The Last Time We Say Goodbye

By: Cynthia Hand

Narrated by: Julia Whelan

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 best-selling author Cynthia Hand, The Last Time We Say Goodbye is a gorgeous and heart-wrenching story of love, loss, and letting go.

©2015 Cynthia Hand (P)2015 HarperCollins Publishers

An amazing book! and narrator ;)

This was a very thought provoking book. There were a few places tht had me in tears.

Heart Breaking

First book I've ever read that brought me to tears! Omg the letter and the journal brought on solid tears and Julia whelan as always does a wonderful job narrating, She is one of my favorites! I would absolutely recommend this book!

Pretty Good Overall

This was pretty good overall. The narrator was entertaining to listen to, and the story tugged at my heartstrings during a few moments.

Real and Beautifully written.

I know this author is writing from experience and she really expresses the pain and and heartache that happens when you lose a loved one. This is very different than her other books. I like that she didn't sugar coat parts of it. Suicide is such a hard subject to write about but I think it was very real. It is labeled as a romance which I don't think is right. Not sure what it would be. The F bombs were enough that it shouldn't be young adult. Very well written and the narrator was perfect.

Sadly believable

A good story about a terrible subject. This book realistically captures teen suicide and the effects it has on those around the victim. I thought the story was realistic interesting unbelievable the way it was told still kind of kept you guessing as to what had really happened and how it was going to turn out. Overall, it was an enjoyable read it did create some tears at the end.

Emotional story of love and loss

Narrated with perfection by Julia Whelan (the main reason I bought the book)... My usual genre is mystery, detective, etc. However, through the tears and grief, “The Last Time We Said Goodbye” brought forward characters’ emotional turmoil and hit home for me. Author Cynthia Hand pens a devastating and tender storyline, leading us through loss, grief and sentiments that brought a family’s painful memories to the surface after tragically losing a loved one. I could relate to Lex’s pain and her attempt at putting her life back together. I wasn’t sure if I was ready for this heartbreaker, but I was and I found it helpful and enlightening. Thank you to all involved for making this intensely sentimental book available. A powerful ending. Keep the Kleenex nearby.
💔✍🏻⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✍🏻💔

just perfect

loved this book, sad and sobering but real and gritty and helpful to those of us who have lost someone

Grief

Grade: C+

Two months ago, Lex's younger brother Tyler committed suicide. Now her mother won't stop crying and drinking, her father stays distant with his new wife, and Lex is tired with all the looks of pity from her friends. She just wants to be left alone. Her therapist encourages her to write in a journal about first and lasts. At night she dreams of Ty, during the day she sees flashes of him, smells his cologne and wonders if his ghost is still in the house.

Cynthia Hand has written a creative, emotional book about the impact of suicide on survivors. The book has journal entries, describing the past in firsts and last, woven between what's happening in the present. Lex's voice is unique in that she thinks in terms of math and mathematical equations to make sense of her life. She does numbers better than feelings as do her best friends and ex-boyfriend who wants to get back together. At home she's parentified by a mom who can barely function. She pushes her friends away and is thoughtless in how she speaks and talks to others, yet her pain is so raw, I could understand why she was acting the way she was. We didn't learn that much about the minor characters. I didn't like Steven, her ex. I actually found his devotion a bit creepy. I think Hand probably wanted to write the perfect boyfriend, but in that attempt, she missed the mark for me.

THE LAST TIME WE SAID GOODBYE is more a character study as Lex works through her grief. Although not much happens throughout the story, the pace feels comfortable and didn't drag. As Lex healed, the book fizzled to a forgettable ending. I gave three rather than four stars because I think if I am asked about the details of the novel tomorrow, I won't remember. I probably wouldn't reread. The narration of the audiobook elevated the story.

Themes: suicide, depression, divorce, family, friends, grief

So emotional

Even though this was a book for teens, people of all ages will get something out of this book. Grief hits us all. We can’t escape it and this book took you thru all the stages of it

Sad and powerful

This is a heartbreaking story that's beautifully told. It's a realistic look at how suicide affects those left behind confused and wrecked. Whelan is wonderful as always.