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Whispering Pines Island #1
That Last Summer: A Love Story
She can’t escape her past. He can’t see a future. Is a summer at the inn just what their hearts need?
When Cara O’Connell returns to her seasonal job running the inn on Whispering Pines Island, she’s hoping to find a way to start over. Her recent escape from an abusive relationship has left her fragile, and her only solace is in the bottom of a bottle. But no matter how much she drinks, she can’t drown out her ex’s nasty voice, reminding her that she’s unworthy.
Despite his own raw, painful past, Sam Vervaine's freshest wound is the heartbreak he received from Cara the previous summer. When he hears the woman of his dreams is suddenly single, he returns to the only place that's ever felt like home. Masking the hidden passion that still burns bright, Sam hopes that being the friend Cara needs will lead to something more.
When a glimpse into Sam's past shows Cara she's not alone, she feels a weight lift from her heart. But something – or someone – is keeping them apart. Can they overcome a passionate mistake to give their love a chance in the sun?
That Last Summeris the standalone first book in the Whispering Pines Island series. If you like realistically flawed characters, serious issues mixed with humor, and enough drama to fill a small island village, then you’ll delight in this contemporary love story.
- GenresRomance
375 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 28, 2018
397 people are currently reading
156 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
May 3, 2019
😎 Can they get over what they did last summer?🤔
👍👍💔💞🏕 4.5 🌟stars
I found this an enthralling romance after it got rolling, with an obvious villain and an almost equally destructive one who was not so transparent - a🐍 viper in the bosom, as it were. The writing was good and easy to read as long as you could keep up with the timeline changes as they weaved from present to different points in the past that built to the impasse Sam and Cara face in summer 2013. The lead characters and their friends often acted a bit younger than their actual late twenties, but their peripatetic lifestyle, with a string of seasonal jobs, realistically made them more likely to maintain a YA lifestyle.
The lead romantic couple, Sam and Cara, had good backstories that added complexity to their relationship, and I liked that though there was frequent mention of their intimate histories, the author left the explicit stuff out of the story and to our imagination.
The story is told from three perspectives - Cara's, Sam's and Cara's cousin and best friend Amy's. Amy's revealed a juvenile side through emails to her Italian boyfriend that made her less than likeable, but they helped maintain a sense of tension and doubt about the inevitability of Cara and Sam getting their HEA.
I enjoyed this story, especially the story of Sam's frustrated efforts to reconnect with Cara, incidents with Cara dealing in her no nonsense way with difficult inn guests and the cute ending, and would like to read more in the series.
👍👍💔💞🏕 4.5 🌟stars
I found this an enthralling romance after it got rolling, with an obvious villain and an almost equally destructive one who was not so transparent - a🐍 viper in the bosom, as it were. The writing was good and easy to read as long as you could keep up with the timeline changes as they weaved from present to different points in the past that built to the impasse Sam and Cara face in summer 2013. The lead characters and their friends often acted a bit younger than their actual late twenties, but their peripatetic lifestyle, with a string of seasonal jobs, realistically made them more likely to maintain a YA lifestyle.
The lead romantic couple, Sam and Cara, had good backstories that added complexity to their relationship, and I liked that though there was frequent mention of their intimate histories, the author left the explicit stuff out of the story and to our imagination.
The story is told from three perspectives - Cara's, Sam's and Cara's cousin and best friend Amy's. Amy's revealed a juvenile side through emails to her Italian boyfriend that made her less than likeable, but they helped maintain a sense of tension and doubt about the inevitability of Cara and Sam getting their HEA.
I enjoyed this story, especially the story of Sam's frustrated efforts to reconnect with Cara, incidents with Cara dealing in her no nonsense way with difficult inn guests and the cute ending, and would like to read more in the series.
September 6, 2018
Cara O’Connell got out of a physically and emotionally abusive relationship six months ago when she broke it off with her finance Phil and he killed himself and tried to kill her. She’s wary of starting a new relationship with anyone else, even Sam Vervaine, the seasonal executive chef at her uncle restaurant who she’s attracted to. Sam has been drifting from one job to the next, but he thought he found his home in Whispering Pines Island with Cara until she rejected his professions of love last year. He hears that she’s no longer engaged and decides to come back and try again. Both Cara and Sam were abused by people who were supposed to love them, Cara by her fiancé and Sam by his parents. Sam was a player when he first started at the island 3 years ago, so he has a reputation that makes Cara’s cousin Amy distrustful of him. She can tell that Cara and Sam have a connection, but she keeps getting in the way even climbing into to bed with him. I don’t know how Sam couldn’t tell she wasn’t Cara even without his glasses. There was a lot of back and forth in this story. Cara thinks Sam has asked her on a date and then maybe Sam just wants to be friends and would rather hook up with other women visiting the island. Sam thinks Cara would rather be with local Matteo than him. They both get drunk several times upset over each other. There were plenty of funny moments in the book and the ending redeemed the story, but there was a bit too much drama.
September 6, 2018
I really enjoyed the unfolding of Sam & Cara’s love story. They’ve known each other for a few years, having worked together seasonally, at Whispering Pines. Sam has a bit of a reputation, Cara has a horrid fiancé, who is physically, mentally & emotionally abusing her. They reconnect again, after the fiancé is gone. Over the summer there are so many miscommunications, misunderstandings, and also some manipulations, by Cara’s cousin (who thinks she is saving Cara from a “player).
I really enjoyed the emails Amy sent to Fabio throughout the story. They were a nice addition to the story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I really enjoyed the emails Amy sent to Fabio throughout the story. They were a nice addition to the story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 29, 2022
Love this!
I'm ready to start packing and move to Whispering Pines Island! Sara LaFontain does a beautiful job of creating a compelling setting in That Last Summer filled with characters you want to drag out of the pages and into your real life.
I love the quirks and flaws shown in each of the characters. The only negatives I have for this book is the frequency it switches between past and present (clearly indicated, but disrupted the flow of the story for me) and that I was NOT ready to say goodbye to the characters or the island!
I'm ready to start packing and move to Whispering Pines Island! Sara LaFontain does a beautiful job of creating a compelling setting in That Last Summer filled with characters you want to drag out of the pages and into your real life.
I love the quirks and flaws shown in each of the characters. The only negatives I have for this book is the frequency it switches between past and present (clearly indicated, but disrupted the flow of the story for me) and that I was NOT ready to say goodbye to the characters or the island!
May 18, 2025
I look forward to reading other books by this author.
This novel also fits solidly within the genres of Romance and Women’s Fiction, with interesting, complete character arcs and a layered plot.
Sara La Fontain’s writing is a pleasure to read; many lines are very witty. Despite some well-developed serious themes and the tragic backstories of the characters, I laughed out loud many times while reading this entertaining story. I cared enough about the characters to want to jump into the pages and rescue them from their miscommunications. The plot twists were fun, too!
This novel also fits solidly within the genres of Romance and Women’s Fiction, with interesting, complete character arcs and a layered plot.
Sara La Fontain’s writing is a pleasure to read; many lines are very witty. Despite some well-developed serious themes and the tragic backstories of the characters, I laughed out loud many times while reading this entertaining story. I cared enough about the characters to want to jump into the pages and rescue them from their miscommunications. The plot twists were fun, too!
September 8, 2018
Cara is starting over after escaping a toxic relationship. Sam's a drifter and a known player .. until he falls for Cara , who rejected him. Both were abused .. her by her fiance and him by his parents. There's drama and pain as well as a bit of humor along the way. Can they help each other and have a future together? It's an emotional story and I enjoyed reading it.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
September 10, 2018
She is just trying to pull herself together and she is weighed down by a ring she did not want and being trapped in a awful relationship which ended in tragedy. Now she must try to get over it all but she still feels.guilt. He drifts from place to place and feels better her. Could they be made for each other? See if they can
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 19, 2019
The story line was good, could have been so much better but for the extremely annoying characters (I suppose some would call that good character development). But I had a hard time finishing the book. I didn't fall in love with or really even like any of the characters, and for the most part couldn't stand them. But I kept reading til the end because I had to know how it would end...and all I'll say is quite abruptly.
November 25, 2020
So the main characters are Cara, Sam and Amy. Cara and Sam are trying to get together and Amy is awful. They are in their 30's and act like they are in elementary school. There are multiple points of view and multiple timelines along with a point of view as an email with only one side. I didn't like any of the characters as they all were massively flawed but in a bad way. Received this book as an ARC and this is my voluntary opinion.
November 21, 2018
This story made me cry, laugh, yell and cheer. I liked the connection between the two main characters - there was an understanding that not too many people could understand. I thought the author created an emotional story that was full of drama. The cousin was a bit much. I'm not sure she needed to go that far. A good story.
May 26, 2019
An enjoyable book, but I found the change from year to year rather confusing. I realize there was a backstory, but I'd rather have it all at once instead of learning it bit by bit. Sam and Cara seemed to be destined to be together and it would have happened a lot sooner without her cousin's interference. Overall, a good book. I received an advance copy for my honest review.
September 9, 2018
This book is a emotional read, you will fall in love with Cara as she progresses through as the stuff and abuse her ex put her through when a certain guy named Sam can he be the one to help her cope!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 29, 2019
Sweet story
Really liked the humor and a plot that actually seemed realistic. I’m going to read the follow up novella and then read the next book in the series! Totally enjoyed this book.
Really liked the humor and a plot that actually seemed realistic. I’m going to read the follow up novella and then read the next book in the series! Totally enjoyed this book.
December 7, 2019
Like Souls
Sam and Cara have more in common they realize. They've been permanently bruised and both lack confidence to aggressively seek their dreams. Can they reach their goals or be permanently separate~
Sam and Cara have more in common they realize. They've been permanently bruised and both lack confidence to aggressively seek their dreams. Can they reach their goals or be permanently separate~
February 17, 2020
Flashbacks
Poorly executed. Too scattered . People don't talk to each other a a a a a a a a a
Poorly executed. Too scattered . People don't talk to each other a a a a a a a a a
April 11, 2021
What a wonderful book with a very good ending. I didn't expect the ending to end that way, she gets her way and so does he. And they live happily ever after.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 29, 2021
Ok, it’s only been a couple weeks and I can’t remember much about this. I guess it was not that great.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews