This is my first book by Nancy Thayer. I am so inspired to read more of her books. I love the beach read feel of this book all I can say is it is a breathe of fresh air that takes me to my happy place.

Summer Light on Nantucket is the story of Blythe who is not only divorced but surrounded by teenagers. All of whom create their own family drama. Then mix in two potential boyfriends and Blythe’s summer getaway becomes so much more.

I’d like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. I read the audiobook version and the narrator kept me invested in the story the entire read.

Nancy Thayers write very cute, sentimental Nantucket escapism womens fiction, a category of summer books I enjoy. The plot and themes of this one were pretty standard divorce mother summers with children on the beach, enjoyable and breezy. However, the issue is that many of the summer and family dramas were drawn out and never resolved. How & why did her teenage daughter take back her cheating boyfriend, etc. The slow middle could have been cut entirely, the side plot of her ex-highschool love should have been explored better, and resolutions needed to be clearer. She built up well but didn't stick the landing

3.5⭐️
It was cute and fluffy. It not my typical type of romance that I go for but was looking to see how well the Nantucket imagery was handled. And while the romance was basic and repetitive it can have someone create the Nantucket visions easily as she is very descriptive.. sometimes overly so.

One thing that frustrates me is apparently Ms Thayer hasn’t been off island in a very long time as the stretch of 132 in Hyannis that she mentions hasn’t has two lanes in a very long time and why would kids be excited about seeing a Dunkin when they are from the Boston area where there is one in every corner? It’s like she wanted to try to stuff every type of imagery that she could having to do with a trip to the Cape and then Nantucket while not focusing on the story at hand which was very repetitive. Maybe it’s because I live on the Cape so it takes on a different impact?

I consumed the audiobook and the narrator Andi Arndt did a fine job with the recitation. She spoke at a good pace for the 1x speed which i appreciated and help keep me connected to the story more than I would have had I consumed the digital ARC.


I am thankful to have gotten a complimentary audio ALC from Brilliance Audio through NetGalley to read which gave me the opportunity to voluntarily leave a review.

My rating system since GoodReads doesn’t have partial stars

⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again

Summer Light on Nantucket Honest ARC Review:

This is a heartwarming story of first love, family ties and rekindled relationships.

Blythe, a middle school teacher, is a mother of four and divorcee who lives in the Boston area and summers on Nantucket. She is content as she navigates the stage of parenting teenagers.

This summer on Nantucket differs from the past as Blythe deals with a bit more teenage angst, her troublesome ex sister in law and her ex mother in law who has declining health.

Blythe is able to reconnect with her high school boyfriend, Aaden, who had once ended their relationship when he moved to Ireland. This reconnection becomes a bit interesting as yet another love interest is introduced to Blythe.

I really enjoyed reading this! Blythe’s character was very interesting and relatable. The sub characters added entertainment and insight into Blythe’s world as I saw the story unfold. Nick’s character is kind and seems to compliment Blythe’s. Celeste found peace and was content in her familial relationships. I really liked that she was so inclusive and kind with Blythe.
This is definitely one to add to your TBR!

Thank you for sharing this ARC with me. I am looking forward to more from Nancy Thayer!

This was such a good beach read! Blythe and her four children go to her house on nantucket every summer and this summer she is in for a treat with two guys fighting for her attention after her divorce. I loved that she still had a great relationship with her ex-mother in law and how they supported each other through all things. The only thing that bugged me about the story is that Blythe's life seemed kinda plain. She did not work and most of the time, her kids were out of the house doing their own thing. She is going back to teaching, but it just felt a little too open there. I enjoyed the love triangle she was in with her high school love, Aaden, and her new guy, Nick. Her ex-sister in law was the worst and the worst character of the book.

Nancy Thayer’s Summer Light on Nantucket is a breezy, emotional read that explores motherhood, identity, and second chances—all set against the idyllic backdrop of a beloved island retreat. Centered on Blythe Benedict, a middle school teacher and divorced mother of four, the novel follows one particularly eventful summer that challenges her sense of self and her place in the lives of those she loves.

Blythe is not a woman in crisis, which is refreshing. Three years post-divorce, she’s found stability in Boston, juggling a demanding job with the even more demanding role of parenting four kids—three of whom are teenagers. She’s not searching for reinvention. She’s not broken. But when summer rolls around and she heads to Nantucket with her children, she finds herself at a crossroads anyway.

This isn’t just a story about a summer romance, though romantic entanglements certainly arise. Blythe’s long-standing tradition of spending summers at the Nantucket home her grandmother left her is rich with nostalgia and family ritual. It’s the place where her children grew up playing in the surf and riding bikes to town. But this summer, things are different. Her oldest daughter, Miranda, is testing boundaries and pushing for independence. Her former mother-in-law, Celeste—still a beloved figure in the children’s lives—is battling declining health. And then, out of the blue, Aaden, Blythe’s high school sweetheart, resurfaces.

Aaden’s return injects a wave of past emotions into Blythe’s already-full life. Their reunion is bittersweet—he left for Ireland after high school and never looked back. Now, he’s back on Nantucket, older, possibly wiser, and maybe open to something more. But just as sparks begin to fly again, Blythe meets Nick, a thoughtful, grounded widower who shares her passion for teaching and understands the complexities of single parenthood. The dynamic between these three characters adds a layer of romantic tension, though not always in ways that feel fully satisfying. Aaden, in particular, feels emotionally distant for much of the book, and some readers may struggle with Blythe’s ongoing investment in someone who hasn’t consistently shown up for her.

Blythe herself is a bit of a mixed bag. On one hand, she’s clearly smart, loving, and committed to her family. On the other, she’s hard to connect with at times—especially for readers who don’t share her particular privileges. She owns a house on Nantucket (mortgage-free), has a supportive extended family, and the freedom to spend three months out of the year away from work. While these elements are part of the fantasy Thayer is crafting, they may create a bit of distance for readers looking for a more grounded or relatable heroine.

Still, what Thayer excels at—and always has—is evoking place. Nantucket isn’t just a setting here, it’s a mood. You can feel the salt in the air, the warmth of the sand, the creak of an old wooden porch. Her descriptions are immersive without being overly sentimental. That, combined with the multigenerational elements and the honest portrayal of parenting teens, makes this a rich, layered read even when some of the character dynamics fall short.

Summer Light on Nantucket is not a high-stakes drama or a sweeping romance. It’s a quieter story—about growing up even when you’re already grown, about redefining your purpose as your children become more independent, and about finding love in unexpected places. It will resonate most with readers who enjoy character-driven stories and who appreciate fiction that mirrors real-life emotional complexities, rather than glossing over them.

If you’re in the mood for something light but not fluffy, with beautiful scenery and some heartfelt moments, this is a solid pick. It’s especially perfect for fans of Nancy Thayer or Elin Hilderbrand, and for those looking to escape into a Nantucket summer—even if just for a little while.