Summerland

A Novel

By: Elin Hilderbrand

Narrated by: Erin Bennett

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.

Gentle story

Might be described as a "summer read". I thought the story was interesting and moved quickly. The narration was excellent. It's the kind of book that makes you think about the baggage people carry around without anyone knowing and it makes you wonder about secrets you may never know. Not exactly a feel-good kind of book but satisfying in the way it all gets resolved.

One of my favorite Elin Hilderbrand

A deadly car accident kills one twin and leaves her brother broken and in a coma is the backdrop for SUMMERLAND as the lives of the survivors and their parents are explored.

Not one of my favorites

It was a bit too long and way to many characters. It did not keep me captive like most of her books do.

Summerland

Well-written, heartfelt story with relatable characters. Loved the narrator! Her voice brought this book to life.

More gained than lost!

The book opens with a car accident involving four 17 year old kids. It is a slow reveal as to why the events fell the way they did. There is heavy subject matter discussed, such as abortion and alcoholism. It was not the lighter type beach read I exspected from Mrs. Hilderbrand. Still, I enjoyed the story. It is not overly sad or depressing. You listen to learn about other experiences. I gained some growth from this book.