Harriet Greenleaf invites her two best friends for one last summer holiday together. She’s rented a 13th century priory that has been converted into a B&B. She and her friends haven’t spent a summer holiday together in six years, in fact, they’ve barely seen each other during those six years. Audrey, the workaholic, has been too busy with her startup business to spend time doing anything but work. Lisa is still chasing her dream of becoming an actress even though she’s been reduced to making commercials for products no one uses just to make ends meet. When they come together at the priory, they tell themselves that their friendship hasn’t changed over the years. One of them, however, knows that even that’s true, her secret, when shared, will forever change their friendship.

The story is told through Harriet’s first-person view. She tells us of the sniping that Lisa and Audrey can’t seem to stop doing, and which may get tiresome for some readers. Using the first-person, Connelly may have limited her story too much. We don’t get to see Audrey’s and Lisa’s reactions to the reunion through their own eyes.

This is a well-written book and will capture the reader from page one. And while we know what the secret is and who’s secret it is to tell, we keep reading. The story and the three women are somewhat stereotypical, it’s the writing that keeps us reading into the late hours of the night.

Very deep and sad story. A woman dying invites her two best friends to a beautiful house for the summer to spend and enjoy time together. However she does not tell they she is dying, they all learn lots of things while together.

Thanks to netgalley for an early copy in return for an honest review
Iam a great fan of Victoria Connelly and this book was literally OUTSTANDING
Covering a very sensitive subject can be difficult but this was done so tastefully and with great dignity
Harrie Lisa Audrey had the most magical summer this book deserves more stars than I can give can highly recommend to friends and family
A real TRUMPET-TOOTING EXTRAVAGANZA OF A BOOK

Very intense and selfless view of a patient that has a terminal disease. Emotional, fun at times and full of love for friends and family. Great read!! Really enjoyed it!

This isn't the first Victoria Connelly book I've read, and although I always enjoy her work, I thought One Last Summer shows how her writing has matured. It's beautifully written. Although you might think reading about a woman who is terminally ill would be depressing, Connelly writes in such a way that the sadness and poignancy is tempered by many uplifting moments. I couldn't help but hoping that there would be a twist at the end, but the ending is fitting. It's a good read, and I loved the introspection, on mindfulness, doing what you love, feeling grateful for the small things, taking more notice of nature . . . I felt not long after starting this book that I'd put on a comfortable jumper - I knew I was in safe hands and settled down to enjoy Harrie's story and that of her friends.

With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book, I love Somerset and this book made me feel like I was there. The setting was wonderful and where I would to be.

The characters were lovely and I wanted to eavesdrop on everyone’s conversations when they were now longer recorded. This is a very brave book on a tough subject and really made me think.

To be very honest, I wasn't very engaged in this book for the first several chapters. I think the reason is that for the other Victoria Connelly books I've read, I had the audiobooks available and was therefore able to multitask while listening to the book. With this one, the audiobook was not available to me and I had to make time to actually sit and read the book. That's on me, not the author.

In terms of content, the book started off very slowly for me, which is why I gave it only four stars. I wasn't sure I could stick with it although I liked the premise of the book. I didn't feel invested in the story itself until around halfway through. After that, I really began to enjoy the relationship among the women and with the other, more peripheral characters. I became interested in each of the three central characters and was curious about their personal development as the book progressed. The ending was somewhat satisfying, although I was curious about some of the peripheral characters that were not mentioned at the end.

That said, this was a good read and I will continue to read this author's work. I will, however, wait until I have the audiobook to make best use of them.

Oñe of tose books that I just didn't want to end. A definite must read and I shall be exploring Victoria Connelly's other novels for sure. A story of friendship, love , memories and making more memories. I loved the characters Harrie who has a secret, Audrey who works too hard and Lisa, who is spiritual and needs to follow her own advice and follow her dream...and Harries daughter Honor who makes an appearance. I loved the ending....intact I loved everything about this book!! Enjoy

A somewhat short and very easy to read book. Quite emotional as the central character, Harrie, is dying of terminal cancer and she wishes to spend her last summer with her friends so in that respect quite thought provoking if one was in the same position. She tries to keep her illness a secret, which I can understand, but eventually her situation is found out. However, overall, I found the characters a little flat and there is quite a lot of dialogue which I found a little tedious and annoying in places.

There is a lot to take away from this book whether one is in the unfortunate position of having Harrie's prognosis or a family member or friend.

Strong friendships are at the center of this emotional roller coaster of a book. Aside from the idyllic setting, this book takes you on a journey of lifelong friendships, love and truth. Set in a beautifully described ancient Priory, this book will move you and make you want to call your best friend 'just because".

Harrie has a terminal illness and her childhood friends Lisa and Audrey don't know yet. She wants to spend one last summer holiday with them all together. Although I beautifully written book, I did find it a bit depressing, and maybe would have enjoyed and appreciated the emotion at a another time.

This is a lovely book about life, friends and re-connecting along with joy and sadness. The descriptive writing is beautifully done. Although the main topic is terminal illness, I think the author explores the idea that keeping such information to oneself is cutting off the people you love.

One Last Summer is a sad story about last chances. While the story is touching and relatable, it's too depressing for my taste.

Harriet Greenleaf has terminal cancer and has come to terms with her prognosis, supported by her daughter, even though she has once survived her breast cancer. Now the cancer is incurable and she knows this will be her last opportunity she has to be with her family and friends. She decides to treat her two best friends to a summer of reigniting their friendship which started when they were at university training to be teachers. Her two friends are very different: Audrey is a workaholic who has just founded her own school and is burnt out with all the problems of setting up her own business. Lisa, once a TV actress in a popular sitcom, loves her yoga. She is vibrant, flirty and is just rolling on with her life going nowhere. Her two friends are unaware of her ongoing health issues and delighted with their summer holiday reunion plans. Isn’t it sad when a busy life interferes with your friendships? So the invitations go out and the summer lies tantalisingly ahead.
Harrie has rented a beautiful ancient priory in the Somerset countryside. It’s so tranquil and peaceful, just the sort of place for the four of them to relax. She wants to break her news to her dearest friends and create new memories, but only when the time is right. Her daughter will be joining them for some of the time: it will be quality time for them all to share fond memories and reminisce over their past joyful and carefree times. Only when the time comes Harrie finds it difficult to unburden herself. She doesn’t want to upset her friends. It’s certainly a subject she finds more and more difficult to broach.
This poignant story has such a beautiful ending and I really enjoyed the wonderful storytelling. The setting was just right for the occasion and together the friends look to their futures and access what they could still make of their lives. I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Lake Union Publishing through my membership of NetGalley. Thank you for my copy sent in return for an honest and unbiased review. It’s a quick read and also the characters are very endearing. It’s a 3.5* review from me.

I suggest having a box of tissues handy when you read this book!

After reading this book I've definitely done a lot of reflection on my life and what I've deemed "important." I suspect that many of those things would change if I were diagnosed with a terminal illness, like the main character in this book. Harriet knows she is dying and spends one last summer with her two best friends and her daughter. She focuses on the simple pleasures in life - walking barefoot in the grass, listening to the wind in the trees, and enjoying the feeling of the rain on her head.

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for providing a copy for review.

When I started reading the book I wasn't sure I would like it. A book about a terminally ill character seemed like it wouldn't be something I would enjoy being someone who suffers from a terminal illness but I was wrong.

Meeting Harrie and her two best friends Lisa and Audrey was fun, enlightening and very interesting. With three very different personalities and life getting to know these three women were entertaining.

first, there is Lisa and aging actress that is prone to drama. From her, I learned that life can change and that you can pursue your dreams at any age.

Audrey is a workaholic and from her, I learned that you need to slow down and enjoy life.

Finally, there is Harrie a mom and friend suffering from an illness that is life-threatening. From her, I learned to make each moment count. I also learned that in trying to protect those close to you-you really only hurt them.

This book was not only a great read it was a life lesson. it was a book that teaches, entertain=s and inside. I highly recommend if you are looking to read something unique and different that will take you on an emotional rollercoaster through life this is your book.

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the eARC.
This book was quite emotional and sweet. Harris is dying of cancer and wants to spend one last summer with her best friends. She has hired a beautiful ancient prior so as to spend quality time with her beloved friends for the last days of her life.
Knowing she is fatally ill, she is reluctant to tell her friends until the end of summer. With a heroic attempt to keep negative thoughts at bay, she tries to absorb all the love that surrounds her and soak in the beauty of her surroundings.
The story is a wistful one and a quick read. I enjoyed it, even though the ending was obvious. 3.5 stars.

What a beautiful, poignant, intense, thought-provoking, inspirational story this is! I am a great fan of Victoria Connelly and I think she has done a brilliant job. In fact, I think this is her best book so far. The English countryside she so masterfully depicts in her novels gives only a little respite to the dramatic story unfolding before our very eyes. Such a sad topic and yet so poetic. Heartbreaking and yet so positive. It makes you think and it'll stay with me for a long time.

3.5 stars
This is a pretty sad story to read about a woman who is terminally ill, acknowledges her time left and wants to spend the summer with her best friends and adult daughter. Harrie has kept the knowledge of her illness from her friends for many years but time is running out and she wants to really enjoy what time she has left with those who are important to her. Harrie wants a summer of carefree days at an ancient Priory with those who mean the most to her.
Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and the author for an ARC of One Last Summer. This is an honest review.

What would you do if you had only one last summer left ?
Harriet, Audrey and Lisa have been friends for a very long time. Sharing highs and lows over the years!
Since it’s been 6 years since they’ve spent any quality time together , Harriet rents an old Abbey ( which is being restored) to spend the summer with them. Not letting them know that this will be her last summer , as she has terminal cancer .
These ladies were so different but are exactly what one needs, although at times I wanted to yell at them and then hug them.
This is the story of friendship, love and courage .
This is my first book by Victoria Connelly and it won’t be my last !