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Last Chance #9
Last Chance Hero
Ross Gardiner has had his fill of difficult relationships. Returning to Last Chance after a rough divorce, the town's handsome new fire chief just wants safety and stability-a tall order given his dangerous job and the way he has the attention of all the single women in town. All except Sabina Grey, the girl who stole his heart when they were teenagers.
Sabina knows a lot about playing it safe. Always the good girl, she's now responsible for her antiques store and caring for her sister. But having Ross in town brings back the memory of one carefree summer night when she threw caution to the wind-and almost destroyed her family. Now that they are both older and wiser, will the spark still be there, even though they've both been burned?
Sabina knows a lot about playing it safe. Always the good girl, she's now responsible for her antiques store and caring for her sister. But having Ross in town brings back the memory of one carefree summer night when she threw caution to the wind-and almost destroyed her family. Now that they are both older and wiser, will the spark still be there, even though they've both been burned?
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 30, 2015
47 people are currently reading
922 people want to read
About the author
Hope Ramsay
36 books559 followersHope Ramsay is a USA Today bestselling author of heartwarming contemporary romances, set below the Mason-Dixon Line. Her children are grown, but she has a beloved fur baby, Daisy the Cockapoo who keeps her entertained. Hope lives in the medium-sized town of Fredericksburg, Virginia and when she’s not writing or walking the dog, she spends her time knitting and noodling around on her collection of guitars.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
August 11, 2015
So sad that this is the last book in the Last Chance series. I have so loved being a part of this small and quaint community. We have had some fun times. I would like to thank Hope Ramsey for allowing me to be part of the community with her wonderful stories. I especially love how everyone in town always misinterprets Miriam Randall's matchmaking predictions.It is always fun to watch the town try to figure it out.
Ross newly divorced returns to Last Chance as the new fire chief. I love his dog Sparky. Ross has always been in love with Sabrina but she will never give him the time of day. Sabrina always puts her sister's Lucy needs before her own because she feels guilty about the fire.
Will Miriam's prediction come true again? Read the book to find out. I am going to miss the town of Last Chance and all of it's residents I have grown to love.
Ross newly divorced returns to Last Chance as the new fire chief. I love his dog Sparky. Ross has always been in love with Sabrina but she will never give him the time of day. Sabrina always puts her sister's Lucy needs before her own because she feels guilty about the fire.
Will Miriam's prediction come true again? Read the book to find out. I am going to miss the town of Last Chance and all of it's residents I have grown to love.
July 15, 2015
I love the Last Chance series. Every time I read one of the Last Chance books, it's like coming back to my old family and friends. I love how The characters don't just disappear once the book has ended. Hope Ramsay keeps bringing them back, even if only for one chapter in each and every book. LAST CHANCE HERO is a very entertaining read. Hope Ramsay does a great job at writing romance. I have read this entire series, which is a light romantic series. Each novel can stand alone but it is better to have read the earlier stories. Give it a try, you wont be sorry. I'm sure in no time, you will be caught up in the characters lives and flipping the pages madly until you finish. I wish Last Chance was a real town somewhere near me. I would love to get to know all of these people. I love the kooky residents of Last Chance and in LAST CHANCE HERO we catch up with some favorites and meet some new ones too.
Note: I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Note: I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 21, 2016
I enjoy this cozy-style romance series and look forward to each new installment that carries me away to a southern small town, Last Chance and its quirky, but lovable characters. This was an interesting installment in the series because it had a strong suspense element and because it divided the romance in two as it followed the life and love of two sisters.
As I said, this is part of a series. I feel this series is one that can be read out of order or as standalones for the most part. Yes, there are mentions of past situations and the inclusion of past characters, but it isn't enough to confuse the reader or affect the current story line. I can attest to this since I started around book five and had no trouble. Some day I will go back and get the earlier books.
So, this story starts with town matchmaker, Miriam Randall, entering Sabina Grey's store and giving her a cryptic message about her love life. Sabina's mother overhears some of it and races off to make big plans and scatter the news.
Sabina is disconcerted about the advice from Miriam- get her sister's love life settled first and then it will be her turn. Ever since the fire back when they were kids, Sabina has felt guilty and responsible for her younger sister, Lucy. Lucy has a long-time boyfriend and Sabina is happy for her if not slightly jealous and frustrated because Ross is a fantastic guy and Lucy doesn't seem to appreciate him enough. Sabina now has her own chance with a guy she treated poorly back in high school if only she can keep from comparing him to Ross and not sneaking kisses and dances with Ross.
Ross is fire chief of Last Chance and he loves his work. He is returned to Last Chance after growing up and going away to college, getting married and divorced to a woman who strung him along before finally leaving. Now, he's with Lucy. She has control issues and keeps a list of things that have to happen before they can be married, but all in all, he's okay with that since he's in no rush himself. If once in a while his mind strays to Lucy's older sister who shot him down three times before pushing him at Lucy and if he gets carried away and gets Sabina out on the dance floor and exchanges a kiss with her that rocks his world, well then.
But what he doesn't need now is Lucy's mother up in his grill about rushing the marriage because some old lady said that Lucy is standing in the way of Sabina's happiness because suddenly the town has an arsonist and the Feds have rushed in putting even Ross on their suspect list even as the county is cutting budgets and his job is in jeopardy, too.
Lucy begins to panic as her well-laid plans and her need to control everything go up in smoke with Miriam Randall's prediction and an arsonist on the loose. Rumors fly that something is going on between Ross and Sabina which she doesn't believe and then Ross is thought to be the arsonist which she doesn't believe, does she? Ross is deviating from the plan by getting a dog without her permission and looking at houses when that was a year off on her list's timeline not now. And what is she to do with that attraction she feels for the flirty ATF guy investigating the fires who she secretly has the hots for and exchanged a kiss with and has her firmly in his sights as suspect or something else?
Alright, so this one felt a bit like I was dropped into Shakespeare's crazy Midsummer Night's Dream or something. Miriam makes a pronouncement and then the mayhem ensues. This one got a bit crazy and I figured out quickly that I couldn't take it too seriously or I'd get frustrated fast with this group of oblivious and confused people that are all with the wrong person and feel stuck in the situation they are in. Thank goodness for fires, danger, and happenstance to rattle them out of their idiocy. LOL.
But seriously, I did have a like/dislike thing in equal amounts going with this book. I'm honestly surprised that I finished it. One of the heroines never did earn even mild liking, the characters and their issues were problematic because I found them all somewhat wishy-washy. And the romances that involved all of them cheating- albeit mildly, kisses only- were off-putting as a result.
So why did I finish? While the current cast of characters and their romances were issues, the overall story was not. The setting has long been a favorite. The humor I feel toward the nutso quirkiness of this town and its characters was still there. And even though I wasn't a hundred percent into the main group and their tangled relationships, it wasn't loathing and I did want to see them untangle it and get sorted out. I also wanted to see those who were manipulating things get their comeuppance.
Though this one won't be a favorite in the series, I still enjoyed my visit to Last Chance and look forward to what comes next. I would recommend this series to those who enjoy gently-paced touched with humor and a bit of romp small town contemporary romances.
My thanks to Forever-Grand Central Publishing for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
As I said, this is part of a series. I feel this series is one that can be read out of order or as standalones for the most part. Yes, there are mentions of past situations and the inclusion of past characters, but it isn't enough to confuse the reader or affect the current story line. I can attest to this since I started around book five and had no trouble. Some day I will go back and get the earlier books.
So, this story starts with town matchmaker, Miriam Randall, entering Sabina Grey's store and giving her a cryptic message about her love life. Sabina's mother overhears some of it and races off to make big plans and scatter the news.
Sabina is disconcerted about the advice from Miriam- get her sister's love life settled first and then it will be her turn. Ever since the fire back when they were kids, Sabina has felt guilty and responsible for her younger sister, Lucy. Lucy has a long-time boyfriend and Sabina is happy for her if not slightly jealous and frustrated because Ross is a fantastic guy and Lucy doesn't seem to appreciate him enough. Sabina now has her own chance with a guy she treated poorly back in high school if only she can keep from comparing him to Ross and not sneaking kisses and dances with Ross.
Ross is fire chief of Last Chance and he loves his work. He is returned to Last Chance after growing up and going away to college, getting married and divorced to a woman who strung him along before finally leaving. Now, he's with Lucy. She has control issues and keeps a list of things that have to happen before they can be married, but all in all, he's okay with that since he's in no rush himself. If once in a while his mind strays to Lucy's older sister who shot him down three times before pushing him at Lucy and if he gets carried away and gets Sabina out on the dance floor and exchanges a kiss with her that rocks his world, well then.
But what he doesn't need now is Lucy's mother up in his grill about rushing the marriage because some old lady said that Lucy is standing in the way of Sabina's happiness because suddenly the town has an arsonist and the Feds have rushed in putting even Ross on their suspect list even as the county is cutting budgets and his job is in jeopardy, too.
Lucy begins to panic as her well-laid plans and her need to control everything go up in smoke with Miriam Randall's prediction and an arsonist on the loose. Rumors fly that something is going on between Ross and Sabina which she doesn't believe and then Ross is thought to be the arsonist which she doesn't believe, does she? Ross is deviating from the plan by getting a dog without her permission and looking at houses when that was a year off on her list's timeline not now. And what is she to do with that attraction she feels for the flirty ATF guy investigating the fires who she secretly has the hots for and exchanged a kiss with and has her firmly in his sights as suspect or something else?
Alright, so this one felt a bit like I was dropped into Shakespeare's crazy Midsummer Night's Dream or something. Miriam makes a pronouncement and then the mayhem ensues. This one got a bit crazy and I figured out quickly that I couldn't take it too seriously or I'd get frustrated fast with this group of oblivious and confused people that are all with the wrong person and feel stuck in the situation they are in. Thank goodness for fires, danger, and happenstance to rattle them out of their idiocy. LOL.
But seriously, I did have a like/dislike thing in equal amounts going with this book. I'm honestly surprised that I finished it. One of the heroines never did earn even mild liking, the characters and their issues were problematic because I found them all somewhat wishy-washy. And the romances that involved all of them cheating- albeit mildly, kisses only- were off-putting as a result.
So why did I finish? While the current cast of characters and their romances were issues, the overall story was not. The setting has long been a favorite. The humor I feel toward the nutso quirkiness of this town and its characters was still there. And even though I wasn't a hundred percent into the main group and their tangled relationships, it wasn't loathing and I did want to see them untangle it and get sorted out. I also wanted to see those who were manipulating things get their comeuppance.
Though this one won't be a favorite in the series, I still enjoyed my visit to Last Chance and look forward to what comes next. I would recommend this series to those who enjoy gently-paced touched with humor and a bit of romp small town contemporary romances.
My thanks to Forever-Grand Central Publishing for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 27, 2015
Timing is everything…
Ross Gardiner is back in town after his divorce and making great strides in rebuilding his future.
Sabina Grey has spent most of her adult life trying to overcome a family tragedy that still governs every decision she makes.
With so many obstacles in their path, any type of relationship between the two seems completely impossible. And impossible really seems to be the order of the day.
The old adage “two steps forward, one step back” is really “one step forward, three steps back” in this second-chance romance that is steeped in over-the-top drama. The story is well-written with characters that have distinct and likable personalities. But, in saying that, the storyline seems to be a relentless string of obstacles and misunderstandings that becomes overwhelming after a while. With a number of sub-plots vying for attention, I was afraid to turn the page because I knew there was going to be something; something new, unwanted and/or unpleasant that would put another spanner in the works for Ross and Sabina.
With a non-cliffy ending, there were no loose ends and the storyline was tied up most satisfactorily. ~ Diane, 3.5 stars
~~~
This is one of those reviews where I had to delete the first couple of tries. I don't want to just jump in with negativity. This book deserves more than that at least. It had solid writing, and a good plot line.
I loved the idea of the sister being secretly in love with the other sister's boyfriend, and the idea of small town meddling and gossip pushing people together who just aren't meant to be. I have a weakness for sexy firemen, and I love when things come together for a happily ever after. The twist at the end was pretty great. I saw it coming, but still, I liked the way it was written, and I loved who the hero actually was at the end. There were just a few things that just made me not love this book.
For one, there was not as much character depth as I wanted there to be. I heard inside their heads, knew what they were thinking, and still they felt very shallow. The small town gossips and meddlers were mentioned by name, and then thrown in when needed for a quick plot device, but they weren't characters all on their own. I felt almost intruded on when they stepped into the story, as if they didn't really belong there. I wish they could have been stronger characters.
This book was not at all bad, I enjoyed reading it well enough. It just wasn't great either, and that was disappointing because it wouldn't have taken much to push it over that line. ~ George, 3 stars
Ross Gardiner is back in town after his divorce and making great strides in rebuilding his future.
Sabina Grey has spent most of her adult life trying to overcome a family tragedy that still governs every decision she makes.
With so many obstacles in their path, any type of relationship between the two seems completely impossible. And impossible really seems to be the order of the day.
The old adage “two steps forward, one step back” is really “one step forward, three steps back” in this second-chance romance that is steeped in over-the-top drama. The story is well-written with characters that have distinct and likable personalities. But, in saying that, the storyline seems to be a relentless string of obstacles and misunderstandings that becomes overwhelming after a while. With a number of sub-plots vying for attention, I was afraid to turn the page because I knew there was going to be something; something new, unwanted and/or unpleasant that would put another spanner in the works for Ross and Sabina.
With a non-cliffy ending, there were no loose ends and the storyline was tied up most satisfactorily. ~ Diane, 3.5 stars
~~~
This is one of those reviews where I had to delete the first couple of tries. I don't want to just jump in with negativity. This book deserves more than that at least. It had solid writing, and a good plot line.
I loved the idea of the sister being secretly in love with the other sister's boyfriend, and the idea of small town meddling and gossip pushing people together who just aren't meant to be. I have a weakness for sexy firemen, and I love when things come together for a happily ever after. The twist at the end was pretty great. I saw it coming, but still, I liked the way it was written, and I loved who the hero actually was at the end. There were just a few things that just made me not love this book.
For one, there was not as much character depth as I wanted there to be. I heard inside their heads, knew what they were thinking, and still they felt very shallow. The small town gossips and meddlers were mentioned by name, and then thrown in when needed for a quick plot device, but they weren't characters all on their own. I felt almost intruded on when they stepped into the story, as if they didn't really belong there. I wish they could have been stronger characters.
This book was not at all bad, I enjoyed reading it well enough. It just wasn't great either, and that was disappointing because it wouldn't have taken much to push it over that line. ~ George, 3 stars
June 26, 2015
I'm always looking for a fun, fluffy series to be my sorbet in between books and this one had promise.
Right off the bat, I was mildly irritated. Three POVs in one chapter and there wasn't and sort of indication that it was switching. Perhaps that's due to the formatting in the e-arc, but I struggled with that. The voices of the 3 MCs weren't different enough to differentiate between them right away.
Sabina, Lucy and Ross are meh as characters. They're all a bit whiny and for some reason, letting this group of old women tell them who is getting married to who and when. It all starts when one 85 year old stumbles into the store and spouts off some soothsayer type knowledge. Then BAM! You're getting married! And you're getting married! And you're going to date! It was ridiculous.
I made it about 60% of the way through before I gave up and skipped to the end. I read the last 3 chapters and while it was interesting, the twist was pretty obvious and I didn't care to get more details.
I can definitely see how people will love it and by the other reviews for his book, I'm in the minority. Ultimately, it just wasn't for me.
**Huge thanks to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for providing the arc in exchange for an honest review**
Right off the bat, I was mildly irritated. Three POVs in one chapter and there wasn't and sort of indication that it was switching. Perhaps that's due to the formatting in the e-arc, but I struggled with that. The voices of the 3 MCs weren't different enough to differentiate between them right away.
Sabina, Lucy and Ross are meh as characters. They're all a bit whiny and for some reason, letting this group of old women tell them who is getting married to who and when. It all starts when one 85 year old stumbles into the store and spouts off some soothsayer type knowledge. Then BAM! You're getting married! And you're getting married! And you're going to date! It was ridiculous.
I made it about 60% of the way through before I gave up and skipped to the end. I read the last 3 chapters and while it was interesting, the twist was pretty obvious and I didn't care to get more details.
I can definitely see how people will love it and by the other reviews for his book, I'm in the minority. Ultimately, it just wasn't for me.
**Huge thanks to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for providing the arc in exchange for an honest review**
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June 26, 2015My EYES!!! IT BURNS!!!! It starts with a P, ends with a Y, and has a USS in the middle. Yep. Ross is one of those, Lucy and Sabina’s mom is an overbearing bulldozer, the Church Ladies of Last Chance are determined that because the local whacko, Miriam Randal has said that Sabina can’t “find her man” until after Lucy is settled, Lucy and Ross have to get married RIGHT. NOW. Lucy is a spoiled rotten brat with an attitude and an obsessive need to control everyone and everything – especially the man she supposedly loves – and he lets her (see first sentence). Oy. I really. Really. Don’t like these people!!!
Well, except for Sabina. I like Sabina well enough in a way, but darn it, she lets everyone run rough shod over her while she wallows in guilt about something that happened when Lucy was thirteen – and it wasn’t even Sabina’s fault. Oy.
There is a secondary story here, about a possible eco terrorist group but, sadly, I only made it 35% of the way through the book before I rolled my eyes so hard I pulled a muscle and had to go lay down. Well, not really, but I couldn’t bear to read another word without bouncing my reader off the wall. And seeing as how my reader is brand new, that wasn’t going to happen. The characters are in their mid-thirties and still living in high school!
I hate to stamp a DNF on a book, but this one did me in. Immature doesn’t begin to describe it. Oh Well. At least the cover is pretty.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review. Honestly, I absolutely hated what I read of it.
Well, except for Sabina. I like Sabina well enough in a way, but darn it, she lets everyone run rough shod over her while she wallows in guilt about something that happened when Lucy was thirteen – and it wasn’t even Sabina’s fault. Oy.
There is a secondary story here, about a possible eco terrorist group but, sadly, I only made it 35% of the way through the book before I rolled my eyes so hard I pulled a muscle and had to go lay down. Well, not really, but I couldn’t bear to read another word without bouncing my reader off the wall. And seeing as how my reader is brand new, that wasn’t going to happen. The characters are in their mid-thirties and still living in high school!
I hate to stamp a DNF on a book, but this one did me in. Immature doesn’t begin to describe it. Oh Well. At least the cover is pretty.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review. Honestly, I absolutely hated what I read of it.
May 18, 2015
This fun, light-hearted romance novel was a quick read. There were parts that seemed to drag, times I wanted to strangle a character or two, but enough intrigue to keep me interested. Overall it's one for the beach.
I won this the through Good Reads giveaway. Thank you!
I won this the through Good Reads giveaway. Thank you!
March 21, 2016
Ross returned to last chance after his divorce and began a new life as the town fire chief. He was drawn to his high school crush, Sabina, but she seemed uninterested in him, so he moved on. Instead, he started going out with her younger sister Lucy, who was much different than his ex-wife. Ross is wary of committing again, so his slow moving relationship with Lucy is fine with him.
Lucy has some serious control issues, dating from a fire in which she was badly scarred. She's enjoying her relationship with Ross, but she has a long checklist of requirements that must be met before they can get married. All of that goes out the window when local matchmaker Miriam Randall shows up at the store that she and her sister Sabina own.
Sabina is alone at the store when Miriam arrives and tells her that before she finds the love that is meant for her she has to get her sister settled. Her mother overhears this, and goes into matchmaking overdrive, facing down Ross and Lucy and telling them it's time to get moving so that Sabina can finally move on. Neither is up to withstanding Hurricane Henrietta, and soon find themselves looking at a rapidly approaching wedding.
Sabina has made it her mission in life to take care of Lucy ever since the fire that injured her so badly. Sabina feels guilty about what happened to Lucy, since she had been told to watch her sister that night while their parents were out. Instead, she left her thirteen year old sister home alone and snuck out to meet friends. Since that time, she has put her own life on hold to watch over her sister. She doesn't want Lucy and Ross guilted into rushing into marriage. She also has the deep, dark secret of the crush she had on Ross when they were in school, a crush that is still there.
I don't normally care for love triangle stories, but this was much more than that. Ross is the last chance fire chief who is dealing with an arson fire that appears to be eco-terrorism. This has brought the ATF and the FBI to town, creating even more complications in his life. Also returning to town is a man Sabina knew as an eighth grader, one who she treated badly. He has made good and come back to help his uncle, the developer who was the target of the arson. He shows a great deal of interest in Sabina, and pursues her. She initially accepts his advances as an apology for her treatment of him, and as a way to get past her feelings for Ross.
The wedding plans aren't going smoothly, as Lucy reacts badly to the loss of control of her decisions. Ross is doing his best, but coming up short in her opinion. In her efforts to help Ross and Lucy get married, Sabina finds herself in close quarters with Ross on several occasions. Their deeply buried feelings start to come closer to the surface and they end up in several awkward situations.
It's very obvious that Ross belongs with Sabina, not Lucy, but he is too honorable to break things off with Lucy. Meanwhile, Lucy discovers that it is much easier to spend time with one of the ATF agents than with Ross. Misunderstandings and interference from various well-meaning townspeople nearly bring a disastrous wedding day, before that confusion is straightened out.
There is also the ongoing mystery of the arson. The first fire is followed by a second one, one that injures Ross. Small town politics and ambitious federal agents put both Ross and Lucy in the crosshairs of the investigation. I loved seeing the support they both got from the people who know and care for them. The arson investigation ended up being more convoluted than anyone expected. The final confrontation was really intense, with a bad guy I suspected all along, though there was an unexpected revelation during that confrontation.
For the most part I liked Ross and Sabina. I did want to shake her a few times and tell her that she was going way overboard on the guilt about her sister. I loved seeing how perfect she was for Ross, and how much they had in common. She was wonderful with Ross's dog, and their work together on the house he bought was great. She fought her feelings for him because of his relationship with her sister, even though at heart she knew they weren't right for each other. Ross was a really sweet Southern guy. He'd been burned once before, so he's been fine with taking his relationship with Lucy slow. He treats her well, and has gone along with all her demands for their relationship, to the point you had to wonder if he had a backbone around her. I was glad to see it show up when he was given the dog and he stood up to her demands to get rid of it. Sparky was adorable and ended up saving ross's life. His slow realization that he was engaged to the wrong sister was hard for him to face. I loved those moments when their true feelings got the best of them. Uncomplicating their relationship at the end was interesting, and I loved seeing it happen.
For most of the book I really didn't like Lucy. I thought she was a spoiled brat who took advantage of her parents and Sabina. Her premarriage requirements should have been a clue to both her and ross that their relationship wasn't meant to be. I did like her interactions with the federal agent, some of which were pretty amusing. She did finally redeem herself at the end.
Lucy has some serious control issues, dating from a fire in which she was badly scarred. She's enjoying her relationship with Ross, but she has a long checklist of requirements that must be met before they can get married. All of that goes out the window when local matchmaker Miriam Randall shows up at the store that she and her sister Sabina own.
Sabina is alone at the store when Miriam arrives and tells her that before she finds the love that is meant for her she has to get her sister settled. Her mother overhears this, and goes into matchmaking overdrive, facing down Ross and Lucy and telling them it's time to get moving so that Sabina can finally move on. Neither is up to withstanding Hurricane Henrietta, and soon find themselves looking at a rapidly approaching wedding.
Sabina has made it her mission in life to take care of Lucy ever since the fire that injured her so badly. Sabina feels guilty about what happened to Lucy, since she had been told to watch her sister that night while their parents were out. Instead, she left her thirteen year old sister home alone and snuck out to meet friends. Since that time, she has put her own life on hold to watch over her sister. She doesn't want Lucy and Ross guilted into rushing into marriage. She also has the deep, dark secret of the crush she had on Ross when they were in school, a crush that is still there.
I don't normally care for love triangle stories, but this was much more than that. Ross is the last chance fire chief who is dealing with an arson fire that appears to be eco-terrorism. This has brought the ATF and the FBI to town, creating even more complications in his life. Also returning to town is a man Sabina knew as an eighth grader, one who she treated badly. He has made good and come back to help his uncle, the developer who was the target of the arson. He shows a great deal of interest in Sabina, and pursues her. She initially accepts his advances as an apology for her treatment of him, and as a way to get past her feelings for Ross.
The wedding plans aren't going smoothly, as Lucy reacts badly to the loss of control of her decisions. Ross is doing his best, but coming up short in her opinion. In her efforts to help Ross and Lucy get married, Sabina finds herself in close quarters with Ross on several occasions. Their deeply buried feelings start to come closer to the surface and they end up in several awkward situations.
It's very obvious that Ross belongs with Sabina, not Lucy, but he is too honorable to break things off with Lucy. Meanwhile, Lucy discovers that it is much easier to spend time with one of the ATF agents than with Ross. Misunderstandings and interference from various well-meaning townspeople nearly bring a disastrous wedding day, before that confusion is straightened out.
There is also the ongoing mystery of the arson. The first fire is followed by a second one, one that injures Ross. Small town politics and ambitious federal agents put both Ross and Lucy in the crosshairs of the investigation. I loved seeing the support they both got from the people who know and care for them. The arson investigation ended up being more convoluted than anyone expected. The final confrontation was really intense, with a bad guy I suspected all along, though there was an unexpected revelation during that confrontation.
For the most part I liked Ross and Sabina. I did want to shake her a few times and tell her that she was going way overboard on the guilt about her sister. I loved seeing how perfect she was for Ross, and how much they had in common. She was wonderful with Ross's dog, and their work together on the house he bought was great. She fought her feelings for him because of his relationship with her sister, even though at heart she knew they weren't right for each other. Ross was a really sweet Southern guy. He'd been burned once before, so he's been fine with taking his relationship with Lucy slow. He treats her well, and has gone along with all her demands for their relationship, to the point you had to wonder if he had a backbone around her. I was glad to see it show up when he was given the dog and he stood up to her demands to get rid of it. Sparky was adorable and ended up saving ross's life. His slow realization that he was engaged to the wrong sister was hard for him to face. I loved those moments when their true feelings got the best of them. Uncomplicating their relationship at the end was interesting, and I loved seeing it happen.
For most of the book I really didn't like Lucy. I thought she was a spoiled brat who took advantage of her parents and Sabina. Her premarriage requirements should have been a clue to both her and ross that their relationship wasn't meant to be. I did like her interactions with the federal agent, some of which were pretty amusing. She did finally redeem herself at the end.
December 13, 2022
Very predictable, but ultimately satisfying, and just what I needed at this point in my life.
July 1, 2015
I have to start with two things – #1 this blurb doesn’t really do this book justice at all and #2 I have no idea why I haven’t been reading this series because this book was fantastic! I’ll skip over the second part because I think it kinda speaks for itself, what with my track record of starting series in the middle, so instead I’ll talk about the first.
It sounds like a newly divorced man, who got a little shook by his first marriage, is back in his hometown and fending off all the women except the one that he wants, who wants him too but is a little scared to take the chance. Which could be a sweet story, right? Yeah, that’s not this story. Now don’t get me wrong it is sweet, oh-so-wonderfully sweet, but so not what it is described to be.
Sabina is having a little trouble living her own life because she’s too busy mothering her little sister (out of guilt for a past event) … a sister who is actually dating Ross. It kinda reminds me of Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin, except I don’t know that Sabina pushes the two together because she doesn’t think Ross would truly be interested in her. There’s actually a whole lot more going on, all stemming out of that guilt I mentioned earlier. That and the fact that she seems to be a bit of a people pleaser and has a terrible time being even a little selfish and saying no to others. Ross has actually been interested in Sabina for years and when he first comes back to town he asks her out a few times but after being told she’s busy – and then being introduced to her sister – he takes the hint that she doesn’t like him the same way. And dates the sister instead.
Things get dicey for them all when the little town’s matchmaking soothsayer visits Sabina and tells her that she needs to get her sister wedded before her own soulmate will make an appearance. Well, since said sister is dating Ross, things take off from there as everyone in town tries to get Ross and Lucy down the aisle as quickly as possible so that Sabina’s love will appear. (Yes, they have a little old lady who gives words of wisdom concerning matters of the heart and the townspeople listen. It totally makes sense when you read the book :) ) Too bad Lucy & Ross aren’t all that sure they want to get married and Ross & Sabina might have more feelings for each other than they will admit to.
I think that this little triangle could totally be something unappealing but Ramsay handles it with style and grace. You can easily see how they all get to where they are and how things just become more and more tangled. You like all of them and thankfully know that it will work out right in the end (it’s a romance, so of course it does) but you just hope that it doesn’t cause too much heartache before they get there. Which I’m pleased to say Ramsay isn’t too heavy-handed there. Instead she uses a fantastic suspense element around a suspicious fire to keep things hopping. It’s a fun touch to add the little bit of danger and intrigue to what could have been an overly dramatic love story. Instead we get a fantastically heart-warming read, highlighting a myriad of complex emotions and interpersonal dynamics.
(Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review)
It sounds like a newly divorced man, who got a little shook by his first marriage, is back in his hometown and fending off all the women except the one that he wants, who wants him too but is a little scared to take the chance. Which could be a sweet story, right? Yeah, that’s not this story. Now don’t get me wrong it is sweet, oh-so-wonderfully sweet, but so not what it is described to be.
Sabina is having a little trouble living her own life because she’s too busy mothering her little sister (out of guilt for a past event) … a sister who is actually dating Ross. It kinda reminds me of Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin, except I don’t know that Sabina pushes the two together because she doesn’t think Ross would truly be interested in her. There’s actually a whole lot more going on, all stemming out of that guilt I mentioned earlier. That and the fact that she seems to be a bit of a people pleaser and has a terrible time being even a little selfish and saying no to others. Ross has actually been interested in Sabina for years and when he first comes back to town he asks her out a few times but after being told she’s busy – and then being introduced to her sister – he takes the hint that she doesn’t like him the same way. And dates the sister instead.
Things get dicey for them all when the little town’s matchmaking soothsayer visits Sabina and tells her that she needs to get her sister wedded before her own soulmate will make an appearance. Well, since said sister is dating Ross, things take off from there as everyone in town tries to get Ross and Lucy down the aisle as quickly as possible so that Sabina’s love will appear. (Yes, they have a little old lady who gives words of wisdom concerning matters of the heart and the townspeople listen. It totally makes sense when you read the book :) ) Too bad Lucy & Ross aren’t all that sure they want to get married and Ross & Sabina might have more feelings for each other than they will admit to.
I think that this little triangle could totally be something unappealing but Ramsay handles it with style and grace. You can easily see how they all get to where they are and how things just become more and more tangled. You like all of them and thankfully know that it will work out right in the end (it’s a romance, so of course it does) but you just hope that it doesn’t cause too much heartache before they get there. Which I’m pleased to say Ramsay isn’t too heavy-handed there. Instead she uses a fantastic suspense element around a suspicious fire to keep things hopping. It’s a fun touch to add the little bit of danger and intrigue to what could have been an overly dramatic love story. Instead we get a fantastically heart-warming read, highlighting a myriad of complex emotions and interpersonal dynamics.
(Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review)
July 10, 2015
Sabina Grey has spent most of her adult life trying to atone for a mistake she made as a teenager. Not a day goes by that she does not feel guilty for that mistake. She has devoted her life to taking care of her sister and doing whatever she can to be sure her sister is happy. So when a matchmaker visits her and tells her she needs to help her sister get married and settled in her life before Sabina can find her soulmate, she is not sure what to do about the situation. She is not sure if her sister’s boyfriend is the right one for her, he might actually be the soulmate of someone else.
Ross Gardiner is used to helping others. He is the fire chief in Last Chance and is used to putting his life on the line for others, he does it every time he is called out for a fire. He is dating Sabina’s sister, Lucy. The problem is that ever since he was a teenager he has had a crush on Sabina. He knows that Sabina is not interested in him, except as a friend. He cares about Lucy and really likes her but he’s not sure how in love he is with her. After there are fires in the town that appear to be deliberate, he has his hands full trying to find the arsonist. When the clues begin pointing to someone close to him, his world is turned upside down.
The characters are well developed and three dimensional. They are all flawed: Lucy is a spoiled brat, Ross needs to grow a backbone and Sabina needs to stop being a martyr. With these character flaws it could have been very aggravating but instead they were combined to make a humorous great read. I really enjoyed the character aspect of this book. With a series of misunderstandings and twists and turns, I was completely drawn in, from the first page until the last.
The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The author is very talented in creating atmospheres and settings that are places you would like to visit. Last Chance is the epitome of small town settings, where everyone is in everybody’s business. Small town gossip runs amuck and everyone is ready to judge the behavior of others. I really enjoyed this aspect of the story. The mystery is very well plotted and there are enough twists and turns to keep the reader guessing throughout the book.
I would recommend this book who enjoys a humorous whimsical love story. This is the second book I have read in this series and I thought they were both fantastic. There are nine books in the series so I have a lot more chances to visit Last Chance and all the people who live there.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. I would like to thank NetGalley and Forever Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this delightful book.
Ross Gardiner is used to helping others. He is the fire chief in Last Chance and is used to putting his life on the line for others, he does it every time he is called out for a fire. He is dating Sabina’s sister, Lucy. The problem is that ever since he was a teenager he has had a crush on Sabina. He knows that Sabina is not interested in him, except as a friend. He cares about Lucy and really likes her but he’s not sure how in love he is with her. After there are fires in the town that appear to be deliberate, he has his hands full trying to find the arsonist. When the clues begin pointing to someone close to him, his world is turned upside down.
The characters are well developed and three dimensional. They are all flawed: Lucy is a spoiled brat, Ross needs to grow a backbone and Sabina needs to stop being a martyr. With these character flaws it could have been very aggravating but instead they were combined to make a humorous great read. I really enjoyed the character aspect of this book. With a series of misunderstandings and twists and turns, I was completely drawn in, from the first page until the last.
The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The author is very talented in creating atmospheres and settings that are places you would like to visit. Last Chance is the epitome of small town settings, where everyone is in everybody’s business. Small town gossip runs amuck and everyone is ready to judge the behavior of others. I really enjoyed this aspect of the story. The mystery is very well plotted and there are enough twists and turns to keep the reader guessing throughout the book.
I would recommend this book who enjoys a humorous whimsical love story. This is the second book I have read in this series and I thought they were both fantastic. There are nine books in the series so I have a lot more chances to visit Last Chance and all the people who live there.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. I would like to thank NetGalley and Forever Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this delightful book.
December 31, 2015
First reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf
How long does one have to atone for a mistake? Sabrina had been the beautiful, popular high school girl who lived a charmed life – until the night that she selfishly went out and left her baby sister alone. She was supposed to be babysitting, but the lark of skinny-dipping with her friends was too much to pass by. That was the night of the fire. The night that changed a slightly spoiled girl and scarred another in ways that went far beyond physical.
Ross and Lucy had slipped into comfortable. Yeah, they had dated for over a year now but that didn’t mean that he was ready to dive back into the marriage thing. Nope, he was content, Lucy had her plans and life was good as it was – until the town’s old soothsayer slash ancient matchmaker made her pronouncement and the whole town got wind of it. Now he was heading for a wedding he wasn’t sure he wanted, wishing it was the sister and not Lucy he’d be waiting for at the alter.
Then the fires started. Then suspicions lead to the woman he’d promised to marry – then all hell broke loose.
Last Chance Hero is such a fun story. Set in the South, with all the flavor, traditions and sassiness that only a small town can produce, this is a story that will catch your attention and your heart so fast your head will spin. A fun romance with a few twists and a mystery to solve. This is the first Last Chance novel that I’ve read but it certainly will not be the last. Now I have to go find the beginning and get caught up on Southern charm.
If you love a fast paced, light hearted romance with characters that make you chuckle then Last Chance Hero is perfect for you. Pick it up and indulge yourself.
*I received an e-ARC of Last Chance Hero from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*
How long does one have to atone for a mistake? Sabrina had been the beautiful, popular high school girl who lived a charmed life – until the night that she selfishly went out and left her baby sister alone. She was supposed to be babysitting, but the lark of skinny-dipping with her friends was too much to pass by. That was the night of the fire. The night that changed a slightly spoiled girl and scarred another in ways that went far beyond physical.
Ross and Lucy had slipped into comfortable. Yeah, they had dated for over a year now but that didn’t mean that he was ready to dive back into the marriage thing. Nope, he was content, Lucy had her plans and life was good as it was – until the town’s old soothsayer slash ancient matchmaker made her pronouncement and the whole town got wind of it. Now he was heading for a wedding he wasn’t sure he wanted, wishing it was the sister and not Lucy he’d be waiting for at the alter.
Then the fires started. Then suspicions lead to the woman he’d promised to marry – then all hell broke loose.
Last Chance Hero is such a fun story. Set in the South, with all the flavor, traditions and sassiness that only a small town can produce, this is a story that will catch your attention and your heart so fast your head will spin. A fun romance with a few twists and a mystery to solve. This is the first Last Chance novel that I’ve read but it certainly will not be the last. Now I have to go find the beginning and get caught up on Southern charm.
If you love a fast paced, light hearted romance with characters that make you chuckle then Last Chance Hero is perfect for you. Pick it up and indulge yourself.
*I received an e-ARC of Last Chance Hero from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*
July 18, 2015
Ross Gardiner, has come back to Last Chance and is the fire chief. He also is divorced and is looking for a new start. He was hoping it would have been with Sabina, but because of a fire that caused her sister to be hurt her senior year she now feels she cannot move on until her sister has found her own happiness. Saving up for a trip for when that happens another old classmate shows up in town and because Sabina, feels she did not treat him right when they were in school she agrees to go out on a date with him. Though Ross is engaged to her sister he is jealous because he always liked Sabina, but it never worked out for them to go out together when they were in school. Now at the same time someone is starting fires and they call in the ATF, this adds another character to the mix and along with the normal crowd if you have read any of the books this is the standard fair. You also have the ladies from both churches in town, the one women who everyone listens to when she gives a premonition about being with the person you are meant to be with. This time she is a little confused about which sister and this adds to the story. This is a little different than the other books in that the mystery this time is actually who is starting all of the fires and when you find that out it also helps close out what happened the night of her senior year when she left her sister at home by herself. All of this added to the story and actually made this a very good book and one of the better ones in the series. This is a very good read and you don’t need to read any of the other books to be up to speed with this story. I got this book from net galley.
July 4, 2015
4 STARS
I liked Last Chance Hero, but wonder how Ross Gardiner got himself in that situation. He wanted to date Sabina Grey since they were in school together. He tried again when he moved into town after his divorce. Now he is engaged to Lucy Grey, Sabina 's younger sister. He still thinks too much about Sabina.
Sabina Grey owns her own business and is on town committees. She sacrificed a lot for Lucy. She made a lot of mistakes in school but she has changed always helping with one thing or another.
Ross is the fire chief the only paid fireman in town. He has been dating Lucy for along time.
Miriam came into Sabina's shop and told her after her sister is married her soul mate will come to town. So everyone wants Lucy and Ross to finally get married. Lucy is not in a hurry. She has a list she wants done before marriage.
Ross buys a house to meet one of Lucy's item and it burns down. Now they are both suspects.
This has lots of drama, small town community, one love scene, with characters you want to see happy. You know where the story is going to end up but the journey keeps you guessing.
I like Hope Ramsay's writing style. It is easy to get into the story and care about what is happening.
I would read more of her books.
I was given this ebook to read by Net Galley and Forever Grand Central publishing. In return I agreed to give a honest review of Last Chance.
July 1, 2015
Received an arc through net galley in exchange for an honest review.
I have to tell you that this is a great book so far and I can’t wait to see what happens.. I love the town of Last Chance. Such a great community, and everyone loves Miriam Randall the local matchmaker. She goes up to Sabina one day and says to her, you gotta get your sister married off, she’s standing in the way of your happiness…. Sabina and the town thinks that Miriam meant that Lucy should marry the guy that Lucy’s been dating for a while Ross Gardiner while Sabina will find someone to date after Lucy and Ross gets married off. What follows is sort of a series of mishaps and miscommunication that occurs for Ross and Lucy. .Ross went out and adopted a dog named Sparky. Lucy is not a dog fan while Sabina and their mom adore Sparky. And in the meantime poor Sabina is starting to realize she has feelings for Ross even thou she started dating Layton Webster and doesn’t feel the bells and whistles with him like she does for Ross.. Let me tell you, I think that Layton is up to no good. I don’t trust him and think Ross has the right of it when he also thinks there’s something off about Layton. Am I right? Let me finish reading this book and I’ll let y’all know what happens!
I have to tell you that this is a great book so far and I can’t wait to see what happens.. I love the town of Last Chance. Such a great community, and everyone loves Miriam Randall the local matchmaker. She goes up to Sabina one day and says to her, you gotta get your sister married off, she’s standing in the way of your happiness…. Sabina and the town thinks that Miriam meant that Lucy should marry the guy that Lucy’s been dating for a while Ross Gardiner while Sabina will find someone to date after Lucy and Ross gets married off. What follows is sort of a series of mishaps and miscommunication that occurs for Ross and Lucy. .Ross went out and adopted a dog named Sparky. Lucy is not a dog fan while Sabina and their mom adore Sparky. And in the meantime poor Sabina is starting to realize she has feelings for Ross even thou she started dating Layton Webster and doesn’t feel the bells and whistles with him like she does for Ross.. Let me tell you, I think that Layton is up to no good. I don’t trust him and think Ross has the right of it when he also thinks there’s something off about Layton. Am I right? Let me finish reading this book and I’ll let y’all know what happens!
July 30, 2020
Last Chance Hero # 9 by Hope Ramsay
This is the 8th novel in a series about the little town of Last Chance in southern USA. The town itself and the people in it are all very interesting and full of character. I guess I am enjoying stories about people who are trying to figure out how to do life together. What brings people that happen to live in the same town to want to work at actually being a real community of people who care about each other - warts, eccentricities and all.
I think Miriam, the town matchmaker, said it well "Last Chance is a homey kind of place. Mark Twain would have felt comfortable here."
In this instalment Ross Gardiner has moved back to town after a difficult divorce & is the new fire chief- the only paid staff of the all volunteer fire department. He hoped he might catch the eye of the girl he had a crush on all through high school but so far she has only steered him towards her sister.
Sabina got the wrong kind of reputation as a cheerleader in high school but it was completely untrue. She runs the town antiques store. She gave up her dreams of going to college after a terrible house fire almost killed her little sister. She felt responsible as she was supposed to be keeping as eye on her but had skiped out to hang out with friends. Now she can't let that responsibility go even though her sister has been a grown woman for quite a while. The plot has me thinking a little of a "Midsummer Night's Dream" as none of the cast of main characters is with the person they really should be with & comical & serious consequences ensue.
This is the 8th novel in a series about the little town of Last Chance in southern USA. The town itself and the people in it are all very interesting and full of character. I guess I am enjoying stories about people who are trying to figure out how to do life together. What brings people that happen to live in the same town to want to work at actually being a real community of people who care about each other - warts, eccentricities and all.
I think Miriam, the town matchmaker, said it well "Last Chance is a homey kind of place. Mark Twain would have felt comfortable here."
In this instalment Ross Gardiner has moved back to town after a difficult divorce & is the new fire chief- the only paid staff of the all volunteer fire department. He hoped he might catch the eye of the girl he had a crush on all through high school but so far she has only steered him towards her sister.
Sabina got the wrong kind of reputation as a cheerleader in high school but it was completely untrue. She runs the town antiques store. She gave up her dreams of going to college after a terrible house fire almost killed her little sister. She felt responsible as she was supposed to be keeping as eye on her but had skiped out to hang out with friends. Now she can't let that responsibility go even though her sister has been a grown woman for quite a while. The plot has me thinking a little of a "Midsummer Night's Dream" as none of the cast of main characters is with the person they really should be with & comical & serious consequences ensue.
July 11, 2020
I enjoyed this book by Hope Ramsay about Sabina Grey and how she was always there for everyone except for herself. She had put her sister's life before hers and now she was sorry that she had not stood up and told Ross Gardiner how she felt about him. She introduced her sister to him and now they have been dating for several years but not taking that next step. Of course when the town's matchmaker announced to her that until she stepped out of the way of her sister's romance, she would not find her own. This cause all kinds of problems because everyone knew that the matchmaker was always right so the town set out to change everyone's life whether they were ready or not. Great read.
August 15, 2023
Sabina and Ross went to high school together but ignored their feelings for each other.
Sabina pushes Ross at her younger sister Lucy. However they are not compatible at all so when their moms and the town think they belong together, Ross proposes and they just follow along.
However, Ross and Sabina start having feelings again for each other and try to deny it but the town knows better.
Lucy dumps Ross right before they walk down the aisle and calls the FBI Agent in charge of the arson fires to rescue her.
Ross and Sabina get together for an amazing night but she almost dies by a bitter high school classmate who has set up Lucy for the fires. Ross and his dog Sparky rescue her.
Sabina pushes Ross at her younger sister Lucy. However they are not compatible at all so when their moms and the town think they belong together, Ross proposes and they just follow along.
However, Ross and Sabina start having feelings again for each other and try to deny it but the town knows better.
Lucy dumps Ross right before they walk down the aisle and calls the FBI Agent in charge of the arson fires to rescue her.
Ross and Sabina get together for an amazing night but she almost dies by a bitter high school classmate who has set up Lucy for the fires. Ross and his dog Sparky rescue her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 14, 2025
A romance novel that drifts heavily into women's fiction. The central relationship is between two sisters, while the hero is affianced to one and attracted to the other. As awkward as this is, the sister he's supposed to marry isn't that keen on him either, so a good part of the romance in the story is two people discovering how much they are not in love with each other - to the point where I wasn't sure how they connected in the first place. The book is well-plotted, with a couple of fun touches and twists, and a suspense subplot that almost overwhelms the story near the end, but by then you don't mind.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 15, 2022
Ross Gardiner, the fire chief of Last Chance, SC, had been dating Lucy Grey and the town matchmakers have hinted this is a perfect match. However, no sparks fly for either of them and both feel kind of stuck although neither would admit it. Ross is in love with Sabina, Lucy’s sister, and Lucy is attracted to Zach Bailey, ATF agent investigating a suspicious fire in the area. The town is all excited about the coming wedding of Ross and Lucy except for the parties involved. These characters need a good wake-up shaking as they let people walk all over them.
January 22, 2018
Very compelling read....... though you know how it will end, you keep reading to find out how they get to their Happily Ever After!! Ross Gardiner is Last Chace’s Fire Chief, returned to the town afte a nasty divorce. Lucy Grey is his girlfriend who is a control freak, maker of May lists of their/her plans! Sabina Grey is her older sister, who was the high school cheerleader & all round Most Popular girl, who Ross had a crush on..... enjoy the fun ride & read.....
January 23, 2021
3.5. A little folksy, a little rabid with lots happening and a lot of angst. The mother is a piece of work and I doubt I’d like her if I met her. I figured out the bad guy about 2/3rds through. A little too much God this and God that - but at the end of the day the author writes well. I really like the dad. Except I wish he’d advise his wife to focus on her own life and meddling in the daughters.
July 22, 2021
This was an enjoyable story regarding a hometown girl Sabina and just returned divorced fire chief Ross. Sabina is playing it safe and Ross is supposed to marry Sabina's sister, but the story is not what you think. This is a new to me author and my first book in the Last Chance series. I need to get a couple of the other books.
September 5, 2018
The series began on such a fun note. I laughed and shook my head at everyone’s craziness. However, the last few have taken a turn for the dark side, in my opinion. If you are looking for a fun read this isn’t it.
January 7, 2021
I love this series and am sad that I’m nearly finished with it. The only negative I can say about the latter books is that the original characters of the town that appeared heavily in the early books get lost and forgotten.
June 23, 2021
Read it in one sitting! I couldn't put it down and now want to read the other Last Chance books. The description on the back didn't really match the story lesson learned again don't judge a book by its cover
October 31, 2021
I am bummed this series is over, each book has new main characters, but old ones show up as supporting characters, there's a little magical realism, a little romance, a little mystery and I found this a great, light series to read.
January 17, 2017
Contemporary Romance. This one has it all -- love triangle, miscommunication, interference from neighbors and relatives, pushy mother, matchmaker.
June 24, 2017
Great read!!! I love this series!!!
September 10, 2017
Just your average romance story. The sexual content was fairly clean with not a lot of graphic details. Not very much violence and mild language. PG13 rating.
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