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mlandershatt's review against another edition
3.0
I wanted more from this book - characters felt under developed and writing was simple in places.
michellekmartin's review
4.0
What a pure delight! I have a soft spot for books that take place in New England and this one was no exception. Taking place in Cape Cod over the summer of 1987 where Eve gets drawn into the world of literary great Henry Grey, his family, and the artistic crowd that also summers in the Cape, this one is the perfect 'summer' read for anyone who loves New England and books.
I was completely engrossed in this one and I loved the literary references, the romantic drama (that didn't feel cheesy) and the coming of age feel the story had. I thought Dukess did a great job of writing a story that had plot points that easily could have felt cliche but she wrote them in a way that didn't.
I was completely engrossed in this one and I loved the literary references, the romantic drama (that didn't feel cheesy) and the coming of age feel the story had. I thought Dukess did a great job of writing a story that had plot points that easily could have felt cliche but she wrote them in a way that didn't.
mindfullibrarian's review
4.0
(free review copy) 4.5 stars. Bookish, nostalgic, fabulous timeless narrator and setting. Highly recommended for anyone who loves to read about writing and the publishing industry, and for anyone who adores books set in beach towns as much as I do.
bookapotamus's review
4.0
If I had a book party - I would be happy with just wine and books - I don’t even need guests! Just my own little party! Oh wait.. that’s like every Friday for me already! :)
In this stunning story - the guests dress up as famous book characters! How fun - right?!?
It's the Summer of 1987, and Eve, 25, is an aspiring writer working as a low-level assistant in the book publishing industry. Unable to climb out from under the shadow of her brilliant brother and impress her mother, she jumps at the chance to work with a famed New Yorker writer as his assistant on Cape Cod, and scores an exclusive invitation to his and his wife's famed "Book Party” ― where attendees dress as literary characters.
Eve is dazzled by the family, the lifestyle, their famous friends, and the couples handsome son. The summer seems so magical… until Eve discovers uncomfortable truths about those around her that summer, and understands that the literary world she so desperately wanted to be a part of is not at all what it seems.
I loved this book! It was a really different and unique kind of coming of age novel that kept me riveted the entire time. I love to read about the "rich" and famous - and follow all the scandalous gossip that follows them. The book party concept is GENIUS and I want to have my own!
I enjoyed following Eve, and seeing the seedy and pretentious industry of publishing in the 80's. It was fun seeing all levels - from intern editors all the way up to world famous authors, and everything in between. The literary references and watching Eve navigate this community as a star struck book lover and young girl falling in love - is gorgeously told through beautiful prose and quite the unique story.
In this stunning story - the guests dress up as famous book characters! How fun - right?!?
It's the Summer of 1987, and Eve, 25, is an aspiring writer working as a low-level assistant in the book publishing industry. Unable to climb out from under the shadow of her brilliant brother and impress her mother, she jumps at the chance to work with a famed New Yorker writer as his assistant on Cape Cod, and scores an exclusive invitation to his and his wife's famed "Book Party” ― where attendees dress as literary characters.
Eve is dazzled by the family, the lifestyle, their famous friends, and the couples handsome son. The summer seems so magical… until Eve discovers uncomfortable truths about those around her that summer, and understands that the literary world she so desperately wanted to be a part of is not at all what it seems.
I loved this book! It was a really different and unique kind of coming of age novel that kept me riveted the entire time. I love to read about the "rich" and famous - and follow all the scandalous gossip that follows them. The book party concept is GENIUS and I want to have my own!
I enjoyed following Eve, and seeing the seedy and pretentious industry of publishing in the 80's. It was fun seeing all levels - from intern editors all the way up to world famous authors, and everything in between. The literary references and watching Eve navigate this community as a star struck book lover and young girl falling in love - is gorgeously told through beautiful prose and quite the unique story.
mhoffrob's review
4.0
While to "recent" in time to be true historical fiction, I really enjoyed this brief novel set in the late 1980's. Emma, at 25 years old, had dreams of being a writer, but the administrative job at a publisher has left her a bit jaded. When an opportunity arises to work as a reasearch assistant for a famed New Yorker writer, who happens to live and work in Cape Cod, she decides to take it and move forward from there in the fall. Through the summer working for and interacting with her employer and his famous family, while living in her own childhood summer home, the dynamics play out in complicated and interesting ways. Recommended for fans of books about writing/books, for fans of family and relationship drama.
minty's review
2.0
I finished this some time last week and now have zero memory of what happened, what it was, who cares. All in all I felt pretty "whatever" about this story from the beginning--all the plot points were obvious.
read_cc_read's review
4.0
Ahhh I love Eve!!! This book was such a fun listen. I loved the relationship Eve has with her brother. I think the characters were relatable and fun to learn about.
katekate_reads_'s review
4.0
Reading The Last Book Party will transport you to Cape Code/Manhattan in 1987 - particularly into the literary world. Some books draw you in with the characters, some with the plot - but I think it’s less common to be drawn in so completely by the setting.
While reading this book - I was completely absorbed in Eve’s world - a 25 year old editorial assistant who suddenly finds herself drawn into the world of the literary elite. She finds herself drawn into the world of Henry and Tillie Rosen - a writer for The New Yorker and a published rising star poet, respectively.
I loved the atmosphere of this book and how completely I felt a part of each scene - culminating in the amazing Book Party the Rosen’s throw at the end of each season - where every guest comes dressed as a character from a book.
I really enjoyed this read and recommend it if this sounds intriguing to you. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance reading copy.
While reading this book - I was completely absorbed in Eve’s world - a 25 year old editorial assistant who suddenly finds herself drawn into the world of the literary elite. She finds herself drawn into the world of Henry and Tillie Rosen - a writer for The New Yorker and a published rising star poet, respectively.
I loved the atmosphere of this book and how completely I felt a part of each scene - culminating in the amazing Book Party the Rosen’s throw at the end of each season - where every guest comes dressed as a character from a book.
I really enjoyed this read and recommend it if this sounds intriguing to you. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance reading copy.