Jess and Adam forever! Seriously, the standoffish woman and the big, loving teddy bear of a man? What’s not to love?

Kate Clayborn books are a must read for me—smart women and men with real flaws and problems. This book didn’t disappoint.

In the acknowledgements, the author says that this book was scary because it’s so different, and she’s right about that; this book is different. But it’s different in the best possible ways in the end.

Jess and Teegan’’s relationship as sisters felt so perfectly real on the page. Especially the awkward sister/mom aspect, which is always a little weird, and Clayborn didn’t shy away from the stilted and strange aspects of that interplay.

This is Kate Clayborn’s best book, and I’ll recommend it to anyone willing to listen!

Wow, Kate Clayborn does it again! This heartfelt yet genuine story takes us down a pathway of what happens after people disappear from our lives. The perspective of how it both changes us and frames our actions into who we are is remarkable. This really hit home for me in so many ways.

10 years earlier two sisters, Teeg and Jess, were abandoned by their mother for a man and he turns out to be a criminal con man. Their mother, Charlotte, sent 5 postcards from various places after leaving them, which Jess hid from Teeg. Teeg pretends to be Jess and secretly reaches out to the famous podcaster, Salem, who did an original podcast on this conman. Salem and her colleague, Adam, propose a 3-week trip exploring leads from the 5 locations hoping to track them down.

Jess doesn’t want to talk about her mother or go on the trip, but she won’t let Teeg go alone. Teeg wants to find her mother and won’t take no for an answer now that she is 18. Salem is obsessed with finishing her podcast story because the conman stood her up for her final interview. Adam is grief stricken from losing his best friend due to mental health/football and Salem told him if he gets Jess to talk, then she will produce the story about his friend. However, Adam is enamored with Jess the moment he meets and he cannot bare hurting her anything further than she has already endured. Jess is very closed off, but slowly starts to open up to Adam.

They embark on a trip that will ultimately change each of them in different ways, but due to similar acts of disappearing in their lives.

Hands down, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for this story! Mark your calendars, as the release date is March 26, 2024. A huge thank you to NetGalley & Kensington Books for allowing me access to advanced digital copy of this book.

If you haven’t read Georgia All Along, then check that book at too. I’ll be checking into Kate’s older work to see what else I’ve missed!

✔️ Forced Proximity
✔️ Road Trip
✔️ Hurt/Comfort

Kate Clayborn is one of my autobuy authors for a reason - she delivers reads that where the emotional stakes feel stratospherically high. The Other Side of Disappearing is one I have not been able to stop thinking about since I finished it.

I loved the romance between Adam and Jess and how they felt like the missing pieces in each other's lives. The connection they felt at the beginning was instantaneous but set to a low boil and I was on pins and needles waiting for them to come together.

My favorite relationship in the book, however, is between Jess and her sister. The character journey they go through together was perfection and there is a scene between them at the end that brought me to tears.

There is also a reveal here that
made me GASP out loud. I am really good at predicting what happens but there is something that caught me off guard in the best way.

5⭐️ - and I recommend you go into this one as blind as possible.

Steam 🔥🔥
Banter 🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️
Swoon 💕💕💕💕💕

This is a beautiful and heartbreaking love story. Only Kate Clayborn, possibly the best contemporary romance author of her generation could somehow blend true crime podcasting, glasses fogging sex scenes, heartrending family tragedy, and the ups and downs of parenting teenagers into a book that I simply could not put down.

One of the curses of contemporary romance, or any romance really is the notion that love can fix everything. No matter the hurdle love will find a way to get you over it. From dead former lovers to infertility to outright murder love is the answer. And that's often where things shut down for me when I'm reading. Love is a wonderful thing, possibly the one thing that really separates the human race from every other form of life. But its not a fix all for every problem you've ever had. It doesn't stop making you a hot mess or mean you'll never be unhappy again. Too many authors don't seem to get that.

Kate Clayborn does. Her characters are messy and sometimes horrible and they do stupid things while also falling in love. They also frequently keep doing messy stupid things afterwards. And the bad shit doesn't vanish just because the hero and heroine finally kiss. But it is a little more bearable when there's someone else there. Also sometimes? Love isn't the answer at all, its the problem. Sometimes it wrecks havoc, destroys lives and leaves nothing behind but pain.

That's the crux of "The Other Side of Disappearing." Jessamine Green has spent her twenties raising her teenage half sister Tegan after their mother abandoned them both for her latest boyfriend. Now the sisters are approached by a documentarian podcaster and her research assistant who have some startling revelations about who that man was. Salem Durant never got to finish the story she began with her hit podcast "The Last Con of Lynton Baltimore" when he vanished before their final interview. Now, despite Jess's best efforts Salem has learned that its her mother who helped him disappear. With Tegan determined to find answers about why their mother left Jess has no choice but to join Salem, and her distractingly attractive researcher Adam on a road trip across the country as they try to, finally, find endings for their stories.

For his part Adam is determined to help Salem get the story she needs because it will mean he'll finally be able to tell his own story, a tragic one about the loss of his best friend who lost his struggle with mental illness. He's also desperate to come out from behind the mask of a college football hero and have people see him as a serious journalist.

Clayborn has so much to say about love. How it can offer strength and hope even in the darkest of times but also how it can suffocate and turn people into monsters when its abused. She explores trauma in a way I've never really seen in contemporary fiction. Her characters are so much striving to overcome their pain as they are learning to live in it, which is a remarkable and powerful thing to see. As Jess and Adam grow closer and finally begin to open up to each other about years of loss and anger and pain that they've too close for too long its not about "letting it go." Its about letting someone else help shoulder the burden.

She also writes so eloquently about the love between families, of all kinds. Jess and Tegan's journey to find a way through their mutual grief and anger and love each other in a way that frees them rather than confines is just as important as the romance between Jess and Adam.

The truth about Jess and Tegan's mother and why she left is the tragic current that runs through this story of broken and beautiful love. There will be no firm resolutions to that part of the story because no answer to the why would ever be a good enough one. Sometimes, love just isn't enough.

And that's okay too.

Ultimately this is a wonderful romantic story about healing and transforming pain into strength, making it part of your story, not the entire story.

Also, the sex is amazing.

"I think I've probably figured out some truths about myself. A good story. . . a good story can do that for you."

This is a diversion from what I'm used to from Kate Clayborn, but not at all a disappointment. She still brings all the characteristics I love from a Clayborn novel: big feelings, complex and interesting characters, exploration, lyrical prose.

I'm not really a true crime girl, so at first I was hesitant. But keeping this an estranged relationship and con rather than violence kept me in it. I'm not sure if that was an intentional choice from Clayborn or not because I've read plenty of romances with violence that I've loved. In a contemporary context, however, I probably would have passed on this if the crimes had been different.

This book feels heavier than Clayborn's other work. Her gentle exploration of grief, family dynamics, and the fear of vulnerability, had all the classic charm and thoughtfulness we've come to expect from Clayborn.

I already can't wait to own a physical copy and read it again!

Wow! I didn’t think I would like a mystery because I usually read light romance to escape life but I couldn’t put this down once I started reading it. Adam “Hawk” is such a gentle giant and works so hard to draw Jess out of her closed off self protection. Jess and Teegan took me a while to like but I love how much they grow throughout the book.

Kate Clayborn will forever be a favorite author of mine. Her writing is so lovely, and clear, and poignant. I always love the worlds she builds and this one in particular was no different.

I loved Jess—such a unique, well developed character. I really felt for her and much she had to keep hidden, how much she had to protect her heart from life. The slow build of trust between Jess and Adam was truly breathtaking.

I highly recommend this read. So beautiful.

I have been a fan Kate Clayborn ever since Love Lettering thoroughly transported me back to the stationery store I worked at while in grad school. But this book, this story — it blew the rest completely out of the water. Beautifully written with a compelling, compulsive storyline and rich relationship and character development, The Other Side of Disappearing was an incredible combination of romance, mystery, and family drama that will leave your heart full long after you finish the last page.

I love Kate Clayborn - her stories are unique and her writing is so fluid. This story had such promise. It fell a little flat for me. Its a slow burn romance which was written so lovely. The main story line didn’t feel developed enough for me. I wish more time and more of the narrative was spent on the mystery part of the book. But still a good read and worth it for the writing. 3.5 rounded up to 4.

Thank you to netgalley and Kensington for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is the second book written by Kate Clayborn. When I read this book, it shows two sisters on a road trip with some other looking for their mother. This book shows clues and other things about one of the characters. Thanks to the publishers at Kensington Books and NetGalley for giving me an opportunity to read this book and do a review.

6/5 stars
3/5 spice
A book of the year. (Already?! Yes already.) Kate Clayborn’s writing here is enchanting. The premise (the real lives of those affected by a con man’s schemes, who connected the dots after hearing it retold in a true crime podcast) is brilliantly creative, where it plays on the edge of romantic suspense, but doesn’t leave readers with nightmares. You will absolutely want to ignore real life and devour this in one sitting! The character development mixes steely protectiveness with tender bravery to love again. I especially appreciate that while there are several “bad guys” in the story, the author crafts them to contain both their sins and the complexity that includes redeeming or enjoyably memory aspects as well. And the twists!!!! So fun. The romance is more slow burn, but heats up on several occasions as well. Wish I could read this again for the first time!
#contemporaryromance #ARC #upcomingrelease #suspensefulromance

Kate Clayborn has written a beautiful story about what happens after a parent disappears, not to them, but to those left behind. A love story is interwoven with a tale of true crime and familial bonds, and it works wonderfully. It’s complex and convincing, different from her previous books, but just as enjoyable. Can't wait to discuss this with others.

Kate Claybourn once again brings us characters unlike anyone else. They materialize as fully formed thanks to her skilled storytelling. They are complex but never contrived. Jess is a locked vault - and it is with good reason. Her mother's past choices are a hairline away from a very familiar true crime podcast - and she's done what she could (from the age of 21 on) to raise her younger half sister without drawing attention to this fact. But all that crumbles down when a curious and determined Teagan, now 18, wants to find her mom and enlists the help of the original investigative journalist. Our main characters, Jess and Adam are the side characters of this podcast investigation, but their story is the main event. There is an undeniable chemistry that is kept under lock and key and builds and burns and is so very satisfying.
A compelling and emotional read and another Kate Clayborn masterpiece. The best read of my last few months. Thanks so much for the ARC!

I'm so grateful to NetGalley for the ARC of Kate Clayborn's newest novel, The Other Side of Disappearing. It had me hooked from start to finish, and it was impossible not to fall in love with these beautifully flawed and vulnerable characters.

Jess has been raising her younger sister Tegan since their mother abandoned them ten years ago. Jess has worked tirelessly to protect Tegan from the scandal surrounding her mother's leaving with a now-notorious con man... until the podcaster who uncovered their connection shows up at her door. When Tegan admits that she's been impersonating Jess during interviews to find out what really happened to their mother, Jess is shocked. Although she instantly dislikes Salem because of her ruthless tactics on her podcast, Jess is instantly drawn to Salem's co-worker Adam. The feeling is mutual as he fights to separate his journalist instincts from his quickly growing feelings for Jess. Their multi-state journey to find their mother- and the con man that she deserted her family for- leads the unlikely foursome to many unexpected turns and life-changing discoveries.

I was already a Kate Clayborn fan and this book secured her standing as one of my favorites.

ARC REVIEW (thanks NETGALLEY)

Beginning of book I was totally invested. Jess’ sister impersonates her to a couple of podcasters and is about to take a road trip with them to find their missing mother when Jess discovers her plan. Jess has been raising her sister Teagan for the past 10 years since her mom fucked off with her new boyfriend. The 4 of them embark on the road trip following clues her mother sent in postcards.

Meh, I think book should’ve picked a storyline and stuck with it. Are we a romance or are we a mystery? Having both storylines running together left both feeling anticlimactic and diluted. I found myself bored and a lot of times confused. I usually love Kate Claiborne’s novels but this seemed lacking.

Kate Clayborn has surpassed her previous excellent work with #TheOtherSideofDisappearing, a book that combines a tender love story with serious subjects, like abandonment, mental health and trust.

Jess Greene is a 31-year-old hair stylist who is getting ready to send her half-sister Tegan off to college after raising her for the past decade following their mother’s disappearance with her latest boyfriend. Jess has always been extremely protective of Tegan because not only did their mother abandon them, but it turns out the boyfriend she ran away with was a notorious con man named Lynton Baltimore, whose exploits were the subject of a popular podcast.

To minimize the chance of anyone connecting Tegan to Baltimore, Jess has lived a narrow, “locked down” life for 10 years, limited to working and taking care of Tegan. She has denied herself both friendships and romantic relationships to protect her sister.

As she prepares to enjoy the last few weeks with Tegan before college begins, Jess is unhappily surprised to find a pair of strangers on her doorstep, asking for her. To her dismay, Jess learns that Tegan found a few postcards that their mother sent to Jess years ago, and in an effort to find out what happened to her mother, Tegan has reached out to the journalist, Salem Durant, who hosted the original podcast about Lynton Baltimore. Because Tegan was only 17 when she first contacted Durant, Tegan pretended to be Jess.
Salem and her colleague, Adam Hawkins, have planned with Tegan to go on a road trip to the five locations represented by her mother’s postcards with the hope of producing a follow-up podcast, closing the loop on the Baltimore story. Tegan, now 18 and legally an adult, is determined to go on the trip with Salem and Adam. Jess is determined to continue looking out for Tegan, so she decides to accompany them.

Tenderness is a thread woven throughout the book; it’s part of the relationship between Jess and Tegan; the relationship that develops between Adam and Jess; and the relationship that Adam, a former successful college football player had with his best friend, Cope, who dealt with mental health challenges before dying a few years after turning pro. One of Adam’s key motivations for becoming a journalist is to be able to tell Cope’s story–a story about football, concussions and mental health—in a way that will honor Cope’s memory and help others.

The journey that Jess, Tegan, Adam and Salem embark on changes all of them. It’s not only a lovely romance but a story about family, motherhood and friendship. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a moving, modern multi-dimensional story.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #Kensington for the advance copy.

Kate Clayborn has been an auto-buy author for me since I read Love Lettering. Her characters and writing do not disappoint and The Other Side of Disappearing is no different. She has a way of writing complex characters that is entirely charming and keeps the reader invested.
Jess and Adam were two such characters. I was thoroughly invested their individual stories, and their love stories. Jess has spent 10 years taking care of her baby sister after their mother left disappeared with a con-man. She is carrying a lot of internalized trauma because of that. Adam is an ex-football player who left the game and turned against it because his best friend's death and the role football played in it. They are two broken characters, who perhaps who don't realize that they are broken.
The search for Jess's mother takes them on a journey in which they not only find clues about her mother, but also find themselves and each other.
While I am not a fan of insta-love, it didn't feel like insta-love with Jess and Adam. It felt like they were two lost souls coming home to each other. I loved seeing how easily Adam offered his protection to Jess and her sister, without pressuring Jess or minimizing her experience. He understood her needs and wants from the start and never pushed her for anything.
Jess was a like a baby bird learning to fly for the first time.
This book is also a story about sisterly bonds. Jess's relationship with Tegan is integral to the story because Tegan is the first love of Jess's life. The book also showed them falling back in love with each other and learning to have a sisterly relationship instead of a parent-child relationship.
This book was a bang-up start to my reading journey for 2024. It was angsty and emotional, but also hopeful and joyful.
Thank you to Kate Clayborn, Kensington Press, and Netgalley for the chance to review this book.

Kate Clayborn is a pretty consistent must-read for me, so I honestly didn't even read the description of this before I requested it or dove in to read it. I'm kind of glad it happened that way, honestly, because this took me completely by surprise and I ended up loving it. The story opens with Jess Greene, a hairstylist in her early 30s who has unexpectedly come back home in the middle of the day because she left her shears there after giving her 18 year old sister a trim the night before. Her sister, Tegan, isn't there, and Jess immediately knows that something is off. She has experience with people leaving, because her own mom did it twice - once when Jess was a kid and she went off with Tegan's father, and again when she was 21 and Tegan was a kid and her mom left her in Jess's care. Two strangers show up at the door, and when Tegan comes back, Jess learns what's going on. Tegan found some postcards their mother sent them in the early years after she left, and realized what Jess has known for a long time - that their mother left them to be with a man who was a famous con artist - Lynton Baltimore. Baltimore had gained notoriety after being the subject of a true crime podcast hosted by Salem Durant, who is now at Jess and Tegan's door with her new assistant, Adam "Hawk" Hawkins, a former college football star who is now a journalist. Reluctantly, Jess agrees to go on a roadtrip with Tegan, Salem, and Adam to all the places from their mom's postcards to see if they can find her. There is a romantic sub-plot here, but to me it felt secondary to the mystery/adventure element, which I found really compellingly plotted and written. Jess and Adam's attraction to one another was kind of awkward, in a sweet way, and I liked their pairing and the way that they seemed to smooth each other's edges. Also, big points for positive portrayals of therapy and seeking help related to mental health.

I’m very grateful to have been given an eARC of this book. I love Kate Clayborn’s writing. She writes so thoughtfully, with deep characterization; her writing is always honest and is such a pleasure to read.

This book had all things I love about her writing, though it felt like a departure for her, in some ways. It was still a romance, but it wasn’t as romance-forward as her other work. I would have liked to see the romance built up more; it was hard to believe the characters were so committed to each other after only two weeks. I also felt a character’s motives at a climactic moment of the book were too easily explained away (being vague so as not to spoil). That’s why this book wasn’t a five star read for me. However, those are relatively minor criticisms. The exploration of podcasting and true crime (something I know nothing about) was really interesting, and the relationship between the sisters was so touching and well done. I really loved what this book had to say about family, loss, and finding yourself. Thanks so much to the publisher for providing an eARC via NetGalley.

Kate Claiborne is an auto-read for me for her characters, the humanness of her stories, her incredible way with words, and the romance. But I have to admit, I wasn’t sure about this book. True crime isn’t something that I read, watch, or listen to so the premise was a stretch for me. True crime and romance?

This book is different than her others and deals with harder, somewhat darker topics and themes than her others, particularly what happens when people disappear from our lives, what happens when we disappear from ourselves. But she handles those parts of being in relationship and being human with such care and without flinching from the complicated emotions that are involved. And the chemistry between Jess and Adam was so tender and swoony.

BUT as a journalist, I had a really hard time with the idea of a journalist getting involved with a someone who’s an integral part of the story he’s chasing. That part of the story was really hard for me to believe and buy into.