Thank you @youhadmeathea for the advanced copy!

I love @wintersjulian . This is a Julian Winters fan account. @adibkhorram and I are the president and VP of the Julian Winters fan club. Julian’s second adult romance book is fantastic!

I LOVED following Jordan and Jamie and their sparks from I Think They Love You. It was so sweet to watch their love story unfold from flashbacks and present day. The wedding shenanigans added to the fun and yall…. That initial first kiss?? And then AGAIN AS ADULTS!!! And THE CAR!! And SHOWER YOU SAY?? 😏

Julian writes such gorgeous love stories but at the heart of them is loving yourself, being true to you, and finding you people. I cried for the last ten percent of this book cause it felt like Julian was talking to me directly. As someone who is often alone, and sometimes feels like they are growing in loneliness, it just really hit home.

The ending was perfect (grand gesture!!) and the epilogue?? Amen.

I love getting to read Julian’s words. We are so lucky to have him!!

"Last First Kiss" is a hopeful story that blends romance with self-discovery. While it embraces some of the familiar, even saccharine, touches of the genre, these elements create a comforting and recognizable framework that allows for moments of genuine introspection. Stories like this—mechanism-driven as they may be—play a vital role in representation, making the novel a satisfying read for anyone who values both the heartfelt rhythms of romance and the importance of seeing themselves reflected in its pages.

Jordan Carter es un joven planificador de eventos que vive bajo la sombra de su exitosa y famosa familia. Aunque domina el arte de las primeras citas y las buenas impresiones, su vida amorosa está lejos de ser un cuento de hadas. Todo parece ir según lo planeado cuando tiene una cita perfecta con una mujer encantadora... hasta que un rostro del pasado aparece y desata el caos emocional que creía haber superado.

Jamie Peters no es solo el mejor amigo de su primo: también fue el chico con quien compartió un beso que marcó su adolescencia y a quien ha evitado desde entonces. Pero cuando Jamie reaparece como el padrino de una boda que Jordan debe planear, ambos se ven obligados a trabajar juntos y a enfrentar los sentimientos no resueltos que han arrastrado durante una década.

Con el estrés de organizar la boda perfecta, las expectativas familiares, y una serie de encuentros cargados de tensión, humor y nostalgia, Jordan tendrá que decidir si está listo para dejar de esconderse, enfrentarse a su verdad y tal vez, solo tal vez, arriesgarse a vivir su última primera vez.
--

Jamie me cayó mal. Creo que era necesario que tuviera POVs para poder entender si de verdad amaba a Jordan, porque desde mi perspectiva no queda muy claro. Se supone que no quería nada con él porque, según Jamie, Jordan todavía tenía que descubrirse, y si bien eso es cierto en parte (aunque solo un poco), al final quien vivía una mentira era Jamie. Que Jamie se enojara con Jordan por lo de Javi me pareció bastante hipócrita, sobre todo considerando lo que él estaba haciendo con Sloane.



Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest.

I have recently just discovered this author, so when I saw this book, I got very excited. The second chance romance arc is one of my favorites and it was done very well in this story. The whole bisexual/pansexual representation was a nice touch in this book. Trying to discover and figure out who you are is not always so simple and easy. So, books tend to stray away from this topic or are very biased against it. This story at times really had me connecting with it based on my own personal experiences. That really helped pull the whole story together. I would recommend this book for anyone looking for a cute story with good representation in it. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's press for the arc I enjoyed reading it.

Wow. I was pleasantly surprised that this was a sweet romance book. It was a lot of fun reading this book. Full disclosure: I didn’t read the first book,  and yet I felt I didn’t need to. I was aware there were spoilers from the previous book. I definitely plan to read the first one. I really enjoyed this book and appreciated the message that everyone doesn't need to check a box. Regardless of what others may think. Jordan and Jamie were good friends who shared a kiss years ago. Jordan was figuring out his sexuality and his feelings for Jamie, who was pansexual. Jordan was also planning a big wedding as an event coordinator. Which was stressful for him. In addition to his emotional journey, there was his busybody mom, a stressed-out cousin boss, and competition from a coworker. It had all the elements of a romance movie. What I loved was Jordan's journey. He was working hard on himself. He had confusing/conflicting feelings for Jamie that he was navigating through even though he was hurt that Jamie may not feel the same.  Even though, as the reader, we can see that Jamie adored Jordan. Jordan adored Jamie for being kind, and patient.  The slow romance between them was refreshing.  It was simply beautiful.  The communication between them needed more clarity.  One aspect I didn't enjoy was Jamie's parents. They were awful. Their words to their son were disgusting and hurtful. Overall, I was definitely rooting for Jordan and Jamie. They were sweet and beautiful together.  Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my ARC in exchange for my review.

I loved this book so much I read the ending twice. The grand gesture! We know it's a HAE so I can say that, right? The demisexual rep was awesome. The character growth was on point and the side characters rocked. I want a book about Javi next, ok? Thanksomuch.

Amazing book loved the characters abd plot. I couldn't stop reading I stayed up all night. Ii loved the book so much thank you for the arc.

this was a really sweet read. it follows jordan, an event coordinator for his family's event planning company, as he plans the wedding of the summer for a high-profile client - not knowing that the bride's man-of-honour is jamie, his childhood friend and the man who rejected him last winter. second-chance romance is my favourite thing, and this was a lovely take on it. i thought the nonlinear narrative was executed really well, giving us glimpses into jamie as jordan remembers him and how he's changed since then.

i haven't read the first book in this series so i wasn't super familiar with the cast of characters, but i loved them! they all have wonderfully rich and specific narrative voices, and there's a real sense of family connection and love that comes through. i think that was especially true because this book was so rooted in its placehood - the author writes with so much care of the city it takes place in and how it's shaped jordan. one of the best parts of this book is at the end, when jamie says he wasn't waiting for jordan to label his sexuality - he was waiting for him to understand the person he wants to be, and to stop trying to be someone else for everyone. it rings true because the reader can see how jordan's attempts to do that fail throughout the course of the book, and how much pressure it puts on him. on the whole, a very warm and romantic read and i can't wait to catch up on the first book in this series!

Oh, Julian Winters, you're a literary star. Each book of yours touches my heart and makes me feel delightful and wonderful and incredible things.

Last First Kiss is another great accomplishment for Winters. The book's pace, writing, plot and characters are all so compelling. I absolutely adore it. If I could give it more stars, I would.

This book was not a bad book, but it also wasn’t for me. I feel bad leaving a less than stellar review when the book doesn’t come out till next year, but I did arc read the whole thing. If it hadn’t been an arc, (and netgalley didn’t penalize you for not finishing) this would have been a DNF for me pretty early on. It did get better for me though.

This book could absolutely be for someone else. Especially if you love Hallmark movies, but wish more of them were queer.

What you can expect from this book:

-Hallmark movie vibes
-Wedding planner and the bride’s bestie
(Really why is he even there??? Idk anyone rich enough to ever use a wedding planner, but seems weird that the bestie is there?)
-Other person drama - this was sooo annoying to me
-A little cringe / cheesey at times. I had to sit it down and facepalm, but I could literally see the scenes in my head in a Hallmark movie kinda way.
-Everyone’s name starts with a J. I was confused a lot.
-Second chance - not convinced he deserved another one tbh
-Demi/Pan rep
-I did love the references to other great queer reads 👍🏻

The third act was incredibly frustrating as I felt like the wrong man in this couple was taking the brunt of everything. Jamie was extremely unlikable and didn’t show enough growth for me.

I would recommend this to someone who loves a good romcom / Hallmark vibe MM. I had a few chuckles. Thank you SMP for the review copy!

Last First Kiss is the type of book that reminds me why I love romance. This is easily a 6 star book.
Julian Winters is becoming a favorite author, he is brilliant at writing ya books but he shines even more at adult romances. I didn’t think it was possible but I love Last First Kiss even more than I Think They Love You. I love these characters so, so much. I loved Jamie a lot already, but I feel so much for Amy too, and even Javi.
Jordan, well, his story arc hit a little too close to home for me.
I’m asexual, and it is so damn hard to find good representation in books, but what Julian Winters did here was just perfect. The doubts, the second guessing, the desperation to find that spark that everyone talks so much about, the wish to just understand. It was so brilliantly done, I can only thank the author for doing such a good job. The message about how you can find yourself doesn’t matter how long it takes, everyone has their own time, is so important too.
Bottom line is I love the topic, I love the execution even more.
You bet I will be screaming from the rooftops when this book is released in January, but for now please add it to your tbr, you won’t regret it.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martins Press for the ARC, and above all to Julian Winters for another amazing book.

This is an amazing second chance romance of a Queen couple who fall in love and have a memorable kiss.

Julian Winters returns with Last First Kiss, a heartfelt YA contemporary that pulses with vulnerability, longing, and that tender ache of almost-love. Set in the same universe as I Think I Love You, this book builds its own beautiful rhythm—slower, quieter, but deeply affecting.

At the center of the story are Jamie and Jordan—two boys whose friendship once felt effortless, but now teeters on uncertainty. There’s tension between them, not fiery or dramatic, but that muted kind that comes from time, silence, and things unsaid. They’re thrown together again when asked to co-plan a wedding, and what follows is a slow emotional unraveling, of old feelings, new identities, and everything in between.

This isn’t a book of grand declarations or sweeping drama. It’s about moments. Glances that linger too long, conversations that circle around what they really want to say. Jamie, with his heart already bruised by expectation, and Jordan, who’s still learning the shape of his own identity, move through a story that feels deeply personal and real. The representation never feels tokenized or forced. It’s woven into the very fabric of who these characters are, and how they navigate their connection.

What really stands out is how Last First Kiss approaches the idea of firsts—first crushes, first kisses, first heartbreaks—but flips the narrative. Sometimes the first isn’t really the first that matters. Sometimes it’s the one that comes later, when you finally know who you are and what you’re ready to give.

For readers who like:
-Queer coming-of-age stories
-Slow-burn romance
-Emotional introspection

Final Verdict
Last First Kiss is a quiet triumph—a story that doesn’t shout to be heard, but speaks volumes in its tenderness. It explores identity and connection in a way that feels authentic and necessary, especially for teens trying to make sense of who they are and who they love. Julian Winters once again gives us characters who feel like people we’ve met—or maybe even once were. If you’re in the mood for a story that wraps you in emotional honesty and soft hope, this book is for you.

Grateful to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Julian Winters for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.

“Last First Kiss” by Julian Winters is set in the same world as “I Think They Love You.” This novel blends a slow-burn, not-quite-enemies-to-lovers theme with second chances.

The story follows Jamie and Jordon, who were once friends but have since become somewhat awkward around each other. They are forced to collaborate on planning a wedding, leading to an emotional coming-of-age journey. Throughout the novel, the characters explore their identities, desires, and relationships. It features representation of demisexual and pansexual characters.

I highly recommend this sweet story, as it delves into the complexities of vulnerability in relationships and the process of self-discovery. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I squealed when I saw there was a sequel to one of my favorite romances, I think they love you. This is in the same universe and even in the same family and business, 24 Carter Magic. An event planning company has so many potential storylines and this story follows a quick planning of Atlanta’s high society wedding of the year. The brides best friend and man of honor, Jamie, was Jordan Carter’s first kiss and crush. Back in their elite private high school, they had pot brownies, played Mario Kart and shared a kiss. Now Jordan is working with him as he helps his friend Amy plan a quick and beautiful wedding.

Does this work as a standalone? Sure, but it ruins the plot of the first book, and it isn’t one to miss.

Read if you like;
Second chance romance
Demisexual/pansexual representation
Family business stories
Wedding planning stories
Flash mobs

I genuinely appreciate how Jordan is figuring out his sexuality, and the complexities that go along with that- not only in Jordan’s mind, but also Jamie’s. Not everyone is up for being someone’s “first” experience.

I read a quote recently that said “some people are bisexual in the sense that Michael Jordan once played professional baseball. And you are no less part of the LGBTQ community.” In this case, pansexual, but the sentiment is the same. And this was handled in such a great way, there wasn’t much homophobia/internalized biphobia. The characters were transparent and real. I loved the chemistry and the dialogue.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the ARC. Book to be published 1/27/25.