That Last Carolina Summer
by Karen White
Publisher: Park Row
Release Date: July 22, 2025
Reviewed by PJ
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.
PJ's Thoughts:
Karen White paints a picture with her words of South Carolina's Lowcountry in her newest novel, That Last Carolina Summer. From the weather to the food to the topography, the southern turns of phrase, character traits, and more, the uniqueness of this region is brought to life on the pages of this book. I could feel the dense, sultry humidity of the air on my skin, hear the whispers of marsh grass swaying in the breeze, smell the brine of the nearby ocean, and tingle with electricity from incoming storms. And speaking of storms, there are more than a few, some created by the weather while others spring from long-held family secrets.
This was such a compelling, immersive read. White kept me on my toes with these complex characters and their twisty, emotional journey. She plunked me right down in the middle of this fractured, three-generation family and the challenges facing them one turbulent summer. I never felt like an outside observer; I was right there with them experiencing each new revelation and the multitude of emotional reactions elicited.
Then there's the masterfully constructed mystery element of the book surrounding an event at the core of those long-held secrets, a devastating truth with ripples still being felt many years later, with long-delayed answers just out of reach. I kept flipping pages long into the night trying to figure out if my guesses were correct and what, if any, impact those answers would have for the characters involved.
If you enjoy multi-generation, Southern stories with rich authenticity, complicated family dynamics, romantic elements, and a twisty mystery, add The Last Carolina Summer to your summer reading list. I highly recommend it.
Have you read any of Karen White's books?
What book have you recently read where you felt immersed in a particular setting?
I named some of the attributes that are unique to the Lowcountry setting in That Last Carolina Summer. What are attributes that would describe the region where you live?
One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM (EDT), July 25 will receive a hard cover copy of That Last Carolina Summer.
*U.S. only
*Must be 18
I have not read anything by Karen White, but this book sounds fantastic. I love books set in the Charleston area.
ReplyDeleteJody, if you enjoy books set in the Lowcountry (Charleston), I think you'll definitely like this one.
DeleteI've read most of Karen White's book. I am a fan of Southern fiction, especially set in the Carolinas. The last book that pulled me in was Cruel Summer by Maisey Yates which had me taking a road trip with Logan and Sam.
ReplyDeleteCruel Summer is one of my favorite books this year. So immersive!
DeleteKaren White's Novels are captivating and memorable. Reading Death on the Island was extraordinary as the descriptions of Iceland were amazing.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've ever read a book set in Iceland. I'll need to check this one out.
DeleteI haven't read Karen's books yet, but they are on my rader. I've visited Charleston & the low country many times over the years - especially for summer beach vacations. Where I live is the hills of north-central New Jersey about an hour west of NYC. It's got a lot of historical sites related to the War for Independence.
ReplyDeleteWhite's books have a very distinct southern flavor.
DeleteNo I haven't read any of her books yet. I live between San Antonio and Austin Texas, our weather can change dramatically but we have hot summers and falls. The geography is wide ranging hill county plains and the town I live in has two rivers and a Waterpark. Tex- Mex and German food. It's great if you can stand the heat or have very good air-conditioning.
ReplyDeleteI've enjoyed my visits to San Antonio.
DeleteI have read a few of her books. Really enjoyed them. Love multi generation stories. The Summer that Changed Everything
ReplyDeleteThe Summer That Changed Everything was outstanding. One of my favorite Novak romantic suspense novels.
DeleteI love Karen's books and have read nearly all of them.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any of her books yet. Laura Child's Tea Shop Mysteries draw me into their settings. I live in the Florida panhandle so definitely the beaches would need to be mentioned in a story. We have such lovely beaches here.
ReplyDeleteI nave one of her books in my TBR pile, but have not yet read her.
ReplyDeleteThe Great Alone by Kristin Hannah takes place primarily in Alaska among other places. It was in an area we had visited and much was familiar. Her description of the area, the culture, and the way of life was well done. She had a good grasp of that special place and how it forms people. You understand why people act the way they do and how attitudes develop. The characters are very real to the reader and we become invested in what happens to them.
The Lowcountry is a mix of people and cultures and the richer for it.
As for our area, it is mountainous with many small valleys running through them. There are many mountain streams and several rivers. The area is populated by close knit families and communities, although more outsiders are moving in. The area is rich in history, which s celebrated with historic sites and events.
DeleteI haven't yet read any of Karen White's books although they do look very interesting. I live on the edge of the Texas Hill Country, just north of Austin. We get some cold weather, but nothing compared to places further north. There are multiple jokes and saying about the seasons in Texas: Almost Summer, Summer, and maybe a month of Not Summer. All jokes aside, my area of Texas has rolling hills, grasslands, oak trees, (too many) cedar/juniper trees, and tons of wildflowers in the spring. It does get very hot and can be very humid.
ReplyDelete