Last Call at Smokey Row by Pat Camalliere is a historical novel that blends fiction with the rich history of Lemont, Illinois. Set in the 1980s, the story revolves around Jane Archer, a recently divorced woman seeking a fresh start in life. Her journey leads her to Sami’s Saloon, a neighborhood bar filled with colorful characters, each grappling with their own struggles. Through Jane’s eyes, readers are introduced to a tapestry of lives intertwined with themes of loneliness, resilience, and the search for belonging. Loss also plays a significant role in shaping the characters' development, serving as a catalyst for reflection, growth, and change. For Jane, loss is central to her transformation. Her divorce and the end of her teaching career leave her feeling isolated and uncertain about her future.

Pat Camalliere’s writing shines in her ability to create vivid, relatable characters. From the gentle Dixon to the enigmatic John David, their flaws and virtues are laid bare. Camalliere portrays the bar as a microcosm of human complexity, where camaraderie and conflict coexist. The book also explores darker themes, such as addiction and revenge, culminating in a shocking and unforgettable climax involving John David and his mysterious frog. Camalliere’s ability to balance humor, tragedy, and suspense is masterfully done. Her meticulous research is evident, and her passion for Lemont’s history is undeniable. Last Call at Smokey Row is a reflection on human connection and the impact of our choices. With richly drawn characters and historical intrigue, this novel is a must-read for fans of character-driven stories and local history. Camalliere’s storytelling leaves a lasting impression, making this book a memorable addition to her repertoire.

Last Call at Smokey Row by Pat Camalliere is a historical novel about a woman named Jane Archer. It is 2022, and Jane reads an article about the closing of an old bar named Sami's Saloon. The news brings back memories from the 1980s after her divorce. Jane moved to a small town in Lemont, Illinois, feeling lonely and out of place, with hopes of starting a new life. One day, a co-worker invites her to Sami's Saloon, although she feels a bit uncomfortable in such an environment. Over time, Jane starts enjoying the atmosphere and people there. She meets many people with different personalities, including Rusty, who later becomes a big part of her life. Jane shares her story of how Sami's Saloon changed her life and helped her find purpose, with heartfelt moments that show how she had to move on from a place that shaped her into who she is today.

One of the things I liked about this book was how it went back in time, covering most of the things that had changed in Jane's life. Her journey from feeling lost to finding purpose touched me; it showed how people can grow even after going through hard times. The writing is detailed with strong character development. The supporting characters all played a major role in making the book stand out. The scene where John David confronts the Czacki brothers was surprisingly unexpected and is a reminder of the importance of respecting people's boundaries. I enjoyed Rusty and Jane's relationship and how they played a role in shaping each other's lives. The different heartfelt moments, like when Jane and Rusty fell on the snow and her grief for lost friends, added warmth. I recommend Last Call at Smokey Row by Pat Camalliere to readers who enjoy books about self-discovery, friendships, and finding a sense of belonging in unexpected places.

If you’re a fan of character-driven stories, you’ll love Last Call at Smokey Row. Author Pat Camalliere sets her tale in Lemont, Illinois, a place she knows well and clearly loves. Centered on Jane Archer, a bright and observant thirty-something in search of herself, the story takes place mainly at Sami’s Saloon, a local bar and pool hall that’s well past its glory days but still has something to offer. Jane’s quest is the framework for a colorful tapestry of human experience; the regulars she gets to know at Sami’s may not all be lovable, but every single one—the pool hounds, the drifters, the fellow searchers for someplace to belong—is unforgettable.

There’s a quiet magic to Camalliere’s writing, a vividness of place and people that draws you in and doesn’t let go. Humor, friendship, unexpected loss, and a simmering conflict that ultimately leads to a startling act of vengeance, or perhaps rough justice, are expertly intertwined by a storyteller who’s a master of her craft. Don’t miss this one.

Last Call at Smoky Row tells of Jane, who finds herself alone and unloved in her early thirties, despite having followed the formula for a good life, getting a solid education and marrying appropriately. Ironically, the very place she hangs out and the characters she meets there form a foundation for new beginnings that sends Jane into a direction different from either the successful path she thought she was on or the downfall she thinks she’s experiencing now.

As Jane reviews the patrons of the bar, how they begin “dropping like flies,” and the changing relationships and reputations that bind such disparate personalities together, readers enjoy a story steeped in character decisions and life experiences. It brings these oddballs to life, setting their courses in sync with events that propel them in new directions.

Pat Camalliere’s story is as much about growth and adaptation as it is about a woman’s ability to reinvent her future from a present which looks decidedly different than any definition of a successful life that she’s absorbed in the past. Readers seeking a story that moves its main characters from a seeming end of life to new beginnings will find Last Call at Smoky Row a thought-provoking tale of how change happens, relationships and connections form, and institutions as venerable and lowly as bars can become incubators for change.

What a lovely and thoughtful look at the characters who find themselves drifting together at a small-town bar. Aware of it or not, whether likely to succeed or not, each one searches for what's missing in their lives. A careful, well-written exploration of how we escape our pasts and try to move forward with new people and new pursuits. Not all goes according to plan, of course, and a delicious thread of intrigue grows to a very clever ending. Satisfying at so many levels.