Thanks net galley and C.L.Taylor for this interesting book.
I found it dragged on in the first quarter, and then it got far more interesting.
Jemma had a lot of stress in her life, her relationship with her parents and sister was not great, and her boyfriend had broken off with her.
Jemma thought she would go away to a retreat to help her stress and find herself.
The last thing she thought would happen that her life would be in danger,
Going to the retreat changed her life forever.

After reading a number of novels by CL Taylor, I found this ultimately very disappointing. It felt as though it had been written to order for the publishers, being rushed and formulaic. Most, if not all, of the lead characters were really quite dislikeable and their psychological portrayals were shallow at best. Some of the twists in the plot felt totally contrived and at times almost farcical, and the author herself notes that she has taken liberties.
There is humour of sorts and the action does zip along but not the author's best by any means.

Fran's sister is dead. She committed suicide at a Soulshrink Retreat on Gozo two years ago. The police on the island did not investigate thoroughly so driven by her own guilty conscience (she did not give her sister time before she left) and her mother's nagging, Fran signs herself up to another Soulshrink Retreat to investigate.
The story is told through three different points of view: Fran, her sister, Jenna, and Kate, wife of Soulshrink leader, Tom Wade. I found none of the three lead characters particularly likeable but that didn't stop me becoming involved in the plot.
I did have to suspend belief however, that Fran's mother having lost one daughter to Soulshrink would then encourage the other to attend - even if their relationship wasn't that good. Also that having run retreats where people died, Tom would be allowed to run further retreats and that dangerous activities like white water rafting and high ropeway walks were involved with little apparent training or thought to those taking part.
I have to confess I also found the plot difficult to follow reading a digital version - there are great many characters, those from the first retreat and those from the second, some of whom have changed their names - plus the switching from past to present before I really felt I'd got a foothold with the characters and what they were doing.
So, all in all, a little disappointing but still an edgy read with several twists especially at the end.
Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the chance to read an early copy in return for an honest review.

📚Book Review 📚
Her Last Holiday by @cltaylorauthor
Publication Date-29th April 2021

Thank you to @netgalleyand @avon_books for this advanced readers copy, in exchange for an honest review.

Book Synopsis
You come to Soul Shrink to be healed. You don’t expect to die.

Two years ago, Fran’s sister Jenna disappeared on a wellness retreat in Gozo that went terribly wrong.

Tom Wade, the now infamous man behind Soul Shrink Retreats, has just been released from prison after serving his sentence for the deaths of 2 people. But he has never let on what happened to the third suspected victim: Jenna.

Determined to find out the truth, Fran books herself onto his upcoming retreat – the first since his release – and finds herself face to face with the man who might hold the key to her sister’s disappearance. The only question is, will she escape the retreat alive? Or does someone out there want Jenna’s secrets to stay hidden?

My Thoughts
I really enjoyed this book, especially that it was through three characters points of views. I feel that this really helped me to really know what was going on.

I also enjoyed that it covered two different timelines, so I could truly understand the events of the first retreat.

There were so many twists, I want discuss so as not to spoil the book, but I loved how it all came to get her, especially the last few chapters.

Another fantastic book by the author.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
#herlastholiday #cltaylor #avonbooks #netgalley #arc #advancedreaderscopy #arcreview #arcreviewer #netgalleyreview #netgalleyreads #readingcommunity #bookreviews #readingisfundamental

I found it tricky to rate this one but ended up going with 2/5 stars: I'll define this rating by saying that this wasn't unreadable, but simply so, very, incredibly average with a fair few weaknesses. It's a shame, as I've read C.L. Taylor's novels for years; I've got two on my kindle waiting to be read, and I will absolutely still read them and her future novels, but this one fell flat and was lacking, not just something, but a lot of things.

Firstly, the characters were awful. Each and every one. It's like Taylor wanted these characters to be so authentic, all having their own quirks and imperfections, that they all ended up being either hateful, unrealistic or lacklustre (God, some of them were all three). This includes the ones that we (I presume) were supposed to warm to and root for!

Then we have the plot... initially tedious, which admittedly did then pick up well around 40%-80%, to end up being downright ridiculous, and definitely unconvincing. It took me ages to get into this, but I then read the last 70% in one day - partly because I was invested, partly because I wanted to finish and move on. I liked that there were a LOT of twists in this, certainly ones I didn't predict, but they were very questionable. There were also a lot of plot holes (which I won't share as they will reveal spoilers); not major things, but it still left the storylines feeling all the more implausible. The ending tried too hard to tie everything neatly into a bow, especially the family dynamics, which felt very forced considering the rest of this focussed on how the parents/siblings relationships were extremely strained.

Overall I would not recommend this one. I'd recommend Taylor's others, ones I've enjoyed much more - e.g. The Lie and The Accident - and I'll hope that this is a one-off blip, with Taylor coming back strong in her future reads.

“You come to Soul Shrink to be healed. You don’t expect to die”

This is my second CLTaylor read and I’m officially a fan!

When I first started reading I needed a quick minute to figure out who was who, if I was in the past or present, but once I got into it you flowed really well. I really liked how the chapters were from the point of view of the different character - Jenna, Fran & Kate.

This read has so many twists. Like, a whiplash amount, ones I definitely didn’t see coming too! Which is the best bit when reading a thriller, especially if you are a bookworm like me and read a fair few.

If I hadn’t been so busy with work, I’d have swallowed this book up in a day or two, I read that last 40% in one sitting, mainly because I NEEDED TO KNOW!

Out on 29th April 2021!
And the bookshops should be open by then so you have no excuse! 😂👍🏻

Good writing, concepts and interesting protagonists. The plot as a whole was just not compelling enough for me to continue. My rule is that if I can't feel invested between 50-100 pages in, it's not for me. Only made it to page 70.

Excellent twisty and turny story line. Well written. An unputdownable story! Have always loved C.L. Taylor's books and this one does not disappoint

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The chapters switch between three female characters' points of view. It also jumps around in time, which I am not really a fan of. It made the book a bit slower than it could have been.
The plot idea itself was good. The cruelness of people and the almost cult-like retreats were interesting themes. However, I didn't feel like it was written that well.
Usually, thrillers keep you interested from beginning till end and make it a hard book to put down. But I found it a bit too slow and a bit too predictable. And honestly, there was just a bit too much in there I didn't care much for.

There were a few written mistakes in the book, enough to bother me. A 'her' instead of 'he', a 'you' in the middle of a sentence so it didn't make sense, and worst of all; the use of a wrong name, so it actually ended up spoiling the plot twist for me - and made the book super predictable.

The ending felt a bit rushed. When things finally started to be explained, the last few chapters seemed like a fast and easy way to get the book over with.

I really wish I would have liked the book better, it is written by one of the more prominent thriller authors, and I guess I had high hopes for it.
It didn't deliver much suspense, and I didn't care much for any of the characters. At least it was a super easy read that can be done in one sitting.

I have to admit to struggling with this read and it's so unlike me with this excellent author. It's a reasonably well constructed read, it's just I couldn't build or maintain any interest in the storyline or characters.

Jenna disappears whilst on a retreat in Malta and her sister (under significant pressure from the mother) books herself on another retreat in order to try to get to the truth.

Tom, supposedly a charismatic leader, came across as anything but and his overbearing wife, Kate is an unsympathetic, irritating character.

The book is written in 'Then' and 'Now' chapters which got a tad confusing.

I so enjoy this author's books and for me I think this is just an unusual 2* OK read. It's difficult to review a much loved author and rate at this level, but, I've got to be honest and this one just wasn't for me. Sorry!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to preview.

Big thank you to Netgalley and Avon Books for the opportunity to read and review Her Last Holiday by C L Taylor.

I was drawn to this book straight away by the synopsis and it didn't disappoint me.

I was hooked on this after the first few pages. None of the characters were very likeable but for me that made the story more interesting.

This has everything I look for in a thriller including loads of twists and turns, I couldn't keep up!!

The ending was totally different to what I was expecting as well so that was a definite wow moment!!

I haven't read any of C L Taylor's previous books but after enjoying this so much I will be looking them up!

Her Last Holiday is released on 29th April 2021 and I would 100% recommend it.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 from me!

The premise for this story is interesting. Jenna grew up in a stilted, dysfunctional family. Now in her mid-thirties, she struggles with life and stress. Tom Wade is a charismatic, naturally talented self-help guru with SoulShrink. A retreat to Malta with Tom and SoulShrink just might give Jenna the tools she needs to work through old wounds. But before the retreat comes to a conclusion, two people are dead and Jenna is missing and presumed dead also. That leaves it up to her sister, Fran, to figure out just what happened to Jenna.

Many good mystery/thrillers require a degree of suspended belief. Usually that doesn’t bother me because the excitement of the unveiling is worth the minor implausibility. That just wasn’t the case for me in this novel. Not only did this story lack the excitement factor that I crave in a good mystery/thriller, it also demanded me to believe the impossible at each turn, which was more than I was willing to do. The flat storytelling mixed with a story that just wasn’t believable (in any sense) left me wanting.

Thank you C.L. Taylor, Avon Books UK, Avon, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an advanced copy of this book

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

I rather enjoyed this one. It wasn’t overly complicated and it was pretty easy to read too. I also read it quite quickly so I’d say it’s definitely a page turner!

I really really liked the character of Fran while reading this and I’m unsure how intentional it was but I found her very funny. The way she spoke to people and absolutely did not give a flying f**k was actually really refreshing to read. I’d read more books with her in just for her unintentional humour.

There was a few points where names got a little muddled up, probably due to it being an advanced copy with potential edits to be made. It did confuse me, but it doesn’t take much either. 😂

Fran's younger sister Jenna went to a self help retreat in Malta and never came back. Tom, the person who was running it went to prison for two years - not because of Jenna - but because two other people died.

Kate, Tom's wife who helped him run his whole self help business, has been tirelessly working day and night to keep the dream alive by preparing everything for the day Tom would get out of prison. And Tom does.

Several months later, a new retreat is happening and Fran books herself a stay with a false identity, determined to find out what really happened to her sister. Will she succeed in her mission?

Right off the bat, the book is an easy read. My time flew by fast while reading, it definitely doesn't feel like a 400 page book.

It was entertaining throughout and I honestly wanted to see how it would end. And the ending is why I gave it three stars instead of four.

The first part, and even a half of the second was good. I liked it a lot. Even so, I predicted how most things were going to go.

I had a problem with the timing and the ages. I don't know if it's just me or if they were written that way, but I couldn't see Jenna as 37 and Fran as 51. Same for most of the older retreatees. And in my head Tom's sentence was longer than two years which kept confusing me whenever we got reminded that it's been nearly three years since Jenna went missing.

As for the characters, I liked Jenna the most. Liked being a loose term. I was the most invested in her story, especially in the beginning when I wasn't 100% sure what happened to her.

Fran was okay, nothing special. I didn't see the drive in her to find her sister, even though she tried to show it.

Kate, deserves hate. Disliked her from the start and so it remained. I doubt anyone actually liked her though.

Tom...what to say about Tom...he's not that bad of a guru, he just got stuck with Kate.

There were a few scary moments (the bird, the eye), but a few, do not a thriller make. I expected to be on the edge of my seat which didn't happen here.

Then we have some odd choices, like the reason Jenna was depressed which is a bit ridiculous in origin, and the plot twists (not one, but three) at the end. I think a completely opposite ending would've been better.

But still, I had fun and you probably will too if you pick up this book.

*Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review*

CL Taylor does it again.
A great read that will keep you guessing right to the end.

Frans sister has gone missing on a retreat in Gozo, all they found were her flip flops at the cliffs edge, a clear cut suicide as far as the police are concerned.
Frans overbearing mum books her in on the next retreat under a false name with the remit to find out what really happened to her sister.
Twists and turns aplenty with lots of intrigue and deception.

One of my favourite go to authors when I want guaranteed entertainment.

Three women. Three voices. Three stories.
Kate - her husband has just been released from prison and she’s had to keep the ‘retreat’ business they owned going while he’s been away. But what’s her secret?
Fran - desperately trying to find out about the death of her sister...last seen at the retreat....
Jenna - Fran’s sister. Last seen at the retreat 3 years ago - but how did she die?
Fans of C.L Taylor won’t be disappointed

This was not one of the best books I have read by C L Taylor. I really found it hard going and did not really bond with any of the characters. I did persevere non the less and as the book progressed it did get a bit better.

Tom was the face of SoulShrink, a wellness group that he and his wife created, until he was sent to prison following tragedy that took place at his last retreat and he was held responsible. His wife Kate has been anxiously awaiting his release, plotting and planning how they can get back on top once he’s freed. Tom doesn’t want to go back to that life, but his wife basically doesn’t give him any option, so he agrees to give it a try.
Then we meet Fran, whose sister was one of the victims of the tragedy that sent Tom to prison, and she and her mother want the answers she didn’t get at the trial about what really happened to her, so she goes to their new retreat to try and finally get some resolution to the loss of her sister.
There are two timelines and POV- the current retreat featuring Tom/Kate/Fran and then the previous retreat from Jenna’s (Fran’s sister). We see in Jenna’s POV that things weren’t great with her family so that could have contributed to her story. We see in the current timeline, the relationship between Kate and Tom isn’t what it appears either. Even Fran is hiding things-nothing is as it appears and everyone is struggling to sort out their pieces of the puzzle.
Overall, it was a good read. There were bits at the retreat itself that dragged some and probably could have been left out and some stuff was kinda hard to believe (ie. the mom had no trouble sending her daughter to investigate the death of her other daughter at this man’s hands) I couldn’t imagine risking it but that’s just me. It’s slow paced but easy to read-perfect for a beach day!
Thanks to Avon Books UK and Netgalley for this Arc in exchange for my review.

This was my third novel by C.L.Taylor. She is adept at creating and managing tension, weaving multiple storylines and points of views, and always always surprising her reader, and Her Last Holiday is no exception. Her Last Holiday is the story of Fran and Jenna, two sisters, and of Tom Wade and his wife/assistant Kate. In the present Fran is a teacher, grieving the loss of her sister who disappeared on a retreat run by Tom Wade and Kate in Gozo. Jenna is presumed to have committed suicide but their Mother, Geraldine, does not believe this. She is determined that Fran will go on a retreat run by Kate and Tom, who has just been released from prison, to find out exactly what happened. The narrative switches between past and present and between points of view. The books exists on multiple levels: it is a thriller centred on a disappearance, with a missing body, blood on the cliffs and an undercover journalist intimating foul play. But in true Taylor style, it is a story of relationships, of the love between sisters and the heartbreak of a family member disappearing. I loved this book. Fran and Jenna are beautifully drawn characters and I felt utterly convinced of the love between them, and Fran’s desolation at the loss of her sister. I spent the whole book physically willing Jenna to be ok. I greatly enjoyed the thrill of this book, I lost count of the twists and turns, and as the book drew to the end I felt like I had descended from the wildest rollercoaster ride! A fantastic read. With thanks to Netgalley and Avon Books for a digital copy of this exhilarating read!

C.L Taylor is one of my favourite authors, and I was so happy to be chosen to read her latest thriller. I've been to Gozo and I was so excited to read a book with parts set there. I fell in love with the character of Fran. Really great read, I was hooked and the ending - just WOW!