Last Chance Beauty Queen

Caroline ("Rocky") Rhodes is within a hair's breadth of landing her dream job. As an aide to the Senator from South Carolina she lives and works in Columbia, but with a little luck she hopes to make the move to his Washington D. C. office. Unfortunately for Rocky, the assignment that could garner her that coveted promotion will take her back to her hometown of Last Chance, South Carolina. The Senator wants Rocky to facilitate the building of a small textile factory in Last Chance, but there's one slight problem - Rocky's father refuses to allow construction to take place on his property, which is home to a dilapidated mini golf course with a biblical theme, known as "Golfing for God".Hugh DeBracy needs to get this factory built - asap. He may be a titled member of the British aristocracy, but he's also flat broke. If he can't make a success of his business, then his only other option is to marry for money, a prospect that he doesn't find very appealing. One thing that Hugh does find appealing is the very attractive Ms. Rhodes. But a romance between a small town pageant queen and an English Lord is impossible...or is it?One of the things I liked best about this book is the way the residents of Last Chance reacted to Hugh. Once they found out that he hadn't been invited to Will and Kate's wedding (had in fact never even met the Queen!), they were thoroughly unimpressed. Hugh and Caroline were both appealing characters, and I liked that Rocky never feels ashamed of her family. There are times that she wishes they would tone down the eccentricity, but she loves them unequivocally.One of the things that didn't work quite so well for me is the side story about Rocky's young niece who can see and hear an apparition she's nicknamed the "Sorrowful Angel". Honestly, the Angel creeped me out, what with all the wailing and temper tantrums - I felt sorry for the poor kid! That part of the storyline just didn't go anywhere for me, though this book is part of a series and I suppose the Angel's significance will probably be revealed in a later installment.This is a cute small town romance; it doesn't break any new ground but the writing is good and there's a warmth and sincerity to the main characters that I enjoyed. I waffled between 3 stars and 4. While it's not brimming with originality, I did like the way the roles were slightly reversed. Rather than the heroine in need of being rescued, Hugh is the one in dire need of help, and he's willing to let Rocky save the day. Good for him.Very occasional strong language and one non-descriptive love scene.Book One:  Welcome to Last Chance Book Two:  Home At Last Chance Book Three:  Last Chance Beauty Queen Book Four:  Last Chance Christmas There's also a "Last Chance" holiday short story that can be found in the Christmas anthology  Small Town Christmas

I couldn't make up my mind whether this book deserved 3 or 4 stars -- hence the 3.5. On the plus side, the author does a great job of conveying Last Chance's small town atmosphere in a humorous way, and the denizens are quirky and fun to read about. On the negative side, I didn't buy the love between Rocky and Hugh. Rocky's character is pretty well defined but I didn't connect with or understand Hugh at all, and I don't see why the heroine did. There was a lot of repetition of the obstacles to their HEA and soon I was skimming when the subject(s) came up again and again. And I didn't feel the chemistry and or love. So it left me with mixed feelings. I loved the first book in the series (Welcome to Last Chance) but this one was just so-so.

Loved this romance! The small-town setting made me feel like I was home and the quirky people were so very real. The Cut `n Curl, the Watermelon Festival and parade...well, the town of Last Chance is a character in itself.Hugh is not a snobby aristocrat but he does have duty to fulfill and that seems to preclude the career-minded Rocky who is already a little gun-shy because of a past event the entire town remembers. This is the third book in the series and although it can be enjoyed alone, I'm looking forward to reading Home At Last Chance and will keep a close eye out for more books in this heartwarming series.

that evokes the South for this Bayou gal! In these stressful times, a happy ending with a twist is just what the doctor ordered.

I can blame this book for the lack of sleep I have missed this week! Having read at least two other of the books, I feel like I know the people in this town. As soon as I write this I will order the next book!! Most people review and about tell you the whole story......not me. I simply want to say I enjoyed it & felt like I was right there with the quirky characters!

Southern small town stand alone series. Believable characters, dialogue and story line.The author includes discussion questions at the end of the story.I will re-read this story and always look forward to more from this author.

I am currently reading this series. Insight into a small town and the residentsI am currently reading this series. Insight into human problems everyone incurs small town or big city.

Just because the person's a Duke it does not mean he can not get the girl he wants. Even if the girl is a peasant. Titles and nobilities are part of the past. You may marry who you love.