Last Barrel by Stacy Lynn Miller is an exciting and fitting conclusion to the ‘Speakeasy Series’. As with the other two books in the series, it’s filled with drama, peril, and thrilling action during a dangerous time in our history. Add in the romance between Dax and Rose, as well as several other couples in the books, and you have a series with something for everyone to enjoy.

This third novel continues the theme of family and friends coming together to help each other. You also get to see how LGBTQ+ folks had to hide in this age where being outed resulted in jailtime.

I highly recommend the entire series. All three books should be read in order, so get all three and settle down for a very satisfying read.

I apologize for the lack of reviews these last few weeks. Our immediate family has been going through serious medical problems involving most of the family members. With all the chaos happening, many things had to be set aside for a while. Hopefully I will be able to catch up soon.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bella Books for allowing me to read and review the novel.

What a fantastic conclusion to the historical romance series.

Prohibition is almost over when new sheriff Roy Wilkes, is voted in. Unfortunately he has a grudge against Dax , Rose and their family and friends wants to destroy them. He also happens to by is also a crook and will do anything to get his revenge. The story follows them as they fight back while trying keeping the business and the town going until the new hotel is renovated and visitors return to the town bring much needed money with them.

A rollercoaster of a ride follows.

A book very much worthy of reading and not just of this book, but the other two books in the series.

This is an amazing conclusion to the series. it was well written. The characters are strong and well developed. This was packed full of drama and action. Well, done 4.5 stars.


Thank you, Bella Books, via NetGalley for this ARC.

This is a fantastic conclusion to what I would consider a wonderful historical romance series. Miller wraps it up right, providing readers with a satisfying conclusion to the overarching narrative. She does this by insuring four things are executed exceptionally well in the final installment. She: 1) gives resolution to the central conflicts in the series arc, 2) brings the main characters’ journeys full circle, 3) addresses any remaining questions or loose ends from the previous books, and 4) scripts a memorable conclusion that resonates with readers. She definitely makes the journey with the Speakeasy characters feel worthwhile.

Miller’s success with the series is almost guaranteed from the start. She had the foresight to build a firm foundation on its main couple, Dax and Rose. These dynamic women make the series special. Individually they possess endearing, relatable qualities, but it’s their journey together that really powers the storytelling. They overcome societal pressures, personal misunderstandings, and external conflicts with brains and brawn. Moreover, they do it with a love for one another that is both compelling and heartwarming. This love evolves and matures over the course of the series, making them, as well as the narrative, more memorable.

Miller hits a home run for keeping an eye on the history of the era. She puts energy into it, making sure the story world feels authentic and true. The Speakeasy Series is deeply influenced by several historical events; they help shape the narrative and the lives of the characters. The Prohibition Era, The Great Depression, the 19th Amendment, and the widespread adoption of automobiles, telephones, and electricity—all of these are nicely incorporated into the story, providing a rich, believable setting for the story to breathe. Furthermore, this all blends seamlessly with the plot, making Dax and Rose’s fight for justice and love all the more exciting.

The Prohibition Era was not just about the banning of alcohol and the speakeasy business though. Music, particularly jazz, played a pivotal role during this time, too. It was a part of the culture and thrived in underground nightclubs during Prohibition; Miller taps into this beautifully. Her script reflects the societal changes and cultural revolution that took place, making it an integral part of Rose and Dax’s journey. Readers, especially history geeks, will appreciate her portrayal. Rose and Dax challenge traditional roles and exert their female independence in ways that simply make the storytelling shine. It’s awesome when writers combine history and strong female characters like this.

Final remarks…

If you are looking for a captivating historical romance, then the Speakeasy Series by Stacy Lynn Miller will not disappoint. Last Barrel, the latest addition, is full of engaging, page turning intrigue. Its vivid portrayal of love during the Prohibition’s speakeasy culture is a delight. It captures the period perfectly. This tale of women righting wrongs and selling whiskey should not be missed.

Strengths…

Well-written storyline
Engaging plot
Fast action and high drama
Well-developed characters
Captivating portrayal of love
This book is available from…

Bella Books
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Abe Books
Alibris
Indigo
Better World Books
Bookshop
Thiftbooks
Powell’s
Indiebound

I enjoyed to read the final chapters of the story of the love story between Dax and Rose and all their friends and family. This last book finalize their story as well as the end of the prohibition era. In this book we also get a lot of action and an insight to the view of their friends and family so a great end to this 3 book series. You need to read all book in the series to get the fill experience.
I received this 3rd and last book in the Speakeasy series via NetGalley free of charge.

I am enjoying my foray into historical reads. While reading not only is their a story but also information about the time period which offers the opportunity to learn and provide substance to the story. This third book in the series picks up three years after the previous book. Dax and Rose are living a nice life preparing to open a second club, the Seaside Hotel owned by Grace Parson and managed by Dax. Dax's sister May, her husband Hank O'Keefe, Clive and Jason as well as Charlie and her girlfriend Jules all understand the importance of sticking together and supporting each other. Although Dax's best friend Charlie are on the outs from tough challenges faced in the previous book that Charlie cannot let go. They really need each other because of the new sheriff in town, Roy Wilkes who wants them all gone because of the death of his brother. In addition to some evil characters doing Roy's dirty work, there is also a medical challenge Grace faces with a stiff upper lip. Enjoyable read focusing on chosen family and holding together in the face of danger.

Grand finale of the prohibition era
While reading the previous two books I became a huge fan of this series set in the prohibition era. It feels totally real: the struggling of people during the depression era to make a living, the danger of running a speak-easy, the rampant corruption of officers of the law — and above all and a major theme in this series: the injustices women in general and homosexuals had to bear. There is a strong Hollywood angle here (including the great Garbo).
This last instalment brings the series to its grand conclusion: shortly before the prohibition ban is lifted, an old enemy rears his head and comes with full force against the Foster House siblings, their friends and against all they stand for. I cheered Dax and Rose on and at times I couldn‘t read fast enough to still my heart which was beating heavily at all those wicked deeds done by Roy Wilkes.
If you love history and want to know more about the prohibition era grab this book, a good glass of liqueur and enjoy.
BTW: I strongly encourage to read the previous books. This is not really a stand-alone book.

I received an ARC via netgalley. The review is left voluntarily.

The third, and I am assuming last, in the Speakeasy series. The series follows Dax and Rose during the prohibition era. The books are entertaining and action packed. For best enjoyment the series should be read in order, but some background is given if this is read on its own. In this book a corrupt and newly elected Sheriff is trying to get revenge for the death of his brother during the Whiskey War (book 2). Dax as always is trying to keep her business and friends safe. I don’t want to give any specifics away so I will just say this is a between world wars time period I’ve not read much about. I’m not sure how realistic any of the situations are but the world building is good and I got a glimpse of the laws of the time. If you enjoy historical fiction, this is easy to recommend.

This story is the third book in the Speakeasy series featuring Dax, a carpenter and Rose a saloon singer. Dax and Rose first meet in high school in San Francisco in book 1. In 1920s Each of their parents kick them out of their homes when they are caught kissing in Dax’s bedroom. They spend years separated and meet up again in the resort town of Half Moon Bay. The series goes through multiple events of the crooked and homophobic cops who target them.

I really enjoyed book 3, it was a page turner with a lot of good action scenes. Dax is a hero and fights to defend her family. Grace Parsons once again uses her influence to help her friends and save them from near death. Rose is a sweetheart who is loved by everyone.

Stacy Lynn Miller has written a great series about love and adopted families. Her military experience has added realism to all the action scenes.

Thanks to Net Galley for a chance to read and enjoy this ARC and the series.

3rd book in the Speakeasy series. I found it gripped my attention. Good bit of action in it as well as giving more insight into other characters. Grace's breast cancer lumpectomy was a fairly new technique at the time although I think the radium therapy offered was not yet available then. That came a few years later I thought (although maybe it was experimental at the time and with Grace's money etc. may have been offered to her). It did not detract from the story in any way. (Think I am just a bit OCD about finding out if things happened in the time frame in which the stories are set. I do this with anything I read that states something really happened in a particular era!)
I certainly enjoyed this series of books and felt it ended well with the repeal of prohibition and Dax and Co's plans for the future.

I loved this book. This is a historical book set in the Prohibition era. These characters have made their own family. They look out for each other and protect each other. I cannot imagine how hard it was to be gay in this era. It is a pretty quick moving story. Prohibition is almost over when the new sheriff is voted in to position. He has a grudge against Dax and Rose and is going to destroy them and their friends. The story is how they fight back while still keeping the business and the town going until the new hotel is renovated and people will come back to support the town businesses. Roy Wilkes, the new sheriff, is also a crook and will do anything to get his revenge. I really liked how everyone worked out their issues and still remained good people overall..(Except Roy).
This is a good story and i will have to get other books by this author. This is third in the series so you can read the others and get more of the backstory. Well worth the read! A+