Summer is here and that means various things to different people. But many include days sitting on the beach or by the pool and reading! Do you have a good summer read for this year? How about your teens? Today we are sharing a heartwarming and heartbreaking young adult novel perfect for the summer. For me the fact that it takes place on Cape Cod mostly pulled me right in. The book is Last Kiss of Summer by Jessica M. Felleman. It is recommended for ages 16+.
About the Book:
A beautiful, heartbreaking love story about two teens who find their way back to each other through a second chance romance.Nothing breaks like a heart.
When Sera Watkins and her family arrive at their summer house on Cape Cod, she has one goal in mind: protect her heart from the boy who broke it, her next-door neighbor, Luke Tisdale. The problem is, Luke still has a piece of her heart—literally. When Sera received a new heart as a baby, the healthy valves of her old heart were given to Luke. Forever bonded, Luke and Sera grew up together spending sun-soaked days swimming at their secret beach and painting at art camp.
Then, two summers ago, their friendship almost turned into something more. Key word: almost. Because one fateful night, everything changed. Sera’s health took a turn for the worse. A family secret sent Luke spiraling. And they weren’t there for each other when it mattered the most.
Now Sera is ready for a fresh start, which means no more pining over the boy next door. But Luke has grown up a lot since she last saw him, and the chemistry she felt two summers ago? It’s still there. Sera isn’t sure she’s brave enough to risk it all again, but when she gets some difficult news, she realizes there’s no time to waste. Maybe it’s finally Luke and Sera’s moment, their chance to enjoy the sweet kiss of summer together—before it’s too late.
From Me:
What a story. Sera and Luke's families meet in the hospital when both babies need heart surgeries. She needs a new heart, and he needs the healthy valves of her old heart. They are forever bonded. He sees it as she saved his life. Sera's family beings spending summers in Northport, Cape Cod with Luke's family and eventually buy the house next door. Luke's family lives in Northport year-round and run a store there. Everything seems perfect until they are sixteen and when Luke is about to express his love for Sera, her heart fails. She tries to meet up with him later long after their meet up time, but it doesn't go well and her family leaves the next day for Boston and getting her to the hospital. After almost two years of treatments and more, Sera's family is returning to Northport. She is still heartbroken over what happened two years ago with Luke. She has ghosted him for two years and worries about seeing him.
Luke on the other hand cannot understand why Sera ghosted him. He doesn't know why she didn't show up that night or about her heart issues. He has had a lot to deal with in his own life. There have been some major family drama and changes that all started two years prior on that eventful night. He hopes he can get back his best friend and possibly finally tell Sera how he feels about her.
The book goes between Sera's and Luke's point of views. There are more chapters of Sera's point of view though. At times their relationship is frustrating to them and the reader. It is awkward and they both just want to be together but not make the first move. Other times it is full of love. That true love that best friends who grew up together can truly have. They know everything about each other and once they are together again, they are not afraid to be their true selves. There is also the love for family. Luke is changing his plans and staying local to help his family. Sera's family has put their lives on hold to be near her as her heart keeps struggling. They have become helicopter parents and sister. The story is a love story about Sera and Luke but also shares a look at Sera's relationships with her family as well as other friends.
The book will have you hoping, cheering, and crying. It is emotional and such an interesting basis for the plot. The connection between so many of the characters as well as the development is amazing. Even marginal characters play key roles throughout the book. It feels like real life and truly has the surprises and twists and turns life throughs at people. It is an amazing summer read but also just a great read for any time. It is almost a study of human life and relationships woven into a great story. Although Northport is a made-up town, the book has real parts to it. The other towns on the Cape, museum in Boston and so much more. Get ready to cheer, laugh and cry while sunbathing this summer!
