Where to Belong by W.J. Smith

After tragic death of her fiance, ex-com Madison is living a "normal" life in Chicago. Then she runs into her best friend that she left behind to escape the dangerous lifestyle they were leading only to find out he is in deeper and in danger. They decide to protect each other.

Soon things change when someone from her past resurfaces. Will she be able to protect herself? Or will she be forced into the old lifestyle once again? The stakes are high and she finds herself in a life or death situation.

A well written thriller. Madison is likable, flawed as she is. I really wanted to see her happy and have a good life. The choices she faces are serious and she must do what is right. But what is the right thing to do? There is drama, suspense, danger and thrilling moments. Overall I found Where to Belong an enjoyable read. I also like the cover art, great Chicago waterfront skyline. ( )

If you know me at all through Twitter, this blog, or GoodReads, you've probably noticed that I almost strictly read Young Adult, Paranormal, and Urban Fantasy books. But I only starting reading these genres less than five years ago, with the exception of the Harry Potter series. So when author WJ Smith asked me to review her book, Where to Belong, I readily accepted. I was curious to see if a general fiction book with a slight chick-lit slant could hold my interest.

Happily, Where to Belong did capture my attention and held it throughout the entire book. I enjoyed the characters. Madison was kind and thoughtful, if not terribly exciting considering she's a reformed con artist. Her lifelong friend and former partner in crime, Skyler, was also an attentive and generous person. Separately, their characters were fine, but when they shared scenes they both shined. The flashbacks to their childhoods and early adulthood helped show why they were so caring to one another, even with years of separation.

As much as I liked Madison and Skyler, I am a huge fan of stand-out secondary characters. In this case, it's Chase. Chase is Skyler's roommate and is funny and sweet and the best source of comic relief. He usually busted into the room during the worst moments, and had great reactions. Books always, always benefit from a character like Chase.

I'm not sure that general fiction is ever going to be my go-to source of reading again, but I have to say that it's nice to take a break from the vampires and demons and ghosts and poor teens trying to make it in a post-apocalyptic world. Where to Belong was a nice, worthwhile escape.

Favorite Quote:
"I've walked around all these years only pretending to have a life. It hasn't been anything I thought it would be. It's empty. Hollow." ( )