A solid sophomore work from Michallon. Not as scary as her debut, but still a great thriller. Loved the atmosphere of the resort and the background of the two main characters of escaping a cult as youth. Will be recommending to others!

I enjoyed the beginning of this book, the authors last book was a slow burn type of read so I wasn’t going in to this expecting a fast paced story.

There is a twist I did t see coming but I’m usually bad at that. I loved the cult aspect of this story, and feel that it could’ve been a whole plot by itself. Even though it was expected this was incredibly slow, a lot of unnecessary details and almost ramblings.

I rated it 3 stars because I did eventually finish it, so it did keep me intrigued enough.

Engaging and immersive. A recommended purchase for collections where crime and thrillers are popular.

Sadly this one fell flat for me. I wasnt a huge fan of the story. The back and forth timelines were nice but the story kinda just felt all over the place. Also Im not a huge cult fan with books and this one involves that so another reason it was just an ok read for me. I definitely preferred The Quiet Tenant way better than this one.

So, I consumed this book in 24 hours. I don’t even know how long I’ve sat in the bath reading it tonight—I just couldn’t stop.

I loved Michallon’s debut novel. When she announced that ARCs were up on NetGalley, I had to make an account just for this. I kept checking my approval and was so thrilled when they gave it to me.

This second novel has just cemented her as an instant-read author for me. I love the way she weaves together plot lines and character arcs. This is a gripping thriller hitting all the right beats—but it’s more than just a twisty plot. She writes with vividness and beauty, and her characters are fascinating. The setting is an entity of its own, only adding to the story. I wish I would’ve been more emotionally connected to the characters, but still found them interesting.

I’ve searched for thrillers like these for so long, and this fits the bill perfectly. Thank you to the publisher for a free ARC—now I’ll go recommend it to all of my crime-and-cult-loving friends.

I only rated this three stars because I had such high expectations but felt a bit let down, I would’ve given it a 3.5 if I could.
I pretty much love any thriller/ mystery that’s based around cults.
I really did like the main characters and reading about their past and how they were inseparable.

I still really enjoyed the entire story from beginning to end but felt like it wasn’t nearly as suspenseful as it could’ve been.
I would still highly recommend this to anyone who likes murder mysteries or cults.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

First things first thank you in advance for the advanced readers copy all opinions are my own.

When I can see the ending at 60% , that’s the signs of a poorly executed twist

I never found myself wanting to pick up this book and I’m very disappointed because I really liked her debut novel, but unfortunately, her sophomore novel just did not hit for me

I will give her a try again in the future

I really loved the characters in this, the sibling bond was beyond intense & I liked the two different timelines going back & forth. I haven’t read many books that begin with kids growing up in a cult so that POV was extremely interesting to me. The Quiet Tenant was one of my favorite books from last year so Our Last Resort was very highly anticipated for me & it didn’t disappoint! Good twists, good writing, good overall setting for a novel. I can’t wait to see what this author writes next, thank you to the publisher & NetGalley for giving me this ARC!!!

This one was really good, I loved the suspense. I was hooked from the start and curious how it would play out.

The Quiet Tenant was one of my favorite books in 2023. I eagerly moved Our Last Resort to the top of my TBR list.

There was strong character development, especially with sibling bonds through shared trauma. The author does a good job creating a tense environment. I didn't feel the suspense I was hoping for since I didn't enjoy the cult aspect of the storyline. This was a solid read for those that like psychological thrillers, but doesn't live up to its full potential.

Thank you NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage and Anchor for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publishers for the eARC!!

Michallon has outdone herself with Our Last Resort, proving her mastery of psychological suspense. The story's brilliant combination of atmospheric tension, emotional depth, and masterful misdirection creates an unforgettable reading experience. The shocking final revelation completely transforms everything you think you know. Trust me—this is one book you absolutely need to add to your reading list when it hits shelves!!!

Frieda and Gabriel share a tangled history, having grown up in a cult together. Years later, after Gabriel’s wife, Anna, suspiciously dies, the two friends drift apart. Their paths cross again during a seemingly peaceful vacation in Utah, but the tranquility is shattered when another guest is murdered, throwing them back into the limelight.

Both Frieda and Gabriel are deeply flawed characters, shaped by their tumultuous pasts. As the narrative alternates between their history and the present, we gain insight into their complexities and the unwavering bond that keeps them intertwined.

The journey is anything but smooth—what begins as a straightforward story quickly spirals into a labyrinth of mistrust and uncertainty. The plot is filled with twists and turns that constantly leave you guessing.

At its core, it’s a gripping whodunnit that held my attention from start to finish. Beyond typical thriller elements, it delves into themes of human connection and the depths of our relationships, making it a compelling read that you won’t be able to put down.

I highly recommend this book to fans of interpersonal dramas and murder mysteries alike.

Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for this ARC!

This book takes sibling bonding to another level. Estranged siblings need to band together to figure out what's going on in around their vacation when a murder happens and let me tell you. I loved how the story kept twisting and turning because typically I dont go for vacation style thrillers but this one was amazing. Also adding the cult part of it was a cherry on top. I loved it.

As an immediate lover of The Quiet Tenant, this was a lot different than her last piece of work. I have to say after being completely shook by her first novel, this one didn't quite hit that hard. It was a good story, but I found it slow and a little boring at times. Still a good story, but not quite as captivating.

Still so grateful to NetGalley for the arc!

3.5 stars!

Clémence Michallon delivers another masterfully crafted thriller with Our Last Resort, a book that kept me utterly captivated from start to finish. 📖🔥 The tension is palpable from the moment siblings Frida and Gabriel arrive at the luxurious yet eerily secluded Ara Hotel, setting the stage for a gripping story of buried secrets, haunting pasts, and a murder that changes everything.

What I loved most about this novel was the seamless blend of past and present. 🔄⏳ The alternating timelines added depth to the story, making every reveal feel even more shocking. The psychological complexity of Frida and Gabriel’s relationship, shaped by their dark past in a cult, was fascinating. Their estrangement and the way trauma binds them together felt raw and authentic, making them compelling protagonists. 💔🔍

The murder mystery itself was expertly woven into the narrative, keeping me on edge with every chapter. ⚡🕵️‍♀️ Just when I thought I had figured it out, Michallon threw in another twist that left me speechless. The atmospheric writing made the setting come alive—the eerie beauty of the desert, the eerie stillness of the locked-down resort, and the creeping sense of danger lurking beneath the surface. 🌵🏨🌙

If you love psychological thrillers with deep character exploration, haunting secrets, and jaw-dropping twists, Our Last Resort is a must-read. ✅📚 It’s a haunting, intense ride that cements Michallon as a powerhouse in the genre. Highly recommended! 👏💀✨

I love Michallon’s writing and was so impressed with her previous novel, The Quiet Tenant.

Our Last Resort was really, really great. The writing was fantastic. It was atmospheric & weird & sad & chilling. It had me guessing till the very end (I was convinced that the brother was guilty and that TWIST. Didn’t see it coming!)

Definitely one I will recommend to readers to check out upon release

Michallon has a way of crafting characters that are deeply flawed, but also so understandable and relatable. In her sophomore novel, we follow Gabriel and Frida, a pair of friends who are bound by their traumatic and formative years spent in a cult. On their reunion trip, a woman winds up dead and, naturally, they become persons of interest. The duo must revisit memories of their upbringing to face the truth behind the suspicious murder.

I enjoyed this novel and had a good time reading it; however, it certainly falls into the category of sophomore slump. Michallon's debut novel, The Quiet Tenant, is an incredibly dark and moving novel that sinks its teeth into readers and refuses to let go. Here, however, while there are still some dark elements, the novel reads more like a typical thriller with a paint-by-number plot. At no point was I shocked or surprised by where the story went, which is rather disappointing when reading a thriller. Perhaps the problem is that I expected expected on par with her previous work, but the grit of the first novel is absent here. Now, I, by no means, disliked the novel; it just didn't measure up to expectations. If you are looking to be engaged with a story and its characters, you will likely enjoy this book. If, however, you are expecting a dark and twisty thriller, you won't find that here.

Overall, I give Michallon's second album a 3 out of 5.

Frida and Gabriel, once inseparable, seek refuge at the luxurious Ara Hotel in the Utah desert to mend their fractured relationship after a tragic loss. However, their idyllic getaway is shattered by the discovery of a murdered guest. As the police investigate, Frida and Gabriel are forced to confront their shared past, including a harrowing escape from a cult that shaped their lives and may hold the key to the present-day mystery. This suspenseful novel alternates timelines, weaving a gripping story of love, betrayal, and the enduring scars of the past.

I was excited to read this after loving Clemence Michallon's freshman debut. What I loved about this was the story was so different from her first book, when often we see authors fall into a formulaic approach to their stories. The oscillating timeline converging to the climax was perfectly executed with more than a few twists along the way. The complexity of Frida and Gabriel's relationship added a human element that elevated this above a simple thriller. While there were a few aspects of the story that were a bit forced seemingly for the sake of the plot (The relationship between Gabriel and Sabrina felt too convenient), overall the story flowed seamlessly and takes the reader on a suspenseful ride.

The Quiet Tenant was one of my favorite reads of 2023, so I was psyched to see that Clémence Michallon had a new book. Our Last Resort is about siblings from a troubled background (they grew up in a cult and we learn about a mysterious disappearance in flashbacks) who reunite after several years' estrangement at what is meant to be a relaxing resort vacation. Instead, they're dragged into a murder investigation when one of the siblings witnesses a fight between the murder victim and her husband.

The writing in this book is absolutely lovely. As the story unfurled I found myself eager to turn pages to find out what was going to happen, while simultaneously wanting to linger on the page to enjoy the language used. The pacing here was not as propulsive or tense as in The Quiet Tenant, but it's a gripping story that I inhaled in a weekend. The narrative was twisty enough to keep me guessing and I loved the cult elements.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review.