It does seem as if I rate all my books high but for the most part I do not request a book I don't think Ill like and more often than not I love them, I like all different genres so that may add to it. This is the much anticipated sequel to the excellent “The Last Thing he Told Me” which has been made into a television series. It’s fair to say this hits the ground running at 100 miles an hour from the word go. The pace is quick throughout, there are moments where the action is exciting and exhilarating, with sky high tension and almost constant suspense. The author takes us back-and-forth in time to help explain it all and she does a good job with this as she manages to keep the flow going alongside the light bulb moments. hat is especially enjoyable is that you’re not sure how it will all play out as there are plenty of twists and turns as it builds to a good ending. I feel it in my bones there will be a third, at least I hope so!

The second book was just as 48-hrs-bingeable as the first. Once again, exceptionally quotable with profound insight. I would actually go so far as to say this one was even more thrilling than the first. I literally gasped and bit my nails to the quick whilst reading this. I also appreciated the differing POVs this go around. Each book has their merit, but they do each have a different feel to them. My favorite part, of course, was that we once again got a bittersweet ending. I need to read more by this author!

I really enjoy reading this Hannah Hall series by Laura Dave. I haven’t read any of her other books yet. The story captured my attention from the start. Making me want to keep reading. The writing style for me flows so easily and grans my attention.

3.5 stars rounded down

Thank you so much to #NetGalley and Scribner books for the advanced copy of this book. This publishes in January 2026.

What to expect in this book:

-The sequel to 'The Last Thing He Told Me'
-Dual timelines
-Fast-paced mystery
-Drama and suspense
-Short chapters

Thoughts

In this follow up novel to 'The Last Thing He Told Me' readers are put back into Hannah Hall and her stepdaughter, Bailey's, story where Owen, Bailey's father, leaves a mysterious note upon his disappearance. Since this book picks up where the other left off, I highly recommend reading the other first to understand the characters and full impact of the plot. I binged The Last Thing He Told Me in one day and absoltely loved it. It is the perfect book club pick and choice to recommend to newer thriller or mystery readers. This one was equally as fast-paced and binge-able for me, it just left me a little confused in a few areas.

There are some pretty heavy themes of crime and corruption with an organization mentioned in this story. I found some of the business dealings and overall building of this organization and connections between one our of main characters and a business partner to feel very convoluted and difficult to follow. I think a reread of the first book may have been helpful for me to better understand the underlining story regarding that, but overall, I still really enjoyed being back with these characters again.

If you loved the first book, I highly recommend reading the sequel. I will be interested to see if the AppleTV series continues onto this book. Overall, while this book was not necessary, I loved seeing the characters and having a more solidified ending to their stories. Be sure to look for this one on shelves in 2026!

The first half or 3/4 of this book was so well done. I didn’t want to put it down and I literally gasped when the big twist hit. Unfortunately, the last quarter wasn’t really as interesting. It felt a bit unrealistic compared to the rest. I appreciated this as a well done but not necessarily needed sequel.

I wasn’t at all surprised by the greatness of this book. I wouldn’t give The Last Thing He ToLD Me 5 stars, but after reading this it made me appreciate it more. Great series all around.

I was beyond excited to find out there was going to be a sequel to The Last Thing He Told Me! This book did not disappoint, I do however find myself hoping there will yet a third installment, because I still want more!

This book picks up immediately from the epilogue of The Last Thing He Told Me. Hannah having seen Owen at her art show, five years after their lives changed forever. Having seen Owen, Hannah knows they must be in trouble again. They are soon back on the run, seeing if they can find their way to safety and find their way back to Owen. We get to see what risks they are each willing to take to protect their family.

I loved the pacing of this book, shorter chapters with lots of suspense and twists along they way. I was hooked immediately and couldn’t put it down. It was sweet to see how the relationships had deepened over the five years, between Hannah and Bailey and both of them with Nicholas.

It was everything I hoped it would be and then some!

The second book in this series was available on NetGalley, so I asked for it. I read the first book and watched the Apple series based on the Laura Dave book, so I was excited for this second installment. The First Time I saw him picks up about 5 years later and helps us understand the relationship of Hannah, Bailey, Owen and Nicholas and how they got where they are. Is there a way out for them? At what lengths will Nicholas and Owen go to save Hannah and Bailey from a life on the run? This books gave me a lot of closure which was good. I just wish I read the first one more recently. Reading these books back to back would give the reader more skin in the game. I had forgotten some major details and was a bit confused at times.

If you thought " The NIght We Lost Him"was amazing, you are going to love "The First Time I Saw Him" . This book picks up five year after Hannah has said goodbye to Owen. Hannah and Bailey have a new life in California, and they have forged a relationship with Nicholas. Their lives are suddenly turned upside down when Hannah has a chance encounter with Owen. Hannah and Bailey must run for their lives and soon realize this plan was five years in the making. I could not put this book down and the wonderful plot reminded me of the strength of family and the power of love and forgiveness.

Awesome sequel to The Last Thing He Told Me which picks up right where the first book left off. Hannah and Bailey are on the run again when Owen shows up at Hannah's new exhibition. This was a real page-turner that I finished in one day because I wanted to see if Hannah and Bailey would have a second chance at a life with Owen. Highly recommend.

Thank you NetGalley and Scribner for this ARC.

To be honest, I wasn’t wowed but the first book, but I did find it engaging and enjoyed it enough to be curious about this sequel! While I truly couldn't recall too much of the specifics of what happened in the first, this did a fairly decent job of jogging my memory on what occurred in the first and some of the more important points. This story picks up five years later and more drama goes down as Hannah and Bailey find themselves on the run and in danger because of all that stuff in the past with Owen, etc. This was a very quick read and held my attention, however I didn't really find anything super special about it. Though I feel like you do have to suspend disbelief, that wasn’t what necessarily what I had a hard time with. Personally, the whole scheme and understanding the reasons behind everything got a bit convoluted for me and felt a little underwhelming at the end of it all. There were also quite a few narrative jumps and switches for my liking. However it did keep my interest and it was still a good binge read especially if you liked TLTHTM!

I was very excited to read this sequel and be back with the characters! Hannah hall was one of my all time favorite female main characters and this book did not disappoint. Highly recommend a reread of book 1 before reading.

It picked up seamlessly from the first book. The short chapters worked well to keep the pacing, and the dual timelines worked well. Overall, it was a great sequel!

As far as sequels go, this is an amazing one. I felt drawn back in immediately. This author has a way of writing, that instantly draws you in and keeps you wanting to read. I wanted to stop working and doing chores, just to finish reading this book. Hoping they continue the live action series with this book, it was excellent as well. Highly recommend!!

5⭐️s - I was so excited to get this ARC! I absolutely loved the first one - The Last Thing He Told Me. This one was equally as good if not better and picked up right where the first one left off. The story continued, jumping in with both feet with the race against time. Fast-paced and full of twists I didn’t see coming. I just devoured and had to find out what was going to happen next! And of course, those characters were the best. Hannah is the spotlight and love her. This comes out just after the new year and will be the perfect cozy thriller to enjoy and start the year with a 5 star read! Mark your tbr!

Expected release: 1/6/26

✨Special thanks to NetGalley & Scribner for this complimentary digital advanced copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

A lot of reviewers use the phrase “I couldn’t put it down” when describing a book and this is the book that applies to that the most! I legit couldn’t stop reading until I finished it! One of the best follow ups to and original book I loved as well! Many thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this copy for read and review

What a satisfying sequel, and great to catch up with Hannah,Bailey and Owen. Totally entertaining on my flight, and a book I’m happy to chat up and push. Bring on the next one!

I recall how much I loved Dave’s The Last Time I Saw Him, as I immediately read all the books she wrote afterwards. I loved her writing style and how she crafted her characters. I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to read her latest title, as it picks up right where the first book left off. From there, it’s action and mystery, and, of course, it had my heart beating faster with each chapter read. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I received an ARC for The First Time I Saw Him by Laura Dave. This book picks right back up where the first left off. It’s been a bit since I read the first one and I was worried small parts of the story wouldn’t line up for my memory. It all came back with Laura’s excellent story telling. I actually liked this sequel better. I’m a sucker for an ending like that. This book felt like a warm hug in parts while also surprising me in others. Must read for sure!!! Thank you for the ARC!

4.75 stars couldn’t put it down!

Picking up right where The Last Thing He Told Me ended off, this book is hot right out the gate. Instant drama and action will keep your eyes glued to the pages until the very end.

It’s not often a sequel can live up to the original story but Laura Dave did a wonderful job continuing this story.

Make sure to pick it up!

Thank you to NetGalley and Scribner for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

4.5
Thank you Scribner and NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

I really enjoyed the first book, but I loved this one even more! I love how it literally picked up right where the first one ended, no span of time or trying to catch up. I did need to refresh my brain on the events, so if you havent read these books, read them back to back!
I love the characters and their growth. I would definitely recommend this book, and if you havent read either, i recommend this series.