Book Review: The First Time I Saw Him by Laura Dave

“Laura Dave continues Hannah Hall’s pulse-pounding journey in the riveting and deeply moving sequel to the #1 New York Times bestselling blockbuster and Apple TV+ show, The Last Thing He Told Me.”

Goodreads blurb for The First TIme I Saw Him

Review:

I loved The Last Thing He Told Me. It’s one that I still think about from time to time, despite having read it back in 2021 when it was published. I had no idea that a sequel was in the works, so when I was invited to read an ARC copy, I was ecstatic! 

Five years after Owen’s disappearance, Hannah and Bailey have adapted a new life together, keeping close to Owen’s father, Nicholas. As much as they miss Owen, they’ve moved on. Bailey has grown up, and Hannah’s done everything she could to ensure both of their safety. But when she spots Owen at her latest exhibition, she knows it’s time to be on alert again. 

Although they’ve had a plan in place to run for years, it’s no less nerve-racking for both Hannah and Bailey. With Nicholas’ help, they end up in Paris, where they finally begin to learn the truth of what happened with Owen’s family. 

I had so much fun revisiting this plot and these characters! I found that it picked up seamlessly from the first book. Although some details have become murky for me having read it a few years ago at this point, I was able to pick up what I’d forgotten fairly quickly. It was wonderful getting to read about Bailey and the person she grew up to be, as well as getting a deeper look at how she and Hannah’s stepmother/daughter relationship has evolved. 

I hope there will at least be a novella, if not an entire third book in the future. I missed these characters! 

A huge thanks to Scribner for inviting me to read a free digital ARC of the book via NetGalley!

Likes & Dislikes:

What I liked:

• Getting to revisit Hannah and Bailey.
• How seamlessly the book picked up from the first.
• Fantastic pacing!

What I didn’t like:

• Normally, I like chapter titles, but I found the length of the ones used in this book distracting.

Afterthoughts:

I can’t wait to get a physical copy!

Where to buy the book: