I had a hard time getting into this book. I was surprised to find it was written by a woman. There was a lot of “bro” vibes to the story and I think that’s part of the reason it wasn’t for me. I do think there is a demographic for this book so I would still recommend it.

A general fiction tale, The Untended (2025) by Mattea Kramer has an all too human protagonist. Casch Abbey is a single mother of Dean, aged eight and Molly ten, who live in Greenfield, a small-town in New England. Casch works as a waitress and enjoys boxing as an exercise. Her life undergoes major changes when she meets Topher and begins a relationship. When her foot is crushed by a car, Casch is unable to work, loses her job, becomes dependent on pain medication and struggles for survival. A story of one woman striving to overcome adversity is a somewhat grim and disappointing tale, with a two and a half stars read rating. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own, freely given and without any inducement. With thanks to She Writes Press and the author, for an uncorrected advanced review copy for review purposes.

addiction isnt about having fun times with drugs. its not a want. its not something that creates a euphoria then its over, we all go home. no, addiction is horrific. and it spirals and winds its way through the sufferers mind. and i say sufferer because that is what they are. we stigmatize and belittle those who have this illness. but there is so much underneath that leads them to even taking and then becoming addiction. and those things need to be addressed before the usage of drugs to cope doesnt need to be an option anymore.
this book tells how quickly it can spiral. and how choices you see made in addiction can be horrific to watch and horrific to be part of that ripple effect. i feel for all involved.
this book is great at telling how one thing can go to another. especially if in this case the drug is definitely going to create that spiral. plus this mother is a hard working and dedicated mother but times are really really tough for her. She definitely cant afford a drug addiction not that anyone could really.so when things go wrong it adds another layer of guilt and shame to her and so the cycle continues.
i thought the subjects were handled really well in this story. its a tough one, and perhaps too tough for some who it might feel to close to home. but its not done insensitively.

This book never indicated what time period it was set in, but it feels like a relic of the past. After all, they planted weed illegally in Vermont, which isn’t a thing anymore.

Aside from that, it tells the tale of one single mother, who is struggling to afford everything. Then, a car ran over her foot, and her doctor prescribed opiates. Sadly, this led her down a very dark path of addiction. Can she break her destructive patterns before her children are taken away forever? Read the book to find out!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free ARC. This review contains my honest, unbiased opinion.

Thank you She Writes Press and NetGalley for an E-ARC of The Untended by Mattea Kramer in exchange for an honest review.

The story opens with a character we come to appreciate from her dedication as a hardworking mother, Casch. We see our main character encounter addiction, abuse, mental illness, trauma, and the toll she takes to nurture her children. The decisions Casch makes to get the next high in order to remain happy reveal how addiction doesn’t affect the victim alone, but their family and friends. I found it important when this aspect was demonstrated through her job, passion, relationship, great friends, and even her drug dealers.

The book is told through three points of view, and I couldn’t understand the importance of reading through our side character, Russ. His part of the story only confessed his past abuse toward another character and admitted to his personal trauma. These attributed little to the story for me, and I couldn’t empathize with Russ. His abrupt ending made me feel both relieved from reading more about him. I think Russ was only purposeful to one altercation between the main character and him to build tension, but that’s not enough for the plot in this story. I would have preferred if the story remained with Casch and Topher’s perspectives.

I enjoyed reading the dynamic between Casch and Topher, her new boyfriend, because it provided hope for Casch despite her stubbornness and growing addiction. Throughout the three characters, I appreciated reading about their regrets to display how even in our worst times we are still human.

3.5 ⭐️

Enjoyed this book. Loved the characters espescially Casch. Dealing with hard issues , drug addiction and mental illness. Please check tw's. Thank you to Netgalley and She Writes Press for ARC.

The Untended reads like a walk through a memory-laced meadow—untamed, overgrown, and breathtaking in its rawness. Mattea Kramer has a way of writing that doesn’t just tell a story—it unearths it, gently, painfully, beautifully. Her prose is soft-spoken but hits like truth, the kind you didn’t know you were waiting to hear.

This book is about what we leave behind when we’re trying to survive, and what we find when we finally stop running. It’s about grief, yes—but also about inheritance, silence, and the quiet strength that grows in wild places. Kramer invites the reader to sit in the discomfort, to honor the mess, to tend what has long been neglected—both in the world and in ourselves.

There’s a tenderness in the storytelling that feels almost sacred. The characters don’t demand your attention; they earn it with honesty, with ache, with resilience that doesn’t shout but stands tall anyway.

The Untended is a book for anyone who’s ever felt unraveled and is ready to stitch something whole from the fray.

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future.

The Untended
This will hit close to home for many as it winds through the struggles of making ends meet, single parenting, trauma, addiction & abuse. I thought that the character development was great and the pace/tension kept me reading on!

On a deeper note even though this is fiction it paints a very real picture of just how quickly things can spiral with addiction. Prescription or not.
Thank you to net galley and she writes press for this arc!

I really enjoyed this book because it is a book that will hit home for so many. Drug addiction and mental illness is something all too real for a lot of people today, and when they come across books like this, whether still in the midst of addiction and it's problems, or sober and recovering...it helps to know you're not alone..Books like this can save lives, and get people well, or help them stay in the right lane..
I really loved this novel.

Mattea Kramer's The Untended is a poignant and immersive novel that delves into the complexities of human resilience, addiction, and the pursuit of the American Dream. Set in a small New England town, the story follows Casch, a young woman grappling with personal demons, and Topher, a man seeking solace in nature. Their intertwined journeys offer readers a raw and authentic portrayal of struggle and hope.

Kramer's narrative is both imaginative and critical, providing a lucid examination of American individualism. The characters are richly developed, with Casch's complexity drawing readers into her world, making her both relatable and compelling. The novel's exploration of addiction is handled with sensitivity, offering insight into the challenges faced by those affected.

The author's evocative prose paints a vivid picture of the setting, transporting readers to the heart of New England's rugged beauty. While the novel's structure may initially seem disjointed, with shifts in perspective that some readers might find jarring, these transitions ultimately enrich the story, providing depth and multiple viewpoints that enhance the overall narrative.

Overall, The Untended is an intense and crisply told story of resilience, capturing the emotional and financial struggles of its characters as they navigate a world fraught with challenges. Kramer's ability to intertwine personal stories with broader societal critiques makes this novel a standout in contemporary literature. It's a must-read for those seeking a heartfelt and thought-provoking experience.

The Untended is an emotionally character driven story. The book is short and medium paced, but the character development is strong. The characters are struggling with addiction, anxiety, and more. Trigger warning for readers: addiction, mental health. The flaws of the characters are a main focus in this story. The plot does seem topsy-turvy at times, but overall I think this story is worth the read.

The Untended by Mattea Kramer is a short but emotional novel about the struggles of addiction and cycles of abuse. Casch is a single mother with little support who is trying to better herself when she breaks her foot and becomes hooked on a highly addictive pain medication. Topher is a military veteran turned marijuana grower, who falls in love with her drive. Together they form a bond in the midst of Casch’s struggles with motherhood, addiction, and a somewhat broken family.

The pacing of this novel can take some getting used to as it begins by flashing through scenes at a quick rate, and sometimes reads a bit like a fever dream with how days and weeks seem to slip by. However, it is a bit poetic as Casch also seems to slip through time, losing track of herself as her addiction takes hold. The novel really goes to show how quickly things can spiral out of control, and it captures the emotions and chaos of Casch’s addiction beautifully. Topher also has his own struggles as a veteran, and there are some deep scenes where he reflects on how war affected him. The characters feel real and imperfect.

There is also a third viewpoint from the perspective of Casch’s abusive stepfather Russ, although I am not entirely sure on the purpose of this subplot. I kind of wish this had been a bit more in depth as it was getting somewhere but felt a bit incomplete. Maybe a bit of closure from his perspective could have helped.

This book can easily be read in a single setting and anyone who enjoys an emotional roller coaster, and is prepared to read about addiction and implied abuse, will not regret picking it up.

3.5 stars
A fantastic example of great character and development. I really enjoyed Casch as a character, she was complex and diverse and felt real. I did struggle with the writing, at some points it felt overwritten or a little confusing, especially the over describing of the sex scenes. Apart from this, I do think this book was a good example of addiction and all the dangers. An entertaining short read.