Atmospheric and full of feeling, The Last Love Song is a debut bursting with heart. Perfect for anyone who thought Daisy Jones and the Six should’ve been just a little bit gayer.

This book touched me in ways I can't possibly begin to describe so all I can really say is: wow. What a debut!

In her emotionally layered and lyrically narrated debut, Holford tells a moving story of a girl on the brink of leaving the comfort of her small town and the world she knows, but only once she works through some long-held fears. When her mother leaves her a posthumous scavenger hunt that uncovers bits and pieces of her life as a country music star, Mia learns that regrets are complicated, lives can be and/both rather than either/or, and love is worth taking a few risks for. Holford beautifully captures a pivotal time of life, and teen readers especially will relate to Mia's struggles to sort out her own wants and dreams, searching for someone to provide answers she can only provide herself. Mia's loving family, community, and best friend/girlfriend lend care and support throughout her journey, giving the novel an overall warmth, even when Mia is most at sea with her choices. The scavenger hunt adds a compelling mystery as we wait with Mia to find out answers to some of her biggest questions, and to see how all the pieces fit together to create the foundation she needs to reach for her dreams. With a joyful teen romance, a thoughtfully woven dual-timeline narrative, and emotionally charged interiority, Holford taps into the year of Daisy Jones and Taylor Swift, adding a powerful songbook entry of her own.

This is a cute YA debut novel from Kalie Holford. The cover is great, I adored the gay grandmas. This story follows Mia as she completes a scavenger hunt set by her late mother, country music star Tori Rose. It’s enjoyable to go through the steps with her and watch as she uncovers more about her mother’s past. However, it is definitely a book best enjoyed when you don’t worry about the details. There is definitely a lot that Mia doesn’t seem to know about her mom, despite google existing, and lots of little things I found hard to suspend my disbelief for. Overall I had fun following alone with Mia as she learned more about her mom’s life. And I am always here for queer love stories!

I've been waiting for this book for so long (I saw an art print at a local book store here, and I've been obsessed ever since) and I finally got a copy last week 🥲 please this book was so good, it's the perfect coming of age story.

The mystery surrounding the MC's mom's death, and the parallel narration by the MC and her mom as she (the MC) follows a history treasure hunt left by her late mother was written so well 😭 I was running through the last few chapters, trying to get to the ending, everything was setup so perfectly.

Also, the sapphic best friends to lovers going on alongside was SO GOOD, I loved them both so much. I don't want to spoil anything, but when they get together get together at the end, it was pure perfection. Like the entire book led to it. 😭.

TWs - death of parent, absent parent, grief and anxiety on page

-- ty to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy!

Mia Peters grew up in the same town that her famous mother, the singer Tori Rose, was always trying to leave - in fact, Tori never returned from her final tour. Mia doesn't really know what her mother was like, but she's about to. Tori Rose has gifted her a scavenger hunt for graduation and Mia only has one week to solve it before her best friend and crush, Britt, also leaves her behind to chase the music.

If you can manage to suspend your disbelief enough - and it is very hard at times - this is a cute, if unremarkable, YA read. I really liked the premise and some of the characters were interesting, if underdeveloped. The major issue is that we're supposed to believe that in a small town certain characters never crossed paths with Mia. Or that she wasn't able to find out her mother's cause of death from anyone in town or online (trust me, you could find this stuff on the Internet in 2006 and many articles from that period are still searchable now). Had these issues been smoothed out, I might have really enjoyed The Last Love Song.

This is such a wonderful debut from Kalie Holford. Two timelines and two POV's see a daughter reconnect with her mother over letters and a hunt for the truth of who her father was and how her mother died. I loved how the chapters were a playlist of the two MC's songs and how the chapters included song lyrics. With strong Mama Mia vibes here, this book is begging to be made into a musical!

Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for an advanced copy.

We all have a song that sweeps us away once the first second plays, right? Songs that have us aching and smiling to ourselves all at the same time, that we could recognise everywhere because of the feeling in our chests it unlocks. Songs that, no matter how often you've heard them or how long it's been, always hit as hard, right?

That's what this book feels like for me.

THE LAST LOVE SONG is instantly an absolute favorite. This story, told through gorgeous prose, is full of hope, dreams, grief, and music. It made me laugh and scream and cry and, overall, it found its way into my heart. I can honestly not recommend it enough!

"The Last Love Song" by Kalie Holford is a heartwarming and music-infused young adult novel that celebrates love, self-discovery, and the power of family and friendship.

Mia Peters is facing the bittersweet summer after high school graduation, marked by goodbyes and uncertainty about her future. In the small town of Sunset Cove, she finds solace in songwriting and the support of her girlfriend, Britt. Yet, Mia is hesitant to leave her hometown, haunted by the memory of her mother, Tori Rose, a country music star who abandoned her family to pursue her dreams. Mia's past is a complex tapestry of longing, loss, and unresolved emotions.

As Mia grapples with her future and her feelings for Britt, a series of mysterious letters written by her late mother emerges, setting off a scavenger hunt through Sunset Cove's hidden history. Each clue brings Mia closer to understanding her mother and herself, unlocking family secrets along the way.

The novel beautifully explores themes of identity, love, and the legacy of family. Kalie Holford's writing is both lyrical and evocative, capturing the essence of summer and the emotions of her characters. Mia's journey is relatable and heartrending, as she learns to confront her past and embrace her future.

The book's portrayal of queer romance and the complexities of relationships is authentic and touching. Mia's quest to uncover her mother's story and her own resonates with readers who have ever felt the pull of their family's history and the need to define their own path.

"The Last Love Song" is a poignant coming-of-age story that will appeal to fans of YA romance and contemporary fiction. It is a tale of self-discovery, forgiveness, and the enduring power of music and love. Kalie Holford's debut is a heartfelt and soulful addition to the genre, capturing the essence of young love and the transformative journey of finding oneself.