Review | The Last Time We Say Goodbye

The Last Time We Say Goodbye by Cynthia Hand
February 2015 by HarperTeen
390 pages
Five stars


"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



Cynthia Hand is one of my favorite authors. After I finished the Unearthly trilogy, I was anxiously anticipating her next book. She posted somewhere that while she was writing this book, she was in tears. I knew this was a book I needed to read, even before I knew what it was about. Cynthia Hand is really good at, what I like to call, the feels. Cynthia writes about grief so well. She really captures what it feels like. Her books always hit home with me, and usually, I cry. This book was no different.

I lost my dad last year and I was really nervous to read this book, which is why it took me so long after it was published to read it. I've also had a few friends pass away, one due to suicide. I've owned this book since the week it was published, but I just didn't know if I was ready to read it yet. I tried starting it a few times but just couldn't keep reading. Not because I didn't like the story, but because like Lex, I wasn't ready to come to terms with my feelings. I really had to wait until I was ready to read this. 

The Last Time We Say Goodbye is about a girl who's younger brother commits suicide. It's a story about love, loss, grief and forgiveness. It's about the months after the funeral, and trying to make sense of what has happened, and finding a way to live in this world after the worst case scenario has happened. I really don't want to say much about the plot. This story is very hard to read at times. I think it's a very important book though, weather you have experienced loss or not. You really feel all that Lex is feeling. It opens up old wounds and makes you really appreciate your loved ones. It shows you, that you can make it through, and come out on the other side. Though it is heart wrenching at times, it is a beautiful story. I love these characters and feel for them.

While this book is not autobiographical, as Cynthia points out at the end, it does hit especially close to home for her. I just want to thank her for writing this story because it's so beautiful and so important. Grief is a very hard thing to live with and I can't imagine how difficult it was to write this book. After reading this, I do think that it has allowed me to heal and accept things in my own life. So, thank you Cynthia. You really are a phenomenal writer.