REVIEW: The Last Sunrise by Anna Todd

The Last Sunrise by Anna Todd : Moving to the always sunny island of Majorca, was supposed to be a new start for Ry. A chance for her to finally find herself away from her sheltered life, overprotective mother and having to constantly worry about her chronic illness. Though her first steps into her new independent life only highlight just how naive and inexperienced she really is, but with the help of charming Spaniard Julian, this summer is going to change everything! As her sultry Majorca summer unfolds, Ry is forced to push down her carefully constructed walls, trust in the adventure, fall in love and prepare for the inevitable rollercoaster of emotions that Julian makes her feel… the question is what happens when summer ends?

I have to say I enjoyed The Last Sunrise a lot more than I had expected, this book offers more than just a summer romance, it is a heartfelt exploration of self worth, independence and the quiet courage it takes to start all over. Todd does a brilliant job in melting together this cute love story with a sense of personal growth and healing. Aside from being a really touching novel, I have to say that I just loved the backdrop of Majorca for this story, the island itself lends a sense of romantic wonder to the novel or this could just be me wanting to visit.

There was something so incredibly relatable about our leading lady that just made me instantly want to root Ry on as she figured out her way and tried to find herself on her own terms. We get to see her really step out of all her restrains and see her find love, embrace the world on her terms, battle her fears head on and just live in the moment. I found the push and pull between her mothers protectiveness and Ry’s desire to spreed her wings, incredibly well depicted. Now for our charming Spaniard, Julian.

Our hero was the perfect counterpart for Ry, he embodied everything that she wanted to achieve but was to scared to do so, Julian was free spirited, adventures, charming and truly living his life to the fullest. We get to see him push Ry to her limits and really get her to break down the walls that have been holding her in all these years. While on the surface Julian looks like the carefree chill guy but he to has his own share of scars and issues, it is just that he does not allow these things to define him or hold him back, this is the key difference between our two main characters, and also why they work so well together.

The chemistry between Ry and Julian is palpable! We get to see the slow burn build up and really see how their summer fling transforms into something so much more deep. I really enjoyed getting to see Julian teaching Ry to let down her walls and learn to trust not just him but herself. Through their interactions, Ry sheds the weight of her past and begins to embrace the possibility of love, independence and the beauty of life outside the boundaries she’s known and this is truly what makes this book so beautiful to read.

The Last Sunrise was so much more than just a love story, this book highlights just how important it is to live for each moment and to appreciate the beauty in all the small things. If you are looking for a book that is filled with heart then this definitely a book for you!

Book Info:

Publication: May 6, 2025 | Gallery Books |

Between chronic health issues and an overprotective mother, twenty-two-year-old Oriah Pera feels like she’s stuck waiting for her life to begin. But when her mother’s job takes them to Majorca, Ry knows this summer could be the start of her very own coming-of-age story.

In her first small act of rebellion, she heads off to the beach alone and meets an infuriatingly charming Spaniard. Julian makes Ry feel even more naive and inexperienced than she normally does, but she can’t tamp down her growing attraction.

As the summer continues, Julian pulls Ry out of her shell and into the adventures she’s always craved. But with her return to America looming, Ry must decide if she’s brave enough to finally follow her heart and live for herself.