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deedersification's review
4.0
This one was a page turner for me. I didn’t love the ending but it was still a good read.
brandinh's review
4.0
As you can expect with Smith’s work, this is a heavy read. Yet this is an important work that illustrates the realities of domestic violence. Smith’s decision to have Brooke’s abusive father be a member of the police force adds an extra layer to this complicated story. Recommended.
paulinekmb's review
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Death and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Homophobia and Suicide
saracorise's review
4.0
More like 3.5-3.75.
I enjoyed this book, but I think it could have been done better. Things were missing and I think the end wrapped up a little too nicely. But, I also really enjoyed the character development, I liked the growth of the main character. I liked how not every character was perfect.
I have more thoughts... maybe later. But I liked this one.
I enjoyed this book, but I think it could have been done better. Things were missing and I think the end wrapped up a little too nicely. But, I also really enjoyed the character development, I liked the growth of the main character. I liked how not every character was perfect.
I have more thoughts... maybe later. But I liked this one.
rebar351's review
3.0
I liked this book but I really like to connect with the characters and the story and I had difficulty with doing that reading this book. Still a good read though.
heather077's review
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Murder, and Death of parent
Moderate: Grief and Toxic relationship
Minor: Lesbophobia
mavivi's review
4.5
rlly loved getting to know the main character and like how she is so an alanon jahahah but it was rlly interedting to see rveryones response to the death and abuse
abbeysbookera's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
islandgeekgirl's review
4.0
I really enjoyed The Way I Used To Be when I read it last year and this sounded like it could have the same dysfunctional family trying to heal vibe, just with different circumstances. Amber Smith has proven that she isn't scared of tackling heavy issues that this book was no exception. It dealt with abuse, PTSD, a shattering family, the justice system. So many issues for one book but it pulled it off.
Brooke's whole world was turned upside down in an instant and, after I can definitely understand her wanting to do everything she could to keep the rest of her family together. I could also understand her frustration at feeling like she was being treated like a child when it came to information about her mother. It seemed like the more Brooke tried to hold everything together, the more everything insisted on falling apart and it led her to make some pretty big mistakes and bad decisions. Amber Smith did a great job of getting into Brooke's head, making her sympathetic even as she was making very bad choices that hurt other people.
The plot was very character driven, mostly focusing on Brooke and her trying to deal with everything that was happening. We saw her siblings, her mom's best friend, her mom, her girlfriend, all through Brooke's eyes so we didn't get to see a lot of growth from them or get their thoughts on everything. There were a few POVs that would have been nice to see but I can understand why the author chose to show everything through only Brooke's POV. It was her story, her growth.
The book wasn't an easy read but it was a quick one. I was rooting for this family and I really wanted to see them happy by the end. I definitely can't wait to see what Amber Smith has planned next.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Brooke's whole world was turned upside down in an instant and, after I can definitely understand her wanting to do everything she could to keep the rest of her family together. I could also understand her frustration at feeling like she was being treated like a child when it came to information about her mother. It seemed like the more Brooke tried to hold everything together, the more everything insisted on falling apart and it led her to make some pretty big mistakes and bad decisions. Amber Smith did a great job of getting into Brooke's head, making her sympathetic even as she was making very bad choices that hurt other people.
The plot was very character driven, mostly focusing on Brooke and her trying to deal with everything that was happening. We saw her siblings, her mom's best friend, her mom, her girlfriend, all through Brooke's eyes so we didn't get to see a lot of growth from them or get their thoughts on everything. There were a few POVs that would have been nice to see but I can understand why the author chose to show everything through only Brooke's POV. It was her story, her growth.
The book wasn't an easy read but it was a quick one. I was rooting for this family and I really wanted to see them happy by the end. I definitely can't wait to see what Amber Smith has planned next.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
emmawiberg's review
3.0
3,5 / 5 stars
'The Last to Let Go' has been on the top of my TBR pile ever since it came out, my expectations were sky-high but were unfortunately not met.
I honestly don't have anything bad to say about the writing or the characters in the book, I just found that the story itself didn't mesh with me the way I'd wanted it to.
Summary:
'The Last to Let Go' follows the main character Brooke who is on her way home from her biology exam. When she arrives at the apartment police and ambulances have surrounded the building. Brooke's father is known for being aggressive especially towards her mother and her older brother, and because of that Brooke immediately believes that her father had killed her mother. However, it was the other way around. Brooke's mother is sent into custody and her little sister Callie (who was in the apartment when the incident happened) goes mute and is sent to a psychiatrical hospital. Meanwhile, Brooke and her brother Aaron are sent to live at Jackie's (Their mother ex-best friend) house. Throughout the book, we follow Brooke as she is starting at a new school and meeting new people while having a mother who is waiting for trial, a sister who refuses to speak to her and not fitting in at Jackie's house.
'The Last to Let Go' has been on the top of my TBR pile ever since it came out, my expectations were sky-high but were unfortunately not met.
I honestly don't have anything bad to say about the writing or the characters in the book, I just found that the story itself didn't mesh with me the way I'd wanted it to.
Summary:
'The Last to Let Go' follows the main character Brooke who is on her way home from her biology exam. When she arrives at the apartment police and ambulances have surrounded the building. Brooke's father is known for being aggressive especially towards her mother and her older brother, and because of that Brooke immediately believes that her father had killed her mother. However, it was the other way around. Brooke's mother is sent into custody and her little sister Callie (who was in the apartment when the incident happened) goes mute and is sent to a psychiatrical hospital. Meanwhile, Brooke and her brother Aaron are sent to live at Jackie's (Their mother ex-best friend) house. Throughout the book, we follow Brooke as she is starting at a new school and meeting new people while having a mother who is waiting for trial, a sister who refuses to speak to her and not fitting in at Jackie's house.