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Synopsis

Before Owen Michaels disappears, he manages to smuggle 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 FBI 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.

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My Review

This book gave all the feels it should for a family drama. Teen angst with the stepmom. Full on disappearance of the dad. I mean seriously. WHERE DID HE GO?!?! With mystery, some detective work and even federal agencies to round it all out.

Now I have to be honest with you. Listening to this on audio was not my smartest move. I don’t know about you but there are certain types of books that are HARD to listen to. And mysteries definitely fall into that category. There’s a lot to keep track of. And they go at a fast pace. Well, I sometimes get a little distracted while I’m listening to a book. Which is because I’m doing other stuff. Like housework, exercising, or driving. So my mind kind of wanders a little from time to time. 99% of the time I rewind because I’m just that type of girl. But there is a LOT of rewinding with intense books. One day I’ll learn to stick to ChickLits, RomComs, Romances, Historical Fictions and Christian Fiction for listening. But until I learn. . .

That said – even with the audio aspect this book definitely did not disappoint! It was really good! Usually I like everything tied up at the end of the story. And there was a couple of things that weren’t in this case. But. . . I don’t believe it was to get us to read another book in a series. It was just the way the book finished. You – as the reader – were left to ponder about a few things. Which in those cases I like. Don’t you find it pretty cool when you’re still thinking about what might’ve happened with something in a book a month later? Yep. That’s some good writing.

And I have to recommend the Audible version that I listened to which was read by Rebecca Lowman. She did a tremendous job. I hadn’t had the opportunity to hear any of her work and I’m glad I took the chance. She has a lovely voice and she was the perfect choice for this book.

This is a book which has been on everyone’s radar since it came out. It was Reese’s Bookclub pick for May 2021. It’s also being made into a movie for Apple TV starring Julia Roberts and produced by Reese Witherspoon. I cannot wait to compare the movie with the book. And like always I’ll get back to you on what I think.

Have you had a chance to read The Last Thing He Told Me yet? Or anything else by Laura Dave? I’d love to hear what you think.