Last First Kiss was so cute! I saw the chemistry between Jamie and Jordan when they were just side characters in I Think They Love You, and I’m so glad they got their own book!
The writing was straight forward and easy to follow, while still feeling romantic and sneaking in those little tension filled moments. As usual, the side characters in Julian’s books stand on their own. The Carter family, while sometimes overbearing, and all well meaning and have their own quirks and personalities that shine through in every scene. And I was pleasantly surprised with Javi’s reappearance, even though I was convinced he might be the antagonist in this story. Overall a cute romance with an emphasis on finding yourself and not being afraid to be the truest version of yourself loudly and proudly.

I love a good MM romcom and this sure delivered! While it's not specified as a standalone, it could probably be read as one. There are featured characters from I Think They Love You by the same author and the story line flows through both books. I would personally recommend reading them in order for the fullest reading experience but Last First Kiss also does well standing on its own legs. It's cousin's best friend which is close enough to my ultimate favourite trope brother's best friend - seeing as their dynamic mirrors that closeness at times. It also has second chance romance vibes since these two are childhood friends to lovers with the added bonus of secret pining and a demi sexual awakening. It also features some miscommunication but I've never been one to shy away from that particular trope since the reality is that not everyone is comfortable with expressing their emotions. Jordan and Jamie at their core are just as imperfect as the rest of us but I enjoyed watching Jordan's journey through self discovery and their journey together to love between two imperfect people who just might be perfect for each other.

Sitting down to write this review has me giddy. If I could give this 4.5 stars, I would, but it just wasn't quite 5 stars for me. What kept it from being 5 stars? Most specifically, the bit of conflict at work that Jordan experiences just felt way too out of character for me. I also wanted so much more from Jamie's POV. Other than that, no notes.

This book is filled with self-discovery, and I loved every minute of it. With Jordan, we navigate childhood experiences, family relationships, and sexuality. Each was authentic & honored in its own way, while also being woven together expertly.

I don't always love a second chance romance, but this childhood friendship to lovers was so authentic, the perfect blend of nostalgia, growth, fun & spice. It made me want to be their friend and also be one of them. The thoughtfulness they showed each other, as both friends and lovers, was so cozy and an absolute goal.

In terms of spice, it is perfectly paced and so well done. Not so much that we lose the characters or storyline, but enough to keep us wanting more. I'm not normally overly affected by MM spicy scenes, but these...whew.

If you love, love this is a must-read!

This was a great read! I appreciated how we were clearly reminded of how Jordan and Jamie were linked to Denz in I Think They Love You without it being overly redundant. I also really enjoyed getting to see glimpses of other characters we met in the previous book.

Both Jordan and Jamie were easy to love and root for. Jamie's seemingly inconsistent interest in Jordan with kissing and having sex with him one minute and brushing it all off the next got a little old, but his explanation was reasonable enough. The whole things with Sloane was also a little annoying, but I guess it worked okay for the plot. The romance between Jamie and Jordan and sweet and I loved it when they were on the same page, though I was not a huge fan of the third-act breakup.

As someone on the ace/demisexual spectrum, I appreciated Jordan's journey and the rep it provided. I think it was explained and shown well.

As with all other books by Julian Winters, the writing style was smooth and the story flowed well. Once I started reading, I was drawn in quickly and didn't want to put the book down. I was fully invested.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to see what Julian Winters writes next!

Thank you to the publisher and author for an early copy!

This one was super cute! I didn’t realize it’s the second in a series when I grabbed it, so I do plan to go back and read the first book now. I feel like this would have hit harder had I read that first. But either way, it was easy enough to follow along with. I am a big fan of second chance Romance! Jordan and Jamie had fantastic chemistry. I loved the discussions and thought around sexuality and identity as well.

Thank you to Julian Winters, St. Martin's Press, and Netgalley for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review (unpaid).

I found the writing too descriptive and it made the story really drag.

I really liked this story and the multiple themes and tropes there were: friends to lovers, office competition, addressing childhood challenges and all the comedy! It made me laugh, smile, cry, and just fall in love with this book. Jamie and Jordan's romance was so heartfelt and I loved the flashback chapters where we see their interactions then to see how their romance developed before present day. I feel like I saw so many other themes as well as each go through their own journey and it was nice to see how they all mesh. It gives us insight into both of their characters. I won't say too much more so I don't leave spoilers but this book was great and I look forward to reading more from this author!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press, NetGalley, and Julian Winters for this ARC!

I may have squealed when I discovered there was a sequel to one of my favorite romances, I Think They Love You. Returning to the world of 24 Carter Magic, the family-run event planning business, was like stepping back into something warm and familiar—only this time, with a fresh twist on love, identity, and second chances.

This novel centers on Jordan Carter, who’s thrown into the whirlwind of planning Atlanta’s high-society wedding of the year. Enter Jamie—the bride’s best friend and man of honor, who also happens to be Jordan’s high school crush and first kiss. Their shared past includes pot brownies, Mario Kart, and one unforgettable kiss back at their elite private school. Now, years later, they’re working side by side again... and the chemistry hasn’t faded one bit.

While this book can technically be read as a standalone, I’d strongly recommend reading I Think They Love You first, as key plot points are referenced—and it’s far too good to miss.

Read this if you love:

Second-chance romance
Demisexual/pansexual rep
Found family + family business dynamics
High-society wedding drama
Flash mobs (yes, really!)
One of the things I appreciated most was how the story handled Jordan’s evolving understanding of his sexuality. The narrative didn’t rely on tired tropes or internalized shame—instead, it offered an honest, thoughtful portrayal of how complex and personal these journeys can be. Jamie’s perspective as someone who’s been out for longer brought a powerful and realistic balance to the romance.
There’s a quote I love: "Some people are bisexual in the sense that Michael Jordan once played professional baseball. And you're still no less part of the LGBTQ+ community." That sentiment rings true here, and it’s handled with nuance and care.

The characters felt authentic, the dialogue sparkled, and the emotional arc was both satisfying and swoon-worthy. I adored this book and can’t wait for more from the 24 Carter Magic universe.

I was provided an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Second chance romances are one of my favorite tropes. I felt like this missed the mark. For being a love story between Jordan and Jamie, there was very little Jamie in this book. Maybe I would've felt differently if I had read I Think They Love You, so this book should definitely be listed as the second in the same universe at the very least. There was more tension between Jordan and Javi than anything with Jamie.

There's very little information to go on about Jamie's character and his motivations for pushing Jordan away in the first place. I knew more about Amy and Sam's relationship than Jordan and Jamie's it felt like. The ending wasn't even that satisfying because I was hardly invested in their relationship like I usually am with a second chance romance (and I'm not sure I'd even call this a second chance romance).

2.5 stars, throughout the book I felt like I was just really out of tune with the characters and I found myself becoming bored while reading this and getting focused on other things!

title: Last First Kiss

author: Julian Winters

publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

publication date: January 27, 2026

pages: 352

peppers:  (on this scale)

warnings: drug and alcohol use, mean parents

summary: Jordan's mother sets him up on a lot of blind dates with women, none of whom cause him to feel sparks. Meanwhile, he has to prove himself as a wedding coordinator by doing a fabulous job on the newsworthy wedding of a fancy client, whose best man in none other than the only guy Jordan has ever felt sparks with, Jamie. Unfortunately, when Jordan tried to start something with Jamie last summer, he got nothing but rejection in return.  Now, to plan the wedding, Jordan and Jamie have to spend a lot of time together.

tropes:

friends-to-lovers
wedding planner
family business
evil rival
questioning sexuality
pushy parents

what I liked:

hot sparks between the two main characters
fun wedding-planning scenes
evil rival was a fun character

what I didn’t like:

the flashbacks didn't work for me
love interests should be able to talk with each other
story got a little soap-boxy about sexuality

overall rating: 3 (of 5 stars)

As always, you can click on the photo above if you want to buy the book.

This was a cute read. I do wish that Jaime was more clear on his reservations with his relationship with Jordan. I felt like some of the issues of both characters were sorta non-issues that could have easily been remedied.
I liked that this was a story of discovery, I usually read queer books were there is a definitive label of either gay or bi and I like the representation of more queer labels, like pansexuality, that isn't showcased with just many previous partners.

I will say this was very funny. I definitely laughed out loud a lot while reading this.
This was a nice follow up to I Think They Love You and enjoyed the development of the other relationships in the Carter family as well.

Last First Kiss is a sweet follow up to Winters’ adult romcom I Think They Love You. It could stand alone, but it’s best read after its predecessor where Jamie and Jordan are first introduced as supporting characters. The first book heavily implies that Jordan and Jamie have some sort of secret relationship that Jordan isn’t ready to talk about, but Last First Kiss reveals that they were not officially together when the first book took place. Their feelings for each other are revealed in alternating chapters of the present, the previous year or two when I Think They Love You takes place, and their teenage years. The result is a slow burn, pining, friends to lovers romcom to swoon for. It includes pansexual, demisexual, and gay representation. A few sex scenes make it best suited for adults and mature teens. Recommended.

This was such a strong slow-burn romance, it uses the overall feel that I was wanting that I was expecting from a second chance romance. It was everything that I was wanting and enjoyed the overall feel of this work. I was engaged with the characters and how well they worked in this universe. Julian Winters has a strong writing style and was glad I got to read this.

Awwwwwwww! 🥰
I just… awwww! 😍
Loved this follow-up to I Think They Love You. It can be read as a stand-alone, but recommend reading ITTLY first as it provides a bit of context about the new couple.

Jordan needs to do great things as the event coordinator for a fancy wedding, but he’s thrown a curveball when the bride’s man of honor ends up being his first kiss and his cousin’s best friend. It was just… awwwwww 😍

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. Watch for Last First Kiss to come out January 27, 2026.

This is definitely a sequel to "I Think They Love you" so it should be marketed as a sequel. I think it'll lead readers to feel a little lost while reading this. It was still enjoyable.

"Last First Kiss" is a tender, slow-burn MM romance that glows with heart, humor, and second chances. Jordan Carter is a perfectionist wedding planner thrown back into the orbit of Jamie Peters—the boy who broke his heart and still makes it race.

Julian Winters delivers a story full of emotional growth, queer joy, and swoony moments. Jordan’s journey with identity and self-worth is beautifully handled, and the found family vibes (plus therapy!) make it all the more satisfying. The banter is sharp, the chemistry is real, and the romance feels grown—about choosing love, not just falling into it.

If you love second chances, messy reunions, and soft queer stories, you'll enjoy this.

Remember when I read “I Think They Love You” and I said it was AMAZING!! Right, keep that in mind when I say that I absolutely L-O-V-E this book. Jordan finds himself in a similar but not the same situation as his cousin Denz. But where Denz has always been sure about who he is and his sexual identity, Jordan has only been sure of one thing: Jaime Noah Peters.

The Carter family are always there to show their love and support, even if it means dragging you for filth first. What I love the most, though, is the accountability that is shown. Auntie CC might be the family gossip, but she don’t play about her baby. Our baby Jor-Bear got the love and apology he deserved, and THEY ALL WENT TO THERAPY!

If this book has taught me anything, it’s this: “My identity is mine. I don’t owe anyone that. I deserve the right to decide how much and who I share myself with.” Thank you Nicola Carter for putting that into words.

Last First Kiss fulfills the “work” square on CBR17 bingo.

I got to read Julian Winters’ adult debut, I Think They Love You, earlier this year and absolutely adored it so when I saw he had another adult romance coming out, I couldn’t wait, especially when I realized it follows Jordan and Jamie, Denz’s cousin and best friend respectively, who were glimpsed as a possibility by the end of I Think They Might Love You. All that to say I needed to read this book immediately, and that’s why I finished nearly six months before it’s available 😅

Last First Kiss takes place about a year after the end of I Think They Love You, and much like Denz, Jordan is working to prove his place in the family company, 24 Carter Gold, and working towards a promotion. 24 Carter Gold is finally moving back to its roots and planning weddings, and Jordan cannot wait to prove himself to his cousin Kami to get her recently vacated event manager position. The first wedding the company is planning is for Sam, the son of a famous producer and an actor, and Amy, a book nerd who fell for Sam over book sales. Amy is also a best friend of Jamie’s and he’s going to be her best man, forcing Jordan and Jamie back into proximity after distancing from each other six months ago after an attempted kiss and Jamie telling Jordan he needs space to figure himself out and Jamie isn’t the best person for him during that time.

I really enjoy how the parts of Jordan’s job and his family form so much of the story, though there’s definitely times I wish we got a dual perspective book because I would like knowing more of Jamie’s life outside his interactions with Jordan. That aside, though, I really loved this book and love seeing Jordan’s drive. For as driven as he is, though, Jordan also has things and feelings to work through regarding his worth because of his family history and feeling abandoned by his biological father, who has never been a part of his life. Pushing himself to prove himself worthy is something Jordan gradually recognizes in himself and works on through therapy and supportive family.

One of my favorite things with this book was Jordan’s journey with figuring out his sexuality. I knew very quickly that his experiences sounded very demi, but seeing him talk to others and how much support he has, as well as all the ways no one pushes him to label or define himself until he’s ready was one of my favorite things. There really is just something special about queer books by queer authors, the way own voices experiences make stories even more real and nuanced. And really I just love that there is so much community and supportive family examples. And so many different experiences with coming out and self identifying that I love seeing given space because we always need more stories and experiences and examples.

This is such a delight of a book and I kind of hope Javi will get a story next, especially cuz I just really love this world and these characters. I can’t wait for others to read Last First Kiss, and until January folks should definitely pick up I Think They Love You.

This was very cute! I like a second chance where they never really got a first chance. It was a sweet and funny rom-com that delivered! I will definitely be reading more by this author!!

3.5 Stars
This was my first book by this author. To be honest, it wasn't a book I had planned to read. It was offered to me and I accepted without knowing anything about it. I was glad it was a good book. I did wish it had been first person instead of third, but the narration style still worked for me.

Last First Kiss< pulled me in from the very beginning. The was an awkwardness to Jordan that intrigued me and his journey in this book was interesting to me. I was rooting for him and Jamie.

As the book went on, I started to feel a little more disconnected from the romance. Jamie became harder to connect with and like. He made me irritated more than once. That put a damper on my hopes for the relationship.

My favorite thing about this book was the cast of characters supporting Jordan and Jamie. I loved how they were connected and how this relationships were depicted.

Overall, this book was a good read. Maybe not my favorite, but it was a good introduction to the author's writing.