The High Season

by Judy Blundell

“A mesmerizing, head-spinning—and sometimes madcap-hilarious—take of have and have-nots.”— People  (Book of the Week)

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY  REAL SIMPLE AND KIRKUS REVIEWS  •  “In the smart, breezy, sweet spot between Meg Wolitzer and Elin Hilderbrand.”— Entertainment Weekly

No matter what the world throws her way, at least Ruthie Beamish has  the house . Located by the sea in a quiet Long Island village, the house is her nest egg—the retirement account shared with her ex-husband, Mike, and the college fund for their teenage daughter, Jem. The catch? To afford the house, Ruthie must let it go during the best part of the year.

It’s Memorial Day weekend and the start of what Jem calls “the summer bummer”: the family’s annual exodus to make way for renters. This year, the Hamptons set has arrived. Adeline Clay is elegant and connected—and will never need to worry about money. Before long, she demonstrates an uncanny ability to help herself to Ruthie’s life. Is Adeline just being her fabulous self, or is she out to take what she wants?

When an eccentric billionaire, his wayward daughter, a coterie of social climbers, and Ruthie’s old flame are thrown into the mix, the entire town finds itself on the verge of tumultuous change. But as Ruthie loses her grasp on her job, her home, and her family, she discovers a new talent for pushing back. By the end of one unhinged, unforgettable summer, nothing will be the same—least of all Ruthie.

Praise for The High Season

“Blundell knows the territory. . . . Her account of Ruthie’s coming to grips with a career, a daughter and a community in flux is as touching as it is convincing.” — The Wall Street Journal

“A huge page-turner . . . so compelling . . . a classic beach read, but very smart, very intelligently written.” — Us Weekly , Emily Giffin’s Summer Reading Recommendations

“An acid-laced domestic drama set during one golden summer on the moneyed, beachy North Fork of Long Island.” — The New York Times

“Judy Blundell wields words like an oyster knife in this shimmering story of art, money, and celebrity.” —Helen Simonson,  New York Times bestselling author of  The Summer Before the War

“A wry, often hilarious story of a woman trying to keep it together when everything is going so, so wrong.” — Real Simple

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary, Chick Lit, Audiobook, Adult, Beach Reads, Adult Fiction

416 pages, Hardcover

First published May 22, 2018

About the author

A pseudonym used by Jude Watson.

Judy Blundell has written books for middle grade, young adult, and adult readers under several pseudonyms. Her novel, Premonitions, was an ALA Reluctant Readers Best Picks and was chosen by the New York Public Library as a 2004 Best Books for the Teen Age. Among her forthcoming projects is Book #4 in the New York Times bestselling series, The 39 Clues. Judy Blundell lives in Katonah, New York, with her husband and daughter.
2008 National Book Award winner for her YA novel What I Saw and How I Lied, Judy Blundell is well known to Star Wars fans by her pseudonym, Jude Watson.
What could be more fun than writing in your journal? Well, how about writing Queen Amidala's journal for her? Jude Watson is currently the most celebrated author in the prequel-era of the Star Wars phenomenon. She's no stranger to science fiction — her own series, entitled Danger.com, is a mystery series based on the Internet. Watson became involved with LucasBooks when an editor she had worked with in the past selected her to write Captive to Evil by Princess Leia Organa (Star Wars Journal). Since then Watson has penned the Star Wars Jedi Apprentice series as well as journals for Queen Amidala and Darth Maul.
Readers of the Queen Amidala journal become privy to all her top secrets such as why she applies her lipstick in such an odd manner and how she manages her two identities as Queen Amidala and as Padme. The book is a doorway to all her thoughts, fears and strategies for everything from dealing with droid blasts to negotiating with the less-than-trustworthy Neimoidians!
In Jude's series, Jedi Quest, she explores the world of the Jedi through Jedi Master Obiwan Kenobi and his apprentice Anakin Skywalker.
So how does Jude keep all the characters and events in order? Jude definitely relies on the movies and the folks at LucasBooks, and she has even used A Guide to the Star Wars Universe by Bill Slavicsek as a handy reference. Jude also credits the creative collaboration with Scholastic editor David Levithan and Lucas editors Jane Mason and Sarah Hines Stephens as being extremely helpful. On the Lucas editors, she comments, "They are also incredibly cool — not only do they know the Star Wars universe inside and out, they really urge writers to bring their own ideas to the table."
Although the books are written for children ranging from 9 to 13 years of age, Watson has found a large fan base with adults! That's not a surprise since the stories are not only timeless, but also universal.
From Scholastic.com

Reviews

[Berit☀️✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 Beachy Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟.25

This book was a beach vacation without the sand🏖 it was definitely not a “summer bummer...“ that’s how Jem referred to the fact that they had to move out of their house in the summer, in the high season....

This book was about the rich and the privileged... and a lovely village in the north fork of Long Island.... geography lesson (I did not know this before this book) the Hamptons are on the south fork of Long Island and this charming village was on the North Fork... A village filled with farmstands and charming museums... where the rich vacation in the summer.... sometimes it’s nice to read a book that allows you to escape reality... because some of the characters are not living in the same reality that you are... but don’t worry this is not a book about snobby rich people, in fact the most important characters in this book are not rich...

Ruthie, loved her! Now Ruthy really had a” summer bummer...” you know that saying ,”kick them when their down!”? That was pretty much her summer, she could not catch a break... but she found out who her true friends were, and she grew a lot... Ruthie was such a likable and relatable character... she was a mother, she was a friend, and she knew what it was like to earn a dollar....Jem, Ruthie’s teenage daughter was also a very likable character... The author did a very good job with the teenage angst....

Absolutely recommend as a summer read whether you are on the beach or not...

*** thank you so much to the publisher and Net Galley for a copy of this beachy book ***

[Michelle]

DNF - SOOOO many characters have been introduced and I'm not feeling any of them. Maybe I'll try again another time but for now it's going back on the shelf.

I would like to say that I do believe there are many people that are going to devour this novel. Many have mentioned it being a perfect beach read (Seriously! Look at that gorgeous cover!) Unfortunately, for me, I had such a hard time keeping all the characters straight and it was incredibly confusing. Also, a lot of the characters seemed to have unusual names which made it even more difficult to remember them. Because I was so confused the story line just didn't grip me at all. I couldn't become invested. Thank you to BookishFirst for providing me with an early arc in exchange for my honest review.

[Sunflowerbooklover · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a breathe of fresh beachy air!! This is definitely what the book doctor ordered for Kendall ;)

The High Season by Judy Blundell is a funny and quirky novel with just the right amount of gossip!

Ruthie Beamish has the perfect life... living in a cute beach town located close to the famous Hamptons. Ruthie lives in a world of money, class, and glamour. What more can she ask for? Director of a high-class museum, mother of a sassy 15. year old, and living in the house that is everyone's dream. The catch? In order to afford this high class home, Ruthie, her ex-husband Mike, and daughter Jem have to rent out their home every summer to tenants in order to afford the luxury.
It's Memorial Day weekend and boy... here comes the new renters from Hamptons. Meet the renters: Adeline Clay who is the widow of a well known famous artist Peter Clay and her twenty three year old sexy stepson Lucas.

All of a sudden Ruthie's world starts to turn upside down. This mysterious billionaire Adeline Clay is pushing herself into Ruthie's life and taking over..... She's losing her job? The home of her dreams is being sold under her feet? And strings are starting to unravel with her family.

Judy Blundell is such an amazing storyteller! I was laughing at the sarcasm and wit to her sense of style!! Characterization was flawless and made this story. I loved Ruthie's character the most and she was hilarious!

Here are some of my favorite quotes " Your own familiar image could be a frightening thing."
"Don't shovel bullshit if you're not a farmer."

I loved how Judy portrays class so well in this novel. I felt this quote sums it up so well ""He wasn't a good-looking man, but he was a billionaire, so everyone and everything was available to him, and everything about him said that he knew it." Don't we all know.... somehow opportunities are delivered to you on a silver platter when you have money.

I highly recommend this one! It doesn't have to be a summer day with his gem. It can be storming, sunny, snowing, or hailing. Put this sassy and chic read on your list!

4.25 beachy stars!

Thank you so much to Random House and Netgalley for an advanced arc in exchange for my honest review.
Published to GR: 2/1/18
Expected publication date: 5/22/18.

[Jonetta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruthie Beamish is living a complacent life along with her 15-year old daughter and ex-husband Mike. They’ve been amicably separated for three years and jointly own a house located in a quaint but tony village on the north fork of Long Island (the Hamptons are on the south fork). They’re not one of the wealthy residents but their lives are interwoven with them as Ruthie is the director of the town’s museum, the Belfry. However, in order to afford the upkeep on the home and survive financially, each summer they must vacate it for rentals and relocate to cheaper accommodations. Unfortunately, this high season brings turmoil from every direction for Ruthie, causing her to abandon her typical way of being and fight for what’s most important in her life.

This is a unique view into the personalities and behaviors of the ultra wealthy, not the standard fare you would expect to find (high-handedness, snobbery, extravagant spending, etc.). There is that but just as background. What’s really illuminating is the insight into their outlooks, values and aspirations that lie beneath the veneer. The contrasts between them and those who rely on their support was enlightening, seen through the eyes of Ruthie and Doe, a young woman who also works at the museum and has found a way to survive in this velvet jungle.

I vacillated between admiration and frustration for Ruthie but came to respect her as she was forced out of the cocoon she’d created for herself. It wasn’t always pretty or above board but she faced the realities head on, even when it was excruciatingly painful. Doe was a tougher character to embrace but eventually I came to appreciate her, completely unconventional with an ethical code that was sometimes questionable.

I loved this story, even when I didn’t like many of the people in it. Ruthie’s journey was authentic, boils and all and I liked how her choices weren’t even close to being predictable. Things aren’t wrapped in a bow but seeing a person come to fit in her own skin was enough for me. Tough story but one I’m glad I read. Julia Whelan delivers her typical outstanding performance, distinguishing the relevant characters and elevating an already fine story. 4.5 stars

(I received an advance copy from the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review)

[Meredith B. (readingwithmere) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars...maybe even 2.5 if I'm being honest

First off, thank you to Goodreads and the publisher, Random House for this ARC via Goodreads giveaway.

This book just wasn't for me as you can see from my rating. I unfortunately struggled to stay engaged with this book through the entire thing. I was confused with the characters throughout the book however I kept going because I had hoped it would continue to get better.

Ruthie was married to Mike. They were two artists who dated, got pregnant and rushed to get married because it was the right thing. They had owned a property off the coast called the Orient. Once they separated they had to rent it out in order to stay afloat. This summer Adeline, who is as rich as can be, comes to rent the property. Mike and her fall in love, this makes Ruthie upset meanwhile Ruthie and Mike are trying to raise their 15 year old daughter, Jem, who is going through typical teen stuff. She encounters bullying, sex, loneliness, etc.

While all of this is going on we also have a story line of Doe who works at the museum where Ruthie was employed until recently. She is living a double life (you'll have to read to find out in what way). She gets involved with Adeline's Exes child who is also super rich and this is how the stories kind of tie together.

Honestly? This book just felt like a bunch of people whining for no reason. Look, maybe being around rich neighbors is hard at times but if you're not going to do much about it how can I feel empathy for you? The dialogue in this book was very hard for me to follow. As I stated earlier, it took me 200 pages into this book to start to understand who all the characters were. I found them all annoying and in no way relatable. I'm sure they are to some people but I struggled with every single character in this book.

Also, the text/email chapters were a little weird. I'm trying to figure out why they were in there? This book could have easily been cut 100 pages due to incessant dialogue and email/text chains.

This book was sent to me with the cover "Best Summer Read of 2018" and I'm sorry to say it was not for me. I could see how some people would like this book. I wouldn't go into it with the expectation of some complex situation which may have been my issue. If you want to read about Rich people with issues then you may like this book, it just sadly wasn't my cup of tea.

[Brandice · Rating 4 out of 5]

The High Season was a great story to kick off a summer of beach reads. It’s May in Orient, a quaint ocean town located a short distance from The Hamptons. Ruthie and her daughter, Gem, are moving out of their home for summer, “the high season”, renting it to a wealthy New Yorker. Vacating during high season is the only way Ruthie and her now separated husband, Mike, can continue to afford the home.

Ruthie has conflicting feelings about Mike, and about renting the house out to Adeline Clay, a Manhattan socialite, who arrives with her entitled 23 year old stepson, Lucas. Ruthie and Gem relocate to her friend Carol’s guest house. Ruthie also soon learns her job at the local museum is now in jeopardy - Awesome. And the surprises just keep coming.

The High Season is a lighter read, filled with family, friend, and romantic drama, all of which I was here for. This year, Orient seems to be quite the high-end, Hampton-esque social scene. I was curious to see how things would turn out for Ruthie and the local community with its accompanying cast of characters: Gem, Adeline, Lucas, Mike, Doe, Lark, museum board members, and friends of Ruthie. I could have done without the majority of Gem’s teenage drama, but this didn’t detract from my overall enjoyment of the story.

I listened to the audiobook of The High Season, narrated by Julia Whelan. As someone who lived in FL for more than 20 years, I found her Floridan accent(s) to be wildly inaccurate, but overall, she was great. This is the second audiobook I’ve listened to that’s narrated by Whelan and I am a fan. For a book that’s nearly 11 hours via audio, I listened in just a few days, which is very quick for me. This is the first book I’ve read by Blundell, and since it kept me entertained, I would read another.

[Sherri Thacker · Rating 2 out of 5]

First off, this cover screams SUMMER!!! And what a great cover it is. Other than the cute cover, this book did not hold my interest. I kept losing track of who all the characters were and I stopped reading at 20%. It did get a lot of great reviews so maybe it’s just me. I received this ARC from the publisher through NetGalley for an honest review.

[Tatiana]

This is nothing like her historical YA novels. Rich people having problems while relaxing in the Hamptons. Pass.

[lucky little cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, here's my favorite new-ish book of the summer.



In a novel stuffed with fascinating beautiful people behaving rawther badly, one very good woman gets fed up with being the little red hen and gives badness her own best shot. Intrigue and flirting-with-disaster ensue. Blundell handles multiple perspectives and a twisty, satisfying plot beautifully.

keywords: the perils of being the reliable, decent one; curse your sudden and inevitable betrayal; I'd help you but I don't wanna break a nail; here's why you shouldn't let your charming ex live in; beware the stealth-Instagrammer

[Dawnny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story! If you're an art lover you'll love this. An emotional yet humorous read. A story of a family and how one summer suddenly changes everything. The haves and the have not's. Smart,classy,real! One of our top picks for summer.

Dawnny
BookGypsy
Novels N Latte
Book Blog

[Nikki (Saturday Nite Reader) · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quiet, family oriented town – Orient Point, Long Island – was slowly being infiltrated by frequent visitors of the more glamorous Hamptons. “Was” being the choice word because this summer season the town will be overrun by outsiders looking to take stock in the quiet beach town. They will bring along their “new” ideas for how the town should run and are not quiet about it at all.

Being from Long Island and reading countless books on Hamptons life in my twenties (i.e. Four Blondes and Sex and the City by Candace Bushnell), I find stories describing the Hamptons socialite scene to be rather old. I look back at those stories as someone in my late thirties and now feel they were rather vapid, certainly not something I would reread. Like looking back at my early 2000’s wardrobe: I question my judgment.

But that is my opinion and not a reason to stay away from this book. I’ll provide a brief, spoiler free synopsis and you can decide if this would be your beach read jam:

Ruthie and Mike consciously uncoupled, but still share the beach house they inherited. In order to afford to live in the beach town they have to rent out their home during the busiest months of the summer. This year they rent out their home to billionaire Adeline Clay; who always gets what she wants, and she wants Ruthie’s life. Insert a whole slew of other characters: wealthy artists, social ladder climbers, trust fund babies and you have one interesting summer.

I liked Ruthie a lot, the people around her though: not my cup of tea. There is one scene involving Ruthie and a lilac tree and all I will say is “Go Ruthie!”

Author, Judy Blundell, is a well-known young adult author; I believe The High Season is her first adult novel. Her YA roots will come through during Ruthie’s daughter Jem’s scenes.

I received the arc of this book from Random House as a participant in their Spring Open House book club discussion on said book. Thank you Random House!

To read my reviews visit: www.saturdaynitereader.com

[Arlene · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF
Ooooof... too many insignificant characters introduced so quickly and sloppily. I lost track of the cast and couldn’t muster the interest to continue. Not for me...

[Jamie Rosenblit · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just didn’t work for me, usually summer themed books in New York with wealthy characters are right up my alley, but alas. Audio narration was lovely (Julia Whalen always is!) but I never really connected with the story or characters, I kept having to restart chapters as I lost my attention quickly.

[Kate Vocke (bookapotamus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summer Drama never felt so good! I really enjoyed The High Season - it was just what I needed to get me into a summer mood, and it made me love to loathe the rich and famous Hamptons crowds even more! (kidding... sorta.) This book kept me wicked entertained and I breezed through it in two days. The writing is so good, hilarious at times, and the story is masterfully crafted and really clever!

Ruthie is sort of losing it all. Her marriage is over, her 15 year old daughter is struggling and distant, her job is on the rocks, friendships are tested ... and it's shaping up to be one crazy summer. The Hamptons-ish house Ruthie lives in with her daughter Jem, is rented out during the summer to the rich, in order for her to pay for it the rest of the year (aka The Summer Bummer). Adeline Clay, a wealthy artist widow rents her house and in turn, unknowingly shakes up the entire summer, for just about the whole town of Orient.

The dynamic of these characters and how their lives intertwine is artfully crafted through exclusive parties, a small local museum group, a summer farm stand job, secret rendezvous, texts/emails, and typical small town gossip. There is art forgery, a $250,000 watch, past lives and secrecy and the unnerving balance of power and social statuses. It's all so cleverly written and flows together seamlessly. I was thoroughly impressed how Judy Blundell twisted it all together so skillfully.

As an artist I love the snippets of the artist scene and it's inner workings and social circles. I loved the references to various famous artists and painting descriptions. I hated the museum board members and the way some people tossed money around and waved it in the locals and year-rounders faces. The characters were well developed and you feel for each and every one of them, especially Ruthie, who loses so much, and starts to lose herself while making some seriously questionable decisions.

My decision to read this was NOT questionable though! I really enjoyed it and would give 4.5 stars!

[Barbara Nutting · Rating 1 out of 5]

Suckered in by a nice cover and a good title. Read just a few chapters and discovered what a mistake I’d made. Stopped to read the author bio - yep, she is a Young Adult writer trying to become a grown up. Well, she missed the boat. Having to read texts between teenagers is not my idea of adult fare. DNF

[Shelley · Rating 1 out of 5]

Betsy DeVos would probably like this book a lot because it's about her people and her people are rich assholes who sold their souls to the devil for expensive yachts and hired help who would later be turned over to immigration officials. Yes, the characters here are that miserable.

No, this is not a story about people growing, smoking, or selling pot. That would have been more interesting than 393 pages of rich people doing nothing.

I tapped out at the halfway mark and skimmed the rest hoping that bombs would land on the faces of every character. That didn't happen but should have.

Reasons why this is a gigantic steaming pile of shit:
- Entire chapters were text and email conversations, not a lot but enough to be obnoxious.
- There are about 4,977 characters, 99% are useless, and the names are ridiculous. A couple named Kim and Tim, kids named Verity, Dashiell, and Arden. Some shrew named Catha.
- "You know how it is, leaving for France for the entire summer, there are a thousand details and I can't find my Ambien!"
- "Margarita is a love, but she has one fault," Carole confided. "Every time I yell her name, I desperately want a cocktail."

That's where the list stops because one of our cats puked on the rest of my notes. Don't let the pretty cover fool you into thinking this is a fun beach read. If the plot were a person it would be someone who washes down Ambien or Xanax with a bottle of wine.

[Doreena Silva · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this ARC book from Random House as part of the Spring Open House book club read.
I thought I would love this book as it takes place on Long Island in place most of which I am familiar with.
I found it very hard to get into, too many back and forth characters in the beginning that I had to keep going back and reading it again to figure out who was who.
I ALWAYS finish books whether I like them or not and I'm glad I continued with this one because it definitely got better as I kept reading

[eyes.2c · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summer awakenings!

Oh my! The opening paragraph describing the detritus sitting around Ruthie Beamish's household was so aptly familiar I was hooked from the get go!
Those "post-it's with phone numbers marooned from their meaning."
What could I do but read on, beckoned by an understandable world into something completely different.
Fast, witty and acidic, a look at relationships ending and new beginnings in unexpected ways.
A glittering story of the summer invasion of the Hamptons. Only this time the quiet remote village of the Orient is invaded by the rich and famous. Add in the competitive world of art blazing into being, a teenager's unhappy foray into sexuality, a separated woman finally facing some hard truths, and you have a winner.
The story revolves around Ruth Beamish, the local museum director, her ex husband, their celebrity summer house renter, and various side characters as they interweave throughout the story.
Powerful and addictive. I couldn't put Ruthie's story down.

A NetGalley ARC

[MissBecka Gee · Rating 4 out of 5]

*********** FREE FROM GIVEAWAY ***********

Ruthie is a complete train-wreck, highly entertaining, but a train-wreck all the same.
Though there are multiple POV's it mostly centers around Ruthie.
Ruthie is bat shit crazy.
Which meant she was all kinds of fun to read about.

Best character: Doe
At first she seemed like an afterthought addition, but she ended up being my favourite.

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Random House and Judy Blundell for this novel I won in a giveaway!! I would most certainly read any other future adult novel of hers.

On page 188, Chapter 30, there's a small paragraph about relationships and the things left unsaid that I really, really loved - but seeing as I have an uncorrected proof copy, I am not sure I can share it? For those who have the book, or will buy the book, you'll see it, you'll know which lines I'm referring to.

[Debbie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Made it up to page 63 and realized that just didn’t care about any of the characters and their problems. And hated the name Ruthie for the main character in her 40s.

[Helene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Required summer reading for the Morth Fork. HighSeason peppered with deliciously , viciously fun humor. Hamptons meets NoFo at its best!

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazingly, this was my first book by Judy Blundell. I had no idea that she did the Star Wars book series. Although not really my genre. However, this is her first adult novel, so that definitely explains it.

This book, wow! I have never seen so many snarky, greedy, narcissistic and shady characters all in one book. Some of these people were downright vicious! And the mercilessness and attitude of some of them was downright incorrigible!

However, I really did enjoy reading this book. The main character, Ruthie (seriously?), got on my nerves some but it wasn't to the extent that I wanted to slap her or anything like I did with some of the other characters.

I would like to see a follow up to this book wherein Lucas (??) ends up hanging by his balls. Or maybe just down and out with no money, home, job, family, life, etc. Possibly living on the streets would be good for him. What an entitled A$$ he was! And Mindy and Cartha (Carta??) could hang with him on the streets with all the garbage as well. HA!

While many of the characters were irksome and Ruthie could get on my nerves, I enjoyed rooting for her against all these loathsome snobs.

As for a beach read? You don't need a beach for this read. Just get the hardcover, remove the cover and look at it during your reading. It's beautiful!

I was very disappointed I could not have those salted caramel cookies shipped to me from the Orient Country Grocery. And yes, I checked. HA!!

A really entertaining read that had me absorbed in this town near the Hamptons and all it's inhabitants.

Thanks to Random House Publishing and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slow start and I found it difficult to relate to the characters. About halfway through I became more interested and enjoyed the last half of the book.

[Julie Daniels · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really good and I loved all the stories of the different characters and how they tied together. I definitely appreciate the bigger moral of the story though- that life is about what you make it. Not being the victim. But there were a few things that bothered me with one of the ways the author tried to go about making that point. I don't want to give anything away but it was the reason I took a star off. Other than that it was a really enjoyable book that I do recommend.

If you're looking for a great Summer read, look no further. This was a great Summer novel. You feel Summer as you're reading it. The author does an amazing job of transporting you to the beautiful, Summer setting. There's also an intriguing story with even more intriguing characters toi get wrapped up in. I found myself unable to put the book down because I needed to find out what happened. My favorite character turned out to be a side character, in fact. Doe. She was just so interesting and intelligent. She was tough but truly had a heart. Her story really drew me in and made me love her and root for. But I still loved Ruthie and wanted to see her have her version of a happy ending. I could see this being a great movie. Besides the one thing I mentioned, which I won't reveal for spoiler reasons, this is an awesome Sure read that i highly recommend!

*Thanks to Bookish First and Random House for the early finished copy for review*

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am probably going to get a lot of disagreements with this review but sorry I am asked to be honest.

I somewhat liked this book but not really. I felt it was a rich against the poor book. The poor family moves out of their house every summer so the rich people can move in and then the bills are paid for the next winter. The young daughter falls for the rich ladies son even though he treats her like crap. The high and mighty ladies on the museum board go behind Ruthie’s back to get her off the board and even Ruthie”s friend Carole can’t help because she is vacationing in Paris for the summer.

The story continues like that throughout the book and the poor do triumph in the end but to me it was a little to much on the oh I hope to get invited to that high end party or my world will be shattered forever.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Christina (Confessions of a Book Addict) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ruthie's life is just about to get more complicated. It's Memorial Day weekend and that means she must leave her gorgeous beach house for the renters that are coming for the summer. This is how she affords to live in such a beautiful home. This year her beach house is being rented by a super rich woman and to top it off, her job is on the rocks. Plus, her teenage daughter is getting herself into a bit of trouble. Orient, her quiet beach town, is supposed to be way different than the glamorous Hamptons. In fact, it's two ferry rides away! But her summer is getting more dramatic by the minute, especially when you throw her ex-husband into the mix. Cue all the drama and add in a side of some juicy secrets and you'll have yourself an entertaining beach read in Judy Blundell's debut, The High Season.
Read the rest of my review here: http://www.confessionsofabookaddict.c...

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book but didn't and was disappointed as I love Blundell's teen books. Maybe it was my mood (that does happen, you know, great books are skipped because maybe it was the wrong time to try that particular title), but I did find the characters very annoying and it was hard to find anyone to like--not that's always totally necessary but I expect to find someone I have some empathy for, especially in what I think will be a lighter summer-type read.

Thanks to the publisher for the advance reading copy.

[Diana · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars
Meh. Not my ideal beach read. I felt there were way too many characters, I had a hard time following. Plus the characters were really unlikeable. I prefer more realistic fiction, this felt very "fluffy". The story line felt flat at times and far fetched at others. I only finished it, to finish it.
Just not my type of story

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner by Judy Blundell. Loved this somewhat satirical story about a family who moves out of and rents their Long Island home each summer so they can actually afford it the rest of the year. The characters here are great in that they are multi-dimensional and amusingly unlikeable. A perfect, superfast, end-of-summer read.