Karen White is always an author I can count on to provide me with an escape to the Low Country and a compelling story of strong women. That Last Carolina Summer provided me with a needed return to the Charleston area.

Phoebe Manigault has returned to South Carolina to help her sister Addie care for their aging mother. The sisters have a complicated relationship that is only put under more strain in this situation. Looking for someone to confide in, Phoebe encounters Celeste, who offers a listening ear and a willing friendship. Celeste is still holding out hope that her granddaughter Julie will be found, after being missing for many years now. Celeste knows that Phoebe used to have mysterious dreams or visions and while Celeste is happy for the friendship, she also is hopeful that Phoebe may be able to unlock some answers to Julie's disappearance.

That Last Carolina Summer had all the things that I love about a Karen White novel - picturesque setting, compelling strong female characters, complicated family relationships and a little bit of suspense and romance mixed in.

I received this book courtesy of the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Karen White’s That Last Carolina Summer is a poignant and richly atmospheric Southern novel that delves into the complexities of family, memory, and healing. Set against the evocative backdrop of the South Carolina Lowcountry, the story follows Phoebe Manigault as she returns to her childhood home to care for her ailing mother, only to confront long-buried secrets and unresolved tensions with her sister, Addie. White's masterful storytelling intertwines personal reckonings with a compelling mystery, as Phoebe uncovers truths that have haunted her family for decades. The novel's vivid setting and deeply human characters draw readers into a narrative that is both heart-wrenching and redemptive. That Last Carolina Summer is a must-read for fans of literary fiction that explores the enduring bonds of family and the transformative power of confronting the past.

A story of family and secrets that will keep you wrapped in its grip long after the story ends. When Phoebe returns home to South Carolina after years away she is dreading the reunion with her mother and sister. However she’s shocked by her mothers descent into dementia, her sisters lack of responsibility for her own daughter, and blindsided by by the past. With help and guidance Phoebe can find a way to put back the pieces or will a long buried secret destroy her family forever?

I have really liked Karen White in the past, and this book did not disappoint. I enjoyed the Southern Setting, and the fact that this story had a little bit of everything... mystery, romance, and family drama. At times, the dialogue just seemed respective and that repetitiveness dragged the story down for me, However, I loved how White handles the heavy topics...the dementia, the estrangement, the loss...I felt a lot of realism and a lot of heart with this. All in all, this was a well written novel about confronting your past, and finding your way forward to your future. I rated this a 4 star book on my Goodreads.

I haven't read any of Karen White's books before but I'm glad I read this one. It is a beautifully written family drama and mystery. The sensitive topics were handled well. I was crying at some parts of it since I had a grandfather with dementia that would get very angry. I do have to say I skipped over a lot of the book references at the start of each chapter. Great if you like a little bit of mystery and second chance romance. Overall, a very good book and I would recommend.

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing, NetGalley, and Karen White for an advance reading copy of That Last Carolina Summer. Karen White has been a favorite author of mine for many years. I love her southern novels about complex family situations with strong character development. The Last Carolina Summer is another great example dealing with relationships between sister, taking care of a parent withdementia, and a mystery involving the disappearance of a young lady. I highly recommend this book. It will not disappoint. You will have all the feels.

Thank you @uplitreads @karenwhitewrite for sending me this #gifted finished copy of That Last Carolina Summer. It’s the perfect book for these late summer days! I absolutely love Karen's writing. It's poetic and lyrical and she manages to draw you in in a way others don't.

📌Synopsis:
As a child, Phoebe Manigault developed the gift of premonition after she was struck by lightning in the creek near her Charleston home. Plagued throughout her life by mysterious dreams, and always living in the shadow of her beautiful sister, Addie, Phoebe eventually moves to the West Coast, as far from her family as possible. Now, years later, she is summoned back to South Carolina, to help Addie care for their ailing mother.

As Phoebe’s return lures her back into deep-rooted tensions and conflicts, she is drawn to Celeste, whose granddaughter went missing years ago. Their connection brings comfort to Phoebe, while Celeste’s adult grandson Liam resurrects complicated emotions tied to Phoebe’s past.

But the longer Phoebe spends in her childhood home, the more her recurring nightmares intensify—bringing her closer to the shocking truth that will irrevocably change everything. Unfolding against the lush backdrop of the South Carolina Lowcountry, That Last Carolina Summer is an unforgettable story about the unbreakable bonds of family and the gift of second chances.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a great one to pick up after declaring I needed a break from romance, fantasy and romantasy. This story is about family drama that many of us can relate to. The story follows Phoebe who is summoned back home to help care for her ailing mother. But returning home means returning to a place where she experienced a traumatic event and emotions and feelings of the past are resurrected. As we read, we see how the dynamics between Phoebe and her sister Addie unfold. While there is tension there, she also finds tenderness in her relationship with her neice and Celeste, a woman whose son saved Phoebe during her traumatic event.

Overall, this was a great story if you want to get lost in the turbulence of family drama. My only issue was the lack of depth I found in the character building for Addie. Everyone disliked her and in many family dramas that i've read, there's usually one redeeming quality or one event that sheds a better light on the antagonist but I didn't really get that with Addie. Idk if it was intentinal but it would have been nice to see her in a more favorable light.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Karen White is a must read author for me, and she did not disappoint with That Last Carolina Summer. This contemporary novel follows Phoebe Manigault, her sister Addie, and the beginning of their mother’s struggle with dementia. With the support of neighbors and friends, Phoebe and her family must come to terms with the past before they can move forward in the present.
I recommend That Last Carolina Summer to readers who have enjoyed other books by Karen White and like strong female protagonists and interesting facts about birds. Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

NetGalley ARC Book Review of The Last Carolina Summer by Karen WhiteThe Last Carolina Summer by Karen White is the story about Phoebe Manigault returning home to Mt. Pleasant, a suburb of Charleston, South Carolina, to help her sister with their ailing mother. When past memories resurface, Phoebe is thrown back into some childhood turmoil.

I requested an Advanced Readers Copy ARC of The Last Carolina Summer from NetGalley, and I was ecstatic when the provided me with a copy for free in exchange for my honest review. So, a big thank you goes out to them!

When I began reading this story, I just happened to be vacationing in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina. I loved hearing about the different places, including streets and a bridge called the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, which I had to cross to get into Mt. Pleasant as well as Isle of Palms. It's always nice to be able to visualize the places and author writes about. With that being said, I'm not a fan of traveling over bridges, and one of the scenes of The Last Carolina Summer mentions a car going off the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, so any time I crossed that bridge, I was even more of a nervous wreck. Don't worry ... this isn't a spoiler as it's mentioned numerous times throughout the story, even in the beginning.

As for the characters, most of them were very likable with the exception of Phoebe's mother and sister. With that being said, by the end of the story, you understand both of them better and know why they were the way they were, which made my heart break a little for them and like them better.

Like always, Karen White pulled me into the novel right away. She's such a a talented writer and definitely has a way with words. I can't wait to read more from her. Lucky for me, she has a couple of series that I can binge read. I've read the first book in both of those series, and I loved those just as much as The Last Carolina Summer, which I gave five out of five stars.

Once again, the incomparable Karen White has written a wonderful story with wit, truth, and a terrific situation pitting who you think you are and what's going on around you with the reality of relationships, memories, and current state. I enjoyed the exploration of sisterhood, friendship, and a sense of time and place so lush it felt like I was there. A remarkable, enjoyable summer read. I received a copy of this book and these opinions are my own, unbiased thoughts.

Thank you to NetGalley and Park Row Bookls/HTP Books for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

This was a really beautiful book - from the cover to the heart of the book. Phoebe was struck by lightning when she was a child - and she developed a gift of premonition. Years later, her older sister asks her to return home in order to help with caring for their mom who is experiencing symptoms and soon after diagnosed with dementia.

This book is a whirlwind of. family drama and secrets, sisters and how they grow apart but somehow find themselves back together again. The family relationships are really a heavy subject in this book, and there are many talks about dementia, physical abuse, and just plain heartbreak.

The book did get incredibly repetitive at times, hence the 4 stars instead of 5, but was overall a really fantastic read. It really tugged at the emotions! I also absolutely loved the romance in this one - what a sweet story.

That Last Carolina Summer is an emotional story about going home and facing everything you thought you left behind. Phoebe returns to South Carolina to help care for her mother and finds herself pulled into a mystery from the past that refuses to stay buried. The setting is rich and atmospheric and the family dynamics feel real and complicated. There is love grief tension and healing woven throughout the story. This is a slow burn with a lot of heart and a touch of suspense that keeps you turning the pages.

I love Karen White's stories and this one didn't disappoint!

This is a story of Phoebe and Addie, sisters that are somewhat estranged by Phoebe's special gift. Phoebe goes back home to help Addie with their ailing mother and old feelings come back and she's having strange dreams again. She meets Celeste and her grandson Liam and the past catches up with them. It's a beautifully written southern sister story with a mystery. Kept me reading right until the end.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

Multi generational book with elder care of a parent. Phoebe was struck by lightning when she was a child. Since then, she’s had premonition dreams. Addie the southern Belle, focused on her looks and herself. Phoebe must return home to help to care for her ailing mother and she has a lot of mixed feelings. Her dreams come back, the most disturbing one back in full force. Old resentments between Phoebe and Addie rise to the surface and her mother’s condition brings all the hurt into sharp focus. Well laid out and keeps the readers interest. Definitely reflects the hardwork of elder care while trying to keep they're dignity. Many additional items with the folds of the story, where Phoebe also learns more about her sister Addie. Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher.

I struggled to get into this book. I am not sure if it was the characters or the writing style. It just wasn't a book I could read past 10%.

I loved this story, Karen White once again proves she is a great story teller. Her vivid descriptions draw you in as you can feel the summer southern breeze and hear the calls of the birds. A generational story, you can empathize with the responsibilities that tug at those caught in the task of taking care of elderly parents and yet trying to maintain a balance of life and reconcile the past. Liam's grandma is a god-send and a truly lovely woman to rise above her grief to give comfort to all. This story draws you in as you empathize with the family conflicts and dynamics between the sisters and their mother who is experiencing dementia. It is a story I would read again. Well done! thanks to #karenwhite #thatlastcarolinasummer for the chance to read and review this book.

Lawd y'all! This story is absolutely amazingly written. It's a story of loneliness, loss, adjustment, healing, reconnecting, mystery, and intrigue. There are so many familial issues that resonated with me while reading this book. Having a parent with dementia and navigating the ups and downs of their condition, feelings of inadequacy, abuse, and decades old secrets coming to light all struck home for me.

This is one of those books that absolutely pulls you into the story. I could feel the breeze, the heat and sweat, hear the birds, and see the dreams. This was the first book by Karen White that I've read, and I will 100% be reading others.

aren White is a favorite author of mine and this book continues to prove it. Memorable characters, family drama and a little mystery make this book hard to put down.

This was a generational family drama set in South Carolina with all the rich and vivid Low Country feels. It tackles going home again, facing the past, sisterhood, dementia ,and is woven with mystery and magical realism that always pulls me in. This was a lyrical and beautifully written story that has stayed with me. This just might be my favorite book by this author.

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