I enjoyed a lot about this book! Loved Koa's golden retriever energy and the consistent path of his appreciation for Esther. One thing I didn't really care for was the lack of resolution for a few of the plot lines (such as the mother). Overall, though, this was clearly a strong addition to a fun series and made me want to read more by this author.

After reading one of the other books in the Bridges & Bitters series, I was really looking forward to this, but the marriage of convenience trope didn't do as much for me as I was hoping. I liked Esther as a character. Her relationship with her sisters was interesting and different than what I've read before. I would read more books about those Storm sisters and their hijinks. Her dynamics with her friends and her fellow FOOF sisterhood was so much fun to read. They had a great banter and camaraderie together to really build a background relationship.

Esther and Koa's relationship on the other hand just didn't really make as much sense as I really wanted it to. It seemed a little forced for the characters and it was all based on them complementing each other but we rarely saw them interact as opposed to the sisters or the FOOF women.

I thought I was going to love this one from the first couple chapters but then it got kinda old real fast. I felt like the story line was way too predictable. It also all happened so fast, the marriage for convience and what not. I did enjoy the characters Ester and Koa, I felt they did finally connect towards the end of the book. It was cute but not sure its one I would highly recommend to my friends. Thanks to NetGalley for the arc for my honest review.

Last Call revolves around Esther Storm and her fake husband Koa Stewart. First of all, I love a marriage of convenience regardless of the reason. In this case, it's a green card and money exchange. Although there is a few years where they don't see each other, I still believe their relationship is genuine. They are exactly what each other needs in a partner. Esther's stubbornness was annoying at times but as a people pleaser myself, it was totally relatable. This was a wonderful found family story with some sizzly romance.

Thank you for the publisher and #NetGalley for the ARC. As I am my own person, all the above opinions are my own.

Fun, quick read! I really enjoyed the grouchy/prickly dynamics, and loved the depth of these characters. I did find the time jump somewhat off putting/confusing, but loved the pacing of the story otherwise! I’m hunting up all of the previous Lainey Davis books as we speak to catch myself up, and can’t wait to read more from this author!

Esther is the damaged FMC that has a rough pass. She grew up raising for her four siblings since her mom was none existent. She then becomes this person who demands only the best from herself and the others around her. Koa is your typical big teddy bear. His parents passed away prior to completing his citizenship paperwork.His is facing deportation and is running out of options.

Koa doesnt know where to turn as he is running out of options and decides to go to a bar. There he meets Ester, an opinionated bartender. They get to talking, Koa is more so flirting while Ester is trying to get him to leave. She then decides to tell him her life story and her dreams of one day opening her own bar. He explains how he is facing leaving the country, and so they both decided to enter a marriage for convince.

All of a sudden you pick up five years late and everything is as if nothing has changed. Koa is still "pining" after Ester, and Ester is still her typical self.

******

My problem with this book is how unrealistic it is, not to mention how different ethnicities are constantly mentioned about in this book. Don't get me wrong I love a mixed romance, but it doesn't need to be mentioned every other chapters. This book tried to come off as an insta love, at least for Koa that is and it just didn't make sense since there was a 5 year jump.

I also couldn't stand the way Ester treated Koa. I get that she had a rough pass and is used to people leaving, but don't take it out on someone you were leading on. Then when they were on their "honeymoon" she was anywhere but in the present. In my opinion Koa had every right to get annoyed that Ester was on her phone, heck I would be to. Then when it gets bad, Ester again only thinks for herself and also gets Koa deported since she couldn't sit in the interview.

Don't get me wrong, I didn't mind the book and it was a fast read.. but I didn't love it. The whole time I was reading I kept feeling like it was missing something. It also didn't really keep me guessing, all of the plot twists were far fetched. The spicy scenes were super cringy, also as if they were trying to hard.. I gave it three starts.

I loved the MCs dynamic and chemistry, it felt very realistic and was fun to read.

My main gripe with the book is that it’s not insta, because there’s a time gap and gradual realization of compatibility between K & E but the breakneck speed of the book sure made it feel like it was insta.

Beautiful back door pilot to a new series! Will reread when I need something quick!

This turned out to be not the marriage of convenience I'm used to. And I didn't hate it.

We were Quick off the mark with the whole marriage of convenience. By the second chapter Esther and Koa had already tied the knot. It felt like a massive part of what I love most about the marriage of convenience trope was missing especially as we then found out Koa had started travelling for work. So we didn't get that banter we all love.

By the next chapter we had jumped 5 years and again I felt like I had missed a massive chunk of the story. I had to re read the first few chapters just to make sure I didn't miss anything. I mean, I would have loved to have read about their 'one night stand' but it was mentioned in passing only.

OK, onto our characters. Koa Is a kiwi. And I loved his cheekiness. He wasn't afraid to tell Esther just how much he was attracted to her and it was just perfect. I loved how, he was plagued with not feeling like he had a home of feeling anchored anywhere while simultaneously being an anchor to Esther. He was laid back and a go with the flow nomad who let Esther know she could relax and really didnt have to do all the things. You could tell the Lainey had done her research well in terms of pacific Island colloquialisms.  She seamlessly included cute little bits throughout the story and it really fleshed out Koa's character.

Now, Esther. She was a force. The epitome of a big sister. She loved her sisters with a ferocity that consumed her. You really fell in love with her give no fucks attitude and her capacity to take care of all those around her. She was the classic 'looks like she could kill you but is actually a cinnamon roll'. It was beautiful to see how she slowly let her walls be invaded by not only Koa but also her friendship group and her sisters. Seeing her loosen the reigns and allow herself to be looked after for once was just a *chefs kiss*.

The diversity of the characters were fantastic also. We had a kiwi/ māori MMC and a curvy pansexual FMC. Their diversity wasn't a plot device or something that was constantly brought up, but used as a descriptive tool, as it should be.

All in all, this books took me by surprise. I didn't expect to love it as much as I did. It definitely snuck up on me.

I had no idea that there were books before this one. Even so, I am going to go back and read them because this book was SO good! I love a good marriage by convenience trope. I would have loved to see the characters story play out a bit more than the 5 year jump but it was still a great read. I am also a sucker for cute catchy covers. I would definitely recommend reading this series.

I didn't realize there were other books related to this one, so I jumped in blind! This was a quick story that follows Esther and Koa. They enter into a marriage of convenience because Koa is set to leave the country on an expired visa. Esther is a bad a** who is looking to start her own business and Koa gets into her life at just the right time.

I wished there was more backstory on their discussion about their agreement to get into a marriage, it felt a little rushed. I enjoyed following their story and seeing Esther find happiness was great. She works incredibly hard and takes care of her siblings.

Overall the spice was great, I just felt the story was rushed.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an arc.

I have not read many marriages of convenience books in the past, so I did not really go into the book with a lot of expectations. I did think the plot would be a lot cheesier than it actually ended up being, based off the way it came off in the blurb. The writing was not my favorite, but I loved Koa, and his relationship with Esther, so I looked past some of the cliche dialogue.

Overall, I thought this book was enjoyable and it is a great fast-read.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author and in this series. That being said, I didn’t feel lost catching up with the recurring characters and they were all super necessary to the story.

This story is of Esther, Owner of Bridges & Bitters and Koa, a nomadic Rugby Coach. The two meet five years before the start of Bridges & Bitters and quickly agree to a marriage of convenience, where Koa will work towards US citizenship and Esther will get the money she needs to open the bar she dreams of. 5 years later with minimal contact, Koa is back and it’s time to follow through on their agreement. The two quickly remember the chemistry felt upon their first meeting and what allowed them to feel so comfortable with each other in the first place. Of course, both have spent years away from each other and while Esther is the literal and figurative “Big Sister” she worries that she can’t take care of another person. Meanwhile Koa has no one to take care of and wants to help Esther realize she doesn’t have to take care of everyone. I’m a huge fan of the Marriage of Convenience that leads to found family and that’s exactly what this book is. The unconditional support that comes from Esther’s friends is truly incredible especially when Esther had reached her tipping point. It’s a beautiful lesson in letting go, and making sure you surround yourself with those you can trust:

The story spans a fair amount of time and gives more of a medium burn. The spice is an excellent mixture of steamy & sweet and ohh so lovely.

I’m definitely looking forward to checking out the previous Bridges & Bitters books!
Thank you NetGalley and Lainey Davis
for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Read this today. you will enjoy it a lot and want more. Read it, read it , read it. Enjoyed it from start to finish. Total fan of Lainey Davis. Now i will find these other books.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Great quick read. I really enjoyed how the marriage of convenience trope was executed. I also liked the characters, especially Koa. The steamy scenes were a nice addition too. Great read for a beach day.

First, thank you NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Second, I'm glad I got to read this. Even if this is my first book by this author, I will most definitely read books before. :)

Esther is a person who has other depending on, a lot of control and doesn't know how to let go, but with Koa and bits by bits she can finally relax.

This was a good read.

This was a quick cute read! I enjoyed reading about Koa and Esther’s story when he returns five years after they have a marriage of convenience. I really liked Koa as a male lead, he was so kind and genuinely helpful. Esther grew as the story went on which was good, I was glad to see her make progress in not needing to be the problem solver for everyone in and everything in her life.

I think both of these characters brought balance to each other and that was great!

The spice in this book was a nice addition as well. This will be a great summer beach read that you can knock out in a few hours!

Thanks to NetGalley and the author Lainey Davis for providing me with a ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I’ve been wanting to read a marriage of convenience romance for ages so I couldn’t resist this book. Esther and Koa are an unlikely pair and not used to long term relationships but when Koa needs help with his immigration status and the funds Esther needs to open her own bar, it seems like they’re in the perfect position to help each other.

I was a little surprised by the 5 year jump in the timeline after this pair’s marriage and would have loved to see their relationship develop more over that time beyond the snippets in postcards and emails that we see. However, when Koa returns as immigration come calling, it’s good to see their interactions and watch as their emotional and physical relationship develops. I did feel really bad for Koa’s character, feeling isolated and without a place in the world and I definitely think Esther was insensitive to that and often drove the point home rather than comforting him. Despite this, the more time Koa spent with Esther’s family and friends, and made friends of his own, the easier it was to see how he was finding his own family and it definitely warmed my heart.

I received a free copy of this book. All views are my own.