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Secrets in Summer
The queen of beach books (The Star-Ledger) returns to the shores of Nantucket in a novel about one memorable summer when flirtations flourish, family dramas play out, and scandalous secrets surface.
Memorial Day weekend means that seasonal visitors have descended on the glamorous island of Nantucket. For year-round resident Darcy Cotterill, it means late-night stargazing in the backyard of the beautiful house she grew up in and inherited from her beloved grandmother. It s also Darcy s chance to hit the beach and meet her new summertime neighbors. But the last person the thirty-year-old librarian expects to see staying next door is her ex-husband, Boyz, along with his wife, Autumn, and stepdaughter, Willow.
Darcy must also navigate the highs and lows of a new romantic relationship with local carpenter Nash Forester even as she becomes smitten with handsome vacationer Clive Rush, a musicologist in town to write a book and visit family. And she finds herself pulled into the concerns of Boyz, Autumn, a charming elderly neighbor, and an at-risk teen.
As the season nears its end, Darcy must decide her next move: retreating to the comforts of her steady and secure island life, or risking it all for a chance at true happiness.
Memorial Day weekend means that seasonal visitors have descended on the glamorous island of Nantucket. For year-round resident Darcy Cotterill, it means late-night stargazing in the backyard of the beautiful house she grew up in and inherited from her beloved grandmother. It s also Darcy s chance to hit the beach and meet her new summertime neighbors. But the last person the thirty-year-old librarian expects to see staying next door is her ex-husband, Boyz, along with his wife, Autumn, and stepdaughter, Willow.
Darcy must also navigate the highs and lows of a new romantic relationship with local carpenter Nash Forester even as she becomes smitten with handsome vacationer Clive Rush, a musicologist in town to write a book and visit family. And she finds herself pulled into the concerns of Boyz, Autumn, a charming elderly neighbor, and an at-risk teen.
As the season nears its end, Darcy must decide her next move: retreating to the comforts of her steady and secure island life, or risking it all for a chance at true happiness.
337 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2017
2166 people are currently reading
8015 people want to read
About the author
Nancy Thayer
51 books4,025 followersNancy Thayer has published 35 novels, including Family Reunion and Secrets in Summer. She has lived on Nantucket Island year-round for 38 years with her husband Charley Walters. They have two children and five grandchildren.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 850 reviews
March 22, 2017
I won this book through a Goodreads giveaway.
This book didn't work for me, and I think its because of a combination of things, instead of one major flaw. Firstly, though, what I did like was the setting - summer is my favorite season, and Thayer does a good job capturing that summer feel, especially since the setting is a beach town.
Besides the setting, everything else didn't quite work for me. Throughout reading this book, I was either rolling my eyes or straight out confused at the majority of the things the characters did/said. Much of what happeneed in this book seemed forced - from the relationships to the narrative to the dialogue. I felt like the author was trying to insert important topics in the story - love, drugs, infidelity - but couldn't quite connect the characters to these things. So events would happen out of nowhere, or characters would say something outrageous out of nowhere, just to move the plot along, but it didn't make sense, and I was left scratching my head. I kept asking myself, "Why would he/she say that? That doesn't make sense." So it made it hard to root for any of the characters, since I couldn't get on board with them - because I couldn't understand the motives behind what they did and said. It often derailed the story and left me emotionally detached. The writing does do a lot of telling instead of showing, which contributes to the lack of emotion as well.
While I enjoyed escaping to those long, warm summer days, the execution of the story ultimately didn't work for me.
This book didn't work for me, and I think its because of a combination of things, instead of one major flaw. Firstly, though, what I did like was the setting - summer is my favorite season, and Thayer does a good job capturing that summer feel, especially since the setting is a beach town.
Besides the setting, everything else didn't quite work for me. Throughout reading this book, I was either rolling my eyes or straight out confused at the majority of the things the characters did/said. Much of what happeneed in this book seemed forced - from the relationships to the narrative to the dialogue. I felt like the author was trying to insert important topics in the story - love, drugs, infidelity - but couldn't quite connect the characters to these things. So events would happen out of nowhere, or characters would say something outrageous out of nowhere, just to move the plot along, but it didn't make sense, and I was left scratching my head. I kept asking myself, "Why would he/she say that? That doesn't make sense." So it made it hard to root for any of the characters, since I couldn't get on board with them - because I couldn't understand the motives behind what they did and said. It often derailed the story and left me emotionally detached. The writing does do a lot of telling instead of showing, which contributes to the lack of emotion as well.
While I enjoyed escaping to those long, warm summer days, the execution of the story ultimately didn't work for me.
May 17, 2017
This book definitely accomplished at least one thing: I really want to visit Nantucket now! It's a good beach book, a light and easy read. My couple of niggles include dialogue that seemed stilted and some pretty outlandish situations. It also seemed a bit old fashioned about "gender roles" on occasion. One would think fathers would be comfortable with taking care of their children, but maybe I'm wrong. I did still enjoy the book and would recommend it to anyone who wants a nice light read, especially for a vacation or beach days. I loved that the main character was a librarian, as it's always been something I'm interested in. It really added something to the story for me.
Darcy is a year-round resident of Nantucket. She lives in a beautiful old house her grandmother left for her, and loves caring for her garden and her job at the library. She's also in a steamy new relationship with a man named Nash. All is well in her world. When summer arrives and the population of Nantucket skyrockets, the usually empty homes in her neighborhood start to fill up with new renters. There's a charming and hilarious old lady and her handsome grandson on one side of her, and on the other.... her ex husband and his family. The stunningly beautiful woman he cheated on Darcy with and her teenage daughter. Sounds like a recipe for disaster, but she's determined not to let it ruin her summer.
Though she usually keeps in mind that the summer people are only here for a few months and then leave forever, she finds herself drawn to a few of her new neighbors. She soon becomes enveloped in their problems and drama and especially forms an attachment to the teenager next door, Willow. As she tries to support her new friends, she has a few things of her own to figure out... like plans for her future, and if the pull she feels towards the handsome man next door overrides her blooming relationship with Nash.
This is a very mild spoiler but I had to say it because it bothered me:
I received an ARC of this book from Net Galley and Ballantine Books, thank you! My review is honest and unbiased.
Darcy is a year-round resident of Nantucket. She lives in a beautiful old house her grandmother left for her, and loves caring for her garden and her job at the library. She's also in a steamy new relationship with a man named Nash. All is well in her world. When summer arrives and the population of Nantucket skyrockets, the usually empty homes in her neighborhood start to fill up with new renters. There's a charming and hilarious old lady and her handsome grandson on one side of her, and on the other.... her ex husband and his family. The stunningly beautiful woman he cheated on Darcy with and her teenage daughter. Sounds like a recipe for disaster, but she's determined not to let it ruin her summer.
Though she usually keeps in mind that the summer people are only here for a few months and then leave forever, she finds herself drawn to a few of her new neighbors. She soon becomes enveloped in their problems and drama and especially forms an attachment to the teenager next door, Willow. As she tries to support her new friends, she has a few things of her own to figure out... like plans for her future, and if the pull she feels towards the handsome man next door overrides her blooming relationship with Nash.
This is a very mild spoiler but I had to say it because it bothered me:
I received an ARC of this book from Net Galley and Ballantine Books, thank you! My review is honest and unbiased.
July 20, 2022
Two and a half stars
Darcy Cotterill lives in the beautiful old house left to her by her grandmother. Her grandmother Penny was the one who gave Darcy a home and showed her love throughout the years from the time she was ten year old. Her parents always were more intent on their own lives and had no time for a little girl. In later years Darcy cares for her grandmother. Now at thirty, when the summer people arrive Darcy is more than a little disconcerted to find her ex-husband Boyz and his second wife and stepdaughter have taken up residence for the summer the neighbouring house. Anytime anyone is out in the garden Darcy can hear all that is going on since only a hedge separates them. She hears more than she would care to and is unsure what to do about it. Meanwhile Darcy needs to sort out how she feels about her relationship with Nash and whether she wants to take it further. And does he?
What I liked.
I liked that Darcy was a librarian and that books were so important to her.
I liked the way Darcy cared about people. She can’t seem to help herself caring about and getting involved in the problems of others.
I liked the way Darcy cared for her grandmother in her later years and the relationship between them.
I liked the way she formed relationships with some of the summer people, Mimi, the elderly woman who is on Nantucket with her grandson, Willow the young teenager who also happens to be the stepdaughter of Darcy’s ex-husband, and Susan a young woman with three rambunctious boys and husband who is little help. I liked the way she brought the different generations together.
What I didn’t like
Being told repeatedly how the population of Nantucket swells over summer from 16000 to 60000. I got I first time.
The relationship between Darcy and Nash never convinced me.
The way Darcy reacted to Mimi’s grandson at times. And vice versa.
The stereotypical attitudes of two men who think they are God’s gift to women and couldn’t accept no as an answer.
The behaviour of some of these characters who thought only of themselves.
Too much repetition of irrelevant details like what Darcy eats or wears, or what she does each day.
This book kept me reading even though sometimes I just could feel myself shaking my head in disbelief at actions or reactions. It was mainly the inter-generational relationships between the females that appealed to me. A light read, not without few tense or teary type moments. I used to enjoy Nancy Thayer novels more years go. It seems that has changed. Not sure who did the changing. So an okay beach read but not startling.
Darcy Cotterill lives in the beautiful old house left to her by her grandmother. Her grandmother Penny was the one who gave Darcy a home and showed her love throughout the years from the time she was ten year old. Her parents always were more intent on their own lives and had no time for a little girl. In later years Darcy cares for her grandmother. Now at thirty, when the summer people arrive Darcy is more than a little disconcerted to find her ex-husband Boyz and his second wife and stepdaughter have taken up residence for the summer the neighbouring house. Anytime anyone is out in the garden Darcy can hear all that is going on since only a hedge separates them. She hears more than she would care to and is unsure what to do about it. Meanwhile Darcy needs to sort out how she feels about her relationship with Nash and whether she wants to take it further. And does he?
What I liked.
I liked that Darcy was a librarian and that books were so important to her.
I liked the way Darcy cared about people. She can’t seem to help herself caring about and getting involved in the problems of others.
I liked the way Darcy cared for her grandmother in her later years and the relationship between them.
I liked the way she formed relationships with some of the summer people, Mimi, the elderly woman who is on Nantucket with her grandson, Willow the young teenager who also happens to be the stepdaughter of Darcy’s ex-husband, and Susan a young woman with three rambunctious boys and husband who is little help. I liked the way she brought the different generations together.
What I didn’t like
Being told repeatedly how the population of Nantucket swells over summer from 16000 to 60000. I got I first time.
The relationship between Darcy and Nash never convinced me.
The way Darcy reacted to Mimi’s grandson at times. And vice versa.
The stereotypical attitudes of two men who think they are God’s gift to women and couldn’t accept no as an answer.
The behaviour of some of these characters who thought only of themselves.
Too much repetition of irrelevant details like what Darcy eats or wears, or what she does each day.
This book kept me reading even though sometimes I just could feel myself shaking my head in disbelief at actions or reactions. It was mainly the inter-generational relationships between the females that appealed to me. A light read, not without few tense or teary type moments. I used to enjoy Nancy Thayer novels more years go. It seems that has changed. Not sure who did the changing. So an okay beach read but not startling.
March 17, 2017
4.5 stars
Nancy Thayer's books =summer to me. How lucky was I to receive an ARC (from netgalley) to read in the middle of the winter? Darcy is a year round resident of Nantucket and is happy with her life as a librarian and the man in her life, Nash and her relationships with her summer neighbors. Much to her dismay, one of her neighbors happens to be her ex-husband and his wife- the woman he left Darcy for- and their teenage daughter. A story of friendships and relationships and totally enjoyable read. Highly recommend for Nancy Thayer fans.
Nancy Thayer's books =summer to me. How lucky was I to receive an ARC (from netgalley) to read in the middle of the winter? Darcy is a year round resident of Nantucket and is happy with her life as a librarian and the man in her life, Nash and her relationships with her summer neighbors. Much to her dismay, one of her neighbors happens to be her ex-husband and his wife- the woman he left Darcy for- and their teenage daughter. A story of friendships and relationships and totally enjoyable read. Highly recommend for Nancy Thayer fans.
August 2, 2017
Nancy Thayer's newest novel is about a divorcee and librarian who's inherited her grandmothers home on Nantucket. This is a light, quick read (and next to last on finishing my summer reading stack)👌🏻
June 12, 2017
2.5 stars. I had high hopes for this book because I love a good summer read and I'm a librarian. Everything in this book associated with librarianship in a public library was pretty accurate and very believable for me. As for the rest, it all felt too forced. Darcy loves Nash, not only loves him but thinks he's the love of her life, despite his closed off demeanor and her hots for her neighbor. I just didn't find the relationship between Darcy and Nash to be genuine or even a good fit. Clive was pushy and unnecessary to the plot. The setting was great but Darcy is too flaky and everything was wrapped up too nicely in the end.
August 9, 2018
Is it even summer if I don’t get my hands on at least one Nancy Thayer novel? And those picturesque Nantucket summers... (Amiright?) Secrets in Summer did just that. A nice break from the heavy, twisted reads I usually get lost in...This one was so pleasant to read! (As are all the Nancy Thayer books I ever read) I always enjoy the quaint Nantucket setting. I definitely live vicariously through her characters while I’m reading! 4-stars!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
July 6, 2017
Honestly, I don’t have high expectations when I read a “beach read” at the beginning of the summer. Novels by Elin Hilderbrand and Nancy Thayer are not great literature, but they’re not supposed to be. They’re supposed to be fun, light, breezy reads that you can consume without much thought. If you go into them with that mindset, then all is well.
However, even though it isn’t great literature, I expect that the writing at least be half decent and the story hold my interest. That wasn’t the case with Secrets in Summer. I felt like I was reading a detailed daily journal written by the protagonist, Darcy. I now know exactly what hours she works; what she eats for breakfast, lunch and dinner; the fact she takes her swimsuit to work so she can take an after-work swim. And watch out for Thursdays: she generally works late that night! Her daily routine was described over and over. (As was the fact that the population of Nantucket increases from 16,000 to 60,000 in the summer; once was enough, I didn’t need a reminder every other chapter.) Quite frankly, it was boring and a bit bizarre.
Normally I wouldn’t have finished it, but unfortunately I was caught out of town with only this book with me so I persevered.
However, even though it isn’t great literature, I expect that the writing at least be half decent and the story hold my interest. That wasn’t the case with Secrets in Summer. I felt like I was reading a detailed daily journal written by the protagonist, Darcy. I now know exactly what hours she works; what she eats for breakfast, lunch and dinner; the fact she takes her swimsuit to work so she can take an after-work swim. And watch out for Thursdays: she generally works late that night! Her daily routine was described over and over. (As was the fact that the population of Nantucket increases from 16,000 to 60,000 in the summer; once was enough, I didn’t need a reminder every other chapter.) Quite frankly, it was boring and a bit bizarre.
Normally I wouldn’t have finished it, but unfortunately I was caught out of town with only this book with me so I persevered.
June 16, 2018
Perfect summer book! Very likable characters of varying ages. Loved the Nantucket setting. It makes me want to visit someday. The romance was tricky but I was swooning at the end.
July 3, 2017
A more complete review is available on my blog:
https://reviewsofbooksonmynightstand....
What a great beach book! I loved the descriptions of Nantucket and found myself envying the characters for their breezy island lifestyle. The characters were very interesting. I love that Darcy is a librarian and enjoys her life with books so much. Mimi was vivacious and so funny! She uses the wisdom that she has gleaned from her older age to help the younger women realize what is really important in life. I enjoyed the friendship between Darcy, Susan, Mimi and Willow more than I enjoyed the back and forth between Darcy and Boyz but the story itself was very interesting and kept me reading. This is a great book when you want to read something that is not taxing and won't make you think too much. It is just enjoyable and fun to read and felt to right for the summer.
Thank you to Netgalley and Ballantine Books for an advanced copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions are my own.
https://reviewsofbooksonmynightstand....
What a great beach book! I loved the descriptions of Nantucket and found myself envying the characters for their breezy island lifestyle. The characters were very interesting. I love that Darcy is a librarian and enjoys her life with books so much. Mimi was vivacious and so funny! She uses the wisdom that she has gleaned from her older age to help the younger women realize what is really important in life. I enjoyed the friendship between Darcy, Susan, Mimi and Willow more than I enjoyed the back and forth between Darcy and Boyz but the story itself was very interesting and kept me reading. This is a great book when you want to read something that is not taxing and won't make you think too much. It is just enjoyable and fun to read and felt to right for the summer.
Thank you to Netgalley and Ballantine Books for an advanced copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions are my own.
April 7, 2019
An enjoyable, light read. The plot, as much as there is a plot, moves along at a brisk pace.
Darcy lives on Nantucket in a house that she inherited from her beloved grandmother. She is a children’s librarian at the Nantucket Library. She has a close circle of friends and a new romance. Normally she does not get involved with summer people, but this year she finds herself wrapped up in their lives. This becomes awkward when her ex-husband and his new family move into the house behind hers.
The characters are all well portrayed and for the most part, likable, maybe with the exception of Darcy’s ex-husband. Since I visited Nantucket last summer, I could really picture all the places that were referenced in the book. The ending, while quite predictable, is very satisfying.
This is not a challenging read in the least. It is well written and exactly what I wanted to read. I always enjoy Nancy Thayer’s books and this did not disappoint.
A definite recommend for when you want to relax with an easy-peasey, stress free book.
Darcy lives on Nantucket in a house that she inherited from her beloved grandmother. She is a children’s librarian at the Nantucket Library. She has a close circle of friends and a new romance. Normally she does not get involved with summer people, but this year she finds herself wrapped up in their lives. This becomes awkward when her ex-husband and his new family move into the house behind hers.
The characters are all well portrayed and for the most part, likable, maybe with the exception of Darcy’s ex-husband. Since I visited Nantucket last summer, I could really picture all the places that were referenced in the book. The ending, while quite predictable, is very satisfying.
This is not a challenging read in the least. It is well written and exactly what I wanted to read. I always enjoy Nancy Thayer’s books and this did not disappoint.
A definite recommend for when you want to relax with an easy-peasey, stress free book.
June 28, 2017
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. I was so disappointed with this book, basically it is a boring daily play by play of Darcy's summer (each and every day) and she should reconsider Nash because he is quite harsh and overly rude! Just did not enjoy this one.
June 13, 2017
This was overall a nice, easy summer read but the relationship between Darcy and Nash just seemed...weird to me. Stilted, stiff and somewhat unemotional. I just never felt any real connection between them.
June 14, 2017
Title: Secrets in Summer
Author: Nancy Thayer
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
"Secrets in Summer" by Nancy Thayer
My Thoughts...
"Secrets in Summer" really gives you quite a read where the reader will be pulled into many different directions. We find Darcy Cotterill a librarian is in her Nantucket home where she has inherited it from her grandmother. Oh, let me just say she is dating Nash being newly divorced. But what all was up with that? Now it is the beginning of Memorial Day and people are showing up. But to Darcy's surprise her neighbor behind her is none other that her ex [Boyz] and his new wife [Autumn] and stepdaughter[Willow]. Some other neighbors.were one with three boys and a elderly woman who was staying with her grandson [Clive] who happens to be thirty. We now get the start of the story as the it will go into their life's. Now, this is where this story will get most interesting as the story isn't only about the neighbors but of 'adultery, drugs, senior citizen issues, secrets and then it seems like this ex doesn't know what the word no really means.' Really what in the world was that about? Didn't Boyz leave his wife [Darcy] for this new one? I am only left to say that Darcy really had her hands full because it seems like she was just too involved with everyone life which did get a little over the top to me. You will definitely have to pick up this good read to see how it will all come out for Darcy. I will say this is a good summer entertaining read that will keep your attention to see what will happen next in this story. In the end will Darcy be able to get out of her past and finally find a permanency in her life that she will enjoy? It will be a interesting to read and see how this story does unfold.
I received this from NetGalley to read and review.
June 7, 2017
5 stars for the sheer pleasure of this engrossing novel about a young woman whose husband betrayed her several years before she realizes that he, his new wife, and his fourteen year old stepdaughter have rented the house behind hers for the summer. There were wonderful characters, many of whom were neighbors within shouting distance, friendships, and a racy romance with a somewhat mysterious man. Darcy, the main character, is a librarian. As a book lover, this novel, with some scenes set in a library, and with a heroine who reads as voraciously as I do, was a total joy for me. I loved "Secrets In Summer" so much. I read it in two settings, but that was only because I had to go to work during the day, or I would have read it straight through in one sitting. Kudos to Nancy Thayer for a really fun, quick read which I wanted to go on forever. I have been a fan for more than thirty years, and hope that Thayer will still be writing thirty years from now, and that I will be around to read every new book she writes.
March 13, 2017
I received this novel from Netgalley in return of an honest review.
Secrets in Summer is one of my favorite Nancy Thayer books. It was a perfect beach/escape read. I needed a book for a two day trip (to the Cape coincidentally) and knew this would be the perfect choice. Darcy has a little more sass than the typical Thayer character (which I was a big fan of), but she is still a good girl at heart. I can usually guess how a Nancy Thayer book will end, but I have to say that this one surprised me! The only reason I gave it 4 instead of 5 stars is because I wish Darcy stood up to the men in her life a little more strongly, but that's just a personal preference. Recommended for people looking for a great romantic beach read that may not end up the way you expect!
Secrets in Summer is one of my favorite Nancy Thayer books. It was a perfect beach/escape read. I needed a book for a two day trip (to the Cape coincidentally) and knew this would be the perfect choice. Darcy has a little more sass than the typical Thayer character (which I was a big fan of), but she is still a good girl at heart. I can usually guess how a Nancy Thayer book will end, but I have to say that this one surprised me! The only reason I gave it 4 instead of 5 stars is because I wish Darcy stood up to the men in her life a little more strongly, but that's just a personal preference. Recommended for people looking for a great romantic beach read that may not end up the way you expect!
June 13, 2017
A light summer read with a fascinating cast of characters.
My only quibble: during one scene, the protagonist listens to a woman attempt to rationalize her infidelity to her (the woman's) young teen daughter. The protagonist seems to come away with admiration for the woman, who compares her open marriage to the daughter's love of ice cream and reading.
My only quibble: during one scene, the protagonist listens to a woman attempt to rationalize her infidelity to her (the woman's) young teen daughter. The protagonist seems to come away with admiration for the woman, who compares her open marriage to the daughter's love of ice cream and reading.
June 26, 2017
Review to follow.
May 21, 2017
Memorial Day weekend means that seasonal visitors have descended on the glamorous island of Nantucket. For year-round resident Darcy Cotterill, it means late-night stargazing in the backyard of the beautiful house she grew up in and inherited from her beloved grandmother. It’s also Darcy’s chance to hit the beach and meet her new summertime neighbors. But the last person the thirty-year-old librarian expects to see staying next door is her ex-husband, Boyz, along with his wife, Autumn, and stepdaughter, Willow.
Darcy must also navigate the highs and lows of a new romantic relationship with local carpenter Nash Forester even as she becomes smitten with handsome vacationer Clive Rush, a musicologist in town to write a book and visit family. And she finds herself pulled into the concerns of Boyz, Autumn, a charming elderly neighbor, and an at-risk teen.
As the season nears its end, Darcy must decide her next move: retreating to the comforts of her steady and secure island life, or risking it all for a chance at true happiness.
My Thoughts: Swept away by the author’s descriptions of the homes, gardens, people, summer events, and the magic of the island, I savored every page in Secrets in Summer. I felt an immediate connection to Darcy, whose grandmother Penny had raised her, having had a special relationship with my own grandmother. I could understand why she loved the home that had belonged to her, and where she grew up.
I could visualize the backyard gardens that were close together, separated only by hedges, which also lent themselves to unique connections. When Darcy found out that her ex-husband Boyz and his new wife were renting the house next door, I anticipated that there would be awkward moments. And there were, but what I didn’t expect was the relationship that would develop between Darcy and Boyz’s stepdaughter Willow.
In the rental house on the other side of Darcy’s were an elderly woman Mimi and her grandson Clive. Mimi was like a surrogate grandmother, but her vivid personality and her tendency to openly share her thoughts made her a more modern day version of Penny. All the new and old friends shared the delights of the season.
Themes of friendships, even those transitory summer connections, kept me interested throughout, as did the drama from Willow, who turned out to be a more likable teen than we usually see in fiction…or real life. Would Darcy find a permanent love connection with her lover, Nash, or might she choose someone new? A delightful story that made me long to visit Nantucket and find some summer friends that might even last through the seasons. 5 stars.
Darcy must also navigate the highs and lows of a new romantic relationship with local carpenter Nash Forester even as she becomes smitten with handsome vacationer Clive Rush, a musicologist in town to write a book and visit family. And she finds herself pulled into the concerns of Boyz, Autumn, a charming elderly neighbor, and an at-risk teen.
As the season nears its end, Darcy must decide her next move: retreating to the comforts of her steady and secure island life, or risking it all for a chance at true happiness.
My Thoughts: Swept away by the author’s descriptions of the homes, gardens, people, summer events, and the magic of the island, I savored every page in Secrets in Summer. I felt an immediate connection to Darcy, whose grandmother Penny had raised her, having had a special relationship with my own grandmother. I could understand why she loved the home that had belonged to her, and where she grew up.
I could visualize the backyard gardens that were close together, separated only by hedges, which also lent themselves to unique connections. When Darcy found out that her ex-husband Boyz and his new wife were renting the house next door, I anticipated that there would be awkward moments. And there were, but what I didn’t expect was the relationship that would develop between Darcy and Boyz’s stepdaughter Willow.
In the rental house on the other side of Darcy’s were an elderly woman Mimi and her grandson Clive. Mimi was like a surrogate grandmother, but her vivid personality and her tendency to openly share her thoughts made her a more modern day version of Penny. All the new and old friends shared the delights of the season.
Themes of friendships, even those transitory summer connections, kept me interested throughout, as did the drama from Willow, who turned out to be a more likable teen than we usually see in fiction…or real life. Would Darcy find a permanent love connection with her lover, Nash, or might she choose someone new? A delightful story that made me long to visit Nantucket and find some summer friends that might even last through the seasons. 5 stars.
April 26, 2017
Such a heartwarming, sad, humorous, entertaining and enjoyable read. I really got into this book and could not put it down.
Darcy lives in her childhood home which she inherited from her grandmother in Nantucket. She is a year round resident and she has done something she's never done before. She has become close to the summer renters. And, it just so happens, one of those renters is the stepdaughter of her ex-husband who is renting the property behind her. Of all the houses in Nantucket, he has to pick that one. Ha! This leads up to pretty interesting reading and is just one of the plots that is being told in this story.
There are several plots and lots of quirky, endearing characters. You will definitely need tissues for this one as the summer ends.
Thanks to Random House and Net Galley for approving and allowing me to read and review this book.
Darcy lives in her childhood home which she inherited from her grandmother in Nantucket. She is a year round resident and she has done something she's never done before. She has become close to the summer renters. And, it just so happens, one of those renters is the stepdaughter of her ex-husband who is renting the property behind her. Of all the houses in Nantucket, he has to pick that one. Ha! This leads up to pretty interesting reading and is just one of the plots that is being told in this story.
There are several plots and lots of quirky, endearing characters. You will definitely need tissues for this one as the summer ends.
Thanks to Random House and Net Galley for approving and allowing me to read and review this book.
March 1, 2017
Lovely Children's Librarian Darcy is having hot sex with a local handyman who hasn't defined their relationship, when she learns her ex, the smarmy Boyz, is renting the Nantucket mansion behind hers. Plus, another handsome neighbor and his charming grandmother are renting the mansion next door. Poor beautiful Darcy gets sucked into various melodramas of the summer set included love squares, heroin use, and affairs, among others, and ends up with a HEA you can see coming from miles away. Not my cup of tea, as the storytelling style left me feeling cold, especially regarding the various relationships, and as a main character Darcy is annoyingly perfect. So perfect she even calls it out herself in the text.
Thank you to netgalley for the ARC.
Thank you to netgalley for the ARC.
June 6, 2017
I definitely wanted to keep reading it because it was a "fun, easy read" but quickly remembered why I don't usually like this type of book.
I think the author forgot how 30 year olds actually think/talk especially in present day. Once I realized that I couldn't get over it.
I think the author forgot how 30 year olds actually think/talk especially in present day. Once I realized that I couldn't get over it.
August 19, 2018
I enjoyed the audiobook because I was stuck in an airport on both ends of a quick trip to visit with my daughter in Florida, but I wasn't crazy about it. It is an easy read and as an MLIS grad student, it was fun to read about Darcy and her career as a librarian. But I felt she was always looking for relationships to replace the one with her grandmother as well as her relationship with her parents. Also, her relationship with Nash was just plain weird. For so much of the book, I liked Darcy's independence but at the end, she was very clingy. Overall, it was an enjoyable audiobook to keep me company on my walks and flights!
Go Cards! L1C4!
Go Cards! L1C4!
March 28, 2017
I won Secrets in Summer through a Goodreads giveaway. Thank you. I liked the book. I have read other Nancy Thayer books - The Guest Cottage and Nantucket Sisters. It was a light, enjoyable summer romantic read. I noticed there were some repetitive parts, but overlooked that as the copy I received was not a final draft. I liked Darcy and wanted the end to work out for her. A few of her relationships with the summer neighbors was a little hard to believe. The characters in general needed a little more development. Darcy's story was one of putting the past behind and moving forward with her life.
January 30, 2018
Could you just imagine sitting on your patio trying to enjoy your time off after a hard day at work and having to hear everyone's dirty little secrets.. Well Darcy the librarian (who I adore) has to listen and keep all the secrets to herself and while the summer is off to a fast start she also meets a host of characters who have all come to Nantucket for the summer.
This is a great beach read...take it along on your next summer vacation you wont be disappointed.
Enjoy!!
My thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is a great beach read...take it along on your next summer vacation you wont be disappointed.
Enjoy!!
My thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 11, 2017
Beautiful story about a librarian who lives on Nantucket Island year-round! Of course, I would love this! I want to live like that - fantasy life! The story is rich, layered, and compelling for a summer read.
July 18, 2021
A good easy summer read that has some secrets that are not traumatic. A happy ending which is my favourite.
July 3, 2023
My second Nantucket set book by this author. Darcy is a likable character, her ex is as smarmy as they come but his stepdaughter is sweet, elderly summer neighbor Mimi is delightful, I had mixed feelings about Mimi's grandson, Clive, and I loved maybe boyfriend Nash.
Most of the story and writing were engaging, but the exposition where the narrative went into Darcy's past, and then the last wrap-it-all-up chapter were a bit dry and rote, but overall it was quite enjoyable.
Most of the story and writing were engaging, but the exposition where the narrative went into Darcy's past, and then the last wrap-it-all-up chapter were a bit dry and rote, but overall it was quite enjoyable.
February 7, 2023
A sweet summer story about family we are given, they family we choose, 1st love, love everlasting, lost, loss, new found friends, generational knowledge, finding yourself and of course books and libraries.
September 3, 2018
Quick happy beach read
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