Never Going Back

by Sam Wiebe

Before she went to prison, Alison Kidd was the best thief in the city. But Ali has changed. All she wants now is to clean up her act and work in her brother Dean’s restaurant. She never wants to go back inside. On the day she gets out, Dean is supposed to pick her up. But he never shows. Ali makes her way to Dean’s apartment and uses her unique skill set to let herself in. Dean is missing. After some investigation, Ali discovers that he was kidnapped and is being held hostage by a powerful crime boss, Lisa Wan. Lisa is the reason that Ali was in prison and wants Ali to work one last job in exchange for Dean's safety. Now, to save her brother and her own future, Ali must pull off the toughest job of her career.

128 pages, Paperback

Published September 22, 2020

About the author

Sam Wiebe is the author of CUT YOU DOWN, INVISIBLE DEAD, and LAST OF THE INDEPENDENTS. He lives in Vancouver.

Reviews

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is part of the Rapid Reads series from Orca Book Publishers. Rapid Reads are short books for adults, and seem marketed towards people who are not strong readers. The subject matter leans towards adults.

In Never Going Back, Ali has just got out of prison for robbery. Immediately her old crime boss blackmails her to do one last job. The story is interesting and you can see Ali’s struggles with going back to a life of crime. Ali is a likable character and I was rooting for her.

I received a free copy from LibraryThing and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this snappy little novella. I read it in under an hour and enjoyed every page. Very clever writing.

[Scott Cumming · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sam Wiebe delivers a sharp, fun crime read for readers of all ages. I believe the Orca Rapid Reads series is presented as a way for all levels of readers to get involved and you can see it throughout this one as it’s simply yet engagingly presented with little to no surprise factor for a seasoned reader such as myself, but the character of Ali is herself compelling.

Ali has retired from the thievery game following a stint in prison, but when her brother doesn’t pick her up upon release as promised she starts to worry and starts to investigate his disappearance. This book is certainly a great introduction to the crime genre for any young reader and it has a great crime fiction feel about it and shows off the fun of the genre without swearing and violence.

It’s a slight book that isn’t really aimed at me, so it is hard to criticise when I can see what those involved are aiming for. I will, however, need to remember to check out Wiebe’s other books, which are sitting on devices ready to roll.

[Teena in Toronto · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since she was in high school, Alison was a thief. She eventually started working for Lisa, who she'd met in detention. Lisa double crossed her and Alison ended up going to prison for a year. She's just getting out and looking forward to staying clean and working in her younger brother Dean's restaurant.

Dean was supposed to pick her up at prison but doesn't show up. Alison goes looking for him and discovers that Lisa had kidnapped him because she wants Alison to do one last job for her. Alison can't say no because she wants to save her brother.

This is the fourth book I've read by this author and it was okay. It was a quick read at about 130 pages so it's pretty high level.

Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2020/09...

[beentsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really liked this.

[Anne Gafiuk · Rating 3 out of 5]

This author was recommended by a friend. The book was short -- novella?? A mystery that was quick to read and nicely wrapped up. The author had to learn about locks and climbing! I look forward to reading more of his books.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this title from School Library Journal in exchange for a fair and honest review.

The bond between Alison (Ali) and her brother Dean is at the core of Sam Wiebe’s Never Going Back. At the opening of the novel, Ali has just been released from prison for theft and she is determined to never go back. But Ali is not just a thief, she is the best thief in town, and the crime boss that caused Ali to go to prison in the first place is planning a big heist to welcome Ali back in true criminal fashion. Knowing that Ali might need a little convincing to return to a life of crime, crime boss Lisa Wan has kidnapped Ali’s brother Dean as motivation at the novel’s opening. All Ali wants to do is go straight and join Dean in working in his restaurant, but she must tread lightly to avoid losing her brother. Wiebe carefully plots a tale of crime and redemption with a twist that is not seen coming by readers. Recommended for fans of works by April Henry and Lamar Giles’ Overturned and Fake Id.

[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Supers all around for this book! Super characters, super story, super fast to read. It's wee, only 121 pages and the story moves fast. I quickly engaged with the main character, Alison, and the side characters of her brother, the cop in their lives, the con artist...hugs for some or wanting to run one over with a vehicle the person was so vile...
Watching Ali rationalize her life and just wanting to be a better person was fascinating. It's what we all do but don't always admit to it. Her small rationalizations could feel a bit appalling to a law-abiding citizen, but fathomable when put in perspective.
I've not read this author before and I am glad I received this from Library Thing to review. I will be reading more Sam Wiebe books.
I can definitely recommend this book and author.

[Tonstant Weader · Rating 3 out of 5]

just been released from prison after serving a year after being caught. She was not caught because of any error on her own account, but because her fence planted evidence against her. Now that she is free, her former fence has taken her brother hostage in order to compel her to steal again.

Never Going Back is a book designed to appeal to young readers. It is a fast and easy read. The story has a clever resolution. It is good its purpose, but too juvenile for this reader.

I received a copy of Never Going Back from the publisher through NetGalley

Never Going Back at Orca Book Publishers
Sam Wiebe author site

https://tonstantweaderreviews.wordpre...

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received this book today and it was such a fun read. I found myself really hoping that Ali would not go back to her old ways. The suspense built up and I couldn't wait to find out if she would be caught. My only wish is that it was a little longer so you can really get the feel for the characters. Other than that it is worth the read. I received this from LibraryThing Early Reviewers for an honest review.

[Kevin McNamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable

I really enjoyed this fast paced novella by Sam Wiebe. Ali is just out of prison and finds out that her brother is held hostage by the person who set her up to be arrested a year ago. The cost to get her brother released is to pull one last heist. The story is well written and fun to read. I hope to see more stories about Ali in the near future. Highly recommended.

[Roxanne Spencer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is from Orca Book's Rapid Reads series. This is a fun novella about what a retired thief will do for her brother. Cute, quick read,. Perfect for when you want something fast.

Thanks for Orca Books and NetGalley for a digital ARC.

[S.M. Freedman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast paced and exciting!
I was hooked from the first sentence. I've read other books by this author, and he's a master at building suspense. Never Going Back is true to form. What a fun, fast read! Can't wait for the next book. :)

[Teresa Mills-Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet short story. Beginning, middle and ending. Spot on.

[Meghan Enga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super quick and simple read but didn’t feel like it; I am excited to try this on some of my reluctant readers who still want age appropriate content.

[Vontel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rapid Reads series ovella crime mystery. Quick read.

[Mila · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very short but entertaining story. I found out later that it was meant for people who have difficulty reading.