I found this incredibly challenging to get into. The pacing was too slow and the characters felt underdeveloped. I didn’t feel the connection between them and was glad when it was over

Susie has had a rough time, inherits a house from her aunt and it gets weird when the contractor, Lars, finds divorce papers in the house with their names on it!

I loved the supernatural part and loved this book was about, well, life lessons I guess! Susie and Lars were so good together, made my heart swell!

This was a fab friends to lovers, grumpy/sunshine, fate story and I think it's going on my reread pile!

I love a story that holds a little bit of the unknown. When Susie is fixing up her aunt's house, she and her contractor, Lars - the best friend of her Ex who shall not be named, find a divorce certificate dated 10 years in the future, with their names on it.
Neither of them know how it got there and at first, Lars suspects Susie of messing with him. Susie is anything but indirect, she would tell you to your face if she had a problem with you. She definitely didn't do this, but she is having a hard time explaining it.
Susie is his best friends ex, and absolutely off limits. She is his exact opposite, but he can't help but wonder what if. Susie and Lars can't help but be attracted to one another, they know they shouldn't be, but it seems.. inevitable. Lars is a serial monogamist and Susie wants to never get married, so on paper, it seems like these two won't work out no matter how hard they try anyway.
What I loved so tremendously about this story was the open communication between the two. When they did start 'trying things out" it was clear that feelings were involved immediately. I love it when a guy falls hard and fast and this was the case here. I loved watching the two of them openly communicating about themselves in order to try to figure out what would have made the other so mad that they would leave them in 10 years. By doing this, and being so open and vulnerable, it laid the foundation for such a strong bond. These two are so perfect for each other, but it wasn't a road that didn't have a bumpy path. 4.5 stars because I loved everyone so much, but there were things at the end that I wanted buttoned up just a bit more for me.
Thank you to Harlequin, Kylie Scott and Netgalley for an early copy.

End of story
4⭐️

What a fun read! Very interesting and kept my attention through the whole story. It was funny and hot 🥵 as heck!

Susie inherited her aunts house and she is renovating it and her contractor finds a divorce certificate hidden in the walls dated ten years later 🤯 yes yes that definitely made me keep reading !

The story was unique and kept me smiling fun fluffy romance. Highly recommend this to all my Rom-com readers!

I had no idea that there was a small 32 page novella about this story to introduce the characters. It’s at the end of the story and I really liked that too, I wish I would have read it first.

I really like Kylie Scott's work overall, but I have just not been able to get into this book. I've tried to read it several times, and it's just not drawing me in. I'm bummed this isn't working for me, but I'll likely try again in a few months once I can grab it from my library.

After a bad breakup and the sudden passing of her favorite aunt, Susie is ready for a fresh start. She sets out to remodel her newly inherited house, but a wrench is thrown into her plans when her exes' best friend shows up with the construction crew. Things get even more awkward when the two come across their weathered divorce certificate dated 10 years in the future.

This throws you right into the story which was a little confusing and jarring if I’m being honest. I would highly recommend reading the 2 chapter prequel, Beginning of the End, before diving into this one. I almost wish it had been a shortened prologue instead.

Susie is a great FMC. I loved how unapologetically herself she is. Lars is a lot more reserved so it was funny seeing her give him shit at every turn. Both of them pulled out the best in each other and it was nice to see her with a nice guy after getting to know her ex. I think the mystery divorce certificate was wholly unnecessary though. Nothing really comes of that storyline except for them questioning it at every turn. 3.5/5

Thank you to the author and publisher for providing a Netgalley ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This story was utterly perfect.

I never watched The Lake House but I kinda want to now. The little mixture of reality with the best amount of magic was right up my alley. Susie and Lars were, honestly, so healthy and such a good representation of a good relationship that I would run to recommend this book to teenagers if it weren’t for the fact that the spice level was like eight out of ten peppers.

The scenes were hot and there were multiple so definitely not clean romance or even tame.

Kylie Scott wrote some of my favorite band romances and End of Story is another one to add to the favorites pile. She manages to have the best balance of character-driven and plot-driven books.

I loved the book. I definitely devoured it. I really can’t recommend it enough. I’m not giving it five stars though because I would have liked to have seen a little bit more of the epilogue and more on Cleo and Tore but that’s more personal preferences.

I absolutely loved this book. You know when a book you needed finds you just at the right time? That's what happened to me with End of Story.

This really fun and sexy, opposites attract story follows Susie and Lars. Susie is renovating a house and who shows up? Lars, the best friend of her ex. The same narcissistic ex who humiliated her 6 months before. Lars finds a divorce certificate in the walls dated 10 years in the future with both their names on it. Before you know it, Susie are Lars are looking at each other in a way they never have before.

End of Story was such an easy read with characters I fell in love with. Especially Susie who has just the right level of bonkers and zero filter that I would look for in a best friend. Add in Kat the cat and End of Story had me so hooked I read it in a single night.

This is such a cute and fun book!

All the characters were (for the most part) very enjoyable. I love how sassy, fun, devoted, and strong Susie is and she is a perfect pair with Lars. I give her a lot of credit for how much she showed she had feelings for Lars considering he's her ex's best friend. I did like Lars as a hero but there were times that I thought he was a bit selfish(?). For someone who witnessed how his best friend broke up with Susie and completely humiliated her, I feel like Lars put her in some pretty tough situations at times. At times, it seemed like he didn't understand how difficult it was for her and even though her Ex is his best friend, she should have been prioritized. Other than this though, he was such a sweet character. He's funny, charming, and doesn't hesitate to voice his feelings for her. I love how secure he is about her. I did also appreciate him sticking up for her in front of the Ex multiple times and I love that Susie and Lars actually communicated with each other. They're really cute together!! Bonus points for no silly third act breakup!

In terms of plot, it was interesting enough where I was very invested in what was going on. I'm hoping this series will continue because there were some things left unresolved and I would also love to see the perspectives of different couples/characters.

Without the gimmick of the divorce decree from the future hidden in the wall, this is a run of the mill romance between two people who have a mutual relationship with a narcissist (the female main character's ex/male main character's best friend), and whose primary relationship issue is the discomfort of having "violated" the "bro code". And unfortunately, this story makes poor use of its central gimmick; it creates tension between the two in early scenes and gets revisited periodically when there's a need for light conflict to move the plot forward, but... there was already plenty of conflict embodied by the presence of the ex/best friend. This story didn't need the supernatural element and the way it was sort of abandoned at the end of the book annoyed me. Overall I was underwhelmed by this -- a nice way to pass a couple of hours, but ultimately unmemorable.

This was.... fine. I enjoyed it in the moment, but it wasn't overwhelmingly consuming. I liked the characters well enough, however, the whole big plot premise never came to a satisfactory conclusion and I felt disappointed in a clickbait sort of way.

I absolutely loved Susie and Lars! Susie has inherited her Aunt Susan's house. She is fixing it up debating on selling it. She hires a company to do the remodel and her ex's best friend, Lars, shows up. While fixing it up, they find a divorce decree in the wall that is dated 1o years in the future with both of their names on it. It looks legit. Only one problem, Susie does not plan on ever getting married. Both of them are flabbergasted, and may the hijinks commence. This book has all the feels and humor. Kylie brings her characters to life and you grow attach to each and every one. I loved Tore, Lars' brother, and Cleo, Susie's best friend. Get ready for a ride, and a cat named Kat! 5 stars

I so loved this book. It was great from beginning to end, and with so many emotions. Both characters were great, I loved the banter between them and also how they really got one another. I loved that Susie was so strong and vulnerable at the same time. Lars was great, he just let her be the way she was and had no problem with it. This was a great book, and I will definitely be rereading this one.

Cute story! That being said there is also a lot of depth to Susie & Lars. Some deep truths and eye opening insights. Their relationship has lots of challenges and you cant help but root for them to work out! The secondary characters are also engaging or annoying in some cases. Do read the prequel as it sets up the story.

I loved this quirky story about Susan and Lars. Lars is Susan's best friend, and he turns up to fix a water leak in the house she inherited from her aunt. Even though they knew each other, due to an unexpected discovery, they become closer. I like how their friendship develops. I enjoy reading this Author's work.

📖 ARC REVIEW 📖

Thank you @valentine_pr_ for an early copy of End of Story by Kylie Scott. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. 🤍

End of Story is an adult contemporary romance about Susie and Lars. Susie inherited her aunt’s house after she recently passed away. The house needed some work, and enter contractor Lars, her ex-boyfriend’s best friend; Lars was the one assigned to have the repairs done for the house.

Things went crazy as Lars discovers a divorce certificate hidden in the wall of the house; it was dated ten years into the future, with both his and Susie’s names on it. The entire story revolves around this seemingly fake and unbelievable document, as Susie and Lars try to uncover its origins, all the while spending a lot of their time together despite their expiration date – according to the divorce certificate, that is.

First of all, I have got to say I found the entire concept of the divorce certificate absolutely absurd, but it piqued my interest. While it was an interesting read overall, I found that the story could have ended easily with both Susie and Lars just forgetting the divorce certificate overall. They were already thinking it right from the start – it must have been a practical joke on them as it doesn’t really make sense. Instead, their curiosity about it brought them closer together. They started off as acquaintances, Lars being Susie’s ex-boyfriend’s best friend and all, and as the story progressed, they decided to be friends and eventually more than friends. Sad to say, I didn’t really feel that much chemistry from them, but I did love how their friendship progressed, especially with Lars – he seemed grumpy at first but has warmed up to Susie’s fun character.

This one is a fun read as Susie and Lars find a way to discover the certificate’s origin and their friends-to-lovers story. Rating this ⭐⭐⭐/5. Releases February 14th, 2023.

END OF STORY (4 stars)

Ever wanted a character to come narrate your life before? I hadn't, until I met Susie.

Grump/sunshine, ex's best friend, friends to lovers, forced proximity, found family, he falls first, and nurse back to health, all wrapped up in a very sarcastic and witty romance with a stray cat that appropriates the grump and some magical realism thrown in for good measure, bringing a touch of mystery... Sound good right?

I thought it did. And my goodness, did I enjoy reading this book! A big part of that is thanks to Susie, the female main character (FMC). I may have a little crush on her, to be honest. She's funny, unapologetically herself, wears her heart on her sleeve, she's honest and genuine, open minded, isn't afraid of having the difficult conversations and she's the absolute QUEEN of charcuterie boards. I love a good charcuterie board, so maybe that makes me a little biased.

Lars, the MMC, is a typical hot and tall caveman, making grunts, silences and eye brow lifts his preferred fictional grump communication method. But really, I'm convinced he's just a cinnamon roll hiding behind a grumpy armor, because that man... That man had me swooning! He's attentive and observant, he listens and provides based on what he heard, he's caring, loving and loyal, and the best part? He stomps around like a bear in the mornings, then again, maybe I am biased again on that last part...

Their romance felt very real and messy, having both of them work through stuff, having difficult conversations, holding each other accountable in a respectful manner when stuff happens... What I really loved was that they both worked really hard at creating a safe space for each other, by focusing on communicating as best as they could and on repair whenever feelings were hurt.

Another big part of what made me love the book so much, was the sarcasm and wittiness in this book. It made for a very light and easy read, making me laugh and snort throughout (even on public transport, thanks very much!). Scott does not shy away from calling out various things to which this millennial mentally screamed "PREACH!" each time she read one. I particularly liked the different 'men and their gentle natures' call outs. It was a nice change to read about (some) men's inability to handle their emotions, and having them called out on that; you know, instead of women always being shamed for it. Another thing that really made me feel seen was the unapologetic love for romance and romance readers that was woven into the book, all the while staying real and showing some of the condescending reactions romance readers get to deal with in real life.

Why only 4 stars, I hear you ask? Well, normally I'm all about the build up, falling in love with the characters falling in love, but with End of Story, I had a hard time doing that. I am not exactly sure why, because mentally I found myself swooning, but emotionally I wasn't always there. I think that Susie's sarcasm often defused the situation, because it helped her deflect her early feelings, but at the same time it held off mine. And I like swooning and feeling butterflies when I read, which leads to 5 star ratings.

I also would've loved to have seen some time jumps over the years, to see how they were doing, how they were navigating life and what made them able to put in the work to avoid the divorce. I'm glad we got the epilogue, but it didn't show us how they got to that point because everyone knows a marriage is constant work.

Some extra information that some people might like:
- Single POV (I really wished we'd gotten Lars' POV sometimes. I think it would've made it much better, especially in the beginning. When we first got a spoken insight into his feelings (not elaborating because of spoilers), I audibly GASPED. Top 3 favorite moments of this book, that's for sure!).
- Open door with about 3 sexy scenes that had me fanning myself (skippable though!)
- Quite a bit of strong language, f-bombs and the like (which I loved but I know not everyone does)
- Trigger warnings: grief, death of a loved one (mentioned)

**I read and reviewed an advanced reading copy the publisher gave me through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.** Thank you!

BEGINNING OF THE END
I liked reading about the two events that led to Susie and Lars getting together, and seeing some early interactions between them. But if I'm brutally honest, I don't think there's any added value to the prequel. There was enough information in End of Story to get the gist of what happened with Aaron and to understand how much Susie loved Aunt Susan. There was almost no new information. I would not have been happy had I payed for the prequel to find out it was already stuff I knew after reading End of Story (I tend to read book 1 first).

I absolutely adore Kylie Scott's stories. They are heartwarming, sexy and so addicting. End of Story tells an amazing story of a woman who decides to take control of her life when curveball after curveball is thrown her way. The icing on the cake is the utter adorableness of Lars and the connection they made.

Overall, this was a solid friends to lovers romance. I loved how the author showed the true progression of their relationship from friends to more. Moreover, the hint of supernatural flair it had was the phenomenal. I adored this story! 5 stars! ~Ratula ❤️

What a page turner! Lars and Susie find their own divorce certificate just a few pages into the book, and they immediately have to grapple with the shock. They have to decide if they trust each other enough to believe that neither one is playing a prank and if they can work together on the renovation. They had been friends on a surface level while Susie had been with her ex (Lars's best friend), but their friendship deepens as they spend time together. My favorite parts were the times they discussed potential reasons for their divorce. Those conversations were both funny and illuminating.
Commitment phobia is not my favorite trait in a main character, but it really worked with this plot. Who would want to get involved with someone when you are already holding the proof of divorce in your hand? But Susie was open and funny about her fears, especially because she has learned a lot about herself in the previous months. She doesn't let Lars get away with any bad behavior, but she also doesn't waste time berating him or bashing her ex. She is maturing into a person she wants to be -- but in a fun way. For his part, Lars has his own set of issues, but he is willing to apologize when necessary and to practice opening up about his feelings. The relationship that they develop is solid and significant.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Genre: Contemporary romance

Thoughts:

🏡 It’s a great reminder that everyone deserves love ♥️
🏡 I absolutely adored Susie and Lars.. they were so well written! And I loved how their relationship evolved!
🏡 Susie’s best friends is the best!
🏡 Has plot that connects supporting characters👌🏻
🏡 I really enjoyed the banter - it’s really funny!
🏡 I was smiling probably 80% of time while I was reading it 😅
🏡 The characters actually communicate their issues 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
🏡 I just don’t know how I feel about the divorce certificate mystery.. it left me feeling confused and unfulfilled. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great and unique premise.. I was just hoping that it would have a better resolution.

Thank you to Valentine PR for an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts are my own.