Her Last Affair: A Novel

Her Last Affair by John Searles is a highly recommended novel of psychological suspense.

The novel unfolds through the point of view of three characters. Skyla Hull, a retired nurse in Rhode Island, was married to Hollis for almost fifty years until his accident the previous year. Now that macular degeneration has severely reduced her sight, her activity is limited so she spends much of her day mourning Hollis and ruminating about his long term affair. She decides to rent the cottage next door to a British man named Teddy Cornwell. Miles away in Florida, Linelle Durfort reconnects with her first love, Teddy Cornwell. In NYC, Jeremy Lichanel, a writer who is unhappy with his physical appearance, gets an assignment to review a restaurant show more in Providence and decides to look up an old friend who broke his heart years ago.

These desperate, heartbroken, and isolated characters are seeking retribution and closure, thinking their actions will provide them satisfaction, fulfillment, and love. As the three diverse, and atmospheric multiple narratives unfold, you will be waiting for the connection between these characters. The connection won't come right away, but when it does it will be in a meteoric twist that will entirely change the story from a complex study of forlorn, unhappy, and bitter characters to almost a horror novel. This is an intricate plot that requires attention to each narrative thread in order to fully comprehend and appreciate the intense cinematic denouement.

I have to admit, sheepishly, that while I was glued to the pages at the shocking end of the novel when everything was going down and coming together, I actually quit enjoyed the earlier character studies of these despondent, unlikable individuals a bit more than the chilling climax. Understandably, I'm likely alone in this feeling. The ending is compelling and shocking. It pulls together all three narratives and undeniably will hold your attention.

Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of HarperCollins.
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3.5 rounded up.

I’m really not sure why, but I very rarely seem to read male authors. I’m now adding Mr. Searles to my list of authors that I need to read more of their books.

This was a different type of thriller. Definitely had no clue where the author was going or what was going to happen, especially since I had no clue of the author’s writing style. Slow in parts and a little “common, cut to the chase”, but a twisty thriller none the less. Characters were an eclectic group of sad sacks that I couldn’t figure out how they would all fit together. Story slowly developed, and everything was tied together at the end.

Thanks to Mrs Searles, William Marrow and NetGalley for this ARC. Opinion is mine alone.

This was a bit of a psychological thriller and you really had no idea what was all going on exactly or how everyone was connected at first. Told through various characters, each one had their story to tell a past that they had held secret, and secrets that had stayed hidden. The main character Skyla has rented out the other identical cottage to her, to this mysterious man who she had a feeling would pay as expected and not complicate the life she had cut out for herself. The two grow closer over time, but it still a bit of cat and mouse as they each try to gain more information about the other persons past and what has brought them to this time in their life. Skyla the widow living by the abandoned drive in movie theatre, Teddy the show more perfect renter with that England accent, Jeremy just trying to find his way in the world after somewhat of a cruel upbringing, and Linelle trying to find something from her past. The storylines of these characters all masterfully get wound together through time and I love how the author used the old movie theatre as the entires to each chapter- with dialogues from various movies over the years. Thank you to William Morrow for the free ARC. show less

Skyla has recently lost her sight. She lives next door to a rundown drive-in movie theater which she and her husband ran for years. She decides to rent the cottage next door to a Teddy Cornwell. Skyla just loves his accent! Teddy is currently trying to lure an old girlfriend, Linelle away from her boring marriage. So, this seems the perfect place. Then there is Jeremy. Jeremy is a restaurant critic. His next job is Providence, RI. This town holds some unique memories and quite a few he wants to relive.

Now that I have introduced all the characters…let’s get to the meat of the story! This novel starts a bit slow, but that is just the introduction to the characters…so stay with it. Because it sure builds and builds…until the show more intensity does not stop and you just have to see where it is going to end.

I think my favorite character is Skyla. She is not at all what you think! And I love the way the author throws in some humor. What a great way to keep the story moving and the reader engrossed.

Need a good psychological thriller…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review. show less

Three storylines and each one is fascinating! The way they wind around each other will keep you in your seat reading leaving your errands undone! My first book by John Searles but definitely not my last one!

Please note that I received this book via NetGalley. This did not affect my rating or review.

So I have to say, this book is a journey. It goes back and forth and you get very confused about what is going on, but hang in there. The main reason why I gave this four stars though is that the flow was up and down. And you have to "push through it" to get to the good parts of this book.

Skyla is a bit of a mess. A former nurse and now widow, she is dealing in a world where she can no longer see. When she rents one of the small houses near her house out, she finally thinks she has found someone to share in her life (Teddy Cornwell). Though Teddy is decades younger than her, Skyla tells him some of her story and listens to his tale of his first show more love, Linelle. Linelle finds herself in an empty marriage. When she is contacted by her first love Teddy, she starts to think about going to see him. And then a journalist named Jeremy finds himself agreeing to an assignment which leads him back to Providence.

It takes a while to figure out how all of these people fit. It's pretty simple to track between Teddy and Linelle. And then Teddy and Skyla. But after that you go what is going on.

I thought the writing was very good. Searles does a great job shaping everyone. You at times will want to shake Skyla, pity her, and then want to shake her all over again. Teddy seems to be the most perfect person ever, but one wonders why he keeps putting up with Skyla when it appears she wants something more. Linelle's marriage felt suffocating just reading about it. And Jeremy, I ended up pitying for the most part.

The flow was up and down though. It takes a while for the book to find it's rhythm I thought.

The setting of the book moves around from Providence, Florida, New York, and a few places in
between.

The ending was definitely a shocker. I liked how it ended. show less

Please note that I received this book via NetGalley. This did not affect my rating or review.

So I have to say, this book is a journey. It goes back and forth and you get very confused about what is going on, but hang in there. The main reason why I gave this four stars though is that the flow was up and down. And you have to "push through it" to get to the good parts of this book.

Skyla is a bit of a mess. A former nurse and now widow, she is dealing in a world where she can no longer see. When she rents one of the small houses near her house out, she finally thinks she has found someone to share in her life (Teddy Cornwell). Though Teddy is decades younger than her, Skyla tells him some of her story and listens to his tale of his first show more love, Linelle. Linelle finds herself in an empty marriage. When she is contacted by her first love Teddy, she starts to think about going to see him. And then a journalist named Jeremy finds himself agreeing to an assignment which leads him back to Providence.

It takes a while to figure out how all of these people fit. It's pretty simple to track between Teddy and Linelle. And then Teddy and Skyla. But after that you go what is going on.

I thought the writing was very good. Searles does a great job shaping everyone. You at times will want to shake Skyla, pity her, and then want to shake her all over again. Teddy seems to be the most perfect person ever, but one wonders why he keeps putting up with Skyla when it appears she wants something more. Linelle's marriage felt suffocating just reading about it. And Jeremy, I ended up pitying for the most part.

The flow was up and down though. It takes a while for the book to find it's rhythm I thought.

The setting of the book moves around from Providence, Florida, New York, and a few places in
between.

The ending was definitely a shocker. I liked how it ended. show less