The Last Message

by Catherine Hope

[Nadz@Totally Addicted to Reading]

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.In The Last Message, Catherine Hope delivered to her readers a compelling story designed to capture the heart and leaves one believing in destiny, soul mates and the healing power of love. It’s a story of two people’s journey on the road to healing, self-discovery and love.

The Last Message introduces readers to Lizzie and Nick. At the beginning of the story, Lizzie is taking a trip to Savage Cove, a secluded beach town. This trip is one out of many she plans to take in her attempt to fulfill a promise made to her twin brother on his deathbed. A promise which would see her fulfilling the dream she gave upon to take care of him. 

On arriving in Savage Cove, she lost her phone. This led to her receiving a temporary outdated phone while waiting for the replacement she ordered. The same day she received the outdated phone, she receives a text message. Now, based on the contents of the message, she knew it was not meant for her. The journalist within her was intrigued, and she sets out to learn about the person for whom the message was intended.

During one of her many treks on the beach, she meets Nick, with whom she shares an instant connection. Nick and Lizzie like each other, but he is mourning the loss of his wife and Lizzie’s stay in Savage Cove is temporary. This made a relationship between them a challenge. However, while spending time with each other made them recognise they wanted more.... But can their love for each other overcome the grief and guilt of the past?

The story hidden between the pages of The Last Message was poignant, heartwarming and filled with inspiration. When an author has you falling head over heels for the characters, you know you have a winner. Nick and Lizzie are characters readers will have no problem falling for. They have endured so much one cannot help but root for them to find the happiness they so deserved.

The romance that developed was sweet, slow burn, closed door romance. It was a joy seeing how Nick and Lizzie’s relationship developed. It faced many challenges, but love triumphed in the end. Along with the romance, the author included an element of mystery. Although I had a fair idea of what to expect from this aspect of the story, it was still interesting to see how it all unfolded.

Now, as much as I enjoyed the story, it was not without its faults. There were a lot of details, some of which felt unnecessary, and which caused the story to drag in some parts. Also, I wanted more closure as it relates to the mystery element. The perpetrators got off too easily for all the heartache and pain they left in their wake.

Overall, The Last Message delivered a beautiful story of hope, self-discovery, healing, and love. This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading