MackenzieFrom the very first moment I laid eyes on him, I knew my heart was his for the taking. He was the boy who filled me with butterflies and made my palms turn clammy at the mere sight of him. There was only one problem… he was my best friend’s older brother.It’s been eight years since I’ve last seen him, and I refuse to live another day without telling him the truth. So here I stand, taking … I stand, taking my last chance to get him to notice me, my last chance to see if he feels the same way.
I need to know if he is just a fantasy, or if he could be my reality…
Before my reality changes forever.
Connor
I never wanted a girlfriend; I was burned by love and vowed to never go down that road again. But when the beautiful girl I’ve known practically my entire life snuck her way into my arms there was something that changed in me. I wanted to be with her, next to her. Just simply kissing her lips made my life complete.
Now I have one mission.
To make hers complete, too.
* Last Chance is a story of love and heartache proving that life is not always fair, but it’s worth the pain to get the moments you’ll treasure forever.
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Nothing I can say about this book that will do it justice. Completely devastated is how I feel after reading it. Such hope, love and tragedy wrapped up into love story that will make even the hardest of hearts cry like a baby. This book will pull on your heartstrings for long after you finish the last page and give a new understanding to a bucket list. Oh how my heart just broke for Mackenzie and Connor!! Lauren Runow – heart wrenching but so worth the read!!
Lauren has a gift with her writing that is rare. She makes you truly Feel everything, you are more than just reading you are one with the story unfolding. This is just another example, it is not one of her sexier books though there are parts you feel the need to take a cold shower after reading. It has a lot of heart, family, true love in the face of life. I was torn between reading and sleeping once again but for all new reasons. There was just no option, I had to finish, I had to know what the lives of Mackenzie and Connor held for them.
It’s another from my favorite trope, childhood love, lol though Connor was clueless. You gotta love a guy who has no idea his best friends sister loves him from the time she’s ten. Though Lauren never wrights it in I did get the feeling he probably did have feelings for her at those young ages too, but you know boys. Some of my favorite parts are when they are re-getting to know each other, the fun they have is priceless. And with her friends and the antics they all get into. You will laugh and cry while reading but I assure you, this is a book you will love reading. Go grab yourselves a copy and curl up in that perfect spot for a good read!
Last Chance is a heartbreaking but beautiful story about Connor and MacKenzie. This was probably one of the most emotional stories I’ve read this year. Connor and MacKenzie, despite everything, they were perfect together. I loved how he helped her with her list. He was the perfect man for her. I loved Connor and Kenzie alot! This was a great read!
4 Last Chance Stars. This book wasn’t what I was expecting. It began on the familiar theme of crushing on the BFF’s big brother (Connor) who is totally clueless and would never see her (Mackenzie) as anything other than another little sister. The way that turns around is shocking, humorous, and more than daring.
There is always a sense of desperation in Mackenzie, but it’s only hinted at until halfway through the book. Everything goes along pretty much as you’d expect until about halfway through. After that? This book will warm your heart, make you laugh and sweet-smile in equal measure, and will absolutely, positively gut you.
So good! Definitely have tissue on hand =)
I truly couldn’t put it down. You feel every emotion they are going threw. It will truly make you laugh and cry. A truly must read.
(ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review)
First of all I want to thank the author for giving me the opportunity of reading this book.
I start reading it , I find myself inside the story. Everything felt so real,raw,intense and emotional, this book has a very powerful message.
You can tell it’s heavier, more personal, just more. This book is deep. It’s profound. It’s a book that needs to be read. I’ll repeat: THIS IS A BOOK THAT NEEDS TO BE READ!
This book made me experience extreme emotional highs, where I am so in love and just wrapped in this warm fuzzy hug and I’m soaring and never want to come down.
Last Chance is a heartwrenchingly emotional read and I was in tears more than one time. I was captivated from the beginning and it keep my rapt attention. This is a romance that runs the gamut on love with a dash of naughty, strength and insurmountable commitment.
The emotions explored are so poignant and effortless that I fell completely into this story. It completely captured, owned and destroyed my heart and soul reading it.
I fell in love with Mackenzie and Connor right from the start.
This is a poetic, lyrical, emotive read that makes you really appreciate the little things in life, and just appreciate the wonder of life, the good and the bad
The best books are the ones who make you think and question what you think or know. They give you perspectives and insight. They challenge you to make tough choices. They stay with you long after you have read them and make you feel, it’s a cliche for a reason, all the feels. This book does all that and so much more. I highly recommend it!.
The story itself is one that has been heavy on my heart from the moment I finished it.
Sometimes, I read a book and it’s so beautiful, influential and emotional I will cry just thinking about the characters and their story. Trying to find the words for this review is bringing me to tears.
Last Chance, holds now a very special place in my heart this book reminded me that we are never alone.
This was a heartfelt story about a girl taking a chance at life and living it to the fullest no matter the heavy blow of fate. Very well written and deeply touching, this is one of my top reads which I highly recommend checking out.
I had a sleepless night over this book. I couldn’t put it down and it still doesn’t let me go. It was a very emotional read and all the feelings come back now thinking back to it while writing my review.
It’s an understatement to say that I was anxious during this read because I had no idea where it would lead me but I had a suspicion and I felt it in my gut that a looming shadow was fast approaching.
I’m a sucker for books like this, when the feelings punch you in the gut and rip your heart wide open. Although this book did not start out this way, it surely led to it.
These characters were not flawless but they were full of emotions and their story will stay with me for a long time because it touched me so deeply.
I liked the easygoing start of the story and that it eased us into Mackenzie’s life. We learned about her secret feelings for Conner and her adjustments to her situation, which we gradually found out about.
Connor never saw Kenzie as anything else than his sister’s best friend and I liked that we got his POV too, to follow his developing feelings. He made it very easy to love him and Mackenzie was such a sweet girl with her diary and what she wanted to accomplish, you couldn’t not adore her. Those lovely characters made it so much harder for me to deal with what fate had in store for them and to see them go at the end of the book.
Mackenzie was a young woman, so full of life and giddy about her long-time crush but also fully away of what’s to come. I was in awe of her strength and how she handled all those emotions that would bring many to their knees.
Connor. Oh boy. He was the shoulder to lean on, the warm and loving embrace and the strength in need. He went through all the possible stages because he was only human, but he was everything one could wish for in a situation like Kenzie’s. He amazed me.
The story had a fast pace especially in the second half of the book but considering everything, it was fitting. Connor and Mackenzie experienced a lot in a short amount of time, which had my feelings all over the place because I went through a very wide range of emotions.
The Story:
Mackenzie has been in love with Connor since the first time she saw him. There’s just one problem: He’s her best friend’s older brother.
After eight years she decides to give in to her suppressed feelings and wants to find out if he feels the same way. Her first crush was the biggest goal on her list to check off after all.
Connor’s life isn’t easily compatible to having a girlfriend, but when Mackenzie sparks a fire in him he can’t just ignore the burning feelings he has about her.
Thoughts:
I’m a mess, even days after I finished reading this book. My heart broke multiple times during this read, if that’s even possible, and I haven’t cried so hard in a long time.
The characters were so strong through everything and felt so deeply. Their story made me reflect my goals in life because I loved how despite the tragic situation, Mackenzie pursued her dreams. It was all very emotional and touching.
Not everyone will agree with the choices the characters made but that’s OK. They were in a situation nobody wants to be in and you can’t know what you’d do when you aren’t facing it yourself. But as we surely think of ways on how we would deal with it, it would be an individual decision depending on one’s believes and many other factors. So, what I wanted to say is that some things may be frowned upon or agreed with but in the end, one can’t judge them this because nobody is perfect and everyone is different; it only showed how close to real life this book was.
The story had a nice way of an ending, in a certain way, which I surprisingly liked a lot.
An added bonus to this book was that I found some great new songs and they will always remind me of Connor and Mackenzie.
I would also like to mention the cover for a second because it’s so gorgeous and after I finished reading this book, I loved it even more because it had a meaning and a beautiful story to it.
This was one of those books that I didn’t want to put down but at the same time didn’t want to end. I constantly fought between prolonging this read and reading faster to get to the end. Now after I finished it, I just want to read it again.
I’ve found lots of new authors in the last couple of years and while some authors tend to stick to one similar theme, Lauren Runow manages to surprise me with each new release. I’ve read all of her books so far and they all hold a special place in my heart with different meanings, but this one’s definitely one of my favorites.
This is my first book but the awesome Lauren Runrow. I don’t know what I was waiting for. This book gave me the first biggest ugly cry. I went into this book blind but i wanted to the the story work its magic and take me on it journey. I can say it definitely did this book is full of emotions so be prepared to have you Kleenex ready!
I don’t want to give a lot of the book away but it is a must read
It is the story of Mackenzie and Conno. Mackenzie has been in love with her bestfriends brother for years she has sat at the sideline not saying or acting on her feelings. She has never spoken about her feelings for him to anyone. She has keep them locked up. There is a big connection between the two of them. This for sure Kensie is on hell of a strong will powdered person. Connor is one in a million and there should be more like him in the world. This story is beautiful and it is also heart wrenching with a powerful message.
Connor is the most selfless hero I have read to date. He shows how of you love someone with every fiber of your being that dreams can come true. Kensie and Connor have a relationship that’s full of love and strength. This book has it all friendship love music heart break and a miracle that keeps hope alive.
Sometimes I just don’t want a super easy feel good romance. Sometimes I want to work slowly toward the beautiful ending. Sometimes I want to feel a lot, challenge my emotions. Last Chance did that in spades.
Are you in the mood for an Ugly Cry? This book brought ugly crocodile tears by the bucket full and I loved every minute.
You might be wondering why. It is very simple. Last Chance is a very beautiful love story. The expression of love was fantastic. I was taken back to the 197o’s when I read Love Story by Erich Segal. So sad, but so beautiful.
They are both a symbol of forever lasting love. A love for better or worse. Love is what matters. If you love deeply, you will do anything and everything for the person you love. One of my all time favorite books
Last Chance was an emotional, gut-wrenching masterpiece which had me hooked until the end. This best friend older brother love-story was a roller-coaster of emotions and you will feel them all and then more. After reading the blurb, this story was nothing like I expected it to be and to me that made it so much better.
Mackenzie and Conner had such an intense chemistry and I loved watching them fall in love. Mackenzie was a strong, brave young woman and Conner was the most amazing loving man ever. You will fall in love with these characters and will be rooting for them from page one.
I’ve loved everything I’ve read from Lauren Runow and this book is no exception. This was a beautifully written page turner, which will stick with you long after you’ve finished reading. The story was heart-breaking yet at the same time breath-taking. This was a phenomenal read and I would highly recommend this novel to everyone.
WOW!!!! What an incredibly written book that tackles a very tough situation. I instantly fell in love with Connor and Mackenzie and cheered them on to their version of a happily ever after. I might have cursed out Lauren Runow as I was reading this book along with laughing, sighing during the swoon worthy moments and crying my eyes out during the sad times. The words from Garth Brook’s song The Dance ring so true for this story “I could have missed the pain But I’d have to miss the dance”. Sometimes the pain is worth the dance and I think that has never been more true than in this story.
Mackenzie AKA “Kenzie” is best friends with Connor’s little sister. He will always think of her like that. One night changes everything and she gets her fantasy. Is there room for more?
Connor’s mind is blown. The little girl he never dreamed would become his everything is suddenly grown up. Right there. All he could ever want. With a secret that could ruin it all.
This story was a real different choice for me. I tend to stay to the lighthearted side of romance and this was just more real. Like real life in your face – real. I ended up completely loving it, because the story inside just captivated me. With a compelling plot, it moves along just slow enough to burn at the edges…. and leave you with fascinating singes. The characters are drawn to one another and the chemistry just sucks you right into its vortex. I eagerly turned each page.
***This early copy was given in exchange for an honest review only.
I am absolutely blown away my this story. We start off with a light hearted storyline with Kenzie her best friend Tracy and Tracy’s older brother Connor. Jumping ahead a few years and we’re given breadcrumbs to a heart wrenching story that feels so real there’s no way you won’t find yourself reaching for a tissue more often then not. I won’t dare give any spoilers away but you MUST READ this book. As I try and write this review my heart breaks all over again as I think back to everything I’ve read, I personally haven’t experienced anything relatable but through this story I feel as though I have like I’ve been right there by their side the entire time. There were moments I had to stop reading because my eyes were blurry from all the damn tears I was crying. When an author can reach down deep inside a reader’s heart and have you speechless you know you have one helluva story. One click, move Last Chance to the top of your TBR list and be prepared for one beautifully broken journey. This is my unbiased and voluntary review.