The author’s wonderfully developed characters that you will love or otherwise love to hate make this a riveting read. This is a well-written, suspenseful, edge-of-your-seat thriller that will leave you breathless at times in anticipation of the next twist in the plot. Don’t start reading this book if you are not prepared to stay up all night. I can’t wait to read more from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio who provided me with a copy of this book. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

North of Nowhere by Allison Brennan is a book that takes you into rugged, remote Montana in the middle of a blizzard.

"Tony has been protecting Kristin and Ryan from their father, Boyd, for five years. Boyd is part of a crime family with a large criminal enterprise. Not the best environment for the kids. It looks like they've been discovered living in Montana. Tony borrows a plane to escape but is shot down and crashes miles from the airstrip. Kristin and Ryan manage to free themselves from the wreckage and try to run to a cabin Tony set-up as a safehouse. To get there they must fight the weather and avoid Boyd and his goons as well as an unknown someone who also shot at the plane. Tony's boss, Nick, and Nick's son, head out hoping to find them. Their Aunt Ruby also drops in to help.
Who will find them first?"

Eliza Foss does a nice job with the audio, especially with the number of characters and voices. I'm sure she had fun with Grandma Frankie. Has to be fun to put a voice to a sociopath.

Feels like the first two-thirds of this are setup for the ending. There are a lot of moving pieces. It's almost overwhelming at times. But the ending makes up for it when all of the characters come together. Some will make it - many will not. I like the big curveball that Brennan throws in the plot - one I should have expected. The story doesn't move the way you might think.

Great bad guy in Frankie - a truly terrifying character.

A good story overall from Brennan.

North of Nowhere is a suspenseful saga of two kids, Kristin and Ryan McIntyre, on the run in the Montana wilderness in the cold of winter after their plane crashes. With the help of the pilot, Tony, they had been attempting to flee their biological father who would bring them back into the fold of their dangerous Los Angeles crime family. For five years they had been hidden and safe but now they are found. Unfortunately, it is not just their biological father Boyd who is in pursuit - there are even greater threats to their lives if they cannot make their way out of the storm and somewhere to safety. One member of the McIntyre clan seemed an over-the-top villain, thought it did add to the suspense, and I appreciated the more complex and nuanced portrayal of Boyd. I enjoyed this book and would recommend to any fans of suspense, but especially to those who like a good wilderness settings.

This book begins with an impending storm and a brother and sister fleeing from their real father with the man who has been raising them as his own. It sounds like a beginning that I would normally love and a plot that grips you throughout the entire book... but I felt like there was too much happening. I checked and rechecked that this wasn't part of a series and I'd skipped one of the books. There's so much worked into the plot that it was kind of overwhelming. I felt that it had too many story lines to be thrown into one book. Parts of it were great, but some made me stop and have to back track to figure out how that particular part was linked in. I love complex thrillers, but this one wasn't one of my favorites. If I hadn't received it as an advanced copy, I probably wouldn't have finished it.
Two stars from me.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.

Sixteen-year-old Kristen McIntyre and her brother Ryan, who is deaf, have been in hiding from their father, Boyd, for five years, ever since the murder of their mother. Their "dad" Tony has a history with Boyd and has been protecting them in the wilds of Montana. But when Boyd finally finds out where they are, Kristen and Ryan find themselves on the run in the Montana wilderness with a blizzard on the way. Their aunt, Ruby McIntyre, has been in hiding too, but when she is alerted by Tony's employer, Nick, that something is amiss, she and Nick head out to rescue them. Will they be able to reach the kids in time?

This is a thrilling wilderness adventure with lots of treachery and harrowing escapes. The crimes of the McIntyre family are evident right away, but their evil past is slowly revealed through the thoughts of Kristen, Tony, Boyd, and Ruby. The action never stops on this wild chase through a harsh land.

The audiobook is well narrated by Allison Brennan, who masters all of the voices of the characters and conveys the many emotions so well, especially the fear, anger, distrust, and hopelessness of Kristen, who is just searching for peace.

I received a free copy of this audiobook from MacMillan Audio. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

Be warned!! Once you start this book, you will not want to put it down or stop listening until the very last word. I had to finish it the same day I started it because I couldn't get it out of my head.

It was the perfect combination of action, adventure, and mystery. I was sucked in right away and couldn't stop listening! I've read several Allison Brennan books and have enjoyed them all - but this stand-alone mystery, adventure is by far my favorite.

There was so much to like about it! The rugged-Montana setting, the twists, and the story were great. The characters - from the purely evil, evil with good intentions, and purely innocent were all so well developed. It all flowed together making for an attention-keeping adventure that I won't soon forget.

Thank you so much the opportunity to listen to this first!!

North of Nowhere is filled with love, connection, and unbreakable bonds. Brennan’s style puts you in the story, on the trail, running from both the storm and the danger lurking right on your heels.

The narration brings out the strong emotion. You can’t help but root for Kristen and Ryan. The storyline captured me from page one and held me to the end.

Another great read by Allison Brennan.

The action begins quickly in North of Nowhere, with Tony rousing his two kids early in the morning to flee from Boyd, their real father. I thought for quite a while that this must be a sequel, but it is in fact a stand-alone novel set in Montana during a blizzard. A good chilling, non- stop action read for a hot summer day, complete with the worst Irish Granny character you are apt to find in a modern thriller. Don’t drink her tea! 3.5 stars rounded up.

A Delightfully Complex Action-Packed Thriller

SUMMARY
Kristen McIntyre, 16, and her 11-year-old deaf brother have been hiding from their father for five years. Kristen knew her family was different, but she didn’t realize how different until she witnessed her dad kill a man and learned that her dad, Boyd McIntyre was the head of a prominent crime family in Los Angeles. Kristen also witnessed her mother’s murder just as her mother and the kids attempted to escape from the McIntyre clutches. Tony Reed, a friend and employee of the McIntyre family and Boyd’s best friend, helped Kristen and Ryan run. He has been raising them as his own in Big Sky, Montana.

Now Boyd has finally found the trio’s location. He and several of his men attempt to take the kids early one morning. Tony and the kids barely escape in a small plane hit by gunfire on takeoff. The plane crashes into a lake in the Montana wilderness, and the kids hike deep into the woods, searching for safety. Boyd and his men are in pursuit and will stop at nothing to bring them in.

Nick Lorenzo, Tony’s employer in Big Sky, is also tracking the kids and doesn’t understand why they are on the run or who is following them, but he is adamant about rescuing them. The kids’ Aunt Ruby joins Nick in the search. Ruby was Tony’s emergency contact person. An approaching blizzard and the steep terrain makes the search much more than dangerous. Will any of them make it out alive?

REVIEW
NORTH OF NOWHERE is a perfect combination of characters, setting, and story. It’s a delightfully complex, action-packed thriller. The plot is fast-paced and intense. Readers will be hanging on the edge, never knowing who to trust, when someone will slip off the mountain, or how it will end.

The Montana setting is scenic, and the weather descriptions are captivating. Reading about a blizzard during the major heat wave in the summer of 2023 is a bonus, providing some imaginary relief from the heat.

The writing is delightfully told from multiple points of view. The cast of characters is huge but well-developed. My favorite part is that the story includes at least four or five strong female characters. One of the females is not very nice; she is so despicable you won’t like her, but you must applaud the evil characterization.

NORTH OF NOWHERE is the first book I have read by Allison Brennan. I loved it and will be bingeing a few more of her books this summer. One of my favorite pursuits in reading is finding a new (to me) author with a creative mind and a skilled pen. Bingo.

I listened to the NORTH OF NOWHERE audiobook narrated by Eliza Foss. I enjoyed every minute of the performance. Her timing, tone, and voice were perfect.

Thanks to Netgalley for an advance copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

I thought this was pretty good. I don’t feel like it’s something I would normally pick up but I’m pleased with how it turned out. I felt like it had a good pace, I liked the characters and felt like the author def made you not like the bad ones. I would recommend. It was a quick easy read.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC

This is the sixth Allison Brennan book that I’ve read. I like Brennan’s work; she’s a good writer and storyteller. Brennan starts the story in one of my fave ways to start a story, adrenaline pumping, at the edge of my seat, with some nail-biting feats. Yeah, scenes like that will beat any slow burn story EVERY SINGLE DAY!!!

The book summary lays out the first 20% of the primary story and introduces the MC’s. What the book summary doesn’t mention is the secondary storyline of the evil grandmother, Frankie, also tracking them down, through her mob family henchmen. There are a boatload of characters that the story flips back and forth with. We have Kristen, and her aunt, Ruby. There is also Nick and his son, Jason. There is Frankie’s son, Boyd, who is Kristen & Ryan’s father, and then there is the local Sheriff, Kate Paxton.

From pretty early in the story, the two kids, Kristen & Ryan (16 & 10), are on their own and hiking their way through the mountains to a town that is a day away. There is a storm on the way so getting search and rescue out looking for them is impossible. To make matters worse, there is a boatload of people looking for them, some good, some not. Most of the story revolves around getting off the mountain alive. However, the danger for the kids doesn’t end there and there is a whole other danger waiting for them. There are some adrenaline pumping, intense scenes where it’s not clear who will make it out of this mess alive.

This was a fast-paced, action-packed story that had me invested from the get-go. I don’t want to say too much because I truly do not want to reveal any spoilers. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator, Eliza Foss, was very good. I want to thank NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

#NetGalley #MacmillanAudio #NorthofNowhere

I was absolutely transported and lost in the Montana wilderness for this adventure. I finished this book in almost one sitting. I could not stop. Every part of this book was so captivating, I never wanted it to end.

The story follows two young kids, Kristen (sixteen) and Ryan (eleven) who are on the run from their biological father. Tony has been caring for them for five years and tries to fly out of Montana when their plane gets shot at forcing him to make an emergency crash landing in the wilderness. Once the plane is on the ground they have to survive being tracked and hunted by more than one group and they have to survive the winter storm that is approaching.

This is some of the best writing I have seen. Every character was well developed and every piece of scenery was so easy to visualize and that was done without killing you with descriptions. I do not know how Allison Brennan did it. I can not wait to check out more books by her.

I can not recommend this book enough. This is a must-read.

This thriller is a story of survival as well as a well-orchestrated game of cat and mouse. Children running from their crime boss father and a snowstorm are just part of this heart-pounding rollercoaster ride. This had me on the edge of my seat and gasping for air. To say this story is action-packed is an understatement. Entertaining, suspenseful, and intense describe this family-oriented thriller. The narrator expertly brings the story to life adding realism, depth and intensity. Thank you, NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for my audiobook.

Kristen and Ryan McIntyre have been hiding from their Los Angeles crime family for the past five years and the day they have been dreading is upon them. Their murderous father Boyd McIntyre has found them and is coming to take them home. As the kids flee with Tony Reed (the man who swept them away from their criminal family and has been raising them as his own), their carefully laid plans go up in flames when the fuel tank of their getaway plane is hit and they have to make a crash landing in the woods not far from the small Montana town they have called home for the past five years. With a severe blizzard on the way and Tony incapacitated, sixteen year old Kristen has to take the helm and make sure that she and ten year old Ryan get somewhere safe and stay out of their father's clutches. They know that Boyd isn’t far behind them, but they don’t know that they have allies - their Aunt Ruby (who left the family years before without a backwards glance) and rancher Nick Lorenzo (who Tony has worked for these past five years) - who are out looking for them as well. But the greatest threat is the one no one saw coming.

This is the first novel I have read of Allison Brennan’s and it was a wonderful introduction. I’m grateful I didn’t make the mistake of reading this one just before bed because it would have caused all the anxiety. I don’t know about anyone else, but any stories with a mafia or crime family is elevated in the anxiety department for me, especially when there are kids involved.

There are pieces of the past that are slowly unraveled as the story goes on. Brennan writes in a way that hints towards one thing, but then it turns out to be something completely different once you get the entire picture and that kept me on my toes throughout. The story is told from a third person omniscient POV which allows the reader to follow along with each of the characters as the race to find the kids continues. It felt very much like watching a film, jumping around to different perspectives and seeing clues that make sense only to reader while the characters are unaware of their importance.

Even with all the anxiety and stress, this book included a nice found family element that really tugged at my heartstrings. What was especially endearing was the relationship between Kristen and Ryan (and their respective relationships with Tony) and how solidly they had built their foundation together, even through tough times. There was a lot of nuance to multiple characters that I didn’t expect and that helped to ground the story a little more in reality.

The audiobook is narrated by Eliza Foss, who did a good job of building tension and suspense. Though Foss did not necessarily create a different voice for each character, I never had a moment where I was unable to tell who was speaking. There were moments throughout where I needed to pause and take a breather to remember the intricate backstories of the characters and their relationships to each other, but this falls into the realm of the author's writing rather than the narrator's reading.

Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of this audiobook from the publisher for free and have voluntarily written this review.

Thanks to MacMillan Audio and NetGalley for a free audiobook for review.

I really enjoyed this book, even staying up hours past my bedtime to hear just one more chapter. For the most part, the narrator's performance brought the different characters to life without being distractingly over-dramatic.

The plot was well-paced and suspenseful. I cared about the main characters and enjoyed learning their backstories.

I did wish I'd had the hard copy of the book around mid-way through. Suddenly, it felt like there were random male characters I was supposed to keep track of-- some were "good guys," some weren't. I expect that might have been easier if I could page back to refresh my memory. Alternatively, a character list at the beginning of the book would help, but the audiobook had nothing like that.

I'll be reading more of Brennan's work!.

Good book. The characters were fairly well developed. Some seemed a bit one dimensional, others almost unbelievably diverse. That said, none of the extremes were beyond acceptable when taken with suspension of disbelief. The adventure was good, pace was good, although it could have been a little faster in places. It was a great root for the hero, curse the villain story. The story relied heavily on La Familia al beit of the Irish kind rather than Italian.

If one likes suspense with little mystery, more thriller than who-dun-it, this is a great book. Allison Brennan is a new author for me, but has definitely been added to my must read list.

I wasn't sure the narrator would be right for the story. She seems rather flat. However, as I got further into the story she handled it well.

If I weren’t a fan of Allison Brennan already I would be after reading “North of Nowhere”! This is an excellent book that starts off fast and never slows down. The characters are well developed, and the storyline has you on the edge of your seat. I do wish there had been an epilogue that covered five or ten years down the road to see how everyone is doing, I was that invested in them. This book is well worth your time.

This was a very solid thriller and exactly what I love in a good thriller. I have really enjoyed Allison Brennan’s other works and this lived up to what I have come to expect from her. I found it to be fast paced and engaging from the very first chapter.

Five years ago Kristin and Ryan were kidnapped by family friend Tony and taken to Montana where they have hidden from their father, Boyd, ever since. When Boyd finds them, they flee, but things go awry and they a fighting not only to escape their father, but also to survive the harsh Montana mountains as a blizzard is rapidly approaching.

There are multiple POV and a lot of characters are introduced throughout the story. I learned quickly that some characters were not to be trusted and not what they seemed, which had me examining all of the characters and their motives the whole time. It kept me engaged and constantly guessing in the best possible way.

I ended up really liking and connecting to the characters, well…the good guys anyway, and the villians were so well done I was getting Umbridge level dislike for them. I love a thriller with perfectly likable good guys and seriously hateable bad guys, so this was perfect in terms of the characters for me. I also really loved the found family vibes.

I do not think this is a mystery the reader needs to attempt to figure out or solve, it is a true thriller and the reader is just along for the ride. As much as I love a good mystery, I also love a good thriller where I can just sit back and enjoy the twists and turns as they come. This definitely was that sort of thriller.

Overall, this was a very solid 4 star thriller that I will absolutely be recommending.

I received an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I post this review voluntarily. Thank you so much to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Allison Brennan for the opportunity to read this book!

North Of Nowhere starts with a family fleeing in the night, and as they flee, the structure and intrigue of the story seems to... stay home.

The beginning of this book has WAY too much going on. So much, that I looked in 3 places to make sure this wasn’t somehow part of a series, because it certainly reads like one. There are a ton of characters, and they're tricky to keep straight. A lot of happening here.

Once I got about 30% of the way in, I had a good idea of what was happening, and I started to get a feel for where the story was going and who these people were (but never why I should care about them).

By about 40% it got to be so very dull, and started to read more like a Boxcar Children book for 13-16 year olds versus the fast paced thriller it was marketed to be. It felt like it was written by 3 people, each with their own chunk. I have a feeling this author may target the 50+ Christian housewife sector than anything else, because it all felt very... soft? Almost like a Hallmark movie with a bit of weird action thrown in. I really have no idea what to make of it.

1.5 stars, rounded up.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4/5 STARS

This is a thriller set in Montana during the winter.

Synopsis:
After living in Montana for five years and escaping their crime ridden family, two children run for their lives with their caretaker as their dangerous biological father hunts them.

I listened to this book on audio and really enjoyed the fast paced adventure. It had multiple POVs and the narration was good and easy to listen to. Having been to Montana and specifically Bozeman, I was able to vividly picture the story. I wanted more of the children’s POV and how they were surviving in the mountains. It kept my attention the whole time and the ending was satisfying.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the complimentary audiobook! 🏔️