Home of the American Circus is one of those books that will stick with you for a long time.

It is a slow burn so if you need a fast paced book, this isn’t it. With that being said, I found it hard to put it down. The character development was so rich, I felt deeply connected to the characters and to the story.

Larkin’s writing is SO good! I was completely immersed in the story and it surprised me again and again. I love a book about found family and this one is done so well! I felt all the things while getting to know these characters and the ending was perfect. This is a beautiful messy book that I completely loved.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc!

3 hometown slow-burn stars

Freya Arnalds is the main character in this novel, which explores themes of family, friends, home, and love. It is set mainly in Somers, NY (the author’s hometown), which is also known as the home of Old Bet, the first circus elephant. There are fascinating chapters that tell us the various historical stories of Old Bet and a statue in town!

Freya has escaped her hometown, living in Maine and working as a bartender. She’s just scraping by when a medical emergency forces her to move home to Somers for financial reasons. Her parents are gone, and Freya has inherited their falling-down house.

When she arrives at the house, she discovers that her teenage niece Aubrey has been staying there. They used to be quite close before Freya left for Maine. The two begin bonding again, and we know there’s a big secret in the past with Freya’s sister/Aubrey’s mom.

As Freya reconciles some of her past actions and relationships with her parents and sister, she also reconnects with her childhood friend Jam. I always enjoy stories about returning to your hometown and whether that feels like success or failure.

At 432 pages, this slow burn gave us lots of time with these characters and dysfunctional families. The second half was a stronger read for me as we finally got the story of why Freya left originally and why Aubrey has been staying at the house. I really enjoyed the connection between Aubrey and Freya. I wish some loose threads would have been tied up with the story. I’m envisioning my own ending for the characters!

Home of the American Circus is a heartfelt story about navigating tough family conflict while staying true to who you are. As Freya returns to her hometown and reconnects with her teenage niece with whom she shared a bond since childhood, she begins to understand the tangled layers of her families’ choices—and her own. The novel tenderly explores how healing often starts with confronting the past, even when it’s uncomfortable. Through moments of unexpected friendship and renewed connection, Freya discovers that family isn’t always about blood, but about the people who stand by you. This moving book reminds us that sometimes, home is something you rebuild together.

I do not know how best to articulate the beauty of this book. It broke me down, pressed on bruises I remember and ones I never knew existed; it made me teary, my throat constrict, and my nose burn, and then it gave me a big hug and built me back up again. The gut punch followed by the healing is beautiful. Larkin dives deep into the human condition, generational trauma and emotional abuse; she tears you down, sets the tone, builds you back up and does it all over again. Through it all, she reminds you that you are not what happened to you, or the family you come from, but what you do with life and the people you make your family.

I didn’t fully understand the story of Bet, and how she was the heart of the story, but at one point “I’m sorry for what happened to you” had me putting down the book, I was so moved by it. I highlighted so many passages and I read through them again to write my review and was moved all over again. It feels silly to say this book changed me, but I think it healed a few wounds for me.

I loved The People We Keep, so I feel like any book Allison Larkin writes has a lot to live up to. I think Home of the American Circus was a great book to follow TPWK, it just took me a bit to get in to the story. Once the story started to change seasons and you saw more of Freya and Aubrey's connection, I was fully invested in the book and learning what made Freya flee Somers, New York for Maine years ago was worth the wait as you understood more of both her backstory and Aubrey's.

I loved “The People We Keep” so, I thought I had a 5 star read lined up, but, this one didn’t quite deliver for me…

Somers, New York-the birthplace of the American Circus, is the setting for this tale. It’s the place where the first circus elephant, Bet, is memorialized, though there are many versions of the story of Bailey’s elephant. I admired the author’s inclusion of this fact as a tie-in to the rest of the narrative.

It’s also a town that has some SMALL MINDED residents who are not open to different perspectives than those they have been taught to believe. And, a town of some BIG HEARTED people who don’t define “family” in the traditional way.

After a medical emergency leaves her short on rent, thirty-year-old bartender Freya Arnalds flees her life in Maine and returns the only place she can think of going to-the house she inherited from her deceased, estranged parents.

When she arrives, she finds that her fifteen-year-old niece, Aubrey, has been secretly living in the crumbling home, now estranged from her own mother.

The pair were once very close, until Freya disappeared on Aubrey, but they will reconnect, as they work to restore the house and come to terms with traumas, past and present, that drove them to their current situations.

The story unfolds over the course of SIX seasons, each part labeled-Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter, again, and Spring, finally.

Winter and Spring comprise the first 50% of this 432 page book-and I struggled to engage with the story. I wanted to set the book aside and NOT finish-I found it to be painfully slow, with a lot of reminiscing. Obviously, we need back story for context in a character driven novel such as this one-but the IMPORTANT revelations didn’t actually occur until the SECOND half of the book, in the PRESENT DAY timeline, so this is probably where some pages could have been cut. Two stars for the first half.

Once I reached SUMMER, which began the second half of the book, the pace picked up and I started to RECOGNIZE the writing that had me so engaged in “The People We Keep”. We finally learn about the event that made Freya flee, and the trauma that drove Aubrey to move into her Aunts vacant property. And, we learn about the people who let them down, and the people who helped to put them back together. Many questions remain unanswered but, the second half was still a solid 4 stars.

Combine the two scores, and you end up with three stars-which is an AVERAGE book by my rating scale.

TW: Sexual Assault (off page)

Available May 6, 2025

Thank You to Gallery Books for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts!

This was such an interesting story. It took a while to get going but I found that I had so many emotions during the story. It was so sad at the same time it was so beautiful. The writing and deep sadness reminded me of a John Irving story. I would recommend it.

It was such a delight to be back in a world created by Allison Larkin. Like the other two I've read by her, I didn't want it to end. Home of the American Circus follows Freya as she makes her way back to Somers, New York, to the falling apart home she inherited from her estranged parents. She's been gone 10 years and while she never intended to come back due to some traumatic events, an unexpected surgery leaves her broke and thus Somers becomes her only option. What she didn't expect was to find her niece, Aubrey, secretly squatting in the house. Aubrey and Freya had an amazing relationship before Freya left. They both felt like outsiders in their family but together they were a perfect match. Freya is given a second chance with Aubrey and tries all she can to earn back her trust and be the loving sturdy adult she desperately needs and Freya wishes she had at that age. Freya's life, similar to the house, needs a large overhaul to the foundation and through some old friends and Aubrey, Freya starts a new chapter. Like Allison's previous novels, this is a rich character driven story. Her characters are flawed (aren't we all) but it's easy to love and root for them. Showcasing the small town and its history, you feel like you are part of this world she beautifully created and crafted. Another gem of found family and second chances that will warm your heart and leave you wanting more. Thank you NetGalley and Gallery Books for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review. Pub Day is just a month away on May 6th!

Another astonishing character-driven work of art from Allison Larkin! I am a longtime fan of her books, and the way her stories grow richer and deeper with each new place she takes us. Larkin is a genius in how she weaves themes like found family, the impact of upbringing, the importance of irrational hope in what might come next…her books create this wonderful atmosphere of time and place, filled with characters I’m still thinking about. Highly recommend!

After an emergency appendectomy, Freya knows she won’t be able to make rent. Which means….she has to go with her only option, moving back to the house her parents left her when they passed. As much as she wants ti blend in, she of course runs into old friends, flames, and enemies. The real surprise though is her niece Aubrey, who was secretly living in the house. Will Freya be able to make it up to Aubrey for leaving so many years ago?

I don’t know who I am reading and loving all these slow burn, character driven stories! Larkin has a way or writing such amazing and compelling characters that immediately draw you in and make you want to know more. The relationships with Freya and Aubrey, Jam, and the rest of the cast of characters were so heartwarming, even when they were frustrating and imperfect! I love a found family story so dang much, and Larkin has proven to be one of the best at writing them! This book brought up so many emotions, and left me thinking about it long after finishing.

Thank you to @gallerybooks for my gifted copy of this book!

This book was so good! I found myself fully invested by the end of the first few chapters, and by the time I reached the halfway point, I was already feeling sad that it would eventually come to an end.

Despite its focus on the trauma of a woman who endured a challenging childhood, the narrative beautifully balances darkness with light. The protagonist’s journey through her struggles as an adult is both poignant and relatable, yet the story is rich with moments of humanity, connection, and empathy. This infusion of hope keeps the overall mood uplifting rather than disheartening.

One of the standout features of this novel is the realism of its characters. Each protagonist feels multifaceted and genuine, grappling with their own flaws and desires. Even the peripheral characters are well-developed and resonate deeply, adding layers to the story and enhancing the moments of connection throughout the novel.

Ultimately, Home of the American Circus is not just a tale of survival; it’s a testament to resilience and the power of human connection. It’s an uplifting and satisfying read that will undoubtedly land in my Top 10 of the year! Highly recommended for anyone looking for a story that resonates on multiple levels.

Sadly, I did not enjoy this book. It felt very choppy and disjointed. I could not identify or feel connected to the characters and the story wasn't very interesting.

"Home of the American Circus" by Allison Larkin is a beautifully crafted novel that transports readers to a world of wonder, nostalgia, and the complexities of family dynamics. Larkin's lyrical prose brings the colorful circus setting to life, immersing you in the vibrant atmosphere and captivating characters that inhabit it.

The story follows a compelling protagonist on a journey of self-discovery and resilience, grappling with her past and the legacy of the circus. Larkin masterfully explores themes of love, loss, and belonging, weaving a heartfelt narrative that resonates deeply. The character development is rich and nuanced, allowing readers to connect with their struggles and triumphs.

Overall, "Home of the American Circus" is a delightful and enchanting read that showcases Allison Larkin's talent for storytelling. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking a heartfelt tale filled with magic and emotional depth. A special thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinions!

4.5 ⭐

Back in 2021, I fell in love with The People We Keep, which ended up being in my top 5 at year's end. Since then, I have been eagerly awaiting a new book drop from Alison Larkin. I was thrilled when Home of the American Circus popped up on Netgalley. I was even more thrilled to get my hands on it! ⁣
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It's impossible not to fall in love with the wonderful cast of characters Larkin creates in her books. She writes the theme of "found family" so incredibly well, and it makes for a heartwarming read in this upcoming release. This book was like a warm hug. Brimming with nostalgia, quirky and endearing characters I would love to chat with over coffee (and a couple I'd like to throat-punch 🤣), and an atmosphere as cozy as a well-worn sweater, this feel-good read was a joy to binge.

This is a book of raw emotions tied to coming back to your hometown to face old demons, memories, and family. Freya has inherited her house from her parents. As she returns, she connects with her teenage niece who is also dealing with her own family struggles. Freya and Aubrey work through their history together as they determine what path to take forward.

Larkin once again leads the readers on an exploration of the innermost thoughts, ideas, and aspirations of a woman on the precipice of major life changes. While not as engaging as her first book, the story feel predicable and familiar at first but later offers unexpected twists and turns to keep the reader interested. Including the informative facts about the circus elephants made me think, "Is this really true?" and I ran to google to find out. I'll leave you with that.

I was really taken by this story of homecoming and found family. These are characters that I wanted to keep returning to, and that I was definitely rooting for.

Book Review
📖 Home of the Great American Circus (#54)
4.25⭐️/ I really liked it!
Swipe for @goodreads synopsis

🐘 Nobody writes sorting out a messy life like @allielarkinwrites! Thank you to @gallerybooks for the sneak peek at this. It’s out May 6th!

🐘 I devoured this book in just a couple of days— which is saying something when it comes to me and a character-driven novel. I love a coming-of-age tale of someone who has had a hard life and is finally coming out of that and figuring out how to stand on their own two feet. As a reader, it’s so easy to root for the MC and you just really want to know what happens.

🐘 I adored Freya and felt all the feelings for this girl and her sweet niece. This book touches on:
- generational trauma
- overcoming adversity
- found family
- the truth of history (and who gets to tell it)

🐘 Side note: it’s physically impossible for me to not adore a character who has a soft spot for an elephant. 😍

🐘 If you’ve read and loved Allison Larkin before I have no doubt you’ll love this novel too. Again, it’s out in May.

I enjoyed this book from the very first chapter! The author has a great writing style that is very easy to read without being too simple. Lovely story!

I enjoyed this book, but was surprised how the author worked the "Circus" into the story and the title. Interesting premise, and fabulous use of symbology in writing. I found it intriguing and it really made me think about the story as it compared to the captivity of the town elephant. Well written, well thought out, and an enjoyable story overall.