Anna lost her husband three years ago after a car accident and still struggling with the loss, calls his cell phone to hear his voice. She’s shocked when someone answers the phone. On the other end, Brody patiently listens and seems to understand her pain. A friendship grows as the two begin opening up to one another and they realize that it might be possible to move on from the past.

Anna was still part of her husbands family Sunday dinners and celebrations and putting up with a grumpy former mother-in-law. I loved those interactions and her wanting to maintain the connection. It just felt so real and honest and I was completely emotionally invested. Anna and Brody were both such likable characters and the friendship they developed was just so sweet. I adored this book.
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After losing her husband to a horrible accident, Anna is left to pick up the pieces and work through her enormous grief. One comfort she has amidst it all, is calling Spencer’s phone so she can hear his voicemail. That is, until someone else answers the line. Brody now owns the old number and so begins Anna’s journey to healing.

This powerful and heartbreaking story is a testament to hearts that slowly mend after the devastating loss of a loved one. I enjoyed this ultimately hopeful tale and loved watching Anna begin to see her way out of her deep grief.

Antonia Beamish did a wonderful job of narrating! I wholeheartedly recommend the audio version.

A lovely story about learning to love again after loss. Readers of Josie Silver and Jojo Moyes will enjoy this book.

Grief in an accessible, if awkward way.

Rating: 3.5/5

"The Last Goodbye" by Fiona Lucas was not what I'd been expecting, and was infinitely more than I'd hoped it would be. I had a rocky start, having been given access to the e-copy ahead of the audiobook, when I couldn't get past the first two chapters. The audiobook and I faired better, and I was able to finish the book - which I am so glad that I did!

Following Anna and Brody as they overcame their own grief, and the relationships in their lives that made that both possible and impossible, was a treat. Having lost my fair share of people, and having read a lot of books dealing with grief, I found Lucas' take on the whole business of grieving and moving on refreshing. That her characters were able to stew in it - but also able to overcome it. It provides a lot of hope for the future, for days that are better, and even for the ones that are worse.

Anna was an incredibly likeable main character. I cried when she cried, laughed with her, and found myself rooting for her the entire time - for her to find herself again and to finally be at piece. Lucas did a fantastic job for Anna, for her grief, for her moving on, for her future. I would love for the story to be continued, for a sequel to see what the next stage of life after loss would look like for her. For now, I'll be satisfied in knowing that Anna is the kind of grieving character I can get behind, and the kind that I'm glad is going to be in print for people in the future who have faced loss. And I really despised Gale, even though I can sympathize.

Brody and I aren't on the best of terms. I felt like there could have been more exploration with him, and his story, but Luis and I can be friends any day. At times, Brody's arc did make the book a little hard for me to follow, not in an emotional sense but in a sense as I didn't enjoy the character as much.

I did have a few difficulties with the audiobook, which made listening to the story less enjoyable. I keep having to close out the app and reopen it after a couple of chapters because the book would randomly stop, which ruined the flow. It was also a little disconcerting listening to the narrator sometimes - it felt like the audio quality hadn't been edited, some chapters were read in a higher voice than others which can be a little annoying.

My biggest problem, overall, with "The Last Goodbye" was that I had a hard time getting in to the print book. The first couple of chapters feel slow, and a little boggish, and I really relied on the audiobook to get through. My other big complaint with the book is the arc of Anna vs. Gale. Their interactions made me extremely uncomfortable, not in a way that I felt really thickened the plot, and the scene at Teresa's party didn't need to get as awful as it was. On the bright side, Gabby getting her happily-ever-after (or so it seems) made me extremely happy. She was my favorite character in the book.

Thank you to Fiona Lucas and NetGalley for an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review!

narrator
The last goodbye by Fiona Lucas

Anna lost her husband 3 years ago in a terrible accident. Her last words to Spencer were could you grab some milk instead of I love you. One New Year’s Eve Anna decides to call Spencer’s phone just to hear his voicemail again like she has a thousand times before but instead she is greeted by a mans voice. Thinking this is somehow Spencer she pours her heart out and says everything she ever wanted to say to him that night. Thus begins the story of Brody and Anna. Both moving through grief in very different ways. They continue to talk only by phone as their friendship grows into something more.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Antonia Beamish, such a good production. This book is such a great read. It really does show you quite a few sides of grief and how everyone is affected so differently. I felt like Anna was a well rounded character and I could empathize with her. The struggles with her relationships with Spencer’s family and her best friend Gabi were very relatable.

I would recommend this book to anyone 5/5. Thank you to NetGallery for the copy and Harper audio for the audiobook.

A story starting a bit sadly but found it progressing slowly. I loved the parts of the phone calls. The rest was a bit pessimistic for me. Maybe it's because I am not in a phase in my life that I enjoy sad stories. Though this has a hppy ending.

However I have to admit that I enjoyed the narrators. I listened to the audiobook and their British accent put a smile on me.

This isn't the book you pick up when you're looking for a strong plot. It's not meant to be action-packed or fast-paced. It's supposed to be character driven and emotional and it does deliver on that - to the point that I teared up while listening to the audiobook at the gym. Helpful tip: do not listen to this book while operating heavy machinery. If you liked Me Before You, then you'll probably like this. It has a lot of similar themes. Loss, grief, healing, friendship, and family. Personal relationships are the heart of this story.

I liked that. What I didn't like was that it was too slow sometimes. I get that it's showing how healing is a gradual process, but I got bored a lot. There were entire sections (like gigantic chunks) of the book that I felt like I could skip over and still not have missed anything because it didn't really add anything to the story at all. It was sweet, but just way, way too long.

I fell in the love with the beginning of this story and everything Anna goes through. We get to see her work through the grief of losing her husband and also how she picks up the pieces of her life. I would recommend this to anyone who loves a story that can pull at your heart strings. The author did a great job of pulling you into the story and making you want to follow Anna and her journey.

I really loved this one and look forward to reading more from this author.

Ohhhh this book. I honestly really, really disliked so many things about this book but for some reason still decided to see it through. It took forever. So, Anna’s husband Spencer died a little while back and she hasn’t recovered. She’s trying to move on but is having a hard time, she at times calls Spencer’s phone number to speak her heart, and one time she does someone answers. His name is Brody, and he’s been through his own heartbreak. The rest of the book follows the two of them as they chat and get to know each other, going through life and trying to overcome their grief.

So, I didn’t like the narrator at all, at allllll. I didn’t like the change of voice for the different characters, especially Gabby, the accent seemed so silly and made her character sound stupid. There should’ve been a male narrator for Brody, that would’ve helped. On the topic of Brody, I found him annoying, so stuck in his own grief and just boring. I realize he was struggling with a mental illness and grief but it overlook the entire story. Anna herself was naive, boring and overly forgiving. Maybe it’s because I’m not in the same situation but this book gave me Lydia Bird vibes, in the way that the grief was too much. I can appreciate that the book is about dealing with grief but it was too much, it was so sad and so cheesy and just went on forever about the same feelings and thoughts and not moving on. I Hated, capital H, Spencer’s family, especially Gayle or Gail, what an absolutely horrible character. I in no way understand why Anna was still “apart” of the family and attending things, especially when they treated her like complete shit, that drove me nuts. The best parts of the book were when Anna stood up for herself against her mother in law. I thought the catfish storyline was so unnecessary, just everything ugh. The ending was just what it was, it was so cheesy I couldn’t stand it honestly. This book was a total and complete miss for me, I do not understand why the reviews are so high, it was completely tedious to read. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the free preview in exchange for an honest review.

This is a long book, but it never seems boring. It begins with Anna, a woman who can't seem to get past her husband's sudden death, even after a couple of years. Her best friend keeps trying to help her to find new interests and meet new people. But, Anna just can't bring herself to come out of her grief. One evening, she absently dials her late husband's phone number, just to hear his voice message. But, instead, she gets a real man and begins having conversations with him. Sounds creepy, but it turns out to be life-changing for both of them. This book is really well-written, keeping the reader's interest throughout, and detailing the various ways that grief affects people. It's realistic, with moments of true angst and others that are humorous. You really feel as if this could happen, and that it's not just a half-blown story. You really become engaged with the characters, all of whom have flaws that seem real. The narration is outstanding--the voices of the main characters are unique and authentic. I couldn't stop listening--had to know how things would turn out. This is one of the best novels I've read in years. I highly recommend it!

This book! I finished it two days ago and I’m still thinking about it! The Last Goodbye was so good I really didn’t want to say goodbye to it! Anna Berry’s husband, Spenser, died in a tragic accident over two years ago. She still calls his phone to hear his voice on his voicemail message. They had a secret way of saying I love you. When she told him, he would reply, “I beg your pardon?”

Imagine her shock when she calls his number on New Years, says she loves him and a voice asks, “I beg your pardon?”

So begins Anna’s relationship with reclusive children’s author, Brodie Smith. Brodie is also reeling from a loss. The two help each other realize that in order to move forward, they have to make peace with the people and relationships in the past.

This book felt like all the romances of the past: Sleepless in Seattle, An Affair to Remember, Moonstruck.

I absolute loved this book! I listened to this one on audio and the narration was excellent!

Thank you to #netgalley, @williammorrowbooks and @harpercollins_publishing audio for the advanced audiobook of #thelastgoodbye by @fionalucasauthor .

I absolutely fell in love with these characters. This is a well-paced story of coming to terms with loss. It shows, with brutal honesty, how a loved one's death not only impacts you but those around you. When Anna lost her husband, Spencer, her life was changed forever. Even though she is going through the motions of daily life, she isn't really moving forward. She's most definitely stuck. In trying to deal with her grief, she calls Spencer's cell number one night just to hear his voice and tell him things she wished she'd said the night he died. But instead of hearing his voicemail message on the other end, it's a different male voice that greets her. Anna eventually learns who the voice on the phone is (at least she learns his first name) and they form a strange friendship. He listens to her work through her grief and doesn't judge her. She believes he has also experienced the loss of a spouse and looks to him for wisdom on how to move on. The relationship that develops between them is special because it was formed with knowledge and understanding from shared conversations with a "stranger."

It's such a beautifully written book that demonstrates how people deal with grief and loss. In my opinion, it's quite a realistic depiction. This book shows how differently people handle it as well. There isn't any one thing that works for every person. I was very invested in seeing how the story wrapped up and needed a satisfying resolution. I wasn't disappointed in the least.

In addition, I listened to the audiobook. It was a wonderful way to absorb this story. The narration was perfect for the story. I believe it truly lent to the authenticity of this read for me.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to review it and the opinions contained within are my own.

It took me a bit to get into this novel. However, once I did, I truly enjoyed the story of two people with many issues die to a tremendous loss in their lives. The narration was perfect for this story. I loved watching the relationship, starting as a midnight phone call to a stranger, go through its ups and downs. I could relate to the toxic mother-in-law, as I had one of my own. This is a relaxing and intriguing book, one I recommend.

The Last Goodbye was such a beautiful and sad story filled with hope, love, loss, family and friendship. I didn't know what to expect, but it was still captivating, even in the sadness. The progression from beginning to end filled the pages with a pace that was perfect for the characters dealing with loss. While I wanted our two main characters to experience more, I liked the way their story played out.

This is Anna's story and we get to follow her along on her journey of losing her husband and how she copes with her loss and tries to find her place in the world without the love of life.
Anna lost her husband, Spencer to a tragic accident a few years ago. She still hasn't come to grips with his death. She still meets regularly with his family for weekend dinners and they reminisce about Spencer. It's as if his parents (especially his mother) haven't accepted or moved on. But one day, Anna dials Spencer's old number. Just to feel close to him. An unfamiliar voice answers and ends up being an unknowingly comfort to Anna.
Brody, the voice on the other end of the line ends up being her saving grace and giving Anna the strength to slowly move on, while he is still stuck in his perpetual grief-filled and lonely world. He also loss someone and they end up connecting because of their losses. Their phone calls become more frequent and these two strangers turn their phone calls into a friendship, only by phone. But when Anna wants to meet and find out more about Brody, he closes up. He's hiding something from her. Will what he's hiding change their friendship or will it end it?

Fiona Lucas created a story of hope and dealing with loss and what happens after the loss. It wasn't exactly a fast paced book, but I felt it moved at just the right speed for these characters. They both had people on their side helping them move on, but it was getting to the point where they needed an outsider. All the characters played their roles well (even if I wasn't a fan of one particular person). It was all necessary to their grief cycle, love for Spencer and for one another.

I listened to the audio and the narrator, Antonia Beamish did a great job with all the parts. It was just her narrating the entire book and while I would've loved to hear Brody from a male narrator, she still excelled in telling the story and bringing their story alive. I hope in listening to or reading this story, you would find hope in the most unlikely places. Because while this story is about a great loss, it's also about that hope and support from the loved ones around you. Touching, well written, great narration performance and perfect for someone that wants an emotional book that is uplifting as well.

This is a story of loss and learning to love again between two people who just happened to start talking to each other by chance. The story between Anna and Brody is really multi-layered. The fact that they could just openly speak to each other and fill each other’s void was therapeutic. It explores the question, what is worse, losing someone when things are great or losing someone when things are bad? This story brought to light what it means to lose someone and what the often complex healing process is like and that it is different for everyone. Is it safe, plausible or acceptable to love someone new?

How can you move on if you can’t let go? This sentence sums up this story nicely. Spencer was Anna's soulmate. They thought they would be together forever, but three years ago, Spencer was killed in a terrible accident. Some people think she should move on, Spencer's mother blames her for his death and thinks she should sacrifice any further happiness. On New Year's Eve, Anna calls Spencer's phone number to hear his voice, but is shocked when someone answers the phone. The bills she thought she had been paying were not paid and his number was given to someone else. That someone else is Brody Scott. Brody is dealing with his own issues, but we do not know exactly what has happened until much later in the book. They begin a phone relationship, and feelings begin to develop. Will they be able to move forward with their lives or be stuck where they are forever.

My husband passed away four years ago, so I understand grief, survivor's guilt and that feeling of loss and betrayal. All things that Anna felt. The difference is Anna is still young and has a lot of living to do. I enjoyed reading about Anna's and Brody's relationship and how they grew to care about each other. I was surprised when I learned about all that Brody was keeping secret from Anna. He had a lot to deal with and it is no wonder he is such a tough spot, even ten years later. The Last Goodbye was a very heartbreaking and emotional story. Most of the characters were likable and even though Spenser's mother was a "biotch" with a capital B, she comes around in the end and her and Anna almost have a moment. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Antonia Beamish. She is another narrator that I enjoy. Her voice, expression, tone and pacing were very well done and added much to this story. I recommend this book to those who like a romance, but one that is realistic, touching and shows emotional growth.

4 stars. Thank you to netgalley and Harper audio for providing me this copy in exchange of an honest review. This book deals with Anna, a widow who lost her husbands 3 years ago and her journey on how she overcomes that. She calls his phone cell for closure but surprisingly someone else picks up on the line. She begins to form a new friendship with this anonymous person. This book dealt with the matter well and Anna was very well developed

Thank you to Netgalley, William Morrow, and HarperAudio for an advance audio edition of this book for review. All opinions are my own.

This book is quiet. It is warm, slow, and peaceful. It is a book with such a clear picture of grief, family, and healing. The Last Goodbye speaks so truthfully about the power and importance of human connection.
Fiona Lucas creates the loveliest characters. Anna and Brody are both healing from loss of loved ones, and trying to recraft their lives after loss. Lucas's writing so beautifully captures grief in this novel. She speaks to the non-linear path that people take to healing. She speaks to how crucial other people are to the healing process.
The other aspect of this book that has stuck with me is the careful and considerate way that mental heath is presented in this book. Anxiety, depression, agoraphobia are all discussed in a careful and dignified way.
Antonia Beamish is a phenomenal narrator for this book. Her voice is warm and soothing in a way that matches the novel perfectly.
I cannot recommend this book enough. Its beautiful- It will make you cry and stick in your heart. If you are like me, you won't be able to stop thinking about this book.

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3814680935
The StoryGraph Review: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/bce12334-ccd5-4b64-9485-4a7ed14208b2

Post will happen on Instagram closer to Pub Day! :)

3.5 starts (rounded up)

Thank you to NetGalley & Harper Audio for the advanced audio book. The book is a little slow to start but picks up once characters begin developing. Charming story about going through loss and the hope that can arise. I struggled a little with some general expectations of women throughout the books, but overall enjoyed the read.

Antonia Beamish was the perfect fit for the audio experience. Listening to the book provides an added sense of all the emotions going through the story - calm, despair, love, hope etc.

Anna's husband, Spencer, died unexpectedly over 3 years ago. On NYE, desperate, Anna dials Spencer's number to hear his voicemail, only for Brody to answer Spencer's number. Brody is the only person who seems to understand what Anna is going through, and the more they talk, the closer they become. However, Brody is keeping a secret from Anna that could ruin their friendship.

Wow, this book. I'm usually not a fan of audiobooks as I find them hard to concentrate on, but I really wanted to read this book, so I tried it out anyway. This narrator was amazing, and I found myself sitting in my car for 30 minutes after I had gotten home to finish a couple more chapters.

I have recently read multiple books where a spouse dies, and though I've never lost a spouse, this book felt the most realistic to me. I felt such genuine pain for Anna and Brody, and I wanted to hug them both.

I really enjoyed all the characters of this book - even the unlikable one(s) because, again, they just felt realistic to me. Not everyone is perfect - we say things we don't mean in the heat of the moment, and it's ok not to immediately grovel for forgiveness.

I can't say much else without giving spoilers, but the slow build of all this and that ending - not all love stories are lust filled. And I really appreciated that about this one.

Thank you SO much for the ARC of this one, Netgalley.

4.5/5 stars.