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Penitence
Penitence: A Novel | Kristin Koval
10 posts | 5 read | 12 to read
For readers of Ann Patchett and Celeste Ng, Penitence is a poignant exploration of love and forgiveness. Its a suspenseful, addictive page-turner filled with literary insight that compels readers to consider whether the worst thing weve ever done is all that defines us. When a shocking murder occurs in the home of Angie and David Sheehan, their lives are shattered. Desperate to defend their family, they turn to small-town lawyer Martine Dumont for help, but Martine isnt just legal counselshes also the mother of Angies first love, Julian, a now-successful New York City criminal defense attorney. As Julian and Angie confront their shared past and long-buried guilt from a tragic accident years ago, they must navigate their own culpability and the unresolved feelings between them. Spanning decades, from the ski slopes of rural Colorado to the streets of pre-9/11 New York City and back again, Kristin Kovals debut novel Penitence is an examination of the complexities of familial loyalty, the journey of redemption, and the profound experience of true forgiveness.
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bumpinthenight
Penitence: A Novel | Kristin Koval
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My two #BOTM picks this month. Penitence and Phantasma 😎📚

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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
Penitence: A Novel | Kristin Koval
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This is really good so far! Heartbreaking though 💔 it‘s giving me “My Sisters Keeper” vibes…

#LitsyLove

bumpinthenight I chose this for my BOTM choice 1w
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bumpinthenight
Penitence: A Novel | Kristin Koval
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What is everyone picking this month? Did anything stand out to you? I can‘t decide yet.

#botm

Rome753 Reading "Battle Cry of Freedom" by James McPherson 1w
17 likes1 comment
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TorieStorieS
Penitence: A Novel | Kristin Koval
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Pickpick

What a strong debut novel! I literally couldn‘t put this one down, staying up way too late to finish in one sitting! The book opens with a terrible family tragedy & though the plot‘s turns are not unexpected, it‘s a satisfying read that‘s sure to stir great conversations amongst readers! I can see why this is a #BOTM option for February! It reminds me of early Jodi Picoult but before she got all info-dumpy & preachy! Definitely recommend this one!

mcipher Oooh I love the idea of less info dumpy Picoult! Her writing is good but I hate her books because of the info overload! 2w
TorieStorieS @mcipher I know!! I feel the same way about her for I‘m not sure how many years now! But this one really reminded me of her books before she got to be such a household name… so pre-2003? 2004? Anyways, I honestly couldn‘t put this down— stayed up late to finish it and everything! 2w
mcipher My copy is on its way! And now I‘m gonna try any earlier Picoult and see if I like it!! 2w
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TorieStorieS @mcipher I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! I really enjoyed her debut book and this one from 2004– 2w
mcipher Thanks for the recs!! ❤️ 1w
TorieStorieS @mcipher Any time!! 😊 1w
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Yes!! Completely agree! 6d
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Graciouswarriorprincess
Penitence: A Novel | Kristin Koval
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Tonight, I attended a webinar as part of @celadonbooks Read Together initiative. I read “Penitence” by @kristinkovalwriter with @charliegirl.loves2read , @bookserireads , @rebecca.is.reading and @jamieruegsreads . They are on Instagram. My group had wonderful discussions about this story of forgiveness.

Tonight‘s webinar with @burnsamyjo who wrote “Mercury “ and @kristinkovalwriter was amazing!

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Lsmoore43
Penitence: A Novel | Kristin Koval
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I believe this is a debut novel. It‘s one you don‘t want to miss. It has so many feelings and will give you such deep emotions. In parts I got goosebumps and sure shed lots of tears. But the overall story is so good. It made me look at some things in a whole new way. Especially where kids who have committed crimes are concerned.

Full review: https://lsmoore49.blogspot.com/2025/01/penitence-by-kristin-koval.html?m=1

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Sara_Planz
Penitence: A Novel | Kristin Koval
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Pickpick

What a powerful book about grief in all its different forms, and the fact that it is a debut novel makes it even more incredible. I was completely wrapped up in this story and all the ins and outs of it. The characters are relatable and feel like people you would know in your own life. Kristin Koval's writing allows the reader to understand not only our interconnectedness with each other but also the effects that tragedy can have on those bonds.

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Graciouswarriorprincess
Penitence: A Novel | Kristin Koval
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Pickpick

Kristin Koval's first novel explores a shocking murder in which a thirteen year old girl kills her brother who had been diagnosed with Juvenile Huntington's disease.

This is a story of mercy, judgment, truth & memory anecdotes explores the juvenile prison system & how it impacts all that it affects.

This story of forgiveness is complicated. The option is that forgiveness can & should play a role in all of our lives.

Book 5/100.

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JHSiess
Penitence: A Novel | Kristin Koval
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📬 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐓𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐈𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞⁣ 📖

Thanks to Celadon Books for a copy of 𝗣𝗲𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 by 𝐊𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧 𝐊𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐥, which will be published on 𝘑𝘢𝘯𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝟸𝟾, 𝟸𝟶𝟸𝟻. I'm looking forward to reading this literary thriller with a group of three other readers with Instagram accounts. ⁣

🎄 𝕸𝖊𝖗𝖗𝖞 𝕮𝖍𝖗𝖎𝖘𝖙𝖒𝖆𝖘 𝖙𝖔 𝖆𝖑𝖑 𝖜𝖍𝖔 𝖆𝖗𝖊 𝖈𝖊𝖑𝖊𝖇𝖗𝖆𝖙𝖎𝖓𝖌! 🎁

Graciouswarriorprincess I‘m in this too. 😊 2mo
JHSiess @Graciouswarriorprincess It's a very intense story. Not easy to read.
4w
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