The Rumor by Elin Hilderbrand

Elin Hilderbrand's THE RUMOR landed with a big splash last June. There was a lot of buzz about it yet I remember reading mixed reviews, which is why I put off reading it until this summer. This 'beach read' taking place on Nantucket Island centers around best friends Grace and Madeline and their families.  The story begins in the spring just when people are breaking out of their winter retreats and preparing for the arrival of summer residents.  Both women appear to be living the life; Grace with her successful real estate mogul husband, Eddie and their twin teenage girls Allegra and Hope, and Madeline, a published novelist with a loving pilot husband and their son, Brick. They both seem to have it all, but looks can be deceiving.

Madeline and Grace are both at a point in their lives where they feel stuck. One personally and one professionally.  In their small little town, there are eyes and ears everywhere and even the most innocent action can be interpreted as something it's not. But once it's out there, it's hard to reel it back in.

My Thoughts:

I was pleasantly surprised to find out there were more levels to this story than what I had expected.  I liked that the kids also played a big part in the story. Each chapter was told from a different characters' point of view, which gave insight into that person. There were also chapters labeled 'Nantucket', which I thought was a clever way to get the townspeople's perspective as well.

I found the characters to be easy to relate to, personality-wise. Even though they had their flaws, they were good people. The character that changed the most, I felt, was Allegra, the beautiful twin who used her looks to charm her way through life. I loved Grace for all of her foodie and gardening flaire. I could also feel the loneliness she suffered at the hands of her family. Each of the characters had their own issues going on but the common threads were the love, loyalty and forgiveness for their loved ones.

The bottom line is I ended up enjoying this book more than I thought I would. I zipped right through it because the pace  never lagged and with all the different people telling the story, I was kept interested all the way through. This was the perfect book to wind up my summer reading list. I'm very glad I took the time to read it. This was my first Elin Hilderbrand novel but it probably won't be the last.


THE RUMOR: Kindle Edition
Author: Elin Hilderbrand
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Published: June 2015
Length: 367 pp
Source: Purchased

A Week at the Lake by Wendy Wax

Wendy Wax's latest novel centers around three women who became best friends in their early twenties while living in New York City. Now, Emma, an actress from a well known successful acting family, is a single mother to sixteen year old Zoe. Serena, originally from Charleston, South Carolina, is the star of an popular animated show in which she plays the vivacious and sexy Georgia Goodbody. Mackenzie and her husband, Adam run a theater in a small, family-oriented city in Indiana. For one week every summer the three women would retreat to Emma's family lake house in upstate New York, however the invitations stopped abruptly five years ago without explanation. And now, after five years of no contact, Emma has once again invited them.

The day before they are all to meet in city and make their way together to the lake, Emma is caught in a terrible accident which puts all their plans in a tailspin.  Pushing hurt feelings and all sorts of emotions aside, Mackenzie and Serena, along iwth Emma's daughter Zoe, keep vigil at her bedside. They all have so much to tell each other and it seems that Emma had a reason for bringing them all together. This is a story of old friends, secrets and loyalty with deep emotions and life-long implications.

My Thoughts:

Believe it or not, this was my first Wendy Wax book. I'm familiar with her other novels since so many of my fellow bloggers have read and praised them. This story appealed to me mainlyt because of the long running friendships the three women share. I can relate to that because most of my own close friendships are decades old as well. That is a special bond so naturally it piqued my interest.

Emma, Serena and Mackenzie were each good characters and likable, though I did feel a little distant from Mackenzie who I thought came actross a bit judgmental.  Serena, on the other hand, was the character I liked the most. I enjoyed her free spirit and playfulness, even though some of her choices were not always what was best for her.

A lot of times when I'm reading women's fiction, I get frustrated by the predictability of the story. so it was a pleasant surprise when the beginning didn't start off the way I imagined it would. The accident caught me off guard and took the story in a direction I wasn't expecting. 

Though there was a lot of history between these women that needed to be explained, I felt Ms. Wax kept the story moving without getting bogged down in the details but still painted a clear picture of where each woman had come from and also her present self.  The secondary characters, especially Nadia, the nurse, was a bright spot and I enjoyed her immensely. That was another unexpected element for me. 

So, for me, A WEEK AT THE LAKE was win. I can say now that I was prepared for another predictable story of friendship gone awry, but it turned out to be more than I was expecting.  I'm glad I can now say I've read a Wendy Wax novel and  I did enjoy it.  I will definitely read more from her in the future. This is the perfect book to add to your summer reading list.

A WEEK AT THE LAKE (Uncorrected Digital Galley Copy)

Author: Wendy Wax

Publisher: Berkley

Published: June 23, 2015

Length: 432 pp

Source: Joan Schulhafer Publishing & Media Consulting via NetGalley

The Sunday Salon: Summer Breezes In

Summer has arrived...already...and brought with it my desire to read some breezy summer novels. Admittedly, I don't read a lot of them, but I am in the mood for light and fun right now. Speaking of which, I just finished SPRING FEVER by Mary Kay Andrews last week and I had so much fun with it that I've continued on with that theme and have moved on to Claire Cook. Believe it or not, I've never read any of her books before, but I had BEST STAGED PLANS on my Kindle and felt it was high time I see what all her fans are raving about. I'm only in the beginning chapters  but already she's had me chuckling out loud. I think it's going to be a fun time. I'm also planning to read her newly released TIME FLIES, along with Mary Kay Andrews' new book LADIES NIGHT.  Also on my list is Sarah Addison Allen's THE GIRL WHO CHASED THE MOON, that I've had on my coffee table forEVER! I've refuse to add it to the shelves in my book room where it will be lost to me!

Its hard to believe the year is already half over. I've read some really great review books the first part of the year and though I still have some more scheduled, I'm planning to continue on with more lighter beachy reads, at least throughout the rest of summer.

I've really enjoyed getting away from the television lately and reading more than I usually do. I'll admit that I probably watch too much TV, especially in the fall and winter, but, honestly, I like to turn off the set and go stretch out on the chaise or on the bed and lose myself in a book. The evenings don't seem to go as fast when I'm reading and I like that. The days whip by fast enough as it is, right?

I've never really noticed my reading habits changing with the seasons like I have this year. I've even got a holiday review book scheduled for later this year! What's happening to me?! Regardless, I'm really looking forward to my summer reading list. What's on your reading list for the summer?

As for today, I'm sticking with Claire Cook. I feel like the only person on Earth who hasn't read any of her books. We've got more thunderstorms moving in later today and that will make for some great reading time. I hope your Sunday plans include some great books too. Happy summer everyone!

[TSS] My Summer Reading List

Hello and thanks for stopping by today! Its been a busy weekend for me so far and I'm looking forward to relaxing today and enjoying some reading time. I kicked off my weekend Friday with a margarita night with my two best girls: my sister and my best friend. It was a beautiful, breezy night so we sat on Linda's front porch listening to the wind chimes and just having some 'girl time'. The best part was there was no driving involved since Linda and Brenda live in the same community. We simply stumbled over to Brenda's, where I spent the night. Her daughter graduated from high school Saturday and we had to get up super early for that. Since I can't drive, it was easier for me just to spend the night. It was a great ceremony and as it turned out, I got to see several of my friend's kids graduate. It was a lovely day.

So here we are staring summer in the face and its getting hotter by the day.  It's the perfect time to pick some good summer reads and there are a few that I am especially looking forward to. I don't read a lot of 'chick lit' but there are times when that is exactly what I'm in the mood for. I've been reading some pretty heavy stuff lately and its time to read something light and fun.

New Summer Releases I'm Excited About
There are two books that were released on June 7th that are definitely on my radar. The first is Mary Kay Andrews' SUMMER RENTAL. I am a huge fan of hers. I have all of her books and they are like crack to me. As soon as they come out, I devour them and then it feels like forever waiting for the next one! Her trademark Southern Fiction, mixed with witty and fun characters always make for a great read. It is perfect for this time of year and I'm sure I'll be reading it by the pool very soon.

Another summer read I'm definitely getting is BEST STAGED PLANS by Claire Cook. I have not read anything by this author and I just don't know how that is! I've read some great reviews and I'm really looking forward to this one as well.

Tying Up Loose Ends
One thing I have to do, though, is finish a couple books I've had to put aside for some ARC's. I am looking forward to getting back to Sarah Waters' THE LITTLE STRANGER and FINDING NOUF by Zoe Ferraris, which just got lost along the way somehow. I'm also half-way through the audio version of STILL MISSING by Chevy Stevens, which is very good. I also have the audio of THE SNOWMAN by Jo Nesbo that is patiently awaiting my attention!

I'm also on the waiting list for CROOKED LETTER, CROOKED LETTER by Tom Franklin at the library, but by the looks of it, its going to be awhile yet. There are also a few books on my shelves here at home I'd like to read before the end of the year: THE FORGOTTEN GARDEN, THE STORY OF EDGAR SAWTELLE and QUEEN OF PALMYRA, just to name a few.

Aside from the two new summer releases, I'm not planning to buy anymore books for a long while. Not until I get some of the ones read that I already own. And I own some really great books! I'm getting a little nervous because my eye disease seems to have progressed over the last month or so and I can see a big change in my vision. I really want to get some of the books on my shelves read before I can't see the writing anymore. That is going to require a lot of restraint because I LOVE to buy books!!

So, for the most part, that is what my reading schedule looks like for the foreseeable future. I'm sure I'll be making changes because even as I sit here and write this post, I'm thinking of ANNA KARENINA and THE BOOK THIEF that I also have on my shelves! One thing is clear: I need to get busy!

What summer reading do you have planned?

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Upcoming Book Reviews:

• THE STORM AT THE DOOR by Stefan Merrill Block (TLC Book Tour) June 15th
• THE CYPRESS HOUSE by Michael Koryta  TBA

The Sunday Salon: First Day of Summer

First, I'd like to say Happy Father's Day to all of the fathers out there, but most especially to my own father, Lou. I've been blessed to have a father who, although he's faced health problems, at 74 is still able to do most things he enjoys, like cooking, fishing and making beautiful things in his wood-working shop. My father is also the family historian and keeper of family photographs. He and I have talked about working together on a genealogy project and since I'm not working anymore, I think the time is right to start. I'm looking forward to that very much. So, Happy Father's Day Dad!

Since the weather down here in Florida is downright sweltering these days, I'm not doing too much out doors. With the humidity, the heat index is nearly to 110 degrees! So I'll be staying inside today with a book and keeping an eye of the U.S. Open.

The book I'm reading today is the latest from Mary Kay Andrews titled THE FIXER UPPER. It's a stand alone novel about a young woman, working as a lobbyist in D.C. but after her boss is accused of many terrible things by the FBI he pretty much throws her under the bus. She needs to figure out what to do with her life, so she goes to a small town in Georgia, where her father lived as a boy and has inherited the old historic family home. Her plan is to go down there for a month or so, fix up the place and flip it and figure out her next move, professionally.

As with all of Ms. Andrews books, there's great wit, southern charm and wonderfully original characters that make it a great summer read. The book is being released this Tuesday, the 23rd. I'd like to thank BookFan Mary for graciously offering me her advanced copy. I'm about a third of the way into it and I'm already loving it. The thing I like about Mary Kay Andrews' books is that they're not all chick-lit fluff. There's always a great story to be told, usually about family or personal retrospect. I've read every one of them and I haven't been disappointed yet. Sometimes you just want to read a book that makes you laugh along the way.

I didn't get as much reading done last week as I'd hoped to. But I did post my review of THE PRUDENT MARINER by Leslie Walker Williams. You can read that review here.

As for the rest of today, I'll be staying inside with my book, munching on some cold, sweet melon my Dad brought over the other day. I hope y'all enjoy this first day of summer with a really good book.