Beautifully told, elegantly executed... this was an emotional story about the aftermath of tragedy.

Kristin Feild’s debut was evocative and heart wrenching. A unique take on the missing child trope. This is not a dark twisted thriller with wild secrets, it is a tender story Full of heart and hope. This book really captures the essence of Esme, and how her sister Lily’s disappearance impacted her life.

Esme is 11 years old, she loves ballet and her biggest concern in life is getting on point. She has a loving family: hard-working parents, an aloof big brother, an impatient big sister, and an adorable little sister named Lily. One day mom is at church, dad just got home, brother is on the balcony, sister is in her room, Esme is making dinner, and Lily disappears. Just like that, while watching “Full House”. No sign of foul play Lily is just gone along with her coat and shoes. Esme is devastated not quite sure how to function in the shell of the family that remains. With some help from her ballet instructor and the urging of her father she finds herself at her dream ballet school in San Francisco all the way across the country from her shattered family. years pass and Esme dances on, using her art to process her grief. Eight years after the disappearance Esme is dancing in Paris when she receives a phone call from her big sister, a phone call that will change everything.

There was an air of grace to the story that was magnified by the ballet. Esme was such a likable and sympathetic character. Miss Fields did a wonderful job of grasping a Childs perspective, a child’s grief and guilt over a sibling going missing. Esme’s guilt and grief were palpable and present on every page. There was an authenticity to the story that made it shine. How does a family move on when their light is gone? Compelling and moving, absolutely recommend!

*** Many thanks to Lake Union for my copy of this book ***

This is a moving novel about family, loss, grief, and trying to find your own way in life.
When a 4 year old girl goes missing, the family is sent into turmoil, and the elder sister is left with so many unanswered questions.
She escapes through ballet as a means of coping with her grief.

The narrative goes back and forth between the past and the present on a journey of loss and surviving.
I really got invested in this book, my only quibble would be the parts detailing ballet moves and techniques. As I'm no fan of ballet I felt those passages slowed down the pace and I had to skim through them. Other than that I'd highly recommend this book.

Thanks #Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for a chance to read this book.

Great read. The author wrote a story that was interesting and moved at a pace that kept me engaged. The characters were easy to invest in.

What happened to Lily? Esme doesn't know but she does know that the disappearance of her 4 year old sister changed her life and that of her family. She escapes into ballet but then, years later, when she is on the cusp of success, everything changes again. This moves back and forth in time and place but it's always about grief, loss, and trying to find your way. Thanks to net galley for the ARC. I'm a fan of ballet novels; this isn't really about ballet at all but there was enough of it to buoy me through the sad parts.

"We don't always choose our choices, but they're ours."
How does a family move forward when their youngest child has been kidnaped?
This family tries for many years to do their best, though not ever the same.
Esme, only eleven years old, returns to doing ballet, but around every corner is her little sister, Lily.
Will she be able to continue on with her career?
There is so much sadness. Her family has changed. "Life would be different.
AND... Then eight years from that tragic day, things will once more be challenged!
This is a beautiful, heartbreaking story.
I was held captive by the details of this novel. You can feel the emotions of each character throughout the pages.
Tissues are a must!