Last Summer (Paperback)

It's an undemanding read but not lacking substance. Relationships, family and romantic are explored in detail, through a group of likeable characters spending one summer season in P-town. Some are looking for love, others running away from their past or simply trying to find themselves.

The book's central character is Josh Felling. He's licking his wounds following the revelation by lover of 8 years, Doug, that he's been unfaithful. Josh is a romantic who believes in true love forever. He's looking for Mr Perfect and is not about to compromise just so he doesn't have to be alone. Josh meets Reilly, a heartthrob builder working on the cottage he's staying in, owned by Jerry and Ted the long-time couple who run a guest house called the two Queens. Reilly is about to be married but he's having second thoughts. His love life is sustained by memories of a long ago sexual experience with his best buddy from high school, further fuelled by a troubling attraction to Josh. They meet first of all in the Laundromat where Josh makes an impression by folding all Reilly's clothes from the drier, indulging in happy fantasies about a man with so many work shirts and white boxers.

Jackie is a lesbian whose long time lover is about to leave her. She runs a popular club but her biological clock is ticking. Should she have a baby on her own, and who will be the father?

Young Toby runs away from Hannibal, Missouri, hoping to find a new gay life, far away from religious parents who don't understand their son. Provincetown is the ideal place to get a gay education. He's lucky enough to be taken under the wing of beautiful drag queen Emmeline, who sings at Jackie's club, saving money for the op that'll finally make her the girl she's always wanted to be. Unresolved issues about the gap between who we are and who those around us want us to be come to a head when Emmeline's ageing mother has a stroke and comes to live with the daughter she's always denied.

Big Hollywood producer, Reid Truman, is rich and successful but the one thing he wants is denied him. His boyfriend is an up and coming movie star, Ty Rusk, whose career depends on him remaining in the closet. Reid and Ty escape to Provincetown for a summer together. Can Reid's dream of making a successful gay themed movie starring his gorgeous lover become reality?

This mightn't be great literature, but it's very well written. I found it entertaining and compulsive. I couldn't put the book down until I knew how it played out for characters that'd become like friends. I think it'd make a great movie.

The book has explicit scenes but erotic rather than pedestrian porn, and firmly in context. The difference between love and sex is one of the book's main themes. Highly recommended.

Each character you love, each punch and kiss you are there this book engrosses the reader from the first page and dosent let go until the last. With this book the ending is never in doubt but even when it happens you end up smiling to yourself

This book is very easy to read which is not derogative to the author in any way but the cahracters are well written and the storyline is great.

Miss this book at your peril.