After the death of their mum, Holly decides to live a little and heads off to the picturesque Martha's Vineyard in America, leaving behind a very disgruntled older sister, Claire. When their cousin Jess turns up at Claire's work demanding to know when she last spoke to Holly and shows her a text supposedly from her, she knows something is wrong and heads off to find her little sister. On her arrival she reports her sister missing but nobody, not even the police, believe her but then she discovers this isn't the first time it's happened, could this be linked to the girl that went missing five years ago and if so, how far will Claire go to uncover the truth?

The Summer Girl is the latest psychological thriller by Blackhurst, told from the perspectives of both Claire and Holly, across two timelines; the lead up to Holly's disappearance and the days following it. As with all this author's previous books I was hooked from the first page, the quality of the writing and the tense and twisty nature of her work draws the reader in and envelops you completely within the story so you feel you are right there alongside the characters. The chapters are short, just how I like them, the premise is intriguing and the characters are authentic. I found the two sisters to be very likeable characters, unlike Ryan and Bobby, the Slayton brothers who were typical good looking, entitled rich kids. I spent much of this book not knowing who I could trust and the twist, when it came, was very unexpected. This story highlights the ups and downs of sibling rivalry and relationships, the trauma when faced with losing a loved one and the regret of knowing things could have been so different if the last time you saw them hadn't ended as it did. I'm a huge fan of this authors work and highly recommend this one!

I'd like to thank Canelo and Netgalley for the approval, I will post my review on Goodreads now and Amazon on publication day.

Thanks for the arc. It never came through so I was never able to read this arc to give my honest feedback.

3.5 stars

When Claire goes off in search of her missing little sister Holly, she ends up in the middle of Martha's Vineyard. Trying to navigate the small town ethic of those who live there all year round, and the untouchable attitude of those who come for the summer, makes it even difficult, but Claire is determined to find out what has happened to Holly, no matter what.

This was a quick and easy read that kept my interest, using the two sisters POV's with two different timelines made for a well-rounded, entertaining read.

This book's description was really intriguing, but the book fell a little flat for me and was on the boring side. The twists were predictable and unrealistic. I didn't care for Claire or Holly based on the character development. Thank you for the opportunity to read this advanced copy.

Jenny Blackhurst is just wonderful at telling a suspenseful and gripping story and The Summer Girl is no exception!

When Claire and Holly’s mum dies, they each deal with their loss in different ways. Holly decides to live her life to the fullest, and books an adventure of a lifetime in beautiful Martha’s Vineyard near Boston. She sets off, leaving Claire upset and barely speaking to her. So she doesn’t notice that Holly has stopped answering her phone and not been heard from for several days until her cousin Jess gets worried.

So Claire heads out to Martha’s Vineyard to find Holly, and finds herself ignored by the police who seem to be trying to protect someone, or perhaps the reputation of the area as a popular tourist destination. But something is definitely not right in paradise, and everyone from Holly’s creepy boss to the rich out-of-town Slayton brothers, are making Claire sure that Holly is in trouble.

I raced through this, wanting to know what had happened and what Claire would do. I did not guess how it would turn out … possibly because it was a little ‘out there’! – but it was very well-told and had me absolutely hooked throughout.

I enjoyed the way the story was told - mostly through the eyes of Claire, but with a few chapters from Holly's point of view, slowly revealing what really happened, whilst also showing us a few inconsistencies in what Claire was being told and making us suspect everyone! With each chapter being relatively short, I kept finding myself saying 'oooh just one more!' until I accidentally finished the whole thing! There are some good characters too - Claire was very likeable, and there were a few men/boys that I loved to hate! A very cleverly-written thriller.

A sudden disappearance and a fishy text message were the two plot points I needed to know before I decided to start reading The Summer Girl.

And Jenny Blackhurst does not disappoint!

Even though some aspects of the story were familiar to me, I could not set this book down. It is riveting in its pursuit of the truth, and the author has incorporated ample twists to keep the momentum going.

I liked the way the author has used plot devices to make the story less predictable. All the focus is usually pointed in a couple of directions, and it’s only towards the end that you realise which piece of the puzzle was missing all along.

The author’s writing is straightforward and doesn’t have any fluff, which makes it a relatively fast-paced read.

After a point, the chapters from Holly’s perspective started to become more and more compelling. I’d want to finish reading Claire’s chapters and get to those asap!

You get the sense that most of the people in Martha’s Vineyard are up to no good. And watching Holly get involved with them creates this air of foreboding that makes the narrative irresistible.

None of the characters in the book are particularly likeable. So keep that in mind. You’d also need trigger warnings for sexual assault, violence, and substance abuse.

I didn’t like that Bobby’s characterisation is all over the place.

One moment, he has a villainous reputation and Claire hates his guts, the next they are having a perfectly amiable conversation and he is made to look like someone who actually wants to help with finding Holly.

When I read mystery novels, I tend to cast my suspicion on all characters (like a wide net) and then form theories of why each of them could’ve done it.

Despite that, I couldn’t figure out the ending because I didn’t realise that that character’s motive to commit a crime was this strong.

On the whole, I was really engaged while reading The Summer Girl, and I’ll be keeping an eye out for the author’s other works.

👙👙👙 / 5

Thank you to NetGalley and Canelo for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

I’ll preface this by saying that I was in a major book slump after reading THE ONLY ONE LEFT by Riley Sager, so this might be part of the reason why I didn’t enjoy this much as I’d hoped. I was excited to read this one after seeing other reviews and hearing great things about this author, but this one just didn’t hold my interest. I’m sure this would’ve been a good popcorn read, as it seemed fairly easy to consume, but I just wasn’t invested. I think this one had a lot of potential, but it fell flat for me.

Another brilliant story by jenny blackhurst. This is been my favourite psychological thriller this Summer ☀️. I loved the main characters and different timelines. Very clever, twisty and entertaining. A brilliant Summer read xx

This was a really interesting story and relatively fast paced! I definitely connected with the characters and some of the things they were going through. There was just enough mystery to keep me wanting to binge is book and I really enjoyed all the reveals at the end! This was a decent summer thriller that I really enjoyed! This one comes out in a few days (07/13)!

The main characters and their relationship with each other was well defined. Two sisters and their cousin have just lost a loved one and are all sensitive and emotionally needy at the start of this book which adds to the tension and desperation. This was an exciting thriller with a lot of detail about who was where, with who, and at what time. Those facts needed to be followed to keep up with solving the mystery. The setting of Martha's Vineyard was well described and nostalgic for me as I grew up on the mainland not far from there. This is a good summer read with a shocking ending.

What a heartbreaking story! After the death of her mother, Claire has handled things through alcohol, while her sister Holly decides to move to America for a summer job on Martha’s Vineyard, and the two become estranged. That all changes when Claire is alerted that Holly hasn’t answered their cousin’s calls, and they definitely know something is wrong when they get a text referencing their mother. With the local authorities not concerned about Holly’s well-being and whereabouts, Claire travels to the US to locate her sister, and when she gets there, she finds that Holly is truly missing, and sets out to find her through the people she has interacted with. As she meets people, she finds that the town is run by the rich kids and their families that spend their summers there, and one caught the eye of her sister, as well as her slimy boss and his younger jealous wife. Just when you think you have it figured out, it turns out something completely different happens, and when Claire thinks she has allies to help her, turns out she doesn’t. The ending caught me by total surprise and kept me on the edge of my seat, and while sad about the ending, Claire’s character comes full-circle.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

The Summer Girl
by Jenny Blackhurst

Claire travels from England to Martha’s Vineyard when her sister Holly stops responding to calls. Everything seems fine in Holly’s apartment and Her car is still parked in front. But no one seems to be concerned when she stops showing up at work, not even the police. Just another Summer girl that comes and goes. But the more Claire investigates the more she is convinced that the locals are protecting their own, what is she willing to do to find out the truth?


This was my first book by the author but it won’t be my last. It was an easy read with a lot of twists and turns that grip you right from the start all the way to it’s satisfying ending.
How far would you be willing to go to get justice for a loved one?

"The Summer Girl" by Jenny Blackhurst is an unputdownable psychological thriller that takes readers on a suspenseful journey through the picturesque setting of Martha's Vineyard. Claire, is determined to uncover the truth behind her sister Holly's disappearance, despite the indifference of the locals and the questionable message Claire received claiming her sister is safe.

As Claire delves deeper into the mystery, she begins to unravel a web of secrets and hidden connections that tie Holly's disappearance to another girl who vanished years ago. With each revelation, Claire realizes that the truth is more sinister than she could have imagined. As she races against time to find her sister, she must confront the dark underbelly of the seemingly idyllic island and face the dangers lurking in the shadows.

Jenny Blackhurst skillfully weaves a suspenseful tale, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they join Claire on her desperate search for answers. The story explores themes of trust, betrayal, and the lengths one will go to protect their loved ones. With its atmospheric setting, complex characters, and unexpected twists, "The Summer Girl" promises to be a gripping and addictive summer read for fans of psychological thrillers.

Prepare to be captivated by the suspense, the sense of impending danger, and the chilling secrets that lie beneath the surface in "The Summer Girl." Jenny Blackhurst's masterful storytelling will keep readers guessing until the very end, making it an ideal choice for those seeking an engaging and thrilling summer read.

Oh I love author Jenny Blackhurst. so when this came up on NetGalley and I was accepted to read it I was so excited.

The Summer Girl did not disappoint either and I read this novel within 3 days, which for me is good.

We meet main character Claire, she has a younger sister Holly and she is missing after she took a job working at a very nice Martha's Vineyard in America. Claire is not keen on Holly traveling all the way to America and when she stops texting/answering her phone Claire knows something is up and has to find her sister.

Told from both Claire and Holly's points of views this type of narration really sets the scene of the story and is quite hard to read at times whilst also being heart-breaking.

I found The Summer Girl very easy to read with strong, likeable characters that I am sure most people will resonate with.

Excellent story telling from Jenny Blackhurst and a wonderful novel to read (but be warned this will keep you up at night).

Thanks to NetGalley, Jenny Blackhurst and the publishers for allowing me a copy of this brilliant novel in exchange for my honest review.

This was my first book by Jenny Blackhurst and she did not disappoint. This book is told from multiple perspectives and is quite gripping.

It follows the themes of loss, privilege, sacrifice and revenge. The book has quite a lot of twists and a major one that I didn't see coming. Recommend!

Thank you NetGalley and Canelo for this arc in exchange of my unbiased review.

Unfortunately this one just isn't for me. Writing is good but a bit dry. I am DNFing at 30% so I'm giving 5 stars because it'd be unfair otherwise. Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this eARC

This book was disappointing.

We follow Claire, who’s sister Holly is in America and is missing. No one is taking Claire seriously, so she is determined to figure out where her sister is herself.

I found this book to be very boring. I wasn’t engaged, and the “twists” were very predictable. I also thought the twist was so unrealistic. It didn’t make sense with the character development we had been shown throughout the book. I found Claire to be slightly annoying, and couldn’t bring myself to really care about what happened to Holly. Overall, a dud of a book.



Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book!

Name of Book: The Summer Girl
Author: Jenny Blackhurst
Publisher: Canelo Suspense
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Pub Date: July 13, 2023
My Rating: 4 Stars!
Pages: 290


It has been some time since I read "Before I let You in" a Jenny Blackhurst thriller, and was anxious to read this story.

This story is told from the POV of sisters Holly and Claire – then and now.
Claire and Holly both were born and raised in England; however, Holly decided she wanted a summer job in the US and goes to Martha's Vineyard.
Now she is missing.
Claire has tried to communicate via text but her messages go unanswered, Holly finally sends a short text apologizing for being out of communication. The message does not sound like one Holly would write so Claire is off to Martha’s Vineyard to find her sister. Once Claire is there it appears no one really cares what happened to her. The police know Holly was involved with two wealthy playboys and relatives to the Kennedy’s. It seems rich guy’s bad behavior is overlooked by police. Not the case with Claire she is going to find out what happened!

Author, Jenny Blackhurst did not disappoint! A twist I should have suspected but didn’t!!!

I love mysteries and also love Nantucket and Martha Vineyard stories. One would never guess that I live on the west coast 12 miles from the beach and yes we do have great Laguna Beach stories but not the same as the ones from these two icon islands.
Now looking forward to Ms. Blackhurst’s next story!!!

Want to thank NetGalley and Canelo Suspense for this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for July 13, 2023.

"Holly and Ryan would never be more than a drop in the ocean of one another’s lives."

What would you be willing to do in the name of justice? How far would you go to protect your secrets?

The Summer Girl addressed these questions and more as Claire was determined to find her missing sister, Holly, on Martha's Vineyard and the illusion of the safety of the island nestled in paradise began to crumble. What dangers and risks might underlie the false sense of security in this small town? What were the costs of perfection?

Had the prologue been eliminated or moved to a later part of the story, this book could have been a suspenseful thriller but it only takes a few pages before finding out what had happened to Holly and it felt rather anticlimactic. Instead, the story followed the progression of events as Claire struggled to catch up while the reader also learned the events that led to that fateful day on the island from Holly's perspective. Chapters were narrated alternately between Claire and Holly but the use of the third person for Holly instead the first person as used for Claire created a disconnect from the narrative. Furthermore, the language was off-putting in the ways British wording was often used even by characters who did not hail from England.

I would have liked to see a trigger warning for sexual assault mentioned in advance and that was lacking here. In many ways, this story seemed to be just another recycled cautionary tale set in the spirit of the MeToo movement. Of course, this was a very important message to send but it also greatly reduced the tension and the suspenseful nature of the twists through its predictability.

There were, however, other positive aspects of this book that made it worth reading. I liked the focus on the different ways people grieve, on how they deal with the pain and guilt inherent in grief and loss based on their individual experiences. I also liked the look at the dynamics and complexities of sibling relationships and the idea of living one's life to the fullest without any regrets.

How do we hold people accountable for their actions?

Power, privilege and entitlement were key issues throughout and they made a statement on class structure and societal imbalance. In the quest to solve the mystery behind Holly's disappearance, most characters were not what they seemed and discovering their lies and secrets kept me interested in continuing to read. Culminating in an ending that could certainly be deemed controversial, I was left unsure if I was truly satisfied with the way justice was ultimately served.

"So why did he feel he had to take her life? And to that I’d say because he could."

** Special thanks to Canelo and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. Quotes subject to change at time of publication. Available July 13, 2023. **

I was skeptical about this one because I thought it was going to be a typical summer thriller. Well, I was surprisingly wrong! It had so many twists & turns that I didn’t see coming! I love a good ending that I didn’t predict! I give The Summer Girl four out of five star! I recommend reading this one!