Alice had no choice but to leave Lisette, three years into the romance that all started with the family Christmas ball every ten years. With Richmond family head and Alice’s aunt Gina offering an ultimatum that held Alice’s niece Rose hostage, she had no choice but to break up with the woman she loved—or to convince Lisette to break up with her, even if by lying. When Lisette got her dream job offer in a different continent, she never thought leaving for France meant leaving Alice, too. But only a few months later, Alice shook her world telling Lisette she’d cheated on her, and she never dared open her heart again. Seven more years after, the two of them never thought they could fall in love again—let alone with one another. But the Christmas ball comes every ten years, and the two of them find themselves together again in the same place they fell in love the first time. Things are different this time. The two of them, disillusioned by an exploitative and outdated tradition in this Christmas ball, only agree to cooperate on a shared objective: to end this tradition that broke both of them and threatens the happiness of the few family members they’ve ever been close to, and to make this the last Christmas ball. But the love they shared ten years ago wasn’t a coincidence, and the draw between the two of them is irrefutable. And maybe this year, trying to end a family tradition older than their grandparents will bring them to what family really is, and that sometimes, falling in love is worth the risk. No matter how fragile or how impossible.
The Last Christmas Ball is a 100k second-chance Christmas romance that takes place ten years after The Christmas Ball, dealing with themes of chosen family, trust and forgiveness, and of choosing happiness for ourselves. Content warnings for religious homophobia, open-door sex scenes, really nasty family members, and lesbians who are obviously in love with each other but keep making bad decisions.
3.5 stars. A sweet second chance romance about family meddling, strange Christmas traditions and chosen families.
This is the second book in the series after The Christmas Ball. Alice and Lisette are from two close families who have a Christmas ball every 10 years to 'pair off' everyone in the traditional debutante ball kind of manner, something I find hard to comprehend and certainly have no experience of, so I'm fascinated by the concept and the group of characters this brings together.
I've liked Seabrooke's work in the past and I enjoyed her writing again. The setting means things can feel a little repetitive at times, especially if you read both books in quick succession, but I think Seabrooke does a good job of not making it too repetitive. This second book is more character focussed and diverse as she draws out the strangeness of the arrangement and how to modern the families.
I'm not really in the Christmas mood, I'm more in the it's been a long 18 months and I just want to sleep mood, so at first I wanted to put this book down because I couldn't connect with the Christmas theme, however I'm glad I persevered as I liked both of these characters in the first instalment and was happy to find out the resolution to their story.
There are a lot of secondary characters, all with their own issues and reasons for wanting things to either stay stuck in their ways or for things to move in a new direction. I was impressed that I was never lost as to who anyone was, even with two large families involved.
It's a little on the long side, so you'll need to make time for this book, but the storyline is worth it in the end. I'd also recommend reading the first in the series The Christmas Ball as whilst this could be read as a standalone, I don't think it would be particularly enjoyable, as all of the characters appear in the first instalment and it sets up the romance of Lisette and Alice falling in love and all of the family dynamics that are so important in this narrative.
Also, whilst this is set at Christmastime, I don't think you have to read it at Christmas, should you be considering this at a different time of year. There are some inherently Christmas elements of it, but at its heart it's really about chosen families and love.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
In all actuality this is probably closer to a 2.5 for me. I enjoyed myself for the most part? But Idk, I found a little bit of it repetitive and once the big reveal of why they actually broke up seven years ago is revealed to both of them the conflict that kept up just kind of felt a little dragged out for the sake of it. This also just might be my cynical self coming through, but my god did I find that the dad talks to Alice to just be way too cheesy and over the top. It’s an easy read for Christmas and it was kind of nice to see the progression from a lot of the secondary characters from the first book, but I did enjoy that one more.
Note: I was given a complimentary ARC of this work in exchange for an honest review.
I will be the first to admit that I'm not often satisfied with where romance novel end. Epilogues are too short and many don't even have those. So when I saw the opportunity to give The Last Christmas Ball a read, I was quick to snatch it up. After all, Seabrooke is one of my favorite romance authors, and to revisit characters whose happily ever after might take more work than most was a chance I couldn't pass up.
In a matter of pages, I was instantly hooked, drawn back into Lisette and Alice's world, where everyone around them held ridiculous expectations and neither Alice nor Lisette seemed to believe or expect happiness for themselves. It has been ten years since the Christmas ball that had brought them into each other's arms, and seven since the love had been shattered by deceit and manipulation. Lisette lived her life in France, Alice carries around the weight of what she's done around her neck, nestled next to the engagement ring that didn't have a chance to be presented. They aren't even the only ones to have suffered. Derek, Alice's father, made one of the hardest decisions of his life, in support of his daughter and together Derek and Alice were cast out. We find Henry, who I personally loved in the first book, changed to an almost unrecognizable degree. This book is a whirlwind of emotions on so many levels, there was more than once where it left me breathless,
Seabrooke manages to take characters she previously introduced us to and weave new depth and facets into them. She even made me, grudgingly, like Seth! Don't be fooled, though. Change can have some harsh consequences as well, one which damn near broke my heart (but saved it in the end). Despite this, don't hesitate to put your trust in Seabrooke. She is an expert at her craft, and wastes no time in showing just how well she can create the stories that bring us all so much love and hope.
With Last Christmas Ball, Seabrooke breathes new life into the concept of Happily Ever After. She warns that it might not be easy, and it certainly isn't without its challenges, but love is a labor of the heart, and the heart knows what the heart needs. I cannot recommend this beautiful book enough to any fan of the genre. I can almost assure you that you, like myself, will be swept up in the romance and heartfelt goodness of this second installment of Alice and Lisette's search for their happily ever after.
This wonderful second chance romance is full of hope, love, and family (the one you make) and gave me all the feels and wrapped me in joy and love. This story is a sequel but can be read on its own perfectly. I loved the references to The Christmas Ball and how throughout the story you can see things coming full circle. All the references to the first book are fun for readers who started at the beginning but never exclude new readers, instead pulling them in and adding context they missed. Seabrooke did a terrific job catering to new and old readers alike. I loved all of the characters throughout this story, especially the younger generation who are in the same position Lisette and Alice were in in the first book showing exactly how important Alice and Lisette’s choices are. Both Alice and Lisette make so many mistakes throughout the story. Communication is their biggest obstacle, and they need to work so hard to break down each others barriers. I loved all of their interactions and dialogue, the chemistry and caring they share despite all the hurt and years apart is glaringly obvious on every page. I never thought I would side with the person who lied about cheating over the person who believes they were cheated on, but here I am. Alice is the sweetest most selfless and open person imaginable with relentless charm and the most marvelous inner light that is like a beacon to those around her. Lisette is very closed off and runs from her feelings, I always wanted her and Alice to be together (they are so obviously meant to be) and loved her when she and Alice were interacting, but when it was just Lisette I struggled to connect with her, just not my cup of tea. But when Seabrooke put Alice and Lissette together? Be it fighting, flirting, or kissing, they fit together perfectly and bring out the best in each other. I loved the message of family is what you make it. So much of this story is about all the ups and downs of family be it blood or found. I loved how things came together in this regard. The hope, joy, and understanding that develops throughout the story is a balm to anyone who has been hurt by those who should love you unconditionally. The romance is slow burn and heavy pinning as the gulf Alice and Lisette have made closes inch by inch. The two women are forced to recreate the scenarios in which they fell in love for the first time. The explosive energy when they come crashing back together is like a lightning strike. The two of them share sweet and sexy moments in spades and I couldn’t get enough of them and their beautiful connection. The tear jerking Acknowledgment section is full to the brim with love and community, and shows how amazing and caring Lily is. Another all around marvelous story from Lily Seabrooke. Beautiful and brimming with hope and love. Everything I have come to expect and receive from one of her fantastic books. Also gingerbread lesbians!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I think after the perfect fairy tale ending of the first book in this series, people might be wondering why there's a sequel at all. But if 2020 proved anything, it's how life can throw curve balls at you and easily ruin what was supposed to be perfect. More than that, this book is about growing up to be someone you don't recognize and how to break away from that, to reject cynicism and learn to believe in love again. The last book to me felt like it was more about Alice, but this one really zeroes in on Lisette, who struggles to open up and let herself care for another person beyond a surface level. As much as I enjoyed the dreamy, super romantic aura of the first book, this one felt more real and more applicable to my own life.
Alice and Lisette falling in love again and peeling away the lies that broke them up was a really moving plotline, but my actual favorite part of this book was returning to characters from the first book and giving them more depth and development. As Alice tries to recruit members of her family to help end the Christmas Ball tradition, she discovers how it's been harming them, and she and Lisette work together to make a new, welcoming space for everyone, not just people who fit her family's mold. It felt like a really necessary sequel because Alice and Lisette got their happy ending in book one, but here, they make sure everyone else gets one too.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I was given and ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I think I enjoyed this one better than the first! I was immediately drawn back into the world of Alice and Lisette and Christmas balls and I loved it.
The first book ended so perfectly I was surprised there was a second one at all, but Seabrooke has crafted an amazing story of working for your happy ending that I thought felt real and earned.
10 years have passed since the ending of the first book and Lisette is living in France and Alice in the US. At first I wasn't sure if their break up would work, but Seabrooke really did well making it believable. It was delicious when they saw each other again, I felt both their pain and their yearning.
There was a bit with Lisette that frustrated me a little—I wanted to sit her down and give her a good talking to, but the ending more than made up for the angst.
The secondary characters were good too, and there were a couple of endearing side plots to go with the main romance.
I also love the message that family is what you make it. The saying 'the blood of the convent is thicker than the water of the womb' comes to mind with this book. I love a good found family story!
Leads Lisette and Alice feature in this slow burn romance (and a continuation of events that ensued from The Christmas Ball 10 years earlier). The author's descriptions and supporting characters are well written including loony Aunt Gina, with love of family (by blood or not) mattering most through all types of turmoil and events. I felt Alice's despair and Lisette's unknowing search for satisfaction and desperately wanted them to have their HEA. Kudos Ms. Seabrooke for another beautifully written and engaging romance. I rec'd an ARC through Booksprout and this is my voluntary and un-biased review.
I'll admit that I read more novellas than novels these days because authors seem to prefer the shorter form. So it feels rare to sink my teeth into a novel. Maybe I have unrealistic expectations for a novel now, given that background, but this one felt glacially slow at the beginning. There was a lot of build-up to the main characters’ meet-cute, going into heavy background about where they were at now and what had transpired in the past. Thankfully, the author did not indulge in the infamous and universally reviled information dump to do so. Rather, she showed us what the characters were doing and thinking as they approached the Christmas ball. At first, I thought it was a good windup to the big moment, but then the meet-cute was more fizzle than sizzle for me. It was rather lackluster, nothing special, and over in seconds. Then the way they interacted at first just completely rubbed me the wrong way. It was far too long until the ladies talked in any reasonable manner. Frankly, I became b0red rather quickly as the same ground seemed to be retrod over and over. Perhaps it would have been different if I had read the first book about the couple, but I doubt that could have overcome the issues with this book's pacing.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
Cute, heartwarming and powerful enough to make everyone remember the meaning of true love.
Lily Seabrooke has created another masterpiece! The Last Christmas Ball expertly weaves together holiday spirit, the importance of standing up for oneself and being authentic, and of course, the beauty of true love. With a slow burn that draws the reader in from the very beginning and lovable characters, it's a perfect holiday read that both inspires and uplifts the heart. Even the most cynical of readers will finish the book, wanting to either snuggle up with the love of their life or text their ex in the spirit of undying love.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I really liked this book. I thought it was a good sequel, with the same basic ingredients as the first but with twists here and there. I thought the plot was solid, except Gina's character that I found pretty weak in this one (I think that's pretty much the only reason I'm not giving it five stars). Apart from that, I would highly recommend this reading (if you've read the first one, obviously, but if you haven't, what are you waiting for?).
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a well written book with a cast of strong characters and an interesting story line. The author does a beautiful job bringing the story to life with her descriptive and detailed writing and paints her scenes perfectly. She brings tons of emotions and shows the family bond and love. The story moves fluidly and is a wonderful read.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
I did have to read The Christmas Ball before reading this so I knew the characters. This book had every emotion come out of me, I was angry at Aunt Gina and hurting for Alice and Lisette. This was a perfect ending for their love story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I won't read it, the author pushed a plot too far just to write another book and make more money. Completely unnecessary. 7 years later, really? It's too much appeal. Ridiculous. I'm going to pretend this book doesn't exist because it's the most unnecessary thing I've ever seen. The first book shouldn't even exist if it was going to do that. I'm glad no one knows it exists.
Doesn’t everyone dream about meeting someone at a ball and falling in love? The magic in the air during christmas, the mystery of it all! This book gives you all of that.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I love following Alice and Lisettes love story!! What a great book!! It references the struggles of not be accepted, and the joys of acceptance!! Great job Lily!!!