The Last Time We Say Goodbye by Cynthia Hand on February 1, 2015
Source: Edelweiss, Publisher
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult
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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.
There’s been an influx of YA books about suicide lately, and I was skeptical about picking this one up after reading I Was Here and All the Bright Places. But The Last Time We Say Goodbye set itself apart with the authenticity of Lexxie’s feelings and character relationships, and I’m really glad I read it.
If there’s anything that really stood out, it was the love that Lexxie had for her brother Tyler, which she relives in her thoughts and memories. Her perspective is full of grief and regret, and it’s incredibly heart breaking the way she relives the months, weeks and days before Tyler commits suicide. As someone with a brother myself, I found their sibling relationship really relatable as they jibe, bicker and care for each other just by being there. I felt really sad that Tyler was gone, because you could see just how much he was loved.
Of course, being angry is pointless. Unproductive. They don’t understand yet. They are all waiting for that one phone call that will change everything. That every one of them will feel like me eventually. Because someone they love will die. It’s one of life’s cruel certainties.
Lexxie was a really authentic character who I admired for being true to herself. As someone who is dealing with trauma and denies herself of any happiness, she copes in the most logical way she can – by distancing herself from her friends and family as she grieves. Her quiet reflection, regrets and grief on losing her brother was heartbreaking, emotional, as she slowly learns to let go and move on. I loved Lexxie as a character, with her mathletic genius, her quiet reflection and her angst which was expressed in the most elegant of ways. She wasn’t perfect, but was flawed enough to feel genuine.
The Last Time We Say Goodbye explores the aftermath of family and friends dealing with suicide. Lexxie’s mother turns to alcoholism, while her largely absent father tries to reconnect. Lexxie continually blames herself for not recognising the signs, and wondering if she did one thing different, if the outcome would be different. There was so much more to the book than just her grief though, as you’ll find out through her diary entries. It reminds us that as much as you’d like to be there for one another, even though you’re experiencing the same pain, you’ll cope in different ways. If you’re suffering yourself, you don’t have any capacity to relate to others, much less be there for them. Everyone who was close to Tyler, grieved in their own ways, whether it was alcoholism, guilt, regret or depression.
This is going to sound trite, I suppose, but you never know when it’s going to be the last time. That you hug someone. That you kiss. That you say goodbye.
There is a past romance, and it didn’t detract form the book at all. Because of her grief and guilt, Lexxie’s reluctance in connecting with her ex-boyfriend Steven was made clear. But he was such a sweet guy who clearly still had feelings for her, who wanted to be there for her but was respectful of the distance that she needed. I loved reliving their relationship as they got together through Lexxie’s diary entries, and how they had clear chemistry and geeked out over certain things. Although the focus on the book isn’t on the romance, this was a couple that seemed to really click.
Tyler’s ghostly presence in the novel added an unexpected mystery to the novel. It didn’t really become a paranormal book though and I was thankful for the logical explanation towards the end of the book.
The Last Time We Say Goodbye is an incredibly beautiful, heart breaking and elegant exploration into grief after a loved one’s suicide. After reading the author’s note on how she experienced the same thing Lexxie did, it made sense how authentic the book felt. If you pick up a YA book about suicide, make it this one. It’s an emotional journey that everyone should experience, written with beauty and grace.
Rating: 5 out of 5
I received a review copy of this book from the publisher via Edelweiss.
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I love the recommendations! Hopefully more people can start reading books. A lot of them have such amazing insights and value to obtain!
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All I can say is I think I need this book in my life. I honestly feel like it's one of those books that would work it's way up into my ultimate favourites! I really hope I can get my hands on it sooonnn.
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I really can't wait to read this booK! *-* It's been in my WL for months now!
However I'm reading All the bright places now, which is also about suicide, so I guess I'll wait a little bit before picking this one up 🙂
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I'm emotional just reading your review Jeann, I don't know how my heart will cope reading this. I'm a sook at the best of times and lately have been feeling even fiction incredibly deeply. I love seeing sibling relationships in YA, positive relationships (or in this case, memories) and exploring the realism and dynamics. Not having a brother, it makes me wish I had of had one growing up.
Lovely review Jeann, have this one sitting on my shelf and need to get to it soon. Better make sure I have plenty of tissues on hand.
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Fantastic review Jeann! This book was definitely an emotional read, and Cynthia Hand truly delivered with her moving prose. I liked how even though it was predominately about grief, there was still a glimpse of hope at the end that life does go on.
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Thanks Genie, I thought it was absolutely fantastic! You described it perfectly.
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The more I hear about this the more I am convinced that I should check it out from the library. It'll be heart wrenching, but seeing how much you and everyone else loves it makes me think it'll be worth all the pain.
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Definitely pick it up from the library, I am so glad I found it there!
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I had this one in the list of maybes, but after your amazing review I'm totally putting it in the list of must-haves!
Brilliant review Jeann!
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Yay, I'm so glad you moved it up your TBR pili! It was amazing.
Oh wow 5 out of 5 stars? I heard good things about this novel, it sounds really emotional and wonderful though. I should finally check this one out for myself now, Great review Jeann <3
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Yup, it really was fantastic! Thanks Benish.
Oh wow, so glad to see that you loved this one a lot! I have only heard brilliant things about this author and would love to try one of her books, this one included. Added it to my TBR! Great review 🙂
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It was really wonderful Olivia!
I do agree that there seems to be a running YA trend at the moment of writing about suicide. However, I actually really like this trend. It's good to finally see mental health being discussed in popular fiction. This book, and All The Bright Places are definitely on my TBR list.
Another good book about mental health, particularly depression, is Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher. It was an incredible book, I strongly recommend it.
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It's a great trend isn't it, I'm glad we're finally reading about the real issues. I have that book, I need to read it! Thanks for the recommendation.
"This is going to sound trite, I suppose, but you never know when it’s going to be the last time. That you hug someone. That you kiss. That you say goodbye."
That quote right there just basically gave me all the feels. I was going to ignore this book, because I feel like I've read too many suicide books already, but it really does sound beautiful. I guess I'll just have to read one more.
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Oh yes, I felt the same, I probably wouldn't have picked it up if I didn't buddy read it. This one is good!
I'm so happy you loved this one, Jeann! I wasn't as into it emotionally as everyone else, but that's entirely my fault. It did have a gorgeous writing style and I have to agree with you wholeheartedly about the love that the MC had for her brother. It was heartbreaking to see her go through all of that.
Lovely review!
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Oh it was such a wonderful story! Thanks Nick!
Oh wow. I'd love to read this! Thanks for reviewing this one 🙂
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NP Braine happy to help!
Oh this does sound incredibly emotional. I don't have any siblings (just a half brother but I barely know him), and one that I consider my sibling but not related by blood. So I guess even though I don't have siblings, I think I would still understand what Lexxie was feeling.
Sounds like a great read to sob and bawl over! Will be adding this to my TBR hahah. Thanks for the amazing review Jeann!
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That's a good point Val, even if it wasn't related by blood you could still relate in some way if you don't have siblings. No problems lovely!
This was so sad! =( I loved it though!
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I know, I loved it as well!
Great review! I really want to read this one, but I was such a mess after All The Bright Places and I was here. I needed a little time before picking up another book about suicide. I am looking forward to reading this one though.
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Thanks Cynthia, I totally know what you mean, these books are very emotional! You should read it because the author shares the same name, hehe
YESSS I REALLY LOVED THIS ONE. Especially loved how it was about moving on – I think that's a really important message, and the survivors of suicide aren't often talked about in books.
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I know, I was surprised that I loved it so much! It was a beautiful book, very moving.