Absolutely loved this book! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The combination of a love story, hostage situation, and a cat-and-mouse style police investigation in a thriller were brilliant and read effortlessly. Ms. McAllister weaves different viewpoints with ease, and made this novel difficult to put down. Thank you to NetGalley and Ms. McAllister for providing me with an ARC of this novel, in exchange for an honest review.

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You said:
please rewrite this: So so many twists! I truly loved Theo and Connor! So many things got revealed and the twists truly shocked me. I was kept on the edge of my seat the entire time. Truly gripping, I had to read it in one sitting. I love Kate Alice Marshall's writing style, her way of world building truly makes you feel like you're a part of the story and experiencing it all with the characters. Such an amazing suspenseful novel! I loved how it unfolded! 5 stars!
ChatGPT said:
Packed with twists and surprises! I absolutely loved Theo and Connor—such fantastic characters. The reveals were jaw-dropping, and the twists kept me on edge the entire time. This gripping story was impossible to put down—I devoured it in one sitting. Kate Alice Marshall's writing is incredible; her world-building fully immerses you, making every moment feel real. An outstanding, suspenseful read that unraveled brilliantly. 5 stars!







You said:
please rewrite: This is my first Pam Jenoff novel, and I will certainly be reading more by this author. Jenoff masterfully weaves real elements into the historical backdrop of WWII France. The story is told in a dual timeline ten years apart. We meet Helaine, a Jewish girl who falls in love with a cellist and has a difficult relationship with her parents. Later, we meet Louise, who worked for the Red Cross during the war and found half of a necklace that belonged to her best friend. The story centers around these characters and the real life Levitan department store in Paris that housed prisoners during WWII.

I loved this new perspective on WWII that I was not aware of. Jenoff centers a true story around a lost necklace, a love story, and hope and redemption during the darkest of times. There were many heroes during the war. Ordinary people doing extraordinary things that made a difference. I highly recommend it. The Last Twilight in Paris is told in a more uplifting way than most.
ChatGPT said:
This was my first Pam Jenoff novel, but it certainly won’t be my last. Jenoff masterfully blends real historical elements into the WWII-era setting of France, bringing the past to life. The story unfolds across a dual timeline, set ten years apart. We follow Helaine, a Jewish girl who falls in love with a cellist while navigating a strained relationship with her parents. Later, we meet Louise, a former Red Cross worker who discovers half of a necklace that once belonged to her best friend. Their stories intertwine with the real-life history of the Levitan department store in Paris, which was used to house prisoners during the war.

I was fascinated by this fresh perspective on WWII, shedding light on a piece of history I hadn’t known before. Jenoff weaves a powerful narrative around a lost necklace, love, and the resilience of the human spirit in the darkest of times. The novel highlights the extraordinary bravery of ordinary people who made a difference. The Last Twilight in Paris stands apart from many WWII novels with its more uplifting tone, and I highly recommend it.







You said:
please rewrite: Gillian McAllister doesn't disappoint! This thriller takes a wild spin on a hostage situation, packed with twists you won’t see coming. The short chapters make it a breeze to read, even though I did start guessing who was behind it all pretty early. But the real fun is in figuring out why and how.

I loved the big time jump—ending part one with a bang and then skipping seven years ahead made everything feel even more intense. The pacing had its ups and downs for me, but by the 70% mark, it all clicked, and I couldn’t put it down.

The ending was satisfying, though it felt a bit rushed. But the love between Cam and Luke was so sweet and the perfect little bonus to the story. One thing to note: there’s a subplot about infertility for a side character, so if that’s something close to you, just be mindful. Overall, this was a tense, twisty, and totally gripping read.
ChatGPT said:
Gillian McAllister delivers yet again! This thriller puts a unique spin on a hostage situation, packed with twists that will keep you guessing. The short chapters make it a fast, addictive read, though I did pick up on who was behind it early on—the real thrill, however, was uncovering the why and how.

I loved the bold time jump—part one ends with a bang, then leaps forward seven years, adding even more intensity to the story. While the pacing had its highs and lows, everything clicked around the 70% mark, and from there, I couldn’t put it down.

The ending was satisfying, though it felt a little rushed. But the love between Cam and Luke was such a sweet touch and added an extra layer to the story. One note—there’s a subplot involving infertility for a side character, so if that’s a sensitive topic, just be aware. Overall, this was a tense, twisty, and completely gripping read!

Blindsided. Addictive. Stunned. Fast-paced. Ahh! There are so many descriptors for this book. She delivered. Things felt crazy and compelling. Why was it happening? What was the connection? I was trying to noodle it out, and while I did guess a little bit it, I didn't get enough to not be shocked by the ending! 5.

Loved it!

Cam’s husband leaves a note and is gone. Then, he does something unthinkable. Except, Cam doesn’t believe it. And she’s the only one. Life moves on and we watch Cam try but she never stops missing her husband, it’s haunting, raw and oh so real.

During the period when she feels as she should move on, things start happening and we all know, or feel, it’s the husband. The book gets hopeful and heartbreaking all at once. Such a good combo and an even better story.

Advanced reader copy provided by William Morrow and NetGalley but all opinions are my own.

Unfortunately this was not a good read for me. The plot felt very predictable and the FMC was very infuriating. I found the 3rd person omniscient narrator boring as well.
True rating: 2.5⭐️

Truly unlike other thrillers I have read - a nice change of thinking and keeping my interest with a new plot.

This book had me hooked from the very start. I never knew who to believe or what was truly the motive until the very end when McAllister ties everything together.

McAllister is on a roll with the gripping thrillers, and this one is no exception. Can’t wait to read the next!

This was a good thriller/suspense book to mix it up a bit for me. Cam’s whole life changes before she even realizes what is happening. Her husband is mixed up in a terrible situation and she is turned upside down, along with their young baby. This story moves fast at the beginning to draw you in, and then a majority of the book is a bit slower (but still intriguing!). Cam and a police officer are both still trying to figure out what really happened years later and we get a lot of twists and turns as readers. If you’re a fan of suspense, this is a solid choice.

A fun fast paced read- twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat! Was excited to be wrong when I thought I knew what was right! Overall a good story, well written and worth the rec!

I really enjoyed this book, which was an interesting take on a domestic thriller. Some readers found it slow paced, but I loved the more in-depth character development. I din't 100% buy the ending (as was the case for in her last book) but I thought it was well worth the read and definitely recommend it!

3.5 stars

Such a good start but the middle was just sooo slow. I liked the premise but it was such a drag to get through. I kept reading because the beginning intrigued me soooo much much I just had to know how it all played out.

And it was ok….i mean I saw it coming and I kinda was hoping there would be one final twist but there wasn’t.

The book wasn’t what I was expecting but I still had a fun time with it.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

Famous Last Words was my first Gillian McAllister Book, and my TBR just got a lot longer. I can't wait to read more.

Camilla knew life was going to change that day, but she just didn't know how much. First, she couldn't find Luke anywhere, and she was counting on his help. Then she finds a weird note from him that says, “It's been lovely with you both.”. What's that supposed to mean? That's weird. Camilla doesn't have time to worry about it. It’s her first day back at work after maternity leave. Now, she must get ready and drop the baby off on her first day of Nursery. She gets to work and sees there is a hostage situation taking place on TV. After texting and trying to call Luke with no answer. She gets worried. That worry becomes panic when Officers walk in looking for her.

It's impossible; It can’t be Luke; he would never do anything like that…. All of these thoughts run through her head as the officers begin to explain that they need her to come with them.

You know you need to read what happens next. Go Get This Book!!! It is a rollercoaster ride till the end. I already bought a copy as a gift.

Thank you to NetGalley, William Morrow, and Gillian McAllister for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

Gillian McAllister has done it again! Famous Last Words is an edge of your seat story that comes with a twist that will change everything that you thought you knew. On the day that Camilla was to return to work after maternity leave, her husband Luke was gone when she woke, leaving behind a cryptic message. Before the day is over she is approached by the police, who let her know that Luke is holding hostages at a warehouse. This is the sweet gentle man who enjoys playing with Polly, their infant daughter. The hostage situation ends with the release of a woman hostage, the death of two men and the disappearance of Luke. Seven years later Cam has not given up hope of finding her husband. Her sister has encouraged her to move on and sell her home. She has been enjoying the company of Charlie, who she met at work, when she gets a message with coordinates from Luke. She is still being watched by police, but their case is winding down with no activity for years. Detective Niall, who had been the hostage negotiator at the warehouse, is still investigating. Newly discovered evidence shows another interpretation of events during the siege. If he is right, Cam is in danger and time is running out for Luke.

McAllister’s story is told through dual POVs. Cam is a devoted mother with a supportive sister. You witness her anguish at losing Luke, her determination and her strength as she deals with events. This is also Niall’s story. Demoted after his failed negotiation, his devotion to his job also destroyed his marriage. He feels sympathy for Cam and will not give up on the case, often working it on his own time. These are well developed characters with a story that will not let go until the last page. I would like to thank NetGalley and William Morrow Publishing for providing this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and Gillian McAllister for this ARC!

Let me just say that Gillian will forever be an instant buy and read for me after reading her first Wrong Place Wrong Time! Her writing is so well done and keeps you on your toes the ENTIRE story!

And this one is exactly the same! I did not expect the ending and I didn’t expect the twists and turns! And I did love that this one was a quicker read! Why only 4 stars? It did take me a second to get into but once I did, I couldn’t put it down!

Thank you again for the ARC!

I was super excited to get an early copy of this one!
However it did fall a little flat for me. There were parts that were good, and then it would get boring. I also felt like the storyline as a whole was predictable and already written. It wasn't a terrible read, just not the best and did not keep me on my toes guessing as I would have liked to happen.

This book gave me everything that I love about her books. It was tense, frustrating in a good way, and in the end hopeful.

Probably closer to a 3.5 stars, but I'm rounding up for the twists and turns in the story. I really enjoyed Camilla's character. She could have been portrayed in a variety of extreme ways, but instead she was down to earth, real and relatable. Faced with an incredibly difficult situation, she simply moved on and did what she had to do to survive and raise her daughter in the most unassuming and normal way possible. You don't really get an opportunity to "know" Luke, but character-wise, he seems like a decent guy, and deep down, you know almost from the beginning that things weren’t as they seemed. I've always enjoyed a mystery novel that I can't actually figure the plot out mid-way through the book. I had several theories for this one that ended being totally false. So part of the attraction for me with this book was that I had to keep reading it just to figure out what was going on.

On the down side, much of the plot was pretty implausible and hokey. And I really didn't get into the storyline for the third character, hostage negotiator Niall. Giving his character a large chunk of real estate in this book muddied things for me, and took away from what I was really curious about – Cam and Luke.

As someone who doesn't often read mystery/thriller books, I very much enjoyed this one. I will say that I did figure some things out relatively quickly, but there were other twists and turns that came as a shock to me. I think my favorite chapters were those from Niall's perspective as he worked to unravel the how and why of Luke's involvement in "The Siege" as it is referred to in the book. In reflecting after reading, I appreciate the small clues that the author left about who all was involved. Overall, highly recommend for current lovers of this genre, or those who are just looking for a page-turning read!

I was excited to read Famous Last Words because the premise sounded so good. A loving, caring husband and father, Luke, leaves the house super early one morning and ends up taking 3 hostages at gunpoint in an abandoned warehouse. What is going on??? His wife, Cam, is incredulous and in shock. Although it took a bit for me to completely get into the story, once I was about a third in, I could not put it down. Who is the real Luke and why would he do this? The community has condemned Luke, and yet this societal perception is at odds with the man that Cam knows and loves. This book demonstrates the strength of people to keep living and move on when faced with very difficult situations. There are many pieces to figure out, and McAllister does a great job of bringing them all together. Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the digital ARC.

I can’t get enough book by Gillian McAllister. The pacing and story were great. The characters were great. There are some authors that I could read anything they wrote and that is especially true for Gillian McAllister.

I literally could not have guessed what was going to happen in this book. I thought the hostage thing was going to be the whole book. But I am really glad that it wasn't because it was so much more interesting. There was so much betrayal and secrets, and I did not expect the ending (well, maybe a bit of it but I'd like to think that it's because I'm smart and observant and not because of luck).