I was folding laundry on a lazy Sunday afternoon when I decided to pop in Last Call, figuring a quick three-and-a-half-hour listen would be the perfect companion for household chores. What I didn't expect was to be standing there, shirt half-folded, grinning like an idiot at my phone while Caroline and Simon bantered their way through another chapter of their ridiculous, wonderful relationship.
If you've been following Alice Clayton's Cocktail series, Last Call feels like catching up with old friends over drinks—specifically, the kind of friends who overshare about their bedroom activities and make you snort-laugh in public. This novella brings back Caroline and Simon from Wallbanger, and Clayton wastes no time reminding us why we fell for these two in the first place. The setup is familiar territory: Caroline's killing it as a top interior designer in San Francisco, Simon's finally trimmed his globe-trotting ways, and everything seems to be pointing toward wedding bells. But Clayton throws a wrench into the happily-ever-after machinery when an accident during one of Simon's photo shoots delivers the kind of phone call that stops your heart.
Compared to the earlier books in the series, Last Call feels more emotionally grounded. Where Wallbanger leaned heavily into the comedic tension of neighbors-with-thin-walls, this novella asks bigger questions about commitment, mortality, and what "forever" actually means when you're forced to confront its limits. It's still unmistakably a Clayton book—the humor is sharp, the banter crackles, and yes, there's plenty of steamy content—but there's a maturity here that surprised me.
Heather Smith Knows Exactly What She's Doing
Smith's narration is the secret weapon that elevates this audiobook from good to genuinely entertaining. Her voice has this warm, slightly mischievous quality that captures Caroline's personality perfectly. When Caroline's being sarcastic, you can practically hear the eye-roll. When she's scared or vulnerable, Smith dials back the humor and lets the emotion breathe. The character differentiation is subtle but effective—Simon sounds distinctly different without Smith resorting to cartoonish voice changes. It's the kind of performance that makes you forget you're listening to one person read a book.
The pacing works beautifully for audio. At just under four hours, this is a quick listen that doesn't overstay its welcome. Clayton's writing style—punchy dialogue, short chapters, plenty of comedic beats—translates well to the spoken format. I found myself actually speeding through my chores just to keep listening, which is either a sign the book's doing its job or proof that I really hate folding fitted sheets.
A Few Caveats Before You Hit Play
If you haven't read the earlier books in the Cocktail series, you might feel like you're walking into a party where everyone already knows each other. The novella assumes familiarity with these characters and their history. And if romantic comedy isn't your thing—if you roll your eyes at witty banter and want your romance with a heavier dose of angst—this probably isn't going to convert you. Some listeners have mentioned finding the story a bit predictable, and I can see that. Clayton isn't reinventing the wheel here; she's giving fans exactly what they want, served up with a pink nightie and a side of Clive the cat. That balance of comfort and surprise reminds me of Adventures of Tom Sawyer—familiar territory that still manages to sneak up on you emotionally.
The emotional stakes in the middle section hit harder than I anticipated. Without spoiling anything, there's a stretch where the comedy takes a backseat to genuine fear and uncertainty, and Smith's narration handles this tonal shift beautifully. It's a reminder that even in lighter romance, the best authors know how to make you care about what happens to these people.
Who's This For (And Who Should Skip It)
For fans of the series, this is essential listening—the sendoff Caroline and Simon deserve, complete with the humor, heat, and heart that made them beloved in the first place. Newcomers should start with Wallbanger first; you'll appreciate the payoff here much more with that foundation. Skip this one if you need standalone stories or prefer your romance without the rom-com DNA.
The production quality is clean throughout, with no audio issues to distract from the story. I listened at regular speed and found Smith's pacing comfortable, though you could easily bump it up to 1.25x if you're in a hurry without losing the comedic timing.
The Last Shirt Gets Folded
Last Call isn't trying to be a sweeping epic or a literary heavyweight. It's a fun, sexy, surprisingly touching farewell to characters who've earned their happy ending. Sometimes that's exactly what you need while folding laundry on a Sunday afternoon.
