THE LAST ONE HOME by Victoria Helen Stone

 

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 boyfriend 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.

MY THOUGHTS: 

This was my first Victoria Helen Stone book and won't be my last. I really enjoyed this one so much. It was a fast paced page turner from start to dramatic finish. I was not disappointed at all.

This book is much more than it appears to be. It's a Women's Fiction and a Thriller too. Lots of twists along the way. About a twisted family. But who is truly the twisted person. Or persons. 

This is told from two different POVs and two time periods. Donna and Lauren. Donna is Lauren's mother and they have a lot of baggage to clear out. A lot of things that happened between them. Will they find their way to have a relationship. A mother daughter relationship. Can Lauren ever trust her mother. Will she find out what really happened all those years ago. Was Donna being truthful or was she a vengeful, hurt, spurned, woman. 

This book has a lot of action. A lot of things that will make you want to know what happened. From the time Donna met Michael until many years later when things really started to fall into place. Michael was a married man and professed his love to Donna. He kept making so many promises. Donna met Michael's mother and thought she may finally have found a family. A family she longed for. Could it finally happen. Was Elizabeth Abrams the woman Donna thought she was. Or was she the type who thought her son could do no wrong. Was she just in it for the grandchild. 

This story will have you guessing about things until the very end when all comes out. When all the pieces finally fall into place. When Lauren finally finds out whether or not her daddy is a killer or if her mother really did lie so many years ago. You'll find that living way out in the middle of nowhere is not always what it's cracked up to be. Being a young woman totally dependent on someone else is possibly dangerous. But for who???

This book took me by surprise. I truly thought it was going to be another of those that I figured out. I was surprised in a few places. While I did guess some most was shocking. It's a very good book. A very well written story. All the loose ends are tied up and nothing will leave you hanging. All your questions will be answered. All will be revealed. 

Thank you to #NetGalley, #VictoriaHelenStone, #LakeUnionPublishing for this ARC. This is my own true thoughts about this book.

5/5 stars and a big recommendation to all. I really was very happy with this book.