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Penitence
For readers of Ann Patchett and Celeste Ng, Penitence is a poignant exploration of love and forgiveness. It’s a suspenseful, addictive page-turner filled with literary insight that compels readers to consider whether each of us is more than the worst thing we’ve ever done.
When a shocking murder occurs in the home of Angie and David Sheehan, their lives are shattered. Desperate to defend their family, they turn to small-town lawyer Martine Dumont for help, but Martine isn’t just legal counsel—she’s also the mother of Angie’s first love, Julian, a now-successful New York City criminal defense attorney. As Julian and Angie confront their shared past and long-buried guilt from a tragic accident years ago, they must navigate their own culpability and the unresolved feelings between them.
Spanning decades, from the ski slopes of rural Colorado to the streets of post-9/11 New York City and back again, Kristin Koval’s debut novel Penitence is an examination of the complexities of familial loyalty, the journey of redemption, and the profound experience of true forgiveness.
When a shocking murder occurs in the home of Angie and David Sheehan, their lives are shattered. Desperate to defend their family, they turn to small-town lawyer Martine Dumont for help, but Martine isn’t just legal counsel—she’s also the mother of Angie’s first love, Julian, a now-successful New York City criminal defense attorney. As Julian and Angie confront their shared past and long-buried guilt from a tragic accident years ago, they must navigate their own culpability and the unresolved feelings between them.
Spanning decades, from the ski slopes of rural Colorado to the streets of post-9/11 New York City and back again, Kristin Koval’s debut novel Penitence is an examination of the complexities of familial loyalty, the journey of redemption, and the profound experience of true forgiveness.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published January 28, 2025
906 people are currently reading
65226 people want to read
About the author
Kristin Koval
3 books350 followersKristin Koval is a former lawyer who always wanted to be a writer but initially wandered down other paths. Her debut novel, PENITENCE, is a Barnes & Noble Discover Pick, a Book of the Month Pick, an Indie Next Pick, an Apple Books Staff Pick, an Apple Audiobooks Must Listen, a People Magazine Book of the Week, and a Goodreads Most Anticipated Pick and Hottest Debut Selection. She lives in Boulder, Colorado and Park City, Utah with her husband, two sons and two Great Danes.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,152 reviews
March 16, 2025
Ughhh! I’m so conflicted as to how I want to rate this book right now. I started off really loving it, as the topics and messages that it deals with are very deep. However, the book seemed to drag on with super long chapters (a pet peeve of mine), and if I’m being honest, the ending wasn’t what I expected. I think with a story this profound, I would have liked more answers.
This story starts off with 13 year old Nora, in jail accused of killing her 14 year old brother, Nico. Nora’s parents, Angie and David Sheehan, hire Martine Dumont to be Nora’s lawyer. Martine is getting ready to retire, and is not quite qualified in murder cases, so she calls her son, Julian to help.
There are two timelines throughout this story. We have the present day of Nora and her court case coming up, and then we have flashbacks of Angie and Julian’s time together as teenagers growing up, and also their time together in NY while in college.
This story deals with guilt, shame, grief, loss, love, and forgiveness. And most of all parenting. Do we make the right choices as parents? Are there things we could have/should have done differently? Signs that we missed in our children’s behavior? Do we love one child more than the other- or just differently? We do what we think is best as a mother/parent, but is it?
As I’ve finished reading what I thought was going to be a five-star read, I realized that I don’t have many clear answers after reading this about anything that took place throughout this story. Maybe I need to read between the lines more, or maybe I just like things wrapped up in a nice pretty little bow. So in the end, 3.5 stars, rounded down.
“Sometimes who a person becomes is more important than who a person used to be.”
This story starts off with 13 year old Nora, in jail accused of killing her 14 year old brother, Nico. Nora’s parents, Angie and David Sheehan, hire Martine Dumont to be Nora’s lawyer. Martine is getting ready to retire, and is not quite qualified in murder cases, so she calls her son, Julian to help.
There are two timelines throughout this story. We have the present day of Nora and her court case coming up, and then we have flashbacks of Angie and Julian’s time together as teenagers growing up, and also their time together in NY while in college.
This story deals with guilt, shame, grief, loss, love, and forgiveness. And most of all parenting. Do we make the right choices as parents? Are there things we could have/should have done differently? Signs that we missed in our children’s behavior? Do we love one child more than the other- or just differently? We do what we think is best as a mother/parent, but is it?
As I’ve finished reading what I thought was going to be a five-star read, I realized that I don’t have many clear answers after reading this about anything that took place throughout this story. Maybe I need to read between the lines more, or maybe I just like things wrapped up in a nice pretty little bow. So in the end, 3.5 stars, rounded down.
“Sometimes who a person becomes is more important than who a person used to be.”
February 3, 2025
BROKEN
This is a contemplative character driven novel that explores broken relationships, broken trust, and broken promises-and broken systems, broken bodies and broken hearts.
BUT-it’s also about finding the way to forgive and move forward.
When Angie and David Sheehan’s 13 year old daughter Nora, shoots and kills their 14 year old son, Nico, they must find a way to forgive her-and help her mount a defense.
The parents turn to their small town’s lawyer, Martine Dumont-but she also happens to be the mother of Angie’s first love, Julian-a man she shares a complicated history with because of more than just their breakup.
Martine isn’t qualified for a case of this magnitude, and the Sheehan’s are strapped for money because of the mounting medical bills they have incurred for Nico’s fight with Huntington’s disease, so Martine enlists the only lawyer who might be willing to help-Julian-who is now a successful New York City criminal defense attorney.
Everyone must confront something left unresolved as the PAST and PRESENT collide.
This was reminiscent of early Jodie Picoult to me-WHY would Nora do such a thing to a brother she loved and had a wonderful relationship with?
There are many thought provoking themes to think about, or discuss with a book club or friends. Fortunately, I could do so with Mary Beth, MarilynW and DeAnn.
But, it is a SLOW BURN 🔥-maybe because of the long chapters?
Regardless, an impressive debut.
Thank You to the Chandler Public Library for the loan of this title.
This is a contemplative character driven novel that explores broken relationships, broken trust, and broken promises-and broken systems, broken bodies and broken hearts.
BUT-it’s also about finding the way to forgive and move forward.
When Angie and David Sheehan’s 13 year old daughter Nora, shoots and kills their 14 year old son, Nico, they must find a way to forgive her-and help her mount a defense.
The parents turn to their small town’s lawyer, Martine Dumont-but she also happens to be the mother of Angie’s first love, Julian-a man she shares a complicated history with because of more than just their breakup.
Martine isn’t qualified for a case of this magnitude, and the Sheehan’s are strapped for money because of the mounting medical bills they have incurred for Nico’s fight with Huntington’s disease, so Martine enlists the only lawyer who might be willing to help-Julian-who is now a successful New York City criminal defense attorney.
Everyone must confront something left unresolved as the PAST and PRESENT collide.
This was reminiscent of early Jodie Picoult to me-WHY would Nora do such a thing to a brother she loved and had a wonderful relationship with?
There are many thought provoking themes to think about, or discuss with a book club or friends. Fortunately, I could do so with Mary Beth, MarilynW and DeAnn.
But, it is a SLOW BURN 🔥-maybe because of the long chapters?
Regardless, an impressive debut.
Thank You to the Chandler Public Library for the loan of this title.
March 18, 2025
This was incredible! Idk why the rating seems so low. Fans of Beartown by Backman will enjoy this one.
This is a brilliant and gripping debut novel about family, secrets, love, and ultimately forgiveness. While there is a murder that is central to the plot, and some legal drama, I didn't feel that it really read like a mystery or thriller like I initially anticipated.
Instead, it was a beautifully told story of families facing tragedies and trying to survive. It is both sad and thought provoking and I really enjoyed it.
I picked this one up on a whim just to see if it would be something I'd enjoy, so I started listening to it towards the end of my day and realized I was so pulled into the story already that I couldn't put it back down.
I have read a lot of , for lack of better terms 'fluff' over the last few years - which there's nothing wrong with at all. But I love diving into something that has much more substance to it. Something that sticks to your bones. This was definitely satisfying for me.
There's so many layers to this story, and while each character might not be super likeable, I was still very invested in everyone's story and what exactly was going on. There's so many secrets and I think it's just so damn realistic. This isn't even something that's far fetched - horrific and shocking yes, but all too real. Made for a much more impactful read for me.
Highly recommend!
💙Self-Forgiveness
🤍Mystery
💙Domestic Suspense
🤍Grief x Life Altering Choices
💙Redemption x Forgiveness
🤍Power of Love
💙Dual Timelines
🤍Self-Reflection
⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ Connect with me on Instagram ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹
This is a brilliant and gripping debut novel about family, secrets, love, and ultimately forgiveness. While there is a murder that is central to the plot, and some legal drama, I didn't feel that it really read like a mystery or thriller like I initially anticipated.
Instead, it was a beautifully told story of families facing tragedies and trying to survive. It is both sad and thought provoking and I really enjoyed it.
I picked this one up on a whim just to see if it would be something I'd enjoy, so I started listening to it towards the end of my day and realized I was so pulled into the story already that I couldn't put it back down.
I have read a lot of , for lack of better terms 'fluff' over the last few years - which there's nothing wrong with at all. But I love diving into something that has much more substance to it. Something that sticks to your bones. This was definitely satisfying for me.
There's so many layers to this story, and while each character might not be super likeable, I was still very invested in everyone's story and what exactly was going on. There's so many secrets and I think it's just so damn realistic. This isn't even something that's far fetched - horrific and shocking yes, but all too real. Made for a much more impactful read for me.
Highly recommend!
💙Self-Forgiveness
🤍Mystery
💙Domestic Suspense
🤍Grief x Life Altering Choices
💙Redemption x Forgiveness
🤍Power of Love
💙Dual Timelines
🤍Self-Reflection
⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ Connect with me on Instagram ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹
February 28, 2025
4.5⭐️
“The world seems to think a child stops being a child the moment they commit a crime.”
That ending shattered me into a million pieces.💔💔😭
Wow, where do I even begin? I feel like I could write an entire essay dissecting every thought-provoking theme, event, emotion, action, and character. But nobody wants that so here’s something a little shorter.
From the very first pages, it was clear that this story was going to take us to some dark, messy places, and I was going to feel ALL the emotions. I was scared but ready for it. Scared because, honestly, sometimes I’m usually a fan of characters doing messy things just for the sake of drama. I need to understand WHY they did what they did. Of course, never justifies anything BUT I need to be left questioning whether I’d do the same in their shoes. And Koval delivered exactly that!
Every page of this book was slow, deliberate, and dripping with gloom. I don’t think I smiled once while reading it. If someone had told me that beforehand, I might’ve hesitated to pick it up—but that’s the beauty of going into a book semi-blind. I like to know just enough to not be completely thrown off, but still leave room for the author to surprise me. And surprise me, this book did! It kept me on my toes the entire time. Even though I expected more pain and gloom, I could not predict where it was going most of the time.
The flashbacks were nicely timed, adding so much depth to the story. Honestly, the past felt more present in this book than the actual present, and it made sense. It elevated everything, making the emotions hit even harder. I felt anger, confusion, shock, and, of course, overwhelming sadness. It was all so raw, reminding me yet again how messy, heartbreaking, and unfair life can be. Even though the ending was devastating, it tied everything together in a way that felt complete.
The characters—oh, the characters. I just want to hug every single one of them. Surprisingly, I couldn’t bring myself to hate anyone, despite the choices they made. If they were real people, I’d just hope they find some kind of peace, whatever that looks like for them.
At its core, this book is also a powerful advocate for doing better by juveniles who commit crimes. It’s clear that Koval wanted to shed light on this issue, and I love when a story brings awareness to something I rarely think about. It was woven seamlessly into the complexity of the narrative!
This is marketed as a thriller, I think? I wouldn’t call it that. I’m not even sure what genre it is—just a beautifully gloomy, complex exploration of family, love, and heartbreak all wrapped into one. I’ve been on a roll with debut novels lately, and I can’t wait to see what Koval does next!
“The world seems to think a child stops being a child the moment they commit a crime.”
That ending shattered me into a million pieces.💔💔😭
Wow, where do I even begin? I feel like I could write an entire essay dissecting every thought-provoking theme, event, emotion, action, and character. But nobody wants that so here’s something a little shorter.
From the very first pages, it was clear that this story was going to take us to some dark, messy places, and I was going to feel ALL the emotions. I was scared but ready for it. Scared because, honestly, sometimes I’m usually a fan of characters doing messy things just for the sake of drama. I need to understand WHY they did what they did. Of course, never justifies anything BUT I need to be left questioning whether I’d do the same in their shoes. And Koval delivered exactly that!
Every page of this book was slow, deliberate, and dripping with gloom. I don’t think I smiled once while reading it. If someone had told me that beforehand, I might’ve hesitated to pick it up—but that’s the beauty of going into a book semi-blind. I like to know just enough to not be completely thrown off, but still leave room for the author to surprise me. And surprise me, this book did! It kept me on my toes the entire time. Even though I expected more pain and gloom, I could not predict where it was going most of the time.
The flashbacks were nicely timed, adding so much depth to the story. Honestly, the past felt more present in this book than the actual present, and it made sense. It elevated everything, making the emotions hit even harder. I felt anger, confusion, shock, and, of course, overwhelming sadness. It was all so raw, reminding me yet again how messy, heartbreaking, and unfair life can be. Even though the ending was devastating, it tied everything together in a way that felt complete.
The characters—oh, the characters. I just want to hug every single one of them. Surprisingly, I couldn’t bring myself to hate anyone, despite the choices they made. If they were real people, I’d just hope they find some kind of peace, whatever that looks like for them.
At its core, this book is also a powerful advocate for doing better by juveniles who commit crimes. It’s clear that Koval wanted to shed light on this issue, and I love when a story brings awareness to something I rarely think about. It was woven seamlessly into the complexity of the narrative!
This is marketed as a thriller, I think? I wouldn’t call it that. I’m not even sure what genre it is—just a beautifully gloomy, complex exploration of family, love, and heartbreak all wrapped into one. I’ve been on a roll with debut novels lately, and I can’t wait to see what Koval does next!
February 10, 2025
A heartbreaking, powerful read!
Angie and David are raising their two teenage kids, Nico 14 and Nora 13. This family was recently dealt a devastating blow. A bombshell! One child dead...the other arrested for murder.
Needing the best representation, but not having the resources to do so, David takes a bold leap in asking Martine to help. A big ask. Martine’s son Julian and Angie were not only childhood sweethearts, but were involved in an earlier tragedy that tore the families apart, eventually separating the two young lovers as well.
This is a wrenching tale of love, loss, grief and rebuilding.
It’s a slow burn, taking you back to when Angie and Julian were teens themselves. Their paths through life crossing once again when the stakes are the highest.
🎧 Therese Plummer provided the narration and did an amazing job as always. I never felt the need for an additional narrator.
💻 I also occasionally switched to an available digital copy.
My personal preference was definitely the audio! This is one of those books/audios that you can lose yourself in as the story unfolds. I loved every minute of it.
Thank you to Celadon Books and MacMillan Audio
Angie and David are raising their two teenage kids, Nico 14 and Nora 13. This family was recently dealt a devastating blow. A bombshell! One child dead...the other arrested for murder.
Needing the best representation, but not having the resources to do so, David takes a bold leap in asking Martine to help. A big ask. Martine’s son Julian and Angie were not only childhood sweethearts, but were involved in an earlier tragedy that tore the families apart, eventually separating the two young lovers as well.
This is a wrenching tale of love, loss, grief and rebuilding.
It’s a slow burn, taking you back to when Angie and Julian were teens themselves. Their paths through life crossing once again when the stakes are the highest.
🎧 Therese Plummer provided the narration and did an amazing job as always. I never felt the need for an additional narrator.
💻 I also occasionally switched to an available digital copy.
My personal preference was definitely the audio! This is one of those books/audios that you can lose yourself in as the story unfolds. I loved every minute of it.
Thank you to Celadon Books and MacMillan Audio
January 27, 2025
Each of us is more than the worst thing we've ever done. ~ Byron Stevenson
After pondering this read overnight, I have raised my rating to five stars. This is a heartbreaking read on the surface, but the author has given us something more. In the pages of this new release are reminders to forgive and also to look beneath the surface of the headlines about juvenile crimes in particular.
This story begins with fratricide. The inconceivable has occurred. Thirteen-year-old Nora has fatally shot her older brother Nico(fourteen). Parents Angie and David are in shock. Their Colorado town of Lodgepole is not overflowing with ready defense lawyers. The only one available, Martine Dumont, is ready to retire. Her son Julian is experienced in criminal defense and is called in as a consultant at David's request. That is complicated. Julian was Angie's high school boyfriend and there is much more to the story.
Kristin Koval splits the narrative into two timelines. One follows our characters from the night of the shooting. A second earlier thread begins at the time of a prior tragedy -- when Angie's little sister Diana died in a skiing accident. Throughout the years, the lives of these people have been tangled together like the roots of the Aspen. It is a complex and immersive story and keeps those pages turning.
There are many triggers in this narrative: guns, guilt, infidelity, a broken justice system, Huntington's, Alzheimer's, 9/11, and more. If you are a fan of early Jodi Picoult titles and Angie Kim, this book is one you will also appreciate. There are no easy answers.
One of the characters had this to say after pondering the events that transpired:
And maybe an unsolvable puzzle isn't remarkable. Maybe the question of why is a question everone asks, all the time. The steps and decisions that combine to form a life, a choice, an action--maybe they don't add up, like a mathematical equation, to a knowable sum. Maybe they can't.
Thank you to Celadon Books and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
After pondering this read overnight, I have raised my rating to five stars. This is a heartbreaking read on the surface, but the author has given us something more. In the pages of this new release are reminders to forgive and also to look beneath the surface of the headlines about juvenile crimes in particular.
This story begins with fratricide. The inconceivable has occurred. Thirteen-year-old Nora has fatally shot her older brother Nico(fourteen). Parents Angie and David are in shock. Their Colorado town of Lodgepole is not overflowing with ready defense lawyers. The only one available, Martine Dumont, is ready to retire. Her son Julian is experienced in criminal defense and is called in as a consultant at David's request. That is complicated. Julian was Angie's high school boyfriend and there is much more to the story.
Kristin Koval splits the narrative into two timelines. One follows our characters from the night of the shooting. A second earlier thread begins at the time of a prior tragedy -- when Angie's little sister Diana died in a skiing accident. Throughout the years, the lives of these people have been tangled together like the roots of the Aspen. It is a complex and immersive story and keeps those pages turning.
There are many triggers in this narrative: guns, guilt, infidelity, a broken justice system, Huntington's, Alzheimer's, 9/11, and more. If you are a fan of early Jodi Picoult titles and Angie Kim, this book is one you will also appreciate. There are no easy answers.
One of the characters had this to say after pondering the events that transpired:
And maybe an unsolvable puzzle isn't remarkable. Maybe the question of why is a question everone asks, all the time. The steps and decisions that combine to form a life, a choice, an action--maybe they don't add up, like a mathematical equation, to a knowable sum. Maybe they can't.
Thank you to Celadon Books and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
January 28, 2025
4.5-5⭐️ When a family member is killed in their home, Angie and David Sheehan’s life as they know it is over. Desperate for help, they seek the legal help of Angie’s first love, now a criminal defense attorney.
This is the type of book that is best when gone into blind, so I was hesitant to include even my short little synopsis. As soon as I saw a friend’s rave review, I knew I needed to read it. I am just completely blown away that this is a debut novel. While not a thriller, but a story more in the vein of Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng, there are moments of high intensity. I found myself reading as fast as I could, desperate to know what the outcome would be. While it wasn’t surprising, it was still shocking nonetheless as is the story as a whole.
🎧 The audiobook really amps up the emotional ante of this one. Therese Plummer holds nothing back in her narration of this powerful novel. If you are an audiobook fan, definitely check this one out on audio.
Read if you like:
▪️slow burn literary mysteries
▪️family dramas
▪️legal procedurals
▪️dual timelines
▪️debut novels
▪️Celeste Ng
Thank you Celadon Books and Macmillan Audio for the advanced copies.
This is the type of book that is best when gone into blind, so I was hesitant to include even my short little synopsis. As soon as I saw a friend’s rave review, I knew I needed to read it. I am just completely blown away that this is a debut novel. While not a thriller, but a story more in the vein of Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng, there are moments of high intensity. I found myself reading as fast as I could, desperate to know what the outcome would be. While it wasn’t surprising, it was still shocking nonetheless as is the story as a whole.
🎧 The audiobook really amps up the emotional ante of this one. Therese Plummer holds nothing back in her narration of this powerful novel. If you are an audiobook fan, definitely check this one out on audio.
Read if you like:
▪️slow burn literary mysteries
▪️family dramas
▪️legal procedurals
▪️dual timelines
▪️debut novels
▪️Celeste Ng
Thank you Celadon Books and Macmillan Audio for the advanced copies.
January 30, 2025
In the rural Colorado ski town of Lodgepole two families are torn apart by tragedy!
The first happened on the 28 February 1991 when 17-year-old Angie DeLuca and her 18-year-old boyfriend Julian Dumont were skiing with Angie’s younger sister Diana (7), when Diana lost control, hit a tree, and was killed.
The second occurred over twenty years later on the 13th October 2016. Angie and her husband David Sheehan were awoken in the middle of the night by gunshots. They find their 13-year-old daughter Nora standing in the doorway of her 14-year-old brother Nico’s bedroom, covered in blood, holding a gun. She shot her brother – not one, not two, but three times – all at close range.
Penitence was impacting, emotive, eye-opening, thought-provoking, realistic contemporary literary fiction, crime, and family saga, with a focus on relationship dynamics, and interpersonal conflict. I wouldn’t categorise it as a courtroom drama, but there was a fair bit of time spent navigating legal issues and creating a defence strategy. The characters were complex, sympathetic, and morally grey – damaged and broken by tragedy and pain, secrets and lies, and grief, loss, and blame. Penitence dealt with serious social issues not limited to gun violence, racism, sentencing disparities and treatment of young offenders in the justice and prison systems, alcoholism, depression, mental health, the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Alzheimer’s disease, and juvenile Huntington’s disease.
The writing was eloquent and moving, with vivid and creative description. The prologue immediately immersed me in the plot as it jumped from character to character explaining what each was doing at the exact moment teenage Nora sat shivering in a jail cell. From there chapters alternated between four POV’s: Angie, Nora, Julian, and Martine Dumont (Julian’s mother/Nora’s lawyer). And the chapters were on the lengthy side. Which led to some pacing issues the further the book progressed, particularly with the 1990’s – to early 2000’s timeline, which tended to drag in places. There was one other reason that prevented this from being a five-star read for me, which was more my issue rather than a failure on the books part, but because it’s too much of a spoiler only peek if you’ve read the book or have no intention of picking it up.
Penitence was Kristin Koval’s debut and she’s definitely an author I’ll be keeping my eye on. The comparisons to Jodi Piccoult, Celeste Ng, and Angie Kim are accurate and deserving.
The first happened on the 28 February 1991 when 17-year-old Angie DeLuca and her 18-year-old boyfriend Julian Dumont were skiing with Angie’s younger sister Diana (7), when Diana lost control, hit a tree, and was killed.
The second occurred over twenty years later on the 13th October 2016. Angie and her husband David Sheehan were awoken in the middle of the night by gunshots. They find their 13-year-old daughter Nora standing in the doorway of her 14-year-old brother Nico’s bedroom, covered in blood, holding a gun. She shot her brother – not one, not two, but three times – all at close range.
Penitence was impacting, emotive, eye-opening, thought-provoking, realistic contemporary literary fiction, crime, and family saga, with a focus on relationship dynamics, and interpersonal conflict. I wouldn’t categorise it as a courtroom drama, but there was a fair bit of time spent navigating legal issues and creating a defence strategy. The characters were complex, sympathetic, and morally grey – damaged and broken by tragedy and pain, secrets and lies, and grief, loss, and blame. Penitence dealt with serious social issues not limited to gun violence, racism, sentencing disparities and treatment of young offenders in the justice and prison systems, alcoholism, depression, mental health, the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Alzheimer’s disease, and juvenile Huntington’s disease.
The writing was eloquent and moving, with vivid and creative description. The prologue immediately immersed me in the plot as it jumped from character to character explaining what each was doing at the exact moment teenage Nora sat shivering in a jail cell. From there chapters alternated between four POV’s: Angie, Nora, Julian, and Martine Dumont (Julian’s mother/Nora’s lawyer). And the chapters were on the lengthy side. Which led to some pacing issues the further the book progressed, particularly with the 1990’s – to early 2000’s timeline, which tended to drag in places. There was one other reason that prevented this from being a five-star read for me, which was more my issue rather than a failure on the books part, but because it’s too much of a spoiler only peek if you’ve read the book or have no intention of picking it up.
Penitence was Kristin Koval’s debut and she’s definitely an author I’ll be keeping my eye on. The comparisons to Jodi Piccoult, Celeste Ng, and Angie Kim are accurate and deserving.
February 14, 2025
Penitence is one of those quiet books that just grabs you and doesn’t let you go. The story starts with a thirteen year old girl shooting her 14 year old brother. She calls 911 and admits to the shooting, but then says she can’t remember what happened. Her parents reach out to Martine, one of the few lawyers in their small town. Martine has a history with Angie, the mother, who dated her son in high school, but still takes the case. Knowing she lacks the expertise to handle a murder case, she asks Julian, her son and a defense attorney, to help.
The story moves back and forth from the present day to the past and changes perspectives as well. I was equally invested in both storylines. I was desperate to know the rationale behind the shooting. But I was also invested in the relationship between Angie and Julian and how it went wrong.
All the characters were fully fleshed out. Everyone has secrets and baggage. Everyone has done things they regret. It’s the sign of a good book when you can feel for someone despite those bad decisions. Some of the big plot twists were predictable. Koval also makes a compelling argument against how the judicial system treats juveniles. It’s a deep book with lots of important themes, including moving forward after a tragic loss, grief, blame, guilt and forgiveness. It would work well as a book club selection. Those that want a clean cut ending might not be pleased.
Note - I know texting was possible in 2001 but certainly not common in the world I knew. It threw me off that Koval has folks even in Lodgepole texting after 9/11.
I listened to this and was impressed by Therese Plummer as the narrator.
The story moves back and forth from the present day to the past and changes perspectives as well. I was equally invested in both storylines. I was desperate to know the rationale behind the shooting. But I was also invested in the relationship between Angie and Julian and how it went wrong.
All the characters were fully fleshed out. Everyone has secrets and baggage. Everyone has done things they regret. It’s the sign of a good book when you can feel for someone despite those bad decisions. Some of the big plot twists were predictable. Koval also makes a compelling argument against how the judicial system treats juveniles. It’s a deep book with lots of important themes, including moving forward after a tragic loss, grief, blame, guilt and forgiveness. It would work well as a book club selection. Those that want a clean cut ending might not be pleased.
Note - I know texting was possible in 2001 but certainly not common in the world I knew. It threw me off that Koval has folks even in Lodgepole texting after 9/11.
I listened to this and was impressed by Therese Plummer as the narrator.
April 8, 2025
“Penitence”, a debut by Kristin Koval
5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to some great reviews I had my eyes on this book.
Fortunately it was immediately available from the public library.
As soon as I started reading I became completely enthralled.
The writing and the storytelling were gripping and heartfelt.
The timeline structure was excellent, as we learned more about the characters before and after the fratricide.
The atmosphere of despair and uncertainty was so real that I felt transported into the book.
The drama was absolutely believable, and although the development of the story was very slow, it was skilfully executed and far from being boring.
I loved that it was written in third person and it was free of silly twists or preaching.
This is a work of fiction about forgiveness.
A superb debut that left me wanting for more.
There was a lot of soul and love in this work.
Hardcover (Celadon Books): 308 pages (121k words), 23 chapters
5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to some great reviews I had my eyes on this book.
Fortunately it was immediately available from the public library.
As soon as I started reading I became completely enthralled.
The writing and the storytelling were gripping and heartfelt.
The timeline structure was excellent, as we learned more about the characters before and after the fratricide.
The atmosphere of despair and uncertainty was so real that I felt transported into the book.
The drama was absolutely believable, and although the development of the story was very slow, it was skilfully executed and far from being boring.
I loved that it was written in third person and it was free of silly twists or preaching.
This is a work of fiction about forgiveness.
A superb debut that left me wanting for more.
There was a lot of soul and love in this work.
Hardcover (Celadon Books): 308 pages (121k words), 23 chapters
December 26, 2024
For a book that overall moves slowly it packs a series of emotional punches. I started this one on audiobook and I liked the narrator a lot. I thought it made the story move a little better actually. I moved to the physical book because I wanted to finish it quickly. This is a book of a series of moral questions and I’m not sure I agree with where any of them landed, but that’s life and it’s grey and messy. Nora who is only thirteen shoots and kills her brother (who had just been diagnosed with Huntington’s) and then calls 911. Despite signs of a mental health crisis she is charged as an adult and her mother’s ex-boyfriend comes from New York to help with her defense. This book was beautiful but in all of the saddest ways even if it’s trying to explore the idea of forgiveness. It was a great book and I would definitely read more by this author.
June 20, 2025
When 13-year-old Nora shoots and kills her 14-yr-old brother, Nico, the dysfunction in this picture-perfect family are brought to the forefront.
Why? Why would Nora kill the brother who she loved so much and had a close sibling relationship with?
Unsurprisingly, there’s more happening here than meets the eye.
Nico suffered from early onset Huntington’s chorea, a devastating disease that leads to an early death.
The parents, Angie & David, enlist the legal services of Martine, the mother of Angie’s old boyfriend, Julian. Angie & Julian have some unresolved issues from their past, which incudes a tragedy.
Julian is also a lawyer, with more experience in criminal law so his mother asks for his help.
You can see the convoluted relationships that make this challenging case even more challenging. Everyone here has secrets. One in particular I could see coming but it didn’t affect my reading enjoyment.
The overriding theme is that “each of us is more than the worst thing we’ve ever done.” (Quote from Bryan Stevenson, the author of Just Mercy)
This is a heartbreaking read on several levels but it is not gratuitous despite the difficult subject matter. It’s a thoughtful, thought-provoking exploration of grief and forgiveness. An amazing debut!
Thérèse Plummer’s narration of the audiobook is excellent and elevated the experience of reading this story.
Why? Why would Nora kill the brother who she loved so much and had a close sibling relationship with?
Unsurprisingly, there’s more happening here than meets the eye.
Nico suffered from early onset Huntington’s chorea, a devastating disease that leads to an early death.
The parents, Angie & David, enlist the legal services of Martine, the mother of Angie’s old boyfriend, Julian. Angie & Julian have some unresolved issues from their past, which incudes a tragedy.
Julian is also a lawyer, with more experience in criminal law so his mother asks for his help.
You can see the convoluted relationships that make this challenging case even more challenging. Everyone here has secrets. One in particular I could see coming but it didn’t affect my reading enjoyment.
The overriding theme is that “each of us is more than the worst thing we’ve ever done.” (Quote from Bryan Stevenson, the author of Just Mercy)
This is a heartbreaking read on several levels but it is not gratuitous despite the difficult subject matter. It’s a thoughtful, thought-provoking exploration of grief and forgiveness. An amazing debut!
Thérèse Plummer’s narration of the audiobook is excellent and elevated the experience of reading this story.
March 10, 2025
3.5⭐ On outlier island.
This contemporary debut crime novel about fratricide (the killing of a brother or sister) is being promoted as "a suspenseful, addictive page-turner". However, I didn't find it to be any of those things.
I felt that most of this story was slow, meandering, and often wordy. It failed to capture my interest, and I was ultimately disappointed by the ending.
This may not have been the right book at the right time for me, but I encourage readers to check out all the many wonderful glowing reviews on Goodreads.
This contemporary debut crime novel about fratricide (the killing of a brother or sister) is being promoted as "a suspenseful, addictive page-turner". However, I didn't find it to be any of those things.
I felt that most of this story was slow, meandering, and often wordy. It failed to capture my interest, and I was ultimately disappointed by the ending.
This may not have been the right book at the right time for me, but I encourage readers to check out all the many wonderful glowing reviews on Goodreads.
January 23, 2025
“Spanning decades, from the ski slopes of rural Colorado to the streets of pre-9/11 New York City and back again, Kristin Koval’s debut novel Penitence is an examination of the complexities of familial loyalty, the journey of redemption, and the profound experience of true forgiveness.”
Penitence is a book centered around a shattered family trying to move forward after devastating loss. It includes past and present timelines with characters reflecting on their choices and how those decisions have impacted the trajectory of their lives. The small town, rural Colorado atmosphere was well done. It’s a heavy, thought-provoking story that engaged me from the start.
Penitence is a book centered around a shattered family trying to move forward after devastating loss. It includes past and present timelines with characters reflecting on their choices and how those decisions have impacted the trajectory of their lives. The small town, rural Colorado atmosphere was well done. It’s a heavy, thought-provoking story that engaged me from the start.
dnfed
August 31, 2025I've been reading this book on and off for 3 months now, I am just not getting gripped by this story so I'm going to soft DNF for now. Might come back to this later.
February 8, 2025
“Each of us is worth more than the worst thing we have done.”
A breathtaking debut about the secrets we carry and the healing power of forgiveness. Centered around a mystery, this poignant character driven story kept my attention from page 1 until the end.
Without giving anything away, my only complaint with this one is the why is never answered. But I still thought Penitence was a brilliant debut and I see a great future for Kristin Koval. Readers of family stories and character driven books will love this one!
I listened to the audiobook version which was read by Thérèse Plummer, who did a fantastic job. If you decide to pick this one up, I recommend this format.
Penitence by Kristin Koval was published on January 28 so it is available now! Many thanks to Macmillan audio for the gifted audiobook!
A breathtaking debut about the secrets we carry and the healing power of forgiveness. Centered around a mystery, this poignant character driven story kept my attention from page 1 until the end.
Without giving anything away, my only complaint with this one is the why is never answered. But I still thought Penitence was a brilliant debut and I see a great future for Kristin Koval. Readers of family stories and character driven books will love this one!
I listened to the audiobook version which was read by Thérèse Plummer, who did a fantastic job. If you decide to pick this one up, I recommend this format.
Penitence by Kristin Koval was published on January 28 so it is available now! Many thanks to Macmillan audio for the gifted audiobook!
November 27, 2024
A 13-year-old girl steals her father's gun and intentionally shoots and kills her 13-year-old brother.
The brother, BTW, was recently diagnosed with Huntington's Disease and his prognosis was grim.
A small-town lawyer/family friend is hired to defend the young female protagonist.
What's there not to like?
1) Pacing.
Waaaay too slow.
2) Flowery text.
Not a fan of flowery text.
Although the book's "forgiveness and letting go" premise was ultra-compelling, the book did not work for me.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Thérèse Plummer, one of my favorite narrators.
Even with a Thérèse Plummer narration, I struggled to keep my eyes open.
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
2.5 stars.
July 16, 2024
Kristin Koval’s debut novel Penitence ended up being a much more complex story than I expected. The novel begins when 13 year old Nora fatally shoots her 14 year old brother Nico. From this prologue, I expected a focus on figuring out the whys of this crime, but the book took a different turn. Rather than focus on why Nora killed Nico, who had recently been diagnosed with juvenile Huntington’s disease and was destined for an early death regardless, the novel focused more on the aftermath of the event in how it affected Nora, her parents Angie and David, and how she was handled within the legal system. Simultaneously, the novel explores another story and timeline, when Angie dated Julian, who becomes Nora’s criminal defense attorney, as a teenager, and how the two of them were involved in an accident which tore their families apart.
Both of these timelines were compelling and over time it became clear that all of the characters were flawed. They were like real people rather than perfect book characters, and everybody made mistakes, some worse than other’s. Over the course of the novel, the idea of forgiveness was explored in how someone can forgive themselves and atone for a bad decision, and how they can forgive other people for theirs. This book is emotional, relatable, and will make you feel angry at times. You will truly grow to both love and hate these characters due to their complexity. The pacing of the two timelines kept me invested in both sides of the story and the writing was enjoyable and easy to read. I felt satisfaction at the end of the book, even though I didn’t get exactly the ending I expected, and thought it was well worth the read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC.
Both of these timelines were compelling and over time it became clear that all of the characters were flawed. They were like real people rather than perfect book characters, and everybody made mistakes, some worse than other’s. Over the course of the novel, the idea of forgiveness was explored in how someone can forgive themselves and atone for a bad decision, and how they can forgive other people for theirs. This book is emotional, relatable, and will make you feel angry at times. You will truly grow to both love and hate these characters due to their complexity. The pacing of the two timelines kept me invested in both sides of the story and the writing was enjoyable and easy to read. I felt satisfaction at the end of the book, even though I didn’t get exactly the ending I expected, and thought it was well worth the read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 27, 2025
the setup…
David Sheehan pounds on the door of Martine Dumont, a lawyer and former family friend of his wife Angie. He desperately needs her help to deal with the monstrous tragedy that’s just happened in his home. Their fourteen-year old son Nico is dead and their thirteen-year old daughter Nora called 911 and said she shot him. Martine agrees to help but doesn’t have the experience for a juvenile criminal case of this magnitude so she turns to her son Julian who is a successful criminal defense attorney. He’s also Angie’s first boyfriend and their former relationship is what created a wedge between the families. It’s beyond complicated.
the heart of the story…
I first believed this was going to be all about why Nora killed her brother. But it was just the catalyst that had everyone involved exploring their own pasts, the guilt associated with past transgressions, some small and some of great magnitude. Forgiveness can sometimes be elusive but when it’s your own child or someone very close to you, how do you get there? And is the why of the crime essential in the decision to forgive? How each moved on is insightful and enlightening.
the narration…
Thérèse Plummer gave an exceptional performance in managing the weight of so many significant characters, the emotional constructs and the storytelling.
the bottom line…
I’m pleased that the mystery took a backseat to the characterizations and complexities of not only the parents but all involved peripherally. The juvenile justice system is laid bare in all its bleakness and my hope is that it will change perspectives about juvenile offenders. There aren’t any clear solutions here but the ending was absolutely powerful. Such a surprise for a debut novel, so much that I’ll automatically read whatever comes next from this author. 4.5 stars
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
David Sheehan pounds on the door of Martine Dumont, a lawyer and former family friend of his wife Angie. He desperately needs her help to deal with the monstrous tragedy that’s just happened in his home. Their fourteen-year old son Nico is dead and their thirteen-year old daughter Nora called 911 and said she shot him. Martine agrees to help but doesn’t have the experience for a juvenile criminal case of this magnitude so she turns to her son Julian who is a successful criminal defense attorney. He’s also Angie’s first boyfriend and their former relationship is what created a wedge between the families. It’s beyond complicated.
the heart of the story…
I first believed this was going to be all about why Nora killed her brother. But it was just the catalyst that had everyone involved exploring their own pasts, the guilt associated with past transgressions, some small and some of great magnitude. Forgiveness can sometimes be elusive but when it’s your own child or someone very close to you, how do you get there? And is the why of the crime essential in the decision to forgive? How each moved on is insightful and enlightening.
the narration…
Thérèse Plummer gave an exceptional performance in managing the weight of so many significant characters, the emotional constructs and the storytelling.
the bottom line…
I’m pleased that the mystery took a backseat to the characterizations and complexities of not only the parents but all involved peripherally. The juvenile justice system is laid bare in all its bleakness and my hope is that it will change perspectives about juvenile offenders. There aren’t any clear solutions here but the ending was absolutely powerful. Such a surprise for a debut novel, so much that I’ll automatically read whatever comes next from this author. 4.5 stars
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
December 28, 2025
Lodgepole, Colorado.
Why does teenager Nora Sheehan fatally shoot her brother Nico who has been diagnosed recently with a genetic terminal disease? Is it out of compassion or are her motives darker? Her parents Angie and David desperately turn to lawyer Martine Dumont for help, not just for the legal assistance but also because Martine’s son Julian is Angie’s first love. Julian is a hot shot defence lawyer in New York City and an out of her depth Martine turns to him for help. Despite a number of deep seated and serious issues, Julian agrees to help but his return to Lodgepole stirs up the past and forces both families to confront heartbreaking questions.
The stress of the nightmare that David and Angie find themselves in as well conveyed, initially it’s surreal, the recall of events is jerky and fuzzy like an old cine film. Later, it really takes its toll and the dynamics become more fractious and cracks appear everywhere like fault lines. The impact on Nora, her motives, what lies beneath it all is an elusive truth that keeps me reading on. The characterisation is good even if several are not likeable and are enigmatic puzzles, although one character definitely grows on me as the novel progresses. I love the Colorado setting and there’s a powerful scene later in the book in New York City.
However, the first half is way better than the second as from that point on the pacing becomes way too slow and it drags. This is partly due to the large sections where we get backstories of various characters and in my opinion, it becomes overlong and I find the only thing I want/need to know relates to Nora. There’s too much else going on which takes my eye off the central plot ball. There’s a lack of resolution which I don’t like and so I find ending a disappointment.
Overall though, part of my reaction to the book might be due to circumstances too close for comfort, so be sure to read the many 4/5 star reviews to balance out mine.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Simon and Schuster for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
Why does teenager Nora Sheehan fatally shoot her brother Nico who has been diagnosed recently with a genetic terminal disease? Is it out of compassion or are her motives darker? Her parents Angie and David desperately turn to lawyer Martine Dumont for help, not just for the legal assistance but also because Martine’s son Julian is Angie’s first love. Julian is a hot shot defence lawyer in New York City and an out of her depth Martine turns to him for help. Despite a number of deep seated and serious issues, Julian agrees to help but his return to Lodgepole stirs up the past and forces both families to confront heartbreaking questions.
The stress of the nightmare that David and Angie find themselves in as well conveyed, initially it’s surreal, the recall of events is jerky and fuzzy like an old cine film. Later, it really takes its toll and the dynamics become more fractious and cracks appear everywhere like fault lines. The impact on Nora, her motives, what lies beneath it all is an elusive truth that keeps me reading on. The characterisation is good even if several are not likeable and are enigmatic puzzles, although one character definitely grows on me as the novel progresses. I love the Colorado setting and there’s a powerful scene later in the book in New York City.
However, the first half is way better than the second as from that point on the pacing becomes way too slow and it drags. This is partly due to the large sections where we get backstories of various characters and in my opinion, it becomes overlong and I find the only thing I want/need to know relates to Nora. There’s too much else going on which takes my eye off the central plot ball. There’s a lack of resolution which I don’t like and so I find ending a disappointment.
Overall though, part of my reaction to the book might be due to circumstances too close for comfort, so be sure to read the many 4/5 star reviews to balance out mine.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Simon and Schuster for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
July 15, 2024
After reading the blurb, I was expecting a twist to catch us unawares in the last third of the novel. I had even come up with my own (erroneous!) assumptions about what that twist would be.
As the story bounces back and forth in time, we become aware that some catastrophic event tore the inseparable high school sweethearts, Angie and Julian, apart. No spoilers here but I could not figure out why Julian felt so strongly that - but for Angie's decision to buy a joint and share it while they were skiing with Angie's younger sister, - the ensuing accident would never have happened. So much guilt - and secrecy and cover-ups! I felt compelled to read on despite my confusion over Julian's insistence that Angie's purchase of marijuana was the fatal act that completely altered their lives. (Trust me on this: that section of the novel did not ring true for me. These two mixed up, self-absorbed teens made a bad decision and will have to pay for it for the rest of their lives.)
Intrigued already?
Fast forward 15 years and Julian is drawn back into Angie's life - as the defense lawyer for her young daughter.
Nora has confessed to killing her brother, but either due to shock or remorse, she is unable to remember the events of the shooting.
Angie was horrified by her daughter's actions. . Nico, her beloved firstborn son, was suffering from Huntington's disease and the prognosis was not good - but to have Nora take matters into her own hands and halt Nico's physical and mental suffering and his eventual death was something she could not bring herself to forgive.
Angie is portrayed as a very flawed, self-focused woman. She is unable to visit her daughter in prison for quite some time, and when she does manage to overcome her revulsion and anger, she still harbours anger toward Nora. You do get a "twist" of sorts toward the last third of the novel, but I had suspected something of the sort almost from the very beginning.
In the end, we find that Angie is just as guilty as Nora of a few unforgivable actions and choices.
Portions of this book were very well written and I always wanted to come back to this story and find out what happened next. The ending left me feeling that Angie may have evolved, but she did so at the cost of so many lives. If Angie had given Nora equal attention growing up, maybe Nora would not have taken the fatal actions that she did? My impression of Nora is that she was very much on the periphery of her mother's attention and therefore would not have felt able to discuss and defuse some of the despairing feelings that led her to take her brother's life.
So many avoidable consequences!
I'm rating this one 3.9 out of 5, rounded up to 4 because the writing and characterization were very good, given that this is the author's first novel. Her exposure of the deplorable conditions that young offenders endure left me suitably irate. I would be very interested to read this author's next novel.
My thank to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
As the story bounces back and forth in time, we become aware that some catastrophic event tore the inseparable high school sweethearts, Angie and Julian, apart. No spoilers here but I could not figure out why Julian felt so strongly that - but for Angie's decision to buy a joint and share it while they were skiing with Angie's younger sister, - the ensuing accident would never have happened. So much guilt - and secrecy and cover-ups! I felt compelled to read on despite my confusion over Julian's insistence that Angie's purchase of marijuana was the fatal act that completely altered their lives. (Trust me on this: that section of the novel did not ring true for me. These two mixed up, self-absorbed teens made a bad decision and will have to pay for it for the rest of their lives.)
Intrigued already?
Fast forward 15 years and Julian is drawn back into Angie's life - as the defense lawyer for her young daughter.
Nora has confessed to killing her brother, but either due to shock or remorse, she is unable to remember the events of the shooting.
Angie was horrified by her daughter's actions. . Nico, her beloved firstborn son, was suffering from Huntington's disease and the prognosis was not good - but to have Nora take matters into her own hands and halt Nico's physical and mental suffering and his eventual death was something she could not bring herself to forgive.
Angie is portrayed as a very flawed, self-focused woman. She is unable to visit her daughter in prison for quite some time, and when she does manage to overcome her revulsion and anger, she still harbours anger toward Nora. You do get a "twist" of sorts toward the last third of the novel, but I had suspected something of the sort almost from the very beginning.
In the end, we find that Angie is just as guilty as Nora of a few unforgivable actions and choices.
Portions of this book were very well written and I always wanted to come back to this story and find out what happened next. The ending left me feeling that Angie may have evolved, but she did so at the cost of so many lives. If Angie had given Nora equal attention growing up, maybe Nora would not have taken the fatal actions that she did? My impression of Nora is that she was very much on the periphery of her mother's attention and therefore would not have felt able to discuss and defuse some of the despairing feelings that led her to take her brother's life.
So many avoidable consequences!
I'm rating this one 3.9 out of 5, rounded up to 4 because the writing and characterization were very good, given that this is the author's first novel. Her exposure of the deplorable conditions that young offenders endure left me suitably irate. I would be very interested to read this author's next novel.
My thank to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
March 29, 2025
**Many thanks to @CeladonBooks and Kristin Koval for an ARC of this book provided via NetGalley!**
🚨UNPOPULAR OPINION ALERT!🚨
"None of us should be defined by the worst thing we've ever done." - Kevin R. Duncan
Angie and David Sheehan should be navigating through the ups and downs of teenage parenthood by giving lectures on drinking or drugs, making sure homework gets done, and ferrying their children to soccer games or musical practice...NOT contemplating how to even get up in the morning. But after the loss of 14 year old son Nico, they are forced to take a good, hard look in the mirror...since their 13 year old daughter, Nora, is accused of committing his murder. With the scales of justice tipping back and forth, and love for both of their children in their hearts, confusion, fear, and guilt are inevitable. Determined to clear Nora's name, Angie looks for the best lawyer in town and feels that she's found her in Martine Dumont.
But in a case of "It's a Small World After All," Martine's OWN son, Julian, has a deep connection to the outcome of this case...because many moons ago, he was deeply in love with Angie...and the two witnessed a horrifying accident that bonded them forever. The fallout from this tragedy was never fully resolved, but it took a terrible toll on their budding relationship and left the two with shared secrets, angst, and 'messy' feelings, to say the least. And when Martine determines the case is out of her scope and enlists Julian to take the lead, the intensity ratchets up even further. With the present now butting up against the grief and trauma from their past, will Julian and Angie find a way to resolve and move past the guilt of so many years ago? Can Julian clear Nora's name...or is she ACTUALLY guilty? And if she is indeed the one who killed Nico, will Angie ever be able to forgive Nora...or more importantly, forgive herself?
One of my biggest bookish pet peeves (and perhaps one of MANY reasons I struggled even getting through this book) is when the book ends up improperly categorized...and unfortunately, this tends to happen a LOT in the book world as of late. This book is marketed as a comp to Ann Patchett and Celeste Ng, and while I am unfamiliar with Patchett, I HAVE read and enjoyed several Ng books. I suppose this comparison seems clear on paper: character driven family drama with dual timelines, drama, romance, and a 'mystery' at its core.
But where books like Miracle Creek by Kim or House Rules by Picoult have explored the complexities and nuance of a family member on trial and all of the messy and conflicted feelings that are in play while said trials play out, Penitence is missing one thing.
To put it in the words of the great B.B. King..."The thrill is gone. The thrill has gone away."
Again, I might have even been okay with the mystery taking a backseat if there was a more balanced approach to the narrative happening throughout the book. But what Koval chooses to pivot her story around instead is the Huge Accident from many years ago and the doomed teenage love affair of Angie and Julian, instead of the present concern of Angie's child potentially having killed her other child...and this is where she lost me. Not only does Nora the character get the shaft through most of the book, we aren't really even treated to knowing much about her, other than some vague scenes in prison where she sort of longs for normal high school experiences. This is not the sort of rich character development needed to get me invested in the outcome of the mystery. On the contrary, it almost made the MAIN PLOT seem more like a plot device to get Julian and Angie together after so many years...and I wasn't a fan of how contrived that felt.
Aside from this frustration about not really KNOWING Nora on any level, I should have probably had my Pogo stick at the ready for all of the incessant bouncing around this plot did...once I could make it to the end of the next ENDLESS chapter, that is. I got so tired of hearing about the accident over and over in dribs and drabs, and I have no idea why this couldn't have been included perhaps in one chapter early on in the book to set the stage...and then perhaps not again. What these characters needed more than anything was clearly therapy, and trust me when I say that the lack thereof only set the stage for their complete inability to act like grounded adults later on. Things went from bad to worse when a 9/11 plot line was introduced, seemingly to muddy the narrative even MORE and still pull focus from the 'mystery' at hand.
...And if you're waiting for a neat and tidy ending that will make all of these parallels between past and present 'worth it'...well, let's just say I finished this book weeks ago and I am STILL waiting for it. The ending not only doesn't feel satisfying in the least, but I don't feel as though I even have a firm grasp on what the 'thesis' is supposed to be, other than "I should be more aware of those around me," and "I need to learn to be sorry AND how to forgive." Which are fine points, sure, but one could also argue that Angie didn't need to PUT HERSELF IN THIS POSITION in the first place by not having a lawyer involved in her child's criminal case who had very clear conflicts of interest from the start. To have such a questionable and forced premise in the first place with little payoff just left me feeling sort of empty and cold...like I'd been wandering through the birches from the snowy forest on the cover of this book...and let's just say I am NOT a fan of being cold.🥶
And although this title is in reference to the various forms of compunction explored by all of the characters herein, I'm pretty sure that my decision to go against my instincts and read this book had me feeling sorrier than ALL of them....well, sorry for myself, that is.
3 stars
🚨UNPOPULAR OPINION ALERT!🚨
"None of us should be defined by the worst thing we've ever done." - Kevin R. Duncan
Angie and David Sheehan should be navigating through the ups and downs of teenage parenthood by giving lectures on drinking or drugs, making sure homework gets done, and ferrying their children to soccer games or musical practice...NOT contemplating how to even get up in the morning. But after the loss of 14 year old son Nico, they are forced to take a good, hard look in the mirror...since their 13 year old daughter, Nora, is accused of committing his murder. With the scales of justice tipping back and forth, and love for both of their children in their hearts, confusion, fear, and guilt are inevitable. Determined to clear Nora's name, Angie looks for the best lawyer in town and feels that she's found her in Martine Dumont.
But in a case of "It's a Small World After All," Martine's OWN son, Julian, has a deep connection to the outcome of this case...because many moons ago, he was deeply in love with Angie...and the two witnessed a horrifying accident that bonded them forever. The fallout from this tragedy was never fully resolved, but it took a terrible toll on their budding relationship and left the two with shared secrets, angst, and 'messy' feelings, to say the least. And when Martine determines the case is out of her scope and enlists Julian to take the lead, the intensity ratchets up even further. With the present now butting up against the grief and trauma from their past, will Julian and Angie find a way to resolve and move past the guilt of so many years ago? Can Julian clear Nora's name...or is she ACTUALLY guilty? And if she is indeed the one who killed Nico, will Angie ever be able to forgive Nora...or more importantly, forgive herself?
One of my biggest bookish pet peeves (and perhaps one of MANY reasons I struggled even getting through this book) is when the book ends up improperly categorized...and unfortunately, this tends to happen a LOT in the book world as of late. This book is marketed as a comp to Ann Patchett and Celeste Ng, and while I am unfamiliar with Patchett, I HAVE read and enjoyed several Ng books. I suppose this comparison seems clear on paper: character driven family drama with dual timelines, drama, romance, and a 'mystery' at its core.
But where books like Miracle Creek by Kim or House Rules by Picoult have explored the complexities and nuance of a family member on trial and all of the messy and conflicted feelings that are in play while said trials play out, Penitence is missing one thing.
To put it in the words of the great B.B. King..."The thrill is gone. The thrill has gone away."
Again, I might have even been okay with the mystery taking a backseat if there was a more balanced approach to the narrative happening throughout the book. But what Koval chooses to pivot her story around instead is the Huge Accident from many years ago and the doomed teenage love affair of Angie and Julian, instead of the present concern of Angie's child potentially having killed her other child...and this is where she lost me. Not only does Nora the character get the shaft through most of the book, we aren't really even treated to knowing much about her, other than some vague scenes in prison where she sort of longs for normal high school experiences. This is not the sort of rich character development needed to get me invested in the outcome of the mystery. On the contrary, it almost made the MAIN PLOT seem more like a plot device to get Julian and Angie together after so many years...and I wasn't a fan of how contrived that felt.
Aside from this frustration about not really KNOWING Nora on any level, I should have probably had my Pogo stick at the ready for all of the incessant bouncing around this plot did...once I could make it to the end of the next ENDLESS chapter, that is. I got so tired of hearing about the accident over and over in dribs and drabs, and I have no idea why this couldn't have been included perhaps in one chapter early on in the book to set the stage...and then perhaps not again. What these characters needed more than anything was clearly therapy, and trust me when I say that the lack thereof only set the stage for their complete inability to act like grounded adults later on. Things went from bad to worse when a 9/11 plot line was introduced, seemingly to muddy the narrative even MORE and still pull focus from the 'mystery' at hand.
...And if you're waiting for a neat and tidy ending that will make all of these parallels between past and present 'worth it'...well, let's just say I finished this book weeks ago and I am STILL waiting for it. The ending not only doesn't feel satisfying in the least, but I don't feel as though I even have a firm grasp on what the 'thesis' is supposed to be, other than "I should be more aware of those around me," and "I need to learn to be sorry AND how to forgive." Which are fine points, sure, but one could also argue that Angie didn't need to PUT HERSELF IN THIS POSITION in the first place by not having a lawyer involved in her child's criminal case who had very clear conflicts of interest from the start. To have such a questionable and forced premise in the first place with little payoff just left me feeling sort of empty and cold...like I'd been wandering through the birches from the snowy forest on the cover of this book...and let's just say I am NOT a fan of being cold.🥶
And although this title is in reference to the various forms of compunction explored by all of the characters herein, I'm pretty sure that my decision to go against my instincts and read this book had me feeling sorrier than ALL of them....well, sorry for myself, that is.
3 stars
March 30, 2025
Slow and chilling, this debut novel had me guessing to the end.
When a shocking murder occurs in the home of Angie and David Sheehan, their lives are shattered. Desperate to defend their family, they turn to small-town lawyer Martine Dumont for help, but Martine isn’t just legal counsel—she’s also the mother of Angie’s first love, Julian, a now-successful New York City criminal defense attorney. As Julian and Angie confront their shared past and long-buried guilt from a tragic accident years ago, they must navigate their own culpability and the unresolved feelings between them.
Spanning decades, from the ski slopes of rural Colorado to the streets of pre-9/11 New York City and back again, Kristin Koval’s debut novel Penitence is an examination of the complexities of familial loyalty, the journey of redemption, and the profound experience of true forgiveness
I struggled to rate this one because the first 50% had me quickly turning pages. But, the last half of the book did not provide the closure I wanted. The family drama resonated with me in such a visceral way, especially because it involved children. I needed more clues, more evidence, and more explanation at the end.
A special thanks to Kristin Koval, NetGalley, and Celadon Books for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
When a shocking murder occurs in the home of Angie and David Sheehan, their lives are shattered. Desperate to defend their family, they turn to small-town lawyer Martine Dumont for help, but Martine isn’t just legal counsel—she’s also the mother of Angie’s first love, Julian, a now-successful New York City criminal defense attorney. As Julian and Angie confront their shared past and long-buried guilt from a tragic accident years ago, they must navigate their own culpability and the unresolved feelings between them.
Spanning decades, from the ski slopes of rural Colorado to the streets of pre-9/11 New York City and back again, Kristin Koval’s debut novel Penitence is an examination of the complexities of familial loyalty, the journey of redemption, and the profound experience of true forgiveness
I struggled to rate this one because the first 50% had me quickly turning pages. But, the last half of the book did not provide the closure I wanted. The family drama resonated with me in such a visceral way, especially because it involved children. I needed more clues, more evidence, and more explanation at the end.
A special thanks to Kristin Koval, NetGalley, and Celadon Books for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
October 12, 2025
Pre-Read Notes:
Another book I grabbed for a great cover and title combo. This one comes from Libby.
"Hiding a crime isn’t the same thing as burying shame, and nothing she does will provide safe harbor from the consequences of her actions." p49
Final Review
(thoughts & recs)Okay writing, good ending, but ambiguous! If you like a strong plot or even resolution to primary plot, this book might not be for you.
Also, you should avoid this book if you are bothered by ableism in fiction. This book contains whiffs of genocide, with the whole reframing of murder of a disabled person in different ways, including as "compassionate death". I ended up liking the book because I think it shows this is just *one* way to view a disabled person's murder, and it's not exactly moral or legal.
My Favorite Things:
✔️ "Angie wore the strain of her life with grace, but Martine hasn’t seen her smile in a long time." p5 I always find it strange when I'm confronted with social mores with which I don't agree-- like the expectation that downtrodden folks must not bother others while they struggle to survive.
✔️ "Eventually, she turns to run down the hill, then stops. Even if the running feels good, there’s no need to hurry home. No one there needs her." p69 Such a sad protagonist. Her sadness brings great weight to the story. It slows pacing but increases mystery.
I found an accessible digital copy of PENITENCE by Kristin Koval in Libby.
Another book I grabbed for a great cover and title combo. This one comes from Libby.
"Hiding a crime isn’t the same thing as burying shame, and nothing she does will provide safe harbor from the consequences of her actions." p49
Final Review
(thoughts & recs)Okay writing, good ending, but ambiguous! If you like a strong plot or even resolution to primary plot, this book might not be for you.
Also, you should avoid this book if you are bothered by ableism in fiction. This book contains whiffs of genocide, with the whole reframing of murder of a disabled person in different ways, including as "compassionate death". I ended up liking the book because I think it shows this is just *one* way to view a disabled person's murder, and it's not exactly moral or legal.
My Favorite Things:
✔️ "Angie wore the strain of her life with grace, but Martine hasn’t seen her smile in a long time." p5 I always find it strange when I'm confronted with social mores with which I don't agree-- like the expectation that downtrodden folks must not bother others while they struggle to survive.
✔️ "Eventually, she turns to run down the hill, then stops. Even if the running feels good, there’s no need to hurry home. No one there needs her." p69 Such a sad protagonist. Her sadness brings great weight to the story. It slows pacing but increases mystery.
I found an accessible digital copy of PENITENCE by Kristin Koval in Libby.
July 10, 2024
Wow. This might just be a top read of the year for me! This debut has stunning writing and it’s a story I won’t forget.
Penitence is a family drama that weaves together years of secrets between two families in a ski town in Colorado. I loved having the perspective of every character throughout the story and felt this really contributed to each one’s growth and arc. Every character has their own battle with forgiveness and it’s really moving to see how everyone navigates this differently, especially given the gravity of the topics and shocking realities faced throughout the story.
I can’t recommend it enough! One of those stories that makes you feel for the characters, and will continue to think about it for a long time.
A perfect wintertime read, I’m so excited for its release in February! Thank you NetGalley and Celadon for the eARC!
Penitence is a family drama that weaves together years of secrets between two families in a ski town in Colorado. I loved having the perspective of every character throughout the story and felt this really contributed to each one’s growth and arc. Every character has their own battle with forgiveness and it’s really moving to see how everyone navigates this differently, especially given the gravity of the topics and shocking realities faced throughout the story.
I can’t recommend it enough! One of those stories that makes you feel for the characters, and will continue to think about it for a long time.
A perfect wintertime read, I’m so excited for its release in February! Thank you NetGalley and Celadon for the eARC!
April 12, 2025
When 13-year-old Nina shoots and kills her older brother, it has a ripple effect that leaves several people’s lives forever changed. Her mother, Angie, must reconcile mourning her son with forgiving her daughter. Her lawyer, Martine, is challenged by this case like no other as she tries to figure out why Nina did it. And old wounds are reopened when Martine brings in her lawyer son Julian (who is also Angie’s ex-boyfriend) to help on the case.
If you love character-driven stories, legal dramas, and family sagas, this book is for you. It’s powerful and often heartbreaking, with characters you will come to deeply care about. I guessed most of the “twists” in this book well ahead of the reveals, but this isn’t a thriller where the twists are the point of the story. More important are the characters and their relationships, which are well developed and compelling. This book also makes some poignant points about the ways the justice system often fails young offenders.
If you’re looking for a book that will immediately draw you in, this is one worth checking out.
If you love character-driven stories, legal dramas, and family sagas, this book is for you. It’s powerful and often heartbreaking, with characters you will come to deeply care about. I guessed most of the “twists” in this book well ahead of the reveals, but this isn’t a thriller where the twists are the point of the story. More important are the characters and their relationships, which are well developed and compelling. This book also makes some poignant points about the ways the justice system often fails young offenders.
If you’re looking for a book that will immediately draw you in, this is one worth checking out.
January 31, 2025
This was an emotional character driven novel. It is not really a mystery and definitely not a romance. It is realistic fiction leaning towards drama. There is a lot going on under the surface and a lot of history between the characters, but it never felt overdone.
I found some parts to be a little repetitive due to the nature of the story. Certain emotions and behaviors are repeated several times. This may add to the realism of the story, but it also slowed it down a bit for me occasionally.
The characters were well-developed and distinct. They each had their own personalities and thoughts; they didn't blend together at all. They were also well-rounded with each character having positive and negative attributes.
The overarching theme of this book is forgiveness, forgiving ourselves and others. It looks at how guilt can affect different people and relationships. I thought the way it played out was very believable. It was not wrapped up in a neat little bow and not all of your questions will be answered. But, it is satisfying nonetheless.
I received an audio copy of this book narrated by Thérèse Plummer and she did a really good job of making you feel the emotions of the mother even when you weren't sympathetic towards her. I know that sounds wrong, but the mother in the story was not always likable. Plummer added some additional depth to the characters with her narration.
Favorite Quote: You are more than the worst thing you’ve ever done.
3.5+★
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me with a complimentary electronic copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I found some parts to be a little repetitive due to the nature of the story. Certain emotions and behaviors are repeated several times. This may add to the realism of the story, but it also slowed it down a bit for me occasionally.
The characters were well-developed and distinct. They each had their own personalities and thoughts; they didn't blend together at all. They were also well-rounded with each character having positive and negative attributes.
The overarching theme of this book is forgiveness, forgiving ourselves and others. It looks at how guilt can affect different people and relationships. I thought the way it played out was very believable. It was not wrapped up in a neat little bow and not all of your questions will be answered. But, it is satisfying nonetheless.
I received an audio copy of this book narrated by Thérèse Plummer and she did a really good job of making you feel the emotions of the mother even when you weren't sympathetic towards her. I know that sounds wrong, but the mother in the story was not always likable. Plummer added some additional depth to the characters with her narration.
Favorite Quote: You are more than the worst thing you’ve ever done.
3.5+★
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me with a complimentary electronic copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
June 12, 2025
This was a super solid debut novel and quickly puts this author in a comparable category to Celeste Ng or Angie Kim. The story primarily focuses on Angie Sheehan after the tragic night when her daughter kills her brother, and then Angie's first love Julian is brought in on the defense team. This is a very reflective story that frequently flashes back to the past showing Angie & Julian's relationship while the present timeline explores the fallout from that tragic night.
Penitence explores the ideas of forgiveness, people being more than the worst thing they did, and the faults in the juvenile justice system. I would recommend this for fans of the show ADOLESCENCE on Netflix.
The only things I’d chance: the extensive time spent in the past affected the pacing a bit for me, and I would've personally found the story more compelling to my own tastes if there were more of a mystery angle introduced early in the story vs revealing some things that happened. This was a story that explores what happened & why, but it doesn't withhold a ton from the reader which I personally enjoy.
Thank you to the publisher for granting me access to an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions remain my own.
Penitence explores the ideas of forgiveness, people being more than the worst thing they did, and the faults in the juvenile justice system. I would recommend this for fans of the show ADOLESCENCE on Netflix.
The only things I’d chance: the extensive time spent in the past affected the pacing a bit for me, and I would've personally found the story more compelling to my own tastes if there were more of a mystery angle introduced early in the story vs revealing some things that happened. This was a story that explores what happened & why, but it doesn't withhold a ton from the reader which I personally enjoy.
Thank you to the publisher for granting me access to an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions remain my own.
February 5, 2025
"Everyone is more than the worst thing they've ever done."
What an amazing story! This book opens in the aftermath of Angie and David's daughter Nora getting arrested for the murder of their son, Nico. There is plenty of blame being thrown around and lots of whispers in the small town they live in. The mother of Angie's old boyfriend agrees to take the case, which puts Angie and Julian back in the same orbit for the first time since they dated. Angie and Julian have kept secrets from each other for years following a family tragedy. Themes of fairness, guilt, the justice system, accountability, blame, and forgiveness resonate throughout its pages. Such a unique and thought-provoking story. I highly recommend it.
What an amazing story! This book opens in the aftermath of Angie and David's daughter Nora getting arrested for the murder of their son, Nico. There is plenty of blame being thrown around and lots of whispers in the small town they live in. The mother of Angie's old boyfriend agrees to take the case, which puts Angie and Julian back in the same orbit for the first time since they dated. Angie and Julian have kept secrets from each other for years following a family tragedy. Themes of fairness, guilt, the justice system, accountability, blame, and forgiveness resonate throughout its pages. Such a unique and thought-provoking story. I highly recommend it.
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