Kristen and Ryan McIntyre have been hiding from their Los Angeles crime family for the past five years and the day they have been dreading is upon them. Their murderous father Boyd McIntyre has found them and is coming to take them home. As the kids flee with Tony Reed (the man who swept them away from their criminal family and has been raising them as his own), their carefully laid plans go up in flames when the fuel tank of their getaway plane is hit and they have to make a crash landing in the woods not far from the small Montana town they have called home for the past five years. With a severe blizzard on the way and Tony incapacitated, sixteen year old Kristen has to take the helm and make sure that she and ten year old Ryan get somewhere safe and stay out of their father's clutches. They know that Boyd isn’t far behind them, but they don’t know that they have allies - their Aunt Ruby (who left the family years before without a backwards glance) and rancher Nick Lorenzo (who Tony has worked for these past five years) - who are out looking for them as well. But the greatest threat is the one no one saw coming.

This is the first novel I have read of Allison Brennan’s and it was a wonderful introduction. I’m grateful I didn’t make the mistake of reading this one just before bed because it would have caused all the anxiety. I don’t know about anyone else, but any stories with a mafia or crime family is elevated in the anxiety department for me, especially when there are kids involved.

There are pieces of the past that are slowly unraveled as the story goes on. Brennan writes in a way that hints towards one thing, but then it turns out to be something completely different once you get the entire picture and that kept me on my toes throughout. The story is told from a third person omniscient POV which allows the reader to follow along with each of the characters as the race to find the kids continues. It felt very much like watching a film, jumping around to different perspectives and seeing clues that make sense only to reader while the characters are unaware of their importance.

Even with all the anxiety and stress, this book included a nice found family element that really tugged at my heartstrings. What was especially endearing was the relationship between Kristen and Ryan (and their respective relationships with Tony) and how solidly they had built their foundation together, even through tough times. There was a lot of nuance to multiple characters that I didn’t expect and that helped to ground the story a little more in reality.

Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher for free and have voluntarily written this review.

NORTH OF NOWHERE, the latest standalone thriller from the master of suspense author Allison Brennan, is a story about survival - survival from the elements and survival from a past threatening the future. Set in the middle of a harsh Montana winter, Brennan drops her characters into the midst of a mountainous wilderness in a raging blizzard and charges them with surviving. If the catastrophic storm doesn't present enough of a life or death situation, the deranged killer closing in on two scared children lost in the storm will.

Tony Reed's been hiding his two godchildren for five long years, keeping them safe from their crime boss father Boyd McIntrye and their deceptively controlling grandmother Frankie. Eleven-year-old Kristin was traumatized after witnessing the murder of her mother before Tony took her, along with her younger deaf brother Ryan, and disappeared. When Tony awakens now sixteen-year-old Kristin in the middle of the night, she asks no questions knowing immediately they've been found. Grabbing their always packed escape bags, Tony, Kristin and Ryan execute their plan B for escape. Taking his bosses small plane, Tony hopes to get away unseen, but as he attempts takeoff shots are fired hitting him and the plane. He manages to lift off only to crash in a lake a few miles short of their destination. When it's clear he won't make it, Tony quickly improvises and instructs Kristin to take Ryan and their supplies and hike the rest of the way to their secret remote cabin. Time is critical as a massive snow storm is descending on the mountains and their father Boyd and his armed men are coming for them. Tony has trained Kristin in all the elements of survival including how to handle a weapon. She'll kill or be killed before returning to the forbidding prison of her father and grandmother's home.

NORTH OF NOWHERE is a highly atmospheric, fast paced thriller with a large cast of players. The landscape and weather play a starring role in the story as characters are charged with surviving a blinding blizzard in the middle of nowhere in subzero temperatures. Brennan does a fantastic job of pulling readers into said wilderness to join the desperate search for the two missing children in a race against time to save their lives - from both the elements and the various highly motivated people determined to catch them before someone else does. The story is rendered through multiple points of view giving readers a well rounded viewpoint into the motivations driving several key characters. A tension laden plot line is propelled by a dire tone of impending disaster as the story covers a period of only forty-eight hours from beginning to end. During this time, the author accentuates the power of family - whether by blood or choice, control, loss, regret . . . and survival of the fittest.

Brutally harsh at times, NORTH OF NOWHERE is an immensely engaging thriller with enough unforeseen twists and turns to keep fans of the genre turning pages. I enjoyed the audiobook version narrated by Eliza Foss. Highly recommended to readers who love extraordinarily atmospheric suspense thrillers with a heavy side of family drama.

There was a lot of action in this one and it will keep you entertained. I personally had a hard time keeping up with it but I may pick it back up soon. There were a lot of characters. I could have benefited from a list or a tree to reference

This is my first book by this author. The cover drew me in instantly and I'm a sucker for a good wilderness thriller! Starting out I kept feeling like I was missing something. I thought perhaps this was book 2 in a series so I had to go make sure it wasn't. It was certainly captivating and fast paced right out of the gate but it lost me somewhere in the middle. The more I read the more I felt like she probably should have done a book before this one! There were so many people with back stories that I think it would have been much more enjoyable if this were in fact book 2!

This was my first book from Allison Brennan and I loved it. It felt more like a movie than a book. I felt attached to some of the characters which kept my attention and made me want to know everything that was going to happen. At times the story slowed as others have stated but I enjoyed this book.

Tense and at time completely chilling, North of Nowhere is a great read. There were times when the multitude of characters slowed down the story. However, Kristen and Ryan were great characters, and the location was so interesting.

This was my first book by this author. It is about a brother and sister who run away from their criminal father. It was very engaging in the beginning but midway through I really had to struggle to finish this book. It was a wild ride but it really wasn’t for me. I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC I received for an honest review. It was well written so perhaps this type of storyline will appeal to other readers

Excellent, well written stand alone by Allison Brennan with a tight story line. Character interaction showed love and hatred, especially when I was not sure on whose side they were on - family, friend or enemy? Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books for an early copy of this suspenseful book.

North of Nowhere is a gripping and engaging thriller that takes readers on an unforgettable adventure. Allison Brennan expertly delivers a story of survival, love, and the lengths one will go to protect their own. Fans of heart-pounding suspense will find themselves thoroughly immersed in this adrenaline-fueled tale of danger and determination.

3.5 stars
This was a wild ride-I felt like I was watching a movie. Lots of action, family drama, and suspense. I liked but didn’t love.

I do so love a well written novel set in my home state. It was especially nice as it is set in a blizzard and the temperature outside as I read is July hot!

Lots of good things to enjoy about this book. The characters are all given enough backstory to be alive on the page, even the bad guys. The role of family is very important and explored thoroughly. The author is able to show the good in a bad person and, conversely, how even a good person can sometimes do evil things….and most importantly, people can change. The local Montanans are written as friendly, live-and-let-be nonjudgmental, and comfortable with their surroundings…an apt description. Obviously nature plays a huge role so not only the weather but the terrain are prominently featured. The suspense begins in the first few pages and doesn’t ease up until the very end. I’m really hoping for a sequel; these characters are too good to abandon now!

Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books/St. Martin’s Press for the ARC to read and review.

North of Nowhere. I thought the book was good. There moments where the intensity of the plot kicked up, furthering the adrenaline of the need to know what will happen next into overdrive. The loyalty that the kids have for Tony is so amazing that it could make your heart melt. The same could be said for Tony too.
I will say that I would have liked to of read the description of both Tony and Ryan earlier in the story. I made do with my own descriptions. The book is a page turner that moves pretty fast. The story is engaging and very good. The stories narrative and the dialogue was great.
I loved it. It was clear and understanding. There are places that needs some fine tuning, but I think that the book was good. I give this book two snaps and a twist. Until next time my fellow readers. Read on!
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4/5 STARS

This is a thriller set in Montana during the winter.

Synopsis:
After living in Montana for five years and escaping their crime ridden family, two children run for their lives with their caretaker as their dangerous biological father hunts them.

I listened to this book on audio and really enjoyed the fast paced adventure. It had multiple POVs and the narration was good and easy to listen to. Having been to Montana and specifically Bozeman, I was able to vividly picture the story. I wanted more of the children’s POV and how they were surviving in the mountains. It kept my attention the whole time and the ending was satisfying.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the complimentary audiobook! 🏔️

Brennan’s first stand-alone thriller is a compelling, race against time read about two kids on the run in the mountains as a storm approaches. The introduction had my heart pounding, and I was eagerly flipping pages. This is a story of a mafia family looking for their kidnapped children who don’t want to be found in the wilderness of Montana during a snowstorm. What could go wrong? Only everything. This book has a large cast of characters and sometimes it’s hard to separate the good guys from the bad guys. #NETGALLEY #NORTHOFNOWHERE

I've not read an Allison Brennan novel in three years so when I saw NORTH OF NOWHERE popup on Netgalley I couldn't help to request it.

Kristin and Ryan McIntyre have been hiding from their murderous father, Boyd (who is also the head of a Los Angeles crime family) for the last five years in a small town in Montana. Their father finds them causing them to attempt to escape, narrowly succeeding in a small plane when gunfire hits the fuel line. The man who has been caring for them for the last five years manages to crash land the plane in the middle of the wilderness in a lake. An impending blizzard is going to make their trek for safety a lot more difficult.

Allison's writing is crisp, immersive, and wholly captivating. She writes in such a way that the reader is reeled in and hooked on the story within the first few pages. The setting of the Montana wilderness with an impending blizzard is chilling and atmospheric but is the perfect mix to add tension and suspense to an already thrilling series of events.

There are many characters discussed in this story but they're easy to differentiate and recall their roles. The main characters are well written, realistic and relatable.

I really enjoyed the themes of family, forgiveness, and at the core of the story, hope, which are present throughout the story. Each of the main characters demonstrate their vision of these themes within the many harrowing and difficult situations that they encounter.

The plot is intriguing and somewhat complex with many moving pieces that all work so well together. The pacing is so well done with the twists being revealed at just the right moments, keeping the anticipation and suspense high. I can't count the times I was holding my breath as I read, both in fear and anticipation of how the latest twist would play out.

An exquisite read to say the least. I will be hitting up more of Allison's work in the near future, no doubt about it!

<i>I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher, Minotaur Books, of this advanced digital copy for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for an honest review! All opinions shared are my own.</i>

Allison Brennan delivers another heart-pounding thriller in “North of Nowhere,” a gripping tale of survival and family bonds that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

In this intense novel, we follow the McIntyre siblings, Kristin and Ryan, who have spent the last five years in hiding from their dangerous and murderous father, Boyd McIntyre, the head of a notorious Los Angeles crime family. However, their peaceful refuge in a small Montana town is shattered when Boyd finally tracks them down. A desperate escape in a small plane quickly turns into a life-and-death struggle as gunfire cripples the aircraft. The pilot, who has been a father figure to the siblings, miraculously crash-lands in the wilderness, forcing the McIntyre siblings to embark on a harrowing journey through the treacherous Montana woods, trying to evade both their ruthless father and the approaching storm.

Amidst this gripping backdrop, we are introduced to Boyd’s sister, Ruby, who had severed all ties with her family years ago to protect her niece and nephew from the McIntyre clan’s horrors. When Ruby receives an urgent call about the plane crash, she drops everything to rescue them. However, she’s not the only one on the siblings’ trail. Boyd has enlisted the help of a seasoned tracker, and the local rancher, Nick Lorenzo, who is baffled by the children’s situation, is also on the pursuit.

Allison Brennan weaves a thrilling narrative, skillfully intertwining multiple perspectives that heighten the sense of urgency and suspense. The characters are well-developed, each with their own motivations and demons, which adds depth to the overall story. Readers familiar with Brennan’s previous works, such as the Lucy Kincaid series, Quinn & Costa series, and Moreno & Hart series co-written with Laura Griffin, will find comfort in her trademark writing style that blends suspense, action, and intriguing plot twists.

The rugged Montana wilderness serves as an atmospheric and dangerous backdrop, paralleling the tension and danger faced by the McIntyre siblings. Brennan’s vivid descriptions effortlessly transport readers to the heart of the story, making it feel as though they’re right alongside the characters, experiencing every twist and turn.

“North of Nowhere” delivers a rollercoaster of emotions, from fear and adrenaline to hope and resilience. As the storm and the danger escalate, so do the stakes for Kristin and Ryan, keeping readers eagerly turning pages to see who will find them first and what their ultimate fate will be.

In conclusion, Allison Brennan proves once again why she is a master of the thriller genre with “North of Nowhere.” This book is a must-read for fans of her previous works and anyone who loves pulse-pounding suspense with a powerful emotional core. Prepare to be taken on a wild ride through the Montana wilderness as you root for the McIntyre siblings’ survival in this gripping and adrenaline-pumping tale.

Thank you to Allison Brennan, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was an enjoyable book - good beach read. The characters were believable and the story had mystery, drama, and action.

I really enjoyed this thriller even though it got a little violent. I liked the suspense and the multiple points of view. The complicated and often grey characters were intriguing.

I received a gifted galley of NORTH OF NOWHERE by Allison Brennan from St. Martin’s Press – thank you also to Macmillan Audio for the gifted audiobook!

NORTH OF NOWHERE follows Kristen and Ryan McIntyre. They’ve been on the run from their murderous father and his criminal family, staying under the radar in a rural town they’ve grown to think of as home. When their father tracks them down they attempt a getaway with their adopted father, but things go wrong and soon it is a survival story on multiple levels in the unforgivingly cold Montana woods in the midst of a horrible storm. The kids’ aunt Ruby also left her family behind, but she’s determined to reconnect with her niece and nephew and keep them out of the family’s grasp.

This book starts off with action and tragedy and it really keeps that up throughout. The author doesn’t pull many punches when it comes to putting the characters through a lot of drama and trauma. This is not a family easily messed with, but there are layers to some of the characters that you start to piece together as the story goes on.

I really enjoyed both Ruby and Kristen as main characters and was pulling for them to make it through. Ryan is deaf and I can’t speak from an own voices perspective, but I appreciated that this was integrated in the story in what seemed to be natural ways while not being the sole focus of Ryan’s role in the story.

There were a few places where the pace started to slow down a little bit for me, but for the most part it kept me hooked and wanting to see what happened next. There are a few mystery elements as other players get involved and you want to know why they are after the central characters. Still, I would say this one falls more on the action thriller side of things mixed with big family drama.

North of Nowhere was an okay read. The setting was one I enjoy reading about (Montana). Most of the main characters were well developed. A problem I had with the characters, though, was that there were just so many. I really couldn't keep track of all of the bad guys who were related to the main bad guy and all of the good cops and bad cops. I mean, that mountain was full of people! The story was pretty predictable.