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Save The Best For Last

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The author of the romance classic A LOVE OF HER OWN brings you a new, unforgettable love story. THE LAW AND THE LADY . . . Graphic artist Genevieve L'Esperance has got it all together, even by tough New York A thriving career, a spacious Upper East Side condo, even a sort-of boyfriend named Barry. But the one thing she *doesn't* have is something Americans take for granted . . . and if she's found out it'll mean the end of life as she knows it. And now the law is closing in on her . . . . THE LADY AND THE LAWYER . . . Gen's friend Barry comes up with a solution and quickly moves her to a rented room uptown while he finalizes arrangements to keep her safe. While Gen is grateful to him, she can't help feeling that she's sold out her future. But then Barry's master plan gets delayed, and when she meets Dexter Gray, the struggling law student who occupies the other room on the floor, things *really* start to get complicated . . . .

254 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

41 people are currently reading
206 people want to read

About the author

Bettye Griffin

46 books62 followers

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5 stars
61 (32%)
4 stars
66 (35%)
3 stars
39 (21%)
2 stars
14 (7%)
1 star
5 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
Profile Image for Kim.
740 reviews80 followers
June 26, 2011
This book is more about the story than the spice. Gen is an illegal immigrant who proposes a marriage of convenience to Dexter to obtain her citizenship in exchange for payment of his last semesters law school tuition. These two had chemistry from their first meeting so it was inevitable that they would get together. The story is very detailed with little sex scenes that are not extremely detailed, so if you like a lot of action between the sheets then this book is not for you. If you are looking for a long story that gives you a lot of background on the characters and a lot of descriptive details then definitely pick this one up.
Profile Image for Bee.
107 reviews15 followers
September 23, 2012
Well! What can I say. Another good book. I really like Bettye Griffin's wring style. I have read several if her books and I have enjoyed reading them. This was a lovely book. I was not sure about Genevieve initially. Her relationship with Barry was a strange one. Glad she didn't marry him in the end. Dexter. What a man. I liked the Genevieve and Dexter relationship. I wanted heir relationship to progress naturally before the immigration issue intervened but I am glad it all worked out in the end.

Another book I could not put down.
Profile Image for Gwen Cannon-Jenkins.
79 reviews2 followers
March 29, 2012
This book was pretty good. Gen needed to marry a US citizen in order to stay in this country because going back to her country could cause her to lose her life. Her one and only friend (Barry) in NY was willing to help her out was a little to pushy and was more of a father figure to her. Then she meets Dexter the struggling law student and things started to heat up between the two. Overall it was a good book.
Profile Image for T'Laina D..
46 reviews7 followers
June 27, 2024
Hats off to Bettye Griffin! This was an extremely good book. It wasn't filled w/ erotica, that was GREAT! It had a plot, it had you wondering what's next to come in this love story. And I'm now seeing there's no time limit on love. Love happens in a few moments. Here it was love at first sight.
3 reviews
November 29, 2017
Great Read!

Book 1 was awesome. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a quick easy romantic read. I couldn’t put it down.
Profile Image for The Bourbon-Sipping Bibliophile.
671 reviews31 followers
September 30, 2024
Strap in for a whirlwind of a love story with Save The Best For Last by Bettye Griffin! This book gave me all the feels—swoon-worthy romance, plot twists, and just the right dose of "uh-oh" moments that had me yelling, "Girl, don't do it!" while flipping pages like my life depended on it.

So, let’s dive in—Gen, our heroine, is an illegal immigrant (cue the drama), and when life throws her a massive curveball, she pulls a classic move: proposes a marriage of convenience to Dexter, a struggling law student. And let’s be real, there’s nothing more irresistible than a good ol' fake marriage trope. Dexter, sweet Dexter, agrees to this wild proposition in exchange for help with his law school tuition, and honestly, the chemistry between these two? Immediate! It’s like Bettye Griffin grabbed Cupid’s bow, aimed, and shot straight through my Kindle!

Now, let’s talk about the romance—don’t come looking for steamy scenes here, because this book is more about the love than the lust. The bedroom door might be half-closed, but trust me, the emotional heat is very much alive. Gen and Dexter’s connection builds slowly, and it sneaks up on you like that unexpected perfect cup of coffee in the morning—warm, satisfying, and totally addictive.

Dexter is the perfect hero: responsible, kind, and the kind of man who knows how to respect his elders (points for that!). He’s also dealing with his own set of struggles, but that doesn’t stop him from stepping up in the most heart-melting ways. And Gen? Well, she’s complex. She’s got a successful career, but her immigrant status throws a wrench in her seemingly perfect life. And Barry—ugh, Barry! He’s like that ex who just won’t take a hint. The whole time I was like, "Gen, for the love of all things holy, run!" He went from zero to stalker real quick, and trust me, you’ll be counting down the pages until he’s out of the picture.

The real magic in this book is in Bettye Griffin’s writing. She doesn’t just tell a story, she paints it. You can practically feel Dexter’s soft ‘fro and Gen’s natural curls through the pages. As someone who loves rich imagery and detailed character backgrounds, this was pure gold. Every character felt like a real person, from Gen’s relatable vulnerability to Dexter’s quiet strength. And don’t get me started on the cultural depth—Gen’s Caribbean roots are beautifully woven into the story, making it feel grounded and authentic.

But listen, this isn’t just a romance—it’s also a story about survival, tough decisions, and finding love in the most unexpected places. Sure, I wanted to shake some sense into Gen a few times (girl, why are you trusting Barry?!), but that just made the whole reading experience more delicious. And while the final showdown with Barry was a bit anticlimactic (seriously, after all that drama, you’re just gonna walk away?), it didn’t take away from the overall satisfaction of seeing Gen and Dexter get their happy ending.

If you're craving a romance that's more about the heart than the heat, Save The Best For Last is the perfect escape. It’s the kind of book that sneaks up on you, just like love itself. So, pour yourself a cup of tea (or wine, no judgment here), and settle in for a feel-good love story that’ll leave you smiling long after the last page.

Rating: 3.5 stars.
Spice level: Mild (but who needs spice when the emotions are THIS strong?).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Beverly.
1,667 reviews404 followers
August 28, 2015
In the opening scene of Save the Best for Last by Bettye Griffin, Genevieve L’Esperance has just found out that her boyfriend, Barry, is still married and not divorced as he has told her. But this breach of trust will be nothing compared to the revelation that awaits Genevieve when she returns to her East Side condo and finds out that the INS has been inquiring about her. So, to stay in the United States, Genevieve needs to marry an American citizen, and Barry offers to marry her, once his divorce is final. Meanwhile, Dexter Grey, a struggling student with one more semester before he gets his law degree, appears on the scene, and Genevieve sees an opportunity where they can help each other out. Just who is Genevieve, and why is this polished, educated, successful graphic artist scared for her life?

Ms. Griffin has written a wonderful story which allows the reader to walk in Genevieve’s shoes as she tries to make sense of her situation. Is Barry the friend he claims to be? Are the emotions she feels for Dexter real or just gratitude based on a legal agreement? How long will she have to wait before she has a loving relationship like her parents, and will her secrets be exposed and possibly harm others? Along with affairs of the heart, Ms. Griffin delicately addresses the issue of illegal immigration and shows the reader there is a fine line between the status of who is illegal or legal.

I enjoyed this book for the suspenseful elements in the story as the twists and turns had me shouting at Genevieve to see the obvious and grab the man who will provide her with true happiness. I recommend this book to romance readers and fans of Bettye Griffin. This is a perfect book to read as you wind down from the lazy days of summer.

Reviewed by Beverly
APOOO BookClub
August 15, 2009
1,673 reviews16 followers
Want to read
February 15, 2016
256p the first in a three-book connected storyline that includes Something Real and concludes with Man of Her Heart.
THE LAW AND THE LADY . . .
Graphic artist Genevieve L'Esperance has got it all together, even by tough New York standards: A thriving career, a spacious Upper East Side condo, even a sort-of boyfriend named Barry. But the one thing she doesn't have is something Americans take for granted . . . and if she's found out it'll mean the end of life as she knows it. And now the law is closing in on her...
THE LADY AND THE LAWYER . . .
Gen's friend Barry comes up with a solution and quickly moves her to a rented room uptown while he finalizes arrangements to keep her safe. While Gen is grateful to him, she can't help feeling that she's sold out her future. But then Barry's master plan gets delayed, and when she meets Dexter Gray, the struggling law student who occupies the other room on the floor, things really start to get complicated...
Profile Image for Margaret Ward.
35 reviews
January 21, 2014
Excellent

This book was an excellent read. It kept me wondering on what might happened to Genvieve and Dexter. I wondered if Barry was actually the head physician's husband. This story kept me in suspense. It is highly recommended by me.
Profile Image for TJ.
558 reviews
April 8, 2014
Tried to find the magic is this book but there were a few problems. The character's personalities were lacking. The story dragged took to long to get to the point. There wasn't any chemistry between Gen and Dexter. I needed more emotions it felt perfunctory.
58 reviews2 followers
January 29, 2014
Just couldn't force myself to go any further...
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews

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