Book Review: The Last Thing He Told Me – Laura Dave

Book Review: The Last Thing He Told Me – Laura Dave

Before Owen Michaels disappears, he smuggles 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 federal 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. But as they start putting together the pieces of Owen’s past, they soon realize they’re also building a new future—one neither of them could have anticipated.

In my English class, we dedicate 30 minutes of our class to silent reading, going through my TBR I decided to read the book “The Last Thing He Told Me” by Laura Dave. I had heard a lot about it as it blew up on TikTok and gained popularity on various social media platforms, so after purchasing it, I never had the chance to dive into it.

Let’s dive into our book review, the book’s premise concerns Owen Michaels, his new wife, Hannah Hall, and his daughter Bailey. He leaves a cryptic note “Protect her” referring to Bailey. Right after, Owen’s boss gets arrested and a US marshal shows up to help. Federal agents also interrogate Hannah, as they are all seeking more information about how Owen is linked with all this controversy. As Hannah and Bailey dig further into Owen’s mysterious disappearance, they are betrayed, hurt, confused, terrified, and a plethora of other emotions. Owen’s puzzling past finally comes to light as Hannah and Bailey pick up the pieces, and troubling information about his true identity finally comes to light.

Starting off strong, I was intrigued by all of the characters and enjoyed their backstories, especially Bailey’s. I love how she kept it real and how her authenticity was relatable to teenagers. I felt as though she echoed my thoughts and emotions, her actions mimicked mine as I would react very similarly in the situations she was put in. There truly was never a dull moment with her.

I found the banter between Hannah and Bailey very amusing, and how initially Bailey acted with animosity towards her stepmom. But on the contrary, I enjoyed watching their character development and how their relationship progressed alongside their journey.

The plot’s idea was also very intriguing, Laura Dave’s twists and turns created an exhilarating novel that captivated audiences. Her dialogue and characters create a rich premise for readers to indulge in. With every new piece of vital information, the plot unfolds deeper and deeper creating enigmatic circumstances. The story has also mastered the art of suspense, as the story’s actions rise, we hit an awe-striking climax, and then have a satisfying falling action.

The complex themes embedded in this book entice readers, this book delves into trust, betrayal, family, and relationships. This book prompts readers to read further and delve deeper into the intricacies of the mystery inside the story.

“This is the thing about good and evil. They aren’t so far apart – and they often start from the same valiant place of wanting something to be different.” ~ Laura Dave, The Last Thing He Told Me

I truly have one complaint about this book which is the fact that the ending is very abrupt. Throughout the story, I felt as though there were not enough leads or hints that would give an idea to readers about the surprising conclusion.

In conclusion, “The Last Thing He Told Me” was a perfect rainy day quick read that keeps you on the edge of your seat wanting more. The engaging dialogue and deep character development draw you into the story, making you feel like a part of the story.