Summer Darlings

Have highly recommended this book on my Instagram account and physically shared my copy with select friends. If you are looking for escapism, a trip to Martha’s Vineyard in the 60, or just a darn good summer read, purchase this book already. Gorgeous writing whereby you will be submerged in the scenes, wrapped up in the culture, and rooting for karma. The best parts of Mad Men, Dirty Dancing, and The Nanny Diaries mashed up in this unputdownable book. Devoured it in one sitting.

A perfect summer read! You really get a little bit of everything: history (the nostalgic kind), summer vibes, love, money, mystery and intrigue, female friendships, the character you hate, the character you root for, and some mic dropping truths sprinkled in. I loved the overarching theme of how nothing is as it seems. And I REALLY loved Heddy's bravery, courage, and sense of self-worth. I debated including some quotes that I loved but I'd rather let you discover them for yourself. If you want to take a little summer vacation to Martha's Vineyard, travel back in time to the 1960s, and be entertained along the way, this is the summer book for you!

This book was interesting and frustrating. The main character got on my nerves. Way too wimpy at points and really, her job was for 3 months. You can tolerate any job for that long. She makes repeatedly stupid choices and not sure how anyone rates this as 5 stars. Some of references are more contemporary. One or two is ok but when we got to a 911 call in 1962, I was yelling to pay attention to details. Just ok for me.

I bought this book as a beach read and started reading on a perfect afternoon at the beach. I could not stop reading after leaving the beach, and continued until I finished the story the next day. The main character is spunky and smart and makes you root for her the entire story. I'm surprised this is the author's first novel, but look forward to reading more from her. The story is well written, with special attention to the importance of friendship and genuinely caring for others and yourself by being true to yourself and what you believe in by recognizing how you have come to learn life lessons and make choices. If you are making a choice about your next summer book, put this at the top of your list!

Loved losing myself in this captivating and nostalgic beach read! Memories of visits to the vineyard flooded back.

I read this book in the fall. Summer went by with us in quarantine and it didn't feel like summer at all. I read only a few pages every night because I wanted to savor it. It took me right back to summer and it felt like a vacation. There is a bit of everything for everyone. The characters are so different from one another yet they create a harmony that carries the story very nicely from scene to scene. Loved it, loved it...

With a summertime 1960’s setting, a young woman finding her way in life, wealthy families, this novel should have been wonderful but missed the mark. The book felt dull not likable.

I was in my early twenties when this story takes place and enjoyed going back in time with the author's words.The story was realistic, sometimes humorous, sometimes heartbreaking. Heddy, the main character is so likeable and compassionate, she would be my pick for a best friend and confidant in that era.I hope Ms. Foster will continue Heddy's story.

As a Brit, one of my guilty pleasures is American novels set on Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket, such as those by Elin Hildebrand and Nancy Thayer. This novel sounded intriguing and I actually paid much more than I would normally do for a Kindle book. Thankfully it was well worth the money. I loved the setting on the Vineyard in the early 60s with a young girl from an impoverished background getting a vacation job as nanny to the young children of a wealthy family - and discovering that what goes on behind the closed doors of some of the illustrious families bears no relation to the image they present to the world. I loved this book - although the ending seemed a little overly dramatic and strange - and will look out eagerly for the author’s follow-up novel.