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The Last Thing He Told Me

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"The Last Thing He Told Me" by Laura Dave follows the story of Hannah, who is left to unravel a cryptic message from her husband Owen after he disappears, leaving behind his teenage daughter Bailey. The plot delves into the complexities of family dynamics, trust, and uncovering hidden truths as Hannah and Bailey embark on a journey to discover the real Owen and the secrets he left behind. The narrative alternates between the present timeline and past events, gradually revealing the characters' motivations and connections, creating a suspenseful and emotionally engaging storyline. The book is set in various locations such as Austin, Sausalito, and New York, adding layers to the plot and showcasing the intricate relationships between the characters.

Characters:

Characters are well-developed, with Hannah as a resilient protagonist, Bailey as a complex teenager, and Owen's mysterious past adding depth to the narrative.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is accessible and engaging, with a mix of emotional depth and straightforward prose, employing alternating timelines to enhance the narrative.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers on the mysterious disappearance of Owen and his cryptic note to protect his daughter Bailey, intertwining themes of family, secrets, and the evolving relationship between Hannah and Bailey.

Setting:

The setting is primarily Sausalito, California, with key events occurring in Austin, Texas, highlighting the unique dynamics of the houseboat environment.

Pacing:

The pacing is generally quick and engaging, with occasional slow parts, yet maintains reader interest through compelling twists.
You see it all the time on television. There’s a knock at the front door. And, on the other side, someone is waiting to tell you the news that changes everything. On television, it’s usually a police ...

Notes:

The Last Thing He Told Me was published on May 4, 2021, by Simon & Schuster.
Laura Dave, the author, is an international bestselling writer with several novels published in eighteen countries and optioned for film adaptations.
Hannah Hall, the protagonist, has a complicated backstory marked by abandonment, shaping her outlook on relationships.
The central theme revolves around Hannah's struggle to connect with her stepdaughter, Bailey, while dealing with the mysterious disappearance of her husband, Owen.
Hannah discovers a bag of cash in Bailey's school locker, heightening the mystery surrounding Owen's disappearance.
The narrative alternates between the present events and flashbacks, revealing Hannah and Owen's past relationship.
The story explores themes of trust, family dynamics, and the idea of protecting loved ones in times of crisis.
The book has been described as a mix of domestic drama and thriller, with a fast-paced plot filled with twists and turns.
Bailey's character reflects typical teenage behaviors, contributing to the tension between her and Hannah.
The novel focuses on the evolution of the relationship between Hannah and Bailey as they work together to uncover the truth about Owen.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of embezzlement, lying, domestic strife, potential violence, and parental abandonment.

From The Publisher:

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

SELECTION OF THE REESE WITHERSPOON BOOK CLUB

A HIGHLY ANTICIPATED, BEST BOOK OF SUMMER SELECTED BY * VOGUE * USA TODAY * ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY * CNN * TOWN & COUNTRY * PARADE * BUSTLE * AND MORE!

A "gripping" (Entertainment Weekly) mystery about a woman who thinks she's found the love of her life-until he disappears.

Before Owen Michaels disappears, he smuggles a note to his beloved wife of one year: Protect her. Despite her confusion and fear, Hannah Hall knows exactly to whom the note refers-Owen's sixteen-year-old daughter, Bailey. Bailey, who lost her mother tragically as a child. Bailey, who wants absolutely nothing to do with her new stepmother.

As Hannah's increasingly desperate calls to Owen go unanswered, as the FBI arrests Owen's boss, as a US marshal and federal agents arrive at her Sausalito home unannounced, Hannah quickly realizes her husband isn't who he said he was. And that Bailey just may hold the key to figuring out Owen's true identity-and why he really disappeared.

Hannah and Bailey set out to discover the truth. But as they start putting together the pieces of Owen's past, they soon realize they're also building a new future-one neither of them could have anticipated.

With its breakneck pacing, dizzying plot twists, and evocative family drama, The Last Thing He Told Me is a riveting mystery, certain to shock you with its final, heartbreaking turn.

Ratings (79)

Incredible (6)
Loved It (28)
Liked It (19)
It Was OK (15)
Did Not Like (7)
Hated It (4)

Reader Stats (119):

Read It (83)
Currently Reading (1)
Want To Read (32)
Not Interested (3)

3 comment(s)

Loved It
3 months

SYNOPSIS:

Hannah married Owen fairly recently, so she’s a newlywed & a new stepmom to Bailey, Owen’s 16 year old daughter. Bailey has been slow at warming up to Hannah.

When the Feds start bringing charges against higher ups at the tech company Owen works out, he goes MIA.

Where did he go? Is he coming back? What’s he running from? Did she ever really know him? What’s he hiding

MY THOUGHTS

The book is set in Sausalito & Austin, which I liked.

Hannah & Bailey’s relationship is very well-written, and I loved seeing their relationship grow.

Big fan of the ending.

This book explores a lot of themes, such as, what you’ll do for those you love, parenting, & many others.

TL;DR: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

4 stars. Loved the dynamic between stepmom & stepdaughter here.

 
Hated It
5 months

This book was straight. Up. STUPID.

 
Loved It
7 months

Wow, that was fun! I don't know what I expected, but probably not exactly something like this. This story took a completely different direction.

I really like the fast pace in my novels, and here I felt that every scene had a purpose. Every scene and every conversation was here for some reason. They brought us closer to discovering the mystery, they added another element to this puzzle. This is a well-edited book.

I also liked the main character Hannah. Despite the very unusual situation she finds herself in, she does not lose her head and tries to do her best to deal with the situation and protect her stepdaughter, just as her husband Owen asked her to do. Hannah is quick to think and not afraid to act. She is a strong heroine who can think outside the box and act on the spot.

The difficult relationship between Hannah and her stepdaughter Bailey added extra drama and another interesting dimension to the story. We not only wonder what is going on with Owen, but also whether the relationship between Hannah and Bailey would eventually improve. And whether it will happen fast enough that none of them will get hurt.

The ending surprised me. I didn't think this story would end like this. I even wonder if I'm a bit disappointed, but that's because I just like happy endings, and this one doesn't quite feel like one to me. Either way, the ending is interesting.

I really enjoyed discovering Owen's secrets gradually. And while I think some of Hannah's actions weren't entirely rational (like going to Austin, for example) and there are some holes in the story, I had no problem overlooking them and enjoying the story.

 

About the Author:

Laura Dave is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller The Last Thing He Told Me, as well as The First Husband, Eight Hundred Grapes, and other novels. She resides in Los Angeles with her family.

 
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