I absolutely loved this book and feel it's one of her strongest to-date. The shifting perspectives and timelines were masterfully presented, and the pacing felt perfect. My only complaint was that it ended with Mallory's death because that destroys any chance of the story continuing in a second book!

Elin Hilderbrand's best yet - a family saga driven by romance, realistic character development, and rich descriptions of the setting (such that one wishes to be enveloped in the warmth of a Nantucket beachfront cottage). What stood out most was the skillful attention to detail - the nuances of female friendships, the relationship between mother and son, sister and brother, the moral conflict of conducting a decades-long affair.

If selecting this book based on the desire to read a beach "romance," you may find yourself disappointed. The romantic entanglements and conflicts driving the book from year to year could have been resolved in the opening pages - the main characters could have simply decided to be in a relationship!

Instead, the book excels when focusing on the complicated role of the educated woman in a male-dominated society, the fragile dynamic of female friendships, and the evolution of our protagonist from naive school teacher to powerful, independent single mother.

A special thank you to Net Galley for advance access to this title.

Let me begin by saying that I love Elin Hilderbrand’s novels. Her best to date is ‘28 Summers’.
In this time of quarantine and ‘staycation’, Elin is taking me on vacation once again to the island of Nantucket. I am introduced to Mallory, Jake and Link and follow a love story that lasts 28 years, albeit only three days each Labor Day weekend.
Her writing is atmospheric. You sense the smell of salt in the air, the feeling of the breeze in your hair, the creaks of the cottage floor boards and the sounds of the waves carrying you into sleep at night. The flashbacks of past summers begin with ‘what are we talking about that year’ which brilliantly sets the time, place and emotion of the each chapter.
This is a thought provoking novel that reaches into the depths of the readers mind and heart and the traditional and no traditional dimensions of love. Spend some time on Nantucket this summer. Let this novel take you there and it will be a summer to remember.
Thank you NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for the ARC of Elin’s latest and highly readable and recommended novel. 5 Stars!

What’s a great story! Elin Hilderbrand has done it again! The story spans over 28 years...which I love these type of stories...it gives us history of the characters. One of the subject matters of the book is marriage infidelity . A subject I tend to shy away from. This story is so much more! Friendships, family, disappointments, loss, losing love and finding love and parenting!
I felt the story was REAL....the main character Mallory..I found myself sometimes judging her ...decisions she made ...and times I felt sadness because some of her decisions she made left her alone. That’s why I said the story felt real.....life isn’t always good and happy...sadness, loneliness are sprinkled throughout our lives! Elin fans will enjoy...! And of course ...I want to travel to Nantucket!
Thank you to Netgalley and Little, Brown and company for the opportunity to read and give an honest review!

A wonderful read. A story of love that span s over 28 years. The characters lives change but always come back to each other for that one magical weekend a year.

Jake and Mallory meet through Mallory's brother Coop and begin a love affair that lasts a lifetime. Although unconventional, their Same Time Next Year affair works for their individual lifestyles and almost seems to make sense, if that is possible.

Everything about this books is beautiful! At first I didn't think I would like the idea of the book just because of the premise; it ultimately is based on an affair. However, Hilderbrand skillfully develops the plot and characters' life situations, so that the reader is understanding and can even root for their relationship.

Be sure to add this to your summer must-read list. You will not be disappointed! Thank you NetGalley for an arc of this great book. Elin Hilderbrand, thank you for continuing to provide your readers with books to look forward to!

I adore Elin Hilderbrand. I’ve read all of her books and I was so pleased with this one. Mal and Jake have known each other for years through Mal’s brother, Cooper. They’ve never met, only talked on the phone. Until one summer when the boys descend on Nantucket for Labor Day weekend. What follows is a romantic weekend for Mal and Jake that they vow to continue every summer, no matter what. And they do. Follow the growth of their lives and their relationship for 28 Summers.

This book was exceptional. I was sucked into this story right from the beginning. There are many characters but the writing is so good that it was to keep up with the story. The descriptions of the scenery made you believe that you were right there on the beach with the wind blowing thru your hair.

Loved this book!!!

First book of summer break had a fitting title ☀️ ⁣
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Full transparency: what’s going on right now is hard and I needed a break from reality. This book provided that and maybe you need something similar. ⁣
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28 SUMMERS was my first from Elin Hilderbrand, and it was a solid pick. The novel follows Jake and Mallory, who meet as young adults in 1993. After an impulsive weekend, they continue to spend only one weekend a year as lovers for the next almost 30 years, inspired by the movie SAME TIME, NEXT YEAR. ⁣
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Fortunately the novel doesn’t focus on just those weekends—we also get glimpses into the rest of Jake and Mallory’s lives. Their worlds are well-drawn and I was invested in them pretty quickly. My only (but fairly major) pet peeve were the *ridiculous* “What were we talking about that year?” that kick off each chapter. Not only are they unnecessary, but I really disliked the use of “we” given the basic and very whitewashed cultural touchstones the author includes. The “we” is not inclusive at all, and points to the author’s limited worldview. ⁣
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28 SUMMERS felt like having frozen pizza for dinner...it’s not the most substantial, but when you just need something quick and satisfying, it’s there for you. ⁣
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Thank you to Hachette and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for this review. ⁣

To keep it short and sweet, I adored this book. I love the way it made you feel, I love the way all of the characters were intricately woven together, I love the way the Elin Hilderbrand touches on subjects that are hard to talk about and does it so eloquently, and I love the way that it all falls back on one single night. 28 Summers brought out every single emotion in me and I couldn’t recommend it more.

After a weekend where they find themselves unexpectedly alone, Mallory and Jake have an instant attraction that they cannot ignore. Only problem is Jake is unavailable. After watching Same Time Next Year, they decide to give it a try. 28 Summers tells the unexpected and unconventional love story of two people who spend one weekend a year together. Another wonderful beach read set on beautiful Nantucket.

Twenty eight summers is a romance book, but more than just one that you read for entertainment. The book is one you will remember. Mal, the main character of the book starts her adult life with a surprising inheritance from her aunt, a cozy cottage on Nantucket and a nice monetary amount of money. As the book unfolds the cottage is the centerpiece of a life that is full of love, laughter, friendship, and a once a year love affair. It spans the 28 Labor Day weekends of Mallory's life long true love. The story is told around those weekends as that is what the main character and her lover live for. Erin Hilderbrand masterfully spins the life story of Mallory and this magical relationship around each of those years devoting a chapter to each year. The love of the two main characters is so deep, so poignanct so romantic that you will be reminded of your own loves and wonder about the power of lasting love and life's challenges to a deep connection to a true soul mate. Read it and be touched by the magic of love and life.

She has done it again. The queen of summer made me smile, swoon, laugh, and cry. Her characters leap off the page and their stories and relationships are weaved so skillfully. As always, I can't wait for next summer's read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

28 Summers
by Elin Hilderbrand
Little, Brown and Company
You Like Them You Are Auto-Approved
Women's Fiction
Pub Date 16 Jun 2020 | Archive Date 31 Aug 2020

I love Elin Hilderbrand books for beach reads. I do not condone affairs. My patrons always ask for her books and this one does not disappoint. Great read! 5 stars.
Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for this ARC.

I haven’t read a Elin Hilderbrand book in years. She didn’t disappoint. She keeps you engaged from page one. This will be an easy book to hand sell. Great beach read.

⛵️ ARC REVIEW: Just a heads up, I don’t condone cheating, adultery, affairs in real life but when Elin Hilderbrand writes them this beautifully and so RAW, then I’m okay with making an exception. Mallory Blessing and Jake McCloud’s 28 summer long affair is heart wrenching, frustrating and incredible. Would you be content with the perfect relationship just 1 weekend a year or a full relationship all year long? That’s the question that ravaged my brain throughout reading this. Not only was the romance devastating and perfectly imperfect, but the narration was amazing. Referring to the main characters as “our girl” and “our boy” throughout the book made me attach myself to them even more and each chapter began with the year and notable things we were all talking about at that time. It was hilarious to be reading about a heart wrenching love affair and then be reminded of “It started out with a kiss, how did it end up like this??” (2004) or “Leslie, Ron, Ann, April, Andy” (2010). This is only my 2nd Elin Hilderbrand book but I own THREE more of hers so I’m bumping them up my #tbr pile ASAP ⛵️ Thank you to @netgalley and @littlebrown for my e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review ⛵️ Pub Date: June 16, 2020 ⛵️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Loved, loved this book. The only other Hilderbrand book I read was Summer of 69 which I really liked but 28 Summers was the perfect summer read. Loved the main characters. Supporting cast was terrific as well. But that ending even though I knew it was coming just destroyed me. There’s nothing Better than a book that will give me a good cry. I hope there is a follow up with the kids in this book.o

Every summer I look forward to the release of another Elin Hilderbrand book. 28 Summers did not disappoint. Finishing her books are always bittersweet because I know I have a long wait ahead to get my next fix (thank goodness for the Winter in Paradise series to tide me over). In some ways, 28 Summers may be one of my favorites of Hilderbrand's. The structure of the novel is much different from those that cam before this which kept the story fresh and interesting. As always, the description of life on the coast and the wonderful character development keep the pages turning quickly (too quickly unfortunately--I finished this in the span of a couple days). Highly recommend 28 Summers to kick off your summer vacation this year!

In this one I didn’t care about the characters not their situations. Usually I find this author shares insight and depth of character but not this one
Thank you netgalley and the publisher for this ac

28 Summers is a welcome-home, summer hug during this crazy, stressful time. Hilderbrand creates such endearing real-life characters that their memories feel like your own. This book will leave you believing in, and cheering for, true love and forever, .28 Summers is the perfect edition to your beach bag (or couch bag as the case may be) this summer!