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What The Storm Broke
Myla Miller has spent sixteen years building a carefully controlled life far from home. As a true crime podcaster, she investigates cold cases from a safe distance–helping other families find closure while keeping the world at arm's length. She's good at it. She's had practice.
But Myla Miller isn't her real name.
She was born Alora Jameson in Cedarwood, Oregon, a small farming town she fled the day after high school graduation. She changed her name, disappeared into a new life, and told herself she never needed to know why she ran. She just knew she did.
When the Cedarwood River gives up its secrets–human remains tied to the twenty-six-year-old disappearance of thirteen-year-old Melody Harper–Myla tells herself it's just another cold case. But then a video triggers a violent panic attack and fragments of something buried surge to the surface. A barn. A girl falling. Her own child's voice screaming.
When her mother dies, leaving behind the family's abandoned farm, Myla runs out of reasons to stay away. Returning to Cedarwood means facing a town that never forgot, a former best friend still grieving her cousin, and memories that grow more disturbing the closer she gets to the truth.
But coming home means crossing a line she can't uncross. And someone in Cedarwood has been waiting for her to try.
But Myla Miller isn't her real name.
She was born Alora Jameson in Cedarwood, Oregon, a small farming town she fled the day after high school graduation. She changed her name, disappeared into a new life, and told herself she never needed to know why she ran. She just knew she did.
When the Cedarwood River gives up its secrets–human remains tied to the twenty-six-year-old disappearance of thirteen-year-old Melody Harper–Myla tells herself it's just another cold case. But then a video triggers a violent panic attack and fragments of something buried surge to the surface. A barn. A girl falling. Her own child's voice screaming.
When her mother dies, leaving behind the family's abandoned farm, Myla runs out of reasons to stay away. Returning to Cedarwood means facing a town that never forgot, a former best friend still grieving her cousin, and memories that grow more disturbing the closer she gets to the truth.
But coming home means crossing a line she can't uncross. And someone in Cedarwood has been waiting for her to try.
342 pages, Paperback
Published June 1, 2026
About the author
Nicole M. King
2 books15 followers The most dangerous place is inside someone's mind.
I'm Nicole M. King — a debut psychological thriller author who spent years doing basically everything else first.
My debut novel, What The Storm Broke, releases June 1, 2026. My second, Moss and Mirrors, is already in progress because apparently I found my thing and I'm not slowing down.
I'm a Canadian author, a wife, and a mom of three with a grandson on the way. I write stories about ordinary people hiding extraordinary secrets.
I'm just getting started.
I'm Nicole M. King — a debut psychological thriller author who spent years doing basically everything else first.
My debut novel, What The Storm Broke, releases June 1, 2026. My second, Moss and Mirrors, is already in progress because apparently I found my thing and I'm not slowing down.
I'm a Canadian author, a wife, and a mom of three with a grandson on the way. I write stories about ordinary people hiding extraordinary secrets.
I'm just getting started.
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April 9, 2026My debut novel – so proud of this one!
June 2, 2026
*This is a review of the Advanced Readers Copy*
Where do I start? This book got me hooked from the first few pages! I am a lover of mystery, thriller and the who done it and this debut book delivered.
We begin the story finding that Alora mother had passed away and was discovered after the flood. The author transports you to feel Alora’s feelings of grief, confusion and the feelings you get when you return to your hometown. Alora is a true-crime enthusiast and finds herself figuring out what secrets hold in her unsuspecting, quiet, and quaint hometown.
Without giving too much away, I felt like I was right there in Cedarwood. Every page I turned kept me hooked to figure out what happened next. How and who did this?! This book so graciously walks you through Alora’s grief so beautifully you feel as if you are there with her. I am excited to read more books from Nicole King, a 5-star book for me!
Where do I start? This book got me hooked from the first few pages! I am a lover of mystery, thriller and the who done it and this debut book delivered.
We begin the story finding that Alora mother had passed away and was discovered after the flood. The author transports you to feel Alora’s feelings of grief, confusion and the feelings you get when you return to your hometown. Alora is a true-crime enthusiast and finds herself figuring out what secrets hold in her unsuspecting, quiet, and quaint hometown.
Without giving too much away, I felt like I was right there in Cedarwood. Every page I turned kept me hooked to figure out what happened next. How and who did this?! This book so graciously walks you through Alora’s grief so beautifully you feel as if you are there with her. I am excited to read more books from Nicole King, a 5-star book for me!
June 2, 2026
Thank you to Nicole King for this complimentary advanced copy. This review is being left voluntarily and all opinions expressed are my own.
Myla, a true crime podcaster, returns home after being away for many years for her mum's funeral. At the same time, news has broken that the remains of a teenage girl have been found on the boundary of her mother's farm.
Myla finds herself on the other side of a true crime for a change as she battles to uncover the truth, whilst also questionong the things she believed to be true.
This story leans heavily on the psychological and explores Myla's inner thoughts as she tries to uncover the truth. However it came accross as quite repetitive, so at times it was a little difficult to stay invested.
The pacing is more on the slow burn side with key information being delivered early, but the pace never really picks up.
To me this didn't feel like a traditional thriller, more of a psychological drama.
This was a solid debut and I look forward to seeing what Nicole has to offer in the future.
Myla, a true crime podcaster, returns home after being away for many years for her mum's funeral. At the same time, news has broken that the remains of a teenage girl have been found on the boundary of her mother's farm.
Myla finds herself on the other side of a true crime for a change as she battles to uncover the truth, whilst also questionong the things she believed to be true.
This story leans heavily on the psychological and explores Myla's inner thoughts as she tries to uncover the truth. However it came accross as quite repetitive, so at times it was a little difficult to stay invested.
The pacing is more on the slow burn side with key information being delivered early, but the pace never really picks up.
To me this didn't feel like a traditional thriller, more of a psychological drama.
This was a solid debut and I look forward to seeing what Nicole has to offer in the future.
Review of advance copy
Arc Copy Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What The Storm Broke
Author Nicole M King
Publication date June 1, 2026
First, I want to give a HUGE thank you to author Nicole M King and Inside Story for providing me with an advanced copy to read.
This book moved me. I mean, really moved me.
It pulled me in from the very first paragraph and never let go. The combination of small-town secrets, buried trauma, and unreliable memories created a constant sense of dread that only intensified as the story unfolded.
Myla is such a compelling protagonist—successful on the surface, yet clearly running from something she can’t fully remember. The true-crime podcaster angle added another fascinating layer because she spends her life investigating other people’s tragedies while refusing to confront her own. Watching her return to Cedarwood and slowly unravel the truth was genuinely gripping.
The atmosphere was incredible. Cedarwood feels haunted in the way only small towns can, where everyone remembers everything and silence says more than words. Every chapter added another piece to the puzzle, and the fragmented memories were unsettling without ever feeling overdone.
And that final line from the premise still gives me chills:
“Someone in Cedarwood has been waiting for her to come back.”
If you like atmospheric psychological thrillers with buried secrets, unreliable memories, and messy hometown histories, this one delivers. Perfect for fans of slow-burn suspense with a strong emotional core.
Content Warnings:
Child Death
Cover Ups
Child Endangerment
Panic Attacks
Trauma
Grief
Loss
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What The Storm Broke
Author Nicole M King
Publication date June 1, 2026
First, I want to give a HUGE thank you to author Nicole M King and Inside Story for providing me with an advanced copy to read.
This book moved me. I mean, really moved me.
It pulled me in from the very first paragraph and never let go. The combination of small-town secrets, buried trauma, and unreliable memories created a constant sense of dread that only intensified as the story unfolded.
Myla is such a compelling protagonist—successful on the surface, yet clearly running from something she can’t fully remember. The true-crime podcaster angle added another fascinating layer because she spends her life investigating other people’s tragedies while refusing to confront her own. Watching her return to Cedarwood and slowly unravel the truth was genuinely gripping.
The atmosphere was incredible. Cedarwood feels haunted in the way only small towns can, where everyone remembers everything and silence says more than words. Every chapter added another piece to the puzzle, and the fragmented memories were unsettling without ever feeling overdone.
And that final line from the premise still gives me chills:
“Someone in Cedarwood has been waiting for her to come back.”
If you like atmospheric psychological thrillers with buried secrets, unreliable memories, and messy hometown histories, this one delivers. Perfect for fans of slow-burn suspense with a strong emotional core.
Content Warnings:
Child Death
Cover Ups
Child Endangerment
Panic Attacks
Trauma
Grief
Loss
June 2, 2026
I finished this so quickly and I loved every minute of it! The pacing was just right and very tense, the atmosphere just feel very eerie the whole way through. It actually felt like it was very dreary and stormy the whole time. Myla just felt out of place and like she didn't belong at her hometown anymore. I thought I knew what the big mystery was, but boy was I wrong. I was very surprised by it and I understand why she left. She also forgot everything because it was so traumatizing. Nicole did an amazing job with this story and it had a great ending too!
June 2, 2026
It was a small town with big secrets. Slow build up but once a clue has been released, it started pouring like rain. Then you’ll want to read more..and more… and more. And you’ll realize that it’s the end of the novel. This has really made me awake for 2 nights in a row coz I can’t stop until my body says “sleep”.
June 1, 2026
✨BOOK REVIEW & Happy Release Day!✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
✨What the Storm Broke by Nicole M. King 🌀
Myla Miller, a true crime podcaster, has been away from her hometown of Cedarwood, Oregon, for sixteen years. When an unexpected event draws her back, she returns not as Myla Miller, but as Alora Jameson. Alora was an eight-year-old girl caught in the center of a tragedy, though the details of that terrible night have long remained buried beyond the reach of her memory. Alora wanted to stay hidden away with those fractured recollections, but when a startling discovery comes to light, the shadows of the past begin to stir, and the tragic memories she lost slowly resurface.
This is Nicole M. King’s debut novel, and I was immediately drawn to its striking cover. It beautifully reflects the atmosphere of the story within; quiet, weathered, and tinged with melancholy. Much like the landscape it inhabits, this is a slow-burning novel where time seems to stretch endlessly, and memories emerge with an almost reluctant pace. The rural farm setting deepens that feeling, grounding the story in the rhythms of simple living, where each day unfolds with purpose and there’s a secret behind the silence.
Overall, I enjoyed this novel. There were moments where the repetition felt purposeful, mirroring the fragmented nature of memory and trauma, though at times it seemed overused. Even so, the story maintained its emotional pull and sense of mystery throughout.
This is the kind of book best enjoyed on a quiet summer afternoon sitting on a shaded back porch, a glass of iced tea within easy reach, while a gentle breeze drifts through the trees. Its unhurried pace invites you to sit back, listen closely, and allow the story to unfold in its own time.
🫶🏻 Thank you to Nicole M. King for the opportunity to read and review this debut novel.
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
✨What the Storm Broke by Nicole M. King 🌀
Myla Miller, a true crime podcaster, has been away from her hometown of Cedarwood, Oregon, for sixteen years. When an unexpected event draws her back, she returns not as Myla Miller, but as Alora Jameson. Alora was an eight-year-old girl caught in the center of a tragedy, though the details of that terrible night have long remained buried beyond the reach of her memory. Alora wanted to stay hidden away with those fractured recollections, but when a startling discovery comes to light, the shadows of the past begin to stir, and the tragic memories she lost slowly resurface.
This is Nicole M. King’s debut novel, and I was immediately drawn to its striking cover. It beautifully reflects the atmosphere of the story within; quiet, weathered, and tinged with melancholy. Much like the landscape it inhabits, this is a slow-burning novel where time seems to stretch endlessly, and memories emerge with an almost reluctant pace. The rural farm setting deepens that feeling, grounding the story in the rhythms of simple living, where each day unfolds with purpose and there’s a secret behind the silence.
Overall, I enjoyed this novel. There were moments where the repetition felt purposeful, mirroring the fragmented nature of memory and trauma, though at times it seemed overused. Even so, the story maintained its emotional pull and sense of mystery throughout.
This is the kind of book best enjoyed on a quiet summer afternoon sitting on a shaded back porch, a glass of iced tea within easy reach, while a gentle breeze drifts through the trees. Its unhurried pace invites you to sit back, listen closely, and allow the story to unfold in its own time.
🫶🏻 Thank you to Nicole M. King for the opportunity to read and review this debut novel.
Review of advance copy received from Storygraph
What the Storm Broke by Nicole M. King is definitely not sunshine and daisies… I mean, technically there are daisies mentioned, but let’s not get carried away.
This is one of those stories that leaves you with more questions than answers but in a good way, not a “throw the book across the room” way. More like a “stare at the ceiling at 2 a.m. questioning everything” kind of way. Who did what? Why did they do that? Is that really what happened? And if it is, why didn’t they just do literally anything else? The questions just keep coming. So thanks for that, Ms. King, I really needed more to ponder in the middle of the night.
All jokes aside, this was a fantastic debut. It’s definitely on the dreary side, but that’s part of the charm. I fully committed to the vibe with a rainy day ambience playing on the tv with a barn in the background (iykyk), and honestly, it felt like the perfect reading companion.
Now I just need a return trip to Cedarwood, because clearly I haven’t overthought things nearly enough yet.
This is one of those stories that leaves you with more questions than answers but in a good way, not a “throw the book across the room” way. More like a “stare at the ceiling at 2 a.m. questioning everything” kind of way. Who did what? Why did they do that? Is that really what happened? And if it is, why didn’t they just do literally anything else? The questions just keep coming. So thanks for that, Ms. King, I really needed more to ponder in the middle of the night.
All jokes aside, this was a fantastic debut. It’s definitely on the dreary side, but that’s part of the charm. I fully committed to the vibe with a rainy day ambience playing on the tv with a barn in the background (iykyk), and honestly, it felt like the perfect reading companion.
Now I just need a return trip to Cedarwood, because clearly I haven’t overthought things nearly enough yet.
June 2, 2026
Unsure where my review went so I’m writing it again!
This is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time! I am very thankful to the author for allowing me to read an ARC copy of this and review.
The mystery of what happened years prior was so captivating. I was drawn into each character's story I read this in one setting! I felt so many emotions while reading this and the ending was so sad and satisfying to me! I loved it! The complex, dual timelines were masterfully handled, creating a mounting suspense as the secrets of the past slowly came to light. The author's ability to render each character’s inner life—their struggles, their guilt, and their eventual path to resolution—made the emotional payoff of the finale feel profoundly earned.
I highly recommend this book to everyone. It is available now to read.
This is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time! I am very thankful to the author for allowing me to read an ARC copy of this and review.
The mystery of what happened years prior was so captivating. I was drawn into each character's story I read this in one setting! I felt so many emotions while reading this and the ending was so sad and satisfying to me! I loved it! The complex, dual timelines were masterfully handled, creating a mounting suspense as the secrets of the past slowly came to light. The author's ability to render each character’s inner life—their struggles, their guilt, and their eventual path to resolution—made the emotional payoff of the finale feel profoundly earned.
I highly recommend this book to everyone. It is available now to read.
May 14, 2026
I would’ve finished this book a lot quicker if life didn’t keep getting in the way. It kept me hooked and needing to know what happened.
This isn’t psychological thriller in the sense of jump scares at every turn and twists galore. This is deeper… more psychological. You really get into the main character’s head. What she’s thinking, how she’s processing. You really feel for her, and want answers as much as she does.
I really, really enjoyed this book and can’t wait for more stories from Ms. King.
This isn’t psychological thriller in the sense of jump scares at every turn and twists galore. This is deeper… more psychological. You really get into the main character’s head. What she’s thinking, how she’s processing. You really feel for her, and want answers as much as she does.
I really, really enjoyed this book and can’t wait for more stories from Ms. King.
May 31, 2026
Thank you to the author for providing a review copy.
This book started off really strong. I honestly thought it was going to be a great debut. But for me, repetition is a major issue. And I’m not talking about a repeated phrase here and there or something that comes up over a chapter or two. I felt like I was reading the same things over and over again throughout the entire book. Eventually, I got bored and found myself counting down the pages until I reached the end.
Another thing that bothered me was not knowing from the start that this is part of a series. I would have appreciated that being made clear from the beginning.
I also struggled with the frequent use of asterisks between scenes. They appeared so often that they became distracting. In many cases, the story flowed naturally without any obvious change in time, location, or perspective, so I couldn’t really see the purpose of those scene breaks. Instead of helping the pacing, they pulled me out of the story and, after a while, started to feel like something that constantly caught my eye for no reason.
The story follows Alora/Myla, who returns to CedarWood after sixteen years following her mother’s death. She has to deal with the funeral, the family home, and the animals left behind. But returning home also brings back memories she didn’t even realize she had. After a powerful storm, the body of a thirteen-year-old girl who disappeared twenty-six years earlier is discovered not far from her property.
The big question is: what connection does Alora have to this disappearance? Honestly, even after finishing the book, I didn’t feel like I received a clear or satisfying answer. The entire mystery left me with the impression that too much of the story existed to fill pages rather than build toward a strong resolution.
I don’t think this is a bad book. The premise is interesting, and there are elements that work well. However, for me, the execution never lived up to the potential of the idea.
I never DNF books and always try to finish them, even when I’m not connecting with the story. But if I were the type of reader who gives up on books, this would unfortunately have been a DNF for me.
This book started off really strong. I honestly thought it was going to be a great debut. But for me, repetition is a major issue. And I’m not talking about a repeated phrase here and there or something that comes up over a chapter or two. I felt like I was reading the same things over and over again throughout the entire book. Eventually, I got bored and found myself counting down the pages until I reached the end.
Another thing that bothered me was not knowing from the start that this is part of a series. I would have appreciated that being made clear from the beginning.
I also struggled with the frequent use of asterisks between scenes. They appeared so often that they became distracting. In many cases, the story flowed naturally without any obvious change in time, location, or perspective, so I couldn’t really see the purpose of those scene breaks. Instead of helping the pacing, they pulled me out of the story and, after a while, started to feel like something that constantly caught my eye for no reason.
The story follows Alora/Myla, who returns to CedarWood after sixteen years following her mother’s death. She has to deal with the funeral, the family home, and the animals left behind. But returning home also brings back memories she didn’t even realize she had. After a powerful storm, the body of a thirteen-year-old girl who disappeared twenty-six years earlier is discovered not far from her property.
The big question is: what connection does Alora have to this disappearance? Honestly, even after finishing the book, I didn’t feel like I received a clear or satisfying answer. The entire mystery left me with the impression that too much of the story existed to fill pages rather than build toward a strong resolution.
I don’t think this is a bad book. The premise is interesting, and there are elements that work well. However, for me, the execution never lived up to the potential of the idea.
I never DNF books and always try to finish them, even when I’m not connecting with the story. But if I were the type of reader who gives up on books, this would unfortunately have been a DNF for me.
May 25, 2026
I received this book as an arc in exchange for an honest review.
The plot of this book was really fun. I kept wanting to know what was going to happen next for Myla. There was times where it felt repetitive and made me a bit confused because of it as I kept thinking I have already read that. I do hope there is another book after this one because of the way it ended. I am excited to see what this author does next though
The plot of this book was really fun. I kept wanting to know what was going to happen next for Myla. There was times where it felt repetitive and made me a bit confused because of it as I kept thinking I have already read that. I do hope there is another book after this one because of the way it ended. I am excited to see what this author does next though
April 24, 2026
I finished in one sitting. Then stared at the wall for awhile. This book had a dark, eerie vibe, the whole atmosphere felt unsettling. The writing was beautiful and I felt drawn in to the story straight away. The main character, Myla, felt so alone and isolated. It made me sad that at no stage during the story she ever reached out to talk to a friend. Maybe she likes the isolation and that’s just me projecting. I am looking forward to reading the prequel of this story. Thank you Nicole for allowing me to be a part of your debut novel.
May 2, 2026
This story follows Myla, who must return to her hometown and face her past. What starts out as a quick trip to handle personal business, quickly forces Myla to relive a moment from her childhood. Can she remember what happened when she was 8? Did she really see it? Are there enough clues to solve the mystery?
King does a great job of a slow burn suspense. She leaves you wanting more, the perfect set-up for a sequel.
King does a great job of a slow burn suspense. She leaves you wanting more, the perfect set-up for a sequel.
April 24, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This one??? Absolutely unsettling in the best way.
From the very first page, I was hooked on Myla’s story—a true crime podcaster who’s built her life around uncovering other people’s secrets… while running from her own. And when those buried memories start clawing their way back? Yeah, I was ALL IN.
The tension in this book is unreal. It’s one of those slow-burn thrillers where every detail feels intentional, every memory fragment hits harder than the last, and the atmosphere just keeps tightening around you. That creeping sense of something is very wrong here never lets up.
What really got me was the emotional depth layered into the mystery. This isn’t just about a cold case—it’s about identity, trauma, and what happens when the past refuses to stay buried. Watching Myla/Alora unravel while inching closer to the truth? Completely gripping.
And that small-town setting? Perfectly eerie. The kind of place where everyone knows something… but no one is saying enough.
By the end, I was equal parts shocked and satisfied. Twisty, haunting, and impossible to put down.
If you love psychological thrillers with dark secrets, unreliable memories, and a main character you can’t stop rooting for—add this to your list immediately.
This one??? Absolutely unsettling in the best way.
From the very first page, I was hooked on Myla’s story—a true crime podcaster who’s built her life around uncovering other people’s secrets… while running from her own. And when those buried memories start clawing their way back? Yeah, I was ALL IN.
The tension in this book is unreal. It’s one of those slow-burn thrillers where every detail feels intentional, every memory fragment hits harder than the last, and the atmosphere just keeps tightening around you. That creeping sense of something is very wrong here never lets up.
What really got me was the emotional depth layered into the mystery. This isn’t just about a cold case—it’s about identity, trauma, and what happens when the past refuses to stay buried. Watching Myla/Alora unravel while inching closer to the truth? Completely gripping.
And that small-town setting? Perfectly eerie. The kind of place where everyone knows something… but no one is saying enough.
By the end, I was equal parts shocked and satisfied. Twisty, haunting, and impossible to put down.
If you love psychological thrillers with dark secrets, unreliable memories, and a main character you can’t stop rooting for—add this to your list immediately.
April 16, 2026
“What The Storm Broke” by Nicole M. King is an intense, dark read that completely pulled me in. I genuinely couldn’t put it down and had to force myself to just to get some sleep. I loved every second of it. It’s packed with dark secrets, creeping suspicion, and that constant feeling that something isn’t quite right.
Myla Miller is a true crime podcaster who has built a carefully controlled life investigating cold cases from a distance. But when human remains tied to a decades old disappearance are discovered in her hometown, everything starts to unravel. Returning to Cedarwood means confronting the truth about who she really is, Alora Jameson, and the buried memories she’s spent years trying to outrun.
The deeper she digs, the more unsettling things become, with fragments of the past surfacing in ways that are impossible to ignore. The tension builds perfectly as secrets come to light.
Dark, gripping, and full of emotional weight, this one kept me hooked from start to finish.
Myla Miller is a true crime podcaster who has built a carefully controlled life investigating cold cases from a distance. But when human remains tied to a decades old disappearance are discovered in her hometown, everything starts to unravel. Returning to Cedarwood means confronting the truth about who she really is, Alora Jameson, and the buried memories she’s spent years trying to outrun.
The deeper she digs, the more unsettling things become, with fragments of the past surfacing in ways that are impossible to ignore. The tension builds perfectly as secrets come to light.
Dark, gripping, and full of emotional weight, this one kept me hooked from start to finish.
June 1, 2026
Thank you to Nicole M. King and Inside Story for an advanced copy to review.
The ending destroyed me. I have been sitting with this book for days and I'm still thinking about it.
If you want something with a nice neat ending that answers all your questions, don’t read this. But if you do, you will fall in love with Myla and her tenacity.
I expected something a bit different out of this thriller. But the quiet burn, the silent searching she did, it was better. It felt like a fresh psychological thriller.
This was a return home after years and then stay longer than planned story. Myla is a podcaster, which makes the long stay believable. She was a bit of a professional in the world of cold cases so her research and involvement didn't feel forced. Especially because she didn't jump right in. She resisted becoming a part of the story.
Cedarwood came alive. The setting was important and I felt like I was there. That is something that can be challenging and can detract from a story, so I appreciated how real it felt.
The ending destroyed me. I have been sitting with this book for days and I'm still thinking about it.
If you want something with a nice neat ending that answers all your questions, don’t read this. But if you do, you will fall in love with Myla and her tenacity.
I expected something a bit different out of this thriller. But the quiet burn, the silent searching she did, it was better. It felt like a fresh psychological thriller.
This was a return home after years and then stay longer than planned story. Myla is a podcaster, which makes the long stay believable. She was a bit of a professional in the world of cold cases so her research and involvement didn't feel forced. Especially because she didn't jump right in. She resisted becoming a part of the story.
Cedarwood came alive. The setting was important and I felt like I was there. That is something that can be challenging and can detract from a story, so I appreciated how real it felt.
May 17, 2026
Such a page turner! I found myself having to force myself to put it down cause adult responsibilities kept interrupting me.
This is the type of book that left me hanging with plenty of questions outstanding. I find myself constantly spiraling thinking of the different outcomes or answers that I may eventually come to know. It is excellently written and I appreciate the character development and fast moving plot line! I cannot wait to find out what more is to come and look forward to reading more of Nicole M. King’s work!
This is the type of book that left me hanging with plenty of questions outstanding. I find myself constantly spiraling thinking of the different outcomes or answers that I may eventually come to know. It is excellently written and I appreciate the character development and fast moving plot line! I cannot wait to find out what more is to come and look forward to reading more of Nicole M. King’s work!
June 1, 2026
What a really good read. The plot was interesting and the characters were done well. I’m definitely looking forward to more by Nicole.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC review!
Thank you so much Nicole M. King for allowing me the opportunity to read your debut early! This my honest review and completely voluntary.
4.5 / 5 ⭐️
We follow Alora who is now going by Myla. She’s spent the last sixteen years running from her past and keeping everything tightly controlled. She built a whole new life as a true crime podcaster, which adds such an interesting layer because she’s spent years dissecting other people’s tragedies while avoiding her own.
But going home to Cedarwood changes everything.
After her mother is found deceased following a flood, Myla is forced back to the same town she ran from, the same place where her babysitter, Melody, vanished when Myla was just 8 years old. Zero leads. Zero answers. Just gone. And what makes it even more unsettling? Melody went missing from Alora’s own family farm…only her family doesn’t even know she was babysitting there that day.
This story is heavy in the best way. It dives deep into grief, trauma, loss, child death, and long buried coverups. The emotional weight sits with you the entire time, especially as Myla starts uncovering the truth, not just about Melody, but about her own past.
Her mother is such a powerful part of this story too. She hid secrets. She made a choice.
The tension builds slowly but steadily, with memories surfacing in fragments that feel just as unsettling as the mystery itself. The small town atmosphere is perfect. Some know something, no one says enough, and the truth feels just out of reach.
The twists aren’t over the top, but they hit where they need to and kept me fully invested.
If I had to nitpick, the pacing dips slightly in a couple spots. But it honestly works with how emotional and layered this story is.
Overall, this is a haunting, emotional thriller that blends mystery with deeply personal stakes.
Thank you so much Nicole M. King for allowing me the opportunity to read your debut early! This my honest review and completely voluntary.
4.5 / 5 ⭐️
We follow Alora who is now going by Myla. She’s spent the last sixteen years running from her past and keeping everything tightly controlled. She built a whole new life as a true crime podcaster, which adds such an interesting layer because she’s spent years dissecting other people’s tragedies while avoiding her own.
But going home to Cedarwood changes everything.
After her mother is found deceased following a flood, Myla is forced back to the same town she ran from, the same place where her babysitter, Melody, vanished when Myla was just 8 years old. Zero leads. Zero answers. Just gone. And what makes it even more unsettling? Melody went missing from Alora’s own family farm…only her family doesn’t even know she was babysitting there that day.
This story is heavy in the best way. It dives deep into grief, trauma, loss, child death, and long buried coverups. The emotional weight sits with you the entire time, especially as Myla starts uncovering the truth, not just about Melody, but about her own past.
Her mother is such a powerful part of this story too. She hid secrets. She made a choice.
The tension builds slowly but steadily, with memories surfacing in fragments that feel just as unsettling as the mystery itself. The small town atmosphere is perfect. Some know something, no one says enough, and the truth feels just out of reach.
The twists aren’t over the top, but they hit where they need to and kept me fully invested.
If I had to nitpick, the pacing dips slightly in a couple spots. But it honestly works with how emotional and layered this story is.
Overall, this is a haunting, emotional thriller that blends mystery with deeply personal stakes.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Strength, resilience, and healing—the perfect representation of Myla’s hometown, Cedarwood.
In this atmospheric debut novel, we follow Myla as she is forced to return to the hometown she fled sixteen years ago following her mother’s death. As a crime podcaster, Myla is uniquely equipped to dig into the mysteries of the past, but she must first confront the very childhood trauma she was forced to forget at just eight years old.
The author does a fantastic job of establishing a palpable mood. The story is wonderfully eerie and somber, beautifully capturing the heavy stages of grief and the agonizing process of reclaiming lost memories. Cedarwood itself feels like a living character, mirroring Myla's internal struggle between pain and healing. As a premise, the storyline is incredibly strong and hooks you from the start.
While I genuinely enjoyed the book, I found myself wishing for a bit more substance regarding character development. There was a emotional barrier that kept me from feeling completely, deeply invested in Myla’s journey.
Additionally, the narrative relied heavily on repetition. It was difficult to tell if this cyclical storytelling was a deliberate choice to establish Myla as an unreliable narrator, or if it was a baseline meant to set up a larger character arc for a future sequel.
Despite the repetitive pacing, this is a highly commendable debut. It is a poignant exploration of what it means to remember, and it will certainly resonate with readers who enjoy slow-burn, atmospheric mystery.
In this atmospheric debut novel, we follow Myla as she is forced to return to the hometown she fled sixteen years ago following her mother’s death. As a crime podcaster, Myla is uniquely equipped to dig into the mysteries of the past, but she must first confront the very childhood trauma she was forced to forget at just eight years old.
The author does a fantastic job of establishing a palpable mood. The story is wonderfully eerie and somber, beautifully capturing the heavy stages of grief and the agonizing process of reclaiming lost memories. Cedarwood itself feels like a living character, mirroring Myla's internal struggle between pain and healing. As a premise, the storyline is incredibly strong and hooks you from the start.
While I genuinely enjoyed the book, I found myself wishing for a bit more substance regarding character development. There was a emotional barrier that kept me from feeling completely, deeply invested in Myla’s journey.
Additionally, the narrative relied heavily on repetition. It was difficult to tell if this cyclical storytelling was a deliberate choice to establish Myla as an unreliable narrator, or if it was a baseline meant to set up a larger character arc for a future sequel.
Despite the repetitive pacing, this is a highly commendable debut. It is a poignant exploration of what it means to remember, and it will certainly resonate with readers who enjoy slow-burn, atmospheric mystery.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book was far sadder than I anticipated. It is a story about love and loss, and the lengths that a parent would go to in order to protect their children.
Myla is forced to return home to deal with the final arrangements for her mom, whom she hasn't seen in years since Myla left Cedarwood and didn't look back. Now, a discovery on her mother's farm after a storm is bringing up old memories that she had no clue existed and hopefully solving a decades-old case.
As a lover of true crime and cold cases, this story really intrigued me, but it ended up doing more than that. It gets under your skin, and you grieve along with Myla for her mom, and you are right there with her confusion and scary memories and the urgent need to just understand what it is that she is remembering.
For a debut novel, this book is excellently written. When some authors start out, you can kind of see it in the way that they write, but not here. This book was written as though this author has been writing books for years. Just the prose and the way the story pulls together is honestly brilliant. I cannot wait to read more books from her!
Myla is forced to return home to deal with the final arrangements for her mom, whom she hasn't seen in years since Myla left Cedarwood and didn't look back. Now, a discovery on her mother's farm after a storm is bringing up old memories that she had no clue existed and hopefully solving a decades-old case.
As a lover of true crime and cold cases, this story really intrigued me, but it ended up doing more than that. It gets under your skin, and you grieve along with Myla for her mom, and you are right there with her confusion and scary memories and the urgent need to just understand what it is that she is remembering.
For a debut novel, this book is excellently written. When some authors start out, you can kind of see it in the way that they write, but not here. This book was written as though this author has been writing books for years. Just the prose and the way the story pulls together is honestly brilliant. I cannot wait to read more books from her!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Myla has spent 16 years building her new life far away from her small town upbringing. She has made a name for herself investigating true crimes on her podcast, but it all changes after a tragic accident brings her back to her childhood home. A 26 year mystery will slowly consume her every thought and action. What happens when the past is ready to give up its secrets before you’re ready?
This was a great debut and I found myself really getting into the story. There are so many techniques in use here that bind the story together like glue and push it forward. The characters come alive and even the animals on the farm are given their time in the spotlight. The repetition helps to build the connection to the story and solidify the characters’ motives. Definitely a masterclass in using all the tools in the toolbox to craft an amazing story.
I would highly recommend this to anyone who has a severe distrust of small towns, loves a deep mystery, and enjoys a slow burn that springs into life with a huge climax.
This was a great debut and I found myself really getting into the story. There are so many techniques in use here that bind the story together like glue and push it forward. The characters come alive and even the animals on the farm are given their time in the spotlight. The repetition helps to build the connection to the story and solidify the characters’ motives. Definitely a masterclass in using all the tools in the toolbox to craft an amazing story.
I would highly recommend this to anyone who has a severe distrust of small towns, loves a deep mystery, and enjoys a slow burn that springs into life with a huge climax.
Review of advance copy received from Author
'𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆.
𝑰𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒔𝒏’𝒕 𝒑𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒕.
𝑰𝒕 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒆𝒅 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒑𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆.'
What the Storm Broke pulled me in with
it's atmosphere. It has that slow, heavy tension where you constantly feel like something isn’t right in Cedarwood. The small town mystery unfolds gradually, which made me even more invested in wanting answers as much as Myla did.
The creepy, secretive mood added so much to the psychological depth. It’s not just relying on cheap twists or shock value. Instead, it actually deals with the heavy stuff like buried trauma, foggy memories, and how the past always finds a way to shape who we are.
The ending leaves you sitting there for awhile after finishing, completely stunned and replaying the final reveals in your head. 𝐀 𝐟𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐝𝐞𝐛𝐮𝐭!
𝑰𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒔𝒏’𝒕 𝒑𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒕.
𝑰𝒕 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒆𝒅 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒑𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆.'
What the Storm Broke pulled me in with
it's atmosphere. It has that slow, heavy tension where you constantly feel like something isn’t right in Cedarwood. The small town mystery unfolds gradually, which made me even more invested in wanting answers as much as Myla did.
The creepy, secretive mood added so much to the psychological depth. It’s not just relying on cheap twists or shock value. Instead, it actually deals with the heavy stuff like buried trauma, foggy memories, and how the past always finds a way to shape who we are.
The ending leaves you sitting there for awhile after finishing, completely stunned and replaying the final reveals in your head. 𝐀 𝐟𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐝𝐞𝐛𝐮𝐭!
Review of advance copy received from Author
They say to never judge a book by its cover, but as soon as I saw this cover, the book ended on my TBR. The description made me want to read it even more, and it did not let me down! At first I was taken back by the repetitiveness of the story, but that is the point. Going through the motions of the day, without thought or realizing you are doing it. How we do the same things day after day, trying to avoid things in our life that we are running or hiding from. Following Myla through the emotions of her mom passing and realizing what happened all those years ago. Unravelling the mystery of Cedarwood along side Myla takes the reader through a mix of emotions, you won't be able to walk away form.
Review of advance copy
Y’all! This one? Didn’t just pull me in—it threw me straight into the storm 🌪️😳
Myla Miller, a true crime podcaster with a buried past (and a whole different name 👀), is used to telling other people’s stories… until a cold case drags her back to the small town she ran from. And y’all—the memory flashes? A barn, a fall, a child screaming? Instant chills.
Cedarwood is dripping with secrets—tight smiles, old wounds, and that feeling that someone knows exactly what happened 😬
The writing is sharp and atmospheric, building tension like thunder rolling in. Myla’s unraveling is messy, gripping, and impossible to look away from.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Dark, twisty, and haunting—this story doesn’t just unfold… it hits like lightning. ⚡
Myla Miller, a true crime podcaster with a buried past (and a whole different name 👀), is used to telling other people’s stories… until a cold case drags her back to the small town she ran from. And y’all—the memory flashes? A barn, a fall, a child screaming? Instant chills.
Cedarwood is dripping with secrets—tight smiles, old wounds, and that feeling that someone knows exactly what happened 😬
The writing is sharp and atmospheric, building tension like thunder rolling in. Myla’s unraveling is messy, gripping, and impossible to look away from.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Dark, twisty, and haunting—this story doesn’t just unfold… it hits like lightning. ⚡
Review of advance copy received from Author
Review of advanced copy received from the author. This review is of my wholehearted personal opinion.
What the Storm Broke - by Nicole M. King
Once you start you can’t stop. You just need to know, need to solve it. Albeit noted a thriller i felt it was more of an emotional mystery for me. This novel brought me through so many emotions as a mother, a daughter. The silence and distance seperating them. Slowly piecing together, trying to understand why our main character Myla/Alora ran away from her life to become someone different, yet she doesn’t even recall. The novel will have you thinking you know, but do you know?
What the Storm Broke - by Nicole M. King
Once you start you can’t stop. You just need to know, need to solve it. Albeit noted a thriller i felt it was more of an emotional mystery for me. This novel brought me through so many emotions as a mother, a daughter. The silence and distance seperating them. Slowly piecing together, trying to understand why our main character Myla/Alora ran away from her life to become someone different, yet she doesn’t even recall. The novel will have you thinking you know, but do you know?
Review of advance copy received from Author
What the Storm Broke by Nicole M. King leans into quiet tension rather than shock, unfolding like a memory you’re not sure you want back. It follows a true crime podcaster pulled into a case that hits a little too close, where the unease builds steadily—never rushed, but always tightening.
There’s a constant undercurrent of something unresolved, just out of reach, lingering in every interaction. The small-town setting adds to that weight, creating a closed-in feeling where the past never truly stays buried.
Subtle, unsettling, and emotionally heavy—this is the kind of story that creeps in quietly and lingers long after the final page.
There’s a constant undercurrent of something unresolved, just out of reach, lingering in every interaction. The small-town setting adds to that weight, creating a closed-in feeling where the past never truly stays buried.
Subtle, unsettling, and emotionally heavy—this is the kind of story that creeps in quietly and lingers long after the final page.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I got the ARC from Nicole M. King. This book was great and full of mystery. Myla's mom passed away and she had to come back to this town after 16 years of never returning. She is learning all of the mysteries behind what happened to the bones that were found on the edge of her mom's property. But she cant seem to remember it all.
Definitely kept me up at night and had to make myself go to bed but had to finish it tonight and I'm glad I did. What The Storm Broke was a great book and I'm glad i got the Chance to read it! Nothing better than a mystery that no one can figure out and if they do, then we find out where it goes from there......
Definitely kept me up at night and had to make myself go to bed but had to finish it tonight and I'm glad I did. What The Storm Broke was a great book and I'm glad i got the Chance to read it! Nothing better than a mystery that no one can figure out and if they do, then we find out where it goes from there......
Review of advance copy
Small towns and secrets always go hand in hand, and this one really leans into the damage those secrets leave behind. The slow, uneasy build works in its favor, and Myla’s true crime angle makes everything feel a little too close to home.
That said… the coffee orders. I get it, it’s a character detail, but it gets so repetitive it starts pulling you out of the story instead of adding to it.
Still, the tension, buried trauma, and messy reveals carry the book. It has solid potential and keeps you hooked even when it drags in spots.
⭐️ 4 stars
Flawed but gripping, and definitely worth the read if you like twisty, small-town chaos.
That said… the coffee orders. I get it, it’s a character detail, but it gets so repetitive it starts pulling you out of the story instead of adding to it.
Still, the tension, buried trauma, and messy reveals carry the book. It has solid potential and keeps you hooked even when it drags in spots.
⭐️ 4 stars
Flawed but gripping, and definitely worth the read if you like twisty, small-town chaos.
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