Kimi Cunningham Grant’s last novel These Silent Woods was an amazing five-star read for me, so I went into her newest novel with very high hopes! I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy, but unfortunately it did not live up to her last novel for me.

Nature and Wilderness is something that Kimi writes exceptionally well. When I read her books, I am instantly there in nature with the characters so much I swear I almost smell the trees and dirt! While the setting and the characters were great in this novel, I felt like the story-line and the whole reason they were out in the woods fell flat.

The Nature of Disappearing comes out June 18, 2024 and is about Emlyn, a wilderness guide is finally content in life when the man who destroyed her years early unexpectedly pops back into her life asking for help. Her best friend, Jannesa who is a van-life influencer, is missing in the deep woods of Idaho and they must find her before it is too late.

The book goes back and forth every other chapter from present day to the past 5 years so that you find out exactly what happened that derailed Emlyn’s life and why she has cut off communication with her ex and her best friend until now.

The first 65% of the book is gripping and keeps your attention very well, but the last part when everything starts to unravel just starts to fall flat. I almost wish there had been more drama or a much bigger reveal of why her best friend went missing in the first place.

Overall I would still rate it a 3-3.5 star book because everything else about the book I enjoyed. I loved the complexity of the characters and the scene of the wilderness. I even loved the setup of the back and forth giving you a little information at a time.

thank you Net Galley and Minotaur Books for allowing me the honor to get an Advanced Reader’s Copy of The Nature of Disappearing in exchange for an honest review. Well this one in particular fell a little flat, I still look forward to the future work of Kimi Cunningham Grant!

Kimi Cunningham Grant’s The Nature of Disappearing is an engrossing thriller that deftly blends suspense with emotional depth. This novel centers on Emlyn, a wilderness guide in Idaho, who must confront her traumatic past when Tyler, the man who once abandoned her, returns with the alarming news that their mutual friend Janessa has gone missing.

Emlyn's life in the vast, untamed wilderness is simple and secure. She spends her days guiding tourists through the scenic landscapes and lives in solitude in her Airstream trailer. Her closest companions are a compassionate Forest Service ranger and a reverend who offered her solace during her darkest times. However, Tyler’s sudden reappearance disrupts her peaceful existence, pulling her back into a world she had painstakingly left behind.

Janessa, now a social media sensation with her #vanlife adventures, has recently vanished, and her last post raises more questions than answers. Despite their fractured relationship, Emlyn feels compelled to help find her former best friend. Reluctantly teaming up with Tyler, she embarks on a treacherous journey through the wild, where old feelings and unresolved issues resurface.

As Emlyn and Tyler delve deeper into the wilderness, the chemistry between them rekindles, but so do suspicions about the true nature of Janessa’s disappearance. The narrative skillfully alternates between the present and the past, unraveling the complex history between the characters while heightening the tension with each chapter.

Grant’s writing is evocative and richly descriptive, bringing the wilderness to life in vivid detail. The atmospheric setting adds a layer of tension, making the Idaho wilderness almost a character in its own right. The story’s pacing is impeccable, maintaining a steady build-up of suspense that keeps the reader hooked until the very end.

Emlyn is a well-crafted protagonist, her resilience and vulnerability making her a relatable and compelling character. Her journey of self-discovery and redemption is as central to the story as the mystery itself. Tyler, despite his past mistakes, is portrayed with nuance, making their dynamic both realistic and engaging.

The plot twists are well-executed, leading to a satisfying and believable conclusion. Grant’s ability to weave complex character arcs with a gripping mystery sets this book apart. The Nature of Disappearing is not just a thriller; it’s a poignant exploration of forgiveness, trust, and the indelible impact of the past on the present.

In summary, Kimi Cunningham Grant has delivered a masterful novel that combines suspense, emotion, and stunning natural imagery. The Nature of Disappearing is a must-read for fans of thrillers and character-driven stories alike.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really loved this one!! This book is a great slow burn suspense and introspective exploration sprinkled with a little bit of mystery. Grant’s writing is truly excellent, and the descriptions of and respect for nature were particular standouts for me. I also found Emlyn and Janessa’s friendship very compelling, honest, and well-developed. I really cared about both characters- both as individuals and as friends!

For me, things didn’t really pick up until ~75% of the way in. However, I didn’t mind this at all! I thought the set up was beautiful and it was completely worth it to spend that time getting to know Emlyn so well. Understanding everything Emlyn had gone through made all the little moments in the present timeline more resonant and meaningful. I really loved the ending and the final takeaways! I reached the last page feeling so hopeful but also sad that I had to leave Emlyn behind.

I would happily recommend this to all readers who love character driven books, mild suspense, and/or books set in nature/the wilderness! I know I’ll be picking up a finished copy of this one when it hits shelves next week.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review!

4.5 stars rounded up.

In Kimi Cunningham Grant's gripping novel, a wilderness guide reluctantly joins forces with her past love when their mutual friend goes missing. As they search through Idaho's wild terrain, old sparks reignite while dark truths emerge. Poignant and suspenseful, it's a tale of starting afresh and confronting the past's pull.

I enjoyed the way the author weaved together elements of suspense and romance against the backdrop of the wilderness. The characters felt authentic, and their complex relationships added depth to the story. Additionally, the exploration of themes like starting over and confronting the past resonated with me. Overall, it was a compelling read with a well-crafted narrative. This is what makes the author a favorite of mine.

thank you netgalley for the free e-arc. i think that the author is masterful in the way she brings scenes and surroundings to life for people who have never been to where the books are set. however, it think her other writing (plot, mostly) needs work. i kept waiting for things to happen and they either did with lackluster action or just never happened. i do think that if emlyn keeps things in the past, she should have kept janessa and tyler there as well.

I was anticipating this book after loving her previous novel, "These Silent Woods." With this one once again, we are given an engaging and well written story. Grant does such a wonderful job writing about wilderness and nature. This one was a bit of a slower burn, but I did not mind it.

I was engaged in both the present and past timelines. Although, at times, I felt the shift was a bit jarring. I connected with the characters and their flaws. Evelyn's mixed emotions that blurred her judgment at times were realistic. I enjoyed the devoted and complicated friend ship between Emelyn and Janessa. The love story in this one was just okay for me. What stood out most was the survival part of the story. The twists and final reveal of the story fell a bit flat for me, bringing down my rating. Overall, I will continue to pick up her books because of the way her writing sucks me in.

After finishing The Nature of Disappearing and reflecting upon it, I came to the conclusion that it would be a perfect Lifetime movie because it contains parts that would be appealing to that target audience. It wasn’t gory nor too intense just the right amount of intrigue to keep the reader interested. I was hoping for more twists and thrills but it read more like a drama. I did enjoy the Idaho wilderness setting and found it very atmospheric as well as the Vanlife piece. However, the main protagonist lacked any self confidence and it came off as annoying. Overall it was an average read that had enough elements to keep me engaged.

Read this if you like:
-wilderness settings with hikes and survival skills needed
-exploration of female friendships
-multiple timelines
-personal growth and coming to terms with your past and present

My rating 3 out of 5

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this eARC that will be released June 18 2024.

I had hopes that this book was going to be amazing however, I feel like it fell short. The description of the books made it seem like it was going be a suspenseful, thrilling mystery set in the wilderness. It seemed like there were going to be so many twists and turns...and there just was not.

Long story short: The book follows Emlyn, who is a wilderness guide in a national forest. She notices that an old friend of hers, Janessa, has been radio silent on social media and she has not heard from her in a couple days, after journeying into the wilderness. Another person from her past, Tyler, also shares concerns for Janessa's safety. The thing is Tyler is Emlyn's ex and the two had a rocky relationship with a traumatizing experience for Emlyn. She is nervous to go into the woods with Tyler, but she wishes to discover what happened to her friend. Secrets come out and feelings are hurt.

I thought the book was going to be thriller than mystery so it dampened my reading experience right off the bat. I was also expecting some crazy secrets to be revealed, when in reality is was not a surprising twist. The story also jumps between past and present, which could have been down differently in terms of story telling. This was the first book I've read by this author, and I fear it may be the only one I read.

Thank you so much to @minotaurbooks for my advance copy! I loved These Silent Woods so I was happy to dive in. This is an extremely atmospheric read in the heart of Idaho wilderness. It started off a bit slow but it really helps lay the background and the setting. Emlyn is flawed and has had a tragic past. We don’t really know what happen until the story unfolds.

The timeline jumps around a bit between past and present. The whole idea of being stuck in the wilderness is terrifying. I thought the scenario and relationships extremely realistic and I liked the twists this took toward the end that I did not see coming. I also appreciated the ending. It just seemed to be lacking something, don’t know what it is but…something. I am still a Grant fan even though I liked Silent Woods better.

This book was kind of disappointing to me. I had read the author's previous book and really liked it but honestly I felt like I could never really latch on or care for the characters, which is my biggest criteria for enjoying a book.

I really enjoyed the writing and plot of this book!

This was listed as a thriller, however I think that may hinder a reader's expectations as they may be left wanting more twists and turns from this one. If you go in knowing this is more of a dark and tense book, it's much more enjoyable.

The setting really drew me in, I'm a sucker for a woodsy hike book, and I'm glad it did!

The internet categorizes The Nature of Disappearing and her previous novel, These Silent Woods, as suspense/thriller. While the undertones are there and very present in many scenes, they are more dark contemporary fictions that explores the complexity in human nature. I say this because some go in looking for the constant thrills and twists and subsequently complain of the “slow burn”. Mindset and mood are everything.

These Silent Woods was unquestionably a 5 star read for me and had me anxiously awaiting Grant’s next novel. It’s finally here. And it was everything I could have hoped and expected from her. I devoured this!

Told in dual timelines, I was so invested in the main protagonist’s story. Grant has such a beautiful ability to pull you in to deeply feel the emotions in every scene. There is a constant uneasiness because you know something just isn’t right in the present timeline. The past keeps you turning the pages to connect the breadcrumbs the present timeline drops. It was just so well done.

I highly recommend getting lost in this one! It is sure to stick with me as These Silent Woods has. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I was lucky enough to have the ebook and audio for this one which allowed me to never put it down. The narrator, @emilypikestewart , did a fantastic job!

I really enjoyed this book! A big draw for me was the setting as I love the outdoors and hiking. Many of us dream of traveling to and hiking in some of the world’s most beautiful spots. But, we also know the risks that exist with this hobby and these types of adventures. The second half of this book was a bit stronger and more engaging than the first half. I thought it came together really nicely at the end. I wasn’t a fan of either Emelyn or Janessa, but they each grew on me as the story developed. Thank you for this early copy!

ARC Review. 4 stars! This was a fast paced, easy to read, mystery. I loved the focus and commentary on nature. It was atmospheric and the mystery kept me intrigued.

I LOVED the atmosphere and description of the setting in this book. The characters were kinda "meh."

The whole book kinda led up to the main character pining for a guy and then we never really got his story just the ex-boyfriend that was a turds.

Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review.

The Nature of Disappearing by Kimi Cunningham Grant is a suspense novel about coming to terms with the past (and present), loyalties and letting go. There are also glimpses of hope for the future.

Atmospheric wilderness settings grab me by the shoulders and yank me in. Set in Idaho, nature is both dangerous and rewarding. But then, so are humans. Wilderness guide Emlyn is more at ease with fish and animals than around her clients. Her home is a secluded camper trailer (a dream for many!). She doesn't miss much about her old life and her past. But on a news clip she discovers her former dearest friend Janessa is missing and her old instincts kick in. She and mutual friend Tyler seach for the influencer, combing through her posts and photographs and find discrepancies. Their search takes them on a wilderness jaunt.

Animals lurking in the darkness add to the danger element. What surprised me was the ending which had such scope to be incredibly powerful. The writing is gorgeous, smart and clean. I really like the variety of likeable and unlikeable characters. The author's inspiration is fabulous and I look forward to what she has planned next!

My sincere thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of engrossing novel.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

If you're looking for an atmospheric summer thriller, this is it! It has a slower start, but I enjoyed the setting and character relationships. The action didn't pick up until the back end of the story, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. I was looking for an outdoor vibe, and that's definitely what I got.

This is the first book I've picked up from the author, so I didn't have much of an expectation going into it, and I may have been a bit easier to please. I'll definitely be checking out her other books after enjoying this!

And can we talk about the stunning cover that perfectly captures the vibe of the book?

What a great story of friendship, love, love lost, second chances, new love, and of course nature. I was captivated from the start with this one. The words, painting a story i felt like I was a part of. The characters, all so simply and beautifully human and relatable. I so wish this novel, just like her last, would just get picked up and turned into a movie i know i would love just as much.

THE NATURE OF DISAPPEARING centers around Emlyn who is a fishing and hunting guide in Idaho. Before that she was the child of a depressed mother and a father who disappeared from her life. And she was a poor college student who kept to herself for fear of being a person easy to leave behind.

She met Janessa as a college freshman when Janessa saved her from some overaggressive college boys at a local diner. The two become inseparable with Janessa as the charismatic leader and Emlyn the quiet follower. Emlyn is mostly content to let Janessa make her decisions for her.

At least she is until she meets Tyler, Janessa's childhood friend. Emlyn and Tyler become a couple but Tyler's addiction to drugs leads to their breakup which comes to a head when he leaves her for dead in the wilderness.

Rescued by a forest ranger and cared for by an older woman, Emlyn decides to leave her past behind and build a new life. She's doing well until a couple of years later when Tyler comes to find her because Janessa, who has become a social media darling, is missing in the wilderness.

Together the two of them head into the wilderness to try to find Janessa. Along the way, Emlyn learns things Tyler doesn't want her to know about himself. And she learns that she is much stronger and competent than she has ever thought she was.

There is a mystery here with moments of danger, but for me this was mostly Emlyn's story showing her growth and the changes she has gone through. Highly & enthusiastically recommend!

This was a nice descriptive book. It kinda made me want to go camping. The story weaves from past to present giving details about Emlyn’s and Tyler’s relationship. I liked Janessa and Emlyn, both strong women. I enjoyed the story, it was quite a page turner towards the end.