The Last Goodbye by Fiona Lucas Blog Tour

 People that know me will be aware that I am a sucker for a good romance. I like a story that can tug at my heart strings and invoke an array of emotions within me as I read.

So when I was asked if I would like to read and review Fiona Lucas's latest novel The Last Goodbye, I scanned the blurb (as well as read some early reviews) and I just knew I was in for a loving treat with this book.

Anna’s world was shattered three years ago when her husband Spencer was killed in a tragic accident. Her friends and family think it’s time she moved on, but how can she when she’s lost her soulmate?

On New Year’s Eve, Anna calls Spencer’s old phone just to hear his voicemail greeting. But to her surprise someone picks up. Brody answers and is the first person who truly understands what Anna is going through. As they begin to speak regularly, Anna finds herself opening up and slowly she discovers how to smile again, how to laugh, even how to hope.

But Brody hasn’t been entirely honest with Anna. Will his secret threaten everything, just as it seems she might find the courage to love again?

There is a sadness to this tale, Anna - our protagonist - has to learn to live again when her husband is suddenly killed in what can only be described as a tragic accident.

The years go by but she just can't let go of her past. This is not helped by her mother in law Gayle, who is also suffering the loss. It is as though they feed off of each others grief. 

Despite numerous attempts from her best friend Gabi (who I think should get an award for her supporting role in tis book) to get her to move on, find new interests and perhaps a new man to get her onto the next stage in her life, Anna just can't seem to find that spark of positivity that she needs to be her alone again.

How can you ever move on, if you can’t let go?

One way that Anna has been holding on, is by keeping many of Spencer's belongings. His clothes still hang in the wardrobe, reminders of the life that she once had. She also continues to pay his phone contract so that on days that she feels truly low she can listen to his voice over voicemail.

A comfort but perhaps also a hinderance as it is yet another tie to her past.

That all changes on New Years Eve when a different voice can be heard. Someone has answered. Fate perhaps. Could this stranger be the key to Anna finally letting go of the past?

Poignant, hopeful, and full of emotional power, an unforgettable story in the vein of P.S. I Love You about two people learning to love again after great loss, perfect for fans of Jojo Moyes and Josie Silver.

This is a woman in her own personal crisis.  Could this man be the key to her moving forward?

With each phone call made, it is clear that they have an understanding, a connection, a common ground, that of sadness but the more they talk, the fog seems to clear for the both of them. 

Emotions that they experience aren't quite as painful as they once were. There is a true comfort of purely listening and being listened to. Instead of those people who think they know what you need. Sometimes what really helps is patience and the quiet to simply be.

Readers are falling in love with The Last Goodbye.

What a hopeful book this is.

This is a story about love, about grief and all the emotions in-between.

What transpires between Anna and Brody is real and raw and as the reader I had to question was it fate or just pure luck?

Either way this seems to be the start of both of them finally moving forward, all it took was for someone to listen, to truly hear what they had to say. What the author managed to do was show that grief is didn't for everyone, we are unique in our losses and how we react and come back from that is also different.

'Grief has different stages, and the path is different for everyone. There shouldn't be any judgement about which route you take or how long it takes you to get there.'

This story was both heartwarming and heartbreaking all at the same time. There is a gentle combination of emotions. I loved how there was still laughter and wit between the pages and also the moments of guilt for those happier times.

Tragically beautiful.

Slow moving, each chapter producing just a little bit more emotion. Refreshing to read as it didn't rely on drama to make me turn the pages, simply raw, human emotion.

I felt connected and invested in Anna and Brody, both as separate people and as a blossoming couple.

'There might be light in my future instead of just darkness, but for some reason I find that slightly terrifying too.'

The Last Goodbye is a tale that tugs at the heart strings, quietly compassionate. 

Offering so much more than a story of new beginnings, instead looking at how each moment in our lives can change us and shape our lives, and yes that doesn't always mean hearts and flowers, negativity is allowed to. It's how we grow from those sorts of events that really matter.

Have a look at some other fantastic blogs to see what they thought of The Last Goodbye: