Published 27th March 2025 by Hodder and Stoughton.
From the cover of the book:
After a disastrous first meeting, Cassie and Marc become arch nemeses. He might have great cheekbones and a sexy French accent but he's a terrible person who did a terrible thing. Too bad that Cassie's best friends Lucy and Russell think he's wonderful.But years later, when an unexpected tragedy strikes their friendship group, Cassie and Marc team up to give Lucy and Russell the best weekend ever so they can make new memories with all of their favourite people. Which means convincing everyone that Cassie and Marc are head over heels in love.
After hating him for so long, it takes four bittersweet days for Cassie to wonder if she got Marc all wrong. Can they let go of their troubled past and together, face whatever the future is going to throw at them?
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All Cassie has ever really wanted is to find 'that person' and be their everything in return, but so far life keeps giving her lemons. Fortunately she has the love of her extended family, and good friends, with her happily married besties Lucy and Russell at the centre of her life - shame about the constant presence of the infuriating Marc, who Lucy and Russell think is wonderful, but who Cassie views as her arch nemesis for very good reasons.
When tragic news knocks them all sideways, Cassie decides to go ahead with the special weekend she has planned for Lucy and Russell. Unfortunately, she finds herself with an unwanted helpmate, who also wants to make sure this is a weekend their favourite couple will never forget - the detestable, but undeniably attractive Marc.
Forced into close proximity, Cassie begins to see another side to Marc. What she did not anticipate is that their relationship would be quite as close as this... for now they have to pretend for the whole weekend that they are in love. Passionate sparks begin to fly, but can she ever move past their uncomfortable history?
How I love a Sarra Manning book, and this might just be my favourite one yet. Alongside a steamy enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, sunny-meets-grumpy love story, which thrums with romantic suspense, Manning also crafts an emotional tale of family and friendship that hits the bittersweet, sob-worthy soft spot to utter perfection.
Cassie and Marc start the story on opposite sides of a fence that has been strengthened by years of simmering recriminations, after a sexual encounter at the wedding of their best friends Lucy and Russell that left Cassie with confused feelings about the best and worst experience of her life. But as circumstances force them together, she begins to wonder if there really is more to this man than meets the eye and erogenous zones. Suffice to say that the ice melts via a cycle of tempestuous clashes, unexpectedly tender moments that reveal their true feelings, and steamy interludes (decidedly open door, especially when it comes to the pantry!).
Weaving throughout the luscious romantic bits, Manning packs a poignant punch with a storyline about dealing with unbelievable heart-ache that will have you steadily depleting the tissue box to mop up your tears. However, she balances the sadness with lighter moments of drama and comedy between the members of an enchanting friendship group (and not so nice relations) as the weekend plays out, and somehow manages to lead you to an ending that is as hopeful as it is heart-wrenching.
Absolutely fabulous from start to finish, I really did not want to leave these characters behind. What a gem!
The Last Days of Summer is available to buy now in hardcover, ebook and audio formats.
Thank you to Hodder and Stoughton for sending me a proof of this book in return for an honest review.
About the author:
Her novels, which have been translated into fifteen different languages include Unsticky, You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me, After The Last Dance, The Rise And Fall Of Becky Sharp and Rescue Me. Sarra has also written over fifteen YA novels, and four light-hearted romantic comedies under a pseudonym.
She started her writing career on Melody Maker and Just Seventeen, has been editor of ElleGirl and What To Wear and has also contributed to The Guardian, ELLE, Grazia, Stylist, Fabulous, Stella, You Magazine, Harper’s Bazaar and is currently the Literary Editor of Red magazine.
Sarra has also been a Costa Book Awards judge and has been nominated for various writing awards herself.
She lives in London surrounded by piles and piles of books.
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