Anytime I get to read a new Elin Hilderbrand novel, I stop everything I’m doing and tune out the world. This is why she make the perfect beach novel, and Golden Girl is no different. It has her beautiful Nantucket imagery with family drama, mystery, and reoccurring characters from her previous novels. This novel has a twist however, and the main character, Vivi, is telling the story from “the beyond.”
Vivi was killed in a hit a run and is able to watch the police try and solve her murder. She is allowed to watch her three kids, family and friends for the rest of the summer. She also is allowed “three nudges” to alter the events that happen on Earth. I don’t want to give too much away since there were surprises and twists throughout the novel!
While I was reading, I couldn’t help but think that Elin got the inspiration of Vivi based off her current life since they both have many similarities. This book was amazing and gives you the warm and fuzzy feeling at the end. It had everything I love in a novel- forbidden love, first love, mystery, and forgiveness. This will be the perfect beach read for summer 2021! 5 heartwarming stars.

This book is a bit of a switch for Hilderbrand, but this is my favorite of her books. It’s a true gift for all fans of Hilderbrand. For those of you who aren’t familiar with this author, you are in for a treat. This book is about a woman who is killed in a hit and run accident. She is able to spend some time making sure her gamily is OK before she moves onto heaven. It sounds weird. But the book is incredibly good. Don’t pass up this book.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the copy of this book. The opinions are my own.

Another brilliant book by Elin Hildebrand! Although a departure from her usual style in some respects, it still held that magical characterization and love of beach life we all know and love, Vivi dies suddenly and has the opportunity to watch her family for three months. She can even exercise 3 "nudges" when she wants things to play out a different way. Told in alternating voices, we see the story from all of the characters perspectives, even Chief of Police Ed Kapernach, a familiar face to Hildebrand's fans. The supernatural element was a bit different from her other books, but the strong characters and conflicts are consistent. I'm sure this will be in many beach bags to read this summer!

Thank you to Netgalley and Little Brown publishing for the advanced e galley. I recommend Elin and her books to all my library customers and this book will not disappoint. In Golden Girl Elin writes about Vivi, an author, her family, her home on Nantucket and her new book "Golden Girl". After Vivi is struck down while jogging, she finds herself on her to heaven with a stop on the way. She is able to "watch" her family and friends for the summer and help them out with a nudge if they need it. She only gets 3 so she must be careful when she uses them. We learn more about Vivi through flashbacks and meet her first love who unexpectedly shows up when he learns of her passing to tell their love story. I enjoyed the little 'wink" to some of her previous books. I couldn't help thinking of how this book is somewhat life imitating art imitating life.

Vivian Howe is a prolific writer with grown children who is killed by a hit and run driver. She goes to the Beyond, where her mentor Martha helps her by letting her see what is going on below for one summer. She watches the police investigate her death, and is worried that a secret in her latest unfinished novel will come to light and destroy her reputation. Filled with mystery and intrigue, this is one you don't want to miss!

Absolutely loved this book!

Vivian Howe is a much loved, popular novelist who becomes a victim of a hit and run accident when she goes out for her morning run. Her three children are a mixed bag, but naturally devastated. Willa, married and hoping to have a child, is the eldest; then there is Leo, the son named for Leo Tolstoy, and wild-child Carson. Vivi's long-time best friend steps in to support the children and then of course there is an ex-husband, and an ex-boyfriend.

All of the characters are beautifully drawn and we end up caring for every single one of them. And even though Vivi is killed in the early pages of the novel she remains an integral part of the story. Who was driving the car that killed her? That's the mystery that unfolds throughout the novel.

In the end, this novel is a love letter to life, to mothers, to best friends, to the lives we live and the choices we make. Simply beautifully done.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for the ARC.

A book that is different, in my opinion, from what we expect from Hilderbrand. I wasn't sure if I would enjoy the supernatural aspect offered by a coujple of the characters, but it worked out okay. Not my favorite by any means, but still quite interesting.

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. I did not think that I would like this book based on the premise, but Hilderbrand wrote it, so I have it a try, and it was wonderful. Great characters, a bit of a mystery, and a beautiful setting.

I was excited to dive into the book as soon as I got it. In true Elin writing, I was drawn instantly and read it over the weekend. It was comforting to thing think our loved ones can see us and give us little nudges to help us.

Replete with Hilderbrand’s trademark descriptions of Nantucket life this is a welcome escape from the dreary end of winter days.
Vivi, coincidentally a writer of popular novels about Nantucket, meets an untimely end near the beginning of the story. What follows certainly strains credulity but is a fun plot device that allows the reader to travel back through Vivi’s life and discover how her life choices made her the person she became (or did she???). I did find the overwhelming white privilege a bit uncomfortable - especially since she tosses in one black family and hints at racism but it never comes to much and is all wrapped up neatly at the end. Still, Hilderbrand is not Picoult and one comes to her novels for some escape and interesting family dynamics. She certainly delivers on that in her latest Nantucket story. It is clear that she, like her protagonist, love Nantucket and we, the reader, can enjoy traveling there through her stories, for now.

Another beautifully written Elon Hilderbrand novel.As soon as I received it I set everything else aside and began to read it.The surrounding the family the emotional moments hated it for it to end.Will be highly recommending.#netgalley #littlebrown

This is hands down the best book I’ve read in at least a year if not longer. I cried, laughed and wanted to jump into the book and shake some sense in Vivi’s kids.. My absolute favorite Elin Hilderbrand book yet. And I believe I’ve read all her books. Heartbreaking and tragic yet beautiful. When she started talking about Vivi’s Golden Girl novel I thought oh that is a book I’d love to read. There is a lot going on in these characters lives, I want to go to Nantucket so badly to just see the beauty described in Elin’s books. This book is a reminder that we all have so little time, so do the things on your bucket list, hug your family and friends tightly. Vivii thought she had the world by the tail but now she gets to watch and has 3 nudges to get everyone settled. Again this is an absolutely amazing story. I may need to reread it just because I’m going to miss the people in the story. Also just a side note, don’t start this book before bed because you can’t stop reading it. Thank you NetGalley and Elin Hilderbrand for allowing me to read and review this book!

Having read all of Hilderbrand’s book and living on cape, I’m always eager to read the newest. She’s extremely popular at our library. The beginning of this novel was a little hard for me, maybe due to loss in Covid, but the first chapter really struck a nerve. I had to put it down and pick it up several times. It’s hard to see a young life suddenly cut short. The whole of the novel however was usual Hilderbrand style, great characters, good writing, and set on the island. Fans will love this latest book.

Coming off of "28 Summers", I wasn't sure that Elin Hilderbrand could reproduce that kind of magic again. While she didn't recreate the same magic, she was able to create a completely unique magic. I have never read book like it and it was a joy to read. I felt so involved in the characters lives--- I wanted to have a drink with Savannah, give Leo a hug and give Carson some tough love. I felt on the edge of my seat waiting for the bestseller results (and screamed when i read them!) I loved how many social issues it explored and how many of them didn't resolve in "textbook" ways. One of my favorite books was how complete it felt. I was able to close the book, wipe the tears and feel 100% satisfied while also hopeful for the Nantucket community's future. I loved the inclusion of the The Chief and the use of Nantucket as a narrator to fill in gaps in timelines.

The one major question I feel was really left uncovered--- was Mallory Blessing a Vivi fan???

Another amazing story from the extraordinary Elin Hilderbrand. She continues to write stories that are gripping and thought provoking, while sucking you in and feeling like you are right there in the story. This book is different from her others in some ways. For example, it is written as the main character has passed away and she is looking down on her 3 children and her past life. What I thought was going to be such a hard thing to read, in Elin fashion, she told a wonderful story and as it ends, you feel peaceful instead of sobbing. This book is right up there as one of my now favorites by Hilderbrand because the main character grew up in Parma, Ohio and is the same age as me. There were so many Cleveland references during the late 80's and it sure was fun to go back to that time. HIghly recommend this one. You won't be disappointed.

Author Elin Hilderbrand gifts her readers with delights, filled with sun, beach and multi-layers tales of friends and family that require healing. In GOLDEN GIRL, she offers up a slightly different take, one part comedy and one part mystery, of a middle-aged woman just hitting her stride who dies unexpectedly in a hit and run accident. Vivi, our protagonist, is still worrying about her early adult children, paying her bills and cleaning up messes, from the Great Beyond, and most of us can relate. She has until the end of summer to watch the bits and pieces of her life fall into place and make her peace with what she’s left behind. And maybe learned who hit her while she was out jogging. The story is infectious and Vivi is a memorable character. This is a delightful book that I read in one snowy day, thinking of summer ahead. It was a joy. I received my copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Although it is not quite summer, it is still close enough for “The queen of beach reads” to release a new story. I am a big Elin Hilderbrand fan; this is #21 for me.
Ms. Hilderbrand’s last story “28 Summers” had everyone crying. Her comment about this new story is “Don’t put away those tissues”!
In this story’s man character is Vivian Howe, a 51 year old author of “beach novels” with a new release coming out, entitled “Golden Girl”, and has three children. While she is out running her daily run is killed in a hit-n-run car accident.
Since Vivian sounds a lot like Ms. Hilderbrand, she dedicated this novel to her three children, and states
I will never leave you..

Story opens when Martha gets a request to report at an accident scene. Martha is not an angel but “A Person” someone who will assist with the transition into the next world.
Since Vivi’s death was an accident she is allowing her some time to observe her family and has “3 nudges” cannot speak to them but can nudge!

I stayed up passed my bed time as I was so curious…then I stayed awake trying to process it.
I always love reading Nantucket stories. It totally seems magical ~ like paradise. This story is more about the flawed characters. Even Vivi ~ spending so much time writing didn’t notice what was happening to her children. Carson was such a mess
Vivi’s latest novel is about her teenage years. While in high school, she is taking a make- up calculus quiz with a teacher who is also monitoring “Bad Boy” Brett Caspian who is serving detention!
Vivi and Bret are total opposites ~ they are like “The Breakfast Club” characters played by Judd Nelson and Molly Ringwald. They soon become an item. Brett was in a band and wrote a song about her entitle “Golden Girl” ~ Vivi has long dark hair so in listening to the lyrics she realizes that ‘golden’ is a metaphor:
Vivi is Brett’s ‘golden girl’, his sunshine, his light, his prize, and the fire in his eyes for sunshine.

Hmmm what happened to Brett?

Story is written in typical Hilderbrand style of chapters with different POVs one includes Nantucket ~ which is always the most interesting POV.

BTW: I am a big scarf person … so Martha and the Hermes scarves had me guessing!!
Although I am not a foodie, the descriptions of the awesome Nantucket food it mouthwatering!
Ending was good. Additionally I enjoyed the Acknowledgements! I always like knowing the inspiration for stories ~ this includes interesting personal experiences.

Want to thank NetGalley and Little Brown and Company for this early release granted to me for an honest professional review. Publishing Release Date scheduled for June 1, 2021

Elin Hilderbrand's new novel captures a large family and their relationships on Nantucket Island. Vivian Howe is a famous writer, with Nantucket always serving as her setting. In this story, Vivi watches her three children, best friend, and ex-husband managing life without her.



Vivi's children, named after authors Willa, Carson, and Leo, all struggle after losing their mother. None of them have an easy time of life in general, and the loss of their beloved Vivi makes every day a living hell.



I enjoyed reading about the interaction in the large cast of characters and the cute Cape Cod style of places to eat, drink, and old mansions to envy. I have never lived in an area like Nantucket, but I imagine it would be heavenly, as a rich person, not one of the folks working hard to make a living in a seasonal job.



EH certainly knows how to fill in the outline of nasty people, needy people, and just ordinary folks watching by the sidelines. I wanted Vivi's ex, JP, to work out his love life and for Carson to pull it together.

I found myself with an opinion about everyone and hated to see the novel end. It has a great ending, though!



Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this fun e-Arc.

Not sure if I've ever been more excited to receive an arc than I was to get Golden Girl. Elin Hilderbrand is one of my long time very favorite authors and her latest might be the best yet. It is heartbreaking, beautifully written and will keep you turning page after page. Oh, how I loved this book. Another 5 star book from Elin Hilderbrand!
Thank you to netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Elin Hilderbrand writes a heartbreaking book about a mom getting killed by a hit and run driver on her morning run. The woman, Vivian Howe, a well known author, is given a 30 day look back and 3 nudges to help those on earth. She also examines her past life as we find out many secrets she kept from her family and friends. We see the toll this has taken on her family as they struggle through the days after the accident. The mystery of who is responsible keeps you reading as more secrets are revealed. The author’s descriptions of Nantucket and the food make you want to experience the atmosphere. I want to find that sandwich shop! Another great summer read by a very popular author! #GoldenGirl #ElinHilderbrand #NetGalley