Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me this book for free in exchange for my review! All opinions are my own.

As someone who lives in New England, I am a huge fan of Elin Hilderbrand's novels. I was so disappointed to hear that Swan Song was going to be her last book set on Nantucket as she would like to spread her wings and write about other places. This book, which was an Amazon First Read in August, is her first foray into other books.

Elin really is a great writer and while I thought I was going to miss her writing about Nantucket, this book was still really enjoyable and I loved it. I am excited to see what Elin writes next.

If you like Audiobooks, this book is narrated by Elin's longtime narrator, Erin Bennett.

I look forward to Elin's next book!!

—


Many Thanks again to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest review.

********


If you are interested in seeing more of my reviews and other content feel free to connect with me here <3:

https://linktr.ee/bookreviewsbyjules (links to my Instagram, Goodreads, TikTok, Storygraph, My blog and Substack newsletter, etc)

If you are a publisher or author who has questions about my reviews (as well as questions about my stats, reach or engagement), please free to email me. I am also open to requests for book reviews from authors or publishers. Thank you again for taking time to read my review, and I hope you have a wonderful day!

This was an easy, breezy read. I enjoyed the setting of the Galapagos islands and Sophia's journey to figure out what was going on with her boyfriend. Although the ending was predictable, it was a fun read!

Sophia is on her way to the Galápagos Islands when her boyfriend has an emergency and has to return home. Sophia goes on the vacation anyways and gets to know some interesting and supportive people.. This book is very different from the author’s normal stories which I love. I’m not sure how I felt about this story - it was a little depressing, I would like to find out what happened immediately after the story ended. It did do a brief view of the future but I didn’t feel like it was enough. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A dreamy adventure to the Galápagos Islands from Elin. Note that if you hate the regular conflicts in her other novels, the plot of this short story won’t surprise you.

I couldn’t pass up a new EH book. Her newest, NATURAL SELECTION, released last week so grab it now! Only available on Amazon! EH gives such great summer vibes that I couldn’t turn down a Galapagos getaway in this newest novella. It’s a novel of taking chances and finding oneself—of course, doing so with a beautiful backdrop.

This story didn't make much sense to me -- basics of a narrative arc were missing.

Review copy provided by publisher.

THis was a great little short story about how your world can open up if you embrace what is thrown at you.

I always enjoy reading Elin Hilderbrand's novels and this short novella really packed a punch in it's 50 pages. There were moments of mystery where I was unsure where the book was going to go and I love that she incorporated such mystery and thrill into such a short read.

I loved this short story. I knew just enough about the characters to love them. I read it in one sitting and it was the perfect trip to Nantucket

Thank you Amazon Original Stories and NetGalley for e-ARC of the book.

Sophia and her boyfriend are on their way to Galápagos Islands but just before getting on the plane he gets a call about his family emergency. Sophia still goes on a vacation where she gets time to think her life over.

Even though it was a short story I really enjoyed all the characters and the description of wonderful nature of the islands. I’m starting to understand all the praise for Elin Hilderbrand.

Natural Selection was a short story about a New York woman that goes on a couples cruise only to find out that the person she was supposed to fall in love with is herself. The author wrote this well and it delivered a important message, as well. I enjoyed all of the characters and the setting of this book was amazing. Overall I enjoyed this short story and would recommend this one to any reader who loves short stories or romance. Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for this short story read in exchange of my honest review of Natural Selection by Elin Hilderbrand.

This was a charming tale, perfectly aligned with Elin Hilderbrand’s signature style. The setting was beautifully crafted, and I found Sophia to be a compelling and well-developed protagonist. My only disappointment lies in its brevity—I was left wanting much more from this delightful story.

This was a cute story that was very on-brand for Elin Hilderbrand. I enjoyed the setting, and I thought that Sophia was a fantastic main character. I hate that this was only a short story because I definitely wanted more!

I have read this ARC with a view to providing a review
All opinions and thoughts are my own

I've read some of this author before and always enjoyed their books
This didn't disappoint

Loved it

Thank you to NetGalley and Elin Hilderbrand for a copy of this story for an honest review!

Rating: 3/5 Stars

This was such a fun, short read! It was really easy to binge and had me interested the whole time.

I'm not a fan of short stories because, many times, you're forced to immerse yourself in a situation, create an emotional connection with the protagonist and form opinions on orbital characters without knowing anything about them. Sadly, that was the case here.

I've never not loved an Elin Hildebrand book. I adore her writing, the way she sets up a story, the plot lines she creates. I'm a fan to say the least. But there just wasn't room for her to shine here. I do think this could have worked as a novel but in this form, it lacked the usual Hildebrand luster.

3.5 rounded up to 4.

Love this author and this book was a one sitting easy to breeze through wonderful short story book. Never read a book from this author that I haven't liked.

Thanks to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an early release of this book.

My first Elin Hilderbrand book.

I story was good, but like with most novellas it can be challenging to develop characters and bond with them. She is clearly a gifted storyteller.

a contemporary short story with the Galápagos Islands as a background.

a fun, slightly thrilling short story by Elin Hilderbrand was a great way to say goodbye to this summer season. it was my first time reading anything by Elin - an author that many people consider to be THE summer writer - and maybe I'll give her another chance next year.

I think this was a fun short read! Wish it was longer form, I feel like I didn’t get the full effect of the message at the end of the story, because it was just too short.