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The Last Sunny Day: The Personal Account of Erin June Davis

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Drowning in debt, Erin packs her swimsuit and flip flops and accepts a job in The Grove, a seemingly idyllic island community. Days after her arrival, she’s welcomed into The Grove’s prestigious surrogacy program despite being the least likely candidate for the program… obviously, they made a mistake. But now all Erin needs to do is ride out the heat, island drama, and pregnancy hormones, and she’ll be able to make enough money to afford to return to her beloved city.... as long as it's still there. When something shocking occurs outside the island, The Grove snaps its seawall gates shut, and everyone is ordered to return to their homes and remain inside. Word spreads around the island that the cities are gone. Erin climbs up on her roof to watch the changing world, but she can only see the dark waves and the arriving boats... and wait. Erin's sister and nephews show up on the shores of the island, awaiting refuge that may never be offered. Erin must decide... should she put her own life—and the baby she's carrying—at risk to help them? Erin's heartfelt account sweeps you into her world as she navigates loss, love, despair, and connection in a world that’s becoming unrecognizable. What readers are saying about The Last Sunny "Astonishing, captivating, and satisfying, it was hard to put it down." —Goodreads reviewer "A world changing event happens and her commentary is full of love, compassion and heartbreak. This is a very original tale and I would highly recommend it. ." —Amazon reviewer "This book is lovingly told and beautifully written by a author who knows her world and knows her story." —Amazon reviewer "A young woman’s retrospective diary entries describe how she survived the end of the world in this thoughtful, surprisingly upbeat sci-fi drama set in an exclusive island community." —Amazon reviewer

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Published March 22, 2022

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Ellie Sabine

9 books12 followers

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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
Profile Image for Iseult Murphy.
Author 32 books137 followers
December 7, 2022
Post apocalyptic science fiction told with a cheerful voice

First of all I want to say how I love that the covers of The Last Sunny Dat and it’s sequel, The Last Place I Live, combine to make one image of a woman standing on the beach. They look great together and it’s a nice touch.

I almost didn’t pick up this book (which would have been a shame) because for some reason I thought it was a romance, and they aren’t my thing. The cover and description didn’t scream post apocalyptic science fiction, which is a shame, as this is what this book is, told from the delightful point of view of the somewhat ditzy Erin June.

I loved the weird world of The Grove, an island community in Florida that pays people to live in luxury while the powers that be experiment on them. Erin June’s ‘guide’ Claire, who moves through time and space was an intriguing character, and the end of the world is expectedly dark and frightening.

I really enjoyed this book and I’m going to dive straight into the sequel because I still have loads of questions, and I hope I find them there.
Profile Image for JulieAnn Crane.
158 reviews3 followers
September 4, 2022
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via Voracious Readers Only for an honest review. This book had an interesting premise, following Erin as she tells her story about her time in the grove and the event that changed the world. The characters were unique and likable and I enjoyed their interactions with Erin (especially David and Lisa). It took a little while for the story to get moving at a dramatic pace that captivated my attention, and by then I realized that I was already over halfway through the book. However, the story of Claire and David, Erin’s journey in the grove, the developing, antagonistic political climate, as well as the enjoyable style of storytelling from Ellie Sabine, were all so enthralling that I am excited to read the next installment!
Profile Image for Laura.
Author 16 books80 followers
December 21, 2022
Erin’s story, told in the form of a personal account which she is writing after the events, is a familiar one, at first read. Her financial output exceeds her income, but one successful job application later she arrives to take up a new post on the elite island community named The Grove. She’s not the most organised person in the world, as is evident from her rather chaotic life pre- and post- her arrival there, so the upgrading of her employment to that of surrogate mother, enjoying improved living conditions and extra advantages seems unlikely. It happens, nevertheless, as Erin decides that she can cope with the pregnancy and thereafter return to her home with much-improved finances—and then a cataclysmic event occurring outside the island community takes the story in a very different direction.

An unusual story, although not the first apocalyptic—or post-apocalyptic—story which I’ve read recently. It’s grounded in literary Realism, in terms of those things which are not explained and which the reader has to work out on their own—like the exact status of Claire and David, for example. I used to teach the subject, and despite that feeling of never being given all the knowledge I’d like, most such works do give some sort of closure and satisfactory rounding-up of matters at the end. It was frustrating therefore to find that with The Last Sunny Day I was left hanging, needing to get the next book to find out what has happened and what’s to come—although that’s by no means a certainty, and I’m not sure I’m invested enough to find out.
Profile Image for Aubrey Cleeves.
161 reviews13 followers
November 2, 2022
The Last Sunny Day is a wonderfully crafted tale told in a semi autobiographical and diary format which follows the journey of a young woman entering into a surrogacy. It is a nice plot with a good use of emotive language to drive it's point home.

I admired the bravery of Erin in entering into this world and thought the support she received from characters like Liz, Kate, Marta and David were organic, meaning their relationships and the things that shaped them felt organic and crafted. The book had a slow start but laid the foundation well, meaning the rest of the book had a solid structure and character development, ultimately leading to an astonishing event that I loved. There is plenty of humour in the book too and more than a few quips bu Erin made me laugh. The later pages were heartfelt and reflective, and I liked where the characters ended, however I am hoping another installment will further this wonderful story.

This book is lovingly told and beautifully written by a author who knows her world and knows her story.
Profile Image for Sal.
Author 18 books35 followers
October 17, 2022
An interesting plot that could continue …

The Last Sunny Day by Ellie Sabine opens in an interesting way with the narrator, Erin, guzzling four margaritas on a ferry on her way to an island. At first I thought she was an alcoholic off to rehab and was trying to squeeze in a few more drinks.

It turns out the plot is more interesting than that, with Erin actually making her way to a beautiful locale called The Grove to enter into a surrogacy program, even though she is described as “the least likely candidate” to get pregnant. The book begins in a journal-like way but sheds that style as the story moves along.

Erin and those she comes in contact with at first strike me as breezy and confident. But then a mysterious, world-changing event occurs, which knocks out all power on the island and brings a newfound nervousness to the folks living in this idyllic spot. Erin proves to be a caring and crafty character, and the end of the book is mysterious and sort of sad, with the feel that a sequel is around the corner.

The writing by Sabine is paced well and the characters are interesting. I like a few of the references to Hall and Oates, too (also known as “honey and oats”). Overall, The Last Sunny Day was something different and I enjoyed the story.
Profile Image for Sharon Uberoi.
169 reviews
October 10, 2022
Though I liked Erin's sense of humour, I am not sure I enjoyed the book. It left me feeling me confused most of the time... Guess like Eri s character
Profile Image for Marcia Vida.
369 reviews3 followers
September 10, 2022
Erin moved to an island called The Grove to try for a position at school but she has always felt homesick. After her orientation has ended and her contract is updated, it is time to purchase a place. During the visit, she met Liz who introduced her to a surrogacy program which changed families' lives forever, inviting her to join this program. It's a no-brainer, she accepts because she lives there for the money. Then, after many hormone injections, she became pregnant. However, something happened outside of the island, and everyone will have to adjust to their changed reality while still living on the island. Astonishing, captivating, and satisfying, it was hard to put it down. I honestly believe that it should be continued. I recommend this book. Thanks to the author and Voracious Readers.
44 reviews
May 31, 2022
What a wonderful surprise

This book was one that Kindle recommended for me. I totally enjoyed it. Erin, the narrator has a relatable, thoughtful and humorous voice. She has taken a job on an exclusive island called The Grove for a year.
A world changing event happens and her commentary is full of love, compassion and heartbreak.
This is a very original tale and I would highly recommend it.
68 reviews4 followers
September 30, 2022
While good while reading this, I really couldn't get into it enough to read the second book. It was well written, but just didn't have the oomph for me to get to that "can't wait" stage of ending a book in a continuing series. I did love the writing style however, which is what kept me through the first book.
Profile Image for Beth.
44 reviews14 followers
June 5, 2022
I was pleasantly surprised by this story. This was very original and not at all what I expected. It seems a little scattered at points but it's clear that's the character's thought process. She's very endearing and relatable. Looking forward to the second part.
Profile Image for Robert Appleton.
Author 63 books70 followers
December 29, 2022
A young woman’s retrospective diary entries describe how she survived the end of the world in this thoughtful, surprisingly upbeat sci-fi drama set in an exclusive island community. The Grove is a mysterious, much-sought-after living experience that offers steady employment and a prestigious surrogacy program for lucky single women. Enter Erin, a disillusioned, debt-ridden burn-out eager for a fresh start in life. Not only is her application accepted, but she’s soon promoted to become a surrogate, much to her bemusement. The Grove and its inhabitants might be weird, but all sorts of opportunities are now open to her, once she carries her baby to term.

But an unforeseen, cataclysmic event changes everything. The island throws up its defences, becoming a haven isolated from the outside world, or what’s left of it. Rumours of what’s happened trickle in, but a lot’s left to the reader’s imagination as Erin digs in to her routine instead, preferring the safety of her bubble to personally confronting the horrific ramifications of the apocalypse. She receives help from various sources, not least a fascinating man called David, who appears and disappears with startling abruptness, leaving Erin bamboozled most of the time. Who is he? What’s he up to? And how long can The Grove shut out the human stragglers who arrive seeking refuge?

My favourite thing about The Last Sunny Day is author Ellie Sabine’s sense of humour. Erin is naturally sassy and witty, but she also uses it as a coping mechanism when things get tough. I think that’s the key to her character. She’s never going to fight marauding hordes or try to save humanity like the usual post-apocalyptic heroes do. Instead, she chooses the path of least resistance, and adapts to a smaller, more intimate existence, surviving one day at a time. Her surrogacy gives her a fresh perspective on family and responsibility. She absolutely has a character arc here; it’s just not the usual sci-fi heroine story. I really like that.

The diary footnotes are fun, reminding us how hazy our memories can be, while framing the story with an extra layer of mystery. Ms. Sabine’s easygoing writing style is a pleasure to read. Most writers would zoom in on the apocalypse itself, but she keeps it deliberately vague here, as if Erin doesn’t want to know too much about it. Yes, Erin is a passive heroine (that will drive some readers nuts), but she’s that way for a reason. I can’t talk about that reason without spoiling what is, for me, one of the most fascinating aspects of the story. Suffice to say she has a Guide, who isn’t going to be perturbed by a little thing like doomsday.

The Grove itself is an amusing set-up, faintly sinister but peopled by mostly harmless, eccentric sorts. There isn’t a whole lot of heavy sci-fi world-building going on; that isn’t Ms. Sabine’s focus. But there is a lot hinted at, both in terms of speculative concepts and details of the outside world. By mostly concentrating on the day-to-day aspects of Grove life, and hermetically sealing Erin in that way, The Last Sunny Day won’t be to everyone’s taste.

There are moments of suspense, descriptions of nightmarish events, and emotional scenes, but overall it’s an unusually unthreatening account of the end of the world. I enjoyed it quite a bit. Unresolved ending aside, I can recommend it for readers who prefer speculative tales with a gentler, more human touch.
Profile Image for Elle Sie.
207 reviews7 followers
January 22, 2023
What attracted me to this book was a different premise and a different style of narrator from the books I've been reading recently. The chapters were told in first person, past tense and there's was sense of doom as the main character, Erin, at times alluded to events from a future perspective that seemed to foreshadow something sinister on the horizon. I liked that at times she double-checked her own information, sometimes asking rhetorical questions, and at other times slipping into soliloquies; in this sense it gave the narration a more honest, personal feel like reading a diary, which I think was appropriate for this story. Erin was on an island at a clinic known as The Grove where she had volunteered as a surrogate mother. It began in a straightforward sense with details of her life on the island but there was always a sense that something was off, in the way everything was controlled for the surrogates; a part that stood out was when Erin was not allowed to climb up onto the roof to see if people on the beach beyond the Grove were alive when word of mysterious events outside the island began to filter in, and this was framed in the sense that she had signed a contract not to hurt the child she carried and how that was more important. About halfway through, the story then veered into more of a science fiction element as Erin was visited by a guide from the future called David who was warning her of dangerous world events to come and to stay on the island to remain safe. Upon learning that her friend Claire who she had known for most of her life was also a guide, Erin began to take seriously the advice from the future. I think the strength in this story was the relationships and what they revealed to Erin about her world view as honestly the Sci Fi, apocalyptic element was somewhat lacking; the threat didn't feel real enough to take seriously as the island was shielded. But I loved the claustrophobic sense of being trapped on the island and being helpless against events in the outside world, and Erin's pregnancy added well to the sense of vulnerability and lack of control. I thought this was an ambitious story, and a mix of soft sci-fi with Drama, but I would have liked more concrete details about the threat worldwide instead of simply through hearsay, as it didn't keep the thread of tension high enough for my taste and I would have liked more about how the time travel elements worked.
334 reviews16 followers
April 7, 2023
A Surreal And Mysterious Account Of The Apocalypse

Right from the first page, the story is kind of surreal. The story starts with Erin joining what can only be described as a utopian island community called The Grove, just so she can work and perform tasks that will earn her a lot of money so that she can pay off her debts. One of these tasks is to become a surrogate for a rich couple who can’t have kids. Every so often a lady named Claire and later on her husband David, appears in her house and guides Erin. It seems Claire has been doing this since Erin was a child but we find out later it’s only been two years for Claire and every time they disappear, especially David, Erin forgets them.
As Erin settles on the island, one day the ground unexpectedly and inexplicably violently shakes and the sky turns black and thick with pollution. We find out this has happened all over America and possibly the world but there is no explanation to why this has happened which just ups the tension factor. With communications down it’s up to the islanders to piece together what’s happened and to live in a world that is eternally dark. Then when people start arriving on the beach to desperately seek refuge and Erin finds out her sister Kate and nephews are there but the island’s leaders are slow to react and let them in, she frantically tries to find a way to rescue them. As mentioned this is a slightly surreal and mysterious story and the apocalypse is told from a domestic perspective. The writing is fast paced and there is tension throughout which keeps you intrigued and wanting more. I read this in two sittings and thoroughly enjoyed it. There is a sequel which I will definitely be snapping up because of all the unanswered questions.
Profile Image for Lucas W Mayberry.
Author 3 books35 followers
August 17, 2023
A Surreal And Mysterious Account Of The Apocalypse

Right from the first page, the story is kind of surreal. The story starts with Erin joining what can only be described as a utopian island community called The Grove, just so she can work and perform tasks that will earn her a lot of money so that she can pay off her debts. One of these tasks is to become a surrogate for a rich couple who can’t have kids. Every so often a lady named Claire and later on her husband David, appears in her house and guides Erin. It seems Claire has been doing this since Erin was a child but we find out later it’s only been two years for Claire and every time they disappear, especially David, Erin forgets them.
As Erin settles on the island, one day the ground unexpectedly and inexplicably violently shakes and the sky turns black and thick with pollution. We find out this has happened all over America and possibly the world but there is no explanation to why this has happened which just ups the tension factor. With communications down it’s up to the islanders to piece together what’s happened and to live in a world that is eternally dark. Then when people start arriving on the beach to desperately seek refuge and Erin finds out her sister Kate and nephews are there but the island’s leaders are slow to react and let them in, she frantically tries to find a way to rescue them. As mentioned this is a slightly surreal and mysterious story and the apocalypse is told from a domestic perspective. The writing is fast paced and there is tension throughout which keeps you intrigued and wanting more. I read this in two sittings and thoroughly enjoyed it. There is a sequel which I will definitely be snapping up because of all the unanswered questions.
Profile Image for S.P. Dawes.
Author 6 books64 followers
March 11, 2023
Interesting

This is an interesting read. I wasn't sure what to expect, but it certainly wasn't this. I really enjoyed the way the author tells the story. There's a lot of chsrm and humour and that's not easy to deliver in a diary format, which this has. You begin by finding out that she's in a complex that will look after her while she is a surrogate for a couple on the island. But then the world seems to turn apocalyptic and everything you'd imagine happens with people, happens. It's sad bug often true, so people are left out on the beach to suffer while those j side are relatively well stocked and at far less risk of harm. Of course some people want to let them in and other don't due to fear of shortages etc. Then David turns up and is weirdly present, his story seems to revolve around time travelling, and being married to her sister, he keeps an eye on her and randomly appears. This mystery however, is never really answered. Neither what is wrong with her sister Claire. But her other sister Kate is on the beach with her children. Her state gets worse, and she finds herself looking after her nephews. Kate appearance and subsequent disappearance unearths more questions than answers. And then the ending just kind of fades out. Leaving the reader somewhat perplexed, or at least I was. I know there's another book, so maybe the answers to what I've just read are in there.
40 reviews1 follower
April 18, 2023
The Last Sunny Day (The Personal Account of Erin June Davis Book 1) was an unusual dystopy/fantasy, full of turns and twists.

The Grove reminded me somehow of the island where the characters of the Lost series appear after the crash. Strange place, full of mysterious, where laws of physics work in the wrong way. I am pretty sure the author was inspired by it)

Erin is a single, debt-full woman that only decides to settle on the island to earn some money and start her life anew. To her luck, she is very quickly promoted to become a surrogate mother. Shortly after this strange things began to happen around the island and the whole planet.

I liked the humor of Erin, her vulnarability, her way of coping with the problems on the island. David (who is the husband of Erin's sister) is an interesting character too, appearing from nowhere, helping and guiding Erin. Many elements of the story remain unanswered after the first book, which makes me want to read the sequal, which I'll most definitely do!
Profile Image for Melanie Horev.
Author 22 books107 followers
January 31, 2023
First of all, where can I go to find a real-life Grove? Wait, let me change that to go on a small vacation and then return.
I enjoyed following Erin’s story as it was different, unexpected, and quite a thrill ride. Her disorganization is definitely relatable and grounds her in the world. I didn’t know where it was going or how it was supposed to wrap up. As a big fan of tension and surprises, this was definitely my thing.
I think the author did an excellent job of the world-building and interesting developed characters, such as Claire. She managed to draw me in and excite me with her story, and this is what I’m looking for when I read.
I have mixed feelings about the ending, I don’t like a semi-cliffhanger, on the other hand, it got me worked up and I do believe I’ll go for the next installment.
I recommend this to post-apocalyptic fans, expect a twist!
Profile Image for Rhonda.
503 reviews3 followers
Read
November 10, 2023
DNF @ 15%

This story is very slow moving, and the lack of attachment to the characters or the plot made me stop.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via Voracious Readers Only.
Profile Image for Kelly Miller.
Author 14 books432 followers
February 25, 2023
The first important thing to know about The Last Sunny Day-The Personal Account of Erin June Davis, is that it is not a complete story arc. (Erin's story continues in "The Last Place I'll Live.) This is an interesting and creative premise for a story...a woman, Erin, accepts a job at an exclusive & mysterious resort to get out of debt. She ends up following in the steps of a friend and joining a surrogate program. For a much higher salary and a bigger, nicer house, she agrees to be the surrogate mother for a couple. Then a disaster strikes, and the community is cut off from the rest of the world. Erin does not know if her friends and family are alive and well. And then there are the time-travelling married couple who visit Erin.

The story is presented as a journal or memoir,(personal account) at least at first, but it is not consistent. For a while, the author recounts past conversations with many uses of "had said" but then abandons the practice and presents scenes as they happen, or as if they are happening then. Therein lies the confusion. Without clear written distinctions, it was confusing at times to know what was happening and what was a memory.

I will say the use of punctuation is a bit fast and loose; and at times, the sentences were extremely long. Here is one example: I wasn't looking because I got lost and forgot to turn at the corner where the post office and the French boulangerie with the little white cafe tables sat, so I ended up being late, and even though the rain was pretty, it still consisted of water, and I was soaking wet.

Despite these oddities, I found the plot to be quirky and enjoyable. I would recommend this to readers of dystopian/fantasy.
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