What do you think?
Rate this book
One last shot
Ein zehn Jahre alter Heiratspakt, ein Supermodel und ein Fotograf – und die letzte Chance für die Liebe ... Macht es am Ende doch noch Klick?
Emerson und Theo waren als Teenager unzertrennlich. Aber gerade als sie sich endlich ihre Gefühle füreinander gestanden hatten, zieht Emerson überstürzt nach L.A. und bricht den Kontakt ab. Zehn Jahre später ist sie ein gefragtes Model und Theo arbeitet als Modefotograf – trotzdem trennen sie Welten. Eine Erinnerung auf dem Handy erinnert die beiden an den Heiratspakt, der sie einst verband, und Emerson wird klar, dass sie Theo wiederfinden muss! Kurzerhand lässt sie sich für eine Kampagne buchen, die er fotografiert, und reist dafür in die romantischen Cinque Terre in Italien. Doch Theo ist nicht so glücklich Emerson zu sehen, wie sie gehofft hatte…
Emerson und Theo waren als Teenager unzertrennlich. Aber gerade als sie sich endlich ihre Gefühle füreinander gestanden hatten, zieht Emerson überstürzt nach L.A. und bricht den Kontakt ab. Zehn Jahre später ist sie ein gefragtes Model und Theo arbeitet als Modefotograf – trotzdem trennen sie Welten. Eine Erinnerung auf dem Handy erinnert die beiden an den Heiratspakt, der sie einst verband, und Emerson wird klar, dass sie Theo wiederfinden muss! Kurzerhand lässt sie sich für eine Kampagne buchen, die er fotografiert, und reist dafür in die romantischen Cinque Terre in Italien. Doch Theo ist nicht so glücklich Emerson zu sehen, wie sie gehofft hatte…
461 pages, Paperback
First published May 7, 2024
243 people are currently reading
21735 people want to read
About the author
Betty Cayouette
3 books271 followersBetty Cayouette is an author, viral video content creator and cinematographer. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Brandeis University in only three years, with a dual-degree in Film, Television and Interactive Media and Interpersonal and Mass Communications, and minors in Creative Writing and English. In 2021, she was named a Brandeis BOLD 9 winner, as an up-and-coming alumni who is sparking creativity, conversation and change in her field. She also won the Sony Alpha Female contest in 2021, for her work getting girls into video production.
In 2021, Betty created @bettysbooklist, the viral TikTok/Instagram account which is one of the top book recommendation accounts in the world and is featured in outlets such as The Boston Globe, Euronews, Fox News, The London Times and Glamour UK. She has over 400,000 followers across platforms and started the viral trend of acting out the plot of the book as the main character.
Betty’s debut novel, ONE LAST SHOT, sold to St. Martins/Macmillan in a two book major deal. ONE LAST SHOT follows a model and a photographer who reconnect on a photoshoot in Italy for one last shot at love. It was released in May 2024, and was the Afterlight book box pick for the month of May, had a 16 stop book tour, and was translated into 7 languages. Her sophomore novel TELL ME HOW YOU REALLY FEEL releases May 2025.
Betty also works with fashion and lifestyle brands to create best in class viral video content. Past clients include Aerie by American Eagle, Williams Sonoma, Sony and more. In a single day, a video campaign Betty created for Aerie garnered 50M views and grew their following by over 300%. In her spare times she also enjoys shooting wedding videos.
In 2021, Betty created @bettysbooklist, the viral TikTok/Instagram account which is one of the top book recommendation accounts in the world and is featured in outlets such as The Boston Globe, Euronews, Fox News, The London Times and Glamour UK. She has over 400,000 followers across platforms and started the viral trend of acting out the plot of the book as the main character.
Betty’s debut novel, ONE LAST SHOT, sold to St. Martins/Macmillan in a two book major deal. ONE LAST SHOT follows a model and a photographer who reconnect on a photoshoot in Italy for one last shot at love. It was released in May 2024, and was the Afterlight book box pick for the month of May, had a 16 stop book tour, and was translated into 7 languages. Her sophomore novel TELL ME HOW YOU REALLY FEEL releases May 2025.
Betty also works with fashion and lifestyle brands to create best in class viral video content. Past clients include Aerie by American Eagle, Williams Sonoma, Sony and more. In a single day, a video campaign Betty created for Aerie garnered 50M views and grew their following by over 300%. In her spare times she also enjoys shooting wedding videos.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,274 reviews
February 22, 2024
ᯓ★ 3.75 stars ᯓ★
⤿ i am so so so pleasantly surprised <3
🌷 “He was my person, around him I was the best version of me, the me I wanted to be all the time” 🌷
theo and emerson have my whole heart ☹️💓
betty cayouette managed to take all the tropes i hate and turn it into perfection. im so looking into the rest of her books!!
🌼here are said tropes:🌼
➵ second chance romance
➵ childhood besties
➵ other woman drama + other man drama
➵ angst (lots and lots of angst) and mutual pining
➵ slow burn
➵ …miscommunication..
now you may look at these tropes and think.. gross. disgusting. no thanks. because same. my previous read had a few of these tropes and it made me never wanna look at second chance again. but this.. was somehow spectacular 🤭ok ok lemme actually get into it instead of just talking sweet nothings!!
🍩 plot 🍩
the story follows theo and emerson, who were besties in high school!! they did everything together. watched sunsets, ate lots of donuts (donuts is lowkey a big chunk of the story which was random but cute), skipped school to go swimming. like they were friends with a tinge of flirting here and there.
they jokingly make this silly pact and put a reminder on their phone that if both of them are unmarried when theo is 28, they marry each other. HOW SILLY RIGHT!??!!
one day, on prom (i wanna say but im not 100% sure) theo kisses emerson. and basically after that she leaves and never sees him again (enter the heavy miscommunication)
fast forward to 10 years later emerson is a famous model, theo is a photographer. the marriage pact reminder thingy goes off and emerson decides she wants to rekindle things so she books him to shoot something for her. and they refall in love~~💘
📸 theo 📸
ohmygod. i want to give him a big fat hug. HE IS SOOOOO PRECIOUS AND CUTE AND SWEET AND EVERYTHING I WANT IN MY FUTURE HUBBY. he’s so understanding.. too understanding that you think how is he even real!??!news flash sama, he’s not he really would do anything for her. like ANYTHING. he was like so sad and pathetic though in the nicest way possible. he hated himself. theo baby no need to be so insecure 🤧❤️🩹
“Oh yeah?” Emerson teased. “You don’t have a secret girlfriend somewhere who’s coming after me for wearing your jacket?”
“Of course not. You know no one wants to date me.”
i rolled my eyes but i also wanted to cry for him at the same time like he called himself a loser soooo much bro have some self-esteem.
💃 emerson 💃
honestly.. at the start I hated her because she basically ghosted him and he kept calling her and she wouldn’t pick up. and then when he stopped calling she was sad 💀
but she grew on me!!! whilst I don’t agree with what she did, she’s been through a lot of trauma so i’ll try not to hold a grudge on theo’s behalf 😭
I don’t really have much to say about her. she was cute.
she had good intentions but executed them poorly that’s pretty much it. not my favourite fmc but we move 🙃
💓romance💓
THE ROMANCE DELIVEREDDDD ‼️
the angst, the pining i ate it all up 🥹🫶🏼 that is how you do second chance romance. other books better be taking notes.
i also adored that it was a slow burn. it was slow af as it should be. 👏🏼👏🏼
i loved them together but icl emerson made him miserable sometimes. and like on purpose. she brought her ex to make him jealous.. like um miss girl you left him you have no right playing hard to get.
another complaint is THE MISCOMMUNICATION.
it was sooo consistent like they kept thinking things and never discussing it i was so mad. like imagine a miscommunication that lasts 10 years. that’s just too much.
🧸 quotes I adored 🧸
➵ “Do you miss home?”
“I miss you,” i say immediately.
➵ “Sorry” Theo says. “She’s just so perfect” he grimaces. “In this light, i mean”
➵ I’ve forgotten what it feels like to be natural. I have to be careful of every bit of myself i show to the world, since once it’s out there it’s no longer authentically me, it’s a part of my public image.
➵ When his phone finally beeped, a grin spread over Theo’s face. I suddenly knew I would do anything to make him smile like that again.
🎀 in conclusion 🎀
to sum up i had an amazing time reading this and i highly recommend if you’re looking for something cute and sweet. ive been super busy lately but i still found time for this whenever i could. I read it first thing after i woke up, before bed, in the car. literally everywhere 😭💘
thank you netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!!
also side note: i just got a notif for an arc approval as I was typing this out. how ironic 😭
——
i’m just gonna pray that this arc is better than the last one I read 🫢 I hope it’s good it sounds cute 🥹💌
⤿ i am so so so pleasantly surprised <3
🌷 “He was my person, around him I was the best version of me, the me I wanted to be all the time” 🌷
theo and emerson have my whole heart ☹️💓
betty cayouette managed to take all the tropes i hate and turn it into perfection. im so looking into the rest of her books!!
🌼here are said tropes:🌼
➵ second chance romance
➵ childhood besties
➵ other woman drama + other man drama
➵ angst (lots and lots of angst) and mutual pining
➵ slow burn
➵ …miscommunication..
now you may look at these tropes and think.. gross. disgusting. no thanks. because same. my previous read had a few of these tropes and it made me never wanna look at second chance again. but this.. was somehow spectacular 🤭ok ok lemme actually get into it instead of just talking sweet nothings!!
🍩 plot 🍩
the story follows theo and emerson, who were besties in high school!! they did everything together. watched sunsets, ate lots of donuts (donuts is lowkey a big chunk of the story which was random but cute), skipped school to go swimming. like they were friends with a tinge of flirting here and there.
they jokingly make this silly pact and put a reminder on their phone that if both of them are unmarried when theo is 28, they marry each other. HOW SILLY RIGHT!??!!
one day, on prom (i wanna say but im not 100% sure) theo kisses emerson. and basically after that she leaves and never sees him again (enter the heavy miscommunication)
fast forward to 10 years later emerson is a famous model, theo is a photographer. the marriage pact reminder thingy goes off and emerson decides she wants to rekindle things so she books him to shoot something for her. and they refall in love~~💘
📸 theo 📸
ohmygod. i want to give him a big fat hug. HE IS SOOOOO PRECIOUS AND CUTE AND SWEET AND EVERYTHING I WANT IN MY FUTURE HUBBY. he’s so understanding.. too understanding that you think how is he even real!??!
“Oh yeah?” Emerson teased. “You don’t have a secret girlfriend somewhere who’s coming after me for wearing your jacket?”
“Of course not. You know no one wants to date me.”
i rolled my eyes but i also wanted to cry for him at the same time like he called himself a loser soooo much bro have some self-esteem.
💃 emerson 💃
honestly.. at the start I hated her because she basically ghosted him and he kept calling her and she wouldn’t pick up. and then when he stopped calling she was sad 💀
but she grew on me!!! whilst I don’t agree with what she did, she’s been through a lot of trauma so i’ll try not to hold a grudge on theo’s behalf 😭
I don’t really have much to say about her. she was cute.
she had good intentions but executed them poorly that’s pretty much it. not my favourite fmc but we move 🙃
💓romance💓
THE ROMANCE DELIVEREDDDD ‼️
the angst, the pining i ate it all up 🥹🫶🏼 that is how you do second chance romance. other books better be taking notes.
i also adored that it was a slow burn. it was slow af as it should be. 👏🏼👏🏼
i loved them together but icl emerson made him miserable sometimes. and like on purpose. she brought her ex to make him jealous.. like um miss girl you left him you have no right playing hard to get.
another complaint is THE MISCOMMUNICATION.
it was sooo consistent like they kept thinking things and never discussing it i was so mad. like imagine a miscommunication that lasts 10 years. that’s just too much.
🧸 quotes I adored 🧸
➵ “Do you miss home?”
“I miss you,” i say immediately.
➵ “Sorry” Theo says. “She’s just so perfect” he grimaces. “In this light, i mean”
➵ I’ve forgotten what it feels like to be natural. I have to be careful of every bit of myself i show to the world, since once it’s out there it’s no longer authentically me, it’s a part of my public image.
➵ When his phone finally beeped, a grin spread over Theo’s face. I suddenly knew I would do anything to make him smile like that again.
🎀 in conclusion 🎀
to sum up i had an amazing time reading this and i highly recommend if you’re looking for something cute and sweet. ive been super busy lately but i still found time for this whenever i could. I read it first thing after i woke up, before bed, in the car. literally everywhere 😭💘
thank you netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!!
also side note: i just got a notif for an arc approval as I was typing this out. how ironic 😭
——
i’m just gonna pray that this arc is better than the last one I read 🫢 I hope it’s good it sounds cute 🥹💌
July 9, 2024
3.75 Stars.
The best and one of the easiest ways to lure me into adding a certain book in my tbr-list is to say that it has friends-to-lovers trope. It's simple like that.
The best and one of the easiest ways to lure me into adding a certain book in my tbr-list is to say that it has friends-to-lovers trope. It's simple like that.
July 23, 2024
4,5
PRZEKOCHANY I PRZEUROCZY ROMANS. Potrzebuję takich więcej w swoim życiu
PRZEKOCHANY I PRZEUROCZY ROMANS. Potrzebuję takich więcej w swoim życiu
January 25, 2025
✩ 3 stars ✩
Clever title. Somehow I missed the double meaning until I was nearly finished with the book. 😅
This ended up hitting on some more delicate themes than I expected. I wish there was a little more resolution with that situation. I’m of the opinion that it shouldn’t stay a secret and it seemed like that was their intention. This is disheartening and I don’t like the message it sends to girls out there who might find themselves in a similar situation.
I enjoyed the beginning and the end of this book, but struggled a bit in the middle. She was very down to earth and likable until she was back in the public eye. Maybe it’s not fair to judge her since I’m sure she would be under a lot of pressure with the media reporting her every breath, but she became a little hard to like. The lengths she would go to for the “right” press were pretty gross. They both acted immaturely and allowed their insecurities to come between them repeatedly which got old. The ending gave me hope that they might have a shot at staying together long term. The Italian setting probably earned this an extra star. 🤷🏼♀️
✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼
Pre-read: Mainly reading this because I love Cinque Terre 💛
Clever title. Somehow I missed the double meaning until I was nearly finished with the book. 😅
This ended up hitting on some more delicate themes than I expected. I wish there was a little more resolution with that situation. I’m of the opinion that it shouldn’t stay a secret and it seemed like that was their intention. This is disheartening and I don’t like the message it sends to girls out there who might find themselves in a similar situation.
I enjoyed the beginning and the end of this book, but struggled a bit in the middle. She was very down to earth and likable until she was back in the public eye. Maybe it’s not fair to judge her since I’m sure she would be under a lot of pressure with the media reporting her every breath, but she became a little hard to like. The lengths she would go to for the “right” press were pretty gross. They both acted immaturely and allowed their insecurities to come between them repeatedly which got old. The ending gave me hope that they might have a shot at staying together long term. The Italian setting probably earned this an extra star. 🤷🏼♀️
✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼
Pre-read: Mainly reading this because I love Cinque Terre 💛
November 13, 2024
Thank you St. Martin's Press for sending me the advance readers edition, so I can give them a honest review back.💛
NO SPOILERS!
✨ thoughts:
↬ this was a really cute summer romance book. this is my second europe romance book, and liked both of them. i really like the book's pace in the start and in the end but in the middle it did get a little slow, but besides that i think the pace, writing, plot was pretty good. i wish I got more of the italy setting and they kind of described that a little bit more so i felt like i was in Cinque Terre, Italy. it just kind of felt like i was reading another book set in the states or something like that. the character development was really good though you get to see most of the characters all growing especially cuz they give you point of views from high school and present time so you get to see those differences between when they were teens to now when they are like full grown adults. and it dual pov from both main characters okay now let's get into all the good stuff.
✨ synopsis:
↬ two best friends in high school who did basically everything together from going to beaches, eating quite a lot of donuts ( I'm surprised I haven't died from a sugar rush yet) having thursday movies and pizza nights, and going to all the football games together. so one day when they were at a game together made a little pack at 18 saying that if they're not with anyone by 28 they would get married, then 10 years seemed like a long time away. theo asked emerson out to prom and kisses her but then she never talked to him and lost communication with each other. they tell us why they broke up at the end like in happy place. and wow wow wow did the breakup reason shock me, i would never in a million years guess that at all. 10 years later the marriage pack goes off and they both get the notification on their phones. emerson who is now a supermodel books a photoshoot with the same brand theo works for because he's a fashion photographer. and they are trying to rekindle their relationship with a lot of miscommunication going on.
✨ okay there are a lot of tropes in this book so let me list them all and give you my not wanted opinion because nobody's probably gonna read this or care but here i go:
✨miscommunication trope:
↬ they literally don't understand what each other were hinting at, and when i tell you that they would flirt with each other, and flirt hard with each other i mean it. but both of them wouldn't understand it. And this didn't even start when they were adults it started when they were in high school. who wants miscommunication? that has been going on for 10 YEARS!!! I just wish they talked about how they were feeling with each other because one character would think the opposite of what the other was actually thinking.
✨ second chance trope:
↬ okay i loved the way the author did this trope. they dated in high school and now they are 28 so it's been 10 years since they broke up, so I liked how it's been a long time since the last met. so you get to see them like talking about their past memories together and learning all the new things about each other.
✨ friends to lovers:
↬MY ALL TIME FAVORITE TROPE>>>> so before you shame for not liking enemies to lovers, listen okay. so emerson was new to the neighborhood, and theo like showed her around. they became best friends and spent the summer together. and he also asked her to go to prom with him by singing you belong with!!! He would always take care of her whenever she was on her period. The first day they met they ran out into the beach with each other with all their clothes on and they just bonded so well even after they became lovers it was like they were still best friends.
✨ theo
↬ this guy is so sweet. I kind of felt so bad for him in a lot of the parts in the book because he was always so insecure and he felt so less of himself and he didn't want to embarrass Emerson because she's so famous and he's not. If he was not a fictional character and I could talk to him the one thing I tell him is that he's enough and it doesn't a matter what other people think but it matters what he thinks of himself. I loved how much he cared about Emerson too. He was always always there for her and it was so cute. He also had such a caring personality not just towards Emerson but to everyone he was always so kind and supporting. Also who doesn't love a kids baseball coach/ fashion photographer/ uncle, boyfriend?
✨ emerson
↬ she was low -key giving Gigi Hadid vibes. idk why i thought that tho. Was she the best FMC? No. Was she the worst FMC? Also no. But I get right she acted like that towards theo she had a whole lot going on in her life that we don't know about until the end and I guess anyone in her stage would act like that. the fact that Emerson has been through so much stuff that she is still strong is so crazy to me because if I was her I probably would have never been able to come back up like that.
✨ summary
↬ this was such a simple and sweet romance read that i really really enjoyed. and I do recommend this book. i am so excited for it to be officially published so all of you guys can also read this too. there's a lot about these characters that keeps you so entertained and keeps the reading journey so entertaining too.
songs that go along with this book
✨paper rings
Kiss me once 'cause you know I had a long night
Kiss me twice 'cause it's gonna be alright
Three times 'cause I've waited my whole life
I like shiny things, but I'd marry you with paper rings
Uh huh, that's right
Darling, you're the one I want, and
I hate accidents except when we went from friends to this
✨mess it up
Typical, pretty sure I could grow up
Probably chemical
I took up walking to turn it all off
Doesn't feel bearable
Guess I thought when I left it would all stop
Hmm, it would all stop
Did I fall out of line when I called you?
When I told you "I'm fine", you were lied to
How could I think that all that I gave you was enough?
'Cause every time I get too close, I just go mess it up
✨ back to december
I miss your tan skin, your sweet smile
So good to me, so right
And how you held me in your arms that September night
The first time you ever saw me cry
Maybe this is wishful thinkin'
Probably mindless dreamin'
But if we loved again, I swear I'd love you right
I'd go back in time and change it, but I can't
So if the chain is on your door, I understand
NO SPOILERS!
✨ thoughts:
↬ this was a really cute summer romance book. this is my second europe romance book, and liked both of them. i really like the book's pace in the start and in the end but in the middle it did get a little slow, but besides that i think the pace, writing, plot was pretty good. i wish I got more of the italy setting and they kind of described that a little bit more so i felt like i was in Cinque Terre, Italy. it just kind of felt like i was reading another book set in the states or something like that. the character development was really good though you get to see most of the characters all growing especially cuz they give you point of views from high school and present time so you get to see those differences between when they were teens to now when they are like full grown adults. and it dual pov from both main characters okay now let's get into all the good stuff.
"Don't ever go near Emerson again. Don't look at her. Don't speak to her. Don't speak of her. To you she doesn't exist."
✨ synopsis:
↬ two best friends in high school who did basically everything together from going to beaches, eating quite a lot of donuts ( I'm surprised I haven't died from a sugar rush yet) having thursday movies and pizza nights, and going to all the football games together. so one day when they were at a game together made a little pack at 18 saying that if they're not with anyone by 28 they would get married, then 10 years seemed like a long time away. theo asked emerson out to prom and kisses her but then she never talked to him and lost communication with each other. they tell us why they broke up at the end like in happy place. and wow wow wow did the breakup reason shock me, i would never in a million years guess that at all. 10 years later the marriage pack goes off and they both get the notification on their phones. emerson who is now a supermodel books a photoshoot with the same brand theo works for because he's a fashion photographer. and they are trying to rekindle their relationship with a lot of miscommunication going on.
"This isn't the puppy love I had as a teen because he was cute and fun and kind. I'm looking at a man whom I respect. Whom I want to spell my problems to. Whom I so badly want to collaborate with creativity. I want him as a steady life partner more than I want the thrill of that first kiss."
✨ okay there are a lot of tropes in this book so let me list them all and give you my not wanted opinion because nobody's probably gonna read this or care but here i go:
✨miscommunication trope:
↬ they literally don't understand what each other were hinting at, and when i tell you that they would flirt with each other, and flirt hard with each other i mean it. but both of them wouldn't understand it. And this didn't even start when they were adults it started when they were in high school. who wants miscommunication? that has been going on for 10 YEARS!!! I just wish they talked about how they were feeling with each other because one character would think the opposite of what the other was actually thinking.
"I want someone who believes in me like the couple in Legally Blonde . Who's my best friend, like they were in When Harry Met Sally . Who would give me the raft in Titanic, except I wouldn't let them. We would both find a way to fit on that tiny door because they totally could have. I want my heart to race when I see their message like in you got mail basically Em all your movies were in me because now I need the spark "
✨ second chance trope:
↬ okay i loved the way the author did this trope. they dated in high school and now they are 28 so it's been 10 years since they broke up, so I liked how it's been a long time since the last met. so you get to see them like talking about their past memories together and learning all the new things about each other.
"I held the sign above my head for a moment like the guy in one of emerson's favorite '80s movie say anything and prayed that from the back of the room emerson was smiling but I couldn't see her. I have a speech planed. But I was paralyzed just mutely stood there holding my sign I knew I was making a fool out of myself but I couldn't say a word Emerson had to know she was the only person I would ever do this for. "Ask her!" Clarissa had her hands cupped around her mouth shouting up at me she yelled it out again "ask her!" already a few of her teammates picked up the chant "ask her! ask her! ask her!" I still couldn't see Emerson and I forgot every word of my speech but I took a deep breath. "Emerson, prom?" Every second felt like an eternity once those words left my mouth the audience was silent I felt abuse sweat trickle from my brow but then I saw her Emerson walked briskly up the center aisle of the auditorium and a relief caressed through my veins because she was smiling she ran up the steps and I dropped the sign on to the floor split the difference of the stage stopping a foot in front of her I stared at her my heart in my throat "yes!" she said with a huge grin a smile spread over my face and I sprung forward and wrapped her in a huge hug the audience started clapping and she wrapped her arms around me tightly. I hadn't admitted my feelings yet but this was definitely a good start."
✨ friends to lovers:
↬MY ALL TIME FAVORITE TROPE>>>> so before you shame for not liking enemies to lovers, listen okay. so emerson was new to the neighborhood, and theo like showed her around. they became best friends and spent the summer together. and he also asked her to go to prom with him by singing you belong with!!! He would always take care of her whenever she was on her period. The first day they met they ran out into the beach with each other with all their clothes on and they just bonded so well even after they became lovers it was like they were still best friends.
“He was my person, around him I was the best version of me, the me I wanted to be all the time”
✨ theo
↬ this guy is so sweet. I kind of felt so bad for him in a lot of the parts in the book because he was always so insecure and he felt so less of himself and he didn't want to embarrass Emerson because she's so famous and he's not. If he was not a fictional character and I could talk to him the one thing I tell him is that he's enough and it doesn't a matter what other people think but it matters what he thinks of himself. I loved how much he cared about Emerson too. He was always always there for her and it was so cute. He also had such a caring personality not just towards Emerson but to everyone he was always so kind and supporting. Also who doesn't love a kids baseball coach/ fashion photographer/ uncle, boyfriend?
“Sorry” Theo says. “She’s just so perfect” he grimaces. “In this light, i mean”
✨ emerson
↬ she was low -key giving Gigi Hadid vibes. idk why i thought that tho. Was she the best FMC? No. Was she the worst FMC? Also no. But I get right she acted like that towards theo she had a whole lot going on in her life that we don't know about until the end and I guess anyone in her stage would act like that. the fact that Emerson has been through so much stuff that she is still strong is so crazy to me because if I was her I probably would have never been able to come back up like that.
"I love seeing her in my jacket it was big on me and huge on her but she looks perfect in it completely worth the cold"
✨ summary
↬ this was such a simple and sweet romance read that i really really enjoyed. and I do recommend this book. i am so excited for it to be officially published so all of you guys can also read this too. there's a lot about these characters that keeps you so entertained and keeps the reading journey so entertaining too.
"I laughed. A marriage pact was crazy first of all she never reached 28 without having found someone but on the off chance I was wrong."
songs that go along with this book
✨paper rings
Kiss me once 'cause you know I had a long night
Kiss me twice 'cause it's gonna be alright
Three times 'cause I've waited my whole life
I like shiny things, but I'd marry you with paper rings
Uh huh, that's right
Darling, you're the one I want, and
I hate accidents except when we went from friends to this
✨mess it up
Typical, pretty sure I could grow up
Probably chemical
I took up walking to turn it all off
Doesn't feel bearable
Guess I thought when I left it would all stop
Hmm, it would all stop
Did I fall out of line when I called you?
When I told you "I'm fine", you were lied to
How could I think that all that I gave you was enough?
'Cause every time I get too close, I just go mess it up
✨ back to december
I miss your tan skin, your sweet smile
So good to me, so right
And how you held me in your arms that September night
The first time you ever saw me cry
Maybe this is wishful thinkin'
Probably mindless dreamin'
But if we loved again, I swear I'd love you right
I'd go back in time and change it, but I can't
So if the chain is on your door, I understand
August 23, 2024
I loved the idea of One Last Shot. A second-chance romance between a supermodel and photographer was an exciting synopsis, but the actual book did not deliver.
The characters were so bland. Emerson was as interesting as a wet blanket. She was supposed to be bullied in high school for being “weird,” but that was just a fruitless, unconvincing attempt to make her relatable and interesting. I mean, honestly, Emerson and Theo were a perfect match. They were both very boring, co-dependent protagonists.
Their relationship is built off of misunderstanding after misunderstanding. They should have had a frank conversation from the get-go and we would have never needed this book.
Overall, don’t waste your time.
The characters were so bland. Emerson was as interesting as a wet blanket. She was supposed to be bullied in high school for being “weird,” but that was just a fruitless, unconvincing attempt to make her relatable and interesting. I mean, honestly, Emerson and Theo were a perfect match. They were both very boring, co-dependent protagonists.
Their relationship is built off of misunderstanding after misunderstanding. They should have had a frank conversation from the get-go and we would have never needed this book.
Overall, don’t waste your time.
May 8, 2024
One Last Shot by Betty Cayouette
Contemporary romance. Dual time line. Second chance troupe.
Emerson and Theo were best friends in high school. They make a pact to marry each other if they aren’t already married at 28.
Current day, the alarm goes off and both Emerson and Theo reach out to reconnect. Not to get married, they tell themselves, but to make sure they’re both happy. Emerson is a famous, top tier model. She’s had a few well publicized relationships but comparing them to what she had with Theo, she feels alone. Theo is a photographer working for discount brands. Not exactly top tier or a fabulous career, but he’s making enough money for his needs, and has time to coach the nephews games. Emerson and Theo meet up for a photo shoot in Cinque Terre, Italy. They don’t want to appear desperate so regaining their friendship is slow bit they are both determined to share their feelings this time around.
Swooney romance. Some angst, some frustration as they both need to learn to share. They both loved each other back in high school but that was 10 years ago. In the start of the book, when he first gets the reminder, Theo is overwhelmed with feelings. That’s when I fell in love with Theo. It’s a bumpy road but so sweet in the end.
4.5
I received a copy of this from NetGalley.
Contemporary romance. Dual time line. Second chance troupe.
Emerson and Theo were best friends in high school. They make a pact to marry each other if they aren’t already married at 28.
Current day, the alarm goes off and both Emerson and Theo reach out to reconnect. Not to get married, they tell themselves, but to make sure they’re both happy. Emerson is a famous, top tier model. She’s had a few well publicized relationships but comparing them to what she had with Theo, she feels alone. Theo is a photographer working for discount brands. Not exactly top tier or a fabulous career, but he’s making enough money for his needs, and has time to coach the nephews games. Emerson and Theo meet up for a photo shoot in Cinque Terre, Italy. They don’t want to appear desperate so regaining their friendship is slow bit they are both determined to share their feelings this time around.
Swooney romance. Some angst, some frustration as they both need to learn to share. They both loved each other back in high school but that was 10 years ago. In the start of the book, when he first gets the reminder, Theo is overwhelmed with feelings. That’s when I fell in love with Theo. It’s a bumpy road but so sweet in the end.
4.5
I received a copy of this from NetGalley.
April 11, 2024
Almost DNF’d. This took me awhile to get through. Miscommunication is the WORST trope. Really. Just talk. The entire book was based on them not talking about a pact they made as teenagers. All we needed was for one of them to bring it up 🫠
Received this ARC from NetGalley & St. Martins Press - book comes out 5/7/24
Editing to add: there was a 3rd act break up also 👎🏻 due to.. you guessed it, MISCOMMUNICATION
Received this ARC from NetGalley & St. Martins Press - book comes out 5/7/24
Editing to add: there was a 3rd act break up also 👎🏻 due to.. you guessed it, MISCOMMUNICATION
May 13, 2024
Can you ever stop loving the one that got away?
I’m thankful that I was given a second chance with my husband. We’d broken up after dating for a few months, I’d met someone else, but I couldn’t get ‘him’ out of my mind. There was so much about this story that resonated with me.
When I saw this book, written by Betty Cayouette, the 𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙤𝙧 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘽𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙮’𝙨 𝘽𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙇𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙏𝙞𝙠𝙏𝙤𝙠 account, 𝙛𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖 𝙨𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙙-𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 that follows two friends who, after making a marriage pact, have a falling out, I knew I had to read it! The bonus is, that I love supporting debut authors. With so much going for this book, I knew it’d be a great read. I wasn’t disappointed.
The story continues, that ten years later after realizing their dreams, she, of becoming a supermodel and he, of being a successful photographer, they are given one last shot at love while working together on an assignment in Cinque Terre.
𝙎𝙚𝙩 𝙞𝙣 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙮 𝙢𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙛𝙖𝙫𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙨𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙫𝙖𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣? I’m sold.
A 𝙜𝙤𝙧𝙜𝙚𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝙘𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧?! Let’s get started reading already!
The story really benefitted from flipping between the characters’ high school days and the present day. The author’s ability to tap into readers’ emotions, gives this second-chance romance a deserving spotlight. It also benefitted from both characters as narrators; Theo and Emerson. It really was a sweet romance - the kind with butterflies in your tummy!
Yes, there’s room for improvement. Yes, there are holes in the story. Yes, it’s surface level in some parts. BUT, guys. It’s a debut author and there’s more than a grain of something good here. There’s heaps of goodness! This author will go places. Watch for her. She’ll write great stories one day and you’ll look back and think, I read her first book and 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒌𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒊𝒕!
I can’t wait to see what this author does next!
I’m thankful for St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley providing me with an ARC of this debut and was under no obligation to provide a review.
I’m thankful that I was given a second chance with my husband. We’d broken up after dating for a few months, I’d met someone else, but I couldn’t get ‘him’ out of my mind. There was so much about this story that resonated with me.
When I saw this book, written by Betty Cayouette, the 𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙤𝙧 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘽𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙮’𝙨 𝘽𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙇𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙏𝙞𝙠𝙏𝙤𝙠 account, 𝙛𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖 𝙨𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙙-𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 that follows two friends who, after making a marriage pact, have a falling out, I knew I had to read it! The bonus is, that I love supporting debut authors. With so much going for this book, I knew it’d be a great read. I wasn’t disappointed.
The story continues, that ten years later after realizing their dreams, she, of becoming a supermodel and he, of being a successful photographer, they are given one last shot at love while working together on an assignment in Cinque Terre.
𝙎𝙚𝙩 𝙞𝙣 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙮 𝙢𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙛𝙖𝙫𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙨𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙫𝙖𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣? I’m sold.
A 𝙜𝙤𝙧𝙜𝙚𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝙘𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧?! Let’s get started reading already!
The story really benefitted from flipping between the characters’ high school days and the present day. The author’s ability to tap into readers’ emotions, gives this second-chance romance a deserving spotlight. It also benefitted from both characters as narrators; Theo and Emerson. It really was a sweet romance - the kind with butterflies in your tummy!
Yes, there’s room for improvement. Yes, there are holes in the story. Yes, it’s surface level in some parts. BUT, guys. It’s a debut author and there’s more than a grain of something good here. There’s heaps of goodness! This author will go places. Watch for her. She’ll write great stories one day and you’ll look back and think, I read her first book and 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒌𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒊𝒕!
I can’t wait to see what this author does next!
I’m thankful for St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley providing me with an ARC of this debut and was under no obligation to provide a review.
May 18, 2024
Hated this book. Loathed it. The two main characters were ridiculous and childish. He was a spineless wimp and she was a self entitled delusional hypocritical brat. Do not read. Not worth the hours or pain.
July 22, 2025
To summarize: The writing wasn’t terrible, I just hated the plot, the premise, and the characters. You know, everything that actually gives a book substance.
Spoiler Rant:
They’re perfect for each other, mostly because they’re both painfully boring and indecisive. If they’d had one honest conversation at the beginning, this book would’ve been over before it even started.
Emerson spends the entire story saying things like “I want to tell him!” and then never does. At this point, I’m convinced she was trying to piss me off on purpose.
She wanted Theo, sure, but chose to go after him in the most chaotic way possible: she brought her famous Hollywood ex on set and flirted with him. Then she kissed this guy just to make Theo jealous, and had the audacity to feel bad about it? These people are supposed to be nearing thirty. Please act like functional adults.
I truly cannot stress this enough: Emerson would rather do literally anything than just be honest. It was exhausting.
She also comes across as deeply unlikeable. One standout example: her relationship with Matt, her agent. She’s so dependent on him that she can’t see how toxic he is; it takes her best friend Georgia spelling it out for her. Apparently, Matt is not just awful, he’s racist, and everyone knows it except Emerson. Georgia didn’t even tell her sooner because she was afraid of hurting Emerson’s feelings after the breakup. Seriously? Can you hear me roll my eyes?
The fact that Emerson didn’t pick up on this herself says a lot. And when she finally does, she tells Georgia: “I hope you know that I would always choose you over any stupid agent, manager, job, anything. You’re my best friend. The best friend I could ever have.”
And Georgia, of course, forgives her white best friend for being ignorant, because her only real purpose in this story is to serve Emerson’s character arc. She’s the token Black best friend, written solely to be loyal, wise, and endlessly forgiving, even when Emerson doesn’t deserve it. It’s lazy, is what it is.
And that “touching” moment of friendship? Hollow. Emerson immediately contradicts herself. Her career still takes priority over everything, including Theo. Because the moment her job is even slightly threatened, she panics and pushes him away. Again.
And Theo? He’s about as compelling as a wet paper napkin. I genuinely don’t have anything else to say about him, because there's nothing interesting to say.
The whole book feels like a waste of time. These two could have been together all along, but a years-long misunderstanding keeps them apart. Instead of talking like adults, they date other people. And yet they both insist they’ve never loved anyone else, despite clearly not being alone in their time apart.
I guess they preferred being bad partners to other people rather than confront their own issues.
The premise was weak, and as a result, the plot just collapses. The writing itself wasn’t awful, but the content needs to be worth reading.
Even 70% into the book, I still didn’t know what broke them up. Emerson just keeps repeating that she was awful and ruined everything… but she never explains how. When the truth finally comes out, (at 85%, mind you!), yeah, okay, she really did do Theo dirty. I can see why he had trouble moving on.
And then we find out why she made the choice to break up with him. And while I do feel bad for her, the way the book handles feels… off. Yes, it explains her actions. But it doesn’t excuse them, especially when the reveal comes so late and is barely explored. It’s treated more like a quick justification than something with actual weight or emotional depth.
Worse: It feels random.
The trauma is dropped near the end of the book, and it barely leads to a real conversation between Emerson and Theo. is basically used as a device to argue that dumping him was somehow more traumatic for her than for him, which is such a bizarre angle. There’s no nuance, no space to process it, it's pretty much a paragraph tossed in to explain everything retroactively. If that reveal had happened earlier, (and been handled with care), it might’ve meant something. Instead, it just feels cheap and unearned.
Emerson didn’t need a boyfriend. She needed a therapist. We're 90% into the book, and she was still pushing Theo away, even after they had gotten back together. At this point, they’re at a party. Some drama happens. Theo needs a moment to himself and leaves. Did he send her a text? No. But it really wasn't that big a deal; except Emerson immediately spirals, gives up on the relationship, and then just as quickly changes her mind and chases after him.
And what does she say to him?
“Theo, I would never just end things with you like that again. But we also need to cut it with the miscommunication! You should have just walked up and asked me what I was talking about!”
That’s rich coming from her.
At no point did I root for this couple. Not once.
I hated it. Every bit of it.
Sidenote: This book was acquired through the Afterlight Romance subscribtion.
Edit: Grammar.
Spoiler Rant:
They’re perfect for each other, mostly because they’re both painfully boring and indecisive. If they’d had one honest conversation at the beginning, this book would’ve been over before it even started.
Emerson spends the entire story saying things like “I want to tell him!” and then never does. At this point, I’m convinced she was trying to piss me off on purpose.
She wanted Theo, sure, but chose to go after him in the most chaotic way possible: she brought her famous Hollywood ex on set and flirted with him. Then she kissed this guy just to make Theo jealous, and had the audacity to feel bad about it? These people are supposed to be nearing thirty. Please act like functional adults.
I truly cannot stress this enough: Emerson would rather do literally anything than just be honest. It was exhausting.
She also comes across as deeply unlikeable. One standout example: her relationship with Matt, her agent. She’s so dependent on him that she can’t see how toxic he is; it takes her best friend Georgia spelling it out for her. Apparently, Matt is not just awful, he’s racist, and everyone knows it except Emerson. Georgia didn’t even tell her sooner because she was afraid of hurting Emerson’s feelings after the breakup. Seriously? Can you hear me roll my eyes?
The fact that Emerson didn’t pick up on this herself says a lot. And when she finally does, she tells Georgia: “I hope you know that I would always choose you over any stupid agent, manager, job, anything. You’re my best friend. The best friend I could ever have.”
And Georgia, of course, forgives her white best friend for being ignorant, because her only real purpose in this story is to serve Emerson’s character arc. She’s the token Black best friend, written solely to be loyal, wise, and endlessly forgiving, even when Emerson doesn’t deserve it. It’s lazy, is what it is.
And that “touching” moment of friendship? Hollow. Emerson immediately contradicts herself. Her career still takes priority over everything, including Theo. Because the moment her job is even slightly threatened, she panics and pushes him away. Again.
And Theo? He’s about as compelling as a wet paper napkin. I genuinely don’t have anything else to say about him, because there's nothing interesting to say.
The whole book feels like a waste of time. These two could have been together all along, but a years-long misunderstanding keeps them apart. Instead of talking like adults, they date other people. And yet they both insist they’ve never loved anyone else, despite clearly not being alone in their time apart.
I guess they preferred being bad partners to other people rather than confront their own issues.
The premise was weak, and as a result, the plot just collapses. The writing itself wasn’t awful, but the content needs to be worth reading.
Even 70% into the book, I still didn’t know what broke them up. Emerson just keeps repeating that she was awful and ruined everything… but she never explains how. When the truth finally comes out, (at 85%, mind you!), yeah, okay, she really did do Theo dirty. I can see why he had trouble moving on.
And then we find out why she made the choice to break up with him. And while I do feel bad for her, the way the book handles feels… off. Yes, it explains her actions. But it doesn’t excuse them, especially when the reveal comes so late and is barely explored. It’s treated more like a quick justification than something with actual weight or emotional depth.
Worse: It feels random.
The trauma is dropped near the end of the book, and it barely leads to a real conversation between Emerson and Theo. is basically used as a device to argue that dumping him was somehow more traumatic for her than for him, which is such a bizarre angle. There’s no nuance, no space to process it, it's pretty much a paragraph tossed in to explain everything retroactively. If that reveal had happened earlier, (and been handled with care), it might’ve meant something. Instead, it just feels cheap and unearned.
Emerson didn’t need a boyfriend. She needed a therapist. We're 90% into the book, and she was still pushing Theo away, even after they had gotten back together. At this point, they’re at a party. Some drama happens. Theo needs a moment to himself and leaves. Did he send her a text? No. But it really wasn't that big a deal; except Emerson immediately spirals, gives up on the relationship, and then just as quickly changes her mind and chases after him.
And what does she say to him?
“Theo, I would never just end things with you like that again. But we also need to cut it with the miscommunication! You should have just walked up and asked me what I was talking about!”
That’s rich coming from her.
At no point did I root for this couple. Not once.
I hated it. Every bit of it.
Sidenote: This book was acquired through the Afterlight Romance subscribtion.
Edit: Grammar.
June 19, 2025
Overall Rating: 2.5
SIGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
This book was disappointing. Both of the fucking FMC + MMC need therapy.... ones so fucking insecure he doesn't know how to fucking stand up for what he wants and go after the girl to demand answers and the other IS ALREADY IN THERAPY AND YET STILL DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO FUCKING COMMUNICATE....
Like how does it make sense to be in therapy and still not know??? AT UR BIG ASS AGE OF 28??? This shit pmo...
Both characters pmo so much and it's a wonder why they're good together. It started off pretty well... some miscommunication but ehhh I can deal with it... but then... the book just dragged on, and on, AND ON. To the point where I wondered why they had so much inner fucking dialogue and they couldn't take some time to actually hash out whatever it is they needed to say. LIKE IT TOOK THE BEST FRIENDS INTERVENTION TO GET SHIT MOVING...
I was so done by the time they were actually together and after they did get together... IT JUST GOT WORSE... LIKE HOW???? That's not what's supposed to happen.
Theo was SOOO FUCKING INSECURE... man has a stable job and probably decent insurance so you would think he would use that shit to his advantage to TALK ABOUT HIS INSECURITIES BUT NOOOOOOO he just cries and whines in the fucking corner and acts like a pussy... I don't mean that as like a "manly man must be manly rawr".... I MEAN THAT LIKE IN A 28 YEAR OLD ASS OLD MAN DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO FEEL COMFORTABLE AND DEAL WITH HIS ANXIETY IN A HEALTHY WAY AND IS PATHETIC kinda way.... Can you tell I'm over the author's shit?
As for Emerson... Get that privileged ass white girl outta my damn face... your gonna tell me you stuck with a male agent and was STUPID enough not to see his fucking racism and misogyny because he books you jobs and is "ok" with you??? GTFO! Irl Georgia wouldn't have forgiven her that easily 100%... And how are you gonna be in therapy and claim to have "worked through all ur issues" and not communicate with Theo about the true reason why your there?
Overall... the writing was there and pretty good when it was (sorry I didn't talk about it that much... author has potential tho!)... but the characters and fucking miscommunication troupe, or whatever df that was, made it a lot worse...
I got the Afterlight SE edition but you best believe it's going to be yeeted out of my library because I don't even wanna look at Emerson or Theo ever again...
SIGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
This book was disappointing. Both of the fucking FMC + MMC need therapy.... ones so fucking insecure he doesn't know how to fucking stand up for what he wants and go after the girl to demand answers and the other IS ALREADY IN THERAPY AND YET STILL DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO FUCKING COMMUNICATE....
Like how does it make sense to be in therapy and still not know??? AT UR BIG ASS AGE OF 28??? This shit pmo...
Both characters pmo so much and it's a wonder why they're good together. It started off pretty well... some miscommunication but ehhh I can deal with it... but then... the book just dragged on, and on, AND ON. To the point where I wondered why they had so much inner fucking dialogue and they couldn't take some time to actually hash out whatever it is they needed to say. LIKE IT TOOK THE BEST FRIENDS INTERVENTION TO GET SHIT MOVING...
I was so done by the time they were actually together and after they did get together... IT JUST GOT WORSE... LIKE HOW???? That's not what's supposed to happen.
Theo was SOOO FUCKING INSECURE... man has a stable job and probably decent insurance so you would think he would use that shit to his advantage to TALK ABOUT HIS INSECURITIES BUT NOOOOOOO he just cries and whines in the fucking corner and acts like a pussy... I don't mean that as like a "manly man must be manly rawr".... I MEAN THAT LIKE IN A 28 YEAR OLD ASS OLD MAN DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO FEEL COMFORTABLE AND DEAL WITH HIS ANXIETY IN A HEALTHY WAY AND IS PATHETIC kinda way.... Can you tell I'm over the author's shit?
As for Emerson... Get that privileged ass white girl outta my damn face... your gonna tell me you stuck with a male agent and was STUPID enough not to see his fucking racism and misogyny because he books you jobs and is "ok" with you??? GTFO! Irl Georgia wouldn't have forgiven her that easily 100%... And how are you gonna be in therapy and claim to have "worked through all ur issues" and not communicate with Theo about the true reason why your there?
Overall... the writing was there and pretty good when it was (sorry I didn't talk about it that much... author has potential tho!)... but the characters and fucking miscommunication troupe, or whatever df that was, made it a lot worse...
I got the Afterlight SE edition but you best believe it's going to be yeeted out of my library because I don't even wanna look at Emerson or Theo ever again...
June 4, 2024
I receive this book through my Afterlight subscription and was intrigued by the synopsis. (I'm a sucker for a cute romance that unfolds in an international setting.) However, I was once again bamboozled by a YouTuber/BookToker turned writer. The novel was not up to par with other books on the market. Where I was expecting an Emily Henry or Carley Fortune story . . . Well this novel was simply not that. Now, that is absolutely on me for having those expectations. But, in my defense, the synopsis gave the same vibes that Emily Henry and Carley Fortune books have.
I'll start with the writing style. Going into this, I knew it was a debut novel and the writing met my expectations there. Overall, the writing style felt a little clunky—there were multiple instances of the characters talking directly to each other instead of past each other; flashbacks weren't triggered and transitioned into; and there wasn't a ton of emotionality to the writing. Most of the novel felt like it was being told to us, instead of showed to us. I did find myself wishing there was more refinement to the writing to better draw me into the heads of our main characters.
The majority of the novel was set in Cinque Terre, Italy. With a setting like that, I was stoked to immerse myself in the sights and sounds and smells of Italy! (Well, as communicate by words on a page.) In truth, I wanted the setting to be its own character and it simply wasn't. In fact, I often had a difficult time picturing the setting in my head. With such a magical setting, it was disappointing not seeing more of it on the page.
There was a question I asked myself multiple times as I read this book. Should this have been a Young Adult novel? I argue that the flashback chapters to Emerson and Theo's teenager years were stronger than the present day, adult chapters. I also argue that the teenage chapters were a true representation of the friends-to-lovers trope. The adult portion? Definitely wasn't friends to lovers. The adult chapters were less friends to lovers and more "I want to be in love with Theo." I wished the set up leaned into "we have this marriage pact, let’s reconnect as friends and gradually fall back into love" versus the "we have this marriage pact and I need to be in love with this person RIGHT NOW" plotting the story had.
With all that being said, I will give this book props for doing a great job with the modeling industry. It was easy to see that Cayouette had experience in this industry because the details revolving agents, model talents, photographers, etc., were clear on the page. When I think of books set in Hollywood, I really can only name books focused on actors or reality dating shows. Getting a glimpse into modeling and photography was a refreshing addition to the romance genre.
Overall, this was a fine debut novel. I don't see myself reaching for this book for a re-read, but at least I have a pretty copy of it to further decorate my bookshelves!
TW: sexual assault (off page), hoarding (mom, off page).
*~*~*~*~*
Connect with me on my socials!
nikiashreads' Linktree
I'll start with the writing style. Going into this, I knew it was a debut novel and the writing met my expectations there. Overall, the writing style felt a little clunky—there were multiple instances of the characters talking directly to each other instead of past each other; flashbacks weren't triggered and transitioned into; and there wasn't a ton of emotionality to the writing. Most of the novel felt like it was being told to us, instead of showed to us. I did find myself wishing there was more refinement to the writing to better draw me into the heads of our main characters.
The majority of the novel was set in Cinque Terre, Italy. With a setting like that, I was stoked to immerse myself in the sights and sounds and smells of Italy! (Well, as communicate by words on a page.) In truth, I wanted the setting to be its own character and it simply wasn't. In fact, I often had a difficult time picturing the setting in my head. With such a magical setting, it was disappointing not seeing more of it on the page.
There was a question I asked myself multiple times as I read this book. Should this have been a Young Adult novel? I argue that the flashback chapters to Emerson and Theo's teenager years were stronger than the present day, adult chapters. I also argue that the teenage chapters were a true representation of the friends-to-lovers trope. The adult portion? Definitely wasn't friends to lovers. The adult chapters were less friends to lovers and more "I want to be in love with Theo." I wished the set up leaned into "we have this marriage pact, let’s reconnect as friends and gradually fall back into love" versus the "we have this marriage pact and I need to be in love with this person RIGHT NOW" plotting the story had.
With all that being said, I will give this book props for doing a great job with the modeling industry. It was easy to see that Cayouette had experience in this industry because the details revolving agents, model talents, photographers, etc., were clear on the page. When I think of books set in Hollywood, I really can only name books focused on actors or reality dating shows. Getting a glimpse into modeling and photography was a refreshing addition to the romance genre.
Overall, this was a fine debut novel. I don't see myself reaching for this book for a re-read, but at least I have a pretty copy of it to further decorate my bookshelves!
TW: sexual assault (off page), hoarding (mom, off page).
*~*~*~*~*
Connect with me on my socials!
nikiashreads' Linktree
May 8, 2024
⭐️4 Stars⭐️
One Last Shot by Betty Cayouette is the perfect summer romance read and a fabulous debut. I was drawn to the beautiful cover of this book featuring the romantic Cinque Terre in Italy. 🇮🇹
The story is mostly set on a photoshoot in Cinque Terre. 📷 I do love a friends-to-lovers and second-chance romance troupe! 💕
Emerson and Theo were best friends at high school and inseparable, they made a semi-jokingly pact back then that if they were still singe at twenty-eight they’d elope and marry each other. 👰♂️
Ten years has passed apart without communication after an abrupt ending to their friendship….. no spoilers why! 🤐
Emerson is now a famous and successful high fashion supermodel and Theo a talented fashion photographer. When the ten year reminder goes off on their phones, Emerson puts a plan into place for a reunion with Theo as she still hasn’t found love and wants to give it one more shot at love!
I enjoyed the flashbacks to their high school years and was invested to find out what broke them apart.
This is a cute, fun and entertaining romance read although a bumpy ride for the couple. I really enjoyed the characters of Emerson and Theo and the supporting characters and loved the ending! 🍩
Publication Date 07 May 2024
Publisher Imprint Penguin
Thank you so much to the fabulous team at Penguin Books Australia for a copy of the book.
One Last Shot by Betty Cayouette is the perfect summer romance read and a fabulous debut. I was drawn to the beautiful cover of this book featuring the romantic Cinque Terre in Italy. 🇮🇹
The story is mostly set on a photoshoot in Cinque Terre. 📷 I do love a friends-to-lovers and second-chance romance troupe! 💕
Emerson and Theo were best friends at high school and inseparable, they made a semi-jokingly pact back then that if they were still singe at twenty-eight they’d elope and marry each other. 👰♂️
Ten years has passed apart without communication after an abrupt ending to their friendship….. no spoilers why! 🤐
Emerson is now a famous and successful high fashion supermodel and Theo a talented fashion photographer. When the ten year reminder goes off on their phones, Emerson puts a plan into place for a reunion with Theo as she still hasn’t found love and wants to give it one more shot at love!
I enjoyed the flashbacks to their high school years and was invested to find out what broke them apart.
This is a cute, fun and entertaining romance read although a bumpy ride for the couple. I really enjoyed the characters of Emerson and Theo and the supporting characters and loved the ending! 🍩
Publication Date 07 May 2024
Publisher Imprint Penguin
Thank you so much to the fabulous team at Penguin Books Australia for a copy of the book.
May 13, 2024
4⭐️
I really liked this one! This is a second chance romance between a famous model and a photographer and it’s set in Italy. I thought it was the perfect summer romance and loved the setting so much. For a debut novel this was really impressive to me! My only complaint was that the miscommunication trope was leaned on heavily and it’s one of my least favorite tropes so that is mainly a me problem
I really liked this one! This is a second chance romance between a famous model and a photographer and it’s set in Italy. I thought it was the perfect summer romance and loved the setting so much. For a debut novel this was really impressive to me! My only complaint was that the miscommunication trope was leaned on heavily and it’s one of my least favorite tropes so that is mainly a me problem
April 29, 2024
This was a FANTASTIC friends to lovers, second chance, dual POV, forced proximity debut romance!! I loved the Italian setting, the flashbacks, the childhood best friends who reunite years later on a shoot as a famous A list supermodel and a much lesser known photographer thanks to a marriage pact they made as kids.
Great on audio narrated by my very fav, Brittany Pressley. This book does a great job balancing the line between bingeable romcom and emotional, heavy hitting family drama including a hoarding mother and trauma from rape. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review! I absolutely loved this one!
CW: rape, neglectful/absentee parent
Great on audio narrated by my very fav, Brittany Pressley. This book does a great job balancing the line between bingeable romcom and emotional, heavy hitting family drama including a hoarding mother and trauma from rape. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review! I absolutely loved this one!
CW: rape, neglectful/absentee parent
May 11, 2024
Oh my god I loved this book so much 😭 everything I could possibly want in a second chance romance!!! My favorite trope and I think it was done so well. Dual pov, dual timeline, high school best friends to lovers to strangers, all the tension in the world, she’s a model and he’s her photographer, and set in Italy!!!! I already want to reread.
I almost immediately connected with the fmc, Emerson, even though we’re totally different. Don’t know how or why but I just really loved her and loved how she went after what she wanted. I loved the mmc, Theo, and how after 10 years he was still so gone for this girl. I loved the flashback chapters to help understand how they became so close and why they were so important to each other. I loved their history so much. This book made my heart hurt like a second chance romance should and I loved every page.
The tension and slow burn between these 2 had me glued to this book. I really believed in their relationship and was rooting for them the whole time. The model x photographer thing was super fun and made the tension insane. I loved that it was such a slow burn bc it really made you believe in them reconnecting. There was a little bit of miscommunication but I didn’t mind it too much bc I think the rest of the book made up for it. I also loved Emerson’s character growth!!! I loved to see her finally stand up for herself and what she wants.
I really freaking loved this book and think it’s the perfect summer romance. 🫶🏼
I almost immediately connected with the fmc, Emerson, even though we’re totally different. Don’t know how or why but I just really loved her and loved how she went after what she wanted. I loved the mmc, Theo, and how after 10 years he was still so gone for this girl. I loved the flashback chapters to help understand how they became so close and why they were so important to each other. I loved their history so much. This book made my heart hurt like a second chance romance should and I loved every page.
The tension and slow burn between these 2 had me glued to this book. I really believed in their relationship and was rooting for them the whole time. The model x photographer thing was super fun and made the tension insane. I loved that it was such a slow burn bc it really made you believe in them reconnecting. There was a little bit of miscommunication but I didn’t mind it too much bc I think the rest of the book made up for it. I also loved Emerson’s character growth!!! I loved to see her finally stand up for herself and what she wants.
I really freaking loved this book and think it’s the perfect summer romance. 🫶🏼
March 19, 2024
Thank you to the author and St. Martin’s for an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
This premise sounded so cute but unfortunately the book didn’t pull through. The writing was very stilted and awkward, and the pacing was all over the place - slow when it should have been fast and vice versa. I had a hard time getting myself to power through, even through it had some of my favorite tropes (second chance romance and friends to lovers). This book just needed much more time spent on development before going out into the world.
This premise sounded so cute but unfortunately the book didn’t pull through. The writing was very stilted and awkward, and the pacing was all over the place - slow when it should have been fast and vice versa. I had a hard time getting myself to power through, even through it had some of my favorite tropes (second chance romance and friends to lovers). This book just needed much more time spent on development before going out into the world.
March 4, 2024
The author is a huge TikTok star, who parlayed her success into this wonderful second-chance romance debut between model Emerson and photographer Theo, who meet again on a shoot in Italy. Beautifully written, One Last Shot will bring the author wild new success as a writer, as well as great joy to her readers.
April 8, 2024
One Last Shot by Betty Cayouette
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶
What I loved:
📷 Italy. I loved the setting, and the descriptions were impeccable. I felt like I was there.
📷 The heavier topics. I love romances that have substance, and this one dealt with a few heavy topics, and they all felt real and authentic.
📷 Theo. He was such a great character and so sweet. He has my whole heart and deserves everything.
I was apprehensive about reading this because the main trope is miscommunication, which is my most hated trope. I found it wasn't that bad. While miscommunication between the characters led to the 10 year gap in their relationship, it wasn't a really a focus. Instead, the focus was on the characters mending their relationship and rekindling their feelings. I thoroughly enjoyed Theo and Emerson getting to know their adult selves and truly appreciated the flashbacks to their high school days.
The pace was perfect, and the story flowed so well. I forgot I was reading quite often as I was captivated by Theo and Emersons' story.
And the very end? The grand gesture in the airport? Why did it have me in tears? It was so perfect and beautiful and might be my favorite resolution moment ever. It was spectacular, and it fit the book and characters magnificently.
I also enjoyed the build-up for the ending. Throughout the book, the reader is given hints something happened that caused Emerson to abandon her friendship with Theo. When the reason is finally revealed, it's so much more meaningful because of the build-up. The scene was also written so beautifully and with so much care. It hit home for me. I also loved Theo's brother walking Theo through his emotions and how his brother had a role that fateful day. Plus, the talk they had while baking cookies at the end, about relationships and figuring out how to communicate with your partner was so heartfelt. All these scenes were so beautifully constructed and felt so genuine. I loved the inclusion of real relationship issues. I feel many romances end with the characters figuring out their current issues, and then they move on to happily ever after. There's rarely focus on how the characters will face adversity in the future. So I really appreciated the inclusion of these moments.
Though, overall, I liked the resolution, there were moments leading into it that bothered me. There was some miscommunication at the end that irked. Theo left a party without talking to Emerson, and she was mad he didn't communicate his departure with her. I smacked my head, thinking, "Pot, meet kettle." More miscommunication happened after that because, of course. But I'd say it was only a slight annoyance and didn't hinder me from enjoying the book.
I also found many moments extremely vain, especially when Emerson returns to LA. I'm not familiar with the industry, so I have no experience, but Emerson being so obsessed with her image was cringey. I understood the explanations, but it still bugged.
Overall, I adored this book. The characters were fun and well-rounded. I was pleased by how the author approached the heavy topics and wrote the scenes discussing them. This book was well balanced with fun, light romance, and characters with trauma to deal with. I fell into this story and couldn't put it down. And can I say one more time how much I loved that airport scene? I know I won't be forgetting this book anytime soon and will definitely be rereading it. This book was lovely. Beautifully written and a sheer pleasure to read.
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶
What I loved:
📷 Italy. I loved the setting, and the descriptions were impeccable. I felt like I was there.
📷 The heavier topics. I love romances that have substance, and this one dealt with a few heavy topics, and they all felt real and authentic.
📷 Theo. He was such a great character and so sweet. He has my whole heart and deserves everything.
I was apprehensive about reading this because the main trope is miscommunication, which is my most hated trope. I found it wasn't that bad. While miscommunication between the characters led to the 10 year gap in their relationship, it wasn't a really a focus. Instead, the focus was on the characters mending their relationship and rekindling their feelings. I thoroughly enjoyed Theo and Emerson getting to know their adult selves and truly appreciated the flashbacks to their high school days.
The pace was perfect, and the story flowed so well. I forgot I was reading quite often as I was captivated by Theo and Emersons' story.
And the very end? The grand gesture in the airport? Why did it have me in tears? It was so perfect and beautiful and might be my favorite resolution moment ever. It was spectacular, and it fit the book and characters magnificently.
I also enjoyed the build-up for the ending. Throughout the book, the reader is given hints something happened that caused Emerson to abandon her friendship with Theo. When the reason is finally revealed, it's so much more meaningful because of the build-up. The scene was also written so beautifully and with so much care. It hit home for me. I also loved Theo's brother walking Theo through his emotions and how his brother had a role that fateful day. Plus, the talk they had while baking cookies at the end, about relationships and figuring out how to communicate with your partner was so heartfelt. All these scenes were so beautifully constructed and felt so genuine. I loved the inclusion of real relationship issues. I feel many romances end with the characters figuring out their current issues, and then they move on to happily ever after. There's rarely focus on how the characters will face adversity in the future. So I really appreciated the inclusion of these moments.
Though, overall, I liked the resolution, there were moments leading into it that bothered me. There was some miscommunication at the end that irked. Theo left a party without talking to Emerson, and she was mad he didn't communicate his departure with her. I smacked my head, thinking, "Pot, meet kettle." More miscommunication happened after that because, of course. But I'd say it was only a slight annoyance and didn't hinder me from enjoying the book.
I also found many moments extremely vain, especially when Emerson returns to LA. I'm not familiar with the industry, so I have no experience, but Emerson being so obsessed with her image was cringey. I understood the explanations, but it still bugged.
Overall, I adored this book. The characters were fun and well-rounded. I was pleased by how the author approached the heavy topics and wrote the scenes discussing them. This book was well balanced with fun, light romance, and characters with trauma to deal with. I fell into this story and couldn't put it down. And can I say one more time how much I loved that airport scene? I know I won't be forgetting this book anytime soon and will definitely be rereading it. This book was lovely. Beautifully written and a sheer pleasure to read.
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC
January 30, 2025
this is a no spoiler review!
4.5 🌟
Tropes Include
╰┈➤ Friends to Lovers
╰┈➤ Second chance romance
╰┈➤ Slow burn
╰┈➤ Forced Proximity
╰┈➤ Dual Pov
╰┈➤ Very little spice
Songs That Fit This Books Vibe
➳ Paper Rings by Taylor Swift
➳ Mess It Up by Gracie Abrams
➳ Back To December by Taylor Swift
⇒ This book is criminally underrated. I was in a four month long slump when I decided to pick this up and my oh my, did it save my life. For those that are new here, I'm such a sucker for the friends to lover and second chance romance trope. And Miss Betty wrote this so, SO well!! I cannot believe this is her debut book nor that this only has 4,000 ratings? Please go give her a look!
┊👠┊Emerson
I love love loved Emerson. I don't know, but sometimes I tend to gravitate to the guys povs in romance novels. And I know, it scares me just as much as it does you. But I loved Emerson. Her chapters were my favorite and I felt so deeply for her.
┊📸┊Theo
Oh my sweet sunny boy. Theo deserves so much praise. Just to show you guys how much I love him, when him and Emerson met back in high school, he asked for her phone number, right? Well she pulled out a sharpie and he realized he didn't have anything she could write on so he told her to write her number on his FOREARM. I 💗 him.
: ̗̀➛ Final Thoughts?
╰┈➤ This was so much fun! The only reason I couldn't give it five stars is because I felt like it fell off a little at the end and there were a couple loose ends that I wished had been tied. Other than that I devoured this book and can 100% see myself picking it back up. It made me miss summer 😿😿
+*:ꔫ ┊☀️┊Some Quotes I liked 🤍
₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ “He was my person, around him I was the best version of me, the me I wanted to be all the time”
₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥“Do you miss home?”
“I miss you,” I say immediately.
₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ “You deserve to have everything you’ve ever wanted and to wake up every day and be so excited for what you’re going to do that it hurts.”
₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ When his phone finally beeped, a grin spread over Theo’s face. I suddenly knew I would do anything to make him smile like that again.
₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ “Sorry” Theo says. “She’s just so perfect” he grimaces. “In this light, I mean”
4.5 🌟
Tropes Include
╰┈➤ Friends to Lovers
╰┈➤ Second chance romance
╰┈➤ Slow burn
╰┈➤ Forced Proximity
╰┈➤ Dual Pov
╰┈➤ Very little spice
Songs That Fit This Books Vibe
➳ Paper Rings by Taylor Swift
➳ Mess It Up by Gracie Abrams
➳ Back To December by Taylor Swift
⇒ This book is criminally underrated. I was in a four month long slump when I decided to pick this up and my oh my, did it save my life. For those that are new here, I'm such a sucker for the friends to lover and second chance romance trope. And Miss Betty wrote this so, SO well!! I cannot believe this is her debut book nor that this only has 4,000 ratings? Please go give her a look!
┊👠┊Emerson
I love love loved Emerson. I don't know, but sometimes I tend to gravitate to the guys povs in romance novels. And I know, it scares me just as much as it does you. But I loved Emerson. Her chapters were my favorite and I felt so deeply for her.
┊📸┊Theo
Oh my sweet sunny boy. Theo deserves so much praise. Just to show you guys how much I love him, when him and Emerson met back in high school, he asked for her phone number, right? Well she pulled out a sharpie and he realized he didn't have anything she could write on so he told her to write her number on his FOREARM. I 💗 him.
: ̗̀➛ Final Thoughts?
╰┈➤ This was so much fun! The only reason I couldn't give it five stars is because I felt like it fell off a little at the end and there were a couple loose ends that I wished had been tied. Other than that I devoured this book and can 100% see myself picking it back up. It made me miss summer 😿😿
+*:ꔫ ┊☀️┊Some Quotes I liked 🤍
₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ “He was my person, around him I was the best version of me, the me I wanted to be all the time”
₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥“Do you miss home?”
“I miss you,” I say immediately.
₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ “You deserve to have everything you’ve ever wanted and to wake up every day and be so excited for what you’re going to do that it hurts.”
₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ When his phone finally beeped, a grin spread over Theo’s face. I suddenly knew I would do anything to make him smile like that again.
₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ “Sorry” Theo says. “She’s just so perfect” he grimaces. “In this light, I mean”
April 16, 2024
One Last Shot by Betty Cayouette was just ok for me. This was not my favorite book but I did push myself to finish. I did enjoy the friends to lovers trope and the small amount of spice. I felt the book started out on a high and then fell a little flat for me.
Thank you NetGalley & St. Martin’s Press for the ARC copy of this book.
July 13, 2024
it was very summery and the plot was going well in the beginning, but around page 200 everything just started dragging on so freaking slow 😩 the cover deserves an extra star itself though it’s so pretty i love it
April 18, 2024
Betty Cayouette’s One Last Shot only just barely escaped a 1-star rating from me because I do usually reserve that for books that are super problematic or incredibly poorly written. That said, I don’t think I could reasonably say that there’s much about this book that’s great or even good. It’s just…okay.
The core of the love story between Theo and Emerson is miscommunication. Pretty much every struggle they face, whether from their early time of knowing each other or their reconnection presently, is created by and marred with their inability to simply have an honest conversation with each other. And yes, sure, there’s a lot of realism to people in life struggling to put their truth out there for whatever fears they have—but the problem with that in a novel is that there’s a general consensus that people in general and readers as a whole just hate this.
We hate it as a trope, we hate it as a plot point, and we hate it in real life. We might be able and willing to engage in that sort of behavior from time to time, but none of us actually like or appreciate that aspect of ourselves or others. So, when we’re reading a book for our own personal enjoyment, miscommunication is not a plot device that we’re looking forward to engaging with.
Quite frankly, I’m of the mind that this trope should die. The only time we should really find this sort of thing in a book is where it serves an incredibly important role in the plot—not just to do the will they / won’t they thing with the sole purpose of dragging out the novel—but rather to deeply drive home the message of growing away from miscommunication as a whole.
A neat and tidy tie up at the end where they just magically agree to stop miscommunication is not it. It doesn’t allow for the amount of internal development that we really need people to see for the message to stand and stick. I think an author would really have to commit to that message while showing sincere and extensive growth in the characters for it to work and, unfortunately, this book doesn’t do that at all.
The book is fine. The writing isn’t horrendous. The characters are okay. It’s a decent read if you’re not one to get annoyed by miscommunication being the only thing driving the length of the novel and the struggles that the characters face. I’m not one of those people, therefore this book was a slog of a read for me.
I received an early copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The core of the love story between Theo and Emerson is miscommunication. Pretty much every struggle they face, whether from their early time of knowing each other or their reconnection presently, is created by and marred with their inability to simply have an honest conversation with each other. And yes, sure, there’s a lot of realism to people in life struggling to put their truth out there for whatever fears they have—but the problem with that in a novel is that there’s a general consensus that people in general and readers as a whole just hate this.
We hate it as a trope, we hate it as a plot point, and we hate it in real life. We might be able and willing to engage in that sort of behavior from time to time, but none of us actually like or appreciate that aspect of ourselves or others. So, when we’re reading a book for our own personal enjoyment, miscommunication is not a plot device that we’re looking forward to engaging with.
Quite frankly, I’m of the mind that this trope should die. The only time we should really find this sort of thing in a book is where it serves an incredibly important role in the plot—not just to do the will they / won’t they thing with the sole purpose of dragging out the novel—but rather to deeply drive home the message of growing away from miscommunication as a whole.
A neat and tidy tie up at the end where they just magically agree to stop miscommunication is not it. It doesn’t allow for the amount of internal development that we really need people to see for the message to stand and stick. I think an author would really have to commit to that message while showing sincere and extensive growth in the characters for it to work and, unfortunately, this book doesn’t do that at all.
The book is fine. The writing isn’t horrendous. The characters are okay. It’s a decent read if you’re not one to get annoyed by miscommunication being the only thing driving the length of the novel and the struggles that the characters face. I’m not one of those people, therefore this book was a slog of a read for me.
I received an early copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
March 15, 2024
first off, can we take a moment for the cover?! the background! the showcase of main characters that so perfectly depicts their dynamic! since this is a debut novel and I didn't have an prior knowledge of betty, the beauty of the cover grabbed my interest, a feeling matched once I read the synopsis.
3.5 ★
one last shot is a second chance romance between emerson and theo. once high school friends, they are now on opposing sides of the same industry. while emerson has achieved stardom as a supermodel, theo's career as a photographer doesn't necessarily fulfill him despite paying the bills. with italy as the setting for their reunion, feelings they've ignored for a decade resurface, demanding the pair communicate about their past. the happy ending they once didn't dare to dream could be on the other side of those hard conversations.
when celebrity romances are done well, it's one of my favorite tropes. there's just something about the public intrigue and luxurious lifestyles that paint such a pretty picture. in one last shot, the inclusion of past and present timelines, plus narration from both theo and emerson, really elevates the story. this is a great debut from betty cayouette. while some kinks could have been hammered out, it's a small complaint given how addictive I found the story. my intentions to only reach to a certain percentage were quickly dashed by my desire to continue, to know more. the flashbacks to their high school years being strategically placed throughout the reunion of present day was wise storytelling, making the reader invest in the couple's history.
thanks to st. martin's press and betty cayouette for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 ★
one last shot is a second chance romance between emerson and theo. once high school friends, they are now on opposing sides of the same industry. while emerson has achieved stardom as a supermodel, theo's career as a photographer doesn't necessarily fulfill him despite paying the bills. with italy as the setting for their reunion, feelings they've ignored for a decade resurface, demanding the pair communicate about their past. the happy ending they once didn't dare to dream could be on the other side of those hard conversations.
when celebrity romances are done well, it's one of my favorite tropes. there's just something about the public intrigue and luxurious lifestyles that paint such a pretty picture. in one last shot, the inclusion of past and present timelines, plus narration from both theo and emerson, really elevates the story. this is a great debut from betty cayouette. while some kinks could have been hammered out, it's a small complaint given how addictive I found the story. my intentions to only reach to a certain percentage were quickly dashed by my desire to continue, to know more. the flashbacks to their high school years being strategically placed throughout the reunion of present day was wise storytelling, making the reader invest in the couple's history.
thanks to st. martin's press and betty cayouette for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 19, 2024
The premise of this book hinges on a pact the MCs made as teens: to marry each other if they reach a ripe old age and are still single. Classic setup, right? Then you realize that “ripe old age” is TWENTY EFFING EIGHT. Hi, the ‘60s called and they’d like their plot back. No, the book doesn’t dwell on “omg they’re so old!!” but it also doesn’t really unpack what it means that these people - millennials - thought “on the shelf” was 28, even from a teenage perspective.
You know that moment when you realize you’ve gotten old: the moment Ariel in THE LITTLE MERMAID says “I’m not a child anymore!” and you instinctively think “oh yes you are young lady”? That’s what reading this book feels like. The prose is unpolished, the characters are immature and self-absorbed (especially the FMC), and the plot requires suspension of disbelief over wayyy too many coincidences and miscommunications. It’s like a TikTok trope list come to life, and not in a fun, winky way.
The two stars are for a few scenes that managed to stand out from the rest, and for the kernel of a good idea within the “meh” execution. Somewhere in there is a version of this book that is witty, thoughtful, and touching. What I just read, unfortunately, is not that.
You know that moment when you realize you’ve gotten old: the moment Ariel in THE LITTLE MERMAID says “I’m not a child anymore!” and you instinctively think “oh yes you are young lady”? That’s what reading this book feels like. The prose is unpolished, the characters are immature and self-absorbed (especially the FMC), and the plot requires suspension of disbelief over wayyy too many coincidences and miscommunications. It’s like a TikTok trope list come to life, and not in a fun, winky way.
The two stars are for a few scenes that managed to stand out from the rest, and for the kernel of a good idea within the “meh” execution. Somewhere in there is a version of this book that is witty, thoughtful, and touching. What I just read, unfortunately, is not that.
May 24, 2024
4.5⭐️
If you’re a fan of best friends to strangers to lovers—this book is for you. It follows Theo and Emerson who met in high school and something happens and they don’t speak for ten years. They end up reconnecting in Italy when Emerson—a famous model, does a shoot with Theo—a photographer.
The amount of tension between them and the chemistry made me root for them from the beginning. I loved the dual pov and the dual timelines. I liked learning about their past and their friendship.
I can’t believe this is a debut novel. This was such a sweet second chance romance. I’m a sucker for that trope and knew this book was for me. Theo is such a thoughtful man in the way he cares for Emerson. The way he just remembers everything about her after the ten years apart. And the fact he kept up with their traditions also? I can’t even handle it.
I know romance novels all pretty much end the same but why did it make me so happy? I could picture it like a movie. This book could totally be a movie! I loved this and highly recommend it.
Favorite quote:
“You’re the whole orange.”
Read this if you like:
• Friends to lovers
• Second chance romance
• Dual timelines
• “It’s always been you” trope
If you’re a fan of best friends to strangers to lovers—this book is for you. It follows Theo and Emerson who met in high school and something happens and they don’t speak for ten years. They end up reconnecting in Italy when Emerson—a famous model, does a shoot with Theo—a photographer.
The amount of tension between them and the chemistry made me root for them from the beginning. I loved the dual pov and the dual timelines. I liked learning about their past and their friendship.
I can’t believe this is a debut novel. This was such a sweet second chance romance. I’m a sucker for that trope and knew this book was for me. Theo is such a thoughtful man in the way he cares for Emerson. The way he just remembers everything about her after the ten years apart. And the fact he kept up with their traditions also? I can’t even handle it.
I know romance novels all pretty much end the same but why did it make me so happy? I could picture it like a movie. This book could totally be a movie! I loved this and highly recommend it.
Favorite quote:
“You’re the whole orange.”
Read this if you like:
• Friends to lovers
• Second chance romance
• Dual timelines
• “It’s always been you” trope
June 28, 2024
if you guys have 14 years of dancing around each other and miscommunication you probably shouldn’t be together at that point
October 4, 2024
8 de 10*
Opinião:
https://abibliotecadajoao.blogspot.co...
Opinião:
https://abibliotecadajoao.blogspot.co...
May 19, 2024
„One Last Shot“ ist ein Roman, der sich zunächst als bezaubernde Liebesgeschichte in der malerischen Kulisse Liguriens präsentiert. Die Handlung verspricht, wie auch das wunderschöne Cover mit dem geschmackvollen Farbschnitt (gefällt mir sonst eigentlich nie!), eine romantische und dennoch erfrischend unkitschige Erzählung.
Im Zentrum der Geschichte stehen Emerson, gefragtes Supermodel, und Theo, Fotograph, die sich nach zehn Jahren auf einem Fotoshooting für ein großes Unternehmen wiederbegegnen. Die Wiederentdeckung ihrer Jugendliebe bildet das Herzstück des Romans. Die ersten drei Viertel des Buches haben mich dabei ausgesprochen gut unterhalten. Emersons starker und eigenwilliger Charakter sowie die spannende Darstellung der Modewelt und großer Fotoshootings bieten eine interessante Lektüre.
Leider verliert die Geschichte auf den letzten 100 Seiten, als die Handlung wieder in die USA verlagert wird, etwas von ihrem Charme und ihrer Faszination. Die Rückkehr in die USA und die dortigen Entwicklungen konnten das vorherige Niveau und die besondere Atmosphäre der italienischen Szenen nicht halten, auch wenn die Story eigentlich auf diesen Seiten an Tiefe gewinnt. Ich hätte mir einfach gewünscht, dass die Autorin die Geschichte weiterhin in Ligurien belässt und uns mehr von der schönen Region und dem Leben dort zeigt.
Insgesamt bleibt „One Last Shot“ jedoch eine lesenswerte und unterhaltsame Lektüre, die besonders durch ihre ersten drei Viertel besticht. Für Fans von romantischen Geschichten mit starken Charakteren und einem Hauch von italienischer Lebensart ist dieses Buch definitiv zu empfehlen.
Im Zentrum der Geschichte stehen Emerson, gefragtes Supermodel, und Theo, Fotograph, die sich nach zehn Jahren auf einem Fotoshooting für ein großes Unternehmen wiederbegegnen. Die Wiederentdeckung ihrer Jugendliebe bildet das Herzstück des Romans. Die ersten drei Viertel des Buches haben mich dabei ausgesprochen gut unterhalten. Emersons starker und eigenwilliger Charakter sowie die spannende Darstellung der Modewelt und großer Fotoshootings bieten eine interessante Lektüre.
Leider verliert die Geschichte auf den letzten 100 Seiten, als die Handlung wieder in die USA verlagert wird, etwas von ihrem Charme und ihrer Faszination. Die Rückkehr in die USA und die dortigen Entwicklungen konnten das vorherige Niveau und die besondere Atmosphäre der italienischen Szenen nicht halten, auch wenn die Story eigentlich auf diesen Seiten an Tiefe gewinnt. Ich hätte mir einfach gewünscht, dass die Autorin die Geschichte weiterhin in Ligurien belässt und uns mehr von der schönen Region und dem Leben dort zeigt.
Insgesamt bleibt „One Last Shot“ jedoch eine lesenswerte und unterhaltsame Lektüre, die besonders durch ihre ersten drei Viertel besticht. Für Fans von romantischen Geschichten mit starken Charakteren und einem Hauch von italienischer Lebensart ist dieses Buch definitiv zu empfehlen.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,274 reviews