asquared92 's review for:

Last Call at the Local by Sarah Grunder Ruiz

5.0

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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: Complicated

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This book caught my eye and I bought it when I had some kindle credits to use. I’m so glad I picked it up. The author’s portrayal of OCD and ADHD felt very authentic and honest. Raine and Jack were complex characters, and I loved the way they understood each other from the jump. Their banter was quick witted and perfectly timed. Their friendship that turned into something more was beautifully written. I enjoyed the dual POV. It was amazing to be in both of their heads as they got to know each other and fall for each other. I adored the way Jack knew what Raine needed before she did. I appreciated the way Raine held space for Jack and never made him feel like he was broken because of the OCD. The character growth for both of them as the story developed was amazing and felt realistic and relatable. I loved the descriptions of Cohb, because it felt like I was there with them (and reminded me of the afternoon I spent wandering the quaint town back in 2018). This one was a slow burn, but it was resolved in a satisfying way at the right moment. The ending was so sweet and wrapped the story up nicely.