LAST CALL AT THE LOCAL

An American musician accepts a temporary job at a pub in Ireland and falls for the owner.

Since Raine Hart dropped out of medical school, she’s taken on a nomadic lifestyle, making a living busking abroad. When her guitar and other gear are stolen during what was supposed to be a brief stop in Cobh, Ireland, she heads to a pub to figure out what to do next and meets the handsome and heavily tattooed Jack Dunne and his large, floofy black cat. What starts as casual flirtation over drinks turns into a job offer; Jack needs an entertainment coordinator to revitalize the pub, so Raine agrees to stay for 12 weeks while she makes enough money to replace her stolen goods. Jack tries to be a professional coworker but he finds Raine irresistible, and with her ADHD and his OCD, they understand each other better than most. She doesn’t want to stay in one place, though, and he can’t envision leaving, so a quickly approaching expiration date on their developing relationship feels inevitable. This warm romance sparkles with Irish charm and is filled with delectable banter. The leads are immensely lovable and thoughtfully crafted. They are both imperfect in ways that make them perfect for each other. Dual first-person narratives effectively allow the reader to get inside the characters’ heads, allowing the book to realistically and empathically explore their mental health. Their love and partnership is well earned and sure to fill readers with fuzzy feelings.

Compassionate and completely charming.