This book wasn't a hit for me. The premise caught my attention, but the story and character development lost me. The key players in the narrative fell flat on the page and ultimately I didn't care what happened in the end. I'm still unsure of the why of this. The synopsis sounds like a perfect fit for my taste, but the execution was just ho-hum.

This book is heavy and devastating. I was very interested and hooked from the start. When the perspectives shifted and focused on the older timelines it began to drag and I lost interest. I also have so many unanswered questions and feel like the twist just took away from the rest of the story.

A powerful, deeply thought-provoking debut that left me in awe.

It’s hard to believe this is a first novel—Penitence reads with the confidence and finesse of a seasoned author. The prose is bold yet graceful, strikingly profound, and emotionally resonant.

This is a masterful exploration of tragedy, loss, blame, forgiveness, and redemption. It delves into the heavy weight of secrets and the impossible choices families must sometimes face—all told with a raw, heartfelt intensity that lingers long after the final page.

While grounded in literary fiction, the added layers of domestic drama and psychological suspense elevate the narrative even further.

Don’t sleep on this one - it’s a must read!

4.5 stars rounded to 5 for Goodreads

The news goes nationwide. A thirteen-year old girl has shot and killed her brother. Nora is the daughter of Angie and David Sheehan and everyone had always thought she adored her big brother Nick. It's been a hard year in the Sheehan family as Nick had been diagnosed with juvenile Huntington's disease and that is a death sentence. Nora had been depressed along with Nick and Angie and David had been at maximum stress as well.

This is not the first death Angie has grieved. When she was a teenager, her little sister had died skiing on a trip with Angie and her boyfriend Julian. The result of that was that Julian was sent away from the Colorado town where they all grew up to finish high school in New York and live with his grandmother. Angie's mother blamed the accident on Julian and in such a small town, Julian's parents thought it was best to send him away. All the parents believed that this ended Julian and Angie's relationship but they found a way to keep it going until college where they both went to colleges close enough to be together. But ultimately, the relationship had not worked out and Angie returned home to Colorado and married David.

The only lawyer in town with any experience in a death case is Julian's mother, Maxine. She reluctantly takes the case but knows she is over her head which she tells Angie and David. David asks if Julian, who became a criminal defense lawyer in a large New York firm, could help and he agrees although he is not really sure how things will work out as he hasn't seen or spoken to Angie in over fifteen years. But he still has enough feelings that he doesn't want to see Nora sentenced to life and since she has not spoken since she shot the gun, no one knows her reasons.

Kristin Koval is a former lawyer herself but she always wanted to write. This is her debut novel and it has received a ton of buzz. The big shocker was too clearly hinted at and I guessed it halfway through but this was a great book and I look forward to reading more by her in the future. I listened to this novel and the narrator had a clear voice that made listening easy. This book is recommended for legal thriller and women's fiction readers.

A gripping blend of legal drama and emotional reckoning, *Penitence* explores the weight of past mistakes and the tangled threads of family and love. When Angie and David Sheehan’s world is upended by a shocking murder, they turn to Martine Dumont for help—only to find their fate intertwined with Angie’s first love, Julian. As buried secrets resurface, the novel deftly navigates themes of guilt, redemption, and forgiveness across decades and settings. With rich storytelling and compelling characters, *Penitence* is a thought-provoking debut that lingers long after the final page.

the setup…
David Sheehan pounds on the door of Martine Dumont, a lawyer and former family friend of his wife Angie. He desperately needs her help to deal with the monstrous tragedy that’s just happened in his home. Their fourteen-year old son Nico is dead and their thirteen-year old daughter Nora called 911 and said she shot him. Martine agrees to help but doesn’t have the experience for a juvenile criminal case of this magnitude so she turns to her son Julian who is a successful criminal defense attorney. He’s also Angie’s first boyfriend and their former relationship is what created a wedge between the families. It’s beyond complicated.

the heart of the story…
I first believed this was going to be all about why Nora killed her brother. But it was just the catalyst that had everyone involved exploring their own pasts, the guilt associated with past transgressions, some small and some of great magnitude. Forgiveness can sometimes be elusive but when it’s your own child or someone very close to you, how do you get there? And is the why of the crime essential in the decision to forgive? How each moved on is insightful and enlightening.

the narration…
Thérèse Plummer gave an exceptional performance in managing the weight of so many significant characters, the emotional constructs and the storytelling.

the bottom line…
I’m pleased that the mystery took a backseat to the characterizations and complexities of not only the parents but all involved peripherally. The juvenile justice system is laid bare in all its bleakness and my hope is that it will change perspectives about juvenile offenders. There aren’t any clear solutions here but the ending was absolutely powerful. Such a surprise for a debut novel, so much that I’ll automatically read whatever comes next from this author. 4.5 stars

Intriguing, interesting, had me thoroughly invested - however, I wanted more. The open ended conclusion and lack of concrete answers do not please me as a reader when there is a central mystery. The book was well written and kept me engaged, but I wished the ending provided more clarity and a sense of conclusion for the story.

I had heard good things about Penitance, but I was not prepared for just how moving a story it would be. A chilling mystery about a family dealing with the absolute worst thing happening, it held me in its grip from the first page to the last. Highly recommend this one.

Thérèse Plummer did an excellent job narrating the audiobook.

Thank you Kristin Koval, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

Penitence took me completely by surprise. It's unexpected, devastating, and incredibly complex. By the time I finished the book, I was in tears, overwhelmed by the depth of the story. Wow.

At first glance, it seems like a story about a young girl who kills her brother, with everyone—her family, her community, and the readers—searching for the truth: why did she do it? But what unfolds is so much more than I ever anticipated.

Kristin Koval has crafted a deeply interwoven, human narrative that explores loss, grief, hope, love, family, and self-discovery. The story is told through a dual timeline. The first timeline takes us back to the 90s, following Angie and Julian, two Colorado teens who fall in love on the slopes, share a tragedy, and struggle with the fallout. They move to New York City, and their lives splinter in different directions. In the present-day timeline, set in the mid-2010s, Angie—no longer with Julian—now has teens of her own, one of whom is involved in a shocking murder. She and her husband, David, seek help from Julian's mother, Martine, a retired lawyer who doesn't specialize in criminal defense. She calls on her son, Julian, now a successful criminal defense attorney, to assist with the case. As their paths cross again, memories from the past resurface, and Koval masterfully bridges the gap between then and now. Over the span of decades, we uncover the history of these complex characters and explore the power of forgiveness.

Koval’s characters are flawed, multi-dimensional individuals doing their best to navigate a world full of obstacles. Through their journey, we are reminded of the highs and lows of life: we love, we lose, we succeed, we fail, we suffer, we laugh, and we cry. This novel beautifully highlights the intricacies of our existence—the complexity of joy and sorrow that make life both painfully hard and heartbreakingly beautiful.

At its core, the story delves into the theme of deception—how our attempts to protect those we love can sometimes backfire. Even when done with the best of intentions, deception still hurts.

Ultimately, Penitence is a story about true forgiveness—not the forced or selfish kind, but the kind that is a gift for those brave enough to reach its summit.

The combination of these themes creates a stunning and heartbreaking portrayal of life’s complexities, both the joy and the pain. Life is, undeniably, devastatingly beautiful.

If I had one minor gripe, it’s that the story takes a little while to pick up speed in the beginning. It moves at a slower pace initially, but once it gains momentum, it turns into a slow to medium burn, drawing you deeper into the story. If you find yourself in the same spot, don’t worry—keep going. There’s a beautiful reward waiting for you.

A family is sent into chaos when Angie and David’s 13 year old daughter fatally shoots her terminally ill brother. Their lawyer happens to be the mother of Angie’s first love Julian, and memories and feelings of guilt are dredged to the surface after the pair were both involved in a tragic accident when they were teens.

This book felt reminiscent of a Jodi Picoult novel, though I wouldn’t say it reads on quite the same level. It covered a number of very heavy topics (and glossed over others), yet I kept thinking I wanted more edge to it.

What I liked:

-the dual storyline and the flawed characters.
-the characters paying “penitence” for their actions and how that affected their futures
-the messy family dynamics

What I didn’t like:

-the slower pacing
-the unsatisfying ending—I was shocked when I realized I had only 5 minutes left and wasn’t going to get the reveal I was waiting for
-one storyline felt more developed than the other
-there was a clearly a third storyline in the book that was glossed over and should have been front and centre of the book.

While despite the intriguing premise, I wasn’t wowed by this one. However, don’t let my review dissuade you as I have trusted friends who rated this one 5⭐️. A good reminder that everyone takes away something different from a book!

This was a very emotional and heartbreaking story. The audio was great — well paced and easy to follow along. I enjoyed the time flashbacks in the story, and the way information was slowly revealed. Excited to read more of this author!!

Wow, Kristin Koval hit it out of the park with Penitence! I listed to the audio and for a portion of the book, I also followed along with a physical copy. The narration was easy to listen to and captures each word perfectly. The plot was thick and had the perfect elements of family, forgiveness wrapped up in a bit of crime. There were so many unexpected parts, which made the entire book enjoyable. Some sections were heartbreaking, yet relatable, and the ending wrapped up well. I'd highly recommend this book (already told my neighbor about it).

Thank you to @netgalley and @celedonbooks for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. And thank you to @macmillan.audio for a free download of the audiobook.

Kristin Koval's "Penitence" is a deeply emotional, character-driven novel that explores the complexities of forgiveness and guilt. While not a mystery or romance, the book excels in its realistic portrayal of human drama.

The intricate history and underlying tensions between the characters are skillfully developed, never feeling overwhelming. The story's deliberate pacing, while occasionally repetitive due to the nature of the emotional themes, effectively conveys the characters' internal struggles.

Each character is distinct and well-rounded, possessing both admirable and flawed qualities, which adds to the story's authenticity. The central theme of forgiveness, both of oneself and others, is handled with sensitivity and realism. The narrative avoids simplistic resolutions, offering a satisfying conclusion that acknowledges the complexities of human relationships.

Thérèse Plummer's nuanced audiobook narration adds significant depth to the characters, particularly the mother, whose emotional turmoil is conveyed with remarkable empathy, even when her actions are not sympathetic.

4 stars

#books #bookishlife #booklover #readingisfun #iowabookstagrammers #iowabookstagram #netgalley #celedonebooks #macmillanaudio #penitence #kristinkoval

Kristin Koval's suspenseful debut is an exploration in family dynamics, mental health, and the impulsiveness of youth. The characters are well developed and the issues they face are interesting, ultimately I would like to have seen a greater understanding of the why behind the shooting at the center of this book but I respect the author's choice in focusing more on the consequences of the act.

Kristin Koval’s debut novel, Penitence, is a powerful story of forgiveness, family bonds, and the secrets that we keep close to our chest. I was first introduced to this book back in the fall at a Celadon reader event. As you know, it’s not my typical genre that you see posted here but when I was asked to be a part of Celadon’s Read Together program where they partnered me with @saraplanzreadz @tammyreads62 @heyjudereads and @k2reader , I knew I had to take a chance. I’m so thrilled I did because this book was incredible. Imagine learning that your youngest child has murdered her ill older brother with her father’s work issued handgun and confesses to it. The family was already under stress providing medical treatment to their son so when they must hire an attorney and the only one in town is about to retire and not well versed in this type of law, she calls in her son, Julian. There was a tragic past accident involving him, Angie who was his high school girlfriend (and mother of both the victim and murdered children) and her sister while skiing that sends him across the country. Now he returns to his childhood town in Colorado from is life in New York City to build a case to defend her daughter. I want to thank @celadonbooks and @macmillan.audio for a gifted copy, as well as aranging an author zoom.

Penitence is an emotional book that follows two families as they live through the aftermath of a 13 year old shooting the brother she dearly loves. It is told from two sides. One is the side of the defense attorney's, Martine and her son Julian, and the other the side of Nora's mother Angie and father David. There is an added layer to this with a past story between Julian and Angie and the death of Angie's younger sister. The story flows seemlessly between the question of how Diana, the sister died, why Julian and Angie broke up, Nora's trial and the aftermath of Nico's death. This is a book that is truly heartbreaking. At times, I had trouble with the character of Angie, especially with her past and maybe that was part of what creates such a tragic dysfunctional family and story. It is a hard hand she is dealt dealing with one child who has killed another. There is definitely a lot of trauma all around and some big secrets that are revealed. The book is full of surprises, perfect for an in depth discussion in a book club. I loved reading this, and it was easy to stay engaged. I would definitely recommend. Especially to an adult book club, I think it could illicit a lot of great discussion.

I'd like to thank Celadon Publishers and NetGalley for the audioarc to preview.

This was an excellent audio—well paced, distinct voices, easy to follow along. I enjoyed the time flashbacks in the story, and the way information was slowly revealed. This was a heartbreaking novel with deeply complex characters that are all fairly unlikeable, each feeling quite human. Excited to read more of this author!!

The debut novel manages to strike a balance between a legal and family drama with the inciting crime actually only being a foundation for the story. The exploration of complex relationships, guilt and forgiveness, is handled with care and insight. If you're looking for a nice, neat ending, this isn't the book for you.

The narration was good - nothing special but nothing distracting.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #CeladonBooks for a free copy of #MacmillanAudio by Kristin Koval. All opinions are my own.

Kristin Koval’s debut Pentitence delivers a compelling writing style while exploring rich familial drama. A shocking murder shatters Angie and David Sheehan’s lives, leading them to lawyer Martine Dumont, who is also the mother of Angie’s first love, Julian. As they each confront their past and long-buried guilt, the story spans decades and settings, diving deep into complex themes of love, loyalty, and forgiveness. While the suspense and literary depth are strong, I was left hoping for a redemptive quality that never materialized. Koval’s relentless focus on emotional turmoil drained me, leaving me exhausted. Still, it’s an engaging and thought-provoking read, earning a solid 3.5 stars.

Thérèse Plummer is a new to me narrator I believe, but found her incredibly easy to listen to. Excellent narration!

I went into this book blind thinking from the opening chapters that this would be a thriller or suspense. That’s how it’s billed, but it didn’t end up feeling that way to me. There was a murder at the beginning of the story that really hooked me. From the opening scenes, I was so worried about the alleged suspect. I was surprised when the narrative jumped from the present to the past.

While the past laid the ground work for the current events, it wasn’t as compelling as the present time line. By the end of the book, I had all the information I needed to wrap up everyone’s life except for the suspect. It was her story I wanted the most.

There was a small plot twist, but it felt obvious. This is more of a family drama than a suspense or thriller. I wasn’t quite sure which genre this was going to fall into. I was interested in the story but also confused. I think it would have been helpful to know a head of time where the focus of the book was going to be.

I enjoyed the audio and thought that the narrator did a good job creating the tone of the story.

This book contains scattered strong profanity and mentions of intimacy.

Thanks to @netgalley and @macmillan.audio for a review copy.