4.5 stars.
an absolutely perfect beach read- Heather McKinnon manages to capture the essence of summer in this book perfectly. The Merill family gather at their beach house to celebrate their father's birthday. Everyone in the family has a secret- from the parents, to the three adult children, to one of the grandchildren. I especially loved the setting for the book because it was written at "my" beach. Definitely recommend this one if you're looking for a good beach book.

This is the 3rd book I've read by Hannah McKinnon, and she definitely has become a must-read author for me. This one is more family drama and less chick lit than her previous two books, but just as enjoyable, about a week in a family's Rhode Island beach house, told from the perspective of each of the 3 adult children and their mother, all dealing with their own issues. An absolute perfect summer read, my only regret is that I didn't save it to read on my own beach vacation in a few months!

This book was such a breath of fresh air and just what I needed to get excited for summer! It was everything I love about a summer read--beach house setting, great characters, and a feel good story that makes your heart happy. Normally in books with chapters with multiple characters, I almost always have that one (or two!) character that I'm not as excited to read about. Not so with The Summer House! I loved each character and did not find myself bored or wanting a certain character's chapter to be over. I loved each character's story and journey throughout the book. I found myself wishing I could go hang out at the house with this wonderful family.

I loved both of the author's previous books, and The Summer House did not disappoint! The writing and the story flowed well and was relaxing to read. The Summer house should definitely be on your summer reading list this year--it is a delightful read!

Featured in our summer reading guide
http://www.grundycountyherald.com/the-ultimate-summer-reading-guide/

This is a great summer read, with all the necessary trappings: a dysfunctional family, a great summer setting, and lots of drama. I thoroughly enjoyed sitting back in the warm sun, under a cloudless sky, to read it. Flossie Merrill has invited her children and their families to the family summer house in Rhode Island, for their aging father’s birthday. Flossie also wants to check up on her children: Clementine, whose life has recently undergone a major change; Paige, who seems steadfast but who has unpredictable teenagers; and Samuel, who, along with his partner Evan, are struggling to come to grips with their life together. The three grown Merrill children arrive at the summer house, along with their different challenges, and the week at the beach house becomes a good look at how each works through things while interacting with each other. The story covered this aspect well, with look backs to their childhoods and how far each has come. This is definitely a great summer read, either at home or at the beach/on vacation. It is not terribly fast moving, but remains interesting and will hold your attention from start to finish. The author should think about building on this book and making the Merrill family stories a series. I received this form NetGalley to read and review.

I featured this book in a beach read roundup today:
http://www.bethfishreads.com/2017/05/10-books-for-your-beach-bag.html

Flossy and Richard have invited their children, spouses and kids to their summer home in Rhode Island for Richard's 75th birthday. Paige, the oldest, always striving and pushing herself and others; Sam, the successful businessman, not caring about fitting in, and Clem, a young mother recently widowed, each with their own challenges and issues to deal with. I enjoyed the book, and thought it was a good summer read.

I received this arc from Netgalley for an honest review.
This is my first read by this author. I love beach you contemporary reads and this seemed like a perfect fit. I loved the characters and how they all worked through the book. Each of the siblings were going through a life change and I liked how they referred back to their childhood. I wonder if this is a stand alone of if there is more to come. Lots of questions left unanswered and I'd like to know where everyone goes from here.

My thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A great summer read! A story that encompasses the arc of a family, the highs and the lows, set in the family summer home by the beach. Beautifully written, and hard to put down. It made me wish I had a summer house to go to with my extended family.

Flossie Merrill has finally gotten all her children and their families back to the summer house in Rhode Island where generations of their family have spent the summer. It's their father's eightieth birthday, and Flossie has planned a big party, but she has another reason for gathering the family together. Flossie worries about all her children for different reasons - her daughter Clementine has had a life-changing event, Samuel and his partner Evan are struggling with adoption, and Paige seems fine, but has unpredictable teenagers.

Her children arrive, all with own their own literal and figurative baggage in tow. One of the things I most enjoyed about this book was the interactions between the siblings, based on habits learned as children. Sam and Paige are very competitive, and not always to their benefit. Paige and Clem have an interesting relationship as sisters. As the week progresses, the relationships between the three siblings and their parents strengthen as they begin to see one another for the adults they are in the present.

The writing in The Summer House is excellent, and the story is well paced. I was engrossed in this book and invested in the characters. They seem like real people that you'd enjoy getting to know.

All in all, this was a fantastic book and will make a great summer beach read. I highly recommend it.

A family story that takes readers on a summer journey with clearly identifiable characters. Whether you are an east coast lover or dip your toes in the mighty Pacific, The Summer House by Hannah McKinnon is one anyone can visit and find themselves inside its weathered pages. I love the journey of Flossy's children back home to their summer refuge, the way that they remember who they were, and see how far they've come. Definitely putting this one in my beach bag.

I really liked this! So much that I went and requested that my library system buy a few McKinnon titles, because they didn't have any. Full review to come for Shelf Awareness.

I love a good book set during summer on the east coast, and this one did not disappoint!

This book encompasses everything you think about when you hear the words summer house - a gorgeous setting, a dysfunctional family, and drama, drama, drama.

This was a well written book that grabbed me from the beginning, full of strong characters and believable behaviors. Fans of Elin Hilderbrand and Mary Alice Monroe will love this book. I will definitely read more books by this author.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Summer House
Hannah McKinnon
Available: June 6, 2017

Thank you very much to NetGalley.com and the publisher for providing me an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Yippee! It’s Spring and that means that the fluffy summer beach reads will be arriving shortly. I live for this part of the year so I can take my yearly reading trips across the globe to fabulous beaches. For once, I’m not reading a book about Nantucket. Instead, I’ve had the pleasure to read a sweet family tale with minimal drama in Rhode Island.
What I loved: I’ve recently lost my mother in law but it was so touching to see her spirit live on in the character of Flossie. Like my MIL, Flossie is appreciated even when people are rolling their eyes behind her back, a bundle of energy always fretting about small details, and is genuinely loved. While I would have loved to see a deeper insight into her being outside of deciding paint colors – she was a joy to read.
What I didn’t love: Actually, everyone except Sam seemed to keep it on the surface. I rolled my eyes when Paige confronts her child about teenage drinking. Why did you do it? Because I wanted to know what it felt like. Give me a break. And was the shout out to Taylor Swift really necessary? Didn’t think this was a YA book…
What I learned: Rhode Island can be an incredible place for a vacation – but only if you like seafood.
Overall Grade: B

I'm a firm believer that the ocean heals. Being together at the end of a stressful summer is exactly what this family needs.

I am giving this book a low rating not because of the writing but because of the characters. Very unlikable characters except Clem. The others were all wallowing too much in self pity for no reasons at all and all seemed very selfish. The mother worked herself up all the time trying to do too much and the other siblings were too pathetic.

I always look forward to diving into Hannah McKinnon's novels!! First off, I can always guarantee after reading one of her books I want to take a trip to the beach!! Secondly, I know that Ms. McKinnon will captivate me with her great storylines and endearing characters!

The Summer House was a sweet and touching story about the Merrill family. Having felt her family drifting apart lately, Flossy Merrill decided her husbands 75th birthday is the perfect opportunity to bring her kids and grandkids back together. Their summer house at Weekapaug Beach had been in the Merrill family for nearly a hundred years and had always proved to be a magical place. With each of her three kids going through there own personal issues (some obvious and some hidden), Flossy felt this would be the best place to reconnect...and maybe share some news of her own! I loved what Hannah McKinnon had in mind for the Merrill clan!!

I always find Hannah McKinnon's writing to be equal parts relatable and enjoyable. Her books always play out like a movie in my mind and by the time I'm done, I never want to say goodbye. Although some of the Merrill's issues were deep and complex, I though Hannah did a great job of not letting the vibe of this book get too dark or depressing. I found the setting enchanting and like I said before, I now need to hit the beach...stat!! The Summer House is truly the perfect beach read, I highly recommend this 4.5 star gem to everyone!!

A perfect summer read. A perfect read anytime. Hannah McKinnon captures the spirit of family - the good and the bad - with such perfection it makes your heart swell. I loved this book - Thank You!