What do you think?
Rate this book
Summer House
Thirty-year-old Charlotte Wheelwright seems to have at last found her niche, running an organic gardening business on the island of Nantucket, thanks in large part to her spry grandmother Nona, who donated a portion of land on the family’s seaside compound to get Charlotte started. Though Charlotte’s skill with plants is bringing her success, cultivating something deeper with people—particularly her handsome neighbor Coop—might be more of a challenge.
Now the entire Wheelwright clan is making its annual summer pilgrimage to the homestead, including Charlotte’s mother, Helen, who brings a heavy heart as she confronts a betrayal that threatens her sense of place and her sense of self. Bringing together three generations of strong-willed women, each wrestling with life-changing decisions, Nancy Thayer’s luminous novel shows that no matter where life’s path may lead, love always finds a way back home.
384 pages, Paperback
First published June 23, 2009
767 people are currently reading
12703 people want to read
About the author
Nancy Thayer
53 books4,054 followersNancy Thayer has published 35 novels, including Family Reunion and Secrets in Summer. She has lived on Nantucket Island year-round for 38 years with her husband Charley Walters. They have two children and five grandchildren.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 827 reviews
July 10, 2009
I got this book for free at a shopping event in New York. I figured I'd give it a shot.
First off, what does an author need to do to get some decent editors? I mean, seriously. This woman has written how many books and her publisher can't hire people who know how to copy edit? Typos GALORE in this book. Very distracting. Also distracting, the fact that the book takes place in present day but for some reason all the dialogue feels as though it was written in 1925 in England. Very upper-crusty and "how do you do, old chap". Blah. There are some interesting plot twists in this book but then there are plot twists that by the time I learned of them, I could hardly care less. I thought, "Why even bring this up now?" And for some reason some of the characters are a little too anti-German or perhaps the author is and she decided to channel it through this book. "I'm GERMAN?!? NOOO!!!" Uh, get over it. Not all Germans were Nazis and not all Nazis were/are Germans. Geesh.
This book about a wacky, wealthy family could have been entertaining if not for the above. I do have a desire to visit Nantucket now, though.
First off, what does an author need to do to get some decent editors? I mean, seriously. This woman has written how many books and her publisher can't hire people who know how to copy edit? Typos GALORE in this book. Very distracting. Also distracting, the fact that the book takes place in present day but for some reason all the dialogue feels as though it was written in 1925 in England. Very upper-crusty and "how do you do, old chap". Blah. There are some interesting plot twists in this book but then there are plot twists that by the time I learned of them, I could hardly care less. I thought, "Why even bring this up now?" And for some reason some of the characters are a little too anti-German or perhaps the author is and she decided to channel it through this book. "I'm GERMAN?!? NOOO!!!" Uh, get over it. Not all Germans were Nazis and not all Nazis were/are Germans. Geesh.
This book about a wacky, wealthy family could have been entertaining if not for the above. I do have a desire to visit Nantucket now, though.
January 12, 2018
I listened to this book and it was hard to get into at first. There were so many different characters it was very hard to keep track of who was who. I almost gave up on the book. But I'm glad I didn't. This is a really good book about family dynamics and how families have lots of secrets. Not all of them are bad. I enjoyed this book.
April 26, 2020
Charlotte Wheelwright's family is a force to be reckoned with, and over the summer the novel takes place, the reader sees them all in their full glory.
Charlotte lives on Nantucket with her grandmother, Nona, where she successfully runs an organic gardening business, much to her parents' and extended family's disappointment. She doesn't quite fit the Wheelwright mold; in fact, her brothers don't either since neither of them stayed to work for the family bank. Over the summer, the family gathers at the family summer house on Nantucket for weddings and the annual family meeting.
These Wheelwright women are struggling. Charlotte's mother, Helen, is dealing with some unfortunate discoveries and how to deal with them as well as how to handle their son Teddy who is an alcoholic and has brought home a pregnant "wife" this summer, finally giving Helen the grandchild she always dreamed of. Nona, the matriarch of the Wheelwright clan, has some secrets of her own which she finally reveals to her oldest son, Worth and his wife Helen, as Worth struggles to accept Teddy's newborn child.
I went into this book thinking it was going to be about Charlotte, but it's more than just about her.
There are flashbacks to tell about Nona's past. I really liked these dreamlike episodes that told of her courtship and early days with Herb, who has already passed away in the story's present storyline. In fact, I wish there had been more of this early storyline to balance with the busy present narrative with maybe too many character, considering the extended family that all descends upon Nantucket for the summer. At times, all of the characters were a bit overwhelming.
Charlotte lives on Nantucket with her grandmother, Nona, where she successfully runs an organic gardening business, much to her parents' and extended family's disappointment. She doesn't quite fit the Wheelwright mold; in fact, her brothers don't either since neither of them stayed to work for the family bank. Over the summer, the family gathers at the family summer house on Nantucket for weddings and the annual family meeting.
These Wheelwright women are struggling. Charlotte's mother, Helen, is dealing with some unfortunate discoveries and how to deal with them as well as how to handle their son Teddy who is an alcoholic and has brought home a pregnant "wife" this summer, finally giving Helen the grandchild she always dreamed of. Nona, the matriarch of the Wheelwright clan, has some secrets of her own which she finally reveals to her oldest son, Worth and his wife Helen, as Worth struggles to accept Teddy's newborn child.
I went into this book thinking it was going to be about Charlotte, but it's more than just about her.
There are flashbacks to tell about Nona's past. I really liked these dreamlike episodes that told of her courtship and early days with Herb, who has already passed away in the story's present storyline. In fact, I wish there had been more of this early storyline to balance with the busy present narrative with maybe too many character, considering the extended family that all descends upon Nantucket for the summer. At times, all of the characters were a bit overwhelming.
August 3, 2009
I read most of this multigenerational narrative, and initially felt it had the makings of a great summer read. Sadly, I just couldn't get through it. I found the switching between the grandmother, mother, and granddaughter's perspectives to be clunky. The secondary characters were flat; maybe they rounded out a bit in the final quarter of the novel, but they came off as too black-and-white. The book doesn’t have a particularly good or original story, lacks compelling characters, and offers little if any profound insight or ideas. The writing is so-so, any humor is negligible, and I just couldn’t grab hold of any aspect of the book to carry me through to the end.
I can’t believe this book made it onto the New York Times list of recommended summer reading. I thought it was bland. Trite. Blech. It doesn’t have the “I know this is bad for me but it’s so fun to read” potency of good chick lit. And it doesn’t have the gravitas of good literature. It’s kind of nothing. I read half of it in good faith, then found myself skipping ahead, rolling my eyes, yawning, and skipping farther ahead. About three quarters of the way through the book, I just gave it up.
I can’t believe this book made it onto the New York Times list of recommended summer reading. I thought it was bland. Trite. Blech. It doesn’t have the “I know this is bad for me but it’s so fun to read” potency of good chick lit. And it doesn’t have the gravitas of good literature. It’s kind of nothing. I read half of it in good faith, then found myself skipping ahead, rolling my eyes, yawning, and skipping farther ahead. About three quarters of the way through the book, I just gave it up.
November 13, 2011
The traditions of Boston Brahmin life on Beacon Hill and Nantucket, the access to education, career and life style, set the framework for this novel. While there are a number of extended family members who revere the inherent code of this life, a handful have not. Thus, it is their story, the 90 year old matriarch, 60 year old daughter in law and 30 year old granddaughter who face life-changing challenges and find their way through them.
The grandmother’s memories of her post-Radcliffe life in Boston in the early 1940’s meeting, marrying, and then following her husband stationed in post-war Germany in 1945 served to reveal her many strengths that supported and inspired her family. They also revealed details of the work that was available to bright, college-educated women, very different from the factory work that readers are perhaps more familiar with, and made the devastation and suffering of German families after the war ended more immediate. While the daughter in law and granddaughter deal with more common yet painful life issues, their commitment to thoughtful, ethical decisions that did not compromise what was important to them was consistent with their independent thinking. Finally, the book is about family and the complications of expectations and perceptions over time. Thayer does a skillful job here defining new roles and pathways for family without judgment and with much love.
The grandmother’s memories of her post-Radcliffe life in Boston in the early 1940’s meeting, marrying, and then following her husband stationed in post-war Germany in 1945 served to reveal her many strengths that supported and inspired her family. They also revealed details of the work that was available to bright, college-educated women, very different from the factory work that readers are perhaps more familiar with, and made the devastation and suffering of German families after the war ended more immediate. While the daughter in law and granddaughter deal with more common yet painful life issues, their commitment to thoughtful, ethical decisions that did not compromise what was important to them was consistent with their independent thinking. Finally, the book is about family and the complications of expectations and perceptions over time. Thayer does a skillful job here defining new roles and pathways for family without judgment and with much love.
April 8, 2018
I have enjoyed Nancy Thayer in the past, but this book was just plain boring. Could hardly wait to finish it up. All selfish characters, and I didn't enjoy any of them. I found myself not caring what happened to any of them after about 50 pages.
March 20, 2011
Originally posted on http://acozyreaderscorner.blogspot.co...
The novel Summer House follows three generations of strong willed Wheelwright women as they wrestle with decisions that will change their lives. The story starts off with the youngest of the three generations. Charlotte Wheelwright has always wanted to impress her father and make him proud, but so far she feels she has failed. Charlotte did not enjoy the family business of banking, and has spent much of her adult life afloat, hopping from one place to the next. Ashamed and punishing herself for her most recent mistake, Charlotte takes of to Nantucket Island and the family summer home in search of answers. What she finds is a passion for gardening and a love she never expected. Helen Wheelwright is the mother of Charlotte and a Wheelwright by marriage. Helen has spent her married life doing things the Wheelwright way and putting aside some of the things she loves, for her husbands family. When Helen discovers a deep betrayal she is heavy hearted and forced to face her deepest fears. She is confronted with her sense of self and what she wants out of life, a decision that could drastically change her life as she knows it. Nona, Anne Wheelwright, celebrates her ninetieth birthday and is confronted with memories of her past along with the state of her family in the present. As she wrestles with these memories, she will be forced to reveal a shocking family secret that will change everyone’s outlook on life and family. The novel confronts the subjects of family, friendships, love, betrayal and secrets. The characters each holding true to themselves, make life changing decisions for better or worst, each finding that the path taken may twist and turn, but it always finds a way back home.
Reviewed for AuthorExposure
Summer House is a simply beautiful story of family and the ties that bind. The novel switches from each woman’s story to the next, easily guiding the reader throughout its woven paths. There was never a moment where part of the book didn’t make sense or wasn’t interesting. The more you read, the more you are hooked, wanting to find out more about each character, their story and their family. It is easy to lose track of time while reading this novel. The book makes you feel at home, it harvest the essence of family and brings about the emotions that go along with it.
I absolutely loved this book. It was original and exciting with a raw magnetism of emotional understanding. I really enjoyed Nona’s memories because they gave insight into how each of these women has arrived where they are in the present. It shed light onto the Wheelwright family as a whole, giving the reader a broader and more developed picture of the family. It was easy to envision myself on Nantucket Island and with this family throughout the novel. It has a wonderful mix of past and present with a glimpse of the future that enables the reader to feel fulfilled throughout the novel. I would highly recommend this book to any reader. It is warm, heartfelt, smart, and witty and a perfect example of family in all its crazy wonderfulness. It will definitely be part of my permanent library and I look forward to reading it again.
The novel Summer House follows three generations of strong willed Wheelwright women as they wrestle with decisions that will change their lives. The story starts off with the youngest of the three generations. Charlotte Wheelwright has always wanted to impress her father and make him proud, but so far she feels she has failed. Charlotte did not enjoy the family business of banking, and has spent much of her adult life afloat, hopping from one place to the next. Ashamed and punishing herself for her most recent mistake, Charlotte takes of to Nantucket Island and the family summer home in search of answers. What she finds is a passion for gardening and a love she never expected. Helen Wheelwright is the mother of Charlotte and a Wheelwright by marriage. Helen has spent her married life doing things the Wheelwright way and putting aside some of the things she loves, for her husbands family. When Helen discovers a deep betrayal she is heavy hearted and forced to face her deepest fears. She is confronted with her sense of self and what she wants out of life, a decision that could drastically change her life as she knows it. Nona, Anne Wheelwright, celebrates her ninetieth birthday and is confronted with memories of her past along with the state of her family in the present. As she wrestles with these memories, she will be forced to reveal a shocking family secret that will change everyone’s outlook on life and family. The novel confronts the subjects of family, friendships, love, betrayal and secrets. The characters each holding true to themselves, make life changing decisions for better or worst, each finding that the path taken may twist and turn, but it always finds a way back home.
Reviewed for AuthorExposure
Summer House is a simply beautiful story of family and the ties that bind. The novel switches from each woman’s story to the next, easily guiding the reader throughout its woven paths. There was never a moment where part of the book didn’t make sense or wasn’t interesting. The more you read, the more you are hooked, wanting to find out more about each character, their story and their family. It is easy to lose track of time while reading this novel. The book makes you feel at home, it harvest the essence of family and brings about the emotions that go along with it.
I absolutely loved this book. It was original and exciting with a raw magnetism of emotional understanding. I really enjoyed Nona’s memories because they gave insight into how each of these women has arrived where they are in the present. It shed light onto the Wheelwright family as a whole, giving the reader a broader and more developed picture of the family. It was easy to envision myself on Nantucket Island and with this family throughout the novel. It has a wonderful mix of past and present with a glimpse of the future that enables the reader to feel fulfilled throughout the novel. I would highly recommend this book to any reader. It is warm, heartfelt, smart, and witty and a perfect example of family in all its crazy wonderfulness. It will definitely be part of my permanent library and I look forward to reading it again.
August 10, 2009
With a title like “Summer House,” this book could be just an ordinary beach read. But Nancy Thayer has transformed this story from light to deep in her multi-layered family drama.
The Wheelwrights of Boston, with an ancestral summer home on Nantucket, have traditions and a legacy; many who have married into the family have striven to live up to both with some difficulty. From the current matriarch Anne (Nona) down to the contemporary Wheelwrights, there are expectations and disappointments aplenty. And the bank that has sustained the family and employs family members is an institution in and of itself.
We follow the family members as they move from Boston to Nantucket and back again over the summer months. Interspersed within these pages is Anne’s story, alternating with the current family saga; gradually we come to learn about secrets and betrayal that will impact the family for years to come.
Worth and Grace are the children of Anne and Herb (who is deceased); they compete and struggle to live up to the family traditions. Grace’s husband Kellogg works in the bank, along with Worth. However, Worth’s children have all declined to join in this family business, and Helen, Worth’s wife, supports their children’s individuality. Worth has more difficulty with their children’s decisions.
In the months leading up to the summer highlighted in this book, Helen discovers a secret of Worth’s that has the potential to unravel their marriage and their lives.
Meanwhile, Worth and Helen’s daughter Charlotte has been living with Nona on the island, developing her environmentally friendly garden and selling the goods to the islanders. Son Oliver is planning to marry his partner Owen, and just as summer begins, son Teddy—alcoholic/drug abusing troubled son—shows up with a pregnant Suzette.
Everyone is poised for drama as the months unfold.
Thayer has the ability to enthrall the reader, which is one reason I have enjoyed this book, and many of her others that I have read.
The characters were believable and flawed just enough that we could almost know them as real people. Definitely a five-star read.
The Wheelwrights of Boston, with an ancestral summer home on Nantucket, have traditions and a legacy; many who have married into the family have striven to live up to both with some difficulty. From the current matriarch Anne (Nona) down to the contemporary Wheelwrights, there are expectations and disappointments aplenty. And the bank that has sustained the family and employs family members is an institution in and of itself.
We follow the family members as they move from Boston to Nantucket and back again over the summer months. Interspersed within these pages is Anne’s story, alternating with the current family saga; gradually we come to learn about secrets and betrayal that will impact the family for years to come.
Worth and Grace are the children of Anne and Herb (who is deceased); they compete and struggle to live up to the family traditions. Grace’s husband Kellogg works in the bank, along with Worth. However, Worth’s children have all declined to join in this family business, and Helen, Worth’s wife, supports their children’s individuality. Worth has more difficulty with their children’s decisions.
In the months leading up to the summer highlighted in this book, Helen discovers a secret of Worth’s that has the potential to unravel their marriage and their lives.
Meanwhile, Worth and Helen’s daughter Charlotte has been living with Nona on the island, developing her environmentally friendly garden and selling the goods to the islanders. Son Oliver is planning to marry his partner Owen, and just as summer begins, son Teddy—alcoholic/drug abusing troubled son—shows up with a pregnant Suzette.
Everyone is poised for drama as the months unfold.
Thayer has the ability to enthrall the reader, which is one reason I have enjoyed this book, and many of her others that I have read.
The characters were believable and flawed just enough that we could almost know them as real people. Definitely a five-star read.
July 3, 2020
I have been saving this one for summer and like many Nancy Thayer books about summer, it did not disappoint. What a great story about a family told from the perspective of three generations of women while staying at the family's summer house on Nantucket. Wonderfully drawn characters and beautiful scenery throughout.
July 22, 2018
A nice summer read about a dysfunctional family with a lot of family drama. Told from the perspectives of three characters, Nona (Anne) the 90 year old matriarch; Helen, her daughter in law; and Charlotte, her 30 year old granddaughter. Each brings something special to the family, and each has her secrets.
All the characters are wonderfully portrayed, even the nasty Grace, who you just love to hate.
It’s always great to revisit Nantucket, which almost becomes a character in its own right.
An enjoyable, light read; perfect for a summer afternoon.
All the characters are wonderfully portrayed, even the nasty Grace, who you just love to hate.
It’s always great to revisit Nantucket, which almost becomes a character in its own right.
An enjoyable, light read; perfect for a summer afternoon.
June 29, 2013
Summer House is the story of a single family that stays in Nantucket every summer. This family has so many conflicts, it drove me a little crazy.
Summer House is the second book by Nancy Thayer I have read, and I must admit, it was not my favorite.
First of all, I could not STAND Grace. She was so rude and disrespectful and tactless. Her daughters were not much better. Many times, I honestly wanted to slap them all, but the rest of the family seemed only mildly bothered by it. Additionally, many of the female characters could not stand up for themselves, which bothered me as well.
The whole summer seemed unrealistic. There were a lot of men moving in and out of the girls' lives. I find it hard to believe that even though they go to Nantucket every summer, this is the first summer that they had this happen to them.
I liked the past versus present when Ann was speaking. However, it was not done very smoothly and I found myself constantly going back and checking which time period we were in. The changes in perspective were also similar; I often had to go back and check who was speaking.
Finally, Nancy Thayer used the same adjectives and adverbs many times, and in my opinion they were used too close together. This is a more stylistic preference, but it bothered me. I felt that it made the story feel choppy and repetitive. Also, some phrases and actions were kind of cheesy and made it seem like the girls were trying too hard.
I enjoyed the last Nancy Thayer book I read, but I did not like this one very much.
Summer House is the second book by Nancy Thayer I have read, and I must admit, it was not my favorite.
First of all, I could not STAND Grace. She was so rude and disrespectful and tactless. Her daughters were not much better. Many times, I honestly wanted to slap them all, but the rest of the family seemed only mildly bothered by it. Additionally, many of the female characters could not stand up for themselves, which bothered me as well.
The whole summer seemed unrealistic. There were a lot of men moving in and out of the girls' lives. I find it hard to believe that even though they go to Nantucket every summer, this is the first summer that they had this happen to them.
I liked the past versus present when Ann was speaking. However, it was not done very smoothly and I found myself constantly going back and checking which time period we were in. The changes in perspective were also similar; I often had to go back and check who was speaking.
Finally, Nancy Thayer used the same adjectives and adverbs many times, and in my opinion they were used too close together. This is a more stylistic preference, but it bothered me. I felt that it made the story feel choppy and repetitive. Also, some phrases and actions were kind of cheesy and made it seem like the girls were trying too hard.
I enjoyed the last Nancy Thayer book I read, but I did not like this one very much.
May 1, 2014
This was a bizarre read for me. It vacillates between clunky and genius. Really... very strange. The sentences and dialogue can be so overwrought, but certain passages are priceless.
I liked it overall, but definitely didn't love it. I suppose anyone who grew up going to the Cape in the summer would appreciate this book, or anyone who likes nice chick-lit fairly-cerebral-romance stories, and family dramas... the characters were largely well-drawn, although so many holes... WHY is Grace like Grace is and how does Nona bear no responsibility? This is never explained and she is left as a caricature of sorts.
It's a little bit gross in the way that the people it centers on are gross... the wealth, the over-the-top-ness... but I suppose that's how it really is? Nantucket reds and all... us non-Vineyard-Vines-wearing plebians probably just can't understand.
I liked it overall, but definitely didn't love it. I suppose anyone who grew up going to the Cape in the summer would appreciate this book, or anyone who likes nice chick-lit fairly-cerebral-romance stories, and family dramas... the characters were largely well-drawn, although so many holes... WHY is Grace like Grace is and how does Nona bear no responsibility? This is never explained and she is left as a caricature of sorts.
It's a little bit gross in the way that the people it centers on are gross... the wealth, the over-the-top-ness... but I suppose that's how it really is? Nantucket reds and all... us non-Vineyard-Vines-wearing plebians probably just can't understand.
March 31, 2019
At first it was challenging keeping so many characters straight, but it was worth it. Lots of twists and turns. A good Summer read.
February 18, 2018
A great story with a lot of family drama. A story about a very enmeshed family with secrets, betrayal, jealousy, but also unconditional love and forgiveness. An entertaining read for sure.
January 28, 2024
Slow for a while and then the tea starts spillinggg
July 19, 2017
Great summer beach read. Predictable in some ways but unpredictable in others. Great characters!!
July 30, 2021
It usually does not take me as long to read a Nancy Thayer book as this one did. This wasn't a bad story, but I felt that there were some parts that just did not hold my interest to keep me reading for long periods of time. My favorite chapters were the parts that went back to Nona's life as a young woman. She was my favorite character. Some of the other characters were very annoying. Although I've always thought that a summer on Nantucket would be fabulous, I would definitely not want to spend it with a family like Nona's.
February 5, 2017
This is a story about family .... cranky, good, bad, crazy, controlling, jealous, indifferent, young and old .... your family if your family!
Anne Wheelwright is turning 90 and her whole family is going to help her celebrate. Whether she wants to celebrate or not!
Anne, or Nona, as she is affectionately called by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren sold her home in Boston when her husband, Herb, died five years ago. She decided she would live year round at their summer house on Nantucket. Every year the entire group converges on Nona and the summer house for three months and this year is no exception. Especially this year since they are celebrating a big birthday.
Although there are many family members moving in and out of the pages of this story, the three women who share the story and face changes and challenges in their lives are Nona, Helen, her daughter-in-law and Charlotte, Helen's daughter.
Nona has a secret she has carried for 60 years ... Helen has information that can change her life forever and Charlotte carries a lot of guilt over a choice she made. Each woman has to make a hard and life changing decision.
There are a ton of fun, crazy interesting story lines and the Wheelwright family is a very co-dependent and dysfunctional group. We also see Nona's early life as a young bride in short snippets sprinkled throughout the book.
This book held my interest from the first page. This family, although the story of these three women was completed, has many other stories waiting to be told!
June 14, 2010
Summer House is the tale of three generations of women who are all vacationing together with their families on their Nantucket retreat. Nona is the 90-year old matriarch of the family and remembers back to the days when she first met, feel in love with, had to separate with her husband during WWII. Her daughter-in-law Helen is facing current troubles with her husband Worth and their three children. Helen’s daughter Charlotte has started her own organic garden business on the island and is running from her past while also trying to start a romance with her good-looking next door neighbor, Bill Cooper.
While I found the book enjoyable, I felt that all of the storylines were not given enough time to really develop. The stories were tidally finished at the end, but I felt like there was so much more which could have been explored. Forgiveness for past wrongs seemed to come too soon without a good reason. I also didn’t care about the main love story as I should have because the male characters were not developed enough. I also wanted to know more about Nona’s daughter’s (Grace) issues, but she was portrayed as a one-dimensional harpy and we never learned what caused her problems.
Overall the book was an okay beach read, but had unsatisfactory character development.
While I found the book enjoyable, I felt that all of the storylines were not given enough time to really develop. The stories were tidally finished at the end, but I felt like there was so much more which could have been explored. Forgiveness for past wrongs seemed to come too soon without a good reason. I also didn’t care about the main love story as I should have because the male characters were not developed enough. I also wanted to know more about Nona’s daughter’s (Grace) issues, but she was portrayed as a one-dimensional harpy and we never learned what caused her problems.
Overall the book was an okay beach read, but had unsatisfactory character development.
September 6, 2011
This wasn't as bad as the other Thayer book I recently read, Beachcombers, but there is so much good chick lit (with the beach chick lit practically its own genre) out there these days that I don't need to read any more Nancy Thayer. As a former Kansas City resident I can appreciate her shoutouts to her former hometown, but the overwrought predictability and unlikeable characters that abound in her books I cannot deal with so much.
These sentences I have to quote because they're just so classically bad. "A good-looking blond-haired man named Tom Petty sang during [the Super Bowl] halftime." Now Nona (the family matriarch is 90, but there's no indication that she's gone blind. And "There her heavy breasts were, pooling into their cups like a pair of vanilla puddings," plus "the gelatinous mass of her ancient enormous bosom made it difficult to reach her back." Now why would Thayer want to repeatedly invoke food references to describe Nona's 90-year-old breasts?
These sentences I have to quote because they're just so classically bad. "A good-looking blond-haired man named Tom Petty sang during [the Super Bowl] halftime." Now Nona (the family matriarch is 90, but there's no indication that she's gone blind. And "There her heavy breasts were, pooling into their cups like a pair of vanilla puddings," plus "the gelatinous mass of her ancient enormous bosom made it difficult to reach her back." Now why would Thayer want to repeatedly invoke food references to describe Nona's 90-year-old breasts?
July 9, 2009
I enjoyed reading the twists and turns of the Wheelwright family (and it made me think that maybe my own family isn't so crazy after all). This book shows you that although a person may seem to be "perfect", he or she most likely has secrets from the past.
The story is told from the different viewpoints from three women from differnet generations of the same family. I found it interesting to read about the forties from Nona, the grandmother. I felt sorry for Helen, the mom. And I really wanted to connect with Charlotte, the daughter, but I just never really got a lot of warmth from her. She told you the whole time that she had started working in the garden because she felt she had made some huge mistake and needed to pay for it. And when I found out at the end what that mistake was, I definitely had never even thought of it!
I would have like to have been able to connect more with the characters, but never-the-less, it was an enjoyable read.
The story is told from the different viewpoints from three women from differnet generations of the same family. I found it interesting to read about the forties from Nona, the grandmother. I felt sorry for Helen, the mom. And I really wanted to connect with Charlotte, the daughter, but I just never really got a lot of warmth from her. She told you the whole time that she had started working in the garden because she felt she had made some huge mistake and needed to pay for it. And when I found out at the end what that mistake was, I definitely had never even thought of it!
I would have like to have been able to connect more with the characters, but never-the-less, it was an enjoyable read.
February 23, 2013
This book was pretty bad (overwrought writing, predictable storylines, low level racism and homophobia, etc.) and yet compulsively readable. Glad I got it from the library.
The next day, thought of something else that enrages me about this book: when the 30 year old heroine finally has sex with the dude her parents have wanted her to be with forever (and who is rich and works in her dad's bank, etc) they don't have condoms, but that's okay because their moms both want grandchildren. This is even though she had an STD talk with the other dude she was sleeping with, and even though this guy was sleeping with someone else all summer, and even though we know she slept with a married man (who slept around). But these two don't have to worry about STDs, because they're the golden ones, nothing dirty there. Ew.
The next day, thought of something else that enrages me about this book: when the 30 year old heroine finally has sex with the dude her parents have wanted her to be with forever (and who is rich and works in her dad's bank, etc) they don't have condoms, but that's okay because their moms both want grandchildren. This is even though she had an STD talk with the other dude she was sleeping with, and even though this guy was sleeping with someone else all summer, and even though we know she slept with a married man (who slept around). But these two don't have to worry about STDs, because they're the golden ones, nothing dirty there. Ew.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 20, 2016
Why do I keep giving this author another chance? Is it because I so badly want her to be another Elin Hildebrand? Here are just a few problems with this book:
1. Over the top drama, all coming to a head at the same time. No.
2. Thayer is so obviously uncomfortable and unfamiliar with homosexuality. It's painfully awkward to read.
3. and most of all, FLAT CHARACTERS. oh my God, this is Thayer's downfall.
- Charlotte: Boring boring boring boring. Then she has a big confession, and no one cares. At all. Zzzzzzz
- Helen: Doormat. Also zzzzzzzzzzz. Then she pretends to have a spine about something so STUPID! What? I can't.
- Teddy and his baby mama: Trash, trash, stupid drunk trash. HARD PASS. These are the kind of characters you kill off, Thayer.
- Grace and the Ms: SO one-dimensionally unlikable. WTF?
1. Over the top drama, all coming to a head at the same time. No.
2. Thayer is so obviously uncomfortable and unfamiliar with homosexuality. It's painfully awkward to read.
3. and most of all, FLAT CHARACTERS. oh my God, this is Thayer's downfall.
- Charlotte: Boring boring boring boring. Then she has a big confession, and no one cares. At all. Zzzzzzz
- Helen: Doormat. Also zzzzzzzzzzz. Then she pretends to have a spine about something so STUPID! What? I can't.
- Teddy and his baby mama: Trash, trash, stupid drunk trash. HARD PASS. These are the kind of characters you kill off, Thayer.
- Grace and the Ms: SO one-dimensionally unlikable. WTF?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 10, 2009
Oh wow...this book was not my favorite. It was so wordy, I found myself skimming pages and ready to toss it. I did read the first 100 pages, 10 from the middle, and 10 from the end...Huh...I thought it would never end. The story concept was good, but the author dragged out each character so long...I got bored and frustrated. Not sure I would read another Nancy Thayer..
August 19, 2019
It was just very mediocre. I just finished Summer if 69 by Elin Hilderbrand and I wasn’t ready to leave Nantucket. Unfortunately, I found with this novel I could have been on any island and didn’t feel the richness of Nantucket. Her characters were not as richly developed for me either except perhaps Nona.
July 30, 2022
3 stars. This book takes place on Nantucket- which I think made it more tolerable. We are introduced to Charlotte Wheelwright- who after deciding that she needs time on her own sets herself up in the family summer house on Nantucket. There, she takes up gardening- flowers and vegetables, and runs a small farm stand, Beach Grass Garden to sell her veggies and floral creations. It does not earn her much, but she loves what she does. Soon she is joined by a plethora of family members- most with issues or troubles of some sort. At times, I felt there were too many characters with too many problems, most of which were hardly touched on. There is also portions of the story where the matriarch, Anne Wheelwright ( though she is called Nona by everyone), who reflects back to her early life during WWII. Though interesting, it felt like a separate story from this novel.
All in all, this was the right book to have with me on summer vacation.
All in all, this was the right book to have with me on summer vacation.
June 18, 2024
It’s hard for me to put into words how much I disliked this book. I rarely leave reviews, but feel I’d be doing a disservice not justifying my 1 star rating.
While I did finish the book, it took me exceptionally long because of how painfully slow the book was. I continued on hoping there was some sort of plot, but was disappointed to find that there was no purpose to the story. There was no character development, although the author jumped from character to character frequently and without intention.
The book is titled “Summer House”, and while it’s based on Nantucket there is almost no reference to anything on the island which I found to be disappointing. This is not the light “beach read” one might expect from the title and description. This author continues to disappoint time and time again and this book confirmed it will be my last read by Nancy Thayer.
While I did finish the book, it took me exceptionally long because of how painfully slow the book was. I continued on hoping there was some sort of plot, but was disappointed to find that there was no purpose to the story. There was no character development, although the author jumped from character to character frequently and without intention.
The book is titled “Summer House”, and while it’s based on Nantucket there is almost no reference to anything on the island which I found to be disappointing. This is not the light “beach read” one might expect from the title and description. This author continues to disappoint time and time again and this book confirmed it will be my last read by Nancy Thayer.
February 12, 2018
First, as an avid veggie gardener, this book had me from the description about Charlotte and her organic garden. I was a little thrown at first trying to understand all the characters and which child belonged to which parent...a lot was thrown at you in the first couple of chapters. But as I got into the book I wasn't so overwhelmed.
This book had several very good plot twists and one REALLY huge one. Nancy Thayer is a master at writing about the complexities of families and how we love and hate them and love them again and the lengths we go to keep secrets from them. She also shows how heavy the burden is when we keep things to ourselves.
A wonderful ride.
This book had several very good plot twists and one REALLY huge one. Nancy Thayer is a master at writing about the complexities of families and how we love and hate them and love them again and the lengths we go to keep secrets from them. She also shows how heavy the burden is when we keep things to ourselves.
A wonderful ride.
June 9, 2025
My first Nancy Thayer book and exactly what I expected-good old summer reading fluff! And really summer reading fluff since I did most of the reading sitting on the pontoon watching one dog swim and one dog lay on the sundeck. Can’t get much better than that! Kinda predictable but good characters so yes, I liked it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 827 reviews