Anywhere But Here

by Myunique C. Green

Dr. Nia Wallace has built her career on untangling the secrets hidden in DNA, but nothing has prepared her for the mystery her own genes are about to reveal. When a new ancestry app connects her to a sibling she never knew existed, Nia is drawn to the remote Louisiana town of Darbonne, a place steeped in history—and secrets.

The town is almost too the people are welcoming, the streets are idyllic, and the community seems to thrive in isolation. But beneath the surface, Nia senses something is off. Faces look too familiar, questions are met with vague answers, and the deeper she digs into her connection to Darbonne, the more the town tightens its grip.

As Nia’s search for answers leads her into the heart of the town’s origins, she begins to question everything she thought she knew about herself, her family, and the price of progress. Darbonne’s past isn’t just haunting—it’s alive. And leaving may not be an option.

Anywhere But Here is a psychological thriller that explores identity, the legacy of oppression, and the boundaries of scientific ethics. Perfect for readers who enjoy slow-burn suspense and richly woven mysteries, this is a story that how far would you go to uncover the truth, and what would it cost to escape it?

Genres: Thriller, Psychological Thriller

329 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 29, 2025

About the author

Myunique C. Green is a versatile and celebrated author whose work spans across genres, including mystery, thriller, young adult fiction, dystopian science fiction, and personal memoir. She began her literary journey with the independently published Bloodlines: Everything That Glitter in 2012, which climbed to the Top 10 on Amazon Kindle’s Bestseller list. Since then, she has continued to captivate readers with her unique voice and compelling storytelling. Her titles, such as 713, a chart-topping mystery short story, and Grand Rising, a dystopian epic, showcase her ability to explore complex themes and engage audiences with fresh perspectives.

Known for her innovative approach and emotional depth, Myunique’s writing reflects her passion for tackling challenging narratives that resonate with readers on both an emotional and intellectual level. She has received accolades for her work, including an award for Excellence in Writing from Readers Favorite.

When she’s not writing, Myunique is a dedicated teacher, student, and parent, continually pushing boundaries and inspiring others to find strength in their own stories.

Reviews

[Shawndra Woodard · Rating 3 out of 5]

An honest rating for this book is a 2.75 for me. The idea behind the story has so much potential. It is actually quite an amazing storyline. The story itself just didn’t feel cohesive. The suspense was very manufactured through choices that weren’t believable to me. The amount of terrible choices and obvious red flags that Nia had to endure to even find herself in this situation were astounding. The characters also lacked depth. I honestly considered that this may be a DNF for me at one point, but I finished. I just wish the story was better put together and provided more clarity about the purpose of the town and Nia’s role.

[Vanessa Palmer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m very confused by this book? I still don’t understand the point of the city/ experiment? What about her dad, the whole reason she went out there? This had amazing potential but the reveal didn’t actually explain anything. None of then “explanations” made any sense. I’m so disappointed.

[AK · Rating 2 out of 5]

*sigh* I really wanted to like this one, but my overall conclusion is that this was a solid idea that was questionably executed.
When it comes to psychological thrillers, there’s a certain narrative finesse required to not confuse the reader as you blur the lines of reality, hallucination, and superficial. Unfortunately, there were way too many times where the lines were incredibly messy, and it just made for a painful read.
Also, from jump, I feel that the stakes were too low to even warrant Nia deciding to embark on this investigative journey.
As for the writing style, it was nicely written overall with some really sound callouts, but one thing I quickly grew tired of was how the author would say the same thing in a different way, especially when it came to describing the town.
This is my first time reading this author’s work and I wasn’t entirely sold, but I’ll give it another go at some point.

[Sunflower · Rating 2 out of 5]

confusing?

I still don't know what happened hahaha! I feel like the story was going somewhere before Nia decided to go to Darbonne. Once she got there, everything got confusing. I still don't know what happened to her dad, her mom made a cameo appearance & we never heard from her again, & the ending was just a huge ball of confusion. Idk.. 2 stars for me, it didn't get anywhere & I gained nothing from it

[Ashley Gunter · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to love this book but very hard to continue to read . It seemed a bit redundant and a lot of questions were left unanswered. I found some parts confusing. Wish it were better but I applaud the author for the concept.

[Heather Knick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book got me simply by the cover! One of the most beautiful covers I own!
The story was good! It wasn’t a new concept…but the writing was fabulous and despite a slow burn, the author had a way of keeping me captivated! I couldn’t wait to read what was next.
And the ending!! I was able to play it out in perfect detail like a movie in my head. The words flowed and created the scenes flawlessly. Truly enjoyed this walk on the sci-fi side.

[Mela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, one of my favorite books….You just have to read it for yourself. 10/10, so many twists and turns.

[Briitta (Momma_Shligga) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book, but I struggled to stay engaged and ultimately had to force myself to not DNF (did not finish). The story felt confusing, and the pacing was painfully slow. I kept waiting for things to come together, but instead, I was left with more questions than answers.

There are several plot threads that feel unresolved or underdeveloped, and some elements just came off as bizarre rather than intriguing. I can see what the author may have been aiming for—psychological depth, mystery—but the execution didn’t land for me. Maybe it just wasn’t my kind of read.

[labibliofille · Rating 1 out of 5]

I went to give this book a listen, but the fact that it's narrated by Virtual Voice, an AI-powered narration, really turned me off from wanting to go any farther than the first few seconds. I'm sorely disappointed.

[reading.withree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nia Wallace has dedicated her life to uncovering the truths hidden in our DNA. But when a surprising discovery draws her to the secluded town of Darbonne, she quickly realizes some mysteries go far beyond science. 🧪🧫🧬
•
Darbonne looks picture-perfect. Charming streets and many welcoming faces, yet something about the town feels…unnatural. The deeper Nia looks for answers, the more unsettling the truth becomes and the harder it is to pull away.
•
What she finds in Darbonne will force her to question identity, belonging, and the cost of uncovering secrets best left buried.
•••••
Just finished this one and whew… what a ride. From the first page, I was pulled in by the eerie charm of Darbonne. It’s one of those towns you probably shouldn’t visit because you feel like something is off, but out of curiosity you do it anyway. The more I read, the more I felt that unsettling “something’s not right here” vibe. What I loved most was how the story balanced science with mystery. Nia’s background in DNA research made the whole plot feel fresh and layered, while the town itself gave me gothic, almost haunting energy. It kept me turning pages, needing to know what secrets were hiding beneath that picture-perfect surface. It’s atmospheric, suspenseful and chilling in the best way.

[Bookish Trina · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the first page to the last, Anywhere But Here grabs your heart and refuses to let go. Myunique has crafted a beautifully layered story full of emotion, discovery, and raw, unforgettable moments that speak to the soul.

Set against a backdrop of longing and personal transformation, this book explores what it means to run from the familiar and chase the unknown. The characters are rich and deeply human—flawed, brave, and achingly real. Whether you’re rooting for healing, escape, or love, there’s something in this story that will echo in your own journey.

And can we talk about that cover? Absolutely stunning. The design alone feels like a portal into another world—dreamy, bold, and full of movement. It sets the tone perfectly before you even crack open the first chapter. It’s the kind of cover you want to frame on your wall or display proudly on your bookshelf.

[Kionna M · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the idea around this story. There were a lot of unexpected twists and turns. I think that there were a lot of plot holes left in the story that can't be ignored. The plot holes made some parts of the story feel rushed and disjointed. I wish more of the background around the town would have been explored and what in the world is going on with Reed? How does Celeste fit into this? Also we still didn't learn anything about her Dad!

[Candice · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m not sure of it was just my copy but it would seem an editor did not review this copy before being published. There were many spacing and sentence structure issues, the left side of the book had no page numbers (unsure if intentional). Also there were parts when the story flow was not cohesive and had somewhat repetitive information just rephrased. I enjoyed the concept but felt like the execution was missed.

[Nici Sandberg · Rating 2 out of 5]

even a mediocre editor could have brought this up to a 3, but there are far too many wrinkles in the writing, narrative structure, style, and plot. there are duplicated passages and unintentional meta references (while reading chapter 12, it literally says the main character spirals in chapter 12; like it's notes for the writer that were inadvertently left in). and I got annoyed with the general repetition. a gal can only handle so many "waves of nausea" and "not this or that but this"

[Maiya Hackett · Rating 3 out of 5]

This started off very promising. The author writes suspense, mystery, and unease very well. But at the completion of the book, I’m left with significantly more questions than I have answers for: where is her father, what was his role, what did the townspeople want from the main character, what was their plan, where does it go from here? I wish the story was more complete, and not lining up for another mediocre sequel.

[Shernina Baker · Rating 2 out of 5]

should have been a short story

I wanted to live this one, but it definitely fell flat. There was just too much dragging. It was like family drama with mystery, not even thriller really. I thought with the setting and the description it would be really suspenseful, but it was kind of like a boring twilight zone

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

My interest was built, the suspense had me hooked, and then I started feeling like I wanted the story to be over! But, I felt compelled to finish it even though I was disappointed about where it seemed to be headed. I won't tell you if my prediction was correct because I will not spoil it for you.

[Tiffany Joynes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this! The concept was built out well, giving that "Get Out" vibe all the way through. Makes you hesitant to go anywhere you can't get your own hotel. The alternate reality piece was wild.

[Rebecca Y · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nice effort

The idea was amazing and captivating. The delivery had a lot of plot holes and unanswered questions that seemed done not out of intention but of poor attention to detail. Again, the concept was absolutely stellar. Just very disappointed with the story overall.

[Shana · Rating 5 out of 5]

So glad I stumbled across this book!

Such a good read. Actually got my heart racing and the ending? Perfect! This story took a turn that I really wasn’t expecting but I enjoyed it and my appreciation for it grows. I look forward to checking out more of Myunique’s work

[Mama T (Taylor S.) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book felt like Get Out, Gattaca, and Tuck Everlasting had a baby—and I mean that in the best way. Captivating and very eerie. I had a few minor issues with the ending and some character choices, but overall I truly loved it!

[Shamonn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book just pulls you in

Anywhere But Here is a very captivating book. It is full of twists, turns and just enough mystery. I didn't expect the ending...even though I thought I had it figured out. This was a really good read.

[Hope Albritton · Rating 2 out of 5]

not for me

The main character to me did things that were frustrating to read. Not a book for me. I put it down for a while and decided to read the ending after a few weeks. The end was better than the beginning but it still wasn’t that good of a book to me.

[Leticia Miranda raya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Soooo goood!!! Definitely highly recommend!!! AMAZING AUTHOR. From the get, was a page turner, and she didn’t quit, she got to it and kept getting into it. I really really liked. Can’t wait for my next read with her!

[Veronica Rivers · Rating 5 out of 5]

From beginning to end, I just couldn’t put it down. This book was so good and it reminds me of Get Out but with a twist. I still can’t believe she ended it like that but I’m hoping there is a book 2 cause I just need a part 2.

[Tracey Dovey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much! So cleverly written. I couldn’t put it down once I had started it. Really unique storyline.
Read it carefully!!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good! I need more now! Like,what's next?!?! The unanswered questions!

[Lisa C · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this based on reviews I saw. I think I may have missed the point of this book. I just wanted it to end. if I had to read the word nausea one more time, I was going to be nauseous.

[Candice Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75

[Kim Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story, but I listened to the computer generated audiobook, and it took a lot away from it for me.