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The Last Page
Not yet published
Expected 12 May 26A bookseller with a dream of running her beloved bookstore vs. the owner’s out-of-touch grandson who inherits everything. Game on.
From the author of Not in My Book comes another irresistible, bookish contemporary romance.
Ella has grown up at The Last Page, a charming local bookstore in New York City where she now works. Her first kiss was in the women’s health section. A boyfriend dumped her in comedy. The owner is like a second father to her and has begun training her to take over the store. So when he unexpectedly dies and his estranged grandson is left everything in the will, Ella is devastated.
Henry doesn’t know the first thing about running a bookstore. With his aging mom back in Tennessee, he plans to stay in New York just long enough to ensure things are running smoothly and then head back home. What he never could have counted on was the beautiful, funny bookseller who loves The Last Page more than any place in the world—and who sees him as the villain who’s come to ruin her life.
But when it becomes evident that the store is in deep financial trouble and Henry and Ella are both at risk of losing everything, they have no choice but to put their differences aside and team up—despite the inconvenient chemistry blossoming between them.
Fans of Christina Lauren and Ali Hazelwood will adore this rivals-to-friends-to-lovers bookish romance!
From the author of Not in My Book comes another irresistible, bookish contemporary romance.
Ella has grown up at The Last Page, a charming local bookstore in New York City where she now works. Her first kiss was in the women’s health section. A boyfriend dumped her in comedy. The owner is like a second father to her and has begun training her to take over the store. So when he unexpectedly dies and his estranged grandson is left everything in the will, Ella is devastated.
Henry doesn’t know the first thing about running a bookstore. With his aging mom back in Tennessee, he plans to stay in New York just long enough to ensure things are running smoothly and then head back home. What he never could have counted on was the beautiful, funny bookseller who loves The Last Page more than any place in the world—and who sees him as the villain who’s come to ruin her life.
But when it becomes evident that the store is in deep financial trouble and Henry and Ella are both at risk of losing everything, they have no choice but to put their differences aside and team up—despite the inconvenient chemistry blossoming between them.
Fans of Christina Lauren and Ali Hazelwood will adore this rivals-to-friends-to-lovers bookish romance!
320 pages, Paperback
Expected publication May 12, 2026
30 people are currently reading
28896 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 147 reviews
December 30, 2025
Who doesn’t love a shy, hot nerd with nerdy glasses? And if said nerd is also kind, caring, and overall adorable?
I guess the fact that he played football in college and therefore has the body of a football player is just a bonus. 😏
So.
Ella has been working at The Last Page bookstore since her teenage years. She was very close with the owner, who had been preparing her to run it one day and promised to leave it to her in his will. But he didn’t. He left it to his grandson, Henry.
There was a conflict of interest between Ella and Henry initially, but they approached it in an impressively mature manner and quickly became friends.
There’s something special about characters who choose vulnerability over miscommunication, and this book has that kind of magic. Both Ella and Henry were so wonderful that I feel all fuzzy inside when I think about them. And did I mention that there’s no third-act breakup? 😍
The fact that it all happens in a bookstore, and Ella and Henry are surrounded by books in almost every scene, adds to the charm of this story and makes it even more comforting and cozy.
I can’t wait for everyone to read this book!
Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and Edelweiss for the arc, all opinions are my own.
Expected 12 May 26
I guess the fact that he played football in college and therefore has the body of a football player is just a bonus. 😏
So.
Ella has been working at The Last Page bookstore since her teenage years. She was very close with the owner, who had been preparing her to run it one day and promised to leave it to her in his will. But he didn’t. He left it to his grandson, Henry.
There was a conflict of interest between Ella and Henry initially, but they approached it in an impressively mature manner and quickly became friends.
There’s something special about characters who choose vulnerability over miscommunication, and this book has that kind of magic. Both Ella and Henry were so wonderful that I feel all fuzzy inside when I think about them. And did I mention that there’s no third-act breakup? 😍
The fact that it all happens in a bookstore, and Ella and Henry are surrounded by books in almost every scene, adds to the charm of this story and makes it even more comforting and cozy.
I can’t wait for everyone to read this book!
Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and Edelweiss for the arc, all opinions are my own.
Expected 12 May 26
Want to read
December 31, 2025₊⊹⁀➴ 𝐩𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞
YAYYY I JUST GOT THE ARCCCC thank u mikaela!!!! <3
im so so excited for this!!!! katie's debut was amazing and i know this will be so good as well <333
release date: march 10, 2026
YAYYY I JUST GOT THE ARCCCC thank u mikaela!!!! <3
im so so excited for this!!!! katie's debut was amazing and i know this will be so good as well <333
release date: march 10, 2026
Want to read
December 8, 2025guess who got the arc!
December 18, 2025
katie holt, i absolutely love your books! not in my book was easily a five-star read for me this year so i had high hopes when i started the last page. when compared to her debut, however, this one did fall flat for me. given my four stars rating, i did still enjoy it but this would not be my favorite book by her.
the last page is an ode to bookstores and booksellers in new york city. there is such a strong emphasis on found family, with the entire plot centered on saving the bookstore after discovering it’s in debt and on the verge of closing. i was so drawn to the storyline and interactions between the main characters and side characters, that i didn’t mind when the romance took a backseat or the chemistry was not front and center. while the tension and banter was lacking, the spicy scenes were somehow incredible… as always katie absolutely knows how to write them.
thank you to netgalley and alcove press for the e-arc in exchange for a honest review.
the last page is an ode to bookstores and booksellers in new york city. there is such a strong emphasis on found family, with the entire plot centered on saving the bookstore after discovering it’s in debt and on the verge of closing. i was so drawn to the storyline and interactions between the main characters and side characters, that i didn’t mind when the romance took a backseat or the chemistry was not front and center. while the tension and banter was lacking, the spicy scenes were somehow incredible… as always katie absolutely knows how to write them.
thank you to netgalley and alcove press for the e-arc in exchange for a honest review.
December 11, 2025
This love letter to books, bookshops, New York, and romance was such a heartwarming, funny, soul soothing, warm hug of a book that I am anxiously awaiting publication so I can buy a trophy copy.
(I am not above begging the publisher for a physical ARC, so let’s start there.)
While I can understand some of the complaints from other reviewers, I felt the FMC and MMC worked for this story and this romance. Their two perhaps slightly cliché personalities were suited to this story. And yes, evil newcomer comes to take over store from a merry band of misfits, how will they cope???, is something we have all read before. But that makes it fun!
The various side characters were also a delight and I loved Ella’s family (lolling at how her mother will cut you). Learning more about Peruvian culture was a treat.
The jokes about Magnolia Bakery cupcakes (yes, Henry, they are dipped in gold), knotting, reading smut while shelving books, the dig at The Strand, Blank Street Coffee, the bad place, men holding paperbacks (true!!!! just had a meet cute in the bookstore myself! will update if it turns into something, ha, or if he was just a man surrounded by books), shipping, kissing and telling versus fucking and reenacting (SCREAMING at Julie’s comment), sad literary girls, Ice Planet Barbarians… such fun!
Right in the feels when Ella thought: “I loved helping out my family, which included the booksellers. But sometimes, I was exhausted being everyone’s big sister and no one’s friend.”
I already identified with her, but then it turned out she was a planner girlie with a binder (or ten) for every occasion? It me.
But also it Henry, as he said, to Ella’s ‘neat freak’ comment, “The community does not like the word freak.” Exactly.
Also, what do you mean Henry does not read that much??????
Glad things were turned around and he uttered the magical words “I want to read the books you love.” Dear reader, I was ready to marry him right there and then.
This book is not five stars as I did not like (minor spoilers) Leo’s manipulative tactics in demanding Ella to fix Henry. I was always the kid that was placed near the school bullies so my good behaviour would rub off on them. OK, yes, it is my trauma speaking, but Leo’s antics were uncalled for. Even if it did work out in the end.
Also, I did not vibe with the pet name “honey” at all!
Extra shoutout to the gorgeous cover and the fabulous book recommendations that are at the beginning of every chapter. I added most books to my TBR, but they also show the personality of each book seller and work in tandem with the story.
4.5 stars rounded up. If a book makes me cry in the train at 7AM, it is worth all its stars.
Thank you Crooked Lane / Alcove Press and Katie Holt for this ARC! I had a wonderful time.
(I am not above begging the publisher for a physical ARC, so let’s start there.)
While I can understand some of the complaints from other reviewers, I felt the FMC and MMC worked for this story and this romance. Their two perhaps slightly cliché personalities were suited to this story. And yes, evil newcomer comes to take over store from a merry band of misfits, how will they cope???, is something we have all read before. But that makes it fun!
The various side characters were also a delight and I loved Ella’s family (lolling at how her mother will cut you). Learning more about Peruvian culture was a treat.
The jokes about Magnolia Bakery cupcakes (yes, Henry, they are dipped in gold), knotting, reading smut while shelving books, the dig at The Strand, Blank Street Coffee, the bad place, men holding paperbacks (true!!!! just had a meet cute in the bookstore myself! will update if it turns into something, ha, or if he was just a man surrounded by books), shipping, kissing and telling versus fucking and reenacting (SCREAMING at Julie’s comment), sad literary girls, Ice Planet Barbarians… such fun!
Right in the feels when Ella thought: “I loved helping out my family, which included the booksellers. But sometimes, I was exhausted being everyone’s big sister and no one’s friend.”
I already identified with her, but then it turned out she was a planner girlie with a binder (or ten) for every occasion? It me.
But also it Henry, as he said, to Ella’s ‘neat freak’ comment, “The community does not like the word freak.” Exactly.
Also, what do you mean Henry does not read that much??????
Glad things were turned around and he uttered the magical words “I want to read the books you love.” Dear reader, I was ready to marry him right there and then.
This book is not five stars as I did not like (minor spoilers) Leo’s manipulative tactics in demanding Ella to fix Henry. I was always the kid that was placed near the school bullies so my good behaviour would rub off on them. OK, yes, it is my trauma speaking, but Leo’s antics were uncalled for. Even if it did work out in the end.
Also, I did not vibe with the pet name “honey” at all!
Extra shoutout to the gorgeous cover and the fabulous book recommendations that are at the beginning of every chapter. I added most books to my TBR, but they also show the personality of each book seller and work in tandem with the story.
4.5 stars rounded up. If a book makes me cry in the train at 7AM, it is worth all its stars.
Thank you Crooked Lane / Alcove Press and Katie Holt for this ARC! I had a wonderful time.
December 14, 2025
not in my book was easily one of my favorite books i read in 2024 and a book i was so thrilled to be able to revisit again this year with my book club so needless to say, i was so excited for katie holt’s sophomore release but was unfortunately left feeling very underwhelmed.
i love a book about books and the synopsis promised charm and nostalgic comfort with a book centric plot line. our main characters come from two very different worlds and they must set aside their differences to team up and save a beloved independent bookstore in the bustling city of new york. a recipe with all the right ingredients but it just didn’t work for me.
the story is supported by a quirky cast of side characters (the booksellers) and while this was meant to add dynamics through humor and endearment, i found myself growing more and more irritated with the focus being on saving a bookstore with booksellers who were bad at their job (i work at a bookstore and the way nearly all of these employees were behaving was intolerable 😩). the romance didn’t even grow fledgling wings until over the 60% mark and at this point, i felt no spark between the leads, what was attempted to get them together felt forced and in all honesty, i would have preferred that they hadn’t ended up together as it felt like a typical case of falling for your coworker because they’re the only option in proximity.
katie’s writing is engaging and it’s so clear that she is talented but this was not the sweeping romance i anticipated after being left breathless with not in my book.
thank you to Alcove Press for the advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest thoughts 💌
i love a book about books and the synopsis promised charm and nostalgic comfort with a book centric plot line. our main characters come from two very different worlds and they must set aside their differences to team up and save a beloved independent bookstore in the bustling city of new york. a recipe with all the right ingredients but it just didn’t work for me.
the story is supported by a quirky cast of side characters (the booksellers) and while this was meant to add dynamics through humor and endearment, i found myself growing more and more irritated with the focus being on saving a bookstore with booksellers who were bad at their job (i work at a bookstore and the way nearly all of these employees were behaving was intolerable 😩). the romance didn’t even grow fledgling wings until over the 60% mark and at this point, i felt no spark between the leads, what was attempted to get them together felt forced and in all honesty, i would have preferred that they hadn’t ended up together as it felt like a typical case of falling for your coworker because they’re the only option in proximity.
katie’s writing is engaging and it’s so clear that she is talented but this was not the sweeping romance i anticipated after being left breathless with not in my book.
thank you to Alcove Press for the advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest thoughts 💌
January 13, 2026
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Alcove Press, and Katie Holt for providing me with an ARC of The Last Page!
I’ve now read both of Katie Holt’s novels, and can confidently say she is an auto-read author for me!
The Last Page is a love letter to bookshops and New York City that I believe should be required reading for every romance reader.
It somehow had me feeling homesick for a city I’d never even been to, never mind the pure magic of stepping into a bookshop that the author manages to convey perfectly.
This was such a heartfelt yet funny read with a cast of characters that created a very memorable found family. (The staff picks at the start of every chapter were the best! Things! Ever!)
This book had such a strong and engaging plot-line outside of the romance that I would’ve been fully hooked even without the romance!
However, the romance… this one is for lovers of slow-burn and yearning! Henry Martin is possibly a new favourite MMC of mine, and the chemistry between him and Ella was amazing!!!
Overall, Katie Holt perfectly created a novel with the cosiest setting and characters as well as a romance that will be sticking with me for a while!
Y’all better be running in May to pick this up! (Pls be proud of my southern-ness Henry🙏)
I’ve now read both of Katie Holt’s novels, and can confidently say she is an auto-read author for me!
The Last Page is a love letter to bookshops and New York City that I believe should be required reading for every romance reader.
It somehow had me feeling homesick for a city I’d never even been to, never mind the pure magic of stepping into a bookshop that the author manages to convey perfectly.
This was such a heartfelt yet funny read with a cast of characters that created a very memorable found family. (The staff picks at the start of every chapter were the best! Things! Ever!)
This book had such a strong and engaging plot-line outside of the romance that I would’ve been fully hooked even without the romance!
However, the romance… this one is for lovers of slow-burn and yearning! Henry Martin is possibly a new favourite MMC of mine, and the chemistry between him and Ella was amazing!!!
Overall, Katie Holt perfectly created a novel with the cosiest setting and characters as well as a romance that will be sticking with me for a while!
Y’all better be running in May to pick this up! (Pls be proud of my southern-ness Henry🙏)
January 23, 2026
I remember reading Katie Holt's debut novel last year and I knew she was going to be an author that I needed to keep an eye on. Her tone was fresh, her characters memorable, and Holt simply nails toe curling chemistry that's often a slow burn. The Last Page is sumptuous, slow, and just deliciously well executed. There is no doubt in my mind that Holt is a New Yorker to her core and often presents never-ending sonnets sharing her love for the city that has become an essential part her romance novels. In her second outing with The Last Page she reworks the beloved Strand bookstore in a new romance setting.
Henry and Ella are in a bind as the beloved bookstore "The Last Page" is financial straits and at risk of closing. The two must band an eccentric group of booksellers together to help keep the beloved literary institution open to the public. What begins as a slight enemies to lovers, slowly blooms into a fervent current between the two.
There is no doubt in my mind that Katie Holt will continue to write outstanding romance novels, and I loved EVERY BIT OF THIS BOOK. I'm so thankful to Crooked Lane Marketing for providing an early digital copy.
"All I want to think about is the fact that I've got my dream girl in my arms"
"And that she doesn't want to leave them", I whispered back.
Henry and Ella are in a bind as the beloved bookstore "The Last Page" is financial straits and at risk of closing. The two must band an eccentric group of booksellers together to help keep the beloved literary institution open to the public. What begins as a slight enemies to lovers, slowly blooms into a fervent current between the two.
There is no doubt in my mind that Katie Holt will continue to write outstanding romance novels, and I loved EVERY BIT OF THIS BOOK. I'm so thankful to Crooked Lane Marketing for providing an early digital copy.
"All I want to think about is the fact that I've got my dream girl in my arms"
"And that she doesn't want to leave them", I whispered back.
December 3, 2025
4⭐️
Je ne comprends pas pourquoi ce livre a une note aussi basse, j’ai trouvé l’histoire vraiment adorable.
Ayant adoré Not in My Book, le premier roman de Katie Holt, j’avais hâte de découvrir ce qu’elle publierait ensuite. Et contrairement à beaucoup, je n’ai absolument pas été déçue par The Last Page.
Ce roman raconte l’histoire d’une librairie indépendante de New York dont le directeur, Léo, passionné de livres, décède malheureusement. Ella, sa manager, à qui il avait promis la librairie, tombe des nues lorsqu’Henry, le petit-fils de Léo, se présente comme le nouveau propriétaire de The Last Page. Si leur relation démarre sur une note tendue, elle évolue joliment lorsque tous deux décident de sauver l’établissement de la faillite imminente.
C’est peut-être parce que je lis rarement des romans qui se déroulent dans une librairie, mais j’ai adoré ce décor. Je visualisais parfaitement ma librairie préférée, l’immersion était totale !
J’ai aussi beaucoup aimé les personnages, même si je dois admettre que la romance manque un peu de tension. Leur relation est douce, mais peut-être un peu trop sage. J’ai également un léger regret concernant les difficultés financières de la famille d’Ella : elles sont évoquées très brièvement. J’aurais préféré que ce soit davantage développé ou pas mentionné du tout, car cela ajoutait un drama pas forcément nécessaire.
Hormis ces petits bémols, j’ai passé un excellent moment, et je recommande vivement cette lecture 🫶🏼
Pourquoi lire ce roman ?
📚 Pour l’ambiance new-yorkaise
📚 Pour découvrir l’adorable librairie The Last Page
📚 Pour la found family entre les libraires
📚 Pour la romance entre Henry et Ella, tous deux amoureux des livres
PS: il sort le 12 mai 2026
Merci à NetGalley et Alcove Press pour ce sp numérique ✨
Je ne comprends pas pourquoi ce livre a une note aussi basse, j’ai trouvé l’histoire vraiment adorable.
Ayant adoré Not in My Book, le premier roman de Katie Holt, j’avais hâte de découvrir ce qu’elle publierait ensuite. Et contrairement à beaucoup, je n’ai absolument pas été déçue par The Last Page.
Ce roman raconte l’histoire d’une librairie indépendante de New York dont le directeur, Léo, passionné de livres, décède malheureusement. Ella, sa manager, à qui il avait promis la librairie, tombe des nues lorsqu’Henry, le petit-fils de Léo, se présente comme le nouveau propriétaire de The Last Page. Si leur relation démarre sur une note tendue, elle évolue joliment lorsque tous deux décident de sauver l’établissement de la faillite imminente.
C’est peut-être parce que je lis rarement des romans qui se déroulent dans une librairie, mais j’ai adoré ce décor. Je visualisais parfaitement ma librairie préférée, l’immersion était totale !
J’ai aussi beaucoup aimé les personnages, même si je dois admettre que la romance manque un peu de tension. Leur relation est douce, mais peut-être un peu trop sage. J’ai également un léger regret concernant les difficultés financières de la famille d’Ella : elles sont évoquées très brièvement. J’aurais préféré que ce soit davantage développé ou pas mentionné du tout, car cela ajoutait un drama pas forcément nécessaire.
Hormis ces petits bémols, j’ai passé un excellent moment, et je recommande vivement cette lecture 🫶🏼
Pourquoi lire ce roman ?
📚 Pour l’ambiance new-yorkaise
📚 Pour découvrir l’adorable librairie The Last Page
📚 Pour la found family entre les libraires
📚 Pour la romance entre Henry et Ella, tous deux amoureux des livres
PS: il sort le 12 mai 2026
Merci à NetGalley et Alcove Press pour ce sp numérique ✨
January 17, 2026
Thank you so much to NetGalley and alcove press for the early copy of this book.
This was sweet, I loved Henry. He was like a sexy little golden retriever. I also loved Ella, she was quirky and funny. I loved that she was Latina and I loved all of the Peruvian references and food mentions. The Spanish in the book threw me a little. As a fluent Latina myself, the conversations didn’t feel too organic. Maybe a little forced? Either way, the story was good. The side characters were also fun and silly.
I absolutely loved all of the book recommendations at each chapter and all of the bookish references.
This was sweet, I loved Henry. He was like a sexy little golden retriever. I also loved Ella, she was quirky and funny. I loved that she was Latina and I loved all of the Peruvian references and food mentions. The Spanish in the book threw me a little. As a fluent Latina myself, the conversations didn’t feel too organic. Maybe a little forced? Either way, the story was good. The side characters were also fun and silly.
I absolutely loved all of the book recommendations at each chapter and all of the bookish references.
January 30, 2026
ARC Review
Not In My Book was an incredible surprise. I had such a wonderful time with Rosie and Aiden and Katie's writing is truly funny and heartwarming. I loved this story because her words are even more powerful.
Henry and Ella are both facing the grief of losing the same person, but they cope in completely different ways. Ella has been surrounded by books since her teenage years and works at Leo's bookstore, someone very special to her. Unfortunately, he passes away, having promised her she could take over the bookstore. But imagine her surprise when Henry, his grandson, shows up claiming to be the new owner!
I loved Henry SO much🥹 He's the kind of character many people misunderstand when they were just waiting for the right person to confide in. He's shy, hot with his nerdy glasses but above all, so kind and caring towards others' feelings. He was simply adorable, always trying his best. Ella is a true working girl! I loved her so much too. She's a real ray of sunshine who draws everyone into her orbit: you can always count on her.
The beginning between Ella and Henry isn't easy: there's apprehension on both sides. But they manage to handle the situation maturely and with communication (thank you Katie it was refreshing). It was both vulnerable and sweet between them. I literally got butterflies in my stomach when they were alone together.
From beginning to end, we meet passionate people. I loved the different members bookstore because they each bring their own little something to the story! They gradually integrate Henry into their team and it was both emotional and full of situations that made me laugh OUT LOUD.
This book has definitely become one of my favorites.
Not In My Book was an incredible surprise. I had such a wonderful time with Rosie and Aiden and Katie's writing is truly funny and heartwarming. I loved this story because her words are even more powerful.
Henry and Ella are both facing the grief of losing the same person, but they cope in completely different ways. Ella has been surrounded by books since her teenage years and works at Leo's bookstore, someone very special to her. Unfortunately, he passes away, having promised her she could take over the bookstore. But imagine her surprise when Henry, his grandson, shows up claiming to be the new owner!
I loved Henry SO much🥹 He's the kind of character many people misunderstand when they were just waiting for the right person to confide in. He's shy, hot with his nerdy glasses but above all, so kind and caring towards others' feelings. He was simply adorable, always trying his best. Ella is a true working girl! I loved her so much too. She's a real ray of sunshine who draws everyone into her orbit: you can always count on her.
The beginning between Ella and Henry isn't easy: there's apprehension on both sides. But they manage to handle the situation maturely and with communication (thank you Katie it was refreshing). It was both vulnerable and sweet between them. I literally got butterflies in my stomach when they were alone together.
From beginning to end, we meet passionate people. I loved the different members bookstore because they each bring their own little something to the story! They gradually integrate Henry into their team and it was both emotional and full of situations that made me laugh OUT LOUD.
This book has definitely become one of my favorites.
November 28, 2025
Thank you, NetGalley and Crooked Lane Marketing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I loved Not in my Book, so I was very happy when CLM offered me an ARC of The Last Page. Unfortunately, it just doesn’t hit the same way.
The plot is nothing new. But while Not in my Book had some charming twists and simply made me want to keep reading, this one… didn’t. The same spiel of having to save a doomed bookshop as always. Nothing special at all.
As for the characters - I didn’t care for them. They were pretty boring. Absolutely basic characters. At the beginning, they were also way too immature. Which is ironic, because I didn’t mind at all with Katie Holt’s debut. But that one was about two college kids - those are allowed to be immature. This one was about two proper adults trying to manage their own shop.
At the beginning, Ella was at least ready to give Henry the benefit of the doubt and looking at his reaction, I can’t fault her for being defensive. But she went full on childish when she was trying to keep him out of her territory instead of working together and communicating like adults. And while I get that Henry had lots of regrets and felt like he had something to prove, he really thought he knew everything better and refused to actually talk to the others. It would’ve been so much more charming if they had behaved like normal people and tried to work something out.
As for their relationship - not a fan. Right from the beginning they were way too attracted to each other, especially since they kind of hated each other at that point and I can’t stand stuff like that. It’s okay to build up attraction slowly. I want enemies-to-lovers to be a slow development and not something that could basically exist at the same time. If you could even call them enemies, because they obviously had the same goals and just sucked at communicating.
And at the same time, they got together too suddenly. First, rivals, then suddenly friends and then suddenly utterly in love. I kind of missed the changes from one relationship to the other. There were no sparks, I didn't care whether they got together or not. No chemistry. Which I'm actually pretty sad about, because I loved the chemistry in Not in my Book.
I also wasn’t a fan of the other characters who probably were supposed to be hilariously eccentric, but I just hated them. Working together with them would’ve been an actual nightmare. It wasn’t funny, it was so over the top it was basically a caricature.
I did enjoy the small Peruvian bits sprinkled in between pages though. And The Last Page really seemed like a cute bookshop.
But overall, I was pretty disappointed.
I loved Not in my Book, so I was very happy when CLM offered me an ARC of The Last Page. Unfortunately, it just doesn’t hit the same way.
The plot is nothing new. But while Not in my Book had some charming twists and simply made me want to keep reading, this one… didn’t. The same spiel of having to save a doomed bookshop as always. Nothing special at all.
As for the characters - I didn’t care for them. They were pretty boring. Absolutely basic characters. At the beginning, they were also way too immature. Which is ironic, because I didn’t mind at all with Katie Holt’s debut. But that one was about two college kids - those are allowed to be immature. This one was about two proper adults trying to manage their own shop.
At the beginning, Ella was at least ready to give Henry the benefit of the doubt and looking at his reaction, I can’t fault her for being defensive. But she went full on childish when she was trying to keep him out of her territory instead of working together and communicating like adults. And while I get that Henry had lots of regrets and felt like he had something to prove, he really thought he knew everything better and refused to actually talk to the others. It would’ve been so much more charming if they had behaved like normal people and tried to work something out.
As for their relationship - not a fan. Right from the beginning they were way too attracted to each other, especially since they kind of hated each other at that point and I can’t stand stuff like that. It’s okay to build up attraction slowly. I want enemies-to-lovers to be a slow development and not something that could basically exist at the same time. If you could even call them enemies, because they obviously had the same goals and just sucked at communicating.
And at the same time, they got together too suddenly. First, rivals, then suddenly friends and then suddenly utterly in love. I kind of missed the changes from one relationship to the other. There were no sparks, I didn't care whether they got together or not. No chemistry. Which I'm actually pretty sad about, because I loved the chemistry in Not in my Book.
I also wasn’t a fan of the other characters who probably were supposed to be hilariously eccentric, but I just hated them. Working together with them would’ve been an actual nightmare. It wasn’t funny, it was so over the top it was basically a caricature.
I did enjoy the small Peruvian bits sprinkled in between pages though. And The Last Page really seemed like a cute bookshop.
But overall, I was pretty disappointed.
December 29, 2025
This was a super cute bookish romance where you can just kind of turn your mind off and escape into another world. I read it during the holidays and it felt like the perfect time (it gives Hallmark move vibes). It follows Ella and Henry who have to unexpectedly team up to save “The Last Page,” whose owner, Leo, has just passed away.
I think this type of book would be enjoyed by a wide range of people, especially bibliophiles. I didn't find myself to be fully invested in the book, but I always enjoy a light fluffy book as a palate cleanser.
What I liked:
- I love books about books. Literary references (as long as they’re not too modern), characters who love to read, characters who are authors or bookstore owners, etc…I love it all. This book was perfect for that!
-Each chapter starts with a book recommendation from one of the booksellers at “The Last Page” and I absolutely adored that. A lot of them were books I myself had read and loved, and some I’d never heard of and wanted to search more about.
-I loved Henry (MMC). I found him to be very real and sympatico and I enjoyed seeing him grow with the book and fall in love with both Ella (FMC) and New York.
-I am a sucker for a book set in New York—for me, it always makes the book better.
-The story itself was sweet and easy to read.
What I didn’t like:
-I strongly dislike modern real world references. I always find that it takes me out of the experience of being immersed in a fictional world. This book mentioned things like TikTok, barnes & noble, goodreads, and Travis Kelce, and I just cringed so many times.
-I didn’t feel fully convinced by the romance between the MMC and FMC. Their connection just didn’t feel real enough for me and I didn’t sense a lot of chemistry between them.
-I did not like the other booksellers. They were often rude and said things about Henry and Ella in front of them that made me feel weird. They had no boundaries, which I know can be silly and entertaining in a book, but it really bothered me.
-I wasn't convinced by the FMC's “best friend.” They barely had a friendship and had so few interactions. I wanted more!
-Ultimately, I couldn't bring myself to become invested in the story of "The Last Page." I had a lot of moments of feeling like I didn't really care about the plot or most of the characters. The premise sounded right up my alley, but it kind of fell flat for me.
Thank you NetGalley and Alcove Press for sending me a copy!
I think this type of book would be enjoyed by a wide range of people, especially bibliophiles. I didn't find myself to be fully invested in the book, but I always enjoy a light fluffy book as a palate cleanser.
What I liked:
- I love books about books. Literary references (as long as they’re not too modern), characters who love to read, characters who are authors or bookstore owners, etc…I love it all. This book was perfect for that!
-Each chapter starts with a book recommendation from one of the booksellers at “The Last Page” and I absolutely adored that. A lot of them were books I myself had read and loved, and some I’d never heard of and wanted to search more about.
-I loved Henry (MMC). I found him to be very real and sympatico and I enjoyed seeing him grow with the book and fall in love with both Ella (FMC) and New York.
-I am a sucker for a book set in New York—for me, it always makes the book better.
-The story itself was sweet and easy to read.
What I didn’t like:
-I strongly dislike modern real world references. I always find that it takes me out of the experience of being immersed in a fictional world. This book mentioned things like TikTok, barnes & noble, goodreads, and Travis Kelce, and I just cringed so many times.
-I didn’t feel fully convinced by the romance between the MMC and FMC. Their connection just didn’t feel real enough for me and I didn’t sense a lot of chemistry between them.
-I did not like the other booksellers. They were often rude and said things about Henry and Ella in front of them that made me feel weird. They had no boundaries, which I know can be silly and entertaining in a book, but it really bothered me.
-I wasn't convinced by the FMC's “best friend.” They barely had a friendship and had so few interactions. I wanted more!
-Ultimately, I couldn't bring myself to become invested in the story of "The Last Page." I had a lot of moments of feeling like I didn't really care about the plot or most of the characters. The premise sounded right up my alley, but it kind of fell flat for me.
Thank you NetGalley and Alcove Press for sending me a copy!
December 1, 2025
I was so excited to get this ARC, and I had to read it right away. Ella has worked at The Last Page, an indie bookstore in the West Village in New York City, since she was 15 years old. The store is filled with so many memories for her, and she was very close to the owner, Leo. Leo had promised the store to her, but when he passes away, she finds that his grandson, Henry, is the owner of the store. Henry hadn't spoken to his grandfather in years, and he hasn't stepped foot in the store since he was a teenager. He moves from Tennessee to NYC to run the bookstore, and he is met with animosity from Ella and the other booksellers. They definitely start out as an enemies, but as they work together, they both agree to become friends to come together to come up with a plan to save The Last Page.
There are so many eclectic side characters who work at the bookstore, and they added a sense of fun and quirkiness to the story. I loved how they all worked together, despite their differences, because each person who worked there loved the store. The found family was a driving force of this book.
Ella takes Henry to places in NYC to get him to love the city the way that she does. They are sort of going on dates, but they are still friends while they are doing it. There is so much yearning between the two of them, and it's a super slow burn! He calls her honey, and he takes care of her and her siblings when they get sick. He really shows up for her. She makes binders for him with all of the ideas that she has. It's so cute!
I also loved that each chapter started with a book recommendation from one of the characters in the book. It was a fun way to get a vibe for the types of books that the booksellers would enjoy.
There are so many eclectic side characters who work at the bookstore, and they added a sense of fun and quirkiness to the story. I loved how they all worked together, despite their differences, because each person who worked there loved the store. The found family was a driving force of this book.
Ella takes Henry to places in NYC to get him to love the city the way that she does. They are sort of going on dates, but they are still friends while they are doing it. There is so much yearning between the two of them, and it's a super slow burn! He calls her honey, and he takes care of her and her siblings when they get sick. He really shows up for her. She makes binders for him with all of the ideas that she has. It's so cute!
I also loved that each chapter started with a book recommendation from one of the characters in the book. It was a fun way to get a vibe for the types of books that the booksellers would enjoy.
December 1, 2025
I really wanted to love this one because the premise was so fun — I mean, who doesn’t love a book about a bookstore? Especially one where a distant grandson takes over as the new owner and falls for the manager. Swoon.
I’m typically a fan of enemies-to-lovers, but this one didn’t quite hit. The main clash between Henry and Ella didn’t fully make sense to me. Henry claimed to “know business,” but if he truly did, observing before making changes would have been the smarter move. And Ella… well, she was just rude. She kept saying, “come to me when you need help,” even though Henry kind of did — and then kind of didn’t. It left me scratching my head.
The writing was good, with lots of laugh-out-loud moments. There was even a Bill Clinton reference that had me in tears 😂. The characters were fun and cozy, but they did feel a bit immature. Maybe I’m too far removed from retail, but I assumed booksellers would be a little more professional? I got that Leo ran his bookstore like a family rather than a business, but the immaturity of the working professionals still threw me off.
This one might land better for readers in their early 20s. Maybe I’ve just aged out of the chaos.
Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I’m typically a fan of enemies-to-lovers, but this one didn’t quite hit. The main clash between Henry and Ella didn’t fully make sense to me. Henry claimed to “know business,” but if he truly did, observing before making changes would have been the smarter move. And Ella… well, she was just rude. She kept saying, “come to me when you need help,” even though Henry kind of did — and then kind of didn’t. It left me scratching my head.
The writing was good, with lots of laugh-out-loud moments. There was even a Bill Clinton reference that had me in tears 😂. The characters were fun and cozy, but they did feel a bit immature. Maybe I’m too far removed from retail, but I assumed booksellers would be a little more professional? I got that Leo ran his bookstore like a family rather than a business, but the immaturity of the working professionals still threw me off.
This one might land better for readers in their early 20s. Maybe I’ve just aged out of the chaos.
Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 24, 2025
ARC Review - 3 ★
⋆˚࿔ this was a fairly fast paced read. i liked the buildup of the story and how it revolves around a bookseller who has worked at the store for a long time, only for the ownership to be passed to the grandson who has been away for years after the owner’s death. despite their differences, they have to set them aside and work together to save the bookstore.
that said i have to be honest, the characters felt boring and none of them were particularly likable. their behaviour didn't really reflect people who truly work in a bookstore or are deeply devoted to it. as for the main characters, ella and henry, i didn't feel much chemistry between them. there was some initial tension but as they spent more time together trying to save the bookstore, their connection never felt genuine.
overall, it was an okay read. not my favourite but not something i actively disliked either.
Thank you to Katie Holt, Alcove Press & NetGalley for the e-ARC!
⋆˚࿔ this was a fairly fast paced read. i liked the buildup of the story and how it revolves around a bookseller who has worked at the store for a long time, only for the ownership to be passed to the grandson who has been away for years after the owner’s death. despite their differences, they have to set them aside and work together to save the bookstore.
that said i have to be honest, the characters felt boring and none of them were particularly likable. their behaviour didn't really reflect people who truly work in a bookstore or are deeply devoted to it. as for the main characters, ella and henry, i didn't feel much chemistry between them. there was some initial tension but as they spent more time together trying to save the bookstore, their connection never felt genuine.
overall, it was an okay read. not my favourite but not something i actively disliked either.
Thank you to Katie Holt, Alcove Press & NetGalley for the e-ARC!
January 31, 2026
// thank you to the publishers and netgalley for letting me read an arc of this one in exchange for an honest review!
i just love books about people who love books.
that magic that surrounds bookstores was captured so well in this one. i loved the little ‘staff recommendations’ at the start of every chapter and the way ‘The Last Page’ was described as such an enchanting and whimsical place, almost entirely removed from the real world. i genuinely wish this was a real place, it simply made me want to go bookshopping in new york.
ella and henry were both such lovable characters, and the way leo’s presence felt like such a potent driver of the story despite his passing was so heartwarming. each bookseller had there own personalities and quirks, and the epilogue made me so happy to read. after ‘not in my book’, this is another solid romance by katie holt!
i just love books about people who love books.
that magic that surrounds bookstores was captured so well in this one. i loved the little ‘staff recommendations’ at the start of every chapter and the way ‘The Last Page’ was described as such an enchanting and whimsical place, almost entirely removed from the real world. i genuinely wish this was a real place, it simply made me want to go bookshopping in new york.
ella and henry were both such lovable characters, and the way leo’s presence felt like such a potent driver of the story despite his passing was so heartwarming. each bookseller had there own personalities and quirks, and the epilogue made me so happy to read. after ‘not in my book’, this is another solid romance by katie holt!
December 24, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley for this arc
Just like not in my book was the writing so quick and easy to follow. And I could tell that she also improved on her writing.
In this book we follow Ella and Henry after Henry’s grandpa passes away and they both need to save the bookstore he owned. Ella has worked her way up to get to the roll of taking over the whole store when he passes or he retires, but Henry has been given the store by the lawyers.
But the store is slowly getting more in the red with numbers than they both knew of. So now they need to figure out how to save the store from going bankrupt.
In this story you follow a set of amazing characters with all their own character traits. This book was such a warm hug with all of these characters being here. I also loved the scene where Aiden and Rose show up for an event.
I highly recommend this book
Just like not in my book was the writing so quick and easy to follow. And I could tell that she also improved on her writing.
In this book we follow Ella and Henry after Henry’s grandpa passes away and they both need to save the bookstore he owned. Ella has worked her way up to get to the roll of taking over the whole store when he passes or he retires, but Henry has been given the store by the lawyers.
But the store is slowly getting more in the red with numbers than they both knew of. So now they need to figure out how to save the store from going bankrupt.
In this story you follow a set of amazing characters with all their own character traits. This book was such a warm hug with all of these characters being here. I also loved the scene where Aiden and Rose show up for an event.
I highly recommend this book
November 29, 2025
eeeekkkkkkk!!!!!
i was given this arc in exchange for an honest review, so here i am!! with my honest review!!!!!
this book felt like falling in love. i honestly do not know what else to say. it was full of so much joy + hope + the thrill of change!
receiving this arc made me so ecstatic, after reading not in my book and not totally loving it but felt like there was more to be done, i was relieved to be reading another katie holt book. this one surpassed all expectations.
i will be counting down the days until publication.
i was given this arc in exchange for an honest review, so here i am!! with my honest review!!!!!
this book felt like falling in love. i honestly do not know what else to say. it was full of so much joy + hope + the thrill of change!
receiving this arc made me so ecstatic, after reading not in my book and not totally loving it but felt like there was more to be done, i was relieved to be reading another katie holt book. this one surpassed all expectations.
i will be counting down the days until publication.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was utterly delightful. Man, I love books about books.
This was a love letter to LOVE, the magic of books, pop-culture, NYC, family and the importance of bookstores.
I laughed, I cried, and I was rooting for the characters. Our main characters were vulnerable, honest and mature (no miscommunication trope here) and it was SO refreshing.
I liked Holt's debut novel, I loved this novel, and I will certainly keep reading her books.
eARC received from Alcove Press via Netgalley, thank you so much!
This was a love letter to LOVE, the magic of books, pop-culture, NYC, family and the importance of bookstores.
I laughed, I cried, and I was rooting for the characters. Our main characters were vulnerable, honest and mature (no miscommunication trope here) and it was SO refreshing.
I liked Holt's debut novel, I loved this novel, and I will certainly keep reading her books.
eARC received from Alcove Press via Netgalley, thank you so much!
December 23, 2025
okay i absolutely adored this. it was an ARC so there were quite a bit of spelling, phrasing and sentence structure issues but that’s to be expected sometimes. this was just really sweet, redemptive and the growth between the two mains was admirable. loved how bookish it was. just loved. thank you netgalley for the arc!
January 6, 2026
I was so excited to read ‘The Last Page’ after having ‘Not in my Book’ as one of my top reads last year. However, unfortunately this book fell very flat for me. I absolutely adore Katie’s writing and honestly found her writing so lovely to read but the story for me just didn’t hit as I thought it would. To begin the side characters (bookstore employees) were beyond annoying and that work environment just didn’t seem very realistic to me. Both Ella and Henry in the beginning were also a little annoying and if they just committed a little better it would have been fine. I honestly did not feel a connection with them until around the 80% mark and even then it wasn’t a deep connection that I expected from this book. The story had some really good concepts and it was an enjoyable read. I loved the little cameo from Aiden and Rosie.
Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC!
Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC!
January 15, 2026
Firstly, thank you for the author for sending me an ARC. This was definitely a right book right time! I am going through grief myself so I was teary eyed from the start! It hit all the tings. Swifty, cats, books, found family, slow burn.. I cannot wait till this book comes out to buy a copy!!
coming-soon
June 13, 2025cannot waitttttt
December 1, 2025
I didn’t like this book at all. The characters felt flat and boring, and I never once believed in the chemistry between them, it just wasn’t there. The premise had potential, but the execution completely missed the mark for me. Unfortunately, I don’t recommend this one.
Thank you NetGalley & Alcove Press for this ARC!
Thank you NetGalley & Alcove Press for this ARC!
December 3, 2025
This was a other great read by Katie Holt.i loved the characters. I thought this was a cute book.
December 7, 2025
3.5⭐️
Review coming later!
Review coming later!
January 25, 2026
low 3… it was kind of all over the place
December 28, 2025
I couldn't get past the white man superiority complex
✰ DNF 30%, the author spent too much energy building up the antagonism between the characters that there ended up being zero chemistry between them. and if the author's intention was to make me hate the male love interest, it worked.
thank you to Alcove Press for the arc in exchange for an honest review
source: netgalley ebook arc
✰ DNF 30%, the author spent too much energy building up the antagonism between the characters that there ended up being zero chemistry between them. and if the author's intention was to make me hate the male love interest, it worked.
thank you to Alcove Press for the arc in exchange for an honest review
source: netgalley ebook arc
February 2, 2026
2.5 🌟 "𝘕𝘦𝘸 𝘠𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘊𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘢𝘣𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘯 𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘢 𝘚𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘻. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴."
I’m a huge fan of Katie Holt’s debut novel, Not In My Book, so I went into The Last Page incredibly excited. Unfortunately, I came away pretty underwhelmed.
As with any review I give under three stars, I’m breaking this down into a list. That way I feel less like a hater 😭
Things I loved about The Last Page:
• The New York City setting 🗽 I will never not love a book set in NYC, and this was no exception. Katie’s use of real-life locations elevated the story and made it feel immersive!!
• The bookstore plot! Maybe it’s because I recently rewatched You’ve Got Mail, but I really enjoyed it. It healed my broken heart after the closure of Kathleen’s store (spoilers, sorry!) Seeing the city and its small businesses rally around The Last Page was genuinely sweet, and the book fair sounded like so much fun.
• Carmella being Peruvian!! Is the Spanglish in Ella’s family accurate to real life? In my opinion, no. But I loved how passionately she spoke about her culture and food. I’m Venezuelan, so not many similarities there LOL, but I’ll always support enthusiastic Latin American rep 🌟
Things I didn’t love about The Last Page:
• The pacing. I know this is marketed as a slow burn, but I don’t think the page count supported the kind of burn aimed for. Carmella and Henry stayed enemies, then friends, for so long that by the time they were “in love,” their chemistry felt rushed and forced.
• The pop culture references. I’m pretty lenient about this, but here it was excessive. I really don’t need Travis Kelce, Elon Musk, or Joe Rogan showing up in my reads.
• The writing style. I didn’t notice this as much in Not In My Book, but here there was a lot of telling instead of showing, which pulled me out of the story, unfortunately.
• The characters themselves. Carmella, in particular, came across as immature, childish, and rude for far too long. Henry was sweet!! But not developed enough for me to fall in love with him. And sadly, the found family didn’t have much payoff either, as much as I tried to love the booksellers :’)
Not In My Book is still one of my favorite reads, and Katie Holt remains an author I’ll keep an eye on!!! The Last Page just didn’t hit.
Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the ARC! All opinions are my own 💖
I’m a huge fan of Katie Holt’s debut novel, Not In My Book, so I went into The Last Page incredibly excited. Unfortunately, I came away pretty underwhelmed.
As with any review I give under three stars, I’m breaking this down into a list. That way I feel less like a hater 😭
Things I loved about The Last Page:
• The New York City setting 🗽 I will never not love a book set in NYC, and this was no exception. Katie’s use of real-life locations elevated the story and made it feel immersive!!
• The bookstore plot! Maybe it’s because I recently rewatched You’ve Got Mail, but I really enjoyed it. It healed my broken heart after the closure of Kathleen’s store (spoilers, sorry!) Seeing the city and its small businesses rally around The Last Page was genuinely sweet, and the book fair sounded like so much fun.
• Carmella being Peruvian!! Is the Spanglish in Ella’s family accurate to real life? In my opinion, no. But I loved how passionately she spoke about her culture and food. I’m Venezuelan, so not many similarities there LOL, but I’ll always support enthusiastic Latin American rep 🌟
Things I didn’t love about The Last Page:
• The pacing. I know this is marketed as a slow burn, but I don’t think the page count supported the kind of burn aimed for. Carmella and Henry stayed enemies, then friends, for so long that by the time they were “in love,” their chemistry felt rushed and forced.
• The pop culture references. I’m pretty lenient about this, but here it was excessive. I really don’t need Travis Kelce, Elon Musk, or Joe Rogan showing up in my reads.
• The writing style. I didn’t notice this as much in Not In My Book, but here there was a lot of telling instead of showing, which pulled me out of the story, unfortunately.
• The characters themselves. Carmella, in particular, came across as immature, childish, and rude for far too long. Henry was sweet!! But not developed enough for me to fall in love with him. And sadly, the found family didn’t have much payoff either, as much as I tried to love the booksellers :’)
Not In My Book is still one of my favorite reads, and Katie Holt remains an author I’ll keep an eye on!!! The Last Page just didn’t hit.
Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the ARC! All opinions are my own 💖
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