Park Row
Published: July 22, 2025
ISBN-10: 0778310698
ISBN-13: 9780778310693
That Last Carolina Summer
Coming in Paperback June 9, 2026!
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Beloved New York Times bestselling author Karen White returns with a brand-new contemporary stand-alone novel 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 creeks 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 toward Celeste, whose granddaughter went missing years ago. Their connection, woven through shared losses and hope, 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 family drama and mystery about the unbreakable bonds of family and the gift of second chances.
“Karen White brings all her magnificent storytelling gifts to this stunner of a novel that explores the complexities of our bonds with sisters and mothers, and the courage it takes to return home and face the demons that drove you away. White’s deep emotional intelligence and her magical way of evoking the Carolina Lowcountry saturate these pages–as much as you want to race along and discover all the secrets, you find yourself stopping to savor the truths she weaves into every twist and turn. The characters are so real and full and flawed and human, and their stories unroll effortlessly to a final denouement that made me gasp out loud.” —New York Times bestselling author Beatriz Williams
“An accomplished storyteller, White frames her novel through the alternating voices of Phoebe and Celeste. The mystery unfolds without complicated twists, while the Manigaults’ reckoning with the past sets them on a path to truth and greater harmony.” — Library Journal
Discussion Questions
- How does the setting of the Lowcountry in South Carolina shape the atmosphere and tone of the story?
- What role does the summer season play in the progression of events in the novel?
- How does Karen White use the natural environment to reflect the emotions and struggles of the characters?
- Discuss the theme of family secrets in the book. How do these secrets impact the relationships between characters?
- How do the differing perspectives of the characters enhance or complicate the narrative?
- What motivates the protagonist’s choices throughout the novel? Were their decisions justified?
- How is resilience portrayed in the story? Which character embodies this the most, and why?
- Discuss the relationships between generations in the novel. How do past and present actions influence these dynamics?
- How does the author explore grief and loss within the story? How have the characters coped with these emotions?
- What role does forgiveness play in the resolution of the plot? Are all characters able to achieve it?
- What are some key symbols in the book, and how do they contribute to its deeper meaning?
- How does the use of flashbacks shape the narrative and your understanding of the characters’ motivations?
- Were there any moments in the book where you felt a character’s growth or transformation stood out?
- How does the title, That Last Carolina Summer, reflect the themes and essence of the novel?
