Die letzte Stunde

Thompson Sisters #4

by Charles Sheehan-Miles, Dimitra Fleissner (Translator)

Die 28-jährige Carrie Thompson-Sherman führt das Leben, das sie sich immer gewünscht hat: Sie hat ihren Doktor gemacht, eine gute Anstellung und einen wunderbaren Ehemann.

Ihr schönes Leben beginnt aus den Fugen zu geraten, als neidische Kollegen durch Intrigen ihre Stellung gefährden und ein scheußliches Geheimnis ans Licht kommt, das Ray aus Afghanistan mit nach Hause gebracht hat. Alles hängt am seidenen Faden nachdem ihr Ehemann und ihre Schwester bei einem schrecklichen Unfall lebensgefährlich verletzt werden. Mit gebrochenem Herzen muss Carrie die schlimmste Entscheidung ihres Lebens treffen.

Eine Entscheidung, die alles verändern wird.


Die letzte Stunde ist Teil der Thompson-Sisters Reihe. Obwohl alle Romane von der gleichen Familie erzählen, handelt es sich um eigenständige Romane, die in jeder beliebigen Reihenfolge gelesen werden können.

Genres: Romance, New Adult, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Military Fiction, Emotional, Literary Fiction

425 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 17, 2013

About the author

Charles Sheehan-Miles has been a soldier, computer programmer, short-order cook and non-profit executive, and is the author of several fiction and non-fiction books, including the indie bestsellers Just Remember to Breathe and Republic: A Novel of America's Future. Charles and his wife Andrea Randall live and write together in South Hadley, Massachusetts.

Find out more at http://www.sheehanmiles.com

You're also invited to join the Remember to Breathe Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/remem...

Reviews

[Kirsty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Warning: Grab some tissues, a bottle of vodka, buckle up and enjoy the ride!

Charles has done it again with The Last Hour. It was incredible, moving, powerful, emotional, heart breaking. I don't know how he does it, but every novel of his that I have read he manages to pull all kinds of emotions out of me and really make me feel my read. I love every second of it.

For those of you that have read Just Remember to Breathe you will remember Carrie and Ray, we were introduced to them briefly and I for one loved them. Carrie came across as the girl in her family to hold everybody together, to be there for everyone, to play the role as mother when their own was less than capable. And Ray? Ah he was just.. wonderful. We didn't know a lot about him but him and Carrie together? Beautiful. And I wanted to know more.
For those of you that haven't previously read any of Charles' Thompson Sister series, that's okay, you can still read The Last Hour without worrying about who the characters are. There is plenty of opportunity to get to know Carrie and Ray, as well as other members of Carrie's family.



The book quite literally starts off with a BANG - a car accident involving Ray, Carrie, and Carrie's two younger twin sisters Jessica and Sarah. What follows this event is some of the most heartwrenching, scary, emotional scenes I have ever read. Charles has the ability to make you feel as though you are there with them living all the good, the bad, and the ugly moments. By the end of the book I felt as though Carrie and the gang were my own friends, my own family and I'm sure they will all forever be a part of me.

"I'm waiting for you, soldier."

As well as the accident, Charles has expertly weaved in stories from the past. Carrie and Ray have only been together 9 months but in that time they have managed to do and go through so much. Ranging from Ray dealing with troubles that have followed him back from war to Carrie dealing with a jealous colleague who is set out to destroy all that she has worked so hard to achieve. Even going through all these issues, they have always had each other. "We'll get through it together" This sentence is regularly used throughout and it couldn't be more appropriate. They have one of the strongest relationships I've ever read about it and it is so obvious how much they love and care for each other.

"You can't call me babe anymore. It's Doctor Babe to you."

I'm not going to lie, this book was hard. Really freaking hard. From the blurb and comments Charles has recently made about this book you can guess it is going to be a lot different to the first two in the series and he wasn't lying. It is very different, but I'm also going to put it out there that this is the best book I've read by Charles, and easily one of my favourites this year. I love a book that can make me feel all the emotions of the characters and feel as if I am right there living their traumas with them and that is exactly what happened with The Last Hour.


"At that moment, looking in Ray's eyes, I was as happy as I've ever been in my life."

The Last Hour has a running theme centred around choices. From having the ability to make a choice, to having no say at all and dealing with the repercussions of that. And even going as far as having to make a choice that is ultimately the right one but will still destroy lives in the process. Decision making isn't an easy thing in life and this book goes to show that. Sometimes when you do have the ability to make that choice, it may just be the most courageous/heroic thing you could ever do.

"Sometimes you have to make choices, and they're imperfect, but they're the only choices you can make and live with yourself."

If I could, I would give The Last Hour 10 stars and more. It was incredible. Please, please, please go one-click it as soon as it's live, I guarantee you won't regret it. I know this book will stay with me forever and that is one sign of a truly amazing author.

*I was lucky enough to beta-read, hence the early review.*

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Heart wrenching stars!

In the movies, pivotal moments sometimes happen in slow motion; so you can appreciate every detail, wonder at the tragedy or awesomeness of the moment. Real life doesn’t happen like that at all: it happens all at once, your senses laid open bare, every single detail happening at once while your mind takes it all in, as if your skin and clothes had been ripped off.

I’m so afraid to review this book. To give away anything would take so much away from the experience of reading it for yourself. But I’ll try to get out some of my thoughts without spoiling anything.

The Last Hour is the story of Carrie Thompson and Ray Sherman. Two incredible characters. Ray is honest, courageous, sweet and sexy. Carrie is brave, the care taker of her sisters, smart and sassy. I loved them both. Their journey was emotional, heart wrenching and beautiful.



Everything comes down to the choices we make. The good choices, the bad choices, the hard choices, and the right choices.

I made the right choice. No matter how much it hurt.

Charles Sheehan-Miles writing is phenomenal. There is no other way to describe it. His story telling skills are outstanding. This story effected me so strongly, I am at a loss for words. I just can’t talk about my feelings right now. Gutted isn’t a strong enough word. I was destroyed after reading this book. A book hasn’t effected me this strongly in a while. I get emotional, I cry a lot. But the raw emotion I felt while reading this was something else entirely.

I don’t want to say anything about the storyline, as I said before, you just need to experience it yourself. This is one of the best books I’ve read this year by far. If you haven't read the Thompson Sister’s series, you are missing out. CSM is one of the most talented authors I have had the pleasure of reading. It’s a heartbreaking journey, but so worth the pain!

[Mo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is awesome… have read the others in the series but this one is way ahead of them – I seriously had no idea what was going to happen. With most books you sort of have an idea about what the ending is like. I decided not to read any reviews (Thanks Marta) and just dive straight in and read it. I don’t remember the other books being this emotional – I did give them 4 or 5 stars but this one deserves way more than that….

I won’t go into too much detail with my review as I think it is maybe better to read the book without seeing too many reviews.

50% in and the tension headache sets in – I only get these if I am TOTALLY into a book and I am being really affected by the emotions and events in the book


Ray and Carrie – they fell hard and fast. They deserved love and Happy Ever After. Were they going to get it? 60% in and I did not have a clue…..


I’m waiting for you soldier….















While reading this I seriously did not know which way it was going to go – was I going to get my HEA or not? I was sick at the thought that I might not.




I am Irish, we are a neutral country, whatever that means…. But the U.S. troops do stop for refueling at Shannon Airport in Ireland on their way to and from their tours of duty. I have been there on a number of occasions when they have been passing through. I am not going to make any political comments but just to say that some of those soldiers look so young, seriously, they look like kids. I have a 16 year old and some of them look as young as him. And to think they have to go and fight a war and some of them do not come back home – depressing really.




Ray swept forward, his arms around me,
and our lips touched, a perfect connection between us.
I felt as light and as beautiful as I’d ever felt in my life.
Everything in the room narrowed down to a tiny circle,
a tiny protective circle, where the two of us were safe
and warm and protected together.







I don't know you
But I want you
All the more for that
Words fall through me
And always fool me
And I can't react
And games that never amount
To more than they're meant
Will play themselves out

Take this sinking boat and point it home
We've still got time
Raise your hopeful voice you have a choice
You'll make it now

Falling slowly, eyes that know me
And I can't go back
Moods that take me and erase me
And I'm painted black
You have suffered enough
And warred with yourself
It's time that you won

Take this sinking boat and point it home
We've still got time
Raise your hopeful voice you have a choice

You've made it now
Falling slowly sing your melody
I'll sing it loud

I have had the pleasure of seeing the wonderful Glen Hansard in concert where he sang this wonderful song ….

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzQ9Vr...













A jealous work colleague … Carrie has some shit to deal with also …





IF THIS WAS WHAT THE ARMY DID WHEN SOMEONE REPORTED A CRIME, IT WAS NO WONDER THERE WAS SUCH A CULTURE OF SILENCE.




Love all the army lingo … some of it is a bit technical but will go with the flow ..



You see all that yellow ribbon “Support our Troops” crap and soldiers being called heroes in the media. But the only real hero I knew was Kowalski who didn’t even hesitate one fucking second when it came to decide between his life and that little girl’s. I doubt he ever had time to think about it, to rationalize it, to weigh anything.





“What about you, college boy?”




The title of one of the later chapters in the book is called “Fading” …. Not sure I could take much more when I saw the title for that one. This was heartwrenching… but I continued.





Sometimes you have to make choices, and they’re imperfect, but they’re the only choices you can make and live with yourself.

Did the choices that were made work for me in this book? Some of them did, some of them didn’t. I will leave it up to you to decide if you agree with me. But I will say that this is a very talented author and this book deserves to be read.



LOL – Did I say I would not go into detail with my review???




FIVE HEARTBREAKING STARS

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Heartbreakingly Beautiful Stars

I have cried in books, I have had my heart broken in books, but nothing compares to how this book shook me. Sheehan-Miles delivers a beautiful heartbreaking tale of love, protection, and sacrifice.

Carrie and Ray are on their way to the zoo with her twin sisters, when they are involved in a terrible accident. The accident leaves Sarah and Ray in critical condition. The story is told in hours and throughout the story we look back on how Ray and Carrie met and fell in love.


I loved their story and how real they were with each other. They didn’t play games or hide their feelings, they were completely open and honest. Mostly I loved how they seized the day.

“Life is fragile. Screw all that hesitant bullshit. We were going to go for it.”

Despite their open feelings Ray and Carrie have had other things to overcome individually, and throughout it all they stood together, fought together.

This is probably one of the hardest reviews I have ever done for two reasons. A) I really don’t want to spoil this story for anyone. B) I am completely torn about how I feel. I have seen 1 and 2 star reviews on this book and I get it, because when you immediately finish you will be gutted. But in the same respect this is such a wonderful story, and you can’t help but falling in love with the characters.

In the end, I went with my gut - I am a romance addict and this is an epic romance with a beautiful, headstrong girl and a charismatic, hero guy.



This is the end of my review and I hope you will take a chance on this series and book, even if it did cause me to ball my eyes out, because it is completely worth it.

“Sometimes you have to make choices, and they're imperfect, but they're the only choices you can make and live with yourself.”

[Lelyana's Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

FIVE AND MORE SPARKLING HEART BREAKING STARS

I know I was so lucky having Charles added me in a beta reader's short list,
my full review will be post after the book release.
and it was just shocked me after reading that he dedicated this book to me and the memory of David, thank you Charles

Charles warned me to prepare with tissue and something to throw to him? What the...???
THIS BOOK, AS I WAS SUSPECTED BEFORE, WAS HARD, DARK, A SOUL JOURNEY, LESSON OF LIFE

What I can tell you is you do really need boxes of tissues, be prepare...this book consumed me....
heart and soul
...I took day off to read this one, and guess what...

It worth it ! THIS IS ABSOLUTELY THE BEST BOOK I HAVE EVER READ IN MY EXISTENCE ! I'm obsessed with this book...and your tears...would be "worth to let out"!




....and, here it is...

Back to the real drama in Afghanistan in Just Remember to Breathe/



Ray Sherman when in Afghanistan
I was in love with him from the previous book before




Just Remember to Breathe

In this book, all my head,heart and soul consumed by him...
Overreacted?, maybe, but don't judge me before you read it yourself.....

First chapter had already twisting my stomach. I think Charles was right to remind us readers to prepared, with a box of tissue and red eyes and red nose while and after reading the book. It was started with an accident, and the way Charles described it, feels like I was there, too. Truth is, I cried from the first chapter.

DAMN! And then suddenly I realized what will I read in the next chapters , and remembering what was Charles wrote on his blog about some people that would throw something to him after reading the book (am preparing, really, every time I open every single page).

Honestly, I love the kissing part at the Airport ,it was romantic....sigh. Ray seems like a nice guy, every girls dream. When Carrie asked Ray, ”Do you always kiss like that?”...Wow! He must be a really good kisser.
I like it when Ray was jealous to Carrie’s car, Carrie bluntly told him, “Don’t let me choose between you and my car, You won’t like the answer”. That was cool!
And the scene at the opera’s semi private box, well...that was sexy! You know when two people meet their chemistry, time is never a problem. Charles wrote it beautifully. This chapter is “perfect” to me!

One by one, the mistery about what was happening in Afghanistan beginning to revealed. It was what stressing Ray at a first place and ruin their life and the way they hate that Army person, seems like the Army had disappointed Ray too much. I was curious about the trial and what was happened.

When Carrie called Ray about her being a Doctor, I love it when Ray told her “Next time we meet again, let’s play doctor”...grinning...
But, Charles suddenly turned Ray’s world upside down and turned MY LIFE upside down!by sending FBI for the investigation, questioned Ray about the report he made. And from this part, Ray and Carrie’s life will never be the same again. I admit it, I was afraid to open another chapter , afraid what will I read next. But I’m a big girl, so I keep on reading.

I knew it from the beginning that I will ‘personally’ , INTO the story ( I have issue with war and soldiers, I’d lost my sweetheart in Iraq ).


It was an overwhelming reading at this point, I know how hard their life is, and I think, whatever happened to them, either they’re safe home or not (sigh), you guys, are all hero, for your country, and people you love and loved you. People fight for what they believe, are those who make path, whatever small others see it.
Ray, fight for what he believe, even ‘the survivors’ hate him. That’s what important. Like Dylan said “I’ll go to hell with him” and Carrie’s “Then we’ll go together” was a moment of tears.

FINAL REVIEW OF “THE LAST HOUR

“Brave soldier, never fear.
Even though your death is near.”
― Hans Christian Andersen, The Steadfast Tin Soldier

”The Last Hour reminds me of my very own story. I lost my soldier back in 2008 from the war. Damn war!..Cannot write my objective review from here , since this overwhelming story consumed me so fucking much. The story that I will treasure forever and be on my forever number one top list until the day I die, will stay with me for eternity. Call me romantic, but The Last Hour consumed me, heart and soul.

I was crying for 7 fuckin’ hours ! For 7 hours, I cannot sleep until finishing the book, and cursed and loved the author at the same time. For some people, maybe for you too, Charles, I’m an hyperbolic, hyper-romantic, and any-whatsoever-hyper-else, I don’t care what you call me, but...sigh...Never before, crying over characters like crying over my personal issue. Damn!

Carrie was a very strong character, she was there for Ray, strong for him, whatever storm Ray gotten into, she always there for him, protected him, loving him. And Ray Sherman, he’s a man every girls dreamed of, he’s fun, he’s cute, he’s full of attention, he’s hot...he’s...everything.

He never afraid to fall in love, never afraid saying “I Love You”,over...and over again, to Carrie.



Until the final chapter, that words “I Love You”, made my cry a thousand rivers. Three simple words, simple, but Ray made it so much meaning in it...and his “I Love You”’s....was the most perfect words in “The Last Hour”.

I don’t know how Charles put the soul into that three little words, but the words was like the climax of “The Last Hour”. And the deep of those words, it almost sounds like magic.

The Last Hour, talked about Military Trial (Martial Court) in US, war, love, redemption. Unconditional love...And how people’s life turn into their inferno because they meant to be true, honest and did the best. Ray tried to be the best man he can be, to be honest, respect law, but instead....law betrayed him, ruin his life, his dream...his very soul...everything. All the betrayal, friends became enemy, jealousy, man eating man...God, it’s so wild out there, the life we lived in...

The Last Hour talked about sacrifice, unconditional love...unselfish love....


It was so real, Charles is a genius, he made “The Last Hour” , REAL, like our life it self. It was an overwhelming feeling I had.

Charles told us once, he never meant “The Last Hour” to be a romance story, but only a little romance here and there. I prepared, but not prepared enough for the content, the intense, the tenses, I wasn’t prepared enough to have swollen eyes, red nose and painful headache in the morning and tissue everywhere in my bed...I wasn’t prepared enough....Honestly, I was expected romance, but romance in “The last Hour”, damn! This is is what I called “a real life romance”.
Never expected Cinderella’s dream or fairy tales with bunch of romances....If you expected those kind of book, this one is not for you. But if you really are, a book lover,and you don’t want to miss some life lessons, and value your life, “into” a good book, “The Last Hour” is absolute BEST. EVER.


Some of my favorite quotes :

“that feeling that I could touch the sky? That’s exactly how you make me feel.” (Ray)

“I don’t have home without him”, Carrie said when doctor asked her to go home.
“I won’t give up on him. Do you hear me, Doctor? Don’t you give up on him!”

She stopped, then finally turned around, and looked at me. “Just because you’ve been in a war doesn’t mean you’ve got a monopoly on shitty situations. And this is a shitty situation. So back to what I said before. Don’t tell me what to do.”(Sarah)

Anger gone as quick as it had come, now I just felt like an idiot. Not that this was the first time, and probably wouldn’t be the last. (Ray)

“Someday you going to make some man very happy
I hope its going to be Ray...
Your soldier? I nodded, a half smile in my face
You love him?
Yes....Yes I do...

At the end of the story, it was all these songs, made me crying, all over again...and again...and again....Listen to these songs when you read The Last Hour
- Dear GOD (Avenged Seven Folds)
- What Hurts The Most (Rascal Flatts)
- With Me (Sum 41)
- The Day After Tomorrow (Sybia)
One Last words from me. Whatever you read now, put it down!, read “The Last Hour”, and feel the real life brings you. Highly, definitely, absolutely HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

“I LOVE YOU��

[M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Because you believed in me, I did too. And it was amazing. I touched the sky, and you at the same time.

My emotions are all over the place right now. There are so many things this book made me feel, I don't know where to start. This book has evoked some deep feelings/thoughts/emotions and I hope I'm coherent enough to write them down.

I want to start by saying do not read any reviews if you haven't read the book yet (but if you must, this review contains no spoilers, so it's safe to continue reading). I don't want you to risk being spoiled. This book is such an emotional, beautiful, heart-wrenching and amazing book, I wouldn't want your reading experience to be affected by knowing the events that will occur.


This is how many stars I wish I could give this book.

No book has ever affected me this deeply. There were so many beautiful themes woven through this story and so many thought-provoking issues and events. I seriously need to reread this one day when my mind is clear, so I can indulge in the beauty and wisdom that's in this story. What makes this book so powerful is how realistic it is. Life can be hard, tough, rough, crude, painful and extremely unfair. With this book, Charles Sheehan-Miles doesn't try to pretend otherwise.

The Last Hour is the third book in the Thompson Sisters series. Each book in the series tells the story of a different sister. All books can be read as a standalone, so don't worry if you haven't read the first two books yet.

This is the story of Ray and Carrie. It's not an easy story. It's an amazingly difficult and hard one. It's an ugly and a beautiful story all at the same time.

Ray and Carrie meet when Ray has just come back from war in Afghanistan. Ray is Dylan's best friend and Carrie is Alexandra's sister (Dylan and Alexandra are the main characters in Just Remember to Breathe). They both feel a connection towards each other and explore it further in the days and weeks to come.

When you know, you know. What I know is that Ray is the first guy I've ever been with who treated me as a partner. He’s the first guy I've ever been with whom I could see spending my life with. And I’d risk anything for that.

Ray comes with a lot of baggage and issues. The war has come with many consequences that Ray will have to face. The noble thing to do would be to not drag Carrie into his trouble, but he was falling hard for her.

I never thought I’d have someone like Carrie. She was beautiful, wild in bed, and a whole hell of a lot smarter than I was. Courageous, compassionate. I’d never met anyone like her. I remember tracing my fingers along the faint scar in her side, a scar left by a mountain lion, and I couldn't do anything but have incredible admiration for this woman.

Carrie had made his life matter and gave meaning to it. There was no way he could let her go and move on without her.

There was no way she could have known that she was becoming a lifeline for me, that my best moments of peace were those moments when our world shrunk down to just the two of us.

Ray and Carrie were perfect for each other. They were the most selfless, beautiful, caring, compassionate, courageous and loving people ever. He taught her to touch the sky. She showed him love and unconditional support.

If I could have bottled that moment and preserved it forever, I would have. I got a glimpse, those few weeks, of the kind of life that might have been. The kind of life I wanted Carrie and I to have together. But I think maybe I wasn't meant to have that kind of life.

Like I said, life is not fair and often times it's very fucking unfair. Ray and Carrie are forced to deal with very stressful situations that have the possibility to tear them apart. Both get accused of things they didn't do that could lead to the end of their freedom or career. Through it all, Ray and Carrie stuck together and gave each other hope. They showed each other unconditional love and support. The faith they had in each other nearly killed me.

Don’t worry about all of this. We’ll get through it together.

That's what they always said to each other. The good and the bad, they'd get through it together. And in the midst of all the terrible, something even worse happens. On their way to the zoo, they get hit by a jeep and Ray ends up in the hospital. His condition is serious and chances are he might not make it.

It wasn't fair. None of this was fair. I’d done everything right, my whole life. I’d taken care of the people around me. I’d worked hard. I’d been honest. I’d been lonely, but mostly happy. Until the day I saw Ray Sherman crossing the green at Columbia. Ray had turned my life upside down, and made it mean more than I’d ever imagined. In the last nine months, I’d experienced both the highest and the lowest points of my life. Everything was raw and intense and sometimes truly horrible.

They had only had 9 months together of which 7 were absolutely stressful and hell. They were getting through it together, but now Carrie has to face the possibility that he might not be there anymore to help her through everything else.

“I've spent my entire life taking care of other people. And for a second there, it was like ... it was like he was right here. Like I could feel him.” Her chin started to tremble, and then her whole body shook. “I finally found someone who took care of me. And I’m so afraid I’m going to lose him.”

While Ray's body is in the hospital, his soul is wandering around. In this book we get both Carrie's point of view and Ray's point of view. The book starts with the car accident and takes us back in time to tell their story through flashbacks.

I’d have done anything, anything in the world, to get back to her.

It kills Ray to see Carrie alone and hurting, but he doesn't know how to make her pain go away. And there's nothing else he wants more.

I don’t have a home without him.

I’m waiting for you, soldier.

Needless to say, these scenes broke me. The fear, the hope, the unknown, it was all too much. I wanted so bad for everything to be okay, for Ray to get better, for Carrie to see him open his eyes and smile again. I was hurting right along with Carrie. I kept crying on and off with this book. I was so grateful for the flashbacks, because the story would switch back to one of them when the present got too much for me to handle.

Ten years from now you’re going to look back at this day and it’s going to mean everything.

Grab what happiness you can, while you can.

It's crazy to see how fragile life is. How everything can change within a matter of seconds. That when you think you've been through hell and back, there will come a day that you'll realize you never knew what hell really was. No matter how silly you may think some things are, try to appreciate them, because ten years from now they will mean everything to you. Happiness is never guaranteed and it's not something we have a right to. It's something that's being granted, so take it while you can.

I wanted to move on. Move on to the part where Ray wakes up and recovers from this accident, move on to a place where we could be together.

How do you really know what hope can accomplish? Unless you try?

The war has destroyed many lives and has taken its toll on so many people. It has not only affected the ones sent to war, but also the ones that stayed behind. Charles has done a tremendous job in showing what war can do/does to people and to our world. Ray goes through some shit while he's in Afghanistan and he's faced with a choice that can make all the difference. His decision is what sets the fall of dominoes in motion and leads him to that hospital bed.

Sometimes you have to make choices, and they’re imperfect, but they’re the only choices you can make and live with yourself.

Choices. That's what life's all about. It's what life is based on. Some things you can choose and some things you have no choice in, but in the end everything can be backtracked to one single choice you made. It might be irrelevant at the time you make the choice and you may not realize it. But that seemingly irrelevant choice will set in motion a chain of events that will lead to where you are years from then.

Small moment, missed opportunities, things we don't see or pay attention to at the time sometimes have a far bigger impact on our lives than we would have ever guessed in advance.

How do you trace back the chains of responsibility to a point where you could pin it down completely?

This story was about the choice to do the right thing and knowing what the right thing is. How much are you willing to give up to be able to sleep with a clear conscience? The right thing is not always the easy thing to do. Sometimes, the right thing may even be the hardest thing you'll ever have to do. But it's important that you do it, because your soul matters. It's about being able to look in the mirror every day and be proud of who you see. It's about being able to live with yourself and be proud of the choices you have made. Only when your soul is at peace, you can live in your body.

In the end, he did the right thing, even though it cost him everything.

***
Original review the day after finishing the book:

Charles, what have you done to me? I cried myself to sleep after finishing this. I woke up with Ray and Carrie being the first thing on my mind and I started crying again. I was just thinking I had to write a review for this book, but for the life of me, I can't. Just thinking about it hurts. I need some space, some time to cope before I can say anything coherent about this. Never in my life have I cried that hard. Not even for things that happened in real life. Does this make me a sociopath? Geez, I hope not. But really, you killed me. I had a nice funny book lined up to read after this, but there is no way I can move on yet.

[Andrea Randall · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I'm waiting for you, soldier."

Those of you who have read "Just Remember to Breathe", by Charles Sheehan-Miles, will be thrilled to know that "The Last Hour" follows Carrie Thompson (Alex's older sister, and the second oldest Thompson sister) and Ray Sherman ("Weed", Dylan's best friend) who met amidst sparks while visiting Alex and Dylan. If you haven't read JRTB, don't worry, you'll get to fall in love with these two immediately in The Last Hour just like the rest of us :)

This book . . . I've never been so thoroughly gutted, rewired, and rearranged by a book in my entire life.

Charles will lead you on a journey that absolutely forces you to look *deep* inside yourself. You will see what true love looks like: not just true love between two romantic partners, but true love of self, true love of country, and true love for doing what is right.

"Doing what's right." What does that mean? For most people it means following the basic rules and laws and moral codes set forth by society. In this story, we learn what it *actually* means. We learn that doing what is right fires from deep within the spirit until there's no decision left, and it's just . . . done. Self sacrifice plays a big role here. It's not about martyrdom; it's sometimes about putting certain things aside and focusing on others because someone desperately needs you, and that's the right thing to do.

Forgiveness. Here's where I'm starting to get teary-eyed (like I was through most of the book). People hear this term and sometimes think it means to let something go and move on. No. Forgiveness is about you, and your spirit, and being able to live with yourself on a daily basis. To forgive others is a task in itself; to forgive yourself? The journey can be long and dark, but the light is so beautiful.

This book is hard. It's unabashedly raw and breathtakingly beautiful. At the end, you will not be the same person you were when you started. And that's the point. Of everything.

*I beta read for this book, which is why I"m able to share this review ahead of the targeted 5/15 release date* For more information on The Last Hour, including exclusive sneak-peeks, please check out:


http://www.sheehanmiles.com/the-last-...

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just have to say, Charles Sheehan-Miles is going to be a famous author. Really famous.


From the moment I read Just Remember To Breathe, I was intrigued by Carrie and Ray. When I heard that there was going to be a book about their story, to say I was excited would be a slight understatement.

Carrie and Ray are intense. From the moment they meet it is quite apparent that things will be to the nth degree...

From the moment the book begins your emotions are thrown for a heart stopping loop. There is an accident. A very serious accident.

"I'm waiting for you, soldier."

Carrie and Ray have only been together for less than a year, but when you know something is right, you go with it. The relationships in this book, the turmoils that the characters all go through, the way a family pulls together, the realizations that are made...this is the stuff that REAL life is made of.

"It isn't going to be easy. It isn't going to be perfect. Life isn't that way"

Carrie and Ray are faced with so many things that are being thrown at them, yet through it all they perservere and do what is right for them, although it may not be so apparent at the time.
***"Sometimes you have to make choices, and they're imperfect, but they're the only choices you can make and live with yourself"***

To say that this book is 5 stars isn't doing it justice. I had to take a break mid-read because Charles has a way of making you feel that these characters are part of your own family and friends. If you read one "heavy" read this year, I suggest it is The Last Hour.

*I was given this book as an ARC and it is not released yet...but I had to get this out there. Grab it up as soon as it is available (May 15, 2013)*

[Kirsten P · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m going to start my review off with a warning: this book is going to take you on an emotional journey that you are not likely to forget anytime soon. You will need tissues… and lots of them. There might even be a need for some alcohol, or chocolate, or ice cream. Whatever it is that comforts you, make sure you have it nearby, because I can promise you, you’ll need it. I was fortunate enough to beta read this book in February and it is still with me EVERY DAY. I am not joking. This story is so REAL. The themes here are so substantial. It might sound unbelievable, but it really has been life changing. It has caused me to actually re-evaluate, and take a closer look into myself, and my opinions on sacrifice, love, redemption and forgiveness. Finally it’s about the choices we make in life, and no matter how big or seemingly small they are, they always make an impact.

"Sometimes you have to make choices, and they're imperfect, but they're the only choices you can make and live with yourself."

So we are immediately thrown back into the world of Carrie Thompson. If you haven’t met her before… don’t worry. While this book is part of a series, each one is written as a stand-alone so you will be able to pick this one right up and know exactly who’s who and what is what, so to speak. We were first introduced to Carrie and Ray (aka Weed) in Just Remember to Breathe. Yes, it was Alex’s and Dylan’s story but, I fell in love with Ray within moments of being introduced to him. He’d just come home from Afghanistan and he’s by his best friend’s side helping him get through a difficult time. He’s strong, loyal, and level headed, and I just want to give him a big hug for being there for Dylan. Carrie is, of course, Alex’s sister. She is the sister that keeps everyone together, the glue to their family, and I love her. Carrie has been playing the mother role to her younger siblings for years now. The bond between these girls is very deep. She happens to be visiting Alex when Ray is there and the sparks… they fly. It seemed only natural that Ray and Carrie would get together in Just Remember to Breathe. They are kindred spirits, and I was so anxious for their story. I needed to know that they could make a way to be together. They were such good people, always taking care of others, so I wanted them to take care of each other. I needed them to have their “happily ever after.”

Within minutes of starting The Last Hour, you are literally a bystander in a horrific accident that has just taken place. I do mean literally. Mr. Sheehan-Miles paints such a vivid picture that I am standing next to that car watching as Carrie and Ray and Carrie’s twin sister’s Jessica and Sarah are in a terrible accident. What follows this accident can only be described as poignant.

As the hours after the accident unfold, we go from present day, to back in time and re-visit the months since Carrie and Ray met. This story is told in a dual POV which I LOVED. Getting inside both Carrie’s and Ray’s minds was phenomenal, and it helped me to understand Ray and his choices so much more. This story is so heartwarming and beautiful at times. Watching Carrie and Ray fall in love, and take on life together seriously made my heart happy. But as with real life, not everything is perfect, and wonderful. Ray has just returned from Afghanistan, and we know something devastating and life-changing happened to him while he was there. It’s eating away at him, and he is so desperate to right the wrong. Unfortunately, sometimes when it rains, it pours. Carrie is also facing her own problems. She is trying to clear her name after a jealous colleague has made unfounded accusations against her that threaten her entire career. Some of these moments are heart wrenching. My heart aches for both Carrie and Ray. They constantly remind each other that they’ll “get through this together,” and I cling to those words for dear life throughout this story. Carrie and Ray are faced with difficult, life altering choices, and my heart is so heavy with the decisions that need to be made.

I’m really trying not to give anything away in this review. This book needs to be experienced by the reader. I will tell you that Carrie’s and Ray’s relationship is so genuine and loving. Carrie opens up her soul to Ray knowing she has placed it in good hands.

“I finally found someone who would take care of me.”

Ray is such a stand-up guy in this book at a time when so few are. I admit to swooning over service-men IRL. Regardless of what your opinions are on the military, there are over a million men and women who are willing to put their lives on the line to protect your freedom. Ray is the epitome in my mind of what a soldier should be; strong, trustworthy, courageous and loyal.

This is a story that will have you looking deep inside yourself. It will have you questioning your beliefs and opinions on many subjects. It will stretch you. This book is not taking you on an easy journey. Nevertheless, it is one that you will want to go on. Charles would tell you that this is by no means a “love story.” I probably would have agreed with him at first. Now having a little bit of distance from it, I would have to respectfully disagree. No, it’s not your conventional love story, but every decision is made based on love and what is thought to be “right.” I might not agree with some of the choices, I can even admit to having a difficult time understanding them, but I know they are made by a loving, compassionate person, who is just trying to do the right thing.

I feel as if the Thompson sisters are part of my family. I’ve experienced their highs and lows with them. We’ve laughed and cried a ton. I am connected to them on a deep level, and that is just a credit to Charles’ writing. I have loved the other Thompson sister’s books, but this one is just in a league of its own. It will easily be one of my all-time favorite reads.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve now had some time to detach myself emotionally from this story, because trust me – it’s a necessary requirement for the emotional turmoil I went through! I was honored to be a beta-reader for The Last Hour and couldn’t wait to get started on it. All throughout and especially once I finished, the one word that came to mind was simply BRILLIANT. Charles Sheehan-Miles has outdone himself with this one and I can only imagine if he will ever be able to top it!

The Last Hour continues with the story of one of five Thompson sisters. Just Remember to Breathe is the story of Alex and A Song for Julia is about, well, Julia. So in The Last Hour we finally get Carrie’s story. You don’t have to read the other two to read this one, but certain things will be spoiled for you if you don’t read the others first.

Carrie meets Ray Sherman when she comes to New York to visit her sister, Alex, at college at the same time Ray is visiting his best friend Dylan, Alex’s boyfriend. Now fast-forward to The Last Hour where it opens with a bang, literally.

A major car accident puts Ray in the hospital fighting for his life and we soon learn that the last several months have been pure hell on both Carrie and Ray. Ray has come forward about a crime he witnessed in Afghanistan but as a result is accused himself and is now facing court-martial. Along with Ray’s legal troubles, Carrie’s fellowship is in jeopardy when a former jealous coworker makes erroneous allegations against her and her research. Add the car accident on top of everything and you can feel the turmoil. The Last Hour takes us on their journey from how they meet to the fate of the court-martial, false allegations and car accident. And it’s not a pretty ride but redemption is at it’s finest.

What I loved about The Last Hour is that even though Ray is unconscious and fighting to stay alive for the life he promised Carrie, we get his POV frequently throughout the story. We get to hear his side of what happened in Afghanistan, what he was thinking when he first met Carrie, him struggling to regain consciousness while trying to encourage both Sarah, Carrie’s younger sister who was also hurt in the accident and is unconscious, and Daniel, a young boy who is also unconscious and scared. We get to see a side of Ray that we never got before and we certainly come to understand him and his actions a lot better.

Ray’s POV is almost as gut wrenching as Carrie’s as the love of her life is fighting for his life and she struggles to remain in control of each and every situation. But both points of view will leave you in tears more than once, so bring your tissues with you wherever you read. But Ray and Carrie will also make you laugh; with their back and forth banter and quoting of Star Wars, you can see why they are so good for each other. Never have I rooted for a couple more than Ray and Carrie.

We learn more about the Thompson family and are given clues to the upcoming stories – I’m especially looking forward to Andrea’s story!
Anyone who has read the other books will know that Adelina Thompson is on a journey of her own as she struggles to be the mother she should have been so many years ago. I was quite fascinated with her transformation and will continue to root for her.

At over 500 pages, The Last Hour was quite the journey but so worth every emotion I experienced. Despite the length, I still wasn’t ready to let go and craved more. I can’t wait for Andrea’s story just so I can have more of this one. That’s one of my favorite things about this “series” is that even though the author moves on to other main characters, we’re never left without an update on the story line of the others.

In the end, it was worth every tear and every ounce of hope I pushed towards them and will without a doubt top the list of Best Books Ever for me.

[Funzee Shu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actual Rate : 5+++++ Sparkling Stars !



A screech of tires to our left, the truck coming at the driver’s side. Ray shouted a curse, Sarah screamed, and then the force of the impact was louder than any sound.

Then…

White.

Formless images and thoughts, memories, drifted across a blank canvas.
My stomach twisted…
I wanted to scream. I could’t think. I could’t breathe…

“We’ll get through this. No matter what.”
“You’re gonna be all right…”

WARNING : Do not read this book if you don't want your heart broke into pieces, BUT if you chose NOT to read this book,you'll miss one of the great story that ever made about LOVE - the purest one, Sacrifice and Redemption, beautifully written by Charles Sheehan-Miles !!

Reading this book is like riding a roller coaster for me ....
Charles – successfully-amazingly-cruely - playing with my heart from the beginning 'till the last page!

Trust me…
He’ll squeeze you heart without 'mercy' and leave it into pieces...
I believe he 'enjoying' our wailing and anger with his smug face !

I thought A Song For Julia had drain all my emotions and tears when I read it last year....but I was wrong....
Coz this book...succeed put me into the big emotional breakdown EVER !!

Make me drowning deep....shattered my heart into pieces and make me wailing for hours after finished it.



How could you Charles…



The story is very intense, really consuming, playing between present time and past, the plot switch very fast, one time you'll laughing then blushing, moment laters you'll cry like baby....

This is the second time I felt afraid to turn the page of the book I read and deal with what will happen next.
I had to stop several times to "re-arrange" my feelings.
In some chapters, I even loss my "courage" to continue reading this book, because I was afraid, what I've thought will become a reality...
I keep 'denying' for what had happened....but in the end....I finally realize that it had to ended like that anyway…
So, I accepted it, but NOT forgive him for what he had done !!

Now I know, why Lelyana react like that back then....
With David issues, no wonder she wailing for about 7 hours !!

Gosh…
Never in my life I 'hate' the author this much ! NEVER !!
I will voodoo him if I could…



I even considering to taking back all my chopsticks collection that I've thrown away before...
But “unfortunately”, am not that cruel…

Again,you are really a genius,Charles.....
CrueL, but genius !
You broke my heart into pieces - AGAIN,and I hate you for that !
I hate you right now,but still....I can’t denied that I ♥ U even more after all....
(ɔˇ³ˇ)ɔ ~ ♥ you are my fave author ever, Charles…
You may relieved now… *wink*

To all who haven't decided to read this book but have a plan to read it someday,here some advice for you...

Don't prepare anything when you decided to read this book !
Just.....don't ....
Especially your heart !!
Coz it won't work at all!
You'll never EVER be prepared for what will happen in this book....
Trust me !
I thought I had prepared 'enough' for this book, but in fact ?
It's all became useless....
So....take my advice....
Just read it, let each word from this book 'eat' you, consume you...drowning you....deep....
Make you laugh and cry at the same time...
Let this book drain your emotions....
Coz in the end....
You'll admit,that this book worth all of those tears....and anger !!
Coz it's really beautiful…beautiful in its own way…

I decided not to give detail spolier about this story, you should read it for yourself to enjoy the beauty of this story from the beginning 'til the last word.

Oh, you'll love Carrie-Ray couple.
They were meant to be together since they first met 9 months ago.
You will be taken in the course of their endearing love story full of twists and turns at the same time.
The two people who had the same sense of care and unselfish ever, met and united in the bond of pure love, isn't that beautiful?
Well, it's too good to be true, but Charles make it looks so real....

I’ll share few moments from this book that I cherish the most…


The First Meet...



Everything about her, from the way her hair framed her face and the slight gloss on her lips to those legs just made me want to howl.

I knew I was falling for her…


Chuck Norris

“What if you turn out to be a crazy stalker?”

I sighed. “Then you tell Alex, and Alex will tell Dylan, and he’ll hunt me down, and we’ll have an epic battle, destroy some buildings, flip buses around, make a big mess. They’ll call out the Air Force, but those wusses will run away, so then they’ll send in the 82nd Airborne.”

She chuckled, but I wasn’t done making an ass of myself yet. “Anyway, when the 82nd Airborne fails miserably, as they undoubtedly will,they’ll send over the Marines, and we’ll send them packing for a swim.”

She snorted, “What happens then?”
“Well, then they send in Chuck Norris.”
“You’re ridiculous.”



This Chuck Norris things really make me burst in to laugh…even right after that…again…tears running down my cheek !


First date…First kiss…

Did we know each other well enough for a hug? A kiss?

Well, then, screw it. I reached for her and pulled her close to me, wrapped my arms around her and breathed her in. Instantly, she melted in my arms. I smiled, pulled back just a little and looked in her eyes.

“So are you going to freak if I kiss you?”



"Do you always kiss like that?"

Oh I love that kiss scene A LOT !!
One of my fave scene in this book…


The Nightmare…



Ray had thrown the covers off the bed. Sweat was beading on his forehead, and he moved slightly as the words escaped his mouth. “Colton, he’s just a kid!”

Just like the boy in Dega Payan, the boy whose life was cut short too soon, the boy who I couldn’t save, no matter how many times I went back there in my dreams, no matter how many times I wished it away, no matter how many times I begged God for forgiveness that I hadn’t saved his life. - Ray

“…It’s going to take some time before you’re ...completely home. And that’s normal, and it’s okay, and I’m here with you. You hear me?” – Carrie


The story about “Pink Ribbon”

“Kowalski, what’s up with the ribbon?”



“Hey Sarge?

“Do me a favor,” he said. “I can’t ask the other guys, bunch of fucking numbskulls. I need to send a pic home of me wearing this ribbon for my little girl. Can you take a shot for me?”

Kowalski and the pink ribbon - with small white hearts tied in a bow on his web gear – really ripped my heart.
I cried for him when I read Just Remember to Breathe.
And now…I cried for him even more…
That because the story behind that “pink ribbon”…


Dega Payan – Afghanistan…



…theres one thing I learned in Afghanistan. Life is fragile. – Ray

“Lee got shot our first week in the country and was evacuated. A grenade killed Kowalski. An IED killed Roberts and fucked up my leg. A sniper killed Weber. Staff Sergeant Martin got shot. Six out of sixteen men killed and wounded in the first four months of the deployment.” – Dylan

Curiosity made me google where Dega Payan is…


The Trial…The Betrayal…



“…things got ...savage over there. We had a lot of casualties, very quickly. My whole fire team was decimated ...two guys killed, and Dylan wounded. And it just got ... worse and worse. Anyway ... the thing is. I saw something. I witnessed ... a war crime.” – Ray

I don’t familiar with this Military Trial, but I can feel the tension while reading it…


The Wedding…

It was, of course, the City Clerk’s offices, but it couldn’t have been any grander if it was the biggest cathedral in Europe. Because standing at the end of the hall, waiting for me, was Ray. I walked, slowly, feeling as if I were floating, until I was face to face with him. His eyes widened as I approached.



Then…
You may kiss the bride…

It’s “simple”…but meaningful…

Carrie hold her breath when she saw Ray in that bule uniform, I did the same thing…hold my breath while picturing Ray in that suit
Gorgeous…


Little Daniel...



“I want to be big like you some day,” Daniel said.
I shrugged. “It’s not about the size of your body, kid. It’s about the size of your heart.”

“So, if you could do anything in the world, what would it be?”
“I’d be a superhero,” Daniel said.


Dylan...



“I never had a brother, but ... I see Ray as a brother. I trust him more than anyone else on earth.”

“I owe Ray my life,” he replied. “I’ll go to hell with him, if necessary.”
I sniffed, my eyes suddenly watering. “Then I guess we all go there together.”

If there’s anyone that’s ever been worth crying over, it’s Ray…


Alexandra…

“Most of you know that when we were growing up,we moved. I didn’t get a chance to have friends who stayed around. But there was one person I could always turn to. Whenever I stubbed my toe. Or needed help with my homework. Or cried over a boy. She was always, always there. My big sister, Carrie.”

“Most of you also probably don’t know that a year and a half ago,Dylan was badly injured in Afghanistan. And, as he’s told me the story, the person who bandaged his wounds, and made sure he got to safety, was Ray Sherman.”

“Dylan said that as he was losing consciousness, nearly bleeding to death in a remote region of Afghanistan, the only thing he could hear was Ray’s voice. Telling him it was going to be okay. And not just in war, but at home, Ray has been ... a gift. He helped bring me and Dylan back together when I didn’t think that could ever happen. And for that, I’ll always love you, Ray.”

“Carrie and Ray are two of the most selfless people I’ve ever met.”

[image error]


Carrie…

“I want to tell you a story. When I was younger, in high school and college, I used to fantasize that one day I’d meet someone who would be perfect for me. A soul mate. Someone who treated me like I mattered to them more than anything else. Someone who was a hero, who told the truth, and did the right thing, and who I could live with forever. Someone I loved. And then I met you ... and everything was ... perfect.”

“Jesus, Carrie,” he muttered. “I’ve never met anyone so stubborn in my life.”
I sniffed and pulled him closer. “That’s why you love me,” I said.

“Carrie ... I’d never hurt you. Never.”
“I know that, Ray. I know.”
“Shut up. Kiss me.”

I don’t have a home without him…
If you’re there, and I’m there, then it will be perfect.
You make me happy. That’s all that matters…

You are my life….
I’m waiting for you, soldier…




Ray...



“I love you, Carrie Thompson.”
She caught her breath and said, “I love you, Ray Sherman.”

“Nothing can stop me from saying it. You’re amazing.Wonderful. Fantastic. Beautiful. Smart.Funny. Doctor Babe, you’re everything I’ve ever wanted in life.”

“Love you, Doctor Babe.”
“Next time I see you, let’s play doctor.”

“I was home, with Carrie’s arms around me, and I couldn’t imagine a better place to be.”

When I close my eyes and look in the future, I want to see a smile on your face.

You mean everything to me…



For me,Ray is more like an angel - an angel in human form, as well as ReaL Hero, a 'super hero' even without that 'Spidey costume' !
Oh I love that scene a lot ! - even after that I start to cry like crazy - I swear,that was the ugliest cry that I've ever had....



Thanks to you,Charles ! *sneer*


Well, I think I SHOULD ended my - very very long - review here...
I leave you with some pic with quote that I made special for this review...
Enjoy...







I feel the sunshine pouring down on me, and I close my eyes and say…

I love you, Carrie...




Another book that you should read before you die....

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED !!!

[Cristina Buzoianu · Rating 5 out of 5]

UPDATE 05/24/2013 originally posted on my blog, http://bibliophilemystery.blogspot.ro/

My thoughts: I was SO waiting for this book! Ever since I’ve read Just Remember to Breathe I wanted to get to know Ray and Carrie better. I loved them from the very beginning. I’ve also sensed some mystery about Ray’s time in Afganistan and I hoped to find out more about it in The Last Hour.

I somehow knew that this book would break my heart, I knew I’d cry a lot while reading it, although I don’t usually cry at books… I was expecting something big, something very bad, but nothing could have prepared me for this.

I loved The Last Hour. Loved the story, the twists, the characters. And even if it broke my heart – and it was bad – I’m sure I will read it again.

“I was home, with Carrie’s arms around me, and I couldn’t imagine a better place to be.”

Carrie and Ray are the perfect couple. They’re so intense, so in love, but they are struggling to live in an imperfect world. They don’t have much time to be happy, to be young and free, to enjoy their feelings for each other. But even if life throws huge boulders in their path, they somehow manage to see the best in what they have.

"Life is fragile. Screw all that hesitant bullshit. We were going to go for it."

"At that moment, looking in Ray's eyes, I was as happy as I've ever been in my life."

Unfortunately, I can’t tell you anything more about the plot. This is the kind of book that you must read without knowing much about it before you start. So I’ll try to tell you a little bit about how I felt while reading it instead.

Well, I felt anger, a lot of anger: anger at life, at destiny, anger for the choices that some people make. I felt joy for those who lived, and regret for the ones that were lost. I felt the helplessness that Carrie felt, and the sorrow. But I also felt her strength, and Ray’s love, and the few happy moments that make their love story one of the most beautiful I’ve ever read.

If there’s anyone that’s ever been worth crying over, it’s Ray…

I felt EVERYTHING! That’s how deep this story goes. It’s not the kind of book you can read in one sitting. I couldn’t do it, because I wanted to examine all the scenes and analyze all the possibilities.

Like Charles reminds us all the time, in The Last Hour it’s all about choice. It’s the kind of book that makes you think twice before making a decision, to make sure it’s the right one, because you might not have the chance to change your mind.

"Sometimes you have to make choices, and they're imperfect, but they're the only choices you can make and live with yourself."

I’d need a million stars to rate The Last Hour, and even if I had that many, I don’t believe they’d make it justice.

"I'd been wrong. Life isn't cheap. Maybe we let it go too quickly. Maybe we take it for granted."

Happy reading!

***

GOD, I loved this book!
I can't say it was entirely perfect, because there's something there that ripped my heart out, and all of you will sense it when you read it. But it's worth it!
I can't say I've finished it in one sitting, because that's not the kind of book you can read that way.
It's the kind of book that changes your perspective of life. I don't know what I could write about it in my final review, because nothing I say can make it justice.

[Bren · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are books in your lifetime that change the way you view the world. There been books I hold so dear because of the emotions they evoke. Then their are those that I hold dear not only for the emotions but for the life changing lessons they teach me. Those books remain timeless in my heart, Fahrenheit 451, The Odyssey, Little Women, and now I am adding this book.

This book is priceless, timeless, and now forever epic in my heart. I can't say enough how many stars I wish I could give this book, for 5 is nearly not enough.


"I was only fourteen when September 11 happened, but I remember it so vividly it was like it was yesterday..."



But where does it start and where does it stop? One side hits, and the other side hits back, and pretty soon you don't know what happened to start all the fighting in the first place.."


I adored Ray for this, he changed the cycle. I think anyone that is old enough to remember knows where they were and how they felt the day 9/11 happened. Ray was 14, I was 18 and when I awoke the world had stopped. The world was glued to the events of that day, and for the next few days everyone was like zombies. I will always remember. That same year many of my friends joined the military. In 2003, the US invaded Iraq and two of my friends never came home.



So when does it stop? Whether you believe in God, no god, many gods, the purple man.... we are all in the end human. So when do you decide to be different? When do you see past the anger and hurt and realize that we are all just human? ten fucking years this war has been going on, and the lines have been blurred so much, what are we really fighting for ? There are no winners in war. We have to change how we think. One person at a time. Ray didn't care to change the masses, it was just about making it right in his heart and mind and getting justice for those who never even had a chance. Thats what your legacy truly is? how you lived your life? People won't care what you wore, what you drove, or the end how much money you had. Your actions and beliefs are what will define your history.



and the ground lazily floated in a gentle circle thousands of feet below us. We reached out and took each other's hands and fell together, eyes and hands locked as one.



"Nothing can stop me from saying it. You're amazing. Wonderful. Fantastic. Beautiful. Smart. Funny. Doctor Babe, your everything I've ever wanted in life.."

Ray and Carrie's love was fast and intense. They were two people who had seen so much of life already, they were mature beyond their years. They met, they felt, and they knew. It was more than love at first sight. They found each others twin flame. They both understood one another, and instantly knew that they were meant to be. That is why, it felt like since day one, the odds were against them.

It had only been three weeks or so, but the reality of him hit me all over again as we looked in each other's eyes and embraced. Then his mouth was on mine and I forgot the time in between, I forgot the distance, I forgot the Army and everything else other than this very moment.



Their happiness was very short lived. As soon as they had some peace, everything changed. Ray was accused of a crime, and Carrie's new career seemed in jeopardy because of spoiled girl. It was like they could not get a break. She was there for him and him for her through all that they endured.




"Don't judge him, Detective. Ray did the right thing. Even if it cost him everything. Even if it cost us everything"

Carrie stood by her man 100%. I can not say enough how much I admire Carrie, her strength, her bravery, and her love for all her family. The courage she possessed is beyond me, weaker people would have crippled under all the weight. It's at this moment that it angers me, because after all this, after the agonizing journey, its a freaking car accident at in the end that holds their future. The accident is early in the book. Ray and Sarah (Carries little sister) are in critical condition, Carrie and Jessica ( Sarah's twin) make it out ok. During this time, although their unaware, Ray and Sarah are able to hear, see and feel their loved one, while they wait for news. It also at this time that Carrie and Ray take us back in time through flashbacks of their lives before each other and after. You will meet their families, friends, and experience their journey to get where they currently are. Be ready with a box of tissues, because this story will pull all your heart strings. It a story so beautiful and tragic all at the same time. There was a point that I realized, I might not be able to finish, my eyes were so swollen. I had happy tears, sad tears, angry tears, and tears of utter frustration. Never have I felt so much for two characters like Carrie and Ray.



I wanted to run outside when I finished and yell at the world. The unfairness of it all. I was angry, and then in the morning I was at peace. I learned a lot about forgiveness, and doing the right thing. Even though sometimes the right things takes you so far away from what you really want. Its pure selflessness, and in truth more of what our world needs. Humanity needs to stop thinking about themselves as in a individual and more as a whole. Ray didn't stop the war, he wasn't a hero the world would see, but he forever changed the lives of those around him.

[lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my God. The amount of tears I shed for this book...
I'm a total wreck right now.



You know how you finish a great book and you just sit there, numb, while the world goes on without realizing that you have been slain by a goddamn book and all you want to do is scream "I just died. I JUST DIED!"?



Yeah that's what happened, except for screaming, I just curled up into a ball and bawled hard into my blanket. The Last Hour was intense. It was overwhelming. It invoked so many emotions in me: anger, grief, joy, sorrow, you name it. And I basically started crying at the beginning of the book all the way to the end.

I love how Carrie and Ray's relationship developed; although it's fast but it doesn't seem rushed at all too me. They are merely two people who clicked and fell hard for each other from the moment they met.

"(...)that feeling that I could touch the sky? That’s exactly how you make me feel."

"I don’t have a home without him."

I love all their moments together. It's hard to see how their lives fell apart because of other people's actions, and at one point I thought, "For the love of God, GIVE THEM A BREAK ALREADY!".


You see, when I was a few chapters into the book, I suddenly had a hunch about the whole story, about the ending. And it scared the crap out of me because you see, my hunches are usually correct.

And it was correct.
I was so devastated when I got to the last couple of chapters, I could barely hold myself together.

TLDR; prepare a box of Kleenex and hold on for the ride. I had a freaking towel with me to mop my face.

Charles Sheehan-Miles just annihilated my heart with The Last Hour, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Fantastic read. I know it's only May, but this is easily one of my favorite reads of the year.

[Rachel Schmidt · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'M SO ANGRY RIGHT NOW!!!!!!


**THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS**




I absolutely loved Carrie and Ray together and after everything that they went through in this book, the fact that they didn't get their happy ending just really makes me so spittin mad!!!

The general idea of the book was great, although I don't really think the added stress and trauma of everything Carrie was accused of added anything of benefit to the story. In fact, because there was so much extra strife I was sure that there would be some miracle to pull Ray through in the end. But of course not! Yes he did the right thing by saving the kid and yes that made him such a great person, but really?! The fact that Ray chose to save the kid even though he knew it might ruin his chances of surviving should have brought forth some grand miracle because HE DESERVED TO LIVE especially after everything he and Carrie had already gone through! Also, now Carrie has to go on without him, raise their baby WITHOUT HIM and it all just seems like overkill after EVERYTHING that went on!

Another thing that bothered me was the fact that I could definitely tell that the author was male, especially when he was writing from Carrie's POV. Seriously? If I suspected that I was pregnant and got into a car wreck, instead of just avoiding the CT I would have asked them make sure my baby was ok! I get the fact that it wasn't confirmed and I get the fact that she was worried about Ray and Sarah, but still I'm sure most other women would agree with me here.

Overall, this book was ok. I felt like everything went fast between the last book and this book (time wise) and that Ray and Carried didn't have near enough time tougher for something this tragic to happen. I loved the two of them together and it just kills me that they didn't get their happy ending.

I don't know about the rest of you, but I feel that life has so much heartbreak and tragedy already. When I read I like knowing that the characters I'm investing my time in and getting to know are going to have a HAPPY ENDING. Let just say that when I sat down and decided to read this book I wasn't expecting to end up bawling all over the place giving myself a huge headache.

[Simply Love Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever read a book that shook your emotions and made you feel raw from the heartache of the story? I just finished reading The Last Hour by Charles Sheehan-Miles and I would have to say that it is a heartbreaking, beautiful love story that is going to stay with me for a long time. The love story that develops between Ray and Carrie was intense and strong for two people who just met but knew in their hearts that this other person was THE ONE for them. Ray and Carrie met when he was in town visiting his friend Dylan, and Carrie was also there to visit her sister Alex, Dylan’s girlfriend. One look said it all for Ray and Carrie. Though they spent little time together that weekend, they stayed connected via phone calls and texting, and built a real connection that quickly developed into a loving relationship they both wanted for the long run. Unfortunately some serious difficulties make it hard for both Ray and Carrie, and they must pull strength from their relationship to love and support as they get through this stressful time. What I took away from their story is that you should never take for granted the time you have with loved ones and the choices we make can have serious consequences that can definitely ripple through and affect many people.

It is a well written story and I loved how the author was able to weave both points of view of the main characters, and how the past and the present flowed effortlessly back and forth throughout the book. It was a slow build of the emotions that I felt for this couple, and it broke my heart at times and moved me to tears during certain scenes. The whole plot was riveting with a few twists here and there kept me reading way into the night because I couldn’t put it down. I can’t express enough how heartbreaking it was to finish it and even hours later it still haunts me as I recall poignant scenes of Ray loving Carrie so much it still makes my heart hurt. The Last Hour is written as a standalone and is part of the Thompson Sisters series, so you don’t have to read the others first. However, I would recommend you do because with each new story the writing gets better and you feel a growing attachment for each of the Thompson sisters. It may sound crazy that I would recommend you read a story that will make you cry and hurt but it was one of the best stories I have ever read.

Amanda purchased this book on her own.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Last Hour 5 Stars***** I'm still not sure where I stand on this book. I commend the writing, it was gripping fast paced and well researched. There were times I had to put this book down because I was left feeling raw and sad. I recommend you read I won't give away any plot lines. I still thoroughly enjoyed this compelling and powerful story about a decision one man made and the ripple effect it had on others. This story inspires courage and wisdom in the decisions we make as well as the affect the way we treat others through our lifetime. If you are not questioning what effect your actions are having on the common good, then you've totally missed the point of this story...because everything we do matters, more importantly, every person who has lived on earth matters. When we are kind to one person or make a stand for a battle or ideal, we have the opportunity to impact humanity. We have no idea what our choices may do to impact the world around us. This is deep I know but this story left me thinking and crying and needing a large drink....

"Small moment, missed opportunities, things we don't see or pay attention to at the time sometimes have a far bigger impact on our lives than we would have ever guessed in advance."

"How do you trace back the chains of responsibility to a point where you could pin it down completely?"

[Shazza66 · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could this would be getting 100*

Charles you are a cruel cruel man with magnificent writing skills, there must have been so much research done to complete this book.

I really don’t know where to start with this review and no matter what I write I could not do this book justice anyway.

I can honestly say that this has taken me a week to write I am grieving along with Carrie, I feel like I have been on the tallest, longest emotional rollercoaster of my life with no ending to it.

Myself and probably many more people are ignorant of what truly happens out there in Afghanistan. Our soldiers go through life changing experiences that we do not understand or appreciate, after torturing myself reading this book I now have a little more knowledge regarding this damn war, I am more educated now of the emotional and mental trauma that occurs out there.

I feel like I have sat for hours in a waiting room with my sisters and yes they have become my sisters, how much heartbreak can one beautiful couple go through in their short lives together.

Life is certainly fragile, life is full of WHAT IFS, our lives we sometimes take for granted.

“I don’t have a home without him” OMG get the tissues out yet again.

After finishing this book at 11.30pm it took me well over two hours to get to sleep, I woke up at 5.30am crying because I had been dreaming about Ray. This book will definitely stay in my thoughts a very long time. I am sobbing writing this review so I will leave it there.
Charles thank you totally blew me away.

[Lourdes Santin · Rating 5 out of 5]

To be honest with all of you I'm a little mad with Mr. Sheehan-Miles right now....

I just cry my fare share for the next year or so but this book was so worth it...

Carrie finally finds the man of her dreams and this effing war that we are currently living doesn't help in the slightest but she's strong and I believe is the most strong of all the Thompson sisters...

War so times is so useless and f**ck up so many people, our soldiers get home with PSTD all the time and we don't know for sure what their experience have been there especially does in infantry, does who have to be in the line of fire defending a country, our country, our home and they get home so damage...

I'm writing this and crying a little bit more because this book touch y very soul...

Enjoy this book, if you have read Just Remember to Breath or A Song for Julia you will love, love, love and hate at the same time The Last Hour...

[~♡AB♡~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a heart wrenching, emotional story.

In the third book of Charles Sheehan-Miles the Thompson sisters series we meet Ray and Carrie, who first appeared in Just Remember to Breathe. The book starts with a car crash and then flits between past and present as we hear of Ray and Carrie falling in love and the struggles they faced in their first months together. Ray, in the middle of an Army investigation and Carrie, caught up in a work scandal.

It's hard to go into detail without spoiling it but I can tell you that it's beautifully written, incredibly emotional and you are liable to cry buckets.

Charles Sheehan-Miles is officially in my top 5 favourite author list.

[[~Ami~]♥Sexy Dexy♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

That's it!!! I'm reading spoilers from now on. This hurt... And it hurt a lot!!! Strangely there was no tears.





The third Thompson sister book and we meet Carrie and Ray. The story is very cleverly done flicking from present (where they was just involved in a car accident) to past (where they met and the troubles that came their way.)

I loved the dual POVs but maybe I was the only one but I found present day Ray POV very strange, as if I was reading a part-paranormal type book. He was a real sweetheart,

...that feeling that I can touch the sky? That's exactly how you make me feel.

Aw!!!

Loved that all the previous couples featured in this book too and I am excited for Andrea's story.

Had I known it was going to end this way, I probably would have left it on my TBR shelf longer. But I know this book will stay with me for a very long time. A heartbreaking and emotional book X

[Anne OK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having just finished this beautifully written story, I'm at a loss for words. There just aren't any. Just tears.

Full review to follow later when the complete and true beauty of Ray and Carrie's inspiring story fills my heart once again.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has absolutely broken my heart. I haven't felt this devastated since well ever. I don't think I even broke down this hard when I read The Fault In Our Stars.

I'm currently sitting in the darkness of my dorm room while my roommate is sleeping, trying to contain my silent cry so it doesn't turn into a full on, loud sobfest. My tears just won't stop! I probably look ridiculous right now.

Warning: Make sure you have a box of tissues for this, because it will just rip your heart out and make you hate the reality for being so unfair. Also, a tub of ice cream wouldn't hurt either.

This book was on another level for this author. I loved the first two books in this series, but this one was by far his best work.

This was NOT what I expected. I expected it to be happy, and sweet like previous books. I didn't read the blurb or read reviews because I knew from previous experience with his writing, that I'd like it. I was so excited for Carrie's happy ending love story.

I was completely unprepared for the vast emotions throughout this book. It was SOOO emotional, beautiful, intense, gripping, captivating and suspenseful. I couldn't help but read it on one day. I don't even care right now that I have to wake up early today, and I'm still awake. It was so worth it! This book really makes you feel, and it makes you feel ALOT of different emotions, from happiness to total despair. Probably the best book I've read this year, so far.

I love Ray and Carrie, since the first time I met them in Just Remember to Breathe. Their relationship was so beautiful, because their love was put through a lot, but they withstood it all, even when the odds were so against them. They were so strong. Their banter was funny, and it was clear from the start that they were meant for each other.

This book seriously starts with a bang. There's no easing you into it. From the first page I was a goner. It caught me so off guard, and immediately caused me to start freaking out. Throughout the whole book, there was no time to breathe. I felt like I was constantly on edge. I seriously could not sleep until I found out how it ended. It was difficult to read because of how emotional it is. I had so much hope while reading, and that hope was pretty much obliterated. But, it was so worth the experience and heartache, because I experienced an incredible book in the process.

War has played a major role in all of the books in the series, but in this one I REALLY felt its significance because it seemed like everything was surrounded by it. It destroys everything, and it's grip reached way beyond the battlefield and the author brilliantly showed how it can impact our lives, and the lives of the veterans themselves.

I was sure this would be an amazing book, and it turned out to be more than just amazing. This is a 6 star book, without a doubt. As usual, the writing was brilliant and flawless, as I've come to expect.

I feel so much right now. This is not a book that you'll just easily get over. I'm not getting over this heartbreak for a while. I originally planned to read a heartbreaking book after this, thinking this book would be all nice and fuzzy, but now I need a sweet, unrealistic, happy ending book to heal my wounds.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to try to glue my broken heart together...

[Elle Chardou · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot believe I spent all this time writing a beautiful review and it was deleted because I did not save it.

Carrie Thompson-Sherman and Ray Sherman are hopelessly in love with one another and in the blink of an eye, their lives are shattered beyond repair.

Carrie leaves the accident with barely a scratch and a secret of her own meanwhile Ray is left in an awful condition (along with Carrie's sister who is also badly injured in the accident) which could have direct links to a conspiracy and a war crimes trial he was personally involved in.

Sounds simple, right? Wrong. This book is a tour de force and I rate it as one of my all time favorite reads. It is emotional, heartbreaking, beautiful and tragic. It is about how life happens while we are busy making plans, falling in love and starting all over again. It is about a love so deep, it can transcend any obstacle thrown in its way and that is the beauty of Sheehan-Miles writing.

You will fall in love with Carrie and Ray and they will become a part of your heart and soul. I cried, loved, and laughed with them. In many ways, this novel reminds me of Truman Capote's In Cold Blood because the author reminds the reader life isn't black and white, good and bad. You feel emotions for every single character in this book and when one of them breaks, you feel broken too.

This story is told in a non-linear fashion and although it is a great style for memoirs, it is hard to pull of in fiction. In this book, the style is perfect and the novel would have not worked if it had been told in a linear fashion.

P.S. I would advise future readers to go down to their nearest Costco or Sam's Club and buy an industrial box of tissues. You are going to need it to venture on this heart breaking story that is a mystery, thriller and romance rolled in one. Nicholas Sparks could learn a thing or two from Charles Sheehan-Miles on how to craft a *real* love story. 10 stars!!!!

[Saunders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saturday nights in our house is a time for catching up, having a good meal, discussing what the week has brought us and inevitably I share with my husband what books I have read.

So when he asked me what I had just finished reading I gulped and began to articulate the words to describe the Last Hours by Charles Sheehan-Miles. He ended up sitting on the floor with me and a box of tissues whilst I tried to blubber my way through this story. He smiled and said "good book then".

A "good book then" does not begin to describe this story. Neither do the words "amazing" "awesome" or "wonderful" it goes far beyond these words. I don't know how many of you will read this without bawling your eyes out. It was deep, detailed and it ripped my heart to shreds.

Charles Sheehan- Miles takes us through and emotionally charged story of Carrie and Ray's love for each other. It incorporates a parallel story of the present, the past and the future. Carrie and Ray's characters are deep, real and very solid but this story focuses on doing what is right even though you know it will hurt others and the people you love.

Life for Carrie is extremely good; at 27 she has the world at her feet. A completed PHD, a fellowship and a husband she adores. But as we all know when we find this kind of happiness life has a way of bursting that bubble. When a jealous colleague jeopardizes everything she has worked for Carrie's happiness unravels. To add to this a secret that Ray has brought home from Afghanistan rear's it ugly head and Ray is hounded by the Army and the FBI.

This was a gutting wrenching emotional read and deserves more than 5 stars. Charles Sheehan-Miles has a fantastic writing voice which needs to be heard but what I also love about this author is that he doesn't take forever to release the next story. He must write fast and furious and all I can say is keep them coming Charles, just keep them coming.

I loved it.

[Brenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Last Hour FYI: You do not have to read the other Thompson Sisters books to read this - they are all stand alones :)This book is wonderfully written, incredibly heart wrenching, and tragically beautiful.I had the honor of beta reading this phenomenal book. I definitely HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book!!!! 

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story.
The writing is above & beyond.

I want to have a dinner party with CSM! I bet he has so many great stories in his head to share!

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

10 +++++



Alone not means lonely
In relation not means together

Smile not always on happiness
Cry not always by sadness

Seeing sometimes not caring
Hearing sometime not listening

Know but not understand
Old but not mature

Expensive could be unprecious
Rich could be on hunger

Its uncertain
Nothing certain

What you believe
What you behave

Either life
Neither love

- May 8th 2013)

ps : my grammar was sucks, appreciate if somebody teach me bout it :p

,
,
,
Mencoba untuk mengerti dan memahami kenapa Charles memilih akhir seperti itu, kenapa dia tak membiarkan mereka hidup bersama dan bahagia :), mencoba menyelami bahwa indah itu bukan tentu harus bersanding. Mereka bersandingan, akan dan selamanya, selama hati Carrie memiliki kenangan Ray, selama gadis kecil berpita mencerminkan mereka berdua. Cinta merupakan hal yang sangat rumit untuk dipahami, ada kalanya kita tak rela saat kehilangan wadah cinta kita, tubuh yang membalut jiwa orang yang kita cintai. Tapi itulah hidup, untuk bersabar, untuk memaknai kepahitan sebagai pembelajaran #SOK SOK-an :p

It’s like Tolstoy said. Happiness is an allegory, unhappiness a story.



BUT STILL I M CRYING LIKE A RIVER
,
,
,
,


HOW DARE YOU!! CHARLES I WANT TO KILL YOU!!

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Thompson Sisters series by Charles Sheehan-Miles, who is a new to me author and I have devoured these three books this week. While I very much enjoyed the first two books, this third installment totally knocked my socks off. The Last Hour is the love story of soul mates Carrie Thompson and Ray Sherman and their story is a love that is so beautiful and devastating at the same time that I am still reeling. I must warn you that you will need a lot of tissues because this book is just that heart wrenching. These two people are so lovely and Ray, what can I say about Ray, what a truly beautiful, honorable man.

I warred with myself whether to give this book four or five stars as it is told in past and present tense which is not my favorite style of storytelling, but it was done in such a way it was not hard to follow along. In the end I had to give it five stars because it moved me so much and when a book does that for me it deserves it. This book is definitely going on my top ten of favorites for 2013!

This book could be read without reading the first two books, A Song for Julia and Just Remember to Breathe, but I would strongly recommend reading them first as the author has created such richly woven characters who appear in all three books. I don’t think I will be able to get this story out of my mind for a long time and I have just joined, what I am sure, is the ever growing fan club of Mr. Sheehan-Miles. Bravo!

[Michelle Pace]

I was a fortunate beta reader of this stunning book. It tells the tale of another one of the Thompson sisters (I am a die hard fan of A Song For Julia), and I couldn't wait to see what was next for the Thompson clan. This book takes place ten years later and the author took a wildly different direction with this book. I was immediately drawn into the story and enthralled at the detail and research that went into crafting it! I am an anti spoiler reviewer, so I hesitate to say too much, but I wanted to commit violence against the author several times for his evil ways! You need to read this wonderful story! Really!!!