Open Tab

I thought the character development was excellent and you definitely kept the story interesting. The twists and turns at times were predictable but not always which I enjoyed and also hated if I couldn’t keep reading at that point.

Captivating tale of not looking for love but love finding you. Interesting and charming characters. A sensitive explanation of diverse relationships and why they happen. Looking forward to the next installment.

Many books will provide you with the inner monologue of the lead character as an easy way to show conflict and drive the story. JA Armstrong kicks this up several notches by showing us the thoughts of at least four different characters, so we are constantly reading what a character says and then what they are thinking, even when the two happen to be the same. This has the strange effect of making it feel at some points like your not so much reading a story, but experiencing it through telepathy.

That being said, it's tough not to like this book because the cast of characters is so damn likable. Not only the leads, Fallon and Riley, but the rest of the town is so well developed and interesting in such a short time that it is remarkable. This is a bar and a group of people you want to hang out with. And despite Fallon's flaws, you really are rooting for these two to get together despite the obvious hurdle.

I did want Andi to be written not quite as nicely, with more jealousy of Fallon's new relationship, but that's a minor quibble in a otherwise very good story.

Can't wait to read the next one.

Such a beautiful book! Beautiful setting, beautiful beginning to a love story, beautiful friends, beautiful words-----what more can you want. Loved Fallon and Riley and Andi. There are many kinds of love and, if you are lucky, you can experience more than one kind. Fallon and Riley were kind of surprised to discover that they really needed each other. I can hardly wait 'til the next book in this already fantastic series and am happy the wait will not be long. I will admit that just through the wording in many parts of this book I was truly brought to tears....but in a good way. Please read this as soon as you can because you will be so awestruck by the whole thing and your heart will be so happy. Great job by the author!

This was a good one. The two main characters were complicated and slow to figure out their relationship, so that left plenty of room for good complications. The one misstep was the ex who decided to leave because of a lack of diversity. As a minority person who grew up in a place that "didn't look like me", I've got nothing but love and praise for where I came from. To blow off a loving relationship because other people weren't colored enough? (Especially for the ultra messed up DC area? Been there many, many times for work, and it's hellish for a simple person like me.) That was unrealistic, in my opinion.

Thankfully, aside from that one oddly political statement, the rest of the story remained in the personal space of the characters. I understand that politics matters to many people, but people are more complex than political labels and blindly dogmatic categorization of identity.

Sorry for the soapbox. This story wasn't very political and I'm being critical of other authors and stories that choose to paint bland stereotypes as deep character building. Like I said, the characters are pretty deep here. That should be how romantic stories are built... On the backs of good characters. This story has that.

Another new series from J. A. Armstrong, is there no end to this author’s talent. Open Tab is a little different to Ms. Armstrong’s usual books but I loved it just as much. The characters are great, they enjoy a lovely friendship amongst each other. Looking forward to the next installment ‘Cigar Club’ in February.