I could not connect to the narrator of this story or the characters. I tried to keep reading by ultimately did not finish.

This book is the second in the series, following Nora, a family advocate lawyer. Although I enjoyed the book enough to finish in one sitting, it left me wanting more. I enjoyed the twists and mystery of it!

When childhood friend Tess Grayson ropes Nora into a custody battle with her seemingly shady ex-husband, Neil, who's entangled in a murder investigation, Nora's in for more than she bargained.

Hart's writing style keeps the pages turning as Nora uncovers layers of deception, with Tess proving to be as mysterious as the case itself. The plot is a delightful mix of suspense, action, and intrigue. The narrative takes unexpected turns, keeping readers on the edge, and Nora's resilience is put to the test as she faces a life-threatening situation.

The character dynamics are a highlight, especially Nora's bond with Tess's daughter, Kendra, adding heart to the thrilling tale. Some might find moments a tad dramatic, but let's face it, who doesn't love a bit of theatrics in a gripping mystery?

Overall, this is a fast-paced and highly entertaining read that blends suspense with realistic storytelling. Joe Hart weaves old secrets and lies into a captivating narrative, leaving readers guessing until the very end. If you're a fan of mysteries with a side of family drama, this one's a winner. Thank you to Netgalley, Thomas & Mercer, and the author for the wild ride in exchange for an honest review!

The emergence of old secrets is one of my favorite mystery tropes, but unfortunately, this one didn't deliver. I was hoping for a lot of suspense, whereas the book was more of a slow burn. I really struggle to keep reading when I don't connect with the narrative voice, and this was one of those circumstances.

This is the first book from Joe Hart that I’ve read, but it won’t be the last! I received it as an ARC and it definitely didn’t disappoint.

Joe Hart brings us the second novel in the world of Nora McTavish, a family advocacy worker who has experienced her own share of trauma. When Nora answers the call to help her long-time friend in a custody battle, we get so much more. A fast-paced, twisty thriller full of intrigue, secrets, revelations, and danger - all of which keeps the reader turning pages and wanting more. At least it did with this one.

Thank you, Joe Hart and NetGalley for the chance to read this book. I will definitely be reaching for more by this author.

This was a fast paced and highly entertaining thriller. As usual Joe Hart writes an amazing thriller.

Thank you Thomas and Mercer and Netgalley.

All thoughts and opinions are my own and aren't influenced by anyone else

I love Joe Hart. Every book I’ve read, I’ve enjoyed. This is no exception. This is the second book in the series & Lucky for me I’ve read the first one. Loved the pace & the character development.

3.5 stars — another quick and exciting read following Nora McTavish, a former foster child turned CPS worker turned Family Advocate.

Nora is no stranger to horrific family situations. When her father committed mass murder and left her and her two siblings locked in their closet at home, she lost nearly everyone in her life — including her childhood best friend. So she is shocked when said friend calls her out of the blue for help — her ex-husband has been accused of murder but was released from jail after the charges were dropped and is now seeking custody of their nine year old daughter.

Nora agrees to be there to support her long-lost friend, but almost immediately she realizes that her friend isn’t telling her the full truth. Worst, she will do absolutely anything to keep custody of her daughter — even break the law. Nora is growing even more concerned for the well-being of young Kendra (Kenny) as she gets closer to the truth of the situation in this small Oregon college town.

Just like the first book, this book concluded with an extremely violent and dramatic ending. Also like the first book, I was hoping to get a better sense of our compassionate narrator. She still feels like a passive voice in all of these events.

I did love the side case she was working on so much and felt like it was a really important addition to the rest of the book.

The author has another excellent story for his fans, and it is one that will keep them reading and guessing. With relationships and murders twisted and tangled together, the reader is not sure who to trust.

Great book. Joe Hart is a brilliant writer and has a way of keeping you wanting to not stop reading until you are done.
Nora and childhood friend Tess, after some tragic news are reconnected. Tess’s ex husband has been arrested for murder and after release and claims of innocence, wants custody of daughter Kendra.
Nora in helping Tess sort things, feels the situation is unraveling and not sure she believes or trusts Tess and kendra could be in harms way.
Great story. Kept me guessing the whole way.

This is the second in a series by Joe Hart, centered around Nora McTavish, a family advocate with her own history of trauma. From her point of view, a story of obsession unfolds and Nora is caught in the middle. When she agrees to help her childhood friend fight for custody of her daughter Kendra, she has no idea what she has signed up for. Nora’s friend, Tess, proves herself to be quite unreliable, even though it’s her ex husband who is accused of murdering his student who he allegedly had an affair with. But what is Tess hiding?

This was a fast paced and highly entertaining thriller. I enjoyed Joe Hart’s writing style, the character development, the scenic descriptions, and the story itself. I highly recommend! Thank you to Netgalley, Thomas & Mercer, and the author for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Never Come Back leaves every single bone in your body cold! This was so full of twists and turns and eagerness to know the end without wanting it to end! It’s everything a good thriller needs!

Thank you kindly to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the eARC to read and review.

I loved Hart’s 𝑶𝒓 𝑬𝒍𝒔𝒆 and was excited to read this one. It didn’t quite scratch the same itch though…

I was entertained enough to read this one in a day, but can’t say I’ll remember it a month from now. The first half felt slow and by the end, I was just sick of seeing variations of the word, “flicker” and wanted to get through it before bed time. 🤷🏼‍♀️ It wasn’t bad, but wasn’t the suspenseful mystery I expected either.

𝗡𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗛𝗬 𝗤𝗨𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗦:
“We like to think our choices are the result of the very best calculations, a reflection of who we are. But in truth some decisions are made before we even know of them. They're part of the landscape ahead, just waiting for us to arrive.”

“We arm the ones we love the most with the weapons to destroy us.”

Never Come Back by J. Hart, published by Thomas & Mercer. The second book in the Nora McTavish Series, a stand-alone.
Nora was with CPS and is now a family advocate, caring for the underprivileged. Her last case leads her to her past. Her former friend needs her help. Only you can't really call her squeeky clean. The start to an investigation that brings astounding results. Nothing is as it seems, literally nothing. A twisted story, complex, complicated that keeps you hanging on the edge of your seat. " Be careful what you wish for" they say. That saying fits the book to a t.
A thrilling read by this new to me author. A story full of unexpected twists and turns that had me guessing till the last page.
I recommend the book, 5 stars.

“Never Come Back” is #2 in the Nora McTavish series. I had not read the first book in the series but feel this novel works as a stand alone. (That being said, I probably will make it a point to read #1 in the series, “Where They Lie”.) A long lost friend reaches out to Nora McTavish, seeking help in her custody case. Nora has talents to offer as a former child protective services officer; and her friend needs her special skill set - her friend believes her husband is guilty of murder and wants to make sure that there is no chance he gets custody of their daughter, whether he is acquitted or not. What follows is a twisty whodunnit that will leave you guessing til the very end. Well written and I definitely recommend! Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC! #NeverComeBack #NetGalley

I was given this book by NetGalley for an honest review-
What a read! Nora and Tess, childhood friends, haven’t seen each other for years when Tess calls Nora to help her in a custody battle with her ex. Tess world has tumbled when her husband Is accused of having an affair with a student and murdering her. He claims he’s innocent but Tess doesn’t believe him, Things begin to get creepy when there are so many different stories—- who should she believe? And the more she digs the more she fears for her life!

Good

Nora, a child advocate, gets a call from Tess who needs help because Tess' ex husband wanted joint custody of their daughter. He had been accused of murdering a young woman, but the charges were dropped. Nora and Tess were like sisters when they were young, but list contact after Tess' mother died.

The plot was good and the characters interesting, but it was a bit slow for my taste. It was good, but not great.

This is the second book in the Nora McTavish series. I read the first and loved it! I was so very excited to receive this ARC and it did not disappoint! Nora is a child advocacy specialist who is dedicated to her work having been subjected to trauma in her own childhood. When a childhood friend (Tess) reaches out to Nora for help in the custody case of her daughter, she immediately agrees and heads to see her friend. Tess’ ex- husband Neil is a professor at a local university who was arrested for the brutal murder of one of his students. The charges were dropped and now he is trying to get partial custody of their daughter Kendall. Once Nora has stepped in to help, she begins to see discrepancies in the case and is not sure who to believe. Tess seems to be harboring many secrets and soon Nora finds herself in danger. Someone is wanting to keep the secrets swirling around this case well hidden..at any cost. Was Neil really the murderer or is Tess somehow involved in the killing? How much does Nora really know about her friend that she hasn’t seen since childhood? As she struggles to find the answers and protect Kendall, Nora finds she may have become the target of a desperate killer. This was a great thriller that I would highly recommend!

I read the first book in this series a little while ago and I liked it ok. Not my very favorite book, but I knew that I wanted to continue the series. When I saw this ARC available I jumped on it. And I am so glad I did. This books was so good! Nora McTavish, a former CPS worker, has started her own business as a Family Advocate. One night as she is getting ready to close her office for the night she gets a phone call from her childhood best friend. Nora and Tess haven’t spoken to each other since they were separated as children. But when Tess asks for her help, Nora knows she has to go. Tess’ ex husband was arrested for the murder of his mistress. Tess needs Nora to help her stop him from getting partial custody of their daughter. Almost as soon as she arrives Tess begins to realize that not everything in this situation is what it seems. But will she be able to figure out what’s really in the best interest of Kenny, Tess’ nine year old daughter, or will she become another victim in someone’s quest for revenge?

Nora was so great to read; relatable to the point of being alike in many ways. When she's contacted by Tess, things turn for Nora. What should have been a simple case twists and darkens. Excellent thriller.