The Last to Let Go

About this book

“Heartwrenching.” —VOYA (starred review) “Beautiful, captivating prose.” —RT Book Reviews “I can’t recommend this book highly enough.” —Kathleen Glasgow, bestselling author of Girl in Pieces A twisted tragedy leaves Brooke and her siblings on their own in this provocative novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Way I Used to Be. How do you let go of something you’ve never had? Junior year for Brooke Winters is supposed to be about change. She’s transferring schools, starting fresh, and making plans for college so she can finally leave her hometown, her family, and her past behind. But all of her dreams are shattered one hot summer afternoon when her mother is arrested for killing Brooke’s abusive father. No one really knows what happened that day, if it was premeditated or self-defense, whether it was right or wrong. And now Brooke and her siblings are on their own. In a year of firsts—the first year without parents, first love, first heartbreak, and her first taste of freedom—Brooke must confront the shadow of her family’s violence and dysfunction, as she struggles to embrace her identity, finds her true place in the world, and learns how to let go.

Censorship history

In 2024, "The Last to Let Go" by Amber Smith was banned at the school level in various districts across the United States, categorized under "Other" for its themes and content. The bans were often initiated by concerned parents and local advocacy groups, leading to school board meetings where the book's appropriateness was debated. Specific outcomes varied by district, with some schools upholding the bans while others opted to retain the book after community discussions.

Bans

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