Book Summary and Reviews of Last Call at the Savoy by Brisa Carleton

Last Call at the Savoy by Brisa Carleton

Last Call at the Savoy

by Brisa Carleton

  • Readers' Rating (2):
  • Published:
  • Nov 2025, 320 pages
  • Rate this book

About this book

Book Summary

Set amongst the glittering backdrop of London's iconic Savoy hotel, Cinnamon Scott is forced to confront her troubled past as she uncovers the story of the hotel's first female bartender who has been erased from the history books. And like a well-made cocktail, their intertwined stories pack just the right punch.

Six years ago, Cinnamon Scott was a young writer on the rise in New York City. But since the sudden loss of her parents, she's been stuck in place, retreating to a life of endless partying—made possible by the massive fortune she's inherited. Despite their tragic loss, she and her older sister Rosemary have always had each other to lean on. But now, with Rosie living in London and about to give birth to twins, Cinnamon feels more lost than ever.

When Rosie is put on bedrest, Cinnamon flies to her sister's side, where she's temporarily living at The Savoy. Immediately swept away by the beauty and history of the legendary hotel and its famed American Bar, Cinnamon finds ample opportunity to distract herself. When the late shift bartender tells her the story of Ada Coleman, the woman who crafted the cocktail recipes The Savoy popularized in its famous handbook a century ago, Cinnamon is inspired by the bartender's vivid stories of Ada's fearlessness and can't understand why Ada's name is nowhere to be found.

After meeting a handsome historian researching the hotel and realizing that Ada is likely to be once again overlooked, Cinnamon must decide if she can overcome her demons and stand up for Ada's story. And, along the way, she might just save her own story too.

Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!
  1. At the start of the novel, Cinnamon is a party girl—she lives for the moment. What parallels and contrasts do you notice between the cast of characters frequenting the Savoy hotel during the early 20th century and the lifestyle of Cinnamon, Kit, Piper, and Lisa 100 years later? Do you have any other favorite books, movies, or TV shows that show characters in lavish, decadent settings?
  2. Cinnamon is not only grieving her parents but haunted by guilt over the circumstances of their death. Have you ever been held back from pursuing a dream because of something in your past? Or can you think of an example of a negative experience that you've successfully overcome, enabling you to pursue a new goal?
  3. Ada's story is one for...
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Reviews

Media Reviews

"This may not belong on the top shelf, but it satisfies nonetheless." —​Publishers Weekly

"Carleton beautifully pairs a lush, sophisticated setting with a heroine who is hilarious, complicated, and an absolute delight. I only wish I could've jumped into the story to join Cinnamon on her quest to uncover the truth behind the mysterious female bartender who ruled the Savoy's watering hole during its heyday. Brimming with romance and fueled by cocktails and calamity, this is an exhilarating, tender read that will leave you smiling." ―Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Stolen Queen

"Bright and sassy, Brisa Carleton's Last Call At the Savoy is a heart-felt book of sisterly devotion. A bit of history, a dash of romance and a splash of glitter are all swirled together in this stunning debut novel. Don't miss it!" ―#1 New York Times bestselling author Lisa Jackson

This information about Last Call at the Savoy was first featured in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.

Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.

Reader Reviews

Write your own reviewwrite your own review

Janine_S

Historical fiction at its best
I enjoy historical fiction especially when it includes people forgotten or erased through time who made an impact or contributed good things to society. Ada Coleman was the first female head bartender at the Savoy Hotel in London. She created all kinds of unique cocktails which eventually were tabulated and published but under the compiler's name, a man.

So when Cinnamon Scott and her sister, Rosemary, who's having a rough pregnancy, show up at the Savory, Cinnamon's natural curiosity and her interest in writing perk up the former New York City party girl who is helping her sister during her difficult pregnancy, It also happens another guess knows about Ada which adds to Cinnamon's leaving her breezy, silly ways and get beyond herself.

The story is more character driven though as not much is known about Ada (as the author's note at the end points out), so the themes of sisterly relationships, finding home and following one's heart. As one reviewer noted, the "plots feels a bit contrived" but the author drives action through supporting characters such as "Kit" (a well known author who adds a touch of romance) and Cinnamon's silly New York City friend who calls and visits and adds comic relief.

Rosemary prods Cinnamon to achieve lost goals due to an awful event when she was in college that drove her from pursuing writing. And then there's Ada who being written out of history by a man resonates today with DEI on the horizon. This is just an all-around decent book (not top shelf as one review wrote) but very worthy of a read. Don't miss it. Highly recommend. NOTE: I listened to this excellently narrated book. I want to thank NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for allowing me to listen to this fine book.

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More Information

Brisa grew up in the Pacific Northwest before moving to Midtown Manhattan to turn her passion for musicals and "flare for the dramatic" into an award-winning career as a Broadway producer. Three Tony's later, she's worked on numerous productions including Hamilton, Beautiful and Moulin Rouge. In 2019 at the request of HSH Prince Albert of Monaco Brisa joined his foundation to lead philanthropy efforts in theater, dance and film on behalf of his mother, Princess Grace Kelly. Most recently she turned her entrepreneurial spirit to actual "spirits," launching Literati Spirits, a premium vodka created by book lovers for book lovers. She now spends her days traveling to literary destinations with a martini in one hand and a manuscript in the other, collecting stories with her husband Mark and her long-haired chihuahua, Mister Big.

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