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Hannah Hall #2
The First Time I Saw Him
Laura Dave continues Hannah Hall’s pulse-pounding journey in the riveting and deeply moving sequel to the #1 New York Times bestselling blockbuster and Apple TV+ show, The Last Thing He Told Me.
Five years after her husband, Owen, disappeared, Hannah Hall and her stepdaughter, Bailey, have settled into a new life in Southern California. Together, they’ve forged a relationship with Bailey’s grandfather Nicholas and are putting the past behind them.
But when Owen shows up at Hannah’s new exhibition, she knows that she and Bailey are in danger again.
Hannah and Bailey are forced to go on the run in a relentless race to keep their past from catching up with them. As a thrilling drama unfolds, Hannah risks everything to get Bailey to safety—and finds there just might be a way back to Owen and their long-awaited second chance.
A gripping, rich, and deeply moving novel about the power of forgiveness, The First Time I Saw Him picks up right where the epilogue for the “genuinely moving” (The New York Times) The Last Thing He Told Me left off, giving listeners the eagerly awaited and absolutely exhilarating sequel to Dave’s global blockbuster.
Five years after her husband, Owen, disappeared, Hannah Hall and her stepdaughter, Bailey, have settled into a new life in Southern California. Together, they’ve forged a relationship with Bailey’s grandfather Nicholas and are putting the past behind them.
But when Owen shows up at Hannah’s new exhibition, she knows that she and Bailey are in danger again.
Hannah and Bailey are forced to go on the run in a relentless race to keep their past from catching up with them. As a thrilling drama unfolds, Hannah risks everything to get Bailey to safety—and finds there just might be a way back to Owen and their long-awaited second chance.
A gripping, rich, and deeply moving novel about the power of forgiveness, The First Time I Saw Him picks up right where the epilogue for the “genuinely moving” (The New York Times) The Last Thing He Told Me left off, giving listeners the eagerly awaited and absolutely exhilarating sequel to Dave’s global blockbuster.
271 pages, Hardcover
First published January 6, 2026
6503 people are currently reading
124733 people want to read
About the author
Laura Dave
17 books12.1k followersLaura Dave is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of several novels including The Last Thing He Told Me and Eight Hundred Grapes. Her novels have sold more than six million copies and have been translated into thirty-eight languages. She resides in Santa Monica, California.
Her new novel, The First Time I Saw Him, will be released in January 2026
Website:www.lauradave.com
Instagram:www.instagram.com/lauradaveauthor
Her new novel, The First Time I Saw Him, will be released in January 2026
Website:www.lauradave.com
Instagram:www.instagram.com/lauradaveauthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,661 reviews
January 8, 2026
Oh my word. This much-anticipated book is everything I had hoped for and more. And yet, I still feel greedy for a third installment…
Often when I see a question about strong FMCs, I think of Hannah Hall. She will forever be a superhero in my eyes. Having taken her husband’s mysterious note and subsequent disappearance in stride, working to emotionally and financially support a new stepdaughter who hates her and at the same time, working to figure out how to help her missing husband, she easily became my literary icon. And before I go on, if none of this sounds familiar to you, please stop reading this review immediately and go back and read The Last Thing He Told Me, the book that proceeds this one. In fact, I highly recommend a read of it, even if just a reread to refresh your memory— something I wish I had done prior to jumping into this book, in order to keep supporting characters straight.
While I had been okay with Laura Dave ripping my heart out à la “the could have been boys still love you”, I was over the moon to learn there was a sequel that would pick up just where the first story left off. And my friends, the transition was seamless. If I didn’t know better, I would have thought Dave wrote this book immediately after writing TLTHTM. Not a beat was missed, the action taking off right from the go. In fact, the action never let up until the very end (and oh does this fact show in my nails…eek).
To prevent the risk of any spoilers, I will end my review with one last thought. Read this book. If you are like me, and desperately wanted more to Hannah, Owen, and Bailey’s story, you’ve gotten it and it’s perfect.
🎧 My audio reread of The Last Thing He Told Me years ago, led to the discovery of one of my fave narrators, Rebecca Lowman. She is back again as the perfect voice for Hannah, and the reason I will always reread these on audio.
Read if you like:
▪️action packed stories
▪️strong FMCs
▪️family dramas
▪️forbidden romance vibes
▪️dual timelines
▪️ensemble casts
▪️lovable characters
A huge thank you to Scribner Books and Simon Audio for the advanced copies.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
NOTES WHILE READING:
100% done! Review to come very soon. In the meantime just know that I rate this book ♾️ stars and cried multiple times at the idea that I had to say goodbye to these characters once and for all (well who am I kidding, we know I’m a rereader 😉)
Update 75% - this book is everything I had hoped it would be. I’ve absolutely devoured it and am not putting it down again until I’m done.
A huge thank you to Scribner for the early e-galley of this book. The Last Thing He Told Me is an all time favorite, and one I’ve read and reread multiple times just to spend more time with these characters. I’ve anxiously awaited this book for years and I cannot believe it’s finally here!
One of my favorite quotes (from TLTHTM): “The could-have-been-boys still love you.” 🥰
If you have not yet read that one, that’s a great place to start. Keep in mind, it’s not a thriller, but a very beautiful contemporary fiction story with thriller and mystery vibes.
Often when I see a question about strong FMCs, I think of Hannah Hall. She will forever be a superhero in my eyes. Having taken her husband’s mysterious note and subsequent disappearance in stride, working to emotionally and financially support a new stepdaughter who hates her and at the same time, working to figure out how to help her missing husband, she easily became my literary icon. And before I go on, if none of this sounds familiar to you, please stop reading this review immediately and go back and read The Last Thing He Told Me, the book that proceeds this one. In fact, I highly recommend a read of it, even if just a reread to refresh your memory— something I wish I had done prior to jumping into this book, in order to keep supporting characters straight.
While I had been okay with Laura Dave ripping my heart out à la “the could have been boys still love you”, I was over the moon to learn there was a sequel that would pick up just where the first story left off. And my friends, the transition was seamless. If I didn’t know better, I would have thought Dave wrote this book immediately after writing TLTHTM. Not a beat was missed, the action taking off right from the go. In fact, the action never let up until the very end (and oh does this fact show in my nails…eek).
To prevent the risk of any spoilers, I will end my review with one last thought. Read this book. If you are like me, and desperately wanted more to Hannah, Owen, and Bailey’s story, you’ve gotten it and it’s perfect.
🎧 My audio reread of The Last Thing He Told Me years ago, led to the discovery of one of my fave narrators, Rebecca Lowman. She is back again as the perfect voice for Hannah, and the reason I will always reread these on audio.
Read if you like:
▪️action packed stories
▪️strong FMCs
▪️family dramas
▪️forbidden romance vibes
▪️dual timelines
▪️ensemble casts
▪️lovable characters
A huge thank you to Scribner Books and Simon Audio for the advanced copies.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
NOTES WHILE READING:
100% done! Review to come very soon. In the meantime just know that I rate this book ♾️ stars and cried multiple times at the idea that I had to say goodbye to these characters once and for all (well who am I kidding, we know I’m a rereader 😉)
Update 75% - this book is everything I had hoped it would be. I’ve absolutely devoured it and am not putting it down again until I’m done.
A huge thank you to Scribner for the early e-galley of this book. The Last Thing He Told Me is an all time favorite, and one I’ve read and reread multiple times just to spend more time with these characters. I’ve anxiously awaited this book for years and I cannot believe it’s finally here!
One of my favorite quotes (from TLTHTM): “The could-have-been-boys still love you.” 🥰
If you have not yet read that one, that’s a great place to start. Keep in mind, it’s not a thriller, but a very beautiful contemporary fiction story with thriller and mystery vibes.
January 27, 2026
I certainly loved The Last Thing He Told Me. It’s one of those novels I proudly keep on my shelf, a forever favorite. That heartbreaking ending left me sobbing for hours—like shards of glass stabbing straight into the heart. But tell me honestly: how many of you begged for closure? For a second chance for Owen and Hannah—even though he put her in danger, abandoned her in the dark, and left her to pick up the pieces? Did you secretly wish they might find their way back to each other, that Hannah would be strong (or vulnerable) enough to forgive him because she loves him with her whole heart? Well, I’ll admit it—my answer is a resounding hell yes! Give this miserable reader a happy ending!
I don’t want to give too much away about the sequel, but I can say this: it’s pure adrenaline. The kind of book you inhale like your favorite snack—you keep reaching for just one more handful until suddenly, the box is empty. I couldn’t stop; my heart was in my throat, my pulse racing, like being in a car flying down the highway without brakes toward the cliff.
The story picks up exactly where the first book left off: Hannah, stunned, meets an older, worn-down Owen at the gallery opening, his cryptic words cutting the air. Why would he reappear after five years, just as she and Bailey finally started to heal and move forward? Hannah has built a quiet life in California, Bailey graduated, wrote her first musical, and found her first real job. Together, with Nicholas—the loving grandfather who shielded them like a fortress—they’ve created a fragile but steady family. But Owen’s return threatens to shatter all of it.
Then, the suspense ignites: a supposed gas leak, a text from an unknown number (almost certainly Owen’s) urging Hannah to run, and Nicholas’s sudden, suspicious death. Before we can breathe, Hannah and Bailey are once again thrown into chaos—on the run, chased by old enemies and new threats. With Frank’s vengeful children bent on finishing what their father started, the danger escalates. Can Owen’s brilliant mind devise a way to keep them safe, or will he sacrifice himself for their future? Every page burns with the question: is there still hope for this family—and maybe, finally, a long-awaited happy ending?
Overall: If you’re anything like me—a fangirl screaming from the rooftops for this sequel—you need to grab it immediately. It’s gripping, twisty, exhilarating, and utterly unputdownable. Five blazing stars from me!
And a very heartfelt thank you to NetGalley and Scribner for sharing this ARC with me. I was praying to get my hands on it, and devouring it was an absolute gift.
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I don’t want to give too much away about the sequel, but I can say this: it’s pure adrenaline. The kind of book you inhale like your favorite snack—you keep reaching for just one more handful until suddenly, the box is empty. I couldn’t stop; my heart was in my throat, my pulse racing, like being in a car flying down the highway without brakes toward the cliff.
The story picks up exactly where the first book left off: Hannah, stunned, meets an older, worn-down Owen at the gallery opening, his cryptic words cutting the air. Why would he reappear after five years, just as she and Bailey finally started to heal and move forward? Hannah has built a quiet life in California, Bailey graduated, wrote her first musical, and found her first real job. Together, with Nicholas—the loving grandfather who shielded them like a fortress—they’ve created a fragile but steady family. But Owen’s return threatens to shatter all of it.
Then, the suspense ignites: a supposed gas leak, a text from an unknown number (almost certainly Owen’s) urging Hannah to run, and Nicholas’s sudden, suspicious death. Before we can breathe, Hannah and Bailey are once again thrown into chaos—on the run, chased by old enemies and new threats. With Frank’s vengeful children bent on finishing what their father started, the danger escalates. Can Owen’s brilliant mind devise a way to keep them safe, or will he sacrifice himself for their future? Every page burns with the question: is there still hope for this family—and maybe, finally, a long-awaited happy ending?
Overall: If you’re anything like me—a fangirl screaming from the rooftops for this sequel—you need to grab it immediately. It’s gripping, twisty, exhilarating, and utterly unputdownable. Five blazing stars from me!
And a very heartfelt thank you to NetGalley and Scribner for sharing this ARC with me. I was praying to get my hands on it, and devouring it was an absolute gift.
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January 6, 2026
5 days-10 months-24 days
That’s how long it’s been since Owen disappeared after leaving his wife Hannah with a bag of money and a cryptic note which said “Keep Her Safe”. He was referring to his 16 year old daughter Bailey, whose Mom was tragically killed when she was just 5 years old.
Since then, Hannah and Bailey have bonded with each other and with Bailey’s grandfather Nicholas and have started a new life. But when Owen makes a brief appearance at Hannah’s new exhibition, she knows that she and Bailey are in danger once again.
They are forced to put in play an escape which has been meticulously planned although Hannah had hoped that this day would never come.
Behind the scenes, Owen has been watching them, and he has been planning too.
Maybe-just maybe- he will be able to bring things full circle and get his family back.
This book continues the story which began in book one “The Last Thing He Told Me” which published in May 2021, and since I have probably read about 500 books since then, the details were long gone. What I do remember is that the first book focused more on Hannah’s struggle to connect with her step daughter and her need to figure out WHO exactly she had married. Laura Dave writes messy relationships well, and that is what appeals to me about her books.
Unfortunately, this book is more “Cat and Mouse” thriller with a lot of chapters about the past interspersed throughout to fill us in on the events with a Crime family which ultimately led to Owen having to leave in a hurry. The addition of these chapters made the story feel choppy, and slowed the pace. It’s a different style for this author and books like these are not really the kind of stories that I gravitate toward personally.
I also wanted more angst from Hannah and Bailey in both.
I think it’s best to read the books in order and not too far apart, to have a clear understanding about what has transpired. There is also an Apple TV series based on these books.
A buddy read with DeAnn and MaryBeth. Be sure to watch for their thoughts as they may differ from mine.
NOW AVAILABLE
Thank You to Scribner for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts
That’s how long it’s been since Owen disappeared after leaving his wife Hannah with a bag of money and a cryptic note which said “Keep Her Safe”. He was referring to his 16 year old daughter Bailey, whose Mom was tragically killed when she was just 5 years old.
Since then, Hannah and Bailey have bonded with each other and with Bailey’s grandfather Nicholas and have started a new life. But when Owen makes a brief appearance at Hannah’s new exhibition, she knows that she and Bailey are in danger once again.
They are forced to put in play an escape which has been meticulously planned although Hannah had hoped that this day would never come.
Behind the scenes, Owen has been watching them, and he has been planning too.
Maybe-just maybe- he will be able to bring things full circle and get his family back.
This book continues the story which began in book one “The Last Thing He Told Me” which published in May 2021, and since I have probably read about 500 books since then, the details were long gone. What I do remember is that the first book focused more on Hannah’s struggle to connect with her step daughter and her need to figure out WHO exactly she had married. Laura Dave writes messy relationships well, and that is what appeals to me about her books.
Unfortunately, this book is more “Cat and Mouse” thriller with a lot of chapters about the past interspersed throughout to fill us in on the events with a Crime family which ultimately led to Owen having to leave in a hurry. The addition of these chapters made the story feel choppy, and slowed the pace. It’s a different style for this author and books like these are not really the kind of stories that I gravitate toward personally.
I also wanted more angst from Hannah and Bailey in both.
I think it’s best to read the books in order and not too far apart, to have a clear understanding about what has transpired. There is also an Apple TV series based on these books.
A buddy read with DeAnn and MaryBeth. Be sure to watch for their thoughts as they may differ from mine.
NOW AVAILABLE
Thank You to Scribner for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts
January 12, 2026
Exactly what we needed after The Last Thing He Told Me! Do we need a 3rd instalment? Absolutely!
January 7, 2026
I have some hot takes and unpopular opinions on this one.
I adored The Last Time I Saw Him. I remember feverishly reading and not being able to turn the pages fast enough. It was a five star.
This one, the sequel, was a train wreck.
My biggest issue is Laura Dave’s writing style in this book. Every. Single. Page. Had unnecessary repetition. It was so utterly redundant and annoying. I ended up rage reading the last 15% to just finish. Repetition works but it has a time and page. And every single page is not the time nor the place.
I also struggled with how many times I was pulled from the action of the story for some backstory from before either of these books happened. It was also ill timed.
My dislikes and annoyances are overshadowing the plot here. I think it was okay. I wouldn’t say good. But it moved the series forward. I will not be reading more after this one though.
I adored The Last Time I Saw Him. I remember feverishly reading and not being able to turn the pages fast enough. It was a five star.
This one, the sequel, was a train wreck.
My biggest issue is Laura Dave’s writing style in this book. Every. Single. Page. Had unnecessary repetition. It was so utterly redundant and annoying. I ended up rage reading the last 15% to just finish. Repetition works but it has a time and page. And every single page is not the time nor the place.
I also struggled with how many times I was pulled from the action of the story for some backstory from before either of these books happened. It was also ill timed.
My dislikes and annoyances are overshadowing the plot here. I think it was okay. I wouldn’t say good. But it moved the series forward. I will not be reading more after this one though.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Give me a second while I dry my tears… After all, I cried at multiple points as I raced through this novel. Both a heart-pounding game of cat-and-mouse and a poignant exploration of family, love, and forgiveness, The First Time I Saw Him was the perfect continuation of Hannah and Owen’s heart-rending story from The Last Thing He Told Me. Filled with family drama, evil villains, and adrenaline-fueled scenes, this sequel seamlessly picked up where the last book left off. You see, not only did it make tears stream down my face but it had my heart pumping away as the action took us from the streets of L.A. to the shores of the South of France. Evocative, thought-provoking, and full of surprises, I was quickly swept up in this genre-bending tale to the extent that I couldn’t put it down for even a minute. Yup. That’s absolutely right. It was a one-sitting read that I gave up sleep to finish.
All said and done, I just don’t know how Ms. Dave does it. Beautifully interweaving dual timelines and multiple POVs, the story of what happened then was entwined perfectly with the consequences of now in a way that only a true master can manage. From flawlessly placed “WTF?!” twists to the ultra high stakes, the twisty plotting was second to none. I do have to say, though, that the endearing, cheer-worthy characters were what sucked me in yet again. Giving us a deeper look at their thoughts and motivations, the somewhat morally gray feel to each of them only made me love them even more. Altogether, it was immersive storytelling at its best. Lyrical, heartfelt, and yet also undeniably thrilling, it was everything I love in a novel. So, despite the fact that it was all wrapped up neatly by the end, please tell me, Ms. Dave, that there’s a third book on the way? I’ll beg if I have to. Rating of 5+ stars.
P.S. I highly recommend reading these two books in order. It’s too complexly plotted and depends too heavily on the past to be able to figure out what’s going on by the seat of your pants.
SYNOPSIS:
Five years after her husband, Owen, disappeared, Hannah Hall and her stepdaughter, Bailey, have settled into a new life in Southern California. Together, they’ve forged a relationship with Bailey’s grandfather Nicholas and are putting the past behind them.
But when Owen shows up at Hannah’s new exhibition, she knows that she and Bailey are in danger again.
Hannah and Bailey are forced to go on the run in a relentless race to keep their past from catching up with them. As a thrilling drama unfolds, Hannah risks everything to get Bailey to safety—and finds there just might be a way back to Owen and their long-awaited second chance.
Thank you Laura Dave and Scribner Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: January 6, 2026
Content warning: violence, gun violence
All said and done, I just don’t know how Ms. Dave does it. Beautifully interweaving dual timelines and multiple POVs, the story of what happened then was entwined perfectly with the consequences of now in a way that only a true master can manage. From flawlessly placed “WTF?!” twists to the ultra high stakes, the twisty plotting was second to none. I do have to say, though, that the endearing, cheer-worthy characters were what sucked me in yet again. Giving us a deeper look at their thoughts and motivations, the somewhat morally gray feel to each of them only made me love them even more. Altogether, it was immersive storytelling at its best. Lyrical, heartfelt, and yet also undeniably thrilling, it was everything I love in a novel. So, despite the fact that it was all wrapped up neatly by the end, please tell me, Ms. Dave, that there’s a third book on the way? I’ll beg if I have to. Rating of 5+ stars.
P.S. I highly recommend reading these two books in order. It’s too complexly plotted and depends too heavily on the past to be able to figure out what’s going on by the seat of your pants.
SYNOPSIS:
Five years after her husband, Owen, disappeared, Hannah Hall and her stepdaughter, Bailey, have settled into a new life in Southern California. Together, they’ve forged a relationship with Bailey’s grandfather Nicholas and are putting the past behind them.
But when Owen shows up at Hannah’s new exhibition, she knows that she and Bailey are in danger again.
Hannah and Bailey are forced to go on the run in a relentless race to keep their past from catching up with them. As a thrilling drama unfolds, Hannah risks everything to get Bailey to safety—and finds there just might be a way back to Owen and their long-awaited second chance.
Thank you Laura Dave and Scribner Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: January 6, 2026
Content warning: violence, gun violence
December 29, 2025
between 3.5/4 stars so rounding up to 4 for GR! this was a fun sequel—picks up right where THE LAST THING HE TOLD ME ends and was fun to continue the story and see what happens to everyone…
the pacing is great—starts right away and has a few POVs so it’s entertaining in that way too. i did most of this on audiobook and loved that format 🎧 has a full cast!
this is a good blend of family drama and suspense. Hannah and Bailey are fun characters as are Nicholas and Owen. without spoiling too much, it was entertaining to pull back the layers of this drama and learn why things are the way they are and how people could potentially get out of it…
learning more of the backstory of the families and crime operation was my fave part of it! you got to learn more about Nicholas and Owen’s past life/wife. i was surprised at how much i remembered from book 1/season 1. if you don’t remember, give it a quick google—rereading isn’t necessary IMO!
i also liked this setting a lot. it was more fun than the first book/series in my opinion and i’m eager to see it come to life 🎬 season 2 on Apple TV in February! they did such a good job with season 1 and i know 2 will be just as good 👏🏼
thanks to Scribner Books for the gifted early copy. this is a fun quick drama/thriller (sub 300 pages) that is worth a read!
the pacing is great—starts right away and has a few POVs so it’s entertaining in that way too. i did most of this on audiobook and loved that format 🎧 has a full cast!
this is a good blend of family drama and suspense. Hannah and Bailey are fun characters as are Nicholas and Owen. without spoiling too much, it was entertaining to pull back the layers of this drama and learn why things are the way they are and how people could potentially get out of it…
learning more of the backstory of the families and crime operation was my fave part of it! you got to learn more about Nicholas and Owen’s past life/wife. i was surprised at how much i remembered from book 1/season 1. if you don’t remember, give it a quick google—rereading isn’t necessary IMO!
i also liked this setting a lot. it was more fun than the first book/series in my opinion and i’m eager to see it come to life 🎬 season 2 on Apple TV in February! they did such a good job with season 1 and i know 2 will be just as good 👏🏼
thanks to Scribner Books for the gifted early copy. this is a fun quick drama/thriller (sub 300 pages) that is worth a read!
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
First book finished in the New Year!🥳
Laura Dave not only picks up where she left off in The Last Thing He Told Me, this time the events at the exhibition are the Prologue instead of the Epiplogue.
The number of POVs is expanded in the sequel making it an amazing follow-up to the first book.
👩HANNAH ~ She is on the run once again and has been honing her escape skills for this moment. Will she keep Bailey safe? Will she be reunited with Owen? Does she want to be?
👧BAILEY ~ She is all grown up and totally on team Hannah. Who will she lose in Round 2? Where will they have to travel? Why are they on the run again?
🧑OWEN ~ The man at the center of this astronomical mess gets some page time to show what he has been and is up to.
👨🦳NICHOLAS ~ This is one complicated character. What has his loyalty to Frank and family cost him? Will he be able to reconcile with his former SIL? Will he be alive at the end of the book?
📚 Put it all together and you have a riveting read. I love Laura Dave's style and am so glad I recently read the first book. This was an amazing read for me and a great way to start the year.
For the knowledge you carry now--that you will always carry now. That we're never safe, not when we love someone. That, one way or another, we're always waiting for someone to disappear.
Thank you to Scribner and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
Laura Dave not only picks up where she left off in The Last Thing He Told Me, this time the events at the exhibition are the Prologue instead of the Epiplogue.
The number of POVs is expanded in the sequel making it an amazing follow-up to the first book.
👩HANNAH ~ She is on the run once again and has been honing her escape skills for this moment. Will she keep Bailey safe? Will she be reunited with Owen? Does she want to be?
👧BAILEY ~ She is all grown up and totally on team Hannah. Who will she lose in Round 2? Where will they have to travel? Why are they on the run again?
🧑OWEN ~ The man at the center of this astronomical mess gets some page time to show what he has been and is up to.
👨🦳NICHOLAS ~ This is one complicated character. What has his loyalty to Frank and family cost him? Will he be able to reconcile with his former SIL? Will he be alive at the end of the book?
📚 Put it all together and you have a riveting read. I love Laura Dave's style and am so glad I recently read the first book. This was an amazing read for me and a great way to start the year.
For the knowledge you carry now--that you will always carry now. That we're never safe, not when we love someone. That, one way or another, we're always waiting for someone to disappear.
Thank you to Scribner and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
January 9, 2026
Awesome book and a very much anticipated sequel to "The Last Thing he Told me." I watched the Apple TV series Season 1 and anxiously waiting for season 2 in February.
"Five years after her husband, Owen, disappeared, Hannah Hall and her stepdaughter, Bailey, have settled into a new life in Southern California. Together, they’ve forged a relationship with Bailey’s grandfather Nicholas and are putting the past behind them.
But when Owen shows up at Hannah’s new exhibition, she knows that she and Bailey are in danger again."
After discreetly seeing Owen, Hannah receives a message from an unknown number "Get out of there now" She has been preparing for this fight or flight and her and Bailey flee once again...this time to Paris. They are hoping for a final reunion with Owen, but Frank, their organized crime leader's children are wanting blood and continue the cat-and-mouse chase. The suspense is unbelievable with every turn. It is so fast paced I felt like it left off where it started. Without giving anything away, it is a must to read the first book before you get to this one. Do you ever yell at the TV for characters to run from the bad guys? How about a book? I couldn't fight back the excitement. This one continues with Hannah's resilience and Bailey's relationship with her. Excellent portrayal of Family First!
Thank you NetGalley and Scribner Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
"Five years after her husband, Owen, disappeared, Hannah Hall and her stepdaughter, Bailey, have settled into a new life in Southern California. Together, they’ve forged a relationship with Bailey’s grandfather Nicholas and are putting the past behind them.
But when Owen shows up at Hannah’s new exhibition, she knows that she and Bailey are in danger again."
After discreetly seeing Owen, Hannah receives a message from an unknown number "Get out of there now" She has been preparing for this fight or flight and her and Bailey flee once again...this time to Paris. They are hoping for a final reunion with Owen, but Frank, their organized crime leader's children are wanting blood and continue the cat-and-mouse chase. The suspense is unbelievable with every turn. It is so fast paced I felt like it left off where it started. Without giving anything away, it is a must to read the first book before you get to this one. Do you ever yell at the TV for characters to run from the bad guys? How about a book? I couldn't fight back the excitement. This one continues with Hannah's resilience and Bailey's relationship with her. Excellent portrayal of Family First!
Thank you NetGalley and Scribner Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
August 15, 2025
4+
This is the much anticipated sequel to the excellent “The Last Thing he Told Me” which has been made into a television series. Sometimes it’s possible to read the follow-up novel but in this case I think it’s best to have read the above.
Nearly 6 years on.
Owen makes a brief reappearance at one of Hannah‘s exhibitions in LA, they don’t speak, make eye contact or attempt to communicate in any way as it’s too dangerous. He does manage to secrete a flash drive for Hannah which she hopes will help what could come next. However, the next day a message arrives on Hannah‘s phone from an unknown number. “Get out of there now”. She doesn’t question it, she and daughter Bailey just run. Why has Owen come back now? Hannah ponders this as she makes her way to an airport and duly arrives in Paris. Who is watching Hannah and Bailey? Are Owen’s enemies poised for revenge? The quickest route to him would be via his loved ones. Will they ever be able to stop looking over their shoulders?
It’s fair to say this hits the ground running at 100 miles an hour from the word go. The pace is quick throughout, there are moments where the action is exciting and exhilarating, with sky high tension and almost constant suspense. The author takes us back-and-forth in time to help explain it all and she does a good job with this as she manages to keep the flow going alongside the light bulb moments.
The relationships between key characters are well done, especially between Hannah and Bailey, that really warms the heart but it’s also good between Bailey’s grandfather on her deceased mother Kate‘s side. He is pivotal to what unfolds.
What is especially enjoyable is that you’re not sure how it will all play out as there are plenty of twists and turns as it builds to a good ending. Is this it or dare we contemplate number three?
Overall, this is a worthy sequel to a smash hit book.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to
Random House UK, Cornerstone for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
This is the much anticipated sequel to the excellent “The Last Thing he Told Me” which has been made into a television series. Sometimes it’s possible to read the follow-up novel but in this case I think it’s best to have read the above.
Nearly 6 years on.
Owen makes a brief reappearance at one of Hannah‘s exhibitions in LA, they don’t speak, make eye contact or attempt to communicate in any way as it’s too dangerous. He does manage to secrete a flash drive for Hannah which she hopes will help what could come next. However, the next day a message arrives on Hannah‘s phone from an unknown number. “Get out of there now”. She doesn’t question it, she and daughter Bailey just run. Why has Owen come back now? Hannah ponders this as she makes her way to an airport and duly arrives in Paris. Who is watching Hannah and Bailey? Are Owen’s enemies poised for revenge? The quickest route to him would be via his loved ones. Will they ever be able to stop looking over their shoulders?
It’s fair to say this hits the ground running at 100 miles an hour from the word go. The pace is quick throughout, there are moments where the action is exciting and exhilarating, with sky high tension and almost constant suspense. The author takes us back-and-forth in time to help explain it all and she does a good job with this as she manages to keep the flow going alongside the light bulb moments.
The relationships between key characters are well done, especially between Hannah and Bailey, that really warms the heart but it’s also good between Bailey’s grandfather on her deceased mother Kate‘s side. He is pivotal to what unfolds.
What is especially enjoyable is that you’re not sure how it will all play out as there are plenty of twists and turns as it builds to a good ending. Is this it or dare we contemplate number three?
Overall, this is a worthy sequel to a smash hit book.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to
Random House UK, Cornerstone for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
January 24, 2026
I enjoyed the first book in the series, however, this was a massive disappointment. The constant repetition, tons of filler, and the over-dramatization, urgency, and angst in every thought, even mundane ones, was maddening.
For such a slim book, it felt 3x longer. I couldn’t take it anymore, and stopped listening with one hour to go.
The audiobook narrator’s delivery added to my annoyance. 2 stars because I’m being nice.
For such a slim book, it felt 3x longer. I couldn’t take it anymore, and stopped listening with one hour to go.
The audiobook narrator’s delivery added to my annoyance. 2 stars because I’m being nice.
October 26, 2025
Picking up straight after The Last Thing He Told Me, Hannah is reeling after seeing her husband Owen at her exhibition, and she’s not sure how to feel, but there’s little time to think about it, as the next day she gets the news that Nicholas, her step daughter, Bailey’s grandfather is dead, and along with him, the promise of their protection.
They need to go on the run, as they are no longer safe from the Organisation, however Hannah finds a flash drive that Owen planted on her the night before, which contains cryptic clues about where she and Bailey should go. Will this ultimately bring them all together, or will it mean the end of them all? This is a story about a family trying to survive, in the best way that they can.
We also find out more about Nicholas and how he came to be involved in the organisation in the first place, and about his friendship with Frank Campano Pointe II the head of the Crime Syndicate. We also catch up with Owen and find out where he went when he left Hannah and Bailey.
It’s a fairly tense and fast paced thriller, I don’t personally think it’s as strong as the first book, but if you enjoyed that one (which I did), then this is definitely worth a read.
The only negative for me was the author’s writing style, which I hadn’t noticed with the first book. There are a lot of repeated words/phrases from one sentence to the next and it made the story, for me, slightly stilted.
That being said, I still enjoyed it overall, and it’s a solid 3 stars from me.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Cornerstone and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The book is out on 15th January 2026. 📚
They need to go on the run, as they are no longer safe from the Organisation, however Hannah finds a flash drive that Owen planted on her the night before, which contains cryptic clues about where she and Bailey should go. Will this ultimately bring them all together, or will it mean the end of them all? This is a story about a family trying to survive, in the best way that they can.
We also find out more about Nicholas and how he came to be involved in the organisation in the first place, and about his friendship with Frank Campano Pointe II the head of the Crime Syndicate. We also catch up with Owen and find out where he went when he left Hannah and Bailey.
It’s a fairly tense and fast paced thriller, I don’t personally think it’s as strong as the first book, but if you enjoyed that one (which I did), then this is definitely worth a read.
The only negative for me was the author’s writing style, which I hadn’t noticed with the first book. There are a lot of repeated words/phrases from one sentence to the next and it made the story, for me, slightly stilted.
That being said, I still enjoyed it overall, and it’s a solid 3 stars from me.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Cornerstone and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The book is out on 15th January 2026. 📚
December 9, 2025
I found this book to be Fast Paced and Went through the Pages Quickly. Owen shows up briefly at Hannah’s work and she immediately knows something is amiss. Definitely, recommend reading the first book, The Last Thing He Told me before hitting this one. Really, not too suspenseful, more a psychological play on the relationships of the two crime families, Nicholas, Bailey’s Grandfather who she is very tight with as well as Hannah has come to love Nicholas, too. Then, Frank, the Leader of the Organization. So, understanding the background of Nicholas and Frank I found to be the most interesting. In the present, you are always wondering what will happen to Owen, Hannah, and Bailey. Will any of them be safe. Is a reconciliation possible or will everyone possibly perish?
The book plays on the ties of family and how we will do anything to protect those we love, I thought that was a bit of a stretch. There certainly were strong elements of that at play, but also think both men’s actions were quite self-serving and then used to justify family love. Nicholas, I thought was the most fleshed out character and you see his slippery slope into making compromises to help an evil organization. It was psychologically a good read.
So, I think if you enjoyed the first book, you will find this one fills in many of the unanswered questions that were left hanging in the first. I don’t think it was as strong as the first, but enjoyed reading this one. Recommend it for fans of the first.
Thank you to NetGalley and Scribner for a Copy of this Book. I always leave reviews of books I read.
The book plays on the ties of family and how we will do anything to protect those we love, I thought that was a bit of a stretch. There certainly were strong elements of that at play, but also think both men’s actions were quite self-serving and then used to justify family love. Nicholas, I thought was the most fleshed out character and you see his slippery slope into making compromises to help an evil organization. It was psychologically a good read.
So, I think if you enjoyed the first book, you will find this one fills in many of the unanswered questions that were left hanging in the first. I don’t think it was as strong as the first, but enjoyed reading this one. Recommend it for fans of the first.
Thank you to NetGalley and Scribner for a Copy of this Book. I always leave reviews of books I read.
November 8, 2025
Was this a necessary sequel? ABSOLUTELY.
With the cliffhanger at the end of book one, I had to know what happened next!
Author Laura Dave’s sequel highlights the efforts we choose to keep making, regardless of the cost, to show up for the people who need us.
She reminds us that:
✔️We’re never safe when we love someone
✔️Being mad is a luxury
I was so thankful this wasn’t a story about vengeance. I had the luxury of rereading book one and continuing book two immediately and I noticed that the writing style, tone and characters remained constant. Although I had an idea of how the story would end up, the journey to get there surprised me. I hope this isn’t the end!
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
With the cliffhanger at the end of book one, I had to know what happened next!
Author Laura Dave’s sequel highlights the efforts we choose to keep making, regardless of the cost, to show up for the people who need us.
She reminds us that:
✔️We’re never safe when we love someone
✔️Being mad is a luxury
I was so thankful this wasn’t a story about vengeance. I had the luxury of rereading book one and continuing book two immediately and I noticed that the writing style, tone and characters remained constant. Although I had an idea of how the story would end up, the journey to get there surprised me. I hope this isn’t the end!
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Want to read
January 12, 2026Just found out a couple of days ago that there’s a sequel to The Last Time I Saw Him, that is already out.
January 21, 2026
“The First Time I Saw Him” (Hannah Hall #2), by Laura Dave
A generous 3 stars ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ (mostly for the concept, but the writing…)
I read the first book about 2 years ago, which I rated 3.5 stars, as it was very entertaining, but I confess that I remember absolutely nothing (well, it’s not surprising, after all I have read at least 300 books between).
This one was also entertaining, but I didn’t think we needed a sequel.
The story here started very well.
The pacing was fast, but the writing was very repetitive and sometimes annoying. If we edited all the repetitive verbatim lines in this book, it would be reduced by 150 pages. Fillers? Word count for the purpose of publishing? See these samples:
“…This is the thing about organizing your life the way I do—about knowing that you are only safe when you are completely prepared. When you are the one who takes control. In the rare moment where you aren’t in control, you feel like you are giving someone else the chance to undo it: all the ways you work to protect her.”
“…Then he got a fresh burner phone and scrambled the connection. He scrambled the connection and called
that hotel in Kona…”
“…Nicholas would get to be with Bailey for a whole week. He'd have a whole week of getting to watch Bailey being Bailey. It was crazy how much joy that brought him, just watching Bailey be Bailey. It was crazy for him to know that kind of joy again.”
“…but he fights through it.
He fights through the tear in his shoulder, ripping through his skin.”
“…Everything on that tablet never leaves that tablet. You know that's true. It's never left that tablet, even to my own detriment…”
“…And yet it undoes him. Because it all comes down to Hannah, doesn't it? For Owen, it has come down to Hannah since the moment he met her, since that first moment when she turned toward him.”
The development of the storyline felt convoluted sometimes, mostly because of its timeline structure, which I thought was quite distracting. I do think she tried too hard with it.
Anyways, as like the first book, there was nothing extraordinary in here.
A generous 3 stars ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ (mostly for the concept, but the writing…)
I read the first book about 2 years ago, which I rated 3.5 stars, as it was very entertaining, but I confess that I remember absolutely nothing (well, it’s not surprising, after all I have read at least 300 books between).
This one was also entertaining, but I didn’t think we needed a sequel.
The story here started very well.
The pacing was fast, but the writing was very repetitive and sometimes annoying. If we edited all the repetitive verbatim lines in this book, it would be reduced by 150 pages. Fillers? Word count for the purpose of publishing? See these samples:
“…This is the thing about organizing your life the way I do—about knowing that you are only safe when you are completely prepared. When you are the one who takes control. In the rare moment where you aren’t in control, you feel like you are giving someone else the chance to undo it: all the ways you work to protect her.”
“…Then he got a fresh burner phone and scrambled the connection. He scrambled the connection and called
that hotel in Kona…”
“…Nicholas would get to be with Bailey for a whole week. He'd have a whole week of getting to watch Bailey being Bailey. It was crazy how much joy that brought him, just watching Bailey be Bailey. It was crazy for him to know that kind of joy again.”
“…but he fights through it.
He fights through the tear in his shoulder, ripping through his skin.”
“…Everything on that tablet never leaves that tablet. You know that's true. It's never left that tablet, even to my own detriment…”
“…And yet it undoes him. Because it all comes down to Hannah, doesn't it? For Owen, it has come down to Hannah since the moment he met her, since that first moment when she turned toward him.”
The development of the storyline felt convoluted sometimes, mostly because of its timeline structure, which I thought was quite distracting. I do think she tried too hard with it.
Anyways, as like the first book, there was nothing extraordinary in here.
January 22, 2026
Nope!
This was so not necessary!
Solid 2 stars!!
This was so not necessary!
Solid 2 stars!!
January 21, 2026
Laura Dave is back with a much anticipated follow up to her amazing book The Last Thing He Told Me with The First Time I Saw Him. I did not intend to read the whole book in one sitting but that is exactly what happened 😅 I just couldn’t stop reading it. So addictive,
I loved the first book so I had high hopes for this new one and it did not disappoint at all. 5 years after Owen disappeared, Hannah and Bailey are now living in Southern California and soon find themselves in danger again after Hannah thinks she sees Owen. They are quickly on the run again, looking over their shoulders at every step.
Talk about a roller coaster of emotions! An incredibly fast read that kept me turning pages into the night to find out what was going to happen to everyone. There were some clever twists and I really enjoyed the multiple timelines and character points of view that brought the story together.
If you loved the first book like I did you are in for a treat here. Publishes on January 15th, get yourself a copy and enjoy. Thanks to Random House UK, Cornerstone, Century for my early copy to read. Such a pleasure.
I loved the first book so I had high hopes for this new one and it did not disappoint at all. 5 years after Owen disappeared, Hannah and Bailey are now living in Southern California and soon find themselves in danger again after Hannah thinks she sees Owen. They are quickly on the run again, looking over their shoulders at every step.
Talk about a roller coaster of emotions! An incredibly fast read that kept me turning pages into the night to find out what was going to happen to everyone. There were some clever twists and I really enjoyed the multiple timelines and character points of view that brought the story together.
If you loved the first book like I did you are in for a treat here. Publishes on January 15th, get yourself a copy and enjoy. Thanks to Random House UK, Cornerstone, Century for my early copy to read. Such a pleasure.
January 16, 2026
4.75 Stars rounded up to 5 Stars.
I love Laura Dave’s writings style.
This story is intricately woven & beautifully written.
I would suggest reading The Last Thing He Told Me first (or re-reading it prior to reading this book).
[This is the reason that I took off 1/4 Star.]
What would you do to protect your child/children/loved ones?
I highly recommend all of Laura Dave’s books!
I hope you enjoy this story, too. 😊
I love Laura Dave’s writings style.
This story is intricately woven & beautifully written.
I would suggest reading The Last Thing He Told Me first (or re-reading it prior to reading this book).
[This is the reason that I took off 1/4 Star.]
What would you do to protect your child/children/loved ones?
I highly recommend all of Laura Dave’s books!
I hope you enjoy this story, too. 😊
January 24, 2026
4.5 🌟 flewww through this. such a great continuation of the first book.
January 11, 2026
This one was just okay. I was really into the first book and was curious to see how it continued, but this just didn’t do it for me. It lost all the mystery of the first book. It felt slow, overly descriptive, the jumping around in the timeline confused me, and it leaned way more in the heart felt side of things which is simply not my vibe. I did appreciate the multiple POVs but that was about it.
August 19, 2025
Thanks to Scribner for the gifted ARC!
THE FIRST TIME I SAW HIM is a perfect continuation of THE LAST THING HE TOLD ME. It’s on the shorter side, fast-paced, and just perfectly written to tell the ending of this story. I loved getting to learn more about all of these characters and was on the edge of my seat as their fates were decided. I blew through this one because I couldn’t put it down. I highly recommend this thriller duology!
THE FIRST TIME I SAW HIM is a perfect continuation of THE LAST THING HE TOLD ME. It’s on the shorter side, fast-paced, and just perfectly written to tell the ending of this story. I loved getting to learn more about all of these characters and was on the edge of my seat as their fates were decided. I blew through this one because I couldn’t put it down. I highly recommend this thriller duology!
January 19, 2026
This is the sequel to the Last thing he told me. I think you should read that first to get a background of the characters and the situation. To be honest I preferred this one better. Now I just need to watch the film adaption of the first one on Apple TV.
This is a book about organized crime, forgiveness, families and their relationships. It's the perfect blend of both character and action. The action was thrilling and on the other hand we got to delve into the family and relationships. I'm a huge fan of short chapters and that's what Laura has done in this book.
This is a book about organized crime, forgiveness, families and their relationships. It's the perfect blend of both character and action. The action was thrilling and on the other hand we got to delve into the family and relationships. I'm a huge fan of short chapters and that's what Laura has done in this book.
January 30, 2026
(3.5 stars, rounded down)
Thank you to Scribner for the opportunity to read an advance copy of The First Time I Saw Him by Laura Dave, the sequel to her big hit, The Last Thing He Told Me.
And indeed, this book picks up exactly where the previous book left off (cliffhanger ending, something I dislike immensely). This book does come to a satisfying end, so if you’re concerned about that, you can set your mind at ease. This is one sequel that really requires you to have read the first one, although the author does provide some reminders for those who haven’t read the first one in a while (like me). I still struggled to remember who was who (I was confused for a while as to how Nick was related to Bailey, for example. Maybe that’s just my bad memory plus the huge number of books I’ve read since The Last Thing.)
We get chapters from different viewpoints. Much of it is told by Hannah and the rest by Owen. The story drives home what people will do to protect the ones they love, especially their children or grandchildren.
It’s a short book, but to be honest, it could have been even shorter. There’s a lot of repetition in the way the author wrote it. Plus there are a ton of flashbacks, which fill in background info, but there were some that I didn’t think were at all necessary. And even after finishing the book, I’m not sure why they chose that title!
Thank you to Scribner for the opportunity to read an advance copy of The First Time I Saw Him by Laura Dave, the sequel to her big hit, The Last Thing He Told Me.
And indeed, this book picks up exactly where the previous book left off (cliffhanger ending, something I dislike immensely). This book does come to a satisfying end, so if you’re concerned about that, you can set your mind at ease. This is one sequel that really requires you to have read the first one, although the author does provide some reminders for those who haven’t read the first one in a while (like me). I still struggled to remember who was who (I was confused for a while as to how Nick was related to Bailey, for example. Maybe that’s just my bad memory plus the huge number of books I’ve read since The Last Thing.)
We get chapters from different viewpoints. Much of it is told by Hannah and the rest by Owen. The story drives home what people will do to protect the ones they love, especially their children or grandchildren.
It’s a short book, but to be honest, it could have been even shorter. There’s a lot of repetition in the way the author wrote it. Plus there are a ton of flashbacks, which fill in background info, but there were some that I didn’t think were at all necessary. And even after finishing the book, I’m not sure why they chose that title!
January 24, 2026
4.5 stars! I really really enjoyed the audiobook. It was well narrated by a full cast. It kept me engaged and wanting more the whole time. Love how smart Hannah is for figuring everything out and putting it together and Owen too. It kept me guessing. But now I need more.. not even a prologue?!
August 12, 2025
Before reading this, I should say that there are no spoilers contained in this review for The First Time I Saw Him however I do reference the ending of the first book The Last Thing He Told Me so if you haven't read that (and plan on doing so before reading this) then you may want to skip this review.
-----------------------------------
A follow up to The Last Thing He Told Me? Yep, I'm here for it.
Taking up from the end of TLTHTM, we meet Hannah and Bailey again, trying to live their life without Owen. However, one morning Hannah receives a message "Get out the house. Now" Living as she has, Hannah knows who sent this message and what it means, and the danger this spells for her and Bailey.
However, given the deal that was agreed at the end of TLTHTM, Hannah can't help but wonder what has changed.....
I often think sequels can be released unnecessarily, often written to generate sales than actually needing to follow up the previous novel. However, after the end of TLTHTM, I was keen to read what would happen next to Hannah and Bailey and whether there was a 'happy ever after' or at least a 'safety ever after' for the two of them.
This is a relatively short novel at just over 250 pages however I think that is a good thing. The plot starts of quickly and there is no drag at all, all the way through to a great conclusion.....or is it actually concluded? Read on to find out.......
Thanks to Netgalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone | Century for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
-----------------------------------
A follow up to The Last Thing He Told Me? Yep, I'm here for it.
Taking up from the end of TLTHTM, we meet Hannah and Bailey again, trying to live their life without Owen. However, one morning Hannah receives a message "Get out the house. Now" Living as she has, Hannah knows who sent this message and what it means, and the danger this spells for her and Bailey.
However, given the deal that was agreed at the end of TLTHTM, Hannah can't help but wonder what has changed.....
I often think sequels can be released unnecessarily, often written to generate sales than actually needing to follow up the previous novel. However, after the end of TLTHTM, I was keen to read what would happen next to Hannah and Bailey and whether there was a 'happy ever after' or at least a 'safety ever after' for the two of them.
This is a relatively short novel at just over 250 pages however I think that is a good thing. The plot starts of quickly and there is no drag at all, all the way through to a great conclusion.....or is it actually concluded? Read on to find out.......
Thanks to Netgalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone | Century for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 8, 2026
I am so a sucker for a doomed love story and there didn't seem to be a more doomed one that that of Hannah and Owen. What I am not fond of is sending Hannah and Bailey on the run again. Been there, done that. Also, not high on my list is an author whose entire narrative is all up in the character's heads. But this time it works really, really well thanks to Dave's awesome skill as a writer. Multiple POV's and multiple time shifts keep the plot moving and the reader intrigued right to the end. This book picks up Hannah and Owen's story with the epilogue written in "The Last Thing He Told Me" and sends the reader on another edge of your seat journey. Keeping Bailey safe is the prime objective and it has always been that for Hannah and Owen
Hannah Hall and her stepdaughter have settled in Southern California. Five years after Owen disappeared Bailey has finished college and Hannah has established herself as a premier furnishings designer. Owen makes contact at one of her shows and Hannah is on alert. The next day strange men come to both her home and Bailey's apartment. Since Owen disappeared she has been on a constant vigil for something like this and they are both prepared to run. But why now?
Owen was not the man Hannah thought he was when she married him. He had deep secrets and a surly teen daughter. When that world imploded five years ago, Hannah and Bailey ran. Eventually they formed a relationship with Bailey's grandfather, Nicholas, and thought they were safe from Owen's past and the crime family who wanted him dead. Now, it appears something has broken the fragile agreement and on the heels of Owen's sudden appearance. Hannah and Bailey are on the run again. When they hear on the news that Nicholas has died, they know they have to implement their carefully made plans in order to stay alive. But this time, Hannah has hope that, at the end, they can at last all be together.
My thanks to the Publisher, and Author, for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.
Hannah Hall and her stepdaughter have settled in Southern California. Five years after Owen disappeared Bailey has finished college and Hannah has established herself as a premier furnishings designer. Owen makes contact at one of her shows and Hannah is on alert. The next day strange men come to both her home and Bailey's apartment. Since Owen disappeared she has been on a constant vigil for something like this and they are both prepared to run. But why now?
Owen was not the man Hannah thought he was when she married him. He had deep secrets and a surly teen daughter. When that world imploded five years ago, Hannah and Bailey ran. Eventually they formed a relationship with Bailey's grandfather, Nicholas, and thought they were safe from Owen's past and the crime family who wanted him dead. Now, it appears something has broken the fragile agreement and on the heels of Owen's sudden appearance. Hannah and Bailey are on the run again. When they hear on the news that Nicholas has died, they know they have to implement their carefully made plans in order to stay alive. But this time, Hannah has hope that, at the end, they can at last all be together.
My thanks to the Publisher, and Author, for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.
January 7, 2026
2.5 ⭐️, if a woman looking out at the ocean and tightening her cardigan around her was a book it would be this book. was this book particularly good? no. was the writing good? certainly not. was i entertained? yes.
January 28, 2026
After the conclusion of book 1 left me speechless, I was so excited when a book 2 was announced and wait to get my hands on it! I'm aiming to keep this spoiler free, no more than the synopsis gives, so it doesn't spoil book 1 or 2!
We're back with Hannah and Bailey. It's five years later and they are still defining their new life. This book gives us their life now but also fills in what Hannah didn't know in book 1. We get backstory and so much information, learning about more happy memories and loving moments but also the points that put them all in this position. It was interesting, to learn the things we didn't know and also touching to visit more loving memories of Own and Hannah together.
But this one lacked just a little bit of spark for me. What held me on the edge of my seat was a little more toned down for this one. I enjoyed learning the pieces we didn't know and I did love where this one concluded. It's a nice book 2 after such a great book 1!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
We're back with Hannah and Bailey. It's five years later and they are still defining their new life. This book gives us their life now but also fills in what Hannah didn't know in book 1. We get backstory and so much information, learning about more happy memories and loving moments but also the points that put them all in this position. It was interesting, to learn the things we didn't know and also touching to visit more loving memories of Own and Hannah together.
But this one lacked just a little bit of spark for me. What held me on the edge of my seat was a little more toned down for this one. I enjoyed learning the pieces we didn't know and I did love where this one concluded. It's a nice book 2 after such a great book 1!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
December 2, 2025
"Never let fear make your decisions"
The sequel I didn't know I needed but now I can't imagine not having it.
The sequel I didn't know I needed but now I can't imagine not having it.
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