I received an ARC free through netgalley.
This is Elin Hilderbrands first attempt at a historical novel. The book was enjoyable, but I often forgot it took place in ‘69! The characters were real, but the plot just didn’t do it for me like I’d hoped. If you like coming of age novels, you’ll enjoy this one though.

I received an arc of this title from Netgalley for an honest review. I love all books Elin Hilderbrand but I just could not get into this book. I was expecting a beachy novel and this was not it.

As I read this book I was transported to the late 60s. As a child of the mid-70s, there were lots of things that were familiar from my childhood or from stories from my parents and I really enjoyed the trip down memory lane. The story features viewpoints from 3 sisters which is HIlderbrand's usual style of chapters from different characters. I really like this type of storytelling because I never get bored with a character. Although, I usually have a favorite character and want the story to come back to that one! In this book though I never really connected with any of the characters. I wanted to find out what happened to them, but never felt a real connection with any of them. The story felt a bit predictable and this was definitely not my favorite Hilderbrand book.

Historically, 1969 was a time of change and even turmoil. Elin Hilderbrand produces the feelings and events of the summer of 1969, making readers feel as if they've been transported back in time 50 years.
The Nichols/Foley/Levin family traditionally spends the summer at Grandmother Exalta's home, All's Fair; however, this summer there are many changes to their summer routine: Blair (the oldest), married a year ago, is pregnant with twins and only comes to Nantucket when she believes her husband has been unfaithful; Kirby (21) is trying to find herself and works part of the summer on Martha's Vineyard; Tiger (19) has been drafted to Vietnam, causing much worry and concern for the family but especially for his mother Kate; and Jessie (13) spends most of the summer by herself on Nantucket where she too learns a lot about herself and her family.
From Vietnam to the moon landing to protests and Civil Rights to the Kennedys to Woodstock, Hilderbrand seamlessly included so many integral and pivotal events and feelings of an era of change.
With chapters alternating between characters, readers hear and feel the experiences of 1969 from several different points of view.
And the chapter titles are so clever and creative! Love it, Elin!

Another great read crafters by Elin Hilderbrand. I am a beach bum and love all of her books and this one didn’t disappoint!!! 1969 was a huge year for America.

Perfect beach read, Elin Hilderbrand never disappoints! Her characters are vividly developed and I loved the historical setting, which is a departure for her. You can feel the pride she took in writing this book and it is one of her best.

Three and a half stars: A fascinating character driven novel set against the tumultuous summer of 1969.

Another summer is set to arrive on Nantucket. That means Kate Levin will be loading up her children and heading to their summer home on Nantucket. Things are different this year as Kate is only taking her youngest daughter, Jessie. Kate’s other children are off on their own adventures. Her son, Tiger, is serving in Vietnam, Blair her eldest daughter is married and expecting twins, while her other daughter, Kirby, also known as the wild one, is off on her own in Martha’s Vineyard. The summer of 1969 quickly proves to be one unlike any other. Will the Levin family survive the chaos?
What I Liked:
*Ms. Hilderbrand is known for her character driven novels. This one doesn’t disappoint as this book delivers another fascinating bunch of characters to follow. I enjoyed each of the characters, and I loved uncovering their secrets.
*The story is told via four alternating view points. There is Kate, a middle aged woman, the mother of four children, who is convinced that her son was drafted because of mistakes in her past. Kate takes to drinking heavily in order to forget her problems. Blair is a newly married woman in her mid twenties. Blair thought she was marrying the man of her dreams, but married life is turning out to be a disappointment. She fears her brilliant NASA scientist husband is cheating on her. Worse, he won’t allow Blair to continue working, and he makes her decline her acceptance into Harvard. Then Blair discovers she is pregnant with twins, her life appears to be over. Kirby is the wild child. She is always looking for a cause to support. She is reeling from a recent breakup, and she wants nothing more than to escape for the summer. Kirby takes a job on Martha’s Vineyard where life proves to be exciting and daring. Finally, thirteen old Jessie rounds out the cast. Jessie is easy to relate to as she is going through that awkward period. Jessie falls in love, makes mistakes during her summer ad grows up. I loved that there were so many different type of women represented in this story, and I liked following their unique stories.
*I throughly enjoyed learning more about what life was like in 1969. It was interesting to read how people viewed things back then. Some things were markedly different such as care during pregnancy, while others haven’t changed much such as prejudice and political figures taking a fall. I loved the time period. I also liked how the author wove real life events into her story such as the moon landing and the scandal of Chappaquiddick, as well as Woodstock and Vietnam.
*I liked that the author also touched upon topics that still are touchy fifty years later such as anti semitism, sexual misconduct, sexism and racism. I thought it was interesting to see how the women of this era handled these issues when they faced them.
*There isn’t much to the plot of the story. This book is mostly a look at four different women navigating life in 1969. You think it would be boring, but it’s not. There is lots of drama, secrets and unexpected developments that kept me engaged throughout. If you like character driven stories, this is one for you.
And The Not So Much:
*I wasn’t a fan of the ending. It felt rushed, as if the author was in a hurry to wrap it up with a big, neat bow. I was disappointed that there were many things left unfinished, and I was left wanting way more. It almost felt like this is just the beginning and that another book might be on the way?
*I was fascinated by Exalta, the grandmother. She is not a narrator, and I think the story would have been better if we could have gotten Exalta’s point of view.
*I also found myself wishing for Tiger’s point of view. A male’s input would have been interesting, not to mention, he was fighting in Vietnam, this would have put a whole new spin on the story.
*As I mentioned, this is not a plot driven story. Really nothing major happens. Basically you are dealing with four women encountering personal problems and drama and how they deal with them. If you aren’t into family drama and all that, this is not a book for you.
*Even though I appreciated that the author threw in several historical events that occurred in the summer of 1969, I kind of felt like they were thrown in there, and none of them really tied into the story. I wish that she had taken time to further develop the Chappaquiddick portion, or even expand upon the moon landing. I was disappointed that there wasn’t more on any of these important events.

Summer of ‘69 is another book that fans of Elin Hilderbrand will devour. This book falls back on her trademark character driven story centered around four women in one family. I enjoyed the historical content, and I loved the era. I also appreciated that I got four unique women navigating this turbulent time. I was never bored even though not much happens in the book. If you like family drama and strong characters, this is one for you.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.

Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.

4 stars!

"And maybe, just maybe, this summer will end up being one that people write songs about.”

Is it really summer if you don't read an Elin Hilderbrand book? I truly look forward to her books every single summer and this one did not disappoint!

It's 1969 and the Levin family is ready to go to Nantucket where they go every summer. Before that though, their worst nightmare happened - their son, Tiger, was drafted and sent to the Vietnam war and there's nothing they can do to stop it. The three siblings back in Nantucket are on their own. Blair is pregnant, Kirby is trying to make the world a better place and work through civil right struggles and Jessie is a thirteen year old just trying to figure out where her place is in the world.

The story dives into each of the siblings stories as well as their struggling mother and their grandmother who has secrets of her own! Each of the Levin family members is trying to get through life their own way. Each person goes through their own personal struggle as well as the struggles that men and women both went through during the 1969 time period. One thing is for sure even when this family is apart, they always come together.

I'm not typically a fan of historical fiction but I really enjoyed this book. You look at the cover and you think this is going to be a light beach read, right? Wrong. This story has so much depth and so much content. Let me just say I am SO happy I was not a woman in 1969 as they were not treated that well however I am thankful for the struggles they went through in order to get women to where we are today. And to all your war heroes (including some of my own family members) hats of to you. From what I know the Vietnam war was a tough one and to anyone who fights to defend mine and the USA's freedom is a true hero as well as their families.

Definitely pick this one up if the 60's/70's interest you and you want to read about all the different struggles a seemingly normal family went through behind the scenes. Plus, Elin Hilderbrand is just a great writer!

This was my first Elin Hilderbrand. I can't believe that I hadn't read her before. I loved how the events of 1969 were all intertwined into the book.

I want more. I fell in love with the family. :)

As usual, Hilderbrand sucks me in and wants me to visit the places she is writing about-usually Nantucket. This time she takes us back to 1969, a year I never saw. Her characters are relatable and I would love to be there to spend my summer on the beach with Jessie and Puck. There are a lot of issues in this story including abuse, romance, death, and alcoholism, but the stories blend together and seem to fit. 1969 was such an important time and Hilderbrand showed us what a regular live was like during that year-even though she wasn't old enough to live through it and remember herself.

This was the perfect summer beach book for me. I was a child in the 60s , I remember so clearly the Vietnam War and the moon landing. I really loved this book and how you feel like you are back in the day again, or for the first time. I could hardly put this book down. I am always so pleased to find Ms Hilderbrand's island getaway books every summer, but this book is extra special and it didnt disappoint.

I have yet to read one of Hilderbrand's stories that I didn't thoroughly enjoy! This one took me on a wonderful journey back in time to a fascinating era on many accounts. There are lots of dramatic things going on during this time in the United States and the well researched manner in which many of these events and occurrences are approached through her writing comes across beautifully and very vividly as you progress through the story. The entire read is wonderfully plotted out and sure to hook you almost immediately. Her descriptions of settings throughout are particularly well written and I am sure this, like many of her others, will be a very big hit!

I couldn’t put this book down. I can’t wait to read more by this author. This book reminds me how perfectly flawed we all are. The characters were all so real and rebatable. This beach read brought out every emotion as I made my through the book.

Love, love, loved this book! It is a quick read that you don’t really have to think too hard about! I took mine on vacation and spent 2 days with my nose in this book. Perfect beach read and I will purchase for my bookshelf!

This book has so much going on with Levin family. Tiger is off to war the Vietnam war to be exact. Blair is stuck at her home in Massachusetts being very pregnant. Kirby is in Martha’s Vineyard working after a hard year at college. Which leaves Jessie all alone this summer Nantucket where she meets the workers grandson who is spending the summer there waiting for his mother to come for him.

Jessie has all sorts of issues as do the other siblings. They are all dealing with ups and downs in life. As their mother’s drinking gets worse it become obvious Tiger’s being gone is shattering their mother. Will they survive with the ups and downs in life or will it all fall apart?

I enjoy this story like so many of her’s we get to see Ms. Hilderbrand’s Nantucket with all it’s ups and downs and I loved how it takes place on the dreaded year of the Kennedy scandal. We get to see how people react to it, along with how the summer defines each character. Definitely can’t wait to see what Ms. Hilderbrand comes up with next!

“And maybe, just maybe, this summer will end up being one that people write songs about.” 💗

Historical fiction is definitely one of my favorite genres. Typically, historical fiction centers around pivotal times in history, times that many people have read about or heard about but haven’t lived, and the reader is given a chance to fully immerse himself or herself in the period. Hilderbrand’s novel was no different. The summer of 1969 was a pivotal year, a pivotal time. Hilderbrand so perfectly integrated the events of the summer into her character’s lives. We all know about Ted Kennedy and Chappaquidick. But what about the friends of Mary Jo Kopechne? How did it feel to watch man reach the moon—in real time on a tiny TV screen? How did families cope with their loved ones fighting in Nam? I got to learn this through the characters.

The irony of the fight for gender equality in 1969, 50 years ago, was not lost on me. (“Equal Pay” chant after the USWNT won the World Cup?) The only issue I had with the political stance in this novel was that it was so pronounced I felt like I was reading a children’s book where the theme of the story needs to be spelled out at the end. Sometimes subtlety speaks louder. Regardless, I love the message, and as long as it’s there, so be it.

The novel keeps Hilderbrand’s trademark summer-on-Nantucket style, just rewound 50 years. There’s love and food and beaches and drama—everything we could hope for! This is absolutely one of my favorites of Hilderbrand’s!

Another great Elin Hilderbrand book! In this historical fiction, she writes about the Summer of 1969 that included the first walk on the moon, Woodstock, and a Kennedy scandal. She was inspired to write about this summer, as it was when she and her twin brother were born (and she includes similar twin births in the book). Hildebrand writes (naturally) about a Nantucket summer and the lives of four siblings, including one who is serving in the Vietnam War. It's a lovely book that includes family drama, but ultimate understanding and forgiveness. Add it to your summer reading list!

Summer of '69 by Elin Hilderbrand revolves around the all-too-true theme that families are complicated. There seem always to be secrets and the Nichols-Foley-Levin-Whalen family has more than most. As is its habit, the family, or most of it, has gathered on Nantucket for the summer. Exalta Nichols, the matriarch declares Memorial Day to be too early so they arrive on the third Monday in June. There are the easy problems: one daughter is dating a black man; Exalta's daughter is married to a Jewish man; there is a pregnancy and infighting between in expectant parents; one of the daughters wants her independence, well all of them do, really. Then there are the larger problems of the day: the Viet Nam War, abortion, Civil Rights, Chappaquiddick, and the expanding world.

Hildebrand has crafted a wonderful story by taking just a slice of the summer of 1969 and telling its story as well as flashbacks to make parts of it relevant. What family doesn't have secrets? Yet, this story is so gently told, even the hard parts of it, that the secrets don't remain in the forefront. The participants have the fortitude and common sense to put them away and strive for better, in an almost heartbreaking way. It was easy enough to cry at parts of this story, but easier, yet, to cheer. And all the time remember being alive in 1969 with many of these problems existing in my sphere as well. And remembering being a teenager and young adult and how difficult it was. Summer of '69 is a wonderful book. I recommend it.

I received a free ARC of Summer of '69. All opinions expressed herein are solely my own. #netgalley #summerof'69

In her first historical novel, rich with the details of an era that shaped both a nation and an island thirty miles out to sea, Elin Hilderbrand once again earns her title as queen of the summer novels. Summer of ’69 is a nostalgic, domestic tale that takes us back to the idyllic island of Nantucket during a year when Vietnam was still raging, and Apollo 11 was finally going to put men on the moon, and into the lives of the blended Foley-Levin family as they navigate a summer of revelations, change, and new additions.

Elin Hilderbrand is the queen of the beach read. Although this one isn't set in present time (as evidenced by the title), I enjoyed the look back at the past and didn't feel that the time period distracted any from the story. I immediately fell in love with several of the characters as we followed a family through the summer of 1969 (and a quick peek at them during the winter of 1969). Hilderbrand weaved in a little bit of drama throughout the book but I felt like the "big secret" was pretty obvious and predictable. I didn't enjoy this book as much as I have other books of hers but it was still a good read. Looking forward to her next book!