A perfect game of cat and mouse- Lucas has arranged to have his wife murdered. We know this from the beginning of the book. At times we love Lucas and at other times, he's just despicable. Someone else knows what Lucas has done, though, and lets him know that they know. OR do they? At times funny, at times scary,and a perfect little twist make for a fast-paced read.

It started with a hit on his wife with money being his top priority. It was a great plan until one shocking photo and a note, left on his doorstep, altered his plan. Now everything he planned was threatening to crumble.

Lucas Forester wanted to be rich so he married a wealthy woman. He wanted control over the money so he came up with a plan. Lucas portrayed the loving husband like a pro actor giving his best planned performance of the distressed husband.

Michelle grew up in privilege. Lucas married Michelle for her money. Michelle controlled the money. Spending her money wasn’t enough for him he wanted to take control.

Lucas is a money hungry criminal. He is a con artist, a liar, a thief, and a murderer. In reality the game he’s playing is for a pro not an amateur. However, he is a master at adapting his behavior.

This is my fourth read by Hannah. I found the writing style a tad bit different from the other three books. Unfortunately, I wasn’t hooked. I never felt a connection with Lucas or with the concept. There was relevant information and then there was irrelevant information. It was the irrelevant information that had me skim reading. The concept was interesting and unique, unfortunately the delivery was lacking. I wasn’t entertained the way I had hoped. His unsettled nature didn’t procur any unsettling behaviors. This could’ve been more suspenseful. The words didn’t reach the intended level of fear. I’m not sure what feelings I’m suppose to get I just knew I grew impatient and bored and that’s not a good combination to have from a book.

Never Coming Home is told from Lucas’s perspective. This is a character driven story. Never Coming Home read like a cozy murder mystery. From the beginning the readers were made aware of Lucas’s plans and intentions. Alongside his actions the reader follows his every move while he tries to solve the mystery behind the mysterious notes and pictures allowing readers to play amateur detective. Along the way, Lucas will misdirect readers with his assumptions as to who he thinks is behind the threats. I knew early on who was behind the notes. Granted Hannah pulled a few surprises towards the end.

You think that you know exactly what happened in this story from the very beginning. The author tells you himself. But, of course, there is so much more to it than that. Lucas Forester took out a hit on his wife and now all he has to do is act shocked and concerned. Which proves easier than he imagined when he start to get hints that someone is on to his crime. You will hate Lucas (he is awful) but kind of admire him (he is so smart) and maybe understand him just a tiny bit. This story is great because it keeps you on your toes both with the plot twists and your own feelings about each event. You will read this fast, you won’t be able to help yourself.

Thank you to Hannah Mary McKinnon, Harlequin Trade Publishing, MIRA, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 STARS

And the winner of Villain of the Year goes to ....... Lucas Forester!

I hated him, then I liked something he did, then I hated him again. But I enjoyed getting his POV (who doesn't want to hear the baddies side/ a man's perspective). We rarely get to hear from the husband and he is calculating, cagey and such a endearing psycho with a sense of humor! Yes, he had me laughing with his devious one liners. His wife Michelle is wealthy and Lucas has a plan to line his pockets. If it involves murder, so be it.

This thriller is a bit darker, with a husband who has an agenda and a skewed moral compass. This one had me hooked from the beginning and staying up late to finish. The last few chapters were so engaging, I couldn't stop reading. I did have some things figured out, but the ending really took some of my breath away...... unnerving!

🔪 Never Coming Home 🔪
By Hannah Mary McKinnon
Publisher: Mira (May 2022)

“If you want lies to be believed, wrap them in truths”

Have you ever read a book from the killers point of view? Have you ever wondered how someone gets to that point that they’re desperate to kill someone in order to “fix” their life? Have you ever felt like you hated and yet felt sympathy for a character that deserves both?

Oh Hannah, you knocked this one out of the park. Brilliant and clever idea for a thriller as we step into the shoes of a MC that offs his wife and the steps and devious steps taken. Guys, this may not come out till May, but it’s an easy pre-order. Thriller lovers, here’s a good one coming down the dirt path of creepy. Especially when you know that there’s gonna be a “damn straight” moment that closes it up in the best way possible.

Easily my favourite of hers now. And my first 5 ⭐️ of 2022.

It could have worked. All the planning could have gotten Lucas to the end game.

One too many murders to hide made it difficult. I truly hadn’t read a story like this one in awhile but I must say it’s well thought out.

Nice beach read or quick read just for fun. Whichever you’ll enjoy the twists and turns Ms McKinnon has developed for her readers. The best part there were a few items to keep you thinking long past finishing this book. Enjoy

Never Coming Home
A Novel
by Hannah Mary McKinnon
his ARC was provided to me via Kindle by Harlequin Trade Publishing and #NetGalley for my honest review of the book.
Well, I LOVED the book. Brilliant!! Lucas Forester was having a really bad time that month. This some humor, lots of what in the hell, and caught me from page one. I had to root for Lucas, even if he paid to have his wife murdered.

Illness...marriage...greed...money...kidnapping...prenup...the elements of a novel that is intriguing...mysterious...a husband who is not who he seems to be...a dying mother-in-law...where is the wife??? This book was sent to me electronically for review by Netgalley...It is a journey with a family that is dysfunctional to say the least...intriguing...

Ahhhhhh another edge of your seat thrill ride book! I say it each time I am always shocked every single book! Hannah writes like you are on a mission to find out who did it and just when you think you know the twist is tossed at you so unexpected it makes you go NO WAY! I love every book she writes and she keeps me coming back for more!

𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐮𝐬. 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭. 𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞, 𝐰𝐡𝐨’𝐬 𝐬𝐨 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐨’𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐚𝐭 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐞. 𝐌𝐞.

Lucas Forrester didn't 𝒉𝒂𝒕𝒆 his wife. And with that first sentence of the synopsis I was hooked!

Told entirely from Lucas' point of view, NEVER COMING HOME was a twisty, diabolical, darkly comedic tale that almost had me rooting for the bad guy...almost. Lucas had been planning to get his hands on his wife Michelle's money since they met. His plot was so meticulous, so cunning, you could tell through flashbacks to his rough childhood that financial stability meant everything to him.

He charms Michelle's family, cares for her ailing mother and drug addict brother, so when Michelle goes missing, they all lean on Lucas even more. Lucas' grief-stricken persona is damn near perfect, but there's just one problem. He paid someone on the dark web to have Michelle murdered...and someone knows what he did.

I was completely blindsided by that absolutely perfect, satisfying ending. Thriller fans, put this one on your radar. Coming May 24, 2022. Thank you to @netgalley @htpbooks @bookclubbish and the author for my early e-copy.

Wonderful book! So many twists, turns & questions. I’ve gotta say that even though you know, going in, that the protagonist has done something evil, I couldn’t help but feel for him. Yes, he was a despicable character but he was portrayed so well, flaws & all. I had to root for him a little 🤷🏼‍♀️.

I have loved HMM's novels ever since Sister Dear, and I truly thought she shot it out of the park with You Will Remember Me, and then I read Never Coming Home... Oh. My. Gawd. What a story!! I absolutely LOVED it!

For starters, I find it so unique to read a novel from the bad guy's point of view. It offered such great insight into the mind of a killer. I also found myself rooting for him, even though I knew of all the horrible things he had done. Hannah crafts her characters in a way that makes it impossible not to feel for them, and Lucas Forrester is no exception. The journal-like style of storytelling makes the reader feel like they are along for the ride, and I guiltily enjoyed every minute of it.

This is definitely a must-read for all thriller lovers in 2022!

Brilliant! Written in the male protagonist's point of view made this such a unique read. Highly recommend this suspense written by one of my consistently favorite authors. Think you to the author for a digital copy to review for free.

This is a truly chilling read and I loved every minute of it! Michelle is missing and husband, Lucas seems devastated and vows to find her no matter what the cost. His mother-in-law is dying of cancer and we come to find out he is about to inherit all of her remaining money. But of course things are never as they seem, and my head was spinning continually as I tried to work out what was going on! The dark web, dead bodies, blood trails, shady characters...well, what's not to like? Just be prepared to stay up all night if necessary (with the lights on) to find out who the kidnapper is as you won't be disappointed!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

This was a great domestic psychological thriller.... in most novels you don't usually get to read the "bad guys' pov, and Lucas is so over the top despicable I really liked his character. The author really keeps you guessing throughout the whole book, and there was a pretty big twist at the end that I kind of did see coming, but that's ok, I still really enjoyed the nook?
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC,

Hannah Mary McKinnon is a brilliant writer and having enjoyed her previous work dug into this one with glee. Here we have a new villain, Lucas, to hiss at, He’s charming, handsome, well educated and overall a catch. At first sight. He marries well above his weight into real money. Michelle is his wife. Michelle disappears. Lucas doesn’t. This is a fun, easy read with an extremely unexpected ending.

I’ve always enjoyed Hannah McKinnon’s fun psychological thrillers, and Never Coming Home was no exception! This is an easy-to-read domestic thriller with a love-to-hate main character.

Lucas killed his wife, Michelle. His motive? A motive as old as time — money. He is the perfect, patient grieving husband as he simultaneously cares for his brother in law struggling with addiction and his mother in law struggling with cancer. Even though Lucas is obviously a despicable man, you grow to find him a bit humorous and even sympathetic. Yes, even though he got away with killing his wife …or did he? Mysterious notes and little changes start creeping up with increased frequency making him think he hasn’t gotten away with anything at all. Meanwhile, Lucas’ secret past comes knocking…and suddenly, he’s in double trouble.

This was a quick and enjoyable read for me. I found the ending to be more than a bit far-fetched, but it was tidy and pleasing. I would’ve liked a bit more storyline after the big plot twist was revealed; it felt rushed then. Overall, I’d definitely recommend for a light and well-written read!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

What a crazy ride! This is the first book I’ve read by this author, but won’t be my last! Well developed, flawed characters drive a dark tale of abduction, deceit, double cross and comeuppance. A quick read with many red herrings and an ending you won’t see coming!

Brilliant! Brilliant and deliciously diabolical. Hannah May McKinnon moves beyond domestic suspense to page turning sitting on the edge of your seat thriller. Bravo!

I could not put this book down once I began! It was fascinating, twisty and utterly gripping. Highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a suspenseful domestic thriller.