Release: February 11, 2025
Publisher: Harlequin Trade Publishing

Rating: 4 ★ 

Shelby Dawson barely survives a brutal attack and tries to move on, but a threatening note proves her nightmare isn’t over. As new evidence emerges and strange accidents target those around her, she realizes someone is still watching.

Meanwhile, her best friend Mackenzie searches for her missing husband, who vanished the same night Shelby was attacked. A shocking financial trail suggests he may still be alive. When another person disappears, Shelby must uncover the truth before her attacker strikes again.

Seraphina Nova Glass delivers a gripping domestic thriller with Nothing Ever Happens Here, proving once again that even the quietest towns hide the darkest secrets. The story follows a woman who moves to a seemingly peaceful neighborhood, only to find herself entangled in a dangerous web of lies, suspicion, and hidden motives.

What I loved most about this book was how effortlessly the suspense built throughout. The writing is sharp, and the tension never lets up, keeping me flipping pages late into the night. The protagonist is well-developed, and her paranoia feels justified as the layers of deception begin to unfold. The side characters add to the mystery, making it hard to know who to trust, which kept me guessing until the very end.

While the plot has some familiar domestic thriller elements, Glass executes them well, and the pacing keeps things engaging. The twists are clever, and even when I thought I had it all figured out, the story managed to surprise me.

Overall, Nothing Ever Happens Here is a fast-paced, addictive read with just the right balance of psychological tension and mystery. If you enjoy domestic thrillers filled with secrets and suspense, this one is definitely worth picking up.

Favorite Quote: 
"I remember, now, with all of these facts flying around me like shrapnel. I remember that he was actually shot in the head, and that he's actually lost his mind. I'm not just dealing with someone who snapped or is inherently evil- he could be brain damaged and completely unhinged- literally a clinical psychopath with no empathy or remorse, and that's very, very bad news for me."

A must read psychological thriller!

This was everything I needed in a thriller! What I loved about this one was that it was super easy to follow and was really well paced so I didn’t want to put it down. Sometimes you just need a simple thriller with a great story, great twists and great characters and this was exactly that.

I really enjoyed this story. Thank you Netgalley for the early arc of this one. I would highly recommend checking this out. It was so good. I gave it 5 stars. Ive never read anything by this author before, Im glad I read this one.

I had high hopes for “Nothing Ever Happens Here,” but unfortunately, it fell flat in several areas. While the premise—a woman trying to rebuild her life after a brutal attack, only to face new threats—sounded compelling, the execution left a lot to be desired.

One of the biggest issues was the pacing. The book attempts to balance suspense with character development, but instead, it drags in places where it should be tense and rushes through key moments that needed more depth. The "twists" felt predictable rather than shocking, making the mystery aspect underwhelming.

The characters also lacked depth. Shelby, the protagonist, is meant to be a traumatized but resilient survivor, yet her actions often felt frustratingly passive. The supporting cast, including the well-meaning elderly amateur detectives, were quirky but ultimately distracting rather than adding meaningful tension. Mackenzie, Shelby’s best friend, had potential, but her storyline felt underdeveloped.

Additionally, the book introduces multiple plotlines, including the disappearance of Mackenzie’s husband, but instead of weaving them together seamlessly, they felt disjointed. By the time the final revelations came, I wasn’t invested enough to be shocked.

While I appreciate that the author tried to mix humor and suspense, the tone didn’t quite land. The book couldn't decide whether it wanted to be a gripping thriller or a lighthearted mystery, and as a result, it never fully succeeded at either.

Overall, Nothing Ever Happens Here had a promising premise but ultimately failed to deliver a truly engaging thriller. Fans of the genre looking for a suspenseful, edge-of-your-seat read might find this one lacking in both thrills and surprises.

Thank You NetGalley and the Publisher for this eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review.

Kind of a convoluted plot and conclusion, but a quick read.

Shelby is the director at a retirement community and mother of twin girls. One night one of the girls leaves her teddy bear at the diner and her friend, Mack, gives her the key to go back and get it. As she is retrieving it she is attacked by an intruder, locked in the freezer and threatened with the life of her girls if she tells anyone about the intruder. Luckily she is rescued but loses several fingers to frostbite. Mack's husband also goes missing that night leaving lots of unanswered questions about his business dealings and their finances. As the residents of the retirement community gather around Shelby and more threats, accidents and even deaths of their friends occur, they decide to start a podcast about the situation to try to force more information. The podcast accelerates the weird things going on and puts all of them in danger. This one would make the cutest movie as you couldn't help but grin at the antics of the seniors at the retirement community but it also has a lot of action, mystery, and twists and turns that had me on the edge of my seat. I really enjoyed it!

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

Seraphina Nova Glass is on of my favorite authors, everything she has written, that I have read, has been so good. This book lives up to that and did not disappoint. Her writing is so good and really connects to me. I love that this book has multiple POVs, it makes the flow so easy to get through. This book was addicting, thrilling and had an amazing plot. I read this during a snow storm and it made the book absolutely perfect. I highly recommend this book and any other book from this author. I’m already looking forward to her next book.

This was my first Seraphina thriller and I can tell it wont be my last. It was fast pasted and I enjoyed the multiple POV. I couldnt guess the ending which is in my opinion hard to do. I loved the cozy small town setting and the funny banter. The trauma was handled with care and relavent to the story. Solid 4 stars.

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

After a girl's night out, Mack's husband, Leo, has disappeared and Shelby's life will never be the same, having suffered a seemingly random attack. But a year later, as Shelby tries to move past the harrowing event and move on with her life, she can't help but feel like she's being watched. When a note appears on her car confirming that her attacker is still lurking, Shelby soon realizes that she's not the only one in danger. When it becomes clear that the police are useless, a group of seniors from the facility Shelby works at bands together to create a true crime podcast in an attempt to drum up interest and flush out clues. Is Leo still alive? Will Shelby survive?

This was a weird juxtaposition between a typical thriller and a cozy one, with the senior gang lending a much more lowkey vibe with the constant threats, violence, and panic. That said, I did enjoy the story, but it felt like there were two totally different moods happening and it was jarring at times to switch back and forth between them.

Nothing Ever Happens Here by Seraphina Nova Glass

Shelby runs back into a cafe after forgetting her daughter’s stuffy, she interrupts a break-in and the intruder leaves her for dead in the walk-in freezer. She survives, but not without injury, and the crime along with her best friend’s missing husband rock their small town. A group of retirees take it upon themselves to solve the crime, including starting a witty group podcast. What follows is a lively, slightly chaotic, but ultimately satisfying whodunit where solving a murder feels like a group project full of quirky characters.

This book jumped right into the action, though the prologue felt slightly misleading- but wouldn’t have if I had read the book summary. The mystery unfolds in a lighthearted and engaging way, with a cast of nosy, determined, and sometimes questionably competent individuals piecing together clues. There were multiple POVs that gave us different perspectives, my favorite was Florence, an elderly resident who provided humor through her friendships. The ending was a little chaotic, but everything wraps up nicely, making for a fun, somewhat cozy read. If you like mysteries that don’t take themselves too seriously and feel like solving a case with a group of well-meaning but meddlesome retirees, this one’s for you!

I appreciate the opportunity to read and review this ARC, given to me by The Hive, but this one really wasn’t for me.

I was really intrigued by the first chapter and the mystery of the “who done it” did ultimately keep me turning the pages but it was very hard for me to stay focused. There are multiple POV’s and a lot of characters involved without there really being one main character. For me, it made it hard to follow and hard to get invested.

There is humor and there’s definitely a good idea behind this book but some things just felt off and again there’s so much back and forth that I never felt connected. The rest of my comments are going to get more in depth so don’t read if you don’t like spoilers.

One of the main characters Shelby, was attacked and almost murdered. Something happens to her family. Her husband goes to take one of their daughters to her moms while Shelby stays with the other daughter in the hospital. Husband ends up staying away for the night. Shelby goes home. She goes home and feels something’s off, notices the alarm is disabled, but continues away and gets attacked? Like this woman was almost killed, she got a threatening note and her kid got hurt but her husband’s fine just leaving her alone and she’s okay galavanting around? I don’t know that was just very bizarre to me along with a few other things.

People looking for murder mystery vibes with multiple POV’s and funny elderly side characters might like this.

The pace of this thriller is EXCELLENT. I could not put it down & I didn’t guess the twist, which I loved. Perfect escape from reality!

Nothing Ever Happens Here is a mystery thriller that follows several people in a small Minnesota town. The story is told from the perspectives of Shelby, Mack, and Florence. Shelby survived an attack from an unknown perpetrator and fifteen months later she is still dealing with the trauma of that night. Mack’s husband went missing the same night that Shelby was attacked. Florence is a resident at the senior living facility that Shelby manages.

I was getting Only Murders in the Building vibes while reading this book. Several senior citizens in this story, including Florence, start a podcast, so it definitely felt a little like that tv show. I loved the seniors, especially Herb.

The story was slow paced and it did drag in parts. The ending was pretty over the top, but I didn’t predict the killer, so that was cool.

I liked the author’s writing and I plan on reading more of her books in the future.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Nothing Ever Happens here starts off the night that Shelby is attacked. She ultimately survives being locked in a freezer for several hours. Months later her attacker is making good on the promise he made to come after her and her loved ones if she tells. Shelby is thrown back into the trama of that night as she starts receiving threatening messages and is attacked again. Shelby's friend Mack whose husband, Leo, went missing the same night Shelby was first attacked, starts to discover some unusual things about her husband and their finances that leaves her searching to find out what happened to him. Shelby works at the Oleander which is a senior home full of people who love her and look out for her. They find themselves tied up in this bizarre situation as they try to help figure out who attacked Shelby and where Leo disappeared to. I don't want to give too much away but will say that I never could've guessed who was behind it all.
This is my second Seraphina Nova Glass book and I'm hooked on her. I'm also listening to another one of her books on audiobook right now. She adds a bit of humor into her books and if you get a chance to listen on audiobook, please do as the narrator really brings the books to life! I really wish I would've been able to listen to this one as well, but I really did enjoy reading it.

Book: Nothing Ever Happens Here
Author: Seraphina Nova Glass
Publishing: February 11, 2025
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️(5/5)
Review:
I have read all of Seraphina's thrillers. I loved the banter between the older characters. Gave me a chuckle or two. 😂 The story flowed nicely. The plot was on point. It kept me guessing until about the very end, and I figured it out. Everything was tied up nicely at the end. Definitely recommend this to my mystery/thriller lovers.
Some things to expect:
- Three povs
- Small town
- Mystery
- Funny banter
- Trauma (Mental & physical)
- Friendship
Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing/Graydon House, & the author for this eARC.
*All thoughts & opinions are my own.*
#NothingEverHappensHere #NetGalley #HarlequinTradePublishing #GraydonHouse

4.25 stars

Nothing Ever Happens Here brought forth all the emotions - laughing, crying, gasping! I adored the characters in this story - especially the residents at Oleander's retirement home. Their dialogue, banter, and friendships had me in stitches.
The second half of this book had me turning pages rapidly to find out "whodunnit". There were a couple of jaw dropping moments that I did not see coming. And I felt like the ending was wrapped up well and not rushed.
I did find the change in narrators to be a bit confusing in the beginning as it took me a while to figure out how everyone fit together and keeping the characters distinct. I also felt the beginning to be a tad on the slow side. And the "big reveal" was not super surprising.
Overall an entertaining book I would recommend!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC and chance to give my honest opinion!

Nothing Ever Happens here starts off with the night when Shelby is attacked and left for dead and was able to survived being locked in a freezer for several hours. 15 years later her attacker is making good on the promise he made Shelby years ago, if she ever told anyone what happened he would make the people closest to her pay. This book is told in 3 POVs Shelby (the victim), Mackenzie (Shelby's friend and who's husband, Leo, went missing the night Shelby was attacked) and Florence (who is trying to figure out who attacked Shelby 15 years ago).

This book started out strong, the first chapter got me hooked, however the middle of the book to me dragged a bit and it made it hard to keep reading. I really liked Florence and her friend group from the Oleander, they were the best characters for me, on the other hand I was not so fond of Shelby or Mackenzie, they did not draw me in as characters as much. I wish they had focused on the groups podcast a bit more, as I was really enjoying their banter.

I gave this book 2.5 stars, rounded up to 3 stars as there are no half stars here.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have to start out by saying that this book is addicting. Glass delivers a spine tingling thriller about how quiet life in a “safe” middle of nowhere town is shattered in an instant, and she drops you right into the gripping tension at the very beginning of the book. From there the insidious feeling and the mystery only grows. Full of twists and turns, this book was well written and truly engaging. Glass expertly weaves together misdirection and surprises, and even has you questioning what you already know, keeping you guessing right up until the reveal, which I did not see coming at all. But in all honesty, my absolute favorite thing about this book was the cast of characters. An unlikely group of heroes emerges in this story in the form of geriatrics living in a senior living home. These senior citizens band together, determined to solve this crime, and somehow also create a viral podcast. This added such a wonderful cozy and lighthearted element to this book. Glass delivered to us a wonderfully captivating thriller that also has heart and family and love, as well as humor. This book is the perfect balance and an excellent read.

Nothing Ever Happens Here is a suspenseful, psychological thriller full of unexpected twists. Glass keeps you hooked with a gripping plot and well-developed characters.

This is an emotional and dark book but will keep you reading as each chapter has twists I didn't see coming! Protagonist Poppy has twin girls, June and Poppy and is locked in a freezer overnight by an intruder. We also learn her friend, Mack is devastated as her husband Leo is missing and no one knows why. Friend, Shelby who manages an assisted living facility gets notes that read, "If you go public I'll make everyone around you pay." Go public with WHAT she wonders? Believe it or not, all of these things are connected in a fascinatingly convoluted story of secrets and lies!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!