I read this book non stop, I loved every bit of it. I cried and I cried some more. It was so emotional and so good.

This book was really good! Engaging from start to finish! At first glance, it looks like a mystery or thriller. And there is a missing person and an element of mystery to this story. But really, it is a story about the relationship between a father and his daughter. Much more family drama than mystery in my opinion. So keep that in mind when starting this book!

In this story, Cooper and his daughter Finch live alone in the northern Appalachian mountains. Cooper is on the run and must avoid being found. For eight years, he and Finch have survived on their own in their cabin in the woods. But when new people show up in the mountains and then a girl goes missing, their secrets are in danger.

I love stories about people living "off the grid." Perhaps because I don't think I would ever survive living that way myself! But I find it fascinating to read about other people who choose to live life out in the middle of nowhere and away from civilized society.

This is a fairly emotional story, especially towards the end, and I really loved one moment that happens at the end. It was unexpected and lovely! I really appreciated this book and would definitely recommend it!

This was a great father-daughter relationship story, and I enjoyed the depth of the characters and the uncertainty of whether or not to trust the peripheral characters. That being said, I don't necessarily think this was marketed in the right category - if you are looking for a suspense thriller, you may find this burn a little too slow.
Thanks so much to the publisher and to NetGalley for an advance copy to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to @StMartinsPress and #netgalley for the digital ARC. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

I love an "off the grid" story and this book did not disappoint. Grant creates the right amount of tension to make this a propulsive read. The main character's complicated backstory unfolds a little bit at a time throughout so you're waiting for the next big revelation and how it will change your perception of Cooper and his decisions. The ever-present "neighbor" Scotland casts an ominous shadow and helps ratchet up the paranoia until you're as tense as the characters.

Would definitely recommend this book and will check out the author's other titles.

A digital copy of this book was given to me by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Cooper takes his daughter and lives in a cabin in the woods for years. They live off the land, and have contact only with a neighbor Cooper doesn't trust and Jake his army friend that brings supplies once a year. A stranger enters their woods that could harm their safety.

This book for me was not categorized correctly. It is marked as a mystery/thriller but nothing major happens until about 80% through and even then I wasn't on the edge of my seat. This is more a novel about the love between a father and daughter and him doing anything to keep her safe. It was very slow for me because I kept waiting for something to happen. If you are looking for a thriller, I wouldn't recommend; however, if you want a good story about a father daughter relationship then check it out.

Because I feel this is the wrong category advertised I am only giving a 3 star review.

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Minotaur Books.

That ending …. I don’t know how to feel!

Before I get into that:

Cooper and eight-year-old Finch are a dad and daughter living off the land and off the grid in his Army buddy’s cabin in the Appalachian mountains. I won’t give spoilers, but we know that something happened when Finch was a baby, and they’ve been perpetually on guard against threats to their life together ever since. Now, after years of relative quiet, when an unexpected event happens, life as they know it is put to the test.

The story is told entirely from Cooper’s POV, and let me say: he’s kind of a mess, though a good-hearted one. Present day chapters are interspersed with those of the past events that got him here. This birds-eye view of his state of mind and thought processes as he struggles to give freedom to bright, inquisitive Finch, while also protecting her from a past he’s largely hidden from her, made me care for both of them. I felt his loneliness, vulnerability and distrust of others, but also cheered his seed of hope that maybe things could be different one day.

Other characters - like mysterious and nosy neighbor, Scotland, whose actions and intentions are kept very ambiguous, and Marie, the sister of Jake, Cooper’s aforementioned Army buddy, added some nice intrigue and interaction, as I was never sure who could be trusted or what impact they’d have on Cooper and Finch.

All those good things said, I’m so conflicted! It’s an emotionally compelling story about a father’s love for his daughter, and the lengths he would go to to protect her. How could I not love that? The answer is, I do! I fell in love with this pair, and was rooting for them the whole way. Finch’s openness, maturity, affinity for poetry and budding independence were a nice balance to Cooper’s loving, but anxiety-riddled and more jaded view of others.

So why not the full 5 stars?

As I stated up front, it’s the ending. Let me stress: it’s a good one, and I don’t dislike it, I’m just torn by the decision of one of the characters, which was somehow deeply moving and utterly soul-crushing at the very same time. I understand WHAT was done - I’m just not sure I could fully buy into WHY it was done, despite the character’s explanation. Other readers will likely find it the best part of the story, so it just depends on how you perceive it. It’s a beautiful story which I highly recommend, and I look forward to more by author Kimi Cunningham Grant! For the record, I can totally see this being made into a movie, and I'd be there for it.

★★★★ ½ (rounded down to 4)

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press, NetGalley and author Kimi Cunningham Grant for this ARC in exchange for my honest views. This is due to be published October 26, 2021.

For eight years Cooper has raised his daughter Finch in a remote Appalachian cabin, filling their shelves with books and teaching her the wilderness code. The only person they see regularly is a local hermit and their closest neighbor, Scotland. It’s a tenuous friendship; a careful dance around the secrets that they both know Cooper is keeping.

Once a year, Coop’s former battle buddy Jake visits to bring food and supplies before winter. The year finally arrives when Jake doesn’t show and Cooper must venture into town to stock up himself. Finch’s growing curiosity about the outside world worries her dad who has a lot to hide. Then, when a young woman wanders into their woods, Cooper is certain she was just passing through but Finch witnesses something that threatens their solitary life.

These Silent Woods is a slow burn, showing us the slow pace and isolation of the cabin in the woods as well as building the unease between Cooper and Scotland. The past events that led them to live in the cabin are also slowly revealed as Cooper comes to terms with present events out of his control.
The young woman going missing should’ve amped up the suspense and pace but it felt strangely out of place and wasn’t really explored; it was a trigger for several possible outcomes and yet it didn’t feel like anything was truly at stake.
With that said, I really enjoyed the father-daughter bond, the atmosphere, and the raw emotion of Coop’s story.

Thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review. These Silent Woods is scheduled for release on October 26, 2021.

This novel was something that I was not expecting, and I have never read anything that was like the storyline of what happened to Cooper and his daughter, Finch. The whole story doesn’t have a designated point behind the story, but you easily fall in love with the characters. Grant was able to create Cooper, a protective and loving father, who did something that would not be seen as appropriate to get his daughter back.

Throughout the story you get to experience their relationship as father and daughter in an undistracted environment away from all people and things like TV and cell phones. This environment allows the reader to almost escape their own busy world by experiencing true connection and nature. While I really enjoyed the novel it took me a long time to make my way through the shorter novel. It felt like a long walk at a slow pace, and I enjoyed that break up to my month TBR.

The ending to this novel really got me at the end because of how emotional the whole situation is between Cooper and himself, Cooper and Finch, and Cooper and Scotland. This novel was a slow suspense and the ending wrapped itself into a tight and sweet bow. This novel was beautiful that’s why I gave it 4.5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press and Minotaur Books for the E-ARC for an honest review on the novel.

I received this from Netgalley.com.

No electricity, no family, no connection to the outside world.

"For eight years, Cooper and his young daughter, Finch, have lived in isolation in a remote cabin in the northern Appalachian woods."

An okay, Quick read though I never connected with the characters. I did like the descriptions of the forest and wildlife.

2.75☆

I've always been fascinated by stories of people who live in the wilderness and survive off the land. I live in the Appalachian region so I was very intrigued with the synopsis of this book.

Cooper and his eight-year-old daughter Finch live in the remote wilderness of the Appalachian mountains. They live in a cabin with no electricity, or no running water. The only connections to the outside world are their hermit neighbor Scotland, and once a year Cooper’s friend Jake who delivers supplies to them. But this year Jake doesn't show up. Cooper is concealing some secrets of his past that could drastically alter his life forever if he and Finch are ever found.

This atmospheric and captivating story pulled me in and did not let go. This is my first book by the author and I am very impressed.

All of the characters in this book were dimensional and extremely well written.
I loved the main character, Cooper. Cooper’s history as an Afghanistan veteran with PTSD is very heartbreaking. Also without spoiling anything, as a parent myself, I completely understand why he made certain choices.

The ending wrapped everything up beautifully. This magnificent story is one that I will not forget anytime soon. It's one of those books that stick with you way after you finish reading.

Even though this book has some elements of a thriller I wouldn't consider it as a typical thriller it's more of a fictional story focusing on the bond between a father and his daughter. I would highly recommend this to readers who enjoy stories about families surviving the odds, and stories about the unconditional love between a child and a parent.

These Silent Woods by Kimi Cunningham Grant will be available on October 26.
Many thanks to Minotaur Books and Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

A compelling, stunning novel about a man who raises his daughter away from civilization in an isolated cabin, the reasons why, and the event that changes everything. I read this very quickly—it completely captivated me—and the things this book made me think about grief, love, and grace will stay with me a long time. Highly recommend!

THIS IS MY FAVORITE BOOK OF 2021!! This book is going to stay with me for a while. I absolutely adored Cooper and Finch and their story. I don’t want to give too much away because I think that’s part of the beauty of this. I love this book so very much and everyone I know must read it!!

Cooper and Finch live cut off from the world in a cabin with no electricity. They don't go into town; they don't rely on the outside world at all. No one else knows they're out there except for Cooper's best friend Jake and the neighbor Scotland, whom Cooper doesn't wholly trust. But Finch is getting older, her curiosity about the world getting stronger. Cooper's fragile castle of existence becomes threatened when Finch's curiosity and a stranger in the woods lead the outside world to their door.

The theme for this year seems to be drawing me to survivalist stories and stories of people living off the grid, hidden from the world. In These Silent Woods, we don't know why they live this way, and it comes to us leisurely. The genre is labeled mystery/thriller/suspense, and I feel it's more mystery than anything else. It doesn't hold the edge of your seat thrill ride, and it doesn't make you hold your breath in suspense. But that shouldn't diminish any feelings towards reading this because the story draws you in from the start, and Cunningham Grant hits you right in the feels. It's an enjoyable read from start to finish. Thank you, St. Martin's, for sending this along.

This book was such a page turner for me. I absolutely fell in love with Finch and Cooper. Such a heartfelt story. Beautifully written.

Thanks to the author,the publisher and NetGalley for an early release of this book.

A thank you to Netgalley for sharing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This one was unexpected - and not at all in a bad way. Less mystery (although there is one lingering beneath the surface) the real power that lay in this novel is the emotional rawness of it. A character driven story that fully encapsulates both the love and special bond between a father and a daughter. Rather than lose his little girl, Cooper does something bad and opts to live off the grid. Just what he did remains to be seen, but since you can't help but feel so much for the characters in this character driven story, it's hard to care and easy to forgive. Don't usually read novels like this, so was surprised how much I enjoyed it. Would make a good Netflix movie.

🌲Book Review🌲

These Silent Woods
Kimi Cunningham Grant
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Out October 26th, 2021

These Silent Woods was a book that I was very excited to read. Following a man and his daughter living in isolation and hiding from their past, this book was pitched as a thriller on Netgalley. While I think that there are some mysterious aspects to it, I would by no means consider this book a thriller.

At the heart of this story there is an observation of grief, familial relationships, and grace. I think this book has some very beautiful themes, and has such well crafted character dynamics. I loved seeing Cooper’s relationships, not only with his daughter Finch, but also with the other people that he came into contact with throughout the novel.

I also think that this novel has an amazing setting: taking place almost entirely in the woods during the fall/winter months (some scenes are flashbacks and take place elsewhere), there was a cozy and mystical atmosphere that permeated in this book that I absolutely loved.

I originally rated this book 3.5, but after sitting with it a while, I think it does deserve that extra half a star. If you go into this book expecting to be thrilled, I think you will be disappointed. But, if you come looking for an exploration of loss and the love between parent and child, I think that you will be impressed by how well done this book is.

To hear me talk a little bit more about this book, check out my September Wrap Up on YouTube! Link in my bio.

Thank you Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, and the author for an early copy of this book. These Silent Woods releases October 26th!

Incredible, well written story about a father and daughter in the Appalachian mountains. The ending was completely unpredictable. Read this book!!

“A near perfect book.” That is how one of my reading BFFs described These Silent Woods. I rarely find books near perfect. But this one… well, my friend was right.

Vividly atmospheric and full of foreboding. I devoured this book in less than 24 hours, completely consumed by the storyline and wholly dedicated to the characters. This book wrecked me in the best possible way, and it is still sitting with me, even days (and books) later.

Cooper and Finch live a precarious yet beautiful life deep in the woods. It’s a solitary existence built on secrets. Living off grid has never appealed to me. But the inner look at how this father/daughter duo thrive in a basic, secluded environment allured me and made me question: what do we truly need in life?

These characters drew me in and took root in my heart. Cooper has lived a tumultuous life. He’s a man of character, honor, and sacrifice. But he’s also deeply flawed and fully human. Cooper is immensely reflective throughout the story. We get a complete picture of him… past hurts and decisions in contrast to who he wants to be. The lofty standards he sets for himself allude him, as they would most of us.

Finch is vivacious, brilliant, and utterly charming. Her knack for sharing the perfect Whitman poem in any circumstance melted me (and often made me laugh). She flourishes in an environment that lacks what we often consider basic needs. Which again left me to ponder: What are our true basic needs?

But even beyond the rich individual characterization, Grant adeptly portrays the beauty of the father/daughter bond. Cooper’s fierce love for Finch is pure and resounding, and her utter devotion to him melted my heart.

The connection I felt to these characters intensified my desperation to know: How can this resolve? I both needed to get to the end and dreaded leaving behind this story.

This book took me through the breadth of emotion and made me deeply contemplative. It will stay with me for a long time.

Thank you Kimi Cunningham Grant, St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an advanced copy of this book.

Fall is my favorite season to read suspense, so I was excited to pick this one up. Thank you @netgalley and @stmartinspress for this copy.
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This book was not what I expected. After reading the first few pages, I was worried that it would be a disappointment. I expected to find a typical suspense novel with a predictable plot. What I found was so much more. This is a story that will break your heart and put it back together again.⁣
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I don’t know if I have read anything quite like this book, it is wholly unique. Cooper’s character development is outstanding. Every flashback was woven so seamlessly into the plot that you can’t help but be invested in the story. The love he had for his daughter and the way he described his experiences were raw and heart-wrenching. While reading this book I could picture myself in the woods right alongside Finch and Cooper. It was difficult to stop reading and I finished it quickly. The underlying themes are important and the characters will stay with you long after you turn the final page. In the end, I was blinking back tears.⁣
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This is a story that you won’t want to miss.

Finch and her father Cooper have lived in a remote cabin without electricity, no family, and ultimately no contact with the outside world.

For eight years this has been their life in their isolated cabin in the woods. This is how Cooper prefers it because he is keeping many secrets. Finch spends her time reading books. She gets lost in the stories. They are good distractions from the harshness of the forest. However, she is starting to ask questions and rebel from her isolated, rugged life.

No one knows what drove this father and daughter to a life in the northern Appalachian wilderness. No one except Cooper’s long time friend Jack and a creepy hermit named Scotland. Jack visits the pair once each winter to bring supplies and food. Unfortunately this year Jack doesn’t show up.

A mysterious stranger is making appearances in the woods near their home. Finch is very interested in this stranger, and this obsession has the potential to not only put them in danger, but it could destroy the isolated life they created.

Cooper is forced to either keep hiding, or finally confront the secrets that haunt him.

This atmospheric book was creepy and kept me wanting more! The isolated setting was spooky and perfect for Halloween reading! I really enjoyed it.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc.