VBT# Her Last Summer - Nina Manning

-






Review: Her Last Summer - Nina Manning - May 2024


"Her Last Summer" by Nina Manning takes readers on an emotionally charged journey through trauma, guilt, and the quest for redemption. The novel follows Rey Levine, an out-of-work actress offered her dream role, but with a catch – she must confront her fear of swimming, a fear deeply rooted in a tragic event from her past.

Manning masterfully weaves together Rey's present-day struggles with her traumatic memories from fifteen years ago, when her sister disappeared during a summer holiday. The guilt and blame heaped upon Rey have shaped her life, leading to a downward spiral of alcohol and unhealthy relationships. Manning's exploration of Rey's psyche is both poignant and authentic, delving into the complexities of survivor's guilt and the haunting power of unresolved trauma.

The heart of the novel lies in Rey's journey to confront her demons, both figuratively and literally, as she reluctantly returns to the water for her role in the film. Manning expertly captures Rey's internal turmoil as she grapples with the painful memories that resurface with each stroke. The juxtaposition of past and present adds depth to Rey's character, allowing readers to empathize with her struggles while rooting for her to find healing and closure.

The tension escalates as Rey's quest for truth attracts opposition from someone determined to keep the past buried. Manning skillfully crafts a gripping narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, eagerly turning pages to uncover the secrets lurking beneath the surface. The pacing is tight, with twists and turns that keep the suspense building until the final, shocking reveal.

"Her Last Summer" is not just a thriller; it's a profound exploration of grief, guilt, and the enduring power of the human spirit. Manning's prose is evocative and immersive, drawing readers into Rey's world with vivid descriptions and raw emotion. The novel's themes resonate long after the final page, prompting reflection on the nature of forgiveness and the possibility of redemption.

In conclusion, "Her Last Summer" is a captivating and thought-provoking read that will linger in the minds of readers. Nina Manning's skillful storytelling and compelling characters make this novel a must-read for fans of psychological suspense and emotional drama.


Amazon: https://amzn.to/4bz1jOU






Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Review: Steel Princess - Rina Kent

-
Image
Review: Steel Princess - Book #2 Royal Elite Series - Rina Kent - December 2019 At the end of Book #1, we were left on a cliffhanger of Elsa being pushed into the pool. At the beginning of book #2, she is saved by a newcomer to the school - Knox.  We can see some friendly flirting but nothing more going on between these two, but it riles up Aiden who still has this mindset of "if I can't have her, no-one can" especially since he is supposed to be engaged to Silver Queens. During Book #2 Elsa starts to recall some more memories and goes to Dr.Khan in hopes that he can open her Pandora's box and can restore her full memories of what happened before she was seven years old. We also catch a glimpse during this book of her past and why Aiden King's father blames her for his mother's death and why Aiden considered Elsa a ghost. I liked this book as it was more intense with Elsa's memories and past returning. In Book #2 it is revealed about he
Read more

Review: Punk 57 - Penelope Douglas

-
Image
  Review: Punk 57 - Penelope Douglas - October 2016 As soon as I read Bully by Penelope Douglas, I was in love with this author. So when she released a new one who had my favorite theme of penpals and that whole friend to lovers going on, I knew I had to read it. The book started out with a bit of background where we learned about how Misha and Ryen were placed together in a classroom project penpal program. The pair continues to write to each other right through the year, and then they take it to the next level and continue through the rest of their schooling. Fast forward to high school Misha is in a band and Ryen is out with her friends and they complete a scavenger hunt form. Ryen is not what Misha expected especially from her letters. Tragedy occurs, and Misha turns up at Ryen's school under a fake name. This doesn't go over too well as Ryen is nothing like her letters, in fact, she is as fake as can be and Misha aka Masen hates her, in fact, she
Read more

Review: Dr. Strange Beard - Penny Reid

-
Image
Review: Dr. Strange Beard - Book #5 Winston Brothers Series - Penny Reid - July 2018 If there is a family that I love to read about it has been the Winston Brothers. This has to be one of my favorite book series out there as the brothers ; you can't help but fall in love with them all - with their funny quirks and their redneck comments. The other thing I love about The Winston Brothers is they are all genuinely nice guys ; they may look like they had a bad bone and they have reasons too - but they are the nicest around there, and they have the best intentions. Dr. Strange Beard is the youngest Roscoe's story. Roscoe has only ever loved one person his entire life besides his family - Simone Payton and now she is back in Green Valley except now she is an undercover FBI agent who is after his Dad Darrell Winston. Of course, to make the snatch, she has to get close to the Winstons and who better to use as a target but Roscoe. The thing is though that ten years a
Read more