i was so lucky to get my hand on this book early! the premise is about josh and avery who were close friends in school until, ten years ago, he abruptly left for europe, leaving her heartbroken. sinve then, they haven't exchanged greetings or spoken. when they run into one other again at a charity event, they rekindle their relationship, but could it be more? *whispering, excitedly* <i>YES!</i>

<b>the last encore</b> was a sweet and touching story about friendship, love, and second chances. the characters were all brilliantly portrayed and had great depth, were likeable, developed, and had chemistry. i appreciated how it was handled carefully and with the appropriate trigger warning. i think the author does a fantastic job of portraying mental health. while still being compassionate, it is incredibly genuine and truthful. these mental illnesses are depicted by the author in their true form and all of their complexity. how thoroughly it may take someone away and engulf them. despite a few issues, i believe you can still appreciate this outstanding debut.

thank you to the author and victory editing netgalley co-op for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I am so grateful for the chance to review this one and while I loved certain aspects of the story, other aspects I just didn't.

For being in the friends to strangers to lovers trope it just fell a bit short for me. The romance happened too fast and there was almost no time spent getting to know each other again. However, the romance is perfectly portrayed throughout all of the spicy scenes with him asking for consent.

The characters felt a little flat to me, there was enough depth or pining in their story for me.

I loved the mental health rep, how the entire anxiety aspect was portrayed and detailed thoughout the read and I love that the author brought up the MC's past assault, that was done incredibly well.

As previously stated by other reviewers, for a debut novel it was good and I do look forward to other books by Elodie!

I really wanted to like this one more than I did. I found that the first few chapters jumped from plot point to plot point and was only linked by her mental health and so that was my first hesitation. As it progressed it smoothed out a little but I just didn't feel as invested in the story and characters as I wanted. Good luck to Colliard; I hope the book and future ones do well.

This was such a breath of fresh air. It's the fifth contemporary romance novel I've read in a row so I was a bit worried because I really wanted to LOVE it - and I did! It's fresh without being flashy and it feels (mostly) so real - the ending is a little too fabulous but ya know, some people are lucky and contemporary romance novels are where are all the luck and love and glitter gather. Oh, and the spice.

The spice. It's a second chance romance and it's the first opportunity these two (Avery and Josh) have had the chance to set eyes (let alone hands or mouths) on each other in ten years. TEN YEARS. And when they finally do - whoa nellie - it's a slow burn turned spicy tear down of a love novel and I didn't hate it one little bit.

I also loved Avery's internal battles with her anxiety (which seems weird to say) but Colliard really shows us how the anxiety and the pain from a past encounter (see the content warning at the start of the book) really impacts on her present - and Josh is oh so accommodating.

Set in Toronto, this is almost a urban pairing for the summer hit Every Summer After, without the flashbacks. It's got all the great second chance romance vibes, a great cast of secondary characters and unsurprisingly, some good ol creative jobs for our love interests to keep them busy between bouts of making out and long serious chats about their past, present and future.

My only complaint about this book is that the chapters felt really long. That’s just a personal preference thing though. I really enjoyed the book overall. Avery and Josh were sweet together and I liked both of their stories. Both backstories are fairly angsty and worth checking TW. It is open door and decently spicy in the last 1/4 of the book.
I would definitely read another book by this author and I’ll for sure be picking up Miles book when it’s out!

The Last Encore

I saw this listed as a second-chance, friends-to-lovers romance, so I HAD to read. Avery is a photographer trying to enhance her portfolio and grow her business. And when Joshua comes back into town after leaving 10 years ago, to help with his sister’s wedding, they start rediscovering their feelings and each other.

While I did enjoy the overall story, Josh did annoy me a bit with his use of the word “baby” (I know this is super specific). Not only did he use it alllllll the time, but he also used it soon after he and Avery were figuring things out, which felt too early for me?

In addition to the main characters, I loved Avery’s brother Miles, and was very excited to see at the end of the book a teaser to the next book featuring him! And of course cannot forget Brooke and Alice, they were fab.

Trigger warning for sexual assault — definitely read the author’s note at the beginning.

Thank you to @netgalley and Victory Editing for my e-ARC. This one publishes on 11/1!

This is a lovely, sweet book that romance readers will find enjoyable from start to finish. It's extremely heartwarming, and a great example of why friends-to-lovers can be just as enjoyable as many of the other love tropes.

Let’s start with what I liked about this book: the mental health rep was on point, especially Avery’s anxiety felt incredibly real to me. I found myself annoyed at her so many times for the way she was overthinking situations, choose to interpret words in their most unkind/worst way possible, and how she wouldn’t let herself truly trust in the relationship she was building (again) with Josh - it annoyed the heck out of me, only for me to realize every damn time how familiar this behavior was. I really liked how her mental health struggles seeped into her entire behavior and didn’t only show themselves at plot-convenient moments.

The book also has some nice thoughts and moments about the feeling of belonging and young people figuring themselves out.

My main gripe with this book was the way the characters were written, they didn’t feel like people in their late twenties at all! During the flashbacks scenes when they were teenagers they gave off the same cringey energy as they did ten years later, how?

So much happens in this book that feels forced and just conveniently engineered. Avery is clumsy, but only when it aids the ‘re-meet cute’; her house is temporarily inhabitable so she has to move in with Josh; their car breaks down so they can finally get a little closer; .… what bothered me about this was how often the plot depended on this kind of convenience to move forward, it would’ve been less bothersome if it had happened fewer times.

Overall the book opens up a lot of side plots that either have no impact on the main story and stick out like leftover puzzle pieces or these plots wrap up unsatisfactorily.

CW: Sexual assault (explicit, flashback)

[2.5 ★★✦] I'm a sucker for second chance romances and pretty covers, but sadly this book didn't do it for me.

“It was as if they had denied themselves the possibility but were always meant to get there one day.”

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Honestly, the first third of the book was great, I was really liking the story and the characters and then I kind of started to lose interest. I feel like everything happened way too soon, like one moment Avery is questioning whether she can trust Josh or not and the next moment she's back to being super close with him. I don't know, although it's suppose to be a second chance romance it feels like insta-love, they haven't seen or talked in the last TEN YEARS and suddenly they are all over each other and so in love, I'm sorry, I just couldn't fall for that.

ꕥ Little side note about that: I get that they are super hot but half of the book is Avery describing how sexy Josh is now and all these sexual fantasies she's picturing with him, like a couple of times throughout the book, fine but it happened multiple times just in one chapter, it became annoying.

ꕥ I really wanted to enjoy this story but I couldn't connect with the characters, I don't like Josh and I don't like Avery and it came to a point where I was hoping that they didn't end up together.

It wasn't awful, but there's definitely room for improvement, I know this is a debut so I hope to see more of this author in the future.

<b>TRIGGER WARNINGS:
sexual assault, depression, anxiety, loss of a loved one</b>

The first thing I want to say before I even start writing my thoughts on the story is that as a sexual assault survivor I appreciate these trigger warnings so much because there’s been so many times I’ve been blindsided by these triggering subjects. Another thing I wanted to say was that I am so proud of the author for using this story as an opportunity to tell their story. Elodie, you’re amazing.

This was a classic best friends to strangers to lovers and I was instantly hooked from the first chapter. When I say every character was special and brought something individual to the story, I mean it.

The story was so perfectly paced which helped it give more of a realistic feel to it. I think that’s really important, especially when it comes to a story like this that covers realistic issues.

<b>”I’d be the fucking dumbest man on earth not to be completely crazy about you.”</b>

I highlighted this particular quote because it genuinely made me scream into my pillow. Absolute swoon worthy.

Josh is such an important character to me. He is so reassuring and patient but assertive in all the right ways. I only hope one day to find my Josh.

I knew when I was half way through this book that it was going to be a comfort read for me. I laughed and I cried. I genuinely enjoyed this book from start to finish and I will definitely be revisiting this in the future.

<i>Thank you to NetGallery and Victory Editing for providing me this arc!</i>
<i>I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.</i>

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, from Victory Editing NetGalley and #NetGalley. Thank you for the opportunity to preview and review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

You’ll be all in from word one.

An absolutely lovely debut novel from Elodie Colliard!

Okay first things first… Josh?! All the things we LOVE in a book boyfriend!! He was swoon-worthy for sure 😩 Avery’s character was just as lovable. I found her character to be so raw and relatable. 💓

I thought this book was unique because generally speaking it’s a romcom, but the author did a really nice job of incorporating heavy topics in a meaningful and tasteful manner. I appalled the author for not shying away from such topics in a romcom! 👏 I’m sure finding that balance was no small task.

It did slow down for me at times but always picked back up! The writing and dialogue was executed well for a debut. Lastly, you know I can’t finish this review without saying… OH BABY THAT SPICE 🔥

Thank you NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for my honest review!

I AM SO HONORED I GOT THE CHANCE TO READ THIS NOVEL. It hooked me immediately and I love how much we focused on all the side characters as well.. I really enjoyed the storyline and wow my heart melted so many times.

Tightly written, earnest, laugh-out-loud funny at several parts—one of the best romance books I've read in ages.

Thank you to Net Galley & Victory Editing for the eARC!

This book follows Avery and Josh as they reunite after he left suddenly, breaking about their best friend triad. When Josh returns to Toronto, their paths cross and they find themselves working though their lingering feelings for one another. This is a friends to lovers romance, but not a very quick burn.

Throughout the book, Avery must learn that she can do things for herself without worrying about the guilt of leaving people behind. Josh has to learn that leaving isn't always the answer to happiness.

Together, they have to learn to trust each other.

This was a sweet book.

<b><u>***2.0 rating***</b></u>

dnf @ 25%

it takes a lot for me to dnf a book, especially an arc. I love to support my Canadian authors, however, for the life of me I couldn't continue to read this book. It's probably not fair given that I did not finish reading the entire book but the writing and the very general portrayal of Toronto was not realistic for me to continue to read this book. The author describes Toronto as the New York of Canada, sorry but that is very cringe. Toronto is its own city and we are more than Bridal Path (a rich neighborhood in Toronto) and the CN tower. Perhaps I did not give this a fair chance but the writing and the characters, like other reviews mentioned were too simplistic and predictable for me to go on. I hope EC's other books are better but sadly this was not a great introduction to her. Hopefully, it's a more enjoyable reading experience for others.

Thank you to Net Galley & Victory Editing for the eARC!

When Avery was in high school, one of her best friends, Josh, left suddenly to travel to Europe to play piano and carry on his late mother's legacy. A decade later, Avery is at a gala and Josh happens to be the pianist and dedicates his performance to Avery, without knowing she is actually present. Now that Josh has moved back to town, they reacquaint themselves, their past feelings, and try to navigate both their professional lives and own personal family drama.

This was a great friends to lovers, second chance romance. There was a lot that happened throughout the story, many clients, family drama, friend drama, history, and feelings to work through. You can consistently feel the chemistry between Josh and Avery, but also the hesitancy and fear in the gray area between friends and boyfriend/ girlfriend. Josh's sister, Julia, was one of my favorites in the book - great supporter of both Avery and Josh during this story). I do feel like some of the characters could have used a little bit more time as part of the story, but the main characters were well developed and likable. (EX. I feel like her photography client, Claudia, received as much acknowledgment as her brother, Miles and mother was mentioned, but not brought into the fold until the very end).

Would recommend to those who like:
- Friends to Lovers
- Second Chance Romance
- Slow burn Romance

TW: Sexual assault, depression, anxiety, abandonment, familial loss
**Author does make note of the sexual assault before the story begins (at least on the eARC)**

PSA: THIS BOOK IS BEYOND ADORABLE AND CUTE.

This is the author's debut book and I'm still shaken because it is just that good! I ADORED Avery and Josh so much. I loved the plot of this, the friendships, second chance love, and family. The chemistry between Avery and Josh was *chefs kiss* absolute perfection.

Avery and Josh were best friends growing up, until Josh left one day. He had promised he would never leave her, but he broke that promise and went to live his own life in another country. 10 years later he is back and full of apologies. I really loved getting the little snippets of their backstop and friendship and seeing who they have become as adults.

The mental health representation was so spot on with Avery. She struggles with anxiousness, and she wants to be dependent and not rely on anyone. The family relationships were so in depth and I loved reading the good and the ugly.

The S L O W burn between Josh and Avery was so spicy and I lived for it.

Really, for a debut romance novel this was phenomenal and I will 100% be reading whatever this author has next!

Yes to trigger warnings.
Yes to mental health rep.
Yes to friends to strangers to friends to lovers.
Yes to making the reality of having a dream means you have to work hard and that you might actually fail. I think that is where a lot of books lose me, because they have this dream or dream job and then everything gets handed to them? I'm sorry but that is not how most of us live. This book was charming, bold, and sexy!

<i>Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.</i>

Certain aspects of this book worked perfectly, but certain fell short.

I'll start with what worked.

I applaud the author for including her own experiences with sexual assault in the book. I think it was incredibly brave and well done. I love that each spicy scene started with asking for and granting consent. In that regard, this book was excellent. I also really enjoyed the smut, it was pretty well executed.

Another thing I loved was the mental health rep. I struggle with anxiety and panic attacks, and I think that these conditions were portrayed truthfully. I also love the message that we are all a work in progress, and that it's okay not to be okay from time to time.

However, this is where I have to turn to several elements that didn't really work for me.

For one, I found the language far too simplistic. The dialogues didn't sound realistic at all, and some parts were incredibly cringey to me. There is indeed potential, and I hope future books in the series show the author has made some progress in this regard.

Next, the side characters were not at all developed. It seemed as if they were just three to fit into roles: the overprotective brother, the funny friend, the stern dads, the depressed mom... Besides these traits, the characters were flat and didn't make me care one bit.

The romance... I thought it was rushed. We didn't get to see many scenes of them as teens, and we were suddenly thrust into their meeting ten years later. As such, this meeting didn't really hold any weight or make me feel anything. We were told, again and again, that they were close and that he was in love with her back then, but I think showing that would have made the story more moving and powerful. I found the whole reason they fell out of touch incredibly stupid. It felt a bit lazy, like the author needed a reason for them to fall out and this was all she could think of. And then they literally just jumped into being in love and obsessed with each other, so there was no chase or pining or longing. I think those elements are necessary in a second chance romance, especially if it's friends to lovers.

I feel like the author had a good idea and included all the right tropes, but the execution wasn't the greatest. Some parts could've been omitted, others were just too cringey (Josh's dad hearing him play and suddenly forgetting a decade old grudge, for example), while some needed to be rewritten in more detail and expanded.

All in all, it was an easy read with great mental health rep, but it needed a lot more work. Seeing as this is a debut, I will definitely pick up more books from the author in the future, all in hope that she'll improve. One thing is for sure: the potential is definitely there.

The Last Encore

✨ARC Review✨

While I thought this was an adorable debut by one of the sweetest Bookstagrammers in the community, I think I struggled with it. I didn’t have a hard time with any of the content, and the premise of the story was cute. I just struggled to stay engaged and to finish. It could have been a case of right book, wrong time. It’s difficult for me to place a finger on what exactly though. I think in simplest terms, the pacing and lengthy chapters were hard for me to digest.

I did find Avery to be quite a relatable character, especially with her anxiety, family drama, and past trauma. And I just want to take a moment and appreciate how adorable Josh is! A man who goes out of his way to play sweet reminiscing music on the piano, and picks out a dress for Avery to wear because he just KNOWS it’s perfect for her! What a cinnamon roll!

The Last Encore was a cute, swoon-worthy embodiment of old flames, new sparks, and all the feelings! It sheds light on first loves, but also trusting and loving yourself! I highly recommend giving this one a try if it has been on your radar!

What’s On The Pages:
-childhood best friends turned ex best friend
-friends to lovers
-slow burn / steamy
-an old flame with new spark!

⚠️CW/TW: per author: sexual assault, depression, anxiety, loss of a loved one

✨Rating✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3.5/5 rounded up)
Steam Factor 🔥🔥/5

A special thank you to NetGalley and Elodie Colliard for this eARC! The Last Encore is out November 1st!