Happy 75th B-day to Gone With The Wind

Today marks the anniversary of the publication of Gone With The Wind.
There is special documentary, American Rebel. After the program there is a live chat on television broadcasting in Georgia. You don't have to travel far, just go to your computer. Here is the link to the program it starts tonight only at 8 PM. 

If you are interested google, Margaret Mitchell and Gone With The Wind.   There is are many resources on Margaret Mitchell and her book( only book written). There is a interesting site called, The Margaret Mitchell House, in Atlanta Georgia. If you are a fan, and live near the area that is a nice place to start

. She was a fascinating woman.  She was a rebel, and a  feminist before there was a name for that.

I have been a big fan of Margaret Mitchell. Loved the movie. But never read it. I think it is time to read it. It has been sitting at my TBR for quite awhile.  There is a biography written recently also, if you are interested.

Winners of the Midsummer Hop

Congrats to the winners of Midsummer hop, and my blogaversary giveaway.
Congratulations to Crystal, you won Ms. Haigh's novel, Faith what a great read. You will not be dissappointed. 

The winners of the Midsummer hop for Best Staged Plans by Claire Cook, congrats go to Mamabunny 13, and Judy for Butterfly's Daughter. Please let me know your addresses within the end of the week. If I don't hear from you, I will be picking another name.   Thanks for joining me at the hop. Till next time. I hope y'all enjoy your books and let me know what you think.

David Baldacci at Pawleys Island, SC

I went with my friend Amy to go to see David Baldacci, at his book tour, One Summer. I have never read any of his books. But, I have heard that he writes awesome stories.
I have recieved a few books as galleys from publishers, but have not had a chance to read any of his work. 

I have been to several book events at different book stores, where I lived, in northern New Jersey. I had seen some authors, through the independent book stores. I was able to see Mary Higgins Clark, James Patterson, and the greatest Sidney Sheldon.  My knowledge, how book events are run is not a novel thing.

I have been to Farleigh Dickinson University, where I have seen some great literary giants, such as Margaret Atwood.   At these events you learn how they write, and learn about the writer.  

In the last couple years I have gone to the Moveable Feast, it is hosted by the independent book store called Litchfield Books, and the local gallery, in Pawleys Island in SC.

The Moveable Feast is geared more for the retirees that live here in the tourist area of the Grand Strand.
A luncheon, and the guest speaker( the author). The cost to attend is a hefty price tag of $25. This does not include the book. Both times I was happy about the guest speaker, but the meal was not worth the time. But, the guest speaker made up for the value of the meal.

A couple of years ago, I went to see Sue Monk Kidd speak at Pawleys Island Community Church.  This year, I decided to go with my friend to see Mr. Baldacci.  You could either buy the book and this included the book event at Pawleys Island. I did not buy the book, I paid $10 entrance fee to see him.

The book tour was very different than what I was used to. He was very entertaining. He did not talk much about his books. He talked about his charitable organizations for literacy, called Wish You Well, and what he does for the local food banks.  What we found out a bit late, if you wanted to donate books, there was a box to place books to his organization. He also is planning with a couple other authors, like Jodi Picoult, and one other author, raising money for Mark Twain Foundation in the fall, at one of the universities in Conn.

Mr. Baldacci, I found out in most likely in his 50's. Too good looking to be that age. Unless he had plastic surgery, which may be possible. I could not stop staring.

He talked about his beginnings as a writer. When people started reading his books. What it was like to get on a airplane, and they were reading his novels.  Compare him to John Grisham, pretty funny.  He mentioned that one fan, told him he's books were too predictable. He did not find that out till the last page, but it was still predictable.  The story, that stands out to me was when he was with President Bush senior, and his wife in Maine. It was pretty unbelievable.  The parachute story was pretty funny as well. If you plan on going to Mr. Baldacci's book tour, plan to be laughing the entire time.

I was not expecting this at the event. I thought he was going to talk about his books. He was more of a comedian.   Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it. But, I go for the literary talks rather than comedy. But, I still had fun.

There was something published a week ago in The New York Times. The question came out should book stores charge for authors coming? First, I did not know that most authors the publishers pay for their expenses.  I don't know what is right or wrong. But, when you buy something, you want to see it first, like a car. You want to test it out, the same goes for the book.

 Most people want to buy a cheaper book somewhere else.  But, when you are buying the book cheaper you are supporting the author, and the publisher.  But, shouldn't a person get to see the author since he or she bought the book.?but online. In some respects I do see the independent book stores view, they do need to make their money. But then the buyer is out in the cold. She/he did buy the book, but not from the seller. I wonder what is right.

But, here is SC,We don't have a lot of choices. So I pay. But up north, there are other options.  Personally, I want to help the independent book store.  But, I hear alot from my book store friends they are angry. That he charges. What do you think? Leave your comment. This is a heated subject, if you get vulgar, nasty I will delete it, fair warning.

Hope You are having a nice weekend....

The Snowman : Book Review

The Snowman
By Jo Nesbo
Ebook version

Bought by me

I bought this book on Ebook-nook version. The Snowman was out of my comfort zone. But I thought I would give it a try. Especially the reference of snow, would cool me down in the hot summer heat. I have not read any Steig Larson novels. It sounded very similar and decided to give it a try. Everyone was raving about his novels. I did see the foreign versions. I did not care for either, too gory, and too much violent sex. I thought I was missing something. Most of our book club members are in their 60's. Thought something was wrong with me, I have to give this one a try. 

Wrong: It was very gory, bloody, raw sex, and everything in between. I assume most books that are written in Europe are more open about this. It was ok, for them. But, this is just not my style. I would prefer a good old fashioned Agatha Christy Mystery anytime.

For now I am going back to my familar genre literary fiction next.

 It was about a story of someone is killing women with children at the first snow fall. Someone was leaving their signature, A snowman. Great time to read, about a snowman.  Get away from the Sweltering, sun of Myrtle Beach.
I had a difficult time following all the characters, their foreign names.  I think perhaps next time, I will write the names down and outline everything if I decide to read another book like this. The story did draw me in at first, but then after awhile I could not focus in. I had a hard time connecting with the characters. Hard time following the story, and understand what was going on.


Perhaps that was because of the un necessary vulgur language, raw sex,   It was heart wrenching, and heart pounding in the beginning. But somewhere I lost it. If you are intimidated by blood I would not recommend this book.   

Everyone has different tastes. This one just did not do it for me. I struggled through the entire book. Perhaps because I bought it and I wanted to use my Nook.

There is another mystery that I will plan to read this summer, called Sisters. Hopefully that one won't be so gory, and vulgar.

Now, at this time I am going to read a Beach Read,  I need a breath of fresh air. If anyone has read this I would, anyone care to explain to me parts I did not understand. leave a email.

Blogaversary Giveaway

I was reminded today, it is my blogaversary. It just flew right by me. I can't believe a reader of my blog had to remind me.  That was awefully sweet.   Beside the Midsummer Hop giveaway, I would like to giveaway a copy of Faith By Jennifer Haigh.  Comment on my review below, on Faith and you will be in the drawing. The drawing will be today till next Sunday night at 12 AM.

I can't believe it is three years since I started blogging. I love the connection with fellow bloggers.  The readers that stop by just to say, hi.   The author's and publishers that ask me to review their books, that most of the time I can't say no.

I am not kidding you I must have taken about three hundred, YES, I said three hundred books to CASA( Women's Shelter, to the hospitals, and a couple nursing homes). 

This coming year, I would like to re-design my blog.

 I hope to go to SIBA, in Charleston SC. It is a tradeshow,( Southern Independent Book Association) scale down from BEA. The BEA looks a bit intimidating to me. For someone that has not been there.

    I would like to connect to the local independent book sellers in Litchfield, called Litchfield Books close to Pawleys Island.   To promote, my  independent book store on my blog and the spread of good books. Not sure yet, how to approach this.   If any blogger does this,  I would love a comment on your experience.

Thank you for stopping by...

Midsummer Eve Giveaway Hop

I am participating for the first time a blog hop. It is being hosted by I AM A Reader Not A Writer.
The Midsummer Eve's Giveaway Hop is being run from June 21- June 24th. To participate you need to go to I Am A Reader Not A Writer's blog to hop along each blog.


Over 240 participating blogs are offering a book related giveaway and we are all linked up together so you can easily hop from one giveaway to another. The hop runs from Monday June 21st to Friday June 24th.

What you need to do is become a follower on Seaside Book Corner on my blog, Network blog does not work is not considered a follower.  Leave a comment on which book you would like to win and why.


I have  Claire Cook's novel Best Staged Plans,
and Butterfly's Daughter to giveaway for the Midsummer Hop:


You have two chances of winning:
Go to which book you would like a chance to win.
Butterfly's Daughter, or Best Staged Plans.  Go to my review and comment on my post and become a follower on my blog at Seaside Book Corner.

                             

Have a good time at the Midsummer Blog Hop!!!

Book Review: Faith

Faith
By Jennifer Haigh

Review copy sent by Harper Collins
Thank you Jennifer

Warning: This is a different kind of post. It is of course a review of the book. But, I am posting about my memories of a place that both the author and I share, Nantasket Beach outside of Boston.

Jennifer Haigh's new novel, Faith is about a scandal that happen's to a Irish, Catholic family.  The scandal is the molestation of a child by a prominent priest named Art. It is the story from each of the family member's perspective that draws the readers in bit, by bit.   Art, is the step brother from the previous marriage. Then Sheila, and Mike from another marriage.

The family grew up in a rough part of South Boston( which is termed, Southie). All of them have secrets hidden about their childhood. It was not a easy life for their mother and each of them.

  Shiela has always been close to her brother Art.  She comes back to Boston to help Art, by proving his innocence.  Mike, Art's half brother believes his brother is guilty.   Art is asked to leave the parish, he doesn't fight for his innocence.   The family has a hard time understanding why, Art just sits back unless, he is guilty.

My Thoughts: I love Jennifer Haigh's writing. I first discovered her writing from her book, Mrs. Kimble. Which I would highly recommend as well.

Ms. Haigh draws you in right from the start of the book. I could see the reels moving. The entire book, I saw it in movie form.  In both books this is how I view her books. I don't know why it has not been picked up for production.

Originally, I did not want to read this book. I thought it would go into religion. 
 But, surprised it didn't. But, she did write about some catholic rituals. But, even if you don't understand what she is speaking about, you will still understand the story.

 I remember the scandal from a few years ago with the archidiocese cover up. Do I really want to read about it again? But, I was surprised the book, Faith was not about so much of the scandal, but the faith you have in people you know. Do you really know them? You lived with them for years growing up, do you really know what makes them tick? Do you think they would do something they are accused of? or wouldn' t they? That is the basis of the story. 

I liked the techniques of each of the character's view of their brother. This drew you in and would not let you go till the end.

The story is a page turning, and suspense and twist and turns that you would expect from Ms. Haigh's books.  It kept my interest just like, with Mrs. Kimble.    I was not expecting the story to go as it did.   I will say, I was suprised by a few things, Sheila, and Mike discovered about their brother, Art.

I will be having a guest post with Jennifer soon.

One thing, Ms. Haigh and I share is the love of the South Shore in Massachusettes.
I enjoyed reading her discription of place. It reminded me of several movies that describe Southie.
 I was unaware that she lived near Nantasket Beach, Hingham, Quincy, Braintree, that brings back fond memories when I was growing up. What a surprise, when I read her book and she mentioned the places I knew when I was little.  If you ar Bostonian's, have you heard of Nantasket Beach(not Nantucket), or Paragon Park?  If you have leave me a message to share.

My grandparents had a summer house there. Every summer when I was growing up, my parents would send me there. It brings back found memories.

My grandmother would take me to the beach everyday.  Or on the otherside was the bay, we had to wear old sneakers, because of the clams that were implanted on shore. 

 My grandfather and I would go fishing and skin the fish.  Yuck! Always ask him to bait the fish for me. Then my grandmother would skin the fish, another yuck! The smell was disgusting.

But, then the other smells, the baking would make up for it.  My grandma Hilda's kitchen  home made blueberry and Apple Pies. Think of wholesome(Father Knows Best).  Grandma Hilda would measure crisco with water to make the pie shells.  My mouth would water. Remembering one day, she left the pies out at the window, and nobody knows what happened, but a pie thief came by. That ended the sweet dream of a wonderful pie accompanied by the Brisket.  Seriously, everyone from the neighborhood came by after dinner and come for a slice of pie, a la mode, or with velveeta cheese.

The Penny Candy store, this was a ritual for me every year, my grandparents would take me. The store looked like a orange pumpkin, with the eyes, as the window, and the door as the mouth. 

Going to the bakery, for the black and white cookies, and the challah. Boy, the smells that came out of the bakery was awesome. I remember the corner drug store, with the fountain all silver interior. Think of Happy Days( tv show).
The best part was going to Paragon Park, the rides included were the Congo, and the Kooky Castle, the train ride, and the beautiful Carosel.  At the end of the day we would go to the Lobster  Stand that was across the street to get a bite.




Unfortunately, I heard Paragon Park is not there any longer, and there aren't summer homes any longer.  But, year long homes.







Can't post without a mention of the Hull Library.
One of my fondest memories was the library. The library was at the end of the town called Hull. You could see the cliffs. The ocean waves would hit the rocks. The library, must have been a old victorian home( gothic looking). It had the wooden floors, and smelled like books!!!. I remember, trying to find Rebecca, at Sunny Brook Farms.

I I hope you will forgive me posting about my my fondest memories, but I could not help myself.
If you would like to share your thoughts of Faith, please do. I would love to hear what other readers and book bloggers have to say about this novel.

Jerusalem Maiden: Book Review

Jerusalem Maiden
By Talia Carner


Jerusalem Maiden, is about a young ultra orthodox Jewish girl, Esther Kaminsky. She is living in Jerusalem before the fall of the Ottoman Empire(this is  today known as  Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Israel, etc). Young Ultra orthodox girls, are known as Jerusalem Maidens.   They become of age at the age of 12 in the Jewish religion.  Once they hit this age it is their duty to marry young and have many male children to hasten the arrival of the messiah.

Esther, the main character of the story has a artistic hand. Her art teacher notices her passion. She encourages her to pursue her art.  But, the Jewish religion,

"Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image"

She continues to draw without any one's knowledge. Her cousin Asher has a plan. Asher also wants to follow his art, music. He has a plan, marry me and we both can pursue our dreams and passions.

 But, then tragedy strikes her mother, she dies.  She believes it is her fault. G-d has punished her, because her mother dies. She puts down her art. Her father has arranged a marriage to a wealthy gentleman.  At the wedding, just like Jacob, in the bible she thinks she is marrying Asher. Until her veil is lifted.

She becomes a dutiful married  ultra orthodox woman, with many children and household chores. But, it is not as bad as the other women because she has married a wealthy man.  Most women in Jerusalem are poor, and suffer the hands of the Ottoman empire, and their brutal husbands. .  She does not understand the traditions and rituals of her husband. Because he doesn't follow them he isn't as strict with the traditions and rituals of the Jewish traditions.

Then opportunity knocks, she gets the chance to go on  a trip to France. Then everything changes. Does she pursue her dream and passion of art? Should she forget about her responsibilities at home in Jerusalem? Live as how she was raised a Orthodox woman? or as a gentile?

My Thoughts:  I did enjoy reading this book.  I think this is a good Jewish book read. I will most likely recommend this to our book club. It is a great jumping off point to talk about women(especially Orthodox vs. other jewish women).

It did bother me when something tragic or something that did go the way she planned. This was g-d's plan. The synagouge, I attended since I was a young girl, always taught us you make your choices don't blame it on g-d. You can always do something about it.

  I am a Jewish feminist. I don't believe religion and men should dictate and tell you what to do.  Me, myself I don't think g-d wants to restict women. I think he wants women to express themselves and do what you believe in, as long as it does not hurt anyone else.   I think the entire message of the book, BE TRUE TO YOURSELF!!! thats it...

When I was reading this book, I knew where this book was leading.  Talia Carner, believes in women's rights in other countries. She also has worked for women's magazines.

SPOILER*******
The novel, reminded me of a book, Loving Frank.  In both books the main character's left their children for their passion.  In loving Frank, it was a man. In Jerusalem Maiden, it was her art.

But, that was the point of the story. I am sure there are many people that do pick up, at times in their life and are reckless and not take responsibility.

I enjoyed reading what life was like in pre-Israel, the religion, the culture. I was aware of traditions and rituals of the Jewish religion in the middle east compared to the United States is different. 

 I found it interesting to read about life in Paris for the art community in the early 20th century.   This is very interesting to me because modern art was just starting to take off.   I enjoyed reading about the incident of Picasso.

Also around this time in history, literary authors were coming from the U.S. to France, such as  Hemingway, Fitzgerald and other famous authors.  

But, most of all I enjoyed reading about the character's, and the different people that lived in pre-Jerusalem. There is a love interest and there are explicit sexual scenes. But, I think this is necessary for the book.   

The book is separated in different sections of Esther's life, How the story intensified in different sections.  I don't think I have ever read a book like this before. Jerusalem Maiden held my interest and won't be forgotten for a long time.  I wanted to keep reading and not stop. I am sorry the book ended. I loved the surprise ended. 

This is not a beach read, and at times sad. The novel is based on the author's grandmothers life.  I don't know if this book was aimed at the Jewish community. But, because I am Jewish, I immediately connected and knew the traditions and rituals of Jewish girls, and women.

But, I think for the general public, a glossary of Jewish terms is needed.  Perhaps the author on her website can put a short glossary there.  But, there is another option, the book does change the type on words that do need translation. You need a computer handy, just google it.

Thank you Talia, for the review copy.

Book Club: Funny

I would like to share this caption I found on cyberspace this morning. I can relate. Can you?
Post what you think.

Whats With Blogger

First off, let me say I am not happy with blogger at the moment. Blogger just revamped the blogger posting site. I don't like it at all.  I don't know what possesssed them. I can't figure out how to lay out my graphics to the post. It is harder to delete posts, now it is not close by. I do though, like the idea that it is no longer in a box.  Anybody else I would like to know what you think.

Waiting on Wednesday

Hey everybody, Welcome to Waiting on Wednesday.  WoW, is hosting by Breaking the Spine. What book are you anticipating for release.  I am looking forward to reading Oriental Wife by Evelyn Toynton.  It will be released in July by Other Press.

 This novel is about two assimilated Jewish children from Nuremberg who flee Hitler’s Germany and struggle to put down roots elsewhere.

What book are you can't wait to be published.

It's Monday What Are You Reading

Hi, Everybody to all my readers. It is Monday again.  Go over to Book Journey to read what what other book bloggers are reading this week.
It's Monday! What Are You Reading is hosted by Book Journey, a weekly meme.

Last week I read:

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand and Best Staged Plans
Both read and posted on my blog this past week.
This week I am reading:

Jerusalem Maiden
By Talia Carner

Esther Kaminsky knows that her duty is to marry young and produce many sons to help hasten the Messiah's arrival; that is what is expected of young
ultra-orthodox women in Jerusalem at the end of the Ottoman empire's rule.

 But when her French teacher catches Esther' extrodinary doodling and gives her colored pencils and art lessons, Esther wonders of G-d has a special destiny for her. Maybe she is meant to be a artist, not a mother. Maybe she meant to travel to Paris, not stay in Jerusalem. However when tragedy strikes her family, Esther takes it as his warning. Sacrificing her yearning to paint, she devotes herself instead to following G-ds path. In the coming years, Esther struggles finding both comfort and repression in G-d's decrees. Trusting the rituals of faith while supressing her desires until a surprising opportunity forces itself into her prerordained path.

Skinny
By Diane Spechler

After her father's death 26 year old Gray Lachmann findes herself compulsively eating. Desperate to stop bingeing, she abandons her life in NYC for a job at a southern weight-loss camp. There caught among the warring egos of her devious co couselors, Sheena; the self aggrandizing camp director; Lewis, his attractive assistant. Bennett; and throng of combative teenage campers she is confronted by a camptivating mystery; her teenage half sister, Eden , whom Gray never knew existed. Now, while unraveling her father's lies, Gray must tackle her owne self-deceptions and take control of her body and her life.

The Beach Tree
Karen White

Julie first knew loss at the age of 12, when her younger sister disappeared from their backyard never to be found. At her once close knit family grew apart, Julie's mother obsessively searched for the young girl, and when her mother died, Julie took up the search. Even as she went on with life, discovering a love for art that she attributes to her painter great grand father, she never let go of the hope that she might find her sister.

Then while working at an auction house in NY, Julie meets Monica Guidry. A struggling artist and single mother who reminds Julie so much of her sister that she can't help feeling drawn to her and even a bit protective. Monica paints a vivid picture of her southern family throught stories, but never says why or how she lost contact with them. And she has another secret a heart condition that will soon take her life.

Feeling as if she's lost her sister a second time, Julie inherits from Monica a valuable portrait-as well as custody of her young son. taking him to Bilouxi, Mississippi, to meet the faimily he's never known, Jukie discovers a connection of her own. The portrait, which depicts a prominent Guldry family member, was done by her great grandfather and unlocks a surprising family history.

Can't wait to dive right in. What are you reading? or expecting to read this week?
I would love to know.

Great Summer Read

Best Staged Plans
By Claire Cook


In a Boston suburb, lives Sandy and her husband Gregg, and their grown son.  He lives with them in the" bat cave'. Sandy and Greg want to put their house on the market to downsize.

Sandy, is a house stager, a house stager is hired to design the house with furniture and decor to stage for the buyer.

Sandy is getting very uptight trying to get the house ready to put on the market. With shelves to be fixed, and floor to be re-done, and painting of the walls. Her husband and her son are not fixing the house fast enough and good enough for her expectations.

So when opportunity knocks on her door, " calgon take me away moment". She does what any woman that wants to pull out her hair and scream, ESCAPE.  Escape, she does, she leaves Boston, to go to stage a hotel, in Atlanta.  Thanks to her friend, Denise's friendship, she lands a job at a boutique hotel.

Sandy is very excited,  this is her opportunity to see her newly married daughter, Shannon and her son-in-law, Chase.  Sandy thinks this would be a nice time to catch up with mother-daughter relationship. But unfortunately, it does not work out that way.  Shannon has to leave, for job training.  Of all places back home in Boston. You talk about switch reversal, how funny.

 She and her son-in-law are stuck together. He does, not call her mom, or mame, but a cross between.  Her daughter calls her and asks her one night to make a home cooked meal for Chase.   Sandy's idea of a home cooked meal is, going to Trader Joe's, to prepare one of those pre-prepared meals.  She does pull it off.  Her son-in-law, loves the dessert so much he wants the recipe. He doesn't even realize how simple it is. He thinks Sandy slaved over for hours making him a nice meal.

My Thoughts: This is my favorite time of year for reading. This is the time, I look at my stacks of books. Picked out my summer reading. This is my most reading I get done for the year.  Mainly because of school.

 I enjoyed reading Best staged Plans. It did not have alot of substance. But, for what kind of mood I was in. It was enjoyable.  I loved the title of the book, it fits what was going on in Sandy's life. Does things go as planned when we want something bad enough? It always seems when something we want bad enough, there is a hitch. 

 There is a moral to the story, but not too deep, that it takes away from the story line.

Sandy life as a house stager is hired to fix home to prepare for the buyer. But, her home life is in chaos, at least she thinks so.

"I sat there and tried to let it all sink in. My house wasn't perfect, and neither was my life. And there's an emotional cost to new beginnings, a scary kind of letting go and heading into the unknown that fights with the part of me that wants to believe all the world can and should be staged. "

I enjoyed reading, Best Staged Plans. It was a fun romp of Sandy's crazy family and her best friend Denise.  There was a incident that I am not going to disclose. But, it was so fun to read. They both did something, none of us would dare do in our right mind. But, in a book you can write anything.  It is fiction.  What I enjoyed, was reading about her escapes in Trader Joes.

 I was sent this novel by the publisher. Best Staged Plans will be released next week, on June 7th. Thank you Claire,  I hope y'all have a great summer line up of books to read, and lots of beach fun. 

Waiting on Wednesday

This is the first time I am participating on Waiting on Wednesday meme, hosted by Breaking The Spine.

I have been anticipating Elin Hilderbrand's summer novels every summer. I like to read books that are not fluffy, but have substance to them. Elin Hilderbrand is my kind of author.   The book I am anticipating is Silver Girl, it will be published this month. Looking forward to it.

Synopsis taken off from the website:

A sparkling summertime novel about best friends, love, and money from New York Times bestselling author Elin Hilderbrand.

Meredith Martin Delinn just lost everything: her friends, her homes, her social standing—because her husband Freddy cheated rich investors out of billions of dollars.

Desperate and facing homelessness, Meredith receives a call from her old best friend, Constance Flute. Connie’s had recent worries of her own, and the two depart for a summer on Nantucket in an attempt to heal. But the island can’t offer complete escape, and they’re plagued by new and old troubles alike. When Connie’s brother Toby—Meredith’s high school boyfriend—arrives, Meredith must reconcile the differences between the life she is leading and the life she could have had. Set against the backdrop of a Nantucket summer, Elin Hilderbrand delivers a suspenseful story of the power of friendship, the pull of love, and the beauty of forgiveness.