received an ARC of That Last Carolina Summer by Karen White from NetGalley. I’ve been an avid fan of Karen White for the past 20+ years. I’ve read each of her books and have adored them. While this book isn’t my favorite of hers, it’s still a five star book because, come on, it’s Karen White! I will admit that the bird references and discussions felt a bit heavy on bird lingo and references at many times but to each their own. The references to dementia broke my heart and was so accurately described. While the story has many underlying themes, it’s mostly about family and the varying dynamics that are present in each family system. Some of which are visible to the outsider but most which are not.
I would absolutely recommend That Last Carolina Summer on your must read list for 2025 (and every other Karen White book for that matter). Thank you SO much for the ARC!

This was a new author to me and I really enjoyed the chance to read an advance copy. I’ve always been intrigued by people who have the gift of seeing into the future, even though in this case, it was not seen as such by the main character. I would highly recommend this book.

Wow. What an emotional rollercoaster this book was. This was my first Karen White book, and now I know that I will be reading more of her books in the future. Our main character needs to come home. Her mother is ill, and her sister and niece need help taking care of the mother. It is the last thing that Phoebe wants to do. But her sister Addie is a MESS and she can not handle a sick mom as well as taking care of herself and her daughter. Phoebe meets Celeste, Will, and Dr. Liam. All who play a part in Phoebe's past, but also a huge part of her present. And to top it all off, Phoebe was once stuck by lightening and has premonitions here and there. This touching story of sisterhood, daughters, and what it means to be a good friend, will make you smile and make you cry.........maybe at the same time.

Wow, this was such a good story. The characters and family dynamics were relatable and drew me in. Nothing felt rushed or forced and it made me reflect in my own relationship with my mother. All I could say when I finished was wow, i felt so much while reading this book. I really enjoyed the blog quotes at the beginning of each chapter as well. This is the first book by Karen White that I have read and I am now a big fan. I just ordered two of her previous books to experience her story telling again. I will be recommending this to everyone.

The novel opens with a flashback of Phoebe being struck by lightning as a child. In present time, Phoebe has moved across the country and has separated herself from her family and her past. When her sister calls and demands she come home to take care of their aging mother, Phoebe must open herself up to all that she left behind, including a disturbing, reoccurring dream that she cannot decipher. When she returns home, she quickly realizes that the situation is more serious than she anticipated. Her sister is in denial and irresponsible for the care of their mother and her young daughter. Their mother is clearly in the early stages of dementia and difficult decisions need to be made. In the process of figuring it all out, Phoebe meets Celeste, an older woman who may hold the keys to unlocking her past and her future.
I enjoyed this book by Karen White. It deals honestly with the topics of aging parents, dementia, and family secrets. The added element of clairvoyance creates suspense and depth. White's characters are well-developed and sympathetic. I found myself rooting for each one and hoping they would all get a "happy ending" of sorts. White is a talented writer and although this is the first novel I have read of hers, it will not be my last.

I had a hard time putting this book down. The descriptions of the Low Country and its wildlife inhabitants are beyond lovely. The bird blog posts at the beginning of each chapter are terrific.

I figured out the twist fairly early in the book but it didn’t stop me from enjoying the book. Ophelia is a wonderful character and I’m glad she has Phoebe and Celeste looking out for her.

Addie comes across as a very one dimensional character though and I would have liked for her to have a bit more depth. All in all an enjoyable read. 3.5 stars

This was a heartwarming tale said how difficult it is to have an aging parent and try to live your own life. Something I personally can relate to. The premonitions from the lightening strike were a little far fetched for me and I felt that there could have been a better way to tie in what happened to the missing girl.
All in all not a bad read

Review of That Last Carolina Summer by Karen White
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)

Karen White returns with a layered, emotionally charged novel that blends Southern charm, family secrets, and just a touch of the supernatural. That Last Carolina Summer explores what happens when you return to the place you tried hardest to leave behind—and find it’s still holding pieces of you.

Phoebe Manigault, once struck by lightning and forever marked with prophetic dreams, is reluctantly pulled back to Charleston to help care for her ailing mother. What she finds is a mess of memories, unresolved family tensions, and a mystery that’s been buried beneath the tide of time.

The story unfolds through two perspectives: Phoebe’s and that of Celeste, a grandmother still grieving the disappearance of her granddaughter. Their stories converge slowly but meaningfully, revealing more than just shared history. The South Carolina Lowcountry is beautifully rendered—lush, haunting, and alive with atmosphere. White has always had a gift for place, and this book proves it again.

The writing is immersive and lyrical without being flowery. White handles the topics of dementia and family caregiving with painful accuracy and empathy. Phoebe is a well-drawn protagonist—strong, flawed, and caught between guilt and growth. The bird blog excerpts at the start of each chapter are surprisingly moving and tie in thematically with the narrative. The ending lands with emotional resonance, even if the major twist is telegraphed well in advance.

Some of the dialogue and inner monologue can feel repetitive, particularly around Phoebe’s dreams and guilt. Addie, the sister, is portrayed so negatively by nearly every character that she comes off one-dimensional. For a book about sisterhood, the lack of nuance in her character weakens the emotional stakes. A few plot points, especially the mystery’s resolution, are wrapped up too quickly and neatly.

Still, this is a compelling read. If you like your fiction grounded in emotional truth, with just a hint of the uncanny, That Last Carolina Summer delivers. It’s a moody, heartfelt story that lingers after the final page. Thanks to Park Row Books and NetGalley for the ARC.

Such a beautifully written book, I enjoyed all the bird information; sprinkled throughout the book and tidbits from the birding blog at the beginning of each chapter. I liked all the characters and the beautiful location of the story in a South Carolina town. The premise of the story was the family dynamics of 2 sisters grappling with their mother’s onset of dementia as well as raising a young daughter. The sisters deal with old issues of sibling rivalry while they were growing up and episodes and people from their past present themselves, giving the sisters a lot to realize about themselves and each other as well as coming to terms with their mother’s illness. I feel certain this book will be sensational!

If you love Dorthea Benton Frank, you will love "That Last Carolina Summer" by Karen White. It gives all the same Lowcountry feels. Book was for sure a 5 start read, and I can't wait to read more books by Karen White. I wish there was a book 2 to follow, because while all story lines wrapped up, I need to know what happened with Addie, and I REALLY need to know is Phoebe got married!!

Thank to NetGalley and Park Row for the ARC!

I love a Karen White novel. It takes you right to the Low Country marshes with her beautiful descriptions of the wildlife.Sprinkle in some family drama especially sister family drama and you have her formula right there.

For me, I figured out the twists and what would eventually be the big reveal early on so it was predictable. What’s wrong with that though? Sometimes you need a comfort novel and this for me was it!

First, let me disclose that I would read Miss White’s grocery list with awe if she chose to publish it. I love her writing and this book is my favorite so far!
Phoebe, the main character, is a complex woman with a crazy backstory. To get away from being compared to her beautiful sister she moves away, but must return home years later to help her sister. Phoebe’s return brings back things that will change a lot of people’s lives. I don’t want to give the story away, but it’s a beautiful story of the love between sisters and how time changes the way we see things.
Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing, Karen White, and NetGalley for providing the gifted copy of this advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own and completely honest.

Phoebe comes to help her sister Addie care for their mother who has dementia, but it is not a smooth family reunion. good story

The Last Carolina Summer by Karen White was a quick, enjoyable read. There are many family dynamics explored and secrets revealed. Of course there is a bit of summer romance and beachy vibes. I chose this on a whim and it was most certainly another fast read, but would recommend. Thank you to the publisher for the advanced reader copy.

Karen White has written some of my favorite books, and although this was a decent read, it was not her best. The novel has White's signature superb setting details that make you feel as if you were reading her words IN the coastal marshes of the Lowcountry. The backdrop of nature's unpredictable moods reflect the timeline of the story. I felt her characters were a little too contrived, as if they were trying to fit a character and storyline that has been done. The timeline just felt a bit rushed. Would still recommend as a decent beach read or fans of Karen White. #thelastcarolinasummer #karenwhite #netgalley #goodreads

Phoebe arrives back home to the South Carolina low country to help her sister Addie care for their mother w dementia.
But a smooth family reunion does not lie in store. The sibling rivalry that has been on hold since Phoebe lives across the country resumes.. Addie is a negligent mother to her daughter Ophelia, leaving much of the child rearing to her elderly mother. Phoebe meets and befriends Celeste, whose grandson, Liam and his son, Will, play integral parts of the story. Throw in a decades long mystery and you’ve got the perfect summer beach read. Recommended for all public libraries.

Family drama drives sisters apart in this southern family mystery. Phoebe feels the need to move across the country to remove herself from a toxic relationship with her family. She is forced to face her past when her mother's health is in decline.

White did an excellent job exploring the dynamics of family, friends and lovers. The mystery itself was the heartbreaking glue tied all the characters together, whether they liked it or not.

Thank you to the publisher and to Netgalley for a free advance copy to review. All opinions are my own.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/234580259-that-last-carolina-summer

I thoroughly enjoyed The Last Carolina Summer by Karen White. From the very first page, I was drawn in—not only by the beautifully written story but also by the fascinating bird facts at the beginning of each chapter, which added such a unique and thoughtful touch.

Though the novel deals with some heavy topics like dementia, death, and emotional abuse, White handles each with grace and sensitivity. The romance between Phoebe and Liam is sweet, clean, and wonderfully paced, adding warmth to the emotional depth of the story.

I especially appreciated how the book wove together characters across different generations, giving it a richness and depth that made it even more compelling. It’s not exactly a light read, but it’s incredibly endearing and heartfelt.

This is the kind of book that stays with you—and it absolutely deserves a spot on your 2025 beach read list

I absolutely loved That Last Carolina Summer! Karen White delivers a deeply moving and atmospheric story set against the beautiful South Carolina Lowcountry, blending family drama, mystery, and a touch of the supernatural with masterful skill.

Phoebe’s journey back home to care for her ailing mother unravels long-buried secrets and complicated family dynamics, especially as she reconnects with her sister Addie and new friends like Celeste and Liam. The recurring nightmares and Phoebe’s gift of premonition add a haunting layer to the story, keeping the suspense alive as the truth slowly comes to light.

This novel is rich with emotion, exploring themes of sisterhood, loss, and healing, all wrapped in a compelling mystery with plenty of surprising twists. It’s the kind of book that stays with you long after you turn the last page.

If you enjoy family sagas with secrets, second chances, and a Southern charm that feels like a warm breeze, this one is a must-read.

I had high hopes going into this book, but the execution fell flat. The characters felt unrelatable and lacked depth, which made it hard to connect with or root for any of them. Additionally, the dialogue often came across as unnatural or stilted. The plot was also highly predictable, with few—if any—surprises along the way.