The characters were both a tad one-dimensional, but I still enjoyed this story. Although Raine was frustrating, it was great to see her vulnerability. And Jack was pretty dreamy. Planning on reading the rest of this series!

I adored LAST CALL AT THE LOCAL by Sarah Grunder Ruiz! It features neurodivergent protagonists and other characters in the story who were entertaining and fun. I was swept away from the first chapter when the Jack meets Raine. Their chemistry is magnetic. I love the way he flirts with her in the beginning. I was grinning from ear to ear.
Raine’s personality is spontaneous, she has ADHD, and I could totally relate to her. Jack on the other hand battles with OCD, but I learned about other challenges that Jack struggles with that are more mental.
I loved how these two worked to face their challenges and how they finally end together. It was a fun read. I couldn’t put the book down. It’s such a great story that I think it’ll be a book I read again.

Engaging, heart-warming romance between a messy, appealing heroine and an Irish hero to steal your heart. Great cast. Gorgeous setting. I love the way their issues (ADHD and OCD) are very much a part of the story without defining either their characterization or their relationship.

I think I may just have a new favorite book by Sarah Grunder Ruiz! I adored this book and especially the main characters, Raine and Jack. I also loved getting to revisit past characters Nina and Ollie. Their relationship developed in the sweetest way and I love how they both fully accepted the other for who they are. The mental health representation was done really well in this book and weaved so seamlessly into the story. If you love a sweet romance, with an adorable meet-cute, good banter, and in a dreamy location, then I highly suggest checking this one out!

All in all, this was an adorable, endearing, and just happy happy happy book. I loved it. It also has some spice!

Jack and Raine are the sweetesf and must be protected with bubble wrap. I loved their slow building relationship, the hilarious banter, and their mature support for each other. The mental health representation was also wonderfully done.

A nice character examination and build of friendship - liked that more/as much as the idea of a romance between these two. The setting was absorbing, and the mix of narrative and texting between different parts of the story worked well.

Everything I want in a Rom-Com and more. The main character, Raine, is a musician from Boston traveling Ireland as a busker. After having most of her equipment stolen, she finds herself at a crossroads sitting at a bar called The Local. I love Raine. The author’s portrayal of Raine’s ADHD in her narration is so relatable. And of course the guys who own the bar provide such fun banter! I am in love.

This was a sweet and fun read. I was unaware when I picked it up that it was part of a series and would not have known at all except my copy has an excerpt from the book before this one at the end. Can totally be read as a stand alone. Loved the atmosphere of this read and the characters as a whole. Even the side characters were easy to love. The growth of the main characters each with their own issues relating to OCD and ADHD waws well done and I loved who accepted they were by the people who love them and by each other. They both had a lot of self depreciation issues to work through but it was well done over all. A sweet quick read for anyone who needs a romance that is not all fluff. I also loved how their relationship while looking very different than more "conventional" relationships worked for them and that's all that matters.

It’s not everyday that you read a romance that has fantastic neurodiversity and mental health representation. Well done, Sarah Grunder Ruiz! LAST CALL AT THE LOCAL is a heartfelt story that follows singer-songwriter Raine Hart as she moves to Ireland and meets Jack Dunne, a local Irishman who inherited his family’s pub. While this is a standalone novel, you may recognize some characters from the LOVE, LISTS, AND FANCY SHIPS series which is so much fun. While Raine faces challenges with her ADHD, Jack lives with OCD and intrusive thoughts. I love the way the characters were able to share parts of themselves that felt vulnerable and authentic in their business and romantic pursuits. This was a great story that I highly recommend!

Many thanks to Berkley for an electronic ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A sweet and tender romance about people with messy hearts and even messier brains as they navigate love.

Did this one live up to my high hopes? Yes, I adored this story. A romance that has endearing complex characters with a home away from home newfound family vibe. And also throw in mental health representation (thank you!) and a charming setting in Ireland.

The MCs both are struggling with mental health challenges and I appreciate not just the awareness these characters present but that it actually makes them feel more human, I am always here for the perfectly imperfect trope in a romance. As a reader you get a glimpse into how living with ADHD and OCD impacts your daily life and relationships. I also love a character that appears tough on the outside but has a warm and sensitive soft center. Not to mention fantastic supporting characters and being it is a series you get reoccurring characters as well.

A down-on-her-luck musical performer gets her gear stolen and gets a job in a local pub to try and make enough to buy her guitar back without going back home to Boston. She is managing her ADHD and finds a friend, and maybe more, in local bar owner Jack.

I love this series with my whole heart! I nearly forgot that Ollie and Nina were related to Jack- but what a lovely surprise. I thought the mental health representation was decent- though I do wonder about the violent compulsions one character has. I'm worried it'll perpetuate a negative stereotype- but I know the author is very pro-therapy, so I understood the intent. Loved the Irish setting, loved the side characters- definitely would want the next story to be about the sister!

Raine Hart's solo European tour as a wandering musician comes to an abrupt end in Ireland when her guitar is stolen. Luckily, the pub she's wandered into needs a worker, and owner Jack is enthralled with her ideas to improve the place. She assists with some redesigns and begins to find a place for herself in the community. There is a nice mix of banter and deep conversation.

Ruiz's portrayal of living with ADHD and OCD, and the complications, doubts, and benefits that come along with their neuro-atypical diagnoses is raw, poignant, vulnerable and healing. The narrative has a slow burn but it's worth the wait.

This seemed to be a stand-alone book with references to characters from other books in the series Love, Lists & Fancy Ships; it's a solid, cozy read.

I received a free advance reader's review copy of #LastCallAtTheLocal from #NetGalley, courtesy of #Berkley Publishing Group.

I will read absolutely anything written by Sarah Grunder Ruiz. I was unsure how I would feel about Last Call at the Local after so many Below Deck-esque novels by Sarah. However, my hesitation was completely unnecessary. Per usual, Grunder Ruiz nails it. Last Call at the Local sucked me in and made me want to book a ticket to Ireland. Raine's "carefree" spirit and Jack's grumpy faux exterior are delightful characteristics that make you instantly love these two. Raine and Jack have so much in common and are also drastically different. Raine's learning to manage her ADHD through new creative ventures and Jack is working hard to keep his intrusive thoughts at bay while also managing his OCD. These characters are real and their daily challenges were captivating and raw. In true Grunder Ruiz style, the story mixes the serious with many lighthearted, laugh out loud moments that truly made me smile as I watched Raine and Jack thrive together.

I've been reading Sarah from the beginning and I think her stories continue to get better and better.
If you like meet cutes in Irish Pubs, charming banter and books that make you stop apologizing for who you are, then pick up this book.

What's so great about this one is that it tackles OCD and ADHD in a really authentic way. These characters are warm and funny but also are always on the brink of losing it. There is a really good mix of the lovely and the slightly dark. Both characters see themselves in one another but also embrace each others flaws.

The cozy pub setting, the fun character reprisals from previous books, and the honest conversations are what just amplify this book in a fantastic way. I loved how sweet, safe and understanding their relationship was.

Really wonderful.

**there is a moderate/heavy amount of strong language, and 2-3 open door scenes (these scenes were not my favorite in execution, but i'm also more of a closer door reader so take that with a grain of salt.)

Oh my gosh, I absolutely loved this book! I knew right from the start when I couldn’t put it down that I was going to love it! This is the third book in the Love, Lists & Fancy Ships series. It can be read as a stand alone, but I think it’s better read as part of the series.

I loved the Irish Pub Setting in this book, I felt like I was there with them. I loved both Jack and Raine. I felt like their connection was so real and I loved how well they communicated with one another. I also love how well the author did with the mental health rep in this book! If you’re looking for a great book and series to read, I highly recommend checking this out!

Thank you Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Solid romance set in a small Irish town. Grunder Ruiz does a remarkable job of developing and distinguishing clinical OCD and ADHD from the tendency to prematurely apply these to daily actions.

4/5 stars

This book was the perfect cozy read. Perfect with great neurodivergent and mental health representation, realistic characters, and a depiction of a healthy and open (in terms of communication) honest relationship.

My favorite part of this book was not only their banter but the way these two were so open and honest about their feelings, boundaries and experiences. They were opposites but similar in certain ways.

If you want a book that’ll make you laugh, swoon and tear up at certain parts— this is the one for you.

Don't you love reading about opposite-attracted romance books? I know that I do. It just brings the tension between the characters much higher when they are totally opposite from each other. And Last Call at the Local is the perfect opposite of a romance story.

Last Call at the Local brings Raine and Jack together after they spent the night at the local pub talking nonstop. I know what you are thinking. Right away, Raine and Jack spent the night, but you are wrong. They spend their first time meeting each other, talking about their lives, and more. That's where Jack offers Raine a job.

Jack has been thinking a lot about his family pub and how he needs Raine's help. He knows that Raine is the right one for the job. She just has that effect, plus her singing brings life to the room. He just needs to be there for her. He knows she kind of lacks a bit of confidence and will always support her, no matter what.

Raine never expected to work in the pub when she has been traveling around the world for work (singing at different localities). She will soon realize that working at the pub brings much more. I don't know how to say it, but Raine will learn more about herself than before. It's a bit refreshing to read. And it doesn't hurt that she spends more time with Jack. They just have great chemistry with each other.