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The Split
From critically-acclaimed author Kit Frick, this electrifying suspense novel explodes convention to deliver two interlocking thrillers in one, following a pair of sisters into a family’s dark past and illuminating how a single choice can drastically alter the trajectory of our lives.
Jane Connor is resigned to being the “plain Jane” of her family—pragmatic and dependable—so unlike her beautiful and impetuous younger sister Esme. When Esme calls Jane during a flash summer storm, announcing she’s left her high society husband, Jane is shocked to learn that her sister wishes to stay with her. Could this be an opportunity for them to become close again? The only Esme needs a ride from the city to their small Connecticut hometown, and Jane is terrified of getting on the highway…because of what she did when they were teens.
Jane must either let Esme stand on her own two feet for once or jump to her flighty younger sister’s rescue—and her choice cleaves her life in two.
In one reality, Jane can’t overcome her fear and tells Esme to crash with a friend. Twenty-four hours later, her sister is missing. Tortured by regret, Jane dedicates herself to piecing together Esme’s life before her disappearance, unraveling a web of lies, broken relationships, and, finally, the truth.
In the other reality, Jane swallows her fear and offers her less-than-grateful sister a ride. But while Jane hopes living together in their childhood home will be healing, Esme is aloof and increasingly reckless. The tension between the sisters builds until they are finally forced to reckon with the explosive secret from their past that could destroy their fragile bond—and both their lives.
With a rollicking pace and shocking twists and turns, The Split captivatingly explores how little we know the ones we love—and how one small choice can change everything.
Jane Connor is resigned to being the “plain Jane” of her family—pragmatic and dependable—so unlike her beautiful and impetuous younger sister Esme. When Esme calls Jane during a flash summer storm, announcing she’s left her high society husband, Jane is shocked to learn that her sister wishes to stay with her. Could this be an opportunity for them to become close again? The only Esme needs a ride from the city to their small Connecticut hometown, and Jane is terrified of getting on the highway…because of what she did when they were teens.
Jane must either let Esme stand on her own two feet for once or jump to her flighty younger sister’s rescue—and her choice cleaves her life in two.
In one reality, Jane can’t overcome her fear and tells Esme to crash with a friend. Twenty-four hours later, her sister is missing. Tortured by regret, Jane dedicates herself to piecing together Esme’s life before her disappearance, unraveling a web of lies, broken relationships, and, finally, the truth.
In the other reality, Jane swallows her fear and offers her less-than-grateful sister a ride. But while Jane hopes living together in their childhood home will be healing, Esme is aloof and increasingly reckless. The tension between the sisters builds until they are finally forced to reckon with the explosive secret from their past that could destroy their fragile bond—and both their lives.
With a rollicking pace and shocking twists and turns, The Split captivatingly explores how little we know the ones we love—and how one small choice can change everything.
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 13, 2024
124 people are currently reading
11917 people want to read
About the author
Kit Frick
11 books682 followersKit Frick is the author of multiple mysteries and thrillers for teens and adults including B&N YA Book Club pick and Thriller Award finalist I Killed Zoe Spanos and the forthcoming adult mystery The Split. Her other books include Before We Were Sorry (previously titled See All the Stars), All Eyes on Us, Very Bad People, The Reunion, and the poetry collection A Small Rising Up in the Lungs.
Readers interested in signing up for a monthly newsletter including book news and giveaways should visit her website at kitfrick.com. Kit doesn't accept GR friend requests but you can still follow her here for updates or connect with her on Instagram.
Readers interested in signing up for a monthly newsletter including book news and giveaways should visit her website at kitfrick.com. Kit doesn't accept GR friend requests but you can still follow her here for updates or connect with her on Instagram.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 338 reviews
May 1, 2024
Over the last fifteen years, Jane Connor has become further and further estranged from her younger sister, Esme. So when she gets a surprise call from her one evening on the brink of a violent thunderstorm, she’s taken aback. The news that Esme has left her wealthy, blue-blooded husband and wants to crash with Jane at their childhood home is shocking—but definitely welcome—news. Perhaps this will be an opportunity for the two to finally mend their relationship—one that was fractured after what Jane did when she was just seventeen.
The only problem is that Esme needs a ride and, with the impending storm, the last thing Jane wants to do is drive. After all, the cleavage of their lives can trace back to another such evening when lightning lit the sky. Jane must make a decision—face her fear after all these years and hurry to her impulsive sister’s side or make Esme take control of her own life regardless of whatever trouble she might be in. The choice itself splits Jane’s life into two—the reality in which she rescued her sister and the alternative that left Esme in the city alone.
In the reality in which Jane races into the city, she finds herself face-to-face with a barely grateful Esme. Within days, she’s become a less than gracious houseguest who refuses to supply even the smallest detail about her life and what fills her days. It seems that Jane’s hope for fixing their relationship is hardly going to happen, as she finds Esme giving her an increasingly cold shoulder. The situation only gets worse until the friction finally explodes and the two must at last deal with the deep, dark secret from their past. Will it bring them together once and for all? Or will it ruin both of their lives?
In the other reality, Jane refuses to drive in the thunderous rain and suggests Esme crash with a friend. Just twenty-four hours later, however, her sister has vanished. With the police not seeming to care, Jane feels compelled to search for her sister instead. The more she looks, though, the more secrets she seems to uncover. Running the gamut from good news to alarm-inducing, Jane begins to wonder if the truth to why Esme disappeared lies in the past. Will she be able to piece everything together in time? Or has Esme vanished for good?
Wowzers. What a truly thought provoking book! From the start, The Split pulled me in deep as the diverging timelines took me down a thoroughly twisty path that ended with quite the duo of shocking events. Together, they were an impressive rollercoaster ride complete with plenty of red herrings and alternate theories, leaving me spellbound from the very first word. Add in the thick backstories and well-developed characters, and it was a definite hole in one to this thriller loving snob.
It was the plot that was pure dynamite, though. As the two storylines split into separate thriller timelines of home and gone, the events branched and then merged over and over, raising the idea that no matter our choices, sometimes the results just might be a foregone conclusion. Just the same, the deftly played climax and poignant finish left me utterly shocked and with my jaw on the floor. The only thing that irked me with latter was the somewhat open ending. IYKYK, but I’m not a huge fan of those.
As for those characters, Esme and Jane were masterfully illustrated through vivid character studies that showed two very different sisters. As the secrets were unfurled, those contradictions were never more apparent and I grew to side with first one sibling and then the other until the final reveal. At the same time, however, I would’ve liked a bit more exploration of the past before the end of the book. I can’t say much more or it will spoil the plot, but, needless to say, it would’ve definitely rounded out the riveting premise.
The only teeny, tiny complaint that I had was the somewhat repetitive nature that the prose took on over the course of the novel. Granted, this was natural considering the split timelines and similar events, but when phrases were repeated word for word, it became a bit much. In the end, though, it didn’t detract all that much as I fell in love with this novel hook, line, and sinker.
All in all, this was quite the triumph with two dynamite thrillers between one gorgeous cover. With enticing family drama, a tempting mystery in the past, and almost more secrets and lies than I could count, I was over the moon. So despite its minor flaws, this debut adult thriller was yet another slam dunk by Kit Frick. Now I’m eagerly awaiting whatever she comes up with next—be it for teens or adults—as I’m game for either. Rating of 4 stars.
Thank you to Kit Frick and Emily Bestler Books/Atria for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: February 13, 2024
Scroll down for my potentially plot spoiling trigger list.
Trigger warning: dementia, a missing sibling, death of a parent, drunk driving, suicide, mention of: drug overdose, infidelity, forced captivity
The only problem is that Esme needs a ride and, with the impending storm, the last thing Jane wants to do is drive. After all, the cleavage of their lives can trace back to another such evening when lightning lit the sky. Jane must make a decision—face her fear after all these years and hurry to her impulsive sister’s side or make Esme take control of her own life regardless of whatever trouble she might be in. The choice itself splits Jane’s life into two—the reality in which she rescued her sister and the alternative that left Esme in the city alone.
In the reality in which Jane races into the city, she finds herself face-to-face with a barely grateful Esme. Within days, she’s become a less than gracious houseguest who refuses to supply even the smallest detail about her life and what fills her days. It seems that Jane’s hope for fixing their relationship is hardly going to happen, as she finds Esme giving her an increasingly cold shoulder. The situation only gets worse until the friction finally explodes and the two must at last deal with the deep, dark secret from their past. Will it bring them together once and for all? Or will it ruin both of their lives?
In the other reality, Jane refuses to drive in the thunderous rain and suggests Esme crash with a friend. Just twenty-four hours later, however, her sister has vanished. With the police not seeming to care, Jane feels compelled to search for her sister instead. The more she looks, though, the more secrets she seems to uncover. Running the gamut from good news to alarm-inducing, Jane begins to wonder if the truth to why Esme disappeared lies in the past. Will she be able to piece everything together in time? Or has Esme vanished for good?
Wowzers. What a truly thought provoking book! From the start, The Split pulled me in deep as the diverging timelines took me down a thoroughly twisty path that ended with quite the duo of shocking events. Together, they were an impressive rollercoaster ride complete with plenty of red herrings and alternate theories, leaving me spellbound from the very first word. Add in the thick backstories and well-developed characters, and it was a definite hole in one to this thriller loving snob.
It was the plot that was pure dynamite, though. As the two storylines split into separate thriller timelines of home and gone, the events branched and then merged over and over, raising the idea that no matter our choices, sometimes the results just might be a foregone conclusion. Just the same, the deftly played climax and poignant finish left me utterly shocked and with my jaw on the floor. The only thing that irked me with latter was the somewhat open ending. IYKYK, but I’m not a huge fan of those.
As for those characters, Esme and Jane were masterfully illustrated through vivid character studies that showed two very different sisters. As the secrets were unfurled, those contradictions were never more apparent and I grew to side with first one sibling and then the other until the final reveal. At the same time, however, I would’ve liked a bit more exploration of the past before the end of the book. I can’t say much more or it will spoil the plot, but, needless to say, it would’ve definitely rounded out the riveting premise.
The only teeny, tiny complaint that I had was the somewhat repetitive nature that the prose took on over the course of the novel. Granted, this was natural considering the split timelines and similar events, but when phrases were repeated word for word, it became a bit much. In the end, though, it didn’t detract all that much as I fell in love with this novel hook, line, and sinker.
All in all, this was quite the triumph with two dynamite thrillers between one gorgeous cover. With enticing family drama, a tempting mystery in the past, and almost more secrets and lies than I could count, I was over the moon. So despite its minor flaws, this debut adult thriller was yet another slam dunk by Kit Frick. Now I’m eagerly awaiting whatever she comes up with next—be it for teens or adults—as I’m game for either. Rating of 4 stars.
Thank you to Kit Frick and Emily Bestler Books/Atria for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: February 13, 2024
Scroll down for my potentially plot spoiling trigger list.
Trigger warning: dementia, a missing sibling, death of a parent, drunk driving, suicide, mention of: drug overdose, infidelity, forced captivity
February 13, 2024
I love stories like this, stories like “Sliding Doors”, where The Butterfly Effect is put into play. It’s a fascinating concept that I like thinking about. Maybe one minor action can change your whole world. Or, maybe that’s not how it works at all - maybe things are predestined no matter what choices we make. Sometimes we think we know what we want, when actually, we don’t have a clue until we get the gift of hindsight. This book definitely gets into it…
Jane and Esme are sisters who haven’t been close in a long time. Jane is single, takes care of their mother who suffers from dementia, and lives in the house they grew up in, outside of the city in Connecticut. Esme fulfilled her dream of marrying a very wealthy man and became a writer/socialite, living in New York City.
One night, Jane gets a call from Esme. She has just left her husband, and wants to come home to Connecticut. Like, NOW. Jane is reluctant, though. Her sister has lots of friends in the city, can afford a hotel room if needed, oh, and there is a hurricane coming. Fear of driving in the rain stops Jane from going to get her sister…then the next day, Esme is missing.
The second chapter starts exactly the same as the first, so I was momentarily confused until I realized what was happening. Half of this book is written in the “gone” phase, where Jane didn’t pick up her sister and is now feeling crushing guilt. The other half is “home”, where Jane got the courage to go get her sister and bring her home safely. The rest of the story goes on from there…and it’s fantastic!
I had a lot of ideas about how both sides would turn out, but I was surprised by both endings. This book makes you think about fate, about the consequences of actions, and about family/relationships. I felt like we didn’t really get to know Esme, and Jane was a pretty one-dimensional person, so I wouldn’t have minded if it was longer to get more character development, but I definitely enjoyed this one! 4.5 stars.
(Thank you to Atria Books, Kit Frick and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on February 13, 2024.)
Jane and Esme are sisters who haven’t been close in a long time. Jane is single, takes care of their mother who suffers from dementia, and lives in the house they grew up in, outside of the city in Connecticut. Esme fulfilled her dream of marrying a very wealthy man and became a writer/socialite, living in New York City.
One night, Jane gets a call from Esme. She has just left her husband, and wants to come home to Connecticut. Like, NOW. Jane is reluctant, though. Her sister has lots of friends in the city, can afford a hotel room if needed, oh, and there is a hurricane coming. Fear of driving in the rain stops Jane from going to get her sister…then the next day, Esme is missing.
The second chapter starts exactly the same as the first, so I was momentarily confused until I realized what was happening. Half of this book is written in the “gone” phase, where Jane didn’t pick up her sister and is now feeling crushing guilt. The other half is “home”, where Jane got the courage to go get her sister and bring her home safely. The rest of the story goes on from there…and it’s fantastic!
I had a lot of ideas about how both sides would turn out, but I was surprised by both endings. This book makes you think about fate, about the consequences of actions, and about family/relationships. I felt like we didn’t really get to know Esme, and Jane was a pretty one-dimensional person, so I wouldn’t have minded if it was longer to get more character development, but I definitely enjoyed this one! 4.5 stars.
(Thank you to Atria Books, Kit Frick and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on February 13, 2024.)
February 22, 2024
3.8 ⭐️
In a selfish moment, caught in our own fears, we are often faced with a decision. How we react can cause a domino effect, and sometimes be the difference between life and death. Especially for the MC in this book.
🔎 This thriller explores the possibilities of two different paths through a parallel dimensional lens, written in 2 alternatives of each chapter. One rainy night, the MC receives a frantic call for help from her sister. One path explores what life was like after she picked up her sister, while the other follows the MC in a search for her missing sister when she didn’t follow through with picking her sister up.
🧶 So many things to unravel with what’s going on with her sister, while balancing the rekindling of an old flame. Each path with its own very unique sequence of events, teasing at a recurring theme of how our choices have consequences that can lead to regret.
👀 I was enthralled by the “gone” version right away, and finally got pulled into the “home” version about 50% in. The stories really started playing off of one another around 58%, which I enjoyed. At 92%, strap your seat belt on because it gets intense! 🫣 And ends with 2 completely different alternative endings - which challenges the question - do you think our choices can impact the outcome of our futures?
🐢 The story itself kept me engaged, but the chapters swapping back and forth got a little exhausting for me to transition my thoughts on what happened in which version of the story, which slowed me down. I definitely recommend reading this book quickly, to keep everything fresh on your brain.
👏🏼 All-in-all, I was able to figure out the ending but I definitely didn’t know all the why’s and how’s until the last chapter. I was left with one plot hole question, but the story carried well so it wasn’t a huge deal.
Thanks to NetGalley, Atria Books, and Kit Frick for providing me with a complimentary ARC to review!
In a selfish moment, caught in our own fears, we are often faced with a decision. How we react can cause a domino effect, and sometimes be the difference between life and death. Especially for the MC in this book.
🔎 This thriller explores the possibilities of two different paths through a parallel dimensional lens, written in 2 alternatives of each chapter. One rainy night, the MC receives a frantic call for help from her sister. One path explores what life was like after she picked up her sister, while the other follows the MC in a search for her missing sister when she didn’t follow through with picking her sister up.
🧶 So many things to unravel with what’s going on with her sister, while balancing the rekindling of an old flame. Each path with its own very unique sequence of events, teasing at a recurring theme of how our choices have consequences that can lead to regret.
👀 I was enthralled by the “gone” version right away, and finally got pulled into the “home” version about 50% in. The stories really started playing off of one another around 58%, which I enjoyed. At 92%, strap your seat belt on because it gets intense! 🫣 And ends with 2 completely different alternative endings - which challenges the question - do you think our choices can impact the outcome of our futures?
🐢 The story itself kept me engaged, but the chapters swapping back and forth got a little exhausting for me to transition my thoughts on what happened in which version of the story, which slowed me down. I definitely recommend reading this book quickly, to keep everything fresh on your brain.
👏🏼 All-in-all, I was able to figure out the ending but I definitely didn’t know all the why’s and how’s until the last chapter. I was left with one plot hole question, but the story carried well so it wasn’t a huge deal.
Thanks to NetGalley, Atria Books, and Kit Frick for providing me with a complimentary ARC to review!
April 2, 2024
The Split by Kit Frick is a really hard book for me to rate and review. On one hand, I think the author did an excellent job showing how one little change can affect the course of your life but on the other, the setup of the book made it pretty repetitive and at times a touch confusing (on audio at least). I loved that the only viewpoint in the story is Jane's and that definitely helped keep the mystery alive. There were also plenty of twists that I didn't see coming as well as an ending that I was very satisfied with. I think it could be open to interpretation, but due to the epilogue I am choosing to believe that is how things ended and it is a conclusion I can live with.
I thought the audiobook was really easy listening, and I enjoyed Kelsey Navarro Foster as the narrator. I have listened to her before, and I thought she was a great fit for the audio as a whole and in all the ways for the characters. There is plenty of family drama and secrets thrown into the mix, along with some good ole fashioned revenge. I loved this mix, and I thought it was perfectly done! This is the author's first adult novel, but I can't say I could tell, and it did make me want to check out her backlist of YA titles. Read The Split if you are looking for something different and don't mind a bit of repetition.
I received an advanced listening copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I thought the audiobook was really easy listening, and I enjoyed Kelsey Navarro Foster as the narrator. I have listened to her before, and I thought she was a great fit for the audio as a whole and in all the ways for the characters. There is plenty of family drama and secrets thrown into the mix, along with some good ole fashioned revenge. I loved this mix, and I thought it was perfectly done! This is the author's first adult novel, but I can't say I could tell, and it did make me want to check out her backlist of YA titles. Read The Split if you are looking for something different and don't mind a bit of repetition.
I received an advanced listening copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
February 2, 2024
I love the movie Sliding Doors, so I was immediately drawn to this book. Jane lives in Connecticut and takes care of her mother, who has dementia and has recently moved into an assisted living facility. She doesn’t speak to her sister, Esme, much. Esme lives in New York and calls Jane one night asking her to pick her, because she is leaving her husband. In one side of the story Jane picks Esme up and struggles to mend their relationship while living under the same roof. On the other side of the story, Jane does not pick her up and feels guilt over the consequences.
This book was suspenseful, thought-provoking, and twisty. I enjoyed seeing the differences and similarities between each story. At no point did I anticipate what was going to happen in either timeline.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
This book was suspenseful, thought-provoking, and twisty. I enjoyed seeing the differences and similarities between each story. At no point did I anticipate what was going to happen in either timeline.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
March 3, 2024
In The Split, we are given concurrent timelines in which two semi-estranged sisters are thrust back into one another’s orbits. In one (Gone), Jane Connor refuses to pick her sister up after a fight with her husband, only for her to end up missing. Simultaneously, in another timeline (Home), Jane picks her sister Esme up and brings her home with her. As we move further through the story and timelines, buried secrets are unearthed and decisions are made that keep changing the outcomes of both.
This was one of the more unique thrillers I have read of late - think Taylor Jenkins Reid’s In Another Life meets Bradeigh Godfrey’s Imposter, but with a little Hitchcock for good measure. It is a domestic suspense with all the fun twists and turns, but it goes deeper into themes of the decisions we make and how ultimately each of those decisions leads us either down a new path or back to the same path we were on all along.
🎧 The audio, narrated by Kelsey Navarro Foster, was fantastic and helped create an amazing immersive experience when combined with the physical book.
Read if you like:
•domestic suspense
•psychological thriller
•dual consecutive timelines
•the sliding doors trope
•fast paced reads
•Bradeigh Godfrey
Thank you Atria, Bookclub Favorites and Simon Audio for my gifted copies.
This was one of the more unique thrillers I have read of late - think Taylor Jenkins Reid’s In Another Life meets Bradeigh Godfrey’s Imposter, but with a little Hitchcock for good measure. It is a domestic suspense with all the fun twists and turns, but it goes deeper into themes of the decisions we make and how ultimately each of those decisions leads us either down a new path or back to the same path we were on all along.
🎧 The audio, narrated by Kelsey Navarro Foster, was fantastic and helped create an amazing immersive experience when combined with the physical book.
Read if you like:
•domestic suspense
•psychological thriller
•dual consecutive timelines
•the sliding doors trope
•fast paced reads
•Bradeigh Godfrey
Thank you Atria, Bookclub Favorites and Simon Audio for my gifted copies.
February 11, 2025
2 stars ↠ i wonder if authors know it’s okay to not include romance in a story? especially when the romance is exceptionally pointless and not well done. anyway, this book had so much potential, but unfortunately didn’t work for me. i was super intrigued by the whole butterfly effect/sliding doors plot, but i don’t think it was very well executed. honestly, about 90% of this book had nothing happen except some weird, badly written romances, and suddenly the last 10% had something going on. by then it was just too late – jane and esme were both unlikeable by this point, so it was hard to care about what happened to either of them. and the ending was just unsatisfying.
i’m having a tragic reading month lol here’s to hoping the next read is better (please. i’m begging).
i’m having a tragic reading month lol here’s to hoping the next read is better (please. i’m begging).
January 14, 2024
This is one of those books that I can’t say too much about without giving away the whole story. So what I will say is this; if you want a twisty, keep you guessing, edge of your seat mystery, pick this book up!
Jane and Esme are sisters, Jane being the responsible older one and Esme being more of a wild child. When Esme calls Jane to come pick her up in the middle of a storm, Jane is faced with a choice. Venture out into bad weather, which she has some trauma with, or make Esme take some responsibility for herself. Which will she choose?
I thoroughly enjoyed this story!
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC
Jane and Esme are sisters, Jane being the responsible older one and Esme being more of a wild child. When Esme calls Jane to come pick her up in the middle of a storm, Jane is faced with a choice. Venture out into bad weather, which she has some trauma with, or make Esme take some responsibility for herself. Which will she choose?
I thoroughly enjoyed this story!
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC
February 15, 2024
2.75 stars, roughly, rounded up
I wanted to love this one; the concept sounded so intriguing to me, and I could tell right away that I enjoyed the author's writing style. However, as a mystery novel, I don't think this really delivered in the end.
One thing I didn't like is that it was pretty clear to me that there was a seemingly 'right' choice between the sliding doors realities we follow, based on the outcomes of each reality. I personally would have preferred things to be left more ambiguous for one of the endings, because I was left saying "oh that's the end? That's it?." Unless I'm misinterpreting a certain scene that takes place in a car?
Furthermore, I didn't think big reveal regarding Esme was very realistic. You're telling me she did all that because of this one thing? Obviously I'm being purposefully vague, but if you read this you probably know what I'm talking about. I'm sorry, I know you suspend your disbelief to an extent when you read these books, but I just don't buy it and found the plot twists to be simultaneously absurd and underwhelming.
I have to give kudos to the author for taking a big swing with this concept. I believe this is the author's foray into the adult category, and honestly it is not a bad first outing. I look forward to see if she'll be writing more adult books and what creative premises she might use next!
Thank you to Atria Books, Netgalley, and Edelweiss for granting me access to this. All thoughts are my own.
I wanted to love this one; the concept sounded so intriguing to me, and I could tell right away that I enjoyed the author's writing style. However, as a mystery novel, I don't think this really delivered in the end.
One thing I didn't like is that it was pretty clear to me that there was a seemingly 'right' choice between the sliding doors realities we follow, based on the outcomes of each reality. I personally would have preferred things to be left more ambiguous for one of the endings, because I was left saying "oh that's the end? That's it?." Unless I'm misinterpreting a certain scene that takes place in a car?
Furthermore, I didn't think big reveal regarding Esme was very realistic. You're telling me she did all that because of this one thing? Obviously I'm being purposefully vague, but if you read this you probably know what I'm talking about. I'm sorry, I know you suspend your disbelief to an extent when you read these books, but I just don't buy it and found the plot twists to be simultaneously absurd and underwhelming.
I have to give kudos to the author for taking a big swing with this concept. I believe this is the author's foray into the adult category, and honestly it is not a bad first outing. I look forward to see if she'll be writing more adult books and what creative premises she might use next!
Thank you to Atria Books, Netgalley, and Edelweiss for granting me access to this. All thoughts are my own.
February 29, 2024
the double narratives made for an interesting concept and it was definitely well written, but i just felt like the mystery itself wasn’t that intriguing. i felt like it was pretty obvious who the main baddie was early on, i believe this is Frick’s adult debut so it makes sense that it’s laid out a little too cleanly. but it was fun enough to follow both stories and i’d read again from this author.
February 5, 2024
Have you ever read an all over the place book? That’s what this one was doing for me…
This one started off really strong, but then wait! The premise switched up on me. Like a complete 180. The sister was missing and then she wasn’t. It really made me confused as to what I was reading. But perhaps that was all a part of the façade, the narrative if you will. Just when we think she’s dead, she’s actually not and she’s thriving.
Jane and her sister Esme have a weird relationship and when Esme calls her up one evening during a thunderstorm, asking for help and that she’s leaving her husband, Jane puts her off, but upon waking the next morning Esme is still ghost silent and officially missing. Jane goes frantic and makes it her whole responsibility to find her sister and get to the bottom off this case, all while caring for her memory lacking mother. Oh, and her ex-boyfriend who is also her mother’s doctor is acting weirdly helpful, but a bit shady in the process. Like I said, shew. It was a lot. And the ending yall… Just wait.
I am thankful to Simon Audio, Atria Books, and Kit Frick for granting me advanced digital, audio, and physical access to this one before February 13, 2024.
This one started off really strong, but then wait! The premise switched up on me. Like a complete 180. The sister was missing and then she wasn’t. It really made me confused as to what I was reading. But perhaps that was all a part of the façade, the narrative if you will. Just when we think she’s dead, she’s actually not and she’s thriving.
Jane and her sister Esme have a weird relationship and when Esme calls her up one evening during a thunderstorm, asking for help and that she’s leaving her husband, Jane puts her off, but upon waking the next morning Esme is still ghost silent and officially missing. Jane goes frantic and makes it her whole responsibility to find her sister and get to the bottom off this case, all while caring for her memory lacking mother. Oh, and her ex-boyfriend who is also her mother’s doctor is acting weirdly helpful, but a bit shady in the process. Like I said, shew. It was a lot. And the ending yall… Just wait.
I am thankful to Simon Audio, Atria Books, and Kit Frick for granting me advanced digital, audio, and physical access to this one before February 13, 2024.
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February 19, 2024I was intrigued with the Sliding Doors concept, but I'm not sold on it as a thriller plot. I'm a big fan of I Killed Zoe Spanos, so I was excited to read this. I have mixed feelings, which I explain in my blog review.
Review of The Split on Jen Ryland Reviews
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Thanks to the publisher for providing an advance copy for review!
Review of The Split on Jen Ryland Reviews
Read more of my reviews on JenRyland.com! Let's be friends on Bookstagram!
Thanks to the publisher for providing an advance copy for review!
September 10, 2023
I love Kit Frick novels and this one is brilliant! I'll admit it took me a minute to figure out the "gone" and "home" chapters, but once I did, we were off and running! The plot revolves around two sisters, Jane and Esme who were involved in some kind of accident years ago. In one scenario, Esme has been missing for 36 hours, last seen in a bar and now her luggage and phone remain. In the second, Jane goes to rescue Esme as she's left her husband but is frightened about driving in the rain (re; accident in the past). And so begins the frantic search for Esme as well as Jane's worry over dealing with their mother in Memory Care as she is often delusional and tends to wander off or believe she is literally in the past. What a wild ride: present/past boyfriends, secrets, lies, drugs, affairs--what's not to like? I absolutely loved it!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
February 9, 2024
I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of one seemingly minor decision changing the course of someone’s life and that’s the concept explored here. Jane gets a call from her sister, Esme begging for ride home but it’s stormy and it brings back awful memories for Jane. In one timeline she picks Esme up and in the other she doesn’t and I really liked both timelines equally. In both home and gone sections there were some good twists and reveals and despite me assuming things could get a little confusing, they really weren’t, I followed along easily. I alternated between print and audio and was drawn more to the audio version as it’s narrated by Kelsey Navarro Foster and she gave such a great performance. Overall a pretty gripping family drama/thriller that I liked.
Did not finish
February 16, 2024DNF a little less than halfway through. There's just not enough here to hold my interest and the narrator's strident voice and pronounced/borderline harsh way of interpreting the text makes me wince.
Leaving it unrated because I still don't feel like I have enough of a sense of the book to form an opinion one way or another, aside from being indifferent.
Leaving it unrated because I still don't feel like I have enough of a sense of the book to form an opinion one way or another, aside from being indifferent.
August 14, 2024
This is the authors first adult suspense novel.
I love a sliding glass doors story - one decision can pave the path forward. However, the two paths weren't unique enough and did cause some confusion at times. The end however was surprising!
The characters' unlikability made the last 30% a drag to finish.
I love a sliding glass doors story - one decision can pave the path forward. However, the two paths weren't unique enough and did cause some confusion at times. The end however was surprising!
The characters' unlikability made the last 30% a drag to finish.
April 16, 2024
The first 75% of the book was a solid ⭐️⭐️⭐️ but by the end of the book I had had enough. It was getting bleak. We get it! Life sucks no matter what. Men are bad. Sisters are bad. Families are bad. And this ending is bad!
February 15, 2024
I received this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Copy provided by Atria Books.
Jane Connor is resigned to being the “plain Jane” of her family—pragmatic and dependable—so unlike her beautiful and impetuous younger sister Esme. When Esme calls Jane during a flash summer storm, announcing she is left her high-society husband, Jane is shocked to learn her sister wishes to stay with her. Could this be an opportunity for them to become close again? The only catch: Esme needs a ride from the city to their small Connecticut hometown, and Jane is terrified of getting on the highway because of what she did when they were teens. Jane must either let Esme stand on her own two feet for once or jump to her flighty younger sister’s rescue—and her choice cleaves her life in two.
The Split captivatingly explores how little we know the ones we love and how one small choice can change everything. I was indeed very intrigued by this one and the parallel universes, and I really liked Frick's writing style from reading one of her previous book. But the book is more plot driven than character and I think that is where this book lacked for me. I just needed a good balance. The book was also written in two chapters at a time, first following one path, then the other, which was rather confusing for me. I wished that the book would of come together at the end, but sadly that did not happen. I also thought the big reveal was too realistic. There were many reveals in the book that was unbelievable for me. There was also a lot of repetition as the main character experiences the same exact thought in the different timeline. This was definitely an interesting sliding door trope and concept, but I did not dislike this book, but it did not end up holding my attention.
Jane Connor is resigned to being the “plain Jane” of her family—pragmatic and dependable—so unlike her beautiful and impetuous younger sister Esme. When Esme calls Jane during a flash summer storm, announcing she is left her high-society husband, Jane is shocked to learn her sister wishes to stay with her. Could this be an opportunity for them to become close again? The only catch: Esme needs a ride from the city to their small Connecticut hometown, and Jane is terrified of getting on the highway because of what she did when they were teens. Jane must either let Esme stand on her own two feet for once or jump to her flighty younger sister’s rescue—and her choice cleaves her life in two.
The Split captivatingly explores how little we know the ones we love and how one small choice can change everything. I was indeed very intrigued by this one and the parallel universes, and I really liked Frick's writing style from reading one of her previous book. But the book is more plot driven than character and I think that is where this book lacked for me. I just needed a good balance. The book was also written in two chapters at a time, first following one path, then the other, which was rather confusing for me. I wished that the book would of come together at the end, but sadly that did not happen. I also thought the big reveal was too realistic. There were many reveals in the book that was unbelievable for me. There was also a lot of repetition as the main character experiences the same exact thought in the different timeline. This was definitely an interesting sliding door trope and concept, but I did not dislike this book, but it did not end up holding my attention.
March 3, 2024
i really enjoyed this book. it has an interesting narrative structure--it uses the sliding door device in which two different events are happening at the same time. the only other book i have read that uses this device is Maybe in Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid, which is a contemporary fiction book, so i have never read a thriller book like this. i thought it was well-executed! you get similar details in each storyline, but different things are happening. i was invested in both storylines and wanted to know what was going to happen. it could get a little confusing at times because the two stories blended together, but that didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book. i liked how we got certain information, but got even more context for said information later on. this is the type of book where the reader is piecing together everything that happened along with the protagonist, Jane.
i have never read anything from Kit Frick before; i know she writes YA mysteries, but she should write more adult novels because i really jived with the writing style! there were great quotes, and although the story could get a bit slow at times, she does an excellent job establishing the characters' dynamics and keeping the reader intrigued. i will be keeping an eye on Frick's future adult releases.
this book explores ideas such as: can a single decision affect a particular outcome, or was it just bound to happen that way? how much do our decisions matter? can a bad, or a simply flawed, person change? how can your childhood and past trauma affect your actions? what are the consequences of keeping secrets?
i would recommend this book if you like:
- sliding door device
- investigating along with the character
- flawed characters with secrets
- discussions of decision-making and trauma
- sibling dynamics (particularly with sisters)
- books set in and around NY/CT
The Split is out now. thank you to Atria Books, Kit Frick, and Netgalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
i have never read anything from Kit Frick before; i know she writes YA mysteries, but she should write more adult novels because i really jived with the writing style! there were great quotes, and although the story could get a bit slow at times, she does an excellent job establishing the characters' dynamics and keeping the reader intrigued. i will be keeping an eye on Frick's future adult releases.
this book explores ideas such as: can a single decision affect a particular outcome, or was it just bound to happen that way? how much do our decisions matter? can a bad, or a simply flawed, person change? how can your childhood and past trauma affect your actions? what are the consequences of keeping secrets?
i would recommend this book if you like:
- sliding door device
- investigating along with the character
- flawed characters with secrets
- discussions of decision-making and trauma
- sibling dynamics (particularly with sisters)
- books set in and around NY/CT
The Split is out now. thank you to Atria Books, Kit Frick, and Netgalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
May 4, 2024
This was definitely an interesting book. Written on 2 different paths based on a decision the author makes at the beginning, shows how much one decision will make things vary. Also leads to much different endings, which are very unexpected.
Thank you to the publisher for sending me this ARC to review.
Thank you to the publisher for sending me this ARC to review.
January 31, 2024
Thank you to @atriabooks for my advance copy! I love this cover. The colors and the water element just pop don’t they?
Remember when you were a kid and there were those books with alternate endings? That is what this book reminded me of. It gives off “Sliding Doors” or “Butterfly Effect” vibes where reality splits into two different scenarios and then weaves back together again into reality. I was totally intrigued by the premise and I had to see where both “realities” met up. I did not see the major “twist” coming! Sister relationships always intrigue me. It seems Frick can not only write YA but Adult thrillers too!
Remember when you were a kid and there were those books with alternate endings? That is what this book reminded me of. It gives off “Sliding Doors” or “Butterfly Effect” vibes where reality splits into two different scenarios and then weaves back together again into reality. I was totally intrigued by the premise and I had to see where both “realities” met up. I did not see the major “twist” coming! Sister relationships always intrigue me. It seems Frick can not only write YA but Adult thrillers too!
April 12, 2024
Sadly a disappointing book - listened on audiobook which made the two different timelines of gone/home really confusing to follow. Also I don’t really understand what the purpose of the split narratives was, it didn’t really elevate the story in my opinion.
March 18, 2024
A complete disappointment. Interesting premise, but the author doesn’t deliver.
April 1, 2024
This has soooo much potential at ending in a fantastic twist and it just doesn’t and therefore I was incredibly disappointed at the ending :(
February 18, 2024
The Split is one of those books you can read in a weekend or one sitting without even batting an eye.
This is a sliding door book that tells two different stories based on the decision Jane makes when she gets a frantic call from her flighty and irresponsible sister, Esme, to come get her from a hotel bar in Manhattan after telling Jane she's left her husband.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆?
Reading a sliding doors story was so different for me since I have only read a handful, and I really enjoyed it because of the added insight into both sisters. Plus, it was interesting to see how in the beginning, one small action led to the split sequence of events, which is really similar to the butterfly effect. Which one was the correct choice? Well, you’ll just have to read the book to find out!
𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲?
It started out with a slow/steady pace, and then at the halfway point completely took off.
𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲:
Sliding Doors
Domestic Thriller
Psychological Thriller
Screwed Up Families
Twists
Manipulation
Sisters
Red Herrings
𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸?
Overall, I really found myself drawn into this multi layered story full of mysteries that kept me guessing. If you are looking for a book to binge, this one is for you!
3.5 stars
Thank you, Atria For the gifted copy and exchange for my honest opinions
This is a sliding door book that tells two different stories based on the decision Jane makes when she gets a frantic call from her flighty and irresponsible sister, Esme, to come get her from a hotel bar in Manhattan after telling Jane she's left her husband.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆?
Reading a sliding doors story was so different for me since I have only read a handful, and I really enjoyed it because of the added insight into both sisters. Plus, it was interesting to see how in the beginning, one small action led to the split sequence of events, which is really similar to the butterfly effect. Which one was the correct choice? Well, you’ll just have to read the book to find out!
𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲?
It started out with a slow/steady pace, and then at the halfway point completely took off.
𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲:
Sliding Doors
Domestic Thriller
Psychological Thriller
Screwed Up Families
Twists
Manipulation
Sisters
Red Herrings
𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸?
Overall, I really found myself drawn into this multi layered story full of mysteries that kept me guessing. If you are looking for a book to binge, this one is for you!
3.5 stars
Thank you, Atria For the gifted copy and exchange for my honest opinions
April 28, 2024
I loved this! It was so unique and kept me hooked.
Jane's always lived with "what ifs" since an accident as a teen and when her sister calls her for help one rainy night, Jane's life splits in two. In one timeline, she didn't pick up her sister and her sister went missing. In the parallel timeline, she picked up her sister and she's a hot mess who's spiraling out of control.
As the story progresses, we discover things about one timeline from the other and it's so interesting to see the paradigm shifts. I want more books like this!
Jane's always lived with "what ifs" since an accident as a teen and when her sister calls her for help one rainy night, Jane's life splits in two. In one timeline, she didn't pick up her sister and her sister went missing. In the parallel timeline, she picked up her sister and she's a hot mess who's spiraling out of control.
As the story progresses, we discover things about one timeline from the other and it's so interesting to see the paradigm shifts. I want more books like this!
February 26, 2024
3.5 stars
This book showed parallel courses of fates of sisters where one went missing, and the other had to search for her.
It made me think if fate had a definitive role to play in our lives because the ending and epilogue of both courses were the same.
I went into this book blind and didn't know the blurb. This was not my favorite trope, yet I found myself finishing it in two days.
This book showed parallel courses of fates of sisters where one went missing, and the other had to search for her.
It made me think if fate had a definitive role to play in our lives because the ending and epilogue of both courses were the same.
I went into this book blind and didn't know the blurb. This was not my favorite trope, yet I found myself finishing it in two days.
March 15, 2024
I wasn't a huge fan of this sliding door esque thriller that sees one sister living two alternate realities - one in which she picks up her sister from a bar late one night during a storm and one where she doesn't and her sister goes missing. Twisty and a bit hard to follow on audio, this may have been a more enjoyable read in print. I found myself getting bored and losing interest/focus quite often while listening to it unfortunately.
March 17, 2024
If you had the chance to go back in time, change fate, rewrite destiny - would you? Split is a story told in two different realities - based on Jane’s choice: stay or go? Rescue or retreat? 5 stars
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