After an emergency leaves her short on rent, thirty-year-old Freya Arnalds bails on her lackluster life as bartender in Maine and returns to her suburban hometown of Somers, New York, to live in the house she inherited from her estranged parents. Despite attempts to lay low, Freya encounters childhood friends, familial enemies, and old flames—as well as her fifteen-year-old niece, Aubrey, who is secretly living in the derelict home. As they reconnect, Freya and Aubrey lean on each other, working to restore the house and come to terms with the devastating events that pulled them apart years ago.

This book contains mentions of sexual assault, suicide, and suicidal ideation.

When I first moved away from home, I had a deep desire to plant new roots for myself elsewhere. I relished the opportunity to be untethered and start fresh. Yet, home follows you wherever you go, for better or for worse—and no book explores this notion better than Home of the American Circus.

Freya has sworn off ever returning to her hometown of Somers, New York, the birthplace of the American circus and the place where Freya herself became estranged from her abusive family. But when events beyond her control force her back to her parents’ abandoned home, she discovers an unexpected squatter: her niece, Aubrey. As the two characters strike up an unforgettable bond, they begin to rebuild the house and rise above their difficult pasts.

Home of the American Circus is one of those books that you never want to end. I savored every detail of this story, from its gorgeous prose and meaningful relationships to its redemptive, riveting storyline. Run away and read Home of the American Circus! You won’t be disappointed.