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Caroline Finnerty
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The Last Goodbye: A heart-wrenching and emotional page-turner Kindle Edition

by Caroline Finnerty (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 out of 5 stars 1,836 ratings
The Last Goodbye is a powerful story of love and loss, forgiveness and new beginnings - a heart-wrenching and emotional page-turner for mothers and daughters everywhere.

Sometimes the decisions we make can last a lifetime . . . and sometimes we cannot shake off the shackles of decisions made by others in the past.

Kate Flynn has spent her whole life running away. She reckons the best decision she ever made was to leave Ireland the day after she finished school. Having seldom returned since, she would be perfectly happy if she never had to go back there. She is happy in London where she runs a successful photography gallery with her best friend Nat, though their relationship is going through a rocky patch since Nat began an affair with a married man.

When Kate becomes pregnant and her partner Ben persuades her to make the trip home, she is forced to confront everything she left behind and memories of Eva, the mother she feels betrayed her. Kate finds it impossible to forgive Eva who chose to refuse cancer treatment while pregnant and died, leaving a young family motherless.

Do some wounds go too deep to ever heal? Must Eva's Choice forever deny Kate real happiness?
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  1. Print length
    370 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    November 27, 2013
  5. File size
    1.5 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Any author who can have her readers rooting for a heroine as headstrong, stubborn and bloody-minded as Finnerty's deserves credit; with The Last Goodbye she merits praise indeed." - Sunday Independent
"Wonderfully drawn and intensely moving." - Irish Independent

About the Author

Caroline Finnerty is the author of 'In a Moment' and 'The Last Goodbye' she lives in Ireland with her husband, three children and their dog.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00DQBO2N6
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Poolbeg Press
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 27, 2013
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 1st
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.5 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 370 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 1,836 ratings

About the author

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Caroline Finnerty

Caroline Finnerty

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Thank you for visiting my author page. I am an Irish author living in Co. Kildare with my husband and our four young children. My books have been described as emotional tearjerkers and always have a big dilemma at their heart. I love to explore the different sides of human behaviour and why we do what we do. My 10th book 'My Daughter’s Silence' is available for pre-order now.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
1,836 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be a well-told story with believable characters and engaging plot twists. Moreover, the book serves as an ideal holiday read, and customers describe it as easy to read. Additionally, the heartbreaking narrative makes customers laugh and cry, and they appreciate how it explores families and their interactions and choices.

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Story qualityCharacter developmentReadabilityHeartbreaking storyFamily life
96 customers mention "Story quality"87 positive9 negative

Customers find the book's story engaging and well-told, describing it as moving and interesting.

"...This book was well written and from several different viewpoints so you knew where each person was coming from, this reader found it engaging and..." Read more

"I really enjoyed this book. It starts off with the story of Ben and Kate, and the baby they are expecting...." Read more

"...Good book, in my opinion took too long to get to the heart of the story, don't know what her friend's story had to do with the book, however I can..." Read more

"...A well done book I thoroughly enjoyed." Read more

26 customers mention "Character development"23 positive3 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, finding them believable with good plots and twists, and one customer notes how the author brings out emotions in them.

"...However, as I read on, this habit helped to give weight to her characters...." Read more

"Very enjoyable, light hearted read. Cute story and likable characters. A bit predictable but great bedtime reading...." Read more

"I like stories with interesting and believable characters...." Read more

"...Well developed characters and side plots makes the novel interesting until its last page." Read more

19 customers mention "Readability"19 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and well-written, making it an ideal holiday book.

"...This book was well written and from several different viewpoints so you knew where each person was coming from, this reader found it engaging and..." Read more

"...I thought it was well written, and it held my interest up until the end. I would recommend this book." Read more

"The Last Goodbye is well-written and poignantly touching...." Read more

"...I wish I liked the main character a little better. Well written without repeating. Good settings." Read more

17 customers mention "Heartbreaking story"12 positive5 negative

Customers find the book emotionally engaging, with many describing it as heartbreaking and tearful at times, while one customer notes how it spans years through heartbreak, and another describes it as an anguished mother-daughter story.

"...I couldn't and wouldn't put this book down. I laughed and cried (cried like I've never needed to cry more)...." Read more

"...Love and words unspoken become our history. This story brought tears to my eyes and thoughts we sometimes need to face." Read more

"...Characters are well defined and the story, although heartbreaking at times, moves along well...." Read more

"...Yes, the book made me cry, and I found the section from the mother particularly moving - but it wasn't enough to rescue the rest of the book." Read more

9 customers mention "Family life"9 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate how the book explores family dynamics and relationships, with one customer noting it provides insight into the lives of everyday families, while another highlights the themes of healing rifts and forgiveness.

"...I enjoyed how the cycles of life being understanding and joy once the benefit of the years and experience being context to childhood..." Read more

"I enjoyed this book about love and sacrifice and family. It reminds us not to take the people in our lives for granted...." Read more

"...In the end, family is what really matters." Read more

"A wonderful story of love, loss, friendship and the cycle of life...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Susan L.
    5.0 out of 5 stars A story for all mothers and daughters
    Reviewed in the United States on October 3, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    This is the story of Eva and the impossible Choice she had to make when she found out she was pregnant and the doctor thought she might have cancer. She and her husband Noel have 3 children Kate a teenager, Patrick an almost teen and Sean. They find out they are pregnant when she is almost 40, it comes as a complete surprise but they accept it and move forward the doctors notice a growth during one of her scans they want to do surgery, Noel wants her to have the surgery, she doesn't; she afraid it will harm the baby.
    Kate is mortified when she finds out her mother is pregnant. She doesn't want to think about her parents having sex and she certainly doesn't want another baby in the house and she doesn't want the whole town talking about her family having another baby. She becomes increasingly hostile to her mom, acting out more and more like a rebellious teenager and at the end refusing to go see her at the hospital and hospice.
    Fast forward 20 years, Kate is living in London, has a great great relationship with Ben and finds herself expecting a little one. Ben keeps insisting that they go back to visit her family she is resistant but he finally books a flight and makes her go. As you might expect, things don't go smoothly, 20 years of resentment can take some time to work out.
    Kate's family doesn't give up on her though and she is able to work through her issues.
    This book was well written and from several different viewpoints so you knew where each person was coming from, this reader found it engaging and thought-provoking. I found myself feeling thankful that my own family didn't have to go through this but I think every family has its own trials to go through and hopefully we all emerge stronger on the other side like Kate did with her family.
    Highly recommended and two thumbs up!
    One person found this helpful
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  • IndyStory
    4.0 out of 5 stars The Last Goodbye
    Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    I enjoyed reading about Kate and her family, Ben, Nat and their lives. Sometimes, young people can cause so many problems, but their families continue to love them. They are more fortunate when they find a good partner and friend. As they grow older, they often come to realize that their lives were much better than they thought at the time.
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  • Liz Balaam
    5.0 out of 5 stars A heart warming read
    Reviewed in the United States on September 29, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    I really enjoyed this book. It starts off with the story of Ben and Kate, and the baby they are expecting. We then find ourselves going back to Kate's teenage years and the loss of her mother. I read another reader's review who said she did not like the teenage Kate. However, having two daughters myself who are now grown, it made me think back to their teenage years, and I was able to relate to the rebellious and difficult teenager that Kate was - actually a very normal teenage girl - their hormones make them all horrible! When the story goes back to present, Kate, as an expectant mother, came to realise that what her mother had done was done out of love. I also enjoyed the side story of Kate's friend Nat and her relationships. This was a very heart warming read - and I found I had a little tear in my eye at the end.
    13 people found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    3.0 out of 5 stars Emotion filled
    Reviewed in the United States on October 5, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    This book is about loss, sacrifice and the characters struggle to deal with it. I liked that different perspectives and voices were given to the story. I liked the main character initially but as the full story developed I felt anger and frustration towards her because of her actions. That feeling would continue through most of the book towards not only her but also the mother. At the end I reflected on what my decision or reaction would have been if similar situation happened to me. I can't say, so I tried to understand both sides and release the anger. Good book, in my opinion took too long to get to the heart of the story, don't know what her friend's story had to do with the book, however I can say I it is a good read and I enjoyed it.
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  • I. Olson
    5.0 out of 5 stars I love how the plot was unfurled! Genius!
    Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    First of all, I love stories based in Ireland and/or Scotland. When an author manages to successfully place the reader right in the midst of that particular locale, I am a happy camper.

    Right from the beginning, the reader wonders why Kate is so adverse to returning to her country of origin. At first I was frustrated with her insistence on not returning, but as the plot unfolded, I fully understood and respected her decision to delay any confrontation with her past. A well done book I thoroughly enjoyed.
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  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great read!
    Reviewed in the United States on October 4, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    This story had so many different layers that it felt like you really got to know the characters and why they felt and did the things they did. Most times, on the outside looking in, we are so judgemental and talk so bad about things and people we perceive to be bad without thinking or looking too close. This book takes you that close by sharing the thoughts and actions of those people and helps you better understand their side. I really enjoyed this book and while I thought the main female character was a spoiled brat at times, I'm glad I found this book and author.
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Heartwarming and heartbreaking
    Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I started reading this just before thanksgiving holiday, I needed a good read that would take me away. In my life, my brother has been ill and in the hospital, so I tend to stay away from "make me cry " books. I started this book, and immediately loved Kate. I couldn't and wouldn't put this book down. I laughed and cried (cried like I've never needed to cry more). Many moments in our day and lives, something so little can be so special. I highly recommend this book
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  • LoveDogs
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it!
    Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    A very enjoyable book. I loved the way the story focused on the daughter then went back in time to tell the story of her mother and the awful decision she had to make. Then back to the daughter and how she had to cope with her mom's decision. I also love Ireland and enjoyed reading the Irish part of the story.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Maria C
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great read and will want to make you visit Ireland or drink lots of tea
    Reviewed in Canada on October 8, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I loved loved loved this book. Hooked from the start. Sad, inspiring and courageous. Won’t story that makes you want to visit Ireland
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  • patricia molloy
    5.0 out of 5 stars Well written
    Reviewed in Australia on June 22, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Thoroughly enjoyable
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  • Mrs McT
    5.0 out of 5 stars Emotional
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 4, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I enjoyed this book from the start but did not realise how emotional it was going to be. Read it while in hospital and found it hard to disguise my tears. Warning, don't read if already emotional!

    Great book, lovely story, well written and full of emotion!
    Report
  • Alice K
    4.0 out of 5 stars Not that great.
    Reviewed in Canada on November 4, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Pat ending.
    Report
  • anneridies
    4.0 out of 5 stars The Last Goodbye
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 28, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    This was a good story but I found it did drag in places The ending was as if the author suddenly got fed up with writing and finished it although all the ends were tied up. If she had hurried the whole book it could have been a novella instead. Probably sit well in a woman’s own type magazine.
    Despite all this it was an enjoyable read.
    I didn’t much take to the main character I think was some of the problem.
    Report

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