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The Disappearance of Catherine Brodie
Catherine Brodie has a happy life in Brighton, she has friends, a secret boyfriend and almost at the end of her law degree.
However, everything changes when she reaches her twentieth birthday.
She tells a white lie to get out of a family dinner to celebrate her birthday and sneaks off to a party. The repercussions upend her secure and stable life. Two weeks later, she attends the funeral of her brother and parents. Each birthday following sends Catherine into turmoil with more heartache and misery. There are those that wish her harm.
Alexander Devlin was there the night of her birthday and by coincidence, he crosses paths with her every year. Catherine dismisses the coincidence, but her best friend Tara Adkins is convinced fate is throwing them together.
The first novel of a new quartet that tells the story of Catherine Brodie and her struggle to come to terms with what she did that had far-reaching consequences. It is an epic tale of love, passion, and revenge.
Devastated with her loss, Catherine carves out a new life and starting her own business. The group of friends she picks up along the way helps her hide from those who wish her harm. It doesn’t take long for her harasser to find her and make her life a misery once more.
The question is, will Alexander Devlin be there in time to save her?
However, everything changes when she reaches her twentieth birthday.
She tells a white lie to get out of a family dinner to celebrate her birthday and sneaks off to a party. The repercussions upend her secure and stable life. Two weeks later, she attends the funeral of her brother and parents. Each birthday following sends Catherine into turmoil with more heartache and misery. There are those that wish her harm.
Alexander Devlin was there the night of her birthday and by coincidence, he crosses paths with her every year. Catherine dismisses the coincidence, but her best friend Tara Adkins is convinced fate is throwing them together.
The first novel of a new quartet that tells the story of Catherine Brodie and her struggle to come to terms with what she did that had far-reaching consequences. It is an epic tale of love, passion, and revenge.
Devastated with her loss, Catherine carves out a new life and starting her own business. The group of friends she picks up along the way helps her hide from those who wish her harm. It doesn’t take long for her harasser to find her and make her life a misery once more.
The question is, will Alexander Devlin be there in time to save her?
299 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2015
8 people are currently reading
498 people want to read
About the author
Grace Harper
80 books185 followersBorn and raised in Wales, in a sleepy town just outside Cardiff, Grace developed a love of stationery at a very early age. She still can’t pass a pen shop without nipping in for a quick look around.
Writing and publishing since 2012, Grace has many books in her back catalog, all in the Romance genre. They range from Rock Star Romance to Small Town Romance and Family Sagas. Be warned, her books have a high heat level!
In a nutshell?
21st Century Romance – Writing about understated powerful women. Understated love stories with a powerful message, each and every time.
Sign up to Grace's newsletter: http://eepurl.com/5-eXX
Like Grace at Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GraceHarperR...
Visit Grace's Website: https://graceharperbooks.com/
Writing and publishing since 2012, Grace has many books in her back catalog, all in the Romance genre. They range from Rock Star Romance to Small Town Romance and Family Sagas. Be warned, her books have a high heat level!
In a nutshell?
21st Century Romance – Writing about understated powerful women. Understated love stories with a powerful message, each and every time.
Sign up to Grace's newsletter: http://eepurl.com/5-eXX
Like Grace at Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GraceHarperR...
Visit Grace's Website: https://graceharperbooks.com/
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 16 reviews
August 4, 2016
I had higher hopes for this book since it's been out for a while and there are sequels published as well.
This is my first read by this author. It should also be noted that this is a YA book, contemporary perhaps, but most suited for a YA audience.
While I liked Catherine (Erin) and her friend Louise, I found Louise almost more developed as a character than Catherine. Catherine lacked the depth needed as a MC. The guys Alex and Seb, were likable, developed and more put together. Their stories were more coherent and seemed to carry the whole plot line, while Catherine's story seemed to be a p.s. or subplot. The story dragged in places, looped around in circles and could have been pared down a bit to make it a much easier read and more enjoyable and straightforward. The loops were redundant and played no part in the story. I did like the basics, I thought the basic bones of this book were in place, it was just a bit too scattered. The relationship between the two fellows and Catherine and Louise worked nicely. I'm not sure this book can stand alone, seemingly to make sense would require the next book to get a better feel for these characters.
**arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
This is my first read by this author. It should also be noted that this is a YA book, contemporary perhaps, but most suited for a YA audience.
While I liked Catherine (Erin) and her friend Louise, I found Louise almost more developed as a character than Catherine. Catherine lacked the depth needed as a MC. The guys Alex and Seb, were likable, developed and more put together. Their stories were more coherent and seemed to carry the whole plot line, while Catherine's story seemed to be a p.s. or subplot. The story dragged in places, looped around in circles and could have been pared down a bit to make it a much easier read and more enjoyable and straightforward. The loops were redundant and played no part in the story. I did like the basics, I thought the basic bones of this book were in place, it was just a bit too scattered. The relationship between the two fellows and Catherine and Louise worked nicely. I'm not sure this book can stand alone, seemingly to make sense would require the next book to get a better feel for these characters.
**arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
August 24, 2016
I really struggled through this book. I don't even know where to start. The prologue was very promising and drew me in right away. And that might be the only good thing I have to say. After the prologue we are introduced to Catherine, a 20 year old who lives at home and attends university. She is not allowed to attend parties or date. She was naive to the extreme. This was where the first disconnect happened. It was like being in the head of a 16 year old, not 20 year. Plus, it was slow. At first I just figured it was character building. I understood and powered through. But then, it started skipping ahead. It made it impossible to feel any sort of connection to the story. It felt like everyday life and mundane conversation, then some "big event", then skip ahead a year. Everything was so surface and shallow. I was never with her long enough to care or feel invested. And that made her growth and transformation seemed random and forced, not organic. And every time we skip ahead there are new characters I'm supposed to care about too? Oh, and the rock star that "bumps" into her on ever birthday, says maybe a sentence to her in 4 years, and is in love with her? And I'm supposed to feel that? Oh, and that great prologue? Well I felt like I spent the whole story waiting for that guy to come back and when he did it was so anti climactic. I'm not trying to be harsh but nothing about this book worked for me. It was all over the place.
*I received a copy from netgalley for an honest review*
*I received a copy from netgalley for an honest review*
August 28, 2016
The prologue... sucked me right in. I wanted, no needed to know what brought on those feelings.
We're introduced to Catherine Brodie, a 20 year old girl who, while she loves her parents, is a little smothered by them. She's not allowed to have a boyfriend or go to parties where there are going to be boys and not adult supervision. It's these rules that set the tone of the story. If Catherine hadn't lied to her parents, she wouldn't have suffered immeasurable grief and completely withdrawn into herself.
Moving across the country and reinventing herself is the only way she is able to move forward with her life and survive - this is her 'disappearance' of the title and completely not what I was expecting (in a good way).
I loved the way Harper interweaves not only Catherine's story told from her point of view, but also the story of Alex (and Seb) who pop up on occasion and we are given the odd chapter from Alex's point of view, rounding off the connection between him and Catherine.
I read this book in one sitting as it kept me turning the pages because I needed to know what was going to happen next.
Harper has given us a solid story and the group of characters she has created in this world are well rounded and likeable (mostly - I'm looking at you Patrick). Each of the characters has a purpose in Catherine's life and keep you rooting for her and them.
I will warn people as I know many don't like them, but this book ends on a cliffhanger. I LOVE a cliffhanger in a series as it leaves me wanting more, more, more.
We're introduced to Catherine Brodie, a 20 year old girl who, while she loves her parents, is a little smothered by them. She's not allowed to have a boyfriend or go to parties where there are going to be boys and not adult supervision. It's these rules that set the tone of the story. If Catherine hadn't lied to her parents, she wouldn't have suffered immeasurable grief and completely withdrawn into herself.
Moving across the country and reinventing herself is the only way she is able to move forward with her life and survive - this is her 'disappearance' of the title and completely not what I was expecting (in a good way).
I loved the way Harper interweaves not only Catherine's story told from her point of view, but also the story of Alex (and Seb) who pop up on occasion and we are given the odd chapter from Alex's point of view, rounding off the connection between him and Catherine.
I read this book in one sitting as it kept me turning the pages because I needed to know what was going to happen next.
Harper has given us a solid story and the group of characters she has created in this world are well rounded and likeable (mostly - I'm looking at you Patrick). Each of the characters has a purpose in Catherine's life and keep you rooting for her and them.
I will warn people as I know many don't like them, but this book ends on a cliffhanger. I LOVE a cliffhanger in a series as it leaves me wanting more, more, more.
August 30, 2016
Didn't see it coming
This book was not what I thought it would be from the title. It pleasantly surprised me and was quite a good read. The ending really had me sitting on the edge of my seat, but now I need the next in this series
This book was not what I thought it would be from the title. It pleasantly surprised me and was quite a good read. The ending really had me sitting on the edge of my seat, but now I need the next in this series
April 3, 2017
Scanning NetGalley for new novels to read and review I noticed one with a beautiful cover. NetGalley qualified it as erotica but as my 18th birthday passed over 30 years ago that should not be a problem and the description sounded interesting: a young law student lies to her parents to attend a party and her parents and brother die as a result of that (it seemed). Every birthday after that she meets Alex somehow. And it is obvious people mean her harm.
To my surprise the book seemed to be a coming of age story for young adults. Well at least for 70% into the story. Then all of a sudden things like groupsex and kinkclubs it is. And that does not seem suitable for the young readers.
It is an accomplishment in itself to write sexscenes that are so unerotic. If you want to write about stuff like that why stop in the middle of things? How old is the author?
What irritated me from the start was the kind of "voice over"- style of telling a story. It felt like a summary of someone's biography.
It also did not help that all of a sudden the book ended and people are supposed to buy a part two.
Not a fan!
To my surprise the book seemed to be a coming of age story for young adults. Well at least for 70% into the story. Then all of a sudden things like groupsex and kinkclubs it is. And that does not seem suitable for the young readers.
It is an accomplishment in itself to write sexscenes that are so unerotic. If you want to write about stuff like that why stop in the middle of things? How old is the author?
What irritated me from the start was the kind of "voice over"- style of telling a story. It felt like a summary of someone's biography.
It also did not help that all of a sudden the book ended and people are supposed to buy a part two.
Not a fan!
June 3, 2017
This was a slow moving, coming of age story of Catherine who had a over protective childhood.
Catherine's guarded life seems to be marred with sadness constantly until she realises she needs to disappear and reinvent herself, which comes after discovering her true sexuality.
I didn't enjoy the slow winding story of her life, it was too drawn out, and at the point the book gained momentum (and why I gave it two rather than one star) with her becoming professional, dominating and strong minded it ended which infuriated me...I wanted more of the strength and it ended. But I don't have the patience to hope a follow on novel could get to the greatness of her new persona.
Catherine's guarded life seems to be marred with sadness constantly until she realises she needs to disappear and reinvent herself, which comes after discovering her true sexuality.
I didn't enjoy the slow winding story of her life, it was too drawn out, and at the point the book gained momentum (and why I gave it two rather than one star) with her becoming professional, dominating and strong minded it ended which infuriated me...I wanted more of the strength and it ended. But I don't have the patience to hope a follow on novel could get to the greatness of her new persona.
May 25, 2017
Hooked
While I found this story hard to get into at first but it was well worth persevering as once I did I was hooked. Are her brief encounters with Alex fated or just coincidence? Can't wait for the next book.
While I found this story hard to get into at first but it was well worth persevering as once I did I was hooked. Are her brief encounters with Alex fated or just coincidence? Can't wait for the next book.
October 19, 2016
Thanks to the publisher for an advanced copy via Net Galley.
Where to start? I just didn't like this book. It didn't seem to know itself. The characters were flat and unbelievable; it's the first book I've read in months where I haven't lost myself in it. I just couldn't suspend my disbelief and go with it.
The dialogue felt wooden and forced, and the advantages Catherine/Erin gets, all of the overly convenient encounters, the sudden family of therapists, the neighbours, the money...it was ridiculous. And I usually like ridiculous- I read a lot of teen and YA and paranormal stuff. Ridiculous is good. This was not good.
I don't think Erin was a believable character and Tara definitely wasn't. They were so 1-dimensional. Their relationship felt insane, frankly, although not as insane as the 18 year old goody two shoes Catherine with her Hallmark-perfect family we meet at the beginning. Who are these people? I was half expecting a cult or abuse from Catherine's bizarre naivety.
It was like the author wrote half of the book then was told by her editor to hop on the 50 Shades bandwagon. And the yearly skipping bit felt like it was trying to be One Day. It didn't flow at all and the love story was forced with no emotional hook at all.
This was not for me.
Where to start? I just didn't like this book. It didn't seem to know itself. The characters were flat and unbelievable; it's the first book I've read in months where I haven't lost myself in it. I just couldn't suspend my disbelief and go with it.
The dialogue felt wooden and forced, and the advantages Catherine/Erin gets, all of the overly convenient encounters, the sudden family of therapists, the neighbours, the money...it was ridiculous. And I usually like ridiculous- I read a lot of teen and YA and paranormal stuff. Ridiculous is good. This was not good.
I don't think Erin was a believable character and Tara definitely wasn't. They were so 1-dimensional. Their relationship felt insane, frankly, although not as insane as the 18 year old goody two shoes Catherine with her Hallmark-perfect family we meet at the beginning. Who are these people? I was half expecting a cult or abuse from Catherine's bizarre naivety.
It was like the author wrote half of the book then was told by her editor to hop on the 50 Shades bandwagon. And the yearly skipping bit felt like it was trying to be One Day. It didn't flow at all and the love story was forced with no emotional hook at all.
This was not for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 4, 2016
I had high hopes, but was disappointed. The story begins a bit slow- there's character build up and background, but awkward situations that are a bit strange (what 20 year old still has to ask parents to go out?!)
There're heart wrenching events and major life changes for Catherine, but I'm not completely feeling a connection with her, and by her 22nd birthday, I'm bored.
The story is shallow, there's not enough depth and connection either between the characters or the author and audience. It doesn't help that Harper is skipping through time too quickly without enough details.
It gets a bit better after Catherine's 23rd Birthday, but still some inconsistencies that unnecessarily throw the reader off, such as the offhand comment that she learned to play guitar at University...Since when?!
There are too many holes in the details for me, which makes it feel pieced together and without a flow. There's a huge disconnect with the characters and myself as a reader, and although I appreciate the story line, the execution isn't what I'd hoped for nor expected.
*I received an arc from NetGalley for an honest review
There're heart wrenching events and major life changes for Catherine, but I'm not completely feeling a connection with her, and by her 22nd birthday, I'm bored.
The story is shallow, there's not enough depth and connection either between the characters or the author and audience. It doesn't help that Harper is skipping through time too quickly without enough details.
It gets a bit better after Catherine's 23rd Birthday, but still some inconsistencies that unnecessarily throw the reader off, such as the offhand comment that she learned to play guitar at University...Since when?!
There are too many holes in the details for me, which makes it feel pieced together and without a flow. There's a huge disconnect with the characters and myself as a reader, and although I appreciate the story line, the execution isn't what I'd hoped for nor expected.
*I received an arc from NetGalley for an honest review
August 15, 2016
I got this book for an honest review by the author and it was certainly an entertaining one. We get to follow Catherine through her accident filled life and watch as she transforms from daddy's little girl to a totally different kind of animal.
http://thesecretworldofbooklovers.blo...
My favourite part of the story was Alex's and Catherine's encounters, like clockwork they met the same day every year, and even if they didn't they were connected somehow.
This book tells us the story about how a person can get lost in pain and still navigate through life showing people only her outside armour.
She's trying to find her place in the world, to discover who she really is, and she is not scared to experiment.
She is surviving, only going through the motions and not letting anyone get close enough, but as times goes by she is actually thinking she is close to having a break, but apparently life has other plans for her.
I can't wait to read about the next part of the story, the cliffhanger left me hungry for more!
http://thesecretworldofbooklovers.blo...
My favourite part of the story was Alex's and Catherine's encounters, like clockwork they met the same day every year, and even if they didn't they were connected somehow.
This book tells us the story about how a person can get lost in pain and still navigate through life showing people only her outside armour.
She's trying to find her place in the world, to discover who she really is, and she is not scared to experiment.
She is surviving, only going through the motions and not letting anyone get close enough, but as times goes by she is actually thinking she is close to having a break, but apparently life has other plans for her.
I can't wait to read about the next part of the story, the cliffhanger left me hungry for more!
December 1, 2016
This book has a much slower start than Grace Harper's other series and I did not enjoy this book as much.
The book starts with the family going out for a birthday meal but Catherine pleads to be allowed to go to a party instead. That night the family are killed in a car crash and she is unable to cope with the aftermath. She ends up in Edinburgh with her grandmother, a lawyer and they decide to claim against the hospital for negligence. This leads to a multitude of angry reprisals and a death threat against Catherine.
I have bought the next book in the series as I want to know what happens next as this book finished with a cliff hanger.
I was given this book by Netgalley for an impartial review.
The book starts with the family going out for a birthday meal but Catherine pleads to be allowed to go to a party instead. That night the family are killed in a car crash and she is unable to cope with the aftermath. She ends up in Edinburgh with her grandmother, a lawyer and they decide to claim against the hospital for negligence. This leads to a multitude of angry reprisals and a death threat against Catherine.
I have bought the next book in the series as I want to know what happens next as this book finished with a cliff hanger.
I was given this book by Netgalley for an impartial review.
November 3, 2015
I was kindly given an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
As a fan of Grace, I enjoyed this book and really connected with Catherine and her story. I felt for her, as if she were real, and read her story with intrigue. The start had lots of emphasis on the pain and strength Catherine needed to muster in order to carry on with her life, but once she did, my did the storyline fly! There are some exciting scenes, intense and steamy just as you want them, and I am interested to carry on into the next in the series when it's available.
As a fan of Grace, I enjoyed this book and really connected with Catherine and her story. I felt for her, as if she were real, and read her story with intrigue. The start had lots of emphasis on the pain and strength Catherine needed to muster in order to carry on with her life, but once she did, my did the storyline fly! There are some exciting scenes, intense and steamy just as you want them, and I am interested to carry on into the next in the series when it's available.
January 17, 2017
!!!!!!
This book is just frustrating I just wanted to scream lol . Poor Catherine she has got to be the unluckiest person on Earth. I was completely hooked , between wondering what horrible thing would happen next and wondering when Mr. Green Eyes would show up. I couldnt put this down! It took a while for the plot to show itself but the author did it in a way that makes you completely curious.
This book is just frustrating I just wanted to scream lol . Poor Catherine she has got to be the unluckiest person on Earth. I was completely hooked , between wondering what horrible thing would happen next and wondering when Mr. Green Eyes would show up. I couldnt put this down! It took a while for the plot to show itself but the author did it in a way that makes you completely curious.
October 10, 2016
Received this book for review full review to come
October 4, 2016
I thought this was a mystery, at first glance. Did not read the synopsis or anything.
Though this book is not a complete mystery. For me the question throughout the book was will she survive or What is gonna happen to her next?
That being said, the author did a pretty good job trying to keep me reading. And succeeded.
When I started reading, my expectation was that this book was a mystery however, It took some time to realize that the only mystery about this book was what was going to happen to her and the result of that incident in her life and how she goes through it. The beginning was a little rough for me but I made it.
Though this book is not a complete mystery. For me the question throughout the book was will she survive or What is gonna happen to her next?
That being said, the author did a pretty good job trying to keep me reading. And succeeded.
When I started reading, my expectation was that this book was a mystery however, It took some time to realize that the only mystery about this book was what was going to happen to her and the result of that incident in her life and how she goes through it. The beginning was a little rough for me but I made it.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 16 reviews