I really enjoyed The Nature of Disappearing. I connected with the main character and could understand her reasons for being the way she is. I think the portrayal of addiction was pretty accurate, as well. It added another emotional layer to the story and kept me invested in the characters.

This was a good read. The timeline jumps back and forth replaying Emlyn's childhood, college years, post college and current time. It's a bit of a slow burn. The setting was fantastic. I loved the scene and feeling like I was there in the woods.

It did kind of drive me nuts not knowing what the catalyst was that caused the deterioration of the relationship between Tyler, Emlyn and Janessa. I wanted to know more about Rev and Varden, but maybe there will be subsequent books about that.

I really enjoyed the mind twist that the author had going with wanting us to like Tyler and forgive him, yet wanting to see her move on from him. I also had mixed feelings about Janessa and how involved she was in Emlyn's life.

I liked the twists and turns and I think the book wrapped up nicely. Overall, I enjoyed the book and I will absolutely read more by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

I really enjoyed the author's first book and was hoping this one would be just as good! Unfortunately it wasn't. The actual story was good, but there were some pacing problems. 3 stars

The Nature of Disappearing has an incredibly vivid and immersive atmosphere, with its wilderness setting beautifully described, making you feel like you're truly there in the wild. The alternating timelines work well to gradually unravel the mystery, and the character development for Emlyn, Tyler, and Janessa is strong, giving readers enough emotional investment in their journeys.

However, the book suffers from pacing issues, feeling like an incredibly slow burn—sometimes too slow. The lack of suspense throughout most of the novel, coupled with a rushed ending, left me feeling underwhelmed. The payoff, while it did come, wasn’t as intense or satisfying as I’d hoped, especially after such a drawn-out buildup.

Another wonderful book combining nature with intrigue, mystery, deception, and love. A timely book for our time with the impact of addiction on not just current choices, but our future. Grant is a powerful author and this authors books will always have a spot on my TBR.

"The Nature of Disappearing" by Kimi Cunningham Grant is a captivating psychological thriller that masterfully blends elements of suspense, mystery, and emotional depth. Set to be published on June 18, 2024, this novel follows Emlyn, a wilderness guide in Idaho who has carefully constructed a solitary life after a traumatic betrayal three years ago.

Grant's writing is evocative and atmospheric, bringing the stark beauty of the Idaho wilderness to life while delving deep into the emotional landscapes of her characters. The author's background as a poet shines through in her lyrical descriptions, making the setting feel like a character in itself.

The story's premise is intriguing: Emlyn's carefully built world is disrupted when her ex-boyfriend Tyler reappears with news that their former friend Janessa, a social media star documenting her #vanlife adventures, has gone missing. Reluctantly, Emlyn agrees to help search for Janessa, forcing her to confront her past and the unresolved feelings between her and Tyler.

Character development is a strong point in this novel. Emlyn is a complex and relatable protagonist, her struggles with trust and vulnerability adding depth to her character. The supporting cast, particularly Tyler and Janessa, are well-crafted and contribute to the richness of the narrative.

The plot is a slow-burn thriller, with mounting tension as Emlyn unravels the secrets of her past and the mystery surrounding Janessa's disappearance. Grant skillfully weaves together past and present timelines, creating a layered mystery that keeps readers engaged throughout.

While some readers found certain plot elements familiar within the genre, Grant's fresh take and skillful storytelling elevate "The Nature of Disappearing" above typical thriller fare. The novel explores themes of trauma, healing, and the complexities of friendship and love, adding emotional weight to the suspenseful narrative.

In conclusion, "The Nature of Disappearing" is a compelling and atmospheric thriller that showcases Kimi Cunningham Grant's talent for crafting intricate mysteries with well-developed characters. Fans of psychological suspense and beautifully written prose will find much to enjoy in this novel.

4.5 - Thank you so much to St. Martin's Press & Minotaur Books for the complimentary copy of this book!

I remember two years ago when I read These Silent Woods, I was immediately immersed into Kimi's writing and the story she created. This one was no exception. I am a little overdued reading this and boy was I kicking myself that I had not read it sooner.

The book is told from the present timeline but also through multiple past timelines. The past timelines showed the start of the relationship between Emlyn and Janessa as well as with Tyler. These played an important with knowing their history and how it correlates to what is happening in the current.

Emlyn learns that an old friend Janessa has not updated her whereabouts to her friend Tyler and Tyler becomes worried that something has happened on her travels. Emlyn and Tyler are not on the best of terms due to what happend years prior but Emlyn wants to help find her former friend to ensure she is okay.

"You're different."
"I sure hope so."

One thing that Kimi is great at between the two books that I've read, is how she describes nature and the environment that the characters are around. It really made me miss hiking! Now their skills were much more advanced than I'll ever be. I love the detail that Kimi put in through Tyler and Emlyn's excursion trying to find Janessa.

The romance reader side of me was rooting for Emlyn and Tyler throughout the book. But I understand why it wouldn't work and I was satisfied in the end in that regards (not spoiling!).

The ending was a little lackluster but overall this was a great read! I was invested the whole time and it kept me guessing most of the time.

I highly recommend this book if you love an outdoor setting, dual timelines, and looking for something a little suspenseful!

This was - slow, but once it picked up it wasn’t easy to put down. Emalyn seemed super naive for her preferred job choice. Tyler, Janessa, and Bush treated her as such.

Really enjoyed this one. The relationships dynamics were interesting and her outdoor knowledge was interesting. Liked how things turned out but would have loved to get more of Ellen and Varden

After feeling underwhelmed by Kimi Cunningham Grant's first book, I was hopeful that this novel would be more my cup of tea. While intriguing, I unfortunately found this to be too slow in terms of pacing and I wouldn't describe this as a thriller, more literary fiction with suspenseful elements - just like I described Grant's prior novel. This was by no means a "bad" book. I just have discovered that this author isn't for me - which is okay! I know many fellow readers who would love this and I highly recommend it to them!

This book was a pleasant surprise.
I thoroughly enjoyed it, as it was a quick read and a good time.

This was my first book by this author, and unfortunately, it didn’t live up to my expectations. I had difficulty getting into the story, and the mystery didn’t capture my interest. It took a direction I didn’t enjoy, and by the end, it felt flat and underwhelming. I really wanted to like it, but it ended up being just a mediocre read for me.

On the positive side, the setting and atmosphere were well-crafted. The forest backdrop really added to the immersion and kept me curious about where the story would go. I also appreciated the use of past and present timelines, which helped reveal more about the characters and their history.

This story felt very character-driven, but unfortunately, I couldn’t connect with any of them. Weeks later, I find myself forgetting much of the plot. There also wasn’t enough tension, suspense, or conflict to keep me engaged; I was often bored. It’s definitely a slow burn, and it took a while to pick up any real momentum.

Despite my experience with this book, I’m still curious about this author’s other works. I’ve heard great things about her books, so I plan to give her another try.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. These are my own thoughts and opinions.

🏔🌲Book Review:
Title: The Nature of Disappearing
Author: Kimi Cunningham Grant
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/4 stars

Tyler, Tyler, Tyler.....get your priorities straight, man. 😖

Emlyn receives a voicemail message from her estranged, once best friend, Janessa, that states, "There's something i need to tell you...." and then the call drops. A week later, Emyln's ex-boyfriend, Tyler, reappears in her life, reporting that Janessa is missing. Tyler and Janessa have been best friends since childhood, so when he and Emlyn started a relationship, it definitely caused waves with Janessa, who believed Emlyn should steer clear.

Starting their own search for Janessa, going off off clues from Janessa's last posts on social media, they head out into the vast wilderness in Idaho. Will they find Janessa, and what were the circumstances of her disappearance? Will Tyler and Emlyn be able to salvage the remains of their prior rocky relationship, or will Emlyn see the truth to what destroyed them in the first place. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books by this author.

Published: June 18th, 2024

Thank you, @netgalley and @stmartinspress, for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I love a good nature thriller! The friendships in this one lacked some substance, and the twist was predictable. I still enjoyed the book and will read more by this author. Thankful for the ARC!

The Nature of Disappearing was a good book that kept me entertained, however, it lacked the suspense that I was looking for. The beginning of this book was slow but it did pick up about halfway through. I had high expectations, based on my love of These Silent Woods, but this one fell a little flat.

The Nature of Disappearing by Kimi Cunningham Grant 🏕️🏕️🏕️.5

I would like to thank NetGalley and Minotaur Books for providing me with an advance e-galley of this book in exchange for an honest review. Look for it now in your local and online bookstores and libraries.

“[S]ome things you say cannot be taken back. [F]riendships can shatter over a single argument. [N]o relationship is immune to ending.”
— Kimi Cunningham Grant, The Nature of Disappearing

I thought I'd love this book more than I did, but for me it was just ok. I've read tons of nature, survival thrillers and this one fell a bit short. Like the friendships were kind of surface level and not as believable. And there weren't much for breadcrumbs that led to the twist. The twist was also a bit underwhelming, overall I think this was a good book but I've read books that did it better.

3.5 rounded up to 4.

I absolutely LOVED These Silent Woods, so this was one of my most anticipated reads of 2024. Sadly, I didn’t feel the same tension and suspense with The Nature of Disappearing that I felt with her other book. Perhaps the father/daughter connection is what kept me going with These Silent Woods and I couldn’t feel the female friendship connection with this one as much? Kimi Cunningham Grant is such a master at writing an atmospheric wilderness setting though, so that kept me going!

Thank you Minotaur Books, #partner for the advanced copy of The Nature of Disappearing in exchange for my honest review.

I absolutely loved Kimi Cunningham Grant’s debut novel, These Silent Woods, so I was thrilled to get my hands on her sophomore novel and let me just say…it did not disappoint! She has such a unique voice that just captivates me from start to finish with her novels and I find I cannot stop thinking about her books once I finish them.

From the moment I started this one, I just knew it was going to be one of those books I would not be able to put down, and I didn’t. I read this one in one sitting! I was totally captivated not only by the story but also by the characters. I was so invested in what was happening with them. I loved the way the multiple timelines allow us to slowly get to know the characters, revealing crucial information at just the right time.

I loved how atmospheric and suspenseful this story was. The slow-burn pace works so well here, as each chapter brims with just the right amount of tension and suspense. At times, I got Gabby Petito vibes from the story, though I loved that the story went in a totally different direction.

This story is very much character-driven and I loved that. But what I loved even more is how strong the sense of place is. The woods, or wilderness, is once again a main character in this book, much like they were in These Silents Woods. It’s unforgiving and adds a sense of darkness to the story but also signifies loneliness with is vastness.

While I am late in sharing this review, I do promise it is a book I continue to recommend. It’s writing is so beautiful and vivid and I am excited to see what comes next from this author – I will absolutely be picking it up to read!

This was a really atmospheric mystery read. The wilderness location and descriptions of the setting added for a very immersive read.

I really enjoyed the mystery and plot.