Happy Monday! Today I have a review of The Last Romantics by Tara Conklin, a new work of literary fiction from William Morrow and publishing tomorrow, February 5, 2019!
My Thoughts:
At the risk of being overzealous, this book is everything!
The Last Romantics is the story of four siblings and their love. Fiona Skinner is a famous poet, and when she is asked what inspired her most well-known work, The Love Poem, she shares the story of the four Skinner siblings, Joe, Caroline, Renee, and Fiona herself.
It all begins one wild summer in their Connecticut town; what the siblings call The Pause. Something occurs that changes their way of life, changes them, and they have to decide if they will emerge stronger, or will it break them apart. Their sibling bond survives the challenge and grows even more loyal.
Over two decades later, they will again be tested, and the Skinner siblings will have to decide what’s most important to each of them.
The Last Romantics stands all on its own as a wondrous work to which I deeply connected, but I have to mention it reminded me faintly of The Immortalists, a book I adored and still think about, in its epic portrayal of siblings, family, and love.
Overall, The Last Romantics is a glorious book from start to finish. It’s hard to put my finger on exactly what it is without giving it all away, so my best approximation is this book is an ode to sibling love. And I think that is more than enough.
Thank you to the publisher for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis:
The New York Times bestselling author of The House Girl explores the lives of four siblings in this ambitious and absorbing novel in the vein of Commonwealth and The Interestings.
“The greatest works of poetry, what makes each of us a poet, are the stories we tell about ourselves. We create them out of family and blood and friends and love and hate and what we’ve read and watched and witnessed. Longing and regret, illness, broken bones, broken hearts, achievements, money won and lost, palm readings and visions. We tell these stories until we believe them.”
When the renowned poet Fiona Skinner is asked about the inspiration behind her iconic work, The Love Poem, she tells her audience a story about her family and a betrayal that reverberates through time.
It begins in a big yellow house with a funeral, an iron poker, and a brief variation forever known as the Pause: a free and feral summer in a middle-class Connecticut town. Caught between the predictable life they once led and an uncertain future that stretches before them, the Skinner siblings—fierce Renee, sensitive Caroline, golden boy Joe and watchful Fiona—emerge from the Pause staunchly loyal and deeply connected. Two decades later, the siblings find themselves once again confronted with a family crisis that tests the strength of these bonds and forces them to question the life choices they’ve made and ask what, exactly, they will do for love.
A sweeping yet intimate epic about one American family, The Last Romantics is an unforgettable exploration of the ties that bind us together, the responsibilities we embrace and the duties we resent, and how we can lose—and sometimes rescue—the ones we love. A novel that pierces the heart and lingers in the mind, it is also a beautiful meditation on the power of stories—how they navigate us through difficult times, help us understand the past, and point the way toward our future.
Have you read The Last Romantics, or is it on your TBR? Happy Reading! ~ Jennifer THR
i’ll admit with a title like that, my impression was that of romance, an emotional guy or woman and their story of true love.
Guess i’ve been reading too much romances lately.
Sibling love is just as strong, that’s true.
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I can understand that, Jina. The title is an interesting choice. Loved this story! ♥️
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The synopsis sounds interesting and I can’t think of any other books I’ve read lately that focuses on sibling bonds. Great review.
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Thanks, Jules! I agree- there really aren’t many about siblings. I loved this.
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This book sounds great and I loved reading your opinion on it, Jennifer! I think I’ll have to read The Immortalists before I start this one, I’ve had it on my TBR list for far too long.
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Thank you, Darina! Oh, I can’t wait for you to read The Immortalists! If you are reading that one, and the first chapter is rocky, please message me! It gets so much better from there! ♥️
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Thank you, I will bear that in mind! ❤
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Sibling love sounds like a wonderful theme. Glad you so enjoyed this book, Jennifer!
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Thanks, Marialyce! This was one gorgeous book!
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Wonderful review, Jennifer!!! I just won a giveaway for this—I can’t wait to read it!!! I love the premise of the bonds of siblings—it’s a bond like none other.
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Thanks, Mack! Oh, I cannot wait for you to read this! It’s a wonderful giveaway win! I think you’ll love it! ♥️
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I’m so excited to read this! Just won a copy from Goodreads & i’m Anxiously awaiting it in my mailbox! 😄
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Yayyyy, Beth! How fun is that! I can’t wait to hear what you think of it! Enjoy! ♥️
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Beautiful review and picture, Jennifer. Cannot wait to read this family saga. Happy 😊 Monday!
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Thank you, Virginia! I think you’d enjoy this special book! What a read! Hope your Monday was super! 💗
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Intriguing! I love family drama and dynamics!
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It’s a wonderful read, Carol! 💕
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This looks so good! I need to add this to my mountain! Although I did not win a copy, LOL🧡
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Maybe it’s on audio, Berit? It’s GOOD! I am so grateful I heard about it and read it! ♥️
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Oh you are so right I will need to check that out! It just sounds so wonderful!
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What a great endorsement Jennifer. I haven’t even heard of it until your review. Now I need to go take a serious look at it! Terrific review!
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Thanks, Mackey! There are a few glowing reviews from our mutual GR friends. I’m so glad I found this one, and I think you’d enjoy it too! ♥️
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Lovely review, Jennifer! This is on my TBR and I almost grabbed a copy but talked myself out of it (there were just too many good books releasing on the 5th!). I’m really looking forward to reading it now! Happy Monday! xoxo ♥
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Gosh, February 5 (and Feb 12!), tell me about it! I’ll be sharing reviews all week for them! You’ll be glad to read this one whenever you get around to it. I can virtually guarantee you’ll love it. I hope your week is off to a lovely start. Loving this warm weather! ♥️ xoxo
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The 5th was nuts! I started posting reviews for it back in November lol. I have no books releasing on the 12th! You said that and now I’m wondering what I’m missing, lol. I’ve got multiple books on the 19th, 26th, 3/5th and throughout April..I went crazy in April lol. Not sure why when I’ll be in Italy 2 weeks for our anniversary, so that will be interesting! I’m going to download this one if it’s still on Edelweiss and read it as soon as I can! I really think you’re right and I’ll love it! I did have a great day except for some flare up of my fibromyalgia. It’s not sure what to do with the temperature fluctuations so pain is its response, yay! Me too! We did school out on the deck and plan on it again today! I hope the nice weather lasts. I hope your day was fab and enjoy the rest of the week! ❤
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I hope you are feeling better today! Maybe because we’ll have several warm days it will level off a little? Thinking of you! ♥️
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I’m not, but that’s ok! A flare will generally last about a week or longer once it starts and I’ve been not sleeping well and under a lot of stress lately, so I’m sure that had contributed to it. I need to do some self care, which I’ve not been doing and that should help. I do hope the warm days will help some. Thank you! ❤❤
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From reading the title, I would not have guessed this was about the love between siblings. I feel like this is something that would pull at my heart and draw me into the book.
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It is an interesting spin on the title, LP! It definitely draws you in, and the writing is lovely. I know I recommend so many books, but this one is a standout for me. ♥️
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Oh wow this sounds like such a beautiful book!! Fantastic review!
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Thank you! It really was a stunning book!
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Wonderful review Jen! This one sounds like something I would love! Have a great night my friend!😊💙
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Thanks, Sus! I think you’d love it too! Happy Tuesday in NC! ♥️
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You had me at “ode to sibling love” – adding to my TBR now. 🙂
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Thanks, Suzanne! I think you’d love this one. I’ve not seen a negative review yet.
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You did a beautiful job with this review! I almost want to reread it!! I only have one sibling, but this book made me want more. I think this book is going to be a big hit.
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Thank you so much, DeAnn! That means a lot! I hope this book gets all the love and praise it deserves!
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A great review. I have this book and now I may read it sooner rather than later.
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Thank you, Joyce! I look forward to what you think once you get to it!
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This is one of a few books in my currently reading pile. I loved what I’ve read so far which isn’t much but I’m looking forward to getting back to it. I like when an author explores family dynamics.
I had to force myself away from my reading this weekend until after I had written some reviews. I’ve added one more book to the review pile so I need to get to work so I can get back reading.
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Yes, the reading is definitely the fun part, Shell! I hope this book ends as well as it began for you. It’s a standout in my mind. Enjoy and savor it once you pick it back up. ♥️
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I am looking forward to exactly that. It also makes me want to read The House Girl again!
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I still need to read my copy of that one!
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Ohhh I love the sound of this Jenni! 😍 Fantastic review. I love that you compared it to The Immortalists too. 😁
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Thanks, Beth! It figures we would both love The Immortalists! ♥️ YES! This is definitely your type of read. I can imagine you getting so much from this one and hope you have a chance to read it.
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So excited that YOU are so excited because it’s on my galley mountain, awaiting the right moment.
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Oh, I can’t wait for you to read this, Myndi! When the right moment comes of course! ♥️
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