Firsts and Lasts

by Annette Lyon

Dani has failed in her dreams to catch a break as a dancer in New York, but before she heads home to the Midwest, she decides to visit the places still on her to-see list. Then she meets Mark, another transplant to the Big Apple with big dreams of his own. Except Mark hasn’t given up on his. As they spend the day together, Dani realizes that even though she hasn’t hit the big time, she may be able to live her dreams after all. Only one she's broke and has a one-way ticket home.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary

54 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 3, 2017

About the author

Annette Lyon is a USA Today bestselling author, an 9-time recipient of Utah’s Best in State medal for fiction (three times for novel-length works and five times for short fiction), and a Whitney Award winner for BAND OF SISTERS. She's the author of over a dozen novels, at least that many novellas, a cookbook, a popular grammar guide, and over a hundred magazine articles.

She’s a founder and regular contributor of the Timeless Romance Anthologies line of sweet romance stories, which she served as editor for its first three years. She's also one of the four co-authors of The Newport Ladies Book Club series. She graduated cum laude from BYU with a degree in English.

Annette is represented by Jill Marsal of the Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.

Her first suspense novel, Just One More, releases 2023 through Scarlet Suspense.

Reviews

[Heidi Robbins (Heidi Reads...) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love this sweet novella! I finished it with a smile on my face :) I loved the New York City setting, I loved the chance meeting, I loved the interaction and innate understanding between Dani and Mark. The story goes beyond that first day together, which allows for more depth and development. There is a real sense of Dani's weariness with the hard life of an aspiring performing artist. Mark feels that too, but helps Dani with some rejuvenation as they finish her list of "firsts and lasts" together. He helps her rediscover her motivation and provides encouragement when she needs it the most. They had great chemistry in addition to a blossoming friendship and the tension builds as the day approaches for Dani to leave NYC. Highly recommend!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

[Katie (hiding in the pages) · Rating 5 out of 5]

What would you do if you had one day to spend in NYC? Dani has had a must-see list, but has been busy doing her thing while in New York. When she meets Mark, just before heading home for good, they spend a whirlwind day exploring the city and marking things off her list.

I always find it interesting that it's harder to see those touristy places when you're living and working in that area. It's not really a vacation--it's real life. I loved experiencing the day with this couple and found their connection to be really sweet and romantic. This is a great book to read in a day and get a pick-me-up feeling, while experiencing something fun from the comfort of your own home.

[Amy Koster · Rating 5 out of 5]

What do you do when you have a strong passion of music and dance? Head to New York City! That is exactly what Dani decided to do six months ago. Now seeing her dreams as failed, she decides to head home to the Midwest. On the quest to finish her to-see list Mark, a fellow musician and dreamer. She has given up on her dream but Mark has not given up on his. Will he be able to convince Dani to stay and not give up?

What a fun novella. It is short but full of fun. I honestly want to visit New York even more after reading it. I instantly fell in love with both characters. As a musician and being married to a musician I completely understand their determination to find success in their love of the Arts. This story shows us that no matter how hard we think our dreams or passions are we need to never give up.

I highly recommend this novella to anyone looking for a warm fuzzy read. It is quick but packed full of fun.

*Please note I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Mara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This sweet novella was originally part of the Summer in New York Collection (A Timeless Romance Anthology). Dani went to NYC to pursue her dream of being on broadway but after 6 months the dream is fading and she's run out of money. While doing things on her "Firsts and Lasts" list, before she moves back home, she meets Mark, who's handsome and likes a lot of the same things Dani likes. They become fast friends and he helps her spend the last 10 days of her time in NYC checking off items on her "Firsts and Lasts" list. Mark also came to NYC pursuing a dream but he refuses to give up on his. Can he convince Dani to stay in NYC and continue pursuing her dream instead of returning home to the Midwest?
Such a wonderful love story that's based on friendship and mutual interests. I received a free copy of this novella in exchange for an honest review.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute little story. It was originally published in an anthology New York romances. It was just a light read and like a deeper emotion feeling in my books.

[Bree · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very cute quick read about two artists struggling to make ends meet in New York. Dani has decided to head back home in 10 days but before doing so she plans to do the touristy things she hasn't had a chance to do. She has a chance encounter with Mark who turns her last 10 days in to her best 10 days of the last 6 months. Their friendship develops and soon feelings for more develop on both sides but she's leaving so soon. I loved this book about not giving up on dreams and building connections with those in your life. This was a very well written short novella.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another interesting approach to NYC - leaving after living there and trying to do everything for the first time before you don't get another chance. Cute story of the 2 characters, their chance meeting, their similar situations, and how they fall in love and deal with the firsts and lasts. Also, busking was a different element for me. I know people do it all the time in the city but never knew that's what it was called.

[Marie Engberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Read!

This book was a great quick read. I loved all of the tourist attractions that this book named. I've never been to New York, so it was fun to read about. I really liked that Annette put some of today's problems and issues in the book; both Mark and Dani were struggling to find work, so I felt like I could relate.

Always love Annette's work!

[Sheetal Varade · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick easy novella to read... just under 60 pages and its just a story about 2 characters who are both trying to make it big in New York City in their respective art fields; music and dancing, fall in love with each other and keep each other dream alive by believing in each other.

[Donna Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet romantic novella.

This was a very sweet clean romance that had me enjoying the great places of New York. The characters were great and the story very romantic.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story appeared originally in the Timeless Romance Anthology Summer in New York and then again in the Annette Lyon Collection. Each time I have read this sweet story I have thoroughly enjoyed the adventures of Dani & Mark. She only had ten days remaining in New York when they met, and I loved how they connected on such a deep level. Wonderful quick read for a lazy afternoon.

The story is a quick glimpse into the lives of two artists trying to make their way in the Big Apple. Dani has dreams of being on Broadway, and Mark has dreams of making it big in a symphony. Both have struggled to make ends meet with less than ideal jobs while auditioning and yet still the dream is out of reach. Their chance meeting at the MMA leads to a whirlwind of memorable experiences as they tackle Dani's list of places she needs to visit for the "first and last" time before she gives up her dream and heads back to Illinois.