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A review by amieib
The Missing Page by Cat Sebastian
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
My heart feels full.
This book somehow topped its predecessor for me. It was complex and beautiful. It was everything that I have come to love about books.
At the heart of this story was a family mystery. James goes back to a home in which he had spent a portion of his childhood at the request of his deceased uncle. While there, he discovers that everything is not as he remembers it and he begins to question not only his childhood memories but also how all those experiences have shaped the man he is.
With regards to James, I really loved how Cat Sebastian portrayed memories in a realistic way. James, at first, doesn't actually seem to remember a lot about his childhood at this home but, with time, remembers even more details. Certain items and words jog his memory - which I think is quite reflective of human memory. His confusion, his lack of understanding regarding certain events, his struggle to come to terms with what has happened, his realisation of the damage that shame can inflict is so visceral that I just wanted to jump into the book and give him a hug.
With Leo, of course he comes to Blackthorn to help James solve his family mysteries. He can't help himself where mysteries and, in particular, James are involved. He is still grappling with walking away from everything he has ever known in order to have a life that he doesn't think he deserves but craves so deeply. Leo wants a home, warmth, love, safety and security. Leo doesn't know how to go about getting these things and is working through a sort of midlife crisis at 29. I feel like in romance books, there are so many situation where love from a romantic partner magically fixes any issue that arises and while the love Leo has for James plays a central role in helping him make a decision to walk away from being a spy, the narrative mostly focuses on Leo coming to the realisation that he's tired of the life he has always known. It almost feels like even if he hadn't met James, he would still be in the situation he was in. Maybe just in a different way.
Another thing I really loved was the conversation around societal shame and dissecting direct results of when people sweep things under the rug. Without spoiling anything, at the end of the book, I finished thinking: "How much of this pain could have been avoided if they just talked? If they were not so held down by what is considered acceptable by society? If there was a lot less stigma were certain topics are concerned?" While I didn't particularly form any emotional connection to any of the side-characters, I did like each one for what they represented. Like with the first book, they all felt complex, real, interesting and unique. I think I would read a book about Lilah and Carrow's explots especially. It was everything I have now come to love about a mystery. Suspecting everyone and not expecting the twists and turns. The balance between mystery and romance were done well.
With regards to James and Leo together, I have been rooting for them since the first book. They both deserve the world and their relationship warms my dead heart. They are as close to perfect that a couple can be and they'll be living in my head rent free for a long time. I would love another book about them especially as I would love to know what career Leo explores next. The only thing I would have changed is more intimate moments between Leo and James because I am a greedy bitch and I adored all their one-on-one interactions. I loved reading them put each other first, helping one another and feeling their love and trust grow and grow.
I will now be patiently waiting for Cat Sebastian's next book whilst rereading every single book she's ever written. She has cemented herself as an auto-buy author for me and I would not have it any other way. She's brilliant.
This book somehow topped its predecessor for me. It was complex and beautiful. It was everything that I have come to love about books.
At the heart of this story was a family mystery. James goes back to a home in which he had spent a portion of his childhood at the request of his deceased uncle. While there, he discovers that everything is not as he remembers it and he begins to question not only his childhood memories but also how all those experiences have shaped the man he is.
With regards to James, I really loved how Cat Sebastian portrayed memories in a realistic way. James, at first, doesn't actually seem to remember a lot about his childhood at this home but, with time, remembers even more details. Certain items and words jog his memory - which I think is quite reflective of human memory. His confusion, his lack of understanding regarding certain events, his struggle to come to terms with what has happened, his realisation of the damage that shame can inflict is so visceral that I just wanted to jump into the book and give him a hug.
With Leo, of course he comes to Blackthorn to help James solve his family mysteries. He can't help himself where mysteries and, in particular, James are involved. He is still grappling with walking away from everything he has ever known in order to have a life that he doesn't think he deserves but craves so deeply. Leo wants a home, warmth, love, safety and security. Leo doesn't know how to go about getting these things and is working through a sort of midlife crisis at 29. I feel like in romance books, there are so many situation where love from a romantic partner magically fixes any issue that arises and while the love Leo has for James plays a central role in helping him make a decision to walk away from being a spy, the narrative mostly focuses on Leo coming to the realisation that he's tired of the life he has always known. It almost feels like even if he hadn't met James, he would still be in the situation he was in. Maybe just in a different way.
Another thing I really loved was the conversation around societal shame and dissecting direct results of when people sweep things under the rug. Without spoiling anything, at the end of the book, I finished thinking: "How much of this pain could have been avoided if they just talked? If they were not so held down by what is considered acceptable by society? If there was a lot less stigma were certain topics are concerned?" While I didn't particularly form any emotional connection to any of the side-characters, I did like each one for what they represented. Like with the first book, they all felt complex, real, interesting and unique. I think I would read a book about Lilah and Carrow's explots especially. It was everything I have now come to love about a mystery. Suspecting everyone and not expecting the twists and turns. The balance between mystery and romance were done well.
With regards to James and Leo together, I have been rooting for them since the first book. They both deserve the world and their relationship warms my dead heart. They are as close to perfect that a couple can be and they'll be living in my head rent free for a long time. I would love another book about them especially as I would love to know what career Leo explores next. The only thing I would have changed is more intimate moments between Leo and James because I am a greedy bitch and I adored all their one-on-one interactions. I loved reading them put each other first, helping one another and feeling their love and trust grow and grow.
I will now be patiently waiting for Cat Sebastian's next book whilst rereading every single book she's ever written. She has cemented herself as an auto-buy author for me and I would not have it any other way. She's brilliant.