Since You've Been Gone- Blog Tour

 

Author : Claire Rowden 

Publisher: Whiskers & Quill Bookshelf Press

Publishing Date: 31st January 2026 

Many thanks to the publishing team and Random Things Tours for my physical copy of the book and a spot on the tour

Blurb 

Jess and Matt had been dating happily for almost a year, their love blossoming and deepening with each passing day. Matt, unaware of Jess's mother's illness, was on the verge of confessing his love when Jess abruptly ended their relationship. She had been pulling away for weeks, consumed by the weight of her responsibilities and the fear that she couldn't care for her mother properly while still holding on to happiness with Matt. Heartbroken and confused, Matt watched helplessly as Jess walked away, equally devastated by the impossible choice she felt she had to make.

In the wake of her mother's death, Jess finds herself utterly alone - with only Tiger, her loyal cat, as her one constant companion. As her world narrows to the quiet ache of grief, it's Tiger who brings her moments of comfort in the silence.

When another unexpected loss strikes, Jess is once again thrown into turmoil. To survive this time, she must confront not only her fears - but also the truth about Louise. Can she find the strength to rebuild her life again? To let love back in? And to finally lay her mother's memory to rest?

My Thoughts 

From its opening pages, the story offers a raw and deeply affecting portrayal of grief, resilience, and the slow, uneven journey toward healing.

At the heart of the narrative is Jess, a character whose emotional journey feels strikingly authentic. Having endured two profound losses, she attempts to continue living as though the world but grief consumes her.  Maintaining friendships, work responsibilities, home life, and a romantic relationship are all tested. 

The novel captures the dissonance between external expectations and internal collapse with sensitivity and realism. Jess’s grief does not present itself as a single emotional state, but rather as something tangled and invasive, affecting both her physical and mental wellbeing. Her withdrawal, exhaustion, and inability to hold everything together feel painfully believable, making her journey both difficult and compelling to witness.

One of the book’s greatest strengths lies in its pacing. Rather than rushing Jess toward recovery or resolution, the author allows events and emotional developments to unfold gradually. This deliberate rhythm mirrors real-life healing, which rarely occurs in neat, dramatic breakthroughs. Instead, the story honours the quiet, incremental moments of change — the tentative steps toward support, understanding, and reconnection.

The novel weaves themes of love and loss with remarkable care. Relationships are not portrayed as simple solutions to grief, but as spaces where vulnerability, patience, and growth coexist. The emotional weight of the story is balanced by an undercurrent of hope, rooted in the idea that strength often emerges not from independence, but from the willingness to accept support. Particularly touching is the emphasis on community — both human and animal — and the ways in which companionship, in all its forms, can offer comfort when words fall short.

Another thoughtful element is the inclusion of well-placed trigger warnings. Their presence demonstrates a gentle awareness of the reader’s emotional experience, allowing space for pauses and reflection without detracting from the narrative itself. It is a small but meaningful gesture that underscores the compassion evident throughout the storytelling.

Ultimately, this is a novel that does not shy away from the devastation of loss, yet it also refuses to abandon the possibility of healing. It is tender, reflective, and emotionally resonant — a story that invites readers not only to witness grief, but to understand the quiet courage required to live alongside it.

For readers who appreciate character-driven stories that explore emotional complexity with honesty and care, this is a deeply rewarding and memorable read.