Last Call

Losing your Job and your boyfriend would dampen anyone spirits, but finding someone who believes in you and loves you.. well who wouldn't smile to that. Losing your family and all support because of who you loved, might leave you with a few hang-ups when finding a new love. If that said love is a former best friend you had lost contact with... Got to love a story when both characters have their own valid issues and they can help each other.

Sierra Riley is becoming one of my favorite go-to MM authors when I am jammed in the middle of one or more very difficult--or boring--books. This one fit the bill perfectly: I read it in a few hours, liked the MCs, scoffed at most of the ways they got together, and was totally incredulous about how quick Connor and Zach became kissy-poos and how long it took for them to get into bed. What was more stupefying is the fact that Zach (the tatted one on the cover) is a virgin, and Connor is described as a bit more obviously gay acting than his portrait on the cover depicts. But then, Zach is almost broken by his parents' banishment of him, and Connor is an artist--and as it turns out a top-notch portraitist--so we can forgive Ms. Riley for leading us into a fantasy world of sorts. What's missing from this one, however, is the step-by-step escalation of the bedroom achievements that Connor brings to Zach--there are about three or four episodes we needed to have laid out before we get to a climactic end, so to speak. Other than that, it's a nice four-star interlude.

This book was not one of her best . It didn't have the action and suspense of most of her other books. I'll still look forward to reading her new releases.

I was completely engaged with both main characters from the start. This is a great story about overcoming criticism and limitations, and the romance felt real. The pets added an extra level of love and humor. The writing is a little wordy, not overly so, the financial part is glossed over (yay). I'll admit, I perhaps enjoyed this more because Conner is an artist and I identified with him.

Last Call is just another in a list of Sierra Riley books that I have enjoyed. The characters of Zach and Connor are so sweet and fun, so honest and kind. They are utterly appealing. Made me anxious for them to get together, which seemed to take a bit too long. I do prefer the MCs to connect a little earlier. The beginning of Zach's story was a little confusing for me. Couldn't figure out if he was gay, if he was actually hiding it or what his deal was. Didn't really get if he was lazy or......I just didn't get him at first. Connor was easier to understand. His doubts, due to his last failed art show, seemed authentic and not at all phony drama. The thing about Connor's story that I didn't get was the whole cat thing. Why is this cat here, where did it come from? Was it abused? Why are the owners sounding like shady people? Why would Connor try so hard to return the cat? Why is this cat getting such a prominent role in the ROMANCE I am reading???!! Yeah, I didn't get the cat thing, but you know, but the end of the story, I was glad the cat (Citrus) was there and that Connor had so obviously connected with her. (Did I just write that?!) By about 55%, this story got really good. Seeing their relationship develop after Zach and Connor finally got together was fun. They were adorable together. Their relationship felt real. I loved the description of the paintings Connor created from bar life. The HEA ending was satisfying to me, even if it was a BIT too grand--bartenders also trained in mediation, crisis counseling, etc? In a perfect world, maybe. :) I give this 3 1/2 to 4 stars; if you want to read amazingly awesome BEYOND 5 star Sierra Riley, look for "Someday" and then "Delicious."

Lovely story that sucks you in till the last sentence. I couldn't put this one down! Don't start this one unless you have the time, because you won't be able to put it down! A++++ story!

Another sweet story from Sierra Riley. Zach and Connor were perfect together. Even Julius and Citrus have a HEA. I always have a smile on my face when I finish one of Sierra Riley's stories.

First time I've read something from this author. It was a good book. A little slow. It had good characters.

Mittlerweile weiß ich ja, was mich erwartet, wenn ich ein Buch von Sierra Riley lese. Überragende Originalität ist es jedenfalls nicht, doch wenn die Story schon so flach wie Holland ist, dann würde ich mich zumindest darüber freuen, wenn die Charaktere interessant sind, ihr Schicksal mich bewegt und ich mir nichts mehr wünsche, als dass sie ihr wohlverdientes HEA endlich finden. Schon nach dem ersten Drittel war mir irgendwie klar, dass selbst meine niedrigen Erwartungen enttäuscht werden würden. Connors Künstlerkarriere ist so gut wie am Ende. Seine letzte Show hat absolut miese Kritiken bekommen, am selben Tag hat sein Freund mit ihm Schluss gemacht und seine Inspiration hat einen gehörigen Dämpfer erhalten. Erst, als sein bester Freund ihn einige Zeit später davon überzeugt, mit ihm in eine Bar zu gehen, wagt er sich wieder vor die Tür - und trifft auf Zach, den er noch aus seiner Studienzeit kannte und für den er damals heftig geschwärmt hat. Zach hat es auch nicht leicht - seine Familie hat ihn rausgeschmissen, als sie herausgefunden haben, dass er homosexuell ist und die Bar, wo er als Barkeeper arbeitet, steht kurz vor dem Bankrott. Er erinnert sich ebenfalls noch an Connor und zwischen den beiden knistert sofort die Luft. Sie treffen sich einige Male, überstehen die üblichen Missverständnisse (Zach hat sich auf der Arbeit nie wirklich geoutet und denkt, dass Connor mit seinem besten Freund zusammen ist usw.), kommen zusammen, zweifeln an sich selber und der Beziehung, trennen sich beinahe (obwohl es hier bei einem beinahe bleibt) und am Ende weiß der vorher etwas planlose Zach,w as er mit seinem Leben machen will, Connor findet seine Inspiration wieder und sie lebten glücklich bis ans Ende ihrer Tage. Und, ganz ehrlich? Ab circa der Hälfte des Buches hat es mich absolut nicht mehr interessiert. Der Plotverlauf war ja schon nach den ersten beiden Kapiteln klar, aber normalerweise schafft es selbst Sierra Riley, zumindest noch ein bisschen Spannung aufzubauen. Hier? Überhaupt nicht. Die Probleme sind so unglaublich winzig, dass sie künstlich aufgeblasen werden müssen, um überhaupt eine Daseinsberechtigung zu haben. Zachs Naivität wirkt einfach nur dümmlich, Connors Divaverhalten mit seinen ewigen Stimmungsschwankungen nervt unwahrscheinlich und die Unsicherheiten der beiden lassen sie nicht interessant, sondern einfach nur erbärmlich wirken. Bisher hab ich mich etwa durch die Hälfte von Sierra Rileys Bibliographie gequält und das vor allem, weil mir das erste Buch, was ich von ihr gelesen habe ("Guardian") wirklich gut gefallen hat und ich mir dummerweise direkt ungelesen mehrere ihrer anderen Bücher runtergeladen habe, weil es die gerade günstig gab. Das mache ich nie, nie wieder. Die einzige andere lesenswerte Geschichte der Autorin ist meiner Meinung nach "Someday". Die beiden zuletzt genannten Bücher kann ich ohne Bedenken weiter empfehlen. "Last Call" hingegen überhaupt nicht.

What Zach had gone throu with his parents I can only assume a lot of gay people have done so over the years. I believe when you are a parent you love your child not who they love. I really enjoy reading your books Sierra Riley keep up the great work.

Love it yet another perfect love story. I adore this author and have rad many of their books each one as good as the rest

Really good book about an ambitious bartender at a gay bar and his friend from college, an artist. Connor's latest art show bombed, but when he runs into Zach at the bar near his place, they rekindle their friendship, and more. I loved reading about them hanging out with Zach's dog, and how Connor acquires his cat, Citrus. Zach is still unsure of his sexuality, and a virgin to boot, so Connor's patience is lovely. This romance shows the clear affection and ease between these two characters, so their love comes naturally, and the ending is just right. Love Sierra Riley's style of building characters and relationships without rushing. Great read.

This took a while to get going & there was too little depth to both of the characters to make me really care about either of them. Neither were unpleasant, though Zach seemed very naive in many things, not just with his sexuality. Connor's character also seemed too stereo-typed - the typical stereotype of a gay artist. Overall, a little disappointing, the one positive being Citrus. Clearly the author knows Siamese cats!