Format: 448 pages, Hardcover
Release Date: November 13, 2025
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Source: Library
Genre: Fantasy / Romance
Everyone needs something to hold onto, even if it’s a lie.
After Bristol Keats nearly loses her beloved King Tyghan to the monsters her mother had unleashed, their love deepens to a whole new level. Together, Bristol and Tyghan work to understand and reconcile their differences, moving forward with their common goal of saving Elphame. But when a daring rescue attempt turns into a disaster, and a beloved knight dies, Bristol is forced to confront the fact that her mother is more powerful than she could have ever imagined—and more dangerous. Meanwhile, Tyghan’s heart is laid bare when he encounters his former best friend and betrayer again, Bristol's own father, and must wrestle with a new secret that throws everything he thought he knew about his past into question.
Bristol is Elphame’s last chance for survival, but where do her loyalties truly lie? If she fully embraces the magic that has always been her birthright, she could become a different kind of monster from her mother. Is she willing to risk losing the people she loves most, if it means keeping them safe?
Brimming with dark secrets, lush world-building, and addictive romance, The Last Wish of Bristol Keats is the unforgettable conclusion to New York Times bestselling author Mary E. Pearson's first adult series.
After Bristol Keats nearly loses her beloved King Tyghan to the monsters her mother had unleashed, their love deepens to a whole new level. Together, Bristol and Tyghan work to understand and reconcile their differences, moving forward with their common goal of saving Elphame. But when a daring rescue attempt turns into a disaster, and a beloved knight dies, Bristol is forced to confront the fact that her mother is more powerful than she could have ever imagined—and more dangerous. Meanwhile, Tyghan’s heart is laid bare when he encounters his former best friend and betrayer again, Bristol's own father, and must wrestle with a new secret that throws everything he thought he knew about his past into question.
Bristol is Elphame’s last chance for survival, but where do her loyalties truly lie? If she fully embraces the magic that has always been her birthright, she could become a different kind of monster from her mother. Is she willing to risk losing the people she loves most, if it means keeping them safe?
Brimming with dark secrets, lush world-building, and addictive romance, The Last Wish of Bristol Keats is the unforgettable conclusion to New York Times bestselling author Mary E. Pearson's first adult series.
The Last Wish of Bristol Keats is the second part of a two-part duology by author Mary E. Pearson. The Courting of Bristol Keats is her adult debut series. Picking up immediately after the cliffhanger of book one, The Last Wish of Bristol Keats follows Bristol Keats, a young woman thrust into the dangerous faerie realm of Elphame, leaving her sisters behind in hopes of bringing her family back together. Having narrowly saved her love, King Tyghan, from monstrous threats tied to her own family's dark secrets, Bristol must now navigate deepening betrayals.
Her mother, Maire, emerges as a formidable antagonist, wielding power that threatens the entire realm, while Tyghan grapples with revelations about his past and a treacherous former ally. Bristol, revealed as Elphame's potential savior, faces an impossible choice: fully embrace her inherited magic—which could turn her into something monstrous—or risk losing everything she holds dear. The story weaves political intrigue in fae courts, daring rescues, tests of loyalty, and themes of found family, self-discovery, and the cost of power, including trying to save not only her mother from being controlled but also her father, who isn't exactly well-liked in Elphame.
For the most part, the romance between Bristol and Tyghan is a standout—sweet, spicy, and refreshingly communicative. Unlike many romantasy tropes heavy on miscommunication, these two talk through their conflicts, reconcile differences, and build a partnership that feels earned and satisfying. Their chemistry provides genuine heart amid the chaos, with steamy scenes that fit naturally into the adult shift without feeling gratuitous. Themes of family secrets, betrayal, and redemption add layers, especially through Bristol's complex parental ties.
Multiple POVs offer perspectives from side characters, and deepen the sense of a broader threat. For fans of found family dynamics, the bonds among Bristol's allies deliver warmth and heartbreak in equal measure. Bristol faces limited real resistance in key conflicts, reducing tension for those craving high-adventure stakes. Multiple POVs, though insightful, occasionally dilute focus or add confusion. There is plenty of loss in this book, and I don't blame Bristol for her choices in the end. I would dare anyone to say they wouldn't have made the same choices.
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