Where You Left Us

This was equal parts mystery, mental illness, and romance. The blend kept the story interesting.
I really liked how the author showed how mental illness effected those who surround us as well as ourselves. And how we are not that distinct from our parents. Their actions and challenges influence their family and it is up to each member of the family to decide how to react from there.
The mystery and romances were fun to read and kept me entertained.
My only critique was I didn't bond with the characters. I didn't get emotionally involved in their struggles, their romances, or their relationships. That left the story a little flat for me.
That being said, it was still a good book and I did enjoy it.

I was so pleasantly proved wrong with every idea I had when I started this book. I really thought I was going to hate Cinnamon as a character but her development throughout was my favourite thing to read and I ended up seeing so much of myself in her. Also the honest complexities of a sibling relationship was represented so well between her and Scarlett’s interactions.

My main take away from this book was the mental health representation, it was vast and diverse spread across the three characters and was so comforting to see, especially in the context of falling for a person and the fear that comes with that.

Overall I thought it was a lovely read and the mystery element was written so well too.

While I think that the mental health representation was done very well, I do think that Where You Left Us ultimately tried to do too much in too little time.

Thank you Charlesbridge Teen and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. I’ve always loved family dramas! There’s something so heartwarming about them! Cinnamon and Scarlett are estranged sisters. Cinnamon was left being the one to take care of there mentally I’ll father when both Scarlett and there mother left. Scarlett is coming back for the summer but doesn’t know how to handle things, especially with her own anxiety. Can they repair their relationship? I loved this story of anger and grief! There is also some cute stories in it, filled with their own complications! If you like contemporary family dramas I highly recommend checking this one out! Can’t wait to read again!

I really thought this book might teter on the edge of an Australian soapy drama like you'd catch on TV. But I was pleasantly surprised by the depth and care of the writing in this story.

Thank you to Charlesbridge, Charlesbridge Teen, qnd NetGalley for providing an eARC for a honest review.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.

I don't read much YA lately, unless it is a graphic novel, but this one was really quite good. I enjoyed the mystery aspect and the family drama.

Premise:
-contemporary teenage fiction with elements of mystery, romance, and coming-of-age set in a coastal town in Australia (called Princes Beach)
-dual perspective (third-person) of two main characters
-Two teenage sisters, Cinnamon and Scarlett, reunite for a summer as Scarlett returns home after graduating from boarding school
-Their father is a musician and went through an emotional/mental breakdown, and is now struggling with his depression
-Their family (Prince family) has had a darkened legacy because back in 1968,of their Aunt Sadie disappearing after being accused of murdering a young man of another local family
-Cinnamon has been navigating new feelings and wondering about her sexuality
-Scarlett has gotten closer to Cinnamon's ex and best friend, Will
-Yet, the two sisters have quite some emotional distance between the two
-Their mother Amy seems to be more of a friend than a maternal figure right now, especially for Cinnamon
-cw: depression, panic attacks, biphobia, alcohol, death, extremely tame sexual content (no on-page or open-door sex scenes)

Thoughts:
Rhiannon's writing felt atmospheric and she really did paint a vivid scene of this coastal town. However, she still kept it light and a bit goofy with the teenage dialogue. It made me giggle, and it stayed true to how I think teens do speak to each other especially!

I appreciated the mental health representation - there are characters who navigate anxiety, panic attacks, OCD, and depression. Therapy is even represented, which I loved! I know some people dislike that, because it feels inauthentic to them but I'd like to remind everyone that experiences with therapists can be varied, and I'd rather see it on page and normalize it, to destigmatize it as much as possible! I was so proud of the characters for divulging these parts of themselves to each other, amidst their fear and shame.

Beyond the unraveling of "What happened to Aunt Sadie?!", this book is mostly a character study, and though a few things do move the romance subplots, we unpack more and more of Cinnamon and Scarlett's struggles. They struggle to connect with each other, each harboring a bit of resentment and angst regarding their situations, and towards each other. It's as if they have become strangers, and that tugged at my heartstrings.

Overall, it was a lovely character study, and I'd read more from Rhiannon in the future!

I appreciated the way Where You Left Us portrayed mental health and sexuality. the romance felt rushed and fell flat. I wished they focused more on the family mystery instead of romance. I did really enjoy the writing style and the different POV. Overall, I enjoyed it and recommend it for a slow-paced mystery with family drama

I enjoyed reading this! This book is about two sisters trying to solve a family mystery, but it’s really about the messiness of being a person, forgiveness, and all kinds of love and relationships (friends, family, romance). I found the resolution to be a bit quick, and wished there had been a bit more time to digest everything at the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this e-ARC!

Two sisters, one family legend.

Cinnamon and Scarlett Prince do not get along. But the tug of a family mystery regarding their great-aunt could be the thing that draws them back together. Meanwhile, they're navigating their feelings for new people: Cinnamon for perfect Daisy and Scarlett for Will, Cin's ex.

My favorite thing about this was the mental health rep. Their dad has depression, Cinnamon has anger issues, and Scarlett has a panic disorder. All were represented really well. I loved the changing dynamics among everyone. It was messy, just like real life. I thought the end cut off a little strangely, but I was happy for the resolution of everyone.

Read from September 10th, 2023 to September 12th, 2023. Written on September 12th, 2023.

Rhiannon Wilde strikes again! With her second book, Where You Left Us, I am once again in love with her stories, characters and words. After Henry Hamlet, Scarlett and Cinnamon Prince have shown me a really good time with a really good story.

Though I felt it was slow-paced at first, the book and its story progressed quite well and led me down audible gasps and a mind-blowing plot twist that I did NOT see coming. From the growth of characters, the blooming of new-found loves and a rekindling of bonds, this book is a perfect mix of murder mystery, romance and family secrets.

A new take that I definitely loved from Rhiannon Wilde and I am so so happy that I got to read and review her first and second books before they came out, a true honour. So, get your Sherlock Holmes hat and car keys ready because this book will lead you down a mystery even the brightest minds will struggle to solve!

(Free ARC from NetGalley and Charlesbridge that I chose to review after reading)