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fkshg8465's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Rounding up to five. Started out like any Kristin Hannah book - a nice set up for a big struggle. Well, this one had a few that jerked me open. Surprisingly, it had less to do with Nora and Ruby and more to do with Eric and Dean (so grateful LGBTQ people have more rights now and that dreaming for family is so much more attainable in today’s world - at least more so than even in 2006 even the book was published).
All the relationships and conflicts ran parallel with parts of my own life (minus the fame). I think this is what’s so brilliant about Kristin Hannah. Somehow, she knows me so well, though she wouldn’t know me from boo. By the end, I was a puddle of mess, but I think that had more to do with all the memories of my mother’s life of valor and her undignified loss to cancer.
The only thing I thought was unrealistic was that her house was already set up to accommodate someone getting around a kitchen in a wheelchair. From what I know, almost everyone living in a wheelchair has had to redo large portions of their house, especially the kitchen. But heck, I suppose that’s why it’s called creative license.
All the relationships and conflicts ran parallel with parts of my own life (minus the fame). I think this is what’s so brilliant about Kristin Hannah. Somehow, she knows me so well, though she wouldn’t know me from boo. By the end, I was a puddle of mess, but I think that had more to do with all the memories of my mother’s life of valor and her undignified loss to cancer.
The only thing I thought was unrealistic was that her house was already set up to accommodate someone getting around a kitchen in a wheelchair. From what I know, almost everyone living in a wheelchair has had to redo large portions of their house, especially the kitchen. But heck, I suppose that’s why it’s called creative license.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Infidelity, Terminal illness, War, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Addiction, Grief, Homophobia, Abandonment, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Cancer
amy_sutt's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer
Moderate: Alcoholism and Toxic relationship
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
cassiereadsbooks_'s review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Infidelity, Suicide attempt, and Cancer
bookedbyelizabeth's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
SUMMER ISLAND by Kristin Hannah
CW: parental abandonment, drunk driving, cancer, death of a loved one
This book centers on Nora and her daughter Ruby. Nora left her marriage and abandoned her daughters, leaving them to deal with the aftermath of her absence. Years later, Ruby returns to the family home on Summer Island in order to write an exposé on her mother. Together, the family confronts their past and learns the truth. The book shows another point of view through Dean who is Ruby’s childhood love and also returns to the island for personal reasons.
This is another KH novel with family drama and strained relationships. It’s about a family finding their way back to one another, healing from past wounds, and moving forward together. I thought it was a solid book that was more compelling in the second half. There were definitely some emotional parts, especially towards the end, that left me a little misty eyed.
CW: parental abandonment, drunk driving, cancer, death of a loved one
This book centers on Nora and her daughter Ruby. Nora left her marriage and abandoned her daughters, leaving them to deal with the aftermath of her absence. Years later, Ruby returns to the family home on Summer Island in order to write an exposé on her mother. Together, the family confronts their past and learns the truth. The book shows another point of view through Dean who is Ruby’s childhood love and also returns to the island for personal reasons.
This is another KH novel with family drama and strained relationships. It’s about a family finding their way back to one another, healing from past wounds, and moving forward together. I thought it was a solid book that was more compelling in the second half. There were definitely some emotional parts, especially towards the end, that left me a little misty eyed.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Car accident, Abandonment, Cancer, Grief, Alcoholism, and Death
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