We all knew where this was going, yet I couldn't put it sown.

Also, I had forgotten how much sex there is in Aurora Rey novels, but I still enjoyed it.

I think I have read all of this authors work but so far this is my FAVORITE one. Seeing Julia pick herself up after a disastrous marriage and watch as she slowly got her confidence back was a wonderful thing! The chemistry between her and Taylor was simply off the charts too. May we all find the love of our lives in "The Last Place we Look". Best book I have read lately so buy it and reserve plenty of reading time as you won't be able to put it down!!😆

Once again another great story by Aurora Rey that I just could not put down. Although it started off a little slow in the beginning it quickly picked up and engaged till the end.
I was given this ARC via NetGalley and publisher for an honest review. Many Thanks!

This is a quiet, low-conflict, low-tension romance between an earthy carpenter who's got her life together, and a chubby divorcee who's rediscovering her beauty and interests in art. I liked both the main characters, and appreciated their direct communication of interest in one another, and the butch-femme dynamic, but the story failed to capture my interest. Without more interesting obstacles to them getting together, I was bored. However, there's some good pining on both sides. And I was delighted by the size diversity, which is sadly so rare in f/f/ romance.

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Similar to other lesbian romances, this book kept me on my toes. Recently divorced, Julia, comes running home with a bruised ego meets a old classmate, Taylor. Taylor, who always had a crush on Julia, pursues a friendship to help Julia's lowered self-esteem.
Their journey is an interesting one to read and different from other lesbian romances. I'd definitely recommend this to those who like lgbt fiction.

This was absolutely adorable. It felt like one of those light romcom movies, and despite being kinda predictable (there's pretty much only their relationship developing, then hesitation to get together, then a lot of sex, the main conflict that lasted only a little bit and was really obvious) I really enjoyed it!

Taylor is an angel and she supported Julia with absolutely everything, and it was great seeing Julia develop from the sad, recently divorced woman, from the start of the book, to the strong and confident lady by the end of it. I think their relationship dragged on a little bit, because it was... really simple for them to just get together, since they obviously were into each other, but well.

There were also some random perspective changes in the middle of the chapters, like it suddenly jumped from Julia's thoughts to Taylor's, but I don't think it was terribly confusing or hard to keep up.

Overall I think, despite feeling it took a bit too long with their domesticity only (it's cute, but we need the drama!), this book was quite enjoyable and sweet. A fun, light read, especially now when everything else in the world is a mess. It's good to disconnect from the bad things, and the fact there's literally no lgbtphobia here was just... great. More universes without bad things, please!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The two leads had great chemistry and the sexual dynamic between them was delicious. They were both very likeable as characters, and their flaws and insecurities made them feel very real. The writing was engaging and the romance developed at a natural pace, without unnecessary angst. This is my new favourite book by this author.

An honest review thanks to NetGalley. This was a sweet romantic read. I had an issue with the secondary character of Chris. Usually I love secondary characters and they make the book for me. With Christ though I found myself rolling my eyes and getting more annoyed, I ended up skipping all the pages that he was featured in. I really do not know what was it about him that irritated me but it made reading some parts more like a chore. Overall I really liked Taylor and the change that Julia encountered through the book.

There's some great chemistry here between Julia and Taylor, but I didn't quite feel the sizzle.

Newly dumped by her wife sees Julia return to her hometown and wanting to slut it out, her words not mine. Taylor happily runs into Julia in the hardware store, but her longstanding crush doesn't align with Julia's date-onomics so she's destined to be a loyal wing(wo)man.

Good news for Taylor that she's too hot for Julia thank I care for. To be fair, perhaps she's just focusing on herself after losing herself in the presence of her ex, but I didn't feel it.

Taylor was the heroine of the story throughout. Kind, thoughtful and talented.

Not my favourite book, but there were definitely enjoyable parts to it.

I had to drink heavily to write this review.

Forgive my spelling mistakes. How much did I anticipate this read and how much did it disappoint me. I’m not going to go into how much I hated Julia with her constantly changing needs and her incredible snobbishness to her fellow singles— because she wasn’t single from the start.
She had her perfect knight in shining butch armor ready and willing from the start (but not obsessed or anything like that.)

I’m not going to mention the absolutely appalling, viscerally cringeworthy BDSM scene that did nothing to advance the story other than the downtrodden femme likes being downtrodden everywhere. This is the only time Taylor’s character takes a huge blow.

No, I’m going, to talk about something other than those issues.

I’m going to talk about how Julia flaunts her ability and rights to go on multiple dates with different women and learns NOTHING from any of them except how pathetic they are for being lesbian and single and don’t have a solid plan B line Julia does.

The author had a great opportunity to show us that we can learn something from every human interaction but instead fed us on what seems to be re-purposed failed heterosexual dates (up to the “wanna fuck?). I wanted to root for this couple, I wanted to be there when they took that first step together but I feel Julia is such an unllikeable person we just can’t do that.

Okay, said it. I feel awful right now and I am so
sorry.

Two stars

A heart warming story about finding love when and where you least expect it. Aurora Rey does a stunning job of developing the characters and relationships that felt realistic and captivating.
This romance is perfectly crafted. Taylor is a kind and compassionate woman who is incredibly noble. Julia is a woman who is lost and trying to find herself after being spurned by her ex-wife, she lacks confidence and feels like a failure. Taylor has been harboring a secret crush on Julia since they went to school together and when Julia is forced to move back to their home town they reconnect and sparks fly instantly. They have this easy and intimate chemistry as if they have been friends for years. When Julia decides she needs to date casually Taylor decides to help her at the expense of her own feelings. Their open and honest communication is fantastic, Julia is honest about her desire to free and Taylor showed real self respect admitting interest in Julia but not in being one of the many. I love the connection and friendship they develop throughout the story. They perfectly balance and support each other and even though there is so much bad timing for them I loved the delicious torture of the build up.
The playful and witty banter between them is marvelous, in fact all of the dialogue is exceptional. The dialogue flowed smoothly and always felt natural.
The sex scenes were very hot and filled with passion. They connection Julia and Taylor share translated well to all of the aspects of their relationship. The tension and build up also added to the lascivious side of things.
My only critique is that there were several instances of a shift of POV between Julia and Taylor mid chapter without warning, it was a bit jarring but not a serious problem. It did not prevent any of my enjoyment of the story just confused me a couple times.
I love this story and these characters so much. Rey weaved everything together so superbly. I swooned for this amazing romance that was full of passion, honest communication, self discovery, and love. A sweet and sexy must read.

I loved this friend to lovers romance. It made me read with a smile on my face and I don't have a doubt in my mind recommending this book to other readers. Please buy and enjoy this book.

The story is about Julie, who is back in her hometown because her "hot-shot" ex cheated on her with her personal trainer. In the hardware store of said town, she meets Taylor again after all those years. A new friendship is born. After a long relationship, Julie want's to see what's out there, dating-wise. And Taylor, not wanting to be another nudge on her bedpost, agrees on being her wing-woman.

A couple of things I love about this book. For one, Rey knows exactly how to describe how fucked up someone can become after a relationship that obviously wasn't equal (enough) and loving (enough). This story show mighty-fine how insecurities can take over someone's mind after years of not being good enough. It also shows a good dose of realism when it comes to the dating scene: it is not all hot and bothered, there are many curious women out there and the prospect of a hot night of sex mostly is just a night of not so hot sex and a lot of awkwardness.

That being said and laughed about (because I did) let's go to Taylor. Because wouldn't we all want a Taylor in our lives. (Don't get me wrong, I've got one with a different name and not the same level of carpenter skills.) I just loved her character, sweet, strong, no selfishness bone in her body and on a mission to be the best wingmen for Julie. Stupid Taylor...

But in the end, it all works out, because Rey doesn't let us wait until the end before fireworks come out. And thus, you can love a great romance story for most of the book. Off course there is some trouble in paradise, but it's all very balanced and no part of this story comes across as off or oddly placed.

I loved reading this book, loved the characters, the storyline, the secondary characters were great and the writing style was great. All in all a solid 4-star read. I would definitely pick up any other book of Rey after reading this one.

This is a very pleasant romance that readers of this genre will enjoy. It begins with one of the main characters, Judith Pierce, returning home after her wife of 8 years leaves her for a younger woman. Judith has wrapped herself up in her ex-wife’s life and has lost her own identity. She returns to her hometown to lick her wounds and decide what she is going to do. Her parents own a winery in upstate New York, and she opts to work in the tasting room until she “finds herself”. The other main character is Taylor Winslow, a woodworker who makes furniture and custom cabinetry. She has had a crush on Judith since the 10th grade but never acted on her feelings.

Judith decides she is going to play the field by registering with an online dating service. Over the course of dating, Taylor and Judith rekindle a friendship and Taylor agrees to be her wingman. Because Taylor wants to have a forever relationship and Judith just wants to spread her wings, this new arrangement seems to work—until it does not.

The characters are well developed, and readers will find Judith and Taylor to be relatable. However, the plot was not surprising, and I felt the pace was a little slow at times. Much of the story in the second half seemed to revolve around the action in bed instead of moving toward the ultimate culmination.

Readers will find The Last Place to be a satisfying book to pass the hours. I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

3 star. A cute, predictable, sometimes erotic tale between Julia, a jilted wife and Taylor, who has had a crush on Julia for over 10 years. The romance starts much sooner than I expected . No slow burn here. And I was surprised when the romance and sex was so brand new and exciting......why did they have to spice it up with an evening of erotic behaviour including being tied up with red scarves. Now what do they have to look forward to in their 3rd year when things slow down.
About 3/4's the way through the book the romance becomes more permanent and just when you think all is well.......doubt and jealousy steps in. Of course none of that lasts too long and all ends well.
As I said...cute and predictable story.

Julia comes home to work in her family’s winery when her eight year marriage ends, her ex wife choosing her personal trainer over Julia. With her self esteem at an all time low she decides to trust her dating app and find some women interested in good times and happy for now dating. She soon discovers she needs a wingman and Taylor, someone she’s known since highschool, agrees to help bail her out when needed. Problem is Taylor has loved Julia from afar since tenth grade. What’s a girl going to do when she finds she enjoys spending more time with Taylor than she does with the weird assortment of women she’s been trying to date.

I caught myself smiling while I was reading this book. Always a good sign. Julia’s homecoming, while awkward for her, turns out to be a warm and welcoming one. Taylor makes her transition home better by lending a helping hand, an ear and a chance for Julia to vent about her past mistakes. This book is a second chance of sorts since Taylor has been attracted to Julia for years but the focus is on their butch-femme relationship, a dynamic Aurora Rey writes with confidence. Taylor is so well drawn. Rey understands the fragile ego of a butch, the uncertainty behind the bravado. She’s an encourager and a gentlewoman around Julia, courteous and thoughtful and yes, a tiger in bed. All the things Julia needs after the bashing her self esteem took at the hands of her ex wife. It was a pleasure watching their relationship grow and mature.

I am impressed with the growth I’ve seen in Rey’s writing since her debut novel Winter’s Harbor. I won’t hesitate to read everything she writes now. Her books are a pleasure to read.

4.5 stars

ARC received with thanks from publisher via NetGalley for review.

This has been a soft kind of story, with a protagonist whose ex did a number on her, leaving her full of insecurities and self-consciousness that greatly affect her plans to start again on her return to her hometown.

This woman is Julia and she comes home a little lost without knowing what to do personally or professionally. There is only one thing that she is sure of: she wants to enjoy dating galore, without further commitment. Too bad that on one of her first outings around town she meets Taylor, a former classmate, with whom she had no special treatment then but who has now become the exact type of woman Julia prefers. And Taylor does has a special memory of Julia, it's her teenage crush not completely overcome,

With this approach, there was plenty of material to fill the story with: flirting, disappointment, anguish, jealousy, restraint, drama, misunderstanding. And there is all that and more. But I think the pace is a little slow and the lack of communication between Julia and Taylor ends up spoiling some parts. And I was also bothered by Julia's insecurity. She questioned all the positive things about her, about her worth. Too much.

But despite everything, I am not going to give a low-rating, because it is very valid as a romance with many ingredients to like.

AWWW!!!!
Julia has been dumped by her wife, Erica, for a younger and “more interesting” personal trainer. For years her life revolved around Erica’s needs and wants, leaving little room for anything else. No she finds herself having to move out of her home in Manhattan and going back to her life in upstate NY. She is shaken, insecure and feels like a failure but at least she has her grandmother’s empty house to move into and a job in the family’s winery. When she heads to the local hardware store for something to fix a screen, she runs into Taylor who offers to help her out. Taylor has been crazy about Julia practically forever and with the lovely woman home it’s only natural they would become friends, right? Unfortunately it will never be more, whatever would Julia see in someone like her anyway, but a woman has to have dreams…

This coming home tale is such a sweet and wonderful book! It’s so full of all the mushy, tender feels, awwws and steamy sexy bits a woman could want! I loved how Taylor was always there for Julia, to love her, support her and believe in her. When Julia was stronger she too was every bit as much there for Taylor. I loved watching them grow as individuals and together. They make a perfect couple and in spite of their self-doubts and fears of inadequacy they strive to be better for themselves and each other. I will admit the sexy bits are ice melting and delicious as well as numerous, I enjoyed the heated looks and cuddles almost as much… lol. As with all things Aurora Rey, this story was choice and is going right back on my Read Again list! I am sure you will agree with me!

The Last place you look by Aurora Rey was such a delight to read. I really liked the character development of Taylor. Her old fashion principles were a nice change to some of the lesbian characters I’ve read recently. I felt bad for Julia’s situation, but there was a lot of comic relief built into this story with Julia’s foray into online dating. I enjoyed the slow build of Taylor’s and Julia’s relationship was nicely executed. I’ve not read this author before, but look forward to picking up more titles by her very soon.

Rey is the master of soft butch characters with hearts of gold. And Taylor is the latest in a long line of swoon-worthy leads. In high school, Taylor had a little, tiny, very, very small crush on Julia Pierce--though they didn't run in the same circles. Julia went away to college and was swept away by a fancy NYC gallerist. When their relationship falls apart disastrously Julia is left with nothing but a broken heart and a lot of shame and uncertainty. She packs all that up and returns to her hometown to work at her family winery. Taylor operates a successful furniture business. As their paths begin to cross the two fall into an easy friendship. There are sparks but Julia is determined to date widely to make up for lost time and Taylor is a one-woman woman.

Taylor and Julia have such a beautiful and supportive friendship. The chemistry Rey layers on top of that is masterful. This book will make you feel good! And Taylor is a true dreamboat.

Didn’t enjoy this book as much as I was hoping to. The premise sounded interesting and written by a veteran author at BSB. I found the plot a bit predictable and dull.