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The Last One Home
A razor-sharp novel of suspense about the lies families tell—and those we choose to believe—by the Amazon Charts bestselling author of Jane Doe.
Lauren Abrams wants nothing to do with her damaged mother, whose spurious testimony sent Lauren’s father to prison for murder years ago. After a serial killer’s confession to the crime restored justice, Lauren chose to live with her father and grandmother. Now an adult, Lauren has come home to the Sacramento family estate for good, her mother’s lies be damned…
It’s been decades since Donna made her cheating husband pay, but she hasn’t forgotten the past. She knows her estranged daughter has made a terrible mistake by returning to the estate. There’s more to the story of the welcoming old homestead—and her childhood—than Lauren knows.
As Lauren settles in, she is haunted by the questions of what really happened with her father, what her mother might be hiding, and what secrets the family ranch holds. It’s getting so dark, Lauren may not be able to see the truth to save her life.
Lauren Abrams wants nothing to do with her damaged mother, whose spurious testimony sent Lauren’s father to prison for murder years ago. After a serial killer’s confession to the crime restored justice, Lauren chose to live with her father and grandmother. Now an adult, Lauren has come home to the Sacramento family estate for good, her mother’s lies be damned…
It’s been decades since Donna made her cheating husband pay, but she hasn’t forgotten the past. She knows her estranged daughter has made a terrible mistake by returning to the estate. There’s more to the story of the welcoming old homestead—and her childhood—than Lauren knows.
As Lauren settles in, she is haunted by the questions of what really happened with her father, what her mother might be hiding, and what secrets the family ranch holds. It’s getting so dark, Lauren may not be able to see the truth to save her life.
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First published March 30, 2021
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About the author
Victoria Helen Stone
11 books1,569 followersWall Street Journal bestselling writer Victoria Helen Stone, author of the runaway hit Jane Doe, pens critically acclaimed novels of dark intrigue and emotional suspense. Her work includes Follow Her Down, At the Quiet Edge, Problem Child, Half Past, and the chart-toppers False Step, and Evelyn, After. Bald-Faced Liar is her tenth suspense.
Victoria writes in her home office in the Wasatch Mountains of Utah, far from her origins in the flattest plains of Minnesota, Texas, and Oklahoma. She enjoys gorgeous summer trail hikes in the mountains almost as much as she enjoys staying inside by the fire during winter. Victoria is passionate about dessert, true crime, and her terror of mosquitoes, which have targeted her in a diabolical conspiracy to hunt her down no matter the season.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/victoriahel...
Victoria writes in her home office in the Wasatch Mountains of Utah, far from her origins in the flattest plains of Minnesota, Texas, and Oklahoma. She enjoys gorgeous summer trail hikes in the mountains almost as much as she enjoys staying inside by the fire during winter. Victoria is passionate about dessert, true crime, and her terror of mosquitoes, which have targeted her in a diabolical conspiracy to hunt her down no matter the season.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/victoriahel...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 526 reviews
June 4, 2025
Nope! Nope! Nope! Nope! This is not what I expected and yearned for reading!
I don’t know how quickly I clicked the request button when I saw Victoria Helen Stone’s name and found the titles section on NetGalley! And as you may imagine, I gloated and gathered my friends to celebrate with an early happy hour at 9:30 a.m. in the morning.
I couldn’t wait to jump into her new thriller even though its blurb was a little evasive.
I read 100 pages, but nothing intriguing happened, so I thought this was a slow-burn thriller, so I decided to give it more chance.
I was introduced to Lauren, the heroine who moves to her 90-year-old grandma’s estate because her grandma had a stroke and could not live in this grandiose house by herself. She was adamant about leaving this place to her granddaughter with a reasonable mortgage payment deal.
Lauren was raised by her mother, Donna, who thought her grandma and father were dangerous people. She even testified against her father about killing a young waitress and put him behind bars. Later, her father was exonerated, got remarried, and started from scratch as soon as he left prison. Of course, Lauren formed a healthy family relationship with him and her grandma despite the worries of her mother.
The story is told by going back and forth between Lauren and Donna’s narrations: present time to read Lauren’s renovation plans, YouTube videos, and Instagram stalking of her ex, Bastian, which made me yawn and get bored to death.
We’re also moving back to 1985 to see the life of Donna, who just moved to Sacramento after getting pregnant, and Michael, who is the father, trying to divorce his wife, who is not mentally stable. Donna wants to trust the man, but we can hear the alarm bells from the beginning that he is not telling the truth about his marriage. This part is a little more intriguing, but it is still repetitive. Donna questions Michael’s motives, and Michael acts like a liar douchebag. Then she forgives him, and he does something unacceptable again. Oh! Too much unnecessary angst and more yawning!
Only the last %2 of the book gets a little faster and as soon as tension starts building, the book ends. Yes, it’s not even slow burn because nothing is burning or flaming about this story. It’s a women’s fiction. This is not a thriller. Mystery parts are already foreseeable from the first chapters.
I gave three stars for my respect of the author’s previous works. Don’t get me wrong. This is not a bad book. The flawed, unreliable characters, dysfunctional family dynamics, abuse, estranged mother- daughter relationship are well-told and developed but I was expecting something more exciting, riveting,action-packed after reading Jane Doe series!
So this is too light, action-less, flat, slow for my taste. I’m still looking forward to read more works of the author but unfortunately this is not my favorite work of hers.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing me this digital arc in exchange my honest opinions.
I don’t know how quickly I clicked the request button when I saw Victoria Helen Stone’s name and found the titles section on NetGalley! And as you may imagine, I gloated and gathered my friends to celebrate with an early happy hour at 9:30 a.m. in the morning.
I couldn’t wait to jump into her new thriller even though its blurb was a little evasive.
I read 100 pages, but nothing intriguing happened, so I thought this was a slow-burn thriller, so I decided to give it more chance.
I was introduced to Lauren, the heroine who moves to her 90-year-old grandma’s estate because her grandma had a stroke and could not live in this grandiose house by herself. She was adamant about leaving this place to her granddaughter with a reasonable mortgage payment deal.
Lauren was raised by her mother, Donna, who thought her grandma and father were dangerous people. She even testified against her father about killing a young waitress and put him behind bars. Later, her father was exonerated, got remarried, and started from scratch as soon as he left prison. Of course, Lauren formed a healthy family relationship with him and her grandma despite the worries of her mother.
The story is told by going back and forth between Lauren and Donna’s narrations: present time to read Lauren’s renovation plans, YouTube videos, and Instagram stalking of her ex, Bastian, which made me yawn and get bored to death.
We’re also moving back to 1985 to see the life of Donna, who just moved to Sacramento after getting pregnant, and Michael, who is the father, trying to divorce his wife, who is not mentally stable. Donna wants to trust the man, but we can hear the alarm bells from the beginning that he is not telling the truth about his marriage. This part is a little more intriguing, but it is still repetitive. Donna questions Michael’s motives, and Michael acts like a liar douchebag. Then she forgives him, and he does something unacceptable again. Oh! Too much unnecessary angst and more yawning!
Only the last %2 of the book gets a little faster and as soon as tension starts building, the book ends. Yes, it’s not even slow burn because nothing is burning or flaming about this story. It’s a women’s fiction. This is not a thriller. Mystery parts are already foreseeable from the first chapters.
I gave three stars for my respect of the author’s previous works. Don’t get me wrong. This is not a bad book. The flawed, unreliable characters, dysfunctional family dynamics, abuse, estranged mother- daughter relationship are well-told and developed but I was expecting something more exciting, riveting,action-packed after reading Jane Doe series!
So this is too light, action-less, flat, slow for my taste. I’m still looking forward to read more works of the author but unfortunately this is not my favorite work of hers.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing me this digital arc in exchange my honest opinions.
January 2, 2021
3.5 rounded up.
Part of the story follows Lauren Abrahams who moves into her ninety year old grandmother’s house in the Sacramento Valley with the intention of caring for her after she suffers a stroke. Her grandmother offers her the house on very favourable terms and Lauren sets about a renovation project. The second part takes the narrative back to 1985 to Lauren’s pregnant mother Donna who is being made false promises by Lauren’s father Michael .....
I like the premise of the book and it’s very easy to read. The alternating points of view works well as we witness Michael’s behaviour and try to understand his relationship with Donna and when Michael’s mother enters the picture things get very interesting! Between the parallel storylines an intriguing picture emerges, secrets and lies build and all the puzzling pieces fall into place. There are so many dysfunctional relationships here in particular between Donna and Lauren but I like how that is resolved. The suspense and tension build well in the last quarter of the book and the ending is really good and somewhat unexpected!
However, there are some negatives in my opinion. At times in the first 20/30 percent the pace is a bit slow in places and there is some backwards and forwards repetition concerning Michael’s actions. Lauren’s character is a bit bland, I’d have liked a bit more of Donna’s spirit! There is a strand in the storytelling that concerns a convicted serial killer which could have been more effective and that sort of fizzles out.
Overall though, I did enjoy it as it’s easy to read with a very good finale.
With thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the arc for an honest review.
Part of the story follows Lauren Abrahams who moves into her ninety year old grandmother’s house in the Sacramento Valley with the intention of caring for her after she suffers a stroke. Her grandmother offers her the house on very favourable terms and Lauren sets about a renovation project. The second part takes the narrative back to 1985 to Lauren’s pregnant mother Donna who is being made false promises by Lauren’s father Michael .....
I like the premise of the book and it’s very easy to read. The alternating points of view works well as we witness Michael’s behaviour and try to understand his relationship with Donna and when Michael’s mother enters the picture things get very interesting! Between the parallel storylines an intriguing picture emerges, secrets and lies build and all the puzzling pieces fall into place. There are so many dysfunctional relationships here in particular between Donna and Lauren but I like how that is resolved. The suspense and tension build well in the last quarter of the book and the ending is really good and somewhat unexpected!
However, there are some negatives in my opinion. At times in the first 20/30 percent the pace is a bit slow in places and there is some backwards and forwards repetition concerning Michael’s actions. Lauren’s character is a bit bland, I’d have liked a bit more of Donna’s spirit! There is a strand in the storytelling that concerns a convicted serial killer which could have been more effective and that sort of fizzles out.
Overall though, I did enjoy it as it’s easy to read with a very good finale.
With thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the arc for an honest review.
December 23, 2020
I was initially so excited for this book, then dreaded it after seeing some lackluster reviews. I didn’t necessarily dread reading it, but I rarely felt the excitement.
Years ago, Lauren’s father was in prison for murder. He was released when she was 10, after a serial killer confessed to the crime. Lauren was thrilled, except for the fact that her own mother’s testimony put her father in jail in the first place.
Now, years later, Lauren has just moved into her paternal grandmother’s home. Her grandmother is in special care after suffering a stroke. Lauren doesn’t talk to her mother, and can never forgive her for lying. When someone claiming to be the imprisoned serial killer reaches out to her, a series of events are set in motion.
What really happened to the woman who was murdered?
THE GOOD: The premise is exciting, and pretty original for the most part. There are dual storylines...from Lauren’s POV in the present, and her mother’s POV in 1985. I enjoyed parts of each, more so the past. The last 20% revs up and provides the excitement I was waiting for.
THE NOT SO GOOD: I repeat - The last 20% revs up and provides the excitement I was waiting for. That means for about 80% of the book, nothing really happens. While I was never painfully bored, I couldn’t help feeling disappointed after numerous times where I thought, “Oh, this is IT. Something is FINALLY happening”...only to have nothing happen. The characters in both storylines make bad choices that had me rolling my eyes.
All in all, I think a shorter book (or one with a few more surprises) could’ve made a world of difference. While I won’t actively recommend it to anyone, I encourage those who are curious to also read other reviews when determining if this book is worth looking into.
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Expected Publication Date: 3/30/2021.
Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com
Years ago, Lauren’s father was in prison for murder. He was released when she was 10, after a serial killer confessed to the crime. Lauren was thrilled, except for the fact that her own mother’s testimony put her father in jail in the first place.
Now, years later, Lauren has just moved into her paternal grandmother’s home. Her grandmother is in special care after suffering a stroke. Lauren doesn’t talk to her mother, and can never forgive her for lying. When someone claiming to be the imprisoned serial killer reaches out to her, a series of events are set in motion.
What really happened to the woman who was murdered?
THE GOOD: The premise is exciting, and pretty original for the most part. There are dual storylines...from Lauren’s POV in the present, and her mother’s POV in 1985. I enjoyed parts of each, more so the past. The last 20% revs up and provides the excitement I was waiting for.
THE NOT SO GOOD: I repeat - The last 20% revs up and provides the excitement I was waiting for. That means for about 80% of the book, nothing really happens. While I was never painfully bored, I couldn’t help feeling disappointed after numerous times where I thought, “Oh, this is IT. Something is FINALLY happening”...only to have nothing happen. The characters in both storylines make bad choices that had me rolling my eyes.
All in all, I think a shorter book (or one with a few more surprises) could’ve made a world of difference. While I won’t actively recommend it to anyone, I encourage those who are curious to also read other reviews when determining if this book is worth looking into.
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Expected Publication Date: 3/30/2021.
Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com
January 24, 2023
I feel lukewarm towards this book. The plot wasn’t very memorable and the suspense was lacking. A forgettable read.
July 25, 2022
This is a Thriller/Mystery. I found this book hard to get into at first because the book jump between Lauren (Now) and Donna (Then). It took me a little bit to put together that it was jumping back in time, and it took me a little to figure out what Lauren and Donna as to do with each other. I did not think this book as a big twist, but it is more of a slow burn reveal. This time of thriller is not my favorite type of thriller, but I really enjoyed this book. The characters where hard to understand at first, but I feel the characters grow on you the more you read. This is not a fast pace book or a book that will pull you in from the beginning. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Lake Union Publishing) or author (Victoria Helen Stone) via NetGalley, so I can give honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.
March 15, 2022
The Last One Home by Victoria Helen Stone is a thriller novel. The story in The Last One Home is one that is told by changing the point of view between the characters and also by alternating between a past timeline and the current timeline.
Lauren Abrams has always had a rocky relationship with her somewhat erratic mother but now she is choosing to leave her for good. Lauren’s mother had once put her husband, Lauren’s father, behind bars but after all that time a serial killer admitted to the very crime Lauren’s father had been accused of so Lauren is going to live with her father and grandmother.
Having read Victoria Helen Stone before and really enjoying her work I was surprised to find myself having a hard time connecting to The Last One Home. The story was an incredibly slow build in my opinion as it flashed between the past and present timelines. When finished I didn’t think this was a bad read but I was left with wanting more as I had found it before with the author pulling me in with her work.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Lauren Abrams has always had a rocky relationship with her somewhat erratic mother but now she is choosing to leave her for good. Lauren’s mother had once put her husband, Lauren’s father, behind bars but after all that time a serial killer admitted to the very crime Lauren’s father had been accused of so Lauren is going to live with her father and grandmother.
Having read Victoria Helen Stone before and really enjoying her work I was surprised to find myself having a hard time connecting to The Last One Home. The story was an incredibly slow build in my opinion as it flashed between the past and present timelines. When finished I didn’t think this was a bad read but I was left with wanting more as I had found it before with the author pulling me in with her work.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
March 3, 2021
Laura has a difficult relationship with her erratic mother who put her father in jail for the murder of a young cocktail waitress. When another man confesses to the crime a decade later her father is released and she moves in with him and the grandmother she never knew. Finally she has the family she has always wanted.
Her mother still insists that he's guilty.
Laura's grandmother suffers a stroke so Laura makes her way back to the ranch in Sacramento to help her grandmother recover but her grandmother would like her to buy the ranch and take it over for her. Feeling as if this is the fresh beginning she's looking for after a bad break up she jumps at the chance and finds herself really enjoying the home renovations she's started. Until she finds something that will change her mind about everything she thought she knew.
We go back and forth between Laura (now) and her mother Donna (In the past) to find out what the actual truth is.
This book was okay. I think my problem was that I didn't like Laura or Donna. Laura was too wishy washy and Donna was too feisty and both were a little annoying. They also both talk to themselves constantly which was ... weird. I mean, we all do it from time to time, but this was a little too much. I also didn't find the grand revelation all that grand as it was pretty much what I had suspected from the beginning. This is a perfectly fine read for a novice to the genre but it didn't leave any lasting impressions for this reader. 3 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing me with a digital ARC.
Her mother still insists that he's guilty.
Laura's grandmother suffers a stroke so Laura makes her way back to the ranch in Sacramento to help her grandmother recover but her grandmother would like her to buy the ranch and take it over for her. Feeling as if this is the fresh beginning she's looking for after a bad break up she jumps at the chance and finds herself really enjoying the home renovations she's started. Until she finds something that will change her mind about everything she thought she knew.
We go back and forth between Laura (now) and her mother Donna (In the past) to find out what the actual truth is.
This book was okay. I think my problem was that I didn't like Laura or Donna. Laura was too wishy washy and Donna was too feisty and both were a little annoying. They also both talk to themselves constantly which was ... weird. I mean, we all do it from time to time, but this was a little too much. I also didn't find the grand revelation all that grand as it was pretty much what I had suspected from the beginning. This is a perfectly fine read for a novice to the genre but it didn't leave any lasting impressions for this reader. 3 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing me with a digital ARC.
March 24, 2021
This latest suspense novel from Victoria Helen Stone starts off with a very intriguing and original plot.
Lauren Abrams spent the early part of her childhood growing up with her single mother Donna, constantly moving from one run-down apartment to another as her mother worked in a string of dead-end jobs. Before she was born, Lauren’s father Michael, a married man, had been convicted of murdering a young woman, partly as a result as testimony by Donna at his trial. However, when Lauren was a teenager, her father was exonerated and freed. Lauren finally got to meet him and his mother Elizabeth (her grandmother) and spend time with them at the family ranch in the hills outside Sacramento. Not being able to forgive her mother for lying, Lauren went to live with her father and cut Donna out of her life. After college, with her father remarried and starting a new family, Lauren moved to LA where she had a nice apartment and work as a freelance graphic designer. Now with her grandmother moving to a nursing home following a stroke, Lauren has moved back to the ranch and agreed to buy it from her grandmother. Afterall, she’s always loved her visits there and can do her graphic design work anywhere.
So, the mystery here is why did Donna lie in court all those years ago when she was pregnant with Lauren? Who was the young woman killed and why did Donna implicate Michael?
The mystery is unravelled from two points of view, that of Donna’s when she was pregnant with Lauren in 1985 and that that of Lauren’s in the current time as she starts renovating the house and yearns for her recent ex, a self-centred man left behind in LA. Despite their different personalities, Donna fierce and feisty, Lauren, indecisive and unsure, the women are more alike than they realise, both gullible when it comes to believing flaky men.
It’s best to go into this not expecting a fast-paced thriller, as instead it’s a slow burner of a domestic suspense novel, taking its time to set the scene for the twists and revelations that will come later in the last chapters of the book. The drama is in fact fairly flat for at least three quarters of the book and would have benefitted from a little more action to spice up the suspense (something the author has a talent for). There is a subplot involving a serial killer that could have been more prominent to add some intensity. However, the ending is well done and provides some of the frisson we’re all looking for in a good suspense novel. 3.5★
With many thanks to Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley for providing a copy to read. Expected publication is 30th March. Original review published in Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
Lauren Abrams spent the early part of her childhood growing up with her single mother Donna, constantly moving from one run-down apartment to another as her mother worked in a string of dead-end jobs. Before she was born, Lauren’s father Michael, a married man, had been convicted of murdering a young woman, partly as a result as testimony by Donna at his trial. However, when Lauren was a teenager, her father was exonerated and freed. Lauren finally got to meet him and his mother Elizabeth (her grandmother) and spend time with them at the family ranch in the hills outside Sacramento. Not being able to forgive her mother for lying, Lauren went to live with her father and cut Donna out of her life. After college, with her father remarried and starting a new family, Lauren moved to LA where she had a nice apartment and work as a freelance graphic designer. Now with her grandmother moving to a nursing home following a stroke, Lauren has moved back to the ranch and agreed to buy it from her grandmother. Afterall, she’s always loved her visits there and can do her graphic design work anywhere.
So, the mystery here is why did Donna lie in court all those years ago when she was pregnant with Lauren? Who was the young woman killed and why did Donna implicate Michael?
The mystery is unravelled from two points of view, that of Donna’s when she was pregnant with Lauren in 1985 and that that of Lauren’s in the current time as she starts renovating the house and yearns for her recent ex, a self-centred man left behind in LA. Despite their different personalities, Donna fierce and feisty, Lauren, indecisive and unsure, the women are more alike than they realise, both gullible when it comes to believing flaky men.
It’s best to go into this not expecting a fast-paced thriller, as instead it’s a slow burner of a domestic suspense novel, taking its time to set the scene for the twists and revelations that will come later in the last chapters of the book. The drama is in fact fairly flat for at least three quarters of the book and would have benefitted from a little more action to spice up the suspense (something the author has a talent for). There is a subplot involving a serial killer that could have been more prominent to add some intensity. However, the ending is well done and provides some of the frisson we’re all looking for in a good suspense novel. 3.5★
With many thanks to Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley for providing a copy to read. Expected publication is 30th March. Original review published in Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
January 25, 2021
Okay, admittedly, this is not what I was expecting from the author who brought us the insanely delightful sociopath, Jane Doe.
Having said that, I read many of the reviews before I started this book, so I didn't go in expecting a thriller or suspense story. I went in expecting a family drama...and that's essentially what I got. And it's not a bad story. Not at all. I think folks are simply being thrown off by the synopsis, and the author's previous works.
Told from two points of view, Lauren's in the present day and Donna's in the mid-1980s, the characters were beautifully written and felt very real to me. In Lauren's sections, I enjoyed how her personality came alive when she was "going live" on social media. In Donna's, I loved all the eighties references.
The mystery...yea, it's a bit of a joke. I had this book figured out practically from page one. If it's mystery you're looking for, I'd suggest looking elsewhere. However, if you're looking for a slow-burning, character-driven family saga...I'd say this would be a great choice for a rainy day.
3.5 stars rounded down
Available March 30, 2021
My most sincere thanks to NetGalley and one of my favorite publishing companies, Lake Union Publishing, for my review copy.
Having said that, I read many of the reviews before I started this book, so I didn't go in expecting a thriller or suspense story. I went in expecting a family drama...and that's essentially what I got. And it's not a bad story. Not at all. I think folks are simply being thrown off by the synopsis, and the author's previous works.
Told from two points of view, Lauren's in the present day and Donna's in the mid-1980s, the characters were beautifully written and felt very real to me. In Lauren's sections, I enjoyed how her personality came alive when she was "going live" on social media. In Donna's, I loved all the eighties references.
The mystery...yea, it's a bit of a joke. I had this book figured out practically from page one. If it's mystery you're looking for, I'd suggest looking elsewhere. However, if you're looking for a slow-burning, character-driven family saga...I'd say this would be a great choice for a rainy day.
3.5 stars rounded down
Available March 30, 2021
My most sincere thanks to NetGalley and one of my favorite publishing companies, Lake Union Publishing, for my review copy.
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October 22, 2020I was so excited to read this book, because I am an unrepentant superfan of Victoria Helen Stone’s Jane Doe. Stone is one of those authors whose tone always resonates with me and whose writing usually always keeps me interested, with lots of fun description, unlikable but interesting female characters, great narrative voices, and sneaky feminist humor.
So I was a little (ok, very) bummed that I didn’t love this one. The premise is a good one: Lauren is moving back to the family home after a fractured and complex family history during which her mother accused her father of confessing to murder, and got him wrongfully (maybe?) imprisoned. Cool premise and lots of interesting ways the story could go from there, but the story didn’t take advantage of many of them and the first half was very slow. Not much happened except for a lot of pensiveness from Lauren about her family, whether her father may have been guilty and what her mother’s role was. The simultaneous flashback narrative from her mother was also quite slow.
Things picked up considerably in about the last 25% of the book, but like my friend Susan who I read this with pointed out in her review, before that point I too was very frustrated with both Lauren and her mother and their propensities to let men get away with murder. Neither character was too strong or easy to identify with, and they both kept giving horrible men a ridiculous number of chances to be jerky, which was a bummer for me because I usually find Stone’s work to be very fun and feminist.
This book wasn’t a waste because I always enjoy Stone’s writing style and voice, but it wasn’t as awesome as some of her others. I would have really preferred a faster pace, more plot/action in the first half, and more character development of some key characters. Having said this, I still love Stone and Jane Doe 4 life.
I really enjoyed reading this with Javier and Susan who both had some great thoughts and insights so be sure to check out their reviews too!
Thanks to Lake Union Publishing, NetGalley and Victoria Helen Stone for the advance copy!
So I was a little (ok, very) bummed that I didn’t love this one. The premise is a good one: Lauren is moving back to the family home after a fractured and complex family history during which her mother accused her father of confessing to murder, and got him wrongfully (maybe?) imprisoned. Cool premise and lots of interesting ways the story could go from there, but the story didn’t take advantage of many of them and the first half was very slow. Not much happened except for a lot of pensiveness from Lauren about her family, whether her father may have been guilty and what her mother’s role was. The simultaneous flashback narrative from her mother was also quite slow.
Things picked up considerably in about the last 25% of the book, but like my friend Susan who I read this with pointed out in her review, before that point I too was very frustrated with both Lauren and her mother and their propensities to let men get away with murder. Neither character was too strong or easy to identify with, and they both kept giving horrible men a ridiculous number of chances to be jerky, which was a bummer for me because I usually find Stone’s work to be very fun and feminist.
This book wasn’t a waste because I always enjoy Stone’s writing style and voice, but it wasn’t as awesome as some of her others. I would have really preferred a faster pace, more plot/action in the first half, and more character development of some key characters. Having said this, I still love Stone and Jane Doe 4 life.
I really enjoyed reading this with Javier and Susan who both had some great thoughts and insights so be sure to check out their reviews too!
Thanks to Lake Union Publishing, NetGalley and Victoria Helen Stone for the advance copy!
November 14, 2020
I feel so disappointed right now. This was not what I was expecting from this author at all. Maybe the fact that I come from reading one of the best thrillers I've read this year did not help either. Where I was expecting more of a thriller I found a family drama so slow-burning, that for a moment I thought the flame had extinguished. And when I say slow I mean slooow.
As usual lately with this type of books there's a dual timeline. In the present storyline we follow Lauren, who just moved to her grandma's home after she suffered a stroke. She didn't meet her father and his side of the family till she was 10 yo, because he was in prison for murder. And the one who sent him to prison was Donna, Lauren's mother, and her testimony.
In the past line it's 1985, and Donna just found out she's pregnant. Her boyfriend Michael is married and, despite his promises of leaving his wife, the divorce never happens, so when Donna accuses him of murder, everyone thinks she's just resentful.
I found both main characters pretty annoying. Lauren seemed more worried about live-streaming her house renovations to make her ex-boyfriend jealous (for a moment I thought I was watching a Property Brothers episode), and Donna was blind to how Michael was a complete piece of sh*t despite all his wrongdoings. The past line was so repetitive I felt I was reading the same scene over and over: Michael cheated or lied, Donna got angry, Michael said sorry and promised it would never happen again and Donna would relent and forgive him. Really? Wake up, girl!!
There were some side plots introduced early on that I hoped would help to move things forward, but they were not used to their full potential and were solved in a lackluster way almost at the end.
It is not till the last 10% that the action picks up the pace, leading to an ending that felt a bit rushed, specially if we consider how many pages of nothingness came before.
Although not her best work, I'll still keep an eye out for the author's next books, specially if it's a follow up on Jane, my favorite sociopath!
Another fun buddy read with Susan and Christina.
Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
As usual lately with this type of books there's a dual timeline. In the present storyline we follow Lauren, who just moved to her grandma's home after she suffered a stroke. She didn't meet her father and his side of the family till she was 10 yo, because he was in prison for murder. And the one who sent him to prison was Donna, Lauren's mother, and her testimony.
In the past line it's 1985, and Donna just found out she's pregnant. Her boyfriend Michael is married and, despite his promises of leaving his wife, the divorce never happens, so when Donna accuses him of murder, everyone thinks she's just resentful.
I found both main characters pretty annoying. Lauren seemed more worried about live-streaming her house renovations to make her ex-boyfriend jealous (for a moment I thought I was watching a Property Brothers episode), and Donna was blind to how Michael was a complete piece of sh*t despite all his wrongdoings. The past line was so repetitive I felt I was reading the same scene over and over: Michael cheated or lied, Donna got angry, Michael said sorry and promised it would never happen again and Donna would relent and forgive him. Really? Wake up, girl!!
There were some side plots introduced early on that I hoped would help to move things forward, but they were not used to their full potential and were solved in a lackluster way almost at the end.
It is not till the last 10% that the action picks up the pace, leading to an ending that felt a bit rushed, specially if we consider how many pages of nothingness came before.
Although not her best work, I'll still keep an eye out for the author's next books, specially if it's a follow up on Jane, my favorite sociopath!
Another fun buddy read with Susan and Christina.
Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 21, 2020
Lauren is called back to her childhood home which is full of wonderful memories of her father (Michael) and grandmother. Unfortunately, Lauren's life wasn't always so rosey. When she was very young, her mother Donna testified that Michael confessed to a murder. He was incarcerated until Lauren was 10 years old, at which point he was exonerated as the real killer came forward. Over the years, Lauren and Michael built a solid relationship while Lauren slowly pulled away from her lying mother.
Years later she is back in her grandmother's house and her mom has resurfaced, warning her about that side of the family and the peril ahead. Lauren is sure her mom is cuckoo for cocopuffs, or is she?
The story unfolds through present and past narration from Lauren and Donna's perspective. We are pulled into the time when Donna was pregnant and her relationship with Michael, which was far from perfect. Both Donna and Lauren were weak women who let the men in their life take advantage of them, and they left me so frustrated.
This was a fast easy read, but it was missing something for me. When I reflect on the story, not much happened until the end, which was fantastic. But so much happened then it felt a bit too rushed.
This was book a great buddy read with Javier and Christina.
Thank you Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Years later she is back in her grandmother's house and her mom has resurfaced, warning her about that side of the family and the peril ahead. Lauren is sure her mom is cuckoo for cocopuffs, or is she?
The story unfolds through present and past narration from Lauren and Donna's perspective. We are pulled into the time when Donna was pregnant and her relationship with Michael, which was far from perfect. Both Donna and Lauren were weak women who let the men in their life take advantage of them, and they left me so frustrated.
This was a fast easy read, but it was missing something for me. When I reflect on the story, not much happened until the end, which was fantastic. But so much happened then it felt a bit too rushed.
This was book a great buddy read with Javier and Christina.
Thank you Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 24, 2020
I was so excited to read the newest Victoria Helen Stone book, and the first chapter didn't disappoint me - much.
Why did I get the impression, as I was plodding through the remaining chapters, that this was an old manuscript that was dusted off and given a quick edit to take advantage of the demand for new titles during these COVID Times?
The main character, Lauren, comes across as vapid and directionless, and she really only grew a spine towards the end of the story. The plot went in so many directions at once, but then seemed to retrace its steps and even repeat itself. I was often baffled, and even a bit bored.
The two narrators, Lauren Abrams and her wild-cat, ungovernable mother, Donna, could not have been more different. Lauren was downright "wishy-washy" - never able to make up her own mind and afraid of discovering the truth, whereas Donna came out with both guns blazing and took no prisoners. Or at least she did, until she got pregnant with Lauren and then her hormones took over and all of her badass instincts kept being over-ruled and misdirected by the gutless and equally faithless Michael (Lauren's father). Promises, promises! Seriously, Donna?
What a cast of dull, improbable and go nowhere characters. Even Donna had me rolling my eyes from time to time. You're guessing I was disappointed in this one right? YOU'D make a great detective! (Lauren was a bust!) How on earth did Lauren solve the mystery of who killed that poor girl - oops, oh yes, I forgot, Lauren got a confession, right from the horse's mouth. So there! I did guess the shenanigans involving the serial killer, but, that, too, was another convoluted story line.
The writing is still good (I give high marks for good grammar!) but after a while I just prayed for a mercifully swift ending. Once you've read one of the Jane novels, indecisive heroines from this author just don't cut it for you anymore. I'm rating this one a 3.4 out of 5 because the author can write a decent sentence.
My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Why did I get the impression, as I was plodding through the remaining chapters, that this was an old manuscript that was dusted off and given a quick edit to take advantage of the demand for new titles during these COVID Times?
The main character, Lauren, comes across as vapid and directionless, and she really only grew a spine towards the end of the story. The plot went in so many directions at once, but then seemed to retrace its steps and even repeat itself. I was often baffled, and even a bit bored.
The two narrators, Lauren Abrams and her wild-cat, ungovernable mother, Donna, could not have been more different. Lauren was downright "wishy-washy" - never able to make up her own mind and afraid of discovering the truth, whereas Donna came out with both guns blazing and took no prisoners. Or at least she did, until she got pregnant with Lauren and then her hormones took over and all of her badass instincts kept being over-ruled and misdirected by the gutless and equally faithless Michael (Lauren's father). Promises, promises! Seriously, Donna?
What a cast of dull, improbable and go nowhere characters. Even Donna had me rolling my eyes from time to time. You're guessing I was disappointed in this one right? YOU'D make a great detective! (Lauren was a bust!) How on earth did Lauren solve the mystery of who killed that poor girl - oops, oh yes, I forgot, Lauren got a confession, right from the horse's mouth. So there! I did guess the shenanigans involving the serial killer, but, that, too, was another convoluted story line.
The writing is still good (I give high marks for good grammar!) but after a while I just prayed for a mercifully swift ending. Once you've read one of the Jane novels, indecisive heroines from this author just don't cut it for you anymore. I'm rating this one a 3.4 out of 5 because the author can write a decent sentence.
My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 18, 2021
3.5 stars rounded up to 4
Lauren Abrams wants nothing to do with her estranged mother whoae spurious testimony sent her father to prison for murder. After a serial killers confession to the crime restored justice, Lauren chose to live with her faher and grandmother. But now she has decided to return to her Sacramento family eatate.
It's been decades since Donna made her cheating husband pay, but she hasn't forgotten the past. She knows her estranged daughter has made a terrible mistake by returning to the estate. But what secretaa does the family ranch hold? Lauren may not be able to see the truth to saave her life.
The story starts off at a slow pace but as the pace picks up, it becomes quite chilling. It's narrated by Lauren in the present and Donna in the past. I did like the authors style in writing this book. As stories from the past come to light, Lauren doesn't know who to believe. The charactgers are likeable but flawed. I did guess where the story was going but that does not spoil a story for me. This is not a gripping thriller but it's still a really good read.
Lauren Abrams wants nothing to do with her estranged mother whoae spurious testimony sent her father to prison for murder. After a serial killers confession to the crime restored justice, Lauren chose to live with her faher and grandmother. But now she has decided to return to her Sacramento family eatate.
It's been decades since Donna made her cheating husband pay, but she hasn't forgotten the past. She knows her estranged daughter has made a terrible mistake by returning to the estate. But what secretaa does the family ranch hold? Lauren may not be able to see the truth to saave her life.
The story starts off at a slow pace but as the pace picks up, it becomes quite chilling. It's narrated by Lauren in the present and Donna in the past. I did like the authors style in writing this book. As stories from the past come to light, Lauren doesn't know who to believe. The charactgers are likeable but flawed. I did guess where the story was going but that does not spoil a story for me. This is not a gripping thriller but it's still a really good read.
March 30, 2021
Many thanks to Net Galley, Lake Union Publishing, and the author for a chance to read and review this book. All opinions are expressed voluntarily.
Victoria Helen Stone had a stupendous success with her novel Jane Doe. I haven’t read that book but had surely heard lots about it from my fellow bookworms. The Last One Home is surprisingly a very mild domestic suspense from the same author. In a way, I feel that we have been spoilt ever since the Gone Girl craze, you know, the more shocking the revelations the more thrilled we are. If there are no jaw-dropping secrets that are revealed, we feel as if the story is missing something crucial.
The first part of the book is devoid of any major adrenaline-pumping emotions, in fact, the story has a slower tempo than most suspense stories that it takes time to grow on you. The ranch and the surrounding area could have been used to a more menacing effect but again there seems to be a lack of electrifying events in the life of Lauren even as she’s residing all alone with a weird neighbor and a stalker serial killer on her toes. The threat from the serial killer never materializes fully for the reader, everything is a slow-burn.
Irrespective of all the above-mentioned points, there’s something catchy about the story that I did have a hard time keeping it down. The entanglement of relationships between Lauren, Donna, Michael, and the grandmother was intense and quite captivating. The suspense element of the tale was not exactly an “Oh, MY” moment coz nothing is particularly hidden in the story, most of the facts that form the crux gets established by the first half and it is more or less a choice left to the reader as to whose lies or truths do u wanna go with.
3.5 stars for keeping me hooked on to my kindle.
This review is published in my blog https://rainnbooks.com/, Goodreads, Amazon India, Meduim.com, and Twitter.
Victoria Helen Stone had a stupendous success with her novel Jane Doe. I haven’t read that book but had surely heard lots about it from my fellow bookworms. The Last One Home is surprisingly a very mild domestic suspense from the same author. In a way, I feel that we have been spoilt ever since the Gone Girl craze, you know, the more shocking the revelations the more thrilled we are. If there are no jaw-dropping secrets that are revealed, we feel as if the story is missing something crucial.
The first part of the book is devoid of any major adrenaline-pumping emotions, in fact, the story has a slower tempo than most suspense stories that it takes time to grow on you. The ranch and the surrounding area could have been used to a more menacing effect but again there seems to be a lack of electrifying events in the life of Lauren even as she’s residing all alone with a weird neighbor and a stalker serial killer on her toes. The threat from the serial killer never materializes fully for the reader, everything is a slow-burn.
Irrespective of all the above-mentioned points, there’s something catchy about the story that I did have a hard time keeping it down. The entanglement of relationships between Lauren, Donna, Michael, and the grandmother was intense and quite captivating. The suspense element of the tale was not exactly an “Oh, MY” moment coz nothing is particularly hidden in the story, most of the facts that form the crux gets established by the first half and it is more or less a choice left to the reader as to whose lies or truths do u wanna go with.
3.5 stars for keeping me hooked on to my kindle.
This review is published in my blog https://rainnbooks.com/, Goodreads, Amazon India, Meduim.com, and Twitter.
February 9, 2021
A pulsating family thriller filled with deception, a dark past, secrets and betrayal. This was a gripping read that takes some time to play out but it is all worth the wait. Who knows what to believe in this psychological mind twister that has you on your toes until the very last page.
February 13, 2022
It was a surprise ending. I wasn't expecting but it was indeed a razor-sharp twist in the end. Easy read. Took me two days to finish. Or because it's not too busy at the hotel due to the holidays.
I've been reading a lot of psychological thrillers lately and it's mostly husband and wife. To change it a little bit, I chose this book because it's focused on the mother and daughter.
This is the fifth book I've read by the author Victoria Helen Stone. The first book was Evelyn, After to which I own the audiobook. Half Past, False Step, and Jane Doe are books I've read as well. My favorite is Evelyn, After.
The story is just the right pace. It kept me interested enough to continue reading/listening. There are elements of cheating, deceit, lies, friendship, and family.
I appreciated there were two narrators in this book even though they were both female. Helps distinguish who is talking if it's Lauren or Donna.
The book is set in California specifically in Sacramento. I like how the author juxtaposed the storyline that mother and daughter where both 35 years old when they were narrating their story.
The ending was indeed a razor-sharp twist that got me surprised. Nowadays, you can never be too sure of a person's character. I enjoyed the realistic characters and plot of this novel.
*Kindle First Reads December 2021 benefit. I got this book as my free credit towards select Kindle book.
Read the full review on Nica's Musings.
I've been reading a lot of psychological thrillers lately and it's mostly husband and wife. To change it a little bit, I chose this book because it's focused on the mother and daughter.
This is the fifth book I've read by the author Victoria Helen Stone. The first book was Evelyn, After to which I own the audiobook. Half Past, False Step, and Jane Doe are books I've read as well. My favorite is Evelyn, After.
The story is just the right pace. It kept me interested enough to continue reading/listening. There are elements of cheating, deceit, lies, friendship, and family.
I appreciated there were two narrators in this book even though they were both female. Helps distinguish who is talking if it's Lauren or Donna.
The book is set in California specifically in Sacramento. I like how the author juxtaposed the storyline that mother and daughter where both 35 years old when they were narrating their story.
The ending was indeed a razor-sharp twist that got me surprised. Nowadays, you can never be too sure of a person's character. I enjoyed the realistic characters and plot of this novel.
*Kindle First Reads December 2021 benefit. I got this book as my free credit towards select Kindle book.
Read the full review on Nica's Musings.
March 30, 2021
I LIKED IT.
Normally when I read a book with a dual time line, I tend to prefer one storyline over the other one. I kept going back and forth between being really invested in Lauren, to being even more interested in Donna... and then a couple of scenes later, I'd be riveted to the other!
This is a slow burn of a domestic suspense/drama that really just fit into what I needed to read right now. If you've only read the author's Jane Doe's series so far, then don't expect this to be as fast paced and "thrilling". If you want to compare this to any of her other works, I'd say it has a bit of that False Step feel - a slow/moderate burn that may seem predictable but also may surprise you. I had an inkling on one part that turned correct and put a bit of a smirk on my face. Not gonna say why because spoilers.
Both Lauren and Donna could be shake worthy at times, but I did appreciate how it all came together at the end. This bow tie I didn't mind so much. As for Michael, I'd like to extend both my middle fingers out to him too. *wink*
A HUGE thanks to the author for joining me in an IG Live chat a couple of nights ago - so much fun!
Normally when I read a book with a dual time line, I tend to prefer one storyline over the other one. I kept going back and forth between being really invested in Lauren, to being even more interested in Donna... and then a couple of scenes later, I'd be riveted to the other!
This is a slow burn of a domestic suspense/drama that really just fit into what I needed to read right now. If you've only read the author's Jane Doe's series so far, then don't expect this to be as fast paced and "thrilling". If you want to compare this to any of her other works, I'd say it has a bit of that False Step feel - a slow/moderate burn that may seem predictable but also may surprise you. I had an inkling on one part that turned correct and put a bit of a smirk on my face. Not gonna say why because spoilers.
Both Lauren and Donna could be shake worthy at times, but I did appreciate how it all came together at the end. This bow tie I didn't mind so much. As for Michael, I'd like to extend both my middle fingers out to him too. *wink*
A HUGE thanks to the author for joining me in an IG Live chat a couple of nights ago - so much fun!
February 9, 2021
Gripping and relentless, THE LAST ONE HOME stalks you like the serial killer within its pages: you know danger is right around the corner, but you don’t know when it’ll strike. And just when you think you have the story figured out, Victoria Helen Stone rips the rug right out from under your feet. Highly recommended!
July 29, 2022
Scandalous
People will do whatever they can to get what they want. Without any remorse. I was bored at first and I was going to give up the n it and it started to pick up the speed. The Abrams will keep you interested. Lauren returned to a place she calls home on The Abrams ranch and she only has plans to stay for a little while until she decided what’s next. She will soon discover a family secret.
The book was good and I have recommended it to another reader.
People will do whatever they can to get what they want. Without any remorse. I was bored at first and I was going to give up the n it and it started to pick up the speed. The Abrams will keep you interested. Lauren returned to a place she calls home on The Abrams ranch and she only has plans to stay for a little while until she decided what’s next. She will soon discover a family secret.
The book was good and I have recommended it to another reader.
April 15, 2022
This thriller splits its time between Donna, a 35-year-old newly pregnant woman having an affair with a married man in the 1980s, and Lauren, her 35-year-old newly dumped daughter who's just moved back to the Sacramento ranch where she grew up. Both have extreme daddy issues and the critical thinking skills of a turnip and I didn't care about them enough to be more than mildly troubled by their gullibility and poor taste in men. What little tension the story has comes solely from the back and forth in time, and the prose is clunky and unpolished. I did, eventually, want to know what happened and so kept reading to find out, but I didn't enjoy it.
Contains: references to suicide and attempted suicide; infidelity; unplanned pregnancy; references to past abortions; references to infertility.
Contains: references to suicide and attempted suicide; infidelity; unplanned pregnancy; references to past abortions; references to infertility.
March 16, 2021
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is my first Victoria Helen Stone but it won't be my last. This book was so good!!!!!!!! At first I was conflicted about my feeling about the leading ladies Donna & her daughter Lauren but by the middle my feelings were totally twisted. Just like this story!!!!!! I loved this authors style of writing & the way she took you through so many mind spins & twists!!!!!! Thriller lovers will devoured this story. Thank you to Lake Union and Netgalley for my early review copy
October 18, 2020
THE LAST ONE HOME
BY VICTORIA HELEN STONE
This is the first book that I have read from this acclaimed author who is well known for her Jane Doe series that a lot of people liked so I thought I would give her a try. I didn't like this slow moving tale about a man named Michael who we hear the story narrated by both his daughter Lauren and her mother Donna moving back and forth in time alternating in time periods and Donna voice and Lauren's. This was not a thriller and the story only picked up momentum during the last ten percent on my Kindle.
During Donna's rants she comes across as a really unlikable character with coarse language which I did not care for. She is Michael's mistress who knowingly cheats with him behind his wife's back and gets pregnant with Lauren. She pressures him constantly to divorce his wife which he is dragging his feet.
Michael's mother Elizabeth who also comes across as unlikable provides a cabin for Donna to live in on her property which is a big ranch with a lot of land. Elizabeth accepts this arrangement while knowing that Michael's wife knows nothing about Donna.
Michael comes across as a weak and lying serial cheater as Donna follows him many times and catches him yet in lie after lie exposing him as a person not to be trusted. She discovers that a young waitress at a dive bar has gone missing and she thinks that he is responsible for her death and has him put away in prison until a serial killer takes responsibility for the young waitresses's death.
Lauren is 35 year's old and has always believed that her mother Donna lied about her father's involvement in the death of the waitress and Lauren has been estranged from her mother for a few years. After Michael's mother Elizabeth has had a stroke, Elizabeth who is Lauren's grandmother offers to sell Lauren the ranch for a fraction of what it is worth. Lauren has always believed in her father;s innocence and thought that her mother tried to poison her mind against her father and her grandmother. Donna has maintained that she only wanted to keep Lauren safe.
This was a very flat and not even a slow burning thriller. I wanted to really like this story and I thought that if I kept reading it that it would get better. With the author being a bestselling one I had high hopes for this but the last ten percent was the only time that the action picked up and even that was not enough to redeem this story. I will not be recommending this one as a thriller because it simply didn't captivate my attention and I am glad it was short and happy that I finished it. I have learned that I need to be more discerning when I request Titles unless I know of the author and have loved their previous work or else I am likely to find myself in this situation where a DNF isn't an option. I feel obligated to keep reading something that doesn't appeal to me because I am obligated to write an informed review. I am sorry that I didn't like this but maybe other people will. I wish the author every best wish for success with this regardless.
Publication Date: March 23, 2021
Thank you to Net Galley, Victoria Helen Stone and Lake Union Publishing for providing me with my ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
#TheLastOneHome #VictoriaHelenStone #LakeUnionPublishing #NetGalley
BY VICTORIA HELEN STONE
This is the first book that I have read from this acclaimed author who is well known for her Jane Doe series that a lot of people liked so I thought I would give her a try. I didn't like this slow moving tale about a man named Michael who we hear the story narrated by both his daughter Lauren and her mother Donna moving back and forth in time alternating in time periods and Donna voice and Lauren's. This was not a thriller and the story only picked up momentum during the last ten percent on my Kindle.
During Donna's rants she comes across as a really unlikable character with coarse language which I did not care for. She is Michael's mistress who knowingly cheats with him behind his wife's back and gets pregnant with Lauren. She pressures him constantly to divorce his wife which he is dragging his feet.
Michael's mother Elizabeth who also comes across as unlikable provides a cabin for Donna to live in on her property which is a big ranch with a lot of land. Elizabeth accepts this arrangement while knowing that Michael's wife knows nothing about Donna.
Michael comes across as a weak and lying serial cheater as Donna follows him many times and catches him yet in lie after lie exposing him as a person not to be trusted. She discovers that a young waitress at a dive bar has gone missing and she thinks that he is responsible for her death and has him put away in prison until a serial killer takes responsibility for the young waitresses's death.
Lauren is 35 year's old and has always believed that her mother Donna lied about her father's involvement in the death of the waitress and Lauren has been estranged from her mother for a few years. After Michael's mother Elizabeth has had a stroke, Elizabeth who is Lauren's grandmother offers to sell Lauren the ranch for a fraction of what it is worth. Lauren has always believed in her father;s innocence and thought that her mother tried to poison her mind against her father and her grandmother. Donna has maintained that she only wanted to keep Lauren safe.
This was a very flat and not even a slow burning thriller. I wanted to really like this story and I thought that if I kept reading it that it would get better. With the author being a bestselling one I had high hopes for this but the last ten percent was the only time that the action picked up and even that was not enough to redeem this story. I will not be recommending this one as a thriller because it simply didn't captivate my attention and I am glad it was short and happy that I finished it. I have learned that I need to be more discerning when I request Titles unless I know of the author and have loved their previous work or else I am likely to find myself in this situation where a DNF isn't an option. I feel obligated to keep reading something that doesn't appeal to me because I am obligated to write an informed review. I am sorry that I didn't like this but maybe other people will. I wish the author every best wish for success with this regardless.
Publication Date: March 23, 2021
Thank you to Net Galley, Victoria Helen Stone and Lake Union Publishing for providing me with my ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
#TheLastOneHome #VictoriaHelenStone #LakeUnionPublishing #NetGalley
December 19, 2021
I started this a month or two ago and didn’t like it and turned it off. I thought maybe I wasn’t in the mood for it. I turned it back on tonight and I got into it for a while but it kinda spun out toward the end and got ridiculous.
This book was very okay.
This book was very okay.
April 25, 2021
Review to come
January 17, 2025
While reading the book I kept waiting for something to happen,... a twist of some sort or anything exciting but nothing of the sort happened. I kept thinking what was the whole point of this book?
I received a widget of this book by the publisher and author.
I received a widget of this book by the publisher and author.
March 23, 2021
Mystery - 2.5*
I was a huge fan of Stone's last novel, Jane Doe and couldn't wait to read this. Alas, it was a bit formulaic and I didn't like the main protagonist Lauren. Even though Stone split the narrative between Then/Now and between Laura and her mother Donna it couldn't save what was a pretty average mystery.
Now - Lauren has broken up with her boyfriend and doesn't really know what to do with herself. She and her mother Donna have a contentious relationship. Her mother accused her father of killing a woman and he spent 10 years in prison. He was released because another man took the blame for the murder. Her dad has remarried and has another family, so her relationship with him has become more tenuous. Her Grandmother has just had a stroke and they decide that Lauren should buy the family home and that her Grandmother will move into assisted living. The home needs some updates and Lauren is adrift, so decides to document her remodeling efforts online. She keeps turning up interesting tidbits on the family property. She also starts receiving notes from the man in prison that killed the woman her father was accused of murdering.
Then - Donna gets pregnant by her boyfriend who is supposedly separated from his wife and soon to be divorced. She moves to Sacramento to be closer to him and finds out that his marriage isn't as quite over as she has been led to believe. Also, he seems to be trying to date other women on the side. Donna wants desperately to be a family with this man, so she allows herself to believe his lies. He desperately wants the child Donna is carrying and moves her onto his mother's property 45 minutes away. The farm is removed from everything and at first Donna thinks its the perfect solution. But, of course, events start happening that turn her idyllic fortress into something she needs to escape from.
As a big fan of mysteries, it wasn't hard to see where this story was going. In fact, I was almost annoyed that it took Lauren so long to figure it out. Granted, as the reader, you are privy to inside information, but Lauren just seemed super naive. I don't like weak characters as a protagonist and even though Lauren did find her spine, it was too late. She is the character in a scary movie that you yell at for hiding in the woods, instead of getting in her car and leaving when bad things start happening.
I'm going straight down the middle for this rating as the book is very readable and the story engaging, but as a mystery it falls short, for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC of this novel.
I was a huge fan of Stone's last novel, Jane Doe and couldn't wait to read this. Alas, it was a bit formulaic and I didn't like the main protagonist Lauren. Even though Stone split the narrative between Then/Now and between Laura and her mother Donna it couldn't save what was a pretty average mystery.
Now - Lauren has broken up with her boyfriend and doesn't really know what to do with herself. She and her mother Donna have a contentious relationship. Her mother accused her father of killing a woman and he spent 10 years in prison. He was released because another man took the blame for the murder. Her dad has remarried and has another family, so her relationship with him has become more tenuous. Her Grandmother has just had a stroke and they decide that Lauren should buy the family home and that her Grandmother will move into assisted living. The home needs some updates and Lauren is adrift, so decides to document her remodeling efforts online. She keeps turning up interesting tidbits on the family property. She also starts receiving notes from the man in prison that killed the woman her father was accused of murdering.
Then - Donna gets pregnant by her boyfriend who is supposedly separated from his wife and soon to be divorced. She moves to Sacramento to be closer to him and finds out that his marriage isn't as quite over as she has been led to believe. Also, he seems to be trying to date other women on the side. Donna wants desperately to be a family with this man, so she allows herself to believe his lies. He desperately wants the child Donna is carrying and moves her onto his mother's property 45 minutes away. The farm is removed from everything and at first Donna thinks its the perfect solution. But, of course, events start happening that turn her idyllic fortress into something she needs to escape from.
As a big fan of mysteries, it wasn't hard to see where this story was going. In fact, I was almost annoyed that it took Lauren so long to figure it out. Granted, as the reader, you are privy to inside information, but Lauren just seemed super naive. I don't like weak characters as a protagonist and even though Lauren did find her spine, it was too late. She is the character in a scary movie that you yell at for hiding in the woods, instead of getting in her car and leaving when bad things start happening.
I'm going straight down the middle for this rating as the book is very readable and the story engaging, but as a mystery it falls short, for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC of this novel.
December 22, 2020
After a breakup with her long term boyfriend Lauren is trying to figure out who she is. She’s headed back to her grandmas house, she feels like spending time at the house and helping her grandma who just had a stroke. Soon after arriving she’s shocked her grandma tells her she’s giving her the house and she would prefer to be at a nursing home. Lauren’s mother Donna is less than thrilled, she tells her she’s making a mistake. Lauren doesn’t trust her mother because her mother lied and sent her father Michael to prison for ten years for murder, until the actual killer confesses and then he was released. Lauren soon finds herself renovating the old home and starting a DIY page and streaming her accomplishments for her new followers. The more she’s at the house the more she questions what really happened all those years ago for her mother to accuse her father of such a horrific crime?
The book bounces to 1985 when Donna realizes she’s pregnant after an affair with a married man Michael. The relationship was casual but he had promised to divorce his wife. Donna moves to california and soon realizes Michael wasn’t completely honest, and he leaves a trail of broken promises and soon Donna accuses him of murder.
As the two stories intertwine we learn more and we begin to question how many secrets are to many secrets? Is Lauren’s decision to renovate such a good idea? Was Donna just bitter or did Michael really commit murder? So many questions and the answers are shocking! Five stars!
The book bounces to 1985 when Donna realizes she’s pregnant after an affair with a married man Michael. The relationship was casual but he had promised to divorce his wife. Donna moves to california and soon realizes Michael wasn’t completely honest, and he leaves a trail of broken promises and soon Donna accuses him of murder.
As the two stories intertwine we learn more and we begin to question how many secrets are to many secrets? Is Lauren’s decision to renovate such a good idea? Was Donna just bitter or did Michael really commit murder? So many questions and the answers are shocking! Five stars!
October 13, 2020
Lauren Abrams no longer has a relationship with her mother, whose testimony put Lauren's father away for murder years ago. After that time, a serial killer confessed to the murders and her father was set free. Lauren chose to live with her father and grandmother and put her past behind her. But now her grandmother has taken ill and she returns to Sacramento to help sort out her estate. Lauren settles into her old home but as the story unfolds, it is clear her family are hiding some secrets.
While I loved the premise of this one and did enjoy it, it was more of a slow burn mystery with some good suspense. The start was quite slow for me but as it went along I needed to see how the mystery unfolded. 3.5* rounded up.
While I loved the premise of this one and did enjoy it, it was more of a slow burn mystery with some good suspense. The start was quite slow for me but as it went along I needed to see how the mystery unfolded. 3.5* rounded up.
February 5, 2021
*I received a free copy of The Last One Home from NetGalley. This has in no way influenced my voluntary review which is honest and unbiased.*
I can mostly just say wow! Stone has written an incredibly tense psychological thriller here, and I could not put the book down. Unreliable narrators, a mystery, flashbacks and present time seamlessly interwoven.
Pick this up when it releases! You won't regret it :)
I can mostly just say wow! Stone has written an incredibly tense psychological thriller here, and I could not put the book down. Unreliable narrators, a mystery, flashbacks and present time seamlessly interwoven.
Pick this up when it releases! You won't regret it :)
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