Genre: Romance
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Pages: 352
Release Date: May 7, 2024
A debut romance about a supermodel and a photographer with a past marriage pact who meet again ten years later on a photoshoot in Cinque Terre, Italy.
From the moment Emerson and Theo met as teenagers, they were inseparable. But just when they finally expressed their feelings to one another, they were torn apart.
Now, supermodel Emerson is nearing her twenty-eighth birthday, and she’s tired of looking for love in all the wrong places. When the calendar reminder for the marriage pact she and Theo made as teens goes off on her phone, she realizes this is it―her chance to rekindle the only romance that ever really made sense. Emerson convinces her grumpy agent to book her as the face of the fashion campaign that Theo, now a fashion photographer, is shooting. The good the campaign is being shot in ridiculously romantic Cinque Terre, Italy. The bad news? Theo might not be as happy to see her as she’d hoped.
The two embark on a four-day campaign that tests not only their feelings, but their ability to keep their hands off one another. But as roadblock after roadblock keeps them apart, Emerson starts to will this photoshoot be the key to getting one last shot at love, or will it be a final goodbye?
One Last Shot follows Emerson as she attempts to rekindle a friendship with her best friend from high school with the goal of falling in love.
One Last Shot is told from both Emerson and Theo’s perspectives from the past and present. The past chapters followed them through their first meeting and ensuing friendship. The past chapters were my favourite part of the novel. They detailed Emerson and Theo’s friendship as it developed into more despite their reluctance to act on their feelings. These chapters were full of angst and tension. I could have read an entire novel about them set in the past.
The present chapters almost pale in comparison to the past chapters. Though, that’s not to say the present chapters are bad. The angst and tension are still present, however it’s slightly cooled. Emerson and Theo are different people compared to their high school selves, so these chapters follow them as they rediscover each other.
One Last Shot relies heavily on the miscommunication trope or lack of communication. I’m usually not a fan of this trope, but I enjoyed the story nonetheless as Cayouette’s use of the trope fit the situation.
For those interested in spice level, I’d rate it 🌶️. One Last Shot is more angst than spice, however the spice delivers at the end.
Based on Emerson’s profession as a high fashion model, I was expecting body shaming. While the topic of body shaming is only brought up briefly, it showcased it in a negative light rather than accepting it as a norm of the industry.
Overall, One Last Shot is a wonderful friends-to-lovers/second chance romance full of angst and tension.
Mild spoilers:
At the beginning of the novel, Cayouette said she wanted the fact that Emerson had been raped something that happened in the past and not her entire personality. I think it was handled appropriately with a large emphasis on self-care and healing.
*** I received an arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Will you be reading One Last Shot?
Book reviews and more! 