Last Good Thing

by Heather Young-Nichols

One devastating secret could destroy me.I left. It wasn’t by choice, but I was the one to leave with promises of staying in touch. It was only supposed to be a year.When my friends abruptly stopped talking to me, one year turned into forever.Then, tragedy strikes and drags me back home. Home. To the friends that were no longer friends and the boy next door who ignored me when I needed them all the most.East Branch isn’t big enough to avoid them. When I do, the secrets come to light. Secrets they could’ve told me. Secrets my father never should’ve hidden. Not to mention that seeing Zac brings back all the feelings I convinced myself no longer existed.He abandoned me once. Can I risk my heart on a promise that he won’t do it again?

392 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 13, 2020

About the author

Heather Young-Nichols is a USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary and paranormal romances. She writes swoony heroes and snarly heroines with a heap of romance.

When she's not writing, she's binging a show with her kids, watching baseball, or snuggling with her cuddly animals.

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Reviews

[Ana Laura]

So he was so devastated that she was leaving that he decided to fuck her best friend ??? Yes, that is a great justification!!!

[Fre06 Begum]

Although I didn’t like that he had a child with her best friend at all I actually thought the heroine handled it in a realistic way. She was jealous, angry and hurt. I did feel with all the betrayal she felt that she gave into Zak too quickly but she is def not as weak as some other characters in other new adult books I have read. I am also that author didn’t go down the route of h staying celibate as that’s always a theme I hate when hero had moved on and heroine stayed frozen. So all in all It was ok but not a comfortable read for me

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Elizabeth]

Spoilers
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Why is it always the best friend? WHY? No girl wants to be with a guy who has fucked her best friend, NO GIRL, so why do romance books keep doing this? 🙄

[Lu Bielefeld · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 ⭐⭐ - Meh!
==============

The heroes were not a couple, they were supposed to be best friends. But another best friend got pregnant with the hero's baby and they both didn't have the decency to communicate to our heroine and they just cut her off from their lives for four years.
If the heroine’s father hadn’t died she wouldn’t have come back and they simply wouldn’t talk to her or contact her again.
What friendship is that?
What love is that?
She forgives everything very easily and ends the story for now, as it continues in the next book as a background for the next couple.

[Ellie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't like kids taking up space in my romance novels. Not with the main couple, not with other people. But the way the kid in this particular book came to exist was just kind of messed up in its own way.

In this oft-recycled plot device, we have a teenage pregnancy, this between the H and the h's best girlfriend 🙄. It gets kind of murky here because the H and h were besties since childhood, she had unrequited feelings that nobody knew about so it wasn't like it was a huge no-go that the H was with the best friend. But still.
The h was moving away and not only did the H not tell her what had happened, but he, the best friend and every other 'friend' with whom she'd grown up ghosted her after she moved. One by one, they all stopped calling, texting, etc. For 4 years! And nobody would have reached out if she hadn't been forced to return to settle her late father's affairs.

The h had a bit more backbone than the norm, but nevertheless, she fell back in with everyone too easily for my liking. She was having a relatively normal conversation with the H the very day she returned and went out to meet the old gang at a bar later on and I was like, WTF?

No way would I be even talking with the people who'd cut me off in such a way, let alone going to drink in a bar with them! And the reasoning behind all their actions was so lame in the end I really didn't care any longer.

However, I think one of the mistakes a lot of readers make is forgetting that many of the foolish, impulsive or inexplicable actions of book characters are actually quite normal for a certain age group. Let's face it, a lot of us adult readers are trying to connect with and relate to characters that are younger than us, at the same time forgetting precisely that - they are younger than us. Their brains aren't even fully developed yet!

Not like we have much choice in romance novels, though. Not too many writers penning books with characters over 30 these days. I'm not saying that age excuses some of the rank stupidity displayed by do many characters. Not at all. But I am saying that keeping it all in context might help to avoid the frustration caused by some of these stories.

Or not. Maybe I've just become desensitised after all the crap I've had to wade through to find a good book here and there.

At any rate, this book wasn't as annoying as usual, but for the love of God, HIRE A PROOFREADER.

[Vfc · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spelling and grammatical errors...could benefit from an editor or an editing tool.

Told entirely in Laney’s POV, it would have been helpful to glean Zac’s insight.

Four years ago, Laney was part of a closely-knit group of friends. Laney’s parents got divorced and soon after Laney and her mother left town. Maddie was already pregnant with Zac’s baby but they didn’t bother to tell her...but conspired to keep the pregnancy from her.

Zac was instrumental in everyone shutting her out to keep his and Maddie’s secret because he didn’t want anyone to tell her they were having a baby together. I didn’t get a significant impression of guilt or remorse.

Laney has temporarily returned to settle her father’s estate due to his unexpected, but recent death. There are many revelations, her friends and her father’s.

Maddie started distancing herself from Laney before she left town, Laney had sensed she was seeing someone...which was true. Zac had extracted a promise swearing Maddie and their friends to secrecy, followed by severing all communication and never responding to or returning her telephone calls.

They are now all twenty-four and Zac and Maddie, co-parent a four-year old son. Their entire group of friends remained in town through economic circumstances and lack of opportunity, never venturing further than their town.

Zac was her best friend, her confidant and her closely guarded crush. He admitted when he lost his virginity and when Maddie and himself hooked up one night before she left; yet he did not admit his feelings for her or that his night with Maddie resulted in an unplanned pregnancy.

Feeling as he did about Laney, why would he feel it necessary to confide such intimacies to her and why get involved with one of their friends?

Maddie to Laney:::
“What did he say?”
“The first thing he said was ‘We can’t tell Laney.’ Sorry.”
I swallowed hard under her watchful gaze. They’d never intended to tell her, they hadn’t lost touch; they plotted to keep her in the dark.

...and justified their silence because she was leaving.
“Why didn’t you guys tell me after I was gone?”
“I wish we had, but you were so different from us, Laney.”
“No, I wasn’t.” I’d been one of them. Part of their group. They’d been my family.
“Yes, you were. You are. We knew in middle school that you were getting out”.

“Why’d you hook up with Maddie in the first place?”
“She was there. I was pissed off that you were leaving, even though I knew you would eventually. It just seemed too soon, and I couldn’t imagine senior year without you” (he wanted to have sex and Maddie was convenient). “And it’d been a while if I’m being honest. I just… wanted to let off some steam, I guess”.
“What was all that Porter was saying? You were drunk the weekend I left?”
“I was upset that you were leaving. Maddie was pregnant and I knew I was losing you. Things would never be the same. I wanted to block out the world.”

SHE DISCOVERS MORE KEPT SECRETS
Her father led a secret life one he’d kept hidden from her, until she began clearing out his room. Confronting Zac:
“I didn’t know you didn’t know.”
“Yeah, seems like that’s your thing. Is there anything you do tell me? The biggest thing to happen to you and you didn’t pick up the phone.”
“Don’t worry, Zac. You’re not the a**hole, I am for thinking anything had changed. For thinking that we were something.”
“We are,” he said, interrupting.
“No. We aren’t. Not when one of us hides things from the other. Not when one of us is obviously so judgmental that she can’t be trusted to tell the important things. Not when one of us is so obviously hated that the other left and forgets her the moment she’s gone”. She wasn’t certain if he could be trusted.

She felt hurt, betrayed, angry and resentful that her father, her friends...everyone kept secrets from her, secrets they denied her, that she felt they couldn’t trust themselves to share with her.

Her parents divorced because her father thought he might be gay and wanted to explore that part of his life. She’s hurt that her mother and father kept this from her and it was revealed through her cleaning out his house.

A realistic depiction of switching allegiances and the fallout. Laney was not a doormat, she was assertive and demanding (clearly, she is thrilled to be barely out of college and helping him raise his son). Their reasoning for keeping secrets was well-intentioned but made no sense.

[C · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐️

[Danny Lea · Rating 3 out of 5]

This ended up being completely YA. With what I thought would have a lot of angst, but completely fizzled out. Plot goes as MMCs are all bff's from a not so great neighborhood in Michigan. Our main MMCs both have unrequited love for each other, but of course never spill the beans. Zac is so distraught knowing the h will be leaving that he sleeps with their other friend Maddie. Completely understandable... yeah absolutely not. 😂 Anyways, dear ol Maddie becomes preggers and Zac swears EVERYONE to secrecy. Even Laney's own father keeps this from her. So Laney after moving keeps trying to stay in contact with everyone, but they all ghost her. Complete immature little shits. Four year's later she comes back having to clean out her father's house after his death. And here is where this book made me sad. Her parent's divorced before Laney moved with her mother, but never gave the reason. The reason being her father ended up being gay. So they go four year's until his death with Laney knowing nothing. She's understandably hurt. Not only did her so called friends ghost her, but her father asked her not to come back to her home town for that reason she had no idea about. That was heartbreaking. So much regret. She ended up meeting her father's boyfriend, but by that time I was even feeling resentment towards everyone. Laney started to judge herself as a bad person because she felt no one trusted her. She was completely left out of an important part of her father's life. As far as the relationship went between Laney and Zac? They do end up together and get their HEA, but the chemistry honestly between them was crap. I could not connect to them as a couple. They talked like this generation does as not knowing what actual dating is and being with someone. So we get, " let's not see other people while we're together." Wtf is that? I need my main couple to be head over heels in love. But these two? Like tea you forgot about gone cold. Only way I can describe them.

[Kristen Lewendon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m having a bit of a disconnect with this book as I’m reading about hot summer weather, but I look out the window at feet of drifted snow and temperatures that will freeze skin in mere minutes. Now, I’m finding that I’m having a great deal of difficulty putting my thoughts about this story into words. It’s a beautiful story of life, loss, love, and second chances, but there’s a point where everything breaks down that made me want to throw heavy objects at breakable things. I pretty much adored Zac through the whole book, and my heart broke for Laney. However, it was during that period where I wanted to throw things that I didn’t much like Laney at all. The story goes on to redeem their misunderstandings, but I can’t help feeling like she wasn’t being fair to anyone during that time. I’m already falling in love with this group of characters and I’m hoping to read much more about them.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book through Booksprout.

[Antoinette Bull · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laney was returning to her Fathers home as he has died, it was also the home where she had grown up in but moved away a few years ago due to her Mother and Father divorcing. She discovers her best friend Zac has a child with her best female friend but no one had told her this, she also discovers that her Father was in a relationship with a man, again no one had told her. I liked the book in most parts but did find her reactions and the ways she dealt with finding stuff out that had happened while she had been away was a bit weird.

[Lenna Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most of this story was very emotional, I’ve even shed some tears remembering the loss of a parent and the how seems like everyone keeps things from you that when you do eventually learn about it that others already knew, hurts. As the ending, Laynie goes back to to her mom’s before the start of college after making up and moving her relationship with Zac along, but did she go back home like she promised?

[Jessica Calla · Rating 5 out of 5]

LAST GOOD THING was a wonderful, second chances, NA read about Laney and Zac, who grew up as neighbors in a somewhat rundown suburban town in Michigan. Laney and Zac were best friends, until Laney moved her senior year of high school. She'd always felt more for him, but they hadn't crossed the line from friends to a couple.

When Laney moved, Zac, along with her other hometown friends, ghosted her. She never knew why. When she is forced back to her old neighborhood after a family tragedy, Laney must confront the people of her past and deal with her lingering feelings for Zac. Zac and Laney respark a friendship, but can she trust him to move their relationship even further?

I loved LAST GOOD THING, and can't wait for book 2 of the series! Heather Young-Nichols writes relatable, young characters, who act their age, which is refreshing for the NA genre. They aren't perfect, they do dumb things, and as readers and fans of NA, we learn to appreciate and accept that. This was a wonderful love story about two kids who matured during their time apart, for different reasons, and who find their way back to each other.

[Char (1RadReader59) · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anyone who loses one of the most important men in her life, one that you can never see again, it is heartbreaking. And in this situation, it is even worse. With the way things ended up, with her so-called friends back in Laney Douglas's hometown, it pricked at her anger. But, it was a task she could no longer avoid. She had lost her father to a heart attack.

Laney needed to clean out his house and get it ready to sell. The hardest would be avoiding the boy next door, Zac Walsh. Whom she had crushed on since she could, as a grade-schooler. The worst part though is he lived next door and she knew at some point there would be a showdown. You see every single lifelong friend she had before her parents divorced ghosted her when she had to move at the end of the school year.

The ones that hurt the most were her best female friend Maddie who, to be honest, had been pulling away from her before she started the final countdown to move. Then, there is Zac who had done the same when he stopped calling and returning calls and texts. Eventually radio silence from everyone. Lainey’s parents were newly divorced, and she had started a new experience being a college student and more importantly, being ghosted by all her friends.

Sounded like a great way to start the next four years of her college life, NOT. However, Laney overall has a great heart. So she does meet a great new best friend, Rhian Schwartz. Rhian is a girl who likes to talk and problem-solve. Yet don’t think she won’t call BS when you do not see your truth or that of others and you are trying to sugarcoat it. However, when Laney finally talks herself into getting out of the car and into the house, she hears Zac’s voice several feet away.

Asked if it was her. She tried to smile when she said his name but she couldn't all she could do was still feel the hurt and anger. “I’m fine. What’re you doing back in town?” “Well… um… My dad died. I’m sorry to hear that. He was a great guy.” The conversation was killing her. But, oh boy, was it about to get worse. That's when Dylan barrels out of the house straight for Zac’s leg. Yelling, “Daddy!” Laney welcomed the interruption. She reminded herself that Zac was not hers. Jealousy had no place here because he showed Laney his true colors. He even should have had the title of friend.

Therefore, there could never be a love interest. Her thoughts go to Zac procreating with someone. It pissed her off for being left in the dark. What else had she missed out on or hadn’t been told, in the last four years? She asked if he was married, no. Asked Dylan’s age, four. She went through the memory bank and “Maddie Preston?” she said. He nods. Then, Laney says, “Ah, the girl every guy wanted.” Zac tried to use one of his many cryptic lines to make me feel better, “She wasn’t the only one every guy wanted.” However, this time it wasn't going to work. “Guys didn’t want me in high school, Zac.

They wanted what they thought or heard I might do with them, but they didn’t want me. Wait!… If Dylan’s going to be four, then Maddie was already pregnant when I moved. And you didn’t tell me.” But, then the cold hard reality seeped in. It shouldn’t matter, she told herself, but it did. “Sorry,” she said. “That was rude. You don’t owe me anything. “See you around as she turns and walks away.”

She waves behind her not turning around. “I’m kind of surprised your dad didn’t tell you. He played with Dylan all the time.” That was a punch straight to the gut and she had to get away from Zac. “Yeah, I don’t know. See ya.” It just seemed everyone in this town was keeping secrets from her, including her father. Doesn’t matter she’s cleaning out the house and moving back to school. Then, before you know it school will be over this next school year, and she can move far away from everyone in it. This is a story of betrayal, love, friendship, misunderstandings, lies, sexy scenes, and toxic scenes of purging past pains. This is another very good piece of storytelling by this author.

[Christoph J Sikora · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Novel About Belonging... to a Place and to People

Last Good Thing by Heather Young-Nichols, Book 1 in her Fallout series, starts slowly but builds into an enthralling adventure with characters to root for--even the ones on the border or the outside .

For the past four years, Laney has seen herself as an outsider. After her parents' divorce, she moved three hours away from her hometown of East Branch for her senior year of high school and then college. Between her junior and senior year of college, her father dies, and she has to return to East Branch to clear out his house--and try to sort things out with the "friends" who dropped her when she left town. She learns secrets kept from her by her best friends and by her father, and Last Good Thing chronicles her efforts to come to terms with those revelations before she returns to college for her senior year.

The major male character, Zac,is the proverbial "boy next door", one of her best friends and the object of a crush she's hidden so deeply that none of her other friends know about it. He has a son, and when Laney does the math she realizes that his baby-mama was pregnant before she left--and neither of them told her. The sense of betrayal increases exponentially when she discovers a fundamental aspect of her father's life that he hadn't revealed to her before his death--an aspect Zac knew about. Is her blowup at Zac because of the secret he kept from her four years ago or the secret she thinks he kept from her when she came back two months earlier? Is the romantic relationship they've just started doomed because he didn't tell her things long ago or recently? Only time, an obscene amount of tequila, a coffee-shop conversation with a middle-aged man, and a backyard cookout will provide answers!

I liked Laney and even identified with her--until she started openly questioning the basis of her relationship with Zac. He kept the secret of four years ago because he didn't want to disappoint her and he was a scared high school kid. He didn't keep her father's secret from her at all--he thought she knew it! She was projecting her anger from four years ago onto him, and a talk with one of her dad's close friends makes her realize that Zac doesn't deserve her rage. Being a romance, Last Good Thing requires the hero (Zac) and heroine (Laney) to end up together, with a promise of lasting love. It does all that and more: Laney arranges to do her student teaching in East Branch and then teach there full-time, keeping her in her favorite town--her home--with her favorite guy!

I wondered how Last Good Thing got its name. I still don't know what that "thing" is, but I enjoyed the book so much I didn't care!

Please note that this is not a "closed door" romance, but the sex scenes are brief and don't over-describe the act. If that's not your cup of tea, you won't have the same reading experience I did. But if you can put your filter on regarding language and sexual content, you'll love Last Good Thing! Thanks, Heather Young-Nichols, for writing a book I didn't know I wanted to read!

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a second chance romance that focuses on secrets and forgiveness. Laney Douglas is forced to return to her hometown after leaving and never wanting to come back. But her father’s death means that she has to settle his estate. She wished he had remarried so it wouldn’t be her responsibility. She would have preferred sneaking into town and leaving without running into people, but things are never that easy. As she walked to the front door, she hears a familiar voice from next door and turns to see her former best friend and the guy she had always wanted, Zac Walsh. As he asked her questions about her dad’s death, Zac’s almost-4-year-old son, Dylan, ran up to him saying he was hungry. Dylan went back to his house, and Zac stood there looking guilty. Doing the math, she figured out that her friend, Maddie Preston, had been pregnant at the time Laney had left town. Neither of them had told her. Nor had they kept in touch with her.
A knock at her door, Laney found Zac telling her she needed to come to Mac’s with him to meet the gang. They heard she was back and were eager to see her again. She refused, but Zac came inside and said if she didn’t come, they would all show up on her porch. Then he told her he didn’t intend to let her get away again. When he grabbed her wrist, her feelings for him all came back, whether she wanted them to or not!

Is Laney ready to forgive all the things she wasn’t told or the way her friends stopped talking to her? Or is she ready to forgive, ask for answers to her questions, and move on with her life? Will she give Zac a second chance to explain and maybe allow a relationship with her now, or have the secrets destroyed that possibility?

This was such a good book as the author takes us slowly through the missed opportunities and misdirection of Zac and Laney’s early years. She was so convincing that Zac was just a best friend that no one knew how much more was in her heart. Will she finally tell him? Will she perhaps find that he felt the same?

[Raecharmed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laney is back to her old hometown to clear out her father's home after he suddenly died while visiting her. Laney and her mother left just before her senior year of high school yet she never knew why her parents split up. Once she moved away all of her friends stopped talking to her as well. Now she's back and the first person she runs into is Zach one of her best friends and the guy she always wanted to be with. Not sure if she's up to confronting him on why he stopped all contact with her Laney moves towards the house when suddenly a little boy comes calling Zach dad. A secret kept from her is revealed and she doesn't know how to handle it so she pulls away to start working on packing up. Once Zach knows she is back he wants to try and reestablish their friendship even though he wants something more with her. Word gets out about her being back and soon other friends are reaching out to her. But the pain of being without friends after she moved has her hesitating doing anything with them. With sheer persistence Zach manages to break through to Laney and they start being friends again. However every time she thinks there aren't anymore surprises yet another one pops up. With all the secrets she's uncovering as she packs up and talks to friends can Laney see herself staying or will it have her leaving sooner than she planned? Can Zach convince her to give him another chance and stay with him?

This is a very emotional story once I started it I couldn't put it down. The chemistry between them is blazing hot. This is a well written and very entertaining story. I would recommend this book to any book lover.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shermaine Dowling · Rating 4 out of 5]

I must admit that while I thoroughly loved this story of young Laney, returning to her hometown after having left home following her parents' divorce, and attending state college away from her hometown, to deal with her recently deceased father's personal belongings and property, there was one naggling thing that bothered me throughout the story. Laney and Zac, across-the-street neighbors, were best friends until she left their hometown at the end of her 11th grade year of high school. Laney never acknowledged her secret love for Zac, but the fact that Zac, as well as their close friends, completely shut her out of communication upon her departure has been very difficult for her to accept. She returned to East Branch, Ohio, to deal with her late dad's business, but also to find out why those whom she felt were her friends, totally disregarded and ignored her upon her move. She returns to learn a big surprise about Zac and her good friend, Maddie, as well as some other surprises. But despite her struggles with understanding the ostracizing, she and Zac admit some things, and there is an HEA, although, I was disappointed there was no Epilogue. But perhaps in the 2nd book of the series we may hear more. The one naggling problem I had? How did Zac, who lived right across the street from her one-time home, and her dad, never know of his death? (This is the only reason my review is 4-star and not 5-star.)

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Last Good Thing
The Fallout Series 1
by Heather Young-Nichols
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Laney Douglas never meant to return to her old town, East Branch. But, life being what it is, she had to return to close up her father’s house since his death. When she had moved away with her mother after the divorce, she had to leave all her friends and memories as well. Now, she as work to do as well as mourning her father. Almost as soon as she arrives though, she runs into her old best friend Zac Walsh. My have things changed in the relatively short time she’s been gone! We get a good glimpse into the relationship of Laney and Zac, plus, the third in the group, Maddie Preston. In friendship, groups of three seldom work out for the best, and this certainly is a case in point! Wow, as usual, up front honesty and transparency could have saved so much time and useless angst, but, then we wouldn’t have this entrancing book! Good story with good, sympathetic (mostly) characters.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kayla Pocernich · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a second chance romance novel featuring Zac and Laney and it's your typical girl falls for the boy next door romance book. Laney returns back to her hometown to take care of her father's estate due to his death. When she returns home she runs into her former best friend Zac and his 4 year old son Dylan and Laney learns that Maddie (former best friend) was pregnant when she left town and Zac didn't tell her. Laney's return home isn't easy for her with dealing with her past (the secret that her parent's kept from her) present and what her future is going took like. Laney and Zac start spending some time together and that isn't easy for Laney because of there past. Does Laney give Zac a second chance or does she decide that there are too many secrets between them. Read this book and found out if these 2 get there happy ending.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mindy Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Book 1 in the Fallout Series and my first read by this author, and I must say that I am pleasantly surprised. I quite enjoyed the storyline, the characters, and the author's writing style.. It is a heartfelt, second chance romance between former best friends, Laney and Zac. Once they re-connect, it is a journey of self-discovery as these two likable characters figure out a renewed relationship between them with love and intimacy, along with drama, heartache, and forgiveness. It is a love story dealing with the rebuilding of trust and strengthening of love. Overall, it is a solid read with heart, heat, and a happy for now ending.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Juliana Ignácio · Rating 5 out of 5]

After her parents split up, Laney leaves East Branch and her friends stop contacting her. Now, four years later, she needs to return after her father's death, but is afraid to find Zac, Maddie and their other friends again.
When she sets foot in her home, she is welcomed by Zac, her former best friend and crush, and a big surprise that no one had told her about.
As the summer goes on, she starts to pack up at her father's house and reconnect with her old friends, mainly Zac. But when a new secret, this time from her own father, comes up, she doesn't know if she can trust everyone again because she couldn't bear to have her heart broken again.
I loved the story and the characters. I recommend the reading.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laney was forced to move away from her home town - home of her crush and best friend, Zac, Maddie (her female best friend), and other friends from HS. Years later she has to return to the place she never thought she'd return - and have to face the people she thought were her friends, but who disappeared without a word. She's lost over the death of her father, the loss of her friendships, and having to face these memories and people from her past. Secrets unfold, true feelings are acknowledged, but can Laney forgive? Will she be able to find happiness? This story caught my attention from the beginning and kept it until the end. There were moments that had me laughing and moments that had me reaching for a tissue. Looking forward to seeing what Heather Young Nichols comes up with next.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Heather Young-Nichols new series "Last Good Thing". I recieved a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review - but I would have gladly paid full price. This is a great author who writes engaging characters and entertaining story lines full of laughter, witty dialogue with just the right amount of drama and steamy scenes to keep things interesting.
I've been a big fan of several of her other series and this one is not the exact same - but has the same look and feel to it. I'm hooked already and can't wait to read the next book in the series!
Great addition to your book collection.
Happy Reading...enjoy!

[Ann Gibbs · Rating 4 out of 5]

So a great story but kinda left me hanging at the end. I would have liked a little more closure but I did enjoy Laney and Zac's story. The only reason I wished for more, meaning an epilogue or something, was that their story was so emotional! They were best friends for years and things happened that broke that friendship apart for years. I also know that this is book 1 in a series so I'm hoping for more in book 2. Fantastic storyline, well written with wonderful characters that I am looking forward to reading more about.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Caroline Doig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laney had to go back to her hometown after her father died she grew up with the boy next door Zac they were friends but Laney wanted more then she left town with her mother and never wanted to come back, while she was away her friends had never bothered to contact her including Zac but she saw him with a little kid she worked it out that her so called friend Maddie was already pregnant with his son and Zac looked guilty. So will Laney give Zac a second chance and can she forgive everyone for hiding secrets from her?. Fantastic story very emotional and I highly recommend this book it’s definitely well worth the read.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laney needs to figure out if she is going to keep her father's house, now that he has passed away.
She will have to deal with people she once called friends, that seemed to forget about her the moment she left town, but was that really the case? Laney hopes to not cross paths with Zac her former best friend, and the guy she was crushing on, but fate has other plans and she will have to deal with the hotter version of him (because he only got better). I liked this emotional home coming, with it's adjusting to changes and past hurts.

[Wanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a lot of twists because of the secrets and omissions Laney has to deal with. After having to move away for her senior year of high school when her parents divorced, and being ignored by her friends, especially Zac who was her best friend (and secrete crush). Trade guy brings her back 4 years late and she has to wade through all the hurt and lies and decide if forgiveness is possible and if Zac can be her future. I can’t wait to read Rhian and Porter’s story next!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mari (Mystics & Metaphysics Book Blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

As much I didn't like the secrets kept from Laney, especially Zac, I understand the why it needed to happen that way. The way the story is written, it really gets you sucked in. You can't help but learn right alongside Laney what everyone else knew. It's hurtful but she is a good person and the growth and strength it takes to forgive, is amazing.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book one in a new series called The Fallout Series a well written story and I want to read the next book. This is Laney Douglas and Zac Walsh's story of a second chance and her fin ding out things about her Dad and why her friends no longer called her after her Mother moved them away. I enjoyed reading this story, and want to read the next book. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jeanne Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read several books written by Heather Young-Nichols; she has done a great job at writing a good book; she is becoming one of my favorite authors. I can’t wait to read more of books her books.

The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.

I loved the chemistry between the characters.

I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.