Hanging at the Cut n' Curl

Welcome to Last Chance
Last Chance #1
Hope Ramsay
Released March 1st, 2011
332 Pages
Grand Central Publishing
Source: Reviewer Purchased

Dear Reader,

Yes, our town is way off the beaten path, but strange, wonderful miracles happen a lot around here.

I've owned the Cut 'n' Curl beauty shop for years, and I've seen folks come for a visit, then stay for a lifetime. Take Jane-that pretty firecracker of a girl who just arrived in town. I would swear she's running from something. She came with only five dollars in her pocket but she's worked real hard to make a fresh start. She's turned my son Clay's life upside down without even realizing it.

And thank goodness for that! Ever since Clay left his country western band, he's played everything too safe. He needs to take a chance on Jane. Besides, the more he tries to keep his distance, the more he'll realize that he and Jane are singing the same tune.

But I should quit ramblin' and go check on Millie's permanent wave. Next time you're in Last Chance, be sure to swing by. We've got hot rollers, free coffee, and the best gossip in town.

See you real soon,

Ruby Rhodes

What a GREAT beginning to what looks to be a fun, small-town series, with characters that capture your hearts and have you wishing Last Chance, South Carolina actually existed.  A few chapters into Welcome to Last Chance and I was sucked in, I simply loved it, reminded me so much of Susan Elizabeth Phillips earlier books when her characters practically jumped off the pages.

From the first page I LOVED Clay Rhodes...well Clayton P., but only his Momma or Jane can call him that.  He is so much more than your typical bad-boy and has a huge heart that carries a lot of pain and a lot of worry, but things are different when he gets around Wanda Jane Coblentz, or just Jane, or if you want you can call her Mary Smith, cause that's what her license says. 

Yes, there is that much drama going on, but you will be laughing, tearing up and saying...Seriously...Not another one!  But when Miriam tells you that a woman coming on the nine-thirty greyhound is your soul mate, you have no other choice but to listen.

The characters are amazing!!  Hope Ramsay sets a town with people who you want to be around, I simply loved every single one....well...I could do without Lillian Bray, but please don't let the word get out...She gives The Look and I don't want to be on the return end of that one!!  The perfect amount of secondary characters come into the story without being overwhelming, or annoying, and they enhance the romance instead of taking away from it. 

This book left me light-hearted and ready to gobble up the next book of the series.  The one person I am looking forward to reading about is Clay's brother, Stone, the handsome, all-too-serious town Sheriff...Can't wait to see who will be able to puncture the walls he has put up around his heart!! 

Great series so far, loving every moment, and I hope you will too!!  Highly recommended and I can't wait to read more about my new friends over in Last Chance.