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Island Girls
NATIONAL BESTSELLER
Nancy Thayer returns to her beloved Nantucket in a highly emotional, wholly entertaining tale of three sisters forced to confront the past over one event-filled summer on the island.
Look for special features inside. Join the Random House Reader’s Circle for author chats and more.
Charming ladies’ man Rory Randall dies with one last trick up his sleeve: His will includes a calculating clause mandating a summer-long reunion for his daughters, all from different marriages—that is, if they hope to inherit his posh Nantucket house. Relations among the three sisters are sour thanks to long-festering jealousies, resentments, and misunderstandings. Arden, a successful television host in Boston, hasn’t been back to the island since her teenage years, when accusations of serious misbehavior led to her banishment. College professor Meg hopes to use her summer to finish a literary biography and avoid an amorous colleague. And secretive Jenny, an IT specialist, faces troubling questions about her identity while longing for her sisters’ acceptance.
To their surprise, the three young women find their newfound sisterhood easier to trust than the men who show up to complicate their lives. And if that weren’t problematic enough, their mothers descend on the island. When yet another visitor drops by the house with shocking news, the past comes screaming back with a vengeance. Having all the women from his life under his seaside roof—and overseeing the subsequent drama of that perfect storm—Rory Randall might just be enjoying a hearty laugh from above.
Nancy Thayer’s novel insightfully illustrates how the push and pull of family altercations make us whole. It’s how the Randall sisters come to forgive, and learn to open their hearts to love.
Praise for Island Girls
“Nancy Thayer is one of my favorite writers, and Island Girls is one of her best. The Randall sisters are like your own family members or your best friends: funny, smart and emotional, infuriating and good-hearted. Here is a book to be savored and passed on to the good women in your life.”—New York Times bestselling author Susan Wiggs
“Full of emotion and just plain fun, this novel is delightful.” —Romance Reviews Today
“In this touching summer read, forgiveness benefits both the person bestowing it and the recipient.”—Kirkus Reviews
Nancy Thayer returns to her beloved Nantucket in a highly emotional, wholly entertaining tale of three sisters forced to confront the past over one event-filled summer on the island.
Look for special features inside. Join the Random House Reader’s Circle for author chats and more.
Charming ladies’ man Rory Randall dies with one last trick up his sleeve: His will includes a calculating clause mandating a summer-long reunion for his daughters, all from different marriages—that is, if they hope to inherit his posh Nantucket house. Relations among the three sisters are sour thanks to long-festering jealousies, resentments, and misunderstandings. Arden, a successful television host in Boston, hasn’t been back to the island since her teenage years, when accusations of serious misbehavior led to her banishment. College professor Meg hopes to use her summer to finish a literary biography and avoid an amorous colleague. And secretive Jenny, an IT specialist, faces troubling questions about her identity while longing for her sisters’ acceptance.
To their surprise, the three young women find their newfound sisterhood easier to trust than the men who show up to complicate their lives. And if that weren’t problematic enough, their mothers descend on the island. When yet another visitor drops by the house with shocking news, the past comes screaming back with a vengeance. Having all the women from his life under his seaside roof—and overseeing the subsequent drama of that perfect storm—Rory Randall might just be enjoying a hearty laugh from above.
Nancy Thayer’s novel insightfully illustrates how the push and pull of family altercations make us whole. It’s how the Randall sisters come to forgive, and learn to open their hearts to love.
Praise for Island Girls
“Nancy Thayer is one of my favorite writers, and Island Girls is one of her best. The Randall sisters are like your own family members or your best friends: funny, smart and emotional, infuriating and good-hearted. Here is a book to be savored and passed on to the good women in your life.”—New York Times bestselling author Susan Wiggs
“Full of emotion and just plain fun, this novel is delightful.” —Romance Reviews Today
“In this touching summer read, forgiveness benefits both the person bestowing it and the recipient.”—Kirkus Reviews
320 pages, Hardcover
First published June 18, 2013
959 people are currently reading
8747 people want to read
About the author
Nancy Thayer
51 books4,043 followersNancy Thayer has published 35 novels, including Family Reunion and Secrets in Summer. She has lived on Nantucket Island year-round for 38 years with her husband Charley Walters. They have two children and five grandchildren.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,115 reviews
July 18, 2013
***SPOILER ALERT*** Sorry, I think Ms. Thayer phoned this one in. Hard to find a plausible character. The now dead patriarch who married three times, fathers two daughters by two mothers and adopts the daughter of his third wife leaves a proviso that these three young women must spend the summer together in his Nantucket house before they can sell it and split the proceeds. I tried to like these "sisters" but they come off as incredibly naive at best, but more often as plainly stupid. How they survived to be thirty(+) and still so incredibly dull . . . Their mothers are no more likable as characters seemingly accepting that the deceased lined up his next wife before casting out his current wife and child repeatedly. The man was a misogynist and not one of the characters in this book calls him out!!! UNBELIEVABLE!! AND, the last 75 pages bring incredulity to a new level.
Read this book on vacation--that way if you don't have time to finish it, you drop it in the lake, or have to leave it behind to make more room in your luggage for a touristy tee or some sand samples you won't have lost much. Sorry Ms. Thayer, I've been a faithful follower, but this was a disappointment.
Read this book on vacation--that way if you don't have time to finish it, you drop it in the lake, or have to leave it behind to make more room in your luggage for a touristy tee or some sand samples you won't have lost much. Sorry Ms. Thayer, I've been a faithful follower, but this was a disappointment.
July 5, 2016
So he asks her out for a date, taking her sailing. Afterward, he says, "here's the deal. You're a total babe. I like hanging out with you but I'm kind of off women. Romantically, I mean,"
Seriously, this is a guy in his 30s and we are supposed to believe he actually said, "You're a total babe."
I had my doubts almost immediately after I started reading the book Which is filled with stereotypical characters and horrible dialogue. It honestly sounded like a story my 14 y/o daughter would write, not a middle aged author.
I'm not sure where I heard about this book, but after starting this and trying a couple of other "acclaimed" beach reads this summer, I've come to the conclusion that poorly written chick lit just isn't for me. And that's not to say I don't like chick lit, I do, but not this kind of mindless drivel. I just couldn't waste my time going any further in this book. I made it to page 84 in about an hour, falling asleep several times, until I got to the aforementioned quote and decided to move on to the next book on my list.
If you like poorly-written dialogue with shallow and stereotypical characters, have at it!
Seriously, this is a guy in his 30s and we are supposed to believe he actually said, "You're a total babe."
I had my doubts almost immediately after I started reading the book Which is filled with stereotypical characters and horrible dialogue. It honestly sounded like a story my 14 y/o daughter would write, not a middle aged author.
I'm not sure where I heard about this book, but after starting this and trying a couple of other "acclaimed" beach reads this summer, I've come to the conclusion that poorly written chick lit just isn't for me. And that's not to say I don't like chick lit, I do, but not this kind of mindless drivel. I just couldn't waste my time going any further in this book. I made it to page 84 in about an hour, falling asleep several times, until I got to the aforementioned quote and decided to move on to the next book on my list.
If you like poorly-written dialogue with shallow and stereotypical characters, have at it!
June 7, 2013
This was the first book I've read from this author but I will definitely read more of them. This was an excellent book. I won it on Goodreads and got to read an advanced uncorrected proofs edition. There were a few obvious typos but they didn't interrupt the flow of the story for me. The way the author introduced and described each character was very helpful so I didn't have to look back very much to see who someone actually was in the story. It is the story of three sisters (step and half sisters) who were all related to this one man thru his marriage to three different women. This man dies and part of his will specifies that these three sisters must spend the entire summer in his Nantucket home before they can sell the home and split the proceeds. The book didn't leave any loose ends and everyone (including the three wives, current and ex) had many issues resolved by the end of the book. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and look forward to reading more of this author.
June 29, 2013
This slight book is the opposite of a Gillian Flynn novel. Characters are sincerely, earnestly good, and helpful. Major spoilers: Psychological flaws are overcome with a friendly pep talk and a make over, after which dreamed-of career advancement happens along with true love fulfillment. One character does something toweringly nasty that truly wrecks several lives over more than a decade, but all is resolved with wine, hors d'ouevres, Kleenex (on the page, not mine), and a few paragraphs, including the wrecked persons' traumas, and they all are friends again and they all lived happily ever after. Even the two Chekov's-gun characters are enveloped into the prosperous and content fold.
The setting of Nantucket is lovely and that sense of a cocooned and blessed life while on vacation comes across, which is why, I suppose, that this is billed as a perfect beach read. The sisters are drawn well enough that you can kind of visualize them as well known tv-movie actors (Meg: a watered-down version of Christina Hendricks [Joan on Mad Men]?). This is a book for you if you want sunny happy people and everything wrapped up in a happy bow.
The setting of Nantucket is lovely and that sense of a cocooned and blessed life while on vacation comes across, which is why, I suppose, that this is billed as a perfect beach read. The sisters are drawn well enough that you can kind of visualize them as well known tv-movie actors (Meg: a watered-down version of Christina Hendricks [Joan on Mad Men]?). This is a book for you if you want sunny happy people and everything wrapped up in a happy bow.
December 17, 2013
Can you spell contrived? Okay, you know from the genre that it will have a happy ending, but for everybody??? Three half/step sisters and their three mothers too? I can see Nancy Thayer writing this novel in about two weeks on Nantucket. She doesn't bother to keep track of what she said in previous chapters. (Case in point, Arden,the oldest sister, has only brought high heeled shoes with her. Yet, at the first party, she is wearing strappy sandals.)
In spending the three summer months living together in the Nantucket house, the three bond surprisingly well. Suddenly, all is sweetness and light, though the plan has been contrived by Jenny, the youngest, who had convinced her father to leave the house to the three of them if they could share it for the summer. Oh, and of course, there is Meg, Junoesque in shape who thinks she is FAT. (Meg's job as a community college composition teacher is the only part that seems true..not her makeover or her realization of love. The other two, and one of their mothers, also finds love.
The book left me feeling as if I had eaten all the meals and snacks described in the book....slightly nauseous.
In spending the three summer months living together in the Nantucket house, the three bond surprisingly well. Suddenly, all is sweetness and light, though the plan has been contrived by Jenny, the youngest, who had convinced her father to leave the house to the three of them if they could share it for the summer. Oh, and of course, there is Meg, Junoesque in shape who thinks she is FAT. (Meg's job as a community college composition teacher is the only part that seems true..not her makeover or her realization of love. The other two, and one of their mothers, also finds love.
The book left me feeling as if I had eaten all the meals and snacks described in the book....slightly nauseous.
July 21, 2013
I am of two minds on this book: firstly, that this was over the top, flat-out love and money porn. Unrealistic, horrible female characters, not one man who isn't straight out of a Ralph Lauren ad. It's not a genre I like, but even as an example of its kind it felt over the top. I'm a librarian, though, and there are definitely people to whom I would recommend the book. If you are on vacation and do not want to have to think too much, if you are looking for sitcom-worthy entertainment, then I would feel comfortable recommending this book. Fo me, personally, I rued the time I spent on it, but I will consider it a professional exercise so all is not lost.
March 16, 2017
Cute story! Enjoyed the story of sisters Meg, Jenny & Arden. They must live in the family home on Nantucket for 3 months following the death of their father, Rory, in order to benefit equally in the sale of the property. All 3 women have only Rory in common since they each have a different mother and have been estranged since childhood due to a childhood occurrence. I enjoyed seeing how the story played out. Very good!
August 29, 2019
This reminds me of Here's to Us but is also quite different. It took me awhile to warm up to the main characters, but once I learned more about them, they became more likeable. I liked the growth of the characters, for the most part. There were a few little things that bothered me. The setting made up for it, though. Summer on Nantucket is usually wonderful, at least in fiction.
July 24, 2018
3.5 I have fallen in love with the Nantucket books this summer, can you tell?? This was a sweet book on sister bonds. It’s definitely one I’d recommend to a friend. It’s not a “OMG you have to read this” book. Just a good, easy, beach read.
March 26, 2018
I really enjoy Nancy Thayer books!
August 25, 2018
This was my first Nancy Thayer novel, and it was definitely cute enough as a summer read. It was light, fluffy, and simple, and happily ever afters to go all around - even to the "villainous" characters. At times completely unrealistic, eye-roll worthy, or even laughable, it's definitely one of those sickeningly sweet romance novels that can just feel a little TOO nice... but like I said, a good, quick summer read nonetheless.
The story introduces three "sisters" - Arden, Meg, and Jenny. Arden and Meg are both daughters of notorious Nantucket playboy Rory Randall, though they have different mothers. Jenny is Rory's stepdaughter - brought into the Randall family via her mother, Rory's third wife - long after the other two girls and their mothers were out of the picture. Long ago, Jenny's mother, Justine, had banned Arden and Meg from Nantucket, where they ALL used to holiday as a family together. Ever since, the three girls' relationship has been strained.
Well NOW, Rory Randall is suddenly dead. The house he used to share with each other girls during their mothers' marriages to him, is up for grabs. He's stipulated in his will that, in order for each of the three girls to get a share in the house, they need to live together on Nantucket for three months. This does NOT sound particularly inviting to any of them.
The girls, with troubled pasts, uncertain career paths, and complicated love lives, aren't good at trusting one another. But maybe three months of forced time together will let them grow closer as the sisters they are, and help put the wounds of the past behind them.
It's definitely a cute premise, and I did like a few of the characters (Meg was probably my favorite). Overall, not a knock-your-socks-off kind of novel, but it does what it sets out to do. And it definitely made me wish I was sitting on an island while reading it.
The story introduces three "sisters" - Arden, Meg, and Jenny. Arden and Meg are both daughters of notorious Nantucket playboy Rory Randall, though they have different mothers. Jenny is Rory's stepdaughter - brought into the Randall family via her mother, Rory's third wife - long after the other two girls and their mothers were out of the picture. Long ago, Jenny's mother, Justine, had banned Arden and Meg from Nantucket, where they ALL used to holiday as a family together. Ever since, the three girls' relationship has been strained.
Well NOW, Rory Randall is suddenly dead. The house he used to share with each other girls during their mothers' marriages to him, is up for grabs. He's stipulated in his will that, in order for each of the three girls to get a share in the house, they need to live together on Nantucket for three months. This does NOT sound particularly inviting to any of them.
The girls, with troubled pasts, uncertain career paths, and complicated love lives, aren't good at trusting one another. But maybe three months of forced time together will let them grow closer as the sisters they are, and help put the wounds of the past behind them.
It's definitely a cute premise, and I did like a few of the characters (Meg was probably my favorite). Overall, not a knock-your-socks-off kind of novel, but it does what it sets out to do. And it definitely made me wish I was sitting on an island while reading it.
July 15, 2019
4-4.5 stars! This is my second Nancy Thayer book and I really enjoyed it. The first one I read was “Secrets In Summer” and after reading that one I KNEW I needed to read more of her books. Her books are easy to read, light & fun, not all over the place like some authors...and I really do enjoy the happy endings even if sometimes there are some corny chapters in there...her books do a great job of making you smile as you’re reading them. I normally read a lot of mystery books so it’s nice to pick up a happy book like this after a thriller book. Reading Nancy Thayer’s books has also given me such a desire to see Nantucket!! It is definitely on my bucket list! She gives such great descriptions of the island. I can’t wait to read more by her!
August 14, 2022
the PERFECT BEACH READ! however i listened to it in my kitchen!
this novel is so sweet and heartwarming and lovely. it’s about sisterhood and pursuing the career you love and family and cute boys. this book has it all - enemies to lovers, best friends to lovers, will they won’t they, and a cute beach town! maybe i do believe in love after reading this fiction book! everything i hoped would happen in the end did, which was very satisfying. it’s a few hours of everything being sweet and then there’s some juice!! love that in a book. HAPPY ENDING!
this novel is so sweet and heartwarming and lovely. it’s about sisterhood and pursuing the career you love and family and cute boys. this book has it all - enemies to lovers, best friends to lovers, will they won’t they, and a cute beach town! maybe i do believe in love after reading this fiction book! everything i hoped would happen in the end did, which was very satisfying. it’s a few hours of everything being sweet and then there’s some juice!! love that in a book. HAPPY ENDING!
April 24, 2017
Truly, this is escapist fiction. Escaping that I thoroughly enjoyed. I always enjoy a virtual trip -via Nancy Thayer - to Nantucket. I partially read in book form and audiobook. Both were satisfying.
April 3, 2020
Although this book started out slowly, it really did come alive about halfway through. I really enjoyed the banter between the sisters and being there while they worked things out. Adding in all the drama from their childhood goes to show that things that happen when someone is young can affect them when theyre older. This book really went to show the dynamic of birth siblings, half siblings, step-siblings. My favorite character has to be Arden. She was so strong in her personal life and work life. The only downfall that I found in this book was the ending. I was hoping to get a little bit more in regards to what happens to them. Who knows, maybe there will be another book as a sequel.
July 10, 2025
I liked it - felt like I was listening in on Nantucket housewives gossip. I’m not sure I ended up liking any of the characters themselves but I enjoyed the story and was entertained throughout. It’s a fun and easy beach read.
November 14, 2017
It was a pleasent beach book. The different stories of three women were intertwined with their joint story in a nice way.
April 23, 2023
2.5 stars. Forgot to bring a book to read in Kauai. Nice little find in the cutest little side of the road community library stand.
July 22, 2024
4 5 stars
This was really good. A story of family, years of resentment and jealousy. Three sisters come together and try to find a way to become family, attempting to heal, forgive each other and themselves.
I really enjoyed the story and the narrator was very good also.
The characters were relatable and I grew more and more attached to them as the story went on. The story was told from several different view points.
This was really good. A story of family, years of resentment and jealousy. Three sisters come together and try to find a way to become family, attempting to heal, forgive each other and themselves.
I really enjoyed the story and the narrator was very good also.
The characters were relatable and I grew more and more attached to them as the story went on. The story was told from several different view points.
April 16, 2014
Island Girls is a standalone novel by author Nancy Thayer. This is the first book I have ever read from this author and I enjoyed it! This story portrays the complications of a blended family. Three sisters, half-sisters/step-sisters, who never really had strong relationships to begin with are brought together as adults after the death of their father. Their situation requires them to live together in their father's house on Nantucket for three months. I enjoyed watching the women's relationships turn from sour to friendly. Each sister is struggling with some area in her personal life, and as the sisters take the time to learn about and support each other, they each begin to take steps of growth.
During the first 1/3 of this book, I struggled with keeping each sister separate and I felt confused at times, but that could have been just me. The rest of the book was thoroughly engaging for me and I enjoyed it a great deal. I am looking forward to reading more titles from Nancy Thayer.
My favorite quote:
“Love and work. For most of us, our lives are defined by love and work. It is a fortunate woman who loves her work and a blessed woman who does not find herself torn between them.”
During the first 1/3 of this book, I struggled with keeping each sister separate and I felt confused at times, but that could have been just me. The rest of the book was thoroughly engaging for me and I enjoyed it a great deal. I am looking forward to reading more titles from Nancy Thayer.
My favorite quote:
“Love and work. For most of us, our lives are defined by love and work. It is a fortunate woman who loves her work and a blessed woman who does not find herself torn between them.”
August 4, 2016
For a synopsis of the plot for Island Girls by Nancy Thayer, follow the GR link.
I must admit that I really struggled with the start of this book. It was hard to keep the three sisters and 3 wives separated in my mind. Maybe it was just me, but the first third of this book was just okay. However, it really saved itself from being a 2♥♥ book. Once I could keep everyone straight, I loved watching the blending of women not just as half and step sisters but as friends. It's never easy even in a "traditional" family, whatever that means now, but with this non-traditional sisterhood, it took maturity on all the women's parts. The only flaw I felt was the relationship with all the ex-wives and the office manager. I can't imagine that ever happening in real life.
So, it's beginning to be summer and this book was a great way to start the season of summer reading!
Go Cards! L1C4!!
I must admit that I really struggled with the start of this book. It was hard to keep the three sisters and 3 wives separated in my mind. Maybe it was just me, but the first third of this book was just okay. However, it really saved itself from being a 2♥♥ book. Once I could keep everyone straight, I loved watching the blending of women not just as half and step sisters but as friends. It's never easy even in a "traditional" family, whatever that means now, but with this non-traditional sisterhood, it took maturity on all the women's parts. The only flaw I felt was the relationship with all the ex-wives and the office manager. I can't imagine that ever happening in real life.
So, it's beginning to be summer and this book was a great way to start the season of summer reading!
Go Cards! L1C4!!
July 1, 2017
This was a good one. I have read other Nancy Thayer books and this one did not disappoint. I really enjoyed the ending which sometimes on books is in As Good As the book itself
June 26, 2015
This book made me want sisters and a summerhouse, And I have neither! Three sisters all with the same father and different mothers were forced to spend the summer in their summer house together in order to receive the proceeds from the sale of the house. The girls had not spent much time as adults together, so of course there was drama.then they began to learn more about one another and started to like each other. Secrets were revealed, problems were solved, and love was found. I think this book would be best enjoyed on the porch of your very own summerhouse, with a glass of something cold to drink.
August 18, 2015
I had read many reviews about this book before reading it and it was frequently rated low due to the characters being described as flaky, money-hungry, greedy, and without personality. This was not the case at all. The three sisters ended up caring quite a bit about one another and actually went out of their way to be fair with their father's inheritance with not only themselves, but with all three mothers, and a pop up mistress. I find those reviews to be quite unfair. I think this was a great book about family, sisters, and bonding. 4 stars.
September 1, 2016
Bad. So bad. Like the author really should find a new profession kind of bad. But then again, I guess a lot of people like horribly written characters with unbelievable plots and dialogue as long as all the characters hug it out and get a happily ever after.
TWO female characters (one of whom is supposed to be a snotty TV lady) refer to the bathroom as "The John." I have never heard a female friend refer to the bathroom in such ways. And then to have two female characters use that term within the same page? This was just the straw that broke an already incredibly shitty book.
TWO female characters (one of whom is supposed to be a snotty TV lady) refer to the bathroom as "The John." I have never heard a female friend refer to the bathroom in such ways. And then to have two female characters use that term within the same page? This was just the straw that broke an already incredibly shitty book.
June 17, 2016
absolutely awesome book. The weaving of the story was so intriguing . Three women with the same father but different mothers come together to mourn the death of their father and to repair their fractured relationships. When some of the secrets were revealed the girls understood why their relationship was so strained
July 31, 2015
Just another typical and predictable story about sisters who despise each other but after spending time together on a beautiful island they learn to love and forgive. Blah, blah, blah!
September 22, 2015
I enjoyed this book- a good beach read!
February 7, 2017
Completely absurd.
June 16, 2017
Entertaining, light and frothy beach read. Nice characters with some depth to them. Story is not too complicated, but it's interesting. Worth reading! 4 stars
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,115 reviews