The first thing I want to say is that this book was labeled teens & ya. While there aren’t any detailed explicit scenes, there is lots of sexual language and innuendos all throughout this book. A lot. Including constant talk about other people’s bodies. So I’m not sure I’d consider this YA.

I’m not entirely sure how I feel about this book. I want to start by saying I didn’t hate it but I didn’t quite love it either.
I read the premise of the book and expected something different. I expected a little more back and forth tension between the two MCs. The rivalry part with both pub’s success depending on it to keep tourists coming just never really made much sense to me. I feel like if the rivalry aspect hadn’t been as much of a focus and there was more focus on just Maeve it would have made more sense and had more emotional impact on the reader. She had a terrible breakup, she was on this new island with a bunch of people who knew her father when she never even met him, and she now owns a pub she has to learn how to run. There was a lot of potential storyline to develop there but for me it never fully did.
I also never fully connected with the main characters. A lot of their personality traits were discussed but they didn’t feel quite authentic throughout the book. They were a bit cliche and lacked depth. Because of that, I felt like all the relationships formed also lacked depth.

Overall, I enjoyed the parts about Maeve finding herself and learning about Liam. Liam’s letters were the best part for me. It was also a quick read. I would still read other books by this author in the future.

The cover and setting are what initially drew me to this book. The beginning felt promising, but as I met the characters and more of the plot was explained I slowly began to lose interest. The situation just seemed too unrealistic, and the romance between the two main characters was very insta-love (which is just a trope I’m personally not a huge fan of) and I really didn’t feel the chemistry between Maeve and Briggs. There just needed to be more.

The repetitiveness and importance they put on the pub’s family feud and the comparison to it being a Romeo and Juliet forbidden romance was honestly kind of drawn out. I really wanted to like this one, but it just did not work for me. Overall, it was a sweet storyline I just didn’t feel a connection to any of the characters :(
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Rebekah Crane has been a go to other other especially when needing a quick but enjoyable read.
This book however was a huge miss for me.
The chemistry between Maeve and Briggs was for me lacking, with no real depth into their story it was more about get physical with each other than really truly know each other. And with there being a "feud" between each other as expecting more fun pranks played on each other, it honestly felt more childish then anything. This book had so much potential and it fell short.

Thanks net galley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review all thoughts are my own.

2.5 stars.

I am a huge fan of Rebekah Crane, and will always be, but this was a bit of a miss for me. Some things irked me and I had more questions than answers owing to these gaps/implausibilities
- Maeve's A-type/control personality didn't really show up in Ireland
- Briggs fell in love immediately, after years of commitment/love phobia
- Despite Maeve's trust issues, she also instantly fell in love with him
- Who was running the pub? Maeve never seemed to be there
- What did Maeve think of Ireland? It would have been awesome to get some great descriptions and sentiments of her experience there for the first time

Also, why is this book pitched at young adults? I don't think it's fitting.

There were some good moments - the banter between Maeve and Briggs, Briggs' friend Hugh, and the letter that Maeve's dad wrote to her.. But all in all, it was a bit meh.

This book just wasn’t for me.

I was so excited to read this one because I love stories where characters have to go to a foreign land and discover a new version of themselves along the way. This one just didn’t work for me.

I originally liked the idea of feuding families, but it was unbelievable here. Would tourists really flock to this small Irish island just to visit two bars where the owners hate each other? I just don’t know. And the fact our FMC immediately continues the feud makes no sense. Sure she thinks the MMC betrayed/tricked her, but get over it. Then the FMC has to go to great lengths to even be able to sell the bar.

The characters were just ok, but they seemed a little extra and hyper. I wanted them to mellow out and be quiet for a bit.

Overall, I really just wanted this book to be over. I didn’t feel a connection to the characters.

*An ARC was received in exchange for an honest review.

This book wasn’t really for me. I’m also confused if it’s marked correctly for age range? It says teens, but I don’t necessarily think it’s appropriate for teens. It talked about orgasms and sex. I mean, there are worse things, but this seemed more adult range? I would move the age range to new adult if that can still be done.
The phrases were pretty repetitive, and I’m not a fan of the clumsy somewhat ditzy girl trope. I think the editing could have been stronger- it would help the writing not feel as choppy due to sentence length. I think some editing could make this a stronger novel.

When I first started reading this book I had major worries that it would be on my dnf list as I felt the first chapter was super chaotic. By page 30 I was already recommending it to a friend as a must read. Last call for love had me laughing out loud on more than one occasion, I read this in less than 8 hours, and I have found a new go to rom-com author in Rebekah Crane.

Thank you to both the publisher and Netgalley for sharing this ARC with me.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.

Control freak Maeve has been jilted and never recovered. One day she gets an email summons to a tiny island in Ireland called Inishglass and she leaves the comfort of her Chicago apartment to find out what her estranged birth father has left her. Enter Moorings and Briggs - Moorings, the pub her father left her, one of only two on the island, and Briggs - the man who owns the other pub on the island, and the families have been feuding for years. Romance ensues.

First off, THIS IS YA? This is genuinely marketed as YA? Perhaps my parameters are confused as to what constitutes Teen/YA, but I would not align this book as anything other than adult fiction. Anyway, soapbox ended - back to the story - there was a lot about this book that I liked. I feel like it’s Jenny Colgan with an edge. But I feel like there were several moments where the plot points are rushed or the language gets stilted. Things get tied up perfectly, aka Spencer in the end? Showing up with his head in his hands? What? I think that overall, the story is fun and I love the feuding bar scenario, but the social media posts are a little much and a little weird in their delivery. No one writes “reviews” like that. All in all, I think the bones are good while details need a bit of tidying up.

I love Rebekah Crane, so I couldn’t wait to pick this one one. Rival pubs, set in Ireland, found family?! Right up my alley! Unfortunately, I lost interest quickly. The story felt very stereotypical — caricature-like characters and a hard to believe plot that reminds me of so many 2000s romances. As soon as Briggs started comparing *certain things* to various fruits, I was out. Getting through the rest felt tedious.

A bummed 2⭐️

I received this book from NetGalley.

My first impression of Maeve is not great. At the beginning you want to have sympathy for her but then she's so unbelievably rude to the lawyer who emails her that it put me right off. And that's right at the beginning of the book!

Maeve continues to be read, unnecessarily so. Her behaviour towards Eoin is unacceptable. She expects him to drop everything and cater to her every whim. Yes, he told her that she had to come to the island but the reality is that she is the one who got on a plane.

The reviews written for the pubs are cringey. It had to be said.

Maeve is a bad friend. Sonya shouldn't have ignored her to spend time with a new girlfriend, but Maeve's reaction to it is just rude. Why can't she just be happy for her friend, instead of putting the whole thing down?

I hate that social media has been brought into this cute town's feud. Why do we need an Instagram wall that's going to bring a completely different clientele. Not liking it. Social media ruins too many things.

I did not expect Liam's letter to make me emotional though. Wow.

It is quite ridiculous that Maeve called Briggs a liar when there was so much that she didn't tell him and it wasn't necessary to keep it a secret, especially since they're in a relationship.

Maeve does get better, but honestly this book was just too long for me! I felt it could have been shorter.

maeve goes to ireland because her biological dad died and left her his pub in which she can only sell if she completes a list. she has no idea about the community and history but that’s about to change when she starts to grieve about someone she hasn’t even met while we have briggs who still grieves about someone he lost to something tragic and now he needs to decide something really difficult to him.

unfortunately i didn’t enjoy reading this book. i always love when the mc needs to travel and connect with a new culture but this one wasn’t for me. i also don’t care about a book having third povs but the writing messed up with this dynamic. this book was a lot more about grief journal than romance so if you wanna read this one because of the romance, pick another book.

and why is this considered young adult?? it isn’t. and i hate how authors write the couple having sex because one of them “needs” to forget about something bad/sad, with the purpose to forget their feelings. yes there was consent but i don’t like that kind of message.

what saved this book was the tourists’ reviews online because they were funny and also liam’s letters, i still don’t get him, like on every birthday he got her something but never sent it????

i would like to thank netgalley and skyscape team for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

In the quaint embrace of an Irish island, where the sea whispers secrets and the air carries the scent of forgotten love, "Last Call for Love" by Rebekah Crane unfolds. Known for her evocative storytelling, Crane weaves a tale that transcends time, family feuds, and the boundaries of the heart.

Meet Maeve Kaminski. She’s a Chicagoan with a penchant for colour-coordinated datebooks, never expected to inherit a pub from her estranged biological father. Yet, life has a way of surprising us when we least anticipate it. As Maeve steps onto the Irish soil, she's greeted by the salty breeze and the promise of new beginnings.

Meet Briggs. He’s the rugged owner of a renowned pub and a man whose heart is as guarded as the ancient cliffs surrounding the island. Recently diagnosed with the same condition that claimed his father's life, Briggs isn't seeking love. But fate, with its whimsical brush, paints a different picture. When Maeve's striking blue eyes lock with his, something shifts. Their connection defies familial legend; they're meant to be enemies, yet destiny insists otherwise.

The chemistry between Maeve and Briggs crackles like a bonfire on a chilly night. Their banter dances between wit and vulnerability, and as they navigate the intricacies of their shared history, the island itself seems to hold its breath. Crane's prose captures the essence of Ireland: the rolling hills, the cozy pubs, and the ancient folklore that clings to every stone.

The pacing is exquisite. Each chapter unfurls like a delicate petal, revealing layers of longing, regret, and hope. The tension between Maeve and Briggs is palpable, their stolen glances and accidental touches igniting sparks that leap off the page. And oh, the kisses! I mean the kind that taste like salt and redemption, like promises whispered across centuries.

But this isn't merely a romance. It's a story of redemption, of rewriting history before it's too late. As Maeve and Briggs grapple with their pasts, they unearth buried secrets, confront family legacies, and discover that love isn't always convenient—it's messy, inconvenient, and utterly transformative.

Crane's characters are flawed and achingly real. Maeve's vulnerability is a balm for the soul, and Briggs's stoicism hides a well of tenderness. The supporting cast adds depth to the narrative. And let's not forget the pub itself, an old soul with its own stories to tell.

The island becomes a character in its own right and is a witness to love lost and found, to rivalries that span generations. As Maeve and Briggs grapple with their feelings, the waves crash against the cliffs, echoing their inner turmoil. The setting is vividly rendered, inviting readers to sip a pint of Guinness and lose themselves in the magic of the Emerald Isle.

"Last Call for Love" is a symphony of emotions, from the crescendo of longing, the delicate notes of forgiveness, and the final chord of acceptance. Crane's prose is lyrical, painting scenes that linger like the taste of whiskey on the tongue. And when the last page turns, you'll find yourself believing in second chances, in love that defies logic, and in the healing power of a well-poured pint.

This book is a five-star masterpiece. It’s a love letter to Ireland, to lost dreams, and to the resilience of the human heart. So raise your glass, dear reader, and toast to love, redemption, and the magic that awaits when we least expect it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Skyscape for a temporary e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The characters in this book have you loving them for their own story’s, it leaves you wanting more as the story continues, it’s a perfect feel good romance with all the fluffy and happiness aswell as some tear jerks! Highly recommend

I wasn't prepared, I've cried from happiness, I've cried from pain, I've cried for Liam, Niall, and Aoife. This book us exactly what I wanted and more.

I never thought a control-freak whose life is out of control would do well with a painter. I feel like a lot of the issues that arise could have been fixed with a conversation and an international flight.

I hope Eoin walks off a bridge and that's why we never hear from him again.

A lovely story about Maeve, a woman who connects to the island and pub of her birth father who she never met. Here she finds joy, love and happiness... eventually. I enjoyed this lovely story and but Maeve and Briggs are great characters.

This was a pretty fast paced, insta love book which I was super in the mood for.
I wish some of the banter between Maeve and Eoin wasn’t so spot on. It seemed like she had more chemistry with him prior to him being a ragging dick.
I really liked Briggs as the male main character, former playboy, he falls first, he falls harder sign me up! 💕💕💕

Side plot on loss and grief was very beautifully done

Would definitely recommend, please write a sequel ( hint hint, Aoife)

Last Call for Love, a novel by Rebekah Crane.

Thanks to Netgalley I read this as an ARC. My overall rating of this book is 3.5/5.

I can confidently say that I did enjoy the book. I've only recently started getting into romance books so perhaps I am a little biased.

When we first met Eoin I was convinced this was honestly a great setup for a love interest. Honestly, I really wanted that to happen, of course until his true character was revealed. I see how this was necessary for the plot but don't play with my feelings like that.

I genuinely shed tears at Liam's letter, it was heart wrenching. I love books that make me feel these strong emotions and this book delivered.

Social media being incorporated into books can often be it's downfall but this book did it really well. It was never overbearing or took away from the plot.

Some people complain about how fast Briggs falls for Maeve but honestly I liked that. I appreciate a fast plot and as someone who falls equally as fast, the pace in which emotions develop did not effect me negatively, but be warned if you are someone who doesn't like that.

Likes: How badly this novel made me want to go to Ireland, the writing in general, the tropes, the dual POV, the banter.

Dislikes: How badly this novel made me want to go to Ireland, the timeline/the sense of how much time had gone past etc., HOW HUGH AND ISLA DIDN'T END UP TOGETHER!!!

Was there really anything that stuck out about this book? No.
Nonetheless is it worth reading? Yes.

Very quick read that leaves you craving more. If you have ever experienced the deja vu feeling, this book is for you. Looking forward to read more books from this intriguing author.

This was such a cute book. The premise was really good. And I enjoyed the unique story line. I would highly recommend this book.

First off, I would like to thank NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. The story follows Maeve and Briggs who are owners of rival pubs on a little island in Ireland. To sustain their business, they have to prolong the little family feud they have going on, but romance calls…

This book just wasn’t really for me. I think one of the biggest things that bothered me was the writing and especially the lack in variation of sentence structure. A huge proportion of sentences started with “Maeve” or “Briggs” and I felt like that impeded the general flow of the writing. Definitely took away from the enjoyment of the reading experience since I couldn’t help but notice it.

Another thing I noticed was how quickly Briggs started liking Maeve. It was kind of insta-lovey which is personally a trope I really dislike. I feel like their relationship progressed so fast because the book is so short, and there was a lack of depth in their relationship - more physical than emotional in my opinion.

I see the concept, but to me were just so many things happening in such a short book that it felt rushed and lacked a lot of detail. And a strong personal preference in the genre is depth in their relationship which I didn’t see much of in this book.

One super big thing however is how is this a YA book??? So many innuendos in the banter and explicit scenes. Definitely not YA and I don't think it should be marketed as such.

Note: I will be posting my review on Goodreads without a rating which I will add after the book is published, as I am aware that some publishers/authors do not want any ratings below 4 stars to be posted before the book is released.