Welcome to the famed resort, The Hathaway at Dragonfly Beach, where newlyweds come to honeymoon, where anniversary couples celebrate milestones, and where broken hearts find a place to heal.After her best friend is jilted at the altar, maid of honor Lilly Durand whisks the bride to Dragonfly Beach and its legendary hotel, determined to help her overcome her misery. Lilly won’t admit it, but she’s … it, but she’s hurting too. During the few days of pre-wedding festivities, a powerful attraction had grown between her and the handsome and confident best man, Alec Thatcher. Now she’ll never see him again, but she’s decided to consider that a good thing. This way her inconvenient crush can’t turn into something so dangerous as love. But then, to her dismay, she discovers Alec is just a room key away at what some call the Heartbreak Hotel.
Alec Thatcher doesn’t have the time or inclination for long-term romance. Serial dating has suited his confirmed-bachelor status just fine—until he meets Lilly Durand and his world turns on its axis. She claims to be as relationship-averse as he, but when the two of them are together he can’t recall his own reasons against commitment. Though Lilly touches his heart and soul, she’s as cautious as she is sexy. With a stubborn streak a mile long, Alec will have to exert all his powers of persuasion to give Lilly her last first kiss…
About the Author
Christie Ridgway is the author of over 60 novels of contemporary romance. All her books are both sexy and emotional and tell about heroes and heroines who learn to believe in the power of love. A USA Today bestseller, Christie is a six-time RITA finalist and has won best contemporary romance of the year and career achievement awards from Romantic Times Book Reviews.
A native of California, Christie now resides in the southern part of the state with her family. Inspired by the beaches, mountains, and cities that surround her, she writes tales of sunny days and steamy nights.
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I really loved Our Last First Kiss by Christie Ridgway, the first book in her new Heartbreak Hotel series. After her best friend was left at the altar, Lily Durand takes her to The Hathaway, a res ort known for healing broken hearts. Lily is also hurting after a strong attraction had begun between her and the handsome best man, Alec Thatcher, knowing she wouldn’t see him again. Life doesn’t always work the way we expect as Lily discovers Alec and his family is also staying at the Heartbreak Hotel. Alec has been a serial dater, having no time or desire for a long-time romance. That is until he meets Lily and she throws him off his game. Although Lily is against long-term relationships she touches Alex’s heart and soul. Lily is cautious with reason, but Alec is determined and uses all his powers of persuasion to give Lilly her last first kiss. Alec and Lily are a perfect fit together.
Ms. Ridgway is a wonderful story teller, making me feel as if I was right there. Her books draw me in, making me forget the world around me, not wanting to put the book down until I turned the last page. I highly recommend this book to other readers and look forward to the next book in the series.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
This was the first in a new series and it was a very promising start. After her best friend is jilted on the morning of her wedding, Lilly suggests that the two get away and they head to the Hathaway Resort, affectionately nicknamed the Heartbreak Hotel. Also there is Alec, the ex-best man who left Lilly a little shaken when he kissed her before the wedding, and as the jilted bride hides herself away, Lilly and Alec agree to some no strings fun. As usual, that doesn’t always go as planned! Well written, flowing and not too much angst, this was wonderful escapism to dive into.
I am looking forward to the other stories in this series after reading this one. I like all the characters and can’t wait to see what will happen with them. I also like the setting. I used to live in Santa Barbara and can really imagine how it all looks. Lilly’s best friend, Audra, was jilted at the altar. The guy sent a text to call off the wedding. So, Lilly and Audra check into the Hathaway Hotel to regroup. While Audra is holed up in her room, Lilly is out exploring and runs into Alec. Alec was to be the best man and Lilly was very attracted to him. She knows nothing can come of the attraction, but she wants to dream just a little. Alec has been just a one night stand kind of guy for quite a while, but after meeting Lilly, he is rethinking that. Will they be able to change? Do they want to change?
Favorite Quotes:
No expert on male attractiveness, Alec had to take his sister’s word for it that Jacob was what she termed a “California dime.” Jojo used a bunch of weird-ass lingo possibly understood only by herself, but he was told it meant a ten on the apparently higher, California scale of handsomeness.
Alec attended every one of Barbie’s funerals I ever organized, after Simon declared them lost causes post-surgery… Well, except for that time Simon pronounced Ken hadn’t survived an appendectomy. Alec said he refused to even pretend-mourn for a guy who came into the world without a dick… Simon said that’s why he hadn’t attempted any heroic measures to save the doll. Dick-less, he informed us, meant an automatic do not resuscitate.
I think you should let me be something to you. I want you to be something to me.
…they swayed together to some old tune that made her think of black-and-white movies and the kind of love that survived wartime separation and bouts of tap-dancing.
My Review:
I enjoyed this wittily amusing book as I have other Christy Ridgway book, I adore her clever humor and entertaining storylines that always manage to squeeze my heart in one paragraph then incite a smirk or a smile in the next. I was drawn to all the characters as well as the featured couple. Lilly and Alec had both known tragedy and were endearingly flawed and appealing characters to root for. I enjoyed their romance and look forward to more adventures at the lovely resort that had earned the myth of being the Heartbreak Hotel.
When it comes to love Lilly Durand prefers to watch from the sidelines. Past experience has taught her the destructive power of love, pain follows closely in it’s wake. Her best friend’s disasterous wedding is one more reason that she’s made the right choice. How ironic that her stubbornness proves to be her undoing. Alec is bad for her head, but perfect for her heart. Can two people who don’t believe in love, discover happily ever after out of the ashes of a jilted wedding? Christie Ridgway has been a favorite of mine since my first romance. She charms the soul as she imparts wisdom through her beautiful creations. Our Last First Kiss is evidence of an enduring legacy built on hope, happiness and heart
This is the first in a new series, Heartbreak Hotel, and is set in The Hathaway at Dragonfly Beach hotel where people come to mend broken hearts. The author can take a well-used plot line (the bride dumped at the altar) and turn it into an enjoyable read.
Lilly Durand and her BFF Audra Montgomery have checked into the resort so that Audra can lick her wounds from the disastrous wedding that wasn’t. But Lilly has her own issue to recover from and his name is Alec Thatcher.
She has her hands full with Audra who won’t leave her room so the last thing she needs is to deal with a relationship with no strings and of short duration. Of course that makes the story what it is and I think you’ll enjoy the banter between the two characters.
I received a copy from the author for an honest and unbiased review. No compensation was promised or received for the review.
I love her books can’t wait for the next one
While I enjoyed this story I just had a hard time getting into it. My main reason for not being able to get into it was that I didn’t like the main heroine, Lily, at all. She just irritated me and let her past walk all over her. Instead of proving to herself that she was better than the circumstances she grew up with she let them control her and based her future on the fact that her blood line was tainted and she didn’t deserve love. Everyone deserves love! I liked Alec but I wish it hadn’t taken over half of the book for him to become a take charge alpha. The story was good and the setting sounded wonderful. I just couldn’t look past the fact that I couldn’t take a liking to Lily.
A new series by one of my favorite romance authors. Wealthy, beautiful, sweet Audra Montgomery has been left at the altar by the man she expected to spend the rest of her life with. With the encouragement (and credit card) of Audra’s parents, her best friend Lilly Durand, whisks her away to The Hathaway at Dragonfly Beach, recently dubbed Heartbreak Hotel. Lilly is the opposite of Audra.
she was born to an unwed mother, who abandoned her at birth. Her grandmother gave her aunt and uncle money to raise her, but they were mentally abusive and still have not let her forget that she “owes them”. While Audra mourns in her room, Lilly explores the hotel and runs into Alec Thatcher, best man to the run away groom. The entire Thatcher family is at the hotel celebrating Alec’s parents 35th wedding anniversary. And while the Thatchers seem to have a wonderful life, they are still recovering from a tragedy 5 years ago. Alec has closed himself off, while Lilly does not believe that anything will ever happen to her. But as the week progress, they are drawn to each other and without giving away the story, they get their HEA. As always, endearing characters with some tragic back story that they need to overcome.
Our Last First Kiss is the story of two people that were determined to keep things light & short term. Lily is an orphan that was raised by her aunt,uncle & cousin. They were the perfect example of how not to have a relationship. Lily was told “This is how a Durand loves.” She doesn’t want that pain, hurt or fear so she’s determined never to love someone. That works until Alec. How can she hold out against that attraction? Can’t he see she doesn’t fit with his happy loving family?
Alec has gone through life staying single & avoiding anything that smacks of long term. He doesn’t have any to go through the pain of losing someone. It’s just easier not to let your heart get involved. He didn’t count on Lily & their explosive attraction. For once, what he wanted isn’t falling into his lap. Did he want to work for it or let her get away?
I really enjoyed watching the give & take between these two. They both had their reasons for being wary of love & relationships. They just had to decide which was stronger – their fear of hurt & pain or their love for each other & the possibility of a future. Lily’s interactions with Alec’s family enhanced the reader’s understanding of her emotions & the draw of being part of a big loving family. Her reactions to his family & to the puppy showed the capacity she had for love even though she thinks she’s not capable of it. Between the emotional draw & the wonderful characters, I think this is my favorite of Ms. Ridgway’s books!