I read this book twice, back-to-back and even with the knowledge of what happens and what the characters go through - the tears just flowed. It’s a deeply moving, emotive, and sometimes infuriating story. It’s powerfully brilliant in its telling and so touching.

Told in dual timeline and alternating between the present and the past (1947-1964) this story starts out in a bar in Brooklyn where we meet our MC Julia White. She’s recently written a book, but it’s not doing well so she bartends to pay bills. One evening at the bar she hears hushed whispers that the famous photographer Jonathon Astor is sitting in the corner. It’s dark and she can’t tell. Some patrons want Julia to ask if it’s really who they think it is, so she goes over to him. Julia ends up talking to the man who is the famous photographer. What is he doing there?? She soon realizes John is at the bar to talk to her. He has her book, he’s read it, and shocks her by offering her a job. He shows her an old photograph of a woman jumping off a bridge-a photograph he took in the 60s. He needs her to investigate the photo, find out what happened, and write the story. Julia knows nothing and John won’t divulge what he knows. He puts her on retainer to write the story and says she is the only one that can do it. Julia is intrigued and eventually takes the job not realizing how closely involved she’ll become.

Please check trigger warnings on this as it’s a very heavy read. It’s heartbreaking and infuriating in parts, but also the ending- my goodness my heart was so torn and filled with so many “if only’s”. It’s triumphant even if there are pieces of incredible sorrow laced throughout. A powerful and emotional book! This story has layers upon layers of secrets and mysteries and it gets more intense with each chapter. I completely recommend. Five stars!!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this enchanting eARC.

The Act of Disappearing by Nathan Gower is a poignant exploration of the intricate tapestry of human emotions, interwoven with a compelling mystery that transcends time.

Gower’s debut novel is a masterful blend of historical fiction and psychological depth, presenting a narrative that is haunting and beautiful.

Set against the backdrop of present-day Brooklyn and the shifting landscapes of Kentucky in the 1960s, the story follows Julia White, a struggling writer grappling with the aftermath of personal loss and a stalled literary career. Her encounter with Johnathan Aster, a renowned photographer, catapults her into an investigation of a chilling photograph depicting a woman’s tragic fall from a train bridge, clutching a baby.

As Julia delves into the enigma of the Fairchilds of Gray Station, she uncovers layers of secrets that challenge her understanding of family, mental health, and the very nature of truth. The narrative alternates between Julia’s present-day quest and the past tribulations of the Fairchild family, painting a vivid picture of the societal attitudes towards mental illness and the indelible impact it has on the afflicted and their loved ones.

Gower’s writing is evocative and sensitive, handling the subject matter with a deft touch that respects the complexity of his characters’ experiences.

This novel is a testament to the enduring strength of maternal bonds and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

The dual timelines are skillfully crafted, with each thread enhancing the other, creating a rich tapestry that captures the reader’s imagination. The mystery at the heart of the novel is meticulously unraveled, revealing a story that is both shocking and deeply moving.

The Act of Disappearing is a story of discovery, devotion, and the unseen battles fought in silence.

The act of disappearing occurs not just physically within this story, but also within the recesses of the mind.

Nathan Gower has crafted a narrative that is both a mirror to the past and a window into the soul, making this book a must-read for those who seek a story with depth, compassion, and a touch of mystery.

This novel is a spectacular story which will break your heart and then return to mend it anew.

An EASY ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ from this grateful and humble reader.

Thank you To Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this story.
SPOILERS TO FOLLOW

I want to say that I officially DNF'd at 23% of this book but I wanted to see if my theories were correct so I skimmed a majority of the book after I decided I didn't want to completely finish reading it. I was right about two things at least and surprised by one of the plot twists in the end. Overall I think this is a very interesting story it just didn't capture MY attention. I liked Julia and enjoyed her voice in the story but I was HIGHLY annoyed my Jonathan Aster. I hated how he was sending Julia around on this hunt and being so vague about everything. She was clearly not in the right mindset during certain parts of the story so I hope that improved later (it's hard to tell when you're skimming).

The two different timelines were VERY confusing at times which is also what put me off on the story. It wasn't so much Julia's timeline that confused me but the past years with the Fairchilds, Abbot's, etc. There was no 1 POV for that past timeline so it was very confusing at times because I couldn't tell who was speaking, Norman or Edith or someone else entirely. As I was skimming I also noticed how Kathyrn herself also had a POV as well as someone named Margret and I didn't like how there were so many different people lending their voices in the past timeline parts of the story and why it wasn't labeled with who was speaking.

I think if I kept reading I might have liked it more but as it was here, I didn't.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing MIRA Books for gifting me a digital ARC of this beautiful debut by Nathan Gower. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Julie White is having a hard time. Her first book didn't sell well, she's working at a bar but not making ends meet while faced with her mother's medical bills. Then there's Ryan - her ex-boyfriend who's ghosting her after a one-night stand. Then an opportunity comes knocking - Johnathan Aster, famous photographer, wants to meet with her about a story. He shows her a never-before-seen photo of a woman falling from a train bridge with a baby in her arms. Julie is intrigued and heads to Kentucky to research.

This book is incredible. Alternating between present day in Brooklyn and in Kentucky in the 1960s, we are privy to both what Julia is going through as well as the past events. I don't want to give anything away, because this book unfolds in such a magical way. The writing is beautiful, haunting, and will make you feel the characters' yearnings, desperations, fears. It's a small town story, where growing up with everyone talking about your family is impossible to escape. It's finding the people that make you feel safe and loved. It's a story of motherhood, especially the bonds between mothers and daughters. The fact that these emotions are perfectly portrayed by a man is an accomplishment in itself! It will transport you to the past and feel hopeful for the future. Have I gushed enough to make you go read this book? Can't wait to see what's next from this author - bravo on a fabulous debut!

Alternating between present-day Brooklyn and Kentucky as it enters the 1960s, the story unfolds as Julia races to find Who was the woman in the photograph? Why was she on the bridge? And what happened to the baby? Each detail is more propulsive than the last as Julia unravels the mystery surrounding the Fairchilds of Gray Station and discovers a story more staggering than anything she could have imagined.

What an awesome book!! Thank you NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, Mira for this outstanding ARC in exchange for my honest review. With a photograph depicting a woman holding a baby while jumping off a railway bridge, photographer Johnathan Aster has no idea what he has captured. He contacts Julia White, a writer, to find out the story behind the photo. She is down on her luck after her first novel and accepts the challenge. When she enters a small town of Kentucky, she meets up with the people who know the story behind the photo. While she researches, she discovers the sadness of the family living with mental illness. She uncovers boundaries where the lines are blurred with a mother's tough love.
In the 1960's, when the photo was taken, the town acted on secrets and misconceptions using it as a weapon to release on the Fairchild family. Kathryn, the child of Edith Fairchild, is the main character the story is about. She has dealt with her mother's mental health and hospitalization her whole life. The family responds with a touching and unforgettable sadness of living in regards to the cards they have been dealt with. Their entitlement to belief and being understood is left under the table to defend the town's antics of bullying and gossip.
What a touching story, as Julia does the best she can with so much to learn and a lot of people to interact with that know the family. I enjoyed this so much and did not want it to end. It is sad and will leave you emotionally spent with regards to this family and Julia dealing with her own demons.

Thoughts: Described as “hauntingly beautiful” this historical mystery did not disappoint. The story follows Julia, a writer in modern day Brooklyn, alternating with teenager, Kathryn, in small town Kentucky in the 1960s. I couldn’t help but be invested in both women’s stories as the mystery unfolded. I thought the pacing was excellent - I never wanted to put it down! The way the author alternated timelines and tied them together was excellent. This one explored some deep themes: mental health, the isolation of motherhood, adoption, assault - so definitely check the TWs. If you’re a fan of historical mysteries, thrillers, or stories of heartbreak and healing, I highly recommend!

Read this if you like:
📷 historical mysteries
📷 dual pov/timelines
📷 short chapters
📷 mental health rep
📷 found family

A troubled teen jumps to her death while clinging to her Infant. The act is caught on camera as well as witnessed by many residents in the small rural Kentucky town in 1960. Most believe the girl is insane, as was her mother. Their bodies were never found. This mystery is the bases of the novel.
There is a lot of dark circumstances connected to this tragedy. Mental illness and rape are part of the story. I found the beginning a bit difficult when trying to connect with the characters, but the story improved as I read on. Dual time lines are also part of the book. I was much more invested in the young teens story than in the more recent time line. This is a first time novel for this author, Nathan Gower, and I think he shows a lot of potential in his future novels.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! The Act of Disappearing by Nathan Gower is a mystery novel about a young girl whose life went wrong one fateful night. Trying to piece together that mistake takes her down a one way road that she can never come back from. Though I had figured out most of it by the end, I was surprised by a few of the twists. Overall, a good story but found it moved a little too slow for me.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the free e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Julia, a floundering young woman who is trying to find her way, is tasked with investigating the story behind a photograph of a woman jumping from a bridge with a baby bundled in her arms. Who is the woman jumping from the bridge and why did she jump? As Julia sets out to answer these questions about the photo, she also confronts the questions and struggles of her own life.

This is a well written story told in alternating timelines of the past and present, Kentucky and Brooklyn. The author expertly weaves the story and makes it a very enjoyable read bot both literary and mystery lovers.

Highly recommend!!!

Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC of this novel. I am of two minds about it. As a thriller, the title gave it away and there is not much suspense til the conclusion. The bad and good guys are kind of stock and the reader knows what tragedy will befall the poor girl at the center of the story. The mystery at the center of the more recent timeline is not much of a mystery either. On the other hand, this story of an utterly alone young woman in a small Kentucky town whom no one sees at all is heartbreaking. She tried to listen to herself and follow her heart and do all the right things, but there was no place for that. She ended up with one last act of selflessness that was the only way for her to show love in the world which had flung her aside. I wish the book had focused completely on her without the dual timelines. Her interior life would have made the story richer and more poignant.

Julia White is given a photograph and asked to investigate it. All the photo shows is a woman falling from a bridge, clutching what looks to be a child. Julia researches Kentucky in the 1960’s to learn about the woman in the photograph and what drove her to desperation.

This was quite the story and investigation. At times it was slow for me but there was no question of not finishing it. I had to find out what happened to Kathryn. Anyone interested in journalism and finding out the truth of an old and sad story, this is for you. There are dual time lines but the chapters are short and the back and forth merges well.

“It was true: the world had not been kind to Edith Fairchild. The world hates what it doesn’t understand.”

The Act of Disappearing comes out 5/28.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

A fantastic debut novel; a must read! It doesn’t get much better than this. I will be taking this story with me for a very long time.

I was hooked from the synopsis and it did not disappoint for a single second!

I have too many emotions and not enough words to perfectly describe how I’m feeling. This is one of the best books I’ve ever read. It’s such a simple story when you boil it down, but it also is so complex, there aren’t enough ways to describe it. I could talk about it for hours. I cannot wait to reread it as much as it will hurt me.

I cried on and off for the last 20 pages of the book, and was full on sobbing by the end of it.

The characters. Oh my the characters. Some I hated, most of them I loved.

I fell so deeply in love with Kathryn. My heart aches so badly for her, and despite everything she went through she had so much love in her heart. She means so much to me, I really don’t think words can describe.

I loved Sammy too so much. I was expecting him to be a stuck up jerk, but he was such a good man like Kathryn thought, and it killed me. I wish he could have had a happier ending, but that’s not how life is. Jack had a special place in my heart too. You really grow to love him extremely. I think that has to do with how much Katheryn loved him.

I loved Julia and Kyle together, which I wasn’t expecting! I honestly could have used more of them, but that’s not the point of the story. Quinn was such a fun character too, I’m glad she was in it as much as she was!

Slight spoilers here so skip this next paragraph if you haven’t read the book: I was surprised that so much of the story was not about Edith, but about Kathryn. Edith was the catalyst, but not the main plot, which I thought she would be. I wish we got more of her because what we got..wow was that a strong woman! The last scene we got of her, chills at the thought of it. She had such a tragic story though, my heart aches for her as well.

I could see where it was leading to, but I don’t even care because it was that good. The payoff was excellent. But there were also so many other things that I didn’t expect that made the story that much more exciting!

The amount of hatred I felt for a character in this book was like no other. I know that was the point, but I felt so much rage every time he spoke or did something. He doesn’t even deserve me to write his name.

You can’t help but wish things didn’t end the way they did as you are reading, especially from how much I fell in love with Katheryn. I didn’t want to believe that she jumped in the end. But it was still such a hopeful story too.

I feel like this would make an incredible movie. Horribly sad, but incredible. As I was reading I could picture everything vividly in front of me like I was these characters.

I will recommend this to anyone and everyone who will listen.

A perfect novel. No notes.

Incredible book, one of my favorites of the year! It is dark, thrilling, heartbreaking and ultimately heartwarming.

Julia White is a bartender and struggling author. While at work, renowned photographer Johnathan Aster approaches her with a never-before-seen photo from the 1960s of a woman jumping off of a bridge with a baby in her arms. He wants Julia to find out what happened and write a book that tells this mystery woman’s story. From here we follow dual timelines, one detailing the events back in 1960 and the other following Julia’s work to solve the mystery.

One of the most intriguing plot summaries I’ve ever read, and the book completely delivers. I will be thinking about and recommending this book for a long time!

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and The Hive for sending me a physical ARC of this incredible book!

This book is perfect for both fans of literary fiction and Mystery Thrillers.

Julia is a struggling writer working as a bartender to make ends meet. One night she is approached by a famous photographer named Johnathon Astor. He shows her a photograph of a woman falling to her death off a train bridge holding a baby. This photo was never offered to the public to see or to the investigators. Johnathon offers Julia money to research the photograph and the story behind the woman. He wants her and her alone to write a book about the woman, he does not even tell her the woman's name. Julia decides to take the job and travels to Gray Station, Kentucky to begins her research.

The novel jumps back and forth in time between the present day (Brooklyn) and the 1960’s (Kentucky) We are introduced to many characters that will become part of Julia's world. This book is wonderful, I loved it. So much mystery, so many discoveries, and such a well written story. Julia is going to discover more than she could ever have imagined about the woman in the photo and in the process, herself. This book had me hooked from the very beginning. There are so many secrets upon secrets and the ride to the end was a fascinating and kept me fascinated. When I was thinking of the photo of the women falling/jumping from the train bridge, I pictured the photo “The Most Beautiful Suicide” from 1947.

I want to thank NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing/MIRA and Nathan Gower for the privilege to read this wonderful ARC.

This book was honestly incredible. I finished it this weekend, cried several times and am still thinking about it.

This is an emotional journey and takes us through alternating timeline going from present day Brooklyn and the 1960s in Kentucky.

Julia, our main female character, is having a rough go at life… she is broke at a dead-end job, a book that has sold not many copies, a one-night stand with an ex and won’t return her text messages or calls… and she meets a famous photographer that wants her to research and write a book about a never-seen before photo of his that features a woman falling from a train bridge with what looks to be a baby in her arms.

There were multiple story lines that were happening to develop multiple characters and the layers came together beautifully. The story takes us through mystery, mental health struggles and other struggles that women go through, family secrets, what it means to be a mother and what true love really is. There were some serious themes in this book - some I would mention without giving anything away of course (SA, cheating, substance abuse/addiction, suicide). This book had me heartbroken but I could not put it down.

This book is hauntingly beautiful and heartbreaking. The way the author weaved together the past and the present was flawless. I felt a deep ache for Kate and her family. Jack’s story touched me as well, and Julia and Lindsey/Quinn were extremely likable characters. I felt a connection to these characters and their lives, to the small Kentucky town where the majority of the story took place. I was pulled in from the opening paragraph.

This would have been a five star read, but the way the dialogue was written was a bit confusing at times. I’m used to a separate paragraph for each characters dialogue instead of a bunch of back and forth in one paragraph. I just made it hard to follow, for me, anyway.

I will definitely be recommending this book to my friends who read. (And even those who don’t!) I hope to read more work from this author in the future!

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the opportunity to read this book.

What a book! I was, as always, in love with the dual time lines. In this book, it was a particularly interesting touch! We meet Julia in a bar and soon after, Jonathan Aster. She seems to be an average woman, struggling with grief and other aspects of her life until Jonathan comes along, and that’s where the story picks up.

We follow Julia to Kentucky on a mission that Jonathan sent her on. In the other timeline, we meet Kathryn and those in her orbit. Her story is told from start to finish and I found myself very interested in finding out how the book would end for both of them.

Advance reader copy provided by NetGalley + Harlequin Trade Publishing but all opinions are my own.

Julia is a struggling author who’s working at a bar to make ends meet. A one night stand with her on again off again boyfriend has resulted in a pregnancy that makes her feel shameful since he’s been ghosting her. She can barely keep herself afloat, how will she bring a baby into this world?

One night in the bar a few barflies ask her if the older man sitting in the corner is the famous photographer, Johnathan Astor. When she approaches the man, he confirms the drunkard men’s theory and shows Julia a photo of a woman jumping from a bridge with a baby clutched tightly to her chest. He offers her a large amount of money to find out more about the woman in the photo and why she jumped to her death. He wants her to write a book about the woman, and he doesn’t want anyone else to write this story.

“The story must find itself. It’s truly the only way.”

With no name or backstory, Julia agrees and travels to Gray Station, Kentucky where she soon finds out that the people around town aren’t too keen on giving an outsider any information on the Fairchild family.

This story is told from alternating timelines from the present with Julia researching the woman’s past, and in 1963 where the woman is experiencing her own life struggles. Julia meets characters from the 1960’s that help her piece the mystery together and she finds out why Jonathan Astor chose her for this special assignment.

I laughed, I cried, I put the book down only to pick it back up and fly through the pages again and again. I had to process what women went through in the 1960’s when they were experiencing what we would call anxiety these days and how it impacted their families.

This book, by far, is the best that I’ve ever read in my life and if I could give it ten stars I would. If anyone is looking for a story that will break your heart, and then sew it back up again, this is the book for you.

In his captivating debut novel, "The Act of Disappearing," Nathan Gower weaves a gripping tale that seamlessly intertwines the past and present.

The story follows Julia White, a struggling bartender and aspiring writer, who finds herself at a crossroads when renowned photographer Johnathan Aster presents her with a mysterious photograph. The image depicts a woman falling from a train bridge, clutching what appears to be a baby. Intrigued by the mystery, Julia embarks on a journey to uncover the truth behind the photograph.

Gower's masterful storytelling shines as he alternates between present-day Brooklyn and 1960s Kentucky, gradually revealing the intricate web of secrets surrounding the Fairchilds of Gray Station. The author's attention to detail and vivid descriptions transport readers to the heart of the story, making them feel as though they are right alongside Julia as she unravels the mystery.

One of the novel's greatest strengths lies in its complex and well-developed characters. Julia's struggles as a bartender and writer, combined with her personal challenges, make her a relatable and sympathetic protagonist. The supporting cast, particularly the enigmatic Fairchilds, adds depth and intrigue to the narrative. The story is a bit of a slow burn, but the "The Act of Disappearing" is a remarkable debut that showcases Gower's immense talent as a storyteller.

This elegantly written story weaves through multiple generations of women, examining what it means to be a woman and a mother, all with a compelling mystery at its center. The Act of Disappearing is an incredible debut, and I cried real tears (always a mark of an excellent book!) as Gower brought this heart-aching story to its beautiful and painful conclusion. Can't wait to see what this author writes next!!