One Last Stop

“You know that feeling? When you wake up in the morning and you have somebody to think about? Somewhere for hope to go? It’s good. Even when it’s bad, it’s good.”

I would like to thank NetGalley and the publishers (Jennifer Mok in particular) for giving me an ARC of this book.

“A 23-year-old realises her subway crush is displaced from 1970's Brooklyn, and she must do everything in her power to help her - and try not to fall in love with the girl lost in time - before it's too late…”- Goodreads

After reading Red White and Royal Blue, and being a massive fan of the book and Casey Mcquinston, I was honoured to have been chosen to receive an ARC of One Last Stop. With this book, I was truly hoping to have all the emotions that RWARB stirred in my heart, but unfortunately, for me, it just didn’t hit the mark.

The things I enjoyed were the vibrant, bustling and organic take of New York that we get to witness through Mcquinston’s writing. Many times I felt I was on the subways, walking through the dark alleys or sitting in the room of my small and cosy apartment in the heart of the city of New York. I also liked how there were a few sub plots taking place amongst the central storyline that kept me intrigued to find out what would become of the stories and what connection they possibly had to Jane’s story. August also has a wonderful group of supportive friends, who are there with her through this journey, giving her the confidence and reassurance she needs.

The challenges I faced with this book was the slow start that it had for the first 150 pages or so. It truly starts to pick up in the second half and from there we are going in leaps and bounds as revelations are made. I also struggled connecting with August and found her to be holding up a wall that I couldn’t break through, for the course of the book. This made is difficult to understand Jane and the disconnect led to a story which had its cute moments but not swoon worthy like RWARB.

Having said these things, I do believe that books can speak to you in ways that you least expect and I truly hope that for many of you, this book does the same and you find the same magic in this, that I found in her debut novel, Red, White and Royal Blue. I wish Casey the best for the release of One Last Stop on 6th May, 2021 and I look forward to watching it take over the Bookstagram and Bookish community! Readers are going to love this book and Casey should be extremely proud of herself for this achievement.

This was really quirky and delightful! It's crammed full of eccentric characters and mid-twenties-life-crises and queer found-family and a mystery about a magical girl tethered to a subway in New York City. I absolutely fell in love with the cast (especially Niko and Myla!) and how it effortlessly included trans, bi, POC, and fluid rep. There's of course the famous McQuiston banter too! August is like a lowkey anxious introvert detective at times and an easy character to love.

It leans very heavily into magical realism, so it's pretty different in plot and premise to Red, White & Royal Blue. Think ECCENTRIC and go from there. Also there's such a thing as requiring public consent, aka having sex in public is not okay, and I did feel unhappy with some scenes. Having sex on a subway is also so dirty, for them AND for the next people sitting there. I was also cautious about the tokenisation of POC drag queens (always there to save the day for the white cis girl and be dramatic and make her life more magical?)

This book had a cute romance, and I liked Jane in particular as a character, but the use of August as a cis white avatar through the world of drag queens of color and 1970's Chinese American culture was grating. This book would have been more successful if the author had any connection to either community she writes about.

Everyone - you are not ready for this love letter to New York, queer found family, searching through history, glitter, drag, and spilled coffee speculative fiction masterpiece.

“...quite simply, I was in love with New York… I mean that I was in love with the city, the way you love the first person who ever touches you and you never love anyone quite that way again.” – Joan Didion

Like every bookish sapphic on the planet, One Last Stop is one of my most anticipated releases of 2021. I adored McQuiston’s debut novel, Red, White & Royal Blue, and when I found out about this book, I knew I’d love it. I was right!!!
This book follows a cynical bisexual called August, and a punk lesbian named Jane. The two girls meet on the New York subway and everything stems from there.

The first thing I want to note is how Casey McQuiston creates characters – every single person in this book was well-thought-out and three-dimensional. I felt completely connected to these characters and, by the end, I felt I knew them like friends. I was so wrapped up in the relationships between the characters and was invested in every interaction between them. The found-family aspect was so special to me as I’ve been through the same thing with people in my life, and I felt seen and represented throughout.

The plot of this novel is branded as a rom-com, and that pretty much sums it up – there is lots of rom and com! I laughed so many times while reading; I’ve annotated so many funny one-liners and hilarious situations that I loved. Again, the relationships between the characters made the jokes work – because we’d already got a baseline relationship, the banter was effective and even funnier.

Leading on from that, can we just take a second to talk about the glorious romance in this book?!?!
This sapphic relationship… wow. I am obsessed. It is the pinnacle of sapphic excellence. I was yearning for both of the girls by the end – I just wanted their relationship to keep blossoming because they worked so well together. I loved the soft moments between the girls and also the very steamy scenes, which were brilliantly written without being over the top like many in sapphic media (*cough* Blue is the Warmest Colour, I’m looking at you *cough*). There was the perfect balance between finding out more about the characters and how that wove into their relationship, which I found compelling. By the end I was yearning for more – I wanted this book to be a full-on series with every detail of August and Jane’s relationship explained. One book wasn’t enough for me!!!

The setting of New York really felt alive in this novel; all the places mentioned were so well-written and it’s made me want to go to New York to find my own Jane!!! Reading this book felt like I was breathing in New York air and exhaling excitement and joy; this setting was perfect and made me so, unbelievably happy and my heart is still singing. I felt like I was walking New York streets with these characters, I felt like I knew the subway system without having ever visited. New York was like a person to me, with its own intricacies and reasons for existing.

Overall, I easily gave this book five stars. It is truly wonderful. If you’re looking for a new romance to read, and are after one that will captivate you, then I’d highly recommend this one once it’s released!!!

A truly electric love story with a brilliant cast of characters! It's the perfect mix of science fiction, mystery and romance. So much passion! So many shenanigans! One Last Stop is smart, sexy fun, but you'll still need that box of tissues for the tears. My heart!

I was lucky enough not only to get this book early on edelweiss, but through an email from the publishing team for this book. I’m insanely thankful for them for reaching out due to my love of the author’s debut book. This book followed up wonderfully and in no way disappoints. I was asked to be honest in my review and I will be, the issue is it’ll probably end up with me gushing with how much I loved it.
I love Casey’s an amazing author who manages to draw you in no matter what of their books you're reading. As someone who is also nonbinary, I truly appreciate their writing, bringing full queerness out in every stroy and shaping characters of all genders perfectly.
This story follows August as she’s a new arrival of New York City. This story is this wonderful mix of romance and mystery and just a pinch of something that seems supernatural but is actually something closer to science fiction. And I think that’s why it hooks you. We’ve all read books with people who are kept apart for unknowable reasons, but Casey brought this new twist to the story you don’t see often. It’s not simple, not a straightforward thing that needs fixing. Between that sci-fi twist and the twist in the story itself that left me gasping in surprise, this was just such an amazing experience and I won’t be able to stop talking about it any time soon.
As for these amazing characters I loved them all for so many reasons. August reminds me so much of myself, a little too caught up in the mystery surrounding her, a little more a student in everything she does than someone who simply acts. She’s perfectly balanced by free loving Jane who is deep and complicated and a rebel but also someone who’s aching for a fix to her situation, who loves the world and the people she meets but falls so madly for August as August does her. It’s always such a great read when we get a butch lesbian, something that doesn’t happen often in books and media. And I loved her experience with queerness. This book does so well at showing us all that all our experiences are valid. It explains how some of us don’t have nice comings out. Isaiah’s coming out is much like my own, something traumatic and leaving you still feeling burned. Jane’s experience is a truth for a lot of queer people back in the 70s and even now. Instead of having to live with your family not being able to accept you, you take off, find a new family, find happiness where you can. And we see this another character as well, another piece of the mystery from the start that you have a feeling is connected but when you find out the truth it really blows you away.
I loved how diverse this book is, how each character shown through so amazingly. It’s a great example of how to do a book that’s not strictly one thing and balance all the pieces perfectly. I honestly could not get enough of this book and the characters and I’ll honestly ache for them now that I’m finished.

An absolute delight in every way. I adored this book! Probably the most joyfully, unapologetically queer book I've ever had the pleasure to read. ONE LAST STOP has all the humor, sex, and romance of a rom-com, while also grounding itself in a wonderful cast of characters and powerful emotions. An absolute must read.

I loved everything about this story, but the characters are absolutely the heart of it. Casey McQuiston needs to teach a masterclass on character creation. Every single one of them is so lovable and unique and hilarious. I found myself desperately wanting to be in the room with them, plotting and joking. They love each other fiercely, and it bleeds from the page with every interaction.

Very few authors can manage to write dialogue that sounds so modern and real without sounding like pandering. McQuiston made me laugh out loud regularly, penning exchanges that I could imagine my own friends saying over drinks at a party. It's a true gift and I'm incredibly pleased at how deftly she applies it to her novels.

I have no doubts that this book will go on to be just as beloved as McQuiston's debut novel. She really is a force and a talent in the industry, and we're incredibly lucky to be able to witness it.

<i>Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.</i>

4.5 stars

<i>One Last Stop</i> is the story of August, a bisexual college student who has transferred from school to school in hopes of finally finding something that feels right. When she moves to New York as another attempt to finish her degree in a place that feels like home, she finds some lovable yet slightly odd roommates, a charming pancake diner, and notably, a drop-dead gorgeous girl on the subway. Speaking of drop-dead...August has the feeling that there might be something up with the ethereal Subway Girl Jane. Is she dead? A ghost? Lost in time? It's a mystery she's set on solving. For research purposes, of course. Totally not because Jane is the most beautiful, intriguing, lovely person that August has ever met. Yeah.

I had high hopes for <i>One Last Stop</i> from the beginning and I can confidently state that those were met. Casey McQuiston has such a distinctly descriptive, emotional, whimsical way of writing. I haven't read a book with such unique characters and vivid descriptions in awhile--who knew someone could make New York sound so charming? I was impressed by the incredible diversity within the cast of characters along with the creative plot elements. McQuiston has truly mastered plotting detailed, layered stories that wrap up so nicely. There are so many subplots to this novel and yet McQuiston is able to make them all connect and make sense.

The relationship between August and Jane was fantastic. McQuiston uses such a great blend of humor, awkward moments, and tenderness to make their relationship feel so genuine and right. The ups and downs August and Jane experienced were equally interesting to read. Their fights seemed emotional and real without feeling toxic or over-the-top just for some extra drama. I also appreciated the even balance between Jane's romantic life, family connections, and friendships.

Overall, <i>One Last Stop</i> is a beautiful sapphic novel with wonderfully diverse characters and an impressively multi-layered plot. I think my only complaint was that there were some parts in the beginning and maybe the middle that felt a bit slow, but other than that, I would highly recommend this novel.

One Last Stop follows a girl named August, who recently moved to New York City. When August falls for a girl named Jane on her subway commute, she realizes that Jane is actually a girl from the 70s who got stuck in time on the Q subway line.

This story was beautiful. It’s queer, it’s got that intense and steamy romance that Casey McQuiston is known for, and it perfectly captures that NYC vibe. There’s drag queens, quirky and unique characters, and it punches you in the heart with feelings. This book was such an incredible read for me.

Three-dimensional characters, great group of diverse friends, plausible but heartwarming plot. One of the better "on the subway" books that are coming out lately. I will likely buy this even for my rural small town library, wide appeal.

*4.5*

casey mcquiston strikes again and i am not surprised! this sapphic romance has so much heart, whether you're falling in love with the characters, the romance, or new york city itself. and of course, a plethora of fantastic one liners and a+ young 20-something humor that i will one day put a tab on in my physical copy. i really loved following august's journey and her arc as a character. i loved jane and the connection that she had august formed. and if you think a book often set on the subway can't get steamy, THINK AGAIN!

as always, mcquiston has also crafted a cast of supporting characters with unique backgrounds and traits that are impossible not to love and root for. the found family is STRONG with this one, y'all. though the dog could have used more page time in my total critical opinion.

the one thing that kept this from feeling like a full five star is that the pacing felt just a little off, though it honestly just might have been my own fault for taking a couple weeks to read it (ya girl was doing nano okay). additionally, some of the explanations for some of the ~mysterious things the characters are trying to solve didn't entirely click in my dumby brain. also as a non-new yorker who has also never been there and never been on a subway period, often times the more technical descriptions just had me like ???

BUT overall this book was fantastic. even though there's some sad stuff, in the end, it kind of feels like a warm hug, and it serves as a reminder that you can find love anywhere you go, as long as you're willing to give it a shot.

This was literally everything I could have asked for in a book! Time-traveling lesbian stuck in a New York subway falling in love with an absolutely disaster of a girl who's aimlessly making her way through the world... There's drag queens and strawberry milkshake poptarts and it's everything.

I was crying by the end, just so overly invested in Jane and August and all of their friends. The New York vibes are immaculate, the romance impeccable, the friendships incredible. This is everything I could have ever wanted.

I honestly didn't think that I could love One Last Stop more than I loved Red, White, and Royal Blue but somehow Casey McQuiston did it.

I laughed out loud while reading it and couldn't put it down. The way McQuiston writes is magical and she creates such beautiful characters (and romances).

I was invested in every single character. August and Jane were absolutely amazing both as a couple and as individuals. There really was such a beautiful spark between them and I wanted to know everything about them. (I would really love if McQuiston could write a novella about everyone a few years after the end of the book).

Myla, Niko, Wes, and Isiah were the best found family I've read about in a long time. They really loved each other and knew when to be honest with each other and when someone just needed a bit of happiness. The characters were also really diverse without it being a big deal...they just were and existed in this world without their identity being the entire reason they were in the story.

I also enjoyed the ending and was glad it wasn't a right away happy ending or just a sad ending....McQuiston really created a wonderful end and I want more of these characters!

Casey McQuiston is definitely an auto-buy author for me.

Casey McQuiston is no doubt an extremely talented writer, seasoned beyond her years. There were things about this book that I enjoyed a great deal: the New York City setting, the diverse cast of characters, the humor, the prose (though I could have done with about fifteen fewer mentions of a character "pulling a face"). Overall, however, I was a bit disappointed. I loved Red, White and Royal Blue SO much that I think my expectations were simply too high. Although this book wandered into the sci-fi realm, I'd argue that RWRB contained much more magic. I do predict, though, that many readers will love this book, perhaps especially those in the LGBTQ+ community, which I think will make McQuiston feel proud, as she should.

Rating: 4 very solid stars

Oh, how I love a good Casey McQuiston romance. ‘Red, White & Royal Blue’ is easily one of my favorite rom coms of all time, so when I saw there were galleys of her newest book available, I slammed the “request” button immediately.

Though the overall writing style is certainly reminiscent of RWRB, ’One Last Stop’ really is able to stand on its own. It’s a queer romance, a story of friendship and found families, and even a little bit of a mystery. The representation alone made me squee in delight—we get to see so many different identities throughout the story, seamlessly included in a way that doesn’t feel tokenized or forced. Each character felt real and whole on their own, not constrained to a stereotype or defined solely by their labels. They were easily the best part of this book, as fun and easy to love as they were. Whether they were working through relationship problems, trying to save an old diner, or working endlessly to piece together the mystery of the girl displaced from time, I couldn't help but root for them.

Admittedly, this book did have moments that felt a little over the top in a way that others will probably enjoy but that I found a little off-putting. There are also some moments you may have to suspend your disbelief, because certain things fall together a bit too conveniently. (If you’re a romantic, it should be easy enough to write it off as fate.) I didn’t fall as deeply in love with this book as I hoped, but honestly, that’s probably more my fault than anything, since I am rarely able to temper my incredibly unrealistic expectations when it comes to, well, just about anything. But I did still really enjoy it, and I know there are plenty of people who will fall head over heels for August, Jane, and the array of supporting characters. If you’re a fan of rom coms, there’s really nothing to lose in checking this one out.

I immediately requested this book when I saw it because I had loved Red, White & Royal Blue so much. Without knowing much about this book, I was eager to dive in. One Last Stop was so very different from RW&RB, but just as delightful and refreshing.

The characters in this book feel so real, even with these elements of magical realism throughout the novel. Without lengthy introductions or descriptions, the reader gets to know the characters so vividly.

I loved that this book had the element of time travel, it made it so much different from other contemporary style romances.

Not one character in One Last Stop could be categorized as a stereotype, they were so unique and surprising in their own ways. I have a feeling this book is going to be extremely popular when it is released. I can’t wait to hear and read everyone’s excitement about this magical novel.

Another homerun for Casey McQuiston. With how universally loved McQuiston's debut was, there had to have been quite a bit of pressure on this sophomore effort to live up to expectations and, for me as a reader, it absolutely did. It's so entirely different from RED, WHITE & ROYAL BLUE while being equally as captivating. It is also a flex of McQuiston's skill for writing stories about community and about bigger themes than just the romance happening between two people. And it's a story about two women falling in love! How do we not have more stories written for a new adult or adult audience about women falling in love? I'm grateful that McQuiston has proved an example of how it's done well.

Cheers for joyful queer love and community and stories that distract from the reality of 2020; that feel like a movie you grew up loving and already have nostalgia for the moment you finish reading it.

As a high school librarian, I can’t add this to our collection but personally? I loved it. Not quite RW&RB but that book is another level and, coupled with One Last Stop, will make ma a fan for life.

There is a girl on the subway that cannot seem to get off. Moving to New York City to complete college, skeptical August is open to a world of possibilities when she meets Jane. She begins to open herself and experience new opportunities that she has not been able to experience before. For fans of Red, White, and Royal Blue, Casey McQuiston can make the impossible possible in this romance between two different women who are looking for ways to function in the world. Readers will enjoy One Last Stop for its openness to the unexpected and really experience true love.