One Last Shot was wistfully romantic and had me wanting to jump on a plane for Italy! A reminder for a marriage pact has supermodel Emerson taking her chances on a second chance at love with her childhood best friend Theo, so she gets herself booked on a campaign he’s shooting to have one week for one last shot at love with him. This romance is angsty and witty and wistful. I will say I liked it better when they were trying to get together, with their question games and quiet flirting and softness, than when they actually got together. Once they got together, things got a little rushed and I feel like their communication just didn’t click as well. But I was addicted to this book. It is romantic and nostalgic and I loved the dual timeline of the two of them, plus the dual POVs. Having both Theo and Emerson’s voices made things so well rounded, and I adored the life Emerson made for herself and the friendships she had! Especially for a debut, this was a beautiful read.

Ok voices amazing love the narrator, story wise this was so cute and touchfull and i loved it , listen to it in one day, definitely enjoyed having the digital arc and audio to follow alone and annotate everything I loved. Will be recommending because way too cute .

This book was written so well that I felt every emotion Emerson and Theo were going though. I also loved that it was dual POV in the current time and in the past. It gave a sense heartbreak and healing at the same time. I also really loved the secondary characters in this story since they brought a lot of chaos and excitement. The only thing I wish would have been included was karma and consequences coming down on a certain terrible character. (And a character that wasn’t on the page directly but was felt the entire book.) Betty Cayouette did a fantastic job of taking on very real and traumatic topics but also allowing joy and hope to shine through. I would love to read more by this author in the future.

One Last Shot is Betty Cayouette's debut novel. It follows Emerson, a high fashion supermodel, and Theo, a photographer who normally works with more big box clients. They met at high school freshman orientation and became inseparable right away. While they both liked the other in a romantic way, each was concerned about ruining the friendship or that the other didn't feel the same. As friends, they made a pact to marry each other if they were 28 years old and single. Emerson put reminders in both of their phones for their 28th birthdays, which are a week apart. Then, shortly after they admit to their feelings, Emerson leaves. When the first reminder goes off on her phone, she calls her agent and requests to be on Theo's next shoot. Her manager is dead set against this as career suicide and they make a deal that she will do the fake relationship he wants her to do if nothing comes of her time with Theo.

This book is told from both Emerson's and Theo's POVs and moves between their past and present. I like that we got both sides of the story, but there was a lot of repetition so there were times when I thought the book was a bit slow. There was a lot of miscommunication/lack of communication throughout that would make me want to shake them - in both past and present. With Emerson being a high profile supermodel, I really liked that we got to see her self conscious moments instead of just acting like she oozes confidence all the time in her head. Theo is adorable and seems like a genuinely nice guy. There were a couple of things that I felt could have had conclusions (Emerson's career after the agent backlash is the big one, but also how she and her friends brought his prior actions to light, and did Theo and Emerson learn how to STOP not talking to each other?) and I felt like the very last miscommunication took away from the story, making it seem more like they were never going to get over it. I feel like they could have worked through Emerson's reason for moving to CA without the extra few chapters and it would have been better....although I did really enjoy the last donut scene! All in all, I think this was an excellent debut and will read the next release.

*** I received an arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I ended up DNFing this about 15% in. I realized in chapter one this probably wouldn’t be for me, but gave it a little longer to see if things would calm down and shake out, but I just couldn’t. It definitely is a not-for-me kind of book, but one I recognize would definitely be for someone else.
I loved the premise of this story. The combination of a beautiful setting and a second chance, friends to lovers. However, the characters immediately felt a little shallow, and that might be because a lot about themselves was being told to us instead of shown. I don’t know, to me, it’s more engaging and it’s easy to share a bulk about the person and their conflict in dialogue, then weave in a little line or two here and there with internal monologue. Or show us this character isn’t a fan of these shots with an eye roll or being called out on being distracted, then either verbally comment or internally say one line sharing how they’re not a fan of these but they pay well. A balance between weaving the physical (dialogue and actions/reactions) with internal. Little things like that not only engages the readers more, but elevates the story to appear like you’ve been writing for many many years.
Again, this came down to a personal thing. I liked the concept, I liked the authors intentions, but the style of execution is a style I just don’t mesh with and knew it’s best for me to tap out now.
Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for providing an advance reader copy of this book for my honest review.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"One Last Shot" by Betty Cayouette is an absolute gem of a novel. From the gripping plot to the beautifully developed characters, this book kept me hooked from beginning to end. Cayouette masterfully crafts each character with depth and complexity, making them feel like old friends by the time you reach the last page. The protagonist's journey is both heart-wrenching and inspiring, and the supporting cast adds layers of richness to the story. I couldn't put it down and found myself fully invested in every twist and turn. If you're looking for a captivating read with unforgettable characters, "One Last Shot" is a must-read. Highly recommended!

Thank you so much to Betty Cayouette and St. Martin's Press for the eARC of this title. This is such a great well written book. The characters development is excellent. This was such a quick sweet read for me. It is a second chance romance with flashbacks. I'm not usually a big second chance romance genre type of person but this was written so well!

Was I just… convinced… to love a miscommunication trope? ME?! Five stars for that, hands down. Did not think it could happen, but we’re here now.

Anyway, obviously a front runner is that trope but when I tell you it’s done SO WELL. Emerson has grown up being taught that if people don’t love you it’s because you’re not worthy of love, so you have to be enough for yourself at all times.

Emerson’s emotional journey through this story is so relatable. What a read to start out SA awareness month. I think Betty really hit the nail on the head here and portrayed Emerson’s character so well. I loved how utterly good and kind everyone is in this book, and how no one was purposefully catty or mean just because they were women (as often happens in stories).

The relationship dynamics between Emerson, Georgia, and Harry is incredible and I loved that they just absorbed Theo and supported the relationship from square one. There were a few moments in the book where I stopped and thought that’s not something that would actually play out in real life, but it wasn’t enough of a difference for me to get upset about it.

All that to say, I loved this book. I devoured it. I’m so glad I read it. I 1000% judge books by “the author is a TikTok star” because no thanks, but this one is the exception to the rule for me.

Thank you to the author, MacMillan Audio, St. Martins Griffin, and NetGalley for my ARC/ALC of this book. All opinions are my own.

“One Last Shot” is an impressive debut by Betty Cayouette. The book has all of the angsty vibes you crave in with a “second chances trope but it’s also a really beautiful love story.

The book is written as duel POVs and timelines. It’s written in chronological order so it’s not overwhelming to read and it was a nice break from all the yearning taking place in the present POVs. Emerson and Theo are very likable characters and their relationship is one you’ll root for until the very end.

There is 1 spicy scene towards the end. It’s not the most graphic but it’s enough so if you don’t like scenes like that I’d skip it. It’s about 1.5 chapters long so you don’t miss much of the plot either.

My biggest gripe about the book was the constant miscommunication. Towards the end I was actually annoyed at how much they got in their own way by not communicating and you just wanted them to be together (i may have throw my Kindle across the room at certain points because they were being idiots instead of talking things out). There were also a few scenes that I thought didn’t need to be in the book and were just “filler” but nothing to take away from the overall plot.

4 stars and I anxiously await her next book!

One Last Shot follows Emerson as she attempts to rekindle a friendship with her best friend from high school with the goal of falling in love.

One Last Shot is told from both Emerson and Theo’s perspectives from the past and present. The past chapters followed them through their first meeting and ensuing friendship. The past chapters were my favourite part of the novel. They detailed Emerson and Theo’s friendship as it developed into more despite their reluctance to act on their feelings. These chapters were full of angst and tension. I could have read an entire novel about them set in the past.

The present chapters almost pale in comparison to the past chapters. Though, that’s not to say the present chapters are bad. The angst and tension are still present, however it’s slightly cooled. Emerson and Theo are different people compared to their high school selves, so these chapters follow them as they rediscover each other.

One Last Shot relies heavily on the miscommunication trope or lack of communication. I’m usually not a fan of this trope, but I enjoyed the story nonetheless as Cayouette’s use of the trope fit the situation.

For those interested in spice level, I’d rate it 🌶️. One Last Shot is more angst than spice, however the spice delivers at the end.

Based on Emerson’s profession as a high fashion model, I was expecting body shaming. While the topic of body shaming is only brought up briefly, it showcased it in a negative light rather than accepting it as a norm of the industry.

Overall, One Last Shot is a wonderful friends-to-lovers/second chance romance full of angst and tension.

You might think this a lighthearted romp based on the cover, the concept of supermodel x photographer, and the European beach town setting, but this is one emotional book.

I give the author credit for making Emerson a likable character because a gorgeous blonde supermodel who got her break as a teen is not the easiest type of main character to identify with. Theo is a softie, and his anxiety and vulnerability are a refreshing change of pace from the usual grumpy alpha character we see frequently in romance books these days.

I learned so much about photoshoots; it feels authentic, as does the Italian setting. If there was anything I would change, I would’ve have liked more time devoted to Emerson’s trauma and Theo’s reaction, in the short-term and long-term, but I understand this story is about looking forward and past that.

3.75 ⭐️
If you liked the book, Happy Place, celebs, fashion, or photography… you might enjoy this book!
This is a second chance, friends-to lovers story. It does rely a bit heavily on the miscommunication trope, which is among my least favorite tropes, however, I still enjoyed this book.

This story follows our FMC, Emerson, and our MMC, Theo- who, after 10 years apart, reconnect on a fashion shoot where Theo is the photographer and Em is the model. The story goes back and forth to their high school years and to present day. We also get to see each main character’s point of view from both points in time.

I really enjoyed how this book gives us a glimpse of a photographer’s life, and that of a celebrity (a model, in this case), and also how they were before they were famous. I used to be a photographer, many years ago, so this was interesting to me. I also ADORE the book, Happy Place, which is similar in many aspects- specifically the second chance love story, along with the flip/flop in past and present timelines.

My only criticism is that I did feel this book was a little bit long. I felt that some scenes might’ve been shorter, or eliminated. I enjoyed the story overall. This is excellent for a debut novel!

As a second chance and celebrity romance, this book really had an uphill battle for me personally, but it's an Illumicrate Afterlight pick and I like to try to read those ahead of time to see if I want the special edition. While this wasn't totally a hit for me for a few reasons, I did actually like it much more than I expected to based on the main tropes! I think the writing was good and I'm interested to see what the author does next.

Things I liked/loved:
- The Friends to Lovers aspect
- The Italian Setting
- The Writing
- The grand gesture!
- The Author's note in the beginning which acted as a trigger warning.

Things I didn't love:
- The CONSTANT miscommunications
- Emerson's immaturity
- The Celebrity aspect
- The use of the word "clean" in regards to STD testing results

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Emerson and Theo met in high school and became the best of friends. They make a pact that if they're not married in 10 years, they'll marry each other, but after graduation Emerson disappears for an unknown reason and pursues her modeling career. 10 years later, she isn’t married, so has her agent book a photoshoot in Italy with Theo, who is now a photographer. Can they fall back in love?

This was such a beautifully written read! I loved how the story was told from both viewpoints and flashed back to their high school days to give their backstory. Loved both of the main characters, but Theo won my heart! Also loved Emerson's friendship with Harry and Georgia, as they both believed in Emerson and wanted what was best for her. And the setting in beautiful Italy was the icing on the cake!

I knew nothing about this author before reading the author's note, but apparently she is a huge BookTok star who followed her lifeling dream of writing a book and this is her debut novel and I'd say she has nailed it! Definitely will be following her and reading everything she writes in the future.

Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for the chance to review this book ahead of publication in return for my honest review!

Emerson and Theo grew up as childhood best friends that eventually grew into something more. Just as they confessed their shared feelings something tore them apart. Years later, they each receive a reminder of a pact they once made that if they found themselves single they would marry each other. Emerson is now a successful model at the top of her game. Still in love with Theo, she takes a job as a model on a week-long photoshoot to see if there is a way the two might be able to re-connect. The story alternates between the two perspectives.

I can’t say that their professions endeared me to their characters or their story, although I will admit it’s more intriguing than the florist or baker positions that a female main character usually has in a romance book these days. I just found Emerson’s discussions of size, skin care and body as how it pertains to a model not something in the realm of what I personally care about. It’s not like it eventually changed and was a part of her character growth.

When they were teens something significant happened to her (my absolute least favourite plot device) and she turned away from the one person she loved most in the world as a way to protect him. Call me an idealist or a romantic but I just don’t see how you couldn’t turn to him when you needed him most, how you think he will be your person years later. How does he overlook that and know you won’t do it again? For me I think it’s a pretty insurmountable hurdle, especially one that you deal with in a week. However, alluding to it and then only revealing it at the end of the book doesn’t give it adequate time to be addressed. It kind of felt like the author was hesitant to see it all the way through. The running away ten years prior aside, their dynamic made for some sweet moments.

This personally wasn’t the book for me but I’m sure there are many others who will feel differently. The cover art sure is cute though.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for providing an advanced reading copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

It pains me to write this review because Betty is one of my top parasocial relationships, but this book just didn't do it for me. I DNF'd around 33% and skimmed from there. The main reason I DNF'd was the pacing, I felt like I was getting whiplash from going from reading scenes that were longer than they needed to be to reading scenes that were way too quick to reading scenes that were missing story beats and felt like I was suddenly propelled through time to a later part of the scene. There is a lot of potential here, the plot was interesting and had some unique elements that I've not read before, the setting is beautiful and exciting and I was drawn to the flashback scenes. If you follow Betty you know she's a natural storyteller and I think that this story could have developed much further if more time had been dedicated to the editing process. All of that being said, I hope this book finds its audience and I will read anything that Betty puts out in the future.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

This was a cute but kind of bland book that made me want to travel. It felt like a Hallmark movie at times, which is a good thing because I happen to like Hallmark movies. They're cute and sweet and comfortingly bland. Which this book was at first. Then it took a bit of a turn (a past rape) that I thought felt out of place in this kind of story.

This was, for the most part, a pleasant enough read. The characters, main and side, were likable and I enjoyed the flashbacks the helped flesh out the main relationship. The miscommunication was frustrating but par for the course in this kind of story. At least the main characters' exes weren't major obstacles in this one.

I read an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All comments are my own.

Miscommunication is present from beginning to end, proceed at your own risk. The book had lots of potential to be emotional, I was prepared to cry, but it never got there for me. The heavy topics mentioned in the book were discussed in a few short sentences then were avoided. A little more detail would help understand the characters.
The flashbacks helped explain the romance between Emerson and Theo from the beginning, while they got to know each other as adults. The love was still there after all those years. The miscommunication at the beginning helped put some tension between Em and Theo.
I scratch my head at the use of “mi media naranja” and its explanation in the book, the other ways that the author translated this phase to, “todo de naranja”, I’ve never heard this phrase. A little more research on this phrase and it’s translation or how it’s translated would have helped.

I may be biased since I am very familiar with Salem and the North Shore (Boston) mentions! It was a pleasant surprised to hear specific details like *Bagel World*.

This is a great second chance love trope. I love having contemporary romance as a *palette cleanser* with all the murder and mayhem stories I read. This did just the trick.

It gave a little hint of Emily Henry vibe, but I enjoyed this more!

When Emerson, a super model, is reminded of the pact that she and Theo, a photographer, made in high school, she finds a way to get hired for Theo’s next shoot. This is the last chance for her and Theo to rekindle whatever is left of a friendship and possibly, a romance. This was such a fun book. I loved it! I know nothing about the life of a model and a photographer but the dual POVs and the alternating timelines made it so relatable. The yearning was beyond any other romance I've read before—I really ached for them to finally get together!!! Out on 5/7/24. Thanks to SMP Romance, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.