I feel so fortunate to have discovered Elin Hilderbrand many books ago. I began reading her when she published her third novel, never missed one since. This is especially good since Hilderbrand takes on some huge issues within the framework of the year of great change and turmoil, 1969.

We see the world largely through the eyes of 13 year old, Jessica Levin as she confronts issues such as Anti-Semitism, sexuality, family secrets. Living in the ultra-Wasp Nichols household, dominated by her grandmother Exalta (well named) she feels like an outsider. Her beloved brother is off fighting in Vietnam while her sisters are dealing with their own issues.

Hilderbrand deals with racism and physical abuse. Again, she weaves it into the significant events of that summer.

I cannot wait to recommend this book to all my reading groups and seminars. It is meaty and rich with topics that will provide many wonderful discussions. Most of all, for those of us that were there for the moon landing, and Woodstock, it will take us back to that incredible summer of ‘69.

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to have the joy of reading this novel!

Predictable but fun... another easy beach read for fans who just want to escape on a lazy afternoon.

I was so excited to receive an ARC courtesy of Netgalley. Elin is my absolute favorite author! That said, this novel did not resonate with me like her others do. It is historical fiction and it's a good story, but it is a bit different from her usual work--just something to keep in mind. I did enjoy hearing the perspectives of the different main characters and as usual, character development was excellent. For me, I just missed the modern day feel. If you are not familiar with all of Elin's work, I would recommend The Perfect Couple or Summerland to get a full picture of the author's range. Great story, but as I said, the genre is just not the best fit for me.

As usual I loved this new novel by Elin Hildebrand. The only reason I did not give it 5 stars was I felt the ending needed more. I felt like it came to a sudden halt. But other than that I loved it. Thank you to Little Brown and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I keep waiting for Hilderbrand to rush through a book and produce something subpar, but this isn't that, so...

This was enormously entertaining, and it's a PERFECT beach read. Her books are so popular at this point that I won't be able to recommend it as beach reading (because all the copies will be checked out all summer), but I'll recommend people put it on hold, for sure.

(Wtf is with the names, though, Ms. Hilderbrand? EXALTA? That sounds like a drug, not a name.)