Penitence - the action of feeling or showing sorrow and regret for having done wrong; repentance.

This book filled me with deep sadness, disbelief, anger, regret, and jealousy. The storytelling has a unique twist which draws you in. Wanting more from the characters, wishing you knew everything about them, what makes them tick, and why they did the things they did. I finally had most of my questions answered by the end. This book goes back decades. Friendships that were tested, young love that was abandoned and never forgotten, choices were made, and life went on. The question behind it all is why and did the characters finally learn how to forgive?

The night was shattered by three loud, ringing gun shots. That had Angie and David rocketing out of their beds to check on their two children, Nico, and Nora. What they find is Nico dead and Nora holding the smoking gun. How does a parent survive this scenario? How do you bury one child and still love and back the other? They need a lawyer for Nora, one who will protect their thirteen-year-old daughter from a DA that has an agenda. Almost retired lawyer, Martine, hears a pounding on her door. David standing in front of her begging to help Nora. Martine knows she cannot do it alone and calls in Julian. Her son has a past with Angie. Who's past with this particular family lead to an accident that split these two families apart. Will they be able to let the past go and focus on Nora?

A few of the characters had me yelling at the book. I believe I know how I would react, but really how could you possibly know if you could support your younger child for killing your oldest? What could the reason be? Had Nora's depression gotten that bad? Thank you to Celadon and Kristin Koval for having me take part in the Read Together. It is the perfect book to spur amazing discussions.

Thank you to Celadon Books and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.

Penitence is not the kind of story I was expecting. I was drawn in by the lovely cover and I was expecting something like an atmospheric mystery, but everything in this story is exactly as it seems. There are a very few mystery elements, but I figured them out very early on. Unfortunately, that makes the experience of reading Penitence quite slow and quite boring.

I kept expecting a twist, something even slightly exciting to move towards, but there was nothing. This isn’t a story that wants you to wonder who the killer could be, and it’s not even an exciting courtroom drama. It’s a very slow, thoughtful contemplation on the culpability of all parties in a crime.

Nora has killed her older brother Nico, but she’s only thirteen years old. By all accounts, she and Nico were incredibly close, so why did she kill him? This sounds like an intriguing premise at least, but I fear the first and most obvious answer is the answer. We actually don’t get to see very much about Nora’s feelings or thoughts surrounding the murder. She claims she can’t remember why she did it, though I don’t know if the audience is meant to believe this. Nora doesn’t talk to her parents or her lawyers about the motive, and though it is revealed in the last chapter, I don’t believe the solution was worth the wait.

The novel is much more about the adults involved in the situation. Nico and Nora’s parents Angie and David, and the lawyers they hire, Martine and her son Julian. Angie and Julian had a relationship that previously ended after the tragic death of Angie’s sister at ten years old. I kept thinking there would be something further, something to tie back to the main mystery, but that doesn’t happen. The emotions do come back into the play, guilt primarily, but not in a way I found particularly interesting or unique. Julian experienced more guilt for his part in the accident, and it leads to the disintegration of the relationship between himself and Angie.

Angie is quite insufferable to me, and that’s not great because she’s actually the main character and the center of the story. She is the character who is the connecting center to all others, and she goes through the most complete character arc. Angie struggles with the idea that what Nora went through is somehow her fault as a mother, but… only in theory. What I find frustrating is that Angie, based on the final revealed motive, actually does have quite a lot of blame that can be placed on her shoulders, but she never learns of her full involvement in he decision that Nora made. Angie is also just a pretty bad person in general. She’s unfaithful, ungrateful, and cold, and in the end she gets basically her ideal happy ending.

Julian is less actively annoying, but I saw his entire storyline coming from a mile away. Same with David, though I did think he was going to be more of an active antagonist than he ended up being. Martine is ultimately not very important at all. I just didn’t really connect to or care about any of these characters.

The writing was also very dense and flowery. I don’t really mind prose written like that and I often welcome it. I do know that is a pet peeve for a lot of people, so I just wanted to make note. The descriptions are vivid and details, but it didn’t create as much of an atmosphere as I was hoping for. The writing style did also really slow the pacing to a crawl, so if you’re impatient to get to the next plot point I don’t think Penitence is the book for you.

The last thing I want to mention is a personal gripe. I just can’t take books seriously when they use 9/11 as a real, legitimate plot point. I get WHY the author did so in Penitence, but I think because I was too young to remember literally anything about 9/11 (I was 9 months old) it always feels hokey and ridiculous to me. I think I’ve been exposed to too much "Never Forget" propaganda for me to take it seriously. I did know something 9/11 related was going to happen as soon as the twin towers were mentioned. I just think the author could’ve made the same point with a building fire or something.

Overall, I didn’t really enjoy Penitence that much. It didn’t leave me with any lasting emotion, except mild disappointment. I liked some of the concepts it was trying to raise in regard to prison reform, but the book was much too slow and long-winded for the points to be compelling or exciting.

I should also add a final trigger warning for <spoiler> implied child sexual abuse. </spoiler>

Penitence by Kristin Koval is a stunning debut. This book sucked me in from the first page and I couldn't put it down. When an unthinkable crime happens in the home of Angie and David, their lives are undone.
The defense attorney the family hires is Angie's ex-boyfriend from the past which brings up old memories and secrets.
This would be a great book for fans of Jodi Picoult!

Solid 4.5 stars, bumping to 5 since halves aren't an option. Penitence was terrific - more layered, interesting, and toothy than I expected. This is not a pulpy thriller of the pumped-and-grind variety popular right now. The pacing is thoughtful. It's not exactly a propulsive thriller and certainly not 'scary' per se--it's much more of a slow burn, but highly readable and engaging. This is more about what happens to a family when one of their own commits a terrible crime. There's a major twist that I figured out before it happened, but no matter, I was there for these characters and wanted to see how how it unfolded. This was my first read from this author, but it won't be my last. I'm fully exploring backlist and will be eager to read what's. next. Highly recommended.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this incredible novel by Kristin Koval. I first read about this title in the Buzz Books 2024 Fall/Winter release and I was hooked after only reading a few chapters. The author leaves the reader constantly in suspense and while I did realize about halfway through some of the secrets that were going to be exposed, I still found it quite enjoyable; yet heartbreaking. I also loved that the book goes back and fourth between Angie's current life and her past. This will definitely be a great book club selection! I will also recommend it to patrons who enjoy Jodi Picoult.

Short synopsis: After a tragic murder in the home of the Sheehan family, Angie and David turn to Martine and her son Julian for legal counsel.

My thoughts: I knew from the first pages of this book I would be heartbroken, and boy was a right. This book spans decades, and has multiple characters and backstories that slowly unweave into a complex story of
redemption, forgiveness, and family bonds.

The author did a phenomenal job at talking of some very difficult topics with such delicate care. Her writing was so well done to weave a story that kept me guessing and Invested. I am shocked that it’s a debut. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next!

It did take some time to get characters straight, aim glad I did both audio and physical reading of the book. I think that helped immensely especially at the beginning.

Read if you love:
- Stories with difficult topics
- Multiple Backstories weaving together
- Small towns
- Forgiveness and redemption

This was a great debut novel by Kristin Koval. The pacing was propulsive but never felt rushed, and the characters felt real. I guessed the twist within the first few chapters, but I still enjoyed the reading experience.

Wanted to love this but it just wasn’t for me. Excellent writing and a well done story but I was bored and excited for it to be over.

A devastating accident in the beginning of the book sets the stage for a very compelling book. Two time lines past and present. Julian and Angie are high school sweethearts but an accident changes their lives forever. Their forbidden love takes them on a journey of addiction, deceit, affairs and eventual forgiveness.
This book sometimes seemed a little slow but the complex story kept me coming back for more. I had to know how it ended! Disappointed it didn’t end the way I had hoped and I didn’t get all the answers I wanted but so good!

The book grabs you from the very first page as 13-year-old Nora is arrested for taking her brother’s life. She’s the one who called 911. Her fingerprints are on the weapon. The real question isn’t whether she’s guilty—it’s why. Can Nora ever be forgiven? Can she forgive herself?

From this gut-wrenching opening, the story refuses to let go. It’s a gripping exploration of the juvenile justice system, family trauma, the complexities of mercy, and the resilience of the human spirit. Equal parts heartbreaking and thought-provoking, this book is a masterclass in character study and emotional depth.

I devoured this book in just two days, unable to tear myself away. Later, I reflected on what made it so addictive—and it hit me. I was just as desperate to uncover why Nora did it and how all of the characters put themselves back together again after total devastation.

I decided to DNF this book early on as it wasn’t a good fit for me as a reader. Based on the synopsis and recommendations for readers of Celeste Ng, I was excited for this book. However, I don’t feel the synopsis properly portrayed the books plot. This is not a spoiler as it occurs in the first several pages- Nora shoots her brother, Nico, and we learn Nico had a diagnosis of Juvenile Huntington’s Disease and a prognosis of only several years to live. If this had been in the summary, I would not have picked this up. I think this would be more fitting for readers of Jodi Picoult, rather than Celeste Ng. I did think the writing was very good, but the story not a fit for me.

Thank you, #Partner @celadonbooks and @netgalley, for my #gifted (free) copy. Pub date 1/28/25.

This was a great debut novel, although the pacing was a little slow, and the chapters were very long. PENITENCE was heartbreaking and emotional about family, love, loss, and forgiveness. You really get to know all the characters, and I loved how Kristin weaved the past into the present. I think this book is going to be well loved, and I am excited to read whatever Kristin writes next.

Angie and David's lives are shattered when they are woken up by a gunshot and realize their thirteen year old daughter Nora shot her brother. Nobody knows why Nora would shoot her brother because they were very close, but she will not speak to anybody, and now they want to try her as an adult. Angie and David are desperate for a good lawyer, so they hire Martine, but Angie and Martine have a very complicated past. These two family's must put their past behind them to try to help Nora. This was a great read on a snowy day!

Penitence by Kristin Koval is a literary page-turner that masterfully balances character depth with tragedy. The story is slow-moving, but every page is packed with emotional resonance, offering a powerful exploration of flawed characters grappling with impossible moral dilemmas. While a twist is revealed toward the end, I found the clues leading up to it obvious, suggesting the “reveal” was less about shock and more about deepening the narrative’s themes.

The novel opens with a harrowing prologue: 13-year-old Nora fatally shoots her 14-year-old brother Nico, who had recently been diagnosed with juvenile Huntington’s disease—a condition destined to claim his life early. While I expected the story to center on the reasons behind this crime, Koval instead delves into the aftermath. The narrative focuses on the ripple effects of this tragedy, particularly on Nora, her parents, Angie and David, and the way the legal system handles her case.

Simultaneously, the book interweaves a secondary timeline exploring Angie’s teenage relationship with Julian, Nora’s future defense attorney. Through this lens, we witness another devastating incident—an accident that fractured Angie and Julian’s families—offering a poignant contrast between past and present struggles.

Much like a Jodi Picoult novel, Penitence navigates moral dilemmas, asking readers to reflect on themes of loss, grief, blame, hope, and forgiveness. With its realistic characters and deeply human storylines, this is a novel that lingers long after the final page.

I would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thought-provoking and emotionally charged, PENITENCE is a complicated literary drama that follows two families connected by tragedy. When an unfathomable murder takes place in their home, Angie and David Sheeehan seek legal counsel from the mother of Angie’s first love Julian. While grappling with her present day trauma, Angie and Julian must also confront the tragedy from the past. Kristin Koval’s debut novel explores the lengths we go for the ones we love and the fragile balancing act of offering forgiveness while wading through grief.

READ THIS IF YOU:
-appreciate thought-provoking reads
-enjoy stories that are more about the journey than the destination
-believe we are more than the worst thing we’ve ever done

RATING: 4.5/5 (rounded up to 5 stars)
PUB DATE: January 28, 2024

Many thanks to Celadon for an electronic ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book and was absolutely engrossed in the story from the first page. It is the kind of book you cannot put down.
Penitence tells the shocking story of 13 year old Nora, who murders her 14 year old brother Nico. Dealing with the aftermath of this event, and the history between Angie, Nora’s mother, and Julian, Nora’s defense attorney, are the two timelines that comprise this story. Themes of love, forgiveness and the corrosive and life altering nature of secrets are explored. I found some of the discussion surrounding the treatment of juveniles in the criminal justice system to be pretty clunky and heavy handed (like Angie kept criticizing Julian’s obsession with his clients but it seemed the author was doing that very thing.) I’ve seen criticism of that the story’s “twist” was predictable and easy to guess but I don’t think figuring it out was the point of this book (maybe I just feel this way because I figured it out five minutes before it was revealed? 🙈) Overall, I’m very impressed that this is Kristin Koval’s debut novel and I look forward to what she writes next.
Thank you to Netgalley and Celadon Books for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Penitence was a surprise in some ways.

Surprising start and premise, then a slow burn. Really, for quite a while.
Toward the last quarter though, things picked up again and I completed the book feeling quite satisfied with the story and overall trajectory.

Accident and mistakes, guilt, forgiveness of ourselves and others.. you will find those in the storyline and more.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for an ARC of Penitence in exchange for an honest review.

When a shocking murder shatters the lives of Angie and David Sheehan, they seek help from small-town lawyer Martine Dumont, who is also the mother of Angie’s first love, Julian—a prominent New York City defense attorney. As Julian and Angie reunite, they must confront buried guilt from a tragic accident, unresolved feelings, and their own roles in the present crisis.

From the moment I read the synopsis of Penitence by Kristin Koval, I knew I had to dive in. This poignant and heartbreaking story is hard to sum up in a review, but it’s remarkable that such a deeply affecting novel is Koval’s debut. Her writing is evocative, brimming with raw emotion, and her characters are so vividly drawn that I found myself empathizing with each of them. Julian, in particular, stood out—flawed yet deeply relatable, his journey stayed with me long after I turned the final page.

The way the story spans decades and interweaves Julian and Angie’s relationship through flashbacks is masterfully done, adding layers of depth and complexity. Nora’s storyline, while difficult to read, is handled with care, and her time in juvenile detention and subsequent trial are woven seamlessly into the narrative. While a few questions are left unanswered, it feels intentional, reflecting the messy realities of life and grief. If you’re seeking a thought-provoking family drama that explores themes of loss, tragedy, and redemption, this book is not to be missed.

Thank you Celadon Books and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Genuinely one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. I cannot believe this was a debut. The writing reminded me of Kristin Hannah and Jodi Picoult both of which have an incredible talent of character creation. There are so many conversations to be had from this book and one I’ll never thinking about for a while. While slower paced books sometimes can drag I did not have that issue with this story and thought the author did a great job keeping the reader invested. I was hoping for one last twist in the book but the ending was appropriate. This will be a hit once it comes out and I will be recommending to everyone! Thanks to NetGalley for early access in exchange for my honest review.

What an incredible debut novel!! Though an emotional and heavy read, you won't want to put this book down. Koval seamlessly weaves the multiple characters' backstories together, tying their past mistakes to consequences in their present time--all while exploring themes of family, forgiveness, and learning from your past mistakes. Triggers here for child death, and in small amounts, alcoholism and Alzheimer's--but Koval handles them with care. You really become attached to these characters--I love stories that span decades like this one and allow you to really get to know them.

"'No,' he says. 'You can't. None of us can undo the bad things we've done. All we can do is learn from our mistakes.' Nora doesn't answer at first, but she eventually nods. He adds, 'You need to become the person you want to be instead of the person who did the bad thing."

I can't wait to read what Koval writes next!

A shocking murder rocks Angie and David, changing their family forever. Needing to defend their family, they hire Martine, who isn’t just a lawyer; she has a tragic background with Angela.

This was quite the emotional ride and very well written. A perfect book for a book club or discussion because there’s so much to discuss. Personally I felt there were some slow parts in the middle, which kept this from being a five star read for me, but it really is a great read. While not a courtroom drama, there is still a lot of legal workings. There are developed back stories to the characters that you gradually learn. The ending was perfect and brought a few tears.

“Everyone has committed wrongs, but everyone needs forgiveness and the chance to make up for those wrongs.”

Penitence comes out 1/28.