Her Last Hope is the fifth contemporary fiction novel by Australian author, Louise Guy. The shocks keep coming for Abi Whitmore: after discovering her husband’s suicide, she learns that he has lost five million dollars of their friends’ money on a dodgy property development; many of those friends don’t believe that she knew nothing of Eric’s perfidy.

Worse still, even Hayden, her sixteen-year-old son, is unconvinced of her innocence. Eric’s actions have destroyed her reputation, and she loses her job. Their dream home, car and any luxury goods need to be sold to try to pay back some of what he lost. Abi is grateful for a few loyal friends who give her understanding, work and a place to live.

When Lucinda Manning’s abusive husband goes to prison, she hopes that she and four-year-old Max are finally safe. A visit from his intimidating friend convinces her that she needs to take Max, run and hide. With a new name and a new back-story, Melbourne becomes her new safe place. Soon enough, they are living in a very modest flat in Elsternwick, Lucinda has a waitressing job, and they are, warily, making new friends.

Their close neighbour, Abi seems to have a sad story, but Lucinda is respectful of privacy, and Abi reciprocates. Each faces challenges and offers the other tentative support when needed most. Neither is aware of what is coming, and just how essential that budding friendship will be.

If the story is perhaps a little predictable, Guy more than compensates with her very humanly flawed characters, how they handle the ordeals they are sent, and the wise words and insightful observations of friends and family. What they both face is very realistically depicted, and very topical. A thought-provoking and uplifting read.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing