Emotionally blackmailed by her mother to try to find out how her sister had died 2 years previously, Fran found herself booked onto a retreat run by SoulShrink, the same company Jenna had used when she lost her life in Gozo. When Fran met Tom who had recently served a custodial sentence for the death of two other members of that retreat her suspicions that Jenna took her own life became less certain. What had really happened that night?
I found as the story unfolded that I struggled to follow why certain things happened - why was a person convicted of being negligent and resulting in the death of two people and the possible suicide of a third allowed to continue to run these retreats? OK, so Kate his wife was the driving force behind setting it up, but I also found it hard to believe that previous attendees would also rebook such an event. For me, I’m afraid the story jumped about a bit too much and many parts were difficult to keep track of - who knew whose real identity? I’ve loved all of the previous books by CL Taylor but can’t honestly say that this one was on par with her other excellent offerings.
Honest review given in exchange for a complementary e book from NetGalley.

Another wonderful tale from CL Taylor. Two years before Fran's younger sister Jenna had gone to a retreat on Gozo and didn't come back. The police investigation ruled it as suicide, but there has never been a body. The same night the Jenna went missing two other people from the retreat died whilst the man who was the figurehead fo retreat fled., but was subsequently sentenced to prison for his part in their deaths.
Now he is being released from prision and Kate, his wife, has planned a comeback retreat in Wales. Fran ends up on the retreat with a view to finding out from the man himself what happened to Jenna.
The story is very good and I changed my mind about all the characters several times and the ending was a litle unexpected.

This is fast paced practically all the way through, which took its toll on my nerves (in a good way). You don’t get to relax at all, and I don’t often read books like that, so it made a change for me. I liked the setting - it’s a ‘retreat’ environment with believable characters, and lots of things to set you running in the wrong direction. There’re some creepy bits with hidden cameras – something that never fails to make my skin crawl, but that’s the modern world for ya.
Good ending too- with the person who turned out not to be the main villain, still being villain-esque. Also, I usually guess the baddie, but didn’t here!

My first C.L. Taylor, but not my last - although I will have to psych myself up to cope with the constant level of dread if they’re anything like this one.

Tom Wade, leader of Soul Shrink wellness retreats, is about to be released from prison after serving a sentence for the deaths of two people at his last event in Gozo. His wife Kate is determined to relaunch their careers; however, a third person also disappeared during the retreat…Fran’s sister Jenna, and Fran is determined to find out what happened to her.

Her Last Holiday is a new thriller, full of twists and with an array of potentially suspicious characters.

The story is told from three female perspectives: Jenna (two years ago on her retreat), Fran (investigating her sister’s disappearance in the present day) and Kate (trying to rebuild her life after her husband’s sentence). All three are strong and very difference voices, yet all troubled in their own way.

It’s a bit of a slowburn thriller but does pick up a lot of pace as it progresses and, although I did see one of the twists coming, the rest were unpredictable, making this a really fun read.

If you like a mystery full of betrayal, obsession, troubled family dynamics and secrets upon secrets – this is definitely one for you!

There was a typo on page 292 though with the wrong character name, which kind of gave away one of the twists earlier than planned.

I’ve read 2 other books by C.L. Taylor and really enjoyed them. This one IMO wasn’t as good and I found myself having a hard time keeping up with all the characters. There are a lot to keep up with! Plus the timeline is jumping all over the place. The “f” word is used quite a bit which I really don’t like but that may be just me! I felt like it dragged in the middle as I muddled through till the end. The ending took me by surprise. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review.

This was a bit slower paced than I would expect from C L Taylor and i did get a bit confused as the book was told in the past and present , sometimes i found myself back tracking to see whose story i was reading . It was a satisfying conclusion but not one of her best

Mixed up muddled up weird. Couldn't get into it at all,didn't like the characters,kept reading to see who dunnit.

This book kept me engrossed from beginning to end and I couldn't put it down. Loved the twists and turns of the story and the different characters. An intriguing and sometimes nerve jangling read, brilliant and consistent storyline which kept me interested.
C.L Taylor writes a great story, I have also enjoyed her previous books very much and can't wait to read her next.

Cally Taylor is an author who delivers something different with every novel. The only consistent thing is how good a read they all are.

This one is a totally absorbing narrative that spun me in quite a few different directions as the story unfolded.

Fran is trying to find the true story regarding her sister's apparent suicide at a health retreat two years prior. A great backdrop for the story, and some very interesting characters within the tale.

This thriller sucked me in right from the first page. This is my first book by CL Taylor and I will definitely read more by her.

Jenna goes missing on a wellness retreat and the leader, tom, gets put in jail for her "accidental death". He is released two years later and shortly after, holds another wellness retreat. Her older sister, Fran, pretends to be someone else (per her mother's request) to try to get Tom to tell what happened to Jenna.

This book was full of twists and kept my attention the whole way through.

I adore all of C L Taylor's previous books and this was no exception! Her normal wonderful moreish-ness but with the added twist of a holiday resort (sort of!). Throughout this book it was so hard to know who was going to be the good and bad guys! I loved that. I will always read what Cally writes as she is definitely one of my favourite thriller writers. Perfect for fans of Gillian Flynn/Ruth Ware/Paula Hawkins who are looking to branch out to some new authors. Big recommendation from me with a lot of love for her writing!

Sometimes you just need a book that you can chomp into and finish in one sitting, and if that’s what you’ve been looking for – C L Taylor is the author for you. A new book from this megastar of the thriller world is always a hotly anticipated event, and Her Last Holiday is no exception: it’s packed with dynamic, highly developed characters, brilliantly unexpected twists that just keep on coming, as well as a totally bizarre – but therefore completely believable – set-up. Two years ago, Fran’s sister Jenna disappeared while on a wellness retreat in Malta, and is presumed dead. Two other people died the same day due to the negligence of the charismatic Tom, the ‘Soul Shrink’ who led the life-changing experience. Having now served his time in prison, he’s busily setting up a new retreat in Wales, so – encouraged by her grief-stricken mother – Fran conceals her identity and signs up for the Soul Shrink’s latest experience, to try and reach the truth about Jenna. But who’s actually calling the shots? Grab a blanket and your favourite bar of chocolate, and settle in for a ride…

As featured in the February issue of Cambridge Edition Magazine

Thank you to Net Galley, the publishers and auhor for an ARC copy for review.

Sorry only really a 3.5 stars from me.

I know this author well and have enjoyed many of her books.

But there are good points and not so good points.

Good story, great idea, really two stories, one flashback one present.

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 two people. But he has never let on what happened to the third 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?

Good points, a great story a great idea, and some really tense and gripping moments.

Bad point, too many backward and forward, past and present, personally I don't like too many flashbacks in a story, that's me,but here I understand ithelps the author grow the suspense, but sometimes you lose the pace, you lose the story.

The last part of the book becomes a little too far fetched for me, although well paced, with suspense but just a little bit too much, this last part made me take away a star from my review.

Sadly some really enjoyable moments, but so over the top parts as well.

So to me just a three star book.. 3.5

Her Last Holiday by CL Taylor
I give this book 4stars

2 years ago, Fran’s sister Jenna disappeared at a Soul Shrink retreat in Gozo
Tom Wade, has just been released from prison for the deaths of two other people. But what happened to the third victim: Jenna.
Fran books herself onto his upcoming retreat – the first since his release – will she escape the retreat alive? Or does someone out there want Jenna’s secrets to stay hidden?

This clever storyline is told by Fran and Kate (past and present) and intermingled with Jennas story of what happened at the retreat in Gozo.l loved the way the 3 perceptions slightly contradicted one another so l just didn’t know who to believe.Plenty of suspense,twists and mystery combined with short chapters that made me want to just keep on reading and not put it down.Another great read from an author l really enjoy.
With thanks to Netgalley,CL Taylor and Avon Books UK for my chance to read and review it.

Excellent.. Thank you so much to Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book. Her last Holiday is my first book by C.L. Taylor so I never know what to expect when starting a new author. I really enjoy the style of writing that Taylor displays. She knows how to grab a readers attention and keep it by keeping the reader in constant suspense. This is a book you will stay up late to read. I liked the past and present perspectives of the characters as well as the way she develops each of her characters so you get to know them, feel attached to them. Overall, what really got me was the twists in this book. I changed suspects about three times and was still blown away by the ending. I would highly recommend Her Last Holiday to others and I’ll be checking out Taylor’s other books as well. Thank you for the opportunity.

I did enjoy this book and really liked the characters bit I can't help comparing it to Sleep which to me is the best of her work.

Review - Her Last Holiday
By C. L. Taylor
4.0 stars
Totally unpredictable!!!
Her Last Holiday is a mystery/thriller about Fran’s quest to discover what really happened to her sister Jenna while on a self help retreat in Gozo. While the storyline is intriguing I found the constant changing from past to present tense confusing at times in the beginning. Once I got the feel of the author’s style I was good.
I actually began to really enjoy the brief interjections from each characters point of view. The character portrayals were great... especially Jenna and Fran... sisters who are typical polar opposites. The other characters were well done also with a lot of different personalities emerging as the storyline progresses.
During Fran’s searching for the “truth” family relationships are revealed and missed opportunities are questioned.
Once Fran steps up to the demands of her mother and books a retreat with Tom Wade with SoulShrink which by the way was the very last place her sister was seen alive... the story soars! Can Fran find out what really happened to Jenna? Were Tom or Kate to blame? All I will say is that I would have NEVER predicted the outcome!!!
This was my first book by C.L. Taylor and can’t wait for the next.
Thank you NetGalley, Avon & HarperCollins Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. #NetGalley #AvonBooks #HarperCollins

I’d love to hear someone disagree but I don’t think you can go wrong with a novel by C.L. Taylor. Unfortunately she did write one about a secluded place with a select yet big cast of characters at the same time as many other authors did (is this the 2020/2021 trend?) so it’s maybe harder to stand out this time. One thing is for sure though, I haven’t read this kind of ending in any of the other novels I read recently.

But let’s start at the beginning and I’ll tell you what that’s about. Fran’s sister Jenna went missing when she went on a retreat in Gozo, organised by the charismatic Tom and his wife Kate. Their company Soul Shrink offers to heal people from trauma, freeing them from anxieties and letting them face the future with optimism instead of fear. At the time the police ruled it as a suicide but Jenna’s parents, especially her mum Geraldine, aren’t so sure so they instruct her sister Fran to attend a retreat incognito and to find out what happened to Jenna.

Her Last Holiday might not have had the same power over me as Strangers, hence the four instead of five stars, but it really was a very enjoyable read with plenty of suspicion to cast. At first all my thoughts settled on one particular person and I’m convinced everyone will have this person in mind as a perfect suspect to commit foulplay and who you’ll love to hate (I really really enjoy it when that happens), but then some of the other group members slowly come more into view and before you know it you don’t trust anyone anymore. It seems that Fran isn’t the only one there under an alter ego. The novel recounts both Jenna’s time at the retreat and Fran’s investigation and the alternation between these two time frames really kept me on my toes. I don’t think there’s anything left to say without spoiling the plot, so to wrap up all you need to remember is that it’s a solid good read so if you love a good mystery novel you’ll find everything you want in this one, and the ending is quite a nice bonus!

A couple of weeks ago, I was in a reading slump, and I told Cally Taylor that I would read this book as I know all of her books keep me hooked. However, I decided it wouldn’t be fair on this book to read it in the frame of mind I was in. So, I waited until I’d got my reading mojo back before diving in. I’m so glad I did, even though I know I would have loved it a few weeks ago. I also know I loved it more by waiting.
This was a truly enthralling read and didn’t let me down in terms of grippingness. I couldn’t put it down and think I’ve read this quicker than any other I’ve read this year. I needed to know what happened to Jenna.
So many variations of what could have happened ran through my mind while reading, but I just couldn’t piece it all together. So I kept turning those pages super fast so I could find out. There was, unfortunately, a typo (that I hope has been sorted before going to print) that gave one of the twists away. However, I try not to let errors like this annoy me when reading ARCs of books as I know they will get sorted in final proofs. It was just such a shame that it gave something away and wasn’t just a simple typo. I wish I could let the author know where the error was, but I was in too much of a hurry to keep reading that I didn’t make a note of it.
The story is filled with drama, suspense and lots of surprises. I was a little disappointed by the character’ personalities. I did find them all to be a little bland. I found it quite amusing when Fran describes her sister Jenna as being bland when I’d been thinking the same thing about her. Fran is quite feisty and doesn’t take any nonsense from anyone, but she doesn’t really have much about her that makes her special.
There are quite a lot of timelines to keep on top of, and I know many readers struggle with this. There are the ‘Then’ sections following Jenna in the past and the ‘Now’ from Fran and Kate’s points of view. However, there are other time jumps during both sections when the characters are reminiscing, so you really have to concentrate to keep up. This is made especially difficult with Fran, Kate and Tom in the present at wellness retreat and Jenna, Kate and Tom in the past are at a wellness retreat. There are lots of similarities between both retreats, and I did find myself having to remind myself what time period I was in. However, I was reading so fast I just sort of went with the flow and let the story wash over me.
So, overall, another fantastic read from C.L. Taylor. She didn’t let me down!

Bravo....!
An idyllic wellness retreat on the beautiful island of Gozo may not be all it seems in this wholly addictive, compulsive suspense which shows C.L. Taylor on top form. A taut and chilling plot populated with a credible cast makes for fully satisfying and utterly escapist read. Bravo!