The Last Time We Say Goodbye by Cynthia Hand

Title: The Last Time We Say Goodbye
Author: Cynthia Hand
Pages: 400
Genre: Contemporary 
Publisher: HarperTeen 
Release Date: February 10, 2015
Buy: Amazon| Kobo| Chapters Indigo| B&N
** ARC was provided by publisher for review*

Summary (Goodreads) 

There's death all around us.
We just don't pay attention.
Until we do.

The last time Lex was happy, it was before. When she had a family that was whole. A boyfriend she loved. Friends who didn't look at her like she might break down at any moment.

Now she's just the girl whose brother killed himself. And it feels like that's all she'll ever be.

As Lex starts to put her life back together, she tries to block out what happened the night Tyler died. But there's a secret she hasn't told anyone-a text Tyler sent, that could have changed everything.

Lex's brother is gone. But Lex is about to discover that a ghost doesn't have to be real to keep you from moving on.

From New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Hand, The Last Time We Say Goodbye is a gorgeous and heart-wrenching story of love, loss, and letting go.

Review: 

I have always loved Cynthia Hand's writing because it feels like you are actually in that main characters place.This book just broke my heart and then started to bring it slowly back together by the end of the book. The Last Time We Say Goodbye is one book that brings awareness to what happens to a family who has lost someone very close to them and the ramifications of their suicide that can happen. I was aware that there has been a number of teen suicides has been rising but Hand does an amazing job with her main character Lex, who is going through an emotional rollercoaster since her brother killed himself. 

Lex's brother Ty, has committed suicide at the age of 16. He was popular, a basketball star who has a ton of friends, but then decides to end it during his junior year of high school. I feel bad for Lex because she blames herself.  Why did he want to do this? Did she notice the signs? Why didn't she reply to the text he sent her? Lex has pushed away her friends, boyfriend and is having a hard time with her grief. In therapy her therapist asks her if she can write a journal to recall her past with her memories of what happened to explain what was happening with her brother. She also wants to know if there was a specific reason why he ended his life. Lex then connects with his friends and ex-girlfriend. 

Death can affect a family differently. Lex's views throughout the novel was normal because she just lost her brother at the same time trying to move on since its her last year of high school. Along the way she reconnects with her neighbor who is helping her through this process. Lexie's boyfriend Steven is so cute. He is also a math nerd like her and has been her friend since grade school. He has been by her side since Ty's death but did not give up on her as a friend when she broke up with him. I did love the flashbacks of their past as well since he is such a romantic. I was totally rooting for them to hopefully get back together. 

When I read emotional books I know I will cry. I loved Cynthia Hands other series (Unearthly) which I adored! The Last Time We Say Goodbye was incredibly moving that at the end the author shares her own story of what happened to her brother. Loss is very hard but its real. Even though the book is fiction, the author's experience definitely shows in her writing since it felt realistic. Recommending this one to everyone! 

5/5