Last Call

Last Call by Alice ClaytonBook #5: The Cocktail SeriesSource: PurchaseMy Rating: 5/5 starsMy Review:As the saying goes, all good things must come to an end and the end of the Cocktail series has arrived. On one hand, I am very sad to see this fantastic series come to an end yet on the other hand, I am glad to see the series come to an end before it becomes played out and stale. Last Call is one of the best endings to a series that I have encountered in a very long time. Clayton has done absolutely everything necessary to give her characters (and fans!) the ending they all deserve.Over the course of the series we have followed Caroline and Simon (aka Wallbanger) through the ups and downs of their relationship, through the ups and downs of life and, through the disappearance and reappearance of one smug little cat. Last Call finds Caroline and Simon at the wedding of one of their best friends and facing the same question over and over from nearly everyone. When are they going to take the plunge and join the ranks of the blissfully wedded. Though Caroline is somewhat freaked out by the concept of marriage, Simon is not and soon, Caroline is sporting her own engagement ring.Before long the wedding planning is in full swing and the closer they get to the date the more stressed out each becomes. Between Caroline’s mother and the tiny dynamo professional organizer known as Mimi, the wedding has become over the top and beyond what both Caroline and Simon originally wanted. With just a few week left before their big day, Simon leaves everything in Caroline’s capable hands and jets off to Southeast Asia for a photo shoot. Just one more job before the wedding and honeymoon.In a most unusual and unexpected turn of events, Clayton throws a HUGELY GINORMOUS monkey wrench into Simon and Caroline’s lives. When the phone call comes in, Caroline is devastated, terrified and, absolutely desperate to get to Simon. Getting to Southeast Asia in as little time as possible seems to take all the time in the world and once she arrives, Caroline isn’t sure her happy future is going to happen at all. Oh, there is certainly going to be a future but with the condition Simon is in the quality of that future is in serious question.The Bottom Line: Though Clayton throws some serious curveballs into this final read, they make total sense to the plot line, the characters and, the series. Simon and Caroline have faced some obstacles in their past but they have faced nothing like they do in Last Call. I have the greatest respect for Clayton and her decision to throw such a huge obstacle in the path of such beloved characters. The struggle brings Caroline and Simon closer together and in the end, it brings them to a moment that has been a long time coming and is so well deserved. Very often fans are left completely disappointed by a series’ end but in this case, I found myself not only completely satisfied but totally and completely thrilled with how the Cocktail series has ended. Well played Alice Clayton, well played.

Last Call by Alice Clayton is the final chapter in the Cocktail series. The series has been one of my favorite series for 2014. They’re romantic, lightweight, and they simply make you smile. Need to escape into bliss and love? Check out Alice Clayton and the Cocktail series.Last Call ends the same way it started, with Simon and Caroline. While I enjoyed the other characters and couples in the previous books, nothing beats these two. With a title like Wallbanger, it was easy to enjoy the quirk and snark of the story. But where other series may stop at one book and change with another, I didn’t feel that was the case with the Cocktail series. Last Call has the same amount of quirk, with a dash of romance, and many sprinkles of sexy times. Clayton knows her characters, and it was refreshing to see them again.Simon and Caroline have finally settled in with their lives, their careers, and with each other. Long gone are the days of hectic lives without any room for fun, because with these two, fun is the best part of their days. Naturally, the next step for this couple would be matrimonial bliss. Especially with their friends tying the knot and expanding their families, it would be normal for everyone to want the two to follow suit. And where Simon may be on that page, Caroline most likely isn’t.Caroline has grown as a character. Her neurotic antics and OCD tendencies are now endearing and a part of who she is: a well-established and successful woman in every sense of the word. She has it all- career, love, and a happy life. So it made me wonder why she would come unglued at the thought of marriage.Simon, I feel, has been ready to settle down since the previous book they were in. Not having a family that constantly surrounds him, it was nice to see that he wanted to start his own. Seeing Simon grow to the person who he is in Last Call was fun to watch. Simon knows who he is, and as it is with Caroline, I see him grow into someone assured and content.Clayton’s answers to my questions were answered. I felt that I witnessed character progressions that were satisfying. And let’s not forget all the delicious tidbits of this and that. The sexy times were fun and steamy, and Clayton did not water anything down. The Simon and Caroline of Wallbanger are still the same.Last Call is fun and filled with humor, provocative notions, and witty banter. It is enjoyable and well written. You’ll get drawn into this contemporary world and immediately wish you were a part of it.

I love, love, love Simon Parker. My friends kept talking about Wallbanger and I finally read it and then had to read everything there was by Alice Clayton and I have to say that Simon and Caroline are my favorites out of all her characters as to date. I’m sad to say goodbye to Simon and Caroline, but the book finished with a big smile on my face. Hey there’s even room for another novella down the line. What do you think Alice, will we someday get to see more of our favorite couple?I have to say that I was a little unhappy with the first half of the book. It focused so much on their friends and where their lives were going with weddings and babies, and I’m selfish and just wanted to get me some more of Simon.All this talk and activity of wedding, pregnancy, and babies gets Caroline thinking about what’s right for her and Simon. Should they get married or should they keep it how it is since they are so incredibly happy together? Why fix it if it isn’t broken?I’m going to miss Simon and everything about him from his handsome face down to his panty melting words. I love the way Simon and Caroline are together in this series. They seem so real. They didn’t magically fall in love together overnight and it’s been a wonderful journey to watch them together.Last Call is a novella, so you’ll be able to read it quickly. I do wish there was more of Caroline and Simon but overall Alice Clayton once again did an amazing job and ending their tale on happy note and smile on my face. She even worked in Grace Sheridan and Jack Hamilton into the book.

Loved the whole Wallbanger series, even with the silly side bar about the cat(s)! Definitely one to read in order to get the full effect. Although the main characters are unrealistically fabulous they are relatively ordinary compared to those featured in other series and for that I'm grateful! There are ups and downs and a lot of humour along the way. A really good read. And then when you're finished with Wallbanger you can try some more fabulous Alice Clayton courtesy of the Redhead series which gets my vote for probably the best trilogy ever!

Amazing final instalment for Simon and Caroline (and Clive who as always steals the show). I loved this series and this final chapter brings this hilarious couple full circle.This book, like all the rest had be spitting out food in laughter and ignoring my husband to see what would happen next.A must read for all Clayton fans, hell all fans of good honest humour and romance.

Really loved this novella! So many funny moments and so many sexy ones as well as a couple of emotional ones! I loved hearing how the other couples in the series were doing and seeing Simon & Caroline's relationship reach new levels! Love those two and wish this wasn't the last in the series!

I really liked this book and the series as a whole. This last book was nice as all the characters from the other books popped up and it let you know how they were all getting on. Couldn't believe the ending though really hope there will be another book in the future. If you like a good mix of witty strong women with lots of hot scenes you will really love the cocktail series.

Easy download - really enjoyed the read. Couldn't put the books down! Fun and flirty!