Arrival in Brooklyn

August Landry, a guarded, pragmatic twenty-three-year-old, arrives in Brooklyn, New York, with little more than a suitcase and a head full of skepticism. She's spent her life moving from place to place, never quite fitting in, always helping her mother chase the cold trail of a missing uncle. Now, she's determined to start over, enrolling at Brooklyn College and answering a quirky Craigslist ad for a queer-friendly apartment above a Popeyes. Her new roommates—Niko, a tattooed psychic bartender, Myla, an exuberant artist, and Wes, a reclusive tattooist—welcome her into their chaotic, loving home. August is wary but hopeful, craving stability and a sense of belonging she's never known.

The Pancake Connection

Desperate for a job, August lands a gig at Pancake Billy's House of Pancakes, a beloved, slightly magical Brooklyn diner. The staff—gruff Lucie, gentle Winfield, and legendary cook Jerry—become her new circle. The diner, with its mismatched furniture and walls covered in photos, quickly becomes August's anchor in the city. It's a place where regulars are family, and the scent of pancakes lingers on her clothes. Here, August begins to feel the first stirrings of home, even as she keeps her heart guarded and her past at arm's length.

Subway Encounters

On her first day of classes, August's life changes when she meets Jane, a striking, leather-jacketed girl on the Q train. Jane is magnetic, quick-witted, and seems to exist only on the subway. Their connection is instant, electric—literally, as a spark jumps between them when Jane lends August her red scarf. Jane's kindness and charm linger with August, who finds herself timing her commutes to catch glimpses of the enigmatic girl. The Q line, once just a means of getting around, becomes a place of anticipation and possibility.

Jane on the Q Line

August and Jane's encounters on the Q become routine, yet Jane is always there—same train, same car, same clothes, never aging, never leaving. August is drawn deeper into Jane's orbit, fascinated by her old-school music, her collection of cassettes, and her uncanny knowledge of the subway. Jane is a puzzle: she remembers little of her past, can't leave the train, and seems to flicker in and out of reality. August's curiosity turns to obsession as she tries to unravel the mystery of the girl who is both everywhere and nowhere.

Roommates and Rituals

As August settles into her new life, her roommates become her chosen family. Niko's spiritual wisdom, Myla's creative chaos, and Wes's quiet loyalty ground her. Together, they navigate the quirks of their apartment, the rituals of shared meals, and the dramas of young adulthood. The group's warmth and acceptance begin to thaw August's defenses, teaching her that home is not a place, but people who care. Their support becomes crucial as August's investigation into Jane's past intensifies.

Ghosts and Mysteries

August's search for answers leads her to believe Jane might be a ghost, a time traveler, or something else entirely. With the help of her psychic roommate Niko, they conduct a séance, only to discover Jane is not dead, but trapped—somehow unstuck in time, bound to the Q line by a mysterious event in the 1970s. August's detective instincts, honed by years of helping her mother, kick into high gear. The line between the magical and the mundane blurs as she chases clues through archives, Craigslist posts, and subway folklore.

The Girl in the Photograph

A breakthrough comes when August finds an old photo at Billy's: Jane, unchanged, working at the diner's opening in 1976. The revelation is staggering—Jane hasn't aged in over forty years. August's research uncovers more: Jane was a punk, a queer activist, a wanderer who vanished in the late 1970s. The more August learns, the more she realizes Jane's fate is tied to a historic blackout and a tragic accident on the subway. The mystery deepens, but so does their bond.

The Investigation Deepens

August and Jane work together to recover Jane's memories, using sensory triggers—music, food, touch—to unlock the past. Each revelation brings joy and pain: Jane remembers her activism, her lovers, her family, and the night she was lost to time. August's feelings for Jane grow, complicated by the knowledge that helping her might mean losing her forever. The investigation becomes a race against time, as the Q line is scheduled to close for repairs, threatening to sever Jane's last tie to the present.

Love in Transit

As August and Jane fall in love, their relationship is shaped by the liminal space of the subway—intense, fleeting, and charged with longing. Their intimacy is both physical and emotional, a lifeline for Jane and a revelation for August. The Q line becomes their world, a place where time bends and love feels possible. Yet, the looming deadline of the subway closure casts a shadow, forcing them to confront the reality that their time together may be running out.

The Truth About Jane

August's relentless detective work uncovers the truth: Jane was caught in the 1977 New York blackout, electrocuted on the third rail while saving a friend. The surge of energy trapped her in a temporal loop, tethered to the Q line, unable to age or leave. The only way to free her is to recreate the conditions of the blackout—a dangerous, possibly fatal plan. August must choose between saving Jane and keeping her, knowing that love sometimes means letting go.

The Science of Staying

With the help of her roommates and friends, August orchestrates an elaborate scheme: a drag show fundraiser at a subway power station, timed to a controlled blackout. Jane must stand on the third rail as the power surges, hoping the shock will send her back to her rightful time. The plan is risky, blending science, magic, and the power of human connection. As the moment approaches, August and Jane share a heartfelt goodbye, confessing their love and facing the unknown together.

The Great Pancakepalooza

The drag show fundraiser—Pancakepalooza—becomes a celebration of queer joy, chosen family, and the magic of found community. Friends, coworkers, and neighbors come together to save Billy's, the diner that has become a home for so many. Amid the chaos, August and Jane's plan unfolds, blending the ordinary and the extraordinary. The event is a testament to the power of love, resilience, and the belief that everyone deserves a place to belong.

The Final Experiment

As the blackout begins, Jane stands on the rail, August at her side. In a moment of courage and desperation, August kisses Jane, channeling all their love and hope into the act. The world goes dark, and when the lights return, Jane is gone. August is left alone, heartbroken but grateful, knowing she did everything she could. The experiment is over, but the impact of their love lingers.

Loss and Letting Go

In the aftermath, August mourns Jane's absence, learning to live with loss and uncertainty. She reconnects with her mother, resolves the mystery of her missing uncle, and helps her friends save Billy's. The city moves on, but August carries Jane's memory with her, finding comfort in the routines and rituals they shared. Grief becomes a part of her, but so does hope.

The Return

Months later, as life settles into a new normal, Jane returns—real, alive, and finally free from the subway's grasp. The reunion is joyous, miraculous, and deeply earned. Jane and August are given a second chance, not just at love, but at building a life together. The impossible has happened, and the world feels full of possibility.

Building a Home

Jane moves in with August and her roommates, embracing the mess and magic of chosen family. Together, they navigate the challenges of the modern world, from technology to brunch, from activism to everyday joys. Their love, once confined to the liminal space of the subway, flourishes in the light of day. They build a home, not just for themselves, but for everyone who needs one.

Family, Found and Chosen

August helps Jane reconnect with her family, and in turn, finds closure with her own. The lines between past and present blur, as both women learn that family is not just blood, but the people who choose to love and support you. Together, they honor the memories of those they've lost and celebrate the future they're creating.

Love Without End

August and Jane's story is one of resilience, hope, and the belief that love can transcend even the most impossible boundaries. Their journey—from strangers on a subway to soulmates building a life together—proves that home is not a place, but a person. In the end, they are each other's moment, place, and person—a love without end.

Characters

August Landry

August is a fiercely intelligent, skeptical young woman shaped by a nomadic childhood and a mother obsessed with solving her brother's disappearance. She's practical, resourceful, and emotionally cautious, having learned to rely only on herself. Moving to Brooklyn, she craves stability and belonging but is afraid to hope for it. Her journey is one of opening up—to friendship, to love, and to the possibility of happiness. Through her relationship with Jane, August learns to let go of control, embrace vulnerability, and believe in the magic of connection. Her detective skills, honed by years of helping her mother, become the key to unraveling Jane's mystery and, ultimately, to finding her own place in the world.

Jane Su (Biyu Su)

Jane is a queer Chinese-American punk from the 1970s, trapped on the Q line by a freak accident during the 1977 blackout. Charismatic, witty, and fiercely independent, she's a survivor—of family expectations, queerphobia, and the literal collapse of time. Jane's memory is fragmented, her sense of self anchored only by the subway and the kindness she shows to strangers. Her relationship with August rekindles her hope and identity, helping her reclaim her past and imagine a future. Jane embodies resilience, the power of chosen family, and the enduring strength of queer love. Her arc is one of rediscovery, healing, and the courage to choose life, even when it means letting go.

Niko Rivera

Niko is August's tattooed, trans psychic roommate and a bartender with a heart of gold. He's the spiritual center of the group, offering wisdom, comfort, and a touch of the supernatural. Niko's confidence in his identity and his gifts provides a model of self-acceptance for August. His relationship with Myla is loving and playful, and his presence grounds the household. Niko's belief in magic and fate helps bridge the gap between the rational and the impossible, making him an essential ally in the quest to save Jane.

Myla

Myla is an artist, engineer, and August's roommate, known for her wild creativity and boundless energy. She's a Black, Chinese-American queer woman who brings warmth and chaos to the apartment. Myla's relationship with Niko is a model of supportive, joyful partnership. Her scientific mind and resourcefulness are crucial in devising the plan to free Jane. Myla's ability to embrace both logic and wonder helps August see that the world is bigger—and more magical—than she ever imagined.

Wes

Wes is the reclusive tattoo artist roommate, haunted by family rejection and a fear of intimacy. He's gruff but deeply loyal, especially to his dog Poichiche. Wes's journey mirrors August's: learning to trust, to love, and to accept the support of chosen family. His slow-burn romance with neighbor Isaiah (Annie Dépresseur) is a testament to the healing power of vulnerability and queer community.

Lucie

Lucie is the no-nonsense manager of Pancake Billy's, an immigrant with a sharp tongue and a soft heart. She's a mentor to August and a mother figure to the staff, fiercely protective of her found family. Lucie's relationship with Winfield adds depth to her character, revealing a capacity for love and joy beneath her gruff exterior.

Winfield

Winfield is a server at Billy's, known for his kindness, musical talent, and understated humor. He's a steady presence in August's life, offering friendship and encouragement. His drag persona, Bombe Bumboclaat, is a symbol of queer resilience and joy.

Isaiah / Annie Dépresseur

Isaiah is August's neighbor and a drag queen with a flair for the dramatic. As Annie Dépresseur, he's a star of the Brooklyn drag scene, but in daily life, he's a supportive friend and eventual love interest for Wes. Isaiah embodies the power of queer performance and the importance of living authentically.

Suzette Landry

August's mother, Suzette, is a single mom whose life has been consumed by the search for her missing brother. Her love for August is fierce but sometimes suffocating, shaped by her own trauma and loss. Suzette's arc is one of learning to let go, to trust her daughter, and to find peace in the face of unanswered questions.

Jerry

Jerry is the longtime cook at Billy's, a fixture of the diner and a link to Jane's past. His tough exterior hides a deep loyalty and a history of struggle. Jerry's memories and actions are pivotal in unraveling Jane's story and saving the diner.

Plot Devices

Time Loop and Temporal Displacement

The central plot device is Jane's entrapment in a temporal loop, caused by a freak accident during the 1977 blackout. This device allows the novel to explore themes of memory, identity, and the persistence of trauma. Jane's inability to age or leave the subway creates a liminal space where past and present collide, and where love must transcend the ordinary boundaries of time. The time loop is both a metaphor for queer erasure and a literal obstacle to be overcome through love, science, and community.

Found Family and Chosen Community

August's journey is shaped by the people she meets—her roommates, coworkers, and the broader queer community. The novel uses the trope of found family to challenge traditional notions of belonging and to highlight the resilience of queer communities. The rituals, in-jokes, and mutual support among the characters create a sense of home that is more powerful than any physical location.

Sensory Memory and Triggered Recall

Jane's fragmented memory is restored through sensory experiences—music, food, touch, and especially love. This device allows the narrative to weave together past and present, showing how identity is constructed from both trauma and joy. The act of remembering becomes an act of resistance, reclaiming lost history and forging new connections.

Investigation and Detective Work

The structure of a mystery—clues, red herrings, research, and deduction—gives the novel momentum and allows August to use her unique skills. The investigation is both external (solving Jane's mystery) and internal (understanding herself and her desires). The detective plot is a vehicle for exploring themes of truth, closure, and the limits of rationality.

Queer History and Intergenerational Connection

The novel is steeped in queer history, from the activism of the 1970s to the realities of modern Brooklyn. Jane's story is a bridge between generations, showing how the struggles and joys of the past inform the lives of queer people today. The use of real historical events (the blackout, the UpStairs Lounge fire) grounds the magical elements in lived experience and collective memory.

Magical Realism and the Ordinary

The novel blends the magical (time travel, psychic abilities) with the mundane (diner shifts, roommate squabbles) to create a world where wonder and hardship coexist. The Q line itself becomes a character—a place of possibility, heartbreak, and transformation. The magic is never explained away, but embraced as part of the fabric of queer life.

Analysis

One Last Stop is a luminous, genre-blending novel that uses the fantastical premise of a girl lost in time to explore deeply human themes: the search for belonging, the healing of old wounds, and the courage to love in the face of uncertainty. Through August and Jane's journey, the book honors the resilience of queer communities—past and present—and insists that everyone deserves a home, a family, and a love that transcends boundaries. The novel is both a love letter to queer history and a call to action, reminding readers that magic exists in the connections we forge, the stories we share, and the hope we refuse to relinquish. In a world that often erases or marginalizes queer lives, One Last Stop is a joyful, defiant affirmation that love—messy, complicated, and miraculous—can change everything.

Last updated: May 22, 2025