Reviews

The Last Forever by Deb Caletti

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.

bibliosteph's review against another edition

I reviewed this for School Library Journal. I'll paste my review here after it's published.

kalesho's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

anndren's review against another edition

3.0

Eh. Deb Caletti is either hit or miss for me, and this was a miss. I liked the change in storyline with the love plot, but the protagonist was forgettable. The characters bonded too quickly to be believable, and Henry seemed like an Edward Cullen knock off with the piano playing and the constant reading. He didn't do much as a character for me, but neither did Tess. Or Jenny. Or the father. Not bad for a nice, quick read.

lory_blanco's review against another edition

4.0

This book was magical. There were so many elements to this book that I just loved so much. We have the main character Tess, who has recently lost her mother and she is trying to deal with the grief and guilt of it. One day her father decides he wants to go on a road trip and they leave their lives behind and embark on this journey. But soon she finds herself on this tiny island where her father grew up. Here she meets Henry Lark. And she immediately feels a connection to him. I loved their relationship. Its definitely not your typical Ya romance that you would expect. They connect more on an intellectual level. And of course Henry has his secrets.
All through this they are trying to figure out how to save a plant. Yes a plant, people. It has been in the family for years and recently it has started to die. They embark on this journey on trying to save it. All I can say its the first book thats made me fall in love with a plant.

I really recommend this book. Its one of the best books about grief, loss and recovery Ive ever read.

anpanini's review against another edition

2.0

Honestly underwhelming. Deb Caletti keeps setting up situations where characters are healing, plots that are generally pretty okay. Then, she wrenches them with horrid plot twists that prove to be anticlimactic and dull. Henry is gay, and although I would've been fine with this, it was presented in such a way that it made it seem like Caletti was just trying to be "woke". Like no. Stop. Stop right there. Right when Tessa started being resilient and taking control of her life, Henry shatters it into pieces. Henry used her. He knew he had to sort things out, but if Elijah hadn't come that night when he did, Tess's virginity would be gone. To whom? Someone who didn't even love her? Yeah...honestly, Deb made it seem like we should still like Henry as a character, but after hurting Tess so much and just crusading off without a second glance- really makes it seem like he doesn't care. Sexuality is not the only factor people look at when deciding whether a character is good or bad. I loved the characters and the plot. Until the ending, this book was pretty fluffy.

elizabethseebee's review against another edition

5.0

I can't help it, I just love Deb Caletti books...

daniellejones's review against another edition

5.0

Heartbreaking.
I want to run away to the San Juan, and escape, and do nothing but read Deb Caletti novels.

kyouen's review against another edition

4.0

As always, I really enjoyed Deb Caletti's writing. Tessa was a wonderful narrator. I really was able to get into her shoes to feel her loss and guilt over the death of her mother. The supporting characters were great, too. Tessa's relationship with her father changes with her mother gone, and at first she isn't able to wrap her mind around that. She believes in the black and white "a parent takes care of the child" thought, and when this is shattered, she has a hard time coming to terms with it. The dips in their relationship are very realistic. It allowed for character growth for both of them, which is something I really enjoy reading.

I'm glad that Caletti took us back to a familiar place (Parrish Island) to connect with familiar characters (from other books). We get to see that they've continued living, and I really enjoyed that. She introduces a few other characters that are Tessa's age, but the most important one to Tessa is Henry. She doesn't particularly like the others, but she tries to because they're important to him. The protagonists in Caletti novels usually fall in love quickly, and that happens in The Last Forever. When we fall in love, people always want to give us advice (or withhold it) and Tessa has to deal with her grandmother and father's protective wings.

I have a hard time believing that her grandmother wouldn't have warned her that Henry was dating a boy before he met Tessa, however.

All in all, I really enjoyed this book

although I didn't like the shocking way that Henry's sexuality was revealed (apparently I was one of the few that didn't see it coming)

. The characters were well-rounded, and I wish I could see more about their lives and how the relationships advance.