This book had everything I love in a thriller. Fast pace, close circle of suspects, and numerous twists. I will proudly admit I read this in a day. It gripped me from the very beginning, and didn't let go until I was finished. I didn't trust any of these people, yet Joe Hart did such a great job of convincing me to do so. My trust was continuously being broken, making it easy to put myself in Nora's shoes while she was trying to help Tessa and Kenny. I wasn't able to confidently identify the suspect, because I had way too many scenarios and guilty parties swirling through my head. I highly recommend this.

While stories focusing on protagonists having to face friends (and foes) from their childhood are nothing new, in 2024 you would expect this trope to have a shot-in-the-arm to reinvent it. Unfortunately, Never Come Back is as predictable as any novel using this trope has been in the past, forcing you to ask yourself "what is the point of this?" While the setting is intriguing, as is its main character, the book doesn't quite make for a satisfying read.

Twists and turns abound.
Nora Mctavish is a family advocate who gets a call out of the blue from a childhood friend whom she has not seen since, asking for
her help. She is in the midst of an ugly custody battle while working through a divorce from her professor husband who has rumors abounding of affairs with students.
Nora goes to her aid; a bit reluctantly and soon finds good reason to be wary.
Her friend's predicament is filled with mysterious happenings which make an easy solution very difficult to find.
No one seems to be exactly who they present themselves to be. Undercurrents abound.
The daughter is belligerent and clearly on the side of her father while break ins, stalkers and threats abound.
Good suspenseful read with not a whole lot of clues easy to follow and ending more difficult to predict than you might originally think.
The characters are good, strong and easy to get along with. The story moves along at its own pace with a lot of side stories thrown in to make it just a little less easy to figure out.
And that makes it very interesting.

Wow. Just, wow. This was intriguing from start to finish! My mind was a whirlwind of theories and every single one of them ended up being completely wrong! I read this book in a day because I just had to know how it would end. Not only was the story really well-written, but I loved the imagery associated with the beautiful scenery that was an integral part of the story. This is the second book in the series and full disclosure, I didn’t read the first BUT I definitely didn’t need to! It can easily be read independently.

Thank you Netgalley & Thomas & Mercer Publishing for an eARC ♥️

Nora McTavish, a fiercely empathetic and determined heroine, is pulled into a dark and twisted world when her friend Tess's seemingly perfect life begins to unravel. As Nora digs deeper, she uncovers a tangled web of secrets, lies, and obsessions that will make your head spin.

With its expertly crafted plot and masterful manipulation of psychological tension, this book will keep you on the edge of your seat, wondering what's real and what's just a clever illusion. The characters are complex and multifaceted, with depths and motives that will surprise and intrigue you. And the writing? Absolutely mesmerizing, with a poet's touch for language and a keen eye for the nuances of human behavior.

As the story hurtles towards its stunning climax, you'll find yourself questioning everything you thought you knew about love, power, and the human psyche. And when the final piece of the puzzle falls into place, you'll be left breathless and bewildered, wondering how you didn't see it coming. 😳

★ 4 Stars ★
I recently discovered Joe Hart and his character Nora McTavish in the first book of a series called "Where They Lie.” I was thrilled when I got the chance to read the second book in the series.

In this book, Nora is helping an old friend—Tess—in a custody battle with her estranged ex. Nora and Tess were like sisters when they were growing up, but a tragic event caused them to lose touch. Despite that, when Tess reached out for help, Nora didn't hesitate. However, it has been decades since they last saw each other, and Nora feels like Tess isn't telling her everything, which makes her worried that Kendra, Tess's daughter, could be in danger.

Nora is a wonderful character who made this book hard to put down!

Thanks to Thomas Mercer for providing a copy of this book through NetGalley. As always, all opinions are my own and left voluntarily.

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Never Come Back is the second in the Nora McTavish series but can totally be read as a standalone. Granted, I haven't read the first book so I don't know what I don't know, however, I didn't feel like I was missing any information that kept me from enjoying this story or getting completely invested in this series. In fact, I'm eager to pick up book one to see if I can learn more about Nora and her complex and heartbreaking past.

I devoured this book. It kept me up WAY past my bedtime because around 60% in I just could not put it down. It kept me guessing from page 1 and it was so fun to repeatedly have everything figured out, only to find out I was completely wrong! This one really did surprise me in all the best ways and I am completely enthralled with Nora and NEED more of her in my life!

Never Come Back had me seeing red flags left and right. I didn't trust most of the characters and with the plot repeatedly surprising me, I finally buckled up about half way through and let it take me for the ride!

If you're looking for a quick read that's fairly unique, totally thrilling, and completely unputdownable, Never Come Back is it!

Thank you to Thriller Book Lovers Promotions and Thomas & Mercer for putting this series on my radar. Excited for more Nora McTavish in my life!

This book gripped me from the first few scenes through to the end. I loved Nora McTavish and the cast of wonderful secondary characters in this twisted tale of murder, obsession, and social justice. I haven't read the first book in the series, but I plan to after reading this gem. The storyline in this book is standalone, and I don't believe any of the first book was spoiled for me by starting with this one.

This was my first read by Joe Hart, but it is the second in a series featuring Nora McTavish. I did not read the first book in the series and I do not feel as though that took away from the story! But I already ordering part one on Kindle Unlimited! Yay!

Nora is a private family advocate after working in the system. Nora had a tragic upbringing, her mother died young, and her father abused her and her two brothers, one actually passed away. So Nora falls fast and hard for vulnerable children. A childhood friend that Nora has not seen for 20 years, Tess, reaches out to Nora for her help. Tess’ husband Neil is a professor and he has been arrested for allegedly murdering a student that he had an affair with. After he is cleared he petitions for custody of their daughter, Kendra. Nora bonds with Kendra and wants to help her. But is Kendra better off with Tess her childhood friend or Neil? Nora is also struggling with her past because Tess’ mom was best friends with Nora’s mom.

I really appreciated the character development of Nora and Tess in this book. I felt that I could relate to them both. The authors writing style keeps the book moving at a fast pace and the chapters are not too long. I loved the descriptive scenes of the beautiful setting. There is. I shortage of suspense and thick plots in this book! I can’t wait to see what’s next for Nora!

Never Come Back by Joe Hart. The characters lacked credibility and appeal. It was difficult to like Tess. An enjoyable yet relatively slow-paced book. Book two in the Nora McTavis series.

Thank you to the Joe Hart, NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to preview the book.

The second book in the Nora McTavish series by Joe Hart was another winner. Each book has two storylines, but both involve Nora. Nora has left child services and is now working for herself as a family advocate when a young couple with disabilities needs Nora's service. Their three-year-old daughter has been taken from them and is now in the care of the child's elderly grandmother. Nora works to help this couple and sets the wheels in motion to get their child back where she belongs. While working to help the young couple, she receives a call from a close friend from her past needing Nora's help. She hasn't seen or talked to Tess since Tess's mother died when they were children. With some hesitation, Nora leaves the Oregon coast for the town of Mutiny in the mountains of Oregon. Nora hopes to visit Tess quickly and then return home to her dog and brother. She reluctantly stays with Tess and her daughter and quickly realizes that she doesn't know Tess anymore and that Tess has some ulterior motives for asking for Tess's help in a family matter.
The book is easy to read, and you learn more about Nora's childhood. Nora, reluctantly, is compelled to help Tess's family. Moreso, she is drawn to Tess's daughter Kendra, and when she disappears, Nora is on a mission to find the girl. The book includes murders, infidelity, and deceit, all wrapped up with a twisty bow.
Thank you, Netgalley, for the advanced digital copy.

I love a good series, and now I’ve got a new one to obsess over.

Family advocate Nora McTavish is settling into her new practice when she receives a call from Tess Grayson, a childhood friend she hasn’t spoken to in years. Tess is entangled in a custody battle with her ex-husband, Neil, a popular professor at a local university. It’s getting vicious—and dangerous.

Rumors are swirling of Neil’s affairs with students, one of whom was found bludgeoned to death. Though the charges against him were dropped, Tess doesn’t want the man anywhere near their nine-year-old daughter. But as Nora digs deeper into the shattered Grayson marriage, she sees more sides to the story than anyone anticipated. Which side can she trust is the question.

Old secrets and lies are beginning to emerge—some from Nora’s own past—and as suspicions begin to shift, another murder draws Nora perilously close to a killer. This time she’s not just betting her reputation on a case. She’s betting her life on it.

Never Come Back is book two in Joe Hart’s Nora McTavish series, following last year’s Where They Lie. It can easily be read as a stand-alone, although, for those of you that know me, that’s just not how I roll. Of course I started with book one, and both are equally addictive.

This is an intriguing tale about friends , who grew up together and met up again after a tragedy affected one. I liked this book. It was predictable at times but also had some surprising twists. Thank you to Netgalley, the author and Thomas and Mercer for the advanced read in exchange for my fair review.

A digital copy of this book was provided to me by Thriller Book Lovers Promotions. The opinions are my own and freely given.

This is #2 in Nora McTavish series. I have not read #1 or this author before, but I just bought the first book! This was a really great read, and I was completely enthralled.

Nora is a family advocate and gets a call from her childhood best friend asking for her help. Nora travels several hours to see Tess and meet her daughter Kendra "Kenny". Nora's ex-husband has been accused of murder and Nora wants sole custody of Kenny. Through the court hearings and proceedings, Nora forms a connection with Kenny. Stronger than what she feels for Tess. This book was really up and down and sideways. I thought I had it figured out, but I was so wrong. I can't wait to read the first book, to get a little bit more background on Nora, and I look forward to book #3.

My review is live on bookbub, goodreads, the librarything and storygraph.
This will be posted on Instagram @kuhlreads on 2/26/24.

This is my first book by Joe Hart and it will not be my last. It was a fast paced thriller and kept me on the edge of my seat. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review. To be published April 2024.

As a longtime fan of Joe Hart I’m always excited to see a new release. This time around we get the sequel to Where They Lie, titled Never Come Back. This is the second book in the Nora McTavish series, and another excellent thriller. I’ve been reading Joe Hart for over a decade and enjoying thriller after thriller. They are as great as anyone out there, if not better.

In Never Come Back Nora is working her latest case helping her childhood friend fight for custody of her daughter Kendra. Unfortunately for Nora all is not what it seems and a missing child is just the tip of the iceberg. An unexpected call from a childhood friend sends Nora down the rabbit hole of emotions. Her internal struggles with her own childhood trauma are again front and center. This is where Joe Hart shines, creating characters with depth and a have a life of their own. The mystery and plot are well constructed, no holes to be found here people! I’m always at a loss to solve it before the conclusion. This makes the ride all the better when I finally reach the conclusion.

Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and the author for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Nora had a hard childhood. Harder than most. She does not let this define her, and makes her life’s work about providing a “Sanctuary” to families in their hardest times.
She is incredibly likable, and not to mention totally kick ass. Joe Hart poured an incredible amount of intelligence, self awareness, and insight into our main character.
Nora gets the chance to reconnect with a long lost friend, Tess, who she knew at a simpler time, when they were kids. Tess desperately needs Nora’s help to maintain sole custody of her daughter, Kendra, after Tess’s now ex husband is accused of murdering one of his students.
Nora must decipher truths from lies, and clear blurred lines to get to the bottom of things.
Who really killed the student? Where did Nora’s mom go all those years ago? Can she actually trust her former best friend whom she loved like a sister?

‘Never Come Back’ was an action packed journey. It almost felt like a movie.
Hart does an excellent job of making the reader feel like they are in the scene. I could hear the rain tapping on the windows, and could feel the cold of the Pacific Ocean while I read about it. The fact that there are multiple questions being asked at once, was so exciting and really kept me on my toes, without being confusing or overwhelming. The slight hints that are given can easily be skipped over, but that is the beauty of Harts writing. Sometimes the answer was right in front of you.

I throughly enjoyed this book, and cannot wait to read more of Joe Harts work.

Good book, great storyline! Strong, brave, female protagonist! I received a free ARC for review and this is my honest feedback.

Thank you Thriller Book Lovers, Thomas & Mercer, and Joe Hart for the advanced copy of Never Come Back in exchange for my honest review.

Worth noting: this is book two in a series, but as someone who did not read book one I can attest to the fact that it can easily be read as a standalone.

This was sooo bingeable and twisty, I absolutely loved it! I originally rated it 4 stars but woke up the next morning still thinking about it so had to amend my rating to 5 stars.

I love the mix of old secrets and new, the fact that as the reader you never really knew who you could trust, and the big reveal maybe feels like you should see coming but I definitely did not.

Based on the book's ending I think it's safe to say this series will no doubt be continuing. I definitely will be reading more from this author in the future!

Never Come Back will be on bookshelves April 2.

Nora has struggled with her past for years so when someone from that time reaches out for her professional help, she really cannot say no. Not when there is a child involved. Her friend from childhood is in the midst of trying to protect her daughter as her husband was the number one suspect in a college students death but the charge did not stick and so now he is fighting to get more custody of his daughter. But things are never as they seem and as Nora tries her best to help her friend and her daughter things are not seeming to add up and the mixed information she is getting has her questioning her friends true motive for Nora's help. Maybe justice did get this one right, and the husband is innocent but with a child in the middle Nora knows she cannot leave until the truth comes out. This was such a good read and I really enjoyed the storyline and how it all came together. I am looking forward to reading more by this author. Thank you to the author, NetGalley and Thriller Book Lover Promotions for the complementary ebook. This review is of my own opinion and accord.