Thank you so much to @celadonbooks for the #gifted book!

📚 I buddy read this for the 𝘾𝙚𝙡𝙖𝙙𝙤𝙣 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙨 𝙏𝙤𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙄𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 along!

🔹 𝙈𝙮 𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 🔹
This debut fiction book was a compelling read and something I haven’t come across before! A 14 year old boy is murdered by his 13 year old sister, and the only people that can help defend the sister, are the mother’s ex-boyfriend and mother. However, their history runs deep and old secrets come to light when they have to face each other again.

This story focuses on forgiveness and makes you consider if you would be able to forgive someone for something awful that affected you. It also brings up how forgiveness and holding on to past grudges can affect how you are living your life.

Even though there is murder and secrets, this story is not a thriller, but a character based story. Both main characters were frustrating to read about but I can appreciate what tragedies they were going through.

🎧 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚:
🔹 Complicated Family Dynamics
🔹 Legal Procedures
🔹 Two Intertwined Families
🔹 Murder/Grief/Trauma
🔹 Dual Timelines

“She had not known the weight until she felt the freedom.” – Nathaniel Hawthorne, The Scarlet Letter

This book is a tragedy and a very heavy read. It is filled with secrets, deceptions, bad decisions, life-altering mistakes, heartbreak, blame, grief, fratricide, and more. Every character experiences profound suffering. There is virtually no positivity in the story until the very end, but when I got there, I was crying right along with the characters.

The book emphasizes often that each of us is more than the worst thing we have ever done. Forgiveness is a central theme, and the story emphasizes the immense difficulty of giving it to others and ourselves. The lesson is that forgiveness benefits the forgiver as much as the forgiven. [See the Hawthorne quote at the top.]

I’m really struggling to give this book the quality review it deserves. I don’t know how to fully explain the depths of pain and sorrow that emanated from this story, or how the story made me think and feel. I can’t describe how much I wanted to jump into this story and fix everything for these characters who felt so real to me. It feels wrong to say I loved this book, because it truly is a tragedy… but I really did love this book.

This is the author’s debut and she definitely jumped into the deep end with it. She tackled this compelling story with honesty and didn’t balk from showing us the ugliness that can exist in the world and within us as individuals. This book is going to stick with me for a long time.

Thank you @netgalley and @celadonbooks for a copy of this book, which I have read and reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Every now and then a book grabs you and doesn’t let go. Penitence was that kind of book for me. This was my most recent read and I just could not put it down.

A young girl commits fratricide in their home and Angie and David Sheehan’s life is forever changed. A family is left in ruins. Adding another layer to the mix, Angie’s ex lover’s mother becomes their defense attorney. One child is dead, another one essentially lost, a community that has deserted them and secrets lingering under the surface, this slow burn novel kept me in its thrall.

This book has a lot going on. Both a family drama and a look at a criminal justice system that often fails, this book examines the nature of forgiveness in a sensitive and thought provoking way. Lately, I’ve been craving books with more depth to them and this one delivered on that in a big way. It kept me thinking and feeling.

Thank you to @netgalley and @celadon books.

Prepare yourself for Penitence—a gripping, emotionally charged debut that weaves together the concepts of family, guilt, forgiveness, and redemption. Kristin Koval’s novel pulls no punches, leaving readers questioning whether we are defined by the worst choices we've ever made—or the paths we take to seek forgiveness.

Thirteen-year-old Nora Sheehan is at the heart of the story, sitting silently in a Colorado jail cell after she shot her 14-year-old brother, Nico, three times, killing him. Nico, who suffered from Huntington's disease, was the golden boy of their family, leaving everyone reeling from his loss and struggling to understand Nora’s actions. Was it a mercy killing? A desperate cry for help? Or something more complex?

Nora’s parents, Angie and David Sheehan, are consumed by grief, torn between their love for their daughter and the anguish of losing their son. Desperate for help, they turn to small-town attorney Martine Dumont. But Martine carries her own burden—her son, Julian, is not only a high-profile criminal defense attorney in New York City but also Angie’s first love. Julian reluctantly takes on Nora’s defense, forcing him and Angie to confront a shared, painful past involving tragedy, guilt, and choices they’ve tried to bury for decades.

The narrative unfolds across two timelines, from small-town Colorado in the 1990s, to the present-day courtroom drama that centers on Nora. This novel isn’t just about forgiveness—it’s about the courage it takes to face the truth, even when it’s unbearably painful.#Penitence #KristinKoval #CeladonBooks #LiteraryThriller

Set in the small ski resort town of Lodgepole, Colorado, we meet Angie Sheehan who is married to David, a park ranger. When the story begins, Angie's daughter Nora, 13, has been charged with the murder of her brother Nico, 14, who had recently been diagnosed with juvenile Huntington's disease. After Martine, a local attorney, is brought in to defend Nora, David requests that her son Julian help with the case. Julian, a defense attorney in New York City, is Angie's former boyfriend. The narrative alternates between the present, as Julian seeks the best way to defend Nora, who refuses to talk about what happened, and the complicated past of Angie and Julian, including another tragic family event. 

Kristin Koval’s impressive debut novel Penitence is a heavy read. This emotional story features complex, flawed characters harboring secrets and pain, filled with deep regret and remorse. The author also provides interesting insight into the juvenile justice system. Can forgiveness be given for unforgivable acts? Julian's wife tells him that forgiveness can be achieved when we accept that “each one of us is more than the worst we’ve ever done.” It broke my heart. 

4.25 stars.

I received an ARC of this book from Celadon and, after reading the premise, was extremely excited to begin.

This is a slow burn, character-driven novel. The writing is beautiful and the novel is just honestly well-written. What I appreciated was that the author clearly did her research—this was the first work of fiction I’ve read where the criminal procedure is ACTUALLY correct!! Not only that, but the author provided a realistic look into the judicial system for juveniles—also something I’d never seen done before.

I knew this book was going to be good from the moment it started with my favorite Bryan Stevenson quote, but I didn’t know it would be this great. It really does instruct you to sit down, take the world around you in, and look within—are you providing mercy in those crucial moments?

Looking forward to reading more from this author! Thank you Celadon Books for this!

3.75 rounded up | While I liked this quite a bit and found it very thought provoking, much of it was fairly predictable which took away some of the oomph. Full of complicated characters making complicated decisions (which not all readers will agree with), it definitely sucked me in (and I found the audio harder to put down than the print). I'm not sure this one will stick with me, but I'm glad it. For readers of Defending Jacob and Everything I Never Told You (though those two were 5 stars).

A huge thank you to Celadon Books and Kristin Koval for this exclusive ARC!

I love books that challenge your perspective and delve into real-life social issues. In “Penitence,” readers get a raw, unfiltered look at the juvenile justice system, and let me tell you, it’s both eye-opening and heartbreaking.

❄️ What did you love the most?
My husband is a criminal defense attorney, so one of the things I deeply appreciated was the authentic portrayal of legal proceedings. We had so many discussions about the plot because, sadly, he’s seen cases eerily similar to what unfolds in this book.

On top of that, the intense family drama was incredibly well done in this must-read debut novel. With dual timelines and multiple POVs, the story gets messy fast. Seriously, how would you react if one of your children killed their sibling? 🤯

❄️ What to expect:
📍 Small-town secrets
🕵️ Slow-burn mystery
⚖️ Legal dramas
⏳ Dual timelines
👨‍👩‍👧 Family drama

❄️ How was the pace?
This book is a slow-burn gem that’s perfect for fans of Celeste Ng’s emotional storytelling or Jodi Picoult’s ethical dilemmas. It’s deeply character-driven, so don’t expect nonstop action—it’s all about the emotions and relationships.

❄️ Do you recommend this book?
Absolutely! Every character grapples with the theme of forgiveness in ways that are both moving and devastating. Even though I guessed the motive behind the crime early on, that wasn’t the point. This book shines in its exploration of grief, guilt, and redemption. It’s a heavy, thought-provoking read that will stay with you long after you turn the final page.

was this a thirller? definitely not. it was more of a literary work than i expected. but it was VERY well written and very sad. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

📖 The Penitence is a gripping tale that seamlessly weaves themes of redemption, love, and resilience. Koval’s storytelling is both raw and poetic, drawing you into the protagonist’s journey of confronting the past and seeking forgiveness. The emotional depth of the characters makes it impossible not to root for them, even as they wrestle with the weight of their choices.

🌟 If you’re looking for a story that will break your heart and heal it all in one sitting, this book is a must-read. The powerful narrative lingers long after the final page, leaving you reflecting on your own paths to redemption.

WOW! This is the first word that comes to mind after finishing this amazing book by Kristin Koval! This is her debut book and I can't wait to see what else she will write.

Forgiveness is the theme of this book and when it comes I couldn't stop crying. Tears are running down my face as I write this review.

Grab this book as soon as possible and enjoy the beautiful but sad story of Nora killing her brother. I found myself reading as fast as possible to see where the story took me.

Thank you NetGalley and Celadon Books for this ARC. I highly recommend it.

At the beginning of Koval’s debut, Martine Dumont is wakened from slumber unexpectedly. Dumont is a small-time lawyer near retirement. Dan Sheehan is at her door begging for her help: His daughter Nora, 12, was jested for killing her brother, Nico, 13. She allegedly shot him with Dan’s gun that he was issued in connection with his job as a park ranger. Martine doesn’t have the required expertise to handle a capital crime, but her estranged son, Julian, is a high-profile criminal defense lawyer in New York City. But Julian has complicated history with Diana, Dan’s wife. Diana and Julian were a couple in their youth until they were involved in an accident that ended with the death of Diana’s younger sister.

My Thoughts:

First off, this is a great debut — well written and ambitious. It explores some heavy themes and the characters are well-developed and really stand on their own. For some reason, the book did not grab me and it took me a while to get through. It did make me think a lot about forgiveness and acceptance. I just wish we went deeper on some of the characters to better understand their motivations and feelings. Since it was not written from Angie’s, Dan’s or Nora’s point of view, it was hard to really get inside of those characters and understand them.

Beautifully written thoughtful and thought provoking but know that, golly, it's just darn depressing. Angie and David's 13 year old daughter Nora has just killed their son Nico, who at 15 has been diagnosed with juvenile Huntington's disease. The best, the only lawyer in town is Martine, mother of Angie's former lover Julian, who is now also a defense attorney. This moves back and forth in time to tell their story which is also colored by tragedy. There are many secrets and lies here, not the least of which is one which you, like me might see coming along with yet another punch. There are twists, trauma, a lot of guilt. And there's forgiveness but not for everyone. No spoilers. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. It's an interesting and compelling read that kept me turning the pages.

4.5 ⭐️

A beautifully written and narrated story of love and loss, guilt and innocence ; of secrets and lies ; of two families interlinked thru loss and tragedy

I went into this story blind. My honest opinion, it start at a slower pace (not a bad thing). In other words, the Author took her time and ended with a strong finish. This is my opinion and I would encourage readers to read this one for themselves. I look forward to future novels.

I first started seeing Penitence pop up on Instagram a few months ago, and it immediately caught my interest. I was hoping to get my hands on a copy, and I was fortunate enough to discover that Celadon was hosting a read-along. I was thrilled to be included!

I really enjoyed this book—it’s a suspenseful read with multiple points of view and several intertwining timelines. The way the different storylines were woven together created an intricate and engaging narrative. I’d rate it 4.5 stars because it kept me captivated, often leaving me with more questions, which I love in a suspense novel. I don’t want to provide too many details because I don’t want to spoil anything for you but I will tell there a death, one sibling Nora has been accused of killing her brother Nico.

The title Penitence truly encapsulates the essence of the story. The writing is beautifully crafted, and the character development allowed me to connect deeply with the characters. If this book isn’t already on your radar, I highly recommend adding it to your TBR—you don’t want to miss out!


In some ways, the author’s writing reminds me of Anne Napolitano or Jean Hanff Korelitz. I finished the book late last night, eager to see how everything tied together and to get some final answers. While not all my questions were answered, the ones that were provided satisfying closure.

This book struck the perfect balance between being plot-driven and character-driven. I found myself feeling both compassion and frustration for the characters at different points, which speaks to the depth of the storytelling.

This is a stunning debut! So full of emotions, a lot of heartbreak but beautifully executed!! I loved how easy the story and writing flows!

Our fleeting week of winter arrived in South Texas, bringing with it freezing temperatures and even a rare snow day. As I busied myself with chores to prepare for the chill, I was completely captivated by a book I couldn't pause. Kristin Koval’s debut novel, Penitence, is a profound and moving exploration of love, forgiveness, and the rippling effects of a tragic crime. Thanks to the generosity of Koval’s publisher, I had the opportunity to read, and from the first moments, I was utterly drawn in.

Angie and David Sheehan believed they had already faced the worst tragedy imaginable when their teenage son, Nico, was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of Huntington’s disease. The devastating prognosis promised a slow and heartbreaking decline, leaving them bracing for the long road ahead. But just weeks after his diagnosis, their lives were shattered once again when Nico’s life came to a sudden and violent end.

In a chilling 911 call, their daughter Nora tearfully confesses to shooting and killing her brother. Overwhelmed by shock and grief, the Sheehans turn to small-town lawyer Martine Dumont for help. Martine isn’t just any attorney. She’s also the mother of Angie’s former flame, Julian, a prominent criminal defense lawyer in New York City. As Julian is drawn into the Sheehans' case, old wounds and buried guilt resurface, forcing him and Angie to confront a shared tragedy from their youth. Together, they must navigate the legal and emotional aftermath of the shooting, unravel the truth behind Nora’s confession, and confront the tangled web of culpability, grief, and unresolved feelings that binds them all.

With Penitence, Kristin Koval delivers a debut that seamlessly blends deep character exploration with profound thematic contemplation, crafting a deeply engrossing story. While the catalyst for the novel is a teenage girl’s shocking act of killing her brother, the crime itself serves primarily as a lens to examine the intricate lives of those around her. Like the adults in the story, I was initially consumed by the mystery of why such a tragedy occurred. But the true brilliance of Koval's writing lies in her ability to delve into each adult character’s life, unearthing their pasts, revealing their emotional complexities, and tying them all to the present in a natural and profoundly moving way.

Koval’s narrative structure, reminiscent of Celeste Ng's Little Fires Everywhere, shifts perspectives fluidly, offering glimpses into the characters’ inner lives as their stories converge toward the present day. Penitence is a novel about family, love, guilt, forgiveness, and the heavy truths we carry, all woven together with remarkable skill. It is the first truly great book I’ve read this year, one that will undoubtedly stay with me for a long time.

I enjoyed the legal aspects of this book. It was a bit slow and parts of it got to be a bit long. Definitely a good debut, but not something I'd remember long term.

Penitence is an impressive debut novel that hooked me from the start. I loved the multiple points of view, giving each character a unique and flawed perspective that made them deeply relatable and engaging. Despite their imperfections, I found myself genuinely hoping for the best for each of them.

The author's background as a lawyer is evident throughout the novel, especially during the client-attorney meetings and court appearances. These scenes felt incredibly authentic which is often hard to achieve. It reminded me of the attention to detail found in Jodi Picoult’s works, which is a high compliment, in my opinion.

Just when I thought I had everything figured out, the story took an unexpected turn that kept me on the edge of my seat. Without giving too much away, I found the ending to be refreshingly different for this genre—unexpected but perfect in its own right.

I can’t wait to see what the author comes up with next! Thank you to Netgalley and Celadon for giving me the opportunity to read this book!