Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

August arrives in NYC to escape her past and finds herself in a group that enlightens her and changes everything she knew about family and finding a place to call home. When she meets Jane on the subway, it is love at first sight and her life changes in ways she never knew was possible. This is where things take a turn towards sci-fi and the paranormal. Jane is unable to leave the subway because she has been lost in time for 40 years. Jane, August and her friends must work together to help Jane remember her past and get her off the subway.

Unfortunately, this book really didn't do it for me. It was repetitive and very slow at times. To be honest, it was probably about 100 pages too long. Although it was humorous and the characters were fun and interesting, I found it really hard to become emotionally invested in any of them. The chemistry just didn't translate for me.

Release date: 6/1/21

“The knit of the scarf is loose and soft, and when August’s fingertips brush against it, there’s a pop of static electricity. She jumps, and the girl laughs under her breath. “Anybody ever tell you that you smell like pancakes?”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars!

The highly anticipated sophomore novel from the extremely talented author Casey McQuiston is finally here! Red, White, and Royal Blue was such a favorite of mine that I was so excited to read this!

This book is about two girls. There’s August, who has just moved to New York into a flat of eccentric roommates to get away from her mother’s ceaseless efforts to solve the case of her brother’s disappearance. And there’s Jane, who August meets on the subway. Who never leaves the subway, because she is displaced in time from the 70s. Wait- what?

Needless to say, this book is quite an adventure with enough brain twists to drive you nuts. The whole plot is a very subtle mystery that’s so filled with fun and humor that you’d almost never realize.

Experiencing this book, for me, was slowly watching the story tie together every thread I didn’t think would mean anything. It’s beautiful to watch and keeps you fully invested the whole way through.

And these characters were so amazing. August is absolutely a sweet heart and total nerd. I loved her approach to everything and her dazzling detective skills. Jane is my absolute crush. A fighter and a lover. We Stan. She was tugging on my heartstrings the whole time.

I did think that the first half of the book was a bit slow, but I think there’s a moment where August starts to realize what’s happening and it picks up from there. But that first half is plenty cute.

By the end of the story, you really feel for the pain that older generations felt just trying to be themselves. You also feel really inspired by the hope that is overflowing from every page. I’m not ashamed to say I shed as many tears as I laughed out loud.

Of course, all the characters are very diverse and queer. It’s everything you’d hope for and warms your heart to see. And please keep in mind that this book isn’t without it’s fair deal of spice.

TL;DR: An adventure of love and mystery! It’s funny, heartfelt, and you will fall head over heels for these hopeless, hopeful queers!

E-galley provided by St.Martins and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and quotations are based on an uncorrected proof.

Thank you Netgalley for an advanced copy of ONE LAST STOP by Casey McQuiston. I loved RED, WHITE, AND ROYAL BLUE by McQuiston, so I was thrilled to get a copy of her next book. This new book was pretty different from her previous one—still a romance, but with a hint of speculative magic/sci-fi involved. I actually really liked how the magical elements got woven into the realistic storyline. My favorite part might have been the main character August's roommates and her first-reluctant then found-family relationship with them. It was great to watch August grow to love New York for all its quirks and discover herself there. I wasn't quite as absorbed in the romance as I was with RWRB, but I still enjoyed it and I think McQuiston is just so great at writing character and relationships of all kinds. This one was definitely worth the read!

Super cute and has one of the most amazing ensemble cast of characters I’ve ever read! Bit concerned how codependent Jane and August are - that's a genre problem for sure - but otherwise such an adorable read.

I devoured this book and can't stop thinking about it. I saw myself and my friends in all of these characters, in their struggles, and in their moments of joy. I saw my own queerness woven into this story and was reminded that there isn’t just one way to be queer.

There were aspects of this book that I enjoyed more than others; the queer community was a positive, and I was fully engaged in the romance between the main characters. However, the plot seemed to overreach. The inclusion of the queer community, plus the missing uncle, plus the strained relationship with the mother, plus the technicalities of Jane's predicament, plus a burgeoning relationship. It was a bit much to take in, and I had to suspend my disbelief more than I was comfortable with. Overall it was an enjoyable read, but needed a bit of trimming of unnecessary details!

I was a little nervous starting this because I loved RWRB so much. And, after finishing it, I have to say that this is actually better written than her previous release. I was glued to this book - every single moment.

Finding and Falling In Love on a NYC Subway - Review of “One Last Stop” by Casey McQuiston

Note: “One Last Stop” is an NA (New Adult) romance, not YA (Young Adult) - the characters are in their 20s and the content is more mature.

“One Last Stop,” or OLS, by Casey McQuiston (bestselling author of “Red, White and Royal Blue” - uses any pronouns) has just hit bookstore shelves on June 1st, and is already making noise. It follows the journey of 23-year-old, August Landry, who moves to New York City in search of finding her place in the world, even if she won't admit it.

August is fleeing from her single mother and her conspiracy theories surrounding the disappearance of her uncle. Upon arriving in the city, she finds a flyer advertising an apartment available for rent with three other roommates. She figures it is probably the best deal she’ll get until she can find a job.

There she meets Myla, Niko, and Wes, a unique combination of an eccentric engineer, part-time psychic (full-time houseplant tender), and quiet handyman, each with their own shine. August gets a job at Pancake Billy’s House of Pancakes (yes that’s the real name), and starts to find herself at home in between maple syrup hair and Myla’s odd sculptures.

When August spills coffee on herself on the way to her classes, during one of her first mornings in the city, she doesn’t expect her day to improve. In walks Jane Su, “subway girl,” and August can’t help but fall in love with her easy charm and magnetic smile. In an effort to keep seeing Jane, August tries to synch their commutes. They keep meeting, each day without fail, and August “learns that the Q [train] is a person,” (McQuiston 40).

Everything would be great, except there’s a slight snag; Jane can’t seem to leave the Q-train. And what’s worse -- she can barely remember who she is. Her total retro-70s look and lack of pop culture knowledge might not actually be an aesthetic. As August begins to fall for a girl stuck in time, she has to drag pieces of her past to her present to keep her heart intact.

“One Last Stop” is a romantic, charming, and witty story about struggling in your 20s, found family, first love, and finding your place. However, just because the characters are in their early-to-mid 20s doesn’t hinder the story to younger readers. At the heart of all of McQuiston’s works are their characters. They have demonstrated their aptitude for delivering character driven stories beat-by-beat, with both their first and second novels. August’s cynicism hiding her big heart, Jane’s effortless laughter and quick flirtations, and the charisma of all the background characters creates a loveable and warm atmosphere.

“One Last Stop” is heartfelt and heartbreaking in all the right ways, and like any good romcom, the ending is sweet and perfectly fits the characters. August, Jane, and the whole apartment gang will worm their way into your heart within the first few chapters. They’re clever and well-rounded with believable, entertaining banter that carries along slower parts. The romance between August and Jane is the beating heart of the story. It feels very natural and the key moments between the characters bring their relationship to a new level.

OLS is a diverse and joyously queer narrative makes it a fantastic read, especially during Pride month. With unique characters and engaging dynamics, “One Last Stop” is a charming, romantic, impossible story about chosen family and finding love on a New York City subway.

Oh, man, this is one of those books I just want to muppet flail over.

I greatly enjoyed Casey McQuiston's debut romance, <a href="https://www.thefrumiousconsortium.net/2020/05/11/red-white-royal-blue-by-casey-mcquiston/">Red, White & Royal Blue</a> but even in the closing paragraphs of my review for that novel, I was already wistfully looking ahead to this one. Which is thematically fitting, because this lightly sci-fi romance about time dilation gave me all the feels I was looking for with RW&RB. There were still a few things that a really stringent line editor should have caught (e.g. Van Gogh didn't work in watercolors, the whole deal with the knife) but feelings-wise, this was so thoroughly and utterly believable that it made me want to believe these are real people in New York City living their best lives, I love them all so much!

So August Landry had a mom who raised her to be Veronica Mars, and since all the cool kids know what a shitty time Veronica had in high school, this was not a great thing. Suzette Landry was obsessed with finding her missing brother, to the point where August was treated less as a daughter than an investigative assistant. By the age of 18, August had had enough and took off for college. A lifetime of friendlessness is a hard thing to overcome, tho, and so she drifts from school to school till finally settling in New York City for what she hopes will be her last year before graduating.

Acclimatizing to NYC is made easier by the roommates she manages to land, who even help her get a waitressing job to cover rent. But it's while running for the Q train that she meets the woman who turns her life upside down, the entirely cool and effortlessly charismatic Jane. The more August gets to know Jane tho, the more she realizes that something is amiss. As the two grow closer, August has to fall back on her old tricks in order to get to the bottom of the mystery and save Jane, even if it means breaking her own heart in the process.

You guys, I loved this book (muppet flail)! It was complex, densely plotted and exquisitely paced, with fully realized, diverse characters who all come together to solve mysteries, bend time and space, and save their favorite local business. It's a terrific romance, a wonderful mystery, an intriguing sci-fi and just a heart-warming celebration of people coming together and loving and accepting one another and working together for the best possible outcome for all involved. Also, one of the romantic leads is a butch Asian lesbian? Swoon. My favorite adult romance (and my favorite time-travelogue) of the year so far!

One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston was published June 1 2021 and is available from all good booksellers, including <a href="https://bookshop.org/a/15382/9781250244499">Bookshop!</a>

Loved the representation this book has. Casey does a good job of being respectful of all members of the LGBTQIA+ community in their books and making the main characters members of the community as well. I haven’t read Red, White and Royal Blue yet (need to!) but I liked their writing style and how August grows throughout the book, finding purpose.

I'm happy I did the audio version of this one. Quirky, different, and memorable! Definitely looking forward to reading more from this author.

I enjoyed Red, White and Royal Blue and this was a good sophomore effort, but not quite as good. I think the problem for me was the length. It went on for too long. The middle really seemed to drag and the plot stalled. I also wasn't expecting a time travel type story, so that took me by surprise. However, hearing over and over again how Jane was stuck on the train got repetitive.

I also wanted more out of Jane. I think the character of August was developed well and the secondary characters (her roommates and her co-workers) were fun, but Jane seemed one-dimensional. We didn't get a lot out of her - how she transformed... why she never made any connections before... what it felt like being stuck and seeing the same people every day.

I think this is a great representation for a variety of LBGTQ+ characters and is well-written from that aspect, but the story could use a little trimming.

Anything Casey McQuiston writes, I will read, and I will love! They are so phenomenal at captivating the reader with a storyline and characters that are easy to fall in love with and be invested in. The supernatural element in this one was just *chef's kiss* perfect. I listened to the audiobook and was in love from the start! I can't wait to reread this one already!

My first by this author! The cover and blurb caught my eye… what a heart warming book!

What did I like? The book starts off in a frenzy as August finds a place to live and a job while in NYC finishing her degree. On her way to class she meets a fun girl on the subway and there is fireworks! This book has a class act of characters with some mystery thrown in over subway girl. Purposely charming read!

Would I recommend or buy? I bought a copy! Brenda Novak has this title in her book box for June and I received a copy. It’s part of the book club reading for 2021 and I have to admit… it was quirky but enjoyable.
I’d recommend to anyone liking F\F genre!

I received a complimentary copy to read and voluntarily left a review!

“She can’t believe Jane had the nerve, the audacity, to become the one thing August can’t resist: a mystery.”

One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston might be the perfect read for pride month. The cast of characters is so diverse and gives you a large glimpse of the LGBTQ2 spectrum, which is not something I’ve seen in a lot of books.

McQuiston does found family like no other and contrasts the experience of young 20-somethings striking out and searching for themselves during the 70s and today.

It’s hard to classify this book into just one genre. It’s got some romance, some time travel, a bit of mystery, an underdog tale or two, an endeavour to save an institution and even something that could be considered a bit of a heist. So there’s something for everyone here.

This was a fun read with some real depth and a fantastic premise.

Thanks to Net Galley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book had my heart pounding and my heart racing from beginning to end. The cast of characters is diverse and expansive but at the same time never feels overwhelming to remember. August is at once frustrating as a protagonist and also incredibly relatable, and it's extremely rewarding to learn about Jane alongside August (and, in a way, Jane as well).

Loved this!!!!!! Go read it. This is not a book based of the synopsis I’d normally read- time travel/paranormal type stuff but I LOVED it. Couldn’t put it down, fantastic.

There is so much that is fantastic about this book. Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!

First, the queer community is just wonderful. No one writes a band of hilarious, lovely, and wise side characters like Casey McQuinston. Honestly, I could read just random bits of dialogue between Niko, Myla, Wes, Annie/Isaiah, Lucie, and Winfield and think it was fantastic. I think Casey McQuinston’s writing truly shines in the witty banter she gives her characters.

I loved August and Jane and this story was so fun and sweet. I loved the queer history told through Jane and I loved watching August open up and let Jane and everyone else into her life. And ugh, Jane! What a babe!

If I have issues- they aren’t really issues but concerns that stem from like two lines… First- there is a point in the book where Jane is called a racist and homophobic slur off-page and doesn’t want to call the police and August, who I presume is a white woman, kind of tells Jane that most people are more accepting than they were in the 70s.

I don’t think August is necessarily wrong, Jane comes from a world without decisions like Lawrence v. Texas, Hollingsworth, US v. Windsor, & Obergefell, and even Bostock from last year… all of which have upheld and expanded the rights of LGBTQ+ people and prevented discrimination. But, August’s statement is going to be criticized and maybe rightfully so. McQuinston has August make this broad statement, but doesn’t address the fact that Jane experienced both racism and homophobia. I think a lot of people are going to take this line and say that McQuinston is basically acting like racism and homophobia don’t exist at all anymore because her character makes such a broad statement and the race component is never really addressed by August at all. I don’t think she meant to make it seem that way, but I think August’s line in this moment needed to be handled with more care. Given the recent backlash about a line or two in RWRB, I worry that without giving more care to this statement McQuinston is opening herself up to more backlash.

The second concern is complex and kind of hard to articulate… but I worry about the whole time slip aspect of the book especially in light of the comment that “things are better now” and Jane admitting she feels like she didn’t always belong in her time. It gave me this nagging feeling that McQuinston was saying that Jane, a queer woman, was rare in the 70s. And obviously that’s not true and I don’t think that message was intentional, and I think it was really more about the connection between August and Jane… but, it got me feeling funny especially given all of the work and research authors like Cat Sebastian, KJ Charles, and EE Ottoman do in the areas of queer historical romance emphasizing that queer people existed and had loving relationships long before Jane’s time in this book.

But look, despite my concerns the love story and community in this book are fantastic. It’s lovely and wonderful and Casey McQuinston has a way of making me cackle and swoon all at once.

I loved the author's previous book so I jumped at the chance to read this one without bothering to check out the synopsis first. So I was caught off guard with the big twist and to be honest I didn't like the story going in that direction. I'll freely admit I was in the middle of a reading slump and in a grumpy mood when I stared reading this book. Perhaps if the timing was different my opinions would be overwhelmingly positive instead of thinking it was just an okay read.

August is a 23 year old college student and she has recently moved to New York City. To make ends meet she works at a diner. While commuting she meets June on the subway. They always seem to be on the same train car at the same exact time. Sparks fly between them but June has a bit of a problem. You see, she's actually from the 1970s and she's been stuck on the same train car for the last 40 years. She also doesn't remember much of her life prior to this whole ordeal. Sounds weird, right? Well, it makes much more sense if you read the book.

There just wasn't enough development between the two lead characters before the jarring twist. I didn't feel invested in June at that point. They had good chemistry but it would have been great to get a few more interactions before the dropping of the bombshell.

As always take my opinions with a grain of salt because judging by other early reviews, most readers loved this book.

I loooooved the found family aspect of this book! It gave me all the happy feelings and honestly, I would've been perfectly content to read an entire book with just this found family and no romance plotline. Myla was my favorite character, with her snarky comments and instantly adopting August into the family.

This story felt a little all over the place - I could've done without the Uncle Augie plot, seeing as it went back and forth frequently. It made the story seem tied up in a bow, neatly wrapped up in the end but a little unrealistic (I know, yes, it's about a time-traveling train, but still).

Overall, I loved the characters, relationships, and how three-dimensional they all were, but I didn't love the plot. I'm still giving it four stars because I was hooked by the characters and read it all in one night.