Their Last Days of Summer: Welcome to paradise. Now try to survive it.

by Maria Frankland

Four friends. One golden celebration. A game that changes everything.

Most people dread turning fifty. Not me. I’ve been counting down the weeks to our luxury holiday in Aruba – seven sun-soaked days to celebrate not just my own fiftieth birthday, but those of three lifelong friends.

Two of them are just as excited as I am. The fourth? She took some persuading.

With our husbands in tow, we arrive at our lavish villa, bubbling with excitement and Prosecco. We’re here to relax, reconnect, and make memories.

But in the heat and haze of paradise, inhibitions slip – and secrets spill.

It all starts with a harmless game of Two Truths and a Lie. But what’s revealed that night cracks our friendship wide open. And the fallout is far worse than any of us could have imagined.

The countdown to celebration has turned into a countdown to escape.

Because someone isn’t making it home.

Genres: Summer Reads, Thriller, Mystery, Fiction, Summer

276 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 28, 2025

About the author

Maria Frankland has a dubious internet search history and a very worried mother-in-law. However, neither of these things can stop her writing gripping psychological thrillers in which you’ll never find a happy-ever-after.

Her novels are mostly set in Yorkshire where you’ll hear the accent through all her characters. These are people you could live next door to, or closer still… don’t say you haven’t been warned.

Maria’s novels are fast-paced, down to earth and realistic. You never know what’s around the corner…

Find out more about Maria at https://www.mariafrankland.co.uk. Whilst you’re there, you can download your free novella – The Brother-in-Law.

Reviews

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one definitely drew me in from the prologue and I could already tell this was a vacation I knew I did not want to attend, nor a friendship group I’d want to be a part of! When lifelong friends Tina, Jo, Becky, and Siobhan get together for a vacation to Aruba with their spouses, things take a suspicious turn when Siobhan shows up with a new love interest, that has a checkered past with the rest of the ladies in this group. As this story unfolded, I lost count of the times my mouth dropped at the secrets, lies, and deception that was revealed.

This group was messy with a capital M, from dangerous games of two truths and a lie, flirting with each other spouses and secrets that should have stayed buried! I loved every minute of this drama filled thriller and per usual, Maria did not disappoint. I really enjoyed the alternating timelines from present day and their teenage years, as the tension continued to build as we try & figure out which of the ladies these chapters were referring to. Of course, I guessed wrong! I also enjoyed the dual POVs from the ladies in this story. It was easy to follow since everyone had such unique personalities, but if you struggle with multiple POVs I recommend taking notes in the beginning to distinguish who everyone is. For me personally, the 4 POVs were a nice touch! This was my 6th read by this author, and I plan on making my way through her entire catalogue. Recommend for fans of domestic thrillers, that has more secrets than Wisteria Lane!

[Jennifer Bendel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun summer read! Four friends going on a dream vacation with their husbands. Of course secrets and old rivalries are bound to come out. Maria wastes no time absolutely shocking the reader. I found myself pulling out my phone and trying to sneak a few pages here and there because I was dying to know what would happen next. A must read for sure.

[Laura Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

THEIR LAST DAYS OF SUMMER BY THE FABULOUS MARIA FRANKLAND.
5 massive sparkling ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s.
Release date set for the 28th of July 2025.
The cover for this book is gorgeous.
Maria is one of them authors that sucks you in from the very first page and makes you hooked throughout the book.
When ever I pick up one of her books I can't really do anything else in life until I've finished. There's only a handful of authors for me personally that can do that to me.
I love the storyline for this one and I often wonder how on earth maria keeps creating such amazing plots and still be able to maintain her fabulousness.
There's multiple POVs from the 4 women and also goes back to the past aswel and I found it easy to follow along with the women and there Husband's.
This book might be now my top favourite book equally with HIS EX WIFE.
THEIR LAST DAYS OF SUMMER is absolutely brilliant. It's gripping and exciting.
It's a pageturner.... honestly just book the day off work when you want to read this one.
Congratulations Maria on yet again another masterclass of a book. So proud of you and I think your amazing and just FABULOUS.
Thank you so much for allowing me to ARC read for you once again I'm absolutely honoured ♥

[Jo Woodcock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well do Maria Frankland books get better and better every time a new one comes out! The answer is absolutely 💯 yes. this book is based on friendships and I love the way the chapters are about each friend as you really feel like you build a relationship with them.
this is definitely one to keep an eye out for when it comes out and Thank You for letting me be an ARC reader x

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolutely addictive psychological thriller. I read it over two days and was thinking about it constantly when I wasn’t reading.

Written over a dual timeline and from multiple POV’s this cleverly plotted psychological thriller had plenty of shocks and twists.

34 years ago, four close friends are on a school trip to Whitby (and I was excited to see The Magpie mentioned as I was there just a few weeks ago!). They carry a secret which weighs heavily on each of them.

Now the girls are all celebrating their 50th birthdays, and they are on holiday with their husbands. Too much alcohol and they find themselves doing crazy things. Secrets are spilled and friendships, and marriages, will never be the same.

This is a new author to me and I’m delighted Maria has written more books I am now looking forward to reading.

[Rachel Bustin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The plot is very interesting. It seems quite simple - 4 friends going on holiday together with their partners, but all those years of baggage coming out turned it into a genius idea.

I absolutely loved the point of view of the 4 characters. It gave the story grit and lots of depth. I kept changing my mind about who my favourite character was!

It was great to read the back story of what happened when the ladies were 15, 34 years ago. Putting in those chapters at pivotal moments in the book was a fab idea! All their true colours started coming out.

What I thought I was reading and how it seemed ended up not being the same! Perfect in a psychological thriller!

BTW loved the ending! Never saw that coming!

[Julianne Dombrowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

The last days of summer
Maria Frankland

WOW!! This book knocked me off my chair! Maria, I don’t know how it gets better and better with every book. It does with yours.
So sit back and read this twisty and turns of her new psychological thriller. Buckle up enjoy the ride.
Four best friends are getting together for their golden birthdays in the very tropical island of Aruba.
When friends get together like this, they drink and play games. I’m guessing that playing two truths and a lie might not have been the best game for them to even think about. Because at that point everything’s out in the open amongst the friends that each of them in their own way are the only one that knew or had no clue about what is going that was revealed.
Can their relationships be saved? Because before you know it, one of them is not going home alive.
Maria will take you all over just for another turn in the story to take you to another place, you never thought you would go. Try and figure out as you’re going along. Who’s not going to survive this?
You will definitely have to read this book hands-down the best thriller I have ever read!
Thank you so much Maria for delivering better and better once again!! 📚♥️

[Charlotte Baddeley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was so excited to get an advanced copy of this book and I wasn't disappointed.  Finished within a day.

3 old friends and their husbands and partners go on a 50th birthday celebration to a villa in Aruba.  Sounds perfect.  What could possibly go wrong.  Well as it turns out quite a lot and as old grievances and misunderstandings fueled by far too much alcohol come to a head, the holiday takes a downward spiral.

Another winner from Maria.  You certainly wouldn't want to get on her wrong side as she has numerous ideas on what revenge should look like.

[Kasturi Pillay · Rating 5 out of 5]

The last day of summer

I was excited for this book to come out I have read every Maria Frankland book I like the way she writes it always keeps me interested and engaged the ending always surprises me with a great twist I allways recommend her book to people she is a great author I look forward to reading her other books that she publishes

[Becky Lyth · Rating 4 out of 5]

What to say about this? It was a bit of a bizarre rollercoaster. The setting was great and the storyline intriguing. It was an enjoyable read. It just didn't give me enough for a 5 star rating unfortunately.

[Julie Devonald-Cornelius · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read everyone of Maria Frankland books and I've loved them all. This one i read in 2 sittings just couldn't put it down. Highly recommend this book

[Monique Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Great Read!!!

What an exciting and twisted story! I did not see this ending coming! Highly recommend! For fans of Ellin Hildebrand or Jodi Picoult...the plot twists kept coming!!

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 - I think there was a bit too much build up and the end was a little unsatisfying. I did enjoy reading parts of it but something’s didn’t get the focus they needed.

[Rebecca Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I enjoyed this book. True soap opera vibe. Lies, secrets, deception, cheating- all within the circle of 4 married friends on vacation. A trauma bond from teen years keeping their friendship alive this entire time….

Juicy

[Donna Mallery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Boy! What a mess! Never go on an island vacation with close friends! Too many secrets will come to light. And when they do, the unexpected will happen!

[Maddie Weeks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was accepted by Maria Frankland to be a part of the ARC team for Their Last Days Of Summer and below is my honest review.

What a book! I devoured this in around 24 hours.
I couldn’t put it down!

Their Last Days Of Summer follows 4 women who are lifelong friends and bound together by a huge secret. It is told through the POVs of these friends (we love multiple POVs!) and it flows so easily. It is also a dual time line story, which again flows really well.

One of my favourite things about this book is that near enough every single chapter ends with a dramatic line that has you wondering what is going to happen next.

I love a book that can make me feel all sorts of emotions and this one did. I was angry at some characters and felt sorry for others. An emotional rollercoaster.

I recommend this to anyone who enjoys a psychological thriller!

Overall, I give this 5 stars!

Thank you Maria for asking me to read and review!

[Pheadra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is really two stories - before and after. The before relates to a life-changing incident shared by four friends, Jo, Siobahn, Tina, and Beth, all teenagers around 15 years old. The experience affects each woman differently and resurfaces decades later when they plan a holiday to celebrate their 50th birthday in Aruba. Now years older, but not necessarily wiser, will a night of drunken revelry and silly games of truths and lies break the friendships and reveal secrets they've each kept hidden? How do their current partners feature what happened before, and what will ensue?
A good take on things are not always what they seem, secrets will out, and still waters run deep. Lots of good, authentic dialogue.
This book reminded me of what Jane Fonda said "It's my women friends that keep starch in my spine and without them, I don't know where I would be." 4 stars

[Heather Cairns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read! I loved all the ladies and enjoyed the childhood storyline in the background. The setting was described perfectly. This is everything a summer read should be - couldn’t put it down!

[Suzan Larson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maria has done it again! Four friends are off on vacation to celebrate their 50th birthdays. They all have varying thoughts and feelings about this vacay, and wow what a vacation it will be! This one has everything. We go a bit back and forth between now and 35 years ago to an incident in their past. This is an amazing story that does not let up at all! It hooks you right at the beginning and does not let go. I loved every minute of it and I think you will too!

[Denise Little · Rating 5 out of 5]

Four friends since childhood are going on a luxury holiday, their men in tow. Someone suggests playing Two truths and a lie. Secrets are revealed and the lavish trip turns into a nightmare!!!

Maria Frankland’s books always hook me immediately to my from the start. You won’t be able to rest until you read the entire thriller to find out what happens!!

Release date July 28, 2025

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked Their Last Days of Summer (Kindle Edition) a psychological thriller by Maria Frankland although I thought the start was long drawn out and I had to keep up with which husband belonged to each of the wives.

Four school friends and their husbands are flying off to Aruba for seven days as Tina, Jo, Becky and Siobhan are all celebrating their fiftieth birthday.

After a heavy session of drinking a game of two truths and a lie will end up in mistrust amongst them. Tongues will loosen and secrets will be revealed as trouble in paradise begins. One amongst them will be a murderer and one will not be on the return flight.

[Maurene · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have to say sadly I did not finish this book. I found it too confusing. To many characters for me to easily follow. Four couples, 4 women which the story goes back and forth between
I obviously need to stick to a more regular pattern of plot unfolding.

[Tambi Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maria Frankland's Their Last Days of Summer is a psychological thriller that had me hooked from the very first page. The story opens with an enigmatic scene that immediately pulled me into a web of uncertainty. This sense of mystery is woven throughout the novel, making it a compelling read.
The narrative is told from multiple points of view, focusing on four women who were once inseparable friends. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that their friendship has survived only due to a dark secret they've guarded for decades. I found the shifting perspectives towards the end particularly engaging, as they provided a fuller picture of the story by allowing me to see events from different angles.
Maria Frankland skillfully uses a dual timeline, alternating between the present-day lives of the women and a particular timeframe of their teenage years. This structure added depth to the story, as the small pulses of their past gradually built tension and enriched the narrative. Each chapter peeled back layers of that point of their history, creating an intricate tapestry of suspense.
The book is peppered with intense moments, both in action and dialogue. The veils of deception are as elusive as smoke, and the unpredictable twists kept me on the edge of my seat. The story's layers are as deep as the sea and continuously revealed new secrets, making it a thrilling experience. Throughout the novel, I was constantly guessing and reassessing my opinions about the characters. The lines between friend and foe blurred with every new revelation, and my allegiances shifted as I learned more about their hidden motives and secrets. This unpredictability was one of the story's greatest strengths.
With elements like obsessive-like behavior, misdirection, hidden agendas, and unexpected betrayals, the plot is packed with suspense and intrigue. The pacing never falters, ensuring that the tension remains high from beginning to end. The conclusion of Their Last Days of Summer ties up all the loose ends in a way that is both satisfying and thought-provoking. While the ending offers closure, it leaves just enough room for interpretation, allowing readers to ponder what might happen next.
Overall, reading Their Last Days of Summer was an exhilarating experience. Maria Frankland's masterful storytelling left me eager to explore more of her work. If you're a fan of psychological thrillers that keep you guessing until the very end, this book is a must-read.

[Julie Haigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect holiday read....or for any time really.  

This was a brilliant book, I found it so easy to read, and it had all the right ingredients.  Some crime thrillers are hard to get into-you spend ages thinking who's who, what's going on here etc., and it takes a while to get into-this book doesn't.

I love how different people tell the story; different points of view. And how the chapters are clearly marked with who's speaking-their names-there's no guessing who is talking.

Tina and her friends are all 50 around the same time, so they're all going on a luxury holiday with their hubbies, for a week in Aruba.  Will their friendships, and marriages survive the holiday?

I'm 59, so it's nice to be reading a story based on others in their 50s-not just glam young things. Feels more real-which is important to me with a crime fiction book. Aruba is also a new location for me-not heard of it before-so, something fresh rather than the usual Spain, Greece settings etc.

Intriguing and exciting, she tells you little snippets of info, and gets you wondering, then gradually more and more secrets are revealed.  A delicious holiday read-or for any time really!

This author continues to surprise me, and her books are so addictive.  I was really gripped by this, such a powerful book; the tension had me on tenterhooks.  

Keeps you guessing, until the astonishing finish. A totally fabulous book.

[Mary Schultz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing thriller from Maria! Four friends decide to go on a vacation to Aruba to celebrate their 50th birthdays along with their spouses. Sun, sand, alcohol, and a game of 2 truths and a lie threaten to shatter well-hidden secrets and destroy their friendships. The story alternates between an incident that happened 35 years ago when the four girls were 15 years old and present day. It is narrated by all four girls, back and forth which gives the reader a great opportunity to get to know each character and their friendship. The beginning will hook you from the first page and the ending will surprise you! I loved the character of Tina as I felt I could feel her pain and empathize with her the most. The pages flew by as I read them. The character revelations were dramatic and I found myself glued to the pages waiting to find out more about each character and what they were up to. I find that Maria Frankland always has fantastic character development in her books and this one is no exception. Do yourself a favor and grab a copy of this book! It’s an adventure you won’t want to miss! Just look at that gorgeous cover! Thanks so much to Maria for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Tina A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

***Release Date: 7/28/25***

Whoa! Don’t let the seemingly innocent title ‘Their Last Days of Summer’ fool you. This sizzling summer read follows 4 besties and their partners that travel to Aruba to celebrate the ladies’ birthdays together. And as the familiar saying goes, What happens in ____, stays in ____!

It offers up servings of delicious🍹 Aruba Ariba on the beach, as it pours out super-shocking secrets and lies, elevated drama and slippery twists at play with Two Truths and a Lie. It’s none short of deep-seated jealousies and rivalries, naughtiness, fun and danger out at sea and MORE. . .

Its multiple POV and past/present dual timelines seamlessly interweave an enthralling plot with some really HUGE reveals, and an ending that left me with a few alligator tears. I LOVED it all!

I hope Their Last Days of Summer finds its way to new readers (any book from this author is superb)!

A special thank you to Maria Frankland for not only this ARC opportunity, but moreover for the enjoyment and honour I felt reading every word. This unforgettable story (and what was written in the acknowledgments) will forever carry a special place in my heart!!!❤️

[SKP · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maria Frankland Has Done it Again!

I’ve read all of this author’s awesome thrillers, and she continues to astound and delight me with each new release. I was excited to read this “summer in the sun” release during the warm July days.

I tried very hard not to read this one too fast, knowing I have to wait a little bit before the next book comes out, but still ended up finishing it in about a day and a half. As always, there were characters I wanted to root for, one or two I’d wanted to give a good shake to, and actually several that I kind of wished would end up being murdered, but it all comes together quite satisfactorily in the end. I won’t give spoilers as to whether or not my opinions changed on any of them or if any of them redeemed themselves.

If you enjoy a great suspenseful read, you should do like I did and read all of Maria Frankland’s great psychological thrillers!

[Lama Dabbagh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Holiday Gone Wrong – Twists, Lies, and Suspense

My First Read of Maria Frankland’s Work, Their Last Days of Summer

Their Last Days of Summer is a gripping story about a group of friends on what’s meant to be a relaxing holiday until things take a dark turn involving lies, betrayal, and murder.

At first, I found the story a little slow, but it was still intriguing enough to keep me turning the pages. Once I hit the halfway point, the pace picked up dramatically, and the plot began to unfold with plenty of unexpected twists and turns.

I really enjoyed Frankland’s writing style and how she carefully builds tension through the dynamics between each character.

If you enjoy stories that explore the complexities of friendships and marriages, this novel is definitely worth a read.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book just recently came out so I was excited to read it right away .This story is about four friends celebrating their 50ths with each other and their spouses on a lovely holiday in Aruba. Sounds amazing, right? Of course, until you throw in some holy moly wtf did you just say type of secrets revealed during a hardcore game of two truths and a lie, some swapping, murder, and whodunnit. Definitely kept me intrigued to keep reading the entire time and I was horrified and shocked by several more revelations at the end. I've read a few other books by this author and usually they are all fast-paced so I am not surprised I devoured this story quite quickly and despite a couple tropes I don't care for being part of the story, I still enjoyed it.

[Elizabeth Sanguedolce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Complicated Web of Secrets

This cast of eight main characters plus a few side characters has been woven masterfully by Maria Frankland into a cohesive, many-sided ball. This ball was kept in the air, much like a soccer ball, for the entire story. At times, as I put the book down only for the needed eating or sleeping, I had to reread a section to keep up with it. How she managed to tie it all together, I don't know, but I'm oh-so-happy she did! This book is a treat like the first (or last) ice cream cone of summer. Set in an exotic location, as interesting to read about as it was to visit, I thoroughly enjoyed every comment. A must-read for psychological thriller fans of all types. Be intrigued!