Summer Light on Nantucket by Nancy Thayer – a Review

Summer Light on Nantucket by Nancy Thayer – a Review

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Description:
Blythe Benedict is content. Her life didn’t end when her marriage did. In fact, she’s more than happy living in her comfortable house in Boston, working as a middle school teacher, and raising four wonderful children. With three of her kids in the throes of teenagerhood and one not too far behind them, Blythe has plenty of drama to keep her busy every single day.

But no amount of that drama could change the family’s beloved annual summer trip to Nantucket. Blythe has always treasured the months spent at her island home-away-from-home, and has fond memories of her children growing up there. But this summer’s getaway proves to be much more than she bargained for.

Yes, there are sunny days enjoyed at the beach. But Blythe must contend with teenage angst, her ex-mother-in-law’s declining health, and a troubling secret involving her ex-husband. Meanwhile, Blythe reconnects with her first love, her former high school sweetheart Aaden. But their second-time-around romance becomes complicated when another intriguing man enters the picture.

It’s all a bit out of Blythe’s comfort zone. This particular island summer may not be as relaxing as Blythe had hoped, but she’s never felt that life has given her more than she can handle—especially when she has the love and support of her family around her.

 

 

Review:

Summer Light on Nantucket by Nancy Thayer is a wonderful family-oriented story in the summer at Nantucket. We meet Blythe Benedict, who is a divorce mother of four children: Miranda is the oldest at 17, Daphne is 15, Teddy is 13 and Holly is 11.  Blythe is content living in Boston, raising her four wonderful children, planning on returning to middle school to teach; and looking forward to spend their annual summer each year at Nantucket.  Blythe inherited their Nantucket home, and the family looks forward to spend time seeing family and friends.

Blythe must deal with Miranda’s angst, wanting her boyfriend, Brooks, to go on vacation with them.  She is very close to Celeste, who is her ex-mother-in-law; and she has a good relationship with her ex and his girlfriend, as they all get along, especially with the kids sharing time between homes.

Blythe’s best friend, Sandy, introduces her to a handsome and charming man, Nick, whom she becomes attracted to. While at the restaurant, to her shock, she sees her former high school sweetheart, Aaden, who moved to Ireland, with many years having pasted. Blythe finds herself trying to deal with two men who are determined to win her over. The romance becomes complicated, especially with someone new, who enters the picture; and Aaden pressuring her to visit Ireland. Who will Blythe choose: Nick or Aaden?

Things fluctuate between Aaden and Nick; her ex-mother-in-law getting sick, lots of issues with her children; and a secret that her ex was hiding from his girlfriend. Blythe also has to deal with her 4 children, as they are reaching teenage years, and more difficult.

Summer Light on Nantucket was a wonderful, sweet, family oriented, love, children and a terrific summer at Nantucket.  I really enjoyed this story.  Summer Light on Nantucket was very well written by Nancy Thayer.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

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Family Reunion by Nancy Thayer – a Review

Family Reunion by Nancy Thayer – a Review

 

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Description:
Eleanor Sunderland loves living on the Nantucket cliffside, in a charming home that has been in her family for decades. Now widowed, she looks forward to the arrival of her children and grandchildren for an annual family reunion, eager for the life and laughter that will soon fill the air.

But Eleanor’s island idyll is shattered when her money-driven children suggest she sell the house and move to a retirement community. She finds a lone ally in her twenty-two-year-old granddaughter, Ari, who moves in with her for the summer. Ari longs for a change of scenery, to stray from the path her parents have set for her. What she does not expect is an electric romantic spark with a Nantucket local, Cal, whose kind heart and charisma have her absolutely smitten.

With plenty of her signature Nantucket magic, Nancy Thayer brings both Eleanor and Ari on a summer beyond their wildest imaginations, filled with exciting connections, old and new.

 

 

 

Review:

Family Reunion by Nancy Thayer was a wonderful heartwarming standalone novel taking place in Nantucket, with two wonderful heroines and their family. Eleanor Sunderland, our heroine, loves her life living in Nantucket, and though she is widowed and alone in this big house by the ocean, she is happy and content.   When the family comes to visit to celebrate her 70th birthday, they try to pressure her to sell.  Her daughter, Alicia and son, Cliff want her to sell it so that can make millions, claiming she can go to a nice retirement home. Eleanor has no intention to allow her children to take what she still loves. Ari the granddaughter (the other heroine)  is awesome, and loves spending time with her grandmother in Nantucket.  Especially in the busy summer. 

Ari has just broken her engagement with her boyfriend, whom she now knows she does not love him, even if they been friends since school.  She decides to spend the summer at Nantucket with her grandmother, and starts a job working as a counselor at a camp for children, especially those that have no money.  Ari meets new friends that work at the camp, as well as others that are from the wealthy side.  I really loved everything about Ari, and how much she loved her grandmother, both watching tv mysteries, cooking and just listening to her grandmother telling stories of the past. Personally, I did not like Alicia, since she was totally money hungry, even though her husband made good money as a surgeon, but Alicia always wanted more and more. 

As Eleanor and Ari enjoy the wonderful summer in Nantucket, there are a number of issues that pop up along the way. Ari meets the brother of a friend, whom she will begin to have feelings for, but than an unexpected issue could destroy their budding relationship.   Eleanor begins to spend time with a widowed male neighbor, and the two-start spending free time enjoying the wonderful local fun and friends.   Ari will also discover that her father might be cheating on her mother, which will add to the drama, which is part of their summer. This is a true family drama, filled with romance, greedy family members, infidelity, which affects them all. 

Family Reunion was a delightful enjoyable read from start to finish. This story centers around two great heroines in Eleanor and Ari.  Nancy Thayer wrote a beautiful, heartwarming story, in wonderful Nantucket atmosphere, which was such a wonderful book that you should be reading.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

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