“Everywhere But Here” is a contemporary adult fiction novel set in the rural community of Long Branch, northern California. The story revolves around Robert Turghoff, a forty-nine-year-old painter who has established a quiet life after two divorces. His artwork sells well through urban galleries, but he cherishes his solitude and the idyllic surroundings of his small-town life.

The narrative begins with Turghoff’s realization that Long Branch is economically struggling. In an effort to revitalize the community, he proposes a series of public murals that would not only depict the area’s history but also engage local youth and attract tourists. This ambitious project marks a turning point in his life, forcing him to confront the challenges of collaboration while maintaining his personal artistic vision.

Turghoff’s life takes a dramatic turn when Yvonne Curtiss, a reporter for the local newspaper, arrives to cover his mural project. Yvonne quickly becomes an integral part of Turghoff’s creative process; she promotes the project through captivating articles and serves as both a muse and romantic interest for him. However, Yvonne is not without her own complexities—she is married to Gil Curtiss, an Iraq war veteran struggling with his past, and they have a twelve-year-old daughter named Carly who aspires to be an artist.

“Everywhere But Here” explores themes such as love and loss, addiction and recovery, artistic integrity versus community involvement, and the complexities of human relationships against the backdrop of rural America.

This vivid narrative offers readers an unflinching look at contemporary life in America through the lens of art and personal struggle

The beginning 25% was interesting, and I wanted to read further, but this book does not have a Kindle version, which made reading it challenging. The PDF is not reader friendly, and the NetGalley app on a phone much smaller than my Kindle did not make for an easy or enjoyable reading experience.

I take full accountability for not reading the fine print re: versions.

Rated 4 stars because I did like the first 25%. I hope other readers download this and offer the author feedback. It is promising, and if you have a big enough phone or can read on a laptop, you might have an easy enough time reading this.

My thanks and apologies to Doug Ingold.