This is a quick easy read, apparently the first in a trilogy about a wealthy family, the Fairchilds, during the 1950-60s. Lucia is an ambitious young woman pursuing a career in magazine editing, against the acceptable standards for that era when women were expected to be housewives. She prioritizes her career over everything else in her life, including a loveless marriage (can't really blame her there) which eventually brings about its demise, as well as her relationship with a daughter resulting from a one-night stand. Elmore is Lucia's much older brother who is a Wall Street executive with a lot of issues and seems to have his life's mission to alternately support and demean Lucia. Their relationship is confusing and irritating, though it can be said that most sibling relationships can be so at times.

All the characters in this story, while they have their shining moments, are not especially admirable. They behave like the entitled, pretentious people they are. The writing is a bit choppy and several times jumped ahead in a scene such that it made no sense. (Example: Lucia's second wedding, she phones her mother the same day, and two sentences later the mother says "you've called me every day since the wedding".) Side characters turned up who had not been mentioned before though main characters referred to them by name as if they had. These two (writing and/or editing) issues caused too much re-reading trying to decipher what I missed which was distracting.

BTW, the title is an utter misleading misnomer: They do own a house in Bayville, Long Island -- but there are only at most 3-4 scenes taking place there and definitely no entire summers.

Despite these criticisms, however, the book is overall a fairly good read. It kept my interest from the start, albeit sometimes because I was baffled and wanted to know how it turned out. The ending was joltingly abrupt even for the first of a trilogy. Adding just a bit more of the storylines, while not giving away the entire continuation, would be far more satisfying and and intriguing to make the reader want to get the next in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley for this opportunity to read and review this book.

This was a great story of a woman trying to make her way in a man’s world in the 50’s. I really liked the characters but wanted more answers from the ending.
Many thanks to Little Moose Press and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

As a native Long Islander, I was excited to see Bayville in the title and looked forward to novel set on Long Island's Gold Coast. While absolutely beautifully written, Bayville is referenced once or twice and Long Island isn't at all pivotal to the plot. However, this is a lovely book full of descriptions of upper class 1950s New York. The fashions alone make this worth the read.

Lucia Simmons is a strong and likable heroine who breaks the constraints of society to have a career and family on her own. This is the first novel in the Fairchild Family Saga and I looked forward to more from this author.

Thank you to Net Galley for the advance copy!

This book is the first in a series- a saga. Lucia works in publishing in the 50's - a woman ahead of her time. She is very spirited and her career ends up costing her marriage. Her brother, whilst not approving of her life choices, is always there for her. When he also makes a bad decision she is there for him.
Although I did enjoy this one I don't think I will probably read the rest of the series

Lucia is a strong willed woman that has made a way for herself in what is know as a man's world. Lucia works as a magazine editor in the 50s. With Lucia being so strong willed and determined to prove she can make it in a man's world, it ends up costing her her marriage.

Although Lucia's brother, Elmore, does not agree with everything she is doing, he stands by her during her rough times. After her divorce, Lucia comes up pregnant and has a beautiful baby girl. Elmore stands by her through it all.

When the tables turn and Elmore makes a less than smart decision, Lucia is there for him as well. I loved this relationship that these two had. Great family that sticks by each other.

This story flowed really well and I am anxious to see what is next from Louise Gaylord for her readers.

Was never able to download this book so unable to give a review

Life in the 50's and 60's is very much a man's world where woman are frowned upon for being unconventional but has anyone told Lucia who likes to blaze her own trail? This is very easy, light reading. I liked the description of it, but didn't like how old fashioned and stilted the style of writing was, so I won't be reading any more about Lucia and her family. Others will like this but sadly this book wasn't for me.