Member Reviews

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!!!

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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

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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!

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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!

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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!

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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.

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“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.

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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

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really enjoyed this!!! it does not beat michallon's debut, but still a good book all on its own.

thank you to the Knopf, Pantheon, and Vintage team for an ARC of one of my most anticipated books of 2025.

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I absolutely loved The Quiet Tenant and was super excited to read Our Last Resort. They are different styles, but they do share Clémence's flair for dark, emotional story-telling. Both have that family drama that is almost claustrophobic feeling. Clémence has the ability to make you feel trapped in the drama with the protagonist. Really enjoyed the multiple POVs and the author does it well by staying true to each individual character. Some books, the characters blend together. Overall, a fantastic book about family secrets and trauma, that is paced just right.

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This book had all the things I love, short chapters, alternate timelines, decades of mysteries, and a cult! Told in alternating timelines between Gabriel and Frida’s teenage years in a cult and present day where there is a suspicious murder at a resort in Utah. I found myself wanting to do nothing until I finished this book. I loved the sibling relationship and I really loved Frida’s character. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

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Our Last Resort
by Clémence Michallon

I am a huge fan of The Quiet Tenant and was so excited to read her 2nd novel.

The story is told in dual timelines involving a cult Frida and Gabriel escaped from in their teens. In present time, estranged siblings Frida and Gabriel are at a resort. There, a murder occurs and Gabriel is a suspect as his wife died under mysterious circumstances years before.

Quick and entertaining read ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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I really enjoyed The Quiet Tenant so I was very excited when I saw that Clémence Michallon was coming out with a new book. The premise of this book sounded new and exciting, and it did not disappoint. I will definitely be recommending this book to patrons and friends, however The Quiet Tenant is a stronger book, so I'd maybe tell them to read this one first. Thank you NetGalley and Knopf for this ARC!

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