The Last Lap by Christy HayesMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
4.25ā
Genre ~ women’s fiction
Publication date ~ March 7, 2023
Page Count ~ 324
POV ~ dual 3rd
Featuring ~ deceased siblings, grief, parent with Alzheimer’s, small town, slow burn, no steamge
Megan’s sister, Amanda, died with Bryan’s brother, Corey 4 months ago. Megan is doing her best to keep the gift shop business they shared afloat, while also raising her 12 year old niece, Lily. Bryan is searching for answers as to what caused his estranged brothers death for peace of mind for his parents. Neither were expecting to find comfort in each other.
Meg’s money troubles were evident and I liked how she didn’t waste money she doesn’t have ~ they live in a crappy apartment, she drives a crappy car and in the rare occurrence of getting a treat she has a coupon. Yay for coupons! She has a difficult time accepting help, but eventually realizes she can’t do it all on her own. She was frustrating me at times with her stubbornness and assumptions that Bryan is just like his brother. She doesn’t want to let him in because he’s only there for the summer to clean out Corey apartment, but finally Bryan wins her over with his charming ways and helping hands. He was really a delight throughout the whole book and a guy who will always show up for you no matter what. I liked that their grieving process was so different.
I felt the small town vibe and how close knit the small business owners were and how they helped each other out. The flower shop sisters were a great addition to the story with keeping Meg and Lily fed, making sure Meg had some ‘me time’ and with giving advice. Bryan’s, bff, Dustin is a big part of the story and I loved their friendship and how he stepped up for Meg, too. I feel like his story line was unfinished, though, and I wouldn’t mind reading a whole book about him and his wife, Tegan.
Overall, an enjoyable read.
*Thanks to Christy Hayes for sending me a kindle copy. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
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Book blurb:
A man seeking closure after the death of his estranged brother. A woman grieving her sister and best friend. A connection they never saw coming. More than the temperature heats up in USA Today Bestselling Author Christy Hayesā unforgettable page-turning romance about two tortured souls and their collision course with love.
Megan Holloway has learned a few hard truths in her twenty-eight-years. Life isnāt fair. People she loves always leave. And sheāll be stuck on Key West running her parentsā gift store and raising her twelve-year-old niece for the rest of her life.
Thirty-year-old Bryan Westfall has come to Key West to clean out his dead brotherās apartment and search for answers about the woman who died with his estranged older brother. Bryan didnāt know the woman had a daughter and he sure didnāt expect her sister to floor him with her beauty and biting brashness.
Bryanās persistent need to help and Megās bumbling business skills create an unlikely union. The more time they spend together, the more their feelings become too powerful to deny. Meg knows Bryan is leaving at the end of the summer and Bryan knows Meg is holding back to spare herself needless heartache. When a hurricane forces them to evacuate, Meg mentally prepares to let Bryan go while Bryan wonders if home is where he came from or is with the woman who stole his heart.
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You made me laugh with the “Yay coupons.” I don’t have the patience for it. But, man, I have a couple friends who stay STOCKED with certain things, completely on coupons. Like, here, let me share some of this with you stocked. It’s pretty amazing, really.
I used to be big into it back in the day, Iām more of a dabbler in it these days, but I do love a good deal š