The Last Time I Saw Her
By: Alexandra Harrington
Charlotte Romer has just returned to her home town of River John Nova Scotia after disappearing to a boarding school without telling any of her friends. On her first day back Charlotte goes to her best friend Sophie’s 18th birthday party uninvited. This surprises everyone at the party and makes Sophie upset because Charlotte practically ghosted her during one of the hardest times of her life. As Charlotte goes home embarrassed and rejected she is offered a ride home from Sophie’s ex-boyfriend Max. She is hesitant at first because her older brother Sean was supposed to be picking her up but decides to take Max up on his offer. After a few days Charlotte and Max start to hang out more and more and start to figure some things out about the tragic summer before, but someone knows more than they are letting on.
This was one of the best books I have ever read and I am glad I spent my summer on it. There was so many twists and surprises and I just couldn’t put the book down once I started reading. I rate this book a 5/5.

“The Last Time I Saw Her” by Alexandra Harrington is a thrilling novel that delves into the complexities of love, loss, and redemption. Reading this novel was a rollercoaster of emotions with its suspenseful storyline. I couldn’t put it down for weeks! I found it alluring that I’ve either visited or knew all the places that were mentioned in the book, making it easier to visualize the locations that took place, which brought the settings to life.

We follow the protagonist, Charlotte, a compelling and well-developed character who goes through many broken relationships throughout the novel. She visits her hometown, River John, after leaving unannounced for a year to boarding school. Everyone was shocked at her returning, and her best friend, Sophie, was now a stranger. What could she do in her power to restore her friendship with Sophie, be involved in Sean’s life again, reunite with Leo, or build a brand new relationship with Max? What if things aren’t the same? Who knows how much could change or what could be ruined in just a year? Home didn’t feel like home to Charlotte.

The unexpected plot twists and turns were my favorite part of the novel, keeping me on the edge of my seat. Reading the vivid portrayal of the characters’ emotions felt like it transported me into their world. Each of their struggles and heavy secrets resonated with me, and I found myself becoming emotionally invested in their fates. My heart sank for Charlotte each and every time she came to a new realization.

Alexandra Harrington’s style of writing was captivating, and admirable. She uses compelling dialogues, and descriptive language to inform the readers exactly what she wants. Harrington expressed and described each character’s individual feelings perfectly and got the readers to resonate with the characters very well, making it easy for me to immerse myself in the story. I also appreciated how the author addressed thought-provoking themes and issues, adding depth to the comprehensive story.

Overall, “The Last Time I Saw Her” was a captivating and well-written novel that kept me eagerly excited for the next chapter. I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a compelling mystery with a strong emotional core.

Book review: The Last Time I Saw Her: Written by: Alexandra Harrington
Bookreviewer: Fifi Chen

Rating out of 5: 4/5

This book was amazing! From the plot, characters, and the events that happened in the novel, I was intrigued and interested! Although I found the book hard to continue in the beginning as it was telling us the background story and everything, the suspense of what really happened to Charlotte that made her move to a brand-new boarding school without saying goodbye to any of her friends, Sophie and Max. By the time the author reveals the mystery, I understand why Charlotte left so abruptly, and can tell from her point of view why she needed a break.

Charlotte is such a strong character, despite everything she’s been through, she still takes her responsibility and comes back to her hometown River John, Nova Scotia, in hopes of fixing her friendships. As for the mystery part of the story, as much as I liked the thought and the suspense accelerating, I found the explanation too short. Everything happens so fast, and it’s difficult to keep up with what the characters are saying. I also felt that we did not get Charlotte to tell us how she felt as well.

What I really liked about this novel was the relationship between Charlotte and Max. The amount of trust they have together and how complicated things have been together, they still end up being together and perfectly happy. I tremendously disliked Max’s father as he was manipulative and only made his son feel bad about himself.

For the setting of the story, I adored how it took place in Nova Scotia, as it gave us a vision of what Nova Scotia was like to those who have never been there before. It’s common to find books in big places like New York or Washington, and I liked how it was at a small place instead. I believe some places in the books were also real places in our world like Dalhousie, an actual university we can attend!

Overall, I would definitely recommend this book for young readers as well as those who enjoy the genre's mystery, suspense as well as a bit of romance. You will be hooked eventually and I totally fell in love with the plot!

-Fifi Chen

A year after our main character Charlotte left for boarding school with no explanation, and a year after the accident that changed everything for her and her (ex) friends, she returns to her hometown River John, NS, to a not so warm welcome from her former best friend Sophie. But once her and Sophie's ex boyfriend Max start uncovering previously unknown details from that night that changed everything, it becomes clear that someone knows something, and they don't want Max and Sophie to figure it out.

I fell in love with Lisa Harrington's The Last Time I Saw her. Everything I thought I knew as the mystery unfolded was proven wrong, and I truly couldn't stop reading! I felt very invested with all the characters and loved how they were written. I feel this book really capsulated summer in a small town, no secrets, and nothing to do. I highly highly highly recommend that everyone read this book, and enjoy a beautifully written summer mystery that will keep you thinking, “Just one more chapter.”

The Last Time I Saw Her was exactly the kind of book I thought it would be. I figured it would be something along the lines of: a girl who dramatically disappeared and was never seen again, then it would spin into a gripping murder mystery, and it did not disappoint! If that sounds like the kind of thing you’d be interested in reading, then you should totally give this book a try!

The Last Time I Saw Her follows the story of Charlotte Romer, when she comes home from boarding school, and unexpectedly shows up at her best friend, Sophie’s birthday party, after almost a whole year. She finds Sophie’s boyfriend, and together they begin to find out what happened on the night of the accident that changed everything. I liked the book, the best books are the ones that leave you emotionally damaged at the end. 4/5 stars, would recommend, for those of you who like those books that focus on everyday life, and don’t hold too much excitement. 😉

I hope you have a nice day, and consider ordering The Last Time I Saw Her off the Nimbus catalogue!