Last Call at the Local by Sarah Grunder Ruiz
Berkley, 2024
Paperback ROM, 368 pp
with gratitude to Berkley & Edelweiss+ for the eARC.
Opposites attract when a free-spirited American singer-songwriter with ADHD teams up with a charming Irishman to revitalize his family’s pub. (publisher’s copy)
With the encouragement of a co-worker, I’m re-entering the world of Contemporary Romances, and what better treat than Last Call at the Local. I love a well-written novel where you feel seen and are reminded of how deserving you are of a sexy, swoon-worthy romance. ADHD, OCD, those intrusive thoughts, complicated family histories…they influence our life choices and impact our relationships. It’s a pleasure to watch how it plays out for our protagonists. It’s sometimes easy to witness, other times heart-wrenching, but always meaningful, always hopeful.
The greater premise is charming and romantic. The neighborhood, relatives (found and given), the cat are delightfully realized. The turns are sensical and create a satisfying tension. I enjoyed both the external and internal landscapes of our protagonists and the alternating perspectives. The pacing felt patient, drawing the reader in even as the author was drawing her lovers closer together.
Last Call at the Local is fun, sensitive, and easy to fall in love with.
leslie d. 
Contemporary Romance is the perfect blend of heart, humor, and hope, providing a welcome escape from the complexities of everyday life.