Back in high school, Lee Archer had the power to make Jessie Baxter’s cheeks flush and her heart race. But the popular athlete never wanted to be more than just friends. Ten years later, after a failed marriage and with her journalism career on shaky ground, Jessie’s come home for her high school reunion–and Lee still has the power to make her knees weak and her pulse pound.Lee’s teenage years … teenage years were filled with more trauma and drama than anyone guessed. Though his damaged past has helped make him a successful police detective, it’s hurt every relationship he’s tried. But seeing the grown-up, stunning Jessie might just change his commitment-phobic mind.
Jessie’s psycho ex-husband had her convinced no one would ever love her, but Lee is ready to step out of the friend zone and into her heart. Can she learn to trust again before she loses her chance to turn her first crush into her last love?
Elizabeth McKenna’s novel will have you remembering the angst of high school, the grief of a failed relationship, and the joy of finding true love at last.
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This is the most real romance I have read in a long time. I felt like I was able to relive so many parts of my past with this book. I loved that we were able to watch Jessie and Lee grow so much throughout this book. Most books only give you a tiny glimpse into the characters lives, you fall in love with them and it’s over. Ms. McKenna was able to give us so much more of these characters lives, and that made me feel even more invested in them. It wasn’t easy to watch Jessie and Lee struggle through everything to get to each other but it was so worth it. There were times I wanted to shake some sense into Jessie, but if I look back to my past I needed that too! I really enjoyed watching Jessie and Lee’s growth into two people who appreciate their last love.
First Crush, Last Love by Elizabeth McKenna was a delightful and emotional friends to lovers romance. In this story high school, friends reconnect after several years and discovered that love has the power to heal emotional scars.
Told from dual perspectives in the third person POV, I was given a story that explored the joys, triumphs and challenges of teenage life and adulthood.
Do you remember the first time you believed you found your forever love? The feeling you got every time you were in his or her presence, but they were only interested in friendship. Jessie Baxter knows exactly how it feels, painful and heartbreaking. What she didn’t know, but will find out several years later, was Lee’s home life was not pleasant. Hence the reason he left immediately after graduation telling no one goodbye.
Years later Jessie is married to Billy, who differed greatly from what she dreamed of, but he loves her, or so she believed. Soon she discovers that her marriage wasn’t a dream come true and would go through the trauma of divorce. Then came the dreaded high school reunion where Jessie reconnects with old friends and the one person who will forever own her heart.
The story is divided in three sections. I had the chance to experience the lives of the characters in high school, after high school and at the reunion. I loved that the story was narrated in this form as it made me have a greater appreciation for the challenges faced by both Jessie and Lee.
Lee had experienced a lot of pain as a teenager and so the first chance he got he left home. He would learn though that no matter how far you run you can never escape your past. He struggled with his demons, but thanks to a good friend, he sought the help needed to overcome his pain from the past allowing him the chance to heal and to experience love.
Jesse was exasperating. Sometimes my heart bled for her, but there were moments I wanted to knock some sense into her. She suffered from low self-esteem, hence the choices she made. Eventually she came to her senses and in the process recognized she was a woman worthy to be loved.
I loved that they were able to find their way back to each other, but their journey was not without it challenges. I experienced the heartache, pain, loss and joy they endured.
The story flowed seamlessly, which made it easy to follow. I became absorbed in the story that I had a hard time putting in down. Introducing the suspense element helped to shake things up and added some intensity to the story.
Conclusion/Recommendation
First Crush, Last Love is a heartwarming tale about second chances, love, loss and heartache. It features a great cast of characters and a well-developed plot. McKenna’s brilliant writing style transported me into the world she created. This is my first time reading this author and it will not be my last.
A romance novel set in the 80’s & 90’s is right up my alley. I grew up in this time and loved flashing back to my high school years. The clicks, the attitudes, and the crushes were all perfect for the setting and the characters. While in high school who hasn’t hoped that a couple would break up so that she could jump into the open spot in the relationship? That is exactly what Jessie spent her entire high school hoping would happen with Lee.
It was refreshing to see a friendship between Lee and Jessie. There was more than just hormones and lust. Their friendship was true to their age, with the witchy girlfriend being jealous and the other friends looking at them like they were hiding something. At some points in the story I was hoping Jessie could move on, forget Lee, and just get on with her life. Until she did… then I was screaming for her to find Lee and get back to the good things in life.
I really enjoyed First Crush, Last Love. It was fun to reminisce about the high school years.
First Crush, Last Love by Elizabeth McKenna
Story starts out with her finding Martin, pill bottle on the floor. He had overdosed but she got to him in time.
Jessie doesn’t understand the pain he is in. She is attracted to Lee and follows him around year after year as he dates others.
Story also follows Lee as he leaves home the day of graduation and starts a new life. Like his choice and why.
Turmoil on the engagement day but she goes ahead with the wedding despite Sarah’s point of view.
Up to date circumstances and occur in everyday lives.
Class reunion and misundertandings and fear, stalking. Love the dog and German used and locations described.
Excerpts from other works are included the end. Would love to read more from this author-really enjoyed.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.