megandukebooks's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't get as much out of this book that I hoped. It was good, but it didn't leave me feeling amazed.
darabrnrd19's review against another edition
5.0
I picked up this book during March and then I stopped reading it but this month, I've decided to pick it up again and continue where I left off. And I did not expect the amount of tears I cried when I was in 200+ pages. I thought it's not that deep but the letter Tyler wrote for Ashley got me.
cperdue97's review against another edition
3.0
I would have given it 4 stars, but there was a part that seemed terribly unnecessary... still debating on giving a 3.5 instead of a 3...
ajsterkel's review against another edition
3.0
Likes: Honestly, when I started this book, I wasn’t sure if it was a “me” novel. It sounds very angsty. Then, within the first few chapters, the main character sees the ghost of her dead brother, freaks out, and throws her phone at him. When I read that scene, I was like, “Yep, I’m going to enjoy this story.”
The main character, Lex, is dealing with the recent suicide of her younger brother, Tyler. I think the author handles Lex’s emotions realistically. Lex keeps analyzing everything that happened on the day her brother died. She feels guilty that she didn’t answer his text messages in time. She feels guilty that she went on a date instead of staying home with him. It’s sad to watch her struggle, but it’s also relatable. I think most of us wish we could go back in time and get a do-over with an event.
Speaking of dates, there is romance in this book, and I didn’t hate it! Sure, it’s a bit unrealistically perfect, but it’s sweet and doesn’t take over the whole plot. I appreciate that.
I love how Tyler’s depression is handled. It’s not extremely obvious that he’s depressed. He goes to school, has friends, plays sports. This novel shows that depression can be hard to spot. You never know what’s going on inside another person’s head. I also like that Tyler doesn’t have “reasons” for committing suicide. He kills himself because he’s depressed. That’s it. There’s no one to blame. Nothing extraordinarily terrible happened to him. Tyler’s suicide is Tyler’s fault and no one else’s.
Dislikes: I got frustrated with Lex, especially in the beginning. She’s sometimes ungrateful, whiny, and self-centered. I especially disliked her when she was moaning about having to talk to the expensive therapist that her mother is paying for. I guess I can’t complain about Lex too much. I was also an ungrateful, whiny, and self-centered teenager. She’s realistic.
There are actually two suicides in this book. While Tyler’s is handled brilliantly, the other one is mostly glossed over. Then Lex becomes a fake pity friend to a kid who she thinks is going to commit suicide. That whole plotline is too underdeveloped for my tastes.
My final complaint is the story’s pacing. It’s very flat. It often feels like the plot is about to pick up and get moving, but then it doesn’t. There are a bunch of little plot threads that start strong and then fizzle. The ghost thing that got me interested in the story didn’t go anywhere. I feel like I spent most of the book trying to figure out where this story was heading. Nothing really happens until the last 50 pages. This is a fairly long novel, so I got impatient with the large amounts of nothing that happens.
The Bottom Line: A realistic look at suicide and how it changes a family. I think the book could have been shorter.
Do you like opinions, giveaways, and bookish nonsense? I have a blog for that.
The main character, Lex, is dealing with the recent suicide of her younger brother, Tyler. I think the author handles Lex’s emotions realistically. Lex keeps analyzing everything that happened on the day her brother died. She feels guilty that she didn’t answer his text messages in time. She feels guilty that she went on a date instead of staying home with him. It’s sad to watch her struggle, but it’s also relatable. I think most of us wish we could go back in time and get a do-over with an event.
Speaking of dates, there is romance in this book, and I didn’t hate it! Sure, it’s a bit unrealistically perfect, but it’s sweet and doesn’t take over the whole plot. I appreciate that.
I love how Tyler’s depression is handled. It’s not extremely obvious that he’s depressed. He goes to school, has friends, plays sports. This novel shows that depression can be hard to spot. You never know what’s going on inside another person’s head. I also like that Tyler doesn’t have “reasons” for committing suicide. He kills himself because he’s depressed. That’s it. There’s no one to blame. Nothing extraordinarily terrible happened to him. Tyler’s suicide is Tyler’s fault and no one else’s.
“There's death all around us. Everywhere we look. 1.8 people kill themselves every second. We just don't pay attention. Until we do.” – The Last Time We Say Goodbye
Dislikes: I got frustrated with Lex, especially in the beginning. She’s sometimes ungrateful, whiny, and self-centered. I especially disliked her when she was moaning about having to talk to the expensive therapist that her mother is paying for. I guess I can’t complain about Lex too much. I was also an ungrateful, whiny, and self-centered teenager. She’s realistic.
There are actually two suicides in this book. While Tyler’s is handled brilliantly, the other one is mostly glossed over. Then Lex becomes a fake pity friend to a kid who she thinks is going to commit suicide. That whole plotline is too underdeveloped for my tastes.
My final complaint is the story’s pacing. It’s very flat. It often feels like the plot is about to pick up and get moving, but then it doesn’t. There are a bunch of little plot threads that start strong and then fizzle. The ghost thing that got me interested in the story didn’t go anywhere. I feel like I spent most of the book trying to figure out where this story was heading. Nothing really happens until the last 50 pages. This is a fairly long novel, so I got impatient with the large amounts of nothing that happens.
The Bottom Line: A realistic look at suicide and how it changes a family. I think the book could have been shorter.
Do you like opinions, giveaways, and bookish nonsense? I have a blog for that.
notblue's review against another edition
4.0
This was honest to god one of the saddest yet most satisfying books I've ever read.
lyndsayreads's review against another edition
3.0
Probably more of a 3.5/5 stars.
I have a lot to say, but I want to let it sit with me for a little bit before I write or film a full review. I did enjoy it, but I also had some issues. I'll flesh out my thoughts and put them here later.
I have a lot to say, but I want to let it sit with me for a little bit before I write or film a full review. I did enjoy it, but I also had some issues. I'll flesh out my thoughts and put them here later.
readaroundtherosie's review against another edition
5.0
I'm torn between giving this book 4 stars, or 5 stars.
On the one hand, this book tore me to pieces and made me an emotional wreck, in a beautifully crafted manner- the writing was lovely and it was difficult to put the book down, and God, the emotion in this novel will stick with me for a very long time. For that, I absolutely adore it.
On the other hand, the side characters fell a little flat, and this was a very character-driven novel.
That's the only, even remote, let down.
So overall I'd say 4.5.
Gosh, my face is a mess.
On the one hand, this book tore me to pieces and made me an emotional wreck, in a beautifully crafted manner- the writing was lovely and it was difficult to put the book down, and God, the emotion in this novel will stick with me for a very long time. For that, I absolutely adore it.
On the other hand, the side characters fell a little flat, and this was a very character-driven novel.
That's the only, even remote, let down.
So overall I'd say 4.5.
Gosh, my face is a mess.
vacanteeth's review against another edition
2.0
it was alright when i read it but honestly, just unmemorable
roseandisabella's review against another edition
5.0
I haven't cried in a long while from a book, or in generally really. But this one really broke me down. It deals with the suicide of a loved one and divorce.