Two sisters reunite on beautiful Nantucket Island in this heartfelt novel by best selling author Nancy Thayer. This is a multi-generational story of Eddie, Barrett, and their dad on their journey of facing the family’s difficult past and pursuing new beginnings. The setting is beautiful and the writing is fantastic. A moving story about family, courage, and the joy of new beginnings. A must read to be added to your TBR list. Absolutely loved it.

Thank you to Netgalley and Ballantine Books for the advance copy in exchange for my honest opinion. Review will be posted to Goodreads, BookBub, and Pinterest on 1/27/24 and Amazon on publication day.

First I want to thank Net Galley for enabling me to read this book. That being said I have read several books written by Nancy Thayer and this was not one of my favorites. I thought it was too far fetched and there were several times when too many things were happening at once,

Absolutely loved Nancy Thayer’s latest. A multi- generational story with a beautiful setting makes it the perfect beach (or anytime) read.

It wouldn’t be summer without a delightful and heartfelt story from Nancy Thayer. I look forward to her new books every year and I was thrilled to receive an early copy of this wonderful book. With Nantucket as the backdrop, we meet sisters Eddie and Barrett and their father, William, who live in a quaint farmhouse with their adorable dog and an aloof, but loveable horse.

Most people would give anything to live on Nantucket, but eldest sister Eddie chose the bright lights of New York City as her home. She works for a popular romance author, which sounds like a dream job to me, but when her sister needed her, she raced back home to the island paradise. Barrett was opening up her own shop called Nantucket Blues, and she desperately needed Eddie’s emotional support at this special time in her life. Romance was in the air for both sisters and their father’s life was about to change in more ways than one.

The peacefulness and allure of Nantucket called to Eddie as she enjoyed her coffee on the deck while contemplating her choices in life. Barrett loved her life on the island and embraced every sunrise with hope and positivity. Their lives hadn’t been full of happiness but they had weathered the storm of sadness and leaned on each other for the strength to carry on. The summer winds bring back memories of their youth and a surprise visitor adds colorful conversation and an air of mystery to their happy home. It sounds like a house full of love, laughter and hope, and I am sure the magic of the island will make all their dreams come true.

I enjoy Nancy Thayer books and this one was just ok. It was good in the beginning and towards the end it got really repetitive. It really fixated on Barrett’s shop and her being happy with it. I wanted the book to go deeper the whole time. Just ok. Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy

I’ve always loved Nancy Thayer for a nice break from my psych thrillers! She did not disappoint this time either. I loved the family dynamic of William, Eddie, and Barrett, chasing their dreams and looking for happiness. The writing is interesting enough to keep you engaged. Great story!

Perfect summer read. Heartwarming and so needed in our unsettled world. Even though I knew how it was going to end, I enjoyed every moment of it.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to receive this book for an honest review.

I love Nancy Thayer books.
This one was funny and romantic. I felt like I didn't want it to end and that it kept me wanting more.

I highly recommend this one.

This book was really good. It was funny, heartfelt, and romantic. I had tears at the end. I love reading books by Nancy Thayer because there never is a dull moment in them. I'm grateful that netgalley and the publishers let me read this in exchange for an honest review.

Eddie, Barrett and their dad are transitioning into new lives. They are on a journey of finding what gives them purpose in life and opening themselves to new beginnings. The setting is in beautiful Nantucket. This is an emotional read. It’s extremely sad at one point. The writing is great. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

I’m a fan of Nancy Thayer and always really look forward to reading her new books. In The Summer We Started Over Eddie Grant returns to her family home in Nantucket to visit her sister and dad. Her two week stay extends to the length of summer as she grapples with family problems, has the famous author she works for move in, sees an old love, helps her sister open her new store, and her dads hoarding habit of books. Sounds like a lot, and it is. But it all works as a plot even if it’s tied up in a bow.
My criticism is the writing is very repetitive. We’re given the same information over and over ie.why they moved to Nantucket, the sisters thoughts on her store, and other instances. It almost feels like filler at times.
But it’s a Nancy Thayer book,perfect for a summer read, and out patrons will love it as always.

This is a lovely, heartwarming novel about a family reconfiguring and reinventing itself after tragedies and traumas. Eddie and Barrett are sisters with very different goals. They are struggling to care for their despondent father after losses have thrown him into a serious depression.

Eddie returns to Nantucket to help her sister care for their dad and open her dream boutique. Eddie has a glamorous job as an assistant to an extremely successful author in New York. She had escaped from Nantucket when she felt emotionally incapable of committing to the man she loves. Despite all her misgivings, Eddie does take off and visit Nantucket.

Somehow, Thayer brings them all together in Nantucket, Thayer stirs in a child, romance and stardust to make this a very affecting novel that’s a perfect beach (anytime) read.

Thank you Netgalley for this charming novel about what makes a family.

The Summer We Started Over was my first book by author Nancy Thayer. She did a great job at painting an idyllic Nantucket summer life. The way the characters grew and how their stories developed was sad yet heartwarming.

Another great story from one of my favorite authors! This book will hit you in all the feels as you become invested in the stories of all of the characters. Nancy does Nantucket settings so well, I felt like I was on the island. Loved this book. Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the ARC.

I LOVED this book!! Nancy Thayer is one of my favorite authors and she always writes a great story. Nantucket is such a beautiful setting for Nancy’s books and her knowledge about the island is apparent. I loved the sisters and their relationship. This was a heart wrenching tale of family, relationships and BOOKS! I would 100% recommend this book!

This was such a heartwarming story. The setting was very well done and I loved reading this book! I would highly recommend this book.

I received an advanced copy from NetGalley of Nancy Thayer’s newest novel - The Summer We Started Over. It was fabulous. The relationships interwoven between the characters was captivating. The maturation of Eddie and Barrett was fun to watch. I enjoyed Dinah bringing William back into the real world. I cried with the demise of Dove. I cheered when Barrett kicked Drew to the curb and pledged her love to Paul. I loved when Eddie found the confidence in herself to mother Bobby and how she found her way back to Jeff. This book touched all of my emotions.

“The Summer We Started Over” is one of the best books that I have read recently. The characters gripped from early on and I loved learning more about them as the story unfolded. I read this book in one day because the storyline gripped me similar to how a Netflix show will turn into a binge watch session.

The main character, Daphne, is working through her own fears based on her childhood. However, she returns home to support her younger sister and in doing so learns so much about herself and others.

This story tells about an incredibly relatable family. They experience many of the same trials and tribulations that modern families face. This includes death of a sibling, parents going to jail, and many other relatable experiences. Each experience allows you to see into the characters personality even more.

This book is the perfect beach read, buddy read, and just one that needs to be added to your 2024 list. You can’t help but be taken to Nantucket and live right alongside the characters.

I just love Nancy's Nantucket books. I did feel like this one was lacking the typical Nantucket background. Not many details about the beach, water etc, Great book with a family all struggling in some way finding love and answers to their struggles. Also a great way for them to connect with a long lost family member. I like how all these characters tie together in the end and everyone is happy. A couple storylines were predictable, and I really enjoyed how Drew and Janny showed their temper tantrum true selves.

4 stars
The Summer We Took Over is a lovely, heartwarming story of family, grace and healing. It has wonderful characters that I could not but help to love. This would make an excellent beach read or book club read.
Highly recommend! I received a complimentary copy of this book frrom Netgalley and the publisher.