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As a reviewer for Reedsy Discovery, I received an ARC of J.D. Overstreet's debut novel, Tethered Kites. Here is my review, which you can also read on my Reedsy Discovery page
If you are looking for a story that will envelop you in its world and hold you there until the very last page, J.D. Overstreet's The Inheritance may be your next perfect indulgence. Providing a smooth and easy-to-read experience, The Inheritance tells the story of budding New York City journalist Tessa (Tess) Bellwood, who, when we meet her, is embroiled in what seems to be a career-and-relationship-ending scandal. As if that was not enough, she is informed of the passing of her estranged mother, leaving Tess the sole heir to a bed-and-breakfast on the other side of the country. Troubled by the anxieties of city life and disillusioned by the end of her long-term relationship, Tess decides to visit the property on the West Coast, imagining that an in-person dealing will make it easier to sell away that part of her life. However, the idyllic bed and breakfast, and the cozy coastal town it's tucked away in, do not take long to change the way Tess looks at her life. On what she believed would be a straightforward trip back to her childhood, Tess is thrown many challenges—identity insecurities, the complicated nature of relationships, family secrets, feelings of isolation—all of which lend itself to helping Tess take a sharp turn back to herself.
Overstreet does an incredible job of writing in a way that feels as though we are gliding through Tess's life, a sort of delicious omnipotence. Though some parts feel like they could use less exposition and more anecdotal writing, the drama of it all is enough to keep you from being pulled out. The characters are well-developed, if not a little cliché and at times self-contradictory, but which human can claim otherwise? The way Tess meets and interacts with all the people that she encounters feels natural and intentional. I do confess to getting confused with timelines and characters here and there, but nothing a little context clues could not solve. A love for coastal California is also captured beautifully within these pages, setting an ideal palate on which we witness Tess's growth. Overall, J.D. Overstreet's The Inheritance was like a sweet treat read, and I recommend you go out and get yourself this book to savor!