Cover Image: To Say Goodbye

To Say Goodbye

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Member Reviews

To Say Goodbye is a heartwarming story, that is emotional and raw, which is exactly what I hope for in a romance novel. Well developed characters whose emotional journey is believable and have depth is what makes this novel special.

This is not a book for someone who is looking for a surface romance, but for the reader expecting to feel emotional turmoil - such as grief, and how to move on, despite it all. It is a story that does give hope, but not until those serious issues are addressed, and not just in passing. Not very many romance novels have that much depth, and realism in its plot, which allowed me to overlook some small annoyances that took me out of the story, but just briefly, and made me give it a 4-star rating.

This was my introduction to the Lindsay Detwiler, and I have to say, that I am glad I was given this copy to read via Netgalley, because I will look for her work, again and again.

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4 1/2 Stars ... what an emotional read!

Sophia has just lost her husband (Tim) and along with him went her hopes and dreams of love, family and living happily ever after. She just wanted to crawl in that hole with him because as far as she was concerned, her life was over too. Jackson left the army to be with his wife and young son, only to find out that she had replaced him. He went down a dark hole with alcohol and the only thing that kept him above ground was his son. Jackson, being an old friend of Tims, tries to help Sophia through her grief ... and if she can help him in return, well ... that's all the better.

There was a fist squeezing my heart throughout this whole book ... what a heartbreaking emotional story. I really liked that fact that both Sophia and Jackson were dealing with real problems and that they were just normal people reacting to bad experiences and situations. I highly recommend this book ... you won't regret it!

I received an ARC copy courtesy of Hot Tree Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

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This was a great story with great characters. It flowed nicely without rushing the story. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to more from this author! Read it and you won't regret the time spent.

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I came across To Say Goodbye on NetGalley a few weeks ago and for some reason, this one just called to me. This was my first time reading Lindsay Detwiler and it was an amazing love story.

Sophia is a beautiful, vibrant woman that has experienced the tremendous loss of her husband Tim. She has a wonderful family and is part-owner of a salon with her best friend Stella. Jackson has returned from the Army and experiencing his own difficult losses in addition to losing Tim who was his best friend when they were growing up.

Sophia and Jackson's losses are similar and different at the same time, however, they instantly seem to be drawn to and relate to each other because of their grief. As Jackson and Sophia get to know one another, the reader learns more and more about Sophia and Tim's past, Jackson and Tim's past, as well as, Jackson and his ex's past. The characters are so well-developed and relatable, and the author's descriptions make it easy to picture the characters and settings in your mind while you read. 

The main theme of this novel is grieving and overcoming loss, however, it strongly depicts moving on and being open to happiness again after tragedy. Grief looks different to everyone and feels different to everyone. There is no set time table for grieving, but it is important to continue living and finding joy where possible. This was so incredibly sad at times, yet so moving and uplifting also. The love, care, and respect portrayed in To Say Goodbye was incredible, as were all of the various characters. It was a raw and honest fast-paced story that I could not put down. To Say Goodbye is an exceptional piece of women's fiction that everyone should read. 

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this novel in exchange for an honest review.

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Favorite Quotes:

He sighed. When he talked to his mom, he always felt like he was fifteen again. Perhaps that was her goal.

We just had a beautiful moment, I talk about myself being hunky, and all you’re worried about is if I like your Crocs?

The only words that came to her were ones she would later regret. It was a comment Tim would mercilessly tease her for, would always bring up. Later, when they were in a heated argument or she was pissed at him about his socks lying on the bedroom floor, he would turn to her and say the words symbolic of their relationship. As Tim, Stella, and Ricky waited for Sophia to say something romantic, intellectual, or just plain normal, all she managed to say was, ‘Hot damn!’

I’m with you out of love. And maybe a touch of carnal obligation.

‘I’ll sit here on this bench for eternity with you.’ ‘Really?’ ‘Can I get to at least second base while on this bench?’ ‘No.’ ‘Then I retract my statement.’

With a backdrop of noisy, splashing dolphins, Larry and Stella said their own vows. Stella promised to be faithful to Larry despite his love of pleated pants and kale. Larry agreed to love Stella despite her hatred for organization and her love of the Pittsburgh Penguins.


My Review:

Lindsay Detwiler has quickly become one of my favorite authors; her books are like found treasure. I have delighted in reading several of her engaging and refreshingly entertaining stories and have adored her quirky and endearing characters. Her writing is generally well balanced in emotion – heart squeezing, touching, sweet, and humorous. Her style is easy to follow, highly relatable and relevant, while also thoughtfully insightful and stealthily observant. Her clever descriptions involve all senses, pull at the heartstrings, and conjure strong visuals; I smirk, flinch, wince, snicker, and sigh contentedly many times by the time I reach the always satisfying HEA. While I have not yet read all her books, To Say Goodbye was considerably more angsty than the other works of hers that I have read, but as the storyline featured a young widow struggling with grief and consumed with despair, buckets of angst were to be expected. However, there are also heaping helpings of wit, banter, sweetness, and levity to counterbalance. As a bonus, I learned of a treat I aspire to track down and sample – I actually needed to Google Swedish Fish as it sounded like my favorite type of guilty pleasure.

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I received a copy of this book in exchange of an honest review thanks to NetGalley.

This was my first read from the author and I’m beyond floored how exceptionally good it was. I don’t cry easily but this emotional, heart wrenching but lovely story prompted a couple of tears from my eyes. To say goodbye is not an easy read, nowhere near and it took quite a lot out of me but at the same time presented such a beautiful story of grief, hope and love that it worth every moment.

I found the writing style something frenetic, clever and clean with an exceptional way to convey the deepest of emotions. I love when the writing makes it possible for me as a reader to feel everything the characters do and unfortunately it’s rare. And the plot, the whole journey of the characters to move on is represented in a really honest way, with the good, the bad and the worst equally present. At the same time avoiding it to go completely dark and depressing.

The characters both suffered a tremendous loss even if not the same kind but they connect and create a bond that slowly but surely forms into something else. They both grieve and suffer but somehow they found it in themselves to help each other and get out of the bottomless pit they fallen into. It is really touching how their relationship goes and even if there are not many actual sexual things in it the intimacy is still very present just in a more innocent way.

The characters are realistic and easy to relate to and the story is amazing however at times I felt Sophie wallowing a bit over the top and also struggled with the heaviness of the plot at the beginning. But after I fully got into it I enjoyed every minute. Although I think reading this book requires a certain mind set, mood and it is not exactly for everybody. If you are looking for an easy, quick and sweet story then it’s not for you. For me it provided a long overdue soul cleansing.

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I love Lindsay Detwiler's books. I can't get enough of them and To Say Goodbye for me is her best work until now.

This is not an easy read,it's indeed a touching and emotional story about grief,love and hope.
The clever writing made the story so real that the reader cannot not to feel invested into Sophia and Jackson's journey.

Sophia and Jackson are two broken persons,they have lost their loved ones and the way to keep on living.
Fortunately they meet each other by chance and since that moment they help each other to survive,to overcome their self doubts and healing day after day.

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