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

[Anonymous]

Does anyone else read her new novel every year? They’re always set on Nantucket, which sounds magical, and the characters are always either inheriting a house on the island, sometimes out of the blue, or else their parents own houses there that they strangely don’t use so their adult children have free reign. The characters are always presented as UMC/UC relatable with just a touch of out of reach aspiration due to the aforementioned enviable housing situation. Sigh.

Anyone else relate to this? Lol

Side note: is Nantucket really as great as she portrays it?

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

Same here! Except I’m living the last one.

[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! I love the way she writes about food too! And clothes. She’s not the best writer in the world but she does have a talent for getting the details just right.

[Anonymous]

I tried based on raves here on DCUM but oh my goodness. I'm not high-minded, but I couldn't move through that drivel.

[Anonymous]

Meeee toooo!! Agree that the writing isn't that great but damn, she nails escapism. I've been reading pure fluff lately because my mind just can't with anything too weighty these days, and she fits the bill to a t.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Meeee toooo!! Agree that the writing isn't that great but damn, she nails escapism. I've been reading pure fluff lately because my mind just can't with anything too weighty these days, and she fits the bill to a t.

+1

Super fluffy escapism is the only thing that can hold my attention lately.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I tried based on raves here on DCUM but oh my goodness. I'm not high-minded, but I couldn't move through that drivel.

Agreed. She’s a wretched writer.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

Love her books. Agree OP. She's a good writer. Disagree with the negative posts. It's not AP literature, it's a fun beach read.

[Anonymous]

Yes OP. I googled "beach reads" a couple of years ago before a long flight. I ordered all of her books on Am Prime. They are fun reads. Those complaining about her writing are just jelly.

I ordered her new book on Prime + it's release was delayed. Was supposed to ship on June 11.

Nantucket is generally for wealthy Rs Op and Martha"s V for wealthy Ds. Both are fun.

For a quick escape to go Millie"s Rest. In upper HE DC for a Nantucket experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Same here! Except I’m living the last one.

You have a same time, next year? Do tell.

[Anonymous]

She is hit or miss for me. Loved The Island and The Perfect Couple. I liked Barefoot. Haven't gotten through any others, though I always buy them in hopes I'll get another good one. Good escapist fiction.

[Anonymous]

I agree with PPs, Hildebrand is good with little details and food descriptions but she's pretty thin on plot and character development. I think it has to be because she insists on pumping out two books a year.

I haven't read a Danielle Steel novel since high school but she's starting to veer into Danielle Steel territory, no?

[Anonymous]

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.