The Last Chance Motel

Dove Pond #1.5

by Karen Hawkins

Every big romance deserves a second chance. But Evan and Jessica Cho Graham are looking at the last more specifically, The Last Chance Motel in Dove Pond, NC, where Jessica has escaped to start a happily independent life, separate from her smart, sexy, but driven husband.

Evan has been wildly successful in every endeavor, except keeping the heart of the one woman he loves more than anything. If he’s going to repair this mess, he’s going to need all the help he can get - even if it's from the crankiest handyman in B&B history - to turn his second chance with Jess into a perfect storybook happy ending.

Previously published in the I Loved You First anthology

Genres: Romance, Fantasy, Fiction, New Adult, Audiobook, Novella, Magical Realism

Audible Audio

First published August 25, 2020

About the author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Karen Hawkins writes novels that have been praised as touching, witty, charming, and heartwarming. A native Southerner who grew up in the mountains of East Tennessee where storytelling is a way of life, Karen recently moved to frosty New England with her beloved husband and multiple foster dogs. The Dove Pond books are a nod to the thousands of books that opened doors to more adventures, places, and discoveries than she ever imagined possible. To find out more about Karen, follow her at:
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Reviews

[Obsidian · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely novella. Once again set in the little town of Dove Pond. I can't wait for the next book. We don't get to follow the Dove family, but this was interesting and lovely nonetheless. I think for those of us missing Sarah Addison Allen, these books are a great replacement.

Last Chance Motel follows recently estranged couple Evan and Jessica. Evan does not want the divorce his wife requests and follows her to the town of Dove Pond where she has plans to open up a luxury B&B. Jessica though refuses to return to Evan and realizes that going home to him, nothing between them will change. But a handyman that seems to know all about Evan's troubles, offers him advice on how to win Jessica back.

It's a great little novella. You get the love between both Evan and Jessica. But I did love that Jessica refused to return home to what was an empty marriage for her. She kept telling Evan what she needed, and he ignoring it. I did like how you got to see him slowly see what Jessica and even the people who worked from him needed from him.

Great little novella, but missed the Dove sisters.

[Clwseattle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've only read the Dove Pond novels by Karen Hawkins, therefore, I can only judge her writing by those and I think they are wonderful. The Last Chance Motel less so. It is not a Dove Pond novel so much as a short story that happens to take place near Dove Pond. The writing on The Last Chance Motel is more . . . suggestive and saucier than found in Dove Pond.

I didn't much like the characters, with the exception of Doyle Cloyd. I'm not a fan of desperate men or unforgiving women and the apparent requirement that one must bend to the other and lose themselves. In The Last Chance Motel Evan and Jess merely exchange roles while trying to salvage their marriage. It's still unbalanced.

3 stars for The Last Chance Motel but I'm still willing to give Love in the Afternoon a chance because of Doyle.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Devastated that wife Jessica filed for divorce, Evan is desperate to save their marriage. Can he put aside his workaholic ways and win her back by helping her restore The Last Chance Motel?

"If I have to choose between having half of a husband or none, I'll choose none." - Jessica

Doyle, the cantankerous handyman on site, sure seems to think so and isn't shy about sharing his marriage tips! My favorite was: "Do something for her. Let her see you for what you will be, a man of action instead of empty promises."

Since I've been enjoying the Dove Pond series, I wanted to make sure I read this novella as well. Short stories are not typically my jam but this one was very sweet, and I enjoyed watching Evan struggle to earn back Jessica's love and trust.

"Happy wife, happy life."

Location: Dove Pond, North Carolina (near Asheville)

Own on Kindle

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, to clarify, at best this is a novella. Actually I would call it a short story. If you love the Dove Pond series (Admittedly, I do) then you should enjoy this story. This author tells a good tale. Paints a fun picture of characters and scenery. I was on the verge of only three stars, but then I realized that when I thought back on some scenes it made me smile. It’s sweet, and well developed for the short story it is. Dove Pond fans, you’ll wanna catch this.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 cute romance novella

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rated 4.25 stars on platforms that acknowledge nuance.

Every time I read a book in this series, I am reminded what a feel-good series this is. As sweet and charming as Dove Pond is, so are the people who inhabit this quirky little town. This series knows what it is and it delivers on that promise each time.

What I liked about The Last Chance Motel:
Evan - Here's the thing. I think maybe we're supposed to not like him so much. Regardless, I liked him right for go with his expensive car, his slick suit, and his plan of action.
Be prepared for the magic - Somewhere in all these books is that dose of Dove Pond's special brand of magic. Once you're familiar with the M.O., you know what to watch for. I suspected it very early on and was reminded why I recognized it in a seamless fashion.
Ms Hawkins is easy to read - Not dumbed down, but gentle on the intellect, which is welcome when most of one's reading is taking place right before bedtime these days.

What I didn't care for:
I'm not sure about the length of this one - I just got to know Evan and Jessica. While the plot was tied up nice and tidy, I felt a bit gypped. I don't think this needed to have the plot further dragged out but I wanted more of their story. Perhaps, being a novella, we'll get more of them tangentially in later full-length novels? This is a struggle I have with novellas when I like the characters.

If you're looking for a lighthearted, gentle read, with a bit of romance, a bit of magic, smalltown atmosphere, and some humor sprinkled in, this is a series that would check all those boxes. I'm picky about magic in my reading, but make it magical realism and set it in a small community, and it appears I am your target audience.

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was this novella predictable? Yes. Did I still enjoy it? Also Yes. This was a sweet little addition to the Dove Pond series. I really needed this book at this time in my reading.

[Marilee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a lovely little story about a man who has neglected his marriage for too long and now has some work to do to convince his wife that he will make her a priority in his life. Just like the other Dove Pond books there is an air of the supernatural as the character progresses through the book. I found it easy to root for both characters despite their flaws, which is just how it should be.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet novella

I love the Dove Pond series and although this is a departure from the Dove sisters, it was a sweet second chance romance set in town with some familiar characters.

[Sherry Bledsoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet

Sweet story! Though what I'm really wanting is for Book 3 to come out. However, this short story does give us the why and what happens to a character introduced in Book 2 Jess is the new owner of Second Chance Motel - which she is rehabbing while waiting for her divorce to go thru. Until her soon-to-be ex-husband shows up in Dove Pond to try and get his "second chance" and with a little guidance from a mysterious handyman - which is where the "magical" part of this series makes his small appearance's. As I said, a sweet short story, but I'm really waiting for Book 3!

[Sarah House · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found myself trying to just finish this one. It’s more of a romance than most of the other dove pond stories. This is a novella but I think I would have preferred a novel with more interaction with townsfolk of Dove Pond and at least some cameos of the dove sisters. I did enjoy Flora and Doyle. Those were my favorites parts of the book. I really didn’t like the male lead. He’s too cocky. He’s supposed to be learning and changing in the book, but he still manages to manipulate to his advantage and it works out for him. The female lead seems to love it, so I guess it works, just hard for me to read.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is just not enough marriage in trouble trope storylines in romance for me to read. So, I was excited to read this novella. I really liked how Jessica's condition for getting back together with Evan is that he has to date/woo her and that she didn't just re-marry him at the end of the book. I like how Doyle used the problems/resolution in his own marriage in his advice to Evan. Doyle was less pushy and more of a mentor in this installment; I feel like the author has found his character's groove.

[Kari Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

ugh!

These characters are so wonderful! You feel every ounce of their pain and every bit of their love. Jess pulled at all of my heart strings. We’ve all had moments when we feel unappreciated and she took control. It’s hard to second guess your big choices in life. This was so so sweet. And Doyle…. ❤️

[Diane Duke · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a little disappointing. It was supposed to be a sequel to the Dove Pond books but it really wasn’t. None of the Dove Pond characters that we have grown to know and love were in the book ( well Trav was briefly mentioned).
I want more of Dove Pond and it’s residents, not a love story about people from Atlanta.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

2nd chances, especially for married couples, is not my favorite trope. It's usually missing the sizzle of a regular romance, and that was the case here. It was a sweet story, but a little bland. And I feel like I've already read it, but I don't have it marked as "READ" on GR so that's a bit of a mystery.

[Michele · Rating 1 out of 5]

I enjoyed the 1st book in this series but this book 1.5 was a big disappointment. It is about an estranged couple heading for divorce and the husband is trying to win his wife back. The worst thing about this book was the constant portrayal of physical attraction that just got to the offensive stage. There wasn't much to the story, either. Makes me less likely to read book #2.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet reunion

Jess and even have split up due to Evan's obsession with his job. He goes to d
Dove Pond to try to win her back with hard work, honesty and a little help from a ghostly friend.
Cute book, with sweet characters.

[AMANDA · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did the audible version and so glad I did because I just love listening to Amanda Ronconi. She does these characters so well. The story was fun and short and I really enjoyed it. I wish I could be Jess with her little motel. something I'd thrive at.

[Katy O. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet second chance romance novella that brought me back to my favorite town of Dove Pond! A touch of light magic. Narration of the audio version is great, but I definitely should not have used a credit on this since it was so short!

Source: Audible credit

[Jacque · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jess

I loved Jess and how firm she stood her ground while telling Evan what he needed to hear. Doyle is such an adorable character.
If you've read any Dove Pond, don't miss this book.

[Kacey Hawley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one wasn’t as fun, but I was happy that Doyle was involved in this book like the last one. I wish this book would’ve had more of the sisters in the book and more magical things. Still fun to read another story about people in Dove Pond. It’s getting me excited to get the new book tomorrow!

[Eileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story

Doyle and Barbara are at it again. Evan won't accept his divorce so he sets out to Dove Pond to win his wife back. Jess doesn't want to be second fiddle to his work again. I'm glad it worked out for them. It takes work and communication for a marriage to work.

[Shree · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story wasn't unique or original (I enjoyed "Love in the afternoon" more), but I'd still say that the novella was developed and presented well. We don't get to read about the Dove family in this short story, and the inclusion of Doyle Cloyd made it so much more fun to read.

[AngryPixi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I used to love romances where the man persisted in the face of many no's, then realised men that don't take no for an answer aren't sexy.

This one navigated the line okish. Everything else was fantastic, good to see Doyle and Barbara back again too 💜

[Pdt · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short story, but definitely not up to par with the other Dove Pond series. I guess you can't pack a lot into 121 pages. I do love the Dove Pond series but this one was just too hurried and too predictable. Not my style.

[Cynthia Egbert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another Dove Pond novella involving the hopeless romantic ghostly Doyle as he helps to repair a damaged marriage and get it back on track. Quite sweet, almost too sweet, but short enough that I could gag my way through it!

[Bonny · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely short story.

This was just as old as one of the longer books. The story is so charming. If you like any of the other Dove Pond books you'll like this one.

[Care · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute little novella in the Dove Pond universe. Hoping to hear about the next book soon!

[Mandy Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

great read

I loved that the book was fun to read. I also loved the characters. I especially loved the ghost. The ending was everything I wanted it to be.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part of Dove Pond series, oh yea! Trying to get back in his wife's good graces, he visits Dove Pond. A little magic, enjoyable