This one had me all over the place. There was a really fantastic level of “I don’t know what the heck is going on” that actually worked so well for the story. I was always second guessing everyone, their motives, their reliability. It was a really great reading experience.

This book took me completely out of the world I live in and into this little Montana town. I loved Shelby. The resilience this woman has is compelling. I would absolutely recommend this to anyone who loves -this could never happen in a small town- reads. I really enjoyed this!

Thank you @htpbooks @graydonhousebooks for the complimentary DRC.

This has an opening chapter that gave me the creeps and may have raised my expectations a bit too high for the rest of the book. It took me over a week to read this because the pace was so slow. I had frustrations with characters’ decision making throughout as well as the overly inept police. I didn’t see the twist coming at all, if there were any hints as to who it was, I totally missed them, though there were plenty red herrings. I enjoyed the multiple POV’s and the entire cast of senior citizens and I always appreciate being kept guessing which this one did. Overall, I liked it and would recommend it if you want more of a slower paced mystery.

I have enjoyed this author's books in the past and was stoked to read this one. It started off so good and immediately pulled me in. Unfortunately, the pace fizzled out throughout the middle. It was too slow moving for me. There are a lot of characters, and at times it was hard to keep track of them all. I did enjoy the old folks…but the actions of the police and the others, just got under my skin. Now, saying that, I did like the ending. It totally caught me off guard, and I love how it all came together. So although this wasn't my favorite by this author, I'll still be picking up her future books.

Thank you the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

This work presents an intriguing combination of psychological thriller and mystery, articulated through various perspectives. Although the pacing is a slow burn, it remains an engaging read. The unforeseen plot twists kept me in suspense as I endeavored to connect the narrative threads. I appreciated the author's writing style and will certainly explore their future publications.

What a snooze fest!! I dreaded reading this book after the first 30% as it just dragged on and on. A small Minnesota town experiences a terrible night during which a mother is a victim of attempted murder and her best friend’s husband disappears. A year later, the police have caught no one and apparently it’s because they just didn’t investigate. Not their thing? I don’t know, that’s never really explained. Anyway, the old folks at the assisted living center where almost-murder victim Shelby works decide to start investigating themselves, and to make a podcast about it. They are an endearing, but bumbling group, and are the best part about this book.

PROS:

- The old people

CONS:

- Everyone else. There were way too many characters and I NEVER found a way to keep them straight. The two best friends are the same person as far as I’m concerned, and the one that still has a husband - well…he’s almost never around, so it makes her interchangeable with the one whose husband is missing. Then two different men move back to town at the same time and they both used to date (I think?) either one of the friends, or something like that and they both just ended an engagement maybe? It’s all just way too similar and I stopped caring.
- The writing. Awful. It was really just the worst. I don’t know if the author was trying to make it sound like small-town Minnesota, or if she just rambles and leaves half the dialogue to just be implied because that’s how she writes.
- “The Oleander’s”….so this is the name of the assisted living place and it is referenced on most pages, so that gave me about 150 opportunities to just be irritated and confused. The Oleander’s WHAT? Why is it possessive? Why isn’t it just “The Oleander?” Or “Oleander’s” if that’s someone’s name or something?

I could not get through this fast enough and skimmed the last 19% and missed absolutely nothing.

I love a good thriller. Seraphina Nova Glass knows how to write thrillers! I have really enjoyed her books, they are always good and quick reads. This one was decent but I didn’t love it!

read if you like:
🏘️ small town thrillers
👥 lots of characters
🗣️ multiple POV’s

summary:
This was my first Seraphina Nova Glass book and it definitely won’t be my last. It follows Shelby, mother of 2, living in a small Minnesota town and working at an assistant living home. A year ago, she found herself the victim of a harrowing attack in her best friend’s restaurant, left for dead in a freezer, and barely survived. After she tried to put the event behind her, she finds a note on her windshield with the exact same threat the attacker made. Her best friend, Mack’s husband, Leo, disappeared that same night, and Shelby’s residents at the assistant living center decide to start a podcast to investigate the mysterious events in this small town. As their investigation heats up, the threats start to escalate, and it’s clear someone is looking for revenge — or to finish the job they started a year ago.

This book is quirky in the best way. The main characters are a group of small town senior citizens, and the way they approach their sleuthing is both endearing and creative. I loved the story told from alternating POV’s, as I got to know each of the characters so well. Both Mack and Shelby are fascinating, but Mack’s ability to navigate the business without her husband while uncovering his mistakes is admirable and strong. The story’s settings also add to the small town charm — the senior center, Mack’s restaurant, the police station, and all transformed me into a world that was so unlike that of most thrillers! The only challenging part of the book is keeping track of all the characters at the beginning — it gets easier but I did struggle to keep track of who was who for the first few chapters. The ending is endearing and SHOCKING — you won’t see it coming, and it’s brilliant how all of the stories come together.

I loved this unique book and encourage everyone to read it when it releases on February 11! Thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing and Graydon House for the advanced copy.

Overall I liked this book. It reminded me a lot of “Only Murders in the Building” with the podcast element, quirky older characters, and the mix of suspense but humor thrown in as well.

Shelby is attacked one night at her friend Mackenzie's café late at night. Over a year later the attacker hasn't been apprehended. Also that night was the night her Mackenzie's husband disappeared. Shelby works at a retirement community and a group of residents start to investigate a mystery when a friend passes away with mysterious notes left behind concerning Shelby and Mackenzie. The retirement community residents were my favorite characters: Florence a former newscaster wanting to solve the mystery, Millie always a bit tipsy, Mort teaching literature on YouTube, and Herb the only driver and always snacking. The book is told from Shelby, Mackenzie and Florence's points of view.

Unraveling Secrets In "Nothing Ever Happens Here"

In Nothing Ever Happens Here, Serephina Nova invites readers into the intricate and chilling landscape of a small Minnesota town, where the past clings like a shadow. The novel takes us on an emotional rollercoaster through trauma and the unsettling lure of unresolved mysteries.

Meet Shelby Dawson

At the heart of this suspenseful tale is Shelby Dawson, a fierce survivor of a brutal attack. After fifteen grueling months filled with fear, she’s determined to reclaim her life. With her steadfast best friend Mackenzie by her side, Shelby begins to discover a sense of security. But just when it seems like she might finally catch a break, ominous notes appear, drawing her back into a nightmare she thought was behind her.

Weaving Tension And Intrigue

Nova masterfully crafts a narrative rich with suspense, interlacing Shelby’s haunting past with the tangled lives of her friends. The dual perspectives add layers to the storyline, immersing us deeper into the psychological landscape. Although some pacing felt a bit slow at times—leaving me eager for a cliffhanger that wouldn’t reveal itself for several chapters—the deliberate choice ultimately enriched the complexity of the connections at play.

Themes That Resonate

While there are moments of frustration with certain plot developments, the core themes of trust, fear, and resilience shine brightly, compelling readers to reflect on their own experiences. I found myself captivated by Nova’s prose, which creates a palpable atmosphere of suspense, making it hard to put the book down.

Looking Ahead

As I closed the final pages, I couldn’t help but look forward to what Serephina Nova has up her sleeve for future works. A heartfelt thank you to NetGalley, Serephina Nova, and HarperCollins Publishing for the opportunity to dive into this gripping story!

Seraphina Nova Glass never fails to write a twisty & dramatic thriller. I loved getting to know all the characters and the layers they brought to this book. I was kept guessing until the end… although slightly turned off by how things wrapped up. Definitely a must read for fast-paced thriller fans with an ending you will not predict.

“Nothing Ever Happens Here” is a small town murder mystery in line with Fargo. Unfortunately finishing this novel was a challenge.Seraphina Nova Glass started out very strong but this one falls short for me. I am definitely a character driven reader and I feel like there were just too many narratives and I would find myself looking back to remind myself who was who in this novel. For me, this also makes the climax anything but. I will say the members of the Oleander were a bright spot in this read.

I really enjoyed this book! Every books I’ve read from this author has kept me hooked and gotten me with the twists. I had some guesses but I honestly did not get this one!

I really wanted to love this one. On A Quiet Street by Seraphina Nova Glass is one of my favorite books ever. This one unfortunately did not work for me but I would still recommend it to other thriller readers it may have just not been my cup of tea. There was so many characters to keep track of and I just did not connect with the plot and characters. Big thank you to NetGalley and The Hive for this gifted copy of Nothing Ever Happens Here.

𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ★ ★ ★ ★
𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: February 11, 2025
𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪:

Are you ready for a book full of dark fast paced twists that leave you guessing every single page…hanging off the edge of your seat??? This is the book for you.

“Nothing Ever Happens Here”….until it does….We have two friends who have two terrible things happen between the two of them and now their once small quiet town doesn’t seem so quiet and safe after all.

I LOVE Seraphinas’ writing and this book was exactly what I needed to start my winter season off right! WOW WOW y’all! I loved this so much. I loved the storyline and the backdrop setting for this book…it really gave it that cold eerie feel throughout the book. The characters were great as well. I LOVE the senior citizens in this book…you’ll grow to love how they banded together in this read.

I don’t want to give much away but I will say that the way this story is told you’ll never guess and will be question everything up to the very last page. Twists, turns, secrets, surprises goodness!

Large thank you to our Author, NetGalley as well as Harlequin Trade Publishing, Graydon House

Seraphina Nova Glass knows how to write a thriller and I devoured this book from the first page.

Thank you Netgalley for the chance to read and review this book.

Thanks NetGalley for the early access. This book had so much potential but it was very slow and hard to keep up with so many characters. It did have several good twists but it was unfortunately not a book that kept me on the edge of my seat.

Really good book!! . Thanks t NetGalley for letting me read this in exchange for an honest review!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Seraphina is an auto-buy author for me and this one did not disappoint! I felt it did have a steady pace throughout the entire book and I had NO IDEA where it was going. I didn't even have a guess as to 'who dun it.' I was THAT stumped. BRAVO SERAPHINA!!!!! She has a way of connecting readers with the characters and I love that. Overall, a great book that wrapped up nicely by the end.

A captivating blend of psychological thriller and mystery, told through multiple POVs. A bit slow at times but still a good read. The unexpected twists had me on edge, trying to piece everything together. This was my first book by this author, and it certainly won’t be my last!