Really enjoyed this book! It was not my absolute favorite of hers because it was frustrating to watch the two main characters struggle to be together. But that is a testament to her writing such like-able characters; you just want to root for them!

I feel like I have been to Nantucket many times through the lens of Erin Hilderbrand. This story of power, politics, love and strength set on the tranquil and familiar island is the heartbreaking love story of Mal and Jake. I would have liked have seen the characters struggle more with their “same time next year” rendezvous and maybe Mal not be okay with it year after year and want more from the relationship. I totally enjoy all the references to places on the island that have been important locations in other Hilderbrand books.

28 Summers is much like Elin Hilderbrand's other books. It is fun-loving and very much a beach read. With that being said, it opens up the summer season so nice and appropriately.

The characters are so well developed and in such a quick way. It doesn't take long to know these characters and begin to love them, even the irritating ones. Mallory Blessing is a single woman who inherited a Nantucket cottage. She begins her adult life in that house on the island. We go through trials and tribulations and all of the fun times with her. She has a brother who lives elsewhere and a best friend who is quite the self centered twit.

As the story progresses we live each summer with her for 28 years. Each year is different and a new adventure or issue arises. This particular story interweaves some politics which usually don't set well with all people but the way she uses it as part of the story flows well. Elin brings a couple of island characters back but only for a minute as a fun little pop in, but they leave quickly and the story stands on its own and brings all new characters to the table.

This story was an easy read, happy and sad moments, and never had a slow spot. I just wanted to keep reading! Elin did it again! I loved this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for the ARC. I appreciate being a part of the review process.

I truly loved this book! Elin has managed to take the premise of "Same Time Next Year" and turn it into a novel that is unique as well as heart warming. Mallory and Jake are two people who fit together and yet complement each other's differences. The only criticism I have is that I don't truly believe that this wonderful couple had to be a "Same Time Nest Year" couple. The reasons for them adapting this arrangement didn't seem strong enough compared to their chemistry. Putting that aside, this book has takes the reader along for the ride as if they are truly friends or at least acquaintances of our couple. As the years pass, you see not only their time together but their lives apart from each other. The people that they come into contact with in their individual lives are necessary parts of the story that actually help interweave their together story. This book made me laugh, cry and at the end hope. On a side note, I loved how each chapter began with a "What are we talking about in this year" which made me truly nostalgic.

I have always loved reading Elin Hilderbrands’ books every summer, but I think this is one of her bests yet! 28 summers is based off the film “Same Time Next Year” and features a love affair with Mallroy Blessing and her brothers best friend, Jake McCloud. Elin does a wonderful job of making each chapter a new year and summer, while reminiscing of the events that were taking place during that time. This story had me laughing, crying, falling in love, and in suspense the whole time. This book is absolutely perfect to read while having your toes in the sand and a lobster roll in one hand. I was fortunate to read this during the pandemic, as it made my mind escape what was going on in the world around me. I am hoping my July trip to Nantucket does not get cancelled, so I can dance with my friends at the Chicken Box and visit the restaurants Elin describes in her book. 5 Stars for Elin Hilderbrand as always!

As good as her early novels, perhaps the best ever. A love story with likeable characters spanning over 28 summers. The perfect beach book. I really enjoyed it.

My review for this book will be published in Library Journal.
(Personally, I loved this book, it is one of my favorite of 2020 so far)

*book review* 28 Summers by Elin Hilderbrand.
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{review} Oh Elin… how I love you so much. I truly do. I unfortunately have to say this book did not do it for me at all. I have read her previous books in one day. I love the drama (talking, Real Housewife, reality show sh*t drama), the multiple character views, the love I feel toward everyone in the books. I felt none of that with this one. If it wasn’t an Elin book, I probably would have stopped mid-way. It took me forever to get through and I kept easily getting distracted while reading it. This book did not keep me hooked. Contrary to, I’m assuming, popular opinion, I was hoping for more. I felt like each chapter was dragging on like a 9th season of Grey’s Anatomy, who is going to die next, who is going to sleep with who… you knew what was going to happen in that aspect. Characters were randomly brought in that only existed in one chapter. I do have to give it some positivity though so here we go.
What I liked: the beginning of each chapter provided fun nostalgia as Hilderbrand listed the most famous/talked about items that year. Example: Summer #20: 2010. “What are we talking about in 2012? The Kardashians, Whitney Houston, Uber and Lyft, Walter White, Skyler, Jesse, and Gus, Siler Linings Playbook, kale, Sandy Hook, Instagram, Hurricane Sandy, ‘we are never, ever, ever getting back together’”, amongst more. I really looked forward to this each chapter. The ending did make me tear up even though I knew the outcome from the first chapter. I enjoyed Mallory and Jake’s characters.

**I requested and received a digital ARC copy of this book from #NetGalley in an exchange for an honest review**

“This is for you, Mal. My hardheaded woman.”

Captivating and poignant, 28 Summers provides a thought-provoking look at what happens when the heart’s desires are given free rein for three glorious days a year. No matter what. A storyline this longtime Elin Hilderbrand fan found to be an emotional powerhouse, stacking up as one of her best yet. I smiled, I cried, I swooned, I dared to hope. My adoration accompanied by one little caveat; this book decimated my heart.

Hilderbrand continues her unwavering love letter to Nantucket between these pages, transporting readers to a cottage set amongst the dunes, on a no-name road, where the Atlantic Ocean serves as the front yard. The beachfront cottage bequeathed to Mallory upon her Aunt Greta’s passing provides the perfect opportunity to escape the grime and disappointment that’s been her life in New York City.

Mallory’s first Labor Day on the island brings guests: her older brother Cooper (love him!) and his two best friends, Fray and Jake, for a bachelor weekend. A few mini-disasters and a host of selfish behavior find Jake and Mallory finishing off the weekend alone. There’s no denying their chemistry or that their newfound feelings will extend beyond the long weekend. Yet, neither Mallory or Jake is willing to make the compromises necessary to explore the possibility of a relationship. Promising instead, same time, next year, no matter what. On ode to the film Same Time, Next Year, which becomes a part of their annual tradition.

“Can’t we just pretend that we’re the only two people in the world and that this weekend is going to last forever?”

What makes Mallory and Jake’s journey, spanning 28 summers, problematic is the central question it poses—is deceit, or going against what’s right, acceptable for love’s sake? Compounding the moral ambiguity is watching Mallory and Jake make one decision after another that pushes the possibility of something more than one meaningful weekend a year further from fruition. Which means watching as their daily lives unfold with what feels like the wrong people. There’s a heart-wrenching yearning threaded throughout and a desire for the couple to say the hell with it, and really give it go. And yet, you have to wonder if the natural ebb and flow that accompanies any relationship would eventually dull Mallory and Jake’s shine.

It never ceases to surprise my husband what a complete and utter crybaby I am when it comes to movies, news stories, or heck, even commercials. Although, I’ve found it takes a lot for a book to move me to tears. An occurrence I can count on one hand. And, I’m not sure if pregnancy hormones also played a role here, but I BALLED my eyes out for the entirety of the last chapter. I’m talking couldn’t see, had to stop and blow my nose, sobbing. The farewell to these characters proves to be a shattering, although moving, conclusion.

At the end of the day, 28 Summers is about a couple finding love on their terms.

I love reading Elie Hilderbrand's books--they always are *more* than your average Women's Lit novels. This one is one of her best. She delves deep into the meaning of a true love, relationships (beyond the expected romantic relationships), and life and its many messy happenings. The Island of Nantucket becomes its own character (and one that I'd love to visit!) as we follow the life of Mallory as she makes a lifelong commitment to the one person who can't (but does) commit to her with the unlikely agreement of one weekend together every year, no matter what. What follows isn't what one imagined, but a reader's view of how two lives--forever intertwined, yet completely separate--unfolds over decades of love, loss, joy, and sorrow. I enjoyed every minute reading this and can't wait to read what Ms. Hilderbrand writes next.

Mallory Blessing is on her deathbed, and tells her song Link to call someone from her past. He does, and can't believe who it is - Jake McCloud, whose wife is running in the upcoming presidential election. Flashback to 1993 and readers are transported through 28 summers of Mallory's life, leading up to present day. We learn about her relationship with Jake and why it's so important for Link to call him while Mallory is on her deathbed. I couldn't put this one down!

Hilderbrand brings us through 28 memorable summers from 1992-2020. She begins each year with significant events of that year and then works her magic with her characters. It's amazing that this advance copy came out to read and she already had the highlights of 2020 in her story. Hilderbrand is an amazing storyteller and honestly...I wish we could have had more summers!

Elin Hilderbrand books are escapist in so many ways: gorgeous people, gorgeous houses, beautiful settings, and so much more, and the fact she writes well means her books are always in my beach bag. This is not a disappointment, but not my favorite of her books.

This book tells the story of a couple who meet one weekend a year over 28 summers. I do not want to say more as some of the twist and turns are unexpected but deftly handled.

That said, I did not like the character arc of the female main character. I feel like she learned little throughout the book, and while realistic, it was not my favorite main character. I am looking so forward to the end of her Virgin Islands trilogy this year. If you have not started on those (the Paradise trilogy) you need to get on board.

Overall, a good read as she's a good author, but not my personal favorite.

I was looking for a lighter read and was thrilled when I came across the latest Elin Hilderbrand book. I was immediately invested in the love story between Mallory and Jake and enjoyed following through their adult lives. We get swept up in the raw emotions and heartbreak that comes with loving someone above all else. As an added bonus, Hilderbrand ties in some Nantucket landmarks and characters from her other novels! Definitely a 5 star read! Pub: June 2020

Thank you to Netgalley for this advanced copy.

WOW! This is the kind of book that stays with me long after I finish reading it.
Mallory had no real direction in life after college, when her favorite aunt dies and leaves her her house on Nantucket Island. Thrilled with the news, Mallory vows to make a new life for herself. Her first summer on the island her brother, Cooper, asks if he and his two best friends can come to Nantucket and stay with her for a sort of bachelor weekend right before his wedding. The weekend with Cooper and his friends did not go according to plan, and Mallory ended up spending the entire weekend with just Jake, one of Cooper's friends.
Jake and Mallory embark on a "Same Time Next Year " romance that last for over 20 years. Each has a life separate from the other but the one weekend a year is only for each other. But what happens when Jake's wife finds out about the affair? Will Jake and Mallory continue or will they each finally go their own way?
This is a wonderful story filled with real life situations, friends, love, laughs and tears. I could not put it down until I finished.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you Netgalley for my copy. Elin does it again with this book! It’s another story of Nantucket and one that takes place over a lifetime. It focuses on the same group of people and over time you love, hate, are frustrated and celebrate with each one of them. Once again I want to book a trip to Nantucket ASAP and eat everything in sight. Another fabulous story from Hilderbrand!

I don't know how Elin Hilderbrand keeps doing it, but she does. This is an amazing novel, showcasing a true love between Mallory and Jake, and yet they are only together one weekend a year. Although they have different relationships, children, work, commitments, their love for one another grows and connects them every Labor Day. The book is full of family drama, connection, and love. I would highly recommend.

Thank you, NetGalley for an advanced copy of this novel!

There are no words to describe how much I LOVED this book. Always an Elin Hilderbrand fan, but 28 Summers might be my most favorite. Loved it from the very first page and could not put it down. She has such a way with character development that makes you feel like they are your best friends. Truly loved this one and highly recommend!

Thank you to netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

I will recommend this book to anyone who loves a summer beach read. i thought it was absolutely fabulous.. From believable, and (mostly) likable characters, to settings you can imagine yourself sliding into. I savored every word, and found myself looking at page numbers to ensure I had plenty left to read. I didn't want it to end. Five glorious stars.

Thanks to Net Galley and Little, Brown and Company for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

WOW. I absolutely loved this book! At first, I was worried that the premise would get repetitive, as the story centers around two lovers who meet up over Labor Day weekend year after year. But the way Hilderbrand writes and formats the story makes the book anything but boring. The characters are very well-developed, although I would have liked to delve more into Ursula's backstory (we really don't get to know her until there is her "ripped from the headlines" plot line at the end of the book). All in all, a great book and one of my favorites from this author!

Review posted on Goodreads on May 2, 2020.