I've been looking forward to this book for months and months and while I know the author struggled to get it right, it was DEFINITELY worth the wait!! This dual POV, vacation romance had EXCELLENT #ownvoices ADHD rep and OCD/intrusive thoughts rep.

I loved the journey that Raine and Jack went on to finally land in a place where both felt comfortable being ready for a relationship. Add in the amazing Irish pub setting, a cute cat, great sibling relationships and journeys to find one's vocational calling in life and this was an utterly enjoyable read!

Many thanks to NetGalley, Berkley Romance and @prhaudio for early digital and complimentary ALC copies in exchange for my honest review!! Recommended for fans of authors like Mazey Eddings or Talia Hibbert.

Opposites attract when a free-spirited American singer-songwriter with ADHD teams up with a charming Irishman to revitalize his family's pub in the next heartfelt romance from the author of Luck and Last Resorts.

Raine Hart is used to the challenges of living with ADHD. It’s why she ditched her life in Boston to busk around Europe as a traveling musician. No boss. No schedule. No one to disappoint but herself. But when a careless mistake in Ireland leaves her unable to perform, she sees no other option but to give up her nomadic life.

Since inheriting the Local, Jack Dunne has wanted to make the pub his own. But the baggage of running a family business and the intrusive thoughts that stem from his OCD make changing things a challenge. Over a pint with handsome, tattooed Jack, Raine accidentally insults him and the pub. Instead of taking offense, Jack, impressed by her vision of what the pub could be, offers her a job bringing it to life. But when Raine and Jack develop feelings for one another their opposite lifestyles won’t accommodate, it becomes clear the pub isn’t the only thing that needs reinventing. As the end of their business collaboration draws near, they’ll have to find a way past the limits they’ve placed on themselves or let go of a love that could last a lifetime.

OMG you guys! this book is just the most precious. Raine and Jack must be protected at all costs! I love the inclusion of all the neurodiversity idiosyncracies. I also loved how this shows how an unconventional relationship works. You know SGR has a lot of knowledge on ADHD and OCD because the attributes are so ingrained in the characters. One theme that struck me in the heart was the idea of not needing to be perfect or hide your mental health issues to be loved and accepted. That is something I struggle with so hard and I just felt so seen. The subplot of Raine and her sister was a great addition to the story. The location change was a fun twist and I also enjoyed seeing Nina and Ollie from book 2!

Thanks to the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review! This book releases 1/2/24

The book follows Raine Hart, a traveling musician who has a stroke of bad luck when her belongings are stolen. From there, she’s stuck in Cobh, Ireland, and ends up going into The Local, a pub owned by Jack. Due to her infectious personality, she quickly charms Jack and he offers a group as the pub’s temporary entertainment coordinator.

The two decide to team up to try the Local from being a local hang to a bustling tourist attraction and fun place for people to hang out. Of course, that results in the two spending a lot of time together at the apartment Jack is letting Raine use, lots of walking meetings, and plenty of moments in Jack’s office. The romance between these two is just so sweet and the ultimate friends-to-lovers treat which is one of my favorite tropes.

While I appreciated the romance, I couldn’t help but fall in love with the characters. Raine has ADHD and is dealing with lots of pressure from her family. While she can be a mess, she’s such a great and genuine person. As for Jack, he’s dealing with OCD and some past trauma which makes it hard for him to focus on his real passion which is tattooing.

Sarah Grunder Ruiz isn’t afraid to focus on those less-than-lovable parts of these characters and doesn’t make “their relationship” fix them. If anything, it helps them but doesn’t do anything more which I love. I don’t know why I slept on reading her books for so long but I’m seriously mad at myself. I truly don’t have anything to complain about as Last Call at the Local was a delight.

Rating: 4.25/5
Warnings: abuse (in the past), OCD and ADHD
Steam: 2/5
Tropes: workplace, he has tattoos, forced proximity

Thank you to Berkley Romance and PRH Audio for the advanced copy; all opinions are my own. I will note I am friends with the author, and this in no way impacted my review.

Dear World, Jack and Raine must be protected at all costs. Here are all the things I loved about Sarah's third novel:

It was deep and emotional while radiating so much joy and humor. It was perfectly quirky. I loved seeing Nina and Ollie together (and their girls). Bagels and cats named Sebastian. So much positive dialogue about therapy. I feel the need to now have a "local bar."

Okay, so I did really love most of this book, with about 10% that needs commentary. And the 10% might be more of an individual reader's note. The ADHD and OCD representation in this book was on another level, and I am so proud of Sarah for writing this book and providing people with this representation. However, I also want to note that it is a lot and to handle yourself with care while reading. I took a few breaks during this book because I found myself overwhelmed. And it was pretty short. I would have liked a bit more near the end.

I loved this book! I devoured it in only a few sittings and wish there was more to read. The story line was paced very well and the characters were easy to love!

I’ve been a fan of Ruiz’s books since I binged Love, Lists and Fancy ships! This was delightful but also deep and emotional especially when focusing on Raine’s ADHD and Jack’s OCD. I loved their town and the Local. I also loved the parts with Nina and Ollie.
I loved how they communicated with each other and how supportive Jack was and that there was nothing wrong with Raine. There were so many amazing characters at the local and I loved them all. I really liked how Ruiz wrapped this up and the ending! I will read anything she writes! I listened to the audiobook and read the ebook. The narration was perfect!

Sarah Grunder Ruiz is a national treasure and this book truly felt like her. It gave big ADHD tattooed black cat energy and I just wanted to give Last Call at the Local a hug. Between Raine's giant heart and Jack's wry humor, I couldn't keep from smiling (except when I was welling up with tears because of how seen I felt). The ADHD and OCD representation here was next level and focused on common feelings of helplessness in the face of such disorders. There's so much positive discussion about seeing therapists, and how loved ones can reinforce techniques learned in exposure therapy. This book is a warm Irish embrace with a side of truffle chips and it makes me want to find a community like The Local in real life. A million stars.

*Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review and to PRH Audio for the gifted ALC*

Last Call at the Local by Sarah Grunder Ruiz
Love, Lists & Fancy Ships #3

When I grabbed this book I didn't realize it was the third book in the series. I wonder if I would have enjoyed it more if I'd read the first two books? Could knowing the background of the other characters and this world have allowed me to settle into it better? I don't know but I just didn't enjoy this book as much as I expected to enjoy it. Still, there is an awesome cat and he adores the character of Raine so even though I didn't care for her as much, I'm going to admit I trust the opinion of cats, so what do I know. :-/

Not that anyone should be defined by such things but pub owner Jack Dunne lives with OCD and his thoughts are extremely intrusive and have dominated his life and choices. His story isn't lighthearted, his thoughts are extremely disturbing, and my heart goes out to him for all the anguish and guilt he feels about having those thoughts. He's in therapy and he's the one who pulls on my heartstrings.

Raine Hart is dealing with ADHD on her own. Disappointing her parents by dropping the idea of a medical career, she instead embraces homelessness and traveling the world as a busker, singing and playing her guitar where ever she lands. She loves this life, no fears of being late, no boss, less disappointment for her all around since this life fits her so well. That is until all her few belongings are stolen and she no longer has her beloved guitar or her meager funds to keep up this lifestyle. Will she have to go home in shame to parents who will berate her for her career choice?

So when Raine enters Jack's pub she's without a place to land or anything to help her move on. They decide on a twelve week job for Raine, living quarters and cat included. In that time, hopefully her guitar will show up and Raine can be on her nomadic way again. Jack thrives on keeping things on an even keel at the pub since that seems to work to tamp down his intrusive thoughts so what will adding in unreliable, spontaneous, forgetful Raine into the mix do to his thoughts and life?

Raine's pushiness was a real downer for me. I know that's part of what makes her who she is but I was feeling Jack more than Raine. Maybe that is why it was hard for me to connect to the story, I probably felt more anxiety than I was supposed to feel and just never warmed up to this couple. For those who like open door romps, this one will fits that description. Hope the cat didn't mind...ha ha

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for this ARC.

What happens when a bedraggled musician walks into a bar? OBVIOUSLY, she starts falling head over heels in love with the proprietor, Sebastian. Just kidding, Sebastian is the cat. But he's a fantastic secondary character. Huge fan.

Last Call at the Local is a very sweet romance about two neurodivergent individuals who weren't looking for love, but rather, stumble upon it in a sleepy, unassuming pub in Ireland. Raine is a busker, a traveling musician who is kind of a hot mess and needs a place to crash while she figures out what to do after all of her equipment is stolen. Jack is a former tattoo artist and now owner of a pub who sees the opportunity to not only help someone in need, but to hire her to put a little life into his family's business. And they both have the hots for one another, duh.

Last Call at the Local is all butterflies and squeeee. It's all about that first handhold, that banter, those stolen glances. There is definitely some steam, but the romance is lighthearted and silly so that other pieces of the characters' arcs can be given the weight they deserve. And there are a lot of heavier topics addressed. The characters definitely felt full and vibrant. My only qualm was that there were too many secondary characters introduced that felt a bit empty. I wanted more from the sister relationship!!

This is definitely a cute little romance that will make you smile and get some tingles. I definitely enjoyed reading this one and now I need to check our the author's other books.

Thank you BERKELEY for providing me an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

I really loved Luck and Last Resorts so I was very excited to see Ollie's brother, Jack, get his own book in Last Call at the Local. While still in the same universe as the author's previous books, Last Call takes us to a small town in Ireland and leaves the world of yachts and Florida behind. Because of that, this book works pretty well as a standalone if you haven't read the previous books.

Raine is a med school drop out who is pursuing her dream of music by busking around Europe. That is until her guitar and all her other belongings are stolen and she's forced to rely on the goodwill of strangers in Cobh, Ireland. Jack is the owner of the Local pub and immediately hires Raine as an "entertainment coordinator" to revitalize the pub Jack owns with his brother and breath new life into the pub their father started. Of course sparks fly between Raine and Jack, but Raine is always on the move and Jack can't imagine a life anywhere else.

Last Call depicts struggles with ADHD (Raine) and OCD (Jack) in a way that is a driving factor in the story. The first half particularly is really heavy with these themes which made it hard for me to connect to the romantic chemistry between Raine and Jack when so much of the narrative was focused on their own struggles. I also wanted there to be a little more showing instead of telling about Raine's role in revitalizing the pub and how she found belonging there beyond her romantic relationship with Jack. The author uses a time jump in the last 20% of the book in a way that I felt glossed over a lot of character development and the hard work both characters needed to do, so it made their HEA feel a little precarious.

Content flags: ADHD and OCD struggles are depicted frequently and throughout the book; parental physical abuse is recalled from the past; Jack's intrusive thoughts from his OCD tend to center around violence and physical harm

This definitely wasn't my favorite of this series, but was still a solid 3.5 stars for me. I was gifted an early copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I went into this book thinking it was a stand-alone😅 I felt like I wasn't missing anything going into the third book. I really tried to get into this one! Sadly, I ended up calling it quits at 30%. I struggled connecting to the main characters. I also found the plot line too slow moving for my taste. I just wasn't interested in the story and finding out what happens next. One thing I did like was the ADHD and OCD representation. Perhaps I would have liked this book better if I read the first few books in the series? Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC.

**Review will be posted release week on my site and socials!**

OH HOW I LOVED THIS.

This book was beautiful. I thought it had incredible ADHD and OCD rep. I felt so many things and am just a puddle over here about them. Not to mention, I really want to travel to Ireland ASAP…and maybe get a tattoo? IDK THIS BOOK MADE ME FEEL OKAY.

I loved how the instant connection was written. THIS IS HOW YOU DO IT. I absolutely believed that undeniable bond that Jack and Raine had from the moment they met. I felt those sparks. They were so dang sweet to each other. I loved how they took care of each other and also allowed the other person to be. There wasn’t pressure to be something your not. And I loved how they approached hard conversations.

The music themes were amazing, I don’t even have a tattoo and I loved all of that content too. I loved the mental health discussions. Seeing Ollie and Nina again!! And the whole crew at the pub. And even though I’m not a cat gal, Sebastian was pretty great too.

This whole book worked for me on all the levels. It might just be my new favorite of this series. I was captivated from the get-go and I will protect Jack and Raine at all costs. This won’t be a high angst saga, it’s a slow and gentle romance that will squeeze your heart and bring some sunshine to your day.

READ IT.

Overall audience notes:

Contemporary Romance
Language: some strong
Romance: 2 open door; moderate explicit
Trigger/Content Warnings: OCD and ADHD rep, mentions of past domestic abuse (brief)

Sarah Grunder Ruiz is one of my favorite and Last Call at the Local is just proof of why! Raine is a traveling musician, but after her things are stolen, she isn’t sure where to go. But then she ends up at The Local in Ireland where Jack Dunne offers her a job. This strangers to friends to lovers is perfect. Jack and Raine have adorable banter and unbelievable chemistry. Plus the mental health rep is so well done. There’s no shying away from the difficulties of OCD and ADHD and the conversation is so accepting and lovely. Raine too is such a joy! She’s spunky and all kinds of sunshine, and I love how she’s able to really see Jack. Jack too is so charming and kind and his heart is so big and beautiful. This had me wanting to jump back to Ireland and visit this small town. Last Call at the Local is heartfelt and heartwarming and just a wonderful read!!

I really enjoyed Last Call At the Local, most of all I fell in love with the two main characters. Raine and Jack’s love story is charming and vulnerable. I love that they found their way to a happy ending, all the while being true to themselves and their respective dreams. Raine has ADHD and Jack has OCD (and ADHD) and the representation is phenomenal. They speak and interact with one another with such care, it’s truly beautiful.

This series has been so charming and sweet while also heartfelt and deep! I loved these characters and the way the author was able to weave their neurodivergence through their journeys as individuals and together. Cats, tattoos, travel, and the cutest nicknames for one another of all time! Loved this.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC.

I absolutely adored Jo and Alex in @sarahgrunderruiz debut 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦, 𝘓𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘍𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘺 𝘚𝘩𝘪𝘱𝘴. Then I fell even deeper in love with Nina and Ollie in 𝘓𝘶𝘤𝘬 & 𝘓𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘙𝘦𝘴𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘴. So I was bursting with excitement to return to Cobh, Ireland with Jack and Raine in the latest companion novel, 𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐀𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐋𝐎𝐂𝐀𝐋 (PUB 01.02) Thanks to @berkleyromance and @netgalley for early access.

I loved this book.This is an opposites attract romance both in personality and lifestyle. But while they struggle to overcome their growing attraction, they are both dealing with relatable conditions (ADHD and OCD) that simply need some tender accommodations. The structure, writing, and story felt fresh and engaging in a way I wasn't expecting. The writing is emotional, the dialogue layered and the character development is dynamic. I've come to appreciate how Grunder Ruiz writes the typical 3rd act break-up in an untypical, realistic and mature manner. So so good. I wish I could read it again for the first time.

Oh- it also has *chef's kiss* banter and chemistry. I'd describe this as romance with heft similar to Emily Henry, Beth O'Leary and Chloe Liese.

You don't need to read 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦, 𝘓𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘍𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘺 𝘚𝘩𝘪𝘱𝘴 or 𝘓𝘶𝘤𝘬 & 𝘓𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘙𝘦𝘴𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘴 to enjoy this upcoming release, but you should read it anyway. And in the meantime, add 𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐀𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐋𝐎𝐂𝐀𝐋 to your library holds or preorders.

Street performer, Raine Hart, is down on her luck and stranded in Cobh, Ireland, after being robbed of nearly all over her possessions. She contemplates going back home---home, where she feels like she doesn't fit in and is a constant disappointment to everyone she knows by always being overshadowed by her younger sister---when the very tattooed, and veryyy attractive, Jack Dunne, propositions her to help him his liven up his dying pub that he co-runs with his brother. Staying in one place has never been Raine's vibe, but Jack's offer gives her the opportunity to replace her lost items and return to her nomadic lifestyle. What Raine doesn't expect is finding a home in the pub, the people and, even more surprisingly, Jack.

I am convinced is it impossible for Sarah Grunder Ruiz to write a book that I don't absolutely fall in love with. Raine and Jack became so precious to me from the very start. There was instant chemistry between them and I loved that they didn't hide it.

Raine and Jack were also two characters that I don't think I've read any characters quite like them before? Raine has ADHD, and Jack has OCD (he also has ADHD, but the focus was his OCD). The way they were written, and their depictions with having ADHD and OCD, was so enlightening compared to how I've experienced these things in fiction before. It just felt so raw and real, and it broke my heart several times. Especially Jack's chapters. Reading about how their ADHD and OCD affect them definitely increased my compassion for people who struggle with those things in real life. So, thank you for that, Sarah.

This book, like SGR's previous books, are so heart-warming and emotional and character-driven. I will always recommend them!

4.5/5 stars

Raine Hart ditched her old life and decided to travel the world as a musician. When she gets stuck in Ireland without any way to perform, she realizes it’s time to go home. That is until she finds her way into Jack Dunne’s pub. He impulsively offers her a job, a place to stay, and a way to keep her adventure going.

I’ve been so excited to read Jack’s story and it did not disappoint. Jack doesn’t think he deserves love but I wholeheartedly disagree. He’s caring, sweet, artistic, sometimes silly, and everything Raine needs to keep her grounded but still free.

Raine would consider herself to be a hot mess but in the best way possible. She may talk to cats, leave socks everywhere, regularly show up late, and forget where she puts everything, but she’s also hilarious and adventurous and hardworking.

Jack and Raine shouldn’t fit together but somehow they do. They bring out the best in each other in tough times and each push the other to be strong.

P.S. For anyone who loved Luck and Last Resorts, we get lots of Ollie and Nina scenes! But don’t worry, this can be read as a standalone too.

Read this book for
-OCD and ADHD rep
-Ireland
-cats
-opposites attract

So different from the other two, but man I loved it! These two were so perfect and I loved the pub setting! I loved still getting to see our favorite characters from book 2, but also seeing Jack again! Raine was so precious and I love that she learned to love having a real home and also her need to travel didn’t get diminished!

The ADHD, neurodivergent, and mental help representation was *chef's kiss*

I loved this book and would recommend it to any romance readers!