Book Review: Our Last Resort: A Novel by Clemence Michallon- Psychological Thriller

Hello, dear Readers,

My book review of Our Last Resort: A Novel by Clemence Michallon.

Title: Our Last Resort: A Novel

Rating:  5/5 Stars

Genre: Psychological Thriller

Author: Clemence Michallon

Publisher: Knopf

Publication Date: July 08, 2025

Language: English

Hardcover: 320 pages
Meet the Author: Clemence Michallon
Buy Me: Amazon

Book Description

From the bestselling author of The Quiet Tenant comes a propulsive new thriller: Fifteen years ago, Frida and her brother escaped a cult. Now her brother is the prime suspect in a murder investigation—and it isn’t the first time.

A MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK OF THE SUMMER: The New York Times, USA Today, Oprah Daily, Boston Globe, Marie Claire, Crimereads, Apple Books, Goodreads, Brit + Co, She Reads

“Clémence Michallon is one of the most daring, exciting new voices in psychological suspense; she writes page turners with stunning and surprising depths.” – #1 New York Times bestselling author Lisa Jewell

"Thought-provoking and shocking. A perfect summer read.”—Mary Kubica, New York Times bestselling author of She's Not Sorry

Innocence doesn't bail you out; it just makes you easier to trap.

Frida and Gabriel arrive seeking a fresh start at the stunning Ara Hotel in the secluded desert of Escalante, Utah. Once so close they were able to finish each other’s sentences, they’ve grown apart in recent years after a sudden, unspeakable tragedy. Now, at the luxe resort, they are ready to reconnect between dips in the pool and hikes on spectacular desert trails. It all feels like paradise—until the dead body of a beautiful young woman who was vacationing at the Ara with her powerful, much older husband is discovered.

When the local police arrive and suspicion quickly falls on Gabriel, Frida is forced to revisit memories from their upbringing in a cloistered cult in upstate New York, their dramatic escape, and the scandal that followed. Frida’s belief in Gabriel’s innocence never wavered at the time, but now even she can’t ignore the evidence mounting against him.

Alternating between past and present timelines, Our Last Resort builds toward a shattering climax that uncovers the fate of the murdered Ara guest and poses the question: how well do we ever really know those we love? Taut, gripping, and intense, Clémence Michallon’s latest suspense novel is a nail-biter until the last page, cementing her status as a major new talent in the genre.

My Thoughts

I loved The Quiet Tenant; it was my favorite book of the year. So when I saw that another book from this same author was going to be published, I was so excited, especially when I was given access to this free ARC copy.

I wont go on and on telling you how great this book is, how much I loved it. I will just say, do yourself a favor and read it. You won't regret it. Another masterpiece story. I love her writing and the 2 POV's, going back and forth between the past and the present. 

Thank you Knopf and Netgalley, for the free ARC copy, in exchange for an honest review.

Wendy  

Book Review: Scarred: A Memoir of a Childhood Stolen and a Life Reclaimed by Clark Fredericks-Memoir

Hello, dear Readers,

Below is my book review of Scarred: A Memoir of a Childhood Stolen and a Life Reclaimed by Clark Fredericks.

Title: Scarred: A Memoir of a Childhood Stolen and a Life Reclaimed.

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Genre: Memoir

Author: Clark Fredericks

Publisher: Atria Books
Publication Date: July 29, 2025

Language: English

Hardcover: 272 Pages

Meet the Author: Clark Fredericks

Buy Me: Amazon

Book Description

A memoir of trauma and transformation by a man who was haunted by childhood abuse but who fought his way back—a journey from vengeance and prison to freedom and redemption.

For a boy growing up in the 1970s, rural northern New Jersey was a year-round playground, filled with secret fishing holes, enchanted woods, and private trails to explore with friends. But this childhood idyll was snatched from Clark Fredericks by a man he regarded as a local hero: Dennis Pegg, the town’s Boy Scout leader, a law enforcement officer with the Sussex County Sheriff’s Department, and, as Fredericks would discover, a serial predator.

Through his teenage years and young adulthood, Fredericks kept silent about the horrific abuse he experienced, turning to drugs, alcohol, gambling, and sex addiction to numb the memory. For decades, he remained tormented by shame, unable to share the secrets that were eating away at his psyche—until he violently confronted his abuser.

At once heartbreaking and uplifting, Scarred is the story of a man who overcame the destructive aftereffects of violence and abuse that nearly destroyed him. Now an advocate for victims and a prominent voice in support of child abuse law reform, Fredericks powerfully illustrates the healing power of love and trust.

My Thoughts

This was one book that gave me all the feelings. I was heartbroken, furious, relieved, happy, sad, excited.

It is just mind-blowing when a book can make you feel all those things. The story is not a happy one at the beginning but turns out a very inspiring one at the end, one success story to be celebrated. I just love and appreciate when authors are so honest, raw and vulnerable. It makes us see that every bad situation can be turn out in a good one if we are willing to change.

In the case of Clark Fredericks, an early life of sexual abuse, then drugs, alcohol abuse, gambling, and then murder, the ultimate sin, how he overcame all those situations, with the help of other people and how now he helps others. Truly and unbelievable story with an inspiring and healing message of hope for others.

Thank you, Atria Books and NetGalley, for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. 

Wendy