It's a high-concept premise--daughters left by mom who ran off with a conman who was the subject of a podcast, and then the podcast returns 10 years later--but Kate Clayborn makes it work. Clayborn's writing is as achingly beautiful as ever, and she's so good at getting deep into a character's emotional state in just one sentence that almost seems like a throwaway but actual has layers of meaning. I loved the mystery part and the explorations of different types of motherhood, but the romance part is where things didn't totally gel for me. Adam's instalove and his ability to break down Jess's unsurprisingly high and fortified walls both happened too fast within the two-week period in which the biggest chunk of the book occurs. Even as sweet and lovely and patient as Adam was, Jess had completely understandable reasons to be so protective and defensive. In many ways, this book felt more like women's fiction with a strong romantic element--about Jess's ability to make peace with her past--rather than a full-on romance.

My thanks to Kensington for ARC.

I enjoyed the setup of this book, following two sisters Jess and Tegan as they embark on a cross country search for their mother, Charlotte. Joining the hosts of a true crime podcast focusing on the crimes of conman Lynton Baltimore, the same man their mother disappeared with.

I liked both sisters, they were relatable and despite the odds, had a good family dynamic. This is a romance so some predictability is a factor. The love interest between Jess and Adam was very instant, and while time passes as the characters travel to different cities, it’s a fast developing relationship with a happy ending, which some may expect and find gratifying.

There is mystery implied with Charlotte’s disappearance, the podcast transcripts featuring the conman and the people left in his wake, but I did not sense any thrill with this plot. The podcast information was very brief and didn’t dive into the actual crimes. Along with romance, there are themes of mental health and the after effects of abandonment, especially for Jess and Tegan. It was an emotional journey for these characters and in the end I felt sympathetic to all their expectations. With that said, the book was slightly underwhelming as a whole but I liked the writing style and the characters kept me interested enough in the story.

Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Book for the review copy.

Total miss for me. Couldn’t get into the characters - primary or secondary, the story, the romance or the conclusion. Oddly, it’s like everything felt underdeveloped and S L O W but also was happening too fast.

I never thought I could or would dislike a Clayborn book, but reading this one was a total slog. I didn’t inhale this…I suffered through it and couldn’t wait to finish it.

Also, WTF is this cover?

There are a lot of books I'm looking forward to this year by a lot of incredible authors, but I think they'll all have a hard time typing this.

Everything about this was wonderful. Well-written story, well-developed characters, and - my favorite thing - the characters actually communicated with each other (as best damaged people could, anyway).

I devoured this in about 24 hours, and when it was finished I was satisfied with their story (not just Adam and Jess, but also Tegan and Salem), but I still wanted more.

Kate Clayborn just gets better and better!

Kate Clayborn's latest novel, The Other Side of Disappearing, is a captivating blend of contemporary romance, family drama, and a touch of mystery. It follows Jess, a guarded woman thrust into a road trip with her teenage half-sister on a quest to unravel the secrets of their mother's disappearance years ago. Joining them are Salem and Adam, a podcasting duo determined to create a true-crime sensation out of the cold case.

As the unlikely group embarks on their journey, Clayborn masterfully weaves together the past and present. We see glimpses of Jess's fractured childhood alongside the blossoming connection between her and Adam, the journalist with a hidden vulnerability of his own. The mystery surrounding their mother keeps the plot intriguing, with each new revelation adding another layer to the story.

Clayborn excels at crafting relatable characters. Jess, with her prickly exterior and fierce protectiveness of her sister, is a protagonist you can't help but root for. Adam, with his gentle strength and inquisitive mind, provides a perfect counterpoint. The bond between Jess and Teegan, the teenage sister, is beautifully portrayed, showcasing the complexities of family ties.

The Other Side of Disappearing is a heartwarming story about confronting the past, embracing vulnerability, and finding love in unexpected places. Clayborn's signature lyrical prose adds depth to the emotional journey, making you laugh, cry, and clench the pages in anticipation. This is a novel that will stay with you long after you turn the final page.

Kate Clayborn kills me every time. And I walk in willingly, getting ready to be absolutely demolished. She is one of the best storytellers in the industry, and this may be her strongest storyline yet.
Jess is raising her 18-year-old sister after they were abandoned by their mother. In an attempt to seek closure her sister, Tegan, reaches out to a team that produced a podcast focused on the man their mother abandoned them for. On a road trip following their mother’s footsteps, they -- along with a prickly podcast host and her guarded producer -- unravel the mystery.
Jess is tough and brutal to herself and messy and everything you’d expect from a main character in a Clayborn novel. But her love for her sister guides all. Adam, the producer, is another great male lead, and the love he shows for Jess and Tegan is so beautiful.
This isn’t like Kate’s other works -- I would argue that this is less romance and more general fiction with a romance and mystery subplot. This is driven more by plot than emotions, unlike most books in this genre. If you’re looking for a soft romance, this is not really it. It’s a beautiful story of discovery, sisterhood, and growth. But if you ARE looking for romance, the story between Jess and Adam is stunning. No one else knows how to write closed-off, broken characters who bloom together the way she does.
Kate is so thoughtful in every word she writes. She tackles grief and loss in a way that is heart-wrenching and whole -- with angst that never feels gratuitous. This book was so tender, and I will be thinking about it as I always do when I wrap her latest.
The word poignant is overused. But this is poignant.
Thank you to Kensington and NetGalley for the eArc! I’m going to go cry now.

This was an interesting book. Jess is a woman who was abandoned by her mother and left to take care of her younger sister. Even though her mother disappeared, Jess basically did as well. She retreated into herself as to not be hurt again.

Enter Adam. He is part of a podcast about the man that Jess’s mother left with. He’s only doing it so he can get his own podcast done about his friend that died while playing football in the midst of personal mental struggles.

Along the ride to find out the truth about Jess’s mother are Salem, the woman behind the podcast as well as Jess’s little sister, Tegan.

It was sweet reading as Jess and Adam fell for each other, and I enjoyed the mystery of finding out where her mother had been all this time.

Thanks as always to NetGalley for the ARC.

4.5

It’s hard to think that when I read this book, I had a father, and now, I don’t. My father and I didn’t have the closest relationship and he wasn’t the perfect dad, but I can’t imagine having two children, who are by all accounts beautiful and charming (not that it should matter), and not even recognize them as yours.

I generally write reviews immediately after I’ve finish a book, or at least a draft of one, not only ensure it gets done, but also to not forget details. For some reason, this one just wouldn’t form in my head.

When I started the book months ago, I was a little disappointed with what was being laid out. It was a far-fetched concept and I just couldn’t see how it could be relatable or easy to get into. Before I’d gotten very far, I had to abandon my reading for things that I need to read sooner.

When I took the book back up, I thought I remembered enough not to start over, but did some skimming. I couldn’t see how postcards sent 10 years ago with little on them could be enough clues to fund an entire trip. We learn some of the true reasons at the end, however, fortunately, famous podcaster Salem has other clues she holds close and they help provide more concrete direction.

You can’t help but feel for Jess. Not just that she was made a surrogate full-time mother at 21, but also for the way she has had to live her life, and the things she has denied herself, in order to raise a young girl who is oblivious to almost everything but her own confusing loss. I think we’ve all been in situations where we are determined to find out something and cannot be told that it’s not a good idea or will lead into heartache until we learn for ourselves. Jess did the only thing she could in the circumstance, given that Tegan was technically an adult at the time.

As for the relationship between Adam and Jess, I am wavering some. When I read the book, I was taken with their chaotic flirtations and weaknesses for each other. Somewhat later, I now wonder, but I at least believe that they believe they are deeply in love and maybe that’s enough, especially for two people who need each other. OK, so maybe it is a beautiful love story. Who am I to say?!

There were some weird twists at the end and the epilogue was a little annoying, but even though I read this already deeply wishing for a book to love, it still moved me and kept moving. It was a quick read, but mostly because I was pulled in enough to keep reading. Don’t get turned off right away with the whole confidence trickster story or confused by Adam’s background. Let it play out and if this is your kind of book anyway, you should get sucked in and eventually wish you too lived on a farm in Missouri.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing me a free advanced copy of this book in exchange for providing an unbiased review.

Jess and Teagan search for their mother who ran away with a con man a decade ago. With the help of a popular podcaster, Salem, and her business partner, former pro football star, Adam Hawkins, the sisters set out to unravel the disappearance of their mother.

Unfortunately, this story did not pull me in. I had a difficult time finding the desire to pick up the book. That being said, I enjoyed Clayborn’s previous book so maybe this one just wasn’t for me.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy.

In “The Other Side of Disappearing,” Kate Clayborn weaves a captivating tale of family, secrets, and self-discovery. The story follows hairstylist Jess Greene, who has devoted the last decade to raising her younger half-sister, Tegan, while harboring a shocking secret about their mother’s disappearance. When Tegan decides to search for their mother, Jess reluctantly joins her, accompanied by the probing podcast host Salem and her attentive producer, Adam Hawkins who are searching for a conman who Salem had interviewed many years before.

One of the book’s strengths lies in its well-developed characters, whose intricate backstories are gradually unveiled, keeping readers engaged and invested in their journey. Despite the challenging circumstances they face, Jess and Tegan emerge as resilient and well-adjusted individuals, a testament to Jess’s commendable sacrifice and dedication to her sister’s well-being.

The investigative road trip embarked upon by Jess, Tegan, Adam, and Salem provides a compelling backdrop for unraveling the mystery of their mother’s disappearance. As they delve deeper into the past, emotional truths come to light, adding layers of complexity to the narrative and keeping readers on the edge of their seats.

Clayborn skillfully integrates elements of romance and personal growth into the storyline, as Jess and Adam’s connection deepens amidst the unfolding mystery. The importance of therapy emerges as a recurring theme, underscoring the characters’ journey towards healing and self-acceptance.

Overall, “The Other Side of Disappearing” is a captivating and emotionally resonant read that will leave readers enthralled from beginning to end. Clayborn’s adept storytelling and rich character development ensure that this novel stands out as a compelling exploration of love, resilience, and the power of family bonds. Fans of Clayborn’s work will undoubtedly cherish this latest addition to her repertoire, while newcomers will find themselves eager to explore more of her captivating storytelling.

I received a DRC of this book from the publisher but the thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

4.5 stars (rounded up to 5).

This was definitely a unique romance and while it wasn’t exactly my favorite, I still enjoyed it nonetheless. The plot overshadowed the romance which isn’t for me.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books for this arc in exchange for an honest review!

This was a heavier romance book than I usually read but I still enjoyed it. There were a lot of weighted mental health issues in this one, which sort of lead me to slow down in my reading, so this took a little longer than usual but I enjoyed experiencing the journey of all the different characters.

Adam was such a big teddy bear and my heart broke for him on multiple occasions, but I loved his dynamic and eventual relationship with Jess. He was so in tune with her from the start, one of the perks imo of the more silent and observant MMC's.

Jess was a pretty good FMC, though I did have some frustrations with her, but admittedly she had the most to work through emotionally. I enjoyed seeing her slowly start to trust Adam and remove some of her walls.

And the communication! I was such a fan and hoped there wouldn't be a third act breakup (no such luck), but I did enjoy what they were able to do for themselves during that break, so it honestly felt like it was for the best. You can't be there for someone else if you haven't taken care of yourself first. At least not in a healthy way.

Would recommend for any romance readers who like a side of mystery ❤️

I like the concept of this book-the podcast and mystery surrounding it. Where things get a bit muddled for me is in the romance aspect. I didn’t buy into this relationship moving as quickly as it did. Overall though, I found this book to be quite enjoyable. The characters were lovable and the story moved at a good pace. A thanks to NetGalley for allowing me an advanced copy to read.

First of all, dayum.

Second of all, DAAAYYYYUUUMMMM. This book is worth TEN stars!! The THEMES!!! THE NARRATIVES!!!! After her sister contacts a podcast behind her back with info about a renowned con man who disappeared with their mother ten years ago, Jess sets off on a reluctant road-trip with the host, her sister, and Adam, a journalist, a man who in another era would be a chevalier who would do anything for the woman he loves, and in this era it’s Jess.

So much of the fantasy of romance novels is being SEEN. Being indelibly known by the other person and love because of—or even in spite of—that knowing. Clayborn takes this a step further with her explorations of how people we love can disappear and how we can disappear when we are in love. And how the best person to love us is the person who will never let us disappear for them. This book is so deft and packs such a punch as the siblings search for their mother’s trail—one desperate to find her with the hope and hurt or youth and the other entirely closed off from the possibility because of her pain from being left. I LOVED Jess. If she’s not an enneagram 9 I’ll eat my socks. There’s something so powerful about seeing a character both hold all their emotions tight to them and then realize they don’t have to—but then not know what to do with what you’ve been holding back for so long.

Both the emotional arcs AND the con man arcs were so interesting and so well done. I so enjoyed this book. Again. I would give it ten stars if I could. I don’t think anyone is doing emotional contemporary romance like Kate Clayborn. It’s truly a work of art. Ten stars.

Heat level: 2.5 (2-3 on page scenes)

Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this ARC.

Kate Claybourne writes original novels. The plot here is original and different. However, I wasn’t as fond of this book as I have been of her earlier works. Maybe it’s because I’m never all that fond of traveling novels. And the younger sister got on my nerves after a bit. And there was something rather sad about how the older sister had basically sacrificed her life to bring up her younger sister after her mother abandoned them. But I liked the hero. He was a quiet, steady, and good man.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

Thank you to the NetGalley, author and publisher for the chance to read and review an early copy of The Other Side of Disappearing. Overall, I really enjoyed this book. All of the characters were well developed and as the reader I empathized with all of them as they went on their journey. It felt more like women’s fiction than the author's previous romances since a large portion of the book revolved around the relationship between the sisters. However, Adam was a great hero and I enjoyed watching his relationship with Jess grow. Overall would recommend to readers of contemporary romance - it was a great read.

Getting into the story, I was skeptical about how the romance part of it would pan out, given the plot. Two sisters go on a roadtrip with a podcast host and a journalist, to find their mother who ran off with a con man. I didn't expect for how Adam and Jess would immediately take notice of each other, and how they would grow to have very strong feelings for each other over a short span of time.
This story is much more than a love story. There's the sister-sister dynamics that are far from the usual, with a super protective big sister who stubbornly stays contained and in control and keeps her whole focus on raising her sister. I loved how Jess and Tegan's relationship grew from their road-trip and having to face some tough reality.
Salem, the podcast host, is an important piece of the story as well. She is the driving force that buckles the tenuous atmosphere of it all.
I really enjoyed this story. I love how Kate Clayborn wrote Adam's pov, especially the first time the journalist/podcast host duo meet the sisters. It is beautifully written!

Thank you to the publisher for the ARC via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

This was a new sub genre for me.

Mystery+romance 💯

A pair of true crime podcasters and 2 sisters go on a road trip to track down a con man for some answers. Podcaster Adam and one of the sisters Jess fall in love.

Adam is a cinnamon roll disguised as a big grumpy football player. Truly top tier book boyfriend. Jess is your closed off black cat female main character. They make the perfect blend for a romance couple.

Except the story is so much more than a romance. It shows us the intricacies of family dynamics, grief, and what happens when people leave us.

Kate Clayborn’s writing is full of beautiful prose. I felt honored to be inside these characters’ heads.

Read if you like:
🧠A deeper story than your typical rom com
🔎True crime
🎧Podcasts
🚗Road trips
⁉️Mystery
👧🏻Your baby sister
☕️Bad coffee
🫂Healing from past wounds

🤯 Kate Clayborn’s mind 🤯 this had the beautiful prose and beautiful characters of any other Kate Clayborn book, but it was so DIFFERENT. And I loved that.

Jess has been raising her younger sister, Tegan, ever since their mother ran away—but Jess never expected Tegan to figure out that their mother left them for Lynton Baltimore, a con man who was the subject of a popular podcast.

When Jess reluctantly agrees to accompany Tegan and the podcast team on a road trip to track down Baltimore (and her mother), she’s determined not to help their cause. After all, she’s only there to chaperone her sister. But as she grows closer with Adam, the podcast producer, it’s harder than expected to keep her walls up.

Jess is so raw and beautifully written, and Adam’s character feels equally honest. This book is an absolute treasure.

You can expect:
🚗 road trip
👫 jumping on trampolines
🧠 discussions of mental health
💇‍♀️ hair cutting
👧🏼 a very relatable teenage girl
🥞 pancakes

I enjoyed reading The Other Side of Disappearing. It was definitely a more complex book than the others I have read by Kate Clayborn. Relationships between family members are explored. There is a mystery about the mother who disappeared 10 years ago with a con man, leaving a young child, Tegan, to be raised by her older Jess. There is a romance that develops between Jess and Adam while on a road trip investigating the con man and Jess and Tegan’s mother. With all this going on in the book, I was engrossed from the very beginning! Kate Clayborn’s characters are always so well-developed, and that holds true in The Other Side of Disappearing. Thank you, NetGalley and Kensington Books, for the advance reader copy of this enjoyable book!