It’s a rollercoaster of angst, conflict, stops and starts, as Laya slowly moves out of the worst of her grief and begins to find purpose again ... The Last Post is emotional and heartbreaking, yet has humor, hope, and love. Renee Carlino created a surprising, unexpected, and compelling story. Ms. Carlino developed a well-developed and balanced cast including their family, friends, and co-workers. Fans of K.A. Tucker and Nicole Jacquelyn will enjoy The Last Post.
Laya’s grief is potent and powerful, and Micah is a kind person. That said, readers’ opinion of his early missteps will set the tone for the rest of the book. This second-chance-at-love story is perfect for hopeless romantics and fans of thoughtful relationship fiction.
Readers of Carlino’s previous works...will find this a satisfying, romantic novel, and though the story is rather unlikely, it is hopeful and heartfelt.
Questions about the characters' naiveté may bring readers out of the story, as will a character's quick, rather miraculous healing after a brutal accident. Characters are a bit exaggerated...but they are likable, they grow, lessons are learned, forgiveness is offered and received, and life moves on. There is wisdom to be found in this deceptively simple tale of inner wounds and how they impact the choices people make. Social media paves the way for healing in this unique tale of life after loss.
This uneven tale about a recent widow and a man just emerging from an existential crisis is full of stops and starts ... Carlino...manages a sympathetic presentation of both protagonists as broken, imperfect people who eventually, after numerous false starts, heal each other; this offsets the lovers’ excessive introspection and plot twists that strain credulity ... This angst-ridden story may appeal to Carlino’s fans, but many readers will find the slow-moving romance tedious.
