A review by jz_reads
The Last Forever by Deb Caletti

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).