Summer House

A Novel

By: Nancy Thayer

Narrated by: Emily Durante

After years of wandering from whim to whim, 30-year-old Charlotte Wheelwright seems to have at last found her niche. The free spirit enjoys running an organic gardening business on the island of Nantucket, thanks in large part to her spry grandmother Nona, who donated a portion of her land on the family's seaside compound to get Charlotte started. Though Charlotte's skill with plants is bringing her success, cultivating something deeper with people---particulary her handsome neighbor Coop---might be more of a challenge. Nona's generosity to Charlotte, secretly her favorite grandchild, doesn't sit well with the rest of the Wheelwright clan, however, as they worry that Charlotte may be positioning herself to inherit the entire estate. With summer upon them, everyone is making their annual pilgrimage to the homestead---some with hopes of thwarting Charlotte's dreams, others in anticipation of Nona's latest pronouncements at the annual family meeting, and still others with surprising news of their own. Charlotte's mother, Helen, a Wheelwright by marriage, brings a heavy heart. She once set aside her own ambitions to fit in with the Wheelwrights, but now she must confront a betrayal that threatens both her sense of place and her sense of self. As summer progresses, these three women---Charlotte, Nona, and Helen---come to terms with the decisons they have made. Revisiting the lives and loves that have crossed their paths and the possibilities of the the roads not taken, they may just discover that what they've always sought out was right in front of them all along.

©2009 Nancy Thayer (P)2011 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Nancy Thayer has a deep and masterly understanding of love and friendship, of where the two complement and where they collide." (Elin Hilderbrand)

Great read for the beach

What did you love best about Summer House?

I love Nancy's storys and her images of Nantucket. Her characters are always so memorable. There is always one character you love to hate in her books...this time it was Grace.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Summer House?

When the privot hedge was cut down....I was in shock.

Have you listened to any of Emily Durante???s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, not familiar with Emily's work.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

??

Any additional comments?

The one thing I didn't like was the way the book ended. Just as I was warming up to everyone and wanted to see what the future held for them, it ended I didn't know what happened to Teddy or Charlotte. There needs to be a sequal!

Great story

I hope she continues the story with a sequel or better yet, am ongoing series.

What happened to the rest of the story?

I struggled with this whole story the jumping back-and-forth between timeline and people. There was no Voice distinction changes for different users. The abrupt ending leaves so many storylines open and unanswered. It does leave you wanting more but again with the back-and-forth of the timeline it was hard to follow. I can’t even say it was interesting. I listened to chapter 1, at least three times to get the gist of the story.

Best Nancy Thayer book I've read

Just as much of a page turner as her others, but with more depth and heart. Great narrator. Highly enjoyable.

It was a very good story

I enjoyed the reader I want to know more about the family Especially, I would like to know about Nona. How long did she live??