3.5

A small town plot is never bad to have a nice time in a hectic day, and this one takes place in a small Irish island, so I think I see it as a good plus.

As a good Irishman, Maeve's father leaves her an inheritance of a pub on a small island in Ireland, she sees it as a good way to pay off her debts and travels to see him, here she meets Briggs who is suffering a crisis due to a recent diagnosis. They run into each other, but there is history between the families and this automatically makes them enemies.

As I said, I had a good time reading it, very entertaining how the conversations and interactions between the characters are going on. The Irish setting also had me captivated even if it wasn't highlighted very much.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me this advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

I had a great time.

In the quaint embrace of an Irish island, where the sea whispers secrets and the air carries the scent of forgotten love, "Last Call for Love" by Rebekah Crane unfolds. Known for her evocative storytelling, Crane weaves a tale that transcends time, family feuds, and the boundaries of the heart.

Meet Maeve Kaminski. She’s a Chicagoan with a penchant for color-coordinated datebooks, never expected to inherit a pub from her estranged biological father. Yet, life has a way of surprising us when we least anticipate it. As Maeve steps onto the Irish soil, she's greeted by the salty breeze and the promise of new beginnings.

Meet Briggs. He’s the rugged owner of a renowned pub and a man whose heart is as guarded as the ancient cliffs surrounding the island. Recently diagnosed with the same condition that claimed his father's life, Briggs isn't seeking love. But fate, with its whimsical brush, paints a different picture. When Maeve's striking blue eyes lock with his, something shifts. Their connection defies familial legend; they're meant to be enemies, yet destiny insists otherwise.

The chemistry between Maeve and Briggs crackles like a bonfire on a chilly night. Their banter dances between wit and vulnerability, and as they navigate the intricacies of their shared history, the island itself seems to hold its breath. Crane's prose captures the essence of Ireland: the rolling hills, the cozy pubs, and the ancient folklore that clings to every stone.

The pacing is exquisite. Each chapter unfurls like a delicate petal, revealing layers of longing, regret, and hope. The tension between Maeve and Briggs is palpable, their stolen glances and accidental touches igniting sparks that leap off the page. And oh, the kisses! I mean the kind that taste like salt and redemption, like promises whispered across centuries.

But this isn't merely a romance. It's a story of redemption, of rewriting history before it's too late. As Maeve and Briggs grapple with their pasts, they unearth buried secrets, confront family legacies, and discover that love isn't always convenient—it's messy, inconvenient, and utterly transformative.

Crane's characters are flawed and achingly real. Maeve's vulnerability is a balm for the soul, and Briggs's stoicism hides a well of tenderness. The supporting cast adds depth to the narrative. And let's not forget the pub itself, an old soul with its own stories to tell.

The island becomes a character in its own right and is a witness to love lost and found, to rivalries that span generations. As Maeve and Briggs grapple with their feelings, the waves crash against the cliffs, echoing their inner turmoil. The setting is vividly rendered, inviting readers to sip a pint of Guinness and lose themselves in the magic of the Emerald Isle.

"Last Call for Love" is a symphony of emotions, from the crescendo of longing, the delicate notes of forgiveness, and the final chord of acceptance. Crane's prose is lyrical, painting scenes that linger like the taste of whiskey on the tongue. And when the last page turns, you'll find yourself believing in second chances, in love that defies logic, and in the healing power of a well-poured pint.

This book is a five-star masterpiece. It’s a love letter to Ireland, to lost dreams, and to the resilience of the human heart. So raise your glass, dear reader, and toast to love, redemption, and the magic that awaits when we least expect it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Skyscape for an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I finished this in one day! Absolutely loved it!! Modern day Romeo and Juliet family feud between two Irish pubs. The banter and pranks between Maeve and Briggs are amazing! Maeve falling in love with the island is so sweet. All the feels!

Another moving, heartfelt, dual POV new adult romance from a fav author! This was great on audio narrated by Kevin Marron and Lauren Ezzo and sees American Maeve discovering she's inherited a pub from the Irish birth father she never met.

Deep in debt, native Chicagoan Maeve sees the inheritance as a way to make a quick buck but upon arriving on the small island she realizes her father has left a list of tasks she must complete before she can sell the pub.

Maeve also finds herself caught up in an ages old feud with rival pub owner, Briggs Murphy, who himself is grappling with a recent diagnosis of HCM (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy). Unable to resist their instant attraction, the two spend the summer feuding and falling in love only to struggle with whether they can make a life together work long term.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review. This book is perfect for fans of authors like Emma Lord or Lynn Painter and does contain some open door scenes so would be better for older YA readers.

CW: chronic illness, OCD, panic attacks

For the most part, this book was adorable. Two people who needed to grow up and move on in their lives in vastly different ways. She’s a type A, and he’s easygoing and laid back.

Being on opposite ends of a “feud” never had such potential.

I found myself especially drawn to how funny Hugh is. I feel his personality stuck out more than any other character. Overall, this was a quick, fun read.

Love the enemies to lovers trope and the perfect setting for this story. The characters are endearing and inviting and easy to fall in love with and cheer for.

Maeve Kaminski (24) leaves Chicago for a remote Irish island. She has inherited a pub from her biological father whom she never met. She is hoping she can sell it and get out of debt but finds that it isn’t as easy as it seems. Her father insists she complete a list of activities to learn about the island and her heritage. She also meets handsome Briggs Murphy. He owns and runs the town's competing pub. And she quickly learns that there is a longstanding good natured rivalry between the two establishments. He is yummy but the romance falls into the instant attraction category. I would have liked a little more build up between the pair. I thought the cover was very cute and some of the hijinks between the pair were fun. I loved that he took her on a perfect date (for her) to a container store. Other side characters are memorable as well. And there is a wonderful sweetness to the letters left from her father.

I think this is mislabeled on NetGalley as teen and YA. It isn’t listed that way on Amazon and the steam factor puts it more appropriately in contemporary romance for Adults or New Adults. Thank you to Skyscape for the ARC via NetGalley and I am leaving an honest review. (3.5 Stars)

4.25/5 stars!!! Maeve is very structured have everything in order and planned type of girl. Her life gets turned a little upside down when she learns of her father passing. She has to travel to Ireland, and while she is there she begins to learn a lot about herself. Her father owned a bar and was in a feud with the neighboring bar, the thatch, that always brought tourist around to see the antics. One night Maeve meets the bar owners son Briggs. Throughout this journey she begins to grow as a person. Until Eoine ruins everything, and this forces Maeve to leave and return to the states. While back in Chicago, she figures out she doesn’t love that life anymore. She gets a text saying Briggs was in trouble and finds her way back to him. This is a cute forbidden / enemies to lovers..I loved the hypertrophic cardiomyopathy representation! It’s a very serious disease and loved how it was represented. Also the OCD representation is very good.

This book was unnecessarily filled with countless innuendos. I did not enjoy this book. I would not recommend it to others.

### A life-changing event awaits Ms. Organized when she meets Mr. Chaotic on a tiny island amid a family feud and personal history untold

In this YA romcom, we follow Maeve Kaminski as she travels to a tiny island in Scotland, Inishglass, to claim her inheritance from her deceased estranged father. She encounters their family bar, *the Moorings*, the island's residents, and Briggs Murphy, the owner of their rival bar *the Thatch*. As they both work hard to upkeep their family legacies, untold stories are uncovered and sparks… fly?

This novel touched a number of themes, specifically anxiety, grief, emotional abuse, abortion, and mourning, were discussed delicately enough for sensitive readers.

I liked Rebekah Crane’s writing style and the way she balanced the sentimental moments with humor. I related with Maeve as a fellow control freak. While Briggs… he’s flawed but still worthy, okay? :’)

The pacing was my favorite part, perfect for a slow reader like me. The diverse side characters added depth to the banters and dialogues. There were enough dilemmas and plot twists. And the ENDING. I mean! Prepare those fecking tissue rolls, I’m telling you! This novel made me realize how it’s so hard to keep your food down while eating when every part of you wants to ugly cry. :’)

I do wish Maeve’s adjustment period was more impactful, given that she’s not exactly adaptable. Also, this novel falls under YA in NetGalley, which is kinda questionable, given the steamy scenes. Other reviewers had the same sentiment. If this were contemporary romance, it has mild spice level.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading *Last Call for Love. I* strongly recommend this to fans of Abby Jimenez’s works. It has a similar writing style and story vibe.

From my personal chart, I’m giving this 4 stars: “I wouldn’t sell my soul, but I’d recommend this book to others (who love the genre) in a heartbeat.”

Thank you, NetGalley for allowing me to read this e-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

I regret for not finishing this book fast enough, it's a light-read romantic story based on a fictional island (I assume) called Inishglass in Ireland. This novel has two point of views from Maeve and Briggs, each with their own trauma of love but have a great chemistry shown with their cute banter throughout the book.
Maeve is not originally from Inishglass but she has her own motives to go there after she inherits a pub from her biological-but-absent dad passed away. This part was written so heartbreakingly beautiful that I teared up while reading Maeve and her biological dad's story. Briggs carries a hereditary health condition, the same one that led to his father's sudden death and this condition hinders him from pursuing what he loves. His loss and healing process was raw and vulnerable, it pulls at my heartstrings.

This book has a dramatic misunderstanding plot that would usually throws me off, but I found it to be annoyingly cute here. What ties me in is how their story wraps up in a heartwarming conclusion. Calling all hopeless romantics with a soft spot for a good banter with a sizzling attraction!!

American Maeve Kaminiski wanted to learn about her father’s inheritance, so she took a trip to an Irish island. Her father gave her an Irish pub! It was love at first sight for Briggs Murphy. Briggs owned a different Irish pub on the island, yet he was so gone for Maeve. They had a hard time not falling in love due to the feud. Romeo and Juliet was mentioned a few times in this book, and I can kind of see the similarities between both forbidden couples. Grief was mentioned a lot in this book. Even though Briggs and Maeve had different personalities, they were able to share a connection together through grief and trust.

Social media was used a few times in this book so Briggs and Maeve could promote their own Irish pubs. I thought some dialogue and the use of social media were kind of cringey in my opinion, probably because Maeve is 24 and Briggs is 28. Some of the characters in this book acted like teenagers (i.e. Hugh aka Briggs’ roommate).

I thought the pacing of the book was pretty consistent. I felt like I couldn’t put the book down the second half because of how interesting the plot was. I don’t think this book is YA though. Innuendos were brought up in dialogues; there were scenes with some spice in them.

I loved the epilogue, it was perfect!

Thank you Netgalley and Skyscape for an ARC of this book!

I love being surprised by a book. Not plot twist wise but in the way I was surprised how much I loved this book.

Maeve is in debt and she’s been left an Irish pub from a father she never knew. It comes with adoring locals and a handsome “enemy” who owns the other pub in town.

Briggs has been given health news no one wants to hear. He doesn’t want to leave anyone behind if he goes quickly, but he never counted on Maeve to steal his breath away.

I loved this book. The story. The characters. The feels. It’s a dual pov with some spice. Can’t recommend enough.

Thank you NetGalley and Skyscape for the ARC.

This is a really cute rom com. I love the competitive take between Maeve and Briggs - it makes for a really fun dynamic. The banter is enjoyable. The supporting characters are just as much as part of the story as the main characters.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is the first book by Rebekah Crane I've read. I was intrigued by both the title and the story blurb and so requested an e-galley for "Last Call for Love." A novel about summer romance set in Ireland sounded like the perfect read for July and I wasn't disappointed. I loved the themes of transformation, second chances, fake feuds, coping with grief, and found family that or woven into this tale. "Last Call for Love" had me laughing and at times crying as I followed Maeve and Briggs on their respective journeys toward love and fulfillment.

At the start of the novel, Maeve is running away. She'd let herself love someone and then was abandoned and betrayed by that person. Full of shame, she escapes the shambles her life has become in her hometown of Chicago by going to the tiny island of Inishglass in Ireland. Her birth father, Liam Doherty, who she never knew, has died and left her a mysterious inheritance. Maeve has hope that whatever he's left her will somehow help her out of the enormous debt her no-good ex has left her after taking out credit in her name and maxing it out before absconding. Once in Ireland, Maeve finds that she has been left an Irish pub, one of only two on the island. The other is owned by the Doherty family's rivals, the Murphys.

Native islander, Briggs Murphy has just received a diagnosis confirming what he's always known, he is destined to die far too young just like his father before him. It is why he's never let himself get too attached to any one woman. Why he's continued to live in his childhood home, but never bothered to make it his own, why he's content to run the family business with his mate Hugh and not plan a future for himself beyond that. Then he sees a woman dancing, badly, all alone in her dead father's empty pub and suddenly Briggs can't help but be fascinated. Striking up a conversation, he's even more drawn to Maeve when he purposely makes a mess with the drink she's offered him, only to find her obsessively cleaning it up, as if unable to help herself. Maeve explains that if you can control the messes in one's life then perhaps you can keep from being hurt. A flawed logic that Briggs finds heartbreaking but instantly appealing.

From there the two begin a stumbling journey toward love while pretending to keep their family's long-running feud alive for the sake of both their businesses and those of the other island residents. Along the way, Maeve learns to know something of the man her birth father was and begins to come to life again within the caring community of this tiny island Liam Doherty called home. The journey toward transformation both characters navigate as they each come to terms with grief and loss is both heartfelt with some refreshing moments of humor mixed in. I was thoroughly engrossed in finding out how Maeve would reconcile her troubles she ran away from with a future on the this island that becomes more of a home to her than the city she grew up in and loved. I also was anxious to see how things would unfold with Briggs and his heart condition. I loved the fact that he refers to it as a broken heart in the literal sense but that comes to also represent his brokenness that he's never quite come back from after losing his Da at such a young age in the metaphorical sense. I was surprised to see that this book says its marketed to a young adult audience. I would say it's more appropriate for a new adult audience as the characters are in their mid to late twenties.

All in all though, I would love to see some follow up books for some of the other characters in this book and look forward to reading more by Rebekah Crane. Thanks to NetGalley and Skyscape Publishing for giving me the chance to read this free e-galley in exchange for my honest review.

This had a slow start, and I was sure I wasn't going to like it very much in the beginning. I'm glad that I held strong and continued on, because I ended up reading the entire book in one sitting and had a smile on my face the entire time. It was essentially a little feel good romcom, with some sad side plots, but overall just a chill vibe. I wasn't a big fan of some of the side characters + their storylines, especially the side plot of the fmc and her best friend which was completely breezed over, but overall I felt like the book was pretty okay. A nice summer read, and I'm glad I got the chance to read it.

Goddamn I did not expect this book to hit me in the feels so hard but here we are. I loved this story and all of the characters throughout. Everything about this book felt so quaint and grand at the same time. The Romeo and Juliet allusions were great, too, as a former theatre kid.

This is a great book for you if you enjoy banter and also heartfelt conversations. It’s also great if you want a cast of characters that will have your attention glued to each and every page.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc!

Thank You Netgalley

Publish Date: Aug 6th, 2024

🌟🌟🌟🌟.5/ 5


I loved this book

Maeve Kaminski unexpectedly inherits from her estranged biological father. He passed away and left Maeve everything, despite her not knowing him. Maeve, burdened by debt, hopes that her inheritance will help her settle it. Instead, she finds herself on a remote Irish island as the new owner of the Moorings.

Briggs Murphy is nursing a broken heart after being diagnosed with the same condition that claimed his father's life. However, he falls deeply when Maeve arrives with her color-coordinated datebook and striking blue eyes.

According to family legend, they are enemies vying for the island.

This book is a beautiful, heartwarming read that will instill a renewed belief in the power of love.

Last Call for Love is one of those cute romance stories that you can curl up and enjoy. I read this story in one setting, and I loved it. Mauve and Briggs have such a fun “fake” enemy relationship going on, The challenge one another and make each other stronger characters. It’s a great read for someone who just wants to break away from their busy lives and dream away in book world.

As I read this, I kept trying to figure out what was bugging me so much and then it clicked. This book was categorized (at least on Netgalley) as “teens and YA” and that categorization is not correct. This is decidedly not a young adult book. Not only are the open door scenes and innuendo very over-the-top, but the ages of the characters do not fit the young adult age group (they are in their late 20s). I think I was expecting something a little more… sweet? Innocent? Speaking of sexual content—for me, it was just too much all the way around. The whole relationship between the two characters when from “enemies” to being “the best thing that’s ever happened to me” very quickly, with only physical attraction between the two. 🙄 Clearly I am not the audience for this book. The storyline with the dad was ok, but there was so much else I didn’t like that I eventually DNF’d at 70%. 🤷‍♀️
To end on a positive note, parts of this felt like a mashup of P.S. I Love You and The Ugly Truth (Gerard Butler seems to fit the description for Briggs pretty well actually). So if you’re ok with sexual content on the page and that sounds intriguing, you might really like this. It just wasn’t for me.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced review copy. All opinions are my own.