The Last Place You Look

April 1, 2020
A woman returns to her hometown in upstate New York after being unceremoniously dumped by her wife. Julia Pierce moved to New York City after a whirlwind courtship and marriage in her early 20s. Eight years later, she has no choice but to return home after her wife leaves her for a personal trainer. Although Julia worked on and off throughout her marriage, she now realizes how eagerly she sacrificed her own goals and dreams to make her wife happy. Once back in town, Julia meets up with old classmate Taylor Winslow, not realizing Taylor had a crush on her back in high school. Taylor lives simply, woodworking and making custom furniture that she sells throughout New England. Julia and Taylor have different relationship goals, so they ignore their chemistry and strike up a tentative friendship. Julia is determined to get back into the dating game and enjoy a few casual flings; Taylor is more interested in a committed, long-term relationship. Rey carefully develops a believable and poignant story arc for Julia. She realizes that even though her divorce was painful and humiliating, the real tragedy was losing her sense of her own identity and ambition. After Taylor asks Julia to help photograph a local wedding, Julia realizes she has a talent for photography. Taylor's arc is more subtle but is still deftly handled. She is confident in her work and place in the world, but as her friendship with Julia slowly evolves into love, she's afraid to fully reveal her feelings. The romance is satisfying and full-bodied, with each character learning how to achieve her own goals and still be part of a couple. A heartwarming story of two lovers learning to move past their fears and commit to a shared future.

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