Note: clearing old books from before 2019

Did not have time to read this book - still on my TBR. Thank you for the opportunity and my apologies for not getting to it.

Thank you to Net Galley and Atria Books for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Another light and breezy summer read from Hannah McKinnon, set on the beach in Rhode Island and telling the story of the Merrill family. Flossy Merrill has called all her children and their families to their summer beach house to celebrate their father's milestone birthday. What Flossy is not telling her children is that this is the last summer they will spend at the house, as they have decided to sell it. What follows is a story of drama, dysfunction, secrets and above all the love of family to help you get through whatever may trouble you. An easy read perfect for the dog days of summer.

I really enjoyed this beach read. Three siblings and their families return to their parents beach house for possibly the last time. I enjoyed reading chapters of different individuals. It was fun to get an idea of what they were all thinking & going through. A great summer read.

Flossy Merrill's family and the Summer House in Rhode Island have always been her first loves. When her grown children stopped coming to the Summer House, she and her husband decided that it was time to sell the place. All the children had been asked the previous summer if they wanted the Summer House, but they all declined. This summer Flossy managed to get everyone together to celebrate their father's 75th birthday party and have a last family vacation together before they sold the home. The catch was, that they did not want to tell the kids until the week ended so as not to ruin their time together. As each child arrives, they bring with them their families as well as all their problems and baggage.

The characters will grow on you and bring you into their problems, issues, heartache and joy. I enjoyed the family interactions with some being funny, but most being emotional. I was expecting a fluffy summer beach read, but instead I found this book had plenty of depth, family drama and emotion. This was still a good summer read as it does show the beach vacation well and will bring back memories of those family summer vacations. The Summer House was a heartfelt, lovely read about a family I think most readers could identify with. I recommend this book to those who enjoy Summer Dramas with the fun and beauty of the beach.

Oh, the joys of cottage life. Memories are made year after year when families comes together to unplug from urban life and spend some quality time together. Fresh sea breezes, shared family meals, daily swims and evenings spent playing board games or relaxing with an adult beverage. It’s an idyllic time. It’s also a time when adult children are forced to spend time with their siblings in close quarters. Past grievances and present-day stresses float to the surface like so much seaweed on the shoreline.

Flossy Merrill convinces her adult children Paige, Sam and Clementine to bring their families to their Rhode Island cottage to celebrate their father’s seventy-fifth birthday. All have reasons they would rather be anywhere but Rhode Island. Sam and Evan are dealing with adoption struggles, Paige’s husband David is looking for work and her teenage children are beginning to draw away from her overbearing ways and Clementine is a young widow dealing with her own small children and the loss of her beloved husband.
It’s a recipe for friction and makes for a fascinating look at the lives of one family as party preparations proceed throughout the week. The thing is, Flossy has ulterior motives for asking her children to put their lives on hold and come spend a week together once again. Richard and Flossy have decided to sell the Summer Home. They have chosen Richard’s party to break the news to their children that the cottage has already been sold.
Hannah McKinnon brings us a well written, fully engaging beach read with The Summer House. It’s easy to slip into the lives of Flossy, Clem, Sam and Paige and their families. Dramatic moments and life challenges are mixed with introducing the next generation to the kinds of traditions memories are made of. It’s a great beach read.

It was for me a poignant and bittersweet read as the cottage my family has rented each summer for the past almost twenty years is up for sale. Memories are following us into every bay and around every island on the lake we’ve considered ours for so long. Like the adult Merrill children, it will be hard to say goodbye to this cottage. McKinnon captures this feeling and the memories we will take with us when we leave.

ARC received with thanks from Atria Books via NetGalley for review.

4 stars! This was such a fun and enjoyable summer read!

There was something very relatable about this family and these characters. The story revolves around the Merrill family’s annual stay at their summer beach house. Flossy and Richard Merrill have their three adult children, their childrens’ spouses and their grandchildren come to stay with them at their summer house together for one week in July. The sibling rivalries, parental stresses, childhood drama, family traditions, captivating memories, hidden secrets and life tragedies were all told in such a way that it felt like this family was familiar. I grew to love each and every character.

I really enjoyed the summer house and beach setting. The author, Hannah McKinnon, does a fantastic job painting a vivid picture of the breezy, salty seaside atmosphere. I was picturing myself right there slathering on the sunscreen and enjoying the warm sunshine while cool waves lapped my feet in the wet, gritty sand.

I enjoyed this wonderful, summery beach read and would recommend it. A big thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books and Hannah McKinnon for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

The Summer House was a great way to begin my summer. It follows three siblings reunited at their vacation home to celebrate their father's eightieth birthday.

Flossy is the strong mother who wants her children together one last time before they sell their home. She's also trying to reconnect with them and help them through their individual heartbreaks. It's hard for her to say goodbye to the summer home, leaving all the memories behind but she knows they need to move forward.

Paige is the oldest. She's a strong-willed woman and she has always been competitive. Her practice as a veterinarian is flourishing but she's exhausted from working long hours. Her marriage is strained after her husband loses his job, and her teenage children are starting to give her headaches too.

Samuel has had a very stable relationship with his husband Evan. He's a workaholic but he also enjoys his time with Evan. After they both decided that it was time to add to a baby to their home, their hearts are crushed after their first attempt at adoption fails.

Clementine is the youngest child. She has two kids and a year ago she lost her husband in an accident. She's still trying to put back together the pieces of her life. She's still grieving.

As you can see, all these characters are suffering. They all have secrets but those won't last long after their time together when their sibling rivalry, jealousy, and heartache make their presence known.

The Summer Home had a well-paced flow. Hannah McKinnon does a fabulous job in the development of her characters. It was hard not to side with one of the siblings. My favorite was Clem.

If you want a good women's fiction with a summer background look no further. This one is for you.

Cliffhanger: No

4/5 Fangs

A complimentary copy was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

A captivating and unique story.Once you start reading you can't put it down.I was hooked and it was like I was a part of the story.The writing was flawless and the plot was great.Hannah McKinnon is a new author to me but I'm planning to read more books by her.

This book has everything I love about a summer read: a fantastic location, relatable characters, and enough drama to keep things interesting. I loved the descriptions of the beach, the house, the meals, and the long lazy days at the beach house.

Flossy and Richard bring their adult children and grandchildren together for a week at the family beach house, ending the week with a 75th birthday dinner for Richard. What the kids don’t know is there will be an announcement that the beach house, with decades of memories, will be put up for sale when the week is over. Flossie and Richard are growing older and can no longer handle the demands of maintaining the house.

Each of their three children, along with spouses and grandchildren, arrive at the beach house grappling with problems. I loved this family in all their messiness. The family felt real, with real issues, just like in life. Some of the issues are serious while others are due to long-held misunderstandings. How they get worked out over the course of the week made for an interesting read. I liked how not everything was tied up neatly in a bow and the author didn’t go for the totally predictable ending.

This is a fast read and the few serious topics are dealt with a light hand so the summery vibe wasn’t lost. I highly recommend this book to toss in your beach bag!

Great book! I laughed, I cried - literally! Because the reader knows what Flossy and Richard are planning for the family summer house, it's much more poignant than had it been a surprise. The crises that each of the family members are going through and have brought to the house makes for a "moody" book. I mean this in a good way. The ups and downs of the characters are dramatic!

I am so glad to have read this book. The author brings real emotion to the characters. The story is superb and flows logically with a few surprises thrown in. Highly recommended!

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for allowing me to read and review this book.

I thought this was a really good beach read that is just overflowing with drama and family dysfunction! I highly recommend this delightfully heartwarming read!

If you’re looking for an intoxicating summer read, you won’t regret sticking The Summer House in your beach bag. Or, if you can’t make it to the shore, living vicariously through the Merrill family and their week spent on the sandy Rhode Island coast, isn’t too bad either.

In my humble opinion, this is Hannah McKinnon’s strongest work to date. With each of her three books, she’s proven that she can nail family dynamics with a skillful hand—the resentments that tend to fester, the growing pains all relationships inevitably face and more importantly, the unwavering love underscoring it all. There was something about this family—every single one of them—that I completely adored. Like a fly on the wall, I was living and breathing this family’s drama like it was my own. Don’t let the word ‘drama’ scare you off though; I use the term lightly. The Merrill family’s issues are surprisingly relatable—typical things couples/families/people face—not the over-the-top, eye-roll-inducing drama that some authors tend to rely heavily on. In fact, the sheer relatability of it all, along with the loveable cast, is what makes this story so darn charming.

The Merrill’s are a family steeped in tradition. The weather-worn summer house on the Rhode Island coast has been in the family for decades; a place that holds some of their fondest memories together. They always spend their first day on East Beach, eat their final family dinner together at the picturesque Ocean House hotel and take turns saying a private goodbye to their very own stretch of beach before heading home. As Flossy and Richard’s children have gotten older and established families and responsibilities of their own, it’s become increasingly difficult to get them to agree to spend time at the house that was once so special.

It’s the excuse to celebrate Richard’s seventy-fifth birthday that does the trick. Flossy and Richard have something big up their sleeves though, too. Some life-altering news that Flossy is reluctant to share right away, in fear the kids won’t be their authentic selves. She ends up getting exactly what she needed—a week at the summer house with her kids, grandkids and their varying personalities and struggles.

Clem, the youngest, nursing a broken heart after the death of her husband only fourteen-months earlier, arrives with her two young kids in tow. Tired of being doted on, and incessantly questioned about her well-being, Clem is looking to prove she's fine. Is it too soon to move on?

Paige, the oldest, arrives with her two teenagers and husband, David. From first glance, it’s easy to see, this couple is going through the dreaded down cycle every relationship faces, at some point. Are they strong enough to make it through?

And then there’s Sam, the middle child, who wants nothing more than to adopt a baby with his husband, Evan. The whole process has proven to be a heartbreaking endeavor—one neither of them was prepared for. Will the latest adoptive mom in question choose them?

To say this book was impossible for me to put down is an understatement of epic proportions. When I wasn’t completely enmeshed in this family, I was filled with curiosity and longing to get back to them and their entertaining dynamics. The Summer House had all the components of a perfect read, in my eyes—superb writing, emotional depth, characters you desperately want to know, and that ever-present dread that creeps in as the page count diminishes. This is one that’s sure to leave you dreaming about a beach vacation or craving time with family.

You can ascertain just from the title and cover that this is a beach read, and it definitely is. Unfortunately, I read it while wishing I was on the beach. It's a sweet little read with lots of family and relationship drama. Ungrateful children, strained relationships, and many other different worries feature in this one. I was in one of my light read moods when I picked this one up, and that's a good thing. I still found it kind of corny at times, but that might just be my jaded, mystery reading self! It's a cute read.

Lots of characters to keep track of in this one... we have Flossy and Richard, their three grown children, the partners of their children, and their own grandchildren, of which there are four. Whew! That's a lot of people! No wonder some of their relationships are a bit strained.

Flossy is determined to make this a week to remember. Having finally convinced the whole family to visit their summer home once again, she needs everything to go perfectly. Not only is this the summer of Richard's 75th birthday, they're keeping a secret from their kids. After previously making sure that none of them were up to taking over the house, they've decided to sell it. She's not entirely sure how they'll react, so she plans to tell them towards the end of the visit so they can enjoy the time there without it hanging over their heads.

As for their children... we have Paige, who is the eldest. She's a successful veterinarian with her own practice. She and her husband have two teenage children. At first glance, she seems to have her life together the most, but problems with her husband have been festering.

Next is Sam, successful business man. His husband Evan is lovely, and I really enjoyed his interactions with the rest of the family, who treats him like a brother. They've been longing for a child for years, but the last adoption fell through at the very last minute. They're holding out hope that another young woman will pick them and follow through, making them parents.

Clem is the youngest, and she's been through a lot. She has two young kids that run her ragged, and she's experienced a tragedy in the last year.

This book takes place over the week of their visit. Some relationships need mending, some things must be come to terms with, and the kids are growing up fast.

I was given an ARC of this book from Net Galley and Atria Books, thank you! My review is honest and unbiased.

Sam, Paige, and Clemintine meet for their father, Richard’s birthday celebration, at the request of their mother Flossie, for a week at their summer house. Although the kids all have their own issues and problems, they all show up. During the vacation, the family realizes how strong family is, and that they can depend on each other for support. The birthday party scene where one of the kids gives a speech was touching; it had me in tears, reminding me of family gatherings for my grandmother.
I’d recommend this book to anyone looking for a good read, light, emotional, and one that touches the spirit. This was my first read by this author, and it definitely won’t be the last.

This would be a terrific beach read! I read it on a rainy day and it was pretty darn good then. McKinnon has created a family like any other= os of issues but also lots of love. This is a very character driven book with good storytelling. Samuel, Clem, and Paige might come at things from different positions but they all come when Flossie calls- and they all help one another get through the tough times. There's a lot of diversity here, which made this more entertaining. Thanks to Netgally for the ARC. Try this one for a good read with a big heart.

The Summer House
By
Hannah McKinnon





What it's all about...

Flossy and Richard own a lovely summer house that has been in their family for generations. It is a source of comfort to them but it is also becoming a growing burden. This is the year that Flossy wants all of her children and their spouses and grandchildren to come to the summer house for at least a week in the summer. They finally come home but they bring their varied issues with them. Every form of dysfunction that you can imagine comes home with Clem, Paige and Sam and their growing grandchildren.

Why I wanted to read it...

This kind of beachy book with characters with tons of issues is always a great reading experience. This author writes beautifully and each chapter rolls out with ease and interest. The issues of Flossy's children are interesting...they are serious and need to be addressed by these adult children.

What made me truly enjoy this book...

Books written about beachy summers are always great fun for me. There is just enough dysfunction and humor to make this book really lovely. Flossy's quest to get her neighbor's stuffed oyster recipe is delightful as is her grand plan for her husband's birthday party.

Why you should read it, too...

Readers who enjoy a fun interesting hard to put down beach book should truly enjoy this one! I know I did!

I loved this book. It's a perfect book for summer. The writing is fast paced and the characters are well written. A full review on Goodreads. Linked below as well as on Twitter and Instagram

The Summer House on the shores of Rhode Island is the Merrill family’s bastion. Matriarch, Flossy, and patriarch, Richard are weary of keeping up the vacation property that has been in their family for generations. The task has become onerous since their grown children and extended families return home to visit less and less frequently.

Current day problems mingle with childhood memories of the beach house and sibling rivalries. Each of Flossy’s children (Paige, Sam, and Clementine) arrive at the summer house with worries and mounting problems from their adult life, but in the course of the week spent preparing for Richard’s 75th birthday, they are reminded of their strong familial bonds and the strength and support received from one another.

In this character driven novel, a family that grew apart found their way back to center. They reconnected and renewed their bonds “down by the water”. The family dynamics are rich and complicated. Ms. McKinnon explores not only the Merrill’s relationships within the nuclear family, she dives into Paige, Sam, and Clem’s relationships with their own children and spouses. The Summer House by Hannah McKinnon is a classic family drama that made me long for a summer at a beach house with my own family.

I’ve mentioned before that Elin Hilderbrand is one of my summertime guilty pleasures. I love to lay back and lose myself in her Nantucket stories. It just makes me feel like summer. The Summer House by Hannah McKinnon gave me that same vibe, but better! McKinnon breathes new life into cottage living with a little bit of added family drama and dynamics, colourful characters and many heartwarming and humorous moments.

In The Summer House, a different member of the Merrill family narrates each chapter. Clem, the youngest daughter, and a recently widowed mother is struggling with raising her family on her own and with her budding feelings for the boy (turned man) next door. Sam and Evan, trying desperately to adopt a baby. Paige, the know it all oldest sister, struggling to keep her family afloat after her husband loses his job and her children starting acting out. They are all brought together by their matriarch, Flossy, who is trying to throw one last hurrah for her husband’s birthday before their family summer house is sold.

McKinnon’s easy narrative style sucks you in and allows you to settle comfortably in the plot and get to know the characters. This one really reminded me of The Family Stone, which is one of my favourite feel-good holiday movies that I watch every year. There were lots of laugh-out-loud hilarious moments but also some really heartfelt and touching ones as well. McKinnon does a brilliant job at writing a family dynamic and making it come alive on the pages.

My only complaint (and it was a small complaint), was that the ending felt a little bit abrupt. I was absorbed in this story and then it was just over. Not a lot of resolution or neatly tied ends, which is what I have come to know with novels like these.

Regardless, I feel like this book would be perfect for fans of Elin Hilderbrand and the like. A perfect, feel good, summer beach read. 4/5 stars.

Review will be posted on 6/8/17
Flossy Merrill would love to have her family spend some time all under the same roof at their beach house, just like the good old days. What better to get them there than to celebrate their father's 80th birthday? Her three children and their families come, some more willing than others, and along with them come their problems, some larger than others. There's Clementine, the youngest Merrill, who had two little ones and is just coming out of a very, very upsetting year. Then there's Samuel and his partner who are in the process of adopting, but learning that some things don't always work out easily. Lastly, there's Paige, the oldest Merrill, and the most stubborn. She is a micro-manager and she appears to have it all together, but, well, doesn't. Managing her two teens has proven to be tough along with her unemployed husband and her growing veterinary practice. The Merrill children come together and personalities collide, secrets are unearthed, and family bonds are forged. Where better to do this than at their beloved Rhode Island beach house? Hannah McKinnon's The Summer House really tugged on my heart strings. I loved this beach read and the Merrill family.

Clementine's story truly made me sympathize with her in The Summer House. As a mother to two little ones, I could understand her struggles with the day-to-day grind, but what cards life throws her is definitely very upsetting. She had to deal with life-altering circumstances and when she returns to her family's beach house, she is still working through all of that. Of course her family is worried about her, but hopefully the salt air will help her heal. I was rooting for her from the get-go.

I really loved the character of Samuel in The Summer House. He's a complex character that is in no way perfect, but I loved his relationship with his partner, Evan. Their struggles with adoption felt truly real and I think McKinnon captured the ups and downs well.

Paige's story also really tugged on my heartstrings, because she is trying so hard to keep it all together for her family as a working mother, but is struggling. I think many mothers today can relate to Paige and the pull to be everything to everyone. Plus, raising two teenagers is no easy feat. Her relationship with her husband is on the rocks since his layoff and they aren't really communicating well.

Combine all of these different personalities as well as problems into the mix, and you've got yourself an interesting family vacation. To top it off, Flossy knows deep down that they need to sell the beloved beach house, so she just wants one happy week before they must say goodbye to it forever.

McKinnon captures beach life so very well in The Summer House. Her descriptions of the bonfires, the hot days by the ocean, the starry-night skies, and the simple moments in a house by the ocean are spot on. Her descriptions took me back to my own summers and family vacations. I truly loved "living" at the Merril's house and couldn't wait to pick up the book again.

So, if you are looking for a beach read that will tug on your heartstrings, has a lot of family drama and beautiful descriptions of a beach house and beach living, you must check out The Summer House. It's my favorite of McKinnon's novels and it's one of my favorite novels of the year.