I'll read anything by Jennifer Weiner, so I was glad to get an ARC of this title. It took me a little while to get into the story, but I was so glad I stuck with it, because I absolutely loved the main character Diana. I became so emotionally invested watching her grow from a traumatized young woman into a middle aged woman who worked hard to overcome events in her past and become strong enough to survive. The other main character, Daisy, is also on a path of growth that intersects with Diana's when the two meet. Jennifer Weiner is the master of writing about the dynamics of female friendships, and her last couple books have been just as good as her earlier ones that got me hooked.

I’m a fan of Jennifer Weiner’s books but That Summer is not one of my favorites. While not uplifting it does address the continual topic of ME TOO, but I had a hard time wanting to finish the book.

Jennifer Weiner writes about a very timely subject - #metoo. Diana, a young girl is raped in 1985 and as the years go by she decides she needs to confront the, now grown men, with their actions. She doesn't realize how many people are connected and how she will affect their lives forever.

⭐️⭐️⭐️
Not gonna lie... I was a bit disappointed with Jennifer Weiner’s upcoming book THAT SUMMER. The book’s underlying focus is #MeToo, which is definitely an important topic, but I just found myself a bit bored throughout once I’d realised what was going on... also, half the time I didn’t know if I was in past or present or which Diana I was following 😂

Not my favourite book by Weiner, but of course she’ll continue to be an auto read/buy for me. This one is out in May 📆

I really enjoyed this book! It had a little bit of everything some love and suspense mixed in with the more serious #metoo plot.

This is Jennifer Weiner doing what she does best, writing captivating stories with relatable characters. This time, she takes on the timely “me too” issue. This book should have broad appeal for many readers. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was so excited to read this one because I loved Big Summer last summer! This one did not disappoint. While there is a large sexual assault storyline, I think it's important to talk about especially at the point we are in our society. I loved it, and was able to get through it quickly.

A very appropriate book for the times. Well written & very quick to read. ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.

Jennifer Weiner brings a “me too” story that is both heart wrenching and empowering. 2 women with similar email addresses strike up a friendship, Daisy, a homemaker is intrigued by Diana’s seemingly glamorous life. But as we learn more about the two women, we begin to suspect nothing is as it seems. I really related to Daisy’s relationship with her daughter, Beatrice, as I feel the same estrangement with my teen daughter at times. I read on the author’s social media today that the media is saying this is not a beach read. I think it depends on what type you look for. If you want an emotional story of friendship, one that will have you thinking about right and wrong, and one with deep characterization, then this one is for you. But it’s not your typical light fluffy romance. It drew me in and I wanted to see how the events that led up to this moment played out. Thank you #netgalley, Atria books and Jennifer Weiner for this advance reader copy!

Jennifer Weiner weaves together an incredible story about our past as she tells the story of two women struggling to break free from themselves. With the backdrop of the #metoo movement, this is a thrilling story that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat for the first half and then brings it all together. I didn't care for Daisy during the first half, but as she grew as a woman and mother, so did my interest in her character. She felt perhaps the realest of all the characters- the mom you nod to in the car line or PTA meeting who has a story behind the shadow in their eyes. Diana's story was a little more disjointed, but I think that made it all even more enjoyable and realistic. Great story and I loved how we got a glimpse of past characters. That's always a treat.

Jennifer Weiner once again captures readers' hearts with a moving story of hurt, angst, revenge and redemption. Definitely a title for book clubs and lovers of a great beach read!

I honestly don't know how to classify this book. It isn't an uplifting, happy-go-lucky love story or your typical beach story. It is, however, a timely read about overcoming a traumatizing past that can haunt you and define your entire future and how the life you lead may not be what it appears or what you actually need and want. When two Dianas meet coincidentally a friendship is formed, but is the friendship actually what it appears to be? I enjoyed this story and the characters and how they tied together, but the topic is heavy and may be hard for some to read.
Overall I enjoyed the book but it is a little heavy and some may have a hard time reading it.

Thank you to the publisher, author and Netgalley for the ARC of this book.

That Summer
Jennifer Weiner
Publication date 5-11-21
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.5 stars

Two Diana’s, two different women come together and life may never be the same after..... Daisy (formerly Diana) looks like she has it all, she’s married raising their teen daughter Beatrice and is well taken care of financially by her husband Hal. On occasion she has received emails for a different Diana and to her, Diana’s life seems to be the one she would rather have...

Diana hasn’t had the easiest of lives but is ready to confront her past and have some closure. A friendship sparks between the two women but Diana may not be who she claims to be- filled with secrets, betrayals and suspense this summer read with keep you busy. This book touches on some hard to read topics but the writing is exceptional and thought provoking. I loved the character development and the switching point of views throughout the chapters flowed and kept me very invested. I also developed deep connections to Daisy, Diana and Beatrice. I devoured more that 1/2 of the book in one sitting. Add this to your summer list, you will not be disappointed.

Sending a sincere thank you to Atria Books, NetGalley and Jennifer Weiner for the ARC of That Summer for my honest review!

Review posted on my Goodreads and Instagram.

http://www.instagram.com/donnasnotsosecretbookdiary

https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/12409011-donna-beiderman

#ThatSummer #NetGalley #jenniferweiner #metoo #booknerds #booksofinstagram #booklife #bookbub #bookclub #bookclubbook #ilovereading #bookaholic #bookaddict #bookadvisor #goodreads #betweenthechapters  #booklife
#100bookchallenge #bookclub
#readacrossinstagram #readingnook #bookreviewer

A book written by Jennifer Weiner never disappoints me. This one should be classified as Contemporary Lit, not Women's Lit. The relevance to today's society is at the forefront, right from the beginning.

Many of us have a summer from their teens that can be remembered as That Summer. Sometimes the memories are good, sometimes they are not so good.

Daisy and Diana met by an odd coincidence, which turns out to be not so odd as the story unfolds. And, Beatrice, Daisy's 14 year old daughter, is also an important character. All of their personalities and traits are very well developed.

Diana is trying to come to terms with her past. Daisy is trying to justify her life in the present. And, Beatrice is trying to find her path in life as someone who does not fit in with the “norm”.

The “Me Too” movement has a huge part in the story. The “Boys will be boys” mentality is challenged. The Mean Kids and bullying atmosphere of teens are also spotlighted. This sounds like a lot to deal with while putting together a coherent story but all these themes tie in with each other.

The story demonstrates how one action can create a snowball effect......for many years and many people. The story certainly makes the reader think. “Incidents” can no longer be swept under the rug. People must be made accountable for their actions.

And a warning: despite the title and the cover, this is not a “beach” read. It is not a light and fluffy book. It is a well-written and well thought out storyline. The last 25% of it may be a little hard to read and process. Sometimes we need a book that makes us think.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Jennifer Weiner at her best! Amazing characters, interesting setting, and great plotlines made for another one her books that I finished in short order. More than once I have wondered if Jennifer is sharing personal stories through her books...they are that believable!

Why, oh why must things change?? No, this isn't a line from the book, it's my lamented whine over talented authors straying from a tried-&-true successful formula. I mean, James Patterson releases about 843 titles a month, so there's got to be some validity to the mentality, right?!
Ms Weiner is 1 of a couple of long-time favorite authors that were recently encouraged &/or felt the need to deviate from their skillset, their bestselling norm; possibly an attempt to curry favor with a new readership genre or simply to "spread their wings", if you will. The editors and hangers-ons apparently plied sweet nothings into talented tale-spinners like Ms Weiner's ears.... kind of like the late Michael Jackson's entourage - and that turned out great. Just because you're gifted in one area, doesn't necessitate ruling another one (Michael Jordan *cough cough*). Well, THIS Reader has a response for that mentality, for this departure from being able to sadly but gleefully turn the page of another satisfying read: STOP IT. PLEASE. Although Uncle Stevie is probably blessed enough to pull it off, you don't see Stephen King trying to break into the bodice-ripper genre - stick with what works.
This book was the first of Ms Weiner's that I'd not been able to finish and that's a lot of books. Her tales are typically lighter (but not in a airheaded, vacant way), witty and engaging. This was tedious, vacuous and almost depressing. The characters felt under-developed and had no redeemable connections, the storyline was about 150 pages too meandering and instead of the "Ahhhhh" moment I typically feel when settling in with a great book from this author, I just felt like punching a baby. I dreaded putting this novel aside, as I knew I was going to have to write the first not-positive review for this author (& I'm such a book-lover, that's a rare feat for me at all). Proceed at your own risk, boys and girls.... but you're in for a bumpy ride.

Once again Jennifer Weiner does not disappoint. Daisy and Diane meet because of mishaps with receiving emails belonging to each other. Their friendship is based on untruths and eventually Diane's past is revealed. Their lives are intertwined because of Daisy husband. Once you pickup this book you won't put it down until you have all the answers

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

Jennifer Weiner's That Summer is a follow-up novel to Big Summer that stands on its own. It whisks readers away to summers on the Cape while being full of intrigue about the lives of two women who have lives that are interconnected in more ways than one could ever anticipate.

It's a story of intergenerational feminism, friendship, and accountability that is pitch perfect for the current cultural landscape. Weiner has a knack for mixing the thought-provoking with the sensational, and we'll be seeing this on beach blankets and in book clubs alike this summer.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing a copy of this book with me. All thoughts are my own.

Daisy Shoemaker had almost everything a woman could want: Hal, her successful husband, a big house in the Philadelphia suburbs, a daughter and a small business giving cooking lessons. However she had some aspects of her life that were not so great. Her husband made all the decisions in the family and did not spend much time at home.Her teen daughter was going through a rebellious stage and had been kicked out of the prep school where the men in the family had attended for generations. Daisy’s only close friend had died. Finally her husband treated her more like a child than a partner.

Then Daisy started getting email misdirected from an account similar to hers. She phoned the woman and decided to travel to NYC to meet the woman. The two women were both named Diana but Daisy had been renamed by her husband when they met. Eventually the women became good friends. However, unbeknownst to Daisy, Diana was not who she appeared to be and had plotted to meet her. Diana also had a dark secret to share with Daisy.

This story alternates between 1985 and the present. The settings are Cape Cod and suburban Philadelphia. Chapters are narrated by both Dianas. However the story is very timely and one that the reader may remember for a long time.

I received this ARC from the publisher and Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book for several reasons: 1) The reference to another book written by the author, 2) The cleverly named parts of the book, 3) The back and forth storying telling, and 4) The foreshadowing. This book was a little predictable until it wasn't. Some of the things I hoped would happen didn't, and that was okay. I enjoyed the openness of some situations instead of finality. Sometimes, that is the best end to a new beginning.