A good engaging read- while it seems like a lot of 'womens' fiction' requires generational family disfunction in a beautiful setting with a variety of meanings of said scenic view or house for the characters.
Possibly why we all pick it up to read, it's a version of who-dun-it or who-dun-what family style. Complicated relationships, marriages, siblings, aging matriarch, getting to the backstory, and if the characters are nuanced and a bit quirky, all the better. McKinnon came through, And I have to think the family name "Darling" is a bit ironic!.

Started out slow but glad I stuck with it. Just an enjoyable book. The Darlings are a pleasant family with the father being the most emotional. The grandmother Tish was trying to be a matriach of the family even though she does not get along with the daughter-in-law and has a favorite of the grandchildren. Tish does have a change of heart at the end which was unexpected. Fast read and doesn't require a lot of thinking or keeping track of multiple characters.

My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher Atria Books for an advance copy of this novel that is perfect for the beach, or anytime actually.

I had never heard of beach reads before I started working in bookstores. I always brought a book with me wherever I went, and I was not much for beaches, so was unfamiliar with the term. However since I have come to appreciate them, and the skill it takes to balance the story, to make it well perfect outdoor reading and not a gothic tragedy. Sun, surf and the travails of families make up the best parts of books for the summer. Nothing goes better with beautiful weather, the smell of the surf, a boat drink or a pitcher of iced tea, and a family coming to terms with secrets, their own relationships, and understanding each other, possibly for the first time. The Darlings by Hannah McKinnon tells of one family joining together for a happy occasion, the secrets and feelings the keep them apart, and the love that might make them finally happy.

The Darlings have come to Cape Cod for the marriage of one their youngest members. The wedding is to take place at the Darlings beach cottage called the Riptide that has been in the family for years. Tish is the matriarch of the Darling family, at 92 she keeps a steady hand on the family fortune, one that has diminished over the years, with Riptide at its center. Though the family loves the house, Tish has not been back to Riptide since a an incident years earlier, only the wedding of her youngest granddaughter has made her return. Cora is Tish's daughter-in-law and mother of the bride. As Tish has been away Cora has sort of run the family, and with Tish back and controlling things, Cora is feeling adrift in her own family. Plus Cora has a secret, one told her by her husband Tish's son, a secret he told her never to share. Andi is Cora's daughter and sister to the bride, which annoys her to no end. Andi has gone through an ugly divorce, and is also lost in the world, and upset that her younger sister seems happy, and angry that her ex-husband has brought his new girlfriend around. Until an old acquaintance, that Andi had never really forgotten makes the scene.

This is a multi-generational story about sadness, loss, self-doubt, and love. The narrations jumps between these three characters, but readers never get lost or confused. The narrators are all different, and are very distinct, and developed. Many books with multiple narrators always seem the same with the characters never different, but McKinnon takes care to make sure her characters all sound, feel, and even better think different. With older and younger characters this can be problem also, but again McKinnon does it well, without having to use different generational references, but by allowing the characters to be who they are. The novel flows well and doesn't lost the course, sharing the story and not dropping major plot points or gotcha surprises like some summer books do. The story is carefully told, interesting and readers really get a feel for the family and want to see them happy.

Recommended for readers of Elin Hildebrand, though this is better written and lacks the Nantucket Board of Tourism writing that Hildebrand's novels seem to be. A great book for the beach, or an early surprise for Mother's Day.

This will be your perfect beach read if you like books involving many characters, family secrets and family relationships that become strained and then stronger. Hannah McKinnon told the story beautifully, using multiple POVs to ensure the reader engages with each of the characters. A light read that I devoured in just a few hours. Thank you so much Atria Books and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy!

Thank you to net galley for the arc of this book to review. This was a nice escape to a very realistic family drama. It pulls you in from the first chapter. The story opens at the gathering of the Darling family at their Cape Cod vacation home for the wedding of the youngest Darling. In addition to the typical family trials and tribulations shock waves are released by the arrival of grandmother Tish and her revolution of an unknown family secret. The remainder of the novel expands upon the history of the secret and honey the family will survive its revelation. As relationships are strained the question becomes will the family bond together or be torn apart. A great beach read !

This is a fun beach read, especially if you’re a fan of Elin Hilderbrand. The Darling family meets up in Cape Cod to celebrate the youngest daughter’s wedding. But family drama happens when the grandmother arrives and spills family secrets. The author did a great job describing Cape Cod and the family. I’m definitely going to be giving this another read this summer on the beach!

This is a great beach read. It’s a story about a family who returns every summer to their Cape Cod Family cottage called The Riptide. The story is told in 3 points of view- three generations of The Darling family: Tish, Cora and Andi. Andi is a coming out of a recent divorce with a young daughter, Molly. Cora is her mom who has a family secret. Tish is the grandmother to Andi, Hugh and Sydney. I was hooked into this family in the beginning chapters. There is family bonding and healing that happens throughout the book and a family secret that seems to tear the apart but by the end they seem to be right where they need to be. Many thanks to Atria Books, Atria/Emily Bestler Books and NetGalley for the digital review copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

The entire Darlings family reunites this summer at the beautiful beach home… To share in the wedding of the youngest daughter… Well, everybody has their own reasons for being there, it is the secret that grandma drops on their lap that has everybody in shock
I enjoyed this book a lot. It’s the perfect summer read.!

Okay, I didn’t expect to absolutely LOVE this one as much as I did! This book is a solid masterpiece and I was hooked from the first chapter!

4.5 stars
When grandma drops a bombshell of a secret, the entire Darling family is rocked to their core and nothing will ever be the same . Second chances can happen if you open your heart to them. A great story that’s both happy and sad.

The Darling family is gathered at their house on Cape Cod to celebrate the youngest daughter's wedding when Tish, the distant matriarch reveals a family secret that changes everything. Will the family survive the revelation? How will it change the relationships and the future? A story of love and family.

The Darling family gathers every summer at their house in Cape Cod- the Riptide. This year is no exception. It’s even more anticipated since youngest daughter Sydney is getting married there . When matriarch Tish Darling arrives armed with a shocking gift for her granddaughter, the dee to the Riptide, she also arrives with long buried family secrets that could change the Darling’s lives forever.

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This was my first Hannah McKinnon book and it’s definitely a light beach read, especially with it being set in the Cape. I would say since Tish dropped the hammer with her secret reveal pretty early on in the story, we were kind of spinning our wheels to get some type of resolve. It happens pretty slowly, IMO, but we get to it eventually. It’s a slow mover but an overall nice story about family.

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Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

Will be posting on Instagram and Goodreads closer to publication date.

A breezy beach read set in Cape Cod! Loved seeing all the familiar sites in the book :)

Tish Darling arrives at the family beach house unexpectedly and over three weeks early for the family wedding of the youngest Darling daughter. What she says when she arrives changes everything. Meet the family members and enjoy the sun as each grapples with this new truth and what it means for their place in the world. If you love a beach read, The Darlings is for you!
#Atria #TheDarlings #HannahMcKinnon

Review date: March 27, 2023
Publication date: May 2, 2023


This book is such a great escape from all the miseries, thrillers and horrors I have been reading lately. Great story of family dynamics, drama and secrets. It’s written in different POVS so you get to know each character individually and their response and emotions to their family secret that was revealed.
The story takes place in Cape Cod and the author did an amazing job transporting you to that location.
In my opinion this is a great summer beach read.

Thank you NetGalley, Atria Books and the author for free ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I’ve read all six of her amazing books and every time she releases a new one I know I’m going to be worthless for the next 28 hours!

The Darlings by Hannah McKinnon was the perfect women's fiction book for a relaxing weekend read.

I loved being at the Riptide House located in the beautiful town of Cape Cod.
This was a solid story…. family, drama, old secrets and a love that holds them all together.
I immediately loved the characters, the setting and the writing style.
McKinnon’s writing is lyrical, charming and engaging.
The Darlings was a heartfelt, lovely read about a family I think most readers could identify with.
A book that is full of love, growth, and an overall good storyline.
I really enjoyed my time with this novel and recommend it to fans of the author and family dramas.
This will be the absolute best summer/beach read.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank You NetGalley and Atria/Emily Bestler Books for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

I enjoyed this book. It was told in a few different perspectives. Based on a family dynamic with mixed feelings and secrets. Sometimes what someone shows on the surface is just a tip of the iceberg to what they've been through. Tish is just that person. Good read

This is a delightful novel about the Darling family and the upheaval caused by the revelation of a family secret. When the matriarch of the family comes for a visit, she decides to articulate the secret which has offended her for over 40 years.

Her visit causes tumult among the 3 adult children who must reevaluate their relationship to their parents and each other. They have gathered for a joyous family wedding and the reader has to hope that the joy will not be dampened by these actions.

This is a well written book that is ideal for summer reading and sharing. I really enjoyed it.

Thank you Netgalley for this charming book.

The Darling family gathers for youngest daughter Sydney's wedding, but receive the shock of their lives when reticent matriarch Tish Darling shows up and gifts Sydney the deed to Riptide, the family's beloved Cape Cod family home. She also reveals a horrible secret that will devastate the entire family, including her son, Charley; daughter-in-law Cora; and their elder twins, Andi and Hugh.

I love Hannah McKinnon's books so much; they are such an enjoyable escape. THE DARLINGS is a great family saga about past secrets and what happiness really means. McKinnon always excels at delving into her characters, showing us various POVs and their motivations. So many Darlings are doing what they feel is right--even if they may appear awful at times. I loved how we learned about Tish's past and how all her choices cascaded from so many early events. The relationships here are tangled and intertwined, but nuanced.

It seems like the trope of an elderly woman returning to her beach home to remember her past life or loves is done often (alas, didn't seem to happen with my family!). There is only so much that can be done with such a story, but I still found this tale quite engaging. Does it tread a lot of new ground? Perhaps not, but it's moving and interesting, with a lovely beach setting. It did end a little abruptly though--I would not mind seeing the Darlings again sometime.

A breezy beach read! Hannah McKinnon’s The Darlings transports the reader to the Cape Cod coast, where the Darling family has gathered ahead of a wedding. When grandmother Tish spills long held family secrets, much family drama ensues. McKinnon captured well the beach house and the Cape Cod setting, and the pages of this relatively short tale flip easily. I will say the general theme is a bit well worn and predictable. I found myself feeling as though I’d read this story before. Also, I thought the ending would have been more plausible and powerful had the last few chapters been fleshed out a bit more. Nonetheless, this book should appeal to those seeking a quick, light yet enjoyable tale to breeze through on a summer afternoon.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria/Emily Bestler Books for a complimentary ARC. Opinions are my own.

I loved that this book takes place in the Cape and how vividly it is described the town so you feel as if you are on the beach, eating a lobster roll and enjoying the sunset by the ocean. It was a perfect beach read and quick escape from reality I needed.

Tish, is the meanest and cruelest person on the planet and just reading about what she did made my heart break. She single handedly drags the family apart by revealing a secret and causes the family to divide. She played favorites and chose Sydney above the twins. You feel for her as she lost her husband and is all alone but doesn't see the irony that she treats Cora poorly just like Charlie's parents treated her. Both Cora and Tish struggle to be good mothers and put their families first and you feel how estranged their relationship is. Poor Charlie having to be in the middle of these two strong women fighting for the spotlight.

This was one family drama that you feel like you had a front row seat to watch it all unfold. I enjoyed all the family relationships and seeing things from different points of view and how they worked through the secrets revealed and get to a new normal.

Thank you Netgalley and Atria books for this e-book.