The Last Place You Look Read online

  The Last Place You Look

  Synopsis

  Julia Pierce can think of nothing more humiliating than her wife of eight years leaving her for her personal trainer. Oh, wait. She can. Without a career or a place to go when that exact thing happens, she’s forced to move home and take a job at her family’s winery.

  Taylor Winslow has been in love with Julia since tenth grade. Not the desperate, pining sort, but the kind that never really went away. When Julia reappears, Taylor has a chance to finally win her heart. The only problem? Julia’s hell-bent on making up for lost time by dating every eligible lesbian in town.

  Signing on as Julia’s wingman may land Taylor in the friend zone for good, but it’s a gamble she’s willing to take. With Taylor in her corner, will Julia find love, and herself, where she least expects it?

  What Reviewers Say About Aurora Rey’s Work

  The Inn at Netherfield Green

  “I really enjoyed this book but that’s not surprising because it came from the pen of Aurora Rey. This is the kind of book you read while sitting by a warm fire with a Rosemary Gin and snuggly blanket.”—Les Rêveur

  “Aurora Rey has created another striking and romantic setting with the village of Netherfield Green. With her vivid descriptions of the inn, the pub, and the surrounding village, I ended up wanting to live there myself. She also did a fantastic job creating two very different characters in Lauren and Cam.”—Rainbow Reflections

  Lead Counsel—Novella in The Boss of Her

  “Lead Counsel by Aurora Rey is a short and sweet second chance romance. Not only was this story paced well and a delight to sink into, but there’s A++ good swearing in it and has lines like this that made me all swoony because of how beautifully they’re crafted.”—Lesbian Review

  Recipe for Love

  “Recipe for Love by Aurora Rey is a gorgeous romance that’s sure to delight any of the foodies out there. Be sure to keep snacks on hand when you’re reading it, though, because this book will make you want to nibble on something!”—Lesbian Review

  “So here’s a few things that always get me excited when Aurora Rey publishes a new book. …Firstly, I am guaranteed a hot butch with a sensitive side, this alone is a massive tick. Secondly, I am guaranteed to throw any diet out the window because the books always have the most delectable descriptions of food that I immediately go on the hunt for—this time it was a BLT with a difference. And lastly, hot sex scenes that personally have added to my fantasy list throughout the years! This book did not disappoint in any of those areas.”—Les Rêveur

  Autumn’s Light

  “Aurora Rey has a knack for writing characters you care about and she never gives us the same pairing twice. Each character is always unique and fully fleshed out. Most of her pairings are butch/femme and her diversity in butch rep is so appreciated. This goes to prove the butch characters do not need to be one dimensional, nor do they all need to be rugged. Rey writes romances in which you can happily immerse yourself. They are gentle romances which are character driven.”—Lesbian Review

  “Aurora Rey is by far one of my favourite authors. She writes books that just get me. …Her winning formula is Butch women who fall for strong femmes. I just love it. Another triumph from the pen of Aurora Rey. 5 stars.”—Les Rêveur

  “This is a beautiful romance. I loved the flow of the story, loved the characters including the secondary ones, and especially loved the setting of Provincetown, Massachusetts.”—Rainbow Reflections

  “[Autumn’s Light] was another fun addition to a great series.”—Danielle Kimerer, Librarian (Nevins Memorial Library, Massachusetts)

  “Aurora Rey has shown a mastery of evoking setting and this is especially evident in her Cape End romances set in Provincetown. I have loved this entire series…”—Kitty Kat’s Book Review Blog

  Spring’s Wake

  “[A] feel-good romance that would make a perfect beach read. The Provincetown B&B setting is richly painted, feeling both indulgent and cozy.”—RT Book Reviews

  “Spring’s Wake has shot to number one in my age-gap romance favorites shelf.”—Les Rêveur

  “The Ptown setting was idyllic and the supporting cast of characters from the previous books made it feel welcoming and homey. The love story was slow and perfectly timed, with a fair amount of heat. I loved it and hope that this isn’t the last from this particular series.”—Kitty Kat’s Book Review Blog

  “Spring’s Wake by Aurora Rey is charming. This is the third story in Aurora Rey’s Cape End romance series and every book gets better. Her stories are never the same twice and yet each one has a uniquely her flavour. The character work is strong and I find it exciting to see what she comes up with next.”—Lesbian Review

  Summer’s Cove

  “As expected in a small-town romance, Summer’s Cove evokes a sunny, light-hearted atmosphere that matches its beach setting. …Emerson’s shy pursuit of Darcy is sure to endear readers to her, though some may be put off during the moments Darcy winds tightly to the point of rigidity. Darcy desires romance yet is unwilling to disrupt her son’s life to have it, and you feel for Emerson when she endeavors to show how there’s room in her heart for a family.”—RT Book Reviews

  “From the moment the characters met I was gripped and couldn’t wait for the moment that it all made sense to them both and they would finally go for it. Once again, Aurora Rey writes some of the steamiest sex scenes I have read whilst being able to keeping the romance going. I really think this could be one of my favorite series and can’t wait to see what comes next. Keep ’em coming, Aurora.”—Les Rêveur

  Crescent City Confidential—Lambda Literary Award Finalist

  “This book blew my socks off. …[Crescent City Confidential] ticks all the boxes I’ve started to expect from Aurora Rey. It is written very well and the characters are extremely well developed; I felt like I was getting to know new friends and my excitement grew with every finished chapter.”—Les Rêveur

  “This book will make you want to visit New Orleans if you have never been. I enjoy descriptive writing and Rey does a really wonderful job of creating the setting. You actually feel like you know the place.”—Amanda’s Reviews

  “Crescent City Confidential pulled me into the wonderful sights, sounds and smells of New Orleans. I was totally captivated by the city and the story of mystery writer Sam and her growing love for the place and for a certain lady. …It was slow burning but romantic and sexy too. A mystery thrown into the mix really piqued my interest.”—Kitty Kat’s Book Review Blog

  “Crescent City Confidential is a sweet romance with a hint of thriller thrown in for good measure.”—Lesbian Review

  Built to Last

  “Rey’s frothy contemporary romance brings two women together to restore an ancient farmhouse in Ithaca, N.Y. …[T]he women totally click in bed, as well as when they’re poring over paint chips, and readers will enjoy finding out whether love conquers all.”—Publishers Weekly

  “Built to Last by Aurora Rey is a contemporary lesbian romance novel and a very sweet summer read. I love, love, love the way Ms Rey writes bedroom scenes and I’m not talking about how she describes the furniture.”—Lesbian Review

  Winter’s Harbor

  “This is the story of Lia and Alex and the beautifully romantic and sexy tale of a winter in Provincetown, a seaside holiday haven. A collection of interesting characters, well-fleshed out, as well as a gorgeous setting make for a great read.”—Inked Rainbow Reads

  “Winter’s Harbor is a charming story. It is a sweet, gentle romance with just enough angst to keep you turning the pages. …I adore Rey’s characters and the picture she paints of Provincetown was lovely.”—Lesbian Review

  “One of my all
time favourite Lesbian romance novels and probably the most reread book on my Kindle. …Absolutely love this debut novel by Aurora Rey and couldn’t put the book down from the moment the main protagonists meet. Winter’s Harbor was written beautifully and it was full of heart. Unequivocally 5 stars.”—Les Rêveur

  The Last Place You Look

  Brought to you by

  eBooks from Bold Strokes Books, Inc.

  http://www.boldstrokesbooks.com

  eBooks are not transferable. They cannot be sold, shared or given away as it is an infringement on the copyright of this work.

  Please respect the rights of the author and do not file share.

  The Last Place You Look

  © 2020 By Aurora Rey. All Rights Reserved.

  ISBN 13: 978-1-63555-575-2

  This Electronic Original Is Published By

  Bold Strokes Books, Inc.

  P.O. Box 249

  Valley Falls, NY 12185

  First Edition: April 2020

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission.

  Credits

  Editors: Ashley Tillman and Cindy Cresap

  Production Design: Susan Ramundo

  Cover Design By Tammy Seidick

  eBook Design By Toni Whitaker

  By the Author

  Cape End Romances:

  Winter’s Harbor

  Summer’s Cove

  Spring’s Wake

  Autumn’s Light

  Built to Last

  Crescent City Confidential

  Lead Counsel (Novella in The Boss of Her collection)

  Recipe for Love: A Farm-to-Table Romance

  The Inn at Netherfield Green

  Ice on Wheels (Novella in Hot Ice collection)

  The Last Place You Look

  Acknowledgments

  I have a running joke that, when you read one of my books, you’re getting a glimpse into what was going on in my life the year before. This one is no exception. This story might be the most personal to date, and it’s unabashedly my favorite. I’m so grateful to the people, places, and adventures that inspired it. For the first time, that gratitude extends to the cover. Thanks to Daniel for capturing my idea so brilliantly and for the day we had making it happen.

  I’m profoundly grateful, as always, to the crew at Bold Strokes Books. You’re the best colleagues a writer could ask for and I’m not embarrassed to say I love you and think of you as family. Ash, you continue to keep me on my toes and I don’t know what I’d do without you. Leigh, thank you for nudging me to be better.

  Finally, thank you to everyone who has given me the gift of buying and reading my books, and for the kind words and encouragement along the way. You’ve given me more joy than you know.

  Dedication

  For my real-life Taylor

  Chapter One

  Julia Pierce was home. Well, not home home, but her hometown: Kenota, New York. More specifically, her grandmother’s house, which would be home for the foreseeable future, since Meemaw had passed and her parents hadn’t sold it and she had nowhere else to go.

  It was a strange thing, having nowhere else to go. Now that she’d landed herself in such a predicament, she could see how inadvisable it was. Even though the spectacular end of her marriage hadn’t been her doing, she’d allowed herself to become dependent and complacent. Just thinking about it turned her stomach.

  She took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. No time for wallowing. She had a U-Haul to unload.

  She cut the engine of the truck and climbed down. She’d told her parents she would be arriving the next day, but found herself overwhelmed by the crushing need to escape the city. Well, that and the small fantasy of arriving without the welcome wagon waiting in the driveway. Her family meant well, but Christ, they could be a handful.

  The key remained under the front mat just as it had when Meemaw was alive. Julia let herself in the front door, only to be stopped in her tracks by the smell of her childhood: baby powder, lilac, and vanilla. The combination shouldn’t work, but it was so achingly familiar she couldn’t decide whether to laugh or to cry.

  “Julia Anne Pierce, you are not supposed to be here until tomorrow.”

  Julia closed her eyes and prayed for calm before turning to face her sister. “I was afraid everyone would make a fuss.”

  Caroline planted her hands on her hips. “Of course we’re making a fuss. You’re home.”

  Being right proved a small consolation. “I wanted to get settled in and have it not be a big deal.”

  Caroline’s angled head and look of exasperation matched her posture perfectly. “You can’t move back home and not have it be a big deal.”

  “I know.” She did. She could also long for a moment of privacy and what remained of her dignity.

  Caroline closed the distance between them and put a hand on her shoulder. “You okay?”

  The thing about her family was that they welcomed her with open arms, always. She loved them for that. It didn’t make them less overwhelming, or their brand of good intentions any easier to digest, but she could appreciate it was more than a lot of people had. “I will be.”

  With that, Caroline yanked her into a hug that made Julia feel all of twelve again. Back when Caroline was her fiercest defender. But also when Julia first learned needing a defender in the first place made her the lesser of the sisters, and not only because she was five years younger.

  “You have to come to dinner tonight. The kids will be so excited to see you.”

  She didn’t want to go to Caroline’s for a family dinner, but it would be casual and full of kid energy that would take the pressure off her. Better than sitting at her parents’ table and having their expectant faces staring at her the whole time. “If I can get everything unloaded, I will.”

  “You are not going to unload this truck by yourself.”

  Before Julia could argue, Caroline whipped out her phone and started texting furiously. Within minutes, Caroline’s husband and two of his buddies were en route to the house. She tried not to think about the state of the house, or the mismatched boxes and bags holding her relatively meager possessions. She tried not to think about being the woman in need of help or the woman coming home with her tail between her legs. She’d think about those things plenty, just not now.

  For now, she had impromptu movers and no idea where to put anything. She said as much to Caroline, who was more than happy to take charge. They walked through the house, noting corners and rooms where her things could be stacked. Truth be told, it was a relief not to have to make any decisions.

  A pickup pulled in behind her moving truck and three guys spilled out. One she recognized as Darren, Caroline’s husband. The other two were vaguely familiar, but she didn’t know them well. They didn’t ask about her sad tale or current situation. They swarmed the truck and had it completely empty in less than half an hour. How could she be anything but grateful?

  Caroline insisted on following her to return the truck so she wouldn’t have to walk home. After that and securing her promise to come to dinner at six, Caroline offered her another hug and left her to her own devices. Julia stood in the driveway for a moment before returning to the house.

  Much like the smell, everything in the house felt unchanged. Her family had done some cleaning and clearing after Meemaw’s death, but the essence of the house remained untouched. Julia wandered the rooms, trailing fingers along the back of the floral sofa and the polished banister leading up the stairs.

  Some of the furniture had been claimed for sentimental or practical reasons, but the essentials remained. The Formica table in the kitchen, the hutch full of china and crystal. The sofa and coffee table and massive box television from the
late nineties. The spare beds had found new homes with Caroline’s children, so only Meemaw’s room remained intact, complete with one of her handmade quilts.

  It might have felt strange to be staying in the bedroom that had been her grandmother’s. Yet, she’d spent the last two weeks alone in the bed she’d shared with Erica for close to eight years while Erica was in Rome with her new girlfriend, aka her personal trainer. It turned out strange was relative.

  Her mother had been by to clean, so there were fresh sheets and the space felt livable. She’d need to unpack and make some decisions, but that could wait a day or two. For the moment, she unpacked enough to shower and change for dinner at Caroline’s.

  She lingered under the hot spray, driving away the stiffness of hours driving the truck, and gave herself a pep talk. She had a roof over her head, a job lined up, and a family who cared about her. She was lucky.

  Even as she ran through all the things she had going for her, the less thrilling aspects of her situation loomed large. Her marriage was over. She had no meaningful career to support herself. She was back in her hometown after more than a decade in New York City because she literally had nowhere else to go.