Interesting novel about the wealthy summer people on Martha's Vineyard along with the blue collar workers.
Should do very well during the summer months as a beach read.

A historical fiction book set in 1962 on Martha's Vineyard as Heddy Winsome leaves the life she has had for a long time living off a very small income and barely getting by. She leaves that life and enters Martha's Vineyard to enter a large home of a successful couple as their nanny for the summer. She starts interacting with very different people and these moments will forever change her life.

I love a historical fiction book that is just meant to be a good story. There are no lessons to be learned and there isn't really anything significant in regards to what is happening at this moment in time, instead it is just a good story that takes place in a different moment in time.

Heddy was a great character to follow in this story. Her innocence in the beginning was real and authentic and the journey of self discovery felt like a real story. She reminded me of characters in movies that I have seen where you watch the character truly grow by getting outside of their comfort zone and having experiences.

Martha's Vineyard was such a great location. The author drew a great picture of a small place inundated with the elite during the summer and how they navigate the whos whos and create a hierarchy. I love books with a bit of rich people problems and a little cat fighting, makes for great low grade drama.

I loved Brooke Lea Foster's debut in fiction and I look forward to what she has coming next.

Great read based in the 60's on Martha's Vineyard. Heddy Winsome is hired as a nanny to a rich family on the island. Raised poor by a single mother but striving for a bigger life, she's excited to rub elbows with the rich and famous, even if she is the help. But Heddy soon learns that everything is what they seem and money really can't buy happiness.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for an early e-copy.

4.5 Stars! Put this on your summer read list because this is a perfect read for summer! Lots of drama! Will there a happy ending?

This book takes you back to Summer 1962 in Martha's Vineyard. Summer Darlings kind of gave me "Dirty Dancing" vibes but was a completely different story. No watermelon carrying here.

I really enjoyed the imagery that put me right there among the characters. I could see the clothing, hear the music, smell the smells. Heddy is a typical 21 year old trying to figure out what she wants out of life and who she is. Can she find love this summer, potentially a husband? Does she want that? Maybe. Can she fit in with these "high class" people? Maybe not. It set up beautiful thought provoking questions about how life has changed since the 1960's? Are there things that haven't changed? Especially when we think about social class. I also loved the lingo and styles described in the novel.

I also enjoyed the development of characters, the cringe worthy privilege most of these characters exhibited, even young Teddy at only 6 years old had so much entitlement but it really makes you wonder about privilege and the upper class now. Has this changed much?

This was a really fun read. The characters were interesting and it wasn't hard to follow along the drama. Gigi was a really fun aspect of the story, and although I was wondering what would happen the ending was a bit surprising! I'd really love to know where the characters ended up in life.

Also, I've picked my cast for if this ever gets made into a tv show/movie... Jordan Fisher as Sullivan anyone?

Summer Darlings
It was the summer of 1962 and Heddy had gotten a summer job as a nanny in Martha’s Vineyard. The wealthy Williams family, who employed her, seemed like the perfect family. Ken had a successful career in finance and Jean-Rose, a socialite, was popular with the country club set. Their two adorable children, Kenny and Anna, completed the family.

Heddy was an only child who had lived with her financially strapped mother in Brooklyn. Her absent father did not support the family or even acknowledge Heddy as his child. So Heddy enjoyed being a part of the household. She had attended Wellesley on a scholarship until that Spring. Her scholarship had been rescinded after she broke curfew and arrived late for a final test. So she was trying to find a way to regain her scholarship or borrow the money needed for her last year of school.

As the summer wore on, Heddy began to see signs that her employers were not nice people and their marriage far from perfect. She also got involved with two men on the island. The first was Ash, who lived in the house next door and the second was Sullivan, the heir to the publishers of a large newspaper in NYC. Then she was befriended by Gigi McCabe, a Hollywood actress who was also a neighbor and the arch enemy of Jean-Rose.

As the summer wore on, Heddy learned that many things are not the way they appear from the outside.

This is a classic summer beach read. Not only does it take place on an island with a large summer population but it has a summer romance or two. Although the author placed it in the 1960s, some of the items she mentioned (e.g. blow dryers in bathrooms) were not in use at that time.

Fun throwback to the 60’s with a surprise twist ending.
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The 60s were transitional time in our history and this new book has captured the fun and flirty atmosphere perfectly.

Young college student from an innercity background spends an impressionable summer in Martha’s Vineyard. On the outside we see the glamour and prestige, but behind closed doors Heddy finds life is so different.

The story is so addicting because of the fact the author captures the young innocence so perfectly. The awe-inspiring homes and grounds, the beaches and sun, glitz and glamour, even crushes and young love.

But we soon see behind the scenes and how the affluent people are not what they seem. Beautifully developed and highly detailed, this story will suck you in and not let go. Plus, the ending caught me off guard and surprised me. A startling development that completely changed the story but yet gives us hope.

Foster nails her debut novel with an amazing story full of flair and flirtation where growing up is not an option but knowing who you are is critical.

Fun and addicting with a startling ending you never saw coming. A must read!

Moving to become a nanny, Heddy finds herself among the rich couples of Martha's Vineyard! The change in atmosphere leaves more questions than answers as she integrates into their society more and more.

Money does not always equal happiness, and Heddy soon begins to discover this about those around her.

Such an enjoyable read! I felt like I was right there among everyone during that summer. I loved the 60's culture.

This book is my guilty pleasure! There is something about all the drama, backstabbing, and secrets of the “rich” that’s enjoyable to read/watch.
This story is set in 1962 at Martha’s Vineyard. Heddy is a college girl arriving on the island to nanny for a rich family for the summer. She and her mother are struggling financially in Brooklyn so she’s hoping to save up some money to help her mother...or her other plan is to find a rich boy to marry. What she didn’t know was all the secrets she would uncover.
This story was well written with great character development. I could picture all the characters and places.
This has an ending I wasn’t expecting so that was exciting.
Thanks to Netgalley and Gallery Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I have to say upfront, that this being seen as historical fiction makes me feel very old. I remember the time well, and it does ring true. The idea that a poor girl from Brooklyn learns about the lives of the rich is not new. However, the book was enjoyable and will probably be a good beach read this summer.

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for an early e-copy.

This is my first review since the COVID panic really began in earnest, so it's a bit trickier than normal to write a focused review! But here we go...

For me, SUMMER DARLINGS had three different stages. It opened with what felt like a character study. Heddy, of college age, comes to work for a WASPy, well-to-do family on Martha's Vineyard for the summer. In this stage, the appeal is in observing the "otherness" of the time period (1960s), and in watching Heddy navigate the class differences.

Then, the book broadened into a bit of a romance, with two men on the island vying for Heddy's attentions (and provoking her boss's petty envy). This "stage" also includes a kind of Cinderella story, as a famous actress summering on the island takes Heddy under her wing and sets about making Heddy over. The entirely fictional actress possessed vampish shades of Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor, and between this fact and the many references to Jackie Kennedy, the book reminded me a bit of Jess Walter's BEAUTIFUL RUINS, with SUMMER DARLINGS perhaps skewing more to the commercial side of that equation versus the literary.

Finally, during the third and extremely fast-paced final stage of the book, the plot transforms into a bit of a twisty whodunnit heist. My only complaint here is that the pacing ramped up so dramatically it felt a bit rushed at times, but I think other readers will not mind/actually enjoy a book that sprints to the end in this manner.

As far as helping potential interested readers find this book: I think fans of Fiona Davis would be best suited to really enjoy SUMMER DARLINGS. SUMMER DARLINGS doesn't do Davis's signature toggling between a past plot line and a present plot line, nonetheless there was something in Foster's plucky protagonist that is reminiscent of Davis's protagonists, and both authors work hard to transport the reader to a beloved time/place. I *WOULD* have said this would be a great summer beach read, because it seeks to distract/transport. But maybe with our present state of virus-ridden affairs in this world, it can be a good book even if you have to PRETEND you're at the beach. In other words, if you want to get away, you can pour yourself a Cape Codder or a Greyhound and dive into these pages.

1962. Summer on Martha's Vineyard.

Heddy is a girl working as a summer nanny for a wealthy family in Martha's Vineyard. She is a college scholarship student at Wellesly who was raised by a single mother barely scraping by. Heddy is a very naive girl, embarrassed by her background, needing and wanting validation from the people she believes are so much more than she is.

She arrives in Martha's Vineyard starry eyed, ready to step into a world of beautiful people living idyllic lives. What she discovers is the ugly underbelly of this picture perfect world, starting with the very family she is a nanny for.

Heddy falls for two men on the island, Sullivan, the son of a wealthy family, and Ash, a land developer selling homes in his new development in Florida. She is also befriended by Gigi, a movie star who takes her under her wing and tries to gently educate her as to what she is up against.

Eventually, Heddy begins to realize she can absolutely trust no one but herself. As insecure and unimportant as she believes she is, she nevertheless is a pawn to be used or disparaged by those around her. As the reader/observer I wanted to stand and cheer for her at the point she arrives at knowing that only she can take care of herself and does just that.

A happy ending? Maybe so, maybe no. I think you should decide for yourself when you read this novel. I can see the possibility of a sequel. I would definitely read it should it happen.

Thank you Netgalley for providing an ARC of this book for my reading pleasure & review.

We have all heard it before "Money doesn't buy happiness." in Foster's 'Summer Darlings' this phrase rings true. Money may not buy you happiness, but this novel brought me joy. I loved the detail.
Reading this book, made me feel like a fly on the wall in a different time with the high society types I would never dream of rubbing shoulders with.

The characters were vibrant and the character arch of Heddy was wonderful to read. All of the characters we follow are hiding their own secrets which I absolutely love this in books I read.

When this comes out, I will be picking up a copy!

I received a copy for review from the publisher via Netgalley.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3205838828

There was a lot to like and enjoy about this book. Fabulous setting- Martha’s Vineyard. One of my favorite time periods-early 1960s. A coming of age novel. I love the description of the fashion, the homes, the island, the upscale lifestyle... it all worked well .

I devoured this book. Until about the 65% mark, I honestly thought it would be one of my favorites of the year, but the ending really fell apart for me. I didn’t really like the “love triangle” (if you can call it that) aspect of the novel. I don’t want to spoil any plot points. I read the author’s notes and enjoyed the meaning behind one of the plot points- so check that out. However, I just didn’t love the way this one wrapped up. I would have enjoyed the ending better if Heddy had made different choices.

I read about 20% of this book but could not really get into it but I'm not sure why. The characters are kind of interesting and the plot isn't bad, but it's just a little slow to get going. Heddy is a Bryn Mawr student who is working as a nanny for a family summering on the coast as she tries to get a glimpse into a life she has heard about at college, but not experienced.

I loved this book! Such a fun look at Martha's Vineyard in the 1960's. Well drawn characters that you will want to spend your summer vacation with. Perfect book to put in your beach bag.

Heddy sets off to Martha's Vineyard in the summer of 1962 to be a nanny for the affluent Williams family at the recommendation of her college roommate. The Williams appear to be living the American dream with a marriage filled with romance, two beautiful children and plenty of money. Heddy hopes that the summer can help her earn enough money to get back into college after losing her scholarship or land her a husband that can take of her. She quickly learns that money doesn't give one everything and that the picture perfect family of the Williams is really a fake. Can Heddy find the man of her dreams or does she head back home with nothing? I really enjoyed this historical fiction novel.

I received Summer Darlings ARC from Netgalley. This coming of age tale takes place during the summer of 1962 on Martha’s Vineyard. A reader will find the typical elements of women’s fiction, its part coming of age story, part love story. After losing her scholarship to Wellesley, Heddy decides to take a summer nanny job as a way to finance her education or find a husband. Remember this is the early 1960 when marriage was considered the best option for a woman’s security and few career options were encouraged outside of teaching or nursing. Heddy’s immediately enamored with her employers, a young, wealthy Kennedy-like couple. She also gets caught up in the loves of other rich and glamourous summer residents of the island; including a famous actress and rival of Heddy’s employer. I often find the romances in women’s fiction predictable, but Brooke Lea Foster did a great job keeping me interested. The conflict between Heddy’s desires for independence and finding a man on her own terms, within the confines of the time period was believable. I enjoyed the sprinkling in pop culture references throughout the books. Soon enough Heddy learns what people project as outward appearances aren’t always what’s beneath the surface. Marriages aren’t perfect, stardom comes with loneliness, men aren’t who they appear to be. This book is a nice escape from everyday life. I look forward to reading more books by the author in the future.

If you like your novels filled with drama, social circles and intrigue then this is the book for you. I personally loved it. It has all the elements I need in a novel to keep me curled up and reading. This novel is set in the 1960s and it has historical fiction, coming of age, and mystery elements all combined in the novel. This was beautifully written and well done. If you love the author Beatriz Williams then this would be the perfect read for you.

This book was a refreshing read with great character development. I loved the setting, the nod to the century it was dated to, and the story of wanting "it all" but realizing that "it" wasn't what it seemed. So many different relationships were explored, stereotypes were challenged, and I found myself rooting for ALMOST everyone at different points throughout the book. I could've easily given this book five stars, but I thought the ending was wrapped up far too quickly. You have this intricate story that is told throughout the whole book, and then wrapped up in what felt like a few pages, in a way that I did not see coming.

Poor college student/summer nanny ✅ Rich people who behave badly towards family, friends, and especially the hired help ✅ Duplicitous people galore ✅ Summer crowd era 1960’s Martha’s Vineyard and throw in one buxom starlet ✅ Cliches for days ✅✅✅ adds up to 3 star read.