3.25 stars

This book started off really strong and I was dying to know what happened in the past, who was in the house and what happened to her daughter. Sadly the ending was no where near as exciting as I thought it was going to be. It wasn't a bad book I just expected more

You Belong Here by Megan Miranda was a tension filled, slow burn, mystery that I enjoyed until the final page. The setting and tone of this book was written perfectly, and it was easy to put myself into the characters shoes. This book is the perfect reminder that secrets never stay hidden, and one little thing can start a spiraling domino effect that ends in tragedy. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it!

Megan Miranda once again proves why she's one of the top thriller authors in the genre. This novel is no exception—keeps you hooked from start to finish. It's a perfect reminder secrets never stay buried for long. A must-read for fans of suspense and intricate plotting!

A haunting past from college, a game that never truly gets described and a cast of under-developed characters to try to throw you off the trail of the “big twist.” What could possibly go wrong?

You Belong Here started off interesting, had a strong middle and very rapidly halted to one of the least climactic thriller endings of all the possibilities that could have been.

Beckett clearly has a strong maternal instinct, though when it comes to protecting her daughter, maybe telling her the truth of her past could have saved her from the unfortunate events that take place.

The middle of this book had me in a total chokehold. I felt like I was on campus right along with Beckett looking for her daughter and trying to solve the mystery of who had been in her parents’ house.

Unfortunately, I felt like within 20 pages we had a complete solution, an anticlimactic one at that, and then it was over. Some of the details of this book also felt very far-fetched or plucked from some odd, unrelated realm.

Overall, I wanted to love this because of how strong the middle of this book was, but the ending completely ruined even that for me, personally.

This book was different but still interesting. I did get confused in some parts but overall a good read.

Fast paced mystery. Some twists were predictable but the story remains engaging. It can be devoured in one sitting.

I love Megan Miranda!! I read all her books and I was so excited to be approved for this galley!

Beckett’s 18 yr old daughter Delilah is headed to the same college where Beckett left a dark past. When she gets there, it seems like the same thing might be happening all over again.

This was so different from any of her other books! I didn’t think that the age of her character would change much, but it kind of did! I really enjoyed this novel as I enjoy all her novels. It was different but I enjoyed it.

I’ve read a few other Megan Miranda books and like her previous work, the writing in this one is strong. The plot, while not the most original, is still interesting and different enough that it kept me interested. I’m still not totally clear on what exactly The Howling is or why it’s a thing for the college students. And there are loads of questions I feel like we’re forgotten toward the end (for example: what was up with Delilah’s roommate?). I liked the little snippets from Beckett’s college days to give context to the present day story. I feel like a lot of the story was Beckett running around the town talking to people which got repetitive after a while. Overall, this was a good read but probably could’ve had a little bit more action. (4.25/5)

**This ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**

Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for allowing me to read and review this book.

I very much enjoyed this book. The writing was great and the characters were well developed. I hope to read more from this author in the future.

The following review was posted on Goodreads on 3.22.25:

Megan Miranda is one of my must-read authors for mysteries/thrillers, so it's no surprise that I enjoyed YOU BELONG HERE. Like all of Miranda's books, her newest is tense, taut, and hard to put down.

Beckett is a likeable and relatable heroine. Her feelings toward her daughter—not just her devotion to her but her fear of losing her both physically and emotionally—will resonate with any mother, especially those of us with "adult" children. (Turning 18 may legally make a kid an adult, but to me, 18 is only adult-ISH). Trevor is likewise appealing. I was definitely rooting for him and Beckett to get back together. While Delilah can be bratty, she's also mostly likeable. I cared about all three of them and wanted them all to get happy endings.

The mysteries at the heart of the novel are intriguing. I definitely wanted to know what happened to Adalyn Vale, what role (if any) Beckett played in the tragedy, and the truth about what was going on in the present. The answers aren't obvious, which kept me on the hook, reading fast and furious to find out what was going to happen next. Although the story can't really be described as pulse-pounding or adrenaline-fueled, it's definitely compelling.

While there's nothing super original about YOU BELONG HERE, it's still a well-written thriller with appealing characters, a tight plot, and engaging prose. I found it to be a solid, satisfying read.

If this were a movie, it would be rated: R for language (two F-bombs plus a few milder invectives) and violence. If it weren't for the second F-bomb, I'd rate it PG-13 since there's really nothing too graphic or disturbing in it.

3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book drew me in immediately and it kept me interested throughout. Megan Miranda is usually hit or miss for me, but I liked how this book went between past and present. I did find myself a bit confused with some parts of the plot. I think some things could’ve been explained better, I felt like the ending was rushed.

Overall, a solid thriller. I think this will be a popular one when it comes out!

A fast paced thriller! I appreciated the beautiful college campus setting, mixed with layers of intrigue in a small college town. I could not accurately predict the twists and turns, and kept thinking I knew who did it only to be proven wrong. It dragged on a bit near the last 20%, but overall, good thriller

thank you netgalley for the arc! this isn't my first megan miranda book, and it certainly won't be the last. from the start of the book i couldn't put it down - it kept me on my toes and was second guessing myself at every turn! probably my favorite book by megan!!

You can always count on Miranda to have a busy plot with a lot of characters but to tie up loose ends. This book was no different.

I enjoyed the townie vs college dynamics and how she touched on being a relatively young mother of a college student when some of her peers have elementary aged children. I thought every really felt like real people even her parents who were not in it a ton but ended up being pivotal. The rural college setting was a lot of fun and very evocative.

My only quibble with the book was how culpable Beckett was in the event from when she was a student. She really didn’t seem to do much of anything but was convinced then and now that it was a major crime. From how it read it seemed like her crime was taking a key and letting a door lock. Wouldn’t they have to prove that she knew that a crime was going to take place? Or that a crime took place? The crime was fatal in its consequences but it was one where if seemed like the police/lawyers would really have to prove that it wasn’t an accident. A torch lit up an old wood building. Men who shouldn’t have been on campus were caught in an old, quirky tunnel system. Why wouldn’t most people think it was just a tragic accident.

What made it look like a crime was largely her friend fleeing. It seems 50/50 at best that either would be charged with a crime. They were white college girls in the early 2000s.

I also wondered why the doors in the tunnel weren’t fire doors. I would think that would be standard since they were safety doors to contain steam. They were trapped between two doors. The building was on the other side of one. How did the fire get to them?

So much of the book hinged on that and I didn’t feel like it made 100% sense. Everything else in the book did so that really stood out

Megan Miranda is one of the few thriller authors who continuously is at the top of her game. This novel is no exception. It is a tight, economical, and thrilling look at how the past isn't truly past, and how loose ends never remain loose.

The advanced reader's copy of this novel was provided by the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.

You Belong Here follows Beckett Bowery, a woman with a dark secret about her past. To put it simply, in college, choices were made and people died. Her then roommate was blamed and Beckett was blamed for helping her run. Beckett promised herself she would never go back to the college town where it all happened but surprise! Her daughter Delilah enrolls in the same college, wins a full scholarship and fully intends to go. Beckett quickly realizes her past is not as buried as she’d hoped and she may just have to do the one thing she never planned on… tell the truth.

This is my first Megan Miranda book and I enjoyed her writing overall. It was a decent mystery that had a lot of twists and turns. When I was almost at the end, I was wondering how on earth this was going to wrap up because there were still so many loose ends. That said, I wanted to feel more for the characters than I did. I wanted to have those stomach-dropping moments that mean I can’t even consider putting the book down and this didn’t really get there for me. More background and character development may have helped me feel more invested. Bottom line for me: Will I read more from this author? Yep. I loved the twists. 3.5 stars for me.

Thank you to The Simon Element for offering this title for review via Netgalley. All opinions are my own

I’ve read many of Megan Miranda’s books and always enjoy them! This was another thrilling mystery with a story taking place both in the past and the present. A great book for those that love suspense!

You Belong Here is a standalone mystery by Megan Miranda. This fast read will have you on the edge of your seat!

They say you can never go back…and boy, they were right! Who can you trust in a town that doesn’t trust you?

This book was filled will so many twists and unexpected turns. As secrets of the past unravel, impacts are felt in the present. And boy are they impacts!

This is a must read for 2025! You won’t be able to sleep until you reach the last page…I know I couldn’t!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.


You Belong Here by Megan Miranda
Publisher: Simon Element; S&S/ Marysue Rucci Books
General Fiction (Adult), Mystery & Thrillers, Women's Fiction
Expected Publication Date: July 29, 2025

Thank you thank you to Net Galley, Simon and Schuster and The Simon Element & Marysue Rucci Books Marketing Team for this ARC. I am so grateful!
I love a good campus thriller. While it was a slow burn, the story of Beckett and her eighteen year old daughter Delilah ramps up the suspense toward the end. Delilah attends college at her mother’s Alma Mater twenty years after her, where a tragic fire killed two young men. Beckett feared her daughter’s return and for good reason. She was questioned by police at length as her roommate was thought to have set the fire. Was Beckett more involved? Will Delilah be safe on the same campus that haunts Beckett? Alternating from twenty years prior to current day, we slowly feel the fear Beckett holds within the moment she returns to her home town and steps foot on the very campus she never wished to return to. How far would you go to save your child?
Much like her previous novel, Daughter Of Mine, Miranda tells a sinister twisted homecoming tale well! I am excited to see what she creates next!

Megan Miranda's You Belong Here is a haunting exploration of memory and identity. The atmospheric setting creates an eerie backdrop that perfectly complements the suspenseful plot. Miranda's nuanced portrayal of the protagonist's internal struggles adds layers to the story, making it both thrilling and emotionally resonant. The unexpected twists kept me engrossed, leading to a satisfying and thought-provoking conclusion. This novel is a compelling reminder of the shadows that lurk within our pasts.