A 2 1/2 to lukewarm 3. I think Armistead should have stopped a few books ago. At this point the charm of the series is seriously depleted. Having said that, I liked the second half of the book better than the first, because it went more to the heart of the series--the relationship of the characters and especially Anna. Half of this book is told in the past, when Anna, then Andy, is 15 in Nevada, and half in the present. I enjoyed learning Anna's back story. The present day…well, let's just say I think this series was better off stuck in the 80s where it belonged. I found myself impatient that these now 60 something characters were still (Still!) doing so many drugs and I never warmed up to and could frankly care less about the "youngsters" Shwana and Jake. They just seem colorless and uninteresting. Everyone seemed pretty washed out in fact, expect Anna, always a force of nature. Mary Ann makes an all to tried appearance and interjects some much need brio to the narrative.

To be frank, if you are a fan, you might just want to remember them how they were. If you stick it out, at least you get a fitting send off to the amazing Mrs. Madrigal.