Nancy Thayer’s Summer Light on Nantucket is a breezy, emotional read that explores motherhood, identity, and second chances—all set against the idyllic backdrop of a beloved island retreat. Centered on Blythe Benedict, a middle school teacher and divorced mother of four, the novel follows one particularly eventful summer that challenges her sense of self and her place in the lives of those she loves.

Blythe is not a woman in crisis, which is refreshing. Three years post-divorce, she’s found stability in Boston, juggling a demanding job with the even more demanding role of parenting four kids—three of whom are teenagers. She’s not searching for reinvention. She’s not broken. But when summer rolls around and she heads to Nantucket with her children, she finds herself at a crossroads anyway.

This isn’t just a story about a summer romance, though romantic entanglements certainly arise. Blythe’s long-standing tradition of spending summers at the Nantucket home her grandmother left her is rich with nostalgia and family ritual. It’s the place where her children grew up playing in the surf and riding bikes to town. But this summer, things are different. Her oldest daughter, Miranda, is testing boundaries and pushing for independence. Her former mother-in-law, Celeste—still a beloved figure in the children’s lives—is battling declining health. And then, out of the blue, Aaden, Blythe’s high school sweetheart, resurfaces.

Aaden’s return injects a wave of past emotions into Blythe’s already-full life. Their reunion is bittersweet—he left for Ireland after high school and never looked back. Now, he’s back on Nantucket, older, possibly wiser, and maybe open to something more. But just as sparks begin to fly again, Blythe meets Nick, a thoughtful, grounded widower who shares her passion for teaching and understands the complexities of single parenthood. The dynamic between these three characters adds a layer of romantic tension, though not always in ways that feel fully satisfying. Aaden, in particular, feels emotionally distant for much of the book, and some readers may struggle with Blythe’s ongoing investment in someone who hasn’t consistently shown up for her.

Blythe herself is a bit of a mixed bag. On one hand, she’s clearly smart, loving, and committed to her family. On the other, she’s hard to connect with at times—especially for readers who don’t share her particular privileges. She owns a house on Nantucket (mortgage-free), has a supportive extended family, and the freedom to spend three months out of the year away from work. While these elements are part of the fantasy Thayer is crafting, they may create a bit of distance for readers looking for a more grounded or relatable heroine.

Still, what Thayer excels at—and always has—is evoking place. Nantucket isn’t just a setting here, it’s a mood. You can feel the salt in the air, the warmth of the sand, the creak of an old wooden porch. Her descriptions are immersive without being overly sentimental. That, combined with the multigenerational elements and the honest portrayal of parenting teens, makes this a rich, layered read even when some of the character dynamics fall short.

Summer Light on Nantucket is not a high-stakes drama or a sweeping romance. It’s a quieter story—about growing up even when you’re already grown, about redefining your purpose as your children become more independent, and about finding love in unexpected places. It will resonate most with readers who enjoy character-driven stories and who appreciate fiction that mirrors real-life emotional complexities, rather than glossing over them.

If you’re in the mood for something light but not fluffy, with beautiful scenery and some heartfelt moments, this is a solid pick. It’s especially perfect for fans of Nancy Thayer or Elin Hilderbrand, and for those looking to escape into a Nantucket summer—even if just for a little while.