Book Review - The Last House Guest
The Last House Guest by Megan Miranda is a Reese Witherspoon Book Club recommendation. I am always happy to read books on referral and have enjoyed several that Reese has recommended in the past. This story sounded right in line with the types of stories I typically enjoy.
The Last House Guest
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Summary:
The Last House Guest is the story of a girl who seemingly took her life by jumping into the Atlantic Ocean from the bluffs of the town she spent every summer in. A town where her family was prominent.
Sadie was an independent girl who lived life on her terms. When she turns up dead one summer during the annual end of season party, her best friend Avery is devastated. Avery also becomes a suspect when the police begin to wonder if Sadie's death was in fact suicide.
After the death of Avery's grandmother, her last living relative - her parents died in a "single" automobile accident - Sadie's family took Avery in as one of their own. They treated her like family and even employed her to manage their rental properties in this vacation town.
When Avery begins to doubt that Sadie took her own life, she searches for answers as to how her best friend died. Secrets that pertained to her own family. She realizes that her family and Sadie's family were tied together in a way that she never could have imagined.
This story is about more than a mysterious death. In addition to the loss of her best friend, Avery also must come to terms with what she gave up when she immersed herself into the Loman family after her grandmother's passing. She let lifelong friendships slip away when she became best friends with Sadie.
Without giving away spoilers to what Avery uncovers and how the story ends, just know that you won't expect the ending as it is summed up in the last 2 chapters. This is what makes this type of story exciting.
REVIEW:
This story did not grab my attention as quickly as I typically require to stay engaged. Due to the fact that I chose to read this story because it was a referral, however, I was determined to keep reading.
It was approximately 2/3 through the story when I got to the point where I did not want to put the book down. That moment when I want to be able to read at any available moment - while waiting for a doctor's appointment, in the morning while drinking coffee, at night before bed. I couldn't wait to figure out the mystery of Sadie's death as well as the other oddities taking place in this summer vacation town.
Avery was being blamed for her best friend's death. There was no indication that she could have or had reason to commit the murder, but as the investigation was beginning to point towards her, it made me wonder - could she?
The author did a good job of forming the characters. The description of the coastal town in Maine was easy to picture. I did feel, however, that it took a little too long to get to the exciting part of the story. Perhaps too much time spent building up the relationship between the characters.
It could also have been that I was busy during the time I was reading this story - too easily distracted and able to put the book down to do other things. I would recommend this story to readers who are interested in a mystery.
I'd love to hear your opinions if you've read this story. Please share below!
Until my next review...
