The Last Chorus By Nikki Ashton

Hi there.

I've been working hard writing my third novel recently and haven't been reading quite as much as usual, but taking a break for an afternoon, I started The Last Chorus by Nikki Ashton.

I'm so glad I took that break!

From the very first page, I knew this would be a book I read in one sitting. I also knew it was going to be an incredibly powerful story and take me on a complete rollercoaster of emotions.

I wasn't wrong!

From the minute you meet the incredibly complex rock star Beau you are swept up in his heartbreak, despair and need to hide away from the rest of the world after the trauma of losing his wife and child.

With his band mates and family having tried to pull him from his grief and get him to rejoin society and failed, you witness their own grief, not only from those they've also lost but from the loss of Beau as he's retreated into his own dark world.

When five year old Ethan (absolute star of the book - you'll see! 🤗), wanders into Beau's garden to collect his ball, he then meets Simone, the single mum who has just moved in next door.

Simone though has her own issues. She's tortured by the trauma she's been living with for five years and her world is one of isolation and fear.

Ethan becomes just what Beau needs to take those first steps forward and as he does, an unlikely friendship is formed between the two. Slowly letting Simone in as well, the three begin a journey together, each taking small steps, moving forward day by day and helping each other heal.

The journey isn't easy. The secret Simone has kept for so long to protect others, terrorises her. Beau's guilt at feeling anything other than absolute grief causes him to step back each time he takes a step forward. The developing feelings for each other and the fear of moving on, every word, every touch brings with it an emotion, a change, a moment of hope, of healing.

This was an emotional, heartwarming and heartbreaking story that is honestly one of the best books I've ever read.

As for the line, 'All you’re doing is singing the last chorus before you start a new song,' it absolutely wrecked me. I mean, really, absolutely wrecked me. I cried for ages!

The understanding that grief doesn't ever truly leave you but that you learn to live with it, to take steps forward and accept that happiness can come again, is outstandingly written. The whole book is so beautifully crafted that no review can ever do justice to this phenomenal story. You just need to read it. I promise you, it's one that you'll remember and years down the line, if you're ever asked about a book that made you feel something so deeply and connect to the characters like never before, this will be the one you'll think of.

The themes of loss, abuse, depression, fear and anxiety are things I have written about in my own novels and I can only hope I write them with as much sensitivity and skill as Nikki. She truly is remarkable and I can't wait for more from her.

The Last Chorus By Nikki Ashton

Hi there.

I've been working hard writing my third novel recently and haven't been reading quite as much as usual, but taking a break for an afternoon, I started The Last Chorus by Nikki Ashton.

I'm so glad I took that break!

From the very first page, I knew this would be a book I read in one sitting. I also knew it was going to be an incredibly powerful story and take me on a complete rollercoaster of emotions.

I wasn't wrong!

From the minute you meet the incredibly complex rock star Beau you are swept up in his heartbreak, despair and need to hide away from the rest of the world after the trauma of losing his wife and child.

With his band mates and family having tried to pull him from his grief and get him to rejoin society and failed, you witness their own grief, not only from those they've also lost but from the loss of Beau as he's retreated into his own dark world.

When five year old Ethan (absolute star of the book - you'll see! 🤗), wanders into Beau's garden to collect his ball, he then meets Simone, the single mum who has just moved in next door.

Simone though has her own issues. She's tortured by the trauma she's been living with for five years and her world is one of isolation and fear.

Ethan becomes just what Beau needs to take those first steps forward and as he does, an unlikely friendship is formed between the two. Slowly letting Simone in as well, the three begin a journey together, each taking small steps, moving forward day by day and helping each other heal.

The journey isn't easy. The secret Simone has kept for so long to protect others, terrorises her. Beau's guilt at feeling anything other than absolute grief causes him to step back each time he takes a step forward. The developing feelings for each other and the fear of moving on, every word, every touch brings with it an emotion, a change, a moment of hope, of healing.

This was an emotional, heartwarming and heartbreaking story that is honestly one of the best books I've ever read.

As for the line, 'All you’re doing is singing the last chorus before you start a new song,' it absolutely wrecked me. I mean, really, absolutely wrecked me. I cried for ages!

The understanding that grief doesn't ever truly leave you but that you learn to live with it, to take steps forward and accept that happiness can come again, is outstandingly written. The whole book is so beautifully crafted that no review can ever do justice to this phenomenal story. You just need to read it. I promise you, it's one that you'll remember and years down the line, if you're ever asked about a book that made you feel something so deeply and connect to the characters like never before, this will be the one you'll think of.

The themes of loss, abuse, depression, fear and anxiety are things I have written about in my own novels and I can only hope I write them with as much sensitivity and skill as Nikki. She truly is remarkable and I can't wait for more from her.