Golden Girl
Fiction
Little, Brown and Company
June 1, 2021
Hardcover
384
Purchased
On a perfect June day, Vivian Howe, author of thirteen beach novels and mother of three nearly grown children, is killed in a hit-and-run car accident while jogging near her home on Nantucket. She ascends to the Beyond where she's assigned to a Person named Martha, who allows Vivi to watch what happens below for one last summer. Vivi also is granted three “nudges” to change the outcome of events on earth, and with her daughter Willa on her third miscarriage, Carson partying until all hours, and Leo currently “off again” with his high-maintenance girlfriend, she’ll have to think carefully where to use them.
From the Beyond, Vivi watches “The Chief” Ed Kapenash investigate her death, but her greatest worry is her final book, which contains a secret from her own youth that could be disastrous for her reputation. But when hidden truths come to light, Vivi’s family will have to sort out their past and present mistakes—with or without a nudge of help from above—while Vivi finally lets them grow without her.
With all of Elin’s trademark beach scenes, mouth-watering meals, and picture-perfect homes, plus a heartfelt message—the people we lose never really leave us—Golden Girl is a beach book unlike any other.
I love this author's books, especially her summer ones. After reading the synopsis of this one though, I was hesitant to pick it up. Without getting into a lot of religious and spiritual beliefs, suffice it to say that I don't really buy into the premise of this plot. I ended up picking it up thinking at best I would truly enjoy it despite my misgivings, and at worst it would make me appreciate all her other books that I've been a huge fan of. As you can see from my rating, I really enjoyed this book! I just love the way Hilderbrand describes Nantucket in the summer (the beach, the shops, the homes, the food). She also has a way of telling a great family story, with all the dynamics between siblings, parents, and extended family. When you are reading one of her books, you feel as if you are literally there in the world that has been created for you. For these reasons, I was completely captivated by this story. Even though I didn't buy into the Beyond idea, I still loved the character of Martha and the banter between her and main character Vivi. The book also brought to light the issue of race in a predominantly white community, which I greatly appreciated. While most of the story is told in the present time, there are flashbacks to Vivi's life from her high school love, to her marriage and subsequent divorce, and the births of her children. There is book talk about bestseller lists, book tours (my Indie bookstore even gets a mention), and books in general. The concurrent investigation of who was driving the car that killed Vivi was also interspersed throughout until the satisfying conclusion where everything comes to light and everyone looks like they will be okay to navigate a world without Vivi in it.
Surprising myself with my enjoyment of this one. If you love a good family story told in a beach location, with a bit of mystery, and a side of someone watching over you from above, I think this is the book for you. Elin Hilderbrand proves to me that even if I'm not a huge fan of the plot, I'll still be ready to go along for the ride.
