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Nowhere Like Home
#1 New York Times bestselling author of Pretty Little Liars Sara Shepard's next adult novel follows a group of mothers living in a mysterious “mommune,” each of whom is running from something
When Lenna gets a call from her old friend Rhiannon, she is startled; Rhiannon disappeared years ago without a trace. But Lenna is even more startled to learn that Rhiannon has a son and that she lives off the grid with a group of women in a community called Halcyon. Rhiannon invites Lenna, a new mother herself, to join them. Why suffer the sleepless nights by yourself? It takes a village, after all.
Lenna decides to go and hopefully repair her relationship with Rhiannon, but as she drives into the desert and her cell service gets weaker, she becomes suspicious. Who are these women and why did Rhiannon invite her here? And that is before she learns about the community's rules (no outside phone calls, no questions about people’s pasts) and the padlock on the gate that leads out to the main road. But Lenna has other concerns, secrets from her past she is terrified will come out. When a newcomer arrives in the community, Lenna’s worst fears are confirmed—she was brought here for a reason.
Nowhere Like Home tackles themes of complicated friendships and trauma but all with Sara Shepard’s expert twists that you don’t see coming.
When Lenna gets a call from her old friend Rhiannon, she is startled; Rhiannon disappeared years ago without a trace. But Lenna is even more startled to learn that Rhiannon has a son and that she lives off the grid with a group of women in a community called Halcyon. Rhiannon invites Lenna, a new mother herself, to join them. Why suffer the sleepless nights by yourself? It takes a village, after all.
Lenna decides to go and hopefully repair her relationship with Rhiannon, but as she drives into the desert and her cell service gets weaker, she becomes suspicious. Who are these women and why did Rhiannon invite her here? And that is before she learns about the community's rules (no outside phone calls, no questions about people’s pasts) and the padlock on the gate that leads out to the main road. But Lenna has other concerns, secrets from her past she is terrified will come out. When a newcomer arrives in the community, Lenna’s worst fears are confirmed—she was brought here for a reason.
Nowhere Like Home tackles themes of complicated friendships and trauma but all with Sara Shepard’s expert twists that you don’t see coming.
384 pages, Paperback
First published February 20, 2024
88 people are currently reading
11045 people want to read
About the author
Sara Shepard
128 books14.8k followersSara Shepard graduated from NYU and has an MFA from Brooklyn College. She has lived in New York City, Brooklyn, Tucson, Arizona, Philadelphia, and now lives in Pittsburgh, PA. Sara's Pretty Little Liars novels were inspired by her upbringing in Philadelphia's Main Line.
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February 9, 2024
Difficult pasts and unhealthy friendships are featured in Sara Shepard’s
Nowhere Like Home
. This psychological drama and crime novel features several women and is presented from the perspective of four of them. Lenna Schmidt is the main character. She is surprised when she gets a call from an old friend, Rhiannon Cook. Rhiannon had disappeared a few years ago and now has a son. After meeting her, Lenna learns she is living in rural Arizona with a group of women and children in a community called Halcyon Farm. They’re mostly off-the-grid and Lenna is invited to visit.
Lenna’s five-month-old son Jacob cries constantly and her husband Daniel doesn’t seem to help. Maybe getting away for a few days and repairing her friendship with Rhiannon is what she needs. Upon arrival, Lenna learns that the community has rules about outside phone calls and asking questions about the women’s pasts. Additionally, the gate is padlocked and only the leader knows the codes.
Lenna believes in omens, is unsure of herself, craves feeling needed, experiences anxiety, hates being out of control, and feels uncomfortable initiating conversations. Rhiannon desires a community of some sort, not a romantic partner. She can also be manipulative and has secrets, but so does Lenna. The other characters are also well developed. It was great to see Lenna mature and grow more dynamic as the story progresses. Through the perspectives of Lenna and Rhiannon, as well as two other women, Gillian and Sarah, readers see how each views the others and their relationships. This added depth and complexity to the characters.
The story imbues in the reader a feeling of deep anxiety for Lenna as she tries to make sense of the circumstances she finds herself in. However, I kept wanting her to be stronger and take control of her life. The book has a deeply involved plot and good character development along with a remote desert setting. However, the writing style used is not my favorite. There are continual flashbacks to two years ago and this adversely affected the pacing. Additionally, while most items are successfully concluded, there is one thing that was not fully resolved. I wanted full closure on that item. Themes include friendship, family, relationships, social anxiety, lies, secrets, support, and much more.
Overall, this is thought-provoking with complex characters and plenty of angst and suspense along with a couple of action scenes. It kept me guessing what would happen next throughout the novel. The book has a great premise and has some unusual twists.
PENGUIN GROUP Dutton and Sara Shepard provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for February 20, 2023. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
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My 3.23 rounded to 3 stars review is coming soon.
Lenna’s five-month-old son Jacob cries constantly and her husband Daniel doesn’t seem to help. Maybe getting away for a few days and repairing her friendship with Rhiannon is what she needs. Upon arrival, Lenna learns that the community has rules about outside phone calls and asking questions about the women’s pasts. Additionally, the gate is padlocked and only the leader knows the codes.
Lenna believes in omens, is unsure of herself, craves feeling needed, experiences anxiety, hates being out of control, and feels uncomfortable initiating conversations. Rhiannon desires a community of some sort, not a romantic partner. She can also be manipulative and has secrets, but so does Lenna. The other characters are also well developed. It was great to see Lenna mature and grow more dynamic as the story progresses. Through the perspectives of Lenna and Rhiannon, as well as two other women, Gillian and Sarah, readers see how each views the others and their relationships. This added depth and complexity to the characters.
The story imbues in the reader a feeling of deep anxiety for Lenna as she tries to make sense of the circumstances she finds herself in. However, I kept wanting her to be stronger and take control of her life. The book has a deeply involved plot and good character development along with a remote desert setting. However, the writing style used is not my favorite. There are continual flashbacks to two years ago and this adversely affected the pacing. Additionally, while most items are successfully concluded, there is one thing that was not fully resolved. I wanted full closure on that item. Themes include friendship, family, relationships, social anxiety, lies, secrets, support, and much more.
Overall, this is thought-provoking with complex characters and plenty of angst and suspense along with a couple of action scenes. It kept me guessing what would happen next throughout the novel. The book has a great premise and has some unusual twists.
PENGUIN GROUP Dutton and Sara Shepard provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for February 20, 2023. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
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My 3.23 rounded to 3 stars review is coming soon.
February 21, 2024
As I delved into this new literary journey crafted by the brilliant author renowned for the highly celebrated "Pretty Little Liars" series, I encountered a flurry of mixed reviews. However, I decided not to be swayed by them, for there are moments when I relish being the voice of dissent amidst the clamor of anticipation surrounding popular reads. I clung to my optimism, determined to explore every facet of the narrative, even as I grappled with moments of repetition that seemed to stretch the pacing, like filler chapters preluding the grand crescendo. My experience with this wild ride was not as exhilarating as I had anticipated, as my expectations soared high. But before I delve into the details of my musings, let's explore the elements I found commendable in the author's creative performance. Here are my pros:
Intriguing Cult Premise: The concept of a commune known as the "mommune," comprising women who are both mothers and prospective mothers, never ceases to fascinate. It lays the foundation for a unique and engrossing backdrop.
Multi-Perspective Narrative: The author effectively employs multiple characters and varying perspectives, coupled with a well-structured timeline that navigates between past and present. This narrative technique enriches the story's depth and complexity.
Clever Final Twist: The final twist, undoubtedly, was a testament to the author's clever storytelling. It added an element of surprise and intrigue to the tale. However, its impact wasn't substantial enough to warrant a higher rating, though I wished it were otherwise.
However, let us also address the aspects that did not resonate with me:
Difficulty Connecting with Characters: Despite my best efforts, I struggled to form a meaningful connection with Lenna, the central character, or any of the supporting cast. This emotional disconnect hindered my immersion into the story.
Incongruous Dialogue: The dialogues among the characters felt more fitting for a younger demographic, possibly teenagers, rather than adults. Had the narrative focused on young mothers, this stylistic choice might have found a more suitable context.
These reservations had a notable impact on my reading experience, causing the story to drag at times and delaying my journey towards the conclusion.
Now, let me provide a concise overview of the plot:
Lenna, who had severed ties with her friend Rhiannon two years prior, owing to her own marital and maternal challenges, decides to rekindle their friendship when Rhiannon reaches out. Intrigued by Rhiannon's description of the "mommune," a community of mothers offering mutual support, Lenna embarks on a journey to see life from her friend's perspective. However, as she approaches the commune, she realizes that there is no phone reception, and access is restricted by a padlocked gate. Gradually, she begins to suspect that Rhiannon may harbor ulterior motives for bringing her here. Lenna soon discovers that she is not the only one burdened with long-held secrets, and some of these secrets may drive individuals to protect them at any cost, even if it means jeopardizing her life.
In conclusion, while my enjoyment of this book was not as high as I had initially hoped, I acknowledge its merits and commendable aspects. Sometimes, heightened expectations can influence one's perception. Regardless, I remain an ardent fan of the author and eagerly anticipate her future literary endeavors.
I extend my heartfelt gratitude to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Dutton for the opportunity to explore this digital reviewer copy in exchange for my candid and honest reflections.
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Intriguing Cult Premise: The concept of a commune known as the "mommune," comprising women who are both mothers and prospective mothers, never ceases to fascinate. It lays the foundation for a unique and engrossing backdrop.
Multi-Perspective Narrative: The author effectively employs multiple characters and varying perspectives, coupled with a well-structured timeline that navigates between past and present. This narrative technique enriches the story's depth and complexity.
Clever Final Twist: The final twist, undoubtedly, was a testament to the author's clever storytelling. It added an element of surprise and intrigue to the tale. However, its impact wasn't substantial enough to warrant a higher rating, though I wished it were otherwise.
However, let us also address the aspects that did not resonate with me:
Difficulty Connecting with Characters: Despite my best efforts, I struggled to form a meaningful connection with Lenna, the central character, or any of the supporting cast. This emotional disconnect hindered my immersion into the story.
Incongruous Dialogue: The dialogues among the characters felt more fitting for a younger demographic, possibly teenagers, rather than adults. Had the narrative focused on young mothers, this stylistic choice might have found a more suitable context.
These reservations had a notable impact on my reading experience, causing the story to drag at times and delaying my journey towards the conclusion.
Now, let me provide a concise overview of the plot:
Lenna, who had severed ties with her friend Rhiannon two years prior, owing to her own marital and maternal challenges, decides to rekindle their friendship when Rhiannon reaches out. Intrigued by Rhiannon's description of the "mommune," a community of mothers offering mutual support, Lenna embarks on a journey to see life from her friend's perspective. However, as she approaches the commune, she realizes that there is no phone reception, and access is restricted by a padlocked gate. Gradually, she begins to suspect that Rhiannon may harbor ulterior motives for bringing her here. Lenna soon discovers that she is not the only one burdened with long-held secrets, and some of these secrets may drive individuals to protect them at any cost, even if it means jeopardizing her life.
In conclusion, while my enjoyment of this book was not as high as I had initially hoped, I acknowledge its merits and commendable aspects. Sometimes, heightened expectations can influence one's perception. Regardless, I remain an ardent fan of the author and eagerly anticipate her future literary endeavors.
I extend my heartfelt gratitude to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Dutton for the opportunity to explore this digital reviewer copy in exchange for my candid and honest reflections.
medium.com
May 2, 2024
Lenna has always had a mild case of social anxiety, but, after the death of her mother, her panic hits record heights. For this reason, she’s pleasantly surprised when she meets and quickly becomes friends with a woman she meets by happenstance one day. Rhiannon is the kind of woman others flock to, after all, so what is it that she sees in Lenna with all of her strange ticks and anxiety-induced habits? Despite this, however, the two become closer than close—until one day when her new best friend just up and disappears.
Just over two years later, Lenna is rather surprised to get a call from Rhiannon out of the blue. Apparently, her old friend now has a son and is living in an all-female community called Halcyon in the middle of nowhere. Reuniting over coffee, Rhiannon extends an invitation to Lenna. Struggling after the birth of her son and hoping to repair their fractured friendship, Lenna takes her up on her olive branch of an offer. Besides, perhaps being surrounded by other like-minded women will help with her near sleepless nights and her son’s constant crying.
Arriving at the GPS coordinates given to her by Rhiannon, however, Lenna grows more and more apprehensive. At the same time, though, she has things she needs to say to Rhiannon and forgiveness to seek. But that’s before she hears the “mommunes” rules, which run the gamut from not asking about the members’ pasts and a strict no phone call rule with any and all men. Even worse, it seems there’s little to no cell service and a barbed wire fence with a firmly locked gate. That’s not all Lenna has to worry about either. She has secrets that she’s been hiding for years. Secrets she doesn’t want to get out.
As the hours pass, Lenna starts to question why Rhiannon brought her out into the barren landscape of Halcyon. Does she truly want to fix their friendship after their tumultuous ending? Or does she have a more manipulative reason? With the arrival of a new woman, however, it seems some of Lenna’s questions have been answered. She fears there’s a darker, more sinister scheme in play—and the only way to get home is through a firmly locked gate. Miles from civilization, is Lenna now in even more trouble than her nightmares foretold?
Phew! Starting off with a bang, Nowhere Like Home took me into the difficult experience of new motherhood, the dubious world of a commune, and the sometimes perilous adventure of female friendships. From its well-done suspenseful start to its adrenaline-fueled climax, I was quite simply spellbound by the pages. That’s not to say there weren’t a few hiccups, of course, but I’ll get around to all of that in a bit.
The characters themselves were all deliciously enigmatic and hard to lock down. Centering primarily around Lenna, her deftly rendered persona drew me in deep as did her flaws. Suffering from social anxiety and OCD, her behavior felt mostly genuine albeit hard to take at times given the poor common sense she often displayed. The rest of the cast were alluring as well, even if they were much more shallowly described.
The plot had definite pluses as well as a few minor flaws. Told in three parts via a collection of dual timelines and multiple POVs, the storyline unfolded naturally in a well-plotted manner. For a good two-thirds of the book, in fact, I was captivated by the multitude of secrets and lies that rippled just below the surface. As answers started to bubble up, however, the plot took a turn into the absurd and, with the start of the climax, it felt decidedly over-the-top, requiring a definite need to suspend all disbelief.
Despite the rather disappointing turn of events, however, I still found myself racing through the pages, eager to learn the who’s, the what’s, and the why’s. Perhaps it’s for that reason that the ending just didn’t work for me as well as I’d hoped, even if I happily didn’t guess what happened to transpire. Leaving everything somewhat open ended, the conclusion lacked any neat, tiny, little bows to wrap up the plot. And, IYKYK, but that’s a definite pet peeve of mine.
In the end, though, Nowhere Like Home swept me up in its addictive premise hook, line, and sinker. A crazy, wild rollercoaster ride of suspense, this plot is nothing if not fast-paced and steeped in foreboding. In all honesty, I can never refuse a book promising potential cults or toxic friendships. While it went in a somewhat different direction than I initially anticipated, I still enjoyed each and every word. After all, with dark secrets, well-hidden lies, evil betrayals, and a hefty dose of sinister schemes, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed if you give this one a try. Rating of 4 stars.
Thank you to Sara Shepard and Dutton Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: February 20, 2024
Trigger warning: OCD, anxiety, gaslighting, stalking, kidnapping, mention of: sexual assault, fertility treatments, teenage pregnancy
Just over two years later, Lenna is rather surprised to get a call from Rhiannon out of the blue. Apparently, her old friend now has a son and is living in an all-female community called Halcyon in the middle of nowhere. Reuniting over coffee, Rhiannon extends an invitation to Lenna. Struggling after the birth of her son and hoping to repair their fractured friendship, Lenna takes her up on her olive branch of an offer. Besides, perhaps being surrounded by other like-minded women will help with her near sleepless nights and her son’s constant crying.
Arriving at the GPS coordinates given to her by Rhiannon, however, Lenna grows more and more apprehensive. At the same time, though, she has things she needs to say to Rhiannon and forgiveness to seek. But that’s before she hears the “mommunes” rules, which run the gamut from not asking about the members’ pasts and a strict no phone call rule with any and all men. Even worse, it seems there’s little to no cell service and a barbed wire fence with a firmly locked gate. That’s not all Lenna has to worry about either. She has secrets that she’s been hiding for years. Secrets she doesn’t want to get out.
As the hours pass, Lenna starts to question why Rhiannon brought her out into the barren landscape of Halcyon. Does she truly want to fix their friendship after their tumultuous ending? Or does she have a more manipulative reason? With the arrival of a new woman, however, it seems some of Lenna’s questions have been answered. She fears there’s a darker, more sinister scheme in play—and the only way to get home is through a firmly locked gate. Miles from civilization, is Lenna now in even more trouble than her nightmares foretold?
Phew! Starting off with a bang, Nowhere Like Home took me into the difficult experience of new motherhood, the dubious world of a commune, and the sometimes perilous adventure of female friendships. From its well-done suspenseful start to its adrenaline-fueled climax, I was quite simply spellbound by the pages. That’s not to say there weren’t a few hiccups, of course, but I’ll get around to all of that in a bit.
The characters themselves were all deliciously enigmatic and hard to lock down. Centering primarily around Lenna, her deftly rendered persona drew me in deep as did her flaws. Suffering from social anxiety and OCD, her behavior felt mostly genuine albeit hard to take at times given the poor common sense she often displayed. The rest of the cast were alluring as well, even if they were much more shallowly described.
The plot had definite pluses as well as a few minor flaws. Told in three parts via a collection of dual timelines and multiple POVs, the storyline unfolded naturally in a well-plotted manner. For a good two-thirds of the book, in fact, I was captivated by the multitude of secrets and lies that rippled just below the surface. As answers started to bubble up, however, the plot took a turn into the absurd and, with the start of the climax, it felt decidedly over-the-top, requiring a definite need to suspend all disbelief.
Despite the rather disappointing turn of events, however, I still found myself racing through the pages, eager to learn the who’s, the what’s, and the why’s. Perhaps it’s for that reason that the ending just didn’t work for me as well as I’d hoped, even if I happily didn’t guess what happened to transpire. Leaving everything somewhat open ended, the conclusion lacked any neat, tiny, little bows to wrap up the plot. And, IYKYK, but that’s a definite pet peeve of mine.
In the end, though, Nowhere Like Home swept me up in its addictive premise hook, line, and sinker. A crazy, wild rollercoaster ride of suspense, this plot is nothing if not fast-paced and steeped in foreboding. In all honesty, I can never refuse a book promising potential cults or toxic friendships. While it went in a somewhat different direction than I initially anticipated, I still enjoyed each and every word. After all, with dark secrets, well-hidden lies, evil betrayals, and a hefty dose of sinister schemes, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed if you give this one a try. Rating of 4 stars.
Thank you to Sara Shepard and Dutton Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: February 20, 2024
Trigger warning: OCD, anxiety, gaslighting, stalking, kidnapping, mention of: sexual assault, fertility treatments, teenage pregnancy
February 11, 2024
Years ago, I watched Pretty Little Liars and decided to give one of the author's other series a chance as a read. It went fine, but I wasn't convinced, so I chose this newest one to see if I'd want to read more. Overall, it was good... just didn't pull me in as much as the tv show of the other books did. I think watching a show first spoils the ability to go back and read a book. That said, the plot here was good, but I kept thinking along the path... go here.... make this happen.... what if this person is actually this other person... and so, it was the kind of books where I enjoyed some but couldn't stay deeply connected. Everything was fine, nothing bad or a turn-off. It was so vague and never really explained why people behaved the way they did, which meant the author was contriving more that creating. I did really like how we thought something was playing out in one scene but then you get the perspective of the other person chapters later and realize key things you were missing. All in all, readable and something to make you think a lot, just not one I'd rush out to grab.
April 23, 2024
Nowhere Like Home is an adult thriller novel from author Sara Shepard who is best known for the popular young adult Pretty Little Liars series. The story in Nowhere Like Home is one that changes timelines and is told from multiple points of view.
Lenna is new to motherhood and of course like most a bit overwhelmed by it all. Out of the blue Lenna receives a phone call from her old friend Rhiannon who she hasn’t spoken to in two years. Rhiannon is also mother now and is staying in a remote women’s only community called Halcyon.
Lenna is hesitant when Rhiannon invites her to come stay with them at Halcyon but what better time to repair their friendship but no sooner than she arrives Lenna becomes suspicious of the many rules of the community and being cut off from the outside world when Lenna herself has her own secrets she’d also like to protect.
Nowhere Like Home is actually my first read from author Sara Shepard so I didn’t quite know what to expect going into this one but was certainly curious since she written books that became such a highly popular series. For me the whole cult like type of setting isn’t exactly my favorite and of course everything there was what you’d expect with being cut off so that didn’t exactly stand out until further on. The ending was also one that you may need to suspend disbelief but certainly picked up the pace and action a bit more. Overall I’d say this one landed in at a solid three stars, not my favorite but an alright read in the end.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Lenna is new to motherhood and of course like most a bit overwhelmed by it all. Out of the blue Lenna receives a phone call from her old friend Rhiannon who she hasn’t spoken to in two years. Rhiannon is also mother now and is staying in a remote women’s only community called Halcyon.
Lenna is hesitant when Rhiannon invites her to come stay with them at Halcyon but what better time to repair their friendship but no sooner than she arrives Lenna becomes suspicious of the many rules of the community and being cut off from the outside world when Lenna herself has her own secrets she’d also like to protect.
Nowhere Like Home is actually my first read from author Sara Shepard so I didn’t quite know what to expect going into this one but was certainly curious since she written books that became such a highly popular series. For me the whole cult like type of setting isn’t exactly my favorite and of course everything there was what you’d expect with being cut off so that didn’t exactly stand out until further on. The ending was also one that you may need to suspend disbelief but certainly picked up the pace and action a bit more. Overall I’d say this one landed in at a solid three stars, not my favorite but an alright read in the end.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
November 15, 2023
Such a wild ride of thrilling suspense and mysterious events.
Lenna is married to Daniel and they just had their first child who is crying non-stop making her anxious and more suspicious about her friends from the past.
Gillian suffers from social anxiety and appears to be quite obsessed with Lenna.
Rhiannon was great friends with Lenna but she disappeared and now 2 years later reappears offering Lenna an escape to get away or take a break from her life at this women's community in the Arizona desert.
Hold on for this wild ride of events that happen in the desert making you truly wonder who's who, who's real, crazy or what's going to happen.
Lenna is married to Daniel and they just had their first child who is crying non-stop making her anxious and more suspicious about her friends from the past.
Gillian suffers from social anxiety and appears to be quite obsessed with Lenna.
Rhiannon was great friends with Lenna but she disappeared and now 2 years later reappears offering Lenna an escape to get away or take a break from her life at this women's community in the Arizona desert.
Hold on for this wild ride of events that happen in the desert making you truly wonder who's who, who's real, crazy or what's going to happen.
January 26, 2024
I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Nowhere Like Home was interesting. In it, you will meet Lenna who is an okay character. A little too easy to persuade and maybe a little gullible. Then again, people will sometimes do anything to find their person or to be well-liked. It also doesn't hurt that she's going through a sort of depression after having her baby and seeing her husband being a little distant at the same time. So, she did what any normal new mother would do - she leaves and goes to a community filled with other women hoping to find some inner peace and learn how to become a better mom.
Which, sure, sounds great and all but ever since she stepped a single toe in this place, I've been highly suspicious. Between the past and the present point of views, things weren't always adding up and just confused me endlessly. I had so many questions forming and was eager to get a glimpse at any sort of answer along the way.
Eventually clues and reveals came my way. I'll admit that I didn't expect one of the twists but then again, it made sense in a weird way. It's hard to explain at the moment but I'm sure other people might mention it once they read it.
In the end, I'm happy that I got the chance to dive into this. It's just a little sad that I'm not even sure how I feel after reading the last page. Might have to simmer some more on this.
Nowhere Like Home was interesting. In it, you will meet Lenna who is an okay character. A little too easy to persuade and maybe a little gullible. Then again, people will sometimes do anything to find their person or to be well-liked. It also doesn't hurt that she's going through a sort of depression after having her baby and seeing her husband being a little distant at the same time. So, she did what any normal new mother would do - she leaves and goes to a community filled with other women hoping to find some inner peace and learn how to become a better mom.
Which, sure, sounds great and all but ever since she stepped a single toe in this place, I've been highly suspicious. Between the past and the present point of views, things weren't always adding up and just confused me endlessly. I had so many questions forming and was eager to get a glimpse at any sort of answer along the way.
Eventually clues and reveals came my way. I'll admit that I didn't expect one of the twists but then again, it made sense in a weird way. It's hard to explain at the moment but I'm sure other people might mention it once they read it.
In the end, I'm happy that I got the chance to dive into this. It's just a little sad that I'm not even sure how I feel after reading the last page. Might have to simmer some more on this.
February 22, 2024
Friends, enemies, betrayals, and secrets is how we meet Lenna, Rhiannon, Gillian, and women in a woman’s compound that lives off the grid.
I didn’t like the thoughts of this compound from the start and wondered why Rhiannon came back into Lenna’s life and talked her into giving the remote commune a try.
Lenna left her husband early in the morning and took their baby without telingl him where she was going. Once Lenna contacted her husband Daniel, he was furious and didn’t understand why Lenna did this.
If he knew what Lenna had done before they met and never told him, he would be more furious.
We follow all the characters and try to figure out what is going on. It is a bit confusing and mysterious until the book gets going and things become clearer.
You won't be able to put the book down as things get intense and secrets are found out.
Don't give up too soon….it is a wild ending. 4/5
Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
I didn’t like the thoughts of this compound from the start and wondered why Rhiannon came back into Lenna’s life and talked her into giving the remote commune a try.
Lenna left her husband early in the morning and took their baby without telingl him where she was going. Once Lenna contacted her husband Daniel, he was furious and didn’t understand why Lenna did this.
If he knew what Lenna had done before they met and never told him, he would be more furious.
We follow all the characters and try to figure out what is going on. It is a bit confusing and mysterious until the book gets going and things become clearer.
You won't be able to put the book down as things get intense and secrets are found out.
Don't give up too soon….it is a wild ending. 4/5
Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
February 28, 2025
Interesting in that all of the potential “bad guys” are women.
A perk into the life of friendships that are almost obsessions.
Definitely several twists as to how the mystery will unravel.
Clean fiction with no diversity checklist bingo.
OF NOTE:
- A handful of f-bombs.
- Desiree Reads
The Bookish Birder
February 25, 2025
See more book recommendations at:
https://bookshop.org/shop/TheBookishB...
A perk into the life of friendships that are almost obsessions.
Definitely several twists as to how the mystery will unravel.
Clean fiction with no diversity checklist bingo.
OF NOTE:
- A handful of f-bombs.
- Desiree Reads
The Bookish Birder
February 25, 2025
See more book recommendations at:
https://bookshop.org/shop/TheBookishB...
October 14, 2023
I’m normally drawn to books about cults, communes and motherhood. I thought this book seemed like a good fit. The problem is the book is really focused on what happened to these girls previous to motherhood. It’s about bad roommates. Crazy jealous friends. Complicated friendships. I think this would be more appealing to a young audience. I just couldn’t get interested in these 20 something’s fighting over who can be best friends. I wanted to say can’t we all get along and go to brunch. Then this really traumatic event happens when they fight over a text. Suddenly the main character has amnesia and isn’t sure what’s happened. At this point I was over this book and DNF at 50%.
Thank you netgalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you netgalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
November 15, 2023
Shepard never disappoints! I ended up reading this twisty story late into the night because I couldn’t wait to see what happened. The story centers primarily on Lenna, who is navigating friendships with both Rhiannon and Gillian, both who have their own issues. A couple years after we meet Lenna, Rhiannon reappears from parts unknown and convinces her to join this off the grid community; Lenna could never say no to Rhiannon so she goes and realizes there is more at play then she suspected.
There is a lot of talk in this book about social anxiety, though I never really thought that Lenna showed up that way. That being said, there were definitely some unhealthy codependencies in her relationships. I found many of the characters to be likable and all of them to be believable. The book moves at a fast clip and I enjoyed the back and forth between current time and 2 years ago. The end was a surprise even when I thought I had it all figured out. It made me a little sad but it was well done.
Overall, this was another winner from this author and I challenge you to try to put it down once you get started! Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
There is a lot of talk in this book about social anxiety, though I never really thought that Lenna showed up that way. That being said, there were definitely some unhealthy codependencies in her relationships. I found many of the characters to be likable and all of them to be believable. The book moves at a fast clip and I enjoyed the back and forth between current time and 2 years ago. The end was a surprise even when I thought I had it all figured out. It made me a little sad but it was well done.
Overall, this was another winner from this author and I challenge you to try to put it down once you get started! Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 16, 2024
This creepy thriller is perfect for all the former Pretty Little Liars girlies who are now in our twenties and thirties. It explores themes of obsession, motherhood and female friendship, and the twists really kept me guessing. The ending felt a bit sudden, which kept this from being a five-star read for me, but I still had a lot of fun reading it.
April 12, 2024
This story had so many different things happening and was all over the place but in a good way?? Everything came together and was so good! It had creepy moments for sure but thriller is a little strong I think. I’m surprised at the lower ratings I thought it was good!
March 23, 2024
Nowhere Like Home by Sara Shepard is all about that drama drama and gave me serious cult vibes. Told in 2 timelines, this slow burner didn't take me long to get into and held my attention the entire time. I loved Shepard's Pretty Little Liars series, but I have been really enjoying her adult novels as well, and this was a great little addition to her body of work. I wasn't a huge fan of any of the characters but that didn't stop me from being excited to see what would happen next, and I loved that we dug into their lives a decent amount. There were some great twists and turns in the second half of the book and things went from almost mundane to full throttle when we get to the very end.
I will shout from the rooftops that the audiobook is the way you should read this book, and Brittany Pressley killed it with her narration of all of the various viewpoints. She is one of my favorite narrators and even as the only narrator for multiple POVs, she is perfection. There is an obsession aspect to the story as well that gave me female friendship You vibes, and who needs anything else when you have friends like the ones in this book? Nowhere Like Home may have not been a 5-star read for me, but it was completely enjoyable, and if you like Shepard's other adult novels (like me), you should definitely like this!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I will shout from the rooftops that the audiobook is the way you should read this book, and Brittany Pressley killed it with her narration of all of the various viewpoints. She is one of my favorite narrators and even as the only narrator for multiple POVs, she is perfection. There is an obsession aspect to the story as well that gave me female friendship You vibes, and who needs anything else when you have friends like the ones in this book? Nowhere Like Home may have not been a 5-star read for me, but it was completely enjoyable, and if you like Shepard's other adult novels (like me), you should definitely like this!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
November 18, 2023
Give me any thriller or horror story about a commune and I’ll usually be down to read it. This turned out to be quite entertaining, despite following a few tired formulas.
Lenna met Rhiannon at H&M of all places, and they become quick friends. Like, weirdly quick friends. They form a very codependent relationship, with Rhiannon constantly jealous of anyone else being in Lenna’s life. Lenna, despite protest, becomes friends with Gillian, aka @gilliananxietybabe. As her user name suggests, Gillian has extreme social anxiety and is trying hard to make friends. She and Lenna start hanging out, and that’s when things fall apart with Rhiannon. The best friend Lenna’s ever had is gone over a simple friendship and a spat about a boy.
Two years later, Rhiannon returns to LA and invites Lenna to a community, Halcyon, in the deserts outside of Tucson. It’s a group of women living together, making a village to raise each other’s children, and living mostly off grid. Lenna leaves her husband Daniel with just a note and brings her infant son Jacob to the middle of nowhere for a much-needed break, and the chance to rekindle her old friendship.
The community, or “mommunity” as they call it, is full of interesting women, along with tons of kids and animals. We have:
Melissa, a community teacher and homeopath who just had a baby, and Naomi, her twin sister
Amy, who also helps as a teacher and does construction
Ann, who takes care of the animals and plants
Sarah, who is currently off getting IVF treatments
Marjorie, the woman who runs the community
Coral, the chef, and
Gia, a former socialite turned Halcyon’s bookkeeper
The rules, at first, are pretty normal: do your chores, be respectful, don’t use plastic or litter, oh and you CANNOT talk about anyone’s past. As her visit progresses, the women there keep trying to get Lenna to stay, but the rules become increasingly insane, and she just wants to go home to her husband. I must say, her character is quite naive, and a bit annoying. The ending was also missing something, but I still enjoyed this book! 3.5 stars, rounded up.
(Thank you to Penguin Group - Dutton, Sara Shepard and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on February 20, 2024.)
Lenna met Rhiannon at H&M of all places, and they become quick friends. Like, weirdly quick friends. They form a very codependent relationship, with Rhiannon constantly jealous of anyone else being in Lenna’s life. Lenna, despite protest, becomes friends with Gillian, aka @gilliananxietybabe. As her user name suggests, Gillian has extreme social anxiety and is trying hard to make friends. She and Lenna start hanging out, and that’s when things fall apart with Rhiannon. The best friend Lenna’s ever had is gone over a simple friendship and a spat about a boy.
Two years later, Rhiannon returns to LA and invites Lenna to a community, Halcyon, in the deserts outside of Tucson. It’s a group of women living together, making a village to raise each other’s children, and living mostly off grid. Lenna leaves her husband Daniel with just a note and brings her infant son Jacob to the middle of nowhere for a much-needed break, and the chance to rekindle her old friendship.
The community, or “mommunity” as they call it, is full of interesting women, along with tons of kids and animals. We have:
Melissa, a community teacher and homeopath who just had a baby, and Naomi, her twin sister
Amy, who also helps as a teacher and does construction
Ann, who takes care of the animals and plants
Sarah, who is currently off getting IVF treatments
Marjorie, the woman who runs the community
Coral, the chef, and
Gia, a former socialite turned Halcyon’s bookkeeper
The rules, at first, are pretty normal: do your chores, be respectful, don’t use plastic or litter, oh and you CANNOT talk about anyone’s past. As her visit progresses, the women there keep trying to get Lenna to stay, but the rules become increasingly insane, and she just wants to go home to her husband. I must say, her character is quite naive, and a bit annoying. The ending was also missing something, but I still enjoyed this book! 3.5 stars, rounded up.
(Thank you to Penguin Group - Dutton, Sara Shepard and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on February 20, 2024.)
September 22, 2023
I saw multiple bad reviews when I first requested them ARC, but I still decided to give it a chance. Readers, I should have listened to them.
I admit to being intrigued in the first half of the book, with its themes about female friendships and mental illness. But then it took a turn for the worse. This book read like a bad lifetime movie, and that’s being kind. I have read many a twisty thriller and they can and have been done well. I can’t say the same for this book
The characters were underdeveloped, the plot was contradictory, convoluted, and completely unbelievable, there were scenes that outright made no sense whatsoever, people argued and made dumb decisions instead of calling for help, there were too many words italicized for emphasis, and the villain explained their whole scheme to their captives (because that totally happens IRL and is my biggest pet peeve). I have read the author’s Pretty Little Liar series but did outgrow them after awhile, and it appears her writing style hasn’t matured either. This felt like an adult PLL book, in the worst way.
Also, did I miss what happened to the dog after the scene in the cave? If they didn’t save it then I’m giving this another negative 100 stars
I admit to being intrigued in the first half of the book, with its themes about female friendships and mental illness. But then it took a turn for the worse. This book read like a bad lifetime movie, and that’s being kind. I have read many a twisty thriller and they can and have been done well. I can’t say the same for this book
The characters were underdeveloped, the plot was contradictory, convoluted, and completely unbelievable, there were scenes that outright made no sense whatsoever, people argued and made dumb decisions instead of calling for help, there were too many words italicized for emphasis, and the villain explained their whole scheme to their captives (because that totally happens IRL and is my biggest pet peeve). I have read the author’s Pretty Little Liar series but did outgrow them after awhile, and it appears her writing style hasn’t matured either. This felt like an adult PLL book, in the worst way.
Also, did I miss what happened to the dog after the scene in the cave? If they didn’t save it then I’m giving this another negative 100 stars
December 31, 2023
Lenna gets an invitation from Rhiannon, a friend who disappeared years ago. She wants her to come to a women’s community called Halcyon. Lenna believes she has hidden motives. Secrets and lies are revealed.
This story alternates between past and present and was a thrilling read. Thanks NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for this ARC that will be released February 20, 2024!
This story alternates between past and present and was a thrilling read. Thanks NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for this ARC that will be released February 20, 2024!
February 13, 2024
"If she lived her life backward, she’d do everything right. Everyone would."
I really enjoyed Sara Shepard's latest book for adults. Her crossover from YA has been seamless, in my opinion. She's a wonderful storyteller.
We start out meeting Lenna. Her old bestie Rhiannon has recently gotten in touch with her after a spat a few years ago. This all takes place in a 2 year timeline, which seems short but I just overlooked it.
Rhiannon always wanted to live on a commune with other women. She was tired of the rat race and not really looking for romantic love after all the suffering she's gone through in her life and it's admirable for someone to just admit what they want. She was an interesting character.
Anyway, Lenna is now a stressed new mom and Rhiannon thinks it would do her good to come stay with her in the desert on the commune. Lenna gets a wild hair and says yes for some reason and this place is neat. It's pretty much what you'd expect; they even have a gong to announce yoga, and presumably, other things. What could go wrong?!
All is not as it seems here though and as the past and present merge, the outline of a devious scheme begins to develop, but is it too late to escape? Can anyone ever really leave Halcyon?
This had a lot to say about the intricacies of female friendship, some of which was silly at times, but most interestingly, we saw the weaponization of mental illness. Some terrible things were done to others and excuses were always made, even when they said there were no excuses. That never truly landed and it was disappointing for me.
The journey on this one is better than the destination. I didn't really love the twist and ending but I had such a great time reading it that I didn't mind. Sometimes things don't end how you'd like, in real life or in fiction!
Thanks to NetGalley and the author for the chance to read and review!
I really enjoyed Sara Shepard's latest book for adults. Her crossover from YA has been seamless, in my opinion. She's a wonderful storyteller.
We start out meeting Lenna. Her old bestie Rhiannon has recently gotten in touch with her after a spat a few years ago. This all takes place in a 2 year timeline, which seems short but I just overlooked it.
Rhiannon always wanted to live on a commune with other women. She was tired of the rat race and not really looking for romantic love after all the suffering she's gone through in her life and it's admirable for someone to just admit what they want. She was an interesting character.
Anyway, Lenna is now a stressed new mom and Rhiannon thinks it would do her good to come stay with her in the desert on the commune. Lenna gets a wild hair and says yes for some reason and this place is neat. It's pretty much what you'd expect; they even have a gong to announce yoga, and presumably, other things. What could go wrong?!
All is not as it seems here though and as the past and present merge, the outline of a devious scheme begins to develop, but is it too late to escape? Can anyone ever really leave Halcyon?
This had a lot to say about the intricacies of female friendship, some of which was silly at times, but most interestingly, we saw the weaponization of mental illness. Some terrible things were done to others and excuses were always made, even when they said there were no excuses. That never truly landed and it was disappointing for me.
The journey on this one is better than the destination. I didn't really love the twist and ending but I had such a great time reading it that I didn't mind. Sometimes things don't end how you'd like, in real life or in fiction!
Thanks to NetGalley and the author for the chance to read and review!
February 23, 2024
Such a good thriller omg! It actually had me spooked, it was impossible to put down and I actually enjoyed the time jumps & different characters POV (and I rarely do). And the setting, I love the desert, the solitude of it all, plus I am always interested in commune stories, they are often so twisted! Sara Shepard is a great mind!
April 21, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book in exchange for my review!
Title: Nowhere Like Home
Author: Sara Shepard
Publisher: Penguin Group Dutton
Pub Date: February 20, 2024
Brief Summary: A woman reconnects with an old friend who is involved with a mysterious group.
What I Enjoyed: The plot was well written
What I Disliked: Some of the parts of the book were not realistic
As someone who knows Sara Shepard's work from Pretty Little Liars, I did think this was a fascinating read.
Connect with Me <3
My blog is https://bookreviewsbyjules.blogspot.com/
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Thank you!
Title: Nowhere Like Home
Author: Sara Shepard
Publisher: Penguin Group Dutton
Pub Date: February 20, 2024
Brief Summary: A woman reconnects with an old friend who is involved with a mysterious group.
What I Enjoyed: The plot was well written
What I Disliked: Some of the parts of the book were not realistic
As someone who knows Sara Shepard's work from Pretty Little Liars, I did think this was a fascinating read.
Connect with Me <3
My blog is https://bookreviewsbyjules.blogspot.com/
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/4...
Instagram/bookstagram https://www.instagram.com/bookreviews...
Thank you!
September 18, 2023
Nowhere Like Home is a twisty story! When Lenna decides to take her young son and leave her husband without notice, she makes the trip to see her estranged friend Rhiannon. Her old wild friend Rhiannon surprisingly also has a son and is participating in off-grid living in a commune called Halcyon. Lenna is suspicious of the mom-mune and is truly only interested in rekindling her relationship with her old friend. She has a secret to fess up to and is hoping for forgiveness. Every time she tries to get Rhiannon alone however, she is nowhere to be found.
Turns out there is much more to the story, the mommune and Rhiannon. Read on if you like reading about
communes and cults, parenthood and parent roles as well as secrets and adult friendships. It's enjoyable and mysterious, Nowhere Like Home. #Penguin #nowherelikehome #sarashepard
Turns out there is much more to the story, the mommune and Rhiannon. Read on if you like reading about
communes and cults, parenthood and parent roles as well as secrets and adult friendships. It's enjoyable and mysterious, Nowhere Like Home. #Penguin #nowherelikehome #sarashepard
February 11, 2024
I rolled my eyes throughout this entire book. I had high hopes for this one being that she previously wrote pretty little liars - books and a show that I adored. However, the writing in Nowhere Like Home felt very juvenile for me. The characters choices and actions all felt very young and unrealistic. I just didn’t enjoy reading this one and I hate that these characters had babies brought into these situations.. felt a bit unnecessary and hurt my momma heart.
Thank you @duttonbooks for my copy! ♥️
Thank you @duttonbooks for my copy! ♥️
January 11, 2024
I initially grabbed this one because of the setup, I loved the idea of a mommune and hadn’t read a book with that exact premise before. I also loved the PLL series so that may have influenced me too, but the authors adult novels have been hit or miss for me and those fell somewhere in the middle. Like I said, a great setup and if you like a slow burn that has a slight literary feel that’s exactly what this one is. I don’t have as much patience with thrillers as I used to, I need something that a bit faster and more gripping but I never contemplated dnfing so there’s something to be said about that. I just feel like things got a little drawn out and convoluted at times and while the ending was more exciting, it was also a bit silly and far fetched so I’m not sure it was totally worth it. Fans of slow burns about toxic friendships and who like stories with cult like vibes may enjoy this one.
February 29, 2024
Traumatic pasts, toxic female friendships, lies, revenge: all staples of the “Sara Shepard Novel”.
NOWHERE LIKE HOME is truly Sara doing what she does best; she does have such a unique way of crafting these female friendships with both likable and unlikable characters and throwing so much drama and chaos into their lives…. This book focuses on the before and after of motherhood and what it does to those friendships and to life in general; it’s dual timeline and several POVs so be warned; I know that’s triggering for some of my fellow thriller lovers who like a more streamlined novel, but the end result is worth reading! It’s a fun juicy book that you can sink your teeth into for a few hours. I do think it could’ve been trimmed by about 75 pages it was a bit too long; but I still totally enjoyed the read!
3.75 ⭐️
NOWHERE LIKE HOME is truly Sara doing what she does best; she does have such a unique way of crafting these female friendships with both likable and unlikable characters and throwing so much drama and chaos into their lives…. This book focuses on the before and after of motherhood and what it does to those friendships and to life in general; it’s dual timeline and several POVs so be warned; I know that’s triggering for some of my fellow thriller lovers who like a more streamlined novel, but the end result is worth reading! It’s a fun juicy book that you can sink your teeth into for a few hours. I do think it could’ve been trimmed by about 75 pages it was a bit too long; but I still totally enjoyed the read!
3.75 ⭐️
March 13, 2024
A mix of toxic friendships and a cult tossed in with a remote desert setting. Sounds intriguing but the characters are really annoying and act more like college students than women in late twenties/earlier thirties. This causes the story to be difficult to follow. What new mom takes her baby with her to meet a friend she hasn’t seen in a couple of years at a remote location? So many odd behaviors.
May 16, 2024
Mommume, mom community with lots of secrets. Not really cult vibes for me.
Told in two characters perspectives from the past and now timelines. Easy to follow. No issues there.
It’s a bit over the top with the social anxiety push and the characters behaviors. Also had to believe some unbelievable things to make this story work. Lots of references about not judging others with certain characteristics but then weaves it some of its own judgemental agenda.
Not sorry i read it, wouldn’t read it again.
Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin group for my advanced electronic reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Told in two characters perspectives from the past and now timelines. Easy to follow. No issues there.
It’s a bit over the top with the social anxiety push and the characters behaviors. Also had to believe some unbelievable things to make this story work. Lots of references about not judging others with certain characteristics but then weaves it some of its own judgemental agenda.
Not sorry i read it, wouldn’t read it again.
Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin group for my advanced electronic reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
December 17, 2023
**3.5 stars**
I was super super excited for this novel because I love both The Lying Game and the Pretty Little Liars books by this author and was curious to try out an adult mystery by her! This story primarily follows Lenna in two different timelines, one in the present day that opens with her arriving at an eerie “mommune” and the other that begins a couple of years prior, with the start of a new friendship. I personally love the majority of dual-timeline books I read and this one was no exception! I believe both the setting and the format the novel was told in were both fantastic and worked really well.
There were times when I had issues with the pacing and the timeline though. Maybe this book just needs one more round of editing because there were a few little things out of place and that element kind of took me out of the story at times. I also was able to easily predict all of the “small” twists leading up to the big one. This, for me, is simply a sign that the author is successfully leading the reader to a conclusion through the clues though, so I am not bothered by this element. It never felt too incredibly obvious or boring, and that final twist was not what I expected, even being able to predict the others.
I believe that many casual mystery readers or fans of Shepard’s other works would enjoy this one! It may not be for you if you need everything to be super shocking and out-of-nowhere crazy, but if you love a suspenseful mystery that builds over time with a twist of an ending… than I certainly recommend Nowhere Like Home!
Thank you to Penguin Group Dutton, Sara Shepard, and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this novel!
I was super super excited for this novel because I love both The Lying Game and the Pretty Little Liars books by this author and was curious to try out an adult mystery by her! This story primarily follows Lenna in two different timelines, one in the present day that opens with her arriving at an eerie “mommune” and the other that begins a couple of years prior, with the start of a new friendship. I personally love the majority of dual-timeline books I read and this one was no exception! I believe both the setting and the format the novel was told in were both fantastic and worked really well.
There were times when I had issues with the pacing and the timeline though. Maybe this book just needs one more round of editing because there were a few little things out of place and that element kind of took me out of the story at times. I also was able to easily predict all of the “small” twists leading up to the big one. This, for me, is simply a sign that the author is successfully leading the reader to a conclusion through the clues though, so I am not bothered by this element. It never felt too incredibly obvious or boring, and that final twist was not what I expected, even being able to predict the others.
I believe that many casual mystery readers or fans of Shepard’s other works would enjoy this one! It may not be for you if you need everything to be super shocking and out-of-nowhere crazy, but if you love a suspenseful mystery that builds over time with a twist of an ending… than I certainly recommend Nowhere Like Home!
Thank you to Penguin Group Dutton, Sara Shepard, and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this novel!
January 23, 2024
DNF @ 50%
This takes no new friends to a whole new level.
I was initially drawn to this because of the cult/commune aspect and I was excited when anxiety and mental health was talked about in the beginning. But it quickly became clear that anxiety was just a crutch to blame the unhinged behavior of some of the characters on. It was also a bit repetitive and I only made it to the 50% point.
Thank you Netgalley and Dutton for providing this ARC to me!
This takes no new friends to a whole new level.
I was initially drawn to this because of the cult/commune aspect and I was excited when anxiety and mental health was talked about in the beginning. But it quickly became clear that anxiety was just a crutch to blame the unhinged behavior of some of the characters on. It was also a bit repetitive and I only made it to the 50% point.
Thank you Netgalley and Dutton for providing this ARC to me!
May 20, 2024
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
I really liked how this story was presented as a momune of women helping women. Nothing is as it appears to be when friends reunite after losing contact years before after a traumatic event. I really enjoyed hearing from all the main female characters point of views and loved the twists that I didn’t see coming! The characters are all complex and the scenes built to make you feel like part of the story. I would recommend to anyone who likes psychological thrillers with unreliable narrators!
I really liked how this story was presented as a momune of women helping women. Nothing is as it appears to be when friends reunite after losing contact years before after a traumatic event. I really enjoyed hearing from all the main female characters point of views and loved the twists that I didn’t see coming! The characters are all complex and the scenes built to make you feel like part of the story. I would recommend to anyone who likes psychological thrillers with unreliable narrators!
March 28, 2024
Nowhere Like Home by Sara Shepard
Thank you so much Dutton Books for my gifted copy.
Blurb:
Nowhere Like Home follows a group of mothers living in a “mommune”, each of whom is running from something.
✨ My thoughts:
Nowhere Like Home has a very intriguing plot that initially drew me in. There’s a ton of friendship drama and some obsessive behaviors going on throughout this story, making it a wild ride. When it comes to thrillers I usually prefer them to be fast paced, however I found this to be more of a slow burn thriller and it was still entertaining. If you enjoy unlikable characters, drama, and cultish vibes, you should consider giving this one a read.
Happy reading!
Thank you so much Dutton Books for my gifted copy.
Blurb:
Nowhere Like Home follows a group of mothers living in a “mommune”, each of whom is running from something.
✨ My thoughts:
Nowhere Like Home has a very intriguing plot that initially drew me in. There’s a ton of friendship drama and some obsessive behaviors going on throughout this story, making it a wild ride. When it comes to thrillers I usually prefer them to be fast paced, however I found this to be more of a slow burn thriller and it was still entertaining. If you enjoy unlikable characters, drama, and cultish vibes, you should consider giving this one a read.
Happy reading!
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