SUMMER HOUSE by Nancy Thayer

Publisher: Ballantine Books
Date Published: June 2010
ISBN: 9780345498212
Women’s Fiction
Hardcover
Reviewed by Valerie
Obtained by publisher


A family reunion, three generations of the Wheelwright women and their families come together in Nantucket. Anne is the matriarch, also known as Nona. Grace is Anne’s daughter, Helen is Anne’s daughter-in-law and Charlotte is Helen’s daughter. Throughout the events happening, Nona reminisces about her life as a wife and mother. Charlotte is clearly Nona’s favorite grandchild as Nona donated a portion of land to help Charlotte start her organic gardening business. Her cousins are not too happy with Charlotte’s success. Never mind that, it seems that there are two love interests in her life to keep her on her toes. Charlotte’s mother, Helen gave up a lot to fit into the Wheelwright family. She is now facing a pivotal moment in her life that could throw her off balance.

This is another light read from Nancy Thayer. After reading three of her books, it seems that this is the type of fare she offers her readers. I am sure there are those of you out there who really enjoy this type of story. I am more used to darker, deeper stories that have me on the edge of my seat. Still, for an afternoon at the beach, or in the park, this is the perfect book to take along. Of the three books I’ve read, I enjoyed this one the most. There was more going on and I enjoyed the back-flashes of Nona’s life. There are jealousies, tempers flaring, a gay marriage, some drug-abuse and betrayal within the pages. Ms. Thayer wraps it all up well and it’s a light, easy read.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

BEACHCOMBERS by Nancy Thayer

Publisher: Ballantine Books
Date published: June 2010
ISBN: 978-0345518286
Women’s literature
Hardcover
Reviewed by Valerie
Obtained by publisher


Lily, the youngest of three sisters, sends her older sister, Abbie an email asking her to please come home. Their middle sister is in an emotional upheaval after losing her job and breaking up with her fiancé. Lily is also worried about their father and his money problems. So, Abbie returns home to see if she can help. When she gets home, she finds Emma has literally taken to her bed and won’t leave. Her father has rented the guesthouse to a woman named Marina, who seems to be very interested in their father. Lily is very upset by all this, but Marina is in Nantucket for her own healing. Together lives entwine, the past comes back and lessons need to be learned before everyone can carry on with their lives.

This is not my usual reading fare but it was a nice read. This is the kind of book you take down to the beach, spread out a towel, get comfortable with a cold drink nearby and spend a few pleasant hours with the Fox family. Ms Thayer takes her readers into the lives of this family and you feel like you are sitting right there with them. I liked most of the characters, although Lily seemed a bit childish at times. As the younger sister I reasoned she was used to being spoiled at home as a child. I found the plot a bit predictable, some questionable decision-making and I thought some of the characters could have fleshed out a bit more. For a light, summer read, this book is perfect.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

SUMMER HOUSE by Nancy Thayer

Publisher: Ballantine Books
Date published: June 2010
ISBN: 978-0345498212
Woman's Fiction
Trade Paperback
Reviewed by Angie
Obtained via Publisher


Anne "Nona" Wheelwright's family are coming home to their island home on Nantucket for a celebration of her 90th birthday. Her granddaughter Charlotte lives with her full time maintaining a garden and garden stand, the others are spread around the country but come together to show their love and respect to Nona, the matriarch of their family. As they come home, they bring their emotional baggage of being part of a family with money, and the chaos of having many sharing the home.

Nona is a woman who has brought her children up to respect her and the bonds of marriage and love. While the family argues over useless details, they show their closeness and respect for each other. As truths are revealed, the family falls apart, yet gets put back together as an even stronger entity.

Nancy Thayer is a talented author who takes the problems of a family - infidelity, illegitimate children and alcoholism and portrays them in ways that will make readers want to love this mixed up bunch of characters. The entire family is lovable; their problems are forgivable yet unforgivable. As Charlotte's mother discovers, sometimes an affair can bring a marriage closer. It is not something anyone ever wants to find out about their spouse, but by bringing the truth out, she forces her husband to choose - his family or his mistress, and to accept the granddaughter he is not sure is his legitimate heir.

This novel brought to mind that money truly does not buy happiness. The family are intertwined in their life as banking heirs and those who feel compelled to stay in their family business are shocked and horrified by those who have the strength to rebel and find their own path in life. As the family struggles to grow, Ms. Thayer will leave readers emotionally wrought yet needing the happily ever after that will make everything okay. The Wheelwrights are a gracious family who will leave readers happily turning the pages.

As a reader, I am not a fan of historicals, however Ms. Thayer gave me glimpses into the lives of Nona and her late husband Herb during the war in the 1930's and I was delighted to find out what led to the secrets kept in the Wheelwright family. This novel left me reeling with emotion and feeling like as though I had a glimpse into a world I never wanted to enter. A great read that should not be missed by lovers of women’s fiction.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

MOON SHELL BEACH by Nancy Thayer

Publisher: Ballantine Books
Date published: June 2009 (reprint)
ISBN: 978-0345498199
Women’s fiction
Paperback
Reviewed by Valerie


Clare Hart and Lexi Laney have been friends since childhood. They share a special, secret place they call Moon Shell Beach. As they get older, Clare has a crush on Lexi’s brother and Lexi has a crush on one of his friends. They promise each other never to bring a boy there unless they plan to marry him. The girls grow up and Lexi leaves town on the arm of a rich man. Clare stays and has an on-again-off-again relationship with the town’s Casanova. Lexi returns after 10 years and hopes to reconcile with Clare. They separated not on the best of terms. But things are still a little complicated with Clare leaving her boyfriend and starting a relationship with Lexi’s brother and Lexi, having her own feelings for Clare’s ex. Then there is the disappearance of Clare’s brother’s friend.

This is a nice story that would be a great beach read. It is fairly simple, the plot twists and turns somewhat, but basically the reader knows where it is going. The characters are somewhat interesting and I was interested to find out how it all works out in the end. I thought these characters could be fleshed out some more though. I found the dialogue a bit flat and the interaction between the characters somewhat shallow. I kept waiting for some more emotions. You know, where a tear comes to your eye or a warm fuzzy feeling wraps around your heart, but unfortunately, neither happened. This the kind of story you can read on a lazy summer afternoon and enjoy inspire of its shortcomings. It’s not an emotionally, moving story, but I did enjoy it. It was certainly different from my usual reading fare.