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leann0330's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
This story follows two sisters (15 years age difference) as they travel with a popular true-crime podcaster and her producer to investigate the disappearance of their mother who was last seen with her con-artist boyfriend 10 years prior. The group travels to five different locations where postcards containing vague clues had been mailed from Charlotte (mom) to the sisters, Jess and Tegan. Along the way, the older sister, Jess, and the producer, Adam, become close—Adam (a former college football player) is able to break through Jess’s hard exterior and provides the first safe place for her in over a decade. Tegan, an 18yo headed to college soon, just wants to know why their mom left and what happened to her, while Jess just wants to protect Tegan’s heart from being destroyed. The podcaster, Salem, has been obsessed with finding the con man, Lyndon Baltimore, for the last 10 years and wants closure ever since he promised her one last interview then bailed.
This was a 5-star read for me, as most of Kate Clayborn’s books are! This is not a light-hearted rom-com… it’s an emotional rollercoaster that shows the trauma associated with abandonment and the difficulties in opening up yourself to love when you have done everything in your power to raise a sibling with as “normal” a life as possible. This book also goes into mental illness/bi-polar disorder/TBI, grifting, and terminal illness. But take heart! It is a happily ever after and if any two people deserve that, it’s Jess and Adam. Adam is patient, kind, protective, and just wants to be Jess’s person.
“I realize, with a startling sort of clarity, that I’d cut out my own heart before I treated hers carelessly.”
Jess is lonely, strong, selfless, and eventually learns to trust Adam and herself.
“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.”
The story wraps up nicely although it could have gone into a little more podcast info at the end. I just always have a lot of questions when I’m done reading and I know I’ll think about this one for awhile!
This was a 5-star read for me, as most of Kate Clayborn’s books are! This is not a light-hearted rom-com… it’s an emotional rollercoaster that shows the trauma associated with abandonment and the difficulties in opening up yourself to love when you have done everything in your power to raise a sibling with as “normal” a life as possible. This book also goes into mental illness/bi-polar disorder/TBI, grifting, and terminal illness. But take heart! It is a happily ever after and if any two people deserve that, it’s Jess and Adam. Adam is patient, kind, protective, and just wants to be Jess’s person.
“I realize, with a startling sort of clarity, that I’d cut out my own heart before I treated hers carelessly.”
Jess is lonely, strong, selfless, and eventually learns to trust Adam and herself.
“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.”
The story wraps up nicely although it could have gone into a little more podcast info at the end. I just always have a lot of questions when I’m done reading and I know I’ll think about this one for awhile!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Abandonment
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Terminal illness, and Grief
Minor: Car accident
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
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