4 1/2 stars!

I wasn't sure what to expect when I read the blurb and realized the main character, Vivi would die at the beginning of the book. How could this story possibly leave the reader feeling anything other than depressed and sad? Well, let me tell you that Ms. Hilderbrand worked her magic and wrote a wonderful story about family, friendship, love, life, mistakes and forgiveness. It was truly special.

The character development was fantastic. I felt as if I knew each person individually. It was easy to either find yourself liking a character or completely disliking them. In addition, this felt like one of the more original storylines I've read in a while. There were a lot of lessons tucked into it. First and foremost, I feel like it is telling you to not take your life and time for granted. The plot was well detailed. Of course, just like with any good book, I didn't want to see it end. Just like Vivi, I wanted a little more time with her family.

Thank you to NetGalley for this Review Copy. I voluntarily chose to review it and the opinions contained within are my own.

4.5 stars. Definitely one of Elin’s best ones! I loved the premise and the characters were great. I really enjoyed reading about all the children, and learning about Vivi's backstory throughout. I also liked the references to previous books, with some of the stories, and the character of the Chief. The "mystery" was a bit obvious but I don't really think the point was to keep it a secret to the end, so that didn't really bother me that much. Overall, this was good. I liked it a lot and am excited to read Elin's next one!

Review to be posted on blog: https://books-are-a-girls-best-friend.com/

What If, You Could Look Down on Your Family From the Great Beyond and Impact Their Decisions?

Vivian (Vivi) Howe is a successful Nantucket novelist who is extremely close to her family when a hit-and-run accident strikes her down, killing her instantly. Her family is, of course, crestfallen. Little do they know that Vivi has been granted the ability to view her family from the Beyond and to guide them (using 3 nudges) in case they take the wrong path.

Willa is the eldest, happily married, pregnant (again), and desperately hoping this time it sticks. Without her mother, Willa is left trying to pick up the pieces.

Carson is the middle child, a bartender at an upscale bar on Nantucket, who was going down the wrong path before losing her mother and is now self-destructing on booze, drugs, and a secret affair.

Leo, the youngest, is angry and lost. Not knowing where to turn, he is taking out his pain on those who don’t deserve it.

A bit of a different story for Elin Hilderbrand, as this one has a paranormal element to it, it was still filled with love, family, friendship, and lots of life lessons. While I had a bit of a hard time connecting since I don’t believe the premise is possible, I found the “What If” idea of it quite compelling.
3.5 Stars

Thank you to my local library for loaning me a copy of the audiobook.

Published on Goodreads, Twitter, and Instagram.

Elin Hilderbrand never disappoints. I loved Vivi and her attitude about life. And I fell totally love with her heavenly companion. A perfect read - be it anytime of the year.

WOW, another amazing book written by Elin Hilderbrand!! I enjoyed the mystery and family drama in this one. If you're looking for another perfect beach read to keep you entertained, pickup a copy of Golden Girl and you won't be disappointed.

Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me a copy of this book to review.

Once again Elin Hilderbrand has taken a popular trope (a ghost looking at the world that he/she has "left") and updated it to create a fresh and original approach to a story. Even though the book is full of "death", Vivi will bring a smile to every reader. All of the characters in the story are fully developed and interesting and the many storylines that interweave throughout the story come out to a satisfying conclusion. I believe every Hilderbrand book outdoes the previous ones and this one is no different--I think it is the best so far.

Elin Hilderbrand has written another 5 ⭐️ book! I feel like this is a book that you really need to jump into blind. Golden Girl was a different kind of beach read and a departure from Hilderbrand’s typical books, but it still had has her classic family drama and romance. As always, the Nantucket setting is gorgeous. I absolutely could not put this book down!

Golden Girl
Elin Hilderbrand
June 1, 2021

Summer is finally here, the worst of the virus has passed and most of us have been inoculated. With that said vacationing is returning for the bulk of us. Beaches will be loaded and those that can’t make it to the seashore will find a local pool or backyard to relax in. Once again Hilderbrand has just published a new Nantucket novel. A friend of mine said, “ What is summer without an Elin Hilderbrand book?” I must agree although I have read some of her winter island faves and enjoyed them as well.
In this June 1 publication we find Vivi Howe in her home on Nantucket. It’s early. As she prepares for her morning run. Her daughter, Carson is heading up the stairs looking less composed than she did when she went to work the afternoon before, she gave her mom a brisk hello and zipped up to her room. Vivi called to her as she was just about to escape. Questions flew about where she was since her shift at the restaurant and what did she think she was doing by drinking her expensive tequila and overheating the leftover sausage and basil pasta? As the door slammed Vivi returned to the kitchen to try to rescue her favorite All-Clad pot that filled with smoke
Vivi’s life was full. She took care of her 2 adult daughters, Willa and Carson, as well as recently high school graduate Leo. He was preparing for college in the fall. Willa and her husband lived on the island as well. Published author that she was, Vivi focused on the final details of her latest book Golden Girl due to come out within the next few months. When she wasn’t writing or conversing with her kids, she was working on rehabbing the house she bought after divorcing husband, JP. We become involved in her life quickly yet things in all families' lives change radically and the Bridgemans are no exception.
As all Elin Hilderbrand fans know, Nantucket stories can change at a rapid pace. Golden Girl is adheres to this rule. This amazing novel was published on June 1, 2021 by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Books. I appreciate their allowing me to read and review this latest adventure. Those of us who wait for the newest Nantucket escapade will not be disappointed. Late nights of reading Golden Girl until sleep took over are the cause of drowsy mornings in need of coffee. Don’t miss this one! Whether you read it on the beach, beside the pool or on your porch it will be a favorite and I am certain you will want to pass it on. Enjoy!

Golden Girl has the same quintessential makings as Hilderbrand's other novels: perfect descriptions of Nantucket (I will visit someday!), family drama, infidelity, multiple POVs, and rich, white families living their "best" life. This was probably my least favorite of her novels. I would have liked to see more of the characters fleshed out some, particularly Leo. And, please, include more diversity - not just the token Black kid who everyone is rooting for, but quickly turns against. There are surely people on Nantucket who aren't a size 0 wearing Lilly Pulitzer drinking at the club all day.
Anyway, I do like Hilderbrand's novels and will continue to read every one. I would just like her to challenge herself more and branch out from the rich, white folks in Nantucket.

This was a fantastic book to read at the start of summer. I have never read an Elin Hilderbrand book, but I was very intrigued by the plot of this one - an author dies tragically right before her newest book is to be published, she spends the summer watching her family from the Beyond, and has three opportunities to intervene in their lives. It doesn't sound like a beach read, but it was. I loved the setting. Like many of the author's books, this one takes place in Nantucket. It was really good and clever.

The queen of Nantucket books has another winner on her hands, but this time there is an unusual angle. I'm not giving anything away when I say that Vivi, the best-selling novelist/protagonist, dies within the first few chapters of the book. For the rest of the book she is in a limbo area above, guided by Martha, who grants her 90 days and 3 nudges to watch and help her 3 adult children cope with their loss. Vivi is killed by a hit and run driver, so part of the plot is a mystery: who killed Vivi? Another part of the plot involves whether or not her newest book will make it to #1, and whether or not the plot of that book will prompt uncomfortable questions about her past. A third part of the plot involves those 3 nudges. How will Vivi use them, or will she, before her time is up and she can no longer observe her family from above? As always, the author's writing is so vivid and descriptive that I feel as if I know the island of Nantucket intimately, even though I have never visited there. Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for providing an ARC.

Vivian Howe is a well known author and mother to three grown children. She is killed while out on one of her morning runs and ends up in the Beyond where she meets Martha. Vivi gets to watch what happens on Nantucket for one more summer and is granted three “nudges” that she can use to change the outcome. Her three children are all dealing with different obstacles in their life so she will have to use the nudges carefully. While she is watching her family she also is able to see how the investigation into her death is going which is a mystery in and of itself. Her biggest fear though is the upcoming release of her novel which reveals a secret from her past.

Another well written novel by one of my favorite authors. I always enjoy Hilderbrand’s style of writing. One of my favorite things about her novels is the alternating POV. I like getting to know the characters and seeing how the story unfolds and fits together. This novel is a great summer read.

I loved this book! The perfect summer read. I couldn't put it down and haven't been able to start a new book since finishing this one (always a sign of a great read!).

This Elin Hilderbrand is a bit different from her typical beachy romance. Its almost as if its written about her own experiences! Truly, I'm still mulling it over, which makes for one of my favorite reads. Excellent and recommended.

Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown & Company for an egalley in exchange for an honest review.

Our story begins with the death of beloved novelist, Vivian(Vivi) Howe, killed in a hit-and-run that has all of Nantucket talking. It's perplexing for the police, Vivi's three grown children, her best friend and her ex-husband. But as Vivi hovers above, looking down all those she has left behind, it seems that she is about to learn that the ones she loved had secrets of their own.

A beach novel from Elin Hilderbrand always has me running to the beach. Well, maybe not this week as we seem to be experiencing a very rainy June. But I am certainly feeling that summer vibe approaching me like a speeding bullet(7 more nights of sleep and this teacher is on VACATION). I couldn't stop reading and I shed a few tears as I read the author's note about the inspiration for this novel. Yet, I have this unexplainable feeling that it wasn't one of my favourites. However, strange those feelings might be, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this book to any of my book buds looking for a nice summer read.

Publication Read 01/06/21
Goodreads review published 19/06/21

Elin Hilderbrand never disappoints. Author Vivi, divorced from her cheating husband, is hit and killed by an unknown person. She has a stopover with her person before going to Heaven and we are permitted to watch Vivi’s family as they learn to live their lives without her. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to be an early reader in exchange for my review.

Reading a Elin Hilderbrand book is like meeting up with an old friend. Her style of writing is familiar, instantly attention-grabbing and makes you feel like you are spending the summer on Nantucket. Well, almost. Another great family drama by Hilderbrand, with interesting characters (my favorite was Carson. What a hot mess), a terrific plot and the vivid scene descriptions of Nantucket and island life that I've come to love. My only problem with Elin Hilderbrand books is that they always at some point end. This one wrapped up nicely, with a twist at the end that I wasn't expecting. Top-notch beach read, as always. They don't get better than this.

“I’m the novelist here,” Vivi says. “Let’s give it another couple of chapters.”

my favorite summer reading tradition is saving the newest @elinhilderbrand novel to read at the beach. GOLDEN GIRL is the perfect book to relax in the sun with, and it was a total escape read for me. the premise of this one is so different than all of her other novels, but it really worked well! I loved the characters, the drama, and of course the Nantucket setting—my ideal beach read! 5/5⭐️—I loved it!

Another wonderful Hildebrand Nantucket escape book for the summer. However, this o ne has an emotional depth to it I really enjoyed. Vivi has toade decisions that will effect both herself and her family. Loved it.

Hildebrand does it again. A must read summer book. Do yourself a favor and do not pack your beach bag without this one.
Fast moving, great characters, engrossing story. Just what you need to hold your attention for a day at the shore.