28 Summers

I'm thrilled to share my first experience with author Elin Hilderbrand, who has been called the "queen of beach reads".

Goodreads Stats

Why I Read This Book/How I Heard About It

This was another recommendation from my sister, Rachel. Since I already had a couple Taylor Jenkins Reid books under my belt and I hadn't thrown a hissy fit about how cheesy they were, I assume Rachel decided I was ready to move up a notch to a slightly better writer with a different beach locale, Nantucket Island.

Basic Summary

This story begins in 2020 with a young boy named Link, whose mother, Mallory, is on her deathbed when she asks him to call an anonymous phone number. Upon calling, he is surprised to learn the number belongs to Jake McCloud, the husband of a current Presidential candidate!

The book is a flashback from Mallory's point of view. She goes all the way back to the summer of 1993, when she inherits a beach cottage in Nantucket from her aunt. Mallory generously offers to host her brother, Cooper's, bachelor party at the cottage. This is her first run-in with Jake.

The two form a bond, but they know life is pulling them both in different directions, so they make an arrangement to spend a long weekend together at the cottage every summer, no matter what. The story spans...you guessed it...28 summers, even after both Mallory and Cooper delve into other relationships, family life, etc. No matter what is happening, they never miss their weekend alone together.

First Impressions

Well, the first thing I noticed was that Elin Hilderbrand is a bit more skilled with the word craft than Taylor Jenkins Reid. That's not supposed to be any sort of attack on TJR. It just is what it is. This beach read felt a little "meatier" than a TJR story, although just barely.

One of the best parts of Elin Hilderbrand's writing, according to my sister, is the way she writes food. Every single dish she describes sounds like something I'd kill to eat. There were moments in this book where I could see this, but I have to say other books of hers that I've read since then have way more of the delectable food writing than this one.

Final Thoughts

This story kind of reminded me of an old Nicholas Sparks novel, Nights in Rodanthe. But I think it was pretty entertaining, even if it has wisps of other stories within it.

It was interesting to get my first taste (pun intended) of Nantucket. I hadn't ever read a story set there, so of course, while I was reading and afterwards, I had to Google some stuff to see if I can ever hope, in my lifetime, to experience any of this Nantucket magic myself. The verdict is...not unless I get filthy rich, like all of Elin Hilderbrand's characters.

There is something deliciously voyeuristic about reading about the filthy rich. It's the same little thrill I get from reading Us Weekly or People Magazine. Such a foreign, interesting world. And I love it.

I see why she's the queen of beach reads! When our apartment complex opens the pool in a month or so, I'm going to need to make sure I have an Elin Hilderbrand by my side at all times. This is not a test. I repeat...this is not a test.

Rating on Goodreads

I rated this book 4 out of 5 stars. Thoroughly fun read!

My rating method:

• I rarely rate books 5 stars. I save this for the absolute best books I've read. You know the ones...the ones that you can't get out of your head, even after you've finished them. The ones you think about for weeks afterwards.

• If a book is really, really good, I'll give it 4 stars. If you see a 4-star rating from me, I'd definitely recommend it to you to read.

• If it's just OK, it gets 3 stars. Basically, it means I could take it or leave it. I'd probably read it again because it wasn't terrible. But not like a favorite or anything.

• If I rate it 1 or 2 stars, I would not recommend anyone read it. It either didn't hold my interest or I couldn't relate to the characters/plot.