The Last Hike

By: Lee Lovelace

Narrated by: Jack de Golia

Length: 10 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

Paul had always wanted to hike The Appalachian Trail, but life got in the way. Now, death would be his deliverance to the path that wound its way from Georgia to Maine. Little did he know that his story would also include adventure, love, loss, and meeting the best kinds of people in the world.

On this hike, Paul encounters extreme weather conditions, health issues, great beauty, companionship, a canine rescuer, and even a lunatic predator. Join him as he treks The Last Hike.

Winner of the Choice Award and 2022 Best Team Production Award from Audiobook Reviewer.

©2022 Lee Lovelace (P)2022 Lee Lovelace

The author has a way of making it seem authentic.

The most disappointing ending.. This story is a roller-coaster, intentionally, not g
due to happenstance.

Engaging tale of a hiker’s thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail.

The Last Hike, audible version, is fast paced adventure to listen to but beware, you will not want to stop once you click play. The characters represent a cross section of hikers one might encounter on the trail with accurate depictions of places and trail lingo. It’s a great story to listen to during long trips!

Great book for hiker trash and enthusiasts!

I enjoyed hearing about their adventures on the Appalachian Trail as the author really made me feel like I was along for their memorable, once-in-a-lifetime journey as an honorary member of their tramily. If you are a hiker and especially one who has either section hiked or thru hiked the AT, then this is definitely the book for you. If you are not an avid hiker or ever thought about hiking but just haven’t taken that leap, this book allows you to experience what it would be like to hike the AT without having to use the privy and hopefully gets you motivated to get outdoors for a hike.

pretty good but with serious flaws

The main character, Suicide Squad, told a good story. He had me completely absorbed in his AT trek. What I did not like was his self absorbtion and flippant attitude toward dying by suicide with his wonderful tramily close by to deal with the aftermath. He used the very threat of jumping off Katahdin to manipulate and hurt the people who loved him. He had no regard for the lives of those who would witness this act, as well as the rangers who risked their own lives to try to save him. His suicide plan casts a gloomy shadow over the whole story. He made wonderful friends that, IMHO, he did not deserve. If not for Squad's dark obsession with killing himself, this would have been one of my favorite AT stories.

Former co-worker

I last saw Lee in 2005 when I retired from where we both worked.  I was a little optimistic when I found this book as when I knew him, he didn’t seem the type of person to write a book, but then again after almost twenty years people change, and I was proven wrong.  I enjoyed this story and it was obvious that he had either hiked the trail or done his research really well as you could follow Paul’s trek north on the interactive trail map on the internet and when he stopped somewhere you could find the establishments they visited on Google maps, good job Lee (even got a plug for Sawyers Run in).  As I listened to the story it seemed like almost every chapter my thoughts as to the eventual end would change and the actual end was one, I had not envisioned.  Keep up the good work Lee, I’ll definitely look for other work from you pen.

Adventure of a lifetime

Outstanding read. Lot's of high's and Lowe's, and emotional swings. It's really everything you could hope for in an adventure novel. Can't wait for the author's next offering!

Agree with the "Serious Flaws" and "Fictional"

I agree with the above reviews citing " fiction", and decent but with "serious flaws ",
I love all hiking memoirs, after listening to sample I used my credit to purchase. I guess I did not read the exact description, I was expecting non-fiction, but soon figured out it was a fictional story. Ok, no problem, but there are just a lot of issues with it. Paul the main character is supposed to be around age 30ish in the year 2022. However, some of the humor and dialog is a bit cliche and dated, and doesn't seem to fit a young person in 2022. Also it seems almost like someone's "fantasy hike" (without the health issues of the main character of course). By fantasy I mean even though there are moments of issues and imperfection as you would expect on the trail.......there is also a bit too much appearing of the "perfect" trail magic at the "perfect" time. The "perfect" dog appears who just so happens to be made "perfect" for the trail and falls in love with the new owner a bit too easily. And the love story is very cliché "perfect", it just doesn't seem realistic, or for there to be any reason for the female to be so in love with the dude....so it got to be a bit unbelievable and not relatable. I also felt like the "gayest hiker" bit, was unnecessary, and I didn't care for the dated, clichéd, stereotypical gay references of the "gayest hiker" being flamboyant and feminine. Not sure what the point of that was...also didn't like he named a hiker "Quadzilla"...but he was French??...as there is a real thru hiker named Quadzilla, who is not French, but who is fairly prominent in the community and with his you-tube channel. if felt like that was a total copy of the trailname and quad abilities.
The good parts....it was an easy listen, the info about the AT seemed fairly accurate, and at times it was entertaining, even with its flaws, you get invested in the characters. I loved the first half but as it went on, it just became a bit too predictable and Paul was a bit too much the "hero".....even though Paul would say the right things to make him seem humble (think "like a Tom Cruise character"). Paul however was a complete immature idiot at the ending. So some things just didn't match up. Overall an amateur-ish read I would say. it's enjoyable enough if you overlook the flaws. It could also be my own personal experiences that make those flaws more noticeable to me. They may not be as strong or noticeable to another person.
I hate to be too critical, I havent written a book, but this author has, so hats off! But...a few tweaks maybe for the next one! Read it and decide for yourself!

Moving, Poignant and Authentic

The Appalachian Trail and those people Paul meets along his last hike play a pivotal role in his life. Fraught with health issues and a rare blood type that makes his survival almost nil, Paul decides to face the extreme weather conditions of what he calls his Last Hike. Joined on the hike with others also facing life issues, Paul and his new friends move forward encountering different hardships, companionship, love, and more.

Lee Lovelace tells a unique story with a twist at the end that will reduce the listener to tears. Lovelace draws upon his father’s journals and the memories from his mother to tell the story of his father’s journey in poignant and vivid details. The pain, joy, doubt, and finally love, are described in clear and graphic detail.

Jack de Golia narrates this tale of a man in pain who experiences the final joy of life coming full circle. de Golia gives a compelling narration of Paul’s journey with tonal inflections and a cadence reflective of Paul’s personality and experiences. I cannot think of a better narrator for this book than Jack de Golia. His skills and talents further enriched an already moving story.

A moving, and compelling story told by the son using his father’s words. Authentic and impressive, the listener cannot help but be moved. This is a book I highly recommend.

There were no issues with the sound or quality of this audiobook, it was well done.

Review The last Hike

Great story...Worth the listen! Enjoyed the story line and characters . If you love AT stories don't skip this one.

Great story of last adventure

I enjoyed this book as the story and characters unfolded. I could easily see. This book become a movie. But hopefully a different ending. That was my only issue. Very enjoyable listen and I'll definitely listen again.