Late to posting my final read for December and I continue to have conflicting feelings about this novel. This is a coming of age story that is at times unbearably sad. It is a slow burn and there are so...many...feelings to process throughout this reading experience. No spoilers here as the book description lets the reader know that there are two sisters; Kathy and Sally and then inconceivably, older sister, Kathy is taken away in a most tragic way at a very tender age. I believe this subject matter would be difficult for anyone but as the oldest of three girls, I found this one painful to read and surprised myself by pushing through it. The writing is intimate and searingly honest We see the aftermath of Kathy’s death in her family members and in the boy who loved her-Billy. Sally and Billy are inextricably drawn to each other and understand each other’s grief and guilt in ways that no one else can. Of course, this is complicated as Kathy and Sally’s parents do not feel quite the same about Billy and his connection to their older daughter’s death. Although this book broke my heart repeatedly, the author is adept at capturing family dynamics, the way people process grief in their own way and how a family can be forever changed by one significant moment in time. Thank you to @netgalley and @henryholtbooks for the ARC of this book. My opinions are solely my own. #netgalley #bookreviewer #notesonyoursuddendisappearance #henryholtbooks #alisonespach #bookstagrammer

I don’t know if I can say enough good things about this title, I couldn’t put it down. Fantastic literary coming of age story.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the Kindle ARC. This was one of the best books I've read all year - and I've read over 100 books this year. Alison Espach has the writing ability to make "Notes" seem like a true story or one that she actually lived. Sally and Kathy are sisters and best friends. Kathy is three years older than Sally and guides her through the ins and outs of what lies ahead for her in boyfriends and high school. When Kathy gets her first boyfriend, Billy, Sally is enthralled and loves Billy as much as her sister does. A car wreck changes everyone's lives when Kathy is killed. The girls' mother never recovers psychologically. Sally and Billy do their best to move on - their lives intertwining at times intentionally and unintentionally. Ms. Espach has written an emotionally raw story - when one realizes the person she loves the most is never coming back.

I was given an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.

What a warm, gentle story. I really enjoyed spending time with these characters. Despite their challenges and the realistic feel of these families, it was definitely a satisfying ending . Definitely recommend as a thought provoking emotional novel

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle by Henry Holt & Company and #NetGalley for my honest opinion. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Notes on your sudden disappearance is set over 15 years. It’s a lovely story you’ll enjoy, especially if you like the the genre.

“Notes on Your Sudden Disappearance” is a heartbreaking coming of age story set over 15 years. It moves slowly, but that’s a good thing. It allows you to really savor the author’s masterful description of broken people moving on, or not, after tragedy.

You, as a reader are immediately required to participate, assuming the role of the narrator’s dead sister, Kathy. Usually, this kind of plot device annoys me, but here it really works. I felt a part of the narrative and the character’s lives without being able to do anything about the terrible choices they were making - kind of like a ghost.

The author deftly wove seemingly unrelated concepts and images together throughout the book until I arrived at an ending that, in most cases, would make me roll my eyes. Here, it gave me chills and made me sob.

I will now read everything that Alison Espach has ever written so that I can underline every other page.

Thank you to NetGalley and Alison Espach for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed NOTES ON YOUR SUDDEN DISAPPEARANCE. The writing is lovely and poignant and I felt very connected to the narrator. The chapters surrounding the car accident are particularly stunning.

Readers looking for a fast-paced narrative should look elsewhere as this novel is more contemplative and literary.

The ending is very satisfying and seems true to the characters' journeys.

I love this really poignant story about a neighborhood disappearance. It’s a perfectly crafted narrative that really makes you feel like you’re involved. I would highly recommend this read.

I found myself enjoying this book more with each page. It is the story of a family, their lives centered around the daughter they lost. It is the story of the other daughter, the living child, who is grieving for her sister as well as the disruption of her family. She is especially engaging and as a reader, I really wanted her to be happy.

The sisters are connected by Billy, now Bill, the forbidden survivor. Kathy’s death is the center of the novel and the closure comes during the ironically named Hurricane Kathy.

This is a lovely novel. Thank you Netgalley.