The Last Anniversary: From the bestselling author of Big Little Lies, now an award winning TV series

Basically, I loved this. Loved it, loved it, loved it. I read it in a day, and quite literally couldn't bring myself to put it down - and was pretty annoyed when my Kindle ran out of juice. I've read all of Liane Moriarty's other books now I think, and what I consistently enjoy is her ability to create really quite unlikable and flawed characters that are so real you love them. Sophie Honeywell is another such one. She's flight, she's a bit shallow, she's way too spoilt, I bet she'd be a bit of a know-it-all what with her wine habit and all, and that heinous crime, everyone loves her - those who don't hate her that is. Yet poor Sophie is nearly 40 and her biological clock is ticking away and there's no-one on the horizon. She's scared, and she's worried about being alone (unlike her perfectly-in-love parents) and she's a bit bored at work, and everyone around her seems to have a perfect life, but Sophie hides it all and smiles and gets on baking her pretty tasteless cakes, and that's what I loved about her. I loved the way she had a running narrative in her head about her life, and I loved the way she could see all her faults too. Then there's the story. An abandoned baby mystery and a strange selection of family making money from it for decades, and obviously doing a great cover up job. What really happened all those years ago? Why do the family have to wait until they are 40 to find out? To find out WHAT????? And the family too - who include Sophie's ex. There's Grace, who has post-natal depression, and thinks her baby would be better off without her. There's Enigma, the grown-up abandoned baby who has a bit of a superstar complex. There's prickly Veronika who is also a bit in love with Sophie (the only person not in love with Sophie is Sophie) and there's Rose, one of the original sisters who found the baby. There's Marge, who is sick of being told by her husband she's a beached whale. And there's the absent, irritating, perfect Louisa. Liane Moriarty lets us inside all their heads, warts and all. This is funny. It's really funny in places - as in laugh out loud funny - and not many books are. It's poignant. It's a great story - actually lots of great stories. It's a fantastic character study (studies). And it's just a great read. I even liked the ending which had several great twists in the tail. Loved it, did I say that?

I've read a couple of books by this author now and my interest was piqued when I read the book description for this one. With the others being quite dark, I do admit to kind of expecting something slightly different but once I settled into it, I really enjoyed it. The descriptions of Scribbly Gum Island was just so picturesque. Only a handful of houses and only able to be reached by boat, it sounded bliss. If Sophie hadn't have wanted to move there, I would have been first in the queue to bite her hand off to go live there myself as it just sounded so wonderful. As much as I was interested in finding out more abut the Munroe baby mystery, the characters and their lives really stand out in this story. Grace was someone who really interested me and my heart went out to her also. Sophie is definitely a wonderful character and her love life brings a lot of humour into the story. She hasn't had much luck on that front but it really makes for some enjoyable reading. The Last Anniversary is very much about family, relationships as well as secrets. It covers topics like post natal depression of which I thought the author handled really well. I have to admit to being slightly disappointed by the mystery revelation but I think that's more my own fault as I read lots of psychological thrillers with big twists and for some reason was expecting there to be one. Setting that part to one side though, this really is an enjoyable book that will intrigue and entertain its reader.

I was sad to reach the end of this book which is always the sign of a wonderful story. The entire cast of characters were well-drawn and believable - it felt as though they were real people. The writing style drew me in and I wanted to know what happened next, even though I had already watched the TV series. As is so often the case, whilst I enjoyed watching it on the telly, the book was so much better!

I first came across Liane Moriarty when I read The Husband's Secret- a superb book which I could not put down. The Last Anniversary isn't as gripping and in places it meanders a bit too much. I feel like I have been reading it for years and not getting anywhere, despite engaging characters and convincing dialogue. The plots starts off intriguingly and then sags in the middle, although the character of Sophie keeps the reader's interest. The plot where Sophie keeps thinking "is this The One?" went a bit chick lit for me, but its by no means dominates the main plot. I'm giving it three stars because although it's well written, I have been halfway through it for weeks and the plot and pace hasn't really picked up again yet.

The book arrived promptly with no problems. I read it immediately. It was an easy read, but the plot I found fairly obvious, so it wasn't as exciting as I'd hoped.

I don't usually read novels, preferring non fiction books. I saw the adaptation of this book on television. It was very good but left me with some questions. So I thought I would read the book. I really enjoyed reading it. It made an interesting change. I will definitely read another books by this author.

I had read The Husband's Secret on vacation and went through this one in no time as well. Love the author and style!

Loved this story set on an island in Sydney Harbor. The characters are so believable. Feisty females dominate the story and I so much enjoyed their journey. This is not my usual genre to read as usually only read murder mysteries. There was a murder in this book but it only warrants 2 lines in the whole book. I have recommended this book to many of my friends.

This is the first book of Liane Moriarty that I read. I love this book so much.It is funny, a bit suspensful and amazing. I love every character in this book. Looking forward to read more book of this author.

If you have yet to read a book by Liane Moriarty, why in the heck haven't you? Allow me to explain. This novel, 400+ pages, is that quintessential beach read that you'll want to stretch out and savor each and every bite - you'll want it never to end. But, if you're like me, and have greedy guts, you'll easily find yourself gluttonous and over-indulging yourself in this read overnight; too easily binging on her sharp storyline, deft character development, and witty dialogue. For me? Reading a book by Ms. Moriarty is SO good... She's that partially frozen Sara Lee Cheesecake that still needs another twenty minutes (or so) to defrost, and of which you are desperately trying not to eat (except for the defrosted parts around the very edge)… but then you decide to say "eff this", and pull out a fork (could be a spoon; no judging here), and eat the entire pie in one sitting. That is my description of this author's work. Her writing is akin to a cheesecake: simply, fork-licking luscious. She should be, if she already isn't, a national hero for her homeland of Australia. Her characters have fallible foibles. Period. And, her characters are well fleshed-out. Albeit, unfortunately, in some instances, completely relatable. No, some may come across as almost way TOO relatable. (I don't know how she was able to portray the relationship with my mom through Grace and her mom - but she did). This brief review encapsulates my personal feelings as I read (this) one of her books - and I've read them all, but I've read this one twice. By the way... I'll take out another cheesecake to defrost, if you'll be so kind as to pass the kleenex.

Tardó un poco en atraparme, pero una vez enganchada en la lectura, me encantó. Un libro con temática diferente e importante. Me hizo reír, reflexionar. Recomendable.