jessicasilfenroy's review against another edition
5.0
It’s not summer without Elin Hilderbrand! What I liked most about this one, and what makes it stand out from her other books, is the time period it’s set in! The historical events mentioned make you feel as though you are transported back to ‘69. And through the diverse cast of characters and relevant topics discussed, I really think this story can relate to all readers.
Read if you like:
-Nantucket/ Martha’s Vineyard settings
-Dysfunctional families
-Multiple POVs
-Well executed plots
-1960s references
-Books about the different types of love and relationships
Read if you like:
-Nantucket/ Martha’s Vineyard settings
-Dysfunctional families
-Multiple POVs
-Well executed plots
-1960s references
-Books about the different types of love and relationships
allycampbell's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
rachelsb00kreviews's review against another edition
4.0
Summer of ’69 by Elin Hilderbrand
Read: June 24 — 27 (Book Review Pages: https://www.facebook.com/rewbookreviews OR Instagram: @rewbookreviews)
I’ve had this book sitting around for quite a long time now and thought it would be finally great to read now that summer is here. While I felt it took me a good while to read, once I got into it, I really enjoyed it and I am willing to bet this won’t be the only Elin Hilderbrand book I read. I think it was great summer read about an iconic time in our country. I rate it with 4⭐️ because it was a slower one for me but I think it was still a really good story about the generations of the Nichols/Foley/Levin family.
I loved the very different POVs of the mother and her three daughters, who have their own unique summer experiences and each become more interesting as the story progresses. All of them have a secret or a story to tell and that is what kept the book going…I had to know who did what or what was going to be the next delicious bit of drama added to this complex novel. It truly is an immersive read set on the ideal Nantucket for summer and tells a beautiful but complicated story of how the women of one family can be vastly different.
Being set in 1969 and to quote the synopsis, times they are a-changing. This book really shows how with the various themes throughout and explores so many elements of that era. It brings you back in time with various references to music including Woodstock, popular books or magazines, shows and movies. It shows how the society viewed racial differences, gives focus to the Apollo 11 lunar landing, and most importantly the war in Vietnam is the first thing that this book brings into the story. It’s extremely well done and thought out to make the reader think about the way things have changed over time but also just enjoy the various little details that are historically relevant.
Have you read this great summer-y vibe book? If so, what were your thoughts and who was your favorite character? And if you’re older, did you find this book a fun blast to the past?
Read: June 24 — 27 (Book Review Pages: https://www.facebook.com/rewbookreviews OR Instagram: @rewbookreviews)
I’ve had this book sitting around for quite a long time now and thought it would be finally great to read now that summer is here. While I felt it took me a good while to read, once I got into it, I really enjoyed it and I am willing to bet this won’t be the only Elin Hilderbrand book I read. I think it was great summer read about an iconic time in our country. I rate it with 4⭐️ because it was a slower one for me but I think it was still a really good story about the generations of the Nichols/Foley/Levin family.
I loved the very different POVs of the mother and her three daughters, who have their own unique summer experiences and each become more interesting as the story progresses. All of them have a secret or a story to tell and that is what kept the book going…I had to know who did what or what was going to be the next delicious bit of drama added to this complex novel. It truly is an immersive read set on the ideal Nantucket for summer and tells a beautiful but complicated story of how the women of one family can be vastly different.
Being set in 1969 and to quote the synopsis, times they are a-changing. This book really shows how with the various themes throughout and explores so many elements of that era. It brings you back in time with various references to music including Woodstock, popular books or magazines, shows and movies. It shows how the society viewed racial differences, gives focus to the Apollo 11 lunar landing, and most importantly the war in Vietnam is the first thing that this book brings into the story. It’s extremely well done and thought out to make the reader think about the way things have changed over time but also just enjoy the various little details that are historically relevant.
Have you read this great summer-y vibe book? If so, what were your thoughts and who was your favorite character? And if you’re older, did you find this book a fun blast to the past?
meredithcookson's review against another edition
3.0
3.0 stars
This was my first Elin Hilderbrand book, and I think most people have fallen in love with the Summer of '69....so I was disappointed when I didn't quite get the same feeling.
It definitely was an easy, generally enjoyable beach read, and the Nantucket/Martha's Vineyard setting was charming.
I think my main issue with this book was that it felt like we were continually in the introduction phase to the characters. Because this story is told from multiple points of view, the characters were developed very slowly and I felt like I was constantly just beginning to really dive in with them...for 400 pages. I definitely didn't hate this book, but it was a little dull and uneventful to me (so maybe it's perfect for zoning out on the beach!)
This was my first Elin Hilderbrand book, and I think most people have fallen in love with the Summer of '69....so I was disappointed when I didn't quite get the same feeling.
It definitely was an easy, generally enjoyable beach read, and the Nantucket/Martha's Vineyard setting was charming.
I think my main issue with this book was that it felt like we were continually in the introduction phase to the characters. Because this story is told from multiple points of view, the characters were developed very slowly and I felt like I was constantly just beginning to really dive in with them...for 400 pages. I definitely didn't hate this book, but it was a little dull and uneventful to me (so maybe it's perfect for zoning out on the beach!)
andreanourse's review against another edition
5.0
This is the first Elin Hilderbrand book that I’ve read and honestly, I’m mad at myself for waiting this long.
I absolutely adored this book and family. I saw a bit of myself in Kate, Jessie, Blair and Kirby. Through Hilderbrand’s words, I felt their story come to life.
Summer of ‘69 is a beautiful story that wholly embodied what I imagine the late 1960s to be like. And while I’ve never been to Nantucket, I feel as though I can say I’ve been now.
I absolutely adored this book and family. I saw a bit of myself in Kate, Jessie, Blair and Kirby. Through Hilderbrand’s words, I felt their story come to life.
Summer of ‘69 is a beautiful story that wholly embodied what I imagine the late 1960s to be like. And while I’ve never been to Nantucket, I feel as though I can say I’ve been now.
tallulahk's review against another edition
4.0
Every page served to piece together another piece of the Levin family’s puzzle or contained a little anecdote perfect for the moment; I also especially liked it as I've gone to Martha’s Vineyard and stayed on the street that Kirby lives temporarily on in the book.
kazeldya's review against another edition
5.0
I love how Hilderbrand connects the stories of various family members and also intersperses some historical events. First book of hers I've read, but I'm adding others to my TBR pile.
winglady's review against another edition
5.0
Although this starts a bit slowly, it turns into a delightful and movingly personal tale of how different people were affected by the remarkable events of 1969. It's not so much a historical novel as it is an exploration of family and connections. A magical journey.
stephaniejnl's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.25