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jz_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
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? It's complicated
3.75
Caletti's writing pleasantly surprised me, especially in the story's conclusion. While some aspects of this coming-of-age novel manifest as overly-dramatic and cheesy, such as the rare nature of Tessa's plant, her intense mommy and daddy issues, and the bizarre tendency of all the townspeople to immediately befriend her, the overall reading experience was a positive one. I appreciated how the ending focused on Tessa resolving her relationships with her parents, rather than jumping into a romantic relationship with Henry. Ultimately, this was a bittersweet story about grief and growing up---one I'm glad I read. My favorite quote: “It’s our destination, and I feel choked up, and I just stop for a moment to feel this: an arrival, an ending” (Caletti 313).
asealey925's review against another edition
5.0
Originally published at http://www.apatchworkofbooks.com
Deb Caletti is one of those authors who I just love. I anticipate early spring every year, because that means a new book will be on the shelves for me to fall in love with. Her writing is just beautiful and her characters relatable and complex. Her books are some of my very favorites to gift my teen nieces, because I know they'll be a hit, no matter the subject.
The Last Forever is the latest of Caletti's lovelies to hit the shelves. We meet Tessa, a sweet girl still mourning the death of her mother. She's desperate to keep her mother's rare plant alive, believing it's the last link they really share. Throw in a road trip, a beach town, a new job, and a kind (and cute) guy and the combination creates a beautiful story.
I always find a bit of myself in Caletti's stories and this one was no exception. When my own mother passed away a little over five years ago, I became the owner of her huge, beautiful jade plant. Unfortunately, having to move it from Florida to New Mexico and then eventually to Virginia was just too much for that plant and little by little it died, until I was only left with about a 4 inch stem I was determined to transplant and keep alive (spoiler alert... I failed). I saw myself in Tessa - desperate to keep that last connection to something beautiful, something my mother loved, even though it was simply a material thing.
The writing is gorgeously detailed and the characters each were perfectly plotted into the story. I loved every minute with this book and I know I'll be eagerly waiting for next spring to get another book by this fabulous author. Thanks for the experience, Ms. Caletti... it's always a pleasure!
Deb Caletti is one of those authors who I just love. I anticipate early spring every year, because that means a new book will be on the shelves for me to fall in love with. Her writing is just beautiful and her characters relatable and complex. Her books are some of my very favorites to gift my teen nieces, because I know they'll be a hit, no matter the subject.
The Last Forever is the latest of Caletti's lovelies to hit the shelves. We meet Tessa, a sweet girl still mourning the death of her mother. She's desperate to keep her mother's rare plant alive, believing it's the last link they really share. Throw in a road trip, a beach town, a new job, and a kind (and cute) guy and the combination creates a beautiful story.
I always find a bit of myself in Caletti's stories and this one was no exception. When my own mother passed away a little over five years ago, I became the owner of her huge, beautiful jade plant. Unfortunately, having to move it from Florida to New Mexico and then eventually to Virginia was just too much for that plant and little by little it died, until I was only left with about a 4 inch stem I was determined to transplant and keep alive (spoiler alert... I failed). I saw myself in Tessa - desperate to keep that last connection to something beautiful, something my mother loved, even though it was simply a material thing.
The writing is gorgeously detailed and the characters each were perfectly plotted into the story. I loved every minute with this book and I know I'll be eagerly waiting for next spring to get another book by this fabulous author. Thanks for the experience, Ms. Caletti... it's always a pleasure!
sammah's review against another edition
4.0
I had never read anything but Deb Caletti before this, but oh my heart! I really loved the characters in this, and while the way that Tess found out about Henry was a little bit shit...I don't know. I still loved him as a character, and I just wanted things to work out so everyone was happy. It just really made y heart hurt, in a good way, and I'm definitely looking forward to reading more by this author!
eunicecherry's review against another edition
3.0
This book surprised me at one point but I found it really hard to connect with the main character. Overall 2.5 stars.
leahamyy's review against another edition
5.0
I have absolutely fallen in love with this book. Deb Caletti is a wonderful author, but sometimes her books can be a little hit or miss. This one is a definite hit and has quite possibly taken the spot of my favorite Caletti book. Yeah, it's that good. I read it in about 6 hours just because I couldn't put it down.
I think I loved it so much because Tessa was so relatable, at least to me. It's like I was reading about myself. She could be really sensitive and then sarcastic, but all around just real and raw. Her emotions weren't exaggerated or crazily displayed. I felt everything she felt. I loved that she was a book worm just like me and I completely understand her point of view on things.
**spoiler starts here
I knew there was something weird about Henry. She always had to ask him to kiss her or hold her, yet he told her he loved her and acted so perfect. However, I definitely didn't see it coming that he was in love with Elijah. I didn't like Elijah from the start, but I thought his attitude was just the way he was, not because he was in love with Henry. But it makes a lot of sense.
Even though this book was slightly predictable in the sense that OF COURSE she's going to go put the seed in the vault, I loved how it happened and that she actually did get to go and preserve Pix. I think that was really good closure for her because she wasn't there for her mom when she died.
Everything in this book was insightful. I loved the real pain and loss but also the real love-the relationships Tessa was able to build with Henry, Jennie, and even Sasha and Larry. There were so many quotes that I took from this about life and loss in general.
I think I loved it so much because Tessa was so relatable, at least to me. It's like I was reading about myself. She could be really sensitive and then sarcastic, but all around just real and raw. Her emotions weren't exaggerated or crazily displayed. I felt everything she felt. I loved that she was a book worm just like me and I completely understand her point of view on things.
**spoiler starts here
I knew there was something weird about Henry. She always had to ask him to kiss her or hold her, yet he told her he loved her and acted so perfect. However, I definitely didn't see it coming that he was in love with Elijah. I didn't like Elijah from the start, but I thought his attitude was just the way he was, not because he was in love with Henry. But it makes a lot of sense.
Even though this book was slightly predictable in the sense that OF COURSE she's going to go put the seed in the vault, I loved how it happened and that she actually did get to go and preserve Pix. I think that was really good closure for her because she wasn't there for her mom when she died.
Everything in this book was insightful. I loved the real pain and loss but also the real love-the relationships Tessa was able to build with Henry, Jennie, and even Sasha and Larry. There were so many quotes that I took from this about life and loss in general.
smlunden's review against another edition
3.0
difficult to rate. i like libraries, plants, and super-cold places. so loved all that. but i related to the main character a bit less than i wanted to, and while there was some good content on grieving, i never really got sad or weepy. i felt like...maybe i should have?
jennatanner's review against another edition
3.0
Him being gay and them being just besties just wasn’t my cup of tea, I may have threw the book a couple times. Other than that I loved the writing style and I loved Tess’s character and I actually laughed out loud a few times
twinkle's review against another edition
2.0
There's a few things in the book, particularly towards the end, that I wish were addressed more thoroughly.
Spoiler
It might have helped a lot if Henry was given some POV chapters within the book. I understand that this is supposed to be Tessa's journey, but the big reveal that came in the end felt like a plot device without more insight with what was going on with Henry. Maybe I didn't read the book thoroughly, but I felt like I missed something there.jnnorton's review against another edition
2.0
Ok so I’m sure this book deserves more than two stars but I went into it expecting a fluffy cute romantic story but got a greased over love story side plot and a main story of grief. I picked up this book for a fun and happy read but obviously that’s not what I got and being the person I am once I start a book I have to finish it. I can honestly say it’s the worst ya book I’ve ever read. Probably because I can’t relate to it as much and I am very grateful I can’t relate to it because it is about grief but even if I could it was sooooooo slow. There were some secrets that I was wondering what the answers were but once I found out the excitement lasted for exactly two pages. And the big plot twist totally destroyed the love interest which again is why I was reading the book. Mainly I’m mad at the summary for making it seem like a romance book. It is not. I repeat it is not a romance book!!!!! It is a story about grief and getting over the loss of a mother!!!!!!!! And even when there was romantic development it was totally skimmed over and all of a sudden a month has passed and their dating!!! I want the fluff!!!!!!
So basically I’m sure you would love this book if you have lost someone in the past but don’t go into it expecting romance.
So basically I’m sure you would love this book if you have lost someone in the past but don’t go into it expecting romance.