“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!
The Last Resort by Amanda Hewitt is about Abbey Parker who is on her 40’s and on her first holiday abroad after her marriage ended. On her first night there she runs into Nick Northby who is on his annual holiday and feels he has to rescue Abbey. They are drawn to each other and spend most of their holiday together, planning to part after. This becomes a bit harder as Nick is Abbey’s new boss at Delacqua Hotels. He’s a lot more serious at work and Abbey has other priorities such as her daughter and family. Nick like providing boundaries and then has a way of stepping over them. Can they overcome their challenges and have a chance at happiness together? I really enjoyed this book and was wanting Abbey and Nick to sort through their issues from the beginning. Then there were all the other players on both sides who completed the picture and made me fall for this book all the more. I also liked that the characters were a bit older and that life did not always go their way. This made it more realistic and relatable for all. Thoroughly recommend – what a great debut.
This book was romance and adventure and was just a lot of fun to read. Some pages were bittersweet while other pages were so funny, I read them again.
It was refreshing to read about characters who are not too young and are experiencing love and the ups and downs associated in a relationship. They are honest and try for things to work out, which sometimes happens and sometimes does not.
It was good and refreshing to read a realistic romance story. And I love the title of the book and how it relates to what’s happening in the book.
Wow, this debut book from the author Amanda Hewitt really was hilarious from the first page and had me hooked. Definitely one of those page turners and you just couldn’t stop reading. Every page would hold my attention.
The story revolves around Abbey Parker who at 42 is dumped by what she thought her perfect husband after 13 years of marriage and one child called Ella was her only joy in life along with her sister Kate and the most amazing grandmother whose character is someone I wished had been my grandmother. It’s not hard to love this lady with all her wisdoms.
To get away from work and her marriage breaking down, Kate heads to the Maldives for some relaxation and it is here we meet the very handsome Nick Northby who also happens to be holidaying there.
Without giving too much away on how they actually meet, let’s just say you will be romantically swooned into their togetherness. Amanda scripted the love in this book with so much passion that I was getting hot under the collar and swooning. She really captured every storyline with gusto as well.
I absolutely loved the storyline of would they get together, yes, they would and then no, it can’t happen. It really kept you on your toes. Nick ended up being her boss in the hotel business where she worked.
This book has everything in it from having funny innuendos, family problems, relationships, friendships, and there is sadness where I shed tears.
Thank you to Beauty & Lace and Echo Publishing for sending me this book to read. I am sure this won’t be the only book Amanda writes as she has such a flare for writing that captures your attention. Plus she has a great first name as well.
What a cracking debut from Amanda Hewitt! The Last Resort is light hearted, funny and relatable all while tackling heavier subjects like divorce and middle age problems, not features often enough in fiction, particularly romance! While there are a few far fetched moments, these are easily forgotten in favour of the sometimes hilarious, tender and heartwarming vibes. Can’t wait to read more from this author.
Amanda Hewitt’s debut novel “The Last Resort” was a fantastic start to hopefully a long writing career.
It opens with Abbey Parker, a newly divorced mum who goes on holiday to the Maldives and while there meets Nick Northby. The time they meet and spend together on holidays, stays with them as they return to their “real lives” only to find that there holiday romance did not end on the island.
While navigating their feelings, real life situations and their new relationship status of owner of the company and valued employee within the company, the story provides those opportunities to get to know each other on a deeper level, whilst navigating their changing and deepening feelings for each other.
The story was easy to read, thanks in part to the writing and how the characters were introduced and described. I even took note of the pub suggestion as a place to visit next time I’m in Sydney!
Thanks for the opportunity to read this story. Thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to more in the future by Amanda Hewitt.