Last Stop from Innocence By Takerra Allen

I debated whether to give this a 4 or 5 star review, but I have the glow of just finishing a good read so I’m going with 5. I really appreciated the emotional punch of this book. I had thought this was a YA book about a summer romance, with a little drama thrown in. It’s actually an adult novel blending romance, mystery, thriller, social commentary and family drama. I would describe the writing as intelligent escapism. It has the huge emotional swings, and big dramatic plot points of so many ‘escapism’ reads, but this book had more thoughtfulness and social awareness than most. I believe that Allen really loved these characters that she has created, there is a compassion to the way she’s brought them to life. This is also a proud depiction of Black culture in the US. The book brings nuance to the image of “urban” Black youth, and the reality of life in a country built on white supremacy and the patriarchy.
There is real trauma in this book, so check the CW; Allen brought me to tears a couple times. There is also a passionate romance (🌶️), and witty interactions.
This is set in the 90s and a few comments made by the characters were homophobic. This is a very cis gender heterosexual and heteronormative book. The MC has an awareness of sexism, sets boundaries, and challenges some of the sexist behaviour. But for the most part the feminist focus is on the treatment of (cishet) women, while not challenging hyper masculinity, heteronormative gender roles, or including any queerness. These are the points that were going to lead to 4 stars instead of 5.
I’m glad I read this. Literature Fiction “Last Stop from Innocence” is the latest offering from my favorite author, Takerra Allen. It is a coming of age tale that focuses on Amore. After the death of her mother and awaiting her departure to Howard University, Amore goes to stay with her estranged father in Jersey City (aka Chilltown) where she experiences a summer she will never forget.

“Last Stop from Innocence” was such an emotional read. It featured many different themes and topics including grief, colorism, police brutality, the effects of single parenting, healing, and so much more. Being that this book is set in the late 90’s, it definitely took me back. There were so many elements that I could relate to from the songs that were mentioned to the clothes they wore and how they talked. It was such a nostalgic read.

This book is definitely one that made me forget that I was even reading. I was fully immersed into the pages, wrapped up in the storyline. Everything was described vividly. Amore and Gabe were well developed, multidimensional characters that had me rooting for them until the very last page. They were not perfect or without flaws as they tried so hard to navigate the world around them. I just loved them so much. Beyond them, every character in this book served a purpose and were needed. From Marvin to Papi and everyone in between.

“Last Stop from Innocence” is one of my favorite books by Takerra Allen. It’s raw, it’s in your face , it’s blackity black, and it is a hell of a good story. It is heavy but hopeful, nostalgic and familiar. Even though I am finished reading, these characters will stay with me for quite some time. As with all of Takerra Allen’s novels, I took my time reading this one. I needed it to last forever ( in this case, forever was about a week). I was apprehensive while reading. If you are familiar with Takerra Allen’s work, you definitely know why. This is a well deserving five star read. Literature Fiction This was such a great coming of age story...after losing her mother unexpectedly, Amore goes to live with her estranged father. I enjoyed the developing relationship between Amore and her father. Amore rekindles the relationship with her cousin Tammy, who she didn't see that often...but, when the two got together...it was like they never left one another....An unexpected meeting at a local bodega is where Amore will meet Gabe (Guap)...who will turn out to be the love of her life....The development of this relationship was great to me...this young couple was able to really teach one another things...that was beautiful to me...There is an incident that occurs that was too graphic for me...and because this was an audiobook....I politely used the skip button a few times to get passed the incident...because I already knew the outcome....Shayna Small did an awesome job with the narration of this eclectic cast of characters. Literature Fiction “Real girls ain’t perfect & perfect girls ain’t real…Girl, I choose you…No Question…”

One short summer, a young man, a young lady and her cousin, the streets of Jersey City, the watchful eyes of a stranger that’s new to fatherhood and a mother that knows the pitfalls that await young impressionable girls.

Young and inspired…fearless and courageous…broken yet hopeful…defiant yet expecting…beautiful and unshamed…naïve yet bold. Amore Brown, a high school graduate is on the cusp of adulthood in the midst of a tragic life altering moment that has her suspended in time and a myriad of emotions. Trying to govern her emotional flare-ups, Amore finds herself in a new city, a foreign environment, all while staying with a father that aspires to be familial. Her saving grace is the reconnect between she and her free-spirited cousin, Tammy. The two share their hopes, dreams and girlish aspirations without inhibition and a loyalty that is heightened by the vivacity of their youthfulness. The girls’ mentality that ‘bad boys ain’t no good, but good boys ain’t no fun…they allow their curiosity to align them with men that their parents wouldn’t approve of. Gabriel, ‘Guapo’ Akbar, member of the notorious GMR bike gang, has captured Amore’s attention and although he wants to run, he’s locked into the magnetism that’s ‘So Ammo’. The structuring and building of a soul tie so lyrically inperfect, her innocence and his unjustifiable career sing a love song so poetically justified, so enticing and chivalrous at its finest. Daring yet sweet, kind and compassionate is Tammy, sheltered and shielded by Christian upbringing, yet her inquisitive nature prods her to delve into prohibited and dangerous territory that could prove to be hazardous and chasten her back to all that she berated. Summertime, late nights, acronyms, risqué behavior, spontaneous love, devotion amid apprehension, and like all hoods, danger masks itself in the cloaks of what should stand out as a flashing light.

Last Stop From Innocence should really 'shake the table' for some people, because it's a real moment, it's genuine raw emotions with the grit and the grime…that dust that people don't know if it’s a figment of their imagination. But…it's there and it's coating the skin in such a way that all you desire is a good tub of hot water and soap, just to get it off of you, and scrub until you wash the layers off, piece by irritating piece. The manipulation of Takerra’s innate creativity stuns the foe as well as the fan, she always brings that forgotten card to the game and trust and believe that captivation is a given with each new TA Production. “It’s not games, baby. It’s art. The art of love and war.”

Takerra Allen. Takerra Allen. Takerra Allen. #GameChanger #Unpredictable #Bold #UnParalleled Takerra Allen, ‘Last Stop From Innocence’…get you some!!! It’s real! 5*****
Literature Fiction This ranks in one of my top favorite reads of 2020

I always struggle with communicating how my heart and my head feel about a book especially when it is beyond exceptional. I feel that as soon as I open my mouth it doesn't articulate the full extent of the impact made. This is my follow on read by this author after reading Seasons of Fidelity series. While I can't fully compare her other works I will share why this story worked for me. The author forced us on the entire spectrum of emotions with indepth character development and an engaging storyline. There were moments where my heart was legitimately racing, a talent only few writers possess. I believe in the love between Gabe and Amore. When they said I love you for the first time, it was authentic and genuine. The writer took me pleasantly back to the 90s and I felt every vibe from the music to the hairstyles and clothes. This is the best I have read from this author. She has raised the bar extremely high. I look forward to more by her. This is the book to read but hold on tight for the guaranteed emotional ride. Literature Fiction

Last Stop from Innocence

Takerra Allen õ 3 free download

Amazing 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟

I am left with a book hangover. This is definitely being added to my all time favorites list.

The summer before Amore is supposed to start her freshman year at Howard University, her dream school, tragedy strikes and she is thrust into a Jersey City to live with her estranged father. Jersey City is drastically different than the suburban town she grew up and she joins up with Gabe, a somewhat shady guy who straddles the fence of the law.

This was a superb coming of age tale of what it was like to be a black person in the 1990s. It was an extraordinary story, and I felt transported back to that era, my personal coming of age era. But this wasn't my coming of age story, and it was humbling to see (hear) the differences between white suburbia and black urban Jersey City.

I was rooting for the the unlikely pairing of Amore and Gabe. Two young people in love from different pasts.

This book shows us that people are more more complex than their actions. This quote captures it perfectly Sometimes you have to look at not what a person does but why they do it

There are some pretty spicy 🔥 moments so this is getting 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5 on the spice-o-meter

This was a fantastic audio book production. This people, is how audiobooks should be done. AMAZING NARATION by Shayna Small who nailed all the female AND male voices. And those spicy scenes I mentioned above. Wow! I was blushing big time. There was one time I was walking with the ear buds in and I seriously looked around to make sure nobody was near. I was freaking out that people could hear the spiciness 😳 Literature Fiction The Last Stop was the best stop! You ever read a book and you never want it to end. Only because you know once it does you’ll never get to experience it for the first time ever again. That’s how I felt while reading this book. I read fast as hell but I kept putting it down because I needed to soak it all in slowly before I reached that last stop.

This author had me in my feelings, in my bag, perpetually reminiscing on memory bliss and on edge. The story was effortless and flowed so well I felt like I was back in time. The way she created well developed beings in Amore and Gabe as well as the supporting cast that it felt like I was back in my neighborhood with my fam.

The nostalgia of the Papi stores, the clothes, the lingo, the music, the Shelley’s, Piru’s and the Tammy’s was perfection and one I know I’ll be reading this over and over again. Dope first read and I can’t wait to read more of her work. Literature Fiction Reading a Takerra Allen novel is equivalent to taking a bite of mac and cheese with your yams. It’s reading for your soul and should definitely be required. In my opinion, Takerra Allen is one of the most undervalued authors in the urban lit world. I’ve never read a book by her that didn’t extract just about every emotion under the sun. Last Stop from Innocence wasn’t any different. In this story Allen takes you back to the '90s, a highly coveted time for just about every millennial. This book is a summer love story that will make you fall in love, but has just a splash of the TA effect to leave you reeling afterwards.


Amore Ammo Brown isn't your average high school graduate, she's a girl with a vision and a plan. She's going to Howard University. But even as a thriving young black queen with goals, she can't escape the aftershocks of her mother's death, a passing that slings her from Somerville straight in to Chilltown. Amore is now forced to stay with a father that she barely knows. Amore Brown, you have grown into a splendid young lady who I am so proud to be able to call my daughter... with absolutely no credit to that splendor. But all isn't lost for Amore, she has her cousin/best friend, Tammy, to help with her transition. That is until she meets the young man that will change her life forever, Gabriel Guap Akbar. He was the darkest hue of brown she became on the last day of summer - a blemish-free fudge swirl of a brownie. Skimming past black boy features, she fastened on the eyes - almond and poignant. The type of eyes you could get lost in and not find your way out of.


Gabriel Guap Akbar is a god among kings. He's young, fly and guap'd up. His father's death places him at the head of his family, a position that turns him to unsavory acts ensuring his mom and little brother never have to do without. Guap is fine with his place on the hood spectrum, that is until he meets Amore. Let me find out young smooth-ass Guap scared of a shorty wit' some ambition. Guap, also known as The Chickenhead Killer, is intrigued by shorty with the braids, which quickly lays that moniker to rest. 'Amore, you're more than my girl. You're my hope.' He fell back into his seat, rocking his head from side to side in a tension - relieving stretch. 'A nigga was out here real-life hopeless.'


This summer will be remembered by every single character in the book, along with every single reader. This story is an unconventional love story that is so beautifully written, so amazingly crafted, that it will definitely have you feeling aftershocks. The nostalgia felt in this book had me wanting to flip through old photo albums just so I could take this trip with Amore. She'd received an experience from Chilltown college could never offer - A degree straight from the school of hard knocks. Without venturing in to the world yet something told Amore this summer would be the highest and the lowest of her existence. Big Ammo from Somerville went to Chilltown a kid and left a woman. This book touches on a vast array of underlying issues in the black community. You don't want to speed read through this book. There are dozens of gems dropped throughout this story, some of which you may have even experienced. From colorism all the way down to the mistreatment of black people by the police. If Takerra Allen wasn't your favorite author before, you will definitely find yourself promoting her after this riveting read. Literature Fiction 📆 90’s Flash Back ⏰

Picture it : DMX is on the radio, beepers are tucked in Tommy Hilfiger ( although most of us are pronouncing it “HilfIgure”) jeans, the girls are popping with their burgundy lips & smelling as sweet as their cucumber melon body spray from Bath & Body Works. You’re in the 90’s. Were you Brandy or Monica when you sang “The Boy is Mine?”

Amore’s ( obsessed with this name) mom passed away & she has to move in with her “barely there” father for the rest of the summer before attending Howard for school in the fall. But, Jersey City, NJ is nothing like what she is used to. The city streets are dangerous & you never know what to expect when you turn the corner. There’s a wanted man out there right now for kidnapping, raping & murdering between 4-6 women.

She starts hanging out with her cousin Tammy whom she absolutely adores (so do I) & throughout their journey she runs into Gabriel aka “Guapo Guapo” which she automatically assumes stands for handsome as would most, but actually means $$. He’s nothing short of extraordinary in the eyes of every girl he passes by, including Amore. But when he sees her time stands still.

But Gabe runs with the wrong crowd in order to take care of his baby brother & parents, to make ends meet. But what 18-year old girl would care what a guy does for a living if he’s THAT hot , makes bank, takes her out on motorcycle rides & adores her like no one ever has. It’s just a summer fling anyway, right? What’s the worst that can happen?

But soon tragedy strikes not once but twice in their own little circle of the world & Amore if left devastated. In this thriller meets romance novel, you will be sweating from the heat under the sheets but also looking over your shoulder for what happens next. This book moved at breakneck speed for me.

I’m from NJ so that made me enjoy this book that much more & although I was young in the 90’s I wasn’t TOO small to remember everything I mentioned. I also enjoyed Gabe’s & Tammy’s Interludes.

5 ⭐️

Thank you BookSparks, Netgalley, Podium Audio & Takkera Allen my #gifted copy in exchange for an honest review. This was title #3 of 4 on the #src2021 Audiobook Track!
Literature Fiction My favorite book of 2021 so far!!!!

The late 90's, summertime, family, fun, thrills, young love, danger, pain, heartache, pleasure.......this book has it all!!! I fell in love with Amore, Tammy, and Guacamole (lol). This book is so well written it's like I could FEEL the passion between Amore and Guap. I could feel the sadness and hurt too which is why I had to hold back tears twice while reading(I won't say why because I'd be spoiling it). Amore and Guap took me down memory lane to a similar love at 18. I appreciated Amores dads efforts (no matter how late) because every girl needs her dad at some point. There's sooooo much I want to say, but I don't like spoilers in reviews..... Just know that Takerra NEVER disappoints! Literature Fiction