A review by booktalkwithkarla
We Would Never by Tova Mirvis

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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.