Scan barcode
kaitlynrose3636's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Child abuse
garbage_mcsmutly's review
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!
Anyways I really enjoyed it overall. Plus there's a lovable cat!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Cursing, and Sexual content
Minor: Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, and Death of parent
kimberpoi's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Minor: Child abuse
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
rachminick's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol and Death of parent
Minor: Emotional abuse and Child abuse
courtneylake's review against another edition
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Child abuse and Domestic abuse
emilymazzara's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.0
I loved this! It is such a good story and the meet-cute is literal perfection. The representation of mental health and the spectrum of issues it can cause people in their every day lives is handled with masterful skill. You can tell the author either struggles with mental health themselves of loves someone dearly who does.
My favorite thing is that the two MCs falling in love doesn’t “cure” them. They both have compassion and empathy for each other and learn to communicate and compromise.
Beautifully done!
My favorite thing is that the two MCs falling in love doesn’t “cure” them. They both have compassion and empathy for each other and learn to communicate and compromise.
Beautifully done!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Minor: Death of parent, Animal cruelty, and Child abuse
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