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We Would Never: A Novel
For fans of Laura Dave and Rebecca Makkai, a “gripping, engaging novel” (Vogue) that maps the extremes to which a family will go in order to protect their own.
No one appears more surprised than Hailey Gelman when she comes under suspicion for the murder of her soon-to-be ex-husband Jonah. Hailey—nicknamed Sunshine by her mother for her bright outlook and ever-present smile—has always tried to do what is expected of her and is regarded as the family peacemaker. But is anyone, including Hailey, who she has always seemed to be?
The months leading up to Jonah’s death have been fraught, including a bitter separation and a messy custody battle over their young daughter, Maya. When Hailey files a motion to relocate to Florida so she can be near her family, Jonah retaliates and the divorce begins to spiral dangerously out of control.
Sherry, Hailey’s mother, will stop at almost nothing to keep Jonah from getting what he wants. Nate, Hailey’s impetuous and protective older brother, has tried to keep his distance, but he can’t stand to see his little sister suffer. And then there’s Solomon, the patriarch, who is keeping a secret that threatens the stability and security Sherry has worked so hard to maintain. Soon, they are forced to reckon with who they are as individuals and as a family, and just how far they will go for each other.
Inspired by a true story, We Would Never is “an intellectual mystery—part whodunit, part whydunit, and heavy on the complexities of family dynamics, How far would you go to protect those you love?” (The Boston Globe).
No one appears more surprised than Hailey Gelman when she comes under suspicion for the murder of her soon-to-be ex-husband Jonah. Hailey—nicknamed Sunshine by her mother for her bright outlook and ever-present smile—has always tried to do what is expected of her and is regarded as the family peacemaker. But is anyone, including Hailey, who she has always seemed to be?
The months leading up to Jonah’s death have been fraught, including a bitter separation and a messy custody battle over their young daughter, Maya. When Hailey files a motion to relocate to Florida so she can be near her family, Jonah retaliates and the divorce begins to spiral dangerously out of control.
Sherry, Hailey’s mother, will stop at almost nothing to keep Jonah from getting what he wants. Nate, Hailey’s impetuous and protective older brother, has tried to keep his distance, but he can’t stand to see his little sister suffer. And then there’s Solomon, the patriarch, who is keeping a secret that threatens the stability and security Sherry has worked so hard to maintain. Soon, they are forced to reckon with who they are as individuals and as a family, and just how far they will go for each other.
Inspired by a true story, We Would Never is “an intellectual mystery—part whodunit, part whydunit, and heavy on the complexities of family dynamics, How far would you go to protect those you love?” (The Boston Globe).
364 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 11, 2025
357 people are currently reading
23416 people want to read
About the author
Tova Mirvis
14 books353 followersI am excited to share that I have a new novel WE WOULD NEVER coming out in February, 2025. This book was inspired by a true crime story that I have followed over the years and could never quite stop thinking about. How, I wondered, could this tragic story - and so many others like it - happen? Not how did the actual crime occur, but how does a family do something so awful? How does a divorce spiral so out of control? While the news supplied me with an endless array of facts, I always came away from my Google searches feeling dissatisfied, my questions unanswered. As a novelist, I relish the way that fiction lets us go inside character's heads and really delve into their inner lives and all the complexities that we might otherwise hover above. And so I felt compelled to use this story as a springboard and turn those questions into a novel. I was interested in exploring how a family comes to do something they would have once believed they never would; how a divorce can escalate out of control; how people can lose sight of their moral compass; how the inability to forgive can have devastating consequences. We WOULD NEVER is a mystery about a murder but it's also about the mysteries of family loyalty and love and betrayal.
A little bit about me: I grew up in the small Jewish community in Memphis, Tennessee, where I felt both what was grounding about being part of a such an enclosed world as well as what was stifling. This became the subject of m first novel, The Ladies Auxiliary. My second novel, The Outside World, is also set in an Orthodox Jewish world, and is about two families whose children marry each other. In that book I wanted to write about the conflict between tradition and modernity, and also about marriage and dreams and belief and doubt. My third novel Visible City began when I moved from New York City to a Boston suburb. I was so homesick for a city I had come to live, and longed for the anonymous intimacy that comes from living among so many strangers. Visible City is about a woman who watches her neighbors from her windows and becomes entangled in their lives.
After these three novels, I wrote a memoir called The Book of Separation. It originated with an essay I wrote in the New York Times about leaving my marriage and my Orthodox Jewish faith. After the piece came out I was flooded with emails from people telling me their own stories of loss and change and it inspired me to write this book. The Book of Separation is about wrestling with doubt, about trying to be the person I was expected to be and about decided to change, when change felt as terrifying as anything I could do.
I live outside of Boston now and have three kids and three step kids. Besides writing, I love to read, run and play with my beloved dog.
A little bit about me: I grew up in the small Jewish community in Memphis, Tennessee, where I felt both what was grounding about being part of a such an enclosed world as well as what was stifling. This became the subject of m first novel, The Ladies Auxiliary. My second novel, The Outside World, is also set in an Orthodox Jewish world, and is about two families whose children marry each other. In that book I wanted to write about the conflict between tradition and modernity, and also about marriage and dreams and belief and doubt. My third novel Visible City began when I moved from New York City to a Boston suburb. I was so homesick for a city I had come to live, and longed for the anonymous intimacy that comes from living among so many strangers. Visible City is about a woman who watches her neighbors from her windows and becomes entangled in their lives.
After these three novels, I wrote a memoir called The Book of Separation. It originated with an essay I wrote in the New York Times about leaving my marriage and my Orthodox Jewish faith. After the piece came out I was flooded with emails from people telling me their own stories of loss and change and it inspired me to write this book. The Book of Separation is about wrestling with doubt, about trying to be the person I was expected to be and about decided to change, when change felt as terrifying as anything I could do.
I live outside of Boston now and have three kids and three step kids. Besides writing, I love to read, run and play with my beloved dog.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 488 reviews
April 10, 2025
I’m typing this real quick on my phone before I get even further behind in posting, so my apologies for lack of giffery and imagine whichever “oof” or “eesh” face meme is your favorite for my reaction upon finishing up my reading here.
This was absolutely a cover/title yes please sort of request, but the story was so basic that it could have been wrapped up in a few pages. The blurb also lies as this is neither literary nor a page turner. The family history seemed to be thrown in simply for page count because it just made things drag on forever and the side plot in Maine with the estranged brother was so pointless. This book slump is killing me!
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley!
This was absolutely a cover/title yes please sort of request, but the story was so basic that it could have been wrapped up in a few pages. The blurb also lies as this is neither literary nor a page turner. The family history seemed to be thrown in simply for page count because it just made things drag on forever and the side plot in Maine with the estranged brother was so pointless. This book slump is killing me!
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley!
March 9, 2025
Hailey’s soon-to-be-ex-husband, Jonah, dies in the midst of their bitter divorce negotiations, and while she’s not formally accused of the crime, the court of public opinion is pretty sure she did it. After all, she hated his guts. Case closed. But it’s not that simple. Over the course of this book, we learn what actually happened to Jonah . But while a murder is at the centre of its plot, this story leans more toward literary fiction than a straight-up thriller.
At the heart of this book is Hailey’s complex, sometimes overbearing family. There’s her mother, who always felt like Jonah was keeping Hailey away from her. Hailey’s workaholic father. Her brothers, who are one another’s polar opposites. And then there’s Hailey herself, a people pleaser trying to keep everyone happy as her life unravels.
I really enjoyed this book. It’s tightly paced and involves multiple timelines and POVs. Each character felt real and dynamic, and it was so interesting to watch them interact with one another.
I’d recommend this book to people who love literary thrillers like The God of the Woods, but also to fans of family dramas like Long Island Compromise. I look forward to checking out more from this author!
At the heart of this book is Hailey’s complex, sometimes overbearing family. There’s her mother, who always felt like Jonah was keeping Hailey away from her. Hailey’s workaholic father. Her brothers, who are one another’s polar opposites. And then there’s Hailey herself, a people pleaser trying to keep everyone happy as her life unravels.
I really enjoyed this book. It’s tightly paced and involves multiple timelines and POVs. Each character felt real and dynamic, and it was so interesting to watch them interact with one another.
I’d recommend this book to people who love literary thrillers like The God of the Woods, but also to fans of family dramas like Long Island Compromise. I look forward to checking out more from this author!
August 24, 2025
Generally, I’m not a big fan of fictionalized murder mysteries, preferring non-fiction instead. However, after joining a book club—which is an excellent way to broaden one’s literary horizons—we chose as our first book Tova Mirvis’ “We Would Never.”
Mirvis is an exceptionally strong writer. With this novel, the author took the old saying ‘living in their head rent-free’ to a whole new level. From the very beginning to the end of this book, Mirvis gave me every single reason to hate Jonah Gelman. But the more I read, the more it reminded me of an ongoing case that, coincidentally, is even in the news as I write this review: the Daniel Markel murder conspiracy. In fact, at the end of the book, the author actually mentioned that it was this case where she got the idea for her novel. However, when I was still in the process of reading this book, the similarities were so striking that it forced me to reconsider the feelings that I had generated about Mirvis’ characters.
To be totally honest, I absolutely loved Sherry Marcus (and especially her magical garden!)—at least until the familial dysfunction began to unfold. This dysfunction, though, was clearly not limited only to the Marcus family, but encased even the Gelman-Marcus marriage. For example, even before the marriage took place, I knew that the relationship was already doomed on page 24, a fact remarked upon by Jonah‘s friend (pg. 306).
What I really appreciate about Mirvis’ writing is that she doesn’t “dump” on her readers. For example, this is a story about a murder that took place; the families involved just happen to be Jewish. Yet Mirvis didn’t overload her readers with Judaism. Instead, she left hints that identified their ethnicity. For example, she explained how Hailey met Jonah on JDate. And she discussed how the family periodically attended synagogue.
Tova Mirvis kept dangling a myriad of unanswered questions that kept the story going and kept me engaged. I believe that this is a testament to her skill as a writer considering that I had some issues with how the book was formatted. In fact, the formatting made it so difficult for me to read that, besides having purchased the e-novel, I also had to buy an Audible version of the book just so that I could finish it.
My issues didn’t have anything to do with the electronic formatting, but rather with how the author arranged this novel. I firmly believe that when authors write novels, they should do so with the belief that all of their readers have ADHD. When writers don’t do this, they end up with excessively long chapters like the ones found in this book. For example, one chapter was forty pages long. Yet, that same chapter could have **easily** been broken down into four chapters. The length of the chapters made it extremely difficult for me as a reader to find a good spot to put the book down, and I found that really irritating.
There was a lot of bouncing back-and-forth in time periods in this novel (i.e., past and present). The publisher used a different font and line breaks to delineate the time differences, but it would have been a better reading experience it if she had incorporated the past **within** the present.
There were a few F-bombs and other curse words in the novel. I admit that I cuss like a sailor, but I always question why any author chooses to include them in manuscripts. I see the use of cursing in texts as a cop-out. Mirvis is a talented writer, and I know that there are more creative ways to display character emotions.
This was an excellent book with a really fascinating story line. I highly recommend it!
Mirvis is an exceptionally strong writer. With this novel, the author took the old saying ‘living in their head rent-free’ to a whole new level. From the very beginning to the end of this book, Mirvis gave me every single reason to hate Jonah Gelman. But the more I read, the more it reminded me of an ongoing case that, coincidentally, is even in the news as I write this review: the Daniel Markel murder conspiracy. In fact, at the end of the book, the author actually mentioned that it was this case where she got the idea for her novel. However, when I was still in the process of reading this book, the similarities were so striking that it forced me to reconsider the feelings that I had generated about Mirvis’ characters.
To be totally honest, I absolutely loved Sherry Marcus (and especially her magical garden!)—at least until the familial dysfunction began to unfold. This dysfunction, though, was clearly not limited only to the Marcus family, but encased even the Gelman-Marcus marriage. For example, even before the marriage took place, I knew that the relationship was already doomed on page 24, a fact remarked upon by Jonah‘s friend (pg. 306).
What I really appreciate about Mirvis’ writing is that she doesn’t “dump” on her readers. For example, this is a story about a murder that took place; the families involved just happen to be Jewish. Yet Mirvis didn’t overload her readers with Judaism. Instead, she left hints that identified their ethnicity. For example, she explained how Hailey met Jonah on JDate. And she discussed how the family periodically attended synagogue.
Tova Mirvis kept dangling a myriad of unanswered questions that kept the story going and kept me engaged. I believe that this is a testament to her skill as a writer considering that I had some issues with how the book was formatted. In fact, the formatting made it so difficult for me to read that, besides having purchased the e-novel, I also had to buy an Audible version of the book just so that I could finish it.
My issues didn’t have anything to do with the electronic formatting, but rather with how the author arranged this novel. I firmly believe that when authors write novels, they should do so with the belief that all of their readers have ADHD. When writers don’t do this, they end up with excessively long chapters like the ones found in this book. For example, one chapter was forty pages long. Yet, that same chapter could have **easily** been broken down into four chapters. The length of the chapters made it extremely difficult for me as a reader to find a good spot to put the book down, and I found that really irritating.
There was a lot of bouncing back-and-forth in time periods in this novel (i.e., past and present). The publisher used a different font and line breaks to delineate the time differences, but it would have been a better reading experience it if she had incorporated the past **within** the present.
There were a few F-bombs and other curse words in the novel. I admit that I cuss like a sailor, but I always question why any author chooses to include them in manuscripts. I see the use of cursing in texts as a cop-out. Mirvis is a talented writer, and I know that there are more creative ways to display character emotions.
This was an excellent book with a really fascinating story line. I highly recommend it!
December 21, 2024
This is my first book by Tova Mirvis. I was totally unfamiliar with the crime it was based on and only learned about it through her eyes.
I found almost all of the characters unlikable and somewhat generic: the overbearing Jewish mother; the cruel or absent husband; the sweet and smiling daughter, etc. They didn't seem to have much depth and it was difficult to feel much of anything towards them.
It appears that most other reviewers liked this novel a lot more than I did so perhaps this review says more about me than it does about this book. I tend to read literary fiction and this struck me as more of a beach read. Perhaps it just wasn't the right time for me to read this.
I want to thank NetGalley for this Advanced Review Copy in exchange for an honest review.
I found almost all of the characters unlikable and somewhat generic: the overbearing Jewish mother; the cruel or absent husband; the sweet and smiling daughter, etc. They didn't seem to have much depth and it was difficult to feel much of anything towards them.
It appears that most other reviewers liked this novel a lot more than I did so perhaps this review says more about me than it does about this book. I tend to read literary fiction and this struck me as more of a beach read. Perhaps it just wasn't the right time for me to read this.
I want to thank NetGalley for this Advanced Review Copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 12, 2025
Sherry was the most annoying character ever!
October 11, 2024
I devoured this book. If you love a family drama inspired by true crime you will love this.
Hailey is caught off guard when her husband Jonah says he wants a divorce. Things between them have been tense but she had no idea he was this unhappy. They share a 4 year old daughter Maya. 3 years ago Hailey reluctantly moved to upstate New York so she is separated from her close knit family in Florida. S the divorce proceeds they can’t seem to come me to an agreement. The Situation escalates and shows you how ordinary people can’t become involved in a sinister situation.
This novel is well written. It explores the family dynamic from the point of view of Hailey’s Mom, dad and brother. The character development in this book was exceptionally done. The book drew me in. I was empathetic for what Hailey and her family are going through. I caught myself thinking about these characters when I wasn’t reading. It makes you question how far you would go for your family.
Thank you to netgalley for a chance to read this book. I loved it!
January 15, 2025
I would like to thank NetGalley, Tova Mirvis and Avid Reader Press for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
3⭐ - I wasn't familiar with Tova Mirvis' books but this was an interesting book to start with, as the book is inspired by true events - filled with lots of twists and turns to keep me reading but the story has a few annoying characters though.
3⭐ - I wasn't familiar with Tova Mirvis' books but this was an interesting book to start with, as the book is inspired by true events - filled with lots of twists and turns to keep me reading but the story has a few annoying characters though.
August 27, 2024
3.5/5 stars.
I wanted this to be a five star read, and in the beginning I thought it might be. It truly was a good book, but the last 1/2-1/3 of the book just didn’t excite me.
My only criticism is the way the story unfolded — the timing of details being shared made the last 1/3 or so of the book anticlimactic.
Overall, the story was interesting and addicting: a newly single Mom, a ridiculous ex, a messy divorce, an overbearing family, and a murder.
Thank you to Net Galley and Simon and Schuster for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I wanted this to be a five star read, and in the beginning I thought it might be. It truly was a good book, but the last 1/2-1/3 of the book just didn’t excite me.
My only criticism is the way the story unfolded — the timing of details being shared made the last 1/3 or so of the book anticlimactic.
Overall, the story was interesting and addicting: a newly single Mom, a ridiculous ex, a messy divorce, an overbearing family, and a murder.
Thank you to Net Galley and Simon and Schuster for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 30, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read a ARC of this book. The idea of this book really caught my attention. The beginning was really able to draw me in with character building. However I felt the book shifted to be more family drama than thriller. I felt like the book dragged on and unfortunately it took me a long time to finish it. The ending also felt really abrupt, even though the book could have been shorter, the ending just seemed to be in a random place. There were also a few spelling errors throughout the book to fix before publication.
January 26, 2025
family drama, secrets & a murdered husband. i absolutely ate this thriller up- from the very beginning i was hooked. even though i kinda figured out the plot twist i still enjoyed this one.
thank you to the publishers and netgalley for the ARC!
thank you to the publishers and netgalley for the ARC!
March 9, 2025
This is a thrillingly plotted, provocative, fever dream of a novel about a close-knit Florida family
who might or might not have done something unimaginable in the wake of their daughter's divorce. Hailey Gelman is a woman caught in the turmoil of a contentious divorce and custody battle who suddenly finds herself the prime suspect in her estranged husband’s murder. As the investigation unfolds, her protective and loyal family rallies around her, forcing them all to confront their own secrets and moral boundaries. The novel’s shifting perspectives provide insight into each character’s motivations. The tension builds around the mystery itself and the characters who are not just trying to protect Hailey, but also struggling to figure out what justice and truth mean in the face of loss and love.
This is a mystery about a murder but also about a family whose all-consuming love for each other turns sinister. It also dives into the themes of anger and escalation and forgiveness. The author doesn’t just ask who committed the crime—she asks how far people will go to protect those they love, and whether that protection can ever go too far.
To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at:
https://zibbymedia.com/blogs/transcri...
who might or might not have done something unimaginable in the wake of their daughter's divorce. Hailey Gelman is a woman caught in the turmoil of a contentious divorce and custody battle who suddenly finds herself the prime suspect in her estranged husband’s murder. As the investigation unfolds, her protective and loyal family rallies around her, forcing them all to confront their own secrets and moral boundaries. The novel’s shifting perspectives provide insight into each character’s motivations. The tension builds around the mystery itself and the characters who are not just trying to protect Hailey, but also struggling to figure out what justice and truth mean in the face of loss and love.
This is a mystery about a murder but also about a family whose all-consuming love for each other turns sinister. It also dives into the themes of anger and escalation and forgiveness. The author doesn’t just ask who committed the crime—she asks how far people will go to protect those they love, and whether that protection can ever go too far.
To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at:
https://zibbymedia.com/blogs/transcri...
January 2, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
New year, same goodreads not giving us 1/2 star ratings!
New year, same goodreads not giving us 1/2 star ratings!
February 11, 2025
Based loosely on a true story, this was a domestic suspense/mystery that started off strong with an woman being interrogated by the police for the murder of her ex-husband. It alternates timelines and perspectives from different members of one estranged Jewish family as their daughter/sister returns home with her young daughter and goes through a messy divorce. I found it slow-moving at times but the narration by Rachel F. Hirsch, who does a good job voicing the full cast of male and female characters so listeners can easily distinguish between them. There was also Parkinson's rep and a decent twist ending. Overall just an okay read for me, likely not to be a super memorable one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 18, 2026
We Would Never by Tova Mirvis
We Would Never opens with a startling scene: Hailey Gelman, recently locked in an acrimonious divorce and custody battle with her husband Jonah, is suddenly the prime suspect in his murder after he is found shot in their New York home. What follows is less about solving the crime and more about untangling the emotional and moral knots that bind Hailey, her tight‑knit Florida family, and a web of resentment, loyalty, and self‑deception. Through shifting perspectives the novel explores how a seemingly solid family can harbor dangerous impulses when fear and defensiveness take over. The story, inspired by a real crime, blends literary fiction, character study and domestic suspense in an intimate yet unsettling way.
I was drawn into Hailey’s turmoil, the way Mirvis gently yet unflinchingly lays bare her pain, longing for safety and the fierce, sometimes suffocating love of her relatives. The family dynamics felt raw and complicated, especially in scenes showing Hailey’s mother’s overprotectiveness and the tensions that simmer beneath polite conversations. While this is branded as a mystery, I found its true power in how it shows ordinary people inching toward unthinkable choices and the psychological cost of trying to save someone by any means.
Rating: 4 out of 5, for its vivid emotional depth and thought‑provoking moral complexity.
We Would Never opens with a startling scene: Hailey Gelman, recently locked in an acrimonious divorce and custody battle with her husband Jonah, is suddenly the prime suspect in his murder after he is found shot in their New York home. What follows is less about solving the crime and more about untangling the emotional and moral knots that bind Hailey, her tight‑knit Florida family, and a web of resentment, loyalty, and self‑deception. Through shifting perspectives the novel explores how a seemingly solid family can harbor dangerous impulses when fear and defensiveness take over. The story, inspired by a real crime, blends literary fiction, character study and domestic suspense in an intimate yet unsettling way.
I was drawn into Hailey’s turmoil, the way Mirvis gently yet unflinchingly lays bare her pain, longing for safety and the fierce, sometimes suffocating love of her relatives. The family dynamics felt raw and complicated, especially in scenes showing Hailey’s mother’s overprotectiveness and the tensions that simmer beneath polite conversations. While this is branded as a mystery, I found its true power in how it shows ordinary people inching toward unthinkable choices and the psychological cost of trying to save someone by any means.
Rating: 4 out of 5, for its vivid emotional depth and thought‑provoking moral complexity.
November 24, 2024
While I didn’t really relate to the characters in this book, I still found the story a compelling read. I liked the way the story unfolded, going back-and-forth in time and different places. I correctly figured it out, but that could be because I’m older and cynical. Still, I’m grateful to NetGalley for the ARC and I appreciate the author for writing this book.
March 11, 2025
WE WOULD NEVER by Tova Mirvis
Thank you @avidreaderpress & @simon.audio for my #gifted copies
How far would you go to protect the ones you love? That’s the question at the heart of We Would Never—and WOW, this book had me absolutely hooked!
Inspired by a true crime case, We Would Never is a gripping, emotionally-charged blend of family drama and psychological thriller. The story dives deep into the bonds of family, the weight of secrets, and the lengths we go to for those we love.
The story centers on Hailey Gelman, a mother entangled in a bitter divorce who suddenly finds herself the prime suspect in her estranged husband’s murder. But this isn’t just her story—it’s a razor-sharp examination of a family fiercely protective of their own. If you love family dramas laced with tension and suspense, We Would Never is a must-read. It’s unsettling, propulsive, and kept me glued to the book until the final page.
🎧 The narration is fantastic! This was my first taste of Rachel F. Hirsch's talent, but it definitely won't be my last! Excuse me while I go look up every book she's ever narrated 👀
Thank you @avidreaderpress & @simon.audio for my #gifted copies
How far would you go to protect the ones you love? That’s the question at the heart of We Would Never—and WOW, this book had me absolutely hooked!
Inspired by a true crime case, We Would Never is a gripping, emotionally-charged blend of family drama and psychological thriller. The story dives deep into the bonds of family, the weight of secrets, and the lengths we go to for those we love.
The story centers on Hailey Gelman, a mother entangled in a bitter divorce who suddenly finds herself the prime suspect in her estranged husband’s murder. But this isn’t just her story—it’s a razor-sharp examination of a family fiercely protective of their own. If you love family dramas laced with tension and suspense, We Would Never is a must-read. It’s unsettling, propulsive, and kept me glued to the book until the final page.
🎧 The narration is fantastic! This was my first taste of Rachel F. Hirsch's talent, but it definitely won't be my last! Excuse me while I go look up every book she's ever narrated 👀
January 12, 2025
This was more like a 3.5, but not quite. Here is another freebie from goodreads that I will fully review. The premise soundings disturbingly intriguing, but once we get into the actual story, it leaves something to be desired.
Based on the way it’s written, I’m assuming you’re Supposed to have a love-hate relationship with all of the characters. They are the worst and the best of us. I mean, Nate became a doctor just to prove himself to his dad, which many can connect with, but then he treated Adam absolutely like garbage. Brothers will be brothers and so on, but how did he get away with all of it? Sol literally was an absent father who was disappointed in his children always - nothing could please him. He was devoted to his wife and not his kids, except maybe Adam, and like only at the end? Also, like what terrible, outrageous things did his mom, more than anyone else in that family, including his absentee father, do to him? And my biggest character hate, with little to no love, was the overbearing mother, who didn’t seem to get it. Why did she lean so heavily on her grown children to take care of her? I felt like sometimes she was married to Nate more than Sol with all her requests and secrets she asked of him. She was creepily attached to her children, and it made me extremely uncomfortable, which was probably the point. Hailey was just meh. She was a flat character with no real personality, except pleasing everyone.
However, the thriller portion of this book kept me on the edge of my seat until about the last 120 pages. Then everything was laid out for you. You could guess how it happens when the conversation leaves off with Tara. The suspense up until that point was well thought out.
I definitely would have liked to have heard more from Adam at the end to help the whole picture click in place. I think his story was fully left unfinished, and he was a minor plot mentioned throughout the whole book. Overall, the book was an enjoyable read, and I want to thank you for a free copy!
Based on the way it’s written, I’m assuming you’re Supposed to have a love-hate relationship with all of the characters. They are the worst and the best of us. I mean, Nate became a doctor just to prove himself to his dad, which many can connect with, but then he treated Adam absolutely like garbage. Brothers will be brothers and so on, but how did he get away with all of it? Sol literally was an absent father who was disappointed in his children always - nothing could please him. He was devoted to his wife and not his kids, except maybe Adam, and like only at the end? Also, like what terrible, outrageous things did his mom, more than anyone else in that family, including his absentee father, do to him? And my biggest character hate, with little to no love, was the overbearing mother, who didn’t seem to get it. Why did she lean so heavily on her grown children to take care of her? I felt like sometimes she was married to Nate more than Sol with all her requests and secrets she asked of him. She was creepily attached to her children, and it made me extremely uncomfortable, which was probably the point. Hailey was just meh. She was a flat character with no real personality, except pleasing everyone.
However, the thriller portion of this book kept me on the edge of my seat until about the last 120 pages. Then everything was laid out for you. You could guess how it happens when the conversation leaves off with Tara. The suspense up until that point was well thought out.
I definitely would have liked to have heard more from Adam at the end to help the whole picture click in place. I think his story was fully left unfinished, and he was a minor plot mentioned throughout the whole book. Overall, the book was an enjoyable read, and I want to thank you for a free copy!
March 8, 2025
I was initially intrigued by the premise of this novel, and after reading the first chapter, I felt confident it was going to be a great read. Unfortunately, the middle section, extending almost to the end, left me feeling disengaged due to the overwhelming focus on toxic drama with very little mystery—aside from Adam.
That said, I did appreciate how the story delved into toxic family dynamics and the complexities of being human, especially the instinct to protect our loved ones. However, I came into this book expecting more mystery, which was only present in the opening and closing parts of the story.
The writing style also posed some challenges for me. The sudden switches in character POV were confusing, and I believe adding headers to indicate whose perspective we’re reading would have improved the experience. Additionally, there were noticeable spelling errors that should be addressed before publication.
A. Focus on Twists and Suspense
⭐⭐: No suspense, predictable plot twists, or none at all.
B. Atmosphere and Writing Style
⭐⭐: Weak atmosphere, writing had some redeeming moments but wasn’t engaging.
C. Character Development
⭐⭐⭐: Decent character development; some characters stood out.
D. Pacing and Engagement
⭐: The book was slow or boring, with no engagement.
E. Mystery Resolution
⭐⭐⭐: The resolution made sense but wasn’t particularly satisfying.
F. Emotional Impact
⭐⭐: Minimal emotional engagement; few memorable moments.
Overall, I would recommend this book with some reservations. If you're a fan of intricate storytelling, family drama, and exploring deep emotional moments, there’s a lot to enjoy here. However, if you’re put off by toxic characters or not particularly fond of heavy drama, this might not be for you. Still, it’s a compelling read for those who can look past its flaws and appreciate the raw human emotions of love and protection.
That said, I did appreciate how the story delved into toxic family dynamics and the complexities of being human, especially the instinct to protect our loved ones. However, I came into this book expecting more mystery, which was only present in the opening and closing parts of the story.
The writing style also posed some challenges for me. The sudden switches in character POV were confusing, and I believe adding headers to indicate whose perspective we’re reading would have improved the experience. Additionally, there were noticeable spelling errors that should be addressed before publication.
A. Focus on Twists and Suspense
⭐⭐: No suspense, predictable plot twists, or none at all.
B. Atmosphere and Writing Style
⭐⭐: Weak atmosphere, writing had some redeeming moments but wasn’t engaging.
C. Character Development
⭐⭐⭐: Decent character development; some characters stood out.
D. Pacing and Engagement
⭐: The book was slow or boring, with no engagement.
E. Mystery Resolution
⭐⭐⭐: The resolution made sense but wasn’t particularly satisfying.
F. Emotional Impact
⭐⭐: Minimal emotional engagement; few memorable moments.
Overall, I would recommend this book with some reservations. If you're a fan of intricate storytelling, family drama, and exploring deep emotional moments, there’s a lot to enjoy here. However, if you’re put off by toxic characters or not particularly fond of heavy drama, this might not be for you. Still, it’s a compelling read for those who can look past its flaws and appreciate the raw human emotions of love and protection.
January 26, 2025
I found We Would Never to be an odd book, especially so, as it is based on a true crime story. I think the author was too sympathetic to all the participants in that she portrayed an upper class family were were plotting to have in-law murdered. I can't say this book worked for me. None of the characters were relatable and most were unlikable. The always-joking son was annoying, the absent unforgiving middle sibling puzzling, and the passive younger sister very frustrating, and the non-emotionally engaged husband/father rounding out this dysfunctional family. Maybe the real-life event made more sense, but this book just didn't click for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avid Reader Press for the e-ARC.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avid Reader Press for the e-ARC.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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February 19, 2025Was really excited to read this ripped-from-the-headlines story. Maybe it was my familiarity with the case that obviously inspired it, but I felt this fictionalized version of the story left SO much left unexplored. It should have been a story of obsessive love, betrayal, and family dysfunction. But it ended up seeming like a bland family feud that inexplicably ended tragically.
I'll explain all in my review which will be up by early March...
Subscribe to my amazing newsletter HERE at JenRyland.com Let's be friends on Bookstagram!
Thanks to the publisher for providing an advance copy for review!
I'll explain all in my review which will be up by early March...
Subscribe to my amazing newsletter HERE at JenRyland.com Let's be friends on Bookstagram!
Thanks to the publisher for providing an advance copy for review!
March 17, 2025
did not finish - chapters are so long, by 57% i was bored and realized i was not interested in attempting to finish
February 14, 2025
Tova Mirvis's latest novel hooked me with its first chapter; I was intrigued and thought it was a great lead-up to what would become a gripping psychological thriller. However, as the book went on, it became clear that We Would Never was more of an dysfunctional-family-values examination than it was a mystery or thriller and it started to lose my attention. Don't get me wrong, the book was still good, but its content differed greatly from how it was marketed and I think that impacted my overall immersion and enjoyment of the story.
Thank you NetGalley and Avid Reader Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you NetGalley and Avid Reader Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 26, 2025
Rating 4 stars.
Hailey and Jonah are in a contentious custody battle, unable to stop the nasty texts and continuous legal filings. Hailey’s family, especially her mom, feels like Jonah is “ruining” their family. Something must be done. But who was responsible? Everyone in the family says “We would never”.
Tova Mirvis was inspired by the true crime case of the death of Dan Markel in Florida. From there she used her imagination to create this crime novel looking into the complexities of humanity and the lengths a mother will go to “for her family”. Forgiveness, secrets, denial and judgment are also major themes of the novel. Mirvis’s interesting choice to compare to Adam’s dogs (death and birth - mother instincts and separation) added another dimension, not a part of the true story.
I too followed the true story that is the seed of this novel, making this fascinating on two levels (noticing the similar details while at the same time immersed in Hailey’s story). The deviating details were a bit frustrating because of how Hailey was characterized as clueless. So many victims (Jonah, Maya, Jonah’s family) created by the selfish choices of these unlikeable people, in the name of “family”. Would love to see more justice in the real life case. I can see readers enjoying this book more if unfamiliar with the real case, yet still found this a compelling read.
Hailey and Jonah are in a contentious custody battle, unable to stop the nasty texts and continuous legal filings. Hailey’s family, especially her mom, feels like Jonah is “ruining” their family. Something must be done. But who was responsible? Everyone in the family says “We would never”.
Tova Mirvis was inspired by the true crime case of the death of Dan Markel in Florida. From there she used her imagination to create this crime novel looking into the complexities of humanity and the lengths a mother will go to “for her family”. Forgiveness, secrets, denial and judgment are also major themes of the novel. Mirvis’s interesting choice to compare to Adam’s dogs (death and birth - mother instincts and separation) added another dimension, not a part of the true story.
I too followed the true story that is the seed of this novel, making this fascinating on two levels (noticing the similar details while at the same time immersed in Hailey’s story). The deviating details were a bit frustrating because of how Hailey was characterized as clueless. So many victims (Jonah, Maya, Jonah’s family) created by the selfish choices of these unlikeable people, in the name of “family”. Would love to see more justice in the real life case. I can see readers enjoying this book more if unfamiliar with the real case, yet still found this a compelling read.
February 12, 2025
3.75/5
I was sucked in from the very first chapter of Tova Mirvis' latest novel. A contentious divorce, a man murdered in front of his own home, an estranged son, and lots of family drama! We Would Never poses the question "How far is too far when it comes to protecting one of your own?"
I always love dual timelines in mysteries, and I appreciated the way Mirvis drew out the family drama until the very end. Watching certain characters unravel as the story went on felt very Lady Macbeth to me, and I loved it! It's so creepy every time you remember We Would Never is based on a true story, and it's another reminder of how you never know what people are capable of doing!
Read this if you like:
- books based on a true story
- family drama
- dark secrets
- whodunits
I was sucked in from the very first chapter of Tova Mirvis' latest novel. A contentious divorce, a man murdered in front of his own home, an estranged son, and lots of family drama! We Would Never poses the question "How far is too far when it comes to protecting one of your own?"
I always love dual timelines in mysteries, and I appreciated the way Mirvis drew out the family drama until the very end. Watching certain characters unravel as the story went on felt very Lady Macbeth to me, and I loved it! It's so creepy every time you remember We Would Never is based on a true story, and it's another reminder of how you never know what people are capable of doing!
Read this if you like:
- books based on a true story
- family drama
- dark secrets
- whodunits
August 9, 2025
We Would Never by Tova Mirvis is a heartfelt and engaging dive into the complexities of family, loyalty, and self-discovery. With a perfect mix of humor and insight, Mirvis explores the intricacies of relationships with a sharp eye for the little moments that make life both challenging and beautiful. The characters are so relatable, you’ll feel like you’re eavesdropping on a close-knit family unraveling its secrets. It's a charming, sometimes messy, but ultimately uplifting read for anyone who's ever wondered if they're doing life right—or if anyone really does!
April 15, 2025
We Would Never is a great thriller/ literary fiction starring Hailey Gelman. Inches away from divorce, we discover her soon to be ex Jonah is murdered.
The spouse is always the first suspect, and public opinion is pushing for her head!
I loved the back and and forth between what is currently happening and what brought is here. We uncover Jonah's demise, but also peek into Hailey's life as a whole.
Thank you to Avid Reader Press for a goodreads giveaway of this, I enjoyed!
The spouse is always the first suspect, and public opinion is pushing for her head!
I loved the back and and forth between what is currently happening and what brought is here. We uncover Jonah's demise, but also peek into Hailey's life as a whole.
Thank you to Avid Reader Press for a goodreads giveaway of this, I enjoyed!
September 15, 2025
I know this book gets mixed reviews but I loved it and could not put it down. I bought it on a lark at a used book sale, not really knowing what it was about. I had no idea it was semi based on a true crime. This book is part true crime, part literary fiction, part slow burn thriller, and part messed up family drama. I loved every minute of it and read it over a few hours. And now I’m going down rabbit hole on the actual crime it is based on.
January 13, 2025
This was part thriller, part family drama, and part literary fiction and I loved all of it. The last half or third of it sort of reminded me of The Secret History, where the fallout after the murder and the psyche of those involved was bigger than the murder itself. I was a huge fan of the writing style as well, and would definitely read more by the author.
July 16, 2025
5 stars throughout but I wish there was more story beyond the ending, so only 4 for a final rating!
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