*book review* 28 Summers by Elin Hilderbrand.
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{review} Oh Elin… how I love you so much. I truly do. I unfortunately have to say this book did not do it for me at all. I have read her previous books in one day. I love the drama (talking, Real Housewife, reality show sh*t drama), the multiple character views, the love I feel toward everyone in the books. I felt none of that with this one. If it wasn’t an Elin book, I probably would have stopped mid-way. It took me forever to get through and I kept easily getting distracted while reading it. This book did not keep me hooked. Contrary to, I’m assuming, popular opinion, I was hoping for more. I felt like each chapter was dragging on like a 9th season of Grey’s Anatomy, who is going to die next, who is going to sleep with who… you knew what was going to happen in that aspect. Characters were randomly brought in that only existed in one chapter. I do have to give it some positivity though so here we go.
What I liked: the beginning of each chapter provided fun nostalgia as Hilderbrand listed the most famous/talked about items that year. Example: Summer #20: 2010. “What are we talking about in 2012? The Kardashians, Whitney Houston, Uber and Lyft, Walter White, Skyler, Jesse, and Gus, Siler Linings Playbook, kale, Sandy Hook, Instagram, Hurricane Sandy, ‘we are never, ever, ever getting back together’”, amongst more. I really looked forward to this each chapter. The ending did make me tear up even though I knew the outcome from the first chapter. I enjoyed Mallory and Jake’s characters.

**I requested and received a digital ARC copy of this book from #NetGalley in an exchange for an honest review**

“This is for you, Mal. My hardheaded woman.”

Captivating and poignant, 28 Summers provides a thought-provoking look at what happens when the heart’s desires are given free rein for three glorious days a year. No matter what. A storyline this longtime Elin Hilderbrand fan found to be an emotional powerhouse, stacking up as one of her best yet. I smiled, I cried, I swooned, I dared to hope. My adoration accompanied by one little caveat; this book decimated my heart.

Hilderbrand continues her unwavering love letter to Nantucket between these pages, transporting readers to a cottage set amongst the dunes, on a no-name road, where the Atlantic Ocean serves as the front yard. The beachfront cottage bequeathed to Mallory upon her Aunt Greta’s passing provides the perfect opportunity to escape the grime and disappointment that’s been her life in New York City.

Mallory’s first Labor Day on the island brings guests: her older brother Cooper (love him!) and his two best friends, Fray and Jake, for a bachelor weekend. A few mini-disasters and a host of selfish behavior find Jake and Mallory finishing off the weekend alone. There’s no denying their chemistry or that their newfound feelings will extend beyond the long weekend. Yet, neither Mallory or Jake is willing to make the compromises necessary to explore the possibility of a relationship. Promising instead, same time, next year, no matter what. On ode to the film Same Time, Next Year, which becomes a part of their annual tradition.

“Can’t we just pretend that we’re the only two people in the world and that this weekend is going to last forever?”

What makes Mallory and Jake’s journey, spanning 28 summers, problematic is the central question it poses—is deceit, or going against what’s right, acceptable for love’s sake? Compounding the moral ambiguity is watching Mallory and Jake make one decision after another that pushes the possibility of something more than one meaningful weekend a year further from fruition. Which means watching as their daily lives unfold with what feels like the wrong people. There’s a heart-wrenching yearning threaded throughout and a desire for the couple to say the hell with it, and really give it go. And yet, you have to wonder if the natural ebb and flow that accompanies any relationship would eventually dull Mallory and Jake’s shine.

It never ceases to surprise my husband what a complete and utter crybaby I am when it comes to movies, news stories, or heck, even commercials. Although, I’ve found it takes a lot for a book to move me to tears. An occurrence I can count on one hand. And, I’m not sure if pregnancy hormones also played a role here, but I BALLED my eyes out for the entirety of the last chapter. I’m talking couldn’t see, had to stop and blow my nose, sobbing. The farewell to these characters proves to be a shattering, although moving, conclusion.

At the end of the day, 28 Summers is about a couple finding love on their terms.

I love reading Elie Hilderbrand's books--they always are *more* than your average Women's Lit novels. This one is one of her best. She delves deep into the meaning of a true love, relationships (beyond the expected romantic relationships), and life and its many messy happenings. The Island of Nantucket becomes its own character (and one that I'd love to visit!) as we follow the life of Mallory as she makes a lifelong commitment to the one person who can't (but does) commit to her with the unlikely agreement of one weekend together every year, no matter what. What follows isn't what one imagined, but a reader's view of how two lives--forever intertwined, yet completely separate--unfolds over decades of love, loss, joy, and sorrow. I enjoyed every minute reading this and can't wait to read what Ms. Hilderbrand writes next.

Mallory Blessing is on her deathbed, and tells her song Link to call someone from her past. He does, and can't believe who it is - Jake McCloud, whose wife is running in the upcoming presidential election. Flashback to 1993 and readers are transported through 28 summers of Mallory's life, leading up to present day. We learn about her relationship with Jake and why it's so important for Link to call him while Mallory is on her deathbed. I couldn't put this one down!

Hilderbrand brings us through 28 memorable summers from 1992-2020. She begins each year with significant events of that year and then works her magic with her characters. It's amazing that this advance copy came out to read and she already had the highlights of 2020 in her story. Hilderbrand is an amazing storyteller and honestly...I wish we could have had more summers!

Elin Hilderbrand books are escapist in so many ways: gorgeous people, gorgeous houses, beautiful settings, and so much more, and the fact she writes well means her books are always in my beach bag. This is not a disappointment, but not my favorite of her books.

This book tells the story of a couple who meet one weekend a year over 28 summers. I do not want to say more as some of the twist and turns are unexpected but deftly handled.

That said, I did not like the character arc of the female main character. I feel like she learned little throughout the book, and while realistic, it was not my favorite main character. I am looking so forward to the end of her Virgin Islands trilogy this year. If you have not started on those (the Paradise trilogy) you need to get on board.

Overall, a good read as she's a good author, but not my personal favorite.

I was looking for a lighter read and was thrilled when I came across the latest Elin Hilderbrand book. I was immediately invested in the love story between Mallory and Jake and enjoyed following through their adult lives. We get swept up in the raw emotions and heartbreak that comes with loving someone above all else. As an added bonus, Hilderbrand ties in some Nantucket landmarks and characters from her other novels! Definitely a 5 star read! Pub: June 2020

Thank you to Netgalley for this advanced copy.

WOW! This is the kind of book that stays with me long after I finish reading it.
Mallory had no real direction in life after college, when her favorite aunt dies and leaves her her house on Nantucket Island. Thrilled with the news, Mallory vows to make a new life for herself. Her first summer on the island her brother, Cooper, asks if he and his two best friends can come to Nantucket and stay with her for a sort of bachelor weekend right before his wedding. The weekend with Cooper and his friends did not go according to plan, and Mallory ended up spending the entire weekend with just Jake, one of Cooper's friends.
Jake and Mallory embark on a "Same Time Next Year " romance that last for over 20 years. Each has a life separate from the other but the one weekend a year is only for each other. But what happens when Jake's wife finds out about the affair? Will Jake and Mallory continue or will they each finally go their own way?
This is a wonderful story filled with real life situations, friends, love, laughs and tears. I could not put it down until I finished.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I think 28 Summers is Elin’s best book yet. The book follows 28 summers of Mallory Blessing’s life. The first starts in 1993 when she inherits a house on Nantucket and her life changes forever. She has a Same Time, Next Year romance that she she keeps secret from everyone, even her brother and best friend. If no one knows, it won’t hurt anyone’s feelings, right?

Thank you Netgalley for my copy. Elin does it again with this book! It’s another story of Nantucket and one that takes place over a lifetime. It focuses on the same group of people and over time you love, hate, are frustrated and celebrate with each one of them. Once again I want to book a trip to Nantucket ASAP and eat everything in sight. Another fabulous story from Hilderbrand!

I don't know how Elin Hilderbrand keeps doing it, but she does. This is an amazing novel, showcasing a true love between Mallory and Jake, and yet they are only together one weekend a year. Although they have different relationships, children, work, commitments, their love for one another grows and connects them every Labor Day. The book is full of family drama, connection, and love. I would highly recommend.

Thank you, NetGalley for an advanced copy of this novel!

I just finished this and loved every single page. I want to be friends with Mallory and fell in love with Jake. The author is so descriptive in setting the locations, that I felt like my hair was blowing in the winds and my toes were in the sands of Nantucket. This would be a fabulous book club pick!

There are no words to describe how much I LOVED this book. Always an Elin Hilderbrand fan, but 28 Summers might be my most favorite. Loved it from the very first page and could not put it down. She has such a way with character development that makes you feel like they are your best friends. Truly loved this one and highly recommend!

Thank you to netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

I will recommend this book to anyone who loves a summer beach read. i thought it was absolutely fabulous.. From believable, and (mostly) likable characters, to settings you can imagine yourself sliding into. I savored every word, and found myself looking at page numbers to ensure I had plenty left to read. I didn't want it to end. Five glorious stars.

Thanks to Net Galley and Little, Brown and Company for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

WOW. I absolutely loved this book! At first, I was worried that the premise would get repetitive, as the story centers around two lovers who meet up over Labor Day weekend year after year. But the way Hilderbrand writes and formats the story makes the book anything but boring. The characters are very well-developed, although I would have liked to delve more into Ursula's backstory (we really don't get to know her until there is her "ripped from the headlines" plot line at the end of the book). All in all, a great book and one of my favorites from this author!

Review posted on Goodreads on May 2, 2020.

I love Elin Hilderbrand books! Some books more than others but this one just blew me away and I could not put it down. I love Nantucket and even though I have never physically been there, I feel like her books transport me there with every one I read. The storyline of this book, without giving too much away, is one of love, family, and romance but so much more. I finished the book feeling sad and broken yet hopeful. It was a book that made me wish I hadn't read it so fast and I wanted the storyline to continue. I reveived this book as an ARC from Netgalley, thank you so much, it really took my breath away!

I've read almost all of Hilderbrand's books. That being said, I feel like I know enough of Hilderbrand's repertoire to say that this is not like her other books. Her last "summer" read, Summer of '69, I felt was a stretch from her typical Nantucket Drama/Romance, as it moved from Women's Fiction to Historical Fiction quite nicely. 28 Summers felt like it had more depth as well.

It takes me a lot to cry in a book--it doesn't happen often. I can probably count on one hand the times I've cried while reading. (If you're curious, I'll share one: The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah). I won't say I cried in this book, but had my reading circumstances been different (no screaming kids next to me, no blaring TV in the same room--we work with what we have), I would have. I choked back tears in this book, and I will be the first to say that I haven't EVER been close to tears in Hilderbrand's books; what they really make me want to do is take the next ferry over to Nantucket and enjoy some lobster bisque and some ocean views. Mallory's story was...inspiring? Yes, it was. I fell in love with Mallory, and reading about Mallory and Link's relationship will make any mama swoon. I fell in love with Jake, and I felt myself reminiscing about every single one of the 28 summers because I, too, can remember my memories from my summers in the 90s, the 2000s, the 2010s, and now.

Hilderbrand crafted a story that spanned 1993 to today, and so seamlessly moved from year to year, only including the necessary points, that by the next year, it was like visiting a friend after a long hiatus: it was like not missing a beat.

I'm going to go on record and say this is my favorite Hilderbrand--for a lot of reasons. Hilderbrand wove current political issues into a text with lovable characters, and she did so in an inspiring manner. Since I've read so many Hilderbrand texts, I was expecting the same as I always get: a nice, nostalgic trip down memory lane since my own vacation to Nantucket in 2016. This was so much more: there was love, and then there was true love, but it came in so many different forms: what really is true love? How do we determine what true love really is?

I highly, highly recommend this one, and not just because of the setting: I'm a setting person, but the setting took a back seat here. The characters, the history, how history molds us, how love molds us, and how we change with the times were some of the key factors that kept me involved.

I will also say that I don't hand out 5 stars easily. This evoked emotion, and for that reason alone, as I held back tears, I'm giving it 5 stars.

An ecstatic thank you to Netgalley & Little, Brown, & Company for the ARC.

The *only* author that I'm ride or die for is Nora Roberts - my mom and grandma started me on her books LONG before they were appropriate, and I've been a fan since, but of course, some of that is nostalgia. I didn't discover Elin Hilderbrand until I was an adult and I'll NEVER LOOK BACK.

I love Elin's books because of the intricate way stories are woven together Getting to revisit characters at different points in their journey, or seeing them peripherally in another character's story (in 28 Summers, we see Ava Quinn in high school - CUE THE HEART MELTING!), makes me SO happy every single time it happens. The stories are intricate and interwoven but realistic and actually feasible in the world, too, and it makes all the difference!

Okay, on to 28 Summers. The concept is exactly what you see in the blurb - meet cute, meet again every summer No. Matter. What., and the wild ride that is life. I love the different POVs throughout - at different points, we're hearing from both Jake and Mallory, and the occasional side characters, too - and as always, there were a few twists and turns (Link being Fray's kid, the car crash that kills Kitty and Senior) that caught me off guard.

Throughout the story, you *know* you shouldn't be rooting for Jake and Mal, but you *are*, and given how the book starts, one can assume they aren't together for whatever reason. The entire book had just a touch of will-they-or-won't-they, in the best way.
I could literally gush all day because it's Elin Hilderbrand (even a name my boyfriend now recognizes!), but just pick it up. 5 stars!

I absolutely loved every page of this book. I really felt like I was living the story along with the characters. It was real, it was raw and it was amazing!

28 Summers is the first book I have read by Elin Hilderbrand, but it won't be the last. It was one of the best books I have read this year. I loved the history at the beginning of each chapter. The story was excellent and kept me wanting more. I wish the ending had been different, but I can see where there could be a sequel and I hope there is. This will be the book of the summer that I will recommend to everyone!