Jessica McLeod has always wanted to be a small town doctor. She remembers her grandfather's stories of being a rural doctor, and that is all Jess dreams of becoming. So to follow her grandfather example, Jess leaves the big city and moves to Last Chance New Mexico, a small town where everyone knows everyone else's business and is not shy about getting into it. Jess is there to start her family practice, and while the quirky locals are welcoming to the doctor, they don't want to use her services. Once she's moved in, Jess is fascinated with the way the locals are such fanatics about high school football. Jess is not a fan. All the locals find that nugget of information bizarre. How can Jess not love football? What is wrong with her?

LAST CHANCE HERO also introduces you to Andy Ryan, the local football hero who has returned home after being cut by the Denver Broncos. Andy is hired to coach the high school football team. He tries to explain to everyone that not every team is the same, but the locals won't hear of it. They want another dream team and they know Andy is the one who can get that done. Andy wants to create a new future for his team but the town just can't seem to let go of the glory days. Andy likes Jess but thinks it's weird she doesn't know anything about him or football. The two of them have some interesting conversations because neither one of them knows anything about the other's profession. I was laughing out loud at some of their bantering.

I can't believe LAST CHANCE HERO is the final book in such a wonderful series. I have grown to love the quirky characters of Last Chance New Mexico. Please continue to write more about this small town, Ms. Armstrong. There are many awesome characters in LAST CHANCE HERO, and I love how Cathleen Armstrong makes you get all wrapped up in their business. I felt like I was back in my childhood small town. I dare you to read this book and not get caught up in all their lives. I was turning the pages like crazy and had to see where everyone was going to wind up. When an author can capture my attention like that, I read every book they have written. Can I go visit Last Chance? What a heart-warming town Cathleen has created, a place I would love to call home.

Book Summary

The inhabitants of Last Chance, New Mexico, could not be more pleased. Dr. Jessica McLeod has opened an office right on Main Street. Andy Ryan, the best athlete the little town ever produced, has ended his short career in the NFL and has come home to coach the mighty Pumas of Last Chance High. Unfortunately, Dr. Jess immediately gets off on the wrong foot when she admits that she's never seen a football game, isn't really interested in doing so, and, in fact, doesn't know a first down from a home run. Meanwhile, Coach Ryan is discovering that it's not easy to balance atop the pedestal the town has put him on. When this unlikely pair is drawn together over the future of a young player--whose gifts may lie in the laboratory rather than on the football field--they begin to wonder if they might have a future together as well.

With the flair that has made her Last Chance books a favorite among readers of contemporary fiction, Cathleen Armstrong draws on the passion Americans have for the traditions of small-town high school football.

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