This is the perfect distraction read for 2020! It has everything; romance, social media, mystery and more! I will not reveal spoilers, but I will say this is my new favourite Jennifer read. Being a NetGalley reviewer, I read a lot. This story had me guessing at every plot twist. So delectable!

I've been a fan of Jennifer Weiner's books for many years and I always eagerly anticipate her new releases.

Weiner's stories relates to experiences and feelings that we all live. This book is no exception.

A very good read that I'm sure will be a summer success.

Thank you Simon and Schuster Canada and NetGalley for this ARC.

Big Summer examines the power of friendship, hurt feelings, and what matters most in life. Daphne Berg hasn’t spoken to her friend Drue Cavanaugh since they were in high school together. After Drue humiliated Daphne, Daphne walked away from the friendship and tried to figure out who she was and what she wanted out of life. Years later when Drue reappears in Daphne’s life, Daphne finds herself being forced to rethink her choices and beliefs.
Love, friendship, family, and murder. Big Summer nails it all. Definitely recommended.

*I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review

I’ve always been a fan of Jennifer’s work, her stories are captivating and light; yet when you think about it or can dig a little deeper you find more than some “chick lit” or “beach read”. This book is exactly that, the first half is exactly what I expect her books to be, while not exactly light (fat shaming and body imagine at the forefront) the second half takes a turn right to the mystery section. I believe this book has a bit for everyone, murder, mystery and romance. The deeper subjects like the power of social media, bullying, fat shaming and body positivity are topics quite heavy for your classic summer read; but all important to discuss which is why I can see this being a good summer book club pick.

**A huge thank-you to NetGalley and Atria for an ARC of this book**

This will be a great beach read!

While reading the first half of the book - I kept thinking that things just didn't make sense about some of the events that were happening- but it was a lovely story about a plus-size social media influencer and her trials and tribulations with being a plus-size person in a size 0 world. I related a lot to the Daphne of the first half of the book, and it was very Weiner-esque which was lovely.

At the middle mark - the book switched over to a mystery and the remainder of the book was spent trying to determine who committed a certain crime. Things from the first half started to make more sense, but the book was very clearly of two different tones - and that was a bit odd. It was almost as if Weiner didn't have the steam to continue the plot from the first half of the book through to the end and started another book within the book.

All that aside, it was a good way to forget about what is going on around us at this time - so I feel that it will be a great beach read.

Great story....socially relevant in our times of social media, body shaming and bullying. Plus size Daphne is the main character who is a social media influencer. She claims to be accepting of herself but the old old insecurities of her youth come sneaking through. The first half of the book is about Daphne and her life. It moved along as one would expect.

Then, BOOM! It becomes a mystery. Totally out of nowhere. About halfway through the book. A fast moving mystery. Daphne was a very likeable character, with her dreams and insecurities she seemed liked everyone’s best friend.

The way the ending evolved was a little over the top. I would probably take away a half star. But, there are no half stars.......

A bonus: I learned 3 new words. Promulgate. Insorcelled. Seraglio.

Thank you to the NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for a review.