What would you do if you had one summer left?

"One of the hardest lessons to learn in life was how to turn tomorrow into today. Harriet hoped she'd learned how to do it."

When Harriet Greenleaf books a six week vacation at a Melbury Priory off the Somerset coast, it’s a chance to reconnect with her lifelong friends, Audrey and Lisa who she hasn’t seen in six years. Unbeknownst to her friends however, Harriet is hiding a terrible secret. A secret that threatens to change their lives forever…

Set against a stunning backdrop, The Last Summer is a compelling, heartbreaking and inspiring story about three lifelong friends reconnecting over the course of one summer in a last hurrah.

First to arrive is Audrey—the workaholic who’s heading for a heart attack unless she slows down and makes time for herself. Then Lisa, the would be actress and yoga enthusiast who’s always struggled to commit to anyone—or anything. Complimenting the three main characters are Harriet’s daughter Honor, their housekeeper Mrs Ryder and my favourite, the gruff and enigmatic Samson Haverstock who happens to be renovating the Priory during their stay.

Although the underlying subject matter is admittedly somber, this isn’t a book about illness but rather a celebration of life as the three friends rediscover what it means to be there for each other before they face the hardest of goodbyes.

The plot is pensive, charming and bittersweet. It’s about coming to grips with mortality - it’s underlying message being to live life to the fullest and a reminder that friendship is unconditional and enduring.

Beautifully written and incredibly uplifting, this book had me weeping and smiling in equal measure. It was my first introduction to the author and it won’t be my last.

Jan Cramer’s narration was clear and concise with excellent pacing. I felt that her voice was perfect for the tone of the novel.

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