I enjoyed the details of the setting and character developent was good. The story was ok for me but not as special as I'd hoped. I cared about the characters enough to continue reading but feel it could've been shorter without losing any impact.

A family saga that takes place on Mackinac Island was an automatic yes for me! The story fell short of my mood reading expectations. It may have been the immaturity of the 29-year old FMC or the controlling mother, Eloise. I got stuck and it felt like work reading parts of this one.

A sweeping cast of characters await your visit to Mackinac Island! Gigi returns home to her mother's house for the summer after she flames out and needs a soft place to land. Her mother, Eloise, greets Gigi and immediately shares the news that she's set Gigi up on a blind date with the island's most eligible bachelor - the attractive, single town doctor. Meanwhile, her sister Rebecca scandalized her mother and her posh friends by <gasp> leaving the island after she got married, forcing them to stay in touch by phone. Join the town as we watch what happens as these women try to reconnect and repair their relationship over the course of one golden summer on beautiful Mackinac Island.

This cover is gorgeous and the premise is lovely, but overall I was unable to connect with this book. Gigi is just barely starting to mature at 29 and prides herself on being memorable, obstinate, and scandalous - all things that make this 44 year old, Enneagram type 9's skin crawl. Eloise is controlling and desperately clinging to her ex-husband and her daughter, Rebecca. Eloise and Rebecca speak on the phone 3 (!!) times every day in an effort to stay connected now that Rebecca has moved off the island. As the book moves along, these characters grow, old wounds are healed, and their edges smooth over, but I was unable to identify with any of them and was more than a little annoyed by each of them at one point or another. The setting is stunning, but even that was a bit overshadowed by the locals' obvious disdain for the tourists (aka "the fudgies").

Overall, this book was fine, but mostly not for this mood reader. I went into it expecting a lighter, summery read, and this one was actually quite heavy on character development, which is delightful when that's what you're in the mood for. In other words, if you're looking for a lush summer setting, a large cast of characters, a quirky small town, PLUS a family drama with strong character development, you should absolutely give this one a try! Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse for the chance to listen to this novel prior to its publication in exchange for this honest review.

Mackinac Island. Three generations of women. Complex love. A serene, inviting landscape drawing you in at every turn. A place I’ve wanted to go to for the longest time living in Chicago. Feeling inspired to book a trip. Every character brings their own twist to the narrative, and the complexities of the relationships are layered, capturing the messiness of real human connection. The pacing flowed smoothly and steadily. Overall, this is a smart, satisfying summer read with just the right amount of depth, I’ll definitely be recommending it.

What a cozy, heartwarming escape to Mackinac Island, Michigan! And I find beauty in a solid mother-daughter trope.

Gigi Jenkins is broke and needs to come home for a while. She has a strained relationship with her mother, Eloise, and she will also have to face her best friend, Lillian, again after years of ghosting her. To top it all off, her mother has arranged for her to go on a date with a doctor upon arriving home! She can't stand the backward ways of her hometown island, but evidently, running from her present means running back into her past. Little does she know just how much healing Mackinac Island will bring to her and her family.

This was so quaint. Through Lindsay McMillan's writing, I could see the colors and feel the breeze. This setting in the Summer was the idyllic place for budding romances. I enjoyed the three-dimensional main character, Gigi. The internal conflicts and struggles she faced were brilliantly articulated. The crafting of this novel from SEVEN perspectives was unexpected and a little confusing at times, but always intertwined with the greater narrative while illuminating the culture of the Mackinac Island people. With a well-written, slow-burning, clean 2/5 spice level, juicy plots, and room for redemption, I enjoyed every page.

Thank you NetGalley, Lindsay McMillan, and Harper Muse for the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

⬇️i received a complimentary copy of this book. opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.⬇️

really enjoyed reading this book! it’s a perfect summer read, like the atmosphere in this book was just 👌

it was really cool how many pov’s we got! all these women coming together to tell such a good story about the relationship between moms and daughters ❤️‍🩹

This is a charming book about a charming old- fashion island. I have visited Mackinac Island many times, frequently staying at the Grand Hotel. It has always seemed to be a magical place. ( I guess this makes me a proud "fudgie")The island is an integral aspect of the book. In fact. It has its own first person chapters that provide a unique commentary on the lives of its residents.Yet behind the beautiful scenery, fudge shops, and elegant afternoon teas,is a town of people who live year round on the island. The story provides a glimpse into the lives, thoughts,and secrets of these residents.

Relatable characters of mothers, daughters, sisters, lovers, and friends are richly revealed through first person narratives. As these voices alternate and intermingle, readers come to know how the characters think and interact with each other. Sometimes a plot event is described by one character, then commented on by another, providing rich insights into the various personalities as well as the story.The only person who doesn't get a set of first person chapters is the doctor, who is the love interest of the protagonist. He is featured in conversations, but readers don't get insights into his private thoughts. Also, the one one gay character fit the plot, but it did seem a bit forced to include that character trait.

The themes of finding what you want in life, appreciation of home and family, and the.joys/ tribulations of small town life are just right for a romance novel that also has more " meat" than readers typically find in this genre.

In the author's note, MacMillan is described as someone who inspires others to "create the life of their dreams". I feel like that sentiment accurately describes this sweet mix of women's fiction and romance.

Georgiana (aka Gigi) is a walking contradiction. She has always wanted to escape her small hometown of Mackinac Island, seeking the adventures, infinite possibilities and unknowns found in the rest of the country. Yet...deep down she craves the stability and warmth found in her roots. Finding herself back on Mackinac Island for the summer months provides her the opportunity to figure it all out. This is such a beautiful multigenerational story that purposefully focuses on the women of the family, pillars that are flawed but faithful. And, let's not forget Mackinac Island. This is one of the few books that I have read in which the setting actually has a voice. Clever!

Thank you to Harper Muse for this advanced digital copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. These opinions are entirely my own.

I am pretty confident that you will be craving fudge and the smell of lilacs in bloom. Hazards of having a love for reading!

This was summer bottled up! I really, truly enjoyed this - this was my first MacMillan book and will not be my last.

I was so excited to find a book about Mackinac Island. My husband and I spent many wonderful summer days there when we lived in Michigan. The setting is just as I remember it. The fudge! The horses! the lilacs! As other reviewers have said, the author has definitely spent time there. I loved how the Island was actually one of the characters. All of the characters were well developed and compelling. They all had interesting backgrounds, secrets and surprises. I did find the main character, Gigi, very hard to like until near the end. The “trauma” of her father jumping in and out of the family’s lives caused her to be a “bad girl.” By the end of the book Gigi started to appreciate especially her mother, but also the island, her sister and her grandmother, so she was redeemed. However. I did not like how the book ended. Because of this, I’m giving it 3.5 starts, rounded up to 4. There were too many threads left hanging. I was especially frustrated with Gigi’s mother and the choices she made. I’m thinking the author may make it a series, but a series needs at least one of the characters to have a satisfying ending in each book, so it can also stand alone. Everyone was sort of on track for that, and all had grown as people, but not one of them actually reached their goal in the book. It was a letdown. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A summer that was unexpected, full of enlightenment, and facing things, that has been needed to be faced for a long time. The town might be the same at the end of the story, but the changes in the people were inspiring. Lindsay MacMillian writing made me feel like I was right there, with the laughter, the blushes, the embarrassments, the pain, and how they all got to who they are at the end of summer.
I received an ARC from Harper Muse through NetGalley.

"In meeting you, I've met me too."

What a perfect beach read!!! Summer on Lilac Island tells the story of three generations of women—Gigi, Eloise, and Alice—living on Mackinac Island and navigating love, family, and growth. I truly felt transported to the quaint, driver-less community.

A book with strong family & sister values is always going to be a win for me. I loved watching all of the characters on their own personal journey of growth. Going to pass this book along to my mom & sisters too :)

I'm excited to read more from MacMillan!!

There is something for everyone in this story. From a wandering daughter returning home to sponge off her mother for the summer to two summer romances one for the mother and one for the daughter. The descriptions of the island and its offerings makes a body want to go there for the summer. The romances are odd, quirky and interesting. There are twists and turns as revelations about the characters are revealed. Some quite unexpected. As for how the story ends it wasn't unexpected but while upbeat it was a somewhat sad resolution. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Title: Summer on Lilac Island
Author: Lindsay MacMillan
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Given the example set by her father, Gigi took the first opportunity to escape Mackinac Island just a week shy of her high school graduation. Now with no income and in need of a (brief) landing place, Gigi reluctantly agrees to come home for the summer and stay with her mother. Upon arrival, her mother tells her she has set her up on a date with the new doctor on the island. Not to be out surprised by her mom, Gigi tells her that she will only go if her other agrees to a date that Gigi sets up for her. What follows is a lighthearted summer read set in a whimsical setting of an island, while in modern times, that still holds onto parts of the past.

Positives: Mackinac Island is the star. I fell in love with it back in the 80s watching “Somewhere in Time” but have yet to visit in person myself. Gigi is a sarcastic, fun loving wanderer who battles traditional conventions her mother tries to impose on her. You also can’t help but fall in love with Clyde the Scotsman. He has his writer finger on the pulse of the Jenkins women and what makes them tick.

Struggles: Gus is such a disappointment as a father and the hopes these women pin on him. This is a longer women’s fiction/romance lite at 400 pages. I think it’s the sheer number of characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for the advanced copy. Opinions expressed are my own. This book will be republished on July 1, 2025.

#netgalley #arc #bookstagram #SummeronLilacIsland #lindsaymacmillan #HarperMuse

If you’re looking for a heartwarming and witty escape in a world of small-town romance, family bonds, and second chances, then Summer on Lilac Island is the book for you. Readers follow Gigi as she reluctantly returns home, only to be caught in a matchmaking scheme by her meddling mother. Along the way, she discovers unexpected connections, personal growth, and the realization that love comes in many forms.

With plenty of humor, warmth, and relatable characters, this novel is a beautiful read for fans of contemporary fiction. The mother-daughter dynamic adds richness to the narrative, with a touching exploration of forgiveness and understanding.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Summer on lilac island. This is a mackinaw romp. Three generations are trying to find out how to survive each other, experiencing love prospects

I liked this; I didn't love it, although there were some things here that were really good. First off, great cover. Second, the star of the show was Mackinac Island, which even rated several chapters from her (its?) perspective. The story of Gigi and Eloise's relationship transformation was interesting, yes, but just seemed to happen out of nowhere. Gigi, in particular, just seemed to change overnight from an obnoxious ingrate to an ambitious, funny young woman. Her portrayal in the first 2/3 of the book was really well done - I hated her.

The family's story arc was interesting, as well, and I appreciated the inclusion of other no-family associated (like Lillian) into the mix -- it certainly broadened the story.

I hope this finds an audience. It's a good, promising summer read, and speaking for myself, will encourage other "fudgies" to visit the island.

I received a complimentary copy of the novel from the publisher and NetGalley, and my review is being left freely.

Gigi returns home to Mackinac island, she finds herself living with her meddling mother, her mother wants to set her up on a date, Gigi agrees if she can also set her mother up on a date. really good story

This book started off with us meeting Gigi on a boat heading home to the island she grew up on, back home to live with mum jobless and penniless. I enjoyed this part of the story and really enjoyed her interaction with the Scottish author, he seemed like so much fun.

This story becomes a story of three generations of woman starting with Alice the grandmother, Elouise the mother them Gigi and Rebecca the sisters.

Straight off I just did not like Elouise, there was just something about her that turned me off. She was trying to control Gigi and make her someone she wasn’t and I hate that.

I also didn’t love Rebecca off the bat as on that first phone call between the sisters she seemed quite standoffish however I did grow to like her.

To be honest I just didn’t connect with the characters in this book at all but I did enjoy the growth these 4 woman made throughout.

I was also fortunate to receive an early audiobook of this and while I enjoyed the narrator’s story telling I didn’t love her when she was doing each character individually.

Overall it was an ok read.

“I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.”

This is a heart-warming book about a mother and her daughters that take place on Mackinac Island. Gigi and her sister Rebecca reconnect after growing a part when she runs for office, while Gigi and her mother grow closer while recovering from old wounds.

I love how this book takes place on Mackinac Island since I’ve traveled there and can picture the places and scenes the author describes. This would be a great beach read!

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. All opinions my own.