This book was and still is being hyped up so much that I was really worried that I wouldn’t love this book as much as I was hoping to. But wow! it totally lived up to the hype and even surpassed my expectations of how good I thought it would be! I felt all the feelings with this book, I laughed, cried and I was smiling throughout most of it! I’ve seen a lot of reviewers explaining how they don’t have the right words to express how good this book was and I feel the same way. This book was truly unlike anything else I’ve ever read and I just don’t have the words to capture the perfection of this book.

Here are some of the things I loved about the book: the friend group definitely. Every character felt so alive and their personalities just jumped off the pages and the amount of queer characters in this book just brought me so much happiness. Of course I loved Jane and August, their relationship and the way it progressed throughout the book was done so incredibly well. There’s so much more to love about this book so I highly recommend you read it if you haven’t already!

https://www.instagram.com/p/CQL3FD6Lgns/

First and foremost, the fact that a lot of people failed to mention that the author wrote a white MC telling her Chinese love interest that “racism doesn’t happen anymore” is just beyond me. It is perfectly ok to call this shit out and still read the work the author writes bc 1) y’all are going to anyway and 2) you can’t just pick and choose when you’re in ally when a few months ago you were standing with the AAPI community


x


So this one fell a bit short, but it was impossible not to bc of how wildly popular this book is. White queers are LIVING and hey, good for you!

My feelings on OLS are actually neither here nor there. It’s odd. I didn’t love it, I didn’t hate it. The book just simply was and I was reading it.

I did see a bit of myself in August in the beginning there (until we near the questionable and problematic bits, oof) and I was mostly just interested in her journey. Though there wasn’t really any great character development, I didn’t expect August to just suddenly become this perfect person by the end of the story.

I also didn’t really care for the romance? This read more like a contemporary with a dash of mystery? Some sleuthing? I guess, overall is was just MEH.


NOW...

This book reads SO white. Which is why it’s not to surprising that the majority of the hype comes from white women pushing this book. I mean, do NOT be fooled by the friend group in this one, who are BIPOC. They read white.

In addition to the “racism? Where?” comment, there was a scene where one of August’s roommates (cis white male) talks about their other roommate’s (trans man of color) mom kind of telling him not to come out to some of his family and how they fight a lot, and then goes, “but MY family cut me off from my trust fund, life is so unfair” WOW, REALLY???

Also, subway sex is disgusting, pls no one try this IRL

There are BY FAR better queer/found family romances/contemporaries out there, but I guess I wouldn’t discourage you from trying this one out. It’s all the hype right now anyway.

Just be aware of what you read and don’t be afraid to call shit out for what it is!


Also...can we talk about how traumatizing this whole thing must’ve been for Jane, and yet August wanted to be like, this savior of some sort?? ANYWAY...

Thank you to the publisher for a free Netgalley of this book!

I am in the minority and did not love RW&RB. Not due to the writing or plot, but due to not liking the main character at all. Alex was an immature child. This was the exact opposite!

What I loved:
- The characters were absolute gems! I truly loved each of them!
- The plot was original and really was well written!
- The dialogue was not awful, which is true in so many contemporary romances nowadays. This was not just a bunch of witty banter.

What I didn't:
- The length was a bit much and honestly, the connection with August's uncle was just unnecessary. Having him as a backup character to explain her own family was needed, but the connection that happened later was not.

Overall, I really enjoyed this one so much!

I had high hopes for this McQuiston's sophomore novel because I ADORED Red White & Royal Blue. It didn't QUITE leave me feeling as in love as RWRB did, but I still loved it. I'm a sucker for stories that take place in New York City, so the setting was probably one of my favorite aspects of One Last Stop. I also really enjoyed the characters and the aspect of found families. Plus there was lots of good food content, another favorite of mine. Definitely pick this one up if you loved RWRB and other similar rom coms.

LOVE!! I adored Red, White & Royal Blue and wasn't sure this one could possibly compete but I may have loved it even more. Brilliantly written characters, fast pace and a touch of magic (which is not typically my thing). I couldn't put it down and still find myself wondering what the characters are up to now.

I so, SO badly wanted to love this. So, desperately, badly.

I loved RWRB, and as a bi New Yorker living in New Orleans and dating another woman, as well as being someone who coincidentally just finished unrelated research on the UpStairs Lounge arson and happens to love magical realism, I was beyond enthusiastic at getting the opportunity to read this book and SUPER eager to love it and to come here to shout about how much I loved it. But I just... didn't.

I ended up feeling like McQuiston was determined to touch upon so much that it ended up being both not enough and way too much... but in all the wrong ways for me.

(spoilers below)

I enjoyed the general path of the plot and loved the parallels (in some ways, at least) to the real-world story of Ferris LeBlanc and how his nephew is the one that discovered that he had died in the UpStairs Lounge arson
(https://www.nola.com/opinions/article_88685b6d-d395-5b89-aab0-959664cc95f8.html and https://www.nola.com/entertainment_life/article_46a29642-5c77-5c98-8d59-2f0d3e012bd3.html).

I also loved that it seemed like it started from a frustrating subway ride that lead to the offhand joke "what if I'm just stuck here forever????" And who doesn't love a good LGBTQIA+ romance? So it feels like I loved all the concepts, but not the reality of the book itself.

I loved that August's found family is so diverse and entertaining, but (as others have mentioned), some of the conversation hinting about how racism and homophobia are things that stayed behind in the 70s feels very stale, considering the present-day release. I also felt that the group was so determined to be written as representative of millennials and online culture that it went a little too far and became an unintentional, un-selfaware parody. To be honest, it seemed that was trying so hard to represent diversity that it reached the point of tokenism.

I also felt frustrated with peripheral plot lines, like how Uncle Augie was essentially killed off twice, and how Jerry doesn't get a chance to see Jane even though literally everyone else does?

By the end I reeeeally disliked Jane and August and their dynamic, while it felt like I was supposed to love them. Also, as a total side note, the idea of having sex on the subway is simply *horrifying*. Both from the perspective of how terrible that would be to fellow straphangers as well as how unpleasant it would be to actually do it, considering how dirty the subway is. I know it's a tiiiiny thing considering the book is literally about a pseudo-ghost from the 70s, but suspension of disbelief apparently can only take me so far?

Anyway, it seemed like One Last Stop tried to check all the marks of LGBTQ+, mystery, magical, heist, leftist millennial social wish fulfillment, and romance at the same time, and it ended up just being... frustrating.

Unfortunately, this book didn't live up to the hype for me. The plot was very very weird and random and it never really came together. I liked the love story and the friendships, but ultimately I found it too far fetched.

MY HEART. OH MY HEART. This book will absolutely go down as my top five favorite books of the year (top 3 so far). I loved Red, White, and Royal Blue but this was was far better in my opinion. McQuiston FRIGGIN DELIVERED.. and delivered hard. This is how you start off Pride Month 🏳️‍🌈

A book with LGBTQ+ representation, magical realism, historical fiction, romance, sexy, curvy characters, comedy… all built into one book, what more could you ask for?

This novel is full of whit, charm, and magic. I loved ALL the wonderfully quirky and unique characters. McQuiston touched upon the way August’s upbringing sometimes hurt her but was also something that made her skilled and powerful. I adored (yet it saddened me) watching Jane’s journey unravel while respectfully displaying so much queer history through her and others. it explored all sides of the relationship between August and Jane without hesitation.

I will be yelling at everyone from the rooftops of Boston and beyond for you all to read this one 🥰

Synopsis: There is a bit of magic left in the world and August Landry found it on the Q train, both a place and a person. August moved to NYC at 23 to start a new life, with a new job at a pancake diner, a not-your-average new group of roommates, and a beautiful stranger who appears on the train during her morning commute. Referred to as “subway girl”, Janie is everything August could possibly want. The problem? Jane has been stuck on the subway since 1970. August is determined to help get Jane off the train but in doing so may either bring her back to the 70s, present time, or result in death.

I have no words for how amazing this was, but I'm finally ready to try to express myself lololol. This is everything that my queer heart wanted and more!!!!! The found-family elements were everything to me and added to the story so so much! I literally fell head over heels for every single character. The writing was so beautiful and so hilarious; I was laughing and crying all at the same time! Truly a roller coaster of emotions!! This book will forever live in my mind RENT-FREE.

The audiobook was fantastic and really brought all the characters to life! I 100% recommend it- although now I NEED a physical copy just to annotate the hell out of it. The only thing that I didn't enjoy was the pause break in between the chapters. They seemed really really long and it kept making me think that the audiobook had accidentally stopped working or that the app shut down. I'm not sure if it was just the download that I had or if the final audiobook also has that problem, but it's definitely something to take into consideration because it was quite annoying TBH!

Overall though, I really did fall in love with this book. This was my first Casey McQuiston and I can't wait to finally pick up Red, White & Royal Blue and all future publications! Definitely found a new favorite author! I am already looking forward to rereading this!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins Press/Macmillan Audio an advanced ebook and audiobook. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

so cute and sweet - all i wanted to do was sit around and read this book until i could escape into the pages themselves! As a lifelong train lover - this entire concept was built for me. i constantly day dream about meeting some one on a train.

- i didn't like the passage where the white character tells the POC one that " not all white people are bad" seems very tone deaf and rude. This needs to be addressed because there is no growth on the character on that aspect.

Let me just say this once. I know readers are going to hate me but I just did not love One Last Stop as other readers did. I tried my best too but I just could not. I know for a fact that I had high expectations for One Last Stop because I absolutely fell in love with Casey McQusiton's previous book, Red, White & Royal. One Last Stop did not live up to its expectations. It was a big let down. I expect more instead of a drag out love story.

First off, I want to thank St. Martin's Press for sending me this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!

I'm roughly 20% in and I'm really enjoying it so far. I was nervous because I am currently about 50% through RWRB and I might DNF but this is more my style which is nice. However, I received my copy of this book on the day it came out so I was unable to read the full book in time before losing my access and reviewing it. I have to leave a star rating so I am for now giving it a tentative 4/5 stars but I will be finishing the book soon and updating the rating once I have completed the book. Honestly, I can't wait :) It's making me really want pancakes and hash browns mmmmm yummy

I have been in love with Casey's writing from RWRB. I love their writing and sense of humor, and all of the emotions brought forth. I expected OLS to be amazing and I was not disappointed. This is an amazing queer romance that is one of hope and love. The sexual content was masterfully written with tender grace. Highly recommend!

I struggled to get through this book. I was a fan of the author’s previous Red, White, and Royal Blue, but this book did not hold my attention. I likely would have DNF it if not for receiving it as an ARC. If you like magical realism, you may favor this book. Magical realism is not palatable to me personally, and that was my main issue with the book. The characters were fun and quirky. It was a good book choice for pride month. Overall, not a favorite for me.

Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC

This book was such a delight and was so heartwarming. I personally found it a little bit slow at first, but the pace picked up around half way through. The mystery of where Jane came from and how to save her was very well done and was so satisfying to resolve. But for me, the characters are what made this book. Each person was so unique and interesting in their own way, and so endearing to read about. Their interactions were realistic and entertaining, and the ending resolution was so perfect. Such a great read!

What else can we say about Casey McQuiston. Everything she writes leaps off the page. She is such a thoughtful, beautiful writer of modern times. The way she wrote about the Q train is the epitome of New York. And that’s just writing about a train.! Her characters break your heart and tie you in pieces every time. I listen to this on audiobook as well as reading it. I definitely recommend both. The audiobook hit different but just as good. For her second book she hit it out of the park once again.
Thanks #netgalley

This is a NetGalley review of the book One Last Stop and was given freely in exchange for an early reading of the book. This book will wreck you in the best way! August meets Jane on the NY subway in the worst way- holding back tears while drenched from head to toe in coffee. Jane offers her a scarf to help her day go a little better. August runs into Jane every ride and they develop an easy friendship, but what are the odds Jane is in the same train car at the same time she rides? This book has so many twist and turns and is absolutely one of the best types of books to read- it keeps you hooked to the last page! Do yourself a favor and read this book now!

I absolutely adored this book! The romance was pitch-perfect and so heartwarming, and the secondary characters stole the show. I love when an ensemble of characters truly works and leaves you wanting to hang out with them. Each character was a little messy but wonderful and I was rooting for them all. I thought the ending was so well-done and will leave readers very satisfied. This is a heartwarming, unique, delight of a book and I highly recommend it!

Thank you for the opportunity to read an advance copy!

August is a bit of a loner, drifting from city to city and college to college and major to major, until she arrives in New York City with an air mattress and a few boxes of belongings. Her new roommates become her new friends, gently forcing her to make connections and join the world. The roommates are fabulous- fully developed, interesting, compelling, with backstories and insecurities and personalities all their own. I think they were one of the best parts of the book.

On her way to school on the Q, August meets a mysterious woman in a meet-cute scenario. The twist is that Jane has been stuck on the Q since the 1970s and has been living in kind of a fog. August's presence and the connection between them seem to create a bond that allows her to see Jane whenever she travels on the Q line.

There are also twists with characters' histories, some mysteries to be solved, a neighborhood institution to save, and more.

Unfortunately, this story lagged for me and was slow to start. It seemed to struggle to stay focused on the main story, which I kind of understand since the side stories were honestly more compelling. A good enough book, just not great.

One Last Stop was hands down my most anticipated read of 2021. Needless to say, I was very excited when I got offered an early digital copy. It took me a long time to write this review after reading the book - simply because I found it really hard to articulate how much I loved this book.

Casey McQuiston pulled no emotional punches in One Last Stop. They delivered an emotionally complex and wonderfully romantic story that had me sobbing multiple times. Fans of Red, White and Royal Blue will recognize the author’s signature witty banter - this book had me laugh out loud more than any other book in recent memory. While this book was predominantly a contemporary romance, it did have a time traveling twist that I really enjoyed and think really contributed to the overall emotional impact of the story.

August began One Last Stop as a thoroughly lost soul - she had just recently moved to NYC totally alone, leaving behind her mother (and their amateur sleuthing). When she responds to a room for rent ad, she stumbles into one of the best roommate/ found family groups I’ve ever read about. Through her growing relationships with her roommates, August really began to blossom as a character. Her journey to finding herself and fitting into her new environment was both relatable and endearing to read about.

August and Jane are my new favorite romance couple - right off the bat they had incredible chemistry and were heartwarming together. Not only did they have incredible tension and payoff, they also had the mystery between them of who Jane was and how she got to be stuck in modern times. This uncertainty in their relationship really helped force August to confront her feelings for Jane and confront herself about what she wanted in her life.

This book is all about the characters - every single one was intricately faceted and fascinating to read about. I loved learning about their relationship dynamics and how they all stumbled into each other's lives. They were all supportive of each other and really uplifted each other - I want spin-off books for each of them, honestly.

If there were any doubts in my mind that Casey McQuiston would become an autobuy author for me, One Last Stop cleared them up. This is a thoroughly romantic story about finding oneself and the strength of found family. It’s also a love letter to New York and breakfast foods, and who can’t get behind both of those things. I cannot wait to read whatever Casey McQuiston writes in the future. 5/5

PS: this book made me cry over strawberry milkshake PopTarts. I won’t provide context at this time.