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The Last to Know
Being married to your best friend isn’t as easy as it sounds.
Grace Hart wants a baby. Nearing forty, with no husband and no fairy-tale ending in sight, she’s decided it’s time to take control of her future. Her perfect partner? Her best friend of twenty years. Caz Madden has always been there for her—loyal, kind, and dependable—and Grace is sure together they can create the family she’s always dreamed of. One tiny complication? Grace is straight. Caz is very much not.
Caz knows agreeing to Grace’s plan is madness. She’s always been close to her best friend—maybe too close—but she’s never dared to question why. When their marriage of convenience begins, the lines between friendship and something deeper start to blur, forcing Caz to confront feelings she’s spent a lifetime not naming.
As blurred boundaries become something dangerously real, Grace and Caz must decide whether the love growing between them is worth risking the friendship that has always been their foundation.
The Last to Know is a heartfelt, slow-burn sapphic romance about friendship, family, and the courage it takes to fall for the one person you were never supposed to love.
Grace Hart wants a baby. Nearing forty, with no husband and no fairy-tale ending in sight, she’s decided it’s time to take control of her future. Her perfect partner? Her best friend of twenty years. Caz Madden has always been there for her—loyal, kind, and dependable—and Grace is sure together they can create the family she’s always dreamed of. One tiny complication? Grace is straight. Caz is very much not.
Caz knows agreeing to Grace’s plan is madness. She’s always been close to her best friend—maybe too close—but she’s never dared to question why. When their marriage of convenience begins, the lines between friendship and something deeper start to blur, forcing Caz to confront feelings she’s spent a lifetime not naming.
As blurred boundaries become something dangerously real, Grace and Caz must decide whether the love growing between them is worth risking the friendship that has always been their foundation.
The Last to Know is a heartfelt, slow-burn sapphic romance about friendship, family, and the courage it takes to fall for the one person you were never supposed to love.
249 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 17, 2025
194 people are currently reading
363 people want to read
About the author
Claire Highton-Stevenson
43 books363 followersAward-Winning and best selling, Claire Highton-Stevenson is an Independent author of contemporary romance and crime novels.
Having worked for many years in emergency services, Claire now spends her time writing, traveling, researching ancestry, following Liverpool FC and enjoying life as much as possible.
She lives in West Sussex, UK. Along with her wife and fur babies.
Having worked for many years in emergency services, Claire now spends her time writing, traveling, researching ancestry, following Liverpool FC and enjoying life as much as possible.
She lives in West Sussex, UK. Along with her wife and fur babies.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
November 2, 2025
**'Never ignore the inertia or the opacity of things happening in the world -- it's all connected to any storyline..'
Okay read!
Did they have chemistry? Just a teenie tiny -- but did enjoy the supporting characters more..
Okay read!
Did they have chemistry? Just a teenie tiny -- but did enjoy the supporting characters more..
May 27, 2025
4 stars - I am a complete pushover for a good friends to lovers toaster oven and this one checked a lot of boxes for me. Especially Caz being pretty much perfect. Hard not to swoon for her. Enjoyable read.
June 12, 2025
I love friends-to-lovers tropes and this one was an okay read. The chemistry between Caz and Grace was lacking, in my opinion, and although the protagonists were cute together, I just didn’t feel that spark. Friends? Yeah. Lovers? Maybe. It just felt a bit forced and only one of them was putting any real work into the relationship. The book had potential, but it missed the mark for me.
June 6, 2025
What a beautiful story about two best friends, both in their late 30s. Neither one of them has found true love, but they love one another. When Grace,straight, wants a baby, she asks her bestie Caz, lesbian, to marry her and then she'd get pregnant and they could raise the child together.
This is a wonderful fake romance, toaster oven, slow burn love story. I LOVE this book! 5 stars!
This is a wonderful fake romance, toaster oven, slow burn love story. I LOVE this book! 5 stars!
May 9, 2025
4 Stars
I like this different take on the fake dating trope. I’m always, always, going to be enthralled by friends to lovers (written well of course), and Claire Highton-Stevenson always delivers.
I like this different take on the fake dating trope. I’m always, always, going to be enthralled by friends to lovers (written well of course), and Claire Highton-Stevenson always delivers.
May 4, 2025
The Last to Know really drew me in from the very beginning. And as I read further along, I realize this is my first encounter with a story where two friends enter into a fake relationship and marry each other in hopes of starting a family. The love that Caz and Grace share is truly palpable - heartfelt and genuine. Caz comes across as such an ideal partner, especially when considering the challenges and heartache they both endure. I cherished every moment of their journey and found myself completely enchanted with their characters and their story. The only thing that left me a bit unsatisfied was the ending, which felt somewhat abrupt and left me wanting more. I hope a second book is in the works soon!
April 18, 2025
Things That Make You Go Hmmm
So, straight to the point, it’s definitely worth a read. This author actually has many books I’ve enjoyed. Honestly though, I have all the side-eye in the world for Grace. She was borderline problematic. My biggest issue with this book is the reinforcement of certain toxic behaviors in the LGBTQ + community: the selfish/curious straight woman, the doting, patient, friend-zoned dyke, it was here tenfold. Of course it was a bit more layered and nuanced but it was that painfully archaic trope at the center. It made it hard to root for them, especially during the traumatic moments. The readership is more evolved than this storyline.
So, straight to the point, it’s definitely worth a read. This author actually has many books I’ve enjoyed. Honestly though, I have all the side-eye in the world for Grace. She was borderline problematic. My biggest issue with this book is the reinforcement of certain toxic behaviors in the LGBTQ + community: the selfish/curious straight woman, the doting, patient, friend-zoned dyke, it was here tenfold. Of course it was a bit more layered and nuanced but it was that painfully archaic trope at the center. It made it hard to root for them, especially during the traumatic moments. The readership is more evolved than this storyline.
April 24, 2025
Maybe not so fake relationship…
Beautiful, emotional story! Caz and Grace are the bestest of friends close to reaching the forties. Grace wants a baby and decides that Caz is the perfect partner.
I loved the glimpses into the past. I loved their connection and chemistry. I loved their bond.
Oh! And the sweet cameo of Alex and Morgan was divine ;).
Highly recommend!
Beautiful, emotional story! Caz and Grace are the bestest of friends close to reaching the forties. Grace wants a baby and decides that Caz is the perfect partner.
I loved the glimpses into the past. I loved their connection and chemistry. I loved their bond.
Oh! And the sweet cameo of Alex and Morgan was divine ;).
Highly recommend!
June 24, 2025
Caz and Grace have been platonic friends for two decades, and had seen each other find new partners, (men for Grace and women for Caz) had helped each other through subsequent breakups, been a shoulder to cry on, and a person to spend their best and worst times with. But one day Grace wants more…
We start at the middle of their story, with their wedding. Then we have scenes from after their wedding, interspersed with earlier scenes from when they first decided to get married. I always find time-jump stories difficult, and this is no exception. But that’s my problem, not this story. Everything in their relationship happens in the wrong order, and the time-jumps mix it up even more.
Overall it’s a lovely story, some sadness, with some trigger warnings. I loved it and read straight through without stopping. Except for the trigger scenes, which are central to the story, it’s relatively low angst - a loving and romantic story.
We start at the middle of their story, with their wedding. Then we have scenes from after their wedding, interspersed with earlier scenes from when they first decided to get married. I always find time-jump stories difficult, and this is no exception. But that’s my problem, not this story. Everything in their relationship happens in the wrong order, and the time-jumps mix it up even more.
Overall it’s a lovely story, some sadness, with some trigger warnings. I loved it and read straight through without stopping. Except for the trigger scenes, which are central to the story, it’s relatively low angst - a loving and romantic story.
April 24, 2025
I enjoyed most of this book. I didn’t realize I was not a fan of Grace until the end. Grace was selfish in many ways. In my opinion, Caz did too much for Grace. I felt the story ended abruptly. They finally get together and it ends. What happens when they get back home after their first intimate encounter? Does Grace still say she’s not gay? I mean why do labels matter so much to her? What about the wanting to have a baby situation? Do they continue trying? If so, Grace needs to go to therapy. Do their friends and family find out they were fake married? Caz gave up too much of herself. Maybe there will be a part 2.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 23, 2025
✨Beta Read
Claire Highton-Stevenson has given me a fair few MCs over the last few years to fall in love with ❤️🔥...
Scarlett & Claudia, Nora & Gabriella,
Natalie & Sadie, Ren & Andrea.
BUT
I was utterly in love with these two from the moment I read the first few pages that I rushed to Claire's box to tell her how fabulous they were!
From the get go you can feel the love & warmth they have for each other..
There something very intimate between them because of their long friendship. They also know how to take the mickey out of each other and you can literally see their smirks/smiles and glares 😂.
When Grace decides she's done with dating and knows Caz is feeling the same way, she puts an idea in motion.
They're each other's person... so why not get married, have a family and live happily ever after?.
Even if Grace is straight 🤔
This book is full of humour, which Claire writes so well but it's also a love story between two best friends who have stood by each other over the last 20 years.
There is one particular subject that is heartbreaking and had me crying in the staff room at work, UGH Claire!!!
It was written and handled with such care that I'll forgive her lol.
It's a serious slow burn but you don't notice it because it needs to be!. . It'll make sense when you read it ... And you really SHOULD read it 😜
Thanks for letting me yet again read over one of your books CHS... It's always amazing and an absolute pleasure to do so 😊
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Claire Highton-Stevenson has given me a fair few MCs over the last few years to fall in love with ❤️🔥...
Scarlett & Claudia, Nora & Gabriella,
Natalie & Sadie, Ren & Andrea.
BUT
I was utterly in love with these two from the moment I read the first few pages that I rushed to Claire's box to tell her how fabulous they were!
From the get go you can feel the love & warmth they have for each other..
There something very intimate between them because of their long friendship. They also know how to take the mickey out of each other and you can literally see their smirks/smiles and glares 😂.
When Grace decides she's done with dating and knows Caz is feeling the same way, she puts an idea in motion.
They're each other's person... so why not get married, have a family and live happily ever after?.
Even if Grace is straight 🤔
This book is full of humour, which Claire writes so well but it's also a love story between two best friends who have stood by each other over the last 20 years.
There is one particular subject that is heartbreaking and had me crying in the staff room at work, UGH Claire!!!
It was written and handled with such care that I'll forgive her lol.
It's a serious slow burn but you don't notice it because it needs to be!. . It'll make sense when you read it ... And you really SHOULD read it 😜
Thanks for letting me yet again read over one of your books CHS... It's always amazing and an absolute pleasure to do so 😊
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
May 5, 2025
Aunque la trama es un poco disparatada, la autora hace que funcione, en un punto justo balancea muy bien la comedia y el drama; no obstante, creo que la última parte perdió fuelle, y me dejó todo a la deriva. Al final pues quería ver un final en verdad feliz y término muy abrupto todo, sin explicaciones, ni epílogos que dieran luz a lo que pasó después.
April 26, 2025
Love is so much more than the intimate relationship and so beautiful.
Grace and Caz have been each other's person for so long seeing the depth of their love they just did not grasp. The delicate way their relationship embraced the let's just live together was priceless. Claire Highton-Stevenson does a magnificent job of weaving the straight girl and her way friend who have made a decision to marry , then grow even more together. The ups and completely sad moments are full of dialogue that will bring tears and laughter. I also love the support both have in family and chosen family. It took a while for Grace to step into being their for Caz too and so I would love a part 2 but I always want more from Claire. This is just a great story filled with so much emotion, delicate and harsh experiences guaranteed to touch your heart.
Grace and Caz have been each other's person for so long seeing the depth of their love they just did not grasp. The delicate way their relationship embraced the let's just live together was priceless. Claire Highton-Stevenson does a magnificent job of weaving the straight girl and her way friend who have made a decision to marry , then grow even more together. The ups and completely sad moments are full of dialogue that will bring tears and laughter. I also love the support both have in family and chosen family. It took a while for Grace to step into being their for Caz too and so I would love a part 2 but I always want more from Claire. This is just a great story filled with so much emotion, delicate and harsh experiences guaranteed to touch your heart.
April 18, 2025
The premise of this book had potential, but I felt it was poorly executed. Both of the FML lacked any genuine chemistry with each other, and even as their so-called "relationship" (which felt more like a friendship) developed, there was no true sense of intimacy. It resembled two close friends making out simply because there was no one else around. The dynamic came across as overly mechanical. I'm not sure if this was due to the book’s brevity, which may have hindered the author’s ability to establish a natural progression...
April 18, 2025
So damn good
Ok, first this book is emotional as in I cried in places that I needed to pause because tears made it hard to read. This is a slow-burn book and would not consider this spicy though it does have let's say half sex scenes. With all that said, is this book good? Yes yes it is and so worth the read.
Ok, first this book is emotional as in I cried in places that I needed to pause because tears made it hard to read. This is a slow-burn book and would not consider this spicy though it does have let's say half sex scenes. With all that said, is this book good? Yes yes it is and so worth the read.
May 12, 2025
I stuck with this because Claire Highton-Stevenson is a very good writer, but I really could not get into 1. this couple, who seemed more like friends than a couple throughout, or 2. the entire premise of the story.
I get people want to marry for a multitude of reasons, and if both main characters - who are still only in their 30s, btw - decide they want to forego romantic or sexual relationships to marry each other, then that's fine. But just say that, rather than lying to every person you know and love.
Grace seemed very demanding and entitled, while Caz was basically a doormat, and their entire relationship seemed quite toxic. It would have been fine as a friendship (though still a bit problematic), but it was a dreadful representation of a romantic relationship, the evolution of which was the premise of the book.
Grace was adamant that she was not gay right until the end when she and Caz slept together. Again fine, but no exploration or consideration (apart from a passing comment on pansexuality from Caz to Dani) that Grace could be anything other than straight. The whole premise gives gay girl tries to "turn" straight girl, which is very suspect. Like if the book was about a straight man marrying his gay female bestie and it ended with her sleeping with him, it would feed into the very problematic idea that gay women can be "fixed" if they find the right guy, and the ending of this novel had very similar vibes - the idea that a woman is only straight til she meets a woman who shows her a good time in bed.
Final thoughts: The ending was abrupt, with too many unanswered questions, and there was some very upsetting scenes around miscarrying that should be forewarned to readers who could find them triggering.
I get people want to marry for a multitude of reasons, and if both main characters - who are still only in their 30s, btw - decide they want to forego romantic or sexual relationships to marry each other, then that's fine. But just say that, rather than lying to every person you know and love.
Grace seemed very demanding and entitled, while Caz was basically a doormat, and their entire relationship seemed quite toxic. It would have been fine as a friendship (though still a bit problematic), but it was a dreadful representation of a romantic relationship, the evolution of which was the premise of the book.
Grace was adamant that she was not gay right until the end when she and Caz slept together. Again fine, but no exploration or consideration (apart from a passing comment on pansexuality from Caz to Dani) that Grace could be anything other than straight. The whole premise gives gay girl tries to "turn" straight girl, which is very suspect. Like if the book was about a straight man marrying his gay female bestie and it ended with her sleeping with him, it would feed into the very problematic idea that gay women can be "fixed" if they find the right guy, and the ending of this novel had very similar vibes - the idea that a woman is only straight til she meets a woman who shows her a good time in bed.
Final thoughts: The ending was abrupt, with too many unanswered questions, and there was some very upsetting scenes around miscarrying that should be forewarned to readers who could find them triggering.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 21, 2025
Loved the book
I enjoyed the story of Gas and Grace. Best friends marry and try to start a family. It turns to real love. I can definitely see you writing additional stories for these two.
I enjoyed the story of Gas and Grace. Best friends marry and try to start a family. It turns to real love. I can definitely see you writing additional stories for these two.
May 16, 2025
in summary, this book was way too short. we aren’t given enough time to be with the characters to want to root for them or think their relationship is believable. i liked the premise, but the execution did not live up to that.
i didn’t really like grace for most of it. i know she went through some shit but she shouldn’t have treated caz like that. i also felt like she went from saying she’s straight to then suddenly being all over caz i did not feel the mental processing she would have gone through.
and also, that abrupt ending??? it felt very unfinished. lots of threads were not complete. such as, what happened with their journey to being parents? that was the whole reason the plot begun and yet it just cuts off once they have sex? even if there was an epilogue with them in the future with a child, it would have felt more complete
i didn’t really like grace for most of it. i know she went through some shit but she shouldn’t have treated caz like that. i also felt like she went from saying she’s straight to then suddenly being all over caz i did not feel the mental processing she would have gone through.
and also, that abrupt ending??? it felt very unfinished. lots of threads were not complete. such as, what happened with their journey to being parents? that was the whole reason the plot begun and yet it just cuts off once they have sex? even if there was an epilogue with them in the future with a child, it would have felt more complete
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2025
the last to know
Ty he straight best friend of gay female a closeness for years they marry as best friends but live and passion comes wit time 🌈🌹🎂
Ty he straight best friend of gay female a closeness for years they marry as best friends but live and passion comes wit time 🌈🌹🎂
June 29, 2025
ligero, perfecto para el fin de semana
May 4, 2025
4.25 stars
April 26, 2025
3.5⭐️
June 2, 2025
Good read
I liked the story in general. Marrying your best friend when you both loved the other so much was a novel idea.Pace of the book was good. I found it well written.
I liked the story in general. Marrying your best friend when you both loved the other so much was a novel idea.Pace of the book was good. I found it well written.
May 12, 2025
Not bad. Wish there was more of them because it just felt like it revolved around having a family which is cool but like it emphasized the“you’re my last option” part of the deal so I didnt love it
May 11, 2025
oh boy
The emotions you are about to go through reading this book will leave you feeling, well, everything. Not all are the good kind, though they definitely have a place in this story.
Our 2 main characters have been friends forever. With that connection comes some great banter, a deep understanding of each other and a love, that might turn into something special.
Although tough subjects are talked about in this story, they are done with care and deserve to be there.
This really is a truly wonderful book.
Thanks CHS
The emotions you are about to go through reading this book will leave you feeling, well, everything. Not all are the good kind, though they definitely have a place in this story.
Our 2 main characters have been friends forever. With that connection comes some great banter, a deep understanding of each other and a love, that might turn into something special.
Although tough subjects are talked about in this story, they are done with care and deserve to be there.
This really is a truly wonderful book.
Thanks CHS
May 13, 2025
Great story, I loved it.
When the signs are there and you are the only one who didn't see it. Wow, Grace kept up until almost the end of the book on being straight. We saw the ending coming, but the sad parts in between really got me too.
When the signs are there and you are the only one who didn't see it. Wow, Grace kept up until almost the end of the book on being straight. We saw the ending coming, but the sad parts in between really got me too.
April 28, 2025
A Love That Runs So Deep!
I love everything Claire Highton-Stevenson writes and this book is no different. It brings two best friends, one gay one straight, together. Grace and Caz. Neither finding love. Grace wants to have a baby and because these two love each other, Grace wants to have it with her including the whole package, Getting married, getting a house and having a baby. Claire takes us back and forth from when the decision was discussed and forward to the wedding a year later. A writing technique that highlights the good, the bad and the sad. It worked. There was love, support, heartbreak and so much more. Leaving a few things unsettled with hope of more to come.
I love everything Claire Highton-Stevenson writes and this book is no different. It brings two best friends, one gay one straight, together. Grace and Caz. Neither finding love. Grace wants to have a baby and because these two love each other, Grace wants to have it with her including the whole package, Getting married, getting a house and having a baby. Claire takes us back and forth from when the decision was discussed and forward to the wedding a year later. A writing technique that highlights the good, the bad and the sad. It worked. There was love, support, heartbreak and so much more. Leaving a few things unsettled with hope of more to come.
April 21, 2025
what an enjoyable book..
Claire has done it again. Created a book about friendship, leading to a marriage to true love. Yes, these best friends loved each other, hadn’t met the one and Grace convinced Caz they should marry and have a family the problem Grace was straight and no interest in Caz romantically. It was a pleasure reading this book seeing how their relationship changed and grew. Found myself crying through some of the scenes.
I think hope you enjoy this book if you decide to read. I have read all of Claire’s books and enjoyed them all. My favorite always seems to be the last one I read. 🙂
Claire has done it again. Created a book about friendship, leading to a marriage to true love. Yes, these best friends loved each other, hadn’t met the one and Grace convinced Caz they should marry and have a family the problem Grace was straight and no interest in Caz romantically. It was a pleasure reading this book seeing how their relationship changed and grew. Found myself crying through some of the scenes.
I think hope you enjoy this book if you decide to read. I have read all of Claire’s books and enjoyed them all. My favorite always seems to be the last one I read. 🙂
April 22, 2025
Love Caz and Grace
I am a total fan of all of Claire’s books and this one is amazing! The fact that Claire brought back Morgan and Alex from Euphoria makes this even better! I love the past and present perspective, learning about their love and they begin to experience these new feeling at the same time! Such wonderful story and love and support! And I gotta admit Caz standing up to her MIL to protect Grace was pretty hit! 5 🌟
I am a total fan of all of Claire’s books and this one is amazing! The fact that Claire brought back Morgan and Alex from Euphoria makes this even better! I love the past and present perspective, learning about their love and they begin to experience these new feeling at the same time! Such wonderful story and love and support! And I gotta admit Caz standing up to her MIL to protect Grace was pretty hit! 5 🌟
April 21, 2025
What a concept! Besties marry to make a family then can’t deliver! What to do? How do we cope?
Claire Highton-Stevenson just made my day by writing perhaps my favorite story this year! This is so well conceived and delivered with sensitivity and humor, baby it is just great! Puns aside, I loved the story and the journey these women walked is believable and sweet. Claire is a master storyteller.
Claire Highton-Stevenson just made my day by writing perhaps my favorite story this year! This is so well conceived and delivered with sensitivity and humor, baby it is just great! Puns aside, I loved the story and the journey these women walked is believable and sweet. Claire is a master storyteller.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews