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Moving On
Moving On is a young adult novel that combines the sweetness of first love with an exciting jolt of suspense.
—Because sometimes what isn’t said hurts.
Gabriella talks too much. Combine it with having the body of a middle schooler, and she’s convinced no one will like her when she moves to a new high school. Her make herself into someone quieter and more mature.
Her performance works. She finds friends. But she must second-guess her every move, and she’s not always successful. One boy, Marsh, sees through her act. Not that he’d tell anyone. He barely speaks, has a reputation for being dangerous and no one talks to him.
Gabriella could really fall for Marsh. He’s sweet, kind of hot, and with him she doesn’t have to put on a show, only—is he safe? Her new friends say he hides something. If Gabriella can find out what it is, maybe she can learn to trust him.
But as she delves into his past, she quickly discovers that some secrets are meant to be kept silent.
And Marsh’s truth—
could kill.
—Because sometimes what isn’t said hurts.
Gabriella talks too much. Combine it with having the body of a middle schooler, and she’s convinced no one will like her when she moves to a new high school. Her make herself into someone quieter and more mature.
Her performance works. She finds friends. But she must second-guess her every move, and she’s not always successful. One boy, Marsh, sees through her act. Not that he’d tell anyone. He barely speaks, has a reputation for being dangerous and no one talks to him.
Gabriella could really fall for Marsh. He’s sweet, kind of hot, and with him she doesn’t have to put on a show, only—is he safe? Her new friends say he hides something. If Gabriella can find out what it is, maybe she can learn to trust him.
But as she delves into his past, she quickly discovers that some secrets are meant to be kept silent.
And Marsh’s truth—
could kill.
250 pages, Paperback
Published December 3, 2025
2 people are currently reading
4 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 18, 2025
A gripping coming-of-age story full of mystery and heart
I borrowed this book thanks to my Kindle Unlimited subscription and I read it between my tablet and phone using the Kindle app.
This is a very realistic coming-of-age story about Gabriella, a sixteen-year-old girl forced to leave her life in sunny Santa Cruz and move to a tiny mountain town in northern California. From the very beginning, you feel how uncomfortable and lonely she is in a place where everyone knows everyone and she clearly doesn’t belong. Trying to fit in while missing her old life, she meets Marsh, a troubled boy she briefly met before the move, and their connection quickly becomes the emotional core of the story.
What starts as a sweet teenage adjustment and romance slowly turns into something darker. As Gabriella gets closer to Marsh, secrets surface, red flags appear, and the story evolves into a tense mystery that keeps you on edge. The characters feel authentic, the emotions are believable, and the small-town atmosphere is very well built.
This book balances family drama, first love, and suspense beautifully. A great YA read that works just as well for adult readers who enjoy emotionally driven stories with a strong twist.
I borrowed this book thanks to my Kindle Unlimited subscription and I read it between my tablet and phone using the Kindle app.
This is a very realistic coming-of-age story about Gabriella, a sixteen-year-old girl forced to leave her life in sunny Santa Cruz and move to a tiny mountain town in northern California. From the very beginning, you feel how uncomfortable and lonely she is in a place where everyone knows everyone and she clearly doesn’t belong. Trying to fit in while missing her old life, she meets Marsh, a troubled boy she briefly met before the move, and their connection quickly becomes the emotional core of the story.
What starts as a sweet teenage adjustment and romance slowly turns into something darker. As Gabriella gets closer to Marsh, secrets surface, red flags appear, and the story evolves into a tense mystery that keeps you on edge. The characters feel authentic, the emotions are believable, and the small-town atmosphere is very well built.
This book balances family drama, first love, and suspense beautifully. A great YA read that works just as well for adult readers who enjoy emotionally driven stories with a strong twist.
October 4, 2025
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Robin Roberts has created a realistic coming of age story, about an insecure teen, sixteen-year-old Gabriella, whose life is complicated by a sudden forced move from the sunny beaches of Santa Cruz to a small town, Melville, in the mountains of northern California, and then family drama, as her parents are overwhelmed by their new job.
Gabby misses her friends and is not ready for small-town America. I mean a really small town where EVERYONE knows everything about everyone; she is the ultimate outsider. The only person she knows is Marsh, a boy her age from Melville, whom she met on the beach in Santa Cruz the night before she moved. He's back home in Melville, and it soon becomes obvious he's a troubled teen, but she feels she must help him.
Moving On is a mystery, a coming of age story, a family drama (of two, or more, families), a love story and you will soon discover a mystery as well.
Roberts' characters are realistic, and you will love them, or hate them, as the story progresses. Her descriptions of the locales made me want to vacation at the beach in Santa Cruz, and then travel to northern California and find that waterfall.
It is appropriate to mention that I critiqued several chapters of this work on Scribophile, but I have never met Roberts as we live on opposite coasts.
I highly recommend this as a really good read for young people, and for us older dudes. Don't miss this one!
Robin Roberts has created a realistic coming of age story, about an insecure teen, sixteen-year-old Gabriella, whose life is complicated by a sudden forced move from the sunny beaches of Santa Cruz to a small town, Melville, in the mountains of northern California, and then family drama, as her parents are overwhelmed by their new job.
Gabby misses her friends and is not ready for small-town America. I mean a really small town where EVERYONE knows everything about everyone; she is the ultimate outsider. The only person she knows is Marsh, a boy her age from Melville, whom she met on the beach in Santa Cruz the night before she moved. He's back home in Melville, and it soon becomes obvious he's a troubled teen, but she feels she must help him.
Moving On is a mystery, a coming of age story, a family drama (of two, or more, families), a love story and you will soon discover a mystery as well.
Roberts' characters are realistic, and you will love them, or hate them, as the story progresses. Her descriptions of the locales made me want to vacation at the beach in Santa Cruz, and then travel to northern California and find that waterfall.
It is appropriate to mention that I critiqued several chapters of this work on Scribophile, but I have never met Roberts as we live on opposite coasts.
I highly recommend this as a really good read for young people, and for us older dudes. Don't miss this one!
November 1, 2025
Everyone who has experienced the awkwardness of being a teenager and moving to a completely new place can identify with Gabriella's struggles and her crush on Marsh, a troubled boy with a mysterious past. But when Gabriella learns Marsh's secret, the story becomes an edge-of-the-seat thriller that took me on a roller coaster ride of emotions. Highly recommended.
January 24, 2026
*3.5 stars with the potential to be 4*
When I first saw this, I thought it might be interesting. Story is centered around Gabby, who was appropriately named as she tended to gab a lot. I was hoping that the book wouldn’t read like a gabfest. The first chapter wasn’t quite the kickstarter. Gabby’s at a concert, where she meets Marsh, the enigma. Personally, I think this book could’ve done without that first chapter and started out on Ch 2 or 3, which showed the family actually moving to a small deserted town. All that first chapter showed was that Marsh was jumpy around fireworks.
Fortunately, after a while, you kind fall into this simple and engaging narrative. Gabby sees moving to a remote country town as an opportunity for a new image and a fresh start. When Gabby gets to the new house is when the curiosity about Marsh surfaces and she itches to learn more. The narrative was pretty slow and, since it was told by the main character, it did tend to babble. The way Gabby battled first-day jitters at school was adorable and something we can understand. As you read on, you learn more about Marsh and the mystery behind his personality and behavior. Finding out about Marsh was really the driving force in this rather long story. There were some unamusing parts that took up too much story and could’ve been removed like the church outing and the sports plays. The bulk of it centered on Gabby getting closer to Marsh and her wanting to start something romantic with him. The mystery with Marsh still burns your curiosity.
What was making Marsh act so crazy and violent? Was it just his mother’s death and the trauma of losing her at a young age? Or was it more the way she died? What was causing Marsh to hurt Gabby? Was Marsh really dangerous like people said?
“In movies, insane killers were victims of traumatic pasts.”
That burning question that I’ve been impatiently waiting for an answer on: Was Marsh evil? Well, was he or wasn’t he?
I kept toggling between 3 and 4 stars as I was reading this. On the one side, it gave scintillating curiosity, but on the other hand, the read was long with too many trivial segments. Story should’ve been faster and shorter for a more enjoyable reading experience. Sometimes this seemed to be more Young Adult than anything since it mainly chronicled Gabby’s coming of age/teen life. This was YA with a tiny mystery.
We finally get into some dire suspense in the last 3 chapters of the book. It was a pretty good predicament, but, again, it could’ve been quicker and more exciting.
I almost gave this 4 stars, which tells everyone that this book has the potential to be 4 stars, thus, making it a worthy read. It was good, but it could’ve been better.
My true rating is really 3.5 stars—close to 4—for its good start and its worthy potential to be better. This gets rounded down more to 3 stars for its daunting pace and extended length. This didn’t strike me so much as suspense. Like I said, I think this is more YA than anything. The cover could’ve been better, too.
Overall, this was a fairly nice read, and I look forward to see how this author improves in her next book.
When I first saw this, I thought it might be interesting. Story is centered around Gabby, who was appropriately named as she tended to gab a lot. I was hoping that the book wouldn’t read like a gabfest. The first chapter wasn’t quite the kickstarter. Gabby’s at a concert, where she meets Marsh, the enigma. Personally, I think this book could’ve done without that first chapter and started out on Ch 2 or 3, which showed the family actually moving to a small deserted town. All that first chapter showed was that Marsh was jumpy around fireworks.
Fortunately, after a while, you kind fall into this simple and engaging narrative. Gabby sees moving to a remote country town as an opportunity for a new image and a fresh start. When Gabby gets to the new house is when the curiosity about Marsh surfaces and she itches to learn more. The narrative was pretty slow and, since it was told by the main character, it did tend to babble. The way Gabby battled first-day jitters at school was adorable and something we can understand. As you read on, you learn more about Marsh and the mystery behind his personality and behavior. Finding out about Marsh was really the driving force in this rather long story. There were some unamusing parts that took up too much story and could’ve been removed like the church outing and the sports plays. The bulk of it centered on Gabby getting closer to Marsh and her wanting to start something romantic with him. The mystery with Marsh still burns your curiosity.
What was making Marsh act so crazy and violent? Was it just his mother’s death and the trauma of losing her at a young age? Or was it more the way she died? What was causing Marsh to hurt Gabby? Was Marsh really dangerous like people said?
“In movies, insane killers were victims of traumatic pasts.”
That burning question that I’ve been impatiently waiting for an answer on: Was Marsh evil? Well, was he or wasn’t he?
I kept toggling between 3 and 4 stars as I was reading this. On the one side, it gave scintillating curiosity, but on the other hand, the read was long with too many trivial segments. Story should’ve been faster and shorter for a more enjoyable reading experience. Sometimes this seemed to be more Young Adult than anything since it mainly chronicled Gabby’s coming of age/teen life. This was YA with a tiny mystery.
We finally get into some dire suspense in the last 3 chapters of the book. It was a pretty good predicament, but, again, it could’ve been quicker and more exciting.
I almost gave this 4 stars, which tells everyone that this book has the potential to be 4 stars, thus, making it a worthy read. It was good, but it could’ve been better.
My true rating is really 3.5 stars—close to 4—for its good start and its worthy potential to be better. This gets rounded down more to 3 stars for its daunting pace and extended length. This didn’t strike me so much as suspense. Like I said, I think this is more YA than anything. The cover could’ve been better, too.
Overall, this was a fairly nice read, and I look forward to see how this author improves in her next book.
January 6, 2026
Robin Roberts’ “Moving On” is a work that overlaps several genres, notably, the young adult, romance, and mystery/suspense/thriller categories. The book follows the adventures of Gabriella, a high school student who moves to a new town, and Marsh, her new classmate who seems quiet, strange, and burdened with memories of a troubled past.
Every time she spends time with Marsh, Gabriella experiences some type of minor injury. Others blame Marsh for her injuries and her father has warned her to stay away from the troubled youngster, but Gabriella knows Marsh wasn’t responsible for her injuries, sees the good inside him, and goes out of her way to make him a part of her life.
If the book went no further and Gabriella heeded the warnings of her well-meaning father, the author could have changed the book’s title to “Father Knows Best,” and Gabriella could have been spared a fate, not worse than death, but as close as you can get to it. However, her insistence on spending time with Marsh not only makes her aware of the troubled boy’s nightmares, but also forces her to meet his nightmare, face-to-face, and in the process, risk her own life.
“Moving On" is well-written, edited, and formatted. Its characters are unique, interesting, and well-developed, as are the book’s storyline and multiple sub-plots.
Robin Roberts has not only managed to inject suspense into her book, but also to effectively control its volume and allow it to hide in the background of some scenes, while quickly ramping up and dominating others. In doing so, she has produced a rare book that will appeal to most readers, regardless of their stated or perceived literary preferences.
“Moving On” is a book about believing in the human condition, even when it resides in a disenfranchised individual, and about realizing how what is said and what is unsaid can both get an unsuspecting person into trouble. It is a book that tells a difficult story in an enlightening, entertaining, and tasteful manner.
Every time she spends time with Marsh, Gabriella experiences some type of minor injury. Others blame Marsh for her injuries and her father has warned her to stay away from the troubled youngster, but Gabriella knows Marsh wasn’t responsible for her injuries, sees the good inside him, and goes out of her way to make him a part of her life.
If the book went no further and Gabriella heeded the warnings of her well-meaning father, the author could have changed the book’s title to “Father Knows Best,” and Gabriella could have been spared a fate, not worse than death, but as close as you can get to it. However, her insistence on spending time with Marsh not only makes her aware of the troubled boy’s nightmares, but also forces her to meet his nightmare, face-to-face, and in the process, risk her own life.
“Moving On" is well-written, edited, and formatted. Its characters are unique, interesting, and well-developed, as are the book’s storyline and multiple sub-plots.
Robin Roberts has not only managed to inject suspense into her book, but also to effectively control its volume and allow it to hide in the background of some scenes, while quickly ramping up and dominating others. In doing so, she has produced a rare book that will appeal to most readers, regardless of their stated or perceived literary preferences.
“Moving On” is a book about believing in the human condition, even when it resides in a disenfranchised individual, and about realizing how what is said and what is unsaid can both get an unsuspecting person into trouble. It is a book that tells a difficult story in an enlightening, entertaining, and tasteful manner.
January 26, 2026
Moving On is a warm, entertaining coming of age story that I absolutely loved. Perfect for a snowy weekend!
Roberts character development is rich with honesty and realism. I felt invested in all of the characters, especially Gabby and Marsh. They are awkwardly relatable and lovable, while remaining strong, vulnerable, and unique at the same time.
What really happened to Marsh and his mom? Was he good for Gabby or dangerous? How would the story end? It is layered with mystery and unexpected twists and turns that kept me engaged from beginning to end.
The valuable themes of growth, faith, family, and grief are woven throughout the pages, adding even more depth to the experience.
That said, the pacing felt uneven at times. Several chapters follow a similar rhythm and emotional arc, which can make the reading experience feel slightly repetitive rather than progressive. While many moments are heartfelt, some scenes are summarized rather than fully explored.
Readers looking for a meaningful, engaging read will likely appreciate the tone and message, but those hoping for a more in depth exploration of each character’s inner motivations may be left wanting more. Overall, Moving On is sincere, meaningful, and entertaining, though it could be strengthened by greater depth and variation in pacing.
Roberts character development is rich with honesty and realism. I felt invested in all of the characters, especially Gabby and Marsh. They are awkwardly relatable and lovable, while remaining strong, vulnerable, and unique at the same time.
What really happened to Marsh and his mom? Was he good for Gabby or dangerous? How would the story end? It is layered with mystery and unexpected twists and turns that kept me engaged from beginning to end.
The valuable themes of growth, faith, family, and grief are woven throughout the pages, adding even more depth to the experience.
That said, the pacing felt uneven at times. Several chapters follow a similar rhythm and emotional arc, which can make the reading experience feel slightly repetitive rather than progressive. While many moments are heartfelt, some scenes are summarized rather than fully explored.
Readers looking for a meaningful, engaging read will likely appreciate the tone and message, but those hoping for a more in depth exploration of each character’s inner motivations may be left wanting more. Overall, Moving On is sincere, meaningful, and entertaining, though it could be strengthened by greater depth and variation in pacing.
September 25, 2025
Gabriella settles into her new life in a new place, reinventing herself in order to fit in. Soon, she befriends the enigmatic Marsh, who sees through her facade, and, to her relief, likes her for who she truly is. However, as she explores his past, she realizes that some secrets are meant to be kept and that the truth he holds could turn deadly.
Moving On is a heart-warming story that explores friendship, family, and the sometimes-perilous journey of growing into one’s true self.
After an opening charged with foreshadowing, I quickly became immersed in the narrative as the main character settles into her new life, makes new friends and attempts to fit in. The exploration of new love was sweet at first, then the tension rose steadily as more red flags appeared. As the story evolved toward the climax, it literally took me hostage, turning me into a ball of nerves and making it impossible to put the book down!
Robin Roberts’ awesome debut novel will resonate with the YA audience in every way, with its realistic character growth, authentic teen issues, heart-stopping tension, and a bittersweet but satisfying conclusion.
Moving On is a heart-warming story that explores friendship, family, and the sometimes-perilous journey of growing into one’s true self.
After an opening charged with foreshadowing, I quickly became immersed in the narrative as the main character settles into her new life, makes new friends and attempts to fit in. The exploration of new love was sweet at first, then the tension rose steadily as more red flags appeared. As the story evolved toward the climax, it literally took me hostage, turning me into a ball of nerves and making it impossible to put the book down!
Robin Roberts’ awesome debut novel will resonate with the YA audience in every way, with its realistic character growth, authentic teen issues, heart-stopping tension, and a bittersweet but satisfying conclusion.
January 2, 2026
moving on
This book genuinely caught me off guard. At first, it seems like a gentle coming-of-age story—about trying to fit in, finding your voice, and figuring out how to be yourself in a place that doesn’t quite feel safe yet. Gabriella felt so authentic to me: awkward, overthinking, and trying a little too hard in that way so many teens (and former teens) know all too well. The dynamic between her and Marsh hooked me right away, especially since there’s always this subtle undercurrent of tension whenever they’re together.
What I loved most was how slowly the story changes. The relationships and feelings grow in their own time, so when the darker surprises appear, they really hit hard. The setting is great too. The difference between the bright beach days and the closed-in feeling of small-town life makes everything feel even stronger. It’s emotional, full of suspense, and honestly just so gripping—the kind of YA novel you read all at once because you need to know what happens.
This book genuinely caught me off guard. At first, it seems like a gentle coming-of-age story—about trying to fit in, finding your voice, and figuring out how to be yourself in a place that doesn’t quite feel safe yet. Gabriella felt so authentic to me: awkward, overthinking, and trying a little too hard in that way so many teens (and former teens) know all too well. The dynamic between her and Marsh hooked me right away, especially since there’s always this subtle undercurrent of tension whenever they’re together.
What I loved most was how slowly the story changes. The relationships and feelings grow in their own time, so when the darker surprises appear, they really hit hard. The setting is great too. The difference between the bright beach days and the closed-in feeling of small-town life makes everything feel even stronger. It’s emotional, full of suspense, and honestly just so gripping—the kind of YA novel you read all at once because you need to know what happens.
January 16, 2026
I’m not usually big on reading coming-of-age stories, which made Moving On a surprise for me. Gabriella’s move from the coast to a small mountain town feels claustrophobic in an authentic way—the kind where nothing is openly hostile, but everything feels slightly off. That unease seeps into her connection with Marsh, a relationship that never fully settles into something comfortable or safe. I appreciated that the story doesn’t rush or idealize their bond; there’s tenderness there, but also a steady undercurrent of tension.
What really pulled me in was the emotional pacing. The novel takes its time with Gabriella’s loneliness and her need to belong, so when the story darkens, it feels unsettling rather than abrupt. The suspense grows quietly, shaped by small choices and unspoken fears, and the payoff feels earned.
Moving on is thoughtful, tense, and more layered than it first appears.
It’s a strong YA novel with sharp edges, and while it wasn’t flawless, it stayed with me longer than I expected. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
What really pulled me in was the emotional pacing. The novel takes its time with Gabriella’s loneliness and her need to belong, so when the story darkens, it feels unsettling rather than abrupt. The suspense grows quietly, shaped by small choices and unspoken fears, and the payoff feels earned.
Moving on is thoughtful, tense, and more layered than it first appears.
It’s a strong YA novel with sharp edges, and while it wasn’t flawless, it stayed with me longer than I expected. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
January 16, 2026
This book is about grief, healing, and trying to go forward when everything feels heavy. It follows people who lost someone big in their life and now they have to deal with the empty spots in their days. You see themee struggle with memories and with guilt and with not knowing how to breathe again. It doesn’t feel smooth or easy, more like watching someone trip and get up and trip again. Some parts go slow. Long talks about feelings and past and why it still hurts. I got bored sometimes there. But then there are moments where someone tries something new, or says something real, and you sit up again because it feels honest. The writing isn’t fancy. It’s simple and direct and sometimes awkward, like it’s trying to be real rather than pretty. It’s sad at times. Not the kind of sadness that disappears fast. But there are small bits of hope too. Tiny changes, tiny steps. It isn’t perfect or clean, and it doesn’t fix everything. But it feels like someone who’s been there is talking to you.
December 8, 2025
I enjoyed every minute of reading this book. The story is so believable and well-written.
The characters are genuinely human and relatable. Often, heroines in young adult fiction are overly focused on their actions and emotions, yet authors don’t always write about them in a way that engages the reader. Gabriella’s thoughts, fears, and concerns are never boring. She’s ironic, funny, and full of life. Soon, I felt like I had known her my whole life, and I worried every time she was in danger.
Marsh is a likable and unpredictable love interest, and you won’t know if Gabby can trust him until the end.
The “bad guy” in the book is every parent’s worst nightmare.
The scene in the hospital when Gabriella and Georgia finally bonded is where I couldn’t hold back my tears.
Thank you, Robin Roberts, for your amazing, thrilling, bittersweet, and beautifully written book.
The characters are genuinely human and relatable. Often, heroines in young adult fiction are overly focused on their actions and emotions, yet authors don’t always write about them in a way that engages the reader. Gabriella’s thoughts, fears, and concerns are never boring. She’s ironic, funny, and full of life. Soon, I felt like I had known her my whole life, and I worried every time she was in danger.
Marsh is a likable and unpredictable love interest, and you won’t know if Gabby can trust him until the end.
The “bad guy” in the book is every parent’s worst nightmare.
The scene in the hospital when Gabriella and Georgia finally bonded is where I couldn’t hold back my tears.
Thank you, Robin Roberts, for your amazing, thrilling, bittersweet, and beautifully written book.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews