This book started off strong but became increasingly confusing and unrealistic as it went on. It centers on Genevieve (Gen), who is reeling from finding out her husband Thad cheated on her, and takes a weekend trip with her sister Meghan to New York. Lo and behold, Gen ends up disappearing without a trace her first night there, and a ton of secrets are uncovered in a narrative that flips back and forth between the past and the present.

The writing itself was good, and I like the style of going back and forth between past and present. I felt engaged with the characters to begin with but got annoyed with them as time went on. I liked both the private investigator and the detective, however, both of them did incompetent things that didn't seem indicative of their personalities. My primary issue with the book is that most of these issues could have been solved if these characters just spoke to one another. I grew increasingly frustrated with the lies and overreactions that stemmed from everyone keeping so many secrets, some of which I never even understood the reasoning behind not opening up.

The book took a big turn as it raced toward the end that I felt turned Gen into a completely different character than we were led to believe. While I always enjoy a story with a lot of twists, I didn't really get it and couldn't find evidence earlier in the story to back up this big reveal. This, as well as many other parts of the book, required me to suspend my disbelief.

Overall, definitely a fast paced story but it just became less realistic and less cohesive as the book went on. I am glad I read it and it held my interest, but there are just too many remaining questions and inconsistencies to give it more than 3 stars. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Gen is about to sign the divorce papers to end her marriage to Thad, who broke her heart when he cheated on her. She plans to move back to her home state, buy a house there, and start over. Her sister Meg calls and invites her on a girls trip to New York to celebrate her divorce, since Meg has to be there anyway for a medical convention. Gen agrees to go, and the first night there, they arrive back at the hotel drunk and in a great mood. Gen takes her diamond ring off and throws it off the balcony. Later, Gen decides to go out for a walk to get some fresh air and she never returns. An investigation begins, and it uncovers a lot of secrets that all of the people surrounding Gen wanted to keep hidden.
I really wanted to like this book more than I did. If I could have managed to suspend belief and just read it as it was, I could have. Unfortunately, there were several things that took me out of the story and detracted from my enjoyment of it. There were several aspects to the story that were just not believable. I don't want to list them all here and spoil the story in case you still want to read it.

Genevieve “Gen” McCready Tibault is going through the worst time in her life. She is getting a divorce from her husband, Thad, who turned out to be nothing but a cheater. As a writer, Gen can work anywhere and she decides to move back to her hometown in Wisconsin. First, she makes plans to meet her sister, Meg, in New York City. Meg is attending a convention and wants to spend some time with her sister to celebrate Gen’s divorce.

The sisters get drunk on their first night. Gen throws her wedding ring off the balcony and takes off for an evening walk on her own. She needs to be alone for a little while. Meg doesn’t like her sister going off on her own, but she can’t stop her. It’s the last time she sees her sister.

Meg calls the cops and the investigation begins. Meg is shocked at the secrets that are uncovered.

This is one of those books that keep you at the edge-of-your seat until the very end. It’s so twisty with so many shocking revelations in each chapter. It kept me up many nights wanting to know what would happen next. I kept trying to figure out what was going on, but it was so much more twisted than I thought.

With each chapter, the characters became more vivid in my mind. This story is a true example of things not always being what they seem. Just the way I like it.

I haven’t read anything by this author before, but I will now. I’ll have to check out her backlist. I really enjoy her suspenseful writing style.

This makes my list of one of the best of my 2020 books.





FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

SO MANY MIXED FEELINGS. In a way, I'm in awe at how many balls were juggled here without dropping one. And yet, I'm also bamboozled with a love/hate feeling about this one. I have a feeling this is going to be quite a divisive read amongst readers and I'm ALWAYS here for that! So when it comes down to it, I have to split the difference with this one because I honestly don't know which way to turn. Does this make me a method reviewer? 😉 (It only makes sense if you know, but even if you do, it probably still doesn't....)
I literally had to press my hands to my forehead at the 65% mark because really? REALLY? C'mon..... I understand marriages falling apart. I understand infidelity. I understand insecurity. I even understand hiding a past that's really not necessary but why not for the sake of drama and hey, we're all human so we all have our *things* other people may not understand that. But couple allllll of that with ***** being able to do ******. Um... This one just got too convoluted at the end. I was so into this for it to take that many left turns at Albuquerque. I will say that I didn't *quite* expect one part... mainly because it doesn't seem feasible but I am a sucker for suspending reality. This is fiction after all. 😉

Despite having these issues, my eyes didn't get stuck in the back of my head from rolling them.... instead, I found that this was written in a compelling way that even while I was shouting "C'MON", I still couldn't keep my eyes off the pages. The pacing and succinct way the author brings this story to us is very addictive. And helloooooo, DRAMA - I love it. This is definitely heavy on the domestic and less so on any thrillery/suspense you may anticipate. So grab your popcorn and adult beverage of choice and sit yourself done for some family "fun". 😏

Courtney Evan Tate (famous for Such Dark Things and I'll Be Watching You) is back with another thriller, The Last to See Her. With a title like that, you just know things are going to go downhill for this newest cast of characters.

A sisters weekend away following a messy divorce sounds like the perfect way to cope. That is what Gen was hoping, at least. She recently left her husband, thanks to his cheating ways. Then she let her sister talk her into a trip to New York.

It's the last trip these two sisters will be taking together. The first night in the Big City, and Gen has utterly disappeared. No evidence to her whereabouts, minus her jacket in an alley. The situation isn't looking good, and it's the sister, Meg, who will have to deal with the fallout.

“His next words chilled her to the bone.
'You were the last to see her.'”

Yikes! The Last to See Her is a creepy and thrilling read, that much is for certain. The whole concept around missing persons can always get a little dark, and Courtney Evan Tate did a brilliant job of wringing out every moment of tension.

I'll confess that part of me was almost afraid to start reading The Last to See Her. After all, it literally begins with a disappearance. That's never good. Yet I'm so glad that I got over that fear and dug into this read.

When I say that this is a twisted thriller, I really mean it. There are so many shocking revelations, many of which take a few moments to think through and fully process. They weren't twists that I was expecting, that much I can promise you.

The Last to See Her is a tense read, even from that very first chapter. Again, I'm sure that has at least a little bit to do with the premise itself. But it is impressive nonetheless, and is surely enough to keep most readers invested right through to the end.

I should mention that there were a couple of things that kept me from loving this book as much as I wanted to. There's a depiction of mental health in here that I don't quite love. Likewise, there's trauma and brain damage portrayed as well. Again, I think these parts could have been strengthened.

That being said, I adored a couple of the supporting characters, so it made it pretty difficult overall on how I wanted to rate this read. I'm solidly stuck somewhere between a three and a four (and would give it a 3 ½ star rating, if given the option).

In short; The Last to See Her is a quick and fascinating read, one with plenty of twists and turns, and is a perfect read for a cold winter night.

This book starts off quite strongly. It's a fascinating premise about a woman who disappears, but then it quickly went off the rails for me.

None of the characters were particularly believable, and I didn't like or want to root for any of them. The professionals were extraordinarily bad at their jobs--the PI has photos of something that supposedly only occurred once, yet he didn't uncover a major thing about Thad's life that was totally out there for anyone to figure out. Despite that, not much even happens in the story, it's pretty easy to figure out what happened to Gen and then it just falls apart. The story spun off into some odd directions, (view spoiler)
There was some repetition, I guess to show the other side of the initial situation, but it just didn't seem believable or necessary.
By the end I just felt like it was spiraling all around and the author was attempting to tie threads together and it just didn't work.

Unfortunately, this book just did not work for me on many levels. I think if you are able to just suspend belief and go for the ride the story is taking you, you might enjoy it more than I did.

Karma is thriving and it has a starring role in this book! I really liked The Last To See Her. The characters were all so interesting! I was team Gen the whole way through. She was a great character. Normally, I don't like multiple POV books as I lose my interest quickly but it worked well in this book. It was fast paced, full of twists and turns, and just overall a great read. I read it all in 1 day which says a lot!

Thank you Netgalley for an eARC of The Last To See Her!!

This book had potential and the cover is amazing, but the switching between story lines was just a bIt confusing. Overall, I had a hard time committing. I do appreciate the chance to read and review this book and will certainly look forward to her next release.

This book takes us through the present and past lives of Gen, Meghan and Thad (Gen's husband) and the ongoing investigation process. Strange things are discovered and with time, it is clear that everyone in Gen's life has something to hide. The storyline was alright, but the narration jumped from one timeline to the next. I had higher expectations. I think this book could have been better, given its plot. I wasn't too fond of the writing style, nor were the characters likeable. They were too one-dimensional. And I am not sure if Genevieve's illness and Jody's brain damage was portrayed accurately but of course that could be me. If you are new to thrillers and want something to read over the weekend, this is for you. But I wouldn't suggest it for the hardcore thriller fan.
Thank you Edelweiss and HarperCollins for the ARC

The Last to See Her is a story that is like an onion – you have to peel off layer after layer before you get to the heart of the matter. Peeling those layers will keep you enthralled as each new layer brings more suspense and more complexities to the point that it becomes hard to imagine what could be in the next layer down.

What I Liked

I liked that the book pulled me in from page one. I was utterly distracted when I picked it up, but it rapidly took me away from all that plagued my brain and completely enthralled me with its deceptively simple story that quickly turned more and more complex. By the end, the story is a much different tale than the one you begin with.

I think out of all the characters, I liked Hawk the best. He is the calm at the center of the storm. As a policeman, he stayed professional and focused, turning over every stone he could find. He did his best to resist being manipulated by all the people of interest, which was no small feat.

The story has a dual timeline that is easy to follow, even though it randomly skips back and forth. These changes in the timeline enhance the growing complexities and keep the suspense at a high level. I loved how past and present worked together to slowly reveal the story behind the story, as each layer is peeled away.

What I Wish

It is always hard to provide information on the ending without giving away spoilers, so I’ll say that I wish the conclusion had a satisfying twist.

To Read or Not to Read
If you like in-depth looks at the many many layers of a person, a marriage, and a family, this is a book that will enthrall and mystify in all the right ways.

Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: The Last To See Her

Author: Courtney Evan Tate

Book Series: Standalone

Rating: 1/5

Recommended For...: thriller, suspense, mystery

Publication Date: December 15, 2020

Genre: Thriller

Recommended Age: can’t recommend, dnf

Publisher: MIRA

Pages: 400

Synopsis: A woman disappears into the dark city night…

Gen is on the verge of a divorce from her cheating husband. When her sister, Meg, has a convention to attend in the Big Apple, she invites Gen along to celebrate her newly found freedom. But the perfect sisters’ getaway quickly goes awry when a tipsy Gen defiantly throws her wedding ring off the hotel room’s balcony. Then, wanting some fresh air, she decides to take a late-evening walk alone and vanishes without a trace.

The investigation that follows uncovers secrets—and betrayals—between sisters and spouses that will twist the truth in on itself until nothing is clear.

What really happened to Gen and who, besides Meg, was the last to see her?

Review: I had to DNF this one. The book had a lot of issues, including that the mental illness in this book was wrote badly and the story of it wasn’t consistent, two main characters names were switched constantly, Gen’s mother is named Gin and in an audiobook that will be too confusing, the criminal justice system was grossly misrepresented, the writing was just bad altogether, and it got to a point where I was so angry while reading this book.

Verdict: It was not for me.

2.5 stars

This had a lot of potential and had me engaged for the beginning, but things fell apart for me partway through. The story became more unbelievable and too cliched. I'm not a fan of the unreliable narrator, so this didn't live up to my expectations.

I did enjoy Tate's writing style. The second half of the book seemed rushed compared to the first part of the book.
There were a couple unexpected twists, which I appreciated.

3.5 ⭐️‘s
Trying to forget about her impending divorce, Genevieve heads to New York with her sister, Meg. After a night of too much drinking, Gen finds herself unsettled and decides to take a walk...alone. When she disappears, Meg puts everything aside to find her. Both sisters have secrets, big secrets! Those secrets are slowly revealed in the course of the investigation, as we learn more about the sisters lives and their relationship. This book was quite engrossing at first, but then took a turn that left me on the dissatisfied side. I hesitate to write more because I don’t want to give too much away.

Solid Story Full Of Unlikable Characters. This is one of those stories where *none* of the characters come out looking overly rosy. The characters that are developed well are either assholes or idiots, and the characters that aren't developed so well seem to barely be caricatures. That said, the story is solid enough and compelling enough that once you get into it, you're going to want to finish it. And sometimes, that level of escapism is really all you need. Particularly with when this book is slated to release, barely a week before Christmas, it could be near-perfect counter-programming escapism for the season. Recommended.

Title: The Last to See Her
Author: Courtney Evan Tate
Genre: Thriller
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

A woman disappears into the dark city night…

Gen is on the verge of a divorce from her cheating husband. When her sister, Meg, has a convention to attend in the Big Apple, she invites Gen along to celebrate her newly found freedom. But the perfect sisters’ getaway quickly goes awry when a tipsy Gen defiantly throws her wedding ring off the hotel room’s balcony. Then, wanting some fresh air, she decides to take a late-evening walk alone and vanishes without a trace.

The investigation that follows uncovers secrets—and betrayals—between sisters and spouses that will twist the truth in on itself until nothing is clear.

What really happened to Gen and who, besides Meg, was the last to see her?

This had potential. But I didn’t really care for any of the characters—except the detective—so that definitely detracted. I’m not a fan of unreliable narrators, and I felt like both Gen and Meg were unreliable. Even when I finished the book, I didn’t have a clear picture of what happened, especially in the sisters’ individual marriages. Good writing and details, but the characters made this not a good fit for me.

Courtney Evan Tate lives in Florida. The Last to See Her is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Harlequin/MIRA in exchange for an honest review.)

(Blog link live 12/15.)

Gen and Meg are sisters and as Gen is finalizing her divorce, Meg invites her to New York City as she is attending a conference and Gen can make a girls weekend out of it. It is all fun on the first night as they drink and have a good time, but that is it - Gen goes missing and Meg must drop everything to try to find her sister.

Switching between the here and now and into the past and switching between multiple perspectives, this book kept me reading, as the pacing was on point, but towards the end of the book when the clues started to fit together - it got weird! As this is a mystery/thriller, I don't want to spoil too much, but I must say that I was on board with the who and the what up until a point and then I wasn't. A lot of my ratings of a mystery/thriller are based on who ends up being the culprit and how I feel about the reveal and this one was just ok in my book.

I would read more from this author because I liked the writing and the pacing which matter in this genre. I will judge her plotting on more than one book, so will have to come back to my thoughts on that after another read or two.

Two sisters take a vacation to New York to help one get over her pending divorce. On their first night the soon-to-be-divorced sister goes missing. The book focuses on the search for her and uncovers unlimited secrets in her and her family's past.

There is so much going on in this book and I loved it. Each character has their own secrets to hide. Cheating spouses, pasts they want to keep in the past, and revenge plots are just a few of the secrets. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves plot twists.

I liked this one a lot in the beginning, but about half-way through it started getting a little less believable and a little more cliched... I still enjoyed reading it, but it lost some of the magic I felt in the beginning - it seemed like suddenly there was a HUGE piece of backstory that got alluded to and assumed but was never referenced in any way earlier in the story. That piece turned out to be pivotal to the revelations underpinning the entire story, but because there was never any indication that it was an element that might play into things, it felt very out-of-left-field and conveniently incorporated (and unquestioned by those who weren't aware of it).

[I know that's pretty oblique, but to explain it any better is to give spoilers, sorry...]

Tate's writing style is engaging and easy to fall into, I just felt like things got rushed along into the big reveal. It changed the feel of the story for me, and not in a good way. It was still an entertaining read and I'd definitely give her another try though.

3,5 Sisters Stars- Sisters, Sisters, Sisters Don't you come Between me and my man. The Song was sung in a cute way, became popular but with all of it...It laid out a truth.

Sisters are not always what they seem. Courtney Evan Tate took the idea of these sisters, cheating and then one going missing and ran with it.

I read this one in less than 24 hours. It's definitely hard to put down. I read it in two sittings.

Gen has been married to her lawyer husband for years. Thad isn't around much and always said he was working late. Gen is an author, so she works from home. Things haven't been right in their marriage for awhile. When Gen finds out that Thad has been cheating, she decides on divorce. After months or back and forth, it's almost final. She just needs to sign and send back the papers. But first, she's going on a trip to NYC with her sister, Meghan. Meg is married with a son. She's not super happy in her relationship, but she does love her husband and son. She just wants more. The girls are going to celebrate Gen's divorce.

After a night of heavy drinking, Gen throws her ring off the balcony and then goes for a walk. She never comes back. Meg is freaking out and the police aren't taking it super seriously. At least not at first. They aren't sure if she was taken or if she just went off, still upset about her divorce.

The book goes back and forth in time. The reader starts to see Gen's life. All of it. There are secrets from everyone and they play out slowly throughout the book. It's a fast paced read though. I kept thinking I would put it down and then did the whole "one more chapter" thing many times.

I gave this book 4 1/2 stars, rounded up to 5 on Goodreads. Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for my review copy.

Warnings for mental illness, infidelity, miscarriage.