Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf for an ARC of Our Last Resort.

I was SO excited to be selected to read an early copy of this book, especially because of the rave reviews I've seen for the author's previous book, The Quiet Tenant. I can honestly say, though, this book got me the closest to a reading slump as I have been in a while. There were so many improbable details in the story that it was distracting (like the main character just happens to stumble upon the murder victim's phone because she made friends with an injured, wild coyote with pups...um???). The pacing was extremely slow, there was no emotional connection with the characters for me, and I guessed the twist very early. Definitely not the book for me, but maybe fans of her previous book will enjoy this one more than I did.

2.5 stars

Thank you Net Galley for my first ARC…very exciting! I loved Michallon’s previous novel The Quiet Tenant which is in my top 5 reads for 2024 so was looking forward to her new book. Basic premise is girl and boy grow up together in cult in upstate New York which they eventually escape from leaving behind some casualties in their wake. They attempt to build new lives in a world that they’ve never been exposed to after living a sheltered childhood tho the woman has a successful career and the man falls in love and marries. As story goes on the man’s wife goes missing and while at a resort in Utah another guest is found dead. Unfortunately I had difficulty connecting with main characters. Never was invested in their story nor liked or cared about them which makes it difficult to enjoy a book. The author’s writing style is very readable and there were moments of suspense but overall was not a memorable book.

Frida and Gabriel grew up together in a communal cult. They have been distant recently and are now reunited after being estranged. They’re reunited at a luxury resort when the body of a billionaire’s wife turns up. Both Frida and Gabriel saw some things that make them have their suspicions.

This is the first time I’ve read a book by this author. The writing is solid and the pacing is spot on. Told in past and present timelines this story unravels an intriguing story. Frida and Gabriel get tangled up in the investigation, while memories of their difficult childhood resurface. The twist at the end was well worth the read.

Thank you NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for allowing me to read this book early. The opinion in this review is my own.

Wow wow! I am normally not a huge fan of time jumps but in this story it made perfect sense! Definitely had a twist at the end I did not see coming great read!

I went into this book completely blind, and was pretty infested after the second chapter. However, the dual timelines of this one felt somewhat disjointed to me and left me wanting more.

I felt like after the first few chapters the pacing slowed way down and I was bored the majority of the book. The ending picked up and I ended up enjoying the twist (however I did guess it, which I never do 🤣)

All in all, this was an okay thriller to me. I didn’t have it, but didn’t love it. I think if you enjoy slower paced thrillers this could be one you totally love!

I really enjoyed the story. It was not what I expected from this author, but I am pleased. It’s about a brother and sister with a strange colt like past. I enjoy going back in time into the past and then back into the present, it keeps the book exciting.

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!

This is my second read from this author and each time have been great. Such a great thriller author with solid stories. I always an so intrigued by the story and on the edge of my seat

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.