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The Last Flight
Two women. Two Flights. One last chance to disappear.
Claire Cook has a perfect life. Married to the scion of a political dynasty, with a Manhattan townhouse and a staff of ten, her surroundings are elegant, her days flawlessly choreographed, and her future auspicious. But behind closed doors, nothing is quite as it seems. That perfect husband has a temper that burns as bright as his promising political career, and he's not above using his staff to track Claire's every move, making sure she's living up to his impossible standards. But what he doesn't know is that Claire has worked for months on a plan to vanish.
A chance meeting in an airport bar brings her together with a woman whose circumstances seem equally dire. Together they make a last-minute decision to switch tickets — Claire taking Eva's flight to Oakland, and Eva traveling to Puerto Rico as Claire. They believe the swap will give each of them the head start they need to begin again somewhere far away. But when the flight to Puerto Rico goes down, Claire realizes it's no longer a head start but a new life. Cut off, out of options, with the news of her death about to explode in the media, Claire will assume Eva's identity, and along with it, the secrets Eva fought so hard to keep hidden.
The Last Flight is the story of two women — both alone, both scared — and one agonizing decision that will change the trajectory of both of their lives.
Claire Cook has a perfect life. Married to the scion of a political dynasty, with a Manhattan townhouse and a staff of ten, her surroundings are elegant, her days flawlessly choreographed, and her future auspicious. But behind closed doors, nothing is quite as it seems. That perfect husband has a temper that burns as bright as his promising political career, and he's not above using his staff to track Claire's every move, making sure she's living up to his impossible standards. But what he doesn't know is that Claire has worked for months on a plan to vanish.
A chance meeting in an airport bar brings her together with a woman whose circumstances seem equally dire. Together they make a last-minute decision to switch tickets — Claire taking Eva's flight to Oakland, and Eva traveling to Puerto Rico as Claire. They believe the swap will give each of them the head start they need to begin again somewhere far away. But when the flight to Puerto Rico goes down, Claire realizes it's no longer a head start but a new life. Cut off, out of options, with the news of her death about to explode in the media, Claire will assume Eva's identity, and along with it, the secrets Eva fought so hard to keep hidden.
The Last Flight is the story of two women — both alone, both scared — and one agonizing decision that will change the trajectory of both of their lives.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published June 2, 2020
About the author
Julie Clark
6 books3,281 followersJulie Clark is the New York Times bestselling author of The Ones We Choose and The Last Flight, which was also a #1 international bestseller and has been translated into more than twenty languages. She lives in Los Angeles with her family and a golden doodle with poor impulse control.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 15,320 reviews
November 21, 2022
This is unique, poignant, twisty, breathtaking page turner! This story is more than a mystery or thriller: it’s emotional , thought provoking, moving, heartbreaking women’s fiction.
So this is so different from the other thrillers I’ve read this year. Two desperate women deserve clean slates by leaving their old lives that suffocating, slowly killing them.
Claire: from exterior, she seems like having a dreamy life, married with charming, wealthy politician, living in a luxurious Manhattan townhouse. But in reality, she is trapped in a nightmare and her each move is monitoring, her each word comes out of her mouth is rehearsed and her own life is planned and choreographed by his abusive, ambitious senate candidate husband and his resourceful staff.
Thankfully she forms a friendship with Petra and her husband Nico help her to work on a detailed escape plan. She carefully siphons 40K and Nico’s secret connections provide her new identity: now she’s counting the time to catch her plane to Detroit to conduct her last step of her plan. But unfortunately the day she flies to Detroit, her husband changes his mind and he flies to Detroit and sends her to Puerto Rico. Claire’s all meticulously prepared documents and money were already sent to her Detroit hotel which will be probably received by her malicious husband!
She has to hide in Puerto Rico with no money and no proper plan. But somebody follows her moves from the beginning. Another desperate woman who needs to get away from her life: Eva.
They meet at the airport: Eva tells her she left her job to take care of her husband who recently lost the battle against big C. And now she’s miserable and she needs a fresh start just like Claire did. She offers her switch their tickets and Claire accepts without thinking further because time is clicking and her A.hole husband already found her fake ID sent to the hotel room. Eva gets the ticket to Puerto Rico as Claire gets the ticket to Oakland: their plan seems like work for well for them till plane to Puerto Rico crashes down.
Claire directly goes to Eva’s place, turning on the news to watch her husband speaking to the TV cameras how devastated he is after his wife’s sudden death. At least she can get her own clean slate but as soon as she finds Eva is a liar and she’s running away from dark past. She finds herself tangled in lies and threatened by more dangerous people.
I loved riveting pacing and I loved both of the characters. Their stories ached my heart. Especially I rooted for Eva. The epilogue part of the book deserves its own five stars. It shook me to the core.
I’m rounding up 4.5 stars to 5 after reading that powerful conclusion and poignant epilogue of the book.
I’m only thanking myself to decide to buy this book after getting both rejected from Edelweiss and NetGalley. It’s worth every penny!
So this is so different from the other thrillers I’ve read this year. Two desperate women deserve clean slates by leaving their old lives that suffocating, slowly killing them.
Claire: from exterior, she seems like having a dreamy life, married with charming, wealthy politician, living in a luxurious Manhattan townhouse. But in reality, she is trapped in a nightmare and her each move is monitoring, her each word comes out of her mouth is rehearsed and her own life is planned and choreographed by his abusive, ambitious senate candidate husband and his resourceful staff.
Thankfully she forms a friendship with Petra and her husband Nico help her to work on a detailed escape plan. She carefully siphons 40K and Nico’s secret connections provide her new identity: now she’s counting the time to catch her plane to Detroit to conduct her last step of her plan. But unfortunately the day she flies to Detroit, her husband changes his mind and he flies to Detroit and sends her to Puerto Rico. Claire’s all meticulously prepared documents and money were already sent to her Detroit hotel which will be probably received by her malicious husband!
She has to hide in Puerto Rico with no money and no proper plan. But somebody follows her moves from the beginning. Another desperate woman who needs to get away from her life: Eva.
They meet at the airport: Eva tells her she left her job to take care of her husband who recently lost the battle against big C. And now she’s miserable and she needs a fresh start just like Claire did. She offers her switch their tickets and Claire accepts without thinking further because time is clicking and her A.hole husband already found her fake ID sent to the hotel room. Eva gets the ticket to Puerto Rico as Claire gets the ticket to Oakland: their plan seems like work for well for them till plane to Puerto Rico crashes down.
Claire directly goes to Eva’s place, turning on the news to watch her husband speaking to the TV cameras how devastated he is after his wife’s sudden death. At least she can get her own clean slate but as soon as she finds Eva is a liar and she’s running away from dark past. She finds herself tangled in lies and threatened by more dangerous people.
I loved riveting pacing and I loved both of the characters. Their stories ached my heart. Especially I rooted for Eva. The epilogue part of the book deserves its own five stars. It shook me to the core.
I’m rounding up 4.5 stars to 5 after reading that powerful conclusion and poignant epilogue of the book.
I’m only thanking myself to decide to buy this book after getting both rejected from Edelweiss and NetGalley. It’s worth every penny!
December 19, 2020
***NOMINATED FOR BEST MYSTERY/THRILLER***
It’s rarely that I give a thriller 5 stars but this one was exceptionally good. I thought the dual plot lines flowed well and I didn’t have any trouble shifting from one woman’s story to the other. There is a lot of back and forth but it’s easy to follow.
So as women sometimes I think we’ve come so far but yet there are still so many women out there being abused by their husbands or controlled by dealers and pimps. This is the story of two very different women who both desperately need to escape their lives and they have done a great deal of research and planning to find a way to escape.
One point of view is that of Claire, married to a prominent political family, think the Kennedy’s which are always the first to come to mind. She thought she married a funny, loving and caring man but as their marriage went on he became physically abusive. Rory has surrounded himself with so much staff that seem to watch Claire’s every move, including his personal manager, Danielle, that Claire at first can’t think of a way to escape from him. She had failed a prior attempt and suffered badly at her husband’s hand with the bruises, etc to prove it. This time, with the help of her close friend whose husband has great “connections” she thinks she has it planned perfectly. She will go to a planned event but then drastically change her course and plane destination and hopefully disappear. On the day of the planned event however, her husband suddenly decides that she must fly to Puerto Rico to an event there that he wants her to attend. She still thinks she has a chance to get away if she can only figure out a way. She meets another woman Eva, with a ticket to California, at the airport bar and everything changes!!!!!!!!!!
Eva was raised in the foster care system but she was one of the ones who made it out! She had a great scholarship and was working hard in college at Berkely and then met the wrong guy. He got her in a situation with drugs and when they were both caught, the police only pressed charges on Eva and she lost her scholarship. Desperate and with no money, she meets a man who promises a “safe” career in drug dealing if only she follows all of the rules. For a while she works at making and selling drugs, but then things turn dark and frightening and she wants to get away and start a new life.
These two characters meet at the bar in the airport and decide to change tickets, passports, ID’s, purses, basically their entire identity. Claire goes to Oakland and Eva to Puerto Rico.
There is a lot to follow in this twisty, roller coaster of a thriller. When at any time I thought I knew what would happen I was wrong. What aced this one for me was the description of the characters and I found them both believable and vulnerable and I was rooting for them both. This book is very fast paced and will practically force you to continue!
No more plot details, I want everyone to experience the thrills in this book, I highly recommend it.
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through Edelweiss.
It is set to publish on June 23, 2020.
It’s rarely that I give a thriller 5 stars but this one was exceptionally good. I thought the dual plot lines flowed well and I didn’t have any trouble shifting from one woman’s story to the other. There is a lot of back and forth but it’s easy to follow.
So as women sometimes I think we’ve come so far but yet there are still so many women out there being abused by their husbands or controlled by dealers and pimps. This is the story of two very different women who both desperately need to escape their lives and they have done a great deal of research and planning to find a way to escape.
One point of view is that of Claire, married to a prominent political family, think the Kennedy’s which are always the first to come to mind. She thought she married a funny, loving and caring man but as their marriage went on he became physically abusive. Rory has surrounded himself with so much staff that seem to watch Claire’s every move, including his personal manager, Danielle, that Claire at first can’t think of a way to escape from him. She had failed a prior attempt and suffered badly at her husband’s hand with the bruises, etc to prove it. This time, with the help of her close friend whose husband has great “connections” she thinks she has it planned perfectly. She will go to a planned event but then drastically change her course and plane destination and hopefully disappear. On the day of the planned event however, her husband suddenly decides that she must fly to Puerto Rico to an event there that he wants her to attend. She still thinks she has a chance to get away if she can only figure out a way. She meets another woman Eva, with a ticket to California, at the airport bar and everything changes!!!!!!!!!!
Eva was raised in the foster care system but she was one of the ones who made it out! She had a great scholarship and was working hard in college at Berkely and then met the wrong guy. He got her in a situation with drugs and when they were both caught, the police only pressed charges on Eva and she lost her scholarship. Desperate and with no money, she meets a man who promises a “safe” career in drug dealing if only she follows all of the rules. For a while she works at making and selling drugs, but then things turn dark and frightening and she wants to get away and start a new life.
These two characters meet at the bar in the airport and decide to change tickets, passports, ID’s, purses, basically their entire identity. Claire goes to Oakland and Eva to Puerto Rico.
There is a lot to follow in this twisty, roller coaster of a thriller. When at any time I thought I knew what would happen I was wrong. What aced this one for me was the description of the characters and I found them both believable and vulnerable and I was rooting for them both. This book is very fast paced and will practically force you to continue!
No more plot details, I want everyone to experience the thrills in this book, I highly recommend it.
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through Edelweiss.
It is set to publish on June 23, 2020.
May 7, 2020
ADDICTIVE!
“If we don’t tell our own stories, we’ll never take control of the narrative.”
The Last Flight is a psychological thriller about two women whose chance encounter provides them the opportunity to escape from their demons in the form of a dark and dangerous “Freaky Friday.”
Claire and Eva are at a crossroads in their lives. Claire is trying to escape from her abusive husband, while Eva is trying to escape from a dangerous career. A chance encounter at the airport enables them to switch flights and adopt one another’s identities. Although they are able to trade identities, danger lurks behind the corner for both women, resulting in a tense and suspenseful read.
Told through both women’s eyes, the reader learns about their pasts and their desire to escape. Both characters are well-developed and both narratives are equally compelling. I was rooting for both Claire and Eva and was pleased with how their stories played out.
There are some moments in this book that had me shaking my head at the level of improbability. However, Clark’s writing style is addictive and allowed me to immerse myself in Claire and Eva’s stories and shut off my annoying brain. When I got closer to the end, I realized that I was wrong about most of these “questionable” moments, as there is a lot more going on in this book than initially seemed.
The Last Flight is a page-turner. I was hooked from the start! It is fast-paced, tautly written, suspenseful, and intriguing. This is what a psychological thriller should be! I highly recommend!
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
“If we don’t tell our own stories, we’ll never take control of the narrative.”
The Last Flight is a psychological thriller about two women whose chance encounter provides them the opportunity to escape from their demons in the form of a dark and dangerous “Freaky Friday.”
Claire and Eva are at a crossroads in their lives. Claire is trying to escape from her abusive husband, while Eva is trying to escape from a dangerous career. A chance encounter at the airport enables them to switch flights and adopt one another’s identities. Although they are able to trade identities, danger lurks behind the corner for both women, resulting in a tense and suspenseful read.
Told through both women’s eyes, the reader learns about their pasts and their desire to escape. Both characters are well-developed and both narratives are equally compelling. I was rooting for both Claire and Eva and was pleased with how their stories played out.
There are some moments in this book that had me shaking my head at the level of improbability. However, Clark’s writing style is addictive and allowed me to immerse myself in Claire and Eva’s stories and shut off my annoying brain. When I got closer to the end, I realized that I was wrong about most of these “questionable” moments, as there is a lot more going on in this book than initially seemed.
The Last Flight is a page-turner. I was hooked from the start! It is fast-paced, tautly written, suspenseful, and intriguing. This is what a psychological thriller should be! I highly recommend!
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
November 22, 2020
In The Last Flight, Claire longs to escape her abusive marriage to a powerful man. A chance encounter at the airport with Eva, a mysterious woman also on the run, leads them to swap their airplane tickets. Claire heads to Eva's home in California, hoping this is the chance she needs for a fresh start. But when she steps off the plane, she hears news that Eva's plane, that one that Claire was supposed to be on, has crashed. Now Claire has to step into Eva's life while evading all that they were both trying to run from.
This story starts out so strong, grabbing me in its initial pages. The introduction to Claire and her backstory, the setting up of her escape, the chance encounter at the airport with Eva, are all fast-paced and amazingly executed. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.
But then the swap happens and Claire steps into Eva's life, and the whole thing just fizzles out for me. I found the storyline around Eva to be utterly boring. It reminds me of a very popular tv show (which I won't say for spoilers, but if you've read this book, then you know which one I'm talking about). The thing is, I couldn't get into the tv show either, and found it boring too.
In addition, I also didn't find the reason why Claire had to step into Eva's life, because she had no other choice, to be all that compelling. None of the decisions Claire makes after that point (including staying on as Eva, using her identity, spying on her husband), makes any sense to me. And she hardly does anything other than daily runs for food, a side gig to pick up cash, and lots of ruminating about what she should do next. I kept expecting a villain to jump out and accost her or something, but nothing happened. Where are all the secrets and thrills I was promised?
I think this is a case where I'm just not the right reader for this plot. The beginning was so riveting that I thought for sure this would be a book I whizzed through. Instead, after the initial setup, I felt utterly bored, trying to stay focused every time I read a page or two. Eva's life and her secrets felt so mundane and uninteresting to me, and Claire's decision to stay on as Eva made so little sense, that it ultimately became a lost cause.
This story starts out so strong, grabbing me in its initial pages. The introduction to Claire and her backstory, the setting up of her escape, the chance encounter at the airport with Eva, are all fast-paced and amazingly executed. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.
But then the swap happens and Claire steps into Eva's life, and the whole thing just fizzles out for me. I found the storyline around Eva to be utterly boring. It reminds me of a very popular tv show (which I won't say for spoilers, but if you've read this book, then you know which one I'm talking about). The thing is, I couldn't get into the tv show either, and found it boring too.
In addition, I also didn't find the reason why Claire had to step into Eva's life, because she had no other choice, to be all that compelling. None of the decisions Claire makes after that point (including staying on as Eva, using her identity, spying on her husband), makes any sense to me. And she hardly does anything other than daily runs for food, a side gig to pick up cash, and lots of ruminating about what she should do next. I kept expecting a villain to jump out and accost her or something, but nothing happened. Where are all the secrets and thrills I was promised?
I think this is a case where I'm just not the right reader for this plot. The beginning was so riveting that I thought for sure this would be a book I whizzed through. Instead, after the initial setup, I felt utterly bored, trying to stay focused every time I read a page or two. Eva's life and her secrets felt so mundane and uninteresting to me, and Claire's decision to stay on as Eva made so little sense, that it ultimately became a lost cause.
June 21, 2022
The Last Flight introduces us to two women, both running from deadly adversaries, hoping to disappear forever, to start a new life and leave the pain of their old lives behind. These women are strangers but meet each other in an airport, have a drink together, and then trade their IDs and other important items, including their plane tickets. From there they are off to a very new and unknown life. Neither woman really knows what the other is running from and what they might be running toward.
Claire is married to a man whose family is as well known, powerful, and wealthy as the Kennedy clan. Her abusive husband berates and beats her and because he lost a partner years ago and cannot let another scandal ruin his run for a Senate seat, Claire is not allowed to leave the marriage, not allowed to make mistakes. Even on her best behavior, Claire has missteps and she pays for it. Her prison is glamorous and luxurious but it's still a prison and her life is in danger.
Eva is running from a deadly situation, too. Her life has always been lonely and difficult and a case of bad judgement during her college years changed her trajectory from a possible well respected career to something else, something she can never discuss with anyone, something that shames her. She is the impetus for the switch of tickets and lives. Both women are very smart, strong even on their own, and braver than the men in their lives would ever know or admit.
Then one of the planes crashes. We go back six months and learn Eva's background and what led her to run. Claire's story is told in real time and she has reason to believe that Eva never made it on the plane. Officials now think that Claire is dead since the ticket was in her name. Men are looking for both women and their lives are still in danger. This story has you in the heads of both women, hoping they can escape their old lives but knowing that the path is very difficult and the outcome is in doubt.
Pub June 23, 2020 by Sourcebooks Landmark
Claire is married to a man whose family is as well known, powerful, and wealthy as the Kennedy clan. Her abusive husband berates and beats her and because he lost a partner years ago and cannot let another scandal ruin his run for a Senate seat, Claire is not allowed to leave the marriage, not allowed to make mistakes. Even on her best behavior, Claire has missteps and she pays for it. Her prison is glamorous and luxurious but it's still a prison and her life is in danger.
Eva is running from a deadly situation, too. Her life has always been lonely and difficult and a case of bad judgement during her college years changed her trajectory from a possible well respected career to something else, something she can never discuss with anyone, something that shames her. She is the impetus for the switch of tickets and lives. Both women are very smart, strong even on their own, and braver than the men in their lives would ever know or admit.
Then one of the planes crashes. We go back six months and learn Eva's background and what led her to run. Claire's story is told in real time and she has reason to believe that Eva never made it on the plane. Officials now think that Claire is dead since the ticket was in her name. Men are looking for both women and their lives are still in danger. This story has you in the heads of both women, hoping they can escape their old lives but knowing that the path is very difficult and the outcome is in doubt.
Pub June 23, 2020 by Sourcebooks Landmark
July 9, 2020
Bravo, a perfectly constructed thriller that kept me fully immersed in the fictive dream. This was due largely to the superior writing craft of the author. There are two plotlines intertwined and evolve in alternating chapters, both strong female characters well realized and easy to root for. One is mostly backstory but is dynamic enough to hold my attention. The backstory is told in past tense and the forward motion story is told in present tense. I was never lost or confused by the voices of these two very different women.
The premise, I admit is a little bit sensational and coincidental but again the wonderful prose guided me through. The premise is similar to Strangers on A Train has been used before by a number of authors, Elmore Leonard, Stewart Woods are to that readily come to mind. The author uses it only to set the stage and then delves into the backstory of the characters. If this is a first book by the author, then I can’t wait for the next one.
If you like your thrillers, economic and fast moving with strong female characters I highly recommend this one.
David Putnam Author of The Bruno Johnson series.
The premise, I admit is a little bit sensational and coincidental but again the wonderful prose guided me through. The premise is similar to Strangers on A Train has been used before by a number of authors, Elmore Leonard, Stewart Woods are to that readily come to mind. The author uses it only to set the stage and then delves into the backstory of the characters. If this is a first book by the author, then I can’t wait for the next one.
If you like your thrillers, economic and fast moving with strong female characters I highly recommend this one.
David Putnam Author of The Bruno Johnson series.
July 9, 2020
⭐ 3 𝙄'𝙢 𝙗𝙚𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙨𝙝, 𝙄 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙨 ⭐
I love the premise. Two women on the run, who switch flights at the last minute to ellude the dangerous people who are hunting them. I also enjoyed the author's writing style and the use of the two POVs.
I completely sympathized with Claire. She was a good person in a bad situation and she was clever and courageous in her planning and execution of a better life.
But please don't give me a book with the underlying theme of women empowerment and include a character like Eva. She was a progical student at Berkeley who threw her future away for a guy but played the victim throughout the entire book. Her 'occupation' makes her a low-life who has caused damage and violence to a large number of people but she never owns up to it and the author glosses over it. She blames men, her school, her family, basically everyone else for her own thoughtless decisions. Two people in the book attempt to help her get on the right path and turn her life around. She shuns them both to keep doing foolish and dangerous things. I couldn't see her character as the strong, brave woman the author intended her to be.
Had her character been written differently, this would have been a five star book.
I love the premise. Two women on the run, who switch flights at the last minute to ellude the dangerous people who are hunting them. I also enjoyed the author's writing style and the use of the two POVs.
I completely sympathized with Claire. She was a good person in a bad situation and she was clever and courageous in her planning and execution of a better life.
But please don't give me a book with the underlying theme of women empowerment and include a character like Eva. She was a progical student at Berkeley who threw her future away for a guy but played the victim throughout the entire book. Her 'occupation' makes her a low-life who has caused damage and violence to a large number of people but she never owns up to it and the author glosses over it. She blames men, her school, her family, basically everyone else for her own thoughtless decisions. Two people in the book attempt to help her get on the right path and turn her life around. She shuns them both to keep doing foolish and dangerous things. I couldn't see her character as the strong, brave woman the author intended her to be.
Had her character been written differently, this would have been a five star book.
May 28, 2020
It’s been a tough year for thrillers. But after seeing so many fabulous reviews for this book, I knew I had to pick this one up! I was becoming desperate for the elusive five-star thriller! And, drum roll...... I got it!!!🤩
Claire is trapped in an abusive relationship. And it won't be easy for her to just skip away. Her husband is well known, powerful and influential in the political circles.
Poor Eva’s life has never been an easy journey. But somehow, she managed to earn her way into prestigious Berkeley, only to find herself tripping and falling once again. Oh, and by the way… she’s running for her life now too! Who exactly is she running from, and why?
These two unfortunate, desperate women are about to collide in a way that will see their lives and futures change forever.
I was completely enmeshed in this book from start to finish. Unputdownable!
Julie Clark writes a fantastic, suspense-filled tale with a full complement of clever twists and even a few monster jaw-dropping moments!
As I was reading, I kept thinking there are a few loose ends here that are going to be left dangling. There’s no way possible to explain them. Sooo... once again I was preparing myself to end this book on a frustrating note. Duped again! BUT… Julie Clark filled in every blank and wrapped every frayed end into a beautiful shiny bow.🎁
I can’t wait to see what Ms. Clark comes up next! More from this very talented author please!
A buddy read with Susanne that we both really enjoyed!
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark.
Claire is trapped in an abusive relationship. And it won't be easy for her to just skip away. Her husband is well known, powerful and influential in the political circles.
Poor Eva’s life has never been an easy journey. But somehow, she managed to earn her way into prestigious Berkeley, only to find herself tripping and falling once again. Oh, and by the way… she’s running for her life now too! Who exactly is she running from, and why?
These two unfortunate, desperate women are about to collide in a way that will see their lives and futures change forever.
I was completely enmeshed in this book from start to finish. Unputdownable!
Julie Clark writes a fantastic, suspense-filled tale with a full complement of clever twists and even a few monster jaw-dropping moments!
As I was reading, I kept thinking there are a few loose ends here that are going to be left dangling. There’s no way possible to explain them. Sooo... once again I was preparing myself to end this book on a frustrating note. Duped again! BUT… Julie Clark filled in every blank and wrapped every frayed end into a beautiful shiny bow.🎁
I can’t wait to see what Ms. Clark comes up next! More from this very talented author please!
A buddy read with Susanne that we both really enjoyed!
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark.
July 1, 2020
3.5
Probably had too high expectations because of so many high reviews, but still a good read. I liked it, but it wouldn't be a favorite on my shelf.
I'm the outlier in my views and it is a quick read, but Eva's chapters bored me a bit and I was so much more interested in Claire. There were also a few things that REALLY bothered me that the author kept mentioning over and over.
Pretty pacy with a couple of great twists, but a little flat in the end and didn't quite live up to the "You have to read this" category in my book. haha
This book published on June 23, 2020.
Probably had too high expectations because of so many high reviews, but still a good read. I liked it, but it wouldn't be a favorite on my shelf.
I'm the outlier in my views and it is a quick read, but Eva's chapters bored me a bit and I was so much more interested in Claire. There were also a few things that REALLY bothered me that the author kept mentioning over and over.
Pretty pacy with a couple of great twists, but a little flat in the end and didn't quite live up to the "You have to read this" category in my book. haha
This book published on June 23, 2020.
May 15, 2023
With this book, I had such a hard time getting into it because I didn’t believe in the premise.
While at the airport, two women (Claire and Eva) meet and decide to trade lives. Only things don’t go as expected when one of the planes crashes.
It might be my fault because I recently watched a YouTube video from an FBI agent (it’s the internet so take that with a grain of salt). He said to disappear you need a few things:
1) Lots of cash. You have to pay for everything with cash. Usually, you need to sell your house to raise enough money.
2) You should move to a red state in a mid-sized city. You will pay your first and last month’s rent in cash, hoping they don’t run a background check. If you move to a blue state, they are more likely to ask for several forms of ID.
3) You will not be able to drive a car. There is car registration, and, if the police pull you over, they will be able to spot your fake ID. Also, if you have any parking tickets, this may disclose your location.
4) Don’t do anything that is unique about you. For example, if you always workout at a super high-end Pilates studio, stop. The first thing someone will do when they go looking for you is to check out the high-end Pilate studios.
Mild spoilers ahead….
Claire meets Eva and decides to trade with her after 1.5 nanoseconds. She will have a whooping $400 and no fake ID. She doesn’t even ask Eva about where she will stay.
Claire says, “I don’t have the skills to disappear in Puerto Rico.” What makes her think that she will have the skills to disappear in Oakland?
Claire goes to the coffee shop and orders her coffee in an extremely specific manner. And most things fall into place perfectly for Claire. She has an entire place, completely paid for with no roommates.
What about enjoying the ride? What about seeing Claire going through the journey of figuring it out? What about Claire relying on the kindness of strangers?
This book could have been so much better than just Claire ordering hoity-toity coffees. Could Claire or Eva be given a personality, some humor? Where are the great quotes?
There are a few twists, but they were entirely predictable.
An average story with underdeveloped characters and plot.
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While at the airport, two women (Claire and Eva) meet and decide to trade lives. Only things don’t go as expected when one of the planes crashes.
It might be my fault because I recently watched a YouTube video from an FBI agent (it’s the internet so take that with a grain of salt). He said to disappear you need a few things:
1) Lots of cash. You have to pay for everything with cash. Usually, you need to sell your house to raise enough money.
2) You should move to a red state in a mid-sized city. You will pay your first and last month’s rent in cash, hoping they don’t run a background check. If you move to a blue state, they are more likely to ask for several forms of ID.
3) You will not be able to drive a car. There is car registration, and, if the police pull you over, they will be able to spot your fake ID. Also, if you have any parking tickets, this may disclose your location.
4) Don’t do anything that is unique about you. For example, if you always workout at a super high-end Pilates studio, stop. The first thing someone will do when they go looking for you is to check out the high-end Pilate studios.
Mild spoilers ahead….
Claire meets Eva and decides to trade with her after 1.5 nanoseconds. She will have a whooping $400 and no fake ID. She doesn’t even ask Eva about where she will stay.
Claire says, “I don’t have the skills to disappear in Puerto Rico.” What makes her think that she will have the skills to disappear in Oakland?
Claire goes to the coffee shop and orders her coffee in an extremely specific manner. And most things fall into place perfectly for Claire. She has an entire place, completely paid for with no roommates.
What about enjoying the ride? What about seeing Claire going through the journey of figuring it out? What about Claire relying on the kindness of strangers?
This book could have been so much better than just Claire ordering hoity-toity coffees. Could Claire or Eva be given a personality, some humor? Where are the great quotes?
There are a few twists, but they were entirely predictable.
An average story with underdeveloped characters and plot.
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February 7, 2021
Be sure to visit Bantering Books to read all my latest reviews.
How far would YOU go to escape a bad situation? What would you be willing to sacrifice to save your own life? When all is lost, how great of a chance would you take to protect yourself?
Hmm. Tough questions, I know. I’m glad I don’t have to answer them.
But Julie Clark does. And she addresses these moral dilemmas resoundingly in her (mostly) thrilling new novel, The Last Flight.
Claire Cook is meticulously planning her escape. Married to a powerfully ambitious, physically and emotionally abusive man, she has been plotting for months to flee the suffocating, dangerous nightmare of her life. Then unexpectedly, Claire’s careful plan is derailed by her husband, and she finds herself cornered, her back against a wall.
Until a chance encounter at an airport introduces Claire to Eva James, who is just as desperate as Claire to escape her own dark personal situation. A spur of the moment decision results in the two women trading airplane tickets, and they part ways, each taking the other’s name and flight, hoping to begin new chapters in their lives.
After reading a few not so great thrillers this year, my overall interest in and excitement for the genre have recently waned. Many are just poorly written. They are often riddled with plot holes and illogical decisions, requiring the reader to suspend all belief for the story to even work.
The Last Flight, however, is refreshingly different. More of a literary and character-driven thriller, it is clever, beautifully written, tightly plotted, and (mostly) engrossing. The narrative intelligently twists and turns in various directions, and the second half of the novel is almost unputdownable.
But did you catch my almost? And my two (mostly)s?
The novel suffers from a bit of a pacing and tension problem. The opening is intriguing, and the lead up to Claire and Eva’s identity switch is taut and suspenseful. But then, the main story comes to a grinding halt – for a very, very long time. All sense of urgency, all tension is lost. The plot stalls, and the reader is left treading water, waiting patiently for the narrative to quicken its pace once again.
The overarching story is told through the points of view of both Claire and Eva, with Claire’s narrative occurring in the present day and Eva’s narrative occurring in the past. The trouble is that Clark fails to write an evenly paced, exciting enough present-day story for Claire to adequately balance the lengthy, detailed, not as interesting backstory of Eva. For too long, the narrative is bogged down with Eva’s history, while Claire’s story is paused, desperately in need of forward movement.
Then finally, somewhere around the 2/3 mark, the play button is pressed, and it’s full speed ahead to the (mostly) riveting conclusion. (I feel I should note that after the initial piece of the novel’s puzzle fell into place, I easily predicted the remaining outcome and interconnections of the story. Had my amateur sleuthing been unsuccessful, I do believe I would not have inserted the third (mostly) into this review.)
Clark’s characterization of her leading ladies, though, is phenomenal. Claire and Eva live and breathe on the page. They are strong, savvy, and flawed. They have scars – and wounds yet to be healed. They are both in dire situations that have spiraled out of their control, and you feel empathy for their plights. (Although, it is mildly off-putting that Eva refuses to accept any responsibility for her actions and often blames others for the circumstances in which she finds herself. Just sayin’.)
With Claire and Eva, Clark has written two extremely brave women, who, in the end, do exactly what they at first believe to be impossible. They use their brains, their skills, and their resources to create their own way out of horrible situations, setting all fear aside to do what is necessary to save themselves.
The Last Flight also brightly spotlights the obstacles and personal consequences women face when sharing their stories of abuse, even now, amid the #MeToo era. It is sad that so much work still needs to be done.
To me, Claire and Eva are the epitome of courage. I would like to think I would be similarly fearless, backed against a wall. I would like to think I would dare to save myself. I hope I would, at least.
No – I know I would. Wouldn’t I?!?!
The Last Flight is a compelling, thought-provoking novel that raises important questions and sends an empowering message. It is a solidly written and formidable addition to what is undoubtedly, an overflowing sea of thrillers.
Choose it. Read it. Experience what it means to be a hero unto oneself.
Bantering Books
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How far would YOU go to escape a bad situation? What would you be willing to sacrifice to save your own life? When all is lost, how great of a chance would you take to protect yourself?
Hmm. Tough questions, I know. I’m glad I don’t have to answer them.
But Julie Clark does. And she addresses these moral dilemmas resoundingly in her (mostly) thrilling new novel, The Last Flight.
Claire Cook is meticulously planning her escape. Married to a powerfully ambitious, physically and emotionally abusive man, she has been plotting for months to flee the suffocating, dangerous nightmare of her life. Then unexpectedly, Claire’s careful plan is derailed by her husband, and she finds herself cornered, her back against a wall.
Until a chance encounter at an airport introduces Claire to Eva James, who is just as desperate as Claire to escape her own dark personal situation. A spur of the moment decision results in the two women trading airplane tickets, and they part ways, each taking the other’s name and flight, hoping to begin new chapters in their lives.
After reading a few not so great thrillers this year, my overall interest in and excitement for the genre have recently waned. Many are just poorly written. They are often riddled with plot holes and illogical decisions, requiring the reader to suspend all belief for the story to even work.
The Last Flight, however, is refreshingly different. More of a literary and character-driven thriller, it is clever, beautifully written, tightly plotted, and (mostly) engrossing. The narrative intelligently twists and turns in various directions, and the second half of the novel is almost unputdownable.
But did you catch my almost? And my two (mostly)s?
The novel suffers from a bit of a pacing and tension problem. The opening is intriguing, and the lead up to Claire and Eva’s identity switch is taut and suspenseful. But then, the main story comes to a grinding halt – for a very, very long time. All sense of urgency, all tension is lost. The plot stalls, and the reader is left treading water, waiting patiently for the narrative to quicken its pace once again.
The overarching story is told through the points of view of both Claire and Eva, with Claire’s narrative occurring in the present day and Eva’s narrative occurring in the past. The trouble is that Clark fails to write an evenly paced, exciting enough present-day story for Claire to adequately balance the lengthy, detailed, not as interesting backstory of Eva. For too long, the narrative is bogged down with Eva’s history, while Claire’s story is paused, desperately in need of forward movement.
Then finally, somewhere around the 2/3 mark, the play button is pressed, and it’s full speed ahead to the (mostly) riveting conclusion. (I feel I should note that after the initial piece of the novel’s puzzle fell into place, I easily predicted the remaining outcome and interconnections of the story. Had my amateur sleuthing been unsuccessful, I do believe I would not have inserted the third (mostly) into this review.)
Clark’s characterization of her leading ladies, though, is phenomenal. Claire and Eva live and breathe on the page. They are strong, savvy, and flawed. They have scars – and wounds yet to be healed. They are both in dire situations that have spiraled out of their control, and you feel empathy for their plights. (Although, it is mildly off-putting that Eva refuses to accept any responsibility for her actions and often blames others for the circumstances in which she finds herself. Just sayin’.)
With Claire and Eva, Clark has written two extremely brave women, who, in the end, do exactly what they at first believe to be impossible. They use their brains, their skills, and their resources to create their own way out of horrible situations, setting all fear aside to do what is necessary to save themselves.
The Last Flight also brightly spotlights the obstacles and personal consequences women face when sharing their stories of abuse, even now, amid the #MeToo era. It is sad that so much work still needs to be done.
To me, Claire and Eva are the epitome of courage. I would like to think I would be similarly fearless, backed against a wall. I would like to think I would dare to save myself. I hope I would, at least.
No – I know I would. Wouldn’t I?!?!
The Last Flight is a compelling, thought-provoking novel that raises important questions and sends an empowering message. It is a solidly written and formidable addition to what is undoubtedly, an overflowing sea of thrillers.
Choose it. Read it. Experience what it means to be a hero unto oneself.
Bantering Books
June 23, 2020
HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY !
THIS WAS THE BEST THRILLER I HAVE READ THIS YEAR-BAR NONE!
CLAIRE:
She married into a political dynasty, and she is expected to perform her role as the future Senator’s wife, PERFECTLY.
EVA:
Despite being raised in the Foster Care system, she is doing well in College, until SHE meets the wrong guy.
TWO vulnerable women.
TWO impossible situations.
Until, they meet in an airport bar, and make a decision to switch tickets.
Claire takes Eva’s ticket to Oakland.
Eva takes Claire’s ticket to Puerto Rico.
Each hopes the change in destination will give them a chance for a head start, at a new life.
But, when the plane to Puerto Rico goes down, and there are no survivors, Claire realizes she will be declared dead and nobody will be looking for her.
But, disappearing is NOT that simple.
The pace was FAST, the tension was TAUT, and the reasons these two strong, savvy women needed to escape were believable and RELEVANT!!
This book does not seem to be on anybody’s radar yet, but it should be!
A big THANK YOU, to NetGalley and Edelweiss, Sourcebooks Landmark Publishing and Julie Clark for the digital ARC I received in exchange for a candid review!
THIS WAS THE BEST THRILLER I HAVE READ THIS YEAR-BAR NONE!
CLAIRE:
She married into a political dynasty, and she is expected to perform her role as the future Senator’s wife, PERFECTLY.
EVA:
Despite being raised in the Foster Care system, she is doing well in College, until SHE meets the wrong guy.
TWO vulnerable women.
TWO impossible situations.
Until, they meet in an airport bar, and make a decision to switch tickets.
Claire takes Eva’s ticket to Oakland.
Eva takes Claire’s ticket to Puerto Rico.
Each hopes the change in destination will give them a chance for a head start, at a new life.
But, when the plane to Puerto Rico goes down, and there are no survivors, Claire realizes she will be declared dead and nobody will be looking for her.
But, disappearing is NOT that simple.
The pace was FAST, the tension was TAUT, and the reasons these two strong, savvy women needed to escape were believable and RELEVANT!!
This book does not seem to be on anybody’s radar yet, but it should be!
A big THANK YOU, to NetGalley and Edelweiss, Sourcebooks Landmark Publishing and Julie Clark for the digital ARC I received in exchange for a candid review!
July 10, 2020
The Last Flight.... ❤️ need I say more?! This book is so sizzling hot! Would you walk away from your picture perfect life?...switching place with a complete stranger? What if their life was even more dangerous than your own? Would you do it...without knowing what was waiting for you on the other side?
This book is dangerous, thrilling and fast paced. Everything I love in a thriller. Claire and Eva switch lives, literally purses and all. Whatttt? Nope there is no going back now. Girlfriend has your purse, your phone and you credit cards. I was shocked these two would do this. They each trade plane tickets.. with no idea what is waiting for them when they get off the plane...except one plane crashes....talk about bad luck..or is it the perfect escape?
This book had book started with a bang and ended with one. I was completely blind sided with the ending. A perfect thriller that I couldn't down.
This book is dangerous, thrilling and fast paced. Everything I love in a thriller. Claire and Eva switch lives, literally purses and all. Whatttt? Nope there is no going back now. Girlfriend has your purse, your phone and you credit cards. I was shocked these two would do this. They each trade plane tickets.. with no idea what is waiting for them when they get off the plane...except one plane crashes....talk about bad luck..or is it the perfect escape?
This book had book started with a bang and ended with one. I was completely blind sided with the ending. A perfect thriller that I couldn't down.
January 2, 2022
A powerful read for sure.
However, I seem to be one of the few who didn’t find this riveting.
I love the idea of women taking charge of their own life, women supporting women, and just the overall struggle, positivity, and hopefulness of womanhood that this book radiates. #MeToo #WomenEmpowerment
I felt empathetic towards Claire and Eva, and I applauded their strength and bravery. At the same time, I wasn’t emotionally attached and enthusiastically cheering for them. I wished they’d been more out of the box and done something more wicked or twisted.
This book is just not thrilling and twisty enough for me. It’s rather tame I would say but also emotional and heartbreaking. The Last Flight is less of a thriller and more of a women’s fiction with mystery and suspense elements (IMO).
(Read as an Audiobook)
However, I seem to be one of the few who didn’t find this riveting.
The story is about two women who switch flight tickets at the last minute in a desperate attempt to get out of a bad situation. Claire is running away from her abusive husband, and Eva is also trapped in an equally dire circumstance she badly needs to escape from.
I love the idea of women taking charge of their own life, women supporting women, and just the overall struggle, positivity, and hopefulness of womanhood that this book radiates. #MeToo #WomenEmpowerment
I felt empathetic towards Claire and Eva, and I applauded their strength and bravery. At the same time, I wasn’t emotionally attached and enthusiastically cheering for them. I wished they’d been more out of the box and done something more wicked or twisted.
This book is just not thrilling and twisty enough for me. It’s rather tame I would say but also emotional and heartbreaking. The Last Flight is less of a thriller and more of a women’s fiction with mystery and suspense elements (IMO).
(Read as an Audiobook)
February 3, 2022
3.75 stars ✨
"everything you ever wanted is on the other side of fear!"
ADDICTIVE!
Well that’s what this book is addictive , truly totally addictive like I completed it in one sitting and the whole time I was wearing diapers , yes I forgot to eat ,poop, pee I was so invested in the story I couldn’t miss it for doing other stupid chores.
don’t you think its another physiological thriller nope! Its more than a thriller usually offer , it’s a ride a total roller coaster ride!
Two women Claire (victim of domestic abuse and male patriarchy) and Eva ( a simple college girl turned drug dealer due to some wrong actions and decisions ) decided to set themselves free from their lives ! These two unfortunate and desperate women are about to collide and did something that changed their lives forever!
what made me read this?
Well the synopsis and all those 5 star reviews!
And definitely the cover RED!!( I am triggered here!)
what I like?
•Alternating pov :- alternating chapters providing an insight into both the women’s story and their reasons to escape their lives were beautifully written and compelled the readers to keep reading it . Both are narratives were equal compelling , their wasn’t a dull moment , I was rooting for both of them till the very end!
•Character development :- both are characters were equally interesting , and their actions were believable and vulnerable . At times the author in order to make their book interesting, make characters do something that might question the very existence of brain! But not in this book I think both the women had believable reasons for what they did!
•Addictive writing:- this is something I loved about the author, easy to read and page turner book which hooked me from the very first chapter is something to praise definitely! The fact that she left no questions unanswered is something I always look forward to in a mystery thriller book.
•Ending :- that ending chapter touched my heart and that epilogue was something I will always remember!
•Heart touching :- this is second time I am calling a thriller book heart touching because at times I felt so sad for them and the end made me so happy seeing two women getting the life they deserve ! I was emotionally invested in this book!
Not just any other physiological thriller, a story of setting oneself free, owning life back and making something new out of it!
Recommended for everyone even if you don’t like thrillers you will definitely love this!
And as for me I am excited to read anything the author decided to write next!.
"everything you ever wanted is on the other side of fear!"
ADDICTIVE!
Well that’s what this book is addictive , truly totally addictive like I completed it in one sitting and the whole time I was wearing diapers , yes I forgot to eat ,poop, pee I was so invested in the story I couldn’t miss it for doing other stupid chores.
don’t you think its another physiological thriller nope! Its more than a thriller usually offer , it’s a ride a total roller coaster ride!
Two women Claire (victim of domestic abuse and male patriarchy) and Eva ( a simple college girl turned drug dealer due to some wrong actions and decisions ) decided to set themselves free from their lives ! These two unfortunate and desperate women are about to collide and did something that changed their lives forever!
what made me read this?
Well the synopsis and all those 5 star reviews!
And definitely the cover RED!!( I am triggered here!)
what I like?
•Alternating pov :- alternating chapters providing an insight into both the women’s story and their reasons to escape their lives were beautifully written and compelled the readers to keep reading it . Both are narratives were equal compelling , their wasn’t a dull moment , I was rooting for both of them till the very end!
•Character development :- both are characters were equally interesting , and their actions were believable and vulnerable . At times the author in order to make their book interesting, make characters do something that might question the very existence of brain! But not in this book I think both the women had believable reasons for what they did!
•Addictive writing:- this is something I loved about the author, easy to read and page turner book which hooked me from the very first chapter is something to praise definitely! The fact that she left no questions unanswered is something I always look forward to in a mystery thriller book.
•Ending :- that ending chapter touched my heart and that epilogue was something I will always remember!
•Heart touching :- this is second time I am calling a thriller book heart touching because at times I felt so sad for them and the end made me so happy seeing two women getting the life they deserve ! I was emotionally invested in this book!
Not just any other physiological thriller, a story of setting oneself free, owning life back and making something new out of it!
Recommended for everyone even if you don’t like thrillers you will definitely love this!
And as for me I am excited to read anything the author decided to write next!.
August 8, 2020
The book hooked me from the first pages. Claire and Eva, both on the run for very different reasons, meet by chance in an airport lounge and decide to switch boarding passes in order to give each a head start in eluding those who will surely come after them. The flight Claire was supposed to take, the one Eva is on, crashes and Claire realizes this is an opportunity to disappear and start a new life. She assumes Eva’s identity, but soon discovers that the story Eva told her was completely false.
On the positive side, the short chapters move the story along at a fast clip, and the ending was a complete surprise (in a good way). However, there were too many unlikely coincidences that moved the story forward, and you will have to suspend some disbelief, which is not exactly a negative, as it's expected in this genre.
Through alternating chapters we learn their backstories. The following information is given very early in the book so this is not a spoiler. Claire was living a life of wealth and privilege with a husband who had political aspirations, but her life away from the public eye was less than idyllic with an abusive husband. Eva appeared to be living a quiet life as a waitress, but she has a secret life of crime, selling drugs to college kids, and it has landed her in legal trouble.
I don’t have a problem with an author creating an amoral character but Eva’s character was written in such a way that we were supposed to feel empathy for her. I did not. She plays the victim card, nothing is her fault, she feels no remorse, and she lacks awareness of the irreparable harm she causes.
I realize this is fiction but with the huge drug problem we have in this country, I didn’t care for the cavalier attitude the author treats it. I know families who have been devastated and lost children to drug use. It doesn’t belong in a fictional book for entertainment purposes unless the crime is taken seriously.
This was a miss for me on several fronts, and as a buddy read with Marialyce, both of us were left sorely disappointed. If the drug theme doesn’t offend you, this would be an easy read to toss in the beach bag. If I had known the theme prior to picking this up, I would have skipped it.
For our duo review of this and others please visit: https://yayareadslotsofbooks.wordpres...
On the positive side, the short chapters move the story along at a fast clip, and the ending was a complete surprise (in a good way). However, there were too many unlikely coincidences that moved the story forward, and you will have to suspend some disbelief, which is not exactly a negative, as it's expected in this genre.
Through alternating chapters we learn their backstories. The following information is given very early in the book so this is not a spoiler. Claire was living a life of wealth and privilege with a husband who had political aspirations, but her life away from the public eye was less than idyllic with an abusive husband. Eva appeared to be living a quiet life as a waitress, but she has a secret life of crime, selling drugs to college kids, and it has landed her in legal trouble.
I don’t have a problem with an author creating an amoral character but Eva’s character was written in such a way that we were supposed to feel empathy for her. I did not. She plays the victim card, nothing is her fault, she feels no remorse, and she lacks awareness of the irreparable harm she causes.
I realize this is fiction but with the huge drug problem we have in this country, I didn’t care for the cavalier attitude the author treats it. I know families who have been devastated and lost children to drug use. It doesn’t belong in a fictional book for entertainment purposes unless the crime is taken seriously.
This was a miss for me on several fronts, and as a buddy read with Marialyce, both of us were left sorely disappointed. If the drug theme doesn’t offend you, this would be an easy read to toss in the beach bag. If I had known the theme prior to picking this up, I would have skipped it.
For our duo review of this and others please visit: https://yayareadslotsofbooks.wordpres...
July 22, 2020
Warning while I didn't use any spoiler reading my not so good worded review (rant) might ruin some suspense to the story if you prefer to go in not knowing much about the storyline.
Well, from seeing all the love (hype) for this one I definitely read a different book than most people who read and loved this one. Again I could not control that oversensitive, overthinker in me and one that I thought would be an entertaining, suspenseful page-turner just triggered that angry mother in me that feels like I need to protect our youth.
There are some dark and heavy themes with both storylines here with Claire and Eva. I didn't have that many issues with Claire's but I did think there was nothing new here just an overused storyline to make a point for a very important message. My main issue is with Eva's storyline and what she did for a living and I didn't understand the motivation behind the story. Was I suppose to feel Eva is a strong empathic woman with the courage to run from the mess she created by doing her job? Was I supposed to root for her escape and feel empathy for her? Was she just a part of the story to set up Claire's? Was I suppose to find what Eva did for a living thrilling and entertaining? Well, I didn't and here is why this is real and it is happening today and I found it a trigger for anyone who has ever had a vulnerable loved one fall victim to someone like Eva. I am using victim in some grey area here.
So yeah I read a totally different book than most people. I am moving on but maybe I do need to be a bit picker with what I reading!
Thank goodness this was a library book and thank you for the publisher who declined me on NetGalley I should have taken that as a blessing.
Well, from seeing all the love (hype) for this one I definitely read a different book than most people who read and loved this one. Again I could not control that oversensitive, overthinker in me and one that I thought would be an entertaining, suspenseful page-turner just triggered that angry mother in me that feels like I need to protect our youth.
There are some dark and heavy themes with both storylines here with Claire and Eva. I didn't have that many issues with Claire's but I did think there was nothing new here just an overused storyline to make a point for a very important message. My main issue is with Eva's storyline and what she did for a living and I didn't understand the motivation behind the story. Was I suppose to feel Eva is a strong empathic woman with the courage to run from the mess she created by doing her job? Was I supposed to root for her escape and feel empathy for her? Was she just a part of the story to set up Claire's? Was I suppose to find what Eva did for a living thrilling and entertaining? Well, I didn't and here is why this is real and it is happening today and I found it a trigger for anyone who has ever had a vulnerable loved one fall victim to someone like Eva. I am using victim in some grey area here.
So yeah I read a totally different book than most people. I am moving on but maybe I do need to be a bit picker with what I reading!
Thank goodness this was a library book and thank you for the publisher who declined me on NetGalley I should have taken that as a blessing.
June 30, 2020
(This week I challenged myself to read three recent hyped thrillers. The others books I read were The Swap and The Wife Stalker )
trigger warning for: physical and drug abuse
"Like many, she'd grown tired of watching powerful men never being held accountable, boys will be boys evolving into an impenetrable armor, shielding them from blame."
The book follows Claire and Eva, two different women who boarded two different flights. One narrates the present while the other tells the past. Both followed by their own demons which they hoped to escape from. What will happen if their stories suddenly meet? Chaos. (Warning: The blurb here is too spoilery! I advise to go as blind as possible in reading this. My reading experience was splendid because of that.)
Gone Girl meets Breaking Bad in Julie Clark's addictive latest novel The Last Flight. Phew, this was a ride! The writing here was excellent. Definitely a page turner. The author has crafted a story with absolute no dull moment. Not everyone can do that. I was invested in it right after reading the first chapter which is unusual to me. Normally, it will take me at least halfway of the book to be fully engrossed in it. The characters are worth rooting for. One is a victim of a never ending domestic abuse while the other is a victim of the unfair society. Both of them has risen up to the challenges faced before them. Their growth throughout the whole story was phenomenal. I teared up in the end. Reading the last pages gave me the sense of peace and contentment.
The only petty thing I have against this book was the format. It was paragraphs after paragraphs. Felt like I was reading essays at some point. Don't get me wrong I obviously enjoyed this as a whole but still I hoped there were more dialogues in it. Also, certain characters were introduced in the first chapters which I hoped have more exposure and more fleshed out.
Overall, this is a story about sexism and misogyny; of mothers and daughters. Of taking your life and own it. Of choosing the right thing no matter how hard it is. This is a compelling and magnificent story about survival. Twisty and suspenseful, I dare you not to miss this!
"Everything you ever wanted is on the other side of fear."
trigger warning for: physical and drug abuse
"Like many, she'd grown tired of watching powerful men never being held accountable, boys will be boys evolving into an impenetrable armor, shielding them from blame."
The book follows Claire and Eva, two different women who boarded two different flights. One narrates the present while the other tells the past. Both followed by their own demons which they hoped to escape from. What will happen if their stories suddenly meet? Chaos. (Warning: The blurb here is too spoilery! I advise to go as blind as possible in reading this. My reading experience was splendid because of that.)
Gone Girl meets Breaking Bad in Julie Clark's addictive latest novel The Last Flight. Phew, this was a ride! The writing here was excellent. Definitely a page turner. The author has crafted a story with absolute no dull moment. Not everyone can do that. I was invested in it right after reading the first chapter which is unusual to me. Normally, it will take me at least halfway of the book to be fully engrossed in it. The characters are worth rooting for. One is a victim of a never ending domestic abuse while the other is a victim of the unfair society. Both of them has risen up to the challenges faced before them. Their growth throughout the whole story was phenomenal. I teared up in the end. Reading the last pages gave me the sense of peace and contentment.
The only petty thing I have against this book was the format. It was paragraphs after paragraphs. Felt like I was reading essays at some point. Don't get me wrong I obviously enjoyed this as a whole but still I hoped there were more dialogues in it. Also, certain characters were introduced in the first chapters which I hoped have more exposure and more fleshed out.
Overall, this is a story about sexism and misogyny; of mothers and daughters. Of taking your life and own it. Of choosing the right thing no matter how hard it is. This is a compelling and magnificent story about survival. Twisty and suspenseful, I dare you not to miss this!
"Everything you ever wanted is on the other side of fear."
May 18, 2020
4 Stars
Every Action has an Equal and Opposite Reaction.
There’s no looking back for Claire or Eva, who meet at a bar at JFK Airport. Both desperately need to escape, thus escape they shall. Realizing that their chance meeting gives them exactly what they need, they switch tickets and identities. Claire takes Eva’s flight to Oakland, while Eva takes Claire’s flight to Puerto Rico.
A Last Minute Decision. Two Women’s Lives Changed Forever.
Claire and Eva are both on the run, but from what and whom?
A taut character driven thriller told from both women’s perspectives, this one is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Breathless and heart pounding, I found myself questioning everything and I mean everything. A few moments of incredulity led me to ‘get it’ - though Julie Clark threw in several little shockers that still left me satisfied at the end. Kudos to Julie Clark for writing “The Last Flight” - which is a highly entertaining, suspenseful thriller.
This was a fabulous buddy read with Ms. Kaceey.
Thank you to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark and Julie Clark for the arc.
Published on NetGalley and Goodreads on 5.17.20
Every Action has an Equal and Opposite Reaction.
There’s no looking back for Claire or Eva, who meet at a bar at JFK Airport. Both desperately need to escape, thus escape they shall. Realizing that their chance meeting gives them exactly what they need, they switch tickets and identities. Claire takes Eva’s flight to Oakland, while Eva takes Claire’s flight to Puerto Rico.
A Last Minute Decision. Two Women’s Lives Changed Forever.
Claire and Eva are both on the run, but from what and whom?
A taut character driven thriller told from both women’s perspectives, this one is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Breathless and heart pounding, I found myself questioning everything and I mean everything. A few moments of incredulity led me to ‘get it’ - though Julie Clark threw in several little shockers that still left me satisfied at the end. Kudos to Julie Clark for writing “The Last Flight” - which is a highly entertaining, suspenseful thriller.
This was a fabulous buddy read with Ms. Kaceey.
Thank you to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark and Julie Clark for the arc.
Published on NetGalley and Goodreads on 5.17.20
August 3, 2022
3.25 stars
Regardless of rating, reading this book left me feeling very accomplished as it had been sitting unread on my physical shelves since June of 2020. Now, don't get me wrong, I have unread books that have been around much longer than that, but...hey, we take the wins where we can get them, eh?
Now, being that that this book had been languishing on my shelf for so long, it had started to become like book wallpaper. Meaning: it was like it had become invisible to the eye and my interest in reading it had basically dwindled to nothing. Enter THIS book, which I enjoyed, and I said to myself, "Hey, self, methinks we have another Julie Clark book on our shelves." Imagine that.
Anyramble, I liked this book and ended up reading it in one sitting.
I like Julie Clark's writing style and the way she weaves different timelines and character POVs together. Usually, time jumps and transitions such as these annoy me a lot. I do feel that the characters could have had more depth though.
Overall, an entertaining read. I liked it, but didn't love it.
Regardless of rating, reading this book left me feeling very accomplished as it had been sitting unread on my physical shelves since June of 2020. Now, don't get me wrong, I have unread books that have been around much longer than that, but...hey, we take the wins where we can get them, eh?
Now, being that that this book had been languishing on my shelf for so long, it had started to become like book wallpaper. Meaning: it was like it had become invisible to the eye and my interest in reading it had basically dwindled to nothing. Enter THIS book, which I enjoyed, and I said to myself, "Hey, self, methinks we have another Julie Clark book on our shelves." Imagine that.
Anyramble, I liked this book and ended up reading it in one sitting.
I like Julie Clark's writing style and the way she weaves different timelines and character POVs together. Usually, time jumps and transitions such as these annoy me a lot. I do feel that the characters could have had more depth though.
Overall, an entertaining read. I liked it, but didn't love it.
August 2, 2020
Ok, ok! Holy wow! I know many of you have read this already, but if you haven’t, please don’t miss out!
I read and LOVED Julie Clark’s debut, The Ones We Choose, and gave it five stars. It is not a thriller, but a smart, emotional story of family, and I will never forget it. With her second book, she’s written a thriller that grabbed me from the very first paragraph. The pacing never lets up, and it’s all so original and captivating, I don’t want to give any details away.
My favorite thing about the book is how it had two smart, strong women as main characters. That was refreshing to read, honestly. And all of this? Well, it’s just a thrill ride. The way the chapters were written between narrators and different points in time worked for me, and only served to build more tension, as I tried to piece it all together.
So good. So very, very good.
I received a gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
I read and LOVED Julie Clark’s debut, The Ones We Choose, and gave it five stars. It is not a thriller, but a smart, emotional story of family, and I will never forget it. With her second book, she’s written a thriller that grabbed me from the very first paragraph. The pacing never lets up, and it’s all so original and captivating, I don’t want to give any details away.
My favorite thing about the book is how it had two smart, strong women as main characters. That was refreshing to read, honestly. And all of this? Well, it’s just a thrill ride. The way the chapters were written between narrators and different points in time worked for me, and only served to build more tension, as I tried to piece it all together.
So good. So very, very good.
I received a gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
September 1, 2020
Turbulent Times for Two.
THE LAST FLIGHT ~ Well done debut! ~ Well done suspense! ~ Well done epilogue! I love it when an author can spin a tale and have me so engrossed in the two characters that I don't see where it all ends......and Julie Clark does just that!
Desperate, scared and alone, Claire and Eva only want to make a better life for themselves....to escape the nightmares they're living. Both fear for their lives from powerful, violent men with the means to find and eliminate them.
Improbable scenario for a last minute true life act at an airport, two women switching flights and lives, but this is fiction, and entertaining fiction it is with short alternating chapters that just fly by.
Both women have experienced loss, both are remarkably brave...one more devious, but both make poor life choices....one camouflaged by love, one blatantly clear, but both want to move forward....and survive.
Nicely formatted story with cleverly interspersed twists! Look forward to more from Julie Clark.
March 8, 2022
The Last Flight by Julie Clark is a 2020 Sourcebooks Landmark publication.
Claire’s abusive husband keeps her on a tight leash as he plans to launch a political campaign. Claire’s only hope of escape boils down to a ‘chance’ encounter with Eva- a woman she meets at the airport as she prepares to board a flight arranged by her husband at the last minute.
Eva is not the woman she presents herself to be, but the offer to switch flights with Claire proves to be the lifeline Claire needs to get away from her husband. For Eva, though, it could be only one of several ways that her life could change- for better or worse…
A few years ago, the catch phrase du jour was ‘compulsively readable’. Although that description rarely shows up in reviews anymore, it does describe my experience with this novel to a T. I read it one sitting, so enthralled by the story that I ignored the massive plot holes- and any possible moral dilemmas regarding the characterizations.
Now that I’ve had a little time to think about it, I’d have to categorize the book as a good ‘popcorn thriller’. The plot is- in a word- ludicrous. It is insanely implausible, improbable, and has more holes than a slice of Swiss cheese- but that did not deter me from furiously turning pages and thoroughly enjoying all the drama and even the ambiguity of the conclusion.
For me, Eva was simply a means to an end. Claire was the main character, and her story is the one I was the most invested in, but I will say that the situation Eva was in before the switch did give the story a sharper edge.
Overall, this was descent thriller that kept me entertained and distracted from reality. It’s not really the type of book I’m going to waste too much time analyzing because, really, at the end of the day, other than Claire's fine characterization, it was mostly empty calories- but come on- admit it- you indulge in a few those now and then, too. They may not stick with you for long- but they sure are fun while they last.
Overall, this is a debut thriller for this author- and despite some plotting issues here, I think this author shows real promise and I have already added her sophomore novel to my reading list! Looking forward to it!!
3.5 stars
Claire’s abusive husband keeps her on a tight leash as he plans to launch a political campaign. Claire’s only hope of escape boils down to a ‘chance’ encounter with Eva- a woman she meets at the airport as she prepares to board a flight arranged by her husband at the last minute.
Eva is not the woman she presents herself to be, but the offer to switch flights with Claire proves to be the lifeline Claire needs to get away from her husband. For Eva, though, it could be only one of several ways that her life could change- for better or worse…
A few years ago, the catch phrase du jour was ‘compulsively readable’. Although that description rarely shows up in reviews anymore, it does describe my experience with this novel to a T. I read it one sitting, so enthralled by the story that I ignored the massive plot holes- and any possible moral dilemmas regarding the characterizations.
Now that I’ve had a little time to think about it, I’d have to categorize the book as a good ‘popcorn thriller’. The plot is- in a word- ludicrous. It is insanely implausible, improbable, and has more holes than a slice of Swiss cheese- but that did not deter me from furiously turning pages and thoroughly enjoying all the drama and even the ambiguity of the conclusion.
For me, Eva was simply a means to an end. Claire was the main character, and her story is the one I was the most invested in, but I will say that the situation Eva was in before the switch did give the story a sharper edge.
Overall, this was descent thriller that kept me entertained and distracted from reality. It’s not really the type of book I’m going to waste too much time analyzing because, really, at the end of the day, other than Claire's fine characterization, it was mostly empty calories- but come on- admit it- you indulge in a few those now and then, too. They may not stick with you for long- but they sure are fun while they last.
Overall, this is a debut thriller for this author- and despite some plotting issues here, I think this author shows real promise and I have already added her sophomore novel to my reading list! Looking forward to it!!
3.5 stars
November 20, 2021
4.0 stars — Put me down as a big fan of “The Last Flight” by Julie Clark. Other than “Rock Paper Scissors”, I have read a bunch of “book duds” lately so I was pleasantly surprised by this very well written book. Although a little slow paced at times, I thought the author did a great job of telling the intersecting tales of Eva and Claire, who are both fleeing horrible situations, who make the decision to switch flights and assume the other’s identity with no knowledge of who the other woman is. Through this highly implausible scenario the author writes a very compelling tale of both women’s very interesting pasts that get them to the point that they are willing to become someone else in order to escape their horrible situations. The author also does an outstanding job of writing from the perspectives of both main characters in an honest straightforward way that made me really connect with both of them ( and I am a guy). I have not looked into whether Ms. Clark has written any more suspense novels, but I definitely would buy her next book due to the high quality writing and her ability to make all her characters believable and interesting.
August 30, 2020
4.5 stars, rounded up.
Hollywood, here’s the basis of your next thriller: Julie Clark's The Last Flight !!
Claire thought she’d found the perfect man when she met her husband. The son of a powerful politician, he is handsome and ambitious, and he swept her off her feet. But through the years, as his ambition has grown, so has his need to control her every move—and his temper has grown more violent.
She can't stay in this marriage. She has been plotting her escape for months. She knows she has one chance.
In an airport waiting for her flight to a fundraiser in Puerto Rico, she meets a woman who is equally desperate for a new life. In a split-second decision, the two women swap tickets—Claire will go to Oakland and Eva will go to Puerto Rico.
But when the flight to Puerto Rico crashes, while it gives Claire even more of an escape route, she must assume Eva’s identity—but she has no idea why Eva was so desperate to leave her life in the first place.
I thought this was a great book. I have been so disappointed in general with thrillers lately, with a few exceptions, but this one kept me hooked from start to finish. So many times I figured it would veer into expected territory, and it surprised me.
The book shifts back and forth from past to present a lot, so you need to pay attention at times. But Julie Clark did an excellent job telling this story and weaving a great web of suspense. It was just so good!
Check out my list of the best books I read in 2019 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2020/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2019.html.
Check out my list of the best books of the decade at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2020/01/my-favorite-books-of-decade.html.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
Hollywood, here’s the basis of your next thriller: Julie Clark's The Last Flight !!
Claire thought she’d found the perfect man when she met her husband. The son of a powerful politician, he is handsome and ambitious, and he swept her off her feet. But through the years, as his ambition has grown, so has his need to control her every move—and his temper has grown more violent.
She can't stay in this marriage. She has been plotting her escape for months. She knows she has one chance.
In an airport waiting for her flight to a fundraiser in Puerto Rico, she meets a woman who is equally desperate for a new life. In a split-second decision, the two women swap tickets—Claire will go to Oakland and Eva will go to Puerto Rico.
But when the flight to Puerto Rico crashes, while it gives Claire even more of an escape route, she must assume Eva’s identity—but she has no idea why Eva was so desperate to leave her life in the first place.
I thought this was a great book. I have been so disappointed in general with thrillers lately, with a few exceptions, but this one kept me hooked from start to finish. So many times I figured it would veer into expected territory, and it surprised me.
The book shifts back and forth from past to present a lot, so you need to pay attention at times. But Julie Clark did an excellent job telling this story and weaving a great web of suspense. It was just so good!
Check out my list of the best books I read in 2019 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2020/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2019.html.
Check out my list of the best books of the decade at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2020/01/my-favorite-books-of-decade.html.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
June 28, 2020
Everything you ever wanted is on the other side of fear.
The Last Flight is an edgy, engaging read about two very smart and resourceful women, Claire and Eva. Told through their dual narratives...Claire's in the present and Eva's in the past, I can definitely say this novel has earned it's way onto my Top 10 List of 2020, thus far. I was heavily invested in these two women--their trials, tribulations, and their ultimate fates.
I also loved how this story covered two of my favorite genres...not only is it a beautifully compelling suspense novel, it also falls within the contemporary women's fiction category, with heavy ties to the #MeToo movement.
I've always been a sucker for stories involving plane crashes, so this was ideally suited to my tastes.
If I have to mention the negatives (and of course I do), I'd say that Eva's sections of the book were far less interesting than Claire's. Further, I was hoping for, perhaps, a more explosive conclusion. While everything is beautifully tied up and the ending is incredibly satisfying....after the heady, tension-filled build-up, I was expecting something a bit more incendiary.
Nevertheless, Julie Clark has effortlessly found her way on to my must-read author list. This is a fantastic novel, which I wholeheartedly recommend.
April 30, 2020
An easy 5 stars! Well, this is how you write a suspense thriller! 👏👏👏This is the story of two vulnerable and brave women who want to escape from their world which has become too dangerous to live in. Claire Cook is married to Rory, a family dynasty not unlike the Kennedys. Rory presents a charismatic, charming face to the world but that is not who or what he is. Claire makes plans to vanish but these plans go awry. At JFK airport she meets Eva, also on the run but the story she spins and which Claire buys into is a lie. They trade flights and hopes that this will allow them to vanish from their lives but the Puerto Rico flight Claire should have been on crashes ..... The story is told in dual storylines by Claire in the present day and by Eva in a countdown from 6 months prior to the crash.
The two storylines are gripping and very easy to follow. You feel Claire’s panic, tension and fear which is sometimes so great its sickening and in the pit of your stomach. Eva is lost, she gets herself embroiled in things, her dreams are dashed partly because she’s powerless, she feels unloved and expendable especially when she becomes caught between two equally dangerous options. Both women are very likeable, they’re flawed but who isn’t, you really want both of them to succeed, get away, have a second chance and start afresh with opportunity rather than danger. I really like the Berkeley, San Francisco setting which provides an atmospheric backdrop to the unfolding drama. The story is very well plotted and the pace is spot on and really ramps up towards the end. There is some tension and bumps along the road when you hold your breathe and keep your fingers crossed for both women. There are twists and turns and some of those I most certainly didn’t see coming. The ending feels right although it’s probably not what you are hoping for.
Overall, a terrific suspense thriller which is extremely well written, keeps your focus throughout with characters you invest in. Highly recommended.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Hodder and Stoughton for the ARC.
The two storylines are gripping and very easy to follow. You feel Claire’s panic, tension and fear which is sometimes so great its sickening and in the pit of your stomach. Eva is lost, she gets herself embroiled in things, her dreams are dashed partly because she’s powerless, she feels unloved and expendable especially when she becomes caught between two equally dangerous options. Both women are very likeable, they’re flawed but who isn’t, you really want both of them to succeed, get away, have a second chance and start afresh with opportunity rather than danger. I really like the Berkeley, San Francisco setting which provides an atmospheric backdrop to the unfolding drama. The story is very well plotted and the pace is spot on and really ramps up towards the end. There is some tension and bumps along the road when you hold your breathe and keep your fingers crossed for both women. There are twists and turns and some of those I most certainly didn’t see coming. The ending feels right although it’s probably not what you are hoping for.
Overall, a terrific suspense thriller which is extremely well written, keeps your focus throughout with characters you invest in. Highly recommended.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Hodder and Stoughton for the ARC.
December 15, 2020
Can you imagine a life where you are so unhappy that you are willing to toss it away and become someone else?
2 women meet by chance at JFK. Within that opportunity, they switch flights and identities. But their secrets become apparent to each other and the safe haven of being someone else is threatened.
This was delightfully delicious and fast paced. A few unlikely coincidences but if you can put that aside, I thought it a welcome light one in these crazy times. 4 ⭐️
2 women meet by chance at JFK. Within that opportunity, they switch flights and identities. But their secrets become apparent to each other and the safe haven of being someone else is threatened.
This was delightfully delicious and fast paced. A few unlikely coincidences but if you can put that aside, I thought it a welcome light one in these crazy times. 4 ⭐️
October 19, 2020
OMG...⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“The Last Flight” by Julie Clark...I absolutely loved this book!
I can not remember the last time a read a book that I had not already figured out the ending half way through reading it. I could not read this book fast enough...it was incredible! I will not say anything more about this book because my mind is still processing this amazing story!
Enjoy and happy reading...📚
“The Last Flight” by Julie Clark...I absolutely loved this book!
I can not remember the last time a read a book that I had not already figured out the ending half way through reading it. I could not read this book fast enough...it was incredible! I will not say anything more about this book because my mind is still processing this amazing story!
Enjoy and happy reading...📚
July 2, 2022
I don't read that many thrillers because the twists are usually too ridiculous for me to suspend disbelief. However, The Last Flight is my kind of thriller in that it's mainly about the character development and back story with some thrilling elements mixed in.
In The Last Flight, we are following two main characters in alternating chapters. Both women find themselves in difficult situations but are determined to change their lives, however impossible it may seem.
This book kept me turning the pages all the way through, and I did not figure out the ending before finishing reading, which is a plus in this kind of book. If you like a character driven thriller, check this one out.
In The Last Flight, we are following two main characters in alternating chapters. Both women find themselves in difficult situations but are determined to change their lives, however impossible it may seem.
This book kept me turning the pages all the way through, and I did not figure out the ending before finishing reading, which is a plus in this kind of book. If you like a character driven thriller, check this one out.
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