The Last Bookstore on Earth

by Lily Braun-Arnold
The Last Bookstore on Earth cover
Good Books rating 3.62
Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic
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Paperback • £8.99
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Technical
  • ID: 1441
  • Added: 2025-10-06
  • Updated: 2025-10-06
  • ISBN: 9780241701560
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2025-01-09
  • Formats: 3
  • Reviews: 4

A heartbreaking and high-stakes story of queer love and survival, The Last Bookstore on Earth is set against the backdrop of a climate change apocalypse. Liz, haunted by the memories of those she couldn't save, takes refuge in the bookstore where she once worked. She spends her days trading books for supplies and collecting stories from survivors. When another devastating storm is on the horizon, everything changes. Enter Maeve, a spiky out-of-towner who breaks into the bookstore seeking shelter. As their secrets and inner demons resurface, they must fight for their lives and question if there's time for a final love story before the world ends. Praise for the book includes comparisons to Station Eleven and The Last of Us, highlighting its intimate and harrowing meditation on survival, forgiveness, and love. The novel is described as hopeful, thrilling, and twisty, offering a unique blend of snarky sapphic dystopian elements.

Reviews
Tumblr - alexsfictionaddiction · 2025-10-06
nostalgic 3.50

The book is seen as a quick, light-hearted read brimming with nostalgia. The reviewer enjoyed it despite some continuity issues.

The reviewer describes 'The Last Bookstore on Earth' as a quick and light-hearted read that brims with nostalgia. They found it enjoyable enough to overlook some continuity issues, such as the setting being immediately after an apocalyptic event. The light-hearted tone and nostalgic elements made it a pleasant and engaging read, even if not entirely realistic.

Quick quotes

    It's a quick, light-hearted read that is brimming with nostalgia.

    I enjoyed it enough to dismiss the continuity issue of it being somehow set immediately after ...

    The world felt a little too real, but not in a bad way.

Kirkus Reviews · 2025-10-06
stellar 4.50

The novel is a stellar debut filled with cynical and witty characters who explore the nature of human connection. The uneasy alliance between the two main characters adds depth to the story.

Kirkus Reviews praises The Last Bookstore on Earth as a stellar debut, highlighting the cynical and witty characters that drive the narrative. The reviewer appreciates the exploration of human connection in the midst of an apocalyptic setting. The uneasy alliance between the two main characters adds a layer of complexity to their relationship, making their journey compelling and thought-provoking. The novel's ability to blend humor and depth makes it a standout in the genre.

Quick quotes

    This stellar debut is filled with cynical and witty characters who are exploring the nature of and need for human connection.

    The two form an uneasy alliance.

    The uneasy alliance between the two main characters adds a layer of complexity to their relationship.

Lesser Joke · 2025-03-27
disappointing 2.50

The book starts strong but worsens as petty YA drama takes over.

This reviewer initially enjoyed 'The Last Bookstore on Earth' for its compelling start and engaging characters. However, they felt that the introduction of petty YA drama significantly detracted from the overall experience. The reviewer found the book's quality to decline as it progressed, making the later parts less enjoyable. Despite this, they acknowledged some strong elements in the early stages.

Quick quotes

    Unfortunately, petty YA drama soon rears its head, and the book worsens substantially as it goes along.

    First another girl arrives, promising to ...

    The story's pacing kept me engaged, and I needed to see what happened next.

Reedsy · Karen Siddall · 2025-01-12
captivating 4.00

The pacing kept the reader engaged, with vivid descriptions creating strong visuals. The story was captivating and well-paced.

Karen Siddall was impressed by the pacing of the story, which kept her engaged throughout. She particularly enjoyed the vivid descriptions that created strong visuals, enhancing the overall reading experience. The story's ability to captivate and maintain interest was highlighted as a key strength. The reviewer found the narrative compelling and well-paced, making it a enjoyable read.

Quick quotes

    The story's pacing kept me engaged.

    The vivid descriptions of the settings created strong visuals.

    I needed to see what happened next.

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