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Everlasting: A Novel
From New York Times bestselling author Nancy Thayer comes a dazzling portrait of a young woman whose passion and ambition drive her to a fateful choice. Catherine Eliot was born to a world of privilege and prestige, with a family whose last name and vast fortune provide her with access to almost anything she could wish for. But what Catherine craves most is independence. So while her friends settle into comfortable lives financed by doting parents and indulgent husbands, she moves to New York City, determined to make it on her own. Taking a demanding job in a bustling flower shop, she works hard and learns the trade until, with courage and determination, she’s able to open Blooms, an exclusive floral boutique on the fashionable Upper East Side. Jetting from Manhattan’s flower district to elegant East Hampton, from England’s gorgeous countryside to Holland’s world-famous flower auctions, Catherine is at the height of her career. But before she can bask in her hard-won success, her brother’s desperate actions endanger her business. Meanwhile, while romanced by a charming Boston lawyer who whisks her off to Paris, Catherine also finds herself powerfully drawn to a secretive foreigner who takes her breath away. The question remains whether Catherine can confront her own demons to achieve the life she’s long desired. Includes a captivating excerpt of Nancy Thayer’s novel Nantucket Sisters! Praise for the novels of Nancy Thayer “The queen of beach books.”—The Star-Ledger “Thayer has a deep and masterly understanding of love and friendship, of where the two complement and where they collide.”—Elin Hilderbrand “Thayer’s gift for reaching the emotional core of her characters [is] captivating.”—Houston Chronicle “One of my favorite writers.”—Susan Wiggs “Thayer portrays beautifully the small moments, inside stories and shared histories that build families.”—The Miami Herald “Thayer’s sense of place is powerful, and her words are hung together the way my grandmother used to tat lace.”—Dorothea Benton Frank
406 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1991
123 people are currently reading
741 people want to read
About the author
Nancy Thayer
54 books4,063 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 47 reviews
January 4, 2022
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I, simply put, Did Not Finish this book.
It simply was not my cup of tea.
To those that enjoyed it, *thumbs up* - more power to you!
I, simply put, Did Not Finish this book.
It simply was not my cup of tea.
To those that enjoyed it, *thumbs up* - more power to you!
April 16, 2009
probably my favorite Nancy Thayer book, the story follows the life of Catherine for a period of over 30 years. The misfit of her wealthy family, she's turned away when she chooses not to follow the path her parents want her to follow. The characters are fleshed out well, and the story line keeps you hooked. It's a book that I read over and over again.
August 21, 2018
A beautiful, lovely book to read on a rainy, late summer day. Not all the characters behaved beautifully, mind you, but the settings were comforting and lovely. It is a book I will read again when I want that peaceful, cozy feeling.
August 6, 2020
The Life With Flowers
This my first book by this Author and I really enjoyed it! What a wonderful storyline to work with. The main character was so engaging as were most of the other characters and were developed so well! Perfect book to cozy up with on a cold night and enjoy the world of “Blooms”.
This my first book by this Author and I really enjoyed it! What a wonderful storyline to work with. The main character was so engaging as were most of the other characters and were developed so well! Perfect book to cozy up with on a cold night and enjoy the world of “Blooms”.
July 22, 2018
Nice light read with a strong protagonist. I like that Thayer's characters are flawed, but able to figure out what works for them.
July 5, 2024
I thought I would really like this, as I adore flowers and the best parts were about the florist business and the h getting a shop of her own and all that goes with it.
If only I could like her, as well. But I couldn't. She gives the impression that she considers herself better than her family, and while they're certainly flawed, she's far from perfect.
She falls for a weak Boston Brahmin bore, who hasn't the balls to live his own life and kowtows to Mommy and Daddy, (planning to marry the suitable young lady they approve of), yet she's convinced he's her "true love" (BARF! BARF!). She kept hoping way too long that he'd grow a pair and come back to her! WHY???? Good riddance to that beta wimp!
She blackmails an elderly man to get money for her weak family (a lot of weak people in this book) to save their oh-so-important lifestyle (Heaven forbid they do without a maid and chauffeur), and while the old guy's pretty crappy and has so much $$$ it didn't put a dent in his portfolio, blackmail is still a crime, but she considers herself above the law. (It was New York City in the swinging sixties; if she needed money fast, she could have grown marijuana in her shop, she'd have been an overnight millionaire! No need to resort to hiding in closets, taking naughty pictures, etc. So DUMB!)
Then she hooks up with an old fling, despite knowing her younger sister is interested in him. What does that matter, when she's so horny???
Then right after that, she decides to seduce the hot guy that she works with who's kept her panties damp for the past few years, mainly because she wants to get naked with him before her free-spirited friend does the same thing! After that, they're going at it like a couple of horndogs all the time, and that's when I stopped reading.
This isn't the first time this author's ruined a story by having her main character act self-centered (not to mention skanky). It's like she deliberately wants to ruin things.
Well, she did that for me! If it weren't for all the flowers, I'd have given it just one star.
Don't waste your time!
If only I could like her, as well. But I couldn't. She gives the impression that she considers herself better than her family, and while they're certainly flawed, she's far from perfect.
She falls for a weak Boston Brahmin bore, who hasn't the balls to live his own life and kowtows to Mommy and Daddy, (planning to marry the suitable young lady they approve of), yet she's convinced he's her "true love" (BARF! BARF!). She kept hoping way too long that he'd grow a pair and come back to her! WHY???? Good riddance to that beta wimp!
She blackmails an elderly man to get money for her weak family (a lot of weak people in this book) to save their oh-so-important lifestyle (Heaven forbid they do without a maid and chauffeur), and while the old guy's pretty crappy and has so much $$$ it didn't put a dent in his portfolio, blackmail is still a crime, but she considers herself above the law. (It was New York City in the swinging sixties; if she needed money fast, she could have grown marijuana in her shop, she'd have been an overnight millionaire! No need to resort to hiding in closets, taking naughty pictures, etc. So DUMB!)
Then she hooks up with an old fling, despite knowing her younger sister is interested in him. What does that matter, when she's so horny???
Then right after that, she decides to seduce the hot guy that she works with who's kept her panties damp for the past few years, mainly because she wants to get naked with him before her free-spirited friend does the same thing! After that, they're going at it like a couple of horndogs all the time, and that's when I stopped reading.
This isn't the first time this author's ruined a story by having her main character act self-centered (not to mention skanky). It's like she deliberately wants to ruin things.
Well, she did that for me! If it weren't for all the flowers, I'd have given it just one star.
Don't waste your time!
July 11, 2022
Wish it hadn't ended!
Catherine, the oldest child of an old money family does it her own way. Despite the lack of support from her parents, she supports herself and becomes very successful. The boom also appeals if you like flowers and enjoy a peek into the world of floral design and building a floral business.Catherine rises above the petty jealous he's of het siblings, jealous he's fed by her parents, and finds success and love. A great book! Wish it hadn't ended!
Catherine, the oldest child of an old money family does it her own way. Despite the lack of support from her parents, she supports herself and becomes very successful. The boom also appeals if you like flowers and enjoy a peek into the world of floral design and building a floral business.Catherine rises above the petty jealous he's of het siblings, jealous he's fed by her parents, and finds success and love. A great book! Wish it hadn't ended!
July 3, 2020
Well written saga
Always enjoy stories by this author. This is probably my favorite due to the characters and how the family dynamics played out. Each one reminded me of people I have known in similar circumstances very relatable tale of entitlement and jealousy. Ultimately the heroine prevails.
Always enjoy stories by this author. This is probably my favorite due to the characters and how the family dynamics played out. Each one reminded me of people I have known in similar circumstances very relatable tale of entitlement and jealousy. Ultimately the heroine prevails.
November 7, 2021
A nice, light read. All of the characters developed well. The protagonist comes from a privileged background, but is known as the "black sheep" in the family. Her family goes through money troubles, but the main character finds a way to start a floral business by herself. She uses her upbringing as an advantage to bring in high-paying clientele. Great, strong protagonist. Great book!
March 28, 2022
Good read
Overall I liked the story and characters and the spanning through time. I thought Catherine might have been adopted....her parents treated her like that and showed such favoritism to her brother and sister for no reason???
Disappointed in the ending - I didn't expect it to end so abrupt....felt like another chapter was coming.
A even 3 stars.
Overall I liked the story and characters and the spanning through time. I thought Catherine might have been adopted....her parents treated her like that and showed such favoritism to her brother and sister for no reason???
Disappointed in the ending - I didn't expect it to end so abrupt....felt like another chapter was coming.
A even 3 stars.
August 9, 2021
Meh. This is obviously one of her older books. Her newer ones are much better. Still, not a bad read. Just seemed to slog on a bit. (I hope you loved that I sounded British there. I'm from Southeast Texas! LOL)
March 27, 2022
wanted more
A story spanning several decades of a woman’s life. Financially cut off by her family the young woman must decide what to do with her life and how to support herself. Her love of flowers leads her to a life she loves.
A story spanning several decades of a woman’s life. Financially cut off by her family the young woman must decide what to do with her life and how to support herself. Her love of flowers leads her to a life she loves.
October 20, 2022
I was absolutely shocked after reading this on my kindle that the author was Nancy Thayer. A very different book for her. I did enjoy it and kept wondering what was coming next but a little drawn out!
May 30, 2019
One of her best!
A must read! One of Nancy Thayer’s best! I could not put it down! Catherine is an inspirational character! Would be a great movie!
A must read! One of Nancy Thayer’s best! I could not put it down! Catherine is an inspirational character! Would be a great movie!
June 12, 2019
Really 4.5 stars. A little different from her other books and having two people named the same got a bit confusing at times (audiobook). At first didn’t like but as the story developed loved it
June 13, 2020
Good book!
October 19, 2020
I loved this. So well written and such a compelling story.
October 18, 2021
Kinda makes you want to start your own company.
March 11, 2022
Good escapism.
June 13, 2022
Great beach read. I loved learning about the flower market and import business.
December 21, 2022
Another excellent book. Kept me wanting to read.
February 2, 2023
I could use less sexual detail, otherwise, good book about a strong woman whose parents never appreciated her. I can relate.
February 1, 2024
Really enjoyed this one
April 7, 2024
This is an older book by Nancy Thayer but one of her best. I loved it!
April 22, 2024
Different style for Nancy Thayer but still great!
July 29, 2024
1.50 a real DUD! almost DNF so formulaic, plodding, predictable & S~L~O~W.
August 13, 2025
3.5 Good book to listen to while driving to and from shore.
February 11, 2016
Everlasting by Nancy Thayer
Have enjoyed the author's other books.
Katherine Elliott, it's Christmas and she wants to leave. She's had enough of the girls boarding school and wants to venture out.
She comes to New York and finds a job working at a flower shop. She travels to Paris and has a fling but returns back to her job in NY, not hearing from kit.
Her father drops a bomb on her and she strives to help them all out financially.
Story also follows her parents and her siblings along with her own career. So many struggles and heart ache, betrayal as each wants something more from her.
Loved hearing about all the flower arranging...
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
Have enjoyed the author's other books.
Katherine Elliott, it's Christmas and she wants to leave. She's had enough of the girls boarding school and wants to venture out.
She comes to New York and finds a job working at a flower shop. She travels to Paris and has a fling but returns back to her job in NY, not hearing from kit.
Her father drops a bomb on her and she strives to help them all out financially.
Story also follows her parents and her siblings along with her own career. So many struggles and heart ache, betrayal as each wants something more from her.
Loved hearing about all the flower arranging...
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
November 13, 2012
All in all a book worth reading. At times I could not stand Catherine, but mostly I enjoyed the character. Made me glad that I have the family that I do. Her wealthy family disowned her simply because she chose not to go to college. She then turned around and made a success of herself and put her younger brother and sister through school. I did not like it that she destroyed a marriage. Ouch, way too close to home. I also did not like it that she conned a wealthy man into giving her money, then told her brother and sister about the event in later years. Not necessary.
April 19, 2022
The storyline was brilliant but slow to start. It’s the first book of hers that the story isn’t based on Nantucket that I have read thus far. Very interesting. I am a huge fan of Danielle Steele and Nancy Thayer writing style here resembles Ms Steele. Nancy Thayer is brilliant writer and I look forward to reading many more.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews