In terms of the time travel aspect of the book, McQuiston was inspired by the television series Outlander.

"[2] McQuiston also drew from their own experiences with New York City's queer bars and various works of fiction and non-fiction about them, including romance novel Felix Ever After, the poetry of Frank O'Hara, Chantal Regnault's photograph books, and the travel diary Moby Dyke.

[1] August Landry is a bisexual 23-year-old woman who moves to New York City in order to forget her old life.

[5][6] NPR writes that "One Last Stop is an electrifying romance that synapses into the dreamy 'Hot Person Summer' kind of story you wish you were a part of.

"[5] Kirkus Reviews speaks to the aspects of the book that highlight the Queer community, writing "every scene that takes place with August’s chosen family of friends crackles with electricity, warmth, and snappy pop-culture references, whether they’re at a charmingly eccentric 24-hour pancake diner or a drag queen brunch.