Thanks to Crown Publishing & NetGalley for providing a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is a mystery/suspense novel for sure, but it has so much literary punch that I'd almost expect to find it mixed in with the non-genre fiction. Collins does a nice job of creating compelling characters who you root for and cry with. Laika is the little sister of Willa (good lord these names!) and has gone missing without a trace at 13. This, naturally, informs the rest of Willa's life, which we see through the lens of her good school friend, Robyn. Willa and Robyn also (sort of) fall in love while they are roommates at their boarding school, but it doesn't pan out due to Willa's fears of having feelings for a woman.

Willa is beloved by her father, but for some reason (never explained that I saw, maybe I missed it?), Laika is the heavily un-preferred child, at least by her father. Her mother doesn't really go to bat for her, but she is also an abused wife, which could explain it. The family is wealthy but everyone dances attendance on Daddy to make sure he is happy. thus ensuring no one else in the house is. All, that is, except Laika, who is willing to push back.

Some of the parts of this story strain credulity, and there are coincidences that just wouldn't wash IRL, but hey. I'm all for allowing fiction to transport me, and if a few coincidences here and there have to happen, so be it. There's nothing that will make you put down the book and stomp away in disgust. All in all, very well-written and readable.

3.5 stars Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read this as an ARC.
Things Don't Break on Their Own by Sarah Easter Collins is a tense, suspenseful thriller that kept me hooked from start to finish. The story revolves around Willa, whose life has been shaped by the mysterious disappearance of her sister twenty-five years ago. Everyone believes her sister is dead, but Willa is convinced her sister is still alive. The novel plays on the powerful, sometimes unbreakable bond between sisters, and Collins does a great job of building suspense as Willa uncovers long-buried secrets. The premise is intriguing, and the psychological tension is palpable throughout. However, the ending felt a bit far-fetched for me, making it harder to fully buy into the resolution. Still, despite its somewhat implausible conclusion, the book’s strong atmosphere and emotional depth make it a solid recommendation from me for anyone who enjoys a gripping mystery with a twist.

Willa and Laika are sisters who walk together every day to their private school. Only one day Willa leaves for school early and Laika never does. What happened to Laika and will the reader ever know or like the ending? - a page turner full of surprises. Recommended!

Really rough to read. DNF
Heavy with domestic and child abuse, while occasionally thriller, suspense and heart wrenching plots intrigue me, personally I couldn't pull through to continue reading. Couldn't do it.

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

I’m a little backlogged with my ARC’s but working diligently to get caught up. I really enjoyed the whole premise of this book! The missing sister storyline really sucked me in. All the twists and turns made my head spin and I had no idea where it was heading. I loved how the whole thing turned out! If you’re a fan of psychological thrillers and mysteries, be sure to check this book out!

Thank you to NetGalley and Crown for this ARC!

THIS IS MY FAVORITE BOOK SO FAR THIS YEAR! How is this a debut novel?

The character development is amazing, the writing is top notch and I just couldn't put this book down for the story.

Looking forward to seeing what Sarah Easter Collins writes next!

5 Stars- wish I could give it more

Have already purchased a copy to live on my bookshelf and shared with friends

Willa’s sister disappears, and everyone thinks she is dead. Willa though, knows that she is alive still, and it is up to her to find her sister.

Things Don't Break on Their Own is an introspective novel that delves into the complexities of personal and familial relationships, but it doesn’t quite reach its full potential. The story explores themes of resilience, grief, and healing, offering moments of genuine emotional insight. However, the pacing can feel slow at times, and some plotlines remain underdeveloped.

The characters are well-crafted, with realistic flaws and relatable struggles, but they don’t always evoke the emotional connection the story seems to strive for. The writing is thoughtful, occasionally poetic, but can also be heavy-handed in its exploration of the novel's themes, making certain parts feel overly drawn out.

While the book has its poignant moments, it lacks the narrative drive to keep readers fully engaged throughout. Things Don’t Break on Their Own is a decent read for those who enjoy slower, character-driven novels, but it may not resonate deeply with everyone or stand out in a crowded genre.

The writing and characters were good--but the story itself was just lacking something. When it ended I was like, that's it? Somehow the big climax was rushed through or toned down or something so it seemed like something else was going to happen but nope.

I wanted to love this book, but it was pretty slow and a bit predictable. I read as well as listed to the audio. It is told from multiple POVs and has domestic abuse so be aware of triggers before going into the story. Thank you to Crown publishing & Netgalley for providing a digital ARC. 2.5/5

The story tells of a couple with three children. Robyn and Cat invite others to a family get together. Robyn’s brother Michael and his girlfriend Liv . Cats bother Nate and his girl Nanette . Also a friend Willa and her fiance Jaime. Throughout the meal we see the trauma that many of the characters faced. The story is set from the past and the present. I found that it was a well written story that showed the trauma and mystery that life has been for all involved.

This was a really well written story. Kept me engrossed until the end. Would love to read more by this author.

When Willa's sister disappears, her parents send her off to boarding school, where she meets Robyn. They become lifelong friends, and the story flips back and forth between their childhood and present day. In the present, Robyn and her wife Cat host a dinner party, and Willa attends with her current boyfriend. A few other couples attend, and as the conversations between them get deeper, things also get weirder. It's hard to describe without spoilers, but the connections between the guests are revealed expertly using the alternating past/present narrative style. The writing is lovely, the character building is strong, and the resolutions are satisfying. This debut author has a definite Lisa Jewell vibe to her--if you like Jewell's books, definitely give this one a try.

This was an interesting story with some good twists, about the power of sisterhood and never giving up.

A haunting and mesmerizing tale of sisterly love, obsession, and the unbreakable bonds that define us. Twenty-five years of searching, wondering, and longing have consumed Willa's life, and yet, she refuses to give up hope. With each turn of the page, I was drawn deeper into Willa's world, torn between the desperation of her past and the uncertainty of her present. The writing is evocative, the characters complex, and the plot expertly woven. A gripping exploration of the human psyche, this book will leave you breathless and yearning for more. A true masterpiece that will linger in your mind long after the final page is turned.

Willa has mourned the loss of her sister, Laika, ever since she went missing when they were children. Willa sees Laika’s face everywhere she goes but knows that it must be impossible, but she never holds out hope that maybe one day she will finally understand what happened to her sister.
When Robyn and her partner Cat invite two couples over for a dinner party they are not prepared for the revelations that soon transpire. Among the guests are Willa, Robyn’s childhood best friend, and Michael with his newly found love.
When forced together these guests will have to face their past decisions, and their current mistakes.
Overall rating 3/5
I loved how kintsugi was used physically and metaphorically as a way of restoring something with love. The plot with Willa and Laika’s parents really touched home with me, bringing to light topics such as DV and parental violence. The plot did get muddled down with side storylines that I felt made it difficult to stay interested in the characters.

*Thank you to Sarah Easter Collins, Crown Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

Things Don't Break on Their Own by Sarah Easter Collins felt very literary mystery to me, and though it is very character-driven I loved it to the max! The bonds of family run deep in this one, and the blend of Willa's quest to find her missing sister plus the alternating viewpoints and general heartbreak and drama created the perfect storm of readability. I listened to this in basically one sitting, and it grabbed me from the first page. I got lost in Collins' writing and I still can't believe this is a debut.

I listened to the audiobook which is narrated by Christina Cole, Emily Lucienne & Nathalie Buscombe, and damn was it good! Each of these narrators did an excellent job with their characters and helped to completely envelop me in the story. I feel like I'm being really vague, but the synopsis is also pretty vague, and I don't want to give anything away. Things Don't Break on Their Own is an onion with many layers and excellent characterization, and I teared up and got chills at the same time. Just outstanding, and I can't wait for the author's next book.

I apologize. I could not finish this book. I tried several times and I had to DNF it. It did not catch my attention at all and I had a hard time getting attached to any of the characters. Maybe I will give it another try down the road

This was an enjoyable book. The characters were all interesting and the plot was pushed along well with the different narrative voices. The mystery was revealed in interesting layers, and it had a "happy ending". I would recommend this book for reading groups as well.

Though the synopsis reads like a psychological thriller, make no mistake this debut novel reads more like a dysfunctional family drama.

Told through multiple perspectives the reader slowly realizes what happened twenty-five years ago when Willa’s thirteen-year-old sister vanished without a trace. This tragic moment in Willa’s past has defined all her present relationships, many strained because in her heart she refuses to believe her sister is dead. With the help of her best friend Robyn, Willa learns to work through her heartache and grief and face her past traumas.

Though the plot was a little slow to start, Willa’s story is an interesting one and the ending will have readers rapidly turning the pages to find out what really happened to Laika. The characters were rich and interesting as they explore the depths of their relationships and how past trauma can alter them. The exploration of grief is done well and not rushed despite the last quarter of the book reading like a fast-paced thriller.

Thank you to NetGalley, Crown Publishing, and of course the author Sarah Easter Collins for the advanced copy of the book. Things Don’t Break on Their Own is out now! All opinions are my own.