out my own heart before I treated hers carelessly."
This is a road trip romance sprinkled with a missing parent, two very different sisters and a podcast to find a con-man.
See when Jess and Tegan's Mom walked out on them Jess became the parent. And with it she tucked all those feelings of loneliness, regret and vulnerability. One day - they came knocking on her door again - in the form of a podcast - Salem Durant and Adam Hawkins. Salem is trying to finish her incredibly popular podcast - The Last Con of Lynton Baltimore and all signs lead to Jess and Tegan's Mom. Tegan has gone around Jess to contact the podcast reluctantly they embark on a road trip to the different towns their Mom sent them postcards after she left them high and dry.
Couldn't put it down. Loved the relationship between the sisters and Adam's incredible caring and supportive way he falls instantly in love with Jess. A gentle giant wanting to talk about very real things as well - concussions in football that led to his best friend's death.
This is a road trip romance sprinkled with a missing parent, two very different sisters and a podcast to find a con-man.
See when Jess and Tegan's Mom walked out on them Jess became the parent. And with it she tucked all those feelings of loneliness, regret and vulnerability. One day - they came knocking on her door again - in the form of a podcast - Salem Durant and Adam Hawkins. Salem is trying to finish her incredibly popular podcast - The Last Con of Lynton Baltimore and all signs lead to Jess and Tegan's Mom. Tegan has gone around Jess to contact the podcast reluctantly they embark on a road trip to the different towns their Mom sent them postcards after she left them high and dry.
Couldn't put it down. Loved the relationship between the sisters and Adam's incredible caring and supportive way he falls instantly in love with Jess. A gentle giant wanting to talk about very real things as well - concussions in football that led to his best friend's death.
March 25, 2024
Perhaps it’s my fault for not reading the publisher’s blurb, but I was quite excited for a new Kate Clayborn book and I figured I didn’t need to do that. However… I probably should have. The set-up is that Jess has been acting a mother-substitute for her younger half-sister, Tegan, for ten years. Their mother ran off with a man who turned out to be a skilled con man, about whom a true-crime-style podcast was made. Now that Tegan is 18 and ready to leave for college in a few months, she contacts the podcast host and she and Jess (reluctantly, for Jess) wind up joining the podcast host, Salem, and her assistant, Adam, on a road trip to try to track down their missing mother and perhaps the con man she ran off with. There’s an instant attraction between Jess and Adam and they are both very wary about acting on it, so this is a slow burn romance.
My take: I think there have been too many books focusing on podcasts lately; I guess that’s the latest “thing.”
Weirdly, I had just finished another book that featured an older sibling being a caretaker (in that case, for both the disabled father and the younger sister), so it was a bit hard to keep the two stories separated in my mind. Not the author’s fault, just bad timing on my part.
There was some excellent character development, particularly for Jess, as she finally begins to grapple with the impact of her mother abandoning her (twice). And for those who prefer to know these things, be aware that there are a couple of rather spicy, open door scenes, including one in a rather memorable location.
On the whole, this wasn’t a bad book, but it wasn’t what I expected from this author. The love story was almost beside the point, with most of the book spent on the four of them tracking down clues to find their mother and/or the con man.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
My take: I think there have been too many books focusing on podcasts lately; I guess that’s the latest “thing.”
Weirdly, I had just finished another book that featured an older sibling being a caretaker (in that case, for both the disabled father and the younger sister), so it was a bit hard to keep the two stories separated in my mind. Not the author’s fault, just bad timing on my part.
There was some excellent character development, particularly for Jess, as she finally begins to grapple with the impact of her mother abandoning her (twice). And for those who prefer to know these things, be aware that there are a couple of rather spicy, open door scenes, including one in a rather memorable location.
On the whole, this wasn’t a bad book, but it wasn’t what I expected from this author. The love story was almost beside the point, with most of the book spent on the four of them tracking down clues to find their mother and/or the con man.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
March 26, 2024
"I think I've probably figured out some truths about myself. A good story. . . a good story can do that for you."
Wow, it took me a few days to formulate my review because I felt so much after finishing this book. I have been itching to read it ever since Kate vaguely mentioned its (not-yet-titled or -covered) existence at her GEORGIE, ALL ALONG event in January of this year. She talked about a podcast and sisters, and no, I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since.
This story felt different in a lot of ways from Kate's other books, and for me, it just further solidified that Kate is a versatile and talented writer, but also that anything she writes is something I will enjoy in different ways, and I really love that about her books.
THE OTHER SIDE OF DISAPPEARING follows private and guarded Jess, who finds herself on a road trip with her teenaged half-sister (who she's been caring for alone for years) and two podcast producers eager to find information on the girls' mother, who disappeared years ago with a con man. Jess and accompanying journalist Adam both have wounds, but just might find what they need in each other, and the ways they grow together.
It's such unique subject matter, and the content feels heavier than Kate's previous books. But I actually really appreciated this weightier storytelling and discussions about grief, loss, relationships, and the parts of ourselves that we choose to keep hidden, and the parts we allow ourselves to share with others. It's incredibly tender and thought-provoking, while also being a story with movement, captivating writing, and swoonworthy romance. This story is developed and rich and beautiful. And like, hot. So, yeah.
I was also really touched by this line in the book's acknowledgments:
"I'm glad we can all disappear together, for a little while, into the pages of the books we love."
Read if you like:
-Massive LIs with hearts of gold
-sexy trampoline time!!!
-tattoos
-navigation of grief, loss, and inner wounds
-dual POV
-true crime podcasts
-all black outfits
-loving, accepting found families
-road trips
-"Even the little pieces you find sometimes end up being worth something."
-He falls first AND harder
-characters who raise their siblings
-truck beds in flower fields
-pancake-loving hunks
-characters who think and grow during their Big Sad time
-heated touches, meaningful glances
-"I have to show you these sheets."
-the difficulty of letting ourselves be known
-beautiful metaphors!!!
-really good hugs
-writing our own stories
-"Girlfriend seems too insignificant for what she is to me already."
-People who Notice
-therapy!!
I absolutely love Kate and I love this book.
A big thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest, unbiased review. THE OTHER SIDE OF DISAPPEARING is out 3/26/24.
Wow, it took me a few days to formulate my review because I felt so much after finishing this book. I have been itching to read it ever since Kate vaguely mentioned its (not-yet-titled or -covered) existence at her GEORGIE, ALL ALONG event in January of this year. She talked about a podcast and sisters, and no, I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since.
This story felt different in a lot of ways from Kate's other books, and for me, it just further solidified that Kate is a versatile and talented writer, but also that anything she writes is something I will enjoy in different ways, and I really love that about her books.
THE OTHER SIDE OF DISAPPEARING follows private and guarded Jess, who finds herself on a road trip with her teenaged half-sister (who she's been caring for alone for years) and two podcast producers eager to find information on the girls' mother, who disappeared years ago with a con man. Jess and accompanying journalist Adam both have wounds, but just might find what they need in each other, and the ways they grow together.
It's such unique subject matter, and the content feels heavier than Kate's previous books. But I actually really appreciated this weightier storytelling and discussions about grief, loss, relationships, and the parts of ourselves that we choose to keep hidden, and the parts we allow ourselves to share with others. It's incredibly tender and thought-provoking, while also being a story with movement, captivating writing, and swoonworthy romance. This story is developed and rich and beautiful. And like, hot. So, yeah.
I was also really touched by this line in the book's acknowledgments:
"I'm glad we can all disappear together, for a little while, into the pages of the books we love."
Read if you like:
-Massive LIs with hearts of gold
-sexy trampoline time!!!
-tattoos
-navigation of grief, loss, and inner wounds
-dual POV
-true crime podcasts
-all black outfits
-loving, accepting found families
-road trips
-"Even the little pieces you find sometimes end up being worth something."
-He falls first AND harder
-characters who raise their siblings
-truck beds in flower fields
-pancake-loving hunks
-characters who think and grow during their Big Sad time
-heated touches, meaningful glances
-"I have to show you these sheets."
-the difficulty of letting ourselves be known
-beautiful metaphors!!!
-really good hugs
-writing our own stories
-"Girlfriend seems too insignificant for what she is to me already."
-People who Notice
-therapy!!
I absolutely love Kate and I love this book.
A big thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest, unbiased review. THE OTHER SIDE OF DISAPPEARING is out 3/26/24.
January 31, 2024
4.5 stars
Kate Clayborn writes the most tender and quietly beautiful novels. This one is a slower build, which might be a turn off for some readers, but I think the story needed to unfold the way that it did to give readers time to process, grieve, heal, and hope right alongside our characters. The Other Side of Disappearing was a mix of romance and mystery and as much as I enjoyed both plot lines, I also think that may have divided my attention a bit too much. The novel definitely falls more into women's fiction for me since it's the non-romantic relationships that truly make this story.
Jess had such a complicated relationship with herself and her sister, Tegan. There's never a doubt that these two love each other, but my heart broke for them as their pasts were revealed and that they never had the chance to just be sisters. I could definitely understand both of their actions and the fears that held them back. Jess and Tegan had such satisfying character arcs and I loved how their relationship shifted and how each of them grew through the novel.
The romance started with some instalove, but it worked for me because it ended up being such a slow burn between Jess and Adam. I absolutely LOVE Levi from Georgie, All Along, but wow did Kate Clayborn raise the bar again with Adam. His love was so gentle and pure. He truly saw and understood Jess. I swooned so many times from all the ways they both tried to protect and shelter the other. They both have, in one way or another, made themselves small or hidden their true selves away and I just loved it so much that when they were together they could just be Jess and Adam - messy and perfectly imperfect. Their intimate scenes were sensual and romantic, without being overly descriptive, which made them so much more impactful. The epilogue left my heart so full and Kate Clayborn is truly one of my favorite authors. I can't wait to see where she takes readers next!
CW: parental abandonment, bipolar, grief, death of loved one (past, implied suicide), mental health struggles, sports related injuries, con artist/theft & deception
*I voluntarily read an advance review copy of this book*
Kate Clayborn writes the most tender and quietly beautiful novels. This one is a slower build, which might be a turn off for some readers, but I think the story needed to unfold the way that it did to give readers time to process, grieve, heal, and hope right alongside our characters. The Other Side of Disappearing was a mix of romance and mystery and as much as I enjoyed both plot lines, I also think that may have divided my attention a bit too much. The novel definitely falls more into women's fiction for me since it's the non-romantic relationships that truly make this story.
Jess had such a complicated relationship with herself and her sister, Tegan. There's never a doubt that these two love each other, but my heart broke for them as their pasts were revealed and that they never had the chance to just be sisters. I could definitely understand both of their actions and the fears that held them back. Jess and Tegan had such satisfying character arcs and I loved how their relationship shifted and how each of them grew through the novel.
The romance started with some instalove, but it worked for me because it ended up being such a slow burn between Jess and Adam. I absolutely LOVE Levi from Georgie, All Along, but wow did Kate Clayborn raise the bar again with Adam. His love was so gentle and pure. He truly saw and understood Jess. I swooned so many times from all the ways they both tried to protect and shelter the other. They both have, in one way or another, made themselves small or hidden their true selves away and I just loved it so much that when they were together they could just be Jess and Adam - messy and perfectly imperfect. Their intimate scenes were sensual and romantic, without being overly descriptive, which made them so much more impactful. The epilogue left my heart so full and Kate Clayborn is truly one of my favorite authors. I can't wait to see where she takes readers next!
CW: parental abandonment, bipolar, grief, death of loved one (past, implied suicide), mental health struggles, sports related injuries, con artist/theft & deception
*I voluntarily read an advance review copy of this book*
April 9, 2024
OMG, that was absolutely gorgeous! A gut-wrenching journey. I love Kate Clayborn's female characters but wow, the way she explores vulnerability and emotions in her male characters really stands out for me.
The angst is dialed on 1000 here and it's exquisite. We get a massive internal conflict and a deep dive in the characters' emotions (all characters, not just the MCs) and I was reading through tears big sections of this book, first - ones of saddens, then tears of happiness.
Overall, this might be my favourite of Kate Clayborn's book. I might say this about every new book of hers I read but they all feel so special to me and I love them all.
The angst is dialed on 1000 here and it's exquisite. We get a massive internal conflict and a deep dive in the characters' emotions (all characters, not just the MCs) and I was reading through tears big sections of this book, first - ones of saddens, then tears of happiness.
Overall, this might be my favourite of Kate Clayborn's book. I might say this about every new book of hers I read but they all feel so special to me and I love them all.
March 22, 2024
2.5 stars
cw: mentions of parental abuse (emotional)
I already knew going into this from a friend that the romance was a bit instalove-y but I was like, surely it's not that bad...Also, instalove isn't usually a dealbreaker for me but unfortunately, it was for this book. You're telling me that Jess's whole character is how closed off she is (like. literally every character brings up how she's icy, curt, clearly not open to the conversation) and yet she pretty much immediately trusts Adam?? How does that make sense?
I suppose it wasn't immediately but it sure felt like it. Adam on the other hand is immediately infatuated with her after literally seeing her for 5 seconds. I don't mean that in a creepy way but it just straight up didn't make sense how he couldn't stop thinking about her when they had the smallest interaction. So yeah, the romance was not it for me, which made the rest of the book difficult for me to get through.
jess’s whole character being that she’s emotionally closed off and doesn’t open up to ANYONE yet falls in love with adam in like. Less than a week…yeah this just did not work for me
cw: mentions of parental abuse (emotional)
I already knew going into this from a friend that the romance was a bit instalove-y but I was like, surely it's not that bad...Also, instalove isn't usually a dealbreaker for me but unfortunately, it was for this book. You're telling me that Jess's whole character is how closed off she is (like. literally every character brings up how she's icy, curt, clearly not open to the conversation) and yet she pretty much immediately trusts Adam?? How does that make sense?
I suppose it wasn't immediately but it sure felt like it. Adam on the other hand is immediately infatuated with her after literally seeing her for 5 seconds. I don't mean that in a creepy way but it just straight up didn't make sense how he couldn't stop thinking about her when they had the smallest interaction. So yeah, the romance was not it for me, which made the rest of the book difficult for me to get through.
original review:
jess’s whole character being that she’s emotionally closed off and doesn’t open up to ANYONE yet falls in love with adam in like. Less than a week…yeah this just did not work for me
May 12, 2024
Mostly I was bored by this. It was slooooooow. Has anyone ever thought, "Boy, I would really like to read a road trip book that had no adventure element!"? If so, this is the right book for that person.
There were elements of the set-up that I liked, but mostly it was even more absurd than in most romances. Adam, the MMC is a well-known football player who did something online that went viral -- ostensibly he then goes to journalism school and is trying to get in the good graces of a podcaster so that he can get her support to do a podcast about something that matters to him. That is why he is second-fiddle on this other podcast for which the established podcaster needs Jess (the FMC) and her sister to participate. But a sports star who is internet famous can get in front of people. The years in journalism school and the work as a lackey on a podcast seems like the single most indirect route to his goal. If he had wanted people to listen he could just have called ESPN.
The biggest issue was the inexplicable love at first sight. Jess is built into a sympathetic character, but outwardly she is always rude and sometimes mean, and sympathetic is not the same as appealing. She has no interests other than raising her half-sister (her mother abandoned them a decade ago when Jess was 21 and her sister 8.) She goes to work, she comes home, she won't speak to her co-workers, she won't do anything, even eat at restaurants. This is a trauma response, and I empathize with that, but it does not explain why anyone would fall in love with her at first sight. She is beautiful, but Adam was a presumed first-round draft pick out of Ohio State so he had access to lots of beautiful women. That alone wouldn't do it. Maybe he was just waiting for someone to be nasty and dismissive to him in response to his kind and polite behavior. That does not seem healthy.
I don't know, it was fine I guess. A 2.5? I loved the last Clayborn book I read, Georgie, All Along. It was silly, but also sweet in a way that made me happy. The MMC in that book had a lot of the same aloofness as Jess displayed in this book, and I had a problem with that too, but the story was better there, and at least the MMC there was always kind, unlike Jess. I will try another book by the author, but I am not rushing to do so.
There were elements of the set-up that I liked, but mostly it was even more absurd than in most romances. Adam, the MMC is a well-known football player who did something online that went viral -- ostensibly he then goes to journalism school and is trying to get in the good graces of a podcaster so that he can get her support to do a podcast about something that matters to him. That is why he is second-fiddle on this other podcast for which the established podcaster needs Jess (the FMC) and her sister to participate. But a sports star who is internet famous can get in front of people. The years in journalism school and the work as a lackey on a podcast seems like the single most indirect route to his goal. If he had wanted people to listen he could just have called ESPN.
The biggest issue was the inexplicable love at first sight. Jess is built into a sympathetic character, but outwardly she is always rude and sometimes mean, and sympathetic is not the same as appealing. She has no interests other than raising her half-sister (her mother abandoned them a decade ago when Jess was 21 and her sister 8.) She goes to work, she comes home, she won't speak to her co-workers, she won't do anything, even eat at restaurants. This is a trauma response, and I empathize with that, but it does not explain why anyone would fall in love with her at first sight. She is beautiful, but Adam was a presumed first-round draft pick out of Ohio State so he had access to lots of beautiful women. That alone wouldn't do it. Maybe he was just waiting for someone to be nasty and dismissive to him in response to his kind and polite behavior. That does not seem healthy.
I don't know, it was fine I guess. A 2.5? I loved the last Clayborn book I read, Georgie, All Along. It was silly, but also sweet in a way that made me happy. The MMC in that book had a lot of the same aloofness as Jess displayed in this book, and I had a problem with that too, but the story was better there, and at least the MMC there was always kind, unlike Jess. I will try another book by the author, but I am not rushing to do so.
May 13, 2024
⭐⭐⭐⭒
Clayborn is a lovely writer, and I always enjoy basking in her command of prose and exploration of themes that carry through in her characterization and plotting. I identified with Jess's reluctance to allow her personal family tragedy to be exploited for public consumption in the wildly popular form of a true crime podcast. Jess's "disappearing" takes on a number of forms, but her intense dislike for social media and skepticism of journalism stood out for me. There are so many ethical dilemmas raised by today's infotainment industry of conflating crime and victimization with news and public amusement. Jess's story is the perfect one for showing all of the angles and from different characters' perspectives in this novel.
Jess and her sister Tegan were abandoned by their mother after a con artist sweeps her off her feet to go on crime sprees with him. For years, Jess manages to hide evidence from her young sister as she tries her best to give her a "normal" childhood, until she can't and Tegan discovers their mother's past and wants to know much more. Enter a pair of journalists seeking to uncover the story and hoping the sisters will be the key, and the four agree to a road trip following in the footsteps of the fleeing pair.
So much of this story is built around Jess's turmoil of living a secluded life and what that seclusion has done to her. In fact, I do think there could be an argument that of all of Clayborn's novels, this one felt more women's fiction than romance. A romance does develop between Jess and Adam, but I found it muted and tinged with sadness. To compound the melancholy that hovers over all of the characters, Adam's story felt the least clearly drawn. As a former football player, he is haunted by the suicide of his best friend and fellow teammate, and he blames media for destroying the man's life. He wants to use media in a more affirmative way, which is commendable and endears him to Jess. But I just never quite believed in the depth of the depression he carries with him for years due to a friend's mental health issues.
By the end of the novel, all of the characters have experienced plenty of soul searching and seem to have reached a better place in their lives because of their trip. I really liked the final chapters, and it redeemed a lot of what I found missing in much of the book. Jess and Adam earn their happy ending, and so I was left feeling content for them.
Clayborn is a lovely writer, and I always enjoy basking in her command of prose and exploration of themes that carry through in her characterization and plotting. I identified with Jess's reluctance to allow her personal family tragedy to be exploited for public consumption in the wildly popular form of a true crime podcast. Jess's "disappearing" takes on a number of forms, but her intense dislike for social media and skepticism of journalism stood out for me. There are so many ethical dilemmas raised by today's infotainment industry of conflating crime and victimization with news and public amusement. Jess's story is the perfect one for showing all of the angles and from different characters' perspectives in this novel.
Jess and her sister Tegan were abandoned by their mother after a con artist sweeps her off her feet to go on crime sprees with him. For years, Jess manages to hide evidence from her young sister as she tries her best to give her a "normal" childhood, until she can't and Tegan discovers their mother's past and wants to know much more. Enter a pair of journalists seeking to uncover the story and hoping the sisters will be the key, and the four agree to a road trip following in the footsteps of the fleeing pair.
So much of this story is built around Jess's turmoil of living a secluded life and what that seclusion has done to her. In fact, I do think there could be an argument that of all of Clayborn's novels, this one felt more women's fiction than romance. A romance does develop between Jess and Adam, but I found it muted and tinged with sadness. To compound the melancholy that hovers over all of the characters, Adam's story felt the least clearly drawn. As a former football player, he is haunted by the suicide of his best friend and fellow teammate, and he blames media for destroying the man's life. He wants to use media in a more affirmative way, which is commendable and endears him to Jess. But I just never quite believed in the depth of the depression he carries with him for years due to a friend's mental health issues.
By the end of the novel, all of the characters have experienced plenty of soul searching and seem to have reached a better place in their lives because of their trip. I really liked the final chapters, and it redeemed a lot of what I found missing in much of the book. Jess and Adam earn their happy ending, and so I was left feeling content for them.
April 25, 2024
I am just foaming at the mouth for anything Kate Clayborn writes and this is no exception. I adored this book. It had everything pulling me in 100 different directions in the best way? I was invested in everything from the podcast itself to the sister dynamics to the actual love story with Adam to Jess’ feelings toward her mom to Adam’s grappling with his best friend’s death to Adam’s dynamic with Salem and Salem’s obsession with the Baltimore story. It was an intricate web of people and plots and relationships but Kate wove it beautifully. She is just a master at her craft and I’m obsessed with her brain.
PS Adam could definitely crush a watermelon with his thighs and for that reason alone (and 6272 other reasons) he is the love of my life. Seriously though, Adam Hawkins is the definition of a gentle giant and he is so sexy
PS Adam could definitely crush a watermelon with his thighs and for that reason alone (and 6272 other reasons) he is the love of my life. Seriously though, Adam Hawkins is the definition of a gentle giant and he is so sexy
Read
February 5, 2024I’m dying to talk to someone about this book. It struck me as such a bold, ambitious and expansive story, and yet it had all the heart I’ve come to expect from Kate Clayborn. I have to think about it some more and perhaps read it again to fully digest it, but some initial thoughts:
- I just love how KC writes her male POV characters. Adam is a fascinating, flawed man, not at all what one might expect from an ex-football player (or, as Jess puts it: “It’s hard to picture you hulking out over a little leather ball while wearing shiny leggings.”) He’s so strong in his fragility and vulnerability, and I loved watching his relationship with Jess evolve.
“I’m sorry,” I breathe against her neck. “I know I’m too—”
“You’re not too anything. You’ve never been too anything, for me.”
I smile against her skin. That feels so good, to hear her say that.
- Jess is so flinty, so bristly, so closed off, and she really has a long way to come emotionally in this book. Parts of the journey really broke my heart, but I loved the exploration of her relationship with her sister as well as the burgeoning romance with Adam. AND THE ROMANCE, MY GOD.
He kisses like the most impossible dream, a study in perfect contradiction. Soft and firm. Searching and assured. Eager and patient. He kisses like Adam: this huge, hard slab of a man who is somehow the most gentle person I've ever met.
- All of the journalism notes hit really well for me, from the personalities to the podcast transcripts to small things like reporter jargon.
- The settings were so rich and so well-suited to the plot points, from Ohio to Missouri to Florida to Massachusetts to Washington.
- Mostly, I loved that for all the ways this book feels different (to me) from KC’s previous books, her voice permeates every page.
...even the tallest, broadest, strongest man you've ever seen will seem different to you once you've had your arms around him, once you've known him up close. Once you've seen how his heart works, and heard it beat against your ear while he held you.
*Thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the arc.
*Disclaimer: The author and I are friendly on social media.
- I just love how KC writes her male POV characters. Adam is a fascinating, flawed man, not at all what one might expect from an ex-football player (or, as Jess puts it: “It’s hard to picture you hulking out over a little leather ball while wearing shiny leggings.”) He’s so strong in his fragility and vulnerability, and I loved watching his relationship with Jess evolve.
“I’m sorry,” I breathe against her neck. “I know I’m too—”
“You’re not too anything. You’ve never been too anything, for me.”
I smile against her skin. That feels so good, to hear her say that.
- Jess is so flinty, so bristly, so closed off, and she really has a long way to come emotionally in this book. Parts of the journey really broke my heart, but I loved the exploration of her relationship with her sister as well as the burgeoning romance with Adam. AND THE ROMANCE, MY GOD.
He kisses like the most impossible dream, a study in perfect contradiction. Soft and firm. Searching and assured. Eager and patient. He kisses like Adam: this huge, hard slab of a man who is somehow the most gentle person I've ever met.
- All of the journalism notes hit really well for me, from the personalities to the podcast transcripts to small things like reporter jargon.
- The settings were so rich and so well-suited to the plot points, from Ohio to Missouri to Florida to Massachusetts to Washington.
- Mostly, I loved that for all the ways this book feels different (to me) from KC’s previous books, her voice permeates every page.
...even the tallest, broadest, strongest man you've ever seen will seem different to you once you've had your arms around him, once you've known him up close. Once you've seen how his heart works, and heard it beat against your ear while he held you.
*Thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the arc.
*Disclaimer: The author and I are friendly on social media.
May 1, 2024
4.4 stars.
I really enjoyed this, but there was a little missing that kept it from being 5 stars.
Jess's mom left when she was a kid. She came back pregnant with Jess's younger sister Teagan and left again, for good, when Teagan was a kid and Jess was 21. For the last 10 years, Jess has been raising Teagan. But when Teagan wants to find their mother, she goes behind Jess's back to talk to some podcasters who did a story on the man their mother left with the second time. When they come to meet her in person, all gets revealed.
This is a story of Jess and her sister learning what actually happened with their mother, a story of Jess healing from horrible abandonment, and a story of Jess learning to trust and love someone besides her sister. Adam is one of the podcasters and he's a goner for Jess at first sight.
Actually, that's my first criticism of this story. It's very much love at first sight for Adam. While he's lovely, it feels like they jump in bed together way too fast. I'm not sure how many days in that happens, but since they only hang out for two weeks on the hunt for the mom, I actually think it happens within the first week. It just feels way too fast. Like, Jess hasn't trusted anyone ever and then she's sleeping with Adam? I feel like they should have agreed to date... not sleep together... but hey... that probably won't bother a lot of others.
Secondly, this story revolves around what happens with the mom... and we find out... but there's no real satisfying conclusion. I guess that's kinda what reality is. You might find out facts but you may never know the full reasons behind things.
All in all, it was pretty good and I would recommend it. I made my book club read it... and maybe I'll update my review once I hear from them.
It was fun to listen to it as an avid podcast listener. There's a lot in here about journalism and podcasting and I loved that part, thinking about some of the early true crime podcasts and what was actually happening behind the scenes.
Safety deets
- No other women or men. We don't hear anything about folks in their pasts, which I loved!
- We get to see them together in the happily ever after about 1.5 years later.
- Condoms used.
- Third act breakup that lasts for quite a while. Jess is getting therapy, but it was jarring after they so quickly became a couple. She's pretty mean to him to break things off and I felt bad for Adam... but again, it was most disconcerting because they had jumped so fast into intimacy.
I really enjoyed this, but there was a little missing that kept it from being 5 stars.
Jess's mom left when she was a kid. She came back pregnant with Jess's younger sister Teagan and left again, for good, when Teagan was a kid and Jess was 21. For the last 10 years, Jess has been raising Teagan. But when Teagan wants to find their mother, she goes behind Jess's back to talk to some podcasters who did a story on the man their mother left with the second time. When they come to meet her in person, all gets revealed.
This is a story of Jess and her sister learning what actually happened with their mother, a story of Jess healing from horrible abandonment, and a story of Jess learning to trust and love someone besides her sister. Adam is one of the podcasters and he's a goner for Jess at first sight.
Actually, that's my first criticism of this story. It's very much love at first sight for Adam. While he's lovely, it feels like they jump in bed together way too fast. I'm not sure how many days in that happens, but since they only hang out for two weeks on the hunt for the mom, I actually think it happens within the first week. It just feels way too fast. Like, Jess hasn't trusted anyone ever and then she's sleeping with Adam? I feel like they should have agreed to date... not sleep together... but hey... that probably won't bother a lot of others.
Secondly, this story revolves around what happens with the mom... and we find out... but there's no real satisfying conclusion. I guess that's kinda what reality is. You might find out facts but you may never know the full reasons behind things.
All in all, it was pretty good and I would recommend it. I made my book club read it... and maybe I'll update my review once I hear from them.
It was fun to listen to it as an avid podcast listener. There's a lot in here about journalism and podcasting and I loved that part, thinking about some of the early true crime podcasts and what was actually happening behind the scenes.
Safety deets
- No other women or men. We don't hear anything about folks in their pasts, which I loved!
- We get to see them together in the happily ever after about 1.5 years later.
- Condoms used.
- Third act breakup that lasts for quite a while. Jess is getting therapy, but it was jarring after they so quickly became a couple. She's pretty mean to him to break things off and I felt bad for Adam... but again, it was most disconcerting because they had jumped so fast into intimacy.
June 2, 2024
Less of a romance, more a road trip story about two sisters , Jess and Tegan, confronting their past and strengthening their sibling bond in the process. I like the moving and realistic portrayal of the sisters and their changing dynamics, as they seek answers to questions jess has been actively avoiding these last 10 years, since the disappearance of their mother. The romance is of the instantaneous kind and hence not the most convincing aspect of the book. Adam's drive to succeed in journalism, fuelled by the need to tell his friend's story, is also something I did not quite buy. He already has the platform to bring attention to the issue, given that he is semi-famous (people still recognise him). The ending was realistic and satisfying.
March 22, 2024
Seamlessly blending a soft, tender romance with a family-focused mystery, this felt like something new from Clayborn while still maintaining the immersive, bingeable quality of her writing. It took me a few chapters to get my bearings - there are four main characters and a lot to unravel about the true crime podcast - but once I got settled in, I ended up bingeing the whole thing in a single day. It's essentially a road trip romance with a gentle giant of a hero and a black cat heroine who can't help but fall for the ridiculously smitten man. The romance is fast-paced, but it still features so many of the gorgeous intimate moments that I've come to expect from Clayborn. I truly loved the hero and I adored how well his softness contrasted with the heroine's abrasiveness. I honestly didn't mind how quickly things developed - when it's right, it's right. The mystery is also a major part of the story, which I wasn't sure about at first. But it's integral to the romance, and I was soon caught up in every component of this multi-faceted read.
The story follows Jess (31), a woman who became her little sister's guardian when their mother abandoned them ten years ago. Tegan has just turned 18 and she's determined to get some answers about what happened, going so far as to reach out to a true crime podcaster who is interested in their mother's connection to a famous con man. Jess is extremely private and unwilling to open up her life to the public, but she's gotten roped into the situation by her sister. The only one who seems to have any empathy for her is the podcaster's assistant, Adam (33). The former football player is intimidating at first glance, but he seems genuinely concerned about Jess and she hasn't felt that from anyone in a very long time. As the four unlikely companions embark on a road trip to solve the mystery, Jess finds herself growing closer to Adam as she finally deals with the things she's been burying for years.
I will openly admit that I wasn't so sure about this for a few chapters, as we're given a whole lot of information and a whole lot of people to keep track of in a short period of time. But that slightly overwhelming feeling went away as quickly as it came, especially once we got to know Adam better. He is such an absolute sweetheart, this giant mountain of a man who just wants to protect and love his girl. I loved the forced proximity of the road trip, which allowed Jess and Adam to grow closer in only a matter of days. It was great to see Jess slowly open up to Adam and let go of the things that had been holding her back, and there are some seriously excellent moments of heat and heart. Adam was just perfection. The mystery element takes up more space than I initially anticipated, but it really does tie everything together nicely. Jess has been so focused on being there for her sister for the last decade that she hasn't been living for herself, and they both needed to come to terms with that before they could move forward. It's a layered story, and I found it incredibly easy to stay invested throughout. In fact, the more I read, the more I loved it.
The story follows Jess (31), a woman who became her little sister's guardian when their mother abandoned them ten years ago. Tegan has just turned 18 and she's determined to get some answers about what happened, going so far as to reach out to a true crime podcaster who is interested in their mother's connection to a famous con man. Jess is extremely private and unwilling to open up her life to the public, but she's gotten roped into the situation by her sister. The only one who seems to have any empathy for her is the podcaster's assistant, Adam (33). The former football player is intimidating at first glance, but he seems genuinely concerned about Jess and she hasn't felt that from anyone in a very long time. As the four unlikely companions embark on a road trip to solve the mystery, Jess finds herself growing closer to Adam as she finally deals with the things she's been burying for years.
I will openly admit that I wasn't so sure about this for a few chapters, as we're given a whole lot of information and a whole lot of people to keep track of in a short period of time. But that slightly overwhelming feeling went away as quickly as it came, especially once we got to know Adam better. He is such an absolute sweetheart, this giant mountain of a man who just wants to protect and love his girl. I loved the forced proximity of the road trip, which allowed Jess and Adam to grow closer in only a matter of days. It was great to see Jess slowly open up to Adam and let go of the things that had been holding her back, and there are some seriously excellent moments of heat and heart. Adam was just perfection. The mystery element takes up more space than I initially anticipated, but it really does tie everything together nicely. Jess has been so focused on being there for her sister for the last decade that she hasn't been living for herself, and they both needed to come to terms with that before they could move forward. It's a layered story, and I found it incredibly easy to stay invested throughout. In fact, the more I read, the more I loved it.
March 26, 2024
Kate Clayborn writes with such attention to detail, and so much emotion that I can see and hear every character clearly, every expression, every word spoken. Her stories are deep, and thoughtful, nuanced, and beautiful tributes to the human spirit.
Her characters are realistic beyond measure. I’m in awe.
Jess has been looking after her sister since their mother disappeared. Adam shows up with his journalistic partner at her front door looking for a story. I loved how this novel explores what happens when we miss someone so deeply, when we disappear into the responsibilities and daily grind to the detriment of ourselves. Beautifully written.
Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Her characters are realistic beyond measure. I’m in awe.
Jess has been looking after her sister since their mother disappeared. Adam shows up with his journalistic partner at her front door looking for a story. I loved how this novel explores what happens when we miss someone so deeply, when we disappear into the responsibilities and daily grind to the detriment of ourselves. Beautifully written.
Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 30, 2024
”I realize, with a startling sort of clarity, that I'd cut out my own heart before I treated hers carelessly.”
The queen of tender is back with an edge of your seat romance with a side of true crime! i loved it. perfect for fans of emily henry and abby jimenez. SO much feeling. readers are going to disappear into the pages of kate clayborn’s newest must read.
ps. heart of gold, adam hawkins *swoon*
✨THINGS AND STUFF✨
-dual pov
-wildly popular podcast
-true crime: it’s a mystery! 🕵🏼♀️
-forced proximity: road trip
-enemies to lovers
-transcript excerpts
-secret communication 🥹
-soft boi energy
-he falls first
-buttery pancakes 🥞
-self discovery
-family dynamics
-affection & attention
-#IsThisAKissingBook: closed door mods ch 17, 20, end of epilogue. “…my heart still beats in time to our kiss.”
Thank you Leo Pr and Kensington Books for an advanced copy!
The queen of tender is back with an edge of your seat romance with a side of true crime! i loved it. perfect for fans of emily henry and abby jimenez. SO much feeling. readers are going to disappear into the pages of kate clayborn’s newest must read.
ps. heart of gold, adam hawkins *swoon*
✨THINGS AND STUFF✨
-dual pov
-wildly popular podcast
-true crime: it’s a mystery! 🕵🏼♀️
-forced proximity: road trip
-enemies to lovers
-transcript excerpts
-secret communication 🥹
-soft boi energy
-he falls first
-buttery pancakes 🥞
-self discovery
-family dynamics
-affection & attention
-#IsThisAKissingBook: closed door mods ch 17, 20, end of epilogue. “…my heart still beats in time to our kiss.”
Thank you Leo Pr and Kensington Books for an advanced copy!
March 31, 2024
This is, I suspect, the least romancey of Clayborn's book so far. And it's weird to say that because you almost discover (maybe not even almost) Jess through Adam's eyes. Adam's the more grounded, rooted and developed character from go, because Jess has--disappeared.
Not like her mom. which is the plotline here, a podcast about an acquaintance of her mother's and perhaps the reason she's been gone and Jess has been raising her sister-but she's disappeared into her devotion/dedication/love for her sister. So I guess this is for all the disappearing babes out there. Because as this book explores in that extreme quiet Clayborn-y way, there are so many ways to disappear and other ways to be found.
Clayborn did some fun things with elements here that I am still thinking about - I love when names have meaning. She took it a step further here with nicknames and the like as well.
Anyway, we've all mentioned/discussed KC's respect for her heroes and no where has it been more apparent than the hulking Adam. He's observant, giant, kind, and protective in just the right way. I love how Jess flattened him and it was a little tough at first because he's what kept me reading because my sense of Jess was kind of amorphous-I think purposefully. But him seeing her let us see and know him, and then ultimately her in the end. So while I wasn't emotionally invested as quickly as I am used to in Clayborn's novels, I was still rooting for them because Adam's presence was so strong and I want him to be able to love Jess. Eventually, we want that FOR Jess too, but I personally didn't get there until about 80% - and of course I sobbed. The structure worked. Some will find it slow. I found it developed, but as I said nothing was immediate. I kind of liked working for it overall.
Thank. you to the publisher and netgalley for the copy and whopping 3 seconds to review this book, which has not affected my rating.
Not like her mom. which is the plotline here, a podcast about an acquaintance of her mother's and perhaps the reason she's been gone and Jess has been raising her sister-but she's disappeared into her devotion/dedication/love for her sister. So I guess this is for all the disappearing babes out there. Because as this book explores in that extreme quiet Clayborn-y way, there are so many ways to disappear and other ways to be found.
Clayborn did some fun things with elements here that I am still thinking about - I love when names have meaning. She took it a step further here with nicknames and the like as well.
Anyway, we've all mentioned/discussed KC's respect for her heroes and no where has it been more apparent than the hulking Adam. He's observant, giant, kind, and protective in just the right way. I love how Jess flattened him and it was a little tough at first because he's what kept me reading because my sense of Jess was kind of amorphous-I think purposefully. But him seeing her let us see and know him, and then ultimately her in the end. So while I wasn't emotionally invested as quickly as I am used to in Clayborn's novels, I was still rooting for them because Adam's presence was so strong and I want him to be able to love Jess. Eventually, we want that FOR Jess too, but I personally didn't get there until about 80% - and of course I sobbed. The structure worked. Some will find it slow. I found it developed, but as I said nothing was immediate. I kind of liked working for it overall.
Thank. you to the publisher and netgalley for the copy and whopping 3 seconds to review this book, which has not affected my rating.
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