I absolutely loved The Nature of Disappearing by Kimi Cunningham Grant. The first novel of this author, These Silent Woods, completely enchanted me (100% recommend) and I had high expectations from the 2nd novel. The author did not disappoint. It's very different in subject but it still maintains the same attention to detail and the same intricacies of describing the wilderness and nature. It reminded me of 'We were never here' by Andrea Bartz a bit - in a way the author describes difficult and complicated friendships. I really enjoyed this book!

The writing was absolutely beautiful, I really enjoyed every description of the outdoors and wilderness.. The actual story I found a little lacking at the end but the build up was well done and I enjoyed the characters in the before but the present the stage itself was the star.. I would definitely read anything else from this author

Kimi Cunningham Grant is a queen of atmospheric wilderness writing, and "The Nature of Disappearing" doesn't disappoint in this respect. The novel features four main characters: Emlyn, her ex-boyfriend Tyler, her nearly estranged best friend Janessa, and the backcountry wilderness itself.

I'm a huge fan of "These Silent Woods" so I was eager to get my hands on Kimi Cunningham Grant's latest novel. I found the same well-written prose and gentle pacing that I've come to expect from her. The story follows Emlyn, who is shaking off some trauma from being stranded in the backcountry by her then-boyfriend Tyler years before. The two haven't spoken since then, but when Tyler approaches her with concern for their mutual friend Janessa, Emlyn can't help but get involved. Janessa has been living the van life as the social media influencer for Tyler's company, but she's stopped posting online, and Tyler is certain something has happened to her in the remote wilderness. With no evidence of foul play to inspire search-and-rescue help, the two set out into the mountains together to try to locate their friend.

I loved the concept of Emlyn assigning a certain word to each individual she meets, an attempt to summarize their character in a neat little box. It's fitting that over the course of the book, she comes to learn that no one is black or white, including herself. While I did enjoy reading this and Kimi Cunningham Grant will remain on my auto-buy list, this novel didn’t have quite the same emotional resonance as "These Silent Woods." It leans a little more towards young adult with a coming of age vibe, but it's still engaging and entertaining for adult readers. I would have loved to have come to know the character of Varden a bit more, as he lacked the shades of gray complexity that the other characters have.

Overall, another solid showing from Cunningham Grant, with excellent narration on audio to accompany it. Don't go in expecting a thriller, and you'll come out ahead. This is, at its heart, a character study and an examination of the complexities of human nature — and while there are some mysteries to unfold, this isn't a whodunit.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio, Netgalley, and Kimi Cunningham Grant for providing an advance copy for my honest review.

I received this arc from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was selected for the audiobook of this and I will say I did really enjoy the narrator. I usually listen at 1.5 speed on most audiobooks, and her enunciation made it very easy to follow and understand.

This book follows a young women throughout her life. We get glimpses of her past as we see what’s going on with her in the here and now. It explains a lot of information you get in the current timeline effectively. This author is obviously very knowledgeable about her subject matter, which is nice. Maybe slightly too niche with it though, some of the things I had no clue what they were until I read into some context clues. Not really a complaint as most things were easy enough to decipher. There’s a few twists and turns along the way, and I saw both twists coming pretty early on. We do get a happy, hopeful ending.

The characters are realistic to a degree, she does a great job of showing someone battling addiction and the heartbreak that comes with it for everyone around said addict. I *really* am not a fan of love triangles, but I like how this one panned out. Even the side characters are lovable and memorable.

All in all, I did enjoy listening to this, but I expected more of a thriller aspect to this and that’s my main flaw for the book. It’s more personal preference than anything, it’s an excellent mood read for people who enjoy the outdoors! 3.5⭐️

This book follows three friends who have a complicated history. When one of them goes missing in the wilderness, the other two go hunting for her.

I thought this book was just ok. I will start with the positives. I did like the wilderness setting and how everything was described. I feel like the wilderness is a scary place to get lost in so that really kept me interested to read. I also enjoyed the characters.

I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed the narration! I liked the narrator. The voice was good and the pace was good.

My biggest complaint is that this story was so slow. I didn't like all of the flashbacks; I don't think they added much to the story. I think there should have been more action early on and less of the flashbacks.

While this book wasn't bad, it wasn't my favorite either.

Thanks so much to netgalley, St. Martin's Press, and Macmillian audio for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I really enjoyed this story. After reading and liking These Silent Woods, I was excited to see the author had another book coming out!

I really enjoyed the wilderness aspect of this book. The rugged, live off the land, respecting nature kind of life is both intriguing and noble. It also did not gloss away from the things that could and do go wrong, even with professionals. I think this is important for readers to note... there's a reason it's called the wild.

I found the dual timelines intriguing and it pushed me forward at a faster pace. I wanted to know what happened all of those years ago. Bits and pieces of the mystery I'd guessed at while others I had not. I wouldn't say anything was terribly surprising though. And like Emlyn, my feelings for Tyler were back and forth, but I am very happy with the ending.

There are lots of mini details throughout the book that just gives more depth to the characters such as the dictionary words and the choice of reading material. All in all, the characters were likable and relatable minus just a few.

Also, I would totally read a spicy book about Varden -- just saying...

I did enjoy listening to this title and appreciated the wilderness insights and descriptions. The storyline jumping from past to present was well done as it lead to the climax. But I felt like the climax and the explanation as a bit.....meh. I also felt like one of the characters was surprisingly underdeveloped and described, considering the end result of the novel. Fun, but a bit lacking. Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for the audio ARC.

Emlyn has finally gotten back on her feet and being left freezing and half dead in the woods by her ex-boyfriend. She has good friends and a good job. But when she sees a news report that her estranged best friend is missing and her ex boyfriend asks Emlyn to help find her, she feels obligated to help. The journey explores not only the ruggedly remote Idaho wilderness but also her past and the relationships with her best friend and ex-boyfriend.

I feel the categorization of this book as a thriller, mystery or suspense is slightly misleading. A good portion of this dual time line book is exploring Emlyn’s past, her relationships and choices. This focus makes the book read slower than a typical thriller or suspense novel. I feel like it reads more like fictional second coming of age story where Emlyn explores her current and past life with the backdrop of the remote wilderness of Idaho. I loved the character growth demonstrated by the main character between the two timelines. I was glad to see the strength, both mental and physical, that Grant gave the two female main characters. Then ending did wrap up quite quick and there while the ending was a little twist, this book is not overall twisty. This reminds me of a little Wild by Cheryl Strayed + Happiness for Beginners wrapped in a mystery/suspense story.

What will it cost to allow the past to pull you back in? This poignant, suspenseful read allows the reader to step into the forest with Emlyn and discover the truth.

Emelyn has just learned that her best friend Janessa is missing. Janessa has been a high profile social media influencer documenting her #vanlife with her new boyfriend, Bush. Emlyn hasn't talked to Janessa in a long time - not since she was left alone, half dead in the woods by her boyfriend, Tyler three years ago. Instead, she lives in Idaho, working as a fishing and hunting guide alongside the community's reverend and a handsome Forest Service ranger who took her in. Janessa hasn't posted in a while and the last photo has a suspicious caption that doesn't add up. Emlyn is even more shocked when her ex-boyfriend, Tyler, shows up to ask Emelyn to help him find Janessa. She reluctantly joins him, tracing Janessa's path through miles of wild country. And as a chemistry begins to form between them, Emlyn begins to suspect that a darker truth lies in the woods - and that Janessa isn't the only one in danger.

One of my favorite aspects of this book is the perfect use of non-linear timeline. Kimi Cunningham Grant masterfully weaves this story, alternating past and present to bring the reader into a dramatic plot twist. Emily Pike Stewart was the perfect voice for this storyline. Her tone, timbre and interpretation of characters was stellar. At times, she sounded like Paula Abdul. I felt I needed to say that. The writing is compelling and engaging. My problems with the book stem from preference. I hated all of the characters, save the reverend and forest ranger who get maybe two chapters. I wanted to shake all of the characters and ask, "What is wrong with you?" Also, though the story was engaging, it was not memorable, except for the 2 plot twists.

Thank you NetGalley, Kimi Cunningham Grant, and Macmillan Audio for this audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Man, the title of this book had me so intrigued that I had to snag the audio ARC and give it another listen! It's got this weight to it, you know? Like, it dives deep into some heavy stuff, but weirdly, it's also kinda liberating. This ain't your run-of-the-mill suspense novel—it goes way beneath the surface. I loved how it weaved in scripture, showing how even in the darkest times, faith can pull you through.

And let's talk about the whole dealing-with-a-drug-addict thing—it hit close to home, man. The struggle, the trauma—it's all laid out real and raw. Sure, the storyline might've been a tad predictable, but with characters this messed up from the get-go, you just gotta see how it all plays out.

Nature's a character in itself, you feel me? It adds this whole other layer to the story, making the characters feel so isolated from the rest of the world. And that title? It hits different once you've finished the whole journey. Grant really nails that whole vanishing act vibe.

Totally recommend this one if you're up for a rollercoaster of emotions and suspense, with an ending that ties it all together nicely.

So having really enjoyed the last book (These Silent Woods) I read by this author; I was looking forward to reading this new one. Like the last one, this new story also takes place out deep in the woods, off the beaten path, where one could easily get lost and/or die from either exposure or some wild animal.

The book summary basically just introduces the two storylines: one of Janessa and her boyfriend, Bush, who Tyler, their employer, thinks are missing and that something has happened to them. Tyler, Emlyn’s ex-boyfriend, convinces Emlyn to help him find Janessa and Bush. Emlyn and Tyler have a bad history; a few years ago, when Tyler was deep into his addiction, he abandoned Emlyn and she almost died on the side of the road waiting for him. Anyway, Emlyn, who hasn’t seen Tyler in years, is very wary of going anywhere with Tyler, who has been clean and sober for a couple of years. However, based on the info that Tyler provides, Emlyn also becomes concerned about Janessa.

The second storyline is of the history of Emlyn’s relationships with both Janessa and Tyler and how Emlyn met them and what happened that fractured Emlyn’s relationships with them. There is also a park ranger, Varden, who was the one that found and rescued Emlyn years ago after Tylor left her for dead. Varden has become hopelessly in love with Emlyn even though the feelings are unrequited.

Tyler and Emlyn head off to try and find Janessa and Bush out in the wilderness of Idaho. The story flips back and forth between Emlyn’s present and past. The past chapters are kind of all over the place: seven years ago, then five years ago, then 17 years ago, then four and half years ago, etc. The past chapters cover the history of Emlyn’s relationship with both Janessa and Taylor as well as what happened to her. The present chapters mostly cover Emlyn’s and Tyler’s search for Janessa and Bush. It's well into the second half, when Emlyn and Tyler find Janessa and Bush, that the story takes a really strange turn and a very ominous tone that culminates into a bizarre and scary intense ending. Good grief!!! That was insane!!!

I flipped back and forth between the ebook and the audiobook, which was expertly narrated by Emily Pike Stewart, who understands the timing of energy and pitch with just the right amount of flair for character authenticity, like the polar differences between Emlyn and Janessa. The characterization of Emlyn and Janessa was much more developed than the rest the rest; the rest being the men, Tyler, Bush and Varden. The pacing and storyline were steady and interesting, respectively. The writing style was good, but I found the alternate chapters (the chapters on Emlyn’s past) kind of clunky and a little thin on details. I’m sure that was by design with the author not wanting to give too much away. However, I love crazy endings!

Personally, I would have preferred that the author didn’t feel it necessary to include the scene of the wild animals that were tortured. I hate animal abuse!!! I’m looking at an overall rating of 4.2 that I will be rounding down to a 4star rating. I want to thank NetGalley and St Martin’s Press and Mcmillan Audio for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

#NetGalley #StMartinsPress #McmillanAudio #TheNatureofDisappearing

TW: Graphic scene of tortured wild animals

Thank you to NetGalley and to MacMillan Audio for the ARC audiobook of The Nature of Disappearing by Kimi Cunningham Grant.

I was drawn to this book by the cover and the plot summary around a friend who goes missing in the woods and the best friend who has to team up with her unfortunate ex to make the rescue. As an outdoorsy person, most books, especially mysteries, set in mother nature's uncontrollable environment draw me in. This book did, and didn't, simultaneously, but not negatively.

I would say 50% of this book is flashback and 50% is in the present in the woods. The flashbacks give us great insight into each of the characters. Cunningham Grant does a phenomenal job of showing how friendships change and break and reform after college, which was something I really identified with in having a friend very similar to Janessa. So, while part of me wishes the book were 100% in real time, I found personal value in the flashbacks.

I also thought Emlyn was a strong main character - I particularly liked her use of dictionary words to encompass people she meets. She is flawed but cognizant of it, and open to change.

For the outdoors part of the novel, the story is fast paced and escalates quickly, some of which was confusing. My one star removal comes here because of what I perceive as a major plot issue - why Tyler seeks Emlyn out at all (because of her tracking ability? This part was unclear to me, and without understanding it the story simply doesn't need to happen). There were some other areas where character motivation was a bit fuzzy, especially when the whole story comes to a head.

It was also really thought provoking to listen to this book around the same time as the "man or bear" conversation has been happenning, which may be partly why I chose to listen to this during a long commute and not on a weekend in the mountains.

The audio narration was very well done, and this was a smooth listen all around.

I think I like this author the most when I have the audio books. I really loved her first book and was excited for this one. I think she does a great job with descriptions. I can feel the forest and smell the camp fire. I liked the characters and complexity and I thought the friendship being the true love story was good.

I really loved These Silent Woods, the author's previous novel, so I was really excited for this one. While the narration of the audiobook was done well, the story ultimately fell a bit flat for me. There was no real excitement and the ending wasn't much of a reveal either. I hope the author's next book is better and closer to the These Silent Woods. I will definitely be on the lookout for her next title.

Having seen rave reviews of These Silent Woods, I was so excited to dive into this one! I still haven't read TSW, so I can't compare, but I was somewhat disappointed in this one. Maybe my expectations were too high, but I felt pretty meh about this one.

This book follows two timelines - the present-day mystery and the past that leads up to said mystery. At the start of this book, our main character Emlyn learns her former best friend Janessa has gone missing. We learn about Emlyn's past, her friendship with Janessa, and what led them to become estranged. Teaming up with her ex, Tyler, she attempts to track her down.

I really liked the present-day narrative, the mystery behind Janessa's disappearances and Emlyn's hunt for her friend. What I didn't like were the chapters covering the backstory - they started allllll the way at Emlyn's childhood, leading up until after college, and honestly, a lot of it could've been cut out. I know we needed the backstory about how Emlyn and Janessa became friends, and what eventually led to their falling out (along with Emlyn's falling out with Tyler), but honestly it starts reading more like a piece of emotional women's fiction, and less like a mystery/thriller. There were pieces that aided to the overall storyline, sure, but so much of it could've been cut out. I felt like we were still talking about Emlyn's childhood at the 80% mark, and then the whole present-day mystery wraps up pretty quickly.

Also, I'll try to say this without being spoiler-y, but the reason behind the falling out with Janessa and Emlyn felt SO... wrong? Like 1) it wouldn't have caused that big of a falling out; and 2) Janessa KNEW something VERY IMPORTANT and did not tell Emlyn??? I get Emlyn being mad but Janessa being mad made no sense to me.

Anyways - I can tell this author is a really talented writer, and the descriptions of the Idaho wilderness were beautiful. I still want to give These Silent Woods a try, even if this wasn't my favorite book!

Set in the beautiful Idaho wilderness, The Nature of Disappearing is a captivating story of estranged friendship, and finding the momentum to move on when it’s needed. It was thrilling, suspenseful, moving, and overall a really great story.

Being a PNW girl myself, I loved the wilderness descriptions, and just how well its beauty was captured. I loved how Emryn was independent from everything, and embracing the skills that her father taught her long ago: fishing, hunting, tracking, etc.

The narrator was also very good.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this early audio in return for my honest review.

Pub date: 18 June 2024

"In this captivating novel of suspense from the USA Today bestselling author of These Silent Woods, a wilderness guide must team up with the man who ruined her life years ago when the friend who introduced them goes missing."

I honestly didn't think Kimi Cunningham Grant could write a book I would enjoy more than These Silent Woods, but I was wrong. This story pulled me in from the start and when I wasn't listening to this story I was still thinking about the characters and wondering what would happen next.

The story is told in two timelines and helps to slowly build the past and the complications of relationships with how Emlyn responds to current day request from her ex to help find an old friend who might be missing in the woods. Tyler has let her down in the past, will it happen again?

This was a solid story. I really enjoyed the narrator. I didn't find myself becoming too attached to the characters and the end came fast but I enjoyed it all The same!

I couldn't get into this at all unfortunately.

Thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press & MacMillan Audio for an advance copy

4.5 stars.

✨I knew after I finished THESE SILENT WOODS by this author that I would read anything she wrote, so I was very excited to read this, her latest novel.  It did not disappoint. 
 
✨As with her previous novel, the author seamlessly intertwines elements of her Christian faith without being heavy handed in any way.  One does not have to be a Christian to appreciate the deeper meanings in these pages.  If you are a fan of starting over, learning to trust again, becoming your best self, I think this book will resonate with you no matter what your faith may be. 
 
✨I tend to better enjoy books with a lot of descriptive language on audio, and I absolutely devoured this one. For that reason, I do really recommend the audio. Emily Pike Stewart did a phenomenal job narrating and really grabbed my attention from the beginning and held it throughout.  So well done. 
 
✨At its heart, this is a story of starting over from a place of brokenness and finding not only yourself but others to love who will love you back.  I am still feeling all the feelings. 
 
🌿Read if you like:
✨Van life
✨Wilderness settings
✨Found family
✨Long-term friendships
✨Being inspired
✨Nature themes
✨Survival stories