Daphne Berg is a plus sized influencer who is hitting her stride in growing her audience while also being a nanny for a family. Drue Cavanaugh has always had the easy life, coming from a well known affluent family. Daphne and Drue were friends in college, but with drama one night the friendship quickly ended. Six years later Drue reenters Daphne's life with an ask that she can't refuse, paid vacation, a wedding and some good photo opportunities!

I went into this book very blind and I am so thankful I did. There are things in this book that I felt as though felt so new and different for Jennifer Weiner and I just don't want to spoil any of it for you.

I can honestly say this book was just the right book to read right now. I read this book at the beginning of quarantine and it was so engrossing that I forgot about all the mess that was going on outside of my little library. With great characters that were easy to follow and that made me care for them and their journey, this book was a two sitting read where I couldn't put it down without knowing what was coming next.

I went into this book already a Jennifer Weiner fan and after reading this one, I am now even more so! I would love to see more like this from Jennifer Weiner.

I loved this book and couldn't put it down. Jennifer Weiner does a wonderful job of capturing internal dialogue of a plus-sized [insecure] person, the drama/trauma that accompanies high school, and the automatic privilege afforded attractive and wealthy people. The main character grows from self loathing to acceptance and believing that a wonderful man could care for her. Definitely worth the read!

This was a great book. I didn't realize it was related to Mrs. Everything. I haven't read that book and was not confused by this book so don't feel like you need to have read it. I was very impressed with the way Instagram culture was described and how female friendships were portrayed. Such a realistic story. The murder was a complete surprise, I made it 20% of the way through without even realizing a murder was part of the story!

** spoiler alert ** I wasn't really expecting a mystery in my beach read, but Jennifer Weiner delivers a cozy-ish mystery in her latest. I say cozy-ish because the victim is a nuanced and sympathetic character, but this follows the usual cozy mystery pattern: suspicion falls upon the heroine, so the heroine employs amateur sleuthing to unmask the real killer, who appears just as s/he is figured out and desperately attempts to do away with the heroine before s/he can be brought to justice.

Of course you know how the story ends. Happy endings all around -- except for the killer and the deceased, that is.

All in all, an enjoyable read.

*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

A summer wedding, old frenemies, a mystery, and a chance to learn to love yourself and be loved by others- a simple recipe for the perfect, cozy summer read.

“Big Summer” follows Daphne Berg, a once nobody turned instagram influencer overnight. Daphne had always felt in the shadow of her best friend Drue Cavanaugh until one night at a club their friendship crumbles. In front of a crowd of people, who happen to be recording, Daphne discovers that Drue has never truly valued her as an individual and has quite honestly looked down at the fact that Daphne is plus sized. Daphne, tired of always being seen as second best and underappreciated, stands up for herself, the fact that fat is beautiful, and that she is worth more than pity. With a lost friendship and a broken heart, after that night Daphne reclaims her identity and never looks back.

6 years later, out of the blue, Drue reenters Daphne’s life. Swearing that she has atoned for her terrible behavior towards Daphne and many other people in her life, Drue begs Daphne to forgive her and be one of the bridesmaids at her wedding. Daphne, who has left the unconfident, weaker version of herself in the past is weary. She has built a life with friends who appreciate her and a job she cares for as a plus-size influencer. Remembering the memories she once had with Drue, and also that fact that saying no to the perfect and dazzling Drue is never easy, Daphne says yes. With the hope of a wonderful weekend away at the cape for a glamorous wedding, Daphne feels hopeful that nothing could go wrong...because what could possibly be as bad as that night 6 years ago?

Funny and heartwarming, “Big Summer” is the perfect book for those who need either an easy read for a summer day or a gentle reminder that regardless of hard days, telling yourself that you’re amazing, regardless of imperfections, is pretty extraordinary.

I did not care for this one. Too much fat shaming the main character, Daphne. I wanted to like it but I had to quit because of this.

I intentionally had not read the synopsis and therefore after a couple of chapters I was not sure where this was going to go. But I kept going, and a quarter of the way in I was hooked, and think I got though this in a couple of sittings as I had to know how it was going to end.

Daphne was a loyal friend to Drue, until it backfired on her and she walked away from her and never looked back. Fast forward six years later and Drue needs a maid of honor and calls on Daphne. She is shocked and rightfully so (I mean, who wouldn’t be). I kept waiting on the ‘catch’, as does she, but then the story takes a completely different turn that I didn’t see coming, and that was the point I could not stop listening until this was over.

As noted above, I did this via audiobook and it was so good. I loved that Daphne did not just jump back into a friendship that wasn’t healthy but instead was cautious. I was happy to see that this wasn’t the same friendship trope that we usually see, and that you might guess based on the above. The twist was great, the book in fact pivots after that and is almost a different book, which I really enjoyed, almost more so than pre-twist.

I don’t know that I would call this a ‘light beach read’, but I definitely would recommend adding this one to your summer TBR. It had all the elements that make a great story for me, but alas, I cannot name them here or else I will reveal a huge spoiler. Dun Dun Dun….
A huge thank you to @libro for the ALC and to @netgalley and @Atria for the free copy to review!

I was excited to receive this e-galley. From the cover and title, this looks like a great beach-read, summery book. I'd say it's anything but. Ultimately Big Summer is a story of friendship - which are true, which are meaningful, and which are worth holding on to. But it hits you with a whopper in the middle with a murder at the wedding. That could have come a little sooner for my taste. The victim was surprising, but I was all in to find out who the killer was. I did end up guessing, but not until near the end. I enjoyed all the little tangents where Weiner tried to make you suspect certain people. Of course, the killer is always the one we don't have so much information on until the end, sneaky. The ending was done well, except I was a little turned off that the way Daphne saved herself was by being a big girl. I would have enjoyed more fight in the end. I also appreciated the dialogue about real lives versus created lives on social media. It is very easy to get swept up into what people think of you online. Ultimately, I really enjoyed this title, and I would read other titles from this author.

I am a huge fan of Jennifer Weiner’s books so I was beyond excited when I was given Big Summer!
I loved loved loved Daphne! It was so refreshing to read a chic lit with someone who is self concision about appearance and weight. But even with her self doubt she was still a super strong and amazing person! Like sooo many women! I loved how Jennifer stressed that through out the book. Usually there is a chubby best friend who is “poor me” but then by end of story she looses weight and is happy. Why can’t people be happy just the way they are?!?
Big Summer is an amazing chic lit that you need to get today and let it be your escape!!!

This is a great book. I originally thought that it was going to be a standard chick-lit title. However, mid-way through it changed into a murder mystery and I was HERE for it! The clues were well laid out... sparse enough that it was difficult to figure out, which was fantastic. The character of Drue caused a lot of cognitive disonance as we're used to literary characters being good or bad. Having a character as complex as Drue really made the book have a nice round quality. Thank you so much - this was a fantastic read.

As a long time fan of Jennifer Weiner, I loved this book as much, if not more, as her other books. This book has it all, comedy, mystery, sex, girl drama. During these uncertain times going on in the world, this was the book that took my mind off things. I couldn't put it down.

5 🌟 for me. This book definitely did not disappoint.

A really interesting story! Nothing like what I expected it to be. A lot of plot twists which keeps you entertained.

Always look forward to Jennifer Weiner's books and this one did not disappoint! Perfect book to throw in your beach bag or read at the pool.
The story will suck you right in and hold your attention, but it is light enough to read during a global pandemic.
Just the right blend of light and Substance.
I highly recommend!!

Daphne has not been in touch with her former BFF Drue since a falling out in college. Dru was the beautiful, wealthy and popular girl who allowed Daphne into her circle in 6th grade. Daphne, insecure in her plus size body, was grateful for any tidbits of attention that Dru would throw her way. Their big blow out actually spurred Daphne on to become an influencer through her Instagram blog. So when Dru shows up out of the blue and asks Daphne to be her maid of honor, she accepts against her own better judgement. The lavish Cape Cod wedding will be the perfect place to gather more followers and sponsors for Instagram! Daphne even finds a handsome wedding guest who seems very into her. But after night of passion, Daphne wakes up to find a body in the hot tub. Everyone is a suspect and Daphne is determined to find the murderer, and the man who swept her off her feet. A fabulous beach read!!

Plenty twists that you won’t see coming. This is the perfect summer escape. A fun book that flies by.

I’m a big fan of Jennifer Weiner. Big Summer was a great summer read. It would be perfect to read at the beach! It had romance, murder, mystery, beach settings, and fun Instagram influencer details.

If you are looking for a great summer read that has depth, this is your book! This is a story of friendship, a commentary on our Instagram influenced culture, and a mystery that slowly winds its way through the plot; it is highly entertaining, and it provides the escape that many of us are looking for right now. Thank you to NetGalley for the copy of this e-book!

I enjoyed this book and finished it quickly. A perfect book to bring to the beach (or your backyard) with a cocktail to escape for a bit.

Big Summer started off a little slow for me, I didn't think it was going to be fore me, and then I got to part two. The last 2/3 of the book I read in a day! There was some mystery and a little bit of detective who done it (and I was guessing wrong!!). Big Summer is fun, and perfect for summertime reading!!

if you are looking for a fun, beach read...big summer fits the bill. jennifer wiener doesn't disappoint.