BOOK REVIEW: The Last to Know by Laura Jane Williams

Ash has met her perfect match.

So has CJ.

Unfortunately for them, it’s the same man.

Mid-thirties and feeling the pressure, they’re ready to fight for him. Even if it means sabotaging each other.

As Ash and CJ turn up on each other’s dates, ruin one another’s chances, and accidentally end up spending an awful lot of time together, their friends begin to wonder. Are they fighting over the same guy? Or are they fighting their feelings for each other?

"I want you to be in love with me as well. I think you might be. But if you're not, it's ok. I offer you my love with no conditions."

Sometimes, I like to be surprised with a book. Sometimes, I want to know exactly what’s happening — and every time I open a book by LJW, I know I’m for something sweet, steamy, a little silly and full of sapphic love and it always hits the right spot.

CJ and Ash are dating the same man, and they’re determined that they’re going to win. Would I fight over a man I’ve just started dating? Hell no, but it’s a romcom, get over it. We’re not here for drama-free stories. LJW again masters her unique narrative style — easy flow, excellent pacing, simple to read but a friendly, playful tone that always draws you in. I’m just a few pages, the beautiful descriptions of the landscape turns from this rather poetic look at the sky ahead to nipples and I think that just sums the style up nicely.

We first settle into CJ’s idyllic city life, enjoying the sights and the men of Lisbon, working, the child she had by herself, her long term friend and lover. Then we meet Ash, polished, reserved, ready to try and be someone else for the summer as she first encounters our other leading lady at the coworking space-slash-hotel CJ manages.

They swap their perspectives, getting to know each of them, getting little snippets of their first impressions, their conflict, and when they realise they might not actually be fighting over a boy after all. Did I want to slap Ash for pushing the boundaries of romcom misunderstandings to a slightly unethical amount? Yes, but I was enamoured so I’ll let her pass. The tension between them is spiky from the first day, thawing and freezing again — especially when Ash starts seeing CJ’s long term booty call and bestie. The vibes between the two flicker between competing, to friendship, to overt sexual desire, finding themselves flirting without even knowing why and it was utterly delicious. Was Luis used in their journey? Maybe a little, but he didn’t mind so much.

A beautiful story with a tense, slow burn enemies-to-friends-to-lovers romance full of charm, self discovery and reflections of modern womanhood.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

I received an advanced reviewers copy of this title. The Last to Know will be available from June 11th Random House UK/Cornerstone.
Title includes sexual content and parental issues.

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