Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me an early read of this book!

3.5 rounded up for goodreads.

The first thing I will say is I love this authors writing style so I will never stop reading her books. The Quiet Tenant was fantastic. So I had high hopes going into this book and was a little let down.

The story is about 2 siblings who come back together at a luxury resort to reconnect after they sort of drifted apart after a tragedy. Within days the body of a beautiful young woman is found. The police come and put the resort on lockdown and we start to learn more about the siblings.

The premise is interesting to me. However the book was just sort of blah to me all the way through. And the twists were very predictable. I did keep waiting for the other shoe to drop and for me it just never did. Plenty of people will like this book I have no doubt and I didnt hate it. It just was just middle of the road for me

Our Last Resort begins with siblings Frida and Gabriel enjoying the oasis of the Ara resort in Escalante, Utah. After an unconventional upbringing and subsequently escaping from what they later learned was a cult, the two are anticipating nothing more than a relaxing time away from the reality of their daily lives. Unfortunately, they are thrust into the middle of a murder mystery at the resort, with suspicion landing solely on Gabriel. Frida finds herself willing to do whatever it takes to uncover the answers.

Alternating between the past and the present, Clemence Michallon’s second thriller kept me on the edge of my seat and enthralled with her story telling. Michallon has a way of fully developing her characters, their nuances and in this case the childhood experiences that built them into the individuals they are at present. I loved this one!

Our Last Resort by Clémence Michallon is an intriguing psychological thriller that offers a blend of suspense, mystery, and complex characters. The story follows a group of people whose lives become intertwined in a remote coastal retreat, where hidden secrets and past traumas start to unravel, leading to unexpected twists.

Michallon's writing is atmospheric, and she excels in creating a tense, claustrophobic setting that enhances the growing unease throughout the story. The pacing is steady, and the first half of the book particularly builds up a lot of anticipation, with strong character development and hints at the dark secrets each person is hiding. The exploration of themes like mental health, isolation, and the weight of personal choices are compelling and thought-provoking.

However, while the book offers an engaging premise, it doesn’t fully deliver on the suspense in the way I’d hoped. The twists, while interesting, didn’t come as shockingly as they could have, and some of the character motivations felt a bit underdeveloped. The ending, though satisfying in some ways, felt slightly predictable and didn’t quite have the emotional punch I expected.

Overall, Our Last Resort is a solid read for fans of psychological thrillers, but it didn’t quite live up to its full potential. It’s a 3-star read for me—enjoyable, but not as gripping or intense as I’d hoped. I was given an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my review.

I was thrilled to receive an advanced copy of this book, especially after loving the suspense and horror of The Quiet Tenant. This one is set to release this July, and let me tell you—it’s got all the makings of a Netflix documentary.

The story follows Frida and Gabriel, siblings raised within a cult, as they navigate young adulthood inside its sinister grip. Their escape propels them into the “real world,” full of work, relationships, suspicion, and loss. Years later, after Gabriel all but ghosts her, Frida books a stay at a desert oasis hotel in an attempt to reconnect—just before Gabriel plans to share their past with a documentary crew. What begins as an innocent effort to draw her brother closer turns into a situation that could push him away forever.

Here’s where my feelings get complicated. The book juggles three distinct storylines: the cult, the siblings’ lives after their escape, and the looming documentary. Each one was compelling on its own—I could have easily devoured them as separate books. But combining all three into just 320 pages felt rushed. I wanted more—more about the cult and its enigmatic leader, more depth in the siblings’ post-cult struggles, and more voices from the other survivors.

The cult storyline shaped much of the characters’ psychological damage and their forced proximity, which made their sibling bond feel less organic and more like a product of trauma. While that’s realistic, it left me less emotionally invested in their actions and choices throughout the book.

Overall, this was an ambitious and gripping read, but I wish it had leaned fully into one storyline to create a more focused and immersive experience. If you’re a fan of cult-centered thrillers or complex sibling dynamics, this one’s worth checking out when it hits shelves this summer.

Our Last Resort, the sophomore novel from Clemence Michallon, author of The Quiet Tenet, is an artfully written domestic thriller that unfolds in dual timelines. The story alternates between Frida and Gabriel’s haunting childhood growing up in a cult as pseudo-siblings and their present-day luxury vacation at a desert resort. What begins as an idyllic getaway takes a sinister turn when a murder occurs a few days into their stay.

Michallon’s writing is undeniably skilled and creative, elevating the genre with literary finesse. However, while I appreciated the rich prose, the abundance of detail occasionally bogged down the plot. A good example is the beach scene, which felt overly drawn out and disconnected from the broader narrative. These moments made the novel feel more like literary fiction than a thriller, which detracted somewhat from my overall enjoyment.

That said, the book remains a quick read and kept me engaged enough to see how the story unfolded. While it didn’t completely meet my expectations as a thriller, Michallon’s talent as a writer is undeniable. I give this book 3.5 stars and am grateful to NetGalley for the ARC.

this was a great bulk! The 2 characters grew up in a cult together, lost touch and now have reconnected unexpectedly. I think the themes of growth and relationships was interesting, and this book kept me entertained and engaged throughout!!

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

Our Last Resort delivers the perfect blend of two of my favorite subgenres—vacation-gone-wrong and cult thrillers! This gripping story pulls you into the lives of Frida and Gabriel, cult-siblings bound by a shared and haunting past, and now reunited under unsettling circumstances.

As the narrative unfolds, we dive into their traumatic childhoods while navigating a shocking murder in real time. Frida is determined to reconnect with Gabriel, who is still grieving the sudden loss of his wife and the media storm that framed him unfairly as a killer. But when the young wife of a media mogul dies mysteriously at the resort, all eyes turn to them.

The layers of trauma, suspicion, and tension make this an unforgettable read. Clemence Michallon masterfully weaves past and present, keeping you on edge as secrets unravel and relationships are tested. Perfect for fans of psychological thrillers with a dark twist.

#Knopf #PantheonVintageAnchor #OurLastResort #ClemenceMichallon

Wow. The twists and turns and waterfalls and rocks and mountains. Just so much oh my! Wonderfully written book that captivated you from the moment you start until the very last line of the book!

I absolutely loved The Quiet Tenant when I read it last year so I was excited to check this one out. All expectations were met, the book was fantastic. I really enjoyed reading it and didn’t want to put it down. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC!

This is the second book I have read by this author and I enjoyed it. My favorite part was that it had three different timelines. It was interesting to see how they all tied into each other. I’m looking forward to reading more by this author.

I was a big fan of The Quiet Tenant so I was extremely excited when I received this ARC. I went into reading this book with very high expectations and unfortunately this book does not live up to the author's first book. If you're a fan of cults, you may enjoy this book.

I enjoyed this book, it was a little different than the usual. I read it in less than 24 hours.
However, it wasn’t much of a “thriller” or “mysterious”. The twist was kind of obvious as well.

3.5 stars
Thanks NetGalley!

The story of a two closely bonded individuals, The Last Resort follows Frida and Gabriel who are seeking respite at luxury resort Ara after their troubled upbringing in a cult.

The story is told in two timelines, the present and time spent growing up. When Gabriel’s wife goes missing in the present, the tension ratchets up immensely. The characters were well constructed and the plot was tense and well executed.
Overall, I really enjoyed this work by Clemence Michallon and give it 4.1/4 stars. I look forward to reading more of her work.

I received this advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review and feedback.

I did find this story interesting and enjoyed the past flashbacks. The cult aspect felt horrifyingly real and the setting of the isolated resort was well done. I liked that as you went along you start to question if you can trust any of the characters. I do think there needed to be a bit more flow, it felt broken up. Despite expecting the twists I was still invested enough to keep reading. Overall I prefer her first book to this one, but Clémence Michallon's writing is great and I look forward to reading what she does next.
Thank you NetGalley and Knopf for the eARC!

Thank you NetGalley, Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for this ARC. I was excited to read this book as I really enjoyed The Quiet Tenant but I don't think this one was quite on par. Our Last Resort is centered around Frieda and Gabriel, alternating timelines between their current situation at the Ara hotel and their prior life growing up in a cult. I had a hard time connecting the relevance between their cult life and the current timeline as they were completely unrelated when it came to the plot. I was hoping the book would go into more detail about their cult upbringing but felt that portion was a little rushed. The plot 'twist' at the end wasn't really a twist - It was an obvious move.

3.5 ⭐️

Overall, this book was interesting and a fun puzzle. I did enjoy the then and now timelines and character backgrounds. I always think the perspective from cult members is fascinating.

However, I thought there were a lot of loop holes and felt choppy at some points, and I tried to connect with their present characters but had a hard time. I saw one of the twists coming, but I still wanted to know how it would play out so I didn’t think that was a negative. I will still buy this book and recommend it!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Thank you NetGalley, Knopf, Pantheon, and Vintage for this ARC.
I flew through this! I don't particularly care for cult thrillers, but I really enjoyed the writing. It was the writing that kept me reading, not the plot-through that really picked up at the end. 4.5 rounded down!

I loved The Quiet Tenant by Clémence Michallon, so I was thrilled to dive into her sophomore novel. This time, the story follows siblings raised in a cult as they attempt to reconnect on a vacation after a recent estrangement. The pacing is spot-on, and Michallon’s writing style remains captivating. I managed to predict about half of the twists, but that didn’t take away from the suspense. While this wasn’t my favorite of her two books, it’s still an engaging and fast-paced read that’s worth picking up.

“Here’s the truth about committing murder: There are no perfect crimes. Only lucky ones. Only a hundred cursed stars aligning just so.”

I can only say that I need a minute after finishing this masterpiece.. After “The quiet tenant,” I’ve been anxiously awaiting a second book. And this was even better if that’s even possible.

The seamless way the past/present was told and how they intersected made for a story I couldn’t put down. You love these characters yet struggle to find their redeeming qualities. You feel for them deeply and want a happy ending. But this is a story of a life not chosen and a family of you’re own making.

Frieda and Gabriel grew up in a cult together, then, years later Gabriel’s wife, Anna, suspiciously died. After that, the two drifted apart. When they finally come back together for what is meant to be a relaxing vacation in Utah, another guest is murdered and once again, the spotlight is on them.

Frieda and Gabriel are both flawed figures. With their pasts, this doesn’t come as a surprise. With the way things pan out, switching between the past and the present, it becomes clear how they became who they are, and why they cling so dearly to each other.

Furthermore, the ride is bumpy and wild. It seems like it’s straightforward at the beginning, yet you quickly come to question if you can directly trust anyone involved. It has so many twists and turns that leave you guessing what the outcome could be.

While at the end of the day, it is a whodunnit, it kept me locked in the entire time. It doesn’t just tackle classic thriller topics, but dives deeper. It goes into how well we really know people and what bonds us together to create a propelling story that you cannot put down.

I would recommend this to anyone who loves interpersonal dramas as well as murder mysteries