Cover Image: The Last Thing He Told Me

The Last Thing He Told Me

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Member Reviews

A fast paced mystery/suspense novel about a husband who disappears leaving his daughter (Bailey) in the care of her new step mother (Hannah). As Hannah looks for answers to why her husband left her, she uncovers loads of secrets. This is a quick read -- I just could not put it down. With every chapter there are new revelations. The characters are believable and the emotions run high. Bailey is the consummate teenager, torn between loyalty to her father, animosity toward her step mother, and the increasing realities that her father may not have told her the whole truth. I really believed in Hannah & Bailey -- every action rang true.

SOMEWHAT OF A SPOILER --

I really enjoyed this book, but as the story came to its conclusion, I felt a bit let down. Although everything is resolved, it felt a bit to "happily ever after" to me. No, it wasn't a fairy tale ending, just a bit of an "OK". I honestly can't articulate why I felt that way. I guess I was just expecting something more -- think "Gone Girl" or "Thelma & Louise" or something. Instead things just worked out and Hannah & Bailey went on their merry way. SIGH!

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I absolutely loved this book! Once I started, I couldn’t stop! This is a great story about the love we have for our family and the sacrifices we will make to protect them. While the ending was a bit melancholy, was perfect. What a fantastic mystery thriller!

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This was a very good read. From the first chapter through to the last page, the story takes the reader through the hurt and confusion felt when her husband disappears and she's left to care for his daughter, who blames her step mother for the disapppearance. Searching for clues that only leave them with more questions, these two will bond as look for the man they both love. The ending is a very feel good way to end the journey.

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I don’t know why I waited so long to read this book. It was on my Kindle shelf for months. I think I knew it would be amazing and I wanted to save it for a special occasion. I waited until I was on vacation, and as soon as I started it, I could not put it down. I devoured it in two days of car travel.

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Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I know, this one has a very devoted fan base...but I'm not always going to agree with everyone, sorry.
It was good, not great. I was excited when I started it because it began quickly and had me hooked right away, but then it started moving all over the place and I think it was just rushed at the end.

3 🌟 for me.

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This book was great! I thought the premise was really interesting and I loved the way that the plot unfolded, with Hannah systematically and cleverly figuring out the pieces of the mystery and then fearlessly following through in order to find the answers for herself and her stepdaughter. The character descriptions and development were particularly masterful, and it was delightful to watch the relationship and trust between Hannah and 16-year-old Bailey grow as they worked together to find answers. What struck me even more was how richly drawn and memorable some of the peripheral characters were, particularly the church secretary and the math professor. I found it a pleasure to read and am grateful to the publisher and NetGalley for an e-ARC of this book.

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This was such a fantastic read with an unexpected ending. Hannah has recently married Owen, dad to a 16 year old, Bailey.

Owen suddenly goes missing and Hannah and Bailey, who don’t have the best relationship, team up together to unravel the mystery of his disappearance.

I loved how this story kept me turning the pages and I couldn’t put it down. Read it in less than 24 hours!

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The Last Thing He Told Me is a well-written and twisy novel. Laura Dave's writing is fast paced and engaging. The story had some unexpected turns and if the ending had been a little more flushed out this would be a 5 star read.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

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It was a day like any other. Hannah woke on the houseboat in Sausalito with her new husband, Owen, and his sixteen year old daughter, Bailey. Hannah and Owen have only been married for a year and Bailey isn't on board with it. Hannah isn't sure what is just being a teenager and what is personal dislike but Bailey makes sure Hannah knows every day that she is an interloper.

But the day doesn't stay normal. Hannah gets a note from Owen, not a phone call, but a note he had a student deliver to her. It only says, Protect Her. Hannah isn't sure what is going on but then the news stories start. Owen was the chief IT person for a company that had just gone public. The stories say that the owner of the firm had committed fraud, claiming as revenue sales that hadn't been completed. He is arrested and the news stories say others in the firm will be also.

But Owen has disappeared. He left a suitcase full of money and then nothing. Then law enforcement starts coming. The first is a U.S. Marshal from Texas. Then FBI agents. All believe that Hannah knows something about where Owen is but she doesn't . She hires an ex-boyfriend as her attorney and starts to investigate Owen's past life to see if she can figure out where he might have gone. Can she find him before the law does?

This novel was the Goodreads choice for top mystery in 2022. The reader will go along with Hannah, learning about Owen's past and coming to the decision point Hannah must make. Each reader will ask themselves if they would make the same decision that Hannah did knowing what she knew about the past and what the future would look like. This book is recommended for mystery readers.

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This book was more of a slow-burn, but still very mysterious and kept me wanting to read more and find out what happens. Each chapter leaves you with a cliffhanger that makes you immediately turn to the next chapter. I am excited to read more from Laura Dave!

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A thoughtful domestic thriller that examines motherhood and the sacrifices we make for the people we love.

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Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy. I’m a little late to the game. For some reason, I don’t know why I didn’t pick this book up sooner. Maybe the cover? I’m a terrible book cover judge.

Anyway, I finally picked it up and wow. I read it in a few days (stupid work getting in the way lol) and now I’m about to do a Laura Dave binge.

Great story. Didn’t quite fall flat. Got a little silly in my opinion but tied up in a neat bow. I’m just going to leave it at that.

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My office book club picked this and boy it was a good pick! Hannah is married to Owen and he has Bailey a 16 year old from a previous marriage. Bailey comes home from school with a duffle bag of cash shortly after a girl from the school delivers a note to Hannah that says "protect her". With that Owen is on the run and Hannah is literally left to figure this all out. I was suspicious of Grady, the travel to Austin was kind of strange and the ex in New York added another layer of intrigue. I truly enjoyed this book. Will read more from this author.

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I enjoyed parts of the book but I didn’t like the ending. Unless I love the book, I will not be offering a recommendation.

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This book was fantastic. It was engaging enough to keep me reading and I really wanted to know how it ended, I read it in two days and it helped get me out of a slump. I call this one a win! 4 stars.

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I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. Interesting story. You might like if you are into thrillerish/ mysteries.

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On a seemingly normal weekday afternoon Hannah's life implodes. It starts with a delivery of a note by a stranger from her husband, "Protect her" the only message inscribed. Then Owen wouldn't answer her calls, he didn't return home from work and then the news broke, Owen's office was raided and the FBI arrested his boss. When there is still no word from Owen the next day Hannah's worry increases as a US Marshall and the FBI separately pay her a visit. What has Owen done? Now it's up to Hannah and her sixteen year old step-daughter to unravel the tangled web Owen has left behind to figure out where he is and just how big of a mess he has left behind. The more they pull at strings they begin to realize that neither of them truly knew Owen and Hannah must risk it all to keep Bailey safe. I'm mad at myself for how long I let "The Last Thing He Told Me" sit on my TBR shelf. I couldn't put this one down. It's a page-turning thriller but lacks all of the shock and gore you usually get with that genre. It was very refreshing to be hooked in a book from this genre without that piece. (I can't wait to see the TV series that just wrapped up filming this spring with Jennifer Garner cast as Hannah.) Don't miss out on this book.

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Review published on Goodreads, 9 September 2021:

With an intriguing premise, root-worthy characters, and tight plotting, THE LAST THING HE TOLD ME is a solid thriller. While it's a bit predictable, that didn't stop me from burning through the pages to find out what was going to happen next. I enjoyed this one and will definitely be keeping an eye on what Dave does next.

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I always give a book 3 tries before I officially declare a book isn't for me. I even try the Audiobook if it is available. With this particular book. I did just that. I made it to 45% But in the end it just lacked originality for me. I know, This is a popular book, So please don't be discouraged with my review and at least try it for yourself. I just find myself looking at thriller books and wanting a unique story line.

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Probably more like 3.5. I really enjoyed the first 2/3 of the book and wanted to keep listening. The last 1/3 though just seemed unrealistic? Overall it was good, but I was a little disappointed in the ending.

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