Last Summer at Camp

Jessie, the devoted camp director, learns the beloved Camp Chickawah will be sold after this summer. The news devastates her—camp is her home, her identity, and her only constant. As she and her loyal staff, including Dot and Mr. Billy, prepare for what they believe is the final season, Jessie is determined to make it unforgettable. She hatches a plan: open the camp to adults for one last nostalgic summer, inviting former campers to relive their youth. The bittersweet energy is palpable as Jessie balances her heartbreak with the hope of giving everyone, including herself, a meaningful goodbye.

Friendship Fractures and Regrets

Hillary, once Jessie's inseparable camp best friend, is now a successful business consultant in Chicago, living by a childhood checklist for success. Years ago, she broke their promise to be counselors together, choosing a career-boosting internship instead. The fallout was silent and deep—neither reached out, and their friendship faded. When Hillary receives Jessie's invitation to return as Arts and Crafts director, she's torn between her old life and her current one, including her safe but passionless relationship with Aaron. Ultimately, she chooses camp, hoping to rediscover herself and perhaps mend what was lost.

Adult Camp: A New Hope

Jessie's adult camp idea is a hit—registrations pour in, and former campers are eager to return. The staff assembles: Dot, the gruff but loving assistant director; Cooper, the charismatic chef; Zac and Zoey, the newlywed waterfront team; and, unexpectedly, Hillary. Tensions simmer as Jessie and Hillary navigate their awkward reunion, both haunted by the past. Meanwhile, William Lucas "Luke" Duncan, a once-popular counselor turned reclusive novelist, arrives with his aging dog, demanding solitude to write. The stage is set for a summer of healing, laughter, and unexpected connections.

Ghosts of Camp Past

As training week unfolds, Jessie and Hillary struggle to bridge the gap between them. Memories of their childhood bond and painful separation color every interaction. Hillary's presence stirs up Jessie's feelings of abandonment, while Hillary is reminded of the carefree, creative self she lost. The camp's familiar rhythms—meals, games, crafts—bring both comfort and discomfort, as the staff and returning campers confront who they were and who they've become. The camp itself, worn but beloved, becomes a symbol of both enduring connection and inevitable change.

Reunions and Awkward Beginnings

The first week of adult camp is a whirlwind of activity and emotion. Hillary's attempts to help Jessie with business ideas are met with defensiveness, reigniting old insecurities. Cooper's flirtatious energy and culinary prowess draw attention, including Hillary's, leading to a playful but complicated connection. Luke remains aloof, his sadness and need for privacy masking deeper wounds. Pranks, games, and camp traditions bring moments of joy and nostalgia, but also force the characters to confront the ways they've hurt each other—and themselves.

Old Flames, New Sparks

As the summer progresses, relationships deepen and shift. Hillary and Cooper embark on a secret, rule-filled fling that challenges Hillary's self-image as "not fun." Their chemistry is undeniable, but emotional walls remain. Jessie and Luke, after years of misunderstanding, begin to see each other's pain and loneliness. A near-drowning incident and a heartfelt conversation reveal the truth behind their past rift and spark a slow-burning attraction. The camp's magic works on everyone, offering second chances at love and friendship.

The Art of Letting Go

The reality of the camp's impending closure looms large. Jessie is forced to confront her identity outside of Camp Chickawah, while Hillary grapples with the possibility of losing both her rekindled friendship and her new romance. Cooper's past as a womanizer and his fear of commitment threaten his relationship with Hillary. Luke's grief over his dying dog and his failed writing career mirror Jessie's own sense of loss. Through shared vulnerability, the characters begin to let go of old hurts and open themselves to new possibilities.

Pranks, Games, and Healing

Camp traditions—Color Wars, talent shows, and pranks—become vehicles for healing. Jessie and Hillary's teamwork during games rekindles their friendship, reminding them of the power of shared joy. A prank war with Luke breaks down barriers, leading to honest conversations and forgiveness. The staff's camaraderie deepens, and even the most guarded hearts begin to thaw. The camp's rituals, once taken for granted, are cherished as acts of love and remembrance.

Love, Loss, and Second Chances

As the summer nears its end, losses accumulate: Scout, Luke's beloved dog, passes away, and the camp's fate seems sealed after a failed attempt to buy it as a co-op. Jessie and Luke finally give in to their feelings, finding solace in each other's arms. Hillary, after rejecting a public proposal from Aaron, realizes she wants a life defined by joy, not obligation. Cooper and Hillary confront their fears and admit their feelings, choosing each other despite uncertainty. The characters learn that love and loss are inseparable—and that both are worth the risk.

The Co-op Dream

A discovery in Lola Valentine's will reveals Jessie owns a small share of the camp, with a clause preventing its sale if any beneficiary wants to keep it as a camp. With Hillary's legal savvy and her father's help, they race against time to secure an injunction and present their case. The staff and community rally, facing down bulldozers and legal threats. The camp's survival hangs in the balance, testing everyone's courage and commitment.

Betrayals and Breakthroughs

The final confrontation with Jack Valentine is tense and dramatic. Mary, moved by Jessie's devotion and the camp's legacy, sides with her, tipping the balance. The staff's unity and the campers' support prove decisive. In the aftermath, Jessie and Hillary reaffirm their friendship, and both couples—Jessie and Luke, Hillary and Cooper—choose to build lives rooted in authenticity and love. The camp is saved, not just as a place, but as a living community.

The Final Stand

With the camp's future secured, the staff and community celebrate with one last campfire, sharing "roses and thorns" and dreaming up new possibilities. Jessie and Hillary commit to running the camp together, blending heart and business sense. Cooper and Hillary plan a future that balances adventure and stability. Luke, inspired by the summer, finds his writing voice again and imagines a life with Jessie. The camp's legacy is renewed, and the characters embrace the unknown with hope.

Endings and New Beginnings

The epilogue finds Camp Chickawah thriving under the new co-op, with Jessie and Hillary at the helm. The staff, now family, return for another summer, and the camp's traditions continue. Jessie and Luke are engaged, dreaming of a future together at camp. Hillary and Cooper have found happiness in partnership and purpose. The story ends with the assurance that, while nothing lasts forever, the bonds forged at camp—and the courage to begin again—endure.

Forever Friends, Forever Camp

The final message is one of belonging, resilience, and the transformative power of friendship and love. Camp Chickawah is more than a place—it's a community, a feeling, and a promise that, no matter what changes, the people who make us feel at home are always with us. The story closes with Jessie and Hillary, side by side, looking out over the lake, certain that whatever comes next, they'll face it together.

Characters

Jessie Pederson

Jessie is the steadfast, passionate director of Camp Chickawah, having devoted her life to the place that gave her stability as a child of divorce. Her identity is deeply entwined with camp, making the threat of its closure existential. Jessie is nurturing, energetic, and sometimes stubborn, setting the emotional tone for everyone around her. Her greatest wound is the loss of her friendship with Hillary, which left her wary of letting people in. Over the summer, Jessie learns to face her grief, accept help, and risk vulnerability again. Her journey is one of rediscovering self-worth beyond her role, embracing love with Luke, and finding the courage to build a future rooted in both tradition and change.

Hillary Goldberg

Hillary is Jessie's childhood best friend, now a successful but unfulfilled business consultant. Driven by a need for approval and a fear of loss (stemming from her mother's early death), Hillary has lived by a rigid checklist, prioritizing achievement over joy. Her decision years ago to choose career over camp—and Jessie—haunts her, fueling both guilt and a longing for reconnection. At camp, Hillary confronts her own limitations, learns to let go of perfectionism, and rediscovers her playful, creative side. Her romance with Cooper challenges her self-image and opens her to real intimacy. Ultimately, Hillary chooses a life defined by authenticity, friendship, and the courage to follow her heart.

William Lucas "Luke" Duncan

Luke, once the charismatic "Man" of camp, returns as a reclusive, brooding novelist struggling with failure and grief. His emotional distance masks deep loneliness and regret, especially over his past treatment of Jessie. The loss of his dog, Scout, and his stalled career mirror his sense of purposelessness. Through Jessie's persistent kindness and the camp's healing environment, Luke confronts his fears, opens up about his pain, and allows himself to love again. His relationship with Jessie is transformative, teaching him that vulnerability is strength and that home is found in connection, not isolation.

Cooper

Cooper, the camp's chef, is a former "friend-zoned" kid turned confident adult, known for his humor, warmth, and culinary genius. Beneath his playful exterior lies a history of insecurity and heartbreak, especially after being used as a "fling before the ring." His rule-breaking, flirtatious nature is both a defense and an invitation. With Hillary, Cooper finds someone who sees past his reputation, challenging him to be honest and vulnerable. Their relationship is a dance of boundaries and breakthroughs, ultimately leading Cooper to choose a life of meaning and partnership over empty thrills.

Dot

Dot is Jessie's right hand and the camp's institutional memory, having served for decades. She's blunt, fiercely loyal, and divides the world into "camp people" and "pond scum." Dot's tough love and dry humor ground the staff, and her own late-in-life romance with Yvonne adds depth to her character. She's a model of resilience, adaptability, and the wisdom that comes from embracing change while honoring the past.

Zac and Zoey

Zac and Zoey bring energy, humor, and a touch of chaos to camp life. Their affectionate, adventurous partnership is a model of healthy love and teamwork. Zoey's exuberance and Zac's easygoing nature make them beloved by campers and staff alike. Their journey includes navigating new marriage, professional challenges, and the prospect of starting a family, all while keeping the camp spirit alive.

Mr. Billy

The camp's longtime groundskeeper, Mr. Billy is a man of few words but deep commitment. His presence is a reminder of the camp's history and the quiet labor that sustains community. As the camp faces closure, Mr. Billy's visible aging and vulnerability underscore the stakes of what's being lost. His pride in Jessie and the staff is a testament to the intergenerational bonds that define Camp Chickawah.

Jack Valentine

Jack, heir to the camp, is motivated by profit and a long-standing grudge against the place that consumed his parents' attention. His refusal to honor the camp's legacy and his manipulative tactics make him a formidable obstacle. Jack's actions force the protagonists to unite, fight for what matters, and ultimately outmaneuver him through community and legal savvy.

Mary Valentine

Mary, Jack's sister, is torn between loyalty to family and love for the camp. Her health struggles and gentle nature make her vulnerable, but she ultimately finds the courage to support Jessie and the co-op, honoring her parents' true wishes. Mary's decision is pivotal in saving the camp and restoring its legacy.

Aaron Feinberg

Aaron, Hillary's boyfriend, is the embodiment of her old checklist: successful, stable, and approved by her father. His lack of passion, emotional distance, and self-serving "break" proposal reveal the emptiness of a life lived by others' expectations. Aaron's public proposal and subsequent rejection by Hillary mark her turning point toward self-determination and authentic happiness.

Plot Devices

Dual Timelines and Perspectives

The novel alternates between Jessie and Hillary's points of view, allowing readers to experience their internal struggles, misunderstandings, and gradual reconciliation. This structure mirrors the duality of past and present, childhood and adulthood, loss and renewal. The interplay of perspectives deepens the emotional arc and highlights the power of empathy and communication.

Setting as Character

The camp is more than a backdrop—it's a living symbol of belonging, nostalgia, and the tension between tradition and change. Its threatened closure raises existential questions for the characters, forcing them to confront what home means and how to carry its spirit forward.

Symbolic Rituals and Traditions

Camp rituals—Color Wars, talent shows, pranks, "roses and thorns"—serve as catalysts for character development and reconciliation. These shared experiences evoke childhood innocence, foster vulnerability, and create space for healing. The repetition of "see you next summer" and the "I live ten months for two" button encapsulate the longing for continuity and the pain of impermanence.

Romantic and Platonic Love Arcs

The novel balances romantic subplots (Jessie/Luke, Hillary/Cooper) with the central friendship between Jessie and Hillary. Both types of love are tested by fear, past wounds, and the challenge of embracing change. The resolution affirms that true belonging comes from both chosen family and romantic partnership.

Legal and Financial Stakes

The discovery of the will's clause and the race to secure an injunction introduce urgency and suspense. The co-op model embodies the theme of collective action and the belief that community can triumph over individual greed. These devices ground the emotional stakes in real-world challenges, making the victory hard-won and meaningful.

Foreshadowing and Callbacks

Early references to friendship bracelets, camp songs, and childhood promises are revisited and reinterpreted as the characters grow. The motif of "letting go" and "trying anyway" is foreshadowed in musical lyrics and camp lore, culminating in the characters' decisions to risk love and embrace new beginnings.

Analysis

Until Next Summer is a heartfelt, multi-layered exploration of belonging, loss, and the courage to begin again. At its core, the novel asks what it means to find—and fight for—home, whether that's a place, a person, or a sense of self. Through the intertwined journeys of Jessie and Hillary, the story examines the wounds of childhood, the pain of broken friendships, and the redemptive power of vulnerability. The camp setting is both a nostalgic haven and a crucible for growth, forcing characters to confront the limits of tradition and the necessity of change. The novel's structure, alternating perspectives and timelines, mirrors the messy, nonlinear process of healing and reconciliation. By blending romantic and platonic love arcs, the book affirms that true happiness is found in community, authenticity, and the willingness to risk heartbreak for the sake of joy. The legal and financial plot devices ground the emotional stakes, while the camp's rituals and symbols evoke universal longings for continuity and meaning. Ultimately, Until Next Summer is a celebration of resilience, friendship, and the belief that, even when everything ends, the journey—and the people we share it with—are always worth it.

Last updated: February 20, 2026