I’ve been taking a bit of a break after launching This Sea Within, visiting with family during the 4th of July holidays, and then drafting scenes for book two of my Sea Within series. So it was an unexpected pleasure to see reviews of my first novel When Things Go Missing appear online.

The first came two days after This Sea Within was released. On June 17, book reviewer and author Laura Lyndhurst gave When Things Go Missing five stars and highly recommended it on her Books That Make You Think blog. I loved the way she set it up, with this analogy:

“When an earthquake occurs, the earth eventually settles again; just not exactly as it was before. In the same way, when the centre of any structure is destabilised, the whole is thrown off balance, in need of regaining equilibrium in order to survive. When the structure in question is a family, and the central figure holding everything together is removed unexpectedly, the consequences can be destruction, or reconstruction.”

She wraps up her review with: “If you’re looking for thrills and spills then When Things Go Missing isn’t for you. If, however, you want a beautifully-written and thoughtful read, then this is where to find one.” You can read her whole review at the link above.

After that lovely surprise, on July 4th I found another five-star review by author D. G. Kaye on her Sunday Book Review. She starts out with: “When mom, Fran, flies the coop and leaves her dysfunctional adult children, Kay an archaeologist, and Cal a drug addict, and aloof husband Walter behind, the book is what happens.”

Toward the end, she adds: “This book is a slow burn. It’s about people, family, lives, dependence, growing, struggling, and finally finding themselves on a bittersweet journey to discovery of self and peace. It’s character-driven so it’s meant to take these damaged people in and discover how life conditions them and finally finding themselves. . . . It’s a story about how those left behind can handle life without their mother’s care, concern, and support, when we can see it was so blatantly taken for granted. Things change, people change – when things go missing.”

And, if that insightful review wasn’t enough, here’s the lovely surprise I found waiting on Goodreads July 7:

When Things Go Missing
by Deborah J. Brasket (Goodreads Author)

Heather W‘s review, Jul 07, 2026

Some books tell a story, while others quietly remind us of the emotions we’ve all experienced but rarely know how to express. When Things Go Missing by Deborah J. Brasket is one of those rare books. With warmth, compassion, and emotional honesty, Brasket explores the many forms that “missing” can take, not only the loss of physical objects but also the absence of people, moments, certainty, and even pieces of ourselves.

What makes this book especially compelling is its gentle, deeply human approach to a universal experience. Rather than relying on dramatic twists or exaggerated emotion, Brasket allows the story to unfold with authenticity, giving readers space to reflect on their own lives. Every chapter feels thoughtful and intentional, revealing how loss and change often shape us in unexpected ways while also opening the door to healing and resilience.

The writing is elegant yet accessible, balancing emotional depth with clarity. Brasket has a remarkable ability to capture complex feelings in simple, meaningful language, making the story resonate with readers from many different backgrounds. The characters are believable and relatable, each carrying emotional weight that makes their journeys feel genuine rather than manufactured.

At its heart, When Things Go Missing is about hope as much as it is about loss. It reminds readers that even when life feels fragmented, healing often begins in the quiet moments of acceptance, connection, and rediscovery. The story encourages reflection without becoming heavy handed, making it both comforting and thought-provoking.

This is a book that will appeal to readers who enjoy emotionally rich contemporary fiction, reflective storytelling, and character-driven narratives that linger long after the final page. Deborah J. Brasket has written a moving and memorable work that speaks to the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring power of hope, making When Things Go Missing a rewarding and heartfelt read.

If any of these reviews entice you to give When Things Go Missing a read, you can find it on Amazon, Bookshop, Barnes & Noble and other major outlets.

If you do read it, or have already, please leave a review on Amazon. It doesn’t have to be 5-stars, and a sentence or two is fine. My goal is to get at least 50 reviews up before its September 15 one-year anniversary. That’s what’s needed, so everyone says, to get the algorithms moving in its favor, so readers who may enjoy my debut novel will find it.

Many thanks to Laura, D. G. and Heather for their reviews, and to all of you who read my blog posts!