One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston is a great book about finding love in unusual place. I loved this LGBTQ+ book.

I am not a romance reader, and I think I’ve made this very well known. However, I adored this story, and the characters, so much. McQuiston does an amazing job of weaving humor and representation into a heartwarming and beautiful tale. As with the previous book, the writing strength here is in the characters. They are tangible and messy, and real. Everything about that is appealing to me. The side characters are fully fleshed out, and their stories are unique and interesting. There is an amazing amount of representation in this story, and it feels well written.

As always with Netgalley audiobooks, I have to comment on the audio player. It is still quite terrible. The reader was amazing, that aside, and it was fun to hear this story in audio format.

Full review will be published on July 16th, 2021.

After reading Casey McQuiston’s debut novel two years ago, I knew I would read anything this author writes. One Last Stop had such a unique concept and the most lovable and wonderful group of friends/found family.

August and Jane meet on the subway. Cute ‘meet cute’, right? Well, it’s a little more complicated that that. August is 23 and a student in Brooklyn. After meeting Jane a few times, she realizes Jane is from the 1970’s. Yes. You read that right. I’ll be honest and say it did take me a bit to get into this one. The first 30% or so I wasn’t sure if I loved it or not, but I’m so glad I kept going because I ended up truly loving this one.

Once August and Jane’s romance picked up this book became everything for me. The romance was lovely, and I couldn’t adore August’s roommates and some of the other secondary characters in this book more than I did. Seriously, they made the story. There was so much love in this book. Not just the romantic kind, though there was that in spades. Though this book wasn’t relatable for me in a lot of ways, I think it will be to so many people and it’s so important to have stories like this told.

If you’re looking for an original romance with a diverse cast of characters you need this book in your life! Found family is one of my favorite things in books and this truly had one of the best! The romance took me a bit to be invested in, but once I was I was hooked. The last half of the story especially was my favorite. I loved all the revelations and learning more about the characters, specifically Jane and her past. This one made me smile so big and was such a heartwarming and beautiful story. Highly recommend!

I really enjoyed Casey McQuiston's first novel Red, White and Royal Blue last year, so my expectations were high! Ultimately, I enjoyed my reading experience, but it didn't blow me away.
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August has bounced around from college to college trying to find her footing and finish her degree, finally finding herself in New York City and rooming with an eclectic bunch of early 20-somethings and working at a beloved 24-hour pancake house. August was raised by a single mom obsessed with solving the mystery of her older brother's disappearance, and she thrives in her newfound, inclusive friend group, and of course, immediately develops a crush on a woman she keeps bumping into on the train. Jane, the love interest, is dripping with cool, but it turns out that she's not a Brooklyn hipster obsessed with vintage clothes and the New York Dolls; she's actually from the 70's, somehow stuck in a timewarp and tethered to the subway.
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What a plot! Major points for creativity. I'll admit, I'm not much of a romance reader, so I generally connected with the other subplots - namely saving the pancake house from gentrification, solving the decades-old crime. The time warp plotline is pretty well fleshed out, but just don't think about it too hard. I generally skip over the steamy parts of romance novels, but I have to give McQuiston props for her sex scenes. They were in fact, steamy, but never vulgar or cringe-y, and I think contributed to the plot in a meaningful, sex-positive way.
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I gotta say it, aside from Jane, I didn't like any of the characters (very unlike my experience with Red, White and Royal Blue). August is pure vanilla, and while I think an Everyperson protagonist is a good choice for a book with a complicated plot, I struggle to think of a single adjective to describe August other than "nice." The narrator's voice for Myla is impressively annoying, and I think made all the other friend characters annoying by proxy.
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This is the perfect audiobook to listen to while doing chores. It held my attention, and while I doubt I will read it again, I would recommend it to romance fans, Red, White and Royal Blue enthusiasts and anyone looking for a progressive, inclusive romance.

Ahhh I am so happy to have gotten a copy of this before the release date through Netgalley!
The characters in this story were so beautiful. They each grew so much. From finding love in the most unexpected place, to so much representation, Casey McQuiston has killed it yet again with such a sweet heart-warming story. I am truly glad to have read it!

This book is not your typical romance. August meets this incredible girl on the subway and starts to fall for her immediately. But after some time she learns Jane is actually from the 1970s and is stuck on the train. August and her friends work together to release Jane and help her leave the train and get back to her life, if they can.

This one had a bit of a slow start, and I didn’t love all of the characters as individuals, but once I got into the book it went quickly! The relationships were 100% relationship goals. The plot of this was incredibly unique and the LGBTQIA+ representation and the struggles they face was at the forefront of this story. I loved the beautiful message about friends becoming family and surrounding yourself with people who will support you no matter what.

The narration on this audiobook was phenomenal. I highly recommend the audio version to any audiobook fans out there.

Thanks Macmillan audio for the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!

One Last Stop is the sapphic light sci-fi/ fantasy novel that I’ve been waiting for.

There is tons of LGBTQIA representation, and discussions based on the past and current issues that the LGBTQIA community faces. These discussions are not on the sidelines of the story, they are the focus.

The story follows our main character August is a woman trying to find her place in the world, when another girl trapped in time catches her eye. August, who knows a lot about true crime, attempts to help Jane return to her time- the 1970s.

While I enjoyed the story, I connected too much with August, in a way that pulled me out of the story. August’s personality reminded me a bit to much of my self.


I received this Audiobook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I did really enjoy the audiobook. It is a single narrator, which fits the single POV of the book well.

August has moving around without ever feeling home. After moving to NYC she feels destined to be alone. While on the train she see Jane this beautiful girl that she’s immediately attracted to. The yearning between them creates this intense tension.The relationship side between August, June and their friends was on point. Whereas, the plot and storyline could have been developed more.. I did appreciate how it resonated with me to always surround yourself with people who have your back and see you as you are....relationship goals!
Thank you Netgalley, Macmillan Audio and St. Martin’s Griffin for the ARC.

Things I Love: New York, Contemporary Romance, Fantasy, Unsolved Mysteries, Found-Families, Queer Representation, Diversity

Things This Book Had: All of that

I am speechless. I don't even know how to express how much I loved this book. I was nervous, because Red, White, & Royal Blue is one of my favorite books of all time, and I just couldn't imagine how Casey McQuiston could write another novel as incredible as that one was. She really did it though; I never should have doubted!

Every single character in this book is complex, raw, hilarious, and incredibly queer. I adore August and Jane's story, but I was just as invested in Wes/Isaiah and Niko/Myla. Casey is such a talented writer. Every character felt real and I found myself attached to every single one of their stories. Although RW&RB definitely felt finished after one novel, I can't help but feel like there is so much more to explore in the One Last Stop universe. I would absolutely love to read a story about Wes...or really anyone else.

One of my favorite things about how McQuiston writes is that her stories aren't surface level. I am such a sucker for contemporary romance novels, but she writes them differently. Her books are definitely about the romance, but it's never just that. There is always another story there that is just as interesting. Her books are meaningful and impactful, and I can't wait to see what else she conjures up for us.

Audiobook Lovers: I listened to this one and I highly recommend it if you prefer audiobooks. The narrator, Natalie Naudus, is AMAZING. She does such an incredible job that I honestly can't picture the characters sounding like anyone else anymore. 5/5 just for narration!

*I will be updating this review with a link to my book inspired nail art instagram when I post it*

Thank you to Netgalley and MacMillian Audio for providing me with an arc (audiobook version) in exchange for an honest review

I have to say, One Last Stop is charming as hell.

While I don't know if I fell in love with the characters as much as I wanted too in the story, the relationships were all stellar. Jane and August have an instant connection that leaps off the page and they form a deeper connection through the story - helping Jane remember parts of her past that she's forgotten. The found family that August finds in New York was my everything, I loved Nico, Mila, and Wes - and the entire crew at Billy's too. There's such a community that develops around her - it warmed my heart. Even seeing her struggling relationship with her mom was amazing. August's life was a balancing act and it felt so very real.

One of my favorite parts of the story was so small and really means nothing in the scheme of things - but the missed connections posts of other people through time who Jane had had an impact on really touched me. It showed the power in human interaction and the legacy you can have after even the briefest of moments with a stranger. And the weird, timey elements really worked for me - it added something fun and unique to the story, but never felt bigger than Jane and August.

I was a bit nervous going in because it took me two times to really get into McQuiston's work previously, but the quick connections, deep emotions, and fast humor made it impossible for me not to enjoy myself. One last Stop is a story of human connections and the impact we have on other people, and how the community around you can mean everything, even when you feel like you're lost or displaced.

I received a copy of the audiobook from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I was beyond excited to receive an advanced galley of this audiobook version of One Last Stop after I've devoured McQuiston's first book, "Red, White & Royal Blue." So, needless to say, I was pumped to start listening to this one. And now that I've finished listening to it, I believe that my fellow "RWRB-obsessed readers" are going to go nuts for this sapphic New Adult romance because it's that good and worthy of all five of these stars.

Here, we follow 23-year-old August who just moved to New York City as a way to prove to herself that magic and true love doesn't exist, because after all, she's a skeptic and a closet detective. One day she spots a gorgeous girl on the subway, on the Q train to be exact. This girl, Jane, is dazzling and mysterious who shows up to save August's day when she needs it most. So, obviously August develops a little subway crush on the girl that makes every single day better, but soon she realizes that Jane is actually displaced in time from the '70s, and August sets out to help her remember who she is and beat this curse/problem. It's billed as a magical, sexy, and bighearted romance, which is definitely an accurate depiction. The language has humor in spades, like laugh-out-loud lines. August is described in a way that makes her an authentic and realistic main character, which makes me super into her story.

It feels unlike anything I've read before, including "RWRB." but it's still a fun sapphic New Adult romance with a sweeping romance sprinkled in. It's fun and I was so curious to keep reading to find out what would happen next. Plus, Jane+August are so flipping cute, like I couldn't stop smiling for a minute while listening. This slow-burn romance is also a love letter to NYC and good friends, too. Plus, it has this fun mysterious element to take it out of the realm of *just* being a romance novel; it's way more than that. If I had to categorize this book, I'd say it's "Veronica Mars" meets time-travel meets sapphic romance, which seems like an odd combination yet it completely works and I'm sold. The language is witty and funny, too, and I love, love, love it and yes, it totally lives up to all the hype it's already been racking up.

As an audiobook, I found the story so immersive and compelling. The narrator puts you in August's head and what she sees. She uses different voices to effortlessly capture all the different characters and their various personalities. It feels realistic, yet engaging and bubbly.

Between the story and the narration, I just want to keep listening to this story to find out what would happen next. It's impossible not to get wrapped up in this story thanks to such compelling language and vibrant narration. Plus, there's so much diverse representation that feels authentic and real, which is another win in this book's column. Everything is brilliantly planned out, interconnected, and woven together in terms of the story organization.

I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

One Last Stop was a pretty fun book to dive into. I was honestly surprised by the time travel elements in this because I kept thinking this was just going to be a cute contemporary book. Definitely enjoyed that little twist and devoured the book.

In it, you will meet August and Jane (aka Biyu). Both were very interesting girls to get to know. One was an awkward girl dealing with insecurity issues. While the other just happened to be from the 70s. No biggie - right?

It wasn't hard to fall in love with these two one bit. Plus them being together went from adorable to sizzling pretty quickly too. I'm not sure I will ever get over some scenes on a subway.. but I will be glad that I've never seen it happen while I was on at the same time. I'll just stick with loving them from afar and even falling in love with the great cast of side characters as well.

Without spoiling too much, just know that this book was just really cute. I also enjoyed the ending and I am still sort of left with unanswered questions. Also, I'm in the mood for some pancakes. Overall, I'm really excited and happy that I got the chance to dive into this. I loved it and I hope the next person does as well!

I am normally not a fan of anything having to do with fantasy or books that include elements of magic, so I was conflicted about how much I would enjoy a book that involved time travel. After listening to One Last Stop, I can now safely say I am a fan. This book was so well done and made me a believer in love that can transcend time.

August is lost in life. After moving to NYC to finish up college, she meanders through her days, seeking direction and purpose. August really doesn't feel like she fits in, but her new roommates take her under their wings immediately. On one cold January morning, August falls on the subway and is jolted by the appearance of a gorgeous girl that helps her up. When the two keep meeting on the train day after day, August forms a crush on Jane. The only problem? Jane is literally displaced from the 1970s, stuck on the Q line. With the track closing soon, August and her friends are in a race against time to figure out how to get Jane back to where she truly belongs.

One Last Stop is more than a LBGTQ romance. It is a book about acceptance, self discovery, family, and celebrates inclusion and diversity. Both August and Jane are struggling to find out who they are - one figuratively and the other literally. But together, the pair help each other trust the process and push themselves outside of their comfort zones to figure out what to do with their lives.

I am obsessed with August's group of friends. They are fun, quirky, welcoming and hilarious. Seeming like misfits, the group just fits together and would literally do anything for each other. I loved the amazing LBGTQ representation of the group and how they led with their hearts in anything they did.

August is such an amazing heroine. I loved how she could so easily read people and could pinpoint just who they might be and what their motivations in life are. I loved her detective work, both to help Jane, but also to help her mom find her long lost uncle. I also found her struggle to fully grow up extremely relatable and endearing. She didn't want to grow up and plummet into adulthood after college, because she feared not being good at anything.

One Last Stop was absolutely phenomenal, especially as an audiobook. I could not stop listening and I wanted to know what would happen next. I became quickly entangled in the mystery of Jane's identity, August's family and how everything would fit together in the end. Natalie Naudus was a fantastic narrator. I am already pre-ordering my copy of this amazing book, that is out June 1.

Thank you MacMillan Audio and NetGalley for an advanced listening copy. All opinions are my own.

Pros: This story was queer and horny af and I loved it! It mixed humor with heart and made some excellent pop culture references. All the characters, not just the main characters were engaging, three-dimensional, and had me wanting to spend a day (or week) with them.

Cons: The first part was a bit slow to me in setting up the action. Once the action started though, it was nonstop! I wanted just a little more time travel explanation.

Highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed Red, White, & Royal Blue or is looking for a fun, queer, rom-com that will rip your heart out and then gentle put it back in.

I listened to this on audio and HIGHLY recommend it! The narrator did a beautiful job in bringing the characters to life.

I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.

Casey had a really brilliant was of infusing current culture and references without it seeming forced or awkward. This story is a time traveling sapphic love story set in NYC. I loved all the characters and the story really propelled you forward. So sweet and soft and well done as I’ve come to expect all of Casey’s books to be!

Wow. I can't think of the last time I finished a book and just wanted to sit and reflect on how good it was, the feelings it gave me and recognize in awe how well the author brought everything together. August is 23 and moves to Brooklyn transferring to her 3rd college trying to find a place she fits. She lands a room, sharing an apartment and gets a job at a diner. She is insecure and finding her place. She meets Jane Su, a 24 year old Chinese American, on the train when Jane offers her a scarf to cover a coffee stain. Jane is a confident, outgoing punk lover who connects with August. She is also displaced in time.

I'm not a fantasy or sci-fi reader but this book makes it work for me. It takes a while for August to realize that she only sees Jane on the train. She investigates and if feels realistic that Jane has been on the train since something happened in 1977. I loved the mystery and how August pieces Jane's past together.

In addition to being a sapphic romance this is a wonderful celebration of representation, diversity and community. August's roommates, neighbors and co-workers become her family of choice. They celebrate their queerness in ways that Jane couldn't experience in 1977. They add wonderful depth to the novel. At times I was as interested in them as the growing relationship of August and Jane.

Natalie Naudus's narration was fabulous. The voices were distinct and I could easily tell the characters apart. There is some language and love scenes that puts this in the older YA and up category. August and Jane are firmly one of my favorite couples. Thank you NetGalley and Macmillian Audio for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you so much to the publisher & NetGalley for this audio-arc!

This story was beyond my expectations! It’s got romance galore, roommates with lots of personality (giving me some serious New Girl vibes), and even some time travel!

I haven’t read any other books by this author, but after reading this one I will most definitely be picking up more by them. The characters felt like they were all so well thought out, and there was so much great representation. The plot was so unique and intriguing. My emotions were all over the place!

I highly recommend checking this one out! You’ll definitely want to pre-order now before it releases on June 1st!!

August is having a rocky day when she discovers Jane, a fellow passenger on the Q train in NYC to whom August is instantly drawn. She develops an instant crush and is convinced that she’ll never see her again, until she does. But who is Jane, and why is she always on the train?
The development of the attraction and story between “Coffee Girl” and “Subway Girl” is intriguing. The diversity and personalities of other characters is refreshing and intriguing, even to non-LGBTQ readers.
This book has it all; mystery, suspense, romance and enough steamy moments without being grossly overdone. I especially appreciate the family (framily?) dynamic which exists between the main group of friends. The contrast of past and present generates nostalgia and speaks a broad demographic. I highly recommend this incredible work of fiction and am excited to explore the author more. #onelaststop #netgalley

Arc provided by NetGalley and Macmillan Audio.

How do you follow up a debut novel that took the romance genre by storm?

Casey McQuiston’s answer to that question was to take a sapphic cynical Veronica Mars-type and trap her love interest in another decade.

I technically have had an arc of this novel for months…and I’ve totally just been putting it off. I read Red, White and Royal Blue as an arc, I loved it. But, there are….always hesitancies that I can’t shake when it comes to a new author’s sophomore novel. I was happy that McQuiston was going for a f/f novel for her second round, but the plot from the beginning...did not appeal to me.

Plot Breakdown:

Meet August, a New York City transplant who just got a new job and new roommates.

Watch August meet Jane, a hot stranger on the train, who helps her out in a moment of need.

Jane isn’t exactly as she seems.

August has a past she’s trying to leave behind.

That’s probably about as far as I can go without spoiling the plot beyond what was given in the book summary.

It has some similar themes to McQuiston’s debut including a quirky supportive cast that is diverse and very, very queer.

However, I found it extremely slow going. It honestly took about 50% until I started to vibe with the characters and the plot; the main crux of the plot also did not start picking up until this point. And as I continued to read, I kept feeling, as though, One Last Stop just wasn’t for me.

Cue: me sobbing as I finished the book.

If you're expecting another RWRB, that’s not what you’re going to get.

One Last Stop is ambitious. So ambitious that I honestly wasn’t sure how McQuiston was going to pull it off, but…she did.

This was honestly such a fun book to read, I was hooked from the very first page.
It follows the story of August a girl who has recently moved to NYC on a whim which is unusual for her and her new group of roommates and the mystery subway girl :')
I absolutely loved everything about this book, the relationship between these characters was so beautifully well-written, found family trope that made me cry, the representation was amazing and oh my god the romance and conversations between August and Jane had me giggling and blushing it was so fun.
I also listened to the audiobook and while I'm not the biggest audiobook fan but the narrator did such a wonderful job of capturing each character's emotions and inner monologues.
If you enjoyed red white and royal blue and Casey's writing style I highly recommend you check out this book you won't be disappointed