There’s a lot about this book that will break your heart. But then it’ll get stitched right back together before the last tear-soaked page. Cooper’s story highlights the healing salve for those deep wounds inflicted by humanity: self-sacrificing love married with second-chance grace.

What I Love:
• The mystery keeps the story moving forward at a perfect pace, but the character-driven plot keeps it securely rooted. From the beginning, I was quietly intrigued. Some mysteries are too saturated with the mystery: there’s a need-to-know-how-this-ends urgency so hurry-up-and-get-to-the-end formulaic race. But this book balances the intrigue (questioning Cooper/Kenny as a reliable narrator, questioning his secrets, questioning Scotland’s motives and intent, questioning unexpected newcomers) with a beautiful character-driven plot. More than wanting answers to all the mystery, I wanted healing for these wounded characters.

• The wilderness setting soaks into all parts of the story, like the remnants of a heavy snow melting into waiting earth on a clear, sunny December day. Jake’s cabin in the Appalachian woods is more than just an off-the-grid place; it’s almost another character—essential to the natural healing cycle. I love books that highlight the healing powers of nature, showing that going out into the wilderness can help heal the hurts of humanity (The Great Alone, The Light Through the Leaves, Happiness for Beginners).

• Ultimately, this is the story about a father’s love, and that is something that always pulls at my heart. Even though there’s not much on a circumstantial level that I can relate to between Cooper and Finch, there are certainly many relatable parenting plights and truths that had me connecting to this single-parent father through the story. But beyond the central relationship between father and daughter, there’s a whole other transcendental element here—certainly on a spiritual level—that makes the ending emotively powerful. Grab the whole box of tissues.

What I Didn’t Love:
• Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

Recommend To:
• From the beginning, this reminded me so much of Glendy Vanderah’s two novels: The Light Through the Leaves and Where the Forest Meets the Stars—both in terms of content and style.
• Read this if you like books about survival and sacrifice and second-chances, with a connection to nature, and that are character-driven with elements of mystery. ( )

I loved this book! It's the first I've read of hers, and will definitely check out her other books.
The beginning of the back cover synopsis, "No electricity, no family, no connection to the outside world" enticed me right away, and the book delivered.
Cooper, and his daughter, Finch, have managed okay living in an old cabin in the woods, owned by a friend of Cooper's from his days in the service, a friend who brings them supplies every year.
Until the year his friend doesn't show up, and Cooper needs to take matters into his own hands to ensure their survival.
I loved every character in this story, the multifaceted personalities such as their only neighbor, Scotland. As their situation worsens, and the threat of Cooper's whereabouts escalate, he is backed into a corner, and this page-turning story will keep you guessing right to the very end.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me a copy of this interesting, well-told story! ( )

Living in a remote cabin in Appalachia, Cooper and his daughter, Finch, stay off the grid. When their friend, Jake, who provides them with food and supplies doesn't arrive one year, they know they need to make some changes.
A neighbor, Scotland, starts coming around. Cooper is very wary of him, as Cooper is hiding from the past that caused Finch and Cooper to disappear into the woods. When a stranger appears in their woods, Cooper knows that they are in danger.
This is a beautifully written story of a father's love, and the love of those who are willing to help you. The selfless deed near the end of the story is so beautiful.
I recommend this book and can't wait to read the author's backlist. ( )

Easy read about an ex soldier who kidnapes his daughter after his wife’s death, and decides to live in isolation with her in the woods. We learn why this happened and how he handles the situation when she starts to get older. ( )

Without giving away the plot of this book, I will just state that I found the narrative extremely problematic... and leave it at that.

If you are a woman with any political conviction at all, you will probably not like this book. In my opinion, it attempts to justify the very problematic actions of the protagonist.