Where You Once Belonged by Lorna Graham is a captivating novel that follows Everleigh (Ev) Page, an ambitious woman who gradually loses her conscience in her rise to success. Aiming for a promotion at her TV network, ARC News, Ev ruthlessly undermines her subordinates, burying their important news ideas and getting several of them fired. She feels no remorse for her actions, rationalizing that, as a woman in a competitive position, she must prove herself by making tough decisions. However, after her boyfriend, Sean, tries to help her recognize the coldness of her behavior and when a reunion with former schoolmates forces her to confront her choices and the person she has become, Ev begins to see how far she has drifted from the girl who fought for justice and reported the truth.

Where You Once Belonged is one of those stories that lingers with you, and prompts you to reflect on the events that shape who you are. The novel explores Ev's family story, her life in college, and her present life and work at ARC News. The storylines blend seamlessly and perfectly highlight what led to Ev's transformation. Lorna Graham delves into themes of grief, family dynamics, trauma, friendship, and ambition. Ev is an inspiring yet complex character; while she is not perfect, she is hardworking and passionate. I appreciated that Ev had people in her life who were honest with her. The ending is open yet satisfying, offering a sense of healing and transformation. The book also celebrates strong women, particularly highlighting the contributions of Native American women throughout history. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to any reader seeking a thought-provoking narrative that examines the complexities of ambition, personal accountability, and the impact of our choices on relationships.

In Where You Once Belonged, a drama by Lorna Graham, Everleigh Page, a career-driven woman in her forties, has sacrificed a lot to become the executive producer of a primetime newsmagazine show. Ev feels further validated by her choices after she becomes the first woman president of the new division of the ARC network. However, her latest role comes with a price. She has to let go of a couple of brilliant employees and is forced to squash a crucial investigative news story involving a major pharmaceutical corporation. After reluctantly accepting an invitation to join her college reunion, Ev finds herself in the company of her sisters from Foster House, learns a few secrets about the past, and comes face to face with her younger self, leading her to make amends for her mistakes.

Where You Once Belonged follows a fiercely independent woman's journey of self-reflection and redemption. Featuring characters that leap off the pages alongside a dash of magical realism, author Lorna Graham tells a riveting story that poses the question: "Is sacrificing your ideals and morals really worth finding success in your career?" There are so many layers to the relationships in this character-driven drama. Whether it's Ev's relationship dynamics with her colleagues, her boyfriend's family members, or her old friends, you find yourself invested in every single one of these characters and their story arcs. I also immensely enjoyed the contrasting ways both Ev and Leigh are portrayed in the narrative as it shows how much Ev changed as she grew older and found success. This is a must-read for anyone who loves stories full of dynamic and well-fleshed-out female characters.