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.

Shocking, heartbreaking, beautiful story. It's about motherhood, grief, forgiveness and love. It's a stark look at the American justice system for a juvenile.

A shot in the night - 2 parents abruptly woken up. The unimaginable has happened - one sibling has shot the other. One of them has passed. So begins our story. It's shocking, this beginning, but it's handled with love and grace. The grief the parents feel and their struggle to understand what's happened and why was so moving.

As they arrange an attorney, a funeral and hide from everyone in their small town, you start getting flashbacks to understand how they might have gotten to this point. It's such a compelling story. It was heartbreaking but never so overwhelming I didn't think I could read. Understanding what happened and getting the attorney's POV was so compelling it was hard to stop reading. I loved it as much as it broke my heart, and the ending was so perfect. Amazing this is a debut, I will definitely look for more from this author!

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

What is the worst dilemma a parent can face? Having one child kill another is probably right up there at the top. How are you supposed to mourn the loss of your child while still taking care of the other one? Is it even possible? Angie and David are faced with that predicament when their daughter shoots their son 3 times. And this is just the very beginning of the book! The characters are incredibly well developed. And as Nora's character was revealed, I only wanted to comfort her more and more. Even the deceased Nico feels real. The killing is just the beginning of the unravelling of old secrets and old emotions. I also really appreciated that the author didn't let some of those secrets hang over the readers' heads for the entire book. Several were revealed early enough that the reader could focus on the main plot instead of getting sidetracked wondering about minor points. I thoroughly loved reading this book and feeling the anguish along with the characters. This story will stay with me long after!

PENITENCE
Kristin Koval


“We’re only as sick as our secrets.”
AA

It is far more important for you to know who you are, the secrets you keep, the actuality of your intentions than whatever it is other people think they know of you. There is only one mind you can make up, only one reality you must lay down with every night, only one viewpoint you will take with you to the grave.

If life were a movie there would be only one angle, only one shot.

PENITENCE is about a family. Upended and torn apart in the dark recesses of one night. They will never be the same again once the sun rises.

I left the summary pretty vague as I feel the more I leave for you will mean you will have more when you pick up the book. Which you definitely should, pick it up, that is.

The writing is thoughtful and the questions asked are amazing, the emotions felt were completely and layered. I was left at several points in the material to ponder how I felt. To reassess my judgments and to reevaluate where I stand.

The predicament our characters face is not one you would want to face in real life. One of the most important ways we grow when we read is that we are given the opportunity to experience life in someone else's shoes without having to put them on. We are given the benefit of empathy for what the characters in the book are going through. And it reminds us that everyone whether loudly and publicly or quietly and internally, is facing battles that are not always visible from the outside.

I enjoyed this book immensely and I am blown away that this was a debut novel.

Thanks to Netgalley and Celadon Books for the advanced copy!

PENITENCE...⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I knew this book would be a heartbreaker based on the blurb which I did read for this book; however, I had no idea just what a heartbreaker it would be. There was so much to this book: love, family, deceit, murder, characters with conflicting feelings regarding the murder, and so much more.

David and Angie are married and have two children: Nico and Nora. The family has had some good memories, but David and Angie seem like they're in a struggling marriage from the get-go. When the unthinkable happens in their very own home, things are exacerbated and their marriage slowly begins to unravel or at least seems to be. How they will ever come to terms and be able to grow their marriage was an enigma. Or, I wondered, if they'd end in divorce.

The story has several time lines and within those time frames we have a younger Angie and a boy named Julian. They are like Romeo and Juliet when after a very tragic accident they're forbidden to see each other. This storyline continues throughout and is an integral part of the plot.

When I reached the end of the book, I realized that this book was more about forgiveness and learning if/how/why to forgive than anything else. At least that's how I saw it.


I had both an e-ARC and audiobook and while I thought the narrator was very good and I would definitely listen to her again, this is a book that I would get just as much out of it without the audiobook. Some audiobooks are practically necessary but in this case either option works.

I think this book is one that should be put on others' TBR shelf and read because it's really good.

What a novel! I inhaled this well-wriit2n thought provoking look at love, forgiveness and family. When tragedy strikes and a young girl is sentenced for murdering her brother a family must reconcile their thoughts about one another and the interplay of relationships. With a beautiful Colorado setting and a lot of plot twists, the novel becomes a work of art. Loved it.

“Nora would have never done this if you’d paid half as much attention to her as you did to Nico.”
Did Angie really love Nico more than Nora?
Can there really ever be true forgiveness?
Perhaps.
This debut novel concerning fratricide is a dark family drama of long held secrets, of mental health, heartache, shock and a debilitating disease. It is also a book that may stay with you long after the last page is turned. I received an early copy from Netgalley and Celadon Books, a Division of Macmillan Publishing. This review of flawed characters, secrets, festering animosity and the breakdown of a family was hard to read, but definitely thought provoking.

4.5 debut stars

Penitence – remorse for your past conduct

I am thinking about the title of this book and the themes of forgiveness and penitence that this book explores. This powerful debut novel still has me thinking after I’ve finished. Are you a forgiving person?

Set in a Colorado mountain town and NYC, the story features several families and follows them through a lifetime of choices, actions, and consequences.

Julian and Angie have grown up together, are deeply in love, and plan to spend their lives together until a tragic ski accident forces them apart. Julian heads off to college in Vermont while Angie attends art school in New York.

The book hops around in time, feeding us the story in bits and pieces. We know that Angie and Julian don’t stay together, but we don’t know why until near the end of the book. Angie moves back to Lodgepole, the mountain town they grew up in, marries, and has two children, Nora and Nico.

Tragically, at age 13, Nora fatally shoots her older brother Nico three times. Julian’s mother, Martine, is an attorney in Lodgepole representing Nora. Julian is drawn back into Angie’s orbit because he is an attorney in New York and has experience representing juveniles in the criminal system.

The book explores the concepts of treating some juveniles as adults and how a case like this might play out. As Angie, Julian, and Nora grappled with past mistakes and forgiveness, I was captured by the compelling writing and storytelling.

“Each of us is more than the worst thing we’ve ever done.” Bryan Stevenson (If you aren’t familiar with him, I encourage you to check out Just Mercy)

I keep reading wondering how it is all going to tie together- as the decades old storyline rumbles towards the modern storyline.

The story follows a dual timeline of Julian and Angie as teens and young adults- starting with a tragedy in 2016. The second timeline is modern time, with Nora in jail for a horrible crime, Nico’s diagnosis, and Angie + Dave’s decisions in the midst of tragedy. We walk these two remarkably different paths, both filled with tragedy alongside the characters.

Set in Colorado, Koval investigates the side of childhood trauma, past secrets and second chances, living life to the fullest and punishments for severe crimes committed by children.

It sounds like a lot to take in, and it is, but it is also done in a way that really asks the reader to connect with characters, walk through the mystery of what happened and why, and then think through some very challenging moments for the adults in the novel.

A well done debut novel, for sure! This should be one of the first novels you grab in 2025!