Ruiz, Sarah Grunder. Last Call at the Local. (Love, Lists & Fancy Ships #3). Berkley, 2024. 368 pp. ISBN 9780593549063. $17.00.

***

Raine Hart’s solo European tour as a wandering musician comes to an abrupt end in Ireland when her guitar is stolen. Luckily, the pub she’s wandered into needs a worker, and owner Jack is enthralled with her ideas to improve the place. She assists with some redesigns and begins to find a place for herself in the community. There is a nice mix of banter and deep conversation.

Ruiz’s portrayal of living with ADHD and OCD, and the complications, doubts, and benefits that come along with their neuro-atypical diagnoses is raw, poignant, vulnerable and healing. The narrative has a slow burn but it’s worth the wait.

This seemed to be a stand-alone book with references to characters from other books in the series Love, Lists & Fancy Ships; it’s a solid, cozy read.

I received a free advance reader’s review copy of #LastCallAtTheLocal from #NetGalley, courtesy of #Berkley Publishing Group.