“I don’t know what comes after the moment you’ve waited your entire life for, but right now, it just feels like what comes next is my life, truly there for me to live.”

If Mamma Mia and Daisy Jones and the Six had a baby dumped in rainbow and glitter, The Last Love Song would be it.

Love Dolly Parton, Taylor Swift, Journey, and other bands/artists that will make you feel every single emotion there is? This book is for you!

Honestly, what first drew me to this book was the beautiful cover. I had absolutely no idea how much fun I’d have reading this book. Or how emotional it would make me.
From the beginning, I was hooked. The chapters are laid out like tracks/songs on an album, which is something I really loved. WITH A DUAL TIMELINE AND POV. <-Gosh I’m a sucker for both! Mia Peters is our FMC. She’s the daughter of country superstar Tori Rose “Peters”. Tori passed away, which led to Mia’s grandmothers (Tori’s moms) raising her. Mia finds mysterious letters from her mom and goes on a scavenger hunt with her childhood best friend to lover (twice) Britt to find the clues to unlock her mom’s past. Mia is a songwriter and Britt is a singer. Their love for music and each is simply beautiful! Being able to experience lives through a mother and daughter was really special, especially with the ending. 😭 I cried so hard!

Queer representation:
-2 mothers/2 grandmothers
-Britt and Mia (bi FMC)
-bi author

What a stunning debut novel! It was adorable, heartbreaking, inspiring, and emotional! Kalie’s writing is smooth and easy to follow. It didn’t feel rushed or overdone. Her attention to detail is superb. She has a way of allowing you to put yourself in her character’s shoes. I can’t recommend The Last Love Song enough! I will be screaming at everyone to read it.

Thank you to Blackstone Publishing, Kalie Holford, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

4.7 rounded up to 5/5

"The Last Love Song" by Kalie Holford is a captivating and emotional journey that beautifully weaves together themes of self-discovery, family, and the pursuit of dreams.

Set against the backdrop of Sunset Cove, Mia Peters faces a pivotal summer filled with farewells and uncertainties. Songwriting becomes her solace, and her journey unfolds as she grapples with the impending departures of those closest to her. The narrative skillfully explores Mia's reluctance to venture beyond her small town, haunted by the legacy of her mother, country music star Tori Rose, who left Mia and her grandmothers behind to pursue her dreams.

The mysterious letters from Mia's mother serve as a poignant and intriguing plot device, guiding Mia through a scavenger hunt that unravels the hidden layers of Sunset Cove and the true story of Tori Rose. The novel seamlessly blends the past and the present, keeping readers engaged and invested in Mia's quest for self-discovery.

The comparison to "Mamma Mia" and "Thirteen Little Blue Envelopes" provides an apt reference point, capturing the essence of the book's exploration of family secrets and the impact of a parent's choices on the protagonist's life.

The cover, featuring a split image of Mia and her mother at the same age, is visually striking and reflective of the dual timelines explored in the narrative.

While some elements may stretch believability, such as the lack of information about Tori Rose's death despite her fame, the novel excels in delivering a compelling and emotionally resonant story.

"The Last Love Song" is a quick read that lingers in the mind long after the last page. It's a tale that explores the complexities of relationships, the consequences of choices, and the pursuit of one's true destiny. Kalie Holford's storytelling prowess and the memorable characters make this novel a worthwhile and thought-provoking read.

Mamma mia here we go again! This was hands down one of my favourite reads of the year! I had to pause reading half way through to cry… yep it’s one of those.
The world building made you feel like you were really in the story and the characters and relationships were beautiful… the romance in this book I am still thinking about. The words were almost lyrical in the way they were written and the book had an amazing rhythm to it.
I could not recommend this more and this is a must read for YA it is pure magic!

The Last Love Song by Kalie Holford is an emotional and atmospheric novel about Mia Peters, the daughter of a famous Country star who is trying to find herself, her mom, and her dream after her late mom leaves her a graduate present with her story in it. Tori lives in a small town where everyone knows her and her mom, but nobody talks about her mom- at least, not as a person, but as a star.

I really loved this book and did not expect to cry towards the end but I very much did. This story speaks quite a lot about grieving someone you never really got to know and loving someone who is more legend and memory than real in your life. I think Holford writes that aspect of the story beautifully. I also fell in love with Mia and her best friend Britt, flaws and all. The small town it was set in also felt very alive, and I loved the side characters that we got to meet. I do wish we had seen even more of them, but I loved what we saw!

If you're a fan of Mama Mia and T Swift this book is for you.

I am very on the fence about this book. I both love it and somehow don't at the same time (Ironically enough I love Mama Mia and ehh about T Swift).

The book started very slow but eventually it was hard to put the book down. It is rare for me not to dislike any characters in a book, and it was refreshing to read a book like this.

The book is also beautifully written, I will definitely want to read more of Kalie Holford's work.

I give it 4 stars.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I devoured this book, desperate to uncover its secrets, and found myself sobbing halfway through. The writing is thought-provoking and will linger in your mind long after you finish. However, there are moments where you'll need to suspend your disbelief. The story revolves around a girl with a famous mother who died under mysterious circumstances. Despite her fame, there's a surprising lack of information about her life and death online. Nevertheless, it's a charming and bittersweet tale. While the beginning felt introductory, it quickly became light and I raced through the pages. It's hard to explain the mixed emotions I experienced while reading this book; it made me cry, yet that's what I loved most about it. I'm impressed that this is the author's debut as the timing feels perfect, and I enjoyed the narrative style of the story.

This is the queer YA story I wish I’d been able to read as a queer teen growing up in a small town.
Kalie has written a beautiful and emotive story about grief, love, growing up, and figuring out who you are. I was so moved by this story, I cried at last three times! I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone. If you have ever experienced grief, or love, or struggled to figure out who you really are then you will find a part of yourself in the pages of this book. On top of the beautifully moving story Kalies writing is incredible, I could not believe that she was a debut author! The pacing is perfect, I was hooked by the end of the first page and I could not stop reading. I finished it in less than 24 hours. I cannot wait to see what she does next!

This was such a sweet debut! Would recommend for fans of YA sapphic romance, Taylor Jenkins Reid, and Mamma Mia. And Swifties, for sure, lol. I thought the writing style was unique, and found myself getting quite emotional towards the end as well. I can understand the criticisms I'm seeing about the mystery requiring suspension of belief—however, this book didn't feel like it was meant to be about the mystery, in my opinion, but the MC's journey and the things she discovered about herself along the way. And ultimately, it was a very successful, well-done coming-of-age narrative that's bound to sweep teen dreamers off of their feet.

— 2 ⭑
„You’re the first person I want to cheer with.“

i‘m so sad but this was not for me. i had to force myself soo much to finish this because i didn’t wanna accept the fact that i do not like this.

💌- thank you netgalley & kalie holford for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

“𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒃𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚’𝒓𝒆 𝒈𝒐𝒏𝒆. 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕. 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆. 𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒇𝒖𝒄𝒌 𝒖𝒑.”

It all starts when Mia finds her mother's diary that gives way to the hunt that she herself did for her daughter. Now mine will be seen in return in the discoveries of this newspaper because it is one of the few things that are left of her. His mother was a country star, and all this hunt is surrounded by songs that will be the tracks of mia in this story.

At first, it was a bit introductory, but after a good time reading it became super light and I finished the book very quickly so as not to be one of my main readings.

People will never understand the mixed feelings I had while reading this book because somehow this hunt made me cry, and I think it was one of the things I love the most about reading this book.

Somehow or another I am impressed that this is the author's debut because in my opinion this book arrived at the right time and I liked the narrative of this story.

I received this ARC from Blackstone Publishing (via NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review.

The Last Love Song is beyond phenomenal. Kalie Holford's debut novel has lit me to and made her an auto-buy author for me. This novel is so beautifully written and deeply vulnerable. I was floored by the journey Mia was taken on my her mother, the music, her love, and her dreams. Holford's incredible story made me cry, smile, and made me remember just how much chasing your dreams matters. I can't wait to see what she writes next.

Thank you to Blackstone Publishing for the digital ARC!

Kalie Holford's THE LAST LOVE SONG is warm and loud and magical and romantic. A queer retelling of Mamma Mia, it follows the daughter of a late musician on her quest to discover herself through a scavenger hunt, left to her posthumously by her mother. Readers will resonate with themes of self-discovery in that vulnerable period right after high school graduation, where many teens are figuring out their paths. This book is pure joy.

I would love to interview Kalie on my podcast in April or even in June. The Last Love Song was such a swoon worthy book and I couldn’t put it down!!

Wow, I loved this. It feels a bit strange admitting that I didn't expect to like it as much as I did, but that's the truth.

Even though Mia and I have very little in common, I found myself relating to her on multiple levels - her doubts, her fears, and her journey. However, it was Tori's perspective that truly captivated me. Her passion, her love, and the way she described the atmosphere of every moment made me feel like I was there.

The Last Love Song is a sweet tale of figuring out who you are and what you want.

Mia Peters is the daughter of legendary country star Tori Rose, but never got to know her mother because she died when Mia was young. Now her best friend, who she is reluctant to admit she loves, is about to leave to pursue her own musical dreams. She wants Mia to come with her, but Mia isn't sure she wants the life her mother had, since no one will talk to her about her mom's life. Not to mention she doesn't want her grandmothers to lose her to the music the way they lost her mother.

On her graduation night, Mia is gifted with a letter from her mother leading her, through her mother's songs, through her mother's life. Will her mom show her how to make the right decision?

While I liked this book, my favorite parts were written from Tori's perspective. I found her story more compelling than Mia's, perhaps because Mia's decision was treated as this end-all-be-all choice, that she can only make immediately. In reality, if she decided to go or not to go, she could change her mind or life plans at any point. I think this is a solid young adult novel, but don't suggest that the take away should be that you have to know exactly what you want to do at 18.

I thoroughly enjoyed this. I love the queer representation. The writing was beautiful and it was a really sweet love story. This feels like everything that those cheesy hallmark movies want to be in the best way possible. Charming, sweet, likeable characters all wrapped up in a nice little book. This is impressive for a debut novel too. It was really well done. I'm excited to see what else Katie Holford has in store in her career.

Thank you to NetGalley for the free ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Oh Kalie. I just loved this book.

It was a bit of a slow start, but when I sat down to read just a few chapters in the middle of the book last night, I couldn't put it down. This story of Mia and her struggle to find herself among everyone else's dreams is so powerful. Mia graduates high school and breaks up with her boyfriend. She knows that she's not meant to leave her hometown or her grandmothers. But when her grad gift from her late mom is a hunt to learn her mom's story, everything in Mia's life changes. And changes again. In alternating timelines, we get Mia's journey to know her mom and herself and Tori's road to fame and motherhood.

I love a personal growth story and this has romance and love triangles and so much growth. I couldn't stop reading the second half and am going to be gushing about this book for a long time.

For anyone who has ever been a fan of country music, Mamma Mia and romance, this is the book for you! From past and present love stories to music to adventuring around your hometown to learn more about your mother’s past. This is one story that you won’t want to miss.

“The Last Love Song" is a beautifully written YA novel that deserves only 5 stars in my opinion.

Through self discovery and the power of healing through music, we meet Mia. Being the daughter of singer Tori Rose, Mia finds herself embarking on an adventure in the past combined with her future. Leaving behind letters, Tori sends Mia on a scavenger hunt.

While this book’s essence is riddled with young love and the importance of family, it’s message of legacy and following your dreams was a sentimental lesson to all.

Throughout the book, the characters are authentic and heartwarming. There was not one character I disliked. The development of relationships was a strong element and truly captures young love and the insecurities faced.

The book is laced with songs and lyrics as the significance of music stays a vital part of the book. We are drawn to Mia and her journey of self-discovery accompanied by the power of music. The emotionally rollercoaster is handled with such grace and care that it leaves a sense of fulfilment even yearning for more.

I won’t ever forget this book or it’s characters and I’m very grateful to have had the opportunity to read it as I immersed in the world of love, family and the importance of following your dreams.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this early copy in exchange for an honest review.

I saw "The Last Love Song" first on Instagram and just knew that I need to read it and I was really excited to get the oppertunity to read this EARC before the book will be published.

Mia Peters is the daughter of the singer Tori Rose and will go on an adventure through her moms past and her own future. Her mom wrote her several letters and made a savanger hunt out of them.

When I first heard of the book it was told that it's like Mamma Mia but in gay. I just knew that I would love it and I did that!

The book is pretty fast paced and takes place over the course of a few weeks. I really liked that the book alternated between the present from Mias POV and the letters from her Moms POV.

The writing style was gripping and I couldn't put the book down. It was really fun to read and to follow not only Mia through the adventure but also to learn more about the past of her mom and why she acted the way she did.

I really enjoyed it overall but I somehow got the feeling that something was missing to be a five star read for me. I still really enjoyed it and highly recommend it to Mamma Mia fans but also to everyone who likes books about music or who just wants a gripping and sweet sapphic book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for this EARC!