Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I actually give this 3.5 stars rounded up. Summer of ‘69 is Elin Hilderbrand’s first dive into “historical fiction,” but for me, this was more about family relationships while the historical part was really just secondary. The story itself focuses on the lives of one family during that famous summer. The chapters are each named after a popular song from the era, which is a cool way to help us stay in the time. Hilderbrand does a good job of helping us get to know the Foley-Levin and Whaley families. While there are family secrets revealed throughout, I don’t think the reader hasn’t guessed what they are or are particularly surprised by them. I particularly liked Jessie and her story as it evolved. Kirby and Blair’s also revealed the struggles for women during that period. It felt like the historical events were a bit too manipulated to fit directly into this family’s experience, but like in Forrest Gump, we can all play along. I happen to love that this takes place in New England because I have been there many summers in my life, and Elin Hilderbrand accurately captures so much of the Island community vibe. Overall, I enjoyed this book and recommend it for a good summer read!

This was a fun read. History, family drama and beach...what could be better. Hilderbrand has well developed characters and a good story to tell.

I really enjoyed Hilderbrand taking us all back to the summer of '69. She did a great job of weaving the historic events of that infamous summer into the everyday lives of her characters. I would love to see these characters again in a future book.

Elin Hilderbrand does it again, but this time with a historical twist. This is the perfect novel to grab for your summer beach vacation, preferably in Nantucket. It is a family saga with relatable characters and just enough twists to keep you guessing.

What a story and for fun i made a soundtrack to read by. Elin is the Queen of Summer Reads and this book is her best yet

Elin Hilderbrand has written another great beach read, taking us back to the summer of '69 in Nantucket/Martha's Vineyard. Her signature style of multi-layered characters and story lines makes for a very entertaining beach read. I wasn't sure how I would like the historical backdrop versus her other books set in current times, but I really enjoyed it. Her books just keep getting better and better! Thanks to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book.

Elin Hilderbrand has done it again. In her compulsively readable style, she takes the reader back to the summer of 1969 on her beloved Nantucket. Fans of the author will dive right in, and historical fiction fans will be happily transported back in time as well.

Elin Hilderbrand has done it again! She has given readers another great beach read for the 2019 summer. Once I started this book, I couldn't put it down. I was into the characters lives from the get-go. All of Elin Hilderbrand's books are wonderful in this way. She has a unique writing style that draws you in from the very beginning and leaves you wanting to know more even after you have finished the book. I find myself thinking about all of the family members and wondering how they are doing. Tiger- will he return from Vietnam OK and have the big family? And what about Jessie, Blair and Kirby - I need to know what happens to them! Thank you to Elin for another great book to add to my favorite list.

Elin Hilderbrand never disappoints! This novel is a little different then her others, but the historical fiction helps makes the story humorous as well as informative. Many twists and turns keeps me entertained from beginning to end, and I grew very attached to the characters. A must beach read this summer!

I look forward to my yearly visit to Nantucket through the words of Elin Hilderbrand and "Summer of 69" did not disappoint. I was worried as a "younger" (meaning not alive in the 60s) I would not appreciate the nostalgia but that is far from the truth. I loved the multiple vantage points and watching the stories unfold. It was beautifully written and made me want to curl up in a beach chair with a glass of wine on the porch of Alls Fair.

Summer of ‘69
Elin Hilderbrand
June 18, 2019

Twelve year old Jessie Levin was ending 6th grade. In a couple of weeks she turns 13 years old. She felt her world was changing because she heads to a new school when 7th grade begins in the fall. Within the time Jessie has her birthday however, her family has become whorled around. Her step-brother, Tiger goes from part time driving instructor to being drafted into the army. Her mother, Kate is terrified he won’t return. Vietnam is losing young drafted boys every day. She and her husband, David watch the Walter Cronkite daily. They believe what they see. After Tiger is shipped out to begin his training, Kate cannot stop the daily worry that once he heads overseas, he won’t be back. Jessie, her Nonny and mother drive off to their usual summer retreat on Nantucket Island in the truckster as the family does every summer. This year Jessie feels the loneliness of the car. Usually her step sisters Kirby and Blair are along for the ride with Tiger, but they are gone as well. Kirby is working on Martha’s Vineyard. She won’t be on Nantucket at all. She has an apartment with the others working at the same hotel. Blair is recently married to Angus, a PhD teaching astrophysics at MIT. He’ll soon be heading off to Texas to help man the launch of the astronauts heading to the moon. They are living in Boston. Her dad David will be on the island most weekends. It seems that she has lost the family that usually surrounds her summer paradise. We see this summer through Jessie’s eyes. We hear the words of Tiger’s painful letters to her as he describes the military frenzy of war.
This amazing ‘beach read’ brings the history the summer of 1969 into a magical story line. That summer when the world was at war, the flower children sang of peach and love, and astronauts walked on the moon. It brings it into this century with such a great read. I lived that summer, yes it was historical. It was angry and amazing and full of discovery of a new life for many of us. Should the reader be too young to have these memories, Ms. Hilderbrand brings that summer to you. It is truly a wonderful novel.
Summer of ‘69 will be published June 18, 2019. Elin Hilderbrand has written many great books but this a absolutely a must read. Enjoy this summer’s big hit!

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

Every summer, the Foley-Levin family stays on Nantucket with Kate's mother, enjoying the sun, the beach, and the restaurants. But this summer is different. Tiger gets drafted to fight in Vietnam. Blair is pregnant and her marriage is failing. Kirby decides to spend her summer working on Martha's Vineyard, and Jessie is thirteen and her body is changing. Set during the summer of the moon landing, this will be one to remember.

This was my very first Elin Hilderbrand novel and I keep thinking, 'How did I make it this long without reading her books?' I loved Summer of '69. I loved the characters, and the setting. The writing was wonderful, the story beautifully executed.

Kirby was my favorite character as she was open-minded, but also real. She wasn't a perfect feminist or a perfect advocate for human rights. She fought so hard against her own internal prejudices that she didn't even realize she had. Kirby also tried to protect her roommate against an abusive boyfriend. She was just a strong and devoted character.

A big chunk of the narrative was centered on mental health, and I kept thinking how grateful I am to be alive fifty years later where we know so much more about depression, suicide, and treatment.

Trigger warnings: Suicide loss, mental illness, infidelity, substance abuse, domestic abuse

I can’t seem to get into this one. I’m putting it aside for now and may return to it later. I’ve never read one of Hilderbrand’s books before but I’m sure her fans will enjoy this. Maybe just not for me!

Elin Hilderbrand's first historical fiction is a hit. 1969 was a year, an era, of tremendous change for our country. "Summer of '69" covers the high points , along with the lows, with accuracy and respect in a compelling story with believable, interesting characters.

I cannot express how excited I was to read this! I love me some Elin Hilderbrand! The first book I read by her was The Rumor and I’ve been hooked ever since! This one didn’t let me down! This one is sure to have some ocean water stains on the pages!
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for allowing me to read this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Elin Hilderbrand is one of my favorite authors and I am quick to grab anything of hers. I know it will be good every single time. This book blew me away possibly being my favorite of her books.
I was worried about the book not being set on present day Nantucket as I am so familiar with in Hilderband’s books. I thought I may miss the familiar people and places that have weaved their way through all the stories I have lived in the past. But, I honestly did not miss it once. I loved how Hilderbrand was able to tie in so many historical events while also bringing her well known fiction writing to the table. It was great!

Elin Hilderbrand is my go-to summer author, and I thoroughly enjoyed her first foray into historical fiction. The Nantucket area ends up being as much a character in her books as any actual human, and I love imagining myself there. No one writes a setting as well as she does- she makes the background magically come alive. The actual characters are great, too- filled with flaws, yet always redeemable. Read this on a beach (or just if you want to be transported to a beach).

I look so forward each new Elin Hilderbrand book, and I have found her latest books to get better and better.

I loved this book. The book tells the story of the women in the Nichols, Foley, and Levin family, three generations of strong women, all at different ages, trying to make sense of their changing lives in changing times. Set in the summer of 1969 on Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard, the book is a compelling look at the changing times through the perspective of the older generation, the rebellious youth, and the young teens who may never remember a time before the 1960s.

The book centers on the family of Kate Levin, a widow with three children who remarried and had a new daughter, now 13, with her family's lawyer. Watching her son get called to Vietnam has torn her world apart and spending the summer on Nantucket with her traditional mother and youngest daughter seems interminable.

Jessie the 13 year old is trying to find her own place between being a child and an adult and is slowing falling for the teenage grandson of her grandmother's property manager while figuring out if her grandmother's disapproval of her Jewish heritage extends to Jessie as a person.

Additionally, oldest daughter and newly pregnant Blair is concerned about giving up her job for her astrophysics professor husband and her rebellious daugher Kirby is healing from heartbreak and finding new love on Martha's Vineyard.

While there are many characters, I felt equally enthralled by each story, and I really enjoyed the historical aspect.. There was the perfect mix of history, escapism, romance, and compelling, realistic plot.

Elin Hilderbrand is so much more than a beach read, and this latest book proves her considerable talent.

This new summer beach read by Elin Hilderbrand has the usual setting but with a historical backdrop. I enjoyed the titles of the chapters being songs from the era. The characters were fully developed with the problems and conflicts that depicted the era. The ending could have been a little longer to tie things up a little more but it was an enjoyable read. It is sure to be on the bestseller list. #netgalley #summerof’69

I feel so fortunate to have discovered Elin Hilderbrand many books ago. I began reading her when she published her third novel, never missed one since. This is especially good since Hilderbrand takes on some huge issues within the framework of the year of great change and turmoil, 1969.

We see the world largely through the eyes of 13 year old, Jessica Levin as she confronts issues such as Anti-Semitism, sexuality, family secrets. Living in the ultra-Wasp Nichols household, dominated by her grandmother Exalta (well named) she feels like an outsider. Her beloved brother is off fighting in Vietnam while her sisters are dealing with their own issues.

Hilderbrand deals with racism and physical abuse. Again, she weaves it into the significant events of that summer.

I cannot wait to recommend this book to all my reading groups and seminars. It is meaty and rich with topics that will provide many wonderful discussions. Most of all, for those of us that were there for the moon landing, and Woodstock, it will take us back to that incredible summer of ‘69.

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to have the joy of reading this novel!