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The Last Time We Say Goodbye
by
There's death all around us.
We just don't pay attention.
Until we do.
The last time Lex was happy, it was before. When she had a family that was whole. A boyfriend she loved. Friends who didn't look at her like she might break down at any moment.
Now she's just the girl whose brother killed himself. And it feels like that's all she'll ever be.
As Lex starts to put her life ...more
We just don't pay attention.
Until we do.
The last time Lex was happy, it was before. When she had a family that was whole. A boyfriend she loved. Friends who didn't look at her like she might break down at any moment.
Now she's just the girl whose brother killed himself. And it feels like that's all she'll ever be.
As Lex starts to put her life ...more
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Popular Answered Questions
Cynthia Hand
Yes, paperback only in Australia / New Zealand at the moment.
Izzy
I've seen a lot of Booktubers say that this book has similar themes to The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X. R. Pan.
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Start your review of The Last Time We Say Goodbye
One of the most beautiful parts of the Unearthly trilogy was seeing how Cynthia Hand wrote about grief. Reading this novel is an incredibly painful experience, particularly if suicide has touched your life in a significant way, but I wouldn't trade this book, with all its blurry, unfinished truths and messy, gut-wrenching feeling, for a thousand more showy, "clever" stories on the same topic.
A simple, emotional tribute to those who leave us all too soon. And a small reassurance to the rest of ...more
A simple, emotional tribute to those who leave us all too soon. And a small reassurance to the rest of ...more
Feb 25, 2013
Cynthia Hand
added it
· (Review from the author)
Shelves:
books-i-kinda-like-because-i-wrote
UPDATE 9-6-14
I have ARCs! Please don't email me asking for them (ask my publisher, instead), but stay tuned for a few contests where I will be giving them away.
CH
UPDATE 6-25-14
It's here! The cover and the description were revealed today! Check it out!!!
UPDATE 6-2-14
Soon, very soon, people, there will be jacket copy, an official cover, and ARCs. The cover is amazing and I love it. Squee!
Also, a tentative release date of Feb 8, 2015, which makes sense because the book's first scene is in the first ...more
I have ARCs! Please don't email me asking for them (ask my publisher, instead), but stay tuned for a few contests where I will be giving them away.
CH
UPDATE 6-25-14
It's here! The cover and the description were revealed today! Check it out!!!
UPDATE 6-2-14
Soon, very soon, people, there will be jacket copy, an official cover, and ARCs. The cover is amazing and I love it. Squee!
Also, a tentative release date of Feb 8, 2015, which makes sense because the book's first scene is in the first ...more
Gurl.
Guuuuuuuuuuurl.
Let me tell you whahahappen. Whahahappen wuz, I was on a public transport on the way back home from outta town when I finished this book. When I tell you I was bawling my eyes out in that minibus, I was bawling my fucking eyes out in that goddamn minibus, gurl. I swear to god.
Okay, so, here's the thing. I've kinda been avoiding contemporary YA because, even though I haven't read many of the new stuff, there seems to be a common thing going on where authors are exploring death ...more
Guuuuuuuuuuurl.
Let me tell you whahahappen. Whahahappen wuz, I was on a public transport on the way back home from outta town when I finished this book. When I tell you I was bawling my eyes out in that minibus, I was bawling my fucking eyes out in that goddamn minibus, gurl. I swear to god.
Okay, so, here's the thing. I've kinda been avoiding contemporary YA because, even though I haven't read many of the new stuff, there seems to be a common thing going on where authors are exploring death ...more
I’m torn in two equal parts. I loved and hated it in equal measures. I’m enlightened but I’m still confused and now I don’t know what to do with myself let alone this review. So I’ll probably just rant away to my heart’s content and hopefully by the end of this review, I’ll be more stable.
I appreciate that an author for once decided to focus on a sister grieving over her brother who killed himself and I believe Ms. Cynthia Hand was able to realistically portray this. It works because the story ...more
I appreciate that an author for once decided to focus on a sister grieving over her brother who killed himself and I believe Ms. Cynthia Hand was able to realistically portray this. It works because the story ...more
I enjoyed this book! The characters were very fleshed out and I especially liked Lex and the way her mind worked in the aftermath of this tragedy. It didn't linger on the pain, yet it was a reminder of how deeply death can affect a family. And despite how I generally liked how this book panned out, it was just a bit too generic for me. Every suicide book has turned into a "this person left clues behind when he/she died!" and it kind of glamorized the death a bit, which I find distasteful. Other
...more
I agree with Tatiana. This book is just so dull. It's hard to string together a few sentences of comments about it. The thing about The Last Time We Say Goodbye is that it's yet another teen issue book about suicide, but the characters are forgettable and the narrative feels flat and lifeless.
You might have more luck with it if you haven't already read a bunch of YA books about suicide/death.
You might have more luck with it if you haven't already read a bunch of YA books about suicide/death.
Mar 14, 2014
Ari
rated it
it was amazing
Shelves:
best-of,
death-and-dying,
standalone,
arc-galley-or-author,
emotional,
favorites,
2015,
tough-topics
Wonderfully written and absolutely touching!
Do you know the feeling you get while and after you hold your breath for long? How time seems to stop for a while, how your heart beats faster and faster, how sharp everything becomes after the fuzziness washes over?
This is how this book feels like.
And it is wonderful, and dangerously heartbreaking.
There is nothing in this world quite like the feeling of true happiness, or deep sadness, or shattering grief. There is nothing like the words that can ...more
Do you know the feeling you get while and after you hold your breath for long? How time seems to stop for a while, how your heart beats faster and faster, how sharp everything becomes after the fuzziness washes over?
This is how this book feels like.
And it is wonderful, and dangerously heartbreaking.
There is nothing in this world quite like the feeling of true happiness, or deep sadness, or shattering grief. There is nothing like the words that can ...more
Brilliant and heartbreaking!
All of us know Cynthia Hand because of her brilliant Unearthly trilogy - my favorite paranormal young adult series about angels. It came as a surprise when I saw that her new novel will be more on realistic side.Truth to be told, I was worried because I ended up disappointed with several authors who took turn from paranormal to realistic fiction. But this is Cynthia Hand, so shouldn't have any doubts from the start. The Last Time We Say Goodbye deserves more than ...more
All of us know Cynthia Hand because of her brilliant Unearthly trilogy - my favorite paranormal young adult series about angels. It came as a surprise when I saw that her new novel will be more on realistic side.Truth to be told, I was worried because I ended up disappointed with several authors who took turn from paranormal to realistic fiction. But this is Cynthia Hand, so shouldn't have any doubts from the start. The Last Time We Say Goodbye deserves more than ...more
{EDIT}
The Last Time We Say Goodbye
THIS TITLE IS AMAZING!!!!!!!!! I'M IN LOVE WITH THIS BOOK ALREADY!!!!!!!!!
2015? REALLY?!
OMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMG Cynthia Hand has a new book coming out!
[image error]
But it'll be released in 2014!!
Give me a title...a cover...a blurb...ANYTHING!
The Last Time We Say Goodbye
THIS TITLE IS AMAZING!!!!!!!!! I'M IN LOVE WITH THIS BOOK ALREADY!!!!!!!!!
2015? REALLY?!
OMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMG Cynthia Hand has a new book coming out!
[image error]
But it'll be released in 2014!!
Give me a title...a cover...a blurb...ANYTHING!
IF YOU NEED ME, I'M THE ONE CRYING IN THE CORNER. I really didn't expect to get this emotionally involved. And to be truthful? I wasn't...not until the last 50-pages and then I couldn't stop reading. I think that's my heart over there, broken on the ground. Yup. Someone get the sticky-tape.
There's a lot of back-flashes to the past, in diary form. Lex is this wizard at maths and she's NOT good at writing (har, har, after her diary? I do not believe that) but when her therapist says to write out ...more
There's a lot of back-flashes to the past, in diary form. Lex is this wizard at maths and she's NOT good at writing (har, har, after her diary? I do not believe that) but when her therapist says to write out ...more
Feb 25, 2013
Melanie
rated it
it was amazing
Shelves:
e-arc,
i-cried,
young-adult,
contemporary,
death,
writing-envy,
favourites,
omg-the-cover-people,
books-i-own,
romance
A lot of crying was involved.
That actually might be an understatement.
You know what else made me want to cry an ocean? Celine's review. And you all should check it out because it's wonderful and she summarises the beauty of this book so perfectly: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
It may only be January but I'm so incredibly sure that this is making my Top 10 books of 2015. It tore me apart, this book, with it's perfect blend of numbing words and tangible pain. I know I'm buying myself ...more
That actually might be an understatement.
You know what else made me want to cry an ocean? Celine's review. And you all should check it out because it's wonderful and she summarises the beauty of this book so perfectly: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
It may only be January but I'm so incredibly sure that this is making my Top 10 books of 2015. It tore me apart, this book, with it's perfect blend of numbing words and tangible pain. I know I'm buying myself ...more
Years ago, I walked into school and something was different. I was, as usual, a bit early for my classes (I like being on time) and slowly walked to the stairwell, my thoughts already with today’s lessons and my friends and the ridiculous amount of homework I still had to do. But the moment I left the lockers and walked into the hall, I knew something was different. There were only a few fellow students in that hall, and some teachers, wearing grave faces. The atmosphere was different, as though
...more
2.5 stars
My first reaction when I turned the final page:
This book is a bag of cliches, has a down-in-the-doldrums heroine and the mainstream story dealing with death and depression.
The Last Time We Say Goodbye is the story of Alexis Riggs who has lost her younger brother to suicide, the plot is set around her struggle against the darkness that diffuses all around her after her brother pops his clogs and her idea that she is somewhat blameworthy in Tyler's suicide. Side by side, Alexis's love ...more
My first reaction when I turned the final page:
This book is a bag of cliches, has a down-in-the-doldrums heroine and the mainstream story dealing with death and depression.
The Last Time We Say Goodbye is the story of Alexis Riggs who has lost her younger brother to suicide, the plot is set around her struggle against the darkness that diffuses all around her after her brother pops his clogs and her idea that she is somewhat blameworthy in Tyler's suicide. Side by side, Alexis's love ...more
3.5*
I thought this was a solid book, it dealt with the topic of suicide well, but I just felt like the plot fell a little flat. I just wanted more I guess.
I thought this was a solid book, it dealt with the topic of suicide well, but I just felt like the plot fell a little flat. I just wanted more I guess.
Raw, honest, realistic, and heart wrenching are words that come to my mind when trying to describe this book. I've read other books with the same subject matter, but none of them felt as real or as authentic as this one. This novel isn't watered down, and that's what makes it special. My friend Maida said in her review that Ms. Hand's writing is flawless, not a compliment she hands out every day, but I agree. ( I will always read your 5 star picks Maida, even if they make me cry and eat a pound ...more
The Last Time We Say Goodbye is the story of a girl who's been left behind. Her family is broken, her heart is broken, and her life will now never be the same. After her brother dies, Lex is now defined as this tragic girl with a dead brother; someone to pity, or to avoid completely which is not uncommon in these scenarios - people are simply uncomfortable towards death. If this wasn't enough for Lex to deal with, there's these nightmares that make her relive it all nightly…
As you can expect, ...more
As you can expect, ...more
Sep 11, 2018
may ❀
rated it
it was amazing
Shelves:
aaaaaaaaaa,
my-heart,
shattered-me,
ded,
300-pgs,
library,
standalones,
tears-so-many-tears,
contemporary,
i-am-trash
it's almost 1am and im literally a sobbing disaster. idk if im just an emotional wreck but there's this one line in the book that figuratively ripped me apart
wow, i was not expecting it to hurt this much. :)
so this book deals with A WHOLE LOT of grief. it switches between present day events and the main character's journal entry. it deals with suicide but not about just dying and leaving but also the journey and emotions and grief that the people left behind face on a daily basis.
and that was ...more
wow, i was not expecting it to hurt this much. :)
so this book deals with A WHOLE LOT of grief. it switches between present day events and the main character's journal entry. it deals with suicide but not about just dying and leaving but also the journey and emotions and grief that the people left behind face on a daily basis.
and that was ...more
As someone who went through a series of losses this year, I could not have read this book at a better time. One close friend hurt me in particular, and I spent so much time thinking that maybe if I had been a little better, he would have stayed. Maybe if I had said one more kind word, or if I had changed something about myself, he would not have abused me the way he did. But Cynthia Hand's story reminded me that instead of blaming ourselves for things outside of our control, we should strive to
...more
Review also posted at Young Adult Hollywood.
I am a pretty sad person, I cry over books, even when they are not that sad and even more so, when they are depressing. And The Last Time We Say Goodbye made mecried from the very start until the end. FYI, more like gross sobbing.
Cynthia Hand’s Unearthly trilogy is one of my favorite YA series, but the conclusion failed to impress me, so it’s safe to say I had my doubts. My fear did not lessen when I noticed the premise is quite similar to Love Letters ...more
“This is going to sound trite, I suppose, but you never know when it’s going to be the last time. That you hug someone. That you kiss. That you say goodbye"
This book is one of the best books I’ve ever read. It made me feel all these emotions and I realized so much when I was reading this book. I usually just read books for pleasure but this book has changed me and it's going to take me a while to forget. The best books are the ones that you think about days after you've finished reading it. ...more
So heartbreaking. Be prepared to cry. And cry. And then cry some more.
Lexie's brother, Ty, committed suicide at age 16. A popular, basketball star, with tons of friends and yet decided to end it in only his junior year of high school. And she feels horrible guilt. Why did he do it? And why didn't she see the signs? Why didn't she talk to him? Why couldn't she help him? Should she blame her dad for leaving them? His ex-girlfriend? Life doesn't have simple answers though.
Lexie pushes her friends ...more
Lexie's brother, Ty, committed suicide at age 16. A popular, basketball star, with tons of friends and yet decided to end it in only his junior year of high school. And she feels horrible guilt. Why did he do it? And why didn't she see the signs? Why didn't she talk to him? Why couldn't she help him? Should she blame her dad for leaving them? His ex-girlfriend? Life doesn't have simple answers though.
Lexie pushes her friends ...more
We start off with Lex who is dealing with the death of her brother Tyler who committed suicide. She's struggling to get her life back.. Before it happened. This is a journey that will test her and will reveal the truths to what happened on that fateful night. A story about loss, love and having the ability to move on from something that will forever change you.
Lex's struggles and heartache and even hallucinations of Tyler were heart wrenching to read. I could easily slip into her mindset and ...more
Lex's struggles and heartache and even hallucinations of Tyler were heart wrenching to read. I could easily slip into her mindset and ...more
New Year's Readathon 2.0 - Read a standalone
If you're going to read this book, you better grab a box of tissues. I shed some tears and my emotions are all over it. It's such a beautiful, captivating and heartbreaking story. I'm instantly hooked with it.
Lexie's younger brother, Tyler, took his own life. His untimely death hit her so hard and had a difficult time of moving on. She was depressed, shuts out everyone around her, and there are times she feels and sees Ty's presence. She starts ...more
If you're going to read this book, you better grab a box of tissues. I shed some tears and my emotions are all over it. It's such a beautiful, captivating and heartbreaking story. I'm instantly hooked with it.
Lexie's younger brother, Tyler, took his own life. His untimely death hit her so hard and had a difficult time of moving on. She was depressed, shuts out everyone around her, and there are times she feels and sees Ty's presence. She starts ...more
I will read anything Cynthia Hand writes.
Enter to win an ARC of The Last Time We Say Goodbye! (US Only) Ends 2/19/2015.
‘Time passes. That’s the rule. No matter what happens, no matter how much it might feel like everything in your life has frozen around one particular moment, time marches on.’
Lexie is an unexceptionally smart student with big dreams of going to MIT. She has a boyfriend who loves her and a group of friends she can depend on. But that was life seven weeks ago. Now? Her grades are slipping, she’s broke up with her ...more
‘Time passes. That’s the rule. No matter what happens, no matter how much it might feel like everything in your life has frozen around one particular moment, time marches on.’
Lexie is an unexceptionally smart student with big dreams of going to MIT. She has a boyfriend who loves her and a group of friends she can depend on. But that was life seven weeks ago. Now? Her grades are slipping, she’s broke up with her ...more
This. Book. *heart eyes*
This story is absolutely heartbreaking. As an older sister, I've always been overprotective of my little sister, because I feel responsible of her and it seems like I should be the one protecting her and making sure she's happy. Because of that, I could try to imagine what Lex must be feeling and it was already too much for me to bear. Her situation is awful, just like her mother's, and I started this book already saddened by its story.
This story focuses on Lex's grief ...more
This story is absolutely heartbreaking. As an older sister, I've always been overprotective of my little sister, because I feel responsible of her and it seems like I should be the one protecting her and making sure she's happy. Because of that, I could try to imagine what Lex must be feeling and it was already too much for me to bear. Her situation is awful, just like her mother's, and I started this book already saddened by its story.
This story focuses on Lex's grief ...more
I am not sure if I am wasting everyone’s time by writing this review because in all honesty I know that I won’t encompass what Hand was able to do this with novel, but I will try.
Lex’s brother, Ty, has killed himself. He was sixteen years old. Looking back of course there were signs but Lex thought he was getting better. And there is something that happened the night Ty died. She hasn't admitted to anyone about it, and her guilt claws at her. Lex yearns for some sort of normalcy and not the ...more
Lex’s brother, Ty, has killed himself. He was sixteen years old. Looking back of course there were signs but Lex thought he was getting better. And there is something that happened the night Ty died. She hasn't admitted to anyone about it, and her guilt claws at her. Lex yearns for some sort of normalcy and not the ...more
4,5 stars
How the hell did I not realize the connection between the cover and the story sooner?Shame on me.
I really enjoyed reading this book.The characters were actually really interesting and I loved the bittersweet ending.I see that some readers found Lex to be rude and annoying and I'm really sad that people think of her like that because I thought that she is a great and a very realistic character.I felt her pain and her guilt.And that scene with her mom (you know which one I'm talking about ...more
How the hell did I not realize the connection between the cover and the story sooner?Shame on me.
I really enjoyed reading this book.The characters were actually really interesting and I loved the bittersweet ending.I see that some readers found Lex to be rude and annoying and I'm really sad that people think of her like that because I thought that she is a great and a very realistic character.I felt her pain and her guilt.And that scene with her mom (you know which one I'm talking about ...more
Okay I am going to say this first...... Lord you need a box of tissues because you are going to cry and cry and cry some more. This book deals with suicide and the after math of the suicide. This is such a serious issue that is in the news right now that I just want everyone to know that life is worth living and no matter what the problem is it is not worth taking your own life. Reach out to someone anyone and talk out your problems.
Lexie's life is turned upside down when her brother Tyler ...more
Lexie's life is turned upside down when her brother Tyler ...more
Cynthia Hand is going into contemporary genre? Catch me before I faint!
It's on my auto-buy list.
Well, I didn't think I'd cry but I did. I sobbed like a baby. Damn! This book was hella depressing. Then I read the note from the author in the end and everything made sense. I don't even know how to review or rate this book. It's so hard.
I've been a Cynthia Hand fan since Unearthly and let me tell you. This lady can write. The story was slowly building but you could see bits and pieces connecting ...more
It's on my auto-buy list.
Well, I didn't think I'd cry but I did. I sobbed like a baby. Damn! This book was hella depressing. Then I read the note from the author in the end and everything made sense. I don't even know how to review or rate this book. It's so hard.
I've been a Cynthia Hand fan since Unearthly and let me tell you. This lady can write. The story was slowly building but you could see bits and pieces connecting ...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What's the Name o...: SOLVED. YA novel about a teen girl whose brother killed himself with a shot gun in the garage (possibly named Tyler?) Also, mother might think the brother's ghost might be in his room? [s] | 4 | 20 | Jan 10, 2019 10:13AM | |
| The Last Time We Say Goodbye by Cynthia Hand | 1 | 4 | Dec 14, 2018 07:50AM | |
| (Not) like the others | 1 | 10 | Jan 19, 2017 08:38PM | |
| Young Adult Conte...: #46 The Last Time We Say Goodbye by Cynthia Hand | 3 | 15 | Nov 16, 2015 12:04PM | |
| SE Reading Buffs 1st: The Last Goodbye | 4 | 10 | Oct 28, 2015 07:14PM | |
| The Last Goodbye | 1 | 13 | Oct 26, 2015 07:08AM |
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Cynthia Hand is the New York Times bestselling author of several books for teens, including the UNEARTHLY trilogy, THE LAST TIME WE SAY GOODBYE, MY LADY JANE and MY PLAIN JANE (with fellow authors Brodi Ashton and Jodi Meadows), THE AFTERLIFE OF HOLLY CHASE, and the upcoming novels THE HOW AND THE WHY and MY CALAMITY JANE (also with Ashton and Meadows). Before turning to writing for young adults,
...more
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“Time passes. That's the rule. No matter what happens, no matter how much it might feel like everything in your life has been frozen around one particular moment, time marches on.”
—
152 likes
“Forgiveness is tricky, Alexis, because in the end it’s more about you than it’s about the person who’s being forgiven”
—
100 likes
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