Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC!

The minute I saw this was best friends to lovers AND second chance romance?? I was already hooked.

I absolutely adored this book. Avery and Josh were childhood best friends until Josh leaves for 10 years. When he suddenly comes back, both Avery and Josh can feel old feelings come right back. Watching them work through their problems and fall in love all over again was so special.

I loved how we learn about Avery's anxiety and insecurities. Watching her struggle and seeing Josh help her overcome them was amazing. We also learn about Josh's struggles and I loved his character so much.

The dynamic between them as old friends slowly transitioning into something so much more was !!!! I loved them so much, I can't wait to recommend this book to everyone when it comes out.

I really enjoyed this book as a whole. I think the execution of an mc with anxiety was produced very well and super relatable. I will say, however, that the 3rd person point of view did make it hard to connect with characters at times, as well as made reading a bit confusing. But besides that fact, I loved the friends to strangers to lovers aspect, as well as the way the mcs didn't immediately admit their love with each other after first sight. This was a lovely reconnection story.

thank you to netgalley and victory editing for the copy of the arc. unfortunately this is the first arc i have gotten that i had to dnf, after the first 60 pages i could not force myself through the book anymore.

a few things i did like from the part i read was the author’s note in the beginning about the trigger warnings and the mental health rep with avery.

however for me this book felt very cringey and wattpad style. the dialogue was immature, and cheesy. due to this i can’t say i really liked or connected with avery, and her best friend brooke felt underdeveloped and lacked depth. reading the line “she threw her long caramel hair into a messy bun” multiple times felt very 2012-2014 style fan fiction in the worst way. i also think the way the story was written was hard for me to get into, i felt like the author explicitly told the reader everything instead of showing us the events. the plot felt forced and of convenience for specific events to happen. i was also upset realising that it wasn’t a true second chance lovers story and that they were just friends. i tried really hard to give this book a chance but it wasn’t for me, however that does not mean others won’t enjoy the book! i do think it has potential and i hope to try and read some of the author’s future works. i am sorry that i did not finish reading the book, i was very excited for it. unfortunately it was not the read for me.

What a great debut novel!

This book honestly has so much to offer. I went in blind and was expecting a cute love story, but got so much more. This book explores a second chance romance packed with love, friendship, life struggles, and some tough subjects. It was beautifully written, and captivated my attention throughout.

The characters relationship felt so pure and relatable. Josh poured his heart out and we could feel it through the pages. He was kind, lovable, patient, and wore his heart on his sleeve. With Avery I feel like we could all relate to her in someway. Her relationship with her best friend Brooke was addicting, and their bonds unbreakable.

This was a quick and enjoyable read, that offers a little something for everyone. I'm looking forward to reading more!

I wanted to like this book so much more but I had such a hard time connecting with the main character! I think that maybe this book just wasn’t for me because I struggled to get into it from chapter one on!

A genuinely good romance with two really likeable characters at the forefront. I enjoyed reading about Josh and Avery, my only issue with this is that it felt like it was going in circles at times. And that's how relationships can be, it wasn't inauthentic but it did feel little wearing. Otherwise solidly romantic, fun and multilayered, I felt like I could have read about them for ages.

This was a cute read - quick and relatively easy to read, but I did find it to be repetitive and a bit misguided in a wandering direction.

I liked it. I love a second chance romance, there was great representation, but I don't know it just didn't work for me.

A sweet second chance romance, The Last Encore tells the story of Avery, a photographer who agrees to photograph her ex-best friend’s sister’s wedding. One catch- he’s the one who got away, and Avery doesn’t know if she can let him get away again. A really cute and quick read, with fabulous characters and a captivating plot. Elodie will draw you in with Avery’s heartache, and have you rooting for her as she falls for Josh a second time.

The Last Encore was truly a cozy read for me. The author's writing style was really enjoyable. From the first the the page I opened to the last, it had my attention so I would recommend it!

The Last Encore is a fantastic tribute to everything we love about romance novels, but it also addresses some more serious topics which are written in such a realistic way with sincerity.

Mental Health Rep.; As a person with anxiety and occasional panic attack, I thought it was wonderfully implemented.

Difficult matters like sexual assault as well as unhealthy relationships with parent/s were handled quite well by the author, which is always appreciated.

I also liked the Incredible and encouraging connections between siblings & BFFs. These relationships are truly written and braided beautifully into the story!

I'm incredibly grateful to NetGalley and the author for allowing me to read an early digital copy!

I LOVED THIS BOOK

Let me talk about it cause i really need to do it

First of all, friends-to strangers-to lovers trope. If i haven't sold the book to you by now i now 100% what i say next will.

This book has probably one of the best male main characters ever. Josh comes back from Europe and reuinites with Avery in a interesting way, and they ditch their plans to go reminisce their old times, and girlies, Josh starts strong. I was wipped by him by the 20% of the book, so imagine how i was when we add the dirty talk. I was a goner.

There are a few moments that show why he is going to be one of the new favourite book boyfriends, and if he is not, i will be sad. Because he deserves it.

The plot of the book is amazing, Avery's story is touching and sad, but also empowering (check trigger warnings for this). And Josh's story is also really touching. I really liked reading about their lives, and how they get together and everything.

I am 100% sure i will end up buying a physical copy of this book once it releases, cause it has become one of my favourite 2022 reads.

**Thank you NetGalley for giving me access to reading this ARC**

I couldn’t really understand the big deal of what happened between Avery and Josh at the beginning. The big betrayal she goes on and on about didn’t seem that horrible and unforgivable to me. Basically, the author wasn’t able to make some feel connected to the characters as much as I expected.

My dislike for Josh didn’t actually happen until near the end. We had, by that point, already gotten over the fact he ditched his friends and family for Europe. But he once again decides to skip town for a job. I can totally understand and respect pursuing your career, but ONE line made me lose that respect for him: “I'm living this life for myself first.” Yeah, no thanks. You can’t just expect someone to give up everything for you when you aren’t willing to do the same. Also hated that everyone sided with him. Sure, it all worked out in the end, but the whole situation left a bitter taste in my mouth.

Avery wasn’t terribly likable just because she was constantly changing her mind. Also, how can you expect to have a casual relationship and make it work just because you know the romcoms?! I’m sorry, but sometimes she was just not smart.

Side note: it was very uncomfortable that Josh planned and participated in his sister’s bachelorette party. Yes, he was her “man of honor,” but to plan strippers?! I don’t care how close you are—lines should be drawn lol.

The Last Encore is a teenage-love, best-friends-to-lovers romance which deals with important issues.

Avery is 28, having problems with her job as a photographer and personal struggling. In fact, Avery suffers from panic attacks and constant anxiety and overthinking. While her parents are divorcing and anxiety takes place inside of her, her old friend Josh, who had left ten years before, returns to Toronto, giving her other things to think about.

This romance was very cute, profound and overwhelming and I liked it very much. The only thing that probably made me not giving it 5 stars was the sweetness that went on for all the book.
I’m not used to reading friends-to-lovers, so I’m sure it’s just a problem of mine, I didn’t really feel the interest between them click during the book because it had already clicked way before and was always there.
I’m not criticising this because I know it’s something that fits this book perfectly, I’m just saying that it doesn’t fit me.

Anyway I really liked this book and that’s why I give it 4⭐️. I’m sure there are many people that like that very small particular I didn’t. So if you like this kind of trope, absolutely go for it.

Thank you Netgalley and Victory Editing for sending me and e-ARC of this book in exchange of an honest review.

Unfortunately, this one feel flat for me and I know I'm in the minority.

I loved the mental health rep in the MC & her mom. I applaud Elo for including a warning at the beginning of the book that the sexual assault scene was based on a personal experience. The spicy scenes were well done and loved that they discussed consent and boundaries.

However, some of the writing felt very lengthy and repetitive. The MC's, Avery & Josh, for two people with such a lengthy history, felt like they lacked depth. I really wanted to love the side characters, but they also weren't well developed unfortunately.

Huge thank you to the author, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op & NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review!

I really wanted to love this book because it had all the "right" (for me) characteristics: second-chance love, friends to lovers, and both characters working artistic jobs (she is a photographer and he is a pianist). However, I liked it but did not love it. The pacing of the story was a little bit off. Avery and Josh meet again after 10 years of silence in the first few chapters and after reading the book I realized that the meeting was the pick of the book/ the big moment but it was too soon and did not appreciate it since I was not involved in the characters yet. However, the real reason why I did not love the book was Josh. Maybe because we do not see his POV, but I could not understand his reason. He was caring and understanding with Avery, but extremely selfish and self-centered in other moments. I could understand his reasoning for leaving the first time, but I had a very hard time understanding why he never even write a text to her for ten years (especially since they were best friends). However, when he tried to leave again, I was fuming. I was so mad that I almost crashed my phone on the wall.

I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley & Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op fo an honest review.

Not my favourite book that I have read recently. I felt like I couldn't connect to the characters. I felt like the storyline was a little bit disjointed and I didn't particularly feel the romance between the characters. But that's just me. Others might love it.

A second chance at the love they were edging up on in high school.
After ten years apart Josh returns to Toronto and tries to pick-up the pieces with best friend Avery. The ten year silent treatment, plus her own anxiety makes this a big challenge.

Overall this debut novel fell short for me. The pacing was off, and the chemistry lacking so when we got to the very open door scenes it felt rushed. However issues of sexual assault and mental health are handled very well.

Thank you Netgalley for my ARC of this book.

Thanks to NetGalley & Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for an eARC of this book. The following review are my honest and unbiased thoughts.

I wanted to like this book. I WANTED TO LIKE THIS BOOK. A photog protagonist? Second-chance romance? Friends to lovers? Pianist love interest? It had everything needed to catch my attention and get me to abandon all my responsibilities. What it didn't end up having was good plot structure and pacing.

Most romance books follow a pretty predictable pace and structure, and criticize that all you want...the formula works for a reason. This book was all over the place -- we have the Big Moment just a couple chapters into the book, with the rest of the book being a constant back and forth emotionally. It was almost like we had the 3rd act revelation/break up in the first 20% of the book, which left the other 80% to drag out. There was no tension, no building emotions, nothing really to keep the reader invested.

Did I love Avery and Josh? Absolutely. Did I love their story? Absolutely. Did I get all the feels over their feels? Absolutely. But the pacing was just...so off. If this book got re-edited, I think it'd be a smashing success. For now, though it's a cute story with poor pacing and structure.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 4.25/5 (Rounded to 5⭐️ on GR)
Sensitive Subject Warning ⚠️
Thoughts: 💭

It’s been ten years, ten long years since Josh picked up and moved to Europe leaving his friends behind, specifically Avery. Ten years later they run into each other by chance at Avery’s fathers Alzheimers gala. Will the same feelings still be there to take the plunge this time around?

There will ALWAYS be a special place in my heart for friends to lovers tropes. A lot of times friends to lovers books just have a lot of miscommunication that drags on, BUT Elodie did a fantastic job with building Josh and Avery’s story.

What’s even better is this is Elodie’s debut book!!!

𝒲𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝐼 𝓁𝑜𝓋𝑒𝒹…

🎶 Friends to Lovers
🎶 Second Chance
🎶 Slow Burn-ish
🎶 No Strings Attached / FWB
🎶 Music References
🎶 Canadian Vibes

Indie authors are hands down my fave and deserve so much credit. I cannot wait until this book is released in paperback!

Thank you @elosreadingcorner and @netgalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. Make sure to add this one to your preorder list! Publication date is November 1st, 2022.

Thank you for an E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Okay, here’s what I did love:
- Spicy sexy goodness
- second chance romance
- depression and anxiety representation
- deep family wounds & trauma
- friendship at the heart of it all

Here’s where I had some problems:
- Gonna be honest here and say this wasn’t mind blowing writing. It wasn’t anything new. And it was so cheesy it hurt me.
- It felt at times more like a YA book, in how the characters responded & acted to things as 28 year-olds. Obviously this book is not intended for younger readers, as it does deal with familial trauma, surviving sexual assault, and has some explicit scenes. However, I just wasn’t sure if they acted like 28-year-olds. They were making choices and often talked like how I imagine high school couples do.
- The first 10% we don’t even see our main love interest. Gonna be honest and say that it needed to be picked up quicker and it was a slow beginning.
- I wanted there to be more. There could have been potential for use of other tropes. There also could’ve been a deeper problem than just he left for europe and then the third act he is going to leave again. IDK. Felt like lazy writing to me.
- It’s not that I don’t love third person writing when it’s done well. I just think if you’re going to write inside someone’s head consider doing it in first person. I would’ve preferred it to be in first person when discussing past traumas and relationship struggles because it would have felt more personal

Two childhood friends, Josh and Avery, reconnect years later and realize that they like each other more than they thought when they were younger. Avery is used to being let down so she is guarding her heart. Overall, I thought it was cute but it was not my favorite. Not really a second chance romance since they were never together when they were younger, just friends.