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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-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:
Complicated
I liked it, but I wish it would focus more on one segment - either how she and they are moving on from what happened or her sexuality. It got confusing and out of focus sometimes having both plost in the book
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
funny
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
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.
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
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.