Before Closure

by Shadley Grei

"(Before Closure) succeeds as both a character study and an aesthetic careful, observant, and quietly precise."
- Kirkus Review

"Grei delivers a heartfelt exploration of what happens when the pillars of family life crack without warning … echoing the lyrical melancholy of authors like Ann Patchett at her most elegiac."
- Booklife Review (Publishers Weekly), Editor's Pick

Seven months ago, Carol Parker left a note on the kitchen counter and walked out on her life, leaving behind a husband of nearly forty years and two adult children to navigate the silence she left behind.
In three days, Clayton is convinced his wife will return. It will be their fortieth wedding anniversary, and he believes she’ll come back to celebrate and rebuild what’s been broken.

Frankie and Jules aren’t so sure. Frankie has gone numb in the wake of his own relationship’s collapse, and Jules is barely holding a fragile marriage together. As one Iowa summer weekend unfolds, each of them must face an invitation to rethink the future they were expecting.

Told with sharp insight and quiet compassion, Before Closure is a tender portrait of love stretched thin, the burden of unspoken truths, and the messy grace of daring to live.

274 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 7, 2025

Reviews

[Karin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book for multiple reasons. First of all the build-up for the book is interesting and very well done. The author only uses three days to take us into the heads of dad Clayton, daughter Jules and son Frankie. It was easy to understand and resonate with these characters. The days lead up to the possible return of their mother on Sunday where you feel the weekend slowly coming to an end which keeps you hooked.

Secondly the sexuality of the characters is used excellent. I often find that diversity is either too much or too minimal. This book feels to me as a great example of how it should be seen as normal people with normal troubles. It is instantly clear that Frankie is gay, but it doesn't define his character. It helps that you also read from Clayton and Jules perspectives as relatives. The fact that his partner cheats is a topic for all relationships, no matter the sexuality. (I know sexuality is a sensitive topic, so I hope I expressed myself well.)

Also, I love it when a book makes clever use of words and chapters. The discussions between the characters were funny and well written. Without giving too much of a spoiler: The title is really clever and has a good 'Easter egg'. And bonus points for the beautiful cover, Christmas lights with summer vibes!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for my own and honest opinion.

[Tej Dhawan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderfully complex yet enjoyable story of the life of a family seen over the course of a weekend. Set in my current city, Des Moines, Iowa, it adds a few extra layers of familiarity and reality that bring the story to life in the coffee shop, the bar, the market and even the skywalk.

The characters have depth and vulnerability and engender sympathy at all the right times. Their pain is easily felt through their words and actions. The father’s life at his precarious age is told with restrained words consistent with his age and life experiences.

I loved chapter 19 the most and had to read it twice just to feel the ballet of words spoken, dances danced, emotion laid bare and perspectives shattered to be rebuilt anew. Bravo!

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this novel about family, love, and the choices we make. It takes place mostly over a 3-day period as the family prepares for a Christmas in July party with deeper meanings for them. The compromises of the past are brought into question as each of the finely-drawn characters wrestles with how to best move forward. Set in Iowa, the reserved emotional life of the characters seemed very much like the Midwest where I live.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley, and I'm glad I had the opportunity to dive into Shadley Grei's latest work. Before Closure delivers a compelling premise that kept me engaged throughout, though it doesn't quite reach its full potential.

The story follows characters grappling with unresolved conflicts and the messy process of finding peace before life's inevitable endings. Grei has a talent for creating authentic emotional moments, and there were several scenes that genuinely moved me. The author's exploration of human relationships feels honest and relatable, particularly in how people struggle to say what needs to be said before it's too late.

Where the book shines is in its character development. The protagonists feel like real people with genuine flaws and motivations, not just vehicles for the plot. Grei manages to balance multiple perspectives without losing focus, which is no small feat. The dialogue feels natural, and the emotional beats generally land well.

However, the pacing occasionally stumbles, particularly in the middle section where some scenes feel drawn out without adding much to the overall narrative. A few plot threads could have been tightened up, and there were moments where I wished the author had trusted the reader more instead of over-explaining certain emotional revelations.

The writing itself is solid—not groundbreaking, but competent and engaging. Grei has a good grasp of how to create atmosphere and mood, though sometimes the prose leans a bit too heavily into sentimentality.

Overall, Before Closure is a worthwhile read that tackles universal themes with sincerity. While it may not be a standout in its genre, it offers enough emotional resonance and character depth to make it worth your time. I'd recommend it to readers who enjoy character-driven stories about family dynamics and second chances.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Melanie B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC of Before Closure.

A well-written story full of heart and heartache about a family dealing with the aftermath of the matriarch leaving. To say that all of the family’s troubles stem from Carol leaving would be missing the point. Yes, her leaving is a catalyst for each family members self-reflection, but it’s not the only reason this family is at odds with the life that surrounds them.

Clayton, Frankie, and Jules reflect on their lives throughout the book. The narration weaves together in a way that allows each of their voices and thoughts to shine through. They are met with different choices that reflect back on the past that’s been holding them back in some ways and find a path to closure although closure is always elusive and never what one might expect.

[Margaret C · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a story of a father and his two adult children in the aftermath of their mother leaving. It is seven months since Carol left and Clayton is convinced that she will return for their upcoming fortieth wedding anniversary, but Frankie and Jules are not so sure.

I liked the way the author conveyed the community atmosphere in rural Iowa.
I felt that the characters and dialogue were well constructed but they lacked originality. The plot was in parts, fairly predictable, but I did like the ending.

Before Closure is a sentimental, cosy account of the ups and downs of a family’s lives, loves and journey to acceptance. It is an easy, light read and will suit readers looking for light escapism.

My thanks to Kingbird Press and NetGalley for this early copy in return for an honest review.

[Ellen Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

The plot description is what sold me on this book but reading it was a stunning and magical experience. So many relatable themes and I fell in love with each family member so much so that I was either scolding them out loud or cheering them on. If I had to sum it up - the title is accurate - this book is about what happens to a family as they seek closure, on many different things. Beautiful writing, genius plot, a new favorite of mine!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Caprice Ridgeway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before Closure is a character-driven read that sticks with you long after the last page. The pacing is steady and immersive, letting you sink into the story without ever feeling rushed. What grabbed me right away were the characters — so authentically written that even when I got frustrated with them, I couldn’t stop caring. It’s a story about people: how they love, adapt, stumble, and keep going. You don’t just read about them — you experience their lives alongside them. This is the kind of book that stays with you, leaving you wondering what they’re up to long after it’s over.

[Ann Swenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very well written and kept my attention! I appreciated the character development and struggle. I wanted a little more at the ending.