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One Last Chance to Live
What would you do if you had one last summer to live?
Nico has always believed in his dreams. Especially the dream he has of becoming a writer; it's the reason why he started taking a creative writing class his senior year of high school. But then Nico has a dream about his own funeral. A dream that feels too real to ignore.
In it, Rosario is beckoning to him. Rosario was Nico's neighbor, his best friend's girlfriend, and his inspiration. She was also the girl that Nico was in love with. And Rosario died last year.
Nico becomes obsessed with figuring out what Rosario was trying to say to him, and how she died. Surely if he can make sense of her death, he can find a way to prevent his own?
But at the same time, Nico's mom is sick, and his brother is falling down a bad path with a local gang. Nico knows it's on him to step up and take care of his family -- but how can he keep it together when, like Rosario, he sees how easy it might be to just let go of it all.
This searingly beautiful and hopeful novel is about the search for a life of meaning and creativity, while also accepting the flawed life that we're given. It's a love story between a teen boy and the girl who still haunts his dreams.
Nico has always believed in his dreams. Especially the dream he has of becoming a writer; it's the reason why he started taking a creative writing class his senior year of high school. But then Nico has a dream about his own funeral. A dream that feels too real to ignore.
In it, Rosario is beckoning to him. Rosario was Nico's neighbor, his best friend's girlfriend, and his inspiration. She was also the girl that Nico was in love with. And Rosario died last year.
Nico becomes obsessed with figuring out what Rosario was trying to say to him, and how she died. Surely if he can make sense of her death, he can find a way to prevent his own?
But at the same time, Nico's mom is sick, and his brother is falling down a bad path with a local gang. Nico knows it's on him to step up and take care of his family -- but how can he keep it together when, like Rosario, he sees how easy it might be to just let go of it all.
This searingly beautiful and hopeful novel is about the search for a life of meaning and creativity, while also accepting the flawed life that we're given. It's a love story between a teen boy and the girl who still haunts his dreams.
320 pages, Hardcover
Published September 3, 2024
6 people are currently reading
3428 people want to read
About the author
Francisco X. Stork
20 books55.5k followersFrancisco X. Stork was born in Mexico. He moved to El Paso Texas with his adoptive father and mother when he was nine. He attended Spring Hill College, Harvard University and Columbia Law School. He worked as an attorney for thirty-three years before retiring in 2015. He is married and has two grown children and four beautiful grandkids. He loves to discover new books and authors. His favorite books are those where the author's soul touches his. He does not read reviews to his books so you should feel free to write whatever you want. Also, he is genuinely interested in learning about books and life from his friends on this site. He would love it if you find his books worthy to be read, but that's not why he wants to be your friend.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
January 25, 2025
Like 2.5 stars.
I didn't really care for the characters in this book. And didn't really like Nico like at all. He was kind of a jerk. Like all around. I probably wouldn't have finished this if it wasn't required for class.
I didn't really care for the characters in this book. And didn't really like Nico like at all. He was kind of a jerk. Like all around. I probably wouldn't have finished this if it wasn't required for class.
October 20, 2024
This is an Authorial short story book review:
The evening sun cast long shadows across Francisco's cluttered desk as he sat, fingers hovering over the keyboard. The white page on his laptop screen waited, expectant. This was the moment he would breathe life into his latest novel, “One Last Chance to Live.”
This book would be his most personal yet. When Francisco was seven, he had asked his adoptive father for a typewriter, stunning everyone with his early passion for writing. At the time, the notion of being a writer made him feel special, deserving of love and admiration. But that desire had evolved over time. Now, at 71, Francisco wrote for different reasons. He wrote out of love, rather than seeking to be loved. He was learning about honest writing—the kind that revealed his true self, his beliefs, and his vulnerabilities.
As his fingers began to dance across the keyboard, Francisco conjured the world of Nico Kardos, a 17-year-old aspiring writer from the Bronx. Nico's heart mirrored Francisco's own heart when he started out. Like young Francisco, Nico initially sought fame and admiration through his writing.
Francisco paused, reflecting on his own journey. He had learned to write every day, making it a habit. Writing in a journal at Nico's age had taught him to lose the censor in his head—the one that said, “You’re not a good writer,” or “Nobody’s going to like your writing.” By writing daily, the process became natural and spontaneous. It was a way of mindfulness, of learning about who he was, and becoming the person he was meant to be.
Francisco's fingers danced over the keyboard as he wove the haunting figure of Rosario Zamora into Nico’s story. Rosario, Nico’s unrequited love, had succumbed to a heroin overdose, leaving a void that echoed in Nico's heart. Nico's journey to unravel what happened to Rosario led him down a dangerous path, searching for answers in the shadows of the city's underbelly, where secrets and peril awaited at every turn.
Meanwhile, his mother lay gravely ill, her frail condition worsening by the day, and his brother spiraled deeper into the clutches of a ruthless local gang, their influence tightening like a noose around his family's future.
Nico felt the crushing weight of responsibility. He had to step up for his family, yet he teetered on the brink of despair, tempted by the same release that had taken Rosario.
The pressures of responsibility can significantly impact mental health, especially in situations of parentification, where a child is forced to take on the role of a caretaker for siblings or even parents. This dynamic often leads to chronic stress and emotional strain, as the child’s own developmental needs are overshadowed by the demands placed upon them. In cases where a young person, like Nico, must step up to care for a sick parent or a sibling involved in dangerous activities, the constant pressure can lead to anxiety, depression, and other mental health crises. The burden of maintaining family stability while suppressing their own needs creates a silent cry for help, highlighting the critical importance of mental health awareness and support.
As Nico poured his soul into his writing, he embarked on a journey of self-discovery, much like Francisco had years before. Each stroke of the pen brought him closer to understanding his pain and resilience. Rosario’s ghost whispered in Nico’s dreams, much like Francisco’s own memories replayed in his mind. Each word Francisco typed was a bridge between past and present, a narrative of survival and discovery.
As the last rays of sunlight faded, Francisco's gaze locked onto the screen, the flickering cursor mirroring his own uncertainty. The questions gnawed at him: Would Nico ever find the answers he so desperately sought? Would his quest for meaning illuminate a path to a brighter future, or would he remain trapped in the shadows of the Bronx, destined to meet the same tragic fate as Rosario? In that moment, Francisco had no answers. All he had was his relentless discipline, the habit of writing every day, and a faith that through the process, clarity would come.
With Francisco’s raw and genuine voice, the book came alive through Nico’s private journal entries, each one a haunting echo of his cries for help and his desperate quest for meaning in a fractured world. It was a heartfelt salute to mental health awareness. As Francisco leaned back, a wave of satisfaction washed over him. He had seamlessly woven his life into Nico’s story, crafting a narrative that was both deeply personal and hopeful.
As dawn approached, the sound of his grandson’s footsteps approaching broke his reverie. Francisco smiled, closed his laptop, and turned to embrace the new day, ready for another chapter in both his life and his writing.
The evening sun cast long shadows across Francisco's cluttered desk as he sat, fingers hovering over the keyboard. The white page on his laptop screen waited, expectant. This was the moment he would breathe life into his latest novel, “One Last Chance to Live.”
This book would be his most personal yet. When Francisco was seven, he had asked his adoptive father for a typewriter, stunning everyone with his early passion for writing. At the time, the notion of being a writer made him feel special, deserving of love and admiration. But that desire had evolved over time. Now, at 71, Francisco wrote for different reasons. He wrote out of love, rather than seeking to be loved. He was learning about honest writing—the kind that revealed his true self, his beliefs, and his vulnerabilities.
As his fingers began to dance across the keyboard, Francisco conjured the world of Nico Kardos, a 17-year-old aspiring writer from the Bronx. Nico's heart mirrored Francisco's own heart when he started out. Like young Francisco, Nico initially sought fame and admiration through his writing.
Francisco paused, reflecting on his own journey. He had learned to write every day, making it a habit. Writing in a journal at Nico's age had taught him to lose the censor in his head—the one that said, “You’re not a good writer,” or “Nobody’s going to like your writing.” By writing daily, the process became natural and spontaneous. It was a way of mindfulness, of learning about who he was, and becoming the person he was meant to be.
Francisco's fingers danced over the keyboard as he wove the haunting figure of Rosario Zamora into Nico’s story. Rosario, Nico’s unrequited love, had succumbed to a heroin overdose, leaving a void that echoed in Nico's heart. Nico's journey to unravel what happened to Rosario led him down a dangerous path, searching for answers in the shadows of the city's underbelly, where secrets and peril awaited at every turn.
Meanwhile, his mother lay gravely ill, her frail condition worsening by the day, and his brother spiraled deeper into the clutches of a ruthless local gang, their influence tightening like a noose around his family's future.
Nico felt the crushing weight of responsibility. He had to step up for his family, yet he teetered on the brink of despair, tempted by the same release that had taken Rosario.
The pressures of responsibility can significantly impact mental health, especially in situations of parentification, where a child is forced to take on the role of a caretaker for siblings or even parents. This dynamic often leads to chronic stress and emotional strain, as the child’s own developmental needs are overshadowed by the demands placed upon them. In cases where a young person, like Nico, must step up to care for a sick parent or a sibling involved in dangerous activities, the constant pressure can lead to anxiety, depression, and other mental health crises. The burden of maintaining family stability while suppressing their own needs creates a silent cry for help, highlighting the critical importance of mental health awareness and support.
As Nico poured his soul into his writing, he embarked on a journey of self-discovery, much like Francisco had years before. Each stroke of the pen brought him closer to understanding his pain and resilience. Rosario’s ghost whispered in Nico’s dreams, much like Francisco’s own memories replayed in his mind. Each word Francisco typed was a bridge between past and present, a narrative of survival and discovery.
As the last rays of sunlight faded, Francisco's gaze locked onto the screen, the flickering cursor mirroring his own uncertainty. The questions gnawed at him: Would Nico ever find the answers he so desperately sought? Would his quest for meaning illuminate a path to a brighter future, or would he remain trapped in the shadows of the Bronx, destined to meet the same tragic fate as Rosario? In that moment, Francisco had no answers. All he had was his relentless discipline, the habit of writing every day, and a faith that through the process, clarity would come.
With Francisco’s raw and genuine voice, the book came alive through Nico’s private journal entries, each one a haunting echo of his cries for help and his desperate quest for meaning in a fractured world. It was a heartfelt salute to mental health awareness. As Francisco leaned back, a wave of satisfaction washed over him. He had seamlessly woven his life into Nico’s story, crafting a narrative that was both deeply personal and hopeful.
As dawn approached, the sound of his grandson’s footsteps approaching broke his reverie. Francisco smiled, closed his laptop, and turned to embrace the new day, ready for another chapter in both his life and his writing.
June 13, 2024
Thank you Netgalley and Scholastic for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Francisco X. Stork’s latest novel, "One Last Chance to Live," is a compelling exploration of hope, despair, and the search for meaning in the face of life's relentless challenges. The story revolves around Nico, an aspiring teen writer grappling with the recent death of his close friend, Rosario, while also facing personal and familial crises. This is a book I would recommend for anyone looking for a coming-of-age story, especially from a teenage boy perspective that felt realistic and authentic. I personally found it a bit difficult to connect with Nico as a woman in my 20s, but I think younger YA readers (especially males interested in writing) would absolutely love this book.
Nico’s journey is deeply emotional and resonant. As he becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth behind Rosario’s death, you are drawn into his personal world of dreams, aspirations, and profound grief through Nico’s unique perspective. The book is written through Nico’s journal entries, so he may not be a completely reliable narrator, but his words are absolutely overflowing with emotion and introspection. Stork masterfully crafts Nico's inner turmoil, particularly his struggle with self-doubt as a writer; this introspection adds depth to Nico’s character, making him very relatable for anyone who enjoys writing and has potentially experienced imposter syndrome as a writer. These struggles made him an extremely relatable character.
The novel's pacing is one of its strengths. It’s fast-paced and engaging, making it hard to put down. The urgency of Nico’s need to find answers about Rosario’s death parallels the real-life pressures he faces: his mother’s battle with cancer and his younger brother’s entanglement with a local gang. These parallel storylines are woven together so well, highlighting Nico's determination to keep his family together while navigating his own fears and uncertainties. I found that I couldn’t put this book down as I was reading because I was so invested in Nico’s story, and his writing through the journal entries made the story even more engaging. The emotional depth of "One Last Chance to Live" is also a strength of the book. Stork captures the heart-wrenching moments of Nico’s life with authenticity and sensitivity. The scenes towards the end, where Nico and his family are doing everything they can to support his ailing mother, are particularly moving and made me tear up a bit as I was reading.
Overall, Stork’s writing is both beautiful and impactful, providing a searingly hopeful message despite the heavy themes. "One Last Chance to Live" is not just about coping with loss but also about embracing the flawed life we are given and finding meaning in our actions, no matter how small they may seem.
Francisco X. Stork’s latest novel, "One Last Chance to Live," is a compelling exploration of hope, despair, and the search for meaning in the face of life's relentless challenges. The story revolves around Nico, an aspiring teen writer grappling with the recent death of his close friend, Rosario, while also facing personal and familial crises. This is a book I would recommend for anyone looking for a coming-of-age story, especially from a teenage boy perspective that felt realistic and authentic. I personally found it a bit difficult to connect with Nico as a woman in my 20s, but I think younger YA readers (especially males interested in writing) would absolutely love this book.
Nico’s journey is deeply emotional and resonant. As he becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth behind Rosario’s death, you are drawn into his personal world of dreams, aspirations, and profound grief through Nico’s unique perspective. The book is written through Nico’s journal entries, so he may not be a completely reliable narrator, but his words are absolutely overflowing with emotion and introspection. Stork masterfully crafts Nico's inner turmoil, particularly his struggle with self-doubt as a writer; this introspection adds depth to Nico’s character, making him very relatable for anyone who enjoys writing and has potentially experienced imposter syndrome as a writer. These struggles made him an extremely relatable character.
The novel's pacing is one of its strengths. It’s fast-paced and engaging, making it hard to put down. The urgency of Nico’s need to find answers about Rosario’s death parallels the real-life pressures he faces: his mother’s battle with cancer and his younger brother’s entanglement with a local gang. These parallel storylines are woven together so well, highlighting Nico's determination to keep his family together while navigating his own fears and uncertainties. I found that I couldn’t put this book down as I was reading because I was so invested in Nico’s story, and his writing through the journal entries made the story even more engaging. The emotional depth of "One Last Chance to Live" is also a strength of the book. Stork captures the heart-wrenching moments of Nico’s life with authenticity and sensitivity. The scenes towards the end, where Nico and his family are doing everything they can to support his ailing mother, are particularly moving and made me tear up a bit as I was reading.
Overall, Stork’s writing is both beautiful and impactful, providing a searingly hopeful message despite the heavy themes. "One Last Chance to Live" is not just about coping with loss but also about embracing the flawed life we are given and finding meaning in our actions, no matter how small they may seem.
September 3, 2024
3.75
One last chance to live is a novel written in the form of journal entries recorded by Nico, an almost 18 year old kid whose life is falling apart. He is still not over the death of his best friend's deceased gf who died of overdose also the girl he was in love with. Add to it a terminally I'll mother and a 12 year old step brother who is in the wrong company of friends.
Nico's struggles were portrayed in the most real way, one with which as a reader many would be able to relate. The format the book is written in is so much easy to get through, I was able to finish this book in 4hrs. It's a fast paced ya novel that talks about depression, suicidal thoughts, and mental health.
Some of the things that didn't work for me were how Nico forced others to talk about Rosario like it wasn't hurting them; especially her sister Alma, sometimes sounding accusatory. Also there were so many things happening in this book at the same time, everything was pretty rushed and even though the ending was well written, the characters never got to have their moments or grow properly.
Overall I feel like this book will be a decent one time read.
Thank you to Colored Pages Book Tours for the eARC
One last chance to live is a novel written in the form of journal entries recorded by Nico, an almost 18 year old kid whose life is falling apart. He is still not over the death of his best friend's deceased gf who died of overdose also the girl he was in love with. Add to it a terminally I'll mother and a 12 year old step brother who is in the wrong company of friends.
Nico's struggles were portrayed in the most real way, one with which as a reader many would be able to relate. The format the book is written in is so much easy to get through, I was able to finish this book in 4hrs. It's a fast paced ya novel that talks about depression, suicidal thoughts, and mental health.
Some of the things that didn't work for me were how Nico forced others to talk about Rosario like it wasn't hurting them; especially her sister Alma, sometimes sounding accusatory. Also there were so many things happening in this book at the same time, everything was pretty rushed and even though the ending was well written, the characters never got to have their moments or grow properly.
Overall I feel like this book will be a decent one time read.
Thank you to Colored Pages Book Tours for the eARC
January 4, 2025
Nico dreams of being a writer. It’s what pushes him toward greatness when he feels his life is too hard. His creative writing teacher gave an impossible assignment that requires a journal entry every day. The journal entries share the story of Nico, his friends, his family, and his love who died. He tries to find the reasons behind her suicide while also grappling with a sick mother, a troubled brother, and his own demons. His own dreams could lead him to a dark path, but he has support and hope that he can turn it around.
This is a quick read due to the journal entry style. The tough topics in this book include drug abuse, gang violence, dying parents, and suicide. Although it does end on a hopeful note, the sadness can seem heavy throughout.
I wouldn’t recommend this for purchase. Teens who like gritty realistic fiction might enjoy the story, but the characters weren’t very interesting. I thought it was inappropriate and annoying that Nico constantly pestered Alma about her dead sister. I understand it’s a world unlike my own, but the author did nothing to pull me in.
J.G.
Youth Services Librarian
This is a quick read due to the journal entry style. The tough topics in this book include drug abuse, gang violence, dying parents, and suicide. Although it does end on a hopeful note, the sadness can seem heavy throughout.
I wouldn’t recommend this for purchase. Teens who like gritty realistic fiction might enjoy the story, but the characters weren’t very interesting. I thought it was inappropriate and annoying that Nico constantly pestered Alma about her dead sister. I understand it’s a world unlike my own, but the author did nothing to pull me in.
J.G.
Youth Services Librarian
Read
September 17, 20259.16.25. 7+. drg use referenced. protagonist sells weed/potentially harder to make $ for fam (Mom & half bro), rare minor lang, sx referenced but not explicitly discussed.
high point neighborhood Bronx 2023.
pw: . “Half Mexican” 17-year-old Nico, who aspires to become a “great writer,” works at the fish market before school and sells weed for the X-Teca gang. His routines are thrown asunder by an eerie dream about his deceased unrequited love, Puerto Rican–cued Rosario, which seems to prophesize his death, as well as the deaths of his mother and 12-year-old half brother Javier. When his mother is diagnosed with lung cancer and Javier begins his X-Teca initiation, Nico’s dream starts to feel real. In response, he dedicates his AP English journal to investigating how college-bound Rosario—whose writerly ambitions inspired Nico’s future plans—died via a heroin overdose. By understanding Rosario’s life, will Nico be able to save his own?
if you liked outsiders (sensitive protagonist, searching for family, lower class, brush w upper class relationship, illegal behavior, etc)
high point neighborhood Bronx 2023.
pw: . “Half Mexican” 17-year-old Nico, who aspires to become a “great writer,” works at the fish market before school and sells weed for the X-Teca gang. His routines are thrown asunder by an eerie dream about his deceased unrequited love, Puerto Rican–cued Rosario, which seems to prophesize his death, as well as the deaths of his mother and 12-year-old half brother Javier. When his mother is diagnosed with lung cancer and Javier begins his X-Teca initiation, Nico’s dream starts to feel real. In response, he dedicates his AP English journal to investigating how college-bound Rosario—whose writerly ambitions inspired Nico’s future plans—died via a heroin overdose. By understanding Rosario’s life, will Nico be able to save his own?
if you liked outsiders (sensitive protagonist, searching for family, lower class, brush w upper class relationship, illegal behavior, etc)
August 24, 2024
Nico wants to be a writer. He is taking a creative writing class at school and can feel the book inside him. After having a dream about his funeral, he begins to wonder if he is going to die young. It doesn’t help that his best friend’s girlfriend died the year before, especially since he was secretly crushing on her. Now his mom is sick, and his brother is getting too close to a local gang. What will Nico learn about himself and his family?
One Last Chance to Live is a stand-alone realistic story that is short and sweet. It was easy to get into but also very easy to forget. The characters were enjoyable while reading, but I didn’t feel pulled back into the story after sitting it down for a while. This would be a good book for reluctant readers, but avid readers will find it lacking.
One Last Chance to Live is a stand-alone realistic story that is short and sweet. It was easy to get into but also very easy to forget. The characters were enjoyable while reading, but I didn’t feel pulled back into the story after sitting it down for a while. This would be a good book for reluctant readers, but avid readers will find it lacking.
September 1, 2024
Francisco X. Stork's One Last Chance to Live is a poignant exploration of grief, love, and the search for meaning in a world that often feels overwhelming. Nico, a high school senior with dreams of becoming a writer, finds his life upended by a hauntingly vivid dream of his own funeral, where the presence of his deceased love, Rosario, leaves him questioning everything. Stork's prose is lyrical, capturing the intensity of Nico's emotions as he navigates the pressures of family responsibilities, the pull of his creative ambitions, and the weight of his unresolved feelings for Rosario.
However, while the novel has moments of profound insight, it sometimes struggles with pacing and focus. Nico's internal conflict is compelling, but the narrative occasionally feels weighed down by the many issues it tries to address, from his mother’s illness to his brother’s dangerous choices. The supernatural element, while intriguing, could have been more fully developed to enhance the story's impact. Despite these shortcomings, One Last Chance to Live offers a touching and thoughtful reflection on the complexities of life and the importance of finding hope, even in the darkest of times.
However, while the novel has moments of profound insight, it sometimes struggles with pacing and focus. Nico's internal conflict is compelling, but the narrative occasionally feels weighed down by the many issues it tries to address, from his mother’s illness to his brother’s dangerous choices. The supernatural element, while intriguing, could have been more fully developed to enhance the story's impact. Despite these shortcomings, One Last Chance to Live offers a touching and thoughtful reflection on the complexities of life and the importance of finding hope, even in the darkest of times.
August 25, 2024
One Last Chance to Live is a shocking, suspenseful, unpredictable, unique, and chilling story! This book by Francisco X. Stork is a hauntingly beautiful piece that inspires incredible self-reflection while entertaining and educating you along the way. I genuinely don't know what to say about this book without spoiling anything. It is simply a story you must read for yourself to understand. This book is one of my favorites reads of 2024. It is constructed in such a unique, amazing fashion. I couldn't recommend this book highly enough!
August 29, 2024
👧🏻reviews: it is such a beautiful book and I don’t know how to review and explain this book. I’ve read one this author’s previous book and the other one is genuinely as well written as this one. The realistic fiction in this book is seemed real and something we would see in our society, the depression, pain and hardship. Nico is a brave young man who has to face his obstacles, struggles, heartaches and challenges while overcoming them. It is a coming of age and it has many emotions and life. It is a great book.
January 4, 2025
After the girl he was in love with dies of an "accidental overdose," Nico has a dream that he dies, too, and he sets out to find out what really happened while taking care of his sick mother and watching out for his gang-bound younger brother. The author's writing is smooth, emotional, and honest. The story is heartbreaking but hopeful, and the characters vary in those who are out to hurt or help. It deals with death, grief, and unrequited love. It isn't really a mystery, but the main character is always searching for something. Another great book by this author.
June 12, 2024
In Stork’s latest novel, readers will come to care about, and hurt for and with, Nico, an aspiring teen writer, who becomes obsessed with discovering his fellow writer and close friend (although he wished for more than that) Rosario’s recent death. He needs to find out what happened and why she gave up her dream after finally finishing her book of short stories. He wants to find out if and how their high school writing teacher is involved and how his recent dream of death is tied to Rosario’s death.
Nico is not even sure that he is the same quality writer as Rosario. “How could I possibly ever write with that type of imagination and precision? It was impossible. I felt as if a tiny tube of dynamite had blasted open my forehead and I saw that the whole idea of being a writer was one big , jumbo-size delusion.… If I kept writing, it was only because not doing it felt even worse.” (ARC, 96)
Meanwhile his mother becomes seriously ill with cancer and his 10-year-old half-brother is becoming involved with the local gang. Nico is looking at a future which may be hopeless, which may be how Rosario felt, but a future in which he will need to take charge.
This is a story of hope and hopelessness, family, love, hate, and acceptance; it is the story of finding meaning in our actions.
Nico is not even sure that he is the same quality writer as Rosario. “How could I possibly ever write with that type of imagination and precision? It was impossible. I felt as if a tiny tube of dynamite had blasted open my forehead and I saw that the whole idea of being a writer was one big , jumbo-size delusion.… If I kept writing, it was only because not doing it felt even worse.” (ARC, 96)
Meanwhile his mother becomes seriously ill with cancer and his 10-year-old half-brother is becoming involved with the local gang. Nico is looking at a future which may be hopeless, which may be how Rosario felt, but a future in which he will need to take charge.
This is a story of hope and hopelessness, family, love, hate, and acceptance; it is the story of finding meaning in our actions.
July 30, 2024
This book was about Nico and about how the little actions in your life have greater meaning than you think. Nico was really obsessive about his friends Rosario‘s death and he was trying to go through his own personal issues and keep his family together and you see a lot of his and her dialogue This book would be good for younger adults I think This book is emotional, but it was easy to keep up with the character and I really enjoyed it.
August 2, 2024
Told through Nico’s memories and the present time, his story of unrequited love, heartache, suicide, and death is complicated and messy. Stork left a few unexplained issues, which gives his teen readers opportunities to discuss solutions amongst themselves or in a book club. I picked this ARC up at the recent ALA conference, and am glad I did! Read more about it on my blog: https://shouldireaditornot.wordpress....
August 1, 2025
Although the narrator and the plot as a whole were all over the place, the book wraps up with what I feel is a satisfying ending. This might fill a need for a story about loss, as it shows the narrator grieving both a friend’s death (overdose) and a parent’s death (illness), but it may put too much on the character all at once. The story isn’t long enough to develop the reasons why the character makes the choices he makes, but as it’s a YA book, it’s likely that brevity was a good choice.
July 26, 2024
Bronx high school senior and aspiring writer Nico uses a classroom journaling assignment to search for answers regarding the death of his crush and fellow wannabe-author Rosario--but finds, instead, a reason to live.
A searing look at dreams, the choices we make, and the choices that are made for us.
A searing look at dreams, the choices we make, and the choices that are made for us.
June 13, 2024
I picked up an ARC at a Texas small business bookstore. I’m pleasantly surprised and I really enjoyed reading this book. It was easy to get through, fast paced, it was very hard to put down. Really enjoyed.
July 15, 2025
This book was so gut wrenching and was so sad to read, but I loved almost every moment. I just didn’t appreciate how the character was always bringing up Rosario, especially around her friends and family. I got a lot of second hand embarrassment.
September 19, 2024
3.5 stars rounded up for this YA contemporary read written as journal entries. This is a story about family, first love/interest, and urban life. This book is Nico's journal. Nico has a tough life, but you see teen urban living in his experiences and through his writing. It's a solid read.
One Last Chance to Live is a great read for NaNoWriMo, fans of urban contemporary literature, and during Hispanic Heritage Month.
One Last Chance to Live is a great read for NaNoWriMo, fans of urban contemporary literature, and during Hispanic Heritage Month.
November 14, 2024
A book about a wannabe writer trying to solve a mystery and his mother dies of cancer. Oh and his little brother is involved in a Mexican gang. And a lost love. YA at its best?
January 5, 2025
not the most beautiful literature but heartfelt and real. written as journal entries from a 17 year old boy so could explain the choppy nature. anyway… really sad but good :,)
March 2, 2025
Such a fierce great book. The characters are fighting battles on so many fronts. The writing is understated, wise and pulls you in. Highly recommend.
May 9, 2025
I did like this book but it was a little boring and I struggled to stay engaged.
August 10, 2025
3.5, took me a little to get into but I will say that there were tears at the end.
August 24, 2025
very good book, I absolutely loved it and the twists and turns had me hanging on to every word. I couldn't put this book down
Read
October 2, 2025a little bit if mystery in this one kept me engaged
September 22, 2024
ⓂⓎ ⓉⒽⓄⓊⒼⒽⓉⓈ
I really enjoyed this book! Nico, the main character, has a dream about his childhood crush who recently passed away. In the dream, Nico is given a message, and throughout the book, we see Nico's journey as he tries to decifer the meaning of the dream and how it impacts his entire life and possible future.
I loved the author's style of writing. The story is written as Nico's journal entries for his creative writing class. This style of writing makes the story and the very heavy subject matters discussed in the book more easily digestible. The pacing was perfection. The characters, from Nico to Alma, to Rosario, to Javier; they were all well developed and fleshed out and very relatable. While reading, I felt so sad for Nico and Alma and Rosario. These young kids were carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders. Because of the world they were born into, they were forced to grow up so fast and had to deal with adult issues at such a young age. My heart broke for them. Though I was rooting for them and their success while reading, I ultimately came to realize and understand that life doesn't always have happy endings, and sometimes that's OK. I do not want to spoil the entire book, but just know that this was a great story! It was well written, it's easy to read (though it touches on some heavy stuff), and you will fall in love with the characters. I definitely recommend it!
ⓌⒽⒶⓉ ⓉⓄ ⒺⓍⓅⒺⒸⓉ
❤️ Coming of Age
❤️ Meaning of Life
❤️ Found Family / Community Support
❤️ Hope
❤️ Dealing with Grief and Loss
❤️ Resilience / Overcoming Hardships
❤️ Story of Young Love
I really enjoyed this book! Nico, the main character, has a dream about his childhood crush who recently passed away. In the dream, Nico is given a message, and throughout the book, we see Nico's journey as he tries to decifer the meaning of the dream and how it impacts his entire life and possible future.
I loved the author's style of writing. The story is written as Nico's journal entries for his creative writing class. This style of writing makes the story and the very heavy subject matters discussed in the book more easily digestible. The pacing was perfection. The characters, from Nico to Alma, to Rosario, to Javier; they were all well developed and fleshed out and very relatable. While reading, I felt so sad for Nico and Alma and Rosario. These young kids were carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders. Because of the world they were born into, they were forced to grow up so fast and had to deal with adult issues at such a young age. My heart broke for them. Though I was rooting for them and their success while reading, I ultimately came to realize and understand that life doesn't always have happy endings, and sometimes that's OK. I do not want to spoil the entire book, but just know that this was a great story! It was well written, it's easy to read (though it touches on some heavy stuff), and you will fall in love with the characters. I definitely recommend it!
ⓌⒽⒶⓉ ⓉⓄ ⒺⓍⓅⒺⒸⓉ
❤️ Coming of Age
❤️ Meaning of Life
❤️ Found Family / Community Support
❤️ Hope
❤️ Dealing with Grief and Loss
❤️ Resilience / Overcoming Hardships
❤️ Story of Young Love
October 5, 2024
A story that is emotional, raw, bitter and sweet while telling you that the ways can be chosen instead of spiralling down!
The end felt like a rough one but overall if we see the perspective of Nico taking the reins of his life even though he is haunted by the dreams of a dead girl is inspiring and tells us not to lose hope in any situation.
We get to know about what is happening with what through the journal entries of Nico who is disturbed by a dream of him dying and a girl Rosario reaching out to him in there. He goes on a journey to find the meaning behind all of this and his obsession grows. At first, I felt that he is being nosy in the matter he is not a part of but eventually he learns something out of that which is good at last.
The narration is lost sometimes just like the character but we find the connection eventually.
An enlightening story!
The end felt like a rough one but overall if we see the perspective of Nico taking the reins of his life even though he is haunted by the dreams of a dead girl is inspiring and tells us not to lose hope in any situation.
We get to know about what is happening with what through the journal entries of Nico who is disturbed by a dream of him dying and a girl Rosario reaching out to him in there. He goes on a journey to find the meaning behind all of this and his obsession grows. At first, I felt that he is being nosy in the matter he is not a part of but eventually he learns something out of that which is good at last.
The narration is lost sometimes just like the character but we find the connection eventually.
An enlightening story!
December 19, 2024
As a person who keeps a journal, I understand how inherently intimate it is. The author had a stroke of creative genius to stylize his writing in how he created this work, as if you’re hearing straight from Nico.
To me, he feels like much more than a character...I dealt with the pain of losing loved ones to cancer, struggling with suicide, threat of social services, drugs and alcohol. Needless to say, this all hit close to home. I also really appreciated that the popular theme of criticizing religion was not found here.
In every chapter / journal entry, Nico was talking to me. I understood what he felt and the shakiness of the ground he attempts to navigate. You can see his struggle between wanting to be better, to do good, to do the next right thing, but all the while struggling to not just numb it all and give up on his goals, on others, and on himself… I stayed up until 1AM many nights because I just couldn’t stop turning the next page. When I wasn’t reading, I kept getting the urge to stick my nose back between the pages.
This story moved me more than I was prepared for. And now that it’s over, I feel a change, and I know I will be carrying this book with me for a good long while in my heart.
Thank you, Nico.
To me, he feels like much more than a character...I dealt with the pain of losing loved ones to cancer, struggling with suicide, threat of social services, drugs and alcohol. Needless to say, this all hit close to home. I also really appreciated that the popular theme of criticizing religion was not found here.
In every chapter / journal entry, Nico was talking to me. I understood what he felt and the shakiness of the ground he attempts to navigate. You can see his struggle between wanting to be better, to do good, to do the next right thing, but all the while struggling to not just numb it all and give up on his goals, on others, and on himself… I stayed up until 1AM many nights because I just couldn’t stop turning the next page. When I wasn’t reading, I kept getting the urge to stick my nose back between the pages.
This story moved me more than I was prepared for. And now that it’s over, I feel a change, and I know I will be carrying this book with me for a good long while in my heart.
Thank you, Nico.
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