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The Nature of Disappearing
In this captivating novel of suspense, a wilderness guide must team up with the man who ruined her life years ago when the friend who introduced them goes missing.
Emlyn doesn’t let herself think about the past.
How she and her best friend, Janessa, barely speak anymore. How Tyler, the man she thought was the love of her life, left her freezing and half-dead on the side of the road three years ago.
Her new life is simple and safe. She works as a fishing and hunting guide, spending her days in Idaho’s endless woods and scenic rivers. She lives alone in her Airstream trailer, her closest friends a handsome and kind Forest Service ranger and the community’s makeshift reverend, who took her in at her lowest.
But when Tyler shows up with the news that Janessa is missing, Emlyn is propelled back into the world she worked so hard to forget. Janessa, it turns out, has become a social media star, documenting her #vanlife adventures with her rugged survivalist boyfriend. But she hasn’t posted lately, and when she does, it’s from a completely different location than where her caption claims to be. In spite of their fractured history, Emlyn knows she might be the only one with the knowledge and tracking skills to save her friend, so she reluctantly teams up with Tyler. As the two trace Janessa’s path through miles of wild country, Emlyn can’t deny there’s still chemistry crackling between them. But the deeper they press into the wilderness, the more she begins to suspect that a darker truth lies in the woods―and that Janessa isn’t the only one in danger.
Poignant, suspenseful, and unforgettable, THE NATURE OF DISAPPEARING explores what it takes to start over―and the cost of letting the past pull you back in.
Emlyn doesn’t let herself think about the past.
How she and her best friend, Janessa, barely speak anymore. How Tyler, the man she thought was the love of her life, left her freezing and half-dead on the side of the road three years ago.
Her new life is simple and safe. She works as a fishing and hunting guide, spending her days in Idaho’s endless woods and scenic rivers. She lives alone in her Airstream trailer, her closest friends a handsome and kind Forest Service ranger and the community’s makeshift reverend, who took her in at her lowest.
But when Tyler shows up with the news that Janessa is missing, Emlyn is propelled back into the world she worked so hard to forget. Janessa, it turns out, has become a social media star, documenting her #vanlife adventures with her rugged survivalist boyfriend. But she hasn’t posted lately, and when she does, it’s from a completely different location than where her caption claims to be. In spite of their fractured history, Emlyn knows she might be the only one with the knowledge and tracking skills to save her friend, so she reluctantly teams up with Tyler. As the two trace Janessa’s path through miles of wild country, Emlyn can’t deny there’s still chemistry crackling between them. But the deeper they press into the wilderness, the more she begins to suspect that a darker truth lies in the woods―and that Janessa isn’t the only one in danger.
Poignant, suspenseful, and unforgettable, THE NATURE OF DISAPPEARING explores what it takes to start over―and the cost of letting the past pull you back in.
9 pages, Audiobook
First published June 18, 2024
287 people are currently reading
57018 people want to read
About the author
Kimi Cunningham Grant
6 books2,310 followersKimi Cunningham Grant is the author of four books. Silver Like Dust is a memoir about her Japanese-American grandparents and their experience in the internment camp at Heart Mountain during World War II. Her second book, Fallen Mountains, is a literary mystery set in a small town in Pennsylvania, where fracking has just begun. In her third book, These Silent Woods, a father and daughter living in the remote Appalachian mountains must reckon with the ghosts of their past. Her fourth book, The Nature of Disappearing, features a woman who must team up with the ex-boyfriend who ruined her life to trek deep into the Idaho wilderness in search of a friend who's gone missing.
Before she wrote novels, Kimi was an award-winning poet and nonfiction writer.
She lives with her family in Pennsylvania.
Before she wrote novels, Kimi was an award-winning poet and nonfiction writer.
She lives with her family in Pennsylvania.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,861 reviews
March 4, 2024
Emlyn doesn’t let herself think about the past.
How she and her best friend, Janessa, barely speak anymore. How Tyler, the man she thought was the love of her life, left her freezing and half-dead on the side of the road three years ago.
Her new life is simple and safe. She works as a fishing and hunting guide, spending her days in Idaho’s endless woods and scenic rivers. She lives alone in her Airstream trailer, her closest friends a handsome and kind Forest Service ranger and the community’s makeshift reverend, who took her in at her lowest.
But when Tyler shows up with the news that Janessa is missing, Emlyn is propelled back into the world she worked so hard to forget. Janessa, it turns out, has become a social media star, documenting her #vanlife adventures with her rugged survivalist boyfriend. But she hasn’t posted lately, and when she does, it’s from a completely different location than where her caption claims to be. In spite of their fractured history, Emlyn knows she might be the only one with the knowledge and tracking skills to save her friend, so she reluctantly teams up with Tyler. As the two trace Janessa’s path through miles of wild country, Emlyn can’t deny there’s still chemistry crackling between them. But the deeper they press into the wilderness, the more she begins to suspect that a darker truth lies in the woods―and that Janessa isn’t the only one in danger.
I was so disappointed in this one. It was so slow. I was bored to tears! There wasn't any action until about 80% and that was too late for me. I also didn't have any connection to the characters, which is a reason why I didn't enjoy it. It didn't feel like a thriller. When I am reading a thriller I am always looking for the thrill and I never found it. It didn't thrill me at all. It felt like there really wasn't a plot for me.
The author is a very talented writer. I did love the author's descriptive writing of the wilderness and animals in the woods. I also loved how she described the nature and the woods. I love everything to do with the woods and a forest. I love to go hiking, camping and to find a beautiful scenery with streams and waterfalls and enjoy the beautiful scenery around me while I read a book. This book is very atmospheric. I love how she describes everything in this book. This book was a comfort read.
I want to thank St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.
How she and her best friend, Janessa, barely speak anymore. How Tyler, the man she thought was the love of her life, left her freezing and half-dead on the side of the road three years ago.
Her new life is simple and safe. She works as a fishing and hunting guide, spending her days in Idaho’s endless woods and scenic rivers. She lives alone in her Airstream trailer, her closest friends a handsome and kind Forest Service ranger and the community’s makeshift reverend, who took her in at her lowest.
But when Tyler shows up with the news that Janessa is missing, Emlyn is propelled back into the world she worked so hard to forget. Janessa, it turns out, has become a social media star, documenting her #vanlife adventures with her rugged survivalist boyfriend. But she hasn’t posted lately, and when she does, it’s from a completely different location than where her caption claims to be. In spite of their fractured history, Emlyn knows she might be the only one with the knowledge and tracking skills to save her friend, so she reluctantly teams up with Tyler. As the two trace Janessa’s path through miles of wild country, Emlyn can’t deny there’s still chemistry crackling between them. But the deeper they press into the wilderness, the more she begins to suspect that a darker truth lies in the woods―and that Janessa isn’t the only one in danger.
I was so disappointed in this one. It was so slow. I was bored to tears! There wasn't any action until about 80% and that was too late for me. I also didn't have any connection to the characters, which is a reason why I didn't enjoy it. It didn't feel like a thriller. When I am reading a thriller I am always looking for the thrill and I never found it. It didn't thrill me at all. It felt like there really wasn't a plot for me.
The author is a very talented writer. I did love the author's descriptive writing of the wilderness and animals in the woods. I also loved how she described the nature and the woods. I love everything to do with the woods and a forest. I love to go hiking, camping and to find a beautiful scenery with streams and waterfalls and enjoy the beautiful scenery around me while I read a book. This book is very atmospheric. I love how she describes everything in this book. This book was a comfort read.
I want to thank St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.
February 26, 2025
Well, brace yourself for an enthralling journey into the heart of the wilderness, where the surroundings breathe life into an intense atmosphere, making nature the villain of the tale. "The Nature of Disappearing" grips you with its survival instincts theme, setting the stage for mysterious and intriguing reading. I can honestly say that this follows in the footsteps of the author's previous spine-tingling book, "These Silent Woods," as it shares a similar atmospheric setting. However, I must admit, I favored the previous book a tad more.
"The Nature of Disappearing" boasts strengths such as realistic characterizations that mirror both the flaws and engaging aspects of the characters, evoking a strong sense of connection with the reader. Emlyn, the main character, akin to a modern Joan of Arc in the wilderness, is a capable survivor portraying toughness and resilience. Yet, we also witness her vulnerable side, leading her to questionable decisions as she grapples with mixed emotions and blurred judgments.
Distinguishing itself from the previous book, this one places emphasis on the central love story between Emlyn and Tyler, whose betrayal casts a shadow over the mystery of Jenessa's disappearance. The narrative deftly weaves between timelines, creating a complex interplay that, at times, might leave readers a bit dizzy. The broken love story significantly influences Emlyn's present decisions.
The concept of being stranded in the wilderness to unravel the mystery of her estranged friend is a captivating plotline. However, the final revelations and twists, while not eye-rolling, felt a bit flat, lacking the earth-shattering complexity one might expect. Surprisingly, the romantic elements took charge of the conclusion.
Despite occasional abrupt transitions between timelines, I found pleasure in the characterizations, the intricate portrayal of a broken love story, the exploration of devoted friendship, the scrutiny of dysfunctional relationship patterns, and the enthralling mystery—though it could use a bit more refinement. The author's vast knowledge and detailed descriptions of wilderness survival remain standout features, prompting me to round up my rating from 3.5 to 4 stars. It is undeniably well-written and makes for a swift, engaging read. Anything crafted by Kimi Cunningham Grant is worth delving into without second thoughts.
A heartfelt thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for generously providing me with the digital reviewer copy of this gripping novel in exchange for my honest opinions.
"The Nature of Disappearing" boasts strengths such as realistic characterizations that mirror both the flaws and engaging aspects of the characters, evoking a strong sense of connection with the reader. Emlyn, the main character, akin to a modern Joan of Arc in the wilderness, is a capable survivor portraying toughness and resilience. Yet, we also witness her vulnerable side, leading her to questionable decisions as she grapples with mixed emotions and blurred judgments.
Distinguishing itself from the previous book, this one places emphasis on the central love story between Emlyn and Tyler, whose betrayal casts a shadow over the mystery of Jenessa's disappearance. The narrative deftly weaves between timelines, creating a complex interplay that, at times, might leave readers a bit dizzy. The broken love story significantly influences Emlyn's present decisions.
The concept of being stranded in the wilderness to unravel the mystery of her estranged friend is a captivating plotline. However, the final revelations and twists, while not eye-rolling, felt a bit flat, lacking the earth-shattering complexity one might expect. Surprisingly, the romantic elements took charge of the conclusion.
Despite occasional abrupt transitions between timelines, I found pleasure in the characterizations, the intricate portrayal of a broken love story, the exploration of devoted friendship, the scrutiny of dysfunctional relationship patterns, and the enthralling mystery—though it could use a bit more refinement. The author's vast knowledge and detailed descriptions of wilderness survival remain standout features, prompting me to round up my rating from 3.5 to 4 stars. It is undeniably well-written and makes for a swift, engaging read. Anything crafted by Kimi Cunningham Grant is worth delving into without second thoughts.
A heartfelt thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for generously providing me with the digital reviewer copy of this gripping novel in exchange for my honest opinions.
January 6, 2024
Three estranged friends. Emlyn, Janessa and Tyler.
Now with one missing in the wilderness, the other two need to put their differences aside to find their friend before it’s too late.
I was hoping for a five-star. I tried to will it into being. But no matter how much I wanted to love this book I just couldn’t get there. When I pick up a book I want to feel a part of it…not just read the pages.
I need a connection to the characters and /or the storyline. Both were lacking for me. A complete disconnect… as though I was standing on the outside looking in. I didn’t feel any of the tension or suspense the author was trying to convey.
I absolutely loved her previous book, These Silent Woods so I’m not giving up. I’ll definitely be trying another from this author in the future.
There are plenty of positive five-star reviews for this book, so be sure to take a look at those! I’m very much an outlier!🏝️
A buddy read with Susanne
Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press
Now with one missing in the wilderness, the other two need to put their differences aside to find their friend before it’s too late.
I was hoping for a five-star. I tried to will it into being. But no matter how much I wanted to love this book I just couldn’t get there. When I pick up a book I want to feel a part of it…not just read the pages.
I need a connection to the characters and /or the storyline. Both were lacking for me. A complete disconnect… as though I was standing on the outside looking in. I didn’t feel any of the tension or suspense the author was trying to convey.
I absolutely loved her previous book, These Silent Woods so I’m not giving up. I’ll definitely be trying another from this author in the future.
There are plenty of positive five-star reviews for this book, so be sure to take a look at those! I’m very much an outlier!🏝️
A buddy read with Susanne
Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press
June 24, 2024
I am going to preface my review with saying that I LOVED Grant's previous book, These Silent Woods! It is one of my most favorite books and I bought several copies for friends and family members. I was so PUMPED when I saw this new one coming out and I couldn't help but have super high hopes for The Nature of Disappearing. I tried to not set the bar too high because I knew These Silent Woods would be hard to beat. Unfortunately, The Nature of Disappearing did not blow me away like These Silents Woods did. I'm a bit disappointed but it was still a good book! I loved the atmosphere and wilderness setting of this book. The author did an amazing job describing and detailing the scenery and making you feel like you were there! I enjoyed the alternating timelines in the book; they worked well for the unraveling of this storyline. The characters of Emlyn, Tyler, and Janessa were developed well. I would have loved to have been given more backstory and gotten to know Rev and Varden a bit more. The Nature of Disappearing was definitely a slow burn, almost too slow sometimes, which I think is what keeps it from being as great as These Silent Woods. It lacked suspense in most parts of the books and then the ending came fast, and it wasn't as intense as I had hoped for. I also would have loved to have had an epilogue on this one. I think I'm most bummed about no epilogue and not knowing what happened in the future. Overall, it was still a pretty good read, and I can't wait to see what Kimi Cunningham Grant comes out with next! I wanted this to be a 5-star read so bad but it's 3.5 stars for me!
Thank you, Net Galley, and St. Martin's Press for a copy in return for my honest review.
Thank you, Net Galley, and St. Martin's Press for a copy in return for my honest review.
November 3, 2024
It is no secret that I admire Kimi Cunningham Grant's ability to draw her readers into her stories and hold us, enthralled, to the very last page. The Nature of Disappearing held me equally captive.
I grew to care about brave, multi-faceted Emlyn Anthony: her sense of abandonment and lack of self-worth, her love of nature and her self-reliance, and her courage to start over - again and again - each time happiness evaded her yearning grasp. This passage says so much about Emlyn:
These lines made me sigh deeply. Emlyn was trying to make sense of her world, attempting to label the people in her life. Some of those labels would prove to be woefully false, as she would learn to her cost.
Kimi Cunningham Grant catapulted herself onto my "top ten favourite writers of all time" list with her novel, These Silent Woods. Her descriptions of wild woodlands and mountainous terrain are mesmerizing. You lose all sense of time and place as you fall into the slow cadence of her storytelling.
I didn't want this story to end - I never do with any of her books! She builds atmosphere and and draws you right into the wilderness with her carefully chosen words. I love losing all sense of myself while I am reading her books, and this book was no exception.
Emlyn's life changed when she met her BFF - the effervescent, irrepressible Janessa - in college.
As always with Grant's novels, there is a mystery to be solved and the characters are plunged into dire straits that seem impossible to overcome. I was on the edge of my seat right up until the end.
I don't want to give too much of this story away, so I will just say that this was yet another spellbinding read from Kimi Cunningham Grant. Highly, highly recommended! 5 out of 5 well written stars!
My thanks to Kimi Cunningham Grant, her publisher, and NetGalley for an ARC of this equally heartrending and heartwarming novel. Loved every page of it!
I grew to care about brave, multi-faceted Emlyn Anthony: her sense of abandonment and lack of self-worth, her love of nature and her self-reliance, and her courage to start over - again and again - each time happiness evaded her yearning grasp. This passage says so much about Emlyn:
When I was eleven, my dad got me a dictionary, and then, a few months later, he left.... For a long time, I read it..... And I do this thing. I choose a word for people.... one word that can really summarize a person.
These lines made me sigh deeply. Emlyn was trying to make sense of her world, attempting to label the people in her life. Some of those labels would prove to be woefully false, as she would learn to her cost.
Kimi Cunningham Grant catapulted herself onto my "top ten favourite writers of all time" list with her novel, These Silent Woods. Her descriptions of wild woodlands and mountainous terrain are mesmerizing. You lose all sense of time and place as you fall into the slow cadence of her storytelling.
I didn't want this story to end - I never do with any of her books! She builds atmosphere and and draws you right into the wilderness with her carefully chosen words. I love losing all sense of myself while I am reading her books, and this book was no exception.
Emlyn's life changed when she met her BFF - the effervescent, irrepressible Janessa - in college.
Friend. ... In fact "friend" was almost too flimsy a word. They'd been more. Confidantes, allies, sisters.
And then they'd been less.
As always with Grant's novels, there is a mystery to be solved and the characters are plunged into dire straits that seem impossible to overcome. I was on the edge of my seat right up until the end.
I don't want to give too much of this story away, so I will just say that this was yet another spellbinding read from Kimi Cunningham Grant. Highly, highly recommended! 5 out of 5 well written stars!
My thanks to Kimi Cunningham Grant, her publisher, and NetGalley for an ARC of this equally heartrending and heartwarming novel. Loved every page of it!
June 24, 2024
Book: 3⭐
Audiobook: 4⭐
As the novel begins, we meet twenty-eight-year-old Emlyn, who makes a living as a hunting and fishing guide in Idaho. She lives a simple life, keeping busy with her work and living alone in her Airstream. Her closest companions are Varden, a Forest Service Ranger and the makeshift reverend “Rev” who took her in after a particularly traumatic episode in her life.
Emlyn is forced to confront a painful episode from her past when her former boyfriend Tyler asks for her help to find Janessa, a #vanlife social media star who was once Emlyn’s closest friend and who has gone missing with her boyfriend, both of whom work with Tyler, while on their latest trip. Her relationship with Tyler had ended three years ago when he had abandoned her, leaving her freezing and fighting for her life, on the side of the road. Janessa had once been Emlyn’s closest friend, but their friendship became strained after Emlyn embarked on a relationship with Tyler, who was Janessa’s childhood friend. Emlyn, unable to reach Janessa, also identifies discrepancies in her most recent social media post. Concerned for Janessa’s well-being, Emlyn agrees to help Tyler and the narrative follows them as they navigate the wilderness in search of their missing friend.
I really enjoyed These Silent Woods by Kimi Cunningham Grant and was eager to read The Nature of Disappearing. I loved the atmospheric setting and the vivid descriptions that transport you to the Idaho wilderness along with the main characters. The narrative is presented from Emlyn’s perspective and moves between past and present timelines – the past timelines detailing Emlyn’s past, her friendship with Janessa and her relationship with Tyler. Though I could sympathize with Emlyn, I can’t say that she was a particularly interesting character. I wish we had gotten to know more about Rev and Varden. I should mention that the plot focuses on personal relationships and the complicated history between the main characters more than the mystery behind Janessa’s disappearance. The plot progresses slowly and only in the final quarter of the novel is the mystery addressed and even then, I found the “twists” and revelations a tad underwhelming (with more telling than showing) after the long-drawn-out build-up.
Overall, while I didn’t dislike the novel, it wasn’t the gripping suspenseful read that I’d expected. However, many have enjoyed this more and I would request you to read the other reviews before making a decision about reading this one.
I paired my reading with the audiobook narrated by Emily Pike Stewart, which made for an engaging immersion reading experience.
Many thanks to St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for the digital review copy and Macmillan Audio for the ALC via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel is expected to be published on published on June 18, 2024.
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
(You can read my review for These Silent Woods here)
Audiobook: 4⭐
As the novel begins, we meet twenty-eight-year-old Emlyn, who makes a living as a hunting and fishing guide in Idaho. She lives a simple life, keeping busy with her work and living alone in her Airstream. Her closest companions are Varden, a Forest Service Ranger and the makeshift reverend “Rev” who took her in after a particularly traumatic episode in her life.
Emlyn is forced to confront a painful episode from her past when her former boyfriend Tyler asks for her help to find Janessa, a #vanlife social media star who was once Emlyn’s closest friend and who has gone missing with her boyfriend, both of whom work with Tyler, while on their latest trip. Her relationship with Tyler had ended three years ago when he had abandoned her, leaving her freezing and fighting for her life, on the side of the road. Janessa had once been Emlyn’s closest friend, but their friendship became strained after Emlyn embarked on a relationship with Tyler, who was Janessa’s childhood friend. Emlyn, unable to reach Janessa, also identifies discrepancies in her most recent social media post. Concerned for Janessa’s well-being, Emlyn agrees to help Tyler and the narrative follows them as they navigate the wilderness in search of their missing friend.
I really enjoyed These Silent Woods by Kimi Cunningham Grant and was eager to read The Nature of Disappearing. I loved the atmospheric setting and the vivid descriptions that transport you to the Idaho wilderness along with the main characters. The narrative is presented from Emlyn’s perspective and moves between past and present timelines – the past timelines detailing Emlyn’s past, her friendship with Janessa and her relationship with Tyler. Though I could sympathize with Emlyn, I can’t say that she was a particularly interesting character. I wish we had gotten to know more about Rev and Varden. I should mention that the plot focuses on personal relationships and the complicated history between the main characters more than the mystery behind Janessa’s disappearance. The plot progresses slowly and only in the final quarter of the novel is the mystery addressed and even then, I found the “twists” and revelations a tad underwhelming (with more telling than showing) after the long-drawn-out build-up.
Overall, while I didn’t dislike the novel, it wasn’t the gripping suspenseful read that I’d expected. However, many have enjoyed this more and I would request you to read the other reviews before making a decision about reading this one.
I paired my reading with the audiobook narrated by Emily Pike Stewart, which made for an engaging immersion reading experience.
Many thanks to St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for the digital review copy and Macmillan Audio for the ALC via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel is expected to be published on published on June 18, 2024.
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
(You can read my review for These Silent Woods here)
July 9, 2024
Big sigh. Last week really kicked my ass with books that didn't strike my fancy. (Hopefully this week will be more kind 💘.) This book just happened to be one of them. It could have just been my mood but I restarted this book a couple of time and my brain just kept drifting off.
As hard as I tried, I couldn't conjure a single fahk to give.
I couldn't manage to stay focused on this, it moved so slow. I just wasn't emotionally connected and I expected a slower moving story because These Silent Woods was slower but damn, it was a struggle for real.
ETA- I'm hoping it was just my mood and being in a slight slump due to disappointing books back to back - sooo I'm going to give this one another try in the future.
Woke up in the mood for a thriller... LOVED These Silent Woods excited to see what this one's about. 👀
As hard as I tried, I couldn't conjure a single fahk to give.
I couldn't manage to stay focused on this, it moved so slow. I just wasn't emotionally connected and I expected a slower moving story because These Silent Woods was slower but damn, it was a struggle for real.
ETA- I'm hoping it was just my mood and being in a slight slump due to disappointing books back to back - sooo I'm going to give this one another try in the future.
November 25, 2024
I was really loving this the whole way through but the ending felt kind of lackluster for me. Still recommend!
May 29, 2024
If you love detailed nature descriptions, this book will make you want to pack up and head straight to the Idaho wilderness. Grant’s vivid portrayal of the great outdoors is truly mesmerizing. But, unfortunately, that’s where the excitement ended for me. The story itself was a painfully slow burn, and I found myself constantly waiting for something interesting to happen.
Connecting with the characters was a challenge. Despite my high hopes, especially since I’ve loved Grant’s previous books, this one left me a bit disappointed.
Here's the gist: Emlyn lives a quiet, simple life as a fishing and hunting guide in Idaho. She’s left her troubled past behind, including a fractured friendship with Janessa and a heartbreak from Tyler, who abandoned her three years ago. Her closest companions now are a kind Forest Service ranger and a makeshift reverend who once took her in.
But everything changes when Tyler reappears with alarming news: Janessa, now a social media star with her #vanlife adventures, has gone missing. Despite their rocky past, Emlyn realizes she might be the only one capable of tracking down her old friend. Reluctantly, she teams up with Tyler, and together they follow Janessa’s trail through the wild terrain.
As they venture deeper into the wilderness, Emlyn can't ignore the rekindling chemistry between her and Tyler. However, the deeper they go, the more sinister the truth seems. It turns out Janessa isn't the only one in danger.
In summary, while the book’s depiction of Idaho’s wilderness is enchanting, the story’s slow pace and the difficulty in connecting with the characters made it hard to fully enjoy. Here's hoping Grant’s next book brings back the magic we know and love.
Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
Connecting with the characters was a challenge. Despite my high hopes, especially since I’ve loved Grant’s previous books, this one left me a bit disappointed.
Here's the gist: Emlyn lives a quiet, simple life as a fishing and hunting guide in Idaho. She’s left her troubled past behind, including a fractured friendship with Janessa and a heartbreak from Tyler, who abandoned her three years ago. Her closest companions now are a kind Forest Service ranger and a makeshift reverend who once took her in.
But everything changes when Tyler reappears with alarming news: Janessa, now a social media star with her #vanlife adventures, has gone missing. Despite their rocky past, Emlyn realizes she might be the only one capable of tracking down her old friend. Reluctantly, she teams up with Tyler, and together they follow Janessa’s trail through the wild terrain.
As they venture deeper into the wilderness, Emlyn can't ignore the rekindling chemistry between her and Tyler. However, the deeper they go, the more sinister the truth seems. It turns out Janessa isn't the only one in danger.
In summary, while the book’s depiction of Idaho’s wilderness is enchanting, the story’s slow pace and the difficulty in connecting with the characters made it hard to fully enjoy. Here's hoping Grant’s next book brings back the magic we know and love.
Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
February 12, 2024
I have read and enjoyed “Fallen Mountains” by this author and was highly anticipating “The Nature of Disappearing”.
I let this review sit for a bit because I have mixed feelings on this one. I'll go with the PROS and CONS format for this review.
PROS:
Absolutely beautiful setting in Idaho! I loved the descriptions of the endless woods, sparkling rivers and other flora and fauna - gorgeous atmospheric cover!
Emlyn has a new life as a fishing and hunting guide. She came to this town friendless and traumatized and found a home. She has grown to love her simple life, her Airteam trailer and her few close friends.
The story of helping someone she has a history with,Tyler, to find a missing friend, Janessa, seemed like it might be a good cat and mouse chase.
CONS:
I just couldn’t connect with any of the characters. Initially Emlyn was presented as a smart and clever guide but when she is out searching in the woods she makes so many mistakes that a trained wilderness guide never would,
The past and present timelines, which explained Emlyn’s past history with Tyler and Janessa, released any of the good tension building up in the race to find Janessa who is thought to be missing.
The plot seemed contrived and unbelievable and the ending had to be “told to us” rather than “shown to us” in the story.
I will still watch for other novels by this author. I love her wilderness settings. This was entertaining but not really memorable.
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through Edelweiss. It was my pleasure to read and review this title.
This was a buddy read with Debra and Mary Beth, be sure to check out their reviews!
I let this review sit for a bit because I have mixed feelings on this one. I'll go with the PROS and CONS format for this review.
PROS:
Absolutely beautiful setting in Idaho! I loved the descriptions of the endless woods, sparkling rivers and other flora and fauna - gorgeous atmospheric cover!
Emlyn has a new life as a fishing and hunting guide. She came to this town friendless and traumatized and found a home. She has grown to love her simple life, her Airteam trailer and her few close friends.
The story of helping someone she has a history with,Tyler, to find a missing friend, Janessa, seemed like it might be a good cat and mouse chase.
CONS:
I just couldn’t connect with any of the characters. Initially Emlyn was presented as a smart and clever guide but when she is out searching in the woods she makes so many mistakes that a trained wilderness guide never would,
The past and present timelines, which explained Emlyn’s past history with Tyler and Janessa, released any of the good tension building up in the race to find Janessa who is thought to be missing.
The plot seemed contrived and unbelievable and the ending had to be “told to us” rather than “shown to us” in the story.
I will still watch for other novels by this author. I love her wilderness settings. This was entertaining but not really memorable.
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through Edelweiss. It was my pleasure to read and review this title.
This was a buddy read with Debra and Mary Beth, be sure to check out their reviews!
July 8, 2024
My thanks to St. Martin's Press, Kimi Cunningham Grant and Netgalley.
Straight up, I'll just admit that it actually pains me to write this review.
Ms. Cunningham Grant is a freaking rock star when she writes. Not just her stories, but the people she writes about. She's always been a trusted read.
This? I honestly don't know what the hell this story was. "I truly have a cuss word or more."
Ms. Grant has skipped through all the love, respect and life that she's always managed to inject into her characters.
Turns out that she missed all that with the story too.
I'll be honest and tell you that I don't know what the frick was going on with this book, but it really, stunk!
I'm amazed that Ms. Grant wrote it, but everyone's allowed a stinker. I figure 1 book out of 4 is allowed to suck. This was the suck!
Moving on?
Straight up, I'll just admit that it actually pains me to write this review.
Ms. Cunningham Grant is a freaking rock star when she writes. Not just her stories, but the people she writes about. She's always been a trusted read.
This? I honestly don't know what the hell this story was. "I truly have a cuss word or more."
Ms. Grant has skipped through all the love, respect and life that she's always managed to inject into her characters.
Turns out that she missed all that with the story too.
I'll be honest and tell you that I don't know what the frick was going on with this book, but it really, stunk!
I'm amazed that Ms. Grant wrote it, but everyone's allowed a stinker. I figure 1 book out of 4 is allowed to suck. This was the suck!
Moving on?
August 25, 2024
The characters really came to life, and the prose was beautiful.
July 3, 2024
Emlyn doesn't let herself think about the past. How she and her best friend, Janessa, barely speak anymore. How Tyler, the love of her life, left her half dead on the side of the road three years ago.
Her new life is simple and safe. She lives alone in her Airstream trailer and works as a fishing and hunting guide in scenic Idaho. Her closest friends are the community's makeshift reverend and a handsome Forest Service ranger who took her in at her lowest.
But when Tyler shows up with the news that Janessa is missing, Emlyn is propelled back into the world she worked so hard to forget. Janessa has become a social media star, documenting her #vanlife adventures with her rugged boyfriend. She hasn't posted lately, though, and when Emlyn realizes the most recent photo doesn't match up with its caption, she reluctantly joins Tyler to find her old friend.
As the two trace Janessa's path through miles of wild country, Emlyn can't deny the chemistry still crackling between them. But the deeper they press into the wilderness, the more she begins to suspect that a darker truth lies in the woods―and that Janessa isn't the only one in danger.
Gut-wrenching emotion. Evocative descriptions. Fully fleshed out characters. All of the above describes The Nature of Disappearing to a T. From the dual mysteries presented in the past and present timelines to the immersive atmosphere of the Idaho wilderness, each and every scene came alive before my eyes. Seriously, I felt like I was there, hiking alongside Emlyn and Tyler. Whether it was the well-illustrated setting or the realistic feel, I was utterly blown away by how vivid it all seemed.
Speaking of the characters, they were easily the strongest piece to this novel. Wholly true-to-life with genuine foibles and flaws, Emlyn in particular had a startlingly powerful character arc. Starting off as a somewhat broken persona with severe self-worth problems, her path throughout this story was truly intoxicating. More so, however, was Varden and Rev. Between the two of them, color was added through deliciously eccentric personas.
The plot, though, was rather more of a long, slow burn than I had anticipated. Despite being billed as suspense, I’d classify it as more of a drama. Was there foreboding and tension? Well, yes—but not quite enough in my book to describe it as such. At the same time, I was spellbound by this tale. Full of mysterious secrets and dirty lies, as the truth came to light everything fell perfectly into place. I just wish that the reveals had felt alive and not just explained.
My biggest hang up, however, was how long it took to get to the action and climax. I’m not joking when I say that not much really happened until the 80% mark. And when it did, it was somewhat anticlimactic and not quite fully explored. At the same time, it didn’t necessarily distract from the huge pluses to this poignant tale.
All in all, from the exploration of friendship and romance—albeit dysfunctional—to the character growth, there was just so much to love. While the plot may have left something to be desired, the characterizations and setting were a slam dunk success. Along the way, Grant also dove realistically into the tragic waters of addiction and the heartbreak that can result. Tied all together, this was still a smash hit—as long as you don’t expect a straightforward tale of suspense. Rating of 3.5 stars.
Thank you to Kimi Cunningham Grant, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: June 18, 2024
Scroll down for my potentially plot spoiling trigger list.
Trigger warning: addiction, animal death, poisoning, mention of: drug dealing
Her new life is simple and safe. She lives alone in her Airstream trailer and works as a fishing and hunting guide in scenic Idaho. Her closest friends are the community's makeshift reverend and a handsome Forest Service ranger who took her in at her lowest.
But when Tyler shows up with the news that Janessa is missing, Emlyn is propelled back into the world she worked so hard to forget. Janessa has become a social media star, documenting her #vanlife adventures with her rugged boyfriend. She hasn't posted lately, though, and when Emlyn realizes the most recent photo doesn't match up with its caption, she reluctantly joins Tyler to find her old friend.
As the two trace Janessa's path through miles of wild country, Emlyn can't deny the chemistry still crackling between them. But the deeper they press into the wilderness, the more she begins to suspect that a darker truth lies in the woods―and that Janessa isn't the only one in danger.
Gut-wrenching emotion. Evocative descriptions. Fully fleshed out characters. All of the above describes The Nature of Disappearing to a T. From the dual mysteries presented in the past and present timelines to the immersive atmosphere of the Idaho wilderness, each and every scene came alive before my eyes. Seriously, I felt like I was there, hiking alongside Emlyn and Tyler. Whether it was the well-illustrated setting or the realistic feel, I was utterly blown away by how vivid it all seemed.
Speaking of the characters, they were easily the strongest piece to this novel. Wholly true-to-life with genuine foibles and flaws, Emlyn in particular had a startlingly powerful character arc. Starting off as a somewhat broken persona with severe self-worth problems, her path throughout this story was truly intoxicating. More so, however, was Varden and Rev. Between the two of them, color was added through deliciously eccentric personas.
The plot, though, was rather more of a long, slow burn than I had anticipated. Despite being billed as suspense, I’d classify it as more of a drama. Was there foreboding and tension? Well, yes—but not quite enough in my book to describe it as such. At the same time, I was spellbound by this tale. Full of mysterious secrets and dirty lies, as the truth came to light everything fell perfectly into place. I just wish that the reveals had felt alive and not just explained.
My biggest hang up, however, was how long it took to get to the action and climax. I’m not joking when I say that not much really happened until the 80% mark. And when it did, it was somewhat anticlimactic and not quite fully explored. At the same time, it didn’t necessarily distract from the huge pluses to this poignant tale.
All in all, from the exploration of friendship and romance—albeit dysfunctional—to the character growth, there was just so much to love. While the plot may have left something to be desired, the characterizations and setting were a slam dunk success. Along the way, Grant also dove realistically into the tragic waters of addiction and the heartbreak that can result. Tied all together, this was still a smash hit—as long as you don’t expect a straightforward tale of suspense. Rating of 3.5 stars.
Thank you to Kimi Cunningham Grant, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: June 18, 2024
Scroll down for my potentially plot spoiling trigger list.
Trigger warning: addiction, animal death, poisoning, mention of: drug dealing
June 25, 2024
The Heart is Deceitful Above All Things...
Who Can Know it?
THE NATURE OF DISAPPEARING: A Novel
by Kimi Cunningham Grant
No spoilers. 4 stars. Emlyn met Janessa when Janessa stepped in and saved Emlyn from some rowdy young men at a diner...
They had been BFFs ever since...
That is until Emlyn met and fell in love with Janessa's good friend Tyler Stone. Janessa warned Emlyn that Tyler was trouble and to stay away...
But...
Of course, Emlyn didn't listen to her good friend, and this misstep broke their friendship apart...
Eventually...
Tyler, who had a roaring substance abuse problem, left Emlyn for dead on a snowy road one night...
Seven years later...
Emlyn has a new life working for the U.S. Forestry Service, where she teaches wealthy clients to fish the Salmon River...
Then came a blast from the past...
Emlyn got a call from her estranged friend Janessa saying: There's something I need to tell you. Then the call was dropped...
Days later...
Emlyn saw a news bulletin showing a picture of Janessa and asking for the public's help locating her one-time friend, who had been missing for a week...
And...
Emlyn's ex-boyfriend, Tyler, showed up at her workplace, asking Emlyn to team up with him to search the national forest for Janessa...
But...
One thing is certain... you can never really know someone else because the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked.
Who can know it?
This was a great little mystery from one of my favorite authors. It was also a bit of a camping adventure, and I personally love camping stories.
THESE SILENT WOODS by this author is also an excellent story.
Who Can Know it?
THE NATURE OF DISAPPEARING: A Novel
by Kimi Cunningham Grant
No spoilers. 4 stars. Emlyn met Janessa when Janessa stepped in and saved Emlyn from some rowdy young men at a diner...
They had been BFFs ever since...
That is until Emlyn met and fell in love with Janessa's good friend Tyler Stone. Janessa warned Emlyn that Tyler was trouble and to stay away...
But...
Of course, Emlyn didn't listen to her good friend, and this misstep broke their friendship apart...
Eventually...
Tyler, who had a roaring substance abuse problem, left Emlyn for dead on a snowy road one night...
Seven years later...
Emlyn has a new life working for the U.S. Forestry Service, where she teaches wealthy clients to fish the Salmon River...
Then came a blast from the past...
Emlyn got a call from her estranged friend Janessa saying: There's something I need to tell you. Then the call was dropped...
Days later...
Emlyn saw a news bulletin showing a picture of Janessa and asking for the public's help locating her one-time friend, who had been missing for a week...
And...
Emlyn's ex-boyfriend, Tyler, showed up at her workplace, asking Emlyn to team up with him to search the national forest for Janessa...
But...
One thing is certain... you can never really know someone else because the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked.
Who can know it?
This was a great little mystery from one of my favorite authors. It was also a bit of a camping adventure, and I personally love camping stories.
THESE SILENT WOODS by this author is also an excellent story.
January 27, 2025
3.5 stars
Kimi Cunningham Grant has a knack for pulling you into environments in a way that heightens the emotional stake. She delves into the messiness of human connection—not just with others, but with ourselves.
A Journey into the Wild
So, Tyler – yeah, he is that guy, who waltzes back into Emlyn's life like nothing ever happened in their past. And with news, Emlyn’s old friend Janessa is missing. Great. Just when Emlyn thought she could finally forget about the past, him, and the hurt he caused... But Janessa's a friend, and Emlyn has to help. Still, it's not like she trusts Tyler. So, off they go, trekking through exhausting terrain and dredging up all those feelings she'd rather leave buried.
Emlyn: A Reluctant Heroine
Emlyn–She’s not your typical bold, take-on-the-world protagonist. She doesn’t see she’s resilient or strong, and honestly, that’s why I loved her. She is a mix of strength and self-doubt. The story spends a lot of time just getting to know her—peeling back the layers of her past and revealing the experiences that have shaped her.
Slow Burn, Satisfying Payoff
The book takes its time. You’re wading through introspection and backstory for a while before the action kicks in. But once it does. The stakes get real, the tension builds, and next thing you know, you’re clutching your book (or Kindle, because let’s face it, e-readers are life) as everything depends on what happens next.
Knock out two tasks at once
Now, here’s the thing. This title sat on my NetGalley shelf forever. Why? Honestly, the reviews weren’t exactly glowing, so I kept putting it off. But when I finally decided to give it a go, I grabbed the audiobook it became my go-to for multitasking. Doing all those things I’d rather skip and be reading instead. I was entertained and productive.
It may not have been love at first listen, but by the end, I was hooked. Slow start aside, it’s one of those stories that creep up on you and stick around. Worth a shot!
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley
Kimi Cunningham Grant has a knack for pulling you into environments in a way that heightens the emotional stake. She delves into the messiness of human connection—not just with others, but with ourselves.
A Journey into the Wild
So, Tyler – yeah, he is that guy, who waltzes back into Emlyn's life like nothing ever happened in their past. And with news, Emlyn’s old friend Janessa is missing. Great. Just when Emlyn thought she could finally forget about the past, him, and the hurt he caused... But Janessa's a friend, and Emlyn has to help. Still, it's not like she trusts Tyler. So, off they go, trekking through exhausting terrain and dredging up all those feelings she'd rather leave buried.
Emlyn: A Reluctant Heroine
Emlyn–She’s not your typical bold, take-on-the-world protagonist. She doesn’t see she’s resilient or strong, and honestly, that’s why I loved her. She is a mix of strength and self-doubt. The story spends a lot of time just getting to know her—peeling back the layers of her past and revealing the experiences that have shaped her.
Slow Burn, Satisfying Payoff
The book takes its time. You’re wading through introspection and backstory for a while before the action kicks in. But once it does. The stakes get real, the tension builds, and next thing you know, you’re clutching your book (or Kindle, because let’s face it, e-readers are life) as everything depends on what happens next.
Knock out two tasks at once
Now, here’s the thing. This title sat on my NetGalley shelf forever. Why? Honestly, the reviews weren’t exactly glowing, so I kept putting it off. But when I finally decided to give it a go, I grabbed the audiobook it became my go-to for multitasking. Doing all those things I’d rather skip and be reading instead. I was entertained and productive.
It may not have been love at first listen, but by the end, I was hooked. Slow start aside, it’s one of those stories that creep up on you and stick around. Worth a shot!
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley
June 14, 2024
Emlyn's life has changed quite a bit in the last 3 years. She is a fishing and hunting guide in a small Idaho town where she has built her own safe refuge. But, 3 years ago her ex-boyfriend, Tyler, who she thought was the love of her life, left her on the side of the road almost dead. And now, her best friend Janessa, who just so happens to be Tyler's best friend as well, is missing after a falling out with Emlyn. Just when Emlyn's life is finally in a good place, Tyler shows up to ask for her help to find Janessa. Emlyn is known to be one of the best trackers and Tyler believes she is only one that can help him find Janessa in the miles of Idaho wilderness. But, can Emlyn trust Tyler? Or is he still the person that let her down in the past?
Review:
I read Kimi Cunningham Grant's previous novel, These Silent Woods, at the end of last year and absolutely devoured it! I was so excited to pick up her new novel, The Nature of Disappearing and I was not disappointed! It is a fast paced read that sucks you in with characters that have depth and tragic stories. I also really liked the thrilling aspect and wanting to know what exactly Janessa and Tyler were hiding. I did not get as emotional with this story as I did with These Silent Woods, but I still felt engrossed in the character stories and their development. I also really enjoyed the alternating past and present timelines. The only thing missing for me was an epilogue. I really enjoy seeing the characters lives a few years in the future and would have loved to know how much Emlyn's life changed in another 3 years.
The Nature of Disappearing publishes on 6/18 and I highly recommend picking it up!!!
Thank you to NetGalley, Kimi Cunningham Grant, and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for this ARC of The Nature of Disappearing in exchange for an honest review!
Review:
I read Kimi Cunningham Grant's previous novel, These Silent Woods, at the end of last year and absolutely devoured it! I was so excited to pick up her new novel, The Nature of Disappearing and I was not disappointed! It is a fast paced read that sucks you in with characters that have depth and tragic stories. I also really liked the thrilling aspect and wanting to know what exactly Janessa and Tyler were hiding. I did not get as emotional with this story as I did with These Silent Woods, but I still felt engrossed in the character stories and their development. I also really enjoyed the alternating past and present timelines. The only thing missing for me was an epilogue. I really enjoy seeing the characters lives a few years in the future and would have loved to know how much Emlyn's life changed in another 3 years.
The Nature of Disappearing publishes on 6/18 and I highly recommend picking it up!!!
Thank you to NetGalley, Kimi Cunningham Grant, and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for this ARC of The Nature of Disappearing in exchange for an honest review!
September 10, 2024
3 stars.
A atmospheric, nature focused mystery.
I want to start by saying this author is a favourite of mine. I have loved her writing since before the release of her debut grit-lit novel, Fallen Mountains. I was lucky enough to receive an ARC before that release and she has stood out as a top favourite author since. I had high hopes for this book, but it fell short of what I have come to expect from her writing.
I will start with the good — the atmosphere. As usual, the atmosphere was palpable. The vast wilderness was a huge part of what drives this novel forward and the author did an amazing job creating a setting so vivid, I could clearly picture the nature focused backdrop of every scene. The forest was like a character of its own.
For me, the biggest letdown was the characters. I didn’t care for them. I wasn’t invested. I was curious enough to keep reading, but had no connection to the characters situations or suspense. The storyline and “mystery” that pulls the plot forward was lacking for me and the path the characters take to unravel the story was somewhat implausible. I have not had believability issues with this authors writing in the past, so this was a letdown.
Overall, this was not the authors best work, by a long shot. I highly recommend her previous two novels, Fallen Mountains and These Silent Woods which were both gritty, addictive, unforgettable stories.
Thank you to my lovely local library for the physical loan!
A atmospheric, nature focused mystery.
I want to start by saying this author is a favourite of mine. I have loved her writing since before the release of her debut grit-lit novel, Fallen Mountains. I was lucky enough to receive an ARC before that release and she has stood out as a top favourite author since. I had high hopes for this book, but it fell short of what I have come to expect from her writing.
I will start with the good — the atmosphere. As usual, the atmosphere was palpable. The vast wilderness was a huge part of what drives this novel forward and the author did an amazing job creating a setting so vivid, I could clearly picture the nature focused backdrop of every scene. The forest was like a character of its own.
For me, the biggest letdown was the characters. I didn’t care for them. I wasn’t invested. I was curious enough to keep reading, but had no connection to the characters situations or suspense. The storyline and “mystery” that pulls the plot forward was lacking for me and the path the characters take to unravel the story was somewhat implausible. I have not had believability issues with this authors writing in the past, so this was a letdown.
Overall, this was not the authors best work, by a long shot. I highly recommend her previous two novels, Fallen Mountains and These Silent Woods which were both gritty, addictive, unforgettable stories.
Thank you to my lovely local library for the physical loan!
August 30, 2024
Last year, when I finished reading another book by Kimi Cunningham Grant, THESE SILENT WOODS, I came away feeling as if I had read what would become a favorite book of mine— I loved it that much! However, just because you love one book by an author doesn’t mean you will love the next. Well, here I am, having finished her newest novel THE NATURE OF DISAPPEARING, again in awe of her ability to draw me into a compelling, poignant story driven by amazingly rich characters.
I loved Emlyn, our protagonist, whose tragic past dictates an uncertain present, and even more precarious future as a result of her feeling as if she is undeserving of happiness. Broken trust at the hands of people who should have loved her better make her live her life this way. But this is the story of Emlyn finding her strength, her resilience, and a renewing trust in individuals who truly love her for who she is, flaws and all. She will surely become one one of my favorite fictional characters.
Beautifully written, moving, heart-breaking, and heart-warming, THE NATURE OF DISAPPEARING is a book that will stay with you long after turning the last page. You will come away enriched having read it. As I grew closer to the conclusion, I honestly didn’t want the book to end. It is written in such a manner that you relate to both the story and the characters in a very personal way. You’re invested in Emlyn’s journey—both her physical journey as well as her emotional journey—from the first chapter. It will be hard for you to say goodbye. It was for me!
I want to extend a huge thank you to NetGalley, Kimi Cunningham Grant and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for gifting me the ARC of THE NATURE OF DISAPPEARING! I so appreciate you trusting me with an honest review!! It was a privilege to be able to read the novel before publication.
I loved Emlyn, our protagonist, whose tragic past dictates an uncertain present, and even more precarious future as a result of her feeling as if she is undeserving of happiness. Broken trust at the hands of people who should have loved her better make her live her life this way. But this is the story of Emlyn finding her strength, her resilience, and a renewing trust in individuals who truly love her for who she is, flaws and all. She will surely become one one of my favorite fictional characters.
Beautifully written, moving, heart-breaking, and heart-warming, THE NATURE OF DISAPPEARING is a book that will stay with you long after turning the last page. You will come away enriched having read it. As I grew closer to the conclusion, I honestly didn’t want the book to end. It is written in such a manner that you relate to both the story and the characters in a very personal way. You’re invested in Emlyn’s journey—both her physical journey as well as her emotional journey—from the first chapter. It will be hard for you to say goodbye. It was for me!
I want to extend a huge thank you to NetGalley, Kimi Cunningham Grant and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for gifting me the ARC of THE NATURE OF DISAPPEARING! I so appreciate you trusting me with an honest review!! It was a privilege to be able to read the novel before publication.
September 17, 2024
Is this supposed to be a thriller? It didn’t seem that way to me.
I liked Kimi’s writing. I navigated through the chapters easily because I could picture the Idaho wilderness through her words and descriptive prose. I felt like I was doing the hike myself. I could smell the mountains, feel the morning chill, and hear the sound of running water. I felt one with nature, and that’s probably the best part of the book.
But story-wise? I didn’t like it. It was slow—too slow. It felt like being dragged into a clearing over and over again. The flashbacks were too long. I don’t mind jumps in the timeline, but for some reason, it bored me. The revelation was a bit lukewarm. After such a long journey, for the twist to turn out like that? Very underwhelming.
Still, I enjoyed the vivid imagery and the characters’ survival skills. I’m sure a lot of readers will enjoy this.
I liked Kimi’s writing. I navigated through the chapters easily because I could picture the Idaho wilderness through her words and descriptive prose. I felt like I was doing the hike myself. I could smell the mountains, feel the morning chill, and hear the sound of running water. I felt one with nature, and that’s probably the best part of the book.
But story-wise? I didn’t like it. It was slow—too slow. It felt like being dragged into a clearing over and over again. The flashbacks were too long. I don’t mind jumps in the timeline, but for some reason, it bored me. The revelation was a bit lukewarm. After such a long journey, for the twist to turn out like that? Very underwhelming.
Still, I enjoyed the vivid imagery and the characters’ survival skills. I’m sure a lot of readers will enjoy this.
June 13, 2024
I enjoyed this story a lot. It was very interesting to go back in time and find out what happened between the main characters and how they ended up where they are now. I liked where the story went and how it got us there. I wasn't certain who to trust along the way.
Parts of this book are a little slow moving. The characters are hiking for a while and there are descriptions of the activities they need to do to progress through the wild. This didn't bother me, as I found it interesting to follow along with them. The only flaw I had with the book was that there is sort of a love triangle. It's not the main focus of the book and it was handled well, but it is one of my least favorite tropes. In this instance I can see why it was included, so I was able to go along with it.
I was fortunate enough to receive both an ebook and an audiobook of this one. I went back and forth between the two depending on my needs at the time and enjoyed both. I can't say that I would recommend one over the other, but the audio was narrated by Emily Pike Stewart and was very well done. So, if you are audiobook lover, it is worth a listen.
Once again, I am excited to see what Kimi Cunningham Grant will come out with next.
Original review:
I am really excited to read this book. I read These Silent Woods by this author a couple of years ago and loved it. I've been looking forward to seeing what she would come out with next.
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, and Macmillan Audio for providing me with a complimentary electronic copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Parts of this book are a little slow moving. The characters are hiking for a while and there are descriptions of the activities they need to do to progress through the wild. This didn't bother me, as I found it interesting to follow along with them. The only flaw I had with the book was that there is sort of a love triangle. It's not the main focus of the book and it was handled well, but it is one of my least favorite tropes. In this instance I can see why it was included, so I was able to go along with it.
I was fortunate enough to receive both an ebook and an audiobook of this one. I went back and forth between the two depending on my needs at the time and enjoyed both. I can't say that I would recommend one over the other, but the audio was narrated by Emily Pike Stewart and was very well done. So, if you are audiobook lover, it is worth a listen.
Once again, I am excited to see what Kimi Cunningham Grant will come out with next.
Original review:
I am really excited to read this book. I read These Silent Woods by this author a couple of years ago and loved it. I've been looking forward to seeing what she would come out with next.
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, and Macmillan Audio for providing me with a complimentary electronic copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
July 3, 2024
Emlyn is a sought after wilderness guide in Idaho, living alone in her trailer, and forging a life without Janessa, her college best friend, or her toxic ex-boyfriend, Tyler. They had a falling out a few years prior, with Janessa not approving of their relationship, and Tyler putting her life in danger. Suddenly, Tyler is back in her life, telling her that Janessa is missing, and that he needs Emlyn's tracking skills to find her.
I would describe this book as a character-driven mystery. There were definitely suspenseful moments, but mostly it was about Emlyn's complicated relationships throughout her life, and how they brought her to this moment in time. Emlyn's character was tough, a survivor, but with a vulnerable side. The ending was good, but I wish it had been fleshed out more. I wanted to know what happened next, though I think the author was nudging us in a certain direction.
I absolutely loved the wilderness setting in this book. The author's descriptions were amazing, and I could easily picture myself there. The vastness of the nature preserve was terrifying and breathtaking! Ms. Grant is a talented writer with a great appreciation for the natural world. Enjoyed!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a digital copy of this book. Thoughts are my own.
I would describe this book as a character-driven mystery. There were definitely suspenseful moments, but mostly it was about Emlyn's complicated relationships throughout her life, and how they brought her to this moment in time. Emlyn's character was tough, a survivor, but with a vulnerable side. The ending was good, but I wish it had been fleshed out more. I wanted to know what happened next, though I think the author was nudging us in a certain direction.
I absolutely loved the wilderness setting in this book. The author's descriptions were amazing, and I could easily picture myself there. The vastness of the nature preserve was terrifying and breathtaking! Ms. Grant is a talented writer with a great appreciation for the natural world. Enjoyed!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a digital copy of this book. Thoughts are my own.
June 16, 2024
So having really enjoyed the last book (These Silent Woods) I read by this author; I was looking forward to reading this new one. Like the last one, this new story also takes place out deep in the woods, off the beaten path, where one could easily get lost and/or die from either exposure or some wild animal.
The book summary basically just introduces the two storylines: one of Janessa and her boyfriend, Bush, who Tyler, their employer, thinks are missing and that something has happened to them. Tyler, Emlyn’s ex-boyfriend, convinces Emlyn to help him find Janessa and Bush. Emlyn and Tyler have a bad history; a few years ago, when Tyler was deep into his addiction, he abandoned Emlyn and she almost died on the side of the road waiting for him. Anyway, Emlyn, who hasn’t seen Tyler in years, is very wary of going anywhere with Tyler, who has been clean and sober for a couple of years. However, based on the info that Tyler provides, Emlyn also becomes concerned about Janessa.
The second storyline is of the history of Emlyn’s relationships with both Janessa and Tyler and how Emlyn met them and what happened that fractured Emlyn’s relationships with them. There is also a park ranger, Varden, who was the one that found and rescued Emlyn years ago after Tylor left her for dead. Varden has become hopelessly in love with Emlyn even though the feelings are unrequited.
Tyler and Emlyn head off to try and find Janessa and Bush out in the wilderness of Idaho. The story flips back and forth between Emlyn’s present and past. The past chapters are kind of all over the place: seven years ago, then five years ago, then 17 years ago, then four and half years ago, etc. The past chapters cover the history of Emlyn’s relationship with both Janessa and Taylor as well as what happened to her. The present chapters mostly cover Emlyn’s and Tyler’s search for Janessa and Bush. It's well into the second half, when Emlyn and Tyler find Janessa and Bush, that the story takes a really strange turn and a very ominous tone that culminates into a bizarre and scary intense ending. Good grief!!! That was insane!!!
I flipped back and forth between the ebook and the audiobook, which was expertly narrated by Emily Pike Stewart, who understands the timing of energy and pitch with just the right amount of flair for character authenticity, like the polar differences between Emlyn and Janessa. The characterization of Emlyn and Janessa was much more developed than the rest; the rest being the men, Tyler, Bush and Varden. The pacing and storyline were steady and interesting, respectively. The writing style was good, but I found the alternate chapters (the chapters on Emlyn’s past) kind of clunky and a little thin on details. I’m sure that was by design with the author not wanting to give too much away. However, I love crazy endings!
Personally, I would have preferred that the author didn’t feel it necessary to include the scene of the wild animals that were tortured. I hate animal abuse!!! I’m looking at an overall rating of 4.2 that I will be rounding down to a 4star rating. I want to thank NetGalley and St Martin’s Press and Mcmillan Audio for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
#NetGalley #StMartinsPress #McmillanAudio #TheNatureofDisappearing
TW: Graphic scene of tortured wild animals
The book summary basically just introduces the two storylines: one of Janessa and her boyfriend, Bush, who Tyler, their employer, thinks are missing and that something has happened to them. Tyler, Emlyn’s ex-boyfriend, convinces Emlyn to help him find Janessa and Bush. Emlyn and Tyler have a bad history; a few years ago, when Tyler was deep into his addiction, he abandoned Emlyn and she almost died on the side of the road waiting for him. Anyway, Emlyn, who hasn’t seen Tyler in years, is very wary of going anywhere with Tyler, who has been clean and sober for a couple of years. However, based on the info that Tyler provides, Emlyn also becomes concerned about Janessa.
The second storyline is of the history of Emlyn’s relationships with both Janessa and Tyler and how Emlyn met them and what happened that fractured Emlyn’s relationships with them. There is also a park ranger, Varden, who was the one that found and rescued Emlyn years ago after Tylor left her for dead. Varden has become hopelessly in love with Emlyn even though the feelings are unrequited.
Tyler and Emlyn head off to try and find Janessa and Bush out in the wilderness of Idaho. The story flips back and forth between Emlyn’s present and past. The past chapters are kind of all over the place: seven years ago, then five years ago, then 17 years ago, then four and half years ago, etc. The past chapters cover the history of Emlyn’s relationship with both Janessa and Taylor as well as what happened to her. The present chapters mostly cover Emlyn’s and Tyler’s search for Janessa and Bush. It's well into the second half, when Emlyn and Tyler find Janessa and Bush, that the story takes a really strange turn and a very ominous tone that culminates into a bizarre and scary intense ending. Good grief!!! That was insane!!!
I flipped back and forth between the ebook and the audiobook, which was expertly narrated by Emily Pike Stewart, who understands the timing of energy and pitch with just the right amount of flair for character authenticity, like the polar differences between Emlyn and Janessa. The characterization of Emlyn and Janessa was much more developed than the rest; the rest being the men, Tyler, Bush and Varden. The pacing and storyline were steady and interesting, respectively. The writing style was good, but I found the alternate chapters (the chapters on Emlyn’s past) kind of clunky and a little thin on details. I’m sure that was by design with the author not wanting to give too much away. However, I love crazy endings!
Personally, I would have preferred that the author didn’t feel it necessary to include the scene of the wild animals that were tortured. I hate animal abuse!!! I’m looking at an overall rating of 4.2 that I will be rounding down to a 4star rating. I want to thank NetGalley and St Martin’s Press and Mcmillan Audio for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
#NetGalley #StMartinsPress #McmillanAudio #TheNatureofDisappearing
TW: Graphic scene of tortured wild animals
June 18, 2024
Happy Publication Day!
TW/CW: Language, anxiety, sexual assault (attempt), cancer (mention), cheating, divorce, depression, drinking, bullying, toxic relationships, drug addiction
*****SPOILERS*****
About the book:
Emlyn doesn’t let herself think about the past.
How she and her best friend, Janessa, barely speak anymore. How Tyler, the man she thought was the love of her life, left her freezing and half-dead on the side of the road three years ago.
Her new life is simple and safe. She works as a fishing and hunting guide, spending her days in Idaho’s endless woods and scenic rivers. She lives alone in her Airstream trailer, her closest friends a handsome and kind Forest Service ranger and the community’s makeshift reverend, who took her in at her lowest.
But when Tyler shows up with the news that Janessa is missing, Emlyn is propelled back into the world she worked so hard to forget. Janessa, it turns out, has become a social media star, documenting her #vanlife adventures with her rugged survivalist boyfriend. But she hasn’t posted lately, and when she does, it’s from a completely different location than where her caption claims to be. In spite of their fractured history, Emlyn knows she might be the only one with the knowledge and tracking skills to save her friend, so she reluctantly teams up with Tyler. As the two trace Janessa’s path through miles of wild country, Emlyn can’t deny there’s still chemistry crackling between them. But the deeper they press into the wilderness, the more she begins to suspect that a darker truth lies in the woods―and that Janessa isn’t the only one in danger.
Release Date: June 18th, 2024
Genre: Thriller
Pages: 304
Rating: ⭐
What I Liked:
1. Enjoyed the writing style
2. Liked the friendship between Emlyn and Janessa
What I Didn't Like:
1. Why are there so many weird names
2. Emlyn being "not like other girls"
3. Toxic relationships with toxic men
4. Book just being romance
5. Terrible ending
6. Not a thriller
Overall Thoughts:
{{Disclaimer: I write my review as I read}}
Okay so we have a toxic ex-boyfriend that left her in the woods who had a drinking and possible drug addiction. So she has to reconnect with him to find out what happened to Janessa. I am really hoping this doesn't turn in the same vein as silent in the woods, because I absolutely despise that book. Honestly I'm worried that this author promotes unhealthy relationships with toxic male characters. This whole time Emlyn is just pining over him and talking about how much she misses him despite what he put her through. Does every thriller need a romance?
Love that Emlyn is given pain medicine aka Oxys but Janessa takes them away from her because it takes the pain away too much. What kind of friend would do that? So what that her appendix is bad and she's supposed to have Tylenol? Nah dude they gave her pain medicine because it's painful.
Waiting for some mystery other than a missing person because that's every thriller. Luckily Tyler and Emlyn are a short distance from where Janessa says she was at.
Tyler holding onto Emlyn's hand despite her not wanting to hold his. Gag!
It's pretty exciting that the thing that bothered Emlyn is that Tyler left her in the woods and here we are so happy to go in the woods again. What are the chances? I keep thinking it's Tyler that did this. What if Janessa isn't even in danger and Tyler's just trying to get her alone? Unless unless Janessa was cheating on Bush and Bush found out and killed her.
Is it ever explained to us how Emlyn knows about cars? She doesn't even have a car. She's just able to help Tyler on the side of the road by knowing what's wrong with his car in like 5 seconds. It could have been anything that went wrong but she just knows it's the starter solenoid.
So Janessa would not give Tyler Emlyn's phone number and Emlyn does not think this is weird but not weird like something could be wrong with Tyler, but that Janessa is being too protective. So she gets in his car on the side of the road after meeting him one time. Again her best friend whom she trusts her opinion of would not give this man her number, but she gets in a vehicle with him in the middle of nowhere.
Thank God Tyler gets the chance to show Emlyn what a good guy he is by giving the homeless man a sandwich.
Speaking of Evelyn I don't really understand how she got into tracking. During the whole time she's in school she never mentions that she's interested in going to the mountains and doing anything with that. It's only when she follows Janessa out into the mountains and stays with her family that she seems to take on that role.
Why is it that Tyler has this whole business that deals with like climbing and camping and mounting stuff and he doesn't even know anything about anything? He's the most brainless character. His lack of knowledge is just so Emlyn could show how much more knowledgeable she is. I am finding this absolutely annoying.
You see this is what women are like Janessa actually gives her a warning and tells her he's no good but does Emlyn believe her? No, Emlyn just thinks that Janessa is being jealous. Janessa has known this person since she was a child so she would know if he was no good. But Emlyn seems to think that Janessa is saying that Emlyn is no good she isn't as good as Tyler. It's also ridiculous. Like listen to your friend. She's never reacted like this before when Emlyn has been interested in someone so why would she get this heated and emotional if something wasn't wrong. Emlyn even points out all the nice things that Janessa has done for her and how she's been a great friend to her, but then she thinks that all this stuff was just ways to trap her. God. Yeah I'd be real mad too if my rich friend bought me stuff and let me go on ski trips. All because she says I can't date this one person suddenly I want to throw away my whole entire friendship with this person.
Of course we hear about how great Emlyn is that when she was training for being a mountaineer they plopped her in the middle of the mountain and she was the first one to return. She's just that great. Honestly Janessa saying that Emlyn has self-esteem and I'm over here shaking my head thinking there's no way. She's always talking about how good she is at things.
There is zero way that Tyler is not behind this. He made sure that she came along and even knows that she didn't get a chance to tell anyone where she was going. And then she left it in his hands to radio it in that they were going out into the mountains but she doesn't know if he really did that. Then we come around this weird scene of animals suffering and dying off and she suddenly thinks that it's Bush but like what about that weird guy that walked by too telling them to not go that way.
What does 23 year old Emlyn do for a living? It just seems like she's just hanging out with zero worries of money or anything she has to do.
Cool so we're in conversation number 900 when Tyler talks to her about why he left and what happened. We get it we do not need to have this conversation over and over and over again. This feels like it's not even a mystery. Do they even care about finding this person? I feel like they spend more time just talking about their past relationship than actually being worried about where the hell this girl is. You would actually think that this mystery of Janessa missing doesn't matter. 200 pages in and all we know is that Tyler is still in love with her and they have kissed. We have only 100 pages to find out about Janessa and if she is okay.
We find out that Tyler actually had an oxycodone addiction so I'm assuming that's why Janessa freaked out on Emlyn for having them when her appendix ruptured. Oh and Emlyn blames herself for giving Tyler Oxy pills while they were hiking and hurt his leg. That caused him to spiral into his addiction and leave her at the end. Not sure that she should blame herself for any of that considering he never told her that he had an addiction problem.
So this storyline was completely pointless. With 80 pages left Janessa is perfectly fine and she just wanted to be left alone for a little bit and in typical rich person way just decided she didn't need to let anyone know this - but wait is Bush really holding her hostage she gives Emlyn the hair sign that she's not safe.
So the plot twist is Bush is a drug dealer who is running drugs and Janessa found out. She wanted to take Bush down (not sure why it had to happen in the woods where he has an advantage). Janessa has an agent that's out there right now but was willing to risk her putting her life in danger to get this man. Not only that but Bush has also blasted his face all over social media all while being a drug dealer and he doesn't care? Like he didn't want to stay in the shadows and remain a mystery? Bush even has his own YouTube. And and Tyler thought it would be a wonderful idea to drag Emlyn out into this even when he knew what has happening, because Janessa sent him a message about it. Proving again how much of a piece of crap Tyler is to Emlyn.
Even worse now we learned that Tyler actually left her in the middle of the Woods in a middle of a snowstorm with no water. Not sure why she couldn't just wait for the snow to accumulate and then melt the snow to drink but I digress. After learning this I'm even more mad that she kissed him in the woods and was willing to give him another chance. Wtf. Someone leaves me to die in the woods I would not be giving them another chance.
Tyler's working with Bush. Janessa mentions that Bush was working with a partner, but Tyler mentions he knew Bush from before.
Bush is the person who gave Tyler his first drugs in high school. Janessa sets out to date him years and years later randomly to catch him. Now I'm just convinced that Tyler and Janessa are actually in love with each other because the extent and levels they'll go for one another is like two lovers. She's willing to risk her life to bring down the man that started Tyler on his drug addiction and he's willing to drag Emlyn into this to save Janessa.
Skimmed the last 30 pages because I stopped caring and just needed it to end.
Emlyn biggest thing is that Janessa is always telling her what to do and how to live, but if you read the story then you'll notice that Emlyn has never taken care of herself. She always just does whatever someone wants. She after she lives Janessa she then does whatever Tyler wants. After Tyler she does what Rev wants for staying in town.
It's mentioned Amish romances - which in my profile is what I refuse to read.
Where is the danger? Bush poisons them but not enough to kill them. He leaves them alive in the woods and let's them live. He doesn't come back for them at all.
She brought hairspray while hiking?
Good coming off that traumatic experience with Tyler Emlyn then briskly enters into a relationship with Barden. And they live happily ever after. Gag. Thank good none of that messed with her. Love that this author just always has random convenient relationships lined up.
Final Thoughts:
Emlyn is like a Swiss army knife. She just has endless talents and knows everything
• Fixes cars
• Expert mountain tracker
• Expert fisher
• Amazing at vocabulary (she used to read a dictionary)
This book feels more like a romance than an actual mystery. All you do is get endless conversation on why Tyler left emlin and it all feels so repetitive
This is the second time this author has written a book that I have read where the female character falls in love with a very toxic and dangerous man and it's romanticized that a woman should just forgive the man for these indiscretions. I don't believe toxic relationships between a man or a woman or a woman and a man should be romanticized. It's disgusting. I don't think it's hot that Tyler left her out in the woods to die and their attraction was so hot that she had touch him and kiss him and even still had feelings for him.
It's weird I ended up not liking this book at all but when I was first reading this book I was really enjoying where we were going and learning about the character, I loved the friendship between Emlyn and Janessa. It was sweet how her friend was there to always support her help her. She treated her like a sister, but all that is ripped away when Emlyn meets a man and you would think she's never seen a penis the way she reacts to her friend.
In conclusion I don't believe this author is the one for me and this will be the last book I read by her.
IG | Blog
Thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for this advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
TW/CW: Language, anxiety, sexual assault (attempt), cancer (mention), cheating, divorce, depression, drinking, bullying, toxic relationships, drug addiction
*****SPOILERS*****
About the book:
Emlyn doesn’t let herself think about the past.
How she and her best friend, Janessa, barely speak anymore. How Tyler, the man she thought was the love of her life, left her freezing and half-dead on the side of the road three years ago.
Her new life is simple and safe. She works as a fishing and hunting guide, spending her days in Idaho’s endless woods and scenic rivers. She lives alone in her Airstream trailer, her closest friends a handsome and kind Forest Service ranger and the community’s makeshift reverend, who took her in at her lowest.
But when Tyler shows up with the news that Janessa is missing, Emlyn is propelled back into the world she worked so hard to forget. Janessa, it turns out, has become a social media star, documenting her #vanlife adventures with her rugged survivalist boyfriend. But she hasn’t posted lately, and when she does, it’s from a completely different location than where her caption claims to be. In spite of their fractured history, Emlyn knows she might be the only one with the knowledge and tracking skills to save her friend, so she reluctantly teams up with Tyler. As the two trace Janessa’s path through miles of wild country, Emlyn can’t deny there’s still chemistry crackling between them. But the deeper they press into the wilderness, the more she begins to suspect that a darker truth lies in the woods―and that Janessa isn’t the only one in danger.
Release Date: June 18th, 2024
Genre: Thriller
Pages: 304
Rating: ⭐
What I Liked:
1. Enjoyed the writing style
2. Liked the friendship between Emlyn and Janessa
What I Didn't Like:
1. Why are there so many weird names
2. Emlyn being "not like other girls"
3. Toxic relationships with toxic men
4. Book just being romance
5. Terrible ending
6. Not a thriller
Overall Thoughts:
{{Disclaimer: I write my review as I read}}
Okay so we have a toxic ex-boyfriend that left her in the woods who had a drinking and possible drug addiction. So she has to reconnect with him to find out what happened to Janessa. I am really hoping this doesn't turn in the same vein as silent in the woods, because I absolutely despise that book. Honestly I'm worried that this author promotes unhealthy relationships with toxic male characters. This whole time Emlyn is just pining over him and talking about how much she misses him despite what he put her through. Does every thriller need a romance?
Love that Emlyn is given pain medicine aka Oxys but Janessa takes them away from her because it takes the pain away too much. What kind of friend would do that? So what that her appendix is bad and she's supposed to have Tylenol? Nah dude they gave her pain medicine because it's painful.
Waiting for some mystery other than a missing person because that's every thriller. Luckily Tyler and Emlyn are a short distance from where Janessa says she was at.
Tyler holding onto Emlyn's hand despite her not wanting to hold his. Gag!
It's pretty exciting that the thing that bothered Emlyn is that Tyler left her in the woods and here we are so happy to go in the woods again. What are the chances? I keep thinking it's Tyler that did this. What if Janessa isn't even in danger and Tyler's just trying to get her alone? Unless unless Janessa was cheating on Bush and Bush found out and killed her.
Is it ever explained to us how Emlyn knows about cars? She doesn't even have a car. She's just able to help Tyler on the side of the road by knowing what's wrong with his car in like 5 seconds. It could have been anything that went wrong but she just knows it's the starter solenoid.
So Janessa would not give Tyler Emlyn's phone number and Emlyn does not think this is weird but not weird like something could be wrong with Tyler, but that Janessa is being too protective. So she gets in his car on the side of the road after meeting him one time. Again her best friend whom she trusts her opinion of would not give this man her number, but she gets in a vehicle with him in the middle of nowhere.
Thank God Tyler gets the chance to show Emlyn what a good guy he is by giving the homeless man a sandwich.
Speaking of Evelyn I don't really understand how she got into tracking. During the whole time she's in school she never mentions that she's interested in going to the mountains and doing anything with that. It's only when she follows Janessa out into the mountains and stays with her family that she seems to take on that role.
Why is it that Tyler has this whole business that deals with like climbing and camping and mounting stuff and he doesn't even know anything about anything? He's the most brainless character. His lack of knowledge is just so Emlyn could show how much more knowledgeable she is. I am finding this absolutely annoying.
You see this is what women are like Janessa actually gives her a warning and tells her he's no good but does Emlyn believe her? No, Emlyn just thinks that Janessa is being jealous. Janessa has known this person since she was a child so she would know if he was no good. But Emlyn seems to think that Janessa is saying that Emlyn is no good she isn't as good as Tyler. It's also ridiculous. Like listen to your friend. She's never reacted like this before when Emlyn has been interested in someone so why would she get this heated and emotional if something wasn't wrong. Emlyn even points out all the nice things that Janessa has done for her and how she's been a great friend to her, but then she thinks that all this stuff was just ways to trap her. God. Yeah I'd be real mad too if my rich friend bought me stuff and let me go on ski trips. All because she says I can't date this one person suddenly I want to throw away my whole entire friendship with this person.
Of course we hear about how great Emlyn is that when she was training for being a mountaineer they plopped her in the middle of the mountain and she was the first one to return. She's just that great. Honestly Janessa saying that Emlyn has self-esteem and I'm over here shaking my head thinking there's no way. She's always talking about how good she is at things.
There is zero way that Tyler is not behind this. He made sure that she came along and even knows that she didn't get a chance to tell anyone where she was going. And then she left it in his hands to radio it in that they were going out into the mountains but she doesn't know if he really did that. Then we come around this weird scene of animals suffering and dying off and she suddenly thinks that it's Bush but like what about that weird guy that walked by too telling them to not go that way.
What does 23 year old Emlyn do for a living? It just seems like she's just hanging out with zero worries of money or anything she has to do.
Cool so we're in conversation number 900 when Tyler talks to her about why he left and what happened. We get it we do not need to have this conversation over and over and over again. This feels like it's not even a mystery. Do they even care about finding this person? I feel like they spend more time just talking about their past relationship than actually being worried about where the hell this girl is. You would actually think that this mystery of Janessa missing doesn't matter. 200 pages in and all we know is that Tyler is still in love with her and they have kissed. We have only 100 pages to find out about Janessa and if she is okay.
We find out that Tyler actually had an oxycodone addiction so I'm assuming that's why Janessa freaked out on Emlyn for having them when her appendix ruptured. Oh and Emlyn blames herself for giving Tyler Oxy pills while they were hiking and hurt his leg. That caused him to spiral into his addiction and leave her at the end. Not sure that she should blame herself for any of that considering he never told her that he had an addiction problem.
So this storyline was completely pointless. With 80 pages left Janessa is perfectly fine and she just wanted to be left alone for a little bit and in typical rich person way just decided she didn't need to let anyone know this - but wait is Bush really holding her hostage she gives Emlyn the hair sign that she's not safe.
So the plot twist is Bush is a drug dealer who is running drugs and Janessa found out. She wanted to take Bush down (not sure why it had to happen in the woods where he has an advantage). Janessa has an agent that's out there right now but was willing to risk her putting her life in danger to get this man. Not only that but Bush has also blasted his face all over social media all while being a drug dealer and he doesn't care? Like he didn't want to stay in the shadows and remain a mystery? Bush even has his own YouTube. And and Tyler thought it would be a wonderful idea to drag Emlyn out into this even when he knew what has happening, because Janessa sent him a message about it. Proving again how much of a piece of crap Tyler is to Emlyn.
Even worse now we learned that Tyler actually left her in the middle of the Woods in a middle of a snowstorm with no water. Not sure why she couldn't just wait for the snow to accumulate and then melt the snow to drink but I digress. After learning this I'm even more mad that she kissed him in the woods and was willing to give him another chance. Wtf. Someone leaves me to die in the woods I would not be giving them another chance.
Tyler's working with Bush. Janessa mentions that Bush was working with a partner, but Tyler mentions he knew Bush from before.
Bush is the person who gave Tyler his first drugs in high school. Janessa sets out to date him years and years later randomly to catch him. Now I'm just convinced that Tyler and Janessa are actually in love with each other because the extent and levels they'll go for one another is like two lovers. She's willing to risk her life to bring down the man that started Tyler on his drug addiction and he's willing to drag Emlyn into this to save Janessa.
Skimmed the last 30 pages because I stopped caring and just needed it to end.
Emlyn biggest thing is that Janessa is always telling her what to do and how to live, but if you read the story then you'll notice that Emlyn has never taken care of herself. She always just does whatever someone wants. She after she lives Janessa she then does whatever Tyler wants. After Tyler she does what Rev wants for staying in town.
It's mentioned Amish romances - which in my profile is what I refuse to read.
Where is the danger? Bush poisons them but not enough to kill them. He leaves them alive in the woods and let's them live. He doesn't come back for them at all.
She brought hairspray while hiking?
Good coming off that traumatic experience with Tyler Emlyn then briskly enters into a relationship with Barden. And they live happily ever after. Gag. Thank good none of that messed with her. Love that this author just always has random convenient relationships lined up.
Final Thoughts:
Emlyn is like a Swiss army knife. She just has endless talents and knows everything
• Fixes cars
• Expert mountain tracker
• Expert fisher
• Amazing at vocabulary (she used to read a dictionary)
This book feels more like a romance than an actual mystery. All you do is get endless conversation on why Tyler left emlin and it all feels so repetitive
This is the second time this author has written a book that I have read where the female character falls in love with a very toxic and dangerous man and it's romanticized that a woman should just forgive the man for these indiscretions. I don't believe toxic relationships between a man or a woman or a woman and a man should be romanticized. It's disgusting. I don't think it's hot that Tyler left her out in the woods to die and their attraction was so hot that she had touch him and kiss him and even still had feelings for him.
It's weird I ended up not liking this book at all but when I was first reading this book I was really enjoying where we were going and learning about the character, I loved the friendship between Emlyn and Janessa. It was sweet how her friend was there to always support her help her. She treated her like a sister, but all that is ripped away when Emlyn meets a man and you would think she's never seen a penis the way she reacts to her friend.
In conclusion I don't believe this author is the one for me and this will be the last book I read by her.
IG | Blog
Thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for this advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 15, 2025
Emlyn works in remote Idaho as a fishing and hunting guide. When her best friend goes missing, she’s forced to team up with her ex-boyfriend—the same man who left her freezing and near death on the roadside three years ago—to track her down.
The narrative is told in both past and present timelines. This usually isn't an issue for me, but in this case, the transition between timelines was not always smooth and did not always go in an order that made sense to me. There were times when the same things were discussed both in past and present which made that information feel repetitive.
I enjoyed the story overall. This would have been a solid 4 star read for me until the last 25%. It's probably more of a personal preference, but I didn't care for the direction the story took towards the end. Given the slow build up, the ending felt a little rushed.
This is my second book by this author. Once again, she has mastered the art of vividly painting the landscape with her words. She does a great job immersing the reader in her remote settings. I wouldn't classify this as a thriller, but more of a slower paced domestic suspense. 3.5 stars.
My thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
The narrative is told in both past and present timelines. This usually isn't an issue for me, but in this case, the transition between timelines was not always smooth and did not always go in an order that made sense to me. There were times when the same things were discussed both in past and present which made that information feel repetitive.
I enjoyed the story overall. This would have been a solid 4 star read for me until the last 25%. It's probably more of a personal preference, but I didn't care for the direction the story took towards the end. Given the slow build up, the ending felt a little rushed.
This is my second book by this author. Once again, she has mastered the art of vividly painting the landscape with her words. She does a great job immersing the reader in her remote settings. I wouldn't classify this as a thriller, but more of a slower paced domestic suspense. 3.5 stars.
My thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
June 11, 2024
Emlyn is at her best in the wild—she has rarely been as much at peace with people than she is out in the wilderness. Her friend Janessa was an exception, but that relationship is over; her boyfriend Tyler was another exception, but that too is over. At least—those relationships were over until Tyler reaches out, asking for help. Janessa is missing...and Emlyn is his best bet to find her again.
This is something of a slow burn of a book, sliding between the here-and-now of Emlyn and Tyler's hunt for Janessa and the years beforehand—before Janessa took Emlyn under her wing, before Emlyn and Tyler found each other, before it all fell apart. Parts of the mystery are hinted at for the reader to guess before Emlyn does, but there are a lot of ways the story could turn out, which is satisfying; I guessed at some of it, especially as the story went on, but several other outcomes would have been realistic too.
The characters are satisfying, and there's something about Janessa and Emlyn's friendship that I think will resonate with a lot of readers—loving each other fiercely but Emlyn feeling that she's always in Janessa's shadow. (Their relationship is way more interesting than Emlyn's more predictable route with Tyler.) In places I'd have liked more from Janessa, who pretty much does everything with a bang but whom we of course only understand from Emlyn's perspective.
I'll leave it there because the details of the relationships are best unfolded with the pages of the book—but this was a satisfying read.
Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.
This is something of a slow burn of a book, sliding between the here-and-now of Emlyn and Tyler's hunt for Janessa and the years beforehand—before Janessa took Emlyn under her wing, before Emlyn and Tyler found each other, before it all fell apart. Parts of the mystery are hinted at for the reader to guess before Emlyn does, but there are a lot of ways the story could turn out, which is satisfying; I guessed at some of it, especially as the story went on, but several other outcomes would have been realistic too.
The characters are satisfying, and there's something about Janessa and Emlyn's friendship that I think will resonate with a lot of readers—loving each other fiercely but Emlyn feeling that she's always in Janessa's shadow. (Their relationship is way more interesting than Emlyn's more predictable route with Tyler.) In places I'd have liked more from Janessa, who pretty much does everything with a bang but whom we of course only understand from Emlyn's perspective.
I'll leave it there because the details of the relationships are best unfolded with the pages of the book—but this was a satisfying read.
Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.
June 21, 2024
A suspenseful read!
Set in the wilderness, the author's description of the character's surroundings had me feeling like I was there. Told in dual timelines with well-developed, complex characters.
Emlyn, a fishing and hunting guide, sets out to find her estranged friend Janessa who is a social media star documenting her time in the wilderness until she disappears.
A captivating mystery!
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an arc of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
Set in the wilderness, the author's description of the character's surroundings had me feeling like I was there. Told in dual timelines with well-developed, complex characters.
Emlyn, a fishing and hunting guide, sets out to find her estranged friend Janessa who is a social media star documenting her time in the wilderness until she disappears.
A captivating mystery!
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an arc of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
June 2, 2024
What will it cost to allow the past to pull you back in? This poignant, suspenseful read allows the reader to step into the forest with Emlyn and discover the truth.
Emelyn has just learned that her best friend Janessa is missing. Janessa has been a high profile social media influencer documenting her #vanlife with her new boyfriend, Bush. Emlyn hasn't talked to Janessa in a long time - not since she was left alone, half dead in the woods by her boyfriend, Tyler three years ago. Instead, she lives in Idaho, working as a fishing and hunting guide alongside the community's reverend and a handsome Forest Service ranger who took her in. Janessa hasn't posted in a while and the last photo has a suspicious caption that doesn't add up. Emlyn is even more shocked when her ex-boyfriend, Tyler, shows up to ask Emelyn to help him find Janessa. She reluctantly joins him, tracing Janessa's path through miles of wild country. And as a chemistry begins to form between them, Emlyn begins to suspect that a darker truth lies in the woods - and that Janessa isn't the only one in danger.
One of my favorite aspects of this book is the perfect use of non-linear timeline. Kimi Cunningham Grant masterfully weaves this story, alternating past and present to bring the reader into a dramatic plot twist. Emily Pike Stewart was the perfect voice for this storyline. Her tone, timbre and interpretation of characters was stellar. At times, she sounded like Paula Abdul. I felt I needed to say that. The writing is compelling and engaging. My problems with the book stem from preference. I strongly disliked all of the characters, save the reverend and forest ranger who get maybe two chapters. I wanted to shake all of the characters and ask, "What is wrong with you?" Also, though the story was engaging, it was not memorable, except for the 2 plot twists.
Thank you NetGalley, Kimi Cunningham Grant, and Macmillan Audio for this audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Emelyn has just learned that her best friend Janessa is missing. Janessa has been a high profile social media influencer documenting her #vanlife with her new boyfriend, Bush. Emlyn hasn't talked to Janessa in a long time - not since she was left alone, half dead in the woods by her boyfriend, Tyler three years ago. Instead, she lives in Idaho, working as a fishing and hunting guide alongside the community's reverend and a handsome Forest Service ranger who took her in. Janessa hasn't posted in a while and the last photo has a suspicious caption that doesn't add up. Emlyn is even more shocked when her ex-boyfriend, Tyler, shows up to ask Emelyn to help him find Janessa. She reluctantly joins him, tracing Janessa's path through miles of wild country. And as a chemistry begins to form between them, Emlyn begins to suspect that a darker truth lies in the woods - and that Janessa isn't the only one in danger.
One of my favorite aspects of this book is the perfect use of non-linear timeline. Kimi Cunningham Grant masterfully weaves this story, alternating past and present to bring the reader into a dramatic plot twist. Emily Pike Stewart was the perfect voice for this storyline. Her tone, timbre and interpretation of characters was stellar. At times, she sounded like Paula Abdul. I felt I needed to say that. The writing is compelling and engaging. My problems with the book stem from preference. I strongly disliked all of the characters, save the reverend and forest ranger who get maybe two chapters. I wanted to shake all of the characters and ask, "What is wrong with you?" Also, though the story was engaging, it was not memorable, except for the 2 plot twists.
Thank you NetGalley, Kimi Cunningham Grant, and Macmillan Audio for this audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 3, 2024
Kimi Cunningham Grant is a queen of atmospheric wilderness writing, and "The Nature of Disappearing" doesn't disappoint in this respect. The novel features four main characters: Emlyn, her ex-boyfriend Tyler, her nearly estranged best friend Janessa, and the backcountry wilderness itself.
I'm a huge fan of "These Silent Woods" so I was eager to get my hands on Kimi Cunningham Grant's latest novel. I found the same well-written prose and gentle pacing that I've come to expect from her. The story follows Emlyn, who is shaking off some trauma from being stranded in the backcountry by her then-boyfriend Tyler years before. The two haven't spoken since then, but when Tyler approaches her with concern for their mutual friend Janessa, Emlyn can't help but get involved. Janessa has been living the van life as the social media influencer for Tyler's company, but she's stopped posting online, and Tyler is certain something has happened to her in the remote wilderness. With no evidence of foul play to inspire search-and-rescue help, the two set out into the mountains together to try to locate their friend.
I loved the concept of Emlyn assigning a certain word to each individual she meets, an attempt to summarize their character in a neat little box. It's fitting that over the course of the book, she comes to learn that no one is black or white, including herself. While I did enjoy reading this and Kimi Cunningham Grant will remain on my auto-buy list, this novel didn’t have quite the same emotional resonance as "These Silent Woods." It leans a little more towards young adult with a coming of age vibe, but it's still engaging and entertaining for adult readers. I would have loved to have come to know the character of Varden a bit more, as he lacked the shades of gray complexity that the other characters have.
Overall, another solid showing from Cunningham Grant, with excellent narration on audio to accompany it. Don't go in expecting a thriller, and you'll come out ahead. This is, at its heart, a character study and an examination of the complexities of human nature — and while there are some mysteries to unfold, this isn't a whodunit.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio, Netgalley, and Kimi Cunningham Grant for providing an advance copy for my honest review.
I'm a huge fan of "These Silent Woods" so I was eager to get my hands on Kimi Cunningham Grant's latest novel. I found the same well-written prose and gentle pacing that I've come to expect from her. The story follows Emlyn, who is shaking off some trauma from being stranded in the backcountry by her then-boyfriend Tyler years before. The two haven't spoken since then, but when Tyler approaches her with concern for their mutual friend Janessa, Emlyn can't help but get involved. Janessa has been living the van life as the social media influencer for Tyler's company, but she's stopped posting online, and Tyler is certain something has happened to her in the remote wilderness. With no evidence of foul play to inspire search-and-rescue help, the two set out into the mountains together to try to locate their friend.
I loved the concept of Emlyn assigning a certain word to each individual she meets, an attempt to summarize their character in a neat little box. It's fitting that over the course of the book, she comes to learn that no one is black or white, including herself. While I did enjoy reading this and Kimi Cunningham Grant will remain on my auto-buy list, this novel didn’t have quite the same emotional resonance as "These Silent Woods." It leans a little more towards young adult with a coming of age vibe, but it's still engaging and entertaining for adult readers. I would have loved to have come to know the character of Varden a bit more, as he lacked the shades of gray complexity that the other characters have.
Overall, another solid showing from Cunningham Grant, with excellent narration on audio to accompany it. Don't go in expecting a thriller, and you'll come out ahead. This is, at its heart, a character study and an examination of the complexities of human nature — and while there are some mysteries to unfold, this isn't a whodunit.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio, Netgalley, and Kimi Cunningham Grant for providing an advance copy for my honest review.
August 4, 2024
When her friend Janessa goes missing, wilderness expert Emlyn will have to partner with the ex-boyfriend who left her stranded on a hike years ago, in order to find her. As the two work to track Janessa, old sparks reunite even as new secrets threaten to come to the surface.
Nobody, and I mean NOBODY, sets an atmosphere like Kimi Cunningham Grant. Whether deep in the mountains of Appalachia or the wilderness of Idaho, nature and the wild itself are always a featured character, and one that adds a dark and moody vibe.
One thing that caught my attention was the use of elements of the Gabby Petito case. From the idea of a van life social media account to the disappearance of a young woman traveling with her boyfriend, I enjoyed the true crime element woven into a story that ultimately ends up going down a completely different path.
While this one wasn’t quite what I was expecting following her knockout with These Silent Woods, I still enjoyed reading it, especially via audio narrated by Emily Pike Stewart. I would suggest that format over the physical book for the audiobook fans out there.
Read if you like:
• domestic suspense
• atmospheric reads
• friendship drama
• wilderness setting
• romantic suspense
• true crime elements
Thank you Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for the gifted copies.
Nobody, and I mean NOBODY, sets an atmosphere like Kimi Cunningham Grant. Whether deep in the mountains of Appalachia or the wilderness of Idaho, nature and the wild itself are always a featured character, and one that adds a dark and moody vibe.
One thing that caught my attention was the use of elements of the Gabby Petito case. From the idea of a van life social media account to the disappearance of a young woman traveling with her boyfriend, I enjoyed the true crime element woven into a story that ultimately ends up going down a completely different path.
While this one wasn’t quite what I was expecting following her knockout with These Silent Woods, I still enjoyed reading it, especially via audio narrated by Emily Pike Stewart. I would suggest that format over the physical book for the audiobook fans out there.
Read if you like:
• domestic suspense
• atmospheric reads
• friendship drama
• wilderness setting
• romantic suspense
• true crime elements
Thank you Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for the gifted copies.
Want to read
March 5, 2023So excited to see this!!!!
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