Last One Home: A Novel

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 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.

As always Debbie Macomber wrote a good one. I was invested in the characters from the beginning. I enjoyed this one.

Cassie is tough and has been through a lot of heartache, but her toughness has brought her much love and joy

I feel like I am on vacation when I open Debbie's "new" book. This latest book....I actually went back to re-check the author twice! It was just OK.. I learned about Habitat for Humanity and sweat equity. I reflected on sister issues even though I didn't have one. I learned a little more about forgiveness......but the most disappointing realization was.....it was too predictable. I actually became bored and really had to push myself to finish the book. I never thought I would say that about Debbie! Maybe it is time for a well deserved break from writing and just enjoy those grandkids for awhile. I felt this book was more to meet contract obligations rather than from her heart.

This is a story about well-rounded people who deal with real issues in healthy ways; the reader doesn't have to wade through a morass of juvenile stupidity first. The background of a real and important social issue is just that--background. The facts are presented but the reader is not slapped with a didactic political message better posted on a radical blog. Several writers' early works met these criteria, but their newer ones have been written with a tilt that destroys their enjoyability quotient. Macomber has avoided this pitfall to create a meaningful and thoroughly enjoyable book. Kudos!

Good book

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.

I find that when I have previously read a good book that really makes me think, it is nice when I can follow with a book from Debbie Macomber. Re-reading what I just wrote makes it sort of sound like I am putting down Ms. Macombers books--this I am definitely not. It is just that her books seem to run all the same way--they are all "feel good" stories, and written so I can drift where the author leads me feeling nevertheless satisfied at the end. I liked this story. I love how Debbie Macomber portrays her characters. Especially with Aimee. I could really "see" her and enjoyed what she had to say! 3.5 stars

As always a brilliant read!!

I just loved this book. I couldn't put it down. It gave me a glimpse into the life of a person who went through domestic violence and what it took to get out of it. It is humble to see how appreciative a person can be for earthly goods that the average person will take for granted or even throw away. It was also very insightful to read how the Habitat for Humanity house built program works, a process that was weaved into the story line.

The ending seemed abrupt with many unanswered questions about the characters. Whilst the premise of the book was interesting it just didn't work for me. I love Debbie MacComber but I can't recommend this book.

I enjoyed "Last One Home" for the characters and interesting plotlines which ring true in today's world. It is an excellent read for people who like a story that they can relate to, and that doesn't use gratuitous sex or violence to tell the story.