The Last Summer (of You & Me)

THE LAST SUMMER (OF YOU & ME): Ann Brashares: Riverhead Books: Fiction: 306 pgs.

The author of "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" has written this adult novel which tells the story of two sisters and the neighbor boy they grow up with. Riley and Paul were the same age and best friends practically since birth. Alice was the tag-a-long little sister, part of the group, yet still an outsider and always unsure of her status. Now in their early twenties Paul re-enters the sisters' lives and after this summer, each of their relationships will be altered and tested.

I enjoyed this book. The story is a little predictable, but entertaining and insightful enough to compensate. What Brashares does really well is evoke a sense of place. Much of the story takes place in a beach community and not a chapter went by that I didn't long for the sand between my toes and the sun on my face. A perfect, light read for summertime.

CZ