Sadly, this book didn't hit the mark for me. I struggled with it at the start, then the pace and tension picked up, then… I lost interest. Whilst well-written, I couldn't engage with the story and resorted to skimming to the end. However, I will be interested to see what the author writes in the future.

I would give this book six stars if I could - absolutely brilliant! It's been a little while since I have been able to say that the book I am reading is 'unputdownable', but that is definitely the right word here. The protagonist, Julia, was nuanced and likeable from the outset, and the way her story unfolded was vivid, gripping and had me totally invested. I could easily visualise the world she found herself in as the descriptions were so well written, and if I had been wearing a grey wristband, it would have been flashing red along with hers. I can't say too much more without giving spoilers, and the way the story works out is far too enjoyable to be ruined. I will, instead, just urge you to read it and find out for yourself.

From the synopsis, this book sounded just up my alley which is why I chose to read it. If I had known it was dystopian, I would know to skip reading it.

I tried multiple times, but I just couldn't get into it no matter how much I tried. So I checked out other netgalley reviews and it immediately made sense that I am not the targeted audience for this book as I don't do dystopian.

Thanks, but no thanks. I'll stick with my psychological thrillers and family dramas.

A dystopian story! I really enjoyed the storyline and the psychological elements. The plot was twisted and the ending was good. Well written and good characters. I would like to see more from this author.

This is a gripping read that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish, such a good plot filled with unexpected twists and turns, making it impossible to predict what will happen next.
The writing is both engaging and suspenseful, with well-developed characters that add depth to the narrative.
The pacing of the novel is perfect, with just the right amount of tension to keep readers hooked without feeling overwhelmed.
The setting is vividly described, creating an immersive atmosphere that enhances the overall reading experience.
Highly recommended!

This was a very intriguing read. The plot was super original and kept me interested the entire book. Some of the plot wrap up towards the end was a little confusing but definitely kept me guessing until the end. Would recommend!

Julia is a high-powered executive until her husband gets a job at the Haven, a community somewhere hot. They are given luxury accommodation, and a servant, but someting sinister seems to be going on, The men all work and the women are controlled by the community app and electronic wristbands.
I didn't enjoy this book although I did manage to finish it. I didn't like the misogyny and violence, and the characters in the book seemed superficial to me.
I was hoping for something to happen that would make sense of the story, and skim read the ending.

Riveting and terrifying! A modern take on The Stepford Wives but way more phychologically gripping. Brilliantly written. The writing is tight, fast paced and wraps the reader in a cobweb of fear. I felt claustrophobic to the point of not wanting to turn the page -but not being able to stop! This may be many a man's fantasy but every woman's nightmare! A dystopian world where men rule and women are totally reliant upon them, their every move and thought monitored and. I haven't read any other book that left me gasping for breath and pounding heart as this one did. Highly recommend

Where You Belong is a gripping, can't-put-down, quite creepy psychological thriller. When Julia's husband gets an amazing job offer, she moves her family across the globe. Now, while James goes to work, Julia gets to spend her days with her two sons -- enjoying everything The Haven has to offer. As Julia gets to know her neighbors, she picks up on some strange vibes, and then, when someone dies during a neighborhood party, Julia realizes that The Haven may not be paradise. What is everyone hiding? Why do only the men work? What happens to those who have just 'disappeared?'

Where You Belong is a truly edge-of-your-seat, suspenseful thriller with a side of sci-fi. I thoroughly enjoyed all of the details the author included regarding The Haven. I loved picturing the canals, the little Venice, the lazy river, the school, the houses - all of it. It was all so eerie! While the pacing was a bit slow during some of the book, I still found myself staying up for "just one more chapter." I honestly can't believe this was a debut novel, and I will definitely be reading more by S.J. King in the future.

Where You Belong by S.J. King is an addictive, page-turning debut novel, filled with psychological suspense!

As I was reading this story, it felt similar to The Stepford Wives, or a John Marrs speculative fiction story, although SJ King has written this story with a unique premise, layered storytelling, and interesting ethical considerations.

When Julia and James move with their two young boys to an idyllic gated community, The Haven – A Radiance Community, it feels like a dream come true. A chance to relax, spend time together as a family and fix their flailing marriage.

“Welcome! And thank you for being part of Our Community. We hope you are settling in. We want everyone who lives here at The Haven to be happy, in harmony with themselves, the environment, and with each other. That is the secret to Idyllic Living”

Julia soon starts to seek out answers, as all is not quite as it seems. “Gratitude points” need to be earned, each family is rated on a different level that offers varying privileges, permission needs to be granted to leave the community, and there are murmurs about a family who mysteriously disappeared from The Haven…

I enjoyed this fast-paced story, including all the thrilling twists and the unravelling of the layered deception.

Many thanks to Strom Publishing, S.J. King, and NetGalley for the e-ARC, in exchange for an honest review.

I am excited to see what S.J. King will write next!

A great suspenseful thriller. Gossip and rumors of the previous house owners have the new family questioning their lives. Great book.

Well what a page turner! The twist was twisting for sure! I did not see that coming! Great read, would recommend!! Thank you for allowing me to read this before release

I really enjoyed this page tuning book, did not see the twist at the end! This is a must read book.

What a wild ride this one was! I was expecting one thing and got something totally different!

We follow our FMC, Julia, her husband James and their two young sons as they move to a picture perfect community, the Haven. Seemingly perfect in every way, Julia starts to immediately sense all is not as it seems.

The neighbors all act strangely, you have to earn "gratitude points" to move levels to purchase certain items, and you have to wear a crazy band on your wrist that turns colors depending on your disposition at the moment.

When a body turns up floating in a pool at a party and an entire family(not the first one to) seemingly goes missing, Julia knows she has to find a way to get out with her sons. But that is not an easy task since they are literally locked in at the community.

This definitely felt like something I've seen on Netflix before lol, I don't mean that in a bad way. I just mean it felt familiar. There were some familiar elements in this book. The neighborhood was very Stepford Wives meets a polished slightly tamer version of Gilead. There was even a party moment that felt very eyes wide shut lol. I love all of these things so all of these aspects were great.

Right within the first few chapters you know something is wrong and this uneasy feeling just sits in the pit of your stomach as you join Julia on this journey and find out what's really going on in this perfect community.

The pacing was great and each chapter had me wanting to flip to the next one. Definitely an entertaining page turner! Highly recommend!

Expected Release Date - 03/04/25

Buddy read with my bestie girl Meagan Be sure to check out her thoughts as well. 🤍

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Many thanks to the author, SJ King, and Anna over at Storm Publishing for reaching out and gifting me the advanced digital copy, all thoughts are my own. 💐

From the cover, I was expecting a domestic/suburban drama. I guess there was some of that here, but this was more speculative with a touch of sci-fi. In any event, I enjoyed this. I was invested in the story and the main character. My only complaint was the length -- it seemed to really drag on for me, and the ending felt a little rushed.

Would I read more from the author? Yes. Good cover, too.

I received a complimentary copy of the novel from the publisher and NetGalley, and my review is being left freely.

Creepy, Addictive, but a Bit Predictable

Where You Belong pulls you into that perfect-on-the-surface, nightmare-underneath kind of neighborhood where something is definitely off. The story kicks off with a fresh start—new home, new life, new chance to fix a marriage—but quickly turns into something much darker. A dead neighbor in the pool, whispers about the family that mysteriously vanished, and a husband who suddenly seems way too eager for his wife to drop her questions.

The atmosphere is spot on—claustrophobic, unsettling, and filled with people who are just a little too perfect. The tension builds well, and you’ll find yourself flipping pages, trying to figure out who’s lying (spoiler: probably everyone). But while it’s a fun ride, some twists feel predictable, and the main character’s choices can be frustrating. You know those moments where you just want to shake a character and say, stop ignoring the obvious? Yeah, there are a few of those.

Still, if you love domestic thrillers with secrets, paranoia, and major Stepford Wives vibes, this one’s worth a read. It won’t totally shock you, but it will keep you entertained and maybe even make you side-eye your neighbors.

Where You Belong by S.J. King was such an interesting plot that gave off major Stepford Wives vibes. Drawn in from the start, I rode the wave of every twist, turn, and surprise thrown at me.

Julia, her husband James and their two young sons move to a picture perfect community, the Haven. Seemingly perfect in every way, Julia starts to immediately sense all is not as it seems. The neighbors all act strangely, you have to earn "gratitude points" to move levels to purchase certain items, and you have to wear a crazy band on your wrist that turns colors depending on your disposition at the moment. When a body turns up floating in a pool at a party and an entire family(not the first one to) seemingly goes missing, Julia knows she has to find a way to get out with her sons. But that is not an easy task since they are literally locked in at the community.

Brilliantly told and fast paced, this story had so many ups and downs, twists and turns and layers of lies and deceit. It was hard to know who to trust. The suspense had me quickly turning the pages to reach the shocking ending. I highly recommend this book.

Thanks to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the advanced copy

Are you a fan of psychological thriller books? Check out Where You Belong by SJ King. It had a twisty turny plot that kept me guessing.

Like omg what a read this book had me on edge from start to finish they always say if it's to good to be true then it's to good to be true but what a read .how this this lady figured everything out and kept fight everything truly amazing well done with this book thank you

Gripping, tense, controlled, a thriller to keep you turning pages. From the clastrophobia of the setting to the tamping down of the freedom, really exciting.