Sarah Keating was sure she’d be married by 30. Husband, kids, the kick-ass career helping adults with Down Syndrome–she assumed she’d have it all, and there’d be no need to fall back on the marriage pact she made with her best pal from college. But a tipsy message she sends from her birthday party brings Ian Nolan to her door ready to rock her world, and not just with mind-blowing sex. He’s up … sex. He’s up for tying the knot, and has a million pragmatic reasons it makes perfectly good sense.
As Sarah and Ian test drive their marriage-of-convenience, they navigate awkward business dinners, a slippery steam room hookup, and a costume party gone awry. Their friendship is stronger than ever, and the sexual chemistry is off the charts.
But is that enough to make a marriage work, or will one of them fall hard and end up brokenhearted?
Each book in the The List series is STANDALONE:
* The List
* The Test
* The Last
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A steamy love story.
Fenske makes frustrating endearing. For Sarah and Ian the road less travelled, could end up leading them home. Nobody can make me laugh as frequently and uproariously as she can. The personality flaws that make us human are what makes her characters so irresistible. She never hides the imperfections. She highlights them with wit and heart. The Last is a winner all the way.
An awesome feel good, do good read. I had trouble putting it down.
I liked the premise even though it’s an overdone trope. It lost me when the h/H jumped into bed together mere hours after meeting following a years-long gap of minimal contact at best. That just doesn’t fit their characters. I put it down and DNF.
This book was really sweet but it is also dealing with though subjects like divorce, death of a sibling and handicapped siblings. I think this is the last book in the series. The first three book are about three sisters and “The last” is about their best friend Sarah.
Sarah was sure when she turns thirty she would be married with kids. But that did not happen. The day she turns thirty she writes to her college best friend Ian and he asks her if she remembers their pact from college. That when they turn thirty and they are not married or in long term relationships they would marry each other. He then turns up at her apartment and proposes to her because he needs a wife to secure him his dream job. But she cannot fall in love with him since he is not capable of loving someone and she has to tell him if her feelings changes so they can drop the marriage. But what happens when two best friends shares a past and a now, can they agree on a future together or is love going to ruin it all?
I really liked the main characters but Ian is very stuck in his head, he is very proud and he is sure he can close of his heart and say that love is not aloud in his life. You can be best friends, be married, have sex and so on without mixing love into it. Well you can but what kind of a marriage would that be? And with the chemistry they share that would be very though to maintain.
I can definitely recommend this book and you can read it as a stand-alone which I did without missing much.
This was okay for me. The writing flowed well, although at the beginning of the story it was a little confusing. I haven’t read any of the other books in this series, and there were a lot of names and situations thrown around that I just didn’t get. Ian and Sarah reconnect after 10 years and after that, the relationship between them progresses quickly. They had great chemistry though. I did get tired of Ian’s “I can’t do a relationship”. I wanted to smack him a couple of different times. I felt like his turn around happened rather suddenly, and I would have liked for him not to have held on to that belief for the whole book. The ending was sweet, and of course they got their HEA. Although this was a first for me from this author, I will be giving her another read.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book.
The Last is the third – and final – book in the series, but it can be read as a standalone.
I have read other books by Tawna Fenske (including the first in this series, The List), and The Last showcases all the things I love about her writing:
Her characters feel real, not only Sarah and Ian, but also their friends and family. Speaking of which: Junie is probably one of my favorite characters in the series! <3
And besides Tawna Fenske's unique sense of humor, the story also has quite a lot of heat - and an equal amount of heart.
I had *all* the feels, from snickering to laughing out loud to swooning to crying (that epilogue... gah!).
This is the 3rd book in The List series. This book can be read as a standalone novel. To avoid spoilers, and to understand the series, I recommend reading in order.
Sarah is facing a benchmark birthday. Being surrounded by her friends getting married and having someone special, she is noticing that being single in her life might not be where she wants to be. Then he came back.
Ian and Sarah made a pact in college to be there for one another if they were still single at the 30th year mark. Now with the year here – and they are both single – they discuss with real intent what it means to both of them. What they could have may burn the pages……
Seriously hot, as only this great author can be, this story starts the burn right at the beginning with one of the hottest men in book history knocking on the door. Such an amazing story, that only adds to a great series.
***This copy was given in exchange for an honest review, by Netgalley and its publisher.
Don’t miss this trilogy from Tawna Fenske! She’ll make you laugh and touch your heart… 🙂
Celebrating her 30.birthday Sara gets drunk with her friends and reconnects with her best friend from collage Nolan. They had a pact in college to get married to each other if they were still single by the 30.birthday. Tragic and family drama makes Nolan shuts down his heart to love and that is why he proposes to Sara with a marriage proposal without feelings. Sara starts everything with doubt, but after spending time with Nolan again, sharing the same bed and having amazingly hot compatibility in bed she says yes to a proposal. When she realized that she loves him, Nolan, brakes everything.
It is a sweet lovely story with great characters. Nolan past is really sad and is no wonder why he builds all the walls around his heart. It is great to see how they both start to fall for eachother even when Nolan is in denial. Especially it is great to see the moment when he opens his eyes and the end is truly heartbreaking and sooo sweet. Lovely read.
I volunteered to review an ARC of this book for Netgelly
It takes a special person to choose work with special needs adults. Sarah discovered her passion in college after seeing her best friend, Ian interact with his Downs Syndrom brother. As typically happens, they loose touch with each other only having the occasional text or social media messgage between themselves. Fast forward 10 years later to Sarah’s 30th birthday and a long forgotten promise to marry her best friend if they were both still single at 30. The reconnection between the two of them is immediate and hot. I loved watching the relationship develop and how we get a surprise connection to the Ponderosa Resort Series. I found this to be a sweet, poignant read with some nice hot sex thrown in.
This story features Ian and Sarah. Ten years ago they were best friends and vowed that by the time they were 30, if they weren’t married, they’d marry each other. Now, 10 years later, he’s so jaded against love and wants to marry her for companionship only. This story is about Ian’s struggle against falling in love and Sarah falling in love with someone who doesn’t believe in love.
The story has sad and tragic moments but it’s also about second chances and happiness.
3.5+ Stars
Holy raunchy loofahs, Batman! Boy is The Last one hot book, so if you’re in the mood for sexiness galore, a hunky ginger and a great time don’t miss this one!
Sarah and Ian were best friends in college, with great chemistry but never quite the right timing, they remained distant acquaintances through the years. Sarah’s 30th birthday, lots of champagne and some IMing brings Ian to her door to fulfill a pact that had been forgotten up until that night. If they were still single by age 30 they’d get married.
Both unattached but ready to settle down, they embark in a tryout period to make sure they are compatible to sustain a committed partnership… And although that isn’t exactly the way Sarah imagined her marriage being, well, she can’t deny they get along perfectly in every way and she hasn’t had any luck finding Mr. Right.
Ian’s heart broke with a loss in his past, and he isn’t willing to risk that kind of pain ever again. He has many reasons why this marriage of convenience will go the distance when those fueled by supposed love and passion fail.
I really liked Sarah and Ian both. Sarah was incredibly compassionate and loved her work. She was funny and sassy, sweet and caring. Ian was super sexy with his dirty mouth and bossiness in the bedroom (and the steam room, and the car, and the conference table… you know what I mean) and when he let his guard down and he left himself feel the connection he shared with Sarah was simply amazing.
I especially loved seeing them together, their chemistry was absurdly hot and they scorched my kindle screen every time with their sexnanigans. I will admit that Ian’s unwillingness to open up eventually got on my nerves, but as he eventually got his head out of his butt and went all out to win Sarah, all was forgiven… did I mention he could dirty talk like a boss?
Engaging, sweet and incredibly hot, The Last was an amazing read I enjoyed from start to finish.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book*
This is a great book; this is the third book in the List series written by Tawna Fenske. This book can easily be read as a standalone book, but once you read this one you will have to go read the other books in this series. They are all great! Sarah Keating was sure she’d be married by 30. Husband, kids, the kick-ass career helping adults with Down Syndrome—she assumed she’d have it all, and there’d be no need to fall back on the marriage pact she made with her best pal from college. But a tipsy message she sends from her birthday party brings Ian Nolan to her door ready to rock her world, and not just with mind-blowing sex. He’s up for tying the knot, and has a million pragmatic reasons it makes perfectly good sense. This is a great book with well-developed characters. Once I started reading this book I didn’t want to put the book down until the end. I can’t wait to read then next book by this author. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader’s copy of this book. The free book held no determination on my personal review.
The Last Book 3 of the List series (all can be read as a standalone)
5 Stars
Amazing! Fabulous story written by Tawna Fenske! Very well written. Loved the characters and the plot!
“Love– her face glows with it, her whole body radiates with rays like sun glinting off water. My throat tightens, and I take a few deeper breaths to keep myself from bawling.”
Very highly recommend!!
3.75 stars–THE LAST is the third instalment in Tawna Fenske’s contemporary, adult THE LIST erotic, romance series. This is thirty year olds, aviation specialist Ian Nolan, and social worker Sarah Keating’s story line. THE LAST can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.
Told from dual first person perspectives (Ian and Sarah) THE LAST follows the friends to lovers / marriage of convenience relationship between thirty year olds, aviation specialist Ian Nolan, and social worker Sarah Keating. Celebrating her thirtieth birthday, Sarah Keating texted her college best friend Ian Nolan, who reminded our heroine about a pact they made years before promising one another if neither one had married by their thirtieth birthdays, they would become one another’s significant others. In town for a job, Ian Nolan offers Sarah a marriage of convenience that would benefit them both. What ensues is the rebuilding friendship and relationship between Sarah and Ian, and the fall-out as Sarah wants something more than Ian is able or willing to give.
Ian Nolan doesn’t believe in love, and continues to struggle with the death of his younger brother. Reconnecting with Sarah brings with it memories of the past including the losses and regrets of his earlier days. Sarah Keating has always wanted marriage and a family but Ian’s offer of marriage doesn’t include a happily ever after, and no promises of love.
The relationship between Sarah and Ian is a friends to lovers; a marriage of convenience between two people who love one another but are not necessarily in love. As the days turn into weeks, Sarah’s heart is lost to the man that she loves but Ian is unable to offer more. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
The good-natured and colorful, secondary and supporting characters include Simon and Cassie (The List #1), and Simon’s sister Junie: Lisa and Dax (The Test #2), as well as several friends, co-workers and extended family.
THE LAST is a story of family, friendship, promises and love with moments of heart break and grief. The premise is captivating; the characters are likeable and energetic; the romance is steamy and hot. THE LAST is a fun, sexy and heart felt.
I always get excited when I hear Tawna Fenske is putting out a new book. She can mix sexy couples with the hilarity that life can often times bring. Her characters read like she took them from my own life and placed them in the story. The idea of being in a marriage pact is nothing new, but it’s always intrigued me, especially marriage laid out as a business contract. People can’t go through a marriage not being in love, can they? It’s understandable why getting to know Sarah and Ian as individuals, as they are remembering and learning about each other’s baggage after years apart. They not only have a past friendship, but they also have major chemistry. It has the sexy times, the laugh out loud times, and the sweet & humble times that only friends and family can provide. As a bonus, I always enjoy visiting older, cherished “friends” that the other series books have brought to me.
Saved the best for The Last!
This is book 3 of The List Series. I don’t know how Tawna Fenske does it, but I related to this book and enjoyed it as much as the previous 2!
Sarah and Ian were college best friends. On their 30th birthdays, they remember they made a pact to marry each other if they aren’t married by the time they’re 30. Doesn’t everyone have this plan with a friend in high school or college? In this case, Ian seems to have his entire life in disarray! The two had lost connection but a drunken text by Sarah helped the two reconnect. Imagine her surprise when he shows up in her doorstep! They decide to have a trial period of their proposed marriage of convenience. I loved that the two committed to being completely honest throughout their relationship of convenience!
As with the previous books in this series, I loved the characters, plot and the flow of the story. I enjoyed the honest relationship between the main characters, and loved seeing how the two worked out their many issues. Another highly recommended Tawna Fenske book!
I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and Entangled Publishing. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely.
Ahhhh…Tawna! You just keep amazing me!!! Such a wizard of the Rom-Coms!!! The Last is the 3rd book in The List Series by the hilarious you-will-not-want-to-put-your-book-down Author, Tawna Fenske.
When Sarah Keating turns 30 (and is still not a Mrs.) she thinks back to the college drunken agreement made with her bestie, Ian Nolan, who’s birthday is just a couple days before hers. They jokingly made a deal that if they were both single at 30, they would get married! When her yearly birthday text to Ian brings him to her door…(I am not going to tell you! Read the book!!!)
This was a very funny, romantic comedy that just flowed so nicely! I LOVED the hilarious texting scene between Ian and Sarah. I LOVE the characters in this series but really loved Ian and Sarah! This one was my VERY favorite of this series! I love the characters the author has written into this series and how she included them in this book as well (Junie, Cassie, Lisa…)! This book adds Ian and his brother Shane (who had Down syndrome but passed away a couple years prior), as well as the owners of Ian’s potential new employment.
There is a fantastic storyline, some hot “es-eee-ex”, some drama, love, heartbreak, and I LOVE how Author Tawna Fenske puts Junie (a character with Down syndrome) as such a fun, uplifting, inspiring character!!! I have worked with students with Down syndrome, and she just warmed my heart with Junie’s personality!
I am highly recommending this one…you will be so glad you read it!!!
My favorite friends to lovers story!
This book has it all. I’ve enjoyed this entire series but loved Sarah from the first time I read her in The List (don’t worry – you don’t have to read it first). She is a gal with a huge heart who shares her life with an amazing circle of friends, with an admirable job to keep her life full. When she decides to connect with her old college guy pal things get interesting pretty darn quickly.
This book features a lot of laughing out loud humor, some steamy sexy scenes and some very heartfelt scenes and situations with the characters. One of my favorite characters in all of Tawna Fenske’s books is included here which is an extra bonus. If you don’t just love Junie and her honest and heartfelt approach to life and situations, I would be very surprised. She seems so genuine is every way and it is a joy to have her part in this story. I wish she were real so I could spend some time with her myself.
There was also a lot of hot & steamy incidents in this book and I really enjoyed that too. They felt realistic without being contrived (like they are in some books) and the chemistry between the two characters was more than believable. The great part is that Tawna infuses the right type of interactions between Sarah & Ian to make both the long-term friendship and the chemistry seem like it is second nature to them both.
This may have been the last book in the series, but it is definitely my favorite out of the series. If you haven’t read the others you will probably appreciate Sarah’s story even more if you go read them now. I know I will be starting over with the series to read through concurrently just to get more enjoyment out of this one. I know it will help me to enjoy the truly hilarious humor from the supporting friends & characters more for the second read.
And please, do read and take the author’s dedication to heart. She’s absolutely right!