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A review by reading_historical_romance
One Last Shot by Betty Cayouette
emotional
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Before she was Emerson (no last name needed) The Supermodel, she was Emerson Grey, awkward teenager from a dysfunctional home who had trouble making friends. She meets Theo Carson, popular, athletic, and total eye candy, at high school freshman orientation. They connect in a way neither have with anyone else. Their relationship is torn apart at age 18 when Emerson feels trapped into making a sudden and desperate choice. When the opportunity to end her decade-long estrangement from Theo presents itself, Emerson finally takes the leap of faith to shoot her one last shot for true love.
The fact that I love this book despite my frustration with the central conflict (miscommunication that just kept rearing its ugly head) is a testament to how much I loved this author’s writing style and the insane chemistry she created between the protagonists. The angst was so palpable and so delicious on the page I couldn’t read fast enough to finally, finally see these two lovelorn idiots just kiss already!
This one is all about Theo for me. I died a thousand little deaths as I read the story of the sweet, gentle boy who has grown into a humble, tender man. His devotion and his goodness to Emerson since he was 14, even during the decade they were apart, absolutely made this love story come alive and sing. Some of my very favorite parts of the book were the flashbacks to Theo in high school and his thoughtful caring of Emerson since the day they met.
One of the aspects of the story that I thought was the most powerful was how Emerson’s trauma didn’t just change her, but irrevocably altered Theo’s life as well. I loved when Theo’s brother Owen helped Theo to understand that both he and Emerson have the capacity to heal, and they share a depth of love that will allow them to create true happiness together.
The donuts? The ring? The epilogue? I cried. The ending was swoony perfection.
Tropes: slow burn, mutual pining, friends to lovers, second chance, unrequited love
Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and review this novel. All opinions are my own.
The fact that I love this book despite my frustration with the central conflict (miscommunication that just kept rearing its ugly head) is a testament to how much I loved this author’s writing style and the insane chemistry she created between the protagonists. The angst was so palpable and so delicious on the page I couldn’t read fast enough to finally, finally see these two lovelorn idiots just kiss already!
This one is all about Theo for me. I died a thousand little deaths as I read the story of the sweet, gentle boy who has grown into a humble, tender man. His devotion and his goodness to Emerson since he was 14, even during the decade they were apart, absolutely made this love story come alive and sing. Some of my very favorite parts of the book were the flashbacks to Theo in high school and his thoughtful caring of Emerson since the day they met.
One of the aspects of the story that I thought was the most powerful was how Emerson’s trauma didn’t just change her, but irrevocably altered Theo’s life as well. I loved when Theo’s brother Owen helped Theo to understand that both he and Emerson have the capacity to heal, and they share a depth of love that will allow them to create true happiness together.
The donuts? The ring? The epilogue? I cried. The ending was swoony perfection.
Tropes: slow burn, mutual pining, friends to lovers, second chance, unrequited love
Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and review this novel. All opinions are my own.