Last Summer at Maine Chance

With a pinch of J. Courtney Sullivan's Maine and a dash of Lessons in Chemistry, Last Summer at Maine Chance transports readers to 1950s Maine, where one summer working at Elizabeth Arden's spa will teach a young economics student more than any classroom ever could.

Economics undergrad Cynthia Proctor knows everything about statistical impossibilities. In 1954, women like her from middle-class families do not earn degrees from prestigious New England colleges. When Cynthia receives notice that her scholarship will now be given to a male student, she knows her chances of graduating are slim.

But an invitation to spend the summer lakeside in Maine turns into a job at Elizabeth Arden's Maine Chance spa, where Cynthia will learn that the best investment of all is herself.


Genre: Historical

"Set at a rural spa in Maine and told through the voices of three women, young/old, rich/poor, this book gives a great feel for the 1950s. You will cheer the young heroine who battles the snobbery and prejudices of the time to come out on top. It's also a perfect vacation read with an escape to Maine." - Rhys Bowen

"A charming and spirited tale brimming with wit, heart and romance. Jessica Everett brings 1950s Maine to vivid life with grace and insight. Last Summer at Maine Chance introduces us to a plucky heroine navigating the fault lines of class, gender, and ambition. Even the legendary Elizabeth Arden comes to life on the page, and the setting, equal parts glamorous and revealing, is as luxurious as the story itself. Cynthia Proctor's journey is as enlightening as it is engaging-a story of self-discovery and transformation." - Patti Callahan Henry

"Sparkling, smart, and big-hearted, Last Summer at Maine Chance transports readers to Elizabeth Arden's legendary Maine spa in the 1950s. A scholarship student hiding a staff job, a housekeeper guarding family secrets, and a widowed artist searching for renewal find their lives unexpectedly intertwined over one transformative summer. Jessica Everett has written a captivating story of ambition, reinvention, and the bonds that change us." - Christina Baker Kline

"The Last Summer at Maine Chance by Jessica Everett is the perfect summer read. This fun, fascinating novel set in 1954 is as relevant and significant to women today as it was back then. Book clubs will love it!" - Nancy Thayer

"I loved this charming, witty, and heartwarming story of ambition, self-discovery, and the courage to break societal expectations. Jessica Everett's novel, set in an iconic place and time, is funny and full of surprises-and it delivers a powerful message that sometimes the best investment is in yourself. A must-read for anyone who believes in rewriting the rules." - Susan Wiggs