Jennifer Seiner returns with another beach read with Big Summer! Drue Cavanaugh has everything money and social status can buy, and definitely has not made lots of friends along the way. When she plans for an outrageous wedding on Cape Cod and asks her ex-friend Daphne to be her maid of honor no one could have predicted the tragic turn events would take... or could they? I enjoyed this light read as it is perfect for lazy sunny afternoons and it has some introspective moments about social media, the meaning of friendships and the importance of love in our relationships. I highly recommend adding this book to your summer reading list. I received an ARC of this book, all opinions are my own.

Fun, funny and a great beach read! This one will be just what we all need once the pandemic is over and will be right up there on the lists!

A delicious funny and unputdownable novel.
About the power of friendship and the importance of making peace with yourself through all the life’s up and down.
It’s a great beach read.
Throughly enjoyed this book !

I always get excited when I see that Jennifer Weiner has a new book coming out! This was no exception. I thoroughly enjoyed this and anticipate it being on many "Best of Summer 2020" reading lists. This was a different type of story than I initially expected. I enjoyed the character Daphne tremendously. She is a unique women with so many qualities that I feel many women will be able to identify with. This light read is engaging and sure to keep your attention. I believe this will be a massive hit! Highly recommend.

I consider myself a Jennifer Weiner groupie after reading 'Mrs. Everything' last year. Seriously, that is one of my favorite books, it is just absolutely epic. Read it or listen to it if you can. So I was thrilled when I received a copy of 'Big Summer' with that colorful cover and catchy blurb. Influencers? Beach wedding? Yes, please!

'Big Summer' is the perfect book for our crazy times. Are you looking for a fast-paced, funny, sweet and smart story that will pull you away from all your worries? This is the perfect book for you! The first part of the story explores the very rocky friendship between our plus-sized heroine Daphne and the gorgeous Drue. Jennifer Weiner has a gift for exploring female friendships, and she makes the two characters really feel very authentic. While not a very serious story, this book nonetheless provided several hours of fabulous escapism and a peek into the real lives of social influencers, and our modern obsession with social media.

Daphne and Drue have a long history together and it seems from their past that Drue is the classic "mean girl". But has she finally grown up and put all of the behind her? Daphne takes gamble on Drue and agrees to be a bridesmaid at Drue's fabulous upcoming wedding on Cape Cod. The book took a surprising turn and became a mystery mixed with romance when a sudden and very shocking turn of events shakes up everything Daphne thought she knew about Drue and her family.

I loved how the author explored some very thoughtful topics such as social media, weight and self-esteem, all while providing a breezy story that I could not put down. I loved every page. Highly recommend this one!

A couple of Jennifer Weiner’s latest releases have been big hits for me (specifically, Who Do You Love and Mrs. Everything) so I was excited to pick up Big Summer. While it’s being touted as this summer’s beach read, it also provided plenty of food for thought.

Daphne is a young woman who has spent much of her life struggling with body image and self-acceptance. As an Instagram influencer, her posts focus on plus-size fashion, fitness and body positivity. Daphne is more than a little surprised when her former frenemy makes an appearance after a six year silence. Drue Cavanaugh was always everything Daphne wasn’t: thin, rich, beautiful, popular. And now she’s asking Daphne to be her maid of honor. The lure of Drue proves too much to resist, and Daphne finds herself in picturesque Cape Cod for the society wedding, telling herself that the exposure will help generate more Instagram followers and sponsors. Things don’t go as planned and Daphne begins to question if she ever really knew Drue at all.

"I stopped and asked myself, What did I do wrong? Who am I hurting? Is this what I deserve just for having the nerve to leave my home, to dance and try to have fun? I’m fat. That’s true. But I’m a good person. I’m kind and funny; I’m generous; I try to treat people the way I’d want them to treat me."

Going in I had a certain expectation of the trajectory Big Summer would take, but after a plot twist at the end of Part One, that got turned on its head. Weiner took Big Summer in a direction I never saw coming and she did it so well. At its core, this is Daphne’s story and I loved her journey. I felt such a kinship with this woman. I cheered for her triumphs and felt heartsick when she was knocked down and treated with such cavalier cruelty – from online trolls, supposed friends, and a not-so-well-intentioned family member. Daphne is funny and self-aware and at one point comments to a young friend: even if things don’t get better, you can always make them look good on the internet.

"I wanted to go home, away from all these beautiful people who, just by living, made me feel inadequate, at once enormous and small."

And therein lies one of the main themes in Big Summer. Because in addition to self-acceptance, body positivity, and toxic friendships, Weiner also shines a light on the sometimes toxic nature of social media. Whether it’s the anonymity that makes it so easy to spew hate, or the oh-so-perfect (and oh-so-filtered) photos that invite envy and comparison, the pitfalls of social media have Daphne examining its impossible standards – and how to combine her connection to social media while living an authentic life.

"Everyone tries to put the best versions of themselves across. To fake it. And when they’re not doing that, they’re sitting behind their screens, passing judgment and feeling superior to whoever they think’s being sexist or racist that day."

I highly recommend Big Summer to anyone who loves a mix of big, juicy beach read with relevant issues and a top notch heroine. Daphne Berg was an absolute gem and the main reason that Big Summer equated to Big Fun.

Disclosure: I received a a complimentary copy of this book for review. This does not impact my opinion of the book or the content of this review. I received no compensation and my review is voluntary.

Big Summer is the new release by author Jennifer Weiner. This is a book filled with many unexpected twists and turns. It is also a difficult book to review without giving away any spoilers, but I will try my best to not reveal too much.

Daphne Berg and Drue Cavanaugh were best friends in high school, but after a fight...and a video that was released...their friendship suddenly ended. That fight was life changing for Daphne because she took the pain and hurt and turned it into a successful career as a social influencer for other people struggling with their weight. Now six years later, Drue is back, begging Daphne for forgiveness as well as wanting Daphne to be her maid-of-honor in her upcoming wedding. Daphne is skeptical at first, after all, she was extremely hurt by Drue. However, she gives Drue the benefit of the doubt, and believes her when she says she has changed. But has Drue really changed, or is she once again using Daphne for her own personal gain?

The story that unfolds is full of twists and turns that begin about halfway through the book. The opening of the book will leave you wondering how it is relevant, but it is finally explained later in the book. As for Daphne, I loved her character. Her relationship with Drue frustrated me, but on the flip side, I understand why she was blind to seeing Drue for the person she truly was. She went through a very difficult and heartbreaking incident with Drue, but instead of letting it get her down, she used that to start her career as a social influencer. She has always struggled with her weight, and now is trying to help other people learn to love themselves and especially love whatever size they are. She constantly gives encouragement to those with low self-esteem, and offers advice as well as fashion tips. There are times she does not always follow her own advice, which was annoying, but also understandable, especially if you spent your entire life being shamed about your size.

Drue is a character that I could not like, no matter how hard I tried. I understand she may have had issues at home, but the way she treated Daphne just irritated me beyond belief. In my mind, I kept seeing the Mean Girls movie. Without revealing what happens, I will just say that she ends up paying a price in the end.

I would like to thank Atria Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review an ARC of this book. My views are my own, and are in no way influenced by anyone else.

A fun summer read with good plot twists and characters that kept me guessing until the very end. The ending seemed a little unrealistic but at the same time I always appreciate a happy ending!

I liked this one! Juicy & perfect for the beach. I'm conflicted because this one felt like it wanted to be serious, but also wanted to be a beach read so I wasn't quite sure how to feel. It was good but not my fave JW novel.

Of course this book is wonderful--Jennifer Weiner is the one of the best anywhere and this is no exception. It is told from a perspective of someone who is finally comfortable in her own skin, which is soooooo rare now., but it is more than a book about friendships--both real and desired, it is a romance, it is a murder mystery, it is a cautionary tale for us to be glad for the things that we have, and it is a book about change. I loved the descriptions of clothing and especially the descriptions of food--I would find myself salivating for a chocolate eclair!, which added to the book's authenticity. I devoured this book in one day--just couldn't put it down..

I was gifted a copy of this book from @netgalley and @AtriaBooks in exchange for an honest review. ⭐⭐ I've read books by Jennifer Weiner before and have enjoyed them. This book seemed like it was written by a debut author. There was so much going on...body acceptance, bisexuality, screen time/social media lessons, a bit on politics, a murder mystery (???), bullying, it was way too much. I felt the main character was awful judgy for someone that wasn't very confident of her own self. Daphne had body issues, but then wore a bikini in a hot tub with a guy a few hours she met him? The overly specific descriptions on what everyone was wearing and what they looked like all the time?...uggg!! #bigsummer #netgalley

Big Summer: A Novel by [Jennifer Weiner]

I liked this. Not outstanding, but solid.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Big Summer is a great summer read!

Daphne is a plus-sized influencer who gets paid to promote wellness items like yoga mats and healthy tea. When an up-and-coming young fashion designer wants Daphne to be the face of her new plus-sized fashion line, Daphne is thrilled.

Then something else happens: Daphne’s “friend” (frenemy?) Drue resurfaces and asks Daphne to be in her wedding. The book goes back in time to describe the very dramatic (and traumatic) event that ended their friendship, but also to explore Daphne’s relationship with food and her body, and also her somewhat toxic relationship with Drue.

I was thrilled when the book moved to Cape Cod as that’s a place I know very well and could picture everything Daphne was describing. But then a really surprising thing happened. I was SO surprised and I’m hard to surprise. I want you to be surprised so that's all I'm saying!

What I liked overall about the book:

Daphne was a really likable and enjoyable character. She’s built a great life for herself with supportive friends. She still struggles a lot with confidence issues.

I didn’t understand why Daphne would agreed to be in Drue’s wedding except that a) Drue always had some mysterious power over her, b) the fashion designer Daphne was working with loved the idea of her clothes being featured at a big, fancy wedding and c) it was necessary for the plot.

The book took an interesting look at female friendship and the question of whether people can really change. Drue tells Daphne that she is sincerely sorry for her past behavior and the book does try to explain some of the reasons for it.

The book also tries to say something about celebrity on the internet. Daphne recognizes that women of her size are not always valued by the fashion industry. She knows the risks of “putting herself out there” online and opening herself up to criticism.

Overall, I do think this book was trying to do a lot of things (can't say more without spoilers). But I really enjoyed reading it. It did entertain me and also completely surprise me, and for that reason, I recommend it as a great summer read – a perfect beach book or, if you are staying at home, a perfect read in the backyard under a tree book.

I loved this book! Great story, great characters. I was rooting for the main character the whole time. It was a fun chick lit/mystery

I have read several books by Jennifer Weiner and this is my favorite to date. I love her writing, the way she portrays women and their stories, but this was an unexpected twist from her. It was almost a thriller in the mysterious aspect of what happens with the heroine. I loved this book so much, I’m looking forward to picking up a physical copy and reading it again.

Big Summer

A delightful story of friendship, forgiveness and figuring out what matters most.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

SUMMARY
Plus-size influencer Daphne Berg is shocked when rich-mean-girl Drue Cavanaugh walks back into her life. It’s been six years since the fight that ended their friendship. When Drue begs Daphne to be her maid-of-honor at the society wedding of the summer, Daphne is speechless.

The wedding weekend starts on a perfect summer Friday night on a Cape Cod beach. Daphne meets a super cute guy and Drue’s rehearsal dinner is picture perfect. That is until a family feud erupts and Drue disappears into her room.

Daphne wakes up the morning of the wedding to find that the cute guy has disappeared and that something terrible has happened to the bride. It’s up to Daphne to drill into Drue’s past, and to find out the complicated truth about the perfect Drue Cavanaugh. 

REVIEW
BIG SUMMER is a delightful story friendship, forgiveness and figuring out what matters most. Author Jennifer Weiner has woven a intricate tale of high drama that will have you speeding through the pages. Daphne’s character was engaging. You cannot help but love this oversized woman who evolves from being fat-shamed to being proud and loud about her size. She makes the most of the cards that she has been dealt.

My favorite part was learning about Daphne’s Sunday suppers with her dad. What a absolutely charming idea of picking a different NYC restaurant with exotic cuisine each week and spending the day together traveling, sharing and studying the cuisine. Wish I had thought of making memories like this with my father.

Jennifer Weiner is a graduate of Princeton University and a contributor to the New York Times opinion section. She lives with her family in Philadelphia and has written seventeen books and most recently published Mrs. Everything.

Thanks to Netgalley and for an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Publisher Atria Books
Published May 5, 2020
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com

Big Summer is not the kind of book I typically pick up, but I'm so glad I did! As others have said, I really think it is best to go into this book without expectations and without knowing too much about the plot beforehand.

Big Summer is centered around Daphne, a plus size Instagram influencer and blogger. She has had her struggles with body image over the years, but is mostly at a place where she feels okay with herself, who she is, and how she looks.

Then, her high school best friend reaches out to her and asks Daphne to be in her wedding. Daphne and this friend have a complicated relationship, though. The wedding becomes complicated, and things go awry. I'll leave it at that to avoid spoilers.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book was a light, fun read, exactly what I was looking for. I loved the way Weiner explored the questions of truth and authenticity on social media and how that impacts the way we relate to each other and even to ourselves. I also appreciated the way she explored body image and privilege. After the night before the wedding however, the storyline grew a bit far-fetched for me.

I have to admit that when I saw that Jennifer Weiner had a new book coming out I didn't even have to read the synopsis to know that I would want to read the book. And I'm so glad I didn't because there is a twist I did not see coming! Big Summer is the book we didn't know we would need with all that is going on in the world. It is THE perfect escape. I am sure Ms. Weiner pictured her readers reading Big Summer on the beach or while lounging near a pool. Sadly most of us will not be able to do that but this book made me feel like I was! It has everything you could want in the perfect summer read: intrigue, scandal, romance, but most of all, a heroine who is relatable. I highly recommend Big Summer as your next escapist read!

I struggled between 3 and 4 stars here (Goodreads, let us do halves, please!) - the first half or so was kind of slow. I appreciated Daphne's story and character, but I hated Drue so much that it impacted my enjoyment of the story.

But --and no spoilers, I promise-- something happens about halfway through the book that completely pivots the reading experience and I couldn't put it down. Fun summer read.

*My ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.