Member Reviews
I had the hardest time getting into this novel, and that never happens with Elin Hilderbrand. I really did not care for this book or this family, but I did enjoy reading Summer of '79, which answers some of the key questions that were left hanging.
Is it really summer if you don't read an Elin Hilderbrand book? I truly look forward to her books every single summer and this one did not disappoint!
Definitely pick this one up if the 60's/70's interest you and you want to read about all the different struggles a seemingly normal family went through behind the scenes. Plus, Elin Hilderbrand is just a great writer!
What a delight! It was so much fun getting to know each of these characters and their personalities. Elin Hildebrand has such a unique style and infusing that into a historical narrative with telling about these stories in 1969, such a time of change, was so interesting.
I always enjoy Elin Hilderbrand’s books. This one was no different. Good story. A little predictable. Probably not my favorite, but I still liked it and would recommend to others.
What a great novel by Elin Hilderbrand! I was so absorbed by the story of this fascinating family. You find yourself so engulfed in what is going to happen next. I loved this novel and look forward to more work by this author.
Another great book by Elin Hilderbrand! I loved how you felt like you were in 1969 during this book. There were several points of view, but I never felt lost or confused. I also love the reason behind Elin writing this book - based on her own birth and the time period.
I adored this book, really well written in that it made me nostalgic for a time during which I wasn't even alive.
Thank you to Little, Brown & Company for the eARC of Summer of ‘69. Elin Hilderbrand is a master of transporting readers to the shores of Nantucket. In this book we are transported to follow the Levin family throughout the summer of ‘69. When Tiger, the only son, is deployed in Vietnam, the family has to figure out how to spend their summer.
Told through several family members’ viewpoints, I loved the way the story wove each experience together. Elin Hilderbrand has absolutely done it again!
Even though some of the characters were annoying (except Jessie and "Tiger") and a few of the plot lines were predictable, I enjoyed this, mainly because my personal summer of '69 was awesome. I was a little young to be aware of the atrocities of the war but was old enough to discover boys (!) and to love the music so the author's depiction of the year was spot on with the song titles and events. This novel was a wonderful "blast from the past" and I'm still experiencing earworms from the song titles that began each chapter.
I love Elin Hilderbrand. but I cannot say this is my favorite novel of hers. I love all of her beachy novels but I think the fact that this was set in the past really didn't vibe with me. The characters were fun but this just didn't do it for me unfortunately.
I enjoyed this book about a summer that changed the world and the lives of those in the Levin/Foley family. It sucked me in at the beginning, lost me for a bit in the middle (got a little slow), and ended up having a good ending.
Surprisingly this is my first Elin Hilderbrand novel, which has been on my Kindle for about a year. I figured this is a perfect opportunity to check out “Summer of ’69.”
Welcome to the Summer of 1969 where for the Levin family everything is changing. Blair, the oldest sister, is pregnant with twins. Kirby, the middle sister, is the wild child fighting for civil rights. Tiger, the only son, has recently been deployed to Vietnam. Jessie, the youngest, suddenly feels like the only child stuck between being a child and growing into a woman. Set on Nantucket, this historical novel is rich with details of an era that shaped both a country and an island.
I have to admit historical fiction novels can sometimes be hit or miss for me. Well, this one was a hit. It was a change from the thrillers and romance that I’ve been reading. This story gives you a glimpse at what life was like in 1969 and how exciting, but scary changes were happening to our country.
I love how Elin was able to really take you to Nantucket and you really felt the experience of living there. Her details to the history as well as the character developments was intriguing and captivating, especially since I’ve only read about these moments in a history book.
The characters were well developed and completely different. I love that each character is trying to find themselves and establish who they are, but done is very different ways. My personal favorite was Kirby - she was a very progressive character and stood up for civil rights!
Overall, I highly recommend this novel and particularly enjoyed the “Author’s Note” at the end of the book. This was my first book by this author and after reading this book it certainly will not be my last.
As tradition dictates, Kate Levin ad her youngest daughter, Jessie, head to Nantucket to spend the summer of 1969 with Kate’s mother. Kate’s mother is an island native and set in her ways, with one of the oldest and grandest houses, and a caretaker residing in the guest house.
Jessie must make her way without her older sisters, or her older brother, Tiger, who is deployed in Vietnam.
The novel is evocative of the time and place, including fashions, politics, sexism, and racism. Multiple viewpoints and an intriguing plot make for a fast and consuming read.
You’ll like this if you’re already an Erin Hilderbrand fan, and also if you like authors such as Hazel Gaynor, Fiona Davis, Camille DiMaio, Jennifer Weiner, and Michelle Gable.
I love Elin Hilderbrand and while this book wasn't one of my favorites, it was still a good read. This historical fiction book is set in the summer of 1969 in Nantucket and tells the story of the Foley/Levin family. This is the first year the family is being pulled apart due to war and other events, instead of spending the summer vacationing together.
Tank you Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this title. I so wanted to love this book, but I didn't. I picked up this many times, trying to give it another chance, but I just couldn't finish it. The characters were drab and I just couldn't get into the book.. I love reading historical fiction from this time period, but this book wasn't for me.
I am a big fan of Elin Hilderbrand's novels and have read almost all of her books. I was so excited when I saw this book listed on NetGalley and immediately requested to read it. I will admit that it did take me some time to get into, but once I did, I had a hard time putting this one down.
It is definitely different than her usual style with a foray into historical fiction, but her writing style, voice and character focus really make this one feel like a natural fit with the rest of her work.
Two of my favourite genres, historical fiction and beach reads come together in this one and it did not disappoint. I will definitely recommend this gem of a book!
This was one of my favorite Elin books yet! I love her take on historical fiction. Elin writes of Nantucket, and Boston, back in the summer of 1969 - this book covers everything from a woman in a seemingly stuck marriage dealing with pregnancy, a sister rebelling against her parent's wishes and moving to the Vineyard, and the young teenage daughter who is dealing with all this tumultuousness in her life. Not to mention their brother who is currently abroad fighting the war and their parents struggling with that fact.
This book was a total departure from Elin's other books, and I loved it nonetheless. Of course, we find ourselves on that Nantucket setting, which is a hallmark of hers. And dealing with family struggles - another hallmark. Elin did not disappoint with this one!
I have come to love Elin's stories. This one was so relatable due to the time frame it takes place in. So many historical events take place in 1969 and the story is woven well among these events. There is mystery and secrets and everything else a family can and will encounter over decades. Jessie was my favorite character due to her indomitable spirit. I assure you this book will win you over.
I have read most of Elin Hilderbrand's books and always enjoy these family sagas taking place on Nantucket or similar vacation spots. This one was somewhat different. It was still a family story, taking place on Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard, but his is also a historical fiction saga. As you can tell from the title, it takes place during The Summer of '69. Kate Levin, presently married to David (a Jewish Lawyer) have a daughter Jessie. Kate has three children from a previous marriage, Blair, who is pregnant with twins and worried about her marriage, Tiger, who is fighting in Viet Nam, and Kirby (Katherine) who is working in Martha's Vineyard for the summer. She is the rebel, the one who protests, the one who has been arrested, the one who wants her independence. Kate and Jessie are on Nantucket staying with Kate's mother. Kate's mother is very bigoted and strict and Jessie is not a happy camper.
I enjoyed this story that is told from various POVs. We hear from Blair, Kirby and Jessie. Jessie also writes and receives letters from Tiger and that gives us some insight into what is happening with him. I enjoyed being swept into another era where there were no cellphones, televisions were not in every home, you would ride a bike to get from place to place but it was not all good. Bigotry was huge, the war in Viet Nam was raging, expectant mothers were drinking and smoking to help them relax, and experimenting with sex and drugs was commonplace. There was even mention of Woodstock, although it did not make an actual appearance. I was born in 1957, so was close to Jessie's age in '69. I found this book to be nostalgic and enjoyable. I enjoyed being transported to a time that came alive for me. It was extremely easy to visualize and experience place and time perfectly through the words expressed here. I enjoyed the historical information woven into this family story. I enjoyed getting to know the Nichols/Levin family and all the secondary characters in the story. They were well developed and quite realistic to me. Another winner by Hilderbrand.
Elin Hilderbrand is an amazing Storyteller! Every single book I read of hers is great! Can't wait for her next book!!