By Invitation Only [Hardcover]

Jodi Della Femina (Author), Sheri McInnis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 23, 2009

Nobody knows the Hamptons like Jodi Della Femina, who captures the inside world of love, society, and scandal in this delicious summer page-turner.

Toni Fratelli has a busy summer ahead. 

After several setbacks in Manhattan force her to move home to East Hampton, her To Do list is full. She has to help her father run his popular Italian restaurant.  Start up her own catering company.  And plan, cater, and be the Maid of Honor at her best friend’s wedding on the beach.

Unfortunately for Toni, the groom’s mother is a competitive New York socialite who’ll stop at nothing to make sure her son doesn’t marry a local girl – especially on the family’s Southampton estate. The biggest caterer in the Hamptons is trying to run her fledgling business out of town.  And worse than anything, Toni seems to be losing her best friend to a circle of snooty bridesmaids.  Everything might be tolerable – if her dad could just stop treating her as if she was seventeen again.

At least Toni finds love.  When she meets a sexy surfer named Chris, it quickly turns into the most romantic summer fling of her life.  But there’s more to Chris than his vintage Mustang and used guitar … and he’s not sure Toni’s going to like the truth.  Before the end of the summer she’ll be forced to face her hopes – and fears – as trying to forgive becomes her biggest challenge yet.

 

Editorial Reviews

Review

“A frothy summer read.” –InStyle magazine

 

"Using humor and a “To Do” list that rings true, the authors provide an inside look at the worlds of restaurants and wedding planning through the perspectives of rich, well-developed, and often hilarious characters." --Booklist

 

"Filled with romance, food, and an insider's view of the Hamptons." --27 East

 

"A fabulous summer beach read, with the lush atmosphere of the Hamptons glitterati, the warm feeling of old friendships, and the excitement of new romances." -- Parkersburg, W. VA News and Sentinel

 

"A wonderful story with great characters. I could see this story actually happening due to the terrific story telling.  Fantastic reflection on the Hamptons in the summer." --Night Owl Romance 

 

“Fun, fast-paced and clever, like eating a souffle, only funnier. This book is so hip, even insiders will be keeping a scorecard.” –Steven Gaines, author of Fool’s Paradise and Philistines at the Hedgerow

 

"Jodi Della Femina has guided many a Hamptonite out of a traffic jam with her infamous Jodi's Shortcuts books and now she has given us the quintessential beach read full of laughs and heartwarming moments." –Katie Lee Joel, chef and food writer

 

“A wonderful book that will give you an insider’s look at the big money, big romance, food wars, catering wars, restaurant wars, local newspaper fights and comical vendettas that make East Hampton America’s most talked about small town.” – Jerry Della Femina, owner of Della Femina Restaurant

About the Author

Jodi Della Femina is the author of the bestselling Hampton's guidebook, "Jodi's Shortcuts." She worked in her dad’s landmark East Hampton restaurant, helped start the local paper, “The Independent,” and is the co-author of two cookbooks.  She lives in Brooklyn and East Hampton with her husband, three children, and their dog, Daisy.

Sheri McInnis has worked in television, radio and P.R.  She is the author of one other novel and has been writing about the Hamptons for years.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 368 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press; First Edition edition (June 23, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312384750
• ISBN-13: 978-0312384753
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,151,282 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars That was fun...., June 29, 2009

By 

Too Square to Be Hip (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: By Invitation Only (Hardcover)

Ok - that was fun! My wife bought a copy, and I read it first. My only thought was that I should have saved it for the beach. Great summer read... and I have to admit, I am a sucker for books like this. It was quick and lively - and the characters seemed true to the setting (not that I have spent a lot of time at the Hamptons). Escapist? Maybe... but it seems spot on and timely given all that is going on... I recommend it.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Hampton's Bound!, June 14, 2010

By 

N. Riley (Robbinsville, New Jersey United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: By Invitation Only (Paperback)

No worries if your vacation budget doesn't allow for a trip out to the Hampton's this summer, because authors Jodi Della Femina and Sheri McInnis do it for you. This is a delightful summer read, with the lives of several different people, in the Hampton's for different reasons, intersecting.

Toni Fratelli, her friends, and her family are interesting characters and I devoured this book in a few short days. The authors do a great job showcasing the difference's between the locals who live there all year, and the wealthy people who summer there. They were even able to eventually make Didi, the future mother-in-law of Toni's best friend, Layla, sympathetic. In lesser hands, she would have turned into a caricature of a wealthy socialite of a "certain age" that you automatically hated.

The relationship between Toni and her best friend, Layla, was well drawn out as well. By going back in time every so often to tell a story about the two friends growing up, there was the basis for the believable friendship these two women shared.

This is a great story about love, friendship, and family that is a welcome addition to your travel suitcase as you pack up for the beach, pool, or just sitting in your backyard!

Noreen Riley is the author of A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Her Brother's Shotgun Wedding.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great summer read!, August 5, 2009

By 

E. J. Lynch - See all my reviews
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This review is from: By Invitation Only (Hardcover)

This is a light, easy summer read. It is an engaging, humorous story about life, friendship, and romance in the Hamptons for a young caterer. Definitely a book to pass around to your girlfriends!