Last Beautiful Girl

3.75 stars--LAST BEAUTIFUL GIRL is the sixth instalment in Samantha Chase’s contemporary, adult MAGNOLIA SOUND romance series focusing on the people of Magnolia Grove. This is construction worker Kyle Jones, and Sydney Albright’s story line. LAST BEAUTIFUL GIRL can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. Told from dual third person perspectives (Kyle and Sydney) LAST BEAUTIFUL GIRL follows the rebuilding romance and relationship between construction worker Kyle Jones, and Sydney Albright. Twelve years earlier Sydney Albright walked out of Kyle Jones’ life, and in the ensuing years struggled with what was and what will never be but the death of her sister and brother in law left Sydney the guardian of their now twelve year old daughter Hayley, a young girl who continued to struggle with the loss of her parents. Reluctantly moving back to her hometown of Magnolia Grove to raise her sister’s daughter found Sydney wondering if she would be able to face her past, a past that was about to come full circle when reparations are needed on her sister’s home. Enter construction worker Kyle Jones. What ensues is the rekindling romance and relationship between Kyle and Sydney, and the back and forth, yin and yang, roller coaster ride that treads the find line of love and hate between our leading couple. The relationship between Kyle and Sydney is at best, tempestuous, and vitriolic, at its’ worst. Sydney battles between head and heart, unable to forgive Kyle for sins of the past as Kyle desperately tries to make amends but epically fails at every turn. Add a hormonal, pre-teen who has yet to accept the changes in her life, and the relationship between Kyle and Sydney is doomed to fail, before it begins. All of the $ex scenes fade to black or are implied. There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, energetic and well-meaning but thoughtless secondary and supporting characters who are constantly at odds with our story line couple. Most believe Kyle is no good for our story line heroine, and constantly point out Kyle’s fault as though he is a serial killer in disguise. LAST BEAUTIFUL GIRL is a story of love and loss; grief and acceptance; of family and friendships; second chances and moving forward. The premise is captivating; the romance is passionate; the characters are animated but I struggled with the heroine’s acerbic and abrasive attitude towards the man that she loved.

This story is so, so good!! Sydney and Kyle’s story is heartbreaking, wonderful and will really touch your heart. I know it did mine! I loved the way Kyle accepted Haley being a part of Sydney’s life without a thought. The way he was able to include Haley in everything he and Sydney were trying to create. I thought this story was very well written and realistic. I could picture all the ups and downs as they were happening and I couldn’t put it down!

An emotional second chance romance that I could not put down. Kyle let Sydney walk away once but she has now returned to Magnolia Sound and wants to pick up where they left off. Sydney is now the guardian of her twelve year old niece, after her parents were killed tragically. Lots of life changes for Sydney with instant parenthood and budding relationship with Kyle. Loved Kyle and Sydney, they share a sizzling chemistry that can't be denied. Both are wonderful with Sydney's niece, Hayley. Loved catching up with previous Magnolia Sound characters. Fair warning, have your tissues ready. This is part of series but can be read as a stand alone. Can't wait to read more from this series!!