Never Go Home
  • Reads 210,687
  • Votes 3,267
  • Parts 7
  • Time 59m
  • Reads 210,687
  • Votes 3,267
  • Parts 7
  • Time 59m
Complete, First published Feb 20, 2017
[Wattpad Picks: Editors' Choice] In a world ravaged by global warming, there is the Offering:  A rite in which every eighteen-year-old woman in each village leaves their home in search of a husband.  Bloodlines must be varied, the Elders say.  Genetic variation is of the utmost importance for their livelihood.  But Talia, an Offering, questions the methods and is uncooperative with the Elder's rules.

Never one to follow the road others have set before her, she shirks the constraints of the Offering.  As she travels, a chance meeting with an intriguing stranger reveals that nothing is as she thought it was and proves there are people in this world who understand her. Despite her growing attraction to the alluring stranger, she dares not trust him. Armed with her new world-view and fighting unforeseen enemies, her decisions will determine the fate of her home. 

PG-13 for violence and swearing

**If you are reading this story on any other platform other than W a t t p a d you are very likely to be at risk of a malware attack. If you wish to read this story in its original, safe form please go to https://www.w a t t p a d.com/user/katkeenan.  Thank you.**


✤✤Reviews✤✤

"One of the most genuine, authentic, and strongest female protagonists I have had the pleasure of reading. Never Go Home is a rip-roaring story and @katkeenan will take you on an unforgettable journey."  @SebJenkins

"You just played with my emotions like a kitten with a ball of yarn." @BEWheeler

"Never Go Home is one of those breathtaking page turners set in a futuristic, yet very much real time span...It's like a dash of Sarah J. Maas and a sprinkle of Suzanne Collins, but a hundred percent unique." - Gear, Sci-Fi Judge from the @SummerZodiacAwards team 

"Never Go Home is truly a masterpiece of wit, action, and secrets within." - Matthew, Sci-Fi Judge from the @SummerZodiacAwards team



©Kathleen H. Keenan | W a t t p a d
All Rights Reserved
Sign up to add Never Go Home to your library and receive updates
or
#18globalwarming
Content Guidelines
You may also like
Callisto by TraversingtheDark
53 parts Complete Mature
The Deadlands - dry, arid, and merciless. A place where only the scent of death hangs loosely on the scorching winds. This is all that remains of a once bright world. This is the only world that Rain-Born has ever known. As a warrior of the Hanakh tribe she is without peer - a fearless, cold-blooded huntress. Knowing her skills, her village Elder bestows her with a sacred quest she must not refuse. She must reach the ancient Iron Forest and find the object that will save their tribe from certain destruction at the hands of their enemies: Callisto. But Rain-Born's journey is not her own. Unbeknownst to her, another wanders in the desolate wastes under very different circumstances. One who will come to call her friend. For these two travelers, the great Iron Forest holds the key to a brighter future... ...If they can survive long enough to reach it. ______________________________________________________________________ ----You may also find Callisto on: Royal Road.com (Crossposted as of 04/06/23)---- Awards: First Place in 'The Berry Pancake Awards' (22/01/23) First Place in 'The Gloria Regali Awards' (17/10/22) Second Place in 'The Count Awards' (15/04/22) Fifth Place in 'The Dusk Awards' (15/05/22) Features: Dystopian & Apocalypse 'Disastrous Dystopias and Paradise Utopias' (23/01/23) Stories Undiscovered 'Into the Abyss' (23/10/22) Wattpad Darkfantasy: 'Dark Laboratory' (15/09/22) Stories Undiscovered: Action/Adventure/Sci-Fi (03/06/23) Accolades: #1 in 'Talking Animals' (07/05/22) #2 in 'Girl protagonist' (18/05/22) #1 in 'Fantasy Adventure' (12/09/22) TW: Strong violence/language.
A Quarter Mile Away by Claireaabell
54 parts Complete
Ranked #01 for Teen Fiction X4 *A WATTPAD FEATURED STORY!* WHS Story of the Month Winner: Teen Fiction The Fiction Awards Winner 2017; Best Overall Story Best Of The Beginners ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ He turned slightly in his chair to face me "I'll be honest, it was a date but ended terribly." "Why did it end terribly?" His jaw clenched while contemplating whether to tell me or not "Because I was distracted." I raised an eyebrow in confusion "Distracted by what?" He looked at me directly in the eyes before answering, "You." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Avery is beautiful, carefree and outspoken. Well, she used to be. She used to thrive on adrenaline and the only way she could fulfil that need was by riding her motorcycle. Avery hasn't exactly lived the best life. With a violent ex-boyfriend, her father deserting them at a young age and her mum constantly high alongside her new husband, Avery and her sister Alena have grown up in a messy and violent environment. Determined to give her sister a proper upbringing, they escape to a new town and start a new life together, giving up on everything she loved in the process. Afraid of her past coming back to haunt her, she refuses to let anyone into her life. Her only focus is to look after her sister and get through senior year. That is until she meets Jaxon Asher who comes crashing into her life, popular amongst his peers who is also well known in the racing scene. Avery is convinced he is like every other man who's crossed paths with her. Will he prove her fears right and confirm that all men are the same; abusive and controlling or will he show her that there is still love left in this world? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Copyright: © 2016 Claireaabell All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission
Awakening - The Last Science #1 by Etzoli
143 parts Complete
No one ever knows the whole story... Nestled deep in the forests of the Pacific Northwest, something is emerging. Kept in absolute secrecy, it seeps into a fading town, quietly shared from person to person. For Alden Bensen, a directionless high school graduate, this discovery could mean an escape from his empty existence. To Rachel DuValle, perpetually underestimated and dismissed by the world, magic represents a chance to become something much greater than herself. In the face of an unsuspecting world, their decisions shape the growth of a budding society discovering untold power. This potent force offers anyone the power to change humanity forever - or send it cascading into swift and total annihilation. ----- The Last Science is an ongoing science-fiction / low-fantasy web novel series. New chapters will be posted on Fridays for as long as it takes to tell the whole story. For Wattpad only, chapters are split up by individual scenes-if you would prefer the whole chapters in single pieces, please visit my homepage or another site where I post this story, thanks! Discord: https://discord.gg/5NYk6za Patreon: https://patreon.com/etzoli Content Warning (by request): This series delves into some topics and situations which may be upsetting for some readers. In American rating parlance, the narrative would be rated PG-13 (except for language), but some have noted the story can get pretty dark on occasion. Please use your best judgment, and don't be afraid to take breaks and come back later. I'll still be here! This story will also be published weekly at my website (https://etzo.li). There will be no differences in content, but slight differences in formatting. Feel free to read at whichever site or app you prefer. If you're enjoying the story, consider dropping me a vote over on Top Web Fiction, or come say hi on Discord. Thanks! Discord: https://discord.gg/5NYk6za Patreon: https://patreon.com/etzoli
Grey Sweat Pant's Entanglement 7 by BlkQween
43 parts Complete Mature
✅ COMPLETE Kalel has lost both parent's in New York City's World Trade Center. His mother worked in building two and his father worked in the World Financial Center. At seventeen he claimed both of their dead body's from the NYC morgue. With his 18th birthday three weeks away Kalel not only has a double funeral's to plan but he is in the middle of a custody battle with the city of New York to maintain custody of his ten year old sister Amanda. Once Kalel goes to court he is told he must get and maintain gainful employment. How and where can an eighteen year old work paying enough to care for himself, his sister and pay off the last five year's left on the mortgage for the family home willed to he and his sister? One day while jogging in the park a woman offer's him a job as a janitor. When Kalel show's up for the position is he there for his cleaning skill, or his pipe game and what's in his Grey Sweat pant's? Will Kalel get caught in a racy life of sex, lies and deceit? Will he do what it takes to get his sister back? Grey sweat pant's is a story of a desperate boy who is quickly ushered into the world of being a grown ass man shaking what his mama gave him in those GRAY SWEAT PANT'S Grab ya glass this entanglement is guaranteed to take you on a sexy thriller ride! Also check out by Blk Qween https://www.wattpad.com/story/278623753?utm_source=android&utm_medium=link&utm_content=share_writing&wp_page=create&wp_uname=BlkQween&wp_originator=TM0iTT16y1VgsrSevbxFemqHaGUY0ft13YV4Msu%2FXU0qEtSGVDPRhdVsQV60bTwXwatYuXpxqoO7lEQ8eMlBpSxn10A2u9GzKcwJZq5tUb2IMKDPw4EMvoRrLBTeXYIU
Writer's Block (Complete) by StephanieGower
33 parts Complete Mature
This book is now available at Barnes & Noble and nook. This is now only a sneak peak of the book. Trina is a writer, one of her books finally made the best sellers list, so why can't she seem to write another one just as good. She's spent every dime she had, thinking that there would be more to come but even books on the best sellers list stop selling over time. What she needs is another novel, what she's stuck with is writers block. Seeing no other option, she's forced to move back in with her parents. Of course, she could do worse, I mean come on they live on a beach. It's absolutely beautiful with its quaint cottages and sandy beaches that stretch for miles. Trina left this small Island for the big city life long ago after something tragic happened. She has kept this secret for years and intends to die with this secret, until she gets drunk one night and confides in an old friend, Sebastian. Sebastian is sexy, hot and successful, he's a doctor, she could do worse right? And then, there's Alex who she was in love with ten years ago when she ran from the island, does she still love him, or should she leave the past in the past and find happiness with Sebastian. Does she even see Sabastian as more than just a friend? Alex is an ex-Marine turned Sheriff of the island. He's seen more than one man should in their lifetime and is a little broken from the experience. Add that to the fact that Trina broke his heart ten years ago and you get an angry man with a chip on his shoulder. Does his cold exterior match what he's really feeling inside, or has he never quite gotten over Trina? Only he knows the truth as he keeps her at arm's length. Cover created by SMGower Photos for the cover art were found on: https://pixabay.com CC0 Creative Commons Copyright © 2018 Stephanie Gower All rights reserved.
White Lies (Book 1) by help-me-think-of-one
44 parts Complete
Jesabel is a liar. When her only friend mysteriously disappears, she does what comes naturally. She keeps her truth from the world. Without warning, she is thrown into a web of lies far more dangerous and lethal than anything she could imagine. With an annoyingly charming boy by her side, can she unravel what she refuses to tell - the truth? WHITE LIES HAS BEEN REVISED, EDITED AND REWORKED! Happy late new year, friends! I'd like to take this opportunity to announce that White Lies, a story that has been up and running on Wattpad since 2011, has been re-written and revised for the coming decade. What does this mean? This entails the same characters you know and love, with better flow, better writing, more nuanced character development, more mature content, and entirely different plot lines. Jesabel's character has changed drastically since I last introduced her to the world (nearly NINE years ago! yikes!), and I wanted to make this story a more nuanced and modern take. When I had written White Lies, I had been just 14 years old. And I've done a ton of growing, learning, and unlearning over the years. This means that my characters have grown and developed with me. If you are an old friend and re-reader - welcome, and please enjoy the same old story you love with a brand new take! If you have started along this White Lies journey beginning in December and all throughout January, you might have read a half-edited and half-original version of the story. So please feel free to re-read at your leisure! I won't bite, I promise.
Bound by dawn_norwell
32 parts Complete Mature
During the year of their eighteenth birthday, the women of Grayson must undergo The Awakening- a ceremony in which they are chosen by their mates. In a patriarchy where men rule everything and women are seen as nothing more than instruments for childbearing, Mia has no say in who her husband will be. When the man who chooses her turns out to be cruel and abusive, there is nothing she can do to leave the violent relationship. As is the law in Grayson, she is bound to her husband until death. Feeling trapped and alone in her marriage, Mia finds comfort in her house servant, Ruby. As they grow close, a forbidden love blossoms. Mia wants to flee her marriage and be with Ruby, but fear holds her back. If the government found out about her prohibited relationship, she and Ruby would be sentenced to death. She wants to find happiness, but not at such a high cost. Mia embarks on a journey of romance, betrayal, and rebellion as she tries to find her voice in a place where women were meant to be silent. © Dawn Norwell "Though I'd spent my entire life denying it, I could no longer live a lie. I didn't love my husband. I could never love him. After repressing it for so long, I finally accepted that I was gay. I had always been gay. And no number of threats or scare tactics from the government would change the fact that I would always be gay." _______________________________________________________________________________ "Horribly fascinating!" "Wow, this is so chilling. I can't wait to read more!" "There are ways in which the real world has treated women and homosexuals that mirrors what is happening here. I find it disgusting, intolerable - and that means stories like this need to exist." "This does a great job showing some seriously underrepresented issues in the world :)" #1 in future fantasy 2nd place in The Black and Gold Leaf Awards 3rd place in The Creativity Awards Warning- This story contains domestic violence and sexual assault.
You may also like
Slide 1 of 10
Callisto cover
A Quarter Mile Away cover
Awakening - The Last Science #1 cover
HAVEN ✓ cover
Grey Sweat Pant's Entanglement 7 cover
Writer's Block (Complete) cover
The Approximation cover
White Lies (Book 1) cover
Bound cover
Echoes Of Freedom | ONC 2025 cover

Callisto

53 parts Complete Mature

The Deadlands - dry, arid, and merciless. A place where only the scent of death hangs loosely on the scorching winds. This is all that remains of a once bright world. This is the only world that Rain-Born has ever known. As a warrior of the Hanakh tribe she is without peer - a fearless, cold-blooded huntress. Knowing her skills, her village Elder bestows her with a sacred quest she must not refuse. She must reach the ancient Iron Forest and find the object that will save their tribe from certain destruction at the hands of their enemies: Callisto. But Rain-Born's journey is not her own. Unbeknownst to her, another wanders in the desolate wastes under very different circumstances. One who will come to call her friend. For these two travelers, the great Iron Forest holds the key to a brighter future... ...If they can survive long enough to reach it. ______________________________________________________________________ ----You may also find Callisto on: Royal Road.com (Crossposted as of 04/06/23)---- Awards: First Place in 'The Berry Pancake Awards' (22/01/23) First Place in 'The Gloria Regali Awards' (17/10/22) Second Place in 'The Count Awards' (15/04/22) Fifth Place in 'The Dusk Awards' (15/05/22) Features: Dystopian & Apocalypse 'Disastrous Dystopias and Paradise Utopias' (23/01/23) Stories Undiscovered 'Into the Abyss' (23/10/22) Wattpad Darkfantasy: 'Dark Laboratory' (15/09/22) Stories Undiscovered: Action/Adventure/Sci-Fi (03/06/23) Accolades: #1 in 'Talking Animals' (07/05/22) #2 in 'Girl protagonist' (18/05/22) #1 in 'Fantasy Adventure' (12/09/22) TW: Strong violence/language.