Thanks to NetGalley for providing an eARC of "One Last Stop"!

I wanted to read this purely based on my love of Casey's first book, "Red, White and Royal Blue". I knew that it was about 2 girls finding love on the subway but hadn't read anything else so was shocked and delighted when the 'displaced in time' element came into play. There were mysteries to solve, found families to love, and some very steamy sex scenes. I laughed, I cried, I wished that I could go to one of the drag queen parties. Can't recommend it enough!

This was one of my most anticipated 2021 releases and I'm sad to say I had to add this to the DNF list at 25%. I found the book very slow and I was not getting into the storyline. I will still give any book Casey McQuiston writes a chance though!

~One Last Stop Review~
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5/5
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I might have done a happy dance when i saw i got approved for this on netgalley! This is definitely one of my most anticipated books of the year and I’m so excited to dive in!! I’ve heard nothing but great things so far
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Pros:
+I love books set in new york. It’s where I want to end up one day and I think it’s a city filled with so many stories just waiting to be told
+I absolutely love character driven stories and this is shaping up to be a book filled with a very interesting cast of characters
+August is very relatable and I love how she’s a mini detective with existential dread
+We love a chubby bi main character and multiple diverse and queer side characters. It’s so refreshing and natural and like how every book should be
+I stand by the fact that 2021 is the year for sapphic stories. So many good ones and this one might be at the top of the ones I’ve read so far
+FOUND FAMILY IS MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE TROPE EVER ILL CRY (yes that is why I reread aftg every three months sue me)
+The concept of a girl stuck on the subway is golden I love it
+As if Annie Depressant and Sara Tonin are not my new favorite drag names
+Once again the voice and humor of the characters are top tier
+STEAM LEVELS OMG
+Definitely made me cry which hurts my feelings but in a good way
+I love the mystery/true crime/mission impossible aspect of this
+Everything about the ending was perfect it wraps everything up but leaves so much possibility for the future and my imagination loves it
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Cons:
-Literally nothing.
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Overall I had such a great time with this book. I was a little nervous it wouldn’t live up to my love for Red White and Royal Blue but it definitely did. Casey McQuiston knows how to tell a good story and I can’t wait for more people to read this one. I know I’m going to buy myself a physical copy of this book and make all of my friends read it!

This took me a while to finish. I can’t figure out what drew me to the end, maybe hope for a good ending is what kept me going, and that was exactly it. The ending didn’t disappoint. Although the story wrapped up nicely, I still felt happiness and warmth for the future August and Jane will have together. I would recommend giving it a try and hold out to the end.

I have to give Casey McQuiston credit - it couldn't have been easy writing a follow up to her debut smash bestseller, Red, White & Royal Blue. In fact, I was a little reluctant to read One Last Stop for fear of disappointment. But McQuiston has avoided the sophomore slump and produced a unique, sparkling love story.

Other than MCs kept apart by significant external factors, the two books are very different, which I also admire (it would have been easier to write "RWRB, The Sequel", or a spinoff featuring a secondary character). August is a smart, prickly, mistrustful bisexual loner whose life starts to improve when she moves into a Brooklyn apartment with a handful of oddball characters who become the family she never knew she wanted. Her new co-workers at a local landmark pancake house also become important to her. But most of all there's Subway Girl, aka Jane, who gives August a scarf to cover up her coffee stain the first time they meet. August is smitten, despite her cold, dead, heart, until subsequent meetings reveal the bizarre truth that Jane is stuck on the subway's Q line and has been since 1977.

There's a lot going on here - Jane doesn't remember anything about her past at first, and even when she does, the two women (and August's faithful new BFFs) have to figure out the how and why of Jane's peculiar time travel situation. August's unusual upbringing makes her the best possible candidate to piece together Jane's history (not to mention the perils of being queer in the 1970s), while her roommates just happen to have talents of their own that provide valuable assistance. I can't say I truly understood the theory, but I didn't think about it too hard because I was too busy enjoying the love story.

I much prefer M/M over F/F queer romance (it's personal taste, let's not judge), but August and Jane were completely swoon-worthy. They're both tough chicks on the outside and complete marshmallows on the inside. Jane has a rich sexual history while August has basically none, but she learns quickly what she likes (and even takes notes about it in a delightful nerdy way). The book answers the question "how much sex can you have on a subway train?" (It turns out to be quite a lot; Risky Business, eat your heart out). The angst factor is pretty high - if they figure out how to get Jane "unstuck" in time, she will probably go back to her previous life 50 years ago, so how can they let themselves fall in love? Fortunately there is a deliriously happy ending but it is hard-earned, and there are several goodbye scenes that will tear your heart out.

McQuiston writes with humor, passion and energy. Everything feels urgent, which feels appropriate for a 20-something woman living in New York City. I know a lot of people don't like present tense writing, but it works because August is all about the moment. The secondary characters, most of whom are also queer, are quirky and supportive (I would love a novel about apartment mate Wes, the glum disinherited Jewish tattoo artist and the object of his affection whom he doesn't think he deserves). There may be a few too many subplots crowded into the story; I didn't feel that August's relationship with her mother got the full attention it needed, but they all play a role in getting August and Jane to their HEA.

I'm in awe of McQuiston's creativity and talent. Even if One Last Stop doesn't make as many bestseller/best of the year lists as its predecessor, it's still a damn fine romance and proves that the author is here to stay. Can't wait to see what else she has up her sleeve.

ARC received from Net Galley in exchange for honest review.

Casey McQuiston has a way of telling a story that takes you everywhere the story goes. While this wasn’t a 5-star read for me it was still a good story.
August has just moved to New York to finish a degree that she isn’t even certain about. One January morning she gets on the Q to head to school and meets Jane and instantly there’s a spark.
Jane is always there. Always happy. Always in the same outfit.
August and Jane will take readers on journey no one ever saw coming!
Add in the secondary characters and it’s the best blended family adventure!

Thanks to St Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. I absolutely loved this quirky cast of misfits who come together as friends turned family. Taking place in modern day New York City, there are elements of fantasy mixed in with this LGBTQ romance. I loved this every bit as much as Red, White and Royal Blue by the same author!

This is it; it’s the queer romcom we’ve been waiting for and the queer romcom we deserve. Not only are the romantic leads beautifully developed, but there is a whole cast of queer characters who you will definitely be glad to get to know. Reading this novel was emotionally fulfilling and validating, as a new adult and a bisexual woman who didn’t come out to myself until last year.

I love this book.

It has been a LONG time since I've fallen for a pair of characters as hard as I fell for August and Jane, or since a book has reduced me to so many tears. I went into this book knowing very little about it on purpose - McQuiston's previous book was a favorite when I read it, and I had high expectations for One Last Stop. Those expectations were met and then exceeded as I flew through the pages. Watching the romantic tension blossom between our main characters was ultimately incredibly rewarding, special, and emotional. It built so slowly that it had anchored in my heart before I even realized how invested I was. These characters are so easy to root for, and easy to love. The ensemble of side characters shines similarly to Red White and Royal Blue - I will say they didn't compel me quite as much at first, but I was sad to say goodbye to them in the end as well. It was refreshing to read a contemporary romance with such a twist as time-travel, and the insertion of newspaper clippings and other media to show Jane's trajectory through time were a beautiful touch to keep us learning pieces of her story. It never felt predictable to me, and I genuinely wasn't sure if my heart would be broken or full when the final climax came around.

While this was not McQuiston's fault in any way, it was definitely weird to read a book set in 2020 without the global pandemic going on. Several large gatherings and mundane occurrences - most notably taking the subway every day - felt a little jarring to read, especially towards the first third of the story. That said, the story felt so anchored in the present day in such beautifully tangible ways that changing it to be pre-pandemic would have felt just as strange, I'm sure. It became a beautiful escapism the more invested and involved I became in how to save Jane from her situation. One Last Stop accidentally became a perfect treatise on loneliness and isolation, a balm for the year, as I watched August and her friends struggle to connect with and keep Jane in their lives, and felt the pain and loneliness of Jane's isolation on the train. The weird timing of this book coming out in 2021 may end up making it the perfect blend of reality and nostalgia for a timeline (timelines?) where the most important thing that happened in 2020 was that Jane and August found each other.

This book went a direction I was not expecting from Casey McQuiston and I. Loved. It. I love August and her relatability. I loved Jane’s development. The side characters were some of my favorites. This book left me eager for more at the end of every chapter.

Upon first glance, I expected this book to be a romance about meeting someone on a subway commute. Definitely NOT meeting someone who is perpetually stuck on the subway without any idea why (but again, I loved the twist). Watching the characters trying to figure out why this person isn’t able to leave the trains while being their fun, quirky selves was excellent.

This book had my bisexuality RAGING. Like, throwing oil onto a fire, RAGING. All of the characters? Beautiful, unique, show-stopping, etc. I loved August as an MC, she had a really fun detective vibe to her on top of the “What do I even do with my life after college?!” crisis that had a “I have moved to a city with no idea what I’m doing.” cherry on top, and I am absolutely living for her. I think many people will be able to relate to her, especially if you have ever been interested in many subjects but just aren’t sure what will make you happiest down the road. Life crisis at 23? I’ll take two, please!

I haven’t ever been to New York, and every time I read about it, I just can’t help but wonder about the supposed magic of it. One Last Stop is a book that showcases the good, the bad, and the subway grime of New York that is so terrible but also, full of opportunity. When August meets her roommates, Nico, Myla, and Wes, I immediately felt kinship with these characters. They have a beautiful friendship full of weird happenings and support, and I love a good story filled with hilarious, easygoing friends, and sweet side romances.

I also enjoyed all of the other characters in this, especially Jane. She is a fantastic, beautiful love interest and the sci-fi twist surprised me, but I thought it was integrated so well that even though I knew this was totally strange and weird, August and her friends really made it just seem like another New York possibility.

This book is unapologetically queer, featuring a cast of LGBTQ+ characters. My bi heart is exploding with how much love I have for the dedication to representation, and humour. One Last Stop is full of pop culture, but also some great one-liners and interactions that left me giggling out loud. It was realistic at times despite the plot, and overall, just such a fun time!!! Pick this up if you want to feel warm.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC!

When I saw that Casey McQuiston was coming out with a new book, I KNEW I needed to read it, and I didn't actually expect to get this arc. I was kind of scared that it would not meet my expectations as RWRB is one of my all time favorite books, but I'm sooooo glad it did not disappoint. I cried twice and broke out laughing a few times, and overall, I just found this to be such a beautiful, heartwarming book.

Full disclaimer, I did not read the book blurb carefully enough before diving straight into this book, so when it jumped into sci-fi territory I was SOOOO confused and I definitely did not see that coming at all. But I think it's super amazing that Casey McQuiston is kind of expanding genres, while still staying true to herself and writing the most beautiful LGBTQ+ books ever.

I love August, I love the way she's written, and the way she thinks and acts. But I ABSOLUTELY STANNNNN Jane. She's written so beautifully, and every aspect of her soul makes me believe in love and sunshine and strawberry milkshakes on a summer day. I also really love seeing an asian character so upfront in a novel, especially in a LGBTQ dynamic. And the way her character and background is developed is so intricate and detailed, and I just absolutely l o v e the representation.

In terms of writing, I found that like RWRB, this book also has a semi-epistolary format? But unlike the letters in RWRB, each chapter starts off with a little snippet from different mediums, and I just found it a super enchanting way to ground the reader and kind of give little pieces of Jane's personality and life, especially since this book has no head-hopping. I also found the use of present tense to be really interesting, but like RWRB, Casey McQuiston can pull it off! It really just pulls you in and makes you feel like you're living the book with them.

I really loved this book, and 10/10 would recommend. As always the dialogue was witty and quippy and fun, and I loved how One Last Stop brought in that element of sci-fi to a beautifully written LGBTQ love story :D.

I was so excited to get an early copy of One Last Stop to review - after Red, White and Royal Blue I had high expectations and Casey McQuiston did not disappoint! One Last Stop had so many fun characters you will want to root for and the book is FULL of pop culture, lgbtq representation, and unexpected moments. I thought at times it was overly detailed and repetitive, but then the ending was rushed. I didn't like it as much and Red, White and Royal Blue (one of my faves of 2020) but still thought it was great and would definitely recommend!

tw: death; hate crime mentioned

Thank you to the author, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for providing an arc copy to review!

This book was so unexpected with a lot of emotional weight to it! Although I smiled at the pages often, this is not a typical romantic comedy. First love/soul mate plus time-slip/time-travel romance is not *light reading* for me, this love story is SERIOUS business! Casey McQuiston held my heart captive during my immersion into this book and I still find my mind wandering back to the Q and other places in NY I’ve never been in real life. Readers who loved Red, White, and Royal Blue will love the writing style and swoony moments.

McQuiston writes fantastic side characters with depth and scenes that advance the plot! Don’t you hate it when the side characters slow down the main show? That is not happening here. What is wonderful about this book and all of the intertwining relationships is that you don’t just get a protagonist and her love interest-- you get a whole group of characters that completely steal your heart. Niko, Wes, Myla, Isaiah. I almost loved these four more than August and Jane. (Almost!)

Oh, how you'll root for this seemingly impossible love story. Every moment agonizing over what would happen was worth it in the end. Drink a late coffee and just accept it that you'll be up all night reading!

I am so jealous of people who will get to read this perfection for the first time. You are in for a roller coaster ride! This book was just consecutive emotional punches straight to my heart. So, obviously this is now one of my most favourite books ever.

One Last Stop is brilliant in so many ways. The writing, the found family, the casual queerness, the mystery, the soulmatism. To oversimplify it without giving away spoilers: this book is about August and a queer ragtag band of misfits who adopt her and become her support system throughout the book which she desperately needs because the love of her life, Jane, lives on the subway plus she spends most of the book in a perpetual state of gay panic.

It's ridiculous how much I love Jane and August. They are the inventors of true love. Their chemistry could literally cause a blackout on the Q train.(I speak with evidence.) Their bond transcends time. Their love literally beats science. They are connected in so many ways and are the literal definition of soulmates. It starts out the usual way: adorable banter, great chemistry, kisses strictly for evidence gathering but then the mystery starts being solved and you realize that the whole main puzzle of the book was born out of their soulmatism. It's all intense emotions and tears from that point on. They didn't just hit me in the feels, they punched and kicked and slashed through my feels. They also have one of the greatest love confessions I've ever read.

One Last Stop was a breathtaking and beautiful read that was 5/5 pretty much from the start but the last few chapters were out of this world. This book wrecked me like 'I might need to talk about it in therapy level' wrecked me and I could not be more thankful for it. The writing in this book is so beautiful, I had to highlight like 70% of the book. In conclusion, Casey McQuiston is a bloody genius and I cannot wait to read more of her books.


Copy provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.

What I Liked:
-This was a unique concept with SO much representation - it was like a nice breath of fresh air.
-McQuiston does a FANTASTIC job at not stereotyping people or relationships.
-I loved the ending. Loved it. It wasn't exactly what I expected, but I thought it was awesome. <spoiler> I thought that Jane was going to come into Billy's at the age of like 70 or whatever she would have been, and they were going to strike up a friendship, but obviously not continue their romantic relationship </spoiler>
-The pacing was fantastic. I'd been in a huge reading slump and finished this in less than 24 hours.

What I Wanted More Of:
-Probably a crazy concept, but I want a "sequel" that's the same story, but from Jane's perspective. I constantly wondered what the days when August wasn't there were like for Jane, and I think it could make a cool story.

You Should Read This If You Like:
-Red White and Royal Blue
-Rom-coms, but with a hint of magic and mystery!

August Landry has just moved to New York City for a fresh start. Another fresh start. August knows that this is her pattern - move to a new city, start at a new school, and never quite get comfortable before moving on again. But she's hoping that New York City is a place that she can really lose herself in. Little does she know, she's about to be found.

On her first day of classes, August finds herself rushing for the Q train, ending up with a cup of coffee spilled all over herself. This is when she meets Jane - another passenger on the train who offers August a scarf to cover up the spill. And August is smitten. She finds herself returning to the Q again and again, hoping that her commute lines up with Jane's - and it does! Every time she boards the train, Jane is there. They banter, they chat, and slowly get to know each other. But soon August realizes that something doesn't quite add up with Jane. She is ALWAYS on the Q and her pop culture knowledge is spotty at best, dated at worst. After a bit of research and a few leaps of faith, August realizes that Jane is, in fact, trapped on the Q train. And she's been trapped there since 1977. With a motley crew of roommates and friends, including an engineer/artist and a psychic, August hatches a plan to free Jane from the time limbo she's stuck in. And along the way, of course, August and Jane fall devastatingly in love. The problem is, they don't know if their plan to jolt Jane off the Q will send her back to the 70s, release her to the present day, or...kill her.

One Last Stop is a fun, sweet, and charming read. I found myself so invested in the characters, rooting them on the whole time. Casey McQuiston has a talent for making books light and fluffy, but with enough depth that you don't simply float away. August's backstory is heavy, but eventually wraps up just the way it needs to. The side characters are diverse in gender, race, and sexuality and are a heck of a lot of fun. One Last Stop is practically perfect in every way.

There's a reason that I already have this book pre-ordered because, wow I'm speechless.

For context, I finished this book last night, thinking I needed to sleep on it before I wrote anything since it was so much more than what I thought it was going to be so it was overwhelming how much I actually enjoyed it and wanted to write the best of the best about it. So here I am at 9 AM, ready to write my heart out about how much I love this book for everything that it is.

First off, Casey McQuiston, you've done it again, like I knew you would, like so many others knew as well. Red, White and Royal Blue is something truly special and One Last Stop is nothing short of that as well. The entire concept, the story, the characters, the writing!! Pure genius and heartwarming.

Now this book, it brings you through a roller coaster of emotions. A genuine rollercoaster. One that I've never ridden before. At one point I was laughing so hard, at another I was crying (this is the first book in months that had been able to make me cry), at another I was eager, and at the end, I was at peace.

I didn't read the synopsis to this book before starting so I genuinely was surprised by where the story was going and who the characters were. And let me tell you, this is the most unique romance novel I have read, and I love anything time related. This book proves that romances don't have to have a certain set of rules. Two people can fall in love against all odds, literally. Not even time can stop them.

And to finish off this review, I just want to put out there how much I love Wes, and I think everyone else will love him and the rest of the group just as much as I do.

Movie to watch if you enjoyed this book: The Lake House

Thank you so much to NetGalley and St.Martin's Press for the earc in return for an honest review.

Wow. I really have no words for this book, but for the benefit of others, I am going to try my very best. This story follows August, who meets this girl named Jane on a subway in New York. The catch is that Jane is from the 1970's, and is stuck in the year 2020. I absolutely loved this book, it completely lived up to my expectations from Casey McQuiston. Dare I say they even managed to surpass those expectations...? I loved the relationship between Jane and August, and specifically how it was so accurately portrayed with all of the telltale signs of a sapphic relationship (If you know. you know). This was such a unique idea for a book, and it will surely become a staple in every queer reader's shelf. The writing was beautiful and full of witty banter (which I always love) and it just felt so real and perfectly written. I don't have a ton more to say except that everyone should pre-order this book right now!!

This was weird, fun, sexy, and sweet. The fantasy time travel aspect had the unexpected benefit of adding some LGBTQIA history that gave the story additional depth. I really enjoyed it!