From the publisher:
Opposites attract when a free-spirited American singer-songwriter with ADHD teams up with a charming Irishman to revitalize his family’s pub in the next heartfelt romance from the author of Luck and Last Resorts.
Raine Hart is used to the challenges of living with ADHD. It’s why she ditched her life in Boston to busk around Europe as a traveling musician. No boss. No schedule. No one to disappoint but herself. But when a careless mistake in Ireland leaves her unable to perform, she sees no other option but to give up her nomadic life.
Since inheriting the Local, Jack Dunne has wanted to make the pub his own. But the baggage of running a family business and the intrusive thoughts that stem from his OCD make changing things a challenge.
Over a pint with handsome, tattooed Jack, Raine accidentally insults him and the pub. Instead of taking offense, Jack, impressed by her vision of what the pub could be, offers her a job bringing it to life.
But when Raine and Jack develop feelings for one another their opposite lifestyles won’t accommodate, it becomes clear the pub isn’t the only thing that needs reinventing. As the end of their business collaboration draws near, they’ll have to find a way past the limits they’ve placed on themselves or let go of a love that could last a lifetime.
With the clock ticking and time running out to win her dream job in Paris, Georgia begins to unravel some astonishing secrets that make her wonder if the true recipe for a charmed life might look—and taste—very different than she ever imagined.
“This warm romance sparkles with Irish charm and is filled with delectable banter. The leads are immensely lovable and thoughtfully crafted…Compassionate and completely charming.”—Kirkus (starred)
“Ruiz shines in this moving and adorable tale of neurodivergent love in a cozy Irish town…Ruiz handles her characters’ intrusive thoughts and exaggerated fears with uncommon grace and sensitivity and makes it clear throughout that, despite their anxieties, these two are perfect for each other.”—Publishers Weekly (starred)
“Readers will be drawn to Ruiz’s sweet romance about taking a chance on something and someone new.”—Booklist
“Ruiz (Luck and Last Resorts) writes sensitively about two people trying to thrive amid personal issues and the relief one feels in finding a kindred soul.”—Library Journal
https://amzn.to/3HxVHan
An American singer-songwriter, Raine Hart, has learned to live with her ADHD by moving across the pond and busking her way through Europe. She lands in a pub in a small town in Ireland after she is robbed of everything – her guitar, her cell phone, everything she needs to make a living. She ends up in a discussion with a good looking man named Jack about the pub. He asks her opinion about it, and she is frank in her assessment. Then she finds out he is the owner and is mortified. Much to her surprise, instead of anger, she gets a job offer to make her vision for the pub a reality.
Raine needs to earn enough money to buy a new guitar – hers was irreplaceable. Jack gives her a place to stay – his apartment above the bar, while he stays with his brother. As they spend time together, they both recognize that they each have some issues; Raine with her ADHD, and Jack, with OCD. They learn to work together and no one is surprised when they develop feelings for one another. But Raine can’t stay in one place, and Jack can’t leave his family business.
This is a charming, witty read and the romance rings true. These two imperfect people find one another and manage to get to their happily ever after, and it is a joy to take that journey with them. Highly recommend!
1/2024 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
LAST CALL AT THE LOCAL by Sarah Grunder Ruiz. Berkley (January 2, 2024). ISBN: 978-0593549063. 368p.
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