Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book as an ARC for an honest review. I have to start by saying I have enjoyed Jennifer Weiner's previous books, especially the last one Mrs. Everything. This book was a good read but did not draw me in in the same way. The main character Daphne was doing well in her self made career as a social media influencer and nanny. She hears from an old friend who treated her very badly in the past and humiliated her publicly. Her friend Drue shows up out of the blue and wants her to be her maid of honor at a big expensive public wedding on Cape Cod. Drue agrees, why I am not sure except she is just a nice person, and winds up in the middle of a murder when Drue winds up dead in the hotel hot tub. There are lots of twists and a happy ending for Daphne when the mystery is solved and she finds love. But it just didn't do it for me. It is worth a read but not one of my favorites by Weiner.

I’m really excited to read this! I love Jennifer Weiner as a great summer read. I am going to Florida in a few weeks and will be bringing this with on my Kindle. Can not wait to update with my thoughts after I read it!

Update 4/3/2020: I enjoyed the beginning of this book, but it lost me around the middle with the twist. It all came together in the end but not enough to save it for me.

Jennifer Weiner does a great job with a socially relevant topic. A great beach read with a bit more to it.

Big Summer did not feel like a typical Jennifer Weiner book to me. And I love Jennifer Weiner. It felt slightly like Jennifer Weiner meets Emily Giffin. Except I also love Emily Giffin. And ladies and gents, I’m sorry to say that I did not love Big Summer.
When I started reading Jennifer Weiner, she was a solid chick-lit writer. And in the age of Bridget Jones, that was amazing. And through the years, she’s held onto to that charm, but her work has become deeper. There’s been more to chew on. She’s matured right along with me.
Big Summer kind of put me back at the start, but I didn’t find Daphne as charming as Cannie (Good in Bed). Big Summer definitely follows a more modern story-line as Drue and Daphne are both social influencers. But it felt empty somehow. I didn’t quite believe Drue. She was empty. And maybe that was the point, but I felt like we would reach some epiphany of who Drue was, and that just didn’t happen for me.
Anyhow, I still adore Jennifer Weiner. This one just wasn’t my favorite. And that’s okay. It’s still probably the only Big Summer I’m getting this year.
Special thanks to Netgalley and Atria books for an advanced e-galley in exchange for my honest review. This one is out May 2, right on the heels of the nationwide shelter in place (maybe).

I could not put down this book. Daphne Berg is a strong character who believes in herself. Her inherent kindness allows her to forgive and support an old friend, Drue Cavanaugh, who has not always treated Daphne well by participating in Drue's wedding. The books highlights the use of social media and how people can hide behind the beautiful photos and posts of happiness. It reinforces that not everything is as it seems especially when Daphne must uncover Drue's secrets. Will definitely be purchasing title for my library.

This book turned out to be a delightful story of resilience, forgiveness, and the struggle to be who we are all meant to be. I loved the main character, Daphne - I thought she was so relatable. For those of us who aren't beautiful and thin, having a plus-sized character is refreshing. I liked the dynamic between Daphne and Drue, but I didn't feel like Leela was in enough of the story line, given her role in the end. But otherwise, I really liked this book and would recommend it to my friends who are looking for an interesting read this summer, but might not want something too heavy or depressing.

WOWZA! I was not expecting a fast-paced friendship gone wrong/social influencer/delving into the past type of story from Jennifer Weiner after last summer's Mrs. Everything but this is definitely a fun, fun book and I cannot wait for summer to be able to talk it here at the library and put it in the hands of readers (as if they need MY recommendation anyway! LOL)

Thankfully this book is getting an early release so you'll be able to read it in about a month. There's definitely a lot going on in this book: living in a society where size matters so much for women; whether putting filters over photos is a good thing or not and if someone has behaved badly in the past, can they change? These concepts and more are brought to the forefront in this novel. A must read for summer 2020.

Jennifer Weiner has been one of my favorite authors for as long as I can remember. Last year’s book Mrs. Everything was a heavier family saga so I was interested to see what she released this year.

When I started it I was thinking she went back to her roots with her body empowerment messages and that this would just be a smart summer read. Then bam, halfway through something major happens and my favorite book genres, contemporary fiction, and domestic thriller totally collide! This really works for me but I know some readers that felt a little misled.

I loved the messages in this one and the pacing of the storyline was great and kept me on my toes. This one is now being released a few weeks early on May 5th so you don’t have long to wait!

Thank you to Atria Books for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick.

Vintage Jennifer weiner. Weiner is at her best when she is writing about strong relatable women. Loved this story. Loved the thriller element too. Must read this summer

Jennifer Weiner is one of my all time favorite authors. I know if I pick up one of her books, I will walk away knowing characters and having new “friends”. This book is no different. Thank you to @netgalley for the ARC. I was reading the book during the COVID 19 Pandemic. I could not concentrate on much. This book was the perfect escape from the realities of the world. I enjoyed this book, the mystery, the surprise. This will be a great beach for anyone this summer.

This is the Jennifer Weiner I remember, not the Mrs. Everything Jennifer Weiner that I went wild for last year. That’s not to say this isn’t good, it’s fine, it’s just not Mrs Everything, which was one of my favorite books of 2019. If you are a JW fan, put this on your list. It comes out May 19. Free advanced copy from Simon & Schuster via Netgalley

Look for this amazing summer read on 5.5.20... that's right, the pub date was MOVED UP!

Many thanks to @NetGalley and @Atria for an advanced digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Jennifer Weiner's BIG SUMMER is the perfect escapism novel; there's love, mystery, envy, self-doubt, friendship and loss. She covers it all! What I loved about this story is how Weiner subtly brings in current issues such as how Instagram Influencers represent themselves on social media versus real life. Weiner continues the undercurrent theme of loving your self, no matter your size, as she has in previous books. Another win!

Ms. Weiner is an absolute gem. Every book I've read that has been written by her has been perfect in every way. The characters, the plot, perfect. This book was no exception.

This was a book about the intricacies of female bonds, what happens what that bond is broken, and how to reignite that bond. It truly was an anthem of friendship for females at any stage in life. Any woman that has ever had a major falling out with their best friend will relate to this book - and that is what makes Ms. Weiner a fantastic author. She breathes a certain life into characters that is so difficult to do and they are so darn relatable. It is easy to see her characters as your best friend or co-worker. Just another everyday woman. I won't forget this book for a long time, but I will be impatiently anticipating her next novel! So please don't make us wait too long! ;-)

If you love the Gram and following influencers, this is a fun read that combines owning who you are, forgiveness and even a murder mystery. Weiner has created an interesting cast of characters who are flawed, semi-famous and forced to face who they really are- or were. Great beach read.

Big Summer was exactly what I have come to expect and appreciate from Jennifer Weiner: an excellent, solid read featuring female friendships, that tackles current issues in an accessible manner, with a dash of romance.

Daphne is a body positive, social media influencer with her sights set on making it big. She is happy to have put her prep school past behind her, complete with former frenemy, Drue. When Drue suddenly calls and begs Daphne to be a part of her wedding party, she cannot resist the pull of her former friend's charisma. Steeling herself against Drue's certain back-stabbing, Daphne goes in with eyes wide open and assures her friends and family that she is better prepared now. When the wedding weekend unexpectedly turns deadly, Daphne finds herself embroiled in a quest to find out the truth behind the murder and her friend's not-so-picture-perfect life.

I went into this book blind and the mystery story line was a nice surprise and well done. While at times, I wondered if Daphne was fat shaming herself far too often for someone claiming to be body positive, I do know that fighting against societal norms is anything but simple. I appreciated the honesty and frank behind the scenes look at social media influencing. Big Summer is timely, interesting and fast-paced novel to add to your spring/summer reading list.

Wow! Completely unexpected story from my personal queen of chick lit. Weiner's newest release combines what her readers love best - strong, relatable protagonist - with Scottolinesque plot twists and turns of a whodunnit. I knew I would love Daphne and I did - I was intrigued by her world/job as an influencer, and I could completely relate to her relationship with Drue. My heart alternately ached and cheered as her story progressed and best of all though is the ending. THIS is the Weiner book I didn't know I needed. Thanks so much to #netgalley for the opportunity to preview #BigSummer by @jenniferweiner

Thank you NetGalley for my copy of this book. I love Jennifer Weiner.  Her writing is always fun and completely engaging.  This story was no exception.  It added a twist that I did not see coming but, loved.  The story has a little "more" than some of her other books and it adds to the story. In a world of Instagram and influencers, mean girls and over-the-top weddings, this book asks the question: Can people really change?  This book is coming out in May and is perfect to read on the beach or a virtual beach with some ocean sounds in the background! Thank you so much to Atria for my copy of this book,

Solid 4 to 4 1/2 stars! This will be a perfect summer read! The first half of the book is in her signature quality chic lit style. Daphne is a plus-size social media influencer/part-time nanny in NYC who is drawn back into a toxic friendship when an old high school friend asks her to be in her wedding on the Outer Cape. The book explores deep some complicated topics - body shaming and body positivity, social media appearance vs reality, unhealthy friendships and relationships. I think Jennifer Weiner covers all of them well - especially the mental health impact of social media where there are some excellent passages about how what you see on Instagram is never the whole picture or the only picture. After spending much of her life obsessed with dieting, Daphne has come to a good place and loves her body the way she is now...however, I do think she still has it on her mind constantly. The book maybe spends a little too much time talking about it. We get it - and we love her. The story moves quickly and it is just so good - and then about half way through, something happens that changes the direction of the book - and makes it even more exciting and unputdownable. I loved the ending and all the life lessons on how to be brave and ultimately happy. My favorite character in the book is Daphne’s father. The lunch he made for her on the first day of 6th grade in her new school and their Sunday suppers together - awwww!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for my ARC! This book will be out May 19, 2020! It is fantastic.

Jennifer Weiner's latest will not disappoint. . Big Summer combines current elements of many women's lives - IG influencer, weight struggles, weddings and a beach town. These elements put together into a wonderful mystery. I could not put this book down!