Reviews

The Last Time She Saw Him: A Novel by Kate White

stephisbooked's review against another edition

emotional mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

 

I always feel bad when a book just doesn’t work for me. This started strong with the mystery of Jamie’s death but then I quickly lost interest. It just never fully went where it could have. I thought the culprit was pretty obvious from early on even with the additional list of suspects. Kiki was extremely naive, a bit self centered and made some questionable choices which is something that I don’t love for a MC. I did enjoy the setting and the clausterphobic feel of the town. I think this will work for others who prefer a slow burn mystery. 

hollispaige's review against another edition

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No

2.75

bobbea's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

kristinreadsalot's review against another edition

2.0

Kiki and Jamie have just called off their engagement. She likes Jamie, but he isn't her person. The problem is they still have friends in common. Their first meeting after the cancelled engagement is at a mutual friends book party. The avoid each other all night but at the end of the party, they exchange pleasantries and Jamie is on his way. Five minutes later, a gun shot is heard and when partygoers investigate, they find Jamie dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. The police rule it a suicide, but Kiki isn't so sure. Even if he is no longer her fiancé, she knows he isn't the type to do this out of nowhere. There would have been signs. She decides to investigate but Jamie's family isn't happy with the idea of the woman who broke his heart dredging up old secrets.

I had such high hopes for this book but it just missed the mark. The chapters end on awesome cliffhangers, but when the next chapter begins, the cliffhanger is just brushed away. I found it difficult to read through this one and was unfortunately counting down to when it was over. The author had such a great premise and this story had all the potential to be great, but nothing was done with it.

briiianne's review against another edition

3.0

This was a good read. It’s very slow moving, and not a lot of excitement. I will saw, it was not predictable like a lot of mystery books are. I had no idea until it was revealed who the villain was.

debbie_cima's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

I love Kate White’s books. Really I do. But the last few that I’ve read have left me wanting more, and not in a good way. The Last Time She Saw Him is no exception. It started off strong and I was very invested. Just when I was about halfway through the book, the pace started slowing down significantly. There were a few things alluded to in the story that were never brought up again, even though it was hinted that they would be. The big “twist” seemed very forced and the ending was sloppy and thrown together. It wasn’t the worst book I’ve ever read, but it was a little disappointing. 

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Perennial and Paperbacks for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

mandylovestoread's review

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.75

literary__mary's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

jordieq's review against another edition

3.0

I thought this book was ok. The whole was it suicide or murder story line is pretty common but this one I felt had fluff in it that didn’t need to be in there. I think the author was trying to throw the reader off but I just felt there were too many suspects.

coleelew's review against another edition

mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No

2.5

The last time she saw him he was alive and seemed to be doing well coping with her breaking off their engagement. But then as everyone is leaving the party, a shot rings out and it appears Jamie has committed suicide. This story follows Kiki as she is determined to find out what really happened. 

While I think the plot is good with some twists, the story reads almost as a stream of consciousness in Kiki’s mind. I also believe too many characters are involved and some time is wasted trying to develop them. 

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.