A fictionalized story about the authors mother. This book was beautifully written into three parts. Lots of hard, real life moments throughout - grief, loss of a child, domestic abuse, just to name a few. Parts were so gutting to read. The audio kept me enraptured and I listened to it in one sitting. You could feel the real and raw emotion. Such a deep and thought provoking read!

This was a very difficult story, but one that really needs to be told. It tells the story of Jenny, who goes through a lot of trauma and abuse and her 2 kids that witness it all.

The narrative is divided into three sections:

-Part one is Jenny's childhood.
-Part two is after Jenny and Rob are married and have children.
-Part three is from the point-of-view of Charlie, Jenny's daughter.

Thank you, Little A for providing me with an advance reader's copy via Net Galley.

Depressing story of a woman trapped by her family, then her abusive husband, finally sees the light and frees herself to get into another odd relationship.

In "Someplace Like Home," Bobi Conn crafts a poignant and gritty narrative that captures the raw realities of life in the Appalachian Mountains. At the heart of the story is Jenny Caudill, a young girl whose dreams of a better life clash violently with the harshness of her upbringing and the choices she makes.

Jenny grows up in a home that feels more like a trap. A shy and often overlooked figure, she is lost in daydreams and the promises of romantic pop songs. Her existence seems bleak, confined to wearing her sisters’ hand-me-downs and escaping to the back seat of her father’s junked Bel Air. Conn vividly portrays Jenny’s desperation for a different life.

The narrative takes a darker turn when Jenny becomes involved with Rob Lewis, an older man whose interest in her leads to a dangerous and impulsive relationship. Ignoring her mother’s warnings, Jenny soon finds herself married and a mother, but the romantic future she envisioned quickly unravels. Instead of the escape she hoped for, Jenny trades one oppressive situation for another, this time marked by her husband’s violent moods.

Conn’s storytelling shines as she navigates Jenny’s internal struggle and the external challenges she faces. The author does not shy away from depicting the brutal reality of Jenny’s life, yet there is a thread of resilience that runs through the character, a determination to protect her children and find a way forward despite the odds.

As the story progresses, Jenny’s daughter, Charlie, comes of age, adding another layer of depth to the narrative. Charlie’s journey to understand her mother’s choices and confront the traumas that have shaped their lives is both heart-wrenching and inspiring. Through Charlie, Conn explores themes of generational trauma and the enduring impact of the past on the present.

"Someplace Like Home" is a powerful exploration of the human spirit's resilience in the face of adversity. Bobi Conn’s writing is evocative and unflinching, offering readers a window into a world that is often overlooked. This novel is not just a story about survival but also a testament to the strength of women who, despite their circumstances, fight to carve out a better future for themselves and their children.

For readers seeking a deeply emotional and thought-provoking read, "Someplace Like Home" is a compelling choice. Conn’s ability to capture the essence of her characters’ struggles and triumphs makes this novel a memorable and impactful experience.

In "Someplace Like Home," Bobi Conn crafts a poignant and gritty narrative that captures the raw realities of life in the Appalachian Mountains. At the heart of the story is Jenny Caudill, a young girl whose dreams of a better life clash violently with the harshness of her upbringing and the choices she makes.

Growing up in a home that feels more like a trap, Jenny is a shy and often overlooked figure, lost in daydreams and the promises of romantic pop songs. Her existence seems bleak, confined to wearing her sisters’ hand-me-downs and escaping to the back seat of her father’s junked Bel Air. The longing for something more is palpable, and Conn vividly portrays Jenny’s desperation for a different life.

The narrative takes a darker turn when Jenny becomes involved with Rob Lewis, an older man whose interest in her leads to a dangerous and impulsive relationship. Ignoring her mother’s warnings, Jenny soon finds herself married and a mother, but the romantic future she envisioned quickly unravels. Instead of the escape she hoped for, Jenny trades one oppressive situation for another, this time marked by her husband’s violent moods.

Conn’s storytelling shines as she navigates Jenny’s internal struggle and the external challenges she faces. The author does not shy away from depicting the brutal reality of Jenny’s life, yet there is a thread of resilience that runs through the character, a determination to protect her children and find a way forward despite the odds.

As the story progresses, Jenny’s daughter, Charlie, comes of age, adding another layer of depth to the narrative. Charlie’s journey to understand her mother’s choices and confront the traumas that have shaped their lives is both heart-wrenching and inspiring. Through Charlie, Conn explores themes of generational trauma and the enduring impact of the past on the present.

"Someplace Like Home" is a powerful exploration of the human spirit's resilience in the face of adversity. Bobi Conn’s writing is evocative and unflinching, offering readers a window into a world that is often overlooked. This novel is not just a story about survival but also a testament to the strength of women who, despite their circumstances, fight to carve out a better future for themselves and their children.

For readers seeking a deeply emotional and thought-provoking read, "Someplace Like Home" is a compelling choice. Conn’s ability to capture the essence of her characters’ struggles and triumphs makes this novel a memorable and impactful experience.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for an advanced copy to review for my honest opinion.

This book brought tears to my eyes on more than one occasion. From the beginning of Jenny's childhood, where every child should feel safe, loved and have their confidence fed, it can often not be the case. As I read Jenny's decisions, it reminded me of a butterfly headed to the porch light; not knowing the harm it will cause once it reaches the hot source. It also made her stronger as she went through these trials.

The story caused my emotions to be fully engaged and I couldn't wait to turn the page.

Highly recommend!

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book. This was a very difficult story but one that really needs to be told. The characters were well done and very realistic and relatable. The story follows a woman battling domestic abuse and how her history has played a huge part in her choices.

This book is raw and powerful and full of emotion. This tells the story of Jenny as being the forgotten sister and the one with the most work. She falls prey to love from an evil man who plays her emotions and her feelings. She raises two children while having to understand her mother's choices.

Someplace Like Home by author Bobi Conn is a very sad but eye-opening read about a family in turmoil. It goes on to depict what the authors mothers life was like and how they all dealt with living in a home with domestic abuse. Jenny, the mother, wasn’t happy growing up at home with her parents. Although her Dad seemed nice, her mother always seemed strick and not overly loving. Because of this, Jenny rushed into marriage to a very abusive man at a very young age. She miscarries her first pregnancy but then goes on to have 2 children. This story tells about what life was like for Jenny and her 2 kids and all the trauma and abuse they go through and have to witness. It was a very sad story to read but one that I had a hard time setting down. I think it made me realize just how awful some people really have it and that my life, although some parts weren’t great, for the most part I have lived a blessed and fortunate life. This is a story I would recommend that all women read either to give them hope or just to make them appreciate the lives they have. I’d like to thank NetGalley for the arc to read and review. This is the second book I’ve read by this author and I will be sure to read any and all of her future stories. I’m giving this a well deserved 5 star rating.

𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒔𝒏’𝒕 𝒕𝒓𝒚𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒌𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒌𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒘𝒂𝒚.

While this novel is set in Appalachia, it is by no means rare to the rest of the world. Such violence happens in places of wealth and privilege too. When you feel small, invisible and someone pays attention to you, your world expands. It does not take much; little crumbs of love can melt a woman’s heart, even if it is tossed by a bad man. Jenny spent her childhood in her sisters’ hand-me-downs, sisters who often picked on her for being the youngest and laughed at by popular girls at school. Envious of her little brother who her parents go easier on, she wishes she had his luck, all that favor. Dodging her sisters’ anger, Jenny’s peace is found in the seat of a broken-down car, one of her father’s collection. No one can see her in this field of junk cars and Jenny is free to dream about Lassie, how different her life would be with such a helpful dog of her own. She grows up, and her dreams change, but no matter how hard she tries she will never be able to pull off looking as beautiful as singers like Olivia Newton John. She will always be the odd one out at school, the girl with ill-fitting, faded dresses who is shy. The boys do not notice her, but one day she will catch the attention of Rob Lewis, an older, reckless James Dean type, who her mother tells her is of no account.

Rob toys with her affections, never knowing if he is coming or going, she yearns for his love while also in fear of her feelings. Her dreams do not always match the reality of the guy before her eyes, but she ignores her gut instincts, believes that their love is special, and that Rob is misunderstood by others. In trying to escape the control of her mother, Jenny ends up under the grip of Rob’s violent, selfish nature. When they begin having children, his cruelty doesn’t ease up, and her girlish dreams of happiness and freedom have dried up. Jenny’s attempts to find comfort from her mother and sisters are met with, “we tried to warn you” and “you made your bed, lie in it.”

When she gains the strength to leave, she learns there is never a shortage of power struggles in new love too. Her daughter Charlie grows up trying to find grace in her father’s bullying, hoping to see the goodness that sometimes makes an appearance, but it only leads to a cycle of pain. Her mother’s decisions never improve, at least in men. With the clarity of maturity, she is at a loss to understand how her mother trapped herself in such a life, and why her father is damaged. Charlie is driven to shake off this broken inheritance of pain, believing that tragedy doesn’t have to be embraced and passed down to her own children. The story is an honest portrayal of people trapped by their circumstances, how financial struggle closes escape hatches tighter, and the ways abusers feed on fear. Jenny’s father was a good man, and it is interesting that people assume women are with abusers because it is what they know. It is about choices, and sometimes even guidance cannot save you from jumping into a bad situation. Bobi Conn absolutely nailed the emotional manipulation and how kindness and hope can keep a woman in a rotten situation. The author’s introduction should not be skipped as Bobi looked to her mother’s life for inspiration, a chance for her voice to be heard, which makes the story all the more moving. Perfect read for a book club and for mothers and daughters.

Published May 21, 2024

Little A

In deceptively simple prose, Conn explores the intergenerational trauma of domestic violence, in this semi-autobiographical novel. Clearly, and at times almost clinically, told, this story was a challenge to read. Because of its brutal honesty. She holds up a mirror to the reader's own relationships, forcing us to take stock at our choices and our past. If you've stayed, left, or wonder why others have stayed, you should read this book.
4.5 stars

Quote: "A long history of sorrow led to my birth."

Someplace Like Home by Bobbi Conn is a fictionalized version of her mother's life. It is broken up into books.

In Book One, we are introduced to the Caudill Family - Charles, Helen, and their five children Gail, Barbara, Mary, Jenny and William (Billy). We get to see an overview of what it was like to be a Caudill growing up in Kentucky.

Quote: "So much depends on what you choose next."

In Book Two, we focus on Jenny. Jenny represents the author's mom. WHEW!!! Some of Jenny's life was very hard to read. I am not going to say much because you need to read it and feel all the feels for yourself.

Quote: "A parent's legacy is established pretty early in their children's lives."

In Book Three, we get to focus on Charlie. Charlie is Jenny's daughter. Again, I'm not going to say much. However, I will say that Charlie lived through seeing some awful things done to her mom.

I was drawn into Someplace Like Home immediately from the beginning. It is very well written, and I felt as if I was part of the family. It made me smile at times and boy; did it make me extremely anger at other times. If you want to get immersed into a book where you are going to feel all the things, I recommend Someplace Like Home. I will warn you, you will have feelings.

Quote: "We aren't bound to the past, powerful as it is."

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review Someplace Like Home.

Content warnings: Domestic Abuse, Drug Abuse, Child Loss

This book just made me so sad for Jenny. I love the Appalachian setting and its role in the story. It was tense at times and definitely had me feeling emotional.

A young woman comes to terms with domestic violence experienced by a generation of women in her family.

Independence and striking off on one's own is often a desire for teens living under strict parental rules. In 1975, Jenny Caudill turns 16 and begins to date an older boy who shows his less than stellar side throughout their courtship. Helen's relationship with her mother becomes strained as more restrictions are placed on Jenny.
Jenny's relationship with her mother doesn't improve after Jenny's horrible motorcycle accident. Jenny's desire to leave her childhood home leads her to marry Rob. Marriage life for Jenny is anything but happiness as she is caught in a never ending cycle of domestic violence.
Charlie and her brother grow up in a home filled with fear as their mother, Jenny, makes several attempts to leave Rob. As an adult, Charlie comes to terms with her upbringing and the violence that surrounded it.

Bobi Conn's fictional account comes full circle as Jenny's daughter comes to terms with her mothers harrowing life of domestic violence. Domestic violence is a very intense topic to explore, but Bobi does a wonderful job at writing this heart-wrenching story. I recommend this book despite its very dark topic of domestic violence. It also serves a cautionary story for anyone involved in relationships that resembles Jennys.

Someplace Like Home by Bobi Conn is a captivating novel.
Beautifully written. Raw and full of emotion.
Perfect, powerful, very well written. The details the author described throughout the book was so amazing. The characters and storyline were fantastic.
I enjoyed it a lot.

Thank You NetGalley and Publisher for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

A tough read in many ways but it's beautifully written. Conn has fictionalized the story of her family- of Jenny and Rob and then of their daughter Charlie. Jenny's childhood was stark. Rob seemed wonderful until he wasn't. Know that there are some graphic scenes of abuse. While Jenny tells most of the story, Charlie's the one who reframes things for her own life. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A very good read.

This whole story was just okay...I doubt I remember even a character name in a week though.

Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review.

Completely new to the author’s work, I was drawn to the book by its cover and I happily received a copy from NetGalley.

At the beginning, the author explains that the story is based on her mother’s life and brings you back to 1955 before the main character, Jenny, was born. The book is divided in three parts: the first is about Jenny’s parents and her childhood, the second about her marriage and the third is from Charlie’s (Jenny’s firstborn) point of view.

Jenny’s daydream brought me back to my teenage years; her innocence and naivety was so pure that made me like her since the beginning. The story becomes intense fast and describes the abuse, betrayal in Jenny’s life and how that made her feel powerless and trapped for years.

I won’t add spoiler but it’s a book worth reading. I loved it from beginning to end and as the author said in the introduction:
“…some authors can tell a sad story but render it beautiful, so that the reader actually wants to stay with the story”. I felt this way and devoured the book in two days.
The author really did “turn suffering into art”.

The story shows of hardship, figuring out the world at times alone, and of resilience. Where we come from often can lead to how we turn out, but often our choices can change our course. It can take one moment for a mother to realize that we have made enough choices on our own, and decide to help again. Even later in life parents need to still adapt, and be a lifeline to allow children to see where they may have made mistakes. There were often parts that were detailed where I felt like I was in the story but the bigger moments such as the crash or even the abusive relationship I thought could have had greater details in order to understand it better.

Someplace Like Home by Bobi Conn is a fictional story based on her mother’s childhood and adult life. * Trigger warning, there is domestic violence that takes place in the story line. I still enjoyed reading Jenny’s story even though those part may be hard to read or hear about, you really dive deep into Jenny’s thoughts throughout her childhood and young adult life. What goes on in the mind of one’s thoughts… he or she may only know.

** Thank you NetGalley, Little A, and Bobi Conn for an eARC of Someplace Like Home.