Sarra Manning never fails to deliver, and this book is no exception! Cassie and Marc start off as sworn enemies after a disastrous first meeting. But years later, they’re unexpectedly thrown back into each other’s lives when they’re asked to help their mutual friends, Lucy and Russell. Tasked with planning an unforgettable weekend, Cassie and Marc must put their differences aside and pretend to be madly in love. However, as the weekend unfolds, Cassie starts to question her long-standing resentment toward Marc and wonders if there’s more to him than she ever allowed herself to see.

This novel has everything you’d expect from a Sarra Manning story—romance, friendship, heartache, and redemption. While the primary focus is on Cassie and Marc, the narrative beautifully interweaves their friendships with Lucy and Russell, adding layers of depth to the story. The heartache felt so raw and authentic that it moved me to tears more than once. Manning masterfully balances these emotional moments with lighthearted humor and delightful banter, especially in the playful dynamics between Cassie, Marc, and their friends during the weekend’s escapades.

Without giving too much away, I’ll admit I was nervous about how things would ultimately unfold between the four friends. But the ending was nothing short of perfect—a touching, satisfying conclusion that felt like the cherry on top of an already delicious cake.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to read this gem. If you’re a Sarra Manning fan or simply love heartfelt, character-driven stories, this one is not to be missed!

Sarra Manning has always been an auto-buy and favourite author for me, and ‘The Last Days of Summer’ is up there with one of my favourite books she’s ever written.

Is it heart-achingly sad? Yes! Does it have proper enemies to lovers? Yes! Is the spice, spicy? Yes! Is it written in the most beautiful way that made me upset that I had to put it down to live life occasionally? 1000% yes.

This book and these characters will be living with you far past the last page. It’ll make you realise you need to cherish what is in your life and fix the things you don’t like. It’ll make you grateful for the little things and make you want to ring your loved ones to tell them you love them.

Also, the nods to previous characters was *chefs kiss*.

This is romance with the extra oomph. If you’ve never read a Sarra Manning masterpiece than I implore you to start with this one. It is Manning at her best.

A huge thanks to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for the ARC.

The Last Days of Summer perfectly captures the sad feeling that engulfs you when you know this will be the last time you will experience something. It is bitter-sweet and it is emotional.


Cassie and Marc are enemies. Enemies who share a history and a couple of best friends. Civil behaviour amongst their friends, snarky when they are alone. They avoid each other at all costs until tragedy strikes and they are forced to present a united front. Is a weekend enough to erase 16-year history of being enemies?


I liked the romance in this book but more than anything, I loved how the author wrote everything around Russell and Lucy. They were not the main couple but are the heart of the story. Russell’s diagnosis, his choice, and the different reactions of Cassie and Marc were portrayed so realistically. You are really able to empathize with the characters and it is an emotional read that balances a heavy topic with the beauty of life. I think by the end of it, you will look at life a little more differently and maybe take one or two more moments to appreciate the beauty and joy of living. See it as a chance instead of a chore and take fewer things for granted.



The only reason I deduct a star is because I would have liked to see a few more tender moments between Marc and Cassie. They went from hot to cold quite a few times and I couldn’t follow the development of their emotions, they just suddenly more than liked each other, it felt a little underdeveloped for me.

Thank you to Hodder&Stoughton and NetGalley for an earc in exchange for an honest review!



The Last Days of Summer is out March 27th 2025!

What an emotion wrecking five-star read. This is easily one of my top five reads of the year, it was just that good. Cassie and Marc will enrapture you; they will pull you into their emotional battle and have you cheering for them and wishing you could be at the top of those beach stairs cheering the whole lot up and bringing them up by your thoughts alone. I completely got Cassies reaction to March after the wedding, and I would likely be exactly the same as her as you know what that’s the reaction, we should expect for ourselves. As the story unfolds you start to understand the history and them as well, as well as everything they have going on with the rest of their friends. Lucy and Russell will make your eyes water, and have you wondering why so many times, but in the end, this is just a compelling story that will break you, but it will also put you back together. The ending was what got me, it was just so well done, and just gave the whole story a chef’s kiss feeling.

This was a feisty and gorgeous read with an equally fantastic main character. I think the book could maybe start with a general content warning (within the first few chapters we are discussing late stage cancer) and this may be jarring to some readers. Overall, I loved following their adventures and am excited to pick up some more reads from Sarra Manning!

What a beautiful romantic love story. I love the hate to live aspect of the novel. It just added that extra spite and touch. It was such a beautiful book. I love Sarah Manning in general, but I think this is one of her best yet.