Home of the American Circus

De: Allison Larkin

Narrado por: Julia Whelan

The acclaimed author of the “lyrical coming-of-age novel” (Good Morning America) The People We Keep returns with a luminous new story of redemption, breaking generational curses, and the power of family in its truest form.

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.

Set in the birthplace of the American circus, this deeply moving novel is an exploration of broken families, the weight of the past, and the complicated journey of finding home.

©2025 Allison Larkin (P)2025 Simon & Schuster Audio

Beautiful and Sad

Freya lives with her whole heart. It’s sad she was treated so badly as a child.

Another extraordinary book by Allison Larkin!!!

Home of the American Circus is an incredible story with unforgettable characters that are easy to fall in love with and root for!!

Wonderful story!

The writing made you feel everything. Such a great read!
I have been waiting for more from Larkin!

Great story!

What a beautiful story and the characters were interesting & easy to fall in love with. I always enjoy Julia Whelan’s narration!

Dare I say better..

Dare I say this novel is better than The People We Keep? I gave TPWK 5 ⭐️ but I LOVED Home Of The American Circus MORE! This story was so so good. I adored Freya! Her sister was insufferable-I could’ve punched her and her husband. Even her parents who were absolutely horrible to her. This story is just so good! If you love coming home stories with family drama and redemption you will love this! It will definitely be a re-listen for me :) and I’ll prob buy a hard copy to read at the beach!

Great characters

It was an engaging story with interesting characters. Not the genre I usually read, and I was unfamiliar with the author, but I will definitely be checking for more from Ms. Larkin.

characters are real and relatable

it starts so hopeless & depressing, but is real in lifelong struggles for average Americams. Small town life is accurately depicted.

Author & narrator dynamic duo!

I loved everything about this book. AL, took me with her on this journey and I was absorbed by the story, I felt the characters and would randomly think about the story throughout the day. As usual Julia Whelan is absolutely THE BEST narrator, engaging the reader with every word! I highly recommend this book and AL first book, I look forward to her next novel!

uplifting story

Very sympathetic story of characters damaged by the people they should have been able to rely on in their young lives.

3.5 stars

3.5 stars. I didn’t enjoy this book as much as the last one I read by this author, but it was still good. I really liked the characters, I just wish the author had wrapped up a couple of storylines a little better.