The fat main character drew me to this novel. The story kept me reading. I loved the setting. The story really captured my attention and I couldn't put it down. Jennifer Weiner comes put big again!

Though it took me two tries to get into this book and finish it, I am glad I did! I am usually a fan of everything Jennifer Weiner writes, so when it kind of started off slow--focused on the return of the high school mean girl, Drue, trying to make amends with her overweight former best friend, Daphne--I was a little disappointed. About halfway through the book the story really picks up and leaves Daphne to pick up the pieces of a mysterious situation, a journey in which she finds answers about her friendships, family, and herself.

I have read many Jennifer Weiner novels and this was my favorite. Daphne was a fantastic character. I loved the complicated relationship she had with Drue, her best frenemy. It’s best to go into this one blind. Just pick it up and start reading….you won’t regret it! This is a perfect, hilarious beach read.

2.5 stars, rounded down.

I wanted to like this book but it just rubbed me the wrong way. Something about all the characters felt wrong - like Weiner knew writing diverse characters was the thing to do but she didn’t actually know more than stereotypes about those diverse people. The sudden genre shifting also confused me. I’d been prepared for a contemporary fiction story about frenemies and then suddenly it was amateur detective hour. It really just didn’t fit as a cohesive story line.

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

I love Jennifer Weiner books, but this one just didn’t do it for me. It took me longer than usual to get through this book as well. I felt like the frenemy situation between Daphne and Drue wasn’t unique to me. Female relationships throughout history have long suffered trials and tribulations with one another and this story was simply another one to add to that collection.

I enjoyed Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner. It's a great beach read, but also a whodunit? My kind of book. I like Jennifer Weiner's writing style and felt like the story moved along well.

My only complaint is that the answer to the whodunit was totally out of left field. I wish she had developed the story a little more to include more clues as to who it could have been, thus giving the reader the chance to solve the mystery ourself.

Jennifer Weiner is one of those authors I wish would write faster! I usually save her books until the next one is out so my wait isn't so long. This is the perfect summer read and the perfect "girls" book about friendships, history, identity, and what truly matters most. I hate I waited so long to read it, but it's always better later than never! Weiner is a treasure!

A plus size influencer is invited to an old friend's huge society wedding and the drama begins. Weiner as always is so good at capturing the complexities of female friendships and her books are so fun to read. This novel turned into a mystery in the second half of the book and I found that disappointing. Instead of this rich tapestry of relationships it began shifting into a "whodunnit". They mystery part just wasn't what I was looking for and was not as satisfying to read. But still 4 stars for being a well written Weiner book.

When her old high-school friend reaches out to ask Daphne to be part of her very posh and very Instagram-able wedding, she’s a bit caught off guard. They haven’t spoken in years, and the friendship’s end was loud…and ugly. Nonetheless, Daphne decides to try and move past it and be the best bridesmaid she can be---at least until everything falls apart. Without giving too much away, I think this was Weiner’s first stab at writing a book with a bit of mystery/suspense storyline and I very much enjoyed it. Lots of fashion, feminism, and fun. Great beach read!

Special Note: Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The perfect summer read in my opinion. Engaging but not gripping. Light without being too frothy. I read it in a couple of days and forgot it almost instantly. Which is a good thing! I'm not sure about the pivot to a murder mystery mid-book, but I didn't mind it as much as some other reviewers seemed to. I always look forward to reading a Jennifer Weiner title.

I always enjoy Jennifer Weiner books and this one was no different. She always writes such good relationships between the women characters and I liked this book.

An enjoyable read about friendship, trust in yourself, the love or lack thereof of parental love, and knowing who you can count on. Daphne and Drue were once friends in high school, or were they. When Drue comes back into Daphne’s life and asks her to be a bridesmaid in her wedding, Daphne can’t resist the urge to reconnect. When Drue is found dead on her wedding day secrets are revealed, backstories told and relationship are explored.

Daphne Berg is a plus size Instagram model and part-time nanny. She loves her family and roommate who keep her sane and grounded. Daphne often struggles with her self-image but is trying to combat her self-esteem by being a public figure and showing the world she is proud of how she looks. She is surprised when her ex best-friend, Drue, reaches out and asks her to be in her wedding as bridesmaid. Daphne and Drue went their separate ways many years ago after Drue said and did some nasty things about Daphne’s weight. Drue’s fiancé is a famous reality TV star and Daphne doesn’t want to miss out on the exposure, so she says yes not realizing what she has really signed up for.

UGH THE CHARACTERS. I just could not. I hated them all but sometimes liked Daphne. The key word there being sometimes. Nick was cringey, Drue’s boyfriend was cringey and Drue was the most cringey. She was evil through and through, let’s just be honest. There was no way she was NOT shallow when it came to picking in her love life. The fact that she was marrying Stu even proves that. So I am not buying her relationship she had going on the side. It was easy reading and I liked the promotion of body positivity. The mystery was a welcome surprise but overall….MEH.

What a fun read! I have not read anything by Jennifer Weiner prior and I will have to pick up a few more of her books! I could relate to this book on many levels. Being a bigger girl my entire life I felt a lot of the same emotions as the main character.

Daphne has always been battling with her weight. Her hardest times were in school. When she meets Drue and her group of friends, She is excited to be a part of their clique. Drue was always the one who had everything and including all the boys! Daphne is hurt one day by Drue and they part ways. Years later, Drue randomly appears back in Daphne’s life and wants forgiveness and for her to be her bridesmaid in the wedding of the year. Being an Instagram Influencer, Daphne agrees reluctantly to be her bridesmaid, thinking it will help her online status. Daphne has no idea what she is in for, and What happens next will keep you reading into the night! I really enjoyed this book. I was pleasantly surprised that it had some mystery woven into it as well. Definitely a great beach read!

Jennifer Weiner has the ability to weave a story that draws your in and captures your heart. I loved this redeeming story of a broken friendship and would recommend it for all Weiner fans. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of the book in exchange for my opinions.

This book was wholly unexpected. It appears to begin one way, delves into something else and then morphs into a whodunnit! I was not expecting this at all but in the end I thoroughly enjoyed all it had to offer.

This might be touted as a beach read but I always find people equate that with a light, fluffy book. The commentary on body positivity and self esteem in women in this book is real, relatable and touching. Loved the reminder that you really don’t know what is going on in people’s lives behind closed doors and off social media. Plus, I was certain that I knew whodunnit and I was pleasantly surprised when I was proven wrong.

Throughly enjoyed this multi-genre book and am looking forward to reading Weiner's latest summer release, That Summer.

This was definitely a good surprise! A great summertime read mixed in with some mystery! I’ll take it!

Daphne and Drue were the best of friends. Well, up until six years ago, that is. Until the traumatic fight that left Daphne mortified, but strangely empowered by the very public fallout. Since then she's become a confident, Instagram influencer and style icon and a plus-sized blogger. So imagine her surprise when Drue, the glamorous, gorgeous, rich, perfect girl, crawls back into her life and asks, no BEGS, her to be the maid of honor at her upcoming wedding. Daphne is a HARD PASS initially, but when Drue persists and seems so remorseful and sincere, Daphne relents and agrees. On the bright side, the wedding will be the most extravagant and gorgeous event Daphne’s ever been a part of - she’ll be able to get weeks of Instagram material from the million-dollar affair.
Then, BOOM, the story blooms into a mystery!!!! I won't give away any more of the plot line, but trust me, once the event happens, the story is even more interesting. I loved the book! I couldn't put it down!! Women's fiction, chic-lit, mystery/thriller, body acceptance, friendship, romance, etc. etc. etc.....this book had a bit of everything!
Thanks to Jennifer Weiner, Atria Books and NetGalley for the ARC.

sigh. This one just didn’t do it for me. I didn’t really like any of the characters except for Daphne’s parents and there were some inconsistencies with dates and ages and technology that just got stuck in my head. The “fat friend wronged by skinny friend” is also a trope that bugs me in general regardless of the attempt at a triumphant message. I love Weiner’s previous works and I know many others have loved this one, but it was a miss for me.

I enjoyed the writing, but for most of the first half I was underwhelmed. Very much "this is pleasant but not sure why it was SO buzzed about". Around 50% that... changes. Would recommend getting to that cutoff before DNFing if you're on the fence. Ended up enjoying it quite a bit, though I didn't *love* the ending.