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Last Chance #3
Last Chance Beauty Queen
Dear Reader,
Gracious me, my beautiful daughter Rocky sure could use my help. I always knew she wasn't much interested in the local boys - but who'd have thought she'd come home with English royalty?
Trouble is, Hugh wants to buy some of our folks' land. We don't want to sell, but Rocky's job depends on her closing the deal. And though Hugh's obviously smitten, I'm not sure he's right for my Rocky. Oh, he's classy and handsome - and you should've seen the way he judged pies and fixed stock cars at our Watermelon Festival! - but what do we know about him, really? I know I sound like a nervous mother hen, but after forty happy years with my Elbert, all I want is to see my little girl find the same.
Well, time for me to quit chattering and get back to Miss Bray's wet set. Always nice talking to you, and the Cut 'n Curl's got hot rollers, free coffee, and the best gossip in town.
See you real soon,
Ruby Rhodes
Gracious me, my beautiful daughter Rocky sure could use my help. I always knew she wasn't much interested in the local boys - but who'd have thought she'd come home with English royalty?
Trouble is, Hugh wants to buy some of our folks' land. We don't want to sell, but Rocky's job depends on her closing the deal. And though Hugh's obviously smitten, I'm not sure he's right for my Rocky. Oh, he's classy and handsome - and you should've seen the way he judged pies and fixed stock cars at our Watermelon Festival! - but what do we know about him, really? I know I sound like a nervous mother hen, but after forty happy years with my Elbert, all I want is to see my little girl find the same.
Well, time for me to quit chattering and get back to Miss Bray's wet set. Always nice talking to you, and the Cut 'n Curl's got hot rollers, free coffee, and the best gossip in town.
See you real soon,
Ruby Rhodes
368 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 1, 2012
About the author
Hope Ramsay
36 books558 followersHope Ramsay is a USA Today bestselling author of heartwarming contemporary romances, set below the Mason-Dixon Line. Her children are grown, but she has a beloved fur baby, Daisy the Cockapoo who keeps her entertained. Hope lives in the medium-sized town of Fredericksburg, Virginia and when she’s not writing or walking the dog, she spends her time knitting and noodling around on her collection of guitars.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
July 20, 2017
2.5 stars!
November 5, 2023
While I love the Last Chance series as a whole, I confess there are some stories that I was anticipating and Rocky Rhodes’ was one of them. I read the series out of order so I encountered Rocky and Hugh in later books and always wanted to get their story in detail. Rocky’s story was satisfying and met my higher anticipation well.
Last Chance Beauty Queen is book three in a series that I’ve hopped about out of order more than once and got by easily. That said, I have to admit that getting the first three in order now since their all siblings and share a great deal of the background buildup of the series made a good read even better.
So, yes, it’s coming on summertime in Last Chance and everyone from the county knows what that means- Watermelon Festival. Rocky lit out of Last Chance after the fiasco finish of her time as Watermelon Festival Queen and hasn’t been back to town for the parade or the festival since.
Hugh isn’t a ruthless businessman at heart, but because his business partner bought high on land and depleted his cash reserves, he needs to make the attractive Senator’s aid use her southern small town know-how and make her stubborn daddy sell that land or move his unusual Golfing for God miniature Golf Course. Easy Peasy, right? Bless his heart…
Hugh was a teddy bear and made me want to pat him on the head when he tried to come over cold and ruthless. He really was between a rock and a hard place and this made it tempting to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps to play hardball with the people of Last Chance, particularly Rockie’s father, and to ignore his feelings for Rocky and seek a wealthy heiress to fund his business the way past members of his family had done for time out of mind. It was fun seeing Hugh live up to some of the Last Chance residents ideas of British aristocracy in some ways, but even more amusing when he surprised them.
Rockie was at a crossroads in her life though she was determined to ignore this. She thought she had to turn into someone else and ignore her small town roots to get ahead with her career. She was going to have to figure out who she was happy being. I felt all the awkwardness and frustration of her forced to go home and escort Hugh about knowing full well that her dad’s golf course and his seeing angels, Bubba’s redneck-style unrequited love, and her own screw up at the Watermelon festival years before would all come out to Hugh and maybe her boss. With that group of gossiping church biddies, it was a when not if.
When I went into this, I thought it would be a class difference romance and it was in a way because neither thought their attraction and the way they really connected was enough to bridge their difficulties. Rocky saw Hugh as an English aristocrat who needed to find a woman with money and he thought he had to live up to his deceased grandfather’s version of family duty and expectation, too. Fortunately, Hugh had a few grassroots, quirky aunties that gave Rocky’s Last Chance people a run for their money. Hugh himself wasn’t much like a superior lord so the class difference was more about wealth than social class.
Loved all the Watermelon Festival activities and the town of Last Chance with its residents being the center of it all. The secondary romance going on beside Rocky and Hugh’s was a fun extra. So, I’m supremely satisfied with Last Chance Beauty Queen and tout is as my favorite summer-themed read this year.
My full review will post at Books of My Heart Nov 1st.
Last Chance Beauty Queen is book three in a series that I’ve hopped about out of order more than once and got by easily. That said, I have to admit that getting the first three in order now since their all siblings and share a great deal of the background buildup of the series made a good read even better.
So, yes, it’s coming on summertime in Last Chance and everyone from the county knows what that means- Watermelon Festival. Rocky lit out of Last Chance after the fiasco finish of her time as Watermelon Festival Queen and hasn’t been back to town for the parade or the festival since.
Hugh isn’t a ruthless businessman at heart, but because his business partner bought high on land and depleted his cash reserves, he needs to make the attractive Senator’s aid use her southern small town know-how and make her stubborn daddy sell that land or move his unusual Golfing for God miniature Golf Course. Easy Peasy, right? Bless his heart…
Hugh was a teddy bear and made me want to pat him on the head when he tried to come over cold and ruthless. He really was between a rock and a hard place and this made it tempting to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps to play hardball with the people of Last Chance, particularly Rockie’s father, and to ignore his feelings for Rocky and seek a wealthy heiress to fund his business the way past members of his family had done for time out of mind. It was fun seeing Hugh live up to some of the Last Chance residents ideas of British aristocracy in some ways, but even more amusing when he surprised them.
Rockie was at a crossroads in her life though she was determined to ignore this. She thought she had to turn into someone else and ignore her small town roots to get ahead with her career. She was going to have to figure out who she was happy being. I felt all the awkwardness and frustration of her forced to go home and escort Hugh about knowing full well that her dad’s golf course and his seeing angels, Bubba’s redneck-style unrequited love, and her own screw up at the Watermelon festival years before would all come out to Hugh and maybe her boss. With that group of gossiping church biddies, it was a when not if.
When I went into this, I thought it would be a class difference romance and it was in a way because neither thought their attraction and the way they really connected was enough to bridge their difficulties. Rocky saw Hugh as an English aristocrat who needed to find a woman with money and he thought he had to live up to his deceased grandfather’s version of family duty and expectation, too. Fortunately, Hugh had a few grassroots, quirky aunties that gave Rocky’s Last Chance people a run for their money. Hugh himself wasn’t much like a superior lord so the class difference was more about wealth than social class.
Loved all the Watermelon Festival activities and the town of Last Chance with its residents being the center of it all. The secondary romance going on beside Rocky and Hugh’s was a fun extra. So, I’m supremely satisfied with Last Chance Beauty Queen and tout is as my favorite summer-themed read this year.
My full review will post at Books of My Heart Nov 1st.
February 20, 2015
What fun. Stereotypes of the British peerage collide with stereotypes of Southern townfolk, and in the crash most of the clichés fall away.
This was a download from Netgalley (thank you!) which I enjoyed quite a bit: the story of Rocky Rhodes, who, and who can blame her, has remade herself in the city far away from her little Southern hometown: there she is called Caroline, and her beauty queen past is buried as deep as she's been able to shovel. (I'd call myself Tallulahbelle to avoid being called Rocky Rhodes.)(After having killed both my parents for a name that borders on abusive.) Her goal is to ride along with the senator she works for until she makes it to Washington DC: that's the world she wants to live in, not what she's left behind. And things are going pretty well, when the track to DC loops her back home – just in time for the Watermelon Festival. Rocky has a history with the Watermelon Festival.
To her humiliation, she is roped into the anniversary parade, and into the pink and green dress she wore when she was its queen – and from the parade she is roped into another humiliating situation altogether. Every aspect of her life that she would prefer to keep hidden from her boss and from the hunky British peer he's saddled her with naturally comes popping out: the baron, Hugh Debracy, has business with the slightly mad owner of a Scriptural Mini Golf establishment which, though it's seen hard times, is still hanging on – the baron wants to buy it to combine the land with other plots and build a factory, and the owner – who happens to be Caroline's father – refuses to sell. Which is where she comes into the picture.
I have a bit of a hard time reconciling the idea of a Christian romance (in terms of a good Christian girl, if not of a romance novel written for a specifically Christian audience) with the steamy sex scenes: a "good girl" who leaps into what looks like a one-night stand doesn't sit well. Also an ill fit to my mind is the element of the weeping angel with the pragmatism of the rest of the story. It might be an easier path to slip into for someone who has read the other two books in the series, who knows the characters; to me it was jarring to go from a fairly straightforward and mundane (in that there were no supernatural elements) to passages of quirky mysticism.
I liked the characterizations. They flirted with caricature, but never married it: there were some believable personalities here, and likeable ones. Rocky's father's determination to keep the golf course preserved until repairs can be made is never belittled; Rocky is embarrassed by him and it, but loves him wholeheartedly nonetheless. There are several classic Romance Misunderstandings, along with a case of classic You Two Are Meant To Be Together And Just Don't See It. But with the credible personalities, it all works. It was a fun read.
This was a download from Netgalley (thank you!) which I enjoyed quite a bit: the story of Rocky Rhodes, who, and who can blame her, has remade herself in the city far away from her little Southern hometown: there she is called Caroline, and her beauty queen past is buried as deep as she's been able to shovel. (I'd call myself Tallulahbelle to avoid being called Rocky Rhodes.)(After having killed both my parents for a name that borders on abusive.) Her goal is to ride along with the senator she works for until she makes it to Washington DC: that's the world she wants to live in, not what she's left behind. And things are going pretty well, when the track to DC loops her back home – just in time for the Watermelon Festival. Rocky has a history with the Watermelon Festival.
To her humiliation, she is roped into the anniversary parade, and into the pink and green dress she wore when she was its queen – and from the parade she is roped into another humiliating situation altogether. Every aspect of her life that she would prefer to keep hidden from her boss and from the hunky British peer he's saddled her with naturally comes popping out: the baron, Hugh Debracy, has business with the slightly mad owner of a Scriptural Mini Golf establishment which, though it's seen hard times, is still hanging on – the baron wants to buy it to combine the land with other plots and build a factory, and the owner – who happens to be Caroline's father – refuses to sell. Which is where she comes into the picture.
I have a bit of a hard time reconciling the idea of a Christian romance (in terms of a good Christian girl, if not of a romance novel written for a specifically Christian audience) with the steamy sex scenes: a "good girl" who leaps into what looks like a one-night stand doesn't sit well. Also an ill fit to my mind is the element of the weeping angel with the pragmatism of the rest of the story. It might be an easier path to slip into for someone who has read the other two books in the series, who knows the characters; to me it was jarring to go from a fairly straightforward and mundane (in that there were no supernatural elements) to passages of quirky mysticism.
I liked the characterizations. They flirted with caricature, but never married it: there were some believable personalities here, and likeable ones. Rocky's father's determination to keep the golf course preserved until repairs can be made is never belittled; Rocky is embarrassed by him and it, but loves him wholeheartedly nonetheless. There are several classic Romance Misunderstandings, along with a case of classic You Two Are Meant To Be Together And Just Don't See It. But with the credible personalities, it all works. It was a fun read.
December 6, 2021
İkinci kitaptan çok ama çok daha iyiydi. Yazarımız hala gereksiz mezhep ayrıntılarına girse de İngiliz 'sıradan' aristokratımız kitabı okunabilir kılmıştı. İlk defa Hugh gibi bir asilzade okudum sanırım. Modern, mühendis ve çatlak halalarıyla büyüdüğünden açık görüşlü. Halalarına ayrı bir bayıldım. Hele Haley'in gördüğü meleği görmeleri beni çok sevindirdi. Kilise papazlarına ben cadıyım demekte yürek isterdi ama bizim halalarımız bunu tabi ki yaptı 😍 nasıl havalılardı anlatamam.
Havalı demişken hugh'un çaktırmadan ve kalp kırmadan Rachel ve Bubba'nın bile arasını yapmasına ne demeli bilemiyorum 😍 nasıl sevimliydi anlatamam.
Kızımız için çok yorum yapmak istemiyorum. Klasik roman kızıydı. Ama bu kitapta Rocky sayesinde stone ile eşinin ilişkisinin detaylarını biraz öğrenmek sonraki kitap için beni heyecanlandırdı. Bir sonraki kitap için umutlarımı yükseltti. Am keşke o kitap fantastik olsaydı diyesim geliyor. Keşke bir romantik hayalet hikayesi okuyabilseydik ama sanırım pek mümkün değil 😂
Bir sonraki yorumda görüşmek üzere
Havalı demişken hugh'un çaktırmadan ve kalp kırmadan Rachel ve Bubba'nın bile arasını yapmasına ne demeli bilemiyorum 😍 nasıl sevimliydi anlatamam.
Kızımız için çok yorum yapmak istemiyorum. Klasik roman kızıydı. Ama bu kitapta Rocky sayesinde stone ile eşinin ilişkisinin detaylarını biraz öğrenmek sonraki kitap için beni heyecanlandırdı. Bir sonraki kitap için umutlarımı yükseltti. Am keşke o kitap fantastik olsaydı diyesim geliyor. Keşke bir romantik hayalet hikayesi okuyabilseydik ama sanırım pek mümkün değil 😂
Bir sonraki yorumda görüşmek üzere
November 18, 2013
Another fun visit to Last Chance. Rocky/Caroline shook the dust of Last Chance off her feet when she went to college. She wants more than getting married to her high school sweetheart and reliving her time as Watermelon Queen. She has remade her image into a cool businesswoman who is the administrative assistant to a senator. He has assigned her to take Lord Woolham to Last Chance and convince her father to sell his land to Hugh for his factory. Rocky knows very well that there is no way her dad will sell that land, but her job depends on making this work. She doesn't expect to find Hugh so darned sexy. She also doesn't expect to get sucked back into all the small town dramas that she has tried so hard to escape.
I really liked Rocky. She knows what she wants from her life and is doing her best to get it. Her assignment to get Hugh the land he needs is causing her some real problems. She wants to succeed, thereby ensuring her advancement on the senator's staff. But she is also very loyal to her family and she knows that there is no way that her dad will give up that land. She sets out to convince Hugh of that fact, but he is set on his plans. When she arrives in Last Chance she is dismayed to discover that she is going to have to participate in the town's Watermelon Festival activities - bringing back memories of the disaster of the past. It was a lot of fun seeing the way that Rocky was battling the two sides of her personality. The one side is her professional life, with her suits and her ambitions. The other side is the small town girl that she has never quite been able to leave behind. Both of those sides find Hugh immensely appealing. The professional side sees the importance of the business he is trying to bring to her town. The small town girl sees a kind and charming man who seems to really appreciate all the unique characters of her hometown. She's falling for him and doesn't see any chance of a fairytale ending for herself.
Hugh was great. He had depended on a business partner to make the land purchases and when that partner was lost in a plane crash discovered that things weren't quite what he expected. He may be British nobility but he is poor nobility and if he can't make a go of this factory he's going to have to go home and marry for money. He puts on quite a show of being an uppity Brit when he isn't like that at all. However, he is desperate to get that land. He isn't going to let Caroline talk him out of trying to get her father to sell to him. It doesn't take long after they arrive for him to realize that it isn't going to be as easy as he thought. The more time he spends in Last Chance, though, the more he likes the town and the people. I especially liked seeing the way that he compared Last Chance to his own (small) hometown. While he has put on a good show, he really would rather work on cars, have a beer with the guys, and spend some time getting to know Rocky. I really loved seeing him get so involved with the town, to the point of turning down a good offer to build elsewhere, because he wants to help. I really enjoyed the way that he started falling for Rocky and tried to find a way to make everything work. There were some great scenes with him and various people around town as he tried to get his land. The kiss auction was especially fun.
Things really start to get crazy around town as various factions get involved in the whole land issue. Everyone has an opinion, but it isn't until the end that someone comes up with a viable solution. The town meeting was absolutely hilarious.
I really loved seeing more of all the characters in town. Rocky's brother Stone is still the uptight cop, but there might be a few cracks starting to show up. I really enjoyed seeing all the church ladies and their ongoing efforts to save the Golfing for God miniature golf course. They also continue to use their penchant for gossip to try to "guide" various members of the town. There is more from Haley and her "sorrowful angel". I have a feeling I know the identity of this angel and I'm looking forward to later books to see if I am right.
I really liked Rocky. She knows what she wants from her life and is doing her best to get it. Her assignment to get Hugh the land he needs is causing her some real problems. She wants to succeed, thereby ensuring her advancement on the senator's staff. But she is also very loyal to her family and she knows that there is no way that her dad will give up that land. She sets out to convince Hugh of that fact, but he is set on his plans. When she arrives in Last Chance she is dismayed to discover that she is going to have to participate in the town's Watermelon Festival activities - bringing back memories of the disaster of the past. It was a lot of fun seeing the way that Rocky was battling the two sides of her personality. The one side is her professional life, with her suits and her ambitions. The other side is the small town girl that she has never quite been able to leave behind. Both of those sides find Hugh immensely appealing. The professional side sees the importance of the business he is trying to bring to her town. The small town girl sees a kind and charming man who seems to really appreciate all the unique characters of her hometown. She's falling for him and doesn't see any chance of a fairytale ending for herself.
Hugh was great. He had depended on a business partner to make the land purchases and when that partner was lost in a plane crash discovered that things weren't quite what he expected. He may be British nobility but he is poor nobility and if he can't make a go of this factory he's going to have to go home and marry for money. He puts on quite a show of being an uppity Brit when he isn't like that at all. However, he is desperate to get that land. He isn't going to let Caroline talk him out of trying to get her father to sell to him. It doesn't take long after they arrive for him to realize that it isn't going to be as easy as he thought. The more time he spends in Last Chance, though, the more he likes the town and the people. I especially liked seeing the way that he compared Last Chance to his own (small) hometown. While he has put on a good show, he really would rather work on cars, have a beer with the guys, and spend some time getting to know Rocky. I really loved seeing him get so involved with the town, to the point of turning down a good offer to build elsewhere, because he wants to help. I really enjoyed the way that he started falling for Rocky and tried to find a way to make everything work. There were some great scenes with him and various people around town as he tried to get his land. The kiss auction was especially fun.
Things really start to get crazy around town as various factions get involved in the whole land issue. Everyone has an opinion, but it isn't until the end that someone comes up with a viable solution. The town meeting was absolutely hilarious.
I really loved seeing more of all the characters in town. Rocky's brother Stone is still the uptight cop, but there might be a few cracks starting to show up. I really enjoyed seeing all the church ladies and their ongoing efforts to save the Golfing for God miniature golf course. They also continue to use their penchant for gossip to try to "guide" various members of the town. There is more from Haley and her "sorrowful angel". I have a feeling I know the identity of this angel and I'm looking forward to later books to see if I am right.
May 1, 2012
If Debbie Macomber's Blossom Street could move to South Carolina and have a little more romance in it, it would be Hope Ramsey's Last Chance series. This is small town America meets sweet romance, with a little bit of sex tossed in for good measure.
Reasons why you should read Last Chance Beauty Queen
1. Quirky Characters abounding: A down-to-earth English aristocrat that wants to build a textile factory, Rocky's dad, who owns a miniature golf course called Golfing for God!, a little girl that sees angels and an ex-football player who will do anything to get the attention of the girl he thinks he wants to marry.
2. Great imagery of the typical American small town. You will fall in love with Last Chance, and you'll definitely want to go to the Watermelon Festival!
3. Its a series, but you really don't have to read these in order.
4. It is just so darn funny. It is hard to find humor in romance novels. There are some authors that do it well, and Hope Ramsey is one of them.
This book was a quick easy fun story. I fell in love with the town of Last Chance and all the people in it. Rocky was a wonderful heroine, she was smart, sweet and had a great sense of family. I loved that she wanted her career and life, but still cared for her hometown and didn't talk down or act like she was better than those at home.
The same can be said for Hugh. He was the type of character you wanted to be snotty, but he never was. He was a "regular guy" with a title, and you couldn't help but love him.
If you like authors like Sherryl Woods and Debbie Macomber, you'll be sure to love Hope Ramsey's Last Chance! Oh and isn't the cover adorable!
Reasons why you should read Last Chance Beauty Queen
1. Quirky Characters abounding: A down-to-earth English aristocrat that wants to build a textile factory, Rocky's dad, who owns a miniature golf course called Golfing for God!, a little girl that sees angels and an ex-football player who will do anything to get the attention of the girl he thinks he wants to marry.
2. Great imagery of the typical American small town. You will fall in love with Last Chance, and you'll definitely want to go to the Watermelon Festival!
3. Its a series, but you really don't have to read these in order.
4. It is just so darn funny. It is hard to find humor in romance novels. There are some authors that do it well, and Hope Ramsey is one of them.
This book was a quick easy fun story. I fell in love with the town of Last Chance and all the people in it. Rocky was a wonderful heroine, she was smart, sweet and had a great sense of family. I loved that she wanted her career and life, but still cared for her hometown and didn't talk down or act like she was better than those at home.
The same can be said for Hugh. He was the type of character you wanted to be snotty, but he never was. He was a "regular guy" with a title, and you couldn't help but love him.
If you like authors like Sherryl Woods and Debbie Macomber, you'll be sure to love Hope Ramsey's Last Chance! Oh and isn't the cover adorable!
January 8, 2012
'Last Chance Beauty Queen' is filled with lovable characters that are quirky and sweet. It is a fun read that follows a journey of self-discovery. This is the first Hope Ramsay book I have read, and it definitely won't be the last. She brings the small town, Last Chance, South Carolina to life; I look forward to visiting again. I recommend the book to all contemporary romance readers who enjoy quirky humor.
March 1, 2016
I love Hope's writing.So sweety,and the Last Chance is very beautiful place that I want to live :)
December 2, 2021
Quick read, interesting characters and if you like stories about angels, this is for you.
April 24, 2020
What fun! I love Last Chance and the Rhodes family, and I fell in love with Hugh right along with Rocky. Can't wait to see who's up in #4!
July 8, 2012
For it to be satisfying, do we expect our life to be extraordinary?
Forward seeking job security is the number one priority for Caroline “Rocky” Rhodes not back pedaling to her fifteen minutes of beauty queen fame. She is moving up the ladder in her office with sights set on a big move coming soon but there is one huge hurdle to overcome. Rocky has to convince her daddy to give up his miniature golf course to Lord Hugh deBracy to have his factory built and everything will be coming up roses.
Problem is Rocky’s father is not interested in giving up Golfing for God to anyone especially a foreigner. Hugh needs that land to build a factory that will help the small town but no one will budge and Hugh is as determined to have it as Rocky is to not let him get it. Rocky is fascinated by Hugh’s ability to charm and woo all the people in this small, quirky town and she is even more driven to control the urge she has to find out if his lips are as sweet to kiss, as they are when he talks. Being manipulated by everyone in town to push their agenda Rocky knows what she is willing to accomplish and what she will give up for the sake of a career. Hugh must do the honorable thing for his family and at times, the burden is more than he can bear. Should he go with his heart or listen to his pocketbook?
With the town involved in her life, too many women gossiping, and predictions of fate looming, Rocky is about to show everyone that this beauty queen is tougher than the rest. There may be some angels hovering over looking and Rocky knows her prayers always are answered some way or another.
Hope Ramsay provides the calm of a small town mixed in with the whimsy of love all rolled into one fabulous read.
Forward seeking job security is the number one priority for Caroline “Rocky” Rhodes not back pedaling to her fifteen minutes of beauty queen fame. She is moving up the ladder in her office with sights set on a big move coming soon but there is one huge hurdle to overcome. Rocky has to convince her daddy to give up his miniature golf course to Lord Hugh deBracy to have his factory built and everything will be coming up roses.
Problem is Rocky’s father is not interested in giving up Golfing for God to anyone especially a foreigner. Hugh needs that land to build a factory that will help the small town but no one will budge and Hugh is as determined to have it as Rocky is to not let him get it. Rocky is fascinated by Hugh’s ability to charm and woo all the people in this small, quirky town and she is even more driven to control the urge she has to find out if his lips are as sweet to kiss, as they are when he talks. Being manipulated by everyone in town to push their agenda Rocky knows what she is willing to accomplish and what she will give up for the sake of a career. Hugh must do the honorable thing for his family and at times, the burden is more than he can bear. Should he go with his heart or listen to his pocketbook?
With the town involved in her life, too many women gossiping, and predictions of fate looming, Rocky is about to show everyone that this beauty queen is tougher than the rest. There may be some angels hovering over looking and Rocky knows her prayers always are answered some way or another.
Hope Ramsay provides the calm of a small town mixed in with the whimsy of love all rolled into one fabulous read.
February 28, 2012
DNF
This book was a DNF (did not finish) for me. Here are some of the reasons why:
1. This book reads like a Christian romance. There are a ton of religious references such as the “Golfing with God” mini putt place, the angels and all the virtue talk. I don’t read Christian romance and maybe this is why right off the bat I wasn’t feeling this.
I think this limits the audience greatly because not everyone can relate to the religious aspects of this story. Unfortunately, I can say that I like these details throughout the book.
2. In the Acknowledgments of this book, the author thanks those who have helped her find the core qualities of a great regency hero that she would place into the setting of Last Chance, South Carolina. However, this is EXACTLY how it felt like. It seemed as though she just took a historical romance hero and placed it in a contemporary setting. It didn’t translate well onto the page. Yes, the hero is a Lord but you have to tweak that a bit to make it work in a contemporary setting.
3. Also, the writing reminds me of a historical romance. The hero is English, but the overall writing style has the same eloquent wordiness of a historical romance. I thought I was reading a contemporary romance. What happened?
4. The heroine is a beauty queen. She is a nice girl. And that’s all I can really say about her. Take that however you want because I didn’t hate her, but I also didn’t care about what would happen to her.
This book was a DNF (did not finish) for me. Here are some of the reasons why:
1. This book reads like a Christian romance. There are a ton of religious references such as the “Golfing with God” mini putt place, the angels and all the virtue talk. I don’t read Christian romance and maybe this is why right off the bat I wasn’t feeling this.
I think this limits the audience greatly because not everyone can relate to the religious aspects of this story. Unfortunately, I can say that I like these details throughout the book.
2. In the Acknowledgments of this book, the author thanks those who have helped her find the core qualities of a great regency hero that she would place into the setting of Last Chance, South Carolina. However, this is EXACTLY how it felt like. It seemed as though she just took a historical romance hero and placed it in a contemporary setting. It didn’t translate well onto the page. Yes, the hero is a Lord but you have to tweak that a bit to make it work in a contemporary setting.
3. Also, the writing reminds me of a historical romance. The hero is English, but the overall writing style has the same eloquent wordiness of a historical romance. I thought I was reading a contemporary romance. What happened?
4. The heroine is a beauty queen. She is a nice girl. And that’s all I can really say about her. Take that however you want because I didn’t hate her, but I also didn’t care about what would happen to her.
April 16, 2012
Loved this romance! The small-town setting made me feel like I was home and the quirky people were so very real. The Cut ‘n Curl, the Watermelon Festival and parade…well, the town of Last Chance is a character in itself.
Hugh is not a snobby aristocrat but he does have duty to fulfill and that seems to preclude the career-minded Rocky who is already a little gun-shy because of a past event the entire town remembers. This is the third book in the series and although it can be enjoyed alone, I’m looking forward to reading Home At Last Chance and will keep a close eye out for more books in this heartwarming series.
August 29, 2012
This was a cute, small-town romance with Southern charm and quirky characters. It is full of fun as the home town Watermelon Beauty Queen returns to settle an issue for her boss, the Senator Warren. What ensues are mishaps, misjudgments and misguided assumptions.
Some places and characters were confusing to me and I suppose they are explained in one of the first two of this series. Overall the novel is lots of fun, and would have ranked it a bit higher, but a couple of small details that bothered me - What do the angels say to her father and who is the angel her little cousin talks to?
But I won this book and appreciate it-
Thank you Goodreads!
Some places and characters were confusing to me and I suppose they are explained in one of the first two of this series. Overall the novel is lots of fun, and would have ranked it a bit higher, but a couple of small details that bothered me - What do the angels say to her father and who is the angel her little cousin talks to?
But I won this book and appreciate it-
Thank you Goodreads!
November 1, 2012
I really enjoyed this book the 3rd in the series of Last Chance. It had me laughing and crying. I can't wait to see what the next book brings. I love the people in Last Chance.
August 15, 2017
30 year old Rocky Rhoades (she is professionally known as Caroline for obvious reasons) hasn’t been back to Last Chance for the Watermelon Festival for, oh, 12 years; and she has no intention of going back. The last time she was crowned queen at the age of 18 and Bubba Lockhart, her high school admirer proposed to her. In front of everyone. On stage. Uh….no thank you, but Rocky wasn’t quite that polite in front of the entire crowd of cheering people. She had dreams and marriage wasn’t one of them.
Now, Rocky (Caroline) is assigned the task of promoting a huge land sale in Last Chance that her boss, Senator Rupert Warren, wants to happen. It would mean hundreds of jobs for the town and with that, would come a promotion to DC for Rocky. The buyer is Lord Woolham and he is determined to have that land. The sticky part of the situation is that Rocky’s father actually owns that land. Yep. He has a mini golf course called Golfing for God on that land complete with 28 holes depicting a Bible story. Never mind that the golf course was closed down due to devastating storm damage. It’s not going to happen.
So Rocky finds herself back in Last Chance to please her boss and to figure out a way to make that sale go through or to find a better alternative for Lord Woolham. She also finds herself being squeezed into the horrid watermelon pink and green dress from 12 years ago and riding on a float with other past queens with Lord Woolham in the stands watching.
Oh, this was a light and fluffy read with lots of laughs and some keen work on Rocky’s part to make everyone happy. Think bar brawls and mischievous spirits that only Rocky’s niece can see. Think horse riders lassoing and carrying off the main character in front of the whole town. Think eccentric English aunts who come from England to help their nephew attain the land. Think a small town citizen who can predict who your future husband/wife will be.
I laughed out loud at the antics of all the quirky characters in this story, and while the plot was fairly predictable, the antics were not. I love small town stories and I would love to visit Last Chance…it’s pretty exciting for a small town.
Now, Rocky (Caroline) is assigned the task of promoting a huge land sale in Last Chance that her boss, Senator Rupert Warren, wants to happen. It would mean hundreds of jobs for the town and with that, would come a promotion to DC for Rocky. The buyer is Lord Woolham and he is determined to have that land. The sticky part of the situation is that Rocky’s father actually owns that land. Yep. He has a mini golf course called Golfing for God on that land complete with 28 holes depicting a Bible story. Never mind that the golf course was closed down due to devastating storm damage. It’s not going to happen.
So Rocky finds herself back in Last Chance to please her boss and to figure out a way to make that sale go through or to find a better alternative for Lord Woolham. She also finds herself being squeezed into the horrid watermelon pink and green dress from 12 years ago and riding on a float with other past queens with Lord Woolham in the stands watching.
Oh, this was a light and fluffy read with lots of laughs and some keen work on Rocky’s part to make everyone happy. Think bar brawls and mischievous spirits that only Rocky’s niece can see. Think horse riders lassoing and carrying off the main character in front of the whole town. Think eccentric English aunts who come from England to help their nephew attain the land. Think a small town citizen who can predict who your future husband/wife will be.
I laughed out loud at the antics of all the quirky characters in this story, and while the plot was fairly predictable, the antics were not. I love small town stories and I would love to visit Last Chance…it’s pretty exciting for a small town.
June 25, 2023
Sirocco 'Rocky' Rhodes (now calling herself Caroline) left Last Chance first opportunity she got, shortly after being declared Watermelon Queen and publicly telling Bubba Lockhart where to stick his marriage proposal.
Now she's back on the orders of her boss to help the English Lord Woolham, Hugh Debracy, create a textile factory outside the town. But he's been sold land without access to transport and the only option is to buy the 'Golfing for God' site which belongs to Caroline's father. and that ain't gonna happen!
It's not the strongest book in the series but the author, Hope Ramsay, is incapable of writing a bad book. It's filled with the usual quirky characters and events. The Sorrowful Angel continues to weep for reasons unknown - I am looking forward to the book in which her backstory is finally explained.
And, of course, predictions of who is going to fall to who continue to be misinterpreted (it's a staple of the series).
You know almost from the start where it will end up but the journey is fun.
I'm not usually a fan of Christian books but I make an exception for this series. It's not trying to sell anything other than the fact that some people believe and it also seems that the writer sees a correlation between what some call magic and other call faith.
3 Stars.
Now she's back on the orders of her boss to help the English Lord Woolham, Hugh Debracy, create a textile factory outside the town. But he's been sold land without access to transport and the only option is to buy the 'Golfing for God' site which belongs to Caroline's father. and that ain't gonna happen!
It's not the strongest book in the series but the author, Hope Ramsay, is incapable of writing a bad book. It's filled with the usual quirky characters and events. The Sorrowful Angel continues to weep for reasons unknown - I am looking forward to the book in which her backstory is finally explained.
And, of course, predictions of who is going to fall to who continue to be misinterpreted (it's a staple of the series).
You know almost from the start where it will end up but the journey is fun.
I'm not usually a fan of Christian books but I make an exception for this series. It's not trying to sell anything other than the fact that some people believe and it also seems that the writer sees a correlation between what some call magic and other call faith.
3 Stars.
February 15, 2019
Last Chance Beauty Queen by Hope Ramsay
Last Chance what an interesting place to visit. I've enjoyed getting to know the characters in this little town. Each novel focuses on one of Ruby Rhodes children. How they fit or don't with the rest of the inhabitants of Last Chance. This time we get to know Rocky or If you prefer “Caroline”. She's come home to last chance after mostly being gone working in the big City for a politician. If she wants a promotion she must somehow help an English inventor get land for a much needed new factory for her town. The land in question belongs to her father but he won't consider selling “Golfing for God” his miniature golf course. How to keep everyone happy, the town, the Englishman, her father, and of course the church ladies. The story is full of light hearted silliness but lots of family love and some sweet romance thrown in for good measure.
Last Chance what an interesting place to visit. I've enjoyed getting to know the characters in this little town. Each novel focuses on one of Ruby Rhodes children. How they fit or don't with the rest of the inhabitants of Last Chance. This time we get to know Rocky or If you prefer “Caroline”. She's come home to last chance after mostly being gone working in the big City for a politician. If she wants a promotion she must somehow help an English inventor get land for a much needed new factory for her town. The land in question belongs to her father but he won't consider selling “Golfing for God” his miniature golf course. How to keep everyone happy, the town, the Englishman, her father, and of course the church ladies. The story is full of light hearted silliness but lots of family love and some sweet romance thrown in for good measure.
June 18, 2020
This is the third book in the Last Chance series about the small town of Last Chance, South Carolina. I loved the first two books and was not disappointed in this one. Caroline "Rocky" Rhodes was a past beauty queen during the Watermelon Festival right out of high school but now she was trying to put that behind her as she worked for a Senator trying to get him elected to Washington. Her job for the Senator was the help Hugh deBracy from England finalize his land purchase he needed to build a factory and gives jobs to a lot of people in this small town. Unfortunately in order to complete his factory, he needed the land that belonged to Rocky's father and he was not going to sell it. This is a very interesting story of how Rocky accomplished exactly what she, Hugh and her father needed without causing too much trouble. Great, Funny story
July 15, 2018
This book follows Ruby Rhodes's daughter Rocky aka Caroline whose coming home in time for the Watermelon Festival of course she is coming to try to help Hugh find land to build his factory but in Hugh's eyes the only option is Golfing for God, Caroline's daddy's property. Will she help Hugh come up with a solution?
Also in this book we watch the heat get turned up between Caroline and Hugh. When it heats up it really heats up will they be a match or will they part after the project?
I really enjoyed reading Caroline and Hugh's story as they learn about each other and stop living up to impossible expectations. They are truly a match made in heaven and was incredible to watch the journey!
Also in this book we watch the heat get turned up between Caroline and Hugh. When it heats up it really heats up will they be a match or will they part after the project?
I really enjoyed reading Caroline and Hugh's story as they learn about each other and stop living up to impossible expectations. They are truly a match made in heaven and was incredible to watch the journey!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 6, 2026
Another in the Last Chance series, in which PR and marketing specialist for a Senator, one Rocky Rhodes, tangles with an English contractor and builder, who wants to build a factory in Last Chance, but the place for the new business, very much needed to keep the little town viable, includes swampland and requires the destruction of the Golfing for God putt-putt game. That also happens to be owned and run by Rocky's father.
What's a girl to do when she inadvertently falls for the British guy? And what's he going to do when he learns he's been snookered when he paid too much for the land in question? Leave it to the Church Ladies to help uncover all manner of illegalities.
What's a girl to do when she inadvertently falls for the British guy? And what's he going to do when he learns he's been snookered when he paid too much for the land in question? Leave it to the Church Ladies to help uncover all manner of illegalities.
September 1, 2018
Such a fun read, my favorite in the Last Chance series thus far. Rocky and her family continue to delight as we learn even more about them. The characters in the town are crazy but lovable. (Dash could use a good shake up!) I am eager to continue on in the series as Hope Ramsey is becoming a favorite author of mine.
June 1, 2020
Another quirky story from Last Chance, S Carolina. The characters come alive and the small southern town's charm is evident in the 3rd book by Hope Ramsay. All your favorite characters are back and it's fun to see how the Stone family is dealing with Miss Miriam's latest predictions for Ricky and the duke. You'll have to read it to find out what happens. I'm excited to start book 4!
June 7, 2024
This book was a hoot and a half. Last Chance is one of those fictional small towns that seems to run on gossip and small town charm, with a few unbelievable characters/events mixed in. I loved every minute of reading about Rocky/Caroline and Hugh. Watching their relationship develop was a treat; very convincing with just the right amount of heat.
April 8, 2019
Funny, quirky incidents occur in this little town. Then when the women all gather in the beauty parlor nothing is goes unnoticed or unsaid.
Thoroughly enjoyed Last Chance characters and looking forward to what happens next.
Thoroughly enjoyed Last Chance characters and looking forward to what happens next.
July 30, 2020
I would have given this five stars, but Hugh kept repeating the same phrases over and over again, and they never sat quite naturally on my ear. Still I'm having fun in Last Chance, so I'll keep reading the series.
June 24, 2017
Loved it!
January 31, 2019
LOVED THE BOOK...went and ordered the series!! Can't wait to get my hands on the rest of this series!!
December 13, 2019
I’m really liking this series.
May 15, 2020
typical small town full of gossip trashy novel. Nothing new. Not badly written but just not creative.
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