Summer on Lilac Island: A Novel

by Lindsay MacMillan

A witty and heartwarming escape about mothers and daughters, small-town dating, and the surprising ways we find our way home.

When Gigi Jenkins finds herself broke, unemployed, and out of options, she has no choice but to return to Mackinac Island, the horse-and-buggy hometown she swore she'd left behind forever.

Living under the same roof with her meddling, divorced mother, Eloise, feels like a recipe for disaster--especially when Eloise hatches a scheme to set Gigi up with the island's charming new doctor.

Determined to call her mother's bluff, Gigi agrees to the date on one she gets to play matchmaker for Eloise in return.

What begins as a battle of wills spirals into a summer of small-town antics, unexpected sparks, and plot twists neither woman saw coming.

But the greatest love story of the summer isn't about romance--it's about the bond between mother and daughter. Through late-night date debriefs, outfit consultations, and learning to laugh (and forgive), Gigi and Eloise begin to bridge years of misunderstanding, moving from adversaries to confidantes.

With Lindsay MacMillan's signature wit and warmth, Summer on Lilac Island is a joyful, tender tale of second chances, new beginnings, and the countless forms love can take.

Genres: Romance, Summer Reads, Fiction, Summer, Audiobook, Contemporary, Beach Reads

397 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 1, 2025

Reviews

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of, Summer on Lilac Island, by Lindsay MacMillan, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Mackinac Island is a beautiful area, there are no cars allowed, horses, and bicycles, are how people get around. Gigi is back home, on Mackinac Island, and not happy about it. This is a lovely story in a beautiful location. I have always wanted to go to Mackinac Island, but have not gone. I really enjoyed Gigi and the other lovely ladies in this book.

[Shantha (ShanthasBookEra) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars "A heart-warming escape about mother-daughter relationships, small-town dating, and all that guides us home."

Summer on Lilac Island is a charming, cozy contemporary romance, where the main characters are three generations of the Jenkins family: daughters Gigi and Rebecca who have no desire to remain on an island where cars aren't allowed, Eloise whose husband has been estranged from them for years, and Alice, mother of Eloise.

While Gigi and Eloise play matchmaker for each other despite a strained relationship for years, they still have reservations and bias based on their previous experiences with one another. The men they date are background characters as the main focus of the novel is the mother-daughter relationships and the airing of family secrets, which ultimately change the course of their lives.
This is a light, heartwarming story that is perfect for a summer read or to be transported to a beautiful, idyllic island.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Harper Muse Books and Audiobooks, UpLit Reads, and Lindsay Macmillan for the advance reader's copy, advance listening copy, and finished copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Gigi Ropp · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an only child, I’ve always been a bit envious of sibling relationships. Summer on Lilac Island was filled with such beautiful interactions between sisters and mothers and mothers of mothers and daughters and even some surprise characters, that I felt truly invested in this tiny island filled with loving people all trying to figure life out in their very human (and sometimes very funny) ways.

[Elizabeth of Silver's Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

FULL REVIEW WILL BE ON JULY 31.

Gigi Jenkins had to come home to the place she couldn't wait to get away from.

She didn't know how it would work being with her mother since they really didn't get along.

How does it all turn out?

Find out everything in this heartwarming book with great characters and set in Mackinac Island.

You will want to be on your way to Mackinac Island as you read about its magic and beauty.

A lovely summer read - but just a bit too long and too many characters to keep straight. 5/5

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

SUMMER ON LILAC ISLAND
By Lindsay MacMillan

Read by: Kira Fixx

3.5 stars
When I saw that this book was set on the idyllic Mackinac Island, I instantly knew I wanted to give it a listen. We’ve been staying on the island during the summer with our grandsons for many years. We’re all enchanted by the island and the wide variety of activities it offers.

This is a heartwarming women’s fiction read set on Mackinac Island, Michigan—a picturesque horse-and-buggy community. We’re introduced to Gigi Jenkins as she hesitantly returns to her childhood home to spend the summer with her mother, Eloise, following the loss of her job. They quickly become locked in a battle of wills and decide to play matchmaker for each other. The most unforgettable love story of the summer is the bond between Gigi and her mother, Eloise.

This is the first book I’ve read/listened to by Lindsay MacMillan. I would describe this book as contemporary romance with a focus on personal transformation. Though romance isn’t my usual genre, the magic of Mackinac Island won me over, and I enjoyed listening to this. The narrator did a fine reading of this story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse Audiobooks | Harper Muse for the ALC

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

I enjoyed this mother-daughter story set on Mackinac Island, Michigan that had some romance, some reconciliation, secrets and more as the two women embark on journeys of self-discovery over the course of one life-changing summer.

This was good on audio and perfect for fans of authors like Sarah Morgan. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital, #gifted physical and audio copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Silvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summer on Lilac Island is a charming, feel-good novel that captures the magic of second chances, personal growth, and the quiet beauty of island life. It is a lengthy book but if you are a fan of heartfelt contemporary fiction you will be swept away by the serenity and spirit of Lilac Island. I enjoyed this book. I will be recommending it.
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.

[Mallory Moureau · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley, Harper Muse Audiobooks and Lindsay MacMillan for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

I DNFed at 17%.

I was having a hard time connecting to the story or feeling invested in any of the characters but once there was a chapter from the hotel’s perspective I decided I wasn’t the right audience for this book.

There also was a conservative undertone I was picking up on and was nervous to see it expand.

Overall, just not the book for me.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gigi is Georgina's preferred name but her mother, Eloise, hasn't taken that on board. Their relationship is rocky. And...Gigi has left the city with some reluctance to spend the summer with Eloise for the free rent. Returning to the island is the last place Gigi wants to go. Her reputation will be the talk of the island considering she ran away from there at age 18 with the former Mayors son.

On Gigi's arrival on the island Eloise has set up a blind date for her daughter. She thinks Gigi's life is a "trainwreck" and wants to stage the intervention to get it back "on track".

Gigi agrees to go on if she can set up a date for Eloise. Eloise is still hung up on her ex husband who drops by when he feels like visiting the island. It's a deal.

Gigi is introducing her Mum to scotsman, Clyde McDougall, who is visiting the area in hope it will inspire him out of writers block. But Clyde is a character and nothing like her husband is but she enjoys Clyde's company and enjoys his lifestyle. He can afford to stay at the Grand Hotel, which is a posh/expensive resort.

Gigi is too uninterested to take her date seriously. She has been trying to identify patterns in her failed relationships and is over having 3.4 boyfriends a year!

Alice is Gigi's grandmother. Alice is a widow and seems to spend a lot of time with Leo, they have some history together and a secret that's long haunted Alice.

There are other likeable characters on the island and this book has a few storylines and many scenarios thrown in to make it a little long winded. I think it could've been a better read if it was condensed slightly but I did enjoy this story. I can now imagine an island life where there is zero cars and gentlemen still pick up their dates on horseback.

The narrator does a great Irish accent!

Thankyou to #Netgalley and publisher #HarperMuse for the free audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

[Natalie Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Family drama + a touch of romance + a dreamy Northern Michigan setting? Say no more.

Gigi Jenkins returns to Mackinac Island—broke, reluctant, and determined to make it through just one summer. But this charming lakeside town, full of fudge shops, ferry rides, and unspoken history, has other plans. What I loved most about this book is that it’s so much more than a love story. It’s a rich family saga about broken relationships, the weight of the past, and the power of coming home. Gigi’s journey is layered with old wounds, awkward reunions, and unexpected self-discovery. The characters felt incredibly real—flawed, funny, and ultimately lovable. As a proud Michigander, I loved the setting. Lindsay Macmillan captures the magic of Mackinac Island perfectly—the slower pace, the tight-knit community, the feeling of being stuck in time in the best way. I wouldn’t be surprised if this book inspires a surge in summer getaways to the island. If you’re looking for a heartfelt beach read with emotional depth and a strong sense of place, Summer on Lilac Island is one to pack in your tote bag. Add it to your TBR for a little sunshine and a lot of heart.

Thank you Netgalley and Harper Muse Audiobooks for the audiobook ARC to read and review so I could share my honest review!

[Jessica Strawser · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a good multigenerational story, and SUMMER ON LILAC ISLAND delivered -- the audiobook made for enjoyable, easy listening for an enjoyable, easy summer road trip. I've spent time in Michigan, but never Mackinac, and I was immediately drawn to the setting, as well as the premise that seemed made for a perfect rom-com. But the mother / daughter / grandmother / sister dynamic at the core of the novel really stole the show. (With thanks to Netgalley for the early listen.)

[Caroline O'Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book started off with us meeting Gigi on a boat heading home to the island she grew up on, back home to live with mum jobless and penniless. I enjoyed this part of the story and really enjoyed her interaction with the Scottish author, he seemed like so much fun.

This story becomes a story of three generations of woman starting with Alice the grandmother, Elouise the mother them Gigi and Rebecca the sisters.

Straight off I just did not like Elouise, there was just something about her that turned me off. She was trying to control Gigi and make her someone she wasn’t and I hate that.

I also didn’t love Rebecca off the bat as on that first phone call between the sisters she seemed quite standoffish however I did grow to like her.

To be honest I just didn’t connect with the characters in this book at all but I did enjoy the growth these 4 woman made throughout.

I was also fortunate to receive an early audiobook of this and while I enjoyed the narrator’s story telling I didn’t love her when she was doing each character individually.

Overall it was an ok read.

“I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.”

[The Bookish Elf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lindsay MacMillan's third novel and debut women's fiction work, Summer on Lilac Island, is a tender exploration of the complexities that bind mothers and daughters together, even when they seem worlds apart. Set against the picturesque backdrop of Mackinac Island—reimagined here as "Lilac Island"—this story weaves together themes of homecoming, healing, and the courage to begin again at any stage of life.

The Story That Unfolds Like Island Fog

The narrative centers on Gigi Jenkins, a twenty-eight-year-old whose LA dreams have crumbled into unemployment and debt, forcing her reluctant return to the horse-and-buggy island she once couldn't wait to escape. What awaits her is not just the familiar scent of lilac blooms and fudge shops, but a strained relationship with her mother Eloise that threatens to implode under the pressure of forced proximity.

MacMillan crafts a brilliant premise when both women, convinced they understand nothing about each other's romantic lives, agree to play matchmaker. This seemingly simple arrangement becomes the catalyst for profound transformation, as Gigi finds herself drawn to James, the island's new doctor, while Eloise discovers unexpected sparks with Clyde, a charming Scottish author writing about the island.

The beauty of MacMillan's storytelling lies not in the romantic entanglements themselves, but in how these relationships become mirrors reflecting the deeper work each character must do. Gigi's initial resistance to James stems from her pattern of running from anything that might require vulnerability, while Eloise's connection to Clyde forces her to confront what she truly wants versus what feels safe.

Character Development That Rings True
Gigi: The Reluctant Homecoming Queen

Gigi emerges as a complex protagonist whose journey from cynical outsider to engaged community member feels authentic rather than contrived. MacMillan skillfully avoids the trap of making Gigi's transformation too neat or quick. Instead, we watch her gradually shed her defensive armor through small moments—helping with her grandmother's campaign, connecting with old friends like Lillian, and slowly allowing herself to believe that staying might not be settling.

Her relationship with James develops with delicious tension, built on their shared experience as outsiders who've found unexpected belonging on the island. MacMillan writes their chemistry with restraint that makes their eventual connection feel earned rather than inevitable.

Eloise: A Mother's Second Act

Perhaps the novel's greatest strength lies in its portrayal of Eloise as a woman worthy of her own love story. Too often in fiction, mothers exist primarily to serve their children's narratives. Here, Eloise's romance with Clyde is given equal weight and complexity. Her struggle between the security of the familiar and the excitement of the unknown resonates with anyone who's ever wondered if it's too late to reinvent themselves.

The ending of Eloise and Clyde's relationship—where love isn't enough to overcome fundamental incompatibilities—shows MacMillan's mature approach to romance. Not every love story ends in union, but that doesn't diminish its value or the growth it facilitates.

The Supporting Cast That Enriches the Narrative

MacMillan populates her island with a rich ensemble that never feels extraneous. From Gigi's politically ambitious grandmother Alice to the mysterious Lillian carrying her own secrets, each character serves the larger themes while maintaining their own distinct voice. Even minor characters like the charming rogue Officer Ronny feel fully realized rather than simply functional.

Writing Style That Captures Island Rhythm

MacMillan's prose has a conversational warmth that mirrors the close-knit island community she's created. Her writing style shifts subtly between characters—Gigi's sections crackle with sharp observation and defensive humor, while Eloise's chapters flow with the measured rhythm of someone who's learned to be cautious with her heart.

The author's background in contemporary romance shows in her ability to craft scenes that sizzle with tension while maintaining the emotional depth that women's fiction demands. The near-kiss scene between Gigi and James in the lake demonstrates this perfectly—all the chemistry is there, but so is the emotional weight that makes readers invest in the outcome.

Themes That Resonate Beyond the Island
Mother-Daughter Relationships Reimagined

The evolution of Gigi and Eloise's relationship from adversarial to collaborative forms the novel's emotional core. MacMillan explores how adult children and their parents must learn to see each other as whole people rather than just family roles. The scene where they stay up late waiting for each other to return from dates beautifully captures this shift from mother-daughter to friends.

The Pull of Home vs. The Call of Adventure

The novel grapples seriously with questions of ambition versus belonging. Gigi's assumption that staying on the island means giving up her dreams is challenged when she discovers ways to contribute that feel meaningful. Her decision to run for mayor isn't a consolation prize but a recognition of how leadership can take many forms.

Love at Different Life Stages

By giving equal narrative weight to both Gigi's and Eloise's romantic journeys, MacMillan makes a strong statement about women's worth and desire across generations. Eloise's relationship with Clyde isn't portrayed as a "late-in-life" romance but simply as romance, full stop.

Where the Story Occasionally Stumbles

While Summer on Lilac Island succeeds admirably in most areas, it occasionally falls into familiar patterns that prevent it from being truly exceptional. The political subplot involving Gigi's mayoral campaign feels somewhat underdeveloped, serving more as a plot device than a fully explored element. Similarly, some of the island traditions and characters can veer toward the overly quaint, though MacMillan usually pulls back from full caricature.

The pacing in the middle third slows somewhat as MacMillan juggles multiple storylines, and readers may find themselves more invested in either Gigi's or Eloise's journey rather than feeling equally drawn to both. The novel also occasionally relies on misunderstandings and near-misses that, while well-executed, follow predictable patterns.

The Verdict: A Warm Embrace of a Novel

Summer on Lilac Island succeeds as both satisfying summer reading and meaningful women's fiction. MacMillan has created a world that feels lived-in and characters whose growth feels genuine. While it may not break entirely new ground in terms of plot or themes, the execution is skilled enough to elevate familiar elements into something that feels fresh.

The novel's greatest achievement is its portrayal of women supporting each other across generations and life stages. In an era when women are often pitted against each other in fiction, MacMillan offers a vision of feminine solidarity that feels both aspirational and achievable.

This is comfort reading of the highest order—the kind of book that reminds us why we fell in love with women's fiction in the first place. It's perfect for readers seeking stories about second chances, family bonds, and the courage to bloom where you're planted, even when the soil isn't what you expected.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ rounded up

This book is basically the story of the impact of a father’s abandonment on his family and the damaging, rippling effects it had throughout their lives and how they coped or didn’t.

The banter between mother and daughter is very witty and fun, it made me think of Lorelei and Emily Gilmore which, of course, made me smile. The characters are supremely flawed (and could be unlikeable but I just see that as human nature sometimes) and nothing is really glossed over, but I felt like it was handled well and lightly enough that it didn’t get depressing. Still, I couldn’t help but have my heart break a little for the trauma and issues these poor people had because of one man’s selfish choices.

I enjoyed reading the book for the most part and watching everyone grow, though by the end I wished it would wrap up faster. It was a bit slow moving and dragged on with details and flashbacks in parts, without any compelling storyline to push you forward but it ultimately had good character development.

TW:
Language
LBGTQ
Drugs/alchohol
No 🌶️ just kisses and hints

Side note: I’m a huge Mackinac fan and will read any book based on the island but it started off rough. I immediately found a few grammatical errors. The first few chapters were full of location errors; while many seemed like she’d been there before, just as many seemed as if she hadn’t (I’ll add some of those below to clear some things up, though the list is not exhaustive). Seems as if she should have had someone who has a bit more experience with the island beta read this book before it got published.

Location errors:
- The island has no sandy beaches, just rocks. No sand at all.
- You can’t see Sadie’s Ice Cream Parlor from Main Street since it’s at the Grand Hotel.
- It says the roads are heavily potholed - I have never seen a pothole on the island and most especially not on Main Street, it’s meticulously cared for. Horse poop, yes, and plenty of it.
- Harrisonville is full of unique cottages not uniform rows of two story homes. Many quaint and unevenly laid out.
- Golf carts are certainly not allowed on the island unless on the golf course.

Thank you NetGalley for an opportunity to read an early release copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book broke me and put me back together several times. This isn't just a book about mothers and daughters or friendships that turn into more. It's about growing no matter in what point of your life you are. You can always count on your mother, your family, and the friendships you gain along the way.

This is written in the third person but it felt so personal for me. I loved that we moved through different female characters and how their lives went on in Mackinac Island. The island itself is a protagonist of the book and with good reason. 

Thanks to the author's writing and the narrator's voice, I found myself transported to the story. The characters came to life through the narrator's voice. She gave a different voice and presence to each one of the characters. I found pieces of myself in each of the characters. I laughed, I got angry, I got sad, I cried with them, so many emotions.

At first, I thought this was going to be Gigi's story in the island but her mother Eloise, her grandmother Alice, her sister Rebecca, her childhood friend Lillian, her mother's friend Diedre, and Mackinac Island herself, were all the protagonists of the story. Each of them inspiring each other, challenging each other, supporting each other, and growing at their own pace. I really enjoyed this multigenerational book, it teaches you that we can learn at any age, we are all capable of change, be uniquely ourselves, and regain hope.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Muse for the ALC/ARC. This is my honest opinion.

[Shannon (The Book Club Mom) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just in case you’re still looking for the perfect beach read to add to your bag this summer, may I suggest SUMMER ON LILAC ISLAND by Lindsay MacMillan? It would be a fantastic option as it simply screams “SUMMER” inside and out. The cover is absolutely dreamy and the themes and subject matter definitely fit the season. If you’re a big fan of the women’s fiction genre, listen up. This one has everything that you’re looking for: family drama, motherhood, mother/daughter relationships, sisterhood, female friendship, romance, small-town vibes, second chances, self-discovery, scandal, schemes, and secrets. Oh, and did I mention that it’s set on Mackinac Island, Michigan? Like I said, it’s the perfect book to get lost in at the beach, lake, or pool! It gave me Elin Hilderbrand vibes!

[Karen B · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartwarming journey of self-discovery, reconnections, romance and love…all on the beautiful Mackinac Island. After struggling to make ends meet, Gigi returns home to stay with her meddling and divorced mother Eloise. Both set the other up on a blind date, and both unexpectedly find themselves in the process. Told mainly from Gigi and Eloise’s points-of-view with a few surprise PoV as well, their current thoughts unfolded along with their backstories. I shared their desires for success, acceptance and love, along with the heartbeat and heartaches that went with. I thought it was a poignant story with a gorgeous setting, complex, deep and relatable characters wrapped up with beautiful prose. A great summer vacation read.
I also got a chance to tandem read this on audio and the sole female narrator, Kira Fixx, did a fantastic job voicing all the different points-of-views/characters. Her tones and emotions added to the reading experience.
Thank you to the author, Uplit Reads and Harper Collin’s for the electronic and paperback versions, and to Harper Muse Audio for the ALC.
4.5 stars

[The Book Distiller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the setting of Mackinac Island!

[Lisa Goodmurphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars
Gigi has been drifting from one job to another across the country for a decade but she's broke and needs some time to decide what her next move will be so she takes her mother, Eloise, up on an offer to return home and spend the summer rent-free on Mackinac Island. Gigi and her mother have always had a prickly relationship and not long after Gigi arrives the two of them end up in a battle of wills which leads to them playing matchmaker for each other.

Told from the point-of-view of multiple narrators (Gigi, Eloise, Eloise's mother Alice, Gigi's sister Rebecca, Eloise's best friend Deirdre, the Grand Hotel and even the island itself), this is a sweet story about mothers and daughters (plus some romance for each generation of the women as well) that takes place over the course of a summer on Mackinac Island in in Northern Michigan. I loved the beautiful setting as I have memories of visiting Mackinac as a child and would love to return. Didn't care for the snide "anti-liberal" comments made by several of the characters or the portrayal of permanent residents as being anti-tourist - if it was a true reflection of the islanders' sentiments then it would put me off visiting. A light and breezy summer read where nothing much happens but at 400 pages, it is much longer than it needed to be.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for providing a digital ARC of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

[Laura • lauralovestoread · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Morgan Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

“That's the trick to a happy life, isn't it?… Letting go of how we think people should be, how we think we should be, and embracing what is."

Thank you @uplitreads for this gifted copy in exchange for an honest review! #giftedbyuplit

I loved the setting of this one on Mackinac Island! However, it was heavily character-driven and I wasn’t invested in any of the characters.

[Kelsey Baller · Rating 4 out of 5]

*3.5 stars*
I enjoyed the different generational stories and perspectives. I found some of the characters insufferable, especially Gigi but after meeting Gus it made complete sense. But good for the character growth throughout the book. Overall this was about 100 pages too long

[Gracie Braatz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved, loved, loved the Mackinac Island setting.
The Michigan/Midwestern drops throughout were fantastic (Fudgies, MSU, Detroit, GR, etc.).
The paranoid/helicopter Mom was a lot.
The 30-something daughter with no goals and bad intentions was a lot.
The worry-wart other daughter (probably passed down genetically) was also a lot.
With that being said- I enjoyed the plot thoroughly- 3/4 of the way in I found it getting a bit too long, though.
The last 30 pages had me confused as heck- but author was able to save it in the last 5 pages to make sure all the storylines/characters/plots were tied with a nice bow 🎀.
I think it would make a GREAT movie with some character editing and more of a romance plot line from 30-something.

[Yolanda | yolandaannmarie.reads · Rating 2 out of 5]

[arc review]
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperMuse for providing an arc and advanced audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Summer on Lilac Island releases July 1, 2025

“Family saga and romance, set against the backdrop of a characterful island town.”

As an only child who has a close relationship with their mother, I was particularly excited to dive into a “heartwarming” mother-daughter centered novel, but this did not hit the spot.

Perhaps it was the archaic nature of the island, set in their horse-and-buggy ways, or the immediacy of a matchmaking scheme that felt suffocating and controlling.

Multiple character perspectives (8), including those of inanimate objects written in third person, took away from the intimacy of mending a fractured family dynamic of which I was eager to explore, and I struggled to find any of the characters likeable.

There’s also something so unsettling about using the only character of colour’s queer coming out as a plot device for the straight, white, ex-best friend to finally realize that all the running she did in her adult years — from destinations, jobs, and boyfriends — wasn’t actually the freedom that she convinced herself that she needed.

Even though I’m close in age to the main character and have a history of an absentee father that closely mirrors Gigi’s experience, I feel as though I was not the target demographic for this seasonal read.

[The Sub Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Uplitreads and Harper Muse Books for my gifted copies.

After graduating college I spent a very fun weekend on Mackinac Island and have such great memories, I couldn’t wait to read this one. But. It just kind of fell flat for me.

Mainly, it’s about Gigi as she returns home to the island she left years ago. Shes struggling and broke and not happy to be there, to say the least. Her relationship with her mother is on the rocks, her father is not in the picture often and her perfect sister has moved off the island.

There are a lot of moving pieces in this story. Many characters are introduced, taking what feels like forever to lead up to the real meat of the story. While I was invested for a short time, the story felt so long to me.

There were some romances to follow. But nothing that really wowed me. I dod enjoy the mother/daughter relationship and watching that ebb and flow.

🎧 This was narrated by Kira Fixx and I fear this may have been part of my struggle. Her pronunciation of words kind of drove me crazy.

I would probably recommend the physical book route for this one.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse Audiobooks for an advanced copy of Summer on Lilac Island, by Lindsay Macmillan.

As someone who grew up in the Great Lakes State, I loved the idea of a story written about Mackinac Island! Summer on Lilac Island follows the complicated story of a mother and her daughters as Gigi returns, after a long time away, to face her past and come to terms with the realities of what she left behind. I loved the multiple perspectives but, to me, the book should have focused on only the mother, her two daughters, and the grandmother. There was plenty of content there and the novel could have been shorter. There were too many characters and too many storylines, in my opinion. This book felt more like a television series than a single novel. I found myself losing interest towards the end of the audiobook, waiting for the “happy ending” that I knew was coming. I did enjoy that the author gave a voice to the island itself, that was a fun perspective!

The narration by Kira Fixx was wonderfully performed! I would recommend this book to someone who is a fan of the Michigan summers!

[Nana · Rating 5 out of 5]

A summer that was unexpected, full of enlightenment, and facing things, that has been needed to be faced for a long time. The town might be the same at the end of the story, but the changes in the people were inspiring. Lindsay MacMillian writing made me feel like I was right there, with the laughter, the blushes, the embarrassments, the pain, and how they all got to who they are at the end of summer.
I received an ARC from Harper Muse through NetGalley.

[Megan Derubeis · Rating 4 out of 5]

After my initial homesickness for Michigan that made me set this book aside for a few days, I really enjoyed this book. I loved all the Mackinaw specific things she included. It really painted a picture in my mind.

[Bethany · Rating 2 out of 5]

Gigi Jenkins travels home to Mackinac Island to spend the summer with her mother, Eloise. Despite the tense relationship between them already, the two agree to play matchmaker for each other. As they each navigate dating, they feel sparks with their match-up, but more than anything grow their relationship as mother and daughter.

This gorgeous cover screams summer, and I was excited to dive into the story. While I was intrigued by the premise and picturesque setting of the book, I struggled to connect with the story. The characters did not resonate with me, and I found them to be quite unlikable, which made it difficult to feel invested in their stories. Overall, I feel that I was not the right audience for this book, so unfortunately it was a miss for me.

Thank you to UpLit Reads, Harper Muse, and NetGalley for my gifted physical + digital copies!

[SurfsideSallie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gigi Jenkins returns to Lilac Island after escaping it right before graduation high school. Gigi has been chasing a wanderlust lifestyle for years and has come back home to reset and figure out what is next. Her relationship with her mom and sister are strained and her father is in out of their lives at his convenience. Her plans are to stay for a short period and relaunch as soon as possible.

It is a lovely story of family stepping back and seeing one another for who they are other than who you expect or what them to be - reconnecting and loving the people in your life and meeting them where they are at.

Thank you to NetGalley for an early review audiobook.