5.0 (1 rating)
That Last Carolina Summer A Gripping Southern Tale of Sisterhood , Secrets , and the Haunting Power of the Past
"This multi-generational story is layered with juicy family secrets. The perfect summer read." --Jamie Brenner, bestselling author of A Novel Summer
Beloved bestselling author Karen White returns with a captivating new Southern drama about sisterhood, secrets and one woman's reckoning with the past
As a child, Phoebe Manigault developed the gift of premonition after she was struck by lightning in the creek near her Charleston home. Plagued throughout her life by mysterious dreams, and always living in the shadow of her beautiful sister, Addie, Phoebe eventually moves to the West Coast, as far from her family as possible. Now, years later, she is summoned back to South Carolina, to help Addie care for their ailing mother.
As Phoebe's return lures her back into deep-rooted tensions and conflicts, she is drawn to Celeste, whose granddaughter went missing years ago. Their connection brings comfort to Phoebe, while Celeste's adult grandson Liam resurrects complicated emotions tied to Phoebe's past.
But the longer Phoebe spends in her childhood home, the more her recurring nightmares intensify--bringing her closer to the shocking truth that will irrevocably change everything. Unfolding against the lush backdrop of the South Carolina Lowcountry, That Last Carolina Summer is an unforgettable story about the unbreakable bonds of family and the gift of second chances.
Beloved bestselling author Karen White returns with a captivating new Southern drama about sisterhood, secrets and one woman's reckoning with the past
As a child, Phoebe Manigault developed the gift of premonition after she was struck by lightning in the creek near her Charleston home. Plagued throughout her life by mysterious dreams, and always living in the shadow of her beautiful sister, Addie, Phoebe eventually moves to the West Coast, as far from her family as possible. Now, years later, she is summoned back to South Carolina, to help Addie care for their ailing mother.
As Phoebe's return lures her back into deep-rooted tensions and conflicts, she is drawn to Celeste, whose granddaughter went missing years ago. Their connection brings comfort to Phoebe, while Celeste's adult grandson Liam resurrects complicated emotions tied to Phoebe's past.
But the longer Phoebe spends in her childhood home, the more her recurring nightmares intensify--bringing her closer to the shocking truth that will irrevocably change everything. Unfolding against the lush backdrop of the South Carolina Lowcountry, That Last Carolina Summer is an unforgettable story about the unbreakable bonds of family and the gift of second chances.
Published: July 22, 2025
Pages: 352
ISBN: 9780778310693
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5.0
1 rating
Chelsey H.
Sep 27, 2026
That Last Carolina Summer by Karen White is a beautifully written Southern drama filled with family secrets, emotional depth, and a touch of mystery that lingers long after the final page.
The story follows Phoebe Manigault, a woman who has spent her life living in the shadow of her sister after a lightning strike as a child left her with an uncanny gift of premonition. When she’s called back home to the South Carolina Lowcountry to help care for her ailing mother, old wounds, family tensions, and haunting dreams resurface—forcing her to confront the past she tried to outrun.
I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this book, but I was completely blown away by how it all came together. While the beginning started out a little slow, once it picked up, I was hooked. The story came full circle in such a satisfying, emotional way that left me sitting with it long after I finished.
Celeste was easily one of my favorite characters. She embodied everything you’d want in a caretaker and friend—warm, grounded, and full of quiet strength. And the found family element, paired with the small-town Southern charm, made the story feel deeply comforting even in its heavier moments.
A moving, atmospheric story about growth, forgiveness, and the unbreakable bonds of family, That Last Carolina Summer is Karen White at her best. A five-star read I’ll be recommending to anyone who loves Southern fiction with heart and mystery intertwined.
The story follows Phoebe Manigault, a woman who has spent her life living in the shadow of her sister after a lightning strike as a child left her with an uncanny gift of premonition. When she’s called back home to the South Carolina Lowcountry to help care for her ailing mother, old wounds, family tensions, and haunting dreams resurface—forcing her to confront the past she tried to outrun.
I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this book, but I was completely blown away by how it all came together. While the beginning started out a little slow, once it picked up, I was hooked. The story came full circle in such a satisfying, emotional way that left me sitting with it long after I finished.
Celeste was easily one of my favorite characters. She embodied everything you’d want in a caretaker and friend—warm, grounded, and full of quiet strength. And the found family element, paired with the small-town Southern charm, made the story feel deeply comforting even in its heavier moments.
A moving, atmospheric story about growth, forgiveness, and the unbreakable bonds of family, That Last Carolina Summer is Karen White at her best. A five-star read I’ll be recommending to anyone who loves Southern fiction with heart and mystery intertwined.