You know I’m a sucker for a good cult book—I don’t know what it is, they just totally creep me out in the best way. Our Last Resort definitely scratched that itch. The vibes were eerie, and the writing had that dreamy, lyrical style I usually love. But—and it’s kind of a big but—I felt like I barely knew the main character? It’s written in first person, but somehow she still felt super flat. Like, white bread-level bland. I kept waiting for her to come to life on the page, but she never really did. Still, the cult stuff kept me hooked.

Meh I wasn’t the biggest fan of this book. I think I didn’t really like the characters and I thought the cult would be a little more involved in the plot. It felt very jumpy

The bestselling author of The Quiet Tenant returns with a slow-burning thriller rich in atmosphere and intrigue. They thought escaping the cult would be their salvation. Instead, it led them into one harrowing situation after another.

This is told in dual timelines. Frida and Gabriel were part of a cult in which they decided to claim each other as siblings. In this world, the concept of traditional family didn’t exist. The adults collectively claimed the children, and no one knew who their biological parents were. After enduring abuse, Frida and Gabriel ultimately escape in a dramatic and life-altering way.

Fifteen years later, they reunite at a remote resort in Escalante, Utah. Frida notices Gabriel seems distant, secretive—off. They've always had each other's backs, but when they become entangled in a murder investigation, tension mounts. Frida is sure Gabriel couldn’t be involved with Sabrina Brenner, the wife of a wealthy guest at the resort. But as she reflects on his strange behavior, she starts to question everything. Gabriel's first wife, Annie, died under mysterious circumstances nine years earlier, and suspicion falls on him quickly. As secrets from their shared past come to light, Frida is left to wonder if the brother she once trusted is still the same man.

The pacing and structure were so well done—classic Michallon. It starts off slowly, but the tension builds steadily until I was flying through the pages. The characters are richly developed, and I had to keep reminding myself that Frida and Gabriel weren’t actually related—they played the role so convincingly. The setting, too, was incredibly atmospheric. I loved how the layers of mystery unfolded and intertwined.

If you enjoyed The Quiet Tenant, this is a must-read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for the digital review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Clemence has done it again. Her writing just has a way of pulling you in getting you hooked. I will buy whatever she writes.

3.5 stars, rounded up. A new-to-me author, Michallon's "Our Last Resort" appealed due to both the Utah resort locale & the cult involvement. Overall, I found it a quite serviceable thriller - I did not find either of the MC's (brother & sister duo Frida & Gabe) likable but I did understand their cult trauma bond. I did really enjoy the desert resort vibe & the ending was very good, but I also thought the pacing was a bit off, especially in the middle where it lagged. Still thought it was good & will recommend. My sincere thanks to Net Galley & the publisher for the widget for an advance readers copy - greatly appreciate the opportunity to read & review it. Now to look up the author's previous title!!

I loved Clemence Michallon's previous book and was excited to read this one. Unfortunately, this one did not live up to my expectations and felt like another run of the mill thriller, where I felt her previous book was more elevated in language and storytelling.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in return for an honest review.

Frida and Gabriel were born into a cult, forging a relationship as close as siblings. Escaping when they turned 18, the two lean on each other to make their way in the world. After losing touch with each other, they attempt to rReconnecting at a luxury hotel in the Utah desert. Unfortunately, they are dragged into a murder that occurs at the hotel that will bring out memories and secrets the two have tried to bury.

The story is told by Frida, with a before and after timeline. Instead of a nail-biting suspense story, I would liken this to a slow-moving cozy mystery. Anytime suspense is built, the story shifts to another timeline, interrupting flow and continuity. The characters were superficial and one-dimensional, and Frida became tedious by the end of the story.

It’s not a bad story, it just didn’t live up to its potential.

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I love Clémence Michallon writing style and story telling. This is another phenomenally written thriller by her!

I love hr character development and plot twists.

A truly unique and stimulating book that keeps you hooked until the very end!

I really enjoyed this book. Frida and Gabriel grew up in a cult. Raised as siblings this relationship took them into their teen years. They escaped the cult together as young adults and had to figure out how to navigate the world with only each other. Fast forward a few years and Gabriel’s wife is murdered. They look at him but with no evidence they let him go. Now Friday and Gabriel are on vacation when another women turns up dead. With connections to Gabriel, he then becomes the suspect.

I loved the character development of Frida and Gabriel and seeing their growth through the book. The story played out very well and the author did an excellent job at the alternating timeline. Very well written and kept my attention the whole time.

Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Knopf Publishers for the advance reader copy. This is my honest review.

3.5 stars - I loved Clemence's first book, The Quiet Tenant, so I was very excited to read this book. I wouldn't say this is a typical thriller, more of a fiction with a mystery. A brother and sister escape from a cult and later find themselves intertwined with a murder while on vacation. The book has two timelines and is very character driven. I found the cult aspect interesting and very well done. The alternating time lines in the second half of the book made it so hard to put down.

Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for providing me with an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read Our Last Resort by Clémence Michallon. This story quietly wrecked me in the best way. It’s beautifully written—emotional, introspective, and full of heart. Michallon has such a gentle, powerful voice that pulls you into the characters’ grief, their memories, and the slow, steady process of healing.

The setting was so atmospheric, and the resort felt like more than just a backdrop—it was a space where pain lingered, but hope began to grow. I appreciated how nuanced and honest the relationships were, especially in the face of loss and uncertainty.

This is the kind of book that stays with you long after the final page. Thoughtful, tender, and quietly powerful.

Our Last Resort by Clémence Michallon is an author I thoroughly enjoy reading. I gave this book a 4-star rating because of its unsettling plot line, which she excels at writing. The story kept me on the edge of my seat, and I couldn’t predict the ending. It begins with a past-present narrative, which adds to its great mystery and fear of the unknown outcome. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and recommend it to mystery and suspense enthusiasts.

Thanks, Knopf via NetGalley.

Our Last Resort by Clemence Michallon

4 Stars

320 Pages
Publisher: Knopf Pantheon Vintage and Anchor, Knopf
Release Date: July 8, 2025

Fiction (Adult), General Fiction (Adult), Mystery, Thriller, Cult, Rape

When Frida and Gabriel were young, they were raised in a cult separated from the outside world. Life is hard and they yearn to venture beyond the compound. Slowly they begin to take chances. They visit the neighboring town and are befriended by some.

Nine years ago, Annie, Gabriel’s wife was found dead in the water after being missing for two weeks. He was the prime suspect but without any evidence, the case was never solved. Because he is under a cloud of guilt, he moves from the east coast to Washington state for a new start.

Frida arranges for the two of them to stay at the luxurious Ara Hotel in Utah. Since they have not been close in a long time, Frida hopes they can rekindle their sibling relationship. They notice a married couple, a young woman and an older man, having disagreements. While standing outside smoking, Frida sees the man threatening the woman. The following morning, she is found dead. At first, the husband is arrested but soon attention shifts to Gabriel. His wife’s death makes him an ideal suspect. Frida knows Gabriel is not a killer, but she must do everything she can to find the truth.

The story is fast paced and bounces from the past and the present. The characters are well developed, and it is written in the first-person point of view from Frida. Reading about the cult life was difficult to read but important to the development of the characters. Their experiences make them flawed which makes them more believable.

Brilliantly written, great pacing, a true psychological thriller. I felt like I knew Frida and Gabriel, and couldn't believe the twists and surprises that evolved. This was the best book I've read in a while. I could not put it down, and I'm still thinking about the characters, their strengths, their flaws, their fears, and their will to survive. It was amazing that they could even navigate the larger world after growing up in a cult and never going outside it until they bravely escaped. What a great piece of modern literature.

I was disappointed by this book. It’s my own fault for setting my expectations so high since I enjoyed her first book, “The Quiet Tenant” so much. This one didn’t even get semi-interesting until half way through. To me, everything felt so forced. It tried so hard to be surprising and suspenseful, but for me it was dull and unbelievable.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC for review!

Thank you to the publisher for an advanced reader copy of Our Last Resort by Clemence Michallon. I was interested in reading this as I loved Michallon's debut, The Quiet Tenant. Our Last Resort was a fast moving thriller about a brother and sister who are reconnecting at a desert resort but have a heavy past having escaped a cult in their teen years. The story provides alternating chapters with what happened to them and how they escaped the cult with the current issue of a fellow guest found murdered. I very much enjoyed this novel -- really who doesn't love reading about a cult? Highly recommend this novel. Clemence Michallon is one to watch.

WOW. Loved this book. Well written and didn’t leave me feeling like I had unanswered questions. I am looking forward to reading more from this author.

Interesting book. The story is told in first person by a cult survivor in present day. Every other chapter is a flashback to her and another person's cult experience. The current day events are not particularly twisted, but they do leave you guessing a bit. It's a quick read; the book kept me interested that I was able to finish in a day.

Fantastic book! I would highly recommend both this book and other books by this author. Be sure to read this book!

In Clémence Michallon second novel, Frida and her brother Gabriel reunite at a secluded resort in the Utah wilderness after being estranged for years. The trip begins as an attempt to reconnect but quickly spirals when one of the resort guests is found dead and Frida and Gabriel become the main suspects.

As the investigation unfolds, so does their haunting backstory. Told in dual timelines, the novel weaves together the present-day murder with disturbing memories of their early years spent in a cult, their harrowing escape, and the trauma that’s shaped their lives. Each chapter adds a new clue into their lives, building suspense until the truth is finally revealed.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.