Introduction

“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.

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Excerpt

Prologue
Phoebe


2001

Memory is a disloyal friend, an unreliable narrator whose motivations are not always benign. There are some things about that summer I remember with absolute clarity: the scalp-scorching heat; my dog, Bailey, getting hit by a car; getting my ears pierced. Yet other events are charred around the edges, obscuring my view when I peer through the lens of hindsight and with the longing for a life that was never meant to be mine. ... view entire excerpt...

Discussion Questions

From the publisher:

1. How does the setting of the Lowcountry in South Carolina shape the atmosphere and tone of the story?

2. What role does the summer season play in the progression of events in the novel?

3. How does Karen White use the natural environment to reflect the emotions and struggles of the characters?

4. Discuss the theme of family secrets in the book. How do these secrets impact the relationships between characters?

5. How do the differing perspectives of the characters enhance or complicate the narrative?

6. What motivates the protagonist's choices throughout the novel? Were their decisions justified?

7. How is resilience portrayed in the story? Which character embodies this the most, and why?

8. Discuss the relationships between generations in the novel. How do past and present actions influence these dynamics?

9. How does the author explore grief and loss within the story? How have the characters coped with these emotions?

10. What role does forgiveness play in the resolution of the plot? Are all characters able to achieve it?

11.What are some key symbols in the book, and how do they contribute to its deeper meaning?

12.How does the use of flashbacks shape the narrative and your understanding of the characters' motivations?

13.Were there any moments in the book where you felt a character’s growth or transformation stood out?

14.How does the title, That Last Carolina Summer, reflect the themes and essence of the novel?

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