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The First And Last Summer
One final summer in the place she loves.
One new friendship that will change everything.
For widowed Kat Beauchamp, returning to Mallorca is bittersweet. This will be her last summer on the island she adores. But when she crosses paths with Lily, a young woman struggling to heal a broken heart, an unexpected friendship blossoms and voices from the past begin whispering to the present.
As the golden days unfold, Kat confronts memories of her first love, lost to bitter political divides in the 1970s, while Lily finds herself falling for a man whose secrets threaten to shatter her fragile new beginning. But with secrets rising from the past and the future under threat, both women must will they risk opening their hearts again?
Two women. Two generations. Two lives entwined by love, legacy and hope.
The First and Last Summer is an unforgettable story of friendship, second chances, and the enduring magic of first love.
One new friendship that will change everything.
For widowed Kat Beauchamp, returning to Mallorca is bittersweet. This will be her last summer on the island she adores. But when she crosses paths with Lily, a young woman struggling to heal a broken heart, an unexpected friendship blossoms and voices from the past begin whispering to the present.
As the golden days unfold, Kat confronts memories of her first love, lost to bitter political divides in the 1970s, while Lily finds herself falling for a man whose secrets threaten to shatter her fragile new beginning. But with secrets rising from the past and the future under threat, both women must will they risk opening their hearts again?
Two women. Two generations. Two lives entwined by love, legacy and hope.
The First and Last Summer is an unforgettable story of friendship, second chances, and the enduring magic of first love.
382 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 12, 2025
23 people are currently reading
4 people want to read
About the author
Ruth Saberton
50 books353 followersRuth Saberton writes uplifting, escapist fiction set in beautiful places where friendship, love, and second chances take centre stage. Her novels transport readers to the Cornish coast and beyond, blending warmth, humour, and heartfelt storytelling.
She is the author of more than thirty books, including the Polwenna Bay and Rosecraddick series, which have found loyal readers through Amazon and beyond. Alongside contemporary fiction, she is currently working on a layered dual-timeline novel spanning early twentieth-century Europe and the present day.
When she isn’t writing, Ruth can usually be found outdoors riding, walking, or gathering inspiration from landscapes and weather that often find their way into her stories.
You can stay in touch and hear about new releases and writing life by joining her newsletter here:
https://mailchi.mp/d84b8d78639f/ruth-...
Amazon UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ruth-Saberto...
Amazon.com https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...
ewww.ruthsaberton.com
www.facebook.com/ruthsabertonauthor
She is the author of more than thirty books, including the Polwenna Bay and Rosecraddick series, which have found loyal readers through Amazon and beyond. Alongside contemporary fiction, she is currently working on a layered dual-timeline novel spanning early twentieth-century Europe and the present day.
When she isn’t writing, Ruth can usually be found outdoors riding, walking, or gathering inspiration from landscapes and weather that often find their way into her stories.
You can stay in touch and hear about new releases and writing life by joining her newsletter here:
https://mailchi.mp/d84b8d78639f/ruth-...
Amazon UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ruth-Saberto...
Amazon.com https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...
ewww.ruthsaberton.com
www.facebook.com/ruthsabertonauthor
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 9, 2025
After heartbreak, Lily is spending her first summer in Mallorca, Spain. She is unhappy with her job as an au pair to a wealthy couple and their two children. After a slight mishap, Lily crosses paths with Kat Beauchamp and an unexpected friendship blossoms. Kat offers Lily a job at her villa on the hill. When Lily finds herself falling for a man whose secrets threaten to shatter her fragile new beginning, she must decide if she will risk her heart again.
Kat, recently widowed and nearing 80, looks at this summer in Mallorca as her last summer in the place she loves. She confronts the memories of her first summer and her first love lost to her in the 1970s by bitter political divides.
Two women, two generations. Two lives entwined by love, secrets and hope. The First and Last Summer is an unforgettable story of friendship, second chances and the enduring magic of first love.
Most of the stories I have read by Ruth Saberton are set in Cornwall, England. This story is set in sunny Spain and is a delight from beginning to end.
Kat, recently widowed and nearing 80, looks at this summer in Mallorca as her last summer in the place she loves. She confronts the memories of her first summer and her first love lost to her in the 1970s by bitter political divides.
Two women, two generations. Two lives entwined by love, secrets and hope. The First and Last Summer is an unforgettable story of friendship, second chances and the enduring magic of first love.
Most of the stories I have read by Ruth Saberton are set in Cornwall, England. This story is set in sunny Spain and is a delight from beginning to end.
October 18, 2025
Absolutely brilliant
I absolutely loved reading this book. It was such a lovely romantic and emotional story. I would recommend that tissues are handy.
This book did not disappoint like all of Ruth Saberton's books you get right into the story from the first page.
I absolutely loved reading this book. It was such a lovely romantic and emotional story. I would recommend that tissues are handy.
This book did not disappoint like all of Ruth Saberton's books you get right into the story from the first page.
October 31, 2025
It took me a while to get into this book as there is a lot of descriptive information at the beginning with some of it repeated quite a lot. I persevered and ended up enjoying it. Although I did realise all the connections!
November 2, 2025
Obviously, I loved this book. Great characters, great story. I've read several books by Ruth Saberton and highly recommend her. Kat and Lily were great heroines, and Pablo and Rafe great heros. Lots of greats here, but that's how I feel about this book.
October 28, 2025
First and Last Summer
What a wonderful book it is a love story with a difference Ruth puts her heart and soul into this book and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
What a wonderful book it is a love story with a difference Ruth puts her heart and soul into this book and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
February 20, 2026
The story of young love and time gone by. From first loves to last loves. Follow along to find yourself in the exciting time of Kat and Pablo. A trust test of time and a never ending love.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews