I liked this book, I didn’t love it. This is a murder mystery about two people - Frida and Gabriel- that grew up in a cult and escaped as young adults. They are at a resort and a young woman ends up dead. There are mysteries about how they escaped their cultist upbringing ,, the murder itself, and his wife who died a few years earlier. He was suspected, but not charged with the crime.

The book has an interesting writing style, it is very simplistic. Very short, declarative sentences over and over. The ending was not a surprise, but it was a simple plot, and ultimately a satisfying ending. It is a quick read and I am sure I will forget this book quickly.

My favorite aspect of this book was the throwback to when they were in the cult, I actually wish they would’ve gone into more detail about their agency born cult leader Emile and What the beliefs of the cult were. It ended in a traumatic way, as many separatist cults do.

Thanks to NetGalley and Elliot and Thompson for the ARC. Book to be published August 7, 2025.

Thank you NetGalley and Elliott & thompson for the ARC!

I struggled with The Quiet Tenant and unfortunately I struggled with this one as well. I enjoyed the cult aspect and the back stories of the characters but had a hard time getting into it.

Thank you NetGalley and Elliott & thompson for the ARC!
Our Last resort by Clémence Michallon will be published on Aug 7th. This is my first book by this author. I was intrigued since the previous book by this author is still to this day very high rated! Frida and Gabriel head to a remote luxury resort in Utah to reconnect after a shared tragedy, but their getaway turns chilling when a guest is found dead—and Gabriel becomes the prime suspect. As Frida confronts their dark past in a secretive cult, disturbing truths begin to surface. Told across past and present, this tense, twisty thriller asks: how well do we really know the ones we love?
First off, my ARC copy had some major formatting issues, which definitely made it harder to get into the story. But even beyond that, I just couldn’t connect—I found myself bored and waiting for something to really happen. Sadly, this one didn’t hit the mark for me, though I think it had potential.

🏜️ ARC BOOK REVIEW 🏜️

PUB Date : Aug 6th 2025

My rating - I liked it !

Calling all Cult book lover fans !

If you’re looking for a cult story that’s a bit different with a morally gray protagonist then look no further than Our Last Resort 👀

Frida and Gabriel grew up in a cult together and they fled to the outside world at a young age escaping their dark past.

They call themselves bother and sister even though they come from different parents , and they will do anything and I mean anything to protect one another!

The story bounces back and forth between past and present a lot and at times I found myself struggling to follow the narrator to know what she was referring too , so I think new thriller readers will struggle with this one .

Read this if you like :
🌵 Cult Stories
🌵 Morally Grey Characters
🌵 Dual timeline
🌵 Murder
🌵 secrets
🌵 implausible scenarios

When we find Gabriel and Frida in a resort at the Ara they are suspects in a crime …will they be put behind bars ? Will their past catch up with them or will they find the happiness they been searching for since leaving the cult compound 🤷🏻‍♀️ You need to read this one for yourself to find out .

Even though this book held my attention the whole way to the end , the ending fell flat for me so for that reason I’m not loving this one but it did keep me engaged!

Thanks NetGalley , Elliott & Thomson & Clemence Michallon for this ARC 🙌🏼

A pair of siblings raised in a cult and the lives they lead after. This felt a little rushed at the end, but was a good story with a good plot.

1.5⭐️
I really enjoyed The Quiet Tenant and was so excited to receive this ARC but this book wasn’t for me. I felt like there wasn’t much to the story and it dragged on. I didn’t find it very thrilling or had any twists. I also found it hard to connect with the characters. I believe many others would enjoy this book even though it wasn’t for me.

This novel following Frida and Gabriel, siblings who seek to reconnect at a luxurious hotel after a past trauma. Their attempt at reconciliation is shattered when a murder occurs, forcing them to confront a dark past involving a cult and their escape, while grappling with mounting evidence against Gabriel. The story unfolds in alternating timelines, revealing the complex dynamics of their relationship and the secrets they carry. 

Thank you NetGalley and Elliott & Thompson for the ARC.
Publication date : Aug 7, 2025

I liked more the chapters about their past, but it was a good story. It kept me guessing, and I'm going to keep reading books by Clémence Michallon for sure.

As a huge fan of The Quiet Tenant, this was one of my most anticipated summer reads. It didn’t disappoint! I was immediately captivated by Frida and Gabriel’s tragic backstories and the unique ways their lives were interwoven. The present day murder mystery at the resort was interesting to unravel and I enjoyed the character development of the “siblings” as more secrets from their past were unveiled. This will make a perfect beach read!

⭐️⭐️⭐️¾ (3.75/5)

Thank you to the publisher for the ARC copy of Our Last Resort by Clémence Michallon. I was excited to dive into this one after loving The Quiet Tenant, and while I did enjoy it, I found it hard not to compare the two.

Our Last Resort is a well-written and compelling story. Its thoughtful character development and unique setting add depth to the narrative. Michallon’s writing is strong and does a great job exploring complex relationships and moral ambiguity.

That said, it was tough for this one to live up to the high bar set by The Quiet Tenant. The pacing and impact didn’t quite hit the same level for me, so my engagement ebbed at times. It’s a solid novel, overshadowed by her previous work.

I’ll definitely continue reading anything Clémence Michallon writes—her voice is sharp and distinct—but for me, this one lands at a 3.75.

Clémence Michallon’s The Last Resort is a gripping psychological thriller set in a desert resort where a murder investigation intertwines with the dark past of two siblings who once escaped a cult. With atmospheric writing and a compelling dual timeline, the novel explores trauma, loyalty, and buried secrets. While some pacing issues and predictable twists may lessen the tension, it remains a suspenseful and thought-provoking read, especially for fans of character-driven thrillers.

I’ve had the previous book by this author on my TBR list for a while as I’ve heard such positive things. This was a little harder to get stuck into than other books but i find that with other books about cult, the writing is next level though so looking forward to reading the quiet tenant! Thanks for early access

I really struggled to get into this book - it took me a while to become invested
It was enjoyable , the backstory was interesting and the writing very strong.

This book is amazing! I'm so thankful I was chosen to receive an advanced copy to review. This had me on the edge of my seat and I was neglecting the things I needed to do just to steal away a few moments to read a few more pages.

It's very rare with a dual timeline novel that I'm equally engrossed in both, but that happened with this one! This definitely should be made into a movie or series.

The cult aspect was very astonishing. Fans of Jessica Knoll's book Luckiest Girl Alive would really enjoy this book as it explores similar themes.

This was suspenseful and I never felt there was a dull moment.

I will 100% be reading more of her books- although this one will be hard to beat!

Clémence Michallon returns with Our Last Resort, a haunting and beautifully written psychological thriller that explores the lingering shadows of a chilling cult past. Set against a lush and almost dreamlike backdrop, this novel weaves together mystery, memory, and emotional survival with grace and intensity.

At the heart of the story is a complex and deeply human heroine—flawed, determined, and achingly relatable. Her journey is as much about uncovering a long-buried crime as it is about reclaiming her own identity and sense of belonging. Michallon masterfully blurs the lines between past and present, safety and danger, love and control.

The narrative unfolds with a slow, hypnotic burn, luring readers in with elegant prose and a quiet but persistent tension. Each twist feels earned and each revelation deepens the emotional stakes. It’s a story about what it means to survive—not just physically, but emotionally and morally—in the aftermath of trauma.

Themes of family, loyalty, and personal redemption are handled with subtlety and compassion, making this not only a compelling mystery but a profound character study. Fans of Michallon's debut will be thrilled by her continued brilliance; new readers will be hooked by her unique voice and narrative daring.

Our Last Resort is suspenseful, lyrical, and emotionally resonant—a perfect summer read that lingers long after the final page.

4 stars


Frida and Gabriel were raised as self-selected siblings in a cult led by Emile. They ran away when they were around eighteen, amid a lot of darkness.

Now, as adults, people are seeking their participation in a documentary. Gabriel has agreed to talk, but Friday doesn’t understand why. Frida is hoping to reconnect with Gabriel, since they have drifted apart, so she’s invited him for a stay at a resort in the Utah desert…where Friday witnesses what may be a prelude to a murder.

THE QUIET TENANT has been on my “to read” list forever but I haven’t gotten to it, but I was very excited to get the ARC of Michallon’s new book. This was good, both the flashback sections and those taking place in the now. A fair number of good twists and both main characters were well written. Very enjoyable.

I really enjoyed this. A slow burn with lots of shocks and very well written. Everyone wants disposable, read in one sitting popcorn thrillers these days but I prefer slow burn books that build suspense and have a well structured plot, making it more believable. This ticks all the boxes for me. Thank you for the ARC.

Our Last Resort is a suspenseful whodunit that will keep you guessing.

Frida and Gabriel are seeking a fresh start at the stunning Ara Hotel in the secluded desert of Escalante, Utah. Once so close, they grew apart after the sudden loss of a loved one. Now, at the resort, what was meant to be a time to reconnect takes a dark turn when the body of a young woman is discovered. Suddenly, their relaxing getaway becomes a nightmare as shadows from the past begin to surface.

When the local police arrive, and suspicion falls on Gabriel, Frida is forced to revisit memories from their upbringing in a cult, but she is determined to prove his innocence.

After reading The Quiet Tenant, I was immediately attracted to this author’s writing style and couldn’t wait for her next release. Alas, we were gifted with Our Last Resort. Personally, I don’t believe this story was as strong as The Quiet Tenant, but there were parts of the story that kept me hooked. It follows two timelines, past and present. I was more intrigued by the past as it was focused on Frida and Gabriel’s childhood and cult experience, which made me eager to dive in; the present fell a bit flat for me. The story's murder mystery elements were all there, but I didn’t particularly enjoy the main characters; their personalities were quite dry. However, the reason for their stale personalities was apparent: they lived a horrible childhood in a cult, and it was fight or flight for the remainder of their young years, so it’s understandable. Despite being understandable, connecting with the characters in their adult life made it challenging. It was easy to communicate with them in their past life. I enjoyed their story; the growth of their relationship was strong, making it believable and easy to follow.

To bring it back to the overall story, again, I did enjoy the murder mystery aspects of the story. It was intriguing and predictable, but I was eager to see how everything played out. I got whiplash from trying to figure out whether or not I believed Gabriel’s story, so his part of the story hooked me. The ending was predictable, and I wasn’t thrilled, but there were a lot of moments in the story that had me second-guessing myself, which made the story a little more fun. It wasn’t my favourite, but I recommend giving this book a chance.

MUST READ!
Our Last Resort delivers the perfect blend of two of my favorite subgenres—vacation-gone-wrong and cult thrillers! This gripping story pulls you into the lives of Frida and Gabriel, cult-siblings bound by a shared and haunting past, and now reunited under unsettling circumstances.

As the narrative unfolds, we dive into their traumatic childhoods while navigating a shocking murder in real time. Frida is determined to reconnect with Gabriel, a sibling of sort from the cult they escaped. But Gabriel is still grieving the sudden loss of his wife and the media storm that framed him unfairly as a killer. When the young wife of a media mogul dies mysteriously at the resort, all eyes turn to them.

The layers of trauma, suspicion, and tension make this an unforgettable read. Clemence Michallon masterfully weaves past and present, keeping you on edge as secrets unravel and relationships are tested. Perfect for fans of psychological thrillers with a dark twist.

#Knopf #Elliot&Thompson #OurLastResort #ClemenceMichallon

I enjoyed this book a lot. It's an extremely well written domestic thriller, chock full of evocative details, that unfolds over dual timelines. It's very character driven. Well paced. I enjoyed the twists and the relationship of the main characters.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Knopf publishers for the digital advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed the author's debut novel, so obviously I had to pick this one up. Unfortunately, I didn't like this one as much. It was very slow, the story took a while to keep going and I wasn't really that engaged while reading. I also found the back and forth between the timelines confusing at times. The writing was good though and this picked up eventually, however I wish the endign had been less predictable, I figured it out pretty early on. I was hoping there would be another unexpected twist to bring in some suspense. However if you like a slow burn murder mystery, you will probably enjoy this more than I did.