The Last Great Almost

by Quintana McConnell

Phases fade. Eras echo.
You don't always know you're in one,
until it's gone.

Nora Lowe never meant to return-not to the boy who once knew her better than she knew herself. But fifteen summers later, her car is back in the driveway across the street. Coming home means facing the ache they never named, the silences that shaped them, and the versions of herself she thought she'd left behind.

Elliott Ashby hasn't really slept since Nora left. Her absence rewrote him-into someone who measures mornings by shadows and rehearses reunions that never come. Now that she's here, everything he buried begins to surface.

Told in dual POV across layered timelines, The Last Great Almost is a slow-burning meditation on emotional imprinting, chosen family, and the quiet ways we carry each other-long after the moment has passed.

536 pages, Paperback

Expected publication March 17, 2026

Reviews

[Carley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll be honest I was very hesitant going into this book because my two least favorite tropes are second chance romance and friends to lovers. There was no way to dislike how these tropes were done with Nora and Elliott. These characters were so well developed and felt so human there was no way not to care. Definitely should be making it's way into your mental tbr. I also need to mention that you need to read the trigger warnings before going to into this book because some quite heavy topics are discussed. Also know there are a lot of pop culture references( which I enjoyed but I know some people aren't a fan of ). Overall, amazing job to the author and a great book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was such an emotional, sweet second-chance romance done right. Both characters were carrying their own heavy life hardships, one more deeply than the other but watching them find their way back to love felt so earned. Their connection was gentle, healing, and honestly just beautiful. Proof that sometimes the best second chance is finding your way to the right person at the right time.

[Heather Greer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was a sweet, second chance, dual POV, friends to lovers story. It was kinda like living my youth all over again with all the feels, miscommunications and up and downs of how relationship can go. Elliott and Nora are wonderful characters that makes you really care about them and their feelings.

[Chrissytina Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a heartfelt, second-chance romance. The FMC’s backstory hit home a little closer than I expected, so I definitely felt a lot of connection to her character. I enjoy the way this author writes “grumpy” characters. They’re not angry. They’re more aloof, reserved, and dealing with depression or anxiety. It makes the character more realistic and relatable. I also got a kick out of all the millennial pop culture references and Taylor Swift nods.

[Johanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really sweet and a fun read. I enjoyed the dual perspective and the flow. It came together nicely without a lot of miscommunication between the characters once Nora came back. Elliot is love, care, strength and understanding wrapped together in a wonderful package.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Caitlyn Lemberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dual POV, second chance romance, AND childhood friends to lovers? Amazing.
Also towards the end it was heavy events on football and I LOVE the NFL.
This was a long read, but such a cute one and I feel like the ending was predictable but I truly ate it up. I loved how it was every other chapter for the character.
Also PLEASE be mindful of the TW’s (parent death, grief, mental health).

[Chloe Hunter · Rating 2 out of 5]

A love story pieced together with nods to Taylor Swift. The attention to detail with certain lyrics and moments that Quintana McConnell includes is good, even down to a less-than-30-second breakup voicemail. I’m looking at you, Joe Jonas 👌🏼

But even as a Swiftie, it eventually felt like too much. There were so many lyrics written into the characters’ thoughts that it started to feel forced, like they were squeezed in whether they fit the scene or not.

It was predictable, which isn’t unusual for contemporary romance haha, but the inner thoughts felt repetitive. The relationship also jumped from long-time strangers to instant best friends without much in-between. After not speaking for 15+ years, I expected more awkwardness, more hurt, more pushback. Instead they were pretty happy-go-lucky. They would “talk,” but never actually talk about the real issue. The book acted like they resolved the hard stuff, but the details of what happened in the past were never fully said, just danced around.

I also struggled with the FMC. She didn’t feel like she had much depth or direction. Deciding not to go back to her apartment across the country didn’t really change anything in her life. She stayed secluded and didn’t seem to work on herself much beyond standing up to her parents. And even then, instead of actually growing or improving the relationship, she mostly stonewalled and walked out of conversations. It was framed as progress, but it didn’t feel like real maturity.

Overall, it felt less like a meaningful or exciting story and more like a collection of poetic inner monologues and lyrics about being in love. I also couldn’t tell you what her job was before she left New York, or even what her life looked like there. She disappeared for a year, never went back for her things, and somehow faced zero consequences. And at the end she randomly starts writing a screenplay. Since when was she a writer? It felt unrealistic and disconnected.

🫧🌶️ Spice-free, kisses only
⚠️ TW: suicide

Thanks to NetGalley and Gilded Horizon Books for this eARC.

[bri 🎀 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dear swifties, drop everything now & add this book to your tbr!! 😍

✨My review:
This story follows Nora and Elliott, almost high school sweethearts, when they reconnect fifteen summers later. Nora never dreamt of coming out of exile to return home to painful memories and the boy who got away. But when Elliott knocks on her door for the first time in years, she’s enchanted all over again. Elliott, who has been plagued by memories of Nora, remembers all too well. He remembers all the little things and versions of themselves so they can begin again. All Nora had to do was stay. Besides, nothing good ever happens in a getaway car.

Love, love, love this book so much!! I could not put this book down. It’s so millennial coded and the best Taylor Swift vibes!! And how fitting to have read it the day before the Life of a Showgirl 🧡

✨Tropes: slow burn romance, second chance, childhood friends reunion, chosen family, emotional scars, small town, nostalgia, black cat x golden retriever

Thank you so much to the author for this arc!!

[☆Laura☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cuando Nora regresa a Moonridge después de años fuera, lo hace con la sensación de haber perdido más de lo que ganó. Su vida en Portland se ha venido abajo y la casa de su infancia parece el único lugar donde puede sostenerse. Sin embargo, volver significa enfrentar aquello que siempre evitó. Al otro lado de la calle vive Elliott, su amigo de toda la vida y también la persona cuya ausencia marcó el rumbo que tomó su historia.

El reencuentro despierta emociones que creían enterradas. Nora lidia con la presión de sus padres, el eco de decisiones mal tomadas y el temor de revivir lo que la lastimó. Elliott ha construido una rutina rígida para no enfrentar su propia culpa y ahora debe reconocer que nunca logró dejarla atrás.


___


Esperaba que al final Nora rompiera todo contacto con sus padres.


Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was sweet, heartfelt and like a warm hug of a romance novel. There were some really profound moments and the whole book is very emotionally charged which I really enjoyed. I also loved the characters, Nora and Elliot are the sweetest and I’m so happy they got their happily ever after!

There isn’t a lot of dialogue in this one, it’s more reflective and full of quiet moments looking back and wishing. It gets pretty heavy at times and both Nora and Elliot go through some pretty tough stuff. But I absolutely loved the way everything came together in the end, this book really defines the phrase, “to be known is to be loved.”

The only thing i think could have made this better is if it were dual timeline. I would have loved to live through high school with our MC’s in stead of just hearing about it or flashing back to moments in their minds. I fell like that would have created a lot more tension and made me love these characters even more. But otherwise I had a great time with this story and would definitely recommend if you’re a fan of more emotional romance stories.

Thank you to BookSprout and the author for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review!

[Nathalie DeSousa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read books by Quintana McConnell before and this one is probably one of my favorites so far.

Be aware of your triggers before you start reading this book as there are heavy themes dealt with detail.

This is such a great and heartfelt book about a girl who left her home to discover herself, but life was not gentle, and she is back to face what she left behind, and the boy who has almost her love, but has pined for her through time and her evolution. And oh my, is it ever a great story. Nora and Elliot were neighbors, confidants, the best of friends, but before he can confess his feelings, she leaves. What comes next is an exploration of time and love and the struggles that life brings. The author doesn't shy from bringing stories to life and showcasing them and seeing how they are shaping the characters until the time they get a second chance.

A great book !.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cait's Reading Nook · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Last Great Almost is a story that spans over a decade between Nora and Elliott. Nora returns home after 15 years. She reunites with Elliott. We see through their reunion feelings emerging again after being dormant for many years.

This story is emotive and heartfelt and paces the passage of time as well as the dual perspectives of Nora and Elliott’s story. I liked how character-driven the story is, and readers get an in depth perspective of both of their journeys. I thought it was powerful to show their feelings almost like a journal, processing their feelings for each other and the impact of those feelings over the years. I contributes to the build of their sharing their feelings and their relationship.

This story shows the power of quiet moments - people speaking to each other without words. It’s the power of their feelings for each and their connection.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kelly Kenyon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers and author for an advanced copy of The Last Great Almost by Quintana McConnell.
This is a second chance/childhood best friend read. I’m not sure if it is a YA book but it reads like one. It’s very cute and sweet with some heavier topics sprinkled in. The FMC’s mental health is touched upon but not in depth. The MMC is an absolute sweetheart, patient and kind. He is also healing from trauma that isn’t explored much. I was rooting for them both as a couple, but more importantly, individually.
I loved the nostalgia, esp th music.
I felt like many of the storylines were too vague, I was left with questions. I really never understood the reason the FMC and the MMC lost touch in the first place. Or what exactly happened to her. ALS the ending was cute but again, not many details.
3.25⭐️

[Jordan Schmitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Because if home has a name, it’s hers.” 🧡

thank you @quintanamcconnellauthor for the early copy of your book! 📗

read if you like:
+ childhood friends to lovers
+ Taylor swift references
+ small town
+ processing old trauma
+ indie authors

This book is a poetic/lyrical nod to returning home, being brave, rekindling lost love, and building a new life in spite of past hurts. Nora and Elliot were best friends from age 3 until Nora left town for over a decade after high school. Now she’s back, but can she overcome the tough memories of this small town?

little things I loved:
+ 1990/2000s childhood nostalgia
+ rooftop moments
+ years of pining
+ journal entries
+ a 🏈 scene that feels like Cinderella Story
+ found family
+ Elliot’s sturdy, constant love

⚠️ content warnings: suicidal ideation, abuse, toxic family

[Lra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nora siempre ha sabido fingir que está bien. Fingir que su familia es perfecta, que sus decisiones no le duelen, que irse de su pueblo fue un acto de valentía y no que huia. Se fue buscando una mejor versión de sí misma, una vida grande, un amor que no la hiciera dudar. Pero lo único que consiguió fue convertirse en alguien que apenas reconoce en el espejo.

Cuando regresa a Moonridge con el corazón recién roto y la dignidad hecha trizas, se encuentra cara a cara con el único chico que alguna vez la vio completa. Elliott no es solo el vecino de enfrente. Es su infancia, sus secretos, la versión de ella que todavía creía en promesas susurradas bajo las estrellas.


__


No me gusto como se trato el tema de los padres de Nora. Tuvo que romper lazos con ellos y no volver a verlos.



Gracias Love Notes PR por el ARC.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Team Reader -

The Last Great Almost is a cute, comforting read that delivers exactly what it promises—a gentle story with steady pacing and a warm, familiar feel. It’s the kind of book that invites you to settle in, relax, and simply enjoy the company of its characters. While a few parts felt like they were a bit long/drawn-out, the overall flow made it an easy, enjoyable escape.

What I appreciated most was how refreshing it felt compared to the adrenaline-heavy, action-packed fantasy novels dominating my reading list lately. This book doesn’t try to thrill you; instead, it feels like spending time with a comfortable friend—low-pressure, kindhearted, and pleasantly soothing. A quick, feel-good break that’s well worth the read.

[Sharyn Stieglitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely devoured this book! Nora and Elliott's story is the perfect book for any Swiftie. I was so impressed by all the Easter Eggs Quintana was able to incorporate into the story.
Nora and Elliott are childhood next door neighbors, who have gone separate ways for 15 years. When Nora moves back to Ohio, she reconnects with Elliott, and is trying to figure out what she wants to do in life. Throughout this book, we're taken down memory lane to their childhood and high school, along with their current day story and reconnection.
I adored Nora, the FMC, and found her to be very relatable. She was dealing with family and mental health issues, and navigating a very tough time in her life. She took on a job at the local diner, but knows there's something bigger for her out there.
Elliott is the book boyfriend of my dreams. He's such a kind soul, and has always been there for Nora, and is hoping they can move past their 15 year hiatus, and move forward together as adults.
I adored this book and every time I caught a Taylor Swift reference, I was so giddy inside.
This was my first book by Quintana McConnell, but definitely won't be my last!

[Cheryl Tabor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks Book Sprout. Two people whom as young people were best friend, each falling in love back then but never revealing that fact. Elliot lost his best friend that left without a word after graduation. Then he lost his parents. A teacher/coach still in same town grew up in. In his parents home, across the street from Nora's parents home. Who he visits often. Norma doesn't visit as he'd hoped. Nora had so many traumas from high school, her parents. Nothing left for her to stay even she an Elliot have fought before she left. Some things happened in her new life that some how brought her back home. Was this a mistake. Would her parents ever change. Would she be able to avoid Elliot while home. The secrets are revealed of both Elliots and Nora's and from that what remains?

[Angelica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great second chance romance, friends to lovers story. Nora and Elliot were neighbors and best friends since they were young. There was always an undercurrent of more, but they both were afraid of disturbing their friendship. There friendship was impacted by a traumatic event in high school and they didn't talk for 15 years. Their friendship is rekindled when Nora comes back home. They have to work through their issues, their memories, but are able to get through with a much stronger relationship. A great read overall.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jennifer Markowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I took my time with this book as I realized while reading that I was needing to stop and absorb what I was reading frequently. This book packed a punch in the feelings department. It had me crying mostly because I identify so much with the FMC. This isn’t the kind of book you can speed read and expect to get the full experience from reading it. You really need to take your time with this book in order to truly appreciate it. I highly recommend if you’re looking for something that makes you feel things you weren’t expecting to. You can tell that the author poured a lot of herself into the characters and story.

[Savana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a sweet, slow burn coming-of-age story focused around second chances and healing. The characters experience growth (personal & otherwise) and their relationship progresses beautifully, which I enjoyed! There were a few things that affected/lowered my overall rating: for the length of the book I felt like there were some unanswered or open-ended plot holes, the overreaching storyline is a bit fragmented which made it feel choppy and incomplete, and the formatting really threw me off. Overall, this is a cute read, I just don't think it was for me. For someone who enjoys longer stories and a drawn out/slower-to-take romance with heavy trauma healing, this would be a great rec!

[Tianna Harris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book follows Nora who returns home after a recent break up. Her childhood best friend is still living across the street from Nora’s parents house. For some reason these two are still being drawn together after more than a decade apart. If you love the angsty part of a love story this book is for you. I wish there was more time in the book with them as a couple to enjoy the angst and yearning. I did love how patient Elliot was with Nora as he learned what happened in her life since the last time they saw each other. He listened and pushed her to be present and live in the moment.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second Chance/friends to lovers
I highly enjoyed Nora and Elliot’s story.
Nora and Elliot were childhood best friends that obviously crushed on each other but never pursued a relationship due to timing and miscommunication. Then abruptly, Nora leaves town for quite a few years and ends up coming back to town to realize she’s still in love with Elliot. From there, we go on a roller coaster of emotions and understanding between the two characters.
The banter between Nora and Elliot is top-tier!

[Veronica Iris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nora and Elliot will take you on a long journey of friendship, trauma, grief, mental health struggles and healing. You’ll want to reach in to hug them so many times. There will be lots of emotions felt throughout your reading. It’s a story of another chance at love not only with the only person your heart has ever loved, but yourself. The found family makes that love even sweeter.


Triggers:
Sexual Assault (not on page)
Grief
Loss of parents
Anxiety/Depression
Suicidal Ideation
Toxic Family

* I received an ARC *

[Taryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first started reading this book I have to be honest I didn't know if I would finish it. I felt that at first it was very slow moving and it didn’t catch my attention right away that I wanted to just sit and read it. But as the story developed I started to get into it more and by the end I couldn’t put it down.
This is a second chance friends to lover slow burn troupes. If you are a Swiftie you will like the Taylor Swift vibes. By the end I had all the feels.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[shari · Rating 4 out of 5]

**ARC Review**

This is such a beautiful story of a rekindling of long lost love. A very cozy, kind of cliche but in the most perfect way, retelling and illustration of a missed opportunity for 2 people. The way that the author was able to perfectly capture the words I could never even begin to think of, like saving it in a jar, like a favorite smell or taste that unlocks a memory that was stowed away for years and years that we almost forgot about until it resurfaces.

Such a sweet and wonderful love story that made me happy cry.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tribute to the 90s and 00s, Taylor Swift, and the power of genuine, quiet love, The Last Great Almost is for anyone who needs to be reminded that, despite past wounds and mistakes, they are worthy of being seen, known, and cherished. The world needs more stories like this one where respectful, patient, and mutually edifying love is championed.

*Content considerations: I would recommend this book for older teens and adults as it does deal (tastefully and not in detail) with some heavier topics like trauma, assault, and abuse.

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a heartfelt, well rounded second chance romance full of friendship, vulnerability, hard conversations, 90’s nostalgia, and Taylor Swift references.

Our FMC Nora is not what I expected her to be, in the most beautiful and layered way. She is navigating her journey of self discovery after a breakup and visiting her parents in hometown in Ohio. I felt myself relating to Nora in so many ways. She’s at a pivotal moment in her life where her next decision(s) could totally change the trajectory of her life journey. We learn about her past traumas and see her grow through them independently and learning to love every part of herself, but also by allowing herself to be vulnerable and begin to deeply trust in another person.

Our MMC Elliott is just so wholesome that you can’t not love him. He’s one of the good ones. The *only* thing I didn’t like that he did was close to the beginning when there was an invasion of privacy moment. I understand why it was there, but I’d wish it had been a bit different.

I loved the structure of the book, written as tracks of an album.

Some other messages I loved are:
- time being both a healer and a thief
- love as a choice, not a destiny: choosing to show up and go through the hard conversations
- mental health focus

Some things I would have liked:
- I found it to be just a tad long, with some repetition that could have been eliminated/condensed
- This is personal preference, but the formatting and larger indentations weren’t ideal for me.

Solid 4 star read! I really hope you can experience Nora and Elliott’s world!

I received a #free copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Kilynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Last Great Almost was a beautiful book of self healing and learning to be who you are while also accepting the love you deserve. Nora and Elliot’s story is full of longing forever each other while worrying about ruining their friendship. You’ll be begging them to tell the other how they feel while also getting the heart warming aspect of both characters growing into who they truly are after loss. Overall at 240 pages this was a good easy read and is perfect for those who like slow burn with lots of yearning and a happy ending!

[C Rivera · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the authors writing and descriptions in the book. I also enjoyed the character growth. If you like a good slow burn, this is the book for you! However, I think it took way too long for the couple to acknowledge their feelings for each other so I started to get bored because I felt like nothing was happening.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.