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atgerstner's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
nicolemarieslibrary's review against another edition
2.0
Felt it was very repetitive and didn’t flow well. The book explores mourning, loss, illness and moving forward. Unfortunately, it just feels so slow to me.
laurensreads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
honeybri_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
booklovingtaylor's review against another edition
4.0
The Last Love Note gutted me. I went in pretty blind, only knowing that it was getting rave reviews, but I absolutely loved it.
Definitely check those trigger warnings before you pick up this book because it is heavy (and beautiful).
Synopsis: Our main character Kate has been widowed for 2 years and is barely holding life together with her son Charlie. She feels like getting over her beloved Cam is a mountain she will never be able to climb. Her friends are the glue in her life, including her boss and friend Hugh. When they end up stranded on a work trip, Kate is forced to look at her life as it stands and what she wants her future to look like.
I loved the relationship between Kate and her support system. They were all there for her during the worst moments of her life, especially Hugh who truly didn't need to be since he started as simply her boss. Without giving away spoilers, the ending was so wonderful and made the rollercoaster of emotions while reading worth it.
My one thing is that while this is classified as a rom-com, it didn't feel very heavy on the "com" aspect. Yes, there were parts that were funny but it wasn't giving silly vibes and a relationship based on its comedic tension. Not a huge deal, but just don't head into it thinking you'll get lots of laughs.
Overall, I loved this book. I listened via audio and the narrator was Australian which was a fun bonus. Highly recommend.
Definitely check those trigger warnings before you pick up this book because it is heavy (and beautiful).
Synopsis: Our main character Kate has been widowed for 2 years and is barely holding life together with her son Charlie. She feels like getting over her beloved Cam is a mountain she will never be able to climb. Her friends are the glue in her life, including her boss and friend Hugh. When they end up stranded on a work trip, Kate is forced to look at her life as it stands and what she wants her future to look like.
I loved the relationship between Kate and her support system. They were all there for her during the worst moments of her life, especially Hugh who truly didn't need to be since he started as simply her boss. Without giving away spoilers, the ending was so wonderful and made the rollercoaster of emotions while reading worth it.
My one thing is that while this is classified as a rom-com, it didn't feel very heavy on the "com" aspect. Yes, there were parts that were funny but it wasn't giving silly vibes and a relationship based on its comedic tension. Not a huge deal, but just don't head into it thinking you'll get lots of laughs.
Overall, I loved this book. I listened via audio and the narrator was Australian which was a fun bonus. Highly recommend.
aspaller's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
llothspeich's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
erin819's review against another edition
4.0
Emma Grey delivers a poignant and authentic portrayal of grief that resonates long after the final page of The Last Love Note. Set against the backdrop of Kate's journey through loss and love, the novel offers a heartfelt exploration of the complexities of grief and the possibility of finding love again.
At the heart of the story is Kate, a woman grappling with the devastating loss of her husband Cameron. Through her experiences, the author skillfully captures the raw emotions and rollercoaster of grief, from the initial shock to the messy process of rebuilding a life without the person she loved. Kate's journey is both heartbreaking and relatable, drawing listeners into her world and eliciting empathy for her pain and struggles.
What sets The Last Love Note apart is its honest portrayal of grief as a messy, nonlinear process. Kate's journey is not neatly packaged or resolved overnight; instead, it unfolds organically, with moments of laughter, tears, and unexpected twists along the way. The author's nuanced approach to depicting grief adds depth and authenticity to the narrative, making it feel all the more genuine and resonant.
As someone who recently lost her mom to brain cancer, I found the story incredibly relatable. Cameron, dealing with his neurological decline and the way the author portrayed Kate’s feelings and actions in response often had me in tears. So many aspects were akin to my own personal experience.
However, through Kate's interactions with her mom, best friend, and enigmatic boss, Hugh, the novel explores the complexities of human relationships in the wake of loss. Each character contributes to Kate's journey in their own way, offering support, companionship, and sometimes, unexpected challenges. These relationships add richness and depth to the story, highlighting the importance of connection and community in navigating grief and finding hope for the future.
As Kate grapples with the possibility of letting go of the love of her life and opening her heart to new possibilities, the novel delves into themes of resilience, healing, and the transformative power of love. Kate’s dive into Cameron’s left-behind notes becomes a poignant metaphor for Kate's journey toward acceptance and letting go, culminating in a heartfelt and satisfying conclusion that reaffirms the resilience of the human heart.
The Last Love Note is a beautifully written and emotionally resonant novel that captures the essence of grief with sensitivity and depth. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a heartfelt and uplifting read.
At the heart of the story is Kate, a woman grappling with the devastating loss of her husband Cameron. Through her experiences, the author skillfully captures the raw emotions and rollercoaster of grief, from the initial shock to the messy process of rebuilding a life without the person she loved. Kate's journey is both heartbreaking and relatable, drawing listeners into her world and eliciting empathy for her pain and struggles.
What sets The Last Love Note apart is its honest portrayal of grief as a messy, nonlinear process. Kate's journey is not neatly packaged or resolved overnight; instead, it unfolds organically, with moments of laughter, tears, and unexpected twists along the way. The author's nuanced approach to depicting grief adds depth and authenticity to the narrative, making it feel all the more genuine and resonant.
As someone who recently lost her mom to brain cancer, I found the story incredibly relatable. Cameron, dealing with his neurological decline and the way the author portrayed Kate’s feelings and actions in response often had me in tears. So many aspects were akin to my own personal experience.
However, through Kate's interactions with her mom, best friend, and enigmatic boss, Hugh, the novel explores the complexities of human relationships in the wake of loss. Each character contributes to Kate's journey in their own way, offering support, companionship, and sometimes, unexpected challenges. These relationships add richness and depth to the story, highlighting the importance of connection and community in navigating grief and finding hope for the future.
As Kate grapples with the possibility of letting go of the love of her life and opening her heart to new possibilities, the novel delves into themes of resilience, healing, and the transformative power of love. Kate’s dive into Cameron’s left-behind notes becomes a poignant metaphor for Kate's journey toward acceptance and letting go, culminating in a heartfelt and satisfying conclusion that reaffirms the resilience of the human heart.
The Last Love Note is a beautifully written and emotionally resonant novel that captures the essence of grief with sensitivity and depth. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a heartfelt and uplifting read.
mpshain's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
tiffanynoel's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
“This is not a fork in the road, I realize. It’s just the road. There’s no Story A and Story B. There’s one, imperfect, meandering direction.”
Oh wow. This book just reached into my chest, grabbed my heart, and squeezed.
The descriptions and portrayals of grief were so vivid and so heartbreaking. I knew from the very start that the author had felt those things herself.
Kate is incredible. Faced with unimaginable loss and pain, she keeps going. She keeps fighting. And she finds her way through the darkness. Not to “get past it” but to learn how to keep living.
And Hugh. I didn’t see him for who he was at the beginning, much like Kate. But I love him. He is so good and kind and I’m so proud of him and Kate both.
I would 100% recommend this book. But it’s almost guaranteed to make you cry.
“How long is it reasonable to drag out your recovery from grief until you’re expected to get your act together again? Or maybe that’s where I’m going wrong. You don’t recover from it. There is no “healed” moment. You just absorb it into your new life, somehow, and go from there.”
Oh wow. This book just reached into my chest, grabbed my heart, and squeezed.
The descriptions and portrayals of grief were so vivid and so heartbreaking. I knew from the very start that the author had felt those things herself.
Kate is incredible. Faced with unimaginable loss and pain, she keeps going. She keeps fighting. And she finds her way through the darkness. Not to “get past it” but to learn how to keep living.
And Hugh. I didn’t see him for who he was at the beginning, much like Kate. But I love him. He is so good and kind and I’m so proud of him and Kate both.
I would 100% recommend this book. But it’s almost guaranteed to make you cry.
“How long is it reasonable to drag out your recovery from grief until you’re expected to get your act together again? Or maybe that’s where I’m going wrong. You don’t recover from it. There is no “healed” moment. You just absorb it into your new life, somehow, and go from there.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death and Miscarriage