She never left by CM Harris was a book that I typically would not read. Part sci-fi, part fantasy and part thriller. I have to say I am not a fan of sci-fi nor fantasy. I really tried hard to get into the story but it was too out there for me. There were parts that I did like, the mystery/thriller bits. I thought the relationship between cousins and writing partners Jane and TJ, was interesting, if not a bit co-dependant. Then there is Jane’s stalker, Lincoln. He creeped me out.

All in all this book was not my genre and not my favourite. That being said, CM Harris writes with conviction and creativity. Thank you to NetGalley for my electronic ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Although sci-fi thrillers aren't always my thing I still really enjoyed She Never Left by CM Harris. It's Jane and TJ's high school reunion and the cousins, writing partners and best friends return home from their respective places in Chicago to attend the celebration. TJ is also writing a book about childhood experiences. Their hometown of Ketchum, Illinois doesn't hold some special memories for them; their friend Evie went missing twenty years ago and what is it about Lincoln Metzger?

This book is unique, so atmospheric and I found myself captivated. Even though I found the characters difficult to like they played their parts well and fitted into the story. A creepy read that makes you wonder and gets under your skin. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from One More Chapter via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

I enjoyed this suspenseful thriller. This is an author that I have enjoyed from the first book I picked up. I enjoy being pulled into the story by the characters. They are connectable and keep the story engaging. This book is no different. This is a well written story about what happens when the night claims a woman and sounds that are coming from the woods. The twists and turns are edge sitting and made me want to know what would happen next. I enjoyed the growth of the characters and of the plot throughout the story. I truly enjoyed what the characters brought to the story. I highly recommend this book.

My thanks to NetGalley and publisher HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, for the Advance copy of She Never Left by CM Harris
I’m sorry to say this book just wasn’t for me I abandoned it after 100 pages when still nothing was making any sense.

Deep psychological thriller which had me wrapped in white threads of fungi tendrils. The return to the place of childhood for cousins and the impact the early years have on their adult psyche is enthralling.

Oh wow.... y'all. I read a lot of thrillers and this one made my mouth drop open many times! Such a fantastic read and the characters were outstanding... truly outstanding. This is my first read from CM Harris and I was thoroughly impressed. Cannot wait to read more!

There are some complex and thought-provoking elements in this story.

Two women return to their hometown for a twenty-year school reunion. It's clear their hometown is a place of strange occurrences and tragedy, yet still, they return. Jane is an unreliable narrator, and the reader finds it difficult to discern if things are as she relates them. Both women are emotionally damaged by what went before, and this is significant. Lincoln didn't leave and still obsesses about Jane. He adds a layer of confusion and menace that adds to the story's atmospheric ethos. The setting is another element that ramps up the suspense and adds mystery.

This is psychological suspense with elements of horror and fantasy.

I received a copy of this book from Harper Fiction via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

‘We Thicket Kids gazed into the Armillaria and the Armillaria gazed back. Some of us could handle its attention; used it to do great things. Others got too close to the edge and slipped. I straddled its abyss. Guess I still am.’ - Jane.

My thanks to HarperCollins U.K. One More Chapter for an eARC and HarperCollins U.K. Audio for an unabridged audiobook edition, both via NetGalley, of ‘She Never Left’ by CM Harris in exchange for an honest review. The audiobook is narrated by Daniela Acitelli.

Since leaving behind the small town of Ketchum, Illinois to move to Chicago, cousins Jane and T.J. have established themselves: Jane as a literary agent and T.J. as a writer. T.J.’s latest manuscript is overdue and Jane feels that attending their upcoming 20-year high school reunion will help T.J. overcome her writer’s block.

Yet Ketchum holds dark memories for them both as their friend, Evie, who had been T.J.’s first crush, had disappeared under mysterious circumstances. Evie had been with friends in the local woods playing a game of Ghost in the Graveyard. Afterwards Evie heads home on her own across a part of the wood known as The Thicket.

Something is very weird about The Thicket. The opening chapter gives an account of Evie’s fate. The only witness is Lincoln, a classmate considered a creepy outsider. Indeed, Lincoln has been obsessed with Jane since high school and has been increasingly stalking her. No further details to avoid spoilers.

This was an intense and unusual horror novel. Trees and woods have long featured in horror fiction. Here the woods also contain a bioluminescent fungus with psychotropic properties dubbed by the locals as Foxfire. Paul, one of the original group and Jane’s ex-boyfriend, has become a mycologist and provides exposition on all things fungi.

I have recently read some nonfiction works on the role of fungi in the environment, including woodlands, so I had some context for this aspect of the story.

While the pacing was at times a little uneven, I enjoyed the touch of Lovecraftian horror at its heart. Uncertain though about how I feel about ever eating another mushroom

With respect to the audiobook, Daniela Acitelli has an impressive portfolio of over 140 titles across a variety of genres. Her voice has a husky edge to it, which built on the dark, gritty nature of this novel. In addition, I felt that she invested a great deal of energy into the characters that added to the tension and chills.

As a big fan of science fiction and horror, I not only enjoyed this but plan on looking into Harris other writings.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

A thriller with an interesting paranormal twist, it kept me hooked and guessing.
There's plenty going on, it's atmospheric and gripping. I loved the eery descriptions of the wood and the unusual mix of different genre.
The dual timeline and POVs added layers to the story.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I found this a bit slow. A bit too fantastical for me. I didn't ever think "Oh I can't wait to see what happens" as it was never clear what was real and what was imagined. An ok read, but not one that would have me coming back for more. Maybe more young adult in tone. #netgalley #sheneverleft

I was excited to read this book based on the synopsis, but the book didn’t seem to follow it at all. There was a supernatural/si-fi feeling to this book which isn’t my usual genre. The book was hard for me to follow along with and enjoy, but someone who enjoys this genre may enjoy it more.

She Never Left - C.M Harris
Cousins, best friends, roommates, and writing partners Jane and TJ have hit a brick wall with TJ's writers block. Jane has an idea for them to return to their home town for a reunion, with hopes of it sparking something in TJ, and maybe getting some closure to their past.
The book she is attempting to write is based on the thicket, with an obsession with the amber light, the one you don't want to go out. The thicket however has taken lives, including their friend Evie many years ago. Jane and TJ know they should fear the thicket, but feel more at home than they have in years.
Going back though also means Jane is in close proximity to Lincoln, who has been obsessed with Jane since highschool. He warns her not only of the thicket, but threatens to take TJ away from her. He intervenes and decides to take care of the thicket in his own way.
This book... I'm honestly so confused. This book jumped between different time frames and characters which I am usually okay with, however I found there to be no flow between the transitions. Due to the obsession with shrooms, I don't quite understand what actually happened and what happened during their trip on shrooms. It left so many questions. I wasn't a fan of the story at all, but, the author did have a way of describing her story to give you a clear picture of the scene in your head.
⭐⭐/5
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

This book wasn't really for me. I found it all rather strange and confusing with no real answers, but a total obsession with magic mushrooms. It did keep me reading though, not avidly, but enough of an interest to find out if it would all make sense in the end, so I can understand why some readers might rave about it.
I did like the characters, cousins T.J. and Jane; and Jane's stalker, Lincoln, was a very sad and interesting character who I felt could have turned out very differently if he had had a different childhood experience.
I'm not sure I entirely understood what was going on most of the time, so just the two stars from me.

💭 ᴍʏ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛꜱ:
This book would be perfect for people loving a little bit of fantasy. As I'm not a big fantasy person myself I had a little trouble following the story every now and then. The multiple POV's make it interesting, as they give you flashbacks to the night of Evie's disappearance. It has suspense, it is heart pounding and has a lovely character built. I liked it, but I didn't really loved it as I had a hard time following the story.
⭐️⭐️⭐️

🤓 ʀᴇᴀᴅ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ʟɪᴋᴇ:
Short Chapters
Multiple POVs
Good imagination

ꜱʏɴᴏᴘꜱɪꜱ:
𝘊𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘑𝘢𝘯𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘛𝘑 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘥𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘬𝘺𝘴𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘊𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘨𝘰, 𝘢 𝘧𝘢𝘳 𝘤𝘳𝘺 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘪𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘒𝘦𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘶𝘮.

𝘕𝘦𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘛𝘑’𝘴 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘤𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘩, 𝘌𝘷𝘪𝘦, 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘰𝘥𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘧𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘩 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵. 𝘈𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘑𝘢𝘯𝘦’𝘴 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥-𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘥-𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘬𝘦𝘳, 𝘓𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘯, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦. 𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘛𝘑’𝘴 𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘳’𝘴 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘤𝘬 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘳𝘴, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘩𝘪𝘨𝘩 𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘳𝘦𝘪𝘨𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯.

𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘓𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘯 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘸𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘏𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘥 𝘌𝘷𝘪𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘺𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘰𝘥𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦. 𝘈𝘴 𝘑𝘢𝘯𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘛𝘑 𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘷𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯, 𝘩𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘴…

I really struggled with this title, although the plot was intriguing to start I’m afraid I got a little lost along the way. The story just was a little too strange for my taste

Not really my type of story it seems to lose the plot before it gets started.I gave up half way through.Sorry this is just my opinion.Others may find it more interesting.

My thanks to NetGalley and publisher HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, for the electronic copy.

OK, I'm sorry to say that this really wasn't one for me. It's just all so weird.

Twenty years ago a schoolgirl rides her bike into The Thicket - a forested area outside a small town in Illinois. Where she gets "absorbed" into the plant-life. I believe magic mushrooms are involved in all this.
Now, two schoolfriends, TJ and Jane (20 years later) are finally going to attend their school reunion and, of course get drawn into The Thicket and mushrooms once again.

I'm afraid I can't describe it any further. This was a bit too "way out" for me.

This is just my opinion and obviously other readers have found it understandable and enjoyable. So - up to you.

She never left by CM Harris.
SOMETHING IS STIRRING IN THE HEART OF ILLINOIS

When Jane and TJ agree to attend their high school reunion they never expect to come face-to-face with classmate-turned-stalker Lincoln the moment they return home.

SOMETHING THAT SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN WOKEN

Unspoken words fester between them of the incident in the local woods twenty years ago when Evie vanished in a flash of amber light. They were the last three people to see her alive.

SOMETHING THAT SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN PROVOKED

But the trees have been whispering to Lincoln ever since, and as Jane and TJ arrive back in town, the voices call to him again, hissing three solitary words: she is here.

Wow this was a twisty suspence read. I loved it. Recommend. 5*.

This is a new author for me. I decided to read She Never Left because the blurb sounded like something I’d really enjoy. This is an original and entertaining book. I loved the blend of a traditional thriller with hints of the horror and supernatural. Does something other worldly lurk in the woods? What really happened to Evie? Is there a more rational explanation? What impressed me is the fact the truth is never spelled out in black and white and you’re left to make up your own mind with a lot of unanswered questions.

⭐⭐

This has not been a great year of thrillers for me.

I was so excited for this one; lauded as a mix of Stranger Things and Sharp Objects – Who could resist?? Unfortunately, I could not find much here to grasp on to. The relationship between Jane and TJ, which should have been an essential aspect to the plot, came off almost forced and stilted most of the time. The pacing couldn't seem to find it's flow, either dragging on or racing through essential points.

I did enjoy the cloak of eeriness that settled over the prose as the story carried on, but it just couldn't fix the disconnect I had with the entire thing. This, of course, is entirely my opinion, and I'm sure other thriller lovers will disagree.

My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for gifting me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.