The Last Laugh

by Tracy Bloom

[Emma (SCR)]

This review was originally posted on Star Crossed Reviews I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Thank you to Bookouture for letting me take part in this tour.  I loved Tracy's No-one ever has sex series so when I heard that Tracy had a brand new book I had to read it. 

Jenny finds out that she is terminally ill the day after her 40th birthday. She decides that instead of telling everyone that she is dying she will live life to the fullest for as long as possible. When I read the first few chapters of this book I thought oh that's a bit different to the authors previous books and set myself up for a bit of a sob fest but in true Tracy style I didn't shed a tear until the last 3%. 

I really admired Jenny. She gives us lots funny stories and moments throughout this book. She is an extremely strong and brave character. While battling cancer she manages to deal with a cheating husband, a typical teenage daughter and a son with anxiety issues. Oh and continue to go to work and plan an awesome party.  Personally I don't think I could have done it. You would have found me under a duvet sobbing. 

The only person Jenny tells her fate to is Maureen. Maureen lives at the old people's home where Jenny works. I absolutely loved Maureen. She was such a good friend to Jenny. She was funny but also straight talking. She was exactly what Jenny needed. 

I loved the party and the flash backs to 1996. I love Corfu and really enjoyed the little glimpses we got in this book. 

The end of this story was perfect. I have seen other people say they thought it was abrupt or that they wanted to see what happened after. For me I am happy to live in the 1%. 

Tracy's writing is funny and poignant. She has taken some of the worst moments imaginable and  put a positive light on them. This is not an easy job but Tracy makes it seem effortless. Tracy has proved she can not only write laugh out loud stories but, also those that make you take stock of your life and live for the here and now.