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Out of Anywhere
Having lived as a nomad for most of her life, Shay Lane is desperate to find a place to call home. Yet, she follows in her estranged mother’s wandering footsteps and bounces from town to town, never settling down, because it’s the only way she knows. That is until her car dies outside Wishing, Missouri, and she finds herself stranded in a small town filled with nosy neighbors and too many questions.
Shay is eager to leave as soon as she can but when random gifts start appearing, her curiosity gets the best of her. Shay doesn’t know what to think or who to thank, or what they expect in return.
As Shay settles into a life in Wishing, she searches for the identity of her anonymous benefactor. With each new gift, the threads of her life and her mother’s begin to unravel. If she pulls the wrong one, she may never find her mother or the home she’s been searching for.
Shay is eager to leave as soon as she can but when random gifts start appearing, her curiosity gets the best of her. Shay doesn’t know what to think or who to thank, or what they expect in return.
As Shay settles into a life in Wishing, she searches for the identity of her anonymous benefactor. With each new gift, the threads of her life and her mother’s begin to unravel. If she pulls the wrong one, she may never find her mother or the home she’s been searching for.
285 pages, Paperback
First published August 3, 2021
About the author
Andrea Nourse
7 books92 followersAndrea is the author of women’s fiction novels, including Happily Ever Never and After Everything.
Andrea currently lives outside Nashville with her husband, their two children, and their puppy, Cosmic Brownie. She has a BS in Mass Communication from MTSU and an MBA from the University of Memphis.
When she’s not reading, writing, or Bookstagramming, she enjoys pretending to know how to bake, memorizing and dissecting Taylor Swift lyrics, starting (but rarely finishing) crochet projects, and scrolling Netflix without ever finding something to watch.
Andrea currently lives outside Nashville with her husband, their two children, and their puppy, Cosmic Brownie. She has a BS in Mass Communication from MTSU and an MBA from the University of Memphis.
When she’s not reading, writing, or Bookstagramming, she enjoys pretending to know how to bake, memorizing and dissecting Taylor Swift lyrics, starting (but rarely finishing) crochet projects, and scrolling Netflix without ever finding something to watch.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
July 28, 2021
Ok bookworm friends - you are going to want to order this one NOW. This book is so darn special.
This is my third book by Andrea Nourse and it’s safe to say I am obsessed with her writing. Andrea has the ability to write the most realistic and complex characters, ones that you form an instant connection with. Yes, they have their flaws, but that makes them that much more loveable and realistic....because let’s face it - don’t we all have flaws?
Shay has been through so much. She is such a strong main character, and as she enters the town of Wishing and opens her heart to the town and the people in it, she brings you right along for it all.
This town. Oh my heart. I can picture it clearly in my head. I love books about small towns and Andrea perfectly captured that small town feel and the people that make up this town might be my favourite community of characters ever.
I seriously could go on and on - ok I will a bit more. A couple other things I loved : the complicated mother daughter relationship and how it was revealed throughout the book and the restaurant life nostalgia, it brought me right back to that time in my life.
This book is full of heart. You can tell the author poured her heart and soul into this story. You can feel it. It’s absolutely beautiful.
I laughed, I cried and I know this is one that will be in my heart for a long, long time.
August 3rd is when this amazing book can be in your hands too! Make sure to pre-order it ASAP! Let me know when you read and love it too
This is my third book by Andrea Nourse and it’s safe to say I am obsessed with her writing. Andrea has the ability to write the most realistic and complex characters, ones that you form an instant connection with. Yes, they have their flaws, but that makes them that much more loveable and realistic....because let’s face it - don’t we all have flaws?
Shay has been through so much. She is such a strong main character, and as she enters the town of Wishing and opens her heart to the town and the people in it, she brings you right along for it all.
This town. Oh my heart. I can picture it clearly in my head. I love books about small towns and Andrea perfectly captured that small town feel and the people that make up this town might be my favourite community of characters ever.
I seriously could go on and on - ok I will a bit more. A couple other things I loved : the complicated mother daughter relationship and how it was revealed throughout the book and the restaurant life nostalgia, it brought me right back to that time in my life.
This book is full of heart. You can tell the author poured her heart and soul into this story. You can feel it. It’s absolutely beautiful.
I laughed, I cried and I know this is one that will be in my heart for a long, long time.
August 3rd is when this amazing book can be in your hands too! Make sure to pre-order it ASAP! Let me know when you read and love it too
July 1, 2021
Thank you to Andrea Nourse, the publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book. All reviews are my own unbiased opinion.
This was a pretty good story! We are instantly meant to feel bad for Shay, as she has never really had a normal life before and suddenly finds herself thrown out on the road alone. I definitely got a strange feeling as soon as she got to Wishing, and everything seemed to be too perfect to be true. However, I did wish she calmed down a little bit and was able to just appreciate everything the town was doing for her. I know a life on the road makes it so you can’t really trust anyone, but they gave her a place to stay and a steady job, the least she could have done was not question every action they did. I was happy this story didn’t turn into a stereotypical romance, and loved the mystery aspect. However, I feel like the whole book led up to this huge discovery, and then it was super rushed at the end. I didn’t really understand why everyone in the town was so secretive about the “truth” that Shay was searching for, and the only real reason we got was because it was her mother’s wishes. Even though we found out what happened at the end, I feel as though I didn’t get real closure with our characters.
This was a pretty good story! We are instantly meant to feel bad for Shay, as she has never really had a normal life before and suddenly finds herself thrown out on the road alone. I definitely got a strange feeling as soon as she got to Wishing, and everything seemed to be too perfect to be true. However, I did wish she calmed down a little bit and was able to just appreciate everything the town was doing for her. I know a life on the road makes it so you can’t really trust anyone, but they gave her a place to stay and a steady job, the least she could have done was not question every action they did. I was happy this story didn’t turn into a stereotypical romance, and loved the mystery aspect. However, I feel like the whole book led up to this huge discovery, and then it was super rushed at the end. I didn’t really understand why everyone in the town was so secretive about the “truth” that Shay was searching for, and the only real reason we got was because it was her mother’s wishes. Even though we found out what happened at the end, I feel as though I didn’t get real closure with our characters.
June 23, 2021
This is a must buy for anyone who loves books. It's heartbreakingly beautiful without truly breaking your heart. The relationship between Shay and her mom is very real. Shay trying to find herself while running from her past is something many people can relate to.
This is a can't miss read for sure.
This is a can't miss read for sure.
July 5, 2021
Rating: 4.5⭐️ out of 5
I come from an Asian household where blood family is one of the most—if not THE most important thing in life. No matter who you are, what you do, and where you go, at the end of the day family will always be there; the first ones when you are born, and the last ones when you die. In "Out of Anywhere," I encountered a solid story of found family and how a community can come together out of love for a common goal. And I gotta say, it was very refreshing to read.
I love stories like this where I feel like they're also small slices of the character's lives that I get to peer into. I followed the story of Shay Lane, a strong, independent, but very solitary girl who avoids attachments and putting down roots and is by far THE angstiest character I have read all year. Luckily, the angst rubbed off on me in a good way. Nourse built up our protagonist in a way that made sense, laying down the foundations that made Shay the woman we encounter in the story. I understood her motivations for the decisions she made, which is a major plus already for me! In that way, I ended up rooting for her until the end when we finally find out how things make sense.
Given the first person POV, we see how all the characters revolve around Shay's life. On the top, they might seem like simplistic depictions, but I personally felt like these characters had equally rich lives of their own off the page and out of Shay's POV. Everyone had a role to play in our MC's story, and I'm so glad they weren't just caricatures for the plot.
The juxtaposition of the internal monologues and flashbacks gave context to the present-day events of the book, helping the story move along swimmingly. There were some plot points that made me go "........okay??" but I approached it all with suspended disbelief and that made things work for me. Plot-wise, I actually figured things out by the first few pages, though jokingly because of course, we want to hold all judgment before the book ends. Interestingly as I continued reading, the unfolding events made me second guess a lot of my initial theories. It held enough mystery to keep me on my toes, hooking me in and letting me finish almost 60% of the book in one sitting. (Spoiler: my theory was right haha)
Given that, I love how the book was written, save for a few minor issues I was willing to overlook. These include a number of repetitive passages that tried so hard to reemphasize things, as well as some grammar errors that might just be because it's an advanced copy, but the writing was fitting of Shay's voice and character.
By the end, I was left pretty satisfied with how things turned out. It was refreshing to see that everything had an answer and a reason why it turned out that way. For some, it might be a bit too neat of an ending so that's something to watch out for. I rate this an honest 4.5⭐️ because again, I genuinely enjoyed it! It's a breather of a read that packs a meaningful story that's not all fluff, with a touch of mystery to keep you hooked until the end.
I know I've said this several times before but YAY MY FIRST EVER ARC!!! I was given an advanced copy for my honest opinion and I stick by what I said. Thank you so so much to NetGalley and Andrea Nourse for what I feel is a first major step into really investing time and effort in reading books. Catch this on sale on August 3rd!
I come from an Asian household where blood family is one of the most—if not THE most important thing in life. No matter who you are, what you do, and where you go, at the end of the day family will always be there; the first ones when you are born, and the last ones when you die. In "Out of Anywhere," I encountered a solid story of found family and how a community can come together out of love for a common goal. And I gotta say, it was very refreshing to read.
I love stories like this where I feel like they're also small slices of the character's lives that I get to peer into. I followed the story of Shay Lane, a strong, independent, but very solitary girl who avoids attachments and putting down roots and is by far THE angstiest character I have read all year. Luckily, the angst rubbed off on me in a good way. Nourse built up our protagonist in a way that made sense, laying down the foundations that made Shay the woman we encounter in the story. I understood her motivations for the decisions she made, which is a major plus already for me! In that way, I ended up rooting for her until the end when we finally find out how things make sense.
Given the first person POV, we see how all the characters revolve around Shay's life. On the top, they might seem like simplistic depictions, but I personally felt like these characters had equally rich lives of their own off the page and out of Shay's POV. Everyone had a role to play in our MC's story, and I'm so glad they weren't just caricatures for the plot.
The juxtaposition of the internal monologues and flashbacks gave context to the present-day events of the book, helping the story move along swimmingly. There were some plot points that made me go "........okay??" but I approached it all with suspended disbelief and that made things work for me. Plot-wise, I actually figured things out by the first few pages, though jokingly because of course, we want to hold all judgment before the book ends. Interestingly as I continued reading, the unfolding events made me second guess a lot of my initial theories. It held enough mystery to keep me on my toes, hooking me in and letting me finish almost 60% of the book in one sitting. (Spoiler: my theory was right haha)
Given that, I love how the book was written, save for a few minor issues I was willing to overlook. These include a number of repetitive passages that tried so hard to reemphasize things, as well as some grammar errors that might just be because it's an advanced copy, but the writing was fitting of Shay's voice and character.
By the end, I was left pretty satisfied with how things turned out. It was refreshing to see that everything had an answer and a reason why it turned out that way. For some, it might be a bit too neat of an ending so that's something to watch out for. I rate this an honest 4.5⭐️ because again, I genuinely enjoyed it! It's a breather of a read that packs a meaningful story that's not all fluff, with a touch of mystery to keep you hooked until the end.
I know I've said this several times before but YAY MY FIRST EVER ARC!!! I was given an advanced copy for my honest opinion and I stick by what I said. Thank you so so much to NetGalley and Andrea Nourse for what I feel is a first major step into really investing time and effort in reading books. Catch this on sale on August 3rd!
December 30, 2022
Anxious to read more from this author!!
August 17, 2021
This is my second book that I have read by Andrea Nourse and I can tell you that I have fallen in love with her writing. The way she tells a story is so real and you feel the emotions so strongly.
Shay has lived for a long time on her own moving from town to town and not settling down. When her car breaks down, she ends up stuck in the town of Wishing. I loved this town and I loved the people in it. I loved the way Andrea described this town. I could picture it so perfectly.
I also loved that there were some twists and turns in the book and I can definitely say that I did not predict any of them.
Shay’s story is heartbreaking and hopeful all at the same time. I highly recommend going in to this one blind. I picked this one up because I knew that I loved Andrea’s writing and it did not disappoint.
The only reason this isn’t a full five stars is more of a me problem. I had just finished reading The People we Keep before this and a lot of things felt really similar and I wasn’t quite as in to this one as I wish I could have been. I still highly recommend this one!
4.5 stars rounded down.
Thank you to netgalley and the author for my copy!
Shay has lived for a long time on her own moving from town to town and not settling down. When her car breaks down, she ends up stuck in the town of Wishing. I loved this town and I loved the people in it. I loved the way Andrea described this town. I could picture it so perfectly.
I also loved that there were some twists and turns in the book and I can definitely say that I did not predict any of them.
Shay’s story is heartbreaking and hopeful all at the same time. I highly recommend going in to this one blind. I picked this one up because I knew that I loved Andrea’s writing and it did not disappoint.
The only reason this isn’t a full five stars is more of a me problem. I had just finished reading The People we Keep before this and a lot of things felt really similar and I wasn’t quite as in to this one as I wish I could have been. I still highly recommend this one!
4.5 stars rounded down.
Thank you to netgalley and the author for my copy!
August 2, 2021
I’ve heard people lament the fact that women’s fiction needs its own category and I agree it can feel like a slight, but the truth is there are no male authors that can evoke emotion from their writing the way women’s fiction writers like Andrea Nourse do. While this is only my second of her books, I can safely say Nourse gets characters and drama and putting you on that emotional roller coaster that only a great writer knows how to do.
Shay had my heart from the beginning and the more I got to know her, the more I loved her. But I also loved Rayna and Trigger and Toby, maybe especially Toby, as well as all the other people of the wonderful community of Wishing.
I loved the mystery of this one, the humor, the suspense, the mix of happy and painful moments, and the mental health moment that had me sobbing. Like the last one, I loved this book and can’t wait to read what Nourse writes next.
Shay had my heart from the beginning and the more I got to know her, the more I loved her. But I also loved Rayna and Trigger and Toby, maybe especially Toby, as well as all the other people of the wonderful community of Wishing.
I loved the mystery of this one, the humor, the suspense, the mix of happy and painful moments, and the mental health moment that had me sobbing. Like the last one, I loved this book and can’t wait to read what Nourse writes next.
July 12, 2021
I enjoyed Shay's story, I found the writing to be intriguing and entertaining. I certainly did not want to put it down. I only noticed a few editing mistakes, overall it was very well put together. Shay is an odd character, I think she is represented very well with her background and trauma taken into consideration. I also enjoyed the other characters though their air of mystery and many character cues our main character doesn't pick up on consistently annoyed me. Other than the potential purposeful ignorance of the main character at times, I did relate to her and felt that for the most part her actions made sense in her story. I think the author timed the book very well, answers were finally revealed one the tension and annoyance felt by both the reader and Shay became a bit too much. The town is very mysterious, but lovable, it's not a main character but I can see how the author meant to make the townspeople into one. The author is good at pointing out aspects of our main character that are annoying to both the reader and the rest of the characters. This book made me think and had me trying to figure out how I would behave if I were in Shay's shoes. I would enjoy continuing to discuss and sharing this book with others. I found Andrea Nourse's writing to be very entertaining and enjoyed a new spin to a potential Hallmark-esque story.
Thank you to the author and NeGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to the author and NeGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 24, 2021
Why do so many good books stumble right at the end? That was my experience with this offering by Andrea Nourse. “Out of Anywhere” is a suspenseful, engaging story that held my attention throughout until I reached the Epilogue and felt let down.
Shay Lane spent the first nineteen years of her life on the road with her mother. Then the unthinkable happens and after a hurtful argument, her mother demands she get out of the car and abandons her on the side of a highway. For the next six years, Shay replicates the only life she has known by moving from place to place. The story begins with Shay’s clunker car dying in the middle of the night, the final straw for her fragile emotional and financial states. Rescued by a small town police officer she finds herself embraced by the people of the small community of Wishing, Missouri. Despite her plans to make a few dollars and head out back on the road, she finds unusual support from several prominent citizens, and when gifts that match her current needs start arriving, her curiosity compels her to stay. The longer she stays the more she begins to care for these people and the more she suspects they hold the answers to many of the questions she has about her mother and her past.
I thoroughly enjoyed Shay as a protagonist. She came alive through the pages and her pain and suspiciousness evoked compassion and a real hope that she could change the course of her life. As wounded as she was, she had an indomitable spirit until the point where she just surrenders to her loss of control and lack of answers. It moved me to the point of tears.
The characters development is solid and the two antagonists are sufficiently reprehensible, if a little over the top, in the evil lurking behind respectable facades. The pace moved along building suspense as the mystery deepens with each new “clue” to the truth of Shay’s history and relationship with her mother. Ultimately, this is a story of redemption and forgiveness for both Shay and her mother.
I deducted a star in this review for two reasons. First, I didn’t feel the justification for the secrecy around the truth that Shay so desperately sought was adequately explained. Perhaps only her mother could answer this and then the rationale might still be distorted by long-standing suffering and betrayal. The second reason is that the Epilogue wrapped up the story with a too quick, too pat resolution to the threat posed by the antagonists. Overall, this was an enjoyable read and I do recommend it.
My thanks to the author and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing a digital ARC in exchange for an independent, honest review.
Shay Lane spent the first nineteen years of her life on the road with her mother. Then the unthinkable happens and after a hurtful argument, her mother demands she get out of the car and abandons her on the side of a highway. For the next six years, Shay replicates the only life she has known by moving from place to place. The story begins with Shay’s clunker car dying in the middle of the night, the final straw for her fragile emotional and financial states. Rescued by a small town police officer she finds herself embraced by the people of the small community of Wishing, Missouri. Despite her plans to make a few dollars and head out back on the road, she finds unusual support from several prominent citizens, and when gifts that match her current needs start arriving, her curiosity compels her to stay. The longer she stays the more she begins to care for these people and the more she suspects they hold the answers to many of the questions she has about her mother and her past.
I thoroughly enjoyed Shay as a protagonist. She came alive through the pages and her pain and suspiciousness evoked compassion and a real hope that she could change the course of her life. As wounded as she was, she had an indomitable spirit until the point where she just surrenders to her loss of control and lack of answers. It moved me to the point of tears.
The characters development is solid and the two antagonists are sufficiently reprehensible, if a little over the top, in the evil lurking behind respectable facades. The pace moved along building suspense as the mystery deepens with each new “clue” to the truth of Shay’s history and relationship with her mother. Ultimately, this is a story of redemption and forgiveness for both Shay and her mother.
I deducted a star in this review for two reasons. First, I didn’t feel the justification for the secrecy around the truth that Shay so desperately sought was adequately explained. Perhaps only her mother could answer this and then the rationale might still be distorted by long-standing suffering and betrayal. The second reason is that the Epilogue wrapped up the story with a too quick, too pat resolution to the threat posed by the antagonists. Overall, this was an enjoyable read and I do recommend it.
My thanks to the author and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing a digital ARC in exchange for an independent, honest review.
August 1, 2021
Oh I just adored this book. I’ve been so into reading all of the thrillers that I forgot how good a down home family drama kind of story could be. Andrea Nourse has such a way with words that I found myself just so lost in the story of Shay Lane and Wishing, Missouri. I really felt for a lot of these characters and loved how the story played out.
Thank you to Netgalley and Andrea Nourse for the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest opinion.
Thank you to Netgalley and Andrea Nourse for the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest opinion.
July 15, 2021
It's the story of a young woman, Shay Lane, who lives the life she's always known, driving her car, Trusty Rusty, across the United States. However, the car eventually dies on the side of a road near the town of Wishing, Missouri. Shay, with less than $200 in her pocket, has no choice but to settle in this town while she earns enough money to decide what to do next. When gifts that meet her wishes start to appear, Shay can't believe that they are only due to the name of the town. She decides to investigate to find out who her mysterious benefactor is. Could it be her mother, whom she hasn't heard from in six years but regularly leaves voice mails to? What if the town of Wishing has more to hide than the identity of an anonymous benefactor?
This book, which I was lucky enough to read thanks to NetGalley, was a very pleasant surprise for me. The description had already made me want to discover it, but I didn't expect to be so invested in reading it. I couldn't put my reader down until the book was finished.
Through Andrea Nourse's writing, you quickly become attached to most of the characters in this book, you can easily relate to them, they could be any person living in a small town: your neighbours, your friends… Unlike some of the characters in other books, they feel ‘real’ and I really appreciated that.
As for me, I got very attached to Shay. Her emotions are very well translated in the book and you experience them along with her, whether they are negative or positive. You just want to be with her at every new step she goes through.
For me, he only negative point of this book is its end which seemed a little too rushed and which left me doubtful on certain points. However, this is just a matter of personal taste and doesn't put in doubt the author's talent.
I give this book a 4.5/5.
I highly recommend reading it.
Thanks to NetGalley and to Andrea Nourse for allowing me to discover this little gem.
This book, which I was lucky enough to read thanks to NetGalley, was a very pleasant surprise for me. The description had already made me want to discover it, but I didn't expect to be so invested in reading it. I couldn't put my reader down until the book was finished.
Through Andrea Nourse's writing, you quickly become attached to most of the characters in this book, you can easily relate to them, they could be any person living in a small town: your neighbours, your friends… Unlike some of the characters in other books, they feel ‘real’ and I really appreciated that.
As for me, I got very attached to Shay. Her emotions are very well translated in the book and you experience them along with her, whether they are negative or positive. You just want to be with her at every new step she goes through.
For me, he only negative point of this book is its end which seemed a little too rushed and which left me doubtful on certain points. However, this is just a matter of personal taste and doesn't put in doubt the author's talent.
I give this book a 4.5/5.
I highly recommend reading it.
Thanks to NetGalley and to Andrea Nourse for allowing me to discover this little gem.
July 30, 2021
𝘋𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘳: 𝘐 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘢 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘦𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 @𝘯𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 - 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯.
Well this was fun! I've read a few books by this author and she does a great job of writing characters who evoke strong feelings in me. There were times when I was irritated and questioned some of Shay's choices, but then a few pages later I was completely on her side when something happened and she was feeling frustrated.
There were a lot of subtle twists I didn't see coming and while it wrapped up quickly at the end, there was nothing left unanswered, and I was engaged the whole time while reading!
𝘖𝘶𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘈𝘯𝘺𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 releases this Tuesday, August 3rd!
Well this was fun! I've read a few books by this author and she does a great job of writing characters who evoke strong feelings in me. There were times when I was irritated and questioned some of Shay's choices, but then a few pages later I was completely on her side when something happened and she was feeling frustrated.
There were a lot of subtle twists I didn't see coming and while it wrapped up quickly at the end, there was nothing left unanswered, and I was engaged the whole time while reading!
𝘖𝘶𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘈𝘯𝘺𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 releases this Tuesday, August 3rd!
August 16, 2021
Out of Anywhere by Andrea Nourse
Out of Anywhere is a deeply moving and compelling novel, I read it in one day. I needed to keep reading Shay’s story. Shay is a drifter and that’s the only life she’s known. She and her mother spend her life on the road until parting ways in a devastating fashion. Shay’s unanswered voice mails to her mother were heart wrenching.
The story’s other main character is Wishing, Missouri and the residents therein. It’s very obvious that there are a lot of secrets among the residents and how they welcome Shay. Honestly, the deep level of hiding things and the way the story came out was a tad off putting. I felt so bad for Shay not knowing who go trust but being compelled to finally settle down and fit in.
This author excels at writing flawed, complex characters and this novel is no exception.
If you like character driven family dramas - this book is for you. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my review.
Out of Anywhere is a deeply moving and compelling novel, I read it in one day. I needed to keep reading Shay’s story. Shay is a drifter and that’s the only life she’s known. She and her mother spend her life on the road until parting ways in a devastating fashion. Shay’s unanswered voice mails to her mother were heart wrenching.
The story’s other main character is Wishing, Missouri and the residents therein. It’s very obvious that there are a lot of secrets among the residents and how they welcome Shay. Honestly, the deep level of hiding things and the way the story came out was a tad off putting. I felt so bad for Shay not knowing who go trust but being compelled to finally settle down and fit in.
This author excels at writing flawed, complex characters and this novel is no exception.
If you like character driven family dramas - this book is for you. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my review.
July 24, 2021
I don't think it is any secret at this point that I love Andrea Nourse's books. But her characters are always so relatable. And with this book and Shay especially. I related to Shay so much it was kind of weird.
This was a touching and heartbreaking story about the secrets that destory families , the lies we tell to keep the ones we love safe, and finding home.
And there was a character named Lorelei and my daughter is named Lorelai so I loved that! Even though that character wasn't very nice.
Thank you to Andrea Nourse for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a touching and heartbreaking story about the secrets that destory families , the lies we tell to keep the ones we love safe, and finding home.
And there was a character named Lorelei and my daughter is named Lorelai so I loved that! Even though that character wasn't very nice.
Thank you to Andrea Nourse for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 17, 2021
This book and the characters in it tugged at my heart. I loved Shay and was rooting from for her from the beginning. I adored the small town setting of Wishing and the other characters Shay encounters (specifically Rayna and Trigger.) It's a raw, emotional rollercoaster of a novel that I was fully invested in.
September 7, 2021
A great women's fiction book with more twists than I expected! I love Nourse's writing style, characterization, and voice. All in all, this one is worth the read. I flipped through it in a single day!
July 25, 2021
This book follows Shay, a 25-year-old woman who has lived her life on the road.
Motels and cheap sheets, gas station food and counting pennies. That was the life she knew with her mother, until one night she and her mother are separated, and Shay must learn to navigate life and the road on her own.
I really enjoyed this book! Growing up in a town with less than 1500 people, I appreciated the small town feel and sense of community that the author created. It felt homey and welcoming.
There is also the idea of generational trauma, and the ways we hold on to the past as a buffer for the present. Throughout the book, Shay unravels her story, along with her mother's, to find a place where she belongs. A place she can heal and grow, even if she must make that place herself.
There are a lot of inner monologues, which was a little much at points, but I prefer books with more dialogue, which is probably why that was my only 'issue'.
Overall, I truly enjoyed this book! If you are looking for a story of finding yourself and your place in the world, I recommend this book for you.
TW for mentions of r*pe and sexual assault.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with this ARC!
My review will be posted on my Goodreads, along with my Instagram (@samwisereads). I will post my review on Instagram on August 3, 2021, to promote for publication!
Motels and cheap sheets, gas station food and counting pennies. That was the life she knew with her mother, until one night she and her mother are separated, and Shay must learn to navigate life and the road on her own.
I really enjoyed this book! Growing up in a town with less than 1500 people, I appreciated the small town feel and sense of community that the author created. It felt homey and welcoming.
There is also the idea of generational trauma, and the ways we hold on to the past as a buffer for the present. Throughout the book, Shay unravels her story, along with her mother's, to find a place where she belongs. A place she can heal and grow, even if she must make that place herself.
There are a lot of inner monologues, which was a little much at points, but I prefer books with more dialogue, which is probably why that was my only 'issue'.
Overall, I truly enjoyed this book! If you are looking for a story of finding yourself and your place in the world, I recommend this book for you.
TW for mentions of r*pe and sexual assault.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with this ARC!
My review will be posted on my Goodreads, along with my Instagram (@samwisereads). I will post my review on Instagram on August 3, 2021, to promote for publication!
July 26, 2021
This novel is like an addictive TV show, each chapter kept you wanting to know more, giving you just enough action and filling your head with questions.
I like going into books blind for the most part and didn't anticipate it being centered around the mystery so much. It really kept me engaged and wanting to know more about Shay's past and her elusive mother.
The small town atmosphere is perfectly realized and I feel like I got to know Shay as a character and see her grow throughout the novel.
The writing was sometimes a little repetitive and at some point it got a tad annoying: yes I know Shay has never settled anywhere, yes I know she's thinking of living but I also know she won't... However, besides that minor detail I enjoyed this book and it even got me teary eyed by the end.
It's a solid 3.5 stars for me.
I received on advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Andrea Nourse, the publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity. All thoughts are my own.
I like going into books blind for the most part and didn't anticipate it being centered around the mystery so much. It really kept me engaged and wanting to know more about Shay's past and her elusive mother.
The small town atmosphere is perfectly realized and I feel like I got to know Shay as a character and see her grow throughout the novel.
The writing was sometimes a little repetitive and at some point it got a tad annoying: yes I know Shay has never settled anywhere, yes I know she's thinking of living but I also know she won't... However, besides that minor detail I enjoyed this book and it even got me teary eyed by the end.
It's a solid 3.5 stars for me.
I received on advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Andrea Nourse, the publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity. All thoughts are my own.
July 26, 2021
Wowowow! This book is a must read! It was so real and heartbreaking and heartwarming (yes both at the same time!) The story kept me guessing the whole time! It is so well written and relatable. I loved how the characters were developed and their relationships to one another. Amazing read!
July 29, 2021
Out of Anywhere follows Shay Lane, a woman who has spent her entire life on the road, moving from place to place. When her trusty car finally gives up on her, she's forced to stay in a town called Wishing until she can pick herself back up and move on. However, Shay has always been desperate for a place to call home, and Wishing might just be that place.
So I must admit that when I first requested this book I definitely misread the blurb, as it wasn’t what I was expecting at all. I don’t read much general fiction as it’s not usually my thing, but I went into this one with an open mind.
I really liked Shay as a character and liked seeing her emotional growth throughout the book. The writing was very clever and made you really understand all the pain she's had in her past, so of course you root for her throughout the story. I would say that there's a lot of internal monologuing in this, and after a while it got a bit repetitive and annoying. Shay spends ages thinking about how she's never settled anywhere before, then can't seem to decide whether or not she’ll stay, even though we as readers know she's going to stay.
I also absolutely loved the descriptions of life in a small town. I've never been to America, and certainly not a small town in America, but I really felt like this book gave me an insight to what that would be like. I liked the characters of the town on the whole, although some things did start to get on my nerves slightly.
A few things that I didn’t love about the book knocked a few stars off for me. The main one was that there was just an insane amount of secrecy that bordered on ridiculous. I couldn’t understand it, and it meant that when we finally got answers at the end, it felt rushed and too convenient. I also guessed so many of the plot twists, and then got frustrated that Shay couldn’t seem to see what was right in front of her.
Overall, many things that I enjoyed about this book, but also some things that bugged me. Perhaps it’s because this isn't my usual genre that I didn’t enjoy it as much as I had hoped to; I think if you're a big fan of general fiction then you might enjoy this more than I did.
I recieved an eARC of this book from NetGalley in return for my honest review.
So I must admit that when I first requested this book I definitely misread the blurb, as it wasn’t what I was expecting at all. I don’t read much general fiction as it’s not usually my thing, but I went into this one with an open mind.
I really liked Shay as a character and liked seeing her emotional growth throughout the book. The writing was very clever and made you really understand all the pain she's had in her past, so of course you root for her throughout the story. I would say that there's a lot of internal monologuing in this, and after a while it got a bit repetitive and annoying. Shay spends ages thinking about how she's never settled anywhere before, then can't seem to decide whether or not she’ll stay, even though we as readers know she's going to stay.
I also absolutely loved the descriptions of life in a small town. I've never been to America, and certainly not a small town in America, but I really felt like this book gave me an insight to what that would be like. I liked the characters of the town on the whole, although some things did start to get on my nerves slightly.
A few things that I didn’t love about the book knocked a few stars off for me. The main one was that there was just an insane amount of secrecy that bordered on ridiculous. I couldn’t understand it, and it meant that when we finally got answers at the end, it felt rushed and too convenient. I also guessed so many of the plot twists, and then got frustrated that Shay couldn’t seem to see what was right in front of her.
Overall, many things that I enjoyed about this book, but also some things that bugged me. Perhaps it’s because this isn't my usual genre that I didn’t enjoy it as much as I had hoped to; I think if you're a big fan of general fiction then you might enjoy this more than I did.
I recieved an eARC of this book from NetGalley in return for my honest review.
August 10, 2021
I love a small town, feel good story. Shays had a rough life and is understandably guarded when Trusty Rusty breaks down in Wishing, MO. But her plan to make a quick buck and move on down the road fails when she meets the sweet cast of characters this midwestern town has to offer. I really enjoyed this book with its hometown touches and bits of mystery and I really rooted for Shay even though I found myself irritated with her negativity at times (even when it was understandable). I’d recommend Out of Anywhere to fans of underdog stories, small towns, and family dramas. It’s a sweet, quick, and interesting read.
August 4, 2021
Shay grows up on the road with her mom, moving from town to town. While trying to find somewhere to call home and to track down her mom after a misunderstanding Shay gets stranded in a small town called Wishing. She can’t leave this town fast enough. Then someone starts leaving her gifts that are somehow connected to her mother.
Andrea has done it again! Oh how I loved Shay’s journey and she will stick with me for a while. I am not sure what it was that connected me so closely with Shay. I lost a parent as a child and I do understand the mission to find out who they were or what they liked. Maybe that is it. Maybe it is just the writing that sucks you in and takes you along for the ride. There were a few times where Shay was panicked and I wanted to pass on some coping skills to her so she could just enjoy what was happening. With that being said it was also very appropriate for her character.
I love the idea of a small town like Wishing and the sense of community it brings. It makes me want to find this place and visit. I could easily see this book becoming a movie! Loved it. I would recommend this one to a friend.
Thank you to @netgalley and @andreanourse for this ARC! My second book by Andrea and I will for sure be looking to read some of her others. Happy pub day!
Andrea has done it again! Oh how I loved Shay’s journey and she will stick with me for a while. I am not sure what it was that connected me so closely with Shay. I lost a parent as a child and I do understand the mission to find out who they were or what they liked. Maybe that is it. Maybe it is just the writing that sucks you in and takes you along for the ride. There were a few times where Shay was panicked and I wanted to pass on some coping skills to her so she could just enjoy what was happening. With that being said it was also very appropriate for her character.
I love the idea of a small town like Wishing and the sense of community it brings. It makes me want to find this place and visit. I could easily see this book becoming a movie! Loved it. I would recommend this one to a friend.
Thank you to @netgalley and @andreanourse for this ARC! My second book by Andrea and I will for sure be looking to read some of her others. Happy pub day!
November 15, 2021
4.5 —🌟I was more than excited to win OUT OF ANYWHERE by Andrea Nourse in @gracey_reads ’s giveaway. After reading this one, I realized it’s like a hug from a best friend! It’s a story about finding yourself and learning to accept love. 🌟
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Growing up, Shay and her mother traveled from town-to-town and didn’t plant roots anywhere. At a young age, Shay learned harsh truths that no kid should have to learn. After a falling out, Shay set off on her own and continued to live the nomad lifestyle, until her car broke down outside of a small town called Wishing. Even though she was apprehensive about settling down, there were too many signs pushing her to stay and she began to question whether her mother was behind it all!
🌟 WHAT I LOVED 🌟
— Wishing- oh my- it’s exactly the type of small town vibe that I’d love to join (if I could give up living in a metropolitan area lol). Nourse captured it perfectly- the nosy community with big hearts, the iconic small-town restaurant that is the heart of the town and all of the characters Shay meets there!
—- The complicated mother-daughter relationship, which is revealed throughput the book.
—- The mystery- someone is gifting Shay with everything she is “wishing” for and all of this could give her the courage to plant roots down- but who is behind it?
—- My favorite aspect is that this didn’t turn into the typical romantic love story where a lost woman finds a man and all is righted in the world. Instead, we are taken on a journey where Shay is learning her worth and that friends can be family, but will she let them?
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Growing up, Shay and her mother traveled from town-to-town and didn’t plant roots anywhere. At a young age, Shay learned harsh truths that no kid should have to learn. After a falling out, Shay set off on her own and continued to live the nomad lifestyle, until her car broke down outside of a small town called Wishing. Even though she was apprehensive about settling down, there were too many signs pushing her to stay and she began to question whether her mother was behind it all!
🌟 WHAT I LOVED 🌟
— Wishing- oh my- it’s exactly the type of small town vibe that I’d love to join (if I could give up living in a metropolitan area lol). Nourse captured it perfectly- the nosy community with big hearts, the iconic small-town restaurant that is the heart of the town and all of the characters Shay meets there!
—- The complicated mother-daughter relationship, which is revealed throughput the book.
—- The mystery- someone is gifting Shay with everything she is “wishing” for and all of this could give her the courage to plant roots down- but who is behind it?
—- My favorite aspect is that this didn’t turn into the typical romantic love story where a lost woman finds a man and all is righted in the world. Instead, we are taken on a journey where Shay is learning her worth and that friends can be family, but will she let them?
December 17, 2022
Thank you Andrea Nourse for an eARC of Out of Anywhere! I was so excited to read this book!
I loved,loved the storyline, the characters and the small town vibes. Nourse did a phenomenal job creating and describing the characters that I felt like I knew Shay and Hannah and the rest of the crew in Wishing.
I really felt for Shay, always on the move and looking for a home she didn't know she wanted or needed.
When she finally landed in a place, it took a series of mysterious gifts, love from strangers and their acceptance for Shay to feel safe and put down roots.
I absolutely loved this story and would highly recommend you read it!
I loved,loved the storyline, the characters and the small town vibes. Nourse did a phenomenal job creating and describing the characters that I felt like I knew Shay and Hannah and the rest of the crew in Wishing.
I really felt for Shay, always on the move and looking for a home she didn't know she wanted or needed.
When she finally landed in a place, it took a series of mysterious gifts, love from strangers and their acceptance for Shay to feel safe and put down roots.
I absolutely loved this story and would highly recommend you read it!
July 29, 2021
Huge thank you's to Andrea Nourse, the publisher, and Netgalley for an eARC of this book!!!
Shay is such a strong character. Such a well written character. I was hooked from the first page, as Shay is in such a relatable situation. The mystery, and intrigue kept me flipping pages well into the night! I truly finished the book and immediately hugged my device to my chest, as if wrapping Shay in a hug.
Shay is such a strong character. Such a well written character. I was hooked from the first page, as Shay is in such a relatable situation. The mystery, and intrigue kept me flipping pages well into the night! I truly finished the book and immediately hugged my device to my chest, as if wrapping Shay in a hug.
September 14, 2021
Ugh I love Andrea's books SO MUCH and Out of Anywhere did not disappoint! I became totally absorbed in the cast of characters that she created throughout the town of Wishing, MO and the page turning plot made it really hard to put down. It was such a unique story that really sucks the reader in and doesn't let them go.
The main character of Shay was an easy one to get on board with and root for right from the beginning. Her strength and stubbornness was both realistic and relatable and I appreciated that she carried the book so well and didn't need any sort of romance storyline for the reader to become invested in her outcome. The mystery surrounding Shay's mother and Shay's beginnings runs deep. I loved that I couldn't see the ending coming at all yet it wrapped up beautifully.
If you are a reader who loves a solid Women's Fiction book, you need to get this book in your hands. It is an endearing read that I promise has a plot you haven't seen before. You will want to get your butt to Wishing, MO ASAP.....the town the author created gave me major small town FOMO and I bet it will do the same for you.
The main character of Shay was an easy one to get on board with and root for right from the beginning. Her strength and stubbornness was both realistic and relatable and I appreciated that she carried the book so well and didn't need any sort of romance storyline for the reader to become invested in her outcome. The mystery surrounding Shay's mother and Shay's beginnings runs deep. I loved that I couldn't see the ending coming at all yet it wrapped up beautifully.
If you are a reader who loves a solid Women's Fiction book, you need to get this book in your hands. It is an endearing read that I promise has a plot you haven't seen before. You will want to get your butt to Wishing, MO ASAP.....the town the author created gave me major small town FOMO and I bet it will do the same for you.
September 2, 2021
@Andreanourse has published another hit! If you haven’t read Out of Anywhere, or any of her other titles, please do so!
Synopsis:
As a young woman, Shay’s mother left her on the side of the road. She lives the next several years in a nomadic lifestyle with nothing but some clothes, her books, and Trusty Rusty. That is until Trusty Rusty breaks down in Wishing, MO. Shay is lost but the town is determined to help her find herself.
This book was heartwarming and heartbreaking. It is full of self-discovery. It’s a MUST READ! Nourse does a fantastic job getting you invested in the characters and making you fall in love with them.
Synopsis:
As a young woman, Shay’s mother left her on the side of the road. She lives the next several years in a nomadic lifestyle with nothing but some clothes, her books, and Trusty Rusty. That is until Trusty Rusty breaks down in Wishing, MO. Shay is lost but the town is determined to help her find herself.
This book was heartwarming and heartbreaking. It is full of self-discovery. It’s a MUST READ! Nourse does a fantastic job getting you invested in the characters and making you fall in love with them.
July 25, 2021
Shay has lived her whole life on the road, and when her car breaks down outside of the town of Wishing, not far from her own and her mother's birthplaces, she's drawn into staying and ends up finding out all about her mother's past. It wasn't bad. The ending was maybe a little too neat and I didn't necessarily think it made sense for her new friends to keep so many secrets from her, regardless of the reason. 3 stars.
January 18, 2023
I loved this one. Again, this was a fast read for me because I was engrossed in the story and trying to figure out just how everyone was connected. Shay's story was heartbreaking and I thought the author did a beautiful job writing that difficult story. It's real and gritty and raw - this isn't some fluffy story. I did get a little bit frustrated with the other characters (can't say why without spoiling it), but I also understood where they were coming from. This was my first Andrea Nourse book and I am anxious to pick up another from her!
September 4, 2021
Not really a book I would read, however i was pleasantly surprised. It’s about Shay a character who moves about after having a rough start to life. However she is forced to stay in a small town when her trusty car breaks down, she has hoped to find somewhere to call home so will this town be the one!
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