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amberlfaris's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Toxic relationship, and Mental illness
Moderate: Suicide
onlyonebookshelf's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Suicide
rachbreads's review
4.0
Adam, the person who always sees me. The person who makes sure I’m always seen.
So while at its heart this is a book about family and sisters and overcoming trauma and coming out of your shell...I loved the romance SO MUCH. Adam is so cuddly and careful and wonderful and it's such a great take on a grumpy/sunshine dynamic that is approached with sincerity for the reasons they both are grumpy and closed off, and what it takes to open them both up. Kate Clayborn does romance with depth so well, and this story covered some really heavy topics while still being really touching and beautiful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Minor: Suicide
danireadsthings's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
If I could give this book ten stars I would.
Kate is a master of measured emotional pacing, creating characters with beating hearts and situations that feel true to life and never contrived.
The characters felt raw and real, showing all the complexity of their frayed edges and best efforts and shortcomings and strengths.
The FMC Jess refers to their group as a four points of a compass, and truly the supporting characters were just as integral as the MCs.
This isn't just a romance. It's a family drama, a mystery, and an emotional reckoning.
With every book Kate has written I've been astounded at her ability to write characters that feel layered and true, and this book shows how she continues to hone and master her craft.
Kate is a master of measured emotional pacing, creating characters with beating hearts and situations that feel true to life and never contrived.
The characters felt raw and real, showing all the complexity of their frayed edges and best efforts and shortcomings and strengths.
The FMC Jess refers to their group as a four points of a compass, and truly the supporting characters were just as integral as the MCs.
This isn't just a romance. It's a family drama, a mystery, and an emotional reckoning.
With every book Kate has written I've been astounded at her ability to write characters that feel layered and true, and this book shows how she continues to hone and master her craft.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Cancer, Suicide, and Mental illness
vickie0326's review
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Mental illness and Suicide
blakeandbooks's review
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
Thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I fell in love with Clayborn’s writing when I read Georgie, All Along last year. Needless to say, I was thrilled to receive an ARC of The Other Side of Disappearing! It did not disappoint. I love how she depicts emotions and scenarios that make you truly feel like you are there, in the present, with these characters.
I really loved this book. Jess is the primary guardian for her sister after their mother abandoned them 10 years ago. I appreciate sister/sibling relationships when they are written well, and I love how Jess and Teagan’s relationship was displayed. As an eldest sister like Jess, it felt SO real with how she responded and moved through her life. I was so invested in their story and how/if they would find their mom.
Jess and Adam were great MCs, and I truly enjoyed their POVs so much. I love how well they see one another. They’re both so observant and truly understand how to interact with each other where the other feels comfortable. Watching their relationship grow during the book, especially on the farm, was so sweet. And the epilogue! So so sweet.
I fell in love with Clayborn’s writing when I read Georgie, All Along last year. Needless to say, I was thrilled to receive an ARC of The Other Side of Disappearing! It did not disappoint. I love how she depicts emotions and scenarios that make you truly feel like you are there, in the present, with these characters.
I really loved this book. Jess is the primary guardian for her sister after their mother abandoned them 10 years ago. I appreciate sister/sibling relationships when they are written well, and I love how Jess and Teagan’s relationship was displayed. As an eldest sister like Jess, it felt SO real with how she responded and moved through her life. I was so invested in their story and how/if they would find their mom.
Jess and Adam were great MCs, and I truly enjoyed their POVs so much. I love how well they see one another. They’re both so observant and truly understand how to interact with each other where the other feels comfortable. Watching their relationship grow during the book, especially on the farm, was so sweet. And the epilogue! So so sweet.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Abandonment
Moderate: Death, Mental illness, and Suicide
downtown_kb's review
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books for this ARC.
"I wonder if anyone’s ever stood up in the middle of a restaurant to ask if there’s a therapist in the room."
Jess has been caring for her half-sister Tegan since the day 10 years ago when their mom walked out on them. Jess has successfully lived in her bubble protecting herself and doing everything she can to protect Tegan from any further hurt ever since. However, everything changes when a podcaster shows up on their doorstep to finish a story she started about a famous con-man. The man her mother ran off with all those years ago.
I have seen a lot of reviews that say this is a “departure from Kate Clayborn’s normal work” and I have to disagree. We have swoon worthy romance, well developed characters struggling to overcome issues from their past and a lot of big emotions. This is a romance and it has great pacing and lovely found family. Kate can write a broken character who grows and changes and comes into their own so well. I love how she can drip emotions onto the page with her words.
I had some difficulty connecting with the characters in this story, and I know it is related to a book pet peeve of mine. The main character puts a ton of weight on the actions of her mother, of course. But I just can’t stand my characters wrecking themselves for shitty parents. Jess’ inability to open herself up to trust others however, I can relate to. And again, Kate gives you a satisfying character arc as Jess grows throughout the story. Be patient with her.
"I don’t want to know you for the story. I want to know you for myself.”
Adam is of course wonderful, and has past pain of his own. I found him to be so very kind hearted and patient. He is devoted from the jump. One thing is for sure, Kate Clayborn writes a great book boyfriend.
The mystery and side plot are an interesting addition to this story. I think fans of true crime will appreciate this aspect a lot. No murder involved.
This won’t be my favorite by hers, because ugh, Georgie! But I enjoyed it and I think others will fall in love with this book.
“I’m always going to have your heart, Jessie. Because you gave it to me so completely, and yours taught me how to make my own."
"I wonder if anyone’s ever stood up in the middle of a restaurant to ask if there’s a therapist in the room."
Jess has been caring for her half-sister Tegan since the day 10 years ago when their mom walked out on them. Jess has successfully lived in her bubble protecting herself and doing everything she can to protect Tegan from any further hurt ever since. However, everything changes when a podcaster shows up on their doorstep to finish a story she started about a famous con-man. The man her mother ran off with all those years ago.
I have seen a lot of reviews that say this is a “departure from Kate Clayborn’s normal work” and I have to disagree. We have swoon worthy romance, well developed characters struggling to overcome issues from their past and a lot of big emotions. This is a romance and it has great pacing and lovely found family. Kate can write a broken character who grows and changes and comes into their own so well. I love how she can drip emotions onto the page with her words.
I had some difficulty connecting with the characters in this story, and I know it is related to a book pet peeve of mine. The main character puts a ton of weight on the actions of her mother, of course. But I just can’t stand my characters wrecking themselves for shitty parents. Jess’ inability to open herself up to trust others however, I can relate to. And again, Kate gives you a satisfying character arc as Jess grows throughout the story. Be patient with her.
"I don’t want to know you for the story. I want to know you for myself.”
Adam is of course wonderful, and has past pain of his own. I found him to be so very kind hearted and patient. He is devoted from the jump. One thing is for sure, Kate Clayborn writes a great book boyfriend.
The mystery and side plot are an interesting addition to this story. I think fans of true crime will appreciate this aspect a lot. No murder involved.
This won’t be my favorite by hers, because ugh, Georgie! But I enjoyed it and I think others will fall in love with this book.
“I’m always going to have your heart, Jessie. Because you gave it to me so completely, and yours taught me how to make my own."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Abandonment
Moderate: Suicide, Mental illness, and Terminal illness
literaryintersections's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I can’t do a full review right now bbut cause I’m crying so hard omg this book.
I wasn’t super sold on the “lust at first sites” vibes but what I think it is is more about two people who are so hard shelled, grieving, lonely, finding an immediate understanding. Seeing each other. And that really becomes clear as the story goes on.
And this is a romance but it is also a story about sisters. And utterly broken and lonely people.
“I’m always going to have your heart, Jessie. Because you gave it to me so completely, and yours taught me how to make my own. But I think—I think I need to give yours back to you now. I think you need it, because I think it’s high time you get to share it with someone else.”
GOOD FUCKING LORD.
I wasn’t super sold on the “lust at first sites” vibes but what I think it is is more about two people who are so hard shelled, grieving, lonely, finding an immediate understanding. Seeing each other. And that really becomes clear as the story goes on.
And this is a romance but it is also a story about sisters. And utterly broken and lonely people.
“I’m always going to have your heart, Jessie. Because you gave it to me so completely, and yours taught me how to make my own. But I think—I think I need to give yours back to you now. I think you need it, because I think it’s high time you get to share it with someone else.”
GOOD FUCKING LORD.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Death, Suicide, and Mental illness
ashleyfrechette's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2024 after inhaling Kate Clayborn’s entire back catalog last year and it did not disappoint.
I loved the character development of not just our main character Jess, but also her sister Tegan. You’re quite literally on an emotional road trip as they travel to unravel the mystery of why their mother abandoned them and why she would do so with a criminal and the subject of the true crime podcast The Last Con of Lynton Baltimore.
Salem Durant is on a mission to finish the story she started telling over a decade ago on her podcast, and her assistant Adam Hawkins is there to learn from the master of podcasts to better tell his best friends story. Each one of these characters goes through significant growth and while they’re an odd group to stick together, they play well off of one another.
This book is part mystery, part romance, and part family drama. That can be a large challenge for an author to tackle all three in a compelling story, but Clayborn does it with ease. You find yourself rooting for the characters and deeply invested in all elements of this story. There are no loose strings at the end that you’re still questioning, it ties together nicely and every characters story has a satisfying ending. I loved the snippets of podcast transcripts scattered throughout the story. It provided just enough background to set the scene and drive the plot without feeling out of place. Instead of telling information, the picture was painted so you could draw your own conclusions.
In true Kate Clayborn fashion, there were moments that brought me to tears and moments of pure delight. She has a way of crafting a story that’s compelling and every character truly has their own journey but they all connect beautifully. This will definitely stand as one of my favorite reads of the year.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I loved the character development of not just our main character Jess, but also her sister Tegan. You’re quite literally on an emotional road trip as they travel to unravel the mystery of why their mother abandoned them and why she would do so with a criminal and the subject of the true crime podcast The Last Con of Lynton Baltimore.
Salem Durant is on a mission to finish the story she started telling over a decade ago on her podcast, and her assistant Adam Hawkins is there to learn from the master of podcasts to better tell his best friends story. Each one of these characters goes through significant growth and while they’re an odd group to stick together, they play well off of one another.
This book is part mystery, part romance, and part family drama. That can be a large challenge for an author to tackle all three in a compelling story, but Clayborn does it with ease. You find yourself rooting for the characters and deeply invested in all elements of this story. There are no loose strings at the end that you’re still questioning, it ties together nicely and every characters story has a satisfying ending. I loved the snippets of podcast transcripts scattered throughout the story. It provided just enough background to set the scene and drive the plot without feeling out of place. Instead of telling information, the picture was painted so you could draw your own conclusions.
In true Kate Clayborn fashion, there were moments that brought me to tears and moments of pure delight. She has a way of crafting a story that’s compelling and every character truly has their own journey but they all connect beautifully. This will definitely stand as one of my favorite reads of the year.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Minor: Suicide
anapsc's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment and Sexual content
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Suicide