The Last Love Note by Emma Grey
Genre: Romance
Publisher: Libby Books
Publication Date: January 24, 2023
Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)
Introduction
I got this book from Book of The Month in November of 2023. I had not read it till now (January 2025). Why I did not read it sooner, I could not tell you. I am always skeptical of suggested reads, but I have also never read a book I did not like to some extent or another. I did learn my lesson that Book of The Month does put effort into their monthly curations, and none of them have yet to let me down. It took me around 5 days to read it, which was picking it up before bed every night and finding some extra free time on that last day. This was also my first 5-star read of the year!
Content Warnings
This book contains content about grief, death, miscarriage, pet death, and self-harm.
Synopsis
This is a book about grief and loss—the leading up to it, going through it, and understanding that it’s always there. Kate, our main gal, finds herself battling her grief when she is stuck in a beach town instead of the business trip she is supposed to be on. Away from her 5-year-old Charlie and with her boss and friend Hugh she can face it head-on and discover maybe she can try again.
What I Loved
From around the midpoint of the novel, it was clear that the author herself had dealt with a loss similar to the one she wrote about. The way she described grief and the emotions and the life after loss was beautifully heartbreaking. By no means was this an easy or quick read, but it was beautiful all the same. I had to get out the tissues multiple times. It is a book that makes you squeeze your loved ones a bit tighter. Any book that can make me feel as deeply as it did is one I will be recommending.
Favorite Quotes
“That’s the problem with grief. It’s not packed tidily in a box that you can bring out in appropriate, private moments and sort through. It’s threaded inconveniently through everything.”
“I’ve learned that love outlives death. It holds steady through despair. It won’t fade, even as time elapses and distance increases and your world shifts.”
“I read that a widow’s only job in the first twelve months is to keep herself alive, and I understand the achievement.”
“Life was going to get so much bigger and more anxiety-inducing than how badly you do in algebra, girl.…”
Who Should Read This?
This is a book for those who need to feel a deeper connection within a book. It is a book for those who need hope. If you can read this book despite some of its content warnings, I very highly recommend it.
Final Thoughts
The Last Love Note is a heartfelt journey through love, loss, and the courage it takes to open oneself to new beginnings. The author’s ability to weave raw emotion with moments of humor and lightness makes this book a standout. It’s a reminder of the enduring power of love, even in the face of life’s challenges. If you do choose to read it make sure you have your tissues.