You Belong Here

You Belong Here by Megan Miranda is a very highly recommended mystery/psychological thriller following two different mysteries.

After a tragedy and police investigation during her senior year at Wyatt College, Beckett Bowery left the college and Wyatt Valley, Virginia, planning to never return. Her parents were professors at the college and still live there but Beckett rarely visited. Now Beckett's daughter, Delilah, has received a full scholarship at Wyatt and Beckett very reluctantly helps Delilah settle in on campus.

Beckett, however, knows about the Howling, a hazing tradition at the college and how easily things can go terribly wrong. When Delilah calls her one night, says nothing, and then is not responding to any subsequent calls show more or texts, Beckett fears run wild and she heads back to Wyatt Valley to find her daughter who has disappeared. This also puts law enforcement's focus back on Beckett.

Beckett initially comes across as an overly concerned helicopter parent when she takes off in the middle of the night to Wyatt Valley after Delilah doesn't respond to her attempts to contact her. She also calls Delilah's father, Trevor, who immediately comes to town to help look for his daughter. Later her concern appears to be justified, but it is also clear that much more is going on beneath the surface and perhaps neither mother or daughter are safe there.

The descriptively written story is told through two timelines, the present day and twenty-plus years earlier when Beckett lived in Wyatt Valley and was later at the college. The pace is even at first, setting up the plot, the setting, and the history, while allowing suspense, tension, and uncertainty to gradually build. The plot becomes increasingly atmospheric and eerie. The present mystery includes the search for Delilah and ensuing incidents, while the past mystery follows Beckett as a student.

Beckett is a fully realized character with plenty of flaws and insecurities. She clearly loves Delilah and wants to protect her. Even if her concern seems overly protective, it comes to light later why that is the case. Delilah is a realistic teen, exerting her independence, but still needing the support and wisdom of her parents whether she realizes it of not.

You Belong Here by Megan Miranda is a perfect choice for anyone who enjoys well-written mysteries with dual timelines. Thanks to S&S/Marysue Rucci Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

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Beckett Bowery was asked to leave Wyatt College after a tragedy caused by her roommate called into question her complicity. It was difficult to leave; her parents taught at the school, and she grew up in a house adjacent to it. Now, 20 years later, daughter Delilah, against Beckett’s better judgement, attends Wyatt on full scholarship; her grandparents still reside in the same house in this small college town. When Delilah appears to go missing, the past returns to haunt Beckett. Danger ensues, and secrets are revealed.

Told in two timelines, the events of the past slowly unfold while the race is on to find Delilah. While this may not be my favorite Megan Miranda story, I couldn’t put it down, reading late into the night to finish it show more in one day. There are twists in this suspenseful, eerily atmospheric read which begs the question: how far will you go for your child?

Thanks to #NetGalley and @ _SimonElement @MarySueRucciBooks for the DRC. show less

You Belong Here follows Beckett as she returns to the hometown that once turned its back on her after a tragedy in college—this time accompanying her daughter Delilah, who’s starting school there herself. The story unfolds with Miranda’s signature pacing: quick, compelling, and full of suspense.

While this wasn’t my favorite of her novels, it was a solid, engaging read that stayed true to her style. The twists kept me guessing, and although I didn’t feel deeply connected to the characters, I remained invested in how it would all play out. The ending, in particular, took me by surprise—and I appreciated that.

Overall, it’s a fast-paced, twisty read that will satisfy fans of Megan Miranda’s other works, even if it doesn’t show more top the list.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster/Marysue Rucci Books for this ARC. show less

This book went on and on about a mysterious game in the woods which sounded like hide and seek. I had a hard time finishing, but kept thinking it would get interesting. It didn't.

I had a friend tell me this wasn't the best book. I checked it out anyway, but agreed. It wasn't a bad read, but can't say it was super exciting or memorable. I just read it last week and still had to look up to see what it was about!

[spoilers] Beckett grew up in Virginia where her parents were professors. Shit went down at the college years ago when Beckett went there. And two people were killed. One of her good friends did it, and Beckett was asked to leave the college. She went abroad, got pregnant. But was never with the father. Fast forward a bunch of years and now her daughter,Delilah, is going to college and wants to go to the same college her mom went to. She gets a call that is just breathing from her daughter in the middle of show more the night so she goes there. And then her daughter is missing but turns up the next day a bit disoriented. Adalyn, the girl who started the fire years ago with Beckett was never found. Come to find out, Adalyn was blackmailing Beckett's parents for money. But then present day, Adalyn's body is found. It was Violet, who was dating one of the guys that was killed years ago, that killed Adalyn present day. Her son Bryce, whose dad is one of the guys was that was killed in the fire. Beckett was arrested because she was there the night of the fire even though she didn't start it. And Trevor, Delilah's real dad sounds like they might've actually got together. show less

[edit]
**spoiler alert** that was honestly a mess. the ending confused me so bad i had to re-read the last chapter twice. why did beckett do time, however we aren't told if violet or bryce did time? what happened with the dad? cliff? why was bryce trying to kill delilah when she has nothing to do with anything just because her mom is the true killers ex-best friend 20 years ago?? and he didn't even know his dad???? i'm just confused. idk.

This is the story of Beckett, her daughter Delilah, Trevor and others connected to Beckett. It’s quite the mystery but not one of the best by this author.