“If you love single parent romances and if you swoon over protective heroes who are amazing fathers, then you’re going to love this book!!” — Aestas Book BlogEasy to love, easy to leave. With her ex-fiance’s words, I’m in love with someone else, still ringing in her ears, Clare Franklin flies off on her would-be honeymoon alone. Resigned to the fact that not everyone gets a happily ever after, … happily ever after, she’s sworn off men. Until she gets tangled up, quite literally, with one very sexy veterinarian.
The only thing Dr. Deacon Montgomery is looking to share is his surgical expertise, but his instant attraction to Clare makes him wonder if he could be more than just a doctor, and daddy to his twin two-year old daughters.
Sun-filled days and hot, steamy nights only deepens the connection, causing them each to hope for something more. Until one phone call from home changes everything. But a love like theirs is hard to find, and definitely too hard to forget.
“Love, love, love! Read Claudia Connor for a consistently raw and emotional love story.”–New York Times bestselling author Carly Phillips
“Claudia Connor writes the kind of books I love most. Warm, realistic, steamy, and heartfelt.” New York Times bestselling author Kristan Higgins
“Connor’s writing is strong enough to maintain the emotional intensity of the main couple’s relationship through it all, providing a reading experience that will no doubt satisfy fans and leave many eager for more tales of the passionate McKinney Brothers.”Worth The Risk–RT Book Reviews
Looking for more emotional, heartfelt and steamy romances?
THE MCKINNEY BROTHERS
Worth the Fall
Worth the Risk
Worth It All
A MCKINNEY/WALKER NOVEL
Worth the Wait
A TITAN WORLD NOVELLA
Where I Belong
more
Oh, I loved this book of a jilted bride finding true love when she goes on her honeymoon alone. Claudia Connor is a MUST-BUY for me.
Claudia Connor has a permanent spot on my auto-buy list, and many of her books are also on my comfort-read list. You know that list, those books that you rely on to cleanse the palate after a disappointing read, the ones you read when you need something comforting and familiar, the books that you’ve read over and over. From her first book, Worth the Fall (On my comfort-read list, I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve read it. If you haven’t met Matt McKinney, you’re totally missing out.) to her newest release, Love at Last, Connor has an uncanny knack for creating storylines that draw you in and won’t let go.
You can read my interview with Claudia here:
https://happyeverafter.usatoday.com/2018/04/24/mandy-lawler-recommended-romance-love-at-last-claudia-conner-interview/
I just love reading about a single dad with kids. This couple almost beat out Matt and Abby in Worth the Fall. I enjoyed reading about Claire and Deacon. Claire was left at the altar by her groom who told her he no longer wanted to marry her because he fell in love with someone else. So she decided to go on her honeymoon by herself where she met Deacon a veterinarian at the resort. It was a good book about Claire falling for Deacon who ends up leaving quickly after sharing a wonderful night together the next day. Read this awesome book to find out what happens next. I just loved it!!
Tender and charming—this feel-good romance will warm the heart of every reader.
The past three books I read dealt with heavy topics (abuse, body image, and date rape), so I was in the mood for something lighter and sweet. I happily escaped to the Dominican Republic for a perfect romance meet-cute. When Clare decides to go on her honeymoon solo after her fiance dumps her at the altar, she meets Deacon. Single dad and a vet? I’m in! He was kind and considerate and everything a hero should be.
Of course, what’s a good romance without some misunderstandings and an accidental pregnancy? We watched the misunderstanding tear the couple apart, and then bit our nails until the hero learned of the pregnancy. I enjoyed the way the characters then confronted their new reality realistically. No accusations, no games, no brooding or bitterness. Instead we were treated to understanding, compassion, remorse, and forgiveness. Ah, maturity. I love it when I read that!
It takes a special talent to work toddlers and infants into a romance and still keep sexual tension and chemistry alive, yet Ms. Connor did that well, and it infused the relationship with poignant moments and humorous ones, too.
You’ll root for Clare and Deacon to overcome their fear of getting their hearts broken again and take the risk on each other.
4.5 ‘Easy to Love, Impossible to Leave’ Stars
Nobody does a Single Parent like Claudia Connor does! Single Parent trope Haven I tell you!
What a emotional and touching journey Claudia Connor gave us with Love At Last!
The last thing Clare expected the day after being jilted at the altar, after deciding to go on her ‘honeymoon’, was to meet the sexy veterinary, Dr. Deacon Montgomery.
Deacon, single parent of twin girls, is fully dedicated to his little ones, so when he meets Clare on the resort he’s staying for a conference, he’s shocked by the connection he instantly feels. Never in a lifetime did he expect to meet a woman that caused him to crave things he had never felt before, or that he thought were even on the cards for him.
The chemistry and attraction were undeniable, the soul recognition was beautifully described, and the unfolding of their connection on those days was naturally written. Their night of passion was palpable and oh so hot…
But uncontrollable event separates them and leaves them lost and with no way to contact. I will not reveal much, so that I don’t spoil their journey and all the events, but a LOT happens in all whole months of separation, but one thing never changed, their craving for one another – even if when it didn’t seem right – and Deacon’s will to find Clare no matter what. I adored that about him. The reunion is shocking in all senses, but oh so realistically written! Ms. Connor really knows how to pull every single one of our emotions!
Deacon was such an amazing main male character! Totally swoon worthy! His girls were his whole world, until he meets Clare, and every second we witness all those precious moments between him, Macy and Margo, just made us – and Clare – fall more and more in love with him! Who can resist a hot single dad?! 😉
Yes, circumstances changed, life took turns and twists until it brought them back together. With all the new elements, unknown to them, they had to adapt and relearn, and even get to truly know each other, but this time, all in ‘real life’, no in the seclusion of a island resort. It wasn’t an easy task, specially with Clare’s deep seated and justified issues given all her failed relationships, plus all the events upon her separation, but Deacon fought for what he wanted, to show how much he wanted her, need her, loved her…
Clare had a lot of inner struggle, but all their family and friends did an amazing in helping her, and specially Deacon, that never gave up on his search for her, and in winning her trust, and above all, LOVE!
The character development was, like in all Claudia Connor’s, brilliantly executed. The complexity of the personalities and emotions was flawlessly unparalleled. Not only Clare and Deacon, but all the secondary characters.
All the family moments, all the private ones, all the loving touches, the passionate ones, are seated deep in mind, and warmed my heart. Clare and Deacon’s journey was a unforgettable tale, an epic and oh so realistic forever kind of love.
Love at Last was truly a emotional, heart touching story! Claudia Connor holds us captive from the very first word to last with the beautifully raw emotions, and genuine storyline. This book is right up there with my all time fav Claudia Connor, Worth The Fall, and that is saying a lot given it’s a standing feature on my all time fav list, best book boyfriend list and my fav single parent list, and what got me hooked on Claudia Connor’s brilliant writing. Love at Last is now on all those features, plus it made me crave even more of these characters, and I’m hoping Ms. Connor will give us some of the secondary characters stories! Pretty please…. <3 <3 <3 <3 <3
I’ve enjoyed Claudia Connor’s previous works and this was great as well.
I recommend to read it if you are looking for a good, sweet story.
Clare and Deacon met at a beach resort and the few days they spend together are like a dream,their relationship is easy and effortless, until the reality breaks into their fairy tale leaving them alone and unhappy.
I loved Deacon,how he always takes responsibility for his actions and how good he is with his family.
I liked all the characters and I hope to see some of them again maybe in their own story.
A combination of insta-love and then a second chance. Claudia Connor writes real people so well – from the frustrations of parenting and never having a clean house, to the $300 target run to the love of a man and a woman. It’s never all about sex, it’s about growing feelings, and being a man (or woman) while still being a parent. This book was so realistic in that regard. Claudia nailed it like a lady who has lived (or is living) it. Well done. Ms. Connors books are ones that I admit to hoarding, waiting for the perfect time to read them because once I start, there’s no stopping. Now I wait for the next one…,
Magnificent storytelling captured the essence of two souls connected along with an unfortunate and nearly unforgivable misunderstanding that would change the course of many unsuspecting lives forever.
Heartbreak and unease forced Clare Franklin to face her would be honeymoon alone. Resigned to the fact that she may never find love, Clare was determined to enjoy her tropical paradise for what it was, a much needed vacation.
Dr. Deacon Montgomery knew when he first spotted Clare at the island resort, that she was unlike any woman he had ever met before. So, when she agreed to spend some time with him, between his work conference commitments, he was thrilled.
With their time together limited, Deacon and Clare decide to leave all the details about their outside lives at the door. But, when a closeness begins to develop between the two and a misunderstanding of epic proportions tears these two apart, what will come of their would-be love story?
What follows is a search, not just between two souls searching for one another, but for what it means to be a family and ultimately what it takes to give it one’s all and find Love at Last.
As Always, Happy Reading!
“5/5 Beaming Brains!” – Lit-Up My Mind
4 1/2 out of 5 stars
This book had me sucked in from the beginning to the end – which were both perfectly coordinated making the book that much more special.
Deacon and Clare meet at an exclusive resort where he’s presenting at a veterinarian conference and she’s honeymooning alone. They literally run into each other and then spend every night following that together until Deacon is called home for an emergency and Clare is left wondering if it really meant anything after all.
I really, really liked Deacon. He was the perfect man, daddy, and so much more. I liked Clare well-enough, but sometimes felt like she overthought things too much. I appreciated her concerns and didn’t disagree, but felt like she held herself back too much. Deacon really stole my heart with his care of Margo and Maci.
The story flowed so well and I enjoyed watching it all unfold. The characters were likeable and the story was fun, swoony, inviting, heart-warming and sometimes even heart-breaking. I have loved everything I’ve read from this author and this story is no exception! I can’t wait to see what she brings us next!!!
*** I voluntarily read a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review ***
Love at Last by Claudia Connor was a sweet, cute, and easy going read. I’m a huge fan of Claudia Connor and have been since I read Worth the Fall. She has a knack for writing sexy, sweet, and protective heroes that really stand out. Dr Deacon Montgomery was a yummy single dad and a vet. Good with kids and animals…. so swoon worthy! Deacon made the book for me. Clare on the other hand at times annoyed me. She was likable, but I felt she was too standoffish, for way too long. Some push/pull was understandable but she took to long to come around for my taste. Other than the few times Clare bugged me the read for the most part was very enjoyable. I found myself unable to put it down and I stayed up to 4am finishing it. I really liked Clare’s bf Jess and her brother. I could totally see them as a couple. I kinda hope they get their own book. Another sweet read from Claudia Connor!
I love Claudia Connor! Well written and great story.
Love at Last is a beautiful, sweet romance with a little angst and some twists. It has my very favorite trope!!
“All this feeling, so much it took her breath, and she wondered how people lived with this, how they could possibly carry this much love for someone else inside them.”
Clare was almost thirty years old and hearing her biological clock ticking away. She longs for a home and stability. She didn’t dream of fairytales and castles, only to be a wife and mother. Instead she finds herself abandoned at the altar and going on her ‘honeymoon’ trip alone.
I Love this story! I adored the storytelling and the little twists.
-5 Stars!-
I have to say I love this authors previous books I read, Worth the Fall, etc… And I quite enjoyed this one too.
Clare is on her ‘honeymoon’, but a honeymoon without her groom. On the day of her wedding he told he, he found someone else, so she decided to get away and still go on her honeymoon. On the island she met Dr Deacon Montgomery, sexy hot Vet, and single dad of twins. From the moment they met, they felt the attraction and decided to leave all their baggage and personal stuff at the door and just ‘be’.
After spending time together, they finally gave into their attraction and spent the night together. But the next morning when Clare woke up he was gone. No clue what happened or why he left, Clare heartbroken went on with her life. But six weeks later, she is faced with another dilemma. What is she going to do now??
This was a book about second chances for both of these characters, but also about miscommunication and love and trusting another when you have been hurt before. Definitely a good Sunday afternoon read. I hope that Clare’s brother and her BFF get their own book… 🙂
This book was like a caramel brownie fresh from the oven. Warm and delicious. Deacon and Clare will give you warm fuzzies and make you believe in love. I’m a sucker for the traditional romance and I always wish for more at the end of a Claudia Conner book. Hoping for a book with Conner & Jess…..
Claire ends up spending her tropical Honeymoon alone and single only to run into (quite literally) the sexy veterinarian Deacon. What starts as a beach-fling ends just as quickly as it started and circumstances separate the two without the means to reconnect. They can’t stop thinking about one another and the secrets they never thought would surface eventually do.
Clare and Deacon !
A random meeting that leads to so much more.
I absolutely love the ability that Claudia has at weaving a story that pulls you in and gives you so many feelings. You begin to feel as though you personally know that characters and you become invested in them!
Clare and Deacon gave me everything that I love in a romance !!
~~Michele McMullen ~~
This is an unusual contemporary romance, fraught with separation and events that don’t really happen in the expected order. I’ve only read one other book by Claudia Connor (Worth the Wait), which I really enjoyed, so after reading the blurb for this I was intrigued enough to give it a try. I was hoping to enjoy this as much as W.T.W., thankfully I wasn’t disappointed. It is an engaging and captivating story.
Clare is in her wedding dress, ready to walk down the aisle, when her fiance tells her he has met someone else. She decides to enjoy what should have been her honeymoon and contemplates whether love and a HEA is just not on the cards for her. Whilst there, Clare literally falls into the arms of a hot and sexy vet. Deacon and Clare stirs emotions in the other that they have never felt before. Just as things seem to be going somewhere life gets in the way, suddenly Clare and Deacon wish they’d shared more than a few days and nights….
Overall I really enjoyed this story, I struggled with the beginning but I think this was because I knew the paradise holiday was temporary and I wanted to get to the ‘real life’ part! The writing is really good, I never struggled with who was speaking, the prose is easy to read and the book really held my attention. I really liked both Deacon and Clare, they felt very natural, were totally believable and I did feel a connection to them. There was one big decision Clare made that I sort of didn’t agree with BUT I could understand why she made that choice. Her understanding of the situation did put her somewhat between a rock and a hard place!
This took the contemporary romance mould and threw it away, instead forging its own unique path. The plot was a breath of fresh air, I was never quite sure where the story would take me or what would happen next. It has a few love scenes, enough to had heat and depth but without being too much. If you want a well written, unusual and wonderful contemporary romance then I do recommend this as one to try.
Clare decides to go on her honeymoon without a husband after getting dumped on her wedding day. There she meets Dr. Deacon Montgomery, veterinarian is at the same resort attending/lecturing at a seminar.
They agree to try out all the different resteraunts the resort has to offer together. They start to connect through all their talks. The only agreement they have it to talk only about the present.
When Deacon extends his visit to spend more time with Clare and then takes off without any word or explanation her self esteem takes another big hit. Deacon received an emergency phone call from home and rushes home.
I really felt for Clare dealing with her new unexpected reality. She’s proving just how tough she can be with the challenges that life is tossing at her.
What I really love about Deacon is that he really felt a connection to Clare and isn’t ready to let go. He goes to great lengths attempting to locate her, which makes it more challenging when he doesn’t know her last name.
When Deacon finally finds her he steps right up to the plate and doesn’t hesitate to prove on every level that he’s not giving up on them. He believes enough for the both of them until she starts believing it too.
Deacon’s two angel twin daughters add an ‘awwww’ factor to this wonderful story.
When Love At Last begins, heroine, Clare Franklin, has all but given up on love, feeling like she’ll never get her happily ever after, after her fiancé breaks her heart. She’s lost all faith and trust in men, so when Clare goes on what would have been her honeymoon, she has no intention of giving her heart to another man just to have it broken yet again, but when she meets a certain sexy veterinarian while she’s away, their fling quickly proves to be more, but with one phone call what might have been no longer matters because Claire, once again, is left alone, reinforcing her previous thoughts about love and bringing all of insecurities to the forefront, and this time, she may never recover.
Dr. Deacon Montgomery’s life is all about being the best doctor and father he can be. In his mind, there’s no room for anything else, despite how lonely he is. But that doesn’t stop him from being in the now with Clare while they’re away, so despite Clare’s insecurities and Deacon’s singular focus, what they share while on vacation is not something either can let go of, even after they go their separate ways.
One aspect of Claudia Connor’s stories that I adore is how she constructs and characterizes her main characters. Every character that Connor has introduced readers to has incredible depth and every aspect of the heroes and heroines resonate from the pages and allow readers to truly KNOW everything they need to in order to truly understand who these characters are and what makes them who they are.
Clare and Deacon are definitely works-in-progress when it comes to figuring out how to juggle everything that they have to deal with in their lives, and while they both make mistakes and overanalyze things way too much, it’s clear that they want and maybe even need more out of life than what they have, even if they can’t admit it out loud.
I adore single parent romances, and Deacon is such an amazing father to his two-year-old twin daughters. I can’t blame him for being singularly focused; his girls and his job are his priorities, but he so deserves more and Clare seems to be the one who can give him everything he’s been missing.
Love At Last is an emotional journey, and while there are some parts of it that are a bit predictable, it’s a story that readers can relate to on a number of levels and that is all that any reader can hope for when it comes to a romantic story line.
4.5 Poison Apples
I am a big fan of Claudia Connor. She does a wonderful job of creating characters that you like and that feel real, especially children. Love at Last hit those marks!
After her fiance calls off the wedding when Clare is in her wedding dress, she decides to go ahead on her honeymoon by herself. While in the Dominican Republic, she meets Deacon, who is there for a conference. They enjoy each other’s company greatly, but Deacon is called home unexpectedly and the two lose touch. Fast forward a few months, and Deacon manages to track Clare down, and is surprised by what he finds. The two try to reconnect, but life isn’t always easy when you live in different states.
I greatly enjoyed Deacon and his family. His daughters were precious and he was a devoted father. I liked Clare, although she was a little more pessimistic than I like. I love a plot with single parents and children, and this fit the bill, although the end seemed a little rushed.
I will definitely be rereading Love at Last. I highly recommend!