I absolutely loved this book and could not put it down. The characters were amazing and it made me wish I could be friends with them! The book itself was just magical.

Yes yes yessss, Casey McQuiston has topped their debut book with this display of sapphic PERFECTION. The writing is impeccable, the meet-cute was adorable (and felt like it happened over and over again which I love), and Casey's ability to really flesh out characters until they feel so real it's like you're reading about your friends is just sheer brilliance.

I so so SO appreciate Netgalley and the publisher for the copy of this ebook, and it's one I will certainly be buying a hard copy of ASAP.

𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 3/5⭐️⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
𝐈 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮'𝐫𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫: LGBTQIA+ relationships, drag queens, a lovable cast of characters, found family
⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
𝗪𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐝: Casey McQuiston didn’t disappoint on the characters and their relationships—both the friendships and romantic ones. This book lived up to the standards that were set by Red, White, & Royal Blue: the writing was witty and smart, the supplemental characters rounded out the story, and the main romantic connection was both adorable and steamy. I loved the overall theme of finding family outside of those who are related to you by blood.
⁣⁣⁣
𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐩𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞: I’ve been somewhat purposely not calling attention to the fact that I was reading this book because I know my issues with it are very niche and personal, and I don’t wish to discuss them further; but I still wanted to post a review in case there is one other person out there that it helps. The “magical” element was really disappointing for me. At the beginning, I gave it a chance and was interested to know why Jane was eternally bound to the subway line; but as the book progressed and it became clear what it was about, I became weary and uncomfortable. The theme of electricity/electric currents is not something that is lighthearted or playful for me, and for that reason the last third of this book was, at times, something I dreaded continuing. I nearly DNF’d at ~80%, but ultimately decided that knowing the resolution (especially because romance stories are formulaically required to have a happily-ever-after ending) was a better alternative than wondering. If you are also sensitive to this subject matter, I will say that I wish that I had known in advance and avoided the book entirely.

I admit this book wasn't my usual genre but I needed a LGBT book for my book challenge. I wasn't too sure about it at first, but then the quirky characters started to grow on me. The secondary characters really made the story great for me.
When August moves to New York, she's not expecting much. Between a shared apartment with weird roommates, a job at a 24- hour pancake diner, and her subway commute to college she's just getting by. But then she develops a crush on Jane, a fellow commuter who helps her out of an embarrassing situation. As she continues to see Jane and become friends, she finds a photograph from the 70s of Jane, who hasn't aged a day. August and her newfound friends from her apartment building try to figure out why Jane is lost in time.
Thank you to Netgalley and St Martin's for the opportunity to read this advanced reader copy. My review of this book is given voluntarily.

I have to say when I started reading this book, the story that came out was not the story I was expecting at all. The story that I read was so much better than the story I thought it was going to be.

First of all was totally not expecting the paranormal aspect of the story. It left me wondering how is this going to end happily, so of course I had to read until I finished.

Secondly it’s marketed as a romance story, and yes there is a romance between August and Jane, but it takes a backseat, at least for me it did. The real star was all the quirky characters, that became a family, and I absolutely loved it. I need friends like these.

Also the ending makes it seem like this could turn into a series, which I would totally read about August’s new adventures.

A time bending fantasy involving f/f romance between a modern woman and a woman lost in 1973 seemingly doomed to ride the Q train forever. Ingenious handling of subject matter with oddments of friends and roommates. It is a look back in time and progress in the LBGTQ world, from closeted to out and proud. Thought-provoking. 45 years is both a long time and a short hop into the future to a world of difference.

I'm not sure what I was expecting with the 2nd book by Casey McQuiston, but this was not it. I will start out by saying I loved reading Red White & Royal Blue and was eagerly awaiting this book. I loved that it was going to be a Female/Female romantic pairing and was very excited. I think that was where this book started to worry me. It came with a lot of hype, probably too much hype and it was nothing like I expected. First off it was oddly paranormal, but in a way that was difficult for me to fathom and trust. The book took place in our current world, so throwing in a paranormal, wibbly wobbly timey wimey Doctor Who-esq plotline totally threw me. The story seemed very drawn out and too long in many parts I kept wanting to speed it up, color me surprised when the final chapter went through several years in only a few pages. I just felt the overall pacing was wrong for me. Now, I read romance for the HEA, the love and the heat, spice "bedroom" scenes whatever you want to call them. This had so much potential, they weren't fade to black scenes, they were more like... fade to vague. I found myself rereading sentences because I wasn't sure what was going on. I really wish the author had gone for it and written something a little more adult and explicit, this felt like a YA love scene.

The story had some good mystery a twisty storyline and a lot of fun characters. I loved the roommates and Issac/Annie Depressant, the gang at Billy's. I think this book will go over well with romance readers who are new to the genre, like more PG romance and are prepared for the paranormal (I wasn't). For me this book was too much and not enough all a the same time.

I received an ARC from Netgalley and voluntarily give my review.

This book is great! Would definitely recommend. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Genre: Romance, Magical Realism Rating: ⭐⭐

Please don’t hate me! I know everyone LOVED Red, White, & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston and there has been so much hype about One Last Stop, but it was definitely not the book for me! Full transparency: I have not read Red, White, & Royal Blue, but I requested this book through NetGalley because of all the excitement around it and because, you guessed it, the cover drew me in. Unfortunately this book fell far short of my expectations.

First off, if you don’t already know, One Last Stop is not simply a romance novel, but also incorporates magical realism. Almost without fail… I absolutely abhor magical realism. Yes, okay, I know it was totally on me to see what the genre of the book was before I picked it up, but what can I say? I am a sucker for a pretty cover! Anyway, as with many magical realism books, this novel felt unrealistic, cheesy, and annoying. Essentially, the main idea driving the plot in the novel is that the protagonist, August, falls in love with a girl, who is literally trapped on the subway… literally.

While the romance was cute at times, it felt weird because the two characters obviously held different levels of power over one another, which made it awkward. I also felt like these issues were never really fully addressed, which again, felt uncomfortable.

Furthermore, I don’t mean to exaggerate, but this book was mind-numbingly slow and felt like it took forever to read. Similarly, a lot of the events throughout the book were a little random and didn’t contribute to the overall stories at times. For instance, August spends the majority of the novel trying to find a way for Jane to get off the subway, but a little more than halfway through the book she seemingly decides that planning a party to save the restaurant that she works at is more important than saving the love of her life!?! A lot of events felt like this throughout the book: unnecessary and confusing.

The one aspect of the novel that I did enjoy was the sense of family that August found in her friends and the diverse representation seen in many of the characters in the book. Many of the side characters were extremely lovable. In fact, I probably would have preferred reading Nikos’ and Myla’s love story as opposed to August’s and Jane’s. Wes was cynical in an endearing way and Isaiah and Annie Depressant gave off a vibe that makes you feel like you want to be their friend.

Overall, I simply think One Last Stop just wasn’t the right book for me. As someone who rarely enjoys magical realism and since the novel was slow, I felt like I had to force myself to read it. That being said, the book was written technically well and I certainly think others will likely enjoy it.

I loved this book, and the sweetness between friends, family, and the very beautiful love story. August and Jane’s chemistry is apparent and the best parts of this book are the small moments between them on the subway, slowly and awkwardly falling in love in New York City. I went to college in New York City, so this story resonated with me of finding your friend group and queer family. I loved all the side characters of this book, and would read a book about all of them: Myla, Niko, Wes, Isiah/Annie Depressant. The only reason I did not give this book 5 stars is that I believe there was too much going on in this book: saving a restaurant, a lot of side character love stories (which could have all been a book on their own!), time traveling, a single mom and daughter, and a lost uncle. Sometimes it got to be too much, and some of the nuance was lost in keeping track of all the things going on in the story. But overall, an amazing book that I will particularly recommend for young people finding their way through big cities, finding their place after graduation, and falling in love for the first time.

When August moves to NYC, she meets a mysterious girl named on the subway. Over the course of her commuting, August falls hard for Jane and discovers that Jane is weirdly stuck on the train. It's up to August and her friends unravel Jane's mystery to save her. Part mystery, part sci-fi, and part romance, August also uncovers answers to her own family mysteries.

This book was just okay for me. I didn't find it to be particularly funny or cute and I didn't connect with the characters that much. August and Jane both annoyed me as main characters. Also I did not enjoy this one as much as I could have because it felt so much longer than it was. The story just dragged on and there were points I got bored and put it down. I know there will be a lot of hype for this book, but I don't think it deserves it.

Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for my ARC.

So, let me start by saying this is a magical realism book. There is time travel involved. No one told me, and it took me by surprise. It was still good, but I was expecting a romance, which it is, but it includes time travel.

Now that that’s out of the way, I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed this book. August is a great character with plenty of flaws. I loved Jane almost as much as August did. I desperately wanted to know more about her, and I felt completely satisfied by her development. The highlight of the book is the cast of characters that surround August. I loved all of them, and I especially loved their motivations, goals, and specific characteristics that made them unique.

I enjoyed the story, and I look forward to many more books by this author. Thank you, Casey McQuiston, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for the ARC.

I will be highlighting the book on my IG on June 15: @LyatsLibrary

I really wanted to enjoy this one. And Honestly, it could be just me, maybe I wasn't in the mood for a romance but I just felt like I was forcing myself to finish this one and in the end, I bailed. Overall, I feel like the story was good, it just wasn't doing it for me.

This was a very strange book and a lot of reality needed to be put to the side because of how there was such a focus on time travel. I did not love that part. I was hoping for a more believable love story, but that could have been my fault going into the story blindly. It was not the worst book I have read this year, it just was not for me.

A girl takes the Q in NewYork and her life is never the same. August, newly arrived in NY meets a girl on the Q and their connection is immediate but there is a problem the girl she met, name is Jane, but that’s all she knows, literally. Jane doesn’t know who she really is or where she came from or where she could be going. She only knows she just rides the subway Q.. Janes effect on August is deep and magnetic almost. When August arrived in NY she found a room with three others, they forged a friendship as if family. Together they band to solve the mystery of Jane on the train who August has decidedly developed a girl crush on.
Interesting and fun in parts. A lifestyle not all get to glimpse of fun, heart full, loving friends that walk a different path than some. They love strong and fight for one another. It took awhile for me to finish it moved slow but the ground work was necessary. Now it would be interesting if August, in her new career moves on to be a book series.
Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin”s Publishing Group and Casey McQuiston for allowing me to read this eARC.

To be honest I didn't even read the description before requesting this title. I loved the author's first book, Red, White & Royal Blue and I assumed her new novel would be in a similar vein. This resulted in me being completely caught off guard when it was revealed the main character's, August's, love interest who she met on the subway is actually displaced in time. She is actually from the 1970s. This, however, did not take away from my enjoyment of the novel. I loved the hints of magic that were throughout the novel, yet it was still very believable. August's group of friends were so wonderful and unique and I thoroughly enjoyed the love story. Those that read her first book will not be disappointed and I will definitely be recommending this delightful novel.

Recently I've been contemplating the future of traditionally published contemporary romances; or at least my interest in them. I'm not sure if these types of romance are being sought out or if Big Pubs are encouraging romance authors to include a list of things that will have to be checked off to meet approval. Independently published romances seem to be hitting the mark where trad is trying but failing.

One Last Stop had no idea what it wanted to be, probably because it was trying to be ALL THE THINGS. The southern girl moving to the big city, the quirky neighbors/found family who conveniently have all the answers to integral plot points, all the queerness and politically relevant talking points that publishers are so desperately trying to include in their front runners for the year - it was all too much and yet not enough to keep me engaged in the story.

Even the surprising sci-fi element woven into the romance between Jane and August wasn't enough to keep the boredom at bay. The pacing kills all momentum and with it, my motivation to discover Jane's backstory and how she was connected to uncle Auggie.

The story lacked any sort of believability with the backdrop of an idealistic New York City and New Yorker lifestyle. The backdrop and August's lack of a real job to pay her bills make this almost a fantasy romance. There was a subway sex scene that had everyone's tongue wagging and all I could think of was how unsanitary getting physical in that setting would actually be. I couldn't even enjoy the budding chemistry between August and Jane because I felt like I was in such an alternate reality.

Also, the third person present tense in One Last Stop was just as annoying as it was in Red, White, and Royal Blue. It's a style clash that I just can't get over.

This... is gonna be hard to talk about. Whenever books hit me in a certain way I have a hard time explaining my feelings in a way that makes sense and elequently says just how much I loved it.

I loved every aspect of this. The characters, the relationship, the found family aspect, the focus on queer history and what people have gone through. It's written beautifully and Casey McQuiston has become an autobuy author and will most likely always be an auto buy author.

Cute meet on the train? COUNT ME IN! As I just moved to NYC, I love reading books set in NY and imagining that this all could happen to me. I went into this one without knowing the premise, I just knew I liked Casey McQuiston and wanted to read her new book. It took me some time to get into the science fiction of it all, just because I wasn’t expecting it, but other than that the book read smoothly. I do have a lot of questions after reading the ending, but I can’t write them here because *spoilers* so Casey if you see this, ya girl needs some answers.

I loved the amazing cast of characters, their personalities, and the way they made you feel like they were your family. I enjoyed getting to see August grow as a person and open up to other people, finding her chosen family, and figuring out what she wanted in life. This book has an incredible LGBTQ+ representation that I wish I could se more in books.

This was a great read for Pride month. The mix between a murder mystery, a romance, and time travel was something that I never could have expected, but that I'm already anticipating being a top 5 read of the year for me. McQuiston's writing only continues to grow and enchant.