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Last Chance Match #1
Last Chance Match
Not yet published
Expected 20 Oct 26Welcome to the inaugural season of Last Chance Match, a government-funded dating show for the soulmateless to find their other half. Set in a tropical location, eighteen people will compete for a soulmate and all the benefits that accompany it, including: free healthcare, better education, and exemption from soulmateless extermination. Viewing will be mandatory for all citizens, and compliance will be required for chosen participants.
Lights, CamBot, Bloodbath.
Are you ready to find the one who’s to die for?
In the nation of Calasca, those whose blood analysis failed to match with a partner are executed at thirty to control population and uphold natural selection. Struggling waitress and recovered addict Cera has two months to live without a government-assigned soulmate. When she’s chosen for Last Chance Match, she believes it could be the answer to prolong her life. Growing old with her sister could finally become reality, but her plans are uprooted when she meets her perfect match: the late president’s arrogant and mysterious grandson, Ryde.
After a contestant is slain by the robot host, Cera must team up with Ryde to escape, and the only way out is to become the monster the system wants you to be. When the truth of Cera’s past and the show’s purpose collide, Cera is left to choose between staying matched with Ryde and returning home to her sister or sacrificing herself to save Calasca’s future.
Lights, CamBot, Bloodbath.
Are you ready to find the one who’s to die for?
In the nation of Calasca, those whose blood analysis failed to match with a partner are executed at thirty to control population and uphold natural selection. Struggling waitress and recovered addict Cera has two months to live without a government-assigned soulmate. When she’s chosen for Last Chance Match, she believes it could be the answer to prolong her life. Growing old with her sister could finally become reality, but her plans are uprooted when she meets her perfect match: the late president’s arrogant and mysterious grandson, Ryde.
After a contestant is slain by the robot host, Cera must team up with Ryde to escape, and the only way out is to become the monster the system wants you to be. When the truth of Cera’s past and the show’s purpose collide, Cera is left to choose between staying matched with Ryde and returning home to her sister or sacrificing herself to save Calasca’s future.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication October 20, 2026
About the author
Gabriela St. Luke
1 book4 followersGabriela St. Luke is the author of the LAST CHANCE MATCH series. Living with her husband and two sons, she resides in the US in the sunshine state, where she works as a high school math teacher. She loves theme parks, especially Disney World, and has a bucket list of amusement parks she'd love to visit one day.
You can find her here:
TikTok: @gabriela.stluke
Instagram: @gabriela.stluke
Threads: @gabriela.stluke
LAST CHANCE MATCH series:
Book 1: Last Chance Match
Book 2: After The Chance
Book 3: Fleeting Chance
Book 4: Fighting Chance
You can find her here:
TikTok: @gabriela.stluke
Instagram: @gabriela.stluke
Threads: @gabriela.stluke
LAST CHANCE MATCH series:
Book 1: Last Chance Match
Book 2: After The Chance
Book 3: Fleeting Chance
Book 4: Fighting Chance
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
July 23, 2026
Thank you to the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!!!
This was such a fun, bingeable thriller with a reality dating show twist that immediately pulled me in. The atmosphere was tense from the beginning, and I loved trying to figure out who could actually be trusted while everyone seemed to be hiding something. Every time I thought I had the mystery figured out, another reveal had me changing my mind.
The pacing kept me turning the pages, and I flew through it because I needed to know how everything was going to come together. While a few twists worked better than others and I would have liked a little more depth in a couple of places, the suspense, drama, and constant sense of paranoia made this a really entertaining read. If you enjoy survival thrillers, messy relationships, and stories where no one feels completely safe, this is definitely one to pick up.
This was such a fun, bingeable thriller with a reality dating show twist that immediately pulled me in. The atmosphere was tense from the beginning, and I loved trying to figure out who could actually be trusted while everyone seemed to be hiding something. Every time I thought I had the mystery figured out, another reveal had me changing my mind.
The pacing kept me turning the pages, and I flew through it because I needed to know how everything was going to come together. While a few twists worked better than others and I would have liked a little more depth in a couple of places, the suspense, drama, and constant sense of paranoia made this a really entertaining read. If you enjoy survival thrillers, messy relationships, and stories where no one feels completely safe, this is definitely one to pick up.
July 26, 2026
This was an ARC I was sent to read. I had seen conversation about this book being a dystopian fantasy of the hunger games meets love island. This concept really intrigued me.
With now finishing it, I can see why they are the comparison. I felt it was such a refreshing book, I haven’t read anything exactly like this before. I was hooked with each page and wanted to see where the story unfolded to.
With now finishing it, I can see why they are the comparison. I felt it was such a refreshing book, I haven’t read anything exactly like this before. I was hooked with each page and wanted to see where the story unfolded to.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Last Chance Match
~Gabriella St. Luke
Last Chance Match by Gabriella St. Luke drops you into a world where finding your perfect match is left up to the government, not the heart. Think Love Island built on a gallows, where contestants aren't competing for fame or fortune, but for their lives. Those chosen are getting their “last chance” at finding a match before the clock runs out. This isn't just a flirt with darkness. This is the full proposal, ring in hand and blood on the floor.
Calasca has one rule that matters: be matched with your soulmate by the age of thirty, or be exterminated.
Cera, a broke waitress and recovering addict, is soulmateless and has just received her extermination date. But the thing she hates most about the government's control over her life isn't what will happen to her. It's the thought of leaving her sister, Kensi, behind. Kensi was lucky enough, if you want to call it that, to be matched with Jourdyn, even though their match percentile is one of the lowest rankings. At least Kensi won't have to face extermination.
Then the government makes a sudden announcement: for the first time ever, soulmateless citizens will have a chance to participate in the Last Chance Match, a televised competition where randomly selected participants will compete for the opportunity to find their perfect match.
Cera dreams about what it would be like to be chosen and actually win. To have the chance to live out her life, build a family of her own, and still be around to watch over Kensi. But dreams and government statistics don't exactly make comfortable bedfellows, and Cera knows her chances are slim.
Then there's Ryde Cassidy, grandson of the late President Cassidy, soulmateless and also scheduled for extermination. He's been coming into Kona's Diner, owned by Jourdyn, Kensi's match, for a while now, doing little more than what Cera has decided is his personal mission to annoy her on a daily basis. He's cocky, entitled, and seemingly far too interested in getting under her skin.
So when the bots show up to notify Cera that she's been selected for Last Chance Match, Ryde tells her to run. He'll figure out a way out for her.
Which leaves Cera understandably confused. Why would she run? And why on earth does Ryde care what happens to her?
After being swept away by a bot, taking a ride in a hoverjet, and enduring hours of waiting, Cera finally discovers what Last Chance Match is all about. Once inside the contestants' home, she meets the other female participants before they're introduced to their assigned matches.
And then Cera sees who has been chosen as hers.
From there, secrets begin surfacing, survival instincts kick in, and plans are made. The game may have been designed to find soulmates, but it quickly becomes a question of who will make it out alive.
St. Luke has created a large, remarkably well-coordinated cast of characters who manage to carry a detailed story within a relatively short amount of time. Cera is the driving force behind it all. She's prickly, guarded, traumatized, and shaped by a history that continues to leave scars. She's also deeply relatable, making her incredibly easy to root for, although her constant habit of downgrading herself can become a little tiresome. We get it, Cera. She thinks everything that goes wrong is somehow her fault.
Ryde starts the story as a cocky, entitled jerk in Cera's eyes, and honestly, I can't blame her. But as the story progresses, he earns his way into book-boyfriend territory as Cera gets glimpses of the man hiding beneath the attitude, including sides of him he never allowed her to see at the diner.
The chemistry between these two works particularly well. Whether they're snapping at each other, sharing tenderness during vulnerable moments, or standing shoulder to shoulder when things turn into a fight-or-flight situation, their relationship feels like it has some genuine teeth. St. Luke writes emotional wounds convincingly. These characters don't simply occupy the page. They live, breathe, hurt, and bleed their way through it.
Most of the supporting characters carry their own weight, although a few feel as though they were dropped into the story primarily to pad the body count.
Where Last Chance Match really flexes its muscles is atmosphere. The setting gleams like a beautifully decorated trap waiting to spring. The glamourbots assisting the contestants add an especially unsettling piece of stagecraft, creating that perfect contrast between polished entertainment and something much darker lurking underneath.
The pacing is more modest during the first half. It doesn't quite have the feel of a slow burn, but it isn't racing down the track either. Then, somewhere past the halfway point, the tension ratchets upward, the challenges within the game turn lethal, and suddenly the pages start flying.
St. Luke delivers a bloody, dystopian romance with plenty of danger, secrets, survival instincts, and enough unanswered questions to leave readers staring at the final page wondering when they can get their hands on the next book. And yes, that ending is a cliffhanger.
Fair warning, though: this book doesn't shy away from its darker content. Violence, abuse, blood and gore, and death are all front and center.
Be sure to pre-order Last Chance Match, book one in what is planned to be a four-book series, releasing October 20, 2026.
I would like to thank Gabriella St. Luke for the chance to preview Last Chance Match before its October release. As always, all opinions and reviews are my own volition. Karen Brooks, aka The Tx Lit Chic. I have not been promised any compensation, current or future, by the author or publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review of Last Chance Match.
~Gabriella St. Luke
Last Chance Match by Gabriella St. Luke drops you into a world where finding your perfect match is left up to the government, not the heart. Think Love Island built on a gallows, where contestants aren't competing for fame or fortune, but for their lives. Those chosen are getting their “last chance” at finding a match before the clock runs out. This isn't just a flirt with darkness. This is the full proposal, ring in hand and blood on the floor.
Calasca has one rule that matters: be matched with your soulmate by the age of thirty, or be exterminated.
Cera, a broke waitress and recovering addict, is soulmateless and has just received her extermination date. But the thing she hates most about the government's control over her life isn't what will happen to her. It's the thought of leaving her sister, Kensi, behind. Kensi was lucky enough, if you want to call it that, to be matched with Jourdyn, even though their match percentile is one of the lowest rankings. At least Kensi won't have to face extermination.
Then the government makes a sudden announcement: for the first time ever, soulmateless citizens will have a chance to participate in the Last Chance Match, a televised competition where randomly selected participants will compete for the opportunity to find their perfect match.
Cera dreams about what it would be like to be chosen and actually win. To have the chance to live out her life, build a family of her own, and still be around to watch over Kensi. But dreams and government statistics don't exactly make comfortable bedfellows, and Cera knows her chances are slim.
Then there's Ryde Cassidy, grandson of the late President Cassidy, soulmateless and also scheduled for extermination. He's been coming into Kona's Diner, owned by Jourdyn, Kensi's match, for a while now, doing little more than what Cera has decided is his personal mission to annoy her on a daily basis. He's cocky, entitled, and seemingly far too interested in getting under her skin.
So when the bots show up to notify Cera that she's been selected for Last Chance Match, Ryde tells her to run. He'll figure out a way out for her.
Which leaves Cera understandably confused. Why would she run? And why on earth does Ryde care what happens to her?
After being swept away by a bot, taking a ride in a hoverjet, and enduring hours of waiting, Cera finally discovers what Last Chance Match is all about. Once inside the contestants' home, she meets the other female participants before they're introduced to their assigned matches.
And then Cera sees who has been chosen as hers.
From there, secrets begin surfacing, survival instincts kick in, and plans are made. The game may have been designed to find soulmates, but it quickly becomes a question of who will make it out alive.
St. Luke has created a large, remarkably well-coordinated cast of characters who manage to carry a detailed story within a relatively short amount of time. Cera is the driving force behind it all. She's prickly, guarded, traumatized, and shaped by a history that continues to leave scars. She's also deeply relatable, making her incredibly easy to root for, although her constant habit of downgrading herself can become a little tiresome. We get it, Cera. She thinks everything that goes wrong is somehow her fault.
Ryde starts the story as a cocky, entitled jerk in Cera's eyes, and honestly, I can't blame her. But as the story progresses, he earns his way into book-boyfriend territory as Cera gets glimpses of the man hiding beneath the attitude, including sides of him he never allowed her to see at the diner.
The chemistry between these two works particularly well. Whether they're snapping at each other, sharing tenderness during vulnerable moments, or standing shoulder to shoulder when things turn into a fight-or-flight situation, their relationship feels like it has some genuine teeth. St. Luke writes emotional wounds convincingly. These characters don't simply occupy the page. They live, breathe, hurt, and bleed their way through it.
Most of the supporting characters carry their own weight, although a few feel as though they were dropped into the story primarily to pad the body count.
Where Last Chance Match really flexes its muscles is atmosphere. The setting gleams like a beautifully decorated trap waiting to spring. The glamourbots assisting the contestants add an especially unsettling piece of stagecraft, creating that perfect contrast between polished entertainment and something much darker lurking underneath.
The pacing is more modest during the first half. It doesn't quite have the feel of a slow burn, but it isn't racing down the track either. Then, somewhere past the halfway point, the tension ratchets upward, the challenges within the game turn lethal, and suddenly the pages start flying.
St. Luke delivers a bloody, dystopian romance with plenty of danger, secrets, survival instincts, and enough unanswered questions to leave readers staring at the final page wondering when they can get their hands on the next book. And yes, that ending is a cliffhanger.
Fair warning, though: this book doesn't shy away from its darker content. Violence, abuse, blood and gore, and death are all front and center.
Be sure to pre-order Last Chance Match, book one in what is planned to be a four-book series, releasing October 20, 2026.
I would like to thank Gabriella St. Luke for the chance to preview Last Chance Match before its October release. As always, all opinions and reviews are my own volition. Karen Brooks, aka The Tx Lit Chic. I have not been promised any compensation, current or future, by the author or publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review of Last Chance Match.
Review of advance copy
***I received an eARC via BookSirens in exchange for my honest review. The following thoughts are my own after reading the book.***
Although I’m not a fan Love Island, the idea of combining Hunger Games and Love Island was intriguing. I am a huge fan of the hunger games novels! That said, it’s almost like the author wanted to learn into the romance aspect of it and what eventually saved Katnis and Peeta. Very interesting concept for sure.
I thought some of the challenges were really interesting and well thought out. That said, I don’t think they necessarily made sense for the type of game. Each challenge should have been for the couple to complete together to show that they worked well together as a couple. The only reason I can see doing individual challenges is just to make the whole thing overall more difficult and complicated and ensure chaos amongst the couples just kind of showing the genuine cruelty of the government. But, I still think it could have been a bit more relevant.
I liked the way the secrets were revealed and that there even were secrets adding layers to the stakes and why everyone was where they were in the first place.
I liked the way the ending was kind of left open for so much more to happen allowing the author to continue this story or explaining the universe in the future. I think with some small tweaks in how she writes this could be something that really builds from here on out.
The book was incredibly hard to get into. We spent a lot of time looking into Ceras life before the show. You find out early on she’s been deemed soulmateless and what all that entails. She lives a pretty boring and sad life with no prospects because she already knows the date of her death. I understand the point of this was for the world building, I just feel like it could have been done better. It kind of felt like random droning on and facts and information as opposed to setting the stage. Early on we meet Ryde who seems like a pompous ass… But, the entire time he’s on The Last Chance Match show with Cera he’s presented as entirely different person? Later, excuses are made that basically he didn’t know how to handle himself around her? And she judged him without knowing him? But, it seems weak given the fact that it’s literally a complete 180. Cera overall is pretty unlikable. I mean, she judges Ryde based on very little information and her own bias about his money, she harbors secret resentment for her sister that she plays off as oh well I still have to take care of her, her idea of ‘taking care of’ her is that she works the same job with her and that she sometimes plays mediator between her and her match, she judges everyone on The Last Chance Match show incredibly harshly, and she continuously acts like her ‘taking care of’ her sister is more important than anyone else’s problems there even though her situation is objectively the least precarious or dangerous. I didn’t like how we got so little information on the other contestants. Part of why the hunger games was so emotionally riveting is because we knew just enough about all of the other contestants to either understand why they were the way they were, to sympathize with them, or to even care about them. We weren’t really afforded the same opportunity here. I feel like a small change here would have made this novel way more impactful and had readers way more invested in it. On that same note, I feel like there wasn’t enough time with everyone together at the house for The Last Chance Match show before the first challenge. In the hunger games you have about a week of training and interviews and whatnot which is part of how we get to know more about each character but this also allows time for you to get to know your main characters as well. With a love island type of aspect mixed in a week would have been too long but if they had done the matching like a day or two after everyone had shown up would have allowed time for world building by means of back stories AND given us more about each character before anyone died off AND it would have given time for people to form their own connections before the matches were announced raising the stakes from the very jump. And, just because I can’t NOT mention this… Why on earth did Ryde keep poking his tongue in his cheek? Like what? I kept doing it myself to try and understand how that could be a thinking face or even a nervous twitch and couldn’t figure it out 😂
Overall, I did enjoy it and once we got into the part with the challenges I really didn’t want to put it down. It needs some work and small changes to make a truly exceptional book BUT as it stands 4 stars feels fair!
Although I’m not a fan Love Island, the idea of combining Hunger Games and Love Island was intriguing. I am a huge fan of the hunger games novels! That said, it’s almost like the author wanted to learn into the romance aspect of it and what eventually saved Katnis and Peeta. Very interesting concept for sure.
I thought some of the challenges were really interesting and well thought out. That said, I don’t think they necessarily made sense for the type of game. Each challenge should have been for the couple to complete together to show that they worked well together as a couple. The only reason I can see doing individual challenges is just to make the whole thing overall more difficult and complicated and ensure chaos amongst the couples just kind of showing the genuine cruelty of the government. But, I still think it could have been a bit more relevant.
I liked the way the secrets were revealed and that there even were secrets adding layers to the stakes and why everyone was where they were in the first place.
I liked the way the ending was kind of left open for so much more to happen allowing the author to continue this story or explaining the universe in the future. I think with some small tweaks in how she writes this could be something that really builds from here on out.
The book was incredibly hard to get into. We spent a lot of time looking into Ceras life before the show. You find out early on she’s been deemed soulmateless and what all that entails. She lives a pretty boring and sad life with no prospects because she already knows the date of her death. I understand the point of this was for the world building, I just feel like it could have been done better. It kind of felt like random droning on and facts and information as opposed to setting the stage. Early on we meet Ryde who seems like a pompous ass… But, the entire time he’s on The Last Chance Match show with Cera he’s presented as entirely different person? Later, excuses are made that basically he didn’t know how to handle himself around her? And she judged him without knowing him? But, it seems weak given the fact that it’s literally a complete 180. Cera overall is pretty unlikable. I mean, she judges Ryde based on very little information and her own bias about his money, she harbors secret resentment for her sister that she plays off as oh well I still have to take care of her, her idea of ‘taking care of’ her is that she works the same job with her and that she sometimes plays mediator between her and her match, she judges everyone on The Last Chance Match show incredibly harshly, and she continuously acts like her ‘taking care of’ her sister is more important than anyone else’s problems there even though her situation is objectively the least precarious or dangerous. I didn’t like how we got so little information on the other contestants. Part of why the hunger games was so emotionally riveting is because we knew just enough about all of the other contestants to either understand why they were the way they were, to sympathize with them, or to even care about them. We weren’t really afforded the same opportunity here. I feel like a small change here would have made this novel way more impactful and had readers way more invested in it. On that same note, I feel like there wasn’t enough time with everyone together at the house for The Last Chance Match show before the first challenge. In the hunger games you have about a week of training and interviews and whatnot which is part of how we get to know more about each character but this also allows time for you to get to know your main characters as well. With a love island type of aspect mixed in a week would have been too long but if they had done the matching like a day or two after everyone had shown up would have allowed time for world building by means of back stories AND given us more about each character before anyone died off AND it would have given time for people to form their own connections before the matches were announced raising the stakes from the very jump. And, just because I can’t NOT mention this… Why on earth did Ryde keep poking his tongue in his cheek? Like what? I kept doing it myself to try and understand how that could be a thinking face or even a nervous twitch and couldn’t figure it out 😂
Overall, I did enjoy it and once we got into the part with the challenges I really didn’t want to put it down. It needs some work and small changes to make a truly exceptional book BUT as it stands 4 stars feels fair!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an arc of this book. The premise sold me. I am a sucker for dystopian romances and this sounded like the Hunger Games meets Love Island. Now I'm no Love Island fan but I can appreciate the appeal of a trashy reality show and the Hunger Games series is up there as one of my all time favourites.
This is dystopian, it's sci-fi, it's a bit of a thriller. The author describes it as a horror as well. I'd say it leans more into thriller territory but I'm not a horror reader so what do I know?
So what I liked... The premise. The plot. The characters.
In the future, the government selects your partner based on your blood and calls them your soulmate. The compatibility level of your soulmate is also worked out as a percentage and the higher that percentage is the better your status in society.
However there are those who are are not paired up. These people are called soulmateless and are doomed for execution when they turn 30
A group of these soulmateless about to face their executions are thrown into a Love Island type scanerio in the hopes they find their "last chance match"
But if only they were given enough time to read the fine print... because you wouldnt want to get voted off this game show.
Secrets and lies. Betrayals and Alliances. Government villainy and silly little robots.
It was a fun, quick read and I was hooked. I binged it in 2 sittings (but only because life got in the way otherwise this would have been a 1 sitting kind of ride) which was refreshing for me because the books I seem to pick up these days are unnecessarily chunky stuffed with filler and they have been taking me some time to get through.
But in this case a few extra chapters wouldn't have gone amiss because I feel this book had the potential to go even further. I just craved a bit more world building. Though we did get more of that at the end, as the reveals are uncovered, I personally would have wished to have seen a bit more from the beginning - for instance does the government even give the public a reason why soulmates is even a thing? Even if that reason turned out to be a big lie and the truth is later uncovered.
I also feel that if the author was going for a real dislike-to-lovers vibe as advertised, I would have liked to have seen more friction between the MMC and FMC at the beginning before being pulled into Last Chance Match and be something deeper than "he bragged about money a lot" which seemed a bit out of character from the version of Ryde the author gave us in the story, but was that because he was purposefully being an ass to keep her at a distance? It wasn't clear - to me at least.
Still, their romance was cute and I enjoyed their banter, though I felt their romantic progression could have used a bit more development as it felt just a tad rushed, but this could be because I've become a sucker for a slow burn.
With all that being said, I gave 4 stars for this because I felt a 3 was too harsh. It's somewhere in the middle. Add a touch more world building and fix the pacing a bit and for me this book would have been lightning in bottle.
Despite these few constructive criticisms, I truly did vibe with this book and enjoyed reading it, I wouldn't have flew through it so quickly if I didn't.
It definitely feels like there is more of this story to come and I would 100% interested in reading it and going along for the Ryde (haha get it?)
This is dystopian, it's sci-fi, it's a bit of a thriller. The author describes it as a horror as well. I'd say it leans more into thriller territory but I'm not a horror reader so what do I know?
So what I liked... The premise. The plot. The characters.
In the future, the government selects your partner based on your blood and calls them your soulmate. The compatibility level of your soulmate is also worked out as a percentage and the higher that percentage is the better your status in society.
However there are those who are are not paired up. These people are called soulmateless and are doomed for execution when they turn 30
A group of these soulmateless about to face their executions are thrown into a Love Island type scanerio in the hopes they find their "last chance match"
But if only they were given enough time to read the fine print... because you wouldnt want to get voted off this game show.
Secrets and lies. Betrayals and Alliances. Government villainy and silly little robots.
It was a fun, quick read and I was hooked. I binged it in 2 sittings (but only because life got in the way otherwise this would have been a 1 sitting kind of ride) which was refreshing for me because the books I seem to pick up these days are unnecessarily chunky stuffed with filler and they have been taking me some time to get through.
But in this case a few extra chapters wouldn't have gone amiss because I feel this book had the potential to go even further. I just craved a bit more world building. Though we did get more of that at the end, as the reveals are uncovered, I personally would have wished to have seen a bit more from the beginning - for instance does the government even give the public a reason why soulmates is even a thing? Even if that reason turned out to be a big lie and the truth is later uncovered.
I also feel that if the author was going for a real dislike-to-lovers vibe as advertised, I would have liked to have seen more friction between the MMC and FMC at the beginning before being pulled into Last Chance Match and be something deeper than "he bragged about money a lot" which seemed a bit out of character from the version of Ryde the author gave us in the story, but was that because he was purposefully being an ass to keep her at a distance? It wasn't clear - to me at least.
Still, their romance was cute and I enjoyed their banter, though I felt their romantic progression could have used a bit more development as it felt just a tad rushed, but this could be because I've become a sucker for a slow burn.
With all that being said, I gave 4 stars for this because I felt a 3 was too harsh. It's somewhere in the middle. Add a touch more world building and fix the pacing a bit and for me this book would have been lightning in bottle.
Despite these few constructive criticisms, I truly did vibe with this book and enjoyed reading it, I wouldn't have flew through it so quickly if I didn't.
It definitely feels like there is more of this story to come and I would 100% interested in reading it and going along for the Ryde (haha get it?)
August 6, 2026
I received an eARC from BookSirens in exchange for an honest review, which can be found below.
Last Chance Match is a fast‑paced, high‑stakes romance with a “Hunger Games meets Love Island” vibe that feels more like a tonal influence than a direct comparison. The premise hooked me right away, and even though there were places where I wanted more depth, I’m invested enough to continue the series.
The world-building supports the story well, but I often found myself wishing it went further. With so many contestants introduced, several characters felt underdeveloped, which made it harder to fully connect with their relationships or understand the emotional weight behind their choices. A little more backstory for both the leads and the supporting cast would have enriched the stakes and made the interpersonal dynamics more meaningful.
The game show itself moves quickly, almost jarringly, but it seems clear that this was intentional. The pacing mirrors the chaos the characters are thrown into, and while the twists were engaging, I sometimes wished they tied more directly into the “love show” concept to reinforce the romantic core of the competition.
The FMC’s internal monologue is a major focus, which fits the genre, but her emotional progression toward the MMC felt rushed. Considering the trauma and intensity of the environment, her realization of love would have landed more strongly with a slower build and more reflection. Their previous interactions, which were hinted at but not deeply explored, could have added welcome nuance and made the romantic arc feel more earned.
The story is intentionally low‑spice, which suits the tone. It never felt like it was meant to be a steamy read, and the emotional beats take precedence. Some of the deaths throughout the competition feel abrupt or senseless, but this also seems like an intentional stylistic choice meant to emphasize shock and unpredictability rather than emotional devastation.
One personal note: certain descriptive phrases recur frequently, especially characters “worrying their lips” or the MMC “poking his tongue into his cheek.” A little more variation in these repeated gestures would help keep the prose feeling fresh.
Overall, Last Chance Match is a compelling, concept‑driven story with strong momentum and an addictive setup. Even though I wished for deeper character exploration and more layered emotional development, the book kept me engaged, and I’m genuinely curious to see where the series goes next.
Last Chance Match is a fast‑paced, high‑stakes romance with a “Hunger Games meets Love Island” vibe that feels more like a tonal influence than a direct comparison. The premise hooked me right away, and even though there were places where I wanted more depth, I’m invested enough to continue the series.
The world-building supports the story well, but I often found myself wishing it went further. With so many contestants introduced, several characters felt underdeveloped, which made it harder to fully connect with their relationships or understand the emotional weight behind their choices. A little more backstory for both the leads and the supporting cast would have enriched the stakes and made the interpersonal dynamics more meaningful.
The game show itself moves quickly, almost jarringly, but it seems clear that this was intentional. The pacing mirrors the chaos the characters are thrown into, and while the twists were engaging, I sometimes wished they tied more directly into the “love show” concept to reinforce the romantic core of the competition.
The FMC’s internal monologue is a major focus, which fits the genre, but her emotional progression toward the MMC felt rushed. Considering the trauma and intensity of the environment, her realization of love would have landed more strongly with a slower build and more reflection. Their previous interactions, which were hinted at but not deeply explored, could have added welcome nuance and made the romantic arc feel more earned.
The story is intentionally low‑spice, which suits the tone. It never felt like it was meant to be a steamy read, and the emotional beats take precedence. Some of the deaths throughout the competition feel abrupt or senseless, but this also seems like an intentional stylistic choice meant to emphasize shock and unpredictability rather than emotional devastation.
One personal note: certain descriptive phrases recur frequently, especially characters “worrying their lips” or the MMC “poking his tongue into his cheek.” A little more variation in these repeated gestures would help keep the prose feeling fresh.
Overall, Last Chance Match is a compelling, concept‑driven story with strong momentum and an addictive setup. Even though I wished for deeper character exploration and more layered emotional development, the book kept me engaged, and I’m genuinely curious to see where the series goes next.
July 31, 2026
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest and fair review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5
This was a book that really grew on me.
Going into it, I expected a dystopian romance, and in the beginning I struggled quite a bit with the pacing. The romance moved much faster than I personally prefer. Ryder and Cera have known each other for years, yet Cera’s feelings seemed to change dramatically over the course of only a couple of days, which made it difficult for me to fully invest in their relationship. I also found some of the supporting cast hard to keep track of early on, so a few of the deaths didn’t have the emotional impact they could have had.
That said, once the larger story started unfolding, I was hooked.
The Hallifax conspiracy, the government secrets, the resistance, and the gradual unraveling of how this society actually worked completely changed my reading experience. Every new reveal made me question what I thought I knew, and I found myself constantly trying to piece the mystery together. One of my favorite parts was how clues were sprinkled throughout the story—I even found myself making theories while reading, and it was incredibly satisfying when one of them paid off.
Ryder was easily my favorite character. He was compassionate, thoughtful, and consistently put others before himself, making him someone I rooted for from the beginning. And I have to give a special shout-out to Wyn, who completely stole my heart. She ended up being one of my favorite characters in the entire book.
By the end, this had evolved into something much bigger than the romance it initially appeared to be. It became a dystopian story filled with conspiracies, survival, ethical questions, and surprising twists. While I still think the romance and early pacing could have been stronger, the worldbuilding and mystery kept me turning the pages.
The ending definitely feels like it’s setting up a sequel, and after everything that was revealed, I’m interested to see where the story goes next.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5
This was a book that really grew on me.
Going into it, I expected a dystopian romance, and in the beginning I struggled quite a bit with the pacing. The romance moved much faster than I personally prefer. Ryder and Cera have known each other for years, yet Cera’s feelings seemed to change dramatically over the course of only a couple of days, which made it difficult for me to fully invest in their relationship. I also found some of the supporting cast hard to keep track of early on, so a few of the deaths didn’t have the emotional impact they could have had.
That said, once the larger story started unfolding, I was hooked.
The Hallifax conspiracy, the government secrets, the resistance, and the gradual unraveling of how this society actually worked completely changed my reading experience. Every new reveal made me question what I thought I knew, and I found myself constantly trying to piece the mystery together. One of my favorite parts was how clues were sprinkled throughout the story—I even found myself making theories while reading, and it was incredibly satisfying when one of them paid off.
Ryder was easily my favorite character. He was compassionate, thoughtful, and consistently put others before himself, making him someone I rooted for from the beginning. And I have to give a special shout-out to Wyn, who completely stole my heart. She ended up being one of my favorite characters in the entire book.
By the end, this had evolved into something much bigger than the romance it initially appeared to be. It became a dystopian story filled with conspiracies, survival, ethical questions, and surprising twists. While I still think the romance and early pacing could have been stronger, the worldbuilding and mystery kept me turning the pages.
The ending definitely feels like it’s setting up a sequel, and after everything that was revealed, I’m interested to see where the story goes next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to Gabriela St. Luke and BookSirens for the eARC and opportunity to read Last Chance Match! 🖤📚
The premise of this book had me hooked instantly, and I couldn't wait to dive into this dystopian romance and discover the world of Calasca.
When Cera arrived at Last Chance Match, I immediately got Love Island vibes. It's not something I watch, but I know the basic idea! From the beginning there was a really eerie atmosphere that kept me questioning everything and everyone. Xenna constantly had me wondering what it was really thinking! 👀
Last Chance Match was brutal, unrelenting and unforgiving, with deception around every corner. Who do you trust? But throughout all the chaos and carnage, love still finds a way.🖤
Cera and Ryde knew each other from home, and although Cera doesn't have the highest opinion of Ryde, they soon come to rely on one another for survival. I did feel like Ryde's personality shifted a bit from how he treated her at home to how he treats her throughout the whole show! I wish we'd have gotten to know both MCs more in depth - I know there's more the Cera than her worrying about her sister and the finality of having her own death day sent to her.
I also wish we'd have spent a little longer on the show before the first challenge. I'd have liked to have gotten to know the other contestants more and hear their stories (whether they were true or not... 👀), I feel like the rest of the book would have been more impactful then as I'd have been more invested in the side characters.
For me personally, I wanted more of the world-building. In a dystopian romance I'd love a longer story and really get into discovering a new world. I'd have loved to learn more about the government and the different ways it controls its people, or simply to see more of the world. However, I understand that this particular story was focused on the Soulmateless and the dating show! The ending definitely leaves the door open for a second book, and I really hope there is one because I'd happily return to this world! 🖤📚
The premise of this book had me hooked instantly, and I couldn't wait to dive into this dystopian romance and discover the world of Calasca.
When Cera arrived at Last Chance Match, I immediately got Love Island vibes. It's not something I watch, but I know the basic idea! From the beginning there was a really eerie atmosphere that kept me questioning everything and everyone. Xenna constantly had me wondering what it was really thinking! 👀
Last Chance Match was brutal, unrelenting and unforgiving, with deception around every corner. Who do you trust? But throughout all the chaos and carnage, love still finds a way.🖤
Cera and Ryde knew each other from home, and although Cera doesn't have the highest opinion of Ryde, they soon come to rely on one another for survival. I did feel like Ryde's personality shifted a bit from how he treated her at home to how he treats her throughout the whole show! I wish we'd have gotten to know both MCs more in depth - I know there's more the Cera than her worrying about her sister and the finality of having her own death day sent to her.
I also wish we'd have spent a little longer on the show before the first challenge. I'd have liked to have gotten to know the other contestants more and hear their stories (whether they were true or not... 👀), I feel like the rest of the book would have been more impactful then as I'd have been more invested in the side characters.
For me personally, I wanted more of the world-building. In a dystopian romance I'd love a longer story and really get into discovering a new world. I'd have loved to learn more about the government and the different ways it controls its people, or simply to see more of the world. However, I understand that this particular story was focused on the Soulmateless and the dating show! The ending definitely leaves the door open for a second book, and I really hope there is one because I'd happily return to this world! 🖤📚
Review of advance copy received from Author
I read this as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really liked the premise of this, I thought the concept of an assigned soulmate or death sounded pretty different. I struggled a bit more with the execution of it, I think some of this comes from having seen it described as like the hunger games, to me it didn't feel like that at all, but it did feel like a much less x-rated version of Enchantra.
I liked:
The ending,
The opening scene was a fairly cool set up.
I feel like I could have liked the romance between Cera and Ryde if the book was dual POV, I could see his longing for her.
However:
I really didn't like Cera, either as a character or as narrator. I was supposed to be rooting for her, but what she wanted was all over the place and she somehow just kept lucking out and then acting like she'd executed it.
I also didn't like how quick everyone was to blame Cera for everything,
I hated how flip floppy people were.
I also wasn't a massive fan of the Robots, who firstly didn't act remotely like robots, but also they seemed to exist for the sake of it, there was no real reason for them.
Overall this was a quick, fairly fun read. Right now I'm not certain I'd pick up the second one when it's released, but I'll see how much this sticks with me.
I really liked the premise of this, I thought the concept of an assigned soulmate or death sounded pretty different. I struggled a bit more with the execution of it, I think some of this comes from having seen it described as like the hunger games, to me it didn't feel like that at all, but it did feel like a much less x-rated version of Enchantra.
I liked:
The ending,
The opening scene was a fairly cool set up.
I feel like I could have liked the romance between Cera and Ryde if the book was dual POV, I could see his longing for her.
However:
I really didn't like Cera, either as a character or as narrator. I was supposed to be rooting for her, but what she wanted was all over the place and she somehow just kept lucking out and then acting like she'd executed it.
I also didn't like how quick everyone was to blame Cera for everything,
I hated how flip floppy people were.
I also wasn't a massive fan of the Robots, who firstly didn't act remotely like robots, but also they seemed to exist for the sake of it, there was no real reason for them.
Overall this was a quick, fairly fun read. Right now I'm not certain I'd pick up the second one when it's released, but I'll see how much this sticks with me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book has a really interesting premise, and when I saw the posts about it it made me very curious to read it and find out how it all unfolds.
As other reviewers mentioned, it’s a mix of Love Island, The Hunger Games, and some Terminator style bots involved.
It is more of a thriller than anything else, some of the twists were unexpected while others were easy to spot.
Overall i enjoyed it, though the beginning is quite slow, Cera is very unlikeable (but she gets better as the story unfolds), the world building could have been a little bit more fleshed out.
I think after the first challenge things start to pick up, but then the final part is a bit weaker as well, probably to leave room for more books in the universe.
It maybe could have been a bit longer to give time for the other character to shine, i felt we only had glimpses of what they could be, most felt like placeholders (but maybe that was on purpose) and I didn’t really care much about anyone.
I struggled in the beginning with some descriptions, the way people move their bodies in this book is…strange. Heads “bob up and down”, “side to side”, and i struggled understanding what they meant, shoulders “popped up and down”, arms “fell back to [their] sides”, or “retreaded” into them….and what was up with Ryde always poking “his cheek with a pointed tongue”?
Overall an enjoyable read, interesting concept, and I am curious to see if the author will continue this and make it a series or write books in the universe to expand on some of the very interesting points that were made throughout the book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
As other reviewers mentioned, it’s a mix of Love Island, The Hunger Games, and some Terminator style bots involved.
It is more of a thriller than anything else, some of the twists were unexpected while others were easy to spot.
Overall i enjoyed it, though the beginning is quite slow, Cera is very unlikeable (but she gets better as the story unfolds), the world building could have been a little bit more fleshed out.
I think after the first challenge things start to pick up, but then the final part is a bit weaker as well, probably to leave room for more books in the universe.
It maybe could have been a bit longer to give time for the other character to shine, i felt we only had glimpses of what they could be, most felt like placeholders (but maybe that was on purpose) and I didn’t really care much about anyone.
I struggled in the beginning with some descriptions, the way people move their bodies in this book is…strange. Heads “bob up and down”, “side to side”, and i struggled understanding what they meant, shoulders “popped up and down”, arms “fell back to [their] sides”, or “retreaded” into them….and what was up with Ryde always poking “his cheek with a pointed tongue”?
Overall an enjoyable read, interesting concept, and I am curious to see if the author will continue this and make it a series or write books in the universe to expand on some of the very interesting points that were made throughout the book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 3, 2026
ARC read this in exchange for review
Last Chance Match had a premise that immediately hooked me. The idea of a toxic soulmate match is something I had never really considered before, and I was intrigued from the very first chapter. The opening does a nice job establishing the world, and I found myself wanting to learn more about how this government and matchmaking system worked.
That said, I struggled to connect with the female main character. Her attitude made it difficult for me to become emotionally invested, and because of that, some of the relationship development didn’t feel as natural as I had hoped. There were several moments where character motivations and emotional shifts left me wanting more.
The story definitely has a Love Island meets dystopian survival competition vibe, which is a fun concept. I just wish some aspects had been explored in greater depth. I would have loved more development for the supporting cast, stronger emotional impact surrounding certain events, and more thought put into some of the games and challenges. There were also a few backstory reveals that felt like they were setting something up but never fully paid off.
If you’re picking this up expecting a spicy romance, keep in mind that it’s fairly light on spice. The focus is much more on the competition, mystery, and world itself.
Even with my criticisms, the premise kept me reading because I genuinely wanted answers about the world and where everything was headed. While this one wasn’t quite the right fit for me, I do think the concept is unique, and I’d still be interested in reading a sequel to see how the story continues.
Last Chance Match had a premise that immediately hooked me. The idea of a toxic soulmate match is something I had never really considered before, and I was intrigued from the very first chapter. The opening does a nice job establishing the world, and I found myself wanting to learn more about how this government and matchmaking system worked.
That said, I struggled to connect with the female main character. Her attitude made it difficult for me to become emotionally invested, and because of that, some of the relationship development didn’t feel as natural as I had hoped. There were several moments where character motivations and emotional shifts left me wanting more.
The story definitely has a Love Island meets dystopian survival competition vibe, which is a fun concept. I just wish some aspects had been explored in greater depth. I would have loved more development for the supporting cast, stronger emotional impact surrounding certain events, and more thought put into some of the games and challenges. There were also a few backstory reveals that felt like they were setting something up but never fully paid off.
If you’re picking this up expecting a spicy romance, keep in mind that it’s fairly light on spice. The focus is much more on the competition, mystery, and world itself.
Even with my criticisms, the premise kept me reading because I genuinely wanted answers about the world and where everything was headed. While this one wasn’t quite the right fit for me, I do think the concept is unique, and I’d still be interested in reading a sequel to see how the story continues.
Review of advance copy received from Author
“Cera Hendrix, by order of President Horowitz Blanche, you have been selected to participate in Last Chance Match.”
4.5⭐️
I really enjoyed this story. It felt like such a unique concept and I immediately want more. I loved getting to see the different types of bots. And I think the constant juxtaposition between the awful things happening and the fancy place where everyone is staying is fantastic. It hooked me immediately and pulled me out of a bit of a slump where I’d started like 6 different books. It was super easy to read which I think helped, and was a great book to kick off my summer holidays with!
What I liked:
🍸The group of people as a whole
🍸 The bots (especially Wyn)
🍸 The different challenges (I think the escape room was a fun one)
🍸 All the secrets and the various ways they come out.
What I struggled with:
🍸 I wish it was longer.
🍸 I wish we got to know some of the characters a bit more, or that they had a little more bonding time before the first elimination.
🍸 I might just be desensitised but I found it to be a not very intense horror, which is fine and I enjoyed it but some of the reviews made it sound a lot more intense than it actually was. I think it was more of a thriller.
Favourite character/s:
Wyn and Tolly
Who this is for/recommendations:
If you want a fun and unique dystopian romance then this is absolutely for you
Minority/inclusion:
Limb loss, PTSD, recovering addict
I read an e-arc of this book and all of my opinions are my own🖤 Thank you to the author and to booksirens, I had so much fun reading this!
4.5⭐️
I really enjoyed this story. It felt like such a unique concept and I immediately want more. I loved getting to see the different types of bots. And I think the constant juxtaposition between the awful things happening and the fancy place where everyone is staying is fantastic. It hooked me immediately and pulled me out of a bit of a slump where I’d started like 6 different books. It was super easy to read which I think helped, and was a great book to kick off my summer holidays with!
What I liked:
🍸The group of people as a whole
🍸 The bots (especially Wyn)
🍸 The different challenges (I think the escape room was a fun one)
🍸 All the secrets and the various ways they come out.
What I struggled with:
🍸 I wish it was longer.
🍸 I wish we got to know some of the characters a bit more, or that they had a little more bonding time before the first elimination.
🍸 I might just be desensitised but I found it to be a not very intense horror, which is fine and I enjoyed it but some of the reviews made it sound a lot more intense than it actually was. I think it was more of a thriller.
Favourite character/s:
Wyn and Tolly
Who this is for/recommendations:
If you want a fun and unique dystopian romance then this is absolutely for you
Minority/inclusion:
Limb loss, PTSD, recovering addict
I read an e-arc of this book and all of my opinions are my own🖤 Thank you to the author and to booksirens, I had so much fun reading this!
Review of advance copy received from Author
🚨 SMALL SPOILERS AHEAD 🚨
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book, and UGH… it fed directly into my dystopian romance obsession. 😍
This was such a refreshing, unique, and entertaining read! It felt like the perfect mix of The Hunger Games and Love Island—which is a combination I didn’t know I needed until now. 😂
In this world, the Government essentially controls your entire life, including how long you get to live. Your lifespan is determined by whether they can find your “perfect match” or soulmate based on a compatibility score. If you aren’t matched with a soulmate, you’re executed at 30… unless you’re lucky (or unlucky 👀) enough to be selected for a reality show called Last Chance Match.
I had a feeling the “game” would turn into a literal fight for survival if you were eliminated, but the way the challenges were designed was SO unique. I genuinely never could have predicted some of the twists and what would happen during them.
And I LOVED the storyline between Cera and Ryde. ❤️ My only criticism is that I didn’t completely understand why Cera disliked him so much in the beginning. It felt like she was reaching for little reasons to hate him, only to drop them pretty quickly. Other than that, I absolutely loved their characters and their dynamic!
Overall, this was such a fun, addictive read, and I cannot WAIT to see what happens in the next book!!! I’ll definitely be continuing this series. 📚✨
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book, and UGH… it fed directly into my dystopian romance obsession. 😍
This was such a refreshing, unique, and entertaining read! It felt like the perfect mix of The Hunger Games and Love Island—which is a combination I didn’t know I needed until now. 😂
In this world, the Government essentially controls your entire life, including how long you get to live. Your lifespan is determined by whether they can find your “perfect match” or soulmate based on a compatibility score. If you aren’t matched with a soulmate, you’re executed at 30… unless you’re lucky (or unlucky 👀) enough to be selected for a reality show called Last Chance Match.
I had a feeling the “game” would turn into a literal fight for survival if you were eliminated, but the way the challenges were designed was SO unique. I genuinely never could have predicted some of the twists and what would happen during them.
And I LOVED the storyline between Cera and Ryde. ❤️ My only criticism is that I didn’t completely understand why Cera disliked him so much in the beginning. It felt like she was reaching for little reasons to hate him, only to drop them pretty quickly. Other than that, I absolutely loved their characters and their dynamic!
Overall, this was such a fun, addictive read, and I cannot WAIT to see what happens in the next book!!! I’ll definitely be continuing this series. 📚✨
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Last chance match is set in a dark dytopian world where soulmates are chosen by the government through blood tests and each match is rated out of 100. The higher the rating the better life you will live with a 90+ rating giving the couple high paid jobs, top range houses and luxuries like no other. For the Soulmateless their seen as the lowest in society and struggle through life until their exterminated at 30. This story follows Cera after she receives a hologram from the government with her extermination notice for 2 months time at the same time the government decides to host a game show for a select few soulmateless citizens called last chance match to find their soulmate and Cera is picked. She arrives at the location and finds herself paired with Ryde an annoying bloke who she knows from the diner she works at and that she can't stand. As the show progresses they find that not all is as it seems. The saying find your soulmate to "DIE" for seems to have a more literal meaning. I absolutely devoured this book! The plot twists and secrets kept coming and I couldn't put it down wondering who was next. The emotional connection to the characters and the world building was phenomenal. The forced proximity was genius and I genuinely loved the unique storyline. I'm excited to see what book 2 brings
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC REVIEW
First off, thank you SO much to Gabriella St. Luke for the opportunity to ARC read this AMAZING book!
Okay, I was not expecting this book to go the direction it did. I thought I was getting a deadly matchmaking game and ended up with a much bigger dystopian story full of twists, secrets, and a whole lot of “wait… what?” moments. 😂
The world building was probably my favorite surprise. The more I learned, the more I realized there was so much more going on behind the scenes than I originally thought. The stakes kept getting higher and the story kept pulling me in.
I’ll admit Cera tested my patience at times. Her self-blame and lack of self-worth were frustrating because this girl really had a talent for taking responsibility for everything. 😂 But once more of her past came to light, I understood her character a lot better.
Ryde, though? Loved him. 🥹 He was patient, protective, and genuinely cared about Cera. Their relationship was definitely the highlight for me, and I loved watching the dynamic between them change throughout the book.
This book had way more depth than I expected going in. It’s dark, it’s intense, and the twists just keep coming. If you like dystopian romance with high stakes, secrets, and a plot that keeps getting bigger as you go, I think you’ll really enjoy this one.
First off, thank you SO much to Gabriella St. Luke for the opportunity to ARC read this AMAZING book!
Okay, I was not expecting this book to go the direction it did. I thought I was getting a deadly matchmaking game and ended up with a much bigger dystopian story full of twists, secrets, and a whole lot of “wait… what?” moments. 😂
The world building was probably my favorite surprise. The more I learned, the more I realized there was so much more going on behind the scenes than I originally thought. The stakes kept getting higher and the story kept pulling me in.
I’ll admit Cera tested my patience at times. Her self-blame and lack of self-worth were frustrating because this girl really had a talent for taking responsibility for everything. 😂 But once more of her past came to light, I understood her character a lot better.
Ryde, though? Loved him. 🥹 He was patient, protective, and genuinely cared about Cera. Their relationship was definitely the highlight for me, and I loved watching the dynamic between them change throughout the book.
This book had way more depth than I expected going in. It’s dark, it’s intense, and the twists just keep coming. If you like dystopian romance with high stakes, secrets, and a plot that keeps getting bigger as you go, I think you’ll really enjoy this one.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I would describe this book as The Hunger Games meets Love Island. I love the premise of it and was really intrigued from the TikToks posted about it.
For me, the first 10% was a bit too sci-fi and focused on too much technical terminology and world building that perhaps I didn’t need for me to understand the game show. I think if this was stripped back to her being a waitress on Luriel and soulmateless without much more added it would have hooked me in sooner as I was trying too hard to wrap my head around the names/technical terms for everywhere too much.
Once it got to the game show, I really did enjoy the premise. It’s hard to try and keep a track of so many contestants but with some being killed off so quickly this wasn’t too much of an issue really. Some people that were killed off weren’t who I expected, which made it interesting. I like how some of the challenges helped us to learn more too and moved the plot along naturally.
I also liked learning more about the bots running the game show as the story unfolded and think this aspect was really interesting.
As someone from the UK, I was amused every time Hallifax was mentioned as a drug and couldn’t stop thinking about the bank as I read. I love the way that this weaves into the story though!
For me, the first 10% was a bit too sci-fi and focused on too much technical terminology and world building that perhaps I didn’t need for me to understand the game show. I think if this was stripped back to her being a waitress on Luriel and soulmateless without much more added it would have hooked me in sooner as I was trying too hard to wrap my head around the names/technical terms for everywhere too much.
Once it got to the game show, I really did enjoy the premise. It’s hard to try and keep a track of so many contestants but with some being killed off so quickly this wasn’t too much of an issue really. Some people that were killed off weren’t who I expected, which made it interesting. I like how some of the challenges helped us to learn more too and moved the plot along naturally.
I also liked learning more about the bots running the game show as the story unfolded and think this aspect was really interesting.
As someone from the UK, I was amused every time Hallifax was mentioned as a drug and couldn’t stop thinking about the bank as I read. I love the way that this weaves into the story though!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was an Advanced Reader Copy
4.5 Stars
What can I say I am a dystopian girlie through and through and I devoured this book.
Imagine living in a society where if you are not matched to your soulmate by the age of 30 you are eliminated. With Soulmatelessness on the rise Cera is waiting for her time to expire but an offer to find her match on the new show Last Chance Match has her feeling a sense of hope, until she sees who she is matched with, someone she cannot stand, who has been a thorn in her side for years... and not only that this "game show" shows no remorse for those eliminated from the show.
Political corruption, amazing plot twists, and a world that has barely scratched the surface of where this author can take it. I enjoyed this book so much and am so excited to see where the author goes!
Thank you Gabriela for the copy of this book and I am ready for book two whenever you are :)
4.5 Stars
What can I say I am a dystopian girlie through and through and I devoured this book.
Imagine living in a society where if you are not matched to your soulmate by the age of 30 you are eliminated. With Soulmatelessness on the rise Cera is waiting for her time to expire but an offer to find her match on the new show Last Chance Match has her feeling a sense of hope, until she sees who she is matched with, someone she cannot stand, who has been a thorn in her side for years... and not only that this "game show" shows no remorse for those eliminated from the show.
Political corruption, amazing plot twists, and a world that has barely scratched the surface of where this author can take it. I enjoyed this book so much and am so excited to see where the author goes!
Thank you Gabriela for the copy of this book and I am ready for book two whenever you are :)
July 27, 2026
I received an ARC copy from the author, and I’m so glad I requested it!
Last Chance Match was exactly what I wanted it to be. It’s a quick, easy read, but that doesn’t take away from how unique and entertaining the story is. As someone who loves dystopian fiction (and, admittedly, is a Love Island fan 👀), this book was such a fun combination of both worlds.
The last 100 pages were incredible—I genuinely couldn’t put it down and just had to keep reading to find out what happened next.
I also have to give extra credit considering this is the author’s debut—it’s such an impressive first novel. It was everything I had hoped The Compound would be, after that one left me feeling a little disappointed.
If you’re a fan of dystopian stories with reality TV vibes, I absolutely recommend giving this one a read! 🤩 I’m already excited to see what Gabriela St. Luke writes next!
Last Chance Match was exactly what I wanted it to be. It’s a quick, easy read, but that doesn’t take away from how unique and entertaining the story is. As someone who loves dystopian fiction (and, admittedly, is a Love Island fan 👀), this book was such a fun combination of both worlds.
The last 100 pages were incredible—I genuinely couldn’t put it down and just had to keep reading to find out what happened next.
I also have to give extra credit considering this is the author’s debut—it’s such an impressive first novel. It was everything I had hoped The Compound would be, after that one left me feeling a little disappointed.
If you’re a fan of dystopian stories with reality TV vibes, I absolutely recommend giving this one a read! 🤩 I’m already excited to see what Gabriela St. Luke writes next!
Review of advance copy
I received a free E-ARC from the Author and BookSirens in exchange for an honest review. All opinions contained in the review are my own.
When I first read the blurb, I immediately knew it would be something up my alley. It was giving Love Island meets The Hunger Games. The whole premise of the book is really interesting and I'd be even more interested in more of the back story as to how society wound up that way!
Just reading the first few chapters my jaw was already on the floor. The book is fast paced and easy to follow. I found that even if I didn't like a character, I still wanted to know more about them.
I liked Cera's character and her development throughout the book. I also quite enjoyed the side characters.
The ending left on a bit of a cliffhanger and im really interested to follow Cera and Ryde's story!
When I first read the blurb, I immediately knew it would be something up my alley. It was giving Love Island meets The Hunger Games. The whole premise of the book is really interesting and I'd be even more interested in more of the back story as to how society wound up that way!
Just reading the first few chapters my jaw was already on the floor. The book is fast paced and easy to follow. I found that even if I didn't like a character, I still wanted to know more about them.
I liked Cera's character and her development throughout the book. I also quite enjoyed the side characters.
The ending left on a bit of a cliffhanger and im really interested to follow Cera and Ryde's story!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I absolutely loved Last Chance Match! It’s The Hunger Games meets Love Island and Are You the One?, so if any of those are your vibe you will also love this book! I was hooked from the beginning and couldn’t put it down. Definitely in my top five of 2026.
Gabriela St. Luke created a world unlike any other I’ve read about. The detail and explanation of everything is not simple, but easy to follow and understand.
It was easy to love (and hate) the characters. The dynamics between all the characters, whether romantic, platonic, or otherwise was written beautifully. The romance was great, but I absolutely loved the friendships more and how they were written. This book had me laughing, crying, and yelling “What the F***?!”
Thank you BookSirens and Gabriela St. Luke for this free ARC of Last Chance Match that I will continue to rave about in reviews.
Gabriela St. Luke created a world unlike any other I’ve read about. The detail and explanation of everything is not simple, but easy to follow and understand.
It was easy to love (and hate) the characters. The dynamics between all the characters, whether romantic, platonic, or otherwise was written beautifully. The romance was great, but I absolutely loved the friendships more and how they were written. This book had me laughing, crying, and yelling “What the F***?!”
Thank you BookSirens and Gabriela St. Luke for this free ARC of Last Chance Match that I will continue to rave about in reviews.
Review of advance copy
I found this book via tiktok and it offered dystopian romance meets love island. Well I would say if you've ever seen battle royale that would give you a taste of how this plays out.
The premise is awesome and the execution is OK. I think a bit more work could have been done to establish the main characters before the meat of the story. I think the world building was pretty good but the early dialogue definitely gave love island. Things improved for me around the half way point and I felt a lot more engaged with the characters during the climax.
I think there could have been more transition to the conclusion as it almost felt like a set up for a sequel post last chance match. It was slightly anticlimactic. Some nice little plot surprises so I think I would recommend for an easy (albeit gory) read.
The premise is awesome and the execution is OK. I think a bit more work could have been done to establish the main characters before the meat of the story. I think the world building was pretty good but the early dialogue definitely gave love island. Things improved for me around the half way point and I felt a lot more engaged with the characters during the climax.
I think there could have been more transition to the conclusion as it almost felt like a set up for a sequel post last chance match. It was slightly anticlimactic. Some nice little plot surprises so I think I would recommend for an easy (albeit gory) read.
Review of advance copy received from Auteur
Thank you to the author for giving me an ARC for this book!
I'm giving it 3.5 stars rounded to 4. I had a good time reading this book. I always find that the concept or reality show in book is very interesting and this was good, with lots of plot twists by the end of the book.
I had a bit of a hard time at first, because I feel like we didn't know the FMC well enough to truly feel empathetic for her, to the point that I actually found her quite annoying at first. Also, there were a couple of time where the phrasing was a bit confusing and I wasn't really sure what was happening.
Except for that, the book was globally entertaining and interesting, with a plot which seemed layered enough to last a few more books without getting boring. And of course, the last 15/20% were great, with revelations upon plot twists upon revelations
I'm giving it 3.5 stars rounded to 4. I had a good time reading this book. I always find that the concept or reality show in book is very interesting and this was good, with lots of plot twists by the end of the book.
I had a bit of a hard time at first, because I feel like we didn't know the FMC well enough to truly feel empathetic for her, to the point that I actually found her quite annoying at first. Also, there were a couple of time where the phrasing was a bit confusing and I wasn't really sure what was happening.
Except for that, the book was globally entertaining and interesting, with a plot which seemed layered enough to last a few more books without getting boring. And of course, the last 15/20% were great, with revelations upon plot twists upon revelations
August 9, 2026
First of all, thanks to both the author and BookSirens for this ARC (you’ve finished successfully with my reading slump).
This story has been incredible to read (and not only because I’ve started and finished it on the same day), but the characters and that dark dystopian situation that gives you sometimes goosebumps and memories of the first books in the Shatter Me series, connected with the tension of have also that reality show vibes, as in this book is Love Island, makes the meaning behind obsession truly (truth truth truth!!) real and sometimes scary (just kidding!!).
I can’t wait to see what the future holds for the story of this main characters (specifically between Cera and Ryde) and for what the author has for the incredible start as this is her debut novel (girl, keep writing, this was iconic and definitely my sh*t).
This story has been incredible to read (and not only because I’ve started and finished it on the same day), but the characters and that dark dystopian situation that gives you sometimes goosebumps and memories of the first books in the Shatter Me series, connected with the tension of have also that reality show vibes, as in this book is Love Island, makes the meaning behind obsession truly (truth truth truth!!) real and sometimes scary (just kidding!!).
I can’t wait to see what the future holds for the story of this main characters (specifically between Cera and Ryde) and for what the author has for the incredible start as this is her debut novel (girl, keep writing, this was iconic and definitely my sh*t).
July 28, 2026
Last Chance Match has such an incredible and unique premise. I lost count of how many amazing twists this story had. It hooked me from the beginning and kept my interest all the way to the end. As soon as I thought I knew what would happen, the story turned in a different direction. It continually had my jaw on the floor (apologies to my cat for scaring him when I yelled about plot twists) and even made me cry once or twice. Absolutely a must-read if you enjoy dystopian and horror with a bit of romance.
I will absolutely be adding it to my rotation of books that pull me out of a reading slump!
Thank you to the author for letting me read an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
I will absolutely be adding it to my rotation of books that pull me out of a reading slump!
Thank you to the author for letting me read an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Last Chance Match was great! The world is very unique, with people being matched with soulmates. I loved that it added the reality show aspect. I finished it quickly and would love to read more of this world.The reason I didn't give this a 5-star rating is because I felt the chemistry between the female and male main characters was missing. The female main character went from hating the male main character to loving him in less than a month, which didn't feel believable. FMC described herself as strong multiple times, but I would classify her as more resilient than a typical strong female character. Overall, this was an excellent read, and I eagerly anticipate the author's future work.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Ii was fortunate enough to have been chosen as an ARC reader for Last Chance Match. The initial blurb sounded interesting but when I started reading, I DEVOURED this book! I am struggling to write how amazing this book was without giving anything away! The twists, the turns, the second guessing what actually is going on literally kept me on the edge of my seat the entire book. The book is a mix of a reality dating game and the hunger games. Set in a world where those who arent matched with a soul mate by age 30 face extermination, a few lucky contestants get the opportunity to compete to find a match only to find not everything is what it seems. I would highly recommend reading this to anyone who enjoys dystopian stories!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I loved the idea of this book, the concept sounded unique. As I started reading I found myself becoming engrossed in the story. The characters are all written well, they all have different quirks and personalities which shown throughout the story.
As the story continued I guessed where the author was going with it. Perhaps this was because I had read a similar book not long before reading this. However it didn’t spoil my enjoyment of the story.
The ending leaves it open for continuing in a series and I am intrigued to see where the author takes it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
As the story continued I guessed where the author was going with it. Perhaps this was because I had read a similar book not long before reading this. However it didn’t spoil my enjoyment of the story.
The ending leaves it open for continuing in a series and I am intrigued to see where the author takes it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy
What an amazing debut novel. I loved the sound of this book after watching the author talk about it, but I was in no way prepared for the twists and turns it would take. It's such a refreshing read; I haven't read anything like it before. It was a bit slow at first, but the build-up was definitely needed to gain insight into the main characters. However, it was such an easy read that I was hooked and rooting for every character. As far as I know it's a standalone; however, I could see this becoming a series. It is wrapped up well at the end, but I would love to know what comes next.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 2, 2026
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I couldn’t put this book down. It had me hooked. It was an i robot/ love island/ hunger game vibe. About the 30% mark was like wow! my emotions where high. I had to finish the book and kept thinking about it and wondering what happens next. Ryde i loved his character was great, i cant wait to learn more about him. And cera she had so much character growth. The whole book was a rollercoaster vibe. I loved it! Will be recommending this to everyone who listens. Cant wait for next one. I want to learn more about the world.
I couldn’t put this book down. It had me hooked. It was an i robot/ love island/ hunger game vibe. About the 30% mark was like wow! my emotions where high. I had to finish the book and kept thinking about it and wondering what happens next. Ryde i loved his character was great, i cant wait to learn more about him. And cera she had so much character growth. The whole book was a rollercoaster vibe. I loved it! Will be recommending this to everyone who listens. Cant wait for next one. I want to learn more about the world.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Oh. My. Gosh. I was obsessed with this book before I even read it. I came across the author on TikTok and INSTANTLY knew I had to read it. I received an ARC for it and let me tell you, I adored every single page. I devoured it. The main characters are very likeable, and relatable honestly. The writing was very smooth and reader-friendly. Fans of Divergent or Hunger Games would really enjoy this. Coming from someone who prefers my books spicy, I was genuinely in love with this book, despite it being different than what I typically read. Thank you so much Gabriela for the AMAZING read! I can't wait for the next one 😍
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