Her Last First Dance

by Melanie Jacobson

What is Tessa supposed to do when an old flame and a surprise new baby turn up on the same day?

Brilliant engineer Tessa Fuller has the opportunity of a lifetime at work, and all she needs to change the world is a little help from her old college friend, Ethan Bedford.

Ethan can give her five weeks before he’s off to chase his own dreams, and when they meet again for the first time in six years, Tessa realizes the gawky guy she graduated with has grown into a super hot tech genius.

Just as she’s on the verge of a fun, short-term fling to discover once and for all what-might-have-been, her wayward sister drops a baby on her doorstep and disappears, leaving Tessa to take care of the kid.

One huge Tessa doesn’t know a thing about babies. And she doesn’t have time to learn while the clock is running out on her dream project at work.

But Tessa’s team is determined to show her that she’s not alone, and while they might be clueless about babies, they know a thing or two about engineering. As their baby “hacks” and inventions get progressively wilder, Tessa is less and less sure she really can have it all. And the first thing she has to give up is Ethan.

Except Ethan isn’t a quitter. And he’s not about to give up on Tessa, not when the flame that flickered between them in college gets fanned back to life.

Can a team of hilarious engineers, one sweet baby, and a handsome blast from her past open Tessa’s heart to new love and second chances?

A laugh-out-loud funny and heartwarming story perfect for a swoony escape. Grab your copy now!

"I am so thrilled to have found Brenna Jacobs, and she has definitely claimed a spot on my list of one-click authors. I can't wait to read more by her!"-Samantha Kennicott, reviewer

"Ms. Jacobs’ writing style is delightful."-Lauraine Henderson, reviewer

"I can tell Brenna Jacobs’ books and I are going to get along just fine!"-Kim Golding, reviewer

Formerly titled Embracing Her Ever After

Genres: Audiobook, Romance, Contemporary

275 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 4, 2023

Reviews

[Berly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Contains one of my least favorite tropes, but I enjoyed the writing and the intelligence of both main characters. I listened to the audio read by Lorana Hoopes. If you've never listened to her, she is fine. She has a set cadence. If you have listened to her before, you know what to expect.

[Vivi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I AM IN LOVE WHAT THE HELL- Istg this little baby boy might be one of the few things to convince me to have a child one day. And his new daddy has made me understand that I do have better standards than I thought, I like it a LOT when he's smart- and when he does the amazing math equations in his head, it's fucking hot- and the long time crush that they've both had on eachother is so cute. I love this.

And don't even get me started on the whole "baby squad" and how everyone fell over each other to get to hang out with him and help her take care of her nephew, it was so sweet honestly.

[Heidi Robbins (Heidi Reads...) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story! It has so much more depth than the cover indicates. Although it also has fun and humor as well ;) Tessa and Ethan are so good together! They are both highly intelligent, driven, and confident engineers. It was eye-opening to see a bit of how a branch of that industry operates, the mix of creativity, innovation, pragmatism, and solution-finding. The new spark of attraction in an old friendship brings the anticipation of potential romance, but the short-term nature of Ethan's assignment puts a damper on things. Throw in an unexpected baby, and you would think that would put an end to things, but it only provided an impetus to bring them closer together- for Ethan to encourage and support Tessa, and for her to see a deeper side of him. Their relationship develops naturally with a few bumps along the way, but the tension and anticipation made the chemistry that much stronger. I absolutely loved how each member of Tessa's team had such unique personalities and their own way of showing they care through finding solutions in their own special ways. Ethan's mom was a fun addition to the story and I loved their close relationship. This story was a pleasure to read and it's one I already want to read again!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

[Jesica · Rating 3 out of 5]

CLASIFICATION: 3.4 ESTRELLAS

Empezare diciendo que con ese titulo pense que el libro era ambientado en high school o la universidad (No habia leido la sinopsis), Y segundo lo comence porque me gusto la portada y menos mal no fue una decepcion porque me gusto y estuvo entretenido para pasar el rato.

La historia empieza cuando la protagonista esta esperando a un ex-compañero de la U, para que sea como un analista externo de un proyecto en el que esta trabajando su equipo. y el mismo dia aparece su hermana con un bebe y le pide quedarse unos dias.... Al siguiente dia su hermana ha desaparecido y le ha dejado de regalo a su sobrino. La historia se va desarrollando a medida que ella, sus compañeros y este chico (que siempre ha tenido sentimientos por ella) cuidan al bebe y adelantan el proyecto para entregarlo en la fecha prevista.

En fin, fue corto y entretenido.... Y tiene un final lindo.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes it is so cringey to read/hear about super smart people who are intimidated by babies. I also cannot imagine going about my childless existence, on the verge of making an amazing breakthrough and consumed with finishing a project with a deadline, when a 4 month old is dropped in my lap. I thought it was super sweet how everyone in the office stepped up and wanted their turn with Calvin. It takes a village! This is rated PG but it is not a YA book. YA would be bored by the baby being the center. There is a HEA and a sweet romance between Tessa and Ethan.

[Karen B · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Tessa and Ethan are college friends turned co-workers. Tessa has an unexpected life event and their workplace affectionally becomes the “baby quad”. The two work through what their relationship is and can become. A quick read, I appreciated the women in STEM aspect and debunking the myth that a woman knows everything right away about taking care of a baby.

[RichelleLeibold · Rating 4 out of 5]

Needed a happy story and this was it! Felt like Big Bang Theory characters meet a baby. Loved the positive approach of foster families, mom’s intuition and engineers using their skills both to create baby things as well as solving the world energy crisis.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This book started slow for me but became more interesting once Calvin joined. I had to chuckle when Tessa didn’t know what to do and couldn’t help remembering my own journey in learning how to take care of a baby.

[dreyah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love it so much!! This story is underrated like if you want something that will just make your day better and have little addition to your happiness.. I mean THIS IS A MUST READ huhu! I just love how the communication progressed within the characters🥹

[Haley Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a Sweet Short Story!

This was such a short heartwarming read! It’s creative and funny. It will make you laugh and bring tears to your eyes all in a few hours. The foster/adoption/birth mom aspect will always have a special place in my heart as an adoptive mom.

[Mark J. Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

couldn’t put it down

Great character development. Kept me engaged the whole time. Read in one night. Love her books. Definitely recommend this book.

[Amal Hamami · Rating 5 out of 5]

single mom and a cute guy who needs rescuing is the best thing ever!!

[Jennie Sawyers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book I have read by her and I love that it is a sweet romance, but still has in-depth characters. There are no stagnant characters, they are all dynamic and I love that!

[Irene Wilkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story

Great characters, well written and interesting storyline. I'm a fan of Ms Jacobson and recommend this book.
Check out all her books.

[Tess Mix]

Such a cute simple and quick read! I love a classic romance story

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute story. It definitely entertained me as I drove.