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This Last Kiss
>Rora Raine is finally coming home to Hastings, twelve years after she left her grief-stricken father, and fled the love of her life, Carl.
Struggling to support her bright but troubled daughter, Rora has convinced herself she'll never love again.
When she meets a bumblingly charming stranger, Rora's heart begins to thaw.
But, try as she might, she can't run from true love forever.
Struggling to support her bright but troubled daughter, Rora has convinced herself she'll never love again.
When she meets a bumblingly charming stranger, Rora's heart begins to thaw.
But, try as she might, she can't run from true love forever.
400 pages, Paperback
First published June 30, 2016
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332 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
November 29, 2017
Rora and Ursula are back in Hastings, the place Rora left behind after many traumatic experiences. Rora's father is dying and even though their relationship deteriorated quickly after the death of Rora's mother when Rora was a lot younger, they even lost contact, Rora wants to say goodbye to him. Ursula was being bullied and Rora wants to keep her daughter away from these horrible experiences, so the journey comes at the right time. Rora tries to protect Ursula, but can she be there for her daughter when Ursula needs her the most?
While Rora is in Hastings she inevitably runs into Carl, the man who used to be the love of her life. Rora fled twelve years ago and left what they had behind. What happened between them and will they be able to reconcile? Meeting Krystof, someone wonderful who moved to Hastings after Rora left, complicates things even more. Rora likes this man and wants to spend time with him, but does she feel enough not to break his heart and how can she keep the past and the present apart? How will Rora deal with all the confusing situations that she can't help but get involved in and was coming back to Hastings really a good idea?
This Last Kiss is a beautiful poignant story. Madeleine Reiss tells Rora's history through significant kisses, which is a fantastic original approach. It's clear from the start that Rora left Hastings in a hurry keeping secrets from the people that stayed behind. Of course there are reasons for this and I couldn't turn the pages quickly enough to find out what they were. Rora is a kindhearted, but damaged woman. She's a loving mother who wants to protect her child, but can't always do this. Rora didn't have an easy childhood herself and she knows what it's like to suffer. She has a difficult relationship with her father and it was interesting to see every emotional layer behind it. Madeleine Reiss understands how feelings work, how deep they can go and what their consequences are and that is one of the many things I admire about her writing.
This Last Kiss is a moving story filled with unexpected twists and turns. Madeleine Reiss alternates between the past and the present and she does this in a compelling way that made me anxious to keep reading. I love it when a book surprises me and This Last Kiss managed to do that in plenty of different ways. I often had tears in my eyes while reading this novel. It's sad, but hopeful and it's heartbreaking, but healing at the same time. I absolutely loved this fantastic story about true love, complex relationships, grief, second chances and family.
While Rora is in Hastings she inevitably runs into Carl, the man who used to be the love of her life. Rora fled twelve years ago and left what they had behind. What happened between them and will they be able to reconcile? Meeting Krystof, someone wonderful who moved to Hastings after Rora left, complicates things even more. Rora likes this man and wants to spend time with him, but does she feel enough not to break his heart and how can she keep the past and the present apart? How will Rora deal with all the confusing situations that she can't help but get involved in and was coming back to Hastings really a good idea?
This Last Kiss is a beautiful poignant story. Madeleine Reiss tells Rora's history through significant kisses, which is a fantastic original approach. It's clear from the start that Rora left Hastings in a hurry keeping secrets from the people that stayed behind. Of course there are reasons for this and I couldn't turn the pages quickly enough to find out what they were. Rora is a kindhearted, but damaged woman. She's a loving mother who wants to protect her child, but can't always do this. Rora didn't have an easy childhood herself and she knows what it's like to suffer. She has a difficult relationship with her father and it was interesting to see every emotional layer behind it. Madeleine Reiss understands how feelings work, how deep they can go and what their consequences are and that is one of the many things I admire about her writing.
This Last Kiss is a moving story filled with unexpected twists and turns. Madeleine Reiss alternates between the past and the present and she does this in a compelling way that made me anxious to keep reading. I love it when a book surprises me and This Last Kiss managed to do that in plenty of different ways. I often had tears in my eyes while reading this novel. It's sad, but hopeful and it's heartbreaking, but healing at the same time. I absolutely loved this fantastic story about true love, complex relationships, grief, second chances and family.
May 13, 2020
Romance novels are not normally my thing but I really enjoyed this book It's certainly not the most cheery as Rora, the main character, has lost her mother and has been estranged from her father for many years as he struggled to cope with her mother's passing. Rora lives in London with her daughter, all the while trying to forget the love of her life. Her best friend contacts her to tell her her father is dying which brings her reluctantly back to her home town after 9 years. I don't want to say anything more as I hate spoilers but I didn't see the ending coming and did cry so I was obviously more emotionally connected with the characters than I even realised. I enjoyed that each chapter was about a kiss from someone important to Rora in her life and the reality of relationships changing "This shifting would never stop, like a flower spreading its petals and then dropping them"
August 28, 2019
It was a little over-dramatic at times, but I cried, so I guess it worked.
May 20, 2017
I found this to be an easy, quick read but unfortunately not a fulfilling one as I ended up having major issues with the main character, Rora, and didn't connect with her and how she treated people either.
Rora returns to Hastings with her daughter after a number of years away as her father is nearing the end of his life. They had a chequered history but Rora is hoping her return home can mend some bridges.
So the story features Rora and how she reacts to being 'home' and all those people she ran away from as a teenager. There are also glimpses of her life through a list of her most memorable kisses and what they meant to her at the time and how she looks back on them now.
I did find Rora to be a very annoying character who appeared to have very little regard for the feelings of anyone around her and it was all about how poorly she had been treated. She was very good at using people to suit her purpose and that is very clear as the ending unfolds.
Rora returns to Hastings with her daughter after a number of years away as her father is nearing the end of his life. They had a chequered history but Rora is hoping her return home can mend some bridges.
So the story features Rora and how she reacts to being 'home' and all those people she ran away from as a teenager. There are also glimpses of her life through a list of her most memorable kisses and what they meant to her at the time and how she looks back on them now.
I did find Rora to be a very annoying character who appeared to have very little regard for the feelings of anyone around her and it was all about how poorly she had been treated. She was very good at using people to suit her purpose and that is very clear as the ending unfolds.
July 26, 2016
I loved this book; we're taken on a journey of love and changing relationships which gradually make more sense as we make our way through the story. The author writes with a true understanding of grief and the harsh reality of losing loved ones, and yet manages to incorporate a quirky sense of humour throughout and wonderfully descriptive scenes. A real page turner, and emotional rollercoaster - a must read!
September 6, 2018
Ugh! I wanted to really like this book and was starting to get there about 3/4 of the way in. The writing style was great. I loved Ursula's character and how spunky of a girl she could be with her witty remarks.
April 19, 2020
I absolutely loved this book.
If you’re looking for a holiday/ lockdown book this is it, likeable characters, easy page turner that leaves you missing the easy flow of script when you finish it.
Very enjoyable easy read
If you’re looking for a holiday/ lockdown book this is it, likeable characters, easy page turner that leaves you missing the easy flow of script when you finish it.
Very enjoyable easy read
July 6, 2016
Back in November 2013, I was totally blown away by Madeleine Reiss's first novel, Someone To Watch Over Me. You might remember that the book won a competition with over 1000 entrants run by The Alan Titchmarsh Show to find a new novelist, competing for a deal with Harper Collins. And it was absolutely wonderful.
And I'd quite forgotten about the author until I noticed she had a new book about to come out - This Last Kiss was published by Bonnier Zaffre on 30th June, available in paperback and for kindle.
When I wrote about the author's first book, I said that it defied categorisation. I'd say exactly the same about this one - but for entirely different reasons. This isn't a psychological thriller, or a light women's read - there's no hint of the supernatural. But what the books do have in common is the immensely accomplished writing - that ability to make you experience it with all your senses, to feel it so deeply that you ache inside, to wrench you out of your day-to-day existence and entirely into the world inhabited by the characters.
All the characters are flawed and damaged in some way, and the way the story is constructed is extremely clever and highly original. It's told in two time frames - Rora and Carl's intense friendship from childhood years into young adulthood, and the period following Rora's reluctant return to Hastings to visit her dying father. Each chapter centres on a kiss - each kiss part of a significant event - leading through to the heartbreaking last kiss of the book's title.
Every relationship in this book is quite fascinating. While Rora and Carl's relationship - balancing each other in their highs and lows, each a refuge and strength to the other as they become adults - is the focus for the story, the relationship between Rora's parents is captivating too. And there are lots of side stories that add to the depth of the story and its characters - the grandmother's own book of kisses, Rora's mother's struggles with her demons, and Carl's abandonment.
The present day story is enthralling too. Many things happened to make Rora leave her Hastings childhood home, and there have been events and issues in the intervening years that have changed lives forever. On her return, Rora has a child - an intelligent and accomplished one, with issues and demons of her own - and a number of relationships in need of repair. The full story is very slowly revealed, a small glimpse at a time - this is really clever writing, as the whole picture becomes slowly coloured in.
There is a conventional love story in here - a three way one, with choices to be made - and one I really enjoyed. I very much liked Krystof - another vulnerable and damaged character, awkward and beautifully described - who finds himself caught up in the larger story as it works itself through.
There's a lovely light humour too - mentioned because I don't want to give the impression that the book is unremittingly serious and earnest. It most certainly isn't - there's a good balance of light and dark, and Rora's early encounters with Krystof are a particular joy.
And I can't conclude without mentioning the book's setting. I've never been to Hastings - but having read this book I really feel I have. It's described in the most vivid detail, and almost becomes an additional character. Rora's father is writing a book on its history, from which we glean some of that detail: Rora despises every inch of it, but her life is shaped by parts of its geography like the cliffs, the beach, the huts and the pier.
This is one of those wonderful "quiet" books that seems to have slipped out into the world without fuss or fanfare. I'm so glad I found it - I recommend it most highly.
And I'd quite forgotten about the author until I noticed she had a new book about to come out - This Last Kiss was published by Bonnier Zaffre on 30th June, available in paperback and for kindle.
When I wrote about the author's first book, I said that it defied categorisation. I'd say exactly the same about this one - but for entirely different reasons. This isn't a psychological thriller, or a light women's read - there's no hint of the supernatural. But what the books do have in common is the immensely accomplished writing - that ability to make you experience it with all your senses, to feel it so deeply that you ache inside, to wrench you out of your day-to-day existence and entirely into the world inhabited by the characters.
All the characters are flawed and damaged in some way, and the way the story is constructed is extremely clever and highly original. It's told in two time frames - Rora and Carl's intense friendship from childhood years into young adulthood, and the period following Rora's reluctant return to Hastings to visit her dying father. Each chapter centres on a kiss - each kiss part of a significant event - leading through to the heartbreaking last kiss of the book's title.
Every relationship in this book is quite fascinating. While Rora and Carl's relationship - balancing each other in their highs and lows, each a refuge and strength to the other as they become adults - is the focus for the story, the relationship between Rora's parents is captivating too. And there are lots of side stories that add to the depth of the story and its characters - the grandmother's own book of kisses, Rora's mother's struggles with her demons, and Carl's abandonment.
The present day story is enthralling too. Many things happened to make Rora leave her Hastings childhood home, and there have been events and issues in the intervening years that have changed lives forever. On her return, Rora has a child - an intelligent and accomplished one, with issues and demons of her own - and a number of relationships in need of repair. The full story is very slowly revealed, a small glimpse at a time - this is really clever writing, as the whole picture becomes slowly coloured in.
There is a conventional love story in here - a three way one, with choices to be made - and one I really enjoyed. I very much liked Krystof - another vulnerable and damaged character, awkward and beautifully described - who finds himself caught up in the larger story as it works itself through.
There's a lovely light humour too - mentioned because I don't want to give the impression that the book is unremittingly serious and earnest. It most certainly isn't - there's a good balance of light and dark, and Rora's early encounters with Krystof are a particular joy.
And I can't conclude without mentioning the book's setting. I've never been to Hastings - but having read this book I really feel I have. It's described in the most vivid detail, and almost becomes an additional character. Rora's father is writing a book on its history, from which we glean some of that detail: Rora despises every inch of it, but her life is shaped by parts of its geography like the cliffs, the beach, the huts and the pier.
This is one of those wonderful "quiet" books that seems to have slipped out into the world without fuss or fanfare. I'm so glad I found it - I recommend it most highly.
August 13, 2016
I'm probably not alone in remembering how Madeleine Reiss became a published author when she beat some very stiff competition on The Alan Titchmarsh Show to win a publishing deal. It was based on writing the first few chapters of a novel and I remember watching all the finalists on the show reading their work. I was so pleased that Madeleine won that I bought Someone to Watch Over Me as soon as it came out. And then I kind of forgot about her and it was only when I saw something on Facebook recently that I realised she had another book out. Now this is a very difficult book to pigeon hole and its a different genre from her previous work but I knew that if written with the same beautifully flowing prose, then I was in for a treat. And I was!
Right from the start I knew I was going to be an emotional wreck. The way the story is told is quite unlike anything I have read for a long time, each chapter being told has a kiss as its pivotal point. And not every kiss is a romantic one but one that defines that particular relationship at that one point in time. This is inspired mainly by a book that is shared with Rora by her grandmother, and a stunning book it sounded with pictures of historical and fictional famous kisses. Rora has returned home after many years to reconcile with her father who is dying. There are flashbacks to Rora as a teenager and to the relationships that have shaped the adult she has become, the non-communicative one with her father but mainly with her mother and her first love Carl.
I found the relationship between Rora and her mother to be the hardest to read. The affects of mental illness spread so much further than people realise and my heart just ached as the author explored their mother/daughter bond and how it rippled throughout their family. Would Rora and Carl have become so dependent on each other if her home life had been different? The kiss in that chapter was the most heartbreaking for me even more so than the kiss that you are expecting from the moment you realise where the plot is going.
I loved the characters of Krystof and, even more so, Ursula as they provided a different perspective into the adult Rora has become. Ursula was such an adorable child but again I was desperate for her to be just a happy little girl and not to be affected by the adult relationships around her. I have read some reviews that say this is a depressing book. Yes it is very sad in places, it is after all a book about loss after all, but I found it to be realistic, poignant and ultimately uplifting. It isn't a traditional romance, it's far more than that, it's a journey through relationships that are complex and recognisable to us all. The "last kiss" of the title may not be the one that you are expecting and yes, it made me cry but it also left me feeling enriched by the whole reading experience. Just a gorgeous book!
Many thanks to the author and publisher for my copy of this book so that I could write an unbiased review.
Right from the start I knew I was going to be an emotional wreck. The way the story is told is quite unlike anything I have read for a long time, each chapter being told has a kiss as its pivotal point. And not every kiss is a romantic one but one that defines that particular relationship at that one point in time. This is inspired mainly by a book that is shared with Rora by her grandmother, and a stunning book it sounded with pictures of historical and fictional famous kisses. Rora has returned home after many years to reconcile with her father who is dying. There are flashbacks to Rora as a teenager and to the relationships that have shaped the adult she has become, the non-communicative one with her father but mainly with her mother and her first love Carl.
I found the relationship between Rora and her mother to be the hardest to read. The affects of mental illness spread so much further than people realise and my heart just ached as the author explored their mother/daughter bond and how it rippled throughout their family. Would Rora and Carl have become so dependent on each other if her home life had been different? The kiss in that chapter was the most heartbreaking for me even more so than the kiss that you are expecting from the moment you realise where the plot is going.
I loved the characters of Krystof and, even more so, Ursula as they provided a different perspective into the adult Rora has become. Ursula was such an adorable child but again I was desperate for her to be just a happy little girl and not to be affected by the adult relationships around her. I have read some reviews that say this is a depressing book. Yes it is very sad in places, it is after all a book about loss after all, but I found it to be realistic, poignant and ultimately uplifting. It isn't a traditional romance, it's far more than that, it's a journey through relationships that are complex and recognisable to us all. The "last kiss" of the title may not be the one that you are expecting and yes, it made me cry but it also left me feeling enriched by the whole reading experience. Just a gorgeous book!
Many thanks to the author and publisher for my copy of this book so that I could write an unbiased review.
July 15, 2016
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review. 3.5/5 stars. This book was an unexpected delight! It was a little bit of romance, a little bit of relationship drama, and a little bit of finding yourself and finding closure. Rora comes back home to take care of her father, who is close to death. She and her father have had a difficult past and he's never even met her daughter, Ursula. Rora takes her daughter with her to rescue her from the bullying problems of her old school. She is also worried about running into Carl, her former boyfriend. The book flashes between Rora's past with Carl and the present day. This book also places a huge emphasis on kisses, seen by the book and chapter titles. It was a unique way to categorize things.
This story was extremely heartwarming. There were so many intricate relationships explored- Rora and her father, Ursala and Rora, Ursala and her grandfather, Rora and Carl, Rora and her new friend Krystof, and more relationships that I can't share without giving spoilers. I loved seeing these relationships grow and change. This book was also full of character development. I loved following Rora's journey from beginning to end. There were interesting turns and revelations throughout the book. It had great pacing. I would highly recommend this book to fans of women's fiction!
This story was extremely heartwarming. There were so many intricate relationships explored- Rora and her father, Ursala and Rora, Ursala and her grandfather, Rora and Carl, Rora and her new friend Krystof, and more relationships that I can't share without giving spoilers. I loved seeing these relationships grow and change. This book was also full of character development. I loved following Rora's journey from beginning to end. There were interesting turns and revelations throughout the book. It had great pacing. I would highly recommend this book to fans of women's fiction!
July 4, 2016
I love romance books but this book didn't do it for me Rora coming back home cause her fathers sick and how the past about her mother killing herself and Carl the love of her life seeing him again but then meeting a stranger and falling for him. Then the death part. No romance to me nothing that made me smile or want more of the book. It's more a serious story of losing parents and then seeing the guy you once loved and lots of death. It's very depressing story and the ending with Rora loving the stranger just made it worse. 2/5 stars not my cup of tea at all .. I received this book for a unbiased review
August 13, 2016
*I've got this book from NetGalley in exchange of a honest review*
First time I don't have to say about a book, because it was so unmemorable. It says that it is similar to Me Before You, but actually it is far from the truth.
From the beginning I felt like the author tried to much to create drama, but actually it became sad and morbid, also there were nothing romantic about this book. Don't get me wrong I like sad stories, but this one wasn't good. Actually, for me it was too boring and in the end I started to skip pages.
Don't recommend.
First time I don't have to say about a book, because it was so unmemorable. It says that it is similar to Me Before You, but actually it is far from the truth.
From the beginning I felt like the author tried to much to create drama, but actually it became sad and morbid, also there were nothing romantic about this book. Don't get me wrong I like sad stories, but this one wasn't good. Actually, for me it was too boring and in the end I started to skip pages.
Don't recommend.
September 5, 2018
I just couldn't get into this book. For me it was too slow of a story.
November 5, 2024
Eine harte Kindheit
Das Cover gefällt mir. Man sieht ein Bettelarmband mit Herzschloss und passendem Schlüssel. Dazu noch ein paar Zutaten für die Hafenstadt Hastings (Briefmarke, Anker und Möwe).
Schlicht, ansprechend, schön.
Rora kehrt nach fast 10 Jahren zusammen mit ihrer Tochter Ursula aus London in ihre Heimatstadt Hastings zurück. Ihr Vater, zu dem sie lange kaum Kontakt hatte liegt im Sterben.
Und Rora hofft für sich und Ursula einen Neuanfang zu machen, auch wenn Hastings für sie selbst böse Erinnerungen erweckt.
Doch tatendurstig stürzt sie sich in die Arbeit für ihren Vater und lernt auch den polnischen Restaurantbesitzer Kristof kennen. Aber irgendwann wird, ja muss sie auf Carl, ihre Jugendliebe treffen, denn
Carl ist auch wieder in Hastings und arbeitet im Aquarium.
Madeleine Reiss erzählt die Geschichte von Aurora, genannt Rora, Raine.
Nachdem man den Prolog gelesen hatte dem sie zu ihm eilt, der auf der anderen Straßenseite ist und sie das Buch der Küsse mitnimmt, wird man in die Geschichte geworfen.
Ich habe den Prolog zweimal gelesen, weil er mehr Fragen schon vor dem Buch aufwarf, als neugierig auf das Buch zu machen, oder als klassische Einleitung zu denen.
Rora hat in ihrer Teenagerzeit viel durchgemacht und der einzige, der immer für sie da war, war ihr Freund Carl. Obwohl etwas zwielichtig, hat sie Ordnung in sein Leben gebracht und er ihres bereichert.
Bis sich ihre Wege vorläufig trennten. Das Wiedertreffen oder Aufeinandertreffen, auf das man so viele Leseseiten gewartet hat, viel dann ein wenig platt und schlicht aus, aber ich denke es war so gewollt, denn Rora wollte Carl eigentlich nicht wieder sehen. Sie hat 10 Jahre und dutzende Briefe auf ihn gewartet und er hat sich an - seine - Abmachung gehalten und keinen Kontakt gesucht.
Außerdem ist da ja auch noch Kristof, der sich um Rora bemüht, der aber auch merkt, das sie eine schwere Vergangenheit mit sich herum trägt.
Ich fand Rora Teenagerzeit, welche am Anfang in jedem Kapitel - chronologisch - erzählt wurde, sehr düster.
Fazit: Düster und traurig mit einem kleinen Sonnenschweif am Horizont.
Das Cover gefällt mir. Man sieht ein Bettelarmband mit Herzschloss und passendem Schlüssel. Dazu noch ein paar Zutaten für die Hafenstadt Hastings (Briefmarke, Anker und Möwe).
Schlicht, ansprechend, schön.
Rora kehrt nach fast 10 Jahren zusammen mit ihrer Tochter Ursula aus London in ihre Heimatstadt Hastings zurück. Ihr Vater, zu dem sie lange kaum Kontakt hatte liegt im Sterben.
Und Rora hofft für sich und Ursula einen Neuanfang zu machen, auch wenn Hastings für sie selbst böse Erinnerungen erweckt.
Doch tatendurstig stürzt sie sich in die Arbeit für ihren Vater und lernt auch den polnischen Restaurantbesitzer Kristof kennen. Aber irgendwann wird, ja muss sie auf Carl, ihre Jugendliebe treffen, denn
Carl ist auch wieder in Hastings und arbeitet im Aquarium.
Madeleine Reiss erzählt die Geschichte von Aurora, genannt Rora, Raine.
Nachdem man den Prolog gelesen hatte dem sie zu ihm eilt, der auf der anderen Straßenseite ist und sie das Buch der Küsse mitnimmt, wird man in die Geschichte geworfen.
Ich habe den Prolog zweimal gelesen, weil er mehr Fragen schon vor dem Buch aufwarf, als neugierig auf das Buch zu machen, oder als klassische Einleitung zu denen.
Rora hat in ihrer Teenagerzeit viel durchgemacht und der einzige, der immer für sie da war, war ihr Freund Carl. Obwohl etwas zwielichtig, hat sie Ordnung in sein Leben gebracht und er ihres bereichert.
Bis sich ihre Wege vorläufig trennten. Das Wiedertreffen oder Aufeinandertreffen, auf das man so viele Leseseiten gewartet hat, viel dann ein wenig platt und schlicht aus, aber ich denke es war so gewollt, denn Rora wollte Carl eigentlich nicht wieder sehen. Sie hat 10 Jahre und dutzende Briefe auf ihn gewartet und er hat sich an - seine - Abmachung gehalten und keinen Kontakt gesucht.
Außerdem ist da ja auch noch Kristof, der sich um Rora bemüht, der aber auch merkt, das sie eine schwere Vergangenheit mit sich herum trägt.
Ich fand Rora Teenagerzeit, welche am Anfang in jedem Kapitel - chronologisch - erzählt wurde, sehr düster.
Fazit: Düster und traurig mit einem kleinen Sonnenschweif am Horizont.
November 9, 2016
I really don't like not finishing a book and especially when I think that it will be a good book,it has the potential to be a fantastic plot/book. But unfortunately I had to give it up as a lost cause for many reasons.
It simply dragged,every paragraph,every page,every chapter was so slow and dragged out as if to fill space.
Rora goes back to every kiss she ever had and you have maybe 5 or 6 pages in the chapter and about half a page is about the actual kiss itself and the rest is filled up with how bright the sun was,how warm/cold it was,how many insects she could hear,could she see the grass growing..I get that it's not just about the kiss but how she felt that day and the atmosphere but this seemed like overkill.
I'm simple terms it bored me!
Just too much with the descriptive stuff,setting the scene,yea yea ok I get it but can we concentrate on the actual plot please.
I was bored with the characters too,they were kinda bland.
Also has no one ever heard of paragraphs,this book had barely any..you turned a page and they are all just filled with an endless stream of words from the top to the bottom and when you are already finding it a strain trying to force yourself to read it and find something likeable about it,then this really doesn't help matters much.
It simply dragged,every paragraph,every page,every chapter was so slow and dragged out as if to fill space.
Rora goes back to every kiss she ever had and you have maybe 5 or 6 pages in the chapter and about half a page is about the actual kiss itself and the rest is filled up with how bright the sun was,how warm/cold it was,how many insects she could hear,could she see the grass growing..I get that it's not just about the kiss but how she felt that day and the atmosphere but this seemed like overkill.
I'm simple terms it bored me!
Just too much with the descriptive stuff,setting the scene,yea yea ok I get it but can we concentrate on the actual plot please.
I was bored with the characters too,they were kinda bland.
Also has no one ever heard of paragraphs,this book had barely any..you turned a page and they are all just filled with an endless stream of words from the top to the bottom and when you are already finding it a strain trying to force yourself to read it and find something likeable about it,then this really doesn't help matters much.
March 27, 2021
A heartfelt read depicting the harsh reality of being a single parent and the confusion of inescapable feelings. Rora Raine is a highly relatable character for those who have been in a similar position, and Reis writes her with an honest depiction about motherhood, trauma, and the relentless nature of grief.
Rora reluctantly returns to her home town Hastings after 12 years of distance following her mother's unexpected suicide. In doing so she left behind her grief ridden father, but due to her estranged parent's imminent passing, Rora uproots herself and her daughter and goes back to her home town.
The careful exploration of the intricate relationships of characters is written intimately and delicately. The range of character growth surprised me wonderfully as the parallels in parent/child relationships between Rora's father and daughter intrigues and softens.
This book is a definite recommendation from me!
Rora reluctantly returns to her home town Hastings after 12 years of distance following her mother's unexpected suicide. In doing so she left behind her grief ridden father, but due to her estranged parent's imminent passing, Rora uproots herself and her daughter and goes back to her home town.
The careful exploration of the intricate relationships of characters is written intimately and delicately. The range of character growth surprised me wonderfully as the parallels in parent/child relationships between Rora's father and daughter intrigues and softens.
This book is a definite recommendation from me!
June 23, 2020
After the worst kind of breakup... How do you love again?
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This last kiss is such a beautifully written book. The author tells Rora’s history through significant kisses, which is such an original approach!
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The main character is damaged, so it wasn’t easy to relate to her. Some of her actions made me quite annoyed, nevertheless, I can see why people who were hurt would act that way.
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You can clearly see that she’s fled the place she was raised in order to protect the secrets she left behind. I couldn’t wait to find out what happened!
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Such a moving story, with plenty of twists and turns. My heart is aching from all the emotions included within this book - true love, difficult relationships, grief and second chances.
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Don’t want to give spoilers, but the ending made me cry... Doesn’t happen often!
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This last kiss is such a beautifully written book. The author tells Rora’s history through significant kisses, which is such an original approach!
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The main character is damaged, so it wasn’t easy to relate to her. Some of her actions made me quite annoyed, nevertheless, I can see why people who were hurt would act that way.
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You can clearly see that she’s fled the place she was raised in order to protect the secrets she left behind. I couldn’t wait to find out what happened!
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Such a moving story, with plenty of twists and turns. My heart is aching from all the emotions included within this book - true love, difficult relationships, grief and second chances.
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Don’t want to give spoilers, but the ending made me cry... Doesn’t happen often!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 28, 2018
Unfortunately not my favourite read. I found this story promising but disappointing. I found myself turning pages to find the enjoyment in the story that it seems to offer, but not to find them. I found it difficult to relate to the characters and ultimately do not feel the story has lead anywhere.
April 28, 2019
I struggled with the first half but the 2nd half I didn't want to stop reading.. Love the characters the story line how everything entwined.. Think it covered every emotion and life's mistakes also trauma.. A love story that's not so much sloppy lovey dovey..
August 16, 2019
The second half of the book definitely picked up in pace although I felt like I hadn't bonded with the main character during the first half so I didn't feel as affected by the events as I should have.
October 22, 2023
You know what this was acc a pretty good book a lot of plot twists but I kinda found it difficult to picture some of the characters, good storyline and MAJOR plot twist at the end but yea pretty average book I would say
April 28, 2025
This took ages to finish. Just not one that drew me back in and very forgettable!
A woman tells her story through the kisses of her life. She is drawn back to her home town when her father becomes ill. We learn what made her leave through. Long winded tale
A woman tells her story through the kisses of her life. She is drawn back to her home town when her father becomes ill. We learn what made her leave through. Long winded tale
February 6, 2018
I enjoyed the story, but found the chopping and changing from past to present times confusing.
January 6, 2019
A great read!
I enjoyed the story line and the interesting characters. It was another book that was hard to put down. Great on a nice rainy day.
I enjoyed the story line and the interesting characters. It was another book that was hard to put down. Great on a nice rainy day.
November 3, 2019
Heart warming. Touches the soul. Shed some tears.
May 11, 2020
Took me about 100 pages to get into it and then I loved it! Couldn’t put it down
Made me smile and cry. Brilliant
Made me smile and cry. Brilliant
July 28, 2020
I find this book really hard to get into, and for the first 1/3 I was really bored. Just not for me.
August 7, 2020
Kinda slow beginning- a bit predictable but good read anyway
September 2, 2020
Going against the grain here ! I didn’t particularly like this book, I found it quite depressing and was quite glad to get to the end
April 27, 2021
I loved this book I was hooked all the way through. The twist took me by surprise. It felt like a rollercoaster ride so many up and downs.
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