Another great offering from the queen of the summer beach read, Jennifer Weiner. Our main character has been well developed with a big heart and a great sense of fashion and humour. I loved the development of all the characters and I loved that halfway through we suddenly had a who dunnit on our hands. Kept me entertained during this quarantine and will buy this book for my library for sure.

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

3.5 stars

"I would still want to be her friend, because she was everything I wanted to be."

Six years after the fight (and video) that ended their friendship, Drue Cavanaugh comes back into Daphne Berg's life. Drue is as Blonde, skinny and beautiful as ever and she needs something from Daphne. She comes begging forgiveness and for Daphne to be her Maid-of-honor at her wedding. Daphne is shocked, that night besides being incredibly painful was the turning point in her life. She turned her pain and embarrassment into a career and is now a social media influencer. So why her? Why not ask someone else to be in her wedding?

This book started slowly for me. Let me clarify, I enjoyed the beginning with the single woman raising her son on the Cape, but then there is a dramatic shift and the book tells the story of Daphne, Drue and to a small degree, Daphne's roommate and lifelong friend, Dashni as well. After the change is the storyline, it took until the 49 percent mark for me to become fully invested in the book. That is when things became interesting to me. That is when the book which was many things - a book about female friendships, body shamming, self-esteem, the positive and negative aspects of sharing parts of your life on social media, family, accepting yourself, etc., became a whodunit as well. The last part of the book moved very fast for me as I was eager to find out all the questions brought up in this book. The last part of this book saved it for me.

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you so much to Atria, Netgalley, and Jennifer Weiner for my free copy of Big Summer.

Y’all this is a delightful book. Big Summer centers around a young woman named Daphne Berg, a plus-size influencer and nanny. Daphne is shocked when an old friend, Drue Cavanaugh, waltzes back into her life 6 years after a friendship-ruining fight. Drue asks Daphne to be in her wedding, and Daphne plans to document it via social media while being there for her friend. As the weekend progresses, something quite unexpected happens that sets off a huge chain of events.

I adored how Weiner threw in twist after unexpected twist! NOTHING ended up panning out how I thought it would. It was a truly impressive feat, and it made me remember why I love her writing so much. I wish I could say more, but it would give away several spoilers.

Female insecurities and friendship are a central theme, and are beautifully covered. The book is narrated by Daphne, who has always been insecure about her weight. Weiner gives it the attention and coverage it deserves, and then shows how insecurities can play into female friendships. Daphne and Drue’s friendship is the main one we see the intricacies of, but Daphne and her best friend Darshi’s friendship is also in play. The differences, along with how they are addressed by Darshi and Daphne, make Big Summer seem very real, not just as a made up story. This would make excellent fodder for book clubs and buddy read discussions.

If you enjoy a book full of love, suspicion, and friendship, look no further. I’m so thankful that Jennifer Weiner and Atria were able to move the publication date for Big Summer up to May 5th, because the world needs the brilliant escape that this book is. Don’t miss this one, y’all.

This felt like two books mashed up into one. It started out strong and then it just got silly and I found myself eye rolling a lot. I loved the character of Daphne and I'd love to read another book about her because she has so much potential. I especially want to know what happens with Nick. I appreciate the opportunity to have read this book.

Big Summer focuses on Daphne, a social media influencer, with some insecurities about her weight. We get a look at Daphne’s friendship with Drue, her high school best friend. Drue is your textbook rich, popular girl in high school. After years of estrangement Daphne and Drue reunite during Drue’s wedding weekend on Cape Cod. Big Summer highlights the world of social media influencers, friendships, relationships, insecurities, secrets, and is very relevant to our time.
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What I loved about this book was the sudden twist that I didn’t see coming. The first half of the book is what we are use to from Jennifer Weiner, but the 2nd half suddenly changes and we are now reading a different genre. I don’t want to say what that twist is but I have seen other reviews that tell it. I wish that wasn’t the case because I was so surprised by the twist and I want others to have that same experience. I have read other books that tried the same thing and it was not enjoyable, but Jennifer Weiner does a great job. What I didn’t enjoy was how much concentration was placed on Daphne’s weight. I get that her insecurity about her weight are part of the plot but sometimes it felt like too much. I didn’t need a reminder on what felt like every other page that she was overweight. I get it. This is a good entertaining summer read.

Big Summer is the perfect Summer read. Equal parts mystery and women's fiction, it gives a glimpse into several worlds from the influencer world, to the mega rich all while keeping a mostly down to earth protagonist that is easy to relate to and feels like a long lost friend. I am not one for mysteries ( aside from Sue Grafton novels RIP) but I really enjoyed how Weiner incorporated that element. There were times when I felt like, why are they chasing the "killer", instead of letting the police do its work but their chase added some depth to the story and characters and it didn't overshadow the other part of the story. This is one of those quintessential Beach reads for 2020. I couldn't put it down and finished it within 48 hours, staying up late to get to the end.

Jennifer Weiner does not surprise when it comes to tackling societal issues with irony and satire. Big Summer features Daphne Berg, a New Yorker who is working on establishing herself as an online influencer in fashion for large size women. Daphne lives with her college roommate, Darshi, and life is good. Drue Cavanaugh, an old private school classmate, and friend, shows up and asks for a favor.

Drue is the perfect looking girl Daphne has always adored. Immediately, the sense of danger permeates the story. No good can come from resuming a friendship with Drue. Darshi voices her concern and advises against having anything to do with Drue. She hurt Daphne deeply more than once and still has some power over her. The story's suspense builds from the moment Daphne agrees to be in Drue's wedding.

In the meantime, Daphne continues to wear clothes from a designer, Leel Katoon, who is building her brand for plus size women. Daphne photographs everything she wears and feels confident that she will become a well-known influencer in that particular area of fashion and continue to partner with Leel. She is happier than she has ever been now that she is free from school, where her weight was always an issue for her.

JW is a skillful writer, and while I am not a fan of her constant reference to Daphne's issues with weight, the book turned out to be much more. New characters come into the plot when the location changes to Cape Cod for Drue's wedding. Nothing is as it seems, and quick-fire events spice up the novel. I had to read it through to the end as fast as I could. This novel is sad, exciting, and hopeful. I recommend it as a fast-paced and well-written story!

Thank you to the author, Atria, and NetGalley for an e-ARC of this May publication.

I received Big Summer from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. I absolutely loved this book. The story was fun turned murder mystery. Loved the antagonist and was drawn to this character from the beginning. This was a quick read because I just couldn't put it down. The title is perfect for this book! Love Jennifer Weiner and LOVED Big Summer!!

One again Jennifer Weiner has done it again. Loved this book. Great timely story. Couldn’t put it down.

This book has it all. Friendship, betrayal, love, heartache, mystery and suspense. Drue and Daphne have t been friends since an e ending gone wrong so when Daphne comes waltzing back into Drue’s life, she is tentative but is swept back into the whirlwind emotional roller coaster. Jennifer Werner is a favorite author, but this book took me to another fan level. I couldn’t put it down! Thank you NetGalley for the early review copy. 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I am almost ashamed to admit that my first Jennifer Weiner book was Mrs everything. And oh gosh did I love that book. It was like it was written for my soul. There was so much depth to it that I was immediately enveloped. With that in mind I was so excited to find out she had a new book coming out.I had the highest expectations for Big Summer. Like impossibly high expectations especially with how much I fell in love with Mrs Everything. I was not disappointed in Big Summer. From the first page I felt transported to picturesque Cape Cod and a part of the wedding event of the season. Trust me please when I say to give this book a try. You wont regret it.

I really enjoyed this book. I am a fan of Jennifer Weiner and her previous work, including Mrs. Everything, so going into this novel I had high hopes. I am very pleased to say I wasn't disappointed. I absolutely adore novels about friendship, especially now as a woman nearing my thirties. These relationships we cultivate are so complex and much messier than we want them to be as we grow older and I feel like Weiner did a fantastic job of illustrating these intricacies between Drue and Daphne. I don't want to give too much away but the book also takes an unexpected turn of events that seemed weird at first but it really worked! I definitely recommend this book to any and all contemporary fiction lovers.

A fun and light read from Jennifer Weiner, I really enjoyed this from one of my favorite authors. Daphne is a plus sized influencer who is recruited by her former best friend Drue to be her maid of honor. This book has everything from women's fiction to romance to a mystery, and it kept me guessing throughout. I always love that Jennifer Weiner is a Jewish writer who references Jewish things in her books as well. This was not as amazing as Mrs. Everything, but I loved reading Big Summer.

Jennifer Weiner's books are sharp, witty and extremely entertaining. Throw in some inner (and sometimes Outer) angst about being different from the sea of supposedly skinny, Minnie's that surround the main character, Daphne, and you have a story about resilience and over coming years of pre-programming by your inner critic.

Daphne is a middle class girl who went to a very upper class school thanks to a scholarship and a parent who worked there. The most beautiful, popular girl in the school befriends her but that friendship comes with a dose of cruelty and a one sidedness that Daphne can see but can't stop herself from being part of. A couple years into college and a night club incident finally breaks that friendship and changes the way Daphne views her body and how she wishes to present herself to the world,

Then Drue, the frenemy from school pops back into Daphne's life and asks her to be part of her stunningly expensive celebrity driven wedding and the book takes a very different turn.

I loved the twist and the second half of the book. I enjoyed Weiner's description of the delicious, mouth watering food in New York. Daphne's wonderful parents and her fantastic life that she can't quite enjoy. I wasn't so keen on all the Instagram stuff. It felt like I had signed up for a free course on how to become an influencer without having any interest.

This is the perfect book to lose yourself in and enjoy an old fashioned Agatha Christie detective story set in modern day New York and Cape Cod. Thank you Netgalley for providing an ARC in return for my honest review.

Hooray Jennifer Weiner! This book is so much fun. Its release couldn't be at a more perfect time. Don't read reviews, just read this book.

5.0 stars

I received a complimentary e-book copy of this book from Atria Books through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to Jennifer Weiner, Atria Books, and, NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

I so loved this book. It took me the prologue and two chapters to get into it and I was hooked. The last chapter was so good that I just could not put this book down (well, my phone really as it was a Kindle ARC).

This author has a beautiful way with words - absolutely lovely. Her plots are well-written and her characters fully developed. This is the second book that I have written by this author. I look forward to going back and reading some of her earlier releases. She has me HOOKED!!

I loved all of the discussion about how social media impacts our lives in good AND bad ways. Also, fat-shaming really hit home for me as this was always an issue for me. Finally, friendship and frenemies were another strong plot point.

This book is the PERFECT summer read. Hopefully, since I am writing this review during the COVID-19 pandemic, that everyone will be able to read this book by a pool or on a beach.

I was able to read Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner for free from Netgalley for providing me with an advanced ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this new story by Jennifer Weiner.  This book is perfect for the summer season.
I love the fact that Jennifer Weiner is big on drama and the impact it has on the plot.  
The mystery twist made it enjoyable.  
The characters are multi-dimensional and able to identify to them.  
I don't want to give too much detail because then it will be a spoiler. 
Definitely recommend this to any one.

Daphne Berg is an up and coming influencer who is finally coming into her own. After a humiliating video taped incident that went viral, Daphne picked up the pieces of a destroyed friendship and is starting to make a name for herself through Instagram. When her former friend Drue Cavanaugh shows back up in her life begging her to be in her highly anticipated wedding, Daphne finds herself unable to say no. With a new clothing brand sponsoring her posts, she makes her way to Cape Cod and is thrust back into Drue's life. Everything is "extra" from her tv star fiance, to the Persian rugs on the beach for the engagement party. Daphne is having a great time and is wondering if it's possible that Drue has changed for the better. The wedding is gearing up to be the society event of the summer and Daphne can hardly believe she is a part of it. This story is about find your true self, friendships between woman, and the pros and cons of living an online life.

I was so excited to be sent this new book by Weiner. I loved Mrs. Everything and started this one as soon as I could. This is definitely a lighter read. I was drawn in as soon as I started it and had a hard time putting it down. There were a few instances that I had to go back and reread after finishing the book, a few holes I had to fill in for myself. I can see this as being a big book for the summer, it is definitely a great beach read!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this latest winner from Jennifer Weiner. This is different from her other work in that the surprise twist is a new storytelling element I have not seen in Weiner’s previous work. Threw me for a loop but as I adjusted my expectations and settled into enjoyment of a new direction for the author, the book kept me intrigued to the last drop. Characters were deftly drawn and complex enough to keep me fascinated. Highly recommend this early summer blockbuster!