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The Last to Leave
Courtney Fields and Nicole Dawson were high school rivals who thought they would never have to deal with each other again. Eight years after graduating, the two are thrown back together on a trip to Cabo with their two best friends.
Throughout the trip, they quickly learn they get under each other’s skin in more ways than one. When their sexual chemistry becomes too much to ignore, they decide to fan the flames. Sleeping with your enemy isn’t such a bad idea when you’re never going to see them again, right?
An enemies to friends-with-benefits to lovers romance that will have you swooning and fanning yourself all at once.
Throughout the trip, they quickly learn they get under each other’s skin in more ways than one. When their sexual chemistry becomes too much to ignore, they decide to fan the flames. Sleeping with your enemy isn’t such a bad idea when you’re never going to see them again, right?
An enemies to friends-with-benefits to lovers romance that will have you swooning and fanning yourself all at once.
191 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 17, 2021
About the author
Erica Lee
43 books799 followersErica Lee finished writing her first book, Dear Santa: I’m Gay, in December 2016. Erica currently lives in Pennsylvania with her wife, dog, chinchilla, and bunny. She spends her days working as an optometrist and her nights snuggled up on the couch with her furry family, binging on netflix or youtube.
Librarian note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Librarian note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 301 reviews
June 23, 2021
So competitive.
I was afraid to read this book because if some of Erica Lee's previous works are any indication, I thought this was going to be an angsty read. Don't get me wrong, Lee writes incredibly well but I am just not feeling up for emotional reads these few days.
I was drawn to the blurb so I did it anyway and I'm glad I took a chance with it. Nicole and Courtney, who were high school enemies back in the day, are forced to take a trip to Cabo together with their best friends. The attraction is obvious from the moment they meet, even though rivalry dominates the nature of their interactions. And for a split moment, I thought Nicole was going to be a heartbreaker. As it turns out, she wasn't, and I'm pleasantly surprised.
This is a really good enemies to friends-with-benefits to forever book that went without much drama and angst. And the black moment even came and went away fairly quickly. There was plenty of flirting and the interactions between the MCs got sweeter by the minute and I was completely swept into the story. The chemistry between Nicole and Courtney is incredible. I love their banter and I even love their competitiveness, until it went a little overboard towards the end. (But Lee already delivered the HEA by then, so who cares?) I love how their relationship developed so steadily and naturally that I'm convinced they are perfect for each other.
And the sex... oh, did Lee outdo herself with the sex. So naughty, tut tut.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Great one!
I was afraid to read this book because if some of Erica Lee's previous works are any indication, I thought this was going to be an angsty read. Don't get me wrong, Lee writes incredibly well but I am just not feeling up for emotional reads these few days.
I was drawn to the blurb so I did it anyway and I'm glad I took a chance with it. Nicole and Courtney, who were high school enemies back in the day, are forced to take a trip to Cabo together with their best friends. The attraction is obvious from the moment they meet, even though rivalry dominates the nature of their interactions. And for a split moment, I thought Nicole was going to be a heartbreaker. As it turns out, she wasn't, and I'm pleasantly surprised.
This is a really good enemies to friends-with-benefits to forever book that went without much drama and angst. And the black moment even came and went away fairly quickly. There was plenty of flirting and the interactions between the MCs got sweeter by the minute and I was completely swept into the story. The chemistry between Nicole and Courtney is incredible. I love their banter and I even love their competitiveness, until it went a little overboard towards the end. (But Lee already delivered the HEA by then, so who cares?) I love how their relationship developed so steadily and naturally that I'm convinced they are perfect for each other.
And the sex... oh, did Lee outdo herself with the sex. So naughty, tut tut.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Great one!
July 3, 2021
Initial reaction to the cover: "Wow. Nice ass and legs."
Also my brain: "Oh! Chicken wings!"
--------------------
Enemies With Benefits. I liked the sound of that.
This book had an entertaining start but ended up being meh.
There were parts where the writing was too plain for the emotions the scene was trying to convey. It felt too direct for the moments that should've been given more flair.
I was bouncing between giving this 3-4 stars until I reached the conflict. At this point, I don't think it's even necessary for me to describe what sort of conflict I'm talking about, considering how much I express my aversion to it in my reviews. But hey, what's one more time, right?
Miscommunication drama is a tired concept. Using it is lazy and unimaginative, especially when the execution is ridiculously shallow. Sorry but I have so little patience for it nowadays. What's worse here is the comeback for the antagonist's meddling was laughably lame.
Maybe this is just me, but describing the desire to share a future with someone as an "itch" to be scratched rubbed me the wrong way.
And Fulton? The guy deserved more than all the laughing, chuckling, and SNORTING he was made to do.
Anyway, after Anyone But Her and Sunsets and Shades, this is my third strike with this author so I guess I'm out. I still have The Truth on my list but now contemplating removing it.
Also my brain: "Oh! Chicken wings!"
--------------------
Enemies With Benefits. I liked the sound of that.
This book had an entertaining start but ended up being meh.
There were parts where the writing was too plain for the emotions the scene was trying to convey. It felt too direct for the moments that should've been given more flair.
I was bouncing between giving this 3-4 stars until I reached the conflict. At this point, I don't think it's even necessary for me to describe what sort of conflict I'm talking about, considering how much I express my aversion to it in my reviews. But hey, what's one more time, right?
Miscommunication drama is a tired concept. Using it is lazy and unimaginative, especially when the execution is ridiculously shallow. Sorry but I have so little patience for it nowadays. What's worse here is the comeback for the antagonist's meddling was laughably lame.
Maybe this is just me, but describing the desire to share a future with someone as an "itch" to be scratched rubbed me the wrong way.
And Fulton? The guy deserved more than all the laughing, chuckling, and SNORTING he was made to do.
Anyway, after Anyone But Her and Sunsets and Shades, this is my third strike with this author so I guess I'm out. I still have The Truth on my list but now contemplating removing it.
June 24, 2021
More than excellent!
Wow, I loved everything! It was romantic and hilarious. It's about high school rivals who meet again, years after graduation and because of a strange coincidence. The Last To Leave has playful banter, sexual chemistry, amazing characters, a unique crazy storyline and a great epilogue. I can highly recommend it.
Wow, I loved everything! It was romantic and hilarious. It's about high school rivals who meet again, years after graduation and because of a strange coincidence. The Last To Leave has playful banter, sexual chemistry, amazing characters, a unique crazy storyline and a great epilogue. I can highly recommend it.
Read
July 2, 2021I am obviously in the minority when it comes to impressions about this book.
I loved the development of Nicole and Courtney's relationship, and as long I remember that time of cynical youth (sound like a grandma now, I know), their path from random sex to true emotions was the only authentic part of the story.
Their competitive behavior was a little annoying, and to a certain degree immature, and overall, the main reason I feel like grumpy grandma is that I had the impression I was dealing with teenagers, not young adults. Most of their competitive shit was plain stupid to me, as well as the lack of communication - but that is probably my own problem.
The chemistry between the main characters is great, but everything around them was meh.
Undecisive 2-4 ⭐️
I loved the development of Nicole and Courtney's relationship, and as long I remember that time of cynical youth (sound like a grandma now, I know), their path from random sex to true emotions was the only authentic part of the story.
Their competitive behavior was a little annoying, and to a certain degree immature, and overall, the main reason I feel like grumpy grandma is that I had the impression I was dealing with teenagers, not young adults. Most of their competitive shit was plain stupid to me, as well as the lack of communication - but that is probably my own problem.
The chemistry between the main characters is great, but everything around them was meh.
Undecisive 2-4 ⭐️
June 29, 2021
I never really connected to this story. At first, it was because Nicole is one of those competitive jerks I've spent most of my life avoiding. She makes everything a competition and heaven help anyone who might actually beat her at something because that's when she gets mean. I did like that Courtney rolled with it, mostly. And gave back the smack talk. That was nice. But I never really warmed up to Nicole because frankly, she exhausts me.
Things smoothed out a bit once they got over themselves and started connecting. They're a good match, and it was a relief to see Nicole calm down and take a loss or two without freaking out. At that point it was only a little weird and I liked their friendship. Only then things started going smooth and I began to worry. I mean, there's a third of a book left and they're already connecting in all the important ways. They even know they are in love, though they both contrive the same reason not to say anything.
And then Lee makes Courtney stupid. And prevents both from talking to each other. For two weeks. Which felt more than a little out of character, frankly, because neither one of them is shy. So being all withdrawing and heartbroken made little sense, particularly when it turns out the dark moment was exactly what I expected it to be, only dumber. I mean, Also, the so-called "revenge" plan was so lame that Lamey McLamerson is suing for stealing his idea.
Anyway, this scrapes by with two stars. I was wandering up to three, but then the dark moment and the idiocy of the epilogue hit. Also, I should note again that I don't really get, or connect with, the whole competitive jock thing and that plays more than a little bit into my lack of engaging with the story so adjust accordingly.
A note about Steamy: There is lots and lots of explicit sex in this story. It blew past my steam tolerance in the end, and I was pretty much skimming while rolling my eyes. Oh, and if you're surprised that they turn sex into a competition, you haven't been paying attention to the rest of this review. That was actually great characterization because sex is where they first started overcoming their need to "win" (possibly because they have to work together to "win" with sex). So that started well enough. And then we got another. And another. And then more. That slows in the last third or so, finally, but until then it became a bit much.
Things smoothed out a bit once they got over themselves and started connecting. They're a good match, and it was a relief to see Nicole calm down and take a loss or two without freaking out. At that point it was only a little weird and I liked their friendship. Only then things started going smooth and I began to worry. I mean, there's a third of a book left and they're already connecting in all the important ways. They even know they are in love, though they both contrive the same reason not to say anything.
And then Lee makes Courtney stupid. And prevents both from talking to each other. For two weeks. Which felt more than a little out of character, frankly, because neither one of them is shy. So being all withdrawing and heartbroken made little sense, particularly when it turns out the dark moment was exactly what I expected it to be, only dumber. I mean, Also, the so-called "revenge" plan was so lame that Lamey McLamerson is suing for stealing his idea.
Anyway, this scrapes by with two stars. I was wandering up to three, but then the dark moment and the idiocy of the epilogue hit. Also, I should note again that I don't really get, or connect with, the whole competitive jock thing and that plays more than a little bit into my lack of engaging with the story so adjust accordingly.
A note about Steamy: There is lots and lots of explicit sex in this story. It blew past my steam tolerance in the end, and I was pretty much skimming while rolling my eyes. Oh, and if you're surprised that they turn sex into a competition, you haven't been paying attention to the rest of this review. That was actually great characterization because sex is where they first started overcoming their need to "win" (possibly because they have to work together to "win" with sex). So that started well enough. And then we got another. And another. And then more. That slows in the last third or so, finally, but until then it became a bit much.
June 27, 2021
Wow how much I loved this enemies to friends with benefits to lover romance. After hating each other during Highschool and always competing each other nothing has changed when Courtney and Nicole meet each other again. All because their best friends are a couple and plan to marry.
The competing was actually one of the things I loved the most. I wouldn’t have thought there are so many things you can compete about but they definitely found all kind of things. Even during the epilogue when they were happy with each other. It’s literally hilarious so often and wow this chemistry. When I wasn’t laughing out loud I was hot because it was so hot between them that I had to fan myself.
A sentence that describes their pairing perfectly is „you and Nicole are oddly perfect for each other.“ That is is so very true. I just loved both of them together and can’t decide on a favourite character.
So far I loved all of Erica Lee’s books and Anyone But Her was definitely my favourite. But after finishing this book I definitely have a second favourite story. 😍
I highly recommend this story and hope many others are going to read and enjoy it as much as I did.
The competing was actually one of the things I loved the most. I wouldn’t have thought there are so many things you can compete about but they definitely found all kind of things. Even during the epilogue when they were happy with each other. It’s literally hilarious so often and wow this chemistry. When I wasn’t laughing out loud I was hot because it was so hot between them that I had to fan myself.
A sentence that describes their pairing perfectly is „you and Nicole are oddly perfect for each other.“ That is is so very true. I just loved both of them together and can’t decide on a favourite character.
So far I loved all of Erica Lee’s books and Anyone But Her was definitely my favourite. But after finishing this book I definitely have a second favourite story. 😍
I highly recommend this story and hope many others are going to read and enjoy it as much as I did.
August 29, 2022
Boring AF.
I am always unlucky when it comes to enemies to lovers :( The banters were holy shit boring, not subtle at all. The tension and hatred feelings they supposed to “share” simply do not exist between them.
I’m good with books that are full of banters, and MCs who are competitive, but this was just too boring and childish for me. What kind of two 26 years old who make bets to say it out loud who’s better than the other? 🤡🤡🤡 And who’s better at throwing trash in the bin and calls it basketball 🤡🤡🤡 And the first person to cross through the doorway wins 😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃
I was too bothered by the too much stupid banters and the sudden compliments, it just didn’t make any sense. Aaaannd the sex started wayy to early for my liking. Even though they were still “not into” each other, it was too insta, too fast for no absolute reason despite them being “enemies”. This was more like rivals with benefits :/ The “enemies” trope in this one was so lacking of depth I didn’t quite get it why they are enemies actually. Except the repetitively mention of broken nose 🙃 and THAT WAS IT?? Why is this marketed as enemies to lovers, again?
The plot was weak, lack of imagination, made me eeeek and I felt absolutely nothing for these two MCs 🥱🥱 And the sex, oh my fuuuck it was boring as fuck. “Nicole might have been amazing in bed.” Oh, girl please 🙄🤚🏻 it was ONE paragraph. “The kind that can make even her worst enemy come five times in one night.” lalallalalallala~~ 🌚🌝
Bye.
I am always unlucky when it comes to enemies to lovers :( The banters were holy shit boring, not subtle at all. The tension and hatred feelings they supposed to “share” simply do not exist between them.
I’m good with books that are full of banters, and MCs who are competitive, but this was just too boring and childish for me. What kind of two 26 years old who make bets to say it out loud who’s better than the other? 🤡🤡🤡 And who’s better at throwing trash in the bin and calls it basketball 🤡🤡🤡 And the first person to cross through the doorway wins 😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃
I was too bothered by the too much stupid banters and the sudden compliments, it just didn’t make any sense. Aaaannd the sex started wayy to early for my liking. Even though they were still “not into” each other, it was too insta, too fast for no absolute reason despite them being “enemies”. This was more like rivals with benefits :/ The “enemies” trope in this one was so lacking of depth I didn’t quite get it why they are enemies actually. Except the repetitively mention of broken nose 🙃 and THAT WAS IT?? Why is this marketed as enemies to lovers, again?
The plot was weak, lack of imagination, made me eeeek and I felt absolutely nothing for these two MCs 🥱🥱 And the sex, oh my fuuuck it was boring as fuck. “Nicole might have been amazing in bed.” Oh, girl please 🙄🤚🏻 it was ONE paragraph. “The kind that can make even her worst enemy come five times in one night.” lalallalalallala~~ 🌚🌝
Bye.
November 24, 2021
Boring and childish.
June 29, 2021
I've read the majority of Erica Lee's books, and I'm a fan. And in my experience she has two main genres she will often write, and that is a dramatic emotional romance like The One to Hold Your Hand or The Truth, and a romcom like Anyone But Her. And her books fall in the spectrum of those types, but usually you can pinpoint which side it falls on. And this book is definitely a romcom, and in my opinion her best romcom yet.
This book follows Courtney Fields and Nicole Dawson. Nicole and Courtney were rivals in high school always trying to one up each other. And despite their best efforts to avoid each other after college and beyond, unfortunately their best friends are together, and want to take them to Cabo together. And when they're together, all sorts of shenanigans ensue.
So when I first read the premise of this book, honestly I thought it was going to be a little cheesy and I didn't know quite what to make of it. But I rolled with it and got a copy of this book. And I was pleasantly surprised! This book is genuinely really funny! I definitely was smiling to myself through large parts of this book and chuckled quite often. Seeing Courtney and Nicole butt heads competitively didn't get old to me at all.
Also for the characterization, I was a little worried initially that I would have trouble telling Nicole and Courtney apart personality wise, as in many ways they are similar to each other, but it never turned out to be a problem. The differences that were between the two characters were prominent enough that helped there. And for being primarily a comedy book, there is a good amount of heart to this book. Lee seemed to add just the right amount of angst and feeling into a book like this to give it another element of depth.
I also want to note, in her past work I don't remember Lee's books being notably hot and having serious sex scenes, but that definitely changes here- and in a good way! She must have been practicing writing some smut and it shows.
My main criticism is I didn't really love the black moment. I feel like when something like that happens there is no excuse not to just talk to each other, but it didn't happen here and was just a little annoying. It did resolve pretty quickly though.
Anyway, I liked this book a lot- it made me laugh quite a bit and had some heart as well. 4.5/5
This book follows Courtney Fields and Nicole Dawson. Nicole and Courtney were rivals in high school always trying to one up each other. And despite their best efforts to avoid each other after college and beyond, unfortunately their best friends are together, and want to take them to Cabo together. And when they're together, all sorts of shenanigans ensue.
So when I first read the premise of this book, honestly I thought it was going to be a little cheesy and I didn't know quite what to make of it. But I rolled with it and got a copy of this book. And I was pleasantly surprised! This book is genuinely really funny! I definitely was smiling to myself through large parts of this book and chuckled quite often. Seeing Courtney and Nicole butt heads competitively didn't get old to me at all.
Also for the characterization, I was a little worried initially that I would have trouble telling Nicole and Courtney apart personality wise, as in many ways they are similar to each other, but it never turned out to be a problem. The differences that were between the two characters were prominent enough that helped there. And for being primarily a comedy book, there is a good amount of heart to this book. Lee seemed to add just the right amount of angst and feeling into a book like this to give it another element of depth.
I also want to note, in her past work I don't remember Lee's books being notably hot and having serious sex scenes, but that definitely changes here- and in a good way! She must have been practicing writing some smut and it shows.
My main criticism is I didn't really love the black moment. I feel like when something like that happens there is no excuse not to just talk to each other, but it didn't happen here and was just a little annoying. It did resolve pretty quickly though.
Anyway, I liked this book a lot- it made me laugh quite a bit and had some heart as well. 4.5/5
June 29, 2021
I am so entertained!
This is such a great, funny and sexy story. Loved it.
This is such a great, funny and sexy story. Loved it.
December 21, 2021
I think the books I've read by Lee prior to this one were all super angsty and going by the blurb I figured this one wouldn't be. I wasn't up for so much angst I wanted flirting and banter and that is exactly what Lee delivered with this one (and then some).
Courtney and Nicole are high school archrivals and Nicole has never gotten over Courtney breaking her nose in a basketball game. When their respective best friends invite them to Cabo neither of them were expecting the rivalry to turn into flirtatious banter and some very sexy encounters. They go from enemies to almost-friends-with-benefits to forever and I love every minute of it.
There isn't a lot of drama in the book, it's all very light and flirty (and did I say sexy?) and it's just what I needed. Lee had me sucked into this story from the beginning and kept me entertained until the end. Even when the competitiveness takes it some ridiculous new level, I'm just there for all of it.
The chemistry between the characters is just really good. Even the dark moment is handled swiftly, and in line with the rest of the book. It didn't bother me at all that there was this moment a tad late in the book. I really enjoyed reading this steamy, flirtatious banter-filled, competitive enemies-to-"friends"-to-forever story.
Courtney and Nicole are high school archrivals and Nicole has never gotten over Courtney breaking her nose in a basketball game. When their respective best friends invite them to Cabo neither of them were expecting the rivalry to turn into flirtatious banter and some very sexy encounters. They go from enemies to almost-friends-with-benefits to forever and I love every minute of it.
There isn't a lot of drama in the book, it's all very light and flirty (and did I say sexy?) and it's just what I needed. Lee had me sucked into this story from the beginning and kept me entertained until the end. Even when the competitiveness takes it some ridiculous new level, I'm just there for all of it.
The chemistry between the characters is just really good. Even the dark moment is handled swiftly, and in line with the rest of the book. It didn't bother me at all that there was this moment a tad late in the book. I really enjoyed reading this steamy, flirtatious banter-filled, competitive enemies-to-"friends"-to-forever story.
February 23, 2024
Fulton wants to propose to Roberta. He wants everything to be perfect. Perfect for him means being in Cabo with his best friend and Roberta's best friend there to share the moment.
"The Last To Leave' is the two best friends' story. Courtney and Nicole were star athletes at their respective high schools and in constant competition on the basketball court, the football pitch and the running track. They hated each other to the extent that both express doubts about spending time together despite years having passed since they had any contact.
This is a classic romantic comedy, complete with exaggerated personality traits - insane competitiveness for both Nicole and Courtney, unlikely events and a final act break-up and reconciliation. It is also delightfully sweet with the leads falling for each other long before either is prepared to admit it, even to themselves -and very deliciously steamy as the pair find ways to make even sex competitive.
A bonus for me is that Nicole is an Occupational Therapist - a profession I'm well acquainted with, being married to an OT and working in an OT practice. This story isn't about either lead's professional life, but I feel that what we see rings true.
"The Last To Leave' is the two best friends' story. Courtney and Nicole were star athletes at their respective high schools and in constant competition on the basketball court, the football pitch and the running track. They hated each other to the extent that both express doubts about spending time together despite years having passed since they had any contact.
This is a classic romantic comedy, complete with exaggerated personality traits - insane competitiveness for both Nicole and Courtney, unlikely events and a final act break-up and reconciliation. It is also delightfully sweet with the leads falling for each other long before either is prepared to admit it, even to themselves -and very deliciously steamy as the pair find ways to make even sex competitive.
A bonus for me is that Nicole is an Occupational Therapist - a profession I'm well acquainted with, being married to an OT and working in an OT practice. This story isn't about either lead's professional life, but I feel that what we see rings true.
August 21, 2021
Hmmm…. So competitive. Even when it comes to who caves in to the Big O first 😊 and really… that epilogue? It must be so darn tiring to be so and that competitive all the time.
Highs 3s ⭐️
Highs 3s ⭐️
June 10, 2021
Book was awesome, as per usual.
A lot of naughty parts, probably shouldn’t be read in public if you’re a lesbian. It. Is. Hot. But, hey, the MC’s didn’t mind being in public.
I also had moments where I couldn’t help but chuckle out loud. Author, Erica Lee, is obviously hilarious with her sarcasm and it shows in both of her MC’s personalities.
It’s not necessarily an enemies to lovers type of novel, the main characters are just super competitive and their history comes from competing high schools. Which honestly makes it a lot better, because it seems more realistic then falling for someone you’ve hated.
Also! I was extremely excited when references to Sunsets and Shades &! Anyone But Her were made! They were subtle and awesome.
I’m giving 5 stars because books like this make me happy, and in the world we live in, we all need just a little happiness.
Go pre-order, order, read - you won’t be disappointed.
A lot of naughty parts, probably shouldn’t be read in public if you’re a lesbian. It. Is. Hot. But, hey, the MC’s didn’t mind being in public.
I also had moments where I couldn’t help but chuckle out loud. Author, Erica Lee, is obviously hilarious with her sarcasm and it shows in both of her MC’s personalities.
It’s not necessarily an enemies to lovers type of novel, the main characters are just super competitive and their history comes from competing high schools. Which honestly makes it a lot better, because it seems more realistic then falling for someone you’ve hated.
Also! I was extremely excited when references to Sunsets and Shades &! Anyone But Her were made! They were subtle and awesome.
I’m giving 5 stars because books like this make me happy, and in the world we live in, we all need just a little happiness.
Go pre-order, order, read - you won’t be disappointed.
June 23, 2021
I really enjoy this!
I have never read Erica Lee’s books before, but now I intent to read more from Lee. I was roaming at the kindle store yesterday (specifically on Lesbian Fiction catalog lol); I saw this book is on the Top 1, so I download it, yup
Nicole and Courtney were enemies from high school(they are just super competitive, nothing mean actually). They took everything into a contest; at first I thought they are too childlike, but when Lee put their competitive behavior into sex, oh boy, there is some hilarious sex banter I have ever read but also sexy as hell!
This book is perfect for the weekend; it would delight your whole weekend
I have never read Erica Lee’s books before, but now I intent to read more from Lee. I was roaming at the kindle store yesterday (specifically on Lesbian Fiction catalog lol); I saw this book is on the Top 1, so I download it, yup
Nicole and Courtney were enemies from high school(they are just super competitive, nothing mean actually). They took everything into a contest; at first I thought they are too childlike, but when Lee put their competitive behavior into sex, oh boy, there is some hilarious sex banter I have ever read but also sexy as hell!
This book is perfect for the weekend; it would delight your whole weekend
June 26, 2021
4.5 stars. Pretty great romance/erotica read that's well executed. Lovely characters, good humor, the competitiveness gimmick was fun all throughout if not maybe overplayed a bit. There wasn't anything out of place in this book. All characters and situations added to the story.
Perhaps the characterization of the antagonist, if you can even call him that, could've used more work but I guess the spoiled brat excuse that's given works well enough. All around pleasant experience reading this book and the sex scenes were scrumptious. Chemistry by the bucket loads. And I really love the cover, it's fitting and well made.
This was my first book by the author and I'm definitely interested to read more of her.
Perhaps the characterization of the antagonist, if you can even call him that, could've used more work but I guess the spoiled brat excuse that's given works well enough. All around pleasant experience reading this book and the sex scenes were scrumptious. Chemistry by the bucket loads. And I really love the cover, it's fitting and well made.
This was my first book by the author and I'm definitely interested to read more of her.
September 6, 2021
This is like a 3.65 to me so... rounding up to 4
This is like the gay version of what I wish The Unhoneymooners would have been!
Nicole’s best friend (Roberta) and Courtney’s best friend (Fulton) are getting engaged in Cabo and the groom-to-be insisted on them both coming along for the ride. The problem is, they’ve hated each other and been rivals since high school, so spending two weeks together sounds like a disaster.
From the first time they meet again at the airport they’re at each others throats, competing over every little thing. Their “enemies” status is more antagonists, which makes it easy to root for them instead of being annoyed that they’re truly “mean” to one another.
Soon they decide to get rid of their sexual tension by hooking up. What’s the worst that could happen?
I thought the book was going to take place entirely on the vacation, but they’re back to real life by 40% in. I thought the continuation of their enemies-with-benefits turned friends-with-benefits was cute and realistic and fun.
There was a misunderstanding bit at the end which I never like but it definitely didn’t ruin the book for me.
This is like the gay version of what I wish The Unhoneymooners would have been!
Nicole’s best friend (Roberta) and Courtney’s best friend (Fulton) are getting engaged in Cabo and the groom-to-be insisted on them both coming along for the ride. The problem is, they’ve hated each other and been rivals since high school, so spending two weeks together sounds like a disaster.
From the first time they meet again at the airport they’re at each others throats, competing over every little thing. Their “enemies” status is more antagonists, which makes it easy to root for them instead of being annoyed that they’re truly “mean” to one another.
Soon they decide to get rid of their sexual tension by hooking up. What’s the worst that could happen?
I thought the book was going to take place entirely on the vacation, but they’re back to real life by 40% in. I thought the continuation of their enemies-with-benefits turned friends-with-benefits was cute and realistic and fun.
There was a misunderstanding bit at the end which I never like but it definitely didn’t ruin the book for me.
December 22, 2021
3.5 stars
This book was so cute.
The Last to Leave is about Nicole and Courtney, old high school rivals who must put their differences aside when their best friends are getting married. They get under each other's skin in more ways than one though, and when their sexual tension becomes too much to ignore, things take a turn.
I loved the plot of this novel. I'm always a big fan of the rivals to lovers trope and this didn't disappoint.
Nicole and Courtney were a joy to read about. Their banter was so fun and I loved the growth of their relationship. These two are so competitive but it's so cute and I found myself grinning for so many scenes.
This book read like fanfiction but in the best way. The writing was so fun and it pulled me in from the start. I sped through this one within the span of a few hours.
My only complaint is that I hated the third act miscommunication. I thought it was stupid and it wouldn't have even been such a problem if Courtney had just talked to Nicole. Thankfully, it didn't last very long. I also wasn't the biggest fan of the epilogue.
Overall though, I had a really good time with this one.
This book was so cute.
The Last to Leave is about Nicole and Courtney, old high school rivals who must put their differences aside when their best friends are getting married. They get under each other's skin in more ways than one though, and when their sexual tension becomes too much to ignore, things take a turn.
I loved the plot of this novel. I'm always a big fan of the rivals to lovers trope and this didn't disappoint.
Nicole and Courtney were a joy to read about. Their banter was so fun and I loved the growth of their relationship. These two are so competitive but it's so cute and I found myself grinning for so many scenes.
This book read like fanfiction but in the best way. The writing was so fun and it pulled me in from the start. I sped through this one within the span of a few hours.
My only complaint is that I hated the third act miscommunication. I thought it was stupid and it wouldn't have even been such a problem if Courtney had just talked to Nicole. Thankfully, it didn't last very long. I also wasn't the biggest fan of the epilogue.
Overall though, I had a really good time with this one.
December 17, 2021
Anna and Lisa warned us on these pages, should have listened. Poor writing, poor characters, poor storyline. This one had it all. DNF
June 26, 2021
Emotions run a deep connection when hate turns to love.
What a truely incredible story full of delicious dialogue that the banter makes you laugh. Best friends of a to Fulton and Roberta have been childhood nemises. Courtney and Nicole agree to a Cabo trip so their best friends can get engaged. The story that unfolds is steamy, hot encounters and a surprise neither ladies see coming. I loved this connection these two have and their competitive nature makes the story delightful. I read this in one setting it was so good.
What a truely incredible story full of delicious dialogue that the banter makes you laugh. Best friends of a to Fulton and Roberta have been childhood nemises. Courtney and Nicole agree to a Cabo trip so their best friends can get engaged. The story that unfolds is steamy, hot encounters and a surprise neither ladies see coming. I loved this connection these two have and their competitive nature makes the story delightful. I read this in one setting it was so good.
October 12, 2021
Five Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Well Erica Lee proved you don’t need a 300 to 500 page book to write a beautiful love story and feel that it was genuine! I loved everything about this book. It was sweet and low angst and I just couldn’t put it down!
The chemistry between Courtney and Nicole was obvious and so wonderfully thick I wondered how they could possibly believe they were inconspicuously “dating.”
The books timeline was fast paced but it didn’t feel as though you were losing anything in between the lines. You were on the love ride along with both of these beautiful women. It had a miscommunication trope as the wedge but it didn’t provide loads of angst — great for me by the way. The resolution happened quick but believably so.
I enjoyed their banter, they felt real. It was cringe at times but in that way that you could see it happening in real life. They were so annoyingly competitive but again it made sense with their personalities and athletic nature and history.
All in all, a great fuma and easy read to grab when in a reading rut. I recommend and I’ll probably be rereading and enjoying every minute of it.
Rating:
POV: first person dual (Nicole & Courtney)
Book: stand-alone novella
Recommend: Yes
Well Erica Lee proved you don’t need a 300 to 500 page book to write a beautiful love story and feel that it was genuine! I loved everything about this book. It was sweet and low angst and I just couldn’t put it down!
The chemistry between Courtney and Nicole was obvious and so wonderfully thick I wondered how they could possibly believe they were inconspicuously “dating.”
The books timeline was fast paced but it didn’t feel as though you were losing anything in between the lines. You were on the love ride along with both of these beautiful women. It had a miscommunication trope as the wedge but it didn’t provide loads of angst — great for me by the way. The resolution happened quick but believably so.
I enjoyed their banter, they felt real. It was cringe at times but in that way that you could see it happening in real life. They were so annoyingly competitive but again it made sense with their personalities and athletic nature and history.
All in all, a great fuma and easy read to grab when in a reading rut. I recommend and I’ll probably be rereading and enjoying every minute of it.
Rating:
POV: first person dual (Nicole & Courtney)
Book: stand-alone novella
Recommend: Yes
September 23, 2021
Very, very good :)
December 26, 2021
If you were to look up "banal" in the dictionary, you might find a picture of this book next to the entry.
The two leads are so identical that I gave up trying to tell them apart early into the book (their only personality traits are that they are both super competitive with secret hearts of gold). Also, this book is billed as "enemies to lovers" but that is a bit of a misdirect. The characters were enemies in high school (before the book starts), but when they meet up again as adults they almost immediatley fall in love and the rest of the book is endless scenes of them just hanging out and having sex with a few contrived roadbumps thrown in here and there to form some semblance of plot.
The two leads are so identical that I gave up trying to tell them apart early into the book (their only personality traits are that they are both super competitive with secret hearts of gold). Also, this book is billed as "enemies to lovers" but that is a bit of a misdirect. The characters were enemies in high school (before the book starts), but when they meet up again as adults they almost immediatley fall in love and the rest of the book is endless scenes of them just hanging out and having sex with a few contrived roadbumps thrown in here and there to form some semblance of plot.
February 25, 2022
Things definitely took a turn for the cheesy, but for Courtney and Nicole, I'll allow it.
Final impressions:
• Sapphic rivals-to-lovers with over-the-top competitiveness and cuteness.
• Competitive sex Olympics!!! Lmao.
• I actually preferred the cute domestic scenes over the sex scenes this time around!
• The buildup from high school rivals to enemies with benefits is arguably the most enjoyable part of this book. Banter was great.
• Admittedly, once the feelings-beyond-sex were established (but not yet vocally professed), the enjoyability of the story took a slight dip, especially during the third-act breakup -
• Speaking of the third-act breakup,
• In hindsight, Nicole and Courtney were both annoyingly competitive, but they're such a great match for each other that I hardly cared. Plus, what works for them works for them, you know?
• If you're looking for an intensely steamy romance novel between two women, this is not the book for you.
• Instead, I'd recommend The Last to Leave if you're in the mood for a light, fluffy romance centering two grown-ass, albeit hilariously clueless, women falling in love and struggling to make sense of their feelings. Provided that you can pretend that the third-act breakup doesn't exist at all.
Recommended!
🌻🍃 More bookish content on Shut up, Shealea 🍃🌻
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Final impressions:
• Sapphic rivals-to-lovers with over-the-top competitiveness and cuteness.
• Competitive sex Olympics!!! Lmao.
• I actually preferred the cute domestic scenes over the sex scenes this time around!
• The buildup from high school rivals to enemies with benefits is arguably the most enjoyable part of this book. Banter was great.
• Admittedly, once the feelings-beyond-sex were established (but not yet vocally professed), the enjoyability of the story took a slight dip, especially during the third-act breakup -
• Speaking of the third-act breakup,
• In hindsight, Nicole and Courtney were both annoyingly competitive, but they're such a great match for each other that I hardly cared. Plus, what works for them works for them, you know?
• If you're looking for an intensely steamy romance novel between two women, this is not the book for you.
• Instead, I'd recommend The Last to Leave if you're in the mood for a light, fluffy romance centering two grown-ass, albeit hilariously clueless, women falling in love and struggling to make sense of their feelings. Provided that you can pretend that the third-act breakup doesn't exist at all.
Recommended!
🌻🍃 More bookish content on Shut up, Shealea 🍃🌻
instagram • pinterest • twitter • ko-fi
July 3, 2022
This is a story that spells crazy with a capital C.
Here we have two women who competed through high school sports and got to meet again when both their besties got engaged.
Somehow in the midst of getting reacquainted, hooking up and even hoping for love they maintain their competitiveness....this is clearly a crazy couple but I had good laughs.
Here we have two women who competed through high school sports and got to meet again when both their besties got engaged.
Somehow in the midst of getting reacquainted, hooking up and even hoping for love they maintain their competitiveness....this is clearly a crazy couple but I had good laughs.
March 16, 2024
With over 275 reviews, I don’t think I can add much. I really enjoyed this book although the very end was a little cheesy. There were a lot of very funny parts and the budding relationship rang true to me. I did feel these two needed each other to satisfy their competitive spirits. There was only a bit of a story outside of the romance, but the romance and the evolution of the two MCs was strong enough to carry the story.
5 Funny and Enjoyable Stars.
5 Funny and Enjoyable Stars.
February 12, 2022
Demasiada competitividad y un final… bastante tonto.
February 1, 2022
A great enemies to lovers WLW romance with a hell of a lot of spice.
This is my first Erica Lee book and admittedly I’m annoyed I haven’t read any more sooner. Lee writes brilliantly with a plot that constantly has you entertained.
It’s flooded with bickering and I’m HERE for that. I love the fact they are so completely at ends with each other -still at 26- over high school drama. As an ex at athlete I know the competition never stops, even when you’re retired, and I loved that fact. It gave such a draw to the characters and made it a really fast read because it was such a joy watching them yelling at each other only to continuously fall into bed.
The spice, folks was beautifully written and sexy as hell.
But that one strap scene… my god. You also get a hefty dose of public sex in this which honestly … I’m still yet to recover.
A great read, a brilliant story and a hefty side of spice.
TW/ spice, mentions of alcohol.
I’ll be reading more by the author soon 🙌🏻
This is my first Erica Lee book and admittedly I’m annoyed I haven’t read any more sooner. Lee writes brilliantly with a plot that constantly has you entertained.
It’s flooded with bickering and I’m HERE for that. I love the fact they are so completely at ends with each other -still at 26- over high school drama. As an ex at athlete I know the competition never stops, even when you’re retired, and I loved that fact. It gave such a draw to the characters and made it a really fast read because it was such a joy watching them yelling at each other only to continuously fall into bed.
The spice, folks was beautifully written and sexy as hell.
But that one strap scene… my god. You also get a hefty dose of public sex in this which honestly … I’m still yet to recover.
A great read, a brilliant story and a hefty side of spice.
TW/ spice, mentions of alcohol.
I’ll be reading more by the author soon 🙌🏻
December 20, 2023
5/10
{{ reread | 9/10? what was i thinking?? its really short and a lotta stuff is happening here too fast }}
What’s better than when the random book you’ve impulsively chosen to read because of only one review turns out to be awesome??!
Nothing.
Not really enemies but definitely rivals who are the most competitive people I’ve ever heard of. So rivals-to-lovers story and it’s perfect because you can feel the tension and the attraction in the beginning and when it slowly becomes more, there are these little moments and thoughts both MCs have so it definitely feels real. Haven’t read such a happy, light-read, predictable-but-good-predictable, well-rounded book in a while. This is one of my favourite books in the e-t-l trope.
Honestly, I was prolly pms-ing so the emotions were all over the place but this book, even with no angst, really got me emotional. I was happy for the MCs. I also feel like I read it in one sitting, in like 3 hours, so I could say this is definitely an enemies-to-lovers no-angst much-chemistry fxf book (novella?) you need. I’d also say it’s perfect for a beach day but then again there ARE some nice sex scenes so it depends on your ability to not blush when reading racey scenes in public.*
First book by Erica Lee and I gotta say I’m happy to be adding more to my tbr list. Hope they’re as good as this one is.
* if u have years of reading fanfics and wattped on your résumé like i do - you’re good.
{{ reread | 9/10? what was i thinking?? its really short and a lotta stuff is happening here too fast }}
What’s better than when the random book you’ve impulsively chosen to read because of only one review turns out to be awesome??!
Nothing.
Not really enemies but definitely rivals who are the most competitive people I’ve ever heard of. So rivals-to-lovers story and it’s perfect because you can feel the tension and the attraction in the beginning and when it slowly becomes more, there are these little moments and thoughts both MCs have so it definitely feels real. Haven’t read such a happy, light-read, predictable-but-good-predictable, well-rounded book in a while. This is one of my favourite books in the e-t-l trope.
Honestly, I was prolly pms-ing so the emotions were all over the place but this book, even with no angst, really got me emotional. I was happy for the MCs. I also feel like I read it in one sitting, in like 3 hours, so I could say this is definitely an enemies-to-lovers no-angst much-chemistry fxf book (novella?) you need. I’d also say it’s perfect for a beach day but then again there ARE some nice sex scenes so it depends on your ability to not blush when reading racey scenes in public.*
First book by Erica Lee and I gotta say I’m happy to be adding more to my tbr list. Hope they’re as good as this one is.
* if u have years of reading fanfics and wattped on your résumé like i do - you’re good.
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