10 Books of Summer | Book Chatter

Sunday Matters

It’s been quiet on the blog this week. I wasn’t feeling great and had an allergic reaction to some medication after that so although I had things to say, I was feeling too dizzy to actually sit down and say them. Starting to feel a tiny bit better.

June. It’s nearly at its end. Everything is a countdown for me these days with these two kids about to head out.

Right Now:

Just taking it easy and enjoying some coffee. There is so much to do but I gotta take a break.

This Week:

I had to take care of a mound of paperwork for various things last week. Most of it is done but need to finish that up this week because it keeps gnawing at my brain. Between switching the kids over to a new dentist and sending a kid off to college you really fill out a lot of paper. Seems like an antiquated way to do things today.

I hope to get back into my reading saddle and even add a review or two to the blog this week. I’ve been reading all of your blogs and comments though so at least I am up to date there.

Reading:

Diving into Before She Disappeared by Lisa Gardner for 10 Books of Summer.

Watching:

Loki. Kind of getting into it now.

Hollywood by Ryan Murphy of American Horror Story fame. It’s weird to see Hollywood in that light. Actors play screen greats like Rock Hudson, etc. It’s a little humorous and very scandalous. Visually, stunning. Murphy is known for that.

Grateful for:

I am grateful that I am still working from home right now. This past week was rough and working from home allowed me to get my work done on a flexible schedule and still take some time to care for myself. It’s really so important and moms tend to always put themselves last.

Summer Darlings
By Brooke Lea Foster
Gallery Books, 9781982115029, May 5, 2021, 368pp.

The Short of It:

Everything you want in a summer read, a slow-burn romance, a Martha’s Vineyard setting, a 1960’s backdrop of money and glamour but also a tiny bit of deception to keep you interested.

The Rest of It:

I went into this read with an open mind and it surprised me in a lot of ways. It wasn’t a straight-up beach read, as you’ve come to expect from a cover like the one above. Summer Darlings offered quite a bit more and kept me interested very early on.

After losing her scholarship at Wellesley, Heddy must find a way to earn her tuition money quickly and the easiest way to do that is to be a nanny for one of the wealthiest families on the island. Heddy is great with children but the lifestyle is a stretch for her. She has never been surrounded by so much wealth and opulence, nor has she any experience with how social circles work.

At first she is envious of her boss. She seems to have everything, a beautiful home, an attractive husband but no matter how much money you have, things are never as perfect as they seem. Between the other inhabitants of the island and her keen observations, there is definitely trouble in paradise.

I really loved that this story had a little bit of everything. It had all the glitter and glamour you’d expect from the island rich, but there is a bit of darkness too and honestly, it caught me by surprise. Heddy is young and impressionable but she doesn’t always make good choices, which surprised me given her upbringing. Nonetheless, I found it to be a great summer read and a good kick-off to summer reading. Have you read it?

This is the first book on my 10 Books of Summer list.

Source: Borrowed
Disclosure: This post contains Indiebound affiliate links.

Chatting with friends about books and life…