Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: Last Call
AUTHOR: Kate Sherwood
PUBLISHER: Self-published
LENGTH: 258 pages
RELEASE DATE: January 21, 2020
BLURB:
Ethan is living the good life as a student at Montreal’s McGill University. He’s out every night, partying, dancing with his friends, and meeting guys. When he sets his sights on Alex, the world’s hottest bartender, he expects a good time, and nothing more.
But things aren’t so simple with Alex. He’s been hurt too many times and he’s protective of his heart. He certainly can’t let himself get attached to a party-boy like Ethan. Except… maybe there’s more to Ethan than there seems.
As the guys grow closer, it’s harder and harder for Alex to keep the darker parts of his life away from Ethan’s brightness. But Ethan proves that he’s tougher than he seems on the outside. And maybe that means Alex can save the soft place in his heart for Ethan.
REVIEW:
Ethan’s a fairly happy go lucky guy. College student with wealthy parents, smart so he doesn’t have to study too hard, attractive, friendly, in it for the moment kind of lifestyle. He discovers Alex at a gay friendly bar and he’s gone. After three nights, he’s doing his best to get the bartender’s attention. Failing that, he rather throws himself in Alex’s way and Alex, being the good guy that he is, takes care of Ethan.
Alex has not had the advantages in life. His family is less than supportive. His best friend Leo owns the bar that Alex is doing his best to help make a success. But Leo likes to take shortcuts and this may expose Alex to a LOT more than he bargained for. But he owes Leo. He’s always had his back and he always will.
Ethan and his friends Josh and Cora hang out in the bar and Leo takes a bit of a shine to Cora. But basically he needs her to help him with ideas to make the bar more successful. Alex tries to keep Ethan at arm’s length, but then things happen that require Alex to seek out Ethan an expose Ethan to some of the shady business going on. While Ethan and Cora do help with the bar stuff, Ethan just wants to get closer to Alex. Cora is having fun and that’s what she is after.
Things begin to take a turn when Alex gets some bad news. Ethan has a hard time understanding and accepting where Alex is coming from and how he deals with difficult things. Thankfully Josh has a lot of insight into why Alex reacts the way he does and he helps Ethan see the light 🙂 But things go from bad to worse and it turns out there may be consequences for Alex’s loyalty that could cost him everything – including Ethan. Alex doesn’t want to tarnish Ethan, but Ethan is not going to just walk away.
This story I think falls under the category of New Adult Contemporary Romance. While not my favorite Kate Sherwood story, I did really enjoy this book. Ethan’s constant banter – either with his friends or really solo – is quite amusing. It was very interesting to watch him figure out how clueless he was in so many respects. It takes him a bit – and some outside prodding – to realize that he needs to think about things from Alex’s perspective a bit more. Alex has spent his whole life protecting himself (sometimes not too well) against the world because he’s been let down so much. And because he has one true friend he believes, he nearly loses himself in the process. When he finally decides to take a chance, they both decide they can actually work towards something. Throughout the book, even though there are tough moments, humor shines through. Ethan and his friends are particularly compelling characters. I really liked the ending as well. Fun and recommended.
RATING: 
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