I enjoyed this book very much, it's a classic "beach book". A group of friends from college who now have careers, spouses/partners, and children meet up on a Caribbean cruise to celebrate a wedding anniversary.

Abby and her husband Sam are celebrating their 2oth wedding anniversary with her 2 sons and she's invited her old friends on the cruise with them. Her never-married friend Lee comes with her college-aged daughter Lacey, and their friend Caroline comes with her long-time partner.

Each of the three friends brings their own personal baggage to the cruise - Abby has a secret, Lee is struggling with her daughter, Caroline wants a proposal. As the cruise progresses, they realize that their longtime friendship is stronger than ever.

I highly recommend this book. Thanks to Touchstone and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Touchstone Books and to Netgalley for sending me a copy of this book in exchange of an honest review .

I rate this book a 3 out of 5 stars.

It was a cute read, and made me wish I was back on the cruise that I took in May. It also made me wish that I had a group of friends like this. If I could paint a picture of a good, fun, and quick summer read, this one definitely fits the bill.

I'd say I found the character of Abby the most relate-able to me. In my old group of friends I was always the mother hen, the one that made sure everyone was safe, sound, and tucked into bed. I loved the banter between these women, the ease of their friendship, and the moments where they recalled everything they had been through together. For lovers of Chick Lit, and Women's Fiction, this will be the perfect book for you!! If I enjoyed it, than I know you will too!

This was a sweet summer read that set a nice tone for summer.  I wanted something to read that put me in a summer state of mind and this did the trick!  This book will have you dreaming about pink sand beaches and clear water!

This is a character driven novel about friendship, marriage, family, life and love.  It is told from multiple points of view.  Abby, who is celebrating her twentieth anniversary with her husband Sam and has twin boys, has a secret which is revealed in the second part of the book.  Caroline, who has a big career as a magazine writer, wants her boyfriend to propose--I found the way she carried on about it to be shallow and immature.  Lacey is a single mom struggling with her relationship with her college-age daughter; Lacey was my favorite character and the one that I found least annoying and most relatable.  What Lacey really needs is to focus on herself.  As a mom of two girls about to start college, I think that revelation is very spot on.  As moms we spend years focusing on our kids and when they grow up we feel empty, we don't know what to do with ourselves (so we start a book blog!) or in Lacey's case, realize we need to focus on ourselves.

This book is a perfect beach read.  The characters have issues, but it's like Disney, you know everything is going to be ok in the end.  I did enjoy the characters and watching them evolve and come to terms with things.  Getting caught up in these women's lives and friendships as they cruised the Caribbean waters and enjoyed life aboard a cruise ship was a nice way to spend a few summer evenings!

I love a good summer read, especially when it’s about girlfriends and good times. This book hit the mark it had the right amount of small drama to not be too cheesy, yet still remain light and airy.
However this book was enjoyable until the end. It just ended. She spent so much time developing the plot that the end came to an abrupt halt. The reader gets no resolution. It is almost like she reached her page allowance and ended the trip and the book.
She could have redeemed this a little with a quick recap in the epilogue.

Loved this book of friendships and the trials and tribulations we all have at one time in our lives. A perfect summer read and the Wendy can’t be beat for a great book. All her books are ‘feel good “ books with a great story line. Thank you Netgalley and touchstone publishers for this great summer read.

This was a very light summer read. I loved that it took place on a cruise and in Bermuda as I’ve been to the Swizzle Inn. That part was fun. The characters were not well shown. More of it was telling. There was also no twist or surprises of any kind, just a straight forward read as you know almost immediately what Abby is “hiding”. Fun book, nothing deep or thought provoking but a great option for the pool when you need to keep your eye on the kids while you read.

I typically enjoy books about women’s friendships but this fell a little flat for me. I enjoyed the author’s overall style, The main characters were likeable enough, but I thought they were a little underdeveloped. I was hoping that there would be more interaction between the three best friends, and perhaps there would have been if not for each of the women’s personal stories. I did enjoy the setting and the author’s vivid descriptions of Bermuda.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the complimentary ecopy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

Wendy Francis' The Summer Sail (Touchstone, digital galley) is the pleasant story of three college roommates on a cruise to Bermuda. Abby, who is paying for the trip, is celebrating her 20th anniversary with professor husband Sam and their teenage sons. Magazine editor Caroline is hoping her longtime beau Javier will propose. Schoolteacher and single mom Lee wants to know why her college student daughter Lacey is being a brat. Actually, Lacey has a secret, and Abby has an even bigger one, so all is not smooth sailing. But pretty much.

Abby, Caroline, and Lee hop on a cruise ship with their guys and their kiddos… to celebrate a 20th wedding anniversary, share some personal news, await a proposal, and straighten out some of life’s twists and turns.

I loved the cruise ship setting. So fun! For an hour or two each night I was whisked away into the land of lounge chairs and umbrella drinks — and hot sunny days. Wendy Francis did a fantastic job making the friendships real and easy. The women were like sisters with each other – just how I’d imagine this trio in real life. And although some of the plot was predictable, Francis developed it in a fresh, engaging way. I was in it for the whole cruise: laughter, tears, and mouth agape. Nicely written, very entertaining!
https://randombookmuses.com/2018/05/28/review-the-summer-sail-by-wendy-francis/

Review will be posted week of 5/28/18

Lee, Caroline, and Abby were college roommates and the best of friends. They often get together, but this year they are doing something special. They are taking a cruise to Bermuda in honor of Abby's 20th wedding anniversary. It should be fun. Think cocktails, sunset, lounging by the pool.....what could go wrong? But throw everyone and their families on a cruise ship, things are bound to get dramatic. Plus, Abby is hiding a major secret from everyone except her husband. Caroline, still single, is bringing her boyfriend Javier, but things are complicated. Caroline is hoping he will finally propose to her. Lee, a single mom, is bringing her daughter, Lacey, but after her first year at college, she has come back a different person and is hiding secrets of her own. Then there's Abby's two rambunctious high school boys who will most definitely get in trouble on a cruise ship. There are some obvious challenges facing the three women, but such strong friendships can weather any storm, right? Wendy Francis' The Summer Sail is such a great beach read. Who doesn't want to be transported to a luxurious cruise ship en route to dreamy Bermuda?

I actually enjoyed all three women in The Summer Sail. I felt the most for Abby as I could connect with her the best, but I appreciated all of the women and their struggles. Abby is obviously hiding a secret and my heart went out to her as we slowly piece together what she is struggling with on a daily basis. Caroline wants to take the next step in her relationship since she isn't getting any younger and she is hoping Javier will man up on this trip. I am not sure her friend's 20th anniversary celebration is really the best time to think about your significant other proposing, but that's her main focus. Lastly, there's Lee who has built her life around her only daughter, Lacey, except she has returned from college with a serious boyfriend and a seriously bad attitude. Lee is hoping this trip will reestablish their relationship, but Lacey is annoyed there's not Wifi on the ship. I loved that all three women support each other and their friendship has truly survived years of ups and downs. The flashbacks to college were especially fun and helped to develop their characters even more.

I have never read a book that takes place on a leisurely cruise, but reading one that does during summer break is simply perfection. The views, the drinks, the fancy dinners, the ocean, the ship's balconies, and the Bermuda beaches all had me pining for a trip to the Caribbean. I loved Francis' descriptions of the cruise itself; it felt like I was on vacation with all of the ladies and who doesn't love a group vacation with your best friends?

There are some unexpected twists in The Summer Sail, some that I saw coming, others that took me by surprise. My only issue was the one major secret was predictable and sometimes the characters hyper focused on their own problems, but other than that I thought The Summer Sail was a fun beach read with an incredible setting.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for allowing me to read an advance copy. Loved reading about these wonderful characters going on a cruise. Makes me even more anxious to go on another cruise...soon. Loved the cruise setting and also Bermuda. Very likeable characters with very easy to relate to things going on in their lives.

A very enjoyable book about the friendship of 3 women who were college friends. They are all older now and are going on a cruise to celebrate one of the three's 20th wedding anniversary. This book will appeal to those that like women's fiction and stories about friendship and families. I enjoyed the descriptions of Bermuda. I gave this book 4 stars.

This is the perfect beach read/ long car ride book. It was cute and light, yet had a couple situations that added a little gravity to the plot. This actually isn't my "normal" personal reading material, but I did enjoy it, and I think many other women (and men!) will do the same this summer.

Thanks to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

A great beach read!

Loved the story and how their 20+ year friendship evolves and grows as they celebrate one of their 20 year anniversaries with a cruise to Bermuda. It was a great story of friendship, mother/daughter relationships, marriages/relationships, mother/son relationships and worrying about health.

I wish there had been an epilogue as it just seemed to end, but overall a cute beach read. Almost made my want to go on a cruise!

Summer Sail is a light, breezy summer story that draws you in immediately. 3 college roommates are reunited 20+ years later to celebrate a wedding anniversary aboard a cruise ship. These 3 women are at different stages of their lives but pick up right where they left off after graduation. Lee and Lacey are my favorite characters. They have the mother/daughter relationship that many strive for, I recommend Summer Sail for those who like stories about friendships, families and loves that endure over time.

Three college roommates and their respective families come together on a cruise to celebrate Abby’s 20 year anniversary and vow renewal. This story made me yearn for good girlfriends that can get together and pick up as if there was little time since their last visit. Each family has their respective challenges as you would expect but are able to shelve those issues to spend great times with friends and genuinely care for each other. No judgement, no jealousies. It’s sad how rare that is. I loved getting to know each character and I’m not worried about any of them. They’ll do well and handle what life throws them. This author has provided authenticity and relatability to these friends and now I’m signing off to go call and touch base some of my own friends . Thanks for the reminder.

In her new novel Wendy Francis tells the story of three “forever friends”. They bonded twenty years earlier when they met in college. Now, as one is set to renew her marriage vows, they are at much different places in life. One is a successful magazine writer, one is a pre-school teacher with a empty nest at home, and one has just been given life-changing news. They’ll find out if they can still share their secrets, disappointments and joy on an eight-day cruise to Bermuda. It’s a tale of friendship, loyalty and life. Told in a breezy, enjoyable style I found it a very fast read that had me reminiscing about my own forever friends. I’d love to cruise to Bermuda with them and was glad to be along for the trip with Abby, Lee and Caroline.

4 smooth sailing stars to The Summer Sail! 🚢 🚢 🚢 🚢

I L.O.V.E. to cruise. There is nothing better than unpacking your suitcase in your cabin, going to sleep, and magically waking up in a new place every single day. I’m especially drawn to books about cruising (and I haven’t found many!) because I’m trying to recapture that sense of adventure, which my inner 80s child will always equate with “The Love Boat!”

The Summer Sail is about three college friends who reunite for a cruise to Bermuda. Abby is celebrating her 20th anniversary with her husband while on the cruise, and she’s keeping some secrets. Caroline is on the trip with her boyfriend, and Lee is a single mom who brought her college-age daughter with her.

Unfortunately, the vacation is not as stress-free as the friends had hoped. Past transgressions surface, dynamics shift, and their relationships are tested.

Bottom line, Wendy Francis has delivered a fantastic escapist read in every sense with a fabulous setting, smooth writing, likable characters, and dilemmas that just about anyone could relate to. I enjoyed my time aboard The Summer Sail!

Thank you to Wendy Francis, Touchstone, and Netgalley for the ARC. The Summer Sail is available now!

This book fits the description "beach read" to a T. Lots of sun, drinks, a dash of romance, and a few minor snafus to deal with- hey, no one is perfect!

It's slowly revealed that one of the characters is sick, and while I guess this was added to give some more weight to the fluffy plot, I'm not sure that it does. It's kind of treated as a "that's a shame" rather than ever really dealing with the issue full on. Which makes sense for a beach read, but it made me wonder why it was even necessary to have.

Over all, a cute read, and one you could easily get through in an afternoon on a beach, even after a few cocktails.

Happy #pubday to The Summer Sail! 🎉 Three college roommates reunite every summer, this year going on a cruise to Bermuda to celebrate the 20th wedding anniversary of Abby and her husband. Abby has a secret that makes this trip even more meaningful, will her best friends find out the truth? Caroline comes along with her boyfriend Javier, with whom she wants more of a commitment. Rounding out the trio is Lee, a single mom to Lacey. Lacey is in her first year of college and on uneven ground with her mom. I loved the details of the cruise ship and the beaches of Bermuda. This was everything a good beach read should be- it was light, witty, juicy, and has the right touch of mystery. Chock full of details that helps the reader slip away with them on the cruise to Bermuda, this was an enjoyable easy read. For me, this was ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars (rounded up from 3.5). Thank you @touchstonebooks for this advance reader in exchange for my honest review.