I wish I had a life out of an Elin Hilderbrand novel

[Anonymous]

I really enjoyed her earlier books. I always looked forward to the new ones coming out but agree with many PP's that they're just not the same anymore.

I haven't been able to get through the last few so I don't even bother reserving them anymore.

I'm glad other's are still enjoying though; each to his own!

[Anonymous]

I always read them but they are insipid. I saw her at a book talk 2 summers ago. She’s under contract to spit out one a year. She said she’s retiring at the end of this contract which is Probably only 2 more books at this point. She was tired of the pressure. Which probably explains the formula approach to writing.

[Anonymous]

I love her books. I'm a voracious reader and I like to alternate between something heavier and lighter, and her books are great for the lighter reads. I've spent time on Nantucket (not in a family-owned house, sadly) so I can picture a lot of the places she's describing, which may add to my enjoyment. Nantucket in the late summer (which is when I've been) is so magical but I can't imagine living there full time. It would be like the island version of the Shining. She definitely paints a rosy picture of full-time life on the island which I can't imagine is all that realistic. Hildebrand herself spends the winters in St. John, as I just heard her say on a podcast a few weeks ago.

[Anonymous]

Definitely not high-brow, but I love her books if I'm in the mood for fluff. My in-laws have had house on Nantucket for generations so I have spent a lot of time there. It's lovely in the off-season, too, but it's definitely a whole different world if you are a year-round resident (my in-laws are summer people, and generally spend Thanksgiving and Easter there too).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I read them. I love them. The constant beach trips, the descriptions of food, and the sense of having a home away from home are all lovely, but I think they are making you overlook the problems her characters face; the infidelity, the substance abuse, the white collar crime, out of control teens, and so on.

I like to read about them, but I don't want to experience them.

Yes there is soooo much infidelity in her books. And she's strangely nonchalant about it. Her characters constantly cheat on long term spouses like it's no big deal.

Like with her newest book - a modern twist on Same Time Next Year. I just couldn't get over the set up. We're supposed to root for this guy who is cheating on his girlfriend who, by the way, is pretty great? Nah man.

[Anonymous]

Which book should I start with? I’m ready for a good read that is fluff but not infuriatingly so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Which book should I start with? I’m ready for a good read that is fluff but not infuriatingly so.

The Castaways was my gateway Hildebrand, so it's a sentimental favorite of mine. Don't start with the St. John books; they are not her best. I like A Summer Affair, The Identicals, The Blue Bistro.

[Anonymous]

I loved the Castaways which was the first book of hers that I read. Fascinating to me how the 8 friends who are so different get along.
I met her at a book signing. She is one of those compulsively friendly people. She had cancer 3 years ago and sadly since then the depth in her writing has declined. Of course Nantucket would be a different kind of place if you lived there in summer and St John in winter. Best of both worlds.

[Anonymous]

All her book covers look the same so I can’t remember which ones I have read until I have finished a chapter or 2.

[Anonymous]

I enjoy her books and look forward to a new one every summer. I don’t care for her winter series. I can’t relate to her characters at all.. never been to Nantucket or MV, immigrant, Asian, but still, I love her books!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I read them. I love them. The constant beach trips, the descriptions of food, and the sense of having a home away from home are all lovely, but I think they are making you overlook the problems her characters face; the infidelity, the substance abuse, the white collar crime, out of control teens, and so on.

I like to read about them, but I don't want to experience them.

Yes there is soooo much infidelity in her books. And she's strangely nonchalant about it. Her characters constantly cheat on long term spouses like it's no big deal.

Like with her newest book - a modern twist on Same Time Next Year. I just couldn't get over the set up. We're supposed to root for this guy who is cheating on his girlfriend who, by the way, is pretty great? Nah man.

Clearly you didn’t read the book. Ursula is a bitch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lol, I was google image-ing the Chicken Box today since she references it so dang much.

She is hit or miss. I read The Matchmaker this week and The Island in May. Barefoot, Blue Bistro and the Castaways are the most readable. Everything else is funky.

But yes the food descriptions are pure escapism.

Pure beach reads. I’m reading “The Perfect Couple” now and one character writes a series of mystery novels but is losing her touch. Maybe Elin is on to something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, my sister hangs with her crowd on Nantucket. Yes, Nantucket is a great place to escape. Full days are spend on the beach, nights at beautiful houses for full service dinner parties, etc. but, it’s a very small island when it comes to living there year round. Take that for what you will.

Ooh tell us more. I assume this crowd is fabulously wealthy and beautiful?

I would NOT assume beautiful.

[Anonymous]

A pic of the people in this thread

[Anonymous]

Just finished “Summer of ‘69”.

Light fun pandemic read.