They say time heals all wounds. . . but what if they were wrong?
Growing up, Emily Hart never had it easy. After losing her mother at a young age, she and her sister move in with their grandmother—whose eccentric ideas have earned her a questionable reputation within the slow-moving town of Windhaven, West Virginia.
Now an adult, Emily’s found herself in sunny San Diego—married and eager for greener pastures. Except the grass here is made of sand, and the man she married, isn’t the man she thought she knew. When Emily’s grandmother passes away, she leaves behind her beloved farmhouse. Desperate to escape her abusive marriage, Emily flees back to Windhaven—back to the home she once left behind.
Nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, the Magnolia House has stood for generations. Her grandmother always insisted it was filled with magic, but Emily only sees a crumbling house in desperate need of repairs. Still, with nowhere else to go, she settles in—determined to start over.
Shortly after moving in, Emily discovers a long-forgotten satchel filled with old letters. Realizing they’re from a Civil War soldier to his long-lost wife, Emily writes back—if only because she’s lonely and a little drunk, and what’s the harm in it anyway?
It’s only the next morning, when Emily wakes to find that her letter is gone—and a new one is in its place, does she begin to discover what sort of magic lingers within the threadbare walls of her family’s estate. Now, everything she thought she knew about love and loss will be dragged to the forefront—forcing her to confront her past while still trying to heal from the life she left behind.
Somewhere Without You explores the long road to healing, the enduring pull of first love, and the possibility that sometimes, the past finds us for a reason.
When not lost in the labyrinth of her own creations, you can find Daphne exploring alternate dimensions (also known as the local coffee shop) or engaged in intense debates with her children on why they can't have cake for breakfast—okay, why they sometimes can't have cake for breakfast.
A Michigan native, she lives with her husband, their tiny minions, their menace of a cat, and one lazy dog. The Black Hat Society, previously released and currently pulled for republishing, was her first publication, followed by What Lies Beneath the Tide, available now! Please visit her website or follow her on social media for more information on upcoming releases and updates.
I can leave a review of my own book… right? I mean I did read it, multiple times and it made me cry. Every. Single. Time.
This book is for anyone who’s had the courage to step out of the shadows and create a life on their own terms. It’s a reminder that we all carry a spark, even when it feels like the world is doing its best to snuff it out.
Like Emily, we all have the capacity to heal, to grow, and to find beauty in the places we once thought were broken.
As you read through these pages, I hope you find a piece of yourself reflected in her journey—whether it’s the courage to confront your past, the hope to embrace the future, or the strength to keep going, even when the road feels long.
May it remind you that, just like Emily, you too can rise, rebuild, and thrive. No matter where you are, or how lost you might feel, the light you seek is always within you.
Keep going. Your journey is far from over. It’s only the beginning. ♥️
As a beta copy, this book is impressively well-written—fresh, original, and engaging from the start. Emily, the protagonist, is a character that women everywhere can relate to in one way or another. Her journey feels authentic and emotionally resonant, making it easy to connect with her on a personal level.
While there were moments when the storyline felt a bit intense, everything ultimately came together in a satisfying and meaningful way. The emotional highs and lows added depth to the narrative, showing Emily’s growth in a compelling light.
I can easily see this book becoming the start of a successful series. Emily’s story feels like it’s only just beginning, and I would love to follow her as she continues to find her place in the world with confidence and love. This book is a promising start—and I’m excited to see what comes next.
I really had no idea what to expect with this story, but I was pleasantly surprised. I found myself wondering where this story was going or how things would pan out. It was nice not being able to predict every aspect of this story.
I have a very intimate relationship with trauma and grief and sometimes words and stories can ring hollow. This author however offered beautiful prose on grief. I have multiple tabs saved from this novel. So reading this was a bit cathartic for me and my personal grief.
I didn’t expect the element of magical surrealism. But I found it a fun and whimsical touch. My only critique is I would’ve liked to have seen the main characters love story unfold in one of the timelines… I feel like we get a glimpse into several timelines. I guess maybe I would’ve liked a slightly slower progression in the present day timeline? It just felt a little quick for me. But I understand there was history there…
Overall a really good read. And I’d be interested in buying a physical copy for my home library.
Somewhere Without You swept me away from the very first page. Daphne Parker has crafted a beautiful, bittersweet story about healing, self-discovery, and the kind of love that transcends time. Emily’s journey—from escaping a painful marriage to uncovering the hidden magic in her grandmother’s old farmhouse—was both heartbreaking and hopeful.
The small-town Appalachian setting was atmospheric and rich, and the letters from a Civil War soldier added such a unique, emotional layer to the story. I found myself completely invested in the mystery and heart behind each letter. The blend of historical romance, magical realism, and real-life resilience was perfection.
This is the kind of story that lingers long after you finish it. Highly recommend for fans of emotional women’s fiction with a touch of the supernatural. I couldn’t put it down.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
First, I was like okay what’s up with these letters, like they just don’t fit and too much is going on. Then it finally made sense to me and I was okay with it. This was a beautiful tragic story. I had so many emotions, and felt the characters emotions so much. It was relatable and realistic. You are on a wild ride through this, and the journey is worth it. I enjoyed the characters and want to give the FMC a big hug as well. There is past and present, along with letters, so it does take a bit to get into to get the hang of it, but I was hooked from the beginning and enjoyed reading it to so much.
Would I recommend? Yes, BUT check trigger warnings.
I enjoyed reading this book. Actually, I couldn’t put it down! It kept me engaged, and I wanted to know what was going to happen next. The characters were relatable and genuine. I usually don’t get emotional while reading, but I definitely cried a little. The author did a good job capturing the Appalachian lifestyle within her writing, and the ‘fantasy’ or ‘science fiction’ part of the story was beautifully written in, and made me feel like this is something that could truly happen in real life.
First off, thank you Daphne Parker for sending this eARC over to me. I devoured this book, it was so good! So well written. I finished it in one day and enjoyed every minute of it! So many emotions with this one. The way it had me in tears. Emily’s story is one of strength and courage. Some parts had me gasping. There were some twists and turns I didn’t see coming. I will say please be sure to read trigger warnings before diving in.
First off, a huge thank you to Daphne Parker for providing me with an advance E-ARC of her newest book! Somewhere Without You was an incredibly gripping read that could easily be devoured in one sitting. From the very first chapter, Parker pulls you into Emily’s world with such vivid emotion and authenticity. She does a fantastic job portraying the raw and vulnerable moments of life that Emily experiences, making her journey feel both heart-wrenching and deeply relatable.
The pacing kept me hooked, with just the right balance of character development and suspenseful turns. There were several plot twists that left me completely shocked and eager to see what would happen next. Every revelation added new layers to the story, keeping me on my toes until the very end.
Parker’s writing style is immersive and emotional, perfectly capturing the struggles and resilience of her characters. This book explores themes of loss, healing, and finding the strength to move forward in a way that will resonate with many readers. I’m so glad I decided to pick this one up—it’s a story that will stay with me for a long time. If you enjoy emotionally charged novels with unexpected twists, an a time slip underlying plot, and a page-turner then, Somewhere Without You is definitely one to add to your TBR!
Holy roller coaster, batman. So it's 2am and I just finished reading this book and idk whether to be mad, laugh, or cry. In the best way.
But first off, f**k Katherine. Now that's out of the way. I have to say there was a point that I thought things may be getting a little too predictable, but you know when you're riding a roller coaster and you think you've reached the last click before you fall. No worries friend, Mrs. Parker here has like 5 more clicks and a good right hook before the straight plunge to a death drop.
As a bonus daughter suffering every day from losing a dad to suicide, this book was so incredibly healing. (I've never UGLY cried like that, but that scene got me, iykyk). I LOVED how that mirage of afterlife was depicted.
BUT I still think Logan's a coward and deserves a shovel to the face and not a soul can change my mind. Unless he did better in the next life, seriously if you write a time traveling (soul traveling?) sequel just go ahead and send me the copy. Maybe in that one Jackson will find a landmine to step on.
But seriously, this book took a piece of my heart and soul. Go read it. Like now.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I just finished reading this book, Somewhere Without You, and I am so full of so many different emotions!
This book had me on the edge of my seat at times, snuggled in a blanket with good feelings at others, gasping out loud on multiple occasions, giddy from time to time, shed some tears, and was so hard to put down!
I went into reading this without knowing any details (which I prefer) and so glad I did! Once I felt like I knew what was going to happen, something completely unexpected pops up and just lured me in all over again.
This book will have you hooked from the beginning! It's not very often I come across a book that has me so addicted that I couldn't put it down.
The saddest part of it all, was after reading the last sentence of the book, knowing that it was done. I'm not sure I was emotionally ready for the book to be over.
I really did like this story - but I really couldn’t relate to the main character’s thought process in a lot of her actions. I questioned Emily too much, and it was as if the author planned for that and had to spend time justifying her decisions that interrupted the flow for me.
I liked the slightly paranormal aspect (any fans of Divine Rivals or the Lakehouse will appreciate this!) and how it was interwoven into the deeply emotional roller coaster that is Emily’s life.
Ultimately this is a book that is quick and easy to read even though its subject matter is heavy because of how organized the structure of the book is - short chapters that are easy to digest and nicely wrap up at the end with a quick overview of Emily’s heart and current state of mind, like a little gift bow!
Some of what Emily experiences can be very triggering so please check those before going in.
🌧️ ARC Review: Somewhere Without You by Daphne Parker ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Tragic. Heartbreaking. Beautiful. This book wrecked me in the best way. A love story that never quite got to be—woven with threads of time travel, spiritual healing, and impossible longing.
The ending? I bawled. Like, full-on ugly cry. It’s the perfect rainy day read… though I honestly couldn’t tell if it was the sky or my heart breaking that left me soaked.
✨ If you’re into stories that linger long after the last page—this one’s for you.
Is it the rain or my tears? The world may never know. 💔🕰️
I could have easily finished this book in a day because I love Daphne’s writing so much!! Such an easy read and not easy because it’s boring but easy because it pulls you in and doesn’t let go!! This book will pull at your heart strings and semi-heal you by the end. Such a good book that deals with grief and the past. Honestly starting this I wasn’t sure what a time-slip was but now I have a new favorite trope in a book lol Honestly I feel like Daphne Parker can do no wrong when it comes to writing! I will say check trigger warnings because I didn’t read them and whoa dang I should have. 😂🤦🏼♀️ I love when you can get so into a book you feel like you’re the main character, and that’s how this book makes me feel. ❤️ You’ve done it again Daphne!!
I received this book as an ARC and am so happy to have been given the opportunity. I had to wait a couple of days after finishing the book to sit down and write the review because I was just too emotional and raw afterwards. In a good way? I thought it was a great combination of all my favorite genres; suspense, romance, and a little paranormal. There were times when I felt the interactions between the FMC and MMC were a bit awkward and clunky. I would have liked the evolution of their relationship to have been drawn out and developed a bit more. I wasn't sure how the letters were going to tie in to everything, but all the bits and pieces were brought together beautifully. In the end, it's a tragically wonderful story of growth and love, which will make you feel all the feels.
I went into this book completely blind- like I do for most of my books. I didn’t know what to expect at all. There’s just something about Daphne Parker’s writing- she just sucks me in. I found myself incapable of putting my kindle down and for a good 15 minutes after I finished the book I stared at my wall contemplating my life. lol
For a lot of books, I can kind of guess what’s going to happen. However, with Somewhere Without You there were so many twists and turns that I truly did not see coming. This was such a refreshing read, something so completely different than I’ve ever read before. There were parts of this book that absolutely crushed me and had me sobbing but I enjoyed every second reading. This was an easy 5⭐️ read for me.
I received this book as an ARC and I am incredibly grateful to the author Daphne Parker for allowing me to read it early. I have never read anything like it. This story had me gripped from the beginning and I stayed up later than I planned so I could finish the entire thing in one night because I could not stop reading. Emily's story was one of heartache but also growth and strength. Emily experiences so much in the book, I could not put it down and there were some twists and turns I was surprised by. I really loved this book.
Daphne Parker plays with your heart strings in her newest romance novel. She gives you the darkest parts of people and the brightest parts of people. She shows you that love can withstand the test of time and that soulmates come in every form. This romance book has a different type of happy ending by showing you that sometimes putting yourself back together and picking yourself up is better than relying on other people. She shows you that self love can be some of the most powerful love in the world.
I finished this book in a day! And that almost never happens for me. I couldn’t put this book down. There were so many twist and turns, it kept me on my toes. There’s a villain that you definitely want to run over with your car and a long lost love that just melts your heart with his dedication to the main character. And don’t even get me started on the letters from my past, SO GOOD!! This book will make you feel so many emotions. This is a MUST read. Go in blindly with this book. Add it to your TBR and dive right in, you will thank me later 💕
This was so real and emotional roller coaster for me. Had my stomach in knots, and this author really makes you feel all the emotions that the main character was going through in life. I loved how much of the feel was in this book. This will have you hooked lined and sinking from beginning to the very end. I didn’t see all the twist and turns either! I’m proud to have been reading this is one of my favorites from her! I can tell you’ll need some tissues as well!
It made me happy, angry, sad, and hopeful. My heart broke a few times. I think everyone has experienced some of the struggle, and emotions, that Emily has gone through, one way or another. I also appreciate the mental growth Emily has gone through.
It was a great journey and a reminder that regardless of your situation, keep pushing, you will make it through and always be kind to yourself.
Wow, just wow. I received this book as an eARC and I could NOT put it down! It was so well written and kept and drew my attention from the very beginning. I never felt the “when is this book going to end” feeling I have felt while reading many books. I was not prepared to sob the way I did toward the end. I don’t hand out 5 stars often but this one deserves it! 10/10 will be recommending to anyone who is looking for a new book to grab! Will also be purchasing the physical copy as my trophy!
Such a gut wrenching, beautiful story. I loved the mix of past and present narratives. A touch of magic, history, loss, heartbreak - finding the light and love in so much darkness.
“The kind of darkness that settles into your bones and makes even the stars feel far away.”
I needed to hear this one, “Sweetheart, love doesn’t vanish just because a person does.”
This book took me on a roller coaster ride. I went into this book completely blind. Only seeing the cover and figured it deserved a shot. Damn was I right. This story started out so raw and open then took you through so many life moments. I never saw any of these things coming. This whole story was well worth the read. I loved the flow of it and how amazing the characters made you feel. GRAB THE TISSUES
This was a 4.5 star for me. It only lost a half star because I wish the relationship had been more built up, I wanted to NEED it to happen. It had me hooked from the very first page I read. And I honestly wasn't expecting that. I went in blind, and I feel like that's the best way to go. ALWAYS. It's like a rollercoaster you didn't know you were in store for. It tied up so nicely with a beautiful little bow. I. Wanted. More.
Well, this book will thoroughly shred your emotions into pieces, but simultaneously gives you clues of how to put things back together. I absolutely inhaled it. I loved the story, even if it was tragic and sad, it leaves you with a glimmer of hope. I loved the paranormal component and the flashbacks from the past. It all carved out a wonderful (and sad, let me reiterate that) tale of love, loss, trauma and finding yourself once again.
I was lucky to get an early e copy of the book. I zoomed through it in a couple of days. Loved the fantasy aspect of it. Was really well written and did a great job with the characterization of domestic abuse. Really a wonderful book about a woman refinding who she is as a person after a horrible marriage.
I finished this book (or did it finish me?!) in ONE night. It’s engaging and fast paced! I had whiplash while reading this. Just when I thought I had SOME idea about the direction the story was going… NOPE. WRONG. I LOVED Emily and the strength she showed recovering and starting a new journey. You will NOT be disappointed reading this!
This book was so great! I was fortunate enough to be an arc reader for this book and I’m so glad I was. This book had me in my feelings, both good and bad. I was sobbing at some parts and angry at others. This was the first book I’ve read by Daphne and I will for sure be reading her others! I highly recommend everyone read this book when it comes out.
The authors ability to make me feel every single emotion in this book, honestly blew me away. The heartbreak, the sadness, the fear, it all felt so genuine and raw. The tie in with the letters and the soldier 😭😭😭❤️❤️❤️ I'm not crying you are. I wasn't expecting it to end the way it did and I think it had a phenomenal emotional impact. I loved this book so much 🥹