Where You Once Belonged: A Novel

by Lorna Graham

A writer at Dateline NBC tries her hand at a different kind of mystery, perfect for fans of Chandler Baker’s Whisper Network, where a cynical TV news producer sells out her principles to rise to her network’s top job, and comes face-to-face with what appears to be her idealistic teenage self. 

Everleigh Page is on the cusp of greatness. Executive producer of an award-winning primetime news magazine, she’s just been offered a role never attained by a woman at her president of the news division. It will be her job to shape coverage of world events and mold the journalists of tomorrow.

Too bad in order to get here she’s sold out most of the principles she held as an idealistic young reporter. Too bad she’s just, at the direction of her boss, fired two of her best staffers and killed an important investigative story that could save lives. As a woman, she knows, you have to play ball to get to the top. Even if it means bending your moral code or breaking up with your boyfriend. Sean may be the love of her life, but his large, complicated family has started taking up too much of her time.

Her younger self wouldn’t recognize her. Or will she?

When a college reunion takes a mystical twist, Everleigh finds herself defending her choices to the toughest critic in the world and confronting a crucial can she possibly right all the wrongs she was willing to tolerate just an hour ago?

Genres: Fiction

328 pages, Paperback

Published May 13, 2025

About the author

LORNA GRAHAM has been writing for top network anchors, including Tom Brokaw, Katie Couric, Charlie Gibson, and Ann Curry, for fourteen years, at Good Morning America and currently at Dateline NBC. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, Reader's Digest, New Woman, and The Educated Traveler. She has also written a short film, A Timeless Call, about America's veterans, which was directed by Steven Spielberg.

Reviews

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Put this on your summer reading list. Graham has written a smart page-turner that pulls you in from the start and throws in a supernatural surprise that brings Ev's character development arc home. Ms. Graham is drawn to the supernatural as it was also a key part of her first novel, The Ghost of Greenwich Village. As a writer for Dateline, (the character Ev writes for a similar show in the novel), it's interesting to see Graham play with metaphyical forces that shape one's destiny, that help make sense of everyday facts that can be reported and expalined. Where You Once Belonged would also be a juicy book club read that could stimulate discussions around power, ambition, love, betrayal, gender roles and personal discovery and change. I enjoyed spending time in her company and I look forward to Lorna Graham's next novel.

[Stephenee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good read, a solid 3.5 stars that I rounded up...but it had some minor flaws. The reader doesn't connect with the main character, the story is a bit slow at first and the story focuses on all of the bad parts of the character's for 80% and the resolution is quickly over before it actually began. This reader wanted to see more about the change, the better version, the person who she should have been. It was a slower read for me, but I will try this author again in the future. Not a terrible read, but not the best one so far this year. It's worth a read, but not a bump up on the TBR list.

[Megan Walrod · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hooked from the very first page! "Where You Once Belonged" is a fast-paced, layered story that moves between ambition and power in the world of TV news and the friendships and sense of belonging and purpose forged in college. I loved following the protagonist through her flaws, discoveries, and growth - she’s such a real and relatable character to root for. With vivid writing, supernatural twists, and themes of losing and finding ourselves again, this book kept me turning pages late into the night.

[Julie Hatch · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating story of one woman’s reconnection to her past.
Where You Once Belonged is a bonafide glimpse into the world of journalism, where the protagonist, Everleigh, chases her dream job as president of a major network news division. Turning into a ruthless, barely moral friend and girlfriend, Everleigh climbs her way to the top. Only with the help of a mystic and some old college friends, is Everleigh able to see what the thirst for power has done to her and her relationships. Truly an intriguing read by an author well versed in the biz.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved, loved, loved this book!! It touches on the values that are important in life and what you do with those values when given a chance to rise to the top. Love Ev, the main character. Her back story of abandonment helps you to see why she makes the choices that she does.
My favorite part of the book was when she lets the air out of the raft that her mother blew up…definitely a tear producing moment.

[Jude Berman · Rating 5 out of 5]

With sharp dialogue and some unconventional plot twists, Graham writes about the challenges faced by a woman chasing corporate success. Things are more complex than they seem, and getting ahead also requires delving into the past. A profound exploration of ambition, sacrifice, compromise, and (last but not least) finding love.

[Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

I became completely absorbed in this story.
It addresses ethics in a competitive cultural, and reminds the reader of the idealism of a younger self.
Well detailed characters who grow n the course of the story.

[Enez Paganuzzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A page turner. You fall in love with Ev and see her come into her own, the newsroom background hits home and the historical aspects are interesting. It has a bit of everything! A plus that the writing is sharp, detailed and snappy. A perfect summer read…

[Louisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I obviously loved it. Journalism, culty college organization (my sorority days came back to me lol], present-day vs younger self - the realization that the “Ev” who dreamed of truth-telling and justice is no longer fully alive ...

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.0 I picked this up on a whim as it’s a little different than my typical read. I enjoyed the character development and reflective nature of the story as well as it’s tidy and thought provoking end.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was certainly different from other types of books that I've read. It flowed smoothly and before I knew it, the chapters flew by.

[Jo V · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wasn't what I was expecting from the synopsis but overall was an ok read.