A Last Time for Everything

by Evan S. Porter

With a surprise baby on the way, a couple races against the clock to complete the Bucket List they wrote when they first met so they can squeeze in a lifetime’s worth of adventures before bellyflopping into parenthood.

The only thing Arthur and Wren are sure about is each other. But even after ten years together, they hardly feel like adults. They’re living in the same Craigslist-furnished one-bedroom Baltimore apartment that they moved into after graduation. A surprise pregnancy is the last thing either of them expect, and a baby is the last thing they feel ready for.

Wren is desperate for one final adventure before the baby comes. So when they find the Bucket List they made in their early days together, Wren convinces Arthur that they better tick off every item. It’s their last chance to do all the things they wanted to do as wistful teenagers, like spend an entire day in bed, get on the jumbotron at a pro football game, or . . . go skydiving? Is that allowed?

But as their due date gets closer, and the items on their list dwindle, Arthur and Wren find they’ve got more questions than answers. What do they want their life to look like as a family? Do they have what it takes to be parents? And the big Are they really meant to be together forever?

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary, Adult Romance, Adult

336 pages, Paperback

Published July 21, 2026

About the author

Hey there, I'm Evan. I'm an author living in Atlanta, GA with my wife and two daughters. I'm from Baltimore, a lifelong Ravens fan, and a lover of all kinds of stories. My debut novel "Dad Camp" came out in 2024 and is being developed by Netflix as a feature film, with Happy Madison and 21 Laps producing.

My new novel, "A Last Time for Everything" builds on the themes of "Dad Camp"—parenting, identity, family—as a sort of spiritual prequel.

Send me a question if you have any, I would be honored to answer.

Reviews

[Calvin]

“Lately, even he had to admit, his heart hadn’t been in it in quite the same way.”

This was a bit up and down for me. Technically it did have a happy ending but a lot of the turns in the middle just seemed to be these poor folks existentially panic changing their life as they navigate the fears of new parenthood. Potentially relatable but I have 0 kids.

Also, I’m all for an opposites attract trope but the couple seemed at permanent odds with each other with their general incompatibility throughout the story. The overall vibe of their relationship screamed complacency. I was expecting more of a remember why we fell in love type story but it was messier than that.

The middle was a bit rough but the ending felt warm and bubbly and overall I’m fine with what this book left me with.

[annie!]

over this summer I have read three books about pregnant women... what does this say about me? am I possibly having an existential crisis as I go into my senior year of uni?

in any sense, this book does yes, contain a pregnant woman, but also the father-to-be and helps these two people who feel lost and behind in many ways become closer to one another and more prepared to face parenthood with their baby on-the-way. a fun story that brings closure to these people and sees aging and adulthood not as the end of something but rather as something to embrace and live out to its fullest, even if that fullest looks a little different than your early twenties.

I'm a sensitive-hearted loser and thought this was very sweet-toothed. and I'm very proud of wren and arthur and all they did in this book!

[Ashley Cohoon]

⭐⭐⭐✨☆ (3.5/5 stars)

A Last Time for Everything by Evan S. Porter was a funny, messy, and surprisingly heartfelt story about a couple trying to figure out who they are before becoming parents.

Arthur and Wren have been together for years when an unexpected pregnancy forces them to confront how much their lives are about to change. Nervous about losing their freedom and sense of identity, they decide to revisit an old bucket list and complete as many items as possible before the baby arrives.

I really liked the premise, and there were several moments that were both ridiculous and genuinely sweet. The book captured the fear surrounding new parenthood well, especially the feeling that life as you know it is ending even while something exciting is beginning. Arthur and Wren also felt realistic in the way they handled that fear very differently.

At the same time, their relationship frustrated me. They often seemed completely mismatched, and instead of reminding me why they belonged together, much of the story highlighted how poorly they communicated and how differently they approached life. Some of their choices also felt too extreme, particularly when they made major decisions without considering how the other person might feel.

The middle became a little uneven as both characters started making increasingly impulsive choices, but the final portion brought back the warmth I had been hoping for. The ending felt hopeful without pretending that all of their problems had disappeared.

Overall, this was a quick and enjoyable read with plenty of humor and heart. I didn’t always love Arthur and Wren’s decisions, but I appreciated the honest look at the anxiety, excitement, and identity crisis that can come with preparing for parenthood.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Dutton for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Phillip Quinn]

A few years ago, I liked the novel Dad Camp by Evan S. Porter. When I received notice that his latest novel A Last Time For Everything was available to check out, I jumped at the chance.

Thank you Netgalley and Dutton for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

This was a fun story.

Arthur and Wren have a baby on the way, a loving relationship, and a bucket list. He’s more cautious in life, and she’s more spontaneous and throws caution to the wind. Opposites that attract. A common theme.

Their decade old bucket list, however, throws everyone for a loop. They’re both terrified of having this baby, so the list is a nice, welcome distraction.

The disagreements and arguments felt real — raw — but so did the happy moments. The trip to Chuck E. Cheese was one of my favorite things in the entire book. It was so funny and touching at the same time. Brilliant.

There’s one story beat that I did not love.

SPOILER: I didn’t love Arthur buying the house without discussing it with Wren.

While I understand that it was reinforcing the point that he was kind of desperate to prove that he could be spontaneous as well, it fell flat for me. I thought it was a little bit too much out of character for Arthur, but it wasn’t enough to curtail my enjoyment of this book

I can’t wait to see what’s coming next.

For Porter, over enjoyed the first two novels of his career. I think Dad Camp edges this one out, but I still had a great time with it. Whenever the third one is released, I’ll be checking it out as well.

[Evan S Porter]

Hello! My name is Evan and I'm the author of "A Last Time for Everything."

If you read my debut "Dad Camp," you'll know how much I love writing about family and parenthood and the way having kids deeply changes you. A lot of people have asked me if ALTFE is a sequel to Dad Camp. It's not! But it is a spiritual prequel. Not about the same characters, but about the phase of life that comes before the one explored in my first book: Young adulthood. Being adrift and clueless and scared to death of the next steps, all while wondering where the hell the last few years went.

I hope the book is funny, something you read quickly and joyfully and with lots of laughs. Maybe you'll even roll your eyes a few times when things get a little too silly. But it was also important to me that this book wouldn't be purely "empty calories." I wanted to write about how hard it is to be a person now, and how difficult it is to close the book on a chapter of your life even when you're excited for the next one. And I felt I couldn't ignore how much the world has changed (mostly, not for the better) since our parents and grandparents grew up. Those are the people we look to for how to do this whole Mom or Dad thing, until we find out that their model is wildly outdated in a lot of ways.

Anyway, I'll stop rambling and let you get to it. Whatever you think of the book, thank you for taking the time out of your busy life to read it.

[Samantha (WLABB)]

A surprise pregnancy sends a couple on a mission to complete the bucket list they penned when they first met.

I LOVED Dad Camp. It was full of humor and warmth, and I wanted more of that. I picked up A Last Time for Everything without hesitation. The idea of a pregnant couple trying to cram in as many experiences as possible before becoming parents is a great one, and it was wonderful that Wren and Arthur were able to discover so much about themselves during this pre-baby period. Though my child is grown, I remember having many of those same feelings about impending parenthood, so that was well captured.

I struggled with the characters. Wren was especially chaotic to the point of me fearing for their unborn. I believe it was suppose to be madcap humor, but she just came across as unhinged to me. I will say the warmth and heart I was seeking emerged more towards the end of the book which made this end on a high note for me.

*ARC provided by publisher

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[Sacha]

4 stars

I read _Dad Camp_ as an arc and truly enjoyed it, so when I saw that Porter had a second book on tap, I couldn't wait to find out what the sophomore effort had in store. I'm happy to report that this is a sophomore smash (vs. slump)!

Arthur and Wren have been together for a long time but drifting along in a state of (mostly) complacency. This condition gets highlighted when they come up against a big, unplanned change: pregnancy. Both characters deal with this surprise in different ways, and those are mostly hilarious to readers because they are bizarre and we don't have to pay any consequences. Also, even when the couple really struggles, there's an ongoing lightheartedness that makes this a fairly breezy read. I appreciated this very much. Not every book that includes a relationship needs to take us on a roller coaster of potential despair. This is giving hijinks vs. high drama.

This is a swift, easy read that made me get invested in the characters quickly, enjoy their antics, and root for their happiness. I'm so glad to get to read more from this author and look forward to additional future books from Porter!

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Nicole Jarvis at Dutton for this widget, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

[Ali Bunke]

A Last Time for Everything by Evan S. Porter is a genuinely delightful read. Arthur and Wren are expecting a baby, and both of them are feeling a little unsteady as they try to figure out what this next chapter of life means for them. When they first met, they made a bucket list together and now the story follows them as they start checking things off, mostly because Wren keeps nudging Arthur out of his comfort zone.

It’s a charming opposites‑attract dynamic with plenty of lighthearted moments, but the book also weaves in thoughtful, more serious emotions about growing up, looking forward, and letting go of the past. The balance between humor and heart works really well.

The writing is warm and engaging, and the plot kept me invested in Arthur and Wren’s journey both the fun adventures and the deeper emotional beats. I found myself rooting for them and genuinely curious about where their relationship would land by the end.

Thank you NetGalley and Dutton for the advanced reader copy. This is my honest review.

[Alex Lynn]

"The only thing Arthur and Wren are sure about is each other. But even after ten years together, they hardly feel like adults. They’re living in the same Craigslist-furnished one-bedroom Baltimore apartment that they moved into after graduation. A surprise pregnancy is the last thing either of them expect, and a baby is the last thing they feel ready for.."

Honestly? I friggin loved this book! I loved how authentic it felt because having kids TRULY does change you & you won't know how much changes until after your baby is here. People can say all the things to you and you can try and prepare as much as possible...but ultimately you just won't know until the baby arrives.

Wren and Arthur are so right for each other and I really loved how much Arthur was so supportive of Wren and chill, literally no matter what. It actually reminded me of my husband 🥹

If you're looking for a light-hearted, funny & just overall a cute read, this one is the one for you!
Thank you NetGalley, the author and publisher for my copy of this ARC.
All opinions are my own! 🧑‍🧑‍🧒🐶

[Anke]

I really enjoyed A LAST TIME FOR EVERYTHING; it was well-balanced, full of serious, lighthearted, and funny moments. Arthur and Wren have been together for ten years and are slowly drifting toward complacency. The big change comes when Wren finds out she is pregnant. There is a lot to plan before the baby arrives, and as they navigate present and future changes and decisions, Wren decides it is time to find their old bucket lists and start fulfilling their old dreams before it is too late. As they pick each slip of paper, written before they met, they get to know each other all over again, and, if there were any doubts, they are reminded why they are made for each other.

Thank you, NetGalley and Dutton, for this delightful summer read that kept me entertained throughout. A special thank you to Ean S Potter—I loved this book as much as DAD CAMP and can't wait to see what you write next!

[Kathleen Gray]

Arthur and Wren are opposites but happy ones and now they're having a baby. He's the straight man to her comedian, the saver to her spender, the employed to her unemployed. Wren's proposal that they work through their ten year old bucket list before the baby is born leads them on adventures, some good, some bad. Along the way, Arthur realizes they should move out of their one bedroom and into a house and this supplies the tension. I was a big fan of Dad Camp and this has some of the same poignancy but it's also chaotic. I found Wren immature and much of her seems inconsistent with how she viewed her childhood, which would have led most to seek stability. Arthur in Chuck E Cheese is everything and his big gesture, well, can't fault him. One quibble-no one drinks a pint in a Baltimore bar. Beer yes for sure but described as a pint. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This is a quick read that will make you smile.

[Rachel Gilman]

Arthur and Wren have been together for a decade, mostly coasting on vibes and the dream that one day they’ll have their acts together enough to move out of their crappy college apartment. That is until Wren unexpectedly becomes pregnant. Freaked out by what a child will mean for them individually as well as a couple, they distract themselves with a Bucket List from the early days of their relationship. Wren is determined to check everything off before her due date. Arthur, however, is more concerned with the questions they’ve yet to answer about what happens after they become parents. It’s a warm, equally complicated and light-hearted story that’s perfect for anyone afraid of having to call themselves a grown up too soon; thoughtfully reflecting on what it really means to commit to someone forever, for always, and no matter what.

Read my interview with the author here: https://nowwhatnewsletter.substack.co...

[Randi Gulledge]

As I write this review while holding my nine month old, I could not think of a better book that encapsulates the feelings leading up to becoming a new parent . Author Evan S Porter made Wren and Arthur sound like a couple that I could have ran into during our hospital tour or at a pediatricians office. Porter made the city of Baltimore an integral part of the plot. Whether it was the aquarium that held so much history for the couple, or the baseball field that was the start of their wacky list. Wren was someone I could relate to . When I first got pregnant I had come off a string of career failures and I was working in retail, so I related to her fears of not being a capable mother. Meanwhile Arthur though he was excited for the future was trying to hold on to a dream that was no longer obtainable for our generation. Also Porter some how made the “Chuckie the mouse “ costume sound sexy which was an impressive feat whitin itself.

[Nana]

Arthur and Wren have been together for 10 years, and find out they are expecting a baby. Neither one has thought about their lives as adults, and Wren wants to find their bucket list, that they made when they were teenagers. They are going to have one big adventure before their lives change, and they become parents. This is their adventure, As they carry out the bucket list, they learn a lot about themselves, they start going down the list, have new experiences, and this is their time of transitioning from youth to adults. It is an interesting read, seeing them as they were, who they are, going through their bucket list, and what happens, after that.
I received an ARC from Dutton through NetGalley.

[Larissa]

Goodness I can’t express how much I love this book. It perfectly depicts that someone can be of two states of mind about a life changing event. You can be scared because you are going into a new chapter of your life which means the goals and dreams you thought you had are going to have to go on the back burner maybe for forever. You can also be excited and love the little being your growing. The humor and compassion that this book handles this crazy time in many people’s lives is perfection and leads to a masterfully crafted story that had me engaged and wanting to read more from page one.
Thank you so much to Dutton and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.

[Amy Neill]

It took me a bit to get into this book, but I soon found myself "invested". I think I was initially put off by the "odd" cover illustration and the author's writing style (some of his phrases and terminology seemed like from another country, but set in the US).
The premise of the story was great - realistic, but also quite absurd - a young couple panicking before the impending birth of their first child. Mom and Dad to be handle this panic in completely different ways. The more you get to know the couple, you begin to understand their fears and reactions, and will find yourself rooting for them.
Thank you to NetGalley for the Advance Read.

[Dave Whitman]

Following a frequent pattern of mine, I picked up this book immediately after reading the author’s first novel and thoroughly enjoying it. While I preferred Dad Camp, this was still a fun read. Wren was a bit much at times, but it was still an enjoyable read. More broadly, I appreciate the author’s ability (in both of his books) to capture the emotions of normal changes that many people experience as we move through life. So many authors seem to feel the need to write about bizarre topics with people living with extreme and unrelatable realities, so it’s refreshing to pick up a book like this one.

[Elizabeth]

I enjoyed this one! It was fun and funny, with some heartfelt moments that made it shine. I haven't read Dad Camp, but now I might have to! The writing was easy and believable, and the story was (mostly) fully realized. I personally found it nice to read about a couple in this stage of their life; it's not a meet-cute, but it's also not the other extreme (e.g., divorce). This novel is unique and simultaneously relatable. Happy to have won a paperback ARC of this title in a Goodreads Giveaway.

[Shannon]

Porter's sophomore novel was a hilarious post-parenting romp as one couple about to have a baby try to cross off as many bucket list items as they can before their lives change forever. From sky jumping to facing fears, nothing is too big or small and both learn and grow along the way. This was a fun, lighthearted read with lots of emotional depth. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review.

[Dawn Griffith Hansard]

While at times somewhat humorous, I found this story to be almost manic, and not necessarily in a good way. The character Wren seemed very lucky to have a somewhat laid back husband. This was a somewhat fun book but not exactly what I was expecting. Thanks #NetGalley

[Jenna]

I needed this book at this time. I thought it was so witty and frequently funny.

[Edyta Natalia]

The premise was good but under delivered.

[Candy]

I was invited by the publisher to review this book. A long-term couple, Arthur and Wren, are unexpectedly expecting a baby while still feeling unprepared for adulthood. They decide to complete an old bucket list of adventures before their child arrives. As they work through the list, they begin questioning their future, their readiness for parenthood, and whether their relationship is truly meant to last.

This book struck a great balance between serious and lighthearted tones, and there were tender moments as the characters reflected on their time together and what the future would look like. Arthur and Wren are certainly relatable in their life choices, as well.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.