Thank you to the Author, NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage and Anchor for this ARC.

So much to love about this book! (Including the setting of Escalante, Utah!)
I enjoyed the character development between Frida and Gabriel. The jump between the timelines really helps to build the relationship, from their childhood in a cult to being reunited in adulthood.

I absolutely recommend Our Last Resort for thriller readers, grilling, fast paced, all of the twists!

I will be reading all future books by Clemence Michalon for sure!

After loving her previous novel, I couldn’t wait to dive into Our Last Resort, and it didn’t disappoint. The story follows Freida and Gabriel, two people bound by a haunting past in a cult and reunited years later at a resort tucked away in Utah. As secrets unravel and old wounds reopen, the past and present begin to blur in a gripping, emotional way.

I loved the setting of Escalante, UT—since I live in Utah and have visited there before. Michellon really captured the atmosphere and isolation of the area.

The cult element was fascinating and I thought the development of Gabriel and Freida was really well done. Their dynamic felt raw and real, especially as the reader bounced between the present-day resort and their time in the cult years before. I was totally invested in both timelines and thought they balanced each other perfectly.

Sure, some parts were a little predictable, but that honestly didn’t take away from how much I enjoyed the book. It was current, emotional, and hard to put down. If you like dark pasts, complicated relationships, and stories with just the right touch of suspense, definitely give this one a read. If you haven’t read The Quiet Tenant, I’d pick that up as well!

*cult survivors
*sibling relationship
*dual timeline

I enjoyed this, but found the pacing uneven and was disappointed in the *cult* aspect, which I found lacking.



Thank you to Knopf and NetGalley for the DRC

I thought this one was interesting. I really enjoyed the relationship between Frida and Gabriel. The switching between past and present showed how loyal the two were to each other. This one had a good amount of twists and turns to keep me hooked.

Our Last Resort by Clémence Michallon
📚 Pub Date: July 8, 2025

I was really drawn to the past timeline in Our Last Resort - the cult storyline was compelling and interesting. I enjoy cult books in general. Unfortunately, the present-day plot dragged a bit, especially in the last 10%, and felt predictable. I kept hoping for one more twist but it didn’t come.

Frida and Gabrielle are 'brother and sister' who were born and raised in a cult. Now 15 years later we are told their story through present and past timelines. We see that current circumstances have similarities to the past. I think the author did a good job of keeping my interest in the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publishers for providing me with a copy of this book to read and review.
Expected publishing date July 2025.

Thank you to publisher and Netgalley for an electronic arc in exchange for a honest review.
4.25 star

A solid sophomore offering from Clemence Michallon. This is my second book by author and solidifies her as an autobuy for me.

Life in a cult then life outside of a cult prove difficult for Gabriel and Frida. Born the same year in a cult without any idea if they are related or not, they chose to be brother and sister. Each day monotonous but dedicated to the leader, Emile. And then they decide to walk away.

Told in a then and now timeline with current timeframe at a elite spa in Utah waiting to be interviewed about their time in the infamous cult. It is there the present and the past collide when the body of a young woman is found murdered.

Our Last Resort isn't a thriller in the sense of fast pacing, it is great storytelling taking the reader from the origins of the main characters to the fallout of that life. Found family and deep love explored through the worst of circumstances and what one would do to keep the only family they've ever known.

Using two timelines we read of the complex relationship between two “siblings”, Frida and Gabriel and their lives revolving around a cult, a murder investigation and the lengths someone will go to to protect the ones you love. I was underwhelmed with the majority of this book. Was it a good read? Yes, it was. I think I was expecting something a little more intense and heart pounding, and what I got was a good murder mystery. The Quiet Tenant, had me on the edge of my seat and holding my breath and this book was too long, too slow and the ending was lacking for me.
Thank you NetGalley and Elliott & Thompson for the ARC.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

DNF 30%-I had hard time getting into this one. While it was setting up a murder mystery, the combination of timelines and flat main characters were not propelling me forward to figure out what happened or care what happened. Just not for me.

Our Last Resort
by Clemence Michallon
Pub Date: July 8, 2025
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
From the bestselling author of The Quiet Tenant comes a propulsive new thriller: Fifteen years ago, Frida and her brother escaped a cult. Now her brother is the prime suspect in a murder investigation—and it isn’t the first time.
I really enjoyed The Quiet Tenant and was so excited to receive this ARC but this book wasn’t for me. I felt like there wasn’t much to the story and it dragged on. I didn’t find it very thrilling or had any twists. I also found it hard to connect with the characters. I believe many others would enjoy this book even though it wasn’t for me.

This novel following Frida and Gabriel, siblings who seek to reconnect at a luxurious hotel after a past trauma. Their attempt at reconciliation is shattered when a murder occurs, forcing them to confront a dark past involving a cult and their escape, while grappling with mounting evidence against Gabriel. The story unfolds in alternating timelines, revealing the complex dynamics of their relationship and the secrets they carry.

So i was very excited about this book However, it fell very flat for me. I couldn't connect to either character but the MMC was super annoying. The 2 timelines were good except I really wish they dove into the cult more then they did. That side of the story really was interesting and pulled at your heartstrings. The story line at the resort was honestly pretty boring. The twist was pretty predictable and honestly not that thriller like. This was the first book ive read from this author and i do want to give her another chance.

3 ⭐️
Expected publication date - July 8, 2025

WHAT I LOVED - Hearing about life in a cult and how 2 kids found each other and coped and grew together.

WHAT I LIKED - There were some unexpected twists. It was a quick, page turning read.

WHAT I DISLIKED - I didn't necessarily dislike anything, but I felt like something was missing.

WOULD I RECOMMEND? Yes. It was a quick book, with enough mystery to keep you guessing.

Thank you, NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor, for this eARC for review. All opinions are my own.

Clémence Michallon’s Our Last Resort is a compelling blend of psychological suspense and emotional depth. The story follows Frida and Gabriel, siblings who escaped a cult in their youth, as they reunite at the luxurious Ara Hotel in Utah. Their attempt to reconnect is disrupted when a fellow guest is found murdered, and Gabriel becomes a prime suspect. ​

The narrative alternates between past and present, gradually revealing the siblings' traumatic history and the complexities of their relationship. Michallon masterfully builds tension, with each chapter peeling back layers of secrets and mistrust. The desert setting adds to the novel's atmospheric quality, creating a sense of isolation and unease. ​

While the pacing is generally brisk, some readers might find the middle section slightly uneven. However, the intricate plot and well-developed characters make up for this minor flaw. The novel's climax is both shocking and emotionally resonant, leaving a lasting impression. ​


Our Last Resort is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers that delve into complex family dynamics and the lingering effects of past traumas.​

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

The Last Resort - Clémence Michallon
Pub Date - 7/8/25
Rating - 3/5
Trigger Warning(s) - Sexual Assault, Cult
Thoughts - Thank you Netgalley and Knopf Publishing for the gifted advanced ereader copy in exchange for my honest review. I really liked The Quiet Tenant, so was really excited to read another Clémence Michallon book. The story centers around Frida and Gabriel who are trying to rekindle their sibling relationship at a secluded hotel in Utah when someone is found dead in the room next door. We follow Frida and Gabriel as go between past and present, giving a glimpse of the horrors how they grew up, and what really happened to the murder victim in the present.

What I liked:
- It was extremely fast paced. I was able to finish the book in less than 24 hours.
- The description of the cult and what went on sent CHILLS down my spine - the descriptions were spot on.
- Relationship between Frida and Gabriel was really well done

What I didn't like:
- While it was a well told story, there was no....shocker in it. The plot leads you to the killer and the other twist is also easily predictable. I wish there was more to it - it ended very neatly tied up in a bow. I was waiting for the other shoe to drop....but it didn't

3.5 rounded up. I liked this one... however, I was not fully into it. There are 2 time periods that take place throughout the book. Past and Present. I will be fully honest... I think I would have much rather read the book about their past and the cult than the murder mystery... The who done it's aren't really doing it for me especially when they are easily predicted.

It was a quick read, and there were some good spots that kept me intrigued. Overall, I did like it! Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for the advanced reader copy for review.

Our Last Resort by Clemence Michallon
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Frida is on vacation with her brother Gabriel at a resort when a guest is murdered. When the cops start looking at Gabriel as a person of interest it is concerning as this isn’t the first time he has been considered a murder suspect.
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What I liked:
-There was a great suspicious vibe to the whole book. In my mind I was reading with a dubious squint the entire time.
-The back story chapters were very engrossing, I flew through those like they were a train wreck that I couldn’t look away from.
-I found myself liking both Frida and Gabriel. I feel like they had a good relationship with each other.
-I liked how it ended.
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4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I don’t know if I liked this story more than The Quiet Tennant, but it’s possible I did.

I absolutely loved Clémence Michallon’s first novel, The Quiet Tenant, so I was thrilled to get early access to Our Last Resort. Once again, she delivers a gripping and original story. While cult thrillers are a popular genre, Michallon truly makes this one stand out with a unique plot and strong, atmospheric writing.

The twist completely caught me off guard — I didn’t see it coming at all, which made the reading experience even more exciting. While there were a few moments that felt a bit unbelievable, they didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment. Michallon has a real gift for building tension and creating characters that stay with you long after you finish the book. I can’t wait to see what she writes next!

This was such a beautifully written book. I liked the flashbacks in the book, it really helped tell the story. I never would have expected the end! I really enjoyed the suspense of the novel, I had to keep reading because I wanted to know what would happen next. I would highly recommend it!

I was sucked into this book. I love a good psychological thriller. It was so engaging, and I was sucked onto the backstory of this book. This book was told with both a present and past tense but there was a clear picture between both timelines. I was able to get a clear picture of the two MCs growing up in a cult and how that shaped them and their future.

It was an all-around great read.

Please check some trigger warnings: if you are not a fan of books that have cults or child SA (off page) Domestic Violence, this book may not be for you.

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

I will start this review by saying that "The Quiet Tenant" was one of my favorite books I read last year. Kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. So I went into "Our Last Resort" (thank you NetGalley and Knopf!) with high expectations.

And they were met.

A "couple" is visiting a beautiful resort in the Utah desert. And of course, there's a murder.

If Mike White set "White Lotus" in the desert it would have definitely been here. Had a very similar set of characters - wealthy, romantic, confused...

Turns out our "couple" , Frida and Gabriel are not a couple. They actually state that they are "brother and sister" - but we soon find out they are not. They were actually both born and raised in a cult in upstate New York.

The flashbacks to their time in the cult are fascinating and highly realistic. You've seen it before: charismatic leader, concubines, etc. But the descriptions of this cult are extremely realistic. It's a business, it's a school, it's a religion. You can see why people join these groups... but also why they flee.

Of course there are a multitude of secrets. And twists and turns galore. A coyote even comes into play.

Like White Lotus, no secrets are safe, and they all come out in the end. Highly recommend and look forward to Michallon's next book!