One Last Stop

I have to give Casey McQuiston credit - it couldn't have been easy writing a follow up to her debut smash bestseller, [b:Red, White & Royal Blue 41150487 Red, White & Royal Blue Casey McQuiston https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1566742512l/41150487.SY75.jpg 61657690]. In fact, I was a little reluctant to read One Last Stop for fear of disappointment. But McQuiston has avoided the sophomore slump and produced a unique, sparkling love story.Other than MCs kept apart by significant external factors, the two books are very different, which I also admire (it would have been easier to write “RWRB, The Sequel”, or a spinoff featuring a secondary character). August is a smart, prickly, mistrustful bisexual loner whose life starts to improve when she moves into a Brooklyn apartment with a handful of oddball characters who become the family she never knew she wanted. Her new co-workers at a local landmark pancake house also become important to her. But most of all there's Subway Girl, aka Jane, who gives August a scarf to cover up her coffee stain the first time they meet. August is smitten, despite her cold, dead, heart, until subsequent meetings reveal the bizarre truth that Jane is stuck on the subway's Q line and has been since 1977. There's a lot going on here - Jane doesn't remember anything about her past at first, and even when she does, the two women (and August's faithful new BFFs) have to figure out the how and why of Jane's peculiar time travel situation. August's unusual upbringing makes her the best possible candidate to piece together Jane's history (not to mention the perils of being queer in the 1970s), while her roommates just happen to have talents of their own that provide valuable assistance. I can't say I truly understood the theory, but I didn't think about it too hard because I was too busy enjoying the love story. I much prefer M/M over F/F queer romance (it's personal taste, let's not judge), but August and Jane were completely swoon-worthy. They're both tough chicks on the outside and complete marshmallows on the inside. Jane has a rich sexual history while August has basically none, but she learns quickly what she likes (and even takes notes about it in a delightful nerdy way). The book answers the question “how much sex can you have on a subway train?” (It turns out to be quite a lot; Risky Business, eat your heart out). The angst factor is pretty high - if they figure out how to get Jane “unstuck” in time, she will probably go back to her previous life 50 years ago, so how can they let themselves fall in love? Fortunately there is a deliriously happy ending but it is hard-earned, and there are several goodbye scenes that will tear your heart out. McQuiston writes with humor, passion and energy. Everything feels urgent, which feels appropriate for a 20-something woman living in New York City. I know a lot of people don't like present tense writing, but it works because August is all about the moment. The secondary characters, most of whom are also queer, are quirky and supportive (I would love a novel about apartment mate Wes, the glum disinherited Jewish tattoo artist, and the object of his affection whom he doesn't think he deserves). There may be a few too many subplots crowded into the story; I didn't feel that August's relationship with her mother got the full attention it needed, but they all play a role in getting August and Jane to their HEA.I'm in awe of McQuiston's creativity and talent. Even if One Last Stop doesn't make as many bestseller/best of the year lists as its predecessor, it's still a damn fine romance and proves that the author is here to stay. Can't wait to see what else she has up her sleeve. ARC received from Net Galley in exchange for honest review.