The perfect wife and mother finds the perfect temptation in this "perfect summer cocktail of sex, sun, and scandal" (Kirkus Reviews).Claire has a problem with setting limits. All her life she has taken on every responsibility, assumed every burden, granted every request. Claire wants it all—and in the eyes of her friends, she has it: a devoted husband, four beautiful children, even a successful career as an artist. So when she agrees to chair the committee for Nantucket's social event of the year, she knows she can handle it. Claire can handle anything.But when planning the gala propels her into the orbit of billionaire Lock Dixon, unexpected sparks begin to fly. Lock insists on working closely with Claire—often over a bottle of wine—and before long she can't ignore the subtle touches and lingering looks. To her surprise, she can't ignore how they make her feel, either. Claire finds the gala, her life, and herself spinning out of control.A Summer Affair captures the love, loss, and limbo of an illicit romance and unchecked passion as it takes us on a brave and breathless journey into the heart of one modern woman."Think you know where this is going? Think again. Hilderbrand is way too smart to give away the whole story in her title." —Elisabeth Egan, New York Times
Download and start listening now!
"I really liked this book. It navigates the waters of relationships and in particular those of Claire Danner Crispin, a talented glass blower artist. Her affair with the Lock Dixon, director of an organization that aids local children's lives in affluent Nantucket MA is sudden and passionate. Years earlier Claire felt that she had not tried hard enough to keep Lock's wife Daphne from driving drunk and a resulting accident left her without the ability to filter her thoughts and Claire filled with guilt. Lock asked Claire to co-chair the organization's annual benefit gala because her first love, Matthew (now Max West), was a huge rock star, and Lock wanted him for the benefit and he wanted Claire to create a on-of-a-kind glass piece to auction at the affair. Claire has four children, including a baby and a rather macho and rough-around-the-edges contractor husband, Jason. Over the year between her taking on the gala and all that goes with it and the event itself Claire and Lock carry on their illicit secret life and as the gala approaches everything begins to implode, including her relationships with the three key men in her life. It's a fun and fast moving read and has a big cast of characters with stories of their own. I would recommend it to take on a trip." — Linda (4 out of 5 stars)
"I really liked this book. It navigates the waters of relationships and in particular those of Claire Danner Crispin, a talented glass blower artist. Her affair with the Lock Dixon, director of an organization that aids local children's lives in affluent Nantucket MA is sudden and passionate. Years earlier Claire felt that she had not tried hard enough to keep Lock's wife Daphne from driving drunk and a resulting accident left her without the ability to filter her thoughts and Claire filled with guilt. Lock asked Claire to co-chair the organization's annual benefit gala because her first love, Matthew (now Max West), was a huge rock star, and Lock wanted him for the benefit and he wanted Claire to create a on-of-a-kind glass piece to auction at the affair. Claire has four children, including a baby and a rather macho and rough-around-the-edges contractor husband, Jason. Over the year between her taking on the gala and all that goes with it and the event itself Claire and Lock carry on their illicit secret life and as the gala approaches everything begins to implode, including her relationships with the three key men in her life. It's a fun and fast moving read and has a big cast of characters with stories of their own. I would recommend it to take on a trip."
“Voyeuristic Fun.”
“The story flows as gently as a summer breeze, carrying the listener to its refreshing conclusion.”
“Witnessing Claire’s walk on the dark side is pure voyeuristic fun…A perfect summer cocktail of sex, sun and scandal.”
“A gem of a summer read with a glamorous location, elite lifestyle, and Hilderbrand’s appealing take on the constant stress that fills the lives of women everywhere.”
Think you know where this is going? Think again. Hilderbrand is way too smart to give away the whole story in her title.
" This wasn't bad - although the central character Claire annoyed me - she's got it all, but is dissatisfied so has an affair - and I guess the story was about her coming to realize this for herself. It felt a bit incomplete at the end. "
" Let me be clear: I do not condone affairs. But dang, I loved this book. "
" I love the setting of Nantucket in her books. the writing is clean and fluid. she creates characters and draws you into their lives. the plot seems pretty simple but you don't know where the characters are heading so you can't put the book down! she my new favorite author for entertainment reading. "
" Just picked this one up. Author is local(Nantucket, MA). Sounds like a really good beach read! "
" This was a fun read about this busy mother/artist who for years put aside her talent to raise a family. She gets in touch with all of that again but unfortunately thru an affair. This book did portray the realities and entanglement of an affair and the effect on the family. I did end up giving it away after done because although hard to put down I wouldn't want to go thru what Clair did...for a second time. "
" I didn't like this book. I found it captivating while I read it, but did not enjoy the topic. I simply did not like the idea around it, or how the affair was presented. "
" I don't think there was a single character that was even remotely likeable. "
" Books about cheating just make me sad. "
" Handed down by a friend. Loved Blue Bistro by Hilderbrand. Summer Affair doesn't even compare. "
" I read this because I loved Barefoot, which is by this same author. While this book had some good qualities, it wasn't as good as the other. "
" I have decided to quit this book. I only made it to page 103 but the characters aren't really all that likable. Maybe I will pick it up again some other day if I ever run out of good books to read. "
" Only the setting any good "
" I really liked both Hilderbrand books I';ve read so far. Both books take place in nantucket and if you've eveer been there, bring back the charm of the island. Characters are well drawnand plots are well constructed. good lazy day reads... "
" Just not a big summer romance book girl. "
" Normally love this author, but this was one of my least favorite; perhaps it was the subject matter that was difficult for me to fully embrace, but I just couldn't feel good about this novel. "
" This book was good, but too predictable for me I still enjoyed it. This author is easy to read. "
" Easy reading. Good chick-lit book. "
" This is my first Elin Hilderbrand book, and I think she is an excellent writer. It is a great beach book that feels so real. Full of friendship, love, the realities of day to day life, and scandal, I can't put it down! "
" I can't get enough of her books... "
" Not her best but still a fun read after visiting Nantucket. "
" It's real housewives of Nantucket "
" Not my favorite book of all time, but not too bad either. It wasn't totally predictable, which was nice. Afterwards I had a dream about marrying a celebrity. Oh dream, please come true :) "
" Not the best Hilderbrand books, the other I've read were much better. But that didn't make me put it down either! "
" Purchased on Nantucket and read non-stop in about three days. Her books make the magic of Nantucket last just a little bit longer until the book is finished of course, and your back to your work-a-day life. "
" Not my favorite of hers, but a quick, easy, beach read. "
" I could not wait to finish this...to end the torture of reading it. "
" For chick lit..this was a good one. "
" Quick read. Perfect beach book...simple, quick, cute, mindless.... "
" Enjoyed it. A couple good 'lessons' in there, but maybe not on par with Hilderbrand's other works. "
" Not my favorite by one of my favorite authors. I found the protaganist unrealistic and quite self absorbed. Struggled to finish. "
" A sweet story - nothing too exciting. "
" I thought it was an easy read. It was a bit of a slow start but got better as the book went on. The ending was not what I was thinking, but it wasn't horrible. It gave me what I thought it would and so I can't really be totally disappointed. "
" It was a very good book. I liked the way it ended. "
" Quick read. Pretty mindless beach type read, with drama about an affair in Nantucket. "
" I enjoyed this book as a 'light' fluffy book to read. I read it fairly quickly and quite enjoy Elin Hilderbrand's novels. It's not really a 'memorable' book, but I enjoyed the story. "
" Loved this book! My only complaint would be that the story seemed to drag a bit in the middle--but never enough to make me want to stop reading. "
" A quick and easy read with believable characters and situations. "
" Blah. I found myself not caring about the stupid summer gala, or all the rich, privileged people living on Nantucket. Too many other books that are actually worth my time waiting to be read. Next... "
" I have been disappointed in Elin's last two books now; very slow reads till the very end. "
" Brain candy....was just sitting on my shelf and I had nothing to read. I hate reading about infidelity. "
" Good Summer book.....lots of romance. "
Elin Hilderbrand is the New York Times bestselling author of numerous novels, including the Nantucket series, the Winter series, and over a dozen stand-alone novels, as well as two novellas. Her book Barefoot was a finalist for the 2008 Romantic Novel of the Year Award.
Isabel Keating has earned several AudioFile Earphones Awards for her audiobook narration and twice been a finalist for the prestigious Audie Award for best narration. As an actress, she garnered a Drama Desk Award, Theatre World Award, and a Tony nomination for her critically acclaimed 2004 Broadway performance as Judy Garland in The Boy from Oz. She was awarded the Helen Hayes Award for Best Actress in 2000 for her portrayal of Flora Crewe in Tom Stoppard’s Indian Ink.
Audiobooks Were Restored to Your Cart
[ShoppingCartItemsAddedOnMerge] audiobook(s) were left in your cart from a previous visit, and saved to your account for your convenience. You may view or remove these audiobooks on the shopping cart page.