Member Reviews
I usually like reading Weiner’s novels and was not disappointed. I so enjoyed the references to literature - this would be an excellent beginning for discussions with young people and how our actions have far reaching consequences. Beatrice is a terrific role model and one wonders how she ended up as such an individualist.
I so enjoyed this story! My review will be brief as I do not want to give too much away and spoil your enjoyment and discovery. To begin with, we start to learn about Diana and Daisy, whose real name is Diana. Daisy gets some emails that are really meant for Diana. Their email addresses are just one character apart. Then I start to wonder what connects these two women, if anything. The first half of the story seems to be building tension, so much so that I have trouble putting the book down. I just knew the story was building to a dramatic revelation and there it was! This is where I stop and must give the nighest recommendation to read this story!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
In THAT SUMMER, Weiner has put a very human, very ordinary face on the #MeToo movement. In an thoroughly engaging story, filled with great characters, Weiner shows us the the frequently unknown and unrealized fallout of sexual assault regularly perpetuated against young women and how it robs them of their power and their identity. Weiner deftly examines the consequences of our actions when we engage in bad behavior when we are young. Should we be held responsible for those actions decades later or is it better to forgive the folly of youth? Really great read and I am so glad Weiner wrote it.
Thank you #Netgalley for the advanced read!
I love reading Jennifer Weiner books and this one did not disappointment, even with such a heavy content being addressed. The novel begins with Diana, also known as Daisy and her summer as a mothers helper in the cape when she was 15 and wanting the attention of a young boy. The novel then jumps to follow Daisy and her new friend Diana. The flashbacks and character perspectives from both Diana and Daisy are very well done to help you get a feel of what each has and is currently experiencing. The story really built up the backgrounds and I was surprised to see the eventual connection that was shared and how Diana decided to approach the situation.
Rounding up to 3.5 stars.
Thank you to #NetGalley for this ARC.
I'm a big fan of Jennifer Weiner and glad I had the opportunity to read this book before it publishes in May.
I was a little disappointed and wanted more from this book. The concept was a good one and how two Diana's had almost the same email. I had no idea where this was going at first and thought it might be a stalker situation. It was in a way. It involved Daisy (aka Diana who's husband Hal) gave her that nickname when he married her). The 2nd Diana who knew Hal when she was 15 years old and working as an au pair/nanny in Nantucket and he was there for the Summer with his friends from boarding school.
It all comes together in the end, tied up like a neat bow.
I liked the descriptions and characters. I was trying to get hooked. My favorite character was Daisy. She is married to Hal. She has a daughter Beatrice. Beatrice gets in trouble at school. I liked different view points. I loved reading about Daisy being pregnant.
A very timely novel in regard to the #MeToo movement and the national discussion concerning the same. Not as lighthearted and fun as other novels by Weiner but an important novel nonetheless. An introspective and entertaining look at friendship, resilience, patriarchy, feminism, and the past and future of women in society.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55467800
Of course I loved this book, Jennifer Weiner has never written anything I haven’t loved. Her books are always a well written surprise. This book explores the long lasting trauma of rape. This very serious topic is explored through the life of the victim and the victimizer. Yet, even this dark topic is deftly handled by Weiner.
The emphasis on women’s relationships, mother- daughter, friends really helped me to engage and identify with the characters. Weiner is a master in all she writes and I admire her ability to move from lighter reads to those novels which deal with very serious topics.
As always, I eagerly recommend this to reading groups since there is so much to explore and discuss. Especially interesting is the role of wives, especially those who who don’t have careers.
Thank you Netgalley for this remarkable novel.
Loved it. The book gives us a good story while covering a timely, and important, topic. Many thanks to NetGalley for an early copy.
Loved this book Jennifer Webber has written another involving novel .The characters come alive the story kept me reading late into the night.A bookI will be recommending so happy Ingot to read it early,#netgalley#atria
Another motivational, heartwarming story from Jennifer Weiner with surprising twist and engaging characters.
There are two Dianas in this story: who are living different lives, polar opposite characters. But when one of them’s emails accidentally fills the other one’s inbox, coincidentally their paths are crossed. Now they decide to meet to devour best bloody Marys after sharing emails with their honest feelings.
In the beginning we are introduced to 15 years old Diana’s summer journey at a summer house on the Cape. Diana is normally from South Boston, living with her two sisters and parents, attending to a private school in Cambridge on a scholarship. Her mother arranged her a summer job as Dr. Levy’s helper to take care of her two kids. The money they offer can easily cover her expanses for the coming year of the school and she can finally be by herself, having a quality time at golden beaches, making friends, having a real summer holiday for the first time.
She forms friendships with au pair girls who also take care of the kids of other families and she finds her first summer love. And she attends her first bonfire party to meet with the boy she got attracted from famous Emlen Academy. It seems like she’s having the best night of her life!
But before everything is dramatically getting changed about her night, we move forward to 2019 to be introduced to Daisy ( the other Diana), in late thirties, married with a lawyer who is also partner of a big firm, 13 years older than her, mostly spending his time out of the house.
She has also a 14 years old daughter who is criticizing everything about her is about to expel from her school ( which is also Emlen Academy : yes the same place where Daisy’s husband Hall has also graduated from)
Daisy lives in her big house, financially secured, emotionally lonely. She doesn’t have any real friend, her blue haired, curious, smart, rebellious daughter doesn’t like to share anything with her and her husband is estranged with her, buried his head in his work.
Meeting with Diane is a fresh change for her life . She already realizes Diana has active and vivid life style comparing her dull, flat, secluded life style .
Spending time with her gives Daisy different approach and forces her to look for what she’s done wrong with her life.
She got married so young: when she was only twenty because her father just died and her mother had no money. She was in debt and meeting with her husband seemed like the answer to all her prayers. But she knew from the beginning, her husband had wild life before he got married with her, suffered from alcoholism.
As she starts to face with her past, Daisy slowly realizes meeting with Diane is not a coincidence. They have to face an ugly truth together to move on their lives!
This was genuine, heartfelt friendship, self discovery, women’s growth, independence story.
It’s intense, emotional, inspirational like the other books of the author.
As a person who suffer from anxiety attacks and insomnia, I easily connect with Daisy even though I didn’t approve some of her life choices and felt closer to Diane, and easily foresee the direction of the book before revealing the big surprise.
I still enjoyed my reading and rounding my up 3.5 stars to 4 feminism, #metoomovement, women power stars!
I’m so pleased to have a chance to receive the arc copy of this book. Ms. Weiner never and ever disappoints me!
Special thanks to Maudee Geneo, Atria Books and NetGalley for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
DNF. I only read 31% and I just had a hard time concentrating on the storyline. I didn’t enjoy how it was written and because I didn’t finish I won’t post my opinions on Goodreads. Due to the author’s popularity I do have this book on order for my library.
I really enjoyed this book. I loved both Daisy and Diana’s stories. Their author wrote and developed the characters so well that you can’t help loving them. Diana’s love story was really the shining light in this book.
I will read any book that Jennifer Weiner writes. This was a great book (and will make an excellent beach read). I loved the setting on the Cape and enjoyed the two Diana's. Although I'd guessed at the story line about half way through, I still liked the book. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy. Looking forward to recommending this book.
FOMO, Fear of missing out drives this novel. How much is enough? Are we happy? Could we be happier in another life? The main character could be happier and then she gets a glimpse into a stranger’s life that makes her question her own even more. Weiner is excellent at drawing the reader into complex situations that make us reflect on our own lives. I highly recommend this book.