This book deserves more discussion than the ~beach read~ listicles it keeps appearing in (do people still say listicle...?) ⚠️ If you want to go into this book completely blind, it might be best to skip my review. But this book needs a trigger warning for sexual assault. ⚠️

Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for this advance review copy “That Summer.” This published May 11.

You’ll see the synopsis of this book boiled down to a glamorous career woman versus a happy homemaker who runs a part-time cooking lesson business. Those are the main characters, who meet seemingly by chance — an email mixup brings them together. But this book is really about what happens to the women on the other side of a #MeToo moment, and how we allow our relationships to define our lives. This is not a light book. I consider beach reads to be lighthearted rom coms and contemporary fiction, so I would hesitate to even call it a beach read, even if the author is the reigning queen of that genre.

This book is a slow burn. It may take awhile to hook you. I abandon books left and right, but I did not abandon this one because I know Jennifer Weiner delivers. If you liked “Big Summer” I believe you will enjoy this one even more.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for my review copy!

In a year where a beach escape is not happening for this land-locked lady, Jennifer Weiner has once again created astounding visuals of the beach! I felt I was truly escaping in this book, and it was JUST what I needed. I highly recommend it for your summer (fall, winter, spring) reading!

Trigger warnings along the #metoo lines. I was engrossed and liked the storytelling around a very delicate, difficult, and serious subject. Good thoughts to the author and her family as her mom died this weekend after a quick and painful battle with pancreatic cancer and she will be out doing press on this book and what a time. Free advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Every book I've read by Jennifer Weiner has delivered a thought provoking and deep narrative mixed with funny and charismatic characters. That Summer dives into some of these deep topics using two very lovable characters. The reader is able to feel as though they are in each character's shoes as the plot moves along.

Told from 2 views, the book moves along fast. This is one you'll read over a few days and it'll stay with you the rest of the week.

4.5 STARS

I really enjoy Jennifer Weiner's writing and 'That Summer' is a wonderful addition to her books. This one has a bit of a thriller aspect to it which I loved, and which kept me turning the pages.

This book is the story two very different Dianas. One of them is nicknamed Daisy, who lives a very comfortable suburban life in the Philadelphia suburbs with her attorney husband Hal and teenage daughter Beatrice. Conflict between her husband and daughter seem at first to be the only real issues in Daisy's life. But as the story develops, we see that actually there is more to Hal and Daisy's life an marriage than meets the eye.

The two Dianas meet after Diana, a consultant who lives in New York, accidentally receives emails meant for Daisy. The two women decide to meet in person and they develop a friendship, with Daisy going so far as to introduce Beatrice to her glamorous new friend Diana.

Told in alternating points of view, the book races along as the main characters' history and motivations are eventually revealed. I could not put this book down once I started it. I felt very invested in Daisy and Diana's stories and in finding out how they could possibly be connected. This book discusses very serious topics but still manages to feel like a beach read, much to the author's credit.

Ultimately a story about empowerment, I was very satisfied with the ending, which felt very realistic to me. I was worried that the author would go for over-the-top dramatics and I am very glad she kept it real. There is even a clever nod to Jennifer Weiner's last book 'Big Summer' (which does not need to be read before this one.) I highly recommend 'That Summer' for its fast-paced story and very sensitive treatment of important topics.

Jennifer Weiner has become a go-to author for me--I'm always excited to read her latest release. My favorite was her 2019 release, Mrs. Everything and this one was a close second!

What Weiner does best is create memorable characters that you get attached to throughout the book--and don't want to leave them when the book is over. I loved both Diana and Daisy as characters, and the author effortlessly moved between their stories and timelines. I also loved Beatrice and Michael as supporting characters.

This book is timely and important--connecting to the #MeToo movement--so if that's a trigger for you, that plays a large part in this book. However, it is dealt with very well and is very thought provoking.

Despite its 400+ page length--I wanted more! I felt like the end could've explored a bit more with Daisy. However, I thoroughly enjoyed this read, and fans of Jennifer Weiner will not be disappointed! A great 5 star read to add to your summer reading list!

Thank you to @atriabooks for my free copy!

Plot: Daisy Shoemaker feels stuck in her life as a mom, wife and part-time home chef on Philadelphia’s main line. When she accidentally receives emails meant for a high-powered consultant named Diana, the two become friends and Daisy gets a glimpse into the life she could have had. But, as they get closer, we learn that their meeting isn’t accidental, and Diana is hiding a decades-old secret that could upend Daisy and her daughter’s world.

There were a few plot lines that I didn't think tied up as neatly as I would've liked, but overall I loved this book! Comparing this to @jenniferweinerwrites’ other books, I would say it’s ALL FALLS DOWN meets BIG SUMMER - it has the depth and themes of AFD but is set in the same “world” as Big Summer. The narration splits between Daisy, Diana, and Daisy’s daughter Beatrice, and all three characters are well-developed and intriguing. And it gets bonus points for all the scenes set in Philly 🥨 🔔

TW: sexual assault, discussions around infertility

Don’t let the cute cover fool you, this book tackles some serious topics. Swipe for the synopsis.

I feel like everything I want to say would be a spoiler (the synopsis really does a nice intro). I liked the different lifestyles of Daisy and Diana and seeing glimpses of the path not taken. The pacing is slow enough that the storyline felt both real and realistic. The chapters from different perspectives added to the depth of the characters and the issues they faced. The slow reveal of why Daisy and Diana’s paths intercepted is well done. This book explores the long term impact of a traumatic event (content warning- rape) for both victim and perpetrators. It also highlights the power of female friendship. A tough read that will stay with me.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley and Atria for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I'm a HUGE Jennifer Weiner fan so I was very excited to get my hands on That Summer and she did not disappoint.

That Summer was the story of three strong women. Daisy, Diana and Beatrice were all very different women. The Me Too movement can be a challenging time to read about but I thought Weiner handled it well. I enjoyed watching Daisy and Diana become friends. I was glad they were able to maintain their friendship after everything was revealed about Hal and Danny. I can't imagine the pain that Diana and Daisy both went through. Diana built such a beautiful life for herself and Michael (who I adored.) I was glad to see she didn't throw it entirely away to get revenge.

As a mom myself it was interesting to see the relationship between Daisy and her daughter. They were both so different, but I was glad to see she felt comfortable enough to stand up for herself and wasn't afraid to speak her mind.

I wasn't sure how the ending was going to go, especially when Diana mentioned the damage rail. I thought for a second she was going to kill Hal off to deal with the situation, but I was glad it didn't end that way.

I can't wait to see what Jennifer Weiner writes next!

I will update with the link once I share to my bookstagram account.

I liked Weiner's Big Summer a tish better but this was still an enjoyable read. I loved the description of the Cape and Provincetown and felt like I was there. I liked that Beatrice and Daisy found peace and happiness.

Adult or YA fiction. Daisy married Hal when she was fairly young; she regrets not finishing college but has made their house a home. Beatrice, their daughter, is at that age of resistance to all "suggestions" resembling parental advice. Then Daisy stumbles across Diana; perhaps this meeting will begin their friendship. At the same time, Hal's past comes back to haunt him--reminding readers how a person's choices remain in the shadows. Beautifully written cautionary tale.

Another winner for this great author. I loved the two main female character and absolutely hated Hal. Such intensity of feeling for the characters could only come about because they were well fleshed out and felt so real. I got into the story and wanted the best outcome for both women. It is a story definitely to sit and soak in. I loved it!

That Summer by Jennifer Weiner isn’t quite what the title might imply; a beach read. This is a heavy read with some painfully dark subject matter.

The setting, sights and sounds are all beachy because it’s partly set in the Cape. But a central event of the storyline is a sexual assault and rape of a teen. This can be deeply triggering to some, so I am saying it and I don’t consider it a spoiler.

While I don’t think this is a ‘beach read’ exactly, it is an excellent book. This is a poignant, deep and moving story. It’s one of those that’s hard to say ‘I loved it!’ because of content but it is a very good read.

I’ve never read a book by Weiner but I am definitely going to look up some of her other books now. Her writing, character and narrative development are excellent!

Thank you, Netgalley, Atria Books and Jennifer Weiner, for a copy of this book for review!

Thank you NetGalley for my arc. I love Jennifer Weiner’s books and couldn’t wait to read this one. I found myself putting it down and taking breaks, I think in part because of the hard subject matter. But the women who were the central characters were well written and interesting. Glad I picked it back up. I wish the ending tied up more things.

Happy Pub Day 🎉 to ‘That Summer’ by Jennifer Weiner. I also want to express my deepest condolences to the author.
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Told from 3 POV’s: Diana, Daisy, and Beatrice. The story opens in the past and sets up to present day.
That Summer is beautifully written with such care to the content and how trauma can stay with a person for their lifetime.
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In addition to trauma, it explores privilege, boys will be boys mentality, generation differences, #metoo and the complexities of relationships and obligation. There’s also an important storyline on what it means to be an active bystander versus passive.
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This book is relevant and timely. It’s also thought-provoking and has a deep message. This is not a light read.
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I would like to thank @atriabooks and @netgalley for a copy of That Summer in exchange for an honest review.
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Once I started That Summer, I didn’t want to put the story down and I needed to know what happened to Diana, Daisy, and Beatrice.

I love Jennifer Weiner’s books, for their characters and her style of writing. I felt this book was a bit different than her usual writing style, but I really enjoyed it. The seriousness of some of the topics, including date rape and the relationships of men and women really gave depth to the story of the two Dianas. One Diana is called Daisy, married with a daughter, Beatrice, questioning her place in her life. The second Diana is a mystery, after Daisy contacts her on a mistaken email. I highly recommend the book, which at first might be a little confusing, but stick with it, it is more than worth it.Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I love Weiner. I love how bold her writing is. I love how brave she is when writing stories that mean something and say something. I love that she is not afraid to tackle hard topics. I have loved, and continue to love, everything she writes. Her characters are those the reader can relate to. The stories make the reader think and reflect. This story is no exception. I don't want to give too much away, but I can say the readers will be surprised and satisfied with this story. It is not to be missed! A MUST read!

I really do love Jennifer Weiner and her signature style. And while this story was very good, it was also very heavy at times. I’m not a “Trigger warning needed” reader but I feel like this book focused on such heavy topics it may be necessary for some ?

I was confused here and there by the timeline of the book as it was not labeled with the chapters. Trying to figure out if this happened in the present or the past was alil distracting. I did love Diana’s story/journey(past and present) more than Daisy’s. I was really excited with the last 20% waiting for the big reveal/blow out to happen....And it didn’t. It just ended...

This story was a fast, interesting read that deals with very heavy subjects. The story is told from the perspectives of two women named Diana (although one goes by Daisy). After an email mix up the two women meet and form an unexpected connection. The plot moves back and forth between current day and a summer many years ago that affected one Diana very deeply. I did struggle a bit to get the hang of the flashbacks and forward but once I had that established, I liked the different points of view. As the story unfolds it becomes clear that the two Dianas did not connect by chance. I actually really enjoyed the twist that comes about halfway through the book. I was very interested to see how the author would wrap up the storyline.

Overall I really enjoyed this book. It is definitely not a light beach read but that is not Jennifer Weiner’s style so readers of her past books will go into this one knowing there will be an emotional ride.

Thanks to Jennifer Weiner, Atria Books, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Sooo good!! I loved the topics covered. Such an important book. I highly recommend this book! I love all her books but this one was so powerful covering the Me Too movement and the power girls need to take back!