Goodreads synopsis: From New York Times bestseller Elin Hilderbrand, a new novel set on Tuckernuck, a tiny island off the coast of Nantucket. Four women-a mother, her sister, two grown daughters-head to Tuckernuck for a retreat, hoping to escape their troubles. Intead, they find only drama, secrets, and life-changing revelations.
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My review: Listening to The Island was like taking a vacation. Elin Hilderbrand’s novels usually take place on Nantucket but this time she takes us to the nearby island of Tuckernuck.
I found the relationships explored in the novel interesting. There are two sets of sisters: Birdie and her sister India are in their 50s; Birdie’s daughters Chess and Tate are in their early 30s. The dynamics are realistic and quite believable. The story is told from all four points of view which always gives the reader a fuller understanding of the characters.
Birdie, recently divorced, planned a beautiful wedding for her daughter Chess and her fiancé only to have Chess call the whole thing off a few months before the event was to take place. India, a widow, has recently experienced a personal relationship that made her uneasy. Chess called off her wedding and then received shocking news. Easy-going but workaholic Tate is overdue for a vacation. They all decide to head to the Tuckernuck summer house that’s been in Birdie and India’s family for generations. It has been thirteen years since the last visit but it is just as they remembered.
It was fun reading (listening) as they revisited favorite places on Tuckernuck, met friends who meant so much, and reminisced about past family trips to the island. Hilderbrand’s pace is good. I liked how Chess’s story was revealed slowly through her journaling. Most of the characters are enjoyable but Tate wore a little thin at times. I thought she was quite immature for a thirty year old woman but perhaps it was because she was back in the role of the younger sister/daughter of the group. There are a few twists along the way which make the story even more interesting. I can’t complain about the lack of an epilogue. There is a lengthy one in which the author ties up all the loose ends.
Narrator Denice Hicks did a fine job. Her lilting voice made listening a pleasant experience. The Island would be a great vacation read – exactly the kind of book I want when I’m going to the beach or at home wishing I was at the beach.
Review Audiobook from Hachette Book Group
I love those kinds of books, haven’t even read a book at teh beach this year
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This does sound good. I’ll probably have to dream of the beach while I read it since I don’t think there’s a trip to the beach in my future. There are immature 30 year olds out there, because I’ve known several of them through the years. I’ll add a link to your review to the challenge blog.
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I actually read this one at the pool and I enjoyed it a great deal. Perfect summer read!
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Mary, thanks for the review I have this book on my wish list and now I really want to read it! Thanks again!
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Sounds good, Mary. I’ve never read a Hilderbrand novel, though I’ve heard good thing about them. I’ll have to put one on my reading list for next summer!
Sue
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I liked this one! You made an excellent point about Tate – when mothers, daughters, sisters get together, I think they do tend to go back to the old “pecking order” from years before. I do like Hilderbrand Nantucket setting better though. Glad you enjoyed it! Have a great weekend.
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This one was on sale at the eBook store so I downloaded it. It sounds like I’m going to enjoy it.
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A perfect summer read! Great review!
-leslie:)
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I keep meaning to read a book by this author but just haven’t gotten around to it yet. I always feel drawn to her covers!
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I must read this one!! I’ve read so many great things about it that I know I would love it!
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I recently listened to this one too and I really enjoyed it. I’m glad to read you did too.
Thanks for picking up the new blog button 😉
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I just picked this one up at Half Price Books!
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