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Famous Last Words

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From USA Today bestselling author Claudia Burgoa pens a page-turning tale of hard losses and second chances. This angsty romance will destroy readers' hearts and then put them back together again. Prepare to ugly cry like never before!

I shouldn’t be alive.

I should’ve died in that plane crash.

Instead, I survived.

Thrived, even.

After all, I’m a rock star and a billionaire.

There’s nothing I can’t buy.

Nothing, except peace.

And when it all comes crashing down around me…

The guilt.

The pain.

The sorrow.

That’s when she appears.

The one woman I’m not allowed to love.

I needed her to fill the void after everything was lost.

There she was, ready, and grieving too.

Both of us are broken, shattered people.

So why does she make my heart want to beat again?

I need a new reason to keep breathing.

And I think that reason—is her.

Famous Last Words is a story of pain, forgiveness, and the faint, lingering hope of rekindling a love that once meant everything.

344 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 11, 2024

42 people are currently reading
529 people want to read

About the author

Claudia Y. Burgoa

142 books6,404 followers
Claudia is an award-winning, USA Today bestselling author.
She writes alluring, thrilling stories about complicated women and the men who take their breath away.
She lives in Denver, Colorado with her husband and her youngest two children. She has a sweet Bichon, Macey, who thinks she's the ruler of the house. She's only partially right.
When Claudia is not writing, you can find her reading, knitting, or just hanging out with her family.
At night, she likes to binge watch shows with her equally geeky husband.

Instagram: http://bit.ly/ClaudiasIG
TikTok: https://bit.ly/CBstiktok
Bloggers/Influencers: https://geni.us/CBBloggers
Newsletter: https://geni.us/CBNewsletter

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 199 reviews
Profile Image for Carolyn.
414 reviews36 followers
March 6, 2024
Claudia Burgoa has a note at the beginning of all her books, warning readers she writes highly emotional stories. Famous Last Words does not disappoint.

This is a standalone, not connected to any of her other works. The plot centers around the Ehrenberg & St. Clairmont families. The Ehrenberg family consists of a father who is a famous musician, his wife and their five boys. They move the family from CA to the east coast. While visiting their grandparents in CT, they meet the next door neighbors, the St. Clairmont’s. Fast friendships and deep bonds are formed that will shape their lives. Many years later a tragic accident will fracture it all. Devastating losses, lies and secrets will drive a wedge between them.

Brahms Ehrenberg & Seraphina St. Clairmont fell in love amid the chaos after the accident. Sadly their joy was short lived when they were pulled apart by her parents. Losing his best friend and the love of his life causes Brahms to spiral into despair and a very dark place. Almost a decade later he is once again in need of treatment after an accident, which leads him to Seraphina’s door. He is desperate to reclaim what they lost. Will he succeed or will her hatred towards him prove to be an obstacle too great to overcome?

This is a very emotional story which touches on the effects of addiction and death of loved ones. Burgoa does a great job conveying the anguish Brahms is dealing with, both mentally and physically. Seeing him fight to push past his pain and come out whole was deeply satisfying. I wonder if this will blossom into a new series?
Profile Image for Patricia (Spellbound Stories Trish) .
2,842 reviews119 followers
March 11, 2024
You’re not ready! Heck I just finished and I’m still not ready! The emotions in this book will pierce your heart and grip your soul till the very end! Seraphina and Brahm’s story is gut wrenching but so very beautiful at the same time!

Life, family and love are always hard and can be a tangled mess but Seraphina and Brahm get caught in such a huge web they don’t know if they’ll ever find their way again!

I was prepared to cry but I wasn’t prepared to be ruined! This story has me a mess but in a very beautiful and healing way! even when she guts you, claudia has a way of healing with her complex characters and unique story lines.

I cried like I never have before and it felt good! Brahm and Seraphina both have so much to give qnd im so happy they both found their way.
Profile Image for Nadine Bookaholic.
3,731 reviews527 followers
March 14, 2024
FAMOUS LAST WORDS is currently a standalone but I have a feeling we will be seeing more of Brahms and his brothers in future books, whether or not they get their own series remains to be seen.

This story is an emotional roller coaster and at times I wasn't happy with the ride but then something would happen to make me enjoy it again. I fluctuated with my rating of this book several times, just like the roller coaster ride.

At first I had a hard time connecting with Seraphina, I found her quite annoying at times. She would be blinded by certain things and not let the person she claims to love explain his side of anything, who does that? She did have some redeeming qualities and overall she did win me over...a little bit at least.

𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒚 𝒂𝒖𝒅𝒊𝒐𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒂𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒆𝒓𝒑𝒕 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 ➡ https://bit.ly/NBReviewFLW

famous Last words Claudia burgoa

Nadine's Obsessed with Books **I have voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Readers Copy of this book for my Blog, Nadine's Obsessed with Books
You can find me here:  https://linktr.ee/NadineBookaholic
Profile Image for Frida.
675 reviews28 followers
April 14, 2024
If you're craving an intense emotional journey, this book delivers. Despite moments of frustration, it mirrors real-life complexities, where sacrifices for loved ones are both noble and misguided. The story delves into the aftermath of a tragic plane crash that haunts the protagonist, Brahms, with survivor's guilt so heavy it drives him to drown his sorrows in alcohol and ultimately to hit rock bottom. Seven years later, he's a shell of his former self, indifferent to his own existence. His brothers intervene, calling upon Seraphina, his former love and now a physical therapist, to help him reclaim his life.

"Famous Last Words" is a touching story of love lost and second chances, as Brahms wrestles with a vow made to a dying friend. Brahms instantly captured my sympathy, and I sensed that his struggles ran deeper than what met the eye. His losses weighed heavily on him, driving him to rely on vices that only exacerbated his pain, and ultimately leading him down a perilous path. His journey through adversity and redemption added a poignant layer to his character arc, highlighting the resilience of the human spirit in the face of profound challenges.

His character, laden with tragedy, masks pain with sarcasm, making reconnection with his greatest love Seraphina a delicate dance. Their journey from friends to lovers to enemies and back to lovers is rife with tension, though the prolonged enmity throughout the majority of the book left me wanting more. While I appreciate the suspense, withholding the major revelations until the final chapters felt like an abrupt resolution to a drawn-out conflict.

Seraphina's icy demeanor, while understandable, made it difficult to connect with her on an emotional level. I yearned for her to take more initiative in uncovering her own truth, adding complexity to their reconciliation. Their eventual reunion isn't all sunshine and roses, which is realistic, still the hurried conclusion left me feeling unsatisfied.

Despite its shortcomings, "Famous Last Words" remains a beautifully crafted story, albeit one that falls slightly short of its potential. While initially deserving of a five-star rating, the rushed resolution and unresolved tensions ultimately docked a star.
Profile Image for Sue Czarnomski.
787 reviews8 followers
March 16, 2024
DNF @ 36%. Terrible book. Repetitive dialogue and I had no idea what was going on. The structure of the story wasn’t done well and the characters were unlikeable. Not sure what story the other readers read, but this was most definitely not a tearjerker. Maybe those were arc reviews.

Not recommended.
Profile Image for Jessica Alcazar.
4,408 reviews625 followers
March 8, 2024
🎧📚AUDIO REVIEW📚🎧 (but I also kinda read it ...

I have to get all my thoughts together before I review because I have so many thoughts ...

Suffice it say, I did not not like this story but it was problematic for me.
do with that little nugget what you will :)
2,103 reviews24 followers
March 19, 2024
Famous Last Words had a number of issues that I don't like within a storyline.

Texting throughought the storyline
Calling the MC by his surname (old hat)
a FC who is so full of anger that she can't forgive

Profile Image for Lisa Stinson.
1,382 reviews19 followers
March 15, 2024
I really enjoyed this second chance romance with all the angst and emotions you expect from a Claudia Burgoa novel. I can't say enough about the fantastic narration by Stella Hunter and Jason Clarke in bringing Seraphina and Brahms' story to life. These two are some of my favorites and after listening to this story, it's not hard to see why. They are able to convey the emotions necessary for this story that was full of secrets and the hope of healing from pasts traumas and struggles.

Seraphina's world was turned upside down years ago when she lost not only her sister, her brother and her father was seriously injured, she also lost the love of her life. When her past is thrown into her face and her work, she puts up a wall to keep the feelings out of it. She has lived her life on her own for the last few years and even though her facility is struggling, she is determined to bring it back to life. Too bad, her ex is the way to make that happen.

Brahams has been living with so much heartache for so long and his ways to numb the pain are only making his life worse. Now he needs some serious rehab and his brother has decided the best place to do this is at Seraphina's place. Brahams is hoping that this will be the way to rekindle the love that he and Seraphina shared but she isn't going to make this easy on him. He knows that he will have to finally tell her all the truths he has been hiding, which he knows could only push her further away.

This was a great second chance romance, with chapters from then and now to help the reader/listener to better understand the feelings for both Seraphina and Brahams. Even though this was a second chance romance, it was definitely a slow burn for these characters to find each other again. But in the end, it was well worth the angst and wait for them.
Profile Image for Jodi - JodiReadsnListens.
1,278 reviews50 followers
February 25, 2024
**Audio Review**
Squeeze my heart! Famous Last Words by Claudia Burgoa is an angsty and emotional second-chance romance that will pull at your heartstrings and have you feeling all the feels. Seraphina and Brahms' journey to HEA is full of overcoming secrets from the past and healing together to create a hopeful future. This book is a brand new stand-alone with everything you know and love that Claudia always delivers.

Stella Hunter and Jason Clarke perform this audiobook in duet-style narration. Both brought the longing, witty banter, and steamy tension that equaled Seraphina and Brahms perfection! Stella was spot on portraying Seraphina’s sassy, guarded, and independent persona. However, Stella showcased a softer, delicate side when Seraphina let her walls down and learned truths from her past about family and Brahms. Jason’s signature swoony growly tone conveyed Brahms’ persistent, devoted, and relentless love for Seraphina that made him irresistible. Both narrators gave the most adorable kid voices.

Overall, I LOVED this book. If you are a fan of a second-chance romance with a hot haunted musician, a fiercely devoted physical therapist, a painful past, family truths, healing with music, matching tattoos, then and now chapters, slow burn steamy times, meddling protective brothers, secret surprises, and a HEA that will make a lasting impression on your heart, then you will love Seraphina and Brahms’ story. I always look forward to more from Claudia Burgoa.
Profile Image for Sheila Schoenauer.
1,092 reviews12 followers
March 7, 2024
Ummm okay wow. First off, I did not want to put this book down. I love all of the character names.

I loved getting to know this broken family but I also ached for them... especially Sephie (and no I won't call her Fifi because she's right. It does sound like a dog name). To have to go through a tragedy like that? And to have survived?! Omg. I hate that they protected Sephie so much that she lived a broken life without Brahms. If she had only been entrusted with the truth; all of the truth. Maybe things would have been different. However I also think Brahms needed this reality check. I think he needed this pain and loss to become the man they all needed him to be... no matter how much I hated it for Sephie.

I loved Sephie's anger. No matter how misplaced it was she still had a right to it. And that "mean man" needed to accept that and do right by her. Ewan and Aria... steal my heart. Loved them!!

I wish we could have gotten to know Zane. He sounded like an amazing man (not thinking so much on that part with Iris because seriously?! She had to have known how her sister felt and to go along with this plan?? Grrr). I would love Ellie's story. Maybe Zane helps him find his HEA? Just the thought of ghost Zane.. swoon.. anyway...

Loved this book. Can't imagine forgetting it soon. Looking forward to possibly seeing the Ehrenberg family again.

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book for my honest and unbiased review*
Profile Image for Destiny Imperati.
1,042 reviews38 followers
March 11, 2024
Heartfelt second chance romance 🥹💕
ARC Review ✨️
If I could rate this book 10 stars, I would in a heartbeat. I haven't cried this hard over any characters in a long time. This book completely shattered my heart. The main characters, Brahms and Seraphina, both have been through so many traumatic events. They end up showing great improvement throughout the story, and we're such loveable characters. This book was fast-paced, contained twists that I never saw coming and was so easy to fall in love with! I highly recommend this book!!! This was my first time reading the writing of Claudia Burgoa, and I can't wait to read more. 💕🖤
Profile Image for Miranda Perez.
164 reviews10 followers
March 8, 2024
Arc review:
The emotions I felt going through this book really grabbed me in and yanked on my heart strings. The love and effort they all went to protect Sephie , though just like anything else in life, trying to cover up the truth in attempts to protect the ones you love ends up hurting everyone in the process. But sometime if you are lucky , revealing the truth just may help everything fall right into place. That is what happens here with Brahms and Sephie. I truly loved it.
Profile Image for Kerry Melton.
520 reviews15 followers
March 12, 2024
In Claudia Burgoa’s latest release, Famous Last Words, be prepared to embark on a journey of love and self discovery with these characters as they overcome the struggles of their past and grief and find their way back to each other.

Despite confronting painful past experiences together, Brahms and Serphina embraced their journey towards restoring their relationship with renewed strength and hope.

The powerful fate of their relationship, friends and family and the bond they share helped them overcome their fears. The story was written with so much emotion and depth that you feel everything the characters went through. Be prepared for some ugly crying.
1,889 reviews7 followers
July 12, 2024
Great second chance romance by an author who never disappoints
Profile Image for Kelly Wyatt.
24 reviews
March 16, 2024
A little disappointing

While I was excited to read about a musician and a physical therapist coming together and the story itself is quite interesting, I found the back and forth style of then/now almost as bothersome as the way overly dramatic beginning and set up. It was readable but a bit of a slog through the flowery drama that wasn't necessary.
Profile Image for Karine.
1,315 reviews15 followers
March 27, 2024
WHAT. A. CLUSTERF*CK. ‼️‼️‼️

Seriously, this whole story is pure mess.
Master characters are mean and unlikeable.
(Let’s be honest : they both are total a$$holes.)
They were very painful to read about.
I can’t find a thing I liked about either one.
They should have TALK to each other and alllllllll the drama would have been settled.
So many lies for so many years… come on people!
Even the events are unbelievable. An example? She learned some truth about HER LIFE by searching the Internet. WTF.

And what with all the weird names?! Everyone is named strangely. That bothers me constantly.

I can’t believe I didn’t « DNFed » it.
What a waste of time.

⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️Be warned⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️
This isn’t a love story. 🚫🚫🚫🚫🚫🚫🚫
It’s a pathetic story full of lies and misunderstandings and the whole thing is awful.

STAY AWAY. ⛔️⛔️⛔️
764 reviews20 followers
March 8, 2024
I absolutely loved Famous Last Words by Claudia Burgoa, it is an incredible second chance at love story. Claudia Burgoa continues to provide readers with amazing love stories filled with wonderful characters. She continues to prove that she is an amazing storyteller and one of my favorite authors to read. I love all the characters in Famous Last Words, they feel like family! Famous Last Words filled me with a rollercoaster of emotions, it was impossible to put it down, and I loved every moment on every page. Who does not love hot sexy men, strong females, loving families, and friends, who always support one another? I love how Claudia Burgoa always manages to create the "perfect" heroine, who is a strong, sassy woman on her own, to balance out the sexy, swoon worthy man. My favorite part is how Claudia Burgoa incorporated the title of the book into the love story. I really enjoy how the book is told in the first person from the perspective of the main characters. I love getting the insight and feelings from the different characters. Famous Last Words is filled with heartbreaking and heartwarming moments all those things that I have come to love and expect in Claudia Burgoa love story, and she did not disappoint, especially with the poignant and bittersweet moments that filled this page turner. Famous Last Words is a love story between physical therapist, Seraphina “Sephie” St. Clairmont and musician, Brahms Ehrenberg, a band member of Cascade Midnight. I loved how the book flashes back to different memories from their relationship, and you could see how their past has affected them. Brahms and Sephie were childhood friends and Brahms was in a band with Sephie’s late brother, Zane. Zane and her sister, Iris were killed in an airplane crash that injured her father, Thatcher leaving him paralyzed and Brahms. Sephie helped Brahms recover from his injuries as she was working on her degree. They began a romantic relationship that ended suddenly when her parents returned from a yearlong trip looking for treatments for her father and informed Sephie of Brahms role in the accident. Sephie and Brahms have not seen each other since that fateful day, seven years ago. Brahms is once again injured in an accident and is an addict and alcoholic. Brahms brother, Ellington approaches Sephie about helping Brahms heal. Ellington knows of the dire financial straits she is in following the death of her father. He agrees to get her solvent if she agrees to treat Brahms. I love the childhood nickname that Ellington calls Sephie, Fifi. Sephie has a lot of her own demands if she is to treat Brahms. I love that Brahms eventually shares with Sephie the secrets behind the airplane accident and his relationship with Iris and that Sephie shares her secrets about her life with her dad, there is one secret that Sephie does not share with Brahms. I love all the things that the Ehrenbergs do for Sephie to help her become financially stable. An unanticipated plot twist occurs that causes Brahms to leave the Birchwood Falls location and head to Seattle for additional therapy. I love everything that Brahms does to be able to have a life with Sephie, and how he finally tells her the truth about the accident. I love Brahms’s proposal and the significance of the engagement ring that he gave to Sephie. I love the ending of their love story and the new house that they purchased together for their life together. My favorite parts are the epilogues that are told from the perspective of Seraphina and Brahms. It was the perfect ending of their love story. I love that Seraphina reads the letter her late mother left for her in her epilogue and that Brahms’s epilogue takes place two years in the future, love the tribute to Sephie’s brother. I love the characters and the family dynamic in Famous Last Words, the characters feel like family and friends. I enjoyed all the interactions between Ehrenberg brothers especially their teasing that made me laugh. Who does not love family and friends that always have each other’s backs? I thoroughly enjoyed Famous Last Words, who does not love a second chance at love story? I love how Claudia Burgoa incorporated characters from her other series into Famous Last Words. Highly recommend this incredible love story. Famous Last Words is supposed to be a standalone book, hoping Claudia Burgoa changes her mind and writes love stories for the other Ehrenberg brothers. Received an advanced copy from the author.
Profile Image for mary Baird.
661 reviews8 followers
March 19, 2024
This book is truly an emotional read but I loved it sooo much!!

There are no words that can express how much this story tugged at my heartstrings. It’s the story of two broken people who deal daily with loss of friends and family. Both the MMC, Brahms and MFC, Serafina/Fifi had always had an attraction for each other. Then tragedy strikes. Seraphina’s brother Zane and sister, Iris are killed in a plane crash. Her dad was also left paralyzed. Serafina’s brother Zane and Brahms had been best friends since childhood. They were also band mates which was so like a double blow for Brahms.

Though both were both Brahms and Seraphina were left utterly crushed by Zane’s death, Brahms had the additional feelings of survivor’s guilt to deal with. But when Seraphina’s parents traveled abroad to seek a cure for her dad, Brahms and she began a have a romantic relationship. But all that would change once her parents returned from their travels. Each going their own way.

It’s been seven years since Brahms and Serafinsa had seen each other. Serafina is now a physical therapist and runs a therapy center St. Clairmont. She had inherited the house and property when her dad passed away. Sadly, he had left things needing much to be done as well as financially needy due to being behind on payments. Brahms’ journey continued with him becoming a rock star, but now it’s been interrupted by his injuries leaving him unable to play instruments. The latest accident finds him laid up leaving him in a wheelchair, addicted to both alcohol and pain meds. It’s his brother, Ellington, who realizes that they have to do something drastic to turn him around or it could be the demise of Brahms! He also realizes there isn’t any closure between Brahms and Seraphina and maybe this will help to fix Brahms and Seraphina’s mental state. This is what will have the two of them will reconnect!

Seraphina and her partner in business are expecting a celebrity patient to which they will cater. It’s upon seeing that the new patient they are receiving is Brahms, Seraphina is furious!! Even though they will be paying the Center above and beyond what is required to bring the property financially current, that things are in working order, plus pay for things deemed needed for Brahms.

Sadly, Seraphina finds Brahms quite arrogant and demanding… especially of her and her time. What Seraphina is not privy to is that there are many untruths that she had been told by her parents about the accident that have caused her be so angry with Brahms. Truths that Brahms is trying to protect her from. It broke my heart that all Brahms wanted to do was save her heartache. As tension continues to amp up Brahms decides that he is tired of the friction between them. He ultimately ends up checking himself out of Seraphina’s rehab center for another.

With many truths still left unspoken, will Brahms ever have the chance to share the truth with Seraphina?

But will Seraphina be able to forgive the lies she's been told and find happiness with Brahms?
Profile Image for Nadene  (Totally Addicted to Reading).
1,521 reviews218 followers
March 22, 2024
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Famous Last Words is one of those books that will either make you angry, sad, or disappointed in the actions of some of the characters. It's a story about secrets, lies, loss, and the need for revenge. Prepare for a roller coaster ride where, despite the feelings of sadness, anger, and disappointment, the outcome leaves you exhilarated and happy.

Famous Last Words introduces Brahms Ehrenberg & Seraphina St. Clairmont, childhood friends who fell in love with each other. A relationship ensued between them. However, the ramifications of a past tragedy would tear them apart. Brahms didn't handle the breakup well and ended up on a path of destruction. Pills and booze became his source of comfort until a brush with death had him rethinking his life.  One thing that would make it better is getting forgiveness from the only woman he ever loved. However, with the secrets and lies from the past, forgiveness may not be forthcoming.

Seraphina believed the man she loved had betrayed her. She wanted revenge for a perceived wrong against her and her family. However, she will learn that things are not necessarily how they appear and that it is best to find the truth for oneself instead of relying on others to be completely honest.

My emotions were all over the place with this one. Brahm's pain resonated with me. Knowing that most of what he currently experiences stems from a decision to keep secrets with the aim of protecting the woman who now despises him makes it painful.

The said woman, however, got on my last nerve. Seraphina claimed to have loved Brahm. However, she accepted what others told her without making an attempt to find out the truth for herself. Never once did she make an attempt to find answers. She accepted it all, and for six years, she allowed bitterness to take over her heart. Her bitterness manifested in her treatment of him at the point when he needed her professional help. 

Everyone in the story had secrets, and they all subscribed to the lies that tore Brahm and Seriphina apart. The irony of the whole thing is that it was done to protect but in the end, it only brought about pain and heartache.

Famous Last Words delivered an emotional read that explored the damaging effects of addiction and the loss of loved ones. This is my first time reading the author's work, and I thought she did an excellent job of portraying the mental and physical anguish of the characters. The standout, however, was Brahm. Seeing him overcome the physical and emotional pain to reclaim his life was gratifying.This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading
Profile Image for Maddie (Bookaholic_Dreamer).
967 reviews82 followers
March 9, 2024
“In his eyes I see my own soul reflected back. We’re kindred spirits, two broken people brought together again after tragedy tore us apart.”


4.25/4.5 ⭐️

Famous Last Words by Claudia Burgoa is an Enemies to Lovers, Second Chance, Rockstar Romance that has us following the narrative of Brahms Wolfgang Ehrenberg and Seraphina ‘Fifi/Sephie’ St. Clairmont in the telling of their dual perspective.

Oh boy, the emotional whirlwind that author Claudia led you on in Famous Last Words following Brahms and Sephie’s journey was no joke.
From deep depths of despair, heartbreak, sadness, grief, trauma, anguish and misery to the highs of warmth, love and adoration and so much more due to the never ending list.
Just like Brahms and Sephie, author Claudia broke you down, only to slow build you back over the progression of their story, making it feel like you were right there next to them experiencing all that they were too. It packed a serious punch with every hit impacting you on the inside, seeing as we were able to get deep down into the nitty, grittiness of the emotions.
In every turn, this super emotionally charged story had you feeling every which way, not only for the two, but alongside them having to see them venture through such a rocky terrain of sentiments.

The ride that was the storyline was a tumultuous one, considering all the drama whether it be from the past and/or present it was very much there.
Only to lead to many highs, lows and ups and downs, plus some back and forth considering the history that was always brought up since it had yet to be fully resolved, given the secrets, lies and deceit that was knitted within it. But yet to be out in the open, considering the many times Claudia alluded to throughout.
When it came to said many hints and teasers of the secrets that continued to allude me as the story progressed. The more the unknown mysteries grew, having me chopping at the bits with wanting to know the answers to everything, so it could all be out in the open filling in the pieces of the puzzle that was Brahms and Sephie’s life story.

It should be known, seeing as there was a lot to learn about Brahms and Sephie, especially considering how the story started and what we learn along the way.
This ultimately led to Claudia creating a narrative that had us jumping back and forth between the present and the past, given the flashbacks that were included throughout. Which IMO was handy to have as it allowed us to get glimpses into not only Brahms and Sephie as characters but their lives too, seeing as they shared a past and so we were able to see and learn about them. Including going all the way right back to the beginning of when they first met.

Brahms and Sephie’s story Famous Last Words was a real page turner, having you gripped on tight in what was quite a deeply emotional charged storyline, breaking you apart, only to then piece you back together with a beautiful HEA worthy of the two.
And for that a job well done to author Claudia Burgoa, she delivered with this heartfelt great read.



*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Laura Fabian.
644 reviews54 followers
March 11, 2024
ARC kindly provided for the author in exchange for an honest review

Ranking: 4.5⭐


When I started reading Famous Last Words I didn't imagine I would enjoy it so much. I really liked the way Claudia told Bahms & Seraphina's story, what their interactions were like and everything I discovered when reading each chapter, I also loved meeting Brahms' brothers, so if the author decides to turn this into a new series, I will be the happiest.

Sephie & Brahms have a complicated past and present and I loved that Claudia gave us flashbacks of these two to find out what really happened and how Seraphina came to hate Brahms so much. Something that I always enjoy, and that the author gave me with this book, was feeling all the anguish, pain and despair that the characters feel throughout the book, their story was heartbreaking, full of secrets, lies and twists that makes everything even more interesting and that didn't let me put this book down until I finished it, and most importantly: I LOVED how Brahms' healing happened, how that led him to achieve his second chance with Sephie and the tender ending that their story together had.

🎹Seraphina: 5/5
🎹Brahms: 4.5/5
🎹Plot: 4/5
🎹Love story: 5/5
🎹Secondary characters: 5/5
🎹Cover: 5/5
🌶️: 1/5

🇪🇸
ARC amablemente proporcionada por la autora a cambio de una reseña honesta

Puntuación: 4.5⭐


Cuando empecé a leer Famous Last Words no me imaginé que iba a disfrutarlo tanto. Me gusto mucho la manera en la que Claudia contó la historia de Bahms & Seraphina, como fueron sus interacciones y todo lo que descubrí al leer cada capitulo, también me encantó conocer a los hermanos de Brahms, así que si la autora decide convertir esto en una nueva serie, voy a ser la más feliz.

Sephie & Brahms tienen un pasado y presente complicados y me encantó que Claudia nos diera flashbaks de estos dos para saber qué pasó en realidad y cómo Seraphina llegó a odiar tanto a Brahms. Algo que siempre disfruto, y que la autora me dio con este libro, fue sentir toda la angustia, dolor y desesperación que los personajes sienten a lo largo del libro, su historia fue desgarradora, llena de secretos, mentiras y giros en la trama que hacen todo aún más interesante y que no me dejaron soltar este libro hasta terminarlo, y lo más importante: AMÉ como ocurrió la sanación de Brahms, como eso lo llevo a conseguir su segunda oportunidad con Sephie y el tierno final que su historia juntos tuvo.

🎹Seraphina: 5/5
🎹Brahms: 4.5/5
🎹Trama: 4/5
🎹Historia de amor: 5/5
🎹Personajes secundarios: 5/5
🎹Portada: 5/5
🌶️: 1/5
Profile Image for Bette.
3,309 reviews23 followers
March 12, 2024
An Emotional Journey! Great Story & Listen🎧

Famous Last Words
By: Claudia Burgoa
Narrated by: Jason Clarke, Stella Hunter

Oh Claudia Burgoa, what did you do to my heart? Breaking it into pieces before putting it back together again. This story drew me in like no other, grabbing my attention and captivating it the entire time and yes, tugged at my heartstrings the entire time, too. As if it was not heartbreaking enough that Seraphina lost her brother and sister in a plane crash, but then to learn the person responsible for the crash wrecks her even more. Then other news that stemmed out of that tragic event pours more salt into her wounded heart. Seraphina gave her heart to Brahms, her brother’s best friend and bandmate, but he crushed it and her. Brahms lost his best friend then and has had survivor’s guilt since and that is not the only guilt he suffers from, but from keeping secrets, secrets to protect Seraphina and her family. When Brahms is at his lowest, his brothers bring him to a unique rehabilitation facility, run by the only person who can really save him, Seraphina. She did not want to see him again, but the practice she built is hurting financially, and treating him may be the only way to save it. Brahms is in a bad way, both mentally and physically, but seeing Seraphina again lights a fire within him. Seraphina is still angry with him and his betrayal, and has no intention to forgive him or let him in again, but she has her own secrets, and despite her anger, she does still care about him. This beautifully written and plotted story is so much more than a second chance romance, it is a second chance at life, especially for Brahms and them as a couple and a family. Claudia Burgoa, thank you for another this wonderfully moving & emotional story. 

🎧📚🎧 Jason Clarke and Stella Hunter deliver an outstanding performance portraying these characters, humanizing them with their personality, giving each a voice that is fitting and is believable in every role they played. Clarke's portrayal of Brahms was amazing, capturing his despair and transforming him into who he was meant to be. Hunter was just as amazing as Seraphina, grasping all her strength and her determination, as well as her heartache. Both were fabulous performing the roles of the secondary characters, too. They set the perfect tone for the story, captured all the characters’ emotions and had you feeling them all. These entertaining storytellers are a pleasure to listen to and their performance enhances this already amazing story to another level. Thank you for another wonderful listen. 
3,714 reviews42 followers
March 9, 2024
This is a heartbreaking and emotional second chance romance and it is Brahms and Seraphina’s story and omg it is definitely a must read but get those tissues ready because you are going to need them. Seraphina had gone through so much loss in her life and now her father had also died and she found out that he had mismanaged all the money and now everything had gone and she was on the brink of losing the centre that means everything to her all because she trusted her father so now she is drowning in debt and didn’t know what to do next and then a solution arrived but with it came even more complications but unfortunately Seraphina didn’t have any other choice. Brahms has music running through his veins but after a traumatic tragedy everything in his life fell apart so now he lives daily with the memories and guilt which has left him broken along with having demons that are so huge that they are swallowing him up and making him very reckless every day with his life and the latest accident was so bad that he was going into a special rehab centre to help him heal his broken and battered body only when he arrived standing before him is the one woman that he had always loved and still loved to this day before he destroyed everything between them and now he is determined to make things right and hopefully if he is lucky enough get a second chance. When all the secrets and lies are revealed will they be able to get the second chance that they both want so badly or is it already too late. Wow this story completely tears you apart, breaks your heart and leaves you crying so many times with everything that Brahms and Seraphina have had to battle through in their lives and have left them so broken that healing will take a lifetime with everything that they have lost which has devastated them both but there is a light at the end of the tunnel and if there love is strong enough it will fight hard to find that light and there love will then be able to stand the test of time. This book will take you on the biggest rollercoaster ride of your life so get ready and buckle up and be ready to have your heart completely shattered and then put back together in the most beautiful way possible. Claudia Burgoa certainly knows how to keep her readers attention throughout while you read one of her books because she is an incredible author and writer and her books are definitely worth reading and you really do not want to miss out because you will never be disappointed.
Profile Image for Jody.
2,090 reviews61 followers
March 12, 2024
The best books pull you in from the very first page, and with each turn of the page, invest you in the characters through every up and down they're subjected to. Ms. Burgoa does exactly that with this angst-fueled tale of two people whose lives become entwined from an early age and who get put through the wringer on their way to adulthood.

Brahms Ehrenberg & Seraphina St. Clairmont are the stars of this story and they form a strong connection the moment they meet. Fast friendships and deep bonds were immediately formed in a heartfelt journey that ultimately led to a heartbreaking accident that pulled these bonds apart at the seams. A love that was just starting to shine too unfortunately gets put asunder due to outside forces.

For years these two remained apart with Brahms, because of such devastating losses, going to a very dark place that had me aching for him. Things take an even more emotional turn for him when another accident leads him to Seraphina's healing doorstep where years of secrets and lies finally see the light of day in a rollercoaster ride to HEA.

Brahms is a sexy hero whose soul-deep hurts pulled me into his life completely. Along with the glitz of the rock star life came the lows of loss, loneliness, and addiction. Ms. Burgoa pulled no punches in the depiction of all he went through and it makes for a more richly rewarding story as he earned the HEA he worked hard to achieve. Seraphina's a strong heroine who's had her own difficulties with her father's life and death leaving her emotionally and financially in dire straits that Brahms's brother uses to convince her to let Brahms back into her life. This is a couple that were always meant to be together as their connection was too strong to ignore.

This is a second chance romance with a couple that I quickly became invested in. They got put through the wringer, both emotionally and physically, in a page-turning ride full of secrets and lies. This is a beautifully crafted tale that pulled at the heartstrings. From a childhood friendship to a love that never died, I was rooting for them through every up and down they went through. Surrounding this epic couple was Brahms's brother who I long to see more of in the future. The epilogues in this book were also wonderful! Family letters and a glimpse of the future act as a healing balm to leave readers happy and satisfied after all the darkness that came before.
Profile Image for Vanessa Gayle ⚔️ Fangirl Faction.
1,134 reviews852 followers
March 11, 2024
Disclaimer: I received this book at no cost from the publisher/author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. I am leaving a voluntary review and all opinions are my own.

This book is exactly the emotional rollercoaster that the blurb promises it will be. I thought I was prepared for the plethora of emotions this book put me through but this book totally slayed me.

Claudia Burgoa has a writing style that I really mesh with. It is so easygoing and I am easily absorbed into the story every time. The plot of this one kept me hanging on for dear life. It was compelling and entertaining with clever plot development. All the drama and mysteries had me consumed. The world-building was vivid and resonated with me.

These characters were so vibrant and authentic. They were distinct and their personalities, backgrounds, and character development were really fleshed out. I grew very attached to them as the story progressed. The secondary characters added the perfect amount of depth to the story.

Brahms and Seraphina have such a deep connection that really speaks volumes. They have a complicated and painful past. There is a lot for them to overcome in this story and the road is long and hard.

Overall, this was a heartwrenching story that delivered an emotional journey. Your heart will ache and your eyes will shed some tears. The story is beautiful and truly captivating and will leave you feeling satisfied and full of hope. If you are a fan of intense rockstar romances with plenty of pain and secrets, a slow-burn second-chance trope, and a memorable story then you should pick this one up!


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My bookshelves can sometimes be spoilers.
Profile Image for Misty (Reds Romance Reviews).
3,413 reviews6 followers
March 8, 2024
Brahms Ehrenberg & Seraphina St. Clairmont found love a long time ago, but it was taken from them and it's haunted them everyday since. That day broke something in Brahms, he stopped caring, stopped living and found comfort in pills and booze. His addictions have made him someone he isn't, he's tired of being lost, and he wants the one person who has always made him feel found, whole. But being with her is forbidden and wrong on so many levels, not to mention she wouldn't want him back anyway? Or would she?

Famous Last Words is one of those books that seeps into your heart and soul and controls every breath you take, often stealing it with it's words. These two have the kind of love that you are only lucky enough of finding once in your lifetime and they let it slip away. Outside forces came between them and drove them apart, creating a crater in both of their lives, they've tried moving on, but both learned it's impossible to move on when your heart belongs to someone else. Brahms wants a second chance, wants to right the wrongs of the past, but can Seraphina forgive him? Reuniting isn't going to be easy, as there is a lot of hurt and ill feelings lingering between them, but there is also love and that love is quite powerful... they just have to be brave enough to let it take the lead and let everything else go. And that is the hard part...

This story completely wrecked me, I am still not recovered from the damage it left behind, I am however very happy I took a chance on it. It's stories like these that remind me of the joy that can be discovered between the pages of books, to see something so heartbreaking lead to something so hopeful and heartfelt. In my opinion, these are also the best ones to read, the ones that make you feel down to the depths of your soul, and leave you forever moved. Ms. Burgoa has out down herself with this one, I foresee it being a big hit with readers and I hope she revisits these characters at some point... Like a series maybe? Highly recommend this one, it's emotionally charged words will leave you forever moved!

I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving my honest and unbiased opinion.
Profile Image for Sassy Southern Book Blog.
5,416 reviews274 followers
March 17, 2024
Brahms Ehrenberg has lost a lot in his life and has found he is now spiraling out of control and after his last accident he knows that he has to come to terms with everything. When his brothers send him to a rehab facility that specializes in recoveries without pain medication he knows this could be his last shot.

Seraphina St. Clairmont is in a bind and about to lose her rehabilitation center after learning that her father put them in an awful financial situation where they are about to lose everything. All she has left is this facility to remember her family and she doesn’t want to lose it.

When Seraphina is offered a very substantial amount of money to take on a new client she knows that this is possibly her chance to save her family’s land and her business but when she discovers who the client is she knows everything is about to be turned upside down. Yet she must figure out of saving her business is worth helping the man who killed her siblings.

This book was really good and I whipped through it.

Brahms was a mad who lived with so much guilt and he was destroying his life as he felt guilty for living when his best friend, Nate, was killed. He never got over losing the woman he loved because of it and was lucky enough to be considered a Rockstar but he knew that wasn’t enough anymore to keep him going.

Seraphina was someone that had a few more complications and layers to her. She had given up her dreams of being a medical doctor and instead switched her focus to physiotherapy after the plane crash to take care of Brahms but then when she heard all of the rumors that were going around after the place crash she lost everything.

There was definitely an underlying chemistry between Brahms and Seraphina but there was also a lot of animosity on Seraphina’s side due to everything that had happened in the past. There were so many secrets on both sides and when they started to be revealed things began to click into place.

I was definitely surprised by one thing but not surprised at all about the plane crash and that was my guess from the beginning.

The ending made me very happy and I look forward to more from this author!

4.5 Stars- Rebecca



When Claudia puts that note at the beginning of the book that tells you she writes highly emotional stories...she’s not lying!! Famous Last Words definitely didn’t disappoint! It’s going to take some time for me to recover from the emotions of this book for sure. Seraphina & Brahms’ story is so beautiful and wonderfully written. A journey to a HEA that requires overcoming secrets from the past so they can heal and have the life they both deserve.- Elizabeth
Profile Image for litljen.
1,236 reviews41 followers
March 11, 2024
*** I received an advanced copy and chose to review it ***
** 100% spoiler-free review **
* 5 heartbreakingly beautiful stars *

I was not prepared for this story to knock me so far off-kilter! Famous Last Words is a gritty, raw, heartbreaking story of lives and loves lost, addiction, recovery, and healing. I felt all the emotions as the story progressed wavering between sadness and hope that these characters would heal and find their happily ever after.

Brahms and Seraphina (Sephy/FiFi) were both such strong characters. As Brahms physically recovered from his accident and addiction, he found himself once again as he worked to heal his mind and heart. My heart broke for this broken man who just needed someone to believe in him. Seraphina was brave and resilient under the worst of circumstances. She worked so hard to build a beautiful life but things were never easy for her. Faced with the love of her life in the unlikeliest of circumstances, she needed to find the strength to push through and survive. Long-held secrets came to light which completely imploded the lives of Brahms and Seraphina in spectacular fashion. In the end, they found their way back to one another to find their happily ever after.

Claudia Burgoa wrote a story that gave me all the feels. While it was primarily angsty, there were periods of lightness and laughter. Alternating between past and present, we got to see every aspect of Brahms and Seraphina's relationship. I love a now-and-then story as it really gives me a full sense of the characters and how their relationship developed over the years. Burgoa used this technique beautifully and I felt like it gave me a deeper connection to Brahms and Seraphina. Everything about this story was perfect and I can't stop thinking about how it all played out. Thank you Ms. Burgoa for giving us two characters who truly burrowed a hole deep in my heart. I hope in the future you will write stories for the rest of the Ehrenberg brothers because there is so many stories left to tell for these talented rockstar brothers. 5 stars
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