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wafflewombat's review
funny
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
gggina13's review
4.0
As someone who grew up in a similar situation, I feel this book does a good job portraying the feelings that come along with it. Brooke’s inner struggle is so sad and real.
moniquemaggiore's review
5.0
Such an amazing book, that I had difficulty putting down from the very beginning. I like how Smith is not afraid to write about some difficult topics and I also like how unlike her last book which she wrote in the main characters high school years (freshman year, sophomore year, junior year and senior year), she wrote this book in seasons (summer, fall, winter and spring). I liked all the characters and felt that they were compelling. While reading the book, I could picture Brooke, Callie, Jackie, Dani and Aaron. I found myself continuing reading to learn why everything happened. This was an emotional roller coaster book, that captured me from page one.
romantasylife's review
3.0
CW: abuse (physical + mental), death/murder
This book isn't what I was expecting. I went into it blind and I'm glad I did. Unfortunately, this book didn't do it for me like the other two books of Amber's. I didn't connect with Brooke.
I feel like in order to give a book a higher rating than three stars, I have to feel something for the main character. I cared more about all the side characters that were affected by Brooke's actions.
Amber Smith is still one of my favorite YA authors!
This book isn't what I was expecting. I went into it blind and I'm glad I did. Unfortunately, this book didn't do it for me like the other two books of Amber's. I didn't connect with Brooke.
I feel like in order to give a book a higher rating than three stars, I have to feel something for the main character. I cared more about all the side characters that were affected by Brooke's actions.
Amber Smith is still one of my favorite YA authors!
abbievillehorror's review
5.0
This book is very very good, but it is also very very hard to read, especially if you have experienced domestic violence in any way. Amber is an excellent writer and tackles this difficult and, as she points out in her author’s note, often stigmatized issue with respect and grace. However, she also does tackle it fully and without looking away. Though the book takes place in the aftermath of Brooke’s abusive father’s death, there are a few flashbacks to the abuse that are very emotional and can be very triggering. I know I personally had to take a step back from the book during the grape juice scene, so please keep that in mind if you think reliving a domestic abuse scene will be triggering for you.
That said, I am glad that I kept reading and got to see Brooke and each member of her family find peace in their own ways—showing the complexities of grief, love, and abuse and how all of those things intersect differently for different people.
That said, I am glad that I kept reading and got to see Brooke and each member of her family find peace in their own ways—showing the complexities of grief, love, and abuse and how all of those things intersect differently for different people.
cojack's review
4.0
Heavy topic (domestic violence, one parent killing the other, teen struggling to try to keep her family together) but beautifully rendered. Smith’s prose is a cut above more standard YA fare. Brooke was pretty frustrating main character, though. Read my full review on Common Sense Media: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/the-last-to-let-go
wayfaringbibliomaniac's review
5.0
As much as the lead character was mildly annoying, this story way overshadowed it because it's so important and so heavy. Domestic violence wrecks lives. Look up the trigger warnings before reading if you need them.
bookstobarbells's review
3.0
overdramatic
I chose this book from a list for “new and engaging LGBTQ books” created for pride month. I read the synopsis and figured I would try it. I finished this book to see if it was going to be a dramatic metaphor and for that reason only. Why couldn’t the book be about domestic violence and not just throw on that she’s figuring out her sexuality? It makes it feel forced and as if that was added in to make it more of a hot topic. I was really looking forward to getting into Brooke’s mind, but instead, a lot of it was the script for Law and Order. I wanted a clear line for the plot and characters, but I feel like I got a collection of all possible issues and little to no solutions.
I chose this book from a list for “new and engaging LGBTQ books” created for pride month. I read the synopsis and figured I would try it. I finished this book to see if it was going to be a dramatic metaphor and for that reason only. Why couldn’t the book be about domestic violence and not just throw on that she’s figuring out her sexuality? It makes it feel forced and as if that was added in to make it more of a hot topic. I was really looking forward to getting into Brooke’s mind, but instead, a lot of it was the script for Law and Order. I wanted a clear line for the plot and characters, but I feel like I got a collection of all possible issues and little to no solutions.
everlaerian's review
4.0
I'll be honest, I did not like Brooke in the beginning.
She places her self-interest at the start of this book. She meddled and manipulated her family in doing what she wanted because she felt it was the right thing to do. She wanted them to acknowledge and include her, because she felt she had to know and she would know better on how to handle situations. This is after all a book about self-discovery, acceptance, coming of age, first love, pain and abuse (physical and emotional).
Brooke is after all a teenager, trying to hold on to what's left of her family and keep it together after a life changing event. At the beginning, it was all about her being involved and right. She didn't want help from Jackie and Ray. She wanted to be included in her mother's trial.
she wanted Aaron to put family first, even if it meant lying to him. She tried "to force" her sister to open up being she needed to know. The first third of the novel, Brooke did not appeal to me at all. But she soon grew, and learned that certain things were out of your reach, out of your control. And that you had to accept help, and learn to move on.
Brooke finds happiness, and yet finds ways to destroy such connections. With time, she realizes that she is following her parents pattern. Towards the end of the book, she has finally accepted the reality of her life, family, and tried to move on with the help of those around her.
Realistic in it's own way, this book deals with domestic abuse and it's lasting effects. The characters are complex and bold, each filling the gaps needed in this story and does not know the meaning of sugar coating.
I struggled with the beginning, placing a rating of 3 stars, but after completing it, 4.5 is a well deserved mark!
Deeply moving, I recommend this book to all.
She places her self-interest at the start of this book. She meddled and manipulated her family in doing what she wanted because she felt it was the right thing to do. She wanted them to acknowledge and include her, because she felt she had to know and she would know better on how to handle situations. This is after all a book about self-discovery, acceptance, coming of age, first love, pain and abuse (physical and emotional).
Brooke is after all a teenager, trying to hold on to what's left of her family and keep it together after a life changing event. At the beginning, it was all about her being involved and right. She didn't want help from Jackie and Ray. She wanted to be included in her mother's trial.
she wanted Aaron to put family first, even if it meant lying to him. She tried "to force" her sister to open up being she needed to know. The first third of the novel, Brooke did not appeal to me at all. But she soon grew, and learned that certain things were out of your reach, out of your control. And that you had to accept help, and learn to move on.
Brooke finds happiness, and yet finds ways to destroy such connections. With time, she realizes that she is following her parents pattern. Towards the end of the book, she has finally accepted the reality of her life, family, and tried to move on with the help of those around her.
Realistic in it's own way, this book deals with domestic abuse and it's lasting effects. The characters are complex and bold, each filling the gaps needed in this story and does not know the meaning of sugar coating.
I struggled with the beginning, placing a rating of 3 stars, but after completing it, 4.5 is a well deserved mark!
Deeply moving, I recommend this book to all.
shemyshines98's review
4.0
I love this book. I knew I was going to love it when I saw the summary. I was like, "Oh no, I have to read this!" As someone who was a child that witnessed domestic violence, this book is amazing. It speaks about how the kids, mainly Brooke have dealt with parents that were in a domestic relationship and how things take a turn for the worst when their mother murders their father. Their mother goes to prison and now, Brooke, Aaron and Callie try to live together again peacefully but it's just toxic living in a house that was so tragic in so many ways. First, Aaron let go, then Callie. But, Brooke still persisted on holding onto something that is gone. Whatever that was. Either way, she was the last to let go and she went to move in with her Grandmother, Caroline, with Callie staying with Jackie, their mothers' close friend. One thing I love about this book was the last chapter and the truth Brooke spoke. "...About what love is and what love isn't. It's not monstrous, not so dangerous and unknowable--not something to fear. And it's not as simple as just finding someone else to hold on to; it's not letting that other person crawl into those hollow spaces inside you. I think love also means you have to stand on your own for a while, stand with yourself and for yourself before you can ask someone to stand there next to you. I think maybe that's the trickiest part, and that's where our parents went wrong." I felt this speech in my heart because it rings so true. I am a firm believer in finding yourself first before finding love or just simply letting it find you. It's cliche but, you gotta love all of you before you begin to love someone else. Period. Self-Love is the best love.