Limpet, Steffan and Jared. Three best friends crammed into a clapped-out rust bucket of a car on a whirlwind road trip to forget their troubles and see out the end of the summer. But no matter how far they drive, they can’t escape the hidden secrets and slow-burning romance that could upset the balance of their friendship – perhaps forever.
The Last Summer of Us is a brilliant contemporary read which I thoroughly enjoyed. I loved the summery feel of the story. I loved seeing the friendship between the three and the bittersweet feeling I got as I read it as you knew that this part of the three main characters lives was about to end.
I loved the story of the three friends as they embark on a road trip in a rusty old banger to give each of them time away from their different problems and to spend their last summer together. I really enjoyed seeing how their trip brought to the surface all the different things they had been worrying about underneath it all and gave them an opportunity to address all those things they had been ignoring.
I loved all the characters and the way they interacted together. It was really nice to see a really strong friendship between the three and look at the way in which they relied on each other and then considering the impact it would have once the summer was over. For me I really enjoyed getting under Limpet's skin over the course of the trip. She is at a stage in her life where is really struggling. She is coming to terms with her mother's death and dealing with all the gossip surrounding it. Add to this the fact that her father is also a mess and one of her best friends is about to leave and she is in a real state. Over the course of the story and the trip as her story comes out it is really telling about how much she has dealt with.
Special mention has to go to the fact I loved that this was UKYA not set in England. I loved that the story was set in Wales and seeing the feel that then have to the story.
All in all a perfect road trip story which is full of heart. Highly recommended.
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