I am a big fan of Megan Miranda so I was very excited to read this one and it did not disappoint, The Last House Guest is a suspense thriller about a girl who has died in the summer previous. The family is complicated and while it appears to be a suicide, the main character (her best friend) is starting to question what might have really happened. The whole story is an unraveling as she discovers what really happened to her friend as well as the thrill of feeling as though there is someone who does not want her to know the whole story. Highly recommend.

"This town convinces you're better than you really are."

When I first read All the Missing Girls, I made it a point to get my hands on the next Megan Miranda novel to hit the bookshelves. It was so interesting and a completely different concept than what I have read before. I read The Perfect Stranger and I felt like it lacked the necessary oomph to make it into a fast-paced mystery. Again, unfortunately, I struggled with the newest Megan Miranda novel.

Just like the beginning of The Perfect Stranger, this book had so much promise of being a book that kept my attention. I was very interested in the plot and it seemed very suspicious/spooky/made you think. However, as I went on, I struggled with every page that I turned. Sometimes, I found myself saying, "I'm only how far along?!"

In my opinion, I think this novel would've been a real page-turner if there was some sort of development. There was no development in really any of the characters, not even the main character, Avery. It was a tale of something happened a little while ago and now that time has passed, we resurface everything and try to find new conclusions. If the storytelling was a little better and there was something bigger behind this story, it would've easily been a five-star novel.

I think that Megan Miranda had all of the necessary things she needed in this book, but just did not execute them properly. The foundation to have a five-star novel was there for me for sure. However, with a less-than-appealing development throughout the story, I had a really hard time.

This is the third book by Megan Miranda that I have read and the writing is similar to her other books. The story started off a little slow but it picked up toward the end of the book. There were plenty of twists that kept me interested in the story and overall, I enjoyed reading it.

Set over the course of a couple of summers in a seaside vacation town, this story was perfectly fine- it's the kind of cover and description that will definitely appeal to mystery fans for a "beach read". I didn't find that the story or characters were exceptionally unique (it's so hard these days to put out a "twist" focused book that really stands out because there are just so many, and I think after Megan Miranda successfully pulled off a stand-out with All the Missing Girls, readers have high exectatiosn for her), but this was definitely a quick summer read that I was entertained by.

I have loved Megan Miranda's first two books so I was thrilled to be granted a copy of this from @netgalley for review. I was not disappointed! Miranda has a way of really pulling you into the setting of her books, so I could practically hear the crashing waves and see the dangerous cliffs of Littleport, Maine. It is told in alternating timelines, the night that Sadie dies and one year later. I didn't see the ending coming, though there were some hints along the way. All in all, Miranda has hit another one out of the park - if you liked All the Missing Girls and The Perfect Stranger, you'll enjoy this thriller as well.
Ratting: 🙀😻🙀😻

I struggled with this book in the beginning, even wondering if it was going to be the kind of book for me. I wanted to give up. It didn't make sense, this Plus One Party and everything going into it. Clearly, it was important but I couldn't figure out what it was about and why or who even truly mattered and it made me want to quit.

However, I pushed through and once it was explained and the characters started to have some pull on me and make sense, I fell in love with it. I'm glad I kept going because I loved Avery and the life she was living and the secrets she was trying to figure out. I just think the book started in too quickly, with an image that the author could clearly see but not us, coming in blind.

Her writing is enough to pull you in, though, and make you feel for Avery and Connor and even Sadie, even though she doesn't truly exist as a character within the book, only the existence of one. I could easily imagine the life and town of Littleport and how someone like Avery came to be. The twists and little plots of Sadie to parade Avery around her family were interesting, even if the original reasons why she did it weren't true, after all. I liked those little twists and how they could have easily made the book, but instead we found out they were false and began to wonder why then, was it that Sadie chose Avery.

I had gone through the list of characters multiple times in my mind, trying to figure this one out, but couldn't quite grasp it. I had my suspicions but nothing concrete to go back on. Though some of the foreshadowing was definitely there, as it was brought up for Avery to remember, but I didn't catch it then.

Overall, I loved this book and will definitely be recommending it. I'm glad I got thr opportunity to read it. It's the kind of book that felt true and real, the kind I won't be forgetting about any time soon.

After reading Megan Miranda’s two bestselling books: The Perfect Stranger and All the Missing Girls, I couldn’t wait to see what she came up with next.

I liked how she portrayed the differences in the lives between the year-round residents of Littleport Maine who don’t have a lot of money, and the rich vacationers who come ready for an fun-filled summer break. The little details, such as how the curious local youngsters watch the vacationers through windows and break into homes just to see how they live were well portrayed. On the other side, we have the rich people who think of themselves as being “special” just because they have a lot of money and treat people how they want to not particularly caring about their feelings.

This book is told through the eyes of the main character, Avery, a young woman who went through some years of rebellious, bad behavior when her parents died in an accident when she was only 14. After that, she lived with her grandmother until she passed away too. When her good friend, Sadie, a rich girl commits suicide or is murdered suspicion of course falls on Avery. In Miranda’s trademark style of keeping the reader guessing, I didn’t know who to believe.

This is definitely an author to look out for.

Megan Miranda's newest book, The Last House Guest, is set in the small harbor town of Littleport, Maine. The rich come to spend the summers, and the townspeople earn most of their yearly income by catering to them. The divide between the two is not only financial; there is a lot of resentment towards the vacationers who consider themselves better than those whose town they invade yearly.

One exception is Avery Greer, a young "townie" employed by the Loman family, who considers Sadie Loman, their daughter, her best friend. The story focuses on what happened during a Plus One party (a party held by the townspeople one day after the last day of the tourist season), when Sadie is found dead on the beach. Uncertain whether her death was by suicide or murder, many people are investigated before the police rule it a suicide.

The story is told from the view of the summer of Sadie's death as well as the next summer. Avery doesn't believe Sadie committed suicide, and continues to look into her death and the strange break-ins and other occurrences happening at the cottages during the next summer.

Full of secrets, lies, twists and unexpected turns, this book in an easy and entertaining read. I give it 3.5 stars rounded to 4 stars.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for allowing me to read an ARC of this novel in exchange for an unbiased review.

I had high expectations going in to this book, and sadly, this did not live up. The book is told in a sloppy back and forth that doesn’t seem to flow. One minute we’re in the past and then we’re given a brief aside into the present and then back to the past. It gets very confusing.

I liked the setting of this one, and enjoyed the description of the summer town.

I didn’t find any of the characters likable, especially Sadie.

I think the book will find its reader, it just wasn’t me.

This is the second book I’ve read from Megan Miranda and as with her prior book The Perfect Stranger, this one just didn’t meet my expectations.

Sadie and Avery are the best of friends. As with most besties, they know each other inside and out, front to back. So when Sadie’s body is discovered from an apparent suicide Avery is certain Sadie would never take her own life, and is determined to find who murdered her friend!

Told from Avery’s POV in the present and past timelines.

While I was engaged by the story-line, the execution never grabbed me. I couldn’t develop a connection with the players and was left wanting more...something. With a good number of great reviews out there for this book, I do hope it works out better for you.

I do still have Megan Miranda’s All the Missing Girls sitting on my shelf and look forward to reading that one soon! Hoping that one will have the Wow factor I've been looking for in her books.

A buddy read with Susanne!🌸

Thank you to NetGalley, Edelweiss, Simon & Schuster and Megan Miranda for an ARC to read and review.

*** 3-3.5 Stars ***
Publication Date: June 18th, 2019

Avery Greer helps manage vacation rentals in a picturesque town of Littleport, Maine. Her best friend Sadie Loman died the night of a party last summer and police thought Sadie took her own life. Avery has never believed this to be true and is searching for clues around the remembrance event 1 year later. Sounds like a very solid premise and I was intrigued from the start. The alternating time lines of present with the night of the party I enjoyed however this story just didn't do it for me. There seemed to be a lot going on and a lot of characters that I just didn't connect with, which made things more confusing. The ending did tie everything together but left me underwhelmed overall. Having said that from all the positive reviews and the writing style I will definitely read "All the Missing Girls" by Megan Miranda.

Special Thanks to NetGalley and Corvus for allowing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wow! I loved this novel! Believable characters pull you in from the first page. A well written thriller with twists and turn galore! The Last House Guest will keep you guessing.

Megan Miranda is so masterful at delivering thrilling and suspenseful novels time and time again.

After reading All the Missing Girls last year, I found that I really enjoyed her writing style and the way she develops her characters and stories. And when I saw this cover, something about it really drew me in.

Littleport, Maine is your typical Hamptons-esque vacation town. Avery and Sadie are besties, despite Avery being a local and Sadie being an elite summer visitor (not your typical friendship). But when Sadie's body is found at the bottom of a cliff after an apparent suicide, Avery's world is turned upside down. Fast forward a year later and strange things start happening that lead Avery to believe that Sadie's death may not have been a suicide after all. And when evidence starts pointing at her as a suspect, she's in a race to discover the truth before she's charged with murder.

I really liked the idea of this book. I was totally invested in the characters, particularly Avery who had a pretty terrible and tragic past. There were lots of mysterious elements to the story along the way that kept me guessing right up to the end. And while I thought the ending was good, I did feel like it was a little bit far fetched and unbelievable. But despite it's far fetched nature, I still did enjoy it very much and remain a Megan Miranda fan.

If you're looking for a good summer thriller about a mysterious vacation town, this is the book for you. It's definitely worth giving it a read.

-I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, Megan Miranda, and Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to review.-

Megan Miranda's latest book focuses on Avery, a 20-something who has lost her parents, grandmother, and, most recently, her best friend Sadie. Sadie commits suicide on the night of the most infamous party that town cool kids throw each year. But was it really a suicide? Set in a beach town in Maine, this mystery is a little slower-paced than the typical Summer thriller. Avery isn't the typical unreliable narrator and I really liked her character and what Miranda did with her. I didn't see the big plot twist coming, and I always appreciate that in a mystery. This is a great book to add to your Summer TBR list.

Avery's life has been fragile for awhile. First her parents were killed in a car accident, then her grandmother passed away. If that weren't enough, her best friend died the previous summer. But Avery is holding it together, doing her job, and making the best of the situation. That is until something makes her re-examine Sadie's supposed suicide. From there, her own life seems to start spiraling out of control while those around her try to control her and mysterious events crop up. This wasn't the finest writing I have seen from Ms. Miranda, but I really enjoyed the good balance between the characters and their relationships with each other and the action and twists of the stories. So maybe this is a good beach read crossed with a thriller? But after feeling a bit calloused by the crazy twists some authors expect the reader to accept, this was a nice solid suspenseful story.

This is the first book I've read by Megan Miranda and I really enjoyed it. It's a mystery set in a beach town, which makes it perfect for beach and summer reading. The story is a fast-paced mystery with well-developed characters and a satisfying conclusion. Highly recommend. Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Last House Guest starts with a seemingly straight forward suicide that slowly unravels into a story of betrayal and secrets. When Sadie Loman is found at the bottom of the cliff in a Maine resort town everyone assumes she jumped. But when her best friend Avery starts investigating she finds evidence that Sadie may have been silenced because of what she knew about her own family. The story starts off slowly but builds into a satisfying climax. Megan Miranda is always a good read.

Actual rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

I was looking forward to reading this book from Megan Miranda. I really enjoyed her previous books, [book:All the Missing Girls|23212667] (5 stars!) and [book:The Perfect Stranger|31443398]. Sadly, this was a disappointment for me. First off, it started out slow and boring. There were a couple of times I wanted to add it to my DNF shelf. It picked up for me around the 60% mark but the ending was not climactic enough to make up for the slow start. All the characters were underdeveloped and hard to connect with. How old was Avery anyway? I pictured her in her teens and Parker was a couple of years older. In actuality, Avery was in her 20s and Parker was only a year older. The writing was disjointed which made the story confusing, not suspenseful. Even though this book was a miss for me, I will continue to other books from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for a copy of Megan Miranda's "The Last Guest House" in exchange of an honest review.

Well, this was disappointing.

I don’t think it’s a secret that I was {am} obsessed with All the Missing Girls, so now whenever I see that Megan has a new thriller coming out, I expect it to be as brilliant as that one.

I didn’t really connect to Avery. Or anyone in this story. If not for the constant references to graduating college, I would have assumed these characters were all 16-17 years old. Additionally, there were loads of characters who graced the page for a brief second and left me wondering why they were there

Plot wise, it was meh. The constant flip flop of time didn’t add the layers I expected it to and I found myself skimming most of it. When I finally got to the big reveal, instead of being shocked, I was mostly glad it was over.

Overall, something kept me ready, but I think it was my fondness from ATMG more than anything.

**Huge thanks to Simon & Schuster for providing the arc free of charge**

This is a fun mystery with a good number of twists and turns! It’s definitely a good book to put on your summer reading list.

Avery has spent her life in Littleport, Maine, where the wealthy holiday over the summer and are catered to by the working-class folk like her, who live there year-round. For a decade, she’s been close friends with Sadie, the daughter of one of the wealthiest families who summer in the town and own the majority of the rental houses there. But one night after a party, Sadie is found dead.

The police determine that it was suicide. Avery doesn’t buy it.

One year later, as Avery begins searching for the truth of what happened to her friend, the local detective turns a suspicious eye towards her, and her checkered past isn’t helping her case.

Someone knows more than they're saying, and Avery is intent on clearing her name before the facts get twisted against her.

This novel is on the lighter side, but it does ‘lighter side’ incredibly well, with excellent plotting and pacing. The mystery slowly unravels in an exceptional way, while moving back and forth between two parallel timelines, one year apart. And the characters, while not entirely fascinating, were clear and compelling enough for me to get absorbed in the narrative. I especially liked that Avery is something of an unreliable narrator, with a few bad deeds in her past, attempting to fit into a social class that she feels is not her own.

I’d definitely recommend this if you’re looking for a solid mystery with some twists and turns to bring to the beach with you this summer. It’s coming out very soon – June 18!

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the Advanced Reader Copy!

This review will be posted on my blog and social media on June 13.