The Last Love Song was so sweet and fun. I recommend this book if you want to read a coming of age story with Mamma Mia vibes, queer characters, a hunt for clues, and a profound mother-daughter relationship.

Okay, this one just was not for me! I found the endless recitation of song lyrics wasn't very compelling without the music, I could neither understand how wishy-washy the main character was nor how her really cool love interest put up with it, I didn't understand how in any universe a band wouldn't already consider its main songwriter, like, an integral part of the band, even if that person did not also perform. And I know a certain amount of melodrama is necessary in this kind of YA coming of age novel, but the specific kind here (18 year old knows absolutely no integral and basic details about her own parents, and somehow neither does like, the internet, despite it being the entire plot that her mother was famous) was both unrealistic and like, produced in a lab to make me, specifically, mouth-frothingly crazy (not telling kids basic facts about their parents is really messed up! even closed adoptions these days let you know important things like <em>medical history</em>! which this child explicitly does not get told, ever, omg!!!!).

Thank you so much to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book early in exchange for an honest review.

The Last Love Song follows Mia, the daughter of music legend Tori Rose, is about to graduate high school and wishes she knew more of her mother and her long absent father. She finds a letter from her mother that sends her on a scavenger hunt that reveals what she’s been looking for.

I really enjoyed Mia’s hunt for her mother as well as the snippets of Tori Rose that we got in alternating chapters. Mia’s grandmothers also had such a fun dynamic and I wanted more from them!

I think this read a little younger than the just straight YA and it moved a little quickly to really get attached to the characters. It also did not have Mamma Mia vibes other than the fact that Mia didn’t know who her father was. But otherwise this was a fun read.

Overall, I enjoyed The Last Love Song and was very happy and thankful for the opportunity to read it early.

Thank you to NetGalley & Blackstone Publishing for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Why is it always harder to write reviews for books you loved... or is that just me?!
While this is being marketed as a queer YA Mamma Mia... it's so much more than that! There's definitely a bit of Mamma Mia inspo; however, I got a lot of Daisy Jones and the Six vibes. Both of those pop culture phenomenons come together to tell Mia's story.
I am so shooketh that this is Kalie's debut! This book consumed by entire being for two days, and I was not okay when I finished it! The writing was so lyrical throughout, and the structure of the dual timelines was
*chefs kiss.* Mia's in-tandem discoveries about her mom and about her own dreams made me so emotional. This book has left me speechless, so all I have left to say is that you need to read this.

Great fun and easy read, loved the cozy vibes and relaxing feel I was sold when it was compared to mamma Mia and it defiantly fits the bill!

Ugh, I always feel so bad whenever I don't enjoy a book I was anticipating.

Despite how short this book was, the plot really dragged on itself. Mia's repetitive thoughts about her fear of abandonment and her mom not loving her are the primary reason for this, but there are also a lot of exposition dumping regarding Mia's relationship with Britt and how Tori's fame had impacted the town, as well as her life as a whole. The book tried so hard to make these things hit home, but I felt nothing but irritation, because I just wanted to get it over with. Plus, you have to suspend your disbelief at some major points, like Mia not knowing exactly how her mom died. Tori was a famous country singer who died in 2006, a time where the internet wasn't archaic in the slightest. Given how much the book tells you how big Tori was, the news of her death would've been heavily documented all over the web.

As for the characters, I didn't really care about them, either. Mia didn't experience much growth until the last 20 pages, and her romance with Britt was very underdeveloped. She tells us the depth of their history throughout the story, but I never felt it, whatsoever. Several people kept describing Tori as chaotic and larger-than-life, but I never got that. The only thing I felt about her was distain because she named her daughter the name a friend wanted to use if she had kids (The book spun this as a sweet thing, but I still think it was a dick move).

I kept comparing this book to at least two others I've read previously, and I felt bad because this book should be able to stand on itself alone. I just wished I was able to enjoy this move. Hopefully, there will be those who will, but I won't be among them, sadly.

This debut completely blew me away! I absolutely loved the journey of our main character as she discovered more about her mother and more about herself. The Mama Mia vibes were on point and I loved all the song lyrics. Such a great read!

*I received an e-ARC of this title from Netgalley and a physical ARC from the author.

Wow, it's clear that Kalie put her whole self in the writing of this book and it shines from her passion. I love the recent titles I've read with a family-history- and music-related scavenger-hunt element (see also: EVERY TIME YOU HEAR THAT SONG by Jenna Voris) and I really enjoyed following the narrative and trying to piece together the clues alongside the characters. Very Taylor-Swift-easter-eggs coded! And yes, yes, yes to more LGBTQ+ rep in YA/new adult.

The few issues I had were the writing: at times, it got overly prose-y and became clunky and hard to read. It was a slow reading experience for me because I kept getting tripped up in the writing and had to go back and re-read paragraphs. I think Kalie is a talented writer, but I think it needed a bit more editing to keep things flowing and cohesive. I think the style matched the voice of the MC, but it should have been revised for more clarity.

Also, as another reviewer mentioned, I think the comp to Mamma Mia was a bit inaccurate. It was such an interesting part of the plot, but was more of an afterthought than anything else. I think the comp would have worked if the plot element of Mia finding her Dad was more central to the narrative throughout.

Otherwise, I think this is a beautiful story of family and identity, of choice and our dreams. I think many will enjoy this story!

It was a little too Taylor Swift for me.

But it was Taylor Swift if she was 20 years older and chaotically bisexual (she could be, but unlike our fictional Tori Rose, she doesn’t sing about it). I actually liked that we got whole verses of song lyrics scattered throughout - it really sold the whole premise. Though once again, I really wish the diary/letters read more like diary/letters rather than just a chunk of book preceded by “Dear Mia”

I read this book for the sapphic best-friends-to-lovers relationship, but honestly that couldn’t have carried the story so I’m glad that the scavenger hunt was interesting and had a lot of little surprises. Though I would have expected many more tourists whispering about “the daughter of Tori Rose” if they really looked that much alike.

I dunno. Overall, it was fine and it read quickly, but not really for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I would agree that The Last Love Song is a queer Mama Mia. Upon graduation Mia’s mom, a famous rock singer, left her a scavenger hunt to find her old diary entries to find more out about herself. Mia and her best friend and forever crush Britt only have a matter of days to find all the clues before Britt goes to follow her dream in Nashville, but will Mia follower her too?

This was a cute story from a debut author. I always enjoy bi+ storylines; there isn’t enough bi representation in literature. I also liked that music was woven in and thought that the various clues were clever. The songs that were created in the book were also great. I’m looking forward to reading the author’s next book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for this ARC!

3.5 rounded up to 4

First things first: YA bi rep that has somewhat healthy wlw? Hell yeah.

The Last Love Song was sweet. I can definitely see the Mamma Mia! comps, but doesn't feel like I'm reading a rehash of that story. To me the most interesting parts were from Tori's point of view, too, which I think most Mamma Mia fans would say Donna is the draw over Sophie (they made a whole movie about teenage Donna, after all). I found myself wanting more of her chapters than Mia's, not because Mia was boring but because it felt like Mia's story completely revolved around Tori but we weren't getting enough. I just cared more about Tori's journey than Mia's.

I think in general I cared more about everyone than Mia except maybe Britt. These were truly fantastic side characters, including the town of Sunset Cove itself. I wanted to know more about them, too, and while I think this is a great stand alone I secretly hope Holford explores it further. It gives me such vivid, specific images of small coastal towns I've been to and love dearly. The details Mia's grandmothers, Linnea, and Edie provided drew me in and made me read a little more closely when I found myself skimming.

And I did skim. A lot. I think the one thing The Last Love Song suffers from, for me, is the song lyrics, because so much emphasis was put on chords and melodies that just having the lyrics there fell really flat. It wasn't clear to me what Mia's nor The Lost Girls' preferred genre was - should I be trying to come up with a more country sound in my head, like The Highwomen? Or are they kind of folksy rock, like Boygenius? Is Fate's Travelers a Fleetwood Mac allusion? I know there's no way to make the music sound like music in a book, but I really had a hard time with the long passages of lyrics. I think even additions like describing the tone of their voices or musical elements, like mentioning a heavy tambourine or a mournful piano solo, would make a huge difference. It's a book about songs with no sound to it.

Overall, I would recommend it, though! Especially for the rep. It's a quick read with a lot of heart even if it wasn't my favorite thing I've ever read.

If you’re the kind of person who gets lost in the melodies of Mamma Mia, swoons over Taylor Swift’s heartfelt lyrics, and adores a good scavenger hunt, then ‘The Last Love Song’ is your next must-read! Kalie Holford has crafted a tale that’s as enchanting as it is engaging, with a rhythm that keeps the pages turning. The story takes us on a lyrical journey of love, self-discovery, and the magic of finding connections in the most unexpected places.

The cover is so cute, echoing the book’s vibe with its adorable design that you’ll just want to show off on your shelf! Inside, the writing is simply wonderful, whisking you away with its constant forward motion and a plot that dances along. The characters are utterly lovable and relatable! They’re sketched with such clarity and purpose, and their motivations are as vivid as their personalities. The queer representation is EVERYTHING – it’s not just there, it’s woven into the very fabric of the story, giving life to the story’s atmosphere.

And the song lyrics! They’re like little treasures sprinkled throughout the book, tying into the storyline in the most creative ways. Plus, get ready for all the feels – Holford delivers those warm, fuzzy moments that make your heart do a little happy dance, and scenes that’ll have you reaching for the tissues.

The book is available on April 9, so grab a copy, find a cozy nook, and dive into Mia’s story! It’s a love ballad in the form of a book, and you’re going to be singing its praises when you’re done! 🎶💕

A big thanks to Blackstone Publishing for making this eARC available through NetGalley!!

Thank you blackstone publishing for the arc!

The last love song is a queer YA romance inspired by Mamma Mia with a dash of Thirteen Little Blue Envelopes, the story follows Mia Peters (daughter of a late country superstar) who wrestles with leaving home, first love, and her true ambitions-all while following clues on a journey through her celebrity mother's hidden past.

Mia: Daughter of late country superstar Tori Rose, whose only solace is songwriting.

Britt: Member of a band called The Lost Girls and Mia’s best friend.

Tori Rose: Country superstar and Mia’s mom.

I would like to begin with that this book’s plot is compelling; you would not like to put The Last Love Song down. I was really into Tori Rose’s story- How she rose to the top? Who was Mia’s dad? How did her story end?

Mia and Britt’s story was filled with angst and adorableness. I really liked how they loved each other, but that didn’t influence their opinions. The parallels between Tori and Britt that showcased how they were born to be stars were really clever.

Mia’s grandmothers or Tori’s moms need to be mentioned because they were the cutest, and I LOVE THEM.

To conclude, this is a gorgeous debut that makes me want to look forward to author‘s future works.

This is a really cute book. The main character Mia just graduated and is sent on a scavenger hunt by her late mother to discover the truth about her life as a famous singer. With the help of her best friend they explore their small town to find clues her mother left for her before her death.

I gave this book 3 stars. It seemed like it dragged on in certain parts but overall a decent book.

I received a copy of The Last Love Song as an ARC in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley.

This was a cute little story and I am glad I had the chance to read it before its publication.
The love for music bled into the pages of this book and it was hard not to feel my favorite lyrics and beats rumbling inside me as I read this story.
However, I must admit that I was much more interested in Tori's story than Mia's search for the truth about her mother, mostly because I had a little trouble believing the hunt considering how long it had passed since her mother passed away. I can see why so many say it has Mamma Mia vibes, although, for me personally, that is stretching a little unless the vibe comes from the whole "Who is my daddy". I know this wasn't the intention of the book, but I do find it sad that Mia's grandmothers refused to talk to her about her mother and knew all this time who her father was without telling her, using the excuse "It's too hard for us to talk about her" to justify. Perhaps if they did talk about their feelings this poor girl wouldn't be so indecisive about her own feelings and wouldn't hurt the people she cared about along the way.
BUT...
This is a young adult story, meant to be heartwarming and charming, and considering the book does reach that goal I am willing to let go of the characters' flaws along the way.
Follow your dreams is the best advice this book can give us in the end, because after all, we are the ones who are stuck living them for better or worse.
P.S.: How cute were Mia and Britt? Seriously, Britt was an arrogant little teen, but hey, if you aren't arrogant at eighteen thinking you can conquer the world, you are not living your youth right!

The Last Love Song is a queer YA novel that entwines Mamma Mia! with a twist of Maureen Johnson. Mia Peters, after graduating from high school, faces a summer filled with farewells. Songwriting becomes her refuge as she navigates the painful transitions. With everyone around her moving forward, including her supportive yet somewhat romantic friend Britt, Mia feels trapped in her small town of Sunset Cove. She resists the urge to pursue her dreams, fearing she'll end up like her mother, Tori Rose, a country music star who abandoned her family to chase fame. However, when Mia discovers a series of mysterious letters from her mother's past, addressed to her, she embarks on a scavenger hunt that unveils secrets about her mother and her destiny.

"The Last Love Song" is a poignant and heartfelt coming-of-age story that beautifully captures the complexities of self-discovery, love, and loss. Kalie Holford weaves together themes of identity, family, and ambition in a compelling narrative that will resonate with readers of all ages. Mia is a relatable and compelling protagonist whose journey of self-exploration is both moving and inspiring. Holford skillfully explores Mia's internal struggles and growth, allowing readers to empathize with her as she grapples with her mother's legacy, her romantic feelings for Britt, and her own dreams for the future.

The scavenger hunt element adds an intriguing layer to the story, providing a sense of adventure and mystery that keeps the reader engaged. Each new clue leads Mia deeper into her mother's past, unravelling secrets and truths that challenge her perceptions of herself and her family. One of the highlights of the novel is its vibrant portrayal of Sunset Cove, a small town brimming with character and charm. Holford brings the setting to life with vivid descriptions and atmospheric details, immersing the reader in Mia's world and evoking a strong sense of nostalgia.

It is a captivating and emotionally resonant read that celebrates the power of love, music, and self-discovery.

After graduating high school, Mia faces a summer of goodbyes. With her friend Britt urging her to chase bigger dreams, Mia uncovers a series of mysterious letters from her late mother, a country music star. Each letter leads Mia on a journey through her hometown, revealing secrets about her mother's past. With time running out before Britt leaves, Mia must decide whether to stay in her comfort zone or embrace the unknown and forge her own path.
In a way, this book felt like a mix of Mamma Mia meets Daisy Jones and the Six and the vibes were really engaging overall. If you’re looking for a fun, quick read (and are willing to suspend your disbelief a time or ten) then Mia’s journey to find out about her mother’s life will surely appeal to you.
The story has a lot going for it - we have an adorable queer pair of grandmothers taking care of Mia, a set of small-town secondary characters that are charismatic and intriguing and we have a romance that keeps you guessing. Oh, and loads of lyrics that tug at your heartstrings!
While I adored the premise of this book, the execution felt a tad strenuous at times. Maybe it was the concept of the whole book but to me it would have translated a lot better onto the screen rather than a page - and that comes down in part to the writing.
Especially when it came to emotions, the prose often fell into the dreaded telling instead of showing - especially when it came to trying to explain emotions with cliches that were then just explained right afterward with bland statements like “I felt sad”, which was a bit nonsensical. Also, at one point, the reader gets told in every chapter that Mia is sad, that she feels torn, that she can’t get what she wants in almost the same words as before but we’re rarely shown that. Over and over we have this repeated thought cycle without any sort of change (not so much in the emotions themselves but the words to describe them). Mia and Britt’s relationship especially suffers from this and it takes a bit of the magic out of the will-they-won’t-they struggle. All that being said, though, I still found myself rooting for them to find a way to be together, no matter whether physical distance was going to be an issue or not.
By far my favorite part and the one where the prose truly shines is the exploration of Mia and her late mother’s relationship. With the help of the scavenger hunt of clues, Mia unearths so much about her mother that she didn’t know and learns that after all this time, a lot of people she might not have spent a lot of time with in her hometown (felt a bit sus considering it’s a small town where everyone is supposedly a tight-knit community but we’ll deal with it), had the puzzle to the mystery that was her mother’s death all along.
Tori Rose was a strong character whose true voice shone through the lyrics that are included in this book. I could imagine myself listening to her on the radio and (like a lot of individuals in this book were willing to) wanting to follow her around the world. In that regard, the book was truly immersive and made me crave the chapters from her point of view. I guess that’s always a possibility with alternate timelines that one is more intriguing than the other.
While the big plot twist is quite predictable, I still had a fun time watching Mia try to piece together the clues her mom left her and the way it brought her and Britt closer together.

If you’re in the mood for a quick, summer-y story about a girl torn between her mother’s unresolved past and her own fears of the uncharted future, paired with a dash of heartfelt country music lyrics and a small town setting to steal your heart, then The Last Love Song’s the book for you!

This is an ARC And actually a 3.5 stars.
Is very easy to follow with the story and the characters. I ask for this because the plot was so good and also because the whole thing screams Mamma Mia, and am here for it.
I really like that the book is written in the two points of view, so we get to know the past and the present at the same time. It was a enjoyable book, so fun and fresh.

3stars.
Oh this was sweet! A cute coming of age story that has a sentimental vibe. The scavenger hunt left by the mom was the driving force of this book for me. I enjoyed the characters and some of them are definitely a crowd favorite. I can’t say I love it but I definitely enjoyed the ride.

I thought this was such a sweet coming of age story, and had a lot of fun with Mia following the clues and scavenger hunt left behind by her late mom (singer Tori Rose). I loved the sapphic romantic subplot with her best friend Britt, and thought these were such lovely characters/POVs to follow. I think folks will eat this one up, and it'd be such a cute Freeform made-for-tv movie!