Review: Our Last First Kiss

Our Last First Kiss by Christie Ridgway
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the first book I’ve read by Christie Ridgway and I can’t wait to read the next in this new contemporary romance series.

Audra was jilted at the altar by her fiancé through a text message. Lilly, Audra’s best friend and maid of honor whisks Audra away to the Hathaway at Dragonfly Beach resort with the help of Audra’s parents to get away. Since arriving, Audra has barricaded herself in her room, still wearing her wedding gown and wallowing in self-pity.

Lilly spends some of her time roaming the grounds of the resort only to repeatedly run into Alec, the man who was supposed to be the best man in Audra’s wedding. He’s there with his extended family (some of which own the resort) to celebrate his parents anniversary. Even though she’s attracted to him with every fiber of her being, she doesn’t want anything to do with him. Lilly’s life is vastly different to all these people. She was abandoned as a baby and her aunt and uncle reluctantly took her in, treating her like she was nothing. She grew up surrounded by losers and abusers, all the while being told, “That’s how Durand’s love”. It’s so ingrained in her brain that she believes she will never find love like other people do. Not only does her family treat her like crap, she’s their cash cow. She’s constantly being harassed for money, so much so that a big portion of everything she earns goes to her aunt, uncle, and cousin, while they barely work. When she’s not immediately forthcoming with the cash, they guilt her and make her feel like nothing. She uses this to keep others at arm’s length. All except her very best friend Audra and her family.

Alec has grown up surrounded by a loving family and is looking for someone to spend his time with. He’s witty and charming, a smooth talker who knows what he wants and right now he wants Lilly. Will he be able to break through her tough exterior and find that heart she’s buried deep inside?

Ms. Ridgway’s writing is witty and charming. There were several times I laughed out loud at the banter between Lilly and Alec. She has a way of writing that makes the characters seem real and make you want to be their friend. I can’t wait to read others in this series because I don’t want to leave the resort or the Hathaway’s yet.

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