Thank you Libro.fm / Simon & Schuster Audio for the ALC and Scribner Books #partner, for the finished copy of The First Time I Saw Him in exchange for my honest review.
Publisher: Scribner Books / Simon & Schuster Audio
Published: January 6, 2026
Summary:
Laura Dave continues Hannah Hall’s pulse-pounding journey in the riveting and deeply moving sequel to the #1 New York Times bestselling blockbuster and Apple TV+ show, The Last Thing He Told Me.
Five years after her husband, Owen, disappeared, Hannah Hall and her stepdaughter, Bailey, have settled into a new life in Southern California. Together, they’ve forged a relationship with Bailey’s grandfather Nicholas and are putting the past behind them.
But when Owen shows up at Hannah’s new exhibition, she knows that she and Bailey are in danger again.
Hannah and Bailey are forced to go on the run in a relentless race to keep their past from catching up with them. As a thrilling drama unfolds, Hannah risks everything to get Bailey to safety—and finds there just might be a way back to Owen and their long-awaited second chance.
A gripping, rich, and deeply moving novel about the power of forgiveness, The First Time I Saw Him picks up right where the epilogue for the “genuinely moving” (The New York Times) The Last Thing He Told Me left off, giving listeners the eagerly awaited and absolutely exhilarating sequel to Dave’s global blockbuster.
My thoughts:
This is the sequel we didn’t know we needed…and absolutely ended up wanting and loving!! I was such a fan of the first book, so much so I read it twice, falling more in love with it on my second read if you can believe it. But word of advice…this isn’t a stand-alone book. These two books work together.
This new book picks up right where things left off in the prior book and takes off! It’s such an emotional journey, one about love, family, forgiveness and second chances. I especially loved that it focuses on the relationship between Hannah and her daughter, Bailey. This story is a fast-paced drama-fueled adventure that is as much thought-provoking as it is full of surprises. Between the multiple POVs and dual timelines, I was completely invested, unable to put it down until I reached the end…and my only thought was, I am not ready to be done with these characters…
Audio thoughts:
I was pleased to see Rebecca Lowman back as one of the narrators, along with Tessa Albertson, Colin Donnell and CJ Wilson. Having a full cast this time just made sense, as opposed to the single narrator last time.
Books in this series:
- The Last Thing He Told Me
- The First Time I Saw Him
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