Summerland: A Novel [Kindle Edition]

Elin Hilderbrand (Author)

Book Description

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

Review

'Hilderbrand captivates with racy narrative, topical references, and characters who are both familiar and memorable' -- People '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 on SILVER GIRL '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

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• File Size: 707 KB
• Print Length: 400 pages
• Publisher: Reagan Arthur Books (June 26, 2012)
• Sold by: Hachette Book Group
• Language: English
• ASIN: B005SCSBWO
• Text-to-Speech: Not enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Not Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,060 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 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. Read more ›

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 500 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!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Not Up To Par! July 20, 2012

By Stephanie Michael

Format:Kindle Edition

For light, summertime reading, Elin Hilderbrand usually delivers. Summerland did not. I found it tedious and predictable. And I was so dissapointed as I was looking forward to this read.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointed July 9, 2012

By Gayleaa

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I have also read each and every book by this author and loved them! Did NOT like this one at all. Very wordy and long winded. Detail, not really necessary to the story, seemed to go on for pages. Will look forward to her next one, but did not love this one.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Not Impressed July 7, 2012

By Skequen

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is the first thing I have ever read by her and was not really impressed. Not sure if I will read anything again if this is any indication of her other works. Skipped several chapters just so I could get through the book.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars STUPID March 16, 2013

By Luluhoop

Format:Kindle Edition

This book was such a disappointment I decided not to even finish it after the "secret" was revealed. I was mad at myself for spending any amount of time reading this book. It was recommended to me by a good friend who is an avid reader and now I even question what she reads because it was nothing more than soap opera trash.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Not Enjoyable August 8, 2012

By MojoZ

Format:Kindle Edition

Page after page of the usual beautiful people and their daily suffering...and the inevitable all will be well wrapup in the very last pages. Same stuff different novel. Uninspiring.

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

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