When it comes to men, Marissa Jones is totally committed to not being committed. One major heartbreak is enough for her.
Against her better judgment, Marissa agrees to a pact with her friends to marry the next guy she dates. But she isn't going to take any chances. For her, it's a numbers game, and one last first date just isn't enough. So, she ups the ante--three first dates with three very different guys, all in one day.
But can any of these men live up to her high standards?
Despite a few bumps in the road, from the three, she chooses The One. That is until the motorcycle-riding ex she never got over turns up, changing everything.
In the end, do you choose love or does love choose you?
Escape to New Zealand in this fun, feel-good chick lit story. Three Last First Dates is Book 3 in the Cozy Cottage Café series but is a full-length novel that can be read as a standalone.
Kate O'Keeffe is a USA TODAY bestselling and award-winning author who writes exactly what she loves to read: laugh-out-loud romantic comedies with swoon-worthy heroes and gorgeous feel-good happily ever afters. She lives and loves in beautiful Hawke's Bay, New Zealand with her family and two scruffy but loveable dogs.
When she's not penning her latest story, Kate can be found hiking up hills (slowly), traveling to different countries around the globe (back when we used to be able to do that), and eating chocolate. A lot of it.
Get a free book when you sign up to Kate's newsletter at kateokeeffe.com.
The cover, title, tagline and blurb all confirm that this is a romantic comedy, a story that will have you laughing out loud whilst reading it! It is the third book in the Cozy Cottage Café series but I can vouch for the fact that you can read it and enjoy it even if, like me, you haven't read the earlier two books. Get ready for some delicious cakes to have your mouth watering, fantastic friends to share the cakes and fun, a commitment phobic heroine who will definitely kiss some frogs before finding her prince and some cute puppies, too!
After discovering her ex is now engaged, Marissa Jones drunkenly agrees to marry the next guy she dates. To save herself some hassle, she decides to 'try out' three different first dates on the same day to help her choose which one to really start dating . . . . Best laid plans! When her ex returns, professing his love for her, those plans are scuppered! Should she give him another chance or choose to move on to someone new? Is a second chance romance her best option? Will love find a way for her?
This is an enjoyable, drama filled romantic comedy that is great to escape into with fun characters, tasty treats, adorable puppies and plenty of angst and turmoil to keep you entertained!
I requested and was gifted a copy of this book, chose to read it and this is my honest review after doing so.
First thing I will say is that this is the third book in the “Cozy Cottage” Series and I have not read the other two books. Somehow, I don’t think that this would change my rating for this book. But, Marissa’s friends seemed far more likeable and level headed, so I may have enjoyed THOSE two. I will also say that this book has received very good feedback on Goodreads… so, maybe it’s just me! I suppose you’ll have to read it yourself to find out!
I just couldn’t do this book. I finished it, because I can’t review a book that I haven’t finished. But, I didn’t really want to. The main character was SO unlikable! All she does is complain about other people and freak out over everything. Especially as someone who grew up overweight with low self-esteem, she just came off somewhat picky and judgemental.
I understand that she’s supposed to be commitment phobic, and that’s supposed to make her “quirky” but, she breaks up with people because “they have a pimple on their nose”, because “their dog licks their face”, etc. The most ridiculous of reasons. She’s whiny, she doesn’t really think of others, she treats these men who are going on these dates with her like they should know how privileged they are for being the chosen ones to go out on this “Last First Date” with her when all I could think was “… These poor guys. They could run… But, they’re not doing that. I feel sorry for whoever gets stuck with her!”
She also doesn’t seem to have any remorse for leading these guys on. I mean, they take her to nice places and plan this stuff for her and she doesn’t even bother to reach for her wallet or something when she knows she’s going to run off on them! If you’re going to be a jerk, you can at least pay for your meal yourself!
All I could picture is her strapping these guys to a big wheel like “The Price is Right” or “Wheel of Fortune” and spinning them, throwing darts to try to pick which will be “lucky” enough to be with her.
The guys were written pretty well. The attractive, level-headed, but artistic mortician Coleman, the cute, outdoorsy dog rescuer, Nash, and the sexy (but maybe not the brightest) body builder, Blaze. But, I just couldn’t get behind any of it.
Dare I say it? I think "Three Last First Dates" was my favorite book of this series. But just as you are guaranteed to savor every crumb regardless of which pastry you choose to eat at the Cozy Café, having a favorite book in O’Keeffe’s series in no way diminishes how much I enjoyed the first two books. It’s not my favorite just because there are puppies. Not that that hurts…
Marissa is a compelling heroine, and her methodology for choosing/rejecting her three last first dates is so spot on for her character. Like any character in need of a happy ending, she has more to learn and to experience than she had counted on before she can reach her HEA, which creates an engaging plot. Despite there being a thread of continuity between the books in this series, each novel can be read as a standalone. You could start reading the series with Book Three. But like those pastries, it’s impossible to stop after only one!
I voluntarily reviewed this book after receiving an ARC.
3 Last First Dates Marissa has made a pact with her friends make a pact to marry the next guy they each date. She decides to have 3 first dates in one day to better her odds and the dates get to pick the place to show her more about themselves.
Date 1 is with Coleman who happens to reminds her of Matt Damon and is a flirtatious mortician(what that can't be right….. he works with dead people). But he looks like and flirts so well in the produce section.
Date 2 is with Nash the “dreamy” construction worker who reminds her of Kit Harrington. He tells her to bring sensible shoes and to meet him at the beautiful seaside park Meola Reef.
Date 3 is a guy nicknamed Blaze, aka Neville. No wonder he goes by Blaze, but why Blaze? Who she met at a swanky men's wear store. He reminds Marissa of Matthew McConaughy. She's meeting him at O'Dowd's for drinks.
Marissa decides on one of these hunky men and has several dates with him. But, queue the Dun, Dun, Duuunnnn enter Eddie The Ex (she thought he would be the ONE until he broke her heart 7 years ago who is now engaged). But now he's saying he's made a mistake and wants her back.
Marissa has a big choice to make choose her new boyfriend who makes her feel oh so great or “the One who got away.” This story had me wondering what would happen next. I wanted to make the choice for Marissa, but she had to find out what she really wanted and figure out who she really was. It's all a journey and its has a lot to do with the destination. But it also has to do with the adventures you have along the way.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. This is the first book I've read in the “Cozy Cottage Café” series by Kate O’Keeffe. Now I just have to go back and read the others.
Commitment phobe Marissa Jones agrees to a pact with her best friends to marry the next guy she dates after she finds out her ex Eddie, the love of her life, got engaged. To increase the odds of meeting The One, Marissa dates three guys in one day, then chooses one of the three to date. Things go well and Marissa is sure her new boyfriend is the guy for her ... that is, until she sees Eddie. Not only is Eddie not engaged any more, he's still in love with Marissa and regrets leaving her because she's The One and wants to get back with her. Marissa makes her decision and then realises she made a big mistake. What has she done? The guy she dumped was The One and she needs to fix it. Will she be able to get him back or is it too late?
Kate O'Keeffe delivers a funny, agnsty and drama-filled story that will have you rooting for the hero and heroine
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book
הספר השלישי בסדרת "Cozy Cottage Cafe" על החברות קאסי, פייג', מאריסה וביילי, שעושות ביניהן הסכם שהדייט הבא שלהן יהיה הדייט הראשון האחרון שלהן - כי זה יהיה הדייט עם בן זוגן לעתיד (המטרה היא לא לצאת לדייטים סתמיים אלא רק עם גברים שיש סיכוי גבוה שהם מתאימים להן). מאריסה הבררנית יוצאת לשלושה דייטים ביום אחד, ולאחריהם מחליטה לתת צ'אנס לאחד הגברים שפגשה, בלחץ חברותיה, ואכן מסתמן שזהו הגבר בשבילה. אבל אז חוזר לחייה בפתאומיות האקס המיתולוגי שלה וטורף את כל הקלפים... מותק של ספר. אסקפיזם כיפי ובכלל אחלה סדרה. אני ממשיכה ישר לספר הרביעי והאחרון.
Loved the romance. Reading Marissa's story was great fun from the very beginning. Her idea of dating three men on the same day to increase her chances of finding Mr. Right was hilarious. The return of her ex at that time was unexpected. The story was completely enjoyable and funny. Loved it.
Another Cozy Cottage Cafe book means more friends, more romance, more cake and this time puppies! This time around its Marissa's turn to find love as she gives three last first dates a try, each one with a uniquely different potential suitor. Like I said for Book 2, you don't need to read the first one but after this, I really want to, to find out more about the pact between the girls. Kate O'Keeffe does it again with another sweet romantic read of friendship and first dates.
I agree with Marissa - one date is just not enough but three dates in one day, that is adventurous! The three gentlemen that Marissa chooses all bring something different to the table. The ex-curveball frustrated me because there is a reason someone is in the past so the past needs to stay there - silly Marissa! A fun romantic comedy to read lounging on a couch by the fire!
Who doesn't love hearing about dating disasters - as long as they are not happening to you? This group of outgoing, intelligent single women has had enough of the dating scene, especially first dates. So they form a pact that the next "first date" each goes on will be their last. So far, for Cassie and Paige this pact has turned out well. Marissa is much more skeptical so instead of one final first date, she schedules THREE for all on one day.
Marissa carefully, she believes, does her homework and checks out the guys ahead of time. They are a varied selection. However when she sits down for a brief meal with each, she finds herself focusing on perceived flaws. Having to choose the least objectionable, after discussion with her girlfriends, Marissa agrees to give one man a second date - that is, IF she hasn't blown her chance. Will he give her a second date?
I wasn't convinced she deserved her second chance and when she makes a HUGE mistake I wanted to slap her. She starts out being so sweet and seemingly vulnerable and there were points in this story that I truly disliked her! I will give the author one point in her favor. I am an animal lover and treat my dogs like kids but Kate O'Keeffe even had me gagging with some descriptive passages.
So this is a story where you are not sure who you are rooting for except the dogs. For a moment I had a slight fear that one of those dogs, rather a puppy, was going to break my heart.
This is a love story of multiple levels. It is rom-com, good clean romance, a story of friendship and opportunity. I had fun with it, even when Marissa made me angry. I look forward to reading more about all of the couples and perhaps speed dating!
The Blurb : When it comes to men, Marissa Jones is totally committed to not being committed. One major heartbreak is enough for her. Against her better judgment, Marissa agrees to a pact with her friends to marry the next guy she dates. But she isn't going to take any chances. For her, it's a numbers game, and one last first date just isn't enough. So, she ups the ante--three first dates with three very different guys, all in one day. But can any of these men live up to her high standards? Despite a few bumps in the road, from the three, she chooses The One. That is until the motorcycle-riding ex she never got over turns up, changing everything. In the end, do you choose love or does love choose you?
My Thoughts : Three Last First Dates is the third book in the Cozy Cottage Cafe series. Although it can be read as a standalone you really need to read the first two books as you get to know the charactors and it adds to the enjoyment of the series. In this book we centre around Marissa Jones. Having had her heart broken by ex boyfriend Eddie years ago, Marissa now has a fear of commitment. Marissa, makes a pact wih her best friends Paige and Cassie to go on three last dates, and to find her happy ever after. After dating Coleman, Blaze and Nash , she decides Nash was the best of the bunch. Just as things seem to be going great, in walks Eddie stating he wants her back and to give their relationship another go. What will Marissa do?. And can she love again?. This story will have you smiling and Laughing. It will leave you wanting cake as we enjoy yummy delights from The Cozy Cottage Cafe once again. I loved getting to know Marissa much better and loved seeing how the best friends interacted and supported each other. I have really enjoyed this series by Kate O’Keeffe and cant wait for the next book.
This is a cute book, a definite fun read that I'll be happy to share with my friends and family. The comedy is great, and the way Marissa has her realization stinks, but at least she has it. I'm voluntarily reviewing an advanced reader copy of this book. Marissa and her friends' pact of her finding "the one" in her last date was funny, especially with the shenanigans she went through. I'll be honest, her last date was definitely my choice, but the girl is crazy. When she's finally found her happy, the ex from hell comes back into the picture and ruins it all. I'll be honest, I don't like that man...at all.
Marissa was afraid to commit because seven years ago Eddie broke her heart. So she made a pact with her best friends to give it one more try to have three dates to see if she could find the one. She went on three dates and found the third with Nash to be the best of the three. Everything was going fine until her ex Eddie came back into her life and said he wanted her back. At work things were in the drama stage. She had a new employee shadowing her and turn against her in the end. What to do. It is a clean read and a quick read. I loved the friendships Marissa had with her best friends, there was true friendship, support and loyalty. I also liked how Marissa handled each of her problems with Nash, Eddie and at work. Very commendable. A good read.
This perfect weekend/holiday read begins with commitment phobic Marissa and her friends at their favourite café; eating cake, drinking coffee and discussing her mildly bonkers decision to date three different guys (brunch, lunch and dinner) in the same day in order to find ‘The One’.
In this brilliantly written, sweet, romantic comedy, we discover the course of true love does not indeed run smooth, but despite a blast from the past throwing a spanner in the works, and with the help of a litter of puppies all’s well that ends well.
If you’ve read any of Kate’s books before, you will know they are fun, romantic and written with an outstanding turn of phrase. This one is no exception.
Three Last First Dates by Kate O'Keeffe is the 3rd book in the Cozy Cottage Cafe series, and a really fun book. Three friends are sick of dating the wrong man and make a pact to marry the next guy they date. This book contains Marissa Jones's story, and she schedules three dates in one day to find her forever man. If you enjoy fun romantic comedies, I recommend this book and this series. I laughed and giggled my way through this book. I will definitely read this author again.
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book.
This is the 1st book l have read from this author and l loved it.
Marissa has commitment phobia, she makes a pact with her friends that the next guy she dates she will marry. She organises 3 dates on one day. Does she choose one of those 3 guys or does someone come back from her past?
Kate O’Keeffe did it again: she wrote another pageturner! I really loved it. Totally makes you feel good. I highly recommend this book if you’re in the mood for a fun, light-hearted romantic comedy!
I received a complimentary copy of this book and voluntarily posted an honest review.
This is a very cute, humorous story but in trying to keep things that way, the author skimmed over very important parts that would have made the book truly shine. Thus, no real connection with the characters. Leaving it as a surface story only.
This is a really cute romance. A young woman is deeply effected by her boyfriend’s rejection. Seven years later, she finally decides to take a chance on finding love again. HEA with some unexpected twists and affection from Lucky.
What an outstanding short story Marissa has gone on three different first and last dates. Totally impossible to stop reading until you’re finished. Can make anyone’s day.
When Marissa has difficulty with commitment imagine what it's like to go on Three Last First Dates! She has an agreement with her friends from The Cozy Cottage Cafe', so there's no backing down. I enjoyed Marissa's personal and professional growth in this book. I laughed and even shed a few tears. This is my favorite in this series, but who knows what Kate O'Keeffe has planned next.
4.5 stars. A well written story that had laughs, cries and warm fuzzies. Told from the 1st person viewpoint of the h Marissa. I enjoyed the story, however I had a little trouble connecting with the H. Overall, a good novel. *I received an ARC of this book from Hidden Gems and this is my voluntary and honest review.
I am a big fan of the Cozy Cottage Café series and just loved "Three Last First Dates"! This time around we learn about Marissa, in another really sweet and funny story. Oh, and I like the way she her suitors remind her of Hollywood celebs :) I love Kate O'Keeffe's style and this is a great book to read and enjoy on one of these chilly autumn nights. I got an ARC and voluntarily reviewed this book.
I voluntarily read the arc copy of this book. What a great love story. The story of Marissa and Nash was very good, until the ex showed up. What will she do? Anyways you have to read the book to figure it out.
A bunch of dogs, a good looking man and enough hilarity to have you laughing for good. This book is great. Not only do you see the transformation but you get to imagine the beautiful dogs too!
Sweet, funny romance. I really enjoyed this story, laughing and groaning through the “last first dates.” I haven’t read the prior books in this series, but that didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the story and now I have 2 other books to read in order to play catch-up
I received an advanced reader copy of this book and voluntarily provided this review