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24 Carter Gold #2
Last First Kiss
*Listening Length: 10 hours and 58 minutes
Sparks fly in this USA Today bestselling second-chance rom-com when an unlucky-in-love event planner realizes the man of honor at the high-profile wedding he's planning is the same man who broke his heart.
They say you never forget your first kiss. But Jordan Carter wishes he could forget the one he shared with Jamie Peters as a teenager. And the one they almost shared again last year before Jamie made it clear he wasn’t the “right” man for Jordan to be with while he’s figuring himself out. Now, Jordan’s fully focused on his career at 24 Carter Gold, his family’s event planning company, and ready to move on—until his boss assigns him to plan a new client’s high-profile wedding. The bride’s man of honor? None other than Jamie.
As things ramp up the closer they get to the wedding, so does Jordan’s relationship with Jamie, with sarcastic asides turning into steamy hook-ups. But can Jordan afford to pursue Jamie if he’s still unsure of who he is? Or is knowing who he loves enough? Venue shopping, cake-tastings, and dress fittings with the man he can’t forget might just change the man Jordan Carter is meant to become.
Last First Kiss by Julian Winters is a second chance romance about finding yourself—and the love of your life.
Sparks fly in this USA Today bestselling second-chance rom-com when an unlucky-in-love event planner realizes the man of honor at the high-profile wedding he's planning is the same man who broke his heart.
They say you never forget your first kiss. But Jordan Carter wishes he could forget the one he shared with Jamie Peters as a teenager. And the one they almost shared again last year before Jamie made it clear he wasn’t the “right” man for Jordan to be with while he’s figuring himself out. Now, Jordan’s fully focused on his career at 24 Carter Gold, his family’s event planning company, and ready to move on—until his boss assigns him to plan a new client’s high-profile wedding. The bride’s man of honor? None other than Jamie.
As things ramp up the closer they get to the wedding, so does Jordan’s relationship with Jamie, with sarcastic asides turning into steamy hook-ups. But can Jordan afford to pursue Jamie if he’s still unsure of who he is? Or is knowing who he loves enough? Venue shopping, cake-tastings, and dress fittings with the man he can’t forget might just change the man Jordan Carter is meant to become.
Last First Kiss by Julian Winters is a second chance romance about finding yourself—and the love of your life.
11 pages, Audible Audio
First published January 27, 2026
About the author
Julian Winters
22 books1,283 followersJulian Winters is the author of the IBPA Benjamin Franklin Gold Award-winning Running With Lions; the Junior Library Guild Selections How to Be Remy Cameron and The Summer of Everything; and the forthcoming Right Where I Left You. A self-proclaimed comic book geek, Julian currently lives outside of Atlanta, where he can be found reading or watching the only two sports he can follow—volleyball and soccer..
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 730 reviews
January 25, 2026
Last First Kiss is the type of book that reminds me why I love romance. This is easily a 6 star book.
Julian Winters is becoming a favorite author, he is brilliant at writing ya books but he shines even more at adult romances. I didn’t think it was possible but I love Last First Kiss even more than I Think They Love You. I love these characters so, so much. I loved Jamie a lot already, but I feel so much for Amy too, and even Javi.
Jordan, well, his story arc hit a little too close to home for me.
I’m asexual, and it is so damn hard to find good representation in books, but what Julian Winters did here was just perfect. The doubts, the second guessing, the desperation to find that spark that everyone talks so much about, the wish to just understand. It was so brilliantly done, I can only thank the author for doing such a good job. The message about how you can find yourself doesn’t matter how long it takes, everyone has their own time, is so important too.
Bottom line is I love the topic, I love the execution even more.
You bet I will be screaming from the rooftops when this book is released in January, but for now please add it to your tbr, you won’t regret it.
Thank you Netgalley and St. Martins Press for the ARC, and above all to Julian Winters for another amazing book.
Julian Winters is becoming a favorite author, he is brilliant at writing ya books but he shines even more at adult romances. I didn’t think it was possible but I love Last First Kiss even more than I Think They Love You. I love these characters so, so much. I loved Jamie a lot already, but I feel so much for Amy too, and even Javi.
Jordan, well, his story arc hit a little too close to home for me.
I’m asexual, and it is so damn hard to find good representation in books, but what Julian Winters did here was just perfect. The doubts, the second guessing, the desperation to find that spark that everyone talks so much about, the wish to just understand. It was so brilliantly done, I can only thank the author for doing such a good job. The message about how you can find yourself doesn’t matter how long it takes, everyone has their own time, is so important too.
Bottom line is I love the topic, I love the execution even more.
You bet I will be screaming from the rooftops when this book is released in January, but for now please add it to your tbr, you won’t regret it.
Thank you Netgalley and St. Martins Press for the ARC, and above all to Julian Winters for another amazing book.
Did Not Finish
February 7, 2026dnf @27%
This was my first time reading a story from this author and, sadly, the writing and the narrative structure aren't working for me. Lots of descriptions, inner thoughts that interrupt dialogues, past events sometimes shown through flashback scenes in the middle of a chapter and sometimes as a part of inner thoughts - making the story feel disjointed, conversations that don't sound authentic to me. All of it keeps taking me out of the story.
I didn't connect with the characters and the relationship between them. They have a mutual friend, so they are sort of friends who used to hang out when they were teenagers, but the way they act around each other, I don't see that. Jamie feels like a romance cliché. There’s one particular thing I didn’t like. The introduction of Javi’s character as Jordan’s "workplace rival" also felt cliché and unbelievable.
The book is not listed as a part of a series, but it is obvious that we are supposed to be familiar with most of the characters and events that happened in another book, based on how many times they are referenced here.
This was my first time reading a story from this author and, sadly, the writing and the narrative structure aren't working for me. Lots of descriptions, inner thoughts that interrupt dialogues, past events sometimes shown through flashback scenes in the middle of a chapter and sometimes as a part of inner thoughts - making the story feel disjointed, conversations that don't sound authentic to me. All of it keeps taking me out of the story.
I didn't connect with the characters and the relationship between them. They have a mutual friend, so they are sort of friends who used to hang out when they were teenagers, but the way they act around each other, I don't see that. Jamie feels like a romance cliché. There’s one particular thing I didn’t like. The introduction of Javi’s character as Jordan’s "workplace rival" also felt cliché and unbelievable.
The book is not listed as a part of a series, but it is obvious that we are supposed to be familiar with most of the characters and events that happened in another book, based on how many times they are referenced here.
February 8, 2026
Even though I hate third-part breakups, I just hit that five-star button without a second thought. Like Julian Winters says in his author notes, what a couple of goofballs these two are. From the first page on, I was hooked on their story. I adored their “comfort checks,” and those small flashbacks were top notch. This book has all the feels of fanfic (third person, present tense) and so many lovely scenes. I rooted for Jordan and Jamie constantly, and that scene when Jamie was sick … I just kept smiling.
What stood out to me most, though, was the demi rep. Not being able to label yourself, just knowing you like that one person—figuring yourself out as an adult—it’s done so beautifully. Wow. That last part made my eyes shine with tears.
This might be my favorite Julian Winters’ so far!
Thank you so much, St. Martin’s Griffin and NetGalley, for this beautiful ARC!
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What stood out to me most, though, was the demi rep. Not being able to label yourself, just knowing you like that one person—figuring yourself out as an adult—it’s done so beautifully. Wow. That last part made my eyes shine with tears.
This might be my favorite Julian Winters’ so far!
Thank you so much, St. Martin’s Griffin and NetGalley, for this beautiful ARC!
Follow me on Instagram
January 21, 2026
OMFG THIS BOOK! Wow, I'm absolutely BLOWN away, Last First Kiss had EVERYTHING I love in a BEAUTIFUL friends to lovers (and a bit of idiots to lovers too) story that I read in a SINGLE DAY because I couldn't put it down. As an Atlanta resident, I always love that Julian Winters brings Atlanta into his books, but the Kirkwood, Decatur, and OMG Little Shop of Stories references all had me smiling. There's an EPIC soup scene that was LITERALLY perfect, with even more caretaking to follow, I was GIDDY. The wedding planning plot was fun, and I loved where it all ended up. Jamie is delightful, I love a border collie MMC. And WOW, that was one PERFECT demi awaking story, I love Jordan's journey SO MUCH. Yes, one of the MMCs has my name, and while I can't prove this book was FOR me, it feels like it is. Definitely a new favorite, HIGHLY recommend.
July 26, 2025
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Last First Kiss picks up about a year and a half after the events of I Think They Love You, following Jordan, Dex’s cousin, as he tries to figure himself out and his place in the family business, all while falling head over heels for Jamie, Dex’s best friend.
First, I think it’s important to stress that this book is a sequel. While it can technically be read as a standalone, it will completely spoil everything in I Think They Love You. I’d actually bought that one and was keeping it for a rainy day, but by the time I realized Last First Kiss was a sequel, I was already 15% into it with no hope of forgetting what I’d learned. So thanks for that, I guess.
I ended up pausing this book to read I Think They Love You first, and I’m glad I did, because both protagonists are very present in that earlier installment. But I wouldn't call Last First Kiss redundant: it offers a refreshing dose of new drama for the protagonists to work through before they reach their happily ever after.
As much as I enjoyed the book overall, I felt it suffered from major pacing issues, which made the experience rather tedious at times. The characters are funny and touching. I found Julian’s experience relatable as an ace person myself-sometimes it’s not as simple as “just” liking some genders, both, or none. Sometimes it feels like more trouble than it’s worth to try and label yourself. I really appreciated the representation and how lovely the cast was.
That said, everything takes too long to happen, especially at the beginning, which really dragged for me. The conflict with the love interest (the main reason the MCs can’t get together right away) doesn’t appear until 65% into the book, and the third-act conflict between the MCs is pretty weak. The timeline of events also felt inconsistent: a “heavily pregnant” woman in book one ends up with “fourteen-month-old twins” in this installment (so roughly 16 months have passed), but a flashback chapter still refers to “last Valentine’s Day” as the one from I Think They Love You (impossible, there should have been another Valentine's Day between). These inconsistencies kept pulling me out of the narrative, as I found myself constantly trying to make sense of the timeline.
Overall, I’d rate this book closer to 4 stars than 3, but I’m knocking off a star because it’s unacceptable not to have marked this book as a sequel on Goodreads, NetGalley, in the blurb, or anywhere in the book itself. This completely spoiled the first book for me, and I’m honestly tired of publishers and authors tricking people into buying sequels without proper warning, regardless of whether they can be read as standalones.
Last First Kiss picks up about a year and a half after the events of I Think They Love You, following Jordan, Dex’s cousin, as he tries to figure himself out and his place in the family business, all while falling head over heels for Jamie, Dex’s best friend.
First, I think it’s important to stress that this book is a sequel. While it can technically be read as a standalone, it will completely spoil everything in I Think They Love You. I’d actually bought that one and was keeping it for a rainy day, but by the time I realized Last First Kiss was a sequel, I was already 15% into it with no hope of forgetting what I’d learned. So thanks for that, I guess.
I ended up pausing this book to read I Think They Love You first, and I’m glad I did, because both protagonists are very present in that earlier installment. But I wouldn't call Last First Kiss redundant: it offers a refreshing dose of new drama for the protagonists to work through before they reach their happily ever after.
As much as I enjoyed the book overall, I felt it suffered from major pacing issues, which made the experience rather tedious at times. The characters are funny and touching. I found Julian’s experience relatable as an ace person myself-sometimes it’s not as simple as “just” liking some genders, both, or none. Sometimes it feels like more trouble than it’s worth to try and label yourself. I really appreciated the representation and how lovely the cast was.
That said, everything takes too long to happen, especially at the beginning, which really dragged for me. The conflict with the love interest (the main reason the MCs can’t get together right away) doesn’t appear until 65% into the book, and the third-act conflict between the MCs is pretty weak. The timeline of events also felt inconsistent: a “heavily pregnant” woman in book one ends up with “fourteen-month-old twins” in this installment (so roughly 16 months have passed), but a flashback chapter still refers to “last Valentine’s Day” as the one from I Think They Love You (impossible, there should have been another Valentine's Day between). These inconsistencies kept pulling me out of the narrative, as I found myself constantly trying to make sense of the timeline.
Overall, I’d rate this book closer to 4 stars than 3, but I’m knocking off a star because it’s unacceptable not to have marked this book as a sequel on Goodreads, NetGalley, in the blurb, or anywhere in the book itself. This completely spoiled the first book for me, and I’m honestly tired of publishers and authors tricking people into buying sequels without proper warning, regardless of whether they can be read as standalones.
August 25, 2025
I loved 'I Think They Love You', the first book in the series and I was so excited that I got approved for this one. Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
A lot of the time when an author writes about a character on the asexual spectrum, it tends to lean into the virginal/you're the only one for me stereotype and generally comes off in bad faith. In Last First Kiss, even though Jordan was inexperienced, the focus was not on that. Rather, it was on him figuring out his identity and where he fit in. The way his experiences and self discovery was written made me feel seen.
The writing itself was pretty straightforward and immersive, simple but not bland especially for a romance book. I liked both the main characters, Jordan and Jamie and I genuinely did enjoy reading about them. I also appreciated that most of the side characters were also queer like yassss fuck the straights!
The one thing I do have an issue with though was with Cheryl, her misogyny and Jordan enabling it. There's a scene where Jordan acknowledges that his mother's behavior of blaming the women he goes on dates with for it not working out is wrong yet he still basks in her coddling. It not only irritated me at that point but also at the end of the book because it became clear that while Jordan was making amends and calling out his mother and other people for how they treat him, the author did not see this particular bit of misogynistic writing as something to be offset or addressed in the narrative, at least on page. It was quite disappointing if I'm being honest.
Overall I enjoyed the book. It managed to grab my attention and keep me interested even as I'm currently experiencing the worst my attention span has ever been. I look forward to reading more from the author!
A lot of the time when an author writes about a character on the asexual spectrum, it tends to lean into the virginal/you're the only one for me stereotype and generally comes off in bad faith. In Last First Kiss, even though Jordan was inexperienced, the focus was not on that. Rather, it was on him figuring out his identity and where he fit in. The way his experiences and self discovery was written made me feel seen.
The writing itself was pretty straightforward and immersive, simple but not bland especially for a romance book. I liked both the main characters, Jordan and Jamie and I genuinely did enjoy reading about them. I also appreciated that most of the side characters were also queer like yassss fuck the straights!
The one thing I do have an issue with though was with Cheryl, her misogyny and Jordan enabling it. There's a scene where Jordan acknowledges that his mother's behavior of blaming the women he goes on dates with for it not working out is wrong yet he still basks in her coddling. It not only irritated me at that point but also at the end of the book because it became clear that while Jordan was making amends and calling out his mother and other people for how they treat him, the author did not see this particular bit of misogynistic writing as something to be offset or addressed in the narrative, at least on page. It was quite disappointing if I'm being honest.
Overall I enjoyed the book. It managed to grab my attention and keep me interested even as I'm currently experiencing the worst my attention span has ever been. I look forward to reading more from the author!
February 11, 2026
4 stars. Rife with longing and reminiscent of some romcom classics, Last First Kiss is both an excellent romance and a perfect self-discovery story.
July 8, 2025
I squealed when I saw there was a sequel to one of my favorite romances, I think they love you. This is in the same universe and even in the same family and business, 24 Carter Magic. An event planning company has so many potential storylines and this story follows a quick planning of Atlanta’s high society wedding of the year. The brides best friend and man of honor, Jamie, was Jordan Carter’s first kiss and crush. Back in their elite private high school, they had pot brownies, played Mario Kart and shared a kiss. Now Jordan is working with him as he helps his friend Amy plan a quick and beautiful wedding.
Does this work as a standalone? Sure, but it ruins the plot of the first book, and it isn’t one to miss.
Read if you like;
Second chance romance
Demisexual/pansexual representation
Family business stories
Wedding planning stories
Flash mobs
I genuinely appreciate how Jordan is figuring out his sexuality, and the complexities that go along with that- not only in Jordan’s mind, but also Jamie’s. Not everyone is up for being someone’s “first” experience.
I read a quote recently that said “some people are bisexual in the sense that Michael Jordan once played professional baseball. And you are no less part of the LGBTQ community.” In this case, pansexual, but the sentiment is the same. And this was handled in such a great way, there wasn’t much homophobia/internalized biphobia. The characters were transparent and real. I loved the chemistry and the dialogue.
Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the ARC. Book to be published 1/27/25.
Does this work as a standalone? Sure, but it ruins the plot of the first book, and it isn’t one to miss.
Read if you like;
Second chance romance
Demisexual/pansexual representation
Family business stories
Wedding planning stories
Flash mobs
I genuinely appreciate how Jordan is figuring out his sexuality, and the complexities that go along with that- not only in Jordan’s mind, but also Jamie’s. Not everyone is up for being someone’s “first” experience.
I read a quote recently that said “some people are bisexual in the sense that Michael Jordan once played professional baseball. And you are no less part of the LGBTQ community.” In this case, pansexual, but the sentiment is the same. And this was handled in such a great way, there wasn’t much homophobia/internalized biphobia. The characters were transparent and real. I loved the chemistry and the dialogue.
Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the ARC. Book to be published 1/27/25.
June 11, 2026
This book is a perfect example of why I love the friends to lovers trope! The tension and banter were top tier. I was swooning! And I absolutely loved Jordan. He was so funny and awkward and relatable! I had so many laugh out loud moments reading this.
I got the audiobook through the LibroFM influencer program and absolutely loved the audio! The narrator did such a fantastic job.
I got the audiobook through the LibroFM influencer program and absolutely loved the audio! The narrator did such a fantastic job.
March 11, 2026
Thank you St. Martin's Griffin and St. Martin's Press for sending me a free advance copy!
3.25 stars
LAST FIRST KISS is a second chance M/M romance with a positive message. There’s no timetable to figuring out your sexual identity. It’s okay if there’s uncertainty in your 20s and beyond. This important reminder is what really carried the story.
Jordan’s first kiss was with Jamie back when they were teenagers. Years later Jordan is working at his family’s event planning business when he is tasked with a high profile wedding. Guess who is the bride’s man of honor? Why Jamie of course. This should be interesting as their last interaction about a year ago didn’t go so well.
I liked Jordan and Jamie’s chemistry which is key to this genre. It’s worth mentioning, this is the 2nd book in the 24 Carter Gold series. I didn’t read the first book and was a little lost in parts because it was character and information overload. I needed the focus to be on the leads more than the supporting elements. Adding to the disjointed reading experience were flashbacks that popped out of nowhere and were confusing in spots. The story didn’t have a great flow to it unfortunately.
The heart and messaging outweigh the execution. I really appreciate the author exploring labels and identity within this story and showing there’s nothing wrong with not having it all figured out by the time you turn eighteen years old.
3.25 stars
LAST FIRST KISS is a second chance M/M romance with a positive message. There’s no timetable to figuring out your sexual identity. It’s okay if there’s uncertainty in your 20s and beyond. This important reminder is what really carried the story.
Jordan’s first kiss was with Jamie back when they were teenagers. Years later Jordan is working at his family’s event planning business when he is tasked with a high profile wedding. Guess who is the bride’s man of honor? Why Jamie of course. This should be interesting as their last interaction about a year ago didn’t go so well.
I liked Jordan and Jamie’s chemistry which is key to this genre. It’s worth mentioning, this is the 2nd book in the 24 Carter Gold series. I didn’t read the first book and was a little lost in parts because it was character and information overload. I needed the focus to be on the leads more than the supporting elements. Adding to the disjointed reading experience were flashbacks that popped out of nowhere and were confusing in spots. The story didn’t have a great flow to it unfortunately.
The heart and messaging outweigh the execution. I really appreciate the author exploring labels and identity within this story and showing there’s nothing wrong with not having it all figured out by the time you turn eighteen years old.
February 10, 2026
I LOVE that Julian Winters is writing adult romances now, because he is AMAZING at them. Sweet and steamy with characters who feel so utterly real and alive, this was an absolute delight from beginning to end. He's become an auto-buy author for sure!
July 13, 2025
This book was not a bad book, but it also wasn’t for me. I feel bad leaving a less than stellar review when the book doesn’t come out till next year, but I did arc read the whole thing. If it hadn’t been an arc, (and netgalley didn’t penalize you for not finishing) this would have been a DNF for me pretty early on. It did get better for me though.
This book could absolutely be for someone else. Especially if you love Hallmark movies, but wish more of them were queer.
What you can expect from this book:
-Hallmark movie vibes
-Wedding planner and the bride’s bestie
(Really why is he even there??? Idk anyone rich enough to ever use a wedding planner, but seems weird that the bestie is there?)
-Other person drama - this was sooo annoying to me
-A little cringe / cheesey at times. I had to sit it down and facepalm, but I could literally see the scenes in my head in a Hallmark movie kinda way.
-Everyone’s name starts with a J. I was confused a lot.
-Second chance - not convinced he deserved another one tbh
-Demi/Pan rep
-I did love the references to other great queer reads 👍🏻
The third act was incredibly frustrating as I felt like the wrong man in this couple was taking the brunt of everything. Jamie was extremely unlikable and didn’t show enough growth for me.
I would recommend this to someone who loves a good romcom / Hallmark vibe MM. I had a few chuckles. Thank you SMP for the review copy!
This book could absolutely be for someone else. Especially if you love Hallmark movies, but wish more of them were queer.
What you can expect from this book:
-Hallmark movie vibes
-Wedding planner and the bride’s bestie
(Really why is he even there??? Idk anyone rich enough to ever use a wedding planner, but seems weird that the bestie is there?)
-Other person drama - this was sooo annoying to me
-A little cringe / cheesey at times. I had to sit it down and facepalm, but I could literally see the scenes in my head in a Hallmark movie kinda way.
-Everyone’s name starts with a J. I was confused a lot.
-Second chance - not convinced he deserved another one tbh
-Demi/Pan rep
-I did love the references to other great queer reads 👍🏻
The third act was incredibly frustrating as I felt like the wrong man in this couple was taking the brunt of everything. Jamie was extremely unlikable and didn’t show enough growth for me.
I would recommend this to someone who loves a good romcom / Hallmark vibe MM. I had a few chuckles. Thank you SMP for the review copy!
July 15, 2025
Thank you @youhadmeathea for the advanced copy!
I love @wintersjulian . This is a Julian Winters fan account. @adibkhorram and I are the president and VP of the Julian Winters fan club. Julian’s second adult romance book is fantastic!
I LOVED following Jordan and Jamie and their sparks from I Think They Love You. It was so sweet to watch their love story unfold from flashbacks and present day. The wedding shenanigans added to the fun and yall…. That initial first kiss?? And then AGAIN AS ADULTS!!! And THE CAR!! And SHOWER YOU SAY?? 😏
Julian writes such gorgeous love stories but at the heart of them is loving yourself, being true to you, and finding you people. I cried for the last ten percent of this book cause it felt like Julian was talking to me directly. As someone who is often alone, and sometimes feels like they are growing in loneliness, it just really hit home.
The ending was perfect (grand gesture!!) and the epilogue?? Amen.
I love getting to read Julian’s words. We are so lucky to have him!!
I love @wintersjulian . This is a Julian Winters fan account. @adibkhorram and I are the president and VP of the Julian Winters fan club. Julian’s second adult romance book is fantastic!
I LOVED following Jordan and Jamie and their sparks from I Think They Love You. It was so sweet to watch their love story unfold from flashbacks and present day. The wedding shenanigans added to the fun and yall…. That initial first kiss?? And then AGAIN AS ADULTS!!! And THE CAR!! And SHOWER YOU SAY?? 😏
Julian writes such gorgeous love stories but at the heart of them is loving yourself, being true to you, and finding you people. I cried for the last ten percent of this book cause it felt like Julian was talking to me directly. As someone who is often alone, and sometimes feels like they are growing in loneliness, it just really hit home.
The ending was perfect (grand gesture!!) and the epilogue?? Amen.
I love getting to read Julian’s words. We are so lucky to have him!!
June 4, 2026
I had such a great time listening to Last First Kiss by Julian Winters. This second chance romance was so sweet and satisfying. The audio production was impeccable, which made the whole experience even better, and James Cavenaugh was honestly so talented. I was especially impressed by the distinct voice choices he gave each character, because it made the story feel lively, polished, and easy to sink into. If you’re in the mood for a cute, heartfelt romance on audio, this one is definitely worth picking up.
February 27, 2026
This was really cute. I liked Jordan and Jamie (yes there a lot of Js in this book) and their banters. I just wish we did see more of their relationship by going into its depths. I wanted more showing and less telling. But at the end I really think they were amazing together.
January 22, 2026
I really wanted to love Last First Kiss, but unfortunately it didn’t quite land for me.
I struggled to get into the story due to what felt like a lot of filler. At times, the writing reminded me of short stories I wrote in high school…. heavy on descriptors in a way that seemed to aim for depth, but instead pulled me out of the moment. This isn’t meant as a dig at Julian Winters as an author; the style just leaned more corny than authentic for my personal taste.
That said, I genuinely appreciated the core of the story; particularly Jordan’s journey as he begins to question and understand his sexuality. I think that storyline will resonate with many readers, especially those navigating similar feelings, and there’s real value in how that exploration was presented.
Surprisingly, Jamie ended up being my favourite character (next to my queen Amy who was too precious for words). Even though he also fell into the “corny” category at times, it somehow worked for him and made his character feel charming rather than off-putting.
It was also fun revisiting Kami, Denz, and Braylon from Winters’ “I Think They Love You”, and I enjoyed getting to know Javi a bit more as well. Luckily for me the story picked up noticeably in the final chapters, and I thought it ended on a satisfying note.
Was this my favourite queer read? No. But I did finish it with a smile on my face…and with the hope that this book might help someone feel a little less alone while questioning their sexuality, and remind them that it can be as big or as small of a deal as they want it to be 🌈 ♥️
2⭐️ for me, unfortunately.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the early copy.
I struggled to get into the story due to what felt like a lot of filler. At times, the writing reminded me of short stories I wrote in high school…. heavy on descriptors in a way that seemed to aim for depth, but instead pulled me out of the moment. This isn’t meant as a dig at Julian Winters as an author; the style just leaned more corny than authentic for my personal taste.
That said, I genuinely appreciated the core of the story; particularly Jordan’s journey as he begins to question and understand his sexuality. I think that storyline will resonate with many readers, especially those navigating similar feelings, and there’s real value in how that exploration was presented.
Surprisingly, Jamie ended up being my favourite character (next to my queen Amy who was too precious for words). Even though he also fell into the “corny” category at times, it somehow worked for him and made his character feel charming rather than off-putting.
It was also fun revisiting Kami, Denz, and Braylon from Winters’ “I Think They Love You”, and I enjoyed getting to know Javi a bit more as well. Luckily for me the story picked up noticeably in the final chapters, and I thought it ended on a satisfying note.
Was this my favourite queer read? No. But I did finish it with a smile on my face…and with the hope that this book might help someone feel a little less alone while questioning their sexuality, and remind them that it can be as big or as small of a deal as they want it to be 🌈 ♥️
2⭐️ for me, unfortunately.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the early copy.
July 21, 2025
4.5 stars
This is a follow-up story of sorts from I Think They Love You and revolves around the world of 24 Carter Gold. Here, we finally get to see the story of Jordan and Jamie, who we met in the earlier book and left me curious. As much as I enjoyed I Think They Love You, I think I liked Last First Kiss just a little more. Jordan and Jamie are such interesting and layered characters, and Julian Winters crafts a story that holds your interest and keeps you invested. The emotions are real, and the characters' struggles feel relatable. All in all, this was a super fun read full of emotion, a little humor, and just a touch of spice. I had a good time.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is a follow-up story of sorts from I Think They Love You and revolves around the world of 24 Carter Gold. Here, we finally get to see the story of Jordan and Jamie, who we met in the earlier book and left me curious. As much as I enjoyed I Think They Love You, I think I liked Last First Kiss just a little more. Jordan and Jamie are such interesting and layered characters, and Julian Winters crafts a story that holds your interest and keeps you invested. The emotions are real, and the characters' struggles feel relatable. All in all, this was a super fun read full of emotion, a little humor, and just a touch of spice. I had a good time.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Just like I Think They Love You, Last First Kiss has a fun writing style, very fitting for a romcom. Despite that, I ended up enjoying this less than I Think They Love You. I felt like it took a long time for the story to really get started, and even when it did, I missed some much-needed depth. I almost feel like Jordan and Jamie were fleshed out more in I Think They Love You - they seemed so surface-level here, and I felt like they kept going in circles. In the end, I don't feel like this lived up to its potential.
January 25, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book. So this was a super cute second chance romance, and I definitely recommend picking it up. The pining between the two MMC‘s was just top-tier. As always, miscommunication happens and tensions arise. It’s rare when I wish there was a bit more tension but I wish there was more in the beginning, just because it would’ve made the payoff of the relationship so much more special. I did not realize that this was a second book in a series so it can definitely be read as a standalone but I immediately added the first book to my tbr because I enjoyed this one so much. In the end, I’d rate this book 4.5⭐️
February 8, 2026
"Kissing you is like... sitting in your pajamas watching movies all day. It's like soup when you're sick. Like being high - so f*cking high."
"Jamie, it's a rush and it's comfort and it's home. Kissing you is like- Like knowing I'll never be alone again."
This! Book! This was everything I wanted in a romance book and more. This is a book not only about romance, but self discovery and acceptance. I love Jordan and Jamie so much individually and together. I just love this book so much it's hard to put it into words. 🥹
Julian Winters the author that you are.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press - Griffin for the ARC! ✨
"Jamie, it's a rush and it's comfort and it's home. Kissing you is like- Like knowing I'll never be alone again."
This! Book! This was everything I wanted in a romance book and more. This is a book not only about romance, but self discovery and acceptance. I love Jordan and Jamie so much individually and together. I just love this book so much it's hard to put it into words. 🥹
Julian Winters the author that you are.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press - Griffin for the ARC! ✨
May 19, 2026
Last First Kiss is a delightful rom-com that introduces us to Jordan, an event manager and Jamie, the man who broke his heart several years ago.
Jamie Peters was Jordan’s first kiss when they were teenagers, and they’ve always been in each other’s orbit. They almost shared a kiss together a year prior to when the book takes place, and it’s an almost kiss that wrecked Jordan when Jamie pulled away. Jamie tells Jordan he’s not the man to help him figure himself out, and Jordan has sat with that for about a year. Flash forward to now, when Jamie is the man of honor at a high profile wedding that Jordan is working and they are forced to face each other yet again. Soon, they can’t stay away from each other yet again and begin hooking up.
This is my first read by Julian Winters, but he’s local to me, and I am so glad I picked this one up. I absolutely loved that it took place in Atlanta. I absolutely LOVED all the references to Atlanta.
I liked Jamie and Jordan a lot. Their story of finding their way back to each other was really sweet. I really do enjoy second chance when it’s done well, and this was!
The spice was also absolutely fantastic. I loved how they just finally gave in and let each other have what they really wanted. The consent that took place in the first spice scene with Jamie asking Jordan was also really well done and I absolutely LOVE reading scenes where one MC checks in with the other.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and I loved the narration as well. I’m very happy I listened to it!
Jamie Peters was Jordan’s first kiss when they were teenagers, and they’ve always been in each other’s orbit. They almost shared a kiss together a year prior to when the book takes place, and it’s an almost kiss that wrecked Jordan when Jamie pulled away. Jamie tells Jordan he’s not the man to help him figure himself out, and Jordan has sat with that for about a year. Flash forward to now, when Jamie is the man of honor at a high profile wedding that Jordan is working and they are forced to face each other yet again. Soon, they can’t stay away from each other yet again and begin hooking up.
This is my first read by Julian Winters, but he’s local to me, and I am so glad I picked this one up. I absolutely loved that it took place in Atlanta. I absolutely LOVED all the references to Atlanta.
I liked Jamie and Jordan a lot. Their story of finding their way back to each other was really sweet. I really do enjoy second chance when it’s done well, and this was!
The spice was also absolutely fantastic. I loved how they just finally gave in and let each other have what they really wanted. The consent that took place in the first spice scene with Jamie asking Jordan was also really well done and I absolutely LOVE reading scenes where one MC checks in with the other.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and I loved the narration as well. I’m very happy I listened to it!
June 14, 2026
This is a second chance / friends to lovers romance. I enjoyed the flashbacks of their friendship and previous explorations. I appreciated the representation and the conversations surrounding sexuality and identity, or lack of.
Those aspects felt thoughtful and realistic. I also appreciated the emphasis on consent throughout the story.
The story it self was a slower rhythm with not much surprises. It's sweet. And perfect if you don't want to think to much. Just want to be entertained.
I struggled with the fact that I haven't read the first book in this series and felt like I was missing important context from the previous story. I think the experience might be better if you have read the first book too.
I listen to the audiobook and really enjoyed the voice of the narrator he brought the story to life and made the experience very enjoyable.
Thank you to the author, NetGalley and the publishing for the eALC.
Those aspects felt thoughtful and realistic. I also appreciated the emphasis on consent throughout the story.
The story it self was a slower rhythm with not much surprises. It's sweet. And perfect if you don't want to think to much. Just want to be entertained.
I struggled with the fact that I haven't read the first book in this series and felt like I was missing important context from the previous story. I think the experience might be better if you have read the first book too.
I listen to the audiobook and really enjoyed the voice of the narrator he brought the story to life and made the experience very enjoyable.
Thank you to the author, NetGalley and the publishing for the eALC.
October 14, 2025
4.75 stars (rounded up!).
“I Think They Love You” was one of my favorite romances early this year, so when I found out there was going to be a sequel, I was beyond excited. And let me tell you, it did NOT disappoint. Honestly, I almost hate to say it, but I think I loved this one even more than the first!
“Last First Kiss” gives us a friends-to-lovers story between Jordan and Jamie, but it’s also a deeply personal story of self-discovery for Jordan. He’s unsure of his sexual identity and has spent most of his life assuming he’s straight because that’s the default—something expected of you even when you’re surrounded by a supportive, queer community. The idea that you need to label yourself or “come out” if you’re anything but straight is such a complex, messy thing, especially when there are so many identities and so little mainstream representation or understanding of them all.
Jordan’s journey to understanding that he’s demi/on the ace spectrum, is handled with such care and nuance. I really appreciated how Julian Winters spotlighted this identity and took the time to show what that can look like in practice. As someone who’s also navigating my own identity and realizing I’m not straight, I felt so connected to Jordan’s experiences—the uncertainty, the reflection, and the quiet moments of realization. The language Winters used to capture those emotions was both intentional and gentle, which made it hit even harder.
And beyond all the important representation, this book was just so precious. Not gonna lie, my eyes were sweating a bit with how sweet some of the moments were. The flashback scenes of Jamie and Jordan’s friendship from high school through the present were full of heart, and watching their relationship grow into something more was pure joy. Their care for one another, the slow build, the payoff, it all just worked so beautifully.
I just really love them. That’s all.
“I Think They Love You” was one of my favorite romances early this year, so when I found out there was going to be a sequel, I was beyond excited. And let me tell you, it did NOT disappoint. Honestly, I almost hate to say it, but I think I loved this one even more than the first!
“Last First Kiss” gives us a friends-to-lovers story between Jordan and Jamie, but it’s also a deeply personal story of self-discovery for Jordan. He’s unsure of his sexual identity and has spent most of his life assuming he’s straight because that’s the default—something expected of you even when you’re surrounded by a supportive, queer community. The idea that you need to label yourself or “come out” if you’re anything but straight is such a complex, messy thing, especially when there are so many identities and so little mainstream representation or understanding of them all.
Jordan’s journey to understanding that he’s demi/on the ace spectrum, is handled with such care and nuance. I really appreciated how Julian Winters spotlighted this identity and took the time to show what that can look like in practice. As someone who’s also navigating my own identity and realizing I’m not straight, I felt so connected to Jordan’s experiences—the uncertainty, the reflection, and the quiet moments of realization. The language Winters used to capture those emotions was both intentional and gentle, which made it hit even harder.
And beyond all the important representation, this book was just so precious. Not gonna lie, my eyes were sweating a bit with how sweet some of the moments were. The flashback scenes of Jamie and Jordan’s friendship from high school through the present were full of heart, and watching their relationship grow into something more was pure joy. Their care for one another, the slow build, the payoff, it all just worked so beautifully.
I just really love them. That’s all.
February 27, 2026
Oh my STARS!! I love Last First Kiss!! This book is all my fave RomCom movies rolled up into one. It made me swoon & cry! Reading it felt like a best friend, a cozy warm blanket, and a seer of all hidden emotional secrets. The best comfort read!
Author Julian Winters's dedication felt like he was speaking to me directly: "To the ones who havent found a name or label for who they are yet - Take your time and love every second of the journey."
As a reader in their 50's, it took me until just a few years ago to find the labels that fit me. And while I've known that I was different, I never before had the language & support to guide my journey. I grew up in a time where society told you who you are. Nowadays, there's this beautiful community to help us feel seen & understood, even if parts of society are still trying to dictate who we should be. So this book really does feel like the best type of hug.
Author Julian Winters's dedication felt like he was speaking to me directly: "To the ones who havent found a name or label for who they are yet - Take your time and love every second of the journey."
As a reader in their 50's, it took me until just a few years ago to find the labels that fit me. And while I've known that I was different, I never before had the language & support to guide my journey. I grew up in a time where society told you who you are. Nowadays, there's this beautiful community to help us feel seen & understood, even if parts of society are still trying to dictate who we should be. So this book really does feel like the best type of hug.
February 3, 2026
This was such a good friends-to-lovers rom-com !
Maybe a bit cheesy at times but in general quite cute and feel good. There was a lot of pining and angst, mainly from our MC Jordan, who at the start of the story is still struggling with self discovery and his sexual identity. I really liked the demi and pan representations here, and thought they were well done. There were also a few interesting side characters, but my favourite was Javi, the work rival turned friend - I hope there will be a story for him next. I didn't know this was sort of a sequel to another book, but it can definitely be read as a standalone (although I'll probably read that one soon, as I was quite curious about the fake dating between Denz and Braylon)
Maybe a bit cheesy at times but in general quite cute and feel good. There was a lot of pining and angst, mainly from our MC Jordan, who at the start of the story is still struggling with self discovery and his sexual identity. I really liked the demi and pan representations here, and thought they were well done. There were also a few interesting side characters, but my favourite was Javi, the work rival turned friend - I hope there will be a story for him next. I didn't know this was sort of a sequel to another book, but it can definitely be read as a standalone (although I'll probably read that one soon, as I was quite curious about the fake dating between Denz and Braylon)
November 30, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
how I love these two dorks!!
Nearly perfect (if we ignore the 3rd act break-up 🙃) and the demisexual rep was chef's kiss.
how I love these two dorks!!
Nearly perfect (if we ignore the 3rd act break-up 🙃) and the demisexual rep was chef's kiss.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 30, 2026
Clearly I'm the odd one out with this opinion since this has many wonderful reviews. I know this is a rom com and it did have several cute moments that made me grin, but I think I was just looking for more substance.
The synopsis also didn't make it clear at all that this was a second book in an interconnected series. I would never have picked it up if I'd known. It could be read as a stand alone, but I'm sure I would have felt more emotional connection to the characters had I read the first book. I also felt Denz and Braylon were unbearably cheesy, the first couple from the first book.
Jordan is still figuring himself out. He's been on a string of unsuccessful dates that he struggles to feel any interest in. He's only ever felt something for one person, his cousin's best friend who he had a practice kiss with as a child. I hated his controlling mother, who was toxic in the way she shoved women at him. At least they went to therapy by the end, but she wasn't cute or charming.
He works at a family business that I found rather unrealistic; they're high-end celebrity event planners at a firm called 24 Carter Gold. When do the event planners become celebrities themselves with tabloid coverage? It reminded me too much of the soap opera Beyond the Gates. Love that soap opera but I don't always want that vibe in a romance novel. It just made me laugh at how glitzy they were.
I found Jordan fundamentally just boring. He's a competitive workaholic without a personality or interests outside work. He's handed an important wedding to plan, where he comes into the orbit of his childhood crush, Jamie again, who's the best man and inexplicably involved in every part of wedding planning. But the book focused on him at work and I don't find event planning as glamorous as the story made it out to be. I also found him and his coworker Javi more exciting together than Jordan and Jamie.
Their angst was cute but I just found them kind of bland together.
What I did love about this was the demi/pan rep. Jamie is pansexual and Jordan spends most of the book trying to decide his label and whether he needed one, which was relatable; eventually settling on demisexual. I'm demi myself and connected with many of his struggles. I was glad it didn't take the route of "I'm romantically and sexually attracted to no one except the love interest" which I find annoying about so many demi characters. Though it had a little of that. Jamie was the only person Jordan's been romantically and sexually attracted to. Even though he was questioning, I wish there had been one other person he'd had feelings for. Demi folks aren't nuns, we just struggle to feel sexual attraction without an emotional connection first.
I also love MM romance written by queer men because they talk about consent and safe sex in a sexy way. I loved how they did a "comfort check" in the sex scenes and talked about PreP and aftercare.
I also thought the wealth difference between Jamie and Jordan was rather glossed over. He had family money and nepotism; Jamie was an incompetent bartender.
So in short... this was cute, but I just wanted a bit more from it. I'm sure Javi will be the next character in the series,
but I wouldn't read more in this series.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The synopsis also didn't make it clear at all that this was a second book in an interconnected series. I would never have picked it up if I'd known. It could be read as a stand alone, but I'm sure I would have felt more emotional connection to the characters had I read the first book. I also felt Denz and Braylon were unbearably cheesy, the first couple from the first book.
Jordan is still figuring himself out. He's been on a string of unsuccessful dates that he struggles to feel any interest in. He's only ever felt something for one person, his cousin's best friend who he had a practice kiss with as a child. I hated his controlling mother, who was toxic in the way she shoved women at him. At least they went to therapy by the end, but she wasn't cute or charming.
He works at a family business that I found rather unrealistic; they're high-end celebrity event planners at a firm called 24 Carter Gold. When do the event planners become celebrities themselves with tabloid coverage? It reminded me too much of the soap opera Beyond the Gates. Love that soap opera but I don't always want that vibe in a romance novel. It just made me laugh at how glitzy they were.
I found Jordan fundamentally just boring. He's a competitive workaholic without a personality or interests outside work. He's handed an important wedding to plan, where he comes into the orbit of his childhood crush, Jamie again, who's the best man and inexplicably involved in every part of wedding planning. But the book focused on him at work and I don't find event planning as glamorous as the story made it out to be. I also found him and his coworker Javi more exciting together than Jordan and Jamie.
Their angst was cute but I just found them kind of bland together.
What I did love about this was the demi/pan rep. Jamie is pansexual and Jordan spends most of the book trying to decide his label and whether he needed one, which was relatable; eventually settling on demisexual. I'm demi myself and connected with many of his struggles. I was glad it didn't take the route of "I'm romantically and sexually attracted to no one except the love interest" which I find annoying about so many demi characters. Though it had a little of that. Jamie was the only person Jordan's been romantically and sexually attracted to. Even though he was questioning, I wish there had been one other person he'd had feelings for. Demi folks aren't nuns, we just struggle to feel sexual attraction without an emotional connection first.
I also love MM romance written by queer men because they talk about consent and safe sex in a sexy way. I loved how they did a "comfort check" in the sex scenes and talked about PreP and aftercare.
I also thought the wealth difference between Jamie and Jordan was rather glossed over. He had family money and nepotism; Jamie was an incompetent bartender.
So in short... this was cute, but I just wanted a bit more from it. I'm sure Javi will be the next character in the series,
but I wouldn't read more in this series.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 28, 2026
I'm not crying, you're crying.
February 20, 2026
We Stan second chance with a bit of forced proximity. Julian Winters once again does not disappoint with his characters.
I received an ecopy of this book through Netgalley; however, my opinions are my own
I received an ecopy of this book through Netgalley; however, my opinions are my own
January 31, 2026
A Joyfully Jay review.
4 stars
Last First Kiss by Julian Winters is an engaging second-chance romance, with a fun peek into the event planning business. While the story is not listed as part of a series, Jordan’s cousin, Denz, has his own book, I Think They Love You, that ties closely to this one. That story focused on Denz and his sister competing to be CEO of 24 Carter Gold and those events, as well as the development of his relationship with Braylon, are mentioned here. Jordan grew up close with Denz, and Jamie is Denz’s best friend, so Denz is a prominent part of both their lives. So while I had no problem following along here without having read the first book, the stories are strongly connected and those familiar with Denz and Braylon’s story will probably enjoy the way the books work together.
Overall, I found this an appealing second chance romance and liked the added element of the event planning storyline. I have enjoyed some of Winters’ young adult stories in the past, so I was happy to get a chance to check out this entertaining story.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
4 stars
Last First Kiss by Julian Winters is an engaging second-chance romance, with a fun peek into the event planning business. While the story is not listed as part of a series, Jordan’s cousin, Denz, has his own book, I Think They Love You, that ties closely to this one. That story focused on Denz and his sister competing to be CEO of 24 Carter Gold and those events, as well as the development of his relationship with Braylon, are mentioned here. Jordan grew up close with Denz, and Jamie is Denz’s best friend, so Denz is a prominent part of both their lives. So while I had no problem following along here without having read the first book, the stories are strongly connected and those familiar with Denz and Braylon’s story will probably enjoy the way the books work together.
Overall, I found this an appealing second chance romance and liked the added element of the event planning storyline. I have enjoyed some of Winters’ young adult stories in the past, so I was happy to get a chance to check out this entertaining story.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
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