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Last Chance (First Impressions #3)

by Josephine Myles (Goodreads Author)

4.03 of 5 stars 4.03 · rating details · 137 ratings · 33 reviews

Finding the strength to face up to your past is much easier with the love of a good man.

Surly artist Jez can hardly believe his good fortune in ending up in domestic bliss with a warmhearted man like Steve, but one morning a letter arrives, stirring up old hurts. Jez finds it hard to believe Steve will still want him when he reveals his sorry history. Steve, however, is de...more

ebook, 29 pages

Published September 17th 2011 by Torquere Press (first published September 2011)

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Oct 31, 2012 Heller rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary, artist-musician, m-m

4.5

More Jez and Steve. This one is more somber but really lovely story about love and forgiveness. Wonderfully written with rich, detailed characters.

2 likes · like · see review

Oct 09, 2011 Top 2 Bottom Reviews Interviews and More rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Six months have passed since Jez Smith stopped fantasizing about what Steve Carter would look like wearing nothing but his dazzling array of psychedelic socks. He doesn’t have to use his imagination any longer; now he can see them in full living color because the two men who began as strangers on the train, commuting back and forth to work each day, are now in a committed relationship.

Theirs is a story of opposites attract—the dreadlocked artist, and the clean cut editorial assistant—and their p...more Six months have passed since Jez Smith stopped fantasizing about what Steve Carter would look like wearing nothing but his dazzling array of psychedelic socks. He doesn’t have to use his imagination any longer; now he can see them in full living color because the two men who began as strangers on the train, commuting back and forth to work each day, are now in a committed relationship.

Theirs is a story of opposites attract—the dreadlocked artist, and the clean cut editorial assistant—and their partnership works beautifully, though Jez sees reason to question why Steve would choose to spend his life with a man whose past is not only painful but is threatening to open wounds that Jez would prefer remain sealed, his family history buried behind the walls he’s built around those memories. Jez’s past went a long way to shaping the man he’s become, though his present, namely Steve and the unconditional love and support he provides, have already begun to transform Jez into someone he never imagined he could be.

A family crisis throws Jez into a tailspin that threatens his relationship, as the two men begin to avoid each other to escape the tension building between them. This growing distance is the first test of their commitment to each other, and it’s a difficult one, but it’s one they will have to overcome and face together. There’s something kind of beautiful about the way their love works—even when Jez is unsure it will be enough, Steve is right there to believe sufficiently for the both of them until he can convince Jez what they have with each other, the love they share, is all he needs to trust in.

Overcoming the pain of words that left deep emotional scars, finding a way to forgive and to heal before it’s too late is a journey Steve and Jez make together. Love is a life changing experience for Jez, for the man who was always disagreeable and distant, who was uncomfortable with public displays of affection. All Jez needs, in the end, is to know that he belongs to Steve and Steve belongs to him, and that is more than enough to see them through.

Last Chance is an incredibly touching addition to this clever and deliciously sexy series. Jez is the absolute perfect narrator, as the reader is able to witness not only his own insecurities but is given a true insight into how remarkable Jez’s evolution truly is, and how significant it is that he is able to admit he needs someone as much as he needs Steve.

Two words, Josephine: more please.

Reviewed By: Lisa(less)

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Oct 03, 2011 Kassa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Last Chance is the third book in the First Impressions series. The first book was the aptly titled First Impressions where Jez the artist meets loud sock loving Steve. The second entry in the series is a free story called Fuzzy. This is an adorable look at Steve getting into knitting his own socks. This third short story is a darker, more serious turn as Jez’s homophobic father is dying. Despite the darker tone and content, this delightful story is a real treat to read. It’s beautifully written...more Last Chance is the third book in the First Impressions series. The first book was the aptly titled First Impressions where Jez the artist meets loud sock loving Steve. The second entry in the series is a free story called Fuzzy. This is an adorable look at Steve getting into knitting his own socks. This third short story is a darker, more serious turn as Jez’s homophobic father is dying. Despite the darker tone and content, this delightful story is a real treat to read. It’s beautifully written with a lot of subtly and punch packed into such a short space. This may not be the last we see of this couple (and I hope not) but the series and this story in particular is worth reading.

This time when Jez discovers his father is dying, he must decide whether to visit or not. This brings up a lot of complicated emotions and issues for Jez to deal with. Since Jez is the first person narrator the story delves into his character pretty deeply. There is a lot of emotional turmoil for the young artist that is set against the backdrop of his happy relationship to Steve. Although Steve is important, he’s more a source of comfort and strength than anything. His character doesn’t really change or grow very much but he’s essential to Jez working through his emotions surrounding his father and family in general.

One of the things I really like about this short story is that the characters aren’t perfect. Jez makes some considerable mistakes and even Steve is shown to be less than ideal. Not that these men aren’t adorable and wonderful on their own and together, but they’re human and prone to the same behavior as anyone else. I love that Jez is grumpy and impossible to deal with, making Steve prefer to work late and avoid Jez at first. This isn’t the perfect fairy tale relationship that instantly makes everything better but instead they feel so much more real and relatable because of that.

The writing is once again very well done. There is a lot of emotion and impact within such a short story (only 30 pages) and it’s surprising how affecting this is. It’s sad but has a very nice happy ending with a reaffirmation of Jez and Steve’s love. This couple feels real and honest throughout the series and always with a touch of whimsy and delight. I truly hope this isn’t the last we see of these two and I’m looking forward to another short story featuring some crazy socks or undies.
(less)

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Sep 23, 2011 Tam rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m

4.5 Stars

This story follows on the heels of First Impressions and Fuzzy. A month has passed and Steve’s leg is finally healed. Steve is happy exploring his knitting and yet another shipment of interesting yarn arrives, along with a letter from Jez’s mother whom he has not seen in ten years, since his father threw him out of the house when he discovered he was gay. Steve believes Jez should go and make peace, however he stubbornly refuses, making their domestic bliss not so blissful as his mood d...more 4.5 Stars

This story follows on the heels of First Impressions and Fuzzy. A month has passed and Steve’s leg is finally healed. Steve is happy exploring his knitting and yet another shipment of interesting yarn arrives, along with a letter from Jez’s mother whom he has not seen in ten years, since his father threw him out of the house when he discovered he was gay. Steve believes Jez should go and make peace, however he stubbornly refuses, making their domestic bliss not so blissful as his mood degenerates. Finally a good friend gives him a talking to and he agrees to go and see his father one last time.

This story has a much more serious theme in fitting with the charity goals. The first book was very humourous, with Jez’s obsession with Steve’s funky socks. The second story was purely a bit of fun between the two men, but this one tackles that age-old dilemma of making peace with estranged family before it’s too late. There is certainly still the author’s trademark humour. There is still fun to be had with funky socks and Jez’s seeming kinky obsession with them, but there’s a deeper more serious level of love shown here.

When Jez is forced to reveal all the dirty laundry in the family, he’s sure Steve with his “perfect” family will be appalled and want to avoid the whole mess. Steve however, proves that he cares about Jez, not his history and he supports him all the way when Jez finally agrees to see his father who is nearing the end of his life.

I was touched and angered and saddened by the scenes with his father. Jez being face-to-face with the shadow of the man who was his father, who is lost to the time, but who eventually shows some pride in Jez, even if things didn’t turn out the way his father demanded. The emotion wasn’t overdone and maudlin, but definitely was there on the page to let you feel it, and share in it.

So while this story has that slightly different feel to the original (which you don’t have to read to enjoy this story, but you’d be foolish not to read it as well), I would still recommend it as the author never fails to bring real people to life that you would want to get to know and be friends with. An excellent addition to the series.

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3 likes · like · see review

Sep 24, 2011 Serena Yates rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m

This third book in the series is great in a very different way from the first two volumes. Where they were light-hearted, full of humor and introduced Jez and Steve, this one gave a lot of the background. It rounded out Jez as a person, and made him even more real. It also explained some of his anger and attitude to – everything.

Dealing with his personal past, when he was kicked out by his father, isn’t easy. Doing it knowing that his father is about to die makes everything more intense. Jo hand...more

2 likes · like · see review

Dec 20, 2012 Pati rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, romance, lendable-m-m, menage, lendable

What a touching book. While it was filled with angst it was also filled with love and so very touching. I highly recommend it though make sure to have tissues nearby.

On a personal note this was tough on me. Between April 12th & Nov.20th of this year I've lost 4 family members, one of them being my beloved grandpa, and one of my best friends all to cancer and have another family member who is terminal. So needless to say I didn't get through it dry eyed and I cried even more when I read of M...more

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Oct 01, 2012 Josephine Myles added it · (Review from the author) · review of another edition

Shelves: books-i-wrote, contemporary, m-m, romance

Now out in the second edition, complete with sexy new cover art by Lou Harper! I'd love it if those of you who shelved it with the old cover art could update to this one, pretty please :)

Oh yes, and First Impressions, the first in this series of shorts, will be free for the whole of October over on All Romance eBooks and Smashwords. Yay!

1 like · like · see review

Dec 23, 2012 Kaetrin rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary, ebook, m-m-romance, short-novella

Last Chance Set after Steve's cast comes off, this story (which is about the same length as the first one) is much different in tone. Jez finds out that his estranged father is dying. All the feelings he has bottled up in the years since he was thrown out of home for being gay come to the fore. I cried. Steve is a gem and helps Jez get through it and the writing was just beautiful.

The trilogy overall:

In a very short time, this author made me care about these characters, so when I got to the th...more

3 likes · like · see review

Oct 02, 2012 Suze rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The third Jez and Steve book, and I'd love to see a full length novel about them. I liked this short story the best of the three - probably because we got to see a bit more of their characters, especially how supportive Steve is and how he has enriched Jez's life. There's still plenty of humour and it is fairly light despite dealing with death and Jez's fraught relationship with his parents.

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Sep 18, 2011 Lucy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Steve the knitting sock man is just adorable for me, and his love of Jez is so perfect. In this installment, Jez has to face news from his past, in the form of cancer in his father, and has to face how his father's hatred and cruelty had shaped his own actions. I love these two, and at the end of this I wanted to cheer for Jez.

1 like · like · see review

Nov 02, 2012 JustJen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebook, mm, shorty

I really enjoy reading about Jez and Steve. Seems like they have been together a lot longer than they have. This one is a bit more serious than the others, but still has the same cuteness to it. Steve is such a sweetie, knitting his socks, and I love the way he takes care of Jez. Hope we get to see more of these guys.

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Sep 19, 2011 MandyM rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m-romance

Third in the First Impressions series. This entry is a little longer and more serious. Jez's Dad is dying and this brings up a lot of bad memories which causes some problems for our couple. Very nice HEA!

1 like · like · see review

Sep 17, 2011 Chris rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: done, short, gay, ebook, romance, 2011

Very good short m/m romance continuing the story of publishing assistant Steve and artist Jez that started in First Impressions. More crazy socks! And... knitting! :)

1 like · like · see review

Oct 21, 2012 Virginia rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: char-art-music-photo-write-arch, fiction-contemporary, genre-mm, fiction-short, 2011

This 3rd short in the series about Steve and Jez has more serious tones to it than the previous two. I adore these guys. Really enjoy committed couple stories.

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Jul 01, 2012 Stephanie M. rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011, finished-series, favorites

Oh how I love this 3rd installment of "Last Impressions." I cried, I laughed and my heart swelled with happiness. You can't help but to adore these characters.

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Jun 20, 2012 garnetyuna rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, short-story

2,5 stars.
There are not zombies in Resident Evil 5, but Majini.

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Sep 21, 2011 Mandy*reads obsessively* rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, hurt-comfort-disability, ebook-owned, short, series-sequels

I was glad to be able to see more of Jez and Steve!
In this short Jez was able to find some closure, with Steve's support, on issues with his family.

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Nov 17, 2011 Sadonna rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: mm, pdf

I really really like these two guys. This is a little bittersweet tale of Jez and Steve that addresses old family wounds for Jez. Steve is a rock for Jez and gives him the courage and support to be able to face his father and look at his past in a new way. Lovely.

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Mar 05, 2013 clear skies rated it 4 of 5 stars

We got to see Jez in a different light. I thought it was a splendid story with a rich setting and interesting characters.

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Sep 23, 2011 Jennifer rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m

Jez and Steve are such an adorable couple. It was good to catch up with them and learn how Steve's knitting was progressing.

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Feb 25, 2012 Melanie~~ rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: format-kindle-or-mobi

Quite a departure from the first two of this series, but a real wonderful story about acceptance of one's self.

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Feb 11, 2012 Anke rated it 4 of 5 stars

What a wonderful, heartwarming (yes, the Kleenex was nearby) closure of this series - or wasn't it?

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Nov 07, 2011 MsMiz (Tina) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: glbt-all, pdf

I am not sure if I mentioned it or not, but I am totally in love with Jez and Steve.

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Sep 28, 2011 Hj rated it 3 of 5 stars

Excellent. Don't generally like shorts, but this was good and complete in itself.

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Oct 14, 2012 Adriana marked it as to-read

Shelves: contemporary, male-male

I'm sure this is gonna be great... but I don't want this series to end.

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Nov 03, 2012 Stevie Carroll rated it 4 of 5 stars

A slightly more serious turn for this cute series, but there's still space for knitting and stunningly awful socks.

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Aug 09, 2012 Lindsey {Lindsey's Bookshelf} rated it 3 of 5 stars

a sad and emotional end to the series

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Dec 30, 2011 Dallison added it

Excellent series. Looking forward to a full length novel about Jez and Steve.

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Oct 09, 2012 Anja rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: m-m

3.5

1 like · like · see review

Jan 09, 2013 Elizabetta rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: british, holiday-or-winter-theme

3.5 stars

We see more of Jez's insecurities here and how they spill over into his relationship with Steve. There's nothing like a man who likes colorful underwear though and Steve is there to help him through a family crisis. It sure was nice visiting with these guys again as Myles delivers another sweetly written vignette.

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About Josephine Myles

English through and through, Josephine Myles is addicted to tea and busy cultivating a reputation for eccentricity. She writes gay erotica and romance, but finds the erotica keeps cuddling up to the romance, and the romance keeps corrupting the erotica. She blames her rebellious muse but he never listens to her anyway, no matter how much she threatens him with a big stick. She's beginning to suspe...more

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Last Chance (First Impressions #3)

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