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
more
3.5 stars.
Well, this was fun.
This time we have Sarah and Ian, both friends for a long time, but haven’t been in touch with each other very much. However, as they both turn 30, an old proposition comes to the surface, lol.
These guys were really fun, I loved Sarah, giving and kickass; and Ian such a down to earth kinda guy. Which is why I loved these two, such opposites, but both looking for the same: to be loved.
I felt for Ian and his past with his brother, and I understood his hesitations, but I really wanted to smack him sometimes, lol. I was so happy he opened to Sarah.
This was a fun read with characters from the previous books that make it extra fun. I’m sad this series is ending, but glad I’m glad I got to ready and Ms. Fenske has other awesome stuff to entertain myself with, lol.
Anyway, recommending this. 🙂
*Thank you to Entangled Publishing and the author for providing a copy for which I’m giving my honest opinion*
This is the third book in The List Series. The Last was a wonderful vwritten story and well developed characters. This has it all and I couldn’t but it down.
I received advanced copy from Entangled Publishing via NetGally to read and review and give my honest opinion. Thank you Entangled Publishing and NetGally for letting me read this story.
Tawna Fenske is a new to me author and I have to say I am looking forward to reading more of her books. The Last was the third book in The List series, but the first I have read by this author and in the series, and I was not lost in all. This is a friends to lovers romance that will leave you happy and smiling!
Sarah and Ian had a drunken pact from their college days if neither was married by thirty, they would marry each other. When Sarah turns 30, she finds herself thinking of that pact and when tipsy, send Ian a reminder text. So begins their hilarious and heartwarming story that could lead to so much more!
Sarah and Ian were friends first and I loved that about them. They had a great foundation and then add in their steamy chemistry, and we have a great friends-to-lovers story. This was a light read that was fun, steamy and will leave you content!
~ Liz
Tawna Fenske is a new to me author and I have to say I am looking forward to reading more of her books. The Last was the third book in The List series, but the first I have read by this author and in the series, and I was not lost in all. This is a friends to lovers romance that will leave you happy and smiling!
Sarah and Ian had a drunken pact from their college days if neither was married by thirty, they would marry each other. When Sarah turns 30, she finds herself thinking of that pact and when tipsy, send Ian a reminder text. So begins their hilarious and heartwarming story that could lead to so much more!
Sarah and Ian were friends first and I loved that about them. They had a great foundation and then add in their steamy chemistry, and we have a great friends-to-lovers story. This was a light read that was fun, steamy and will leave you content!
Read and reviewed for Reviews From The Heart.
Happy reading!
No one writes romcoms quite like Tawna Fenske and this is a great one. I has laugh out loud moments, emotional moments, and sizzling hot steamy moments. A long ago pact made between Sarah and Ian has her sending a drunken birthday text and Ian arriving on her doorstep. Both of these characters have baggage making their marriage of convenience plan seem like the way to go. Before diving in headfirst they decide to have a trial period. Let the fun sexy times begin!!
Wonderfully written with a nice strong story, very well developed characters and an easy flow. While book 3 of a series it is easily read standalone. I would definitely recommend this book.
I loved this book! It was hot, funny and emotional, all in one sometimes. Reading with a smile and tears gathering in my eyes, reading about the emotions of both the hero and the heroine. I didn’t read the first book and I kind of missed the “togetherness” of it being in a series, although it is said that the books can be read as a stand-alone. I loved the fact that the couple visited in another series of the author, that was kind of visiting old friends. All in all, it was an awesome book – with the message that real love is nothing to be afraid about and knowing that love is of the most importance in life.
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.
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
Tawna Fenske has a knack for creating engaging characters and stories with humor, heart and a ton of heat. She’s done it again with “The Last,” which is, sadly, the last in a three-book series. (The first and second, “The List” and “The Test,” are highly recommended.)
In this last installment we find Sarah, a newly minted 30 year old, reconnecting with her college buddy, Ian. Their relationship was platonic, though Ian harbored a secret crush, and over the years they have kept in touch, albeit sporadically. A pact they made in school brings Ian back into Sarah’s life in a big way. Agreeing years ago that if they were still single at 30 they would get married, Ian suggests they follow through, but with the caveat that love not enter into it. He’s suffered loss in the past and believes he can save himself more heartache by not allowing himself to love again.
I enjoyed that the two characters had a history, and an easy friendship that they fell back into immediately. It felt natural for them to be together and I liked that there was no drama or misunderstanding between them. They were both honest about their feelings for one another and what they wanted in their relationship. Of course it didn’t hurt that they both wanted to indulge in the chemistry sizzling between them, either. Whew!
As a fun bonus, long-time readers will get a kick out of a few “cameos” in the book. Characters from another of her series, the “Ponderosa Resort Romantic Comedies,” make a fun and welcome appearance. (I highly recommend those books as well.)
One of the things that keeps bringing me back to Tawna’s books is that she writes stories about people that feel genuine. Her characters are relatable. And she adds a twist of wacky humor that makes me laugh. She imbues her stories with warmth and depth, and I always find myself devouring her books. This one felt as if it was over far too soon, not because anything was left out, but because the world she created was so easy to immerse myself in.
All in all, it’s a wonderful end to the series, giving each of the characters their happy ending. It’s funny, witty, sexy and sweet. A delicate and delightful combination that Tawna manages with seeming ease. I highly recommend it.
Note: I was provided an ARC in return for an honest review.
My first Tawna Fenske but absolutely not my last!
I’m a sucker for a marriage of convenience story and The Last did not disappoint. Sarah and Ian were the perfect blend of friends to lovers and second chance love. I adored the inclusive storyline of adults living and thriving with Down Syndrome. The chemistry and steamy sexy times was perfectly balanced out by the emotion of Ian and Shane’s backstory and Sarah and Junie’s relationship, making for a super steamy book with a satisfying amount of emotion and storyline.
Off to read the first two books in the series!
A spectacular story. The author weaves a magnificent tale of love and romance. Ian and Sarah have known each other since college and at 30 decide to fulfill a pact and get married. The relationship is is sizzling hot in the bedroom but Ian doesn’t want to involve his heart. The characters in the story are wonderful and relevant. Junie is especially lovely. Watching the growth that takes place as they work to get to their happy place was heartwarming and very touching.
I loved the first two books in this series so I was so excited for Sarah’s story. I actually have loved every book I’ve read by this author so I knew this book was going to be amazing.
Sarah is turning 30. By now, she thought she’d be married and have family but her dating experiences could be a book of disasters. On her birthday, she tells her friends of a pact she made with her college BFF. If they were both single when they turned 30, they would marry each other. So enter Ian and his new ideas about what marriage should be: a business arrangement.
These two were something else. I loved the banter, the history, the chemistry. I was glued to this book from the second I started to the very end. I can’t wait to see what comes next from this author!!
*This is my voluntary review of an advanced reader copy*
Awesome addition to The List series. I love Tawna’s rom-coms and this one is no exception. Sarah and Ian had undeniable chemistry. The epilogue was a great wrap up and had me smiling.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC received NetGalley.
I have to say that I utterly enjoyed this book it was so funny. So we meet Sarah who had made a bet or promise with her best friend Ian that if they were not both married at the age of 30 they would marry each other. (yes you know where I am going) So on Sarah’s birthday, Ian shows up and then the funniness ensues..The only thing that I regretted about this book was that I did not read the previous one, but I will remedy that..Enjoy!
Rcvd an ARC at no cost to author..(netgalley) Voluntarily reviewed with my own thoughts and opinions.
Funny, emotional, includes reindeer…
I LOVED Ian and Sarah’s second chance story! They had been the best of friends in college. They shared hopes, dreams, family. It all ended suddenly and abruptly. No drama, no arguments, Ian was suddenly, gone… Years later, a birthday-infused promise meant a casual greeting steamrolled into marriage in 2 point nothing seconds. Hot, quietly manic with no melodrama, what happened next was….
Perfect. I loved these characters who cared so much for each other. From sweetly holding hands one minute to cheek-blushing reckless abandon the next, they were just so good together. They made each other happy and that just leaped from each page. They made each other smile just because and I couldn’t help but smile along with them. When things started to go south I was right there with them, agonizing over it all..
Their story was made even better by an epilogue that is one of the best I’ve ever read. Packed with every emotion, heartfelt without being overdone, I cried and was, surprisingly for me, so darn happy while I did it…
*I happily reviewed this book (even though it made me cry)…
I adore Tawna Fenske and I’m a big fan of the “marriage of convenience” trope, so The Last should have been a major hit for me . . . and it was. I loved it! It was funny and cute and sexy and sweet—basically, it checked off all the boxes that make me want to read and re-read a book. This series has been a lot of fun and I’m sorry to see it end, yet nevertheless excited for whatever comes next for this author. Highly recommend!
The Last is book 3 in The List series but can be read as a standalone. That being said, I can’t wait to go back and read the first two in the series!
Sarah just turned 30, and while she’s successful and has an amazing job, she hasn’t accomplished the one thing she hoped to by this age – getting married. With no prospects on the horizon, she reaches out to an old college friend and jokingly brings up their pact to get married if they are both single at 30. What she doesn’t expect is him to remember, and propose they go for it.
Ian not only remembers the pact with Sarah, but he’s also all for it. Against love and ever opening his heart to anyone Ian proposes a marriage of convenience and sets out to win Sarah over. But he doesn’t expect the sizzling chemistry between them, or how she makes him feel things he didn’t think he was capable of.
I really enjoyed this book. There is a perfect mix of romance, drama & comedy, with an off the charts steam level. Sarah & Ian are well developed and easy to love, and I found myself rooting for them from their very first conversation. Her friends were all a welcome addition, although I wish we got a little more from Junie!
This was my first book by Tawna Fenske and I’m excited to read more! If you’re looking for a fun, refreshing romantic comedy this is definitely it!
I loved this book! Characters from prior books, friends to lovers, all sorts of goodness!! Ian is convinced he can never love because he’s still heartbroken over his late brother’s death and his parents destructive marriage. Sarah has reached her 30th birthday and tells herself she’s happy. But despite a depressing example from her parents, she still believes in love. They have been friends since college and made a silly pact to marry if they were still single at 30. A little drunken texting and Ian finds himself on Sarah’s doorstep. And the humor, sweetness, steaminess, and a few mistakes lead to their happy ever after. I love that we get to revisit past couples! I received a review copy. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I was provided an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Dang. I love Tawna’s books all around, but I think this one just became my all-time favorite. Fenske perfectly balances emotions in this novel and runs the gamut from snorting out loud hilarious, to crying, and as always the perfect amount of steamy sex. I absolutely loved the plot of this book; two close college friends who pledged to marry each other if they’re both single by the time they’re thirty, and on Sarah’s thirtieth birthday, the shenanigans begin.
The honesty of Sarah and Ian’s friendship is so heartwarming and felt perfect and real. I love the story of friends turned lovers, and how they really didn’t realize how much they loved each other at first. It was a great combination of a slow simmer of long lasting love, with the perfect dash of instant lusty heat.
I also love seeing some old friends from Fenske’s other series pop up. It’s so fun and really adds to this beautiful, love-filled world she had created. And her descriptions of Oregon almost make me want to move there, just to see if it’s as beautiful as described. 😉
4.5 Stars!
I’m starting this review a little backwards. The stunning epilogue was the perfect capper to Ian And Sarah’s romance, as well as the interconnected 3-book series. I even got a little misty-eyed. While this author’s women’s fiction (ie. Now That It’s You, At the Heart of It) are my favorite, these quicker paced rom-coms give me my needed fill until the next release. They also manage to have some hidden depth and poignancy that I equally love from her longer fiction. Like all of her books, the character’s are people I would love to have in my life – authentically real. And like every hero before Ian, I think that this one has become my favorite yet. As for the sexy, I think this one has exceeded all previous expectations. IT WAS SEXY! This was a friends-to-lover’s romance that delivered on all fronts from an author that has never disappoints.
What a fabulous book to end a series with. I loved all three books in this series and it is difficult to pick a favorite, they were each equally wonderful.
I really enjoyed Sarah and Ian and the way they came to be a couple. After making a marriage pact when they were in college and then going their separate ways for many years they were able to pick up as friends right away. There seemed to be more of an attraction for Sarah towards Ian than what she felt in college. These two were a hot and sexy couple. You could feel the attraction and chemistry that Sarah and Ian had with each other. I enjoyed the humor in this story too. It is always great when an author can make me laugh when I am reading a romance.
I really enjoyed Cassie, Lisa and Junie showing up in this book. It was fun seeing them again and having them help Sarah realize her feelings for Ian. Junie was especially helpful to Sarah.
This was a fantastic book and if you read the first two in the series then this one will not disappoint. I would definitely recommend this book.
Favorite Quotes:
For the record, it’s a bad sign when the guy you’re having sex with buys you sleepwear that suggests you should cover up more.
I’m grinning like a girl who just unwrapped Barbie and the Barbie Dreamhouse…
“You just had a big birthday, am I right?” Glenda’s sympathetic cluck would be more appropriate if she offered it to someone who just lost a limb. “Best get to it, sweetheart. Those eggs are drying up.”
He stretches up and pulls back the cover on the car’s sunroof. It takes me a few seconds to figure out what I’m staring at. “Is that a butthole?” Ian nods solemnly. “Yep. The feline variety.” … The cat stays seated with its stink-star pressed against the glass… “I’d just appreciate him removing his cheerio from our line of sight… Well, fiancée… I can’t promise you romance, but I can promise you laughs.” “And cat buttholes,” I add.
He squirts some canned cheese onto a cracker and hands it to me. “Keeping it classy.”
My Review:
I mirthfully smirked and periodically fanned myself throughout this fun and wickedly humorous tale featuring a pair of past college friends who had missed their chance at a deeper connection due to unfortunate timing and circumstances, but were back in touch ten years later while circling that big three-o celebration of their birth, and recalled they had jokingly made a pact to marry at that particular milestone if both were still single.
Ian thought he was taking a practical route of leaving love out of the mix by establishing a legal contract for a relationship of mutual attraction and benefit. Sarah was agreeable and determined to see the common advantage to deem it acceptable to settle for less than true love, but was having some minor difficulties in getting there. If not in total simpatico, they were more than compatible in most ways that counted, and then some. The plot seemed far-fetched yet the storylines were so smoothly engaging and gleefully entertaining, the premise became reasonably convincingly. And oh my, sizzle and snap, this couple of dirty talkers needed to keep a fire extinguisher handy as they were atomically hot and sensually matched well enough to leave scorch marks not only on the sheets but also on the ceiling, floor tiles, walls, and car seats. I had greatly enjoyed the previous books in this series and was instantly enamored with these endearing and cleverly crafted characters as well.