Thank you so much for the opportunity to review this book and to be an early reader via NetGalley! However, I will not be writing a review for this title at this time, as my reading preferences have since changed somewhat. In the event that I decide to review the book in the future, I will make sure to purchase a copy for myself or borrow it from a library. Once again, thank you so much for providing me with early access to this title. I truly appreciate it. Please feel free to contact me with any follow-up questions or concerns.

The Last Kiss of Summer was just an OK read for me. I had a few issues with it. I didn't like Luke at all. I found his behavior and attempts at "wooing" Kennedy was cringy and off-putting. He was kind of a jerk and I didn't feel the chemistry between him and Kennedy. Kennedy, for all of her business and accounting experience, didn't read her contract very well. All of the obstacles that she ran into with the business should have been things she researched before agreeing to the deal. Any business owner would. So it all felt kind of contrived and not genuine. I still am not sure what the issue was with the apples.


One thing I did like was the other characters in the town. Fi and Paula were fun and amusing. I loved Hawk and Ali. They added a lot of humor to the story. The town was a place I would want to visit. I'll probably read the next book which is Hawk and Ali's story.

Review link will go live 8/19/19

I think that I read Last Kiss of Summer by Marina Adair at just the right time. I didn’t realize how much I needed a romance read until I sunk into this book.

Kennedy is a bit of a pathetic character. Absolutely nothing has gone right in her life. Her saving grace is her backbone. Kennedy will not give up without one hell of a fight! She has a determination that has kept her on the straight and narrow when others in her family would have taken the easy road.

Luke is the quintessential good guy….except that he’s so focused on fixing his father’s financial mistakes that he slips a bit into the not-so-good-guy gray area. While I can certainly appreciate his drive and desire, he never stopped to ask wether anyone even wanted what he was working so hard to obtain. He felt a sense of obligation.

Last Kiss of Summer really hit on the small town vibe that I love. I honestly have to remind myself that this is fiction and as much as I loved the story, reality is it probably wouldn’t have worked out the same way.

I genuinely loved this book and I’m SO glad that I finally got around to it. It looks like there is a companion novel that follows this one. I’m sure it’s for Ali’s story and I can’t wait to spend more time with the folks of Destiny Bay!

On a last note, I loved Paula SO much! I wish she could be my therapist. She is Luke’s mother and just listening to her narration put me at ease. I would love to be able to call on her during times of tribulation!

Sweet, funny and sexy. Three of my favorite qualities in a good read, and Marina Adair delivers no shortage of any in this opener for her Destiny Bay series. In this enemies to lovers themed romance, Kennedy is looking for a new start and Luke is trying to make his family’s dreams a reality. Too bad they clash from the start. And too bad the chemistry is hot enough to make Kennedy’s pies golden. Great secondary characters round out this one. Can’t wait to see how Adair tops this 4.5 star read!

Delicious pies, refreshing hard cider, deep emotions, sexy times and much more!
Every Marina Adair book is a winner! :)

Reading one of Marina Adair's novels is like taking a breath of fresh air. They're sexy, real and have the perfect amount of romance without being too sweet or too erotic. She leaves you with hope for the good guy even if he's got a touch of the bad boy inside. This is book one in the Destiny Bay series and it features Luke Callahan and Kennedy Sinclair. It was written in the stars. These two belong together but what they go through on their journey leaves you doubting that they'll ever make it there.

Fabulous characters! Fi, Paula, Ali and the rest are AWESOME! This is one of those stories that not only are you moved by the main characters but all the secondary characters make the story that much better. This is an amazing series opener. I can't wait to read the next one.

Like a perfect piece of Humdinger apple pie, Last Kiss of Summer is a delectable treat to be savored and enjoyed! Marina Adair begins her new “Destiny Bay” series with a story filled with love, longing and jealousy - and that is just about the apples!

As the book description states, Kennedy Sinclair is ready for a fresh start. And what a fresh start she gets when her grandmother’s loving “push” coupled with her love of baking takes Kennedy across the country to take over a bake shop in Destiny Bay, Washington. “Sweetie Pies” is famous for its delicious treats, most (if not all) featuring local apples which are grown on a tract of land that is part of Kennedy’s purchase of Sweetie Pies. Of course, the sellers of the shop - sisters Fi and Paula are as different as night and day - forgot to tell Paula’s son about the deal. Luke Callahan worked long and hard to hang onto the family apple orchard after his father’s death. His final prize is within reach - a chance to take his father’s hard cider to the masses in an exclusive deal with a renown restaurateur. But in order for “Two Bad Apples” to produce enough cider for the deal, Luke needs those acres of apples. As the story flows, Luke begins to desire more that just Kennedy’s apples!

The author has done a brilliant job of introducing Destiny Bay along with its charming citizens to the reader - the writing is top-notch and there’s witty banter by the bushel between the characters. Kennedy and Luke’s journey, not only towards their “couple” HEA but their individual search for peace with their pasts, is beautifully portrayed. It is a credit to Ms. Adair that her books, which from the beginning featured top-notch writing and engrossing plots, just get better and better! I highly recommend this book and series!

Enjoyed this book a lot. I thought the plot surrounding apples was unique and original! A great read!