Full review to come on Goodreads and Amazon. Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for a review copy.

Incredible! I loved every second of this book! I love a good cult thriller! The plot twists were incredible! I will definitely be recommending this book!

This book really just took me for a ride. I loved the build up, the character development, and the writing. I would definitely read more from this author!

"Nowhere Like Home" by Sara Shepard is a compelling novel that explores themes of identity, belonging, and the complexities of family relationships. Known for her ability to craft engaging stories, Shepard presents a narrative that resonates with readers, inviting them to delve into the intricacies of what it means to call a place home and the connections that tie us to our past.

The story follows a young woman who returns to her small hometown after being away for several years. She seeks to reconnect with her roots and confront unresolved issues from her childhood. Shepard's portrayal of the protagonist's internal struggles is both relatable and moving, capturing the universal desire to find one's place in the world. As she navigates the familiar yet changed landscape of her hometown, readers are drawn into her emotional journey of self-discovery.

One of the novel's strengths is its rich character development. Shepard creates a cast of multi-dimensional characters, each with their complexities and stories. The protagonist's interactions with family members, old friends, and new acquaintances reveal the profound impact that relationships can have on our sense of self. These dynamics are authentic and nuanced, reflecting the challenges of balancing familial expectations with personal desires.

The setting plays a crucial role in the narrative, with the quaint hometown acting almost as a character itself. Shepard's vivid descriptions bring the town to life, evoking a sense of nostalgia that resonates with readers. The exploration of the protagonist's memories and experiences in this familiar environment adds depth to the story, highlighting how our past shapes our present.

The pacing of the novel is well-balanced, allowing for moments of introspection alongside engaging plot developments. Shepard effectively builds tension as the protagonist confronts her past, leading to revelations and emotional milestones that drive the narrative forward. The story is interspersed with moments of humor and warmth, creating a well-rounded reading experience that balances heavy themes with lightheartedness.

Themes of forgiveness, acceptance, and the importance of home are woven throughout the narrative. Shepard emphasizes that home is not just a physical place, but also a sense of belonging found in relationships and personal growth. The protagonist's journey toward self-acceptance and understanding serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit.

"Nowhere Like Home" is a beautifully written and emotionally resonant novel that showcases Sara Shepard's talent for storytelling. With its relatable characters, evocative setting, and heartfelt exploration of identity and family, this book is a must-read for anyone seeking a thoughtful and engaging narrative. Shepard has crafted a story that lingers in the mind and heart, inviting readers to reflect on their own journeys of self-discovery and the meaning of home. This novel is a testament to the enduring power of love and connection, making it a truly rewarding reading experience.

Am interesting thriller

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this review copy and the opportunity !

Very readable toxic friendship/motherhood thriller! Great character dynamics, with shocking revelations doled out at just the right times.

Thank you Netgalley & Penguin Group for an EARC of Nowhere Like Home by Sara Shephard. I had to read this one as I am a major PLL Stan!

This one follows a group of mothers who band together, but each have their own secrets and are running from something. These women live off the grid, in a community called Halcyon. Rhiannon invites her old friend, Lenna, a new mother, to join them. Lenna uncovers a whole lot more than she bargained or.

I liked this one, the audio was fantastic I rotated between ebook and audiobook. I’m not a huge fan of the cult-like storyline, so this one was a 3/5 stars for me.

I love books about cults! But this one was just ehhhh. Something was missing. I’m not sure what. Maybe some plot holes? It had a good premise though.

3.75 stars. Thanks to Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Dutton for the E-ARC. I love a good friend thriller and the bigger the s*&t show the better and let me tell you Sara Shepard did not disappoint. The story follows Lenna reuniting with her friend Rhiannon at a womens communte where not everything is at it seems. These characters seem unhinged and then there are more women that come into the story and you get their POV as well and its just goes off the rails and I was here for all of it. This was so fast paced and enjoyable

When Lenna gets a call from her old friend Rhiannon, who disappeared years ago without a trace, she is surprised but also intrigued. So intrigued that when she finds out she also has a son and lives on a woman’s commune she spontaneously makes the decision to visit her. The time away will help her to make sense of her current life choices. Nowhere Like Home is fast paced but with an ease to listen to flashing back and forth between past and present from the POV of multiple characters. The narrator did an excellent job of painting the picture and tone of this story…. And the ending! It will have you retracing all the details in the timeline trying to figure out how you missed it! Superb way to end it.

Oh I enjoyed this one! The twisting POVs were fabulous, and the author withheld information brilliantly to keep the reader guessing. I had a bit of a hard time with the ending, but it was still a fun, fast-paced read.

Thankful to Netgalley and Dutton for the arc!

I'm unfortunately DNF'ing this book. I got about 10% in and have tried multiple times to pick it back up and get back into it, but the premise and how many characters it has is not catching my attention. So far everyone seems a bit unlikeable and I just haven't been as big of a fan as normal when it comes to unlikeable main characters. I am rating this three stars because so far the writing is good and if I get back into a groove with this style of writing, I would consider picking it back up.

I received "Nowhere Like Home" by Sara Shepard as an ARC from NetGalley, and it was a thrilling read. The novel follows Lenna, a new mother struggling with her baby's constant crying and feeling isolated in her marriage. When her old friend Rhiannon, who disappeared years ago, invites her to a secluded community called Halcyon in the Arizona desert, Lenna decides to visit, hoping to repair their friendship and find some peace. Upon arrival, Lenna discovers that Halcyon is a "mommune" where women live off the grid, raising their children together. However, the community has strict rules: no outside phone calls, no questions about people's pasts, and a padlocked gate that only the leader can open. As Lenna navigates this new environment, she becomes suspicious of the community's true intentions and realizes she was brought there for a reason. The story delves into themes of complicated friendships, trauma, and the secrets that bind and divide us. The setting of the remote desert adds to the suspense, and the character development is strong, particularly with Lenna and Rhiannon. The multiple perspectives and timelines enrich the narrative, making it a compelling and thought-provoking read. I look forward to reading more from Sara Shepard in the future. #netgalley #nowherelikehome

This book just didn’t do it for me. The characters were so unlikeable. It was a quick read but the plot stalled at some points.

This book falls flat with clichéd characters, an overly predictable plot, and a lack of genuine emotional depth. The pacing is sluggish, and the narrative fails to engage or surprise. Despite the potential for a compelling story, it ultimately feels shallow and uninspired. A real letdown.

My girl Sara Shepard. I've loved her since Pretty Little Liars and will continue to like her books. This one unfortunately fell a little short for me. The plot was there but something was missing for me.

Reading in Between the Wines book review #108/130 for 2024:
Rating: 3 🍷🍷🍷
Book: Nowhere Like Home
Author: Sara Shepard
Available now!!

Sipping thoughts: Pretty good mystery that was summed up pretty well. I loved the social media aspect of it and was interested in hearing a POV from almost like an eavesdropper. One of the characters seemed to bat fill- in-the-blank crazy but it was hard to tell where truth and fiction lies. I think the ending was pretty satisfying.

Cheers and thank you to @PenguinGroupDutton and @Netgalley for an advanced copy of @NowhereLikeHome.

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Ooof. Sara Shephard mainly writes books for young adults, and you can tell - it was good, but definitely not what you would expect from an author who writes regular fiction as opposed to YA fiction. 3 stars.

When I saw that Sara Shepard had written a new book, I was very excited to read it because I am a huge fan of her work and I loved her book series Pretty Little Liars. I was also happy to see that this new novel would be targeted towards adult readers, and that a group of mothers would be the focus of the story. Each of the mothers featured in the story has a difficult past and their own drama surrounding themselves and their family members. Lenna, a new mother, is the main character of the story and she ends up receiving a call from a friend who disappeared years ago and who Lenna hasn't heard from until she receives the phone call. I like that the book centers around themes including friendships and trauma that still affects individuals and their actions long into their adult life. I thought this book was just okay and I honestly expected more from it; parts of the story were a bit boring and seemed to drag on a little longer than necessary.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review an advanced copy of this novel. I highly enjoyed it and will be recommending it to others.