So Far Away
by Kat Mellon
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Pub Date Mar 27 2026 | Archive Date Jul 15 2026
Description
After two months of intensive group therapy, six individuals embark on a Thera Quest Inc. session—a simulated fantasy adventure guaranteed to incite lasting behavioral change in the real world. For thirty-year-old Elizatine, this means overcoming her beastly shopping addiction alongside five strangers with their own problems: Tanner and Lana, two middle-aged alcoholics; Amara, a young ambulatory wheelchair user with POTS mourning her loss of agency; Rowan, a thirty-something wracked by guilt from the death of his younger brother, and Felix; a charming and depressed entertainer. Within the simulation, the six must work alongside each other to deliver a cursed book while encountering whimsical hybrid creatures, unsettling personal trials, and hulking manifestations of their inner demons.
Advance Praise
“This story is layered with hidden meanings around healing, growth, and self-worth. The way someone can see themselves as unworthy or broken while others see them as deeply wonderful.” — Tash Freeling 5⭐️
“Growth, guilt, addiction, and grief are woven into a surreal adventure that feels both imaginative and deeply human.” — Tara Leigh 5⭐️
“This book surprised me with how emotionally impactful it became. In its own way, it helped me reflect on pieces of my own healing journey, which made the experience even more meaningful.” — @bookishbrunetti 4⭐️
Available Editions
| EDITION | Paperback |
| ISBN | 9780984947379 |
| PRICE | $13.95 (USD) |
| PAGES | 315 |
Links
Available on NetGalley
Average rating from 18 members
Featured Reviews
Chrissy S, Reviewer
This book was not what I expected but entertaining and very heartfelt. Its.about a group of people who.as part of a group therapy session. Take part in a group simulation where they get to the root of their various additions and anxieties. Its kind of a cozy, sci fi, fantasy, iterary endeavor. Very enjoyable to read written in a multiple pov style with some very funny and wacky moments.. I loved Elizatine and Tanner the most. A fun heartfelt read, written with a lot of unique creativity. Ai could never write this. Loved.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A FAST-PACED, ABSOLUTELY ADDICTING BOOK, READ THIS ONE!!😍
First of all, thank you so much to author Kat Mellon and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review So Far Away before its release.
Based on the synopsis of this book, I went into it with one expectation. By the end of Chapter, paragraph 1, I just knew this book was going to be something else entirely. But in a good way.
By the middle of Chapter 1, I was completely hooked. I had already LOL’d and WTF’d several times and received some looks from my husband. This book was 100% my jam.
The quirkiness, awkwardness, trauma, slow-burn romance, the level of “nerd”😂
I loved how Kat was able to incorporate some deep level emotional, self growth/healing segments into the book without making it dark. It was the perfect balance.
I absolutely LOVED this book and am requesting this book be made into a deluxe edition with frogs and dragons and quests and all the absolute craziness of this book. I need it on my shelf!
Nelle B, Reviewer
I received an eARC of this book and am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to read it early.
So Far Away by Kat Mellon releases March 27, 2026, and the first thing that drew me in was the cover—it’s stunning, with a sense of subtle chaos that feels both calming and fitting for the story.
The premise is unique: six individuals enter a therapy simulation to work through their personal struggles. I went into this expecting emotional depth with speculative elements, and while that is absolutely present, I’ll admit the beginning felt strange and disorienting. That said, trust the process.
The story introduces surreal elements and blurs the line between what is real and what isn’t, but over time those choices begin to make sense. More importantly, you start to care deeply about these characters. Their pain feels authentic, their growth feels earned, and you genuinely root for their healing and their happiness.
This book surprised me with how emotionally impactful it became. In its own way, it helped me reflect on pieces of my own healing journey, which made the experience even more meaningful.
A quick but powerful read that I highly recommend. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I want more...........
I was hooked on this book from the moment I started reading it!!! Think Avatar and Jumanji meet! I just completely loved it! I don't even know where to begin with my review!!! I couldn't put it down and at one point I think I subconsciously started to read slower because I like the characters in the book didn't want it to end!!!
The characters aren't the only relatable thing! The trials and tribulations they go through are relatable. I was rooting for them. I cried with them, panicked and more! They had me giggling out loud that my significant other would ask me what I was laughing about. After I would tell him the passage he would laugh also! This is a story you can enjoy with others out loud!! I absolutely LOVED the multiple points of view the book offers, you get a true sense of where all the characters are at any given point!
The entire book leaves you hanging on, where just ONE more chapter truly captivates you and you're up on an all-night binder!!
The ending has me gasping for air! I need more. It's a closure, but it leaves room for more!! I have not read a book like this of its kind before genre yes, but a book written so exquisitely that I instantly want this to be a movie!!!?? No! I truly cannot wait to read Kat Mellon's next book!!!
So Far Away lives up to its title by balancing escapism with raw emotional truths, offering readers a delightful blend of wit, fantasy, and heartfelt character development. The author’s promise of an easy read rings true, as the fast paced narrative glides effortlessly, avoiding pretension while packing in humor and charm. Though it may not resonate with everyone, for those craving a lighthearted yet meaningful escape, this book is a gem. Its characters, each grappling with addiction, anxiety, or depression, navigate their struggles with authenticity and grace. Confronting personal demons through whimsical, fantastical challenges that mirror real world pain and growth. For readers wrestling with similar battles, the novel becomes a comforting companion: its unflinching yet hopeful portrayal of mental health fosters connection, while its levity provides a much needed reprieve. By weaving magical elements with grounded emotional depth, So Far Away transcends genre, reminding us that healing and a fun story can sometimes be found in the most unexpected journeys
So Far Away by Kat Mellon is one of the most unique reading experiences I’ve had in a long time—strange at first, but ultimately heartfelt, funny, and surprisingly impactful.
The story follows six patients entering a therapy simulation designed to help them confront their inner struggles. What unfolds is a fast-paced, surreal journey that blends emotional healing with absurd, imaginative scenarios. It’s witty, creative, and often laugh-out-loud funny, while still delivering genuine emotional weight.
The opening feels disorienting as the line between reality and simulation blurs, but trusting the process pays off. As the story unfolds, the characters come into focus—their flaws, pain, and growth feel authentic, and it becomes easy to root for their healing. Managing six distinct first-person voices is no small feat, and the author handles it impressively well
Review of advance copy
It's not my usual genre, but something about the blurb pulled me in, and I'm so glad it did. Multiple POVs can be hit-or-miss for me, yet here they worked seamlessly. Every perspective felt purposeful, and the transitions were smooth and deliberate.
From page one, I was hooked. Elizatine's opening line immediately establishes voice and character:
|| "Ever since I was old enough to hold a quarter, I was destined to consume."
It's sharp and instantly revealing. I usually need a few chapters to decide if a book will resonate with me, and this one did it in just a handful of lines.
The humor also landed perfectly. The Renesmee reference made me laugh out loud, and it solidified for me that Kat Mellon has a distinctive, confident voice.
What elevates this book most is its premise. The characters are placed into a virtual simulation where their memories are stripped away, yet their vices, fears, and flaws remain. They won't remember the experience, only the lasting lessons it leaves behind. It's a concept that allows the story to wrestle with identity, trepidation, vulnerability, desire, and what we cling to when everything familiar is taken away.
The imagery deserves special mention, especially the dog-frogs. Unsettling, yet whimsical, the world feels fully realized and entirely its own. There's a strange, quirky energy wrapped around something deeply existential.
This was a fun, thought-provoking and completely unexpected read. It made me laugh. It made me uncomfortable. It made me think. And it made me care.
If I had to describe it in three words: emotional, impactful, and quirky.
Five stars.
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