A review by islandgeekgirl
The Last to Let Go, by Amber Smith
4.0
I really enjoyed The Way I Used To Be when I read it last year and this sounded like it could have the same dysfunctional family trying to heal vibe, just with different circumstances. Amber Smith has proven that she isn't scared of tackling heavy issues that this book was no exception. It dealt with abuse, PTSD, a shattering family, the justice system. So many issues for one book but it pulled it off.
Brooke's whole world was turned upside down in an instant and, after I can definitely understand her wanting to do everything she could to keep the rest of her family together. I could also understand her frustration at feeling like she was being treated like a child when it came to information about her mother. It seemed like the more Brooke tried to hold everything together, the more everything insisted on falling apart and it led her to make some pretty big mistakes and bad decisions. Amber Smith did a great job of getting into Brooke's head, making her sympathetic even as she was making very bad choices that hurt other people.
The plot was very character driven, mostly focusing on Brooke and her trying to deal with everything that was happening. We saw her siblings, her mom's best friend, her mom, her girlfriend, all through Brooke's eyes so we didn't get to see a lot of growth from them or get their thoughts on everything. There were a few POVs that would have been nice to see but I can understand why the author chose to show everything through only Brooke's POV. It was her story, her growth.
The book wasn't an easy read but it was a quick one. I was rooting for this family and I really wanted to see them happy by the end. I definitely can't wait to see what Amber Smith has planned next.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Brooke's whole world was turned upside down in an instant and, after I can definitely understand her wanting to do everything she could to keep the rest of her family together. I could also understand her frustration at feeling like she was being treated like a child when it came to information about her mother. It seemed like the more Brooke tried to hold everything together, the more everything insisted on falling apart and it led her to make some pretty big mistakes and bad decisions. Amber Smith did a great job of getting into Brooke's head, making her sympathetic even as she was making very bad choices that hurt other people.
The plot was very character driven, mostly focusing on Brooke and her trying to deal with everything that was happening. We saw her siblings, her mom's best friend, her mom, her girlfriend, all through Brooke's eyes so we didn't get to see a lot of growth from them or get their thoughts on everything. There were a few POVs that would have been nice to see but I can understand why the author chose to show everything through only Brooke's POV. It was her story, her growth.
The book wasn't an easy read but it was a quick one. I was rooting for this family and I really wanted to see them happy by the end. I definitely can't wait to see what Amber Smith has planned next.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.