Jennifer Warner is one of my favorite writers. I am never disappointed, and usually end up reading her books in one sitting. The Summer Place was no exception. Her ability to bring characters to life is certainly my showcased in her latest novel. There are secrets galore, misunderstandings that grow and grow that will have the reader shouting at the characters on page to pay attention! I loved it.

Jennifer never disappoints. A great escape in these stressful times to just curl up on the couch and read for the afternoon

Jennifer Weiner is the reining queen of the summer beach read and a go to of mine for quality women's fiction; this my my seventh book by her and I have loved every one. I am so happy to report that she does not disappoint with The Summer Place. This is simply a story about family, one family in particular and all their secrets. I love being dragged into the drama of a family, that isn't mine, even if it is fiction. Each chapter is from a single family member point of view and there are a lot of members in this family...plus some of the extended family! It might sound confusing but Ms. Weiner is able to make her characters individual personalities stand out and the writing is vivid and detailed enough that I could keep them all separate, even the younger ones. I felt invested in this story and the people in it. I wanted good things to happen to them, I wanted them to be happy and fulfilled with their work and their love lives. I cheered them on, even though there were some who weren't perfect (who is?) but they were perfect for each other. This book has secrets, lies, romance and is even funny at times. There are many modern issues in its themes and I loved how the author delt with them honestly and sensitively.

The setting of The Cape was so perfect, I have always wanted to visit there. I have been up and down the Eastern Seaboard many times and have never made it to Cape Cod. Reading this book during a January extreme cold alert was a perfect time to put me there. I felt like I was with the family on the beach searching for crabs, swimming in the ocean and eating seafood meals. This book was a perfect place to lose myself for a few hours, I loved every minute of it and I see it being the hit of the summer of 2022. The author herself notes that she wanted the story to have a feeling somewhere between a Noël Coward farce and A Midsummer Night’s Dream , where the pairings are driven by otherworldly interference, well she has certainly succeeded in my humble opinion.

Author Jennifer Weiner provides a COVID-produced tale set in the summer after the first quarantine, with a large, extended family gathering at a beach house for a wedding. THE SUMMER PLACE is almost a Shakespearean comedy replete with mixed-up identities, covert loves, missing parents and lovers, and secrets galore, all of which are meant to be addressed after the wedding. The cast of characters are multi-generational and spread across the country, most completely unaware of their part in the unfolding drama. It’s a delightful mix of comedy, confusion and misery with the author’s considerable wit and eye for detail. This one is a charmer. I received my copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

The Summer Place by Jennifer Weiner is an entertaining contemporary fiction that takes us into the heart of a family as they get together for a wedding that is definitely one to remember.

This story is about a family that is complex, fascinating, complicated, and involves multiple generations and members, all spread across the country. This narrative unspools as they all gather and we can see all ofthat unfold as they all gather for a wedding at a summer beach house that brings everything front and center. Full of humor, secrets, miscommunications, action, drama, love, loss, loyalty, hurt, surprises, and so much more…and it all is about to unravel…every detail…for all of us to see.

I always enjoy a good book from Ms. Weiner, and this does not disappoint. There is definitely enough drama and events that are associated with this family to fill several books, so there was plenty to keep me following along with this one. The author does a great job balancing the humor and laughter with the more serious elements of drama. Every family is complicated and has their issues and secrets, but this one sure has its fair share.

Enjoyable from beginning to end.

4/5 stars


Thank you NG and Atria for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts immediately upon publication on 5/10/22.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an e ARC of this book.
Good beach read with lots of interesting characters. Nearly every character is linked to the others by coincidences that after a time become unbelievable. Not a quick read. I wish I had liked it better.