Not only is this a smashing debut from Colliard I believe this is only the start of a promising writing career. I’ll start by saying the Canadian setting was refreshing and I loved having characters on my own turf. However, this was just an added bonus, the real thing that sealed the deal was how real and authentic the characters were. Sure they’re fiction but I truly believe Colliard could have been writing about any one of her readers. The way she dealt with heavy topics such as mental health and sexual assault were raw, relatable and respectful. I absolutely loved everything about this and cannot wait to read more in this series. Also; the cover is gorgeous, the authors not at the beginning was heartwarming and the added bonus of Ana accompanying playlist was genius. This may be the first we’ve heard of Colliard but it won’t be the last.

I thoroughly enjoyed this. One of the main themes of this book revolves around honest conversations concerning mental health and past traumas. I almost instantly clicked with Avery and the methods she uses to cope with her anxiety. She is a very well developed character with imperfections and baggage. I think a lot of people will find characteristics of themselves in her and relate. Josh is also a great character with some baggage of his own. He isn't as developed as Avery, but he was still someone I found myself rooting for.

The only piece of the story that I didn't think quite flowed was the seemingly sudden change in Avery's feelings. To me, there needed to be a bit more of that "will they won't they/I'm still upset with you" stage, but maybe I'm just a dramatic at heart. Ya girl needs angst.

I would sell my right arm to see this story told as a dual POV.

This was a great debut. I liked the characters and their chemistry was off the charts. I wish there was a little bit more time before Avery forgave Josh, that seemed to happen too quick for being sad for a decade. I love Brooke - she’s a wonderful best friend.

Thank you NetGalley & Elodie for the eARC!

I am a fan of second chance romance and this book delivered in the best way. It was so cute and had the longing and tension of a friends to lovers and second chance romance. Josh Harding is book boyfriend material who had me screaming, giggling, and kicking my feet. And that’s not even for some of those spicy scenes, which were also good and sexy. I enjoyed Avery as the main character. She’s a good rep for mental health, specifically for anxiety. Her and Josh were just made for each other. I loved reading their story, both the good and bad, and seeing their relationship grow and develop.

Overall, this is a great romance and I do recommend!

TW: SA scene in the book

Read if you’re looking for…
•second chance romance
•childhood friends to strangers to friends to lovers
•mental health rep
•🌶🌶

I knew I would like this book, since I always enjoy a good second chance at love story!

I appreciated the strong female lead character in Avery, the great sibling/friend relationships, and how the author handled the subjects of complicated parent relationships and sexual assault.

The Last Encore is Elodie Colliard’s debut novel.
It’s a second chance romance about two friends who once had been lovers.
This book had its potential and was cute but it was incredibly noticiable the fact that this was written by a first time author. The plot was fast paced at times and then incredibly slow, the characters were had a million thing going on and at time it was extremely confusing. Like I said, it had potential but I think the author just needs a little more time to get the hand of the writing, characterization, and overall plot and pace.

This was the most beautiful semi-slow burn semi instalove novel and I absolutely devoured it. It was steamy, but had cute romantic moments that left you thinking "aww". I loved Avery and Josh, and I really loved the progression of the story. It had plenty of saucy scenes, which I didn't feel were always necessary but very well written. I highly recommend this (and the cover is stunning!)

The Last Encore is a second chance romance. It has fun, light-hearted moments and spice along with deep, heartfelt and meaningful topics. This book addresses sexual assault, anxiety, depression, losing a loved one, and difficult family dynamics. Overall I really enjoyed Avery and Josh’s story.

“Now that I’m holding you in my arms, I’m never letting you go, because I know I cannot go ten years again without you by my side.”

The Last Encore // REVIEW
Pub Date: November 1st, 2022

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶🌶

Read if you like:
* Second-chance romance
* Friends-to-lovers
* Music and photography

I have nothing but the highest praise for this book, so let’s get right to it. After reading only the first page, I fell in love with Avery. It isn’t very often that I connect with the female main character in a romance read, which is probably why I love this book so much. I think Elodie brilliantly created a character with goals and desires that are very much within our own reaches, as well as with anxiety/trauma that we all probably have some experience with. In short, Avery is a beautifully relatable character that I guarantee everyone will love. She has an overwhelming support system comprised of friends and family that I couldn’t help but take comfort in while reading.

Avery and Josh’s love story is nothing short of beautifully heartwarming. The unconditional support and patience that Josh showed Avery throughout the book was a huge highlight for me. These two characters found their way back to each other in the most real and fun way possible despite all of the obstacles they encountered after reuniting. I wish I could have stayed in the world of Josh and Avery forever.

This book is an absolute MUST read for your November TBR.

Recommended if you enjoyed:
* The Spanish Love Deception
* Beach Read
* Hook, Line, and Sinker

Thank you Net Galley and Elodie Colliard for this ARC!

Thank you NetGalley and Elodie Colliard for this ARC copy!

Have you ever wonder what would happen if your childhood crush came back into your life?

Avery if finally living her life for herself. She has her own business, her own apartment and if she could just escape her family drama life would be perfect. When at an event she runs into Josh her childhood crush and best friend after he left ten years before. With a chance to further her business by photographing Josh’s sisters wedding and slowly navigating all the emotions Josh’s sudden return brings, Avery can’t help but wonder what her real path is.

First and foremost I loved Avery in this story. Her vulnerability and struggles with mental health were written so well. The support system she has created for herself and the emotions she experiences with Josh’s return were just so raw. The peppering in of flashbacks to get a better understanding of their history was so well thought out. I did struggle with the level of some of her history (check trigger warnings as there is a graphic scene that could be difficult for some) and how I felt like it got glossed over somewhat. Otherwise I loved how her friends and family rallied around her and just accepted her as she is. The slow burn and open door spicy scenes were written so perfectly. Plus the Toronto references just made my heart so happy.

Honestly I really enjoyed this book and was super excited to see that it is the first in a series. I will definitely be looking out for the next one.

Tropes
-forced proximity
-friends to lovers
-second chance romance

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ / 5
🌶 🌶 🌶 /5

This book started off really strong. It helps that it has a gorgeous cover. However, it got continually cheesier as it went on and the last 30% felt like every cliche and key line from a romance novel was shoved in. Up until the 70% mark, this was a total 4 stars; it had friends to lovers, second chance romance, and a slow burn. I loved the anxiety representation and thought that part was done really well. However, the romance part really needs work. When things got spicy, I don't think it could have gotten much cheesier and unrealistic. Whenever something was supposed to be emotional "tears streamed" down people's faced multiple times. People were overcome with emotion and threw themselves in someone's arms. It got to be too much for me by the end. Overall, not bad for a debut novel, but I hope the author works on their writing skills before the next book in the series comes out. 3.5/5 stars and 3/5 for spice

The Last Encore follows the story of two friends who reconnect after 10 years. They find that old feelings remain, stronger than ever, and they begin to explore possibilities while pursuing separate professional dreams. This book was really sweet. There's cute banter, and it's romantic and a little bit spicy. I would have liked more developed dialogue; it felt stiff at times. There is a SA trigger warning, and I really respected what the author was trying to do with that piece of the story, but it did feel a little disjointed and out of order to me.

Overall, a solid romance that I would recommend. Thanks Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the advance copy!

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book early, in exchange for my honest review. This book ended up being such a special treat to read! I am all for the friends to lovers theme, but this one added elements of self doubt, post traumatic stress, dealing with loss, and mental illness, that all made it feel more real. Avery and Josh made my heart ache at times, as they sought to share their true feelings and regrets with each other. The love story was believable and the characters endearing. I thought this was a great first book for Ms. Colliard and I can’t wait to read her next novel.

3.5/5

Josh and Avery were best friends growing up and swore they’d always be there for each other. Then ten years ago, Josh moved out of the country leaving Avery and their friendship behind. He’s the last person she expects to run into at a fundraising event, but when she sees him she can’t stay away.

I have mixed feelings about this book. I really enjoyed certain aspects of it but others just didn’t work for me personally. Elodie covered some really heavy topics in this book, and she did it very well. The mental health representation in the book was amazing, and you can tell that she poured a lot of herself into the story. I also loved the characters in the book. There was such a diverse cast of characters, and all of the side characters were so loveable.

My biggest issue with the story was with Josh & Avery’s reunion. Josh left for 10 years and never even called or texted Avery, but she just forgave him and then they were best friends again like nothing happened as soon as he showed back up? Couldn’t be me. I was also dying for more angst. I live for angst in my friends to lovers books, and I felt like it was almost nonexistent in this book.

Overall, this was a good book but there were areas that I feel could have been better.

Things I loved:
•mental health rep
•great side characters
•slow burn romance

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an advanced copy of this book!

I enjoyed this book for the most part, as time went on I began to not care for Avery much. She was too emotionally chaotic for my liking, I don’t see how she went from “I’d move for him” one second to flipping out the next after something good FINALLY happens for Josh.

In the beginning her parents seemed important to the story, the argument with her dad was great and then that conflict just seemed to fizzle out and go no where?

As much as I adored Josh, Avery forgiving him right away took out a lot of potential angst that a second chance romance should have.

I really loved the conversations around mental health and the consent during the spicy moments.

It’s not a bad book, just not my cup of tea unfortunately.

I adored this story! The mental health representation was done SO well. I love second chance romances and this was a perfect execution of that. I loved the main characters and was rooting for them to figure it out from the very beginning. I noticed this was the authors debut and was SHOCKED. It didn't read like a debut story but I cannot wait to see what else this author comes out with in the future.

Love love loved this book! It’s set in Toronto in Autumn and gave me all the fall vibes.

I absolutely loved Josh & Avery’s backstory, and their friends to lovers slow burn.

Recommend for lovers of Emily Henry & Tessa Bailey,

I was so pleasantly surprised by this story, you look at the cover and automatically think its going to be just another cute rom-com but it was so much more! Yes, you get an adorable second chance romance [who doesn't love second chance romance trope? because I do!] but you also got GREAT spice and get to see the main character Avery overcome her life's traumas with the help of her friends, family and Josh the love interest (who by the way you will fall in love with when you read this book).

OBSESSED with the overall story and the representation of more serious topics. I love the way the author was able to bring light to mental health issues like anxiety and depression, and even sexual assault; while showing us strong character development in such an amazing way. It highlighted these topics in a way that worked perfectly and made them incredibly relatable to the reader.

I loved Avery and Josh together. He is the quintessential book boyfriend and I loved his character so much. He also has his own trauma but when he and Avery came together is was magic [not to mention STEAMY], their relationship had amazing chemistry as well. ALL of the spicy scenes were just incredibly written. To say I swooned over Josh is an understatement, the way his character cared for Avery, how he respected her and helped her in more ways than one was beautiful to read.

If you're looking for friends-to-lovers, second chance romance, amazing character development and spice, this is the perfect read and you will not be disappointed!

I was drawn in by the description and cover of The Last Encore, but I was pretty disappointed by it. The first four chapters seemed superfluous and did not seem to add much to the plot - it made it difficult to get into the book and was about 40 pages before the leading characters to meet on the page. It was also very confusing at first - for example, the protagonist had an unexplained anxiety attack. Later, the story became more developed but by then I was already skimming as her character came across very privileged and I did not connect with her.

Ahh I loved this! Perfect summer friends to lovers read! The main character Avery works in photography whereas her lover Josh has a passion for music. These two reconnect after his performance at a gala and it blossoms. Honestly think josh has added to my collection of fictional boyfriends and has raised my already high expectations even higher. He was so sweet, caring and attentive, and Avery was his perfect match. There is a trigger warning for sexual assault and severe anxiety in this so be careful. I do think mental health and anxiety issues were discussed and shown similarly to my own experiences so I liked that. There's a bit of steam I'd say from the middle to the end but nothing was said during it that was pivotal to the plot so if you're uncomfortable with it, you can skim read it without worry. Again I loved this book and can't wait to read more from this author.