The Summer We Started Over by Nancy Thayer. A beautiful story about love, happiness and books. What more could you want.

There are not enough words to say how much I liked this book. Nancy Thayer has written a story that filled me with so many different emotions as I was reading.
Sisters- Eddie and Barrett are back together in Nantucket where they are trying to reconnect. The summer will be filled with so many emotions and a lot of things that will be for them along with family and friends.
This book is a perfect beach read. Plan to be pulled into this story and to have a cast of characters fill your reading with pure joy.
Thank you NetGalley, Nancy Thayer and Random House Publishing Group for the copy of The Summer We Started Over. This is my personal review.

The Grant family, Eddie, Barret, and their father, William moved to Nantucket after their brother/son died in a crash and their mother/wife left the family. Eddie always loved books and for the last few years has been an assistant to a famous romance author. But she has had to live in the same Manhattan apartment with the author and has been at her beck and call for all that time. Eddie has lived a glamorous life and traveled extensively. She hasn't had a day off in two years.

Barrett has always had a dream of having her own shop and after working herself to the bone for the last few years, she's finally put away enough money to open her own shop. William has been stuck in a rut. He was a college professor and he's now working on a book on English Romance Poets, but he hasn't made a lot of progress.

So Eddie comes back to Nantucket for a vacation. And that's where the story really gets started. This is a feel good story, pretty predictable, but it's a pleasant, fun and clean read. It's acceptable for almost all readers and I recommend it for a summer read.

The Summer We Started Over
By: Nancy Thayer
Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Ballantine Books
General Fiction (Adult), Romance, Women's Fiction
pub Date: April 23, 2024

The Summer We Started Over is a lovely story of the re-connection of sisters Eddie and Barrett, set in Thayer's signature locale of Nantucket. I have adored Thayer's writing since the 1980s, and this book quickly became one of my favorites. I absolutely love the cast of characters, including the sisters, their dad William, and childhood friend Dove and her son. Dinah Lavender, a famous romance novelist, rounds it out with warmth, wit, and charm when she arrives on the island.

Thayer can really write about relationships, and this novel goes deep on many levels as the characters come together on Nantucket for the summer. Several literary themes interspersed in the plot that deepened my enjoyment of the story. William's book hoarding and intellectual writing compared to Dinah's romantic style added a fun twist. This is so much more than a beach read, and it will brighten any season.

Thank you to Net Galley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Ballantine Books for a gifted advance reader's copy. My review is my own.

A beautiful story of two sisters, Eddie and Barrett, along with their hermit of their father who also is a hoarder of books. Eddie loves her fast paced, glamorous lifestyle as an assistant to a famous romance novelist. She heads to Nantucket after two years since she did promise her sister that she would come and help out when she opens her shop. Which is Barrett passion and dream come true. Not only does Eddie reconnect with her sister and helps with her dad’s problems, she also finds that she never stopped loving Jeff.
The farmhouse is soon overflowing with guests and one learns that change can be good. A story of 1st love, 2nd chance love and heartbreaking selfless love…..have the tissues ready.
Thank you #NetGalley for this ARC. The review expresses my honest opinion and mine along. #TheSummerWeStartedOver

Until recently, Edie has been happy with her life as a personal assistant to Dinah, a famous romance author, but something about watching life from the sidelines isn’t as fulfilling as it once was. Her sister, Barrett, is opening a gift shop on their home island of Nantucket, so Edie decides to take a break and return home to help Barrett. But being back on the island means facing the things Edie left behind, things she would prefer to avoid but knows she can’t.

I have yet to be disappointed by one of this author’s books, and her spring releases are always a great way to kick off the summer-themed reading season. As is typical in her books, the characters are people you would like to get to know and spend time with, despite the complicated relationships between some of them. The setting is described so well I feel like I’m on Nantucket with them – the ocean breeze, the summer sun, the sand between my toes... Too bad that season is still so far away :)

This book has a hint of mystery in it – although maybe it’s more of a puzzle than a mystery? – but the primary themes are family and romance. The romance aspect was predictable, but without some of the usual tropes that drive me crazy in romance books. The family storyline was almost as predictable, but had a surprise or two thrown in that I wasn’t expecting.

I look forward to returning to Nantucket and reading Ms. Thayer’s next novel whenever it is released.

Eddie Grant has been living in New York, working as a personal assistant to the renowned romance author Dinah Lavender. When Eddie's sister Barrett is set to open her dream boutique, Nantucket Blue, Eddie goes back to Nantucket to spend the summer helping out at the boutique, and helping with their dad. Their dad had turned into a recluse and book hoarder ever since their brother died and his wife left him, and while Eddie is there, she makes it her mission to clear out some of those books and make the house livable again. As soon as Eddie gets to Nantucket, she sees the one man she dreaded seeing - Jeremiah "Jeff" Jefferson., and they both realize their love for each other never faded. Eddie will have to decide if she is ready to break ties with Dinah and move to Nantucket permanently, so that she and Jeff can really make their relationship work. Meanwhile, Barrett is juggling two men - one is a wealthy summer person, and the other is a carpenter and woodworker, and she is having a hard time figuring out what she wants. To top everything off, Dinah Lavender decides she can't work in New York alone without Eddie, so she packs up and moves to Nantucket for the summer, and then sparks begin to fly between Dinah and Eddie's dad. This is definitely going to be a summer for all of them to make big changes, and start over.

This will make the perfect beach read. There is not only the beautiful beach setting, but there is romance, heartbreak, and a great story that will keep you captivated as you lay by the pool or out on the sand. I have to say, I felt absolutely no chemistry between Barrett and the "summer guy". I found him very unlikeable. He seemed to treat Barrett's shop as more of a hobby, and he acted like his time & his own work was much more important. There were so many red flags, and it was confusing why Barrett couldn't see them. I loved the reluctant romance of Dinah and Eddie's dad. They seemed like such an odd pair, but somehow they worked. I loved how in the beginning, Dinah would flirt with him, and he would turn red-faced and start mumbling to himself, and have to leave the room. I could just picture it in my mind. I was really rooting for Eddie and Jeff, hoping this time they could make their relationship work. This one definitely needs to be at the top of your TBR pile when you are getting ready to head out for vacation!

The Summer We Started Overby Nancy Thayer is a story of heartfelt facing the past to be start new beginning. Difficult family situation caused Eddie Grant to leave home and not returning to the beautiful island of Nantucket until now. The two sisters, Eddie and Barrett deal with a withdrawn father, new careers, and even a nervous romance writer. Along the way they find their sibling reconnection and love.

Right in time for Memorial Day when Barrett is opening her new gift shop. Be sure to enjoy this wonderful story of family.

I love Nancy Thayer books and appreciated having the opportunity to read an early copy of her new book. I loved this book and couldn’t put it down, stayed up way too late because I didn’t want to stop reading! Very engaging and enjoyed the multiple perspectives. The family dynamics were great and seeing them develop even more and find their way was fantastic. The sister relationship was perfect! Highly recommend!

In this latest novel by Nancy Thayer, we meet two sisters Eddie and Barrett who are trying to start over after a series of tragic events. Eddie, the older sister comes home to Nantucket for the summer; taking a break from working in NYC for Dinah Lavender, a demanding, spoiled romance novelist. Barrett, the young sister has been holding down the fort at home; finally realizing her dream of owning her own shop and living with her dad William, a retired professor who has become a book hoarder and a loner. The novel explores love, loss and new beginnings and is a nice read without a heavy plot. The main characters are likeable and not overbearing. Thank you to Random House Publishing- Ballentine Books for this advance reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book was so refreshing! I loved following the story of this family and how they all faced adversity but stuck together, fought their fears and made the best out of life. You couldn’t help but love the two sisters. I really enjoyed this book.

I generally like Nancy Thayer's books, largely because of the setting. But I will say that she doesn't have a lot of imagination when it comes to endings -- as though young marriage and having children is the only acceptable happy ending for a woman. That said, this book was fun if a bit melodramatic at times. I enjoyed the character of Dinah Lavender and I tried to ignore all of the unrealistic situations. Put this one in your beach bag!!

The Summer We Started Over comes out next week on April 23, 2024 and you can purchase HERE.

Eddie Grant was surprised at how well her life had turned out, especially given what an eccentric family she'd come from.

Here she was, twenty-nine years old, living in Manhattan and making a six-figure salary as a personal assistant to the famous and beloved romance writer Dinah Lavender. Eddie got to travel with Dinah, eat at posh restaurants with Dinah, wear fabulous clothes, and meet fascinating people.

The Summer We Started Over by Nancy Thayer
Two sisters reconnect and pursue their dreams on the beautiful island of Nantucket, overcoming life’s challenges and finding new love, in this heartwarming and hopeful novel by New York Times bestselling author Nancy Thayer.
Eddie Grant is happy with her life and her work as a personal assistant to Dinah Lavender, one of the most famous and renowned romance authors in the business. But being a spectator to notoriety and glamour isn’t as fulfilling as she once thought. Thankfully, Eddie has the perfect excuse for a vacation: Her hardworking younger sister, Barrett, is opening her gift shop on Memorial Day weekend, and could use all the help she can get.
But going home to the beautiful island of Nantucket means facing the family’s difficult past. Shortly after the death of Eddie and Barrett’s brother, their mother left them and their father made the spontaneous decision to buy a small farm. Eddie stayed there for only a year before her family’s grief threatened to consume her as well, and had been living in Manhattan ever since. Now that she is back, Eddie must face all she left behind: her father’s increased eccentricities, which has led to a house bursting at the seams with books; her sister’s resentment over Eddie’s escape; and a past love connection, one that is still undeniable and complicated, all these years later. But the Grant sisters are nothing if not resilient and capable, opening a used bookstore in their father’s abandoned barn to manage his hoarding, and navigating the discovery of a long-buried family secret that will change all of them forever.
This is Eddie and Barrett Grant's story.
This is William Grant's story.
Eddie Grant was surprised at how well her life had turned out, especially given what an eccentric family she’d come from.
Here she was, twenty-eight years old, living in Manhattan and making a six-figure salary as a personal assistant to the famous and beloved romance writer Dinah Lavender. Eddie got to travel with Dinah, eat at posh restaurants with Dinah, wear fabulous clothes, and meet fascinating people.
First of all, Barrett was finally going to launch her shop, Nantucket Blues, on Memorial Day. It was a huge, exciting undertaking for Barrett. The summer residents would be flocking to the island, and so would the tourists. It would be an enormous help to Barrett if Eddie was around to assist by simply being there. Moral support, Eddie supposed it was called. They’d always been there for each other. Eddie could also help with their father, a handsome, intellectual man who had been so weakened by sorrow that he’d escaped to a farmhouse on Nantucket, brought his daughters with him, and hid himself away writing a book Eddie wasn’t sure he would ever finish.change all of them forever.
The Summer We Started Over by Nancy Thayer is a 3 star book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

Eddie is living her dream life. She is living in New York City and is an assistant to a well-known romance writer. She attends glamours events, meets important people, but her boss is so dependent on her and she rarely gets a vacation. Her father was a professor at Williams College. Her mother left the family while the children were still living at home. Her father was heartbroken and moved the family to Nantucket. Eddie falls in love with Jeff, a local builder. However, she breaks up with him and moves to NYC. What scares her? Her mother was such a poor mother that Eddie does not want to repeat that experience with another child. Jeff wants to marry her and have children.
Two years later, her sister Barrett, is fulfilling her dream and opening a boutique on Nantucket. Eddie wants to go home to Nantucket for an extended period of time. to spend time with family and help Barrett. Her boss flips out and can't do without her. She agrees to work remotely part-time. Her boss shows up to spend the summer with the family. How will that work out, especially with her introvert father who hoards books while he's writing his own books.
I just love Nancy Thayer's Nantucket books! She develops such meaningful relationships between the characters. I almost felt in this book that I was one of the sisters! I did not want this book to end. Don't miss this one, it's great.

Wonderful book!

This book has all the emotions...nerves, happiness, love and grief. One summer in Nantucket when Eddie, her sister Barrett and their Dad, William, along with Eddie's boss Dinah and others come together in one house and at the end of that summer, all their lives are changed. I was immediately vested in the story, the main characters were all very likeable, and the Nantucket setting was perfect.

I didn't want this story to end, and I hope there is a sequel to follow in the future. This book will be loved by anyone who has read Ms. Thayer's books, or who loves Nantucket, or family stories...this is all that rolled into one. Well-written and fast moving, clean. High recommend.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

This is a great if somewhat predictable story. If you're a fan of Nancy Thayer, this one is for you. Eddie & Barrett are sisters on very different paths after their mother leaves and divorces their father and then their brother dies. Their father decides to move them to a farmhouse in Nantucket. After living there briefly (and falling in love), Eddie decides to become an assistant to a romance writer in New York City. Barrett stays in Nantucket and saves money to open up her own store there. Once Barrett is ready for her grand opening, Eddie decides she needs to come help her with the store and their dad. This leads to a great story about family, love, friendship, and life choices. Great story!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for advanced copy, and I give my review freely

Almost classic Nancy Thayer. Set on Nantucket (of course), it's the story of sisters Eddie and Barrett and later their sister in law Dove. There are some basic implausibilities here- namely that their father's somewhat impulsive move to the island (it's not inexpensive to live there and he's basically unemployed) and similarly that Barrett would be able to start her gift shop for the same reasons-but if you go with it, it's a generally sunny tale of family and romance. With a bit of darkness. Thayer's legions of fans will ignore the sometimes awkward writing and swallow this whole. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read for the end of the day.

The Summer We Started Over by Nancy Thayer is a wonderful story. I was hooked in the first chapter and enjoyed the Nantucket feel. I could imagine myself in their world, hanging out in the bookstore barn! There were a few parts that were sad, but overall it was a feel good beach read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group – Ballentine for giving me the opportunity to read this advanced copy for my honest review.

The Summer We Started Over is a great story set in beautiful Nantucket. It is a well written story about love, friendship, loss and perseverance. The plot is somewhat predictable, but it’s exactly what you need in a beach read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group- Ballentine for this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I can't say it enough nut Nancy Thayer can do no wrong. This was such a beautiful book. There is a lot of past pain for this family but wow to watch them over come it was beautiful. Nancy writes her characters so well that you feel like you know them and are there in Nantucket with them. This book make reminds you of the importance of family, friends and what true happiness can be. This book had me hooked from beginning until the end. I felt ike this book was a fast read and the pacing was perfect. This would be a perfect beach read for the summer. I HIGHLY recommend this book and her other books. Please grab a cup of coffee and ENJOY!!


Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Ballantine Books for allowing me to read this ARC for my honest opinion.