Small Town Sins was a compelling read! Each character we follow really captivated me at points and I only wish we had gotten more of them. The development seemed a little cut short by the nature of the ending and it could’ve really flourished with more time. I would have loved to see more crossover in our characters lives and more fleshed out dynamics. Ken’s writing is wonderful, and I found myself wishing the exposition was just a bit slower, more stretched out.
Otherwise, I really enjoyed it! It was both funny and heartbreaking and I was very much invested in each of the main character's adventures. The end left me wanting for more! The playwright in Ken can be seen throughout the novel; you can picture this story on stage easily! A fantastic read and debut; I hope to see more from Ken Jaworowski!!

Locksburg, Pennsylvania is just like any other small town and if you don’t think you know each other, your paths at least cross in some way. Small Town Sins is just like it sounds. Everyone in this town is guilty of their own sins, but is there more to each of them than meets the eye?

Nathan wasn’t originally from Locksburg, but ended up settling down with his sweet heart Paula. Nathan is the first of the volunteer fireman to arrive on scene, but what else besides an unknown man lies among those flames? Will Nathan and his marriage survive all that this discovery brings along?

Callie is a nurse at the local Locksburg hospital. It’s safe to say that Callie is blunt when it comes to patient care, she strives to honest and treat her patients the way she wished she would have been treated growing up. When a 16 year old girl comes into the ER she changes Callie’s entire perspective. The bond they create leads Callie to test personal and professional lines. How much will Callie risk just to make this girls dreams come true?

Andy had a rough start at life. Him and his wife Kate vowed to leave that nasty heroin addiction in the past when they received the news that they were expecting. When tragedy strikes their family and leaves his wife and daughter dead how will Andy cope? Will he fall back on that addiction or choose to join his family in death. He’s not sure what else he has to live for. However, a gruesome discovery encourages him to put those plans on hold and seek justice for innocent children much like his own.

Small Town Sins is a unique read that follows the lives and tragedies of three different individuals. It is a brutally honest novel that broaches the subjects of suicide, addiction, assault, and childhood trauma. It constantly tests the boundaries of morals. I can confidently say I’ve never read another thriller like it.

I will say, if you are big on psychological thriller or who-dun-it this may not be the book for you. While I really enjoyed this read, it was not a typical thriller for me. While I wasn’t constantly on the edge of my seat I did find myself wanting to continue reading. I needed to know how these people justified their decisions and how their lives would look by the end of the book. Overall, I give this one 3.5 stars!

To be honest, I would rate this as a 3.5 star book, but I rounded up to a 4. It kept me coming back for more and I wanted to find out what happened to the characters. However, the ending was a little abrupt and I wish there had been more of the denouement so that we knew what happened to the characters afterwards. I felt for the characters and they were realistically written in a way that made you invested in finding out more about their story.

★ ★ ★ ★

man… I could NOT put this down. This story is perfectly paced for multiple character point of views. Stories like this aren’t for everyone, but the story line of the three main characters, has just enough overlap to be relevant (small town life) and without taking away from each of their stories/ experiences.

NATHAN:
My guy, where do I start!? The path for trauma LeeLee set him on at seventeen, so sad and heart breaking. The author does a really good job of having things come full circle 20+ years later to reveal some harsh truths for Nathan’s past, on top of the struggles he’s currently having with his wife and internally/morally after making an out of character decision in the “heat” of the moment.

ANDY:
I wanted to cry for him, and I couldn’t read the pages fast enough to figure out what was going to happen next. To come so far, then to suffer the lost that he did, AND stumble across the absolute worst nightmare of every parent. Love how his story wrapped up, and the realization he came to mentally by the end.

CALLIE:
She was really out to prove something, probably more so for herself in the beginning but by the end — you can’t help but love her for how far she was willing to go to make Rebecca’s wish come true.

If you enjoy multiple POVs, this is a story for you. The execution of this book is so well down, it’s easy to follow and stay engaged in all of the characters and their stories.

thank you Henry Holt & Company for this ARC, courtesy of Netgalley. Publication date for “Small Town Sins” is Aug 1, 2023.

Welcome to Lockesburg, Pennsylvania, once a thriving coal town, now a struggling backwater that’s lost three-quarters of its population. And welcome to the lives of the story’s three main characters:
Nathan, Callie, and Andy are all from the small-town with successful lives with sins from their past. We follow along as Nathan, a firefighter that wrestles with what to do with a find he had while rescuing a man in a burning building; Callie, a dedicated, by the books nurse who really connects with a terminally ill young woman; and Andy, a recovering drug addict who is struggling to be a good father to his special needs child. Each of them and their families contemplate decisions that could change their futures and the decisions they make, for right or wrong, have far reaching consequences.

This is Jarowoski’s debut novel! It’s hard to actually believe. His storytelling gifts are striking. His writing, which uses shifting narrators, is assured and compelling across each transition. This is a page-turner. It’s intense and moving. I said “oh my god” multiple times!! It offers sharply realistic glimpses into the characters lives that are so deeply raveled into a total mess. Yes yes yes to this story that debuts in August. Add this to your list immediately.

Thank you, Henry Holt and Co for a gifted digital copy! Here is my honest review. I can't wait to read more from this author.

I read this book via Kindle as an ARC thanks to Henry and Holt Publishing Company. This was a good book. I can’t call it great. I would’ve provided a better star rating if the book hadn’t ended so abruptly. I felt like I needed more closure at the end. Parts of the book moved slow and the 3 points of view made it feel like I was reading 3 different books. I enjoyed Callie’s storyline the most. This could’ve been a book of its own. I’m going to think about the book. I could end up changing my rating. I did enjoy it overall.

Small Town Sins by Ken Jaworowski. #NetGalley

‘Small Town Sins’ caught my eye just by the title and cover. I was intrigued by the synopsis. What I didn’t know was how much I would love this book. I need more.
The multiple POV’s confused me in the beginning, not knowing who was who. I was hooked by the first couple of pages though. I suggest having tissues ready. The twists and turns are phenomenal. One big negative for me was the ending. It was so abrupt. It seems so unfinished. Too many unanswered questions. Hopefully you can extend the book a few more chapters. I need to know what happens.
Being this is Ken Jaworowski’s debut, I am extremely interested in reading his future novels. I’m only giving 4 instead of 5 stars because the abrupt ending. I had it in my head the entire book to do 5, but I was super disappointed.

Thank you to Ken Jaworowski, Henry Holt and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. All opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this debut novel from Ken Jaworowski! His writing was impeccable and kept me wanting me more.

Small town sins follows the lives of 3 very different people from the same small Pennsylvania town: A blue collar man names Nathan, a nurse named Callie, and an ex addict named Andy. Each story is truly captivating as they struggle with ethical and moral life altering decisions. If you do something for a good cause, but is still wrong, does that make it a sin? I wasn’t ready for this book to end, and I can’t stop thinking about the characters and where their lives would lead following the ending.

Definitely a must read!

Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me to read this advanced copy of the book! I loved it!

What a fantastic debut novel from this author! This story takes place in Lockesburg, Pennsylvania in America's Rust Belt. The town was once a thriving coal town and now struggles as industries dry up and residents move away. The story is told from the viewpoints of three of Lockesburgs inhabitants: Nathan, a metal shop worker and volunteer firefighter, Callie, a nurse who works at the local hospital, and Andy, a recovering addict who lives with his wife and child. None of these characters are perfect and most of the obstacles they encounter are of their own doing. Each story line is compelling, filled with twists and turns. Just like in real life, their storylines do not end tied up neatly, but each comes to a satisfying conclusion.


Author Ken Jaworowki is a playwright and that background can be felt throughout the book. The plot is compelling and written in a way that draws the readers in emotionally as well as visually. I found myself cringing, crying, laughing, and at times even covering my eyes. It is rare that I have such visceral reactions to books and I look forward to reading future books by this author. I think this would make an excellent pick for book clubs as there is much to discuss about the characters and the social and moral dilemmas they encounter.

I received a free digital copy of the book from Net Galley and the publisher for an honest review of this book.

Everyone has secrets, a past, and current desires. Does that make us all inherently sinners? Ken Jaworowski’s debut novel: Small Town Sins follows three main characters who have all had lives that are less than glamorous. Choices have lead them to where they are and have even held them back from being who they could have been. Greed, the need to save others, and the addictions that come along with every day existence seep into their worlds. Do their choices make them better or worse? Will forgiveness and absolution save them from their sins no matter how big or small they seem? Is redemption or damnation an immediate thing based on choices?

Thanks to NetGalley and Henry Holt Publishing for this ARC. Available August 1, 2023, Jaworowski’s debut novel didn’t disappoint. This book was a page turner for sure and kept me totally captivated. Following these characters to see what happened next and how simple choices molded their paths. As a reader I would have liked a little more closure when it came to the last character as I felt it just ended. The character development was good and the story kept me hooked. I would totally recommend this to fellow readers.

Small Town Sins was an unexpected guilty pleasure of an emotional jog that I must have needed over the holidays. Don’t let the title fool you; I almost passed by this gem of a novel that is not to be missed because of its unassuming name. This one packs punch after punch of character situations you can’t help but empathize with, even when things go sideways, and they do. If I had a complaint it was that the novel was too short, but it ended on the perfect note. Well done, Mr. Jaworowski, may we please have another?

The book was okay for a certain type of reader. It follows three arcs by three main characters, to mostly avoidable destructive destinations. The book is written pretty well, and for the most part doesn't take pleasure in the defeats of the characters, but at it's worst, it still drags under the dour weight of the predictably worst case scenarios that unfold for each of them. Each of the arcs are very lightly interconnected, but are largely best seen as pieces of evidence towards a thesis that there are no winners, only hardscrabble losers and people who manage to play life to a draw in this game.

Nathan, Callie, and Andy are all from small-town Locksburg with successful lives with sins from their past. Nathan was greedy but mostly stupid. Nathan's chapters showed a troubled man with little to no self-control. Callie had a heart and was willing to put her career on the line. I liked Callie's chapters the most as she was doing something good. Andy found a purpose when he thought his life was over. Andy struggled to stay alive after losing his loved ones but realized the hatred for one person in town was worth staying alive. The chapters were very well written and included a lot of drama, violence (at times), sad moments, OMG moments, and gotcha moments. The chapters weren't filled with extra/unnecessary details to fill pages. Small Town Sins was amazing.

Outstanding! I really enjoyed this book. Gripping, fast-paced and gritty, I had to finish it in one sitting (be warned, it's addictive)! Can't wait to read more of Mr. Jaworowski's work!

Not my usual book, but a welcome diversion. The author creates characters that truly seem real. As we meet ea h, we get the opportunity to walk in their shoes, see through their eyes, and feel with their hearts.

Excellent, I didn’t want this to end. The writing was terrific and I felt as if I was riding along with each of them.

Thank you for allowing me to read this ARC. The writing style in the beginning had me questioning if I would enjoy this. It was choppy and felt almost thrown together. But I am so glad I hung in there! This was a great story about how people make choices and the impacts of those choices. This was at moments, very heartfelt to the point I became emotionally attached.

All I can saw is wow! What beautifully painful, heartfelt stories that tie into one heartfelt package. I grew up in a hamlet in the Catskills quite similar to "Locksburg" ( the main is not that far off either), And these heart wrenching stories are stories from home. The author captures them in a beautiful light, the good, the bad, the ugly. These are the stories of most small towns,. The " you never know how someone is behind closed doors".

WOW! I DIDN’T WANT THIS ONE TO END! I can’t believe this was a debut novel!
In SMALL TOWN SINS by Ken Jaworowski we follow along as Nathan, a firefighter wrestles with what to do with a find he had while rescuing a man in a burning building; Callie, a dedicated, by the books nurse who really connects with a terminally ill young woman; and Andy, a recovering drug addict who is struggling to be a good father to his special needs child. Each of them and their families contemplate decisions that could change their futures and the decisions they make, for right or wrong, have far reaching consequences.
I found myself tearful then cheering, then tearful again for each as they struggled with the fall out from their decisions.
I REALLY hope that Mr. Jaworowski writes a follow up to Small Town Sins or continues as a series and we meet more of the guests living in his imagination. A GREAT READ!

I thought I was going to really enjoy this one. But unfortunately it wasn't for me. From the get-go it felt disjointed and I found myself skimming just to finish.