Wow! This was such a fun book to read and what a wild ride it took you on. I loved the setting, and the storyline. The characters were beautifully described and it was such a great book. Highly recommend

Kiki is worried about seeing her ex-fiance Jamie again. But their brief meeting at a party goes well so when Jamie is found shot dead later that evening, Kiki knows he wouldn't have done it himself. Can she prove everyone wrong and find out who did it? This was a good thriller with a few twists thrown in. It was easy to read and had an ending I didn't see coming!

Thank you to Harper & NetGalley for an ARC of this book, in exchange for my honest opinion.

I’m a longtime fan of Kate White’s thrillers, because they’re so good! The Last time she saw him did not disappoint! Another gripping and fast paced thriller, with a plot I haven’t seen done before.

Pick this one up if you’re looking for a new thriller to dive into!!

Unfortunately I have tried to read and review this novel multiple times. I keep getting to about 15-20% and just want to put it down. I don’t feel appropriate rating due to not getting far enough in to form an opinion. I just don’t think it’s for me! My apologies!

As I stated previously, I’ve been reading Kate for years and she is truly an author I’ll always autobuy. The way she weaves a story and gets you thinking it’s one character and it ends up being someone else is truly a feat most authors lag in.

Kiki has decided to visit Connecticut and attend a friend’s dinner party. However, her ex Jamie will be there and she is worried about how he’ll be. She broke up with him recently and the guilt is getting to her. Things end up being fine between them but at the end of the night, Jamie is dead from what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. But why would Jamie do that to himself?

The suspense in this story was intense and really kept me on the edge of my seat. It was very well written with mystery snd thriller vibes woven inside to truly make a perfect “whodunnit” story. I really enjoyed reading this book. A definite summer must read and for that I’m rating it four stars!

** I received this book as an arc through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**

Kiki Reed, nervous about seeing her ex-fiancé Jamie at a friend's party in Connecticut, is relieved when their brief encounter goes smoothly. However, the night takes a tragic turn when Jamie is found dead from a gunshot wound in his car. Although the police suspect suicide, Kiki, convinced Jamie was moving on, decides to investigate. As she delves deeper, she discovers a sinister truth, realizing her own life might now be at risk.

Overall rating: 3.2/5

Ratings:
1. **Plot and Storytelling:** 3/5. The story was well-told, but it could have been done with less filler. The plot was interesting but not particularly captivating or special.

2. **Characterization:** 3/5. The characters were somewhat detailed but felt flat overall. There wasn’t much distinction among the side characters, who all seemed to blend, and the main character showed no growth.

3. **Writing Style:** 4/5. I enjoyed Kate White’s writing style. She paced the story well and kept it engaging, though I could have done with less filler.

4. **Originality:** 3/5. While the book wasn’t something I’d read before, it didn’t strike me as particularly original. It felt middle-of-the-road.

5. **Emotional Impact and Resolution:** 3/5. Although the book kept me entertained, I didn’t feel any strong emotional connection, and the ending felt somewhat lackluster.

I can't honestly recommend purchasing this book if you're looking for a really good whodunit thriller. It's not a bad read, but it’s not a standout in the genre.

Thank you Partner @bibliolifestyle @harperperennial & @netgalley for my complimentary physical and digital copies. My thoughts are my own.
Kate White is one of my favorite mystery/thriller authors and I look forward to every new release! This one grabs your attention from the very first page with a prologue that details a murder! Most of the book unfolds through the first-person perspective of Kiki, the female main character, with two short chapters told from the perspective of “Him.”

BRIEF PLOT SUMMARY: Kiki attends a party that her ex-fiance, Jamie, also attends. She talks with him twice, and she feels good about getting past the awkwardness of the situation. Then, as she is preparing to leave the party, she hears the sound of gunshots, and Jamie is found dead in his car. The police try to write it off as a suicide, but Kiki has reason to suspect he was murdered and she begins asking questions on her own. But soon, she may be in danger herself!

MY THOUGHTS: The story moves along at an even pace as Kiki investigates, though not much of the unexpected happens until the end. For most of the book, Kiki reflects on her relationship with Jamie and the reason for their breakup. She also has an unexpected romantic encounter. The murder that happens at the beginning of the book, is only a minor plot point and I almost forgot about it as I became involved in the rest of the story. As I read I kept shifting my suspicions from one character to the next, and I ended up being surprised by the conclusion.

Read this if you enjoy:
• A descriptive, slow-burn story
• A large cast of suspects
• A strong conclusion

Five months ago, Kiki stepped away from her upcoming wedding and broke off her engagement to a wonderful man, Jaime. He just wasn’t the man for her. As they move on, they encounter each other at a mutual friend’s party. Then, later that evening Jaime is found dead in his car. The police rule it a suicide but it doesn’t sit well with Kiki and she’s convinced it was murder. Now she just has to convince the authorities…and his family.

The Last Time She Saw Him has a variety of good characters and, overall, the plot is solid.

Kate White is a great writer and I enjoy her novels, but for some reason this one didn’t quite resonate with me. There were many things I liked but towards the latter part of the story it seemed to lag and there were a lot of explanations and reiterations of the evidence and the probable/possible suspects. The final twist was a bit jarring and seemed a little out of thin air (although that’s a partial definition of a plot twist). In the end, I enjoyed Kate White’s new book but I just felt something was missing. NetGalley provided an advance copy.

I had a hard time with this one. It was good but I found it to be a bit predictable. It was very engaging in the beginning but then became a bit stagnant almost as if it lacked atmosphere. At times it was very in your face and then it would fall short. Although it was a bit rocky at times, I appreciated how it all came together in the end.

I struggled to stay engaged with this book but was determined to finish it hoping for an unexpected and thrilling ending. Unfortunately, this book fell short.

The book droned on with such irrelevant details for so long, only to bring us to a conclusion that was rushed and made no sense. I was very disappointed with the reveal, and the extra side stories just made it feel like the author took three unfinished drafts and shoved them into one book.

The writing was just okay for me. It felt like a teenager was writing the story. Just wasn’t polished.

I never like giving a book less than 3 stars but this one was just a big fail for me.

Thank you very much to NetGalley for the ARC.

WOW! Edge of my seat! THE LAST TIME SHE SAW HIM by Kate White had me hooooked!

Kiki Reed broke Jamie Larsson’s heart when she broke up with him a few months ago because she had strong feelings for someone else. When she’s invited to a party at a Connecticut country house she accepts, knowing this will be her first, probably uncomfortable, interaction with Jamie since the break up. Their first meeting is pleasant enough but before the night is over a shot rings out and Jamie is found dead in his car with a gunshot wound. Everyone, including the police are writing it off as a suicide, but Kiki is convinced that it was murder and sets out to prove it. Who had a reason to kill Jamie? One of her best friends becomes a sounding board as Kiki begins to dismantle the layers of Jamie‘s recent past. Did he know something about a family member that could cause a huge riftin the family? And what of Jess Nolan, a local who was murdered a few years ago? How does she tie in?

The secret, lies and manipulations in this book come at breakneck speed. The twists and turns left me with whiplash just trying to keep up. I always enjoy Kate White’s writing style because she can put me smack dab in the middle of any situation. Her descriptive writing always conjures imagery that keeps me moving with her characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for this ARC opportunity. All opinions are my own and given voluntarily.

Extremely SURPRISING conclusion with a big TWIST! This suspenseful thriller is the perfect read to get you out of your reading slump! Fast-paced, a little spooky and shocking.

Kiki and Jamie have recently broken up after a brief engagement and several years relationship. Kiki dumped Jamie. Poor Jamie has been devastated, but devastated to the point to take his own life? Kiki doesn’t think so and neither does his best friend.

As Kiki and Jamie’s best friend, also Kiki’s potential love/sexual interest that she’s been pining over for many months, goes on the hunt to discover what really happened to Jaime, they discover a grave secret. One that may have been responsible for Jamie’s demise…. and could put themselves in danger.

So TWISTY and Surprising! You will LOVE it!

This is a brilliantly written mystery with multiple layers, clever red herrings and false trails and a plethora of possible suspects. When Kiki goes to a party at her friends house, she sees her former fiancé there and speaks to him briefly. Shortly thereafter, a shot is heard and Jamie is dead. The police suspect suicide but Kiki is convinced it was murder so she decides to do some investigating on her own. The psych thriller aspect of the book kicks into high gear as Kiki runs into road blocks, innuendo and suspicions from others about her motives for trying to find out what really happened to Jamie. This is a page-turner for sure with intriguing clues and complex characterization. The characters are realistic, although not all are likable. Written in the signature style of the author that leads the reader in one direction only to switch directions completely, this book held me riveted to the page and guessing all the way to the stunning conclusion when all of the secrets were revealed. With a good pace and believable drama and grief happening along with the investigation, the plot crackles with tension and sharp dialog between the characters. I enjoyed how the author methodically revealed the truth behind Jamie’s death and had the setting play a central role in the story. This is a captivating novel that is satisfying to the mystery buff in me and brilliantly devious in the revelations. Five plus stars for the intense and complex drama in this edgy psych thriller that definitely had me fooled and totally wrapped up in the story!
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I also purchased my own copy of the book because I enjoyed it so much. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16th CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

A fun and super quick read, 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗦𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝘄 𝗛𝗶𝗺 had my head spinning trying to figure it out. I wasn’t too crazy about KiKi, her friends or Sam, but despite not liking any of the characters I still liked the plot and how it all wrapped up. I think the writing was pretty solid, and I liked the end twist. Thanks to Harper Perennial and Paperbacks for my eARC. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗦𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝘄 𝗛𝗶𝗺 is available now.

This one kept my attention, but it felt like it took forever to read. Kiki goes to a party where her ex fiance, Jamie is attending as well. When people are leaving, they hear a gunshot and find Jamie dead in his car. It looks like a suicide but Kiki is determined someone shot him.

It felt like more editing was needed in this one, for instance, a character named Liam was referred to as Eric a couple times (there was no character with that name) and there were plot holes. It was an average thriller, a slow burn. The romance part wasn’t necessary, and I wish there was more background information about Same (Jamie’s best friend.)

I will say the beginning sucked me in but I was left wanting more in the end. It is full of unlikeable characters, but I enjoyed a whodunnit, so 3.5 stars.

Love the cover!

Kiki recently broke off her engagement to Jamie. She was being true to herself, she knew the spark was gone. When they run into each other at the party of a mutual friend, things are cordial; they are both moving on.

When Jamie leaves the party, Kiki has no idea it will be the last time she saw him. He seemed fine. He seemed like Jamie. But when he is found dead from a gunshot wound in his car, and the police are leaning toward suicide as COD...Kiki is wracked with guilt. Did he kill himself over her? Something else? Or, less likely, had he gotten himself involved in something that got him murdered?

This book was intense. Lots of suspects, lots of red herrings, and an ending you won't be able to guess. It's always a good time when the MC feels like she needs to do the police's job. Definitely worth checking out!

Thank you Kate White, Harper Perennial and Paperbacks, and Netgalley for the advanced copy!

Kiki shows up for a party with old friends and her old finance. When she is getting ready to leave, they hear fireworks followed by a car horn. When they check it out, they realize Jamie is actually dead in his car. While Kiki doesn’t believe he would commit suicide, his family is content to leave it that way. Kiki finds some things in his apartment and starts investigating. Thought I had it figured out but I did not. Good book! Quick read also which helps keep one’s interest.

I preorder any new Kate White book the moment it’s available through booksellers. The first book I read by her was The Sixes (which I’m going to reread and review soon since it was pre-book-blog) and I fell in love with her suspenseful writing style, descriptive language, and compelling plots. Her main characters are always incredible women who mix strength with vulnerability.

Her newest book released this week! The Last Time I Saw Him is another suspenseful and compelling mystery that is a perfect summer read to sit on the patio and sip an ice cold beverage.

What to expect?

If you haven’t read anything by Kate White before, you should remedy that immediately. Kate is the former editor of Cosmopolitan Magazine and has been writing mystery novels for two decades. Her Bailey Weggins series is one of my all-time favorite mystery series. I keep emphasizing “mystery” because her books are more mystery than thriller, something that can help orient a reader to what style of book to expect. There are twists and turns that kept me hooked, but her style isn’t an out-of-left-field blindside. I find her mysteries well-crafted and the reader can solve them right alongside the main character.

What is The Last Time I Saw Him about?

The book centers around Kiki Reed, a career coach who lives in New York City. Kiki begins the book heading out to Connecticut for a party to support her friend Ava’s husband’s new book. Six months earlier Kiki ended her engagement to Jamie Larsson. Initially Ava told her Jamie wasn’t coming, saving her from an awkward encounter. But Jamie is at the party and Kiki does her best to stay out of his way, not wanting to bring up old emotions. Especially since Jamie seems to be moving on.

The party is winding down when a shot is heard from outside, and Jamie is found dead in his car. The police think it’s a suicide, but Kiki is certain it’s murder. Jamie seemed fine and was actively making plans for the future. Kiki knows her wouldn’t take his own life.

Feeling a responsibility to find out the truth, Kiki rents a house in the area to look for clues that prove to the police it was murder. The more she learns, Kiki realizes that something much more sinister was going on with Jamie, and she may be in danger next...

What did I think?

I love the way Kate White writes. Her scenes are filled with rich details that add a vividness to her stories. Often, she drops in what seem like mundane details—what they order for dinner (usually a decadent pasta and a glass of wine), what they are wearing, where they like to sit and do work or relax. I enjoy that she includes these little tidbits because it makes the characters feel like real people. She also builds the settings out, without being overly descriptive, but enough that the reader can conjure an image in their mind.

Kiki is an interesting character. Normally in this type of book, Kiki would be the one who got broken up with. I this case, she broke it off with her fiancé Jamie because she realizes she had feelings for his best friend, Sam. This isn’t as salacious as it sounds—Kiki never told Sam (or Jamie) about her feelings, nor did she act on them even after ending her engagement. At the same time, it seems that she did find some clarity by seeing how she responded to someone she’s more attracted to. And in true Kate-White-fashion, we get some details about why she and Jamie clearly weren’t a good fit. Since Sam is also invested in finding out who murdered Jamie, the two spend time together so Kiki is forced to make some decisions about her feelings (and see if Sam has any for her). This isn’t as simple as it might sound, but I won’t spoil it!

The tension is woven through the story expertly. Kiki may be sure that Jamie was murdered, but the police aren’t. Add to that the tension with Jamie’s family who blame her for breaking Jamie’s heart, the sexual chemistry with Sam, a former girlfriend who is prickly at best, and a string of suspicious characters, and this is a recipe for a great mystery.

Though Kiki is the main narrator, there is also an unknown male narrator with short chapters throughout that cranked the tension into high gear. Whomever that narrator is seems to be linked to another murder in the area. Kiki wonders if it is possible the two are related, but initially it doesn’t seem like they are. I enjoyed the way the two storylines unfolded and how they tied to one another. I didn’t guess the ending, which always makes for a fun mystery, especially when I realized all of the clues had been there the whole time!

A perfect breezy and compelling summer mystery!

Another page turner by Kate White.full of twists and turns.I was immediately drawn and hated to put it down .Perfect vacation read.# netgalley #the last time she saw him.

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC.

This book had such potential for me, and while I found myself getting through it pretty quickly it became a book I finished and didn't think about again. I needed more from the ending.