At its core, We Would Never isn’t so much about the mystery of Jonah’s death as it is about the tangled relationships that define Hailey’s life. Through a mix of past and present, we unravel the history of Hailey’s seemingly perfect family: their social standing, their tightly woven loyalty and the fractures that threaten to pull them apart. As perspectives shift it becomes clear that no two people see events the same way. Who is telling the truth? And more importantly, what would this family do to protect its own?

The novel walks a fine line between psychological drama and family saga. While marketed as a thriller, it leans more toward an intense character study, delving into Hailey’s divorce, her parents’ expectations, and the tension simmering beneath the surface long before Jonah’s death. There are twists, but the focus is more on what holds a family together, and what ultimately destroys it, rather than solving a mystery.

One of the book’s challenges is its structure. Hailey’s present-day perspective (set in 2019) is written in first person, but every other character’s point of view is in third person, often jumping back in time without clear markers. While this shifting narrative style is interesting, it also makes the timeline difficult to track. Some past events remain vague, which might frustrate readers who prefer a more linear unfolding of events. If you’re reading a physical copy, the formatting might help distinguish the timelines better than a digital or audio version.

As for the characters, they are deeply flawed and sometimes frustratingly so. Hailey’s struggles are palpable, particularly in her divorce, which is written with emotional weight. The scrutiny she faces, the way people attempt to twist reality against her, and the sheer exhaustion of fighting back are all conveyed with raw intensity. For readers who have been through similar legal battles, some moments might hit a little too close to home.

Despite being fully invested in the story, I was left wishing for a more fleshed-out ending. The novel builds toward a climax that feels abrupt, leaving some unresolved threads that could have been explored further. That said, it’s an enticing read, perfect for those who enjoy domestic dramas where family secrets and personal betrayals take center stage.

I really enjoyed this book. This is a new author for me, and I really liked the writing. The story dives into family relationships, secrets, and the lengths we go to for those we love. The character development in this book was exceptionally done and that is important to me because it helps me connect with the characters and story.

WE WOULD NEVER by Tova Mirvis poses the question of just how far a family member will go in order to protect the baby. There are so many twists and turns in this story, which was inspired by actual events, that I didn’t really know who was responsible until the end.

Hailey Gelman is currently in a custody battle after a seven year marriage to author/professor Jonah. She wants to move from Maine to Florida to be closer to her family and this has caused serious obstruction on Jonah’s part as he says he’ll never get to see Maya if she’s in Florida. Hailey’s parents, Sherry and Solomon just want to retire and have their grandchild close to them. Her oldest brother, Nate has returned to Florida and joined their father in his dermatology practice. Her other older brother, Adam has not been in the family picture since Hailey’s wedding when he had a huge falling out with his mother.

Sherry brings up how much easier it would be if Jonah was dead. Hailey would not need his blessing to move south and could return home. While it’s an off the cuff statement, when Jonah ends up, indeed dead, Haley comes under suspicion in his murder. But Solomon is holding his own secrets. Did all of them have something to do with Jonah’s murder, or none of them?

I loved this one in that I was sure, on three different occasions that I knew who was responsible. The red hearings were coming fast and furious and I had to keep changing my thoughts on responsibility. What a great way to spend an afternoon. The writing was clear and concise and led to an enjoyable read. This is my first Tova Mirvis novel, but it will certainly not be my last. I look forward to where this author takes me next and will add this name to my list of authors to watch.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for this ARC opportunity. All opinions are my own and given voluntarily.

This book had so much potential! I loved the storyline and the twists throughout the book. It kind of took a turn for me, and in the end, I ended up not really liking any of the main characters. I was so disappointed in the ending because it seemed like it abruptly ended after the reveal. The chapters were LONG, as were the paragraphs. I also didn't love the timeline jumping. I really did like the concept of this book, and I do think the author did a good job portraying a family that appears to be perfect but really isn't. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I love a good domestic drama and this didn't disappoint. Even better that it is inspired by true crim. Such a good read that kept me guessing. Really enjoyed this one.

I've never read any books by Tova Mirvis before but I sadly feel like I have been missing out! Hailey's husband (well, soon to be ex) Jonah suddenly dies while in the middle of them. Hailey is never formally charged but according to the public and anyone even slightly involved? They're all convinced that she absolutely hated him - so who else could it be? Slowly throughout the pages the true story is lightly told and the twists and turns are rather intense. Murder is of course the main focus of the story, but the way it reads - it just has so many different twists & turns.

The complex and entirely overbearing family of Hailey's really takes centerstage as this book plays out. The drama, the multiple POV's, the timelines - everything was very dynamic and the writing was just so beautiful. The pacing is spectacular and I really just enjoyed this story far more than I ever thought possible.

If you're a lover of family drama, true crime, and suspense you will absolutely love this book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avid Reader Press for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

This was a solid thriller and I enjoyed it, but it didn’t snag and hold my attention in the way that would move enjoyment to obsession. Told in multiple different points of view and jumping timelines, the story follows the contentious divorce of Haley and Josh and his subsequent murder, with her family dynamics driving the story forward. Through the divorce and murder mystery plot lines, the Gelman family, their personalities, and their issues are front and center. The author did an incredible job of using the setting and simultaneous side plots to slowly twist the tension higher and higher throughout the book. I was stressed at the end! And the settings were so beautifully descriptive! It was very well written and does keep you guessing until close to the end. If you want twists, you’ll get them (but maybe not in the most shocking way). I just really never got emotionally invested, which is what I need as a reader to fully commit to being on a wild thrilling ride with the characters.

Thank you to Avid Reader Press and NetGalley for the eARC!

Incredibly slow-moving and repetitive, this book felt both lacking and much too long. The jumping of timelines to provide more context for the characters was helpful, but the POVs are never referred back to, making the story feel unfinished. Unfortunately this was a mystery that left me with more questions than when I started.

The book had potential but starting with a first person and then moving into a third person narrative around Hailey just didn't work. All of the characters had reasons behind their actions and behavior but it wasn't strong enough for a character driven story with a sort of mystery element. Tara never needed a POV and the first half could have been shorter.

Minor quibble: if they lived near SUNY Binghamton they actually lived in Vestal which is a nice area; actual Binghamton is a bit aways. Sorry as an alum I kept getting distracted by that.

This book was a pleasant surprise.
I thoroughly enjoyed it, as it was a quick read and a good time.

This is a character-driven mystery that revolves around a divorce and a family splitting apart. Unfortunately, I didn’t find the characters strong enough to hold up this story. They all felt way too tropey (overbearing mom, aloof dad, brother acting out for attention, sister who is people pleaser, etc.) and were lacking in any depth or development to make them feel like real characters. It was also impossible to really connect with any of them – they were all unlikeable, but not in a relatable way. Since this book is light on plot and relying on the characters to keep it engaging, it fell short for me.

The last quarter of the book was every character saying to everyone else “What did you do?! Why did you lie to me? I don’t believe you!” Except each interaction took much longer than that. It became repetitive and was a monotonous way to lead up to the end of the book. The end itself was relatively strong, and I did like the conclusion overall, but overall the book felt kind of boring and not that memorable.

If you’re interested in a family drama that centers around divorce and unlikeable characters, you may enjoy this one. My thanks to NetGalley and Avid Reader Press for allowing me to read this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

2.5 stars!

Hailey Gelman is shocked when she becomes the prime suspect in her soon-to-be ex-husband Jonah's murder. The months leading up to his death were filled with a bitter separation and a custody battle over their daughter, Maya. As the divorce escalates, Hailey's family becomes involved, determined to support her. Hailey's mother, Sherry, and brother, Nate, are especially invested in helping her. However, secrets are revealed that threaten the family's stability.

I am not familiar with this author, so I will reserve judgment on their future work until I have read more. This particular book did not resonate with me; it had the feel of a mystery novel. I struggled to get into it, having to start it multiple times before finally finishing. While I typically do not abandon advance reader copies, I came close to this one. I even attempted to listen to the audiobook version but found it difficult to stay engaged with the story.

It is perfectly normal not to connect with every book we read. In this case, I found myself unable to fully recall the plot due to my lack of interest. Despite my personal feelings, I always encourage readers to give books a chance, as everyone has unique tastes and opinions when it comes to reading.

If you enjoy mysteries that delve into family drama and explore the darker aspects of love and forgiveness, then this book may be right up your alley.

Thank you, Avid Reader Press / Simon & Schuster, for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

3.75 ☆ I was so close to rating this a 4, but in the end, while I definitely enjoyed the read, I didn’t love it. I’m used to more of a whodunit aspect, and this was more of a how and why. How did these people get to this point? How did this happen? I didn't hate that, I'm just not used to it.

The family drama was thick, and honestly, this would make a perfect Lifetime movie (minus all the excessive inner monologue). So much backstory and introspection in the beginning that I struggled a bit, but I’ll admit, it actually was so good. It had me almost feeling sorry for characters I definitely shouldn’t have because you were that deep into their thoughts. The writing was solid, and I liked the way the story unfolded, but at times, the descriptions and repetition made it feel like it was dragging a bit. Overall, though, I really enjoyed it!

Interesting, complex family story that kept me on the edge of my seat. Read it in one day! Still thinking about what I would do in this scenario

How far would you go to protect one of your own? And how would you decide what that protection even was? Where do your and your loved ones’ needs and desires meet, and where do they part? We Would Never offers a gripping look at the way one family answered those questions.

Hailey is the youngest and only girl, a peacemaker who is easy to please and whose mother calls her Sunshine. She marries a man named Jonah, an author who is having trouble following up on a successful first novel. The duo have moved to a town in New York, far from her family, but the arrival of their beloved baby Maya eases things along, at first anyway. Jonah is manipulative and overbearing, while Hailey is just trying to get along. As we get to know her mother Sherry better, however, we begin to see just where Hailey picked up that coping mechanism. When Jonah demands a divorce, Hailey turns to her family for support–her father Sol, a well-respected dermatologist, oldest brother Nate, who’s joined her father’s firm after many years being the troublemaker, and mother Sherry, who only wants to have her family close–or so she believes about herself. There is another brother, Adam, who has cut himself off completely from the rest of them.

The divorce quickly spirals into acrimony. Sherry’s constant interference backfires. When Jonah is shot answering the door one day, Hailey is the natural first suspect, and her family rally round her. But as more and more secrets emerge, the reader isn’t sure who to believe, or how this is going to go.

One thing I loved about this book is how the author makes you doubt your own perception. We’re so deep in the character’s heads that we’re not sure we’re able to know the unbiased truth of any given situation. So, was Jonah really manipulative or was he right to try to wean Hailey off her overbearing mother? Was Sherry right to be suspicious of his motives? Frustratingly, we don’t know. I mean this as a compliment–the book feels all too true to life! I loved how completely absorbed we were in various people’s outlooks.

We Would Never offers a deep look at complex family dynamics, sibling rivalry, and the challenges of healthy leaving. But mostly it’s a really good story. I stayed up too late more than one night, unable to put it down. I didn’t completely love the ending, but I respected it. Highly recommended!

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book for review purposes. This book didn’t do a lot for me and felt slow going. Sherry and Solomon Marcus have three children: Nate a dermatologist, Hailey a writer, and Adam a man who rescues dogs. Hailey is married to Jason with a daughter named Maya. One day Jason decides that he doesn’t want to be married to Hailey any longer and starts divorce proceedings. They live in Binghamton< NY while Hailey’s parents live in West Palm, FL. Jason has always had a problem with Hailey being so close to her family. He mocks them and is supposedly writing a book about them. Sherry decides this can’t go on and offers Jason $250K to let Hailey and Maya move to Florida. Throw in some bad guys and soon Jason is dead. This causes a huge rift in the family. Did they pay someone to kill Jason? Was it really a home invasion? Why doesn’t Hailey have a backbone? These questions and more can be answered if you slog through this book. It might be good for book club. I didn’t find the characters well developed enough for my liking. Give this a pass. You know you have lots of other books on your TBR stack. Thank me later

With a bitter custody battle on the horizon, Hailey is the main suspect when her soon to be ex is murdered. But … Hailey isn’t the only suspect. Her whole family has come under scrutiny. Who murdered Jonah? A domestic drama that is inspired by true crime, this was a fun read. Thank you to Simon and Schuster and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

A story of family love. trust, and betrayal, this novel shows how far a family will go to protect those they love and whether or not they can live with the consequences of their actions. Overall, I found the characters less likable as the story went on, which is not a negative to me! Untrustworthy and unlikeable characters make for an interesting and flowing story. Apparently, this novel is based on a true story, and in the functionalization we meet Hailey, who was recently left by her now-deceased husband Jonah; her young daughter Maya; and her close-knit brother and parents. We also learn that one of Hailey's brothers is estranged from the family, which adds to the mystery regarding Jonah's death and which family members are secretly in contact with one another. Overall, I enjoyed the story but found the ending to be extremely predictable. It didn't ruin the story for me, however, and I generally enjoyed reading about this extremely dysfunctional family!

Thank you to Netgalley and Avid Reader Press | Avid Reader Press / Simon & Schuster for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed this book and I did read it in one day. I loved the story line and all the characters. I would definitely recommend this book.

New author for me. There are some interesting twists in the story. I will definitely read more by this author. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book