Another great Elin Hilderbrand story! Following the story of Jake and Mallory through their very separate, yet still connected lives, 28 Summers spans their lives together and apart. As part of a “this time next year” pact, the two lovers spend only one long weekend together each year.

I was very pleasantly surprised that the story focused on not just their annual weekend together, but the ebb and flow of their everyday lives. Seeing what was happening in both of their lives, and still managing to keep their promises of one weekend made for a different kind of love story!

Hilderbrand continues to draw in readers with relatable characters. The author provides an interesting and relatable read.

Once again Elin Hildebrant takes us to Nantucket to tell a heartbreaking love story .
A quintessential beach read! Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I love ALL Elin Hilderbrand's books. Each year I find out her release dates and pre-order and then count down the days. The genius of her writing - for me, anyway - is that I'm so hooked by the worlds and the characters she creates that it often doesn't matter if I agree with those characters' choices. A lot of times I don't, but I still keep reading. Bc who cares? It's rich people's problems, and still so far removed from the nitty gritty of my life that it's still fantasy for me. Pure escapism!

The topic of this year's summer book is even MORE escapism. I was interested to see how she'd make two characters who systematically and long-term cheat on their marriages once a year still be appealing. I also found it interesting that it was the guy who was cheating, and not the woman in the relationship. If the situation had been reversed, would it have been more difficult to keep us rooting for these characters, given the double standards in our society toward women? Hmmm.

Hilderbrand does her usual magic and both Jake and Mallory are appealing...mostly. Jake does come across as a spineless weakling a lot of time and I never quite figured Mallory out. She wants her romance - a guy to swoon over, and to be swooned over - but she also likes her freedom. The one time she comes close to finding husband material (read: Unattached and perfect for her) she can't make a commitment. (It helped that she had financial stability and was privileged enough to not NEED another income, btw. If she'd been a typical single mom, her priorities would've been rearranged IRL.)

I was a bit disappointed that the author took the easy way out at the end to finish out this drama. And I came away scratching my head over the take-away. Generally, as in all character-driven plots, the characters learn something from the plot. I did not see that happen here. It just...ends. I'm curious if anyone who read this could find an over arching theme to this story? Not that there has to be one - I'm all for pure entertainment - but Hilderbrand generally has one. Be true to yourself, let go of the past, etc. Regardless, I had a great time reading this and will add it to my personal library to re-read every now and again.

Mallory and Jake.....wow! The literary gods were smiling on me as I neared the last few pages of this books with tears streaming down my face and my kindle flashing "extremely low battery". I finished with 2% left - Ha!

This book gave me the same feels as devouring Danielle Steele paperbacks every summer as a teenager. I can't believe that this is my FIRST Elin Hildebrand novel - Where have I been and how can I get more....FAST!?!

The reader is tethered to a long term romance and sees it unfold through nostalgic eyes as each chapter begins with what the world was focused on each year of the relationship. My brain was in the story but also in my life each of those years; remembering the woman I was and how the years and the experiences change a person. I don't think a book has ever taken me to this unique place and I want more!

A fabulous summer read!

#NetGalley #28Summers

I absolutely adore Elin Hilderbrand's novels. They are smart and the thread in her novels is always woven tightly and captivating. .

I felt however, that in this story, she was reaching a little too much with the particular relationship between this couple. I cannot imagine anyone waiting around for the gentleman in question. It was too fanciful and over the top for me.

This is the best Elin Hilderbrand book I've read so far. The premise was unique, and I loved the recaps at the beginning. Most of all, all the characters were amazing, and the character development was done so well. It's been a long time since a book made me emotional, but the last few pages were truly heartbreaking (not a spoiler, you find out what is going on in the prologue). This book was memorable and will definitely be one I will recommend to others.

Oh my goodness, what a read! EH has done it again...she's created another book that I didn't want to part with, characters I cried with, and descriptions of places I spent the book wanting to visit! Her books are so real I almost can't walk away completely!!

u read one book this summer, this is the book to read, Hilderbrand’s best so far. I loved the intro to each chapter, a summary of people, events and things popular in each year of the 28. Mallory and Jake commit to a “Same Time Next Year” relationship, despite Jake’s marriage and Mallory’s everyday life. Mallory inherits a house on Nantucket, where she makes her life as a teacher. Her story will move you, and despite this one large lie, Mallory is a devoted friend, sister and eventually mother. I loved everything about this book, including the politics of running for office. Highly recommend, and thank Netgalley for the ARC.

This was a perfect start to summer. One of my favorite elements was the historical pop cultural references to lead off each "summer". I remember all of the events listed and it was such a great way to put the reader into the time period. Mallory was my most loved character and I wanted so much for her. This story of an unfulfilled love is hard to imagine and made me sad as the story went on. The story moved quickly through the lives of the characters and how they adapt to the stages of adulthood. This was a great summer read for me and I would think about the characters when I wasn't reading it. Thanks to NetGalley for the copy.

This book that spans from 1993 to 202o is lighthearted, while poignant and raw at the same time. 28 Summers follows the story of Mallory Blessing and Jack McCloud's once a year, Labor Day weekend love affair. I found myself rooting for these characters and swept away in their story. It is nostalgic, recounting what was being talked about in the world at that time, as the book moves on from one year to the next. While the story begins with a glimpse into the tragic ending, I still found myself wrecked at the conclusion. A must read this summer! Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy!

Another fantastic summer read by Elin Hilderbrand. Follow her characters over 28 summers of love and lust along with heartbreaking life moments. I loved the addition of "what we were talking about" at the start of every chapter, a great reminder of the frame of mind we were in during these years past.

Can first love weather the years . That first summer when life has finally opened up for you in ways you only dared to dream. Mallory has her dream space courtesy of her aunt who has left her a cottage by the beach. It was a place of refuge in her adolescence and young adult life. The inheritance comes just as she realizes city life is not for her. Having settled into beach life, a bachelor weekend for her brother Cooper and his groomsmen on Labor Day weekend starts a tradition that sets the course of her life. Jake , a fraternity brother from college introduces Mallory to love on a scale set to cinema by Neil Simon, Same Time Next Year. The two through no fault of their own find themselves alone for the weekend and each other. The inevitable happens with each promising to return again each year no matter what. Mallory and Jake watch Cooper marry four or five times. Mallory has a son with one of their crowd,the result of a disastrous hook up. And Jake succumbs to Ursula’s tireless attention. Each life is set ,disturbed only by the summer click that chimes toward their constant reunion. The love story here is to endurance, year after year waiting for that last weekend of summer and its routine set in amber.

Sometimes we all need to read a book like 28 Summers. It might restore the phrase of "falling instantly in love" for some. Erin Hiilderbrand hit it out the park with 28 Summers. It was a fast paced, easy to read,romantic and exciting book. 28 Summers transported me to another place and helped me forget all the things that were going on around me. I was so in awe of Mallory and Jake. Their love was honest, raw and so believable but unfortunately, totally forbidden. For 28 years, Mallory and Jake saw each other on just one particular weekend, Labor Day weekend. Their special arrangement was based on the movie, Same Time Next Year. Both Mallory and Jake abided by those rules no matter how difficult they were. They found a way to make their love work in a very unconventional way. Since Jake was married to his childhood sweetheart, Ursula, and had had a child with her, Mallory and Jake had no choice. Jake's wife, Ursala had no endearing characteristics. She was manipulative, driven, ambitious and self-centered where Mallory was wholesome, kind, fun and genuine. Mallory was well liked and had many friends where Ursula lived, and ate her career. Ursula had no real friends and even her relationship with her daughter and husband suffered because of her political aspirations. Whereas, Mallory had a beautiful and meaningful relationship with her son.

28 Summers played with all my emotions. I cried like a baby at the end but I smiled and even laughed at other parts of the book. I was hoping Mallory and Jake would find a way to finally get together and be a couple but that was not in the cards for them. It was very clever how Elin Hilderbrand incorporated events, accomplishments, famous people and even disasters at the beginning of each subsequent year of Mallory's and Jake's love affair. I really liked and enjoyed reading this book. It was very hard to put down. I highly recommend it.

I received a complimentary copy of 28 Summers from Little Brown and Co. through Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
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Thank you to @littlebrown via @netgalley for a copy of this book. And yes, I still bought a hard copy for myself which is exactly what you are gonna do...trust me. Did I cry when reading this book? Yes. Did this book make my heart grow and feel all warm and fuzzy? Yes. Did I fall immediately into the story and characters’ lives? Yes. Oh how this book is that perfect summer read where you cannot stop reading until you finish it. I read an Elin Hilderbrand book each summer and I just loved this one...it is now one of my favorites of hers...maybe just my favorite. While reading I would come to a part and think...well just be together already! But alas, the older you get and understand that is not always a true option and the complexities of a relationship are truly individual so you would know in your heart the way it would go. I love the parenting styles presented, friendships, and how the love relationships worked for each character differently. Everyone had a different situation and needs/wants and had to navigate around their issues. And as always...”place” stands out the most in Hilderbrand’s books. I felt right there eating that grilled burger while hearing the ocean in the most perfect cottage in Nantucket. I would go on...but I think you need to discover these characters and their stories on your own. Read this one. Like now...go get it and read it! ⛵️💕📚🥠 Posted on Instagram @carolinehoppereads and goodreads.

It always feels like summer when I read an Elin Hilderbrand novel. In fact its like a rite of passage. I sure wish I was reading it on the beach this year but the backyard with my feet in the kids pool will have to do. I love the romance and of course drama that was in our latest Elin installment.

Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for this ARC copy. This by far was one of Hilderbrands best books. The unique love story had me captivated from the first page. I look forward to all her new releases, and this did not disappoint. What a great summer read !

Who doesn't love Elin Hilderbrand? One of my favorite "summer" authors, This book was one of my favorites that she's written, although the reader does need to settle in with a timeline that spans MANY years. It will all make sense when you read it. Fans of Nicholas Sparks will likely also love this story with an unrequited love theme.

Excellent Beach Read! Elin Hilderbrand is a favorite author who has written many beach reads with Nantucket as a wonderful setting. 28 Summers is based on a secret annual romance shared by a couple, who are not married to each other, the same weekend each year. The 1978 movie, “Same Time Next Year”, sets a precedent premise on which this book relies. Elin Hilderbrand’s books are all amazing, but this is her best one yet!

Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

My favorite Hilderbrand book so far! This novel tells a unique romance story, one where a couple reconnects just once a year on Labor Day to spend the weekend together. Meanwhile, their lives progress and leave the reader with a whole span of emotions - I laughed, I cried, and I definitely could not put it down!