This is the perfect Summer beach read. It takes place in Nantucket (SWOON!) and it involves two childhood best friends named Isabelle and Keely. They have these dreams to become writers and life takes them on different paths (don’t want to give any spoilers). The story follows them from tween to teen to adults. I didn’t love Isabelle as a person but we needed her for the story. I was also rooting for Sebastian and Keely the whole time! This will definitely not be my last Nancy Thayer’s book.

I always get excited to read Thayer’s new book every summer. I always love being transported to Nantucket and get excited for summer. The story follows two friends who both want to be writers and the struggles they encounter throughout their journey to become published. I really enjoyed what felt like the behind the scenes process of getting a book published and the pressure writers have. I found the story to be predictable and overall I found the friendship between the two girls toxic and frustrating. This is not my favorite Nancy Thayer book but I still enjoyed the magical island of Nantucket and the happy feeling you get when you finish her books.

Keely and Isabelle were like sisters. Their time together as kids was sacred to them both. They both dreamed of being writers. They were close but there was drama as they grew up. I think most long term friends have dealt with growing pains in their relationship. Keely and Isabelle’s dramas were real whoppers though.

Let’s begin with the fact that Keely was kind of jealous of Isabelle. Keeley’s mom was a nurse and her dad a mechanic, there was absolutely no extra money and her parents worked a lot. Keeley was an only child.
Isabelle’s father was an attorney. Her mother seemed to be a stay at home parent. There was a lot of extra money spent on extravagant vacations.
The vacations also took the girls away from each other. Keeley was at home and Isabelle was in New York or Paris or a beach.
In addition, Isabelle has a brother. Sebastian caused a lot of conflicting feelings for Keeley. When she was very young, she was just jealous that she was an only child in an empty house while Isabelle had her parents and brother. But as she got older she developed a huge crush on Sebastian that never went away.

As the years passed, their friendship was additionally strained when Keeley’s father passed away and also by a guy that both girls had feelings for.

Over the years, each of them betrayed the other in different ways. Keeley left the island for New York. But her mother’s health brings Keeley back to town where all the drama awaits her.

I enjoyed this book. I thought the characters were really thoroughly fleshed out. Keeley felt like a real person and I felt bad for the situations she got stuck in sometimes. Her parents’ problems became her own, she had to rescue her mom on more than one occasion.
But I also felt like her and Isabelle’s relationship was always a bit in jeopardy. After all, she was jealous of much of Isabelle’s life. And then when Keeley’s father passed away, Isabelle really wasn’t supportive. She was the same free spirit Keeley had always seen as a sister but it came off as majorly selfish during this time.

I had conflicting feelings about Sebastian and also Isabelle’s parents. They seemed to turn on a dime with no real explanation as to why.

Overall, a good story. I believed these two as friends and their drama was definitely enough to challenge their relationship. I’m not sure I liked any of the parents in the book but they were pretty minor characters.

Also, the book is set on Nantucket and I always enjoy that.
I got to read an early e book edition from NetGalley. Thanks!

This is my first Nancy Thayer novel but it certainly won’t be my last. While it started a bit slow for me the buildup was absolutely worth it . I loved following Keely and Isabelle through the decades as their lives developed. A perfect summer read . This book was graciously provided by the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book but I struggled to always like the main character. Keely and Isabelle are childhood best friends who share dreams and aspirations for the future. They grow up together on Nantucket Island, one in a wealthy family and one in a family that struggles. Keely's story is a good one, as she follows her dreams and overcomes some tough times, while searching for love. Some of the relationship choices that are made do bother me but overall this was a good summer read. I will continue look forward to more books by Nancy Thayer! Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

The story was fair - it started well but I thought that the main character, Keely Green, was very wishy washy and that turned me off, especially about her feelings toward the men in her life. In addition, I thought that her relationship with her main love went too fast and it wasn't realistic especially how she ran away from him a couple of times. But then again, I read this as a light, summer read and that it was!

An absolutely perfect title to pick up and not stop until the book is completed! Returning to her island life and away from the "glamour" of her life, she finds that old friends are the best friends---including first love. Embracing forgiveness and learning along the way make this title a beautiful read. Thank you so much for allowing me to read this title prior to publication--I laughed and I cried and enjoyed every word!!!

A heady mix of summer, first love, and friendship, Surfside Sisters is meant to be devoured on a lazy afternoon. Readers who love Elin Hilderbrand or Jamie Brenner will be delighted by Surfside Sisters, with its familiar Nantucket routines, and its eclectic, book-loving characters.

This story, set in Nantucket, centers around two childhood best friends, Isabelle and Keely. United by the desire to become authors, this story takes us through the trials and tribulations of their friendship. Can the bond that binds them so close be enough to withstand disloyalty, envy and misunderstanding? I read this book in a few hours. I enjoyed it thoroughly!

Surfside Sisters is a fantastic summer beach read. Easy to read when one may want to stop to cool off in the ocean or pool. Readers in their twenties to those in their eighties will enjoy Nancy Thayer’s Surfside Sisters.

Like many of Thayer’s books set in the NE coast of the United States, Thayer uses what she is familiar with, to paint a beautiful picture of the Eastern seaboard, complete with lovable characters.

Thayer typically closes her novels with feel good moments and she does not disappoint in this book. Unfortunately, the last couple chapters seem to move too fast, tying every story line up, in an effort to complete the novel. In fact, too tidy. I have unanswered questions as to why did Gray go without a fight; how did Keely feel seeing Tommy again; does Donna enjoy her cruise; from buying the family mansion to co-living with the in-laws so Al can stay in his home for rehab purposes. All those things I want to know. Not because I have been left hanging but because the novel wrapped up so quickly.

Everyone loves Nancy Thayer and will continue to buy her books, because she develops likable characters that you want to know about.

This is my first Nancy Thayer book, but it won’t be my last. This was a wonderful beach read about friendship and forgiveness. The story mirrored so much of my own life that I was able to relate well with Keely and her feelings. I will be recommending this book.

Surfside Sisters is the story about two friends, Keely and Isabelle. They have been friends forever but as they grow up they grow apart. Jealousy and hard feelings tear them apart.

I really enjoyed reading this book. I liked both the lead female characters, but they both had their flaws. Isabelle was so,Times shallow and let her jealousy get the better of her. At times Keely seemed to drift thru her life, afraid to make decisions. I enjoyed watching their lives. They had many highs and lows, heartbreak jealousy and ultimately love. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

Great summer time book. Author Nancy Thayer has written another bestseller.
The story is about two girls, best friends, ,Keely and Isabelle They live in Nantucket and long to be successful writers., Both girls are good students in school and seem to have similar interest. In high school it becomes obvious they are very different. Keely is from a middle class family. She has to work hard to get ahead. Isabelle is from a wealth family, with a big home, successful parents and summer vacations in Europe. In Keely's eyes Isabelle has the perfect life, Everything seems to come easily for Isabelle.
Like everyone they have highs and lows in life. Heartbreak, family loss, jealousy, envy and love. But, life has a way of coming full circle.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and give an honest review.

My patrons love beach books. This is one that they will love. They will love reading about the up and down relationship of Isabella and Keely. I cant wait for this book to come out for my patrons.

Keely and Isabelle, friends since elementary school have both only ever wanted to be authors. Only one realizes her dream. But sometimes realizing what you want most, can bring heartache and bitterness.
Nancy Thayer has written a heartwarming novel of success, betrayal and forgiveness. A wonderful read for the beach or anytime. I received an ARC from Netgalley for my honest opinion.

What an amazing summer read! As always, Nancy Thayer did not disappoint. Best selling writer Keely Green left Nantucket for the Big Apple. She’s living the life in New York City when things all come crashing down around her. Keely heads home for the summer and must confront her past. This a sweet story about the ups and downs of friendships and self discovery. I highly recommend adding it to your summer reading list!

Nancy Thayer books always wring every emotion possible! Such a great story!! I felt as if I were there in the island with her. The wind, salt spray, and the crashing surf! A joy for sure.
Keely and Isabelle were such great friends until they weren't. Their story (Keely's) was so incredible. Writing as a central theme for this book.
I cried so much for Keely in sadness and in joy.
This is a must read!!

I love Nancy Thayer and have read all her books. They are all perfect beach reads! Add this one to your summer reading list, it's one of her best yet. Keeley and Isabelle were children together in Nantucket, and when they grew up their paths diverged dramatically. After living very different lives, they both end up back on Nantucket but now Keeley can act on the crush she had on Isabelle's brother Seb which makes life with her best friend very difficult.

Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a great beach read! It has many elements: friendship, love, family, life challenges, and of course Nantucket. I love Thayer’s writing style and she succeeded again with this novel.
Many thanks to Random House Publishing and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is my first Nancy Thayer novel, and I now get to go back and read all the others! This novel is set mostly on Nantucket, one of my favorite locations for a beach read. The story takes you through the relationship of two best friends, Isabelle and Keely, from childhood through motherhood. I loved Keely’s character and found myself annoyed with Isabelle much of the story.
Both girls dream of being a published author one day and finding long-lasting love. Like most best friends, they competed for success in both of these areas. The ups and downs of their relationship was the main story, yet dealing with aging parents and death also impacted the story in a very touching way. As my parents are aging and I find myself thinking more about their health, I really enjoyed this part of the book.
When I read these types of emotionally charged books I start to worry about the ending as it approaches. Yet Thayer left me very satisfied!
I highly recommend this one for summer!
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for this advanced copy!