Last Summer at Maine Chance by Jessica Everett

 The setting for the Last Summer at Maine Chance is based on reality. In 1934, Elizabeth Arden opened the Maine Chance, the first destination spa in America. 

She chose Maine as its natural beauty appealed to the city people who searched for peace and quiet. The lavish estate attracted wealthy guests. The real treatments and events of the time are woven into the novel.

The Maine Turnpike project was a real project which opens the story with protagonist Cynthia Proctor in 1954. She is chosen to take part in assisting on a projected economic impact of the planned Maine Turnpike expansion on tourism. Her name doesn’t appear under the article as women are not seen fit to study economic major at the time.

The school doesn’t renew her scholarship and the paid position she hoped to win by writing the article is given to a boy with better connections. She doesn’t get much support from her parents as her mother wants her to get married instead of studying major that is meant for men. Her focus is to find funds to finish the last two years of her studies.

During the summer break, she gets invited to spend the summer with her roommate from Barlow College whose family owns a cottage on the lake in Maine. While there, she hears of an opening for a maid at Maine Chance Farm. She grabs the opportunity as at her forefront is earning money to finish her college degree.

One of the guests at Maine Chance Farm is Geraldine, an artist. She doesn’t enjoy the strict diet at the spa. As she sneaks out to the kitchen, she encounters Cynthia, who intrigues her. With her flamboyant character, she sees an opportunity for her stay to be much more interesting. There is a theme of women supporting each other in challenging times which has a warm touch to this story.

Dolores who also works at the spa as a maid dreams of actually giving the spa treatments. She’s been secretly studying how to apply Elizabeth Arden’s products, but at the same time she limits herself with her thinking of who she can become. Half a way drive to get professional training seems like a world away. She is easily discouraged by naysayers.

Cynthia, on the other hand, is a strong character who doesn’t get easily discouraged by others. Despite struggling with money, she continues to dream big and moving toward her goal. Cynthia opens Delores eyes to something greater which is a classic example how we all need it at some point of our lives, the question is do we get support that Dolores gets from Cynthia. I enjoyed this encouraging aspect of this story.

The novel is written with entertaining prose even when touching upon rigid social rules of the time. It is absorbing with pages turning fast. The characters are interestingly developed. The whole read is a delight. It seems as a light read yet very profound.  

Released in May 2026

Source: Sourcebooks Landmark