busyreading's review against another edition
5.0
Francesca (Frankie) is single, aged thirty and lives alone in her run down cottage which she is trying to renovate in between her work schedule. The vacant land at the back of her cottage is up for sale, so on auction day, Frankie and her friend, Meg go along to see if the land gets sold, but the last person, Frankie expected to see in the crowd was, Jack. Frankie and Jack were childhood friends who attended the same school and it's been thirteen years since they've seen one another. After, Jack's partner became the highest bidder it seems they were about to become neighbors.
Seeing Jack again only brings back terrible memories from their teenage years. Schoolies weekend on the beach is one weekend that, Frankie will never forget. This was the time when their friend, Kate disappeared without a trace. Both Frankie and Jack were distraught over the disappearance of their friend, but neither of them knew where she was or what had happened her.
Frankie had feelings for Jack all those years ago, but she knew that she could never act on them whilst, Kate and Jack were going out with one another. Is it possible that those feelings are still there and what did happen to Kate?
I really enjoyed this book from start to finish. A fabulous and very compelling read by a very talented Aussie author which I have no doubt will be enjoyed by many. I have no hesitation in HIGHLY recommending this book.
Seeing Jack again only brings back terrible memories from their teenage years. Schoolies weekend on the beach is one weekend that, Frankie will never forget. This was the time when their friend, Kate disappeared without a trace. Both Frankie and Jack were distraught over the disappearance of their friend, but neither of them knew where she was or what had happened her.
Frankie had feelings for Jack all those years ago, but she knew that she could never act on them whilst, Kate and Jack were going out with one another. Is it possible that those feelings are still there and what did happen to Kate?
I really enjoyed this book from start to finish. A fabulous and very compelling read by a very talented Aussie author which I have no doubt will be enjoyed by many. I have no hesitation in HIGHLY recommending this book.
shelleyrae's review against another edition
5.0
Kylie Kaden's compelling debut novel, Losing Kate, is an absorbing contemporary story of secrets, betrayal, love and redemption.
On the night that seventeen year old Kate disappeared while celebrating 'schoolies', Francesca lost both the best friend she adored and the boy, Jack, who held her heart.
Thirteen years later, Frankie is stunned to discover Jack has bought the vacant block of land bordering her cottage. Their unexpected reunion revives memories and emotions neither are prepared for, and to move forward they need to learn the truth about what happened to the girl they both loved.
The first person narrative shifts between the past and present as it traces Jack, Kate's and Frankie's teenage relationship, the events on the night Kate went missing, and Frankie's and Jack's reunion after 13 years. Though Frankie and Jack quickly reestablish the intimacy of their childhood friendship, Kate always stands between them. Guilt, regret and lies are irredeemably tangled with loyalty, truth and love. The situation is complicated further by Jack's current relationship.
The mystery of Kate's fate is what primarily drives the tension throughout the novel. The flashbacks slowly reveal what Frankie remembers of the night and how those memories fit with what she is learning in the present day. Frankie just can't let go of Kate and her desire for closure. Suspicions rise and fall as the truth is pieced together, and the swirling ambiguity kept me guessing.
Despite the pop culture references (to bands like Powder Finger), elements of the story, including the oppressive summer weather, Francesca's crumbling cottage, fire and illness, give the story a contemporary gothic feel. The doomed teenage romance between Kate and Jack also plays into this, as does Frankie and Jack's unrequited love.
Set amongst the streets of suburban Queensland, Losing Kate is a gripping novel of suspense, drama and romance. An impressive debut, I really enjoyed Losing Kate and I'm looking forward to more from Kylie Kaden.
catwithbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Francesca, auch genannt Frankie, ist Anfang dreißig und lebt mit ihrem Hund in einem kleinen Cottage in ihrem Heimatort Brisbane. Sie hat sich soweit eingelebt und ist immer noch dabei ihr kleines Cottage zu renovieren. Eines Tages wird das Nachbargrundstück versteigert. Bei dieser Versteigerung sieht sie ihren besten Freund aus Jugendzeiten wieder. Jack. Jack ist jedoch nicht allein, denn er hat einen zweijährigen Sohn namens Oliver und ausgerechnet seine Freundin Sara ersteigert das Haus. Frankie kann nicht fassen das Jack nun ein paar Monate nebenan einzieht da auch mit ihm alte Erinnerung hochkommen. Denn Jack ist sehr plötzlich aus Frankies Leben verschwunden sowie ihre gemeinsame Freundin Kate. Jack war Kates große Liebe und umgekehrt nur als sie sich damals entschließen wollten zusammen zu sein ist Kate verschwunden und tage später tot geborgen worden. Was ist damals wirklich am Strand passiert und können die beiden endlich mit der Vergangenheit abschließen? Denn diese scheint immer noch zwischen ihnen zu stehen.
Die Geschichte spielt in der Gegenwart sowie in der Vergangenheit von vor 13 Jahren. Damals wurde Kate die beste Freundin von Frankie und war mit Jack zusammen. Kate war öfters sehr dramatisch drauf und Frankie hat das für einen Ausdruck ihrer Lebendigkeit gehalten. Zu fünft waren sie nach ihren Abschlussprüfungen an einen Strand auf einer Insel und wollten dort zelten. Frankie plagen Schuldgefühle da sie weiß das Jack vorhat mit Kate Schluss zu machen und diese werden noch größer als ihr Kate freudestrahlend ein Geheimnis anvertraut. Jack kommt von dem Gespräch mit Kate verstört und nass wieder und bald machen sich alle Sorgen wo Kate nur abgeblieben sein könnte. Frankie weiß das Jack ihr nichts angetan hat dafür kennt sie ihn doch zu gut aber auf der anderen Seite hat Kate ihr was anvertraut was Jack abstreitet.
Noch in der Gegenwart weiß Frankie bis heute nicht was Wahr ist. Und so weicht sie auch diesmal Jack aus, der versucht ihr näher zu kommen.
Der Schreibstil der Autorin ist wunderbar man kann sich sehr gut in die Geschichte rein versetzen. Man merkt das Frankie bis heute nicht wirklich mit ihrer Vergangenheit abgeschlossen hat. Sie ist wie Jack so schön sagt ein „Gutmensch“, der immer noch versucht anderen zu helfen. Erst das Gespräch mit Kates Mutter Jess öffnet Frankie die Augen und sie kann für sich endlich mit der Vergangenheit abschließen. Jack ist jemand der immer das richtige tut und das hat sich auch nach 13 Jahren nicht geändert. Und auch er muss den Mut finden mal das zu tun was für ihn das Richtige ist.
Auch wenn einiges vorhersehbar ist hat mich die Geschichte gebannt da sie einfach sehr realistisch geschrieben worden ist, wie ich finde.
Die Geschichte spielt in der Gegenwart sowie in der Vergangenheit von vor 13 Jahren. Damals wurde Kate die beste Freundin von Frankie und war mit Jack zusammen. Kate war öfters sehr dramatisch drauf und Frankie hat das für einen Ausdruck ihrer Lebendigkeit gehalten. Zu fünft waren sie nach ihren Abschlussprüfungen an einen Strand auf einer Insel und wollten dort zelten. Frankie plagen Schuldgefühle da sie weiß das Jack vorhat mit Kate Schluss zu machen und diese werden noch größer als ihr Kate freudestrahlend ein Geheimnis anvertraut. Jack kommt von dem Gespräch mit Kate verstört und nass wieder und bald machen sich alle Sorgen wo Kate nur abgeblieben sein könnte. Frankie weiß das Jack ihr nichts angetan hat dafür kennt sie ihn doch zu gut aber auf der anderen Seite hat Kate ihr was anvertraut was Jack abstreitet.
Noch in der Gegenwart weiß Frankie bis heute nicht was Wahr ist. Und so weicht sie auch diesmal Jack aus, der versucht ihr näher zu kommen.
Der Schreibstil der Autorin ist wunderbar man kann sich sehr gut in die Geschichte rein versetzen. Man merkt das Frankie bis heute nicht wirklich mit ihrer Vergangenheit abgeschlossen hat. Sie ist wie Jack so schön sagt ein „Gutmensch“, der immer noch versucht anderen zu helfen. Erst das Gespräch mit Kates Mutter Jess öffnet Frankie die Augen und sie kann für sich endlich mit der Vergangenheit abschließen. Jack ist jemand der immer das richtige tut und das hat sich auch nach 13 Jahren nicht geändert. Und auch er muss den Mut finden mal das zu tun was für ihn das Richtige ist.
Auch wenn einiges vorhersehbar ist hat mich die Geschichte gebannt da sie einfach sehr realistisch geschrieben worden ist, wie ich finde.
samstillreading's review against another edition
5.0
Thank you to Random House Australia for the eARC.
Losing Kate. From the title, you may think that this book is a sad story, full of despair at someone losing the person they loved. While there are sad elements to this story, it is ultimately a tale of trust, hope and love told in a suspenseful way. It’s also a book that will conjure fond memories for teenagers of the late 1990s/early 2000s (especially Australian ones) with its references to pop culture. (Kaden gets super bonus points from me for not only several references to Aussie band Powderfinger, but a scene at one of their concerts).
The book opens as our protagonist Francesca (known as Frankie/Fray) is watching an auction for the land behind her small, dilapidated cottage in Brisbane’s suburbs. The last thing she expected to see was her best friend growing up, Jack. They haven’t seen each other since Kate went missing and Jack’s family moved away amidst the furore. As soon as Frankie and Jack meet, you can feel the history crackle between them, as well as something more – things left unsaid. The tension that’s set up here only increases from here on in – it’s as muggy as a Brisbane summer day. From this point, I was hooked to find out what the history is between Jack and Frankie. There was so much left unsaid, and I just knew it was going to be a good story.
Their reunion is interrupted by Sara, Jack’s partner. Sara is a Class I, Grade A Horrible Person. She’s bitchy, looks down on Frankie and plays Jack for his affection and sense of responsibility to their son, Oli. Kaden has created a fantastic character in Sara as she raised my ire as soon as she appeared on the page. I felt a strong dislike to her – she’s horrible just for the sake of it, aiming to put down Frankie at any opportunity. But like all nasty characters, does she get her comeuppance? Well, you’ll just have to read and see.
After Jack and Frankie meet again, the book goes into the past to their school days. This is where Kate comes in. We read about how she and Frankie became friends and Jack Kate’s boyfriend. The narrative then shifts to the disappearance of Kate from their Leavers’ (finishing high school) celebrations, camping in on an island. Interspersed between these chapters is the present day, where Frankie is becoming increasingly agitated about why Kate disappeared and her growing feelings for Jack. I think this was my favourite section of the book, as Frankie is becoming increasingly confused about everything. She’s concerned that there’s more than she knows about Kate going missing – is Jack the key? Why did she break up with her fiancé? Why doesn’t she enjoy her job anymore? It’s like she’s having a (slightly late) quarter life crisis. Nothing seems clear. I found Frankie’s sense of dissatisfaction very real and her search for the truth a compelling read.
It’s hard to believe that this is Kylie Kaden’s first book. It’s well paced, action packed and the characters are easy to relate to (or dislike, in my case with Sara). The suspense is tantalisingly crafted, speeding up towards the end as we find out what really happened with Kate. My only criticism is that the to and fro between Frankie and Jack, the ‘will they won’t they’ teased a little too long for me (I may have asked my Kindle, “ARE YOU TWO EVER GETTING IT ON?”). But all in all, this was a fantastic book that held my interest from the very first page. Kudos also goes to the cover designer – that girl is definitely Kate. If you like your mysteries and sexual tension sultry and well crafted, Losing Kate is a book you should read.
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
Losing Kate. From the title, you may think that this book is a sad story, full of despair at someone losing the person they loved. While there are sad elements to this story, it is ultimately a tale of trust, hope and love told in a suspenseful way. It’s also a book that will conjure fond memories for teenagers of the late 1990s/early 2000s (especially Australian ones) with its references to pop culture. (Kaden gets super bonus points from me for not only several references to Aussie band Powderfinger, but a scene at one of their concerts).
The book opens as our protagonist Francesca (known as Frankie/Fray) is watching an auction for the land behind her small, dilapidated cottage in Brisbane’s suburbs. The last thing she expected to see was her best friend growing up, Jack. They haven’t seen each other since Kate went missing and Jack’s family moved away amidst the furore. As soon as Frankie and Jack meet, you can feel the history crackle between them, as well as something more – things left unsaid. The tension that’s set up here only increases from here on in – it’s as muggy as a Brisbane summer day. From this point, I was hooked to find out what the history is between Jack and Frankie. There was so much left unsaid, and I just knew it was going to be a good story.
Their reunion is interrupted by Sara, Jack’s partner. Sara is a Class I, Grade A Horrible Person. She’s bitchy, looks down on Frankie and plays Jack for his affection and sense of responsibility to their son, Oli. Kaden has created a fantastic character in Sara as she raised my ire as soon as she appeared on the page. I felt a strong dislike to her – she’s horrible just for the sake of it, aiming to put down Frankie at any opportunity. But like all nasty characters, does she get her comeuppance? Well, you’ll just have to read and see.
After Jack and Frankie meet again, the book goes into the past to their school days. This is where Kate comes in. We read about how she and Frankie became friends and Jack Kate’s boyfriend. The narrative then shifts to the disappearance of Kate from their Leavers’ (finishing high school) celebrations, camping in on an island. Interspersed between these chapters is the present day, where Frankie is becoming increasingly agitated about why Kate disappeared and her growing feelings for Jack. I think this was my favourite section of the book, as Frankie is becoming increasingly confused about everything. She’s concerned that there’s more than she knows about Kate going missing – is Jack the key? Why did she break up with her fiancé? Why doesn’t she enjoy her job anymore? It’s like she’s having a (slightly late) quarter life crisis. Nothing seems clear. I found Frankie’s sense of dissatisfaction very real and her search for the truth a compelling read.
It’s hard to believe that this is Kylie Kaden’s first book. It’s well paced, action packed and the characters are easy to relate to (or dislike, in my case with Sara). The suspense is tantalisingly crafted, speeding up towards the end as we find out what really happened with Kate. My only criticism is that the to and fro between Frankie and Jack, the ‘will they won’t they’ teased a little too long for me (I may have asked my Kindle, “ARE YOU TWO EVER GETTING IT ON?”). But all in all, this was a fantastic book that held my interest from the very first page. Kudos also goes to the cover designer – that girl is definitely Kate. If you like your mysteries and sexual tension sultry and well crafted, Losing Kate is a book you should read.
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
qldkaren's review against another edition
5.0
I love to support local authors. The very first book our book club ever read (in 2003) was The Girl Most Likely by Brisbane author Rebecca Sparrow. And our most recent book club book - Losing Kate - is by another Brisbanite, Kylie Kaden.
We had the great honour of having Kylie come along to our book club brunch in Paddington yesterday, and chat with us about the writing, editing and publishing process. She is absolutely lovely! Kylie wrote Losing Kate, her debut novel, whilst she was on maternity leave with her third child. She gets 10 gold stars for this, in my opinion, as I was flat out having a shower most days when I was on maternity leave. I can't imagine writing a 350 page novel during that time!
Losing Kate is a wonderful novel. Set in Brisbane and on the Sunshine Coast, it's the story of Jack and Francesca (aka Frankie and Fray) and their friendship with the eponymous Kate. When Jack returns to Brisbane and moves in next door to Frankie, the pair is forced to discover and confront the truth about the events that occurred 13 years earlier on their schoolies camping trip and which changed their lives forever.
I was impressed with how seamlessly the story moves between the past and the present, and how richly drawn the characters are. I really enjoyed this marvellous book, and am looking forward to reading Kylie's next novel - Missing You - which is about to be released.
We had the great honour of having Kylie come along to our book club brunch in Paddington yesterday, and chat with us about the writing, editing and publishing process. She is absolutely lovely! Kylie wrote Losing Kate, her debut novel, whilst she was on maternity leave with her third child. She gets 10 gold stars for this, in my opinion, as I was flat out having a shower most days when I was on maternity leave. I can't imagine writing a 350 page novel during that time!
Losing Kate is a wonderful novel. Set in Brisbane and on the Sunshine Coast, it's the story of Jack and Francesca (aka Frankie and Fray) and their friendship with the eponymous Kate. When Jack returns to Brisbane and moves in next door to Frankie, the pair is forced to discover and confront the truth about the events that occurred 13 years earlier on their schoolies camping trip and which changed their lives forever.
I was impressed with how seamlessly the story moves between the past and the present, and how richly drawn the characters are. I really enjoyed this marvellous book, and am looking forward to reading Kylie's next novel - Missing You - which is about to be released.
lauredhel's review against another edition
4.0
‘Hope I’m not distracting you from bidding,’ I laugh.
He scratches his head. ‘Er, not me, no.’
I relax a notch. ‘Phew, now that would be freaky,’ I scoff, and a snort-laugh escapes. I lean in close. ‘Besides, the block is a swamp every time it rains …’
‘Is that right?’ A dimple appears on his cheek. Then he’s side-tracked again, looking around the crowd, at the little boy now on hands and knees with his ball at the fence, and it gives me a chance to suss him out. His clothes are different – brand names, ironed. His hair is longer, with an actual style. He’s better groomed now, not a trace of the greasy forehead and nineties’ chambray shirts, but he is still the Jack I knew. [...]
‘Are you here gauging the market then?’ I ask Jack, returning my attention to my Class of 2000 reunion for two.
His lips tighten, his grey eyes thin. ‘Not exactly …’
Behind his shoulder, I see the winning bidder hovering near the officials, staring out at the crowd.
Jack turns to scan the crowd too.
That’s when the lady in black smiles and waves. At Jack.
My jaw drops.
He knows her?
And that’s when the baseball-cap-wearing boy spots him, and races over.
‘Daddy!’ his little knee-high voice chirps. ‘I found doggee. He lickded me.’
Daddy?
Fresh out of a relationship with a cheating Merc-driving lawyer, social worker Frankie is desultorily doing up a weatherboard cottage in Brisbane. She is shocked to find her estranged childhood friend Jack Shaw buying the vacant block behind hers, with his partner and toddler. They quickly re-establish their intimacy, but between them always is the mystery of what happened while camping on the beach at schoolies - the night they lost Kate.
Kaden's romance is a solid debut, with convincing tension in the mystery, a great sense of place, and an engaging voice. One to watch!
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