That Last Carolina Summer
- Judith D Collins
- Sep 11
- 4 min read
By: Karen White
Narrators: Jorjeana Marie, Kimberly Farr Harlequin Audio
ISBN: 978-0778310693
Publisher: Park Row
Publication Date: 07/22/2025
Format: Other
My Rating: 5 Stars (ARC)
Beloved New York Times bestselling author Karen White returns with a brand-new contemporary stand-alone novel about sisterhood, secrets and one woman’s reckoning with the past
As a child, Phoebe Manigault developed the gift of premonition after she was struck by lightning in the creeks 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 toward Celeste, whose granddaughter went missing years ago. Their connection, woven through shared losses and hope, 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 family drama and mystery about the unbreakable bonds of family and the gift of second chances.
My Review
New York Times bestselling author Karen White (a favorite) makes a triumphant return with her latest standalone novel, THAT LAST CAROLINA SUMMER. This captivating multi-generational Southern tale artfully delves into themes of sisterhood, complex family dynamics, the haunting secrets of the past, second chances, and the love of birds, all while incorporating a touch of the supernatural.
About the Book...
Phoebe Manigault, a woman endowed with the extraordinary gift of premonition, a talent that blossomed following a lightning strike near her Charleston home. Throughout her life, Phoebe has been plagued by enigmatic dreams, often overshadowed by the beauty and charisma of her sister, Addie. In search of independence, she relocates to the West Coast, distancing herself from her family's grasp.
However, years later, a call beckons her back to South Carolina to support Addie in caring for their mother, who is suffering from dementia. This unexpected return reconnects her with her roots and the complexities they entail.
Upon her arrival, Phoebe forms a poignant connection with Celeste, a woman whose granddaughter vanished under mysterious circumstances years prior. Their relationship, forged through shared sorrow and hope, provides Phoebe with solace, while Celeste’s adult grandson, Liam, awakens a whirlwind of emotions tied to Phoebe’s past.
As Phoebe confronts her resurfacing nightmares, the intensity of her visions escalates, leading her toward a shocking revelation that has the potential to alter everything irrevocably.
My Thoughts...
THAT LAST CAROLINA SUMMER unfolds as an emotionally rich and enchanting family drama with mystery set against the stunning backdrop of the South Carolina Lowcountry— a setting that feels almost like a character in its own right, alongside the ancestral home.
White, a master storyteller, sets the stage with her lyrical depictions of the Lowcountry. The narrative deeply explores the burdens of dark secrets, examining themes of guilt and tragedy, and their profound effects on families and communities alike.
Phoebe stands out as a compelling character, navigating her unwelcome gift while managing a complicated relationship with her troubled sister, Addie, who struggles to care for their family, including her own daughter, Ophelia. The author skillfully captures the contrasting personalities of the sisters, portraying their tumultuous love/hate dynamic and the traumas of their past that continue to haunt their present lives.
Celeste Finch, whose son Liam once saved Phoebe's life during the lightning strike, adds another layer of connection between the families. The author poignantly illustrates the challenges of caregiving and illness as Phoebe discovers Addie’s inability to care for their mother, compounded by Addie's struggles with her own daughter.
The supernatural premonition dreams lend an intriguing layer of mystery and significance to the narrative. Moreover, the unresolved mystery from seventeen years ago serves as a connective thread that intertwines the characters’ lives.
I particularly appreciated the creative incorporation of birds and their behaviors at the beginning of each chapter, accompanied by beautiful quotes that enrich the narrative with symbolism and metaphors resonating throughout the storyline.
"A bird sitting on a tree is never afraid of the branch breaking, because her trust is not on the branch but on her own wings." —Anonymous.
Recommendations...
THAT LAST CAROLINA SUMMER is a summer must-read for devoted fans of Karen White, as well as for those who appreciate the intricacies of Southern family dynamics. It will resonate with readers who enjoy the works of Victoria Benton Frank, Mary Alice Monroe, Kristy Woodson Harvey, Mary Ellen Taylor, Susan Wiggs, and Viola Shipman. This novel promises to be a memorable addition to any reader’s collection, inviting reflection on the complexities of family, love, and the secrets that bind us.
Special thanks to Park Row Books and NetGalley for providing an advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: July 22, 2025
Praise
“This multi-generational story is layered with juicy family secrets while exploring sisterhood, the power of memory, and the pull of home. The perfect summer read."
—Jamie Brenner, bestselling author of A Novel Summer
"Karen White brings all her magnificent storytelling gifts to this stunner of a novel. As much as you want to race along and discover all the secrets, you find yourself stopping to savor the truths she weaves into every twist and turn. If That Last Carolina Summer has a flaw, it is this: you won’t ever want to wake up from its spell."
—Beatriz Williams, bestselling author of Husbands & Lovers
About the Author
Photo Credit: Marchet Butler
Karen White is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of 34 books, including the Tradd Street series, The Last Night in London, Dreams of Falling, The Night the Lights Went Out, Flight Patterns, The Sound of Glass, and A Long Time Gone. She is the coauthor of The Lost Summers of Newport, All the Ways We Said Goodbye, The Glass Ocean and The Forgotten Room with New York Times bestselling authors Beatriz Williams and Lauren Willig. She grew up in London but now lives with her husband near Atlanta, Georgia. WEBSITE
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