The First Time I Saw Him: A Novel by Laura DaveSeries: Hannah Hall #2
Publication Date: January 6, 2026
Pages: 288
Add on: Goodreads
Rating: ★★★★
Source: From the Publisher
Genre: Fiction / Women
Publisher: Scribner / Simon & Schuster
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 readers the eagerly awaited and absolutely exhilarating sequel to Dave’s global blockbuster.
REVIEW
Laura Dave’s The First Time I Saw Him wastes no time pulling you straight back into the world of Hannah Hall and her stepdaughter Bailey, five years after Owen disappeared. Life in Southern California feels like a fresh start, until Owen suddenly shows up, throwing everything into chaos. If you loved The Last Thing He Told Me, this sequel picks up right where the emotional turbulence left off, blending old wounds with new dangers and revelations.
The real draw here isn’t just the suspense; it’s the relationship at the center of the story. Hannah’s fierce protectiveness and Bailey’s struggle for independence feel raw and authentic, grounding all the twists in something deeply human. Themes of forgiveness, trust, and the price of keeping secrets run through every chapter, making the book more than just a standard thriller.
Dave’s writing is as sharp as ever, with short chapters, tight pacing, and dialogue that rings true. She doesn’t overcomplicate things; instead, she lets the tension and stakes do the heavy lifting. The result is a page-turner that’s both accessible and emotionally layered.
What works best is the novel’s urgency; the story moves very quickly, and it is hard to put down, with its believable family dynamics. The ending delivers a twist that satisfies without feeling cheap. If there’s a downside, it’s that some readers will probably wish the book had slowed down just a bit, giving more space to side plots or lingering moments.
Overall, The First Time I Saw Him is a strong, satisfying follow-up that delivers exactly what fans are hoping for: suspense, heart, and a few gut punches along the way. It’s an easy recommendation for anyone who likes their mysteries with a side of family drama.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
