Loved it

I am a big fan of MS Hilderbrand, and I think this is one of her very best books. It's a bit different from the usual beachy romance, but very imaginative and engaging. Please get this book and read it!

Thank you to the publisher who lent me a time-constrained e-arc via Netgalley with no obligation; this review is my own opinion.

Great story. Pulled me in and kept me engaged in the story. If you enjoy Elin Hilderbrand than this is the book for you.

2.5 stars, rounded up.

This may be an unpopular opinion, but this was probably my least favorite Elin Hilderbrand book. I enjoyed the Winter series and the Paradise series, but 28 Summers also fell short for me.

Golden Girl seemed a bit too meta for me. Other reviewers haven't mentioned it, so I'll put it out there: a writer writing about a writer with a life similar to her own is a little too egotistical for me. The main character in Golden Girl is Vivian (Vivi) Howe, who lives on Nantucket with her three children and is a popular writer of double-digit "summer" novels, all which take place on Nantucket. Sound familiar yet? Oh and her father died when she was a kid? Yeah, too biographical for me.

There are so many nods to Hilderbrand's other works, either directly or indirectly that it seems like this is a tribute to herself, and this is what turned me off from this book. Other characters appear, which is fine (the Chief and his wife, Fast Eddie, etc.). But then there are references to Vivian Howe's books that are actually Hilderbrand's books (example: the Chief's wife Andrea mentioning the book where Tess and her husband died in the boating accident... only the book mentioned is one of Vivian's books... but this is also a Hilderbrand book - The Castaways). This happens so many times it's actually annoying. There seems to also be an excessive amount of name-dropping about the island, like she had to prove that she still knew the island? I don't know, but the roads and the beaches and the history seemed much more excessive than usual.

If you haven't read Hilderbrand's other books, maybe this would flow better. But this seemed to take an actual person or event on Nantucket (or an idea) and have it thinly veiled as a book title or event in the fictional book that is actually thinly veiled as an actual book title or event written by Hilderbrand. (Main Street Gossip? Winter Street? Anyone?)

Other things that bothered me about the book: the Anne Frank reference stood out (this has been addressed publicly by Hilderbrand but it was in my copy so it bothered me). The attempt to mention racial profiling and racism, but it was done in passing and came across as flippant, and the constant use of the word "bruh." Who uses that? I also dislike the use of the omnipresent narrator, which she has used in her recent books but doesn't serve any purpose other than making the flow of the book really clunky.

Anyway, the story is fine. Vivi dies in a hit-and-run and then gets to watch over her kids for the summer. It makes Vivi out to be this amazing person, but she really is quite self-absorbed and maybe not as great as she thinks she is. I didn't like her as a character and wanted more from the characters. The mystery of the hit-and-run isn't really a mystery: it's obvious and anti-climactic.

It's a readable book but it is kind of all over the place with the multiple narrators and there isn't much character growth.

This book is great! Would definitely recommend. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Golden Girl is a must read. If you are someone who has lost a loved one, this book will stir you to the core. The tears! Oh my! As usual Elin explores many complex themes that will remind you that we are all human. Not one of us is completely good or bad, right or wrong. Extraordinary book. I’ll put my head on my pillow tonight and whisper, “Nudge me if you can, Momma.”

The queen of summer beach reads has written another compelling family read. Vivi is a bestselling author who lives on Nantucket. She is the victim of a hit and run that has left her family reeling. The whole island becomes wrapped up in solving the mystery of her death. Meanwhile, Vivi is watching everything unroll. Family dynamics are tested and their backstories are revealed. Read and enjoy!

Another great book by Hilderbrand! The books follows the family of Vivi, a famous book author. Vivi dies when the book starts and she checks in on them before throughout the novel before she moves on. I loved that concept in the book. It was different than other books that I have read. Normally I have an easy time following along with the change in characters from one part to the next. However with this book I had a hard time following along in the beginning with who was who. Overall it was a good book and I would definitely recommend it, especially if you are a Hilderbrand fan.

Hildebrand is a very popular author in the library where I work. Golden Girl was a great book to read while on vacation. I love the writing style and intrigue. My patrons will not be disappointed with this book!

This is the perfect read to start the summer. It is full of family secrets and island intrigue. Some of the glimmers of island life -- the shops, eateries, and characters, a few of which have been mentioned in previous novels, immediately transport you to the beach. This novel is like a beach breeze , , , blowing effortlessly while refreshing your soul.

Golden Girl
by Elin Hilderbrand
Published June 1, 2021

I love the books that Elin Hilderbrand writes! I recently listened to her on a podcast and I think I love her even more now! In her books there are snippets of the true life of Elin. I enjoyed hearing her talk about the places she loves and writes about in Nantuckett.
This book is great! It kept my attention and it was such an interesting story of "motherly" nudges that Vivian is allowed to give her children after her own death. Wow!~! Powerful!!
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. I enjoy reading the books before the published date so I can recommend titles to our readers. This one is a 5 star.

As a runner it was hard to read the opening to this wonderful beach read. Not knowing if anything happens when our time comes here is a tale that gives the dead ‘one more summer’. Vivian Howe a well respected author has written a book that contains a personal chapter that could make or break her reputation. Vivi has grown children who must deal with her death and their own lives in new and on their own ways. Vivi watches as her daughter moves through another tricky pregnancy,hoping to actually deliver this time. Her son navigates his relationship with a noncommittal air that frustrates even from beyond. Vivi has three ‘nudges’ which could help these situations but would that be the right thing to do? A beach read ripe with water,salt and sand. If only the summer were longer, or in Vivi case forever.

✍🏼Vivian is killed in a hit and run accident and from “the beyond” she is able to view her three nearly grown children, ex husband and best friend over the summer.

👍🏼A well written, unique premise , I enjoyed the characters, the setting, the drama, and the bit of mystery surrounding her death.

👎🏼The plot line with the highschool ex was so played up but then it didn’t play out as much in the book. While writing this review I had almost forgotten about it, so I wish it had been woven in a bit more especially since it relates to the title of the book.

✅Elin Hildebrand does a great job of giving you a fun light read with some substance to it. The characters evolved and grew throughout the novel and as always I’m so ready to travel to Nantucket. A perfect summer read!

Thank you @netgalley and @littlebrown for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

‘Golden Girl’ is a love story, an intelligent beach read, and in my opinion, semi-autobiographical.

Vivian ‘Vivi’ Howe, is a fifty-one-year-old author living on the beautiful of Nantucket, divorced and mother of three children. She’s fit, vivacious and involved with island life and just that right amount in her kids’ lives.

She’s given the privilege of ‘separating herself’ from her life, sort of like an out-of-body experience, and watching her family and friends’ lives go on their course. Don’t worry about ‘the how’ she’s doing this right now because it doesn’t matter. Imagine yourself though, if you were able to do this, watch from a far, like that proverbial, ‘fly on the wall.’ Wouldn’t you want to step in and stop one of your kids from making a mistake or whispering in their ear, “no, stop, think about this first,”? Even your best friend helping choose a date, or a trip, wouldn’t you like a bit of influence? Sometimes, right?

Vivi gets this privilege, but she must give up something in return, but she gains an enormous amount of respect for her family, her children and their individual choices and needs. She finds it is truly all about love.

Now, go read ‘Golden Girl’ with this in mind and you will cherish the most important part.

Thank you Netgalley, Little, Brown and Co., and Elin Hilderbrand

The only reason I am reviewing this book is to make other readers aware of some pretty serious trigger warnings for this book. 1. There is an Anne Frank joke which is absolutely horrible. There is no excuse for it. It should not be there. 2. Lying about a miscarriage. That is just not a storyline many people want to read about it seems very insensitive. 3. It discusses a bit of racism but not in an education way. I have enjoyed some of her previous books but not this one. I really didn’t even want to review this book however I’m giving it one star so that I can disclose to the other readers these major trigger warnings.

Thought-provoking, sentimental, and a touch mysterious!

Golden Girl is a heartfelt, compelling tale that sweeps you away to the idyllic Nantucket Island and into the life of novelist Vivian Howe, a mother of three, who after being killed in a hit-and-run accident is given one last summer to watch over those she loves and granted three small nudges to alter events on earth before she must finally accept her fate and pass over to the other side.

The writing is eloquent and expressive. The characters are complex, authentic, and troubled. And the plot is an irresistible, touching tale of relationship dynamics, familial drama, life, loss, acceptance, moral dilemmas, secrets, forgiveness, friendship, and the intricacies of small-island living.

Overall, Golden Girl is another absorbing, nostalgic, poignant tale by Hilderbrand that does a beautiful job of reminding us that to be human is to be flawed, and everyone should love and deserves to be loved for who they are, flaws and all.

Due to the anti semitic joke I can not recommend this book to any customer or reader.

Due to the anti semitic joke I can not recommend this book to any customer or reader.

I am a huge fan of Elin Hilderbrand’s novels! There are always 5 star must reads for me. Some how Elin out did her self with Golden Girl! This book is literally the best book! I never wanted this emotional book to end!

This was such a beautiful and touching book.

Such a raw and beautiful way of dealing with grief. Tragic, uplifting, and precious book that touched my soul.

Golden Girl is definitely more then a beach read. There is a life message in each character in this book and how their message plays out through Vivi.

One of my favorite quotes this one "Eventually, all over them are going to have to learn to live without you. This summer is going to end... Summer always ends.

This one is something so unique and different then we've ever seen by Elin. It's more of a paranormal/murder mystery type book but it works so well! I loved it and can definitely see Elin's fans well love it!!

4/5 stars

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Little Brown for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Pub date: 6/1/21
Published to GR: 5/30/21.

This is among Elin's best. Her New England novels are perfect summer reads, and this is sure to please any reader who wants to live a different life for a few days this summer.

Recommending this to everyone and anyone.

Golden Girl by Elin Hilderbrand
I have read all of Elin Hilderbrand’s books and this May now be my favorite! It’s quite the emotional ride. You’ll love these characters, never wanting this book to end; I hope she writes a sequel to this. I highly recommend this book to all. I think you will love it.