As the dog days of summer settle in, there’s nothing quite like escaping into a juicy beach read. Elin Hilderbrand’s A Summer Affair delivers all the ingredients for the perfect literary getaway—a gorgeous island setting, simmering romance, family drama, and enough twists to keep you flipping pages under your beach umbrella. Set on the idyllic shores of Nantucket, this engrossing novel explores one woman’s attempt to “have it all” as she juggles family, career, and an illicit romance.
A Tangled Web of Love and Obligations
At the center of this glittering Nantucket summer is Claire Danner Crispin, a renowned glassblower and mother of four who gets roped into chairing a fancy charity benefit. Sounds simple enough, right? Not so fast. As Claire navigates the complicated social waters of Nantucket’s elite, she finds herself pulled in multiple directions. There’s her high school sweetheart Max West, now a famous rock star set to headline the gala. Her overbearing Manhattan socialite co-chair Siobhan. The charming charity director Lock Dixon, with whom Claire begins a steamy affair. Oh, and let’s not forget her husband Jason waiting in the wings.
Hilderbrand expertly weaves together these tangled relationships, creating delicious tension as Claire tries to keep all the balls in the air. Will her affair with Lock be discovered? Can she pull off the gala of the century? And what about those unresolved feelings for Max bubbling under the surface? The author keeps us guessing until the very end.
More Than Just a Beach Read
While A Summer Affair has all the trappings of a light summer read, Hilderbrand elevates the material with her nuanced character development and exploration of weightier themes. At its core, this is a story about a woman trying to rediscover herself and reignite her passions after years of putting her family first. Claire’s internal struggle between duty and desire feels authentic and relatable.
The novel also delves into issues of class and social status on the insular world of Nantucket. We see the stark divide between the uber-wealthy summer people and the year-round working class residents. Claire, with one foot in each world, provides an intriguing lens to examine these social dynamics.
The Nantucket We Know and Love
No one brings Nantucket to life quite like Elin Hilderbrand. A longtime resident of the island, her intimate knowledge of its quirks and charms shines through on every page. From the cobblestone streets of town to the windswept beaches, she paints a vivid picture that transports readers to this New England paradise.
Hilderbrand’s descriptions of Nantucket’s food scene are particularly mouthwatering. Get ready to crave lobster rolls, blueberry muffins, and ice-cold beers on the beach. The author’s deep love for her adopted home is evident, making the island itself feel like a fully realized character.
Strengths and Weaknesses
What Works:
- Compelling, flawed characters: Claire and the supporting cast feel like real, complex people you might encounter on your own summer vacation. Their struggles and desires ring true.
- Masterful plotting: Hilderbrand keeps multiple storylines spinning, building tension and intrigue to a satisfying climax. Just when you think you know where things are headed, she throws in another curveball.
- Evocative setting: The author’s descriptions of Nantucket are so vivid you can practically smell the salt air and feel the sand between your toes.
- Exploration of deeper themes: While entertaining, the novel also prompts reflection on marriage, motherhood, and the search for personal fulfillment.
Room for Improvement:
- Pacing drags at times: The middle section gets a bit bogged down in gala planning minutiae. A tighter edit could have kept things moving more briskly.
- Some plot points stretch credulity: A few developments require some suspension of disbelief, particularly surrounding the gala preparations.
- Lack of diversity: The Nantucket depicted is overwhelmingly white and wealthy. A bit more representation would have been welcome.
How It Stacks Up
A Summer Affair marks Hilderbrand’s 7th novel set on Nantucket, solidifying her reign as the queen of the island beach read. While it doesn’t quite reach the emotional depths of her later works like The Perfect Couple or 28 Summers, it’s a thoroughly enjoyable entry in her oeuvre.
Fans of authors like Elin Hilderbrand, Nancy Thayer, and Mary Alice Monroe will find much to love here. The novel hits that sweet spot between breezy escapism and more substantive women’s fiction. If you enjoy your beach reads with a side of family drama and steamy romance, A Summer Affair should be in your beach bag this summer.
Final Verdict
A Summer Affair is the literary equivalent of a crisp glass of ros̩ on a hot summer day Рrefreshing, intoxicating, and liable to leave you wanting more. Hilderbrand has crafted a pitch-perfect beach read that will keep you entertained from the first page to the last.
While it may not be groundbreaking literature, it excels at what it sets out to do—providing a delightful escape into a world of Nantucket summers, complicated relationships, and the eternal struggle to balance personal desires with familial obligations. Pack this one in your beach bag and prepare to be thoroughly entertained.
Who Should Read It
- Beach read enthusiasts looking for their next summer escape
- Fans of women’s fiction with a dash of romance
- Anyone who enjoys stories about complex family dynamics
- Readers who appreciate a strong sense of place in their novels
- Those dreaming of a Nantucket getaway (warning: may induce serious vacation envy!)
Who Should Skip It
- Readers seeking hard-hitting literary fiction
- Those who prefer their novels without infidelity storylines
- Anyone looking for a diverse cast of characters
- Readers who dislike multiple intersecting plotlines
The Bottom Line
Elin Hilderbrand once again proves why she’s the undisputed queen of the beach read with A Summer Affair. This engrossing novel serves up the perfect blend of romance, family drama, and Nantucket charm. While it may not be revolutionary, it’s an utterly enjoyable escape that will transport you to the sun-soaked shores of Nantucket. So grab your sunscreen, find a comfy beach chair, and prepare to lose yourself in Claire’s complicated summer adventure. Just don’t be surprised if you find yourself craving lobster rolls and planning your own Nantucket getaway by the time you turn the final page.
More Summer Reads to Add to Your Beach Bag
If you enjoy A Summer Affair, here are a few more beach reads to keep your toes in the sand and your nose in a book:
- The Blue Bistro by Elin Hilderbrand – Another Nantucket-set novel that delves into the island’s restaurant scene.
- Summer of ’69 by Elin Hilderbrand – A historical fiction take on Nantucket during a tumultuous summer.
- The Summer Guests by Mary Alice Monroe – A heartwarming tale of friendship in the face of a hurricane.
- 28 Summers by Elin Hilderbrand – An epic love story spanning decades on Nantucket.
- The Summer House by Lauren K. Denton – A charming Southern fiction novel perfect for fans of Mary Alice Monroe.
So, what are you waiting for? Dive into A Summer Affair and let Elin Hilderbrand whisk you away to the sun-drenched shores of Nantucket. Just be warned—you may find yourself planning your own island getaway before you reach the final page. Happy reading!