2.5 stars. This book was really slow to get into. I kept putting it down and making myself get back to it. It is a romance, but not in the cute, funny way. The author seemed to do a really good job representing grief and mental heath issues. The two main characters are very likeable and real. I really like the narrator in this one. The voices were easy to distinguish.

"The Last Goodbye" by Fiona Lucas is a poignant exploration of grief, love, and unexpected connections. The novel delves into the aftermath of loss, as Anna grapples with the tragic death of her beloved husband, Spencer. The premise of using a phone call as a catalyst for healing and connection adds an intriguing layer to the story. The narration by Antonia Beamish effectively captures the emotions and nuances of the characters, enhancing the listening experience.

The development of Anna's relationship with Brody, who now owns Spencer's old phone number, offers a unique take on finding solace in unexpected places. The slow blossoming of their connection is tenderly depicted, allowing readers to witness the characters' healing process. The pacing, however, occasionally falters, with moments that could have been more tightly woven into the narrative.

The exploration of secrets and the impact of honesty adds depth to the storyline, yet the resolution of certain plot threads feels somewhat predictable. The author's prose is emotive and evocative, drawing readers into Anna's journey of rediscovery and renewal. While the narrative evokes genuine empathy, there are instances where character reactions and choices might leave readers wanting more complexity.

"The Last Goodbye" is a heartfelt novel that navigates themes of loss, healing, and the unexpected pathways to finding hope once more. Fiona Lucas presents a story of second chances and the power of human connection, though it occasionally treads familiar ground. With an engaging narration and emotional resonance, the book offers a satisfying read for those seeking a tale of love renewed amidst the shadows of the past.

I found this to be very slow for me.

Thanks to NetGalley / Edelweiss and the publisher for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for a review.

Closer to 2.5...couldn't really connect to the characters and had a hard time with the believability of the premise. I liked the nod to Sleepless in Seattle though :).
Enjoyed the audiobook narrator!

Sometimes you just need a book in your life, and this is one of those books that you experience when reading. Oh, the emotions!

📖My Thoughts📖

I absolutely loved every minute of this book, heartbreaking moments and all! This book gets all your emotions flowing on full blast. I loved how this book just flowed and drew me in. My heart just broke for Anna. The major theme in this book is dealing with grief/the loss of a loved one. There were times that it was difficult to read but it still made for a beautiful story of two souls that connect by chance over losing a loved one and the challenges they faced moving forward. This was a little longer of a book, but I was able to get through it fairly quickly. If you liked the movie PS I Love You, you definitely want to give this a go! I was gifted the audiobook version of this story and I loved listening to the narrator who just seemed to bring the story to life. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this one.
Thank you Netgalley, Harper Audio and Fiona Lucas for the opportunity to read and review this book! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

This was a really emotional read but I wish I had connected with the character better. Something about them just didn't work for me.

I absolutely adored it. It is a very heartful and sweet book. The narrator was good. It is an emotional read and takes you through the process of grief in a very heart-wrenching, but relatable way. Highly recommend!

Good voice for listening to the story as it unfolded. Was difficult to pause when had to take a break!

Anna struggles with grief after her husband, Spencer dies. Wanting to hear his voice one more time she calls his cell phone only to discover a new voice that becomes her saving grace.

This is a charming romance about loss and love. Fiona Lucas really captures all the emotions of grief and how talking to someone that has experienced the same thing can help to heal the loss and pain. I loved the characters and how they helped each other. The relationship between Anna and Brody was so moving.

I loved listening to the audiobook! The narrator was easy to listen to and really brought the characters to life.
I highly recommend this book to readers that enjoy a wonderful love story!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Audio for the audiobook in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Harper Audio for my copy of The Last Goodbye by Fiona Lucas Narrated by Antonia Beamish in exchange for an honest review. It published June 8, 2021.
I wish I had read this sooner! It was just so sweet, and definitely in the same vein as P.S. I Love You. I really enjoyed this story, and felt so connected with both of the main characters. I also appreciated that it wasn't predictable. On top of it, the narration was well-done.

The Last Goodbye is an endearing story about healing after tragedy. The story reminded me a bit of Josie Silver in terms of heavy content and heartwarming characters and focus on healing. I appreciated the deep sensing of grieving and hope that can arrive unexpectedly. This is the kind of book that makes you appreciate the little bright spots in our lives. The audiobook narration was a little flat for me, but the story kept me listening and I enjoyed how Anna's character grew.

Thank you Harper Audio and NetGalley for providing this audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this audiobook! Full of sad yet sweet moments. Just for my personal taste, i thought it was too much of a slow burn. That is just me though and in no way is the author to blame. I loved the way it wrapped up! I do recommend.

The Last Goodbye by Fiona Lucas is haunting with its heartbreak and hopeful moments. The author handled the subject of hope after grief with panache. I enjoyed how Anna & Brody discovered each other. Antonia Beamish did a good job performing the book. She displayed the appropriate emotions and allowed one to really feel them. Thank you #NetGalley and #Harper Audio for allowing me to review this audiobook. I enjoyed it.

If you’re a fan of slow burns this would be a good choice for you. Personally not the biggest fan of a slow burn & wish the pace picked up a bit. I appreciated the heavier topics that were addressed but with that being said it’s not exactly a romance in my opinion it’s more a story of healing & life after loss. Again if that’s what you’re in the mood for & don’t mind slow burns…this would be great to add to your list.

Great story! Somehow my time ran out and I never got to hear the end. I was probably 1-2 chapters away from the conclusion. I really liked the story but wish I knew how it ended.

A grief story that follows a woman who lost her husband three years ago and a man who has also been through a major loss. It is a slow story but it does deal with mental health and grief in a real way.

One heck of a sad story! I was wholly unprepared for it!

Going into this I had no idea how sad this book would be, though it included a bit of a romance, it also hit on grief as well. A slow character driven story that had a hard time drawing me in. I wanted to become invested in Anna and Brody's story but for some reason just couldn't. I listened to the audiobook of the novel and that might have been why. The narrator just didn't do it for me. I am however one listener so please look at other reviews.

Thank you to Harper Audio for a copy of the audiobook.

I knew this was going to be a sad heart wrenching read. But I was hoping for some uplifting moments along the way. Sadly I didn’t find them.
I listened to the audio version and had a very hard time with this narrator. I found her voice and characterizations so distracting I struggled throughout.
Not a good fit for me .

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Audio

This is a beautiful story about grief. I thought it was extremely powerful, captivating, and I am so sad that it took me so long to finally get to it!