Rate 3.5/5

“If you understand your role, you can play it better”

I thought I was picking a sweet and funny romance to put me in the St Patrick’s mood and… I found something else. I loved the idea of the setting : an Island around Cork (my fav’ city in Ireland!), two rival families who use the rumours to boost the business. Pranks, misunderstandings, that was a funny idea. And I was delighted by the Romeo and Juliet vibes.
In the end, that part is more a secondary one in the story. Grief had much more importance. That part is truly well written. I cried more than once (and that’s not easy to make me cry), I found so many quotes to collect in my reading journal.
But… I didn’t pick the book for that. I wanted a romance. And if the side characters are powerful and full of feelings, I had a lot of trouble getting attached to both MCs. I couldn't feel chemistry between them, nor see them truly evolve. Which, in a romance, is a bit of a problem. On the same line, but it might be related to my attachment to the city, I didn’t feel the Irish vibes so much, it wasn’t really immersive.
I’m really torn here. I didn’t like the romance, I never connected to it. BUT I loved the grieving and filial love story (especially the letters).

Thank you to NetGalley and Skyscape for that ARC copy in exchange of my honest review.

I really enjoyed the first half of this book. It was a solid 4-star beginning for me. I LOVE stories set in Ireland, especially romances. I really enjoyed the faux enemies/Romeo and Juliet story line until it kind of fizzled out for me. I think it would have been more believable if it was more of an enemies to lovers trope instead of insta-love, but I just didn’t feel the spark or chemistry between Maeve and Briggs. I think it felt rushed, but the book kind of also felt longer than it should have at the same time?

I say that to add that I did like the secondary characters, especially Hugh, Barb, and Aoife. Overall, this was a 3-star read for me because I lost interest in the romance when it didn’t come across as believable.

Wow! What a cute story. You know those reviews that say "this book was a warm hug"? Well, this one really was. Maeve inherits a pub in Ireland from her late father, and from there, the story unfolds into a beautiful journey of self-discovery, the bonds of found family, and of course, a new romance.

Two things I totally didn't expect from other reviews and the book synopsis. 1. Spice! Definitely a few more spicy scenes than I expected. The spice level and the age of the main character would definitely put this in the New Adult category vs. YA for me. 2. that i would BAWL my eyes out more than once. But what really makes this book shine are the characters and the charming setting of Innishglass.

Sure, there's a bit of the dreaded miscommunication trope, which can be a bit tiresome, but the backstory adds depth and reasoning that keeps it from becoming too much. There were a few instances of repetition and excessive inner monologue, but nothing that detracted too much from the overall experience. The love story between Maeve and Briggs felt a little rushed at the beginning bordering the line of "insta-love". But if you're in need of an escape and just a feel good story, look no further. This book delivers. So, if you're after a read that'll tug at your heartstrings and leave you feeling uplifted, I'd definitely recommend giving it a go!

If I could summarize this book shortly, it'd be <b>Leap Year</b>. Not because I started it on February 29th, because it gives me the vibe of Leap Year the movie. It takes place in a small Irish town and gives the feels of a community and found family pretty well.

Maeve and Briggs made me smile throughout the book, though initially, I thought their attraction turned to love a bit too quickly. I wish the author had emphasized Briggs more, knowing Maeve's existence and celebrating her birthday for years. I thought his affection also stemmed from that; if so, it'd be a nice touch. A girl he's known and dreamed of for years shows up eventually, and she's even more than he imagined.

I love the healthy family interactions, the portrayal of Maeve's control-freakness, Briggs, the rivalry between two bars (and the reviews mentioned in the beginning of chapters), the side characters (especially Barb).

ALSO, Liam was so interesting! His story took an unexpected turn, and it was realistic — brutally realistic. On the other hand, I hated Eoin, and I was pissed at Maeve and Briggs for falling for his tricks every single time. Dudes, you know the man's cunning and you can tell it smells fishy so why do you fall for it EVERY SINGLE TIME?

Lastly, there were some quotes I marked during the book that really, really touched me, but I'm waiting for the pub day to post them online.

It was a beautiful read overall.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for sharing an arc with me.

Things I liked: Dual POV, He Falls First, Forbidden Love vibes

Things I didn't like: Insta Love feeling

Overall: I was drawn to this book based on the cover and synopsis. It however didn't hit the mark for me. Parts of it I enjoyed but it was just a little bit too far fetched to be entirely believable. The main characters weren't ones I found myself relating to / loving. This in turn made me not enjoy their interactions with each other / others. Though it wasn't a book I loved, it was a quick easy read that had its moments. I wouldn't re-read it or rave about it to friends, but it wouldn't make my list of suggested romances.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this book.

I was drawn to the premise, but as the story progressed, I lost interest of how cringey and unrealistic it was. I also didn't like the narrative voice. Overall, I just felt apathetic while reading it.

Netgalley ARC -
I finished this a while ago but haven't been able to decide how to review. It was a quick read that held me and parts of it stuck with me. I loved the foreigner going to Ireland and finding out about her family and the pranks but these weren't enough of the book and there were parts of the relationships, characters and story line that either bothered me or wasn't developed - gave it a 3!

This book overall was cute and sweet and what you want from a rivalry trope romance. The main characters were likeable but the relationship felt a little unrealistic and not fleshed out. Definitely don’t think this book is YA!

The first thing I want to say is that this book was labeled teens & ya. While there aren’t any detailed explicit scenes, there is lots of sexual language and innuendos all throughout this book. A lot. Including constant talk about other people’s bodies. So I’m not sure I’d consider this YA.

I’m not entirely sure how I feel about this book. I want to start by saying I didn’t hate it but I didn’t quite love it either.
I read the premise of the book and expected something different. I expected a little more back and forth tension between the two MCs. The rivalry part with both pub’s success depending on it to keep tourists coming just never really made much sense to me. I feel like if the rivalry aspect hadn’t been as much of a focus and there was more focus on just Maeve it would have made more sense and had more emotional impact on the reader. She had a terrible breakup, she was on this new island with a bunch of people who knew her father when she never even met him, and she now owns a pub she has to learn how to run. There was a lot of potential storyline to develop there but for me it never fully did.
I also never fully connected with the main characters. A lot of their personality traits were discussed but they didn’t feel quite authentic throughout the book. They were a bit cliche and lacked depth. Because of that, I felt like all the relationships formed also lacked depth.

Overall, I enjoyed the parts about Maeve finding herself and learning about Liam. Liam’s letters were the best part for me. It was also a quick read. I would still read other books by this author in the future.

The cover and setting are what initially drew me to this book. The beginning felt promising, but as I met the characters and more of the plot was explained I slowly began to lose interest. The situation just seemed too unrealistic, and the romance between the two main characters was very insta-love (which is just a trope I’m personally not a huge fan of) and I really didn’t feel the chemistry between Maeve and Briggs. There just needed to be more.

The repetitiveness and importance they put on the pub’s family feud and the comparison to it being a Romeo and Juliet forbidden romance was honestly kind of drawn out. I really wanted to like this one, but it just did not work for me. Overall, it was a sweet storyline I just didn’t feel a connection to any of the characters :(
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Rebekah Crane has been a go to other other especially when needing a quick but enjoyable read.
This book however was a huge miss for me.
The chemistry between Maeve and Briggs was for me lacking, with no real depth into their story it was more about get physical with each other than really truly know each other. And with there being a "feud" between each other as expecting more fun pranks played on each other, it honestly felt more childish then anything. This book had so much potential and it fell short.

Thanks net galley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review all thoughts are my own.

2.5 stars.

I am a huge fan of Rebekah Crane, and will always be, but this was a bit of a miss for me. Some things irked me and I had more questions than answers owing to these gaps/implausibilities
- Maeve's A-type/control personality didn't really show up in Ireland
- Briggs fell in love immediately, after years of commitment/love phobia
- Despite Maeve's trust issues, she also instantly fell in love with him
- Who was running the pub? Maeve never seemed to be there
- What did Maeve think of Ireland? It would have been awesome to get some great descriptions and sentiments of her experience there for the first time

Also, why is this book pitched at young adults? I don't think it's fitting.

There were some good moments - the banter between Maeve and Briggs, Briggs' friend Hugh, and the letter that Maeve's dad wrote to her.. But all in all, it was a bit meh.

This book just wasn’t for me.

I was so excited to read this one because I love stories where characters have to go to a foreign land and discover a new version of themselves along the way. This one just didn’t work for me.

I originally liked the idea of feuding families, but it was unbelievable here. Would tourists really flock to this small Irish island just to visit two bars where the owners hate each other? I just don’t know. And the fact our FMC immediately continues the feud makes no sense. Sure she thinks the MMC betrayed/tricked her, but get over it. Then the FMC has to go to great lengths to even be able to sell the bar.

The characters were just ok, but they seemed a little extra and hyper. I wanted them to mellow out and be quiet for a bit.

Overall, I really just wanted this book to be over. I didn’t feel a connection to the characters.

*An ARC was received in exchange for an honest review.

This book wasn’t really for me. I’m also confused if it’s marked correctly for age range? It says teens, but I don’t necessarily think it’s appropriate for teens. It talked about orgasms and sex. I mean, there are worse things, but this seemed more adult range? I would move the age range to new adult if that can still be done.
The phrases were pretty repetitive, and I’m not a fan of the clumsy somewhat ditzy girl trope. I think the editing could have been stronger- it would help the writing not feel as choppy due to sentence length. I think some editing could make this a stronger novel.

When I first started reading this book I had major worries that it would be on my dnf list as I felt the first chapter was super chaotic. By page 30 I was already recommending it to a friend as a must read. Last call for love had me laughing out loud on more than one occasion, I read this in less than 8 hours, and I have found a new go to rom-com author in Rebekah Crane.

Thank you to both the publisher and Netgalley for sharing this ARC with me.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.

Control freak Maeve has been jilted and never recovered. One day she gets an email summons to a tiny island in Ireland called Inishglass and she leaves the comfort of her Chicago apartment to find out what her estranged birth father has left her. Enter Moorings and Briggs - Moorings, the pub her father left her, one of only two on the island, and Briggs - the man who owns the other pub on the island, and the families have been feuding for years. Romance ensues.

First off, THIS IS YA? This is genuinely marketed as YA? Perhaps my parameters are confused as to what constitutes Teen/YA, but I would not align this book as anything other than adult fiction. Anyway, soapbox ended - back to the story - there was a lot about this book that I liked. I feel like it’s Jenny Colgan with an edge. But I feel like there were several moments where the plot points are rushed or the language gets stilted. Things get tied up perfectly, aka Spencer in the end? Showing up with his head in his hands? What? I think that overall, the story is fun and I love the feuding bar scenario, but the social media posts are a little much and a little weird in their delivery. No one writes “reviews” like that. All in all, I think the bones are good while details need a bit of tidying up.

I love Rebekah Crane, so I couldn’t wait to pick this one one. Rival pubs, set in Ireland, found family?! Right up my alley! Unfortunately, I lost interest quickly. The story felt very stereotypical — caricature-like characters and a hard to believe plot that reminds me of so many 2000s romances. As soon as Briggs started comparing *certain things* to various fruits, I was out. Getting through the rest felt tedious.

A bummed 2⭐️

I received this book from NetGalley.

My first impression of Maeve is not great. At the beginning you want to have sympathy for her but then she's so unbelievably rude to the lawyer who emails her that it put me right off. And that's right at the beginning of the book!

Maeve continues to be read, unnecessarily so. Her behaviour towards Eoin is unacceptable. She expects him to drop everything and cater to her every whim. Yes, he told her that she had to come to the island but the reality is that she is the one who got on a plane.

The reviews written for the pubs are cringey. It had to be said.

Maeve is a bad friend. Sonya shouldn't have ignored her to spend time with a new girlfriend, but Maeve's reaction to it is just rude. Why can't she just be happy for her friend, instead of putting the whole thing down?

I hate that social media has been brought into this cute town's feud. Why do we need an Instagram wall that's going to bring a completely different clientele. Not liking it. Social media ruins too many things.

I did not expect Liam's letter to make me emotional though. Wow.

It is quite ridiculous that Maeve called Briggs a liar when there was so much that she didn't tell him and it wasn't necessary to keep it a secret, especially since they're in a relationship.

Maeve does get better, but honestly this book was just too long for me! I felt it could have been shorter.

maeve goes to ireland because her biological dad died and left her his pub in which she can only sell if she completes a list. she has no idea about the community and history but that’s about to change when she starts to grieve about someone she hasn’t even met while we have briggs who still grieves about someone he lost to something tragic and now he needs to decide something really difficult to him.

unfortunately i didn’t enjoy reading this book. i always love when the mc needs to travel and connect with a new culture but this one wasn’t for me. i also don’t care about a book having third povs but the writing messed up with this dynamic. this book was a lot more about grief journal than romance so if you wanna read this one because of the romance, pick another book.

and why is this considered young adult?? it isn’t. and i hate how authors write the couple having sex because one of them “needs” to forget about something bad/sad, with the purpose to forget their feelings. yes there was consent but i don’t like that kind of message.

what saved this book was the tourists’ reviews online because they were funny and also liam’s letters, i still don’t get him, like on every birthday he got her something but never sent it????

i would like to thank netgalley and skyscape team for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

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 colour-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 a temporary e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.