Big Summer was exactly what I hoped it would be with some great surprises and twists along the way. It was, to start, really refreshing to read about a plus size character and have a chance to follow Daphne's journey to self love. It felt very honest and real and true to the experience so many women have living in the age of Instagram. I found Drue and Daphne's friendship was equal parts entertaining and heartbreaking. I think that Jennifer Weiner did a great job of showing that even when you feel like you really know someone, there are other wonderful and alternatively, dark parts that you never really get to see. Definitely the perfect beach read for summer!

Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner is a definite departure from the author's previous work, and will certainly catch many a reader by surprise when it switches gears entirely at about the midway point of the story. While the first half of the novel is trademark Weiner, bursting with heartwarming and relatable fare and a charmingly flawed protagonist, a plus size Instagram influencer and her journey to body acceptance and self-love, it is no less than jarring when a beachfront society wedding takes a very dark turn. This about face just did not sit well with me, almost causing a disconnect to a story that I had previously felt completely engaged with. While I have always been a fan of Ms Weiner's work, I am disappointed to say that I am less than enamoured with this latest release, although I feel certain that I will be in the minority on this one. 3.5 stars

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for this ARC.

This is the perfect distraction read for 2020! It has everything; romance, social media, mystery and more! I will not reveal spoilers, but I will say this is my new favourite Jennifer read. Being a NetGalley reviewer, I read a lot. This story had me guessing at every plot twist. So delectable!

I've been a fan of Jennifer Weiner's books for many years and I always eagerly anticipate her new releases.

Weiner's stories relates to experiences and feelings that we all live. This book is no exception.

A very good read that I'm sure will be a summer success.

Thank you Simon and Schuster Canada and NetGalley for this ARC.

Enjoyed this new Jennifer Weiner book very much. She created likeable relatable characters, has brought in relevant hot topics and combined them with humor, romance and mystery.. Stayed up far too late to finish this book.

Big Summer examines the power of friendship, hurt feelings, and what matters most in life. Daphne Berg hasn’t spoken to her friend Drue Cavanaugh since they were in high school together. After Drue humiliated Daphne, Daphne walked away from the friendship and tried to figure out who she was and what she wanted out of life. Years later when Drue reappears in Daphne’s life, Daphne finds herself being forced to rethink her choices and beliefs.
Love, friendship, family, and murder. Big Summer nails it all. Definitely recommended.

*I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review

I’ve always been a fan of Jennifer’s work, her stories are captivating and light; yet when you think about it or can dig a little deeper you find more than some “chick lit” or “beach read”. This book is exactly that, the first half is exactly what I expect her books to be, while not exactly light (fat shaming and body imagine at the forefront) the second half takes a turn right to the mystery section. I believe this book has a bit for everyone, murder, mystery and romance. The deeper subjects like the power of social media, bullying, fat shaming and body positivity are topics quite heavy for your classic summer read; but all important to discuss which is why I can see this being a good summer book club pick.

This book was received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Big Summer was a pleasant surprise. I really liked the plus size rep, being of a plus size myself. You don’t get a lot of books that so accurately depict the feeling society places on you for being plus size and this book did a great job. I completely connected and empathized with Daphne.

I breezed through this book in a few sittings, as I needed to know the end, which totally shocked me. I really had no idea who the culprit was and I appreciated the subtleness of the reveal.

Let’s talk about Nick...I fell for him right away and was really hoping he was the genuine kind man he appeared to be. I was so happy with how he accepted and supported Daphne from the beginning...she deserved to be shown how great she was.

Also, there were quite a few quotes that I adored throughout this book...these are some of my favourites that I highlighted:

“You know what?” I said. “I am fat. But that doesn’t mean you get to treat me like garbage.”

“I thought my body was unacceptable, and that I had to hide. That’s what the world tells us, right? But now, maybe, if enough of us stand up and show ourselves, just as we are, if we post about our thriving, busy, messy, beautiful lives, our daughters won’t have to swallow the same lies.”

“Save room for dessert,” Nick said. “They’ve got an ice-cream sundae bar. It’s homemade ice cream from Sweet Escape right up the road.”

Thank you for allowing me to read your story and letting me into Daphnes world.

**A huge thank-you to NetGalley and Atria for an ARC of this book**

This will be a great beach read!

While reading the first half of the book - I kept thinking that things just didn't make sense about some of the events that were happening- but it was a lovely story about a plus-size social media influencer and her trials and tribulations with being a plus-size person in a size 0 world. I related a lot to the Daphne of the first half of the book, and it was very Weiner-esque which was lovely.

At the middle mark - the book switched over to a mystery and the remainder of the book was spent trying to determine who committed a certain crime. Things from the first half started to make more sense, but the book was very clearly of two different tones - and that was a bit odd. It was almost as if Weiner didn't have the steam to continue the plot from the first half of the book through to the end and started another book within the book.

All that aside, it was a good way to forget about what is going on around us at this time - so I feel that it will be a great beach read.

Great story....socially relevant in our times of social media, body shaming and bullying. Plus size Daphne is the main character who is a social media influencer. She claims to be accepting of herself but the old old insecurities of her youth come sneaking through. The first half of the book is about Daphne and her life. It moved along as one would expect.

Then, BOOM! It becomes a mystery. Totally out of nowhere. About halfway through the book. A fast moving mystery. Daphne was a very likeable character, with her dreams and insecurities she seemed liked everyone’s best friend.

The way the ending evolved was a little over the top. I would probably take away a half star. But, there are no half stars.......

A bonus: I learned 3 new words. Promulgate. Insorcelled. Seraglio.

Thank you to the NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for a review.