I'm a huge Emily Freud fan girl and I think Her Last Summer is Emily’s best yet. The original and gripping plot takes you on such a journey, I couldn't put it down. The writing is just perfection. You can spot that Emily has a background in TV production as her knowledge shines through on every page and offers a whole new dimension to an already fresh idea. This book would be an amazing television adaptation. Emily is not only a talented writer, but an absolute genius when it comes to shocking twists, you won't be disappointed with the ending. Just fantastic. I cannot think of a single negative. A complete must-read.

Twenty years ago Luke’s girlfriend disappeared whilst they were backpacking in Thailand. He now comes forward wanting to tell what happened in the hope the investigation might be re-opened as her body was never found. Cassie is the person he contacted and she persuaded her boss to make a true crime documentary about it. BUT this entailed going to Thailand and facing all the memories of his girlfriend’s “last summer”
I was totally involved with the characters as well as the storyline and couldn’t wait to get back to this book.

Thanks to Netgalley for a digital copy of this book.

Thank you Emily Freud, Quercus Books & NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC!

Thoughts: This book has had me gripped from the beginning, and I thoroughly enjoyed the plot of this thriller. I liked the suspense and the unpredictability. I thought I had it all figured out, but the ending kept me guessing and guessing! If you enjoy a good thriller, you will like this!

★★★★☆

Mari vanished 20 years ago while backpacking in Thailand.
Her boyfriend, Luke who was backpacking with her was accused of her murder but always protested his innocence, as her body was never found.
Filmmaker, Cassidy Chambers wants to uncover what really happened, when Luke gets in touch wanting to tell his side of the story.
The first half was a bit of a slow burner with a fabulous setting of sandy white beaches and blue seas and a party atmosphere.
The second half is full of tension and foreboding that keeps you gripped, the setting changes to tense dark jungle and the remoteness and wilderness is brilliantly described.
A page turner with some unexpected twists.
The characters were well written especially Luke - did he or didn’t he kill Mari.
Had vibes of The Beach by Alex Garland
You can tell the author’s background is in TV production as this book is destined to be made into a movie.
Thanks @emilyfreud_ @quercusbooks & @netgalley for the page turner of a read

This is insanely brilliant! A completely addictive page-turner that left me reeling!

Luke Speed and his girlfriend, Mari, were the perfect couple. Twenty years ago, they became separated from their group in the Thai jungle and while Luke eventually made it out, Mari was never found. Suspected of being her killer, Luke's life spiralled out of control. But now, he believes it's time to tell his side of the story and reveal the full truth of what happened that night.

Crime filmmaker Cassidy Chambers is fascinated by Luke and Mari's story and as she interviews Luke, she finds herself becoming compelled to prove his innocence, but something feels off. Cass wonders whether Mari was really the wonderful, near perfect young woman everyone describes.. Were Luke and Mari as happy as Luke says they were?

Emily Freud's writing is fabulous and flows really well. Her descriptions of Thailand made me feel as though I was right there on the white sand, surrounded by palm trees and swimming in the clear turquoise water. The character development was so well done. I felt as though I was part of Cass's team and found myself drawn to Luke and desperate for the truth. Amongst this though, there was an undertone of dread, something unknown and sinister, that threatened to strike at any point. I felt the tension building all the way through and when the big twist hit, it literally took my breath away - WOW! The plot was so, so good and the ending was incredible.

5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Emily Freud and Quercus for an ARC in return for an honest review.

I loved this book! It’s the perfect summer read and I’ll definitely be recommending it.
The plot is unique but draws you in quickly. The twists took me by complete surprise and the ending was fantastic. A must read for anyone who likes a great thriller.

I absolutely love a thriller with a mystery from the past and this ticked all the right boxes. Don't miss this sizzling destination thriller - the perfect companion for lying on a hot beach.... although make sure you have access to plenty of sun cream, cold drinks and shade as you won't want to move until you get to the breathless end... !

Wow. I went into this book with zero expectations as the author is new to me. In this case, I definitely judged a book by its cover and its title, and I'm really glad I did! This book is one of the best thrillers I've read over the last couple of years (and I've read loads!) Relatable but questionable characters? Check. Atmospheric, creepy setting? Check. Original and believable premise? Check. Killer shocking twist? Check. My jaw dropped at 80% through and stayed on the floor til the end. It just has everything you'd need, want and expect from a destination thriller. If you're looking for an original and gripping thriller to heat up your summer in 2024, this is the book for you! It's out next week and you don't want to miss this one. Thanks to Netgalley for my ARC! I'm off to check out Emily's other books 😃

Go behind the scenes of documentary film making and try to uncover the truth of a 20 year old mystery.

Back in the early 2000s, two teenagers, Mari and Luke, headed to Thailand to find themselves before starting university. The trip ended in disaster when they got lost in the jungle for several weeks and only one of them makes it home. 20 years later, Luke gets in touch with a documentary film maker, Cassidy, wanting to share his side of the story. As the film develops, and the crew take Luke back to Thailand for the first time, the story he tells and the secrets they uncover of Mari don't quite add up. Will they ever find Mari and the truth of what happened to her?

I found the first half a bit too much of a slow burner for my liking, and that's why I've given it 4 and not 5 stars. Once the second half gets going, however, the action (and twists) come thick and fast! There's a lot of tension in the second half and an unshakable sense of foreboding keeps you gripped.

This felt like a very different thriller from the other Emily Freud book I've read, What She Left Behind, which just goes to show the author's range. I want to go back to read her debut now and I'd happily read anything else she writes in the future.

I found the details about documentary making fascinating and it's a shame I can't sit and watch the actual thing because it sounds fantastic!

I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoys a slow burn thriller with a bit of action thrown in for good measure.

Her Last Summer by Emily Freud
Published by Quercus Books
4/5 stars!

Gorgeous cover and description, this story kept me gripped until the end! I was drawn in straight away with who is Mari and how was Luke involved, I did not expect the twists in this story!

Mari and Luke went backpacking to Thailand, however they managed to get lost in the jungle and only Luke came back out. After all this time Luke has approached Cassidy Chambers who is a successful film maker, he wants her to release his story of what really happened in the jungle.

I was hooked on this story and could not put it down! I would recommend this book to anyone wanting a easy read which will keep you drawn in until the end.
Thank you Emily Freud, the Publisher and NetGalley for this arc!

This book captivated me from page one. While it is not written as a podcast it almost feels like one.



Cassidy is a documentary film maker and came into a bit of fame with her last film where they found the real culprit because of their research. Out of the blue she is approached by a man, Luke, who went lost together with his girlfriend twenty years ago while they were hiking in the jungle of Thailand. He was found weeks later claiming that a strange man took his girlfriend. But the police and the public always thought he may have killed her. He was never charged because Mari, his girlfriend, was never found. But his life was ruined. Now he finally wants to tell his side of the story and what really happens in the jungle. And he wants Cassidy to help him. Cassidy is thrilled by the opportunity to solve this case and she is soon charmed by handsome and vulnerable Luke. But he seems to be holding back and keeps delaying the big reveal. When they travel to Thailand to reconstruct their journey things get complicated. Cassidy is torn between her being professional and making this important film and her feelings for Luke. She is drawn to him but on the other side she does not trust him. Is Luke a master manipulator or a victim?



This is a gripping read with an unexpected twist at the end. I could see how Cassidy was conflicted about whether to believe Luke or not. The story about the lost girl is interesting and we get some insight of how such a documentary is filmed. I enjoyed this book very much.

I loved the unique plot in this work of psychological fiction from Emily Freud.

Cassidy, a TV executive is approached by Luke, a man who has lived his adult life in shame following the missing presumed dead demise of his teenage girlfriend in a Thai jungle during their gap year 20 years previously. Luke wants Cassidy to investigate with a view to clearing his name via producing a high profile documentary. Cassidy finds herself receiving threatening communications that allude to an adverse childhood experience she personally had the misfortune to experience. The novel sees Cassidy, Luke and her crew travel to Thailand retracing Luke's steps in the run-up to his then-girlfriends disappearance - and therein the hell breaks loose!!

Such a unique and unpredictable story! This novel is well written, perfectly paced and is just the right side of creepy! Im very happy to recommend this novel to fans of psychological fiction.

My thanks to NetGalley, author and publisher for the opportunity to review this novel in exchange for an advance copy.

Luke’s girlfriend Mari vanished while they were enjoying a backpacking holidays through Thailand. Twenty years on, he’s insisted he’s innocence and while some have their doubts, for the most part have moved on. Filmmaker Cassidy wants the complete story, and manages to convince Luke to return to the Thai jungle, facing his fears of two decades before, and recounting his memories from happier days. But as the trail heats up, it’s getting rather spooky in the jungle…

Really couldn’t get on with this one so didn’t finish. I always give until 10% and see where we are but something about the writing wasn’t grabbing me. I was determined to carry on since I’ve read some great reviews but life’s too short. Seems like I’m in the minority. Sorry

I devoured Her Last Summer. I'm a big fan of destination thrillers and am immediately drawn to any novel set in Thailand so this was a huge win-win for me but the standard of writing blew me away!!

The characterisation, pacing and twists were brilliant. It felt like I was back in Thailand re-living my youth as a backpacker! If you love sultry summer thrillers with a huge twist then this book is for you. It really is exceptional.

Wow! What a page Turner, totally new author to me but will definitely go looking for her other novels. I was drawn in from the start to the story and then was treated to not one but two massive plot twists! I did not see either one coming, absolutely fabulous thank you so much

I really enjoyed this book as one could picture the idyllic journey as you were reading it but is it fact or fiction, I guess you will have to read it yourself to find out but a great book I have to say that it will not disappoint one x

Omg this was sheer perfection! Sun, sea, sand and secrets at its best. This is a must read for the summer.... or any time you want transported to a sunnier climate. Its well written and easy to read. I flew through it and didn't even notice half the day had passed. Thr characters were well fleshed out and given dimension and personality. They weren't the same characters you've read about a dozen times over, they didn't have stupid reactions that were completely unbelievable, its all just so very real and impossible not to become invested in. And the twists?! Oft! I did not see them coming and was completely taken aback! Must must must read

This was such a good read. I really enjoy Emily Freuds writing and I am always fully immersed in her novels.

This book has such great settings. Back packers visiting beautiful white sandy beaches, blue seas and a young party atmosphere. You feel like you're holidaying with them. Then, a change in mood with the tense and dark jungle. The novel gives a nod to The Beach by Alex Garland which I liked too.

The characters are all well developed and I particularly liked Cassidy. I couldn't make my mind up about Luke and I was keen to work out what happened to Mari all those years ago.

I enjoyed the flashbacks to the early 2000s as well as the filmmakers revisiting the crime scene now.
I loved the film making aspect, and it's clear that Emily Freud knows her stuff.

This is a real page turner and some really unexpected twists had me gobsmacked, I'd never have seen those coming!

If you haven't read any of this author's books yet I'd highly recommend this one and her previous books too. A fabulous thriller writer who always delivers fast paced and un-put-downable reads!

I'd love to see this story on the TV. (And I'm sure I say that with all of Emily's novels but I can always picture them so well).

Thanks again to Netgalley, Quercus books and Emily Freud for giving me the opportunity to read an arc of Her Last Summer!

This novel is published on 11th April 2024 .. available to preorder now!

#adprproduct #emilyfreud
#herlastsummer #quercusbooks #netgalley #bookreview #bookarc #advancedreaderscopy #fivestarread #fivestarthriller

So I had a lot to do this weekend (and I mean A LOT!) but I made the mistake of just taking a look at Her Last Summer to set it up ready to read at some point in the coming weeks. OMG the rest of the day just passed me by as I physically couldn’t get off the sofa to do anything else other than read this book! It’s been a long time since a storyline grabbed me as instantly as this did and I finished it yesterday evening. And did the initial spark I felt on those first few pages develop into the flames I wanted? YES IT DID!! What a read and what an amazing and utterly shocking twist (one of quite a few I have to add) it had part way through-one of those twists where you doubt what you’ve just read and have to reread to make sure it’s not just been thrown in there to shake you up a little!
The writing here is beautifully authentic with attention to detail in both character and setting-I was there with Cass and Luke every step of their journey as though I was travelling alongside them as they search for the truth about the disappearance of Mari 20 years ago. The scenes in the UK we’re intrinsically connected to those in the jungle in such a seamless way that you could easily have believed this was a real case they were following and I was beside them every step of the way.
This is already a contender for my book of the year-absolutely brilliantly breathtaking from start to incredible finish.