Member Reviews
OK, so I very nearly gave up on this book after not reading very much. However, it wasn't really the book's fault - it was just the fact that it is very American! But it is set in America and written by an American author so that is to be expected! I am really glad that I didn't stop reading though as I really enjoyed it. Yes, I didn't understand a lot of the references or get some of the terminology etc but overall, I didn't think it spoiled the story.
Although in essence it is a love story, it has an unusual plot line. Set on Nantucket, it is spread over 28 years, hence the title of the book. Jake and Mallory fall in love and manage to maintain their 'once a year' relationship over all that time. Nothing stops them from being together over Labour Day weekend. I don't want to give the ending away as it would spoil it, but would just recommend you read this book to find out for yourself.
Thank you to Net Galley and the publishers for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review, which is what I have given.
A lovely story with a beautiful relationship. Tears fell! An easy read.
Thank you to the publisher and to the author and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
This was my first time reading a book by Elin Hilderbrand and I fell absolutely in love with her writing. I adored 28 Summers and simply couldn’t put it down. I can’t wait to read more from the author!
Elin Hilderbrand is a must read author for a reason, but this book fell a little short for me. To be fair, I really don’t like cheating in books so the fact that Jake is married really bothered me. With that said, the premise of the book is a really interesting one, and it was still a good read. Just be sure to have your tissues out because it’s a tearjerker.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Hodder & Stoughton for giving me an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I loved this book. The setting, the characters, storytelling and emotion. A perfect summer read that touched my heart.
Absolutely loved this book! It was my first Elin Hilderbrand book and won't be my last. I loved the concept of the story and enjoyed that it focussed on all character's lives and not just the couples!
I absolutely loved 28 Summers. Mallory and Jake develop a ‘same time next year’ relationship spanning 28 years, and the novel is structured around each weekend they spend together once a year. I don’t usually enjoy books which centre on an affair, but this is so much more than that.
Hilderbrand weaves the stories of Jake aka Mallory’s very different lives together throughout the novel; politics, teaching, family, parenting, friendship, the power of memories, the joy of summer, feminism, literary culture, teaching and so much more all play a part in the story.
I loved the lists of pop culture trends and current affairs events which began each section - they transported me back in time and worked really well to create a sense of Jake and Mallory’s lives moving forwards.
This isn’t a perfect book, nor is it necessarily the kind of literary fiction I usually reserve 5 stars for - but I loved it!
28 Summers was my very first read by this author. Elin Hilderbrand had me captivated from the first page to the last page.
I absolutely loved this book. I was instantly transported to Nantucket and I had my heart wrenched beautifully.
The characterisation was delightful.
I absolutely loved this book. It was so well written and I really felt for the characters involved. By the end of the book I was crying as it is so sad (I'm not spoiling the book by saying this as this book starts with the ending). I great read.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I loved the setting of Nantucket and found the characters very believable. Could not put this down and recommend it wholeheartedly.
This is a truly unique love story that also highlights a multitude of moral issues. Despite this, the book is written with sensitivity and flows beautifully.
I thought the structure of this book was wonderful and I fully immersed myself in this wonderful story.
A compelling beautiful story which will stay with me for a long time.
Ohh I really enjoyed this book. I've read a few books by Elin Hilderbrand now, so when I saw this one I knew I needed to request it. This book didn't disappoint. I love Elin's writing style and the vivid images she creates in my mind. Would definitely recommend!
Had a hard time connecting with the writing (the format I got on my Kindle was a little wonky) but also the actual tone of the book, that it was written in a sort of disconnected omniscient voice which reminded me a lot of pre-1990 books by Barbara Taylor Bradford and Danielle Steel - it just failed to connect with me. I wasn't captivated by the characters or by the plot, sadly
What a fabulous read! Mallory & Jake have known each other since college days & when they get together at her cottage on Nantucket for her brother's bachelor party, sparks fly. They fall in love & continue to meet once a year, every year, on Labor Day weekend. Jake marries his childhood sweetheart, Mallory remains single with the occasional lover. Jake's wife Ursula has a daughter. Mallory has a son, fathered by a friend of her brother's. Throughout all of this, Jake & Mallory continue to meet once a year, for unforgettable weekends. But life has a funny way of working out & that is just what happens to Jake & Mallory.
I loved this book & very strongly recommend it to anyone. Thank you to Netgalley, the author Elin Hildebrand & the publisher Hodder & Stoughton for the ebook I received in return for an honest review.
I enjoyed the style of this book, and I found it just flowed so easily and without realising, I was half way through.
The main characters were interesting when apart, but so lovely when together.
A bittersweet romance.
I really enjoyed the writing style. It was so easy to read and although it was my first book by the author her voice
sounded so familiar & comforting.
The characters were plesant and likeable, and I loved the chapter jumps - just a little snippet of each year.
I think I just really gelled with the writing and book structure.
The story and plot wasnt the most compelling nor where the characters particularly special. But the enjoyment I had while reading this book more than made up for it.
This book has it all friendships, relationships, betrayal and loss.
I loved the way it was written over so many years and the recap of each year at the start of the chapter brought back many memories.
Ultimately it’s a sad story. It doesn’t have the fairytale ending that we all wish for.
It follows the life of Mallory and her ‘same time next year’ pact with her brothers married best friend.
She sacrifices so much for him and yet gains so much. She’s true to herself, she accepts what she has is all that she’ll ever have and she cherishes what she does have.
Well worth a read but be prepared to get sucked in to this book and not want to put it down.
28 Summers is a wonderful "same time next year" novel. It is a beautiful and sometimes sad love story between Mallory and Jake. One of the things I loved about this book was the opening to each chapter. The listing of what was happening that year brought back wonderful memories. Is what Jake and Mallory are doing wrong? Is it okay to have a once a year affair? I did not judge while reading this one, I just went with the story. Both were okay with the situation on one hand, but had so many regrets. It was an easy to read story with likable characters. The opening lets us know how this story is going to end, but it still seemed a bit abrupt. This was an enjoyable summer read, one of the reasons why I look forward to Elin Hilderbrand's summer story.
A good read - nostalgic and keeps you reading. I enjoyed the characters and would definitely check out more by this author.