Last Stop from Innocence

De: Takerra Allen

Narrado por: Shayna Small

A nostalgic tale of first love, first loss, and the budding womanhood of a Black girl in the '90s.

Tragedy flips Amore Brown’s world on its axis right before she heads off to college. Having to sit tight for the summer, she chooses Jersey City, New Jersey - the home of her estranged father - to pass the time. Here, in urban grit, a stark contrast to the comforts of suburbia, she reconnects with a long-lost cousin for some final months of summer excursions, enrooting, and evolving. But it could never be that simple, even if it were all so simple then....

How much will Amore have to lose in order to find herself? On the road to the woman she is becoming and removed from the girl she is no more, one stop changes her path forever.

"Girls just want to have fun" transforms into the kindling of summer romance tucked into the crust of good times, tribulations, close calls, and one hot summer in Jersey. Amore meets THE guy, finds solace, heals fresh wounds, and battles the thorny relationship with her father, all while learning that heartache has no limits.

©2021 Takerra Allen (P)2021 Podium Audio

A beautiful coming of age tale!

This is the book I didn’t know that I needed to read. It’s a beautiful yet poignant tale of first love set against the back grip of grief, self-preservation and all of the angst associated with coming of age in an urban area. There are gems interwoven throughout the story that are conveyed in a way that is relatable to readers, young or old.

And then there was Gabe...

What a great story...I found this little gem in a deal special but after listening, it was worth a credit. Started slow so I moved on...then when I wanted something different took a 2nd look in my library got started again and by chapter 4, I was hooked. It's a raw and sometimes gritty story that I found delectable, interesting and graphic but it sounds so real. And what a great ending...I am glad I gave this the listen it deserved. Great story and writing and the narration was so good. Both the author and narrator are new to me but I would definitely give both another read and listen.

An Amazing Story!

I've read a lot of books that have the same plot. this was a refreshing listen. the story line was great! definitely worth the purchase

Hands down, my ALL TIME FAVORITE BOOK

Hands down, my favorite book by Takerra Allen. Hands down, my favorite book of the year. Hands down, my ALL TIME FAVORITE BOOK. This 90s themed eclectic story of Amore Brown is a history-making legendary book for the ages. It has no boundaries. The tale is bigger than a story and broader than a genre. It’s the hope of every brown girl with far-reaching dreams of knowledge, career, and love—however those dreams look. It is life in its rawest, purest, and most exposed form.

Last Stop from Innocence douses you into an era (the best ever) of great times and hard knocks when POC truly was on the cusp of finding themselves while dealing with the realities of who they were and where they’d come from. This coming-of-age novel is gripping yet tender, bewildering yet enthralling, all-consuming yet loving, lost yet found. You fall in love with Amore and Gabe, but the beauty is you also fall in love with Marvin - the father, Tammy- the cousin, Piru- the local kingpin, Mudd- the crew member. Everyone. Even the people you don’t like. Because everyone has a deeper story told through the eyes of Amore, the unsung champion for all those around her even as she figures out how to champion for herself after a summer of love, loss, and life - from innocence to inspiration.

worth every sec

Such an emotional roller-coaster!! Phenomenal story and performance. A journey of adolescent to adulthood and love and loss. Fantastic must listen