This one is more YAish than her previous book, These Silent Woods, but I still enjoyed her writing, the mysterious tone and the faith elements. It is told in back and forth timelines that I enjoy and allows the story to unravel layer by layer..Sometimes books like this can drag on but I listened to it over two days and just when I was ready for it to be over, it was!
If you are looking for an edge of your seat thriller this is not the book but if you are looking for a mystery surrounding a group of old friends while seeing character growth without gore or harsh language,pick this one up.
Thanks to Netgalley for the chance to read this!

I LOVED this book. Grant has a way of writing raw, relatable characters that suck you in and don’t let go. When Emlyn’s best friend Janessa goes missing, no one suspects anything is wrong due to her being a big time social media influencer promoting “Van Life” in the wilderness. It’s not unusual for her to go off grid for a day or two where there’s no service. However, her childhood bff Tyler, who also happens to be Emlyn’s toxic ex-boyfriend, thinks something is majorly wrong. The only person fit to help him figure out where Janessa is Emlyn, against her best interests. As they settle into the mystery of what happened to Janessa and her travel partner, loyalty is tested and nerves are on edge. This was a wild ride full of heart and emotion. I’ll read anything Grant writes.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Emlyn is living a simple life. She barely talks to her best friend Janessa, or Tyler, the previous love of her life.

Now she has an airstream trailer, and her closest friends are the makeshift reverend and a handsome forest service ranger.

But when Tyler resurfaces and says Janessa is missing. Emlyn is pulled back in and sets off with Tyler to find her. But the deeper into the wilderness to find Janessa, the more she begins to suspect that a darker secret lie in the woods, and Janessa isn’t the only one in danger.


This book was great! I loved the outdoorsy setting. It was absolutely picturesque. I felt like I was transported right there next to the characters in the great outdoors. I found the plot of this one to be on the slower, more suspenseful side, but I knew it was more of a suspense versus a fast-paced thriller going in so I expected that. I really enjoyed the character development as well. I thought that the main character, Emlyn was really well done. Getting to know her was like peeling the layers on an onion, information on her was doled out in small amounts, and I ate it up. I especially loved the past and present timelines, and I couldn’t wait to figure out what exactly had happened in the past to lead everyone where they were today.

Overall, this was a really fun suspense read and I enjoyed the atmospheric setting.

This book gripped me immediately. I loved the vast descriptions of the nature settings and the characters. It also kept me guessing throughout the entire story. Great read. Big thanks to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press and Kimi Cunningham Grant for allowing me to get an advanced copy of this book.

This slow-burn thriller went right on my GoodReads list because of the description: "In this captivating novel of suspense, a wilderness guide must team up with the man who ruined her life years ago when the friend who introduced them goes missing."
After completing the novel, I loved the theme and setting of this book, but I was a bit disappointed with the execution of the plot. The book carries themes about drug abuse, which I do not typically enjoy, especially when they become a large part of the larger plot.
I also wasn't a huge fan of any of the characters.
Emlyn, the main character, was hard to root for and drove me a bit crazy because she kept thinking about her ex-boyfriend Tyler, who left her out in the wilderness due to his drug addiction. Vanessa was kind to Emlyn and looked out for her, but she was also very controlling and seemed almost narcissistic. The drama and characters seemed two-dimensional to me and it was just difficult to connect with them overall.

I am not even sure how I’m going to write this review because I was so hyped up to read it…. And These Silent Woods was an easy 5 stars (best of the year) type book for me. But this didn’t work

It was slow, which isn’t the issue. I love a deep, slow, atmospheric read (which this is). But then everything happens in the last 10%. And it just felt like “that’s it?”.

Maybe it’s me. But I think this is my second disappointing read this year. Hope other readers love it. But it just felt like

…….. eerie….. flashbacks….. what’s the secret…. Oh it’s what I expected. Oh yes. Ok… fine. But what? That’s it? 😔😢 boo. I had huge hopes to fall for this one but it didn’t work for me

I wanted to read this because I have heard great things about this author’s last book. Fans of These Silent Woods may love this one, but this was just an okay read for me. This fell short for me in character development (especially with the protagonist and in the plot). At times, the protagonist was not believable to me as a wilderness guide; in addition, the plot was slow for me and did not peak my interest until the book was more than half-way over. I expect a lot more plot development and readability in thrillers, but found this to be rather slow in that regard. That being said, this author can write descriptions that are powerful and realistic. The setting of this book played the starring role for me. 3 stars.

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The blurb for this book reads a lot like inspiration was drawn from recent events. It intrigued me, so I was glad to pick it up.

Kimi writes beautifully! I loved the descriptions of the surroundings. They really lent to the overall atmosphere. However, this was not the same for the characters and the plot. I didn't feel the same connection to the characters that I did with the environmental descriptions. Emmy, in particular, was presented as a smart and clever wilderness guide that made very obvious mistakes for such a seasoned professional. The plot moves along very slowly making the ending fall flat without more build towards a climax.

I do think this will intrigue readers, as it did me, but it just did not resonate with me like I had hoped it would.

In a sense, Kimi Cunningham Grant's The Nature of Disappearing seems almost like a Law & Order style 'ripped from the headlines' plot. Think Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie. Trendy influencers disappear into the proverbial great unknown and everybody starts trying to track them down amidst the beauty and danger of the untamed wild. That sort of thing.

Kimi Cunningham Grant does successfully branch off the known facts Gabby Petito's disappearance to give her novel a unique and complex twist that will keep the reader on edge for the better part of the story. Saying too much would be spoiling the story and the story absolutely is worth reading.

So what I will say is that there are content/trigger warnings that are relevant for drug use, physical and mental abuse, mental health struggles, toxic relationships... all of which do fit in the story without ever seeming over the top or as if they're there simply for the novel form of clickbait and drama. But if you don't want to read that sort of thing, this book might not be for you.

That being said, The Nature of Disappearing focuses on Emlyn who seems to have spent her life trying to disappear in a crowd until she finds her footing in remote Idaho and comes into her own as a strong and powerful woman who realizes that she can be whatever she wants without needing to surround herself with stronger, more powerful people (as she did for years) and that she can choose to have whichever people she wants in her life. And that's an important lesson for a story to tell.

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I received a copy of The Nature of Disappearing through NetGalley and Minotaur Books in exchange for an honest and original review.

This book takes you right into the heart of Idaho wilderness; the setting is a main character in itself. Emlyn has struggled to make a new life for herself after her ex-boyfriend Tyler abandoned her. She is a survivor, but still struggles with her mental health and has deep trust issues. However, when Tyler shows up in her life again with news that her once best friend Janessa is missing, she knows her tracking skills can help find her.

The story is told from Emlyn's POV in present day as they search for Janessa, as well as in the past through all the happiness and heartache that broke Emlyn. The wilderness holds secrets and danger, and Emlyn gets more than she bargained for with Tyler in her life again.

While I enjoyed These Silent Woods more than this book, I was still drawn into the setting of this story. I liked Emlyn and could feel her pain. It was captivating, heartwarming, and suspenseful.

I admit I was disappointed with this book, and I urge prospective readers to read its many glowing reviews rather than rely on my misgivings. This was a slow read until its frightening, action-filled conclusion when the mysterious events were revealed. I was not sure what type of book was intended. Was this a vibrant, descriptive wilderness adventure, an intense psychological drama, or a mysterious thriller? The characters were well-developed with all their flaws, and I found abrupt transitions from past to present confusing. The many references to the past at first made me think the characters must have been introduced in a previous story, but when looking at summaries of earlier books, I found this not to be the case. We were eventually given all the information needed, but I never connected with the characters or storyline. The love stories and relationships never rang true.

Emlyn is a wilderness guide who takes visitors hunting in the scenic forests of Idaho and fishing in the sparkling rivers. She lives in an Airstream trailer. Her two friends are a park ranger and a woman who regards herself as a religious advisor. Emlyn has a very poor self-concept, considering herself as pathetic and forgettable. She keeps herself isolated from any form of social life.

She once had a long-time friend, Janessa, an extroverted, popular companion who drew Emlyn out of her self-imposed isolation and was a dynamic leader in their relationship. Janessa advised Emlyn what to wear and places for them to visit and disapproved of her choices of men. Emlyn reluctantly followed her advice. Emlyn fell in love with Tyler, Janessa's lifelong friend. She was warned to stay away from Tyler as he was trouble, and she would regret it. Emlyn continued her relationship with Tyler, keeping it hidden from Janessa. At first, she believes Janessa has romantic feelings for Tyler, and her warnings result from jealousy; Janessa insists that she only loves Tyler as a friend.

There was a bitter breakup when Emlyn gradually got the courage to confront the domineering Janessa and tell her she needed to make her own choices. She has been out of touch with Janessa for a long time. She now understands that she should have stayed away from Tyler, who once deserted her and left her freezing and near death on the roadside. She has tried to put the past behind her. She is upset by a visit from Tyler, who informs her that Janessa has gone missing with her new companion, Bush, an expert survivalist. The couple had become social media stars, chronicling their travels in words and photos on the internet. He fears that they are lost and that Janessa is in danger. When Emlyn notices a photo falsely identifying their location, she knows she must join Tyler in searching for them. Emlyn's tracking skills are haphazard, and she mainly relies on GPS and her intuition. She finds herself attracted to Tyler once more.

When Janessa and Bush are located, a series of surprising twists reveals that nothing is what it seems, and people are hiding secrets. Emlyn is now in danger. This story of betrayal, suspicion, distrust, misplaced love, low self-esteem and forgiveness is set in a beautifully described, atmospheric wilderness setting.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me an early chance to read this book, which is due to be published on June 18th.

I loved the in the deep wilderness unpredictability of this thriller. It took turns I didn't expect and had me hooked at every page.

Rounded up from 3.5 stars. This is the first book I've read by Kimi Cunningham Grant and it was a decent thriller/adventure novel. Set in the Idaho wilderness, the setting is well-represented and Emlyn is an interesting character - she can fish, hunt, tie flies, and track. This could have been five-stars, but the big reveal was kind of underwhelming and the ending was very abrupt. Also, the romance storyline in the book is what I guess is considered a "closed door" romance - lots of kissing on the forehead and not much else. I would still go back and read Grant's other books, especially since they are set in the great outdoors/wilderness.

If you love detailed nature descriptions, this book will make you want to pack up and head straight to the Idaho wilderness. Grant’s vivid portrayal of the great outdoors is truly mesmerizing. But, unfortunately, that’s where the excitement ended for me. The story itself was a painfully slow burn, and I found myself constantly waiting for something interesting to happen.

Connecting with the characters was a challenge. Despite my high hopes, especially since I’ve loved Grant’s previous books, this one left me a bit disappointed.

Here's the gist: Emlyn lives a quiet, simple life as a fishing and hunting guide in Idaho. She’s left her troubled past behind, including a fractured friendship with Janessa and a heartbreak from Tyler, who abandoned her three years ago. Her closest companions now are a kind Forest Service ranger and a makeshift reverend who once took her in.

But everything changes when Tyler reappears with alarming news: Janessa, now a social media star with her #vanlife adventures, has gone missing. Despite their rocky past, Emlyn realizes she might be the only one capable of tracking down her old friend. Reluctantly, she teams up with Tyler, and together they follow Janessa’s trail through the wild terrain.

As they venture deeper into the wilderness, Emlyn can't ignore the rekindling chemistry between her and Tyler. However, the deeper they go, the more sinister the truth seems. It turns out Janessa isn't the only one in danger.

In summary, while the book’s depiction of Idaho’s wilderness is enchanting, the story’s slow pace and the difficulty in connecting with the characters made it hard to fully enjoy. Here's hoping Grant’s next book brings back the magic we know and love.

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

A story of self acceptance, mystery and love. Emlyn learns that she is worthy of love after her father walks away and her first love leaves her. Themes of drug abuse.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: June 18, 2024
Kimi Cunningham Grant, author of “These Silent Woods”, brings another adventure survival mystery to the world with her new novel, “The Nature of Disappearing”.
Emlyn works as an adventure survival guide, leading expeditions through the Idaho wilderness. She tries not to think about her once-best-friend, Janessa, who barely speaks to her, and she definitely doesn’t like to think about Tyler, her once-boyfriend who left her abandoned on the side of the road in a snowstorm, nearly killing her. Although Emlyn has put these traumatic events behind her (for the most part), her life is thrown off course when Tyler comes into her workplace asking for her help- Janessa went on a wilderness adventure with her boyfriend, Bush, and hasn’t been heard from in weeks. Only Emlyn has the specific set of wilderness skills needed to find Janessa, especially if she’s been injured, but Emlyn isn’t sure if she wants to risk opening up old wounds to help a friend who may not want to be found.
“Disappearing” is narrated by Emlyn in the third person and has a dual-timeline plot. The first timeline, the present day when Janessa is missing, alternates with the second timeline, when Emlyn and Janessa first meet and the events that led to their estrangement. Clearly marked, the dual timelines help create the bubbling tension as well as help the reader form a connection with both Emlyn and Janessa. Cunningham-Grant’s story flows well, and “Disappearing” is an engaging and suspenseful read from the get-go.
Cunningham-Grant surprised me with the many twists and turns in this novel and I did not expect it to play out the way it did, although I was not at all disappointed by the final ending. I have read many books lately with #vanlife and camper van living as its central theme, so I thought I knew where this novel was going to take me, but I was completely caught off guard (in a good way). For someone like me who prefers watching nature from behind the curtains of my house, Cunningham-Grant allowed me to immerse myself in the survivalist lifestyle, even learning some tricks along the way!
“Disappearing” is emotional at times, with intense topics such as drug addiction and abandonment, but it definitely isn’t sombre and the ending of the novel left me with all of the happy feels! “The Nature of Disappearing” is not just for the adventurers out there, and I highly recommend it for anyone who is looking for a (safe) way to escape to nature while being entertained along the way!

I loved Kimi Cunningham Grant's first book I read, These Silent Woods, so I couldn't wait to read The Nature of Disappearing! It did not disappoint! I is every bet as good or better. The language flows so smoothly and that makes it a fast and easy read. It's a story about starting over and learning from your past. It's about learning who you can trust to take care of you in hard times. Thanks to @NetGalley for the ARC of this book. I highly recommend it!

Thanks to St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books and NetGalley for providing me with an early copy to read and review.

I found this book to be mesmerizing. The author was so descriptive and the settings of the novel were very vivid in my mind.

It was a compelling mystery/thriller that wasn’t too outlandish and a beautiful message in the author’s note.

When her best friend goes missing in the wilderness, a woman is forced to team up with her ex-boyfriend to track her down in the Idaho mountains. Mystery wise it’s pretty slow, but there’s a lot of character development and surprisingly heavy topics covered. The atmosphere is the star here, really immersive nature writing that keeps you engaged.

SYNOPSIS
- Emlyn is living in Idaho. She works as a guide at a local shop, and she was recently been awarded Idaho’s best tracker.
- Janessa, Emlyn’s BFF & a #vanlife influencer, is missing. Emlyn teams up with her ex-boyfriend, Tyler, to find Janessa.
- Emlyn has some baggage. We learn about her childhood, her friendship with Janessa, her relationship with Tyler, and her new life.

MY THOUGHTS
- Atmospheric. Great setting in the wilderness and off the grid.
- Complicated relationships.
- Multiple timelines.
- I wanted to slap Tyler at SOO many points when reading the book, and I wanted to shake Emlyn.
- I think this book does a great job flushing out some important themes — settling for what we think we deserve, realizing your worth, how stories we tell ourselves can limit us, how wounds from childhood can impact adult relationships.
- Main complaints: ending fell kind of flat, slow burn in a lot of ways, & pretty predictable.

TL;DR: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫3.5 stars. atmospheric, set in Idaho wilderness. multiple timelines. but, fell flat & predictable in a lot of ways.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books and Netgalley for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book will be published on June 18, 2024.