About the Book:

 

When Mallory Blessing’s son, Link, receives deathbed instructions from his mother to call a number on a slip of paper in her desk drawer, he’s not sure what to expect. But he certainly does not expect Jake McCloud to answer. It’s the late spring of 2020 and Jake’s wife, Ursula DeGournsey, is the frontrunner in the upcoming Presidential election.

There must be a mistake, Link thinks. How do Mallory and Jake know each other?

Flash back to the sweet summer of 1993: Mallory has just inherited a beachfront cottage on Nantucket from her aunt, and she agrees to host her brother’s bachelor party. Cooper’s friend from college, Jake McCloud, attends, and Jake and Mallory form a bond that will persevere — through marriage, children, and Ursula’s stratospheric political rise — until Mallory learns she’s dying.

Based on the classic film Same Time Next Year (which Mallory and Jake watch every summer), 28 Summers explores the agony and romance of a one-weekend-per-year affair and the dramatic ways this relationship complicates and enriches their lives, and the lives of the people they love.

 

My Review:

 

What a fabulous story! Yet, not without issues. This was my first book by this author and I fell in love with her writing. Although I felt the story was a little unbelievable in some parts, I was still compelled to finish. So that is a testament to the power of Elin Hilderbrand’s writing. I cannot imagine a more perfect beach read than ’28 Summers.’

One of the most memorable parts of this book is the fantastic chapter headings as we follow Jake and Mallory through 28 summers of their lives, beginning in 1993. The songs, the headlines, the news of each year all brought back such strong feelings! I don’t think it’s a spoiler to say that Mallory and Jake fall in love and spend each Labor Day weekend together, yet never see each other in between. Poignant, funny, romantic, and evocative, the author created unforgettable characters that will stay with me for a long time.

“And yet, what Jake feels for Mallory isn’t merely infatuation. It’s something bigger.”

And yet…why did Mallory give up her adult life waiting for these stolen weekends with Jake? Why was that enough for her? I will admit that I was so puzzled by Mallory’s actions (or lack thereof) that I did almost DNF this book halfway through. But I am so glad I finished. I really got a feel for life on Nantucket though the author’s gorgeous and detailed descriptions of the beaches, the food, the seasons and the people there. And still I was constantly asking myself, why won’t Jake give up everything and just be with Mallory?!

“They’re crazy about each other. Crazy about is where they are this year. They’ll leave it at that. For now.”

The cast of characters are fantastic and the current events of each time period are spot-on. I actually have a book hangover after finishing this one so that is always a plus for me. ’28 Summers’ is a delicious and fun book perfect for reading on a hot summer’s day. I look forward to reading the author’s other books, they all sound amazing.

(ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.)