Frida and Gabriel have an unbreakable bond, even if they might at times wish that there connection was a happier one. And perhaps that is why they have allowed themselves to drift apart a little.

But a childhood spent being part of a cult leaves its mark, and few others can understand the impact it has on how a person may live their life even after they are finally free of that toxic environment. So, the two of them arrange to meet up at a beautiful resort to catch up. Unfortunately, things don't quite go according to plan...

I have yet to recover from the impact of this writer's previous book, so I thought hard before getting hold of this one. But her use of language is beautiful, despite the darkness of her subjects. And that is very much on display in this book as well. The mystery part was not that mysterious, but this was an absorbing story. Worth reading, it gets 3.5 stars.

2.5 stars

A mystery that has you hooked at some points. Would recommend this for beginners. Experienced mystery thriller readers might see a lot of what unfolds in this whodunnit coming from miles away.

Whenever there's a cult mentioned in a synopsis, I'm sat, I'm ready. While the cult business was part of what unfolded, it might as well have been something else. It wasn't explored enough to matter this much to the story. So unfortunately, while the writing was very good, plotwise this was a bit of a let down for me.

I really enjoyed the quiet tenant by this author, so was very excited to get the arc for this! I enjoyed the pacing, the twist, and the characters! I always love books with cult aspects and this was no different. Can’t wait to read more from this Clémence!

no you're tense! wow this book is the only proof you need of why the term "nail biting" exists. it is for books like this. and ive not felt it so impressively from a book in a long time. i was ill in from start to finish. there were things that didn't get done in life just so i could finish this book.
this is cementing this author as a must read. and what an author and must read this is.
this book gives is Frida and Gabriel. they've had a traumatic time of it after being raised in a cult. and definitely the type of cult we all hear of. when they managed to break free they drifted apart both in mind and location.
but they both need and want to fix this so they come together at a extremely lush and luxury resort. but things take a swerve for the worse when a body turns up at their resort.
and then we see from both past and present to put this mystery and these characters stories together. we learn more and more about them. does what we go through shape us? yes. does it change how we meet people the more we know about their past? is this right or wrong? did my opinions change when i read of their lives? well, you need to read to find out just what you thought and then went through throughout this book. but it will keep you hooked, keep you thinking, keep you tense.
im in awe of authors who can write like this. just wow.

This book did not disappoint! For me this started as a slow burn but then holy shit this book blew my mind!

Our Last Resort presents readers with a locked-room murder case, as suggested by the title, which also carries a double entendre. The story unfolds in dual timelines, alternating between the present—where a murder is being solved—and the past, which builds the connection between Frida and Gabriel.

Trauma experienced early in life can profoundly shape individuals. It can help forge bonds and break down barriers, but it can also perpetuate further trauma. Frida and Gabriel strive to create their own life despite growing up in a cult that indoctrinated everyone they knew. They were different, willing to challenge the status quo.

The story takes a turn with the locked-room "resort" murder. Frida witnesses a domestic dispute unfold between another couple at the resort. The husband, a minor celebrity, embodies toxicity and makes his violence against his spouse seem conceivable. Can Frida unravel what happened in order to resolve any misunderstandings regarding Gabriel’s past and present?

This novel offers a quick read filled with just the right amount of edge-of-your-seat anticipation. While the twist may be somewhat predictable, the premise is unique. Overall, it’s an enjoyable mystery for a beach or vacation read.

Hmmm...this is a tricky one. Told in dual timelines, Our Last Resort is a novel about growing up in a cold and heartless cult with "mothers" who "cared" for the children and the brainwashing and abuse that take place. The residents tried to convince themselves the leader was all knowing and that they wanted this self-sufficient lifestyle, far from the outside-outside. But Frida and Gabriel who were practically sister and brother did the unthinkable and escaped as teens. Their lives took them on different journeys and they drifted apart. Ten years later, the two reunited at a resort in hopes of reconnecting. But they got more than they bargained for as death came knocking. Once again, trauma brought them together.

As a Rome addict, I appreciated the Rome mentions. The premise itself is fascinating but the writing style didn't grab me, nor did the characters. Though touted as a thriller, it didn't feel like that, though there are murder mystery elements. What went on in the cult got dark and not in a good way. Slow burns usually captivate me but this one caused me to long for the story to end. My heart and head did not become invested. I couldn't help but think about the missed potential But I can see how others' views could differ. It is likely more a matter of personal preference than anything.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of Our Last Resort.

I may have been one of the few readers who didn't like The Quiet Tenant.

The fact there was no blurb provided for Our Last Resort left me apprehensive; is that a good thing or a bad thing?

To be honest, if I knew some of the narrative was cult themed (this is the fifth book I've read with this theme in the last few months) I might not have requested it.

I appreciate the opportunity to read the author's sophomore effort though I wasn't a fan and not due to the cult theme, which provides necessary exposition.

Gabriel and Frida were raised in a cult, raised as siblings with a dangerous, charismatic man at the helm.

When they finally escaped, they relied on each other to build a new life for themselves, but as we know, the past has a way of coming back to haunt you.

Gabriel and Frida are enjoying a much needed vacation at an exclusive resort when one of the guests is found dead.

Tensions come to a head when Gabriel is framed for the murder and arrested. Once again, Frida comes to his rescue and she'll do anything to protect her brother. She has before.

The narrative is divided into the past and present, flashbacks provide insight into the sibs' cult childhood, offering details as to what led to their escape and how they ended up where they currently stand.

Frida and Gabriel are not interesting or compelling characters; they're pretty dull especially Gabriel. Perhaps that's a result of their isolated upbringing and Gabriel's mental health issues, but I neither cared about either of them.

The narrative lacks urgency and suspense; nothing happens, its a lot of exposition and ruminating. We're in Frida's head most of the time as she explains her actions, plots her course of action, and comes face to face with the deeds she's committed.

The murder of the guest is mostly a subplot to explain the sibs' past and it's not hard to guess whodunit.

The story is about family and how far you will go to protect the people you love and the life you have.

Unfortunately this novel did not do it for me, I found it hard to get into and not very engaging. I wasn't the ultimate Quiet Tenant fan like most others are, but I still wanted to give this author another read. I wish I had a better review but it was a miss for me.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

this one had a solid setup —i was really intrigued by the idea of a couple trying to fix their fractured relationship in a remote hotel, especially with a cult-related past catching up with them nd i was especially drawn to the dual timeline and the exploration of a secluded, eerie setting.

but the story didn't hit as hard as i'd hoped. the mystery felt too predictable, the ending rushed and i couldn't really connect with the characters. it had potential, just didn't fully land for me.

Thankyou netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

I've been intrigued by this author's previous book, The Quiet Tenant, for a long time now, so when I saw Our Last Resort come up as an ARC on Netgalley, I immediately requested it. Having given it 35% or approximately 100 pages, I'm ready to soft DNF it. It might be that this is mismarketed as a thriller, when it's more of tense book with probably some twists at the end, I wouldn't know, but for now, we're 35% of the way in and nothing much has happened to our two main characters. The dual timeline, between the present when they are meeting up again after 9 years of estrangement, and the past, when they were kids growing up in a cult, does a poor job of keeping my interest, because for now nothing much has happened and it feels like the plot is moving at a glacial pace.

It's a no from me, for now. I might go back later.

page turning, fun, impressive book with strong ideas. discusses flipping back and forth between the present and the past about these two self-proclaimed siblings who grew up in a cult. 4 stars. tysm for thea rc.

Thank you Netgalley and publishers for a copy of this book. Our Last Resort was an enjoyable read, though it did feel kinda predictable at some points. I really liked the dual timelines and how they shed more light into the siblings history.

Set at realistic pace, the writing was captivating and enjoyed the atmospheric thriller but the predictability was toning down my interest. Great choice if you’re into character-driven stories and a dash of suspense!

2.5 stars

I loved this author’s last book, The Quiet Tenant, and couldn’t wait to read this one. Unfortunately for me it fell super flat.

The plot was extremely slow, the multiple timelines were a little confusing, and I kept waiting for something to happen. Unfortunately almost nothing did happen. I feel like this book could have been really great - it has all the elements there - but it just couldn’t get off the ground.

The characters are one-dimensional for how complicated their back stories are. Not a lot of what they do makes a lot of sense and there are many details that didn’t add anything to the story.

The climax was so short and uninteresting that I was shocked in the aftermath to learn that WAS the climax.

I’m disappointed after The Quiet Tenant, but this one was just not for me. Hopefully her next book will be better!

Thank you NetGalley and Elliott & Thompson for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

WOW! This was an AWESOME read! I absolutely loved the Quiet Tenant and "Our Last Resort" also did not disappoint. Fantastic book by and amazing author!

Our last resort by Clemence Michallon


Frida and Gabriel have a history that is beyond belief being raised in a cult. Emile who is a French leader that manipulated women and a tight knit community, this story is told in dual timelines both past and present. Frida and Gabriel developed a strong bond growing up in this insane atmosphere. However, After breaking free from their cult past these two go their separate ways but are soon reunited at a luxury resort. Their past comes crashing in along with their sketchy history when a guest is killed.

As much as I loved this authors previous book but this one fell short. I had a tough time connecting to these characters. I was shook by the content about the cult and I know this is real in life but I actually enjoy reading about the chaos.

I will continue to follow this author.
Thank you NetGalley and Elliott and Thompson for this Arc!

This one was slightly a sophomore slump for me because The Quiet Tenant was so good, it’s hard to top. I liked the cult sub plot, but some of the story felt far fetched and a little lack luster.

Thank you to NetGalley, Clémence Michallon, and Elliot & Thompson Publishing for the eARC of Our Last Resort. This was my first book by this author and I promise that it will not be my last!

This book was so well written, with a style that is so inviting to the reader. I finished this book and immediately looked up more books by this author. Just a good book that is everything you want it to be.

Thank you to NetGalley, Clémence Michallon, and Elliot & Thompson Publishing for the eARC of Our Last Resort.

I absolutely loved The Quiet Tenant by Clémence Michallon when I read it last year, and Our Last Resort features the same beautiful writing style and unique story. Telling the tale of Frida and Gabriel, and the deaths that litter their past.
Told over multiple time periods through their lives, we follow Frida and Gabriel growing up in cult, fleeing to an unknown world, discovering themselves and to now; an attempt to get to know one another again after years of distance.

Atmospheric and engaging. The pace of this book was perfect, the characters intriguing and the ending unexpected.

I would absolutely recommend this book and cannot wait to see what Clémence Michallon comes out with next.
However, of her two releases, I still preferred The Quiet Tenant.

The novel immerses readers in the complex bond between siblings Gabriel and Frida, who fled a cult fifteen years ago. Their efforts to catch up at a posh desert resort in Utah take a dark turn after a body is found and Gabriel is the chief suspect. The author masterfully interweaves double timelines, switching between the investigation of the current-day murder and the creepy backstory of the cult. This format slowly unveils the trauma that formed Frida and Gabriel, making them confront hidden secrets and the reality of their relationship. The novel delves into deep themes of family loyalty, the lingering effects of childhood trauma, and the blurring of innocence and guilt. With its tight tension and psychological nuance, "Our Last Resort" will have readers guessing until the last, devastating revelation, securing the author's place as a major voice in suspense.