Our Final Winter

Seasons of the East Coast #4

by Charlène Boutin

I know he hates this as much as I do.
So why does he do it?

There’s no such thing as the perfect marriage—but Rachel and Karan were as close as it gets. Or they were… right up until Karan’s parents moved in nearby. Overnight, what had been a mildly overbearing relationship becomes utterly suffocating.

At his mother’s insistence, Karan leaves his dream job for a higher-paying position. But now, between the long hours at his new job, and his mother’s constant calls over trivial concerns, Rachel barely sees her husband. And when she does, she feels their once-solid connection fraying.

When a disastrous holiday with Karan’s extended family sees the cracks between the couple go from rift to canyon, Karan must prove that he wants to fight for Rachel and their children.

Because even the strongest of relationships can crumble...but it’s how you pick up the pieces that counts.

355 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 5, 2026

About the author

Charlène Boutin writes swoon-worthy stories that will make you laugh, cry, but most of all, warm your heart.

Originally from Val-d’Or, Québec (Canada), she spent 6 years in Red Lake, Ontario and 6 more years in Montréal, Québec, which has given her fodder for both small-town AND city-driven love stories. She now lives in Granby, Québec, with her partner, son, and cat.

When she’s not reading or writing, you’ll find her boulder climbing or spending quality time with her family.

Reviews

[Izzie d · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story.
Marriage in crisis. No cheating.
Interracial relationship so different expectations of things which causes issues with his family esp mother.
HEA.

[Marissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlene sure knows how to lure you into her books. A story of families full of love, drama, divide and struggles. A couple working to stand up for themselves despite differing upbringings and working hard to save their marriage. Karan and Rachel fell in love with each other and life was great. Introduce two kids, new jobs, meddling parents and the stress of life and you’ve got a whole new list of problems to work through. These two did not have it easy but they had a foundation of love. Rachel had to work hard to bring Karan back into her life as her partner and make him realize he was in charge of his future and not his parents. I’m not sure how they did it but they overcame quite a bit together. This book is so relatable in many aspects and I loved watching how they navigated each challenge.

[Isabel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A difficult theme to narrate, how do you make a marriage work when your relationship is not on solid ground? Karan and Rachel have been married for a while, they have two boys, they are struggling. He is dealing with mental health, she doesn't know how to make his family back off. He's got cultural differences and filial obligations she doesn't understand.
We get to see a not so perfect story of redemption and healing. Will they choose their family, or will the external factors win to separate them? Charlene writes deeply flawed characters who feel solid and intense. I felt the emotions they were feeling.
If you like not too perfect romance stories, where the MCs are mature and flawed, who reflect real human emotions, this is your book. The last book of the series, it closes the story arc in the epilogue.

[Bookcorner_talk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say that I was mad at Karan from chapter one. I’ve found myself in that kind of situation too where everyone else’s needs and wants came before the relationship. So to say I was hooked and curious to see how this relationship would unfold is an understatement. Their relationship troubles and all the drama that unfolded were portrayed very well in this story. When a relationship is built on a solid foundation, then it has the opportunity to overcome all the struggles and hurdles life throws its way. It’s definitely not easy and I was able to relate to this story on so many levels. I rate this story 5 stars. Definitely recommend it and it’s yet another book by Charlène Boutin that did not disappoint.

***I received this book in exchange for an honest review***

[Élissa Bolduc · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was chef’s kiss!
The fight between the main characters was so well written that I was fully invested! Taking sides, questioning everyone’s life choices and then five pages later I was back to loving them both.
That takes real talent. You need to be a really good writer to make readers feel that much emotions that hard, and still keep you rooting for the characters.
I loved everything about this book, and the ending was the perfect closure for this series.

Highly recommend.

[Ashlea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel like the Seasons of the East Coast characters have become like family to me at this point, and Our Final Winter was an incredible end to this wonderful series.

Thank you to Charlène Boutin for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of Our Final Winter.

[Tracy Redden · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars
I’m drawn to stories that explore the struggles of marriage, and Our Final Winter does this beautifully. It honestly portrays the many pressures that weigh on a relationship—family, work, finances, and everything in between—and shows how it’s rarely just one thing that causes strain.

I’ve enjoyed this series from Charlene Boutin, and this installment continues to deliver emotional depth and realism. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this eARC.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The final book in the Seasons of the East Coast is coming and I swear to god you aren’t going to want to miss this one!!

This romance is a bit different from the other ones I’ve typically read. The story is based around a couple who’ve been married and have two boys. The struggles of family starts to really put a weight on Karan and Rachel’s relationship. The breaking point is near and Rachel sure that there will be a way to save it.

This book was so addicting that I couldn’t stop once I started. This was my favourite in the series.

[Bookish_Fantasy_Queen · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is my honest review of Our Final Winter

This was a proper emotional roller coaster. If you love a romance with emotional depth, drama, and healing then this is for you!

I absolutely hated the MMC for the first quarter of the book, until you start to understand him from his POV and you realise you are in for a ride!

My tissue box was firmly planted next to me throughout this book and there were both angry and happy tears. I felt so much for both MC’s and their struggles with parental issues and boundaries. This truly makes you reflect on your own life if you have been or are going through something similar.

There is some spice with a specific hot tub scene, but I must say, I prefer the shower scene 😉

My absolute favourite part was the ”Never talk to my wife like that” moment!

I recommend this for readers who love big emotions and who like to cry at the hard parts and celebrate at the good parts.

Thank you Charlène Boutin for this ARC

What to expect:
💙Marriage in Trouble
❄️Forced Proximity
💙Weekend Getaway
❄️Holiday Drama
💙Found Family
❄️Hot Tub
💙Angst
❄️”Never Talk To My Wife Like That”
💙Dual POV
❄️Multiple Timelines

[Steph Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our Final Winter by Canadian indie author Charlène Boutin is the fourth and final book in Boutin's Seasons of the East Coast series. It is an angsty, marriage in trouble, forced proximity romance. 

💙 Putting your family first vs putting your needs/wants/responsibilities first
💙 Mental health and therapy rep
💙 Character growth and understanding 
💙 Canadian settings: Quebec and Newfoundland.

"Because even the strongest of relationships can crumble...but it’s how you pick up the pieces that counts."

I enjoyed Our Final Winter. It felt real and relatable. I really appreciate how Boutin writes the difficult topics of romances and the truth of the overwhelm of motherhood, not just in this book but the whole series. Be sure to have tissues close by.

Having the present-day story of Rachel and Karan juxtaposed to their past allowed me to feel for the characters and want what was best for them and their family. Getting both Rachel and Karan's points of view also added to all the complexities and pressures of these individuals and this relationship. I could see and feel multiple different possible endings. Their HEA was hard earned.

The epilogue of this book nicely closed this series. It was wonderful to see where all the characters are and how they are doing. I now look forward to what Boutin will write next. And getting more glimpses of these characters.

[SC LW · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book addresses real relationship issues between couples and their parents.

I could truly feel Rachel's frustration and hurt when it came to the choices her spouse was making by abandoning his responsibilities to please his parents.

I can also see why Karan made the choices he made while dealing with his own parental childhood trauma.

It was refreshing to see a couple address and work through their issues. In addition, Karan taking a stand and choosing his marriage over expectation.

Going through life you never fully realize what another person has gone through to understand their complex relationships with family. How it unknowingly shapes the way you are with your own unless you choose to make an effort to change and grow above the trauma and be the change to have the family you wish you had.

This book makes you think about personal situations you have gone through which you may need some tissues for but... at the other end you also get an HEA.

[L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rachel and Karan are your typical working professional couple with two kids trying to survive and keep up their relationship but family and professional pressures are pushing them apart to a breaking point over Christmas with their families. Can they still come back from this?

This book was soooo well done. Many many times it felt a little too real and too relatable and it was breathtaking. Lots of family trauma and actively trying to deal with traditional Indian values and professional pressures and all of the things. Spice was great and really showed the relationship progression and how hard it is to come back from the brink as a couple. It was really interesting to have seen the rest of the scenes that were hinted at in previous books in the series and finally get the whole story. Absolutely loved it!

[Layla V · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our Final Winter by Charlene Boutin 4/5 star review

I loved the thoughtful representation of Océane, who has fibromyalgia, and her relationship with Rachel. It resonated deeply with me as someone who experiences chronic pain.

The writing, world-building, and characters were all well done. Although Karan's character was frustrating at times, his flaws played a crucial role in his growth.

The ending tied everything together nicely, with a great resolution to the conflicts and emotional growth for the characters.

Overall a great read, filled with love, emotion, and rekindling.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4-Star
Our Final Winter by Charlene Boutin is an emotional and heartfelt look at marriage under pressure. The story feels raw and relatable, capturing how outside influences and unmet expectations can slowly erode even the strongest relationships. Rachel and Karan’s struggles are portrayed with honesty and depth, making their journey both painful and hopeful. This was a thoughtful, moving read about love, boundaries, and the choice to fight for family that stayed with me long after the final page.

[Kelly Boyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made me have all the feels. As a child of divorce I loved the peek into what parents go through when debating staying a marrriage, but also as a married woman it was nice to feel validated in wanting to be your spouses number 1. I enjoyed the surprising pops of spice and how it made you feel for couple and rooted for them to fight it out. I felt the love and drive in this book more than others and was grateful for the nice wrap of all of the seasons of love characters!

[Lisa Perrin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first I’ve read from Charlène Boutin, but it certainly won’t be the last. I was selected as an ARC reader and loved the depth of this book. The story, though sometimes painful, felt so real! I even said nooooo several times when Karan would fumble, and loved Sophie pointing out thing to Rachel that she hadn’t realized. Ultimately I cannot wait to read more from her.

[Charlène Boutin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hope you adore Rachel and Karan's story & the final chapter of the Seasons of the East Coast series!

[Chantal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book almost as much as the others in the Seasons series. Not too spicy but a couple of great scenes. Will continue to read this author, for sure!

[s.elle.books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic!!

This was such a good addition to the series. I loved the characters, the romance, and the connection. Highly recommend!!

[Nikki ღ Navareus · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm an odd man out on this one, but I was bored to tears. It was so hard for me to keep pushing through this story and keep reading.

[Noëmi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book where both characters deal with trauma, both deal with their standing in their relationship.
He‘s dealing with an overbearing mother, she‘s dealing with „having to be the strong one, the one who does it all“. When in fact it‘s just a coping mechanism of what she‘s been through!

This book shows perfectly what it means, when communications are failing in a relationship, but also what it means when the love is so strong that you can work it out together, when you are willing to do so! When you decide to not give up on yourself, to listen to yourself, your partner. To start communicating.

I really liked this book!

And the chronic illness representation that was present with fybro? That was so well done! I seldomly read about it so detailed even in a side character! Thank you!

[Kim Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ • Book Review / ARC Review • ✨
Our Final Winter by Charlène Boutin
@charleneboutinwrites

Book Review : 4 ⭐️
Spice Level : 1.5 🌶️

I want to say Thank you to Charlène and team for the opportunity to get an ARC of this book!

This one hits in the most quietly devastating way. Our Final Winter explores how a strong marriage can slowly fracture under the weight of family pressure, blurred boundaries, and unspoken resentment.

Rachel and Karan don’t fall apart because love disappears, it fades into the background while obligation takes over. Watching their connection unravel feels painfully real, especially as distance replaces the partnership they once shared.

Emotional, honest, and deeply relatable to some people, this story is a reminder that love isn’t about perfection—it’s about choosing each other, even when it’s hard. 🤍

[Jonesy.Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rachel and Karan are married with two children. After Karan's mother is diagnosed with cancer and relocates to be closer to him and her grandchildren her demands on him begin causing fractures in his own marriage with Rachel. Although his mother beat the cancer, she constantly expects Karan to drop everything to help her with things as trivial as fixing her remote or setting up the wifi. Karan finds it impossible to say no to her, feeling as though each day with her is a blessing after the cancer diagnosis.

Rachel is fed up with him constantly cancelling plans to do his mother's biding. Rachel and her children are always coming in 3rd place behind his job and his mother and she's is fed up. Karan should be devoted to his own family and making sure their needs are met first and foremost. When they all get together for their annual Christmas vacation at a cottage in Newfoundland, things between Rachel, Karan, and his mother finally come to a head and Rachel expresses that she is done and wants a divorce.

Can Karan prove to Rachel that she and their children truly are the most important people in his life? Or will he keep putting his mother and father's wishes above everyone else?

An excellent finale to the series!

[Hollie Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh Charlene! You have done it again! I have been so excited for this book and it was everything I hoped it would be.

This is the fourth book in the Seasons of the East Coast Series by Charlene Boutin and it gripped me right from the start. This book is so relatable. College sweethearts Karan and Rachel with two kids, stressful jobs and families.
This was an emotional and heartfelt read - a marriage under pressure, limited family boundaries but sooo much love.

This series ended perfectly and I cannot wait to see what Charlene writes next!