Although her father’s death was determined to be accidental by the authorities, Nora and her estranged brother think otherwise. They are determined to figure out what actually happened and who is responsible.
This is a very slow-burn mystery with lots of secrets to unravel. Because of the slower pacing, it didn’t feel like a thriller to me, but more of a drama. I was expecting suspense and twists but it read much more mild than I anticipated. The characters were very unlikeable which worked well in some ways, but made it very hard to root for them. Laura Dave does a great job at writing complex characters and while this was not the thriller I was expecting, it was a well-written character-driven story that many people enjoy.
Thanks to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the advance copy.

I enjoyed this page turner of Laura Dave! As other reviewers said, it was more of a family drama than a thriller but still I was anxiously waiting to see how it played out.

Laura Dave has become a go-to author for me and her latest did not disappoint! I love the way in which she ties together drama and mystery, keeping me engaged both with the development of her characters and whatever mystery they are trying to solve. I could hardly put this one down - alternated between physical and audio - and am excited to see what she comes up with next!

The Night We Lost Him is more family drama than a thriller but that didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book. I was engrossed in the story from start to finish and found the ending to be satisfying.

I could not get into this one. I got to 30% and couldn’t follow the characters or the switching from past to present timeline… I could not follow it and it was just boring. I needed a little bit more to continue the story. Overall I will leave my reviews off social media since I did not finish or at least get halfway through the story

This was a solid book. I don’t think I would really categorize it as a thriller or suspenseful. More family drama with a side of mystery. I wasn’t super enthralled with any of the characters. I enjoyed the flashback scenes. I found the ending satisfying. Overall an average, solid book.

An unexpected death, a family fortune, and three estranged siblings. Add in one father, three divorces, and four love stories. Yes, it gets complicated. As love does.

This is, at its heart, a love story. A man’s love for a woman, a father’s love for his children, a child’s love for their parents. It’s a slow burn mystery that is much more about the “why” than the “what” or “how.” Laura Dave walks us through many complex emotions as she slowly unravels the mystery of this dual timeline story, weaving a deeper narrative of love, acceptance, purpose, and what it means to love and be loved simply for who we are.

I enjoyed this book very much, even though I struggled with one big “Why?” that I can’t spoil for you here. 😉 If you appreciated Laura Dave’s previous novel The Last Thing He Told Me and other domestic “thrillers” that are more about the family story than the mystery, this one may be right up your alley!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and author for
Thank you to Simon & Schuster, NetGalley, and author #LauraDave for the complimentary copy! It was my pleasure to write this candid review.

Synopsis:
Nora Noone is the eldest child of resort titan Liam Noone, but she’s never been interested in the family business – or its financial benefits. Though she loves her father, she doesn’t understand him, and has gone to great lengths to keep him at arms length since the death of her mother. After his sudden death, Nora and her estranged half-brother Sam suspect it wasn’t just an accident, and struggle to find out what really happened the night their father fell from his beloved cliff-top coastal home.

This is a romance that pulls on your heartstrings it has elements of a family drama as well. This book pulls you in and is easy to read In one sitting.
This is a slower thriller so if you are looking for something fast paced and exciting this is not the book for you. Overall, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a family drama.

So let me start off by saying-this is NOT a thriller. It’s a family drama with a dash of mystery and a love story. I think knowing that will help lots of people review this better. It’s a slow burn and very character driven.

The Night We Lost Him is an excellent follow up to Dave’s first novel, The Last Thing He Told Me. This one is more of a family drama/romance instead of a mystery but still a page turner. I enjoyed the dual timeline and how the relationship between Nora and her brother Sam’s relationship evolved as they tried to figure out what really happened to their father. The little twist at the end was perfect and made me want to reread the whole book. I’m looking forward to reading whatever Laura Dave comes up with next!

4.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Laura Dave delivers a heart-wrenching family drama & mystery that will keep you hooked until the very last page. In The Night We Lost Him, two estranged siblings are forced to confront their fractured relationship after the sudden death of their father. But was his death really an accident? Add in a decades-long secret love affair that ripples through the family, & you have a gripping tale of love, betrayal, & resilience.

I was drawn in by Dave’s storytelling & her ability to weave complex relationships into an emotionally charged narrative. Her characters felt raw & real, & their struggles added so much depth to the story. While the pacing felt slow at times, the unraveling mystery & the exploration of family dynamics kept me turning the pages.

A heartfelt thank you to #NetGalley, #TheNightWeLostHim, the author, & Simon Element/S&S for the ARC. As always, all opinions are my own and freely expressed.

Eh this one was alright. I didn’t really feel a connection with any of the characters. As someone who has lost their dad, I get it, but I felt like everyone in this book had daddy issues.

I had high hopes for The Night We Lost Him by Laura Dave. After swallowing The Last Thing He Told Me whole, I couldn’t read Dave’s newest novel fast enough. It sounded intriguing enough. A successful father who supposedly committed suicide. A strained relationship between two half-siblings, who put aside their differences to investigate what happened to their father. The authorities, uncooperative, denying any foul play. The Night We Lost Him had all the components necessary to create a thrilling, suspenseful, emotional story; and yet…I didn’t like it. The story drags, and I didn’t like the characters. I’ve read worse novels in 2024, but I’ve also read a whole lot better.

The Night We Lost Him by Laura Dave is slow. That’s coming from someone who reads epic fantasies. Sam and Nora traveled from one side of the country, seeking answers, but they hit roadblocks every step of the way. They find answers, but it turns out, they’re the only ones who never had them. I liked Nora, but Sam…was nails on a chalkboard. An entitled child with an attitude and pride. I admired his tenacity, but outside of that, I didn’t like him. In one scene, after almost missing a flight, he comments, “‘I’m just not used to flying commercial. And I forgot about, you know, leaving enough time for security.’” And, “‘I thought about flying us in the company jet, but I wanted you to know I’m a regular guy.’” These two statements stuck with me, even after I finished the novel. Nora had far more depth to her.

Nora’s journey throughout The Night We Lost Him kept me reading. What really happened with the father didn’t matter much to me at all, and when Dave revealed the twist, I felt closure. All the pieces connected, and though it made sense, it wasn’t satisfying. The book has an underlying theme of cheating in romantic relationships. One character’s relationship is comfortable and yet stagnant, and they cheat with someone on an emotional level and feel guilty about it. Another character has “one true love” but is never married to the person, always chasing after them. Okay, great, but really? Give me more. There must be more.

Laura Dave’s newest novel is not a thriller. It is not suspenseful. Do not be deceived. But it has a pretty good mystery, even if the 320 pages felt like 600. I didn’t hate it. I wasn’t left with my eyes rolling and scoffing at it. But The Night We Lost Him did not reach its full potential. I’ll read more of Laura Dave because of how much I liked The Last Thing He Told Me, but The Night We Lost Him really let me down.

While I liked the plot of this book, I thought that the character relationships weren't fully fleshed out seemed random at times. The mystery didn't quite grasp my attention either.

The Night We Lost Him is a beautifully written, emotionally resonant novel that combines elements of mystery and psychological drama. Laura Dave’s compelling storytelling explores grief, love, and the complexity of human relationships. With its well-drawn characters, atmospheric setting, and thoughtful exploration of memory and loss, this book is perfect for readers who enjoy poignant, character-driven narratives with a touch of suspense. It’s a deeply moving and immersive read that will linger long after the final page. 5 OUT OF 5 STARS!!! LOVED this!

One of the novel's most striking features is its exploration of memory and perception. Laura Dave paints a nuanced picture of grief and the emotional rollercoaster that follows a sudden loss. Hannah’s search for the truth about Zach’s disappearance becomes as much about understanding herself as it is about solving the mystery. The book expertly weaves themes of trust, vulnerability, and the impact of unresolved pasts, making it not just a mystery but a profound character study.

Dave’s writing is atmospheric and evocative, capturing both the quiet beauty of the coastal setting and the turbulence of Hannah’s emotional journey. The pacing is steady, allowing the tension to build slowly as the mystery unravels, with a few well-placed twists that keep the reader guessing. The characters are richly developed, particularly Hannah, whose vulnerability and resilience make her an empathetic and relatable protagonist.

While The Night We Lost Him is at its core a mystery, it is also a deeply introspective novel about relationships, self-discovery, and the emotional toll of facing painful truths. The resolution is satisfying but poignant, offering both closure and the recognition that some questions may never fully be answered.
Huge thank you to NetGalley, Laura Dave, and Simon Element for this advanced copy.

This was a strong follow up to her last book! I really love the way she combines slow burn/family drama/mystery. Would definitely recommend.

You’ll be pulled right in with a mystery / thriller / family drama. A slow start with a fast finish, but writing that keeps the pages turning.

You can always count on a good thriller from Dave.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of The Night We Lost Him. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I will definitely add Laura Dave to my list of favorite authors!

This novel is very slow-paced, making the plot and generally the characters hard to relate to and a bit boring. That said, I found the character of Nora to be the best part of the book.

Nora and her estranged brother are bothered by the sudden death of their father in his home retreat. Although ruled an accident by the police, they decide to investigate. This investigation and the narrative of the book are told from two perspective, Nora in the present day and her father from the past. Although listed as a suspenseful thriller, the story is more of a family drama.

A mystery/thriller with lots of family drama. This book felt a lot longer than it was and unfortunately was a miss for me. I didn’t enjoy or like any of the characters very much. It felt like nothing was really happening in this book until the very end. There was lots of drama and very little mystery.