Charles Martin is one of the best. He never disappoints. This story was interesting, and it was hard to put down. I read it in two days. I recommend it to all Charles Martin fans.

This is a beautiful story of human brokenness. But it's also a story of... How do I put this without revealing spoilers... The power of choice and control.

It deals with hard topics (and the ugly side) of drug use, toxic relationships, infertility, miscarriages, IVF and surrogacy.

Set against the backdrop of the "ideal" Hollywood life, this book makes us consider what constitutes an "ideal" life and how does the life we present the world run parallel or perpendicular to the life we live behind closed doors.

At its conclusion I am really wrestling with whether or not to say I liked it. As always Charles Martin's writing is beautiful, and he shows that it takes sacrifice and pain from someone to heal the brokenness inside us. His books (that I have read) are allegories for the way Jesus goes after those who are hurt and broken and heals them. But how that is translated into a human representative here didn't always sit right with me. It left me feeling unsettled. Particularly with one specific aspect of that "hero's" actions.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson I received a complimentary copy of this book, but was not required to leave a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Oh wow. The Last Exchange is my absolutely favorite book by Charles Martin. The story gripped me, and I experienced ALL the emotions - frustration, anger, heartbreak, sadness, happiness, and everything in between. I love audiobooks, so I also checked the audio out from my local library, and enjoyed that as well. The narrator was great, but I had to really pay attention at first until I figured out the Before and After, and the POVs. Fantastic book, and I honestly don't know what else to say without rambling and giving everything away. I appreciate the pusblisher allowing me to read and review through NetGalley.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and all opinions expressed are mine.

The book follows MacThomas who is a bodyguard to the stars in particular Joe Sue. However not everything is what it seems as Joe has two personas. It's an interesting take on people's persona and the ability to protect oneself from trauma. Words cannot describe the depth of emotions I went through.

Beauty from ashes describes the main character in this book. This dual timeline takes you through all her ups and downs. It demonstrates what “true love” does. I literally did not want to put this book down.

Just no words to describe how much I love Mr. pockets! This story was so endearing, and though I wish for a different ending, I know what lies beyond the end. Such a true true love story with a true hero!

“Scars are just the body's response to things that shouldn't be there. A reminder of the pain.” This line from *The Last Exchange* perfectly captures the heart of Charles Martin’s latest novel, where suspense and deep emotion blend into a story that lingers long after the last page.

In *The Last Exchange*, Martin introduces us to MacThomas "Pockets" Pockets, a former Scottish Special Forces soldier. Pockets lands a role as a bodyguard to Hollywood star Maybe Joe Sue, a woman with a picture-perfect public life but a private world marred by trauma and a desperate longing for a child. Martin’s portrayal of Maybe’s two lives—the glitz and glamour versus her private struggle—is powerful and authentic, drawing readers into the depths of her pain and resilience.

When Maybe’s life spirals, Pockets doesn’t walk away. Instead, he steps in, willing to risk everything to save her, even if he gains nothing in return. The story journeys from the flashy streets of L.A. to the quiet beauty of rural Montana, challenging readers to reflect on what it truly means to love someone unconditionally.

The audiobook adds an extra layer to the experience, with the narrator capturing the tension and tenderness in Martin’s prose. It’s a beautiful, intense, and heartbreaking journey to the end.

Charles Martin has a rare gift for writing stories that touch the soul, and this novel is no exception. *The Last Exchange* left me feeling closer to God and more appreciative of the sacrifices we make for those we love. It’s a 5-star read, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a story that combines gripping suspense with a profound emotional journey.

** I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, and all opinions are my own.

Nothing like an Inspiration touching book from this amazing author! He can draw me into a story and make me feel like I am there!! Loved the characters…loved the feel of the book and loved to be transported into the world Charles Martin has created!!

Wow! What a great read! The story and characters really had me up all night reading! Highly recommend reading.

The Last Exchange by Charles Martin

Thought provoking, complex, intricately crafted story that really made me think – although – the slow start had me almost putting it down. So glad I read to the end.

What I liked:
* Maybe Joe Sue: foster child, waitress, wannabe star who makes it big, open, honest, real, addiction issues, easily taken advantage of, survivor, really felt compassion for her
* Kelly MacThomas Pockets: Scottish Special Forces, bodyguard, son of a preacher, enjoys gardening, protective, bright, professional, lethal, does what he feels he must, felt he got a raw deal
* The friendship that Joe and Pockets developed over the book
* Feeling I got to know the characters and cared about the outcome
* That though there were times in the first part of the book I felt too much telling and not enough showing was going on – the pace changed and drew me in becoming compelling in the end
* Pockets stoicism although there were times that I wished he had spoken out
* The visit with the queen and the trip Pockets took Joe on to see his family home
* The time Joe helped Joe grow a garden on land that she spent time on as a foster child
* That eventually the truth came out about one particular character and hoping that karma dealt a heavy blow later
* The surrogate mother money scheme was perhaps not as necessary to the story but it was interesting
* Thinking about what *I* would be willing to do for those I love
* That there was some hope at the end of the story though I would have liked to have an epilogue to know what happens in say five or ten years

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Thinking about the evil manipulative people that came to light as the story was told, their impact on the main characters, and what they almost got away with

Did I like this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Yes, if the plot appealed to me

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars

SMITTEN!! GoodReads classifies a 5-star as "It was amazing!" and that isn't often how I feel about books I've read ... HOWEVER Charles Martin's books never let me down. I've been reading his books for about a decade, and THIS is why--his heroes are next-level awesome. THE LAST EXCHANGE is a powerful combination of raw, real, and awesome. Where few authors tend to delve these days, he portrays messy lives in respectful ways and draws a map for healing and redemption that leaves me breathless. Pockets is the best of Martin's heroes, and my only regret is having finished this, I'm not forced to wait umpteen years (okay, not really, but it feels that way) for Martin's next book.

Went into this book with zero expectation. I haven't read a Charles Martin book since The Mountain Between us (which I adored). I also didn't remember the description at all when I picked it up. (I like to add things to my list and the not remind myself why I added it so I don't have something set in my head.) But this one really blew me away. I don't know if I would call it thriller or romance or what. Pockets is a phenomenal character. I think that's what Charles Martin does very well, write men who are manly men and take up for what is right.
However, one thing that bothered me about Pocket's POV was the way he would start speaking in an omniscient way, speaking for people the way he perceives them. To the point where at one point I thought it was a different POV. Are we to believe he is a prolific profiler? Are we to believe he is just speculating? But it is very believable and what much of the story on his POV is based off of. Only once do I remember him saying, "But I'm just guessing," and that was toward the end.
Also I think the courtroom scene at the end was terribly unrealistic. The shocks. The speaking to people in the audience. A lot of the things written in those scenes just would not happen. That kind of bothered me too.
But the story development and character development, even the pacing of the story and how it is lined out is done well.
The audio narration is fabulous. Especially for Pocket's POV, but both of them, really.

A couple really great quotes:
- "A life laid down is better than one picked up."
- "I've been in some places where there is no hope and yet, somehow, it swims through the cracks...Not in all of human history has hope ever been laid to rest. When we breathe in, it's the stuff that expands out lungs. It's the reason we're not just dust."
- "Hope is how we express us. Hope is love with legs."



**Thank you netgalley and Thomas Nelson for a review copy. My opinions are my own.

Ugh - this book was drag to read. It took me until I was 65% through it to start being invested in it. To the last page I still didn't know if I cared or not.

It was a tedious read. and I just didn't feel this was on par with other Charles Martin books.

Deep inside look into the frailty of human beings, the struggles, ambitions and choices made. Only love, hope and sacrifice are possible solutions to thos willing. Well written intense book. Definitely worth the read. This book was provided by Net Galley, the author and publisher for me to read. These are my own personal opinions.

4.5 stars

The Last Exchange was my first novel by Charles Martin and it surely won't be my last. I decided to take a break from my typical thriller/suspense murder mysteries and go for something a little different for me.

Synopsis:
Maybe Joe Sue's (yes, that's her name) acting career skyrocketed after being found in a diner. Her films were widely accepted and she won awards right from the start. She even married mega star Syd Painter, leading to a life of luxury and making it seem to all on the outside that she had it all. But under the surface, Joe struggled with a painful childhood, multiple miscarriages, and a worsening pill addiction.

McThomas Pockets (yes, that's his name) is a former member of the Scottish Special Forces who randomly meets a film director on a plane, gets asked to consult on a new film being made, and ends up meeting Joe and becoming her personal bodyguard. He takes his job very seriously and is always there to help her back up - even taking her to, and staying with her throughout, her many visits to rehab. Even when Joe tries to get him to loosen up, or comes on to him, he maintains professionalism.

My thoughts:
While it took me a minute to get into the story, I was soon engrossed in Joe and Pockets backgrounds and their present struggles. I loved how devoted Pockets was to Joe and how he wanted her to succeed - even sacrificing something to let her succeed. I really appreciated the storytelling, the way Mr. Martin wove the background sections into the story, and the strong male lead who was upstanding and had strong morals/character. I liked that there was no language or sex but it was still a love story deep down. While some parts were heavy, it was written in such a way that it pulls the reader in and makes us root for the success of the characters. We are all flawed, but with the right person in our corner we can make it.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this book. Charles Martin is an author unlike any others, and this story continues to show me some new sides of his writing that I so appreciated. This is a page turner with totally unusual but loveable characters all learning about love and sacrifice. This book was more thriller than I expected but I still enjoyed it. The character of Pockets was my favorite. If you are a Charles Martin fan, this book is a bit of a different twist from his others but still very enjoyable. 3.5 stars

Although this is the first Charles Martin book I have read, I can already tell he has mastered the art of storytelling. With excellent plot pacing, Mr. Martin parcels out clues to Maybe Joe's story, strategically alternating between the 'before' and 'after' timelines. My heart emphathized for Maybe Joe's brokenness and I found Pockets to be one of the most memorable protagonist I have come across in a long time.
This is a many-layered story told with confidence, one that provokes deep thought. Mr. Martin gets to the heart of reaching out, helping the 'broken' find a purpose to pick up the pieces.
One of my favorite quotes: "The last exchange. . . . . .It's when you cross paths with someone who's broken, just a mess of pieces, unable to fix anything about anything, and yet for some inexplicable reason, you stoop down, reach out and say . . . 'Me for you'."

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher through Netgalley. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This is my first book to read by this author and I am sure that it will not be the last one I'll read. Martin writes with such depth as in the plot and also describing the characters as few authors can do. He gives insight into drug addiction that probably a lot of characters that are well known fall into. This book has such depth to it, you can actually feel the hurt of the characters. The ending is quite different in that who would think that an individual could be so self sacrificing and denying of oneself because of their love for another.  This is a good clean drama/mystery with a bit of romance and suspense, it will certainly be one you will enjoy. You need to read this marvelous book for yourself you will not be disappointed..... Thanks to Thomas Nelson, the publisher and NetGalley for this arc and I am happy to leave my review.

How far will you go to protect someone you love?

Maybe Joe Sue is the world’s biggest movie star. Orphaned and passed around through the foster care system, once she aged out, she headed for Los Angeles to try to make a name for herself. All she found were a few commercials and a place to wait on all night customers. One of those nights, a producer realized that she would be a perfect replica for the actress that he was having problems with. After a few takes and an indie movie film festival, her star took off and the rest was history. Except it wasn’t all unicorns and rainbows. Sure, she had fame, money, and what appeared to be a wonderful marriage, but it was really anything but that. Fortunately, she had her bodyguard MacThomas Pockets, who was loyal to her through everything and took care of her, even when she started abusing drugs. But when Pockets ends up in prison, things spiral out of control for Joe. Years later when the surrogate mother for her baby ends up blackmailing her for money, she goes even deeper into depression, all the while still winning acting awards. On the night of the award ceremony, Joe is abducted, and no one knows where she has been taken. But it will take everything to get her back on the right track.

As usual, Charles Martin brings a story that readers will love to read over and over again. The story of Joe and Pockets will warm readers’ hearts and mark them as another set of unforgettable characters that Martin has produced throughout his books. After the letters series, this was a bit of a different direct, more of a return to his roots. One can’t help but strive to see these characters succeed and get to the happy ending, even if a bit unconventional. I also love how he manages to tie in other novels he has written and would love to see if readers uncover the novel where Joe plays one of the main characters and wins an award!

In The Last Exchange, Charles Martin takes his readers into the interior life of the rich and famous—and at the same time, unveils the broken life of addiction, dysfunction, and longing for what can never be purchased.

According to Hollywood standards, Joe had made it, but success only served to reveal all the many ways in which she was helpless to fix her own problems. Freedom comes only when someone willingly steps into the mess with a selfless love that says, “My life for yours.”

The question thrums throughout: How far would you go to rescue someone you love? Martin dangles question marks at every turn and manages to preach the gospel without once sounding preachy. The story looks unflinchingly at dark themes and heartbreaking loss while never losing its anchor back to the Truth.

Many thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for providing a copy of this book to facilitate my review, which is, of course, offered freely and with honesty.