The Last Thing He Told Me
Synopsis: Owen Michaels disappears, leaving a note for Hannah, his wife of one year: Protect her. Hannah immediately understands that he wants her to protect his 16 year old daughter Bailey. Bailey, who lost her mother tragically as a child. Bailey who can’t be bothered to treat her new stepmother with common courtesy. Lots of questions: what is going on with Owen? Why did he disappear? Who is he really? What to do with the bag of money he left behind? Hannah and Bailey set out to try and understand what is going on and what the future holds.
Corey’s Review: I have to admit this book is right up my alley. We chose this book as our summer book club with family and personally, I think it was the perfect summer read. It was suspenseful, not too predictable. It was a page turner and enjoyable read. I have to agree with my mom, it was’t earth shattering and I think you will quickly forget it when you are done, but that’s ok! It was good for what it was, a short summer fling. They are also making this into a Netflix series and Jennifer Garner is starting as Hannah (I predicted this- weirdly enough). She seems like the perfect basic Hannah. If you are looking for an entertaining read this is it!
Nicholette’s review: A domestic drama with a bit of suspense, this has been touted as one of the year’s “beach reads.” We read it for our first ever family book club over Labor Day weekend, and that was so much fun! I liked the book club with my family slightly more than I liked the book. Hannah and Bailey are likable and believable characters, but the plot was a bit far fetched, and it was hard to buy into the decisions that Hannah made. Her actions didn’t seem reasonable or realistic. I was entertained, but I wasn’t enthralled or deeply moved. The chapters are short, and its a fast paced quick read. I don’t think it’s a book that will stay with you for long, but it’s entertaining and maybe that’s enough.
Rating: 3/5
Recipe: A beach read of course must be accompanied by something that makes you think of summer and the beach! I think there’s nothing that makes me think of summer more than Ina Garten’s Lobster and Corn Chowder. This has a few steps, but it’s so worth it.
Ingredients:
three 1.5 pound cooked lobsters
3 ears of corn
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup chopped yellow onion
1/4 cup cream sherry
1 teaspoon sweet paprika
4 cups whole milk
2 cups heavy cream
1 cup dry white wine
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 pound bacon, large diced
2 cups large diced unpeeled Yukon gold potatoes
1 1/2 cup chopped yellow onions
2 cups diced celery
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon pepper
2 teaspoons chopped fresh chives
1/4 cup cream sherry
1) Remove the meat from the lobster shells. Cut the meat into large cubes and set aside in a bowl. Reserve the shells and all the juices that collect. Cut the corn kernels from the cobs and set aside
2) For the stock, melt the butter in a large stockpot. Add the onion and cook until translucent. Add the sherry and paprika and cook for one minute. Add the milk, cream, wine, lobster shells and juices, and corn cobs, and bring to a simmer. Partially cover the pot and simmer over low heat for 30 minutes.
3) Meanwhile, in another pot, heat the oil and cook the bacon until browned and crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon and reserve. Add the potatoes, onions, celery, corn kernels, salt and pepper to the pot and simmer for 5 minutes. Place a strainer over the pot, and carefully pour the stock into the pot with the potatoes and corn. simmer over low heat for 15 minutes, until the potatoes are tender. Add the cooked lobster, the chives and the sherry and season to taste. Serve garnished with the crisp bacon.