Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance reader's copy of the book. This was a good book. The characters were well written and felt real. The story involved development for the main characters as well as for the secondary characters. I loved all the pug nicknames for the one character, and Ivy was amazing. This was definitely one of the better books of this genre that I've read this year. I would recommend this. 3.5 stars

I was pleasantly surprised by this book! The small town and beachy vibes made for a fun summer read. The romance was sweet and the character growth was so well done. I loved seeing where Samantha started and then watching as she grew and learned to change in such a realistic way. The supporting characters in this book were great and I hope they get their own books someday! My only complaint about this book is that it started out a little slow for me. I didn’t really get into it until about halfway through, but after that point the pacing was much better. That being said, if Kristin was to write another book in the future I would definitely read it!

A heartfelt and charming second-chance romance with just the right mix of humor, healing, and small-town nostalgia. Kristin Wollett’s debut delivered an emotional journey full of warmth, wit, and coastal charm. Sam and Austin’s chemistry was magnetic, and the themes of forgiveness and coming home felt both honest and uplifting. Wollett’s writing style echoed Emily Henry and Annabel Monaghan. Wollett is an author I’ll be following closely from here on out.

I appreciate receiving an advance copy from NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) in exchange for an honest review.

Burying your head in the sand is so much easier than facing your past. Or in Samantha's case, fleeing her home town, severing all ties, and hyper-focusing on her New York career like she doesn't have a past at all. That is, until her development company starts eyeballing the island she grew up on for a new luxury resort and the only way to reach her professional goals is to try to win the lead on the account.

This book has no right being as good as it is. From the classically charming rom-com moments to the character growth, weighty themes, and details that will have you swooning, As A Last Resort had me laughing, crying, clutching my chest, and the only thing I didn't like is that it's already over.

Samantha was so wounded by her mother's bad habits that she abandoned even the good parts of her formative years to escape from it. Her best friend Lexie was really hurt by her abrupt departure and subsequent ghosting, and now she's on the precipice of her wedding when Sam finally shows her face on the island again. Samantha has to take accountability for her actions, even when she never intended any harm.

Lexie's older brother Austin, who was badly burned by the relationship he thought would go the distance, is the one who ferries Sam back home, and saves her from confronting her biggest fears too early. His life has become stagnant in his fear of more big changes with unexpected, possibly catastrophic consequences, but Samantha makes him realize just how stuck in his ways he's become. He's one heck of a sympathetic hero, and he'll have you swooning after him too before it's all said and done.

The balance of Sam's professional life, personal life, and love life is done impeccably well, and we're right there with her as she navigates the tangle she finds herself in. She's a sensible girl, but she's also wounded, and that isn't an easy thing to overcome.

As A Last Resort is a debut effort by author Kristin Wollett and I have to say, she knocked it out of the park. My eyes will be fully open for anything she publishes going forward, and I can only hope they all come as close to contemporary romance perfection as this one did. All the thumbs, way, way up!

Note:: I received an early copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

What a fun read! So enjoyed reading Sam and Austin’s story. Their banter throughout the book made me laugh. Author wrote characters you can relate to and who dealt with real life struggles. Highly recommend this perfect summer rom com beach read with the perfect amount of spice. What a wonderful surprise read and kudos to author for a fabulous debut book. So looking forward to reading future books. Thank you Net Galley for providing this ARC. Also love the book cover!

Thank you NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the ARC of this amazing summertime romance!!

I thoroughly enjoyed the romcom feel of this book and all around summer beach read vibe!! I binged this in less than 4 hours on the beach so I feel like I was in the absolute perfect mindset to dive into this.
I am a sucker for slow burn/frenemies to lovers (?) trope so this was up my alley. Both the FMC and MMC were well written and I didn’t feel like the story was rushed or too long at all.
I can’t wait to tell all my romance loving besties to binge this on September 2! ❤️

NETGALLEY ARC REVIEW 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

📚 AS A LAST RESORT BY KRISTIN WOLLETT

Thank you to Kristin, NetGalley, and Forever Grand Central publishing/HBGUSA for my copy to review.

If you're looking for a romcom that ends with you smiling, this is it! The FMC is a city girl that's work driven, climbing the corporate ladder, escaping her life back home as best as she can. . . stressed and no real time for a relationship. . . . or so she thinks. Think of the MMC as the sexy guy next door, living back in her hometown by the coast, which is far away from her current fast paced and hectic city life. The MMC is a successful, laid back guy who is romantic. . . . swoony! Thru her work, she finds herself on an assignment back in her hometown and this is when she truly finds the meaning to her life. . . and all that she deserves. Is there such a thing as second chances. . . . and having it all???? The book is full of likeable characters and storylines, friendships, family ties, and a few characters that are that part of life that you'd rather not deal with. I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to Kristin's next one!!! You'll be wanting cotton candy, a boat ride to a private beach watching sunsets, and a trip to Rock Island!

I was smitten with this book the second I saw this bright, fun, summery cover. It went to the top of my TBR! Let me tell you the story is just as fun as the cover. Samantha fled her hometown of Rock Island, Florida seven years ago and moved to New York City. She’s fierce, determined and a little bit of a workaholic. A work project with a possible promotion is bringing her back to her coastal small town for a new resort development project. Coming home ended up being more of an adventure than Samantha expected and revisiting things she left from the past. Austin is book boyfriend goals, he’s got the beach vibes, laid back lifestyle. This was the perfect beach read, filled with heart, humor and a little bit of nostalgic vibes even with a mention of Debbie Gibson!

“He was just a distraction. A tan, salt water–scented distraction that wrapped around me like well-worn cotton.”

This was a great little opposites attract story. There was some reluctance on both sides, as Samantha never wanted to come back home to her little town and her problematic mother, and Austin had been burned so badly he was leery of any relationships.
The stars brought Sam back anyways, for her job. She meets up with Austin ( again, he is the big brother of her (ex) best friend). Sam has some emotional run-ins with both her mom and Lexi, Austin's sister. She is trying to make a great impression on her work, since she is gunning for a promotion, and her direct competition happens to have been the one scheduled to come down to Rock Island, but he got hospitalized with appendicitis.
There are many twists and turns, lots of emotional growth on many fronts, and a little bit of misdirection.
I would like to read more centered around Rock Island, maybe Usain and WIll ( heh) will find romance, as well?

As a Last Resort was a really enjoyable read that delivered everything I look for in a summer romance. It had that familiar, comforting feel with characters I connected with and a storyline that pulled me in right away. It touched on some deeper emotions and real-life challenges, but still maintained the kind of warmth and charm that makes a romance satisfying.

The island setting added a nice backdrop without overshadowing the story, giving it just enough of that vacation vibe. Overall, this was the kind of book that feels easy to settle into and hard to put down—perfect for a summer reading list.

A sweet small town romance! Honestly loved the female friendships in this book the most. Shout out to Lexi and Ivy. Heavy elements in the story as well (grief, loss, addiction). It rounds out the characters. You are rooting for the couple the whole time!

Samantha is a workaholic, dedicating so much of her time working in hopes of getting promoted. When she get sent to her hometown of Rock Island for a project, she was not excited. She left the island to run away from her past and with no intention of coming back.

Austin is Rock Island's ferry man. His business might be successful, but when it comes to love, he lucked out. After being betrayed by his high school sweetheart and best friend, he hasn't been interested in anyone. Until the return of a former resident caught his attention.

Samantha needed someone like Austin in her life. He supported her through her familial issues and overall helped her slow down and see the island in a new light. He wasn't just a distraction, but also a friend that she can rely on. Austin was raising green flags left and right. Loved that he fell first! He deserved the kind of love and romance like in the movies he loves! LOL

A little side note, I liked the supporting characters in this one. I'd be interested in a book where they're the main characters. I feel like they deserve their own romances as well!

Overall, even though I didn't love it as much as I thought I would, it was still a good debut! This had everything I usually like in my rom-coms.

>>> Workaholic heroine & ferry man hero
>>> Best friend's brother
>>> Small-town
>>> Slow burn
>>> Alcoholism

Thank you to @readforever for the e-book!

I had the pleasure of reading an ARC of this tropical romantic comedy, and it was an absolute gem! This book is the perfect summer read, boasting all the ingredients of my favorite cozy read, including second chances, best friend's brother, the charm of a small coastal town, and lovable characters who exchange laugh-out-loud one-liners. I am hopeful that it will be adapted into a movie and/or followed by a sequel! Thank you to Forever at Hatchette Book Group for providing me a copy through Netgalley.

Thank you Netgalley for the early readers' copy.
What can I say - I'm a sucker for workaholic heroines, so, of course, I fell in love with Samantha from the first chapter. Her chemistry with Austin was very beautiful and real.
This was a really heartfelt rom-com with a gorgeous setting and fantastic summer vibes. Much like the cover suggests.
I will definitely be waiting for her next novel!

˗ˏˋ 4 stars ⟡ ݁₊ .

omg i loved this book! i loved the summery rom com vibes. i also loved the two main characters, samantha and austin. i was completely hooked since the very first page and could not put the book down. i laughed and i cried, this book was IT. please, everyone go read it!

⤷ thank you to netgalley, the publisher and the author for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was EVERYTHING! Oh my, I absolutely loved this story! It was so fresh and brought all the coastal vibes! I loved Austin and Samantha together! They were so much fun, and Austin was so sweet! I loved all of their moments-not to mention the side characters were so so great! Each character added so much to the story! The deep moments of the story were written so beautifully! And the ending?? SO. GOOD!

I seriously loved this rom-com. I think if this was published to come out sooner it would be a hit summer read. It is one of those stories that you fall in love with the characters and the setting. Next thing you know, the book is done.

Sam and Austin are honestly couple goals. I loved their banter. I loved the growth that both characters had through the story. I loved the entire feel of Rock Island. Growing up in a beach town, I would say Kristin nailed that vibe. I laughed a ton. I cried. This book was just SO good!

I loved this book! Kristin did such an amazing job setting the scene of Rock Island that I felt like I could clearly picture the places, locations and people she wrote about. The relationship between Austin and Samantha was written beautifully and I loved that you could watch them heal from their broken hearts together. Honestly, this book is like a well-written Hallmark movie that you just can’t help but smile while reading it.

A big thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for an eARC of this book! It was the perfect feel good story with a HEA to get me out of a reading slump!

Ok. I’m obsessed. And this is coming from a thriller lover through and through. As A Last Resort is the absolute PERFECT summer read that you won’t want to put down. I’m shocked that this is a debut novel because it doesn’t read like one at all! I loved everything about this book and HIGHLY recommend adding to your TBR immediately. I’d be thrilled to see more of Samantha and Austin because they were literally perfect!

Thank you SO much to the author for allowing me the privilege of receiving an early copy! 5 ⭐️ my friends!!!

Loved this closed door romance. Austin and Samantha were the best. The banter , the angst. It was great. Love the back story with Lexi. I related with Samantha with her mom
Issues. I love all the nicknames for Robbie!! I’m glad he helped her at the end and was less smarmy.