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The Last Text
Happy Birthday, Daniel. I was told not to send you another text, but I never was any good at listening. I love and miss you. I always will.
When I lost my partner of eight years, I felt like my world was crashing down around me. In order to feel some relief from the overwhelming emptiness, I’ve found myself sending him texts every year on his birthday, even though I know he will never answer. It makes me feel like there’s a piece of him still alive, at least in my heart.
I’m sorry, you must have the wrong number. I apologize for not responding sooner, but I was at work.
That is, until someone responds to my text. Jace is charming, sweet, and everything I could ever want. But how can I accept someone new in my life when Daniel’s only been gone two years? Even so, Jace starts to consume my world. It feels like I can finally breathe as he helps me understand that my life doesn’t have to revolve around my grief.
Soon, I find myself laughing again as he pulls me away from the hopeless cycle I’ve been caught in, and I love spending time with him, whether it’s playing video games together or discussing our comic book alter egos. But I still need to let go of this guilt and allow Jace to show me that I can love another without replacing what I’ve lost. Jace rewrites my entire world with every word and smile he gives me, and it’s becoming harder to not give in and hand him my heart. Maybe Daniel did respond after all.
The Last Text is a 37k word novella about overcoming loss, finding hope, and friendship that leads to new love.
When I lost my partner of eight years, I felt like my world was crashing down around me. In order to feel some relief from the overwhelming emptiness, I’ve found myself sending him texts every year on his birthday, even though I know he will never answer. It makes me feel like there’s a piece of him still alive, at least in my heart.
I’m sorry, you must have the wrong number. I apologize for not responding sooner, but I was at work.
That is, until someone responds to my text. Jace is charming, sweet, and everything I could ever want. But how can I accept someone new in my life when Daniel’s only been gone two years? Even so, Jace starts to consume my world. It feels like I can finally breathe as he helps me understand that my life doesn’t have to revolve around my grief.
Soon, I find myself laughing again as he pulls me away from the hopeless cycle I’ve been caught in, and I love spending time with him, whether it’s playing video games together or discussing our comic book alter egos. But I still need to let go of this guilt and allow Jace to show me that I can love another without replacing what I’ve lost. Jace rewrites my entire world with every word and smile he gives me, and it’s becoming harder to not give in and hand him my heart. Maybe Daniel did respond after all.
The Last Text is a 37k word novella about overcoming loss, finding hope, and friendship that leads to new love.
146 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 7, 2019
242 people are currently reading
1238 people want to read
About the author
Alice Winters
62 books2,746 followersAlice Winters started writing stories as soon as she was old enough to turn her ideas into written words. She loves writing a variety of things from romance and comedy to action. She also enjoys reading, horseback riding, and spending time with her pets.
Follow me on Facebook where I put up short stories, teasers, and giveaways: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Alice...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 377 reviews
May 18, 2019
Gah! Adorable story was A-FREAKING-DORABLE!
I'm so happy that I read this novella. I'd expected the grief angle to be a bit more overwhelming, but it really wasn't.
As soon as Jace replied to Merrick's birthday text to his deceased partner of 8 years, life got better, and kept on getting better.
[My Merrick...]
The humor in the story was spot on, without ever coming across as being corny or trying to hard. In a word, both the story and Jace were charming.
After wallowing in despair for 2 years, Merrick had more than his share of issues to work through, but whenever it started to get too much, Jace was always there, ready and willing to help prop him up, until he was able to pull himself back up again.
[My Jace...]
The middle of the night "Please. Save me." text nearly killed me, but turned out to be such an amazing scene, one of the best that I've read in quite a while.
He stretches before reaching out and wrapping his arms around me so he can drag me against him. I sink into him, loving the feeling of arms pulling me close. This is what I’ve stayed here for two hours needing and wanting.
Just this.
I could lie like this all day if he would hold me that long. He kisses the top of my head, and I’m convinced he’d definitely hold me that long.
Then Jace's grandpa keeping an eye on Merrick during the sister's wedding, Christ, that was both funny and touching, the way they connected, giving Merrick a glimpse at what Jace might be like, should they be fortunate enough to grow old together.
“[W]hile you two were twiddling with your tadpoles in the bathroom, I was the first in line,” he says, clearly proud of himself.
“Oh my god. We were not,” Jace says, looking mortified.
He ignores Jace’s outcry. “I beat those bitches out of my path. I’m old, you see, they think I did it on accident. Between you and me… it was on purpose.”
Overall, there wasn't a single thing that I would've changed about the story, other than maybe shortening down the speech at the very end, which felt slightly more formal than either character had been previously.
Either way, this one gets my full 5 stars and the strongest of recommendations.
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May 19, 2019
This is a book about a man dealing with the loss of his lover and partner. Merrick and Daniel were together for many years prior to Daniel's passing two years prior. Merrick texts a birthday message to Daniel's former number every year, until one year a man named Jace responds.
My biggest issue with this story is that we are told Merrick is grieving, but that grief is never shown. There are few glimpses of Daniel as a person or Merrick and Daniel's relationship. The emotions were all surface.
Jace is a one-dimensional MC. Merrick is the first-person narrator of the story, so we only see Jace as Merrick sees him. The conversations between the men felt overly structured and artificial. Their relationship was really cutesy and easy, too easy.
I was underwhelmed by this story and never made an emotional connection with the MCs.
My biggest issue with this story is that we are told Merrick is grieving, but that grief is never shown. There are few glimpses of Daniel as a person or Merrick and Daniel's relationship. The emotions were all surface.
Jace is a one-dimensional MC. Merrick is the first-person narrator of the story, so we only see Jace as Merrick sees him. The conversations between the men felt overly structured and artificial. Their relationship was really cutesy and easy, too easy.
I was underwhelmed by this story and never made an emotional connection with the MCs.
May 8, 2020
The Last Text is the first and only book I've enjoyed from Alice Winters. So I guess when she isn't trying to be funny she actually writes stuff I like to read... huh.
I usually have a hard time with novellas, but I thought this one was done really well. I am a sucker for a romance book that takes place after the loss of a partner, and this one was no different. It wormed its way into my heart.
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I usually have a hard time with novellas, but I thought this one was done really well. I am a sucker for a romance book that takes place after the loss of a partner, and this one was no different. It wormed its way into my heart.
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May 13, 2019
DNF @ 42%
considering its subject matter, I thought it would be an emotional read but I couldn't feel anything!
considering its subject matter, I thought it would be an emotional read but I couldn't feel anything!
June 9, 2019
4.5*
I’ll be honest I didn’t particularly like the cover and the blurb didn’t scream “read me” so why did I pick this up?
It’s simple, a friend of mine read it and gave it 5*. You may think this isn’t unusual but I didn’t realise this friend knew 5* was even an option. She clings onto her stars even more than I do and that’s saying something.
But glowing review and 5* aside I nearly quit on this. Just because I don’t particularly like the subject of death, grieving and a past love who ultimately seems to overshadow everything.
I continued on and I’m so glad I did. This is a real gem of a book so thank you Emma.
Merrick lost the love of his life two years ago. They’d been together since middle school. His only lover and best friend. He’s struggling to move on without him. He sends a text to Daniel’s phone and this time someone responds. His number has been reallocated to someone named Jace.
Jace is everything that Merrick needs and he’s wonderful.
Once I’d got into this I loved everything about it. And while I loved all the characters. Jace, Merrick and Merricks family the book was stolen by Jace’s grandpa.
“James!”
“Jace.”
“That’s what I said,” he says. “Children always needing their names to be right. You should be happy I didn’t call you Bailey since you look just like your sister.”
“.....Gramps is fine. You know… Jace doesn’t bring people around much. Are you two knocking willies together?”
That is until the music shifts to something upbeat and Gramps comes slinking toward me, snapping his fingers. About four feet away, he pretends to throw a fishing line out to me and begins “reeling” me in.
“Your grandpa is going to steal my heart,” I warn Jace as Gramps slides between us.
“I’m back. I’ve had my hips replaced, and I’m ready to rumble,” he says.
“Oh my god,” Jace says, but the three of us laugh.
May 26, 2019
This novella is a lovely, slow journey from grief to love. Merrick is 29 and still grieving the sudden death of his husband two years earlier. His family and friends are great and they try to keep him distracted with company on the significant anniversaries of his loss. But some of those small rituals of hanging on are important to him, and one of them is sending a birthday text to the man he was with for eight years. He doesn't expect Daniel to somehow magically see it - it's just a last tiny connection to the person and life that he misses so much.
But this year, an answering text pings back under the number still listed as "Daniel". And in apologizing and trying to explain why he sent what seemed like a random message to that old number, he encounters kindness and understanding and empathy from the stranger on the other end - (not Daniel, just a stranger, as he reminds himself, even as he leaves the number tagged as "Daniel" in his phone.)
Gradually as he texts this sweet guy, whose name is actually Jace, he begins to come back to life. He's eager to chat with someone, he laughs, his world is brighter and more interesting. But is it really about Jace, or an unreal blend of his need for his lost husband and a stranger who's kind enough not to blow him off? Is this a healthy thing for either of them, or a rebound that is based in a fantasy?
This author writes a smooth, engaging, low-key story of the evolution from friendship to love. There are some fun secondary characters. The grief aspect is more muted than might be expected - the moment at which we come in is the moment when Merrick's heart is no longer raw, and he's ready to come back to life. This is appropriate for the length and plot, but means that it's sweeter and less angsty than I anticipated from the blurb. I'm a fan of Winters' writing style and characters, and will add this to a comfort reread list.
But this year, an answering text pings back under the number still listed as "Daniel". And in apologizing and trying to explain why he sent what seemed like a random message to that old number, he encounters kindness and understanding and empathy from the stranger on the other end - (not Daniel, just a stranger, as he reminds himself, even as he leaves the number tagged as "Daniel" in his phone.)
Gradually as he texts this sweet guy, whose name is actually Jace, he begins to come back to life. He's eager to chat with someone, he laughs, his world is brighter and more interesting. But is it really about Jace, or an unreal blend of his need for his lost husband and a stranger who's kind enough not to blow him off? Is this a healthy thing for either of them, or a rebound that is based in a fantasy?
This author writes a smooth, engaging, low-key story of the evolution from friendship to love. There are some fun secondary characters. The grief aspect is more muted than might be expected - the moment at which we come in is the moment when Merrick's heart is no longer raw, and he's ready to come back to life. This is appropriate for the length and plot, but means that it's sweeter and less angsty than I anticipated from the blurb. I'm a fan of Winters' writing style and characters, and will add this to a comfort reread list.
May 13, 2019
The Last Text by Alice Winters is about 29 years old Merrick. Merrick is still grieving after the loss of his partner. Two years later and he always finds himself texting his boyfriend's old number, except one day he receives a text back.
Some highlights:
-I usually prefer dual POVs, but this story worked better from a singular POV. This story was really about Merrick moving on with his life and healing.
-Jace. He was so sweet and charming.
-Friends to lovers.
-Slow burn.
-Humor.
-Emotional without being overly angsty.
-The end was a well deserved HEA.
Alice Winters is a new to me, author; I'll be looking more into.
4 Stars
Some highlights:
-I usually prefer dual POVs, but this story worked better from a singular POV. This story was really about Merrick moving on with his life and healing.
-Jace. He was so sweet and charming.
-Friends to lovers.
-Slow burn.
-Humor.
-Emotional without being overly angsty.
-The end was a well deserved HEA.
Alice Winters is a new to me, author; I'll be looking more into.
4 Stars
June 22, 2019
*4,5 stars*
For some reason this book really spoke to me.
Merrick’s grief feels bone deep. We can all see he is totally drowning in it, leaving himself no room to ever find his way out. He is painfully lonely and pretty much lost in life.
I know it is unlikely, but I really enjoyed how he meets Jace. It is romantic and fun and something different. And so fitting. It actually felt real enough.
And Jace? He is amazingly astute with psychology for a guy who works in IT, but I guess that’s down to his innate compassion and kindness. There are people like that, thank God!, who care about others and know exactly what they need.
For me the shining and best part here is definitely the banter between Merrick and Jace. This is the cute, not the acerbic, kind and made me grin so hard, my cheeks started to ache. Seriously.
It’s also flirty and lifts so many shadows of Merrick’s moods, I just adored what the author has done here.
For a shortish novella there is a lot of depth and so much character development.
An absolute joy.
For some reason this book really spoke to me.
Merrick’s grief feels bone deep. We can all see he is totally drowning in it, leaving himself no room to ever find his way out. He is painfully lonely and pretty much lost in life.
I know it is unlikely, but I really enjoyed how he meets Jace. It is romantic and fun and something different. And so fitting. It actually felt real enough.
And Jace? He is amazingly astute with psychology for a guy who works in IT, but I guess that’s down to his innate compassion and kindness. There are people like that, thank God!, who care about others and know exactly what they need.
For me the shining and best part here is definitely the banter between Merrick and Jace. This is the cute, not the acerbic, kind and made me grin so hard, my cheeks started to ache. Seriously.
It’s also flirty and lifts so many shadows of Merrick’s moods, I just adored what the author has done here.
For a shortish novella there is a lot of depth and so much character development.
An absolute joy.
November 9, 2024
“By accepting you into my life, I understand this relationship is not only you and me. When I take your hand, I understand that I am bringing Daniel with us. I’m not planning on replacing him. I’m planning on making you happy and giving you everything you need to do that.”
What a beautiful novella. It made me cry and laugh and then cry some more. Just beautiful.
What a beautiful novella. It made me cry and laugh and then cry some more. Just beautiful.
May 20, 2019
Well, wasn't this just a gem of a read! Loved every single word I read, teared up a few times, snorted with laughter a few times too and had ALL the feels.
This is how you write a novella, it was bloody perfect. Not once did it feel rushed and given the subject matter was dealt with beautifully. I need me a Jace in my life ❤️❤️❤️
This is how you write a novella, it was bloody perfect. Not once did it feel rushed and given the subject matter was dealt with beautifully. I need me a Jace in my life ❤️❤️❤️
June 9, 2023
Reread/Relisten
i still love Jace as much as the first time around, i just wish this book was longer and we had Jace's POV. This was still just as cute as ever.
4-4.5 stars: September 2022
Audio just came out with Michael Ferraioulo narrating and I one clicked that so fast. I think Alice Winters and Michael Ferraioulo together make a dream team!
Jace 🥰 you are so perfect! I can’t! Haha I wished we got your pov but even without that this book made me smile throughout the whole thing.
I was worried it could be more angsty but this book had that Alice Winters humor that I love, it wasn’t too over the top and it flowed well!
Plus honorable mention for Gramps! Haha
Also side note Merrick’s graphic novel reminded me a lot of Alice Winters other book “A Villain for Christmas” but MF haha
i still love Jace as much as the first time around, i just wish this book was longer and we had Jace's POV. This was still just as cute as ever.
4-4.5 stars: September 2022
Audio just came out with Michael Ferraioulo narrating and I one clicked that so fast. I think Alice Winters and Michael Ferraioulo together make a dream team!
Jace 🥰 you are so perfect! I can’t! Haha I wished we got your pov but even without that this book made me smile throughout the whole thing.
I was worried it could be more angsty but this book had that Alice Winters humor that I love, it wasn’t too over the top and it flowed well!
Plus honorable mention for Gramps! Haha
Also side note Merrick’s graphic novel reminded me a lot of Alice Winters other book “A Villain for Christmas” but MF haha
July 21, 2020
Lovely hurt/comfort story. These two guys come together at just the right time for both of them - Jace needs to be needed, and poor Merrick needs a new HEA.
I was afraid it would be too angsty for me, but I promise, it's not. It's sweet and uplifting and full of feel-good feelings.
I was afraid it would be too angsty for me, but I promise, it's not. It's sweet and uplifting and full of feel-good feelings.
May 22, 2019
I liked the idea.. Texting your late partner when you're dealing with his loss. But it was too short for me to really feel it. Therefor I couldn't feel Merrick's grief.
I loved Jace though.
February 10, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
”Please make today a good day.”
He runs his fingers through my hair. “I will try my hardest.”
Well that was very cute. I love the light touch on the dead ex trope, it was very comforting and easygoing didn’t leave me doubts at all. Perfect for slumps and someone who’s looking for a low angst. I love both of them.
”Please make today a good day.”
He runs his fingers through my hair. “I will try my hardest.”
Well that was very cute. I love the light touch on the dead ex trope, it was very comforting and easygoing didn’t leave me doubts at all. Perfect for slumps and someone who’s looking for a low angst. I love both of them.
June 26, 2023
I think The Last Text might be my favourite book by Alice Winters. It has so much emotion in it. Dealing with the loss of a loved one, navigating familial relationships, and a new relationship. It is sweet and has the perfect amount of Winter's humour; it balances the tough moments really well.
Every aspect of this novella was well done in my opinion. Especially the meet-cute. It's one of my favourites that I've read recently. Merrick texts his late partner on his birthday and Jace replies. Their texts were everything.
I was a bit hesitant to pick this up, as I wasn't sure if I was in the right headspace to read a book about grief, but I'm so glad I did. I loved it!
Every aspect of this novella was well done in my opinion. Especially the meet-cute. It's one of my favourites that I've read recently. Merrick texts his late partner on his birthday and Jace replies. Their texts were everything.
I was a bit hesitant to pick this up, as I wasn't sure if I was in the right headspace to read a book about grief, but I'm so glad I did. I loved it!
January 17, 2024
Screaming, Crying, Throwing up!!!
This was pretty and funny, also sweet and can be sad at times.
Their chemistry were off the charts, it flows so easily every fucking interactions, their laughs and their tears.
Jace was so understanding and reassuring, he's so incredibly sweet and charming and he's humorous as well a literal total catch, I just melt everytime he says something, I loved how the author's handle grief in this one, all of merrick worries was understandable and it took a big part of his life, eight years of relationship I'm glad he finally found someone as understanding and loving as Jace, I want my future man to be like him.
The humor just has the right amount I loved I laughed and chuckled throughout but I also tear up at the end and at some moments.
This was pretty and funny, also sweet and can be sad at times.
Their chemistry were off the charts, it flows so easily every fucking interactions, their laughs and their tears.
Jace was so understanding and reassuring, he's so incredibly sweet and charming and he's humorous as well a literal total catch, I just melt everytime he says something, I loved how the author's handle grief in this one, all of merrick worries was understandable and it took a big part of his life, eight years of relationship I'm glad he finally found someone as understanding and loving as Jace, I want my future man to be like him.
The humor just has the right amount I loved I laughed and chuckled throughout but I also tear up at the end and at some moments.
June 17, 2023
Sweet short with plenty of feels
This is a cute idea for a meet/cute which, in the main, worked for me.
Having it be single first person POV did mean that Jase comes across as utterly perfect but then, why wouldn't he?
From Merrick's viewpoint this is the man who's started his healing process and has been there for him since their first conversation.
Jase is everything to Merrick because he's enabled him to cope with the loss of Daniel and to find a way to move forward.
I wish we'd gotten to know a bit more about Daniel, but I also appreciated that he didn't overtake the narrative of the new relationship.
Overall this was a lovely and pretty sweet romance.
This is a cute idea for a meet/cute which, in the main, worked for me.
Having it be single first person POV did mean that Jase comes across as utterly perfect but then, why wouldn't he?
From Merrick's viewpoint this is the man who's started his healing process and has been there for him since their first conversation.
Jase is everything to Merrick because he's enabled him to cope with the loss of Daniel and to find a way to move forward.
I wish we'd gotten to know a bit more about Daniel, but I also appreciated that he didn't overtake the narrative of the new relationship.
Overall this was a lovely and pretty sweet romance.
May 14, 2019
REVIEW: 4 STARS
"I'm a very talented man, Merrick, you just don't know it yet."
I love when I add a new to me author to my schedule and am pleasantly surprised by the book I read. Alice Winters is very new to me. She normally writes action and comedy, and even has a paranormal thriller comedy....all centered around MM romance. The Last Text was her first jump into Contemporary MM, and now I am peeping out her other books. She's definitely on my radar now and after reading this one and knowing that she was able to give me a full story wrapped up in a novella sized package, I am most pleasantly surprised.
While it was a an easy read with swift storytelling, watching Merrick figure out his new normal while Jace became a part of it just made me smile. Navigating a world without your person has got to be so difficult, and I cannot even begin to imagine that pain. In comes Jace and who can't love Jace?? I loved Jace! Becoming more than friends and the way they started out truly melted my heart. You truly know you've found your match when your days are brightened and made better by the one trying to hold you up when you need it the most. I feel like with this one, Alice gave me a story that while it was short and to the point, I was still able to fall in love with these characters and still feel the pain and sorrow that Merrick was going through. I was still able to fall in love through Merrick's mental eye and watching it come together made for butterflies and smiles. Seriously, I smiled so much while reading this book.
I love the idea of fate. The paths that cross when all other roads look to be diversions...attempts at dislocating fate. But fate can't be stopped and I loved the ease in which Winters told Merrick's story. Circumstances and fate are strong in this one - well placed. It's like reality is peeking in between the world Merrick was hiding in - his own little bubble, and the world that kept going on around him despite his best efforts. Until Jace. Until fate. Jace was such a breath of fresh air with a soft heart that was so embracing. Their dynamic worked on every level for me too. They weren't alpha or cold. They were real men with real feelings and I love how Winters wrote them.
"No one is replacing him. You are creating new memories to add to your old ones."
What I didn't expect was the amount of laughing I did. But the laughing was with a purity and levity I wasn't too sure was even appropriate. What I mean is, this synopsis read as an emotional introduction to someone trying to come to terms with their new life, so the levity of Jace's handling of not only the bad days, but the good ones too, it made for such a refreshing and crisp read.
All I'm saying is, if you want a quick read guaranteed to make you smile and perk you up, The Last Text is definitely one you should consider. I liked it. I smiled throughout it. I fell in love with two guys that needed nothing more than the love between them to get through their days. So worthy. And it was a damn novella? Sheesh...I could have kept reading their story. I'm so glad I pounced when I saw this over on The Scarlet Siren earlier this month. Thanks for the rec, Mo!!
"Sometimes, the best things are the hardest to acquire."
~BEE
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AMAZON - Kindle Unlimited: https://amzn.to/2JFPDzK
ENTER HERE FOR A CHANCE TO WIN AN ECOPY: http://bit.ly/2WL67ua
"I'm a very talented man, Merrick, you just don't know it yet."
I love when I add a new to me author to my schedule and am pleasantly surprised by the book I read. Alice Winters is very new to me. She normally writes action and comedy, and even has a paranormal thriller comedy....all centered around MM romance. The Last Text was her first jump into Contemporary MM, and now I am peeping out her other books. She's definitely on my radar now and after reading this one and knowing that she was able to give me a full story wrapped up in a novella sized package, I am most pleasantly surprised.
While it was a an easy read with swift storytelling, watching Merrick figure out his new normal while Jace became a part of it just made me smile. Navigating a world without your person has got to be so difficult, and I cannot even begin to imagine that pain. In comes Jace and who can't love Jace?? I loved Jace! Becoming more than friends and the way they started out truly melted my heart. You truly know you've found your match when your days are brightened and made better by the one trying to hold you up when you need it the most. I feel like with this one, Alice gave me a story that while it was short and to the point, I was still able to fall in love with these characters and still feel the pain and sorrow that Merrick was going through. I was still able to fall in love through Merrick's mental eye and watching it come together made for butterflies and smiles. Seriously, I smiled so much while reading this book.
I love the idea of fate. The paths that cross when all other roads look to be diversions...attempts at dislocating fate. But fate can't be stopped and I loved the ease in which Winters told Merrick's story. Circumstances and fate are strong in this one - well placed. It's like reality is peeking in between the world Merrick was hiding in - his own little bubble, and the world that kept going on around him despite his best efforts. Until Jace. Until fate. Jace was such a breath of fresh air with a soft heart that was so embracing. Their dynamic worked on every level for me too. They weren't alpha or cold. They were real men with real feelings and I love how Winters wrote them.
"No one is replacing him. You are creating new memories to add to your old ones."
What I didn't expect was the amount of laughing I did. But the laughing was with a purity and levity I wasn't too sure was even appropriate. What I mean is, this synopsis read as an emotional introduction to someone trying to come to terms with their new life, so the levity of Jace's handling of not only the bad days, but the good ones too, it made for such a refreshing and crisp read.
All I'm saying is, if you want a quick read guaranteed to make you smile and perk you up, The Last Text is definitely one you should consider. I liked it. I smiled throughout it. I fell in love with two guys that needed nothing more than the love between them to get through their days. So worthy. And it was a damn novella? Sheesh...I could have kept reading their story. I'm so glad I pounced when I saw this over on The Scarlet Siren earlier this month. Thanks for the rec, Mo!!
"Sometimes, the best things are the hardest to acquire."
~BEE
PURCHASE (Affiliate)
AMAZON - Kindle Unlimited: https://amzn.to/2JFPDzK
ENTER HERE FOR A CHANCE TO WIN AN ECOPY: http://bit.ly/2WL67ua
July 30, 2019
This was a cute story, with humor, a bit of feels and a strangers to friends to lovers romance. The grief wasn't angsty, it had been 2 years since Merrick lost the love of his life. He is still mired in it (and is overly coddled by his overly involved mother and sister), but it's not a fresh wound, which I think might have added a bit more of an intensity to the emotion.
Jace is a breath of fresh air and, really, almost too perfect to be true. The two click instantly over text, and Jace wants nothing more than to be there for Merrick. I do wish we had some of his POV as at times the relationship felt very one-sided, with Jace constantly holding up Merrick. Once Merrick started to embrace the idea of moving forward, I did enjoy their banter and they had good chemistry.
The one thing that really annoyed me is that Merrick's family treats him like a child, and he allows it. I mean, his mother actually picks up his phone when he steps away to see who's texting him. I got to the point where I cringed whenever his family was on-page.
Jace is a breath of fresh air and, really, almost too perfect to be true. The two click instantly over text, and Jace wants nothing more than to be there for Merrick. I do wish we had some of his POV as at times the relationship felt very one-sided, with Jace constantly holding up Merrick. Once Merrick started to embrace the idea of moving forward, I did enjoy their banter and they had good chemistry.
The one thing that really annoyed me is that Merrick's family treats him like a child, and he allows it. I mean, his mother actually picks up his phone when he steps away to see who's texting him. I got to the point where I cringed whenever his family was on-page.
September 9, 2022
Reread 7/12/2019 still love it
new decade 2/15/2020 still full of awesome
Reread 11/15/2021
Reread 3/13/2022
9/9/2022 reread audible audio narrated by Michael Ferraiuolo (yessss)
—————-original review——————
4.5* rounded up for Gramps. I enjoyed this quite a bit. Merrick is grieving the loss of his partner. He sends him a text every year on his birthday. This year, someone responds. What follows is a beautiful friendship that slowly grows into much more. Merrick isn't instantly over his grief. It's a process. Jace helps him learn to start living again. I loved them together. Jace's sense of humor made me grin. I will gladly read this all over again.
new decade 2/15/2020 still full of awesome
Reread 11/15/2021
Reread 3/13/2022
9/9/2022 reread audible audio narrated by Michael Ferraiuolo (yessss)
—————-original review——————
4.5* rounded up for Gramps. I enjoyed this quite a bit. Merrick is grieving the loss of his partner. He sends him a text every year on his birthday. This year, someone responds. What follows is a beautiful friendship that slowly grows into much more. Merrick isn't instantly over his grief. It's a process. Jace helps him learn to start living again. I loved them together. Jace's sense of humor made me grin. I will gladly read this all over again.
May 15, 2019
No soy nada fan de la trama con personaje viudo, pero le di una oportunidad por las buenas críticas. Desgraciadamente, no me ha convencido, nada. La trama está mil veces vista y los personajes me parecen muy planos y con el drama muy previsible. No me ha despertado nada y ese cambio del personaje viudo en cuestión de un mes me parece muy muy poco creíble.
June 15, 2020
So boring I can cry. The premise promised deep emotions. My expectations were utterly unmet.
December 27, 2021
[3.5] as long as you don’t go in expecting a dissection/depiction of grief on par with Nicky James and vibe with Alice Winters’ characteristic sense of humor, i think you’ll enjoy this!
May 20, 2019
Overall book rating: 4
Audio Book: N/A
Book Cover: 3.8
Yes. I liked this.
I liked the idea of texting someone you lost. I liked the idea of “someone” texting back.
I can see how this book won’t work for everyone.
But I’m one of those it did work for.
There were things that I’d like to have been a little different maybe, like having a little more of Jace and his background. Who he is except for being an amazing guy who gave so much of himself for a total stranger.
I have to say this!!! I ADORE Jace’s grandpa! He’s such a hoot! I laughed the whole scene through when he got involved. I can just picture it I swear!
This was a feel good thing. Full Stop.
And it made me feel good.
Audio Book: N/A
Book Cover: 3.8
Yes. I liked this.
I liked the idea of texting someone you lost. I liked the idea of “someone” texting back.
I can see how this book won’t work for everyone.
But I’m one of those it did work for.
There were things that I’d like to have been a little different maybe, like having a little more of Jace and his background. Who he is except for being an amazing guy who gave so much of himself for a total stranger.
I have to say this!!! I ADORE Jace’s grandpa! He’s such a hoot! I laughed the whole scene through when he got involved. I can just picture it I swear!
This was a feel good thing. Full Stop.
And it made me feel good.
June 5, 2023
Tears were shed with this one.
Loved Jace and how he just went with everything. I also really liked Merrick and the way it was shown how he was struggling to come to terms with his grief.
I think I could have rated this a 5 if it were a bit longer so the characters were a bit more in depth, and the relationship felt more substantial because it felt like everything happened really quickly. I was also really hoping for a bit more tension with the family treating Merrick like he was totally breakable, I'd have lost my cool waaaay before he even slightly snaps!
It also felt a little like we got to know Daniel more than the two MC's because everything kept relating back to him. Fair enough he's always going to be a huge part of Merrick's life, but I would have liked a little less time on getting to know the 'ghost' and more on getting to know the actual characters and seeing their relationship progress.
Loved Jace and how he just went with everything. I also really liked Merrick and the way it was shown how he was struggling to come to terms with his grief.
I think I could have rated this a 5 if it were a bit longer so the characters were a bit more in depth, and the relationship felt more substantial because it felt like everything happened really quickly. I was also really hoping for a bit more tension with the family treating Merrick like he was totally breakable, I'd have lost my cool waaaay before he even slightly snaps!
It also felt a little like we got to know Daniel more than the two MC's because everything kept relating back to him. Fair enough he's always going to be a huge part of Merrick's life, but I would have liked a little less time on getting to know the 'ghost' and more on getting to know the actual characters and seeing their relationship progress.
dnf
June 16, 2020Dnf at 10%
May 21, 2019
3.25 stars
I wanted to like this more than I did, because Merrick and Jace were cute and sweet together, and there were funny parts. I wanted to be able to give this at least four stars, but in the end I couldn't.
There was just a little too much of the..how do I put it? "Funny Conversations" i guess...like Jace was joking and Merrick was joking, and Jace's grandfather showed and was joking the entire time he was in the book, and it just got to be too much after a bit. The lack of any real conflict got to be a little much. I'm fine with fluffy, low angst stories as much as the next person, but this story was dealing with the grief of losing a lover, and I tagged this as fluff and not even angst because it didn't even feel angsty.
Even though Merrick and Jace didn't even have sex until like...god, 75% or 80% into the book. They took it relatively slow but also not...and then when he do get to sex it's lackluster. Merrick was still struggling with Daniel's death but also...it didn't feel like it too much? He didn't even go to a therapist like Jace had suggested, he just talked to Jace a few times and was fine? I mean? Why make it such a big deal and don't give it the payoff it deserves?
Some of the characters attitudes bothered me a bit, like Merrick's sister and her husband when they meet Jace, and again, Jace's grandfather. Like did the guy ever stop? And also I would find a joke about being his boyfriend funny like once, but the old man did it like...the entire time. It was weird and over the top and I would have been uncomfortable right quick. I know that's me and maybe not everyone would, but...also I feel like most would, at least after a bit of this.
I did love the beginning when Merrick and Jace were getting to know each other over the phone, it was cute and fun to read, and these two were cute throughout this.
The meeting someone over text through a wrong number (although not exactly as this is Merrick's dead boyfriend's number) would never go this well in real life lol (I've had this happen to me and it was never ever like this lol. Just a quick "you have the wrong number" and then never hear from whoever it is again lol) and our dream partner happening to be on the other end of that phone happening is almost nothing, but it is fun to read for romance and the meet cute of it all. I've read one other story like this, so I don't mind this (maybe growing?) trope, but I do have to admit just how unrealistic it is lol.
But that didn't bother me all that much in the end because it's just cute and fun to think of that happening (instead of it amounting to nothing), so I don't mind it. I just mostly minded the constant joking and and the lackluster heat between these two. The romance was there, but the passion? Not so much. I wish there had been more.
So overall this was okay, I liked it, I though Merrick and Jace were cute and sweet together, but it just fell short of the mark for me.
I wanted to like this more than I did, because Merrick and Jace were cute and sweet together, and there were funny parts. I wanted to be able to give this at least four stars, but in the end I couldn't.
There was just a little too much of the..how do I put it? "Funny Conversations" i guess...like Jace was joking and Merrick was joking, and Jace's grandfather showed and was joking the entire time he was in the book, and it just got to be too much after a bit. The lack of any real conflict got to be a little much. I'm fine with fluffy, low angst stories as much as the next person, but this story was dealing with the grief of losing a lover, and I tagged this as fluff and not even angst because it didn't even feel angsty.
Even though Merrick and Jace didn't even have sex until like...god, 75% or 80% into the book. They took it relatively slow but also not...and then when he do get to sex it's lackluster. Merrick was still struggling with Daniel's death but also...it didn't feel like it too much? He didn't even go to a therapist like Jace had suggested, he just talked to Jace a few times and was fine? I mean? Why make it such a big deal and don't give it the payoff it deserves?
Some of the characters attitudes bothered me a bit, like Merrick's sister and her husband when they meet Jace, and again, Jace's grandfather. Like did the guy ever stop? And also I would find a joke about being his boyfriend funny like once, but the old man did it like...the entire time. It was weird and over the top and I would have been uncomfortable right quick. I know that's me and maybe not everyone would, but...also I feel like most would, at least after a bit of this.
I did love the beginning when Merrick and Jace were getting to know each other over the phone, it was cute and fun to read, and these two were cute throughout this.
The meeting someone over text through a wrong number (although not exactly as this is Merrick's dead boyfriend's number) would never go this well in real life lol (I've had this happen to me and it was never ever like this lol. Just a quick "you have the wrong number" and then never hear from whoever it is again lol) and our dream partner happening to be on the other end of that phone happening is almost nothing, but it is fun to read for romance and the meet cute of it all. I've read one other story like this, so I don't mind this (maybe growing?) trope, but I do have to admit just how unrealistic it is lol.
But that didn't bother me all that much in the end because it's just cute and fun to think of that happening (instead of it amounting to nothing), so I don't mind it. I just mostly minded the constant joking and and the lackluster heat between these two. The romance was there, but the passion? Not so much. I wish there had been more.
So overall this was okay, I liked it, I though Merrick and Jace were cute and sweet together, but it just fell short of the mark for me.
June 7, 2020
⭐️⭐️.5/5 Stars. Rounding up because it was very sweet. I just didn’t click with the humor and weird family dynamics. Which is odd because I love the author’s, “Hitman,” and, “In Darkness,” series. Here it felt forced to me.
May 23, 2019
2.5 ⭐ rounded up for the ending
May 20, 2019
I think we can all agree that there’s no one formula to deal with grief. It’s a complex emotion and frankly, very few books and authors have tried to hash it out in a way which keeps you hooked and makes you believe in the characters’ journey. That said, this book ended up on the formulaic edge for me. It didn’t have the girth and depth it so clearly needed to endear us to the characters. I think the author thought of the phone-texting-gone-wrong as a cool idea for the MCs to connect and tried to build a story from there, which at the start was fine and cute but it ended up being too insta-love and shallow for me. I think the characters deserved more exploration and ‘hurdles’ going in. And that’s my point, as a reader I shouldn’t have been thinking that there should have been more ‘difficulty’ in their relationship. For me it’s a sign that I didn’t connect with the characters.
Also, I don’t like when the hurt MC is the only one being coddled all the time by the other. Like the other one is just an angel who came to save the day. If Jace had a complex past, it should have been explored to show more of his vulnerability and humanity, not make him out to be some token guy who comes and be the ‘understanding therapist’ of the relationship because that just gets old after a certain point.
Also, I don’t like when the hurt MC is the only one being coddled all the time by the other. Like the other one is just an angel who came to save the day. If Jace had a complex past, it should have been explored to show more of his vulnerability and humanity, not make him out to be some token guy who comes and be the ‘understanding therapist’ of the relationship because that just gets old after a certain point.
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