Review–Last Call by M.S. Brannon

Last Call by M.S. Brannon Summary: My name is Mariah Huxley, and I’m a reformed slut.
The only year I attended college, I spent on my back, living on a constant high from sex and booze. That was, until my wayward ways left me with the greatest responsibility one could have.
Fast forward seven years, and I am Mariah Huxley, a twenty-six-year-old, single mother, living in the unforgiving world as an adult. I work hard to take care of us, and I am happy. I’m happy until I close my eyes at night and realize that’s not the case at all. Something is missing. My soul, my body, and my heart—they've all been drained of anything exciting. That’s until the night I finally allow myself to live, and I meet him.
When he touches me, I awaken and slowly become resurrected. However, will the relationship we've started be one I’m prepared to handle? I am strong enough to endure many things, but am I strong enough to sustain this connection with him.

My name is Jason Cain, and I am who I am.
Some may call me determined, but the majority of society views me as a prick. To them, I’m an arrogant jerk who defies the standard rules of life to get what I want. I couldn't agree more.
I was born on the streets, loved by no one. The only person I had was me. Once adopted by the state, I vowed to myself to become a man of means. I vowed to become a man who would be respected from the moment I walked in a room.
Fast forward several years, and I am Jason Cain, a thirty-two-year-old, successful entrepreneur, and self-made millionaire. My life is all about time, which includes making gut reaction business deals, growing my empire, and being in the company of beautiful women. I have time for only one thing, my satisfaction. That’s until the night she strolls into my nightclub.
When she touches me, I feel every wall I’ve built up slowly crumble around me. I disintegrate. However, will the relationship we've started be one I can leave behind? Or will I lose the part of me that’s kept me going my entire life? Am I strong enough to survive her?

Or will this be our last call?
Source: I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
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Review:

I should start by saying M.S. Brannon is one of my favorite indie romance authors. I love her Sulfur Heights series. Last Call was her first venture into more of a romantic comedy (aka book that won’t tear your heart out like the Sulfur Heights series), so I was excited to check it out. As promised, Last Call was a lot lighter than the gritty and raw series I love so much!
I was worried that Last Call would either not be light at all (since her other series is so the opposite of light) or it would be too light and lose all of the characteristics I love about her other series. The gritty characters are so captivating in the Sulfur Heights series and I was afraid Mariah and Jason would be more difficult to connect with. I shouldn’t have worried at all. Last Call was the perfect blend of everything I love about her other series and the light, more fun characteristics of any romantic comedy/contemporary romance.
Brannon was able to give readers drama, suspense, and tons of romantic conflict while being lighthearted. Mariah’s kid, Royce, was absolutely hilarious. Her family and friends provided a lot of comedic relief, and even Jason had some fun moments. I loved the characters so much and I think that’s a big part of why I loved Last Call. With that being said, there were also plenty of serious moments and some seriously steamy moments, too. The types of feelings churning inside of Mariah and Jason were hard for either of them to admit to or act on and they had a lot of inner turmoil going on.
Jason was a self made millionaire and Mariah was just an ordinary girl, but Last Call is so not your run of the mill rich guy romance (and I know that because I HATE those kinds of books). I’m sure if those terrible 50 Shades types of books are your thing, you’ll still enjoy Brannon’s books, but I feel like her characters are so much more complex and relatable than other romance novels. Nothing feels stale or overdone because her books are so refreshing. (And there’s no innocent girl who bites her lip and stands there awkwardly. Brannon’s characters always have a TON of personality).
Nothing will replace the Evan’s brothers of the Sulfur Heights series, but I was seriously impressed with Last Call and I definitely recommend it to fans of contemporary romance!