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A Thousand Little Goodbyes
TO THE BEST FRIEND WHO EVER THIS IS YOUR GUIDE TO LIVING WITHOUT ME
STEP Always make time for yourself.
Chrissie Thomas has always done what's expected of her. A struggling single mom with a mountain of guilt and very little time for herself, she's spent her life putting others first—until her lifelong best friend, Scarlett Sanderson, insists it's finally time for the cross-country road trip they've dreamed about since childhood.
STEP Never turn down a chance for adventure.
From the moment they set out, Chrissie and Scarlett are determined to chase quirky roadside attractions, hot springs, and maybe even an unexpected flirtation or two. But as miles turn to memories, Chrissie begins to sense that this trip isn't just about escape—it's about a goodbye Scarlett hasn't yet found the courage to admit is coming.
STEP Live like every day is your last.
Scarlett has always been the fearless one—the spark in every moment, the laughter in every heartbreak. But hidden beneath her boundless joy is a truth she's kept from the person who knows her best. This trip isn't just a reunion—it's a farewell. And as they draw closer to their journey's end, Scarlett will have to do the hardest thing she's ever teach the best friend who's always been by her side how to live—to thrive—without her.
FINAL When it's finally time to say goodbye…do it with your whole heart, and leave behind a love big enough to last a lifetime.
STEP Always make time for yourself.
Chrissie Thomas has always done what's expected of her. A struggling single mom with a mountain of guilt and very little time for herself, she's spent her life putting others first—until her lifelong best friend, Scarlett Sanderson, insists it's finally time for the cross-country road trip they've dreamed about since childhood.
STEP Never turn down a chance for adventure.
From the moment they set out, Chrissie and Scarlett are determined to chase quirky roadside attractions, hot springs, and maybe even an unexpected flirtation or two. But as miles turn to memories, Chrissie begins to sense that this trip isn't just about escape—it's about a goodbye Scarlett hasn't yet found the courage to admit is coming.
STEP Live like every day is your last.
Scarlett has always been the fearless one—the spark in every moment, the laughter in every heartbreak. But hidden beneath her boundless joy is a truth she's kept from the person who knows her best. This trip isn't just a reunion—it's a farewell. And as they draw closer to their journey's end, Scarlett will have to do the hardest thing she's ever teach the best friend who's always been by her side how to live—to thrive—without her.
FINAL When it's finally time to say goodbye…do it with your whole heart, and leave behind a love big enough to last a lifetime.
336 pages, Paperback
Published August 4, 2026
About the author
Lucy Gilmore
16 books979 followersLucy Gilmore is a celebrated novelist in a wide range of genres, including literary fiction, contemporary romance, and cozy mystery. She began her reading (and writing) career as an English literature major and ended as a book lover without all those pesky academic papers attached.
She lives in Spokane, WA with her family.
She lives in Spokane, WA with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
January 13, 2026
When I received this book in the mail, I said it would be my prized possession and would never be damaged. Unfortunately that was not true because it is stained with my tears.
This book was heartbreaking, healing, and comforting all in one. It follows Scarlett and Chrissie’s past and their shared history of the cancer unit and their present as the best friends embark on a cross country road trip with final destination Chrissie didn’t see coming.
One of my favorite things about Lucy’s books is how well the found family trope is written and this one takes the cake for me. This was beautifully done and it holds a special place in my heart with my own mom’s breast cancer journey.
This book was heartbreaking, healing, and comforting all in one. It follows Scarlett and Chrissie’s past and their shared history of the cancer unit and their present as the best friends embark on a cross country road trip with final destination Chrissie didn’t see coming.
One of my favorite things about Lucy’s books is how well the found family trope is written and this one takes the cake for me. This was beautifully done and it holds a special place in my heart with my own mom’s breast cancer journey.
March 15, 2026
The premise of this book was so good; two lifelong friends on a trip traveling across country and all the drama and shenanigans that may ensue. The first 200 pages were pretty decent, although one of the women was a terrible friend as the story played out, and the teen daughter was written as a very over the top spoiled brat.
Okay.
Maybe there would be this amazing character arc of redemption by the end. I can keep going.
The last 1/3 of the story was the most ridiculous, borderline sick and twisted, convergence of every soap opera trope that has ever been written. I still have no idea why the author decided to do what she did with the characters at the end.
Truthfully, I wish I had stopped reading when I realize the story may be going sideways, because then I wouldn’t have felt so angry at the time I wasted finishing the book.
Okay.
Maybe there would be this amazing character arc of redemption by the end. I can keep going.
The last 1/3 of the story was the most ridiculous, borderline sick and twisted, convergence of every soap opera trope that has ever been written. I still have no idea why the author decided to do what she did with the characters at the end.
Truthfully, I wish I had stopped reading when I realize the story may be going sideways, because then I wouldn’t have felt so angry at the time I wasted finishing the book.
October 2, 2026
reading A Thousand Little Goodbyes by Lucy Gilmore left me with the feeling that I had spent a considerable amount of time getting to know people rather than simply following a story. what stayed with me most was the attention given to the characters and the way their individual personalities, histories, insecurities and relationships gradually became more apparent. the novel has a strong emotional quality, but it does not rely entirely on dramatic moments to create that feeling. instead, much of its impact comes from the quieter interactions between its characters and the accumulation of small, meaningful details.
the characters were easily the strongest part of the book for me. I appreciated that they were not presented as perfectly composed people who always understand themselves or know exactly what they want. they have their own contradictions, emotional limitations and unresolved feelings, which made their behaviour feel more engaging to follow. I particularly enjoyed seeing how their personalities became clearer through their interactions with one another. there is a noticeable difference between how a character might perceive themselves and how they come across to the people around them and I found those distinctions especially interesting. it gave the relationships a sense of complexity without making them unnecessarily convoluted.
what I also liked about the characterisation was that the book allows its characters to exist beyond their relationships. their decisions are influenced by their personal experiences and emotional histories, rather than simply serving the progression of the plot. I found myself paying attention to their individual reactions, especially in moments when they were forced to confront feelings they would perhaps have preferred to avoid. some characters were immediately easier for me to understand than others, but I actually enjoyed that difference. I do not think every character needs to be equally relatable for their perspective to be worthwhile and Lucy Gilmore gives enough space for the characters to feel distinct from one another.
I also appreciated the way the novel handles difficult emotions. it does not treat emotional vulnerability as something that can be neatly resolved through one conversation or one significant realization. the characters have to work through their feelings gradually and that process made their development more satisfying to me. there are moments when I found myself understanding a character's actions even when I did not necessarily agree with them. that distinction made the characters more interesting because I was not simply being encouraged to approve of everything they did. instead, I was given enough context to consider why they behaved the way they did.
ultimately, what made the book memorable was not necessarily a single dramatic moment, but the cumulative effect of watching the characters navigate their relationships and personal difficulties. I became more invested as I understood them better, particularly when their present behaviour was connected to experiences from their past. I liked that the book gives readers the opportunity to reconsider certain characters as more information about them becomes apparent. my impressions of some of them changed as I continued reading, which is always something I value in character-driven fiction.
the characters were easily the strongest part of the book for me. I appreciated that they were not presented as perfectly composed people who always understand themselves or know exactly what they want. they have their own contradictions, emotional limitations and unresolved feelings, which made their behaviour feel more engaging to follow. I particularly enjoyed seeing how their personalities became clearer through their interactions with one another. there is a noticeable difference between how a character might perceive themselves and how they come across to the people around them and I found those distinctions especially interesting. it gave the relationships a sense of complexity without making them unnecessarily convoluted.
what I also liked about the characterisation was that the book allows its characters to exist beyond their relationships. their decisions are influenced by their personal experiences and emotional histories, rather than simply serving the progression of the plot. I found myself paying attention to their individual reactions, especially in moments when they were forced to confront feelings they would perhaps have preferred to avoid. some characters were immediately easier for me to understand than others, but I actually enjoyed that difference. I do not think every character needs to be equally relatable for their perspective to be worthwhile and Lucy Gilmore gives enough space for the characters to feel distinct from one another.
I also appreciated the way the novel handles difficult emotions. it does not treat emotional vulnerability as something that can be neatly resolved through one conversation or one significant realization. the characters have to work through their feelings gradually and that process made their development more satisfying to me. there are moments when I found myself understanding a character's actions even when I did not necessarily agree with them. that distinction made the characters more interesting because I was not simply being encouraged to approve of everything they did. instead, I was given enough context to consider why they behaved the way they did.
ultimately, what made the book memorable was not necessarily a single dramatic moment, but the cumulative effect of watching the characters navigate their relationships and personal difficulties. I became more invested as I understood them better, particularly when their present behaviour was connected to experiences from their past. I liked that the book gives readers the opportunity to reconsider certain characters as more information about them becomes apparent. my impressions of some of them changed as I continued reading, which is always something I value in character-driven fiction.
August 15, 2026
Thank you to @sourcebookscasa for my gifted copy of A Thousand Little Goodbyes by Lucy Gilmore!
Lucy Gilmore has yet to let me down. I have enjoyed everything I’ve read by her, and this was no different. So grab your tissues and snuggle in for a friendship for the ages. 🥹
Scarlett and Chrissie have been best friends since they were young, after great loss affected both of their lives and brought them together. Now, years later, the two embark on a cross-country road trip filled with adventures and must-see stops. But one of them is harboring a secret: this journey is also her final goodbye to the other.
Told through two different viewpoints and two different timelines, we get to see Scarlett and Chrissie’s friendship from its very beginning while also following their road trip in the present day.
And honestly, I loved both timelines.
In the present, we watch them travel across the country, pick up a girl in need, finally say some of the things that have needed to be said, and revisit the memories and experiences that shaped them both. Meanwhile, the past slowly builds their friendship and shows us exactly how these two women became so important to one another.
While motherhood is a huge anchor in this story, friendship, kindness, and ultimately selflessness are what define it. There are so many different kinds of love woven throughout these pages, but the friendship between Scarlett and Chrissie was what got me the most.
I was invested from the very first page. What can I say? I am an absolute sucker for a strong female friendship. ❤️
Emotional, tender, and full of heart, A Thousand Little Goodbyes is another Lucy Gilmore book I’m so glad I read.
Content notes: abandonment, childhood cancer, adoption, death, and death-with-dignity policies.
Lucy Gilmore has yet to let me down. I have enjoyed everything I’ve read by her, and this was no different. So grab your tissues and snuggle in for a friendship for the ages. 🥹
Scarlett and Chrissie have been best friends since they were young, after great loss affected both of their lives and brought them together. Now, years later, the two embark on a cross-country road trip filled with adventures and must-see stops. But one of them is harboring a secret: this journey is also her final goodbye to the other.
Told through two different viewpoints and two different timelines, we get to see Scarlett and Chrissie’s friendship from its very beginning while also following their road trip in the present day.
And honestly, I loved both timelines.
In the present, we watch them travel across the country, pick up a girl in need, finally say some of the things that have needed to be said, and revisit the memories and experiences that shaped them both. Meanwhile, the past slowly builds their friendship and shows us exactly how these two women became so important to one another.
While motherhood is a huge anchor in this story, friendship, kindness, and ultimately selflessness are what define it. There are so many different kinds of love woven throughout these pages, but the friendship between Scarlett and Chrissie was what got me the most.
I was invested from the very first page. What can I say? I am an absolute sucker for a strong female friendship. ❤️
Emotional, tender, and full of heart, A Thousand Little Goodbyes is another Lucy Gilmore book I’m so glad I read.
Content notes: abandonment, childhood cancer, adoption, death, and death-with-dignity policies.
August 14, 2026
Thank you to sourcebookscasa for the gifted book!
Overall enjoyed this read. If you’ve watched the movie The Family That Preys, the premise is very similar. Two lifelong best friends go on a cross country road trip, one friend thinking it’ll be just a fun trip to connect but ultimately realizing there is a deeper meaning for the trip and that it may be more about a goodbye. This is what happened with Kathy Bates and Alfre Woodard in the movie. I enjoy books the explore the love you can have between each other in female friendships. Not every “love” or relationship is romantic.
This story is told in dual timelines- present day, and early ish 2000s that tell the story of how Scarlett and Chrissie met and allowed an introspective look into their relationship. Honestly, I thought Scarlett was selfish and often not that great of a friend. Chrissie is a better soul than me, bc after the “incident” I would’ve never spoken to Scarlett again lol. The story ended up taking a twist towards the end that I really didn’t see coming
Chrissie was so kind, sometimes too kind, but I was glad to see her growth as the book progressed. I also enjoyed the general direction that book went in at the end. Although the books had a somber tone given the deaths, illnesses, abandonment, etc I was happy to see the book seemed to end on a happy note.
I recommend this book if you like character driven plots and don’t mind an emotional read. Please check your trigger warnings!
Overall enjoyed this read. If you’ve watched the movie The Family That Preys, the premise is very similar. Two lifelong best friends go on a cross country road trip, one friend thinking it’ll be just a fun trip to connect but ultimately realizing there is a deeper meaning for the trip and that it may be more about a goodbye. This is what happened with Kathy Bates and Alfre Woodard in the movie. I enjoy books the explore the love you can have between each other in female friendships. Not every “love” or relationship is romantic.
This story is told in dual timelines- present day, and early ish 2000s that tell the story of how Scarlett and Chrissie met and allowed an introspective look into their relationship. Honestly, I thought Scarlett was selfish and often not that great of a friend. Chrissie is a better soul than me, bc after the “incident” I would’ve never spoken to Scarlett again lol. The story ended up taking a twist towards the end that I really didn’t see coming
Chrissie was so kind, sometimes too kind, but I was glad to see her growth as the book progressed. I also enjoyed the general direction that book went in at the end. Although the books had a somber tone given the deaths, illnesses, abandonment, etc I was happy to see the book seemed to end on a happy note.
I recommend this book if you like character driven plots and don’t mind an emotional read. Please check your trigger warnings!
August 29, 2026
Thank you to @tamaratamaralucy and @sourcebookscasa for the #gifted book.
I read this book in a single sitting and couldn't put it down. From the very first page, I was captivated by the story of two best friends embarking on a road trip to Vermont.
Chrissie and Scarlett's bond formed instantly at age seven when they met in the cancer ward. I loved how the story shifted between the present and the past, revealing how their friendship grew into a profound connection. These two found family in each other.
Chrissie was the steady, dependable presence for Scarlett, who was strong-willed and sometimes selfish in their friendship. Chrissie always put Scarlett's needs above her own, hiding her true feelings. It was incredibly satisfying to see Chrissie find her voice at last and start prioritizing herself.
The writing was beautiful, capturing every emotion perfectly. Several moments left me heartbroken for these women, and the ending made me cry.
This book will linger in my mind for a long time. A powerful, moving testament to what lifelong friends are willing to do for each other.
I read this book in a single sitting and couldn't put it down. From the very first page, I was captivated by the story of two best friends embarking on a road trip to Vermont.
Chrissie and Scarlett's bond formed instantly at age seven when they met in the cancer ward. I loved how the story shifted between the present and the past, revealing how their friendship grew into a profound connection. These two found family in each other.
Chrissie was the steady, dependable presence for Scarlett, who was strong-willed and sometimes selfish in their friendship. Chrissie always put Scarlett's needs above her own, hiding her true feelings. It was incredibly satisfying to see Chrissie find her voice at last and start prioritizing herself.
The writing was beautiful, capturing every emotion perfectly. Several moments left me heartbroken for these women, and the ending made me cry.
This book will linger in my mind for a long time. A powerful, moving testament to what lifelong friends are willing to do for each other.
September 6, 2026
Even though this book deals with a topic like dying I really enjoyed it. This book follows the friendship of Chrissie and Scarlett who bond at the age of 7 during a difficult time in both their lives. These 2 women wind up taking a cross country trip as adults and secrets are discovered which greatly impacts their friendship. This book exemplifies the powerful bonds of friendship.
August 11, 2026
I have loved all three Lucy Gilmore books I have read. If anyone reads my copy, the underling reflects times I identified with and the tear stain is mine.
August 15, 2026
A book about two lifelong friends taking a roadtrip. It sounded amazing to me and I love an emotional read but honestly Chrissy my girl.. you deserve better than your best friend and teenage daughter. The daughter PISSED ME off. I get teenage angst and mother daughter arguments but Kat was just cruel and showed little to no growth. The way she spoke to Chrissy had me flabbergasted I just can’t imagine a daughter speaking to her mother that way. And while Scarlett is a very complex strong willed character she also had her moments of just being plain cruel to Chrissy. It might have been a life long friendship but best friends should not be that way towards each other honestly.
September 11, 2026
1.75⭐️
This was so disappointing. Here’s a dramatic retelling of my thoughts in the book:
Pages 1-70: Okay I am intrigued, I can’t wait to see where this goes.
70-150: I’m losing interest. Where’s the intrigue?
150-220: boo, boring. Also, I hate everyone?? And do they even like each other??
220-300: oh wait, the drama!! I’m invested again. This makes it all worth it!
300-311: oh so this actually sucks. Boooooo
This was so disappointing. Here’s a dramatic retelling of my thoughts in the book:
Pages 1-70: Okay I am intrigued, I can’t wait to see where this goes.
70-150: I’m losing interest. Where’s the intrigue?
150-220: boo, boring. Also, I hate everyone?? And do they even like each other??
220-300: oh wait, the drama!! I’m invested again. This makes it all worth it!
300-311: oh so this actually sucks. Boooooo
September 17, 2026
A Thousand Little Goodbyes had a beautiful premise and some genuinely touching moments, but it didn’t quite pull me in the way I hoped. A quick, easy read, but ultimately just okay for me.
September 18, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 Holy Cow! Best friends go on a two week road trip. Story is told between now and the past. Scarlett comes off as a self centered person, which is understandable since her mother ditched her after her cancer diagnosis. Chrissie meets Scarlett when Scarlet was on the cancer ward and Chrissie’s brother was dying. Chrissie’s parents didn’t want to be bothered by her. Chrissie did everything to be accepted. That was her bad trait. Once her brother died, her parents had nothing really to do with her. Scarlett’s grandmother became Chrissie’s parent.
They remained friends for all of their lives. The way their friendship grew and changed. How Scarlett manipulated Chrissie all her life was something else. Which is how she got her on this two week trip and the end results. I loved their fun interplay but was not expecting the turn the book took. Told in alternating chapters between the present day trip and their lives growing up.
“We’ve always been a divided and complicated society, but some of our starkest differences come from belief systems related to birth and death.”
“Additional content warnings include: parental neglect, emotional abuse, child abandonment, childhood cancer, teen pregnancy, teen runaway, referenced statutory rape, stroke, hospitalization, and grief and loss.”
“Sweet with the sour. Pleasure with the pain.”
“Your problem, Chrissie, is that you’re not willing to think outside the box. You never have been. You like it too much in there, all cramped and beige.”
“The soft cashmere of her embrace was nothing compared to the warmth of her. Scarlett hugged the same way she gave attention—with the full force of her personality.”
“It’s not fair, is it? To lose someone before you’re ready to say goodbye?”
“She’d always hated that sleep had the power to do that—not just to steal people, but to steal time.”
“Rural America is so weird. Drinking and breaking things are their two favorite pastimes.”
“Chrissie had spent so many years doing the same thing, eating her parents’ long silences for dinner, curling up under the blanket of their unspoken loss, that she felt instantly ashamed.”
“That was what rational people did. They took the hand that life dealt them and sat down to play the game.”
“Was there anything fun that Grimshaw didn’t consider a political ploy undertaken by the hands of a shadowy Man waiting in the wings?”
“It took me a long time to realize that one should never skimp on socks, bras, or swimwear. I spent most of my twenties being stabbed by rogue underwire.”
“Scarlett’s light was all-consuming and dangerous to the touch; Walsh’s was a beacon she could follow to any safe shore.”
“but she was done trying to shield Kat from the worst the world had to offer—mostly because she was coming to learn that the worst and the best often went hand in hand.”
“joie de vivre—Joy of living.”
“And because carrying everyone in my heart is what makes me strong. Stay safe in there, Scarlett. You and I still have so much living left to do.”
They remained friends for all of their lives. The way their friendship grew and changed. How Scarlett manipulated Chrissie all her life was something else. Which is how she got her on this two week trip and the end results. I loved their fun interplay but was not expecting the turn the book took. Told in alternating chapters between the present day trip and their lives growing up.
“We’ve always been a divided and complicated society, but some of our starkest differences come from belief systems related to birth and death.”
“Additional content warnings include: parental neglect, emotional abuse, child abandonment, childhood cancer, teen pregnancy, teen runaway, referenced statutory rape, stroke, hospitalization, and grief and loss.”
“Sweet with the sour. Pleasure with the pain.”
“Your problem, Chrissie, is that you’re not willing to think outside the box. You never have been. You like it too much in there, all cramped and beige.”
“The soft cashmere of her embrace was nothing compared to the warmth of her. Scarlett hugged the same way she gave attention—with the full force of her personality.”
“It’s not fair, is it? To lose someone before you’re ready to say goodbye?”
“She’d always hated that sleep had the power to do that—not just to steal people, but to steal time.”
“Rural America is so weird. Drinking and breaking things are their two favorite pastimes.”
“Chrissie had spent so many years doing the same thing, eating her parents’ long silences for dinner, curling up under the blanket of their unspoken loss, that she felt instantly ashamed.”
“That was what rational people did. They took the hand that life dealt them and sat down to play the game.”
“Was there anything fun that Grimshaw didn’t consider a political ploy undertaken by the hands of a shadowy Man waiting in the wings?”
“It took me a long time to realize that one should never skimp on socks, bras, or swimwear. I spent most of my twenties being stabbed by rogue underwire.”
“Scarlett’s light was all-consuming and dangerous to the touch; Walsh’s was a beacon she could follow to any safe shore.”
“but she was done trying to shield Kat from the worst the world had to offer—mostly because she was coming to learn that the worst and the best often went hand in hand.”
“joie de vivre—Joy of living.”
“And because carrying everyone in my heart is what makes me strong. Stay safe in there, Scarlett. You and I still have so much living left to do.”
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Some friendships are so deeply woven into our lives that imagining a world without that person feels almost impossible. That’s exactly the emotional core of A Thousand Little Goodbyes—a story about two lifelong friends, one road trip, and the terrifying, heartbreaking realization that sometimes love means preparing to let go.
I’ve really enjoyed Lucy Gilmore’s previous books, so naturally I went into this one with pretty high expectations. Her stories usually hit that sweet spot between emotional depth and heartfelt warmth, and I was hoping to feel that same magic again here.
This time… it didn’t quite land the same way for me.
Don’t get me wrong—the premise immediately grabbed me. A stressed-out single mom who has spent her entire life doing the “right thing” is dragged on a long-overdue cross-country adventure by her fearless, chaotic-good best friend? Yes please. Add roadside attractions, nostalgia, unexpected life reflections, and a friendship that has survived everything life could throw at it, and you have the perfect setup for a moving story.
And there are touching moments. The bond between Chrissie and Scarlett is clearly meant to be the beating heart of the novel, and there were definitely scenes where their history together felt genuine and heartfelt. You can tell the author wanted to celebrate friendship in a big, emotional way.
However, while the emotional intentions were there, the story itself didn’t resonate with me as strongly as I had hoped. At times the narrative felt a bit overloaded with dramatic twists and heavy revelations, and instead of deepening the emotional impact, it occasionally made the story feel more melodramatic than moving. I kept hoping certain moments would hit me right in the heart—but they hovered just outside that emotional sweet spot.
I also found myself a step ahead of some of the bigger developments, which made the journey feel less surprising than it probably intended to be. I still cared about the characters and wanted to see where their journey would end, but the emotional payoff never quite reached the level I expected.
That said, Lucy Gilmore still has a warm and accessible writing style that keeps the pages turning, and readers who love stories about lifelong friendships, road trips, and bittersweet life lessons may connect with this book much more deeply than I did.
For me, it’s a 3-star read—I appreciated the premise and the themes of love, friendship, and learning how to live fully, but I personally enjoyed the author’s previous works a little more. Still, I’ll absolutely keep picking up her books because when her stories hit, they really do hit.
A huge thank you to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca for sharing this digital copy of this effectively sentimental women’s fiction in exchange for my honest review, which I truly appreciate.
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I’ve really enjoyed Lucy Gilmore’s previous books, so naturally I went into this one with pretty high expectations. Her stories usually hit that sweet spot between emotional depth and heartfelt warmth, and I was hoping to feel that same magic again here.
This time… it didn’t quite land the same way for me.
Don’t get me wrong—the premise immediately grabbed me. A stressed-out single mom who has spent her entire life doing the “right thing” is dragged on a long-overdue cross-country adventure by her fearless, chaotic-good best friend? Yes please. Add roadside attractions, nostalgia, unexpected life reflections, and a friendship that has survived everything life could throw at it, and you have the perfect setup for a moving story.
And there are touching moments. The bond between Chrissie and Scarlett is clearly meant to be the beating heart of the novel, and there were definitely scenes where their history together felt genuine and heartfelt. You can tell the author wanted to celebrate friendship in a big, emotional way.
However, while the emotional intentions were there, the story itself didn’t resonate with me as strongly as I had hoped. At times the narrative felt a bit overloaded with dramatic twists and heavy revelations, and instead of deepening the emotional impact, it occasionally made the story feel more melodramatic than moving. I kept hoping certain moments would hit me right in the heart—but they hovered just outside that emotional sweet spot.
I also found myself a step ahead of some of the bigger developments, which made the journey feel less surprising than it probably intended to be. I still cared about the characters and wanted to see where their journey would end, but the emotional payoff never quite reached the level I expected.
That said, Lucy Gilmore still has a warm and accessible writing style that keeps the pages turning, and readers who love stories about lifelong friendships, road trips, and bittersweet life lessons may connect with this book much more deeply than I did.
For me, it’s a 3-star read—I appreciated the premise and the themes of love, friendship, and learning how to live fully, but I personally enjoyed the author’s previous works a little more. Still, I’ll absolutely keep picking up her books because when her stories hit, they really do hit.
A huge thank you to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca for sharing this digital copy of this effectively sentimental women’s fiction in exchange for my honest review, which I truly appreciate.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
medium blog
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A Thousand Little Goodbyes • Lucy Gilmore
One phrase: a road trip goodbye with your whole heart 🚗💔
This sounds like the kind of book that will absolutely destroy me in the softest way.
A Thousand Little Goodbyes follows Chrissie, a struggling single mom who has spent most of her life putting everyone else first, and Scarlett, her fearless lifelong best friend who decides it is finally time for the cross country road trip they always dreamed about.
Quirky roadside attractions.
Hot springs.
Adventure.
Laughter.
Maybe a little flirting.
And one goodbye neither of them is ready to say.
The setup already has my heart aching because this is not just a road trip story. It is a love letter to friendship, to the people who know every version of you, and to the kind of bond that keeps shaping your life even after someone is gone.
Scarlett has always been the spark, the brave one, the person who turns ordinary moments into memories. But beneath all of that joy is a truth she has not been able to tell Chrissie yet. This trip is not just about escaping real life.
It is about teaching her best friend how to keep living without her.
Rude. Painful. I’m already emotionally unwell.
I love stories that center friendship with the same depth and devotion usually reserved for romance. The kind where the love is huge, messy, lifelong, and impossible to measure. This sounds tender, bittersweet, funny, and completely heartbreaking in that “I will cry but thank you for the damage” kind of way.
✨ Tropes and vibes:
🚗 cross country road trip
💔 emotional goodbye
👯 lifelong best friends
🌤 bittersweet women’s fiction
🫶 chosen family energy
🌊 healing journey
🥹 live while you can
🗺 quirky roadside stops
💛 friendship love story
😭 bring tissues
🌸 self discovery
✨ grief and memory
📚 Read this if you like:
Emotional friendship stories, road trip books, bittersweet goodbyes, found family energy, stories about learning to live again, and books that feel like a hug while quietly breaking your heart.
This sounds tender, heartfelt, and like the kind of story that leaves love behind long after the final page.
#AThousandLittleGoodbyes #LucyGilmore #FriendshipFiction #EmotionalReads #BookReview @casablanca
One phrase: a road trip goodbye with your whole heart 🚗💔
This sounds like the kind of book that will absolutely destroy me in the softest way.
A Thousand Little Goodbyes follows Chrissie, a struggling single mom who has spent most of her life putting everyone else first, and Scarlett, her fearless lifelong best friend who decides it is finally time for the cross country road trip they always dreamed about.
Quirky roadside attractions.
Hot springs.
Adventure.
Laughter.
Maybe a little flirting.
And one goodbye neither of them is ready to say.
The setup already has my heart aching because this is not just a road trip story. It is a love letter to friendship, to the people who know every version of you, and to the kind of bond that keeps shaping your life even after someone is gone.
Scarlett has always been the spark, the brave one, the person who turns ordinary moments into memories. But beneath all of that joy is a truth she has not been able to tell Chrissie yet. This trip is not just about escaping real life.
It is about teaching her best friend how to keep living without her.
Rude. Painful. I’m already emotionally unwell.
I love stories that center friendship with the same depth and devotion usually reserved for romance. The kind where the love is huge, messy, lifelong, and impossible to measure. This sounds tender, bittersweet, funny, and completely heartbreaking in that “I will cry but thank you for the damage” kind of way.
✨ Tropes and vibes:
🚗 cross country road trip
💔 emotional goodbye
👯 lifelong best friends
🌤 bittersweet women’s fiction
🫶 chosen family energy
🌊 healing journey
🥹 live while you can
🗺 quirky roadside stops
💛 friendship love story
😭 bring tissues
🌸 self discovery
✨ grief and memory
📚 Read this if you like:
Emotional friendship stories, road trip books, bittersweet goodbyes, found family energy, stories about learning to live again, and books that feel like a hug while quietly breaking your heart.
This sounds tender, heartfelt, and like the kind of story that leaves love behind long after the final page.
#AThousandLittleGoodbyes #LucyGilmore #FriendshipFiction #EmotionalReads #BookReview @casablanca
August 13, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
📖 𝐸-𝒜𝑅𝒞 𝑅𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌📖
𝒜 𝒯𝒽𝑜𝓊𝓈𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝐿𝒾𝓉𝓉𝓁𝑒 𝒢𝑜𝑜𝒹𝒷𝓎𝑒𝓈 ʙʏ ʟᴜᴄʏ ɢɪʟᴍᴏʀᴇ
𝑅𝒶𝓉𝒾𝓃𝑔: 🥀🥀🥀 ᴏᴜᴛ ᴏғ 𝟻 ᴇɴᴄʜᴀɴᴛᴇᴅ ʀᴏsᴇs
✨ 𝐻𝑜𝑜𝓀✨
ᴏɴᴇ ʀᴏᴀᴅ ᴛʀɪᴘ. ᴏɴᴇ ʟɪғᴇʟᴏɴɢ ғʀɪᴇɴᴅsʜɪᴘ. ᴀɴᴅ ᴏɴᴇ ɢᴏᴏᴅʙʏᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɴᴇɪᴛʜᴇʀ ᴡᴏᴍᴀɴ ɪs ʀᴇᴀᴅʏ ᴛᴏ sᴀʏ.
𝑅𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌:
ʜᴜɢᴇ ᴛʜᴀɴᴋ ʏᴏᴜ ᴛᴏ sᴏᴜʀᴄᴇʙᴏᴏᴋs ғᴏʀ ɢɪғᴛɪɴɢ ᴍᴇ ᴛʜɪs ᴇ-ᴀʀᴄ!
𝒜 𝒯𝒽𝑜𝓊𝓈𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝐿𝒾𝓉𝓉𝓁𝑒 𝒢𝑜𝑜𝒹𝒷𝓎𝑒𝓈 ᴡᴀs ʜᴇᴀʀᴛʙʀᴇᴀᴋɪɴɢ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴏsᴛ ᴛᴇɴᴅᴇʀ ᴡᴀʏ. ᴄʜʀɪssɪᴇ ᴀɴᴅ sᴄᴀʀʟᴇᴛᴛ’s ʟɪғᴇʟᴏɴɢ ғʀɪᴇɴᴅsʜɪᴘ ɪs ᴛʜᴇ ʜᴇᴀʀᴛ ᴏғ ᴛʜᴇ sᴛᴏʀʏ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴡᴀᴛᴄʜɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ᴄʀᴏss-ᴄᴏᴜɴᴛʀʏ ʀᴏᴀᴅ ᴛʀɪᴘ sʟᴏᴡʟʏ ʀᴇᴠᴇᴀʟ ᴡʜᴀᴛ sᴄᴀʀʟᴇᴛᴛ ʜᴀs ʙᴇᴇɴ ᴋᴇᴇᴘɪɴɢ ғʀᴏᴍ ʜᴇʀ ʙᴇsᴛ ғʀɪᴇɴᴅ ᴀʙsᴏʟᴜᴛᴇʟʏ ᴡʀᴇᴄᴋᴇᴅ ᴍᴇ. ɪ ʟᴏᴠᴇᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴏᴍʙɪɴᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ᴏғ ʜᴜᴍᴏʀ, ғʀɪᴇɴᴅsʜɪᴘ, ɢʀɪᴇғ, ʜᴇᴀʟɪɴɢ, ᴀɴᴅ ғᴏᴜɴᴅ ғᴀᴍɪʟʏ.
ᴛʜɪs ɪs ᴅᴇғɪɴɪᴛᴇʟʏ ᴏɴᴇ ᴏғ ᴛʜᴏsᴇ ʙᴏᴏᴋs ᴡʜᴇʀᴇ ʏᴏᴜ sʜᴏᴜʟᴅ ᴘʀᴏʙᴀʙʟʏ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴛɪssᴜᴇs ɴᴇᴀʀʙʏ. ɪᴛ ɪsɴ’ᴛ ᴀɴ ᴇᴀsʏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ, ʙᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ’s sᴏᴍᴇᴛʜɪɴɢ ɪɴᴄʀᴇᴅɪʙʟʏ ᴄᴏᴍғᴏʀᴛɪɴɢ ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴀʏ ɪᴛ ᴇxᴘʟᴏʀᴇs ғʀɪᴇɴᴅsʜɪᴘ ᴀɴᴅ ᴍᴀᴋɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴏsᴛ ᴏғ ᴛʜᴇ ᴛɪᴍᴇ ᴡᴇ ʜᴀᴠᴇ.
𝒯𝓇𝑜𝓅𝑒𝓈 & 𝒱𝒾𝒷𝑒𝓈:
👯 ʟɪғᴇʟᴏɴɢ ʙᴇsᴛ ғʀɪᴇɴᴅs
🚗 ʀᴏᴀᴅ ᴛʀɪᴘ
💔 ɢʀɪᴇғ
🥀 ʙɪᴛᴛᴇʀsᴡᴇᴇᴛ
🫂 ғᴏᴜɴᴅ ғᴀᴍɪʟʏ
🌱 ʜᴇᴀʟɪɴɢ
😭 ᴇᴍᴏᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟ ᴅᴀᴍᴀɢᴇ
💕 ғʀɪᴇɴᴅsʜɪᴘ-ᴄᴇɴᴛᴇʀᴇᴅ
𝐹𝒾𝓃𝒶𝓁 𝓋𝑒𝓇𝒹𝒾𝒸𝓉:
ʙʀɪɴɢ ᴛɪssᴜᴇs. ᴛʜɪs ɪs ᴀɴ ᴇᴍᴏᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟ, ʙɪᴛᴛᴇʀsᴡᴇᴇᴛ sᴛᴏʀʏ ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ғʀɪᴇɴᴅsʜɪᴘ, ɢʀɪᴇғ, ʟᴏᴠᴇ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴍᴀᴋɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴏsᴛ ᴏғ ᴛʜᴇ ᴛɪᴍᴇ ᴡᴇ ʜᴀᴠᴇ. ᴛʜᴇ ʟɪғᴇʟᴏɴɢ ғʀɪᴇɴᴅsʜɪᴘ ᴀᴛ ɪᴛs ᴄᴇɴᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴡʜᴀᴛ ᴍᴀᴋᴇs ᴛʜᴇ ʜᴇᴀʀᴛʙʀᴇᴀᴋ ʜɪᴛ ʜᴀʀᴅᴇsᴛ. ᴛᴇɴᴅᴇʀ, ᴅᴇᴠᴀsᴛᴀᴛɪɴɢ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴜʟᴛɪᴍᴀᴛᴇʟʏ ʜᴏᴘᴇғᴜʟ.
ʜᴀᴘᴘʏ ʀᴇᴀᴅɪɴɢ!
𝒜𝓈𝒽𝓁𝑒𝓎
ʙᴏᴏᴋsᴛᴀɢʀᴀᴍ: @ᴛʜᴇᴛᴀᴛᴛᴇʀᴇᴅᴘᴀɢᴇ
📖 𝐸-𝒜𝑅𝒞 𝑅𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌📖
𝒜 𝒯𝒽𝑜𝓊𝓈𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝐿𝒾𝓉𝓉𝓁𝑒 𝒢𝑜𝑜𝒹𝒷𝓎𝑒𝓈 ʙʏ ʟᴜᴄʏ ɢɪʟᴍᴏʀᴇ
𝑅𝒶𝓉𝒾𝓃𝑔: 🥀🥀🥀 ᴏᴜᴛ ᴏғ 𝟻 ᴇɴᴄʜᴀɴᴛᴇᴅ ʀᴏsᴇs
✨ 𝐻𝑜𝑜𝓀✨
ᴏɴᴇ ʀᴏᴀᴅ ᴛʀɪᴘ. ᴏɴᴇ ʟɪғᴇʟᴏɴɢ ғʀɪᴇɴᴅsʜɪᴘ. ᴀɴᴅ ᴏɴᴇ ɢᴏᴏᴅʙʏᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɴᴇɪᴛʜᴇʀ ᴡᴏᴍᴀɴ ɪs ʀᴇᴀᴅʏ ᴛᴏ sᴀʏ.
𝑅𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌:
ʜᴜɢᴇ ᴛʜᴀɴᴋ ʏᴏᴜ ᴛᴏ sᴏᴜʀᴄᴇʙᴏᴏᴋs ғᴏʀ ɢɪғᴛɪɴɢ ᴍᴇ ᴛʜɪs ᴇ-ᴀʀᴄ!
𝒜 𝒯𝒽𝑜𝓊𝓈𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝐿𝒾𝓉𝓉𝓁𝑒 𝒢𝑜𝑜𝒹𝒷𝓎𝑒𝓈 ᴡᴀs ʜᴇᴀʀᴛʙʀᴇᴀᴋɪɴɢ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴏsᴛ ᴛᴇɴᴅᴇʀ ᴡᴀʏ. ᴄʜʀɪssɪᴇ ᴀɴᴅ sᴄᴀʀʟᴇᴛᴛ’s ʟɪғᴇʟᴏɴɢ ғʀɪᴇɴᴅsʜɪᴘ ɪs ᴛʜᴇ ʜᴇᴀʀᴛ ᴏғ ᴛʜᴇ sᴛᴏʀʏ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴡᴀᴛᴄʜɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ᴄʀᴏss-ᴄᴏᴜɴᴛʀʏ ʀᴏᴀᴅ ᴛʀɪᴘ sʟᴏᴡʟʏ ʀᴇᴠᴇᴀʟ ᴡʜᴀᴛ sᴄᴀʀʟᴇᴛᴛ ʜᴀs ʙᴇᴇɴ ᴋᴇᴇᴘɪɴɢ ғʀᴏᴍ ʜᴇʀ ʙᴇsᴛ ғʀɪᴇɴᴅ ᴀʙsᴏʟᴜᴛᴇʟʏ ᴡʀᴇᴄᴋᴇᴅ ᴍᴇ. ɪ ʟᴏᴠᴇᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴏᴍʙɪɴᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ᴏғ ʜᴜᴍᴏʀ, ғʀɪᴇɴᴅsʜɪᴘ, ɢʀɪᴇғ, ʜᴇᴀʟɪɴɢ, ᴀɴᴅ ғᴏᴜɴᴅ ғᴀᴍɪʟʏ.
ᴛʜɪs ɪs ᴅᴇғɪɴɪᴛᴇʟʏ ᴏɴᴇ ᴏғ ᴛʜᴏsᴇ ʙᴏᴏᴋs ᴡʜᴇʀᴇ ʏᴏᴜ sʜᴏᴜʟᴅ ᴘʀᴏʙᴀʙʟʏ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴛɪssᴜᴇs ɴᴇᴀʀʙʏ. ɪᴛ ɪsɴ’ᴛ ᴀɴ ᴇᴀsʏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ, ʙᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ’s sᴏᴍᴇᴛʜɪɴɢ ɪɴᴄʀᴇᴅɪʙʟʏ ᴄᴏᴍғᴏʀᴛɪɴɢ ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴀʏ ɪᴛ ᴇxᴘʟᴏʀᴇs ғʀɪᴇɴᴅsʜɪᴘ ᴀɴᴅ ᴍᴀᴋɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴏsᴛ ᴏғ ᴛʜᴇ ᴛɪᴍᴇ ᴡᴇ ʜᴀᴠᴇ.
𝒯𝓇𝑜𝓅𝑒𝓈 & 𝒱𝒾𝒷𝑒𝓈:
👯 ʟɪғᴇʟᴏɴɢ ʙᴇsᴛ ғʀɪᴇɴᴅs
🚗 ʀᴏᴀᴅ ᴛʀɪᴘ
💔 ɢʀɪᴇғ
🥀 ʙɪᴛᴛᴇʀsᴡᴇᴇᴛ
🫂 ғᴏᴜɴᴅ ғᴀᴍɪʟʏ
🌱 ʜᴇᴀʟɪɴɢ
😭 ᴇᴍᴏᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟ ᴅᴀᴍᴀɢᴇ
💕 ғʀɪᴇɴᴅsʜɪᴘ-ᴄᴇɴᴛᴇʀᴇᴅ
𝐹𝒾𝓃𝒶𝓁 𝓋𝑒𝓇𝒹𝒾𝒸𝓉:
ʙʀɪɴɢ ᴛɪssᴜᴇs. ᴛʜɪs ɪs ᴀɴ ᴇᴍᴏᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟ, ʙɪᴛᴛᴇʀsᴡᴇᴇᴛ sᴛᴏʀʏ ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ғʀɪᴇɴᴅsʜɪᴘ, ɢʀɪᴇғ, ʟᴏᴠᴇ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴍᴀᴋɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴏsᴛ ᴏғ ᴛʜᴇ ᴛɪᴍᴇ ᴡᴇ ʜᴀᴠᴇ. ᴛʜᴇ ʟɪғᴇʟᴏɴɢ ғʀɪᴇɴᴅsʜɪᴘ ᴀᴛ ɪᴛs ᴄᴇɴᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴡʜᴀᴛ ᴍᴀᴋᴇs ᴛʜᴇ ʜᴇᴀʀᴛʙʀᴇᴀᴋ ʜɪᴛ ʜᴀʀᴅᴇsᴛ. ᴛᴇɴᴅᴇʀ, ᴅᴇᴠᴀsᴛᴀᴛɪɴɢ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴜʟᴛɪᴍᴀᴛᴇʟʏ ʜᴏᴘᴇғᴜʟ.
ʜᴀᴘᴘʏ ʀᴇᴀᴅɪɴɢ!
𝒜𝓈𝒽𝓁𝑒𝓎
ʙᴏᴏᴋsᴛᴀɢʀᴀᴍ: @ᴛʜᴇᴛᴀᴛᴛᴇʀᴇᴅᴘᴀɢᴇ
Review of advance copy received from Author
I cried, even though I knew where it was headed before I read the first page. This is a heavy topic, and I think the author handled it with care.
But I do wonder if it would've hit harder if I'd been as in the dark about where the road trip would end as Chrissie was for a good bulk of the book. The content warnings at the front were all appropriate, and I understand their presence...I just kind of wish they were in the back matter instead of the front matter, so they're easier to skip for folks that would rather be surprised.
Granted, I'm a reader that also writes a bit, so many of the twists (though not quite all of them) were ones I was able to pick up on well before the reveals. I don't know if that would be true for someone who doesn't write on their own.
The flashbacks gave a lot of depth to the characters that helped their relationship make sense in a way that it likely wouldn't have without them. People take a lot of guff from lifelong friends that they'd never accept from anyone else, and it was nice to see this kind of complicated relationship shown on page. Especially with that final twist near the end.
All in all, a solid book.
But I do wonder if it would've hit harder if I'd been as in the dark about where the road trip would end as Chrissie was for a good bulk of the book. The content warnings at the front were all appropriate, and I understand their presence...I just kind of wish they were in the back matter instead of the front matter, so they're easier to skip for folks that would rather be surprised.
Granted, I'm a reader that also writes a bit, so many of the twists (though not quite all of them) were ones I was able to pick up on well before the reveals. I don't know if that would be true for someone who doesn't write on their own.
The flashbacks gave a lot of depth to the characters that helped their relationship make sense in a way that it likely wouldn't have without them. People take a lot of guff from lifelong friends that they'd never accept from anyone else, and it was nice to see this kind of complicated relationship shown on page. Especially with that final twist near the end.
All in all, a solid book.
August 2, 2026
A Thousand Little Goodbyes by Lucy Gilmore is a story about a lifelong friendship between Chrissie and Scarlett. Scarlett convinced Chrissie to join her on a road trip across the country for a couple of weeks and even though Chrissie doesn’t want to because she has her teenage daughter to think about, she agrees to go.
The story is told in the past and present POV and we learn how their friendship started. As we learn more about their friendship it is clear that Scarlett is strong headed and selfish in their friendship and Chrissie is the unconditional friend who is always there when Scarlett needs her. Regardless of their personalities, they are the best of friends which is why it is sad to learn the true motives behind Scarlett’s invitation to go on this trip.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. There were sad and happy moments and it really shows what great lengths some people go through for their friends. The ending had a great reveal that I was not expecting and again reinforced what a great friend Chrissie truly was to Scarlett.
Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca. All opinions are my own.
The story is told in the past and present POV and we learn how their friendship started. As we learn more about their friendship it is clear that Scarlett is strong headed and selfish in their friendship and Chrissie is the unconditional friend who is always there when Scarlett needs her. Regardless of their personalities, they are the best of friends which is why it is sad to learn the true motives behind Scarlett’s invitation to go on this trip.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. There were sad and happy moments and it really shows what great lengths some people go through for their friends. The ending had a great reveal that I was not expecting and again reinforced what a great friend Chrissie truly was to Scarlett.
Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I honestly don’t even know where to start with this one. A Thousand Little Goodbyes is a beautiful and heartbreaking story about two best friends, Chrissie and Scarlett, and what happens when one of them is facing the end of her life.
If you’re looking for a book that captures what a "true" best friendship looks like—the kind where you fight like sisters, hold each other up, and define what found family really means—this is it. It felt so real. I’ll admit, I cried several times while reading this; it really gets under your skin.
The pacing of their cross-country road trip felt like the perfect backdrop for their story. While some readers might pick up on the twist at the end before it happens, it honestly caught me completely by surprise. It just hit that much harder when it finally clicked.
Overall, this was such a moving read and I’d recommend to anyone who needs a good cry and a reminder of how precious those close friendships really are.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy!
If you’re looking for a book that captures what a "true" best friendship looks like—the kind where you fight like sisters, hold each other up, and define what found family really means—this is it. It felt so real. I’ll admit, I cried several times while reading this; it really gets under your skin.
The pacing of their cross-country road trip felt like the perfect backdrop for their story. While some readers might pick up on the twist at the end before it happens, it honestly caught me completely by surprise. It just hit that much harder when it finally clicked.
Overall, this was such a moving read and I’d recommend to anyone who needs a good cry and a reminder of how precious those close friendships really are.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy!
August 12, 2026
Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by Lucy Gilmore. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!
Chrissie and Scarlett have been best friends since they met at a hospital when they were both young. Their friendship has endured throughout the years, and they finally get the chance to take the cross-country road trip they've been wanting to do for a long time. They plan on stopping at only small hotels and at every weird roadside attraction along the way. But life is always there to throw a curve.
I'm a fan of Gilmore's books and this was another emotional read. The friendship between the two women was strong, even with very different personalities. There was a bit of melodrama in it and I saw the plot twists coming, but I still thoroughly enjoyed being a quiet passenger along for this road trip.
Chrissie and Scarlett have been best friends since they met at a hospital when they were both young. Their friendship has endured throughout the years, and they finally get the chance to take the cross-country road trip they've been wanting to do for a long time. They plan on stopping at only small hotels and at every weird roadside attraction along the way. But life is always there to throw a curve.
I'm a fan of Gilmore's books and this was another emotional read. The friendship between the two women was strong, even with very different personalities. There was a bit of melodrama in it and I saw the plot twists coming, but I still thoroughly enjoyed being a quiet passenger along for this road trip.
September 25, 2026
It’s hard not to love the characters in this book at the end. Initially they aren’t very pleasant, nor did the friendship come across as healthy. There were times when reading where I wondered why they even bothered with one another in the first place over the years. Yet, they grow on you like a fungus and you can’t help but appreciate their complicated friendship. There’s a big twist revealed in later chapters, which transpires into a page turner experience at the tail end. The roadtrip piece of the story seems like an afterthought, which was a big selling point for me wanting to read this in the first place. However, Lucy does a great job getting you emotionally invested in the character development even if you don’t love the characters or the circumstances that pan out.
Read
March 17, 2026Best friends Chrissie and Scarlett depart on a cross-country road trip, knowing it will be an adventure. While they are making memories, Scarlett is hiding a secret-the knowledge this will be their last journey in life together. How will Chrissie react when she learns the truth?
If you like a book that makes you cry, think, and feel, you will enjoy this novel. Even though you know from the beginning what is going to happen, the story draws you in and you want to keep reading. As you read, you will discover that you do not know what is going to happen and you will stay up late to finish reading the book before you go to sleep.
This review is based on a copy provided by the publisher.
If you like a book that makes you cry, think, and feel, you will enjoy this novel. Even though you know from the beginning what is going to happen, the story draws you in and you want to keep reading. As you read, you will discover that you do not know what is going to happen and you will stay up late to finish reading the book before you go to sleep.
This review is based on a copy provided by the publisher.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A Thousand Little Goodbyes showcases the power of friendship love and the lengths we will go to for those we care about. Chrissie and Scarlet have been best friends since Scarlet called Chrissie into her hospital room while she was there for cancer treatment. Chrissie's older brother was there as well,, though he didn't make it. Now they're both adults and on a cross country road trip, but there are surprises around every turn, including their destination.
This was fairly ridiculous. The major reveal was pretty obvious early on. But the two more minor ones I didn't see until later on. The writing here is engaging and kept me reading along, but the plot is something out of a soap
This was fairly ridiculous. The major reveal was pretty obvious early on. But the two more minor ones I didn't see until later on. The writing here is engaging and kept me reading along, but the plot is something out of a soap
Review of advance copy
I received an ARC from my local bookstore and was so excited about this book. I agree with the author's note that not all love stories are romantic. The love that can be shared between friends and mothers/daughters is just a deep as any romantic love.... That being said, if this friendship is what the author believes is love then I'll strongly encourage her to go to therapy. I'm not sure if Scarlett is suppose to exhibits multiple signs of narcissistic personality disorder, but she absolutely does. I continued reading this book because I expected a redemption arc. By the end, I was just excited that Scarlett died.
August 12, 2026
“It’s not fair, is it? To lose somebody before you’re ready to say goodbye.”
All I kept thinking while reading this was how important it is to discover your person, and how fortunate the ones who do, are.
I basically knew what I was getting into but I wasn’t prepared for how emotional some moments made me. A cross-country road trip with your best friend of 27 years to say goodbye-but only one of them knows what’s coming. Yep, not a dry eye for me. I definitely cried multiple times. I also didn’t see some of the twists coming, and I’m glad I didn’t. This story made me think, and touched my heart.
Thank you to Sourcebooks for the gifted paperback ARC!
All I kept thinking while reading this was how important it is to discover your person, and how fortunate the ones who do, are.
I basically knew what I was getting into but I wasn’t prepared for how emotional some moments made me. A cross-country road trip with your best friend of 27 years to say goodbye-but only one of them knows what’s coming. Yep, not a dry eye for me. I definitely cried multiple times. I also didn’t see some of the twists coming, and I’m glad I didn’t. This story made me think, and touched my heart.
Thank you to Sourcebooks for the gifted paperback ARC!
August 18, 2026
I was expecting a lot more of an emotional punch from this book, given the premise, but it just didn’t deliver. There were a few moments towards the end of the story that I almost started to become emotionally invested but then the author would back off completely.
I also didn’t care for the romance subplot. I wanted this story to be about this beautiful life-long friendship between Scarlett and Chrissie and instead got the romance subplot and River randomly tagging along. I didn’t think any of that added to the story.
While it isn’t a terrible book by any means, I just felt disappointed by it. (2.5⭐️)
I also didn’t care for the romance subplot. I wanted this story to be about this beautiful life-long friendship between Scarlett and Chrissie and instead got the romance subplot and River randomly tagging along. I didn’t think any of that added to the story.
While it isn’t a terrible book by any means, I just felt disappointed by it. (2.5⭐️)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A Thousand Little Goodbyes has an intriguing premise, weaving together dual timelines with a cross-country road trip that gradually reveals the weight of lifelong secrets and the enduring complexities of friendship. While the story takes a while to find its footing and I wished the characters had more emotional nuance, it becomes increasingly engaging as the true purpose of the journey slowly comes into focus. I found some of the relationships and motivations a bit contrived, but the themes of love, sacrifice, and the lasting impact of our choices made for a thoughtful read.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
3 1/2 stars
Lifelong best friends set out on a much needed roadtrip that soon feels less like an escape than a goodbye. This reads like an updated version of BEACH MUSIC and there are many big feelings - fear, anger, betrayal and grief that come bubbling up to the surface as the miles go by. Not a cheerful book but one that is basically about what it means to be a real friend. It does deal with some very serious topics but this also means there is a lot to unpack and discuss for book clubs. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.
Lifelong best friends set out on a much needed roadtrip that soon feels less like an escape than a goodbye. This reads like an updated version of BEACH MUSIC and there are many big feelings - fear, anger, betrayal and grief that come bubbling up to the surface as the miles go by. Not a cheerful book but one that is basically about what it means to be a real friend. It does deal with some very serious topics but this also means there is a lot to unpack and discuss for book clubs. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.
August 31, 2026
Best friends Chrissie and Scarlett embark on their dream roadtrip from Oregon to Vermont. Chrissie is a single mom, responsible and doing her best to keep her life together, especially her fraught relationship with her teenage daughter, Kat. Scarlett is fearless, glamorous, and carefree. The roadtrip is supposed to be a fun way for the two friends to reconnect, but obstacles keep happening and eventually Scarlett reveals the truth behind why she insisted Chrissie take this trip with her.
I loved most of the book, but there were a few parts of the plot that seemed over the top. Overall, I really enjoyed the book.
I loved most of the book, but there were a few parts of the plot that seemed over the top. Overall, I really enjoyed the book.
August 30, 2026
This book was a beautiful insight into a long, complex friendship between two women. Overall, I think it beautifully captured the relationship between these two women, but had some small twists/plot choices I was not a fan of. That being said, I still deeply enjoyed it, especially having lost my best friend to cancer myself 💛
September 25, 2026
Chrissie and Scarlett are taking a coast to coast roadtrip to a destination in Maine. They have a complicated relationship that started at age 7 in a hospital.
I liked the back and forth of present and past chapters unfolding the story. From the title alone I knew it would be a tearful and sad journey and also a journey of growing and getting strong. Powerful and poignant.
I liked the back and forth of present and past chapters unfolding the story. From the title alone I knew it would be a tearful and sad journey and also a journey of growing and getting strong. Powerful and poignant.
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