3.5 Stars

Renee Carlino's, The Last Post, is a tale of two very emotionally flawed characters learning to love each other. Laya is grieving her husband after his horrific death which she witnessed. Micah is just odd. He's emotionally stunted (although he is a bit of a romantic) and socially awkward as well. He is open about dealing with depression at points in his life and has some dark thoughts so I think that this is really just part of his personality the reader has to accept without a great background story (not unlike people in the real world). As a hero, his flaws made him unique to other leading men I normally read about.

With so much grief involved, I did find myself shedding tears a few times. Laya does not deal well with her husband's death and it's painful to read about. She's resistant to letting her husband's memory go and ends up making other people around her miserable as well (at least some of the time). She does end up getting on my nerves a bit but I also think this is not an unrealistic portrayal of someone not handling their grief well.

Laya and Micah have a very awkward relationship for lack of a better word. He essentially stalks her and although he means well and is trying to help her, he's also doing it for selfish reasons and it felt odd and a little creepy sometimes. I didn't get a great sense of chemistry between them except in a few places BUT I am chalking some of that up to their emotional issues and general awkwardness. The places where their affection for each other shines have great banter and give a lot of life to the book.

Ethan's twin, Mel, steals every scene she's in. Their interactions with each other made me snort a few times with their sarcasm, sibling fussiness and obvious love for each other. I'd seriously love to read about Mel (and maybe even her with Ethan's roommate).

The writing felt a little choppy in a few places but overall it flowed well. My other wish is that we'd had a bit more of a glimpse into what their real relationship was like (not just the pain and everything leading up to them being together). I suppose that's to be expected given the storyline so it didn't bother me a lot, it just would have added to MY personal happiness! Ha.

If you're wanting a romance that is not your normal cookie cutter storyline, then this book is for you. Even though it takes the whole book for the characters to work out their relationship, the end is worth it and I was thrilled to see the journey Ethan and Laya took to end up in love.

I’ve been a Renée Carlino fan ever since I read “Before We Were Strangers.” I enjoyed her latest book, although it’s not one of my favorites. The story is heartbreaking, yet inspirational (albeit a little predictable) in its message of second chances at love and happiness. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. I will recommend the book to my friends when it’s published.

Oh goodness. I have to say if it weren't for maybe the last 20-30% of this book where it seemed the characters got their stuff together I probably would have given this one 1 star. I miss the Renee Carlino I fell in love with. I just don't feel like I am reading the same author I started with a couple of years ago. The writing just doesn't seem to be as beautiful or flowing like it used to.

The first part of this book just seemed to be all over the place for me. I just didn't quite understand where this book was going or what the story was even about. Was it about Laya overcoming her grief from losing her husband or were we supposed to follow Micah in his quest for, well I'm not even sure what still?

Laya, although I was sad for her, just absolutely upset me most of this book. I don't like people who use their grief as an excuse to treat people like crap. I know that happens, I do. I've been there, we all have but I felt like she took it to the extreme. Then we she came out of a fog it's almost like she brushed it off with people who could have been hurt, or were hurting in the case of her late husband's family. And how she treated Micah for most of this book was mind blowing.

So let's talk about Micah now. At first I thought, this guy is sweet but then he turned a bit creepy in his stalking of Laya. Not only did he stalk her (and yes people, that is what he was doing) but he then would let her walk all over him. Maybe it was his guilt over the stalking or maybe he's just a pushover but I just didn't get it. I love the nice guys in books but they still have to have a backbone. I think Micah lost his somewhere between meeting Laya for the first time and his quest to find himself.

The shining star and breath of fresh air in this book was Micah's twin sister Melissa. I loved her no nonsense attitude and I think she saw the situation for what it was, a bad one. And she wasn't afraid to tell Micah exactly what she thought, even telling him multiple times to walk away. If I could read more of her story I would be first in line.

I think the thoughts on this book will go every which way and I can see why. This one just didn't work for me at all. I hope my next Carlino book brings me back to the magic I fell in love with when it came to this author.

When I read the blurb for The Last Post by Renee Carlino, I was very excited to read it. Laya Marston found true love and happiness with her husband Cameron. Though his career, a professional risk-taker/adventurist, makes her worry, she knows it makes him happy. But when tragedy strikes, how will Laya ever move on without him?

Laya broke my heart. Her love for her husband was deep and true. Losing someone who is so connected to you is heartbreaking and we see her pain and loss first hand. Losing herself in leaving him messages and on his social media, will she ever learn how to move forward? Why would she, no man could ever replace the one she loved and lost.

Micah Evans is just running through the motions of his life. Bored with his job and his life, it is as if something is missing. Then he meets Laya and her saddened demeanor calls to him. He learns what happened to her and he wants to help her in any way he can. He begins to do things for her to show her she is still alive.

The Last Post by Renee Carlino was a heartbreaking and heartwarming read. It will tug at your heart. Laya believes she can never love another man again, but Micah is showing her life is worth living.

While this book kept my attention pretty well, I really disliked Laya and I HATED Micah's sister Melissa although her snarky character was the catalyst for the circumstances that had the book end the way it did. Cue--if XX hadn't happened, then the story wouldn't have been able to happen. Still, her brash personality was almost a little too heavy at times and I found myself rolling my eyes at some of her dialog and saying out loud at some point, "Remove the stick!" The back and forth between Micah and Laya also began to wear thin and I found myself growing very intolerant of the will-they-won't-they game. I also felt that the author didn't give us much insight into Laya and Cameron's relationship; that part of the story was poorly developed and made me question why she was so deeply devoted to him to the point of obsession without really giving us any meat to the story of how and why they fell so deeply in love. The book was okay but I probably wouldn't recommend it.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to.

This was another delightful read by Renee Carlino. As a young woman, Laya lost her husband in a tragic accident and is now trying to rebuild her life while dealing with loss and grief. Then Laya meets Mitch, who works in her father's office, and although she tries hard to reject his advances and reject the idea of starting over, he does ignite something in her. A desire to keeping living.

I would highly recommend this novel! Thank you Netgalley for an advanced copy!

I loved this book! Renee carlino books get me every time. She is one of the authors that can make me ugly cry. Every time. I loved how unique this story line was. Very different and it worked! The hero and heroine had great chemistry and I loved them!! Read this book. You’ll love it!!

I’m going to confess right up front; Renee Carlino is one of my favorite authors. So when I received an early copy I was nothing short of delighted! I will tell you that I held onto it for a few weeks because although I was dying to drop everything and start reading it immediately, I actually didn’t want to gobble it up because then it would be over! I know I know that sounds crazy, but it’s the truth. So as I expected I finished this beautiful love story in a 24 hour period. I loved that some parts were full of surprises, some parts were wonderfully predictable, and the whole book was amazing! The entire time I was reading The Last Post I was secretly hoping they’ll make this book into a movie! Pick up your copy August 20th so we can discuss every detail!
“Three. Two. One. See Ya
Laya and Cameron have the picture perfect marriage. He is a total adrenaline junky and Laya simply is not. They met when Cameron came into the ER with a broken arm and Laya helped treat him. It was love at first sight, and the two married quickly after. Cameron has an opportunity to go to France for work and begs Laya to go with him. Cameron works for Red Bull and his career is performing dangerous stunts for them. Laya is always worried about him and really wishes he did something else for work, but it’s what he loves. Laya agrees to go with him only because Cameron promises he’ll spend time with her taking her to see all the touristy spots. Cameron would be performing a wingsuit flight which he is the best at, but the stunt is the most dangerous types of jumps. Laya is very scared but having a husband who is a “professional risk taker” was a part of the deal. The morning of the jump Laya boards the flight with Cameron and the Red Bull team, and although Laya is concerned Cameron is excited to perform his jump.” Just a few hours” he tells Laya then they can go back to the hotel and spend time together. Before Cameron takes the jump he tells Laya how much he loves her and makes all the guys grossed out by watching the two make out. Cameron asks Laya to count him off, Three.Two.One See Ya! Cameron takes the jump and all Laya hears is a loud sound then eerie silence. People start running and Cameron’s friend Jeremy grabs Layla by the arm, and tells her not to look. Laya’s worst nightmare has come true.
“You come to find love not by finding the perfect person, but by seeing an imperfect person perfectly” -Sam Keen
Laya is struggling and everyone around her is concerned. She’s moved into her father’s rental property and spends her days inside calling Cameron’s phone to listen to his voice message. She records messages for him, and goes onto Facebook and leaves posts to him as though he’s still alive. Losing the love of your life is devastating, but watching it happen is beyond comprehension. How can she move forward without him? Laya turns to her father for support. Laya’s mother died when she was young and her dad was never the same after. He never once broke down in front of Laya but the pain was written all over his face. He never did remarry and Laya can understand why, she’ll never love someone the way she loved Cameron.
Micah is a normal guy, unless you consider he worries about everything. He has a twin sister he is close to and loving parents, nothing real to complain about. He graduated from Harvard and works at an architectural firm. He is bored at his job, his workmates are idiots, and he can’t shake the feeling there is something, or someone missing from his life. He respects his boss Jim but he’s close to retiring and not in often. His coworker tells him that Jim will be in that day, and that his hot surgeon daughter is coming in to see him. Devin will hit on anything with two legs so Micah doesn’t make too much of the conversation, until he see’s Laya himself. Something about her seems so familiar, like he’s meet her before, but he knows he hasn’t. She has a very sad demeanor, and almost dressed like she just rolled out of bed. Devin and Micah both notice she’s wearing a ring although Jim never mentioned his daughter was married. Months go by and Devin seeks out Micah to tell him what he’s heard, Laya was married, but lost her husband in an accident. Everything comes together and Micah knows now why Laya appeared so sad and unkempt. The two go on Facebook to read the posts Laya has made to Cameron and the comments from Cameron’s sister and mother begging her to please stop.
Micah feels a sense of protection for Laya, and really wants to get to know her. He spends time going through her posts on Facebook to learn more about her, what she likes, and find ways to make her feel special. He sees that her and Cameron’s favorite band is playing, so he goes to her house and slips one ticket under her mat, he reads that she’s going to a certain bar, so he makes sure to be there. Micah just wants to be near her, to see if he can lift her spirits. Of course Laya wants nothing to do with him, her heart belongs to Cameron and she will never betray him by loving anyone else. Little by little Micah is able to chip away at her hard exterior and get Laya to open up about the possibility of someone else. Cameron wouldn’t want her to be alone and miserable but Laya needs him to tell her this. Her future love and career are at stake and everyone just wants to see Laya happy.
Beautifully written, Renee will have you in tears, and then fill you up with all the warm fuzzes. I love all of her books and this one will be added to my favorite list!

This book was devastatingly beautiful. My heart broke for Laya. I cannot even imagine what she was going through. Every time she called and left Cameron a message or made a post to him, the fissures of my heart just cracked open. Micah, in all his odd intricacies was actually perfect for her. He was exactly what she needed. He went out of his own comfort zone to give her back those memories she had with Cameron. When Laya finally allowed herself to open up with Micah and giving him a chance it was a beautiful sight. I saw Laya literally climbing and clawing her way out of this dark hole to get back to herself. I'm still confused about Micah. I don't understand what was his issues. It was never really touched on fully. He was odd, seemed to be an introvert, kinda dry personality or odd humor. In the end it was a great read, I highly enjoyed and would recommend.
Oh and Melissa, she was a little too much and over the top for me!

Arc provided by publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is my 3rd Renee Carlino book and it won’t be my last, while it wasn’t my favorite it was still really good. I loved the relationship between Laya and Micah! It was a cute, sweet, albeit sad book but it was still really good.

Laya lost her adrenaline junkie husband, Cameron, in a horrific accident. After his death, Laya cannot let go, and still leaves him voicemails and posts on his Facebook page about their life together and her thoughts of where life would take them.

Micah is an architect and Laya's father's firm. He is in a rut and is tired of his stalled career, love life and friendships. Micah discovers Laya's Facebook posts and starts to insert himself in her life.

I've read Before We Were Strangers by Renee Carlino and it has been my favourite read of 2019 so far, this one was not comparable to that one, but I still enjoyed it. I found myself frustrated with the characters, (Laya being so wishy-washy and Micah was almost too perfect in some ways), but I am happy with how the story wrapped up.

Poignant ~ Layered ~ Genuine

tl;dr: Love rarely ends when the heart does.

This sweet love story starts with an ending. Laya is in love only to be widowed. Returning home, she meets one of her father's staff members, Micah. The story of them getting together is fairly straight-forward. Yet, the writing is wonderful, particularly the character development. The woman is still sending notes to her dead husband through FB through much of the book, and they offer such a look at her grief. Micah is a low-key guy with a high-key amount of uncertainty. The man is stalled, and the writing of his character is so well done. You really feel for the poor guy. Overall, a very appealing romance novel with realistic situations and emotions that is worth reading.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.