It is 1914, the beginning of a blissful, golden summer - and the end of an era. Clarissa is almost seventeen when the spell of her childhood is broken. Nor can they imagine how their love will be tested, or how they will treasure the memory of this last, perfect summer. THE LAST SUMMER is a sweepingly epic and gloriously intimate commercial debut - a beautiful and haunting story of lost innocence and a powerful, enduring love.

As Tom prepares to join the front lines, neither he nor Clarissa can envision what lies ahead of them in the dark days and years to come. But soon the winds of war come to Deyning, as they come to all of Europe. Though her parents disapprove of their upstairs-downstairs friendship, the two are determined to see each other, and they meet in secret to share what becomes a deep and tender romance. Clarissa is drawn to Tom Cuthbert, the housekeeper's handsome son. In July of 1914, innocent, lovely Clarissa Granville lives with her parents and three brothers in the idyllic isolation of Deyning Park, a grand English country house, where she whiles away her days enjoying house parties, country walks and tennis matches.

An epic and enthralling love story set against the backdrop of the Great War.'F anny Blake, Woman and Home An enchanting read of Rachel Hore/Downton Abbey ilk, big storytelling stuff of social and political change spanning the First World War and beyond. I was almost seventeen when the spell of my childhood was broken.It was the beginning of summer and, unbeknown to any of us then, the end of a belle epoque. The Last Summer by Judith Kinghorn 4.6 (14) Paperback 16.00 Paperback 16.00 eBook 7.99 Audiobook 0.00 View All Available Formats & Editions Premium Members Get an Additional 10 Off. 'Don't miss The Last Summer by Judith Kinghorn.