The students of Nantucket High have a yearly tradition they participate in each June of gathering on the beach for a bonfire just after graduation. Penny, a junior, was asked to sing the national anthem at the graduation ceremony; her twin Hobby and her boyfriend Jake watching in the audience. That was the last memory most of Nantucket had of her after a terrible car accident after the bonfire leaving Penny dead, Hobby in a coma, and Jake and her friend Demeter haunted for life. Now Penny's mom Zoe must come to terms that her daughter is dead, and face the truth about her own role in all that happened. Maybe if she had been a better mother... not let them be so independent... As the summer continues, Zoe and the other Nantucket parents must ask themselves whether in their quest to keep their children so shielded from life's realities they left them more vulnerable. With Penny being the key - she had found out something on the beach that night - will it destroy others?
I felt for Zoe upon learning she had given birth to her twins alone and raised them after Hobby Sr died when she was seven months pregnant. It's not something any woman should have to do. Zoe was a bit of a free spirit, driving an old car, letting the kids do as they want - I could identify with that, letting them dress themselves however they pleased, even if it meant seeing the same outfit for day after day. ;) Having grown up in a small town, I get the whole hidden secrets and families entwined through those secrets. Summerland left me a little sad. Sad for the lost life, sad for the time wasted by others. Life isn't always pretty or perfect, is it? Regardless, losing a teenage child is a nightmare for all us moms. No, this book isn't a light read, but it's another good book by the author and fans should not be disappointed.
Summerland by Elin Hilderbrand is a hardcover fiction book published by Reagan Arthur Books. It is 400 pages long. The suggested cover price is $26.99, but Amazon has it available for $16.24 as of this posting. It is also available as an e-book for the Kindle and other e-readers.
I received an advance review copy of this book in order to read it and share my thoughts on it. All opinions are my own, and not that of the author(s) or publisher.
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