Last One Home: A Novel (Random House Large Print)

Obviously, Debbie Macomber's books are not going to go down in history as great literature. But I doubt that's her intention. This book does beautifully what this kind of book should do. It's a light romance, but it leaves you with a surprising amount of stuff to ponder. While enjoying the story, I learned about some of the issues that formerly abused women have to deal with as they move on, both as part of their inner journeys of grief and growth and in terms of their relationships with others, including family members who may not understand what they've gone through. Particularly realistic, it seemed to me, was the difficulty the main character, Cassie, faced in relating to men, and the way she questioned her own judgment in people. Her daughter's personality was particularly delightful. And through the situations of other family members, Macomber explored other, related issues. Macomber has done her research about how abuse can affect a woman's life story. To top it off, she has done her research about Habitat for Humanity, ably setting the storyline amid an ongoing plotline of a Habitat home being built. As a former Habitat volunteer myself, I appreciated the accuracy she brought to the passages discussing how Habitat operates. So thank you again, Debbie Macomber, for a very satisfying read.

As noted in other reviews, this is the story of a woman that started life in a middle class family with 2 sisters. She had a boyfriend who convinced her to marry him and move away from family at age 18 when she became pregnant. Family did not like boyfriend and her leaving was painful for the family. The story continues 13 years later. Both parents have died and both sisters are estranged from Cassie. The books has a good 10 month timeline. The book notes the good works of Habitat for Humanity as well as the lasting affects of battered women. Both sisters are now married with families. One with 2 children and the other with a year old baby. Both of the sisters come to marriage difficulties. One's difficulty is resolved while the other is incomplete. (would have liked a couple of paragraphs on husbands reaction and plan for possible reconciliation. Cassie slowly reconnects with her sisters as well opening her heart to a man. Cassie's 12 year old daughter is a bit much on a few occasions.

Debbie Macomber’s Last One Home is an emotionally gripping novel about family, love, and second chances. Cassie is the main character of the novel, who is a single mother trying to rebuild her life after an abusive marriage. Just as Cassie is working towards achieving her dreams, she’s contacted by her older sister Karen, whom she hasn’t seen in years. Not only does it look like Cassie’s about to reconnect with her estranged sisters, but she also has a second chance at love with the handsome contractor Steve.

This is one of the best Debbie Macomber books I’ve read so far. Macomber does a great job of capturing important lessons about life. In this novel, she delves into the importance of family along with how second chances can help people change their lives.

Cassie is a character you feel for. An argument from when she was a teen made her run off with her boyfriend turned husband, who had a dark side. After finding the strength to leave her abusive ex, she starts a new life with her daughter, which leads her to Steve. As Steve helps Cassie build her dream home, romantic feelings begin to form, but Cassie is hesitant about pursuing a relationship so soon after her marriage ended.

But Cassie’s relationship with Steve isn’t the only that’s blooming. After years of estrangement, Cassie begins to connect with her sisters Karen and Nichole. The three women begin to heal their broken relationship, and it comes just as Karen and Nichole are experiencing their own problems.

Karen and Nichole did come off snooty at times with the way they treated Cassie, then you feel sorry for them when it’s discovered they have their own personal issues. As for Cassie and Steve, their relationship starts out rocky at first with both of them being stubborn. But Steve like Cassie, has experience his own loss in the past, which explains his attitude.

This is a story that will have you feeling sympathy for all the characters, and there are times where you’ll feel teary-eyed. It does leave the hint of a spinoff book focusing on one of the characters, I won’t mention who it is, but I am curious to read what will happen in the follow up story.

I loved this book so much especially being from the Seattle area. Habitat for Humanity built my aunts house when they were in need so it hits close to home. I found Aimee (the daughter) to be extremely annoying with all of her interruptions. Made it hard to keep going. This is a spoiler so skip it if you haven’t read the book. I totally called from the first chapter on Nicole and her husband. I felt bad for her character and how oblivious she was especially that 5 day spa trip. Yikes.

Overall great quick summer read.

I have read in other reviews that this is not a typical romance novel. I agree, it is not! I have read that this is the story of three sisters. Although it addresses the complex relationship and healing of three sisters, I disagree!!

This is a novel about Cassie.

This is a novel of being faced with real world gritty problems and emerging as a stronger individual that can build new and restore old relationships. This novel is about relationships on many different levels.

The main characters are real people, just like the ones we meet and know in real life.It sheds light on tough topics such as spousal abuse, unfaithfulness, and grief, to name a few. There were no easy solutions or a miraculous bail-out for Cassie. Just like in real life. Cassie brings us hope.

One cannot help but to root for Cassie, her daughter Aimee, Steve, Cassie's sisters, and all of the friends.

Debbie Macomber creates stories rich in character. We get to observe the characters in every day situations and during joys and sorrows. I cannot wait for her next novel.

My last book of 2015 with 15 minutes to spare! I give this one 3.5 stars. It is a new series that Debbie Macomber started about three sisters- Karen, Cassie, and Nichole. This one mainly centered around Cassie and her struggles to get where she was in life. Cassie had run away as a pregnant teenager with her soon to be husband. Duke ended up being very abusive and restrictive to the point of Cassie not having any contact withher family. This book tells of Cassie's struggles and her reconnection with her sisters. This read had my emotions all over the place, from smiling to cringing to cheering Cassie on. There were many situations described that happen to people all the time, so it was relatable. Cassie was such a strong, yet humble, character. I cheered and championed for her throughout the book. I will be reading the next book in the series!