Least Likely Two

Better Than Ever #1

by Jill Westwood

He thinks they're soulmates. She thinks they're enemies. What could go wrong?

Hollister
When I walk into my twenty-fifth high school reunion, I have one mission: to prove to Ben Rose, my co-valedictorian and nemesis, that I've finally made it. I've got a high-profile PR client, a kickass daughter in college, and my two best friends at my side.

Suck it, Ben Rose.

Ben
There's only one person on my mental highlight reel from high school, the magnificent Hollister Moran. Bombshell redhead with a punk rock aesthetic and a beautiful brain.

The only problem? She hates me. Always has. To have a future with her, I have to confront the mistakes and secrets of the past, Melville High School, class of 1998. Wish me luck.

Least Likely Two is book one in the new seasoned romance series Better Than Ever. Love and laughter don't end at forty!

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Chick Lit, Ebooks

266 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 1, 2022

About the author

Jill Westwood is the author of romantic comedies featuring strong women and the sexy men who fall head-over-heels in love with them. She likes her books steamy, smart, and a little bit wacky. Her goal is always to make readers laugh and swoon.

Jill swam in a cenote in Mexico, summited a mountain in Nepal, and touched one of the standing stones in Wales. She now lives in North Carolina with her husband, two children, and the sweetest rescue dog in the world. She's a fan of Tottenham Hotspurs, chai lattes, Star Wars, and Jane Austen. If you can find a connection between these things, you're smarter than she is.

Reviews

[Katja · Rating 4 out of 5]

Back in high school, Hollister and Ben Rose used to compete fiercely. She thinks of him as her nemesis, but his memories of her are more pleasant, he thought that they brought out the best in each other. Now it's years later and they met at the reunion. They're both divorced with children, her daughter is an adult and he shares custody of his young daughters with his ex. Hollister has a bucket list that she doesn't call a bucket list and Ben is willing to try some of those things with her. Hollister feels conflicted because Ben seems like a nice guy now but she has a hard time giving up her old preconceptions of him. She always thought he was a snob who was born with a golden spoon in his mouth but it turns out that this wasn't entirely true. It was a pleasant read and the writing flows pretty well. I liked that the characters are a bit older but how is she still so hung up on things that happened in high school? I received a copy from Booksprout and this is a voluntary review.

[Helen Maddix · Rating 4 out of 5]

High School rivalry into adult confusion
Hollister Moran and Ben Rose were co-Valedictorians at their High School 25 years ago. Hollister didn’t like Ben for a number of reasons. Now, they have a rocky reconnection at their Class Reunion. Both have become successful adults. The story moves on from that point. I didn’t particularly like Hollister, she may show compassion to her small circle of friends, but none to others, especially Ben. Ben doesn’t realize how much Hollister disliked him in school, but he tries to bridge this divide between them.
I liked the concept of the story, but between Hollister’s continuing to try and keep her better self from coming out, and how the middle part of the book seemed to drag on and on, I couldn’t wait to get to the end. The writing and editing are good. I do plan on reading the next book in this series, and hope that if Hollister appears in this next book that her character is much less negative. I received an ARC of this book through BookSirens and this is my honest opinion.

[Sami • thebookishthrifter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a cute book!! Super quick read and I loved how it showed both POVs. Ben and Hollister’s relationship was relatable and easy to love. I found myself smiling and giggling a lot throughout reading it. Definitely recommend!

I received an ARC for free from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[•Alexandria• · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I say each time, we all have different opinions so my review may or may not be the same as yours and that's completely okay.

It was a cute little read. I did have to kind of struggle somewhat though. I do like slow burns, I read it all but I was just having a difficult time reading it. Whether that was the start of a reading slump or it just not being "that" for me,  I'm not sure but it's a cute enough read. If I had to recommend it, I'd recommend it 2.5/5 times.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a charmer! I'm a sucker for second chance romance, and Hollister and Ben scratched that itch well! High school rivals who re-meet at a high school reunion and find that the sparks between them are different now. The good kind of different.

Very much enjoyed this "later in life" romance and look forward to more by this author!

[Gillian Z · Rating 3 out of 5]

I will say what sets this book apart from other romance novels is that the characters are middle aged, but trust me they still act like teenagers and remind you constantly of their teenage rivalry. I’ve read a fair share of cringe worthy books, and this one might take the cake (and I once read a romance novel that referred to orgasms as “unicorns”). The “yolo list” was the major plot of the book because it was constantly brought up, but nothing really ever got scratched off the list.

[D. Rivera · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good read. I really like Ben and Hollister. They had chemistry and things to work itself out with. It was refreshing to read a story where the couple is in their 40's. I would like to see more of these characters and the friends. I ready for book 2. Must read. I will read more from Jill.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was cute. I love a good romcom and this one was good. I really liked Ben, he was adorable. I had issues with Hols because she was so, I don't know, negative I guess. Negative is a great way to describe her. It was kind of like she was the grumpy to Ben's sunshine in a way. Her personality the entire time was all, "it's been 25 years but I should still hate him because he pulled my pigtails and called me names." It was a little lame for such a strong woman. I feel like she could have moved past it quicker than she did. I know she struggles with it the whole time but I liked Ben so much I just wanted her to get over it, haha! Don't get me wrong, I still loved the book as a whole and the HEA, I just wasn't as big of a fan of Hollister. I was Team Ben the whole time - even when the big mistake (you know the one in every romance) happened.

I also took more interest in the side characters than in Hollister (that sounds bad but, in truth, I just didn't connect with her and that isn't a bad thing in my opinion). I can't wait for Aaron's book, and I think Bridget's will be interesting too. Both of the other standalones in this series were setup in this book in one way or another I feel like. Seems like Aaron's book will be next since it was referenced a bit more and I am happy with that. Aaron was my favorite character in this book actually, and he was just a regularly mentioned side character!

There weren't a lot of spelling or grammatical errors so if that is a problem for you, you will be taken care of here. (I would like to mention that it's not an issue for me and I just correct it in my mind as I read, and move on. I just mention it here because I know many readers get upset with a lot of mistakes in a book - makes it hard for them to read. You won't have that issue with this book.)

I think I would have liked to see Ben interact with his girls more. I also wonder about Courtney drama (since she was introduced as a drama queen in the beginning of the book). I have a feeling that Courtney would be jealous of Hols since Ben is a better version of himself with her. I actually expected that to be the drama that breaks them for a while toward the end of the book and it wasn't. I was surprised! I think too, I would have liked a more thorough explanation as to why Zoe was so upset with her mom being with Ben. It was sort of explained by Hols that it was the idea of separation from her mom but I think I would have liked it more if the explanation came from Zoe. Makes it seem like Hols just assumes that is the issue (and she is probably right but still...). I also feel like that reaction was a little unfair on Zoe's part but I get it because kids and their feelings can be unfair. I'm a mom, I get it.

All in all, I really liked this book and I would for sure recommend it!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. These opinions are my own and I want to say that I appreciate this author and her story so much. It's rare to get a story about 2 people reconnecting after turning 50 years old. I really enjoyed it!

[Allie]

I’ve gotten into Seasoned Romances a lot lately. Probably because I have the romantic cynicism of a 40-year-old. There’s a lot to be said for those who have been there, done that, and ain’t buying into the bullshit. Which is basically how Hollister is.

She got pregnant young. Got married. Got divorced. Raised her child mostly on her own and isn’t going to settle down for the sake of being in a relationship like so many twenty-somethings do. She’s been through the trenches of parenthood and came out the other side and is now focusing on herself.

Meanwhile Ben is still in the trenches. He’s got two girls who he doesn’t really understand how to be a parent to. While the general stereotype annoys me, it’s a stereotype for a reason so I let that slide.

I loved the rivals to lovers storyline. Hollister, years after graduation, is still driven to prove herself to her high school rival at the school reunion. Meanwhile, her perceived rival is so anxious about asking out his high school crush he gets drunk and blows it (punk intended). Something about the whole thing is absolutely adorable (vomit notwithstanding).

Their push and pull was a great example of the fine line between opposites attract and two people who are just too different. There were some serious sparks along with some serious fighting which all added up to one great read.

YOLO
Hollister’s YOLO list, while super outdatedly titled, is definitely something I keep considering since reading it. It’s a list of things that she wants to do in a year. Things that scare her. Things that she’s never done and thinks she needs to experience. Kind of like a bucket list for the single year rather than an overall list to accomplish before kicking the bucket. And while I won’t call it a YOLO list, I am seriously considering doing something similar because we should all do more of the things that scare us.

I received an ARC of this book but the opinions are my own.

[Karina Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book. Most of the books I have read have protagonists in their twenties or thirties so it was refreshing to read about characters in their forties. I am not in that age range, but I related to the characters a lot. I like that Hollister strives to be independent and wants a career that she actually enjoys. The relationship with her adult daughter is also mentioned and although it’s not the main focus, I liked that we got to see their interactions. Hollister became a mom at a young age and is finally letting herself be happy with someone that is right for her. It does take her a while to accept that the person for her is her high school “nemesis” but the wait was worth it. Ben initially seems perfect, but we get to see that he has insecurities that relate to his upbringing. I was swooning when Ben mentioned he was in love with Hollister since high school. He is a great book boyfriend and I like that he has his own personality. In some books the male protagonist talks more about the love interest, but in this book we get to really know him. Their relationship develops at a good pace, especially their communication, and their reactions and emotions are realistic. They are both funny in their own way and it was fun to read about their moments together. I think it’s great that Hollister created a YOLO list because it is important to think about how life goes by quickly and sometimes we do not step out of our comfort zone. I really like the author’s writing style and I plan to read her other books.

[Topaz_Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

A later in life love story about high school rivals.

Synopsis: Hollister has always seen Ben Rose as an enemy. He and she were co-valedictorians, but he's the one that won the prestigious cash scholarship awarded to one senior every year. Ben thought Hollister and he brought out the best in one another, but he knew she hated him while he secretly admired her.

Fast-forward 25 years later to their high school reunion. Ben's divorced with two daughters, and Hollister's daughter is 21 and living on her own. Both single, Ben wants a try with the one woman who's always held a piece of his heart. Hollister is noticing for the first time that maybe her teenage nemesis is the one guy who could bring it all to the table - smarts, heat, and emotional stability. If only she can let the past go and truly embrace the "YOLO" lifestyle regarding her heart.

Review: I enjoyed this story. As a person who is now at a similar point in life, I've noticed a few of my own high school friends reconnecting with classmates romantically. I think its interesting that those four years of our lives shape us to the point that we continue to return to those memories, and those people, decades later. The difference between both Hollister and Ben's perception of those memories was fun to read and I liked the idea of creating a YOLO list of twelve things that push you outside your comfort zone to make sure that you maximize your life's opportunities.

Read via Ebook - 4 stars - spicy

[sammi_reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Least Likely Two- I think any romcom chick lit reader needs to add it to their TBR. It's funny, adorable and the characters are distinct without the author trying to push a personality.

Plot: Ben and Hollister went to school together and were constant rivals. They meet again, both single, at their 25-year reunion. Ben makes it his mission to make Hollister give him a chance. What's a girl to do? Could their opposites attract romance ever work out long term?

Thanks to this "pants feelings" might become a regular phrase for me. I loved their YOLO missions (even though I firmly hate the term YOLO, sorry) and their differences. I even like that Ben brought her a salad instead of cake, like I'd hope any prince would know to do for me. His awkwardness was adorable and Hollister was very real. Her worn out clothes, messy way of pulling things off- I felt like I knew her or could be her.

This is an opposites attract second chance mature romance. I absolutely loved it as much as I thought I would. I think it should be added to anyone's TBR who is a chick lit or romance reader. It's an adorable romcom with potential for spinoff from other side characters, friends of Hollister. I will keep reading!

One of the big things in this was Hollister's YOLO list. I hate the word YOLO, but love bucket lists. I haven't made one since my early 20s and I was surprised to find I did quite a few things on it- seeing the Biolumenescent Bay, skydive, scuba with sharks... But what would I put on it as an adult? Most everything I thought of were things I wanted to experience as a family, but I need to start thinking of me as an individual, not only the mom. So I'm making a family bucket list and a personal one, inspired by this book :)

Definitely don't skip this read.

[Rheanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Least Likely Two by Jill Westwood
🌟🌟🌟/5

High school rivals reconnect years later at a school reunion. Will previous bad connections prevent sparks from flying after all these years?

This book was cute! I loved how relatable the characters were, and that they were in their mid 40s as opposed to the young leads that I'm used to. This book had a multiple POV, with both Hollister and Ben having a chance to tell their side of the story. I loved the enemies-to-lovers plot, but I do think it was too much of a slow burn for me. I had a hard time finishing the book towards the end, because many of the scenarios felt monotonous. Although I loved that the characters weren't super young, I think I had a hard time relating to them. Overall, fun read that I think many people could enjoy and relate to!

Huge thank you to Booksirens for providing me with a free, advanced copy in exchange for an voluntary, honest review ☺️

Bookstagram: rheanna_reads

[Jenni Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

For me this is a 3.5 stars out of 5 but for the sake of a rating above I rounded up to 4. This is a rom com, second chance romance between two people, Hollister and Ben who reunite later in life. They are both in their 40's with different relationships history and both have kids, of vastly different ages. This book brings the representation. Hollister is a single mother in her 40's who's curvy and independent and Ben loves her as she is. I enjoyed the opening of the story, part of the middle felt repetitive with Hollister almost unable to believe that someone can change from who they were as a teen to an adult.

If you are looking for spice it is MILD. There is some sexual description and activity between two consenting adults but it really amounts to fade to black on a couple of occasions and for this smutty die hard it was tough to swallow. But if you are into that and want sweet and sassy please give this a try

[RedReviews4You Susan-Dara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny and Poignant are two terms that at the start don't feel like they go together for a romantic comedy. Usually stores are either drama with moment of levity or slapstick with one comment at the end that tracks on a larger theme. However, Westwood hit this mark and truly "knocks it out of the park". The premise of this book makes you think and wonder about decisions and assumptions that you have made and the ones that have been made about you. At the same time, this book keeps a solid honours presence and gives you laugh out loud moments and an HEA.

This is a great stand alone book and one that sets the stage for a great series. I can't wait to see what We stood has in store for me in Book 2 which I will pre-order as soon as it goes live.

Grab a cup of your favorite and settle in...once you start reading you will not want to put this down.. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lyndi (mibookobsession) · Rating 4 out of 5]

They were co- valedictorians in high school, always super competitive, but while Ben thought they brought out the best in each other, Hollister always saw him as her nemesis. Ben held on to his crush long after graduation, and now at their 25 year reunion, he's drinking to try and calm his nerves. When she takes pity on his drunken state, Ben takes it as an opportunity to finally ask her out. But even though he rescued her back and her attitude has softened toward him, Hollister still doesn't trust him to be more than friends... if only her attraction to him would go away.
This was a cute enemies to lovers later in life romance. I absolutely loved Ben. He's got that sexy nerd thing going on! I thought Hollister's hatred and distrust of Ben to be a little over the top even after he proved to be a good friend though. I'm glad they got their HEA.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Bookishdays · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Hollister and Ben Rose are couple goals.

Hollister and Ben Rose were rivals during high school. They reconnect in a school reunion many years later. Both attended to show how successful their lives became, even if they are struggling in the romantic department.

They start to see each other after the reunion and became friends and really attracted to one another. Ben and Hollister have great chemistry and the banter is very funny.

I especially love Hollister personality and her punk attitude. She is strong minded and independent. It was fun to understand that their personalities were basically the same as when they were in high school but with the struggles of adult life.

This book is fantastic! It is romantic, fun and emotional at the same time. It was one of my favourite readings this year.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[D · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a cute and quick read! Least Likely Two follows Hollister and Ben. In Hollister’s opinion, she and Ben were enemies all throughout high school. In Ben’s opinion, he and Hollister pushed each other to be the best they could be. He also had a huge crush on her but shhh Hollister doesn’t know that. This book picks up at their high school reunion. They are both successful in their fields (Hollister works in PR and Ben is a doctor). Their reunion sparks a chance for them to move on from their high school rivalry. This was such a cute second chance romance. Ben and Hollister were real characters, they had flaws, and it’s so important to showcase characters with flaws. No one’s perfect. There were times where I thought that the pacing was a little off, but overall the book is pretty amazing. I revived an ARC for free by Booksirens and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🔥🔥🔥
Least Likely Two kicks off with enemies Hollister and Ben reuniting at their high school reunion. Or at least she thinks they’re enemies. Ben, on the other hand, thinks they’re destined for love and quickly decides to prove it to her. In the events that follow, the two begin to grow closer and must learn to open their minds and their hearts to the possibility that the person we are in high school isn’t necessarily who we become.

This was my first read from Jill Westwood, but it definitely won’t be my last! I loved Jill’s writing and her ability to create characters who are relatable. I love that her characters have real bodies and had to work through some “ish” from the past before they could progress to the future.

Thank you to Book Sirens and Jill Westwood for the free advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the guy you hated in high school shows up to your reunion and then keeps appearing everywhere you are, what do you do?

Hollister and Ben had a strong rivalry in high school. So when Hollister goes to her reunion hoping to see another classmate and potentially start something up with him, she's surprised to see Ben and all the emotions he brings out in her from their time in high school. When he start appearing in her life, she starts to realize those perceptions she had about him might not have been accurate.

I liked this book even if I wasn't the target demographic. It was fun to read about an older couple finding love again. I really enjoyed the writing and the pace was quick. It was such an easy read and totally worth adding to your TBR if you're looking for something lighthearted.

I received an ARC via BookSirens for an honest review.

[Lisa Benison · Rating 5 out of 5]

High School Rivalry (and Crush?) Take Two!

This was a fun quick read from a new (to me) author. I enjoyed that the characters were now in their 40's and had actually lived a bit, have serious careers, children and "real-life" problems. It was also amusing that it took Hollister so long to see past their "high-school personas". The dialog (and their inner dialog) was witty and funny as were some of the situations they found themselves in, and ultimately I really liked Ben and Hollister and liked them for each other. They had a great group of friends supporting them so I hope there will be more coming in the series. Enjoy!

I received a free ARC of this book and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute funny story, Hollister tries so hard to hate her HS nemesis but can't help falling for him in the end. Ben's always had a thing for her but didn't show it well in HS, he's matured and is ready to convince Hollister that he is the one for her. The only thing I didn't like about this book is that both characters are introduced as divorced parents but the kids are only inserted a couple of time to make a point. They don't feel like parents most of the time and just a couple of altered scenes could have removed their kids completely without changing the story. As a parent myself this felt wrong, but I was able to look past it and enjoy the story none the less. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[K_IndieWoods · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free ARC of Least Likely Two from BookSirens and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.

Least Likely Two by Jill Westwood Is a fun, playful enemies to lovers/ later in life romance. I really enjoyed this quick read. The MCs of this story are old high school rivals who are meeting up again at their HS reunion. Both are secretly looking forward to the encounter, one to show off their success the other for a second chance with a long held secret crush. This book was easy to read and the character development was great. My only complaint is that it was over too quickly.

I rounded up from 3.5 Stars to 4 because I just loved all the supporting characters and can't wait to read their stories too. This was my first book by Jill Westwood and it's safe to say I'm an instant fan.

[Claudia, Cmarie927 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is 100% adorable!

I really liked this one!

This author is new to me and I am glad I took the chance on this one. Her style of writing is easy to enjoy and the pages turned themselves. The back and forth between these characters made me smile!

I appreciated the fact that these characters were older and more established people, and they had regular lives to work their relationship around. I loved their second chance story. This made their HEA even sweeter!

Even though this is my first read from this author,
I feel confident in recommending this author and this read. I will certainly be reading more from her.

I received my ARC from Booksirens and am voluntarily leaving my review.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, enjoyable ride
Easy, enjoyable read with tons of witty banter and a number of lines and situations that will have you laughing out loud.
I loved that this was a romance between Hollister and Ben, a couple in their forties, divorced, with kids and figuring out life and love .
She's fiesty, fiercely independent and anything but normal, he is totally adorable and their love story will crack you up as much as make you swoon.
Their YOLO lists may also encourage you to put your kindle down and do something out of your comfort zone!
Thank you Ms. Westwood for the enjoyable ride this story was.

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a neat opposites attract sort of story! I also had to smile at how life in high school reflected on many many years later is like seeing things through a different lens. Hollister and Ben certainly had a love hate history with all of the fun banter that went along with it. I felt particularly bad for Ben…. the more about himself that was revealed since high school, the more empathy I had for him. Hollister and her friends were frank and funny. I also really loved the YOLO lists - hilarious! Despite the clashes, It was wonderful to see the heartfelt revelations and overall HEA at the end.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sharon Leff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never too Old to Remind Self YOLO!

In the mid point of life, reunions, especially those often dreaded high school reunions, prompt self-reflection, nostalgia, reassessment, comparisons, and reconnection. Mid point is never too late or too early a time to set reminders about living, not just existing.

For the co-valedictorians of a small school, an academic rivalry often kept them divided, especially since neither fully knew about the other. However, time proves a generous gift allowing each to look back, while being in the present as they consider a future of possibilities.

Well done.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one caught my eye as the main characters graduated in 1998, same as me so I figured I’d be able to relate to their current life/age struggles. I enjoy a good enemies to lovers book and this one did not disappoint. I also enjoy first person with multiple pov’s and this one gave me two, Hollister and Ben. I would have liked to have seen more interaction between the couple and their respective children, but it is what it is. YOLO once, right?! Thanks to booksirens for allowing me to read and review this book for free.

[Ann Tosti · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun story of high school rivals meeting again at their 25 year reunion. They both have been married and divorced. They both have children from those marriages. She’s looking to live her best life, he wants to win over the woman he has loved for almost 30 years- he loved her, she only saw him as the enemy. It’s a pretty good story, learning each other now as adults instead of teenagers. As the story progresses, their relationship gets stronger, but also it and the time line seem to get more vague as well. It made for a bit of disconnect but I still liked the characters and their story.

[Jeanne Chepko · Rating 4 out of 5]

High School reunions can be so disappointing, but was Hollister's proving to be a second chance when she runs into her old nemesis Ben Rose? She couldn’t stand him, he had a hidden crush and one upped her at every chance… real feelings or uncomfortable teenage flirting.

Enjoyed the characters banter and the supportive friends, but Hollister’s second thinking her true feelings got a bit overwhelming.

Good funny moments and some passion to keep you engaged.

Fun read!

I received a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions in this review are my own.