Jennifer Weiner does it again in Big Summer, the captivating novel of friends and the things they do to each other. Daphne Berg and Drue Cavanaugh were best friends until a viral video broke them apart. Six years later Drue waltzes back into Daphne's life with a huge request...will she be a bridesmaid in her wedding, even after all that has gone between them? Daphne is shocked, but Drue convinces her to do it and she does...mostly for the boost it will give her "brand" on Instagram where she has become an "influencer", mostly due to that fateful viral video.

When Drue winds up dead on her wedding day, Daphne looks like a prime suspect...but is she capable of doing something so heinous? Who really did this to Drue? It's up to Daphne to find out!

Jennifer Weiner hits it out of the park with this one, and as usual I had a hard time not reading it straight through to the end. Thank you to the author, Atria Books and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

Jennifer Weiner's Big Summer seemed a bit of a departure from her past books. But still every bit as good as we have all grown to expect from this brilliant author. Not being one who "gets" the whole world of on-line influencers, this was a bit of an education for me. One I thoroughly enjoyed.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I have read every book Jennifer Werner has written and her last one, Mrs. Everything is one of my favorite of her novels.
Now comes Big Summer. This is definitely a book for the 21st. Century, as the main character Daphne lives her life on line as an “influencer”. She has thousands of followers and she gets paid by advertisers for the “ clicks” she generates. Daphne has a serious body image issue, she is overweight and struggled with that all her life. Her high school best friend Drue played a dirty trick on her relating to her weight and that ended their friendship. Now years later, Drue asks Daphne to be in her wedding. Can Daphne forgive her or does she just agree out of curiosity to be in Drue’s wedding? What starts out as a wedding celebration turns into a murder mystery. Maybe because I don’t like murder mysteries, I just didn’t like this book. I found it boring and only finished it so I can write an honest review. I found the investigation of the murder far fetched, unrealistic and just not plausible. The point of the book is that everyone needs to be loved and that’s true for all of us. I am generous giving this novel three stars.
Thanks NetGalley, Atria books and Jennifer Werner for the advanced copy.

I can't stop thinking of this book. I was shocked at the end of part 2 and couldn't read the rest of the book fast enough. Amazing character development and a compelling storyline. I am so looking forward to handing this book to patrons.

Fans of Jennifer Weiner will not be disappointed with her latest effort, “Big Summer.”

You read a Jennifer Weiner book with certain expectations. The main character is usually a plucky girl with a sense of humor, though perhaps a less than desirable figure. But even if she does not meet society’s expectations of beautiful (which, thank goodness, is changing) she still comes out as the winner.

Daphne Berg is no different. She’s a plus-sized girl and a social media influencer whose online presence took off after a video of her calling someone out on his fat prejudices went viral. Her former best friend, Drue Cavanaugh, is everything Daphne is not—slim, wealthy and very spoiled. The two met in sixth grade and became close, though Drue would often look to Daphne when she needed something, which was one of the reasons why the friendship ended.

Drue is now engaged to a former contestant on a “Bachelor” like show and reaches out to Daphne to be her bridesmaid for their lavish Cape-cod wedding. Drue asks Daphne for forgiveness, but is she reverting to past behavior by simply needing Daphne just as she had in their teens?

This novel might not have worked if it weren’t for Weiner’s strong writing. She handles the multiple (and unexpected) twists to the plot without losing her reader. Daphne is self-depreciating in a way where the reader can easily identify with her, but at the same time, want to knock her on the head for being so hard on herself. Weiner also uses the setting to her advantage. Though there was a lot going on in this book, it was an easy, enjoyable read.

While the novel does have a mystery component, the true focus of this book is on friendship, self-love, and finding oneself in a world where every breath and step one takes is immediately shared online.

I received a copy of this book through Netgalley. My thanks also to the publisher, Atria, and the author, Jennifer Weiner.

Thank you #NetGalley for the advance reader copy! I have enjoyed everything Jennifer Weiner has published, and this is no exception! Although I felt it was a departure from her typical story, it had some familiar elements - "big girl" feels bullied but tries to maintain a positive body image, elaborate descriptions of peoples appearances, etc.. I was surprised by the plot twist in the middle of the book though! I was not expecting a mystery to unfold. Weiner depicts a friendship between Drue, the popular rich girl, and Daphne, the heavier self-conscious sidekick. Inevitably, Daphne gets hurt, but she never really walks away from the friendship for good, always trying to prove herself. When these frienemies reconnect, Daphne lets Drue back into her life, but this time is suspicious. Unfortunately, not suspicious enough to see what's coming. Such a fun read! I highly recommend Big Summer to anyone who has felt second-best because life isn't always what people show you online or in person. The Cape Cod setting makes this the perfect beach or poolside read! Can't wait to see what Jennifer Weiner comes up with next!

Jennifer Weiner is one of my favorite authors for her amazing way to weave women's issues into fun, heartfelt literature, and the novel is no different.

Coming off the stunning Mrs. Everything, this book is a little less ambitious, but still a great read. The book features the tale of plus size influencer Daphne who is reunited with her queen of the mean girls best friend Drue as an adult and when Drue asks Daphne to be wedding participant in a lavish Cape Cod affair.

The book is a mystery, but more than that it is the examination of friendships between women and girls and how those relationships, plus familial relationships, inform our choices throughout our life.

Both characters are enthralling, but I loved Daphne's story of building body acceptance through "Insta-fame."
The book has several plot points that are up to the minute such as social media, reality television, and today's instant fame. Former and new readers of Weiner will love this book.

I was really taken with the descriptions of New York as well. In the same way Weiner brought Philly to life previously, New York became it's own character in this novel.

Don't miss this novel, and run to read Mrs. Everything too!

The first half of this novel is written in the style I’ve come to know and love from Ms. Weiner. Daphne Berg was a scholarship student at a private school. She was friends with the nerdy misfits, but she was honored to bask in glow of Drue Lathrop Cavanaugh, the wealthy, beautiful girl, who sometimes made Daphne feel like the queen of the world and sometimes made her feel insecure because of her bigger size in a world of skinny, cosmetic-surgery-enhanced rich people.

Daphne has done her best to stop body shaming herself and become a social media influencer—a starter one, but with potential for growth. When Drue reenters her life after six years begging her to be her maid-of-honor (Daphne wasn’t the only friend she lost because of her penchant for cruelty), Daphne reluctantly agrees.

The second half becomes a mystery. I enjoyed it, it’s just not Weiner’s usual style. Which is fine—she’s such a talented writer I’ll follow her anywhere; it was just unexpected.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this novel, which will be RELEASED MAY 19, 2020.

Another great book by Jennifer Weiner! Beyond the expected themes of fat shaming, slut shaming, and mean girl and internet bullying, is a wonderful story of redemption, forgiveness and empathy. The characters are rich, flawed, believable! The story has some fun, unexpected twists and turns and a satisfying ending!

I will say that this was a good but slightly depressing book for the first 2/3 of the book (fat-shaming, bullying, stuff that when I went to school 45 years ago we didn't have to put up with on this level.) with a lot of terrible behavior on the females part. Surprisingly it turns into a very good mystery for about the last 1/3 that I didn't see coming.

This book also gives those who aren't familiar with all types of social media (like me) a look into what they are missing -in my opinion, we aren't missing all that much! There is some deep talk about how the constant use of phones, apps, Instagram, and whatnot are making us less able for us to behave one-on-one with an actual person! I know, I know -it's a new world!

I did enjoy this book enough to add this to my comfort read shelf and that means it will be a go-to read when I need something I know I'm going to like.

*ARC supplied by the publisher.

This is an excellent story that feels incredibly relevant to today's social media "influencer" world. I was reading along, very engaged and entertained in the storyline, and then BAM - I did not see the twist coming. From that point on I couldn't stop reading until I found out what happened. While the ending seemed a little bit contrived, I'm not going to quibble, because it thoroughly explained everything that happened and was quite satisfying!

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3214977430?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

I have read and loved everything Jennifer has written

Daphne has weight challenges we can relate to.
Life in holding pattern, hiding body - "only until I lose 10 more pounds.."
She is not looking in mirror.

Hurt people hurt people.

Mean Girl grows up has no one to call when needs a friend

#mybodyisnotanapology is something I want to follow!

I enjoyed this book, read in 1 sitting,
looking forward to her next book

I absolutely loved this book. I have been a fan of Jenifer Weiner since her first book many years ago. I know I can count on her to write a story that captures my attention and makes me sad to close the book when I have reached the end. This story follows Daphne, a plus-sized influencer who is realizing her own worth in a world filled with people who judge her based on her size. The book opens with an explanation of the incident that caused the end of her friendship with her best friend, Drue. From there, we see what happens when said fiend reaches out and asks Daphne to be in her wedding. As Daphne grapples with this decision....an unexpected tragedy occurs and the book really takes off from there. I didn't expect the turn of events but I loved it!! It reminds me of Goodnight, Nobody. 100% would recommend!!

Thank you NetGalley! I've read all of Jennifer Wiener's books. This one DID NOT disappoint! The character Daphne can be all of us! Reading Daphne's journey on her self image and watching her grow through lessons learned in life is all of us! In this book, Daphne has a "best friend" Drue who she thinks has it all. Drue is the it girl, but Daphne learns that all of that isn't what it seems. In the book you see Daphne search for answers for herself and her best friend. A must read!

I was expecting a light romcom. After the prologue, I realized that wasn’t what I was going to read. Then, I started Part 1 and thought I’d gotten my books confused... this WAS a light romcom. I even went back twice to read the prologue. I couldn’t tie the two together. THEN, Part 2 started - now it was a mystery! I have to say this book kept me guessing the whole time. I never saw the end coming. It was a really good book. I can say it is a strong 4 star book for me.

I was SO excited when I saw Jennifer Weiner's name come across my search, she has been one of my favorite authors since "Good in Bed". The storyline was so different from her previous novels and I loved it. The first half of the book follows Daphne as she builds her social media brand after a huge fallout with her best friend from high school. When her former bestie, Drue, walks back into her life 6 years later... I did not expect the next turn of events. This book will have you guessing until the very end, it will be a hit this summer!

I was so excited to receive an email from Atria Books inviting me to read Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner! I've been a fan of Weiner's since In Her Shoes. Last year's Mrs. Everything was one of my favorite books of 2019. Big Summer didn't disappoint! I devoured this book in three days.

Daphne Berg is an Instagram influencer in her mid-twenties. She's plus size and proud of it...most of the time. Weiner does an excellent job of exploring what it's like to be bigger than most in a world obsessed with image. Daphne started on her Insta journey thanks to her BFF from high school, Drue Cavanaugh. Drue is the golden girl with everything and often treats even her friends like crap. When she turns on Daphne their friendship is over. Until several years later when Drue returns asking Daphne to be her maid of honor.

This book was hard to pin down to a genre and I loved that! It starts with a prologue that will have you double checking the book description. Then is goes into the story you're expecting until it takes a twist that surprised me! I can usually see a plot twist coming from a mile away, but this one was not obvious. It then changes from a chick lit type tale to something more sinister.

I don't want to give away anymore of the plot. I think this will be a big hit (pun intended) this summer! I do enjoy how the turn of events made Daphne realize that it's not the worst thing in the world to have your biggest problem be what the number on the scale is. As a large girl myself I know how easy it is to get wrapped up the pity party of being large. But if the reader pays attention Daphne may not be slim, but she's obviously fit - walking all over NYC and taking 90 minute yoga classes. You can workout, eat right, and still remain considerably overweight. I'm sure there will be readers who disagree with me about this and that's fine. I love Weiner's real portrayal of women and this book continues that legacy.

Thank you again to Netgalley/Atria Books for this ARC!

Jennifer Weiners latest novel about a plus size influencer is a modern story, dealing with real life struggles with weight and body acceptance. Meet Daphne. Plus size Instagram Influencer, relatable, good friend and daughter. Meet Drue. Former best friend of Daphne, aspiring Influencer, beautiful, educated and wealthy. This murder mystery meets love story has the twists and turns of a thriller, yet has the happily ever after Jennifer Weiner is known for. 4 stars.

Jennifer Weiner has perfected the art of chick lit. Romancey fluff, girlfriend dramas, family issues...she’s done it all. This newest one, though, stretches her reach even farther.

Daphne and Drue are as different as can be. Drue is a trust fund baby, beautiful and thin and perfect in every way. Daphne comes from a working class family and has always struggled with accepting her body the way it is. Once friends, now not so much due to Drue's mean-girl tendencies. It’s been years since they’ve been in contact when out of the blue, Drue asks Daphne to be her maid of honor. Daphne is torn. She remembers how Drue treated her but at the same time is unable to resist a Drue's charm. She gets much more than she bargained for, however...

Full of drama, generous with humor, and reading true to life, another great read from this author!

I just loved this story. I loved the social media aspect and how it affects people. The characters were fantastic. My new favorite!