End of Story by Kylie Scott (2023)

When Susie Bowen inherits a charming fixer-upper from her aunt, she’s excited to start living her best HGTV life. But when she opens the door to find that her contractor is none other than her ex’s best friend, Lars—the same man who witnessed their humiliating public breakup six months ago—she isn’t exactly eager to have anyone around whose alliance is with the enemy. But beggars can’t be choosers, and the sooner the repairs are done, the sooner she can get back to embracing singledom.

Things go from awkward to unbelievable when Lars discovers a divorce certificate hidden in a wall and dated ten years in the future—with both their names on it. It couldn’t possibly be real…could it? As Susie and Lars work to unravel the document’s origins, the impossibility of a spark between them suddenly doesn’t seem so far-fetched. But would a relationship between them be doomed before it’s even begun?

This is a solid addition to the contemporary romance category, with just a touch of the fantastical thrown in (the hidden divorce decree). It's a friends-to-lovers romance because they were friends (Lars is best friends with Susie's ex, Aaron).  While parts of it were rather typical of the genre, I appreciated the healthy way they deal with their burgeoning relationship. The romance doesn't happen right away. It's a gradual thing, because they initially try to ignore the portented future and the connection it compels.

Because the divorce decree is set 10 years in the future, they hypothesize the reason why they end up divorce, with it running the gamut of possible situations (infidelity, money, religion, he shirks taking out the trash, she flirts too much with other men...). This hypothesizing leads them to being real with one another and communicating their feelings when they're tempted to put on an act that appeals. (They never do figure out how the decree ended up in the wall.) 

Eventually they try friends with benefits (FwB), mostly because Susie has sworn off dating but thinks that 'doing it' will release the tension between them. (Be warned, it's detailed in the sex department, rather than hinting at the samba in the sheets.) I rolled my eyes at the 'it-will-release-the-tension, it-will-only-be-one-time' lie that people say (which you and I both know never works), but it didn't detract from the story.

It's not soon after they start the FwB that Lars is hit by a car. He ends up staying at Susie's while he recovers which leads to greater familiarity, affection, and soon they're sorta in a relationship. They get along swimmingly, except for that tie to Aaron; he keeps showing up and acting like a conceited arse. You might think that's a deal breaker, but unlike any boyfriend before him, Lars takes Susie's side and stands up for her. 

While some of it feels a little to neat-and-tidy in the way it ties up the story, overall it's an enjoyable yarn with mature people at the helm. Best of all, there's no 3rd act hurdle that threatens the relationship (a trope I hate that happens all too often in romance novels), which bolstered my opinion about the solid story-telling. 

I'm not quite sure why the events from 6-months ago was included -- I didn't need to see their break up to know what an arse Aaron is or how in sync she was with Lars when Lars was just her boyfriend's bestie. I didn't need to see Susie have a talk with her aunt to know the lady was special and dearly loved, nor did I need to witness her spoiled brother harangue her about the house Aunt Susan left her to know he's self-absorbed and spoiled by her parents. While it doesn't detract from the story, this additional context doesn't give the developments more emotional gravitas. 

Overall, it's a solid romance with likeable characters and a realistic, healthy relationship that evolves.

3 out of 5 stars.