Where Would I Go?

Stay or Leave

by Neva Rain

She knows how to survive.
She doesn’t know how to leave.

Nora is good at surviving. She has been doing it her whole life.

She knows which silences are safe. She knows how to make herself small enough to go unnoticed. She knows how to hold a life together with nothing but routine and patience and the quiet, unshakeable belief that if she follows the rules, nothing will fall apart.

She has never asked for more.

She has never believed she deserved it.

It isn’t a big life. But it is hers. And it is stable. And stable is everything.

Until the man who was supposed to be safe… isn’t.

Suddenly, the life she carefully built begins to crack.

Uneven. Unpredictable. Wrong.

For someone who has always survived by knowing what comes next… that is the most dangerous thing of all.

Because if she can’t predict him—what comes after?

And if she leaves…

Where would she go?



This book contains sensitive content. Please check the trigger warnings before reading.

Genres: Divorce, Romance, Abuse, Found Family, Womens Fiction, Contemporary

274 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 5, 2026

About the author

Neva was that student who always looked tired. Her teachers thought it was laziness. It was actually the imaginary people in her head refusing to let her sleep. She writes contemporary fiction now so they can bother you instead. You're welcome.

Reviews

[Sienasummerrreads]

Wow for a debut novel what a rollercoaster of a read. This pulled on every emotion. The writing style is also quite different from what I’m used to it leans heavily into internal monologue, focusing on the characters’ thoughts and feelings, with some verbal dialogue between the characters. But I actually loved it. It made everything feel so raw and intense.

I was hooked from the start. Julian gave me very mixed feelings. The cheating was obviously awful, and I felt so deeply for Nora. But as everything began to unravel, you start to see just how loveless their marriage really was. Watching him spiral was hard, especially with everything that followed. The fallout at work and the scandal. As much as I didn’t agree with his actions, it was still difficult to watch his life completely fall apart.

Nora is such a strong character. Growing up in a home affected by domestic violence shaped so much of who she is, and you can really feel that trauma and fear in her actions. She’s been in survival mode for so long. Her marriage with Julian felt routine she was the perfect stay at home wife, making sure everything was done but as the story unfolds and her true feelings come to light, her choices begin to make sense. I loved her character growth. Watching her go from living for others to finally making decisions for herself was so powerful and heartwarming.

Then we get to Kieran and I was obsessed. This man notices everything. He’s patient, kind, and gives her the space to come to him. The little things he does remembering her favourite flower, adjusting her hot chocolate, always seeking her out in a room completely won me over. Seeing Nora smile because of him made it all worth it. Loved the side characters and all the tough conversations.

I do wish we got a bit more closure for Julian. We know his reputation was ruined, but he was so convinced Nora would come back to him, and I was curious to see where he ended up. I also would have loved more of Kieran and Nora’s relationship, as it felt like it was only just beginning by the end but that’s the romance reader in me wanting more.

This was such a fantastic read. It felt different, emotional, and deeply explored some challenging themes in a really impactful way.

Genre/Type: Adult Romance 18+
APK: Kindle ARC
Pages: 307
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟.5
POV: First Person
Series or Standalone: Book One In The Stay Or Leave Series.
Tropes or Themes: Broken Marrige, Cheating (Husband), OW Drama, Divorced FMC, Starting Again, Finding Yourself, Past Memories, Grief and Mature Content.
Past Memories: Child Abuse, Domestic Violence and Broken Family.
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[Jen Teeter]

emotional overload

This book was devastating and emotional and I think it broke something in me.

I want to wrap Nora up in a bubble just to make sure that nothing bad ever touches her again, but I’ll make sure Kieran’s there to hold her hand.

[Darien]

I would say the situation of the heroine at the opening of the story was over the top but there is so much toxic misogyny being promoted right now on social media, and the way her life was so circumscribed by first her father and then her husband sounds like something right out of the Tradwife MAGA playbook. I applaud the way the author illustrated the difficulties for a woman in that kind of situation to break away - that our social system is not well enough funded or educated on how to help. This book is a sensitive portrayal of overcoming trauma and rediscovering self worth through independence and found family. The discussion of the hero dealing with the grief of his parent's death was insightful and illustrated another aspect of personal trauma and how it can affect the way we present ourselves to the world in response to what we believe people expect to see.

[S]

"𝑰𝒇 𝑰 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒗𝒆, 𝑰 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒆𝒙𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒍𝒚 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝑰'𝒍𝒍 𝒈𝒐. 𝑰'𝒍𝒍 𝒈𝒐 𝒉𝒐𝒎𝒆. 𝑴𝒚 𝒉𝒐𝒎𝒆."

I'm back. After a long, long hiatus—one that felt like a small forever—I'm finally back.

And what a book to make a comeback with.

Some books stay with you. Some books 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘦 you. This book did both. It grabbed me by the throat, made me sob into my pillow, and then gently tucked me into bed with a forehead kiss and a promise that everything would be okay.

Here's the thing about me: I don't typically read books that make me cry. I'm a dark romance, revenge-plot, morally-grey-heroine kind of girl. Tears are not my preferred genre. But this book? This 𝘧𝘶𝘤𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 book was so good that I didn't even care that I was a weeping mess. It broke me. And then, somehow, miraculously, it healed me.

𝗡𝗼𝗿𝗮. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗔𝗿𝗲. 😭👑

I LOVE HER. I am putting that in writing, for the world to see. I LOVE Nora.

Her childhood made me weep. Genuine, chest-heaving tears. The love and respect I have for this woman could fill oceans. She is perfection. From the very first page to the very last, she was perfect. She didn't just survive her circumstances, she thrived. She 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘥. She clawed her way through the darkness and emerged as someone I would follow into battle.

She is officially on my list of book girlfriends. Yes, the list is getting long. No, I don't care.

𝗝𝘂𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻. 𝗙𝘂𝗰𝗸 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗚𝘂𝘆. 👎

I hated him. I don't even want to start with him because I can feel my blood pressure rising just thinking about his name. He sucks. He sucks so much. I'm ending this here for my own mental health.

𝗠𝗮𝗲𝘃𝗲. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗚𝗼𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆. 💕

Maeve, my love, you did go a little downhill. A little "what were you THINKING" downhill. BUT. You learned. You grew. You became a better person. And for that, I love you.

Hey, we all make mistakes. The important thing is that you learn from them and try to be better. Maeve did that, and I respect her for it.

𝗞𝗶𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗻. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗻 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝗮 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗱. 🥺

Kieran. Oh, Kieran. My competition for Nora's heart. And honestly? I'm not even mad about losing.

I really, really loved his character. And that's saying something, because I am notoriously, fiercely protective of my book girlfriends. Kieran is the calm, patient, steady force that Nora deserved all along. He stays. He's there. Quietly, solidly, unconditionally present.

I am so, so glad he's in her life. And his backstory? Also made me cry. (Yes, this book made me cry multiple times. Multiple. I lost count.) But the beautiful thing is that now Kieran and Nora have each other. Two broken people finding wholeness together. I'm not crying, you're crying.

𝗧𝗼 𝗡𝗲𝘃𝗮 𝗥𝗮𝗶𝗻 (𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗠𝘆 𝗦𝗼𝗯𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁) 💛

Thank you. Genuinely, thank you for this ARC. I have to say this with my whole chest: you are an amazing writer. Your writing moved me in ways I wasn't expecting, and I am so incredibly glad I got the chance to read this book.

And I'm so glad this was the book that brought me back.

[Melissa]

A debut?! There’s no way—this was that good. Completely captivating, deeply emotional, and just an all-around beautiful story. Some books linger. Some books hit you right in the soul. This one did both. It broke me a little, then pieced me back together in the most comforting way. The writing is what truly stands out—it’s not conventional, it’s intentional. Every word is meant to make you feel, and it absolutely succeeds.

My heart ached for Nora right from the start. She’s stuck in a dull, loveless routine, unsure of herself and her place in the world. Always putting Julian first, always trying to be the perfect wife… until she finally chooses herself. Watching her take back control of her life was everything. Her strength, especially considering everything she’s endured, was so powerful. All she wanted was the space to just be. And Kieran? Let’s be real—we all deserve a Kieran.

There are moments that are hard to read, but that’s what makes it so powerful—you’re right there with Nora, feeling it all. Her inner thoughts are profound, her emotions so nuanced yet completely clear. For a debut, the writing is seriously impressive. It also sheds light on how much our past—especially our childhood—shapes who we become, and the lasting impact of not being loved the way we should be. But it also shows the healing side—how the right people can help you grow, heal, and rediscover yourself.

Her journey felt authentic. The growth wasn’t rushed or overdone—it unfolded naturally, which made it even more meaningful. A soft but powerful reminder that one brave decision—one step outside your comfort zone—can truly change everything.
What stayed with me most were the quiet moments—the subtle emotions, the unspoken tension, the things you feel more than read. And I loved that Nora isn’t loud about her strength, yet it shines through in everything she does.

I can’t recommend this enough. It’s emotional, raw, and unforgettable. I’m officially a fan for life and already excited for what’s next.

So much thanks to Neva Rain, for such a moving and unforgettable story.

[Aarti Iyer]

Just finished 'Where Would I Go' by Neva Rain #Book20of2026

⭐⭐⭐⭐.25

The story starts slow and steady, taking its time to establish the characters, but the character arc begins almost immediately.
It’s a medium-paced read, yet it keeps you hooked. It's mainly because of the writing style. It’s not the usual kind. It’s written to make you feel.

Nora is such a deeply layered character. The way her past and present are woven together is so impactful. Some scenes are honestly difficult to read, but that’s exactly where the strength of the writing lies. You feel everything with her.

Her thoughts have so much depth, and every line hits you hard. Her emotions are expressed with so much nuance, yet they feel so clear and real. For a debut, the writing is incredibly powerful.

This book is also a strong reminder of how childhood experiences and hardships shape who we become as adults. It quietly highlights something we don’t talk about enough and the lasting impact of not being treated right.

And at the same time, it shows how the right people can help you heal, grow, and bring out the best version of yourself.
I loved Nora’s journey from where she starts and where she ends. The growth felt real, not rushed.

What stood out to me most were the raw emotions, the subtle yet powerful observations, the small body language cues, the “read between the lines” moments. It all felt so relatable.

And I loved that she doesn’t make noise yet her strength speaks volumes.

A quiet reminder that sometimes, one right choice… and the courage to step out of your comfort zone can truly change your life.

Loved Maeve and Kieran characters ✨❤️
Every Nora deserves a Kieran ❤️❤️❤️❤️😍
Just felt the Julian POV seemed to end a bit abruptly. But overall it creates an impact.

A wholesome, emotional, and deeply reflective read 💫

P.S. Nora will always be special ❤️❤️

[Lucy Goosy]

Thank you so so much to Neva Rain for this ARC of Where Would I Go?

I would like to start by saying that I cannot believe that this is Neva's debut book. This is truly one of the most intimate, beautiful, heart wrenching stories I have ever read. Every single page had me hooked.

From Nora finding her footing in the world to using that to pull herself up out of the depths of grief and survival. Nora finding a family. Nora creating a home. Nora building a life. Nora falling in love.

These characters were so incredibly written, life breathed into every corner of them. I felt as if I knew them all intimately. Then the descriptions of emotional pain and of grief and even of normalcy in this book were just constantly taking my breath away. They were haunting, they were vibrant and vivid. Painting pictures it was impossible to not see. This book is a work of art.

Neva, you have created a life long fan out of me and I cannot wait to see what you do next. Thank you again for giving me the opportunity to be an ARC reader for Where Would I Go? Releasing May 5th!

Since I can't just quote the whole book here are some of my pulls:

"Clinging to the only thought I have left: that she's going home. That she hasn't already made a decision I'll spend the rest of my life trying to undo."

"I am standing in my own kitchen, speaking to my wife. And I cannot find her anywhere."

"I hope- desperate, honest, selfish- that somewhere in the life she's building, I still have a place."

"Because of this. Because of her. Because of the way she looks at flowers like they're made of starlight."

[Sakshii_reads]

Where would I go?

I absolutely loved Where Would I Go?. Everything about this book was beautiful — the writing, the storyline, and especially the characters. The author made the emotions feel so raw and real that it was impossible not to get emotionally attached.

Nora was the character I connected with the most. Her childhood trauma, pain, and healing journey were written in such a realistic and emotional way that it genuinely hurt to read at times. Watching her slowly heal throughout the story felt powerful and unforgettable.

One scene that stayed with me was the ending when Nora and Kieran exchanged rings. It was emotional, meaningful, and the perfect ending for their journey together.

The writing style was deeply emotional and heartbreaking in the best way possible. This book honestly went beyond my expectations. While reading, I felt sadness, pain, and emotional heaviness, but that’s what made the story so impactful.

I would 100% recommend this book to anyone who loves emotional romance and character-driven stories. It’s the kind of book that stays with you long after you finish it.

⭐ Rating: 5/5

This book is so emotional that it almost traumatizes you after reading it — and that’s exactly what makes it unforgettable.

[Margerm, Pat]

Binge read in one day. I read this as a WIP on Wattpad. This KU version is richer and more intense. The h's childhood was traumatic and full of fear of repercussions from her moody, abusive father. Her survival strategy was to be as silent and invisible as possible. She carries this strategy into her arranged marriage with her husband. When she catches her husband being unfaithful with a co-worker/OW she doesn't react. She apologizes for interrupting him and goes home to make dinner. Her low bar for her marriage is to have food, a roof over her head and to not be hit. Cheating is not a reason to leave because she has nowhere to go. The husband is confused by her lack of emotional responses. When he suggests therapy but insists that she did nothing wrong to cause the affair, the h doesn't see the point of couples therapy. After months of being as silent and invisible as possible, the h begins to take small steps to take control of her life. Two examples of ideas that resonated with me.
"People don't need a train to be cruel. They just need the power to get away with it."
" Maybe favourites are for people who grew up choosing."
The h gets a new H. The husband and OW get karma.

[SC Girlie]

Lost stars for the wait Kieran had to live through

Overall, this story was very well written and was incredibly emotional. But what really struck me was the element that made it more of a rage read for me. I understand that she went through the wringer and had a terrible life and a mediocre marriage and everything else, but the fact that this incredibly supportive kind, wonderful man admitted to having feelings and she made him wait four years to give him a chance? Honestly, that just infuriated me. It was like listening to some pretentious therapist who says you can’t grow while with someone else well, there are plenty of examples of why that’s not always the case. I just felt like that was way too long. I honestly wanted the book to end and him have found someone else and left her behind. Do you know what he had to wait on and live without because she was too self-absorbed what studying? It was just too much. There was also a lot of inner dialogue and I think it needed a little more actual dialogue but again the author’s talented, but the Kieran weight was a massive letdown.

[Claudiaa]

When choosing yourself is the most difficult thing you can do


This was a short, emotional read that really made me feel for Nora and everything she had been through. After growing up with an abusive father and a mother who taught her to choose “the devil you know” over the unknown, it made sense why Nora stayed in situations that were hurting her. Even Julian’s cruelty was quieter — dismissive, emotionally distant and controlling in its own way.

I really liked that the book explored how difficult leaving can actually be. Nora wasn’t simply choosing to stay; she was trying to survive and make sure she never ended up hungry, homeless or afraid again. “But I have myself.” was one of the moments that really stayed with me.

I also enjoyed meeting Maeve and Kieran and seeing Nora slowly find people who challenged what she had always believed about herself.

There was definitely emotional depth here, and some really powerful messages about abuse, survival and reclaiming yourself. I just wish a few parts had been developed a little more, especially given how short the book was.

Overall, an emotional and worthwhile read.

[andshe.reads]

"Now, if I ever need to leave, I know exactly where I'll go.
I'll go home.
My home."

It's hard to imagine that this is a debut novel. It's raw, authentic, intimate & heartbreaking. Written beautifully by Neva Rain.

Nora, I have no words. Her childhood, a time that some of us could never imagine. Desperate, sad, & absolutely tragic. She chose survival & in the end she did so much more, she thrived. The strength & power in this woman was mesmerising. I will forever be in awe.
I came to feel like I knew Nora personally & not every book can create that kind of feeling.

Not just Nora but every character was written to the highest standard. The emotions drawn from each one to reach out & have us as readers feel exactly what they were feeling.

Omg kieran his story when he opened up to Nora. Wow. As if I wasn't already emotional enough this just topped it off.

I cannot recommend this story enough. It's emotional, heart wrenching & I'm definitely a lifelong fan. So looking forward to what comes next.

Thank you Neva Rain for creating such a masterpiece & for the digital copy <3

[Christine]

Originally read on Wattpad.

Cheating = h's husband (not the H) cheated on her with his secretary

h sees H (not H but her husband) with OW = h walks in on her husband getting down with the OW

OM drama = husband goes nuts when h leaves him, gaslights the crap out of the h, emotionally and financially abusive to the h, refuses to sign the divorce papers, mildly stalks the h, et. Comeuppance? husband ends up fired from his job, OW set him up to take the fall for financial abuse/fraud at hi work, gets a criminal case on himself, can't find another job, disgrace to his family, fades into obscurity.

Angst = the h's story is heartbreaking. h was abused horribly as a child, married off to the husband in an arranged marriage which she accepted because she thought that if she had a roof over her head and food to eat, she had a good life. So much happened to her.

The redemption story here is how the h found her worth, she saved herself and when the H came along she sidelined him in order to find herself. Eventually she gets with the H and it was perfect.

[Prac Agrl]

I wouldn’t call it a romance book per se.
It’s a story about survival — about not always being the best, but simply being there and enduring.
It’s also about appreciating the simple things in life that many of us take for granted, but for someone else, those very things may feel impossible to have.
This book beautifully portrays the life of someone who has faced abuse since childhood. And abuse doesn’t only mean physical violence or shouting — it exists in many forms, some far less visible but equally damaging.
One thing that deeply resonated with me was how I initially got angry at the protagonist and her mother. I kept wondering why they didn’t leave her father, or why she stayed with her cheating husband. But then something she said stayed with me: she had learned to survive.
That line made me realize how quickly we judge people without understanding their struggles, circumstances, or limitations — which may be completely different from our own.
Courage comes in many forms. Sometimes, instead of judging, we need to listen more, understand more, and help where we can.

[Stephanie Skiffington]

This is a debut novel?! NO WAY!! This was absolutely incredible and a really wholesome story. I really felt for Nora the whole time and everything was so relatable. She felt like she was stuck in the same boring and loveless routine, didn't know what to do or where to go. She did anything Julian wanted and always was the doting housewife. I mean she caught him cheating and she just went on like nothing happened, there is nothing left in that "marriage". When she left I was YES GIRL!! She took hold of her own life and never wanted to go back to her old one. She was so strong and I loved that wasn't giving into Julian. She had a terrible past and just wanted to be herself for a while. But omg who doesn't want a Kieran in their life?!

[Tura Hathaway]

I absolutely loved this! It had me so so emotional because I’ve been through something similar. I know the pain our main character felt when her friend accused her of staying and being a victim. This was an emotional book that had an amazing ending and I’m so glad I got a chance to read it!
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Nikki ღ Navareus]

This story was so damn sad. The heroine's past was sad, her marriage was sad, the way she had no expectations in life was sad. And as sad as it was, I adored the angstiness of this tale.

[Micha]

My Sheila 🗣️🗣️🗣️

I’ve never wanted a FMC to win as much as I wanted Nora to win. I wish I could bring her father back to life just so I can 💀 again. Not a lot to say about the cheater because they got what they deserved 🙂‍↕️

[ayiruh]

so well written so good

immediately when we see the fmc's life i knew it was a very south asian dynamic, and later i found that the author was south asian too. that made the entire situation make so much more sense to me personally.

[Wendy Arana]

Great story—the book is well-written, and the character development moved at a good pace. However, there were parts that didn't make sense and that push the reader to root for the male lead.

It was a pretty quick read, and quite entertaining and gripping in some parts

[Lana]

After such a long dry spell. Finally a 5 star read. I was starting to think I'd forgotten what a good book felt like.

[Nanette D]

Wow

What an incredible story. It was beautifully written and I loved the growth and transformation of not just Nora but the people she touched.

[Shantel Battee]

A Must Read

I was captivated reading this. It was beautiful, real, and I’m speechless. I felt Nora’s pain, strength, and happiness. I highly recommend reading this. A must read.

[Olivia]

Nora❤️

This story is about a young woman who learns to live. Nora, learning how to love herself and how to choose her own destiny.

[Toni Wagner]

All the feels

I think I ugly cried through 50% of this book. I wish we got more of Nora and Kierans happy ever after but what a great end.

[Muguet]

This was really good. I loved Nora. I felt her pain, her loneliness, her will to survive and endure.