Lindsay MacMillan’s third novel, Summer on Lilac Island, marks a delightful transition from romance into women’s fiction, delivering a nuanced exploration of family bonds, personal growth, and the transformative power of coming home. Set against the picturesque backdrop of Michigan’s Mackinac Island, this multigenerational story weaves together themes of forgiveness, self-discovery, and the courage to embrace change at any stage of life.
A Homecoming Story with Heart
“Summer on Lilac Island” opens with Georgiana “Gigi” Jenkins reluctantly returning to Mackinac Island after losing her job and burning through her savings in Los Angeles. At twenty-eight, she’s facing the humbling reality of moving back in with her mother Eloise—a prospect that fills both women with equal parts dread and necessity. MacMillan expertly captures the complex dynamics of adult children returning home, particularly when old wounds and misunderstandings still simmer beneath the surface.
Gigi arrives with all the defensive armor of a prodigal daughter who once scandalized the island by hijacking a private plane in high school. Her relationship with Eloise is beautifully fraught—two stubborn women who love each other deeply but struggle to communicate without inflicting small wounds. The author’s portrayal of their strained dynamic feels authentic and lived-in, avoiding the trap of making either character purely sympathetic or villainous.
The Matchmaking Gambit
The central plot device—a mutual matchmaking scheme where mother and daughter set each other up on dates—might sound gimmicky on paper, but MacMillan executes it with surprising depth and emotional intelligence. When Eloise arranges for Gigi to date the island’s temporary doctor, James Kentwood, Gigi retaliates by setting her mother up with Clyde MacDougal, a charming Scottish author summering at the Grand Hotel.
What emerges is far more than a romantic comedy of errors. The matchmaking becomes a vehicle for both women to see each other with fresh eyes, to recognize their shared vulnerabilities, and ultimately to transition from a traditional mother-daughter relationship into something resembling friendship between equals.
Romance Done Right
MacMillan demonstrates particular skill in crafting the romantic subplots. Gigi’s relationship with James develops with refreshing authenticity—their initial antagonism stems from genuine personality clashes rather than manufactured conflict. James serves as more than just a love interest; he’s a catalyst for Gigi’s growth, challenging her defensive mechanisms while appreciating her ambition and complexity.
The romance between Eloise and Clyde carries even more emotional weight. Their connection feels both tender and urgent—two people in their fifties discovering passion they thought had passed them by. MacMillan handles their physical relationship with tasteful sensuality, while their emotional journey explores themes of compromise, sacrifice, and the question of whether love truly conquers all.
Character Development and Supporting Cast
Beyond the central mother-daughter relationship, MacMillan populates Mackinac Island with a rich ensemble of supporting characters. Rebecca, Gigi’s pregnant sister living in Traverse City, provides a compelling counterpoint—the responsible daughter who followed the expected path but finds herself questioning her choices. Her pregnancy subplot adds generational depth to the family dynamics.
The island’s residents, from the gossipy Deirdre to the stern grandmother Alice, feel like real people rather than small-town caricatures. Even minor characters like Lillian Tong, Gigi’s former friend recovering from a broken engagement, serve specific narrative purposes while maintaining their own distinct voices and motivations.
Gigi’s character arc proves particularly satisfying. MacMillan avoids the trap of completely reforming her protagonist, instead showing how Gigi learns to channel her rebellious energy into something constructive—her impromptu mayoral campaign. The evolution feels organic rather than forced, allowing Gigi to maintain her sharp wit and independence while developing genuine empathy and commitment.
Setting as Character
Mackinac Island itself emerges as perhaps the novel’s most compelling character. MacMillan clearly knows and loves this unique location, from its horse-drawn carriages and fudge shops to its complex seasonal rhythms and tight-knit community dynamics. The island’s magic isn’t oversold or sentimentalized; instead, it’s presented as a place where isolation breeds both intimacy and claustrophobia, where everyone knows your business but also has your back when needed.
The author’s descriptions of the island’s natural beauty—the Great Lakes views, the lilac-scented summers, the cozy winter hibernation—create a vivid sense of place without overwhelming the narrative. The setting enhances rather than dominates the story, providing the perfect backdrop for characters to confront their past choices and imagine different futures.
Writing Style and Narrative Structure
MacMillan’s prose strikes an appealing balance between accessibility and sophistication. Her dialogue sparkles with wit and authenticity, particularly in the verbal sparring between Gigi and Eloise. The author has a gift for capturing the rhythms of family conversation—the way loved ones can wound and heal each other within the same exchange.
The multi-perspective narrative structure allows readers inside different characters’ heads without creating confusion. Each voice feels distinct, from Gigi’s sardonic internal monologue to Eloise’s more measured observations. The occasional chapters from the island’s perspective add whimsical touches that enhance rather than distract from the human stories.
Themes and Emotional Depth
While the surface plot revolves around romantic entanglements, the novel’s deeper themes explore what it means to belong somewhere, how families can heal from old wounds, and whether it’s possible to change fundamental aspects of ourselves. MacMillan tackles the tension between ambition and contentment, urban sophistication and small-town values, without easy answers or judgmental conclusions.
“Summer on Lilac Island” thoughtfully examines how different generations approach love, career, and family obligations. Gigi’s journey from cynical city dweller to engaged community member mirrors her mother’s parallel journey from rigid perfectionist to someone willing to take emotional risks.
Minor Criticisms
While largely successful, the novel occasionally indulges in convenient coincidences that stretch credibility. Some secondary plotlines, particularly involving other island residents, feel underdeveloped compared to the rich central relationships. The political campaign subplot, while entertaining, sometimes feels disconnected from the core emotional journey.
The resolution, while satisfying, wraps up perhaps too neatly for some readers’ tastes. MacMillan chooses optimism over ambiguity, which works for the story’s overall tone but might disappoint those seeking more complex emotional territory.
Comparison to Similar Works
Readers of Emily Henry’s “Beach Read“ or Christina Lauren’s “The Unhoneymooners” will appreciate MacMillan’s blend of humor and heart, though this novel skews more toward family drama than pure romance. The multigenerational aspect echoes works like Elin Hilderbrand’s “The Perfect Couple“ or Mary Kay Andrews’ “The Weekenders,” while the small-town setting recalls Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove series.
MacMillan’s previous novels, “The Heart of the Deal” and “Double Decker Dreams,” established her credentials in contemporary romance, but this latest work shows impressive growth in character development and emotional complexity. The transition to women’s fiction suits her storytelling instincts well.
Final Thoughts
“Summer on Lilac Island” succeeds as both an engaging summer read and a thoughtful exploration of family relationships. MacMillan has crafted a story that honors the complexity of human connections while maintaining an fundamentally optimistic worldview. The novel suggests that it’s never too late to change, to forgive, or to discover new aspects of yourself—a message that resonates particularly well in our current cultural moment.
For readers seeking escapist fiction with emotional substance, this book delivers thoroughly. It’s the kind of novel that makes you want to book a ferry to Mackinac Island while simultaneously calling your own mother to check in. In a literary landscape often focused on dysfunction and trauma, MacMillan offers something rarer: a story about healing, growth, and the enduring power of place and family.
The author’s love for both her characters and her setting shines through on every page, creating a reading experience that feels like spending a perfect summer on the island itself—complete with fudge, horse-drawn carriages, and the possibility of second chances.
Recommended Similar Reads
For readers who enjoyed “Summer on Lilac Island,” consider these similar titles:
- “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins Reid – Multigenerational family secrets and complex mother-daughter relationships
- “The Guest List” by Lucy Foley – Small island setting with ensemble cast (though darker in tone)
- “Beach Read” by Emily Henry – Second chances and enemies-to-lovers romance
- “The Paradise Problem” by Christina Lauren – Forced proximity romance with humor and heart
- “The Summer I Turned Pretty” by Jenny Han – Coming-of-age summer romance with family dynamics
- “Summer Light on Nantucket” by Nancy Thayer – Nantucket setting with family drama and romance
- “Summers at the Saints” by Mary Kay Andrews – Small-town secrets and second-chance romance
- “Summer Sisters” by Judy Blume – Deep dive into female friendship and family relationships
- “The Midnight Library” by Matt Haig – Themes of second chances and life choices
- “Evvie Drake Starts Over” by Linda Holmes – Small-town romance with emotional depth