“The Last Resort” is Amanda Hewitt’s debut novel, a romance written confidently in the classic style. The main characters are a little older than is typical for a romance, allowing Hewitt to bring some unusual perspectives to bear.
Abbey Parker has been feeling a bit battered by life. Although she didn’t truly love her husband, it was still a shock when he left her for another woman. Soon after, her boss of twenty years retires. So Abbey’s taking her first holiday alone, knowing that she’s going back to a new boss, financial pressures, a pre-teen daughter, and the general pressures of life. So why shouldn’t she have a holiday fling with the gorgeous guy in the next room?
As it turns out, the answer is: because he’s her new boss. But Abbey doesn’t discover that until she’s back at work.
Nick didn’t know he was going to be her boss either, but he can cope. He’s always had strong boundaries, he knows he can’t fall in love, and besides, Abbey is so good at her job that he doesn’t want to risk losing her professionally.
But the heart wants what it wants, and neither Nick nor Abbey finds it easy to maintain a purely professional relationship.
I really enjoyed that both main characters were in their 40s. It gave some credibility to their wariness and romantic damage, and explained how they could be so incredibly capable and confident professionally and still not very together on the personal front. I appreciated characters who felt real and generally acted in a very believable way.
That said, sure, there are a few moments where I went “as if”. But you expect a few of them in a romance, and they generally emerge out of a need to keep the story moving and the focus on the main characters and their relationship. Being too committed to reality can bog a story down in details.
This is an assured first novel, and I don’t think I’d have picked it as a debut if I didn’t know.
This is an enjoyable and believable book which is likely to appeal both to romance readers and those who like contemporary novels in general.
A selection of our Beauty and Lace Club members are reading The Last Resort by Amanda Hewitt. You can read their comments below, or add your own review.
I’ve loved books for as long as I can remember, and I love sharing that joy.
I’ve been an avid reader for as long as I can remember, across all genres. There’s not much I won’t at least try. I’ve been an enthusiastic book reviewer for years. I particularly enjoy discovering writers new to me, and sharing good writing with others.
My career has included time spent writing and editing technical documents, but it’s fiction that really moves me. I’ve reviewed for a number of different outlets over the years, and have been a judge in literary competitions.
I’m now raising little bookworms of my own, which brings a whole new kind of joy to sharing books.
More of my reviews can be found on my review blog www.otherdreamsotherlives.home.blog .
As a first novel, this was very relatable, easy to read with a good laugh along the way. I read it in 2 days as I couldnt put it down. I thought it was going to be another, you know, boy meets girl, fall in love, have a fight, get back togetber blah blah but this was so much more. Im not sure the title did it justice, but the story gives confidence to the plus 40s putting themselves back out there, not on the shelf.
I absolutely adored Amanda Hewitt’s debut novel “The Last Resort”. I could not put it down and I was so obsessed with the storyline and characters I was counting down the hours till I finished work each day so I could pick it up again. I had it finished in 2 days as a result!
Abbey Parker – 42 – is in the Maldives alone on a holiday her ex-husband booked before her marriage of 13 years ended when he announced he was in love with someone else. Feeling a bit battered and bruised they all suggested Abbey take this break. Her sister Kate even messaged her “Abbey, remember even though you are 42 years old, you’re still bangable”. She decides to embrace the holiday with a bottle of complimentary champagne and a dip in the ocean. Next door is an uptight, workaholic Englishman – Nick Northby – 41 – who likes to holiday alone and not interact with anyone – he enjoys his own space and privacy.
Now Nick thinks Abbey is a damsel in distress who is swimming half-naked late at night, who is very tipsy and needs saving and the attraction is instant for the pair – it is a spark that brings them back together the following day and the rest of their holiday.
It was just meant to be a holiday fling – Abbey in Australia and Nick based in London and life goes on but real life gets in the way. Her new boss is her holiday fling Nick!
This story is delicious – the characters are just divine, especially Abbey’s Grandmother Iris. I found myself smiling, crying and feeling so many emotions – Abbey and Nick were real, flawed and loving, they had both loved and been hurt. Amanda wrote a book that reminded me of the Rom Coms of the past I loved watching which is why I think I loved it so much. The wit and rapport of the characters was fabulous. The story was told in dual points of view both Abbey’s and Nick’s, which I enjoyed. For me this will be one of my standout reads of 2026 – I loved it!!!
Thank you to Echo Publishing, Amanda Hewitt and Beauty and Lace for the opportunity to read and review this book. Trust me when I say I am telling everyone to pick it up.
Amanda Hewitt, has managed to produce a wonderful romantic story in the vein of ‘Pretty Woman.’ It’s definitely a feel good story, with a predictable though delightfully happy ending.
Abbey Parker is reeling from the dissolution of her first marriage and determined to enjoy a get away holiday without the pressure of holiday romantic flings. However, fate lands her in the path of Nick Northby, who is equally disenchanted with his romantic self and is determined to keep his heart closed to any entanglements.
Read it yourself to find out the details. It’s one of those books that keep you wanting to read further.
Congratulations, Amanda Hewitt! If this is your debut novel, then I for one cannot wait for the next one!