I’m holding in my possession, the last book in a much loved series. And I’m not sure I want to start it.

Maybe it’s that I’m not ready to start reading the last journey this author is taking me on in a world she so deftly created.

You see, even when Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows came out, I was hesitant to read it. On this occasion, it involved memories as well as seeing how Harry and his friends rid Voldemort once and for all. I was afraid all those memories would end as well. Foolish, I know.

A little known family fact: I was the one who wanted to read Harry Potter and my son wasn’t excited about them. We were standing in the school book fair and I held the first book in the series and said, “What about this one?”

My ten year old son shrugged and picked up the latest Goosebumps book and said, “I want this one, Mom.”

A deep sigh and several dollars later, I let him submerge into the world of R.L. Stine that got boys reading again. So, I couldn’t complain because I recalled my ten year old self engrossed in Nancy Drew. The next book fair had the first and second Harry Potter books. This time, when he said he didn’t want an HP book, I declared that I was buying for myself.

Later, as we were running other errands, I said, “You know what I want to do right now?” My son, hoping it involved a treat of some kind, bounced in his seat in the car next to me answered, “No. What?”

I told him I wanted to read my Harry Potter book but couldn’t since I was driving. I suggested he read the first chapter to me as we drove homeward. He was hooked by the first page, and I bought him his favorite Starbucks drink – a small chai.

From then on, every HP book involved long lines at midnight at the bookstore, winding our way through the aisles (and picking up more books along the way, of course). We would meet fellow devotees and guess what adventure Harry and his friends could be up to in this next book. We had contests to see who was further ahead in the story. I confess to moving his bookmark back a few times.When the movie would come out, it was the same thing. We not only owned every printed book in the series, but the audio version as well.

When I finished the Potter series, I was left with a sense of loss. I know J.K. Rowling has created a few more stories that dovetail into Harry’s escapades, but it’s just not the same. And my loss stemmed from not having these mother and son bonding moments anymore. He was in high school by this time and we eventually found other things to do to make great memories. Times change. Life moves on.

That is why I’m holding onto this book, the last of Elizabeth Hoyt’s Maiden Lane Series.  As much as I hate to start it, I know I can always reread the series when I’m done. But I know I’ll have to embrace that feeling of loss – of family like members who have drifted away into character heaven. Until I call them back. This is the one other series that I purchased in print – the first three signed by the author. Thanks Elizabeth Hoyt! What a ride it’s been!

Picking up the book, and turning to page one, I can’t wait to get started!