What do you think?
Rate this book
A Nantucket Wedding
Wedding bells are ringing, a family is reunited, and new romances are blooming--for better or for worse--in a standalone novel from the
New York Times
bestselling author of
The Island House
and
Secrets in Summer.
It's summer on Nantucket and Alison is finally engaged to the love of her life. Things would be perfect--if only she could make peace between her daughters. Felicity, wild at heart yet a loving mother to her own children, and Jane, the extremely organized and high-earning businesswoman, arrive on the island hoping to get through these next few weeks without ruining their mother's big day. But when Felicity's husband reveals a long-term affair and Jane falls for her soon-to-be step-brother, everyone gets way more drama than they bargained for.
It's summer on Nantucket and Alison is finally engaged to the love of her life. Things would be perfect--if only she could make peace between her daughters. Felicity, wild at heart yet a loving mother to her own children, and Jane, the extremely organized and high-earning businesswoman, arrive on the island hoping to get through these next few weeks without ruining their mother's big day. But when Felicity's husband reveals a long-term affair and Jane falls for her soon-to-be step-brother, everyone gets way more drama than they bargained for.
338 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 24, 2018
2219 people are currently reading
8059 people want to read
About the author
Nancy Thayer
53 books4,056 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 729 reviews
April 24, 2018
4 Sunny and Salty Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟
This was a vacation in a book... The setting was brought to life so well I felt as though I was there... playing on the beach, dining with the family, and preparing for the wedding....
This book really was not a romance... it was about Allison and the relationship she had with her daughters Jane and Felicity.... it was about Allison and David blending there two families together in preparation for their pending nuptials... it was about Jane and Felicity’s relationships with their husbands.... it was about life, changing, and growing together or growing apart....
Allison was a fabulous matriarch, and I wasn’t always quite sure that David deserves her.... I really liked Jane and Felicity and I loved how their relationship got so much stronger throughout the summer.... didn’t always agree with choices that were made, but I was happy with the ultimate outcome... David‘s children on the other hand, we’re not quite so likable.... Poppy was such a spoiled brat, however she did redeem herself in the end... and Ethan was just your typical selfish playboy....
This was just a lovely read a breath of fresh air... The perfect beach read or the perfect read when you wish you were at the beach...
Strongly recommend to fans of women’s fiction with some fabulous characters....*** thank you so much to the publisher and Net Galley for a copy of this book ***
This was a vacation in a book... The setting was brought to life so well I felt as though I was there... playing on the beach, dining with the family, and preparing for the wedding....
This book really was not a romance... it was about Allison and the relationship she had with her daughters Jane and Felicity.... it was about Allison and David blending there two families together in preparation for their pending nuptials... it was about Jane and Felicity’s relationships with their husbands.... it was about life, changing, and growing together or growing apart....
Allison was a fabulous matriarch, and I wasn’t always quite sure that David deserves her.... I really liked Jane and Felicity and I loved how their relationship got so much stronger throughout the summer.... didn’t always agree with choices that were made, but I was happy with the ultimate outcome... David‘s children on the other hand, we’re not quite so likable.... Poppy was such a spoiled brat, however she did redeem herself in the end... and Ethan was just your typical selfish playboy....
This was just a lovely read a breath of fresh air... The perfect beach read or the perfect read when you wish you were at the beach...
Strongly recommend to fans of women’s fiction with some fabulous characters....*** thank you so much to the publisher and Net Galley for a copy of this book ***
March 29, 2018
At first glance one might assume that A Nantucket Wedding by Nancy Thayer is a simple romance novel but this one is more of a contemporary read focusing on relationships, family and various stages of adult life. The book centers around three ladies all in different stages and the relationships not only with each other but all of those surrounding them.
Alison is a fifty something recently widowed mother of two who has found someone to love and hopefully spend the rest of her life with. As Alison is planning her wedding to David she wants to bring her two adult daughters to Nantucket and introduce them to her fiancee and his own adult children and their significant others.
Jane is the career minded adult daughter of Alison who was always by the book and thought she knew what she wanted out of her life. Jane had married and she and her husband had declared they would never have children being lawyers and always working but these days Jane is beginning to change her mind.
Felicity is Jane’s other daughter and the exact opposite of her sister Jane putting the two of them at odds most of their. Felicity was always more free spirited and as an adult has become a stay at home mom to two wonderful children but her marriage isn’t as happy as she once thought it to be.
I will admit first that what drew me to this book was the lovely cover that had that I so want to be wherever they are feel to it at first glance. Seeing that the story took place in Nantucket I was sold hoping for a book with a sunny vibe to scare off those winter blues and thankfully this one did not disappoint at all in that regard. The author did a wonderful job bringing Nantucket to life and I fell in love with the setting almost immediately.
Now of course I’d also hoped for a good story to go with the wonderful setting and it didn’t take long to see that I had found that too. The characters were easy to get to know and like and I certainly enjoyed watching them grow and deal with their problems in the various different relationships involved. This ended up turning into one I really didn’t want to see end and really found it a lovely read overall.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Alison is a fifty something recently widowed mother of two who has found someone to love and hopefully spend the rest of her life with. As Alison is planning her wedding to David she wants to bring her two adult daughters to Nantucket and introduce them to her fiancee and his own adult children and their significant others.
Jane is the career minded adult daughter of Alison who was always by the book and thought she knew what she wanted out of her life. Jane had married and she and her husband had declared they would never have children being lawyers and always working but these days Jane is beginning to change her mind.
Felicity is Jane’s other daughter and the exact opposite of her sister Jane putting the two of them at odds most of their. Felicity was always more free spirited and as an adult has become a stay at home mom to two wonderful children but her marriage isn’t as happy as she once thought it to be.
I will admit first that what drew me to this book was the lovely cover that had that I so want to be wherever they are feel to it at first glance. Seeing that the story took place in Nantucket I was sold hoping for a book with a sunny vibe to scare off those winter blues and thankfully this one did not disappoint at all in that regard. The author did a wonderful job bringing Nantucket to life and I fell in love with the setting almost immediately.
Now of course I’d also hoped for a good story to go with the wonderful setting and it didn’t take long to see that I had found that too. The characters were easy to get to know and like and I certainly enjoyed watching them grow and deal with their problems in the various different relationships involved. This ended up turning into one I really didn’t want to see end and really found it a lovely read overall.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
February 19, 2018
I could not put this book down and I wished it was a little longer. Nancy Thayer, I have signed up for your monthly newsletter because I want to read more from you. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC, this was an easy 5 star rating for me.
Alison and David are preparing their wedding at the end of the summer in Nantucket. Each of them have grown children and grandchildren who lead very busy lives. They invite their families to their home so they can attempt to bond the blended family. This author takes great measure with detailing the lives of the main characters and their families. Alison and David, (who in my head, reminds me of Diane Lane and Richard Gere) are the calm with their family storm. Alison's two daughter's relationship has been strained with jealousy and they learn through the summer that they are strong women and that they can weather any storm that comes their way as they navigate their marriages that are on shaky ground. David's daughter and son, have benefited from a privileged upbringing are learning to adapt to their father's decision to marry again. His son is supporting his decision to marry Alison, but he has his sights on Alison's daughter, which adds a wrinkle in the chaos. His daughter is headstrong and wants to take over her father's company and she is not willing to be number two in her father's life.
The story has a continuous flow and you are taken in with 4-5 different plots whose constant thread is the wedding. The ending is surprising and exceeded my expectation. I believe the author intended to create strong female characters and while there were a few big personalities from the beginning, the story evolved to highlight the discovery of Alison's daughters who realized the happiness they deserved.
Alison and David are preparing their wedding at the end of the summer in Nantucket. Each of them have grown children and grandchildren who lead very busy lives. They invite their families to their home so they can attempt to bond the blended family. This author takes great measure with detailing the lives of the main characters and their families. Alison and David, (who in my head, reminds me of Diane Lane and Richard Gere) are the calm with their family storm. Alison's two daughter's relationship has been strained with jealousy and they learn through the summer that they are strong women and that they can weather any storm that comes their way as they navigate their marriages that are on shaky ground. David's daughter and son, have benefited from a privileged upbringing are learning to adapt to their father's decision to marry again. His son is supporting his decision to marry Alison, but he has his sights on Alison's daughter, which adds a wrinkle in the chaos. His daughter is headstrong and wants to take over her father's company and she is not willing to be number two in her father's life.
The story has a continuous flow and you are taken in with 4-5 different plots whose constant thread is the wedding. The ending is surprising and exceeded my expectation. I believe the author intended to create strong female characters and while there were a few big personalities from the beginning, the story evolved to highlight the discovery of Alison's daughters who realized the happiness they deserved.
February 25, 2018
I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I chose this book from the description and I have heard good things about the author. The setting was delightful with a lovely home right on the beach in Nantucket. Honestly I didn't care for any of the men in this story except possibly David although he really didn't seem to play that much of a main role even though the story is about his upcoming wedding to Alison. Scott, Noah, and Ethan are self centered males who act like jerks, although Scott does change some for the better in the end. Ethan is just a total player and for someone who is devoted to his daughter she never even comes into the story until the end and then she is total brat.
I did not like any of the women in this book.. Alison is just happy to be getting married to a man she loves after thinking she would be a widow the rest of her life. She puts up with everyone's crap and rarely stands up for herself. Poppy is a spoiled rich brat acting like a child throughout most of the story and I wonder how her husband put up with her self centered crap although he really doesn't have much of a character or part in the story and her children are spoiled and undisciplined. Felicity is a wishy washy poor me character who sort of gets her &*%$ together at the end, stays in her marriage even though she really isn't happy and her husband Noah is a first class asshole. Jane is all about what Jane wants until her husband Scott falls off a mountain and is missing. Heather who is David's assistant organizing the wedding has to have emotional support dogs which is great but why is this a part of the story when the author does nothing as to explain the reason for introducing them in the first place.
The wedding itself turns out well in an incredibly lovely romantic setting but all I got out of the book was how spoiled and self centered all the children of David and Alison seemed.
For those of you thinking I am bashing the author I am not so please save your comments to me on that. I didn't care for the story or the characters but I have absolutely nothing bad to say about the author.
I only stayed with the book because of my promise to read and review. It is not one I would recommend and not sure if I will try other stories by this author.
I chose this book from the description and I have heard good things about the author. The setting was delightful with a lovely home right on the beach in Nantucket. Honestly I didn't care for any of the men in this story except possibly David although he really didn't seem to play that much of a main role even though the story is about his upcoming wedding to Alison. Scott, Noah, and Ethan are self centered males who act like jerks, although Scott does change some for the better in the end. Ethan is just a total player and for someone who is devoted to his daughter she never even comes into the story until the end and then she is total brat.
I did not like any of the women in this book.. Alison is just happy to be getting married to a man she loves after thinking she would be a widow the rest of her life. She puts up with everyone's crap and rarely stands up for herself. Poppy is a spoiled rich brat acting like a child throughout most of the story and I wonder how her husband put up with her self centered crap although he really doesn't have much of a character or part in the story and her children are spoiled and undisciplined. Felicity is a wishy washy poor me character who sort of gets her &*%$ together at the end, stays in her marriage even though she really isn't happy and her husband Noah is a first class asshole. Jane is all about what Jane wants until her husband Scott falls off a mountain and is missing. Heather who is David's assistant organizing the wedding has to have emotional support dogs which is great but why is this a part of the story when the author does nothing as to explain the reason for introducing them in the first place.
The wedding itself turns out well in an incredibly lovely romantic setting but all I got out of the book was how spoiled and self centered all the children of David and Alison seemed.
For those of you thinking I am bashing the author I am not so please save your comments to me on that. I didn't care for the story or the characters but I have absolutely nothing bad to say about the author.
I only stayed with the book because of my promise to read and review. It is not one I would recommend and not sure if I will try other stories by this author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 30, 2018
My first and LAST Nancy Thayer book!! I never write reviews but I just had to here.
First, I really dislike it when there’s not even one person to like in a story with so many people, which is rare, but I truly hate this family.
Ms Thayer pens these characters lines like it’s decades earlier and not 2018.
Paragraphs go on and on never really going anywhere with lots of silly descriptive filler. I had more WTF moments in this book than ever before.
Some of the dumb writing and horribly frustrating excerpts include:
Asshole, idiot Noah: ‘doctors and nurses have sex with each other wherever and whenever they can to release pressure and stop thinking for a moment.’ See? Wtf is this woman thinking??
Noah admits he’s cheating and dumb as rocks “silly Filly” says he just needs a swim and to look at the ocean!!
Also Felicity, being emotionally abused was just too much for me. Great example for your children staying with him even after you realize you should have run screaming from this crunchy narcissist ‘I hate people with money, I hate your family for what they stand for, I love my assistant, my wife and children will only wear thrift store clothes but we live in a McMansion and drive a large SUV; Oh wait, the family gave me a million dollars, I LOVE your family and now I love you again, let’s go get ice cream’ Noah
Jane and Scott agreed they never wanted kids, but somehow spending time with 4 other (mostly) bratty kids, she changes her mind. Then she’s gobsmacked that Scott still doesn’t want them. No worries though, watch two of the kids duke it out one weekend and another weekend hiking should hopefully make him reconsider, Jane believes. WTF?! But then he almost dies so now he wants kids. Happy ending there.
Also, another note: kissing one person while you’re married to another IS cheating!!! No one grasped this in this book!
Pushy I’ll take any breathing woman Ethan; Bipolar Baby Poppy; “Old” 55
Year Old Allison and David with his weird relationship with Esmeralda...Absurd! They are all a lesson in oxymorons.
And if I have to hear about Alison’s “great legs” one more time...
I read to escape, this book stressed me out. What a shame.
First, I really dislike it when there’s not even one person to like in a story with so many people, which is rare, but I truly hate this family.
Ms Thayer pens these characters lines like it’s decades earlier and not 2018.
Paragraphs go on and on never really going anywhere with lots of silly descriptive filler. I had more WTF moments in this book than ever before.
Some of the dumb writing and horribly frustrating excerpts include:
Asshole, idiot Noah: ‘doctors and nurses have sex with each other wherever and whenever they can to release pressure and stop thinking for a moment.’ See? Wtf is this woman thinking??
Noah admits he’s cheating and dumb as rocks “silly Filly” says he just needs a swim and to look at the ocean!!
Also Felicity, being emotionally abused was just too much for me. Great example for your children staying with him even after you realize you should have run screaming from this crunchy narcissist ‘I hate people with money, I hate your family for what they stand for, I love my assistant, my wife and children will only wear thrift store clothes but we live in a McMansion and drive a large SUV; Oh wait, the family gave me a million dollars, I LOVE your family and now I love you again, let’s go get ice cream’ Noah
Jane and Scott agreed they never wanted kids, but somehow spending time with 4 other (mostly) bratty kids, she changes her mind. Then she’s gobsmacked that Scott still doesn’t want them. No worries though, watch two of the kids duke it out one weekend and another weekend hiking should hopefully make him reconsider, Jane believes. WTF?! But then he almost dies so now he wants kids. Happy ending there.
Also, another note: kissing one person while you’re married to another IS cheating!!! No one grasped this in this book!
Pushy I’ll take any breathing woman Ethan; Bipolar Baby Poppy; “Old” 55
Year Old Allison and David with his weird relationship with Esmeralda...Absurd! They are all a lesson in oxymorons.
And if I have to hear about Alison’s “great legs” one more time...
I read to escape, this book stressed me out. What a shame.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 30, 2018
This is my 9th book I’ve read by Nancy Thayer and as in most of her books, I loved this one too. Sisters Felicity and Jane are excited to attend their moms wedding after their mom was widowed for 6 years. The book starts off in Nantucket in their moms fiancé’s big, beautiful house overlooking the ocean. The author did such a great job describing the house, the scenery... etc i felt like i was there! Thank you for this complimentary copy of this book from The publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
February 28, 2018
Your first Beach Read of 2018!
Allison is not your typical bride, but she's as excited as one, and just as much in love with her soon to-be-husband as anyone would expect. She knows what real and true love is because she was married to a wonderful man for twenty years before he died. She never ever expected to be planning her own wedding again, but here she is five years later doing just that, to David, another incredible guy. David lost his wife after a long and happy marriage as well. He never planned on re-marrying anytime in his future either. But here they are, like two twenty-somethings head over heels in love. The next big step is introducing their adult children to each other; and they each have one strong-willed daughter out of their pairs of children.
The story and wedding plans really get started when all four kids plus their spouses, and their children come out to Nantucket for the big family meet and greet.
Naturally, each adult child is towing their own drama along with the family baggage. Nancy Thayer creates another fabulous Nantucket story for us to enjoy and wish we were there, seriously. How does she do it?! No matter, grab your favorite beverage, put your feet up and sink yourself into this fantastic beachy read!
Thank you Netgalley and Nancy Thayer!
Allison is not your typical bride, but she's as excited as one, and just as much in love with her soon to-be-husband as anyone would expect. She knows what real and true love is because she was married to a wonderful man for twenty years before he died. She never ever expected to be planning her own wedding again, but here she is five years later doing just that, to David, another incredible guy. David lost his wife after a long and happy marriage as well. He never planned on re-marrying anytime in his future either. But here they are, like two twenty-somethings head over heels in love. The next big step is introducing their adult children to each other; and they each have one strong-willed daughter out of their pairs of children.
The story and wedding plans really get started when all four kids plus their spouses, and their children come out to Nantucket for the big family meet and greet.
Naturally, each adult child is towing their own drama along with the family baggage. Nancy Thayer creates another fabulous Nantucket story for us to enjoy and wish we were there, seriously. How does she do it?! No matter, grab your favorite beverage, put your feet up and sink yourself into this fantastic beachy read!
Thank you Netgalley and Nancy Thayer!
April 10, 2018
This was my second book by this author. Again, entertaining and a great beach read. Nothing that really blew me away, but I do have a couple of comments on some of the annoying characters.
Poppy - What a beatch!
Alison - Please, please, please take a chill pill. Her whining was really starting to irk me.
Ingrid - Sorry, but what a BORING name especially for someone who seems to be the "bad girl" at first.
As I said, a decent read. Not as good as the first one I read, but still good.
Thanks to Random House/Ballantine and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
Poppy - What a beatch!
Alison - Please, please, please take a chill pill. Her whining was really starting to irk me.
Ingrid - Sorry, but what a BORING name especially for someone who seems to be the "bad girl" at first.
As I said, a decent read. Not as good as the first one I read, but still good.
Thanks to Random House/Ballantine and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
August 15, 2018
I always love a classic Nantucket summer beach read by Nancy Thayer...but this one didn’t quite do it for me. I do always enjoy the way she can temporarily transport me to the island of Nantucket every time I read her work!! So although this was not her best novel...it was still a pleasure to read and take a break from all the dark, gritty books I’m usually reading!
3-stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️
3-stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️
April 3, 2018
Title: A Nantucket Wedding
Author: Nancy Thayer
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
"A Nantucket Wedding by Nancy Thayer
My Thoughts...
I love the trip that this author took the reader...to Nantucket to "A Nantucket Wedding." This will definitely be a good story of a union to two families coming together and oh my god what all else they will bring [some of it a little predictable! I loved how there would be 'compromises to make things work.' I also liked the story of two widowers, Alison and David add their children and families along with all the twist and turns dilemmas that could be had as the wedding day approaches and you will have a heck of a good read as in a 'family symphony.' I will say that I thought some of the children got on my nerves with all of the stuff that was going on in their own life's. One can definitely sense from the read that the 'talk of the wedding made them question their own marriage and love.'
The scenes of Nantucket were absolutely beautifully described making you think you are there in the midst of it all. Be ready for a fast paced read where the story will touch of a little of it all from 'relationships, parents, siblings, spouses and step parents. By the end 'while everyone who had experienced their own up and downs, all will be nicely resolved and we get a wonderful Nantucket Wedding!' To get all of how it gets to this point you will just have to pick up "A Nantucket Wedding" to see how this author creates another fabulous read for the reader.
Author: Nancy Thayer
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
"A Nantucket Wedding by Nancy Thayer
My Thoughts...
I love the trip that this author took the reader...to Nantucket to "A Nantucket Wedding." This will definitely be a good story of a union to two families coming together and oh my god what all else they will bring [some of it a little predictable! I loved how there would be 'compromises to make things work.' I also liked the story of two widowers, Alison and David add their children and families along with all the twist and turns dilemmas that could be had as the wedding day approaches and you will have a heck of a good read as in a 'family symphony.' I will say that I thought some of the children got on my nerves with all of the stuff that was going on in their own life's. One can definitely sense from the read that the 'talk of the wedding made them question their own marriage and love.'
The scenes of Nantucket were absolutely beautifully described making you think you are there in the midst of it all. Be ready for a fast paced read where the story will touch of a little of it all from 'relationships, parents, siblings, spouses and step parents. By the end 'while everyone who had experienced their own up and downs, all will be nicely resolved and we get a wonderful Nantucket Wedding!' To get all of how it gets to this point you will just have to pick up "A Nantucket Wedding" to see how this author creates another fabulous read for the reader.
September 11, 2019
3.5 stars, rounded up.
A typical light read from Nancy Thayer. Love the setting of Nantucket. Some of the characters were OK, others not so much. I found the main character, Alison, a bit flighty, and insipid and annoyingly perpetually cheerful. None of the characters are complex; all are fairly one dimensional. But I didn’t choose this book to be challenged; I chose it for the sheer escape value. And in that department, it delivers.
Sometimes you just want a mindless light read, and this book fits the bill.
A typical light read from Nancy Thayer. Love the setting of Nantucket. Some of the characters were OK, others not so much. I found the main character, Alison, a bit flighty, and insipid and annoyingly perpetually cheerful. None of the characters are complex; all are fairly one dimensional. But I didn’t choose this book to be challenged; I chose it for the sheer escape value. And in that department, it delivers.
Sometimes you just want a mindless light read, and this book fits the bill.
May 13, 2018
Nancy Thayer definitely knows how to write the best summer reads. This book is no exception. What a perfect location for a wedding - Nantucket.
Alison is happily planning her wedding to David. She lost her husband a few years ago and never expected to remarry, but then she met David and fell in love. Now, they try to combine their already grown children and families together, which is far from easy.
Alison’s daughters Jane and Felicity are married with families of their own, but both are dealing with troubled marriages. Jane wants nothing more than to have her children. Unfortunately, that’s the last thing her husband wants. Felicity has two beautiful children, but her husband seems to have a wandering eye and it’s not wandering in Felicity’s direction. Both women have to figure out what they want to do.
David’s son, Ethan, is going through marital difficulties of his own. Not to mention that he’s a handsome flirt who Jane finds herself attracted to. Alison can’t help but worry about both her daughters in the midst of preparing for a romantic wedding.
This is a delightful story of growth and second chances. These are all characters readers will find themselves truly caring about. This book makes for a pleasant interlude and a relaxing afternoon. I really need to catch up on Nancy Thayer’s books.
FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Alison is happily planning her wedding to David. She lost her husband a few years ago and never expected to remarry, but then she met David and fell in love. Now, they try to combine their already grown children and families together, which is far from easy.
Alison’s daughters Jane and Felicity are married with families of their own, but both are dealing with troubled marriages. Jane wants nothing more than to have her children. Unfortunately, that’s the last thing her husband wants. Felicity has two beautiful children, but her husband seems to have a wandering eye and it’s not wandering in Felicity’s direction. Both women have to figure out what they want to do.
David’s son, Ethan, is going through marital difficulties of his own. Not to mention that he’s a handsome flirt who Jane finds herself attracted to. Alison can’t help but worry about both her daughters in the midst of preparing for a romantic wedding.
This is a delightful story of growth and second chances. These are all characters readers will find themselves truly caring about. This book makes for a pleasant interlude and a relaxing afternoon. I really need to catch up on Nancy Thayer’s books.
FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
May 8, 2018
3. 5 stars for this entertaining read. I have never read Thayer before and didn't know what to expect. I will happily add more by the author. This was about a family coming together. Allison and David are getting married. David has a good bit of money...and has that fantastic beach house in Nantucket. Allison wants to bring their grown children together (and grandchildren) to get to know one another before the big event. The Nantucket summer house is the perfect location!
All is not a bed or roses and some character's defects are revealed. I won't spoil that for ya. The descriptions of the setting were spot on and easy to imagine. I could certainly take delight in a vacay there. I enjoyed getting to know the characters. All is not perfect for anyone; and we find all are human and flawed. Lots of family trials and tribulations. But, I could see this as a highly pleasurable Hallmark movie that I'd love watching on a Sunday afternoon curled up with a kitty or 3. I keep imagining that house!
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital copy to review. I highly recommend it! If I hadn't been so busy, it would have made the perfect beach read for me. It turns out my backyard was just fine.
All is not a bed or roses and some character's defects are revealed. I won't spoil that for ya. The descriptions of the setting were spot on and easy to imagine. I could certainly take delight in a vacay there. I enjoyed getting to know the characters. All is not perfect for anyone; and we find all are human and flawed. Lots of family trials and tribulations. But, I could see this as a highly pleasurable Hallmark movie that I'd love watching on a Sunday afternoon curled up with a kitty or 3. I keep imagining that house!
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital copy to review. I highly recommend it! If I hadn't been so busy, it would have made the perfect beach read for me. It turns out my backyard was just fine.
July 12, 2018
Blech! I was looking forward to reading a great summer romance. This was not it. Boring! And I didn't much care about the characters.
May 30, 2018
My 2nd read by Thayer who's proven again she's at the higher echelon of "light beach reads" if that's what you're looking for. Every time I thought she was wading into cliche/shallow, she'd turn around and give a little dose of depth. And as soon as I'd judged her characters as prototypical, I found myself shocked & awed that she'd DEAD ON duplicated my spouse & me at her characters' ages!! No kidding, I couldn't have written my partner (a.k.a. Scott) any better if I'd tried. I may have nixed this after Chapt 1 had it not been recommended by my online book group, but it turned out to be a great kick-off to summer. Look out, beach vaca, here I come!
July 15, 2019
I just recently spent a weekend on Nantucket, and I couldn't leave the island without purchasing a Nantucket book from a local author (and I've already read every Elin Hilderbrand book out there!), so I decided to give A Nantucket Wedding by Nancy Thayer a try. It was my first Nancy Thayer book, and I'm still on the fence whether it will be a one-and-done or not.
I have to start off by saying that Thayer, by far, writes the most descriptive books of Nantucket that I have read - from restaurants, to beaches, to bookstores and museums, she references them all - I felt as if I were right back on Nantucket and truly bought into her concept that it is a place to leave your troubles at the door (or at the ferry, in this case) and lose yourself in the island life. I very much appreciated that essence of the book. For me, though, the enamorment ended with the descriptiveness, as the plot and characters both fell flat for me. The premise of two fifty-somethings finding love again and planning a Nantucket wedding was all fine and well, but these two families were rather insufferable. I found them all pretentious and spoiled (oh to have my biggest concern of the weekend be whether the housekeeper put out enough fresh towels, and did I buy enough Japanese-bred beef to feed the entire family ...). Of course, blending of the two grown families does not go as planned, but in the end, everything comes up roses for all.
The characters made me shake my head more than once. Some of the statements - egads! At one point when one of the daughters, Felicity, confronts her husband about having an affair, his response was "doctors and nurses have sex with each other wherever and whenever they can to release pressure and stop thinking for a moment." And Felicity's response to that resembled okay, well you just need to wake up to an ocean view and a swim on Nantucket to make you forget about her. Seriously? And then her husband tells her that he can't stand her family and says he will stop seeing his assistant if she cuts all ties with her family; then a week later, her family invests a million dollars in his company and he's all I-love-your-family-and-now-I-love-you-again-so- let’s-all-go-get-ice-cream-and-be-a-happy-family. Weird. And that is just one example - all of the kids have bizarre, eye-rolling behavior that, I don't care if you're rich as Midas with his golden touch, it's not real life, folks. Also, a side note that seemed to go unchecked and unrealized in this book - kissing, making out and having your hands underneath one person's clothing, while you’re married to another is cheating. Alas, though, like I said, it is all seemingly forgotten and everything is tied up with a nice, shiny bow in the last few pages. Despite all of the effort to appear so, there were no strong, independent women in this book whatsoever.
While I knew this was a "beach read" and didn't go into it expecting it to be another War and Peace, it was just a little too Brady Bunch for me. I may give Nancy Thayer another try, but not likely based on this one. 2 stars.
I have to start off by saying that Thayer, by far, writes the most descriptive books of Nantucket that I have read - from restaurants, to beaches, to bookstores and museums, she references them all - I felt as if I were right back on Nantucket and truly bought into her concept that it is a place to leave your troubles at the door (or at the ferry, in this case) and lose yourself in the island life. I very much appreciated that essence of the book. For me, though, the enamorment ended with the descriptiveness, as the plot and characters both fell flat for me. The premise of two fifty-somethings finding love again and planning a Nantucket wedding was all fine and well, but these two families were rather insufferable. I found them all pretentious and spoiled (oh to have my biggest concern of the weekend be whether the housekeeper put out enough fresh towels, and did I buy enough Japanese-bred beef to feed the entire family ...). Of course, blending of the two grown families does not go as planned, but in the end, everything comes up roses for all.
The characters made me shake my head more than once. Some of the statements - egads! At one point when one of the daughters, Felicity, confronts her husband about having an affair, his response was "doctors and nurses have sex with each other wherever and whenever they can to release pressure and stop thinking for a moment." And Felicity's response to that resembled okay, well you just need to wake up to an ocean view and a swim on Nantucket to make you forget about her. Seriously? And then her husband tells her that he can't stand her family and says he will stop seeing his assistant if she cuts all ties with her family; then a week later, her family invests a million dollars in his company and he's all I-love-your-family-and-now-I-love-you-again-so- let’s-all-go-get-ice-cream-and-be-a-happy-family. Weird. And that is just one example - all of the kids have bizarre, eye-rolling behavior that, I don't care if you're rich as Midas with his golden touch, it's not real life, folks. Also, a side note that seemed to go unchecked and unrealized in this book - kissing, making out and having your hands underneath one person's clothing, while you’re married to another is cheating. Alas, though, like I said, it is all seemingly forgotten and everything is tied up with a nice, shiny bow in the last few pages. Despite all of the effort to appear so, there were no strong, independent women in this book whatsoever.
While I knew this was a "beach read" and didn't go into it expecting it to be another War and Peace, it was just a little too Brady Bunch for me. I may give Nancy Thayer another try, but not likely based on this one. 2 stars.
July 3, 2018
A fun little romp getting ready for a mature woman getting her third chance at true love.
However, Alison has 2 grown daughters and they have more than enough drama to derail this beautiful wedding. Not sure if the author went a little over the top in providing the marital problems for these sisters, but it was fun.
Add a bratty future stepsister and a future stepbrother who seems ready to seduce anything female, as well as 5 grandchildren and anything can happen.
Not as much chemistry as I would like but it was nice piece of fluff between psychological thrillers.
However, Alison has 2 grown daughters and they have more than enough drama to derail this beautiful wedding. Not sure if the author went a little over the top in providing the marital problems for these sisters, but it was fun.
Add a bratty future stepsister and a future stepbrother who seems ready to seduce anything female, as well as 5 grandchildren and anything can happen.
Not as much chemistry as I would like but it was nice piece of fluff between psychological thrillers.
August 27, 2018
I quit reading on page 19 when a 20-something character said "Golly! You're handsome. And I can say that because I'm an old married woman." meanwhile "Lightning streaked up Jane's arm" from a handshake with this handsome man. It was too cheesy. I rolled my eyes, closed this book and said I'm done.
April 3, 2018
Nancy Thayer is one of my favorite authors. I've read a number of her books and find all of them to focus on relationships between women. This is no different. Alison is a 50+ woman who has found happiness after losing her first husband. She's marrying for the second time on Nantucket. Her daughters, Jane and Felicity, are a big part of her life and she initially invites them to the house on Nantucket for a girl's weekend. Soon after, her fiance's children, Poppy and Ethan, are introduced and the story really finds it's legs. Family dynamics are an important part of this book, both between Alison and David's families and between the families who will become blended after wedding.
This book is funny some times and incredibly sad on other occasions. I enjoyed it immensely and recommend it highly to women who love books about relationships and the chaos they can bring.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House-Ballentine for the opportunity to read and review this book.
This book is funny some times and incredibly sad on other occasions. I enjoyed it immensely and recommend it highly to women who love books about relationships and the chaos they can bring.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House-Ballentine for the opportunity to read and review this book.
April 23, 2018
Thanks to the publisher for this review copy!
Okay, this one was just fun and delicious! The fabulous beach setting and the family dynamics made for a frothy read that I sped right through. The wedding is more of a culminating event and reason for some drama, however, this is much more of a family beach story than a wedding story. All around a light, summery read by a trusted author in this genre!
Okay, this one was just fun and delicious! The fabulous beach setting and the family dynamics made for a frothy read that I sped right through. The wedding is more of a culminating event and reason for some drama, however, this is much more of a family beach story than a wedding story. All around a light, summery read by a trusted author in this genre!
October 1, 2018
Didn’t care for the characters or the story, it wasn’t interesting and a lot of it felt unbelievable. Most of what was happening was just annoying to read.
Also I have to disagree because I’d say kissing someone when you are married is in fact cheating. Along with many other aspects I disagreed with in the book.
Also I have to disagree because I’d say kissing someone when you are married is in fact cheating. Along with many other aspects I disagreed with in the book.
April 17, 2018
Sometimes you just need a light fluffy book after a bad week and this was the perfect one for me.
June 15, 2018
Really enjoy this authors books!
June 23, 2018
I had a hard time getting past chapter 7 of A Nantucket Wedding with the self-absorbed, whining women to whom we are introduced in this book. The conversations are banal, disconnected and in a very ugly way, very bragging about how rich everyone is and how wonderful it is to be so.
One daughter of the bride mentally whined when someone handed her a paper towel to wipe her child’s face instead of a cloth - oh the horrors! while the daughter of the wealthy groom (who spent the family weekend running to check the Red Sox score, in what was evidently the longest game in baseball history) whined because she was offered a choice of knee length dresses for the wedding but being pregnant she might possibly have varicose veins, so could the bride and everyone else change dresses or even better, the wedding date for her? Oh no! Someone tell her she’s not the star of the wedding.
Further, never in any “romantic” beach read have I heard a bride describe her preferred way to cook bacon . . in detail .. . page 88: “ Have we got enough bacon . . . yes. I’ll start microwaving it. I prefer doing it this way because the fat soaks into the paper towel . . . ”
Nancy Thayer should fire both her editor and proofreader for ignoring so many ridiculous mistakes, not the least of which is having Jane’s husband Scott going off to midnight Mass with Alice, her infant niece . . . to escape the noise from baby Alice (pg 240). Good grief. This was a typo that should have been caught – by everyone reading the book! Nancy Thayer has written 30 books. Surely after all this time she deserves a better editor and proofreader than she has.
A Nantucket Wedding is a disappointing lack of effort by Nancy Thayer whose other books I’ve read I greatly enjoyed. Nancy clearly focused on writing in great detail the magical way her beloved Nantucket engages the senses (which she did beautifully) and evidently took romance advice from a newly hormonal post-pubescent teenage girl imagining what romance - “ You’ve got beautiful hair, Scott, so dark and thick, like an animal’s pelt. ” - said the 30-something high powered attorney to her husband of more than a few years - and family are.
< 1 star
One daughter of the bride mentally whined when someone handed her a paper towel to wipe her child’s face instead of a cloth - oh the horrors! while the daughter of the wealthy groom (who spent the family weekend running to check the Red Sox score, in what was evidently the longest game in baseball history) whined because she was offered a choice of knee length dresses for the wedding but being pregnant she might possibly have varicose veins, so could the bride and everyone else change dresses or even better, the wedding date for her? Oh no! Someone tell her she’s not the star of the wedding.
Further, never in any “romantic” beach read have I heard a bride describe her preferred way to cook bacon . . in detail .. . page 88: “ Have we got enough bacon . . . yes. I’ll start microwaving it. I prefer doing it this way because the fat soaks into the paper towel . . . ”
Nancy Thayer should fire both her editor and proofreader for ignoring so many ridiculous mistakes, not the least of which is having Jane’s husband Scott going off to midnight Mass with Alice, her infant niece . . . to escape the noise from baby Alice (pg 240). Good grief. This was a typo that should have been caught – by everyone reading the book! Nancy Thayer has written 30 books. Surely after all this time she deserves a better editor and proofreader than she has.
A Nantucket Wedding is a disappointing lack of effort by Nancy Thayer whose other books I’ve read I greatly enjoyed. Nancy clearly focused on writing in great detail the magical way her beloved Nantucket engages the senses (which she did beautifully) and evidently took romance advice from a newly hormonal post-pubescent teenage girl imagining what romance - “ You’ve got beautiful hair, Scott, so dark and thick, like an animal’s pelt. ” - said the 30-something high powered attorney to her husband of more than a few years - and family are.
< 1 star
February 8, 2018
Thank you to NetGalley.com for the opportunity to read an Advanced Reader Copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Always a given for a spring beach read, Nancy Thayer swings and misses on this one. The plot has too many large holes that get a quick patch without true resolution – then why mention them in the first place (like Heather and her support dogs – the reason for them is never mentioned, so why even have it), Alison’s daughters seem to begin to treat this Nantucket beach house like its their own well before the wedding – I am totally #TeamPoppy when she brings up concerns about money prior to the wedding.
What I loved: It was a treat to not have the entire book based on the Island and I am very thankful for the usualy restaurants and bars NOT to be mentioned . I’ve read all of your books. I know where people eat, shop, drink and go on Nantucket without every having to be there. But it was nice to see all 4 women join forces to be catty against newcomer Esmerelda..
What I didn’t love: Where to begin? The men in the book are all kind of major jerks: David is a little controlling; Steve is close minded to the point of stubbornness; Noah is a hipster douchebag, and Ethan – there are no words to describe him. Poppy’s husband is pretty much unmentionable since he barely gets a mention in the book. The women are really no better – Jane being hypocritical; Felicity is just fricken clueless (seriously – you won’t bring $2400 a month to the table – there are things like taxes, social security.. she is a half-wit); Poppy is a petulant spoiled brat who has a crappy attitude towards work, although she gets a pass from the hormones; and Alison - well I see where Felicity gets her cluelessness from. Alison is so passive in her own life and just lets everything happen – seriously - how about you take an active role in your wedding and then tell Esmerela to cut the crap about the head flower girl.
What I learned: Maybe its time for a new summer destination
Overall Grade: C
www.FluffSmutandMurder.com
July 2, 2018
When older couple (Alison and David) decide to marry, how will their grown children (Jane, Felicity, Ethan, and Poppy) react?
After losing her beloved husband, Mark, a few years ago, Alison was surprised to have found love again with David. When they decide to marry, how will their grown children react to the news? Will the wedding celebration bring the whole family together, or tear them apart?
Alison's daughters:
* Jane - husband Scott, both lawyers focused on their careers, but Jane is harboring a secret that could tear her marriage apart
* Felicity - husband Noah, mother of 7 yo Alice and 5 yo Luke, stay at home mom
David's children:
* Ethan - ex-wife Esmeralda who lives in Peru, 9 yo daughter Canny/Cantuta
* Poppy - husband Patrick, 8 yo daughter Daphne and 6 yo son Hunter, set to inherit English Garden Creams, her family's skin-care company
This was a fun, lighthearted read, perfect for a day at the beach! In addition, I would also recommend one of my favorite books from Nancy Thayer, Secrets in Summer (4 stars), about a librarian who lives on Nantucket Island and whose life was changed forever after she befriended a few of the summer visitors.
Thank you to the author and the publisher for an advance copy of this book! All opinions are my own.
Locations: Nantucket MA, Boston MA, and New York City
After losing her beloved husband, Mark, a few years ago, Alison was surprised to have found love again with David. When they decide to marry, how will their grown children react to the news? Will the wedding celebration bring the whole family together, or tear them apart?
Alison's daughters:
* Jane - husband Scott, both lawyers focused on their careers, but Jane is harboring a secret that could tear her marriage apart
* Felicity - husband Noah, mother of 7 yo Alice and 5 yo Luke, stay at home mom
David's children:
* Ethan - ex-wife Esmeralda who lives in Peru, 9 yo daughter Canny/Cantuta
* Poppy - husband Patrick, 8 yo daughter Daphne and 6 yo son Hunter, set to inherit English Garden Creams, her family's skin-care company
This was a fun, lighthearted read, perfect for a day at the beach! In addition, I would also recommend one of my favorite books from Nancy Thayer, Secrets in Summer (4 stars), about a librarian who lives on Nantucket Island and whose life was changed forever after she befriended a few of the summer visitors.
Thank you to the author and the publisher for an advance copy of this book! All opinions are my own.
Locations: Nantucket MA, Boston MA, and New York City
July 4, 2023
Great summer read about a fabulous house on Nantucket and two widowed parents trying to bring their families together for their upcoming fall wedding. Really enjoyed it!
June 17, 2018
This was the first book from Modern Mrs. Darcy's summer reading guide that came in at the library this year. In the comments on that blog post, I read that many readers start their summer reading with a Nancy Thayer book since it's so "beach read-y". It was fun and fluffy about an older widowed couple getting married in Nantucket and blending their slightly dysfunctional families together. The bride-to-be, Allison, was a really likable matriarchal, hospitable character. The scenery was fabulous and made me want to be on the beach. And as a bonus, their was a lot of food descriptions in the book - it all sounded delicious!
November 19, 2018
I voluntarily read a advanced reader's copy of this book.
I've read books by Nancy Thayer in the past and always enjoyed them. A Nantucket Wedding by Ms. Thayer hasn't disappointed me. I've enjoyed the beach setting, the combined families storyline and the great characters. A great beach read. Look forward to reading more books by Nancy Thayer.
I've read books by Nancy Thayer in the past and always enjoyed them. A Nantucket Wedding by Ms. Thayer hasn't disappointed me. I've enjoyed the beach setting, the combined families storyline and the great characters. A great beach read. Look forward to reading more books by Nancy Thayer.
April 2, 2018
A Nantucket Wedding was such an enjoyable read for me, following this blended family wasn’t without some drama though. It can be a little tricky when it comes to having adult children, who also have their own children when remarrying a man who also has his own grown children as well.
Allison and David have falling in love, they might be in their 50’s, but they act like a young couple madly in love. Deciding to get married seemed perfect to them, now they just had to introduce all of their children to each other. The house on Nantucket Island was a great place for this to take place, they would have the space and time to get to know each other. It really didn’t go as well as they were hoping would though. Allison’s daughters relationship was always filled with jealousy of one another, maybe the summer together will help. while David’s children have been brought up with money and privilege, one is supportive while the other not so much.
There are quite a few characters in this story, while Allison is our main one, she is a wonderfully strong women and I just adored her. Her daughter Felicity is married, a stay at home mother of two children, but there are issues with the marriage, which comes to light within the story. While Jane the other daughter, is a married and both her and her husband are pretty successful attorneys and even with all the success she feels that ther is something missing from her marriage, something her husband wants no part of. These two sisters are quite different, and yes they might bicker but I after learning more about both them, it was clear they did love each other dearly and wanted each other to be happy.
David’s children were a little different, Poppy is a little uptight, but very protective of her father and I don’t think she was a fan of Allison’s. Allison tried her hardest with Poppy and I have to give her that, I would have probably wanted to give a time or two. Poppy was a handful. Ethan on the other hand, was more laid back, and even a little on the flirty side and I really like him though. David seemed to be a good man, but I would have liked to see him deal more with his grown children, espeically where Allison was concerned. Thayer wrote each of these characters with their own very distinct pesonalities, and it was easy to get pulled into their lives, flaws and all and want to root for them. Mix in some grandchildren and different parenting ideas, and the upcoming wedding, you have a house full of tension and drama.
The story moves at quick engaging pace, but this families journey wasn’t without heart break, but also brought some enlightenment to a few of them. The wedding of Allison and David brought their very different families together, and it warmed my heart to see how everything worked out them all. This would make for a wonderful summer beach read, and I can’t recommend reading this enough, it was truly a beautiful story.
Allison and David have falling in love, they might be in their 50’s, but they act like a young couple madly in love. Deciding to get married seemed perfect to them, now they just had to introduce all of their children to each other. The house on Nantucket Island was a great place for this to take place, they would have the space and time to get to know each other. It really didn’t go as well as they were hoping would though. Allison’s daughters relationship was always filled with jealousy of one another, maybe the summer together will help. while David’s children have been brought up with money and privilege, one is supportive while the other not so much.
There are quite a few characters in this story, while Allison is our main one, she is a wonderfully strong women and I just adored her. Her daughter Felicity is married, a stay at home mother of two children, but there are issues with the marriage, which comes to light within the story. While Jane the other daughter, is a married and both her and her husband are pretty successful attorneys and even with all the success she feels that ther is something missing from her marriage, something her husband wants no part of. These two sisters are quite different, and yes they might bicker but I after learning more about both them, it was clear they did love each other dearly and wanted each other to be happy.
David’s children were a little different, Poppy is a little uptight, but very protective of her father and I don’t think she was a fan of Allison’s. Allison tried her hardest with Poppy and I have to give her that, I would have probably wanted to give a time or two. Poppy was a handful. Ethan on the other hand, was more laid back, and even a little on the flirty side and I really like him though. David seemed to be a good man, but I would have liked to see him deal more with his grown children, espeically where Allison was concerned. Thayer wrote each of these characters with their own very distinct pesonalities, and it was easy to get pulled into their lives, flaws and all and want to root for them. Mix in some grandchildren and different parenting ideas, and the upcoming wedding, you have a house full of tension and drama.
The story moves at quick engaging pace, but this families journey wasn’t without heart break, but also brought some enlightenment to a few of them. The wedding of Allison and David brought their very different families together, and it warmed my heart to see how everything worked out them all. This would make for a wonderful summer beach read, and I can’t recommend reading this enough, it was truly a beautiful story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 729 reviews