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Still Summer
Back in high school, Tracy, Olivia, and Holly were known as The Godmothers, the girls everyone wanted to be and know. Unlike many friendships, their bond survived the years.
But 20 years later, their glamorous leader, Olivia, whose wealthy Italian husband has died, suggests they reunite on her return to the United States with a luxury sailboat crossing in the Caribbean. With Tracy's college-aged daughter and an attentive two-man crew, they sail into paradise. But then, the smallest mistake triggers a series of devastating events.
Suddenly in a desperate fight for survival, they battle the elements, dwindling food and water, the threat of modern-day piracy, and their own frailties.
But 20 years later, their glamorous leader, Olivia, whose wealthy Italian husband has died, suggests they reunite on her return to the United States with a luxury sailboat crossing in the Caribbean. With Tracy's college-aged daughter and an attentive two-man crew, they sail into paradise. But then, the smallest mistake triggers a series of devastating events.
Suddenly in a desperate fight for survival, they battle the elements, dwindling food and water, the threat of modern-day piracy, and their own frailties.
307 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
91 people are currently reading
1452 people want to read
About the author
Jacquelyn Mitchard
80 books1,229 followersJacquelyn Mitchard’s first novel, The Deep End of the Ocean, was named by USA Today as one of the ten most influential books of the past 25 years – second only to the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling (but second by a long shot, it must be said.)
The Deep End of the Ocean was chosen as the first novel in the book club made famous by the TV host Oprah Winfrey, and transformed into a feature film produced by and starring Michelle Pfeiffer.
Most of Mitchard’s novels have been greater or lesser bestsellers – and include The Most Wanted, A Theory of Relativity, Twelve Times Blessed, The Breakdown Lane, The Good Son, and Cage of Stars. Critics have praised them for their authentic humanity and command of story. Readers identify because they see reflected, in her characters – however extreme their circumstances – emotions they already understand.
Mitchard also has written four novels for young adults.
The first, Now You See Her, from HarperTeen, is the story of a pampered, driven young actress who fakes her own abduction.
All We Know of Heaven told the story of lifetime best friends Bridget and Maureen, who are just sixteen when a fatal crash on an icy road and a poignant case of mistaken identity divide their small Minnesota town forever.
The Midnight Twins was the first in a trilogy of teen mysteries about identical twin sisters born on New Year’s Eve – one a minute before and a minute after midnight – Meredith and Mallory Brynn learn on the night they turn thirteen that their psychic abilities will force them to intervene in dire events, although one twin can see only the future and one can see only the past. The Midnight Twins is in development as a TV series by Kaleidoscope Entertainment.
Mitchard's newest novel for adult, A Very Inconvenient Scandal, out in November 2023 from Mira/HarperCollins, is the story of an acclaimed young underwater photographer whose famed marine biologist father shatters their family by marrying her best friend., a woman 35 years his junior.
At the local coffee shop, Mitchard is best-known as the mother of Rob, Dan, Marty, Francie, Mia, Will and Atticus , as the grandma of Hank and Diana and the wife of handsome Chris Brent.
Her favorite color is periwinkle blue; her favorite holiday is Halloween; her favorite flower is freesia; her favorite word is "smite," and her second favorite is "Massachusetts"; her lucky number is 119 (anyone who can guess where that comes from wins free first editions of her novels for life). She lives in her favorite place on earth, Cape Cod, summering in a villa on the Amalfi Coast. (Guess which part of that sentence is fiction.)
Her essays have appeared in publications including the New York Times, Chicago Tribune Magazine and Reader's Digest, and are widely anthologized and used in school curricula. She has taught in MFA programs in Vermont, Ohio, and Massachusetts, and is part of the faculty at the Summer Writers Institute at Yale University. She is a member of the Tall Poppies Writers and has been a fellow at the MacDowell Colony, Yaddo, and the Ragdale Foundation.
Her pet peeves are known authors and editors who cannot and will not learn the difference between “lie” and “lay” and family signs pluralized with apostrophes.
She would love to appear on just ONE episode of any incarnation of ‘Law and Order,’ as has everyone else in America. She still is willing to play the role of a murder victim – except one found by earth-moving equipment in a landfill – though she would do that in a pinch.
Mitchard would like to have a swimming pool, because, although she lives near the ocean, she is afraid of the dark water and hates sand. She would love to have a clawfoot tub, or any tub.
She believes that stories are the ways that human beings make sense of life and that our stories will save us.
The Deep End of the Ocean was chosen as the first novel in the book club made famous by the TV host Oprah Winfrey, and transformed into a feature film produced by and starring Michelle Pfeiffer.
Most of Mitchard’s novels have been greater or lesser bestsellers – and include The Most Wanted, A Theory of Relativity, Twelve Times Blessed, The Breakdown Lane, The Good Son, and Cage of Stars. Critics have praised them for their authentic humanity and command of story. Readers identify because they see reflected, in her characters – however extreme their circumstances – emotions they already understand.
Mitchard also has written four novels for young adults.
The first, Now You See Her, from HarperTeen, is the story of a pampered, driven young actress who fakes her own abduction.
All We Know of Heaven told the story of lifetime best friends Bridget and Maureen, who are just sixteen when a fatal crash on an icy road and a poignant case of mistaken identity divide their small Minnesota town forever.
The Midnight Twins was the first in a trilogy of teen mysteries about identical twin sisters born on New Year’s Eve – one a minute before and a minute after midnight – Meredith and Mallory Brynn learn on the night they turn thirteen that their psychic abilities will force them to intervene in dire events, although one twin can see only the future and one can see only the past. The Midnight Twins is in development as a TV series by Kaleidoscope Entertainment.
Mitchard's newest novel for adult, A Very Inconvenient Scandal, out in November 2023 from Mira/HarperCollins, is the story of an acclaimed young underwater photographer whose famed marine biologist father shatters their family by marrying her best friend., a woman 35 years his junior.
At the local coffee shop, Mitchard is best-known as the mother of Rob, Dan, Marty, Francie, Mia, Will and Atticus , as the grandma of Hank and Diana and the wife of handsome Chris Brent.
Her favorite color is periwinkle blue; her favorite holiday is Halloween; her favorite flower is freesia; her favorite word is "smite," and her second favorite is "Massachusetts"; her lucky number is 119 (anyone who can guess where that comes from wins free first editions of her novels for life). She lives in her favorite place on earth, Cape Cod, summering in a villa on the Amalfi Coast. (Guess which part of that sentence is fiction.)
Her essays have appeared in publications including the New York Times, Chicago Tribune Magazine and Reader's Digest, and are widely anthologized and used in school curricula. She has taught in MFA programs in Vermont, Ohio, and Massachusetts, and is part of the faculty at the Summer Writers Institute at Yale University. She is a member of the Tall Poppies Writers and has been a fellow at the MacDowell Colony, Yaddo, and the Ragdale Foundation.
Her pet peeves are known authors and editors who cannot and will not learn the difference between “lie” and “lay” and family signs pluralized with apostrophes.
She would love to appear on just ONE episode of any incarnation of ‘Law and Order,’ as has everyone else in America. She still is willing to play the role of a murder victim – except one found by earth-moving equipment in a landfill – though she would do that in a pinch.
Mitchard would like to have a swimming pool, because, although she lives near the ocean, she is afraid of the dark water and hates sand. She would love to have a clawfoot tub, or any tub.
She believes that stories are the ways that human beings make sense of life and that our stories will save us.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 456 reviews
June 18, 2024
It was long winded..... And another book about high school loyalty instilled in middle aged women even when their friends are obviously very crappy people and have nothing in common except the memories.
The characters weren't well developed. I feel like I never got to know them outside of their high school reminiscing. The popular girls of St. Ursula's get together to go on a two week luxury sailboat trip to St. Thomas courtesy of Olivia, the just widowed Countess. One of the women cannot go and Tracy takes her 19 year old daughter hoping to rekindle their mother-daughter bond. What can possibly go wrong?
Well there is the turbulent wind, modern- day piracy and lack of food and fresh water to begin with. When they lose their (sexy, with regrettable sex involved) attentive two-man crew that's when the story finally gets better.... then it just drags on again. There was only one likable character and they treated her like crap most of the time. There are a few twists in the story of their friendship but it was kind of predictable, to me.
Would recommend to chick-lit/semi thriller with the sea involved fans.
The characters weren't well developed. I feel like I never got to know them outside of their high school reminiscing. The popular girls of St. Ursula's get together to go on a two week luxury sailboat trip to St. Thomas courtesy of Olivia, the just widowed Countess. One of the women cannot go and Tracy takes her 19 year old daughter hoping to rekindle their mother-daughter bond. What can possibly go wrong?
Well there is the turbulent wind, modern- day piracy and lack of food and fresh water to begin with. When they lose their (sexy, with regrettable sex involved) attentive two-man crew that's when the story finally gets better.... then it just drags on again. There was only one likable character and they treated her like crap most of the time. There are a few twists in the story of their friendship but it was kind of predictable, to me.
Would recommend to chick-lit/semi thriller with the sea involved fans.
April 6, 2010
I'd give it no stars if I could. I didn't read this book exactly, as I had it on audiobook. I listened to it on the way to my sister's house.
This was a horrible book. The author got so caught up in the description at times that I forgot what the point of the whole scene was. There was too much profanity and ugliness in a book that sounded like it would be a good chick book. Four friends get together for a cruise, one can't make it so they take the 19-year-old daughter of one of the others instead. Tragedy happens on the high seas, and it's suppose to result in a growing experience. Which is what you get from the back of the book, so there are no spoilers there. I like those kind of women-bonding type books, which is why I picked it up in the first place. But I was very disappointed that the only one that learned anything was the 19-year-old. One woman had to face up to the fact that she'd been used all her life by another of the women, who turned out to be even more selfish than ever when things got bad. Worse, a lot of people we got to know in the story died. For no apparent reason, except to get the women out on the boat alone. And it was interesting that one character we came to care about didn't even get a name. You try not to get too attatched to characters without names, because you know that will end badly, but still. He was the only decent one on a ship of pirates.
So don't read this book. I really can't recommend it.
This was a horrible book. The author got so caught up in the description at times that I forgot what the point of the whole scene was. There was too much profanity and ugliness in a book that sounded like it would be a good chick book. Four friends get together for a cruise, one can't make it so they take the 19-year-old daughter of one of the others instead. Tragedy happens on the high seas, and it's suppose to result in a growing experience. Which is what you get from the back of the book, so there are no spoilers there. I like those kind of women-bonding type books, which is why I picked it up in the first place. But I was very disappointed that the only one that learned anything was the 19-year-old. One woman had to face up to the fact that she'd been used all her life by another of the women, who turned out to be even more selfish than ever when things got bad. Worse, a lot of people we got to know in the story died. For no apparent reason, except to get the women out on the boat alone. And it was interesting that one character we came to care about didn't even get a name. You try not to get too attatched to characters without names, because you know that will end badly, but still. He was the only decent one on a ship of pirates.
So don't read this book. I really can't recommend it.
September 1, 2012
I've met the author of this book and she's a nice person but I'm afraid my review is lukewarm at best. I really liked Deep End of the Ocean and haven't read anything else she's written except her column in the local paper. This book gets off to a slow start. I almost gave up because I really wasn't getting into it. Then when the action started when they were on the boat and bad things kept happening I REALLY got into it and could NOT put it down. Here are these three friends from high school with this shared past stranded on a boat in the Caribbean trying to survive. There's a lot of things happening and tensions are rising, what's going to happen? That draws you in, but doesn't keep you there.
A lot of the book was frustrating. The dialog between characters rang false. There's a character that for some unknown reason she refuses to name. She calls him "the young man". This really grated on my nerves hearing the young man did this, the young man thought that. Lots of unrealistic things happened and you'd really have to trot out the suspension of disbelief to move on. And some things were predictible. I knew the identity of the mother of the adopted child almost from the beginning. The author has been criticized for dwelling on the mundane, and I'd have to say I agree. She made this big deal about a can opener and it never really went anywhere. I didn't quite fall in love with any of the characters either, outright hated the bad men and came to hate Olivia, but then again wished the women well and felt bad for what they were going through. It kind of played out like a Lifetime movie. Once you start watching one you're hooked like a guilty pleasure, but I bet my husband would find it laughable. I guess I would say it was a good book, but flawed in many ways.
A lot of the book was frustrating. The dialog between characters rang false. There's a character that for some unknown reason she refuses to name. She calls him "the young man". This really grated on my nerves hearing the young man did this, the young man thought that. Lots of unrealistic things happened and you'd really have to trot out the suspension of disbelief to move on. And some things were predictible. I knew the identity of the mother of the adopted child almost from the beginning. The author has been criticized for dwelling on the mundane, and I'd have to say I agree. She made this big deal about a can opener and it never really went anywhere. I didn't quite fall in love with any of the characters either, outright hated the bad men and came to hate Olivia, but then again wished the women well and felt bad for what they were going through. It kind of played out like a Lifetime movie. Once you start watching one you're hooked like a guilty pleasure, but I bet my husband would find it laughable. I guess I would say it was a good book, but flawed in many ways.
June 24, 2010
Wow, I really had to stick with this. I wasn't particularly sympathetic to these characters. But they were caught in circumstances beyond their control and that I could respect.
I will never take a vacation on a small sailboat. And what was the obsession with the can opener? It read more as a screen play than a straight up novel - popcorn and twizzlers anyone?
I will never take a vacation on a small sailboat. And what was the obsession with the can opener? It read more as a screen play than a straight up novel - popcorn and twizzlers anyone?
September 2, 2020
Pleasure cruise goes horribly wrong. Mitchard definitely has a way of making the reader think and feel emotions.
July 22, 2020
In all fairness, I wish I hadn’t read the reviews before I read this book. This is the story of three former high school chums who book a vacation aboard a small cruise vessel. The author does provide in depth peeks into the history of the chums and their respective families and community entanglements. As the cruise begins, there are ample opportunities for scuba diving and relaxation. But their luck takes a bad turn, and the boat is confronted first with modern day pirates and then bad weather. After losing most of their provisions, the ladies must use their wits and fortitude in an attempt to be rescued and to survive the elements and the dark-side of one person’s personality.
August 29, 2008
After reading Cage of Stars by Jacqueline Mitchard and not being able to put it down, I had very high expectations for this book and Jacque. I found the beginning painstakingly slow and the character set-up confusing, trying to keep everyone straight. Although the plot did get better, with more suspense and action, I found it a little disappointing knowing what the author is capable of. I was just hoping for more...
October 18, 2015
Once I got the multiple characters straight, I totally loved this novel. It was suspenseful and captivating. I cried and held my breath with the tension. Excellent!!
May 14, 2015
Tracy Kyle, Holly Solvig and Olivia Montefalco, lifelong friends in their early 40s, charter a yacht and two-man crew for a sailing vacation that will take them from St. Thomas to Grenada. The trip starts out as an innocent adventure in paradise until two accidents in quick succession strand the women without their crew. What else can go wrong? In a word, everything. The engine conks out, the sails are torn, lack of electricity spoils their food and limits their drinking water - and then there's the injury to Holly's leg. Nature's fury, murderous drug dealers and, possibly most deadly of all, their own frailties and secrets are added to the list.
I probably shouldn’t have made Still Summer my first book by Jacquelyn Mitchard because it sure didn’t make me want to run out and acquire any more of her work. I could never figure out what the story was supposed to be.
Is Still Summer a thriller? If it is, it isn’t very thrilling. The plot meanders along for the entire first half of the book, setting up for a “terrifying storm” and its aftermath. But the storm never felt threatening and instead of feeling for the characters and wondering how they would get out of it, I was wondering why every single character in the story was as dumb as a box of rocks. Nobody seemed capable of doing anything without breaking down – even the drug smugglers who had no basis for doing what they did at all. Suspension of disbelief is one thing. Suspension of motive is something else entirely.
Is Still Summer a tale of friendship reunited twenty years after high school? Probably not since all of these women basically hated each other. I have no idea why they would ever want to go out to dinner together, much less on a vacation together.
Is Still Summer a tale of love? Not unless you count the unfeeling Olivia sleeping with one of the crew and then rubbing it in the nose of a teenage girl who then gets a crush on him. Does that last sentence not make a bit of sense? Now you know how I felt reading it in the book.
So I’m left wondering what the point of Still Summer was. Frankly, I have no idea. The plot wandered aimlessly from start to finish, the setup took far too long before anything actually happened. None of the characters were at all sympathetic. And the writing was as choppy as Morse Code, filled with clichés and poor grammar.
I really can’t find any reason to recommend Still Summer. There are a lot of better options in the genre.
I probably shouldn’t have made Still Summer my first book by Jacquelyn Mitchard because it sure didn’t make me want to run out and acquire any more of her work. I could never figure out what the story was supposed to be.
Is Still Summer a thriller? If it is, it isn’t very thrilling. The plot meanders along for the entire first half of the book, setting up for a “terrifying storm” and its aftermath. But the storm never felt threatening and instead of feeling for the characters and wondering how they would get out of it, I was wondering why every single character in the story was as dumb as a box of rocks. Nobody seemed capable of doing anything without breaking down – even the drug smugglers who had no basis for doing what they did at all. Suspension of disbelief is one thing. Suspension of motive is something else entirely.
Is Still Summer a tale of friendship reunited twenty years after high school? Probably not since all of these women basically hated each other. I have no idea why they would ever want to go out to dinner together, much less on a vacation together.
Is Still Summer a tale of love? Not unless you count the unfeeling Olivia sleeping with one of the crew and then rubbing it in the nose of a teenage girl who then gets a crush on him. Does that last sentence not make a bit of sense? Now you know how I felt reading it in the book.
So I’m left wondering what the point of Still Summer was. Frankly, I have no idea. The plot wandered aimlessly from start to finish, the setup took far too long before anything actually happened. None of the characters were at all sympathetic. And the writing was as choppy as Morse Code, filled with clichés and poor grammar.
I really can’t find any reason to recommend Still Summer. There are a lot of better options in the genre.
September 20, 2023
Oh, how I wish half stars were a thing on this platform; I'd give this 3.5 if I could (though it doesn't feel right to round up to 4). It was so very slow to start and I didn't particularly care for any of the characters much, which made it hard to get into. However, I'm glad I stuck it out because the second half really picked up steam and had me eager to find out what happened next. I did grow some affection for some of the characters, but overall, I was more invested in them from a human standpoint than because I actually cared about them.
Also I have to note that I saw the "big reveal", if it's even meant to be that, coming from the start so when it came to a head later on, it felt like FINALLY! Get this all out of your systems! There are bigger issues at hand!!!
And for the record, if someone around my age (Michel was 26 I believe, and I just turned 27 a few months back) was lusting after a 19 yr old, I would've kicked his ass myself. It made it hard to root for that budding relationship, if we can call it that, when all I could think of is how she's a literal teenager. He even says early on, "The girl, stunner or not, was only a teenager. Off limits. For anyone." Didn't take very long for him to change his tune on that one.
Also I have to note that I saw the "big reveal", if it's even meant to be that, coming from the start so when it came to a head later on, it felt like FINALLY! Get this all out of your systems! There are bigger issues at hand!!!
And for the record, if someone around my age (Michel was 26 I believe, and I just turned 27 a few months back) was lusting after a 19 yr old, I would've kicked his ass myself. It made it hard to root for that budding relationship, if we can call it that, when all I could think of is how she's a literal teenager. He even says early on, "The girl, stunner or not, was only a teenager. Off limits. For anyone." Didn't take very long for him to change his tune on that one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 9, 2014
Still Summer is by Jacquelyn Mitchard. This is a very suspenseful adventure book. It deals with how women relate to each other and how they react to adverse conditions. It brings up piracy and drug smuggling as well. It is set in the Caribbean around St. Thomas and on to the coast of Honduras. It takes place on the Opus, a sailing vessel for hire.
Tracy Kyle, Janis Loccario, Holly Solvig, and Olivia Montefalco have been friends since school days. They tried very hard to be “bad” girls in their Catholic school but failed. They did play jokes on people but they didn’t do anything maliciously. They kept their friendship over the years. Tracy and Janis were raised like sisters and Holly lived near Tracy and their families were extremely close. Olivia, though in Europe, kept in touch with Tracy. They were Godmothers to Tracy’s daughter, Cammie. After Olivia’s husband died and she was returning to the United States, the foursome decided to take a Caribbean cruise on a small boat. They wanted just the four of them together for a time. Tracy made arrangements to use the Opus out of St. Thomas. They would sail, swim, scuba dive, and snorkel. Unfortunately, at the last minute, Janis’s husband became ill and Janis felt she had to stay with him. Reluctantly Tracy agreed and suggested her daughter take Janis’s place. The two others agreed and Cammie made haste to pack her bag.
The Opus was owned and sailed by Lenny Amato and Michel Eugene-Martin. Lenny had been sailing for years and Michel had joined him. Michel was a young, handsome man who kept the visitors entertained while Lenny cooked and sailed. It worked for both of them.
The sail began flawlessly and everything was wonderful for a while. The first night, however, Olivia slept with Michel much to Cammie’s discomfort. Cammie was attracted to Michel and Olivia was many years older than Michel. This put the two women on edge and they avoided each other when possible. This came to a head when the weather changed. Michel was on an island fishing and Cammie found him. They started kissing and Olivia showed up to break them apart. Harsh words were spoken and then the three headed to the ship as the weather started getting rough. Olivia made it on board but Cammie had a hard time due to the waves. Finally she caught hold; but Michel slipped and hit his head knocking him unconscious. The tender began to slip away with Michel in it. Lennie tied a rope around him and dove into the water to catch the tender and Michel. Unfortunately, the wind blew the tender away too fast. Then on his way back, Lennie realized the rope was caught on the rotor on the engine. It was pulling him under and he couldn’t get loose.
In an instant, the four women were on board the Opus with no men, no sail, and no idea what to do next. Tracy finally took charge and tried to contact someone and tried to go for shore; but the boat was taken out to sea. Now they were really on their own without an engine or sails. In the ensuing days, they faced the sun, being lost, sleeplessness, hunger, each other, Holly’s being sick, lack of water, and the taking over of the boat by drug smugglers who were determined to take Cammie with them.
Do the women get out of this mess and how? Will they ever be the same again? What about their friendship? This is a book that will pull you in and keep you interested. It is hard to put down and once more, have tissues handy.
Tracy Kyle, Janis Loccario, Holly Solvig, and Olivia Montefalco have been friends since school days. They tried very hard to be “bad” girls in their Catholic school but failed. They did play jokes on people but they didn’t do anything maliciously. They kept their friendship over the years. Tracy and Janis were raised like sisters and Holly lived near Tracy and their families were extremely close. Olivia, though in Europe, kept in touch with Tracy. They were Godmothers to Tracy’s daughter, Cammie. After Olivia’s husband died and she was returning to the United States, the foursome decided to take a Caribbean cruise on a small boat. They wanted just the four of them together for a time. Tracy made arrangements to use the Opus out of St. Thomas. They would sail, swim, scuba dive, and snorkel. Unfortunately, at the last minute, Janis’s husband became ill and Janis felt she had to stay with him. Reluctantly Tracy agreed and suggested her daughter take Janis’s place. The two others agreed and Cammie made haste to pack her bag.
The Opus was owned and sailed by Lenny Amato and Michel Eugene-Martin. Lenny had been sailing for years and Michel had joined him. Michel was a young, handsome man who kept the visitors entertained while Lenny cooked and sailed. It worked for both of them.
The sail began flawlessly and everything was wonderful for a while. The first night, however, Olivia slept with Michel much to Cammie’s discomfort. Cammie was attracted to Michel and Olivia was many years older than Michel. This put the two women on edge and they avoided each other when possible. This came to a head when the weather changed. Michel was on an island fishing and Cammie found him. They started kissing and Olivia showed up to break them apart. Harsh words were spoken and then the three headed to the ship as the weather started getting rough. Olivia made it on board but Cammie had a hard time due to the waves. Finally she caught hold; but Michel slipped and hit his head knocking him unconscious. The tender began to slip away with Michel in it. Lennie tied a rope around him and dove into the water to catch the tender and Michel. Unfortunately, the wind blew the tender away too fast. Then on his way back, Lennie realized the rope was caught on the rotor on the engine. It was pulling him under and he couldn’t get loose.
In an instant, the four women were on board the Opus with no men, no sail, and no idea what to do next. Tracy finally took charge and tried to contact someone and tried to go for shore; but the boat was taken out to sea. Now they were really on their own without an engine or sails. In the ensuing days, they faced the sun, being lost, sleeplessness, hunger, each other, Holly’s being sick, lack of water, and the taking over of the boat by drug smugglers who were determined to take Cammie with them.
Do the women get out of this mess and how? Will they ever be the same again? What about their friendship? This is a book that will pull you in and keep you interested. It is hard to put down and once more, have tissues handy.
March 9, 2013
I just read (or reread) this book without putting it down. I may have read it during a stressful period before or maybe I had just read a summary of it. I like the other books I have read by Jacquelyn Mitchard. I found this a very well written book but one of the scariest I have ever read, given that it isn't in the magical/vampire fiction category. The relationships among the 3 women and 19 year old adopted daughter of one, Camille, the daughter of Tracy Kyle, as they take what should have been an exciting and exotic cruise on a 50 foot sailboat in the Caribbean. The story also includes the two owners of the boat, a well seasoned older sailor and his younger partner. The cruise rapidly decomposes with catastrophe after catastrophe but always the relationships among the women are the focus. Knowledge, unacknowledge knowledge, ingenuity, carrying/not carrying ones own weight, withstanding evil, using "regular" and irregular weapons, adoption and birth children, and on and on. It moves rapidly except at the very end after the survivors are in hospital and then return to the hometown of the Kyles and "Aunt Holly." I am not a cryer but I found tears streaming down my face without actual sobs. My only criticism is that, while I could suspend disbelief most of the time while reading it--when thinking about reciting the events in the book, I found them so unbelievable that I felt it would read like parody.
December 23, 2017
I have read several of Mitchard's books by now and she's really hit or miss for me. This book felt juvenile in that there was just SO MUCH going on. It became a bit fantastical that all the bad things in the world just kept happening one after the other. And yet, the rescue is always just barely missed. Every time poor Tracy lays down to rest, they cruise by an island or something. Or multiple ocean liners miss hitting them by mere "yards" and yet they are never, not once, spotted? I just found it very far fetched and too much. And then at the end, the rescue was just so anticlimactic, it was totally skipped over. I wanted to like this book a lot, I really did. But it was a real let down. Interestingly, just before writing this review, I looked back at some of her other books I'd read and I had very similar complaints about another of her books (Two If by SeaTwo if By Sea).
I'll give her a few more tries, because I did like a few of her books. But I am skeptical at this point....
I'll give her a few more tries, because I did like a few of her books. But I am skeptical at this point....
March 3, 2017
Couldn't put it down. A tweet asking to describe the book you are reading in 3 words had me pondering what to say as I had just started this book... I wrote: "Babes in Boats" "Lost in Paradise" and "Beware of Pirates" ALL of them were RIGHT! I had to keep reading to find out what would happen next. GOOD ONE!!
August 26, 2017
Really wasn't sure about this book when I first started reading it, very nearly gave up on it but it did turn out to be a really good read in the end, one which I definitely would recommend and I would definitely buy more books by this author.
March 20, 2018
weird stupid book.
February 24, 2019
A true "thriller". I thought it went a little slow in the beginning but I was glad I continued on--did't take all that long to get hooked, now that I think about it.
November 17, 2020
I was held in suspense almost from the beginning. There was this sense of anticipation of something about to go wrong before it actually did.
I admired the strength and grit of the characters, Tracy, Cammie and Holly in their fight for survival and selflessness in protecting one another. It made me wonder how I would have reacted and acted in a similar situation. I recommend this book to women and men of all ages.
I admired the strength and grit of the characters, Tracy, Cammie and Holly in their fight for survival and selflessness in protecting one another. It made me wonder how I would have reacted and acted in a similar situation. I recommend this book to women and men of all ages.
October 5, 2021
This was more of a chick lit book than most of hers. I think I might have enjoyed it more if I hadn’t listened to an abridged audiobook version. The characters were stereotypical and somewhat flat. I did enjoy how much action there was in this story. It was kinda uneven for me.
April 16, 2024
The plot line was unbelievable, the characters were dated stereotypes and the conclusion trivialized tragedy, overall a waste of time.
December 12, 2009
When I listen to an audiobook, I have found that I really need all elements to work together in harmony for me to stay focused on the story. Still Summer fit the bill perfectly for me as it had elements of romance, action, and an emotional storyline that had my eyes tearing up at the end. The story begins as four friends plan on renting a yacht for a tropical vacation, with the most strenuous work planned being to put a lawn chair away at the end of the day if necessary. Olivia, Tracy, Holly, and Janice were friends since high school and are in need of a relaxing vacation. When Janice's husband suddenly is struck with a medical emergency, she finds that she can't go along on the trip, so Tracy's daughter Cammie is lucky enough to be able to take her place.
Tracy and Cammie's relationship has been a bit strained lately, so Tracy thinks this may be an opportunity for them to grow closer. Cammie recently broke up with her boyfriend and thinks the trip will be a good way to put him out of her mind. When a new romance is introduced upon arriving at her destination she has no problem pushing that ex-boyfriend to the far recesses of her mind! In the beginning of this book I found that I really didn't like Cammie, as she acted like a self-absorbed college student whom really didn't consider anyone's feelings but her own. I enjoyed watching Cammie's character develop into a responsible young woman as the novel went on.
Olivia was another character that wasn't very likeable, as she is a recent widow that married her husband for money and not love. She is a very selfish individual in this story, and when the ladies find themselves having to depend on one another, they find that Olivia will only take care of herself. Even when it comes to the point of fatal consequences she only looks out for her own well-being and does not even consider what she can do to improve the chance of survival for her friends.
Holly is the character that everyone loves. She is a loveable mom with twin boys and a husband at home, and your everyday gal, as she has a regular job and does not seem to have a perfect body. Early on in the story Holly gets injured, but since she is a nurse she is able to take care of herself and not worry her friends with her own problems. Holly steps up to the plate when danger is imminent and she will do whatever is necessary to protect her friends. This is one gal that you would be proud to have in your corner!
Tracy is the strong a steadfast character that we all want to try to strive to be. She is a great mom and will do whatever is necessary in the face of adversity. When events start to go terribly wrong on the yacht, Tracy struggles with feelings of guilt since this vacation was her idea. She feels that she has no choice but to risk her own life to save the lives of her daughter and her friends. You can really feel the love that is contained in this woman's heart throughout the book.
As this book started I couldn't help but think that this would be the ultimate vacation with some of your closest friends. But what started out as a relaxing tropical vacation, quickly turns into a life-threatening nightmare. As they watch their food and water supply dwindle they must do what is necessary to survive, and in their greatest hour of need secrets are revealed that will change lives forever.
Many times I find myself saying that I wish I would have read this book rather than listening to it, but not so with this one. It was a great audiobook and I don't know if I would have enjoyed it as much had a read it. I highly recommend this audiobook, especially if you enjoy listening to books that have a little bit of everything in them.
Tracy and Cammie's relationship has been a bit strained lately, so Tracy thinks this may be an opportunity for them to grow closer. Cammie recently broke up with her boyfriend and thinks the trip will be a good way to put him out of her mind. When a new romance is introduced upon arriving at her destination she has no problem pushing that ex-boyfriend to the far recesses of her mind! In the beginning of this book I found that I really didn't like Cammie, as she acted like a self-absorbed college student whom really didn't consider anyone's feelings but her own. I enjoyed watching Cammie's character develop into a responsible young woman as the novel went on.
Olivia was another character that wasn't very likeable, as she is a recent widow that married her husband for money and not love. She is a very selfish individual in this story, and when the ladies find themselves having to depend on one another, they find that Olivia will only take care of herself. Even when it comes to the point of fatal consequences she only looks out for her own well-being and does not even consider what she can do to improve the chance of survival for her friends.
Holly is the character that everyone loves. She is a loveable mom with twin boys and a husband at home, and your everyday gal, as she has a regular job and does not seem to have a perfect body. Early on in the story Holly gets injured, but since she is a nurse she is able to take care of herself and not worry her friends with her own problems. Holly steps up to the plate when danger is imminent and she will do whatever is necessary to protect her friends. This is one gal that you would be proud to have in your corner!
Tracy is the strong a steadfast character that we all want to try to strive to be. She is a great mom and will do whatever is necessary in the face of adversity. When events start to go terribly wrong on the yacht, Tracy struggles with feelings of guilt since this vacation was her idea. She feels that she has no choice but to risk her own life to save the lives of her daughter and her friends. You can really feel the love that is contained in this woman's heart throughout the book.
As this book started I couldn't help but think that this would be the ultimate vacation with some of your closest friends. But what started out as a relaxing tropical vacation, quickly turns into a life-threatening nightmare. As they watch their food and water supply dwindle they must do what is necessary to survive, and in their greatest hour of need secrets are revealed that will change lives forever.
Many times I find myself saying that I wish I would have read this book rather than listening to it, but not so with this one. It was a great audiobook and I don't know if I would have enjoyed it as much had a read it. I highly recommend this audiobook, especially if you enjoy listening to books that have a little bit of everything in them.
September 2, 2019
Maybe not the best writing in the world, but the book was chilling if not always thrilling. As an adventurer and a sailor, I could visualize every step and my mind kept saying, "oh, wow, bad." To say, every accident is a series of multiple missteps that lead to a devastating end. I was captured by this so the book kept me happily discomfited -- which was the intent. I have friends who lost their boat at sea to a bad storm (and found, thank God, by a passing freighter). In many ways this book was right on the mark.
So that is my bias. I related to the story at a core level. It was nice to read while safe and sound on dry land. I could look up, take in my surroundings, and breathe a sigh of relief.
I enjoyed the tension between the women, the love between mother/daughter/aunt (friend). The awfulness of Oliva and the reasons for the awfulness. I thought some of the descriptions were beautifully written and often enjoyed Mitchard's "turn of phrase."
My favorite passage (I actually reread it several times just to savor it on my tongue--it gave me the shivers b/c the sea is, indeed, a fickle mistress): On page 97- "A few miles off the coast of Africa, from the direction opposite that from which the tropical storms come, the wind did not know that what was forecast were partly cloudy skies and perhaps a thunderstorm later in the week. So a wave traveled across the North Atlantic and crossed the warm water of the Gulf of Mexico. And then the admixture of water generated a vortex, a depression, which began to spin. Energy was created. The summer had been warm and the water was warm and the wave became a tropical storm that had no name and no one's eyes upon it. But Lenny felt it on the back of his neck".
In all, I liked the book a lot. Like the thrill of a rollercoaster ride.
***********SPOILERS****************
Two criticisms:
1. The can opener. For as much foreshadowing as there was on that damn can opener, it never got the resulting aghast-ness. The discovery was never written. Just a passive description that Holly had to bang open cans. It was such a good lead up, too bad the padda bing padda bang was never given for the reader. I was looking forward to the horror of that discovery.
2. This one cost the 5th star. It's a "get real, people." You take the time, have the courage, to get your captors drunk and asleep for 8 hours. EIGHT hours. And you neither tie them up nor throw them overboard??? Or just plain slit their throats. We are talking - they plan to KILL you! And rape your 19-year old daughter/niece. And what do you do? Zilch. Nada. Nothing. So, what, exactly was the point in getting them unconscious? That was such a weak plot point that when I read it I got mad. REAAALLLLY? Come on people! And I almost stopped reading I was so disgusted. I lost a lot of enjoyment of the book after that. Since Mitchard brought in that plot point, she should have done something with it - it literally went nowhere. Why bother to put it in?
So that is my bias. I related to the story at a core level. It was nice to read while safe and sound on dry land. I could look up, take in my surroundings, and breathe a sigh of relief.
I enjoyed the tension between the women, the love between mother/daughter/aunt (friend). The awfulness of Oliva and the reasons for the awfulness. I thought some of the descriptions were beautifully written and often enjoyed Mitchard's "turn of phrase."
My favorite passage (I actually reread it several times just to savor it on my tongue--it gave me the shivers b/c the sea is, indeed, a fickle mistress): On page 97- "A few miles off the coast of Africa, from the direction opposite that from which the tropical storms come, the wind did not know that what was forecast were partly cloudy skies and perhaps a thunderstorm later in the week. So a wave traveled across the North Atlantic and crossed the warm water of the Gulf of Mexico. And then the admixture of water generated a vortex, a depression, which began to spin. Energy was created. The summer had been warm and the water was warm and the wave became a tropical storm that had no name and no one's eyes upon it. But Lenny felt it on the back of his neck".
In all, I liked the book a lot. Like the thrill of a rollercoaster ride.
***********SPOILERS****************
Two criticisms:
1. The can opener. For as much foreshadowing as there was on that damn can opener, it never got the resulting aghast-ness. The discovery was never written. Just a passive description that Holly had to bang open cans. It was such a good lead up, too bad the padda bing padda bang was never given for the reader. I was looking forward to the horror of that discovery.
2. This one cost the 5th star. It's a "get real, people." You take the time, have the courage, to get your captors drunk and asleep for 8 hours. EIGHT hours. And you neither tie them up nor throw them overboard??? Or just plain slit their throats. We are talking - they plan to KILL you! And rape your 19-year old daughter/niece. And what do you do? Zilch. Nada. Nothing. So, what, exactly was the point in getting them unconscious? That was such a weak plot point that when I read it I got mad. REAAALLLLY? Come on people! And I almost stopped reading I was so disgusted. I lost a lot of enjoyment of the book after that. Since Mitchard brought in that plot point, she should have done something with it - it literally went nowhere. Why bother to put it in?
July 14, 2009
Easy read - read it in one day BUT left me feeling very irritated with myself for staying up late to finish it! I thought it was going to be a story about friendship and adventure (and of course a deep dark secret was going to be revealed) but, it was pretty much none of those things. The secret was a no brainer from the get go,the "adventure" and explanations (or lack there of) for how it all tied up was ridiculous, and there were so many characters introduced that were never really developed that it made me nuts!!! Even the strength of friendship, girl-bonding angle was lame.
BUT if you are going to be sitting by a pool or on a beach and just want to occupy your mind while sipping a cocktail and watching the kids play . . . it will work.
BUT if you are going to be sitting by a pool or on a beach and just want to occupy your mind while sipping a cocktail and watching the kids play . . . it will work.
August 16, 2009
I liked The Deep End of the Ocean - I thought it was well-written and it drew me in. Still Summer reads like a rough draft, a very rough draft, lots of dialogue added here and there and nothing ever edited out. Ms. Mitchard wasn't able to put two thoughts together in a coherent way. The conversations these women have while they are undergoing attacks, starvation, and death are incredibly inane. I kept thinking it would surely get better but it got worse. I skimmed through to the end, not able to stick with an entire page because it was so bad. Please don't waste your time. Ms. Mitchard, please redeem yourself!
August 11, 2011
I was disappointed by this book; I had higher hopes for it because I really liked her book "Cage of Stars" a few years ago. As a copy editor I can say that I think this book needed some major editing before getting published. It was hard to keep all of the various characters straight; the narrative at times was confusing, abrupt, and random with boring details that didn't really matter; certain elements of the plot were really unrealistic; there was an unnecessarily high amount of profanity and crassness; and it was overall just a depressing story. It was not at all what I was expecting and I don't recommend it, unless you want to feel depressed. :(
November 26, 2008
This had to be one of the worst books I have ever read. I've done some sailing in the Caribbean, as these four friends (and a daughter) were doing, and their actions defy reality. Not one thing rang true -- not the scenario, not the dialogue, not the emotions, not anything. It was so bad that I couldn't continue reading it, skipped to the end to see what happened and called it good. Well, I really called it bad. Don't read.
February 2, 2011
Terrible book. I had loved Mitchard's other books, but this book was poorly written, the characters were not likable, and the plot was so far out there and unbelievable, I couldn't stand it. I should have quit in the middle when I knew it was bad, but I finished it anyway and was disappointed from beginning to end. This book was a FAR cry from "The Deep End of the Ocean" - not even comparable.
June 13, 2016
I hated this book when I started it. The first couple of chapters were awful, overly descriptive to the point of making little to no sense, but once I got past that and boarded the boat with these ladies I was hooked. I could not put it down and was glad I chose not to.
February 29, 2024
My new read
" Still Summer "
By Jacqueline Mitchard
🌞🌞🌞
Sadly I couldn't read this book after the first 2 chapters, this book just wasn't for me.
⭐⭐/5
@reenes_library
#bookreader #bookworm🐛📖 #reading #bookinstagram #bookinsta #jacquelinemitchard book #books #booklover
" Still Summer "
By Jacqueline Mitchard
🌞🌞🌞
Sadly I couldn't read this book after the first 2 chapters, this book just wasn't for me.
⭐⭐/5
@reenes_library
#bookreader #bookworm🐛📖 #reading #bookinstagram #bookinsta #jacquelinemitchard book #books #booklover
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August 28, 2007great summer read - kind of a thriller...
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