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The Last Summer
"It's not even really a first kiss if you're practicing on a friend."
Trapped in a conservative prairie town, Alfie Alder has spent his whole life enduring bullying from his classmates and indifference from his teachers. Only one person has ever seen past Alfie's sarcastic, standoffish exterior—his best friend and the love of his life, Wynn. And though Wynn insists he's straight, Alfie is sure, deep down, Wynn feels their connection, too. Alfie plans to leave town right after graduation—and when he goes, he's bringing Wynn along with him.
"This place will kill me if I stay."
Wynn is used to being a disappointment—to his father, to his teachers, to his coach. And in a place where two boys would never be allowed to fall in love, naïve Wynn can't comprehend that his feelings for Alfie run far deeper than friendship. But then Alfie shows up at his window in the middle of the night and asks Wynn to run away with him—and though Wynn can't bear the thought of Alfie leaving him, Wynn isn't brave enough to leave.
"I've loved you every minute of every day that I've known you."
Twelve years later, Wynn shows up on Alfie's doorstep, bedraggled and heartbroken. Though the two friends have not seen each other in over a decade, they find their connection hasn't faded. However, before Alfie and Wynn are able to build a new life with one another, they will have to face the demons from their past. Once more, they find themselves in their tiny, toxic hometown—but this time, they're together.
The Last Summer is an m/m emotional, slow burn romance with friends-to-lovers, second chance, and gay awakening themes, plenty of heat, and a happy ending.
Trapped in a conservative prairie town, Alfie Alder has spent his whole life enduring bullying from his classmates and indifference from his teachers. Only one person has ever seen past Alfie's sarcastic, standoffish exterior—his best friend and the love of his life, Wynn. And though Wynn insists he's straight, Alfie is sure, deep down, Wynn feels their connection, too. Alfie plans to leave town right after graduation—and when he goes, he's bringing Wynn along with him.
"This place will kill me if I stay."
Wynn is used to being a disappointment—to his father, to his teachers, to his coach. And in a place where two boys would never be allowed to fall in love, naïve Wynn can't comprehend that his feelings for Alfie run far deeper than friendship. But then Alfie shows up at his window in the middle of the night and asks Wynn to run away with him—and though Wynn can't bear the thought of Alfie leaving him, Wynn isn't brave enough to leave.
"I've loved you every minute of every day that I've known you."
Twelve years later, Wynn shows up on Alfie's doorstep, bedraggled and heartbroken. Though the two friends have not seen each other in over a decade, they find their connection hasn't faded. However, before Alfie and Wynn are able to build a new life with one another, they will have to face the demons from their past. Once more, they find themselves in their tiny, toxic hometown—but this time, they're together.
The Last Summer is an m/m emotional, slow burn romance with friends-to-lovers, second chance, and gay awakening themes, plenty of heat, and a happy ending.
306 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 20, 2018
48 people are currently reading
115 people want to read
About the author
Ruthie Luhnow
21 books150 followersRuthie lives in the Pacific Northwest, and while it's not confirmed that Ruthie is Bigfoot, no one has seen ever seen the two of them in the same room.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
May 30, 2018
This is a tender coming-of-age tale about two boys, best friends, who are complete opposites.
Alfie is an artist; he keeps to himself and lives in a middle class neighborhood with his supportive mom.
Wynn is a football player and, while too quiet to be really cool, is accepted by the popular crowd. He lives in a big house and does everything he can to please his demanding father.
Both MCs are well developed, but I thought too much time was spent in the past and not enough in the present.
Part one, which spans a few months of the guys' senior year in high school and is laden with mundane details, dragged, while part two, set twelve years later in the present, rushed by in a flurry of barely sketched outlines.
We have to wait until 80 percent for the steam, although the included scenes are sensual and sexy.
I wish the blurb had mentioned that Wynn is married when he has his epiphany and tracks down Alfie, because that's a trope I hate and avoid at all cost. Wynn's not even legally divorced by the end of the story.
The epilogue is set only a week into the future, which made the HEA feel tentative and fragile. So many loose threads were left dangling. The story felt incomplete.
Alfie is an artist; he keeps to himself and lives in a middle class neighborhood with his supportive mom.
Wynn is a football player and, while too quiet to be really cool, is accepted by the popular crowd. He lives in a big house and does everything he can to please his demanding father.
Both MCs are well developed, but I thought too much time was spent in the past and not enough in the present.
Part one, which spans a few months of the guys' senior year in high school and is laden with mundane details, dragged, while part two, set twelve years later in the present, rushed by in a flurry of barely sketched outlines.
We have to wait until 80 percent for the steam, although the included scenes are sensual and sexy.
I wish the blurb had mentioned that Wynn is married when he has his epiphany and tracks down Alfie, because that's a trope I hate and avoid at all cost. Wynn's not even legally divorced by the end of the story.
The epilogue is set only a week into the future, which made the HEA feel tentative and fragile. So many loose threads were left dangling. The story felt incomplete.
June 5, 2018
Estoy un poco dividida a la hora de dar rating a este libro. Me ha gustado mucho la historia y los protagonistas, ellos son absolutamente adorables, con mucha química y con escenas muy bonitas. Sin embargo, creo que todo se sucede de forma un tanto precipitada, no logro entender bien el proceso de pensamiento de uno de los protagonistas que provoca que ponga su vida patas arriba. Termino el libro con la sensación de que me he perdido ser testigo de muchas cosas, en el pasado, el presente y el futuro de los protagonistas. Además, hay algunos problemas de edición.
3.5, es una bonita historia con mucha carga emocional.
3.5, es una bonita historia con mucha carga emocional.
June 21, 2018
So yeah, I really can't say it much better than Dani did.
I was not pleased when we finally got to the present to find Wynn married and in bed with his wife. His wife who is head over heels in love with him.
I think there was way too much time spend on them as children. What do children know really?
Once we finally got to the now part of the book it was super rushed and well, a little far fetched and well, was that cheating? I am unsure but it for sure crossed my mind.
Alfie needed to leave, there is no doubt about that but I am not a fan of how his Mother handled this. At all. I can only be thankful it wasn't any worse because it could have been BAD.
Overall the book was an enjoyable kind of best friends to lovers or like Dani said, coming of age, and I tried to just read it for the sweet I know it was meant to be.
My biggest issue is whether I ever believed the connection between the two of them.
I was not pleased when we finally got to the present to find Wynn married and in bed with his wife. His wife who is head over heels in love with him.
I think there was way too much time spend on them as children. What do children know really?
Once we finally got to the now part of the book it was super rushed and well, a little far fetched and well, was that cheating? I am unsure but it for sure crossed my mind.
Alfie needed to leave, there is no doubt about that but I am not a fan of how his Mother handled this. At all. I can only be thankful it wasn't any worse because it could have been BAD.
Overall the book was an enjoyable kind of best friends to lovers or like Dani said, coming of age, and I tried to just read it for the sweet I know it was meant to be.
My biggest issue is whether I ever believed the connection between the two of them.
May 26, 2018
3 stars
Argh... it was going so well! Part 1 was good! It was angsty and painful and heartbreaking and sad and so, so good. And then Part 2...after 12 years, they just pick up where they left off!
Wha...?
I know there are epic loves like that and most stories will have that but it’s never so easy or seamless. For me, the essence of the story should be how they reconnect and reconcile after 12 years. The childhood portion should just be the foundation of their story. Not the entire story of their love.
So I’m a tad disappointed by the oversimplification of this massive gap. I expected the backstory to be a handful of chapters long at most. Not half the book! And the reconciliation was barely a chapter long!
And it was going so well! *wails*
Argh... it was going so well! Part 1 was good! It was angsty and painful and heartbreaking and sad and so, so good. And then Part 2...after 12 years, they just pick up where they left off!
Wha...?
I know there are epic loves like that and most stories will have that but it’s never so easy or seamless. For me, the essence of the story should be how they reconnect and reconcile after 12 years. The childhood portion should just be the foundation of their story. Not the entire story of their love.
So I’m a tad disappointed by the oversimplification of this massive gap. I expected the backstory to be a handful of chapters long at most. Not half the book! And the reconciliation was barely a chapter long!
And it was going so well! *wails*
May 26, 2018
Lovely story about the power of love
Ruthie Luhnow doesn't release books as often as some other authors do but when she does, it's invariably a well crafted exploration of the power of love in some form or another.
This one centres on two teenagers living in a tiny conservative town that doesn't like "different" and examines the effect of expectations and fears of family prejudice.
I felt so bad for Wynn, unable to see the wood for the trees, unaware of "why" he loved Alfie so much and why the other boy was the most important thing in his life. He broke my heart.
But Alfie, oh how much did I want to just wrap him up in bubble wrap and tell him it'd be okay, that he'd find his place in the world and it would be beautiful.
This book is probably the most angsty of all of Ruthie's that I've read, but it's not unnecessary. It drives the narrative and anchors everything which happens later.
It's also a book about it never being too late to accept yourself and discovering that the years don't mean a thing when the one you love, loves you back.
#ARC kindly provided by the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
Ruthie Luhnow doesn't release books as often as some other authors do but when she does, it's invariably a well crafted exploration of the power of love in some form or another.
This one centres on two teenagers living in a tiny conservative town that doesn't like "different" and examines the effect of expectations and fears of family prejudice.
I felt so bad for Wynn, unable to see the wood for the trees, unaware of "why" he loved Alfie so much and why the other boy was the most important thing in his life. He broke my heart.
But Alfie, oh how much did I want to just wrap him up in bubble wrap and tell him it'd be okay, that he'd find his place in the world and it would be beautiful.
This book is probably the most angsty of all of Ruthie's that I've read, but it's not unnecessary. It drives the narrative and anchors everything which happens later.
It's also a book about it never being too late to accept yourself and discovering that the years don't mean a thing when the one you love, loves you back.
#ARC kindly provided by the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
July 10, 2018
3.5 stars. What Dani (Love and Semicolons) said. I *really* loved Luhnow's last book (it made my Best of 2017 list) and was eagerly looking forward to this one. And in many ways, it didn't disappoint--there was lots of good feel good emotions, great chemistry between the two MCs and it was heartwrenching in a good way. But as Dani and others noted, this book spends a little too much time in the past and not enough time in the present which makes me feel...cheated...as a reader. I ended up feeling like the book was boged in the past and found myself skipping past many of the teen years and simply jumping to the present. That section *was* great, but as others have noted, it was abrupt and there were too many loose ends that were left unresolved.
Ruthie Luhnow is a truly talented writer who really knows how wring emotions out of every page. She makes me feel the joy, sadness, elation, depression, frustration, lust, and happiness of her MCs like few authors do. While this book wasn't perfect, I'm still happy I read it and look forward to reading her next book.
Ruthie Luhnow is a truly talented writer who really knows how wring emotions out of every page. She makes me feel the joy, sadness, elation, depression, frustration, lust, and happiness of her MCs like few authors do. While this book wasn't perfect, I'm still happy I read it and look forward to reading her next book.
May 27, 2018
I thought this book was long and exhausting. That being said it was also incredibly heartbreaking yet incredibly hopeful. This book is reality, a horrible truth that some have lived and are still living. The beginning was frustrating and at times desperately depressing. Part two more hopeful and filled with possibilities while still acknowledging the reality that just because you decide to accept the truth doesn’t mean everything is rainbows and sunshine. At the core this is a True Love story of two boys who fell in love in a place where that couldn’t exist. One self aware and desperate, the other clueless and blinded by his small town. There is overwhelming heartbreak but there is light at the end of the tunnel. The author does this story justice by not going OTT with a sticky sweet flowery HEA. It’s instead very simple, understated, but just as poignant because that’s real life. When you are finally where you are supposed to be with the person you’re supposed to be with, that moment of acknowledgement is quiet and understood. That’s what we have here. It was a very tedious read but worth the effort.
July 5, 2018
THIS BOOK!!!!!! The words are so fucking beautiful! Once again, Ruthie shows that she is so much more than your average mom romance author. I really savored this. I read the first 3 or so chapters and then re-read a chapter, read a little more, and then started again at the beginning... it's just soooooo damn good! Alfie and Wynn are so beautiful together. I can't even explain how good this is... it's just pure beauty. It's written so that you feel like you're right there with them, you can feel everything with all your senses. Just gorgeous...
June 2, 2018
Wynn and Alfie are best friends, and maybe more, in a small town. They are each at different places when it comes to self-acceptance, so they dance around their feelings and relationship, neither admitting the truth. Most of this book is set during their high school years and that excused, for me, Wynn's conflicted feelings and why he ran hot and cold with Alfie. It also was the reason for Alfie's unhappiness and feelings of claustrophobia.
Alfie and Wynn were great authentic characters and their romance was sweet. The situations and the dialogue felt natural and were very believable.
Alfie and Wynn were great authentic characters and their romance was sweet. The situations and the dialogue felt natural and were very believable.
May 22, 2018
Ruthie does not publish frequently, but her work always is well worth the wait. The Last Summer is her best work to date, and in some ways, her darkest. The first half of the book details the life of Alfie, a gay teenager who is targeted regularly for bullying and worse in the small, conservative prairie town where he’s lived his whole life. Alfie has a relatively terrible life, and dreams only of the day when he can escape. The only saving graces are his mom and his best friend, Wynn. Despite appearances, and Alfie’s obvious suffering, it is Wynn who is the tragic figure. So downtrodden that he’s forgotten how to be happy, he is crippled by the fear of disappointing people who can never be proud of him. The systematic repression of both boys is tragic and horrifying, and the resolution is 12 years in the making.
Ruthie paints her novels with a fine brush, drawing her characters with loving detail and setting the scene with precision, and clearly is unafraid to tackle really tough issues. I love romance and happy endings, but a book that has so much to say about the human condition is truly valuable and precious. It speaks to love, hatred, bullying, fear, and finding a true home. In the end, hearts will break and be made new, and love and freedom from fear will triumph – but the road is rocky and long. I received an advance copy of this amazing novel in return for my honest review.
Ruthie paints her novels with a fine brush, drawing her characters with loving detail and setting the scene with precision, and clearly is unafraid to tackle really tough issues. I love romance and happy endings, but a book that has so much to say about the human condition is truly valuable and precious. It speaks to love, hatred, bullying, fear, and finding a true home. In the end, hearts will break and be made new, and love and freedom from fear will triumph – but the road is rocky and long. I received an advance copy of this amazing novel in return for my honest review.
May 22, 2018
Although I wouldn't say that what happens between Alfie and Wynn is angst, exactly, you feel the desperation in Alfie and the helplessness in Wynn that breaks your heart. You could feel the connection between the two men when they were kids, but years later when Alfie is back, the struggle they go through to find exactly who they are and what they want is even more difficult. The slow build up to happily ever after between these two is filled with tension and when they finally get what they both want, I couldn't have been more thrilled.
A slow burn, but a great read! Another wonderful book from Ruthie Luhnow!!
A slow burn, but a great read! Another wonderful book from Ruthie Luhnow!!
January 30, 2023
Bone-deep anguish but
marrow-deep love. Don’t really
like tear-jerkers, but…
3.5 rounded up because I felt everything.
marrow-deep love. Don’t really
like tear-jerkers, but…
3.5 rounded up because I felt everything.
June 24, 2018
3.5
“The Last Summer” is a coming-of-age story that illustrates that growing up and becoming an adult is more about learning and accepting who you, building a life from that truth and that it can occur at any age. The first part of the book takes place during Alphie and Wynn’s senior year in high school. As a gay young man who has been ostracized for most of his life by their small town, Alphie is hanging on by a thread once the whispers of his homosexuality begin to take on harsher, more painful edges. Alphie dreams about he and his best friend Wynn leaving the town after they graduate and building a life where they can be free and happy together without the constraints of the town and Wynn’s father’s expectations and disapproval chaining them in.
Wynn, the dutiful son who does everything in his power to please his father except completely give up his friendship with Alphie, is constantly torn between striving for approval he knows he will never receive from his father or being true to himself and the most important person in his life. When circumstances make it necessary for Wynn to make a choice, he and Alphie begin their individual journeys to discover who they are. Told in alternating POVs, the story is sweet, sad at times but relatively low-angst for what the characters go through and is very well-written. While the epilogue was as adorable as the characters, I would have liked one that took place further from the events in the last chapter to see how the characters had progressed, but that’s just my personal preference.
“The Last Summer” is a coming-of-age story that illustrates that growing up and becoming an adult is more about learning and accepting who you, building a life from that truth and that it can occur at any age. The first part of the book takes place during Alphie and Wynn’s senior year in high school. As a gay young man who has been ostracized for most of his life by their small town, Alphie is hanging on by a thread once the whispers of his homosexuality begin to take on harsher, more painful edges. Alphie dreams about he and his best friend Wynn leaving the town after they graduate and building a life where they can be free and happy together without the constraints of the town and Wynn’s father’s expectations and disapproval chaining them in.
Wynn, the dutiful son who does everything in his power to please his father except completely give up his friendship with Alphie, is constantly torn between striving for approval he knows he will never receive from his father or being true to himself and the most important person in his life. When circumstances make it necessary for Wynn to make a choice, he and Alphie begin their individual journeys to discover who they are. Told in alternating POVs, the story is sweet, sad at times but relatively low-angst for what the characters go through and is very well-written. While the epilogue was as adorable as the characters, I would have liked one that took place further from the events in the last chapter to see how the characters had progressed, but that’s just my personal preference.
June 1, 2018
Alfie and Wynn and absolutely heartbreaking. You can feel Alfie's feelings for Wynn through the entire story. Wynn is just a confused mess until the end. The heartbreak is palpable in places. Escape is necessary for Alfie's survival and he knows it. The only thing I wish was different in the book is I wish we got a little bit more of Alfie after he leaves and before Wynn has his own awakening.
May 28, 2018
The last Summer by Ruthie Luhnow is a contemporary m/m romance of two best friends who are about to graduate from high school.
The main characters are Alfie and Wynn. Wynn is a popular jock and Alfie is a smart geek but doesn't really care about school or anything else except drawing and of course Wynn. Alfie is also being accused of being gay in a small conservative prairie town so he is not exactly popular with Wynn father who would like nothing more than separate the two boys. Wynn father is also pressuring him to start dating girls. Even tough Wynn doesn't realize why he is not so interested in girls, he feels anxious of the thought of kissing his prom date and asks Alfie for help. The boys end up practicing kissing together and Alfie who has long ago realized that he truly is only interested in men is in heaven. Wynn on the other hand doesn't realize Alfie is the most important person for him and why he loves him so much. I feel kind of bad that it takes so long for Wynn to come to term of being gay or realizing that he is living a lie with his wife but he is so lovable that you can't really get mad at him for being the way he is..
Fast forward to Wynn's 30th birthday and finally he understands why is not happy with his life and is feeling like he is slowly suffocating in the small town atmosphere Finally finally Wynn opens his eyes and makes the right chose to get Alfie back. And I truly loved that the friendship these guys had hadn't disappeared during the years that they were apart and when Wynn finally tracks Alfie down he is so happy to see him again. They have lots of catching up to do but luckily they manage to work things out the second time and we will get the HEA this book deserves.
Reading The Last Summer made me believe in friendship, conquering your difficulties and just feeling good. What I really liked in this book was how strong the friendship with the two main characters is. When they meet after years of not seeing each other there is no unnecessary drama or posturing but both are truly happy to see each other and Wynn finally finds the courage to admit to Alfie that he also is gay and in love with him. And of course the happy ending made me feel super good :) Loved this book!
The main characters are Alfie and Wynn. Wynn is a popular jock and Alfie is a smart geek but doesn't really care about school or anything else except drawing and of course Wynn. Alfie is also being accused of being gay in a small conservative prairie town so he is not exactly popular with Wynn father who would like nothing more than separate the two boys. Wynn father is also pressuring him to start dating girls. Even tough Wynn doesn't realize why he is not so interested in girls, he feels anxious of the thought of kissing his prom date and asks Alfie for help. The boys end up practicing kissing together and Alfie who has long ago realized that he truly is only interested in men is in heaven. Wynn on the other hand doesn't realize Alfie is the most important person for him and why he loves him so much. I feel kind of bad that it takes so long for Wynn to come to term of being gay or realizing that he is living a lie with his wife but he is so lovable that you can't really get mad at him for being the way he is..
Fast forward to Wynn's 30th birthday and finally he understands why is not happy with his life and is feeling like he is slowly suffocating in the small town atmosphere Finally finally Wynn opens his eyes and makes the right chose to get Alfie back. And I truly loved that the friendship these guys had hadn't disappeared during the years that they were apart and when Wynn finally tracks Alfie down he is so happy to see him again. They have lots of catching up to do but luckily they manage to work things out the second time and we will get the HEA this book deserves.
Reading The Last Summer made me believe in friendship, conquering your difficulties and just feeling good. What I really liked in this book was how strong the friendship with the two main characters is. When they meet after years of not seeing each other there is no unnecessary drama or posturing but both are truly happy to see each other and Wynn finally finds the courage to admit to Alfie that he also is gay and in love with him. And of course the happy ending made me feel super good :) Loved this book!
June 12, 2018
When everything changes
This was an absolutely beautiful heartbreaking story. A story of first love and discovering sexuality, but set in the confines of a homophobic dead end small prairie town. It had plenty of heartbreak but also joy when you stuck through!
Alfie and Wynn are the two main characters. Alfie has known for a long time that he is gay, but he also knows that it is nothing he can ever have in the town he is stuck in. His best (and only) friend Wynn is straight, sweet, caring, and just wants the best in the world for the people he loves. Wynn can't imagine Alfie being gay as all he's ever learned is how evil that is, nothing like Alfie at all. So as things change, with a desperate need to make his father proud, to date a girl, to be normal, Wynn drifts away from Alfie even as he hates it. Alfie knows what he needs to do to survive, but it may not be so easy to convince Wynn.
This book was both painful and joyful. Wynn's tentative discovery of being with Alfie is so sweet, but at the same time he is so oblivious to what it can mean. Alfie has all this confidence and need for love, all wrapped up in a snarky outer layer of defense from the horrible town he lives in. It is in so many ways impossible for them to become anything, from the barriers of the town, to their own need to find a place in the world. Things don't take a straight or easy path but the journey is worth it every step. Even things like the girlfriend don't take the easy way, with an amazing girl who is just as kind, caring, and deserving of love as the MCs. Everything builds a touching story that had me spellbound from start to finish!
This was an absolutely beautiful heartbreaking story. A story of first love and discovering sexuality, but set in the confines of a homophobic dead end small prairie town. It had plenty of heartbreak but also joy when you stuck through!
Alfie and Wynn are the two main characters. Alfie has known for a long time that he is gay, but he also knows that it is nothing he can ever have in the town he is stuck in. His best (and only) friend Wynn is straight, sweet, caring, and just wants the best in the world for the people he loves. Wynn can't imagine Alfie being gay as all he's ever learned is how evil that is, nothing like Alfie at all. So as things change, with a desperate need to make his father proud, to date a girl, to be normal, Wynn drifts away from Alfie even as he hates it. Alfie knows what he needs to do to survive, but it may not be so easy to convince Wynn.
This book was both painful and joyful. Wynn's tentative discovery of being with Alfie is so sweet, but at the same time he is so oblivious to what it can mean. Alfie has all this confidence and need for love, all wrapped up in a snarky outer layer of defense from the horrible town he lives in. It is in so many ways impossible for them to become anything, from the barriers of the town, to their own need to find a place in the world. Things don't take a straight or easy path but the journey is worth it every step. Even things like the girlfriend don't take the easy way, with an amazing girl who is just as kind, caring, and deserving of love as the MCs. Everything builds a touching story that had me spellbound from start to finish!
May 22, 2018
💕Super touching story of learning to be yourself in a small town with no room for nonconformity⭐❇⭐
May 22, 2018
👍👍Despite (or maybe because of) all the angst and 💔heartbreak, I loved Alfie and Wynn's story! Ruthie Luhnow is one of my favorite MM👬 romance writers and she always brings strong emotions and believable characters wrapped in a well-written storyline.
Archie was my favorite in the pair, knowing who he was, what he liked and who he loved. He endured ridicule and bullying, even from school officials who should have had his back, hoping that his friendship with Wynn could ease his misery. Wynn had to deal with a bullying father, but he otherwise "fit" in his small-town prairie environment and did his utmost not to break the jock, good student, heterosexual mold. While I sympathized with him, I felt he really did let Alfie down constantly. The fact that Alfie accepted Wynn's actions without blame, even helping him prepare for a date with study partner Rebecca, made me love Alfie all the more.
The novel is divided into two parts (both here, there is NO cliffhanger!), twelve years apart. After the climatic final scene in part one, I was intrigued to catch up with Alfie, Wynn and Rebecca after all that time. It appears all good things come to he who waits (though maybe not to "she"!) And the epilogue was just the right length and hopeful: my kind of ending to a gripping story.:-)
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book provided by the author; this is my voluntary and honest review.
May 22, 2018
👍👍Despite (or maybe because of) all the angst and 💔heartbreak, I loved Alfie and Wynn's story! Ruthie Luhnow is one of my favorite MM👬 romance writers and she always brings strong emotions and believable characters wrapped in a well-written storyline.
Archie was my favorite in the pair, knowing who he was, what he liked and who he loved. He endured ridicule and bullying, even from school officials who should have had his back, hoping that his friendship with Wynn could ease his misery. Wynn had to deal with a bullying father, but he otherwise "fit" in his small-town prairie environment and did his utmost not to break the jock, good student, heterosexual mold. While I sympathized with him, I felt he really did let Alfie down constantly. The fact that Alfie accepted Wynn's actions without blame, even helping him prepare for a date with study partner Rebecca, made me love Alfie all the more.
The novel is divided into two parts (both here, there is NO cliffhanger!), twelve years apart. After the climatic final scene in part one, I was intrigued to catch up with Alfie, Wynn and Rebecca after all that time. It appears all good things come to he who waits (though maybe not to "she"!) And the epilogue was just the right length and hopeful: my kind of ending to a gripping story.:-)
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book provided by the author; this is my voluntary and honest review.
May 25, 2018
This story is an absolute gem. So beautiful and emotional. I loved it. I was captured right from the start, and it didn’t let go. The writing is impeccable as always by this author. Ruthie Luhnow makes the words sing, simple and yet with a poetical beauty. The characters are inspiring and rich with development. It is a story with a lot of angst. Full of bittersweet and heartbreaking moments. But it was not a sad story. There was such softness, such warmth, such gentleness.
The story is told in a unique way. The first part is a lovely coming-of-age story of two boys, Alfie and Wynn, living in a narrow-minded small town. Two boys so different, growing up in different families, but at the same time, so very similar.
Alfie and Wynn are best friends, but for Alfie, it is so much more. But at that age, it is difficult to open your heart. Especially when your friend is oblivious as Wynn is. It was frustrating, but in a way so endearing to see. It had me in tears and smiling and then in tears again.
Then the second part is when they meet again at age thirty. Over the years, a lot has happened of which we only learn the most important parts. Finally, Wynn can be true to himself. He can see beyond his fears of what he truly is, and what and who is truly his future. And the tears began falling again.
The story is told in a unique way. The first part is a lovely coming-of-age story of two boys, Alfie and Wynn, living in a narrow-minded small town. Two boys so different, growing up in different families, but at the same time, so very similar.
Alfie and Wynn are best friends, but for Alfie, it is so much more. But at that age, it is difficult to open your heart. Especially when your friend is oblivious as Wynn is. It was frustrating, but in a way so endearing to see. It had me in tears and smiling and then in tears again.
Then the second part is when they meet again at age thirty. Over the years, a lot has happened of which we only learn the most important parts. Finally, Wynn can be true to himself. He can see beyond his fears of what he truly is, and what and who is truly his future. And the tears began falling again.
May 23, 2018
Wow, this is another amazing book by Ruthie Luhnow. I love everything about it and I could not put it down. It is beautifully written with inspiring characters. I laughed and cried all the way through this incredible story as I followed the journey embarked on by two young men fighting the rigidity and expectations of the narrow-minded people in their small town. I fell in love with the snarky and sweet Alfie and his equally sweet and innately kind best friend Wynn. The first half of the book is about them growing up together and their senior year of high school. Alfie has never fit in with the rest of the kids in his town and his only support comes from his mother and his best friend. Wynn tries to earn his father's respect and affection by doing everything he wants him to except giving up his best friend Alfie. The second part of the book takes place twelve years after high school and both men are living very different lives. They have to learn how to be true to themselves and to each other. The ending is my favorite part of the story and left me feeling incredibly happy and relieved. I can't wait to read her next book.
I was given an ARC to review by the author.
I was given an ARC to review by the author.
May 24, 2018
* A copy was provided for free by the author in exchange for an honest review *
This is one of the most beautiful and most emotional stories I've ever read.
I love Ruthie Luhnow writing style and this book is my absolute number one now.
This a love story full of raw emotions, sadness, emptiness and then finding Your own place and being true to Yourself. It is impossible to stay unaffected by Alfie and Wynn's story. While we observe them as teenagers, learn about their childhood we also see Alfie's love and desperation for Wynn and his friendship. This is definitely not an easy book. It is just heartbreaking to watch how homophobic people in Niobrara are and how unhappy Alfie is. It gets better, of course, but it is a long, long way to happiness.
This book felt real, both MCs are lovable (especially Alfie) and I got sucked into their story right from the beginning. It is an amazing friends-to-lovers book, well written and fast paced. It is easy to forget that is just fiction.
I wish there was at least one more book starring Alfie and Wynn. I'd love to watch their new life.
This is one of the most beautiful and most emotional stories I've ever read.
I love Ruthie Luhnow writing style and this book is my absolute number one now.
This a love story full of raw emotions, sadness, emptiness and then finding Your own place and being true to Yourself. It is impossible to stay unaffected by Alfie and Wynn's story. While we observe them as teenagers, learn about their childhood we also see Alfie's love and desperation for Wynn and his friendship. This is definitely not an easy book. It is just heartbreaking to watch how homophobic people in Niobrara are and how unhappy Alfie is. It gets better, of course, but it is a long, long way to happiness.
This book felt real, both MCs are lovable (especially Alfie) and I got sucked into their story right from the beginning. It is an amazing friends-to-lovers book, well written and fast paced. It is easy to forget that is just fiction.
I wish there was at least one more book starring Alfie and Wynn. I'd love to watch their new life.
May 25, 2018
Yet another wonderful and emotional read from Ruthie.
Part one of the book we start with Alfie and Wynn in their home town in their later high school years. Their friendship is unconventional to the outside world but works for the both of them. Best friends but kept apart by bullies at school and home.
Part two is about 12 years on and Alfie is living the life he was meant to lead in San Fransisco and Wynn is still in their home town. Coming up to his 30th birthday and he's looking back on the last few years that he's been without Alfie.
The heart wrenching emotion that is written throughout this book is amazing. You are pulled in right from the get go and are entangled with the friendship, devotion and events that happen between Alfie and Wynn along with the cast of characters that are pulling them apart. Wynn's father, school bullies and an old school town that can't accept Alfie the way he is. They are beautifully written characters , I love the way Ruthie writes. Makes her books unputdownable (that's now a word :-))
I cannot recommend this book enough! To fans of Ruthie's and to those looking for a wonderful coming of age, learning to accept yourself book
Part one of the book we start with Alfie and Wynn in their home town in their later high school years. Their friendship is unconventional to the outside world but works for the both of them. Best friends but kept apart by bullies at school and home.
Part two is about 12 years on and Alfie is living the life he was meant to lead in San Fransisco and Wynn is still in their home town. Coming up to his 30th birthday and he's looking back on the last few years that he's been without Alfie.
The heart wrenching emotion that is written throughout this book is amazing. You are pulled in right from the get go and are entangled with the friendship, devotion and events that happen between Alfie and Wynn along with the cast of characters that are pulling them apart. Wynn's father, school bullies and an old school town that can't accept Alfie the way he is. They are beautifully written characters , I love the way Ruthie writes. Makes her books unputdownable (that's now a word :-))
I cannot recommend this book enough! To fans of Ruthie's and to those looking for a wonderful coming of age, learning to accept yourself book
May 22, 2018
The layout of this romance is very unique. It begins as a young adult friends to lovers story while the characters are in high school. But then it jumps over a decade into the future, although I believe it is set in modern times, to a second chance romance when the characters reconnect. I loved loved loved the part of the story when Alfie and Wynn were kids. Wynn was adorable but quite frankly an idiot. Alfie had a hard exterior but a soft heart that beat only for Wynn. I would have liked to stay in their story as kids but I understood why the jump was necessary.
The later half of the story is when they are older and it moves very fast, a little too fast in my opinion. I would have liked to see just a little more strife in their reconnection. Ultimately though, I loved this story. Just like how I love everything by Ruthie because they are a very talented author. I recommend this to people that like more young adult books but don’t mind a look at the characters when they’re older.
The later half of the story is when they are older and it moves very fast, a little too fast in my opinion. I would have liked to see just a little more strife in their reconnection. Ultimately though, I loved this story. Just like how I love everything by Ruthie because they are a very talented author. I recommend this to people that like more young adult books but don’t mind a look at the characters when they’re older.
November 19, 2018
I had high hopes after books 1 and 4 of the Bellamy boys, but this was a strange book and I didn't really take to it. It felt like it might be something from earlier in the writer's career, though it was only recently published.
The two lead characters are aren't the most inspiring, especially Wynne. I could never figure out what the other guy saw in him, he was just so insipid. A little more interest in the other MC, and would have liked to see more of his relationship with his mother.
It was a slower paced book, compared to Bellamy, and looked like it was trying to be a bit more literary perhaps, but I didn't really connect with either MC, in fact I liked Rachel most. There were long passages I simply skimmed through, including the numerous intimate scenes, which didn't have very much charm. I wonder if revealing information and making key conversations part of the sex scenes could carry the story better, rather than taking time out for yet another sex scene?
The two lead characters are aren't the most inspiring, especially Wynne. I could never figure out what the other guy saw in him, he was just so insipid. A little more interest in the other MC, and would have liked to see more of his relationship with his mother.
It was a slower paced book, compared to Bellamy, and looked like it was trying to be a bit more literary perhaps, but I didn't really connect with either MC, in fact I liked Rachel most. There were long passages I simply skimmed through, including the numerous intimate scenes, which didn't have very much charm. I wonder if revealing information and making key conversations part of the sex scenes could carry the story better, rather than taking time out for yet another sex scene?
February 3, 2019
This story picks up in the high school years of two long time pals . Jamie and many people around him realize he is gay and has a thing fir his best mate, Wynn. Wynn is a late bloomer, has no clue Jamie likes him or that a classmate Rebecca is in love with him. They have a "summer place" they escape too where the closed minded, small town attitudes don't impinge on them. The first part of the book ends when things finally get too much for Jamie and he leaves town.
Part two picks up twelve years later when Wynn finally realizes that his unhappiness is due to the fact that he always loved Jamie but never could admit it. Wynn decides to come clean with family and friends. He then takes off to find Jamie. They do get back together.
I enjoyed part 1 better since there was a lot of angst, coming to understanding and character growth. Although part two had a fair amount of the same, I felt Jamie and Wynn getting back together went a little quickly.
Part two picks up twelve years later when Wynn finally realizes that his unhappiness is due to the fact that he always loved Jamie but never could admit it. Wynn decides to come clean with family and friends. He then takes off to find Jamie. They do get back together.
I enjoyed part 1 better since there was a lot of angst, coming to understanding and character growth. Although part two had a fair amount of the same, I felt Jamie and Wynn getting back together went a little quickly.
May 27, 2018
I loved Alfie and Wynn. Yes, as readers will see in other reviews, there is a 12 year lapse between part 1 and part 2. Yes, the author doesn't detail a lot of what happened in those years even though both characters have continued living their lives. Yet both characters show that they did not feel complete during those 12 years.
I will admit that Part I was my favorite section of the book. It fuels the characters, their hometown, their relationship, and the story itself. Part II breaks down the walls to allow the characters to find a way to a happiness they have denied themselves for so long.
I enjoy Ruthie Luhnow's books greatly on a regular basis and this one was no exception. I received a copy of this book with the option to post a review if I chose to do so. This review is my honest opinion on "The Last Summer".
I will admit that Part I was my favorite section of the book. It fuels the characters, their hometown, their relationship, and the story itself. Part II breaks down the walls to allow the characters to find a way to a happiness they have denied themselves for so long.
I enjoy Ruthie Luhnow's books greatly on a regular basis and this one was no exception. I received a copy of this book with the option to post a review if I chose to do so. This review is my honest opinion on "The Last Summer".
June 12, 2018
So... it was well written and Alfie and Wynn’s love story is hard won. The characters are 3 dimensional and we really get to know them.
That said, I felt that the first part of the book (when the boys are 18) was way too long. Only the last 20% or so is about the MCs now (12 years later than the 1st part).
It took them so long to get together that the ending felt a little abrupt and unfulfilling. I wished for, at least, a longer epilogue, when Wynn is more established in the city, got a job and we see the them more settled down as a couple.
Also the steam was a little disappointing. There are only two sexy scenes. They were good but you have to wait for them almost until the very end of the book.
That said, I felt that the first part of the book (when the boys are 18) was way too long. Only the last 20% or so is about the MCs now (12 years later than the 1st part).
It took them so long to get together that the ending felt a little abrupt and unfulfilling. I wished for, at least, a longer epilogue, when Wynn is more established in the city, got a job and we see the them more settled down as a couple.
Also the steam was a little disappointing. There are only two sexy scenes. They were good but you have to wait for them almost until the very end of the book.
May 22, 2018
The Last Summer was inspiring, heartwarming yet heart wrenching, romantic, and endearing. The friendship and love that these two boys shared over decades was absolutely awe inspiring. This book does a wonderful job of chronicling the ups and downs and the sheer terror of first love. It also tackles the complicated issues of sexuality and family dynamics in such a beautiful way. This book really touched me, and the characters will forever occupy a special place in my heart. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for an impassioned and utterly compelling read.
*I was given an ARC of this book and voluntarily chose to review. All opinions are my own.
*I was given an ARC of this book and voluntarily chose to review. All opinions are my own.
May 30, 2018
3.5 stars rounded up. excellent writing as usual. I usually have a hard time with a really long gap of time between parts of a novel/romance and this was no exception; it just seems like 12 years is too much time to go by and still find each other again that easily. like what in the world was Wynn doing all those 12 years? I guess I also didn't feel a strong connection to Wynn; Alfie loves him with all his heart and I found that believable through Alfie's eyes, but objectively I'm not sure what's to like/love about Wynn. well, this sounds a lot harsher than I mean it to - I really did enjoy reading it for the most part.
May 23, 2018
Amazing
Ruthie is on my buy list without even reading what the book is about. And she never disappoints me. This book is a master piece. The love between these two boys\ men has brought tears to my eyes more than once. Some happy tears, others true sadness. Oh, how i love the past and present story, and how beautifully it has been written. I found myself rereading some pages just because the words tug at my heart. Definitely a book i will re-read over and over. Just buy it, you will not regret it. I never regretted one book by Ruthie Luhnow. Amazing author!
Ruthie is on my buy list without even reading what the book is about. And she never disappoints me. This book is a master piece. The love between these two boys\ men has brought tears to my eyes more than once. Some happy tears, others true sadness. Oh, how i love the past and present story, and how beautifully it has been written. I found myself rereading some pages just because the words tug at my heart. Definitely a book i will re-read over and over. Just buy it, you will not regret it. I never regretted one book by Ruthie Luhnow. Amazing author!
June 3, 2018
Slow start...sweet finish.
Who is the cover model supposed to represent? Is that Wynn at 30? Do we even get description of how he looks? Anyway, that's not entirely relevant to the story. The story which I really struggled to stick with for the first half. Thankfully the second half of the story was much more interesting and entertaining enough for me to stick with it. As close as I was to having a dnf in my hands, the "reunion" onwards was sweet and definitely redeemed the book.
Who is the cover model supposed to represent? Is that Wynn at 30? Do we even get description of how he looks? Anyway, that's not entirely relevant to the story. The story which I really struggled to stick with for the first half. Thankfully the second half of the story was much more interesting and entertaining enough for me to stick with it. As close as I was to having a dnf in my hands, the "reunion" onwards was sweet and definitely redeemed the book.
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