Review: The Last Kiss Goodbye by Tasmina Perry

The Last Kiss Goodbye by Tasmina Perry

Publisher: Headline Review

Release date: 28 January 2016

Rating: **** and a half

Back cover blurb: Everyone remembers their first kiss. But what about the last? 1961. Journalist Rosamund Bailey is ready to change the world. When she meets explorer and man about town Dominic Blake, she realises she has found the love of her life. Just as happiness is in their grasp, the worst happens, and their future is snatched away. 2014. Deep in the vaults of a museum, archivist Abby Gordon stumbles upon a breathtaking find. A faded photograph of a man saying goodbye to the woman he loves. Looking for a way to escape her own heartache, Abby becomes obsessed with the story, little realising that behind the image frozen in time lies a secret altogether more extraordinary.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Last Kiss Goodbye is the first of Tasmina Perry's novels that I have read. Yes, I know she has written loads, but lets just say I'm behind (and it isn't my usual genre...). So I was pleasantly surprised when I opened up this novel and began to read.

 

Abby Gordon is an archivist involved in sourcing photos for an exhibition when she stumbles across a photograph of a young man about to embark on a expedition, saying goodbye to his lover. Abby discovers that the couple are, Dominic Blake, missing presumed dead since the expedition in the 1960s and Rosamund Bailey.

After inviting Rosamund to the exhibition, Abby learns that Rosamund is still extremely upset by Dominic's disappearance, even all these years later, and sets about trying to help her find the truth behind it.

Meanwhile Elliott Hall, a journalist is looking to woo Abby. But she isn't in the mood for love. In fact she could do without relationships altogether and is seeking a divorce from her adulterous ex-husband, Nick.

But with his journalistic skills, Abby realises that Elliott may be able to help both her and Rosamund find the truth about Dominic Blake once and for all.

Slipping back and forth between the 60s when Ros and Dominic meet, and the present day, the Last Kiss Goodbye is a beautifully written novel and gains a solid 4.5 stars from me, it so could have been five, because I loved this novel, I really did, but -

 

I was left a little disappointed by the ending and a decision made by Abby - I really thought she had grown as a character during the novel and her actions surprised me. Maybe I'm just not romantic enough, you should probably have a read for yourself and find out!

 

The Last Kiss Goodbye is available from 28 January 2016.

You can pre-order it now via Amazon online.

 

  

 

Many thanks to the publisher who sent me an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.