Okay. This is a clear the day, get a cosy spot and make sure you have plenty of chocolate and tissues kind of book. Don't argue, you'll thank me later.

Anna is widowed, but it's been three years and her friends are thinking that maybe it's time she moved on. But how can Anna move on when she had the perfect guy, the perfect life, when the grief still fills her, defines her? From the wardrobes full of her husband's suits, to the fortnightly Sunday lunches with her inlaws, Anna clings onto the memories. So when her best friend tries to set her up on New Year, Anna breaks. She calls Spencer's phone, to tell him she loves him.
And someone answers...

Anna doesn't believe in ghosts, much as she wants to, and is convinced she hallucinated the call. But another lost day she succumbs again and realises that it's not her dead husband on the end of the line but a stranger. Somehow it's easier to talk to him than any of her concerned friends and relatives and its not long before Anna is telling him everything. Meanwhile, in a cottage in the middle of a Devon moor, Brody has barely spoken to another human being in months, until his new phone unexpectedly rings. Soon talking to Anna is the only time he feels like a normal person, but even as she confides in him and he starts to help her through her grief, Brody knows that some secrets are too painful to share.

This is a gorgeous novel about grief, moving on and coming to terms with tragedy. It's funny, heartbreaking and oh so human. The Last Goodbye deserves to be on everyone's reading list this new year. Just gorgeous.

I loved this book, it is beautifully written and a total emotional rollercoaster. I was hooked straight away and read it in two days (would have been quicker but I have to work). It is the story of Anna who is finding it hard more than two years later to deal with and move on from the death of her husband, Spencer. Brody has also lost someone close to him and has inherited Spencer's mobile number. It's New Years eve and Anna, wanting to hear Spencer's voicemail makes the call and finds Brody on the other end. The book tells the story of how they help each other through their heartache and sadness, but Brody hasn't been totally honest with Anna and his secret could bring everything down around her again.

This was so heart wrenching! This is a beautiful story surrounding grief and anxiety. The story follows widow Anna who lost her husband Spencer over 2 years ago. One New Year’s Eve, she calls Spencer, to listen to his voicemail again, but this time someone answers the call. Brody and Anna start a friendship, connecting over their grief. I won’t go into the full story, I don’t want to spoil it but you should read it to find out!
There were a couple of moments that didn’t sit well with me. The first being Anna best friend Gabi pushing her so much to move on, kind of forcing her into various activities like salsa dancing, and trying to set her up with men. I really felt for Anna in these moments. It shows how everyone grieves differently and you cannot rush it. Gabi does realise this by the end though, and apologises for pushing her, which I liked. The other thing being Spencer’s mother Gayle. I understand she is overcome with grief but the way she treated Anna was appalling. But like i said, grief makes people act in completely irrational ways. Some of the things Gayle does is just awful, my heart was constantly breaking for Anna. She was caught between two worlds, people telling her to move on, and others saying she’s moving too fast.
I really loved the character of Brody. He is trapped in his remote cottage, struggling severely with anxiety, panic and agoraphobia. We don’t know until the end of the book what happened to him, and neither does Anna. It wasn’t what she, or I, were expecting. I feel the author represents anxiety and panic well, and there are a few times when Brody tries to conquer his fears and ends up having a panic attack. This was described accurately (in my personal opinion and experience) but with sensitivity. I think it’s so important that mental health problems are mentioned in books, as so so many people struggle.
I can’t even explain how much this broke my heart, but also made me heart feel joyful and uplifted. I just adored the characters of Anna and Brody and their relationship, and I was rooting for them both the whole way through. They felt so real to me, probably because they were such real emotions and issues they were facing.
I feel like everyone needs to read this book, I think there’s a moment that everyone can relate to in some way. Highly recommend!
Thank you for allowing me to read this!!

Goodbye tells the story of Anna and Brody. Anna is a widow who can’t find a way through her overwhelming grief. By chance, and I won’t spoil how, she finds herself talking to a complete stranger - Brody. Brody is hiding a huge secret of his own and connects with Anna through their grief.
I loved this book and read it quickly. The characters are believable and their grief real. The supporting cast of characters are great too and have their own stories and heartaches. Although this is romantic fiction, it’s not contrived or fluffy. A real page turner and highly recommended.

A heart wrenching story about how the loss of a loved one just doesn’t disappear even after years have passed. Anna after losing the love of her life is still finding each day difficult without her soulmate. However on a lonely, alcohol fulled New Year’s Eve all Anna wants is too hear her husbands voice again. She rings his mobile expecting to hear a familiar voice message but instead she hears a human voice. Anna freaks out but feels the pull to ring again to find out who the voice belongs too. Here begins an unexpected friendship of two people who are total strangers who understand how loss effects you and they help each other.
I hope that there will be a sequel to this book as I feel that there is definitely more to Brody that could be explored.

I absolutely loved reading this book the story got me so drawn in to it I couldn't put it down. I went through so many emotions during the course of this book it was very moving & heart breaking it really touched me. It is a beautiful well written story of loss & grief & with a hint of second chances on the horizon. But will they be brave enough to take the steps toward that second chance. Anne is trying to come to terms with the loss of her husband Spencer & failing quite spectacularly. Desperate to hear the sound of Spencer's voice she phones his voicemail message telling herself this will be the last time. Anne goes in to a complete panic as a man answers her dead husbands phone number. It leaves her so confused & shocked she throws her phone down. Brody is the man that answered that call as he has inherited Spencer's old phone number unbeknown to him or Anne. He is fighting his own emotional heart breaking demons. He has shut himself away for years in an isolated cottage on Dartmouth Moors. This is as much as I will say of the plot as too much always spoils it for me. Suffice to say I was totally hooked .I had to keep turning the pages . Would definitely read more from this author I thoroughly enjoyed it.

What a beautiful and heartwarming story The Last Goodbye is. Anna is grieving for her husband Spencer, killed by a drunk driver. Unable to see a future without him, her life is on hold. Desperate to hear his voice, she calls his number hoping to hear his voicemail message. But when the call is answered by a man, she is confused. And yet, she finds herself calling the number again and confessing her deepest feelings. The voice on the other end seems to understand her, and she senses the man has experienced a devastating loss as well. Over time, they talk regularly and their honest conversations help each of them move out of the darkness, toward a future that seems hopeful. Both dreading New Year's Eve, they agree to meet, but Anna is terrified by what she feels when she meets Brody for the first time and she takes flight.

Will she let her fears hold her back from finding love again? Can Brody conquer his own hurdles to find his way into her heart?

A truly romantic and feel good story that will warm the heart.

This is a beautifully written book, I love the characters and their stories made my heart break but also sing. It deals with, grief, loss love and mental health and gives an insightful look at all of them.
A though provoking read

A book of hope and second chances.

Anne`s husband Spencer dies in a accident after 3 years she is still grieving and finding it difficult to move on and letting go.
On new years eve Anne phones Spencers phone just to hear his voice and bleed her heart out to him, only to find his number has been given to someone else Brody, and he totally understands how she feels.
This becomes a regular occurrence over the next year as they help each other over their past with an annoying mother-in-law and an angry ex wife, they are both getting a second chance.

Anne was an annoying character who I wanted to slap many times, but she grew to be likeable as she grew stronger and helped Brody with a few bumps along the way.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.
posted to Goodreads

I received an ARC of this book via HQ and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Description

Spencer was the love of Anna’s life: her husband, her best friend, her rock. She thought their love would last forever.

But three years ago, Spencer was tragically killed in an accident and Anna’s world was shattered. How can she ever move on, when she’s lost her soulmate?

On New Year’s Eve Anna phones Spencer’s number, just to hear his old voicemail greeting. But to her shock, someone answers…

Brody has inherited Spencer’s old number, and is the first person who understands what Anna’s going through. As she becomes more reliant on their calls, Anna finds herself opening up to Brody – and slowly she rediscovers 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?

My Thoughts

Though it (admittedly) took me a while to get into, having just finished Thank You , Next by Sophie Ranald (a completely different read to this one), there’s no denying that The Last Goodbye is a poignant and heartfelt.

Anna is still feeling the effects of losing Spencer, her husband, 3 years earlier. She is stuck: stuck going to salsa lessons her lovely, well-meaning friend Gabi, stuck with a wardrobe full of her husbands clothes (and memories of him) and stuck attending meals at Spencer’s family’s house. Or at least she’s stuck until, one night, she calls Spencer’s number and someone answers.

I was worried about this one. I thought the circumstance of Anna ringing Spencer’s number would become gimmicky, or take away from the story, but it didn’t. Instead, we are introduced to Brody: a man who, through Anna, is forced to confront his own heartbreak. Both Anna and Brody are developed characters, though I felt Anna was possibly more developed than Brody, and I liked reading the dialogue between them – as their connection grew so did my interest in the book and where the story would go.

I have gone through grief before, but not to the level that either character goes through, but Lucas writes this emotion very well. It’s delicate, thoughtful and affects everyone – from our two main characters to others. The thing that makes this book different, and brilliant, is the fact that Lucas shows how you can begin to move forward from grief.

Something I didn’t like about this book was the use of dual points of view. Obviously including Brody’s point of view was important in revealing his ‘secret’, but I don’t think I connected with his character as much as I did with Anna. There wasn’t anything wrong with Brody’s narrative, I just gravitated more towards Anna’s.

Regardless, The Last Goodbye was a beautifully written account of grief and moving forward – I’d would definitely recommend reading this one.

This was a beautifully written story. Anna's sad loss was heartbreaking. When she called Spencer's 'phone number and spoke to Brody it was touching and brought hope where there appeared to Anna to be none, I loved this book so well written and thought provoking. At times I feared for Anna's safety but I needn't have worried as they got to know each other Brody and Anna helped each other to overcome their sadness and they both learned to smile again.

I loved this story, it sucked me in and I found it really hard to put down. This is a really well written, second-chance story of loss, love and friendship. It flowed so well that I was just swept along and became very engrossed in the narrative. It had a fresh feel about it, the storyline was interesting and individual.

Anna is grieving for her husband, she is lost and sad. I felt for her, the author made me feel her sorrow and just how lonely she felt. Her character develops very well throughout the book and I really liked her. Brody is a lonely man, living in the wilds of Dartmoor, till he gets a phone call from a stranger who he totally understands and a friendship begins. Brody's character is complex and interesting; I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know him. All the characters are well written and I felt I knew them all.

I would highly recommend this story, it was a riveting read and I look forward to reading more stories from Fiona Lucas in the future.

The time? New Year’s Eve. Traditionally an occasion for big celebrations, resolutions made for the year ahead and a hope that the coming months will see all your dreams come true. Not so for Anna Barry. She is literally counting the years, months and days since she tragically lost her husband Spencer which when this novel begins stands at two years nine months and eight days (or thereabouts). Best friend Gabi is dragging Anna to a party where she has absolutely no desire to make idle pleasant chitchat with strangers and is horrified to discover yet another well meaning attempt to set her up with a handsome man. Fleeing the party because her ‘not spencer’ alarm bells are ringing,for the safety of her own home , Anna succumbs to phoning Spencer’s number, just to hear his voice and declare her love. A painful and heartbreaking scenario which I can imagine truly happening given how grief stricken Anna still is. However what she doesn’t expect in answer to her ‘I love you’ is a reply, another voice, obviously not Spencer , saying ‘I beg your pardon’. You’ll understand the significance of these words as you follow Anna in the coming months, frightened and reluctant to start living again and desperate to keep Spencer’s memory alive. Gradually over time, Anna regularly calls the number at the top of her contacts list, engaging with the mysterious man on the other end of the line as the most beautiful, unexpected friendship emerges. Brody has inherited Spencer’s number and as these late night conversations reveal, Anna isn’t the only one stuck in the past, unable to move forward.

Whilst initially I felt this storyline might prove to be maudlin and depressing, the author manages to steer it towards a more hopeful path with the introduction of Brody. She deals with the subject of grief so compassionately, allowing the relative anonymity of these long distance phone calls to give Anna the space she needs to breathe. This is in contrast to Spencer’s family, namely his mother Gayle who mourns the loss of her son so acutely but treats Anna appallingly. In short, the awkward regular Sunday lunches, the poring over of photo albums and the marking of special occasions are overshadowed by the ghost of Spencer so that neither women can let go of the past. That Anna should even wish to think of a life after her husband is anathema to Gayle so you can expect more than a few tears and tantrums from this pair.

But it’s not only Anna who finds reassurance in this unusual friendship. Brody equally benefits from offering Anna advice which he himself should take heed of, forcing him to confront reasons for his own heartache. Having chosen to live an isolated life on the Dartmouth moors with only dog Lewis for company I felt just as invested in his mysterious past as I did in Anna’s future, wanting to know why he’s virtually become a recluse. Reticent to divulge reasons for his sadness whilst permitting Anna’s emotions to overflow, I really liked Brody, wishing he too could find some kind of inner peace and a path back to happiness. Watch this space!

I nicknamed Anna ‘Anna the Brave’ because she is an inspiring character and although initially I found her to be a pitiful figure I loved how she started to pick up the fragments of her former life and begin to move forward. Of course much of that is thanks to the reassuring voice of Brody, always at the other end of a phone and also in part to best friend Gabi who has stuck by Anna’s side through the darkest of hours. All three of these characters make this just the sweetest most romantic and uplifting of reads; I totally believed in Anna and Brody as two very real people connected by their grief, they sucked me into their vortex of unhappiness, hopelessness and inability to carry on meaningful lives so that I felt every ounce of their pain and anguish. This novel might well take you on a rollercoaster of a ride in terms of emotion but I loved experiencing every high and low alongside these characters. What makes this a 5 star read for me is the way in which the author has approached the subject of grief, using these late night conversations between two strangers as a novel way for Anna to articulate her feelings that is safe and comforting for her, rather than via more normal routes of self help groups or therapists. For me it’s an imaginative way to discuss feelings of loss all wrapped up in lighthearted and entertaining piece of romantic fiction.

This is a beautifully written fictional account of grief and two individuals unique journeys through the various stages. As Anna’s story reveals, there is no right or wrong way to deal with grief and only time will tell how and when this grief stricken young woman will be able to lay Spencer’s ghost to rest. The same goes for Brody but for different reasons. Yet it’s also a reminder that however dark days may be, not just for those experiencing grief, there is always sunshine to be found above the clouds. You just have to keep looking. Given our current circumstances I think I found Anna and Brody’s story all the more poignant and hopeful. The Last Goodbye is sentimental, moving, and overflowing with love leaving me smiling through the tears. I absolutely loved it!!! Perfect for fans of Kate Eberlen and Holly Miller. My thanks as always to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read in exchange for an honest review.

Such a beautiful story.

When I started off reading this book I was familiar with the towns mentioned wich bought back wonderful memories from my childhood.

I loved reading this book alot.

This book made me so many different emotions.
I felt happiness at different stages of the book and I felt sad at different stages of the book.
I could picture most of the places mentioned because I know some of them.
I cried three times while reading this beautiful story.

I feel sad for Anna's loss of Spencer
I can relate to the loss Brody had because I've been through a loss like he has.
I felt sorry for Anna for the way Gayle was with her.

I don't want to say too much because I don't want to spoil things for other readers.
While reading the last few chapters I cried again but after I finished the last chapter it felt like I had been crying for hours.

This is my 1st time reading this kind of romance book, even though I usually read erotic romance books I loved this book so much.
I could relate to so many things in this book, it reminded me of so many things that I have been through in my life.
This book may make you cry.
I highly recommend this book,

Poignant and heartfelt, this novel deals sensitively with grief and tough subjects and are pertinent to our times, especially during the current pandemic. I laughed and cried, lots. A truly stunning novel.

I have been reading a lot of psychological thrillers recently so decided to read The Last Goodbye thinking it would be more of a women’s fiction story and thus a more lighthearted read. I was wrong!
This book is a heartbreaking story of the affect death has on people, families and friendships.
Anna’s heart is broken when her husband nips out to the shop and is involved in an accident and passes away. The book starts almost 3 years after his death and Anna is struggling with life without him as much as she was the day after he died. His clothes are in the wardrobe, she meets his parents for dinner every week and she is stuck.
On New Years she phones her husbands mobile phone to hear his voice on his answerphone message as she had done so many times before, only this time it is answered by Brody who has taken over the phone number.
Brody also is struggling with various issues due to loss - which I don’t want to say too much about so I don’t ruin the story - and so he and Anna strike up a mutually supportive relationship over the phone.
At its heart this book is about mental health. How people deal with devastating events in their lives. How it is ok not to be ok. How quickly or slowly you move on after devastating life events and how there is no right or wrong way to grieve.
It’s a really lovely story, that I read in less than 24 hours, that I misjudged from its synopsis as “another woman’s fiction story”

Thanks you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I would like to thank the author, the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. I loved it, it was an emotional story and the characters were so believable, the story drew me in and I found it hard to put the book down. I will be recommending this book to my friends.

Thank you to netgalley as well as the author/publisher for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review!!!!

I seem to be gravitating to stories that are written beautifully but deal with grief. This is not an exception and I’m fact it’s one of my favourite recent reads. I know the author on TikTok and this was my friend book of hers. I’m so excited to read more as I could not stop reading (finished this in one setting).

This is a beautiful story regarding loss and grief. Told in such a way, it makes you really feel the strength of the pain of the people involved.

I was so utterly addicted to funded out what happens, I didn't sleep!

Wonderfully written and I'm kind of sad I won't read any more about Brody and Anna

Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for ARC

Firstly thanks to Netgalley and HQ for an early copy of this book. I hadn't read anything else by this author so was looking forward to seeing what she produced.

I really enjoyed this book, I normally love easy reads, up lit however this book was more heavy hitting. Themes covered include becoming a widow at a young age, depression and almost coming back to life.

Our main character Anna has lost her husband Spencer over two years ago and is still heavily grieving her loss.

The book is how Anna recovers from this. I found this book fascinating in showing us how she recovered from her loss.

The relationships in this book are so well written, particularly that of Anna and Gayle, her nother in law, all the interactions are described so well you can actually believe they happened.

I will definitely be recommending this to others when it is released in December.