Discover the Charms of Nantucket: A Book Review of “The Summer We Started Over” by Nancy Thayer @NancyThayerACK #brillianceaudio @taviagilbert

The Summer We Started Over is a touching tale of resilience and reconciliation that transports readers to the picturesque island setting.

Acknowledgments:

Thank you to Brilliance Audio and Netgalley for the ARC of this audiobook. The thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

From The Publisher:

Eddie Grant is happy with her life and her work as a personal assistant to Dinah Lavender, one of the most famous and renowned romance authors in the business. But being a spectator to notoriety and glamour isn’t as fulfilling as she once thought. Thankfully, Eddie has the perfect excuse for a vacation: Her hardworking younger sister, Barrett, is opening her gift shop on Memorial Day weekend, and could use all the help she can get. 

But going home to the beautiful island of Nantucket means facing the family’s difficult past. Shortly after the death of Eddie and Barrett’s brother, their mother left them and their father made the spontaneous decision to buy a small farm. Eddie stayed there for only a year before her family’s grief threatened to consume her as well, and had been living in Manhattan ever since. Now that she is back, Eddie must face all she left behind: her father’s increased eccentricities, which has led to a house bursting at the seams with books; her sister’s resentment over Eddie’s escape; and a past love connection, one that is still undeniable and complicated, all these years later. But the Grant sisters are nothing if not resilient and capable, opening a used bookstore in their father’s abandoned barn to manage his hoarding, and navigating the discovery of a long-buried family secret that will change all of them forever.

My Thoughts:

“The Summer We Started Over” by Nancy Thayer invites readers into the captivating world of Nantucket, where the Grant sisters navigate family secrets, grief, and resilience. Eddie Grant, content in her role as a personal assistant in Manhattan, returns to Nantucket to help her sister Barrett open a gift shop. However, their reunion stirs up buried emotions as they confront their family’s tumultuous past, marked by the loss of their brother and their mother’s departure.

Thayer weaves a poignant tale of sisterhood and reconciliation against the backdrop of Nantucket’s picturesque scenery. The sisters’ journey is intertwined with a colourful cast of characters, including the eccentric romance author Dinah Lavender, adding depth and humour to the narrative. The author’s affection for Nantucket shines through her vivid descriptions, making me want to experience the island firsthand.

While the Grant sisters’ bond forms the heart of the story, it is Cole, the girlfriend of their late brother, who steals the spotlight with her unwavering love and courage for her son. Her story adds a poignant layer to the narrative, highlighting themes of love, loss, and resilience.

The Narration:

Narrated by Tavia Gilbert, the audiobook version of “The Summer We Started Over” enhances the reading experience with its engaging performance, particularly in bringing Dinah’s eccentric personality to life. Gilbert’s narration adds another dimension to Thayer’s characters, making the audiobook a great choice for readers who enjoy immersive storytelling.

The Final Word:

“The Summer We Started Over” is a heartwarming tale that resonates with themes of family, forgiveness, courage and second chances. Thayer’s masterful storytelling and Gilbert’s captivating narration combine to create an enchanting reading experience that will leave readers longing for a summer getaway to Nantucket.

Some of the Other Books I’ve Reviewed Written by Nancy Thayer:

All The Days of Summer

Summer Love

Girls of Summer