Sandy S.
3.75 stars--THE LAST is the third instalment in Tawna Fenske’s contemporary, adult THE LIST erotic, romance series. This is thirty year olds, aviation specialist Ian Nolan, and social worker Sarah Keating’s story line. THE LAST can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. Told from dual first person perspectives (Ian and Sarah) THE LAST follows the friends to lovers / marriage of convenience relationship between thirty year olds, aviation specialist Ian Nolan, and social worker Sarah Keating. Celebrating her thirtieth birthday, Sarah Keating texted her college best friend Ian Nolan, who reminded our heroine about a pact they made years before promising one another if neither one had married by their thirtieth birthdays, they would become one another’s significant others. In town for a job, Ian Nolan offers Sarah a marriage of convenience that would benefit them both. What ensues is the rebuilding friendship and relationship between Sarah and Ian, and the fall-out as Sarah wants something more than Ian is able or willing to give. Ian Nolan doesn’t believe in love, and continues to struggle with the death of his younger brother. Reconnecting with Sarah brings with it memories of the past including the losses and regrets of his earlier days. Sarah Keating has always wanted marriage and a family but Ian’s offer of marriage doesn’t include a happily ever after, and no promises of love. The relationship between Sarah and Ian is a friends to lovers; a marriage of convenience between two people who love one another but are not necessarily in love. As the days turn into weeks, Sarah’s heart is lost to the man that she loves but Ian is unable to offer more. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text. The good-natured and colorful, secondary and supporting characters include Simon and Cassie (The List #1), and Simon’s sister Junie: Lisa and Dax (The Test #2), as well as several friends, co-workers and extended family. THE LAST is a story of family, friendship, promises and love with moments of heart break and grief. The premise is captivating; the characters are likeable and energetic; the romance is steamy and hot. THE LAST is a fun, sexy and heart felt.
1 person found this review helpful
Lori Zenobia
I devoured this amazing story. Captivated and totally enthralled I did not put this book down. Tawna's writing is flawless and the story she spilled out onto the pages was from the beyond. Holy nuts it's that good. The story is about Sarah and Ian who have been friends forever and in college made one of those drunk deals that if neither were married at 30 they'd marry each other. Right. Sarah never saw herself unmarried with her 30th approaching but she's got a job she loves, she's independent and tired of bad dates. Ian's successful and a sworn bachelor, no emotions and on total lockdown. When he comes to see Sarah around her birthday she's a little surprised and even more surprised that Ian has come to collect on their bet. He's got his own reasons and offers Sarah a deal. Ian needs an arm charm. He's trying to land a contract with a company that has a strong base in the stability of their workers. Ian sees marriage as the final nudge that will get him this job he really wants. Sarah is put off at first, after being handed a file folder of papers from Ian... she waffles. And wow does she waffle. Ian isn't pushy or obnoxious and he's honest. There's something to be said for that. They know each other well and their own issues. Through some of the finest writing I've seen a a long time, the story unfolds with emotion, ups and downs, a twist or two and plenty of steam to generate a small city. I am leaving this hang here. This book is an absolute must read and I can't babble enough about how much I loved it. I didn't want it to end. I just didn't. Thank you Tawna! Freaking amazing! arc from NetGalley and Entangled for an honest review
2 people found this review helpful
Laura Fidorowicz
I loved the first two books in this series so I was so excited for Sarah's story. I actually have loved every book I've read by this author so I knew this book was going to be amazing. Sarah is turning 30. By now, she thought she'd be married and have family but her dating experiences could be a book of disasters. On her birthday, she tells her friends of a pact she made with her college BFF. If they were both single when they turned 30, they would marry each other. So enter Ian and his new ideas about what marriage should be: a business arrangement. These two were something else. I loved the banter, the history, the chemistry. I was glued to this book from the second I started to the very end. I can't wait to see what comes next from this author!! *This is my voluntary review of an advanced reader copy*