Last Kiss of Summer
I’m here to share my thoughts onLast Kiss of Summer by Jessica M. Felleman, a new YA summer romance book that I am adding to my lists of Books Like The Summer I Turned Pretty and Books for Fans of Every Summer After by Carley Fortune.
Review of The Last Kiss of Summer by Jessica M. Felleman
- The Last Kiss of Summer is a YA summer romance set in a fictional Cape Cod beachside town
- Sera and Luke are forever connected by an event that happened when they were babies: Sera received a heart transplant and Luke received her original heart valves.
- After an estrangement, both Sera and Luke are back in town and have a chance to rekindle their relationship
- Publication date: April 28, 2026 byG.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers. Thanks to them for my advance copy!
My Thoughts:
Back when I used to review YA books exclusively, there was a big trend of transplant romance books. Niche, I know. Here’s my post with the book list if you’re interested. I describe how these emotional and often tragic books were part of the John Green “sick lit” trend. (I didn’t make the term up.
To me, The Last Kiss of Summer felt like Five Feet Apart meets Carley Fortune. And I didn’t hate the concept. Or the fabulous Cape Cod setting, which the author captures very well.
Last Kiss of Summer had a somewhat chaotic, dialogue-heavy style that, to me, fought a little against the laid-back setting and emotional concept.
There was (non-explicit) spice in the book too, which I was not expecting. (Yes, YA books CAN have sex scenes.
I don’t want to say too much about what happens in the story. It’s a book that’s best read without too much information.
It is perfect for fans of The Summer I Turned Pretty, another bittersweet love story set at the beach.
I’m also adding it to my list of Books Like Every Summer After!
I also have two summer quizzes for you to take, my Find Your Perfect Summer Trope Quiz and my Choose Your Summer Romance Adventure Quiz. Take them both and get book recommendations based on your answers!
