Thank you, Netgalley, for the ARC!

I don’t think I retained anything from this book except for the fact that it took place in Canada and that it came with a playlist (which a lot of books should do more).

This was... fine. As a debut I thought it was good, but I don't think I'd read another one by this author. I needed more of a slow burn because it was just too fast paced and seemed fake. I also was not a fan of the side characters.

I thought this was an amazing debut covering love, friendships, and second chances. I read this book in a day I enjoyed it so much. It was perfectly paced with such a loveable protagonist.
There was so much depth in the character development that I really appreciated. Also some tastefully written spice which I didn't expect from the cover but it suited the story well.
Would recommend to lovers of Talia Hibert and Emily Henry.

Beautiful story. Beautiful MMC. And good anxiety representation! 4/5 ⭐️ only because it’s a bit slow at times. But I still definitely recommend and look forward to what Elodie writes next!

Eeeee! This was so sweet. I really enjoyed this book and I cannot wait to read more books by Elodie! Thank you so much x

Loved this one soo much!! It was such a good read def one of my favs of 2022!!! Loved the MCs so much🥺🥺

Whew, that was steamy!! Boy those characters had great chemistry! I really enjoyed this friends to lovers story and can’t wait for the next book in the series. If you like steamy rom coms with good characters and a good story then definitely read this one.

Unfortunately it did nothing for me.
Got bored a lot and forgot about it 5 mins after I finished.
What I did not forget about, was the cover. It is super pretty and I really like it, well done to the artist.

This a tale of friends who missed their chance at romance when they were teens only to find each other again as adults. Not quite a second chance romance, and more former best friends to strangers to lovers. The characters had a lot of depth, were understandable if not always likable, and had wonderful chemistry.

Avery, our female main character struggles with anxiety, a history of sexual assault, a past cheating partner, and abandonment issues. Because of these past experiences, she is uncompromising in her desire to live exactly the life she desires providing for others without ever relying on anyone else. Josh lost his mother, feels like a perennial disappointment to his father, and can't seem to find the balance between his heritage and his passion. And as such he fled home for the allure of Europe at a young age, sacrificing his chance at a relationship with his best friend he was maybe in love with to try to learn to deal with his grief and lack of identity. Until he finally comes back to town to find that Avery is still here, and they still have an instant connection.

Josh and Avery had a wonderful and sincere relationship. You are rooting for them the entire book. The gradual burn was scrumptiously spicy. Like most friends to lovers stories there is a lot of will they won't they and miscommunication. I also think the author might have benefitted from picking just one or two issues for the female main character to focus on, she feels stretched a little thin without complete development of each of her inner demons so to speak. So it's not a groundbreaking story, but I still found it to be a solid debut novel with characters worth investing in. I think everyone can find something to relate to.

And I thank NetGalley for the free early arc in exchange for an honest review.

UM WOW.
4.5/5 stars!

This book was a very sweet second-chance romance. I absolutely devoured this in one sitting. There are heavy topics in this book so check the trigger warnings, but I loved this story. I enjoyed how the plot evolved and the character development was also stunning. For her debut novel, this was very well written AND the story was fast-paced. I loved it all. Thank you for the ARC.

Avery is a photographer who is trying to follow her dreams but dreams, but things aren’t going as planned. When she runs into her ex-best friend Josh, she isn’t sure how to handle the feelings that come rushing back to her. Avery gets the chance of a lifetime for her career and ends up photographing Josh’s sister’s wedding for her project. As the once inseparable duo spends more time together, they must navigate the waters of balancing the past and the future.
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This was a delight. I loved Avery & Josh’s story so much. Avery is a wonderful character and watching her navigate her career, her personal life, and following her dreams is something most people can relate to. The banter between Avery & Josh kept things light and was entertaining. I absolutely loved this book and cannot wait to read everything else Elo ever writes!
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Thank you to @netgalley for my eARC in exchange for my honest opinion!
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Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

I loved reading this one. I just love this kind of books.
4 stars read for me. I love this author snd her writing style.
Thanks to netgally for this arc.

I really enjoyed this story. Friends to lovers and second chance romances are always hits in my books, I really enjoyed how the main characters cared for each other despite their 10 years apart.

My only critiques were that I felt the book was a little long. This was a good debut and I'm excited to see what the author comes up with next!

4 ⭐️ A charming book about second chances, The Last Encore doesn't hold back when discussing mental health. The key to Josh and Avery's reconciliation was being open about their anxieties for the future and getting over their mistakes. It was quite true to the concerns and difficulties several couples have. I highly recommend if you’re looking for a new read but make sure to search up trigger warnings!

The Last Encore by Elodie Colliard was okay, but I wouldn’t recommend it to anybody. I was really excited to read it as it is set in Toronto/South Western Ontario, which is near where I live, and the second-chance romance trope seemed really intriguing with the premise of the novel. I was disappointed by the depth of the characters, the story beats, and the events in the plot. None had enough impact or interest to carry the book and make me want to keep reading. The overall impression that I got of this book was just “meh,” even though the idea and the setting had so much potential.

Thank you Netgalley for the advance copy of "The Last Encore".

The Last Encore is a sweet book about second chances that doesn’t shy away from addressing mental health. Josh and Avery’s journey back together was about honesty about their future fears and overcoming their past actions. It was very realistic in the worries and struggles some couples face.

Also - trigger warning for a memory of a sexual assault

3.5 stars

3.5⭐️
I loved certain aspects of the story, other aspects didn't quite line up for me. I sped read through the first 75% but then hit a lull.
The romance happened really fast, and the characters didn’t seem to spend long getting reacquainted. I love the childhood friends to lovers part. The spicy scenes were all on point for sure and I really appreciated the consent aspect.

I also really appreciated the real life mental health aspects interwoven throughout the story. How the author brought up the previous assault was done well. I have respect for that. I did enjoy this romcom and congrats to Elodie on her debut!

Josh and Avery!! Enough said. They are fantastic and you can’t help but root for them!! Will definitely read more by this author.

Short synopsis: While dealing with some ongoing personal issues, Avery runs into her childhood best friend Josh at a charity Gala after he left suddenly 10 years ago.

My thoughts: Okay, first of all I want to thank Elodie for sending me a copy of her book! I cannot wait to read Miles and Riley’s story!

What a sweet romance story with some serious topics interlaced throughout. Make sure to check the triggers because some heavy issues are discussed.

Avery was stubborn and strong, and resilient despite some of her past experiences. And Josh…. swoon-worthy book boyfriend material. He was so sweet and attentive, and who will know you better than a BFF turned BF? Also, he cooks so that’s a huge perk!

I loved the relationship between Josh, Avery, and Brooke. Everyone deserves a BFF like Brooke! Someone who would drop just about anything to be there for you when you need them, and knows what you need even before you know.

I am a sucker for a book with a playlist, and boy did this one deliver! Song titles at the beginning of each chapter that fit oh so perfectly with what was happening. I definitely listened to songs in this playlist while reading!

Read if you love:

* Friends to lovers
* Friends with benefits
* Books with playlists
* Reaching for your dreams
* Best friend goals
* Debut authors

TW: Sexual assault, Panic attack, anxiety

This book does contain an explicit SA scene on the main character. Please do check the trigger warnings of this book. I saw this around on online and the cover instantly drew me in and the plot of the story sounded so good but, it did fall a little flat for me. I enjoyed the story but there where parts I just wish where done differently.

Avery is a photographer but isn’t doing so well at the moment and then a blast from her past shows up in the form of Josh, her ex best friend who left 10 years ago breaking her heart. He’s back for his sisters wedding and asks Avery to photograph the wedding. With Josh returning brings back old feelings. but, why did he leave all those years ago and why did he never stay in touch? Josh being back brings a lot of emotions up tot the surfaces and a lot of memories.

I did enjoy this book and thought the characters where cute and loved the interactions between the two. I do wish as this was kind of a friends to lovers book that there was more of a slow burn, a bit more angst and pining as I feel like I read this too fast and it happened fast.

The author does a fantastic job at portraying anxiety and panic attacks as for someone whose dealt with these I think she did a brilliant job. The way the characters where so passionate about their jobs and where their futures where going to take them and I really enjoyed those parts.

Overall, a great debut with a beautiful cover but I do wish some things happened a little differently and do check out the trigger warnings for this book.