I’m not sure why this is classed as a thriller, I certainly wouldn’t call it that but it is certainly mysterious. A dinner guest casually makes a statement that triggers in Willa thoughts of her sister Laika who disappeared on the way to school 25 years earlier. Willa never believed she had died and sets out to find out what happened. The story is told from different perspectives and timelines.
Well worth a read although the end lets it down somewhat.

Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley.co.uk for an advance copy.

Such a great book, I was hooked and couldn’t put it down, exactly how a thriller should be. Can’t wait to read more by the author.

I didn't expect to enjoy this book as much as I did. There are a lot of books being written about abuse and coercive control but this one has a lot more to offer. I thought the story was clever and well written. I loved the premise of putting things back together. I enjoyed the characters and I loved the ending - a great book

I had high hopes for this one but in my opinion it’s not a thriller/mystery read as it’s described. It’s a slow burn that’s predictable in terms of the main premise of the storyline. It moves from past to present and builds the backstory of Robyn and Willa’s relationship which I really liked. Its told from different characters points of view which worked well to make you feel like your getting to know the characters. It has both likeable and unlikeable characters. It did feel like it was missing something in terms of big reveals and twists. It was an interesting story but it just lacked something and for me there was no real mystery but an interesting storyline but just needed a little oomph.

Thanks to Netgalley and Viking for the opportunity to read and review #ThingsDontBreakOnTheirOwn

Wow! I went into the expecting a rhn of the mill thriller hut got sponsored much more. The plot covers so many relatable topics from family dynamics to secrets and lies. There are twists and turns but its very character based. Usually when I say that, it's a negative and the plot suffers for the main focus being in the characters but j didn't find that with this book. The characters are explored in a really fascinating way, giving depth and backstory which adds to the understanding if the plot. It never feels boring or waffley or like wete getting info we really don't need. Very well written and enjoyable

I enjoyed reading this book. It was very moving in parts. It was an unusual story that I found very interesting. There are some very interesting characters, but also some truly horrible ones. You really had to feel for the separated siblings.
This book covered so many emotions, family life, siblings, child abuse, elderly care. None of that sounds remotely entertaining, but it is written beautifully and is enjoyable.

Great read, very cleverly written.

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

Things Don’t Break On Their Own is a family drama that is both gripping and at times very moving.

The central character is Willa, now an adult still mourning the loss of her sister Laika, who disappeared on her way to school many years ago. It's hard to relate much more about this intricately plotted mystery without spoilers.

I found myself immersed in this story. The pacing is excellent, as the characters are explored in depth and the events of the past are gradually revealed. The various twists are convincing and the ending is shocking and satisfying.

Thanks to the author, publisher @DeixisPress and Netgalley for the ARC. All my reviews are 100% honest and unbiased, regardless of how I acquire the book.

#NetGalley #bookreview #books.beledit

I really enjoyed this book and I found the characters, relationships and themes of family, sibling love, loss, grief to be portrayed well. It was immersive and not too long, but equally not sure how memorable long term? It was a good read and for the fans of the genre, I would recommend.

Thank you tot he author, publisher and NetGalley for my review copy, all opinions are my own.

This clever, beautifully-written literary thriller begins at a dinner party, complete with all associated stresses: Robyn and her wife Cat are hosting a large group including old friend Willa and husband Jamie, and Robyn’s brother Michael and his new girlfriend Liv. Tensions are already high when the subject of Willa’s long-missing sister rears its head: Willa explains to newcomer Liv that Laika disappeared at age 13, having left the house slightly earlier in the day than her sister: Willa made it to school, but Laika was never seen again. Pieces of the story then begin falling into place: we get glimpses of the siblings and Willa spending balmy summers in the country together when younger, and a nascent, uncertain romance blossoming between Willa and Robyn – and the first harsh shards of suggestion that life was not easy at Laika and Willa’s own family home. Disturbing, intricately plotted, this is a deliciously dark summer read that will unsettle you on your sun lounger.

A great mystery,really enjoyed it. Everyone's worst nightmare,..when someone in their family goes missing. This one had me engaged throughout.

This is a beautiful read, with absorbing characters. A dinner party brings up the past for three women and they each are forced to confront hidden truths.

poignant and gripping at the same. Memories that bring back traumas and an unsolved mystery.
It kept me hooked and turning pages.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

A fabulous debut novel

Well written
There were lots of twists and turns
I was hooked
I am looking forward to further books from this author

4 Stars from me

Reading this book felt almost like unraveling a ball of yarn, or when you try to untangle a knotted up necklace and just when you think you've got there another messy knot reveals itself.

Poor Willa, she slowly builds a life out of the ruins of her missing sister and yet can never shake off - despite all signs to the contrary - that her sister is alive. The sheer devastation of a child going missing on the way to school is literally unimaginable, however much one tries to consider the impact can surely merely skirt the edges of the shock-waves sent out by that crater of loss.

A myriad of coincidences run amok through the background as the story unfolds. I've seen reviews where readers have taken umbrage against this, however for me, and of course I may be wrong, this felt very considered and deliberate.


Sarah Easter Collins has created a tale of timeless beauty which has it its heart the wondrous thing of hope.

'Things Don't Break On Their Own' is a beautifully written book that pulled me right into the story and kept me hooked.
This book had so much emotion, it was heartbreaking yet heartwarming & took a raw look into grief and loss.
This book was so much more than I was expecting going into it, in the best way possible, I still can't believe it's the author debut novel, this is an author to watch out for and I cannot wait for what she gives us next.

Willa never got over the disappearance of her younger sister Laika. She hadn't want to wait when her sister was running late, she got to school but her sister didn't. This event coloured her life. Everyone believed Laika was dead but Willa refused to believe this. Willa makes a dear friend at boarding school, the holidays spent with Robyn & her family are the happiest of her childhood & they are lovers but when they leave school Willa decides that is not who she is. The story begins with a dinner party given by Robyn & her wife Cat. Among the guests is Claudette, the girlfriend of Cat's brother. Another guest is Liv, who is studying psychology & in particular , memory. The narrative goes back to tell Willa's story as well as introducing Collette's.

This was a really well constructed story that dealt with trauma & family abuse as well as friendship. I really enjoyed it. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.

📚 Book Review 📚

This is the gripping story of Willa and her life before and after the disappearance of her younger sister Laika.

Twenty-five years ago Laika vanished on her way to school and Willa has been looking for her ever since. We see through flashbacks, the relationship the two sisters had, the important relationships Willa has experienced in her adult life and the unsettling and claustrophobic atmosphere in her family home whilst growing up.

We learn through detailed descriptions the controlling, violent and manipulative behaviour of her father and the affect he has on her relationship with her current partner.

This is a powerful and haunting story, one that is eerie and tragic. It took a little while to get going for me but once everything started clicking in, I was hooked. This is a great read and shows us how we can gain strength and power over our own lives, if we just take a chance.

I’d like to thank Penguin, NetGalley and the author for the arc and the fantastic opportunity, in exchange for my honest feedback 😊

Book released on 20th June 2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A mysterious and tense read, but not too memorable. There are better books in the genre.

Thanks: Received from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

A gripping, pacy, entertaining read. The varying narrators built the tension throughout the book and kept me fully intrigued, I really enjoyed it!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC.