When I first started reading this book----it gave me "Soul" vibes (A Disney/Pixar movie that I hated). However, as I continued to read it turned out to be classic Elin Hildebrand: a lost love, complicated family dynamic, betrayal and more. I love everything about Elin's books and this one was no different. My only regret is that I can't forget it and read it again.

Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC in return for an honest review.

This book lived up to every expectation I had for it. The story line had a lot of characters, as most of Elin’s books do, but yet again I found myself loving each of them. The formatting of so many different chapters/character point of views kept my interested peaked so much that I couldn’t put it down.

The story in itself was heart breaking, exciting, and a little suspenseful as Vivi watched over and occasionally guided her family and friends through the summer.

Elin Hilderbrand does it again~she brings the world another great read! I am a huge fan of Hilderbrand's books. They never disappoint when you pick up her books. They always grab you from the beginning and keep you hanging on to the end. I liked the way she changed this book up a little bit, with the nudges that Vivi gets from before heading off to heaven. Having just lost my mom recently I wasn't sure if I would be able to handle reading it at first, but it was light enough that it was sad but not depressing. I felt sympathy listening to her friend and kids struggle to figure out what to do without her there to guide them. I love hearing about other characters from past books, like the investigator. I simply love getting lost in her Nantucket world every time I read her books! Thank you for your wonderful writing and for letting me have the chance to get lost in another world for awhile- a chance to leave my own stresses behind and enjoy someone else world for a bit.

While I enjoyed reading Golden Girl and Elin Hilderbrand’s writing still makes me want to visit Nantucket, I didn’t feel the same connection to the characters as I typically feel reading books by this author. Hilderbrand uses interesting writing choices—allowing Vivi to ‘live on’ for three extra months after her death, but from up in the clouds to see what happens to her family, along with switching points of view throughout the story as the reader tries to figure out who was responsible for her death. In the end, the mystery really isn’t too much of a mystery. Each character was compelling in their own way, but I wanted to know more about them and their connections to each other. Carson is a fascinating young lady, but the reasons why she struggled with substance abuse, even before her mother’s death, seem too simple, too trite—the breakup of Vivi and JP’s marriage. Willa is too perfect and Leo, who is the character most responsible for the chain of events leading to Vivi’s death is not fully fleshed out and I find his character to be the one I want to know better—what are Leo’s motivations, why has he kept his secret as long as he did, why did no one have any suspicions about his secrets. The characters all seem to easily make choices in the moment, with little regard for their impact on others and seem very out of line for what the character truly wants. Even Vivi doesn’t like her boyfriend, but it’s just too hard to truly make a break, which is interesting, and ironic, as we learn her coming-of-age story as it plays out throughout the novel. JP likes the easy life and never commits to anything or anyone. Willa is the opposite. I think I would have enjoyed the story better had we seen the story from one person’s point of view and the focus more on the societal norms that this family has always broken and keeps on breaking despite their standing as a successful family to which others aspire. They have the status (membership at the Field and Oar Club), property, businesses, published novels, etc., etc. Yet none are happy. Topics such as substance abuse, affairs, race, murder abound in this story, but none are fully developed and played out. The real story isn’t in the aftermath of Vivi’s death, but rather throughout her life. However, this is an Elin Hilderbrand novel, it takes place in Nantucket, and is worth the time to read…it’s just not Hilderbrand’s best novel.

Full Disclosure: I was given a free PDF Advanced Reader’s Copy of Golden Girl via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review of this book.

I liked this a lot. A minimal amount of dramatic plot compared to her other books (I'm looking at you Night Road). But also not as fluffy as some of her other beach reads (I see you Winter Street series). A quick read, enjoyable characters.

Vivi is at the height of her career and finally in a good place in her life. Her house, the Money Pit is coming along, she's about to be a grandmother and it's the beginning of summer on Nantucket. When she is killed, she ends up in an in-between place where she can watch her family and use "nudges" to help them on their way to life without her. This is bound to be a big summer hit, as anything by Hilderbrand is.

“She was magic,” Carson told him.
“But she was my mom so I took her for granted. I didn’t understand how lucky I was to have her until she was gone.”

I lost my mom on July 22, 2019. I lost her, truthfully, many years before she actually left this Earth. Before those hard times, she was my best friend and favorite person. Those are the memories I cling to. I think anyone who has experienced a great loss will understand the feeling of your life being split into the before/after of that event. This novel really captures this and it made me feel close to my mom again.

This book has an amazing cast of well developed characters complete with flaws and realism and cameos from characters past- which I won’t spoil. I don’t want to spoil anything so I’ll keep this brief. I’ve read most of Elin’s books and this one is now in the top 3. The setting is always one of my favorite parts- with “Nantucket” as a Greek Chorus type narrator once again- which I love. This book reads a little differently, though. This one is deeper, in my opinion, and hit a little closer to home for me than some others. It has a supernatural/spiritual element that is new to her novels and I didn’t know if I would like it, but I was foolish to doubt Elin. She’s got this. Always. Final thoughts: I’m still crying. I absolutely loved this book. This is one I will probably reread. This was an arc, but I will be buying the hardcover the day it comes out: June 1, 2021. Save the date. Get your tissues. Don’t plan to do anything else for a few hours. Five glorious beachy stars wrapped in a Hermès scarf!!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Every year I look forward to a new beach read, and Golden Girl does not disappoint--I absolutely could not put this one down! In Hilderbrand's latest standalone, art imitates life; Golden Girl is about a 50-something Nantucket novelist with three almost-grown children and an emotionally immature ex-husband. In the first chapter, Vivi is killed in a hit-and-run accident while out for her morning run. The premise sounds grim, but this book is anything but depressing. Vivi and her celestial guide, Martha, watch over her loved ones from the great beyond, and Vivi is granted three "nudges" to help guide her loved ones during the summer. There is just something about Hilderbrand's writing that is totally engrossing and fast-paced; the shifting POV and short chapters will keep you turning the pages as you learn each character's back stories and secrets. Police Chief Ed Kapanesh plays a key role in this book, as he investigates the mystery of the hit-and-run driver, but the best part about Golden Girl is the author's message that love lives on forever. Thanks so much to Little, Brown, and Company for the librarian preview through Netgalley!

I have read many of Hilderbrand's books and this one had a different type of twist that I wasn't sure if I would like - one of the perspectives is told from the "Beyond." I ended up loving this book. It was definitely an emotional read that really hit the mark with it's portrayals of realistic and imperfect characters and their grief. The mystery that lay at the heart of the book was engaging but the book also had so much heart and love and pain around other issues and elements in the characters' lives. It's still a beachy, summery read with the setting and events that make many of HIlderbrand's books so beloved, but I think this one has even more to love about it. Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for the ARC!

The last year or so has been a little difficult for many people.  They are feeling stressed, exhausted , and maybe even a little depressed.  So when they hear that Elin Hilderbrand's new book Golden Girl deals with death, racism, adultery , etc., their first reaction may be to shy away from such topics.  But the author has a way of dealing with these topics, and more, in way that that is heartwarming and uplifting.  Her characters are flawed but likable and and easily relatable . When Vivi, an author and mother of three, is killed in a hit and run accident, people start looking at the black kid.  As Vivi looks over her family from above, she is allowed three nudges to help them on their way as they learn to negotiate life without her.  She watches their struggles and strife, strengths and weaknesses, and even begins to come to terms with her own past. This one is definitely worth the read.

This was just okay for me; it started out promising, but took a turn to solve her "murder" which was very obvious the whole time. I much preferred her other recent books, Summer of '69 & 28 Summers.

After becoming the casualty in a hit-and-run, famous Nantucket author Vivi is sent to the afterlife and given the chance to keep an eye on her family, perhaps influencing their actions along the way.

I felt like the synopsis for this book was misleading--Vivi dies unexpectedly, her latest (and last) novel is about to come out with secrets she apparently doesn’t want exposed, and she wants to solve the mystery of who was driving the car that hit her. But the book was...barely about those things?

Turns out, I didn’t mind too much. Golden Girl was filled with quintessential Hilderbrand: chapters told in alternating POV of many characters attempting to navigate messy relationship drama and the ever-important, picture-perfect descriptions of the island (and its food!) I became so engrossed in all of those things that whenever it would go back to Chief Kapenash (that man is everything) I realized I’d forgotten that he was in the middle of trying to solve a crime.

By the time everything ties up (sort of), some of it seemed almost like an afterthought. But it just isn’t summer without a new Hilderbrand novel.

Thanks, NetGalley!

Another great book by Elin Hilderbrand! Golden Girl tells the story of author Vivian Howe who is killed in a hit and run accident. She is able to watch what happens with her family and friends for one last summer. She is also able to use three nudges to change outcomes that she sees happen. Vivi watches as the police chief investigates her death, her three grown children navigate life, and her final book is published. In this final book there is a secret from Vivi's own life that she worries about coming to light.

When I started reading this book I wasn't sure where the story was going because it was a very different beginning than Elin Hilderbrand's usual "happy, feel good" book. But as always, she didn't disappoint!!! I truly enjoyed this book and the reader will fall in love with all the characters!

When I saw that Elin Hilderbrand had a new book out, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. I have read most of her books, and she never disappoints. Golden Girl was no exception. I was sucked into Vivi's life (and afterlife) from the first page! As a mother, I was with Vivi every step of the way as she watched her children's lives go on without her. Such a comforting idea that those who pass on may watch over their loved ones, and occasionally "nudge" them in the right direction. As always, with Hilderbrand's books, I was drawn into all of the characters and the summery feel of the Island of Nantucket. Would recommend this as a great beach or escape read.

The Golden Girl by Elin Hilderbrand is totally unlike any previous novel she has authored. I was thrown for a bit when I realized she had her protagonist telling her story from beyond the grave, which is a concept that has never been too comfortable for me. Prompted by her own close call with death, Hilderbrand has created Vivi Howe, the heroine of the story who is killed off quickly and tells the story from her vantage point in the next world.

Unfortunately, it is just the worst time for Vivi to die because she is awaiting her first grandchild and she still needs to finish raising two of her children. But death waits for no one, and Vivi meets her death at the hands of a hit-and-run driver on Nantucket, Vivi’s home. Daughter Willa has already suffered three miscarriages, daughter Carson is getting more and more into drugs while involved in an affair with a married man, and son Leo is coming to terms with his own truths.

On the professional front, she is also concerned about her latest book, Golden Girl, becoming number one. It is her most risky book in that it reveals something that really happened in her life that none of her family or friends know anything about.

Fortunately, her heavenly guide gives Vivi a three-month window on the world she has just left and explains she has three “nudges” to help her children along, but she must use them judiciously. Will Willa be able to go full term this time? Will Carson straighten out her messed up life? Will Leo become the person he is meant to be? Will Golden Girl become number one on the bestseller's list?

While others have found this book “heartfelt” and among the best of Hilderbrand’s books, Golden Girl has caused me to take stock of my own life at this point.

Elin Hilderbrand remains the Queen of the Beach Reads in this story told by a dead narrator that Hilderbrand explains in the Acknowledgments. Hilderbrand lives on Nantucket with her three children.

My review will be posted on Goodreads starting April 3, 2021.

I would like to thank Little, Brown and Company and Hachette Book Group for providing me with an ARC in return for an objective review.

Elin Hilderbrand has done it again! Although a bit different from her other novels, Golden Girl still has all of the components of Hilderbrand's stories that we all know and love. Set in her beloved Nantucket, Golden Girl is about author Vivian Howe who dies in a hit-and-run accident. With many of Hilderbrand's previous characters making cameo appearances, the story is not only about the people of Nantucket but also about solving the mystery of Vivian's death.

I loved, loved, loved this book. It could easily have been hokey with the basis of the plot, but Elin Hilderbrand is a master storyteller. She made it different and endearing. Thank you NetGalley for giving me another amazing read in exchange for an honest review.

WOW! This is unlike any other Hilderbrand I've read and I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT! Even if her other books aren't for you, please try this! This is such a unique exploration of grief and it absolutely gutted me, yet it didn't feel manipulative. I'll be thinking about this book for a long time.

This book is definitely a winner. I am not sure how to write a review without a spoiler alert . Suffice is to say that Elin Hilderbrand fans will enjoy the initial plot twist. This is a stand alone which was more satisfying than the recent "Paradise series."

What a fascinating perspective from Hilderbrand- famous author Vivi Howe is killed by a hit and run on Nantucket Island while on her morning run. She leaves behind her three grown children, ex husband and best friend.
On her way to heaven, she is awarded a viewing window to watch her family for the summer and 3 ‘nudges’ should someone need a push in a different direction. I can’t imagine being able to actually see my family from the afterlife- it’s my biggest dream to be able to see everyone is ok and can move on. The nudges are a huge blessing.
She is joined by her ‘person’ Martha who helps her on the journey while Vivi experiences the summer of her family not only mourn, but grow and move on without her.
I shed tears, a couple laughs and dreams that my own passing could only be this sweet in the afterlife....