Thursday, February 12, 2015

Review: The Last Time We Say Goodbye by Cynthia Hand

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17285330-the-last-time-we-say-goodbye
The Last Time We Say Goodbye
by Cynthia Hand
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Publication Date: February 10th 2015
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 400
ISBN: 9780062318473
Genre: Young Adult | Realistic Fiction | Death
Source: Edelweiss

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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.
(Goodreads)

When I first started reading The Last Time We Say Goodbye, I knew this was going to be a sad book. I also knew Cynthia Hand was capable of making me cry big, ugly tears, as she pulled this off in the past while I was reading Hallowed. (There was major ugly crying happening with that book.) The Last Time We Say Goodbye was beautifully written, and through the sadness, it leaves you with a message full of hope.

The storyline for the book is about teen suicide and I’m seeing more and more books being written on the subject lately. Honestly, sometimes I dread starting a book that touches on suicide because it’s such a sensitive subject, and I feel the author has to be able to tell their story ‘just right’, so that the story doesn’t impact a person in the wrong way. The Last Time We Say Goodbye was very, very well written, and I think it is a book that I will stay with me for a long while.

The story is told from Lex’s point of view. Through her eyes, we see not only her brother’s suicide itself, but also the time leading up to, and what comes after as well; the learning to deal the best you can after such tragedy. I am amazed by Lex’s strength, how she handled everything in her own way. I found her to be a very relatable character, and I can imagine I myself would be much the same in her situation. She pulled away from all of her friends and pretty much bottled everything up, which is never good, but with some help, she finally started to work her way through everything that happened.

I think the person that I related most to in the story was Lex’s mom. I have three children, and I can’t even imagine what I would do being in this situation. It really makes my heart go out to anyone that has ever been touched by suicide.

Overall; While the subject of the book is scary and tragic, the book also sets off a good message; a message of hope. And I hope that the people that read the book, of any age, will take away something away that message this book. There is help. There is hope. There is not always tomorrow, so love your best every day.

5 comments:

  1. I'm happy to hear you liked this book as well. I thought it was really sad, but very well written and an important read. I think you are right about the story providing us with hope…good point! I am happy to see Hand transition to contemporary fiction…can't wait to see what she writes next. Great review!

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  2. Thanks for your review! I've been hearing good things about this, and I'm excited to read it. Suicide is such a difficult subject to explore in literature, especially YA lit, and I'm glad you think this book handled in well. I recently read All the Bright Places and I Was Here, both of which deal with suicide and depression. All the Bright Places was heartfelt and honest, even though very tragic, while I thought I Was Here was potentially very problematic for its teenage audience.

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  3. I felt the SAME WAY about the mom. I just kept thinking about how she felt and I think the author did a good job of showing fleshing out her character.

    Kate @ Ex Libris

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  4. Lovely review. I have been on the fence about this one, because of the subject. I keep hearing it's worth reading, maybe I'll try it. Thanks for posting about it!

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  5. I haven't been too interested in this book although I have seen it around in a few places. It seemed to blend in with the rest of them for some reason. I am so glad to see you liked it though. I will have to think about this one.

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