I thank the author, Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

Ms. Brennan delivers a solid product, and this one is in her wheelhouse, with all those positive metrics. The story is set in a difficult mountainous winter environment. The lead characters, particularly the teen female and her younger brother are relatable, especially as they work to manage communication due to his hearing disability. There’s a spark of romance with the adults who are working to find the youngsters, as well as the teen girl and her age-appropriate high school friend.

There were some problems, however, that kept me from enjoying this fully. The backstory is a key issue—why they are all on the run, not a spoiler since it’s on the cover—is laid out in dribs and drabs. I kept thinking I was missing a prequel book, and had to look a few times to confirm this was a “stand-alone” novel. But it was annoying.

The characters tended to be very much stock good and evil types. The nasty ones are really nasty. They deserved to get everything thrown at them!

The resolution was satisfactory, with hope for a new beginning and healing for these troubled kids. They need really good therapists and caring adults.

In summary, 3 stars for a story that is entertaining for a few hours and fades away. I will keep trying Ms. Brennan’s books.

Fast-paced and thrilling, this novel features two great kids, Kristen and Ryan who've been living with Tony Reed in Big Sky, Montana. But circumstances dictate they must leave suddenly as they are all in danger. But when the small plane they are flying is shot down, of course there is even more at stake--and most of it is embedded in secrets and lies of which Kristen and Ryan are unaware. And so begins a perilous journey in the wilderness and beyond to family dynamics and choices made that have dire consequences. Shouldn't you be able to trust your family? Hmmm. Read it and see!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

I see this already has mixed reviews. I thought it was a good, fast paced, thriller. I like a suspense book that hooks you with action straight from the start. This is the first I’ve read of this author but won’t be the last.

What an excellent story about two children of a crime family kidnapped and in hiding. Kristen is such a strong character, and you quickly realize that the kidnapping is more about her escape from the family. Ryan is not your average younger brother as he is deaf - a real handicap when you are on the run. I love Tony - you keep reading that he is not a good person, but he is a hero. He gives his everything to keep these kids safe and happy. When their hiding location is found, they run once again. They are forced to escape into the mountains with a snowstorm on the way. They are running for their lives, to escape the family, to survive the wilds. There is non-stop action, and danger that ramps up with each page. There are a lot of characters in action, but you get a real feel for each of them. This is one story that grabbed me from the start; I could barely put it down. Loved it!

North Of Nowhere is a stand alone suspense. This story was a non stop thrill ride from start to finish.

Two children are on the run in the wilderness with a huge snowstorm coming.

“Plan B, baby,” he said. She stared at him, fully awake, fists clenched. What kid woke up alert and ready to fight? She didn’t ask questions, she didn’t argue. Five years in hiding, and she still knew that hesitation could mean death. Or worse.

Kristen and her brother are in danger from evil they’ve been hiding from for years.

Nick Lorenzo a rancher and his son are trying to help them. There is danger around every corner.

An all new cast of characters. No romance whatsoever. Just a spectacular adventure you just can’t put down. Read is all in one sitting.

Tony Reed is a cautious man. So cautious that he spends the wee hours of the morning driving around Big Sky, Montana surveilling the place, looking for anything or anyone that doesn’t quite fit. Unfortunately for him and his two children, one morning he finds what he’s looking for - two men, not locals, who definitely do not belong in the quiet Montana town. Tony returns to the cabin he calls home and wakes 16-year-old Kristen with two words, “Plan B.” Thus begins a harrowing adventure through the mountains of Montana and a race to survive, not only the elements, but also Kristen and Ryan’s biological father who will stop at nothing to bring them back into the family fold.

North of Nowhere is a relentless page-turner that this reader found really hard to put down! The plot is fast-paced and draws the reader in from page one and keeps her there until the final “The End.” I particularly liked the characters of Tony (wish there had been more of him) and Boyd, the kids’ biological father. Neither of these men were all good or all bad, but they were tied together by one thing – their love for the kids, Kristen and Ryan. I can see possible prequels in the future relating the backstories of each of these two men in more detail.

I thoroughly enjoyed North of Nowhere and would like to thank the publisher, Minotaur Books, and Netgalley for providing me with a free ARC copy of the novel.

North of Nowhere is a fast paced, adventure thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat most of the time. Lots of good characters kept the story moving, and even though things were pretty unbelievable at times, it didn't really deter from the story. Would definitely recommend and would love to see a sequel!

As the author states in the afterword, at its core, "North of Nowhere" is about family -- the good, the (very) bad, and the ugly, and what we will do to protect our family. Tony Reed is a former enforcer for the McIntyre crime family, which is nominally led by Tony's former best friend Boyd McIntyre. However, five years ago, following the murder of Maggie McIntyre, the woman he loved (and Boyd's wife), he fled with Maggie's children, Kristen and Ryan (who is deaf and who is Tony's godson). Kristen had already seen and experienced things no eleven-year-old should ever have to see or experience. Boyd is a violent and vindictive man, and he wants revenge on Tony for his multiple betrayals of the family. However, he also deeply loves his children and is desperate to get them back, whatever it takes. His sister Ruby managed to escape the family by joining the Army, but the evil that is her mother caught up to her, and it came a high cost (the death of her fiancé). Ruby also has issues with Tony. However, when she receives a call that Tony and her niece and nephew had fled in a small plane that crashed, she dropped everything and used her connections to get to Montana to find them. Boyd has finally located Tony and his children and has come for them, which is why they fled. Nick Lorenzo has found Tony to be a hard worker and enjoys the company of his children; his son Jason and Tony's son Ryan have become good friends, and Jason has also become friendly with Kristen. Nick is puzzled and concerned about what he is being told about Tony -- that he is a fugitive, suspected of killing Kristen and Ryan's mother and then kidnapping them. However, he believes Tony deserves a chance to explain himself, and he is not willing to abandon the children, especially with a blizzard on the way. Frankie McIntyre, the matriarch of the McIntyre family, and the leader of the crime family is evil incarnate, with no qualms about punishing anyone who crosses her, including family, and eliminating anyone who threatens or betrays the family. However, family is also of paramount importance to her, and she will stop at nothing to get her grandchildren back, especially, Kristen, whom she wants to groom to take over the family business.

These competing forces are paired up with the beautiful but potentially dangerous terrain of Big Sky, Montana, made more treacherous by the oncoming blizzard, to create a masterful thriller. Will Kristen and Ryan make it to safety? Who will find them first? What secrets have Tony and Kristen been hiding? To what lengths will Boyd and Frankie go to get back their children/grandchildren? Who is the mysterious person who seems to have interjected himself into the situation and is his target Tony, the children, Boyd or someone/something else? Which locals and which members of the McIntyre family can be trusted? How will the weather impact decisions? The story has plenty of suspense and surprises.

North of Nowhere by Allison Brennan
Fast and easy read, kept my interest from start to finish. Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this and leave my opinion.

I have just finished reading North of Nowhere by author Allison Brennan.

Thank You to NetGalley, the Author, and Minotaur Books for my advanced copy to read and review.

This was the first book that I have read by Allison Brennan. I was immediately engaged with the story and found it to be quite fast paced and an easy book to get into.

It had great suspense as the story unfolded along the way, and the characters were quite interesting, all set in Montana so quite atmospheric.

I however started losing interest about halfway through the book and found reluctant to want to keep picking it up to continue reading. It took me quite a bit longer than usual to finish this book.

However, a good story, which will appeal to many readers.

I would like to read more books by this author.

3.5 Stars

#Netgalley
#minotour_books

Kristin and Ryan are 16 and 10 respectively and are siblings. Ryan is also deaf, rarely attempts to speak but is fluent with ASL. Five years earlier, Tony, a cohort of their father’s, helped them to run from the family home shortly after their mother’s murder. The three of them are now living on a Montana ranch when they learn that their father has located them. All three set off but their small plane is shot as it becomes airborne causing it to crash in a nearby mountain lake. This is the story of their survival in a snowstorm and the interactions of the youngsters, their pursuers and those trying to locate and rescue them. It is written with many narrators yet so cohesively that the action, seen from almost every viewpoint, is gripping. Thanks to Net Galley and Minotaur Books for an ARC for an honest review.

What makes a great thriller? Action, suspense, engaging characters, a convoluted plot, and a compelling setting like the Montana mountains with an approaching blizzard. NORTH OF NOWHERE has all that and more. Kristen McIntyre and her deaf younger brother Ryan, survive a small plane crash as they run from their organized crime father Boyd. After five years of living safely under the protection of the man sworn to keep them their father, Boyd has tracked them down and sent his henchmen to kidnap his children and dispatch their protector. Their escape plane crashes after suffering damage in a runway shootout. The children’s aunt, Ruby, learns of the crash and heads to Montana. Long estranged from her criminal family, Ruby is ex-military tough and committed to protecting Kristen and Ryan. Rancher Nick Lorenzo, who knows the mountains better than anyone, also learns of the crash and jumps in to help find the children. But why are the children running from their father? Who are the good guys and who wishes harm? What follows is the stuff of thrillers. A great story, well told.

DP Lyle, award-winning author of the Jake Longly and Cain/Harper thriller series

Wow, what a ride! North of Nowhere was highly unpredictable - something I really, really enjoy. Allison Brennan is adept at writing scenes that made me "feel". At various points throughout the book, I felt compassionate, angry, and tense. The setting was realistic too - further enhancing the storytelling. Well done!

North Of Nowhere by Allison Brennan

Allison Brendan’s latest standalone novel is an unputdownable race to the dramatic finish.

This novel was well written. Had many characters to digest. More than entertaining. But I felt it was a little tragic. It read like our news today. Grandma shot everyone instead of finding a solution. I was disappointed that Tony was killed.

Thanks to Net Galley for sending me an advanced reader’s copy for my review.

Great read! Fast paced, there was a lot of action going on that kept me awake till the wee hours wanting to know what would happen. A story well worth reading, I highly recommend this one.

We need a sequel to this book! Loved the characters (well, most of them) and the story. I was glued to the edge of my seat and read this book in 2 sittings. Kristen and Ryan have lived with Tony for 5 years. Their father, crime family, has been tracking them. Just read the book. I highly recommend it as I do all this Author’s books. Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and the Author for allowing me to read and review this book.

How dare Tony take Kristen and Ryan in his plane and attempt to get to Ennis, Montana! Their father, Boyd Mc Intyre, is not someone to be trifled with. Tony is trying to protect the children from their father and particularly their grandmother.

As Tony is taxiing the plane for takeoff a sharpshooter hits him, then a second shot goes through the aircraft and lodges in his chest. Gravely wounded he crash lands the plane. Now the kids become his rescuers.

The description of the difficulties and terrain makes a breathtaking visual of the majestic Montana mountains.

This story explores the corruption and lawlessness of the very wealthy and their families. Boyd has no compunction about removing anyone who gets in his way. There is always a lot going on with numerous characters.

The conclusion to the story illuminates the thinking of the absurdly rich people. I was both exasperated and aghast at the cruelty exhibited by this ludicrously rich family. 4 stars – CE Williams

So. Much. Going. On! This is a thrill ride of a book. There are lots of characters and a lot of action, but never so much that I lost track. Even when they changed directions or combinations. And then, just when I thought it was winding down, NOPE. There was lots more action before the end. This is the first Allison Brennan book I've read. But certainly not the last,

Being sweet sixteen shouldn't mean running for your life and constantly looking over your shoulder. But that's where Kristen McIntyre finds herself and her ten year old brother Ryan. Five years ago Tony helped them escape Boyd, their biological father, after Kristen saw him ruthlessly kill a man and order the body disposed of. As head of an L.A. crime family Boyd had unlimited resources so Tony had prepared them for the inevitable with a carefullly planned escape route and safe house. But his planning didn't include a gunman firing into the plane he was using for their escape. With the fuel line hit and chest wounds from the gunfire he was able to make a crash landing in the mountainous Montana wilderness. But Boyd would waste no time getting someone on their trail. Tony knew his wounds were fatal so he was forced to send Kristen and Ryan on ahead not knowing a blizzard was rapidly moving in from the north. IF they could stay ahead of their trackers, would their survival skills be enough to see them through to safety?

"North of Nowhere" by Allison Brennan started strong and kept me flipping pages as fast as I could read, right up until someone piled on enough baggage to fill a freight car. Between Nick Lorenzo, his son Jason, Boyd, Boyd's brother, Aunt Ruby (Boyd's sister), Millie, Sheriff Kate, and grandmother Frankie McIntyre, I felt like I needed a scorecard to keep track of all the players. Too many characters resulted in a fractured plot and several insignificant subplots that left me exhausted.

In Brennan's defense, style-wise, her writing is clear and concise with no superfluous wordiness to drag it down. Her primary characters are intriguing and likeable and even the antagonist Boyd displays a sense of honor, skewed though it may be. All in all, there's suspense and conflict aplenty but the storyline suffers a critical fracture that weakens the structure Brennan so carefully crafted. Three stars.

My thanks to Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for providing an ARC (Advance Reader's Copy) of "North of Nowhere" by Allison Brennan.  I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Scheduled release date August 10, 2023.

My Thoughts

16-year-old Kristin and almost 11-year-old Ryan McIntyre were taken from a dangerous family environment 5 years ago and with their surrogate Parent/protector have been on the move ever since.

Settling in Big Sky Montana finally gave all three not only a chance to make friends but also routines that give them each peace.

However, as all good things must, their peaceful existence ends when found by the very man that the trio have been evading all those years.

What they go through is nothing short of sheer torture at times for Kristin and Ryan but also their pursuers and their would be rescuers as well

This is true not only for the characters themselves but in some ways the reader as well since you very much want to help and can’t.

A plane crash, a blizzard, family secrets, multiple twists and 2 of the pluckiest children I have met in a contemporary read in quite some time.

It has been a while since reading anything penned by the author but once I started remembered quickly why I still love her intensely involved stories and plan on reading more of her backlist at some point.

This was a total immersive experience for me as it made me feel not only part of the characters world but also there in the moment as each new layer was added and executed until a very satisfying ending takes place.
[EArc from Netgalley]