I absolutely loved this emotional book set in the low country of South Carolina. Peppered with beautiful references to birds and rich descriptions of the marshes in the Charleston area, this story pulls the reader into to the Southern pace that readers love, and yet I couldn’t stop turning the page. The story of the women in this story pulled at my heart strings, and with a promise of redemption and a touch of romance I couldn’t put it down.

What a great summer read - especially if you are spending on a low country beach! In this latest story from Karen White, Phoebe Manigault has established a life on the West Coast, away from her dysfunction South Carolina family and the premonitions that had dominated her dreams after being struck by lightning as a child. However, this ends when her estranged sister Abbie calls, demanding help with their mother, Elizabeth, who is displaying symptoms of dementia. Upon returning to the family home, Phoebe is shocked to find how quickly her mother's illness has advanced. To make matters worse, her nightmarish premonitions have returned. Also, her mother's doctor is none other than Liam, who saved her life as a child, but whose family had a contentious relationship with hers. He also is the son of Phoebe's new friend, Celeste, a former nurse who is still mourning the disappearance of her granddaughter, Liam's sister. Without giving away the ending, the story culminates with a terrible storm.

This was really different from my typical reads, as I generally read romances, fantasy, and thrillers. I really enjoyed it and recommended it to my grandmother as well because I could tell this is right up her alley (she loves a family drama). The southern lowcountry setting made for such an atmospheric vibe with the premonitions that Phoebe has. The dementia aspect with her mom added some deep emotions for me as it hit really close to home with my mom's various health problems. Lots of secrets, buried family drama, and suspense throughout this one. I would definitely recommend this one to anyone who likes family drama, secrets, and southern settings.

The following review was posted on Goodreads on 4.10.25:

I generally enjoy Karen White's books and, although this one is far from my favorite of hers, I can say that I liked it for the most part. Like most (all?) of White's novels, THAT LAST CAROLINA SUMMER features an atmospheric Southern setting where beauty and ugliness mix behind genteel facades. There's nothing particularly original or memorable about the characters or plot of this novel. Phoebe and Addie—the sisters at the heart of the story—are both sympathetic in their own ways, but only the former is likable. Their mother isn't very appealing at all. Celeste is my favorite character, although she's rather cliché. Plotwise, this one's a slow mover without a ton of action. It's obvious from the get-go how Phoebe's dreams, Celeste's missing granddaughter, and Addie's selfishness all fit together, which takes all the mystery out of the story, making the whole novel more lackluster than it could have been. I'm not opposed to a little touch of the supernatural in the books I read, but it has to be convincing and Phoebe's "gift" really wasn't for me. All these things considered, THAT LAST CAROLINA SUMMER was a bit of a disappointment since it was only an average read for me. I wanted to love it like I have other books by White and I just...didn't. Bummer.

If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG-13 for brief, mild language (no F-bombs), innuendo, and violence

**5 Stars – A Powerful and Poignant Summer Read**

*That Last Carolina Summer* by Karen White is an unforgettable, emotional journey through the tangled threads of family, memory, and reconciliation. I absolutely loved this book—the raw and real characters drew me in from the first page. White masterfully captures the heartbreak and complexity of navigating a dementia diagnosis within a family, and the ways siblings wrestle with regret, rivalry, and the desire to make things right.

Each chapter peels back another layer of long-buried emotions, and I found myself rooting for these flawed, deeply human characters every step of the way. It's a story that lingers with you, reminding us that love endures even through pain, confusion, and change.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC. I can’t wait for others to experience this moving novel when it hits shelves in July!

Please note-the story will definitely be a trigger for those dealing with caring for someone with dementia.
Karen White once again has written a gripping story, this time about Phoebe, returning home to South Carolina to care for her mother who has dementia. Not knowing what she was walking into, Phoebe is blindsided by the state of the household, her sisters actions, and her mother's decline. As a child Phoebe had been struck by lightening and saved by a young boy. After the event, she had premonitions in dreams of things to come. One dream/nightmare had been reoccurring since, yet without clarity, leaving her to think that if she moved, she would be saving someone-possibly herself. Lots of family drama, help from unexpected acquaintances who turn into dear friends, and a long ago mystery solved. The story does end on a mixed of emotions, though somewhat positive note. Thanks to NetGalley, Ms White and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was given an ARC copy of this book in return for a review.

Phoebe returns to South Carolina for the summer to help her sister Addie take care of their mother who has memory issues. Things are in a mess in a number of ways, including financials so Phoebe tries to straighten them out before she heads back to Oregon. Throw in a friendship that develops with an older lady (Celeste) who happens to be a retired nurse and offers to help with Phoebe's mom, Celeste's grandson Liam who ends up being Phoebe's mom's doctor and see what happens in one eventful summer return to South Carolina for Phoebe. Pick this one up in July 2025.

I enjoyed this one a lot. I especially enjoyed the relationships and friendships that developed throughout the book and getting to know each of the characters. Great job Ms. White!

A woman is called back to her childhood home in South Carolina to help her older sister with their m0m, who is suffering from dementia. Determined to only stay temporarily, she tries to help her family, and finds attraction with her mother's doctor, only to find everything threatened by long-buried secrets. I enjoyed the storyline and the writing.

This author loves Carolina and it shows in every story she writes. You can feel the heat and smell the marshes. You really feel like you are there.
This story is a bit darker than some others the author has written. The characters carry a lot of baggage with them and they act out in different ways. There is also the slow killer dementia which effected everyone she came in contact with.
There was still a lot of hope and love throughout the story. And acceptance.
Enjoy.

This was a beautifully written book. The setting was described in such detail, I felt like I was in South Carolina in the hot July humidity! A poignant story of families, the lies we keep, and the unbreakable bonds. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a sneak peek at the latest gem by Karen White.

into dementia. It was told from the viewpoints of several of the characters in the book.

White's prose described the Lowcountry beautifully. I could see the landscape and almost smell the pluff mud.

As a fan of the Tradd Street stories, I was pleased to see the names Manigault and Prioleau used again.

I would take out the phrase, used several times, "she barked out a laugh". That has been overused to the point of being a joke in several lit groups and there's even a meme about it.

Thank you, Karen White, for another trip to coastal South Carolina!

Phoebe was struck by lightening when she was a kid and a kid with green eyes saved her. She never fit in at home with her mom always bringing her older sister to beauty pageants. Ever since being hit by lightning, are has premonitions and her family tried to hide them

Now she lives across the country as a middle school science teacher and rarely goes home to South Carolina. Her premonitions are gone in Oregon. Except, her sister calls and she's forced to as her mom is deep into dementia and Addie can't deal with it anymore.

When Phoebe gets back, she discovers her sister is not dealing with anything, including her own 9 year old daughter. Everything's a mess. Phoebe gets her mom an appointment with the local neurologist and discovers it's the same green eyed boy. And her premonitions are back...

I enjoyed this book!

Honestly, the premise feels a little tired, but I guess this might be what fans of women's fiction are wanting these days, and I applaud Karen White for her execution. As always, her characters are well drafted if a bit simplistic.

The mystery element is a bit overdone as the author does not seem to trust her readers' intelligence. Most readers want to figure things out for themselves and are capable of doing so.

While the pacing is somewhat slow, and the book could have been shorter and tighter, there is a lovely emotional resonance in this narrative that will appeal to many readers.

The approaching storm is a bit cliche. Ultimately I understand why it was included and it works well for the story.

I recommend THAT LAST CAROLINA SUMMER for fans of family dramas.

Phoebe fled her family years ago, but now her mother has dementia and her sister has begged her to come home for the summer. She fears though that her dreams will also return. She finds the house in chaos and her sister ignoring it all. Over the summer everyone's life evolved, secrets are revealed and loves, old and new appear. Absolutely wonderful.

Karen White has done it again! I adored The Last Caroline Summer. Thank you, NetGalley and to the publisher for an ARC of this lovely story!

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade for the opportunity to read The Last Carolina Summer by Karen White.

Karen White is an author I have long admired. This on has a beautiful setting and interesting - if not always likeable - characters. It's also one of the most accurate, on-point, realistic portrayals of a parent slipping into dementia along with the emotions and reactions of the family I've ever read. There are scenes that are hard to read, but never gratuitous. I found it to be a powerful story.

When Phoebe was a child she was struck by lightning resulting in premonition dreams. Because of the same reoccuring premonition nightmare and the dysfunctional relationship with her mom and sister Phoebe lives on the other side of the country., the bonus being she doesn’t have the dreams there. But years later she’s forced home to deal with her mother who now has Alzheimer’s and Addie, her sister, who lives like an irresponsible 16 year old and keeps neglecting her 9 year old daughter. Phoebe becomes friends with Liam, her mom’s doctor and the one who saved her life as a child and his grandmother, Celeste, who’s grieving the disappearance of her granddaughter. They both quickly come to play important roles in Phoebe’s life.

The book is a character driven family drama. Addie the sister is obnoxious and annoying. Phoebe is alternatively, angry at how her sister shirks responsibilities causing serious consequences, and then forgiving her. White paints an accurate picture of someone with dementia and to me the mom is the most realistic character. The scene at the end of the book in the storm had me on the edge of my seat, the writing really portrayed the scariness, and drama. But there’s a lot of repetition in other parts of the writing, and we’re hit over the head with the same clue too many times, but it’s a good family story. The cover is wonderful.

Captivating story of generations of one family trying to weather the storms of aging and dementia, with a few explosive family secrets exposed along the way.
MJPHILLIPS