Reviews with content warning for Physical abuse - Last Call at the Local

Reviews tagging 'Physical abuse'

Last Call at the Local by Sarah Grunder Ruiz

5 reviews

garbage_mcsmutly's review against another edition

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!

Content Warnings

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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