While I enjoyed this authors previous works I didn’t enjoy this one as much. While a different style for her it just didn’t spark my interest. Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this copy for read and review

Loved the cover art, for starters, drawing me in and interested me right away. I felt a bit lost in the start with so many questioned, they were slow to be answered and put some main puzzle pieces together to make more sense. I liked Nora, Sam and Liam but was left wanting more about the other family members close to Liam. It was a slower book, wish it was a bit shorter with just the main details that were needed. Loved the twist at the end and the underlining love story that Liam and Cory share through over half their lives. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for allowing me to read for an honest review. 4 star read

Laura Dave's latest examines the tragic death of Liam Noone, who died falling off of a cliff. His children are suspicious of his death and investigate, leading to many questions about their father's past. Alternating chapters go back to Liam in his teens and lead up to present day, creating a successful, slow-burning suspense. The ending is both shocking and illuminating. Ideal for fans of Liane Moriarty and Chris Bohjalian.

In this thriller-lite (think: family mystery, twisty plot without too much gore/suspense) read, estranged half-siblings Nora and Sam start to have some doubts that their hotel magnate father's fall to his death was an accident, and along the way they start to uncover a family secret that their father kept for 50 years... and how it perhaps might have caught up with him in the end. While generally the much-slower-than-breakneck pace of a thriller-lite book doesn't bother me - in fact, I really liked The Last Thing He Told Me and the way that plot unfolded gradually - I just never got invested in this one enough to care, and thus it felt like the twists/reveals were a little dull. Perhaps because The Last Thing He Told Me had this exploration of parenthood as part of it, so I felt like I was getting something beyond just the plot? I didn't feel like I got to know the characters in this book well enough to really get invested, and the interval chapters that showed a particular one of the dad Liam's romantic relationships in the past felt distracting and like they were obviously manufacturing mystery. It also felt like the deep-ish dives into real estate development and architecture (pet interests of Liam and Nora) distracted too.

The story captivates with its focus on the children’s search for their father. Even though I struggled to connect with the father character, the portrayal of the children’s emotional journey was deeply engaging. Their determination to uncover the truth kept me interested throughout.

The exploration of family dynamics and unresolved mysteries is handled with care. The children’s growth and struggles are depicted with sensitivity, adding depth to the narrative. Each new piece of information about the father enriches the story, making it more compelling.

The story concludes with a resolution that feels thoughtful and satisfying. It ties up the narrative in a way that reflects the themes explored, offering a fitting and reflective end to the characters' journey.

Hotel magnate Liam Noone dies unexpectedly after falling from a cliff at his beloved Windbreak property. Police quickly rule it an accident, but Liam’s son Sam isn’t so sure, and Sam soon convinces his half-sister Nora that their father may have been pushed. As Sam and Nora search for clues as to what really happened to their father, they unravel fifty years of family secrets.

This compelling family drama is suspenseful and emotional. This novel is definitely more on the character-driven side, and I liked that these characters were flawed and human and grew over the course of the story. I enjoyed how Liam’s story unfolded little by little through flashbacks, making my mind whirl with possibilities of how it all connected to the present. Despite all my theories, I was still surprised when it all came together but in a good way because it all made perfect sense.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Simon Element, and MarySue Rucci Books for providing me an advance copy of this book.

Like everyone else, I read The Last Thing He Told Me, so I excitedly requested an ARC of The Night We Lost Him. A suspicious death? Check. Family drama and a decades old secret? Check. As the book's description aptly points out, The Night We Lost Him was a perfect blend of soulful suspense and evocative family drama. Once again, Laura Dave nailed it. A must read for this fall!

This is not a thriller. I wasn't ever thrilled. I was confused and annoyed with most everyone involved

I hate to write this because I will read anything Laura Dave writes, but this one did not work for me. It was so slow and I could not connect with the characters. Hoping her next book is a winner for me!

This book had so much potential but it ended up being just okay. There was a lot of internal monologues. I got distracted quite a bit throughout the book and had to reference characters and who was speaking.

Wasnt a huge fan of this book but I gave it a shot. It was a quick read but overall I didnt care for it much as I was hoping for. I didnt see a whole lot of thriller type story in this one and more so a drama filled book. Some might enjoy this one, some might not. For me it was a average read.

I loved the last Laura Dave book I read, so I was super excited to get this. Unfortunately, the story fell a little flat for me, but I think that most people who like face paced thrillers will enjoy it!

This was my first Laura Dave book and Inloved it! The pacing was fast, but didn’t feel rushed. The character development was excellent. And the mystery kept me guessing! I’m looking forward to reading her other books!

Thank you @netgalley for this ARC. I was so excited to get access to this title, I loved The Last Thing He Told Me. Check it out on September 17th, 2025!

This is the story of a daughter who recently lost her mother and is then blindsided by the loss of her father. Their relationship was complicated as she is his child from his first marriage and he went on to have two marriages and families. The narrator is forced to confront her feelings towards her father when her estranged brother contacts her, hoping she will help him follow his suspicions that his father may be the victim of foul play.

I was expecting a thriller full of suspense and intrigue, but this was not it. This is quite a slow story with very little action or surprises. I would characterize it more as a family drama and the unraveling of secrets that impacted many, without them ever knowing it.

The writing is very smart and I found myself noting several lines, I just wish there was more character development and action.

Such a good read that I enjoyed! I'm so glad that I got the chance to read it early and will definitely be recommending it to multiple people who enjoy these types of novels. I enjoyed the characters and especially enjoyed the writing by this author. I'm excited to see what the author comes out with next as I'll definitely be reading it! Thank you to the publisher for my early copy of this book!

I loved Laura Dave’s last book and was excited to get an arc of her latest!

This book alternates between the past and present with a different POV for each timeline. I went into this book thinking it was a thriller but it was definitely more of a mystery or family drama. There was never any chapters where I had to keep reading to know what was going to happen but I also felt engrossed the entire time. I did feel that the book could have improved by having more character development of Nora but it wasn’t something that bothered me throughout.

Overall, I enjoyed it and would recommend it! It kept me interested and felt like it went by quickly once I got about 20% in. It was definitely more of a slow burn, it did not have the pace of typical thriller.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

Two siblings investigate how their father died unexpectedly, was it an accident? The circumstances of his death are suspicious. Their father fell from a cliff. Nora and Sam work together looking for answers. This is a family drama that is full of suspense, as the Nora and Sam deal with their grief.

The writing is great as you get to know both Nora and Sam. The story is slow but exciting at times. It is a mystery with love, loss and grief all intertwined together. The timeline alternates from past to present. Nora narrates the present, the past is shared with her father.

Well Paced, Family Secrets, and a Mysterious Death! 3 stars!

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy! This book will be released 9/17/24.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this arc!

WOW! What a great book! This book had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Had me guessing! That plot twist got me! lol what a great read!

I loved The Last Thing He Told Me and I was so excited to read this book! It did not disappoint! This book has some mixed reviews so I was unsure about it but I was wrong, I enjoyed it. It was very suspenseful in all the right ways. I was invested in each character. I will now read any book Laura Dave comes out with!

Estranged half siblings reunite to uncover the secrets surrounding their father’s death. Well developed flawed characters (all unbelievable selfish) and atmospheric bicoastal settings drive the story. It kept me guessing almost until the end. A great quick read! Perfect for fans of Liane Moriarty!