As summer approaches the beach reads are coming in full force by our favorite authors. It is not summer without Nancy Thayer in the mix. A story of generations that will leave you smiling at the end.

Eleanor Sunderland is the matriarch of her family. Her children Alicia and Cliff want her to sell her grand house for very different reasons. Alicia’s daughter, Ari, who recently graduated from college asks to move in with Eleanor over the summer before she leaves to go to graduate school.

This book centers around Ari and Eleanor’s summer. One in the twilight of her life and the other just starting out. As with any Thayer novel there is lots of romance, complications and everything in between. There is not a lot of substance to this book, however I just find these types of books wonderful. This is coming upon my favorite time of year, every time you close a book you have a happy ending that leaves you smiling.

Thank you NetGalley and Ballentine Books for an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a good but not exceptional Nancy Thayer read. The beach setting was perfect and grandmother Eleanor endearing. I always love reading about Nantucket and all the local beaches, shops, restaurants, and hot spots. I definitely felt connected to the characters and enjoyed seeing them grow throughout the summer.

Removing one star because parts of the plot and, especially the ending, seemed far-fetched and unbelievable. In particular, I wish there would have been more depth to the relationship between Ari and Beck which seemed very conclusory -- I was told many times that she was falling in love with him, but I didn't feel it or see it happening. I know that is not really what the book is about, but it would've added a deeper dimension to the story to really feel that relationship develop.

This is a feel good beach story set in Nantucket which I love to read about. It’s about Eleanor who is just turning 70 and lives in her ancestral home year round on Nantucket. She feels that she is all alone on the island when her best friend leaves for a 3 month cruise. What happens next is a heartwarming story of joy showing that even families with issues can come together and be one happy family when needed. I truly loved this book! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review and especially to Nancy Thayer for writing this wonderful book!

Eleanor loves her home on the bluff in Nantucket – it has been in her family for decades, and it's filled with memories like the annual family reunion every summer. Her money-hungry adult children, though, only see the money they could get if Eleanor sells the house and moves to a retirement community. Her granddaughter, Ari, who has just graduated from college, is her only ally, but will the two of them be able to stand up to the constant pressure from the rest of the family?

I love starting my spring reading with a new Nancy Thayer book. Although I know I'll never spend a summer on Nantucket, the stories told in her books bring to mind the nearly carefree days of summer and the relaxing atmosphere that comes with being near the ocean.

I liked some of the main characters in this book, but rolled my eyes every time Eleanor's children opened their mouths. As someone who was taught from a very young age to live within your means, their constant concern for and whining about money was beyond aggravating. As someone who is not far from her 70th birthday (Eleanor's age in the book), their concerns about their mother's health also grated on my nerves. In today's society, 70-year-olds are no longer frail, helpless creatures who need constant care and attention. Many times in the story, I wished Eleanor would speak up and put her kids in their places!

Other than that, I really liked Eleanor and the way she and Ari supported each other in different ways throughout the book. The secondary characters were great additions, and I enjoyed watching the various relationships develop as the story progressed, even though they were rather predictable. I look forward to reading the next book by this author.

Family Reunion was a wonderful, feel-good story. I always find Nancy Thayer's books to be a little hokey, and this one is no exception, but it is hard to not enjoy the characters in this book. I fell in love with Ari and Eleanor in this story and their relationship. This was a light, cute read that would have been a great beach read. Even though there are some heavier topics in this book (infidelity) it was a wonderful story. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A fun beach read set on the beautiful Island of Nantucket,

A story of 3 generations of women and how they make their way through the challenges of life. Eleanor is a 70 year old widow living in a house that has been passed down through generations of her family. Her daughter, Alicia, is an empty nester who is focused on appearance and status, instead of her husband and daughter. Ari, Alicias’s daughter, has just graduated from college, broken off an engagement, and decided to spend her summer on Nantucket with her grandmother,

It was a quick enjoyable read with relatable characters, although how did Ari manage last minute reservations on the car ferry? That has always been the hardest part of our trip to Nantucket. The authors beautiful description of the Island made me crave dinner a Madeket sunset.

Thank you Nancy Thayer, Netgalley and Random House - Ballantine Books for the ARC. #FamilyReunion #NetGalley

Who doesn't love a good book set in Nantucket? I think that's what drew me instantly to want to read it and I wasn't disappointed. Widowed Eleanor is navigating life with 2 kids, 1 grandkid. Her daughter Alicia selfish and entitled - I honestly want to slap some sense into her. Her son Cliff is a gentleman and figuring his life out without trying to worry his mom. Granddaughter Ari decides to spend the summer with Eleanor and their storyline brings the 2 of them closer than they already are. Family comes first but you got to let people make their own decisions.

Thank you Netgalley and Random House - Ballantine Books for an early copy of this book.
The comments and review are my honest opinion.
Widowed Eleanor facing a milestone birthday has become increasingly lonely after the death of her husband. Finding solace in her ocean front ancestral home brings her some peace, but she misses her family. The dynamics of her family and their busy lives have kept her son, daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter away.
But Eleanor is determined to change things and invites them to spend time with her. What none of them can know is how much this summer changes all of their lives even better than they thought possible. A light, heartwarming story that I enjoyed and needed.

***I promise a full review coming soon**** just know it's another wonderful read for Thayer fans. Perfect beach read! Thank you Netgalley, for an advanced copy in exchange for a review.

Nancy Thayer to me is the essence of summer. Who doesn't love summer? Warm days, porch swings, beaches, swims, and long evenings. Everyone is relaxed, happy and enjoying life. The setting of Nantucket in her books is perfect. Her writing lets the reader embody the characters. We know what they are thinking, what they are feeling, what they contemplate and what guides their actions. The reader feels like they are part of the story, or at least, want to be!
Eleanor Sunderland is 70 years old, lives cliffside in Nantucket in her ancestral home. Her 2 children, Alicia and Cliff, are central characters as is her granddaughter, Ari. Eleanor looks at her 2 children and wonders how they were products of the upbringing she provided. They look at her old, huge Nantucket home as a money pit they would love to sell and reap the rewards. Ari is more like Eleanor. She is kind, loving and realizes that material possessions are not what is most important in life. Ari has her struggles and seeks solace and support from her grandmother.
I love the style of writing Nancy Thayer uses. I will tell you that I have read every one of her books and have enjoyed each one. However, this one is exceptional! I have a book hangover today because I just could not put this one down until I finished it. This morning, I'm so sorry the book is finished. I miss the characters! If you read only one book this summer, let this be it!

Family Reunion is my first Nancy Thayer book. I was attracted by the Nantucket setting as I love the area and enjoy reading about it in books from Elin Hilderbrand and Pamela Kelley, among others. Eleanor Sunderland is a 70 year old grandmother who has enjoyed her Nantucket home for many years. Her granddaughter, Ari, comes to spend the summer with her after a sad break up and before heading off to grad school. Throughout the ups and downs of the summer and interference from other family members - these two forge a new type of grandma /granddaughter relationship that is amazing.

I loved the storyline and being a grandmother myself - I would love to have the opportunity to spend a similar summer with my granddaughter. This is a great beach/summer read and was just what I hoped it would be.

Thank you NetGalley, Nancy Thayer and Random House Publishing- Ballentine for the ARC of Family Reunion. This is my personal review.
This book had me hooked from the first page to the last. The family dynamics was challenged in so many ways and they all fit together perfectly.
The family of Eleanor Sunderland is multigenerational, and each family member has a different outlook on the family and where they each fit together. I especially loved the bond between Elanor and her granddaughter Ari.
I enjoy Nancy Thayer books, and this was another good read for me from her.

Without spoiling the story, I was extremely disgusted that the author didn’t mention another obvious positive choice for a serious moral dilemma. She mentioned the worst possible outcome for human life without discussing another obvious decision that would save a life. This was a grandmother advising her granddaughter! I thought this was completely irresponsible of the author since some readers admire authors and may consider her advice choices as the only ones available or worthy of discussion. This ruined the book for me. This is the first book I have read by this author, and I will never read another. The rest of the book was mostly about an upbeat family reunion.

Thanks to Random House Publishing, Nancy Thayer and NetGalley for the chance to preview Family Reunion. Once again, a"perfect" summer, Cape/Nantucket story! Family drama with Eleanor (grandmother) getting "old" (70) & family wanting her money. Ari (granddaughter) moves in with her & has her own issues to deal with. I enjoyed that the characters had their own lives, as well as blended together. A good beach read for 2021! I am hoping there may be a sequel.

I couldn't get past the first chapter which was disappointing. It was too descriptive for my taste. DNF

Sometimes you just need an easy beach read filled with family drama to take you away from the reality of stressful everyday living. Nancy Thayer's new novel took me to Nantucket once again to meet a group of colorful characters who are entertaining and contains a plot that I loved.

Grandmother Eleonor is a lonely widow whose best friend abandons her for a summer cruise and spoiled adult children are pressuring her to sell her beloved generational family home for the payout. Everything seems hopeless until her granddaughter, Ari, moves to the island to live with Eleanor for the summer. With Ari comes a lot of family drama, but with each other by their side, they can weather any storm.

I loved this delightful summer read by Nancy Thayer. Thank you NetGalley for an arc of this enjoyable book in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read and give an honest review of this book.


I loved that the main character was Eleanor, a grandmother. She wasn’t a stuffy, old fashioned, opinionated, woman. She was modern and open minded having grown up in the 1960s. She had a strong, warm relationship with her only, adult grand daughter. As a matter of fact, her relationship with her grand daughter was more positive than the ones she had with her own children.

The other, though unusual character in this book, was the family home on the ocean in Nantucket. This home had been in the family for generations. It had a lot of character, was in constant need of repair and was fast becoming a ‘money pit’. Eleanor was being pressured, by her children, to sell. She was torn between memories of the past and the reality of her own future.

The family goes through many trials and tribulations: affairs, unexpected pregnancies, difficult relationships, and new family members. Through these experiences, the family changes and grows.

This would be a pleasant summer beach read. The author’s description of the ocean, beaches, and towns of Nantucket make for a pleasant escape.

I have read several of Nancy Thayer's novels set in Nantucket and they are always satisfying beach reads. Family Reunion is another light beach read mixed with family drama. It has multi-dimensional characters who experience conflict and dilemnas. I truly enjoyed reading this book. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Family Reunion is a feel-good story of family, traditions, changes, regrets, and hope. I enjoyed the characters (some more than others, but that makes it real). This makes a fun summer read.

Family Reunion is a wonderful story about family and traditions that pass down. Times change and some people also change, sometimes not all good. You'll enjoy meeting these characters and see how they develope. Learning life lessons and falling in love.