Member Reviews

I found the start of this book started great! Then a lot of characters were introduced which I found was hard to keep track of. It was definitely eerie and perfect for this time of year (winter). It kept me on my toes.

Thanks to Netgalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing | Graydon House for my advanced e copy in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

I always enjoy the authors books and while this wasn’t my favorite from her, it was still a pretty solid read for me. I think it was a bit of a departure from the authors previous books so maybe that’s why I didn’t connect to it as much, but I appreciate that she did something a little different than usual. There’s a lot of characters to keep track of here, you have the main ones, Shelby and Mack and then the random residents in the small town, and my favorites, the seniors who all live together in a care home. I loved them all, especially Florence and her meddling ways and their podcast was hilarious! As much as I enjoyed that plot line I think it made things feel a little silly at times, especially next to such brutal crimes being committed. The central mystery was compelling though and I was definitely invested in Mack and Shelby’s lives and situations and I didn’t quite predict how things would play out. If you like thrillers with a side of humor try this, it was a pretty fun ride.

Was this review helpful?

Another gripping thriller from one of the most consistent voices of the genre. Seraphina Nova Glass is a master at weaving together a mystery, taking you for a ride, and then shocking you with the reveal.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you so much to Harlequin Trade Publishing and Seraphina Nova Glass for my copy of “Nothing Ever Happens Here”. Wow, this book completely took me by surprise—in the best way possible! The twists were perfectly timed, with almost every chapter ending on a mini cliffhanger. It kept the story moving at such a great pace—exciting but never overwhelming.

And the characters? Absolute gold! The crew from the retirement home totally gave me Thursday Murder Club vibes, and I was here for it!

The big reveal at the end? I didn’t see it coming at all, but I have to admit, the ending felt a bit rushed. It wasn’t a dealbreaker, but it’s why I’m giving this one 4 stars instead of 5.

Quick note for ARC readers: there’s a weird formatting glitch where all the words starting with “F” have an awkward space. It didn’t ruin the story, but I hope it’s fixed in the final version!

Was this review helpful?

This is one of those books that will catch your attention from the very first sentence! I really enjoyed this book - I couldn’t put it down. It has suspense and mystery and tension and even humor. It’s not often I find myself laughing reading a thriller!

I really liked how quirky and witty the characters were. I got Only Murders in the Building vibes as the residents were trying to solve the different mysteries. I liked the multiple POVs and the story kept me guessing!

✨What to Expect:
🔹Thriller/Mystery
🏘️Small Town
❄️Snowy Minnesota
💋Snarky Female Protagonist
🔎Quirky Characters
⏩Fast Paced
🌪️Twists
⁉️Unpredictable
💠Multiple POV

Was this review helpful?

Nothing Ever Happens Here by Seraphina Nova Glass was incredible! The sharp twists and suspense kept me hooked from page one. As a reader I loved seeing Shelby Dawson’s journey from survivor to reluctant detective. There was so many heart pounding moments as Shelby is pulled back into the nightmare she thought she’d escaped. Between the dual mysteries of Shelby’s attacker and the disappearance of Mackenzie’s husband, both intertwine brilliantly while creating a web of secrets and betrayals. A gripping, fast paced read, I absolutely loved it!

Was this review helpful?

I was so excited for this book as Seraphina has always been an auto-buy author for me. While I think this book was good, it definitely didn’t meet my expectations.

The story contains way too many characters, and while I use to be able to keep track of them, I was completely lost in this book and felt myself getting confused.

The setting was just perfect for this time of the year but unfortunately it felt more like a cozy mystery than a thriller for me.

Overall, I think the book was just ok but will probably be a win for many of you.

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC!

Release date : February 11th, 2025

Was this review helpful?

How quickly can a quiet, peaceful town turn into a nightmare? This story is suspenseful and scary enough, but the addition of a bunch of senior citizens and their viral podcast lighten the mood. It’s well written and will definitely keeping your attention.

Was this review helpful?

I was very excited to dive into this book, I love the author, and I must admit that the beginning was incredibly intense and engaging. However, after such a strong start, the story began to unravel for me. The pacing slowed significantly, and the introduction of numerous characters made it challenging to keep track of who was who. Unfortunately, many of these characters lacked distinct traits, which dulled their impact on the narrative.

While there was suspense and a desire for answers, much of the action felt implausible and strained credibility. The setting, despite being a 'small town,' seemed disproportionately chaotic, with a police force that appeared frustratingly ineffectual—a glaring inconsistency given the circumstances. The base storyline had amazing potential, but it became overcrowded with unnecessary subplots that made it difficult to stay fully invested. I found myself skimming through sections, which detracted from the overall experience.

Though this book wasn’t for me, it might appeal to readers who enjoy dark, twisted tales filled with secrets and unreliable characters. For those readers, it’s an exploration of trust, deception, and hidden truths. It's my first "miss" from this author, so I fully anticipate her next one. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley!

Was this review helpful?

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - What I loved about this was the found family aspect along with a group of elderly people trying to solve the crimes of this town. The thriller aspect was interesting most of the times with a bit of lulls here or there, but for me, that’s not why I’m giving this a higher rating. Florence and Herb were truly the stars of this one! Oh & Bernie 🫶🏻

Was this review helpful?

I've enjoyed the author's fast paced thrillers in the past. This book was a miss for me and not very memorable. There was potential in the beginning, but the pace was too slow with too many minor characters that took away from the story. There weren't enough characteristics to differentiate between them. Some actions in the book felt too impractical and not well thought out.

Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

I was so excited to read this book & WOW was it intense in the beginning. Unfortunately, soon after the beginning is when things started falling apart for me.⁠

The biggest issue I had was that were there SO many characters & it was completely impossible for me to keep them straight. There was suspense & I did feel the need for answers but in my opinion a lot of what happens is unrealistic.⁠

I feel like the title should have been Everything Always Happens Here instead of Nothing Ever Happens Here. For a "small town" they have a lot of problems and a police force that literally does nothing when any other police force most definitely would.⁠

I found myself skimming a lot & I feel like the base storyline was amazing, but then there was so many other things added in that I lost interest. ⁠

This book wasn't for me but hopefully it's for you! It's definitely dark, twisted, full of secrets & you're not exactly sure who you can really trust!

Was this review helpful?

This book started out strong, and the elderly characters definitely carried the story with their humor and heart. However, the character development of the two women who were technically the main characters was lacking, and the overall plot was a bit slow.

I liked the podcast aspect - it reminded me of Only Murders in The Building. However, I found all of the financial turmoil boring and the twist cheesy and unrealistic.

Overall this was just very okay.

Was this review helpful?

Wow, what an unexpected book! This one started and ended with a bang, with some surprisingly heartfelt moments in the middle. While I was expecting some action and thrills, I was not expecting how lovely the relationships between the side characters were going to be. "The Gang" stole my heart, and felt reminiscent of Only Murders in the Building.

My only complaint is that two of the MCs lacked much depth, so I found myself getting confused about whose POV I was reading from. I also couldn't stand Clay, the husband. But, overall, this novel is great for anyone looking for a thrilling mystery that will also make you fall in love with the background characters.

Was this review helpful?

Nothing ever happens here., is the book of why did.it happen, who did it and why are they taking their revenge on not only me but the people around me

Was this review helpful?

i’ve heard a lot about this author and when i saw this book, i was so excited to receive it as an ARC! the thriller plot, a podcast formed by a funny group of old people and the winter vibes really drew me in.

while i did enjoy this, im sad that i didn’t love it. the beginning started off strong and instantly grabbed my attention, but the middle dragged on and the ending wrapped up quickly and seemed a little too convenient.

there are also a ton of characters and three different perspectives which made me reread sections multiple times to remember who was who and what was going on.

i’ll definitely read more by this author, but i feel pretty indifferent about this book.

Was this review helpful?

A small town where everyone knows everyone. A missing husband. Murder.Threats.Suspense. Sounds like a thrill for me…and it was!!!

Glass novels are sometimes hit or miss for me and honestly it could be because I’m a mood reader who may not be in the mood. This one however was not a miss!! In typical Glass fashion the novel has multiple characters to keep tract of but once the story gets going, it’s easier to keep up with them. The gang were my favorite POVs to read from because they were funny and authentic!

From the beginning the mystery and thrill of what and who was there. I honestly couldn’t guess who and the why was a little non serious, possibly predictable…or maybe not for a mental ill psychopath. Over all a thriller that kept my attention and kept me guessing until the end.

My rating is rounded up to a 4 from a 3.75. It wasn’t bad but it wasn’t mind blowing and the format was very similar to previous novels.

Was this review helpful?

This was almost a DNF for me, but i’m glad I stuck with it. The first half is very slow, and many of the characters blend together. Mack and Shelby, Billy and Evan, even some of the senior characters. Even some of the details get a little confusing (who owns which businesses, who has business dealings/partnerships with whom). The first situation with Shelby is gripping, but it takes a long time to get back into it. Herb and Florence are great characters, and I loved any scene that revolved around “the gang”. I wish there was more of them and a little less of Mack’s wild goose chase for her husband. The ending picks up, and I was pretty surprised that I didn’t figure it out (I felt like it could have been anyone!). The cops were incredibly frustrating (I know they were meant to be written like this but I wanted to throw my kindle multiple times). Overall, the ending definitely saved this one for me, and I think it’s a solid mystery/thriller.

Was this review helpful?

Seraphina Nova Glass is a master at complex plots and characters. I especially enjoy how her female characters are always strong and resilient.

Nothing Ever Happens Here is a slow burn with an ending that pays off. The first half of the book was slow for me. The second half I stayed up late to finish and was not disappointed. This is an excellent read for a winter day where you are stuck inside. I have read all of the author's previous novels and plan to continue reading any more she puts out.

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing, Seraphina Nova Glass, and Netgalley for allowing me to read this ARC.

Was this review helpful?

While this was good, it definitely wasn't my favorite from Seraphina Nova Glass. I found there to be far too many characters to keep track of, and the majority of them were cheesy and annoying. I also wasn't a fan of the ending, either. I feel that many people will enjoy this thriller, but it was just not for me. It read like a cozy mystery.

Was this review helpful?