Kristin Koval’s Penitence is a poignant and complex debut exploring guilt, forgiveness, and family ties through the lives of Angie and David Sheehan after a devastating murder. Spanning decades and locations, the story delves into Angie’s reconnection with her first love, Julian, as they confront a tragic past and unresolved emotions. Koval masterfully portrays grief, familial loyalty, and redemption, with characters that feel authentic and evolve compellingly over time. I appreciated the acknowledgement that people are more than the worst thing they've done. I do wish the ending had wrapped things up a little more neatly but such is life.

The audiobook, narrated by Therese Plummer, enhances the experience with her emotionally resonant and soothing performance. I'd recommend this one for people who enjoy reading about love, healing, and the complexities of human relationships. Special thanks to @netgalley and Macmillan audio for the ALC of this book.
3.5 stars (liked it) rounded up.

When thirteen year old Nora murders her fourteen year old brother Nico, her father contacts Julian, her mother’s first love, to help with her defense. Koval has written a compelling novel that explores many themes such as what is justice. Julian and Angie had been sweethearts forever in their ski town in Colorado. Tragedy befalls them their senior year. Both Angie and Julian harbor secrets. The story flips from present day to the past to fill in the backstory of most all of the characters. This is a book that I think it is best to enter blind and let the surprises unfold. I could not put this down and think it will be one of the most talked about books this spring. I am sure it will be one of my top books this year. I highly recommend it. It was great on audio but think a print copy would work equally well. I thank NetGalley and MacMillian audio for the opportunity to listen to this ARC.

Thank you Celadon Books and Kristin Koval!
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Late last year, Celadon invited readers to participate in their #CeladonReadsTogether initiative for Kristin Koval's debut novel 𝗣𝗲𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲, which is releasing on 1/28/25. ⠀
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I was lucky to be paired with four other bookstagrammers and we started reading and discussing in early January. We all finished the book so quickly - it's that good! With the book releasing this coming week, it's been fun to look back on our thoughts. ⠀
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If 𝗣𝗲𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 isn't on your radar yet, here's a bit of the synopsis: ⠀

🌀 A shocking murder occurs in the home of Angie and David Sheehan, which leaves their lives shattered. Their desperation to defend their family leaves them turning to a successful New York City criminal defense attorney – who just happens to be Angie’s first love.⠀
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🌀 Throughout the story, Angie and David must confront their past, deceptions, and guilt to navigate their feelings and determine what their future looks like.
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🌀 This novel focuses heavily on themes of mercy, empathy, judgment, and truth, and will make you stop multiple times and wonder what you would do in the character's situations.⠀ ⠀
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🌀 But the ultimate theme of this book is forgiveness, the title really tells you that. You’ll watch all the characters grapple with forgiveness and guilt for the pain they’ve caused each other.⠀
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I also had the pleasure of listening to an advanced copy of the book thanks to Macmillan Audio The narrator, Therese Plummer, did an absolutely stunning job of bringing the story to life for me. I couldn’t stop listening to this book and enjoyed the roller coaster ride it took me on. There were many times I would catch myself reacting in real life to what was happening in the book and for me that’s a definite win with a novel. ⠀
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Thanks again Celadon Books for the opportunity to take part in #celadonreadstogether and #readpenitence.

When they say slow-burn this is what they mean. It was a very slow burn and I don't feel like it paid off. The book is listed as a thriller but, even though a crime is committed, it really doesn't qualify as a thriller. The story was more about character development. If I had gone in with that mindset I may have enjoyed it more.

3.75 rounded up | While I liked this quite a bit and found it very thought provoking, much of it was fairly predictable which took away some of the oomph. Full of complicated characters making complicated decisions (which not all readers will agree with), it definitely sucked me in (and I found the audio harder to put down than the print). I'm not sure this one will stick with me, but I'm glad it. For readers of Defending Jacob and Everything I Never Told You (though those two were 5 stars).

3.5 ⭐️ | An overall solid read, and I’m interested in more work by this author. The narrative touches on themes of guilt, forgiveness and family dynamics. It goes in depth about the aftermath of loss and emotional trauma. Exploring the different timelines and experiencing the growth in these characters was enjoyable. Some stories work well with the open ended, endings in which things are left up to interpretation of the reader. In this case, I feel that was not the best closing, considering the nature of the crime committed a motive being provided would have been a bonus. The narration in this audiobook was amazing.

The story follows the investigation of a murder, that have left the town shook due to who the suspect & victim are. When David and Angie have no choice but to seek help from someone that they prefer to leave in their past, over a decade old secrets are revealed.

Recommend for those who enjoy a little mystery & fiction with added depth.

Thank you Macmillan Audio for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

4.25 Stars

Penitence caught me off guard. It's unexpected. It's devastating. It's complicated. My head levitated off my body and then I broke down in sobs as I finished the book. Woah.

On the surface, it's a story about a young girl who kills her brother, the family, the community, and the readers searching for the answer. Why did she kill him? But what we get is so much more.

Kristin Koval created an interwoven, human story navigating loss, grief, hope, mistakes, love, family, and discovery. Through a dual-timeline novel, beginning in the 90s, we explore the journey of Colorado teens Angie and Julian, as they fall in love on the slopes, experience a shared tragedy, the fallout, their move to New York City, and how they try to stay together as their lives splinter in different directions. In the present-day timeline occurring in the mid-2010s, Angie, no longer with Julian is the mother of the teens involved in the shocking murder. She and her husband, David, seek the help of Julian's mother, Martine, a retiring lawyer in town who does not specialize in criminal defense. She enlists her son, Julian, a now successful criminal defense attorney, to assist her with the case. The reconnection stirs up memories from their past with Koval bridging the gap between then and now. The story spans multiple decades as we discover the history of these complex characters and the power of forgiveness.

Koval's characters are complicated, fallible beings who negotiate the world the best they can, stumbling over the hurdles life throws at them. Through them, we are reminded of how great life is but how equally difficult and painful it can be. We lose people, we fall in love, we succeed, we fail, we suffer, we laugh, and we cry. The complexity of our one life is beautifully highlighted in this book.

Additionally, this story involves deception and how our efforts to protect the ones we love can backfire. Even if it is well intended, deception is still deception.

Lastly, this is a story about forgiveness-true forgiveness-that isn't selfish or forced, it's a gift for those that reach its summit.

The amalgamation of these components delivers a stunning yet heartbreaking portrayal of our existence, examining life's complex nature, joy, and sorrow. Life is devastatingly beautiful.

My only gripe is I struggled to latch onto the story in the first portion. It moved a little slowly but then became a slow to medium burn, picking up speed as we progressed further. Obviously, it wasn't a gripe for long before I lost myself in the story. If you also find yourself in this position, keep going. There is a gift waiting for you.

If choosing the audio path, the Narrator Thérèse Plummer delivers an outstanding performance from start to finish and elevates the experience even further. She has become one of my favorite audio artists and performer.

Whether listening, reading a digital version, or grabbing a physical book, I highly recommend Penitence.

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, Celadon Books, & Kristin Koval for the ARC in exchange for my honest and authentic review.

Crime, Check. Family Drama, Check. Unlikeable central characters, check. Dual timelines, check. I think this book was written just for me. I love that not all things were fully resolved in this story, but the characters' motivations were. I think we will be seeing this book everywhere early spring!

★★★★ 4/5 stars

⁕ Pub date 1/28/25 - out next week!

⟡ 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 :
-Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng
-Mad Honey or My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult
-powerful, thought-provoking reads
-snowy Colorado setting
-dual timelines
-complicated families
-the search for forgiveness & redemption

⟡ 𝐌𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 :
I am so incredibly impressed that this is a debut novel! Penitence is one of those books that really grabs hold from the first page. It has tension that grips like a thriller & even some legal drama. It’s such an emotionally charged story that highlights the way forgiveness comes from acceptance, because “each one of us is more than the worst we’ve ever done."

This story is messy & complicated, filled with morally grey areas. It asks some tough questions. The characters are flawed & multifaceted, connected by tragedy & grief while navigating a broken criminal justice system.

The audiobook narration was fantastic. Thérèse Plummer’s performance was truly captivating, bringing the characters to life with depth & emotion.

The chapters were on the longer side, & in the end we don’t have all the answers. But I felt like that fit the story in a way, a little disappointed & frustrated - exactly how the characters felt I’m sure.

I'm excited to see what author Kristine Koval comes up with next! Consider me a fan ◡̈

Thanks to @macmillan.audio and @netgalley for this ALC ◡̈

I really liked the authors writing style. I thought the character development was good. The story was just very slow for me. I did not see the twist coming, and I thought it worked well with the story.
I was able to listen to the audio version, and it was really good.
Overall not bad but wasn’t great for me. A solid debut. I would absolutely give this author another try, and will look for her future work.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to listen and review!

This was a fantastic debut that was beautifully written.

The characters had many layers and I loved exploring those layers as the novel went on.

This one has dual timelines which I really enjoyed. Both timelines were interesting and brought the characters to life. Usually I like one timeline more than an other in this type of story so it is saying a lot that I enjoyed both!

I paired the physical ARC with the advanced listening copy I received thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio the narration by Thérèse Plummer was spectacular only adding to my enjoyment.

I read this one after a lot of lighter novels so I did not mind the heavy topics especially since I live for “sadder stories” when reading.

This is one I will recommend over and over.

What an amazing, heartbreaking, emotional, raw book. I loved the writing & the emotions I felt while reading.

The audiobook was great. Perfect tone and pacing

Penitence by Kristen Koval is a poignant, slow-burn novel that intricately explores a spectrum of raw emotions. At its core, the story revolves around a shocking murder within the household of David and Angie Sheehan, involving their two teenage children. The case draws the attention of Martin, a small-town lawyer, and her son Julian, a New York-based attorney and Angie’s first love, who are brought in to assist with the defense.

As the plot unfolds, long-buried secrets and overwhelming guilt surface, forcing readers to grapple with the unsettling question: are we more than the worst thing we’ve ever done?

While I anticipated a major plot twist, the narrative instead unfolds in a manner that focuses more on the emotional gravity of the situation. Though the ultimate reasons behind the murder remain elusive, Penitence is still a deeply moving exploration of love, forgiveness, grief, and the complexity of human nature. It leaves a lasting impact, encouraging reflection on the nuances of guilt, redemption, and the intricate layers of personal and familial relationships.

Very much the same feeling when reading Celeste Ng - intense and eager to find out the outcome of a harrowing story. Deep topics covered - complex and heartbreaking at times reading about the intersection of these two families. Multiple perspectives helped make this an emotional read.

Very impressive debut. Pacing was a little slow for me, especially in the prior timeline. However, the characters and storyline were very engaging and had me keyed in until the ending.

3.5 stars.
What I liked:
* the morally gray characters and the way Koval makes the reader reflect on past mistakes, the impact they've had, and what that says about us as a reader
* the story kept me engaged (though there were times it felt a bit slower and I would have liked a bit more oomph), and I liked the way that the plot unfolded
* the dual timelines and settings
* the peek at life inside a juvenile detention center (although I could have used a bit more of this)

What I did not like:
* my one big complaint is that the big question I had throughout the book was never answered and it just feels like the book is incomplete overall for me

4.5 🌟 rounded up! Omg this was such a great story with the absolute perfect ending. Honestly, this was more about forgiveness, honesty and acceptance than anything related to the mystery.

One thing about me is that I eat up a complex family story. And when you add in the little bit of a mystery and reconnecting with past loves who have their own secrets, it’s hard for it to not grab my attention.

This book isn’t a thriller really, so if you’re going in expecting a good twist, you’ll be disappointed. I’d say it’s closer to a lit fic family drama - reminds me so much of Tracey Lange’s books and I am a HUGE fan of hers.

And this is a debut?! That makes me really excited for what Kristin Koval will do in the future.

🎧audio was absolutely incredible! Thérèse Plummer is quickly becoming a favorite narrator for me. The emotion she had at the end of the story was evident and had me teary eyed just listening to her. Highly, highly recommend this as audio!

Huge thank you to MacMillan audio for the advanced copy!

4 Stars

This book is an emotional, raw story that moves between past and present timelines, with multiple points of view, some in third person. The shifting perspectives are easy to follow and add depth to the story.

The murder at the Sheehan home and the characters’ buried secrets kept me hooked. Angie and Julian’s shared past was especially powerful and full of tension.

As someone who likes to know the “why,” I struggled with the unanswered questions, but a character’s advice to focus on the “what” instead felt fitting. While this kept it from being a five-star read for me, it’s still a gripping, emotional journey I’d recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

This is such a poignant read with flawed characters, complex circumstances, family drama, and loss. The pace is a slow burn, but the story is so deep in character, in multiple POVs, that it maintains your interest. I’m so glad I got an ALC and the ebook because Thérèse Plummer's narration was great. Thank you MacMillan Audio and Celadon Books for the gifted ALC and ebook.

4.5 rounded up

PENITENCE by Kristin Koval

Thank you @celadon & @macmillan.audio for my #gifted copies.

This debut novel is an emotionally charged, character driven exploration of family, grief, guilt, love, and forgiveness. The story, which begins with a tragic incident involving a sister who kills her brother, examines the intricate dynamics of two families connected by a complicated past, in a Colorado ski town.

I really enjoyed this! Koval's writing is exquisite! 🤌🏼 With slower pacing and multiple perspectives, readers really get to know the characters and come to care deeply about their lives. Despite the story centering on a murder, it leans more heavily into family drama / contemporary fiction than it does mystery or thriller. I had one tiny qualm (which I'll keep to myself due to spoilers) that prevented it from being a 5⭐ read — but it was dang close to perfect!!

🎧 Thérèse Plummer is a long-time favorite narrator of mine. Her top-notch performance enhanced my reading experience. Her ability to portray multiple characters with distinct voices is a testament to her skill.

✨ Kristin Koval is an author to watch! I'll be eagerly awaiting her next release.

📌 Available 1/28