The Last Time We Say Goodbye

Such a beautiful story. You will not regret picking up this book. There's so many laughs and tears. For me, this story was a small part of my past in two ways. It's just so beautiful and reminds you that life is good even if at times it might not seem like it and that we need to be aware of others who might be suffering, lend a hand or ear to listen, do something rather than later regretting you didn't. You can make a difference.

I have no words. This book made me both laugh and cry and the whole range of emotions in between. The entire time I was reading, I kept thinking to whom I would recommend this book. The subject matter is difficult but the writing flows.

I couldn't put this book down. For families in pain-- caregivers who support those with anxiety and depression, or who have experienced a tragic loss of someone who left this world too soon-- will be able to relate to the characters in this story. The voice throughout is completely authentic. You will be forever changed by meeting the people in this book, and, perhaps, develop your own understanding of unfortunate events that sadly unfold for many people these days.

I did not care for this book. I lost my 28-year-old daughter to suicide 13 months ago. This novel did not help me heal. In fact, it only served to bring very painful feelings back to the fore. In addition, I felt like I had to wade through a lot of filler material to get to relevant parts of the story. Maybe this was because my daughter was not a high school student when she took her life. I don't really know. But, I did not recommend this book to anyone in my family.

I know Cynthia Hand is kind of a big name in YA, but I hadn't read anything by her before The Last Time We Say Goodbye, since this is her first contemporary and I don't read much paranormal. And because sometimes contemporary debuts by authors who usually write paranormal don't work so well for me, I kept my expectations low. But there was no need for that because Cynthia Hand completely stunned me with The Last Time Goodbye! It's a heartwrenching novel, and I loved everything about it.

What I loved most about this novel is Lex; she's such a relatable character! In a lot of grief-related books, the main character completely shuns herself, lashes out at everyone trying to help them, and hates her therapist with a passion. And Lex does that too, to some extent, but she does it in a lot more relatable way; her relationship with her friends is very realistic, and she even ends up getting something out of her therapy. I don't even know how to explain it; I just related to her and felt for her so much.

I loved the secondary characters, too. We have a very large cast of secondary characters, so I could see how some people would criticize that they don't have enough depth. But I really appreciated the large cast because we got to see Lex interact with such a great variety of people. And I think that, even though they didn't get much page time, these characters are very well-developed and have their own stories, too, even if they're not as complex as Lexi. All of the characters just felt very real to me; I especially loved Lex's group of nerd friends and Lex's mom, whose relationship with Lex is explored in a really interesting way. I also loved how romance never takes center stage; there's definitely a romance storyline, but most of it is in the past. There are a variety of male characters, but I really appreciated that none of them turned into another love-triangle-y love interest.

Cynthia Hand's writing, and especially her ability to create such poignancy and strong emotions, definitely left me impressed. Throughout the novel, I didn't even think it was that sad, but then the last 10 pages, I was straight-up bawling; the ending is so perfect. Lex's development over the course of the novel is realistic and natural; I especially liked the subtle changes and the non-preachy discussions of guilt, and how all of that contributed to the story. I even liked the ghost element; I was kind of worried about getting too paranormal for me, but it ended up being handled really well and within our world.

This is just one of many books I've read about this topic, but The Last Time We Say Goodbye definitely stands out. It's incredibly well-written, with complex and realistic characters, and overwhelming emotions and poignancy. If you're looking for a book that will make you fall in love with the characters and break your heart in the best way possible, The Last Time We Say Goodbye is definitely for you!

Post-it notes: used by millions each year for insignificant updates, reminders and other trivial things. But I doubt that anyone reading this has used a Post-it note to say goodbye. That is what Alexis' little brother, Ty, did in Cynthia Hand's THE LAST TIME WE SAY GOODBYE. Unfortunately, Ty's goodbye was not temporary. He was not about to embark upon his "voyage out to sea" or journey off to the college of his dreams. In fact, Ty will never again be able to experience anything outside of the borders of his home in small-town Nebraska. Why? Because Ty used a simple Post-it note to tell his family that he had had enough and that he was going to kill himself. The novel begins about a month after the tragedy, and chronicles Alexis's journey to recovery and forgiveness.

First things first: THIS BOOK IS PHENOMENAL. It hurt me to have to put it down, sometimes. Alexis provides a fresh, funny and sometimes bitterly poignant voice that anyone in high school today can relate to. Though the novel is definitely not action-packed or filled with plot twists, Alexis' emotional journey is both heartbreaking and thoroughly entertaining to read. It is filled with nothing but raw and painful reality, and at times, I found myself reading in a crouched position because of the raw and gut-wrenching storytelling.

Nevertheless, PLEASE do not let this discourage you. There are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments in the novel as well, and Alexis balances out her immense sadness with a great deal of humor. Her quirky personality paired with her perfect wit makes for a lovable character with whom everyone one can identify. Overall, I loved this book and I recommend it to everyone. It is a sweet little reminder that everyone goes through grief, and no one is alone.

Reviewed by Cheritta J.

My Brief Review:

The Last Time We Say Goodbye is a beautiful, emotional, thought provoking story that will move it's readers in unexpected ways. You can't read this book, and not be changed by some part of it. There's something within this story that will resonate with each of it's readers, and it won't leave them same after they finish it. This is Cynthia Hand's best book yet!

My favorite quote from the book: "The people we love are never truly gone."

My Long Review:

Cynthia Hand has out done herself with this book. Within the first couple of pages of this book I was emotionally hooked. I was ready to break down and sob for the characters. And you know, that's not a bad thing. I was however, surprised that it took no time at all for Cynthia to emotionally connect me to Lex and her story.

This book is beautifully written. Everything about this book is well thought out, and paced just perfectly, allowing the reader to absorb and understand all the Lex is going through and feeling, as she tries to piece together her life after her brother's death. Oh the feelings I have for this book. I really wish I could just bottle up all my emotions, vs try to explain them. It would be so much easier. I felt such a wide range of emotions while reading this book.

It has been awhile since I was this emotionally invested in a book. I cried, and not just once, while reading this book. This story is one many of us can relate to in one way or another, or have been effected by. This story is a reminder that every moment in life is fragile and beautiful. Life is worth living, and memories are worth making. It's so important to never miss the chance to say I love you, to those we love.

Lex was a character my heart immediately broke for. I wanted to help her. And yet, the beautiful thing about this story is seeing her character learn to cope with her new reality, while trying to piece together the what ifs, as well as moving on with her life. Her actions in this story are justifiable and understandable. She pushes everyone away, including her boyfriend, and best friend. I liked seeing getting glimpses of the girl she was before her brother's death, the girl she was after it, and the girl she was fighting to become. I can't imagine what it's like losing a family member to suicide, but the way Cynthia wrote this story, allowed me to see how it effects a family, and friends, the those close to the relatives left behind. Cynthia gives readers an inside look at what they are feeling, and what is going on. I got why Lex pushed friends away, why her family struggled with going back to their new normal, and how hard it was to finally get to a place where she learned to let go, but still held to her brother's memories.

I greatly admire the way Cynthia Hand also included Lex's family, friends, and the community in this story.There's a rippling effect when someone takes their life, and it not only effects their family, those they love, but also their friends, classmates, and those in the community. It effects everyone differently. Everyone grieves in different ways, and learns to un-excepted ways. Cynthia does a beautiful job at showing readers that.

Having personally been effected by a friend's suicide in high school, I understood some of Lex's feelings, and her brother's friend Damian's. I understood the trying to piece together the why. I understood trying to solve the, "How could someone who seemed to have everything together, take their own life?" question. I also understood the what if. What if. I personally dwelt with that, and wonderful what if I had talked longer with my friend that evening, or got in touch with the other friend, my friend who committed suicide was looking for. Would that had made a difference? I don't know. I definitely understood the emotions and the why within in this story.

The Last Time We Say Goodbye is a beautiful, emotional, thought provoking story that will move it's readers in unexpected ways. You can't read this book, and not be changed by some part of it. There's something within this story that will resonate with each of it's readers, and it won't leave them same after they finish it.

The Last Time We Said Goodbye is so good and so very sad. I love when novels portray strong positive family relations, but it also makes me that much more sad when the family members lose a loved one and are working through their loss. Even more when the individual that was so loved decided to kill himself.

This is one of the realest, deepest, saddest novels that I've read. Lex's emotions are so genuine and from the heart that it tore apart my bleeding heart and ripped right through it over and over again. If I wasn't so busy feeling for Lex, I would have sobbed my eyes out. As it was, my heart bled for Lex and for Ty. I'm writing this review over a day after I read this novel, and my heart is still feeling all sorts of sad. And guess what, I still feel the urge to read this novel. It's going on my keepers shelf.

What made this novel connect to me on a more personal level is that I went through a major depressive episode during my junior year of high school. I can relate to how Ty goes through periods when he thinks everything's okay and the knowing that the darkness is coming and that it's going to keep on coming back. And his feeling that he's messed up and that he can't fix himself. During those dark days, the only thing that I felt like I could do was endure each waking moment, and I couldn't wait to sleep and not have to worry about anything. I did contemplate what would happen if I left the world. What got me through each day was the distant hope that everything would turn out better somewhere in the future. And life did get better. It was difficult, and it's still difficult today. Depression is something that I live with and that I choose to fight.

I can also sympathize with Lex. I have a brother who is two-and-a-half years younger than me—which is approximately the same age difference between Lex and Ty. I can't imagine what it would be like to lose my brother, but I know that I would be pretty devastated. I can relate to much of Lex and Ty's relationship from the funny brother to the awkwardness of talking relationships to the brother-sister squabbles. And ahhhh I seriously don't want to think about my brother dying much less killing himself. And that text that could have changed everything. And knowing that it may not have changed anything after all. I'd be torn apart if I were in Lex's shoes.

I was torn apart reading this novel.

Plotwise, Ty's suicide plays a large role in Lex's development. It's on her mind practically all the time. It's influenced some major decisions that she's made and goes on to make. She dreams about him, and no matter how terrible these dreams are, she embraces them because it gives her a connection with him. I do admit that these dreams are surreal and maybe a little fantastical, but I love the way they contribute to the plot—especially that last one. Oh, how it broke my poor little heart. I really wish we got to know Ty, and I really wish that we could turn back the clock and save him. And you know what? These feelings show how much Cynthia Hand has brought the characters and Lex's feelings to life.

That said, Ty's suicide isn't everything in this novel. At its heart, The Last Time We Said Goodbye is about learning to accept the grief and also that you can't allow yourself to take on all the blame for the death of a loved one. Suicide in particular is the choice that an individual makes. One text, one call, one cry of pain, may hold a lot of weight, but it won't necessarily change anything. Even if someone chooses not to commit suicide one day, he or she may commit suicide the next time. Choosing to live with depression, to reach out to someone for help, does benefit from having a social network upon which one can rely, but it also requires a serious attitude change and the will to face life's challenges head on.

I do feel like the romance and friendships weren't really well developed given that the love interest doesn't have much screen time. No one side character gets much consistent screen time other than Ty and the mom (and perhaps the dad). But I'm satisfied on the whole with how things play out. For one thing, it's always nice to see the romance take a backseat to other issues (because I'm a firm believer that, while romance may be important to an individual in love, romance isn't all there is to life). Secondly and lastly, there's no room for romance and friends on Lex's mind all things considered. She herself explains how she feels like she's been pulling away from everyone, and I can't fault her given everything she's going through. I would be on my way to becoming a hermit if I were Lex.

I seriously recommend this novel. It's genuine and beautiful and heartbreaking. It's a keeper for me. If you read it or have read it, please let me know what you think. I love this novel so much.

I worried this would be schmaltzy and cliched. It wasn't. I worried it would either glamorize or villainize suicide. It didn't. It didn't feel like a public service announcement that tried to cram a lot of facts about depression in. It was what they used to call "a good cry," but one that won't leave you in the dumps for the rest of the day because it ends with a bit of hope that at least some things will get better. The author mentions she, like the narrator, lost a brother to suicide. I'm sorry to hear that. I imagine that's what's given her such a deft, gentle hand at writing on the subject. I would definitely recommend the book to teens or adults.

To nitpick, as I always do, I don't really get why a second boy killed himself. It wasn't explained to my satisfaction. If the author wanted a second wave of suffering to hit the narrator's family, I think she could have accomplished it in a different, easier-to-swallow way. And call me a cynic, but I don't think all family relationships need be repaired, even in Young Adult books where they are always repaired. I feel like we give family many dozens or hundreds more chances than we'd ever give strangers, often resulting in a very unhealthy dynamic, such that sometimes family just plain deserves to drift on out of our lives. But, like I said, that result rarely happens in YA. Finally, the math examples that are meant to show us what a whiz Lex is are just very, very basic, like mostly 5th grade stuff.

There are a couple of good themes in here, one is that we can't fix others. We can be there for them and help provide them tools, but ultimately they have to do the heavy lifting, and that takes time.

And while I 100% believe that people have the right to kill themselves (depression can be fatal just like cancer but it comes with the added head trip of guilt and judgement), I want to say, for any young people reading this (yes, PSA time after I just said that), life changes so much after high school and again after college, should you go. Check it all out. Give it a chance. Watch the "it gets better" videos. You and your loved ones deserve that.

When Lex's brother dies, she loses everything. Her mother is lost in her own grief, and Lex distances herself from her friends and boyfriend. She has a difficult time letting in any kind of support - particularly because she blames herself for what happened.

The storytelling was my favorite thing about this. Not only was did the writing flow wonderfully, but the reading for the audio version was spot-on as well. I honestly believed this was Lex talking to me, telling her story. It was easy to get lost in for that reason.

At first the male voices sounded awkward and a bit forced to me, especially when Lex's therapist was talking, but I found myself unbothered by the end. I'm not sure whether I grew used to it, or perhaps the voices became better over time. I do think some of them were done really well (Ty's especially stood out to me) and I really do think it was the case of a few awkward lines, and of one person trying to sound like so many different people.

Speaking of people: the characters were great. Most of them began as usual tropes - the therapist serving as a wise mentor, Ty the perfect guy who nobody believes would commit suicide, etc. But I think this was more due to the way Lex saw the world and people around her, and I think the stereotype problem vanished as soon as we were allowed to see more of the characters. (Although I do wish a few had been fleshed out a bit more, I do understand that not all side characters are going to get that level of character development, and it didn't bother me too much.)

Despite the fact that I had a few small problems, I couldn't give this book less than five stars. I almost did, but 4.5 feels too low. 4.9 sounds ridiculous. So, five it is, and the reason is because I loved the story. Lex's character development was so well done, and her grief was so real. I think anyone who's lost a loved one would be able to relate to her anger, her sadness, and her guilt. It was so well done.

I also loved the parent aspect. They were truly important characters, essential in Lex's life, and the book showed that. They each had their own character arc that I really enjoyed as well.

Lastly, I feel like I have to mention the friendships - there were so many great ones. Lex's friends stuck with her so well, through everything, and it was so nice to see. I also think the relationship between Tyler and his friends was great and wish we had been able to see more of it - but, for obvious reasons, that wasn't possible in the book.

I read a LOT.. I read a lot of new authors who ask me to, for a review. Some are OK, some are good, some need to go back to school to learn to write but then, a book comes along that makes me understand what good writing… real writing is all about. “The Last Time We Say Goodbye” is such a book.
I love that it moves beautifully forward. Not millions of things thrown in for color or description… just this wonderful flow of words that carry the reader along this slow/hard path to understanding. .."Goodbye’’ just makes you ache for the people involved in the death of a lovely young man who just couldn’t realize how special he was and would have been. You develop a love for the 1st person writing their story from her pain and that of all that loved her brother too.
I think I loved Lexie’s best friend from her childhood almost as much as Lexie. Sadie. Who pops up later in the book but she is so solid and so real a friend to our main character and can say things that Lexie’s current friends just are not able to. This is probably true due to the sudden loss of her own father only a few years before the death of Ty.
You want to smack her Mom occasionally and are definitely angry with the father who walks away from his family but this is very much a life that many share in our world today where I think we are way too much into “me, me, me” and not the whole or reality of everyone needing each other.
Then there are her weekly visits to her therapist Dave who is trying to help her deal with the death of her brother. She goes unwillingly and doesn’t seem to get much out of it. Until she actually writes in the journal.. at the end, to Steven. How it comes together is beautiful and heart wrenching and yes.. you might shed a tear.
There are so many lessons here. The effects of what parents do, the effects of students trying to deal with each other and some heavy emotions and not sure where to lay them. Did I say I loved this book?? Yep. Loved it. Definitely a keeper. Thank you Cynthia Hand for a real look into the terrible statistics found in the News or online at any given time. Beautifully done.

Lexi's probably too smart for her own good, or at least to be comfortable in her own skin. She's at the top of her class and unless something awful happens to her grades, she'll go east in the fall from her small Nebraska town and study math at MIT. Unfortunately, she's still frozen in guilt and grief over the suicide of her younger brother Ty who shot himself in the family garage a few days before Christmas. That event and something which happened the same night, have her so trapped in an emotional wasteland, that she's shut out her friends and the only boy she's ever cared about.
Family support isn't there either. Her mother, who went back to school after her husband walked out to live with a younger woman (and eventually marry), is too busy working, crying and numbing herself with wine when she gets home at night. Her father, an accountant, doesn't seem to have any ability to see how Lexi's feeling, nor does he seem able to get out of his own stuff so he can see how much his self-absorption and new life anger and hurt her.
In fact, it's Sadie, a somewhat rough, cigarette smoking teen and former best friend, who starts Lexi's turnaround. Her own dad dropped dead in their back yard of a heart attack a couple years ago, so she knows, and can speak grief and loss fluently. However, she doesn't do pity, and it's this aspect of their rekindled friendship, coupled with Lexi sorting out some clues Ty left behind, that start her journey back.
This is an amazing book, with minimal romance and a lot of reflection by Lexi as well as her friends and Ashley, Ty's girlfriend who Lexi initially thinks dumped her brother. When she discovers that it was the other way around and what the letter he left her to deliver to Ashley says, still more pieces fall into place. Readers will be mesmerized by how everything begins to make sense, at least enough so Lexi can set foot on the road of recovery. It's an excellent book for all libraries to own as it handles the aspect of sibling suicide and the frozen in time kind of grief extremely well.

Prepare to cry - it's an emotional roller coaster ride from the first word to the last. Not only was this novel beautifully written, but it was also incredibly well read (I listened to the Audio Recorded version). Between the beautiful prose and the amazing annunciation, The Last Time We Say Goodbye turned into a whirlwind of emotion and a realism that is difficult to parallel.

The book deals with our main character, Lex, and her struggles to understand and cope with her brother's suicide. As unfortunate as it is, there are too many young people who consider and ultimately accomplish this action. The depression and emotional difficulties that youth has to endure, and subsequently be unable to deal with, in today's world is on the rise. Young people need to be educated how their actions impact those people who love them. This novel, in my opinion, accomplishes this task. As I listened, I kept thinking, "this should be mandatory reading for all young people." The message is clear - to both the survivors (family, friends, etc.) and those who think that suicide may be an answer - "Don't do it! It's not worth it. A trail of sadness and misery remains, nothing else. Get help and live through it - things will get better eventually."

I highly recommend this book from High School kids to senior citizens. An amazing read and a wonderful experience.

Happy Reading!

This book is about a girl Lex who is grieving and feeling guilty about her brother's recent suicide. Since the suicide she has broken up with her boyfriend and pretty much cut herself off from her friends. She sometimes seems to come off cold and unfeeling, who is very pessimistic about love and tries to explain it away through science and math as if true love doesn't exist. In her defense, she is a high school senior who has a lot on her plate. She is not only dealing with feelings of guilt mixed with resentment from her brother's recent suicide but also feelings of anger and resentment towards her dad who cheated on her mom and left for a younger woman. Her mom doesn't take the fact of their father leaving very well and is still in denial just waiting for him to come home. Her mom is also constantly breaking down and an emotional wreck over her son's death and has pretty much given up on ever being happy again. While the mom has every right to be an emotional wreck it's almost like she's forgetting about being a mom to Lex who is also grieving her brother's death and dealing with the feelings of abandonment from her father leaving.

I thought the book was well written. I loved to read about the memories she shared with her brother and was glad to see she finally let an old friend back into her life to help her deal with her grief. As I was half way through the book I felt like I just wanted to keep going to the end just to find out what happens. While, I can say I did really like it but, I was just a little bit disappointed in the end just wishing it told a little more as to why the brother committed suicide, why he thought things were that bad. I also wish it told a little more about another character Patrick who is in the book. I also have to say the writer does a good job of telling a story with teenagers and kept it pretty clean. There were a few times the *F* word was used but pales in comparison to some other YA books I've read.

"There’s death all around us. Everywhere we look. 1.8 people kill themselves every second.
We just don’t pay attention. Until we do."

The Last Time We Say Goodbye is a heartfelt, thought-provoking, emotional read from Cynthia Hand. I knew once I finished this book that I wouldn’t be forgetting it any time soon. It’s the type of book that stays with you – I may not have necessarily LOVED it, but it’s a gut-wrenching read with a powerful story that should not be missed.

"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."

Alexis Riggs is numb. Ever since her brother, Tyler, committed suicide, Lex has bottled up her emotions – especially her grief – and is going through the motions of her senior year of high school. She’s haunted by the night Ty committed suicide, questioning herself and feeling guilty about whether there was something she could have done to prevent it. Cynthia Hand portrayed her character fantastically – I could feel Lex’s heartache, how much she loved her brother, how much she misses him every day. I could also feel how angry Lex was at Ty for leaving her and her mother alone, leaving them to become shells of themselves.

Lex tries to keep her emotions bottled up, but she’s asked by her therapist to write in a journal. She’s reluctant and not at all impressed by this method of coping, but she does manage to write. She vents her feelings, some flashbacks of her and her brother, and anything else on her mind. Lex dreams of Ty almost every night, and each dream ends with Ty’s death. It’s through these dreams and the occasional flashback that we get to know the kind of person Ty was. He was the kind of person no one ever expected to kill himself – no one ever knew the pain he hid within himself. I loved how Cynthia Hand was able to create such presence in Ty’s character. Even though he’s no longer alive, he’s still very much a part of the story.

Lex struggles day to day, not knowing if the whole in her heart from Ty’s death will ever heal. Her friends are there for her, but she isolates herself. But when she becomes reacquainted with an old childhood friend, Sadie, and Lex finds a letter from her brother to her brother’s ex-girlfriend Ashley, things slowly start to change. Lex has a goal now, to find Ashley and give her the letter. And through this goal, Lex pieces together Ty’s life – the struggles he had – right before he passed. And Lex starts to forgive – herself and Ty – and accept that her brother is gone.

The Last Time We Say Goodbye is a story about loss, grief, and acceptance. At its heart, it’s a story of family and friends, about accepting help when it’s offered, and not having to go through grief alone. Lex is surrounded by people who care and comes to realize that even though the hole in her heart from Ty’s death will always be there, she doesn’t have to let it consume her life. I adored this novel, how heartbreaking yet eye-opening it was. It’s not an easy read, but a deeply emotional, stunning one that I highly recommend.

Incredibly mundane. I don't think there was a single adult thought in this book. Perhaps it would appeal to someone with an adolescent mentality. Don't waste your time. If it hadn't been my book club's pick for this month I never would have finished reading the book. Good Reads listed it as one not to miss, I will not rely on Good Reads for recommendations in the future.

This review has been crossposted from my blog at The Cosy Dragon.com. Please head there for more in-depth reviews by me, which appear on a timely schedule.

Lexi used to be a typical teenager – as typical as a very intelligent proclaimed math nerd can get. Now she’s just the girl who’s brother committed suicide. With a heavy dose of blame, and the beginning of panic attacks, her psychiatrist suggests that she writes a journal to get her thoughts out.

Since I listened to this as an audiobook, I’m not actually sure which parts were the journal, and which parts were actually happening as time went on. It didn’t matter to me though. The audio-reader did a fantastic job of differentiating between the different voices of the characters, and I felt that the author’s intentions underlying her different storytelling techniques were not lost.

At times the novel tried to set me crying. I listened to it while doing some craft-work and I had to stop and put my things down! I listened to it with my partner in some places, and she was just as invested in the story as I was, even though it seemed to be very long!

That damn letter! Arg! The whole middle section of the novel had me wishing she would just open the damn thing already, and damn her morals! She feels so conflicted about everything, and surely simplifying just one or two things would be good. At least then she would know why Ty left.

Lex blames herself for Ty’s death, because she feels that she wasn’t there for him. The ending satisfactorily wraps this up, and gives the reader important points to take away. This, along with all the repercussions of his death, really highlights to the reader that suicide is not a ‘weak’ choice.

The secondary characters seem unimportant for the majority of the novel, but at least some of them gradually develop. Mainly we don’t see any action from them because Lex is too caught up in her own problems and spirit-filled world. Stephen could have had a bit more of a showing, and I would have loved to see inside his head sometimes. But that’s the problem with first-person novels! I’ll never know!

Overall, this novel gets my whole-hearted thumbs up. 5 stars from me – I only wish I had the time to reread it though.

Lex's brother Tyler killed himself on December 20. On February 5, Lex gives in to her counselor's suggestion of writing in a journal. Lex tells the story of her present and (via journal entries) her past as she faces the rest of her senior year--college plans, her parents' difficult responses to Ty's death, the loss of her boyfriend Steven. To add to it all, Lex feels that Ty wants something of her and wonders if she's seeing his ghost.

One of the only genres I avoid is the spoon-feeding "social issues" novel. This book's back cover blurb imparts only the information that Lex is the main character and her brother has recently committed suicide. Based on that blurb alone, I would never have picked this up. So why did I? Because Cynthia Hand wrote it. Truly the only reason. I don't read much YA, but the UNEARTHLY series is one of my favorites; I love Ms. Hand's voice and her characters and her dialogue. So rather unwillingly, I gave this one a try.

I could sum up this review thusly: I will read whatever Cynthia Hand writes for the rest of her career.

Nothing about this novel is sledgehammered into the reader's head. Lex is a person, not a mouthpiece for social awareness. She's a math genius waiting to hear if her dream of MIT will become reality. She's an atheist raised by a church-going mom. She's a perfectionist, a conscientious firstborn who claimed her baby brother as "mine" the first time she met him. She's in love with her boyfriend and afraid to believe in love. She wishes she were more adept at swearing and she likes cherry Pop-Tarts.

This story is Lex's journey--heartbreaking, life-affirming, yes. But also beautifully written, unraveling slowly toward revelations from the past and resolutions in the present. Not neat and tidy wrap-ups, not a happily ever after, but a final "goodbye" that will let Lex live even though Ty didn't.

Driven by character moments and deep, human truths, THE LAST TIME WE SAY GOODBYE is an honest patchwork of hurt and humor and anger and aches, a book that faces both death and life.

Why don't you just break my heart into millions of tiny little pieces, Cynthia?! That would have been so much easier!

After reading, and loving, Cynthia's Unearthly trilogy, I knew I had to pick this book up. I wasn't totally sure about it though. She was so good at the paranormal that I was afraid her contemporary wouldn't be as great. And, while I didn't love it as much as I loved Unearthly, The Last Time We Say Goodbye was very good. I don't think I went 50 pages without shedding a tear. (FYI, I hid in my room to read this, just so my roommate wouldn't see me crying on the couch. I was a mess.)

Because this whole story revolves around Lex's brother, there has to be some sort of sibling relationship. And this is what Cynthia excels at. Her brother-sister bonds are soooo realistic. (I've never had a brother myself, but she can always make me feel like I do.) Unearthly's bro-sis relationship was touching and lovely, but Lex and Tyler's relationship had my heart squishing itself into a puddle of goop. Or maybe it just burst from emotion-overload. I'm not quite sure which.

Most of the relationships in this book were delicate, fragile, and realistic. Lex and Tyler's relationship with their parents, with their significant others, and even with their friends, were normal relationships—they weren't overdone to make the plot entertaining (although it was). My only issue with the characters in this book was that I did want to see a little bit more interaction between Lex and her ex.

While this book did have me crying my heart out, I did get tired of wiping my eyes. What do I mean by that? Well, I felt that I was just crying to cry. Some of the scenes, and Lex's inner dialogue, got a little repetitive at times. It wasn't often enough ruin the story, but it did happen often enough for me to notice it. Also, what happened between Lex and her ex was a tad predictable. I had figured out their issues in the beginning of the book, so I was just waiting for Lex to spit it out.

Another issue I had with this book, which can never really be solved, is why Tyler did it. I know that this is really impossible to answer for any victim of suicide, but it hurt me, just like it hurt Lex and her family, to not know.

All in all, this book will make you cry, so prepare for all the feels. But honestly, I knew this book was going to wrench my heart out and I still wasn't prepared.

I wanted to read The Last Time We Say Goodbye because the subject of mental illness and the fall out of suicide is personal to me. I could relate with Lex because I feel the guilt of a family member who's lost their life and questioning everything. Could I have done something differently? What if this and what if that.

The romance in the flash backs was sweet. Lex is a smart girl and self professed nerd. We know from the beginning in present that her and Steven didn't work out but I still enjoyed looking at their history and seeing the awkward interactions and the sweet exploration.

The family dynamic in this book was dysfunctional even before the suicide. After even more so. Their parents went through a divorce and their time with their dad is stilted. Her mom after is obviously depressed and not living in the present for lex. She sleeps all the time and doesn't really talk to lex about what happened.

I totally get what lex was going through emotionally. She didn't cry, and that is something that I struggle with feeling almost robotic in that way because even though mourning, the tears Digby back up on the outside what I feel inside. She also deals with anxiety and panic and it can be so debilitating and hard to understand and deal with.

Lex's struggles and working towards goals to make things even a little better is realistic. None of the revelations. realizations, or healing came over night. She had to work for it. She used journals and counceling, and talking with friends trying to heal. She also has her mom who feels that her life is over having lost Tyler, and she wants to be a support for her and as she learns that it will hurt, there are other people that want to help.

The ending was hopeful, but still shows that only time will heal (cliches are cliches for a reason). It shows the importance of family (no matter how dysfunctional), friends (even when you feel like you have nothing in common anymore.) That everyone has issues and knows pain and loss on some level, and that they really don't care how hurt, they just want you to let you in. It wrapped things up well and left me feeling emotionally beaten and then a slow heal for me too.

Bottom Line: Realistic journey of Lex trying to make sense of and heal from the suicide of her brother.

I got a copy of this book to review through the the store Vine series. I was a huge fan of Hand’s Unearthly series, so I was eager to see what Hand would write for her first contemporary young adult fiction novel. This was a very tough read but incredibly well written.

This book is about a girl, Lex, whose brother kills himself. She is dealing with the aftermath and trying to understand why he did this. She and her mother are also struggling to figure out how to get on with their lives when everything has suddenly changed so drastically.

I really haven’t read any contemporary fiction about teen suicide before, so keep that in mind (I don’t have a lot to compare this book to). This is a very emotional read; there were parts of the book where I laughed out loud and parts where I cried. The book is very sad, but also ends on a very hopeful note.

The story alternates between what Lex is dealing with on a day to day basis and what she writes in a journal she is keeping at the request of her therapist. The whole story is driving towards Lex’s admission about the events that happened the night of her brother’s suicide.

This book was absolutely impossible to put down, I read the full 400 pages in one night (when I should have been doing things like exercising and sleeping). I just had to know what actually happened to her brother, what led him to commit suicide, and how Lex and her mom were going to move on with their lives.

I loved Lex as a character. She is something of a mathematical genius and she looks at the world a bit differently than most other teens. However, that being said she is dealing with a lot of the same issues. She has a wonderfully geeky and sweet boyfriend that she is struggling to maintain a relationship with because of her brother’s death. She is trying to keep her grades up despite her depression because she wants to go to MIT. Mostly she is struggling with how different everyone treats her because of this one selfish act her brother committed.

Overall this is highly recommended if you like young adult contemporary fiction. The book is just incredibly well written and impossible to put down. You get very involved with the characters and their lives very quickly. Just read it somewhere where you don’t mind crying.

I knew this was going to be great, I mean come on, this is Cynthia Hand we are talking about. I even knew this would be emotional considering the subject matter, but what I didn't know was that I would end up reading this all in one sitting. And while it was emotional, it wasn't cry your eyes out emotional. It was something more. Something very hard to put into words and to explain. But something great nonetheless.

Sometimes when I write up my reviews I wish I was an eloquent writer with beautiful words and descriptions. Someone who could make you see and feel all that I did while reading a story but sadly, that wasn't my gift in life. So instead you are stuck with this version of me, the one right now, struggling to help you understand all that I felt while reading this and how wonderful and raw I think the story truly was.

Suicide is never something anyone wants to talk about, let alone acknowledge. For whatever reason it is a very taboo subject. One that is avoided at all costs. Looked over and sometimes even ignored. But it shouldn't be because it is a very real, very serious matter. Not only to those that contemplate it but to those that love those that do.

What happens to those that are left behind? How does it affect them, change them, and how do they go on?

This was so beautifully done, so beautifully spoken.

This doesn't just poke and prod at a tough subject matter, it digs in, elbows deep, into the heart of the matter. It is gritty and raw and really shows the painful side of those that are left to deal with the aftermath. How it changes them. It is the bad, the ugly, and the even uglier parts of the story no one wants to think about. That probably, no one really knows or can completely understand unless they have been there.

Did I mention this was beautiful? Did I mention that it tore me up in all the right ways and really made me feel? Really opened my eyes and let me just simply see?

Well done Ms. Hand. Well done. I never expected to love this and have it move me as much as it did. So again, well done. I can't imagine how hard, how painful at times and also challenging this must have been to write. To experience and to live.

The author's note at the end is something that should also be read to fully understand just how amazing, how beautiful this story really is.

‘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 boyfriend and she won’t talk to any of her friends. Seven weeks ago her brother killed himself. But now she’s starting to his ghost. A series of journal entries reveals the facts behind Lexie’s grief (and guilt) and the heartbreak begins anew when we are exposed to the truth of her pain.

‘I didn’t know to savor that moment on the dance floor, to understand how beautiful and rare it was, how fragile, how ephemeral, when Ty was happy. When we were all happy, and we were together, and we were safe.
I didn’t know.
I didn’t know.’

Grief comes in many forms as we all handle it in different ways. Lexie’s path of grief led her to shut everyone out and while this storyline has certainly been done before, it still managed to resonate honestly and leave a strong impression. These days, death and grief have become most common in YA novels and while it can certainly come off as a morbid fascination, the existence of these types of novels can be vital for those who don’t quite know how to handle their grief. It can serve as proof to those who have also experienced grief that they are far from alone and that there are people that can help. It’s a sad fact of life that we must all learn how to cope, heal and continue living. The Last Time We Said Goodbye is more of a cautionary tale seeing as the story is told from the surviving sister and inevitably shows the repercussions of suicide and the effects of grief but manages to still leave the reader with a facet of hope to cling to. While this is a work of fiction, the author states that she had a younger brother that killed himself which only made this all the more poignant and truly from the heart.

The Last Time We Said Goodbye is a raw and brutally honest depiction of the various sides of grief. It’s an insightful and admirable story about acceptance and forgiveness that will no doubt leave you heartsick but is an incredibly worthy read.

Cynthia Hand's novel The Last Time We Say Goodbye was everything I could have wanted in a young adult read. It is one I will be pressing into the hands of every book lover I know.

Lex is trying to come to terms with her brother's suicide. Just two years younger than her, she and Ty had always been close. Many of her childhood memories are of the two of them together. As a way of dealing with her grief and trying to move on, Lex is seeing a counselor who wants her to write about her brother and her feelings in a journal.

Through the journal and memories, we are able to know Tyler for the sensitive and smart brother Lex has grown up with. We are also able to understand their family's past, the hurt they still have from their father leaving them, and the way in which this impacted Tyler and Lex.

Lex is a brilliant student, looking forward to college and hoping to be accepted to MIT. Her passion is math, and she loves that this is a subject that follows rules and is predictable.

Ever since her brother's death Lex has pushed her friends away. It is clear she blames herself for something that she feels would have made a difference in her brother taking his own life, and has even broken up with her boyfriend, Steven.

As the novel unfolds, more is revealed about the day Tyler died, and we can feel Lex's heartbreak and despair when she learns he has killed himself.

I so appreciated Hand's note at the novel's end explaining that her own brother had committed suicide when he was seventeen and she was twenty. The story she has created is fiction, yet the feelings and emotions are so believable because Hand has experience with the loss that Lex experiences.

I rarely re-read books, but I would happily read this entire novel again to lose myself in this story and the characters.

The Last Time We Say Goodbye an emotional and sad contemporary book about teen suicide. Lex's younger brother sends her a text message and soon after he commits suicide, so she feels responsible for his death and for most of the book we do not know what the message said, until near the end we get to know what it said; she blames herself and her father, and she's constantly angry with those around her, so she push away her friends, broke up with her boyfriend and begins to have problems in her classes (she's in advanced classes and her goal is to go to MIT). Through Lexie's memories we get to see how close she was with his brother and how both got along very well. This book is about the loss of a loved one, how it affects them and and how to cope.

Besides Lex and her mother, a character that we don't get to see much but is important for Lex, is her ex boyfriend Steven, he goes to the same advanced classes, so he's a quietly present in Lex's life.

The beginning of the book is slow and gradually introducing us to Lex's life, she's going to therapy, because she isn't expressing her feelings about the suicide of her brother, which happened seven weeks before, so her therapist gives her a notebook to write in her memories of her brother, but not necessarily sad things, but also the happy moments as Lex needs to let out her feelings, so she gradually begins to write in her notebook about her brother and through these memories we get to know Tyler, we see the love they had for each other, but we also see his dark moments. I loved the time she writes in the book, I felt it very special.

This was a very sad story about how affects to a family the suicide of a brother/son, about how those involved put their life on hold, while the world keeps moving, and how slowly they can get on with their lives. The end is very emotional, in one moment I was reading it, and I was thinking this is really sad but just that and all of the suddent I was crying like a baby, my emotions were all over the place.

My Thoughts: Another great novel by Cynthia Hand! I loved her Unearthly series so I was very excited to read this one! This one is contemporary though unlike her other series; paranormal.

We are introduced to Lex. Lex’s brother is gone. He committed suicide. I knew going into this one, it would be heartbreaking and sad and make me have feels. And, I was right.

Lex is just trying to get by. Her days all blend into another. And she doesn’t understand how her brother could just want to die. Sometimes she thinks she saw the signs but she never thought he’d do what he did.

Things are just so hard for Lex. She pretty much dropped all of her friends and her boyfriend. She’s just the girl whose brother died now.

I liked the little bit of romance sprinkled into this one. It wasn't such a huge topic but it was there. Just waiting to be called upon. Waiting for it to happen and reconnect. I liked how it wasn’t the main focus of the story.

I wanted to cry so many times during this one. I wanted things to be ok for Lex. I wanted to tell her it would be ok even if things were tough.

I loved Lex’s personality even when she was sad. I could tell she was a good person who would do the right thing even if it was difficult. I also liked the few side characters. They made things more interesting.

Overall: I really enjoyed this one even though it was such a hard heartbreaking topic. I’m glad I read it. It was a fast read for me but so damn emotional.

Cover: Love it! It totally fits! Cute!

What I’d Give It: 5/5 Cupcakes
_________________
Taken From Princess Bookie

The Last Time We Say Goodbye
By
Cynthia Hand

What it's all about...

Lex is trying to learn how to live her life after the death of her brother Ty.

My thoughts after reading this book...

This book is sad...there really isn't a way to not be sad while reading this book. It's about loss and suicide and learning to live without someone that you really love. For me it was also a little bit of trying to understand what would make someone so young want to end his life in such a violent way. Lex is a brilliant math student...she loves numbers, is a self professed geek and is waiting around for her acceptance letter to MIT. Then Ty kills himself and her world really takes a dive into depression. She breaks up with her boyfriend, she thinks she sees Ty in lots of places and she relives her last conversation with him...over and over. Her family is a mess...her father left three years ago...her mother says her happy days are over and it doesn't seem that any amount of self help or therapy can get anything remotely close to normal again. This book is sad!

What I loved best...

Lex was the heart and soul of this book...probably the heart and soul of her family which was so dysfunctional. Lex suffered alone and pretty much tried to suffer in silence. It's not that I loved what happened to her but it's the way she found her way out of this foggy place that she was in...that was my favorite part of this book. She had her counselor but she really didn't have her parents...she brought peace to her family almost all by herself.

What potential readers might want to know...

This is definitely a sad book but it's hopeful, too. I loved the way it was written. So...readers who enjoy this kind of story and subject...should enjoy this soulful book.

Grief is a fascinating thing. There are so many ways that it can affect a person, influence their choices and actions and be dealt with. There is no "one way" to experience grief, and the large collection of stories about grief is testament to its many variations. The Last Time We Say Goodbye is Cynthia Hand's take on grief, particularly after losing a sibling to suicide. It's a beautifully executed, well-told tale that tugged on my heartstrings from start to finish.

Main character Lex is the type of gal who enjoys a good mathematical formula, works hard academically (and has the results to show for it) and believes that most things in life have a logical explanation. So, everything she feels after her brother's death? It turns her world upside down when she can't logic her way out of it. The Last Time We Say Goodbye is about how Lex is working through her grief. There are ups and downs, but it's all about the step-by-step forward progress she is making. Whether or not you wind up liking her (I did!), her experience is certainly easy to relate to.

The Last Time We Say Goodbye chronicles one girl's emotional journey as she grapples with grief, guilt and anger. It is a privilege to be able to walk with Lex, to witness all that she goes through in a portrayal that is both beautiful and heartbreaking. Though it will be quite the sucker punch to your emotions, I highly recommend reading The Last Time You Say Goodbye and can easily say it's one of the most moving books I've read already this year.

The Last Time We Say Goodbye an emotional and sad contemporary book about teen suicide. Lex's younger brother sends her a text message and soon after he commits suicide, so she feels responsible for his death and for most of the book we do not know what the message said, until near the end we get to know what it said; she blames herself and her father, and she's constantly angry with those around her, so she push away her friends, broke up with her boyfriend and begins to have problems in her classes (she's in advanced classes and her goal is to go to MIT). Through Lexie's memories we get to see how close she was with his brother and how both got along very well. This book is about the loss of a loved one, how it affects them and and how to cope.

Besides Lex and her mother, a character that we don't get to see much but is important for Lex, is her ex boyfriend Steven, he goes to the same advanced classes, so he's a quietly present in Lex's life.

The beginning of the book is slow and gradually introducing us to Lex's life, she's going to therapy, because she isn't expressing her feelings about the suicide of her brother, which happened seven weeks before, so her therapist gives her a notebook to write in her memories of her brother, but not necessarily sad things, but also the happy moments as Lex needs to let out her feelings, so she gradually begins to write in her notebook about her brother and through these memories we get to know Tyler, we see the love they had for each other, but we also see his dark moments. I loved the time she writes in the book, I felt it very special.

This was a very sad story about how affects to a family the suicide of a brother/son, about how those involved put their life on hold, while the world keeps moving, and how slowly they can get on with their lives. The end is very emotional, in one moment I was reading it, and I was thinking this is really sad but just that and all of the suddent I was crying like a baby, my emotions were all over the place.

My Thoughts: Another great novel by Cynthia Hand! I loved her Unearthly series so I was very excited to read this one! This one is contemporary though unlike her other series; paranormal.

We are introduced to Lex. Lex’s brother is gone. He committed suicide. I knew going into this one, it would be heartbreaking and sad and make me have feels. And, I was right.

Lex is just trying to get by. Her days all blend into another. And she doesn’t understand how her brother could just want to die. Sometimes she thinks she saw the signs but she never thought he’d do what he did.

Things are just so hard for Lex. She pretty much dropped all of her friends and her boyfriend. She’s just the girl whose brother died now.

I liked the little bit of romance sprinkled into this one. It wasn't such a huge topic but it was there. Just waiting to be called upon. Waiting for it to happen and reconnect. I liked how it wasn’t the main focus of the story.

I wanted to cry so many times during this one. I wanted things to be ok for Lex. I wanted to tell her it would be ok even if things were tough.

I loved Lex’s personality even when she was sad. I could tell she was a good person who would do the right thing even if it was difficult. I also liked the few side characters. They made things more interesting.

Overall: I really enjoyed this one even though it was such a hard heartbreaking topic. I’m glad I read it. It was a fast read for me but so damn emotional.

Cover: Love it! It totally fits! Cute!

What I’d Give It: 5/5 Cupcakes
_________________
Taken From Princess Bookie

The Last Time We Say Goodbye
By
Cynthia Hand

What it's all about...

Lex is trying to learn how to live her life after the death of her brother Ty.

My thoughts after reading this book...

This book is sad...there really isn't a way to not be sad while reading this book. It's about loss and suicide and learning to live without someone that you really love. For me it was also a little bit of trying to understand what would make someone so young want to end his life in such a violent way. Lex is a brilliant math student...she loves numbers, is a self professed geek and is waiting around for her acceptance letter to MIT. Then Ty kills himself and her world really takes a dive into depression. She breaks up with her boyfriend, she thinks she sees Ty in lots of places and she relives her last conversation with him...over and over. Her family is a mess...her father left three years ago...her mother says her happy days are over and it doesn't seem that any amount of self help or therapy can get anything remotely close to normal again. This book is sad!

What I loved best...

Lex was the heart and soul of this book...probably the heart and soul of her family which was so dysfunctional. Lex suffered alone and pretty much tried to suffer in silence. It's not that I loved what happened to her but it's the way she found her way out of this foggy place that she was in...that was my favorite part of this book. She had her counselor but she really didn't have her parents...she brought peace to her family almost all by herself.

What potential readers might want to know...

This is definitely a sad book but it's hopeful, too. I loved the way it was written. So...readers who enjoy this kind of story and subject...should enjoy this soulful book.

Grief is a fascinating thing. There are so many ways that it can affect a person, influence their choices and actions and be dealt with. There is no "one way" to experience grief, and the large collection of stories about grief is testament to its many variations. The Last Time We Say Goodbye is Cynthia Hand's take on grief, particularly after losing a sibling to suicide. It's a beautifully executed, well-told tale that tugged on my heartstrings from start to finish.

Main character Lex is the type of gal who enjoys a good mathematical formula, works hard academically (and has the results to show for it) and believes that most things in life have a logical explanation. So, everything she feels after her brother's death? It turns her world upside down when she can't logic her way out of it. The Last Time We Say Goodbye is about how Lex is working through her grief. There are ups and downs, but it's all about the step-by-step forward progress she is making. Whether or not you wind up liking her (I did!), her experience is certainly easy to relate to.

The Last Time We Say Goodbye chronicles one girl's emotional journey as she grapples with grief, guilt and anger. It is a privilege to be able to walk with Lex, to witness all that she goes through in a portrayal that is both beautiful and heartbreaking. Though it will be quite the sucker punch to your emotions, I highly recommend reading The Last Time You Say Goodbye and can easily say it's one of the most moving books I've read already this year.

Recently there's been several YA books that have come out that have dealt with teen suicide ("Playlist for the Dead", "My Heart and Other Black Holes", and "All the Bright Places" being the three I can remember). I'm not sure why there is a surge of these type of books in the market but each one is just as powerful as the other.

Alexis (or Lex) is a senior in high school dealing with her brother's suicide, which just happens less than a couple months before the book starts. The book shows her navigating how to deal with her guilt over her brother dying and how to deal with the changed relationships with her parents, friends, and ex-boyfriend. She also is thinking that her brother had unfinished business and there's a slight mystery about what she needs to do for her brother.

Overall, this was an emotional read. Cynthia Hand, the author, had a brother that committed suicide, so you can feel the genuine emotion there. You can tell that she drew on a lot of her emotions of helplessness that a survivor of suicide feels and she poured that into Lexie. Although, in the Author's Note at the end, she makes sure to say that Lexie's situation is totally her own. But I think the book is more powerful because of her experience. I liked the character of Lexie. I felt for her and her story. There is a slight romance story but the story isn't really about her romance with Steven. Actually, I'm not even sure that there needed to be a romance angle. But what there was, was well done.

I would recommend this book to any YA contemporary fan. Beware you might need the tissues for this one, especially in the last few pages.

It's not very often that I read a book that has me in tears countless times throughout the story, I was so emotionally invested that I lost count of the amount of times that I had to put the book down because it was just so sad and I couldn't stop the tears from falling without taking a break to calm down.

The Last Time We Say Goodbye is a devastatingly sad story, heartbreaking and hard to read without thinking about how you would handle it if it happened to you.

After her brother Ty kills himself, Lex is finding it hard to cope, she has broken up with her boyfriend and closed herself off from her friends, and just seems to be going through the motions, same as her Mom who isn't dealing with it at all, her therapist gets her to start writing her thoughts and feelings down, and it's through this that we see how much Lex is hurting, we also get to read about memories of Ty throughout his life, up to the day he ended it.

Even now that I've finished reading this book, just thinking about it has me tearing up, it made such an impact, the fact that we discover in the acknowledgements that Cynthia's own brother committed suicide when he was seventeen helps you to understand how she was able to make this story as devastating as it was from her own personal experience.

I love Cynthia's books, I'm a huge fan of her Unearthly series, and I was excited when I received a copy to review, I flew through it it's a beautifully written story that will stay with me for a long time to come.

You'll definitely need the tissues for this one,I can't praise this book enough.

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. The Last Time We Say Goodbye made me cry 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 to Dead and The Perks of Being a Wallflower. They all involved writing a journal and diary and while I have nothing against those titles, they left me unsatisfied and detached. Thanks all the saints, I was so wrong because this book is so different. And that felt so naturally good.

It tells the heartbreaking story of a teenage girl slowly navigating her life after the suicide of her brother. That is something someone cannot just get over in one snap. It takes a lot of time and I believe that is what makes this book feel so mundane and simply touching. The protagonist, Lex struggles with that guilt and the blame.

No flowery words could ever be enough to describe how raw and grounded The Last Time We Say Goodbye is. And from writing paranormal to contemporary books that deal with mental illness, Hand’s transition was very smooth. She perfectly captured the grief and angst. The emotion will hit every reader right in the gut.

This is the kind of book every reader will enjoy. It will leave a very lasting mark somewhere within you.

Aaaaaahh!! This book! I love how it made me feel everytime I fire up my app to read it. It speaks of everything with emotions, and I love each and every emotion it made me feel while I'm reading it.

I've read a few books that deals with suicides or deaths and most of them really made me wonder about the things that go through peoples' minds especially when they're feeling down. I've also dealt with a few people with problems that almost made them think of ending their lives. It's not easy at all, especially if you're not with them in person. I always bring myself to listen to other's problems and try to give them advice that will make them feel better. It might actually be my trademark among my friends as they always run to me if they need advices. It actually makes me feel better as well.

This one book just knew how to make its way easily to my heart. It hit the right spots and I was easily enticed with the storyline. I love the fact that it didn't deal much with romance, although the main point might be love and acceptance but the focal point of the values were about family, which was really amazing. It also dealt with loss and finding oneself, coming back stronger and better in times of grief.

I did relate to Lex. I loved how well her character was written. I could feel her emotions easily which really made it easy for me to read the book.

It also made me realize how important it is to appreciate every single thing in life, because life is indeed short. This book is definitely one of the best books I've read out there.

This is a sad book. I knew that going in. I'm annoyed by the reviewers who gave it 1 or 2 stars because it didn't entertain them. Did they really expect a book about teen suicide to be entertaining?? Some books are about the hard things in life and aren't meant to entertain. They're meant to make us think. For some people, this book may help them cope with a personal loss. Everyone handles grief in their own way, and I thought Lex's story was portrayed realistically. I'm not a teen and I haven't been closely affected by suicide, but I found the story relatable. Teen suicide is a subject that tears me up and I cried a lot reading this book.

Let me start by saying, if you have a younger brother, like myself, The Last Time We Say Goodbye will shatter your heart.

From the moment I opened this book, I knew I was in for a ride. The book captured my attention right from the beginning. I wanted to pause and really think about it. Whether I was up for a roller coaster ride of emotions or not. Lately, that is all I’ve been reading. Seems like 2015 is the year of suicide or sickness reads. Nonetheless, Cynthia Hand made The Last Time We Say Goodbye stand out among the others.

Lex has been trying to keep her emotions in tact. Since her brother, Tyler, committed suicide, she has shied away from the world. She ignores her friends, she broke up with her boyfriend, pretty much she has given up on life. And things at home isn’t easier. She knows her mother cries herself to sleep. She’s living in a dark bubble. When her therapist recommends Lex to start sharing her emotions by writing it down in a journal, things began to look brighter. Once she accepts the fact that everyday is a new day to begin, it becomes much easier for her to say goodbye one last time.

The Last Time We Say Goodbye is an emotionally heartbreaking story about grief, hope and second chances at life. Not only will the story have you in tears, but the author’s note will have in a puddle of emotions. THE FEELS. It will make you realize the importance of family, friend and love.

A must read novel.

I had no doubt that The Last Time We Say Goodbye was going to be incredible. Cynthia Hand’s Unearthly series is one of my favorites. This new book was quite the departure from her supernatural series, since this one is straight up contemporary. It’s just as gorgeously written.

I won’t beat around the bush, this book is heartbreaking. Just when you think it can’t break your heart any more it does. Somehow I never found it depressing, though. The story is a sad tale of suicide and the blame and questions that are left afterward. I think it was a very honest look at grief and family dynamics after a death.

Lex was just a really great main character. She had done something that she felt was unforgivable. She’s shut everyone out and basically going through the motions, but she was utterly likable. My heart broke with hers so many times. I loved going on the journey to self forgiveness with her.

I’ve made it pretty clear that The Last Time We Say Goodbye is sad, right? Because it is, but please don’t shy away because of that! I honestly had no idea how the book was going to end but I can think of a more perfect ending. It was uplifting and hopeful but not in a tidy, fake way. I’m so happy how things ended for all the characters.

Cynthia Hand was already on my auto-read list but The Last Time We Say Goodbye just solidified that. It’s an incredible book. I can’t recommend it enough.

Cynthia did an amazing job on this book. She took a hard subject and came out with an amazing book that everyone should try.

Lex had a pretty normal and happy life. Being a teenager, going to school, having a boyfriend and a family. Then in an instant it was all gone when her brother killed himself.

Ty was happy and had a lovely girl and everything. Then he wasn't really happy anymore. He tried to die once but that failed and it made everyone around him keep a close eye on him. They didn't expect him to try and actually die this time.

Things have been hard. Lex's mom spends her days working her shift at the hospital and coming home and sorta just sticking to herself. As for Lex, she goes to therapy, and school. Sorta ditched her friends and doesn't really do anything.

At this point I hadn't even reached halfway through. I've felt so many emotions and as I got through the rest of the book, the emotions just kept coming and became stronger. I just really loved this book. One of the best reads of the year. It really speaks to you. Gives you an insight on how things can be and maybe if you know someone whos been through something like this or even yourself, it really is such a great read.

Genre: Fiction

Age Recommendation: 13 and up

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Alexis’ brother, Tyler, has just committed suicide and her world seems at an end. It doesn’t help maters that her parents are divorced so her family doesn’t have enough money to pay for the funeral.

Alexis is unable to get over Ty’s death and is also enraged at him for not leaving her a note as he did for her mother and his girlfriend before he died. Alexis also blames herself for Ty’s death because before he died, he sent her a text message saying he wanted to talk. However, Alexis was with her boyfriend and completely ignored her brother’s text. Now, Alexis is beating herself up, thinking that she could have done something to stop her brother’s death.

To make matters worse, Alexis’ mother is making her go see a shrink once a week to help her cope with her brother’s death. The shrink recommends writing in a diary and Alexis finds that it doesn’t help at all but continues for her mother’s satisfaction. Moreover, Alexis and her mother start seeing Ty’s ghost around the house and also start smelling his cologne everywhere they go.

To Alexis, this seems like a horror movie gone wrong and her happy brother is now a ghost that is haunting her.

Will Tyler learn to move on and leave his family alone?

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There is just something about Cynthia Hand and her story telling that just manage to sucks me and lets me forget the world. The Last Time We Say Goodbye is another work of Ms. Hand that I will forever remember. There were so many times throughout the book where I had to stop and finish crying because I just couldn't see through my tears.

The Last Time We Say Goodbye follows the story of Lex as she deals with the aftermath her brother's death. I won't say much in regards to the plot but I will say that once I started reading, I just couldn't put it down. I just had to know what happened next and I wanted for Lex to get some closure. Ms. Hand managed to create such emotions in me that I felt Lex's pain and sadness and I, too, couldn't see through the fog of Lex's grief.

It is because of this, this intense reaction of emotions that I will forever be a fan of Cynthia Hand and her work. And reading her acknowledgement? I was a blubbering mess. I started crying all over again and it made this reading experience that more profound. So I want to thank Cynthia Hand for creating this book and for creating such emotions in me. But I especially want to say thank you for sharing this story. It must not have been easy to do so.

So go out and read this book. Just make sure to grab some tissues before sitting down.

You can check out the review at booksandswoons(dot)com
*I received an eARC of this book from the publisher but it did not influence this review in any way.*

There are so many teen books that are centered around suicide. There isn't much different from others I have read and this one.

The book starts out after Tyler committed suicide. It shows how broken his family becomes from his choice. His mother becomes an alcoholic, his father becomes more distant and his older sister Alexis blames herself. It even shows how his friends at school reaction to Tyler's sister.

There is no reason why Tyler did what he did. In part of the book it talked about percentage of suicide in the area they grew up, I thought the author was setting up for something but didn't go anywhere.

I liked Alexis, she was a very smart and strong character. I also liked the flashbacks in Tyler and Alexis relationship. Other than that it was a sad book. Without giving to much away a lot of sad situations outside the family and within the family occur. I'm glad I read it to find out what the text was. It was sad when that was revealed and how Lex blamed herself and Steven.

So the question now you're probably asking is should I read this. There is nothing new here. That being said it is a very well written book that made me wonder through it how it was going to end. Make sure you have a box of tissues beside you.

<b> It has an exquisite, fantastic, satisfying writing style. </b>

Each words were alluring, I’m bewitched. Each lines were enchanting. Reading the book as if I was pleasuring myself and I never wanted to stop.

Tackled about someone who just lost a truly important person in her life, who stopped believing in God, who’s trying to find a way back to her old self, to her old life. A girl who became lost.

I love the characters. Knowing that this book id fiction, they come off as real. Their emotions, feelings. They’re complex, a bit melancholic, and sometimes dark. The character development was visible, you can see how Lexi and other characters grew. It was terrific.

<b> The ROMANCE. </b> Lol what? Romance? I should’ve said (typed) Biology, Chemistry! Science in general. That’s how the main protagonist defined love other than.

<i> “Love is a classic example of a delusion.”

“Love is purely chemical.”

“In my experience, love doesn’t bring happiness and stability. But believing in love can cause a substantial amount of harm.” </i>

Some parts of the book, situations seem lifeless, dialogues seem flat, dull. Which ruined the beauty of the writing style and the allure of the other parts.

The mystery in this story is why Tyler killed himself, why he did things that will ruin him. Sometimes, I also ask myself was it really suicide? After reading the book, I felt like an idiot for thinking things like those.

It kind of freaked me out. I actually thought Lexi had gone mad, seeing ghosts and stuffs. What can I say? I do understand that she just lost her brother and she’s in the process of grieving.

I’m pleased at how the book ended, but disappointed because the author hadn’t given enough reasons for Ty’s suicide. But I understand, I truly do. I just wanted to read more from Tyler’s POV. Because like Tyler, I’m an empty person too, below empty. And reading this book made gave me lessons, provided knowledge about such feeling.

This book is perfect for people who have lost someone, having trouble with their loved one also someone who have felt and who’s feeling empty.

Alexis Riggs is an honor student, a math girl, a geek. She is also a suicide survivor. Her brother, Tyler, took his own life.

I didn't realize until I was about to write this review that there are Hot New Releases in Teen & Young Adult Death & Dying Fiction. Wow. Sounds so sad and morbid. But death is a reality. This book does not make light of suicide - it shows the complex emotions family members experience, how their relationships with others can change, and touches on the stigma that exists concerning this serious issue. There is something in the pages that can help survivors cope and, I believe, it could be used as a teaching tool to help prevent suicide.

Honest, thought-provoking, heartbreaking. Less profanity would have made it better for me, but still, The Last Time We Say Goodbye is a must read. It should be in libraries, schools and bookstores everywhere. I became engaged immediately. Every now and then I had to say, "Lord, have mercy." Surprisingly, I laughed at times. And the last chapter just about had me in tears.

Book #90 Read in 2015
The Last Time We Say Goodbye by Cynthia Hand (YA)

This is an incredible read. Lexie is a high school student whose younger brother, Ty--a sophomore, commits suicide in the family's garage. Lexie feels guilty for not being there for her brother and angry at any number of people who could be to blame: her father, her mother, her brother's ex-girlfriend, his friends. While in therapy, Lexie is asked to write about her feelings and her brother. This book shows that the healing process is not quick and is not without pain. As one who has lost two family members to suicide, this book is realistic; the author experienced losing her brother to suicide so that helped the credibility of this book. A must read for high school students and parents.

I received a copy of this book from the store Vine in exchange for a review.

http://melissasbookpicks.blogspot.com

Your brother just committed suicide. You obsess over your last spoken words together. It's enough to drive you crazy, isn't it? To make you pull away from your friends and family who only want to help. Who are grieving with you. But for Lex, she absolutely can't shake the fact that maybe, just maybe she could had done something to prevent this nightmare from happening. And when it comes to those we care around us, especially in cases like suicide, it's enough to destroy you.

The Last Time We Say Goodbye is a heartbreaking and (not going to lie) anxiety inducing read. You're right there with Lex. You're watching her. You heart is hurting for her and all you want to do is help her. The thing that I appreciate about heavy topics like this in YA is that it brings awareness to teens. How suicide impacts those around them, how to ask for help, when they should ask for help. And it makes us reflect on our own lives and the people in them.

A great read for a teen or an adult.

Whew... this was a heart tugger.
The story of a girl whose brother committed suicide.
We go through Lex's year at school & in her life, going through counseling as she's encouraged to write in a journal about how she is feeling & the memories she has of her brother.
We see how her brother - Tyler - & his decision to end his life effects everyone - from his parents, to his girlfriend he just broke up with & his 3 Amigo friends & how Lex struggles to find peace in it all when she promises him she'd always be there for him.
It really is a heavy read where it left me in tears at some points with its forwardness. But I appreciated it.
I imagined that this is very much what I could see someone that lost someone to suicide would go through.... & in the closing, we see the author did indeed loose a brother to suicide.
I think this one will sit with me for awhile.

I read The Last Time I Said Goodbye over the summer and immediately fell in love with it. It’s such a heartfelt, emotional and touching story. So many feels surrounding Lex, who’s suffering the loss of her brother who was taken from the earth far too soon.

“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.”

Be sure to have tissues available. This incredibly touching story will bring you to tears, but will also leave you feeling hopeful and strong, ready to face the day. I know a lot of teens, especially those who have experienced a loss like this, will really relate to Lex and what she went through in this story. I wish there had been more books like this around when I was younger, but I’m definitely to see they exist nowadays. I have so much love for this book!

(Thanks to Harper Audio for the review copy!)

I am a huge fan of Young Adult fiction. Those that simply write off Juvenile and Young Adult fiction as childish and immature, well they only need to read this book to realize they are making a huge mistake. The Last Time We Say Goodbye by Cynthia Hand is fiction at it's finest, young adult or not. The Last Time We Say Goodbye is raw and emotional, and immensely touching.

Alexis is dealing with the death of her younger brother, who commited suicide. She grieves over their relationship, their final words, her guilt as well as the act of losing her sibling. This book deals with adult subjects like suicide and family relationships, so it's obviously not for younger readers, but I believe a high school reader would be able to handle it. It is extremely well written and flows easily, pages flying by as you are sucking into the story. I cannot recommend this book enough, whether you are a young adult or not.

Cynthia Hand is a terrific writer, and her Unearthly series is one of my favorites. I knew The Last Time We Say Goodbye would be vastly different, but I also knew her storytelling skills could carry anything. This is everything you'd expect a novel about suicide and grief to be--sad, analytical, angry, and ultimately, hopeful--but I didn't connect with this book as deeply as I'd hoped I would. I had a hard time connecting with Lex, and suicide is a depressing subject to read about. I'm really torn between three and four stars. It pains me to give it a lower rating because it is so well written, and it was a very personal book for the author to write, stemming from her own experience with the suicide of a loved one. So I'll split the difference. Three stars for my inability to form as much of an emotional attachment as I'd like/four stars for the presentation.

Suicide is always a difficult subject to write about, especially when writing to teens, but this author is able to handle the subject tenderly and with eloquence. Lex is facing life after her younger brother committed suicide. As with most survivors, she feels an enormous about of guilt and while she used to be a star student in school, she finds it difficult to make it through the motions. On the suggestion of her therapist, she starts writing down her thoughts, including memories she had not just with her brother, but her mother, father and former boyfriend. These flashbacks give a reader the glimpse of the Lex "before" as, at the same time, we watch Lex struggle with the "after."

What I loved most about this book is how well the characters were developed. Even secondary characters were layered. I wanted Lex to take the steps to move forward, but at the same time, I was aware that when she did, I would have to say goodbye to her and this compelling story. With a less talented writer, this novel could end up sounding like a Lifetime teen movie; in Cynthia Hand's hands (no pun intended), this is a novel that you will find impossible to forget.

The Last Time We Say Goodbye by Cynthia Hand is such a heart wrenching novel that addresses a prominent topic in today’s society. Published in 2015, this spectacular novel presents a different view on the topic of suicide and is able to draw the attention of every reader with such an enticing story.
This story takes place in a small, rural town in Nebraska called Raymond. The story focuses on a high school senior, Lexi Riggs, who has faced many hardships in her life recently like her parents divorce and the suicide of her brother, Tyler. The author switches between journal entries written by Lexi about Ty’s suicides and present times to help the readers gather more knowledge on the suicide of Tyler. After Ty’s death, Lexi is left to deal with a dad that doesn’t seem to care, a mom that “sleeps so she doesn’t have to be awake, so she will be conscious of what’s happened little as possible” , and the weight of trying to figure out why Ty really did commit suicide. When Lexi feels that the weight of the world is upon her, she finds a note that Ty wrote right before he commited suicide that is addressed to a girl that attends Lexi’s school. Lexi must find out why Ty wrote this letter and what does the letter actually contain within.
The Last Time We Say Goodbye was such an incredible novel that I was never really able to put it down. The way it addresses the effects of suicide within a family and a community makes this such a stronger novel when compared to others. The author, Cynthia Hand, was able to carry a great story plot while addressing a prominent topic in today’s society which other novels are not able to do. This novel does not focus just on one person’s emotions when impacted by suicide, but it focuses on multiple people’s emotions which never really happens today. The Last Time We Say Goodbye allowed me to have a totally different perspective in the topic of suicide.

First off I give mad props to Cynthia Hand (if haven't read the author note at the end please do) I can't imagine what you've been through and this book was a beautiful reminder of your strength.

Now here is where I kinda feel like a horrible person for giving this book a 3 star review instead of higher. Even though I enjoyed it I still found parts that bugged me. But I promise I will keep it short and sweet because I still believe everyone should go and read this book. So my two main problems, 1.) the main character - I had a super hard time connecting to her and her "smartness" is that even a word, oh well I'm using it. Any who Lex as a character often bored me or just felt to over my head. 2.) the pacing - this book especially in the beginning was very slow and at times I felt like giving up. But in the end I'm glad I pushed through because the way everything came together was beautiful. And the message of the book was spot on, and is something I will always remember and carry with me.

So overall guys, I highly recommend the book. I feel this is one that everyone should read. So go pick it up!

The Last Time We Say Goodbye by Cynthia Hand, published in 2015, is a poignant story that grips the heart from page one and captivates the mind from beginning to end.
This book is based in a rural Nebraskan town where tragedy seldom strikes. Alexis and her family just went through something horrific; the suicide of her brother, Tyler. Her mother, grief-stricken and in denial, resorts to drinking and laying in bed crying. Her dad does not even bother to care. Alexis, on the other hand, tries to find reasons for why Tyler felt the only answer to whatever struggle he was going through was suicide and why she keeps seeing him as a ghost. With the help of an old friend will Alexis ever figure it out?
I never wanted to put it down! It is amazingly written and well thought out. Cynthia Hand will lead you to tears because she writes in such a dramatic way. The reader can’t help but feel the pain Alexis is going through. Hand hits hard on a subject that weighs on the minds of troubled teenagers today and does a good job of explaining the far-reaching effects of such a tragedy on family and friends. Many literature books talk about suicide, but never actually emulate the emotional backlash of suicide as this book does
This book is a tear-jerker, but also a heart warming story that brings to light a big issue that is faced by way too many families today.

This is a book I can only assume was written to be a cathartic experience for the author. Quite honestly, I can’t believe I read the entire looooooooooong book. But indeed I did. This is not a book I would recommend to anyone. . . . including and especially to someone who has lost a relative to suicide. The number of four and five stars is simply baffling. This book is not entertaining. This book is certainly not enjoyable to read. This book is not informative. What this book is. . . . . is depressing. .. sad. . . long-winded. . . .boring. . . and painful to read.

Wow. Just wow. This book was so devastating, I was crying hard by the time I finished it. I wanted so much for Ty to have made it. I have two siblings so I know what kind of pain it would make a sister to lose her little brother like that. The Last Time We Say Goodbye was wonderfully written. It was absolutely touching. I think all the flashbacks were touching but some were just so heartbreaking , like the letter Ty wrote to Ashley, Lexi wrote that journal to Steven and the most touching was the ending where Ty and Lexi talk. I truly cried hard on that scene. I don't think I can re read this book anytime soon because it was so sad for me but I will always remember this book. And maybe I can read it again in the future without crying and feeling so sad.

I would recommend this book to anyone!

When her therapist gives her a notebook and encourages her to write about her feelings about her younger brother's suicide, Lex Riggs, the protagonist of "The Last Time We Say Goodbye," is skeptical. After all, she considers herself more of a science and numbers person. But since she no longer feels comfortable around her two friends, has broken up with her boyfriend, and her mother is dealing with her son's death by drinking too much, Lex takes his advice. Her brother, Tyler, has always been the one in their family who can fix things, and Lex feels increasingly unable to deal with her mother's mood swings, particularly since she is reluctant to turn to her divorced father and his new wife "the cliché," for support. Plus, she's starting to see visions of her brother and evidence that he may still be in their house, despite all her common sense to the contrary. As Lexi begins to uncover the mystery, one of the keys to which may be a letter her brother neglected to give to his ex-girlfriend, she begins to slowly reengage with her classmates and family. But her hardest task will be coming to terms with the fact that she feels responsible for her brother's death, and resolving the issues she still feels about her father's leaving.

Lex is a smart, quirky and unconventional heroine who at times seems too responsible to believably pass as a teen, but overall, a character whose voice is authentic and distinctive enough to make the reader want to follow her to the end of the story, despite its pace sometimes lagging. The secondary cast is also good, only I wish that some of their stories had been given a more definite resolution. Although the plot is not particularly original, it was an endearing and emotional read.

I really, REALLY enjoyed this book. So much, in fact, that I read it within a few days (I also have a full time job and a three year old, so that's a feat in itself). It's a very emotional story about a girl, Lex, who loses her brother to suicide. The story is about her trying to deal with the aftermath that the suicide has brought. It's SUCH a wonderful story. Even though I have never personally dealt with suicide, I felt like I could relate to the feelings that Lex was having. She shuts off her emotions and her friends and tries to hide from what is going on in her life. She reconnects with an old friend, Sadie and tries to handle all that is going on in her life, which includes a mom who has turned to drinking and a dad who had left the family.

This book is one that will tug at your heartstrings...or at least it did to me. It's such a real story and the emotions are all there. You feel empathetic to all of the feelings involved and the family that was torn apart by the tragic suicide of a teenager. This is such a great story, I'm really glad I picked it to read! It's one of those stories that will stay with you.

My 15 year old daughter read this for me. She said it was interesting and well-written, but she struggled with getting through the book because it was such a sad and emotional book. Usually, she doesn't mind reading books dealing with death and loss, but she'd already read several in a row and we have a family member in the hospital currently. Keep that in mind if you are facing any difficult, emotional situations already in your life. The characters are well-developed and the story line is compelling. She recommends the book, with the caveat that it may be hard to read if you are already dealing with loss or depression.

Grief can be one of the toughest emotions to capture, because each person tends to grieve a little unlike the other. With that being said-- Bravo, Cynthia Hand for portraying the ugliness of grief so beautifully and so honestly.

I’ve read a lot of books recently that ended with death. You have picture-perfect moments through 3/4ths of the book and then the inevitable hits and your heart feels like it was put through some weird & tortuous organ shredder. I appreciate that Hand began with death and ended her story towards healing.

I will echo my sentiment written in my review of All the Bright Places. When an author and a reader share in the same experience and the work between the author and the reader reflect that experience, there is a magic that occurs. I lost a friend to suicide about 10 years ago to the month. Suicide is tricky. As Hand points out, there is a different tone to death when the death is occurred by the victims own hands.

“They took Ty's name off the roster. The even expunged his school records for the year, as if they could erase his existence altogether.

I'd bet good money they didn't do that kind of thing with Hailey McKennett, who lost her battle with cystic fibrosis two years ago, or Sammie Sullivan, who died of complications from pneumonia, or Jacob Wright, who was killed in a car crash driving home drunk from a party at Branched Oak Lake last summer. Jacob got a tree planted for him at the front of the school, a plaque under it that I pass every day walking in that reads WE'LL MISS YOU, J. Sammie got a moment of silence during first period that year and an entire page of the yearbook devoted to her memory. They read Hailey's name at graduation.

But Ty got his locker packed up and delivered promptly back to my mother, before we'd even had a chance to bury him.

Because it was suicide.

Because they don't want to seem like they're condoning it."

There are also a lot of “what ifs”. What if I would have said this…done this…noticed this. After dealing with my own grief I still sometimes wonder if things could have ended differently than they did. But has Hand mentions so beautifully, the only person that could have helped him was him. At some point you have to come to peace with not only your loss but with yourself.

I can’t end this review without mentioning Lex. I LOVE her. She is logical, not emotional, slightly socially awkward, and she is who she is. She doesn’t strive to be something she’s not. She isn’t able to curse with conviction—which I can relate—and she views the world in a completely unique way. Honestly, I was thrilled that Hand made a Bones reference because it made it so easy to connect and understand her character. (Also Bones is my all-time favorite TV show, so, just reading that I knew this book would be a good one.)

The Last Time We Say Goodbye is a beautifully written portrayal of loss, understanding, guilt, grief, and most importantly healing. If you liked All the Bright Places or The Fault in Our Stars, add this to your list.

I’m coming a little late to the realization that the newest thing in teen fiction seems to be death and suicide, which is somewhat troubling since I have a teenage daughter who struggles with depression. In The Last Time We Say Goodbye, Lexie is dealing with the suicide of her brother as well as some guilt. As the story unfolded, I found myself slowly getting sucked in and feeling an emotional connection with the characters. This book was sad but very well done.

This was intense and oh, so heartbreaking and confusing yet so... HOPEFUL. It's the kind of read that you curl up with on a rainy afternoon. A book that will pull your emotions and leave you sighing with a resigned smile. Suicide has always been one of those things I hate to think about because I just can't understand it. Those are the things I try to read a lot about so that I come closer, each time I do, to maybe understanding.
It may have dragged a bit around the middle, but ultimately I enjoyed the writing a lot. Very well written with a really strong narrative voice. I'm sure this will be one of the big contemporary titles this year. Readers of any age who enjoy an emotional roller coaster will LOVE this story.

This book was so good. I should probably start with something much more profound than that considering the subject matter of this book and how beautifully written it was, but that’s what you need to know. This book is just really good.

The Last Time We Say Goodbye is a story about Lex and how she’s dealing with life after her younger brother commits suicide. She’s dealing with a lot of guilt, the long-lasting effects of her parents divorce, her crappy dad, a break-up with her boyfriend, and not knowing how to grieve. She’s seeing a therapist that she doesn’t exactly like and friends that she doesn’t know how to let comfort her. She doesn’t know how to live or feel anything anymore. But with the help of a new old friend who sort of understands what she’s going through and a journal her therapist says will help her unlock her feelings by putting them on paper, she starts to see the truth of what really happened with her brother. And starts to see that maybe she can, and should, move on.

After reading the book, what has stuck with me the most is the emotions. I felt the pain and guilt that Lex felt the night her brother died and the things she felt she could have changed. I felt the hopelessness her mother felt after losing her child and feeling her life was over too. I felt the anger that Lex felt at her father for not being what they had needed him to be. I felt how conflicted she was over moving on and living her life and being happy with her friends when her brother wasn’t there. And I felt how angry she was at him for not being there like she wanted him to be. This book is full of emotions. Every page holds something new. Sometimes you know they’re coming and sometimes they just slap you in the face. And it may seem weird to say that I loved it, but I really did.

I also absolutely loved the characters in this book. They were troubled and flawed and most definitely not perfect but I loved how real they felt and how much their stories have stuck with me since I’ve read them. I want to hug them all and know how they’re doing after the book ended. I loved how much they changed over the course of the book. This book is painful and sad and emotional but the characters leave us with hope and it was a perfect way to end this book. It felt like such a realistic and raw look at life after suicide but the hope in the ending doesn’t overshadow the events of the book or wrap up everything in a nice little package. The characters know the journey will be long but we’re given just a little glimpse of hope at the end and it was perfect. No nice little bow to make everything great in the end because that isn’t how it works in real life.

This book was so beautiful but also so painful. It was a very honest look at life after suicide and the feelings the survivors are left with. The writing and emotions and characters will stay with you long after you’ve read the book. I really hope you guys will pick up this book and give it a try. I know it’s hard to read and it covers a very difficult subject. But it’s one of the best books I’ve read on the topic of teen suicide and gives the more unique point of view of those who are left after suicide. It’s similar to Thirteen Reasons Why, though not quite as gritty and dark as that one. It’s just brilliant and I recommend it for everyone.

What can I say about this other than it's incredibly sad!! It's heart wrenching and will make you cry.

There isn't much to say about the plot because it's a book focused on dealing with suicide. Lex's brother committed suicide and now it's up to Lex and her mother to rebuild their lives. That's easier said than done though, because Lex is convinced she is seeing her brothers ghost and he is trying to tell her something.

Lex is urged to write a journal and it's through that journal that we glimpse what happened. We see Lex's side and gleam what happened that night. I loved that we got a lot of it journal style and we saw what Lex was going through. She had everything and then when Ty died, she went into herself and nearly losses everything. It's heart aching but we also see Lex's spirit and her strength.

This is a book dealing with love, loss, heartache and all that goes with an unexpected death, especially when that death is a suicide. Why would someone who is popular, a jock and loved by everyone, take their own life? This book shows that not everything is as it seems! People who are depressed don't always show the signs, they learn to bury it and at times it seeps through but we mightn't notice.

This also shows the impact a suicide has on a family, it doesn't just stop when that person dies!! There is always the question of why? Why did they do it? Why didn't they talk to someone? Why, why, why??

The Last Time We Said Goodbye is such a heartbreaking book but it sends a message that needs to be sent. Suicide is never the answer! No matter how bad life feels at the moment, and believe me, life can by sucky, talk to someone, get help please!! Life can get better.
Anyway, this isn't an easy book to read because of the issue, but Cynthia Hand handles it so well. Its a book of loss, grief and heartache but its also a book of hope and healing. Reading the book was hard enough but then I read the authors note and that sent me into another bout of crying!!

This is my first Cynthia Hand novel (I've been meaning to read her Unearthly Series) and I flew through it in one day, one sitting. And I was complete mess after I finished it, the tears came right away and at the end.

The main character, Lex, was relatable, and her pain seemed to come off of the page. This novel hit a little close to home, and it was hard to get through.

Compared to the other novels I've read lately, this one had great side characters, Ty, and her friends were not just throwaway characters.

I recommend this if you want a beautiful novel, but it does have very touchy subjects involved.

Alexis' brother has committed suicide, which may have ended his struggles, but burdens his loved ones with guilt and sorrow. She is depressed, both by his death, her friends, including a few special ones and life with her family.

This book is easy to read, and would be good for a teen-aged girl. It deals with a weighty topic, but it's handled in a good way, pointing out the cost of such an action can have on everyone around him.

Recommended.

First Thoughts: I hate when books make me cry and this one resulted in some serious waterworks.

In the winter of her senior year, Lex's little brother kills himself. Lex's life is separated into before the night Ty dies and after. Before, she had friends, a boyfriend, and dreamed of going to MIT. After, Lex is overwhelmed by numbness and can't stop thinking about what would happen if she had answered Ty's text that night.

The Last Time We Say Goodbye is an incredibly beautiful story about the grief and pain felt when someone you love dies. There is no mystery or supernatural slant to this book. Cynthia Hand doesn't need any of that. She delivers an honest and gut wrenching story about a sister dealing with the loss of her brother with a clear, powerful voice, and genuine emotion that outshines any gimmicky storyline.

Final Thoughts: I loved the Unearthly trilogy, but with The Last Time We Say Goodbye, Cynthia Hand steps forward and delivers what I'm sure will be considered one of the best YA books of 2015.

Read more reviews at www.thelittleyabird.com

This is a serious and beautiful teen book that also is an emotional read for adults. The main character is suffering not only grief but also guilt after her brother's suicide. the story is told tenderly and sympathetically. The characters are vedry real and the depiction of high school life and of charting one's college education is right on. This is way above average for a teen or young adult novel and I recommend it highly.

That. Was brutal.
I've never read a book about suicide before. And I didn't expect this to hit me as hard as it did. This was beautifully written. I can't imagine what it would be like being left to deal with someone you love taking their life. I wanted to hug Lex. I cried so many times throughout this book, I wasn't sure I was going to be able to finish it. It's fantastic and brilliant and deep.

4 1/2 Stars
A well written novel with great cast of both main and secondary characters. Hand did a very good job with a very hard subject (teen suicide)and portraying grief honestly. A beautiful, raw and emotion filled novel of loss, guilt, understanding and healing.

This is a deeply emotional, very well written book. Even though it is listed as a book for teens, I feel that it can speak to anyone of any age. I didn't expect to be as moved as I was, but it left with me grateful tears-- grateful that Ms. Hand could wrote this book after her own experience with losing her brother to suicide, and grateful for the catharsis I felt after reading it.

I really enjoyed Cynthia's Unearthly trilogy and was surprised/curious when she wrote and published a YA contemporary. I read it nervously because I wasn't sure she could pull it it off. My mistake…..Cynthia did a great job. I was pulled into the story and narrative and I really felt for all the characters. I dug the voice, storyline, and emotional tug at my heart. Bravo, Cynthia Hand, you did it!!! Thank you for telling this story.

A poignant story about a young woman who cannot get over grieving her brother's death; a new friend helps her to work through the grieving process. Good story for young women and teens, and perhaps for anyone of any age who is experiencing the same difficulties.

Trigger warner for suicide.
This book was very well done. I loved how she put the stages someone goes through after they lose a loved one. I like how the pace of the book was. I would recommend this to people who like to real about mental health, and real life topics

I can not explain in words how good and sad his book is?. It made me cry so much that I read it twice. Me personally I love books that make me cry and this one totally did the job. It really makes you think about your own life. I can not express this enough but READ THE BOOK! Props to Cynthia hand for writing such a good book.?

Oh man, this book. THIS BOOK. Have you ever heard of that saying, One Book, THOUSAND Feelings? Well, that is 'The Last Time We Say Goodbye'. If you read the synopsis and it sounds even vaguely interesting, pick this book up and read it. Phenomenal .

The crowded section of young adult literature has no shortage of novels dealing with suicide. So it's hard for an author to distinguish his/her book from other similarly themed.

Unfortunately, nothing distinguishes "The Last Time We Say Goodbye". The novel opens predictably in a therapist's chair. Lex is mourning her dead brother. The book goes through the usual stages of grief.

Some readers may be affected by this story more, but it did very little for me.

*********This review contains spoilers***********

So I'm going to start off by admitting that I didn't finish this book. But as I have a bad habit of reading the last few pages well before I get there, I know the ending.

This book started out really well, 5 stars well, but as I kept reading I found myself getting more and more annoyed with the Lex. we find out at the end, that she could have done something to prevent her brother's suicide. Now at first I defended her saying, "well, it's not like she could have known. He didn't give any signs." But then I found out that her brother attempted to commit suicide once before. After he was released from the hospital she was worried and made him promise that he would contact her if he thought about doing it again, even if it was 3 in the morning. This is a good thing for her to do, but it made me rather annoyed because i know the ending. She INSISTS that she'll be there for him, but then she's not. Because she decided her BF was more important then reading her messages. And instead of owning up to this, she turns around and blames the BF for 'distracting her' and breaks up with him. And no ladies and gentlemen, she does NOT give him a single reason why. Lex honestly is too dramatic for my taste, and far too whiney. She wants things to change and go back to normal, but won't do anything to help the process.

All in all, I'd say give this one a miss.

While the book is as sad as it sounds, it's also about forgiveness when you thought you had none. It's about learning to survive through awful situations. It's about hope. Anyway, it's wonderful and brilliant. I urge you to give it a shot.

This is the first book that I have read and that I have cried over. The characters were so real, and it really touches your heart and tells you about life and just how precious it is. I would recommend reading this. I am warning you that it is very sad, but I have no regrets reading this. It make me look at life in a different way, and I will remember this read for a very long time. Buy this book along with a box of tissues!

I rated this book three stars, because I wasn't thrilled about the fact it was written about high school students. Had I read this in my early years of life, I would have enjoyed it immensely. Overall, story and characters are well put together, and lessons are learned. This read I feel would be helpful for people struggling to find closure in dealing with suicide of a loved one.

The crowded section of young adult literature has no shortage of novels dealing with suicide. So it's hard for an author to distinguish his/her book from other similarly themed.

Unfortunately, nothing distinguishes "The Last Time We Say Goodbye". The novel opens predictably in a therapist's chair. Lex is mourning her dead brother. The book goes through the usual stages of grief.

Some readers may be affected by this story more, but it did very little for me.

*********This review contains spoilers***********

So I'm going to start off by admitting that I didn't finish this book. But as I have a bad habit of reading the last few pages well before I get there, I know the ending.

This book started out really well, 5 stars well, but as I kept reading I found myself getting more and more annoyed with the Lex. we find out at the end, that she could have done something to prevent her brother's suicide. Now at first I defended her saying, "well, it's not like she could have known. He didn't give any signs." But then I found out that her brother attempted to commit suicide once before. After he was released from the hospital she was worried and made him promise that he would contact her if he thought about doing it again, even if it was 3 in the morning. This is a good thing for her to do, but it made me rather annoyed because i know the ending. She INSISTS that she'll be there for him, but then she's not. Because she decided her BF was more important then reading her messages. And instead of owning up to this, she turns around and blames the BF for 'distracting her' and breaks up with him. And no ladies and gentlemen, she does NOT give him a single reason why. Lex honestly is too dramatic for my taste, and far too whiney. She wants things to change and go back to normal, but won't do anything to help the process.

All in all, I'd say give this one a miss.

While the book is as sad as it sounds, it's also about forgiveness when you thought you had none. It's about learning to survive through awful situations. It's about hope. Anyway, it's wonderful and brilliant. I urge you to give it a shot.

This is the first book that I have read and that I have cried over. The characters were so real, and it really touches your heart and tells you about life and just how precious it is. I would recommend reading this. I am warning you that it is very sad, but I have no regrets reading this. It make me look at life in a different way, and I will remember this read for a very long time. Buy this book along with a box of tissues!

I rated this book three stars, because I wasn't thrilled about the fact it was written about high school students. Had I read this in my early years of life, I would have enjoyed it immensely. Overall, story and characters are well put together, and lessons are learned. This read I feel would be helpful for people struggling to find closure in dealing with suicide of a loved one.