Our Last Goodbye
An absolutely gripping and emotional World War 2 historical novel
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4.4 • 107 Ratings
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- $3.99
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- $3.99
Publisher Description
‘Absolutely fabulous… Had me hooked from the very first page… Took me on a rollercoaster of emotions and had me in tears by the end of the book.’ Stardust Book Reviews, 5 stars
A heart-wrenching, poignant and totally unforgettable tale of a young woman who must finally face up to the secret she has hidden for a lifetime. A beautiful World War Two novel for fans of Wives of War, Lisa Wingate and Diney Costeloe, that will have you reaching for the Kleenex.
1943, England: On a foggy night during the blackout, twenty-five-year-old May Robinson’s mother is tragically killed. Heartbroken, May isn’t sure she has the strength to harbour the secret she has kept for so many years – a secret her mother devoted her life to hiding, that would tear their broken family even further apart.
Vowing to make her mother proud, May trains to be a nurse at Edgemoor General hospital in South Shields, against a backdrop of wailing air-raid sirens and the eternal drone of enemy planes. Tending to wounded, ashen-faced soldiers, fighting to save lives, May is immediately drawn to kind-hearted Richard Bentley, who works tirelessly alongside her. He has sparkling brown eyes, and makes her laugh.
In the darkest of days, amongst death and despair, May and Richard are beacons of hope for one another. But why isn’t he fighting in the war like thousands of other brave young men?
May knows how she longs to escape her own past, and her mother’s. In this perilous time of such uncertainty, she finds herself asking – how well do they really know each other? And when the shocking truth of May’s secret comes to light, just as the war comes too close to home, can their love survive the impossible?
Readers are absolutely loving Our Last Goodbye:
'What an emotional journey... Had me spellbound... A truly emotional read that had me shed tears of happiness and sadness… May’s story is one that will certainly pull on the heart strings and I loved every minute of it.’ By The Letter Book Reviews, 5 stars
‘This book is an absolute treasure beyond words! From page one I couldn't put it down! May's story of true sadness and loss during World War Two brought me to tears!… Any one that loves a great historical read will fall in love with this book immediately as I did!’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars
'I absolutely loved it!... An emotional, heart-wrenching story of love and loss amidst the horror of war... Will tug at your heartstrings... Will have you reaching for the tissues throughout... Wonderful.' Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars
‘Oh boy, I have to say that Our Last Goodbye was one seriously awesome read. I absolutely loved it… Is exceedingly well written... Unputdownable… Oh my word... Will tug on even the toughest of heartstrings… My eyes welled up and I definitely needed a box of tissues.’ Ginger Book Geek, 5 stars
‘Fantastic… Loved this beautiful story… Fabulous… Have tissues handy.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars
‘An absolutely fabulous read!... The writing was absolutely wonderful and had me hooked from the very first page. I loved the characters and really connected with them all… The story took me on a rollercoaster of emotions, and had me in tears by the end. I’d love there to be another book to follow up May and Etty’s stories (please say there’s going to be one!!).’ Stardust Book Reviews, 5 stars
‘I'll say no more except Our Last Goodbye by Shirley Dickson is a must read for everyone. So emotional, a beautiful story.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars
‘Wonderful… Your heart will just ache… I didn’t want to leave.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars
‘Good job Shirley Dickson… A rollercoaster of emotions – love, relationships, mistakes, sadness and suspense.’ NetGalley Reviewer, 5 stars
‘Superb and beautifully written… Fascinating and insightful… Will completely draw you in and not let go.’ Sibzzreads, 5 stars
‘Unputdownable and emotional… Shirley Dickson has captured my heart in her stories. Dickson is truly a gifted author who will pull every emotion out of you… This one is definitely another 5 star read for me and another top book of the year.’ Sinfully Wicked Book Reviews, 5 stars
‘Just too good to miss. The story builds to an enthralling conclusion which had me reaching for the tissues and desperately wanting to know MORE!’ Waggy Tales, 5 stars
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In Dickson's wrenching WWII novel (after The Orphan Sisters), a nurse faces hardships and discovers enduring love. In 1943, May Robinson, 25, works at a factory in South Shields, England, when her mother is killed in a trolley accident. Her sorrow grows after she visits her eight-year-old son, Derek, in Hexham, where he was sent to be safe from the bombings. Derek was raised by May's mother and led to believe May was her sister to save May's reputation as an unwed mother, and he wants to stay in the countryside. As May embarks on a new career as a nurse and debates whether to tell Derek the truth, she hears about the death of Derek's father, Billy, in battle, and meets hospital porter Richard Bentley, a conscientious objector with whom she begins a relationship. May struggles to reconcile her attraction to the kind man with the thought that he took the easy way out by not enlisting. When May learns she is pregnant with Richard's child, she remains resolute in her decision to not give up her baby. May's struggle to overcome adversity and loneliness adds gritty realism to the plight of working-class British people during WWII. Historical fiction fans will quickly become immersed in May's heartwarming story.
Customer Reviews
Get out the tissues!
I have never cried so much while reading a book. A love story for the ages!
Our last goodbye
I’ve read both books and finished each in one days time. I couldn’t put it down. I hope you become as involved in Dorothy, Etty and Mays life as I have. They feel like family. Have plenty of Kleenex handy. Enjoy!!!!