They both have secrets they fear could tear their friendship apart...
In the summer of 1976, Denny, a lover of fast cars and rock 'n roll, spends his days with a wrench in his hand and grease on his fingers. If only life were as simple as fixing an engine. But with an explosive girlfriend and skeletons in his closet, he protects someone he deeply cares about by pushing her away.
Ramie, inexperienced and naĂŻve, yearns for a deeper connection with Denny, who captivates her attention and steals her heart. Being with him is the only time she feels safe, an unfamiliar and sometimes ill-fitting sensation. Still, circumstances conspire to keep her mired in the dreaded friend zone.
When violence shatters her life, Ramie needs Denny, but he has disappeared. So, when a chance at healing comes her way, she settles. Better to recover in the now than to long for what may never be.
Years stretch into decades. Was what they almost had a mirage of youth? Does love always find a way? Are second chances real? These are the questions encountered in Our Last Hello.
They both have secrets they fear could tear their friendship apart...
In the summer of 1976, Denny, a lover of fast cars and rock 'n roll, spends his days with a wrench in his hand and grease on his fingers. If only life were as simple as fixing an engine. But with an explosive girlfriend and skeletons in his closet, he protects someone he deeply cares about by pushing her away.
Ramie, inexperienced and naĂŻve, yearns for a deeper connection with Denny, who captivates her attention and steals her heart. Being with him is the only time she feels safe, an unfamiliar and sometimes ill-fitting sensation. Still, circumstances conspire to keep her mired in the dreaded friend zone.
When violence shatters her life, Ramie needs Denny, but he has disappeared. So, when a chance at healing comes her way, she settles. Better to recover in the now than to long for what may never be.
Years stretch into decades. Was what they almost had a mirage of youth? Does love always find a way? Are second chances real? These are the questions encountered in Our Last Hello.
Ramie searched for an escape from the stereos blasting heavy metal music, revving car engines, and the stench of putrid cigarette smoke threatening her lungs. Her best friend Liz drove from two cities over every night to chase back a couple of beers and flirt with the guys at the marina. Ramie liked to break free from the hellfire of home, too, but had better things to do with her time.
The only reason she agreed to come was to get a glimpse of Denny, who was nowhere in sight. Like all the other boys, he wore bell-bottom jeans, muscle shirts, and a leather jacket, yet something set him apart.
He wasn’t as boisterous as the other guys, who seemed to crave attention. He hung in the background, introspective and quiet, as if a lot were going on inside him. Everyone knew when Denny was there. He never got wasted. He didn’t hit on girls. But his presence radiated something…a dynamic, unthreatening confidence.
Ramie found a giant rock near the marina’s edge, sat, pulled her pen from her Levi jeans back pocket, and began filling the blank pages. Lost in thought, the masculine voice from behind startled her.
“Hey, whaddya doin’ over here all by yourself?”
Ramie flinched. Her journal flew toward the murky water. Denny caught it in his grease-smudged hands before it turned into sopping wet, illegible mush.
“Well, what do we have here?” he said, pretending to open the blue and white composition book’s cover.
“Please, Denny, don’t look inside there,” Ramie said, her heart rate increasing as she knew that with one glimpse, he would discover the latest poems written were all about him.
“I wouldn’t do that to you. By watchin’ your pen skate across the pages, I can imagine there’s some pretty personal stuff in there. Nobody’s business but yours.” He bent down and returned her most intimate reflections unscathed.
Ramie thought he was handsome the day she met him, but she sighed when the wind blew through his shoulder-length, black, feathered hair. Damn, he’s gorgeous.
“Hey, would…you…ah… like to take a little walk?” The stammering made him appear shy, but how could a guy with girls throwing themselves at him all the time be shy? Disoriented by a daydream, she didn’t answer. He nervously swallowed. “I’m sorry, it’s okay. I’m, I’m interruptin'. Go ahead and get back to writin’. I’ll see you later.”
Denny turned his back and walked away. Ramie had to stop him. The “real” thing exceeded her high school fantasies, and she wasn’t about to miss this opportunity.
Speak, Ramie, speak. “Sure, yeah, I’d like that.”
Graceful was never her strong suit, and she could feel the heat rush to her ears and cheeks when she slipped on the slimy moss, contorting her body to keep upright.
Denny reached out. “Whoa, I gotcha.”
His rough calluses against her bare arm made her skin tingle. She smiled at him, revealing the hidden dimples in her cheeks. “Thanks.”
Denny guided her to the flat surface, and they drifted farther away from the crowds of people down a secluded, pea gravel trail.
“So, you got any plans for this summer?” Denny kicked a rock from his path. “Vacation with your family or somethin’?”
“No, no money for anything like that. I’ll keep doing what I’ve been doing since I graduated. Looking for a job.”
“Anything in particular?” Denny rubbed the back of his neck. “I work at an auto shop, and they’re lookin’ for a receptionist. If you’re interested, I can put a word in for you.”
“Really? That would be great. I’ve only worked at a sandwich shop, though. Do you think that would be a problem?”
“Nah, let me talk to my boss, and I’ll let you—”
The screech of tires broke the moment. Dust spiraled from the road. Liz yelled through the car’s open window. “Get in, Ramie. We’ve got to go!”
“She’s my ride,” Ramie said. “I'd better get going. Bye.” Ramie turned away, giving Liz a death stare, hoping she’d get the message.
When Ramie reached for the door handle, Denny tapped her shoulder. “Hey, wait. Can I get your number? You know, so I can keep in touch with you about the job?”
“Oh, yeah, sure. You can use my pe—”
Liz pressed the horn. “Ramie, I don’t have all day. Get in the car.”
“Sorry about her.” Ramie rolled her eyes.
“It’s okay. What is it? I’ve got a good memory.”
In Our Last Hello by Monique Rardin Richardson has expertly blended nostalgic moments for readers to embrace and be reminded of, with the central theme of finding and keeping “true love”. It follows the lives of Ramie and Denny, two people who, over the course of thirty years, keep missing the perfect moment to be together forever. Ramie begins as a strong, grounded young woman navigating a traumatic event, a challenging relationship with her father, and eventually a marriage that appears to be based more on settling than on passion. Then we are introduced to Denny, a charming but somewhat troubled young man, who battles with his feelings about his mother's mental illness, has a strong moral compass to ensure the happiness of others, almost to the detriment of his own, which leads to making difficult decisions throughout his life. Their connection remains, even when life repeatedly pulls them apart, and readers will be rooting for them to finally be together every single step of the way.
Monique Rardin Richardson has crafted a novel rich in emotional complexity and cultural texture, both of which pull the readers in. It also handles mental illness with honesty and sensitivity, primarily through Denny, who struggles with loving his mother while feeling self-conscious about the illness that sets her apart. A standout feature is the strong sense of nostalgia, with references to music, fashion, and classic cars that do more than set the scene—they transport the reader, almost like they are an additional character. For instance, we follow the different cars Denny has owned over the years, including a Chevelle and an El Camino, and the music that is listened to in them. Ramie is a wonderfully developed protagonist—loyal, patient, and quietly powerful in the face of hardship. Denny, though flawed, is deeply honorable, and his devotion to Ramie and love for his daughter add to his emotional depth. Their relationship isn’t easy or typical, but that’s what makes it feel so authentic. The final chapters offer satisfying closure and underscore the book’s central message: love may be difficult, but it’s worth waiting for—and it endures.
I would wholeheartedly recommend Our Last Hello to readers who enjoy emotionally driven love stories, particularly those grounded in realistic struggles and nostalgia. For those who appreciate strong cultural references and characters that grow through life’s pain and joy, this five-star read is not to be missed.