This was creepy and unsettling! The characters had me invested and I had a hard time putting this down! The ending was good! I would recommend this! Special Thank You to S.J. King,Storm Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Where You Belong is a gripping psychological thriller by S.J. King. This was the first book I read by King and I can't wait to read more!

This book really suprised me. I loved it so much. I love a book that keeps me guessing and this one definately did. I connected with Julia's character and cared about what happened to her.

DNF'd at 21%

When I initially read the description for this book, it sounded just like the type of book that I always enjoy reading and was looking forward to it. Unfortunately this book was not for and I chose not finish it. The writing was very slow moving and in the first almost 100 pages, it felt like nothing happened at all to help move the plot along. I also did not feel any connections forming with the characters in the story that was pushing me to keep reading to see if it got better.

Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Wasn’t able to read this one digitally but I did order a copy of the book so will be reviewing it after I’ve read it. I’m really excited for it as I’ve only heard great things about it.

Julia is living the dream—a devoted husband, two beautiful kids, and, most recently, a villa in a gorgeous gated community, with staff fulfilling her every wish. Everything is absolutely perfect. Right? Well, it seems that way until Julia starts noticing the first signs that there might be more to this community than meets the eye.

For those who don’t want to read the full review, is this book worth it? Yes—if the "perfect society gone wrong" genre is your thing, you’ll definitely enjoy this one. However, if you're looking for something more action-packed or intense, you might want to look elsewhere.

That being said, here’s my extended review:

There were quite a few things I liked about this book. The setting was beautifully described, and the main characters were well-developed. I was particularly impressed by how well the children were written, as annoying children in books are often a pet peeve of mine.

That being said, there were also a few aspects that felt off-putting. One of the biggest issues for me was the pacing. The beginning felt really slow—perhaps intentionally, to make the reader experience Julia’s sense of trudging through long, hot, syrupy days—but I didn't appreciate the seemingly endless pages where almost nothing happened. Then, by contrast, the ending felt incredibly rushed. If I had to estimate, about 80% of the book is dedicated to buildup, while all the major events are crammed into the final 20%.

Another issue was how oblivious Julia was to her husband’s wrongdoing. As a psychologist, she definitely should have picked up on some of the warning signs much earlier. Additionally, for most of the book, there was little to no tension. It didn’t pull me in or hook me—I found myself simply not caring what happened next.

On a positive note, one thing the author did well was portraying a character’s slow descent into paranoia and self-doubt. As Julia uncovers more about the supposedly protective community she’s living in, the reader can truly feel her questioning her own judgment and losing trust in everything—including herself.

Though at times confused about the message it’s trying to convey, this book still manages to raise important questions and may be worth a read if you enjoy stories set in seemingly utopian communities with a dark side.

I absolutely loved this book. A great psychological thriller which made for a real page turner. It was beautifully written and was extremely scary at times and made you stop and think if it was possible that something like this could happen in real life. I found it extremely chilling at times and loved the character of Julia who soon realised that something wasn't quite with her family's move to the gated community. A real page turner. this was a wonderful debut novel and I look forward to other stories from this author.

This is a very unique book. It is marked as a thriller so I was really looking forward to reading it, however, it wasn't what I expected. I felt it was a little far fetched in some places and a little slow in others. The ending tied up some of the loose ends but not all. Not my favorite but still a pretty good read.
Thank you to Net Galley for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

What a thrilling story that tests your own resilience and beliefs and knowledge.

Starting a new life journey that doesn’t feel right, but you must do it as your husbands career depends on it. But when yourself and your children’s welfare are put at stake, you must try to find a way to disappear and go back to what you know.

But when you realise the enormity of what you are trapped into, you know that life is indeed one that needs protecting at all costs.

This book kept me enthralled and guessing which way it was headed.

Even though I knew what was going to happen I still raced through this as I enjoyed the plot and the build up to the climax. A new author which was great. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

⭐️BOOK REVIEW⭐️
✨WHERE YOU BELONG✨ by S.J. KING
Everything’s going to work out,’ he said, something tight in his voice. She wasn’t sure if he was trying to convince her, or himself.

Dedication
“Our New Life Together Playlist”
🥂 James has received a job offer he simply can’t refuse. Accepting this offer will allow his family to live in the most luxurious home and neighborhood one could imagine, with all life’s amenities right in arms reach.

Change
“Agreement accepted.”
🥂 As this opportunity comes once in a lifetime, is Julia ready to part ways with the company she is dedicated to? Are the boys ready to move out of their current home and life to move across the country to begin a new school and make new friends? Or is the question Julia should be asking, is this new life one of pure reward with good intentions from her husband’s hard work, or is it one of potential destruction, disaster, and secrets?

Stability
“All part of this wonderful little adventure.”
🥂 As Julia tries to settle in, she cannot lose the nagging sense that danger is at the forefront of their lives. Her children do not appear settled to the staff at school. Could it be linked to Julia’s own instability? Julia’s feelings and internal thoughts? Those that are being monitored very closely.

Acceptance
“Aren’t we lucky?”
🥂 Julia reflects on the happenings over the past few months. Everything and everyone she thought she knew, she never really knew at all. She realizes things cannot be undone. How does she move forward? Will there always be a worry about something or someone out there lurking?

I enjoyed this debut novel by S.J. King. The mysterious element crafted throughout the book continued to remind me that things were definitely not as they seemed. From the beginning the spinning of this web made me want to continue reading to find out what was exactly happening. Unreliable characters, beautiful setting, and disturbing occurrences are right up my alley. If they too are something you enjoy, give this book a go!

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for allowing me to review this book which is out now. All opinions are my own.

Where You Belong by S.J King is a fast-paced and suspenseful psychological thriller with a Stepford Wives vibe!

When Julia, her husband James, and their two sons moved to a secluded community called The Haven, Julia wants this move to be a new start for their family, and she wants James to have a chance to follow his dreams. But very quickly Julia realizes that The Haven is concealing some dark secrets. Only the husbands leave to go to work and the wives all stay home and are perfectly content. Each member of The Haven wears a bracelet that changes colors. And then Julia's neighbor dies and things really start to get creepy.

The plot of this book is absolutely wild! Dystopian vibes, Stepford Wives, mystery and suspense are all weaved together to create Where You Belong. I cannot believe that this is a debut novel! The only critique I had was that it started off a little bit slow but I understood that that was necessary for character building and suspense building. Definitely going to keep an eye out for more by S.J King!

Thank you to NetGalley, S.J King, and Storm Publishing for this ARC. Release day was March 4th 2025.

Where You Belong was a dark and suspenseful thriller that had big Stepford Wives vibes to it. The story started off a little slow but after a while it had me obsessively wondering what was coming next. The main character, Julia, drove me crazy. Her actions were not well thought out and she gave up much too easily in some scenarios. The way this book was written was a little choppy at times. It had me thinking I had skipped a page. The action picked up towards the end and I was really captivated. My rating would be higher if not for the way it ended. There were too many unanswered questions and it felt rushed right after getting to the climax.

Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed this book and read it in one sitting! I could not put it down and had to know what was going to happen. I thought the storyline and character development were great! I would definitely recommend this book.

Thank you #Netgalley for the copy!

When Julia's husband gets a job offer, she is anxious about making a move but recognizes it is his turn for a new opportunity. She packs up the family and moves to the new community provided to them with the job offer. But upon arrival, Julia senses this may not be as perfect as it was described. I immediately felt that this should be a show or movie, I can imagine this picture perfect locked in community and the how the app and points system control their lives. We watch as Julia begins to question more and more and eventually decides she has to do something about it. This was a very quick and enjoyable read!

Thank you so much for the ARC. Loved the book! I loved Julia! How she trusted her instinct and continued to ask questions no matter the cost This thriller had an interesting take on control and manipulation. It reminded me of The Handmaid's Tale and Big Brother and how people can be tricked into a life of wealth and prosperity and perfection. The plot twist was brilliant! Really didn't expect Bob and James to be the real villians. Excellent psychological thriller!

Where You Belong is a binge-worthy, twist-filled thriller that completely hooked me. The too good to be true, too late to escape premise immediately drew me in, and I wasn’t prepared for how wild things would get.

The book blends thriller, dystopian, and sci-fi elements in a way that feels fresh and immersive. The tension builds perfectly, and once I hit the 50% mark, I couldn’t stop reading. The last half flew by in a blur of what is happening moments, and I loved every second of it.

This definitely won’t be my last S.J. King book. Highly recommend for fans of gripping, unputdownable thrillers!

Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Where You Belong presents a thoughtful exploration of identity and belonging within a complex family dynamic. It navigates themes of generational trauma and the search for personal truth. King's prose is both evocative and precise, effectively conveying the emotional weight of the characters' experiences. The novel's strength lies in its nuanced portrayal of flawed individuals grappling with difficult choices, making it a compelling read for those interested in character-driven narratives. I highly recommend it to all.

Where You Belong is an engaging psychological thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The tension builds slowly as the protagonist, a woman seeking peace in a seemingly perfect gated community, begins to unravel unsettling secrets. The writing is suspenseful, and the sense of dread is palpable as she digs into the strange disappearances and mysterious deaths surrounding her. While the pacing could have been a bit tighter, the twists and turns make for an enjoyable, chilling read. A solid four stars for its gripping atmosphere and intriguing plot

Where You Belong by S. J. King is a fast-paced and atmospheric thriller that keeps readers on edge from start to finish. The story follows Julia, a woman who moves to a seemingly perfect gated community with her husband, James, in the hopes of escaping a stressful past and starting anew. However, as the days go by, Julia begins to feel that something is wrong. The perfect facade of her new life begins to crack, and soon, dark secrets threaten to consume her.

When a neighbour’s body is discovered floating in a pool, the other residents dismiss it as a tragic accident. Yet whispers about the family who lived in Julia’s villa before her point to something more sinister. As she digs deeper into the mystery, Julia becomes increasingly trapped in a web of secrets, lies, and manipulation, unsure who to trust—even her husband.

This book is a brilliant exploration of tension, dread, and the feeling of being trapped in a world that is not what it seems. King masterfully builds a creepy and suspenseful atmosphere, leaving the reader hooked with each new twist and revelation. The dystopian undertones of a world where every aspect of life is controlled and monitored add an extra layer of unease.

Where You Belong is an impressive debut book that moves at a steady pace and keeps readers fully invested in the story. It’s a must-read for fans of thrillers with a sense of mystery and a chilling atmosphere.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.