Her Last Summer

by Nina Manning

When out of work actress Rey Levine is offered her dream acting role, she knows she has to make it work. But there’s a the film calls for Rey to swim, something she hasn't done since her last fateful summer holiday fifteen years ago. The summer her sister disappeared…and everyone blamed Rey.

Rey will do anything to block out the painful memories, but it means her current life is in freefall – drink and men her drugs of choice.

With her first dip in the cool water, Rey thinks she’s found the perfect escape. But as the water holds her, old memories float to the surface, forcing Rey to remember the terrible summer she’d rather forget.

But someone doesn't want the truth to surface. Not now, not ever... And they're prepared to ruin Rey's life all over again.

Genres: Audiobook, Thriller

280 pages, Paperback

Published May 30, 2024

About the author

Nina Manning began her career in the catering industry. She has worked as a private chef cooking for royalty and TV personalities.

She has a degree in Psychology and has three books published with Boldwood: The Daughter In Law, The Guilty Wife and The House Mate.
Her fourth Psychological thriller is published in Spring 2021.

Nina is a voracious reader of many genres, is the founding member of a long standing book club and the founder and co-host of a book podcast called Sniffing The Pages.

She is a mother to three young children so when she is not writing or reading she can usually be found scaling a soft play tower or romping in the woods with the family and her chocolate Labrador.

Reviews

[Jennifer Bendel · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was a huge let down for me. It started off pretty slow and not grabbing my attention. Once the flashbacks started, the book started to get more interesting. The present day chapters bored me but the flashbacks were intriguing. Around 2/3s through the book, it all starts coming together and getting intense and I finally started to enjoy the book. Then the story suddenly ends with so much left to be resolved. I was really looking forward to more from the ending but it was so abrupt and depressing.

[Rachel the Page-Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rey Levine is an actress, one who hasn’t worked in a long time. She’s broke and desperate when her agent calls with some good news - a film company wants Rey to star in their new movie, costarring with the popular actor, Dexter Rice. His huge fan base and her return to the screen could make this a real success…

Her excitement is tempered when she learns the role involves a lot of her swimming in the open ocean. She hasn’t been in the sea since her little sister disappeared 15 years ago. She HAS to do this movie though, before she becomes obscure forever. She starts training at a local gym, trying to get back into the water without panicking. Will she be able to do it?

Unfortunately, we don’t really find out. Rey heads to Scotland for the shoot, she finds out (a little bit of) what happened to her sister, and then that’s it. The book ended so abruptly, I had to make sure I didn’t miss something. The film was never finished (in the book), she never found out where her sister might be, and the reason she was scared of swimming in the sea was a little strange. We never even found out if she was able to successfully finish her sea scenes with no fear. This book was very well-written, but those things have me giving it only three stars.

(Thank you to Boldwood Books, Nina Manning and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on May 30, 2024.)

[Jennifer Williams · Rating 1 out of 5]

You want an honest review so here it is. Disappointed doesn’t begin to even cover it. I’m mad. This was not a thriller or gripping, I’m not sure what it was. It was slow and boring and kept implying it was building to something bigger. I kept waiting and waiting and then ……. Nothing! What a let down absolutely no closure and that infuriates me when a book ends that way! I will not be recommending this book.

[Meddings_Musings: Erin Meddings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plagued by the disappearance of her younger sister while vacationing when she was 17, Rey struggles as an adult.

Finding early success as an actress, stories of her background and partying force a pause on her budding career. With her bank account dwindling, Rey is excited to resume acting and accepts an acting role in the Scottish Highlands. While trying to carve out a healthier future, it appears secrets from Rey’s past are determined to come out. Was she responsible for her sister’s disappearance as her mother has always said? Or were there much darker forces to blame?

This was an engaging story that tackles some dark topics such as alcoholism, bulimia, family dysfunction and abuse. I would recommend this if you have enjoyed other books from Nina Manning and/or enjoy domestic thrillers. This is available now in both print and audio version!

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first Nina Manning book but it definitely won't be my last! This is a fabulous story about Sylvie--now an actress--when her agent calls to offer her the lead in a film with handsome star Dexter. Worried because she had a breakdown on her last film, she realizes she must relive part of her past as this part will involve swimming in the sea which was her undoing early in her life. And so we travel to Corsica in 2008 to see her family--mother, father, two sisters--and the fateful night sister Franny disappeared. Past and present collide in this fascinating tale of childhood, mental instability, family ties, and the lengths people will go to when protecting their loved ones. I may have been holding my breath the entire way through but the ending is so satisfying that I may have shed a tear or two.
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

[Stacy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was very disappointed with this story. It was described as a gripping psychological thriller and it lacked every single one of these elements. It should be categorized as a family drama with a touch of mystery. It was slow and boring, and I did not connect with the unlikable main character. The ending did not give me any closure, which frustrates me beyond words. Definitely would not recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this eARC.

[callistoscalling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you @netgalley and @boldbookclub for the eARC of Her Last Summer by @ninamanningauthor in exchange for an honest review

📖📖 Book Review 📖📖 Rey has the opportunity for her big comeback when she is offered a dream role…the dilemma lies in the need for her to get back in the water for the first time in fifteen years. Trauma and grief can do a number on our psyche and Rey knows this all too well. A summer day gone horribly wrong haunts her and even when she gets back in the water to film this movie, she cannot escape from the memories and guilt from the past. Her Last Summer is beautifully written and fluctuates between the present and that fateful summer, providing an absolutely gripping read! This book will have you turning pages and wondering if we can move on when we hold so many secrets and regret deep inside?

[Ari Cross · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book touched on very important family dysfunction themes, mental health, and trauma, which are all deserve representation. I generally liked the main character, and I wanted good things for her. The pacing of this book was good and it kept my focus throughout.

However, this dual timeline felt a little disjointed to me. What was going on in Rey’s current life almost felt irrelevant. I felt some of the subplots in the current timeline were fillers, and weren’t important to the overall story. I think having a current timeline was necessary for this story, but the actual plot of the current timeline could have been more valuable to the story.

Overall, I found this to be really well written, interesting story, and I enjoyed it very much.

Thank you so much to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this advance copy!

[Ana · Rating 3 out of 5]

An actress named Rey has been in a professional slump and is seeking work when the perfect opportunity falls into her lap from her agent. Rey has a past that she’s been keeping hidden, but it comes to the public’s attention as she’s thrust back into the limelight with her new movie. Her youngest sister disappeared as they vacationed in France as children, and now people are spectating as what could have happened and whether Rey could have been involved. Rey is forced to face her fears as the movie she’s booked puts her back in the ocean, which she’s avoided since her sister went missing.

I enjoyed this read, but the ending definitely left more to be desired. I felt like there was an incredible build up with the story, and then it felt rushed in the last few chapters. Otherwise it was a great read!

[Jamie ⚢ · Rating 2 out of 5]

As someone who hasn’t read much from the crime/mystery/thriller trio in a while, I was really looking forward to this read. Unfortunately, everything about it fell flat for me. The characters, narration, dialogue and overall plotline felt underdeveloped. Often felt compelled to DNF, though I saw it through to the end in order to find out what happened—and barely noticed when something had been revealed, the secrets were that lacklustre.

[Lana B- thrills_chills_and_frills · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not what I expected at all…. The ending floored me! I read this in only a few hours, speed reading. A very easy read that I quite enjoyed!

If you like Ruth Kelly and Liv Constantine, you should really pick this book up! I really recommend it!

[Marte Haga · Rating 2 out of 5]

This might just be - and excuse me for being so blunt - the most bullshit plot I've read. The story starts off pretty good and got me excited, but after the first few pages it just goes south. I did see what was coming, who the "bad guy" was, and that didn't ruin it too much. What did ruin the story for me was the biggest twist, how the characters chose to deal with the problem - why and how the sister disappeared. It just makes no sense to me to do that, when there are so many better options they could have chosen. And that being the essence of the story ... Well, it just sent the whole thing crashing. So for me this was a total let down. Other than that, I'd say it's a pretty average ready without any real originality or anything that makes it stand out. And it's, of course, done in the very much used method of switching back and forth between "now" and "then"

[Callum James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extra star because it was my first read on the new kindle, deduct a star for an abrupt and poorly conceived ending. Enjoyed the premise and the first 200 pages.

[Marija · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Her Last Summer," by Nina Manning, is a compelling narrative exploring the profound effects of trauma, guilt, and the challenging journey toward redemption. Rey Levine's existence has been stagnant for two years. Formerly an acclaimed actress, she is now tormented by the recollections of a disastrous summer fifteen years ago—the summer her younger sister Franny disappeared, creating an irreplaceable loss. Held responsible for the calamity during their Corsican holiday with their aunt, Rey descended into a life tarnished by alcohol, drugs, and transient relationships.
An offer from her agent for a film role alongside the esteemed Dexter Rice sparks a ray of hope, yet the demand to swim in the ocean—a task that petrifies her—revives the traumatic memories of the summer her sister was lost.
The story oscillates between the present and that haunting past. Grasping the opportunity to take control of her life, Rey sets out to overcome her aquaphobia by joining a local sports center. As her forthcoming movie starts to draw media attention, the secrets of that summer also come to light, drawing the invasive gaze of the paparazzi. Nonetheless, Rey's determination remains unshaken. She braces herself for the media onslaught and heads to Scotland, resolute in confronting her fears.
From the beginning, it is clear that Rey's collapse two years ago has profoundly impacted her life. Her self-destructive behaviors, while lamentable, were her means of coping. The role in the movie emerges as a beacon of hope, an opportunity she cannot afford to miss. However, as the past makes its way back, it challenges her fortitude. The pivotal question lingers: can Rey conquer her past?
Upon her arrival on the set of her new film, Rey is disturbed by indications of being watched and the presence of an unexpected security guard. As she tries to concentrate on her profession, her thoughts drift back to her adolescence. Rey's character captivates, and I find myself cheering for her to surmount her past and embrace happiness. Although the story's pace seems slow at first, it gradually builds up the suspense. The narrative is masterfully woven, blending Rey's current struggles with a summer from fifteen years earlier. The author vividly depicts that crucial season and the events that led to Rey's wrongful accusation. This book is a captivating read that grabs your attention, making it difficult to put down. It comes highly recommended for mystery enthusiasts.
I extend my gratitude to Boldwood, the author, and Netgalley for the copy of "Her Last Summer."

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

“I didn't want my life to be ruled by my past any more”

3.5 stars ⭐

Her Last Summer was a book I read while physically on a cruise. So sailing on an ocean while reading a book about a woman not wanting to go in was thrilling. Which is good, cause this was a thrilling book.

Overall, I enjoyed my time with Her Last Summer. The different timelines helped us to understand what happened during the summer where our MFC's sister goes missing. The current timeline also showcases Rey's struggles with going in the water, her paranoia over it, but knowing she needs to accept the acting job. I really liked the various characters you also get to meet throughout, including the very popular Dexter Rice.

As far as the plot of the story goes, you go between two. You have the past timeline where you see Rey Levine, a happy 16 year old on vacation visiting her aunties house. But upon entering, she sees someone new. Someone unknown. This man shouldn't be here. That's where her late uncle should be. Rey is very wary of him, this William. But does Rey have any reason to fear him? She wants to have a good time, and make sure her sisters are having fun. She cares deeply for them, especially her youngest sister Franny. Can Rey have a good holiday, even if that means going behind the adults backs?
The main timeline follows Rey Levine struggle to accept a new acting job. She knows she needs to, as she has not had a job in over 2 years and has been a recluse. But the job involves swimming, which is the last thing she wants to do, ever since her sister disappeared. Rey starts to practise swimming, but will it be enough once she gets to Scotland? And why does she feel like there are eyes on her constantly?

Overall, I really enjoyed how the story ended with the twist I... kinda guessed about. But one thing that brought the book down a little personally was the constant alluding to something. At the end of her chapters, a lot of them always talks about 'what she did' or 'it was my fault' etc... and you don't find out until practically the end of the book. It was very repetitive.

Regardless, Her Last Summer is a good thrilling book, and I would recommend it for those that like an eery element to their stories!

“The fabric of the past that I believed was tightly woven was still being picked at the stitches, and maybe, just maybe, it was all finally going to come apart, revealing everything that we were and were not as a family”

[Joanna Lambert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rey Levine has not worked for the past two years. Although once a successful actress, her life has been plagued with memories of that last summer fifteen years ago, and the night when her youngest sister Franny, went missing, never to be seen again. The family were staying with their aunt in Corsica, and Rey was blamed. A breakdown two years ago has seen her immersing herself in drink, drugs and a series of soon forgotten men. An unexpected call from her agent with news of a leading role in a new film gives her the opportunity to escape this self destructive cycle in her life. However, the role she has been offered means she needs to swim - and Rey has not been back in the water since that fateful night.
Events unfold in a dual timeline - detailing Rey's current life and the events of that last summer. Desperate to grab this opportunity to restart her career, she joins her local sports centre and begins the challenge of getting back into the water. But as news of her new film surfaces in the press, so do details of the events of that last summer, and the paparazzi begin to take an interest. Although this intrusion is a setback, Rey manages to pull herself together, and is determined to overcome any obstacles. With security in place to keep the press at bay, she heads to Scotland.

As the story began, it was clear Rey’s breakdown two years ago had totally blighted her life. Her behaviour, for which there were moments of regret, was both destructive and dangerous, but clearly a means of temporary escape. The film offer was a godsend, and a lifeline. She was prepared to work hard and not waste this opportunity, but the unexpected public reminder of the past, threw her for a moment. The question was, could she overcome this?

The story was well structured, with Rey’s current situation cleverly interwoven with events from fifteen years previously. The writer creates a vivid picture of that last summer, the events that took place and how they led to the finger of blame being pointed at Rey.

It’s a thought provoking and compelling read, one that is difficult to put down. Highly recommended.

I would like to thank Boldwood, the author and Netgalley for a copy of Her Last Summer in exchange for an honest review.

[Yvonne G · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this story more than I did, as it dealt with some very serious and dark issues; such as control and coercion, physical and mental abuse of a minor, alcoholism and an instilled guilt complex.

All of this baggage had been haunting Rey since her childhood, which had culminated in the disappearance of her younger sister when she was a teenager some fifteen years ago, something she has always felt and been led to believe, was her fault, a notion she has never been told was not in fact the truth.

The guilt and painful memories had caused Rey to lead a life fuelled by excesses of drink, men and substance abuse; all three readily available in her position as an actress of some renown. However, with middle-age approaching, Rey's bright star is on the wane, her life and mental health is in freefall and she knows that the only way she has any chance of stopping the downward spiral, is to face her own demons about her childhood and find out the truth of exactly what did happen to her sister on that fateful holiday night on the beach.

Told as a thoughtful and thought-provoking, dual-timeline story, Rey's flashbacks to her childhood filled in the gaps and fleshed out her very disjointed thoughts, with her traumatic recollections and current day insecurities and lack of closure, being described in great detail by Rey herself.

Addictive, compulsive and claustrophobic as a storyline, the writing should have been more compelling. However, as much as I wanted to feel sympathy with Rey, realising just how permanently damaged she was, I found I simply couldn't relate to the self-centred pity which exuded from her every thought and word, which was so emotionally draining for me as an outsider. It was only her reaction when a partial truth was revealed about events of the night fifteen years ago when her sister disappeared, which had me connect with her in any meaningful way, but by then it was too little too late to redeem my reading experience.

If you enjoy a storyline which dives into the deepest depths of the damaged mind and tries to rationalise and analyse those disjointed thoughts, then this would definitely be a book worth trying.

[Diane Dachota · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slow burn mystery about an actress and her buried secrets; secrets that have haunted her since her teenage years. Rey Levine is a 30 year old woman living in London and falling on tough times. Her acting career hasn't been going well and she has spent her time drinking and finding love with one night stands. Her agent calls with an offer about a movie role, one in which she will play against the popular actor Dexter Rice. Rey is thrilled about the opportunity but not thrilled to hear that her role will require swimming in the ocean, something she is terrified to do. The reason she is terrified leads back to a summer when she was 16 and her 6 year old sister went missing during a summer trip to Corsica.

Told in then and now chapters, we find out that Rey has been suffering from guilt and trauma over the disappearance of her sister and this trauma has affected every area of her life. The summer her sister disappeared, Rey and her sisters Scarlet and Franny were vacationing with their parents and their aunt Vanessa and her new boyfriend Wallace. Rey didn't have a close relationship with her stern father and her mother spent most of her time drinking. One night Rey snuck away with her cousin for a party on the beach and someone came into the vacation home and abducted her sister. Rey's mother blamed her for the kidnapping although their were three other adults in the house and Rey has a fractured relationship with her mother and Scarlet. As Rey arrives on set for her new movie she receives notes suggesting she is being watched and a security guard shows up who no one hired. As Rey tries to make her acting career work she is drawn back to the events that happened when she was a teenager. I liked the character of Rey and was hoping she would resolve her issues and find happiness. I do wish the front part of the story moved a little faster as it took a long time to get to the mystery elements. Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for a copy of this ARC in exchange for a review.

[Julie Maleski (juliereads_alot) · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚 PUBLICATION DAY REVIEW 📚

Her Last Summer By Nina Manning
Publication Date: May 30, 2024 (TODAY! 🎉)
Publisher: Boldwood Books

📚MY RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

📚MY REVIEW:

Happy Publication Day to Nina Manning and Her Last Summer! A huge thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest review!

What a fun and twisty read this was! The story was really easy to get into...an out-of-work actress gets an offer for a huge part in a new flick, but secrets from her past threaten to ruin everything before she can even get her career back off the ground. See? Easy to get into. Also, a quick & bingeable read.

Our female MC, Rey, was an unreliable narrator hiding a big secret in her past -- my favorite kind-of narrator! I loved the way the chapters went back and forth from past to present. Manning did such a fantastic job creating juxtaposition between the two periods of Rey's life, slowly dropping morsels of intrigue about the story's mysteries.

I really enjoyed this book...until its end. As I read, I kept watching the remaining page numbers dwindle because I couldn't figure out how everything was going to be resolved with so few pages left. Well, it kinda wasn't. I honestly thought I was missing a chapter or two when I got done, and I really wanted more. I just sat there, wondering what happened next.

Maybe I got some answers to some of my questions, but this ending left me feeling like I wasn't quite sure...I'd say I loved the first 90% of the book but it ended too abruptly and left me wanting more. I guess that's not the worst thing, right?

Overall, I definitely recommend this book. A perfect summer read, this is a bingeable domestic thriller with a side of paparazzi, family trauma, and redemption.

**Trigger Warnings: Sexual abuse, family trauma, alcoholic parent. If these are difficult topics for you, you may want to skip this one.**

#HerLastSummer #NinaManning #NetGalley #ARC #PublicationDay #bookreviews #bookrecommendations #booklover #bookcommunity

[Paula Phillips · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Her Last Summer" by Nina Manning takes readers on an emotionally charged journey through trauma, guilt, and the quest for redemption. The novel follows Rey Levine, an out-of-work actress offered her dream role, but with a catch – she must confront her fear of swimming, a fear deeply rooted in a tragic event from her past.

Manning masterfully weaves together Rey's present-day struggles with her traumatic memories from fifteen years ago, when her sister disappeared during a summer holiday. The guilt and blame heaped upon Rey have shaped her life, leading to a downward spiral of alcohol and unhealthy relationships. Manning's exploration of Rey's psyche is both poignant and authentic, delving into the complexities of survivor's guilt and the haunting power of unresolved trauma.

The heart of the novel lies in Rey's journey to confront her demons, both figuratively and literally, as she reluctantly returns to the water for her role in the film. Manning expertly captures Rey's internal turmoil as she grapples with the painful memories that resurface with each stroke. The juxtaposition of past and present adds depth to Rey's character, allowing readers to empathize with her struggles while rooting for her to find healing and closure.

The tension escalates as Rey's quest for truth attracts opposition from someone determined to keep the past buried. Manning skillfully crafts a gripping narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, eagerly turning pages to uncover the secrets lurking beneath the surface. The pacing is tight, with twists and turns that keep the suspense building until the final, shocking reveal.

"Her Last Summer" is not just a thriller; it's a profound exploration of grief, guilt, and the enduring power of the human spirit. Manning's prose is evocative and immersive, drawing readers into Rey's world with vivid descriptions and raw emotion. The novel's themes resonate long after the final page, prompting reflection on the nature of forgiveness and the possibility of redemption.

In conclusion, "Her Last Summer" is a captivating and thought-provoking read that will linger in the minds of readers. Nina Manning's skillful storytelling and compelling characters make this novel a must-read for fans of psychological suspense and emotional drama.

[loopyloulaura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actress Rey has been out of work since her last public meltdown. Now she is offered a role to relaunch her career and she cannot refuse. The only problem is she needs to swim which she hasn't done since her little sister vanished at the beach decades ago...
Her Last Summer is a psychological thriller set in the UK in the present and Corsica in the past.
Rey's career is stalled after a series of unfavourable public incidents. Now she has a second chance and a brilliant opportunity. But she needs to get water confident again and quickly so enrols at a local pool. This instantly brings the past back to the forefront of her mind and she needs to deal with her hidden emotions.
I found Rey quite difficult to like despite her obvious emotional pain. The disappearance of her little sister has haunted her for years and she has tried to self medicate with drink and drugs. There is also generational pain as we find out about her mother's drink issue and the unhappy family situation. This is revealed through Rey's made up story which she uses to ditract herself in the present day, as well as big clues and a hugely uncomfortable atmosphere in the 2008 chapters.
I was quite intrigued at the beginning of the book but the pace slows in the middle before racing along at the end. There are lots of hints about Franny's disappearance and Rey's guilt. Her fear of water is a direct result of her past trauma and now she is also feeling threatened by journalists and paparazzi who want to expose the truth. I thought that the ending was very rushed and didn't wrap up the plot threads or resolve the mystery to my satisfaction.
Her Last Summer is an emotional psychological thriller with an intriguing mystery.

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up.

When out of work actress Rey Levine is offered her dream acting role, she knows she has to make it work. But there's a problem, the film calls for Rey to swim, something she hasn't done since her last fateful summer holiday fifteen years ago. The summer her sister disappeared.... and everyone blamed Rey. Rey will do anything to block out the painful memories, but it means her current life is in free-fall - drink and men are her drugs of choice. With her first dip in the cool water, Rey thinks she has found the perfect escape. But as the water holds her, old memories float to the surface, forcing Rey to remember the terrible summer she's rather forget.

Rey Levine and her family went on holiday, her five-year-old sister disappeared. Rey blames herself for her sister's disappearance. Rey is an out of work actress, she relies on men and alcohol to get her through her day. When she is offered an acting role where she has to swim in the sea, Rey is petrified. She hasn't been in the water for fifteen years.

The story has a dual timeline - fifteen years ago when Rey's sister disappeared and the present day. A story of a fractured family trying to move on from their sister's disappearance. This is a bit of a slow burn, so I took half a star off my rating. Nina has researched how much trauma can rule your life.

Published 30th May

I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #NinaManning for my ARC of #HerLastSummer in exchange for an honest review.

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer]

Her last summer by Nina Manning this book involves Ray Levine who is a famous British actress or at least she was until her own actions left her with no work but now her publicist calls and tells her not only does she have a movie but it’s with one of the most popular stars Dexter Rice The only problem is it’s in the Highlands and it involves swimming in the sea something she’ll have to do for the role and something she has fear doing ever since her little sister Fran went missing. 15 years before the family went to their French Villa for the summer holiday and this is where she meets her favorite aunt Vanessa‘s new boyfriend Wallace and Ray instantly dislikes him. This is where they were when little sister Fran went missing. Is newcomer Wallace to blame? Why is the only sister Ray has left claiming to have missing memories come back and pointing the finger at her just wind her star is about to rise again? This way more to the story than just what’s in the summary but to be honest a lot of questions were not answered I found Ray to be an inconsistent character and most of the time I was confused by the thing she did Not to mention in every scenario she was in she was nauseated and everything from hangovers to a man turning her down made her nauseous which in my opinion got old really quick there’s just a lot in this book I didn’t like which is sad because I usually love Nina Manning‘s books but not this one so I guess you can’t win them all. I want to thank the publisher for my free art copy via NetGalley please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

[Book Nerdy 2020 · Rating 3 out of 5]

HER LAST SUMMER By Nina Manning

When out of work actress Rey Levine is offered her dream acting role, she knows she has to make it work. But there’s a the film calls for Rey to swim, something she hasn't done since her last fateful summer holiday fifteen years ago. The summer her sister disappeared…and everyone blamed Rey.
Rey will do anything to block out the painful memories, but it means her current life is in freefall – drink and men her drugs of choice.
With her first dip in the cool water, Rey thinks she’s found the perfect escape. But as the water holds her, old memories float to the surface, forcing Rey to remember the terrible summer she’d rather forget.
But someone doesn't want the truth to surface. Not now, not ever... And they're prepared to ruin Rey's life all over again.

😊What i liked -

✔ Mystery/Thriller/Suspense.
✔ Not going to lie but this book was slow but I liked that the author still managed to grab enough attention for me to read it through.
✔ I liked how few characters had a sense of mystery around them.
✔ The flip from past to present was well done.

🤔What could have been better -

✔ I felt the book ended abruptly.
✔ The whole book is around the premises of her being unable to swim for a particular scene. So it was frustrating because it's unclear if she actually managed to do it.
✔ She couldn't even find her sister in the end, another thing that had left me confused.

📚Who Should read :

👶Beginners
🕵️Thriller Lovers

📈My Rating : 3/5

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rey Levine and her family went to Corsica for a holiday, and her 5 year old sister disappeared.
Fifteen years later, Rey is still feeling guilty about what happened, and blames herself. Her life is out of control, she is an out of work actress who is promiscuous and relies heavily on drugs and alcohol to get through life.
She is offered a role in which she has to swim in the sea, and she is terrified. She hasn't been in water to swim for fifteen years, blaming her sister's disappearance.

This is a slow burn novel which is well written and paced to reveal withheld memories.
Rey's pain and her guilt are easy to see and certain memories will lead the reader to believe one thing, but definitely point to something completely different in the end.
The book is written in two different timelines, but does not explain why Rey does not have much contact with her remaining sister.
I personally prefer black and white explanations of behaviour.
I get the point that sea swimming is linked to a bad memory, but we don't get an answer as to whether Rey managed to overcome that fear.

The book is basically about fractured families, and one can never shake off the past.

Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read this book.

[Katherine Hayward Pérez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my sixth Nina Manning thriller, and it’s amazing just like the others.

Told in a dual timeline, Rey is battling between her past and her present. She’s an actress and has memories of Corsica and a summer she’ll never forget and not, precisely, for a good reason. The summer of 2008 was when her little sister Franny went missing.

Years later and it’s still not clear what happened to Franny.
Corsica and the UK were very well recreated.

I really liked Rey’s relationship with Jolie, and the family dynamic between the entire family as well as the differences between the three sisters (Rey, Scarlet and Franny).

Can Rey get back into the water and swimming again, or will her memories of Franny and that summer in Corsica be too overwhelming?

Her Last Summer is about families, good and bad memories, and trying to move on. It’s powerful and true-to-life.

Thanks to Nina Manning and Boldwood Books for ny eARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

5 stars

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rey can’t or rather won’t swim. But if she wants a comeback to her acting career with a rather gorgeous costar, she’s got to bite that proverbial bullet and sort herself out. But why does she hate the water so much? Something that deep rooted has to have a reason!

Finding out that reason had me hooked. What had happened to Rey? As I read I got snippets of events that happened to teenage Rey in the gorgeous island of Corsica. But once I was enlightened on the whole story, I was left stunned. I had to reread what I read. I was gobsmacked.

Manning has crafted a story that left me with two separate breadcrumb trails one in the present and the other in the past, both of which I had to follow to get to the crux of Rey’s past and to understand what was happening in the present. The way Manning brought the two threads together in to one climax of a story left me stunned. It’s different to my other experience of Manning’s thriller writing and a world away from her Shattered Mums books but the one thing that links them all is an addictive story.

[~Bellegirl91~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not bad for my second Nina Manning book. I did like the twist near the end and definitely didn't see it coming, while at the same time, when things and pieces were being put together, well, let's just say I had a feeling where it was going and I nearly cried. And yet, in this case, I don't care about the negative reviews because I ended up liking this book once things were revealed and so I don't spoil anything, it had a happy ending for me and totally his home for me personally in so many ways.

Overall, very different kind of psychological thriller and yet in some way now that I'm finished with this book, and knowing Rey's story up until the end, I related to her after a while and even now and all I can say is how proud I am of her character for finding a different kind of closure most people wouldn't know about her and be able to also find it in herself to start trusting people and things in general and herself even. Clever story, great plot twist, and all I can say is read this for yourself to find out what happened to Rey's little sister when she disappeared.

[Nisha Mathias castelino · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rey Levine, an actress is offered a job of a lifetime after being out of the limelight for a couple of years. But the only problem is it will require her to swim in open water, something she has not done since that fateful summer holiday fifteen years ago.

First off this was not a thriller I was expecting. It started off a bit slow but picked up pace in the flashback chapters that were interesting as I wanted to know what had happened
in Rey's past during that fateful summer because of which she was so terrified of swimming.

There were a few loose ends that needed to be tied when the book ended abruptly making me think if i missed out something. I found plot lacking in twists and surprises. The premise had a lot of promise but somehow the execution fell flat for me.

Thank you @netgalley and Boldwood Books for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Her Last Summer tells the story of Rey an actress who has been out of work after a few unfavourable public moments but has been offered a new role that could turn things around. Just as she begins to prepare for this role, her sister, Scarlet goes to the media and sets things in motion to bring up some very difficult moments from their past. Narration alternates between the present, and the past, a summer many years ago when Rey's youngest sister Franny, disappears during a family vacation near the coast. Between infuriating paparazzi, tense family relationships and Rey's own fears and self doubt, preparing for this role and continuing to keep her past in the past just got a whole not more difficult!

I have read a few of Manning's books and enjoyed them, but this was my first Manning suspense/thriller. I enjoyed the book, and found it a pretty good balance between suspense and regular fiction, but it was not my favourite book from this author. I did find that there were a few grammatical and mechanical errors (mostly awkward/incorrect use of punctuation) as well as a few repetitive parts, something I haven't noticed in her other books. I found the ending just ok. There was a lack of closure, but also not a cliffhanger or ending where the author seemed to intentionally allow the reader to make their own guesses to the ending, so I just ended things feeling a bit disappointed. I am glad I read the story and did enjoy it, but I was hoping for a little more in all areas.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher, boldwood books, for giving me the chance to read and review this book!