We don’t turn away from the parts of someone we don’t want to see. However quickly or long it takes to see them. We accept them if we are strong enough. Or we accept them enough to not let the bad parts become the entire story.
Laura Dave, The Last Thing He Told Me
As I sit and write this, I’m getting pumped up to go on vacation – yeah, that’s right – I’m going on a vacation for four whole days. Up north in the great wilderness of Wisssssconsin. Thankfully, I managed to get another quick read in before I depart for my 4th of July festivities.
The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave was a book I wasn’t expecting. From the summary, I assumed it might be just okay, but decided to give it a chance anyway. When in doubt always give a book a chance. The worst thing that can happen is you end up hating it, and the best thing that can happen is you fall in love.
Anywho, this book had some twisties and turnies that almost blew me away. Luckily, I was wearing my cement shoes as a preventative measure. Otherwise, I would have been gone in the wind.
Let me hit you with a summary and my insightful thoughts on this exciting book.
Book Description
We all have stories we never tell.
Before Owen Michaels disappears, he manages to smuggle a note to his beloved wife of one year: Protect her.
Despite her confusion and fear, Hannah Hall knows exactly to whom the note refers: Owen’s sixteen-year-old daughter, Bailey. Bailey, who lost her mother tragically as a child. Bailey, who wants absolutely nothing to do with her new stepmother.
As Hannah’s increasingly desperate calls to Owen go unanswered; as the FBI arrests Owen’s boss; as a US Marshal and FBI agents arrive at her Sausalito home unannounced, Hannah quickly realizes her husband isn’t who he said he was. And that Bailey just may hold the key to figuring out Owen’s true identity—and why he really disappeared.
Hannah and Bailey set out to discover the truth, together. But as they start putting together the pieces of Owen’s past, they soon realize they are also building a new future. One neither Hannah nor Bailey could have anticipated.
(Brought to you by Goodreads)
Just Read It
*Takes Just Read It stamp out* *Stamps the cover of The Last Thing He Told Me* *Hugs book gleefully*
This book. This book, you guys, was a very good book. A really good book. From the first chapter you are instantly ensnared by the plot – there is no time wasted. Protect her. Hannah’s mission is given to her by her husband of one year who has abandoned her and his 16-year-old daughter Bailey for unknown reasons.
You’ll be taken on an adventure from California to Texas while you follow Hannah and Bailey on their never-ending quest of finding Owen. Hannah’s love and fierce determination to protect Bailey never lets up. Even when the chances of seeing Owen again become more and more slim.
Their relationship is reminiscent of Elsa’s and Loreda’s in The Four Winds. A rebellious teen girl resists the love of her mother, but that never diminishes the love that her mother feels for her daughter. Of course, in the instance of this book, Hannah is Bailey’s stepmom, which is just one reason Bailey keeps her distance.
*Kind of a spoiler in the below paragraph – skip if you don’t want to know*
At the conclusion of this book, you will probably grieve what could have been. You can see how loving and beautiful Owen and Hannah’s relationship was, and it will definitely make you sad when you realize that their relationship won’t blossom beyond the two years they had together. The fact that Hannah sacrifices any semblance of a life she could have had with Owen to protect his daughter just goes to show how much she loves him and Bailey. Woof.
*It’s safe to keep reading*
Also, Bailey lost her mother when she was only a small child, so when her dad leaves it’s understandably devastating for her. This is what brings Hannah and Bailey closer. Much to Bailey’s dismay – Hannah is all she has left and vice versa.
This book might also make you want to buy a houseboat in Sausalito, California. I’ve already looked up some options on Zillow dreaming of all the possibilities. I suggest you do the same whilst reading this book.
Now please enjoy a picture of a houseboat:
Look at that little turret! So charming.
If you want to feel like you’re being immersed in a puddle of love and intrigue then you should definitely just read this book.
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