Whenever I curl up with a Jennifer Weiner book I know I'm in for a great novel! And this one was riveting as it has all the elements I love in a good thriller: past and present, mean girls, media influencers, disparity between wealth and poverty, family drama, intrigue, a murder or two...well, you get the picture! Daphne is finally making it on her own as a media influencer of plus-sized clothing. She's been fat-shamed all her life, mainly by her "friend" Drue whom she met in 6th grade. Drue befriended her and then consistently drew her in and alternately scorned and belittled her. Years later when Drue shows up begging Daphne to be her bridesmaid, Daphne is shocked and offended but eventually gives in when Drue begs her to be forgiven and says she has changed. And that's just the beginning! Weiner always has contemporary issues in mind; in this case one is just how much social media can affect and change people (often in ways we aren't even aware of), but she also addresses the complications of female friendships, forgiveness, and redemption. I think this is my favorite of Weiner's so far!

I would describe this book as chic lit with a little bit of mystery tossed in. The main character Daphne was very like able. The other character Drue reminded me of a snobby girl in high school (I’m sure we all can think of a few people in our lives that fit that description). It definitely wasn’t a suspenseful novel but I don’t think it was supposed to be. I’ve read a few of Jennifer Weiner’s books in the past & they’ve been just okay but I gave this one 4 stars. The characters were relatable & I found the story line was relevant in regards to body image & social media influences. Thanks to NetGalley & the publisher for the ARC!

This book was full of surprises. I thought it was going to be a typical beach read. That quickly changed with the mystery. It was a quick, fun read. Also felt I learned a little more about “influencers” on Instagram.

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book.
I have been a long time fan of Jennifer Weiner and, while this wasn't my favorite book, I did enjoy the shift of genre (as I didn't expect it.) I didn't expect the thriller element of the book and was excited to see where she took that storyline. I will say that I preferred the first half of the book to the second half but I think this is a great summer/beach read that I'll recommend to friends. I'd love to see more of this type of work from Weiner in the future. My one critique is that Weiner has begun to allow her politics to influence her writing. In my opinion, the two things should remain separate. I don't need to know about your distaste for the president or conservative politics. I'm sure the majority of your audience already knows how you lean but if you want to expand to a wider variety of individuals, it would just be something to keep in mind.

Daphne is a plus size influencer living in New York. Imagine her surprise when her high school friend, Drue, shows up out of the blue asking her to be her bridesmaid. They had a falling out 6 years ago and there has been no communication, she doesn’t even follower her on social media. Drue has always had everything. She made Daphne feel inferior by being her best friend one day and ignoring her the next. So why does she need Daphne now?
This book is about relationships, social media, and family. I love that Daphne, although not rich, let a more fulfilling
life and had the comfort and love of her parents! When I got a little over the halfway point, I could not stop reading it! I stayed up way too late to finish it because I needed to know what happens! This book was so different from what I was expecting, and in a good way! I loved Weiner's previous books, and this one felt a little outside
her genre and I loved it!

This book was just a bit of fluff, which is fine if that's what you're looking for. I think that's all the author ever intended it to be. To me though, it was a let down because I know she is capable of writing much better books, like last year's Mrs. Everything. I could read another author when I'm in the mood for fluff.

I've been in lockdown for two months, reading books on environmental justice and refugees and war; it was time to pick up something completely different. So, I snatched up Jennifer Weiner's newest novel Big Summer.

With some trepidation, having learned the protagonist is a plus-sized beauty with self-doubt. Could strike a little too close to home, or could make me seethe with stereotypes.

Daphne has built a career as an influencer and her latest sponsor is a fashion designer who wants to expand into plus sizes. Leela's clothing makes Daphne feel glamorous and confident.

Perfect timing, as Daphne has a wedding to attend.

Out of the blue, Daphne's high school friend Drue called with a request to be her maid of honor. Daphne was doubtful at first.

Drue was wealthy and had been a mean teen who took up, used, and dropped friends. But their adventures together were always exciting. And Drue seemed to genuinely admire Daphne's relationship with her folks, especially her dad.

Their relationship ended badly when Drue took Daphne clubbing where an arranged 'date' was to give her a night to remember. Daphne learned of the arrangement and had a melt down--recorded on a cell phone. The video became a social media sensation.

Daphne used the moment to rebrand herself into a fierce fat woman promoting self-acceptance.

Drue pleads she is a changed woman, making amends for her teenage terror years. Daphne gives her another chance.

At the wedding, Daphne learns that Drue isn't as excited as a bride should be. The over-the-top wedding costs big bucks, and Drue's dad interrupts the party with a meltdown. There's trouble in paradise.

The first section of the novel is typical women's fiction, its well-developed characters dealing with issues readers will relate to.

Then comes a sexual encounter between Daphne and a wedding guest. Warning: it's a bit of a sex manual about how to use hands, etc. The next morning he is missing.

Everything changes when Drue is discovered dead. Daphne and her mystery lover are prime suspects. The rest of the novel is the unraveling of Drue's family secrets and the identity of her killer. I didn't put the novel down. I loved the unraveling of the mystery.

Weiner nicely incorporates the current online culture of social media, living one's life online. Followers want genuineness, but how does one keep a boundary between the personal and the public?

At first I didn't relate to Daphne's relationship to Drue on a personal level. Then...I remembered...

When I was fourteen a girl from Eighth Grade took me up as a friend. She lived in the posh neighborhood in an amazing house her father designed. My dad was an auto mechanic and we lived in a modest, working class house. My friend encouraged me to lose weight and loosen up, have fun. (I was a serious kid who read the classics and played the classics etc.) Then, a year later, she pushed me away by being mean. I invited her to some parties over the years, but we were never again close. Years later she called my mother and admitted she treated me rotten.

Big Summer is branded as a 'beach read,' a term I don't quite understand since I don't do beaches. (Sunshine give me hives.) So, maybe a sit in the shade on the patio read? But in true Weiner style, it incorporates deeper themes of self-image, class, and social media issues.

I received a free ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. My review is fair and unbiased.

Very enjoyable book. Finished in one day. Great plot twist I wasn't expecting. The perfect frenemies story.

Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner is everything you want in a beach read and more.

The friendship between Drue and Daphne is complex and oftentimes, one-sided. Drue is that type of it woman who can convince people to do anything, which means she uses people all the time. She’ll extend a bit of kindness but then a flurry of offensive behavior. But because she’s pretty and rich, she can get away with it. But she goes too far one night and Daphne ends the friendship.

Until it’s time for Drue to get married. And surprise, she’s ran off most of the people in her life. She has to beg Daphne to be in her wedding but despite all the warning signs, Daphne goes right back into Drue’s orbit.

Some friendships do have a power imbalance where one takes far more than they give. But it’s hard to break free from those type of friendships when you focus on all the good times but conveniently forget all the bad ones. I thought the representation of this kind of friendship felt true and authentic.

Overall, I enjoyed Big Summer and read it one sitting. It truly takes a closer look at one’s journey to figuring out what really matters in life.

After having read other Jennifer Weiner books, and being disappointed by Mrs. Everything, I was glad to see the familiar writing style back in action! There is, of course, a love story, but that arc does not develop as much as I had thought it would - and in a good way! The plot starts out one way and takes a total twist at exactly halfway through, changing the tone of the entire book. Again, not in a bad way, just a bit unexpected. The characters were well-developed, and it was refreshing to read about a character that was a plus-size influencer. While it wasn't my favorite Jennifer Weiner book to date, I would highly recommend for someone looking for a light summer read, to be enjoyed with lots of sunshine and relaxation.

I found it a little difficult to stay engaged with the first half of the book and didn’t care much about the characters until the end of the book. It was definitely not my favorite from Jennifer Weiner.

I enjoyed this book much more than the book previous to it. It was an unexpected delight, with a twist hitting right at the halfway point. I would definitely recommend it to friends. A great summer read!

Thank you to Net Galley and Atria Books for the ebook arc in return for an honest review!

Daphne has chased after Drue Cavanaugh’s friendship ever since she met her in 6th grade. Drue could turn anything into an adventure, and made you feel special when she gave you her attention. But she also could turn in an instant and make fun of you or ruin your life. Drue and Daphne remained on and off friends until college when Drue tried to hook Daphne up with a friend without permission, and it turned into a viral video, which actually gave Daphne the courage to start an instagram account to make girls feel confident even if they weren’t a size 2. Daphne didn’t talk to Drue until years later when Drue wanted her to be in her wedding on the Cape. Daphne took the opportunity as a way to get more followers and maybe forgive her friend. But the most amazing day turned into tragedy...

I really enjoyed this book, and I can’t wait to read more by Jennifer Weiner! I really enjoyed this book, and it would be a great one to pick up this spring and summer!

I really enjoyed Jennifer Weiner's newest release, Big Summer. Such a different plot line than most books I have been reading! In true Weiner form, our main character, Daphne deals with body image, friendships, family dynamics and love relationships. This, however, is not Jennifer Weiner's typical chick lit story. This time we get all of that but with a mystery to solve. I will warn you that the prologue feels very detached from the rest of the book. In fact, I had forgotten about it until I finished reading. I had to go back and reread the prologue before I realized who the characters were. This did not detract from the overall experience, however. Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Publishing for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

“Big Summer” was everything I didn’t know I needed and the perfect way to kick off my own summer. My first draw to this novel was the cover (and author obviously). I was looking for a story that would transport me as my days in quarantine are a bit limiting. I was intrigued from the beginning as characters are introduced and then revisited much later.

I was also drawn to the story of “frienemies” Dhapne and Drue who were childhood friends and then grew apart through life and events. Going into “Big Summer” I assumed it would be another “chick lit” novel but it was so much more! I loved that it didn’t see “it” coming and I quickly become obsessed with finishing the book! Praise and thanks for Jennifer Weiner and Atria Book on “Big Summer” as I absolutely enjoyed reading my eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you Netgalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

It’s been six years since Daphne has talked to her childhood friend Drue, after getting into a big argument. Daphne is a successful plus sized social media influencer. She posts a lot of plus size fashion and fitness posts. Six years after the fight, Drue gets in touch with Daphne and asks her to be a bridesmaid in her wedding. This would be really good publicity for Daphne, so she decides to accept. Why after all this time, would she ask Daphne to be in the wedding? Is she going to get herself hurt again?

I really enjoyed reading this book, I am a fan of Jennifer Werner’s books! The beginning was a little slow for me, but if you hang on, it gets a lot better. There is two distinctive parts to the story, but I don’t want to say much without giving it all away. This book also touched on a lot of sensitive subjects. Such as female friendships, self esteem, body shamming, and social media. There was definitely some “mystery” aspect to the story, which I loved! Overall, I really enjoyed the book, it’s a quick and easy read. I would recommend it to others!

I LOVED this book! This is Weiner at her best - writing fat, quirky heroines that aren't sure where they fit in the world, but are unapologetic about living their lives.
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Daphne is an Instagram influencer and nanny. Drue is the daughter of society people. Drue is a bit (or WAS a bit) of a Mean Girl, especially in high school. Due to that fact, she has no one to be in the wedding of her dreams. So she approaches Daphne, her high school BFF. Daphne agrees to give it a shot, and goes to the Cape to be her bridesmaid...and that's when things go wrong.
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I really loved this book. Now to be fair, I'm a longtime fan of Weiner's. But I can honestly say that I think this is her best book since Good in Bed. I loved everything about it. If you're looking for a good beach read with twists and turns and a bit of romance and high school drama, do yourself a favor and pick this up. You won't regret it! Five stars.

I've loved Jennifer Weiner's writing since the Good In Bed days, and have been rapt as she's spread her wings as a writer. Big Summer was a nostalgic throwback to those early days of Weiner's books, with a satisfying murder mystery twist. Big Summer is exactly what this quarantining world needs right now!

Wow. I’ve read several of this authors books before and I was not expecting this. This book is my favorite yet from this author! I think it is best to go in blind & be prepared to binge it all in one day (if possible!). 4.5/5 stars

I received an ARC copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for my honest opinion of it. I normally love books by this author and was really excited to receive an ARC copy but I honestly could not finish it. I was so disappointed.