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Her Last Affair
From the bestselling author of Help for the Haunted and Strange but True, a new novel of character-driven psychological suspense that intertwines three people hoping to rediscover love and reconnect with their past, to deadly effect.
Every marriage has its secrets....
Skyla lives alone in the shadow of the defunct drive-in movie theater that she and her husband ran for nearly fifty years. Ever since Hollis's death in a freak accident the year before, Skyla spends her nights ruminating about the regrets and deceptions in her long marriage. That is, until she rents a cottage on the property to a charming British man, Teddy Cornwell....
A thousand miles away, Linelle is about to turn fifty. Bored by her spouse and fired from her job when a questionable photo from her youth surfaces on social media, her only source of joy is an on-line affair with her very first love, a man she's not seen in nearly thirty years, Teddy Cornwell...
While in New York City, Jeremy, a failed and bitter writer, accepts an assignment to review a new restaurant in Providence. Years ago, Providence was the site of his first great love and first great heartbreak--and maybe, just maybe, he'll look her up when he's back in town...
Part page-turning thriller, part homage to film noir, and dazzling in its insight into the often desperate desires of the human heart, Her Last Affair is a tense and atmospheric novel of love lost and found again.
Every marriage has its secrets....
Skyla lives alone in the shadow of the defunct drive-in movie theater that she and her husband ran for nearly fifty years. Ever since Hollis's death in a freak accident the year before, Skyla spends her nights ruminating about the regrets and deceptions in her long marriage. That is, until she rents a cottage on the property to a charming British man, Teddy Cornwell....
A thousand miles away, Linelle is about to turn fifty. Bored by her spouse and fired from her job when a questionable photo from her youth surfaces on social media, her only source of joy is an on-line affair with her very first love, a man she's not seen in nearly thirty years, Teddy Cornwell...
While in New York City, Jeremy, a failed and bitter writer, accepts an assignment to review a new restaurant in Providence. Years ago, Providence was the site of his first great love and first great heartbreak--and maybe, just maybe, he'll look her up when he's back in town...
Part page-turning thriller, part homage to film noir, and dazzling in its insight into the often desperate desires of the human heart, Her Last Affair is a tense and atmospheric novel of love lost and found again.
325 pages, Hardcover
First published March 22, 2022
402 people are currently reading
11923 people want to read
About the author
John Searles
12 books578 followersJohn Searles is the best-selling author of the novels Her Last Affair, Help for the Haunted, Strange but True and Boy Still Missing.
Hailed as “riveting” by The New York Times and “hypnotic” by Entertainment Weekly, Boy Still Missing, inspired Time magazine to name him a “Person to Watch,” and the New York Daily News to name him a “New Yorker to Watch.” His second novel, Strange but True was praised as “sinister and complex” by Janet Maslin of The New York Times, “extraordinary” by Publishers Weekly, and was named best novel of the year by Salon. John’s most recent novel, Help for the Haunted, was named a Boston Globe Best Crime Novel of the Year, an Entertainment Weekly Top 10 Must List, and won the American Library Association’s Alex Award.
In 2019, Strange But True was adapted for film by the producers of La La Land and released in theaters nationwide by Lionsgate. Now streaming on Netflix and Amazon Prime, the film stars the award-winning ensemble cast of Amy Ryan, Greg Kinnear, Brian Cox, Blythe Danner, Nick Robinson and Margaret Qualley. The movie was praised as “suspenseful and haunting” by The Hollywood Reporter and “a twisty tale of tragic secrets” by the Los Angeles Times.
John has appeared regularly on morning programs like NBC’s Today Show, CBS This Morning, Live! With Regis & Kelly, NPR’s Fresh Air with Terry Gross and CNN to discuss his books.
The longtime books editor of Cosmopolitan, John also served as the magazine’s brand director, executive editor, and editor-at-large. His personal and travel essays, book and restaurant reviews have been published in the New York Times, Washington Post and numerous other magazines, newspapers and websites. He has a master's degree in creative writing from New York University and lives in New York.
Hailed as “riveting” by The New York Times and “hypnotic” by Entertainment Weekly, Boy Still Missing, inspired Time magazine to name him a “Person to Watch,” and the New York Daily News to name him a “New Yorker to Watch.” His second novel, Strange but True was praised as “sinister and complex” by Janet Maslin of The New York Times, “extraordinary” by Publishers Weekly, and was named best novel of the year by Salon. John’s most recent novel, Help for the Haunted, was named a Boston Globe Best Crime Novel of the Year, an Entertainment Weekly Top 10 Must List, and won the American Library Association’s Alex Award.
In 2019, Strange But True was adapted for film by the producers of La La Land and released in theaters nationwide by Lionsgate. Now streaming on Netflix and Amazon Prime, the film stars the award-winning ensemble cast of Amy Ryan, Greg Kinnear, Brian Cox, Blythe Danner, Nick Robinson and Margaret Qualley. The movie was praised as “suspenseful and haunting” by The Hollywood Reporter and “a twisty tale of tragic secrets” by the Los Angeles Times.
John has appeared regularly on morning programs like NBC’s Today Show, CBS This Morning, Live! With Regis & Kelly, NPR’s Fresh Air with Terry Gross and CNN to discuss his books.
The longtime books editor of Cosmopolitan, John also served as the magazine’s brand director, executive editor, and editor-at-large. His personal and travel essays, book and restaurant reviews have been published in the New York Times, Washington Post and numerous other magazines, newspapers and websites. He has a master's degree in creative writing from New York University and lives in New York.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 466 reviews
October 19, 2022
3.5 stars rounded to 4.
I went into this book blind, I didn’t read any reviews beforehand and it had been awhile since I read the synopsis so I didn’t know what to expect. This book started off amazing. I got sucked in pretty much right away and was really enjoying it. At the beginning, I was thinking this book was going to be about rekindled romances but boy, was I wrong! The last half of this book was unsuspecting and took me by surprise. I didn’t see the end coming. This book is categorized as a physiological suspense but I personally didn’t feel a lot of suspense. This book is told in different POVs by unreliable characters and in different timelines. I did like how the characters all ending up tying together at the end. The storyline is definitely different and original.
Thank you Net Galley, and William Morrow and Custom House, for an ARC in return for my honest opinion.
I went into this book blind, I didn’t read any reviews beforehand and it had been awhile since I read the synopsis so I didn’t know what to expect. This book started off amazing. I got sucked in pretty much right away and was really enjoying it. At the beginning, I was thinking this book was going to be about rekindled romances but boy, was I wrong! The last half of this book was unsuspecting and took me by surprise. I didn’t see the end coming. This book is categorized as a physiological suspense but I personally didn’t feel a lot of suspense. This book is told in different POVs by unreliable characters and in different timelines. I did like how the characters all ending up tying together at the end. The storyline is definitely different and original.
Thank you Net Galley, and William Morrow and Custom House, for an ARC in return for my honest opinion.
March 2, 2022
3.5 stars, rounded up
This is a clever, twisty tale. It's not a straightforward psychological suspense, but if you've read anything else by this author you'll know that he doesn't write straightforward books.
The story features three main characters, and the narrative shifts back and forth between their perspectives. There's Skyla, a widowed former nurse who lives in a house on the grounds of a shuttered drive-in theater that she and her husband owned after inheriting it from his family. She has another small house next to hers that she has decided to rent to Teddy. Teddy has a former love, Linelle, who is married and lives across the country, he decides to reconnect with her. Finally Jeremy, a writer with a past who also decides to reconnect with his former girlfriend.
How these people all connect is the brilliance of this tale. There are many surprises and they are not what you think. Most of the characters are unreliable narrators, but mostly that comes from the fact that they are hiding the truth about their lives from themselves as much as from others. When it all comes out it is very satisfying.
The one shortcoming I found was that the timeline is very jumpy and sometimes not easy to determine what is happening in the present vs. in the past. However, this is important in the end to the way the story is told, so I won't complain about it too much.
If you're looking for a unique suspense novel, this would be one to choose. This was a refreshing change of pace for me with the others I've read recently in this genre.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
This is a clever, twisty tale. It's not a straightforward psychological suspense, but if you've read anything else by this author you'll know that he doesn't write straightforward books.
The story features three main characters, and the narrative shifts back and forth between their perspectives. There's Skyla, a widowed former nurse who lives in a house on the grounds of a shuttered drive-in theater that she and her husband owned after inheriting it from his family. She has another small house next to hers that she has decided to rent to Teddy. Teddy has a former love, Linelle, who is married and lives across the country, he decides to reconnect with her. Finally Jeremy, a writer with a past who also decides to reconnect with his former girlfriend.
How these people all connect is the brilliance of this tale. There are many surprises and they are not what you think. Most of the characters are unreliable narrators, but mostly that comes from the fact that they are hiding the truth about their lives from themselves as much as from others. When it all comes out it is very satisfying.
The one shortcoming I found was that the timeline is very jumpy and sometimes not easy to determine what is happening in the present vs. in the past. However, this is important in the end to the way the story is told, so I won't complain about it too much.
If you're looking for a unique suspense novel, this would be one to choose. This was a refreshing change of pace for me with the others I've read recently in this genre.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
March 18, 2022
Ding, ding, ding! What do we have here? We've got a WINNER of a story and I am beyond thrilled to be able to say that. 🏆🥇
Skyla is an elderly widow that has recently lost her sight. She lives in solitude outside the drive-in theater that her and her husband owned. She has decided to rent out her second cottage to....
Teddy Cornwall, a man looking for a fresh start living away from the hustle and bustle of the city and while he's at it he may just connect with his long lost love of his youth....
Linelle, is in a stale marriage with a daughter that just left for music school in Berlin. Having recently lost her teaching job under disgraceful circumstances she is adrift and lonely that is until her first love reaches out to her after all these years....
Meanwhile in NYC there is Jeremy, a failed writer, that's making a living being paid scraps to write restaurant reviews (A job I would love to have, btw) when he is asked to review a new restaurant in Providence, RI. This is where he met Maryanne. The most wonderful and beautiful woman he has ever met. They were once best of friends but have lost touch for reasons unknown and he is wondering if this is his chance to reconnect with her after all these years.
This book was a legit page-turner for this reader. What's surprising is that I had such little expectations for it. The reviews so far hadn't been all that promising but for whatever reason this baby worked for me. I found every single character fascinating. I love a book where a character is telling you a story and boy did Skyla have story to tell. I couldn't get enough. There is some real humor sprinkled throughout too. One scene where a show poodle meets an unruly mutt made me giggle so much and there are wisecracks sprinkled about to bring the book some levity because, I'm not going to lie, the topics are heavy. I truly enjoyed the ending and felt it brought the proper closure to this book and it's characters.
I'm not sure where John Searles has been all my life but you better believe I will be checking out his backlist and I look forward to any of his future endeavors. 5 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow and Custom House for my complimentary copy.
Skyla is an elderly widow that has recently lost her sight. She lives in solitude outside the drive-in theater that her and her husband owned. She has decided to rent out her second cottage to....
Teddy Cornwall, a man looking for a fresh start living away from the hustle and bustle of the city and while he's at it he may just connect with his long lost love of his youth....
Linelle, is in a stale marriage with a daughter that just left for music school in Berlin. Having recently lost her teaching job under disgraceful circumstances she is adrift and lonely that is until her first love reaches out to her after all these years....
Meanwhile in NYC there is Jeremy, a failed writer, that's making a living being paid scraps to write restaurant reviews (A job I would love to have, btw) when he is asked to review a new restaurant in Providence, RI. This is where he met Maryanne. The most wonderful and beautiful woman he has ever met. They were once best of friends but have lost touch for reasons unknown and he is wondering if this is his chance to reconnect with her after all these years.
This book was a legit page-turner for this reader. What's surprising is that I had such little expectations for it. The reviews so far hadn't been all that promising but for whatever reason this baby worked for me. I found every single character fascinating. I love a book where a character is telling you a story and boy did Skyla have story to tell. I couldn't get enough. There is some real humor sprinkled throughout too. One scene where a show poodle meets an unruly mutt made me giggle so much and there are wisecracks sprinkled about to bring the book some levity because, I'm not going to lie, the topics are heavy. I truly enjoyed the ending and felt it brought the proper closure to this book and it's characters.
I'm not sure where John Searles has been all my life but you better believe I will be checking out his backlist and I look forward to any of his future endeavors. 5 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow and Custom House for my complimentary copy.
April 9, 2022
Much as I enjoyed this book, I'm having a hard time creating a review. The story is actually more complex than you'd think at first glance.
Skyla Hull is a former nurse who is widowed and losing her eyesight due to macular degeneration. She lives in a home her husband built next to a drive-in movie theatre, now defunct, that the family operated for many years in upstate New York. Teddy Cornwell rents a small cottage on Skyla's property which is an exact replica of her home. He reconnects online with his first love, Linelle, whom he hasn't seen in 30 years. Jeremy is a failed writer who is very self-conscious about his appearance and who also connects with a former co-worker on whom he had a huge crush. Suffice it to say that the characters are a little frappadingue! (An old French word meaning crazy or mad!)
The whole concept of the story has to do with how these characters are connected. They all have secrets and, without giving too much away, the reveals are a thing of beauty. As a Goodreads friend said, this is a unique novel and I highly recommend it. I loved the quotes from old movies previously shown at the drive-in which were posted at the beginning of each chapter. My only gripe would be that the chapters are longer than I like!
A couple of quotes from the book that I really like: "...none of us gets to see this world forever. My advice: see it while you can." from Skyla, and "...here's to forgiving ourselves for who we used to be, and whatever mistakes we may have made. Here's to forgiving others too." from Linelle.
Once again my thanks to the London Public Library for the loan of this book.
Skyla Hull is a former nurse who is widowed and losing her eyesight due to macular degeneration. She lives in a home her husband built next to a drive-in movie theatre, now defunct, that the family operated for many years in upstate New York. Teddy Cornwell rents a small cottage on Skyla's property which is an exact replica of her home. He reconnects online with his first love, Linelle, whom he hasn't seen in 30 years. Jeremy is a failed writer who is very self-conscious about his appearance and who also connects with a former co-worker on whom he had a huge crush. Suffice it to say that the characters are a little frappadingue! (An old French word meaning crazy or mad!)
The whole concept of the story has to do with how these characters are connected. They all have secrets and, without giving too much away, the reveals are a thing of beauty. As a Goodreads friend said, this is a unique novel and I highly recommend it. I loved the quotes from old movies previously shown at the drive-in which were posted at the beginning of each chapter. My only gripe would be that the chapters are longer than I like!
A couple of quotes from the book that I really like: "...none of us gets to see this world forever. My advice: see it while you can." from Skyla, and "...here's to forgiving ourselves for who we used to be, and whatever mistakes we may have made. Here's to forgiving others too." from Linelle.
Once again my thanks to the London Public Library for the loan of this book.
July 7, 2021
John Searles brings the misfits among us to life with the clarity of Carson McCullers — and then scares us with the brilliance of Stephen King. Her Last Affair is a perfect, page-turning example of the heart and horror that makes me love his work so very, very much.
April 23, 2023
3.5⭐ rounded up
This was an interesting one for sure. A bit odd.
It jumps all around between their pov's and the timeline, which sometimes confused me.
The biggest thing I think these main characters have in common is that they are all lonely.
Skyla ~ in her 70's, former nurse, widowed a year prior and blind as a bat. I am not sure how she gets on by herself. What a whackadoodle.
Teddy ~ a British bloke who met Linelle when they were teens working at Disney.
Jeremy - failed writer, feels unloved, knew Teddy when they were younger and now lives in NYC.
Linelle ~ lives in Florida with her boring husband, Marcus. She swipes his 67' Camaro to surprise Teddy 19 hours away.
I'd like to take the "67" and run Marcus over with the way he went on and on and on and on about it.
I get that Skyla was lonely and took a liking to Teddy, but they were so weird together ~ can I have a hold? just plain weird.
Since a good portion of the story took place at Skyla's, where there once was a drive-in theater on the property, I enjoyed reading the movie quotes at the top of each chapter.
Most of the twists were quite obvious to me before being revealed. There was one, maybe two, I didn't see coming, so that was nice. Overall, this kept me engaged and the unique writing style of this author would make me give him a whirl again. He did a great job of weaving these characters together when it seemed at times like they had nothing to do with each other. I like how Linelle's life turned out too.
*Thanks to Netgalley, William Morrow and Custom House and John Searles for the ARC. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
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This was an interesting one for sure. A bit odd.
It jumps all around between their pov's and the timeline, which sometimes confused me.
The biggest thing I think these main characters have in common is that they are all lonely.
Skyla ~ in her 70's, former nurse, widowed a year prior and blind as a bat. I am not sure how she gets on by herself. What a whackadoodle.
Teddy ~ a British bloke who met Linelle when they were teens working at Disney.
Jeremy - failed writer, feels unloved, knew Teddy when they were younger and now lives in NYC.
Linelle ~ lives in Florida with her boring husband, Marcus. She swipes his 67' Camaro to surprise Teddy 19 hours away.
I'd like to take the "67" and run Marcus over with the way he went on and on and on and on about it.
I get that Skyla was lonely and took a liking to Teddy, but they were so weird together ~ can I have a hold? just plain weird.
Since a good portion of the story took place at Skyla's, where there once was a drive-in theater on the property, I enjoyed reading the movie quotes at the top of each chapter.
Most of the twists were quite obvious to me before being revealed. There was one, maybe two, I didn't see coming, so that was nice. Overall, this kept me engaged and the unique writing style of this author would make me give him a whirl again. He did a great job of weaving these characters together when it seemed at times like they had nothing to do with each other. I like how Linelle's life turned out too.
*Thanks to Netgalley, William Morrow and Custom House and John Searles for the ARC. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
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June 1, 2022
Oh, this is a fun, new, twisty thriller! Check it out: “From the bestselling author of Help for the Haunted and Strange but True, a new novel of character-driven psychological suspense that intertwines three people hoping to rediscover love and reconnect with their past, to deadly effect.
Every marriage has its secrets....
Part page-turning thriller, part homage to film noir, and dazzling in its insight into the often desperate desires of the human heart, Her Last Affair is a tense and atmospheric novel of love lost and found again.”
My bookmail package came with a bag of popcorn, which could not have been more appropriate. Popcorn for watching the drama unfold, of course, but also the tip of the hat to the film scene.
Her Last Affair is a page-turning read full of interesting characters and quite an exciting story. It covers dark topics and happenings, but yet there was a small amount of humor interspersed. I especially enjoyed the second half and all the unreliable narration that kept me guessing. It was also fun to watch the storylines merge together in the end. If I had to pick one word to describe this book it would be clever!
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
Every marriage has its secrets....
Part page-turning thriller, part homage to film noir, and dazzling in its insight into the often desperate desires of the human heart, Her Last Affair is a tense and atmospheric novel of love lost and found again.”
My bookmail package came with a bag of popcorn, which could not have been more appropriate. Popcorn for watching the drama unfold, of course, but also the tip of the hat to the film scene.
Her Last Affair is a page-turning read full of interesting characters and quite an exciting story. It covers dark topics and happenings, but yet there was a small amount of humor interspersed. I especially enjoyed the second half and all the unreliable narration that kept me guessing. It was also fun to watch the storylines merge together in the end. If I had to pick one word to describe this book it would be clever!
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
March 14, 2022
Haunting, stirring, chilling . . . John Searles' Her Last Affair is all of this and more. Set in a long-abandoned drive-in movie theater, with three unforgettable characters, this book is truly an affair to remember.
September 14, 2021
4.5 stars. What a great book! This is more character driven then a thriller. You have Sklya, recently widowed who leases out her second home to Teddy who is pining over his long lost love Linelle and Jeremy who is trying to write the American Novel. You couldn't have asked for a better set of characters. So well developed that you can't help but fall into their lives seamlessly.
I wouldn't classify this as a thriller but more of a character driven novel. The author has a great way of making you feel the same way the characters are feeling and also gives a great dose of wit and sarcasm. I read his previous book, Help for the Haunted, and absolutely loved it. This falls into that same realm, just super good.
It is a little mix match of genres: lost love, little bit of thriller and just the exploration of how people navigate life.
Loved it!
Thanks to Netgalley and William and Morrow/Custom House for my advanced copy.
I wouldn't classify this as a thriller but more of a character driven novel. The author has a great way of making you feel the same way the characters are feeling and also gives a great dose of wit and sarcasm. I read his previous book, Help for the Haunted, and absolutely loved it. This falls into that same realm, just super good.
It is a little mix match of genres: lost love, little bit of thriller and just the exploration of how people navigate life.
Loved it!
Thanks to Netgalley and William and Morrow/Custom House for my advanced copy.
October 2, 2021
This was a rather odd story, but also rather compelling. The book alternates between the seemingly unrelated POVs of Skyla, Linelle, and Jeremy, eventually tying all the storylines together.
The book starts off rather slowly, and I wasn’t initially invested in Skyla’s story. Jeremy’s story seemed most interesting but I couldn’t figure out what it had to do with the others. About halfway through the book, the pace picked up and I finished the rest of it quickly.
There were some confusing pieces but I thought the author did a good job at tying everything together as the book ended. The ending contained a great twist that made me like the whole book better than I had until that point.
All in all, I don’t know that this was a hugely memorable story for me but the surprise ending made it likable. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The book starts off rather slowly, and I wasn’t initially invested in Skyla’s story. Jeremy’s story seemed most interesting but I couldn’t figure out what it had to do with the others. About halfway through the book, the pace picked up and I finished the rest of it quickly.
There were some confusing pieces but I thought the author did a good job at tying everything together as the book ended. The ending contained a great twist that made me like the whole book better than I had until that point.
All in all, I don’t know that this was a hugely memorable story for me but the surprise ending made it likable. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 23, 2022
Her Last Affair by John Searls is a psychological thriller that had me guessing until the very end. This compelling story was a bit confusing at times, but the ending tied up everything in a very satisfactory way.
Skylar’s husband Hollis died about a year ago in a tragic and mysterious accident. She now resides in a small home on the premises of an old, decrepit drive-in movie theater. She decides to rent out the house next door that is identical to the house she lives in, because her eyesight is almost gone, and she likes the thought of someone living close by. She finds Teddy, a nice British man, who wants to rent the house and they form a friendship.
Teddy decides to look up an old girlfriend Linell, who lives in Florida with her husband. After getting fired from her job, and her marriage starts to disintegrate, Linell corresponds with Teddy and they start to reignite their old relationship.
Jeremy is an old friend of Teddy’s and is trying to write the great American Novel in New York City. One day, Jeremy decides to look up his old girlfriend, Maryanne who now lives in Providence, RI.
All these characters have a past, and when they collide, it’s a twisty, gripping story of lies, loves, and miscommunications.
This story started off a bit slow as we get to know these characters and their pasts. Then everything gets quite confusing as the twists in the story don’t seem to make any sense at all. But, I suggest you hang on, as I did because the ending is surprising and very satisfactory.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a character-driven thriller. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Skylar’s husband Hollis died about a year ago in a tragic and mysterious accident. She now resides in a small home on the premises of an old, decrepit drive-in movie theater. She decides to rent out the house next door that is identical to the house she lives in, because her eyesight is almost gone, and she likes the thought of someone living close by. She finds Teddy, a nice British man, who wants to rent the house and they form a friendship.
Teddy decides to look up an old girlfriend Linell, who lives in Florida with her husband. After getting fired from her job, and her marriage starts to disintegrate, Linell corresponds with Teddy and they start to reignite their old relationship.
Jeremy is an old friend of Teddy’s and is trying to write the great American Novel in New York City. One day, Jeremy decides to look up his old girlfriend, Maryanne who now lives in Providence, RI.
All these characters have a past, and when they collide, it’s a twisty, gripping story of lies, loves, and miscommunications.
This story started off a bit slow as we get to know these characters and their pasts. Then everything gets quite confusing as the twists in the story don’t seem to make any sense at all. But, I suggest you hang on, as I did because the ending is surprising and very satisfactory.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a character-driven thriller. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
January 22, 2022
What a story teller! Several stories converge, some in first person unreliable narrator form, into a novel that doesn't miss a beat. Newly widowed Skyla, a retired nurse living in the shadow of the screen of a crumbling drive-in theater formerly owned by her in-laws, accepts a renter for the "second house" she owns next door. To reveal anything further would give away this plot of secrets and misleadings so cleverly crafted and difficult to put down. Nothing very deep, nothing terribly illuminating, but a tour-de-force of characterization and plotting that held me throughout.
February 26, 2023
Her Last Affair by John Searles might be a slow burn, but it is very mysterious, and I spent the entire time wondering how all the stories would tie together. I especially enjoyed Skyla's story if only for the drive-in movie theater aspect, but I have to say she has one of the more curious narratives as well. I really had no idea the kinds of twists I was in for when I picked this up, but they made my jaw drop and the end completely blew me away. I'm honestly really surprised this book has such a low average on Goodreads because I was really impressed with both the writing and the storytelling aspects as well as those amazing twists.
I suppose it also helps that I listened to and loved the audiobook, and it is yet another that is narrated by the amazing Jane Oppenheimer. I am slowly listening to more and more books that she has narrated, and she does a killer job every time. I do like narrators for each viewpoint, but there are a few people that I can get behind doing everything themselves, and Oppenheimer is one of those narrators. I definitely sense a reread in my future for Her Last Affair, and I wouldn’t be surprised if I like it even more the second time around.
Thank you to the publishers for my complimentary listening and reader copies of this book. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
I suppose it also helps that I listened to and loved the audiobook, and it is yet another that is narrated by the amazing Jane Oppenheimer. I am slowly listening to more and more books that she has narrated, and she does a killer job every time. I do like narrators for each viewpoint, but there are a few people that I can get behind doing everything themselves, and Oppenheimer is one of those narrators. I definitely sense a reread in my future for Her Last Affair, and I wouldn’t be surprised if I like it even more the second time around.
Thank you to the publishers for my complimentary listening and reader copies of this book. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
September 23, 2021
Bravo, John Searles! This was one heck of a novel! Talk about originality? Nailed it.
This was my first novel by John Searles, but will not be my last. Her Last Affair, is a deceptive psychological thriller that will keep you on your toes the entire time!
I read this book cover to cover and was left with that OH MY GOD feeling.
Skyla and Hollis were married and running a drive in movie theater for almost 50 years. Last year a freak accident took Hollis' life. Skyla has since led a very quiet life in the shadows of the drive in theater she once ran with her husband. Skyla is not coping well and reflects back on all the would have beens/ could have beens, nightly.
Enter, Teddy Cornwell.
Skyla decides to rent a small little college on Teddy Cornwell's property.
Linelle, bored with her marriage and recently unemployed sees a picture pop up on social media from her childhood. Engaging in an online affair with Teddy Cornwell, a man she has not seen in quite some time.
This is a thrilling story of the power of lost, once had, once lost, and once found again...
Tune in March 1, 2022 to find out what happens with Teddy Skyla and Linelle .
This was my first novel by John Searles, but will not be my last. Her Last Affair, is a deceptive psychological thriller that will keep you on your toes the entire time!
I read this book cover to cover and was left with that OH MY GOD feeling.
Skyla and Hollis were married and running a drive in movie theater for almost 50 years. Last year a freak accident took Hollis' life. Skyla has since led a very quiet life in the shadows of the drive in theater she once ran with her husband. Skyla is not coping well and reflects back on all the would have beens/ could have beens, nightly.
Enter, Teddy Cornwell.
Skyla decides to rent a small little college on Teddy Cornwell's property.
Linelle, bored with her marriage and recently unemployed sees a picture pop up on social media from her childhood. Engaging in an online affair with Teddy Cornwell, a man she has not seen in quite some time.
This is a thrilling story of the power of lost, once had, once lost, and once found again...
Tune in March 1, 2022 to find out what happens with Teddy Skyla and Linelle .
September 9, 2021
I wasn't sure where this was going but I love where it took me.
March 20, 2022
I was so excited to dig into this psychological thriller. This was a compelling story, told in 3 different POV. While reading, you will wonder how these 3 seemingly unrelated stories come together.
Skyla is a widow whose living on the property of the old Drive-in theatre that her and her husband had owned together. She rents out the house next door to get to Teddy, who is looking for a fresh start away from the big city and wants to connect with a long lost love. Linelle who's bored in her marriage and connecting with her first love, online. And finally, you have Jeremy. He's a writer in NYC who does restaurant reviews. He's asked to write a review for a restaurant in Providence RI. He had met a woman there that he had a true connection with, but lost touch. He is hopes to reconnect with her again while he's there.
Ok so when you start, you'll wonder how these characters are all connected. I loved that all of the characters are unreliable, and you don't know when they are lying, and you are trying to figure it the secrets they're hiding. I had no idea how this going to come together. Starts out as a slow burn, but about halfway through it really picked up pace, and I enjoyed how it played out.
Thank you to the publisher and author for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own!
Skyla is a widow whose living on the property of the old Drive-in theatre that her and her husband had owned together. She rents out the house next door to get to Teddy, who is looking for a fresh start away from the big city and wants to connect with a long lost love. Linelle who's bored in her marriage and connecting with her first love, online. And finally, you have Jeremy. He's a writer in NYC who does restaurant reviews. He's asked to write a review for a restaurant in Providence RI. He had met a woman there that he had a true connection with, but lost touch. He is hopes to reconnect with her again while he's there.
Ok so when you start, you'll wonder how these characters are all connected. I loved that all of the characters are unreliable, and you don't know when they are lying, and you are trying to figure it the secrets they're hiding. I had no idea how this going to come together. Starts out as a slow burn, but about halfway through it really picked up pace, and I enjoyed how it played out.
Thank you to the publisher and author for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own!
May 22, 2022
This was different. It wasn’t a predictable story, and that kept me reading. But there were many slow sections when I wanted to quit, then a good part would come along and so I continued to the end.
I couldn’t connect to any of the characters, didn’t share any qualities with them, and the time line was not clear until the book was about 70% completed. I think the author wanted to say something about nostalgia, and I am the perfect audience for that message, but it passed me by because the characters, although well drawn, were not like anyone I have ever encountered in my long life.
There are four main characters:
(1) Skyla, essentially blind, who both loved and hated her deceased husband, Hollis, who cheated on her for years. Skyla has now fallen in love with Teddy;
(2) Teddy, Skyla’s border, an enigma pining after a lost love, Linelle, he knew when both were teenagers;
(3) Linelle who detests her husband, Marcus, but remains married to him; and
(4) Jeremy, a failed writer (who has an “ugly” face) and who once loved Maryanne, although she never loved him.
Marcus and Maryanne (and Pretty, a dog) are secondary characters. No harm comes to the dog.
The writing was beautiful. Too bad the plot wasn’t better.
PS. The story between Teddy and Linelle hinged on a message written in French that was never translated, and I don’t understand French. Furthermore, to tie things together in the end, Skyla learned something about this message that was never passed onto us. This was very frustrating, as I thought that finally the mystery would be solved, but it never was.
I couldn’t connect to any of the characters, didn’t share any qualities with them, and the time line was not clear until the book was about 70% completed. I think the author wanted to say something about nostalgia, and I am the perfect audience for that message, but it passed me by because the characters, although well drawn, were not like anyone I have ever encountered in my long life.
There are four main characters:
(1) Skyla, essentially blind, who both loved and hated her deceased husband, Hollis, who cheated on her for years. Skyla has now fallen in love with Teddy;
(2) Teddy, Skyla’s border, an enigma pining after a lost love, Linelle, he knew when both were teenagers;
(3) Linelle who detests her husband, Marcus, but remains married to him; and
(4) Jeremy, a failed writer (who has an “ugly” face) and who once loved Maryanne, although she never loved him.
Marcus and Maryanne (and Pretty, a dog) are secondary characters. No harm comes to the dog.
The writing was beautiful. Too bad the plot wasn’t better.
PS. The story between Teddy and Linelle hinged on a message written in French that was never translated, and I don’t understand French. Furthermore, to tie things together in the end, Skyla learned something about this message that was never passed onto us. This was very frustrating, as I thought that finally the mystery would be solved, but it never was.
December 28, 2021
I see what this book was going for, multiple storylines that at first seem to not be connected but then overlap in unexpected ways. But as the stories went on, it wasn't so much that the characters became more unlikable (they were never particularly likable) but that they were harder and harder to connect to. And when it all came together, there was no longer a whole lot of stakes in the reveals.
Characters like these, who make a lot of bad decisions and whose motives are increasingly suspect, are tricky. They have to somehow feel relatable or interesting or charismatic to really bring you into their stories. More than anything, these are characters whose whole personalities are grudges and resentments. Starla, who starts the book, never really becomes more to us than a nurse who loved and hated her cheating husband. Jeremy resents his mother and all the women who have rejected him. It's unclear what these characters do outside of these pages, how they move through the world, what they think about. They never became more than the plot to me and the plot had a few twists but not the rewarding kind.
Characters like these, who make a lot of bad decisions and whose motives are increasingly suspect, are tricky. They have to somehow feel relatable or interesting or charismatic to really bring you into their stories. More than anything, these are characters whose whole personalities are grudges and resentments. Starla, who starts the book, never really becomes more to us than a nurse who loved and hated her cheating husband. Jeremy resents his mother and all the women who have rejected him. It's unclear what these characters do outside of these pages, how they move through the world, what they think about. They never became more than the plot to me and the plot had a few twists but not the rewarding kind.
September 21, 2022
How many dysfunctional people/marriages can you fit in an old drive-in theatre?
The setting, the story, the characters. Maybe it isn't all 5 star but I couldn't help myself. After the 4 non-fiction rather intense reads I had to finish for the Booktube prize (literary prize on YouTube) I was ready for a fun, light read. I know the writing of John Searles, as I never been able to forget his book, Strange But True, so knew his writing and the storyline would likely carry me along. This is his newest so I was anxious to give it a try.
Its is billed as a thriller but I would have labeled it more contemporary fiction with a strong psychological suspense underpinning. There was not enough action for hardcore thriller readers. It was instead a very slow examination of three romantic relationships. A book that starts with the line: "Every marriage has its secrets" lets you know right away that revelations are coming.
There is Skylar, a widow, ex-nurse, loosing her sight and stumbling through what is left of her life, keeping a filled syringe close at hand for emergencies. Teddy who rents her adjacent house on the grounds of an old drive in theatre, Linelle Teddy's teenage love, and lastly Jeremy and Marianne. Slowly the back story of each character is revealed along with present day circumstances. There is much nostalgia in these stories, a longing for a less complicated past, one without so much of present day history, where one could believe in love with all its possibilities. Who hasn't dreamed of that even if they do not reach out for it as these characters do.
For almost 2/3 of the book I was left to wonder how these separate characters would come together and what the "reveals" could possibly be. The mystery was somewhat better than the solution but it certainly kept me intrigued. For that even with its flaws I give it all 5 stars.
I know I read it too fast. It was a CNPD (can't put it down read) read for me. So I may have missed some of the great layering and connections. Each chapter starts with a quote from an old famous movie that helped set the tone. There is interesting ideas, great pacing and subtle connections in this book and lots of twists and turns along the way. It was prefect for what I was looking for. Both interesting and fun. Well done John Searles.
The audio narrated by Jane Oppenheimer was well done but I read faster so listened only when I had other things to get done, I was that hooked by the story.
The setting, the story, the characters. Maybe it isn't all 5 star but I couldn't help myself. After the 4 non-fiction rather intense reads I had to finish for the Booktube prize (literary prize on YouTube) I was ready for a fun, light read. I know the writing of John Searles, as I never been able to forget his book, Strange But True, so knew his writing and the storyline would likely carry me along. This is his newest so I was anxious to give it a try.
Its is billed as a thriller but I would have labeled it more contemporary fiction with a strong psychological suspense underpinning. There was not enough action for hardcore thriller readers. It was instead a very slow examination of three romantic relationships. A book that starts with the line: "Every marriage has its secrets" lets you know right away that revelations are coming.
There is Skylar, a widow, ex-nurse, loosing her sight and stumbling through what is left of her life, keeping a filled syringe close at hand for emergencies. Teddy who rents her adjacent house on the grounds of an old drive in theatre, Linelle Teddy's teenage love, and lastly Jeremy and Marianne. Slowly the back story of each character is revealed along with present day circumstances. There is much nostalgia in these stories, a longing for a less complicated past, one without so much of present day history, where one could believe in love with all its possibilities. Who hasn't dreamed of that even if they do not reach out for it as these characters do.
For almost 2/3 of the book I was left to wonder how these separate characters would come together and what the "reveals" could possibly be. The mystery was somewhat better than the solution but it certainly kept me intrigued. For that even with its flaws I give it all 5 stars.
I know I read it too fast. It was a CNPD (can't put it down read) read for me. So I may have missed some of the great layering and connections. Each chapter starts with a quote from an old famous movie that helped set the tone. There is interesting ideas, great pacing and subtle connections in this book and lots of twists and turns along the way. It was prefect for what I was looking for. Both interesting and fun. Well done John Searles.
The audio narrated by Jane Oppenheimer was well done but I read faster so listened only when I had other things to get done, I was that hooked by the story.
January 23, 2022
Please note that I received this book via NetGalley. This did not affect my rating or review.
So I have to say, this book is a journey. It goes back and forth and you get very confused about what is going on, but hang in there. The main reason why I gave this four stars though is that the flow was up and down. And you have to "push through it" to get to the good parts of this book.
Skyla is a bit of a mess. A former nurse and now widow, she is dealing in a world where she can no longer see. When she rents one of the small houses near her house out, she finally thinks she has found someone to share in her life (Teddy Cornwell). Though Teddy is decades younger than her, Skyla tells him some of her story and listens to his tale of his first love, Linelle. Linelle finds herself in an empty marriage. When she is contacted by her first love Teddy, she starts to think about going to see him. And then a journalist named Jeremy finds himself agreeing to an assignment which leads him back to Providence.
It takes a while to figure out how all of these people fit. It's pretty simple to track between Teddy and Linelle. And then Teddy and Skyla. But after that you go what is going on.
I thought the writing was very good. Searles does a great job shaping everyone. You at times will want to shake Skyla, pity her, and then want to shake her all over again. Teddy seems to be the most perfect person ever, but one wonders why he keeps putting up with Skyla when it appears she wants something more. Linelle's marriage felt suffocating just reading about it. And Jeremy, I ended up pitying for the most part.
The flow was up and down though. It takes a while for the book to find it's rhythm I thought.
The setting of the book moves around from Providence, Florida, New York, and a few places in
between.
The ending was definitely a shocker. I liked how it ended.
So I have to say, this book is a journey. It goes back and forth and you get very confused about what is going on, but hang in there. The main reason why I gave this four stars though is that the flow was up and down. And you have to "push through it" to get to the good parts of this book.
Skyla is a bit of a mess. A former nurse and now widow, she is dealing in a world where she can no longer see. When she rents one of the small houses near her house out, she finally thinks she has found someone to share in her life (Teddy Cornwell). Though Teddy is decades younger than her, Skyla tells him some of her story and listens to his tale of his first love, Linelle. Linelle finds herself in an empty marriage. When she is contacted by her first love Teddy, she starts to think about going to see him. And then a journalist named Jeremy finds himself agreeing to an assignment which leads him back to Providence.
It takes a while to figure out how all of these people fit. It's pretty simple to track between Teddy and Linelle. And then Teddy and Skyla. But after that you go what is going on.
I thought the writing was very good. Searles does a great job shaping everyone. You at times will want to shake Skyla, pity her, and then want to shake her all over again. Teddy seems to be the most perfect person ever, but one wonders why he keeps putting up with Skyla when it appears she wants something more. Linelle's marriage felt suffocating just reading about it. And Jeremy, I ended up pitying for the most part.
The flow was up and down though. It takes a while for the book to find it's rhythm I thought.
The setting of the book moves around from Providence, Florida, New York, and a few places in
between.
The ending was definitely a shocker. I liked how it ended.
May 16, 2022
Her Last Affair is a character driven thriller that explores loneliness and despair and the extent and depths these isolated, desperate people will go to feel loved. Definitely a slow burn, melancholy, disturbing work of psychological suspense.
With the backdrop of a dilapidated outdoor movie theater in view, this is part film noir, part psychological suspense meets horror a lá Steven King, who though a talented author, is mostly, not my cup of tea.
Such a slow burn that although had me captivated to a point, I almost dnf yet another book at almost 40%.
Unlikeable characters, with a story that felt simultaneously unique, quirky...downright weird... but yet I plodded on. I wanted to see how these seemingly unrelated,mostly despicable characters, fit together.
Whether you like this book or not, the author certainly captures and delves into the despair and loneliness of the human heart as it strives to love and be loved in the present while dwelling on love lost...and questions how far would you go to get it, and at what cost? I definitely found it to be quite sad and depressing... not what I was in the mood for.
Again, after reading for a period of time, then picking it back up, I felt like I had to reread previous chapters to make sense of what I had read.
It's definitely slow moving to start with at least 3 or 4 characters stories whose connection to each other is confusing, though you know they must obviously tie together at some point.
If you're looking for a fast paced, fun thriller, to me, this is not it. If you're looking for an Interesting, twisted, quirky...downright weird take, on just how far despondent, lonely people will go to find love, then this might be right up your alley.
With the backdrop of a dilapidated outdoor movie theater in view, this is part film noir, part psychological suspense meets horror a lá Steven King, who though a talented author, is mostly, not my cup of tea.
Such a slow burn that although had me captivated to a point, I almost dnf yet another book at almost 40%.
Unlikeable characters, with a story that felt simultaneously unique, quirky...downright weird... but yet I plodded on. I wanted to see how these seemingly unrelated,mostly despicable characters, fit together.
Whether you like this book or not, the author certainly captures and delves into the despair and loneliness of the human heart as it strives to love and be loved in the present while dwelling on love lost...and questions how far would you go to get it, and at what cost? I definitely found it to be quite sad and depressing... not what I was in the mood for.
Again, after reading for a period of time, then picking it back up, I felt like I had to reread previous chapters to make sense of what I had read.
It's definitely slow moving to start with at least 3 or 4 characters stories whose connection to each other is confusing, though you know they must obviously tie together at some point.
If you're looking for a fast paced, fun thriller, to me, this is not it. If you're looking for an Interesting, twisted, quirky...downright weird take, on just how far despondent, lonely people will go to find love, then this might be right up your alley.
April 5, 2022
I think I'm stuck between 2.5 or 3 stars for this one. I don't know, but this clearly wasn't a book for me. This was under Thriller/Suspense, and there just wasn't enough happening for it to be under those genres, especially the Suspense genre. (In my opinion)
This was the first book I've ever read from this author so maybe his writing style just wasn't for me. This book is told in multiple perspectives, and in a way that doesn't really seem like the characters are really connected. Because of that, I found myself losing interest in where the story was even going.
This was the first book I've ever read from this author so maybe his writing style just wasn't for me. This book is told in multiple perspectives, and in a way that doesn't really seem like the characters are really connected. Because of that, I found myself losing interest in where the story was even going.
July 5, 2022
4.5 stars This is an unusual, multi layered story with oddly strange characters, which John Searles is known for. This was such an original idea, with the backdrop being that of an old, dilapidated drive-in movie theater in upstate New York. The characters were quirky and weird, making me feel like I would never want to turn my back on them. Each of them kept my attention all the way through this imaginative and clever character driven story.
Skylab is a widow of one year living on the property of her late husband‘s property of an old drive-in movie theater. She has rented the second cottage to a drifter she knows nothing about. And thus begins a chain of events that can only end in disaster. She is in the latter stages of going blind and becomes dependent on Teddy, her tenant. Teddy is very mysterious and has his own troubled past. Then there is Jeremy, a man who has had nothing but heartache in his life and is tired of it. And you can’t forget Lynelle, the woman from Teddy‘s past in Florida who decides to surprise him after leaving her husband abruptly. These people are disturbing in their own right but when they all converge at the drive-in theater it can only end in disaster.
I was totally sucked in to this story with its originality and unique characters and I’m realizing that John Searles is known for each. It was like a car accident I couldn’t look away from. I could argue that the beginning took a bit to take off but half way through and to the end the pace had quickened and things were happening steadily. There were a few twists in the end and though I did sense one of them the other was a total surprise. I’m really appreciating his offbeat stories with moments of dark humor. If you’re looking for something different and original I recommend picking up this book.
Skylab is a widow of one year living on the property of her late husband‘s property of an old drive-in movie theater. She has rented the second cottage to a drifter she knows nothing about. And thus begins a chain of events that can only end in disaster. She is in the latter stages of going blind and becomes dependent on Teddy, her tenant. Teddy is very mysterious and has his own troubled past. Then there is Jeremy, a man who has had nothing but heartache in his life and is tired of it. And you can’t forget Lynelle, the woman from Teddy‘s past in Florida who decides to surprise him after leaving her husband abruptly. These people are disturbing in their own right but when they all converge at the drive-in theater it can only end in disaster.
I was totally sucked in to this story with its originality and unique characters and I’m realizing that John Searles is known for each. It was like a car accident I couldn’t look away from. I could argue that the beginning took a bit to take off but half way through and to the end the pace had quickened and things were happening steadily. There were a few twists in the end and though I did sense one of them the other was a total surprise. I’m really appreciating his offbeat stories with moments of dark humor. If you’re looking for something different and original I recommend picking up this book.
September 15, 2021
Honestly, I was confused for the better half of this book. There was no immediate connections between the vastly different stories of a few main characters and it felt very disconnected. That being said, about the last third of the book things started coming together and there were a few good twists here and there. Overall, not my favorite 🤷🏼♀️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
March 12, 2022
This is one of the most enthralling, books I've read in a long time. The characters come alive, warts and all, and their stories caught and held me throughout. As told from the perspectives of the three main characters, it expertly depicts their lives, both past and present.. It intertwines all of the characters to form a novel that begs the reader to see their humanness in an understanding light.
Skyla, an elderly widow is angry about how her life turned out. Her marriage was a sham, her career as a nurse ended abruptly and macular degeneration has left her blind. Enter Teddy, a British chap who rents her next-door cottage, charms her, and shows her how to live her life again.
Linelle is having a midlife crisis. Her career as an art teacher is over, her daughter is studying abroad and her loveless marriage is on the rocks. Then she is contacted online by her long ago lover, Teddy, and they rekindle their relationship.
Jeremy has anger management issues and a poor perception of himself. His latest girlfriend has just broken up with him when his work takes him back to the city where he grew up and had his first serious crush, Maryanne.. On a whim, he tracks down Maryanne, now divorced and living alone, and they end up reminiscing about the good old days and he wonders if perhaps the relationship will turn out differently this time around.
This is a terrific study of the foilbles of relationships and how these characters dealt with love, loss and life. It is a suspenseful read that holds the reader from start to finish. It is beautifully written with plausible plot twists and flawed characters that I found myself rooting for.
Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow Custom House Mariner Books for an advance copy of this book. The publication date is March 22, 2022.
Skyla, an elderly widow is angry about how her life turned out. Her marriage was a sham, her career as a nurse ended abruptly and macular degeneration has left her blind. Enter Teddy, a British chap who rents her next-door cottage, charms her, and shows her how to live her life again.
Linelle is having a midlife crisis. Her career as an art teacher is over, her daughter is studying abroad and her loveless marriage is on the rocks. Then she is contacted online by her long ago lover, Teddy, and they rekindle their relationship.
Jeremy has anger management issues and a poor perception of himself. His latest girlfriend has just broken up with him when his work takes him back to the city where he grew up and had his first serious crush, Maryanne.. On a whim, he tracks down Maryanne, now divorced and living alone, and they end up reminiscing about the good old days and he wonders if perhaps the relationship will turn out differently this time around.
This is a terrific study of the foilbles of relationships and how these characters dealt with love, loss and life. It is a suspenseful read that holds the reader from start to finish. It is beautifully written with plausible plot twists and flawed characters that I found myself rooting for.
Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow Custom House Mariner Books for an advance copy of this book. The publication date is March 22, 2022.
October 19, 2021
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of
Her Last Affair.
I've read a book from the author before so I was excited when my request was approved.
** Minor spoilers ahead **
Composed of three seemingly unrelated stories, this is about Skyla, a widow and former registered nurse; a writer named Jeremy, and a mom and former art teacher named Linelle.
From their perspectives, we have an inside look of their current circumstances, their past, and how their paths will eventually collide.
The writing was good, though the dialogue was stilted especially between Skyla and Teddy.
Does the author assume Teddy speaks a certain way because he's British?
As I was reading, I couldn't help thinking, "Why should I care about these people?"
And I didn't. I didn't sympathize or empathize with them, and I felt the reason behind what Jeremy did to his crush was pretty lame, though not unexpected.
I wouldn't say this had a lot of twists; I guessed what happened to Skyla's husband, the reason behind their two cottages, and what Jeremy would end up doing.
This is more of a story of three lost and confused people colliding with one another on their journey to change their lives (though not for the better).
I did like the ending, how all the events propel Linelle to make contact with her first love.
I've read a book from the author before so I was excited when my request was approved.
** Minor spoilers ahead **
Composed of three seemingly unrelated stories, this is about Skyla, a widow and former registered nurse; a writer named Jeremy, and a mom and former art teacher named Linelle.
From their perspectives, we have an inside look of their current circumstances, their past, and how their paths will eventually collide.
The writing was good, though the dialogue was stilted especially between Skyla and Teddy.
Does the author assume Teddy speaks a certain way because he's British?
As I was reading, I couldn't help thinking, "Why should I care about these people?"
And I didn't. I didn't sympathize or empathize with them, and I felt the reason behind what Jeremy did to his crush was pretty lame, though not unexpected.
I wouldn't say this had a lot of twists; I guessed what happened to Skyla's husband, the reason behind their two cottages, and what Jeremy would end up doing.
This is more of a story of three lost and confused people colliding with one another on their journey to change their lives (though not for the better).
I did like the ending, how all the events propel Linelle to make contact with her first love.
April 9, 2022
Mystery? Thriller? Suspense? My ass. This book had a whole heap of unlikeable characters, with an unrealistic story line, and a boring AF plot. The holes in the plot are big enough for a toddler to drive a bus through. I nearly bailed at the 2/3 mark, but someone said it got good after the first half. That was a load of crap, and I want my time back.
How the hell is this book so popular?!?! UGH!
How the hell is this book so popular?!?! UGH!
February 19, 2023
HER LAST AFFAIR
John Searles
The reminded me of braided hair. There were several stories woven into a braid that was complex yet easy to understand.
The Widow Skyla is going blind and has newly been widowed. She misses her career and her husband as she has to remain close to her home because of the loss of her sight. She lives at what was once a drive-in movie, which I thought was really cool. I loved the way the movie dialogue was woven through the book. She is a strange person and has a pocket full of memories that she uses to get her through the days. She has to rent out the second house she owns next door to her's and the book starts from there.
Then there is Teddy, the English guy who rents her second house. He wonders about his teenaged love, Linelle. He also is kind and pays attention to Skyla.
Then there is Jeremy and Marianne.
I loved and enjoyed the details, and the twisting of the characters to make them all fit. It was a good read.
5 stars
Happy Reading!
John Searles
The reminded me of braided hair. There were several stories woven into a braid that was complex yet easy to understand.
The Widow Skyla is going blind and has newly been widowed. She misses her career and her husband as she has to remain close to her home because of the loss of her sight. She lives at what was once a drive-in movie, which I thought was really cool. I loved the way the movie dialogue was woven through the book. She is a strange person and has a pocket full of memories that she uses to get her through the days. She has to rent out the second house she owns next door to her's and the book starts from there.
Then there is Teddy, the English guy who rents her second house. He wonders about his teenaged love, Linelle. He also is kind and pays attention to Skyla.
Then there is Jeremy and Marianne.
I loved and enjoyed the details, and the twisting of the characters to make them all fit. It was a good read.
5 stars
Happy Reading!
March 1, 2022
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. I wasn’t sure what to expect but I really enjoyed it.
The pacing of the story went from slow & steady, to page turner and back again.
There were a lot of different wheels turning and numerous interwoven storylines.
The book went from sinister to sweet.
It truly was all over the place and I can’t really described it other than to say…
🎥 It was interesting,
🍿 I don’t want to know any of these people (don’t get me wrong the characters were fun, they were all a bit off their rocker)
🎞 I really liked how each chapter payed homage to old films. I especially liked the one from Mannequin as that was one of my fav childhood movies. “That’s easy for you to say. You’re a mannequin, you’ll always have work. Me, I’m gonna wind up in the nuthouse after this…”
I recommend checking this one out.
The pacing of the story went from slow & steady, to page turner and back again.
There were a lot of different wheels turning and numerous interwoven storylines.
The book went from sinister to sweet.
It truly was all over the place and I can’t really described it other than to say…
🎥 It was interesting,
🍿 I don’t want to know any of these people (don’t get me wrong the characters were fun, they were all a bit off their rocker)
🎞 I really liked how each chapter payed homage to old films. I especially liked the one from Mannequin as that was one of my fav childhood movies. “That’s easy for you to say. You’re a mannequin, you’ll always have work. Me, I’m gonna wind up in the nuthouse after this…”
I recommend checking this one out.
April 25, 2022
Skylar Hull's husband died last year and she can only see shadows with her peripheral vision. She rents a cottage on her property to Teddy Cornwell. His first love, Linelle lives a thousand miles away. And then there is Jeremy, who returns to Providence to see the woman he's never forgotten. These people are all connected, leading to a thrilling climax...
This was a great book. It had a delicious twist at the end and I couldn't wait to see what happened. Very enjoyable.
This was a great book. It had a delicious twist at the end and I couldn't wait to see what happened. Very enjoyable.
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