Member Reviews

This novel explores a variety of emotionally charged topics with sensitivity, if not depth. From the tone of the first few pages, it became apparent that the writing my best be appreciated by a YA audience. Much of the tension focuses on class distinctions, among both adults and teenagers engaged in activities at a private golf/tennis club in rural Massachusetts. In that regard, the storyline is predictably peppered with bullies, entitled members, and well-intentioned souls.

Amidst all the drama is plenty of teenage angst over not fitting in as well as the challenges of supporting an autistic family member and the shame and secrecy associated with sexual harassment. This was an okay read and may provide solace to teenage readers facing some of the same issues.

My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This review is being posted immediately to my GoodReads account and will be posted on Amazon upon publication.

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This is the first book I've read by Hannah McKinnon (who is not the same as Hannah Mary McKinnon, FYI) and it was an okay summer beach read. It came off as a somewhat YA to me in tone and story, with the focus on the teenaged daughter and next door neighbor. And there is a huge, unresolved plot hole at the end, which was kind of abrupt, even with an epilogue.

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This was such a fun summer read! I flew through the story and will be recommending it to my book club for our July/August pick!

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Thank you NetGalley, Hannah McKinnon and Atria/Emily Bestler Books for providing me with this advanced copy.

I have to be honest I had a hard time getting through this book. It was a little slow for me. It also felt like a young adults book. More about teenage angst than the adult issues. The ending was really good and I’m glad it all worked out for Darcy and Flick in the end.

I guess this would be an easy laying in the hammock on a summer day kind of book…it did have a good story line and was well written just not enough excitement for me. Easy reading for sure.

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The Summer Club by Hannah McKinnon is the story of Darcy and Flick along with their families. The author does family life well showing that each person is not just one thing--for me the family drama and complexity were the story's highlight. Though the story was somewhat predictable, the nuances of the characters kept me involved. This story would also be a good YA read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of The Summer Club in exchange for an honest review.

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The Summer Club” by Hannah McKinnon is a summertime read must. The story is centered around a lakeside Social Club aka Country Club. There is a social order in place, of course. The club’s manager wants the best for the club and his family. His daughter has history at the club as a top golfer too. The book resolves around a new employee that is new to the area and his discovery of a new life. There are tandem storylines between families. Unexpected easy, but satisfying read. Thank you to Net Galley and Atria Books for this advance read. Be sure to preorder this one out July 23rd.

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I received a free copy of, The Summer Club, by Hannah McKinnon, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This book is in Massachusetts, at exclusive Mayhaven beach club. Darcy is not having the best summer, along with Flick, whos family has moved from New York, to Massachusetts. I did not care for this book, it was not a light summer read at all.

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the story is about the Mayhaven beach club in Massachusetts and its members. it is a quick enjoyable read.

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The Summer Club is an easy and entertaining read perfect for summer. I would recommend it for a younger audience too since it focuses on a teenage romance.
Thank you to Netgalley and the blanker for this early readers copy in exchange for my honest review.

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Although i enjoyed this book and it was an easy and quick read, i thought it was very predictable though, from the main plot to the little sub plots. Not sure I would read this author again. It just didn't pull me in. Additionally too many subplots were abandoned and left unresolved.

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Life is pulling back the curtain of Mayhaven Beach Club, and the people in the community. As I was reading the story, like life, things unravel and are revealed at the right time. Adam said it best, when he said, people weren't listening or paying attention, and we got to see what happens when no one is.
I received an ARC from Atria/Emily Bestler Books through NetGalley.

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The book revolved around a beach club in Massachusetts and its members. The story follows along with Ned, the president of the beach clubs, his daughter, Darcy, who quit playing golf (a sport her dad love), and is a moody teenager, and Flick, the boy who moved in next door. Each character is dealing with their own inner conflicts regarding the club.
I enjoyed the book but, it did take me a bit to get into it. It is an easy read. If you’re into “beach reads,” then I suggest you give this book a chance.
Thank you NetGalley and Hannah McKinnon for the chance to read the book before it is released ❤️

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This book had a lot of potential but was slow moving for me. I just wasn’t hooked on the story or characters enough to finish to the end.

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Hannah McKinnon has become one of my favorite writers and her new releases are always one of my must-read books of the year. Her writing style has the knack for drawing readers right into her world, and I love the cadence of her words and the settings she draws with them.

Some of her books resonate with me more than others, and this one falls in the middle for me. I felt drawn right into the world of Mayhaven, a private summer club with a golf course on the lake, a place with a glorious past but an uncertain future. I liked reading the story through the three points of view characters—Ned, the man who runs the club and who had been going to Mayhaven since he was a child (even though he’d been snuck through the back door)…his daughter Darcy, a golf whiz who suddenly quits the sport for reasons unknown…and Flick, the son of Ned and Darcy’s new neighbor, transported to their quiet, idyllic town from deep in the boroughs of New York City. In some ways, the book is a clichéd retelling of the age-old story of the haves and have-nots, of outsiders being kept on the outside and judged for their differences, of snotty rich kids who never experience the consequences of their actions. There are some heavier questions in the book that are alluded to throughout the story but aren’t touched upon until the very end, and that ending comes quickly with a wrap-up that left me wanting a little bit more.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria/Emily Bestler Books for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

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“The Summer Club” is a quick read with some interesting summertime drama. What I liked best: the likable characters, especially Darcy, Ned, Adam, and Flick. The behind-the-scenes glimpse at the running of a club like this was also fun, and reminded me a bit of the movie “Dirty Dancing” in terms of relationships between staff, long-time members/guests, and newcomers. I also found that I was easily able to envision the settings, mostly Mayhaven itself, but also the neighborhood where Darcy and Flick live, thanks to abundant descriptions. What I liked least: that no one really pressed Darcy to explain her sudden change-of-heart regarding golf. This ongoing tension added to the drama, but it didn’t come across as overly realistic. The novel was somewhat predictable, but still a fun read for the summer. Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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This family drama is set in a small community near an exclusive beach club in Massachusetts. The chapters alternate between characters. It’s also a coming of age story about Darcy. Her father’s life has revolved around the club and golf since he was very young. Their one commonality is golf. There is s substantial part of the plot devoted to golf. I love many sports, golf isn’t one of them. Glad I didn’t forgo reading this because I would’ve missed a great story. Darcy’s brother has some social challenges and she is his strongest advocate and protector. Darcy is great at golf then abruptly quits the game. Then some new neighbors move next door. They don’t seem to fit with the locals expectations and shake up the neighborhood. Soon it’s about Darcy choosing between the rich club member’s son with clout and the new kid in town who’s a different color and doesn’t fit the mold. I found all the characters compelling and realistic, they drew me into their world. There’s something for everyone in the plot – mystery, romance, humor, family values, community, and it would be a great beach read. Even as I already guessed much of the plot and some of it was too predictable, it never hurts to be reminded of what’s important in life. The author was new for me and I enjoyed her novel.
An Advance Reader Copy of “The Summer Club” by Hannah McKinnon, Atria/Emily Bestler Books, anticipated publication 07/23/2024, was provided by NetGalley. These are all my own honest personal thoughts and opinions given voluntarily without compensation.

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I want to thank NetGalley, Hannah McKinnon, and Simon & Schuster for letting me read The Summer Club. It's a nice story about summer, family, golf, and friendships set in Massachusetts. The characters are likable, and the book touches on important topics despite its light tone. The plot focuses on the Birch family and their experiences at the Mayhaven club, showing the differences between rich and working-class people. When teenager Flick moves next door, he becomes friends with Darcy, and they have a memorable summer together. The book is suitable for teens with its clean content, but the ending felt sudden, leaving some things unresolved.

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A fun look into a small, idyllic American summer town and their country club! The book follows the point of view of three members of the community (Ned the president of the club and Darcy's Dad, Darcy, Ned's teenage daughter and Flick, the new Latino kid in town and Ned and Darcy's neighbour) that are adjacent to the members of the club and how their lives are intertwined and affected by the club and its members. The book follows the drama and gossip of the summer. Beyond the gossip of the town, the reader experience's Flick and Darcy's coming of age book and Ned grappling with how his past has affected his actions with his family and community.

With that, the book tries to tackle too many socio- economic issues at once, which is probably true in many country clubs but as a result it feels like the author skims the surface of each rather than digging deep into one. It was often time predictable and felt like it was trying to cover too much.

Ultimately, a fun beach read that is thought provoking in the class system of North America

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The Summer Club is a delightful and engaging read that takes us into the world of a country club camp for adults. The story revolves around Ned, the president of the Mayhaven Community, his family, and their new neighbors—Stan, Josie, and Flick—who recently moved to town and are not part of the Mayhaven Community.
The narrative unfolds over a summer as Ned strives to keep Mayhaven running smoothly despite the club facing various struggles. Alongside managing his responsibilities at the club, Ned is also dealing with personal challenges, including his daughter Darcy's sudden disinterest in golf, a sport in which she had been excelling as a junior.
Flick, adjusting to the move from bustling New York City to the serene yet preppy suburbia, secures a job at Mayhaven. This new role helps him integrate into the community, and he forms a friendship with Darcy. The summer at Mayhaven is marked by a series of scandals and fun-filled events, making the story both entertaining and immersive.
One of the highlights of the book is the behind-the-scenes look at the workings and struggles of country clubs. This aspect is both informative and intriguing, adding depth to the narrative. The characters are well-developed and likable, each bringing their own unique charm to the story.
The climax of the book centers around a major event at the club where everything seems to go wrong—or perhaps, right? This twist keeps the readers on their toes and adds to the overall enjoyment of the book. Although the story contains trigger warnings for sexual assault, these elements are handled with care and are not overly heavy.
Another commendable aspect of The Summer Club is the inclusion of Ned's son, Adam, who is a person with autism. Adam's portrayal is thoughtful and well-executed, avoiding stereotypes and providing a genuine representation of his character. His presence in the story adds an extra layer of richness and inclusivity.
The ending of the book is satisfying, although it leaves some threads unresolved, such as the issues with Spencer and the thefts. This open-endedness suggests the possibility of a sequel, leaving readers eager to return to Mayhaven next summer.
Overall, The Summer Club is a great summer read, perfect mix of drama, humor, and the lightheartedness of summer.

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This was a fast beach read that included some laughs, a lot about golf, teenage issues, and a lesson on how a country club is run.

My major flaw with the book is that so many side stories and questions were never dealt with/answered. What was wrong with Darcy (we have three main characters - Ned, the father and President of the country club; Darcy, his daughter and champion golfer; and Flick, the new boy in the neighborhood.) seemed obvious to me it was annoying that nobody really cared enough to push her into telling what the problem/s was/were.

Not my favorite of McKinnon's books, though it's a fast read. Honestly, the plot feels already done, it resolves around serious themes.

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