Title: A Hundred Summers
Author: Beatriz Williams
Published: April 1, 2014 by Berkely (paperback)
Pages: 432
Source: Purchased
Goodreads
Memorial Day, 1938: New York socialite Lily Dane has just returned with her family to the idyllic oceanfront community of Seaview, Rhode Island, expecting another placid summer season among the familiar traditions and friendships that sustained her after heartbreak.
That is, until Greenwalds decide to take up residence in Seaview.
Nick and Budgie Greenwald are an unwelcome specter from Lily’s past: her former best friend and her former fiancé, now recently married—an event that set off a wildfire of gossip among the elite of Seaview, who have summered together for generations. Budgie’s arrival to restore her family’s old house puts her once more in the center of the community’s social scene, and she insinuates herself back into Lily's friendship with an overpowering talent for seduction...and an alluring acquaintance from their college days, Yankees pitcher Graham Pendleton. But the ties that bind Lily to Nick are too strong and intricate to ignore, and the two are drawn back into long-buried dreams, despite their uneasy secrets and many emotional obligations.
Under the scorching summer sun, the unexpected truth of Budgie and Nick’s marriage bubbles to the surface, and as a cataclysmic hurricane barrels unseen up the Atlantic and into New England, Lily and Nick must confront an emotional cyclone of their own, which will change their worlds forever.
My review............5 stars
After reading blog after blog touting this as "the best beach read", this was the summer I was determined to see what all the talk was about. Well you can now count me in with my blog peers, because this book was fantastic! I really felt transported back to the 30's, the descriptions by the author were fantastic (but oh my, did people really drink and smoke that much back then?). It alternates back and forth between the time Lily and Nick were together, and the present summer at the beach. I could not wait to find out what happened between them, and how the summer was going to play out. There were a few more surprises thrown into the mix as well as the mystery of the ill fated lovers. I could see this as a movie, it reminded me of the old black and white movies from that era. There was an ease to the writing style that kept me fully engaged, I could almost see the scenes playing out on a movie screen in my head. I do admit that the ending felt a bit contrived, but at that point, I was so hooked that a measly few pages were not going to alter my view at all. This was my first book I've read by Ms. Williams, but it absolutely will not be the last!
Wonderful descriptions that make you feel like you are there watching the scenes play out, and feeling transported back in time. I loved this one, pick up a copy and join the club raving about this one.
I just finished this too! I listened to the audio version and it was well done. Like you had read reviews that were good and bought the audio probably a long while back and then it sat! July was the month to finally get to it and totally agree with you. The hurricane was sure something, and along with the gossips I got a little fooled by Lily's sister!
There were several twists and turns in it even though I wouldn't call it that type of book (mystery, thriller). It was just really well done throughout.
I'm glad you enjoyed it - I'm one of those bloggers that considers this "the best beach read". She's just so readable, right?!
Thanks Sarah! I would have named you, but there were so many of you 🙂 I'm very excited to read her other books.