Aimee Brown (1)

Dax Hartley has made flowers his entire life, just like his late father did. When his dad's shop is up for sale, he has to have it. The only problem is he can't afford it. The reality show Battle of the Blossoms is the perfect chance to win the money he needs, but with the arrival of his childhood crush back in his life, distractions risk taking his eyes off the prize. Hollyn Matthews has made some colossal mistakes in life. When she is dumped just as she's expecting an engagement ring, she knows she's put her heart into the wrong man. Hoping for another chance at being a grown up, she moves home to stay with her brother and his best friend Dax. Facing the hurt she left behind means facing some truths about herself, but there's only one boy who has always loved her, if she'd only take the time to notice him.
Dax has been in love with Hollyn since they were teens. However, she only ever saw him as her younger brother's best friend. In an attempt to escape a life where she saw herself as a disappointment to her parents, she moved away and cut off all those back home. After a comedic and devastating break up, she has no choice but to return home and is quickly confronted with just how terrible she has been to people who love her. Hollyn soon discovers Dax isn't the kid she remembers and when the two are forced to spend a lot of time together it's inevitable that a bond develops between them.
The book was full of some good characters and you could see a huge development in Hollyn's character, but it felt rushed and artificial to me. The book was full of lots of super convenient elements, which had the sole purpose of working to force Dax and Hollyn to spend more time together. However, it also had hilarious moments like the time Hollyn tried to attack someone with a lightsaber. I think the story was cute, but for me Dax and Hollyn didn't really know anything about one another as adults, it was all about the bond they had as teens. I did enjoy that the novel wasn't just a second chance at romance but a second chance at basically everything for Hollyn.
It is definitely a cute and fun read if you want a few laughs and a HEA. If you are a fan of closed door romances then you will love this one for sure. I just felt like the ending was a bit rushed and that the story was incredibly predictable. However, it was a fun take on the brother's best friend romance for sure.… (más)

Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5 Stars)
Title: The Last Dance
Author(s): Aimee Brown
Character(s):
― Ambri Jennings: 27 years old, Brunette
― Henry Decker: 29 years old, Blonde, Blue Eyed
Setting: Portland, Oregon
Tag(s): Romance, Contemporary
Content Rating: PG-13
POV: Alternates between Heroine/Hero
Smexy Level: Subtle
Favorite Quote(s):
― “You are my person, Ambri.”
― “You’re human, Ambri. You don’t always choose who you fall in love with. The heart wants what it wants sometimes . More often than not it doesn’t go in the direction you expected. I think it’s worth the time it takes to figure it out though. You don’t want to look back and realize you did the wrong thing because you made a decision too soon.”
Overall Opinion:
Henry stepping out of his best friend life, two years has come and gone. Through all the highs and all the lows, including the death of Henry late wife and Ambri sister Rory, one night changes everything and they are left estranged. When he walks back into her life, old habits die hard but would they be able to forgive and forget?

What I liked the most about this read was the realism of life and death, peoples struggles with depression and learning to forgive. It was easy to see how Henry and Ambri were able to fall in love with each other. It was years in the making and even though misunderstandings happen, they were able to persevere and learn to forgive. it was known from the get-go that they were made for each other and you couldn't wait to see their happily ever after. Unlike some other heroines in romance novels, Ambri didn’t shy away fron how much Henry has hurt her. She screamed, she yelled, she cried and it’s hard not to feel the gut-wretching raw emotions she was able expressed to him. Additional, a few negatives I will mention is how unappealing the side relationships were when added into the mix with the leads. It was redundant and I felt bad with how Ambri romance with Noah ended. It was just a little too convenient how the leads partners were also still in love with their exes, etc. What was the point of them even being included? Overall, I understand Henry's reason behind his actions but how quickly they were able to fall back together and leave everyone in the dust left a bad taste in my mouth. Let alone how supportive their friends were about it. Didn't they spend a year getting to know Noah, built a friendship and was able to witnessed how great he treated her? It would have been better if Ambri and Henry were both single in the first place while trying to fix their relationship. Overall not exactly Nicholas Sparks, but I guess it could be considered close enough.

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This novel reminds me of a Sofia Kinella or Marian Keyes with the various hilious antics that arise from Emi. Emi ran away from Oregan after her fiance Jack had his half nake receptionist on his lap. Emi also had a mean girl moment with Greta--her former boss's daughter. Greta wasted no time when she found out that Emi broke up with Jack. Now Emi has to return to Oregan for her twin brother Evan's wedding to Hannah--Jack's younger sister. To make matters worse for Emi, she is in the wedding party with Jack. During a dinner at her brother's house, Emi finds out that Jack is dating, not not dating just anyone--her arch-nemisis Greta. Greta has always gotten what she wanted. Greta set her sights on Jack and she is going to do everything she can to ensure that she gets him even if Jack's heart belongs to another. The more the wedding party spends together the more hurt Jack is for what happened between himself and Emi. He can't forgive himself for what happened--how can he expect Emi to forgive him and take him back. Emi ran away over a thousand miles away to forget him.

The big wedding day holds numerous surprises for the entire wedding party from an unexpected dye job to an orange spray tan to past secrets being revealed. Brown had me laughing and crying for Emi. This novel will be added to my repeat reading list!… (más)