Jessica Harmon Has Stepped Away

by Reyna Marder Gentin

Jessica Harmon has spent her life in an emotional tug-of-war—yearning for her mother’s attention while bracing for the rejection that always followed.

At thirty, Jessica’s love life is a wreck, her confidence is shot, and she’s adrift in New York City, stuck editing other people’s novels at a vanity press while too paralyzed to write her own. She blames her failure to launch on the woman who raised her: Cynthia Harmon, a legendary poet and scholar, who dazzles her students and readers alike…but leaves her only child cold.

When Cynthia wins yet another major literary award and asks her daughter to assist her on the tour, Jessica decides to give their relationship one last chance. When a crisis upends Cynthia’s triumphant moment, the power dynamic begins to shift between the two women, and cracks start to show in the story Jessica has always been told—about her mother, her family, and herself.

Jessica Harmon Has Stepped Away is a sharp, emotionally layered novel about mothers and daughters, long-held secrets, and understanding where we come from so we can choose who we become.

Genres: Fiction, Family Drama

276 pages, Paperback

Published November 18, 2025

About the author

Reyna Marder Gentin grew up in Great Neck, New York. She attended college and law school at Yale. For many years, she practiced as an appellate attorney with a public defender's office before turning to writing full time. Reyna has studied at the Writing Institute at Sarah Lawrence College, and her work has been published widely online and in print. Her debut novel, UNREASONABLE DOUBTS, was named a finalist for the Women's Fiction Writers Association Star Award in 2019. Her first middle grade novel, MY NAME IS LAYLA, came out in January, 2021, and School Library Journal noted that "Layla's struggles at school and home are authentically depicted, and readers who face their own challenges will relate." Layla won the 2021 gold medal in the Moonbeam Children's Awards in pre-teen fiction. Reyna's novel BOTH ARE TRUE,was published in October, 2021. Nicola Krauss, co-author of THE NANNY DIARIES, called BOTH ARE TRUE a "moving novel that examines what it means to start over--with surprising consequences." Reyna's new novel, JESSICA HARMON HAS STEPPED AWAY, will be published by Ten16 Press in November, 2025. Reyna lives with her family in Scarsdale, New York. To learn more, please visit reynamardergentin.com.

Reviews

[Rochelle Weinstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

I flew through this one. Gentin mentioned she poured her heart into this one. It shows.

[Nan Mutnick · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delight to read Jessica Harmon has stepped away. What Jessica Harmon does is step into herself. Reyna Marder Gentin's cast of multi-faceted characters are well developed. As is the plot and subplot.
This book is nuanced, like peeling the layers of an onion there is much more going on than just a coming of age story.
Jessica is so human that it is impossible not to root for her, even when you, the reader, may want to ring her neck or slap her. Always blame the mother and you will, Jessica does. It's complicated. That's what makes it interesting. Relationships are complicated, mother/daughter, best-friends, other friends, and the love interest. Nothing is and everything can change on a word, a missed opportunity, an event.
Read the book and find out what steps Jessica Harmon takes.

[Sue Fernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jessica is a would be author with a famous mom who is a renowned poetess. They have a relationship that is strained to say the least.

Her mom, Cynthia, asks that she come with her on a tour after another major literary achievement. Jessica does, but there is no smooth going on this tour. Old hurts, new hurts come to a head, and an old flame happens to be on one of the stops.

Jessica's life is in shambles, her best friend has a life of her own, and she's just ended a major relationship. Could things get worse?

Yes they can. Sometimes things get worse, before they get better.

Thank you Caitlan Hamilton Marketing and Publicity and Ten16 Press as well as NetGalley for a digital ARC of this title in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

#JessicaHarmonHasSteppedAway #Ten16Press #CaitlanHarmonMarketing #ReynaMarder Gentin #NetGalley

[Jennifer Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to @suzyapprovedbooktours @reynamardergentin @ten16press for my advance copy of Jessica Harmon Has Stepped Away by Reyna Marder Gentin which released on 11/18.

Mother and daughter relationship books can be so difficult to do well, and in this new release, Gentin has beautifully captured the complexity of this relationship. Jessica Harmon has lived her life in the shadow of her famous poet mother, Cynthia. Always wishing for a deeper connection, Jessica grasps at the opportunity to join Cynthia on a whirlwind book tour. Yet the time together seems to only emphasize their relationship weaknesses until a twist of fate upends the tour and reveals long-held secrets. Determined to learn more about her mother's past in order to understand her own life narrative, Jessica must bravely seek answers.

The drama, mystery, and character growth made this emotionally layered novel a stand out read for me. Gentin perfectly captured the emotional duality of how a daughter can both love and resent her mother as Jessica grappled with those complex feelings. I really enjoyed how Jessica's search for answers allowed her own life to change from a position of being "stuck" to finally stepping into her own power and agency. A brilliant exploration of how understanding one's past can help one choose who they will become! This book is perfect for a book club, because when I finished the final page I immediately wanted to discuss it with another reader!!

If you enjoy mother/daughter stories with richly developed characters, be sure to add this new release to your must read. Due to the complex nature of the story, ensure you check content warnings as there are some sensitive topics addressed in this poignant story (but handled with care).

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short but powerful dysfunctional family drama, with a side of delayed coming of age and a little bit of romance. Main character Jessica is stuck in life - she’s 30 and still living in the same apartment since college and working at a low paid job as an editor at a vanity publishing company, and has major commitment issues. She also has a truly not great relationship with her mother Cynthia, a world-famous poet who raised her as a single mother but never seemed to have much interest in her. Then her mom wins an award that will require her to travel around the country for six weeks, and asks Jessica to go with her. A heartwarming bonding trip this very definitely is not, but eventually secrets from the past do start surfacing.

The opening of the book made me think this was going to be on the lighter side of contemporary fiction, but it actually got quite sad and quite deep as well. Jessica was certainly a character with issues, but I was rooting for her all along. And Cynthia was beyond flawed and a horrible mother, but the ultimate revelations from the past really made both of their characters make sense. I don’t know how to explain it except to say it seems like author Reyna Marder Gentin thought deeply with psychological precision into what made these characters tick, as it just really felt emotionally true. And loved the side characters too.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my e-ARC (out 11/18/25); all opinions are my own.

[Stephanie Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jessica Harmon is a psychologist’s dream: a complex Gen Y’er riddled with anxiety and mommy issues. Gentin’s capable hands and characteristic dry wit drive the narrative—she’s created a young editor who bumbles but is nevertheless likable and sincere with colleagues and romantic partners. Now it’s time to confront her mother… what could go wrong?

[Marilyn Goncalves · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly heartfelt read 💛

If you love character-driven stories packed with family drama, strained bonds, and long-buried secrets, this one absolutely delivers. We follow Jessica, who joins her famous-poet mother on a book tour—only to uncover the emotional landmines and unanswered questions that shaped their complicated relationship. When a medical crisis forces long-avoided conversations, the truth spills out in ways that are both painful and healing.

What really pulled me in was how beautifully layered these two women are. Jessica, still shaped by the trauma of her childhood, is trying to make sense of her own life while facing the mother who both raised and wounded her. And Cynthia, brilliant yet guarded, carries secrets that explain so much of their distance. Watching them unravel years of resentment, misunderstandings, and unspoken love made the story incredibly emotional. Their humor, tension, and vulnerability gave the book such richness—and made their journey toward understanding feel earned and deeply human.

[Colleen Rowland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jessica Harmon Has Stepped Away has something for every reader - drama, romance, suspense, and comedy. Through Jessica, Gentin perfectly captures the feeling of being "lost." And the conflict doesn't stop there; add on a narcissistic mother, a thinning friendship, and an undetermined past. These conflicts don't feel overwhelming or unrealistic; they work together perfectly, creating palpable tension and a female character you'll want to come out on top.

Perhaps the best part is the ending. Gentin bravely reverses the script on perfect conclusions, ending her work in a realistic way. This book will leave you questioning your past, your relationships, and how much you really know about those you love.

[Lisa Albright · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Reyna's book Both Are True and I adored this one as well. Her writing style is effortless and immediately drew me into the story. She addresses real world problems in such a relatable way that I identified with several aspects of the plotline and couldn't stop turning the pages.

Jessica and her mother, Cynthia, have a complicated relationship and I found the unique nuances of it fascinating. The challenges to overcome and the lifelong resentments and hurts eclipsed by a traumatic medical event. The revelations that follow can either make or break their tenuous ties and brought on a lot of emotion for me. It's a powerful novel that will stay with me.

I received a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Sarah Bowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me about 80ish pages to really get into this but then I flew through it.
Jessica and her mom, a very well respected professor of poetry, have a very strained relationship. When her Mom goes on a book tour, Jessica has had it with her work and so she accompanies her mom.

There are a couple of big secrets that Jessica's mom never divulged and when she suffers a medical emergency, Jessica starts to really push her to reveal those secrets. I like that Jessica got a bit of a do over with a college boyfriend and she has a bit of an up and down with her best friend, but in the end... all is uncovered and relationships (though not all) are repaired.

[Christy Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a good soul-searching story, and this one was excellent. It’s hard to grow up with a mom whose expectations really can’t be met, and I was cheering for Jessica as she searched for answers about her mother’s past while also exploring options for her own future. The title is perfect, and I devoured this book.

[Christy Egan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars Thanks to NetGalley and Ten16 Press for the ARC. This book was a pleasant surprise in its complexities with the characters, their relationships and experiences. This would be a good book club choice as there’s lots to unpack and discuss.

[Ellen Cosgrove · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fabulous book!
I was completely engaged with the characters and the storyline. If I had the luxury of finishing it in one sitting, I would have. When life interrupted my reading, I found myself thinking about the characters, feeling emotionally invested in their stories and brainstorming possible resolutions.
The descriptions of everything from Metro North to Yale to NYC were vivid and really added to the novel.
I loved the author’s earlier books, Unreasonable Doubts and Both are True, but this was her best novel yet.

[Danielle B · Rating 4 out of 5]

JESSICA HARMON HAS STEPPED AWAY was really a nice mix of genres for me. It had a little bit of everything including some humorous moments. The author captured the mother/daughter dynamic perfectly in this story. I really enjoyed it!

Many thanks to Reyna Marder Gentin for my gifted copy.

This review will be shared to my Instagram account (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the future.

[Liane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Novels set against a publishing world backdrop always draw me in immediately, and Jessica Harmon Has Stepped Away doesn’t disappoint. When Jessica’s mother, Cynthia, a famous poet, wins a major literary award, mother and daughter embark on a literary road trip. Reyna Marder Gentin perfectly captures the push/pull of a dysfunctional mother-daughter relationship. What I loved most is that the book doesn’t force a tidy resolution. Life rarely offers one, and the author honors that truth. These characters stay with you because they feel real—complicated, flawed, and deeply human. Jessica Harmon may have "stepped away," but in this moving story, she is also very much stepping into herself.

[Amy Shook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thirty-year-old Jessica Harmon has spent her entire life in the shadow of her mother, Cynthia—a celebrated poet with devoted fans who hang onto every word. On stage, Cynthia is electric, intimate, and brilliant. As a mother, she’s distant, withholding, and often cold—and that absence has shaped Jessica in painful ways.
When Cynthia wins yet another major literary prize and invites Jessica to join her on a lengthy book tour, Jessica reluctantly agrees. After all, everything else in her life is unraveling: her almost-engagement just ended, she’s been fired from her editorial job at a vanity press, and her own writing dreams have completely stalled. Why not say yes? Maybe this is her chance to reconnect with her mother… or find the courage to walk away for good.
Reyna Marder Gentin delivers a sharp, emotionally honest story about mothers and daughters, ambition, and the complicated love that binds and wounds us. At its heart, this is a novel about a young woman fighting to free herself from the weight of her past and reclaim her own future.
My thoughts:
Mother–daughter relationships are some of the most layered and emotionally charged—and as a mom of two adult daughters myself, stories like this hit especially close to home. I found this one tender, frustrating, and relatable in all the best ways. Sometimes I wanted to shake Jessica for her choices, but I was rooting for her the whole way. The character development is fantastic, and I loved the way the author explores not only the mother/daughter dynamic but also Jessica’s romantic and friendship relationships. A beautifully written journey of stepping out from someone else’s shadow and finally standing in your own light.

[Barbara Boyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story that immediately draws you in and simply doesn’t let go. Set in today’s complicated world of book publishing, the drama develops quickly and continues to take surprising twists and turns throughout.
A writer’s writer, Reyna Gentin creates her characters with great skill, just as she did in her novels, Both Are True and Unreasonable Doubt. In Jessica Harmon Has Stepped Away, her character of Jessica is particularly relatable, a modern and raw young woman trying to find her way through adulthood. As I witnessed her anger, her resentment, her hopes and her courage, all tangled in the web of her conflicts and decisions, I found myself genuinely concerned about her, wondering about her long after the book was done. Jessica’s mother, Cynthia, a terrible parent but gifted and wildly successful poet, is a tragic figure, wounded and made bitter by her circumstances, unable to grow beyond them to learn to love. How Jessica negotiates their relationship throughout the book is at times painful, sometimes funny and always engaging.
The book is well crafted and rich in the details that make the story vivid, from a cramped college apartment in Queens that Jessica has long since outgrown, to a posh but dark and dreary home in Manhattan’s chicest neighborhood, to a cozy but frumpy lobby of a hotel in downtown St. Louis, the scenes create backdrops that make the story come to life with vibrancy and truth.
The ending of the book is satisfying but unexpected in many ways, and I found myself wishing for Jessica’s story to continue. In fact, as I read the book, I couldn’t help but see it as a film. What an interesting one it would be!

[Melissa (Nissa_the.bookworm) · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔
✍🏻 are a writer
🙃 have issues with your parents
💕 are looking for a book with rich characters
🏙️ wish you lived in New York

• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓

Thirty-year-old Jessica Harmon lives in the shadow of her mother, Cynthia, a renowned poet with avid, even adoring, fans. On stage during readings, Cynthia is electric, intimate, brilliant.

As a mother, she's aloof and a little cold, and her rejection has warped Jessica's life. When Cynthia wins yet another prestigious literary prize and asks Jessica to accompany her on an extensive tour, Jessica says yes, but only because the rest of her life is in tatters: she just broke up with her boyfriend-almost-fiance ; she’s been fired from her editorial job at a vanity
press; and her own writing stalled years earlier. Why not go? It's time for Jessica to reconnect with Cynthia or finally cut ties.

In this smart and gripping novel, Reyna Marder Gentin gives us a powerful, witty, mother-daughter tale that also turns a compassionate eye on writers’ lives. Ultimately, though, this is the story of a young woman reconciling with her strangling past before it's too late to take command of her still-promising future.

• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒

This was such a fantastic read exploring the broken relationship between a woman and her mother. While I couldn’t exactly relate to Jessica, I definitely sympathized with her. I can’t imagine seeing my mom be so kind and open to everyone else but me. I loved seeing her finally tackle this issue and try and make amends. The characters are rich in depth and felt so real. This story very clearly comes from the heart, and I loved the instances of humor thrown throughout the story.

[Susan Ballard (subakkabookstuff) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Relationships are complicated. So true, and Reyna Marder Gentin illustrates that so beautifully in this novel. Part literary road trip read, part mother-daughter reckoning, this was a relatable and readable book.

While I don’t have a famous mother, I could sympathize with Jessica on several fronts. She had let her past get a chokehold on her, and while internally she craved the attention of those she loved, she feared the rejection she had experienced, making her struggles feel more real and relatable.

Jessica and her mother, Cynthia, were so well written; I felt like I was experiencing their emotions and realizations as they did. I loved Jessica’s snark, even her mother’s cutting bluntness grew on me. Again, relationships are complicated; it’s never quite as simple as it seems. A word or a look misconstrued can change everything.
And do we understand our parents’ lives before us? This is displayed when we get a look into Cynthia's past; now Jessica has to make her choice.

The additional mix of friends, lovers, and family secrets made this book well-rounded, layered, and emotional - a must-read!

4.5⭐️

Thank you to @suzyapprovedbooktours and @reynamardergentin for the gifted book.

[Sharon Forman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an early copy of this excellent book and recommend it to any reader seeking a poignant, psychologically deep, and satisfying read. It's as though the author aims a telescope into various New York City apartments, and the reader is privileged to listen in to powerful conversations and observe profound moments between characters. The writing will draw readers into Jessica Harmon's emotionally dizzying world with its fast paced and eloquent language. Jessica manages to "step away" from much of the pain of her lonely childhood, a dead end job, and unfulfilling, passive relationships. When she steps into a new season of self-knowledge and determination, readers will cheer her on and find a bit more courage of their own. It's a fast read and a meaningful one. Thank you, Reyna Marder Gentin!

[Art Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reyna Marder Gentin's latest novel, Jessica Harmon Has Stepped Away, is an engrossing story of a fraught relationship between a daughter (Jessica) and her mother (Cynthia). When Jessica's mother surprises her with an invitation to accompany her on a national book tour, Jessica drops everything and joins Cynthia, hoping to revive the relationship.

Both Jessica and her mother are skillfully brought to life. I felt Jessica's pain every time she was insulted, ignored, or slighted by her mother. Wondering whether Jessica would rebuild a loving relationship with her mother or break free completely to lead her own life unencumbered by Cynthia's cruelty kept me turning the pages. This is a beautifully told story with great characters that I thoroughly enjoyed from the first page to the last.

[Christina Egan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a woman named Jessica who has a very complex, strained relationship with her mother Cynthia who is a famous poet.
Jessica is traumatized by her childhood which has affected her relationships especially romantic ones.
She is asked by her mother to come on a prolonged book tour with her and a significant event occurs which forces Jessica to spend significant time with her mother. She uncovers some earth shattering news about her mother which leads her to learn more about her mother.
I enjoyed this book which is very character driven. It also has plenty of family drama which I am a big fan of!
This is my first read by this author and I am glad that I received this book as I really enjoyed it.

[Gerald Brody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jessica Harmon Has Stepped Away by Reyna Marder Gentin is a gorgeously written novel about the struggles of a seriously talented 30-year-old writer, Jessica Harmon, to come into her own. Her mother is a world-famous poet and a distant and controlling mother. This Jessica’s story of finding herself in that relationship.
The writing is a true joy to read. Each page urges you forward. Each chapter demands it.
Jessica’s story is about the difficulties of moving away from a parent. Each of us has been there. But almost never has it been so movingly described.
Read this book. And then read it again. It’s that good

[Debbie Rozier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the writing style of this family drama. The book is light and yet quite serious at the same time. I loved the pace of the book. I also enjoyed the fact that there was this air of the unknown as Jessica wants to understand why her mother, Cynthia parented her in the way that she did.

The book is part mother-daughter COMPLICATED relationship and part self discovery for Cynthia.

Besides this mother-daughter drama, we have a bit of academia as well as the world of publishing, a road trip, life long friendship dynamics, a mystery, and a potential romantic liaison.

It would make a fabulous book club read.

[Kim Wilch]

This book is dysfunctional family drama at its finest. Jessica and her mother, Cynthia—aka the queen of disinterest—hit the road, and let’s just say it’s not the heartwarming mother-daughter trip the movies portray. As secrets bubble up, things get deep. Jessica drove me nuts with her issues, but I still rooted for her—as this messy dynamic felt uncomfortably familiar. And Cynthia? Terrible mother. Full stop. But when all the truth finally spills out, you start to see what makes each of them tick, and… compassion creeps in. I’m impressed by how the author pulled off such a beautifully warped relationship.

[Keri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel tells a wonderful story about an estranged relationship with a mother, and how through writing the two try to mend their broken relationship by learning about her mother’s’ past while her mother, no longer able to communicate tells her story through writing.

I loved the complicated mother daughter relationship, the found family and the evolution of an estranged relationship turning to one of understanding and maturation. As an English major this book about writers and the academic world of literature added a level of enjoyment for me, but the story itself was excellent. This deserves more love out there.

4.25 stars

[Jacqueline Friedland · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stunning story brimming with emotional insight and razor-sharp prose. Jessica Harmon Has Stepped Away is an unforgettable exploration of the complicated love between mothers and daughters, the stories we inherit, and the ones we must rewrite to save ourselves. With pitch-perfect wit and aching vulnerability, this novel delivers a poignant, empowering portrait of a woman finally stepping out of the shadows and into her own voice.

[Booksandcoffeemx · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s something about stories that explore complicated family relationships that always draws me in, and this one did not disappoint.
The characters are so well developed, two writers, a mother and daughter, caught between love and resentment. They feel real, raw, and emotional, with all those “what ifs” that make you reflect on how our families shape who we are.

It’s the kind of story that would make a perfect book club pick.

[Lisa Greenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the moment I started reading Jessica Harmon Has Stepped Away, I was hooked. I literally couldn't put it down, finishing it on an overseas flight. For me, a sign of a great book is when I genuinely care about the characters. In this case, I was rooting for Jessica, and am still rooting for long after I put the book down.

[Margot · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from the author in a giveaway and enjoyed reading it. The title immediately grabbed me, and the storyline was fun. Perhaps because I'm so removed from her age group, I found Jessica's anxieties and waffling a bit over the top. However, the issues with her mom were strongly portrayed. Overall, a fun read, and I will pass it on to friends so they can enjoy it as well.