As someone who has loved Laura Dave’s previous novel, “The Night We Lost Him” just did not read the same for me. It is marketed as a suspense novel but I found that the plot was lacking and it was missing the fast pacing we’ve come to expect and appreciate from a suspense/thriller. The reveal at the end lacked a sense of development.

Marketed as a mystery/ thriller but so much more than that. It is about family, relationships, siblings and sibling rivalry, love and longing and lifelong romance, and finally dealing with loss and how that influences future relationships. The conclusion will be I suspect a surprise for most readers, but when you dit back and point all of the characters in perspective it makes perfect sense. Well written, characters well defined-in short a “good read”.

Laura Dave is another author who decided to eschew women's fiction in favor of thrillers (see also Lisa Jewell and Luanne Rice). Her first foray into the genre, The Last Thing He Told Me, sold a zillion copies and was turned into a Jennifer Garner-helmed miniseries. I don't think this book will match those accomplishments, mostly because the plot revolves around a selfish jerk who is inexplicably loved by everyone.

Liam Noone was a hotel magnate with a rags-to-riches success story. When he fell to his death near his central California coastal dream house, he left behind three ex-wives and three children. Nora, the only child from his first marriage, is surprised when Sam, one of her twin half-brothers from the second marriage, urgently reaches out to her. He is convinced that their father's death was not accidental. Although the siblings have never been close, Nora reluctantly agrees to help Sam, if only to convince him that his suspicions are baseless.

I won't spoil the mystery of Liam's death, but I do have to discuss one of the major plot developments to explain why this novel didn't work for me. Through flashback chapters, we see the evolution of Liam's relationship with a woman named Cory. They become lovers in college, but over the years Cory resists Liam's attempts to deepen the relationship because he's a workaholic and she has her own professional dreams. We don't learn Cory's true identity, or how she fits into Nora and Sam's lives, until late in the novel. So basically we're asked to care about the fate of a guy who cheated on all of his wives, and a woman who slept with a married man for decades. But it's okay, because Reasons.

Liam's promiscuity wouldn't have bothered me so much if it hadn't overshadowed the novel's other relationship arcs. Nora is unable to let go of an old flame and fully connect with her perfect fiancé. An injury forced Sam to give up a promising baseball career and he's struggled to find fulfillment ever since. Nora and Sam try to develop a more genuine sibling bond despite resentment and mistrust. Unfortunately, Laura Dave tries to cram all of this plus several mysteries into 300 pages, and Liam sucks all the air out of the room.

I had similar complaints about Barbara O'Neal's 2022 release This Place of Wonder that excused the MC's philandering father because he was a larger-than-life chef who was never (intentionally) cruel to anybody. I don't need my characters to be perfect or even likeable, but rich philandering men who get a pass from the women in their lives are not worth my time and effort.

ARC received from Net Galley in exchange for objective review.

Nora's father, Liam Noone supposedly dies accidentally, however some things just don't sit right with Nora and her brother Sam. This was a great family drama with many layers. I really enjoyed it!

My second book by Lara Dave and she’s an auto read for me now!! This book started out strong with mystery. Sam and Nora, Liam’s children, getting together to find out what really happened to him.

About halfway through, it started to stall for me then picked WAY back up! Couldn’t put it down towards the end. I loved the mystery but mostly the heart of the story. How it all came back towards love and devotion. Sam and Nora go to great lengths to find out who their father was truly devoted to!

Laura Dave delivers again with The Night We Lost Him! This gripping story follows Nora and Sam, estranged siblings reunited by their father's sudden death. Ruled an accident, they suspect foul play and delve into a captivating mystery. It’s dual pov with each sibling and explored their complex relationship. It’s very fast paced throughout.

This is a perfect pick for readers who enjoy mysteries with a dash of family drama. You won't be disappointed!

Thanks to NetGalley for this digital ARC!!!!

I was thrilled to discover that Laura Dave is publishing another book. *The Last Thing He Told Me* was outstanding, and her new novel, *The Night We Lost Him*, did not disappoint. While I didn’t love it quite as much as *The Last Thing He Told Me*, it was still a compelling family drama. Once again, the twist caught me completely off guard—I thought I had it figured out at 20%, but I was so wrong. I went back to reread sections to make sure I didn't miss anything that would have alluded to the ending.

Admittedly, I found the beginning a bit slow, but once I got into the story, I couldn’t put it down. My only critique is that some sections were overly descriptive, to the point where I ended up skipping paragraphs. The detailed design descriptions were a bit much, though they were relevant to the main character’s profession.

Overall, I can easily see this novel becoming a major book club pick this year.

I have some major mixed feelings on this book. On the one hand, I really liked the premise and the way the story unfolded. On the other hand, I think the pacing was off and I wish there had been more of a focus on the past chapters and laying the foundation for the love story so I was more invested. I do feel like this had the potential to be a 5-star book, but it just fell short for me in execution. The writing was really solid and it kept me interested, but I think the characters fell a bit flat and could have been fleshed out more. Overall, it was a really interesting concept and kept me engaged, but I think it had the potential to be much better with just a few tweaks.

Thank you t0 Netgalley and Simon Element for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

The Night We Lost Him follows half brother and sister, Nora and Sam, as they try to piece together the night their father died at his beloved beach house. They were told it was an accident, but things aren't adding up. Was Liam Noone's death really an accident or did someone push him over the edge?

As a huge fan of The Last Thing He Told Me, I was so excited to read this book.

The Night We Lost is a mystery, but it isn't a high-octane, thrill-ride. Dave has always excelled at the mystery elements of a story, but they aren't the heartbeat of her books. Her books are about love, hope, and real family. Which I find refreshing.

The book felt a little slow in some spots, but Dave's writing style still made it engaging enough to keep me interested.

Overall, The Night We Lost Him is a beautiful homage to what it means to love and to be a family.

Liam Noone was a distant family man with three ex-wives and three children – Nora, and twins Sam and Tommy. When Liam falls from the cliff behind his beloved Windbreak, Nora allies with Sam to investigate. The police say he slipped, but Nora and Sam think someone pushed him. Are the police right, or will Nora and Sam find out they are correct and it wasn’t an accident.
I loved The Last Thing He Told Me and was hoping this would be as good and was not disappointed. I was worried that an entire book of two people trying to find out whether a fall was an accident or a murder would be boring, but not so with The Night We Lost Him. There were many more characters brought in, a few love stories, and lots of surprises. I loved this one – I definitely recommend it!

I really enjoyed The Last Thing He Told Me, so I was very excited to read this new book! I thought this was a well constructed, family drama/mystery/suspense novel. I enjoyed the past and present timelines that this book was told in. The characters were all very well thought out. I liked the slow burn of this book. I thought the ending tied everything up really nicely. It wasn't something that I predicted so I was happy with how everything came together in the end.

Part mystery, part love story, part family drama, Laura Dave’s latest book is a page-turner. As Nora joins forces with her half-brother Sam to uncover the truth about her father’s mysterious accident, they begin to uncover layers of who he really was and how deeply he was capable of loving.

This book is not like a the previous book I read by this author. The Last Thing He Told Me was fast paced and kept my interest the whole time I was reading it. This one is slower paced and not very thriller-y. It's more of a mystery and it tells a story about two siblings whose father suddenly dies while falling off a cliff behind his home. We get to know the father's story from the flashbacks and how it relates to his death. The brother and sister also discover that maybe he didn't just fall, maybe he was pushed. So that brings another level to this mystery.

I liked the book enough. It was easy to read and it kept my attention. I didn't mind the slow pace, I kind of like that in my books. I don't necessarily like how it was wrapped up. I felt more connected to the present story then to the flashbacks.

Thanks to NetGalley for a free ARC copy of this book.

Wow! What a read. I had to know the ending so badly that I stayed up all night reading. This book kept me on the edge of my seat.

Another wonderful book by Laura Dave. This was different than my favorite one by her- The Last Thing He Told Me, but it was still so good. I loved the plot with all of the family secrets and love wrapped up in a neat little bow. It had a bit of mystery to it that shocked me.

Laura Dave’s “The Night We Lost Him” is a beautifully written and emotionally charged novel that showcases the author’s exceptional storytelling prowess. From the opening lines, Dave captures the reader’s attention with a poignant and gripping narrative that delves into themes of love, loss, and the complexities of family relationships.

The novel follows the aftermath of a sudden disappearance that shakes a close-knit community and a family to its core. Dave’s characters are richly developed, each with their own unique struggles and perspectives, making them incredibly relatable and compelling. The emotional depth and authenticity with which Dave portrays their experiences make for a truly immersive reading experience.

Dave’s writing is both elegant and evocative, painting vivid scenes that bring the story to life. Her ability to convey the raw emotions of her characters draws readers in, making them feel every moment of joy, sorrow, and uncertainty alongside the protagonists. The narrative is expertly paced, with revelations and plot twists that keep the reader engaged and invested in the outcome.

One of the standout aspects of “The Night We Lost Him” is Dave’s exploration of the ways in which grief and loss can impact relationships. She deftly navigates the intricate dynamics between family members and friends, illustrating how each person copes with tragedy in their own way. This nuanced portrayal adds layers of complexity to the story, making it both thought-provoking and heart-wrenching.

“The Night We Lost Him” is a testament to Laura Dave’s talent for crafting stories that resonate on a deeply emotional level. With its compelling characters, intricate plot, and beautiful prose, this novel is a must-read for anyone who appreciates a well-told, emotionally rich story. Dave has once again delivered a masterpiece that will stay with readers long after they turn the final page.

The pace was pretty slow and I didn't make a connection with any of the characters. I did enjoy the twist at the end which I did not see coming, but overall I was disappointed.

This book presented a moderate reading experience. While it harbored potential for a stellar rating, it failed to fully engage me for several reasons. Primarily categorized as a love story/drama centered on themes of loss and grief, it diverged from the suspenseful tone of the author's previous work. While the narrative structure and progression were commendable, the emotional resonance fell short of expectations. The prose occasionally veered into unnecessary complexity, compounded by excessive internal dialogue, detracting from the intended impact. Despite personal resonance with themes of paternal loss, the emotional connection remained elusive. The alternating perspectives, particularly Liam's, lacked clarity, leading to confusion regarding the narrative voice. Additionally, character distinctions were occasionally blurred, further complicating the reading experience. It appears the author aimed for a more literary approach, though simplicity might have served the narrative better. In summary, while a satisfactory read, there remains room for improvement. I extend gratitude to Simon Element and NetGalley for providing digital access in exchange for an honest critique.

I thought the premise of this book sounded really interesting, and I have liked Laura Dave’s books in the past so I assumed I would really like it. There was nothing about this book that was bad but nothing good stood out about it either. I felt like a lot of the story was incredibly drawn out and anti-climactic.

To be honest for most of the book I thought that Cory was going to turn out to be Cece and then when it turned out to be Grace I thought that was kind of silly. It seemed like a bit of a stretch and that the reader was trying to be led down the wrong path.

Overall, the story was okay and I did like Nora getting to know her brother and connect with him. To me seeing their relationship evolve was the height point of this book.

this story is about family, relationships, our pasts, and the secrets we keep from those we love. while there was a death/possible murder in this book - i would not categorize this at all as a mystery - this is a family drama. this book was very very slow. i kept waiting for something to happen or for there to be something to keep me in the edge of my seat but there was just nothing :( it’s also romanticizes lots of infidelity which i really did not love.

thanks to netgalley & publishers for an early ARC. its still a long while until this comes out but what i will tell you is definitely do not go into this thinking it a thriller/mystery or similar to her other book!