Last First Kiss

Author:  Julian Winters Title:  Last First Kiss Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin Date Published: 01/27/2026

Read Dates: 12/26/2025- 12/27/2025
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 📖 I received a gifted e-book ARC. The following is my honest review✍🏻

Last First Kiss is a single POV friends-to-lovers romance. Jordan is happy with his career success, but is struggling in his romantic life. He goes on endless first dates but can’t seem to connect with anyone. The only person he’s ever really connected with was his friend Jamie, but after Jamie rejected him and told him he needed to figure himself out, Jordan has been hurt and confused. When a work event brings Jamie back into his orbit, Jordan is given an opportunity to explore his feelings and identity and finally chase his happily ever after!

This was a new-to-me author and I am so glad I requested this ARC. I loved Jordan and Jamie’s story, and especially Jordan exploring his identity as an adult, and the message that it’s ok not to have everything figured out as a teen or in college. I didn’t know this book would have Demi rep but I’m so glad it did! I will definitely read more from this author!

They say you never forget your first kiss. But Jordan Carter wishes he could forget the one he shared with Jamie Peters as teens. And the one they almost shared again last year before Jamie made it clear he wasn’t the “right” man for Jordan to be with while he’s figuring himself out.

Now, Jordan’s fully focused on his career at 24 Carter Gold, his family’s event planning company, and ready to move on - until his boss assigns him to plan a new client’s high-profile wedding. The bride’s man-of-honor? None other than Jamie.

As things ramp up the closer they get to the wedding, so does Jordan’s relationship with Jamie, with sarcastic asides turning into steamy hook-ups. But can Jordan afford to pursue Jamie if he’s still unsure who he is? Or is knowing who he loves enough? Venue shopping, cake-tastings, and dress fittings with the man he can’t forget just might change the man Jordan Carter is meant to become.