Book cover for The Last Time We Say Goodbye by Cynthia Hand

The Last Time We Say Goodbye

2015 Released
400 Pages
5-6 Hours
★ 4.06 22,390 ratings
Hardback Unavailable
HarperCollinsISBN 9780062318497

In the tradition of Thirteen Reasons Why and All the Bright Places, The Last Time We Say Goodbye is a deeply affecting novel that will change the way you look at life and death.

From New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Hand comes a stunning, heart-wrenching novel of love and loss, which ALA Booklist called "both shatteringly painful and bright with life and hope" in a starred review.

Since her brother, Tyler, committed suicide, Lex has been trying to keep her grief locked away, and to forget about what happened that night. But as she starts putting her life, her family, and her friendships back together, Lex is haunted by a secret she hasn't told anyone—a text Tyler sent, that could have changed everything.


  • A Heart-Wrenching Story of Grief: Lex is a survivor, left to pick up the pieces after her brother Tyler’s suicide. But moving on feels impossible when she’s the only one who knows the truth about that night.
  • A Haunting Secret: A single text message. A call she didn’t answer. Lex is carrying a secret that could have changed everything, and it’s tearing her apart from the inside out.
  • Fractured Family and Friendships: With her family shattered and her friends kept at a distance, Lex tries to navigate her pain alone. But the people who love her, including her ex-boyfriend Steven, won’t give up on her.
  • An Unforgettable First Love: She pushed him away when she needed him most, but their story isn’t over. This poignant, character-driven novel explores the enduring power of connection in the midst of tragedy.

Cynthia Hand

Cynthia Hand is the New York Times bestselling author of several books for teens, including the Unearthly trilogy, The Last Time We Say Goodbye, The Afterlife of Holly Chase, The How & The Why, and With You All The Way. She also writes the Jane books with fellow authors Jodi Meadows and Brodi Ashton: My Lady Jane, My Plain Jane, My Calamity Jane, My Contrary Mary, My Imaginary Mary, and My Salty Mary. Before turning to writing for young adults, she studied literary fiction and earned both an M.F.A. and a Ph.D. in fiction writing (although please don't refer to her as ""Dr. Hand,"" because that sounds like a cartoon supervillain.) She currently resides in Boise, Idaho, with her husband, two kids, two cats, one crazy dog, and a mountain of books.

More by Cynthia Hand

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