Love at Last by Claudia Connor is a long emotional journey that begins as a wedding goes off the rails. I admired Clare Franklin for going on the planned trip even without a new husband. Understood her need to work through everything that happened. I even recognized how a fling might help her to move past the hurt and rejection that she felt. However, these things never work out quite that easily in reality, neither does it for Clare.

This dramatic emotional soul-searching story turns into a sweet wonderful romance. Ms. Connor does single parenthood stories as well as any author that I have read. Again she has outdone herself with Deacon. Dr. Deacon Montgomery has a lot going for him, not the least is his young twins. Just when you think these Deacon and Clare are history, the unexpected comes into play. If ever two people deserved the love, it is Clare and Deacon. They are characters that you want to find that “something more” and honestly you want them to find it together. Realistic romance is done right in Love at Last.

A good single dad novel is always something I look forward to. This was the sweet and lovely version with a sexy vet too and rambling heroine.

So this started of like simple enough, jilted bride goes on her own honeymoon. Clare was more hurt of not finding the happy ever after than the demise of her relationship. Enter hot veterinarian on the same resort and you have sparks and vacation fling. I have to note said hot vet is cool and I follow one so Deacon reminds me of him a little. Well it was an interesting meet cute and sexy times soon after. They were on limited time to the most of this new found attraction. It felt natural enough the closeness but was cut short.

I had a feeling they would meet again but wasn't sure how and my a lot happened in between the time had on the island met again. Lots of things happened unexpected ones and ones that changed it all. I wish they didn't spend all that time looking for the other but on them navigating the post vacation part then again it shows the impact they had on the other. I found Clare's indecision a bit weird after everything bit I get why she's wary.

I like Claudia's books and this no different. It was charming and lovely and all good things. I wish the end wasn't as wrapped up so fast but the epilogue helped.

This is my first book by this author. The first half of this book I kept thinking how could a man do that to someone he is to marry. To leave her like he did. Clare goes off on her would be honeymoon and meets Deacon. She does not know much about him, but she knows more about him than he does about her.

The second half of this book I was thinking I sure hope they can work it out. I do not want to give too much away, but the second half of the book was my favorite.

I am looking forward to reading more from this author.
☆☆☆☆☆
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.
Recommend this book? Yes! Author? Yes!
Read more from this author? Yes!

Happy Reading!
Melissa

Love at Last was the first full-length book I have read by this author. I had read a novella by her prior to this and even though it was super sweet romantic, something I normally don't read, I still enjoyed it. When I saw she had a new book coming out I thought why not give it a try? I am not usually one for super romantic super sweet like candy stories, but why not give it a go? Well, I will say I did enjoy this story, but it was right on the line of being too romantic for me. I know that might sound odd since most of my reviews are for romance books, but they are not normally super romantic romances. This is one of those stories where everything is so super sweet and magical and cute and fun.

Clare was supposed to get married but found out her fiance was in love with someone else. So she heads off on their honeymoon by herself to lick her wounds and move on. Now Clare was an odd one for me. She wasn't super upset about being left by her fiance, he wasn't the love of her life or anything. He was a safe choice, a comfortable choice, someone she cared for well enough and she wanted the house and family and all of that so he was a good, stable pick. I'll be honest, I didn't really understand why Clare was okay with settling and not being super in love with her partner. She is kind of afraid of opening up to people and really taking a chance and after her safe choice left her she decides she is going to give up on men.

Deacon has not had the best luck with women, but he does have some pretty amazing daughters to show for his failed love life. And he loves every minute of being a father. He was so sweet and kind and caring and wonderful. Plus he is a vet and helps pups and cats. Who wouldn't love him? Well he is at the same resort as Clare on a business trip and he expects to get his talks over with and then go home as soon as possible. He doesn't count on meeting Clare and falling for her. To meet someone like her and see that maybe he could find love with someone. To not want to leave her and spend a few extra days there getting to know her.

These two were both super into the other and neither expected it. Clare's single honeymoon turned into something that could be so much more. But of course we have a bit of drama, things happen that were not expected and someone had to rush off in a hurry. Now the second half of the book I really didn't care for Clare that much. She is a super coward and Deacon deserves to know what happens. I will say when Deacon finds out everything he handles the whole situation a billion times better than I would have. He is still so sweet and kind and wonderful and Clare is still such a scaredy pants. She bugged me. Maybe if I would have seen more why she was so afraid to open up it would have been better, but oh well. I don't know what else Deacon could have done to show Clare how he felt. That he was there for her. That he was all in. I really loved him and how great he was with his daughters, his family, and Clare. If not for him I may not have enjoyed the book as much as I did.

An incredibly sweet romantic holiday read. Maybe a tad too sweet for my liking.

Clare Franklin has been unlucky in love as she was about to get married and was left in the church she went on her Honeymoon to the Dominican anyway. Finally thinking that she might never get that passion that her parents have and her happily ever after shall be denied she gets tangled up with someone even though she is wary.

Deacon Montgomery is in the Dominican for a Vet Conference (seriously what vet conference has been held with sun, sea and sand) anyhoo a chance encounter leads him to meeting Clare. They get to know one another and live in the here and now.

I really liked Dean (he had the patience of a frigging saint) but Clare not so much. She didn’t throw herself a pity party although there were times where it was close. But life threw her a curve ball and she worked with it (view spoiler)

I like the chemistry they had going on and their banter made it all the sweeter. But can a holiday romance work out when they have left their bubble. They must find out the hard way.

The complications of life were real and through everything they never forgot one another even though the circumstances and fate weren’t working in their favor. That Deacon had to leave due to a family emergency, but he looked high and low for Clare. It is well written and engaging I was smiling a lot throughout the book.

Holiday romances aren’t really my thing, but I am a fan of this author’s work and decided to give it a try any way. It isn’t bad per se it’s just not my cup of tea. Although it did have the catnip single parent romance trope for me. Another thing that bothered me and I mean really bothered me is that she should have just phoned him up and told him.

I'd really like Jax, jess & Connor to get a book as they are well developed secondary characters and I am sure they have a story to tell.

At this moment after closing my kindle and having butterflies in my stomach and a sweet song in my heart I simply want to scream please read this book!

If you are a Romance addict like me you search high and low for that sweet fall. That deep emotional, can't stop flipping the pages, don't want to put it down and absolutely hate when it ends, type of read. Love at last is every bit of that and more.




Single parent stories are probably my favorite. Add in the single dad angle and you've got me hooked every time. But find me a hero like Deacon, who isn't just a single dad but a real hands on father. He's put his girls Maci and Margo at the center of his world. He's a man who loves deeply and forever.


He's a man who cherishes family and all that it entails. Finding Claire at the most perfect time for everything in the romance stars to line up and change their lives forever was purely magical. I had moments of so much emotion reading this story.


There is something beautiful, breathtaking, awe inspiring when I read or see a dad and his children. A man holding his world, that takes my breath away but seeing him find and claim the other love of his life well I had tears and joy and just a heart so full reading about Deacon and Claire.

Wow I just feel so full. So much love among these pages. Simply perfect.

Jilted bride Clare Franklin decides to still go on her honeymoon anyway. Luckily, she's not at the stage where she thinks all men are jerks because meeting veterinarian Deacon Montgomery is a good way to help her move on from her ex-fiancé and his words of 'I'm in love with someone else.' However, when she returns home and soon learns that she's pregnant, she knows she needs to tell Deacon. Will Deacon be happy when discovers her surprise or will they lose their shot at happy ever after?

Ms. Connor delivers a fantastic read in this book and I loved how it started because the heroine is so brave when it comes to what happens and then going on her honeymoon on her own. However, it was from the moment the hero and heroine come face-to-face for the first time that I loved because there's instant chemistry between them and Deacon is such a good listener. In fact, Clare is quite lucky to meet Deacon when she does to show her that not all men are jerks since she's been so unlucky in love.

As for the dialogue, it was intense due to the main characters backs stories, but I liked the obstacles these two faced on their journey to happy ever after including whether Clare will ever be able to give Deacon a chance, especially when she's so wary of falling for another man and having her heart broken again. Will Deacon be able to prove to Clare that he wants her forever? Furthermore, both the main characters were wonderful and I loved their growing relationship because Deacon is good for Clare. He's a good dad, smart, hard-working and I loved how determined he was to win the heroine over, even though that doesn't seem easy at times, especially when she learns something about his past that he was afraid to tell her.

While the heroine, she's strong, brave and I liked that she gave the hero a chance, even though she has every right to be worried that another relationship may end in heartbreak. I also liked how good of a mother she is, despite the fact that it isn't easy being a first-time mom. Luckily though, she has great support in two of the secondary characters that would do anything for her. Yet, what I liked most of all about the heroine was how she fit in with Deacon's family. Although, his sister can be a bit much and doesn't know how to mind her own business when it comes to pushing Deacon on his relationship with Clare.

Overall, Ms. Connor has delivered a really good read in this book where the chemistry between Deacon and Clare was powerful; the romance delightful; and the ending had me cheering for this couple's happy ever after, as Clare finally realizes what she wants and what she wants is a future with Deacon and their children. I would recommend Love at Last by Claudia Connor, if you enjoy the surprise pregnancy trope, the second chance romance trope, or books by authors Devney Perry, Kristen Proby, Natasha Madison and Mia Sheridan.

I'm kinda at a loss as to where to start this review. Love at Last is one of those books that grabs you from the start and doesn't let you go until the last word.

I was immediately immersed into Clare's world. Her outrage, her need to just get away—all reactions that are completely understandable when left at the altar. I loved her independence and willingness to just go on the honeymoon alone because she really needed a break and a vacation. And boy did she get one.

Enter Deacon Montgomery. Hot vet who just happens to come to Clare’s aid right when she needs it most.

Deacon and Clare share an immediate connection. One that’s fun, sexy, smart and something that neither of them have felt before. Something that neither one wants to admit is really happening . . . Clare worries about Deacon being her rebound. Deacon worries about what’s happening at home. And they fail to really share what’s going on in their heads. Until it’s almost too late.

I loved Deacon and Clare together. They just got each other—even when I had my doubts that they’d work things out.

These relationship intricacies are what draw me to Claudia Connor’s stories. There’s absolutely nothing simple about Deacon and Clare’s relationship. There’s so much going on. So much that needs to be discussed and resolved. So much love and joy to be shared. And I loved every minute spent with them.

Are you looking for an amazing romance? Then treat yourself to Claudia Connor's latest offering, Love At Last. This is a fast-paced and well-written read that begins in the Dominican Republic and ends in a suburb of Ohio. The plot grabbed my attention right from the start, while the characters made me swoon, smile, and tear up from time to time. This book is an enjoyable standalone novel.

Since her fiance jilted her at the altar, grade school teacher Claire Franklin takes her honeymoon alone. She resigns herself to a life without love, while she attempts to relax on a much needed vacation. Then she stumbles into veterinarian Dr. Deacon Montgomery, who is in the Dominican attending a conference. They hit it off almost immediately and spend every available moment together. Without even a goodbye, Deacon mysteriously leaves the island, and Claire experiences another huge dose of rejection. Claire believes the American dream is unattainable, until love truly sweeps her away.

I truly enjoyed this book. I loved the way Ms. Connor evolved Claire and Deacon's relationship, with tenderness, desire and understanding. Their sexy times were hot and replete with passion. The secondary characters, including Deacon's adorable twin toddlers, were full of enthusiasm, and they added a lot of personality to the plot. The only thing missing from this exciting romance is an epilogue. If you are looking for a contemporary romance with the perfect balance of sweetness and heat, an engaging plot, and a happily ever after, then read this book.

Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

this was my first book by this author, though i have quite a few on my kindle waiting to be read. it was probably more like 3.5 stars but there was nothing specific i didn't like, so 4 it is.

it was cute, fluffy, predictable and a little bit sexy. i really liked deacon, clare was mostly good but slightly annoying at times. the small twist at the end with deacon was just a bit much. it was unnecessarily angsty for like 2 seconds.

After being left at the altar, Clare decides to begin a new chapter in her life by enjoying her island honeymoon alone. She meets Deacon, a vet who’s there for a conference.
Clare and Deacon have an instant connection/attraction but their tropical fling is short lived as Deacon is called home for a family emergency. He doesn’t know Clare’s last name, she doesn’t have his number, nor did he leave a note. What ensues is a series of miscommunication, missed opportunities and hurt feelings.
Yes, the middle dragged a bit, but the storytelling is still top notch. Connor has a knack for creating memorable characters and stories that touch the reader in both their heart and their head. While the road to their HEA may have been a long and winding one, the journey was heartfelt and enjoyable one for this reader.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own

Thank you do much for allowing me to read this amazing story in advance! It was fantastic, and Claudia Connor did it again.
Here is my review,
http://gisspotreviews.com/index.php/2018/04/24/release-blitz-giveaway-review-love-last-claudia-connor/

Claudia Connor continues her magical touch with stories with a new story. Heartwarming and gets you in the stomach as you settle in and enjoy this story.

My 4.5 star review is up on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2336347847

It will be posted on blog and social media on release date and links will go live or be updated at that time on Amazon as well. . UPDATED 4/24/18!

4/4.5 stars
Clare Franklin is on her honeymoon in the Dominican Republic...alone. She may have experienced a failed trip the the altar, but she decided to take the vacation anyway before making some changes to her life. She is a bit awkward and an overthinker, but she is also smart and sweet. She longs to be settled with a husband and family, but seems to end up getting hurt.

Deacon Montgomery is at a vet conference and he keeps running into her. He does not have a good romantic history either and he is currently a single dad to toddler twins and is also a busy vet. Something about Clare just feels right and they share a good time.

They vow to live in the here and now and just enjoy what they have which is a connection, compatibility, and a great chemistry. But they are also under a time limit and real life is waiting for them at home. And sometimes situations arise that can change everything. The story took a few turns I did not expect, but it kept it interesting.

This is a sweet and heartwarming story of two people whose lives and hearts became entwined on a vacation and then dealing with what comes after. It is not a quick or easy fix. Surprises, changes, past issues, and some misunderstandings get in the way. It is hard to trust their feelings and bring down their guards. Past mistakes make them wary.

Can they find faith, trust, and hope for finally getting a love at last?

I loved both Deacon and Clare, although I did want to shake her a couple of times. They were likable and relatable. I enjoyed how family-centric this was and the girls were adorable. Claudia Connor does a great job embracing the chaos of family and kids, but also the connections between the adults.

I adored this story!
I loved the characters, setting and the uniqueness of it all.
If you're looking for a sweet read filled with sexy moments, shocking events and a swoon worthy man..... Trust me, you want to read Love At Last!!!

And that ending...... Sigh. I loved it so much!!!!!!!

4.5 stars

How many times can you be unlucky in love before you decide it’s not luck, it’s you?

Clare Franklin has been jilted and flies off on her honeymoon alone. One night she walks into a man, also alone and they share dinner.

Dr Deacon Montgomery is a veterinary surgeon, bringing up three year old twin daughters alone. Since his daughters were born he's had no inclination to date but Clare makes him laugh and think about a relationship for the first time in forever. It's a fantasy holiday romance ... until Deacon gets a call that changes everything.

I've read several books by Claudia Connor and enjoyed them all. They verge on the sweet but I have enjoyed them nonetheless. However, this one just didn't gel for me. I think Clare and Deacon are just too nice, neither of them has a single flaw. Also, I had the overwhelming feeling that this couple were interchangeable with some of her previous characters. Even the flowery descriptions of their love-making seemed like one cliche after another. Deacon's twins are unbearably cute and it was all just a bit too much.

Recommended for those who like sweet romances and too-good-to-be-true characters.

I received a free copy of this book from the author via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

"Easy to love, easy to leave." Clare thinks this many times during the course of this story. She's been dumped on her wedding day and still decides to go to the tropical paradise destination for her honeymoon. While there, she meets a gorgeous man who makes her forget about her ex. Deacon and Clare connect right away, and their long conversations turn to something more. When he disappears without a trace, she's hurt. "Easy to love, easy to leave." She thinks it's happened to her again.

Deacon has a good reason for what happened, but there's just one problem -- he didn't get Clare's last name or address. Clare can't stop thinking about him either, until circumstances force her to focus on her own life. But the course of true love will not be denied, and they find their way back to each other. The book just took off me for me at this point! There's no way they can go back to those days on the beach, but Deacon isn't willing to give up. It takes some time and some effort from both parties to get their happy, and Deacon is just wonderful, amazing, and everything I've come to expect from Claudia Connor. It's a celebration of life, love and being a parent that always gets me with her stories. Loved it!

I don't want to give away the details of the story, although some may guess what happens to bring them back together. It was still sweet and heart-warming all the way through to the end. If you liked the McKinney brothers series, you will probably love this one too. If you are a new reader looking for a second chance love story that involves single parents, you might want to check this out.

I loved this. I've read it more than once over the last few weeks. It's definitely on my list of 2018 favorites.

An ARC was provided for review.

Clare is disillusioned with love, all the guys who said these words changed their minds later and the last one was even worse. When deciding to go alone for her supposed honeymoon, she ends up meeting the mysterious veterinarian Deacon.
Deacon is focused on work and family but also feels the same connection to Clare and decides to live this new experience with her. Both create rules for the relationship but end up realizing and wanting more for each other.
Unfortunately, things do not happen as they planned and Deacon will need much more than declarations of love to be able to prove to Clare that love exists and that it is worth fighting for.
I love Claudia Connor's writing, always with romantic dramas with happy endings. This time, she comes with a beautiful and sighing love story proven and so sweet and real that I want to be part of it on someway.
The most interesting of this reading was to accompany a passage of the book listening to Memory in the voice of Barbra Streisand and to notice how an excerpt of the song fit perfectly a passage of the book.
Touch me,
It's so easy to leave me
All alone with my memory
Of my days in the sun
If you touch me,
You'll understand what happiness is
Look a new day has began…


So beautiful, is not it?
I'm too suspicious to talk because I love this song and now it is going to remind me of this book everytime I listen.
I loved the cover that was the one that most attracted me to the reading, I only read the synopsis after I received the book and I loved that the synopsis does not let pass anything of the plot ahead. It was a pleasant surprise to fall in love with Clare, Deacon and the children.
5/5 stars

I have read every book released by this author and enjoyed every moment spent lost in her words. What I loved about this book is that is has her ‘stamp’ on it but it is completely different to the other series. This is great for a reader as some authors can’t seem to master this and often release different series that all follow a similar formula and feel the same. Claudia is not one of those authors ☺

Love at Last is a good old fashioned romance novel with a bit of angst, assumptions and swoony ‘aww’ moments. It had everything that I enjoy in a love story. So let’s get down to the details.

Clare is stunned on her wedding day when her fiance decides he doesn’t want to marry her. At the time of his confession she is blind sided but when she really thinks about it, she was marrying him for the wrong reasons. However, to make herself feel better she decides to enjoy the honeymoon destination on her own, she needs time to process what has happen and figure out what to do next.

On her first night at her tropical vacation she meets a very handsome man and gets attached to him. Okay, she literally gets attached to him through a bit of unsure footing but that turns out to be a good thing because this will turn out to be just beginning on a holiday fling for both of them.

Deacon is the guest speaker at a conference. He is a single father to twin toddlers and this is the first time he has left them overnight. He plans on gapping it as soon as his speaking duties are over so he can get home to his girls. When he collides with Mia he finds himself wanting to get to know her, this has not happened for a long time. His whole life is work and caring for his daughters, he never makes time for himself yet there is just something about this gorgeous woman that has him throwing caution to the wind and indulging in her.

Can you fall in love with someone in just a few days? That is something that Mia is asking herself, the connection with Deacon is like nothing she has felt before, not even with her ex-fiance. When the bubble is popped, Mia finds herself back home and wandering what went wrong?

This is where the story completely changes, good old stubbornness and assumptions have Mia in their grip and there were so many moments when I wished I had her number so I could ring her and put her right. Things could have been so different if she only had the courage to reach out to Deacon. Her insecurities about relationships really play into her indecision.

The next time that Mia and Deacon see each other is completely overwhelming for both of them, so much has changed in their lives during the time they were apart and I’m not going to spoil it by going into any detail now. I will say that Deacon is so fucking cute and swoony and a total DILF. The cuteness factor had me as soon as I read the first interaction between him and his girls and I may have gone into a sugar coma from all the sweet moments in this book.

4 stars

Love At Last by Claudia Connor is a sweet, heartwarming and beautifully written contemporary romance.

Clare and Deacon are likable, relatable characters that have a strong connection/attraction from their first meeting. I enjoyed watching them flirt and live for the moment when they first come together.
I liked how comfortable they were with each other and how it felt like they knew each other longer than a few days.
Both Deacon and Clare never thought their few days together would leave them feeling so much.

After going their separate ways real life has some interesting surprises in store for them. While I liked Clare and totally understood her insecurities I did get a little frustrated with her when she decided to keep her secret from Deacon for so long.
After seeing how sweet and loving he was with his girls I hated that he wasn't given the option to be there with Clare.
But once he does find out what she's kept from him, he never got angry or upset, he puts his feelings aside and jumps right in.
I liked how Deacon was able to get Clare to open up, push her insecurities aside and let her see how much he loved and cared for her.

Watching them all together as a family made me smile and swoon, what started as a hot and sexy few days turned into something deeper and I'm thrilled they were able to find their happily ever after.

If your looking for a sweet and heartfelt read with minimal angst, no cheating and lot's of swoonworthy moments then I highly recommend you read Love At Last.

*Love At Last is now LIVE!*
https://amzn.to/2ENDgMe
http://bit.ly/LoveAtLastNook
http://bit.ly/LoveAtLastiBooks

*An ARC was provided in exchange for my honest opinion.*