4 1/2 Stars

Jess and her sister, Tegan are both scarred by the abandonment of their mother. She left years before but the damage is still very much alive and well in their lives. When a podcaster and her producer show up prepared to take Tegan (who they believe to be Jess) on a cross country trip to follow their mother's trail, everything changes. When she realizes how much Tegan needs to know what happened to their mother, Jess agrees to go along on the trip even though she thinks it's a bad idea. Along the way, they won't just discover things they never knew about their mother, they'll learn things about themselves.

This was another strong entry by Kate Clayborn. I really appreciated the way Jess gradually opened up over the course of the book. Salem's producer, Adam was key in helping Jess find herself. Yet Adam was fighting his own demons. The storylines that were woven together in this book were well written and thought out. It was a gentle and emotional read and it really made you think.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.

The shocking secret is not super shocking and the beginning of the book starts rough plot wise. I just couldn’t get into it - I don’t know if the information withholding was too much or what but I couldn’t find myself caring about the “secret” or the double abandonment or all the hurt feelings and thus couldn’t get onboard with the mission.

I think I have realized now that is this author’s MO as I’ve read two others and have now realized I don’t really love the actual plot but I love how she writes her characters and how they deal with their predicaments and most of all how they interact and grow and resolve together.

For that reason it’s a solid 3, but honestly I skimmed the last quarter of the books.

This book follows Jess, whose mum disappeared with a con artist and left her to raise her half-sister, Tegan. But when Tegan grows up and is about to leave for college, she finds a clue about their mother. So she ropes in a true-crime podcaster and her assistant to help them follow a trail of clues.

But along the way of finding their mother, they also find themselves.

This is a little different from Kate's other books. While it still delivers complex characters, descriptive prose, and a unique storyline, Kate also effortlessly blends mystery with the most tender romance, which ensures you won't want to put the book down.

I loved it! Jess and Adam are goals!

Such an interesting story. It made me laugh and cry and then laugh again!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

Kate Clayborn’s books are the kind I always get lost in, in the best way. This one was probably my favorite so far, but I feel like I say that every time because they’re all so good!!!

My thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of this book. I was excited to read another novel from Clayborn after reading Georgie All Along last year. This novel has an interesting mystery type of concept, as it involves two sisters (one more reluctant than the other) teaming up with a podcasting team to update an unresolved case. I found Jess's character to be really interesting, given her obvious trust issues after she and her younger sister were abandoned by their mom a decade prior. Although I did not love how instantly she and Adam seemed to fall for one another, it did represent one of the clearest themes of the novel: learning to trust again and navigating those conditions as you get to know someone better. I really liked the cast of characters built into this story, although I do with that the podcast element was a little more highlighted and that the unsolved factor of the mystery running through the book was a bit more prominent. Overall, I thought the ending of this story was more realistic than most types of romances I read and I also really enjoyed the found family aspect as well.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for my honest review. I requested this title after enjoying Georgie, All Along but WOW this book exceeded expectation. A deep, interesting, well developed plot with deep, interesting, well developed characters. I will say that I thought the epilogue was going in a different direction (but I won't give spoilers!), but overall I was very pleased with the ending for the 4 main characters. I will definitely keep and eye out for Kate Clayborn's next book.

Kate Clayborn's books never disappoint. The Other Side of Disappearing is a romance wrapped in a mystery, within the framework of a podcast. True crime lovers will find much to love about this genre-bending novel about family and responsibility and what it means to let your guard down and allow people to know you.

After their mother disappeared with her con-artist boyfriend a decade ago, the responsibility of raising Tegan, her half-sister, fell to Jess Greene--a responsibility she has taken seriously over the past ten years. But now Tegan is eighteen, and secrets Jess has kept for years have come to light. After all this time, the sisters finally embark on a road-trip, trying to track down their missing mother, accompanied by a popular podcast host and her handsome producer, Adam.

It's a mostly-straightforward plot, hitting all the expected beats, but it's the beautiful quality of the writing that sets it apart. Clayborn has a true talent for creating fully-fleshed out characters with their own foibles and struggles, making them feel real and relatable. Within the broader strokes of the mystery, she crafts these beautiful, vulnerable moments of authentic connection, and that's what makes the story ultimately so memorable. Another five star read from a favorite author--highly recommend!

Thank you to the publisher, Kensington Books, and Netgalley for my advance review copy.

I was very much looking forward to reading this book as I absolutely loved Georgie, All Along. This book is different than the previous book, as it is isn't a rom-com but more of a crime-podcast story about the main character's (Jess) mother's disappearance with a con man, combined with Jess's developing romance with the podcast assistant, Adam. The book also depicts the hardships and traumas of both characters as Jess became a full-time parent to sister Teagan and Adam remains shattered after the death of his closest friend. The resulting road trip not only brings them closer to the truth about Jess and Teagan's mom, but also brings Tess closer to opening her heart to Adam. I loved the banter with Adam's boss Salem and the warm, loving depictions of Adam's family at the farm, contrasting with Jess's toxic relationship with her mother. The road trip following the last post card clues left behind from her mother was suspenseful and I eagerly waited to find out more of the mystery on each leg of the trip. However, I wish there had been more of a twist or surprising conclusion as I'm used to in most mysteries. It felt a bit anti-climatic after all of the build up from the clues. The book concludes with a hopeful future for all of the characters, which I appreciated.

After keeping her little sister close her entire life, Jess's world is turned upside down when Tegan decides to spread her wings to search for their flighty mother. I loved the bond between these two sisters and the secrets that were discovered along their journey.

Seems like an unpopular opinion.
I tried, I really tried as I wanted to like this book. Because of the author and the publishing house. I loved her book, 'Love at First’ so much that I still talk about it. So I was looking forward to reading this book.

But, sadly this book didn't work for me. Right from the beginning.

Reasons:

I was finding it hard to picture it.

Adam is “huge” who couldn't fit in the chair Jess has to offer, plus he is not allowed to speak and he is instantly smitten with Jess that his heart aches to see her hurt. I didn't like him from the very first scene. For me, it's difficult to like a book if I don't like the protagonists.

Tegan and Jess are step sisters who have grown to love each other. Jess looked after Tegan fondly after their mother eloped with her boyfriend leaving them alone 10 years ago. But I didn't see their bonding. Tegan is prepared to go on a trip (bags packed) and she was about to ‘leave her a note’ before leaving.

I couldn't wrap my head around that podcast thing. That small snippet that comes after every chapter. What was that even? Why was Salem so interested to find that woman after 10 years?

I wasn't interested in finding their mother.

I was very much interested in Adam―Jess romance but since I didn't like Adam right from the beginning, I wasn't sure. Still I tried. But I didn't see them falling in love. They are 'telling’ everything.

Thank you so much for the review copy. Sorry, it didn't work for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for an advanced digital copy of this title in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to me for buying a physical copy and the audiobook.

Kate Clayborn’s 2023 release, Georgie All Along, was one of my favorite reads of the year and is a book I constantly recommend.

Part of what I loved about it was the vulnerability of the characters while they worked their way through obstacles. Kate writes emotions in such a way that they jump off the page for me. Even the cadence of her words land differently in my brain. It’s entirely unique and part of what makes me love her stories.

Meeting Jess and Adam was a pleasure. The author wrote an instalove that immediately fell for, but ended up having to pine over as Adam searched his way through the labyrinth of protective wards surrounding Jess’s heart.

I absolutely loved it. I already want to reread it. Now, I need you to read it and flail along with me.

Summary:

Jess has been the caretaker of her younger sister, Tegan, since her mother abandoned them ten years ago for a now podcast-famous con man. In order to protect Tegan, Jess kept their lives small and unnoticeable to keep the stain of their mother’s choices from setting. When the journalist behind the con man shows up on their door, essentially Jess’s worst nightmare, she is even more jarred by the production assistant with her, Adam. Much to her dismay, Jess agrees to work with them to give Tegan closure about her mother’s disappearance. Their journey doesn’t end up closing a door on the past. Instead, it opens a window to a future full of bright possibilities.

Kate Clayborn has a real knack for writing quiet yet emotionally complex characters. The four main characters in this story all get that special Clayborn treatment - even Salem, who is the most opaque throughout. I was nervous - her name is ominous to say the least - but I was very satisfied with what we learn about her and the choices she makes.

The romance is extremely dreamy. As you do in the best romances, I totally fell in love with Adam. He was earnest and protective and devoted, slowly unlocking the vault of Jess.

Highly recommended.

DNF at 30%. I love Kate Clayborn’s books and will still be first in line for whatever she writes next but this one just wasn’t working for me. I was into the premise but the execution is feeling too slow to me and I was finding I didn’t want to pick it back up which is the sign for me to stop. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the free ebook.

Books that become favorites are books that really touch me on an emotional level. When a book elicit strong reactions, like joy, sadness, heartbreak, yearning... I have a deeper level of connection to the story. The Other Side of Disappearing is one that does just that.

It's not a loud book. Nothing flashy and dramatic. It sneaks up on you. Jess and Tegan have trauma with the abandonment of their mother (and for Jess, it happening twice), the change in their dynamic, trusting people. Adam has his own trauma from a personal loss and the connection to football. Even Salem is hiding things.

I've read romance by Kate Clayborn before. They were fun and flirty and sexy. This was so much more than that. Yes, there is a romance between Jess and Adam, but it is only one of the interesting relationships and dynamics explored in the story. They mystery of the podcast with Baltimore and their mother, Jess and Tegan's relationship, Jess and Adam's relationship, Adam's own struggles, they all come together to make a beautiful and touching story.

What a unique story! For lovers of romance, true crime podcasts, and road trips, this book brought me on a cross-country adventure in search of the main character's mother, who disappeared over a decade ago. I enjoyed the dual POV, because both male and female main characters had so much depth to their stories. It did take a while for me to get fully invested in the book, but once I got about halfway through I couldn't put it down!
Thank you for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to the publisher & Netgalley for the ARC. I really tried to read this, I really did. I made it a solid 60% and then I just couldn't make myself care anymore. The angst, the melodrama, ugh. It was like watching a bad rom-com with D list celebrities on Lifetime. That would have been preferred, to be honest. I'm sure younger fans will like this, but it sure did not resonate with me. Will not be recommending.

The Otherside of Disappearing by Kate Clayborn was not what I expected. I’ve read books to Kate’s in the past that were cute and light romcoms. The Otherside of Disappearing was much darker and heavier than Kate’s usual. While I enjoyed the story, I look forward to reading something lighter by Kate in the future. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington for an advance copy in exchange for my option.

Lots of deep rooted trauma here! This book was really deep without being emotionally draining. It's not light by any means, but we get to see a vulnerability that doesn't take away from the progress they're making. It had all the elements of a thriller without being anxiety inducing.

We get to follow these sisters along their quest to find their mother and get answers to all the questions left behind. The love interest present in The Other Side of Disappearing added to the story rather than distracting from it. All of these four main characters are emotionally damaged in very different ways and it was special getting to see them heal. Its been a while since I read a spicy romance that had so much character depth. An older sister who was forced to grow up too soon, a little sister who felt like her reality was hidden from her, a reporter with a past, and a man who was misunderstood because of his athletic past.

My opinion about Salem changed four times, it was amazing to go through the motions of getting to know her. I appreciated that Adam was more than the big guy who helps out the gal. He needed Jess just as much as she needed him.

The ending fell a little flat for me, which maybe was supposed to be the point. The journey was so impactful that maybe the ending didn't need to matter. I love these sisters and saw so much of myself in Jess. Kate Clayborn knows how to write a great big sister!

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

My first introduction to Kate Clayborn was with Georgie All Along and I really enjoyed that one so I was super happy to be approved for this one.

I thought the premise was interesting and the interspersed podcasts interviews made the story flow together. The romance was really nice, but I think the author does an equally lovely job with the relationships between the two sisters. I think the subject matter of this one can be emotionally difficult, and she did a great job showing each sisters stance and I was definitely invested in how it would all turn out.

I thought the ending was wrapped up nicely and appreciated the little bit of a twist with the podcast producer as well.

Overall a solid, enjoyable read. Definitely recommend!