Too Close to Home
- Judith D Collins
- Apr 14
- 5 min read
Narrators: Brittany Pressley, Rebecca Lowman, Karissa Vacker
Harlequin Audio
ISBN: 978-0778306436
Publisher: Park Row
Publication Date: 04/14/2026
Format: Other
My Rating: 5 Stars (ARC)
The two-time Edgar Award–nominated author of ON A QUIET STREET and THE VACANCY IN ROOM 10, Seraphina Nova Glass, is back with TOO CLOSE TO HOME
Nothing in this idyllic community is quite what it seems…
Those lucky enough to live in the elite lakefront community of Cloverhill Lakes are drawn to it for its safety and top-notch school district. The moms meet for coffee at the park while their kids play, they’re heavily involved in the PTA, and the summers are filled with chardonnay, brunch, sundresses, and backyard bonfires.
But everything changes when Regan Hoffman’s car explodes at the annual Labor Day party. The wrong person is killed, but it was meant for her. As the carefully crafted walls of her community begin to crumble, Regan tries to keep it together—something made infinitely harder when she sees her dead husband…alive.
When a Cloverhill Lakes resident suddenly goes missing, dark secrets begin to surface from underneath the idyllic veneer of their beautiful community—and the truth threatens to destroy them all as Regan finds herself in a fight for her life.
Other thrillers from Seraphina to keep you up all night:
Nothing Ever Happens Here
The Vacancy in Room 10
The Vanishing Hour
On a Quiet Street
Such a Good Wife
Someone’s Listening
My Review
"A Literal—and Metaphorical—Explosion of Suburban Secrets!"
Seraphina Nova Glass' latest suburban fast-paced domestic thriller, TOO CLOSE TO HOME features three women in an affluent lakeside community whose lives unravel after an explosive car bomb kills a neighbor at a party, intended for someone else.
Trust No One. Not Even the Neighbors. From shared secrets, a missing person, and surviving the dark, hidden dangers beneath suburban perfection.
Highlights...
During a Labor Day party in Cloverhill Lakes, a car bomb explodes, killing Ally, who was driving Regan's car. Regan believes she was the intended target and that her traumatic, hidden past is catching up to her.
Told from three POVs, the novel follows three women: Regan, who is dealing with the death of her husband, Jack; Andi, battling her manipulative ex-husband, Ray, and his new wife, Tia, for custody; and Sasha, a newcomer with a dark past and a troubled son.
After the explosion, a resident goes missing, and the school receives a bomb threat.
Regan pops pills while struggling with her mental health as she starts seeing her husband, Jack, who died two years prior. Andi is worried she shot someone while practicing, while Sasha struggles to hide her mysterious history.
The final acts reveal that the three women's separate dramas are deeply connected. The plot concludes with a high-stakes confrontation involving elements of the cartel and the mafia, explaining all the loose ends and how a "dead" husband fits into the web of secrets.
My thoughts...
"TOO CLOSE TO HOME is an electrifying, claustrophobic suburban noir. Welcome to the elite lakefront community of Cloverhill Lakes. Volatile & explosive, the "perfect" facade begins to crumble. Perfect on the surface. Deadly underneath.”
As an avid admirer of the author, I've devoured every one of her books, each more captivating than the last. Her writing style draws me in, weaving intricate tales filled with subtle secrets and the pervasive lies that often lie just beneath the surface of suburban life.
In her latest work, a profound theme emerges: beneath the façade of perfection—regardless of one's social standing or seemingly idyllic home—lies a complex tapestry of hidden trauma. This powerful message compels readers to peel back the layers and look beyond the carefully constructed masks that individuals so often wear, revealing the deeper truths of their experiences.
Vibe & Atmosphere...
~Idyllic yet Unsettling
~Atmospheric & Tense
~Darkly Humorous
Characters...
~Messy & Layered
~Intriguing & Engaging
~Secretive
Plot & Pacing...
~Explosive
~Fast-Paced & Propulsive
~Unhinged & Twisty
Themes...
~Suburban Perfection vs. Reality
~Motherhood & Protection
~Female Friendship & Empowerment
~Secrets & Buried Pasts:
~Grief & Emotional Fallout
~Judgment & Masks
Takeaway Message...
The biggest takeaway from TOO CLOSE TO HOME is that no one is truly who they appear to be, especially behind the manicured lawns of suburbia. Ultimately, the book leaves you with the chilling thought that the person living next door might be a stranger.
Title Significance...
The title plays on the classic thriller trope that the place where you are supposed to feel safest—your home—is actually the most dangerous place of all.
The audiobook...
I had the delightful opportunity to immerse myself in both the book and its audiobook version, masterfully narrated by a talented cast that includes the captivating Brittany Pressley, the engaging Karissa Vacker, (favorites), and the enchanting Rebecca Lowman. Their performances added a rich layer of depth to the storytelling, skillfully bringing the characters to life and heightening the suspense in a way that made every moment feel thrilling and vivid. The combination of their distinct voices and expressive delivery made for a highly entertaining listening experience!
Recs...
If you're captivated by the gripping narrative laced with tension and drama, "Too Close to Home" is a must-read. This enthralling suburban saga weaves a tale filled with unexpected twists and complex relationships, making it a perfect choice for fans of the author.
Its themes resonate with those who enjoy "Your Friends and Neighbors" and "The Last Thing He Told Me." For readers who loved the scandal and intrigue of "Desperate Housewives" or the dark secrets explored in "The Hunting Wives" and "Big Little Lies," this book promises to deliver an equally compelling experience. Dive into a world where seemingly perfect lives unravel in the most astonishing ways.
Special thanks to Park Row and NetGalley for providing an advanced reading copy and Harlequin Audio for sharing an advanced listening copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: April 14, 2026
My Rating: 5 Stars
Praise
“From the explosive opening to the introspective ending, Too Close to Home is an exciting and wild ride depicting how lives can spin out of control when someone is hell bent on revenge. The three suburban wives’ stories intertwine seamlessly, and this will be a definite standout in the cul-de-sac thriller genre.”
—Jaime Lynn Hendricks, bestselling author of Their Double Lives
"This book was explosive, addictive, and impossible to put down—Glass just raised the bar for domestic thrillers."
—Noelle Ihli, bestselling author of Such Quiet Girls
"Too Close to Home has one of the best twists I've ever read. Nobody does 'suburban thriller' like Seraphina Nova Glass. A masterclass in tension building."
—Nicola Sanders, author of Don't Let Her Stay
About the Author
Seraphina Nova Glass is the Edgar Award–nominated author of On A Quiet Street, which was recently optioned for a TV series by MarVista Entertainment. Publishers Weekly has named her “a writer to watch.” She’s also an award-winning playwright and holds an MFA degree in dramatic writing from Smith College and a second MFA in directing from the University of Idaho. A proud dog mom and an avid world traveler, she resides in Dallas, Texas, with her husband and her Boston terrier, Spaghetti. WEBSITE
