The Last Time You Called

by Carmi Heyman

ONLINE COUNSELLING. IT’S ALL FUN AND GAMES, UNTIL SOMEONE TURNS UP DEAD.

Cat has two names. Two careers. Two lives.

By day, she teaches English at a private academy in her home country of South Africa. By night, she’s living her dream of being an online counsellor on a mental health app. She’d be a full-time counsellor if she could, but it doesn’t pay the bills.

Then her flatmates move out suddenly, leaving her without a roof over her head. As the pressure mounts for Cat to find a steady job, she gets a ‘too good to be true’ offer to teach English in a small town in Spain. With free accommodation, a monthly allowance and her work visa taken care of, it seems like the perfect opportunity to buy some time and reassess her options.

But when Cat arrives in town, she soon realises she’s not the only one with something to hide. Her host family isn’t who they say they are. Her new colleagues at the academy are avoiding her. She’s sure she’s being watched.

Six months earlier, Lisa arrived in Spain to start a new life. But it’s nothing like what she’d imagined.

Her future mother-in-law seems to hate her, her fiancé is constantly distracted, and his estranged sister is hiding something. She strikes up an unlikely friendship with an older British couple next door, but even they seem strangely reserved.

Then things start unravelling, and fast. As Lisa makes one shocking discovery after the next, her world spirals dangerously out of control.

As the two women’s fates intertwine, Cat must come to terms with her past and ask herself the question she’s been running from all along: is she capable of pushing someone over the edge?

Fast-paced, with numerous twists and turns, THE LAST TIME YOU CALLED is a story of how every action has consequences, and despite our best efforts to conceal the truth, it always comes out.

377 pages, Paperback

Published October 13, 2023

Reviews

[Kinga Ambrose · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you read this book, you'll barely believe that this is the author's debut novel. It's so well-written and the pacing is great, it has you gripped the entire time. Some books would just translate perfectly into a film and this is one of those, I can picture all the scenes and characters coming to life on screen.

I always like dual POV and TLTYC was no different, watching the story unfold and getting to know the details through the two main character's retelling definitely added to the experience. I also thoroughly enjoyed the mentions of everyday life in South Africa and Spain, it was different from the UK/Canada/USA settings I usually read.

Read this book if you like:
• suspense
• an unreliable narrator
• first person dual POV
• small town secrets

Thank you to Carmi Heyman for my digital ARC in return for my honest review.

[Kassi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am so grateful that this book was my first ARC! It was truly an enjoyable read from beginning to end. My rating is 3.5 stars! This book was very gripping and held my interest the entire time! While I felt the twist was predictable, I still anticipated the reveal. I thought the journey to the reveal was extremely well done- having the reader wait for the two POVs to merge, the unpredictable auxiliary characters harboring their own secrets, the psychology of two different women who were seemingly destined to cross paths so that Justice could prevail. This was a slow burn, but I did not lose interest or wish the pace would pick up. The slow burn worked for this story.

I know that the thriller genre is very saturated and it’s hard to deliver a completely unique storyline and a bombshell twist. Not every book is going to completely blow everyone’s minds. With that being said, I would put this in the “cozy mystery/thriller” category. I would compare it to Freida McFadden’s work! This could easily be a great BOTM pick and a great Netflix movie. This was a VERY impressive thriller debut and I can’t wait to read more from this author!

[Jas K (bookgramer__) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This marks an impressive entry into the suspense genre! Narrated from two different perspectives and timelines, the primary characters undergo harrowing ordeals that intertwine their fates, though not always to their benefit. I was captivated from the beginning to the end, reading the book in just two sittings. I entertained various hypotheses, and although a few of them were confirmed, I'm pleased that the majority of the plot twists remained pleasantly surprising. I received an (E-ARC) from the author in return for providing an honest review.

[Carlijn Schoone · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun and thrilling read! I especially liked the second half of the book, which is usually where I start to lose interest, but the built up tension and suspense really got to me and i just could not stop reading. Even thought this wasn’t necessarily scary, I’m still a littleee bit spooked right now, so once again a great reminder to never (ever!) let myself read a real thriller of horror book (i fear I would never sleep again) 🙂‍↕️

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I found this book to start a little slow and to be a little hard to figure out who was who and what was happening. The author goes between the two main characters - one is present day with Cat, and one is six months ago with Lisa. About halfway through the book, however, the plot really picks up and gets interesting. There are lots of twists and turns as the story unfolds and you learn how Lisa and Cat's lives are intertwined. A definite page turner and an excellent read!

[Ronak AhmadyAhangar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very impressive for a debut novel. Started with a bang and the excitement didn’t die down for a single second, what else does a reader want really? I’m certain the author is going to grab the mystery/thriller market by the balls in the near future!!

[Noor 🎀 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I e-read this ARC and here is my honest review. I absolutely loved this book. It is different from genres I usually read but OMG. This book was impressive. The suspense in this book gave me endless adrenaline rushes. It is such an original and interesting story with crazy plot twists that had me jaw-dropped countless times. I loved the dual POV and the short chapters. I would totally recommend!!!!

[Noor · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

Big thanks to Carmi Heyman for a free copy of her first book! Bc oh my, this book has been on my mind ever since I started reading it. Such a rollercoaster! Suspenseful chapters and plot twists i didn’t see coming. The writing style made me think of Freida McFadden’s and Alice Feeney’s, I loved that!!

Definitely give this book a try if you like:
• dual pov
• dual timeline
• mystery/thriller
• fast-paced
• short chapters

[Lotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book actually really surprised me! I thought the storyline was so compelling and it’s something I haven’t read before. The chapters are very short and often ended at cliffhangers which made me want to keep reading. There were a lot of twists and turns I didn’t see coming which I loved. You’re constantly wondering what happened that night and you’re slowly getting more and more info from both of their pov’s. Overall, it’s a very fast paced and easy to read book which I’ll definitely recommend!

[MiniMicroPup (X Liscombe) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded up.

Guarded, dubious, enigmatic

We follow two POVs about six months apart. One of our MCs moves to a village with their fiancé hoping to finally start adulting, but the isolation and living with their future mother-in-law proves to be more difficult than they planned for. Our other MC is a TEFL (teaching English as a foreign language) teacher moving to a village with hopes of having extra time to focus on their dream job as a counsellor.
🇪🇸 Set mainly in the fictional village (I think) of Gexta, Northern Spain

🐺🐕 Growls, Howls, and Tail Wags:
👌 I loved the writing style. Very show not tell, and iIt felt like a movie in my mind. The flow is such that we get a sense of the world-building without disruptive overly drawn out descriptions.

👍 If you like character driven narratives or character studies where there is still a plot, you may really enjoy this. We see the evolution of two characters' relationship, friendship and work dynamics, as well as those of the town and some of its citizens. I don't think the suspense requires caring about the characters but it can enhance it. They are layered with likeable, dangerous, secretive, and damaged aspects. Reminded me a bit of how Lisa Jewell develops her characters.

👌 The plot holds its own with the suspense, particularly around an online therapy service that ultimately connects the characters and events. I don't think I've read a mystery that showed how online counselling can go wrong (without losing how it can be helpful), and what the remaining stigmas around therapy and mental health look like in current day.

😃 The narrative had that fly-on-the-wall or sitting on the front porch people-watching and eavesdropping energy that I love. It was one of those stories where I was relieved to see that I wasn't nearing the end.

🥲 Most of the story unfolds through chats, dialogues, and evidence as we try to piece together what may have happened. Even as we are making predictions, there are usually several reasonable outcomes possible. My only gripe was the ending was slightly contrived for the drama, the type where curiosity > flight-or-flight in the middle of a high-stakes life threatening situation. I was hooked for the rest of the story so it didn't ruin it for me.

🤭 Nit picking - there were really minor moments that made me pause. Like, at one point Lisa is in the bathroom applying her make up while talking to her fiancé, then she hops in the shower.

Mood Reading Match Up:
-Morally grey, 'broken' characters
-Misjudged death (foul play or suicide?) mysteries
-Strange, "off" town vibes with neighbourhood secrets sprinkled throughout
-Themes around therapy, mental illness, loneliness, and toxic relationships

Content Heads-Up: Suicide (recall, mention). Mental abuse (relationship, family). Body shaming. Alcoholism (sobriety, cravings). Alcohol use (casual, self medicating). Self harm. Incest. Physical abuse (relationship). Mental illness (depression, anxiety). Loneliness.

Format: Digital from BookSirens on Kindle (I received an advance review copy at no cost, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.)

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Last Time You Called is told in dual narration first POV is cat who is also pretending to be a therapist name Allison she gives advice to those who join the app in need of counseling the only problem is cat is in a counselor she’s an English teacher in South Africa she’s also an alcoholic who is searching for meaning in her life. She has been sober for a few months and so when she gets a job opportunity in Italy she jumped at the chance. The other POV is Lisa she is from an affluent family in England she has an Italian boyfriend named Zeb and although her mother is controlling and doesn’t want her to leave to go stay with Zeb’s family Lisa’s mind is made up but when she arrives on the grape farm it doesn’t go the way she thought it would. First of all Zebs mom is very underhanded and calculating and doesn’t like Lisa and it certainly doesn’t help that Zeb has completely changed since arriving at his childhood home. So when his mom Elma falls down the stairs and breaks her hip Lisa takes her mothers mantra and chooses to be a supportive wife even though they’re not married yet. This is when she will meet Zeb’s sister Anne although her fiancé doesn’t get along with his sister Lisa likes her immediately and she even introduces her to other British people that live right down the lane named Deb and Richard this is also the couple that cat will stay with when she comes to teach at the nearby school and how these two women’s lives enter twine is a twisty roller coaster ride because Lisa will be found floating in the nearby river and they say she put herself there and it’s something Richard seems to be very interested in and trust me when I tell you it may seem like I have told most of the story but I have not you haven’t heard anything yet this is a great story with awesome subplots and they all come together to make for one great reading experience! there’s times in life when you run across a book that you know you will not be able to put down and that was the case with “the last time you called.” Usually when a story is a dual timeline one is better than the other but in this book they are both stellar stories that come together to make for one awesome novel. I want to thank Book Sirens. And the author for my free Ark copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

[Books, Crooks, & Hooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dear Hollywood,

When y'all come back from your strike, I have a project for you. Please get on turning The Last Time You Called into a movie. If you need help, I'm here for you. Reading it played like a movie in the theater of my mind. I just finished it this morning, so I do not have casting suggestions yet.

Sincerely,

Sara

Written from multiple points of view (POV) and multiple timelines, this read was a little rocky for the first few chapters for me. Once I got into the flow of it though, I could not stop reading it. About halfway in, I was unstoppable. Suffice it to say, today is going to be a three cup of coffee kind of day!

Cat and Lisa, the two main characters, have quirks and mental health struggles in their own right. They've both made mistakes in their life (haven't we all), and desire a change.

Cat lives in South Africa and works as an English teacher. She has something of a side hustle as well, but I'll let you learn about that yourself. Lisa moves from the UK to Spain with her fiance, much to her mother's disappointment.

Cat winds up in Spain for what appears to be an excellent career opportunity and escape from her troubles in South Africa.

Cat's perspective is written in the current day, while Lisa's took place six months ago, leaving us wondering how in the world their worlds intersect. When they do, it's like a bomb goes off. As the reader, this is definitely the point you won't be able to put it down.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. #booksirens

[Siesta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-written and enjoyable mystery.
Two young women, continents apart. Both hiding secrets and connected in death. But how?
An online advert seems to be calling South African Cat to a teaching opportunity in Spain. With options limited she grabs the chance. And while the small village she ends up in is beautiful, the locals range from cautious to downright suspicious. And it all seems to be tied to the story six months previously, of another young woman, Lisa, the English fiancee of a son of a local woman.
As Cat investigates, events take a frightening turn for the worse. If Cat can’t get to the bottom of the mystery, her life could change forever.
I really enjoyed this book, finishing it in two sittings. The characters were well fleshed out, and very human in their fears and foibles. The story unfolded cleverly, with suspicion and intrigue ratcheting up nicely, and plenty of suspects to keep you guessing. The central contrivance, of how Cat got to be in Spain in the first place, was a bit of a stretch, but if you get past that you will have a great time immersed in these characters and this mystery.
I received an advance review copy for free through BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here is a writer who has felt life the good and the bad ,listened to others gathered her thoughts and set them to notes and then to an astonishing novel of human frailty, strength and anguish and placed two women's lives in a Peril of existence through a six month coexistence in a strange but similar denial of their lives. The array of dysfunctional characters will have you either way thankful for your own personal experiences or empathetic that you yourself may not be alone in your personal strife. Either way this book will touch your very soul how can it not after all we are only human and no matter who you are human nature has this way of not letting us look away from a train wreck human or otherwise. Believe me when I say once you start reading this psychological mystery of human nature and death you won't be able to look away until you've reached its very unexpected and very climatic conclusion. Acquire " The Last Time You Called " for hours of intriguing, enthralling,thought provoking and enjoyable entertainment. Kat

P.S.

And to the author we want more and thank you.

[Charli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am going to keep this review vague as I don't want to give anything away. I will say that I didn't see everything coming which was refreshing!

Wow, what a slow burn psychological thriller. This gave me all the Freida McFadden feels. I really hope this book blows up all over bookstagram as the author truly deserves it.

The book follows Cat, an English teacher as she embarks on a new life in Spain that intertwines with Lisa's new life in Spain 6 months prior to Cat moving.

The story is told from dual POVs and timelines over 6 months. The chapters are short and captivating. I was enthralled from the first page.

I really enjoyed the two settings in South Africa and in Spain. The characters are really well developed and both narrators have unresolved issues to work through. The book deals with a lot of sensitive issues such as suicide, self harm and familial pressures/expectations.

If you want to read a book that you can't put down then I implore you to get this right now on kindle unlimited.

4.5 stars.

[Luke Ambrose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where do I start… Perhaps the best compliment I can give this book is that it reads like a dual pov movie. If you’re a quick reader you’ll gobble this up in an evening. It took me a little longer but that’s okay too.

Usually I’m not a suspense reader, but this grabbed me straight away. There are enough details/descriptions along the way to satisfy my artistic side. I particularly liked the South Africa references, they provided a real sense of nostalgia. The pace pulls you along at a nice tempo throughout and plot kept me guessing. I won’t lie, I think I suspected everyone mentioned at one point or another.

If you’re looking for a haunting thriller, that’s both twisted and satisfying this is a good book for you. If you love true crime docs on Netflix or horror movies, but you don’t read much, this is the book for you.

Looking forward to seeing what Carmi writes next. If her debut is anything to go by, she’s going to blow up soon.

[Peter van der Merwe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Does the suspense genre have a new star? What a page-turner of a debut offering this is. 'The Last Time You Called' takes an unconventional, but highly effective approach: it's narrated in the first person by not just one, but two different characters, Lisa and Cat. It becomes clear fairly quickly that these two have much in common, starting with plenty of baggage that they're trying to pretend doesn't exist. But they're not the only ones with dark secrets, as it turns out. Is anybody who they say they are? As Lisa and Cat's lives intertwine in the most unexpected ways, the skeletons come tumbling out of the closet in shocking succession. This book keeps the surprises coming thick and fast, and maintains the pace and tension beautifully throughout. Well worth a read.

[Shelby Mize · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the dual POVs of the two main characters and two timelines. It was nice to watch both characters evolve in the same town at different times. I enjoyed the writing style of the author and found both characters to be relatable.

The suspense at the end of each chapter made it hard to put the book down. I enjoyed learning more about side characters and why they acted weird towards Cat or Lisa.

The ending was unexpected and honestly so well written. The whole book was just so amazing and I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good suspense story.

Thank you Booksirens for my free ARC.

[Jackie Mott · Rating 3 out of 5]

TW: Self harm/depression/anxiety

This book did have me hooked I can’t lie and it did have me trying to figure out ‘whodunnit’. I was invested and couldnt wait to keep reading to find out what was going on.

However, I would say the last few chapters of the book felt rushed and slightly anti-climatic. To me it didn’t seem like a big enough conclusion and it just kind of felt like tying up loose ends.

I did enjoy reading the book though and I probably would recommend for a short easy read.

It did annoy me though how the kindle version didnt have page numbers 😂

I received an advanced copy of this book for free and I’m leaving this review voluntarily

[Marcelle Kaskawits · Rating 4 out of 5]

received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This book will keep you glued to the pages. It’s a mystery with many sub plots going on at the same time. You will keep thinking you know what’s going to happen next only to see the story change direction continuously.

It’s a thriller that will have you wanting the book to never end. You may think you know your therapist but do you? This is a story about everything you thought you knew and discovering you may not have known anything.

I will definitely recommend this to all my friends and family. Well written and thank you for allowing me the opportunity to review this book.

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks BookSirens for this ARC - a fab little thriller. As someone who's worked for a crisis line, I find books built around this concept fascinating, and the author did a great job with this book. There were layers, twists, compelling settings, and characters whom you really truly hated. I felt like the author really understood how to develop people and plots throughout the book, and it never felt dull. Sometimes I got a bit lost between characters with the aliases, but that could be because I didn't read the book in one sitting.

[Kt Paxton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Often when I am reading a book I really enjoy, I stop and look for other books by the author to read next. I got a bit disappointed, when I found things the first for this author. How long do I have to wait for another book?!

I really enjoyed this book. I was drawn in from the beginning. I can’t wait to read another from this author!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Tara Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great debut book by this author. Well paced and engaging.

I felt like the author tried to take on a little too much with each character, and so at times it just felt all too messy and unnecessary, especially the awkward twist with Sebastian and Ana.

The ending also felt rushed and a bit underdeveloped. I wasn’t buying into the final scene between Cat and the “who done it.”

Still, it was an enjoyable read. Looking forward to discussing it with my book club.

[Roma Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really liked the depth of the characters and how the author really taps into their mindsets to display complexity of human nature. I am a sucker for thrillers but can get bored quite easily and therefore often abandon a book half way through, however this book really kept me hooked as it is was impossible to predict what was coming! Great story line and overall a very interesting read!

[Ophélie · Rating 4 out of 5]

wow, this book was quite the ride, i have never read a book like it! i had a little trouble in the beginning bc i forgot to read the synopsis 🤠 but once i got sucked in to the story, i couldnt get out! its such a good debut novel and i will read more Carmi Heyman’s when they come out!!! read this especially during the fall or winter bc the spooky vibes make it even better!

[Jaime · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It was a little slow to start and all of the jumping forward and back was a bit much but once I got to about the halfway part the pace started to pick up and I didn't put it down until I finished. Ended up being a good read and liked the twists and turns of the plot line.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Billie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a thrilling read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.

I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

First book from this author and it is well worth a read. It keeps you wanting more. I like the short chapters as it enables you to reach a point to stop if you haven’t got the time to keep reading! Towards the end, you just want to keep on reading, as it really does suck you in. If you like a ‘who done it?’ you will love this book. Well done Carmi and I look forward to your next novel.

[jazlynnreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book will make you not want to put it down! each chapter would leave you on a cliff hanger and would make you want to to keep reading. not only did the short chapters make you want to continue reading, but also wanting to know what happened to lisa at the end. as you read through both POV’s, you start to pick up on little things which would leave you with questions. it made me question everyone’s intentions in the book, i even made a list of questions of who could have possibly done it and how they even did it. all i can say is that the plot twists are *chef’s kiss*😙🤌🏼✨ it made you constantly wonder what happened to lisa on her last night.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m blown away that this is a debut novel! It definitely kept me on my toes & I was constantly guessing who did the crime. Let’s just say I got it wrong 🙃 But I love that it kept me wondering. I will say it was a bit slow in the beginning buuuuut I think it was more so to set a backstory for the two main characters. The author did such a good job of letting you know the difference between the main characters. I was never confused with whose POV I was reading from. By the 50% mark I was hooked & couldn’t put the book down. There were multiple plot twists which I always love in a mystery. Each of them had me shook & wanting to read more. If you’re looking for a mystery that will have you second guessing everyone, read this book!!

Read if you like:
-past & present timelines
-an unreliable narrator
-small town secrets
-short chapters
-dual pov