Packed with twists and turns! Her Last Holiday by C. L. Taylor ⭐️⭐️⭐️⁣
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Two years ago, Jenna disappeared while at a wellness retreat and was presumed dead. Now, her sister is on a mission to discover what really happened to Jenna by attending the retreat herself.⁣
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The premise is based on a tease, prompting a discovery of the long-awaited truth about Jenna’s fate; a twist to shock the reader. It was fairly unpredictable as I didn’t see a number of turns coming, however the primary motive and the resolve left me feeling unconvinced and a tiny bit flat.⁣
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Told through the perspectives of various women, it was easy to read. Yet for all the relatable traits of the characters along the way, I failed to connect with any of them, feeling at times like a distant observer.⁣
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➕ Overall, an engaging read that succeeded at setting the scene nicely.⁣
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➕ Complex and layered, it was well detailed and provided most of the answers by the end – yet some questions remained.⁣
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➖ A definite stretch, partly unrealistic; I’m curious to hear if anyone thinks differently.⁣
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❗️ Is it worth a read? Yes! Make sure to grab it.

Two years ago Jenna went on a retreat ran by a husband and wife team.
The retreat went horribly wrong and 3 people end up dead including Jenna.
Tom the man behind Soul shrink spent two years in prison for the deaths. After his release his wife Kate convinces him to have another retreat.
Fran, Jenna’s sister attends this retreat in hope of finding out what exactly happened to her sister.

This novel took me a while to get into. It starts of slow and there are a lot of characters to remember.
I did not like any of the characters especially Tom and his wife Kate. Everyone just seemed to be out for themselves and had no redeeming qualities.

There is a nice twist at the end which I did not see coming.

This is actually the first book I have read from this author but it certainly won't be the last. I was gripped from the start and raced through it to find out how it would end.
It is the perfect mix of thriller and a mystery. The character's are all brilliantly written, the plot is fab and the settings for the story are described so well. I had no idea how it was all going to pan out which is great, I hate it when its easy to guess the outcome. Highly recommend if you love a good psychological thriller.

Another great read by CL Taylor.

Took me a little while to get into them I was off. Lots of twists and turns.
Set over two timelines. Interesting and enjoyable

This started slow but once I got into it, I couldn't put it down. A good, easy read with plenty of twists and turns that kept me guessing.

Her Last Holiday was a book I was so excited to read. I have read a few C.L. Taylor books prior to this and I have always found her writing engaging and addictive but there was something missing from this outing. I think it stems from the fact that any logical reader must suspend disbelief at an astronomical level. It was a highly imaginative story that ended up just being to much for me to swallow. I love stories that are intriguing with a mystery that allows me to join the dots, if you are like me this probably isn’t the book for you.

Her Last Holiday is a story about Fran’s sister, Jenna. She goes to a SoulShrink retreat in Gozo. They specialize in mental wellbeing and giving the clients the tools needed to recover from anxiety and depression. The man behind the retreat, Tom Wade is a charismatic but cocky man that claims he can save their lives. Bold claims. Two guests died and one went missing whilst on the retreat. It is presumed that Fran’s sister, Jenna committed suicide by jumping off a cliff. These events led Tom to being imprisoned for Manslaughter but he’s due to be released.

Now this is where I’m left scratching my head. Things just don’t add up. As in 2+2=5, kind of way. Fran’s mother is all set on blaming Tom for her daughter’s death. She’s clearly upset and traumatized BUT why on earth would you send your only surviving daughter into the clutches of the man you believe to be responsible for your youngest daughters’ death? Not buying it. She hears he’s been released and running a new retreat so books Fran a place on it so that she can investigate just what happened to her. One word – WHY?

I felt the book was also way too long in regards to what was happening. The writing was good, but I felt it dragged on especially in the middle, I would have liked more action to break it up a bit. Fran learns that several of the guests that attended the retreat Jenna was at are now at this one. Why would you ever want to go back to another retreat organized by Tom Wade again? Because two deaths and one suicide are surely ever day mundane things? This goes back to the suspending disbelief thing again.

Her Last Holiday had a lot of buildup, but the ending frankly fell super flat. It was a bit of an anti-climax. It really wasn’t for me, do not let this put you off her other works and I will most definitely pick up her next one because historically I really enjoy her writing style.

This is my first book by C.L. Taylor and while this book didn’t impress me, it won’t be my last book of hers.

Her Last Holiday was not what I was expecting it to be but I still found it to be interesting. The story is narrated from the perspective of Fran, Jenna and Kate. It follows a dual timeline which is used to show Jenna’s perspective which is in the past.

I didn’t really connect with Fran, Jenna or Kate because I found them all to be very selfish. I have to admit that I actually really liked Tom and found him to be very intriguing. I went into this story expecting to find a monster but instead I found a flawed human being who is just like the rest of us.

I found that the twists, turns and secrets were all very interesting. I definitely thought that I knew what happened to Jenna and who did it but oh boy was I ever so wrong.

I recieved an advanced copy for free, and this is my honest opinion.

This author is fabulous this is another page turning gripping read. I Thoroughly enjoyed this book.

This was a whirlwind of a mystery I couldn’t wait to figure out! I loved the slow reveal of each characters story- in both the past and present. This was such a good slow burn of a book, I enjoyed it so much. Taylor also really took her time in dropping the twist and I was dumbfounded when it happened because I totally thought the story was going to take a different turn! Such a great read!!

The story of Fran whose sister Jenna died 3 years ago and their mum wants justice from Tom who served a prison sentence for killing Jenna at a retreat in Gozo. But what really happened at tge retreat? Why or how exactly did Jenna die? Fran is determined to find out and she isn't the only one on the retreat that wants to know. The story line was really good but I did struggle with this as the book was going from one characters story to another. There were lots of characters in the book and a few of the were using an alias which was hard for me to keep up. Great book though with lots of twists.

A story told over a dual timeline about one sister trying to find out about the disappearance/murder of her younger sister on Gozo three years previous. Fran joins up to go on a retreat in Wales run by the same couple who had run the one in Gozo under an alias - her mother's maiden name. I have to admit that were some occasions where I temporarily lost track of which Geraldine was being referred to however it didn't detract too much from the overall story. A good mixture of characters leaves you liking some but wanting to badly shake sense into others. The story also makes the reader change their opinions of some people and then back again! C.L Taylor does seem to have a knack for writing about characters who get under your skin.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC to review.

This is my first C.L. Taylor book, and since I have read many review stating this is not her best book, I will definitely read more, as I did enjoy this one. Jenna attended a retreat on Gonzo (Malta) when she disappears, presumed dead. Tom, the charismatic leader of the retreat has just been released from prison for manslaughter when two other attendees die, but he claims he does not know what happened to Jenna. He is struggling, but his wife Kate, the driving force behind Soul Shrink, is determined that all will go well. This story has two timelines: the first is Jenna when she arrives at the retreat in Gonzo three years earlier, and present day with her sister Fran (using the alias Geraldine when her mother can't follow through with her reservation) at a similar Soul Shrink retreat in Wales. We also have a third POV, that of Kate, Tom's assistant, who is actually his wife.

Fran is a sympathetic character. She was bullied as a child and has disappointed her parents, never marrying so of course, not providing grandchildren. Her mother is rather mean to her but she continues to try and be a good daughter. Jenna was flighty. The youngest by twelve years and the princess. Her parents have not gotten over her death and her mother wants revenge. Tom is the leader of the Soul Shrink retreat. He is handsome and charismatic, but seems to be controlled by Kate, to the point where there is some question of spousal abuse. Kate is controlling, manipulative, greedy and wants power at almost any cost. She is abusive towards Tom. The secondary characters all have a role to play in the story and we get to know them well enough for this to happen. I will say that most of these characters are unlikeable, but I was still able to connect with many of them. There were several secrets, some tense and dangerous moments, and several twists that had me trying to figure out what really happened to Jenna. I was also scared for Fran a few times. This is a psychological thriller, as well as a fun ride. I definitely had to suspend belief with this one, but I did enjoy it. My one niggle is that after the climax, the book began to drag somewhat. Her Last Holiday has a lot to enjoy: scenic locations, adventure, twists, danger and a bit of romance. Family relationships also come into play. I do recommend this book to those who enjoy thrillers and suspense.

I thought this was a great one, very captivating and exciting! I would have liked a little bit more action at times, but I felt as though it was well written and enjoyable.

Told from three perspectives, this was a compelling psychological thriller which immediately drew me in and kept me gripped all the way through. Fran is very down to earth and likeable and I was drawn to learn more about her and follow her search for answers. On our quest to unravel the incident at a wellness retreat, we also delve into family dynamics and explore how we all deal with loss differently.

This is my first book by this author but I will definitely be reading more.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

People normally go to a well being retreat to find themselves, not to disappear without a trace. But that’s what happened to Jenna. How can she just vanish?

Big sister Fran is browbeaten by her overbearing mother into going undercover at a SoulShrink retreat, not in the sunny climbs of Gozo no, rural Wales. I know which I’d prefer! Will she find what she’s looking for? Will she actually benefit herself from Tom’s teaching? I rather liked Fran, her scepticism to the retreat resounded with me. I’m not a big talker when it comes to what’s going on in my head so the thought of group therapy or talking to a total stranger especially one implicated in a sibling’s disappearance fills me with dread!

And so Fran and I delved in to the goings on in Gozo. The attendees were an interesting bunch, some seasonal SoulShrinkers which I thought curious. Why would you keep going back if Tom is so good at healing people? Is there more to them than meets the eye or are they just Tom Wade addicts, groupies and just have to go to everything he appears at? Which leads me to this man on a pedestal. Is he as innocent as he professes when it comes to Jenna? After spending time behind bars, does this “healer” needs some healing of his own?

Taylor has masterfully written yet another tense nail biting thriller. The leaps between the past and the present build to one almighty climax but not without plenty of twists, turns and trips up the proverbial garden path to keep me thoroughly enthralled. Taylor’s got a knack of getting me to suspect everyone and every time I get it wrong! Her Last Holiday is a cracking read if you love a taut, mind spinning thriller

C. L. Taylor is one of my favourite thriller writers so I always go into her books with the highest of expectations. Once again I was completely sucked into this fast-paced tale full to the brim with suspense. The story is set around a Soul Shrink retreat in Gozo that went horribly wrong: two people died and another committed suicide. We follow Tom Wade, the man behind Soul Shrink, who has just been released from prison, his wife Kate as they attempt to put the past behind them and Fran the sister of the girl who committed suicide. Fran is trying to uncover the truth behind her sister’s death, so when Tom and Kate announce a new Soul Shrink retreat, Fran signs up. But what she uncovers might be far more than she bargained for.

This was such a compelling read. I made the mistake of starting this quite late at night and then ended up glued to the book for several hours. Taylor has a brilliant writing style and a way of sucking you in right from the very first page. The story was full of twists and turns and like all C. L. Taylor books had an ending that I absolutely did not see coming. The plot is pretty fast-paced and that definitely had me turning pages faster and faster.

C. L. Taylor always writes such fascinating characters and Her Last Holiday is no exception. The different perspectives were so intriguing as we follow Kate, Tom and Fran in the present and Kate and Jenna in the past. The characters were all complex and well creating, dealing with a variety of things: Fran with the loss of her sister and all the things she did not get to say, Kate with the breakdown of her marriage and everything she has worked for and Tom with the death of his clients and his time in prison. The characters are brilliantly created and because of them, the story was so engrossing.

Her Last Holiday is a fantastic new page-turner from C. L. Taylor. If you’re looking for a story to get completely lost in, this is definitely a must-read.

I have binged read this and it was just as good as the authors previous ones and as with those, provided plenty of twists, well rounded characters and hand over mouth suspense moments.

We follow three points of view telling the story, these being Fran, her sister Jenna and Kate. Fran is searching for answers about sister Jenna, presumed dead by suicide at a retreat in Gozo run by Kate and her charismatic husband, guru Tom. Jenna was much younger than Fran and they clearly had a terse relationship, however since Jenna’s disappearance Fran has not been able to settle and decides she must investigate and attend a retreat. Kate is a complex character and clearly in charge of the retreat and its brand, but is she capable of murder? Others from the retreat that Jenna attended have died in suspicious circumstances, which saw Tom charged and sent to prison.

The characters at the retreat all appear to be one thing and the reader is sent back and forward guessing who they are and why they are there. It was fascinating to read and the ending was believable and well crafted.

I would thoroughly recommend this book and others by this author as it left me wanting to re read others by her that I have read and enjoyed previously while I eagerly await a new one.

Thank you to Netgalley, Avon Books, and the author CL Taylor for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

My thanks to NetGalley and publisher Avon Books UK for the ARC.

I quite enjoyed this novel. This is a well-written mystery/thriller - albeit somewhat lengthy, with some surprising twists you don't see coming.
Written from three main characters' points of view: Fran's and Kate's' perspectives in the present day, and Jenna's story from the past.

Fran Fitzgerald is now 51 years old. Her younger sister Jenna, then aged 37, was reported as committing suicide two years previously whilst on a therapeutic retreat on the island of Gozo. Her body was never recovered from the seas surrounding the cliff from where it was assumed she'd jumped. That same night two other, more elderly, people died during a group therapy session. The charismatic leader of the group Tom Wade spent two years in prison and is now due for release - into the arms of Kate, the "business brains" of their enterprise.

Someone on that retreat must know what happened to Jenna and, under relentless pressure from her mother, Fran books herself onto Tom's first retreat since being released, held in Wales. She's under an assumed name but soon discovers that three people there were also on Gozo and between them and Tom she starts to seek information.
From the different points of view we learn that Kate is insanely jealous of any women around Tom; she's also paranoid that there would be/ is an undercover reporter on the retreat. She pushes at Tom so hard to resurrect the lucrative lifestyle they had two years previously. It's also clear that Fran and Jenna had a strained relationship, as Fran did with her mother; and from Jenna we gradually find out a family secret which drove her to the retreat in the first place.
However - is someone in Wales willing to kill to keep a secret?

An absorbing story which brings the past colliding quite dramatically with the present.

This is my first book by C.L. Taylor and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Fran was likeable from the moment we first meet her in the subway. Her straightforward personality is refreshing, whereas Kate I disliked right away. Kate came across as ruthless with actions that were all self-serving. When the two go head to head at a retreat where Fran is searching for answers in the disappearance and suicide of her younger sister, Jenna, emotions erupt and the story gets intense, not to mention guests at the retreat end up hurt and I feared for all of their lives. I like how Taylor weaved Jenna's past in with Fran's present to slowly reveal the truth. Both Fran and Jenna matured quite a bit from their retreat experiences and given what they experienced I felt this was very realistic. There were several guests at the retreat that I suspected had very evil intentions and yet Jenna's killer was not who I suspected. The ending made me go 'hmm' as well as made me happy all at the same time, and I very much like a book that can achieve this.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the ARC of this book.