Book Review: Last Kiss of Summer by Jessica M. Felleman

 

Pages: 320

Genre: YA Realistic Fiction

Pub. Date: April 28, 2026

Publisher: G.P. Putnam

Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says, "When Sera Watkins and her family arrive at their summer house on Cape Cod, she has one goal in mind: protect her heart from the boy who broke it, her next-door neighbor, Luke Tisdale. The problem is, Luke still has a piece of her heart—literally. When Sera received a new heart as a baby, the healthy valves of her old heart were given to Luke. Forever bonded, Luke and Sera grew up together, spending sun-soaked days swimming at their secret beach and painting at art camp.

Then, two summers ago, their friendship almost turned into something more. Key word: almost. Because one fateful night, everything changed. Sera’s health took a turn for the worse. A family secret sent Luke spiraling. And they weren’t there for each other when it mattered the most.

Now, Sera is ready for a fresh start, which means no more pining over the boy next door. But Luke has grown up a lot since she’s seen him, and the chemistry she felt two summers ago? It’s still there. Sera isn’t sure she’s brave enough to risk it all again, but when she gets some difficult news, she realizes there’s no time to waste. Maybe it’s finally Luke and Sera’s moment, their chance to enjoy the sweet kiss of summer together—before it’s too late."

 

 

Sera Watkins has returned to Cape Cod. She is looking forward to a summer of fun, but her next-door neighbor and ex-friend, Luke, is also back in town for the summer. They had a falling out and haven't reconnected since, which is a shame as they share a deep connection stemming from childhood. They are both organ transplant recipients. Sera has had a heart transplant, and Luke received Sera's heart valves, and the families have been connected by this event ever since. Thanks to flashbacks provided by Felleman, readers are privy to their previous summers together, the growing feelings between them, and the eventual fallout. Jessica M. Felleman's Last Kiss of Summer is a heartfelt YA summer novel that packs an emotional punch.
 
I really enjoyed Sera from the start of Last Kiss of Summer, and I think many YA readers can relate to her, especially if they have a chronic medical condition. She has to deal with that every day: the limitations, her parents' worry and hovering, in addition to a myriad of other issues - not to mention the everyday pressures of being a teenager. The more the summer progresses, the more Sera realizes that what went down between her and Luke was really just a product of miscommunication. Could they get back to the place they were before? However, in the back of her mind, Sera is worried about her current medical struggles.
 
The fictional beach town on Cape Cod is the perfect setting for a summer read. I really enjoyed that aspect of Last Kiss of Summer. I also really appreciated Felleman's take on chronic medical conditions as well as organ transplant recipients. Readers could tell that Felleman did her research and brought to the forefront what goes into the daily life of living with this condition. Felleman did it with sensitivity, and it brought a deeper level to the story. Lastly, fans of Nicholas Sparks and A Walk to Remember will especially appreciate this YA novel that gives readers all the feels. Grab your tissues for this one!