The Last Summer (of You & Me)

The Last Summer (of You & Me)
Ann Brashares
Riverhead Books
ISBN: 1594489173
Fiction, Woman’s Fiction
Reviewed by Tanya Boudreau

Life is peaceful on Fire Island but secrets and fears are keeping people who love each other apart. Ann Brashares, author of the best selling young adult series, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, has written her first novel for adults about a woman who made a promise and now feelings of guilt and blame are keeping her away from the man she’s always loved. Alice and Riley are two sisters struggling to live- one with an unhealthy heart, and one with an aching heart. Both sisters have to learn to live in new ways because now they have to live without what they love most in life.
Although many characters in this book are holding back love, they never let go of hope. As Paul’s and Alice’s hearts come together, Riley’s heart is falling apart. After hearing about her sister’s fate, Alice doesn’t know how she can be with Paul again- Alice feels to blame for Riley’s health. And Paul is so mad at Alice for leaving unexpectedly and without saying good-bye that at times he thinks he hates her. Yet neither Alice nor Paul ever completely let go of each other. This is their story of finding each other in their world of not knowing how to move on, conflicting feelings, and reaction-driven behaviors. It’s only when secrets are shared and fears are spoken that Alice, Riley and Paul learn to trust in love and in the future.