Nora works as family advocate. She receives a call long lost friend ,Tessa, in need of Nora’s help. Tessa is in a custody battle with her ex-husband who is accused of murder. Nora starts to dig deeper to find out who the murderer is and if she can trust her friend she hasn’t seen in 20 year.

I enjoyed this book! I thought it was a great plot with a climatic ending.

#netgalley

Holy Plot Twist!

Never Come Back, put me on a dark and twisted ride of a lifetime.

I cant even begin to describe the way this book was skillfully crafted to come together with an explosive ending that no one will see coming. Talk about twisted! Cue the jaw drop.

This was my first book by Joe Hart, but there is no way I will stop now, I just want more more more! Hart, is a true storyteller that will have us all eating out of his hands if he keeps delivering books like this. After concluding Never Come Back, I did my research to find any and all books that might have been published previously and imagine my surprise when I had over 10 to choose from (I ended up choosing The Last Girl)

I have become a fan of Hart with just having read Never Come Back, and I am sure you will be too! Check out the teaser below :

Finding the truth in a family shattered by lies, betrayal, and murder is a deadly gamble in a twisting novel of suspense by Joe Hart, Wall Street Journal bestselling and Edgar Award–winning author of Or Else.

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.

My students will like this fast paced mystery, a family dealing with divorce , with the ex husband, possibly a murderer. No one is quite what they seem.

Nora, a family advocate in private practice , is called by a childhood friend for help with her situation. Nora, has a very painful history and unresolved feelings about the mother who left her with her dangerous father. this is the second book of the series, but easy to follow. Can she trust her friend' s version of what is going on or is there two or more sides to this story. She finds herself in danger as she tries to figure out what is going on. It is easy to read and Nora is a character worth caring about

This was a fast paced mystery which kept the reader’s attention throughout. There was a good mixture of twists and turns which kept the reader engaged. This is a book which i would recommend to anyone who enjoys a good mystery.

Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. This was my first book by Joe Hart and I overall found it to be a quick read. Nora is a family advocate who is contacted by her childhood friend Tess for Nora’s help in gaining custody of her nine year old daughter from her ex-husband. Tess’s ex is a suspect in the murder of his former student. I struggled to connect with any of the characters and felt Nora’s backstory was not as developed. I didn’t realize until I finished the story that this was the second in the series which definitely explains the brief mentions of Nora’s traumatic childhood. The ending was somewhat predictable.

This was largely underwhelming. It was predictable and felt like a few other thrillers I've read recently - specifically The Guest by BA Paris and None of This is True by Lisa Jewell.

This series is so fascinating to me because it’s not the typical police procedural, but it is written in the same style. I tore through the first book and this one today. I was a victim of serious abuse and my husband was in the system from an early age. (He was homeless and on his own from the age of 12. The system didn’t serve him well either). Joe Hart has an incredible insight into what abuse and child protective services are like. I know a friend of his helped with the POV of a CPS worker, but he’s so knowledgeable about all of it, it makes me wonder if he has experience with both abuse and the system himself. He was so spot on that I had to stop reading sometimes because it brought back a lot of memories. I don’t say this to put anyone off from reading this. Quite the contrary. His characterization was incredible in both books. Enough so that it made me feel like it was happening to me, which is why I had to take breaks. (Some trauma never fully goes away). I’m definitely a fan and will be reading the next books in the series for sure!

Huge thanks to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for sending me this ARC for review! All of my reviews are given honestly!

I simply adored this book. This is the second book in a series featuring Nora McTavish, a family advocate who as a background story of trauma and loss. In this book we follow Nora while she helps a childhood friend in the custody case of her daughter. However Nora’s help to her friend Tess will put her in danger while in the middle of a series of secrets and obsession unravels.

The narrative is amazing with so many unexpected turns that made it impossible to predict the outcome. The author suspense ensures that the readers are constantly on edge without knowing what will come next.

The book is a fast-paced read full of old secrets, lies and twists leaving us on a roller-coaster of emotions. The transcripts of Edgar Allan Poe were perfect for me making this journey more unique. I recommended to all that enjoy a captivating mystery with a bit of drama.

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for approving me to read this arc and write this review.

I really liked this book. I'm unsure if I read book #1 in this series but it wasn't needed to fully enjoy this one.

Nora, former employee of Child Protective Services has gone into practice as a private family advocate. She receives a phone call from a childhood friend asking for help. Of course she says yes. Her friend Tess is in a battle for custody of her child. The kink is that Tess's husband was accused of murdering a college student, his lover. Charges were dismissed but Tess think that's enough to keep him from gaining custody of their daughter. Woven into this is the story of Nora's mother who disappeared on the family when Nora was young. She has not forgiven her. There is also a side story of Nora helping a family regain custody of their daughter. None of this distracts from the main story.

As the story progresses, there is another murder all leading to Nora's life being at risk. She figures out what is happening all leading to a dramatic conclusion with the main story and learning more about her mother,

"Never Come Back" by Joe Hart is a gripping and suspenseful novel that follows the journey of Nora McTavish, a family advocate with a deeply traumatic past. Nora is dedicated to helping the most vulnerable, and when an old childhood friend, Tess Grayson, reaches out to her for assistance, Nora feels compelled to help.

Tess's life drastically changes when her husband, Neil, a respected professor, is accused of killing a student he allegedly had an affair with. As the charges against Neil are dropped and he seeks custody of their daughter, Kendra, Nora steps in to support Tess through this challenging time.

However, as the murder investigation unfolds and the peace in their community is shattered, Nora begins to question Tess's honesty. Determined to safeguard Kendra's well-being, Nora delves into the dark secrets of Tess's family, placing herself in danger as someone desperate to keep those secrets hidden will stop at nothing, even murder.

"Never Come Back" keeps readers on the edge of their seats, with its intriguing plot twists and well-developed characters. Joe Hart skillfully weaves together suspense, mystery, and emotional depth, creating a story that explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the lengths one will go to protect their loved ones.

Overall, "Never Come Back" is a compelling thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end. Hart's writing style immerses readers in the world of Nora and Tess, making it difficult to put the book down. Whether you're a fan of suspense novels or looking for a captivating read, this book is definitely worth checking out.

Fast paced. Edge of your seat. I loved everything about this book. The build up to the ending was phenomenal! One of my favorite Joe Hart books!

Really enjoyed the book from start to finish. Author wrote this with great pace. Never Come Back is now one of my top books of the year for sure. Loved every second of this book.

Not sure if tis is a series...it should be! Loved the main character as she navigates a child custody case with her oldest best friend. This one has you questioning everything! Loved the storyline and the ending.

Series: Nora McTavish #2
Main Characters: Nora McTavish, Tess Grayson, Kendra Grayson and Merrill Nora’s rescue dog.

After resigning from the state child protective services Nora started to work for herself helping children with the process of rebuilding their lives.
When Gayle and Joel Pearson walk into Sanctuary Family Advocacy they manifest that they need help to get their daughter Ivy, back. Gayle’s grandmother was granted the child’s custody after an incident at a supermarket. She immediately contacts a lawyer friend to help the couple.
A strange phone call surprised Nora, her friend from the past contacted her asking for help when Tess’s ex-husband, Neil, is accused of murder Allie Prentiss, a student. Now with the charges dropped Neil is free and seeking custody of their daughter, Kendra.
The phone call made her reminisce the past.
When they were kids they were inseparable, Tess, Nora and her two brothers, Stephen and Paul, now gone. So many enjoyable moments at the beach until Theresa’s mother was killed in a car accident, that’s when they drift apart. Nora’s mother was so devastated by Diedre’s passing that she abandoned their children, leaving them with the monster that is their father.
Nora went to rescue her friend, only to be amongst secrets, and obsession, putting herself in constant danger.
“How far could love drive you? That depends on how strong it is”
This triller is fast paced I love the author’s writing style. The most unique aspect of the book are the Edgar Allan Poe transcripts of the teacher’s lecture series specially the topic of obsession of love associated with the late author’s work.
I highly recommend the series if you enjoy thrillers.
Thank you Joe Hart and Thomas & Mercer for this ARC in exchange for my review.

Quick, fast paced read that’ll leave you satisfied. This domestic thriller had a ton of twists and turns that I didn’t expect. The realistic nature of the novel allows you to sink into the book packed full of family drama and suspense.

I love a novel with old secrets working through the woodwork while the main character unravels them, all the while dealing with a dangerous situation. Every character seemed at least a hair suspicious. After all, Tess’s ex-husband is involved in a murder investigation all the while in a custody battle over their daughter.

Overall it was a delightful read!

Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas and Mercer for the eArc!

Very fast read. Disappointing , thought the ending was a surprise but silly.
Thanks to NetGalley for advance copy

This was an ARC from NetGalley. Joe Hart always writes such good and easy reads. You really connect with the characters. This domestic thriller was no different.

Great story! Joe Hart can be depended on for great characters and a solid mystery 'who dunnit'! Did not see this ending coming.

Never Come Back - Joe Hart

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

Never Come Back is a satisfying and exciting domestic thriller, with plenty of twists and turns as a community attempts to unmask a clever murderer.

It always amazes me when an author can write with equal insight from both male and female points of view, and Joe Hart accomplishes this feat flawlessly.

This is the first book I have read from this author, however, his writing as addictive as a delicious treat, and as soon as I finish writing this review I am searching for another novel by this gifted writer.

Note: Although this is the 2nd book in the Nora McTavish series, you won't get lost in the story if you read it as a standalone, which is how I read it.