This “deliciously addictive” (Kirkus) beach read from Elin Hilderbrand follows a family in upheaval after a cancelled wedding fills an island summer with heartache, laughter, and surprises.
Birdie Cousins has thrown herself into the details of her daughter Chess's lavish wedding, from the floating dance floor in her Connecticut back yard to the color of the cocktail napkins. Like any mother of a bride-to-be, she is weathering the storms of excitement and chaos, tears and joy. But Birdie, a woman who prides herself on preparing for every possibility, could never have predicted the late-night phone call from Chess, abruptly announcing that she's cancelled her engagement.
It's only the first hint of what will be a summer of upheavals and revelations. Before the dust has even begun to settle, far worse news arrives, sending Chess into a tailspin of despair. Reluctantly taking a break from the first new romance she's embarked on since the recent end of her 30-year marriage, Birdie circles the wagons and enlists the help of her younger daughter Tate and her own sister India. Soon all four are headed for beautiful, rustic Tuckernuck Island, off the coast of Nantucket, where their family has summered for generations. No phones, no television, no grocery store—a place without distractions where they can escape their troubles.
But throw sisters, daughters, ex-lovers, and long-kept secrets onto a remote island, and what might sound like a peaceful getaway becomes much more. Before summer has ended, dramatic truths are uncovered, old loves are rekindled, and new loves make themselves known.
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"Decided to branch out and read a book not set on Nantucket. This book takes place on a small island off the coast of Nantucket! Great story! Would be a good beach read- but it was a great escape from winter also! Love how this author's books take place during a summer, with stories/ memories from the past. highly recommend........"
— Lauren (4 out of 5 stars)
“This never-never land portrait of the rich and randy will please those looking for a satisfying beach read.”
— Publishers Weekly“Hicks narrates the ups and downs in the women’s lives as they seek quiet days, healing, bonding, and friendship—the perfect formula for a summer romance.”
— AudioFile“Hilderbrand’s portrait of the upper-crust Tate clan through the years is so deliciously addictive that it will be the “It” beach book of the summer.”
— Kirkus ReviewsThe story flows as gently as a summer breeze, carrying the listener to its refreshing conclusion.
— AudioFile Magazine on A Summer Affair" chick lit, good beach read, interesting characters. "
— JoAnn, 2/20/2014" This book took me forever to get into and finish (over 3 months of trying but then reading other things in between). I have enjoyed other books by this author. I didn't connect with the characters at all until over halfway through the book. I did enjoy the setting and everything tied in pretty nicely during the last quarter of the book, but the journey was very disconnected and slow. I felt there was a lot more to be done here. "
— Kelly, 2/19/2014" I was disappointed with this book at first because I thought it was going to be a light summer read, and it was anything but. I came to love it though. The characters were raw and hurting and real and I liked that. The ending was a bit "perfect" but who doesn't like a book with a happy ending now and then? "
— Kim, 2/18/2014" Light read, fun summer story. "
— Sharon, 2/18/2014" Loved it! This is a great summer read, or in the winter when we wish it was summer. A great story of 4 women on a remote island, all needing to get away and find themselves. Two sisters, their mother and aunt. A wonderful story. "
— Kristin, 2/8/2014" A really great beach read about a woman, her two daughters and her sister who all flee their lives for a month on Tuckernuck Island. It's not Faulkner, but it is fun and frothy and I loved it. "
— Kate, 2/4/2014" This book was really good but I thought they could've expanded the ending some "
— Heather, 2/4/2014" Good beach read. Guilty pleasure "
— Caren, 1/5/2014" I gave this one 5 stars - it was exactly as I expected...great characters, intertwining plot, wonderful setting (I have been to Nantucket!) and a perfect summer read. "
— Colleen, 12/30/2013" I want to read everything this author has ever written, on the beach, with a cocktail and under an umbrella! "
— Jen, 12/29/2013" The beginning was slow, but the second half was much better! "
— Nicole, 12/21/2013" LOVED this beach read. It had everything, family drama, longlost love, sisters.. Recommend! "
— Josie, 11/27/2013" Good story. Beachy/chick lit but with more than the usual substance. Made for good road trip entertainment. Not so many characters to make your head spin and a happy ending....once you reevaluated what you consider a happy ending. "
— Kasey, 11/23/2013" A good beach reading book. Enjoyed that is was based here and Nantucket "
— Mandy, 11/18/2013" A mother, her sister and her two daughters, all with personal problems, escape to a family owned cottage on a private island off the coast of Nantucket. Their goal is to rest and recuperate from the stressful events in their lives. The story is well written and drew me in right from the start. "
— Arden, 11/4/2013" One of the best I've read in a long time! "
— Kathy, 10/27/2013" This book makes you slow down & think about your own life. "
— Nancy, 7/28/2013" An enjoyable (and quick) read with an interesting story. I looked forward to finding out the resolution of all four story lines. "
— Courtney, 7/13/2013" A very emotional book. The bond between the sisters was definatley my favorite thing in the book. I also liked the ending. It wrapped everything up and gave you enough space toimagi e what their life would end up like. "
— Allison, 5/23/2013" One of the best "summer reads" I've found in a while. "
— Sarah, 4/24/2013" Didn't grab me right away, but then it picked up. I'd give it 3.5 stars. A fun, easy, chick book. "
— Abby, 2/23/2013" I liked the characters, but they all had such emotional issues that is wasn't a happy read. It was okay -- not this author's best work at all. "
— Pamela, 12/26/2012" I really enjoyed reading the real situations within these characters. Hilderbrand's writing flows so well. "
— Kathy, 11/3/2012" It is pretty light weight reading but I am enjoying it anyway. "
— Charlene, 9/27/2012" I really liked this one. Definitely recommend it. "
— Stacy, 8/22/2012" I was sad to finish this one. Great story! "
— Reagan, 5/22/2012" This was a good beach read. However, I didn't like it as much as the others I've read by her. I felt it started adding TOO much at times. "
— Becky, 12/31/2011" I didn't want this one to end. An easy read with just enough substance to keep it from being to fluffy. Made me want to go to Nantucket. "
— Kim, 10/11/2011" Decent read...a little bit predictable. But I enjoyed it. "
— Veronica, 7/4/2011" Nice easy read. I needed a change from all the heavy books I've been reading. I do like how descriptive the author is. I felt like I was on the island. "
— Perrin, 6/26/2011" this is a great beach read...since the setting is the lovely Tuckernuck Island, off the coast of Nantucket....and idyllic vacation site without the trappings of civilization....much drama....true love story...etc. "
— Lila, 5/22/2011" Tate and Chess, along with their mother, Birdie and Aunt India travel to Tuckernook Island (off Nantucket) to find themselves. Family drama with good character development. Basically a light read. "
— Lisa, 5/18/2011" I just finished this book. Great read. Characters are well developed and the author gives a vivd description of the location, so much, that you feel like you are their neighbor! "
— Brew1989, 5/17/2011" Absolutely loved this book. I feel that most people can relate to it with family and relationships. <br/> "
— Anne, 5/15/2011" This was a great book! I loved it and will be reading more from her. "
— Maggie, 5/15/2011" I enjoyed this story. It is set on an small island off of Nantucket. It's always fun to read Hilderbrand's books because she includes so many places I've visited in Nantucket. This would be a perfect beach read. "
— Mary, 5/15/2011" If you're looking to kick off summer reading and get into something beachy--this is my early summer pick! "
— Shani, 5/11/2011" I thought this was an interesting story told from different characters'perspectives. "
— Donna, 5/6/2011" This book is very much the same rhythm as the authors other books. All set in or around Nantucket. Light easy read. "
— Kim, 5/6/2011" A good summer read on the relationships between mothers and sisters set on a small island off Nantucket. "
— Florence, 5/6/2011" Nice smooth chick lit. Just what I have come to expect from this author. Enjoyable read. "
— Pam, 5/5/2011" It was a pretty good examination of the oft discussed emotional challenges we women face. Of course, they don't seem to get how much easier it is to face those issues when you're rich. "
— Patty, 4/27/2011Elin 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.