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The Last Run
On the bracing edges of Alaska, a single mother is driven to secure her legacy in a powerful novel of family, forgiveness, and finding one’s place in the world by the author of Point of Direction.
It’s been years since Ellie fished the Alaskan coastline—not since her mother died. But when she finds her father beat up behind the local bar, she learns he’s done the gambled away the family’s commercial fishing boat—her five-year-old son’s inheritance and the life she longs to reclaim. For nefarious reasons of his own, the bookie gives them one season to earn the money to buy it back.
Ellie agrees to fish with her father, Pete, bringing her son, Drew, along as they chase the slim hope of paying off the debt. She’s no stranger to backbreaking work and little sleep; what she’s never been good at is accepting help—or trusting anyone, especially a secretive homesteader with demons of his own. Ellie’s growing attraction and the dangerous waters are the least of her worries. She’s hiding secrets from everyone and, as the date with the bookie draws closer, she is at risk of losing it all.
It’s been years since Ellie fished the Alaskan coastline—not since her mother died. But when she finds her father beat up behind the local bar, she learns he’s done the gambled away the family’s commercial fishing boat—her five-year-old son’s inheritance and the life she longs to reclaim. For nefarious reasons of his own, the bookie gives them one season to earn the money to buy it back.
Ellie agrees to fish with her father, Pete, bringing her son, Drew, along as they chase the slim hope of paying off the debt. She’s no stranger to backbreaking work and little sleep; what she’s never been good at is accepting help—or trusting anyone, especially a secretive homesteader with demons of his own. Ellie’s growing attraction and the dangerous waters are the least of her worries. She’s hiding secrets from everyone and, as the date with the bookie draws closer, she is at risk of losing it all.
249 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 9, 2026
About the author
Rachel Weaver
9 books81 followersRachel Weaver is the author of the novel Point of Direction, which Oprah Magazine named a Top Ten Book to Pick Up Now. Point of Direction was chosen by the American Booksellers Association as a Top Ten Debut for Spring 2014, by IndieBound as an Indie Next List Pick, by Yoga Journal as one of their Top Five Suggested Summer Reads and won the 2015 Willa Cather Award for Fiction.
Prior to earning her MFA in Writing and Poetics from Naropa University, Rachel worked for the Forest Service in Alaska studying bears, raptors and songbirds. She is on faculty at Wilkes University’s low-residency MFA program, and at Lighthouse Writers Workshop where she won the Beacon Award for Teaching Excellence in 2018. She is the owner of Sandstone Editing where she works with authors one on one to help them get their books ready for publication. Rachel’s fiction and nonfiction have appeared in The Sun Magazine, Gettysburg Review, Blue Mesa Review, Southeast Review, Medicine and Meaning, River Teeth, The Healing Muse, Alaska Women Speak and Fly Fishing New England.
Rachel’s medical memoir, Dizzy, is forthcoming in February 2026 with West Virginia University Press as a part of the Connective Tissues Series. She also has a novel, The Last Run, forthcoming in June 2026 by Lake Union. For more information visit https://rachelweaver.net/land. Point of Direction is her first novel.
Prior to earning her MFA in Writing and Poetics from Naropa University, Rachel worked for the Forest Service in Alaska studying bears, raptors and songbirds. She is on faculty at Wilkes University’s low-residency MFA program, and at Lighthouse Writers Workshop where she won the Beacon Award for Teaching Excellence in 2018. She is the owner of Sandstone Editing where she works with authors one on one to help them get their books ready for publication. Rachel’s fiction and nonfiction have appeared in The Sun Magazine, Gettysburg Review, Blue Mesa Review, Southeast Review, Medicine and Meaning, River Teeth, The Healing Muse, Alaska Women Speak and Fly Fishing New England.
Rachel’s medical memoir, Dizzy, is forthcoming in February 2026 with West Virginia University Press as a part of the Connective Tissues Series. She also has a novel, The Last Run, forthcoming in June 2026 by Lake Union. For more information visit https://rachelweaver.net/land. Point of Direction is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
June 13, 2026
This was an AMAZING story about second chances and the risks we’ll take for love and family.
The author brought the setting alive so that I felt I was on the fishing boat with the characters and crafted these flawed and relatable characters with such depth that I felt like I’d known them for some time…more than that, I really cared what happened to them.
I’d love a sequel!
This new-to-me author dazzled me with her surprising story, making me crave anything from her backlist.
Worthy of all the stars!
*minimal swearing
The author brought the setting alive so that I felt I was on the fishing boat with the characters and crafted these flawed and relatable characters with such depth that I felt like I’d known them for some time…more than that, I really cared what happened to them.
I’d love a sequel!
This new-to-me author dazzled me with her surprising story, making me crave anything from her backlist.
Worthy of all the stars!
*minimal swearing
June 24, 2026
I'm usually a 'things go boom' kind of reader, but my interests are vast and I was intrigued by this one.
It's a very good read!
The author puts us in the heart of the Alaskan fishing industry and all the pain, challenges, and triumphs that go along with it. I felt like I was on that boat with our main character and her little family and I was absolutely rooting for them to succeed!
While I learned a lot about the industry, at its heart the books is about family, grief and just trying to get by when every little thing is stacked against you.
Enjoyed this one!
It's a very good read!
The author puts us in the heart of the Alaskan fishing industry and all the pain, challenges, and triumphs that go along with it. I felt like I was on that boat with our main character and her little family and I was absolutely rooting for them to succeed!
While I learned a lot about the industry, at its heart the books is about family, grief and just trying to get by when every little thing is stacked against you.
Enjoyed this one!
May 8, 2026
I’m going right in with the 5 stars on this one, between the setting the storyline and the narration it was perfect, on what was a really stressful day for me I was still completely invested in the story.
There seems to be a big draw for me on novels set in Alaska, I don’t know for the life of me why that is but I’ve consistently enjoyed them, and this one was entirely unlike anything else. Think deadliest catch to save your entire world. I loved the characters and I was often times holding my breath.
Fabulous.
All the stars 🌟
#Jorecommends
Huge thanks to Brilliance Publishing via NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC 🎧
There seems to be a big draw for me on novels set in Alaska, I don’t know for the life of me why that is but I’ve consistently enjoyed them, and this one was entirely unlike anything else. Think deadliest catch to save your entire world. I loved the characters and I was often times holding my breath.
Fabulous.
All the stars 🌟
#Jorecommends
Huge thanks to Brilliance Publishing via NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC 🎧
June 30, 2026
First of all, thank you to Brilliance Audio & NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook. I thought this story was really interesting & a perfect example of second chances & what we do for those we love. This author brought the setting alive & it felt like I was on the fishing boat with them. It was emotional & intense & I’d definitely recommend this book. The narrator, Saskia Maarleveld, did a fantastic job & really told the story in an exciting fashion.
June 20, 2026
2.5⭐️. I was drawn to this book based on some ads and reviews. The ads promised descriptions of Alaska and the fishing industry, as well as some drama. However, the book crawled along for me without too much depth. Also, I listened to this one and I was not thrilled with the audiobook narrator’s voice(s). Not a winner for me but am glad I finished it.
May 23, 2026
Oh, that feeling when a book completely hooks you. I was hooked, gaffed, and filleted in the best possible way reading The Last Run. I found Ellie to be such a relatable main character, and I felt so much empathy for her throughout the story. Her “mom moments” felt deeply familiar to me, and the writing pulled me into every emotion, bringing a few tears along the way. This is ultimately a story about starting over while failing to realize how tightly you’re still anchored to your past.
Of course, with Alaska as the setting, you know nature is going to become a prominent character in the story. I was mesmerized by the beauty of southeast Alaska through Weaver’s vivid writing. I could practically feel the constant rain soaking through my clothes, and at times I wondered how people persevere through it all. But resilience is such an important part of this novel, and the steadfastness of the Alaskan people with their ability to embrace nature while adapting to whatever comes their way was incredibly moving.
Interwoven throughout Ellie’s story is her father, Pete, and his gambling addiction, which sets the story in motion. The loss of a fishing boat and permit in southeast Alaska is financially devastating. Although Ellie has been estranged from her father for the past five years, she always believed the boat and permit would one day become the legacy she passed down to her son, Drew. I especially loved how Weaver wrote Drew’s character. Ellie’s struggle to be a good parent resonated with me deeply. There’s also a subtle romance woven into this beautiful story, but like everything else in the novel, it comes with a complicated history that cannot be ignored. Will one last run during the Alaskan salmon season be enough to save both a family and its legacy?
There are so many wonderful moments and poignant reflections throughout this story. I highly recommend The Last Run to readers who enjoy complex family dynamics, stories that explore past trauma, breathtaking scenery, and perfectly imperfect characters who inspire deep empathy.
Thank you Rachel Weaver and Lake Union Publishing for this gift ARC copy via NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.
Of course, with Alaska as the setting, you know nature is going to become a prominent character in the story. I was mesmerized by the beauty of southeast Alaska through Weaver’s vivid writing. I could practically feel the constant rain soaking through my clothes, and at times I wondered how people persevere through it all. But resilience is such an important part of this novel, and the steadfastness of the Alaskan people with their ability to embrace nature while adapting to whatever comes their way was incredibly moving.
Interwoven throughout Ellie’s story is her father, Pete, and his gambling addiction, which sets the story in motion. The loss of a fishing boat and permit in southeast Alaska is financially devastating. Although Ellie has been estranged from her father for the past five years, she always believed the boat and permit would one day become the legacy she passed down to her son, Drew. I especially loved how Weaver wrote Drew’s character. Ellie’s struggle to be a good parent resonated with me deeply. There’s also a subtle romance woven into this beautiful story, but like everything else in the novel, it comes with a complicated history that cannot be ignored. Will one last run during the Alaskan salmon season be enough to save both a family and its legacy?
There are so many wonderful moments and poignant reflections throughout this story. I highly recommend The Last Run to readers who enjoy complex family dynamics, stories that explore past trauma, breathtaking scenery, and perfectly imperfect characters who inspire deep empathy.
Thank you Rachel Weaver and Lake Union Publishing for this gift ARC copy via NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.
June 9, 2026
That feeling you get when you start a new book, by a new author, and within the first few pages, if not paragraphs, you are completely hooked…. This is that book.
Ellie is attempting to get her little boy to day care, where he doesn’t exactly thrive, so that she can go to work to do a job that she loathes. It’s slinging it down with rain which adds perfectly to the utter gloom of the situation and her mood. Yet in spite of this, you instantly sense this spark about her - she might be down on her luck and wracked with guilt but she isn’t vulnerable. She’s going to be ok. Somehow.
it doesn’t take long for this book to take off at a pace, as we quickly discover that Ellie’s estranged father is in huge debt. The family fishing business is at stake against a loan. The likelihood of him managing to settle this debt, and keep the boat, seem highly unlikely.
Bizarrely, this seems like the catalyst that Ellie didn’t know she needed: to quit her job. leave her dull life behind and return to the sea to do what is in her blood: trawling the family fishing boat, working out on the open waves and being back in an environment that suits her better than the one that she’s been hiding in for the last few years.
On paper this should seem wreckless, irresponsible, and doomed to fail. Her dad is recovering from being left beaten in an alleyway. Her small boy Drew is a sensitive little soul who can’t stand to be parted from his mum and who is timid around his own shadow. And Ellie herself hasn’t hauled in a catch of the day in a very long time. Yet despite these odds being very much not in her favour, there is an energy and a drive that spurs the reader on the journey with her, willing her to succeed.
Trouble can still find you on the waves, though. Secrets and debts have a way of catching up with you, even far out on the ocean…
Thank you so much NetGalley, author Rachel Weaver and Lake Union Press for this treasure of a read.
Ellie is attempting to get her little boy to day care, where he doesn’t exactly thrive, so that she can go to work to do a job that she loathes. It’s slinging it down with rain which adds perfectly to the utter gloom of the situation and her mood. Yet in spite of this, you instantly sense this spark about her - she might be down on her luck and wracked with guilt but she isn’t vulnerable. She’s going to be ok. Somehow.
it doesn’t take long for this book to take off at a pace, as we quickly discover that Ellie’s estranged father is in huge debt. The family fishing business is at stake against a loan. The likelihood of him managing to settle this debt, and keep the boat, seem highly unlikely.
Bizarrely, this seems like the catalyst that Ellie didn’t know she needed: to quit her job. leave her dull life behind and return to the sea to do what is in her blood: trawling the family fishing boat, working out on the open waves and being back in an environment that suits her better than the one that she’s been hiding in for the last few years.
On paper this should seem wreckless, irresponsible, and doomed to fail. Her dad is recovering from being left beaten in an alleyway. Her small boy Drew is a sensitive little soul who can’t stand to be parted from his mum and who is timid around his own shadow. And Ellie herself hasn’t hauled in a catch of the day in a very long time. Yet despite these odds being very much not in her favour, there is an energy and a drive that spurs the reader on the journey with her, willing her to succeed.
Trouble can still find you on the waves, though. Secrets and debts have a way of catching up with you, even far out on the ocean…
Thank you so much NetGalley, author Rachel Weaver and Lake Union Press for this treasure of a read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 Stars.
Brief Overview: Fans of the show The Deadliest Catch or the books The Great Alone or The Shark House will love this contemporary novel about an Alaskan single mom and fisherwoman who endures great trials attempting to earn $50k in one season to pay off her father's debt. This is a story of survival, sacrifice, and loyalty to family.
My Impressions: I loved how strong and capable and self-sacrificing Ellie was throughout the story. I loved Drew and his personality felt believable for his age. Pete rubbed me the wrong way, and I wanted more character development at the ending for him. It didn't seem like he learned his lesson or grew through the experience. I also wanted to get to know Van more in the end. It seemed like there was part of the story with Drew's dad, and Ellie, and Van, that should have been explained more. I enjoyed the true way the fishing runs were described, but some of the details were lost on me. I felt like the ending was a little abrupt; I wanted to know more about Van, and what Ellie and Drew went on to do after the last run was complete and the debt was paid. I wanted an epilogue or more story.
Audiobook Notes: Narrated by the great Saskia Maarleveld, the audiobook version is the way to go on this novel. Expertly spoken, I give 5 stars to the narration quality.
Bottom Line: Although it may only attract specific audiences interested in this topic, it was an interesting read with believable characters and the author clearly knew the subject matter well. The high quality narration made it easy to finish.
Content Considerations: Moderate frequency of strong profanity (f---), no spice (not a romance).
Thank you to Brilliance Audio and NetGalley for the complementary copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review. My review is my own opinion and is not influenced in any way by the author or publisher.
Brief Overview: Fans of the show The Deadliest Catch or the books The Great Alone or The Shark House will love this contemporary novel about an Alaskan single mom and fisherwoman who endures great trials attempting to earn $50k in one season to pay off her father's debt. This is a story of survival, sacrifice, and loyalty to family.
My Impressions: I loved how strong and capable and self-sacrificing Ellie was throughout the story. I loved Drew and his personality felt believable for his age. Pete rubbed me the wrong way, and I wanted more character development at the ending for him. It didn't seem like he learned his lesson or grew through the experience. I also wanted to get to know Van more in the end. It seemed like there was part of the story with Drew's dad, and Ellie, and Van, that should have been explained more. I enjoyed the true way the fishing runs were described, but some of the details were lost on me. I felt like the ending was a little abrupt; I wanted to know more about Van, and what Ellie and Drew went on to do after the last run was complete and the debt was paid. I wanted an epilogue or more story.
Audiobook Notes: Narrated by the great Saskia Maarleveld, the audiobook version is the way to go on this novel. Expertly spoken, I give 5 stars to the narration quality.
Bottom Line: Although it may only attract specific audiences interested in this topic, it was an interesting read with believable characters and the author clearly knew the subject matter well. The high quality narration made it easy to finish.
Content Considerations: Moderate frequency of strong profanity (f---), no spice (not a romance).
Thank you to Brilliance Audio and NetGalley for the complementary copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review. My review is my own opinion and is not influenced in any way by the author or publisher.
June 10, 2026
The Last Run
by Rachel Weaver
Rating: 5 star rating
I really enjoyed The Last Run by Rachel Weaver. This is the story of Ellie, a single mom in Alaska who discovers that her father, Pete, has gambled away the family's fishing boat and permit. She is trying to save what is left for her young son, Drew. She agrees to spend one last fishing season with her father to try to earn the money to get it back.
What I loved most about this book was the relationship between Ellie and her father. Neither one is perfect, and both have made mistakes, but I found myself rooting for them. Drew was also a wonderful young boy and added a lot of heart to the story.
The Alaska setting felt very real, and the commercial fishing scenes made me feel like I was right there on the boat. The story tells about a storm that damages the boat and how the family stands behind each other; with forgiveness, hard work, and acceptance of help from each other.
The ending left me feeling hopeful. The major conflicts are resolved when, at the end of the story, Ellie meets the man who holds her fathers gambling debt and title to the boat. This will be a surprising ending to the story.
If you enjoy family dramas with strong characters and beautiful settings, I would definitely recommend this book. It was emotional, uplifting, and hard to put down.
Thank you, NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing, and Rachel Weaver for this book review consideration. All review opinions are my own.
#NetGalley
#LakeUnionPublishing
#TheLastRun
#RachelWeaver
http://goodreads.com/patriciasreading...
http://www.patriciasreadingroom.blogs...
by Rachel Weaver
Rating: 5 star rating
I really enjoyed The Last Run by Rachel Weaver. This is the story of Ellie, a single mom in Alaska who discovers that her father, Pete, has gambled away the family's fishing boat and permit. She is trying to save what is left for her young son, Drew. She agrees to spend one last fishing season with her father to try to earn the money to get it back.
What I loved most about this book was the relationship between Ellie and her father. Neither one is perfect, and both have made mistakes, but I found myself rooting for them. Drew was also a wonderful young boy and added a lot of heart to the story.
The Alaska setting felt very real, and the commercial fishing scenes made me feel like I was right there on the boat. The story tells about a storm that damages the boat and how the family stands behind each other; with forgiveness, hard work, and acceptance of help from each other.
The ending left me feeling hopeful. The major conflicts are resolved when, at the end of the story, Ellie meets the man who holds her fathers gambling debt and title to the boat. This will be a surprising ending to the story.
If you enjoy family dramas with strong characters and beautiful settings, I would definitely recommend this book. It was emotional, uplifting, and hard to put down.
Thank you, NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing, and Rachel Weaver for this book review consideration. All review opinions are my own.
#NetGalley
#LakeUnionPublishing
#TheLastRun
#RachelWeaver
http://goodreads.com/patriciasreading...
http://www.patriciasreadingroom.blogs...
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I wanted to love this one.
A novel about commercial fishing in Alaska, family conflict, debt, survival, and second chances sounds exactly like the kind of book I gravitate toward. The setting is fantastic, and Rachel Weaver deserves credit for taking on such a challenging and unusual subject. It's clear she knows this world inside and out.
My problem wasn't the story itself. It was the emotional connection.
I kept waiting to feel fully invested in Ellie, but I never quite got there. I understood what she was feeling, yet I rarely felt it alongside her. The characterization often felt surface-level, with emotions explained rather than revealed through actions, dialogue, or subtle moments. I wanted to get under Ellie's skin, but the book never allowed me to.
I also found some sections repetitive, particularly the detailed descriptions of boat repairs, fishing operations, and fish processing. While they added authenticity, they sometimes slowed the story and pulled my attention away from the characters.
What kept me reading was the plot. I genuinely wanted to know how everything would turn out, and I thought the ending was satisfying. The final revelations worked well, the central conflicts were resolved in a believable way, and the story ended on a hopeful note.
In the end, this was a solid read that I admired more than I loved. I respect the ambition behind it, and I can absolutely see other readers connecting with it more than I did. Unfortunately, it never delivered the emotional depth I was hoping for.
A novel about commercial fishing in Alaska, family conflict, debt, survival, and second chances sounds exactly like the kind of book I gravitate toward. The setting is fantastic, and Rachel Weaver deserves credit for taking on such a challenging and unusual subject. It's clear she knows this world inside and out.
My problem wasn't the story itself. It was the emotional connection.
I kept waiting to feel fully invested in Ellie, but I never quite got there. I understood what she was feeling, yet I rarely felt it alongside her. The characterization often felt surface-level, with emotions explained rather than revealed through actions, dialogue, or subtle moments. I wanted to get under Ellie's skin, but the book never allowed me to.
I also found some sections repetitive, particularly the detailed descriptions of boat repairs, fishing operations, and fish processing. While they added authenticity, they sometimes slowed the story and pulled my attention away from the characters.
What kept me reading was the plot. I genuinely wanted to know how everything would turn out, and I thought the ending was satisfying. The final revelations worked well, the central conflicts were resolved in a believable way, and the story ended on a hopeful note.
In the end, this was a solid read that I admired more than I loved. I respect the ambition behind it, and I can absolutely see other readers connecting with it more than I did. Unfortunately, it never delivered the emotional depth I was hoping for.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Many thanks to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing | Lake Union Publishing, and Brilliance Publishing for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this wonderful novel by Rachel Weaver, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by Saskia Maarleveld. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!
It’s been years since Ellie fished the Alaskan coastline—not since her mother died. But when she finds her father beat up behind the local bar, she learns he’s done the gambled away the family’s commercial fishing boat—her five-year-old son’s inheritance and the life she longs to reclaim. For nefarious reasons of his own, the bookie gives them one season to earn the money to buy it back. Ellie agrees to fish with her father, Pete, bringing her son, Drew, along as they chase the slim hope of paying off the debt.
If you would have told me that I would have been enthralled with a book about Alaskan fishing, I would not have believed you. Apparently, this is why those tv shows were so popular, because this story was so tense and gripping that I couldn't look away. I loved Ellie’s character, trying to be the best mom possible while struggling, still trying to help her dad who has disappointed her yet again. Of course, the Alaskan fishing environment is a character itself, and I felt the harshness, the struggles, the sense of accomplishment at the end of a hard day. There’s some romance involved too, but just enough to keep things interesting. The narration by Saskia Maarleveld was top notch and I ended up listening to this one exclusively. Wonderful!
It’s been years since Ellie fished the Alaskan coastline—not since her mother died. But when she finds her father beat up behind the local bar, she learns he’s done the gambled away the family’s commercial fishing boat—her five-year-old son’s inheritance and the life she longs to reclaim. For nefarious reasons of his own, the bookie gives them one season to earn the money to buy it back. Ellie agrees to fish with her father, Pete, bringing her son, Drew, along as they chase the slim hope of paying off the debt.
If you would have told me that I would have been enthralled with a book about Alaskan fishing, I would not have believed you. Apparently, this is why those tv shows were so popular, because this story was so tense and gripping that I couldn't look away. I loved Ellie’s character, trying to be the best mom possible while struggling, still trying to help her dad who has disappointed her yet again. Of course, the Alaskan fishing environment is a character itself, and I felt the harshness, the struggles, the sense of accomplishment at the end of a hard day. There’s some romance involved too, but just enough to keep things interesting. The narration by Saskia Maarleveld was top notch and I ended up listening to this one exclusively. Wonderful!
June 12, 2026
I'm not gonna lie: I requested this book because I usually love books set in Alaska, regardless of the genre it is. So...I barely read the synopsis before reading it. I just wanted to read a story set in Alaska. :)
Anything could be a surprise to me here. And it was. A happy one, I might say.
For me, it was very easy to empathise with and care for the FMC (her rocky relationship with her dad, her traumas and loses from the past, her relationship with her small son) all worked with me. The descriptions of the city, the boat, the fishing, everything felt so rich and realistic. I really appreciate that.
The only thing that bothered me a little (and that is only my personal opinion, a personal taste of mine in any stories) was the 'gambling' moments. The talk and scenes focused on the gambling issue and all that. I don't like that. Regardless of the format of the story (novels, movies, shows, wahtever). I do not like that. Nothing wrong with that being a part of the story here - again, it's just my personal taste. But that did bore me a little when it happened in this book.
In general, I had a great time with this book. Rooting for the dad and daughter relationship get back on track (it was heartbreaking seeing how much the kid wanted a grandpap in his life) and for them to solve their money problems and move on.
Too bad this is a short novel. I could have spent more time with these characters.
Thank you, NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing, for this eARC.
Anything could be a surprise to me here. And it was. A happy one, I might say.
For me, it was very easy to empathise with and care for the FMC (her rocky relationship with her dad, her traumas and loses from the past, her relationship with her small son) all worked with me. The descriptions of the city, the boat, the fishing, everything felt so rich and realistic. I really appreciate that.
The only thing that bothered me a little (and that is only my personal opinion, a personal taste of mine in any stories) was the 'gambling' moments. The talk and scenes focused on the gambling issue and all that. I don't like that. Regardless of the format of the story (novels, movies, shows, wahtever). I do not like that. Nothing wrong with that being a part of the story here - again, it's just my personal taste. But that did bore me a little when it happened in this book.
In general, I had a great time with this book. Rooting for the dad and daughter relationship get back on track (it was heartbreaking seeing how much the kid wanted a grandpap in his life) and for them to solve their money problems and move on.
Too bad this is a short novel. I could have spent more time with these characters.
Thank you, NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing, for this eARC.
June 11, 2026
The US Department of Labor lists Alaskan Commercial Fishing as the most dangerous job in America. It's no wonder shows last Deadliest Catch draw huge audiences. Rachel Weaver pits the characters of The Last Run against this background after the actions of Ellie's father push her to face this consequence. Ellie is the single Mom of 5-year-old Drew. Their life is tough as she tries to keep her family together in an area where choices are few and most depend on the unpredictable commercial fishing markets and seasonal tourism. When she finds her father has gambled away the family's commercial fishing permit and boat, it seems they have reached the end of the road. The family has been given one last season to make enough money to reclaim the losses. Against this plotline, Weaver has built an excellent story of a young woman who, against all odds, must perform a miracle or two. Weaver has skillfully painted vivid descriptions of Southeast Alaska, the commercial fishing community, and the degree of strength Ellie must pull from her overworked, exhausted body. I've visited this area many times. Weaver's descriptions are so accurate, I feel as if I were there again. Not many writers can give life to the written word like this.
This book, this writer, deserve more than 5 stars, but that's I have to give.
This book, this writer, deserve more than 5 stars, but that's I have to give.
June 18, 2026
Life in Alaska is hard and so are the people who live there. Ellie grew up on a fishing boat with her parents, but is trying to bring her son Drew up in town as a single mother. Life isn't great, but it's predictable, that is until she runs across her estranged father lying bleeding in an alley.
Pete, Ellie's father, is in deep to a bookie and the only way to save the family boat and repay the money is to have one last good fishing season. Ellie reluctantly agrees to work the season, keeping Drew on the boat with them as well as a new friend who volunteers. The question is will they survive long enough to earn the money to pay off the bookie, or die in the process?
I struggled to get through the first part of this book. I knew nothing about the fishing industry at all, but the narrative slowly drew me in. I found it interesting and frightening that every day people are risking their lives to put fish on people's dinner tables. The interactions between Ellie and Pete were often uncomfortable, and I felt bad for little Drew. All in all, I would read another book by this author on a different subject.
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.
Pete, Ellie's father, is in deep to a bookie and the only way to save the family boat and repay the money is to have one last good fishing season. Ellie reluctantly agrees to work the season, keeping Drew on the boat with them as well as a new friend who volunteers. The question is will they survive long enough to earn the money to pay off the bookie, or die in the process?
I struggled to get through the first part of this book. I knew nothing about the fishing industry at all, but the narrative slowly drew me in. I found it interesting and frightening that every day people are risking their lives to put fish on people's dinner tables. The interactions between Ellie and Pete were often uncomfortable, and I felt bad for little Drew. All in all, I would read another book by this author on a different subject.
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Set on the waters of Alaska, The Last Run by Rachel Weaver is a dramatic, high-stakes story that kept me guessing until the very end. Ellie is a single mother of a preschooler, struggling to make ends meet and longing to build a better life for her son. Having grown up on her parents' commercial fishing boat, the last thing she expected was a summer spent fishing salmon alongside her estranged father. Weaver expertly weaves the danger of salmon fishing with a poignant narrative about standing by family when it matters most.
The audiobook version is highly recommended! Narrated by one of the best in the business, Saskia Maarleveld delivers a stellar performance; she could truly read the phone book and make it engaging.
It is clear that Weaver is incredibly knowledgeable about Alaska and the commercial fishing industry. Fans of The Shark House will appreciate the similar atmospheric, high-seas vibe. This is a must-listen when it releases on June 9th!
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for providing an Advanced Listening Copy (ALC) in exchange for an honest review.
The audiobook version is highly recommended! Narrated by one of the best in the business, Saskia Maarleveld delivers a stellar performance; she could truly read the phone book and make it engaging.
It is clear that Weaver is incredibly knowledgeable about Alaska and the commercial fishing industry. Fans of The Shark House will appreciate the similar atmospheric, high-seas vibe. This is a must-listen when it releases on June 9th!
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for providing an Advanced Listening Copy (ALC) in exchange for an honest review.
July 11, 2026
I have long wanted to go to Alaska and this story made me want to go, even more!
Ellie is a single mum and she walked away from her father when she was pregnant, fighting every day to survive in a job she doesn't really like but which she tolerates because she is trying to make a solid future for herself and her boy. Her son, Drew, is an anxious child and because Ellie is stretched so thin with the whole work and daycare situation, she tends to take it out on him which makes him even MORE anxious and round and round it goes. I could really relate to this situation.
When Ellie gets the chance to go back on the fishing boat that her father owns, she does so reluctantly but she recognises that unless she does so, Drew's future is looking quite uncertain.
This is an amazing book about family ties, grief, the beautiful Alaskan wilderness and the things we do out of obligation and guilt.
You have GOT to love people who make their living on a fishing boat. Hard, hard work under harsh conditions and no guarantee that you can survive on what you get, even if you have done everything right.
4.5 stars from me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing.
Ellie is a single mum and she walked away from her father when she was pregnant, fighting every day to survive in a job she doesn't really like but which she tolerates because she is trying to make a solid future for herself and her boy. Her son, Drew, is an anxious child and because Ellie is stretched so thin with the whole work and daycare situation, she tends to take it out on him which makes him even MORE anxious and round and round it goes. I could really relate to this situation.
When Ellie gets the chance to go back on the fishing boat that her father owns, she does so reluctantly but she recognises that unless she does so, Drew's future is looking quite uncertain.
This is an amazing book about family ties, grief, the beautiful Alaskan wilderness and the things we do out of obligation and guilt.
You have GOT to love people who make their living on a fishing boat. Hard, hard work under harsh conditions and no guarantee that you can survive on what you get, even if you have done everything right.
4.5 stars from me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review of ARC received from net galley for an honest review
I don’t usually give out 5 stars. But this novel was exceptional. It details the harsh reality of commercial fishing in Alaska. Themes include grief, resilience, addiction, redemption. The novel follows Ellie, a single mother who returns to fishing after learning her father has lost the family boat, putting her future and her son’s inheritance at risk.
Weaver does a great job bringing Alaska and the fishing industry to life without overcomplicating the story. Her storytelling is vivid and immersive and emotionally grounded, bringing both the Alaskan setting and the characters’ struggles to life. The relationship between Ellie and her father gives the novel its emotional depth, and Ellie is a realistic, likable main character. The book balances tense moments on the water with quieter scenes about family, grief, and forgiveness. Overall, it’s an engaging and emotional read with a vivid setting and strong character development.
I don’t usually give out 5 stars. But this novel was exceptional. It details the harsh reality of commercial fishing in Alaska. Themes include grief, resilience, addiction, redemption. The novel follows Ellie, a single mother who returns to fishing after learning her father has lost the family boat, putting her future and her son’s inheritance at risk.
Weaver does a great job bringing Alaska and the fishing industry to life without overcomplicating the story. Her storytelling is vivid and immersive and emotionally grounded, bringing both the Alaskan setting and the characters’ struggles to life. The relationship between Ellie and her father gives the novel its emotional depth, and Ellie is a realistic, likable main character. The book balances tense moments on the water with quieter scenes about family, grief, and forgiveness. Overall, it’s an engaging and emotional read with a vivid setting and strong character development.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I have tried to be very careful about giving out five stars to the books I read. I want them to mean something. This one means something. I love good storytelling. I love relatable characters that I would like to know more about or live next door to. I love to be captivated up in a book so much that I don’t want to put it down but I hesitate picking it up because I don’t want it to end. And The Last Run was all of that to me. Ellie and her 5 year old son Drew are the stars of this book. Ellie has lived a hard life and Drew is following in his Mom’s footsteps. Ella’s family are fishermen- Alaskan fishermen. That doesn’t seem to be an easy life. This book captures all of that raw feeling. It made me want to turn the page to see what happened next. Not many writers can do that for me. I will recommend. Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union for allowing me to read an advance copy for my honest review.
June 1, 2026
A barely coping single mother finds her estranged father, beaten and broken, after a 7-year absence. He needs her help to pay off a large debt and, in return, offers her and her son a chance for a fresh start - on a fishing boat in the cold Alaskan waters.
Ellie is short-tempered and at the end of her tether, and her young son is paying the price. The emotional parts of this story are realistic, but what really shines are the descriptions of finding, catching, and filleting the fish. Living on the fishing boat for days or weeks at a time, chasing down the dream of a big payday. The themes of forgiveness, accepting help, and learning to trust envelop the narrative in not-very-subtle ways, yet I enjoyed the story overall. 4.3 stars.
My thanks to the author, publisher, @BrillianceAudio, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook of #TheLastRun for review purposes. Publication date: 9 June 2026. A great read to cool off on hot summer days!
Ellie is short-tempered and at the end of her tether, and her young son is paying the price. The emotional parts of this story are realistic, but what really shines are the descriptions of finding, catching, and filleting the fish. Living on the fishing boat for days or weeks at a time, chasing down the dream of a big payday. The themes of forgiveness, accepting help, and learning to trust envelop the narrative in not-very-subtle ways, yet I enjoyed the story overall. 4.3 stars.
My thanks to the author, publisher, @BrillianceAudio, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook of #TheLastRun for review purposes. Publication date: 9 June 2026. A great read to cool off on hot summer days!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This one went by way too quickly! I bought in with this family and their struggles from the get-go. I was in tears listening when father and daughter finally talked about what everyone kept hidden while his wife/her mom was dying of cancer. They came together when they both needed each other most and grew closer together as the story continued.
Father, Pete, and daughter Ellie, with her young son Drew, head out on the family fishing boat to save it from Pete's bookie and bad decisions. All they have to do is have the salmon season of their lives in the waters of Alaska. Along the way, they pick up some strays and find a sense of community they didn't realize they longed for. And, an interesting plot twist at the end!
It's a short listen (6 hours) and well worth it!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Brilliance Audio for providing me with this audiobook in exchange for my honest opinion.
Father, Pete, and daughter Ellie, with her young son Drew, head out on the family fishing boat to save it from Pete's bookie and bad decisions. All they have to do is have the salmon season of their lives in the waters of Alaska. Along the way, they pick up some strays and find a sense of community they didn't realize they longed for. And, an interesting plot twist at the end!
It's a short listen (6 hours) and well worth it!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Brilliance Audio for providing me with this audiobook in exchange for my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to @NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of The Last Run by Rachel Weaver. This is my first book by this author and I really enjoyed this book. The Last Run follows Ellie and her four year old son Drew as they try to make a life for themselves in a small remote village in Alaska. Ellie grew up on a fishing boat with her parents, but when Ellie was 17 her mom passed away and her father started drinking. Ellie left home and a few years later finds herself with a young son and a struggling life. She ends up reconnecting with her father and finds out that his gambling has put the boat and it's permit into the hands of a bookie. They need $50,000 to get the boat back. This book takes you on a wild summer of fishing the unforgiving waters of Alaska. Release date is June 9, 2026
May 8, 2026
SO, I’m a huge fan of the show called Deadliest Catch where it shows men going out in large boats to catch crabs. It’s super dangerous, and makes me a nervous wreck, but I love it!! So, when I read The Last Run by Rachel Weaver, I had that in the forefront of my mind. Ellie is back in Alaska when she finds her dad beaten up behind a place. He’s been gambling and has lost a great deal of money and possibly their fishing boat which is supposed to be the Ellie and her son, Drew’s livelihood. So, they are off to catch a huge amount of fish in a short amount of time to try to pay off the debt. This has some exciting tense moments as well as some family building between all of them. This is not really s topic I’ve ever read, so I found it unique and entertaining! Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this ALC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for a free advance copy audiobook (written by Rachel Weaver and narrated by Saskia Maarleveld) in exchange for an honest review ❤️
First of all, I knew I was about to hear a story about a strong woman simply from the sound of Saskia Maarleveld's voice. I wasn't wrong!
This is a powerful story of an independent woman, her estranged father, and her timid son. When worse comes to worst, the three generations find themselves forced to challenge themselves together in cold Alaskan waters. They have to earn enough money fishing this season to save their boat and possibly their lives.
This is an engaging story of motherhood, livelihood, grudges, forgiveness, love, and more. Especially with the narration, I round this one up to 5 stars ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ for such an immersive and informative novel.
First of all, I knew I was about to hear a story about a strong woman simply from the sound of Saskia Maarleveld's voice. I wasn't wrong!
This is a powerful story of an independent woman, her estranged father, and her timid son. When worse comes to worst, the three generations find themselves forced to challenge themselves together in cold Alaskan waters. They have to earn enough money fishing this season to save their boat and possibly their lives.
This is an engaging story of motherhood, livelihood, grudges, forgiveness, love, and more. Especially with the narration, I round this one up to 5 stars ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ for such an immersive and informative novel.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Advanced Readers Copy
3.5/5
Deadliest Catch TV show vibes! If you have read The Great Alone by Kristen Hannah then this book might feel familiar, albeit shorter. The main character, Ellie, and her son join forces with her estranged father to pay off his debts and reclaim their Alaskan fishing boat. The cold and tough Alaskan landscape make it ever so difficult to fish and recoup losses, but along the way they find friendly people willing to help. There is great plot but I feel that it is too short. I think the back stories of the main characters and their reasons for being the way they are were underdeveloped. Ellie is the only one I understand her reasoning for the decisions that she makes. I loved how everything turned out and the twist at the end! I did not see that coming.
Thank you Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC!
3.5/5
Deadliest Catch TV show vibes! If you have read The Great Alone by Kristen Hannah then this book might feel familiar, albeit shorter. The main character, Ellie, and her son join forces with her estranged father to pay off his debts and reclaim their Alaskan fishing boat. The cold and tough Alaskan landscape make it ever so difficult to fish and recoup losses, but along the way they find friendly people willing to help. There is great plot but I feel that it is too short. I think the back stories of the main characters and their reasons for being the way they are were underdeveloped. Ellie is the only one I understand her reasoning for the decisions that she makes. I loved how everything turned out and the twist at the end! I did not see that coming.
Thank you Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC!
June 28, 2026
I have conflicting feelings about this book. It wasn't terrible, but it wasn't over-the-moon fantastic. There were a few times I knew exactly where the story was going and wanted to quit, but something compelled me to finish it out. I don't feel better or worse for pushing through to the end, which makes it hard to know how I fully feel about the book. On one hand, it was nice to have a book set in a place I hardly see books for, and set around a topic I know nothing about, so it was a new and exciting adventure for learning, but on the other hand, I predicted just about everything that ended up happening with the characters, and that is a little soul-crushing.
That all being said, the writing was great, the characters had great development, and the theme of second chances for everyone rang true throughout the entire story without feeling forced.
That all being said, the writing was great, the characters had great development, and the theme of second chances for everyone rang true throughout the entire story without feeling forced.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5 stars
First off, I will listen to anything Saskia M narrates. It’s always a home run narration, made even better when I like the book. Which I did! The Last Run was a fairly stark slice of life in modern day Alaska. Ellie is a single mother, unhappily working a desk top to provide for herself and her young son. One day, her father Pete comes back to town after a severe beating due to gambling debt. The family fishing license and boat are at stake and Pete needs Ellie’s help if she wants to pass the family business to her son. They are racing against the odds until the very end to catch enough fish to pay their debts. The story was unique and compelling. I’ll be thinking about it for a while.
*Thanks to Brilliance Audio and NetGalley for the free copy
First off, I will listen to anything Saskia M narrates. It’s always a home run narration, made even better when I like the book. Which I did! The Last Run was a fairly stark slice of life in modern day Alaska. Ellie is a single mother, unhappily working a desk top to provide for herself and her young son. One day, her father Pete comes back to town after a severe beating due to gambling debt. The family fishing license and boat are at stake and Pete needs Ellie’s help if she wants to pass the family business to her son. They are racing against the odds until the very end to catch enough fish to pay their debts. The story was unique and compelling. I’ll be thinking about it for a while.
*Thanks to Brilliance Audio and NetGalley for the free copy
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Last Run by Rachel Weaver takes place in the harsh Alaskan coastline. Ellie sets out to secure her and her son’s legacy by fishing with her father, who has been beaten down by life and his own poor choices.
If I had to describe this book in one word, it would be “grit.” It’s palpable in the lives, the choices, and the harshness of the terrain. It’s a slow burn character driven novel that explores forgiveness, heartbreak, and what it means to take risks for what you believe in.
I recommend very much, and if audio is your favorite way to read a book, Saskia Maarleveld does a great job narrating.
Thanks to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing | Brilliance Audio for providing the ALC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions and statements are my own.
If I had to describe this book in one word, it would be “grit.” It’s palpable in the lives, the choices, and the harshness of the terrain. It’s a slow burn character driven novel that explores forgiveness, heartbreak, and what it means to take risks for what you believe in.
I recommend very much, and if audio is your favorite way to read a book, Saskia Maarleveld does a great job narrating.
Thanks to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing | Brilliance Audio for providing the ALC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions and statements are my own.
June 28, 2026
Salmon fishing season in Alaska
This was an excellent book about a single mother in Alaska struggling raising a 4 year old by herself in an area with few jobs. She ends up helping shoulder her father's gambling debt - to raise $50,000 during salmon season on her Dad's boat (an almost unthinkable sum).
I thoroughly enjoyed the fishing scenes in the book and the passages about Alaska.
I feel like the ending of the book was a bit rushed. I would have liked to have read an epilogue about Ellie and Van. But the pacing in the rest of the book was good. I liked the twist at the end. It came as a surprise.
I received this Digital Review Copy from Lake Union Publishing through NetGalley. Thank you.
This was an excellent book about a single mother in Alaska struggling raising a 4 year old by herself in an area with few jobs. She ends up helping shoulder her father's gambling debt - to raise $50,000 during salmon season on her Dad's boat (an almost unthinkable sum).
I thoroughly enjoyed the fishing scenes in the book and the passages about Alaska.
I feel like the ending of the book was a bit rushed. I would have liked to have read an epilogue about Ellie and Van. But the pacing in the rest of the book was good. I liked the twist at the end. It came as a surprise.
I received this Digital Review Copy from Lake Union Publishing through NetGalley. Thank you.
July 3, 2026
Ellie is a single mom doing her very best to raise her five year old son. When she finds her estranged father in an alley, badly beaten, behind a bar she has no choice but to help him. She discovers that he has gambled away the family’s legacy, a fishing boat and the permit that goes with it. For some unknown reason the bookie has granted them a small reprieve, allowing them to fish till the end of the season, in order to make enough money to pay back the debt. Showing true grit and resilience Ellie does exactly that.
While the storyline is mostly predictable, the characters are well written and the descriptions of Alaska and the fishing industry are enjoyable. The narrator did a great job reading the story.
While the storyline is mostly predictable, the characters are well written and the descriptions of Alaska and the fishing industry are enjoyable. The narrator did a great job reading the story.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book touched a piece of my soul I didn't even know was there. I have never preordered something so fast just to have my own physical copy to read, and re-read again.
I seriously could not put this book down. It took precedent over my other responsibilities, and I am not upset about it (though my calendar and to-do list might be). I will be reading Weaver's past book and any other books she writes moving forward. The honesty of the characters connected with me as I connected with each of them. The importance of family and forgiveness? Agh! I can't take it! A must read for every person I know.
I seriously could not put this book down. It took precedent over my other responsibilities, and I am not upset about it (though my calendar and to-do list might be). I will be reading Weaver's past book and any other books she writes moving forward. The honesty of the characters connected with me as I connected with each of them. The importance of family and forgiveness? Agh! I can't take it! A must read for every person I know.
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