TJ's Last Summer in Cape Cod by Garfield Whyte is a nostalgic look at that grey area between youth and maturity. TJ shares a special bond with his Uncle Peter. In the last summer of his high school life, he is faced with various events that will test his relationships, his resolve and his character, and shape the man that he will eventually become.

It is not often that we see a book so accurately and poignantly describe the transition between youthful exuberance and adult resolve. TJ has it all, a promising future, a beautiful girlfriend and a loving family. Yet, influenced by his childish Uncle Peter, he risks everything time and time again to give in to momentary romances and passing fancies. One thing that Garfield Whyte accurately captures in this book is that most of adult life is all about putting out fires that one has started. Throughout the novel, both TJ and his uncle scramble to keep up with the consequences of their secrets and juggle their quests for excitement with the need to stabilize their relationships with the people around them. It's an exhilarating tightrope act that's often messy and occasionally brilliant.

There is no clear definition on when impudent, self-centered youth yields to maturity and both main characters are but pawns in the ever present struggle in everyone's life between immaturity and adulthood. Written in a descriptive style that evokes passion and emotion, Garfield Whyte has crafted a story that will make older readers wistfully look back on the chances they took and the mistakes they made during their younger days, and make younger readers yearn for a future filled with adventure and romance.

In TJ's Last Summer in Cape Cod: Don't Cry For Me Cape Cod by Garfield Whyte, TJ always spent the summer with his uncle since he was 15. He looked forward to spending time with Uncle Peter and all the adventures he got to experience. But now he was 18 and this summer was going to be different; he had a girlfriend whom he could not bear to leave behind. During those past summers, TJ had been the sole witness and confidant to Uncle Peter and his endless shenanigans with the different women in his life. As such, TJ felt Uncle Peter owed him and it was time to collect; it was time for Uncle Peter to return the favour and cover for TJ. To TJ's delight, Uncle Peter was more than eager to comply and he even came up with the perfect plan for the two of them to spend time together without TJ leaving his girlfriend's side. Follow the wicked adventures of this duo as TJ finds himself at a crossroads between being an honorable man or the ladies' man his uncle groomed him to be.

TJ's Last Summer in Cape Cod: Don't Cry For Me Cape Cod by Garfield Whyte is a thrilling tale of YA romance and drama that will appeal to readers across different age ranges because of the unique plot and clever writing style that will draw in both young and mature readers. The book is a charming combination of romance, drama, passion, solid storyline and characters that are both relatable and memorable. I found all the characters to be fascinating, but most especially I was captivated by Maggie as she went through her different phases of innocence, confusion, distrust and love. She grew with the story and her growth was amazing to follow. Lovers of YA romance will find TJ's Last Summer in Cape Cod a worthy read.

I just completed this long book and I do consider it a good read. I wanted to send out the review quickly before the holidays. There was really nothing in the book that offended me, maybe some of the things that the uncle does were questionable. But he’s just a character and I can live with it. There’s a bit of references to sex, so do keep that in mind before handing over this book to young kids. Although some sections can be considered objectionable, overall it was a good work. And I have no trouble recommending this book or reading other works by this author.