Kate Clayborn is one of my favorite authors, and I was so excited to get approved for an ARC of THE OTHER SIDE OF DISAPPEARING. I'm happy to report it didn't disappoint! This is a compelling story about two sisters, the mother who disappeared on them 10 years ago with her con man boyfriend, a podcast about the con man, and their efforts to track down their mother.

Despite her reservations, Jess, the older sister, ends up accompanying her 18-year-old sister Tegan on a cross-country journey with the podcast host and her producer. Jess is tightly wound, intensely private, and overly cautious — and for good reason. Adam, the producer, is a gentle giant of a man, a former college football player who just graduated with a master's in journalism. He's also the only person who can get Jess to let down her guard.

This book is a bit of a departure for Clayborn (and definitely heavier than her other books), but at its core is a beautifully written romance between Jess and Adam. There's a section of the book where they visit his family's farm in Missouri, and it's so lovely. It gave me the best kind of romance feels. I have to admit I was more invested in the romance than the mystery, but I thought Clayborn did a good job balancing both.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Give Kate Clayborn all the stars.

This book was a departure but still had her signature prose and characterization. One of the best writers in the game.

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

Wow, it took me a few days to formulate my review because I felt so much after finishing this book. I have been itching to read it ever since Kate vaguely mentioned its (not-yet-titled or -covered) existence at her GEORGIE, ALL ALONG event in January of this year. She talked about a podcast and sisters, and no, I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since.

This story felt different in a lot of ways from Kate's other books, and for me, it just further solidified that Kate is a versatile and talented writer, but also that anything she writes is something I will enjoy in different ways, and I really love that about her books.

THE OTHER SIDE OF DISAPPEARING follows private and guarded Jess, who finds herself on a road trip with her teenaged half-sister (who she's been caring for alone for years) and two podcast producers eager to find information on the girls' mother, who disappeared years ago with a con man. Jess and accompanying journalist Adam both have wounds, but just might find what they need in each other, and the ways they grow together.

It's such unique subject matter, and the content feels heavier than Kate's previous books. But I actually really appreciated this weightier storytelling and discussions about grief, loss, relationships, and the parts of ourselves that we choose to keep hidden, and the parts we allow ourselves to share with others. It's incredibly tender and thought-provoking, while also being a story with movement, captivating writing, and swoonworthy romance. This story is developed and rich and beautiful. And like, hot. So, yeah.

I was also really touched by this line in the book's acknowledgments:

"I'm glad we can all disappear together, for a little while, into the pages of the books we love."

Read if you like:

-Massive LIs with hearts of gold
-sexy trampoline time!!!
-tattoos
-navigation of grief, loss, and inner wounds
-dual POV
-true crime podcasts
-all black outfits
-loving, accepting found families
-road trips
-"Even the little pieces you find sometimes end up being worth something."
-He falls first AND harder
-characters who raise their siblings
-truck beds in flower fields
-pancake-loving hunks
-characters who think and grow during their Big Sad time
-heated touches, meaningful glances
-"I have to show you these sheets."
-the difficulty of letting ourselves be known
-beautiful metaphors!!!
-really good hugs
-writing our own stories
-"Girlfriend seems too insignificant for what she is to me already."
-People who Notice
-therapy!!

I absolutely love Kate and I love this book.

A big thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest, unbiased review. THE OTHER SIDE OF DISAPPEARING is out 3/26/24.

Kate Clayborn is an accomplished author who is able to craft a fantastic romance. Her newest book, "The Other Side of Disappearing" is centered around sisters Jess and Tegan who have had to grow up too fast after their mother took off with her boyfriend. While Jess has been too busy taking care of her little sister to search for their mother, Tegan has always had questions about her mother and what happened to her. Unbeknownst to Jess, Tegan has reached out to a prolific true-crime podcasting duo to help. Jess is resistant but must give in once she sees that Tegan will not give it up. Along the way, not only do they discover where their mother went and why she left, Jess also begins to develop feelings for one of the podcasters, Adam. Will she be able to deal with her growing feelings, both about her mother's abandonment and Adam's love for her?

I've always enjoyed Clayborn's books and really liked the romance portion of this book as both Jess and Adam must face the truth of how they feel for each other. The mystery/search for Jess and Tegan's mother wasn't as interesting to me and I found myself just skimming those portions. Overall, I enjoyed this book and look forward to Clayborn's next novel. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

This genre-bending, podcast-anchored mystery/romance was not what I expected next from Kate Clayborn but I'm here for it.

This book was a different vibe than other books I have read from the same author. I loved it though. Such a fun concept. I didn’t want to stop reading. I have already told several people to add it to their TBR list.

I don't even know where to start with this book... there was so much to love. SO! MUCH! Kate Clayborn's writing pulls you and captivates you from the beginning. I felt like I was reading a romance, and a mystery, and a self-help book all in one. This is one of those books that just STAYS with you...Characters that embed in your mind and heart. Storylines that feel so real... Emotions that are so incredibly authentic. Again - just so much to love.

At the age of 21, Jess was left to care for her younger sister after their mother disappeared with an infamous conman. For ten years Jess has been hyper- vigilante in protecting their privacy. Until the day her sister turns 18 and decides to contact a popular podcast to help find their mother. Jess's world is suddenly turned upside down and everything she's tried to keep hidden is suddenly on display.

The Other Side of Disappearing looks at the literal disappearance of the girls' mother as well as the figurative ways they each disappeared within themselves when their lives drastically changed. It's the story of finding answers but of also finding yourself. Clayborn's prose is beautiful and heartfelt - I was so invested in Jess and Teagan's story that I couldn't put this book down. There were so many elements of the story that I wanted answers to... what happened to their mother? what will happen to the girls? How does Adam play into this? Where is the con-man, Baltimore?

It's a revolving question of "What happens next?" but believe me, it is absolutely worth sticking around to find out the answers. This is a must read!! Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books, Kensington for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.