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.

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.