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Boardwalk Summer
In this new novel from the author of The Dressmaker’s Dowry, two young women two generations apart discover the joy and heartbreak of following their dreams. Aspiring Hollywood actress Violet makes a shocking choice in 1940, and seventy years later, Mari sets out to discover what happened on that long ago summer.
Santa Cruz, Summer 1940: When auburn-haired Violet Harcourt is crowned Miss California on the boardwalk of her hometown, she knows she is one step closer to her cherished dream: a Hollywood screen test. But Violet’s victory comes with a price—discord in her seemingly perfect marriage—and she grapples with how much more she is willing to pay.
Summer 2007: Single mother Marisol Cruz lives with her parents in the charming beach cottage that belonged to her grandfather, Ricardo, once a famed performer on the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Drawn to the town’s local history and the quaint gazebo where her grandparents danced beneath the stars, Mari sells raffle tickets at the Beach Boardwalk Centennial Celebration, and meets Jason, a California transplant from Chicago.
When Mari discovers the obituary of Violet Harcourt, a beauty queen who died too young, she and Jason are sent on a journey together that will uncover her grandfather’s lifelong secret—his connection to Violet—a story of tragedy and courage that will forever transform them.
Santa Cruz, Summer 1940: When auburn-haired Violet Harcourt is crowned Miss California on the boardwalk of her hometown, she knows she is one step closer to her cherished dream: a Hollywood screen test. But Violet’s victory comes with a price—discord in her seemingly perfect marriage—and she grapples with how much more she is willing to pay.
Summer 2007: Single mother Marisol Cruz lives with her parents in the charming beach cottage that belonged to her grandfather, Ricardo, once a famed performer on the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Drawn to the town’s local history and the quaint gazebo where her grandparents danced beneath the stars, Mari sells raffle tickets at the Beach Boardwalk Centennial Celebration, and meets Jason, a California transplant from Chicago.
When Mari discovers the obituary of Violet Harcourt, a beauty queen who died too young, she and Jason are sent on a journey together that will uncover her grandfather’s lifelong secret—his connection to Violet—a story of tragedy and courage that will forever transform them.
371 pages, Paperback
First published June 19, 2018
220 people are currently reading
4695 people want to read
About the author
Meredith Jaeger
4 books342 followersMeredith Jaeger is the USA Today bestselling author of four dual-timeline historical novels: THE INCORRIGIBLES, THE PILOT'S DAUGHTER, BOARDWALK SUMMER and THE DRESSMAKER'S DOWRY. She's a native of the San Francisco Bay Area, where she was raised by a Swiss father and an American mother.
THE INCORRIGIBLES is a Historical Novel Society's editor's choice in Historical Novel's Review magazine. Editor Kathryn Bashaar writes, "I found the book hard to put down and read all 354 pages in just two days. Highly recommended."
Publishers Weekly called it, "moving and well-researched" while NYT bestselling author Katy Hayes says, "Jaeger is a master storyteller" and NYT bestselling author Lori Nelson Spielman says, "One of those rare books that both captivates and elucidates. I savored every page."
Meredith lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, two young children and neurotic Chihuahua-mix rescue. Follow her on Instagram @meredithjaegerauthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 327 reviews
September 5, 2018
Boardwalk Summer by Meredith Jaeger is a 2018 William Morrow Paperbacks publication.
Not your usual beach read-
Summer 1940-
Violet Harcourt, although married, enters a beauty contest at the urging of her friend. She never expected to win, but when she does, she's worried what her husband's reaction will be. But, despite her husband’s negativity and possessiveness, Violet is still holding on to her Hollywood dreams.
But, just when she catches a break, she abruptly leaves Hollywood behind stepping into a kind of mythology, as a murky mystery surrounds her, until she fades into obscurity. Until…
Summer 2007-
Single mother Marisol Cruz discovers her grandfather, a performer on the Beach Boardwalk, was somehow connected to Violet Harcourt, the former beauty queen.
As she begins to investigate the history of her town, the mystery of what happened to Violet Harcourt only deepens. With the help of Jason, a new guy in town, Marisol works to keep a historic and very sentimental part of her town, and personal heritage, from being demolished, all while learning more about her grandfather and Violet. Her digging around into the past will lead to a revelation – or two- that will leave everyone involved in deep shock.
I always have a tendency to overload myself with 'holiday' or 'seasonal' books, and this summer was no exception. So, it's after Labor Day and I'm still scrambling to get my 'beach reads' finished before fall sets in. Just like with Halloween or Christmas themed novels, I won't be able to squeeze them all in, but I am glad I chose this one as one my last summertime selections.
However, don’t let the cover of this book fool you, or the rather benign blurb/synopsis- unless you are really good at reading between the lines.
I was taken aback by the dark storyline this book presented and had to make a mental adjustment after going into it with an entirely different frame of mind.
But, despite some very uncomfortable passages, once I settled into the book, I became absorbed in Violet’s seedy introductions to Hollywood- the dark side, she wasn’t prepared for, and the trap she found herself in.
As I have often mused, it is usually the historical part of a dual timeline I find the most appealing. That mostly holds true here, too, but the ‘present day’ thread is just as interesting, with plenty of emotion and intrigue. Certain areas of the plot became a little predictable, but it didn’t affect my enjoyment of the book. I loved, loved, loved the way the plot wound around to blend the two storylines together in such a sweet and wonderful way.
I had expected a book with a much lighter tone, but at the end of the day, despite the darker tone, I am glad this book surprised me by its depth.
When all was said and done, this was a terrific story, with a very special ending.
4 stars
Not your usual beach read-
Summer 1940-
Violet Harcourt, although married, enters a beauty contest at the urging of her friend. She never expected to win, but when she does, she's worried what her husband's reaction will be. But, despite her husband’s negativity and possessiveness, Violet is still holding on to her Hollywood dreams.
But, just when she catches a break, she abruptly leaves Hollywood behind stepping into a kind of mythology, as a murky mystery surrounds her, until she fades into obscurity. Until…
Summer 2007-
Single mother Marisol Cruz discovers her grandfather, a performer on the Beach Boardwalk, was somehow connected to Violet Harcourt, the former beauty queen.
As she begins to investigate the history of her town, the mystery of what happened to Violet Harcourt only deepens. With the help of Jason, a new guy in town, Marisol works to keep a historic and very sentimental part of her town, and personal heritage, from being demolished, all while learning more about her grandfather and Violet. Her digging around into the past will lead to a revelation – or two- that will leave everyone involved in deep shock.
I always have a tendency to overload myself with 'holiday' or 'seasonal' books, and this summer was no exception. So, it's after Labor Day and I'm still scrambling to get my 'beach reads' finished before fall sets in. Just like with Halloween or Christmas themed novels, I won't be able to squeeze them all in, but I am glad I chose this one as one my last summertime selections.
However, don’t let the cover of this book fool you, or the rather benign blurb/synopsis- unless you are really good at reading between the lines.
I was taken aback by the dark storyline this book presented and had to make a mental adjustment after going into it with an entirely different frame of mind.
But, despite some very uncomfortable passages, once I settled into the book, I became absorbed in Violet’s seedy introductions to Hollywood- the dark side, she wasn’t prepared for, and the trap she found herself in.
As I have often mused, it is usually the historical part of a dual timeline I find the most appealing. That mostly holds true here, too, but the ‘present day’ thread is just as interesting, with plenty of emotion and intrigue. Certain areas of the plot became a little predictable, but it didn’t affect my enjoyment of the book. I loved, loved, loved the way the plot wound around to blend the two storylines together in such a sweet and wonderful way.
I had expected a book with a much lighter tone, but at the end of the day, despite the darker tone, I am glad this book surprised me by its depth.
When all was said and done, this was a terrific story, with a very special ending.
4 stars
June 18, 2018
4 refreshing as a sea breeze stars to Boardwalk Summer! 🍦🎡⛱ 🎠
Boardwalk Summer has two interesting timelines. Violet Harcourt, an aspiring actress and “bathing beauty” in 1940s Santa Cruz, California, and Marisol Cruz, single mom, living in 2007 Santa Cruz as well. Both stories take place during the summer with a stunning beach backdrop and all of the fun and intrigue of the Beach Boardwalk and its performers.
The book opens with Violet winning Miss Bathing Beauty; however, she has kept a big secret. Violet is married, which of course is a no-no, and in addition, her husband is none-too-pleased about her choices. Her marriage is now in shambles, and Violet feels she has only one way to escape, which is the light mystery at the center of the novel.
Marisol Cruz has been working as a waitress when she lands a job with the historical society of the boardwalk, somewhere she has dreamed of working her entire life. Mari’s grandfather was a performer at the boardwalk back in the 1940s, and somehow has a connection to Violet of which Mari works desperately to uncover.
Boardwalk Summer is the ideal book to throw in your beach bag. It is easy reading with characters to love. There is a subtle mystery that kept my interest, and I wished I was surrounded by sand and a boardwalk to people watch. My favorite aspect of the book was the relationships, especially Mari and Jason’s.
Thank you to Meredith Jaeger, William Morrow Paperbacks, and Edelweiss for the copy to review. Boardwalk Summer will be published on June 19, 2018.
My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
Boardwalk Summer has two interesting timelines. Violet Harcourt, an aspiring actress and “bathing beauty” in 1940s Santa Cruz, California, and Marisol Cruz, single mom, living in 2007 Santa Cruz as well. Both stories take place during the summer with a stunning beach backdrop and all of the fun and intrigue of the Beach Boardwalk and its performers.
The book opens with Violet winning Miss Bathing Beauty; however, she has kept a big secret. Violet is married, which of course is a no-no, and in addition, her husband is none-too-pleased about her choices. Her marriage is now in shambles, and Violet feels she has only one way to escape, which is the light mystery at the center of the novel.
Marisol Cruz has been working as a waitress when she lands a job with the historical society of the boardwalk, somewhere she has dreamed of working her entire life. Mari’s grandfather was a performer at the boardwalk back in the 1940s, and somehow has a connection to Violet of which Mari works desperately to uncover.
Boardwalk Summer is the ideal book to throw in your beach bag. It is easy reading with characters to love. There is a subtle mystery that kept my interest, and I wished I was surrounded by sand and a boardwalk to people watch. My favorite aspect of the book was the relationships, especially Mari and Jason’s.
Thank you to Meredith Jaeger, William Morrow Paperbacks, and Edelweiss for the copy to review. Boardwalk Summer will be published on June 19, 2018.
My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
June 25, 2018
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review as part of a TLC Book Tour.
I absolutely loved everything about this book!
I was so excited to read this because it takes place in Santa Cruz, California. I just so happen to live in nearby San Jose (which is mentioned in passing a few times in the book) and have been to Santa Cruz and the boardwalk myself. It was really cool reading about a place that I was familiar with. The beach boardwalk was the place for end of the field trips while I was in school. Whenever the Giant Dipper or the carousel was mentioned, I got exited and was like, I’ve been on that!
This book has dual storylines: Violet’s story which takes place in 1940 and Mari’s story which takes place in 2007. I found both stories to be very compelling and I liked how they were connected. Usually when it comes to dual storylines, I’ll end up liking one story more than the other, but with this book, I loved them both!
I was so happy to see that Mari was Mexican American. It gave the book a realness that was refreshing. There are a lot of Mexican Americans in the Bay Area so it was nice to see that representation.
The whole tearing down the gazebo and building condos storyline in Mari’s part was so accurate. That happens so much in the Bay Area especially since the Silicon Valley tech boom. Developers are constantly trying to tear down things that have been here forever in order to build stuff the city doesn’t even need. I could relate to Mari’s opposition to it so much!
As for Violet and her storyline, I enjoyed how it portrayed the reality of Hollywood. It showed both the glamour and the grime of it. It especially important now because of the #MeToo movement.
Overall if you’re looking for a California beach read, then look no further, this book is for you! And from a local perspective, this was spot on!
I absolutely loved everything about this book!
I was so excited to read this because it takes place in Santa Cruz, California. I just so happen to live in nearby San Jose (which is mentioned in passing a few times in the book) and have been to Santa Cruz and the boardwalk myself. It was really cool reading about a place that I was familiar with. The beach boardwalk was the place for end of the field trips while I was in school. Whenever the Giant Dipper or the carousel was mentioned, I got exited and was like, I’ve been on that!
This book has dual storylines: Violet’s story which takes place in 1940 and Mari’s story which takes place in 2007. I found both stories to be very compelling and I liked how they were connected. Usually when it comes to dual storylines, I’ll end up liking one story more than the other, but with this book, I loved them both!
I was so happy to see that Mari was Mexican American. It gave the book a realness that was refreshing. There are a lot of Mexican Americans in the Bay Area so it was nice to see that representation.
The whole tearing down the gazebo and building condos storyline in Mari’s part was so accurate. That happens so much in the Bay Area especially since the Silicon Valley tech boom. Developers are constantly trying to tear down things that have been here forever in order to build stuff the city doesn’t even need. I could relate to Mari’s opposition to it so much!
As for Violet and her storyline, I enjoyed how it portrayed the reality of Hollywood. It showed both the glamour and the grime of it. It especially important now because of the #MeToo movement.
Overall if you’re looking for a California beach read, then look no further, this book is for you! And from a local perspective, this was spot on!
June 19, 2018
Mari, Violet, and Ricardo have a connection.
No one knew about the connection until Mari decided to do some research.
BOARDWALK SUMMER smoothly goes back and forth from 1940 to 2010.
Violet is married, enters a beauty pageant in 1940, wins the pageant, but then relinquishes the win because only unmarried women are allowed to enter. She also gives up the crown because her abusive, controlling husband was furious. Violet then does a few unlikely and out-of-character things.
Mari is an unmarried mother in 2010 who works as a waitress even though she has a history degree. Her history degree has her uncovering information about Violet and the history of a gazebo where her grandparents met while dancing. The gazebo is currently slated to be torn down, but Mari just can't let that happen. Her research leads to unpleasant secrets about the connection between Violet and Ricardo as well as many other family secrets.
Ricardo is Mari's grandfather who used to perform on the Boardwalk. He and Violet were friends.
BOARDWALK SUMMER was a beautiful read for me. The story line and the characters are heartwarming and unique.
Mari was precious along with her entire family. Violet was sweet, but naive. You can't help but feel pangs of pity as well as love for both of them.
Historical fiction fans, those that enjoy family sagas, and anyone who loves an endearing story about families and their family history will enjoy BOARDWALK SUMMER.
Don’t miss reading Ms. Jaeger’s newest gem. Loved it.
Tissues needed not for sadness, but for the happiness I felt for the characters. 5/5
This book was given to me free of charge and without compensation by the publisher and NetGalley in return for an honest review.
June 4, 2018
4.5/5
Before I get into my thoughts on the book I’m so excited to share that my friend Jamie and I are starting a new collaboration and it starts today! Jamie is an avid reviewer on Goodreads and Instagram and we both read super fast and have very similar taste in books, though we don’t always agree 😜Boardwalk Summer is the first of our many planned buddy reads where I’ll be sharing my thoughts as usual but you’ll get the added bonus of hearing what Jamie thought as well. Hope you guys enjoy this and say hi to Jamie on Instagram if you don’t already know her!
Do you ever start a book and know pretty quickly that it’ll be one that you’ll love? Maybe it’s the authors writing style or maybe it’s the subject matter or you connect immediately with a character, or maybe it’s a little bit of everything. When this does happen it’s kind of magical and I had the good fortune to have that experience when I read just two chapters of this beauty!
This flips between Violet in 1940 and Mari in 2007 and goes back and forth every chapter. I was quickly invested in Violet’s story, not only because her personal plot line was fascinating but also because nothing draws me in faster from a historical perspective than old school Hollywood glamour, I swear I swoon. Mari was the type of character that I easily liked, she’s a strong single mother who’s proud of her family heritage with a side of spicy spitfire and a loving but tough mama bear as well. I did guess a few things very early on but then Jaeger totally caught me off guard with a surprising plot turn that I totally never saw coming but loved all the same.
This was very well written and well researched, Jaeger brought the city of Santa Cruz to life both in the past and the recent present, it sounds like such a charming town and one I’m longing to visit now. She also has a social conscience that is evident and I appreciated the issues she explored. The history, culture and idyllic sounding boardwalk itself all blended together to create the type of setting that truly transports the reader. There was way more of a mysterious aspect to the story than I had anticipated and there was also some sweet romance too. Both lead characters were strong, fearless women and were well developed, I really cared about both of them in the end and was sad to turn the final page.
Boardwalk Summer in three words: Mesmerizing, Fascinating and Gorgeous.
Before I get into my thoughts on the book I’m so excited to share that my friend Jamie and I are starting a new collaboration and it starts today! Jamie is an avid reviewer on Goodreads and Instagram and we both read super fast and have very similar taste in books, though we don’t always agree 😜Boardwalk Summer is the first of our many planned buddy reads where I’ll be sharing my thoughts as usual but you’ll get the added bonus of hearing what Jamie thought as well. Hope you guys enjoy this and say hi to Jamie on Instagram if you don’t already know her!
Do you ever start a book and know pretty quickly that it’ll be one that you’ll love? Maybe it’s the authors writing style or maybe it’s the subject matter or you connect immediately with a character, or maybe it’s a little bit of everything. When this does happen it’s kind of magical and I had the good fortune to have that experience when I read just two chapters of this beauty!
This flips between Violet in 1940 and Mari in 2007 and goes back and forth every chapter. I was quickly invested in Violet’s story, not only because her personal plot line was fascinating but also because nothing draws me in faster from a historical perspective than old school Hollywood glamour, I swear I swoon. Mari was the type of character that I easily liked, she’s a strong single mother who’s proud of her family heritage with a side of spicy spitfire and a loving but tough mama bear as well. I did guess a few things very early on but then Jaeger totally caught me off guard with a surprising plot turn that I totally never saw coming but loved all the same.
This was very well written and well researched, Jaeger brought the city of Santa Cruz to life both in the past and the recent present, it sounds like such a charming town and one I’m longing to visit now. She also has a social conscience that is evident and I appreciated the issues she explored. The history, culture and idyllic sounding boardwalk itself all blended together to create the type of setting that truly transports the reader. There was way more of a mysterious aspect to the story than I had anticipated and there was also some sweet romance too. Both lead characters were strong, fearless women and were well developed, I really cared about both of them in the end and was sad to turn the final page.
Boardwalk Summer in three words: Mesmerizing, Fascinating and Gorgeous.
July 9, 2018
It's 1940 and Violet Harcourt has entered the Miss California contest. Her ultimate goal is to become an actress in Hollywood. But there's one problem. You have to be single to be Miss California and well, she isn't. She is married to Charles, a good looking and wealthy businessman who seems to be perfect, but underneath the facade is an abusive jerk. Once he finds out that Violet is competing, he is going to make her pay. Fast forward to 2007 and we meet Mari Cruz, a young single mother who works with the local museum in Santa Cruz. Officials want to tear down the town's historic gazebo, but it holds a special place in Mari's heart as it's part of her family's history. When studying her family's history as well as the town's, she comes across information about her grandfather and his connection to a beauty queen, Violet Harcourt. Violet made headlines when she died an untimely death in Santa Cruz. How is her grandfather connected to Violet and what exactly happened to her? Boardwalk Summer by Meredith Jaeger has everything that I enjoy in a historical beach read.
Read the rest of my review here: http://www.confessionsofabookaddict.c...
Read the rest of my review here: http://www.confessionsofabookaddict.c...
January 24, 2018
Meredith Jaeger creates a compelling story that channels both the glamour and big dreams of old Hollywood with the charm and thrills of Santa Cruz’s boardwalk as two daring women risk everything to find love. Past and present meld together in unexpected ways to create a rollercoaster of mystery and adventure.
June 21, 2024
Don’t be fooled by the lovely cover.
Another reviewer said this book was “geared to reluctant readers” and I think that’s the best way to describe it. Everything from the large font, the simplistic plot, the overwhelming coincidences and the melodrama.
Its started out summery and the location was excellent but it quickly went downhill and became dark and then spun off in the direction of pure nonsense.
It’s trendy/formulaic in that there is a domestic violence plot, shoehorned romance, and everyone lives happily ever happened with enemies vanquished and marriage proposals all around.
Barf.
The 1940 plot, while fraught with historical inaccuracies, had potential but as soon as the domestic violence subplot entered it, I was rolling my eyes. It also got dark very quickly.
The modern storyline was pathetic: Marisol was unsympathetic, whingy and arrogant. I think we were supposed to feel sorry for her but I kinda didn't?
In summation, this isn’t a very riveting book. The modern romance was absurd. The coincidence was absurd. The connection between the plot lines was absurd. The ending was stomach churning.
Note to self: just because it has “summer” in the title, doesn’t mean it will be beachy, fun and nostalgic!
Another reviewer said this book was “geared to reluctant readers” and I think that’s the best way to describe it. Everything from the large font, the simplistic plot, the overwhelming coincidences and the melodrama.
Its started out summery and the location was excellent but it quickly went downhill and became dark and then spun off in the direction of pure nonsense.
It’s trendy/formulaic in that there is a domestic violence plot, shoehorned romance, and everyone lives happily ever happened with enemies vanquished and marriage proposals all around.
Barf.
The 1940 plot, while fraught with historical inaccuracies, had potential but as soon as the domestic violence subplot entered it, I was rolling my eyes. It also got dark very quickly.
The modern storyline was pathetic: Marisol was unsympathetic, whingy and arrogant. I think we were supposed to feel sorry for her but I kinda didn't?
In summation, this isn’t a very riveting book. The modern romance was absurd. The coincidence was absurd. The connection between the plot lines was absurd. The ending was stomach churning.
Note to self: just because it has “summer” in the title, doesn’t mean it will be beachy, fun and nostalgic!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 17, 2018
I really wanted to like this book. It has a lovely cover and features Santa Cruz, a city I enjoyed greatly when I lived in California, because the boardwalk was like a smaller version of what we have here in NJ. However, the writing is sophomoric- what I usually refer to as "geared for the reluctant reader", as well as filled with historical inaccuracy and left-wing bullshit. Right from the opening, I was annoyed with selfish characters entering a beauty pageant against the rules in order to attempt to be seen and photographed to try to get Hollywood screen tests....yet the married contestant seemed to think her husband wouldn't find out, as if photographs of the Miss California event wouldn't make the papers. Not only did this make no sense, but it made the character seem incredibly stupid. About the time our present day Hispanic heroine/waitress is lecturing the "dumb blonde" college students on history and scientifically incorrect PC terminology, I had to shut this one. No thanks. Back to the library you go. New releases without a waiting list always tend to disappoint.
July 26, 2018
I received this book in a goodreads giveaway. Thank you to William Morrow. I really enjoyed this historical fiction read. It takes place in two different times lines. I like how the author touched on the immigration issue. I found it very apt considering the way things are now in this country with all the immigration issues.. Great read..
November 24, 2021
The writing is awful, the story is cheesy. So bad.
June 19, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. I did not realize until after I finished the book that its author also wrote “The Dressmaker’s Dowry” which I really enjoyed.
The story alternates between Violet Harcourt in the 1940s and Marisol (Mari) Cruz in 2007. Violet Harcourt was a beautiful California girl who dreamed of making it big in Hollywood. Although married at the time to an abusive, controlling husband, she entered a local beauty pageant in her hometown of Santa Cruz and won. This was her ticket to Hollywood. Violet found that the glittering world of Hollywood didn’t meet her expectations. So she made a shocking choice that left people to wonder why this beauty queen died so young.
Then in 2007 single mother Mari, while researching the history of Santa Cruz, also her hometown, comes across the story of Violet’s death. She discovers that her grandfather Ricardo Cruz, once a famous Boardwalk performer, had a connection to Violet. So, of course, she had to find out what their connection was.
Everyone is keeping secrets – Violet, Mari, Mari’s grandfather. Why? Who were they protecting? And who will be harmed when the secrets are revealed?
This story of tragedy and courage kept me captivated. The characters were endearing – well, most of them. While there are moments of heartbreak, there are also moments of joy. Betrayal overcome by the bond of friendship. Cowardice excelled by love. It is a beautiful story that will linger with you like water lapping at your toes as the tide comes in.
I received an advance e-galley from Edelweiss and HarperCollins, the opinions are my own.
The story alternates between Violet Harcourt in the 1940s and Marisol (Mari) Cruz in 2007. Violet Harcourt was a beautiful California girl who dreamed of making it big in Hollywood. Although married at the time to an abusive, controlling husband, she entered a local beauty pageant in her hometown of Santa Cruz and won. This was her ticket to Hollywood. Violet found that the glittering world of Hollywood didn’t meet her expectations. So she made a shocking choice that left people to wonder why this beauty queen died so young.
Then in 2007 single mother Mari, while researching the history of Santa Cruz, also her hometown, comes across the story of Violet’s death. She discovers that her grandfather Ricardo Cruz, once a famous Boardwalk performer, had a connection to Violet. So, of course, she had to find out what their connection was.
Everyone is keeping secrets – Violet, Mari, Mari’s grandfather. Why? Who were they protecting? And who will be harmed when the secrets are revealed?
This story of tragedy and courage kept me captivated. The characters were endearing – well, most of them. While there are moments of heartbreak, there are also moments of joy. Betrayal overcome by the bond of friendship. Cowardice excelled by love. It is a beautiful story that will linger with you like water lapping at your toes as the tide comes in.
I received an advance e-galley from Edelweiss and HarperCollins, the opinions are my own.
May 1, 2018
This is a wonderful novel with a dual time line of modern day and 1940. I enjoyed both stories and loved the way that the author ended the novel.
Marisol is a single mother living with her parents in Santa Cruz. As she is trying to find more about the history of her town for the historical society, she finds a picture of a woman who was trying to become an actress in 1940 but jumped to her death. There is a mystery behind Violet's death and when Marisol finds out that her beloved grandfather was somehow connected, she works to find out the real story about Violet, a Miss California, married to a controlling man who tried to escape her life in Hollywood but ended up as a suicide in Santa Cruz.
This is a wonderful beach read. It has a little mystery, a bit of romance and two women who are trying to make life better for themselves and in Marisol's story, trying to make life better for her community.
Thanks to librarything for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.
Marisol is a single mother living with her parents in Santa Cruz. As she is trying to find more about the history of her town for the historical society, she finds a picture of a woman who was trying to become an actress in 1940 but jumped to her death. There is a mystery behind Violet's death and when Marisol finds out that her beloved grandfather was somehow connected, she works to find out the real story about Violet, a Miss California, married to a controlling man who tried to escape her life in Hollywood but ended up as a suicide in Santa Cruz.
This is a wonderful beach read. It has a little mystery, a bit of romance and two women who are trying to make life better for themselves and in Marisol's story, trying to make life better for her community.
Thanks to librarything for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.
June 14, 2018
This is a sweet story that goes back and forth in time between the 1940's to the present day. In the past Violet Harcourt is trying to break free of an abusive husband and make it in Hollywood while in 2007 Marisol Cruz is trying to make it as a single mom as she struggles to preserve town history that has importance to her family. Violet and Marisol have a lot in common as they both struggle to bury secrets from the past. They share a connection that goes beyond Marisol's interest in the beauty queen that left an enduring mystery in town on the night she took her own life. This would be a great choice to stick in your beach bag this summer.
June 28, 2018
I read this in one evening! A little predictable and heavy on coincidence and almost too light , but such a sweet story and perfect ending. I actually teared up. Recommend for a good summer read :)
June 17, 2018
I was fortunate to obtain an advanced paperback of this novel. Boardwalk Summer was a delight to read! I absolutely loved the way the author weaved the past and present, and the hint of mystery kept me anxiously turning the pages. I loved the strength in both female characters, especially Violet. And I loved the romance between Mari and Jason. I will confess to bursting into tears of one point, but it was because I was truly vested in the story.
January 4, 2025
I could not put this one down! Wow, it was so good 😊 I was invested the whole way through but I surprisingly did guess the plot twist
August 3, 2018
About a year ago, I read Meredith Jaeger’s book, THE DRESSMAKERS DOWRY, which was her debut novel. For a debut novel, it was good but needed a little more polish to shine.
When this book came up for review, not only was I in love with the cover, but I was eager to see in what ways her writing had grown.
The other reason I decided to review this novel was the location. As a teenager, I was fascinated by California beach culture. I loved the carefree, unstructured romanticism that made the west coast so appealing. It was like to ultimate endless summer so this book seemed to promise that little bit of magic that I makes me love the California coast.
The first thing that I noticed about this book was how much the writing style had improved. While the story was still on the lighter side for me, the writing wasn’t lazy or lackluster. It was fun to see how Jaeger has evolved as a writer. I was also pleased to see that she maintained the same standard for historical research that she did in her debut novel. The little nuances of the period were well thought out, vivid and were applied where needed.
The Santa Cruz boardwalk was so vividly portrayed in this book. Clearly the author loved this area and spent a lot of time recreating the feel of the boardwalk for this book. Well done and well researched.
As I mentioned, this book was a little on the lighter side, which was expected for me based on the cover. The cover has a brisk, laid back, summer feel which fit perfectly with the story. There are two different time periods in this book, the 1940’s and the early 2000’s. I liked both periods equally. They both felt balanced and the stories were seamlessly merged together.
There were a few too many coincidences but for the most part the story was believable and realistic—at least enough so that I kept on reading. Marisol and Violet were both intriguing characters and their stories were unique. Initially I found myself wondering how their stories were going to connect, because it seemed unlikely from the description. I was thrilled to seem them come together throughout the novel.
Overall this was a great, easy, beach read for me. There were lots of little elements that I thought worked well together in the book and the cover is a beauty! Jaeger did a great job at capturing the nostalgia and magic of California’s beach culture!
See my full review here
When this book came up for review, not only was I in love with the cover, but I was eager to see in what ways her writing had grown.
The other reason I decided to review this novel was the location. As a teenager, I was fascinated by California beach culture. I loved the carefree, unstructured romanticism that made the west coast so appealing. It was like to ultimate endless summer so this book seemed to promise that little bit of magic that I makes me love the California coast.
The first thing that I noticed about this book was how much the writing style had improved. While the story was still on the lighter side for me, the writing wasn’t lazy or lackluster. It was fun to see how Jaeger has evolved as a writer. I was also pleased to see that she maintained the same standard for historical research that she did in her debut novel. The little nuances of the period were well thought out, vivid and were applied where needed.
The Santa Cruz boardwalk was so vividly portrayed in this book. Clearly the author loved this area and spent a lot of time recreating the feel of the boardwalk for this book. Well done and well researched.
As I mentioned, this book was a little on the lighter side, which was expected for me based on the cover. The cover has a brisk, laid back, summer feel which fit perfectly with the story. There are two different time periods in this book, the 1940’s and the early 2000’s. I liked both periods equally. They both felt balanced and the stories were seamlessly merged together.
There were a few too many coincidences but for the most part the story was believable and realistic—at least enough so that I kept on reading. Marisol and Violet were both intriguing characters and their stories were unique. Initially I found myself wondering how their stories were going to connect, because it seemed unlikely from the description. I was thrilled to seem them come together throughout the novel.
Overall this was a great, easy, beach read for me. There were lots of little elements that I thought worked well together in the book and the cover is a beauty! Jaeger did a great job at capturing the nostalgia and magic of California’s beach culture!
See my full review here
July 30, 2018
Boardwalk Summer was a great summer vacation read. I took it with me for the long drive to visit my sister in Iowa. Boardwalk summer had everything I love in a novel – I love two points of view modern day and historical. I love a good mystery and I especially love great characters. I found this book very engaging.
In 1940, Violet Harcourt is unhappily married to Charles in beautiful Santa Cruz California. Their marriage started off wonderful, but Charles temper soon has Violet fearing for her life. She dreams of becoming a star and enters the Miss California pageant with her friend Evie without admitting she is married (being married would disqualify her). When she wins, she thinks her dreams have come true, but she hasn’t bargained for the temper of her husband.
In 2007, Marisol (Mari) Cruz is a single mother raising her daughter. She is a history major, but her daughter’s birth right after she graduated from college has her stuck living with her parents, working in a restaurant and raising her daughter Lily. She revers her late Grandfather Ricky Cruz who was a performer on the Santa Cruz boardwalk in the 1940’s. After she gets a weekend job as a historian on the boardwalk for the City, she starts to dig into her grandfather’s past more and discovers he was friends with the mysterious Violet Harcourt. She also discovers that Violet committed suicide in 1940. What drove Violet to this desperate act? While solving this historical mystery, Mari also meets newcomer Jason and finds herself willing to feel love again.
I really enjoyed this story. I loved the historical fiction back drop. I really loved Violet’s trip to Hollywood and seeing the dark side of fame. It was also interesting to delve into domestic violence in a time when there wasn’t much help for abused ladies. I really enjoyed the mystery as well, I wasn’t sure what direction it was going to take.
The novel alternated between Violet’s viewpoint in 1940 and Mari’s viewpoint in 2007 which I enjoyed. I loved Mari’s story as well and really wanted to see her pull herself up by her book straps and follow her dreams.
Overall, Boardwalk Summer was a very engaging novel that is a perfect take along for any summer vacation. I want to read more by this author as I had a hard time putting this book down!
This review was first posted on my blog at: https://lauragerold.blogspot.com/2018...
In 1940, Violet Harcourt is unhappily married to Charles in beautiful Santa Cruz California. Their marriage started off wonderful, but Charles temper soon has Violet fearing for her life. She dreams of becoming a star and enters the Miss California pageant with her friend Evie without admitting she is married (being married would disqualify her). When she wins, she thinks her dreams have come true, but she hasn’t bargained for the temper of her husband.
In 2007, Marisol (Mari) Cruz is a single mother raising her daughter. She is a history major, but her daughter’s birth right after she graduated from college has her stuck living with her parents, working in a restaurant and raising her daughter Lily. She revers her late Grandfather Ricky Cruz who was a performer on the Santa Cruz boardwalk in the 1940’s. After she gets a weekend job as a historian on the boardwalk for the City, she starts to dig into her grandfather’s past more and discovers he was friends with the mysterious Violet Harcourt. She also discovers that Violet committed suicide in 1940. What drove Violet to this desperate act? While solving this historical mystery, Mari also meets newcomer Jason and finds herself willing to feel love again.
I really enjoyed this story. I loved the historical fiction back drop. I really loved Violet’s trip to Hollywood and seeing the dark side of fame. It was also interesting to delve into domestic violence in a time when there wasn’t much help for abused ladies. I really enjoyed the mystery as well, I wasn’t sure what direction it was going to take.
The novel alternated between Violet’s viewpoint in 1940 and Mari’s viewpoint in 2007 which I enjoyed. I loved Mari’s story as well and really wanted to see her pull herself up by her book straps and follow her dreams.
Overall, Boardwalk Summer was a very engaging novel that is a perfect take along for any summer vacation. I want to read more by this author as I had a hard time putting this book down!
This review was first posted on my blog at: https://lauragerold.blogspot.com/2018...
September 12, 2018
This book pulled me in with the “historical” POV until around 3/4 of the way through the book and then I found myself shaking my head. Sadly, the last quarter of the book, in my opinion, did not live up to the beginning of the book.
Many girls went to Hollywood only to end up taking jobs that slowly disintegrated their moral character. Too few jobs, too many beautiful girls, too many men more than willing to take advantage of them. Girls who had talent were sure they were going to be the next Judy Garland or Ginger Rogers, not realizing they were joining the ranks of probably thousands of potential Garlands and Rogers. So, the beginning of the book made sense to me, at least, the first three quarters. The other POV was somewhat interesting but I couldn’t figure out why the author even wrote another POV since the “historical” story was more interesting until I got to the last quarter of the book.
The end of the book seemed so contrived, so full of cliches and unbelievable that I stopped enjoying the read. I knew exactly how the story was going to end and I was right. Not every good book has to have a happy ending.
This book started out as a four star read but all I can give it now is three stars. I wish I could have stayed with the four stars but the end of the book just was not as good as the beginning.
This book was supplied by William Morrow HarperCollins Publishers.
Many girls went to Hollywood only to end up taking jobs that slowly disintegrated their moral character. Too few jobs, too many beautiful girls, too many men more than willing to take advantage of them. Girls who had talent were sure they were going to be the next Judy Garland or Ginger Rogers, not realizing they were joining the ranks of probably thousands of potential Garlands and Rogers. So, the beginning of the book made sense to me, at least, the first three quarters. The other POV was somewhat interesting but I couldn’t figure out why the author even wrote another POV since the “historical” story was more interesting until I got to the last quarter of the book.
The end of the book seemed so contrived, so full of cliches and unbelievable that I stopped enjoying the read. I knew exactly how the story was going to end and I was right. Not every good book has to have a happy ending.
This book started out as a four star read but all I can give it now is three stars. I wish I could have stayed with the four stars but the end of the book just was not as good as the beginning.
This book was supplied by William Morrow HarperCollins Publishers.
June 4, 2018
4.5 Magical Flying Unicorn Stars!
I am so glad this is what my friend Amy (novelgossip) and I chose for our first buddy read together as #ninjatwins! I’m also glad that Amy was a bit ahead of me the whole time so I could share my theories with her without spoiling anything - and I had a lot of theories on this one - some correct, some not so much!
I have always been a fan of dual narratives and dual timelines and love to see how the timelines come together. In Boardwalk Summer, the two timelines focus first on Violet Harcourt, a beautiful women stuck in an abusive marriage in 1940 and Mari Cruz, a single mother trying to fight for the right to preserve historical aspects of her Santa Cruz community in 2007. The way these stories coincide and connect will both surprise you and make you want to know more.
I very much enjoyed getting to know these women, learn more about this history and get acquainted with Jaeger’s writing!
I received an advance copy. All opinions are my own.
I am so glad this is what my friend Amy (novelgossip) and I chose for our first buddy read together as #ninjatwins! I’m also glad that Amy was a bit ahead of me the whole time so I could share my theories with her without spoiling anything - and I had a lot of theories on this one - some correct, some not so much!
I have always been a fan of dual narratives and dual timelines and love to see how the timelines come together. In Boardwalk Summer, the two timelines focus first on Violet Harcourt, a beautiful women stuck in an abusive marriage in 1940 and Mari Cruz, a single mother trying to fight for the right to preserve historical aspects of her Santa Cruz community in 2007. The way these stories coincide and connect will both surprise you and make you want to know more.
I very much enjoyed getting to know these women, learn more about this history and get acquainted with Jaeger’s writing!
I received an advance copy. All opinions are my own.
January 24, 2019
When I saw this book on my libraries overdrive account and read the summary, I realized that Ms. Jaeger had written The Dressmaker's Dowry. When, I put this book on Goodreads, I couldn't figure out why I'd only given her previous book three stars. I remembered liking the story, and I decided to give this book a chance. The first 50% were burdensome to read, but I was too far in and I was determined to finish it. It started getting "good" in the second half of the book, and all in all, I'm glad that I read it. I like style of past and present and getting two different versions of a story. I also like that the past is in first person and the "present" is in third. That makes it interesting for me. However, I do not Ms. Jaeger's writing style. She pushes her political agenda on the reader, instead of being objective. I know some people may like that, but I don't.
I will not be reading another one of Ms. Jaeger's books.
I will not be reading another one of Ms. Jaeger's books.
June 29, 2018
If I have to hear Abuela/abuelo one more time!. We know you are Mexican and appreciate the culture but there are many other Spanish words to explain the culture. Very simple, definitely a Summer read. Not very satisfying story but as I said.. simple Summer read!
May 31, 2018
IMG_4252MY REVIEW OF “BOARDWALK SUMMER” BY Meredith Jaeger William Morrow, June 18, 2018
I loved everything about “Boardwalk Summer” by Meredith Jaeger. Kudos to Meredith Jaegar for writing such a captivating, intriguing, riveting, mesmerizing, and romantic story. The author is an amazing storyteller and her detailed vivid descriptions of two timelines in history is memorable. There are layers in this story, and like a puzzle, when you put the pieces together, you get a stunning , surprising, and heartwarming conclusion. The genres for this novel are Fiction, Women’s Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance and Suspense and some mystery. There are two timelines, one in 1940 and one in 2007. Both take place in Santa Cruz and other places.
In 1940, the dream of the young ladies is to win a beauty contest and be Miss California. Hopefully this will take the winner to Hollywood. Violet Harcourt is crowned the winner, and her friend is runner-up. The problem is Violet has entered the competition as a single lady but really is a married woman. Her husband Charles is very angry that she has done this, and Violet returns the crown, and resigns. No one realizes what Violet’s marriage is like. Violet does get to escape to Hollywood to find that all is not as it seems. Charles is furious finds and takes Violet home. Violet can’t see her friends from the Boardwalk.
In the summer of 2007, single Mom Marisol Cruz lives in a charming seaside cottage with her young daughter and parents. They inherited this cottage from Marisol’s grandfather who was a great entertainer on the boardwalk years ago. Marisol works in a diner part-time. Marisol is fascinated by the town’s history and the quaint gazebo where her grandparents had once danced. She sells raffle tickets, and helps during the celebration. The town is informed that the gazebo is going to be taken down, and condos will be built. This angers Marisol and the other residents.
While Marisol is going through papers, she discovers that her grandfather was once friends with Violet Harcourt. Marisol looks up the history and discovers the Violet Harcourt had committed suicide as a young woman. She also finds that a key in her grandfather’s belongs. Now she is intrigued.
What can this all mean? Will Marisol find a way to stop the town from building the condominium?
I appreciate that the author discusses important topics such as spousal abuse, unequal and threatening treatment of all minorities, the importance of family, friends, support, love and hope. There are some Kleenex moments, and I keep thinking about how amazing this story is. I highly recommend this story for readers that enjoy different genres, some suspense, intrigue, and romance. Happy Reading!
I loved everything about “Boardwalk Summer” by Meredith Jaeger. Kudos to Meredith Jaegar for writing such a captivating, intriguing, riveting, mesmerizing, and romantic story. The author is an amazing storyteller and her detailed vivid descriptions of two timelines in history is memorable. There are layers in this story, and like a puzzle, when you put the pieces together, you get a stunning , surprising, and heartwarming conclusion. The genres for this novel are Fiction, Women’s Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance and Suspense and some mystery. There are two timelines, one in 1940 and one in 2007. Both take place in Santa Cruz and other places.
In 1940, the dream of the young ladies is to win a beauty contest and be Miss California. Hopefully this will take the winner to Hollywood. Violet Harcourt is crowned the winner, and her friend is runner-up. The problem is Violet has entered the competition as a single lady but really is a married woman. Her husband Charles is very angry that she has done this, and Violet returns the crown, and resigns. No one realizes what Violet’s marriage is like. Violet does get to escape to Hollywood to find that all is not as it seems. Charles is furious finds and takes Violet home. Violet can’t see her friends from the Boardwalk.
In the summer of 2007, single Mom Marisol Cruz lives in a charming seaside cottage with her young daughter and parents. They inherited this cottage from Marisol’s grandfather who was a great entertainer on the boardwalk years ago. Marisol works in a diner part-time. Marisol is fascinated by the town’s history and the quaint gazebo where her grandparents had once danced. She sells raffle tickets, and helps during the celebration. The town is informed that the gazebo is going to be taken down, and condos will be built. This angers Marisol and the other residents.
While Marisol is going through papers, she discovers that her grandfather was once friends with Violet Harcourt. Marisol looks up the history and discovers the Violet Harcourt had committed suicide as a young woman. She also finds that a key in her grandfather’s belongs. Now she is intrigued.
What can this all mean? Will Marisol find a way to stop the town from building the condominium?
I appreciate that the author discusses important topics such as spousal abuse, unequal and threatening treatment of all minorities, the importance of family, friends, support, love and hope. There are some Kleenex moments, and I keep thinking about how amazing this story is. I highly recommend this story for readers that enjoy different genres, some suspense, intrigue, and romance. Happy Reading!
June 4, 2018
Just went I thought I was getting burnt out on 40’s era fiction, Meredith Jaeger walks in with this gem of a novel. Told from dual narratives- Violet in 1940 and Mari in 2006- Jaeger reveals a story of strength and determination. Marisol is a single mom from a family of Mexican descent. Violet married into a wealthy gilded cage. Taking place in beautiful Santa Cruz, how one beauty pageant winner with stars in her eyes is connected to a family focused, caring historian is an amazing story that will keep you attached to this book until the very last page. Boardwalk Summer is the perfect summer read and looks to be one of my favorites of the year. A little bit of old Hollywood, a tad bit of current events and a mystery to boot, this book had me from page one. Definitely throw this one in your beach bag.
I received an advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
I received an advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
October 8, 2018
3.5 Historical fiction lovers will enjoy this one. It’s dual timelines and there is a good mystery. My issue was for the first half of book or so I had trouble connecting to Violet and understanding why she wanted fame so much. But her story definitely evolved and I became much more interested. I do admit to some skimming.
June 19, 2018
I received an ARC of this book and all opinions are my own. Meredith Jaeger writes unputdownable stories drenched in emotions. The story practically leaps off the pages in its vividness. Don't pass up this amazing book. Happy reading!
July 8, 2018
Violet is a beauty queen looking to escape an abusive husband in 1940. Mari is a young Hispanic single mother in 2007 struggling to make ends meet. Their stories intersect. A quick beach read.
July 10, 2018
I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for my honest review. I absolutely loved this story! I liked how the chapters alternated between Violet's story in 1940 and Marisol's story in 2007. It kept the story interesting and moved along nicely. I loved reading about the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. I have visited there several times and could picture it in my mind. The main characters were interesting and likeable. This was an easy and enjoyable read. A perfect summer story!
September 6, 2024
I’ll admit, I bought this book secondhand based on the beautiful cover.
The story did not disappoint.
What a great little read.
The story did not disappoint.
What a great little read.
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