REVIEW: The Other Side of Disappearing by Kate Clayborn

In The Other Side of Disappearing by Kate Clayborn, When Jess Greene was twenty-one, her flighty mother Charlotte took off with con man Lynton Baltimore, leaving Jess to take care of her eight-year-old half-sister Tegan. And since then, she’s kept as much of the truth about their mom’s disappearance from her sister as she can–to save her from knowing that Charlotte chose a criminal over them. Jess hopes that every sacrifice over the past decade has been worth it. That Tegan has had the most normal childhood possible given the circumstances. But she should have known that smart as a whip Tegan would figure things out on her own. And that she would want answers. Answers that evidently investigative podcaster Salem Durant wants as well. Enough so that she’s willing to take Tegan on a road trip to track down their estranged mother.

‘I think about the same thing I’ve thought about ever since I was twenty-one years old, ever since I opened that envelope.
Tegan.
Protecting Tegan, taking care of Tegan.
Never disappearing on Tegan the way Mom disappeared on me.’

Jess has no other recourse but to tag along on the investigation. Tegan’s safety is priority number one, and she needs to be there to protect her as much as she can. But when journalist Adam “Hawk” Hawkins proves to be not only in Jess’s corner, shielding her and Tegan at every turn, she realizes their chemistry is becoming a distraction. Adam notices it too. And even knowing that it probably isn’t professional to feel so strongly for a woman who is his source for a huge story, he can’t seem to shut down his emotions. As their journey across the US takes some dips and turns they weren’t expecting, Adam promises to himself that no matter what they find, no matter what his boss Salem tells him to do, he won’t let Jess or Tegan get hurt in any way–even if it means letting them go once their trip is over.

‘It’s hard to untangle the pieces of me and Jess that exist outside of this story.
It’s hard to be certain about whether there are any.’

THE OTHER SIDE OF DISAPPEARING was both a romance and a true crime story with a bit of a family saga as well. The wide range of characters with their own personal issues to sort out and the eye-opening road trip they took together will be guaranteed to keep readers intrigued.

“I don’t want to know you for the story. I want to know you for myself.”

CW: View Spoiler »Child abandonment (historical), anxiety, drug use & accidental death, cheating (emotional) « Hide Spoiler

The whole premise behind THE OTHER SIDE OF DISAPPEARING was an interesting one: two sisters whose mother ghosted them ten years prior–taking off with a known con man–tracking down any information to be found about her with two journalists. I will admit I honestly wasn’t sure how Kate Clayborn would be able to pair together a romance and the true crime aspect convincingly. Thankfully, she pulled it off very well.

The instant chemistry between Adam and Jess was what fueled their complicated relationship and shaped the way their road trip would play out. Watching Adam, the gentle giant of a journalist, fall head over feet for Jess, the cool-headed, protective guardian of her younger sister Tegan, was so very heartwarming. I couldn’t have loved him more. And Adam was perfect for Jess. He was kind, protective, and not only shielded her from as much harm as possible, but he allowed her to shine and be herself for a change, which brought happy tears to my eyes. Because whether or not readers agree with Jess’s icy attitude–her self-preservation from a cold world–she had never had someone looking out for her. So to see Adam step up and be that person? Sigh-worthy.

The investigation into Jess and Tegan’s mother brought some surprising turns to the story. I figured a few out but there were moments that Clayborn took things in a direction I wasn’t expecting. And while the end of the sisters’ search for their mother wasn’t exactly as I assumed it would go, the finale of the book was everything readers could ask for. It saw each of the four people that started the journey together: Jess, Tegan, Adam, and journalist Salem, settled into a life that fit each of them perfectly–and with bright futures ahead of them all.

QOTD: Are you a true crime podcast fan?

Book Info:

Publication: March 26th, 2024 | Kensington Books |

Hairstylist Jess Greene has spent the last decade raising her younger half-sister, Tegan—and keeping a shocking secret. Ever since their reckless mother ran off with a boyfriend she’d known only a few months, Jess has been aware that he’s the same accomplished con man who was the subject of a wildly popular podcast, The Last Con of Lynton Baltimore.

Now thirty-one, Jess didn’t bargain on Tegan eventually piecing together the connection for herself. But Tegan plans to do exactly what Jess has always feared—leave their safe, stable home to search for their mother—and she’ll be accompanied by the prying podcast host and her watchful, handsome producer, Adam Hawkins. Unwilling to let the sister she’s spent so much of her life protecting go it alone, Jess reluctantly joins them.

Together, the four make their way across the country, unraveling the mystery of where the couple disappeared to and why. But soon Jess is discovering other things too. Like a renewed sense of vulnerability and curiosity, and a willingness to expand beyond the walls she’s so carefully built. And in Adam, she finds an unexpected connection she didn’t even know was missing, if only she can let go and let him in . . .