Published by: Harper Teen
Released on: 2/10/15 - TODAY
Source: arc/book from publisher in exchange for my honest review
Rating: 5 Stars - This Book Moved Me
Purchase from: Amazon | B&N
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There's death all around us.
We just don't pay attention.
Until we do.
The last time Lex was happy, it was before. When she had a family that was whole. A boyfriend she loved. Friends who didn't look at her like she might break down at any moment.
Now she's just the girl whose brother killed himself. And it feels like that's all she'll ever be.
As Lex starts to put her life back together, she tries to block out what happened the night Tyler died. But there's a secret she hasn't told anyone-a text Tyler sent, that could have changed everything.
Lex's brother is gone. But Lex is about to discover that a ghost doesn't have to be real to keep you from moving on.
From New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Hand, The Last Time We Say Goodbye is a gorgeous and heart-wrenching story of love, loss, and letting go.
My Brief Review:
The Last Time We Say Goodbye is a beautiful, emotional, thought provoking story that will move it's readers in unexpected ways. You can't read this book, and not be changed by some part of it. There's something within this story that will resonate with each of it's readers, and it won't leave them same after they finish it. This is Cynthia Hand's best book yet!
My favorite quote from the book: "The people we love are never truly gone."
My Long Review:
Cynthia Hand has out done herself with this book. Within the first couple of pages of this book I was emotionally hooked. I was ready to break down and sob for the characters. And you know, that's not a bad thing. I was however, surprised that it took no time at all for Cynthia to emotionally connect me to Lex and her story.
This book is beautifully written. Everything about this book is well thought out, and paced just perfectly, allowing the reader to absorb and understand all the Lex is going through and feeling, as she tries to piece together her life after her brother's death. Oh the feelings I have for this book. I really wish I could just bottle up all my emotions, vs try to explain them. It would be so much easier. I felt such a wide range of emotions while reading this book.
It has been awhile since I was this emotionally invested in a book. I cried, and not just once, while reading this book. This story is one many of us can relate to in one way or another, or have been effected by. This story is a reminder that every moment in life is fragile and beautiful. Life is worth living, and memories are worth making. It's so important to never miss the chance to say I love you, to those we love.
Lex was a character my heart immediately broke for. I wanted to help her. And yet, the beautiful thing about this story is seeing her character learn to cope with her new reality, while trying to piece together the what ifs, as well as moving on with her life. Her actions in this story are justifiable and understandable. She pushes everyone away, including her boyfriend, and best friend. I liked seeing getting glimpses of the girl she was before her brother's death, the girl she was after it, and the girl she was fighting to become. I can't imagine what it's like losing a family member to suicide, but the way Cynthia wrote this story, allowed me to see how it effects a family, and friends, the those close to the relatives left behind. Cynthia gives readers an inside look at what they are feeling, and what is going on. I got why Lex pushed friends away, why her family struggled with going back to their new normal, and how hard it was to finally get to a place where she learned to let go, but still held to her brother's memories.
I greatly admire the way Cynthia Hand also included Lex's family, friends, and the community in this story.There's a rippling effect when someone takes their life, and it not only effects their family, those they love, but also their friends, classmates, and those in the community. It effects everyone differently. Everyone grieves in different ways, and learns to un-excepted ways. Cynthia does a beautiful job at showing readers that.
Having personally been effected by a friend's suicide in high school, I understood some of Lex's feelings, and her brother's friend Damian's. I understood the trying to piece together the why. I understood trying to solve the, "How could someone who seemed to have everything together, take their own life?" question. I also understood the what if. What if. I personally dwelt with that, and wonderful what if I had talked longer with my friend that evening, or got in touch with the other friend, my friend who committed suicide was looking for. Would that had made a difference? I don't know. I definitely understood the emotions and the why within in this story.
The Last Time We Say Goodbye is a beautiful, emotional, thought provoking story that will move it's readers in unexpected ways. You can't read this book, and not be changed by some part of it. There's something within this story that will resonate with each of it's readers, and it won't leave them same after they finish it.
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Great review. Yes to everything you said! I absolutely loved this book. It was gut wrenching but the main character showed so much growth. I loved watching her grieving process and, while it was still sad, it left hope in the end.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Yes to everything you said, as well. I loved her growth. The hope in this book, but I stupidly left out of my review, was so important to the story. I loved it.
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