Thank you, #Partner @aaknopf and @netgalley for my gifted copy.

This was definitely a slow burn, and don't get me wrong I love a good slow burn, but it was a little too slow for me. I loved the authors previous book and I'm excited with what they come out with next

Frida and Gabriel are staying at a secluded luxury resort in Utah. They used to be close sharing a traumatic past of both being cult survivors, but have drifted apart through the years. When a body is discovered at the hotel, Gabriel quickly becomes the prime suspect.

The story is told via two timelines – the present and flashbacks of their childhood being in the cult. I loved the secluded setting, the secrets of their pasts and the tension of the murder investigation. It was fast paced and entertaining. The ending in regards to the body found in the hotel was anti-climatical but there was another big twist that I wasn’t expecting. Overall it was a suspenseful read.

This thriller will be enjoyed by those who love a brooding, atmospheric read. The bonus plot about the cult will also draw readers in.

Our Last Resort follows Frida and her brother Gabriel, survivors of a cult, as they reunite at a luxurious desert resort in Utah after years apart. The reunion turns sinister when a murder occurs on-site, and Gabriel becomes a suspect. Frida is then forced to confront their shared traumatic past, and readers are drawn into a dark, twist-laden investigation.

This book came off more as a mystery instead of a thriller/suspense. I really enjoyed the cult aspect and wished there was more focus around it, as I find the psychology behind cults fascinating. The story seemed to rely more on twists from the past and the ending landed just okay for me. It was an okay book overall; it just didn't pull me in as much as The Quiet Tenant did.

4. 25 stars

Thanks to NetGalley and Knopf for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Clemence Michallon is becoming an auto-buy author for me. I really loved the slow burning dread in The Quiet Tenant, and Our Last Resort was no different. Again, this was a slower-burning suspense, but half of the dread (for me at least) came from the flashbacks into the lives of Frida and Gabriel while they grew up in this cult. Honestly, this cult kind of reminded me of NXIVM. And while there wasn't anything too graphic or explicit about the murders or what happened within this cult, it was enough to make me feel squeamish and stressed.

Frida and Gabriel are both such complex characters - their pasts led them down certain paths that would be considered "morally gray," and yet I could fully understand and not fault them for how they dealt with each situation. While not biologically related, Frida and Gabriel were siblings in this cult and kind of latched onto each other from an early age. This book explored their trauma bond, and what it means to be family - basically, how well do you know your loved ones, and would you let them get away with murder?

This was definitely a psychologically suspenseful read, and even though I was mostly able to figure out what was happening by the end, I really enjoyed the journey of the story and was satisfied with the ending. I look forward to reading more of Michallon's books in the future.

Our Last Resort by Clemence Michelon, this is the second book I’ve read by the author and have come to the understanding that her and I just don’t jive. This book is about Freda and her brother but not really her brother she grew up with him in the most generic cult somewhere in New York. when they fled this most generic cult they did it together but left a horrific scene in their past. When we catch up with them again she hasn’t seen her brother Gabriel in nine years ever since he was arrested for the murder of his wife Annie after leaving the cult she became a financial wizard and she has paid for them to go to an all inclusive resort and this is where the beginning of the first mystery happens. Freda is already awake and here’s a couple arguing only to learn it is billionaire gossip guru and his wife and he looks pretty angry almost violently so. So the next day when she wakes up and finds her body on the walking trail she thinks it’s horrible because well a woman is dead but ultimately thinks her and her brother are safe at least from this mystery only to learn no you’re not safe from it as a matter of fact you’re deep involved. ever since meeting Gabriel Freda has felt the urge to take care of him and she will have to do it once again when he becomes the main suspect and it’s left up to her to solve the murder. it seems around these siblings mysteries and Bodie’s are piling up,but are they the cause or do they just have the worst luck in the world? Instead of telling you and pinpointing each reason I didn’t like the book just know I didn’t like it and wouldn’t recommend it. #NetGalley, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview,#ourLastResort, #ClementsMacallen,

This book would of been so much better if there was not so much back and fourth between the past and now… I get it was needed but some of it I think could of been wrapped up in one chapter then let the rest of the story go on…

Frida and Gabriel arrive at the luxurious Ara Hotel in Escalante, Utah, hoping to repair their fractured relationship after a devastating tragedy. Their chance at renewal is quickly shattered when the body of a young woman is discovered at the resort. As suspicion falls on Gabriel, Frida is forced to revisit their unsettling past in a cult and the fallout of their dramatic escape. Told in alternating timelines, Our Last Resort attempts to weave together a murder mystery, a relationship drama, and a haunting exploration of trauma and trust.

Unfortunately, this one fell flat for me. The pacing dragged, and I often felt like I was waiting for something big to happen that never truly arrived. The cult storyline was what initially drew me in, but I wish it had been explored in more depth, it felt like a missed opportunity for a much richer narrative. While Clémence Michallon’s writing is strong, and I can appreciate the challenge of following up a highly praised debut, this book didn’t hit the mark.

Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this slow burn thought provoking story with great character development. I would have liked to hear a bit more background on their experience and upbringing prior to escaping the cult, but it was still a great story nonetheless.
Thank you for the opportunity to read this! I will definitely be adding The Quiet Tenant to my TBR.

𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰

𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐭
𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐧
𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐟 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬
𝐀𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐰
𝟑⭐️

Happy Friday 🎊! Short review time because well to be frank I truly did not love Clemence Michallon’s newest book 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐭.

A few things bothered me about this thriller. Firstly, the plot had a present and past timeline and I felt the past timeline was so boring and unnecessary, I really didn’t see the connection to the present timeline. Secondly, the characters were so blah, I felt nothing toward them, and truly didn’t care what happened to them!

Although this one wasn’t my favorite, I still plan to continue to read this author in the future. I will say I loved her previous book 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐞𝐭 𝐓𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐭, so I’m hopeful her next one will be better! 𝐐𝐎𝐓𝐃: 𝐓𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐦𝐞 𝐚 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝

𝐒𝐘𝐍𝐎𝐏𝐒𝐈𝐒: “Frida and Gabriel arrive seeking a fresh start at the stunning Ara Hotel in the secluded desert of Escalante, Utah. Once so close they were able to finish each other’s sentences, they’ve grown apart in recent years after a sudden, unspeakable tragedy. Now, at the luxe resort, they are ready to reconnect between dips in the pool and hikes on spectacular desert trails. It all feels like paradise—until the dead body of a beautiful young woman who was vacationing at the Ara with her powerful, much older husband is discovered.

When the local police arrive and suspicion quickly falls on Gabriel, Frida is forced to revisit memories from their upbringing in a cloistered cult in upstate New York, their dramatic escape, and the scandal that followed. Frida’s belief in Gabriel’s innocence never wavered at the time, but now even she can’t ignore the evidence mounting against him.

Alternating between past and present timelines, Our Last Resort builds toward a shattering climax that uncovers the fate of the murdered Ara guest and poses the question: how well do we ever really know those we love?”

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Sadly, this was disappointing. I loved The Quiet Tenant but this was just so slow and not at all thrilling. I still very much enjoy her writing style but I wanted more.

Fast paced thriller that kept me guessing til the end.

Frida and Gabriel grew up in a cult and always considered themselves siblings. When they came of age they escaped after the truth was discovered about their leader Emile.

When Gabriel’s wife disappears and is found dead he is suspect but nothing is proven. Frida and Gabriel meet up at a desert resort to rekindle their connection and another murder points his way. Told from Frida’s POV it has multi timelines, from the past when the two were young, to present day at the desert resort.

While the story is interesting, the main characters fell flat. I wish their time in the cult would have been fleshed out a bit with more of the workings of their commune and more in depth portrayal of Emile the leader.


Thanks to NetGalley and Knopf Publishers for the eARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor | Knopf for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book follows Frida and Gabriel as they go on a trip to a resort in Utah to reconnect and participate in a documentary regarding their childhood and growing up in a cult in upstate New York. This book is definitely a slow burn that goes back and forth between 2 timelines. Present day at the resort where a murder has recently taken place and then we go back into the past.. exploring their traumatic history of being children in a cult.

The story it's self is a good whodunit. I did have trouble connecting with the the main characters. I wish we dug in more about the time they spent in the cult and about the cult in general. It definitely is intriguing hearing about the leader and the mothers and the other children and what that life was like. This is my first read from this author and I would definitely read more of their work and while I wasn't super into this book I would still recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor | Knopf for this art, in exchange for an honest review.

This is my second book by this author and unfortunately, it didn't click with me at all. I got halfway through and I did not finish it. I do, however, think that everyone should read it and give their own opinions.

I LOVED Michallon's last book and was super excited to read this. But this book was really slow paced and it was really hard connecting with the characters, which was pretty disappointing.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

After reading this author's previous book, The Quiet Tenant, and giving it five big stars, I had high hopes for this one. Unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. It was such a slow burn and I kept waiting for something shocking to happen, but it never did. I also didn't feel super connected to the two main characters.

I did like the cult aspect to the story, but I wish we had gotten a little bit more background.

This was still an entertaining read and I think many mystery readers will enjoy it!

Thank you @netgalley and @aaknopf for the #gifted e-arc and finished copy!

Frida and Gabriel escaped a cult when they were teenagers - but the bond they developed there has always been strong no matter how far apart they are. So when they arrive to reconnect at a resort in the Utah desert, it is with hope. But that quickly sours when a beautiful woman is found murdered and the police set their sights on Frida and Gabriel.

A suspenseful read that definitely has some twists and turns, but ultimately fell a little flat.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a digital ARC of this title!

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author, for an ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
The synopsis of this book sounded interesting to me so I requested a copy to read.
Unfortunately, I have tried reading this book on 2 separate occasions and during this 2nd attempt, I have decided to stop reading this book
and state that this book just wasn't for me.
I wish the author, publisher and all those promoting the book much success and connections with the right readers.

I wanted to love this book. I had very high hopes when receiving this as an ARC due to others early reviews and the anticipation surrounding the release. It just fell flat for me. And I somewhat think that's how it was suppose to feel.
There's no connection to Freida or Gabriel. Maybe that's because of their up brining and I can't relate on what it would have been like growing up in a cult. It was as though they were lacking emotion and more of a robotic persona instead of human. I believe the writing and ideas were there, but overall it was a very surface level read.
Thank you NetGalley and Knopf (Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor) for this gifted copy of Our Last Resort in exchange for my honest opinion.

Our Last Resort
by Clemence Michallon
Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor (Knopf)
7/8/2025