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Summerland: A Novel Audiobook
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(3.00) - 6,865 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
The "queen of the summer novel" explores the power of community, family, and honesty-and proves that even from the ashes of sorrow new love can take flight (Kirkus Reviews).
A warm June evening, a local tradition: the students of Nantucket High have gathered for a bonfire on the beach. What begins as a graduation night celebration ends in tragedy after a horrible car crash leaves the driver, Penny Alistair, dead, and her twin brother in a coma. The other passengers, Penny's boyfriend, Jake, and her friend Demeter, are physically unhurt--but the emotional damage is overwhelming. Questions linger about what happened before Penny took the wheel.
As summer unfolds, startling truths are revealed about the survivors and their parents, the secrets kept, promises broken, and hearts betrayed.
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"Another fantastic book by Hilderbrand. The year-rounders on Nantucket are shocked when a car full of 4 teens is involved in a fatal accident. The story is told from various perspectives, as everyone tries to figure out exactly what happens. I couldn't put it down. My only complaint is that I wished there had been a more detailed ending."
— Courtney (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Hilderbrand…has a gift for building tension, and the reader will be willing to do just about anything to discover the real reason why Penny would drive herself, her brother, and her boyfriend over an embankment into oblivion.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“Hilderbrand…has once again written an engaging story wonderfully illustrating the often complex lives of young people struggling toward adulthood and the roles of parents and the community in negotiating that journey.”
— Booklist -
“A sensitive glimpse into the lives of damaged people groping their way toward healing.”
— Kirkus Reviews
Awards
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A New York Times bestseller
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A USA Today bestseller
Summerland Listener Reviews
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" I liked the book, different from the others in terms of the subject matter but always with its own style. "
— Cozy, 10/1/2023 -
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Anne, 11/2/2021
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" I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Great summer read. "
— Tara, 2/13/2014 -
" Easy read. Tragedy, love story. I enjoyed it but nothing deep or thought provoking. "
— Traci, 2/11/2014 -
" I. LOVED. THIS. BOOK. The characters were complexly written with so many quirks that were endearing. I really did not want it to end! With the backdrop of Nantucket, just lovely. Not the normal Hildebrand beach read, this book is tragic, with underlying guilt by all involved. "
— Racheal, 2/11/2014 -
" I really enjoyed this book but it wasn't the light summer beach read I had anticipated. Still very good and highly recommend it. "
— Michele, 2/9/2014 -
" So glad to be done with this; I only finished it because it was Elin Hilderbrand...but it was just not that good. It was boring- same thing over and over from the various characters viewpoints....I just wanted to finish it and move on. Not her best by far.... "
— Cathy, 1/30/2014 -
" I really liked this book. It definitely had sad themes parts but it was written well, kept my attention and I really got involved with the characters. "
— Kelly, 1/27/2014 -
" Just OK for me. Sad, seemed to repeat and could have just cut to the chase so to speak. "
— Janet, 1/24/2014 -
" I really enjoyed this book. The characters seemed very real. I liked that I got all the closure I wanted from each character and how the dealt with the main situation of the story and also all the small things that each character brought to the book. "
— Julie, 1/18/2014 -
" Great read, even if it took me to the end of the book to think so. Made me think about my own relationship with my kids who are the same age. "
— Cindy, 1/16/2014 -
" Good summer beach read. I read this book over spring break. I love Nantucket so it was an easy/fast read. "
— Megan, 1/11/2014 -
" For light, summertime reading, Elin Hilderbrand usually delivers. Summerland did not. I found it tedious and predictable. And I was so dissapointed as I was looking forward to this read. "
— Shannon, 1/6/2014 -
" Love her beach reads...this is a 4 for a great summer book set in Nantucket. I love reading about all the Nantucket places that I used to visit when we vacationed there. "
— Debbie, 12/18/2013 -
" Good read. It was a little bit predictable. "
— Susan, 12/18/2013 -
" I really enjoyed the book. Fans of the author shouldn't be disappointed. "
— Meredith, 12/8/2013 -
" This was the first book that I have read by this author but it won't be the last. I throughly enjoyed it and liked the characters. Very human and down to earth. "
— Dawn, 10/28/2013 -
" A good easy read. Keeps you interested the whole time. "
— Debbie, 10/18/2013 -
" good beach read.. "
— Annie, 7/14/2013 -
" A little bit different then her usual fare but still really good. Great summer read. "
— Gayle, 5/12/2013 -
" Wanted this book to go on and on....so good! "
— Carol, 3/17/2013 -
" Kind of a sad summer story. Teenage drama with a few twists and turns. "
— Mary, 11/27/2012 -
" I really enjoyed this book. I can't even count how many times my eyes filled with tears as I read. A great story told from MANY different perspectives. "
— Kristy, 10/30/2012 -
" Meh. The author was going for suspense and drama but missed the mark in so many ways. Reading this book made me think that I should be a bit choosier about how I spend my book time. "
— Rebecca, 10/27/2012 -
" A made for Lifetime Movie Channel movie of the week. A story with too much estrogen fantasy for my taste. I will not be reading this author in future. "
— Misteeyed, 9/19/2012 -
" This was just okay. I didn't love it....I didn't hate it. I didn't care when I finished reading it. "
— Donna, 7/24/2012 -
" pretty disappointing -- read like a soap opera; "
— Marie, 7/2/2012 -
" Loved it. Great characters. Engaging summer read. "
— Dani, 6/19/2012
About Elin Hilderbrand
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.
About Erin Bennett
Erin Bennett is an Earphones Award–winning narrator and a stage actress who played Carlie Roberts in the BBC radio drama Torchwood: Submission. She can be heard on several video games. Regional theater appearances include the Intiman, Pasadena Playhouse, Arizona Theatre Company, A Noise Within, Laguna Playhouse, and the Getty Villa. She trained at Boston University and the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.