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novella42's review against another edition
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.
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)
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.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Mental illness
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Domestic abuse, Child abuse, and Physical abuse
dogoodwithbooks's review against another edition
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Ableism
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Child abuse
Minor: Death of parent
ellacat11's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Panic attacks/disorders, and Mental illness
Moderate: Ableism, Panic attacks/disorders, Cursing, and Sexual content
Minor: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, and Child abuse
julianna_schock's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Ableism, Domestic abuse, and Sexual content
beebowbabe's review
adventurous
dark
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A lovely story with a non traditional ending. I thoroughly enjoyed the look inside these characters and their behaviors, and the author did well shedding light on living with conditions that people have preconceived notions about.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, and Mental illness
Moderate: Violence and Ableism
beepbeep101's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I felt so seen by this book!! As someone diagnosed with ADHD in my twenties who, like Raine, did well in school until trying to handle everything with post-college education and work and life all just became too much, this was just so validating. Being loved not in spite of your oversharing and tangents but BECAUSE of how your brain works and who you are - my little heart just sang at so many moments in this book. I’m so glad I’ve found that with my partner too. I showed them several passages from this that just about made me cry.
I can’t speak as much to the portrayal of OCD symptoms except for what I know from the experiences of loved ones and psychology courses, but it seemed handled well. This did capture the nature of intrusive thoughts well, from my own experience. Both Jack and Raine were excellent characters, and this story really benefited from having both their points of view.
No dragons, but a wonderfully chirpy Felis floofyis
I can’t speak as much to the portrayal of OCD symptoms except for what I know from the experiences of loved ones and psychology courses, but it seemed handled well. This did capture the nature of intrusive thoughts well, from my own experience. Both Jack and Raine were excellent characters, and this story really benefited from having both their points of view.
No dragons, but a wonderfully chirpy Felis floofyis
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Cursing, Ableism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Sexual content
letmetakea_shelfie_'s review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness and Ableism
katrinaward's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Mental illness
Moderate: Child abuse and Domestic abuse
bookishmillennial's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I enjoy most books for what they are, & I extract lessons from them all. I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial
I was so pleasantly surprised by this contemporary romance. It is told in dual-first person, present-tense POV of the love interests and set in Cobh, Ireland. It’s set within the same universe as the author’s books “Luck & Last Resorts”, & “Love, Lists, & Fancy Ships”.
The main characters & their journeys with mental health/neurodivergence are so beautifully written & fleshed out. I have ADHD so I felt incredibly seen by Raine’s journey & inner thoughts. Jack navigates OCD & both of these portrayals are so incredibly tender. Thank you to SGR for these perfectly imperfect humans, who are just as worthy & deserving of love, connection, community, dreams, and hope.
The side characters (who I am guessing are from the previous books) were just darling too. I’d absolutely watch a tv series based on this group of friends & found family. Nina & Ollie were so stern yet unserious, we met a nonbinary character Roîsin (they/them), & the group dynamic was just so precious. I loved the snark & banter between all of them — they felt authentic & representative of gen x/millennial friend groups today.
The premise of Raine & Jack’s meet-cute & romance was so fun! Raine is a street performer who just lost her grandpa’s guitar (it was stolen, along with the rest of her belongings in her 40-pound backpack), and stumbles upon Jack’s bar. She notices he has “LAST CALL” tattooed across his knuckles and he asks her what she would do to liven the pub up; Raine answers honestly, and Jack offers her the job of entertainment coordinator in hopes of revamping the pub and bringing more consistent business in. Since Raine has no money and no plans for the near future, she agrees to stay and work for the next 3 months.
All the while, she is grappling with the expectations and family she left behind in Boston, including her sister Clara (which I am wondering now if we will get her romance next👀) and Jack is missing his days as a tattoo artist and ruminating over his family trauma. Though this had some heavier content, the light and hope of Jack and Raine’s love was the glue of the story & I used my Kobo credits to buy the audiobooks of SGR’s other two books in this series of standalone romances.
Overall, I had a delightful time & I highly recommend this!
steam rating: 2/5
cw: child abuse, ableism, depictions of OCD, intrusive thoughts, and ADHD, death of a parent
I was so pleasantly surprised by this contemporary romance. It is told in dual-first person, present-tense POV of the love interests and set in Cobh, Ireland. It’s set within the same universe as the author’s books “Luck & Last Resorts”, & “Love, Lists, & Fancy Ships”.
The main characters & their journeys with mental health/neurodivergence are so beautifully written & fleshed out. I have ADHD so I felt incredibly seen by Raine’s journey & inner thoughts. Jack navigates OCD & both of these portrayals are so incredibly tender. Thank you to SGR for these perfectly imperfect humans, who are just as worthy & deserving of love, connection, community, dreams, and hope.
The side characters (who I am guessing are from the previous books) were just darling too. I’d absolutely watch a tv series based on this group of friends & found family. Nina & Ollie were so stern yet unserious, we met a nonbinary character Roîsin (they/them), & the group dynamic was just so precious. I loved the snark & banter between all of them — they felt authentic & representative of gen x/millennial friend groups today.
The premise of Raine & Jack’s meet-cute & romance was so fun! Raine is a street performer who just lost her grandpa’s guitar (it was stolen, along with the rest of her belongings in her 40-pound backpack), and stumbles upon Jack’s bar. She notices he has “LAST CALL” tattooed across his knuckles and he asks her what she would do to liven the pub up; Raine answers honestly, and Jack offers her the job of entertainment coordinator in hopes of revamping the pub and bringing more consistent business in. Since Raine has no money and no plans for the near future, she agrees to stay and work for the next 3 months.
All the while, she is grappling with the expectations and family she left behind in Boston, including her sister Clara (which I am wondering now if we will get her romance next👀) and Jack is missing his days as a tattoo artist and ruminating over his family trauma. Though this had some heavier content, the light and hope of Jack and Raine’s love was the glue of the story & I used my Kobo credits to buy the audiobooks of SGR’s other two books in this series of standalone romances.
Overall, I had a delightful time & I highly recommend this!
steam rating: 2/5
cw: child abuse, ableism, depictions of OCD, intrusive thoughts, and ADHD, death of a parent
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Death of parent
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