Scan barcode
lurker_stalker's review against another edition
2.0
This one is an anomaly. I've really enjoyed all previous reads by Aurora Rey but this one never clicked. I mostly liked Taylor but Julia was another story. The dishonesty and non-communication issues killed it for me. It's not often I don't believe the couple would have a HEA but I don't see this one working without some couple's therapy...
stophie12's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
aliu6's review against another edition
3.0
3 stars
After Julia Pierce's wife leaves her for her trainer, Julia is forced to return home to her hometown, Kenota, where she struggles to redefine herself. She decides to go on a series of dates and picks up a wingwoman, Taylor Winslow, along the way. Taylor has had a crush on Julia since high school, and it never really went away. If only she could convince Julia that she's better for her than any of the other dates she's met...
I was really drawn in by the premise of the book, but sadly the story fell short of my expectations. I thought the main plot line would involve Julia going on dates while Taylor pined angstily by her side. But the dates storyline is pretty short lived. After the two MCs get together, the story really slows down. Don't get me wrong, they are cute together. Taylor is pretty much the dream girlfriend. But beyond them having marathon sex and Julia continually thinking about how Taylor is so much nicer than her ex, not much else happens. In the last fifth of the book, the angst I asked for arrives, but in a way that made me start to dislike Julia. The conflict involves (broadly speaking) The conflict is quickly glossed over because the MCs just love each other so much, and the book ends.
I was probably with the book for the first 60% of it. After that I had to force myself to keep reading. Like I said, Taylor's a perfect girlfriend. She's charming and sweet and thoughtful. As a person in general, I'm not sure I'd be friends with Taylor. She's definitely portrayed as slow and steady, with an emphasis on slow. She lives a slow paced life and is very opposed to change. Not necessarily a bad thing, but I wasn't super into it. Her steadiness also made her actions toward the end of the book seem way out of character.
I felt bad for Julia at the start of the book and was looking forward to watching her rebuild her life. More than halfway through the book, her continued lack of self confidence annoyed me, especially when it led her to make bad decisions. Every time I thought Taylor helped her work through her lack of self confidence, she would doubt herself again. (I realize that realistically, it's not a problem that will go away overnight. But it was frustrating to see Julia fall back on the same ways of thinking she'd had since the start of the book, with the only sign of progress being an added thought of, "oh, I shouldn't think this way.")
More minor things I wasn't a fan of:
- At one point, I think they bring up that both women are in their early thirties, but the way they were written made me think they were forty or older.
- While Taylor helps Julia work through her issues consistently throughout the book, Julia doesn't really do much for Taylor until way later on. It made the relationship seem a bit unbalanced to me.
To wrap up, this book was an okay read, better in the beginning, worse in the end. Maybe try it out if you're looking for a slow, lazy read, or if the things I ranted about above don't bother you.
*I received an ARC via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
After Julia Pierce's wife leaves her for her trainer, Julia is forced to return home to her hometown, Kenota, where she struggles to redefine herself. She decides to go on a series of dates and picks up a wingwoman, Taylor Winslow, along the way. Taylor has had a crush on Julia since high school, and it never really went away. If only she could convince Julia that she's better for her than any of the other dates she's met...
I was really drawn in by the premise of the book, but sadly the story fell short of my expectations. I thought the main plot line would involve Julia going on dates while Taylor pined angstily by her side. But the dates storyline is pretty short lived.
Spoiler
Taylor and Julia get together by the halfway mark.Spoiler
lying, distrust, jealousy, and general irrationality.I was probably with the book for the first 60% of it. After that I had to force myself to keep reading. Like I said, Taylor's a perfect girlfriend. She's charming and sweet and thoughtful. As a person in general, I'm not sure I'd be friends with Taylor. She's definitely portrayed as slow and steady, with an emphasis on slow. She lives a slow paced life and is very opposed to change. Not necessarily a bad thing, but I wasn't super into it. Her steadiness also made her actions toward the end of the book seem way out of character.
I felt bad for Julia at the start of the book and was looking forward to watching her rebuild her life. More than halfway through the book, her continued lack of self confidence annoyed me, especially when it led her to make bad decisions. Every time I thought Taylor helped her work through her lack of self confidence, she would doubt herself again. (I realize that realistically, it's not a problem that will go away overnight. But it was frustrating to see Julia fall back on the same ways of thinking she'd had since the start of the book, with the only sign of progress being an added thought of, "oh, I shouldn't think this way.")
More minor things I wasn't a fan of:
- At one point, I think they bring up that both women are in their early thirties, but the way they were written made me think they were forty or older.
- While Taylor helps Julia work through her issues consistently throughout the book, Julia doesn't really do much for Taylor until way later on. It made the relationship seem a bit unbalanced to me.
To wrap up, this book was an okay read, better in the beginning, worse in the end. Maybe try it out if you're looking for a slow, lazy read, or if the things I ranted about above don't bother you.
*I received an ARC via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
hsinjulit's review against another edition
3.0
“Things don’t have to be malicious to do harm.” – Taylor
Moving home from New York City after her wife of 8 years left her for another woman, Julia Pierce had no choice but to take on a job at her family's winery. She had also missed out on dating life since nineteen, so going casual to make up for the lost time sounded like a good idea. When Taylor Winslow, who had an ongoing crush on her for years unbeknownst to Julia, volunteered to friend-zone herself as a wingman, neither knew this friendship would take on a deeper meaning.
“Saying something works is relative. Maybe it does and it’s really awesome. But, sometimes, I think we tell ourselves things are working because they’re not terrible and we’re scared of rocking the boat to try for something better.” – Julia
Rey's words flowed wonderfully. The subtle shift in point-of-view worked perfectly, never leaving me reeling to figure out whose thoughts the sentence was on. Some of the conversations were also carefully crafted, upping the enjoyment of the book in addition to the romance plot line.
“It didn’t work out. Things don’t always. It doesn’t mean they weren’t worth doing.” – Taylor
I found Taylor likeable, if not too nice. I also liked the friends and family of both main characters, especially Taylor's twin brother, Chris, and his husband, Jack. They were all very interesting, supportive, and played important parts in the book. However, there were so much more to Julia and her sister Caroline's history as well as Taylor and Julia's friendship or acquaintanceship during their high school softball career. If elaborated, the story might feel more complete.
“I used to think love was all about losing yourself in another person. But you make me feel seen, loved, as a whole person, exactly as I am.” – Julia
While the book did not stir much emotion in me, The Last Place You Look was a pleasant read with wonderful characters. It certainly brought a warm buzz.
I received an e-ARC from Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
heyspaghetti's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
hhushaw's review against another edition
3.0
An honest review thanks to NetGalley. This was a sweet romantic read. I had an issue with the secondary character of Chris. Usually I love secondary characters and they make the book for me. With Christ though I found myself rolling my eyes and getting more annoyed, I ended up skipping all the pages that he was featured in. I really do not know what was it about him that irritated me but it made reading some parts more like a chore. Overall I really liked Taylor and the change that Julia encountered through the book.
elvang's review against another edition
5.0
Julia comes home to work in her family’s winery when her eight year marriage ends, her ex wife choosing her personal trainer over Julia. With her self esteem at an all time low she decides to trust her dating app and find some women interested in good times and happy for now dating. She soon discovers she needs a wingman and Taylor, someone she’s known since highschool, agrees to help bail her out when needed. Problem is Taylor has loved Julia from afar since tenth grade. What’s a girl going to do when she finds she enjoys spending more time with Taylor than she does with the weird assortment of women she’s been trying to date.
I caught myself smiling while I was reading this book. Always a good sign. Julia’s homecoming, while awkward for her, turns out to be a warm and welcoming one. Taylor makes her transition home better by lending a helping hand, an ear and a chance for Julia to vent about her past mistakes. This book is a second chance of sorts since Taylor has been attracted to Julia for years but the focus is on their butch-femme relationship, a dynamic Aurora Rey writes with confidence. Taylor is so well drawn. Rey understands the fragile ego of a butch, the uncertainty behind the bravado. She’s an encourager and a gentlewoman around Julia, courteous and thoughtful and yes, a tiger in bed. All the things Julia needs after the bashing her self esteem took at the hands of her ex wife. It was a pleasure watching their relationship grow and mature.
I am impressed with the growth I’ve seen in Rey’s writing since her debut novel Winter’s Harbor. I won’t hesitate to read everything she writes now. Her books are a pleasure to read.
4.5 stars
ARC received with thanks from publisher via NetGalley for review.
I caught myself smiling while I was reading this book. Always a good sign. Julia’s homecoming, while awkward for her, turns out to be a warm and welcoming one. Taylor makes her transition home better by lending a helping hand, an ear and a chance for Julia to vent about her past mistakes. This book is a second chance of sorts since Taylor has been attracted to Julia for years but the focus is on their butch-femme relationship, a dynamic Aurora Rey writes with confidence. Taylor is so well drawn. Rey understands the fragile ego of a butch, the uncertainty behind the bravado. She’s an encourager and a gentlewoman around Julia, courteous and thoughtful and yes, a tiger in bed. All the things Julia needs after the bashing her self esteem took at the hands of her ex wife. It was a pleasure watching their relationship grow and mature.
I am impressed with the growth I’ve seen in Rey’s writing since her debut novel Winter’s Harbor. I won’t hesitate to read everything she writes now. Her books are a pleasure to read.
4.5 stars
ARC received with thanks from publisher via NetGalley for review.
rainbowbookworm's review against another edition
3.0
We all knew where this was going, yet I couldn't put it sown. I had forgotten how much sex there is in Aurora Rey novels, but I still enjoyed it.