Short synopsis: Freya moves back to the hometown she left behind after she inherits her parents home. She reconnects with her former life, but more importantly withher niece Aubrey.

My thoughts: This book was so beautifully told. While it’s a very character driven book I felt like I was right there with Freya and Aubrey as they walked through their present and past journeys.

There are some really heavy themes discussed that will have your heart aching for the characters. I loved the exploration of found family in the pages, it really brought a sense of hopefulness to situations that otherwise be hopeless.

I did a mix of audio and physical reading, but would highly recommend the audio version. Julia Whalen narrated the characters perfectly really amplifying their voices, and bringing them to life.

Read if you love:
- Found Family
- Character driven stories
- Aunt/Niece relationships
- Flashbacks

@simon.audio @gallerybooks | #partner Yay! Allison Larkin has delivered another winner with her sophomore novel, 𝗛𝗢𝗠𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗔𝗠𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗡 𝗖𝗜𝗥𝗖𝗨𝗦. Like her debut, this book is about found family, but in this case a different sort of found family. As a young adult, Freya Arnalds left her hometown of Somers, New York, feeling she had no other options. Life there was simply too punishing. She kept in touch with no one, essentially vanishing. More than 10 years later, Freya, in a state of desperation, returns to her dilapidated childhood home recently inherited from her parents.⁣
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As the story develops, Larkin introduces the people it tore Freya up to leave long ago, those she was fleeing from, and others in Somers new to Freya’s life. The family she cobbles together is a mix of both old and new. We also come to understand why she felt powerless to do anything but leave and just as importantly, the people she hurt most when she made that choice.⁣
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I really enjoyed this story for its many beautiful human connections, most especially that between Freya and her niece. I have to be realistic and say that there were a few elements that felt a little too good to be true, but sometimes that’s easy to overlook, as was the case in this book. I listened to the audiobook, and as always appreciated Juilia Whelan’s narration. I think she enables me to forgive minor flaws more easily than I might in print.⁣
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It’s worth noting that Somers, NY is Larkin’s hometown and her decision to write a book taking place there was not an easy one. Though the story is not based on any people from that town, in her author’s notes Larkins does share some beautiful words of tribute to the place she grew up. Be sure not to miss them! Somehow the fact that the story took place in her hometown made me like 𝘏𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘊𝘪𝘳𝘤𝘶𝘴 even more. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

Beautifully written, tragic yet hopeful. Such powerful prose and style of writing. Will read anything she writes!

🎪 Home of the American Circus - Allison Larkin

4 ⭐️- I enjoyed this one but I oddly feel like it won’t be for everyone. Larkin’s first book took place in Ithaca and holds a very dear piece of my heart so I was SO excited to see she had a second coming out. Which takes place in Somers, where I’ve been to because of my friends from Ithaca. With this weird cycle of connections, I feel very drawn to Larkin’s writing and books. It is easy for me to connect with them.

After an emergency, 30 year old Freya Arnalds leaves her lackluster life in Maine and moves back to her hometown of Somers, NY to live in a house she inherited from her estranged parents. Freya dreamed of laying low, but unfortunately that doesn’t happen. She runs into childhood friends, enemies, old rivals, and her 15 year old niece Aubrey. As Freya and Aubrey reconnect, they lean on each other to restore the old house and their relationship due to events of their past.

This is a slow burn exposing generational wounds and trauma. If you like family trauma stories, this might be for you! I loved Aubrey the most, but I genuinely enjoyed the journey of grief, self loathing, and self love that each of our characters goes through. The plot itself is a bit slow, but this is a more character driven story purposely written to travel the real life roads of experiences and emotions of our characters. I definitely recommend the audio; queen Julia Whelan reads to us! I already can’t wait to see what Larkin does next!

After loving this author’s previous novel, I had high hopes for this one, but it just didn’t land for me. The story follows Freya, a thirty-year-old who returns to her hometown after a personal crisis, only to discover her teenage niece secretly living in the house she inherited. As they slowly reconnect, the two work through layers of family history and pain.

While the premise had so much potential, with themes of reconciliation, homecoming, and healing, I never quite felt connected to the characters, and some parts dragged for me. That said, I can absolutely see why others are loving it. This just wasn’t the right book at the right time for me.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my review copy.

Thirty year old Freya returns to her hometown and the house she inherited from her parents to find her teenage niece Aubrey has secretly been living there. I love the relationship between Freya and Aubrey. I love seeing the ways Freya figures out how to rebuild her life and deal with her past. Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ebook - would also absolutely recommend on audio.

The People We Keep was one of my favorite books of 2021 and I have been anxiously awaiting Allison’s next book. Allison shines in these coming of age, character driven stories, family focused stories. Freya is 30 and leaves her job as a bartender in Maine to go back to her hometown in Somers, NY to live in the house she inherited from her estranged parents. During her time there, she reconnects with her niece Audrey, her childhood best friend, and others around this small town.

This is a story of redemption, going back home, and found family. There are a lot of tough topics covered in here but I was so invested in rooting for Freya and her happiness and just hoping she would hit a run of good luck. Just about everyone you meet in this story is heavily flawed but by the end you feel so connected to all the characters and their happiness - and this would be very tough to pull off for some authors but Allison nailed it. The story is emotional, heartwarming, and shows the power of connection.

Allison Larkin's latest novel, Home of the American Circus, is just as captivating as her previous one was. Her recent novels are grittier than the ones she has written as Allie, but still have uplifting moments.

I really liked how honest this story felt and the dialogue was so genuine throughout. I could easily see characters and settings, like they were practically jumping off the pages. Freya is someone I could see myself befriending, even though we're a bit far apart in age. I just liked her personality a lot. I also loved her relationship with Aubrey and seeing flashbacks from when they were both a lot younger. There was a nice blend of humor to balance out the more intense parts, which I appreciated.

There was a lot happening in this story and some of it was unsettling to read. Allison handled the sensitive content really well though. (Trigger warnings below.)

This was such an engaging and rewarding read. I already can't wait for whatever Allison writes next! Pick this one up and put it on the top of your TBR.

Movie casting suggestions:
Freya: Melissa Roxburgh
Aubrey: Olivia Edward
Jam: Devon Bostick
Eddie: Jake Weary
Bee: Leila George
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TW: Death of parents, child abuse, sexual assault, sexualizing a minor (from flashbacks), poverty, drug abuse, medical situation

Thank you to Gallery Books for the gifted ARC!

3.5 Stars

I was so excited to read this after reading THE PEOPLE WE KEEP by Allison when it came out and was a Book of the Month pick!

There were so many things I liked about this one! Allison has such a way with writing characters that make you want to cheer them on!

While I enjoyed most of it, I do feel like it could be better if it were shorter as some parts seemed to lag on. It was less plot heavy than I typically prefer.

Overall, this will be a big hit for many.

After what seemed like a bit of abrupt beginning, with Freya suddenly leaving a bar job she'd had for years in Maine and returning home to suburban NY, broke and despondent, I was quickly drawn in to this story of overcoming childhood abuse and finding one's true self.

I loved the connection she made with the niece she had left behind and how they slowly developed trust and love for each other again. Both had grief and dishonesty in their past to come to terms with and, as they worked together to restore the old family home and faced painful memories together, they managed to understand each other and realize how deep their connection was.

I loved this book! Many thanks to NetGalley, Gallery Books and the author for an opportunity to read an eARC of this heartwarming novel.

Home of the American Circus is a phenomenal story. I feel the title is a bit misleading - there is a tie in, but don't overlook this one if you aren't into a circus! This story of the family black sheep coming back will have you loving the main character and cheering her on.

HOME OF THE AMERICAN CIRCUS is the ultimate found-family story, full of heart, circus history, and second chances. After hitting a rough patch in Maine, Freya reluctantly returns to her small hometown in upstate New York. At 30, with little to show for her life, she takes a job bartending at the local restaurant and moves into her estranged parents’ run-down house with her young niece.

As Freya works to rebuild her relationship with her niece and navigate old wounds, the restoration of the dilapidated home becomes a poignant metaphor for healing and new beginnings. Along the way, she reconnects with childhood friends, rekindles old romances, and comes face-to-face with a past she can no longer outrun.

Allison Larkin affectionately writes about her hometown, nostalgia, and messy families. This is exactly what I love about character-driven fiction.


READ THIS IF YOU:
-want to read more from the author of The People We Keep
-can’t get enough of Julia Whelan’s audiobook narration
-desire an escape from the circus of life

PUB DATE: May 6, 2025
RATING: 4.5/5 (rounded up to 5 stars)

Many thanks to Gallery Books, Simon Audio, and Netgalley for an ARC

3.5 stars. This one is a toughie to review. I was really looking forward to Larkin's latest but it didn't completely hit for me. I think the writing itself was very well done, but I think it was the length and pace that put it out of reach for me to really sink into. Freya is short on rent after a medical emergency and as she faces eviction, she flees to her hometown of Somers, NY, where she fled from years ago. She takes up residence in the dilapidating house that she inherited from her parents and becomes reacquainted with her 15 year old niece Aubrey. Freya's sister Steena is one of the most abhorrent characters I have ever "met" in a book and I couldn't relate to her one bit. This sad, slow, character driven novel took me what seemed like forever to get through.

𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐮𝐬 𝐛𝐲 𝐀𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐋𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧
𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ★★★★★

This book was the book I have been waiting so long to get my hands on and let me tell you, it was so worth the wait!! Allison Larkin has a way of writing such captivating story lines and characters that grab your attention immediately!

This story was full of family drama, character trauma and growth, second chances and so much self discovery even through all the hardships these characters faced. The story was beautifully crafted with such depth and so many layers that it makes it nearly impossible to walk away from this story even once you have finished reading it.

The characters struggle of learning how to belong through the trauma and circumstances they have faced, their resilience to push through and their ability to thrive in the end was remarkable. I don’t know how Allison did it but even through the heartache and brokenness, this book was like a big warm hug that I desperately needed to read! This is one of those books that are so impactful that it will stick with you for many, many years to come!

𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚:
Found Family
Family Drama
Self Discovery
Second Chances
Small Town Setting
Character Driven Story

4.75 stars rounded up.

Positively incredible! This book is one that once I got into it, I could not put it down! I was completely hooked and drawn into this rich, emotional tale of family, friendship and choices people make.

The story follows Freya, the younger sister in a highly dysfunctional family. Freya navigates them, life and friendship despite her upbringing.

Advanced reader copy provided by Gallery and NetGalley but all opinions are my own.

Thank you so much to Gallery Books for the complimentary copy of the book!

This book is out now!

This book is the second book from Allison Larkin following up to the sensational The People We Keep.
Once again Larkin knocks it out of the park! This book had so much heart, some humor and just a feeling of hope throughout the book.

Freya is pulled back into her hometown after having emergency surgery and really no where else to go. She knew she inherited her parents home and went back there where she found her teenage niece camping out. I absolutely loved Freya's relationship with Aubrey. Aubrey needed a parental figure in her life and she really trusted Freya. The story does have moments of flashbacks where we see them younger and how they bonded and how it was so difficult for Freya to leave Aubrey. Aubrey herself does not have a good relationship with her parents. She is more of a black sheep and doesn't want to conform to what her parents think is how you should be in society. She truly just wants to be herself but under their watch, has no way of making herself grow. They had a bit of a rocky start when Freya came back to town but she immediately went into rescue mode and took care of Aubrey. I was very happy for them by the end of the book.

The book itself is seeing how Freya reconnects with her former life and attempts to rebuild her life after leaving everything behind in Maine. We learn the frustrating reason why she left and how that shadow still haunts at her. I loved her friendship with Jam and was so glad that he had her in his life and vice versa. I had been rooting for them as a couple but when Freya started flirting with Eddie, I thought okay her and Jam have a platonic relationship but then series of events happen and I thought OKAY JAM!

There were brief vignettes about the circus in between chapters which I thought were fine to throw in but I was okay without them. I guess it had been necessary to tie in with the title of the book as well as some circus references that are mentioned throughout the book especially in a scene towards the end.

Larkin has this way of making you root for all the characters in the book and there was one character in particular that I was holding my breath to see if they made it to the end. Her words pull you into the worlds of these fictional characters but in a way that makes them feel real off page. Like they could be someone you might have known. Larkin is able to write about the complexities of the relationships we have with family and that sometimes you just have to walk away.

4.5

Home of the American Circus is a deep and resonant family drama that truly shines as one of the best books I've read this year.
It was a captivating read, brought vividly to life on the page due to the author’s rich, character-focused writing and creative storytelling, creating an emotionally intense reading experience. The narrative of this novel gracefully weaves through the lives of deeply layered characters, exploring their heartbreaks, hopes, and the ties that bind them. It grabs the reader and does not let go even after the last page.

For those drawn to stories of found family, emotional resilience, and the complexities of human connection, this one is a rewarding journey worth taking.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this novel which I read in exchange for my honest review.

4.5 - “How are you supposed to deal with the fact that you could live to be a hundred or for five more minutes?”

I loved The People We Keep so I couldn’t wait to read this book. Allison Larkin does such an incredible job in creating these fascinating characters in difficult situations, all while managing to keep some semblance of hope.

Freya is a complicated protagonist who hasn’t had it easy. Back in her hometown she reconnects with her niece Aubrey, who’s now 15, and so many other people. As the story progresses, she starts to rebuild her relationship with her niece as she tries to save her childhood home. Freya sees herself in Aubrey, as her sister treats her daughter much like she treated Freya growing up. She’s always had this feeling of being unwanted, and she has so much trauma from her sister and her mother.

What I think Larkin does so well is delve deep into what is means to truly belong somewhere and how the people we meet shape our personalities and lives. Freya finds a family in the people she used to serve at her job and the people she left behind. In the process she finds confidence in herself as she tries to heal and move on from old wounds. The supporting characters are great as well, and it’s clear how they all affect Freya

“We’re all woefully finite, trying to pretend we’re infinite.”

The book feels immersive, as if you’re being dropped into a story that’s already happening. I will say it did have a bit of a slow start for me, but once the story started to open up I was completely engrossed in it. It feels really poignant, blending sad and happy moments together so well. Freya’s journey is difficult but ultimately uplifting, which makes it so satisfying to read.

I absolutely loved this book! I found it hard to put down.
I LOVED The People We Keep. And was so excited for a new story written by Larkin.
The writing was incredible and the plot was so interesting.
The characters in this book are so real and I feel like they’re people I know in real life. I’m still thinking about them. I was sad to leave them at the end.
I was fully immersed in this story and could vividly picture the settings.
Home of the American Circus by Allison Larkin is a beautifully written story about discovery, broken families, the weight of the past, and the complicated journey of finding home.
I absolutely recommend this book!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster | Gallery Books for gifting me a digital ARC of this wonderful book by a favorite, Allison Larkin. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Freya leaves her just-getting-by-life in Maine and returns to her hometown of Somers, NY, to live in the house that she inherited from her estranged parents. She tries to lay low, but it's a small town, so she soon encounters all her old acquaintances, and most especially, her niece, Aubrey, who is secretly living in the falling-apart house. As they work to fix the house and their relationship, they have to learn to live with what happened long ago.

Another fabulous character-driven novel by Larkin that will draw you in until you can't look away. Freya is such a wonderful character - flawed but deeply set on being just the right person for the people in her life, especially Aubrey, giving her what neither received. It's wonderfully atmospheric, and although it has covers some dark and painful topics, it feels hopeful and bright. It's a beautiful story of second chances, stopping generational trauma, and loving people for who they are. At over 400 pages, it never felt long or slow to me; instead I kept wanting to return to Freya and the family she created for herself. Loved all the bits about Old Bet as well. A must read!