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Summer Light on Nantucket: A Novel
A touching novel about parenthood, first love, family bonds, and rekindled relationships from the New York Times bestselling author and beloved Nantucket storyteller Nancy Thayer.
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.
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.
279 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 22, 2025
625 people are currently reading
16783 people want to read
About the author
Nancy Thayer
51 books4,040 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 576 reviews
May 2, 2025
I’ve completely outgrown this author
January 30, 2025
I received a free copy of, Summer Light on Nantucket, by Nancy Thayer, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Blythe is recently divorced living in Boston with her four children, and working as a teacher. Summers are spent in Nantucket. This book had a lot going on, love teenage drama, summer, health issues, etc. This was a very good read.
April 19, 2025
I had certainly heard of Nancy Thayer and she has published many novels, but this is the first book I have read by her. One of my friends had mentioned she always enjoyed her books, so I picked this one up to see if I would like it.
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.
My Thoughts:
This book is about family, first loves, past relationships, and new relationships. There is a lot of drama - especially with the teenagers. But Blythe is surprised with a beau from high school reappearing and meeting a new man who she is very much attracted to. Juggling two romances and making big decisions is difficult. Finding the right path is elusive at best and Blythe has to trust her instincts. I loved the atmosphere of the summer vacation in Nantucket and the characters were lovely. The book is a great beach read.
Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine through Netgalley for an advance copy.
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.
My Thoughts:
This book is about family, first loves, past relationships, and new relationships. There is a lot of drama - especially with the teenagers. But Blythe is surprised with a beau from high school reappearing and meeting a new man who she is very much attracted to. Juggling two romances and making big decisions is difficult. Finding the right path is elusive at best and Blythe has to trust her instincts. I loved the atmosphere of the summer vacation in Nantucket and the characters were lovely. The book is a great beach read.
Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine through Netgalley for an advance copy.
didn-t-finish
April 20, 2025Yikes. I wanted to like this, but the writing was so hokey, including the dialogue. Also, the flashbacks to high school and her relationship with her boyfriend were cringeworthy. So awkwardly bad. It's a DNF for me.
May 11, 2025
Uber was invented in 2009. Bob and Blythes first date was roughly in 2002, yet it mentioned “they walked to their Ubers” at the end of the date. that bugged me the whole book
March 28, 2025
This is my 15th book by Nancy Thayer so yes, I’m a huge fan of her books. She brings us to Nantucket and once again, makes me believe I’m there while reading it. I’ve never been but always wanted to go. I enjoyed this story about Blythe, a divorced 40+ year old woman who lived a life with her 4 grown kids and 2 “potential” boyfriends who were after her. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review. To be published April 22, 2025.
January 14, 2025
I usually try to read ARCs by publishing date but I just couldn’t wait to read Nancy Thayer’s book for 2025.
I’m so happy I did. Nancy’s writing brings me home to a cozy, warm place in mind and heart. She’s an expert on family dynamics. I loved all her characters, even Kate, the bitchy sister.
We have a close knit family including exes, currents, newbies and all the kids of various ages. Minor family dramas, a few secrets but love all around.
Come to Nantucket for the summer and meet the whole family, teenagers and all!
Thanks Edelweiss and Ballantine Books.
I’m so happy I did. Nancy’s writing brings me home to a cozy, warm place in mind and heart. She’s an expert on family dynamics. I loved all her characters, even Kate, the bitchy sister.
We have a close knit family including exes, currents, newbies and all the kids of various ages. Minor family dramas, a few secrets but love all around.
Come to Nantucket for the summer and meet the whole family, teenagers and all!
Thanks Edelweiss and Ballantine Books.
May 13, 2025
A Nancy Thayer novel is always the perfect way to start the season. You just cant go wrong with some sunshine and a solid women’s fiction book. I love second chance romances but this one had a spin to it and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Blythe is juggling her four kids, ex husband, ex in-laws, a new potential beau, and her first love. Her character was relatable in so many ways -hard working, caring, patient, and so kind. I think a lot of readers will appreciate how down to earth she is.
Definitely a beach read to add to your summer tbr!
Definitely a beach read to add to your summer tbr!
May 1, 2025
Hmm, does anyone really have a life that perfect? And break down in tears so often? Anyway, I have always loved Nancy Thayer books and I do like the day to day activities and especially appreciate the food details and love reading about one of my favorite places, Nantucket. One thing that was incredibly annoying, Celeste was depicted as though she was 85 years old. Then we find out she’s 70!! Are you kidding? I’m 70, I take care of people like Celeste……………who are 85. I’m surprised at Nancy Thayer, also, because I know she’s 80 and acts much younger than Celeste. I’ve noticed this trend in many books but am especially surprised when someone in my age group does this!
April 27, 2025
I've read her books before and enjoyed most of them. This one felt shallow as in just surface emotions touched upon. It also felt as if it was written by an adolescent as demonstrated by style of writing. In trying to write about main characters she included too many people so that it was difficult to really engage with the feelings of the MMC and MFC. It was just an unsatisfying read.
July 14, 2025
Another sweet beach read. I would love to visit Nantucket and experience the charm of the island.
June 10, 2025
Oh boy, this might be in contention for worst book so far this year. Don't have the energy to go into all the reasons why but I do have one comment. I was puzzled by Blythe's cavalier attitude towards her children, when Aaden asked where they were she said oh either with friends or at their grandmothers, not sure. And then when waiting for them to come home, she says the 3 youngest, 11,13 and 15 have an eleven o'clock curfew! When my kids were 11, they sure weren't out wandering around until 11.
March 30, 2025
3.5⭐️
It was cute and fluffy. It not my typical type of romance that I go for but was looking to see how well the Nantucket imagery was handled. And while the romance was basic and repetitive it can have someone create the Nantucket visions easily as she is very descriptive.. sometimes overly so.
One thing that frustrates me is apparently Ms Thayer hasn’t been off island in a very long time as the stretch of 132 in Hyannis that she mentions hasn’t has two lanes in a very long time and why would kids be excited about seeing a Dunkin when they are from the Boston area where there is one in every corner? It’s like she wanted to try to stuff every type of imagery that she could having to do with a trip to the Cape and then Nantucket while not focusing on the story at hand which was very repetitive. Maybe it’s because I live on the Cape so it takes on a different impact?
I consumed the audiobook and the narrator Andi Arndt did a fine job with the recitation. She spoke at a good pace for the 1x speed which i appreciated and help keep me connected to the story more than I would have had I consumed the digital ARC.
I am thankful to have gotten a complimentary audio ALC from Brilliance Audio through NetGalley to read which gave me the opportunity to voluntarily leave a review.
My rating system since GoodReads doesn’t have partial stars
⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again
It was cute and fluffy. It not my typical type of romance that I go for but was looking to see how well the Nantucket imagery was handled. And while the romance was basic and repetitive it can have someone create the Nantucket visions easily as she is very descriptive.. sometimes overly so.
One thing that frustrates me is apparently Ms Thayer hasn’t been off island in a very long time as the stretch of 132 in Hyannis that she mentions hasn’t has two lanes in a very long time and why would kids be excited about seeing a Dunkin when they are from the Boston area where there is one in every corner? It’s like she wanted to try to stuff every type of imagery that she could having to do with a trip to the Cape and then Nantucket while not focusing on the story at hand which was very repetitive. Maybe it’s because I live on the Cape so it takes on a different impact?
I consumed the audiobook and the narrator Andi Arndt did a fine job with the recitation. She spoke at a good pace for the 1x speed which i appreciated and help keep me connected to the story more than I would have had I consumed the digital ARC.
I am thankful to have gotten a complimentary audio ALC from Brilliance Audio through NetGalley to read which gave me the opportunity to voluntarily leave a review.
My rating system since GoodReads doesn’t have partial stars
⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again
May 8, 2025
I’d give this negative stars if I could. Just awful.
April 19, 2025
It’s authors like Thayer that made me love Nantucket and I’ve never even been there.
Thayer paints an idyllic existence for Blythe and her four kids who spend all summer at their Nantucket home.
I liked all the different descriptions of island locations and activities.
I wasn’t wild how Blythe treated both Nick and Aaden. She was all over the place and unfair to Aaden. She expresses feelings for him and then misleads him. Not cool in my book.
I wanted to drop Miranda in a bog and I thought Blythe was way too nonchalant in her reaction to what Daphne was really up to.
The novel’s strength is the island of Nantucket and how it is a summer haven.
Thanks to Ballantine and NetGalley for the advance read
Thayer paints an idyllic existence for Blythe and her four kids who spend all summer at their Nantucket home.
I liked all the different descriptions of island locations and activities.
I wasn’t wild how Blythe treated both Nick and Aaden. She was all over the place and unfair to Aaden. She expresses feelings for him and then misleads him. Not cool in my book.
I wanted to drop Miranda in a bog and I thought Blythe was way too nonchalant in her reaction to what Daphne was really up to.
The novel’s strength is the island of Nantucket and how it is a summer haven.
Thanks to Ballantine and NetGalley for the advance read
April 7, 2025
Thank you NetGalley, HaperCollins and Alexandria Bellefleur for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Let’s start with the things I liked…
This book is about a divorced mom in her 40s. The FMC, Blythe, (semi-reluctantly) is finally open to a potential relationship.
Lots of family drama. Some of it interesting, some of it frustrating and left unresolved. Seriously, what was Kate’s issue?!
I liked learning about her 4 kids and how they were all different but had good sibling relationships. Each kid was going through their own journey over the summer as a side storyline.
Things that didn’t work for me…Blythe and Aaden sounded very formal and like they were from another century. Maybe it was internal bias as their wealth became clear but I was reading it as old English “swoon. oh how shocking, I just cannot imagine leaving my children”. I didn’t notice this until like 40% in but then it lasted the rest of the book.
The frequent mention and focus on the looks of children was excessive and felt very dated.
Freaking out about going out of the country - away from her kids despite them having a capable parent with them was frustrating. Moms have enough guilt. Let this woman live! It’s one thing if she didn’t want to but you’re made to think she wants to but just cannot survive being away from her kids.
The L bomb was dropped pretty liberally in my opinion - not necessarily a bad thing but just didn’t feel genuine.
How does Blythe afford literally anything. She occasionally substitute teaches and then gets child support but she’s paying for private chefs and for tennis/sailing lessons for not just her kids but an extra kid. Plus has a small home and a coastal vacation home to maintain.
Let’s start with the things I liked…
This book is about a divorced mom in her 40s. The FMC, Blythe, (semi-reluctantly) is finally open to a potential relationship.
Lots of family drama. Some of it interesting, some of it frustrating and left unresolved. Seriously, what was Kate’s issue?!
I liked learning about her 4 kids and how they were all different but had good sibling relationships. Each kid was going through their own journey over the summer as a side storyline.
Things that didn’t work for me…Blythe and Aaden sounded very formal and like they were from another century. Maybe it was internal bias as their wealth became clear but I was reading it as old English “swoon. oh how shocking, I just cannot imagine leaving my children”. I didn’t notice this until like 40% in but then it lasted the rest of the book.
The frequent mention and focus on the looks of children was excessive and felt very dated.
Freaking out about going out of the country - away from her kids despite them having a capable parent with them was frustrating. Moms have enough guilt. Let this woman live! It’s one thing if she didn’t want to but you’re made to think she wants to but just cannot survive being away from her kids.
The L bomb was dropped pretty liberally in my opinion - not necessarily a bad thing but just didn’t feel genuine.
How does Blythe afford literally anything. She occasionally substitute teaches and then gets child support but she’s paying for private chefs and for tennis/sailing lessons for not just her kids but an extra kid. Plus has a small home and a coastal vacation home to maintain.
February 10, 2025
Nancy Thayer's latest book, Summer Light on Nantucket, is a dive into the life of a mother as her children get older and her purpose in life shifts. Following the inner thoughts of the main character, Blythe, a divorced mother of 4, this book considers important questions about a woman's identity and the search for love after a divorce. It reminded me a lot of the book Sandwich, but on a much lighter level. For me, as a married mother of a young girl, I felt that I could not fully relate to Blythe as much, especially from the start since she had so much privilege of being able to spend her summers on Nantucket at a house that she inherited. There was also something to me that just made Blythe a little unlikeable as a character as she pined for her high school boyfriend who clearly would not prioritize her in his own life. In the end, I loved reading a book centered on the dreamy island of Nantucket and think it will make a great summer read for fans of Nancy Thayer and those yearning for more Nantucket in the vacuum left this summer without a new Hilderbrand release. 3.5 stars.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
June 10, 2025
This was probably the worst book I've read this year. Part of me wants to write a long review of why I hated it so much but it's not really worth my time, when I can just move on to the next book. I will say, it feels like the Nantucket based author is writing for her rich friends. The writing is so pretentious and the main character is beyond exhausting and doesn't make sense. The author made it seem like he's a horrible dad but let's encourage him to have his vasectomy reversed so he can have a baby with the girlfriend who cheating on him. The main character is also a pretty crappy mom, when she acts like she's mom of the year and lives for her kids. Who let's their 11 year old kid go anywhere they want as long as they're home by 11:00pm. Uber was introduced in 2009, so in the beginning when it said they waited for Ubers, it wasn't even a thing. The main character treated the ex boyfriend from Ireland like he was still a teenager and she talked about other teens in a sexual/uncomfortable way. Okay. I'm going to stop. It was just really really bad and I'm annoyed that I wasted my time reading it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 1, 2025
What a huge disappointment. Blythe, the main character, worries and frets throughout the book. When she’s not worrying, she’s cutting vegetables for her children to show she’s the perfect mother. But the kicker is that when she’s takes a girls’ excursion to the beach on Nantucket, she wears her Speedo. And she’s a weak swimmer. WTH? No divorced woman entering the dating world would wear a Speedo. She’s just too insipid for me. No more Nancy Thayer.
September 23, 2025
This is a wholesome beach read about a divorced mom with four teenage children who summer in Nantucket each year. This year is different as she meets a handsome man and also runs into her high school love. It's a bit of a love triangle along with juggling children, career and a blended family as her ex has a significant other. Lots of fun summer moments and mentions of all the things Nantucket summers are known for.
May 21, 2025
4.5 ⭐️’s I absolutely loved this book!!
June 18, 2025
I absolutely loved this book. Having visited both Boston and Nantucket, it instantly brought me back to those beautiful places. I felt especially nostalgic over the teen dynamics and Blythe’s age—it all felt so relatable. Overall, it was a cute and enjoyable beach read.
April 19, 2025
I adored Nancy Thayer's stunning Summer Light on Nantucket! It was one of those novels where you want to start it over the minute you finish it :). Like a warm, cozy hug, this is a story of coming into one's own, navigating changes in one's life, and ending up on top.
Thayer describes the ambience of Nantucket as Blythe and her family of teens spend their summer in this paradise. Of course there's drama, and marvelous relationships grow and change, but overall the hopefull mood permeates every page of this heartwarming tale.
The audio version of Summer Light on Nantucket is beautifully performed by the talented Andi Arndt.
an audiobook copy of Summer Light on Nantucket was provided by Brilliance Publishing | Brilliance Audio, via NetGalley, for the purpose of my honest review, all opinions are my own
Thayer describes the ambience of Nantucket as Blythe and her family of teens spend their summer in this paradise. Of course there's drama, and marvelous relationships grow and change, but overall the hopefull mood permeates every page of this heartwarming tale.
The audio version of Summer Light on Nantucket is beautifully performed by the talented Andi Arndt.
an audiobook copy of Summer Light on Nantucket was provided by Brilliance Publishing | Brilliance Audio, via NetGalley, for the purpose of my honest review, all opinions are my own
February 12, 2025
I received an ARC of Summer Light on Nantucket, by Nancy Thayer from Netgalley in return for an honest review.
As a fan of the Nantucket setting (introduced through Hilderbrand’s books) I was drawn toward this beach read. I enjoyed the family drama, the familiar settings and the perspective of a divorced woman, Blythe, in her 40s as she navigates the opportunity to love again. I found some parts to be a little repetitive, but all conflicts seemed to get resolved for a hopeful ending. Additionally, Thayer earns an honorable mention for including an unexpected but always welcome Taylor Swift reference.
Overall, this was an easy, enjoyable beach read that has me wanting to plan a trip to Nantucket. Definitely a book to grab for your summer trip to the beach.
As a fan of the Nantucket setting (introduced through Hilderbrand’s books) I was drawn toward this beach read. I enjoyed the family drama, the familiar settings and the perspective of a divorced woman, Blythe, in her 40s as she navigates the opportunity to love again. I found some parts to be a little repetitive, but all conflicts seemed to get resolved for a hopeful ending. Additionally, Thayer earns an honorable mention for including an unexpected but always welcome Taylor Swift reference.
Overall, this was an easy, enjoyable beach read that has me wanting to plan a trip to Nantucket. Definitely a book to grab for your summer trip to the beach.
June 17, 2025
Good story of single mom and her 4 children going on their annual vacation at the beach. Her ex husband and his mom and lady friend are also vacationing in the same area . Awkward!
August 25, 2025
The summer is not complete unless I read a book set in Nantucket.
Nancy Thayer is one of my favorite authors and draws a wonderful portrait of a relaxing family summer at the beach.
If you like "beach reads" with family and a touch of romance, you will love this one.
Nancy Thayer is one of my favorite authors and draws a wonderful portrait of a relaxing family summer at the beach.
If you like "beach reads" with family and a touch of romance, you will love this one.
June 2, 2025
3.75
I liked a lot of aspects of this book. It was a quick read, and I was invested in the story however, they were a few plot lines that I had a problem with.
I liked a lot of aspects of this book. It was a quick read, and I was invested in the story however, they were a few plot lines that I had a problem with.
October 5, 2025
Terrible.
July 24, 2025
Meh. I read this to compare it to Elin Hildenbrand’s Nantucket books. I’ll stick with Elin. The writing is simplistic and the plot was so predictable, and honestly, my expectations were low. Also, as others have written, she describes the ex-mother-in-law as elderly, not many years left, barely able to get around, etc. only to find out she’s seventy! As someone in their late sixties, I take offense! Maybe that colored my review a bit.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 576 reviews