It’s authors like Thayer that made me love Nantucket and I’ve never even been there.
Thayer paints an idyllic existence for Blythe and her four kids who spend all summer at their Nantucket home.
I liked all the different descriptions of island locations and activities.
I wasn’t wild how Blythe treated both Nick and Aaden. She was all over the place and unfair to Aaden. She expresses feelings for him and then misleads him. Not cool in my book.
I wanted to drop Miranda in a bog and I thought Blythe was way too nonchalant in her reaction to what Daphne was really up to.
The novel’s strength is the island of Nantucket and how it is a summer haven.

Blythe Benedict takes her family to their place on Nantucket for the summer, as she always has. Her eldest, an impressionable teenager with a strong crush has gotten Blythe to agree to invite her crush to join them. There are her two other daughters and her son in the group. It should be a fun summer. At the start, Blythe stumbles upon her one-time crush from her school days. They envisioned spending their lives together until he returned to Ireland to go to college and manage the family business there. However, neither forgot what they had and shared. To compound matters, Blythe’s friends introduce her to a friend spending the summer with them in Nantucket, to whom Blythe is immediately attracted to. Now comes her problem—what should Blythe do, go with the newly introduced man, or look at the man she was attracted to and thought she loved years ago. The book follows Blythe and her family through the summer, with lots happening as Blythe struggles through her time and decision.

The book is another great read by the author. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the daily lives of this family on Nantucket that summer. The author has a way of giving the reader a solid and fascinating look at the daily lives of this family as they each go about their days on Nantucket. It is definitely a book as beautifully written as her others, which is why I gravitate so easily toward her books. I recommend this one also. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.

Summer Light on Nantucket
by: Nancy Thayer
Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Ballantine Books
pub date: 04/22/25

In her newest book, Nancy Thayer introduces yet another character that I want to know. Blythe, a divorced mother of four and teacher, takes her family to Nantucket each summer to their island home. One certain summer is filled with self-discovery, unexpected family happenings, and a complicated romantic scenario. Thayer's narrative is just what I want in a spring or summer novel, immersing me in my favorite themes and atmospheric settings.

I have been a devoted reader of Nancy Thayer novels since the 1980s when I discovered her books on the shelves of my local library. Her work consistently appeals to me. She captures my heart with her rich character portrayals of women, their families, vulnerabilities, life decisions, and growth. Her vibrant details of settings always take me there and make me hesitant to leave when I finish the book. Just the title and cover of Summer Light on Nantucket drew me in to all that I love about Thayer's writing, and I knew that I would adore every page of the story.

I received a complimentary advance reader's copy from NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Ballantine Books. My review is my own.

#SummerLightonNantucket #NancyThayer #NetGalley

Blythe is looking forward to spending summer vacation with her four children in the house she inherited on Nantucket. Content with her life, she’s not looking for love or a relationship. When she meets Nick, she’s instantly attracted to him but then is shocked when she runs into her first love, Aaden, who she never really got over and who lets her know he’s never gotten over her, either. Blythe loved her husband, but nothing like she loved Aaden.

Dealing with her attraction to two men, memories of the past, the family drama involving her children, her dear friend and ex-mother-in-law’s health, and a secret she has regarding her ex-husband, life is anything but dull for Blythe. She finds herself needing to make some life-altering decisions about herself while helping her children deal with the events going on in their lives.

I loved this heartwarming story!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for an Advanced Reader Copy of Summer Light on Nantucket in exchange for my honest review.

Nancy Thayer always writes a good summer story. I enjoyed Blythe and her rebirth over the summer.

Absolutely loved this book, but that didn’t surprise me. I love Nancy Thayer’s Nantucket books. You feel a part of the story and become involved with the characters and their lives. From start to finish, it was a satisfying read. I can’t wait until she publishes her next book. This may be classified as chick- lit, but it is excellent chick-lit.

“I love to read. I live to read. If I have a good book, I’m content. More than content, happy…I have my tough times, bad times, like everyone else, but I’ve made it through hard days by knowing a good book was there waiting for me by my bed.” SAME 📚 ‼️

Blythe is every woman. She has a past. She has an ex-husband. She has four children. And she had, and still would like to get back to, a teaching career.

So this is a beach read, sure. And it’s perfect for that! But this book has depth and heart too. For any woman dealing with middle age, divorce, navigating a return to work, or just the kids growing up and moving out..then I think you will LOVE this story. It is the perfect summer read as the sun gets stronger and the days get longer.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House for the gifted ARC.

Once again Thayer brings us to Nantucket. Her writing is spot on and you can almost smell the ocean and feel the warmth of the sun as you read her books. Her latest book is no different. However, I just couldn’t connect to her characters.
Bylthe is a divorced mom living in Boston with four teenage children. Needless to say - her life is busy and chaotic. As a middle school teacher, she has always been able to escape and relax with her family to Nantucket for their annual all summer vacation.
This summer has other plans and challenges for her. Her ex - MIL’s health is declining, her SIL is nosey and meddling, and like most mothers always concern and challenges with your children. Too add to her dilemmas, before she leaves Boston, she sees her Ex-husband’s girlfriend with another man and doesn’t know what to make of it.
On the island , she connects with her first love who is recently divorced and discovers the breakup wasn’t why she thought. To add some drama into the mix - another man visiting the island is smitten over her.
As Blythe navigates these relationships and family theatrics, she discovers that this summer on Nantucket is unlike any other.
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Pub Group- Ballentine for the ARC read in exchange for my review.

Blythe Benedict is a divorced mother of four who, fortunately for her, inherited a summer cottage on Nantucket, and she and her brood are headed there for their summer. She still has a good relationship with her ex husband and his new wife, and her ex mother in law, who also has a home on the island. Three of her children are teenagers, three girls and one boy, so Blythe never has a dull moment. She is deciding this summer if she should take a full time teaching job in the fall back home in Boston.

One of her island friends wants to set her up with a friend of theirs, and the first time she meets him, she also happens to run into her first love, high school boyfriend, Aaden who left her to move back to Ireland to help with his family's business. She decides to see both men this summer, and not get too serious with either. She is a little thrilled with the idea of having two very eligible, attractive men interested in her. Her marriage sort of died with a whimper, not a big dramatic break up, so she's not afraid to get involved again.

Her interesting summer is filled with good company, trips to the beach, and a revelation about her ex husband which could put his current marriage on the rocks. Nancy Thayer is one of my go to authors, and with good reason. I really enjoyed Summer Light on Nantucket. Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for an advance reader's copy to review.

This is my first Nancy Thayer book, even though I've seen her work on the shelves for a long time. I found it to be light and very expository. As an example, the repeated references to "my ex-mother-in law" soon became an annoyance. I am a mother of kids the same ages as depicted in this story and the four Benedict offspring are just a little too perfect mixed with a little too odd. The oldest swings between typical mother-daughter angst to calling Blythe "mommy"; with one small nod to teenage rebellion (about 5 sentences on marijuana smoking) the other three are angelic and wise beyond their years. I also found the idea of letting a 17-year old's boyfriend stay for an extended period and eventually as a permanent summer guest quite a stretch. The "major" problems seemed to easily resolve themselves and everyone went back to Boston happy as clams. Overall, I realize I was expecting more depth and came away feeling like I just read [what I imagine it would be] a cheesy Hallmark movie.

another great book by Nancy Thayer. Her books always make me feel like I'm right there on Nantucket!

This book was a wonderful beach read about parenthood, family and healing. Blythe, a single mom of four, takes her family on the annual summer break to Nantucket. This book has some great drama happening: teen love, ex-family, high school boy friend and a new paramour on the scene!!! It all was such a wonderful story. Thank you for allowing me to read this book and giving you my hones opinion.

1⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing -Ballantine for an advanced copy of Summer Light On Nantucket.

Blythe a divorced mother of four is heading to Nantucket for the summer with her kids. They are all going through things and they all come to a head.

This book was truly about nothing in my opinion. It was way too overly descriptive and was kind of boring.

Blythe Benedict has found a sense of peace where her divorce is concerned, it is what it is and there's nothing that'll change that. She has immersed herself in her work and her children's lives to keep herself busy and focus her attention elsewhere. She is completely content with where her life is at... and is counting the days until the families annual trip to Nantucket. A summer of fun with those she loves sounds perfect...little does she know her summer is about to be even more special than usual.

Summer Light on Nantucket is a beautifully written story of love, family, loss, healing, strength, and second chances. Blythe is starting over, she's recently divorced, content with the life she has, but secretly yearns for a little more. But also apprehensive to seek it out. Her children keep her busy with all of their ongoings and personal drama and somedays it's more than she can handle, which also gives her the perfect reason to not find love again or even dare to date. But when she returns to Nantucket for the summer love finds her and doesn't give up until she opens her eyes and heart to it. It wants a chance... but does she have it in her to open her heart once again after so much pain in the past?

This was a wonderful literary venture for me, it was emotionally charged and highly captivating and left my heart happy. Highly recommend you take a chance on it, it'll be a perfect escape for you!

I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving my honest and unbiased opinion.

I'm a big Nancy Thayer fan and was delighted to get a prepublication copy of her latest novel, "Summer Light on Nantucket." I sat on the beach all day and sunk into Blythe's family and her summer on Nantucket. Thayer does a great job of involving you in Blythe's story. I enjoyed the depictions of the various characters. My only quibble is that everyone is so clearly financially privileged, and that was a bit distracting at times.

This is a fun summer read, and it is best read with your toes in the sand. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a prepublication copy in exchange for an honest review.

It's almost summer on Nantucket, which means it's time for another book by Nancy Thayer. As always, the setting was dreamy. While I didn't necessarily love the story of this one, I do make it a point to read her latest books every year. To me, they are the start of summer and this one is no exception!

Summer Light on Nantucket comes out next week on April 22, 2025 and you can purchase HERE.

She thought that summer light on Nantucket was different from any other light in the world, because the island lay between the vast Atlantic Ocean and the much smaller Nantucket Sound. Nantucket light carried the mist of clashing waves, fumes from the ferries coming and going daily, and whirlpools of air as the gulls swooped and shrieked for food. The heart of the island was wild hilly moors stretching for miles, so the air was also filled with scents of low bush blueberries, beach plum bushes, and wind-twisted pine trees. The busy, invisible air absorbed the authentic perfume of warm earth from the warrens of field mice, the cautious trails of deer through the brambles, and the nests of hawks and doves. Their scent joined that of coconut oil, beer fumes, spicy chips, and sizzling meats from the beaches and yards of all the homes and rose to glide in the sky.

Another great summer beach read by Nancy Thayer! Like many of Thayer's other books, this book is set in the idyllic Nantucket and has all the parts of a good summer beach read - romance, friendship, family, and a little conflict. If you are a fan of Thayer or just need a good summer beach read, this is a book to add to your list.

Thank you Ballantine Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
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A touching novel about parenthood, first love, family bonds, and rekindled relationships from the New York Times bestselling author and beloved Nantucket storyteller Nancy Thayer.

Blythe Benedict is content. Her life didn’t end when her marriage did. In fact, she’s more than happy living in her comfortable house in Boston, working as a middle school teacher, and raising four wonderful children. With three of her kids in the throes of teenagerhood and one not too far behind them, Blythe has plenty of drama to keep her busy every single day.

But no amount of that drama could change the family’s beloved annual summer trip to Nantucket. Blythe has always treasured the months spent at her island home-away-from-home, and has fond memories of her children growing up there. But this summer’s getaway proves to be much more than she bargained for.

Yes, there are sunny days enjoyed at the beach. But Blythe must contend with teenage angst, her ex-mother-in-law’s declining health, and a troubling secret involving her ex-husband. Meanwhile, Blythe reconnects with her first love, her former high school sweetheart Aaden. But their second-time-around romance becomes complicated when another intriguing man enters the picture.

It’s all a bit out of Blythe’s comfort zone. This particular island summer may not be as relaxing as Blythe had hoped, but she’s never felt that life has given her more than she can handle—especially when she has the love and support of her family around her.
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Every summer, I look forward to a new Nancy Thayer novel. After all, what summer would be complete without a trip to Nantucket, if only in my mind? Her ability to capture the beauty and magic of this island (which I have never actually visited) is a delight. I also look forward to the relationships she writes so well, whether they are romantic relationships or friendships or family relationships. She has a real ability to capture the day-to-day nuance in the interactions between people and make them come alive.

That being said, this one was a little less interesting of a story for me. While it still had all the elements that make Thayer’s books special for me, I found myself caring just a little bit less than usual about the love story than I usually do. It wasn’t enough to make it a bad read for me or for me not to recommend it…fans of this type of book will still really enjoy it. But it was not a one-sitting book like so many of Thayer’s books have been in the past. Still, I would give it a solid four stars and recommend it to fans of women’s fiction who enjoy Elin Hilderbrand, Mary Alice Monroe, Dorothea Benton Frank, and similar authors.

Thayer's fans, especially those who look forward to her annual offering, will be pleased with this latest that sees Blythe enjoying a tumultuously romantic summer on Nantucket alongside her four kids, her mother in law, and her ex-es. That's right, exes. She's divorced from Bob (and knows something he doesn't) and she's reunited with Aaden, her high school love who moved to Ireland. But is Aaden right for her? Her widowed mother in law Celeste is exploring a new relationship and her teen daughter is obsessed with her boyfriend (which Blythe isn't happy about about). And there's a new man in the offing for Blythe. Thayer fans know that she has a somewhat stilted style (and sometimes just lists things) and that as usual this would have benefited from another edit to eliminate from of the repetition. There's family drama with the kids (the kids, btw, are great), good food (Thayer always describes meals) and it's an easy read. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A good read in advance of the summer or to tuck in your beach bag.

I enjoyed this light, summer read. The relationship Blythe and her ex-husband, her ex-MIL, and her children is just beautiful. It was interesting to see her relationship choices between her ex high school boyfriend and a new love interest she met on Nantucket. There were so many little stories interwoven into the book. I enjoyed reading this book. It is a great vacation beach read.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the opportunity to read this book prior to publication.