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Willow Falls #4
The Last Present
Don't miss the latest entry in the incredible Willow Falls series by Wendy Mass!
Amanda and Leo have a history with birthdays. Now their friend's little sister, Grace, has fallen into a strange frozen state on her birthday, and Amanda and Leo must travel in time in order to fix whatever's wrong. As they journey back to each of Grace's birthdays, they start seeing all sorts of patterns... which raise all sorts of questions. Amanda and Leo are going to have to unravel the threads of the past and present -- and travel much further than they ever imagined -- if they're going to save Grace. Luckily, a little birthday magic always helps in the charming and funny Willow Falls series by Wendy Mass, where everything is possible and there are no coincidences.
Amanda and Leo have a history with birthdays. Now their friend's little sister, Grace, has fallen into a strange frozen state on her birthday, and Amanda and Leo must travel in time in order to fix whatever's wrong. As they journey back to each of Grace's birthdays, they start seeing all sorts of patterns... which raise all sorts of questions. Amanda and Leo are going to have to unravel the threads of the past and present -- and travel much further than they ever imagined -- if they're going to save Grace. Luckily, a little birthday magic always helps in the charming and funny Willow Falls series by Wendy Mass, where everything is possible and there are no coincidences.
256 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2013
267 people are currently reading
2933 people want to read
About the author
Wendy Mass
83 books3,690 followersWendy Mass is the author of thirty novels for young people, including A Mango-Shaped Space, which was awarded the Schneider Family Book Award, Leap Day, the Twice Upon a Time fairy tale series, Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life, Heaven Looks a Lot Like the Mall, the Willow Falls, Space Taxi and Candymakers series. Wendy wrote the storyline for an episode of the television show Monk, entitled "Mr. Monk Goes to the Theatre," which aired during the show's second season. She tells people her hobbies are hiking and photography, but really they're collecting candy bar wrappers and searching for buried treasure with her metal detector. Wendy lives with her family in New Jersey.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 382 reviews
May 11, 2014
ok I just reread this whole thing today and omg can we just frickin Amanda and leo they are real people to me. Is it weird that I liked the beginning more than the end? (probably because more Amanda/leo) I promise I'm not shallow the plot was really cool and the plot whole don't bother me as much the second time through. A and L are seriously my best friend when they kissed WHEN THEY KISSED all their dialogue I strive to be like them literally best fricking pair of characters ever. gotta love the time travel and perfect doses of Rory and Tara, the former of which is fine enough as a minor character but gurl you no match for my babes and the latter of which is actually really relatable and really great. Ray being perf he's a real ace (y) the grace stuff was really cool and I didn't get chills reading it the second time like I did the first. I can cant over how cute the whole thing is and how good friends they are like wow ugh. Wendy said maybe new book finishing Grace's story. ( I like her narrative voice from the prologue so that's good.) everything about this book makes me want to move to Willow Falls. every awkward cutsy thing.
The first time I read this book was during a serious lecture about parliament in civcs class and I was uber-fangirling over the beach scene and everyone turns to look at me. They see this grown teenager and this pink sparkly book with a birthday gift and girl on the cover with pink and sparkles everywhere and the teacher asked me to put the book away and I just sort of looked him in the eye then continued reading. (not very proud of that I'm sorry teacher) hmpphh this book makes me smile :)
The first time I read this book was during a serious lecture about parliament in civcs class and I was uber-fangirling over the beach scene and everyone turns to look at me. They see this grown teenager and this pink sparkly book with a birthday gift and girl on the cover with pink and sparkles everywhere and the teacher asked me to put the book away and I just sort of looked him in the eye then continued reading. (not very proud of that I'm sorry teacher) hmpphh this book makes me smile :)
December 6, 2014
This book is definitely the longest in the Willow Falls series and returns to Amanda’s point of view. Ever since Amanda and Leo found out about their great-great-grandparents curse, they have stopped talking to each other for a whole year. They have gotten tired of writing to each on their blackboards and their parents are tired of them texting in the middle of the night, but just as it seems they won’t ever get to talk to each other again, the old lady Angelina informs them that they actually can. On their friend Grace’s birthday, Grace suddenly freezes. Amanda and Leo know that Angelina has something to do with this because she has a thing for birthdays; after all she did send them back in time on their eleventh one. The thing they can’t figure out though, is why Grace of all people. When talking to Angelina they find out that they have to go back in time to each of Grace’s birthdays to fix what went wrong. It turns out that they have been not talking for a reason after all. After going to each of Grace’s parties, they find out the truth about Grace and Angelina, wrapping up this amazing book by Wendy Mass.
October 21, 2013
I have been waiting for this book for-ev-er, and so it had been building and building and building in my mind and when I finally got it and re-read all the other books in the series first so that everything would be fresh in my mind and THEN and only then did I start this.
It was NOT everything I hoped for imho. *sigh and double sigh* Is it because I was waiting so very long and wanting so very much? Is it because Mass put kissing in? Is it because the storyline was so disjointed? Is it because I wanted more solid answers and not so much Deus ex Machina/Angelina?
Oy, whatever the answer may be, I felt myself gritting my teeth every time the characters turned knowingly towards each other and went "Oh, yes, we have all encountered Angelina, so we must chalk this up to her mysterious powers and sigh and smile whilst going on." FRUSTRATION. I felt like there was a whole bunch of telling and not so much showing going on.
All in all, I'm glad I read this, just to finish the series out.
It was NOT everything I hoped for imho. *sigh and double sigh* Is it because I was waiting so very long and wanting so very much? Is it because Mass put kissing in? Is it because the storyline was so disjointed? Is it because I wanted more solid answers and not so much Deus ex Machina/Angelina?
Oy, whatever the answer may be, I felt myself gritting my teeth every time the characters turned knowingly towards each other and went "Oh, yes, we have all encountered Angelina, so we must chalk this up to her mysterious powers and sigh and smile whilst going on." FRUSTRATION. I felt like there was a whole bunch of telling and not so much showing going on.
All in all, I'm glad I read this, just to finish the series out.
August 15, 2021
Po knihe ZA TREST TRINÁSŤ ROČNÁ som sa pustila do pokračovania príbehu. Príbeh o dievčati menom Grace ktorá na svoje desiate narodeniny upadne do čudného spánku. Aby bola Grace zase v poriadku musia sa jej kamaráti Amanda a Leo vrátiť do minulosti a zmeniť ju...
May 14, 2017
In the previous three books we've seen that peculiar events often surround birthday celebrations in the town of Willow Falls, but nothing as distressing as what's befallen Grace on her tenth birthday. Without warning she has slipped into a catatonic state, unresponsively staring at the ceiling. Her friends and family are worried sick, and hospital doctors can't predict when she'll regain consciousness, but Amanda, Leo, Rory, and Tara know someone who can: Angelina D'Angelo, the elderly mystic of Willow Falls who pops up whenever something like this happens. She's the reason for the town's frequent birthday mayhem. Angelina put Amanda, Leo, Rory, and Tara through their paces on their own turning-point birthdays, so they know her brand of magic when they see it. Only she knows how to free little Grace from bondage, but the actions required for the older kids to save the day aren't going to be easy.
"As I get older I'm starting to sense that being a grown-up isn't nearly as much fun as children want to believe."
—The Last Present, P. 56
Angelina has borne responsibility for guarding the children of Willow Falls for nigh upon a century, she admits to Amanda, Leo, Rory, and Tara. But when she sneaked into the hospital to say her standard benediction over newborn Grace, the ceremony was interrupted by Grace's three-year-old brother Connor, who's the same age as Amanda and her friends. Angelina plotted to surreptitiously deliver the enchantment at each of Grace's subsequent birthday parties, but every time some unfortunate incident foiled her attempt. The culprit was always Connor, and his shenanigans kept Angelina from casting the spell that would have protected Grace for the rest of her childhood. Now only Amanda and Leo can reverse the consequences. They must allow Angelina to send them back in time to each of Grace's birthday parties and stop Connor from messing up the benediction. They'll be sent back to one birthday every day for nine days, and they have to be successful in three of them to trigger Angelina's blessing. They don't want to know what failure would mean for Grace.
"Things change. People change. You make some choices you can never take back...The future is all possibilities, but the past is set in stone. All those ghosts of ourselves, our youth, still alive inside us, but out of our reach forever. We meet them when we close our eyes, when we let our memories come alive...But that's all they are. Memories. No more real than a dream."
—Bucky Whitehead, The Last Present, PP. 175-176
Amanda and Leo's own testing at Angelina's hands has meant they couldn't speak to each other for a year, but that restriction is lifted when they accept her mission and are spirited to the recent past. Reshaping the course of events at Grace's parties is difficult, and they only get one shot each time, but it is soon apparent that more is on the line than Angelina told them. Releasing the benedictions becomes almost impossible as the number of birthdays left dwindles, and Amanda and Leo take a detour into uncharted regions of the past to learn about Angelina's connection to Grace's catatonia. Willow Falls is rarely dull, but this adventure will be the grandest in the town's long, mysterious history. If only its kids can come out okay in the end.
I didn't just like the first three Willow Falls novels, I loved them. Wendy Mass is a premier closer of stories in all the history of children's literature. She grants her characters access to the hearts of readers, where they soon find a loving home. No one more consistently creates groups of kids who are so winsome yet realistic that there's a sense of loss when you turn the final page on their story, the feeling that you want to go back and be among them again, sharing in their friendship as they face life's trials, even serious ones like in the Willow Falls series. Wendy Mass cultivates that feeling as well as anyone, and for that I'll always be a fan. The Last Present isn't as rewarding as 11 Birthdays, Finally, and 13 Gifts, in my opinion, but all the characters we love are back, and that's enough to make this a nice read. There's more to the series, too: Graceful comes next, and I'm curious what it will be about. Fans of Wendy Mass, I leave you in excellent hands with this novel. I believe you'll find it an enlightening experience.
"As I get older I'm starting to sense that being a grown-up isn't nearly as much fun as children want to believe."
—The Last Present, P. 56
Angelina has borne responsibility for guarding the children of Willow Falls for nigh upon a century, she admits to Amanda, Leo, Rory, and Tara. But when she sneaked into the hospital to say her standard benediction over newborn Grace, the ceremony was interrupted by Grace's three-year-old brother Connor, who's the same age as Amanda and her friends. Angelina plotted to surreptitiously deliver the enchantment at each of Grace's subsequent birthday parties, but every time some unfortunate incident foiled her attempt. The culprit was always Connor, and his shenanigans kept Angelina from casting the spell that would have protected Grace for the rest of her childhood. Now only Amanda and Leo can reverse the consequences. They must allow Angelina to send them back in time to each of Grace's birthday parties and stop Connor from messing up the benediction. They'll be sent back to one birthday every day for nine days, and they have to be successful in three of them to trigger Angelina's blessing. They don't want to know what failure would mean for Grace.
"Things change. People change. You make some choices you can never take back...The future is all possibilities, but the past is set in stone. All those ghosts of ourselves, our youth, still alive inside us, but out of our reach forever. We meet them when we close our eyes, when we let our memories come alive...But that's all they are. Memories. No more real than a dream."
—Bucky Whitehead, The Last Present, PP. 175-176
Amanda and Leo's own testing at Angelina's hands has meant they couldn't speak to each other for a year, but that restriction is lifted when they accept her mission and are spirited to the recent past. Reshaping the course of events at Grace's parties is difficult, and they only get one shot each time, but it is soon apparent that more is on the line than Angelina told them. Releasing the benedictions becomes almost impossible as the number of birthdays left dwindles, and Amanda and Leo take a detour into uncharted regions of the past to learn about Angelina's connection to Grace's catatonia. Willow Falls is rarely dull, but this adventure will be the grandest in the town's long, mysterious history. If only its kids can come out okay in the end.
I didn't just like the first three Willow Falls novels, I loved them. Wendy Mass is a premier closer of stories in all the history of children's literature. She grants her characters access to the hearts of readers, where they soon find a loving home. No one more consistently creates groups of kids who are so winsome yet realistic that there's a sense of loss when you turn the final page on their story, the feeling that you want to go back and be among them again, sharing in their friendship as they face life's trials, even serious ones like in the Willow Falls series. Wendy Mass cultivates that feeling as well as anyone, and for that I'll always be a fan. The Last Present isn't as rewarding as 11 Birthdays, Finally, and 13 Gifts, in my opinion, but all the characters we love are back, and that's enough to make this a nice read. There's more to the series, too: Graceful comes next, and I'm curious what it will be about. Fans of Wendy Mass, I leave you in excellent hands with this novel. I believe you'll find it an enlightening experience.
July 4, 2025
★★★★★ 5 stars (purely out of nostalgia) ★★★★★
✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ willow falls is always going to be home for me. this is the first book series i finished and adored with my whole heart, this is the series that inspired me to dream big and dream impossible. these characters have grown up with me, and i have looked up to them for years--it's unfathomable that i am now older than them. wendy mass' writing is so transportative and so evocative that the nostalgia feels like it might swallow me whole, bringing me back to dreamlike summer days of a childhood that was so simple. images come to mind of riding bikes with my best friends, gradually discovering a first love, and making memories in a place i know i will always return to no matter how far i go or how old i grow. it's my weird, wonderful neverland--i'm forever young here.
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ── CHARACTERS.
AMANDA.
ׂ╰┈➤ oh, she's my best friend. i loved how relatable her inner monologue was, as a former 13-year-old. her dynamics with the other characters were so darling to read about. it's evident how big her heart is; i looked up to her sm when i was eight years old, and i still do now. ❤︎
LEO.
ׂ╰┈➤ it's no wonder my expectations are as high as they are now--he was my first ever book boyfriend. he definitely fell first and harder for amanda, and everything about him is so, so adorable--the dimples?? soft and sensitive poet?? he's so 'dead poets society' coded, and i adore him so much. @God pls give me my leo fitzpatrick soon, it's been seven years of waiting 🙏🙏🙏
RORY.
ׂ╰┈➤ she definitely took a backseat in this story--it's amanda and leo's, after all--but she's forever my relatable clumsy girl! ❤︎ i liked her scenes with the girls and her interactions with team grace, as well as her willingness to help and the more-than-friends deal she had with jake.
TARA.
ׂ╰┈➤ her personality in this book was just "david david david" which is definitely realistic when you're a teenager with confusing feelings, but i wish we could've seen more of her with the girls of team grace and interacting with the friend group in general. i did enjoy those few scenes, though ❤︎
DAVID.
ׂ╰┈➤ genuinely was nonexistent until the last chapter but he's the cutest nerd ever!! his personal struggles softened my heart so much towards him, as well as his blooming romance with tara.
CONNOR.
ׂ╰┈➤ such a sweet guy but he annoyed me sm bc of how he ruined grace's parties, unintentional though it may be... he exasperated me, but he's such a good brother to grace (which is so rare!)
GRACE.
ׂ╰┈➤ the cutest girl ever, i was rooting for her the whole time to end up unscathed by the plot.
ANGELINA.
ׂ╰┈➤ i always have mixed feelings towards her, honestly. she's... a character, for sure. not to say she doesn't get on my nerves, because she DOES, but i think she ultimately has good intentions--just very unconventional means of exhibiting her affection for those she loves in willow falls.
BUCKY.
ׂ╰┈➤ my favorite grandpa! oh, his and angelina's backstory is so wonderful. again, it definitely took time for me to warm up to him, but when i did, he was rather a lovely friendly face to see.
JAKE.
ׂ╰┈➤ i see him as young chad michael murray or jace norman in my head lol, he's a cutie pie ❤︎
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ── PLOT.
ׂ╰┈➤ grace is in a coma and angelina tasks amanda and leo to save grace before time runs out. shenanigans occur. meanwhile, the gang is all dealing with the usual problems of growing up--crushes, school, friendships, etc. very cute, very adorable, very nostalgic in the vein of small-town americana and magical realism that only wendy mass can manage.
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ── ROMANCE(S).
AMANDA & LEO.
ׂ╰┈➤ their first kiss absolutely altered my brain chemistry at the tender age of eight. leo falling first--and harder!--and the childhood best friends to lovers trope meant EVERYTHING to me, and it still does. the nervous but adorable hand-holding, the poetry writing, the endless love and support... they are my parents and they actually raised me, thank you very much.
RORY & JAKE.
ׂ╰┈➤ i don't remember them sharing many scenes in this, but their flirting is so cute!! i love how patient he is with her, even with her phone problems. when i look back at it, wendy mass used so many romance tropes--this was my introduction to celebrity romance (popular boy x awkward girl)
TARA & DAVID.
ׂ╰┈➤ tara's entire personality in this book was worrying about david and whether or not he'd text her back, which was tiring but definitely made sense considering what he was going through with his dad. still, they're really cute--the train station and the first kiss scenes made me laugh out loud.
ANGELINA & BUCKY.
ׂ╰┈➤ they're so 'timeless' by taylor swift coded ❤︎ he loves her more than she can handle, even though she doesn't think she can be loved or doesn't have time for it. the way he was always looking out to protect her and their backstory together made me nearly weep, i love them so much.
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ── TL;DR.
ׂ╰┈➤ i'm begging y'all to read this series ASAP so i can fangirl over it with someone. while it's middle-grade, it's a lot more nuanced and entertaining than some of the YA/adult stories today. the world of willow falls is one that i will always return to, no matter where i will be in life--it's home.
btw: i have decided on fancasts for this series and i accept no criticism!!!
amanda - mckenna grace
leo - mason thames
rory - lauren donzis
tara - mackenzie foy (not my best but i can't think of anyone else)
david - walker scobell (just add glasses)
jake - jace norman
grace - francesca capaldi
connor - gavin maciver-wright
angelina - meryl streep
bucky - clint eastwood
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ── ♫ PLAYLIST. ♫
𝄞 timeless (taylor swift)
𝄞 our song (taylor swift)
𝄞 place we were made (maisie peters)
𝄞 this town (niall horan)
𝄞 when we were young (adele)
𝄞 forever young (alphaville)
𝄞 yellow (coldplay)
𝄞 photograph (ed sheeran)
𝄞 riptide (vance joy)
✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ willow falls is always going to be home for me. this is the first book series i finished and adored with my whole heart, this is the series that inspired me to dream big and dream impossible. these characters have grown up with me, and i have looked up to them for years--it's unfathomable that i am now older than them. wendy mass' writing is so transportative and so evocative that the nostalgia feels like it might swallow me whole, bringing me back to dreamlike summer days of a childhood that was so simple. images come to mind of riding bikes with my best friends, gradually discovering a first love, and making memories in a place i know i will always return to no matter how far i go or how old i grow. it's my weird, wonderful neverland--i'm forever young here.
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ── CHARACTERS.
AMANDA.
ׂ╰┈➤ oh, she's my best friend. i loved how relatable her inner monologue was, as a former 13-year-old. her dynamics with the other characters were so darling to read about. it's evident how big her heart is; i looked up to her sm when i was eight years old, and i still do now. ❤︎
LEO.
ׂ╰┈➤ it's no wonder my expectations are as high as they are now--he was my first ever book boyfriend. he definitely fell first and harder for amanda, and everything about him is so, so adorable--the dimples?? soft and sensitive poet?? he's so 'dead poets society' coded, and i adore him so much. @God pls give me my leo fitzpatrick soon, it's been seven years of waiting 🙏🙏🙏
RORY.
ׂ╰┈➤ she definitely took a backseat in this story--it's amanda and leo's, after all--but she's forever my relatable clumsy girl! ❤︎ i liked her scenes with the girls and her interactions with team grace, as well as her willingness to help and the more-than-friends deal she had with jake.
TARA.
ׂ╰┈➤ her personality in this book was just "david david david" which is definitely realistic when you're a teenager with confusing feelings, but i wish we could've seen more of her with the girls of team grace and interacting with the friend group in general. i did enjoy those few scenes, though ❤︎
DAVID.
ׂ╰┈➤ genuinely was nonexistent until the last chapter but he's the cutest nerd ever!! his personal struggles softened my heart so much towards him, as well as his blooming romance with tara.
CONNOR.
ׂ╰┈➤ such a sweet guy but he annoyed me sm bc of how he ruined grace's parties, unintentional though it may be... he exasperated me, but he's such a good brother to grace (which is so rare!)
GRACE.
ׂ╰┈➤ the cutest girl ever, i was rooting for her the whole time to end up unscathed by the plot.
ANGELINA.
ׂ╰┈➤ i always have mixed feelings towards her, honestly. she's... a character, for sure. not to say she doesn't get on my nerves, because she DOES, but i think she ultimately has good intentions--just very unconventional means of exhibiting her affection for those she loves in willow falls.
BUCKY.
ׂ╰┈➤ my favorite grandpa! oh, his and angelina's backstory is so wonderful. again, it definitely took time for me to warm up to him, but when i did, he was rather a lovely friendly face to see.
JAKE.
ׂ╰┈➤ i see him as young chad michael murray or jace norman in my head lol, he's a cutie pie ❤︎
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ── PLOT.
ׂ╰┈➤ grace is in a coma and angelina tasks amanda and leo to save grace before time runs out. shenanigans occur. meanwhile, the gang is all dealing with the usual problems of growing up--crushes, school, friendships, etc. very cute, very adorable, very nostalgic in the vein of small-town americana and magical realism that only wendy mass can manage.
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ── ROMANCE(S).
AMANDA & LEO.
ׂ╰┈➤ their first kiss absolutely altered my brain chemistry at the tender age of eight. leo falling first--and harder!--and the childhood best friends to lovers trope meant EVERYTHING to me, and it still does. the nervous but adorable hand-holding, the poetry writing, the endless love and support... they are my parents and they actually raised me, thank you very much.
RORY & JAKE.
ׂ╰┈➤ i don't remember them sharing many scenes in this, but their flirting is so cute!! i love how patient he is with her, even with her phone problems. when i look back at it, wendy mass used so many romance tropes--this was my introduction to celebrity romance (popular boy x awkward girl)
TARA & DAVID.
ׂ╰┈➤ tara's entire personality in this book was worrying about david and whether or not he'd text her back, which was tiring but definitely made sense considering what he was going through with his dad. still, they're really cute--the train station and the first kiss scenes made me laugh out loud.
ANGELINA & BUCKY.
ׂ╰┈➤ they're so 'timeless' by taylor swift coded ❤︎ he loves her more than she can handle, even though she doesn't think she can be loved or doesn't have time for it. the way he was always looking out to protect her and their backstory together made me nearly weep, i love them so much.
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ── TL;DR.
ׂ╰┈➤ i'm begging y'all to read this series ASAP so i can fangirl over it with someone. while it's middle-grade, it's a lot more nuanced and entertaining than some of the YA/adult stories today. the world of willow falls is one that i will always return to, no matter where i will be in life--it's home.
btw: i have decided on fancasts for this series and i accept no criticism!!!
amanda - mckenna grace
leo - mason thames
rory - lauren donzis
tara - mackenzie foy (not my best but i can't think of anyone else)
david - walker scobell (just add glasses)
jake - jace norman
grace - francesca capaldi
connor - gavin maciver-wright
angelina - meryl streep
bucky - clint eastwood
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ── ♫ PLAYLIST. ♫
𝄞 timeless (taylor swift)
𝄞 our song (taylor swift)
𝄞 place we were made (maisie peters)
𝄞 this town (niall horan)
𝄞 when we were young (adele)
𝄞 forever young (alphaville)
𝄞 yellow (coldplay)
𝄞 photograph (ed sheeran)
𝄞 riptide (vance joy)
Read
February 21, 2025i think the girl and boy from the first book communicated with whiteboards for some reason to stop time travel errors or something. tony stark should have tried that
October 13, 2015
The last present, by : Wendy mass, is the 4 th book in the 11 birthdays series. Here is a little bit about this fiction book. Amanda and Leo have been best friends for life. I'm not kidding, LIFE, they were born on the same day and took their first steps together and have had all their birthdays together. They live in willow falls, a small town where nothing really happens. Although, a mysterious woman named Angela De'angelo has made life a little bit more complex through the years. In this book, a friend is in a frozen state, like a coma, and it's up to Amanda and Leo to save her. Read this book and find out how Amanda and Leo go back in time, realize more things, and become better friends.
In my opinion, this book was the best book of the series yet. It was touching, funny, and an enjoyable book to read. I especially enjoyed the part when they go back in time. At some parts, I thought It was a little too descriptive and it made me want to stop reading. But then, it got better and better and better. As well as I like that the author made this the last book, I was confused because it made me take in all this information all at once. In some way, I wish she would make another book to clear up all this information. But that is the only complaint I have because this book is super good and I would recommend it to anyone who can read.( or else it would be super confusing. )
In my opinion, this book was the best book of the series yet. It was touching, funny, and an enjoyable book to read. I especially enjoyed the part when they go back in time. At some parts, I thought It was a little too descriptive and it made me want to stop reading. But then, it got better and better and better. As well as I like that the author made this the last book, I was confused because it made me take in all this information all at once. In some way, I wish she would make another book to clear up all this information. But that is the only complaint I have because this book is super good and I would recommend it to anyone who can read.( or else it would be super confusing. )
March 7, 2018
The Last Present by Wendy Mass really disappointed me. 11 Birthdays, Finally, and 13 Gifts were all so good, so I was expecting a great series end. And at first, it was, including the twist in the end, which was breathtaking. Overall it would have been a good book. Except Wendy Mass went and ruined it all by putting in romance. Completely ruined the story. Seriously, these characters are only thirteen years old!! If you haven’t read it, don’t. If you do, to find out the conclusion, note that it doesn’t really come in until halfway through (the romance), but after that, it’s talked about on nearly every page. Nothing like the other books. I only gave it 2 stars because I liked the few parts of the story where they weren’t all obsessed with romance.
October 10, 2020
Things I liked about the book:
- Fairly interesting plot. I kept reading simply to see what would happen.
- Unique plot. I haven't read anything like this before.
- The romance between Leo and Aman was adorable. They are meant to be together, and I'm glad they finally realized it.
Things I didn't like:
- The writing style wasn't my favorite, and at times it seemed bland.
- This book jumped around a lot, and didn't explain a lot of the things that it should.
I recommend this to preteens who like contemporary magical realism novels. Not quite sure if I will read anymore books by Wendy Mass, but we will see.
- Fairly interesting plot. I kept reading simply to see what would happen.
- Unique plot. I haven't read anything like this before.
- The romance between Leo and Aman was adorable. They are meant to be together, and I'm glad they finally realized it.
Things I didn't like:
- The writing style wasn't my favorite, and at times it seemed bland.
- This book jumped around a lot, and didn't explain a lot of the things that it should.
I recommend this to preteens who like contemporary magical realism novels. Not quite sure if I will read anymore books by Wendy Mass, but we will see.
October 27, 2017
This book is amazing! It's so good because each time they go to one of Grace's parties to save her its always so different each time. If you're a 3rd,4th,or 5th grader who liked Mostly Miserable Life of April Sinclair you'll also like the Willow Falls Series.
May 1, 2019
it was GOOOD
lamanda is official
tavid is official
rory and jake are still on hold
but it was good
lamanda is official
tavid is official
rory and jake are still on hold
but it was good
January 26, 2023
The Last Present by Wendy Mass
246-page Hardback
Willow Falls #4
Genre: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, Time Travel, Contemporary, Magical Realism
Featuring: Birthday Parties, Time Travel, Family Dynamics, Friendship, Mystery
Rating as a movie: PG
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
My thoughts: 📖 Page 163 of 246 Ch. 17 - This is more like the first book. I'm enjoying it. Sad I have to leave it for a few hours.
This was fun. I liked out this book brought the series full circle. This was supposed to be the final book, but there is a 5th book with all the kids including Grace so I'm starting that one next. So excited.
Recommend to others?: Absolutely! This series is full of good stories, usually, the books lose quality in the middle or toward the end but this series was solid from start to finish.
246-page Hardback
Willow Falls #4
Genre: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, Time Travel, Contemporary, Magical Realism
Featuring: Birthday Parties, Time Travel, Family Dynamics, Friendship, Mystery
Rating as a movie: PG
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
My thoughts: 📖 Page 163 of 246 Ch. 17 - This is more like the first book. I'm enjoying it. Sad I have to leave it for a few hours.
This was fun. I liked out this book brought the series full circle. This was supposed to be the final book, but there is a 5th book with all the kids including Grace so I'm starting that one next. So excited.
Recommend to others?: Absolutely! This series is full of good stories, usually, the books lose quality in the middle or toward the end but this series was solid from start to finish.
June 20, 2018
I picked this audio book up without realizing it was book four of a series, but it still read well on its own and I quickly figured out what was going on and what was at stake. It's a cute story with personable and believable characters who go about solving the magical mysteries of their town. Tweens who like time travel stories are sure to enjoy this one. Well written and narrated!
July 16, 2020
This one night be my favorite of the series! I really enjoyed it and can't wait to read Graceful!😁
March 22, 2022
Wonderful children's series.
April 13, 2025
so nice to revisit Amanda and leo.
February 9, 2022
A wonderful adventure full of magic with two wonderful kids messing with time once again! They save a girl who goes in coma and finds out D'Angelia's secret once and for all!
August 12, 2015
Star Rating:
3.75 stars.
Plot:
"Amanda and Leo have a history with birthdays. Now their friend's little sister, Grace, has fallen into a strange frozen state on her birthday, and Amanda and Leo must travel in time in order to fix whatever's wrong. As they journey back to each of Grace's birthdays, they start seeing all sorts of patterns . . . which raise all sorts of questions.
Amanda and Leo are going to have to unravel the threads of the past and present - and travel much further than they ever imagined - if they're going to save Grace. Luckily, a little birthday magic always helps in the charming and funny Willow Falls series by Wendy Mass, where everything is possible and there are no coincidences."
-Goodreads description
What I Liked:
Oh, it was so good!
I liked the time travel, though it can get confusing so I couldn't think too hard about it.
And there were so many plot twists, one big one that I did NOT see coming.
What I Didn't:
My main thing for this one is I think it was a great ending, so I don't really understand why these a 5th book. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to have another one to read, I just think it's kinda weird.
Overall Opinion:
These books just keep getting better and better!
I enjoyed this one a lot, the plot line was very developed, and everything was connected one way or another. Lots of mind blowing happened.
Recommendation:
10-11 and up.
3.75 stars.
Plot:
"Amanda and Leo have a history with birthdays. Now their friend's little sister, Grace, has fallen into a strange frozen state on her birthday, and Amanda and Leo must travel in time in order to fix whatever's wrong. As they journey back to each of Grace's birthdays, they start seeing all sorts of patterns . . . which raise all sorts of questions.
Amanda and Leo are going to have to unravel the threads of the past and present - and travel much further than they ever imagined - if they're going to save Grace. Luckily, a little birthday magic always helps in the charming and funny Willow Falls series by Wendy Mass, where everything is possible and there are no coincidences."
-Goodreads description
What I Liked:
Oh, it was so good!
I liked the time travel, though it can get confusing so I couldn't think too hard about it.
And there were so many plot twists, one big one that I did NOT see coming.
What I Didn't:
My main thing for this one is I think it was a great ending, so I don't really understand why these a 5th book. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to have another one to read, I just think it's kinda weird.
Overall Opinion:
These books just keep getting better and better!
I enjoyed this one a lot, the plot line was very developed, and everything was connected one way or another. Lots of mind blowing happened.
Recommendation:
10-11 and up.
June 22, 2013
I was lucky enough to have the chance to read this book before it comes out. I am in an advance reading program at my local book store, and this book was one of the options!!!! I love Wendy Mass an this series, and actually shrieked when I saw this book. I read it in 2 days flat, I couldn't put it down. I love it sooooo much!! This book is an amazing conclusion to the Willow Falls series, with characters you fall in love with and a town, do unique, you can't help being a part of it.
May 12, 2015
This book was amazing. I read the last one first:) The girl Angelina who had powers made a sacrifice to giving up her powers, but set herself free by doing it. She was the character in the story who taught me something:always do the right thing and care for others as much as you care for yourself.
March 22, 2015
Wendy Mass has done it again, folks. For a series I read when I was 12, it's still pretty solid.
March 19, 2016
I loved this book!!!!
February 3, 2022
Wendy mass has done it again! she made the willow falls series fall together more!
September 17, 2019
AWESOME BOOK!!!
August 17, 2018
Reading this series has been an interesting experience.
This is more or less the book I was waiting for since the ending of the first one. Which isn't to say that the last two books aren't good - they're well written, have a lot of fun characters, and are quick reads with lighthearted, fun plots. But for me, I wanted a continuation of the larger plot and a deeper look into the mysteries of Willow Falls. This was more or less everything I'd been wanting and solved a lot of my complaints about the last two books.
Amanda is once again the protagonist of the story, and it was nice to catch up with her and Leo after their adventures in the first book. I wouldn't have minded if we'd gotten some of Leo's perspective, being one of the only dudes to be privy to the secrets of Angelina's world, but at the same time, Amanda has more of a connection with Rory and Tara, so it makes sense that it would be told from her perspective.
I don't want to say too much about the plot, since it would involve a lot of spoilers. I will say that this was a good wrap up to the whole story that had been building up since the first book. In this one, we finally get answers on Angelina and most of the story behind the whole weird situation going on with everyone. It doesn't answer everything, but it doesn't need to - answering too much would likely take away from the story as a whole. Which is why I'm likely not going to read the next installment of the series. I've heard this was intended to be the original ending of the series, and I have to admit, it sure feels like it. The next one was written after the fact, in an attempt to provide more answers - but at this point, I don't really need more answers.
I thought it was a great wrap up to the series. It was nice to have all the protagonists of the past three books working together. That is perhaps the biggest advantage of having three previous books in the series - we know these characters by now, and they all work together well.
A few spoiler notes:
Angelina:
Relationships:
The Future:
This is more or less the book I was waiting for since the ending of the first one. Which isn't to say that the last two books aren't good - they're well written, have a lot of fun characters, and are quick reads with lighthearted, fun plots. But for me, I wanted a continuation of the larger plot and a deeper look into the mysteries of Willow Falls. This was more or less everything I'd been wanting and solved a lot of my complaints about the last two books.
Amanda is once again the protagonist of the story, and it was nice to catch up with her and Leo after their adventures in the first book. I wouldn't have minded if we'd gotten some of Leo's perspective, being one of the only dudes to be privy to the secrets of Angelina's world, but at the same time, Amanda has more of a connection with Rory and Tara, so it makes sense that it would be told from her perspective.
I don't want to say too much about the plot, since it would involve a lot of spoilers. I will say that this was a good wrap up to the whole story that had been building up since the first book. In this one, we finally get answers on Angelina and most of the story behind the whole weird situation going on with everyone. It doesn't answer everything, but it doesn't need to - answering too much would likely take away from the story as a whole. Which is why I'm likely not going to read the next installment of the series. I've heard this was intended to be the original ending of the series, and I have to admit, it sure feels like it. The next one was written after the fact, in an attempt to provide more answers - but at this point, I don't really need more answers.
I thought it was a great wrap up to the series. It was nice to have all the protagonists of the past three books working together. That is perhaps the biggest advantage of having three previous books in the series - we know these characters by now, and they all work together well.
A few spoiler notes:
Angelina:
Relationships:
The Future:
July 29, 2023
This is my favorite book from the Willow Falls series!! I am OBSESSED with books that have storylines that all tie together and this is the ULTIMATE book that ties things together. If one read this series/this book out of order then I don't think it would make any sense, which is FANTASTIC for people who follow this series.
This book is mostly narrated by Amanda, which is such a fun parallel between 11 birthdays (3 years and a lot more life experience later). She has the most experience overall with Angelina and the magic and overall the best possible narrator for this book in my opinion.
I love that all of the characters from the previous books (including Ray) make a reappearance in this book, and all the little pieces from the previous books coming into play in this book. The repeated bits/Easter eggs (Rory losing her phone, Amanda and the Spongebob balloon, etc) were so fun to notice throughout. If I were looking at the series objectively as an adult it wouldn't be so interesting, but as a teenager it was so fun to spot. were SO funny and was a reminder that this IS a kids book and they are just having a silly goofy time.
I also liked the closing of some plot lines that were started in other books (mostly 13 Gifts) such as and the progression of relationships between and . More than anything, I think that that establishes the passage of time between the books.
The biggest plot plot holes/things I didn't like in this book were and . They were interesting to follow but I would have made different storytelling choices I think.
This is the ultimate easter egg book, and is the best way to tie up this series in my opinion. The pay off from the past 3 books plus this one all tying together is SO good and I am just obsessed with it.
This book is mostly narrated by Amanda, which is such a fun parallel between 11 birthdays (3 years and a lot more life experience later). She has the most experience overall with Angelina and the magic and overall the best possible narrator for this book in my opinion.
I love that all of the characters from the previous books (including Ray) make a reappearance in this book, and all the little pieces from the previous books coming into play in this book. The repeated bits/Easter eggs (Rory losing her phone, Amanda and the Spongebob balloon, etc) were so fun to notice throughout. If I were looking at the series objectively as an adult it wouldn't be so interesting, but as a teenager it was so fun to spot. were SO funny and was a reminder that this IS a kids book and they are just having a silly goofy time.
I also liked the closing of some plot lines that were started in other books (mostly 13 Gifts) such as and the progression of relationships between and . More than anything, I think that that establishes the passage of time between the books.
The biggest plot plot holes/things I didn't like in this book were and . They were interesting to follow but I would have made different storytelling choices I think.
This is the ultimate easter egg book, and is the best way to tie up this series in my opinion. The pay off from the past 3 books plus this one all tying together is SO good and I am just obsessed with it.
November 11, 2021
Time travel? Check!
Plenty of mysterious magic? Check!
Plenty of out-loud laughs? Check!
A little bit of romance? Check!
A return to Amanda’s POV? CHECK CHECK CHECK!
The Last Present is the next best book in the series, next to 11 Birthdays.
From the beginning, this book rose questions. These might be questions that you feel like you will be able to guess or answer correctly, but don’t be fooled. After three books, I felt like I’d experienced enough Willow Falls magic that I could put the pieces together before the main characters… Nope. There are twists, and there are turns. There are so many layers to peel apart, and it gives the story a lot of depth. It was so exciting to read.
Even though Amanda and Leo are the ones with the time traveling responsibility, the other characters have their own way of stealing moments in the spotlight. Some of my favorite moments in the book involve Rory, Tara, and Ray, but Amanda and Leo have their moments as well. They continue to be such a sweet pair. I want to see a book one day that shows them getting married because, let’s face it, they are obviously going to marry each other. I don’t care what anyone else thinks.
The first three books all appear to lead to this one, which is what made it so exciting. Book one introduces Amanda and Leo. Book two introduces Rory. In book three? Tara. Even though book four’s events are centered around Grace, it takes the entire crew to try to tackle the conflict affecting Grace and her family. I read that book four was originally the end of the series, and it makes sense. It seems to bring everything together in a way that doesn’t require a fifth book, but it still makes room for it.
Since these are all returning characters (besides Grace), we are able to see some of them in a different light, and that will be important moving forward. The Last Present is a fantastic edition to the series. If you decide to read it, go in with zero expectations and zero predictions. I wasn’t disappointed.
Plenty of mysterious magic? Check!
Plenty of out-loud laughs? Check!
A little bit of romance? Check!
A return to Amanda’s POV? CHECK CHECK CHECK!
The Last Present is the next best book in the series, next to 11 Birthdays.
From the beginning, this book rose questions. These might be questions that you feel like you will be able to guess or answer correctly, but don’t be fooled. After three books, I felt like I’d experienced enough Willow Falls magic that I could put the pieces together before the main characters… Nope. There are twists, and there are turns. There are so many layers to peel apart, and it gives the story a lot of depth. It was so exciting to read.
Even though Amanda and Leo are the ones with the time traveling responsibility, the other characters have their own way of stealing moments in the spotlight. Some of my favorite moments in the book involve Rory, Tara, and Ray, but Amanda and Leo have their moments as well. They continue to be such a sweet pair. I want to see a book one day that shows them getting married because, let’s face it, they are obviously going to marry each other. I don’t care what anyone else thinks.
The first three books all appear to lead to this one, which is what made it so exciting. Book one introduces Amanda and Leo. Book two introduces Rory. In book three? Tara. Even though book four’s events are centered around Grace, it takes the entire crew to try to tackle the conflict affecting Grace and her family. I read that book four was originally the end of the series, and it makes sense. It seems to bring everything together in a way that doesn’t require a fifth book, but it still makes room for it.
Since these are all returning characters (besides Grace), we are able to see some of them in a different light, and that will be important moving forward. The Last Present is a fantastic edition to the series. If you decide to read it, go in with zero expectations and zero predictions. I wasn’t disappointed.
December 5, 2019
{My thoughts} – Amanda and Leo are back in an all new book. They get to have another fun run in with Angelina the town, I don’t know what to really call her, witch maybe. She seems to have these abilities that no one else does. It allows her to know and do things that no one else can. Because she is able to know and do these things it also allows her the ability to help others to know and do things that they wouldn’t ordinarily been able to do without her interference.
In this book she sends Amanda and Leo back in time. She tells them that they are tasked with correcting a wrong. She was suppose to say some kind of thing to help their friends little sister Grace so that she wouldn’t get sick. She has said this for all the newborn babies born since the beginning of time. Anyways, she missed her chances with Grace and now she is leaving it up to Amanda and Leo to fix her wrong.
They are able to fix two of the days they are sent back on and on the third that they could have been able to fix they get stopped. Someone stops them and they don’t fix that day. When they get back to the present they learn a whole lot more about Angelina and Grace. It’s no wonder so many things have always seemed so odd and strange with Angelina being involved.
There is one more book left in the series and I look forward to reading it sometime soon! I might even start it tonight.
In this book she sends Amanda and Leo back in time. She tells them that they are tasked with correcting a wrong. She was suppose to say some kind of thing to help their friends little sister Grace so that she wouldn’t get sick. She has said this for all the newborn babies born since the beginning of time. Anyways, she missed her chances with Grace and now she is leaving it up to Amanda and Leo to fix her wrong.
They are able to fix two of the days they are sent back on and on the third that they could have been able to fix they get stopped. Someone stops them and they don’t fix that day. When they get back to the present they learn a whole lot more about Angelina and Grace. It’s no wonder so many things have always seemed so odd and strange with Angelina being involved.
There is one more book left in the series and I look forward to reading it sometime soon! I might even start it tonight.
August 5, 2019
Favorite Quotes:
• His mouth curves up a bit and twitches, as though it’s currently unable to make a real smile.
• One day all of us will leave a room for the last time and not know it.
• I hate that I hurt your feelings. You’re the most important person in my life. I mean, you know, besides the people who gave me life in the first place.
• Her fingers are moving. They tap together, almost like she’s knitting something. Except there’s no yarn. And no knitting needles. And she’s not like, an eighty-year-old grandmother
• “Think we’ll laugh about this someday?”
“I’m already laughing, on the inside.”
• The future is all possibilities. But the past is set in stone. All those ghosts of ourselves, our youth, still alive inside us, but out of our reach forever. We meet them when we close our eyes. When we let our memories come alive. But that’s all they are, memories, no more real than a dream.
• ...the only one that doesn’t look shocked. In fact, she looks kind of like the Cheshire cat in Alice in Wonderland, with a knowing, satisfied smile.
• Mom keeps glancing at me in the rearview mirror like she wants to ask me something, but isn’t sure she wants to know the answer.
• You learn a lot more from listening than talking. I did not know this before.
• His mouth curves up a bit and twitches, as though it’s currently unable to make a real smile.
• One day all of us will leave a room for the last time and not know it.
• I hate that I hurt your feelings. You’re the most important person in my life. I mean, you know, besides the people who gave me life in the first place.
• Her fingers are moving. They tap together, almost like she’s knitting something. Except there’s no yarn. And no knitting needles. And she’s not like, an eighty-year-old grandmother
• “Think we’ll laugh about this someday?”
“I’m already laughing, on the inside.”
• The future is all possibilities. But the past is set in stone. All those ghosts of ourselves, our youth, still alive inside us, but out of our reach forever. We meet them when we close our eyes. When we let our memories come alive. But that’s all they are, memories, no more real than a dream.
• ...the only one that doesn’t look shocked. In fact, she looks kind of like the Cheshire cat in Alice in Wonderland, with a knowing, satisfied smile.
• Mom keeps glancing at me in the rearview mirror like she wants to ask me something, but isn’t sure she wants to know the answer.
• You learn a lot more from listening than talking. I did not know this before.
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