One More Chapter

by Allie Marie

𝙿𝚎𝚗𝚎𝚕𝚘𝚙𝚎 𝙱𝚊𝚛𝚔𝚎𝚛.
𝙶𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚍 𝚌𝚛𝚞𝚖𝚋𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚋𝚎𝚗𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚑 𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚏𝚎𝚎𝚝.

𝙰𝚗𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚗𝚢 𝙴𝚕𝚕𝚒𝚜.
𝚃𝚛𝚢𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚘 𝚛𝚎𝚙𝚊𝚒𝚛 𝚒𝚝 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚘𝚠𝚗 𝚝𝚠𝚘 𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚜.

Bad things in my life seem to come in threes. I thought waking up in the middle of my teacher-summer-vacation to the pipes of my house bursting was bad. I thought that finding out our middle school would be absorbing the students and staff of another, whose foundation was deemed unsafe, was worse. But not even in the wildest plots to my best-selling romance novels could I have imagined the final blow–the one that came in the shape of the man who broke my heart.

Anthony Ellis and I have known each other since our mommas raised us in the same townhouse. It wasn’t until two years ago that we got to know each other heart and soul. After our vacation straight out of a movie, he disappeared from my life, only to drop back into it in the most invasive of ways. Not only will I be teaching with him this year, but I’ll be living with him as well.

Balancing my day job teaching eighth grade and my secret life as a best-selling romance author puts enough on my plate. Now, along with the contract of a lifetime–one that could change the foundation of my life’s path–I also have to cope with the fact that my broken heart is sharing all of its space with the man who crushed it. And even worse? He’s doing his absolute best to pick up all of our pieces.

I have a decision to make: What chapters of my life do I need to close, and which will I be brave enough to write?

Genres: Second Chance, Romance

Unknown Binding

Published October 29, 2024

Reviews

[Michele M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you @alliewrites_ for allowing me to be on your ARC team and for the #gifted eARC.

I can’t gush over this one enough. Five full shining stars from me.

If you haven’t read Allie Marie’s River Valley Teacher’s Lounge series, where have you been? I relished in every minute of Pen and Ant’s story. It’s my favorite one in this quartet of books. If you haven’t read any of them yet, you can read them in any order. However, I recommend you start at the beginning because the characters make reappearances throughout the series.

The author wrote Pen and Ant’s story with fun, witty banter throughout. I enjoyed the text exchanges after their previous trip that were placed in between chapters. I thought it was a unique way to give us the characters backstory.

Ant and Pen are so sweet to each other but One More Chapter is not without its share of spice. 🌶️👀 I’ll take Anthony as my next book boyfriend, please.

Read this if you’re looking for:

📖 Second Chance Romance
📖 Dual Point of View
📖 Forced Proximity
📖 ADHD Representation

[Marcie · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️ 3🌶️

There’s a level of maturity, empathy, and compassion in this entire series that I truly admire. These are relatable adults struggling with real life problems and choosing to surround themselves with friends and found family that understand and accept them. They are all looking for (sometimes not actively looking for but coming upon unexpectedly) that one person to love that loves them, and is their partner in the truest sense. One Last Chapter is no different in this regard from the rest of the series, but is probably my favourite of the bunch.

This had a touch of second chance romance, and forced proximity x 1000. Penelope and Anthony have known each since childhood and had a brief but life-changing romantic dalliance that left them brokenhearted, and then are pushed together through a series of life events that make it impossible to avoid each other. Emotions come to the surface and sparks fly! I loved the maturity between these two. You could feel the history, the tension, the hopefulness and how things start to change between them. I totally believed in Ant’s love for Penelope, that he was truly apologetic, and that he would work so hard to repair things between them.

I adored that Penelope didn’t want to fall in love with Anthony again but she just can’t help it because he’s so damn vulnerable and sweet and perfect. I kind of want to get a job just dedicated to telling him he’s special and amazing and good at what he does. Having their story be the inspiration for her next novel was great. She’s so so so (rightfully) careful with her heart, it seemed like writing this particular story was therapeutic for her.

The spice be spiiiiiiiicin’ in this one!! I got a little sweaty reading it. The TENSION and the connection between the two? So hot. The inability to forget what happened in Florida and the want to be that close again drew me in. Loved the fighting or fucking scene. 😂 Also…these two do NOT want to move out of the house they share 😍😂 delay delay delay let’s not make it obvious or anything.

Are we nominating Debbie Ellis for Mother of the Year? Yes, we are.

I cried at the end. Such honesty. So much communication and love. Trusting to not be hurt again. Trusting yourself. Believing in yourself. Ugh. It was so good. The epilogue made my heart nearly explode. Joyful is how I’d describe it. This was just an absolute pleasure to read from start to finish!

Thank you to Allie Marie for an advance copy of this book for review.

[Megan Syrovy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The final installment of the River Valley series might be the most heartfelt and vulnerable of them all.

Ant is written with so much tact, as someone with bees in her brain herself. Allie clearly took her time to represent ADHD in a way that isn’t patronizing or pitying like so many authors often do. And Pen’s trauma cycles felt incredibly raw and real. These characters were not just a bulleted list of tropes, but people that we know, our friends, our community. The love and support that they have for one another, as well as their found family, is precious to watch unfold.

I’m admittedly not the biggest fan of second chance romances, but this was really getting to watch two people grow apart to grow together. It’s so bittersweet to say goodbye to RVMS, but I know this is just the beginning for Allie Marie.

[Sydney Kyhnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first book I read by Allie Marie and it was so good! I was lucky enough to receive it as an ARC so it doesn’t release until 10/29/24 but it is in a series called River Valley Teacher’s Lounge and this is the 4th book!

I do wish I read the first three books before this one because there was a few moments I think it would have been beneficial BUT that being said its not a necessity because it was only a couple times it had a flashback.

This book was so fun to read and was so cute. I loved all the friendships, story line, banter, and the happily ever after. And I was so surprised by the amount of spice in it and how dirty it was!!! Why is it all the most innocent looking covers have the dirtiest scenes?? 👀🤞🏻

5 star read for me and highly recommended!!!

[Holly Schwartz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved every single thing about this book! I read Apple of My Eye and LOVED it, and truthfully I haven’t been keeping up with this series! Even though I meant too!! But there was something about this one that was just calling to me!! And then I learned it was a second chance so I had to read it!! I loved Penelope and Anthony SO MUCH. I also loved seeing everyone from AOME again and seeing all of their happily ever afters! There is truly nothing like the end of a series epilogue to make my TEAR UP! So I’ll have to go back and read the other two books for the full effect! But I do love a good reminder about why I love an author, and Allie is a delight!!

Not only was this a second chance romance, which is in fact my favorite thing!! Penelope is also an author who ALSO writing a second chance romance that is definitely not about her and her new roomie. Penelope and Anthony were so fun and there was so much tension and banter!! And they had so many FEELINGS to work through! They wanted the same things out of life, and they were both making big changes and were unsure but thankfully had the support of each other to make the right choice!

Anthony’s ADHD was written so well. Seeing how he struggles and how he succeeds felt so important to his character. I loved that Penelope was able to read him and understand what he needed even when he couldn’t communicate it. They were SO good together in so many little ways, it made my heart so happy!

I can’t wait to go back and read the other books in this series, and hopefully make for Allie’s other books!! AND I’m hoping I caught the right hints about her next series!! Cause that was be a TREAT!

[Logan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The final installment of this series is a melancholic experience. On one hand, we experience a whirlwind romance between Penelope and Anthony. A classic tale of lovers torn apart by mistake, miscommunication, etc. Their path towards redemption and happily ever after is a biting, hilarious, and sexy turn of events that conclude this series in the best way possible. On the other, it’s sad, almost depressing, to say goodbye to this family of characters we’ve all gotten to know and love so much over the last 4 books.

I’ll admit, this trope isn’t my favorite, which is why it took me a second to melt into this story and bond with the two MCs. However, as always, Allie Marie’s writing strikes the perfect balance of romance, conflict, heat, and heart. These two leads undergo a touching journey of vulnerability, forgiveness, heartache, and joy making this story one to remember.


For smut lovers, there is plenty of expertly written boinking. For the romance fanatics, the journey to secure and stable love is tasteful, well written, mature, and graceful. And for anyone who loves Disney and Boston Red Sox references, this book is your wet dream come true. For those who love heart with their romance, this book is the epitome of found family and letting your walls down to accept love from those who care about you.

Overall, I liked this book. The epilogue was extremely cute and satisfying. I’m sad to report that this was my least favorite book of the series, only because the other 3 raised the bar so high. That being said, I love all Allie Marie books and am so excited to see what’s next!

3.5/5 ❤️

[Bethany Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The final book in Allie Marie’s River Valley Teacher’s Lounge series of interconnected standalones, the story follows Penelope, a math teacher who has a ✨secret second career✨ who moves into the rental property her mom owns with her best friend after pipes burst in her home. But unbeknownst to Penelope, she’s going to have a roommate: Anthony, a teacher at a nearby school, the son of her mom’s best friend – and the man who broke her heart.

On top of that, it turns out that Anthony won’t just be her unwanted roomie – they’ll also be sharing a classroom when their respective schools are forced to combine staff and students for the year.

It’s a classsic romance setup that delivers a ton of tropey fun, including several of my faves:

❤️‍🩹second-chance romance
👫childhood friends
🐾black cat x golden retriever
🏡forced proximity
🩹hurt x comfort
✨found family

In additon to all of that, there’s emotional depth as Penelope and Anthony navigate their feelings, chemistry, and history, a great depiction of tough career choices, and, as with all books in this series, a realistic portrayal of teaching and fantastic group of supportive and caring adult friends.

If you’re looking for something to fill that post-spooky season, pre-holly jolly season hole in your TBR, definitely give this second-chance romance (or the whole series!) a go!

[Nicole (NicoleIsBooked) · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an amazing end to the River Valley Teacher's series! I have loved each book in this series, and Ant and Pen were a great addition. Pen has been in other books in the series, and Ant was introduced in book 3 of the series. I would recommend reading all of the books (I reread them before reading book 4.) It really adds to the enjoyment of the series.

As a teacher, I love reading about teachers finding love and happiness. It's such a difficult job, and I enjoy putting a spotlight on all of the demands and pressure of being a teacher. It's a rewarding job, but it is a lot of work.

Pen and Ant knew each other when they were kids. Their mothers were best friends. Ant and Pen hooked up in the past, and she thought it would lead to a relationship, but he broke her heart and ghosted her. She has hated him since, and he has regretted his decision.

They wind up living together and working together at the same school. They go from enemies to lovers, and it's so much fun to watch that hate turn into passion.

I'm such a sucker for a second chance romance. It just makes me so happy to see their past and see the healing that can come from it.

This is a spicy, dual POV teacher romance. She's also a secret romance book author, which is a fun angle to the story.

Thanks to the author, Allie Marie, for an ARC of this book.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

“This is the start of our forever chapter.”
Penelope Baker and Anthony Ellis are officially my favorite River Valley couple! Their enemies to lovers/second chance was everything to me!

The two have known each other forever, even living together as babies for a time so they have always been intertwined in some way. However the stars never aligned. They were never single or in the same place in life for their friendship to be more until one trip to Florida that changes it all, just not for the better.

Seeing how Penelope and Anthony have to get through some serious past hurt was so interesting. They were both hurt and wanting to fix things but not at the expense of their own pride at times.
“The only way we fail is when we give up on each other. When we fight each other instead of the problems ahead. It’s about how we get back up, remember?”

I loved everything about them and their spicy selves! Also so fun to see the other couples and how they have been progressing.
Thank you @alliewrites_ for the ARC!
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🔥: “I licked it. It’s mine.”

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

One Last Chapter, the final book in Allie Marie’s River Valley series, is the perfect mix of heart, humor, and the real-life messiness of love. The story brings us back to Penelope and Anthony, childhood friends who had a short but intense romance that didn’t quite end on good terms. Now, life’s thrown them back together, and we get to watch as they work through old wounds, forgive each other, and figure out what they really mean to each other.
Allie Marie does an amazing job bringing these characters to life. This isn’t just a “second-chance” romance; it’s about two people growing into themselves and each other, all while surrounded by a supportive, found family that’s impossible not to love. Saying goodbye to River Valley was bittersweet, but the series ends on such a hopeful, satisfying note. If you’re into romance that’s as emotional as it is steamy, One Last Chapter is the read for you.

What to expect:
-Second Chance Romance
-Forced Proximity
-Found Family
-Coworkers
-Dual POV

Thanks to the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Megan Eby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend reading the series in order and saving this treasure for last! The other stories build up Penelope's backstory and her frustrations with Anthony. I read the rest of series and was very eager to get Penelope's story - Allie saved the best for last.

I loved that their happy ending wasn't rushed. The ADHD rep was woven into both roommates perspectives so readers could understand what it was like for both of them to navigate it. Their forced proximity wasn't just about sexual tension, it was about seeing how hard the other one works, and finding ways to meet their needs (food, cleaning, etc.). Their long, long history together made this slow-ish burn incredibly sweet.

I loved the epilogue! Ugh, so so sweet and the perfect way to wrap up the series.

Great quote: "The only way we fail is when we give up on each other. When we fight each other instead of the problem ahead. It's about how we get back up, remember?" <3 <3 <3

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

For the first time it has taken me a few days to figure out what to say about this book. It’s a second chance romance, but honestly,I think if it had ‘worked out’ the first time it wouldn’t have lasted. Anthony was still figuring out who he was and what he wanted. Penelope had a little bit more figured out, but I think she was so guarded or jaded that she would have started second guessing things.

Fate literally shoves them together two years later and while they’re the same two people, they’re also different. Penelope has found validation outside of relationships and Anthony has figured out his true passion in the workplace, and in doing that gained confidence in his life outside of work and try to fix what he broke with Pen.

This book is more than second chance, forced proximity, childhood friends…it’s about personal growth and acknowledging your part in someone else’s story may not be what you think it is. It’s about taking chances and leaps of faith. But it’s also about never giving up hope for your happily ever after ❤️❤️

I didn’t think I could love a character more than Nathan or Lucas but here Anthony came…

I received an ARC of this book, but the opinions and review is solely my own (and I went and bought a copy of the book too)❤️❤️😍😍

[Beca Ruiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨One More Chapter ARC Review✨

Another five star Allie Marie book for me! I may have sobbed reading the last few chapters and that epilogue…Allie Marie that freaking epilogue. I didn’t think I could cry harder, but you managed to make me. It literally took me a few days to process, and the conclusion I’ve come to is that I need to reread to savor it. Anthony and Penelope’s story is literally one written for the books, literally and figuratively. (;
Both of them displaced from their homes and forced to share the house they once grew up in, and forced to face the true aftermath of something that happened between them only a few years ago. It’s all a recipe to fall back in love (or maybe realize they never stopped loving each other). There’s also maybe a little tease for what’s to come in the Allie Marie universe (I’m just hoping I’m right), and I’m excited for it! I’m so happy I picked up this series earlier this year, and I literally recommend it to everyone I know. Anthony and Penelope’s story is just the perfect way to end a fabulous series, I’ll hold them near and dear to my heart forever.

RATINGS:
5/5⭐️
2🌶️

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Allie Marie you have done it again!!

At first I was worried I wouldn’t really like Ant but it didn’t take long for me to see him for the chaotic sweetheart that he is. And Pen I already loved from reading Claire and Nathan’s story.

The writing is done really well and I enjoyed the way the characters were so believable and real. They had actual human problems and they grew as people as they navigated everything.

I FELT Penelope’s pain and heartbreak. That bitterness and resentment was so relatable, and I felt like weirdly proud as she began to open her heart again. She was complex and interesting and my heart was just with her.

Ant’s ADHD was really well written too and I thought it was great representation without making him into a caricature.

I knew Allie Marie brings the spice, and with these two there would be no shortage, but good grief. Every time I was like 🥵

I’m super grateful to have received this ARC and I look forward to reading more of Allie Marie’s writing!

[Abbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve absolutely loved following the teachers of River Valley as they found their happily ever after, but I won’t lie when I say that Penelope was my favourite from Apple of My Eye so I’ve been waiting for her story!!

I loved Penelope’s double life story line, but I’m glad she finally got to pursue her passion, if anybody deserved their happy ending it was her!

Anthony was the golden retriever you love to love, with his obvious love for Penelope and the little acts of love he showed! We know he messed up pretty badly, but he really worked for that forgiveness!

I loved hour Allie used the text exchanges to jump through the timelines, I thought it was unique and I enjoyed that it was different and quick paced!

I’ve loved diving in to the River Valley World, and I’ve loved every set of characters! I can’t wait to see what Allie brings next!

💕Second Chance
✍️Teachers
💕Forced Proximity
✍️Childhood ‘Friends’
💕Friends to Lovers to Dislike to Lovers
✍️Found Family
💕Secret Identity

[Karlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

Thank you so much to Allie Marie for the ARC and for the joy of the river valley series.

Ant and Penelope are such a sweet case of friends to enemies to lovers. I loved the flashbacks to “after Florida” and the way these two took time to genuinely talk out their issues instead of glossing over them.

One of my favorite parts of Allie’s books, though, is the representation of people who have difficult relationships with their mothers. This aspect is what hooked me on her books to start and I am always so grateful when this plot point comes up in them. She handles the turmoil of that so well and I feel grateful to see that representation in writing.

The river valley series has been so cute and this was such a lovely ending - I especially loved getting the epilogue with everyone’s 5 years later.

[Daniele Cunha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ant and Pen 🥹 This was my favorite from the River Valley teacher series. All can be read as standalones but characters from the 3 previous books are in One More Chapter. If you’ve been around long enough, you know I am not the best at piecing my thoughts into reviews - so here are my rambles.


The chemistry was off the pages, you could feel it. Meeting Pen from previous books, I couldn’t wait for her story. I love the way Allie brings readers characters that are not one dimensional, they’ve got backstory and challenges to overcome. It’s not drawn out, but perfectly written.

That party scene, OMG. The spice was perfect.

Read if you like…
second chances
enemies(ish) to lovers (one sided)
forced proximity
Caretaking

Favorite Quote
“You just can’t help yourself, can you?
“Not when it comes to you.”

[Jordan Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another wonderful story in the River Valley Teacher’s Lounge!
Thank you Allie for the ARC version, can’t wait to buy a signed copy to add to my collection.

This book tells the story of Penelope, a teacher with a secret writing career who has had her broken by Anthony, another teacher from a rival school. It’s a second chance romance where they actually have to grow and put themselves back together.
It’s a wonderful story, and Anthony is perfect book boyfriend material.

It was also wonderful seeing more happy endings for the other characters from the series.

My only critique is I noticed some discrepancies between Penelope in the first few books, and Penelope in this one. I wanted to see more of her relationship with her brother too.

Otherwise it was a perfect way to end the series!

[Kristina Dowler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this book! I'm so sad that the series is over but what a great ending. Pen and Ant are such a wonderful couple, and I'm a sucker for a second chance/forced proximity story. It was so sweet - and I appreciated the honesty of their love story. There was vulnerability and the raw moments were shared. It wasn't just people groveling - but people growing and learning and loving as adults.

Such a good time! Allie can literally do wrong and I'm so happy I had the chance to read this ARC! I highly recommend it!!! Bonus points for the Disney and Marvel references too.

Ps. The shower scene?!? Are you kidding me?! 😅

[Hannah Densford · Rating 5 out of 5]

The emotional journey these two characters take us on made this a book a could not put down. This was my favorite out of the River Valley series. I laughed, I screamed, I cried, I swooned but overall I loved this book.

The depth of Anthony and Penelope’s story made this a story that really makes it relatable and compelling. People hurt the ones they love sometimes because of their fear and hurt from their past they haven’t overcome yet. Their story perfectly highlighted how flawed we can be sometimes, but together you can overcome for those you love.

5 ⭐️
2.5/3 🌶️

[Vaughan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this addition to the River Valley series and I am so glad that Penelope’s story was finally told. The chemistry between Anthony and Penelope was unmatched. This chapter of the River Valley series can be read alone but I highly recommend reading them in sequence because the development of Penelope’s story stems all the way back to the beginning of the series.

If you love forced proximity, second chance romance, and a bit of (one sided) enemies to lovers then you should definitely pick this one up.

[Laura Twaroski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was such a strong example of the difference between forgiving and forgetting. There is self reflection and growth for the main characters as both Penelope and Ant learn from their heartbreak. Through this they also establish their boundaries and expectations with loved ones which is a lesson that is very true to life.
I look forward to looking back at the first two books in the series I haven’t read yet.

[Nicole Mayette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you for the ARC!

3.5 ⭐️

Ant’s representation of ADHD really hit home for me. The way he spoke of the bees and the hyper fixation really made me feel seen. His love to Pen was so sweet and I couldn’t get enough of his nickname for her.

Although I wouldn’t count it as a miscommunication trope, if they had simply been candid about their feelings more, I feel like I would have enjoyed it more. Overall, I did enjoy their love story and I loved all the updates on previous couples!

[Lizzie Pouliot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Penelope and Anthony are here to fall in love with thanks to this story of second chances and learning to let go of the past.

I related strongly to Penelope as I have a tendency to hold onto the past for so long that it takes a lot of work to finally move on. Her ambition is no joke as a teacher and secret romance writer. Honestly my favorite plot was watching her come to terms in what’s best for her future.

Anthony really means well and always extends himself more than he can handle. I kept waiting for him to snap and break throughout the whole story. There was a moment towards the end where I thought we were going to get some real third act conflict but it didn’t pan out the way I envisioned.

My only gripe is I didn’t find the initial conflict between PJ and Ant to be so bad. Perhaps if we had more time to understand the background and what lead to it. Overall, a lovely finish to this series and I love an epilogue that wraps up everyone’s story.

[Lina Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to get an ARC of this book and I absolutely loved it! Penelope and Anthony are each others person and watching them fight for each other despite their past was so sweet and at times heart breaking. With this book in particular, both Penelope and Anthony’s internal struggles were something I could relate and at times made me slightly teary. While I love this series as a whole, PJ and Ant will be the ones I know I’ll turn back to again and again

[Megan Carlisle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series, and this was a great way to wrap up the story. I think my favorite part was how the other characters from the other books were woven throughout the story. Pen and Ant are such a great couple and I love their love story! The way ADHD was portrayed with Anthony was so spot on and made me feel represented. So sad to see this series end, but I can't wait to see what Allie Marie does next!

[Lizzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

where can I find an Anthony Ellis for myself??

seriously this series has only gotten better over time. Just like PJ Laynes books have. I remember not really liking the first one to now reading this one in just a matter of days. And I’ve seriously gotten so attached to all the characters.

mason being 22 in the epilogue?? has it really gone by this fast?? I need another book for him so I can continue to live in this series!!

[Briana Jacobus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book in this series! Complex, well-developed characters with their own issues to work through while trying to figure out what they mean to each other. I love the school aspect of this series, and this book took the reliability of that setting to a whole new level. I could not put this book down!

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the journey these two took throughout the story. Not only did they learn about each other, but also had moments of clarity within themselves. The ADHD representation was so well done. It was so great to see the duality of it, from the person who experiences it to the partner who adapts around those unique traits.

Thank you for the ARC, Allie!! 🩵

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC review I thought that the ADHD representation in this book was really good. This is the first book I have read by this author and I just didn’t give with the writing style. I liked the two main characters Ant was so sweet to Pen and vice versa. I was a little annoyed by the miscommunication between the two main characters