Our Last Page

This book sealed the deal for me with Katie Holt. I will read anything this woman publishes and will then scream about it from the rooftops. The Last Page perfectly captured the devotion and deep love every reader has for books and bookstores with a slightly chaotic, but cozy vibe. It shows the importance of community, how everyone comes together when our sacred reading spaces are in danger. How bookstores should feel like a safe haven for anyone. Another aspect that I really liked about this, was the found family aspect of the whole story, because they truly felt like a big, disorganized family that may disagree from time to time, but is ultimately filled with so much love and respect for each other. Katie is an expert in creating complex characters that make every chapter feel more alive and it was the easiest thing to build a connection with them. Speaking of characters: ELLA! MY LOVE! GET BEHIND ME! I could see myself in Ella. A lot. It sometimes felt like she would plug the thoughts straight from my brain and onto the page. The "Eldest daughter" representation within her character was spot on and made my eyes a little watery more than once. And I looove to learn about glimpses of other cultures and found the peruvian representation in this book so entertaining and interesting. I can sum up the romance between Ella and Henry with one sentence: HE ASKS HER TO MAKE A READING LIST FOR HIM WITH HER FAVORITE BOOKS!! No notes. 10/10. They were adorable, their tension was tangible in every chapter and their intimate scenes were so beautifully done. The only tiny little thing I will say is that their little squabble at the beginning of the story felt a bit forced at times, but I grew to love their dynamic throughout the rest of the story! Big thanks to Alcove Press for this e-arc!