The Last Thing He Told Me: A Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

LOVED this book!!! I finished it just as the second one was coming out (I started it January 1st and finished it January 3rd) the new one was released on January 6th!! A perfect combination of what is going on, girl chill, wait WHAT and OH MY GOSH!

I was looking for a sorbet book for the in-between, was hoping for a high-end but low-pressure novel. When I read that much of this story takes place in Austin, I sprung for it. After the first ten pages, I thought I made a mistake, but I continued, anyway. Glad I did, and allowed the story to build. I was delighted that the plot wasn’t trite or simplistic beyond the bare surface. This is largely a thematic story of love and trust. Hannah, a thirty-eight-year-old stepmother of a sixteen-year-old girl, Bailey, is forced to bond with her in ways that she desired, yet never achieved; Hannah was repeatedly rejected by the girl. Owen, Hanna’s husband of one year, always had faith that Bailey and Hannah would eventually connect. Hanna and Bailey remain the core relationship in the book. In the opening chapter, a middle-school messenger comes to the door with a note from Owen to Hannah. There are only two words written: “Protect her.” Owen, however, is gone, fled, run off, and Hannah has no clue to the whereabouts of her missing husband, or why he left. This forces the issue of Bailey and Hannah’s relationship to define and refine itself. Can they be a source of support to each other? Can they find Owen? Owen’s departure initially drives a further wedge between Hannah and Bailey. However, survival and the search for Owen depend on the two working together under baffling and dreadful circumstances. The FBI, a U.S. Marshal, and people at The Shop (where Owen works--a software start-up) pursue Hannah with questions and demands. Some at the Shop, like the owner, have been arrested for fraud and embezzlement. In quick time, it turns into a cat-and-mouse adventure, taking Hannah and Bailey from Sausalito (where they live) to Austin, Texas (where I live). The plot is exciting and packed with adventure, suspense, and thrills. Owen’s past, difficult to mine, reveals him as a cipher, with rumors of criminal behavior. All that Hannah can depend on is her faith in the two years that she’s known her husband. He walked into her woodturner business (like wood sculpting) and they fell in love soon after. Hannah has never doubted, not for a minute, Owen’s love and devotion to her and Bailey. Admittedly, the growth of Bailey and Hannah’s relationship is a bit twee, and the distance that is reported between them initially is not as edgy or intense as we are told. Bailey’s pseudo-hostility is transparent, too on-the-nose. We understand that Bailey has a big heart from the start--perhaps a more realistic animosity from Bailey would have been too offensive for some readers? The author seemed determined that we like Hannah and Bailey, unquestionably. Hannah never deters from excusing Bailey’s bratty behaviors, either, but she bent over backwards too frequently for belief. Despite plot holes and a big ask to suspend belief, THE LAST THING HE TOLD ME is entertaining and cinematic. I was never bored, and I was stirred by the closing scenes, too. Moreover, there's a polished delicacy to Dave's writing and a warm voice that appealed to me. It's a popcorn book, not literature. A movie is already in the works, starring Julia Roberts. 3.5 (even if 2.75 for believability)

I have to be honest -- this is not the sort of novel I would normally read. I definitely don't do book club reads. And yet... There was something about the synopsis that appealed to me. The story of a newlywed whose husband disappears, leaving her alone with his teenage daughter who can't stand her. And the last thing he tells her is in a note that reads just two words. "Protect her." Okay. I'm hooked. This isn't going to be your usual Book-club-story-with-a-message kind of artsy fartsy story. And it wasn't. A thriller that captured my attention and kept me turning the pages until I'd finished. Hell, i was up until 2 AM reading because I could not put the damn thing down. A tight plot that had twists and turns that takes you along for a ride. With just enough of the past creeping in to fill in the gaps. a The characters are nuanced, layered. Emotionally invested in the story to be true to it. They are real with flaws and insecurities about whether they're doing the right thing or following the right path. They grieve the loss and learn to turn to each other, an evolving relationship between Hannah and her stepdaughter Bailey, as they make their way to the truth. And when it finally comes, a dance with the devil. What wasn't to love about that book? And a sequel coming in January, 2026. A must read, I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars.

This book pulled me in right away with the mystery, the pacing, and how fast the story moved. I really enjoyed the twists and the way the author kept building the tension between Hannah, Bailey, and the truth they were trying to uncover. But the ending just didn’t land for me. After all the buildup, it felt a little flat and not as satisfying as I hoped. I wanted a bigger emotional payoff or at least more clarity about the choices certain characters made. Overall, it was a solid read with a great setup, but the ending kept it from being a favorite. Still worth reading if you like character-driven mysteries just don’t expect a huge finale

It was a good read. The characters were easy to remember. The story was interesting, it keeps you guessing about where and why. All in a very good mystery.

Let me preface this by saying until this year (2023) I hadn’t read a fiction book in probably 10 years. I’ve just always been someone who wants to “get something” out of reading (which is why I stick to non-fiction, self help, factual books). I really don’t read for pleasure. BUT my husband is a huge reader (fiction in particular). And I decided this year I wanted us to read together and that I’d start reading more for pleasure and enjoyment. Well, my husband and I and a couple friends decided to start a little book club and as of now (May 2023) I’ve read 6 books! I know to some that is nothing lol but it’s huge for me! And well, this was one of my picks (first book I’ve ever read from Laura Dave) and I frigen LOVED IT! I love her writing, how she tells the story, the structure of the story, the characters. All of it. Such an easy read, that keeps you wanting to read more. In total I finished the book across just a few days. I thought the book was fantastic. I truly hope there will be a sequel! But am content with how it ended. Definitely a great read and would recommend to anyone!

I enjoyed this book. It is well written and makes you want to read it.I usually don‘t like books that go back and forth in time but this make sense.

It’s sad, it’s life and you want more! Such a beautiful story, that could be real, about substitutes of all kind!

I enjoyed this book but was not sure what to expect. Reading the blurb and reviews I really had no idea what type of book this would be. It kept me interested but I think it wasn't what I had in mind. It was a good book and worth a read just don't go in with any expectations and you'll enjoy.

The Last Thing He Told Me by @lauradaveauthor completely consumed me! When Owen Michaels disappears, he leaves behind just two words on a note to his wife: Protect her. What follows is a gripping search for the truth, as his wife tries to uncover where he’s gone and who he really was. This story unfolds with real urgency; I genuinely could not put it down and found myself racing through the pages desperate to know what would happen next. The characters are compelling, the emotional stakes feel real, and the twists keep coming without ever feeling forced. A brilliantly paced, addictive read with heart at its core. One of those books you will think about long after you’ve finished and the sequel is on its way and I can not wait!!

The characters lack believable motivation, their actions are not believable and border on insane, and the book is poorly paced. This reads like an unfinished screenplay, not a book.

I'm surprised at the negative reviews. This book was exactly as advertised: a thriller based on the sudden disappearance of a husband/father. It was compelling, as it dealt with the shock of the disappearance, the lead character's relationship with her stepdaughter, and her gradual search for answers. An excellent story.