“𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝘂𝘀 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀, 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝘁 𝘂𝘀 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗸𝗲?”

𝗣𝘂𝗯 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲: 9/2/25

Audiobook 🎧(75%)/ eBook 📖 (25%)

𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆: Sam is a workaholic real estate developer living in NYC with a promotion in her crosshairs. When her coworker and company rival gets sick, she is asked to head to sunny Florida to scope out a potential resort location. Problem is, Sam grew up there and never wants to go back. She left behind her childhood home for a reason but is forced to face these issues head on.

𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀:
🏝️ Island setting
🦀 Best friends brother
🏝️ Second chance
🦀 HEA
🏝️ Refrences to popular romances

𝗠𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀:
Knockout debut novel for Kristin Wollett (I mean, with a name like Kristin, how could it not be fantastic?! 😄). The story is filled with lovable main and supporting characters who feel like real people living realistic lives. It’s an adorable rom-com with a sunny island setting, a sweet second-chance romance, and—of course—a happy ever after.

While it’s lighthearted and heartwarming, it also touches on some heavier themes like alcoholism within a family, strained relationships, and the loss of a parent. Readers should be mindful if those topics may be triggering.

A stellar debut that left me smiling and rooting for more from this author.

Fun fact, Wollett narrates Sam’s chapters herself! Austin’s chapters are narrated by Patrick Zeller- and let me tell you, his smooth voice brought Austin to life.

𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


*Thank you @NetGalley, @ReadForeverPub, and @HachetteAudio for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

#AsALastResort

As a Last Resort by Kristin Wollett is a delightful rom-com by an exciting new author.
This story has our leading lady struggling against the good old boys club at work and just trying to get by. When a job assignment has her going back to Florida and the small town she grew up in. Sam is less than thrilled.
Austin is Sam’s former BFF’s older brother and the boy she had a crush on throughout her teens. Austin is a thoroughly nice guy and unlike the guys Sam knows in New York.
I truly enjoyed getting to know Sam and Austin and watching them discover what was really important in life.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book! The story focuses on Samantha, who lives for work and a potential upcoming promotion, and how she must return to her hometown for the first time in 7 years as part of a work project. While she is there, she keeps crossing paths with Austin, her former high school crush and the brother of her best friend. The two of them try to deny their feelings as they continue to help and support each other during her time on the island. The story was heartfelt and had a variety of excellent supporting characters and situations that kept me interested and invested. There is a misunderstanding at the very end of the book that leads up to the apology/ reunion scene that seems a bit goofy and unbelievable to me, and I feel like that could have been left out, because it was too ridiculous and took me out of the story, but overall this was a very enjoyable novel!

Can you ever really go home again and do you really want to? As a Last Resort is a well written story that explores this subject with a strong dose of reality and the happy ending we all crave.

As a Last Resort by Kristin Wollett
📚 Genre: Rom-com
📅 Release Date: September 2, 2025
⭐️ Rating: 3/5

Thanks to @readforeverpub for the eARC on NetGalley 💌

This story brings together:
💔 Grief
👩‍❤️‍👨 Best friend’s siblings trope
🏙️ Small town vs big city vibes
🥂 Corporate America politics
⚖️ Addiction struggles
👭 Mother-daughter relationship dynamics

We follow Austin, Samantha, and Lexi (Austin’s sister + their childhood friend) as they navigate complicated emotions, messy choices, and second chances.

❓Would you pick up a rom-com that mixes lighthearted moments with heavier themes like grief and addiction?

#RomComBooks #BookReview #NetGalleyReader #KristinWollett #FallReads #ReadForever

I absolutely loved this book! It was such a fun summer time romance. Sam, a workaholic fighting to climb the corporate ladder in New York, is forced to go back to her hometown on a small island off the coast of Florida. It’s a small town full of ghosts for her after losing her father and her alcoholic mother causing nothing but problems. She runs into her ex best friend and her brother Austin, who now owns the ferry charter to the island and is forced to take a deeper look into her past and how she left things. There was so much growth in this book and the ending was perfect.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy of this book. All opinions within this review are my own.

Small town's provide a different perspective and realign's priorities. Romance of big city small town meets. Sam (Samantha) heads back to her small hometown in Florida for work, where she’s forced to face her alcoholic mom—and all the painful memories she ran from years ago trying to work hard for a promotion. The chemistry between Sam and Austin is undeniable but the emotional growth they both undergo is what stands out. The book is full of heart, healing and hope and a reminder that sometimes love returns when you least expect it or right when you need it. Robby, though, threw me for a loop. I was sure we were headed toward a love triangle, but his role ended up being something else entirely. The theme that appeared about preserving the hometown and the value of local businesses and small town feels. I personally love visiting new places, and find so much more value in a town than a theme park, so appreciated the preservation aspect. Really a thought provoking romance. Thank you NetGalley, Forever and Kristin Wollett for the opportunity.

As a Last Resort pulls you right into a small-town world weighed down by secrets and sharp truths. When the main character is forced to return home to rescue her failed beachside resort, she’s met with old ghosts, simmering tensions, and a town brimming with unspoken pain. Kristin Wollett weaves a story that’s tough and tender, filled with flawed people trying to heal in their own stubborn ways. The salty setting feels lived-in and the emotional honesty hits hard. If you’re up for intimate drama packed with heart and authenticity, this one is worth your time.

I really enjoyed reading this one. I went in forgetting it was a debut, and I would be excited to read more from Kristin! I also don't know if it's categorized as a romance, but I felt it was more contemporary. While there was romance between Samantha and Austin (which I loved), I thought the story took on a more healing and growth vibe. I liked the alternating chapters, and I also thought the friendships were the standout in the story. Between Samantha, Ivy, Lexi, and Ausin and Patrick, that was the real strong suit. I loved the vibes while reading, too. I was on vacation, and the Florida setting felt perfectly matched to. Overall, I enjoyed this and look forward to seeing what Kristin does next! Thank you to Forever Publishing for sending me an ARC to read and review!

Think hallmark style setting where big city girl goes back to her hometown and runs into small town guy she had a crush on in high school. They spend time together and what do you know they fall in love but big city girl has to go back to the city for her very important job leaving their relationship uncertain. That’s pretty much the plot of this story. While it was cute, I found it pretty formulaic to the hallmark romance style which was a little boring and predictable at times.

Thank you to NetGalley, grand central publishing, and the author for this ARC.

I absolutely LOVED the experience of reading this book!!! It’s such an ideal summery, beachy read with suuuuuch good vibes.

As a kid with a mother who is eerily similar to Sam’s mom — with a father who passed suddenly/unexpectedly— that part of the story was so spot-on relatable and damn well written. It’s really something unique to read a book and feel so seen and not alone within the pages… especially when it deals with a hardship in which you tend to feel very alone within. And when books deal with substance abuse it can often feel like a caricature of reality — and that’s not fun. But As A Last Resort didn’t feel that way at all. The struggles were centered around Sam’s experience and the way they were written felt authentic and the substance abuse was just handled really well.

Sam and Austin’s relationship came together in the cutest way. I love that some elements of their love story weren’t even fully revealed until the very final moments. 🥹 Also, the Notebook references were TOP TIER and induced tears immediately. **chefs freaking kiss, Kristin** I loved Lexi and Rex and his sisters and would love additional books about them, TBH. I loved the theme that love is powerful and transformative. 🫶🏼 It can change your outlook on life. I loved Austin’s parents sharing about the concessions they made in order to be together. And how the sacrifice is a no brainer because life wouldn’t be important without your person. I loved it.

*Audiobook notes: I really loved Kristin Wollett (the author of the book) narrating as Sam. She did a stellar job! I love that no one could know how to read as Sam better than the author!! I really enjoy Patrick Zeller as a narrator but felt that Patrick sounded a little bit too old for Austin and that took me out of the story often. But as usual, Patrick really does a heck of a job regardless.*

Overall, I’d give this one a very solid 4.5 stars. (And am waffling between a 4 & 5 star review here.)

Thank you to Hachette Audio for the ALC and Forever (Grand Centeal Publishing) for the ARC of As A Last Resort! And thank you to NetGalley for facilitating. Most importantly thank you Kristin Wollett for creating these characters & writing this story! Such a treat.

I absolutely loved the way these characters were written. They felt so real—relatable in their responses, their emotions, their flaws, their strengths, and most importantly, in how they love and interact with each other.

If you’re drawn to small-town settings, second-chance romances, or a touch of the forbidden, this story is a genuine delight. It leaves you in such a good place, with gentle reminders about the beauty of second chances—about pausing to ask why we run from love, and the courage it takes to let someone in and allow them to love us fully.

A tender, uplifting read that lingers in the best way

This book was such a great romance with the different romance movie references and the found family! I love Austin & Sam’s love and their relationship. I definitely wish I could change the ending to make it longer because when it ends I just want more for them!

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever Grand Central Publishing for the ARC copy!

Kristin Wollett, I can’t wait to read more by you!

It feels like an elder millennial wrote this book. Everything g about this couple felt so dated and cringe. Honestly, Sam had more chemistry with her nemesis than with Austin.

Also, the work conflict in this book felt so odd to me. I can’t understand working so incredibly hard for someone who will never respect you. It’s 2025, move to a company that respects women?

I did find the drama with her mom interesting but also insanely frustrating as well. Also, Sam does some stuff at the halfway point that I could never see a child of an alcoholic doing, especially one that is supposedly as type-A workaholicy as she is described as.

Basically, I didn’t have the energy to cringe through the rest of this, which I disappointing because I was quite excited for this book.

Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley and Hachette Audio | Forever for the free ebook and alc. My opinions are being left voluntarily. I dnf it at 46% this was the slowest moving book I've tried in a long while. I found it did a lot of telling and not at all showing. I found it to be a very flat book. I did not enjoy the narration I think it added to my dislike of this story.

Dnf

Suggest skipping.

Thank you NetGalley and Kristin Wollet for an advanced reader copy of this book!

As a Last Resort was such a cute and fun read. I really enjoyed the mix of small-town charm, second chances, and opposites attract romance. Following Sam as she returned to her hometown and reconnected with Austin was so entertaining. Their banter and chemistry kept me hooked, and the beach town setting added such a cozy vibe. This is a lighthearted and sweet romance that is perfect when you want an easy feel-good read.

4.75⭐ This was a wonderfully written second chance romance, taking place in a small-town setting with (ex) best friend's brother vibes! 🩷

There is only one thing that could persuade hard working, overly dedicated to her job, Samantha, to return to her childhood hometown- the place where she grew up with a mother who struggled with substance abuse and regularly left her embarrassed by her behavior, the place where she basically raised herself- and that is a chance to prove her worth for a promotion at her job.

Once she's back in her hometown of Rock Island, Florida, it doesn't take long for her to come face-to-face with all the things she has been trying to avoid. The icing on the cake is when the boy she had a major crush on as a teenager, who also happens to be her ex-best friend's brother, Austin, is the one that is always there to help her when she needs something. The more time they spend together, the riskier it becomes for both of their hearts. Austin can't leave and Samantha can't stand the thought of returning to live in the place with so many horrible memories.

As a Last Resort is a perfect balance of love, humor, second chances, learning to forgive, strength and healing, repairing relationships and building new futures. The characters are well- developed and very loveable. The family dynamics are raw and real. I've said this multiple times in reviews, but I love books that are swoony and believable at the same time and Kristin has given us the perfect example!

This was such a beautiful debut for Kristin Wollett, and I am so excited to read more from her in the future! Thank you, Hachette Audio and Forever Grand Central Publishing, for these early copies to read and listen to! All opinions are my own.

This book was such a fun mix of tropes: grumpy x sunshine, opposites attract, and a teenage crush turned best friend’s brother romance. I enjoyed the Florida setting and loved watching Sam, the big-city developer, clash with Austin, the small-town ferryboat captain, over what Rock Island should be. Their banter was sharp, their chemistry undeniable, and the setting made me want to pack my bags for beach-town life. In some ways the book gave me Hallmark vibes without being cheesy.

While some moments felt a little predictable, the heart and charm carried the story. The family tension, small-town drama, and second-chance romance all worked together to keep me hooked. If you love stories about rediscovering your hometown, falling for your opposite, and sunsets that turn into second chances, this one is worth the read!

This was such fun and easy read. Ended up reading in one sitting while on the plane. Love the dynamics of the characters. The author was so vivid in her descriptions that I was able to visualize the story.

This was a fantastic romance novel! I can't believe this was the author's debut novel. I need to read more by her.

I loved the two main characters, Samantha and Austin. Samantha has a difficult past and she ran to New York City to get away from the loss of her father and drug addicted mother. When a chance for a promotion comes up she heads back to her hometown, Rock Island, Florida to help move forward plans for a new resort. It has been 6 years since she has been back and not only did she run away from her mother but she left behind a best friend, Lexi, that she hasn't spoken to in years. While in town she also runs into Lexi's older and hot brother, Austin. Austin is the ferry boat captain and is still healing a broken heart from when his fiancee cheated on him with his best friend. When he sees Samantha sparks fly. Both Samantha and Austin have a lot of baggage but sparks begin to fly the more time they spend together.

What absolutely makes this book is the relationship between Samantha and Austin. Their banter sparkles, their stolen moments sizzle, and their emotional connection deepens naturally as Samantha learns to trust again. The author wisely avoids easy fixes, instead showing how love requires both people to grow and change. I really felt like I was reading about two real people and I was rooting for them to make things work.

This is the kind of book that reminds you why you fell in love with romance novels in the first place. It's got heart, heat, humor, and hope in equal measure. The author has created something special. This is a story that celebrates both the excitement of new love and the profound peace that comes from finally feeling like you belong.

Thank you to Forever Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC.