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Last Christmas
This tense psychological thriller will have readers guessing until the very end. When Neil and his wife Sacha are forced to spend the holidays with her family, tensions quickly rise. Neil has already been struggling with depression and drinking, and the three days spent in a confined space with an excess of alcohol proves to be a recipe for disaster. With long-held resentments between family members already simmering, it looks like this could be more than just one family member's last Christmas.
Find out what readers are saying about 'Last
"If you want to get to bed on time, do not make this your bedtime reading. This book had me reading and reading and reading."
"I got the ending so, so wrong, I would've never have guessed for it to turn out the way it did. A very captivating story line."
"There was enough suspense to keep me intrigued and there was a lovely, unexpected little twist at the very end. My first book by Maria Frankland but it certainly won't be my last."
Find out what readers are saying about 'Last
"If you want to get to bed on time, do not make this your bedtime reading. This book had me reading and reading and reading."
"I got the ending so, so wrong, I would've never have guessed for it to turn out the way it did. A very captivating story line."
"There was enough suspense to keep me intrigued and there was a lovely, unexpected little twist at the very end. My first book by Maria Frankland but it certainly won't be my last."
298 pages, ebook
First published November 10, 2023
1977 people are currently reading
3413 people want to read
About the author
Maria Frankland
111 books568 followersMaria Frankland has a dubious internet search history and a very worried mother-in-law. However, neither of these things can stop her writing gripping psychological thrillers in which you’ll never find a happy-ever-after.
Her novels are mostly set in Yorkshire where you’ll hear the accent through all her characters. These are people you could live next door to, or closer still… don’t say you haven’t been warned.
Maria’s novels are fast-paced, down to earth and realistic. You never know what’s around the corner…
Find out more about Maria at https://www.mariafrankland.co.uk. Whilst you’re there, you can download your free novella – The Brother-in-Law.
Her novels are mostly set in Yorkshire where you’ll hear the accent through all her characters. These are people you could live next door to, or closer still… don’t say you haven’t been warned.
Maria’s novels are fast-paced, down to earth and realistic. You never know what’s around the corner…
Find out more about Maria at https://www.mariafrankland.co.uk. Whilst you’re there, you can download your free novella – The Brother-in-Law.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 593 reviews
October 20, 2023
I’ve read a couple of novels from Maria Frankland in the past and enjoyed them both. So I was looking forward to this one, billed as a psychological Christmas thriller.
Unfortunately, it became apparent soon after starting that this is a domestic family drama rather than any sort of psychological thriller.
Stuart, the patriarch of the family, has been diagnosed with terminal cancer, so he and his wife Wendy invite their three daughters and respective husbands to spend what will be Stuart’s final Christmas in their flash new home. The novel opens from Neil’s perspective who is married to daughter Sacha. Neil is out of work and suffers from both depression and alcoholism and has infertility issues. He is treated abominably by Sacha and all the rest of the family. The next daughter Christy is married to Adam who has no redeeming qualities whatsoever. Finally, there is Rebecca married to Greg and expecting her third child. The pair of them are beyond horrible.
Then a death occurs. By this time, I completely didn’t care. The characters are all so over-the-top vile that they wouldn’t be out of place in a bad soap opera. Serious issues such as depression, alcoholism, and terminal cancer are all included just for effect and not given the serious treatment they merit.
I will stick with the author, but this particular novel is a no from me.
My thanks to Net Galley, Maria Frankland, and Bookouture for an ARC in exchange for an open and honest review.
Unfortunately, it became apparent soon after starting that this is a domestic family drama rather than any sort of psychological thriller.
Stuart, the patriarch of the family, has been diagnosed with terminal cancer, so he and his wife Wendy invite their three daughters and respective husbands to spend what will be Stuart’s final Christmas in their flash new home. The novel opens from Neil’s perspective who is married to daughter Sacha. Neil is out of work and suffers from both depression and alcoholism and has infertility issues. He is treated abominably by Sacha and all the rest of the family. The next daughter Christy is married to Adam who has no redeeming qualities whatsoever. Finally, there is Rebecca married to Greg and expecting her third child. The pair of them are beyond horrible.
Then a death occurs. By this time, I completely didn’t care. The characters are all so over-the-top vile that they wouldn’t be out of place in a bad soap opera. Serious issues such as depression, alcoholism, and terminal cancer are all included just for effect and not given the serious treatment they merit.
I will stick with the author, but this particular novel is a no from me.
My thanks to Net Galley, Maria Frankland, and Bookouture for an ARC in exchange for an open and honest review.
November 14, 2023
Three sisters and their husbands have gathered at their parents house to celebrate one last Christmas together as their father has a fatal illness. Sacha is married to Neil who is dealing with depression and the couple’s infertility problems. He didn’t want to go; he doesn’t feel accepted by her family and is, in fact, treated abominably by the brothers-in-law. Of course his own behavior and over drinking doesn’t help. When his body is found at the bottom of a cliff, the authorities wonder if it was an accident, suicide, or something nefarious. This is the beginning of the even more unraveling of family unity and secrets.
Don’t let the title of this novel mislead you….no cozy holiday read this! There are some tough topics here including terminal cancer, depression and alcoholism. The story doesn’t really revolve around Christmas except that the holiday gives the opportunity for the dysfunctional family to gather together.
Told from three POVs, the story is soapy, cliched, full of despicable people, and I couldn’t put it down. The author drew me in and wouldn’t let me go until I finished the book. I read this as an ARC and had one problem with a timeline…perhaps that will be cleared up in the printed edition.
By the way, this novel made me even more thankful than I already am for being an only child!
Don’t let the title of this novel mislead you….no cozy holiday read this! There are some tough topics here including terminal cancer, depression and alcoholism. The story doesn’t really revolve around Christmas except that the holiday gives the opportunity for the dysfunctional family to gather together.
Told from three POVs, the story is soapy, cliched, full of despicable people, and I couldn’t put it down. The author drew me in and wouldn’t let me go until I finished the book. I read this as an ARC and had one problem with a timeline…perhaps that will be cleared up in the printed edition.
By the way, this novel made me even more thankful than I already am for being an only child!
January 16, 2024
A little hard to get into for quite awhile but did pick up. Definitely lots of unexpected turns and twists.
December 4, 2023
Last Christmas a holiday themed thriller mystery which starts and ends well but bogs down in the middle.
Neil and Saschas marriage is on the rocks. Neil has a drinking problem and the couple cant fall pregnant due to fertility issues. This has caused Neil's mental health to suffer.
The couple attend Saschas parents house for Christmas however her sisters and their husbands are also in attendance who Neil despises. What starts out as an awkward few days ends up in the death of one of the family members. Is it an accident, suicide or murder? As the truth is slowly revealed and more painful secrets come to light we ask will there be more deaths this Christmas??
This contains ALOT of family drama which is ok I guess to build character development but every single character is flawed and I didn't like any of them as a person. Not a single one which hampered my expereince overall.
It takes a long time to really get going and the middle drags a fair bit but the ending is pretty good and I didn't guess it even if it's a little far fetched.
Decent, not great.
Neil and Saschas marriage is on the rocks. Neil has a drinking problem and the couple cant fall pregnant due to fertility issues. This has caused Neil's mental health to suffer.
The couple attend Saschas parents house for Christmas however her sisters and their husbands are also in attendance who Neil despises. What starts out as an awkward few days ends up in the death of one of the family members. Is it an accident, suicide or murder? As the truth is slowly revealed and more painful secrets come to light we ask will there be more deaths this Christmas??
This contains ALOT of family drama which is ok I guess to build character development but every single character is flawed and I didn't like any of them as a person. Not a single one which hampered my expereince overall.
It takes a long time to really get going and the middle drags a fair bit but the ending is pretty good and I didn't guess it even if it's a little far fetched.
Decent, not great.
December 21, 2025
✨ Rating: 2.5⭐️
🫧 Vibes: family tensions and secrets
🎶 Song: better than revenge - taylor swift
📚 Would I recommend? not really
💬 tldr thoughts: this was under 300 pages but somehow felt much longer
In the package:
📦 murder mystery
📦 multiple POVs
📦 dysfunctional family
Plot: the story follows a broken family gathering for Christmas which takes a dark turn when a sudden death forces secrets and resentments to surface. When the truth behind what really happened starts to unravel, not everyone is who they appear to be.
Thoughts: i’m not sure how I really feel about this one. The twists were predictable and I thought most of the characters were pretty annoying. I was hoping for more of a thriller and suspense but it was more of a domestic drama than anything else. I picked this one up because it was short (<300 pages) but it took me longer to read since I wasn’t that invested in the story.
✩⁺₊✩☽⋆ follow me on tiktok and instagram⋆☾✩⁺₊✩
🫧 Vibes: family tensions and secrets
🎶 Song: better than revenge - taylor swift
📚 Would I recommend? not really
💬 tldr thoughts: this was under 300 pages but somehow felt much longer
In the package:
📦 murder mystery
📦 multiple POVs
📦 dysfunctional family
Plot: the story follows a broken family gathering for Christmas which takes a dark turn when a sudden death forces secrets and resentments to surface. When the truth behind what really happened starts to unravel, not everyone is who they appear to be.
Thoughts: i’m not sure how I really feel about this one. The twists were predictable and I thought most of the characters were pretty annoying. I was hoping for more of a thriller and suspense but it was more of a domestic drama than anything else. I picked this one up because it was short (<300 pages) but it took me longer to read since I wasn’t that invested in the story.
✩⁺₊✩☽⋆ follow me on tiktok and instagram⋆☾✩⁺₊✩
December 13, 2023
Trigger warning regarding depression, bully, suicide related discussions, topics should have been raised somewhere in the summary - If I had known that, I would not have started with this one. I was looking for a Christmas Winter vibe nice suspenseful thriller, not a "dragging-down" book. I did not like it at all. It earned by me 2.5 star for the 1/3 of the book, that was constructed very nice and brought me into Christmas atmosphere: Sasha and his husband are preparing for traveling to Sasha`s family for Christmas, since this will be the last Christmas with Sasha`s father, who is terminally ill.
As the bookcover states already the husband of Sasha will die on Christmas Eve and several other miseries hit the main character Sasha, up to a point that it is just unbearable. The twists were forceful and did not make much sense.
As the bookcover states already the husband of Sasha will die on Christmas Eve and several other miseries hit the main character Sasha, up to a point that it is just unbearable. The twists were forceful and did not make much sense.
December 7, 2023
"You know you can tell them anything you want, and it will never be repeated. How many people can you say that about? A Catholic priest at confession? A GP? A counsellor? But even those professionals will warn you that they may have to break their code of confidentiality, should you pose a risk to life. Your own or someone else's. But someone on their deathbed? You're safe with them. They can't tell anyone anything."
TW - mental health/depression, infertility, suicide mentioned
This was a pretty heavy read for a Christmas thriller. The story is split between the POV of three characters; Neil, Neil's wife, Sacha, and Sacha's older sister Christie. During Neil's part of the story, we find that he is very depressed because he feels he is failing as a man due to the fact he can't get his wife pregnant. This is causing the breakdown of their marriage and friction between him and Sacha's family.
During Sacha's part, we discover that Neil has died after an altercation with her brother in law, and everything seems to point to suicide. Throughout the rest of the story, we find out that the family is even more dysfunctional and toxic than we originally thought. We follow the aftermath of Neil's death and eventually get the answers to everything.
I had figured out a couple of the twists quite a while before they were revealed. However, I didn't figure out the final twist. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and read this in one sitting as I just couldn't put it down.
TW - mental health/depression, infertility, suicide mentioned
This was a pretty heavy read for a Christmas thriller. The story is split between the POV of three characters; Neil, Neil's wife, Sacha, and Sacha's older sister Christie. During Neil's part of the story, we find that he is very depressed because he feels he is failing as a man due to the fact he can't get his wife pregnant. This is causing the breakdown of their marriage and friction between him and Sacha's family.
During Sacha's part, we discover that Neil has died after an altercation with her brother in law, and everything seems to point to suicide. Throughout the rest of the story, we find out that the family is even more dysfunctional and toxic than we originally thought. We follow the aftermath of Neil's death and eventually get the answers to everything.
I had figured out a couple of the twists quite a while before they were revealed. However, I didn't figure out the final twist. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and read this in one sitting as I just couldn't put it down.
December 16, 2024
3.75⭐️ when i tell you i could not put this book down?! dont get me wrong, it was pretty predictable as the story progressed, but still had decent twists. was it hella messy and filled with unlikebale characters? yes. but was it also good enough to keep my attention hooked the whole time (considering i dont read much thriller)? also yes.
i would say its a good read for people who arent very into thriller or want a good book to start off with if they’re new to it, but im sure more “seasoned?” thriller readers wouldnt find this one very special
i would say its a good read for people who arent very into thriller or want a good book to start off with if they’re new to it, but im sure more “seasoned?” thriller readers wouldnt find this one very special
December 19, 2023
this was a quick one-day read for me, although it ended up being a pretty standard domestic suspense. don’t be fooled by the title, the first few chapters take place at a family christmas gathering but other than that, it really has nothing to do with the holidays - i was hoping for a good christmas thriller. ultimately it was a fine quick read but the ending left me unsatisfied and the characters were all a bit too annoying.
December 24, 2024
3.5 stars cause the ending was meh, and I felt it dragged a bit.
This book is full of family drama and family secrets. I enjoyed how it unraveled and it kept me in suspense and on edge trying to put the pieces together. The mom and dad were the only likeable characters cause everyone was f*cked in their own way 🤷🏻♀️
This book is full of family drama and family secrets. I enjoyed how it unraveled and it kept me in suspense and on edge trying to put the pieces together. The mom and dad were the only likeable characters cause everyone was f*cked in their own way 🤷🏻♀️
March 12, 2025
Entertaining family relationship listening 🏙😘
This kindle ebook novel is from my Kindle Unlimited account
They are a family celebrating Christmas. The father is ill, A daughter pregnant, and three brother-in-laws with issues. One brother-in-law falls from a cliff. His wife discovers she is pregnant. This is a story with one event after another leading to the end.
I would recommend this novel and author to readers of family and friends relationships adventure mystery novels 👩❤️💋👩😉 2025 🤓🙄
This kindle ebook novel is from my Kindle Unlimited account
They are a family celebrating Christmas. The father is ill, A daughter pregnant, and three brother-in-laws with issues. One brother-in-law falls from a cliff. His wife discovers she is pregnant. This is a story with one event after another leading to the end.
I would recommend this novel and author to readers of family and friends relationships adventure mystery novels 👩❤️💋👩😉 2025 🤓🙄
December 19, 2023
Last Christmas is a thriller genre novel that starts with a family trying to celebrate their father's last Christmas as he is terminally ill. The cover says "An utterly compelling and page-turning physiological thriller." I definitely wouldn't classify this as a thriller. This is more a family drama story with murder involved.
Although this was a very easy holiday read, it was extremely easy to guess who did what, how it went down, etc. There wasn't much suspense and no big surprise when everything was revealed. Christy is the only likable character in the whole book.
If you're looking for a quick holiday read, this fits the bill but don't expect to be shocked at the ending.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Although this was a very easy holiday read, it was extremely easy to guess who did what, how it went down, etc. There wasn't much suspense and no big surprise when everything was revealed. Christy is the only likable character in the whole book.
If you're looking for a quick holiday read, this fits the bill but don't expect to be shocked at the ending.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 24, 2023
I’m always on the lookout for Christmas thrillers - there’s so few of them compared to cozy mysteries & romances, so I’ll almost always read them when I see them. However, this was one I should have ignored.
None of the characters are likeable and I could not find any redeeming factors to make me care about them. I found them to be immature & vile and I thought the writing was very simplistic. There’s so much drama that by the time we reached the conclusion, I just didn’t care. Calling this a psychological thriller is perhaps the best writing in this work of fiction.
Thanks to Bookouture & NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
None of the characters are likeable and I could not find any redeeming factors to make me care about them. I found them to be immature & vile and I thought the writing was very simplistic. There’s so much drama that by the time we reached the conclusion, I just didn’t care. Calling this a psychological thriller is perhaps the best writing in this work of fiction.
Thanks to Bookouture & NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 13, 2021
Review
What an incredible author Maria is. Every book I've read of hers has been a 5⭐ read for me and this book didn't disappoint either.
I loved that it is split into the different characters and you get to know the different backgrounds.
I had it sussed but as with all of Maria's books it doesn't spoil the rest of the book and I enjoyed the journey of the story.
She is in my list of top 5 favourite authors and I'm already looking forward to the next book.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
What an incredible author Maria is. Every book I've read of hers has been a 5⭐ read for me and this book didn't disappoint either.
I loved that it is split into the different characters and you get to know the different backgrounds.
I had it sussed but as with all of Maria's books it doesn't spoil the rest of the book and I enjoyed the journey of the story.
She is in my list of top 5 favourite authors and I'm already looking forward to the next book.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
December 9, 2023
Really good book which keeps you guessing until the end. The characters are great and the story flows really well. I’d give this 4.5 stars, definitely one of my best reads this year!
December 28, 2021
This is another book I found by searching “Christmas thriller” on Kindle - I almost didn’t read this one due to the ugly cover (I’m a cover snob lol), but I’m so glad I gave it a shot! This is domestic suspense featuring a family that was dysfunctional with a capital D 😂 There were some great twists, and at 275 pages, it was a quick read. The author tackled the difficult topics of terminal cancer and depression delicately. Only the first 40% of the book takes place during Christmas, so I do wish it were a bit more Christmassy, and there was something I would have liked more of an explanation on, but overall I really enjoyed this one!
November 10, 2023
I was introduced to Maria Frankland while participating in a blog tour for “The Hen Party” in 2021. Between then and now I have also read “Hit and Run”. Her new book “Last Christmas” showed up on NetGalley and I just loved the cover. I had to add at least one Christmas book to my TBR and this book was the perfect choice. If you are looking for a warm, fuzzy Christmas tale that will deliver a happy, predictable ending – then this is not the book you want.
“Last Christmas” is a brilliant twisty psychological thriller crossed with an intense family drama. This is a book that will keep you reading late into the night as you keep wondering what will happen next.
Maria Frankland starts slowly, allowing you to ease into her story while you get to know the various characters and just as you find yourself relaxing into a slow-paced read, she unexpectedly speeds things up and leaves you flipping pages faster than you imagined possible. This gripping psychological thriller delves deep into the complex dynamics of a seemingly ordinary family whose lives are shattered by a shocking death on a snowy Christmas night. Her writing style is engaging and evocative, pulling you into the chilling world of this dysfunctional family. Her descriptions of the wintery setting and the emotional turmoil of the characters are vivid, leaving you almost feeling the biting cold and tension in the air. This is a suspenseful tale that will keep you engrossed until the very last page.
Sacha and Neil’s marriage is not in a good place when she insists that he join her family for Christmas. This is the last thing Neil wants to do, he doesn’t like his in-laws and he is not looking forward to them treating him like an outsider. He is unemployed, suffering from depression and alcohol while feeling horrid that he is not able to give Sasch the one thing she wants. When a fight at the Christmas table breaks out between Neil and Adam, Wendy – Sascha’s mother sends the pair out for a walk to sort themselves out. But Adam returns alone and Neil’s body is found at the bottom of a cliff the next day. Sascha’s world is shattered at the loss of her husband and while everyone tries to convince her that Neil jumped, she refuses to believe that he would do that to her.
This book had me on the edge of my seat with all the twists and turns. I found myself engrossed in these characters and very relieved that I do not have any sisters.
The characters are well-drawn and the author allows you to get to know the various family members as each one's secrets are revealed. The three sisters are all close to their parents, but not that much to each other. While Christy, the oldest and Sasch the middle sister have a good relationship, their little sister Rebecca does not seem to fit in the mix. She is aloof, her jealousy leaves you feeling as if she wants to stir up trouble every time she opens her mouth. These three sister and their very different husbands are guaranteed to be a handful at any event. It is no wonder the perfect Christmas Wendy was hoping for was anything but.
As Sascha grapples with the loss of her husband and the excitement about finally being pregnant, you find yourself caught up in the revelations of her family as you are drawn into the turmoil and emotions she experiences. The exploration of grief, guilt and family dynamics is touching and thought-provoking.
The story climaxes as the truth about Neil’s death is finally revealed, the resolution is both shocking and satisfying, with all the loose ends neatly tied up. The author’s ability to keep you guessing until the end is fantastic.
“Last Christmas is a riveting thriller that explores the darkest corners of family secrets, betrayal and the consequences of deception. It’s a page-turner that will have you eagerly flipping through the chapters, eager to uncover the truth. Maria Frankland’s skilful storytelling and well-crafted characters make this novel a must-read for fans of psychological suspense and domestic thrillers.
https://featzreviews.com/last-christm...
“Last Christmas” is a brilliant twisty psychological thriller crossed with an intense family drama. This is a book that will keep you reading late into the night as you keep wondering what will happen next.
Maria Frankland starts slowly, allowing you to ease into her story while you get to know the various characters and just as you find yourself relaxing into a slow-paced read, she unexpectedly speeds things up and leaves you flipping pages faster than you imagined possible. This gripping psychological thriller delves deep into the complex dynamics of a seemingly ordinary family whose lives are shattered by a shocking death on a snowy Christmas night. Her writing style is engaging and evocative, pulling you into the chilling world of this dysfunctional family. Her descriptions of the wintery setting and the emotional turmoil of the characters are vivid, leaving you almost feeling the biting cold and tension in the air. This is a suspenseful tale that will keep you engrossed until the very last page.
Sacha and Neil’s marriage is not in a good place when she insists that he join her family for Christmas. This is the last thing Neil wants to do, he doesn’t like his in-laws and he is not looking forward to them treating him like an outsider. He is unemployed, suffering from depression and alcohol while feeling horrid that he is not able to give Sasch the one thing she wants. When a fight at the Christmas table breaks out between Neil and Adam, Wendy – Sascha’s mother sends the pair out for a walk to sort themselves out. But Adam returns alone and Neil’s body is found at the bottom of a cliff the next day. Sascha’s world is shattered at the loss of her husband and while everyone tries to convince her that Neil jumped, she refuses to believe that he would do that to her.
This book had me on the edge of my seat with all the twists and turns. I found myself engrossed in these characters and very relieved that I do not have any sisters.
The characters are well-drawn and the author allows you to get to know the various family members as each one's secrets are revealed. The three sisters are all close to their parents, but not that much to each other. While Christy, the oldest and Sasch the middle sister have a good relationship, their little sister Rebecca does not seem to fit in the mix. She is aloof, her jealousy leaves you feeling as if she wants to stir up trouble every time she opens her mouth. These three sister and their very different husbands are guaranteed to be a handful at any event. It is no wonder the perfect Christmas Wendy was hoping for was anything but.
As Sascha grapples with the loss of her husband and the excitement about finally being pregnant, you find yourself caught up in the revelations of her family as you are drawn into the turmoil and emotions she experiences. The exploration of grief, guilt and family dynamics is touching and thought-provoking.
The story climaxes as the truth about Neil’s death is finally revealed, the resolution is both shocking and satisfying, with all the loose ends neatly tied up. The author’s ability to keep you guessing until the end is fantastic.
“Last Christmas is a riveting thriller that explores the darkest corners of family secrets, betrayal and the consequences of deception. It’s a page-turner that will have you eagerly flipping through the chapters, eager to uncover the truth. Maria Frankland’s skilful storytelling and well-crafted characters make this novel a must-read for fans of psychological suspense and domestic thrillers.
https://featzreviews.com/last-christm...
December 4, 2023
This is a little different from other psychological thrillers...
I am not telling you the story - you can read the synopsis yourself.
However:
I will tell you about the impact of this story on me.
So this story begins under pretty bad circumstances:
We get to know a couple with infertility, alcohol and depression issues...
They are going to the wife's parents' house for Christmas, where they are with all the other family members - and the husband feels left out of the family - as usual.
The father is fighting with cancer and does not have much longer - this will be his last Christmas.
On Family Holidays, most of the people drink - this Family Christmas is no exception...
There are tensions - and one person will not come back from a little "walk around the block"...
Was it an accident ? Was it suicide ? Was it murder ?
You think, this book could not get any more sad...
but...you haven't counted on the twists and turns this family is going through...including adultery, double attempted murder between siblings, and more.
I had the biggest issue with which character to like, and which to despise - until the end !
Every time you think "This has to be it" - another uncomfortable surprise is around the corner and it is just like watching a train wreck right in front of you, in technicolor.
I would absolutely recommend this book - adding it to my best 10 books this year list - definitely !
December 11, 2025
I'm a bit confused about the low reviews on this book because it was pretty good & engaging. I'm glad I looked past the avg rating as i usually do not read books with anything lower than a 3.8 ⭐️
The plot of this book takes a bit of time to start & i kept wondering when this person would die etc. But the first few chapters of the book before everything goes down does give us a lot of insight.
Once the act happened I was all tied up with this book trying to figure out who did it & why. I throughly enjoyed this one, it was a quick and engaging read. Other than 💩 hitting the fan during Christmas i wouldn't say this is particularly Christmas based but that really didn't matter much.
The plot of this book takes a bit of time to start & i kept wondering when this person would die etc. But the first few chapters of the book before everything goes down does give us a lot of insight.
Once the act happened I was all tied up with this book trying to figure out who did it & why. I throughly enjoyed this one, it was a quick and engaging read. Other than 💩 hitting the fan during Christmas i wouldn't say this is particularly Christmas based but that really didn't matter much.
November 11, 2023
Last Christmas by Maria Frankland.
It was supposed to be a family Christmas to remember. But I never thought it would end with one of us dead…
A slow starter but I soon got into it. I was surprised by the ending. I didn't really like any characters but I didn't like Neil. 4*.
It was supposed to be a family Christmas to remember. But I never thought it would end with one of us dead…
A slow starter but I soon got into it. I was surprised by the ending. I didn't really like any characters but I didn't like Neil. 4*.
December 19, 2024
This was a crazy one lol. I knew it wasn’t going to be a holly, jolly Christmas book since it’s a “thriller” but this had bad writing, the plot was all over the place but it did have very random twists and this family is dysfunctional af, I didn’t like not ONE character😂😅 oops
November 27, 2024
2.5 Not enough Christmas.
November 19, 2023
Thank you for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Rating 2/5
This was marketed as a twisty physiological thriller, however it did not fall into any of those categories. This was a tale of a very dysfunctional family during the holidays, that’s it.
While I did enjoy the layout of the story in sequential POVs instead of back and forth POV you commonly see, I found this book lacking in the suspense and entertainment department. The writing style was average. I was just not pulled in to the story, and it was very predictable.
Rating 2/5
This was marketed as a twisty physiological thriller, however it did not fall into any of those categories. This was a tale of a very dysfunctional family during the holidays, that’s it.
While I did enjoy the layout of the story in sequential POVs instead of back and forth POV you commonly see, I found this book lacking in the suspense and entertainment department. The writing style was average. I was just not pulled in to the story, and it was very predictable.
October 22, 2023
Last Christmas by Maria Frankland-
The synopsis for this novel had me believing that this would be a “page-turning, psychological thriller.” In fact, I was looking forward to having my mind blown. I was highly disappointed.
This book started painstakingly slow. I was bored out of my mind for the first half of this book. The first 50% of this book is spent in Sacha’s parents house with everyone picking on Neil, who was absolutely miserable and never wanted to be there in the first place. Neil is suffering from clinical depression and his wife Sacha isn’t very sympathetic toward him or what he is going through. To add to his already crippling depression, he’s been told he’s basically infertile and is dealing with feeling like he’s failing his wife yet again, by not being able to conceive a child with her. It’s Christmas time and Sacha wants to spend the holidays at her parents home because her father is terminal with cancer. Neil tries to get out of going but ultimately gives in to Sacha’s badgering and goes. To deal with Sacha and her bat sh*t crazy family, Neal drinks and ends up making a fool of himself. Neal’s drunken first night in the parents home is really just the beginning of a debacle of a family holiday.
I found the plot twists and subsequent events of the novel to be predictable. It was easy to guess what was going to happen and who was responsible for what. The support characters were seriously flawed and there weren’t many that were easy to like. The best characters were poor Neil and Sacha’s parents. This wasn’t the worst book I’ve ever read but it wasn’t nearly as exciting as I expected it to be. Whomever wrote the synopsis deserves an award though, they tricked me into thinking I was going to be reading one heck of a thriller.
I received an advance reader copy and am leaving my review voluntarily.
The synopsis for this novel had me believing that this would be a “page-turning, psychological thriller.” In fact, I was looking forward to having my mind blown. I was highly disappointed.
This book started painstakingly slow. I was bored out of my mind for the first half of this book. The first 50% of this book is spent in Sacha’s parents house with everyone picking on Neil, who was absolutely miserable and never wanted to be there in the first place. Neil is suffering from clinical depression and his wife Sacha isn’t very sympathetic toward him or what he is going through. To add to his already crippling depression, he’s been told he’s basically infertile and is dealing with feeling like he’s failing his wife yet again, by not being able to conceive a child with her. It’s Christmas time and Sacha wants to spend the holidays at her parents home because her father is terminal with cancer. Neil tries to get out of going but ultimately gives in to Sacha’s badgering and goes. To deal with Sacha and her bat sh*t crazy family, Neal drinks and ends up making a fool of himself. Neal’s drunken first night in the parents home is really just the beginning of a debacle of a family holiday.
I found the plot twists and subsequent events of the novel to be predictable. It was easy to guess what was going to happen and who was responsible for what. The support characters were seriously flawed and there weren’t many that were easy to like. The best characters were poor Neil and Sacha’s parents. This wasn’t the worst book I’ve ever read but it wasn’t nearly as exciting as I expected it to be. Whomever wrote the synopsis deserves an award though, they tricked me into thinking I was going to be reading one heck of a thriller.
I received an advance reader copy and am leaving my review voluntarily.
January 7, 2024
Last Christmas is a festive murder mystery with a big injection of psychological thriller and domestic drama.
Sacha and her husband Neil are spending Christmas with her family.
Tensions are on the rise and Neil would rather be anywhere but there.
Alcohol is Neil’s best friend and soon he’s embarrassingly drunk.
After a heated argument with his brother in law, Neil is found dead at the bottom of the cliff.
What happened……
Was it suicide…..or something else sinister….such as murder!
With all the family as suspects, secrets and lies in full force, what is the truth.
This seasons gathering has taken on a whole new meaning.
Maria has created a whodunnit during a celebratory time.
This family drama will keep you flipping the pages until all is revealed.
I can tell you after reading this, you certainly wouldn’t like to be inviting to this celebration.
This was released a few years ago but has now been picked up by Bookouture with a new cover.
An engaging, compelling and smart tale.
Sacha and her husband Neil are spending Christmas with her family.
Tensions are on the rise and Neil would rather be anywhere but there.
Alcohol is Neil’s best friend and soon he’s embarrassingly drunk.
After a heated argument with his brother in law, Neil is found dead at the bottom of the cliff.
What happened……
Was it suicide…..or something else sinister….such as murder!
With all the family as suspects, secrets and lies in full force, what is the truth.
This seasons gathering has taken on a whole new meaning.
Maria has created a whodunnit during a celebratory time.
This family drama will keep you flipping the pages until all is revealed.
I can tell you after reading this, you certainly wouldn’t like to be inviting to this celebration.
This was released a few years ago but has now been picked up by Bookouture with a new cover.
An engaging, compelling and smart tale.
October 10, 2023
Neil and Sacha have been having a tough time, between depression, infertility, unemployment, and alcoholism. So the last thing they need is the stress of spending Christmas with Sacha’s family, where Neil has always felt like an outsider. As the drinks flow, animosities rise to the surface, and tempers flare, someone is going to wind up dead. Is it a tragic accident or is there a killer in the family’s midst?
Last Christmas is a quick, solid read, but it wasn’t what I was expecting. There are so many Christmas rom coms and not enough Christmas thrillers, so I was excited to read this one. Unfortunately, it’s much more a family drama than a thriller. Even calling it domestic suspense is a bit generous, as the cast of characters is small and only a couple of people could be the potential killer. Also, it wasn’t nearly Christmassy enough for my taste, as only the first third and the epilogue take place at the holidays, and even those sections felt only vaguely Christmassy.
The story was interesting and well-written but overall missed the mark for me. Plot points and characters felt in-your-face and over the top with no subtlety or nuance. Every single one of the characters is unlikeable, and not in that fun-to-hate-them way. I couldn’t believe grown adults would be so constantly and blatantly nasty to each other. Even Neil, who should have been more sympathetic with all his mental health and life struggles, comes off as a whiny and selfish drunk.
If you like spiteful sibling dramas with a side of murder, this book may be for you. Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing me an advance copy of this book.
Last Christmas is a quick, solid read, but it wasn’t what I was expecting. There are so many Christmas rom coms and not enough Christmas thrillers, so I was excited to read this one. Unfortunately, it’s much more a family drama than a thriller. Even calling it domestic suspense is a bit generous, as the cast of characters is small and only a couple of people could be the potential killer. Also, it wasn’t nearly Christmassy enough for my taste, as only the first third and the epilogue take place at the holidays, and even those sections felt only vaguely Christmassy.
The story was interesting and well-written but overall missed the mark for me. Plot points and characters felt in-your-face and over the top with no subtlety or nuance. Every single one of the characters is unlikeable, and not in that fun-to-hate-them way. I couldn’t believe grown adults would be so constantly and blatantly nasty to each other. Even Neil, who should have been more sympathetic with all his mental health and life struggles, comes off as a whiny and selfish drunk.
If you like spiteful sibling dramas with a side of murder, this book may be for you. Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing me an advance copy of this book.
October 22, 2023
“Grief is the cost of love”
It’s Christmas, a time for family. Except this family is toxic, deceitful and a bunch of barefaced liars!
“Last Christmas” is a multi point of view domestic thriller that follows Sacha and her sisters through dark times, deaths and grief.
This was ok. I wouldn’t have called it a psychological thriller though, it’s more a family drama storyline. A quick and easy read. None of the characters were particularly likeable though, and I found it quite predictable. The ending also wasn’t very believable, I think that could’ve been done better.
Trigger warnings - suicide, fertility issues.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my advanced copy.
It’s Christmas, a time for family. Except this family is toxic, deceitful and a bunch of barefaced liars!
“Last Christmas” is a multi point of view domestic thriller that follows Sacha and her sisters through dark times, deaths and grief.
This was ok. I wouldn’t have called it a psychological thriller though, it’s more a family drama storyline. A quick and easy read. None of the characters were particularly likeable though, and I found it quite predictable. The ending also wasn’t very believable, I think that could’ve been done better.
Trigger warnings - suicide, fertility issues.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my advanced copy.
November 20, 2023
I would count this as more of a domestic/family drama than a thriller. The beginning was quite slow, although I liked the multiple POVs and that they didn’t repeat themselves. The ending was somewhat predictable but that didn’t take away from the story. Overall a decent read, my first from this author and I would read more of her books.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
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