Reviews with content warning for Mental illness - Last Call at the Local

Reviews tagging 'Mental illness'

Last Call at the Local by Sarah Grunder Ruiz

31 reviews

cmedici's review against another edition

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emotional funny reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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lexijo92's review against another edition

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garbage_mcsmutly's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Good neurodiverse representation (ADHD and OCD). The pacing was a little weird towards the end but it kind of had to be. I ort of wish the spicy scenes had been a bit more detailed.

Anyways I really enjoyed it overall. Plus there's a lovable cat!

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kimberpoi's review against another edition

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adventurous lighthearted reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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novella42's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I really enjoyed seeing the love these two had for each other and the gentle yet profound ways they showed up for each others' struggles. Romantic, sexy, delightful.

Whoever wrote the tagline "opposites attract" clearly either didn't read the book or was neurotypical enough to have missed the point. This is a love story about the way neurodivergent people connect with each other, truly resonate with and respect and understand each other. "Aithníonn ciaróg, ciaróg eile." One beetle recognizes another.

I knew about some of the stereotypes that people have about OCD, and I knew why they are way off mark, but this is the first book I can remember reading with a main character who has OCD. It was refreshing to explore it in fiction and get a glimpse of what helps and what doesn't, and why. At least for this character's experience—obviously everyone has their own unique experience of it and as such will have different needs for their own recovery.

Anyway, the "opposites attract!" line really bugs me because it implies that one character is a disorganized mess because ADHD and the other character is uptight and tidy because OCD, when that is stereotyped, ableist thinking and really isn't how it works for either of them. Also, (mild spoiler you learn by page 87)

they both have ADHD.

So that marketing line is even more off the mark.

This might be the first romance novel I can think of where I genuinely couldn't figure out how they were gonna make it work. (Spoiler for ending.)

The unconventional solution of "relationship accommodations" was my absolute favorite part. And though this is a book by, about, and for monogamous people, it reminded me of all the ways polyamorous people work hard to build unique custom-made relationships that truly serve the people IN the relationship. Rather than trying to make the people serve the relationship and all the cultural expectations that come with what a normal relationship should be. I love that their solution works for them.

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dogoodwithbooks's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Closed Door Mod: Chapters 20-21 (some parts), Chapter 26 (some parts)

After having most of her equipment stolen, free-spired traveling musician Raine winds up at a family-owned pub in Cobh, Ireland. Striking up an immediate connection with one of the pub’s owners, Jack, he offers her a job at the pub as their entertainment coordinator. From there, the two have to manage their opposite lifestyles if they want a real chance for their relationship to last.

Last Call at the Local is a charming romance that brings a heartfelt connection between two neurodivergent minds. While the book addresses difficult topics as well as the challenges of being neurodivergent in a neurotypical world (Raine has ADHD and Jack has OCD), Ruiz tackles these subjects with the care Raine and Jack deserve.

Personally, I felt immediate connections with both characters and it’s really great to see the representation Ruiz has in Last Call at the Local with two neurodivergent people falling in love. I also felt that in addition to a pair of well-crafted main characters, Ruiz also does a good job with creating a cast of supporting characters that bring about the story to life.

If you are looking for a opposites attract, workplace romance with two neurodivergent leads, you should definitely check out Last Call at the Local.

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enneirda07's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I kind of half listened to the book but the narration was really good. It was also really interesting look and different perspective at OCD that I haven't seen before.

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sundaylou's review against another edition

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adventurous funny informative medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Fairly average romance story with semi-heavy mental illness (OCD and ADHD). While the inner dialogue of intrusive thoughts is likely accurate, it makes the story heavy to read and not at all lighthearted like I was led to believe. So much so that I found I had to remind myself I had a book I was midway through instead of feeling captured to read it without the mental reminder.

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patelyne's review against another edition

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5.0

Raine is busker, playing music while traveling in Ireland. Well, she was. Unfortunately, she’s just been ripped off and without her instruments she’s dreading going back home with tail between her legs.

Enter flirtatious man, Jack. After their chance meeting, at what she doesn’t realize is *his* bar, he picks her brain in hypotheticals.

He likes her ideas, wants her to stay, and offers her the job of entertainment coordinator on the spot.

I loved both the main characters *and* all the side characters. The Local itself even felt like a character. Reading this book almost felt like going on a little adventure.

There’s ADHD (both) and OCD (him) rep. I’ve seen (pretty sure lived) the first a lot, but the second is new to me. Considering what they both have running through their heads I appreciated the enthusiastic consent even more than I normally do (which is quite a lot, actually)

Favorite line - “How can you think you’re too much, when I can’t get enough of you?”

This book could have broken my heart, I’m so glad it didn’t 💚

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ellacat11's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

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