The Last Resort, the debut novel of Australian author Amanda Hewitt, is a heart-warming and emotional story about grasping that second chance at love. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and loved that the main characters were both in their early 40s. Reading a mature-age romance with no huge age gap was refreshing as the characters had real emotional baggage and also had commitments to juggle.
Abbey decides to go anyway to drown her sorrows and wallow in self-pity. On her first night there, Nick sees her in the water and thinking she is actually drowning he rushes in to rescue her. A friendship starts aided by their allotted valet, Oliver. The chemistry is instant but both know this is just a holiday romance.
The Last Resort was simply the best story for holiday reading. The perfect beach read. Abbey and Nick were both broken-hearted. For both the holiday at the resort was meant to be cathartic. Neither were ready to commit to a relationship.
Nick guarded his heart fiercely. His back-story was heart-breaking.
The Last Resort is rich in wonderful support characters with Abbey's fiery sister Kate and her wise and cheeky grandmother Iris, plus Nick's brother and sister all playing an important role in the main characters' lives.
The Last Resort is filled with humour and I loved Abbey's openness finding her voice where love was concerned. She was a little awkward and very real.
Lots of surprising twists and reveals kept the story interesting although I did find the romance dragged out a bit.
It's a long bumpy road to that much welcomed HEA.
My rating 4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Publisher: Echo Publishing
Publication date: 3rd February 2026
Genre: Contemporary Fiction / Romance
Pages: 304
RRP: AU$34.99 (trade paperback)
Source: Courtesy of the publisher
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