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Last Kiss Goodbye
Fearful yet determined, Ivy Stanton returns to the small Appalachian town she left fifteen years ago…the night her parents were murdered. But in coming home to Kudzu Hollow, she discovers she is not alone in her search for the Matt Mahoney, the man who saved her life, who haunts her dreams, who was wrongfully accused of the crime, has come back, too, demanding answers — and justice.
When Matt looks into Ivy's eyes, he sees a woman whose pain mirrors his own. The feelings she stirs within him promise a life he never thought he'd have. But evil still resides in this sleepy mountain town, as do secrets worth killing for. Now danger stalks them both, and Matt is fighting for more than vengeance…he's fighting for their future.
When Matt looks into Ivy's eyes, he sees a woman whose pain mirrors his own. The feelings she stirs within him promise a life he never thought he'd have. But evil still resides in this sleepy mountain town, as do secrets worth killing for. Now danger stalks them both, and Matt is fighting for more than vengeance…he's fighting for their future.
369 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
56 people are currently reading
419 people want to read
About the author
Rita Herron
324 books944 followersUSA Today Bestselling and award-winning author Rita Herron fell in love with books at the ripe age of eight when she read her first Trixie Belden mystery. But she didn’t think real people grew up to be writers, so she became a teacher instead. Now she writes so she doesn’t have to get a real job.
With over ninety books to her credit, she’s penned romantic suspense, romantic comedy and YA novels, but she especially likes writing dark romantic suspense and crime fiction set in small southern towns.
For more on. Rita and her titles, visit her at www.ritaherron.com. You can also find her on www.Facebook/ritaherron.com and Twitter.com/ritaherron.
With over ninety books to her credit, she’s penned romantic suspense, romantic comedy and YA novels, but she especially likes writing dark romantic suspense and crime fiction set in small southern towns.
For more on. Rita and her titles, visit her at www.ritaherron.com. You can also find her on www.Facebook/ritaherron.com and Twitter.com/ritaherron.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
March 18, 2013
Well put together book, storyline, plots, characters. I enjoyed this book and this writer has some great phrases that really bring the scene together and draw the characters for you. The characters are generally unique and not cookie cutter like too many books these days. I picked it up off an exchange shelf and it sat on the corner of my desk for a while before I finally got to it. Wish I'd picked it up sooner. Definitely a good read, though the main character could have been a little less needy with her own protection and rescue.
And a side note, as someone who lives in the Appalachian Mountains in just such a place, the setting is very well defined and just the way these small places we live are, all the way down to the trashy trailer park (though not all trailer parks are the trashy ones).
And a side note, as someone who lives in the Appalachian Mountains in just such a place, the setting is very well defined and just the way these small places we live are, all the way down to the trashy trailer park (though not all trailer parks are the trashy ones).
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June 27, 2012I cannot willingly read any book set in "kudzu holler".
July 28, 2014
A romantic suspense that was pretty evenly balanced with both romance and suspense/thriller/horror. The romance element was a little unbelievable to me. But realizing this IS fiction after all, it didn't weigh too heavy.
April 15, 2008
I've always enjoyed the Harlequin Intrigue books of Herron's that I've read...especially the 3 Falcon brother books (which are fantastic). I've read two of her full-length releases now - and liked both.
Herron has a knack for telling interesting stories with lots of twists and just enough darkness to give you the creeps.
"Last Kiss Goodbye" is no different. It's a very convoluted story with a lot going on, which only makes it more readable. I have to admit there were one or two things I was surprised about at the end when all the various truths were revealed. There was one particular plot twist that snuck up on me. But it made perfect sense. For the most part, I thought Herron did a good job playing it all out, but there were a couple points that could possibly have been explained better.
I loved Ivy and Matt together. They were a great couple and I felt a vested interest in them as I was reading. I do wish she hadn't shoved them back together so easily at the end; the resolution of Ivy's conflicted feelings seemed a little too simple, but it was overlook-able.
Other than a few quibbles on details, if there was one thing I was disappointed about in this book was that Matt's internal conflicts over his time in prison and what happened there weren't outwardly dealt with. Herron gives you a sense that he's decided to push past them and move on with his life, but I really thought they needed to be explored, especially in relation to Ivy and her knowing. She has a pretty good idea of what happened to him, but I think him getting it out in the open with her and her accepting it and him would have really solidified the bond between them.
Overall though, a good read - which I was happy about since I really needed a good book to read after having a really bad day. I'll have to go looking for Herron's other full-length releases that I haven't yet read.
Herron has a knack for telling interesting stories with lots of twists and just enough darkness to give you the creeps.
"Last Kiss Goodbye" is no different. It's a very convoluted story with a lot going on, which only makes it more readable. I have to admit there were one or two things I was surprised about at the end when all the various truths were revealed. There was one particular plot twist that snuck up on me. But it made perfect sense. For the most part, I thought Herron did a good job playing it all out, but there were a couple points that could possibly have been explained better.
I loved Ivy and Matt together. They were a great couple and I felt a vested interest in them as I was reading. I do wish she hadn't shoved them back together so easily at the end; the resolution of Ivy's conflicted feelings seemed a little too simple, but it was overlook-able.
Other than a few quibbles on details, if there was one thing I was disappointed about in this book was that Matt's internal conflicts over his time in prison and what happened there weren't outwardly dealt with. Herron gives you a sense that he's decided to push past them and move on with his life, but I really thought they needed to be explored, especially in relation to Ivy and her knowing. She has a pretty good idea of what happened to him, but I think him getting it out in the open with her and her accepting it and him would have really solidified the bond between them.
Overall though, a good read - which I was happy about since I really needed a good book to read after having a really bad day. I'll have to go looking for Herron's other full-length releases that I haven't yet read.
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October 16, 2010Probably one of the worst books I've read. I know why I continued reading it even though it was what I would call a sexmance book rather than the mystery the blurb on its back cover made it out to be. Its because I was working late and faced a 45 minute train ride home with nothing to read and not enough energy to write or soak up train drama. So I scanned the bookshelf where we have books donated by the Multnomah County Library available for our clients to read and take home. I read the blurb, said to myself, this sounds like a nice kind of creepy mystery and I read the first page. Not bad. So that's a good excuse for taking the book with me, but I kept going with it even though the writing was weak because it still promised suspense and weirdness. Also, back and forth on the train each day through this long week, I needed something to read. Okay, that's my excuse for reading the book, beginning to end. Doesn't mean I'm not sorry I wasted my time. It is a truly dreadful book with a really, really thin plot. Pretty much gratuitous sex scenes thrown in every now and then, which I skipped over.
Who would this book appeal to? Someone who wants a little mystery with their pornography. No stars.
Who would this book appeal to? Someone who wants a little mystery with their pornography. No stars.
September 2, 2013
2.5 stars. For me, it was a bit too.. thriller. I mean, I enjoy good thrillers but Last Kiss Goodbye was too depressing. The romance part left me wanting something more. Something else. I am not saying I hated it, but I did not quite like it either.
April 18, 2009
I started this book with the intention of kicking back and enjoying it. I read about 30 pages and threw the book down in disgust. I was confused by the storyline. The characters seemed over-dramatized and unrealistic. The writing was ripe (stinky ripe, that is) with heavy handed forshadowing and "oooh spooky" factor.
Sorry, kids, another one I just couldn't waste my time on.
Sorry, kids, another one I just couldn't waste my time on.
July 21, 2011
Terrible dialogue. Jumpy storyline. Couldn't decide if it wanted to be a regular mystery or a supernatural thriller. Wouldn't recommend...
April 16, 2025
Ivy and Matt spent too many years on the wrong side of life. After the murder of ivy's parents and Matt charged wrongfully for the murders, ivy feels the need to return and clear Matt's name. Kudzu has never been the same since the murders. What secrets are being covered and are they truly connected to the Stanton murders? What new dangers await ivy as she starts remembering that tragic night.
January 23, 2018
Exhilarating
Thrilling, exciting, romantic, and it always kept me guessing. I liked how I was wrong about who the killer was. The author tricked me and I like that! The entire novel was unpredictable, in a good way. That's what made it good.
Thrilling, exciting, romantic, and it always kept me guessing. I liked how I was wrong about who the killer was. The author tricked me and I like that! The entire novel was unpredictable, in a good way. That's what made it good.
April 27, 2022
oh my god - finished in a day, only taking breaks for class. such a good plot line, and the twists were CRAZY good, i didnt start to pick up till half way through, and lost it at the end - so so so good, someone else pls read this so i can talk abt it
August 20, 2017
Loved this book!!
One of my favorite books....prefect combination of romance, suspense and mystery!! Had a hard time putting it down! Would absolutely recommend!!
One of my favorite books....prefect combination of romance, suspense and mystery!! Had a hard time putting it down! Would absolutely recommend!!
October 13, 2017
This book was a pretty good story.
February 26, 2019
Great Book
This was a great book! It has murder, suspense, romance, and a very surprising ending. I highly recommend it for mature readers.
Great author! Keep up the good work!
This was a great book! It has murder, suspense, romance, and a very surprising ending. I highly recommend it for mature readers.
Great author! Keep up the good work!
November 4, 2019
A story of lies, murder, rape and total disfuntion in a small appalachian town.
April 2, 2022
"insert a big eyeroll"
February 8, 2023
It had a strong start but got a little dry in the middle, picked up at the end. I couldn’t put it down while reading the last 4-5 chapters! The real villain was a crazy surprise.
June 14, 2025
Not for me.
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July 6, 2016"Herron pens a fast-paced, romantic thriller that captivates readers from the first page. This is a masterpiece of multilayered plots and memorable characters. With its romance, suspense, supernatural undertones and brilliant dialogue, readers will not be able to put this book down. Be sure you have the lights on and all windows and doors locked; this novel will make the hairs stand up on the back of your neck" (4 1/2 stars RT Book Reviews).
June 1, 2015
I usually never read books like this, but it was given to me by a family friend. I picked t up hoping it would entertain me for a while just to pass the time. To my surprise though, I could not put it down! There were so many twist and every character had a point of view I could not stop reading until the mystery was solved. Thanks to this book I can now not stop reading romance/mystery novels.
February 16, 2009
This book is a Harlequin Romance and as such was okay. I wanted to read it because it was set in Appalachia. It is what it is.
May 26, 2010
A gritty romantic thriller set in Atlanta
November 24, 2010
LOVED IT!!!!
October 25, 2015
Good book. Regular run of the mill mystery/romance. The characters were developed enough, but the book was a little one note and the mystery ended a little too easily. I did enjoy the read.
December 4, 2012
Ms. Herron did a good job tying all the motivations and subplots together. I thought there was one murder/subplot too many.
May 8, 2013
Nice brooding atmosphere, complex plot combined with some imperfect characters. I liked it but didn't love it.
June 25, 2013
I loved it! Loved the wounded H/h learning to trust and love one another. The suspense also kept me turning the pages.
May 3, 2014
Didn't finish it
November 5, 2016
was there ever a book written about his brothers?
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews