quick read but very well written! Touches on some important subjects. I really felt the brothers pain over his sister and wanted to know what really happened to her like he did. This felt very accurate to teens today.

Posted to Instagram & goodreads 24/7/22

I was lucky enough to be gifted this book on NetGalley in exchange for a review.
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This book combines mental health issues with a mystery, 2 of my favourite things to read. It’s addictive, fast paced and really engaging. We follow Freddie through his grief, after his younger sister has died by suicide. As part of his therapy, he finds his sisters diary which gives insight into what happened to her.
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It’s a ride with an ending I didn’t expect. It’s a quick and easy read which will make you appreciate family. I really loved it! It was an absolute pleasure to read.
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If you’re comfortable reading books on this topic I recommend you check this out 🙌🏻
Book is released August 3rd.
4/5
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Thank you to NetGalley and the Author Julia Bodwell @jbodwellwrites for this ARC ❤️

Name of Book: The Last Thing She Wrote
Author: Julia Bodwell
Genre: Teen/YA - Mystery
Pub Date: August 3, 2022
My Rating: 3.4 Stars

Seventeen year old, Freddie Monroe is filled with sorrow as well as guilt over the suicide of his thirteen year old sister, Kaylee. He feels guilty that he wasn’t there to prevent what happened.
He is in therapy trying to deal with his grief. He finds Kaylee’s diary and believe it just may uncover secrets she was hiding and perhaps what caused her death.
Freddie is sure his sister wouldn’t kill herself!

I know I am not the target audience for this but as a High School Guidance Counselor; I love to read YA stories. It pleases me that I can recommend a book as well as know what they are reading.

This was a Quick read plus I was curious!

Want to thank NetGalley and Julia Bodwell for this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for August 3, 2022

Thank you NetGalley and Julia Bodwell for letting me read “The Last Thing She Wrote” in exchange for an honest review!

I was immediately drawn to the beautiful cover a young woman in red sinking down in what seems like water. The art is incredibly beautiful.

I felt a real excitement for this book. The description, the cover… my first book by Julia Bodwell. It’s always exciting to discover new authors!

The book is on the shorter side, which made it perfectly readable in one sitting.
Right at the beginning, not knowing much about the story, It struck a nerve, as I have personal experience with the suicide of a loved one. I am not taking a stand, my opinion on suicide does not matter in this review, but it made me relate to Freddie so much more. Finding your loved one, dead by their own hand is traumatic. Especially when you have no idea about the why.

Freddie is a boy aged seventeen who lost his younger sibling Kaylee. He feels the guilt you have when you’re left behind. What could you have done to prevent it? What could you have done differently. It’s a very vicious cycle. Freddie finds her diary and things take a twist. Is it really suicide?

I am probably not the right age group for this book, but reading it made me think back to my teenage days (now I feel old…). Kaylee had this sweet kind of innocence , but growing up too fast. I loved the way Freddie cared for his sister, dead or alive. The diary entries make the book intimate and personal.

I could not stop reading it, I needed to know what happened to Kaylee. The book turned out to be different than I thought it would. It has a touch of murder mystery. Still, I love the initial vibe it gave me. It made me remember some of the worst moments in my life and in the very beginning mirrored my feelings very well. I could connect to a much younger character. I loved Freddy, remotely Kaylee as well, also Becca and Antoine (the pink Afro had me!).
The book gave me mixed feelings and emotions and most importantly made me think. It’s such an important topic, without wanting to spoil, not only the effect of suicide.
Julia, what a splendid story! Written so sensitive and thoughtful!