Summerland: A Novel [Hardcover]

Elin Hilderbrand (Author)

Book Description

Release date: June 26, 2012

A warm June evening, a local tradition: the students of Nantucket High have gathered for a bonfire on the beach. But what begins as a graduation night celebration ends in tragedy after a horrible car crash leaves the driver of the car, Penny Alistair, dead, and her twin brother in a coma. The other passengers, Penny's boyfriend Jake and her friend Demeter, are physically unhurt - but the emotional damage is overwhelming, and questions linger about what happened before Penny took the wheel.

As summer unfolds, startling truths are revealed about the survivors and their parents - secrets kept, promises broken, hearts betrayed. Elin Hilderbrand explores the power of community, family, and honesty, and proves that even from the ashes of sorrow, new love can still take flight.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Takes the chick-lit trope of reclaimed friendship and updates it with a timely twist ... Hilderbrand throws in a handful of plot twists that bounce the story along like a funky old jeep ... SILVER GIRL [is] the kind of safe investment beachgoers should adore' -- Boston Globe 'Hilderbrand captivates with racy narrative, topical references, and characters who are both familiar and memorable' -- People 'It provides a pacey read, with colourful characters that have fascinating motivations. I couldn't get them out of my head for days' -- Sunday Express on SILVER GIRL 'So deliciously addictive that it will be the 'It' beach book of the summer' -- Kirkus Review on THE ISLAND 'An honest, raw tale of friendship and love' -- Cosmopolitan on THE CASTAWAYS 'This book was a great read - you really care what happens to the characters. Perfect holiday reading. I didn't want to put it down' -- Candis on BAREFOOT 'A gem of a summer read with a glamorous location, elite lifestyle, and Hilderbrand's appealing take on the constant stress that fills the lives of women everywhere' -- Booklist on A SUMMER AFFAIR --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Elin Hilderbrand: novelist, mother of three, sports enthusiast, avid fan of Bruce Springsteen, Veuve Clicquot, and four-inch heels. She sits on the Board of Directors at the Nantucket Boys & Girls Club and Nantucket Little League. Her resting pulse is 65.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: Reagan Arthur Books; 1ST edition (June 26, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 031609983X
• ISBN-13: 978-0316099837
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 1.3 x 9.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (171 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #28,615 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Elin Hilderbrand lives on Nantucket with her husband and their three young children. She grew up in Collegeville, Pennsylvania, and traveled extensively before settling on Nantucket, which has been the setting for her five previous novels. Hilderbrand is a graduate of Johns Hopkins University and the graduate fiction workshop at the University of Iowa.

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

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#46 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Contemporary Fiction

#82 in Books > Romance > Contemporary

#46 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Contemporary Fiction

#82 in Books > Romance > Contemporary

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing August 3, 2012

By Jane

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I've loved all of Elin Hilderbrand's books. Except this one. The characters show no real warmth. Everyone is so wrapped up in their own angst/pain that they don't connect with eachother. It was just depressing from start to finish. If you're new to Ms. Hilderbrand, I highly recommend Blue Bistro as a starting point. In that book, she handles some very sad and tender topics with heart.

37 of 43 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Excellent Read June 26, 2012

By Silver's Reviews

Format:Hardcover

Someone knew why the accident that killed Penny Alistair happened, and that someone was Demeter Castle. Demeter knew exactly why Penny flew into a rage and drove so fast that she killed herself and seriously injured her brother, but she wouldn't divulge the information. She just couldn't tell the police what she knew.

Ms. Hilderbrand created another marvelous book with wonderful characters and amazing descriptions of Nantucket Island. The descriptions of the landscape and the town will provide a mini vacation. The characters in SUMMERLAND definitely carried the plot, and they definitely had issues....some issues that some folks may be able to identify with. As the small town of wealthy residents carried on and dealt with the most recent tragedy you will find out that Demeter had drinking issues that went undetected by her parents, Zoe and Jordan were having an affair, and that Ava never recovered from her infant son's death and withdrew from the world.

The feelings and emotions expressed by the main characters will make you flinch as well as having you feel sorry for them...you will actually feel as though you are experiencing the grief and pain along with the characters. You will also want to shake a few of them so they open their eyes and see what is happening right under their noses.

Through Ms. Hilderbrand's outstanding writing style, you will find out how each character became the person they were today, what made them tick, and why they did what they did. The book flowed so seamlessly from one character to another and from one situation to the next, that you didn't even know you were switching gears.

As the book continued, you found out more and more about the characters and the "secret" that Demeter kept in her personal life as well as her secret about the accident. You also will find out hidden things about many of the the other characters as they were emotionally healing from the accident that touched everyone on Nantucket Island. The book's premise is based on the accident and everyday situations, and the plot develops beautifully out of this tragic incident.

SUMMERLAND is another exceptional read by Ms. Hilderbrand. Your interest will not wane and you will do some intro-spection of your own as you turn the last page. The only surprise was what Demeter had told Penny to make her go berserk and crash the car...I thought it was a totally different reason that she flew off the handle. Don't miss this great summer read that is filled with many good lessons and eye-opening facts. 5/5

DISCLAIMER
I received a copy of this book, at no charge to me, in exchange for my honest review. No items that I receive are ever sold...they are kept by me, or given to family and/or friends.

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars "THE POWER OF FAMILY, FRIENDSHIP, AND HONESTY!" June 26, 2012

By Geraldine Ahearn TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

A compelling, heartfelt story about reclaimed friendship, tragedy, loss and love! On one particular evening in June, the Nantucket high school students gathered for a bonfire on the beach as a celebration to graduation, which ended in tragedy. A terrible car crash left the driver of the car dead and her brother in a coma, with two passengers as survivors. What happened before Penny took the wheel? As summer unfolds, startling truths are revealed about the survivors, along with secrets, broken promises and broken hearts. Elin Hilderbrand delivers an emotional, captivating story about reclaimed friendship as she portrays that even after sorrow, love can still be found. This interesting novel has colorful characters, a powerful story with a good message, and picture-perfect scenery. Beautifully written, and Highly Recommended!