One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston 🎧 Narrated by Natalie Naudus

Synopsis (via Goodreads): From the New York Times bestselling author of Red, White & Royal Blue comes a new romantic comedy that will stop readers in their tracks... 

For cynical twenty-three-year-old August, moving to New York City is supposed to prove her right: that things like magic and cinematic love stories don’t exist, and the only smart way to go through life is alone. She can’t imagine how waiting tables at a 24-hour pancake diner and moving in with too many weird roommates could possibly change that. And there’s certainly no chance of her subway commute being anything more than a daily trudge through boredom and electrical failures.

But then, there’s this gorgeous girl on the train.

Jane. Dazzling, charming, mysterious, impossible Jane. Jane with her rough edges and swoopy hair and soft smile, showing up in a leather jacket to save August’s day when she needed it most. August’s subway crush becomes the best part of her day, but pretty soon, she discovers there’s one big problem: Jane doesn’t just look like an old school punk rocker. She’s literally displaced in time from the 1970s, and August is going to have to use everything she tried to leave in her own past to help her. Maybe it’s time to start believing in some things, after all. 

Casey McQuiston’s One Last Stop is a magical, sexy, big-hearted romance where the impossible becomes possible as August does everything in her power to save the girl lost in time.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Any quotes I use are from an unpublished copy and may not reflect the finished product.

I really enjoyed Red, White & Royal Blue so I had high expectations for One Last Stop! It didn't disappoint, and the chemistry between Jane and August was electric (iykyk). Although, I do think it was a little longer than it needed to be (small potatoes). A few times I found myself zoning out while listening to the audiobook, and it was usually when August started going into excessive detail about this or that. It wasn't necessarily bad, but it did make the book drag in some places.

Speaking of drag... I absolutely loved all of the QUEENS that made an appearance in this book. McQuiston made me want to go to a show! I thought the author did a really good job of writing wonderful LGBTQ+ characters and liked all of the representation in One Last Stop. Everyone was unique and amazing, so obviously I wish we could all be best friends forever.

There was Niko and his calm demeanor; how he just knew things and addressed them in very respectful and unobtrusive ways. He let his friends know he was there and put information (or made general statements) out there to be acknowledged or ignored. Myla was incredibly sweet and welcoming. She was also a brilliant badass that you definitely want on your side. I loved her and Niko's relationship and really want them to have their own story eventually! Wes was super awkward and a little weird, but I adored his quirky qualities. He kept getting in his own way, and I was happy to see him finally accept his feelings for someone and verbalize them. I really hope he gets his own story in the future, too!

August was a little annoying at first, but she also needed to get out of her own head. She's lived her whole life afraid to let people in, so it was nice to see her accept love and affection from others. The friendships she developed with her roommates and coworkers, the relationship she had with Jane, and even the unconventional dynamic she had with her mother were all something she had to work at. I liked that she was confronted with hard choices and unbelievable circumstances, because we get to see how those shaped her as the story progressed.

Jane was hot. She made my toes curl and gooseflesh prickle along my arms. If I hadn't already known I was into girls, this book definitely would have made that very clear, haha. She was also a really interesting character that I loved learning about. Her entire existence was a conundrum; a problem I didn't mind solving. Like August, I wanted Jane to remember who she was, but I also didn't want her to disappear. It's a good thing I wholeheartedly believe in HEA's, and that RW&RB had one. 

I love books with amazing characters, and One Last Stop had plenty! The secondary characters were fleshed out, and the main characters weren't overly obnoxious. They didn't fight (much) or keep secrets (though August does occasionally withhold information when she thinks people aren't ready for the truth), and their main conflict was believable and easily resolved. I was okay with how it was handled, but wish August had been a little more straightforward and honest with people from the start. I also wanted her to talk to her mother way sooner than she actually did, but I can see how that would have been problematic. Overall, it was a fantastic book that I thoroughly enjoyed. 

Audiobook review: Natalie Naudus was an amazing narrator and one I will definitely be looking for in the future! Everyone had a very distinct voice, and I was never confused about who was talking (even after zoning out). Her voice flowed and had a very soothing quality to it that I enjoyed. (★★★★☆)